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|this is my finished sock but it is way too small, will start the next one but keeping it plain
the plumber also came today & i now have a tap down on the other block, he's coming back Friday to finish off the grey water pipeline & then i'll have water for my future orchard. starting to feel very happy again :)
ohhh & this post (below) i meant to post a fortnight ago & totally forgot i had it waiting in the drafting room!
<<<mowing & burned ...
Monday 2 weeks ago, seeing that it was a bit cooler & nicely overcast, some mowing was in order, so out i went at 9am & started mowing the top half of my half acre down the back. it's divided into 2 halves, quarter acre each approximately. the top half i leave for my neighbours horses as it slopes & isn't easy to mow but this time round it needed some mowing. it took me almost 4 hours! i had a break in the middle then went back out after 20mins, it was still a nice day with a cool breeze blowing. i did manage to finish the top half.
it's hard going especially as i'm so unfit! you see i do it all with a push mower as i'm not keen on the ride-ons, they mow way too short (some even take it all off at dirt level!) i like to mow the back with some height, it still leaves a bit for the 'roos, hares & parrots to eat plus i have lots of thyme, gota-cola & a few flowering wild plants growing & these struggle to get going after a ride on has been through.
after the Mondays effort, when i came in i realized that i was burned, sun burned on my arms, face & neck, something which hasn't happened in a long time. i was badly burned so after dousing myself under the shower i went out & got myself some aloe vera & smothered myself in that & after all my showers. my sister suggested i should wear a shirt, never thought of that, i will have to pick my times of mowing to be in the cool of the afternoons when there's a bit of shade. the mozzies made a meal out of my arms as well & i looked diseased with ruddy huge welts all over my arms! well i guess that's what i get for getting myself cooked! anyway Wednesday i mowed the bottom quarter, with a shirt on this time, all went well, took less time than the top, it's all looking good now it's mowed.
still got the house acre to do yet, in some places the grass is chest high! it's good exercise.>>>
i'm all okay now, had some issues with going outside with my sensitive skin but once that hardened off it was good. still turn bright pink with the heat but that'll pass too.
the weather really is hot here, humidity is high & it's extremely uncomfortable most days, gosh i wish it would just rain already!
we're supposed to be getting above 40s for the weekend, hope it brings storms with it!
hope everyone is keeping cool or warm in your neck of the world
thanx for visiting


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What is Wondrous to You?
When we were on vacation last week in Key West, I saw an iguana out by the pool. Look at his coloring and size. I had never seen a real iguana that big, up close and personal.
We also took a sunset sail, and I took several pictures of sunset on my phone. Here is just one. It was a beautiful evening.
During our last day, I saw a gecko next to my pool chair. I took this picture.
Do you ever miss some of the wondrous, beautiful things in life? I do. We can take them for granted. When I have experiences like these, I remember how much of the world is wondrous to me.
You don't have to be on vacation to notice. Sometimes, I think back to the computers I used at the beginning of my career and then look at my phone and I wonder! I knew that computers would become "more" and "better," and I had no idea how fast that would happen.
Dear adaptable colleagues: What is wondrous to you?
- Can You Think, "Until Now"?
- What Are Your Assumptions?

subset: commoncrawl


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Dear Reader - My heavens, it's been a roller-coaster of a week here at Casa J & C. We have been working our little fingers to the nubbins, and, thanks be to God, our friends have been helping, big-time, along the way!
Here's some of what's been happening . . .
We've been unpacking books. Books like these:
And . . . our lady friends have been helping us each day. Friends like Margaret, who, when dutifully alphabetizing the biography section, cried out, "Oh my gosh! This is my absolute favorite book of all time! I don't know about his politics, but I totally love the man . . . and I loaned mine to someone years ago, and I've never been able to remember who - and I've never been able to find another copy 'till now!" This, dear Reader, is what I've been waiting for all these months - moments like these when the little books that've found me find the new homes where they're really meant to live. I was in absolute heaven as Margaret passed over her $5 for Airborn, our first book sale:
While every one of us has done our own fair share of label removal, returning the books to their un-besmirched state, Ms. Sue has been the Goddess of Goo Gone:
And speaking of Libby . . . Libby has worked wonders with the blue seat cushions on those lovely Duncan and Phyfe chairs:
I went to Dreamweaver fabrics at the Midway shopping center, and they couldn't have been more helpful and lovely. They assisted me in picking out a few different fabric choices for the chairs, pointing me in the direction of this upholstery fabric in particular (which was super cool, since it'd been a discontinued model by the manufacturer that they'd picked up at a discount that they likewise passed generously on to their customers):
Angie's daughter (whose name I can't recall in the moment) and Beth helped me. When I went back to make my final selection after looking at the fabric at our shop, Beth cut it for me and then helped me determine if I needed to get new padding:
Well, I tried doing one with the help of my friend Judy. The results were just fine (we were actually pretty doggone proud of ourselves, Reader), but nothing like what happened when Libby up and decided to grab this ball. These old, once tired, chairs now look blissfully happy and absolutely stunning:
Finally, my friend Denise was the Book Whisperer. Her brilliant practicality and keen aesthetic could take any shelf of books and make sense of it. I turned my back for half an hour or so, helping the birthday cards find their new home, and when I came back around, she'd taken a problem with the fiction and biography sections and completely resolved it, tout sweet:
Oh, and speaking of cards, I'd be remiss if I didn't, once again, acknowledge the help of one of my gentlemen friends as well. Mr. Phil helped my assemble the Borealis card rack from Maine. One of the primary supports needed a little repair, so he did that, and then we tag-teamed the Lucite racks. Here's the result:
There's just one more card line that's on its way to us, but the rest have found their homes. The birthday cards are ready to celebrate:
The special occasions are spinning at the front of the store:
The Sigmund and all his buddies are ready for guests to choose them and then choose how to greet them with their unique little stickers (could there be a better Mother's Day card?):
And the letter-pressed bellamuse cards have joined Jonathan Wright on the rack:
Folks keep asking "when," and I keep chuckling away. I dunno, Reader, I figure it could be any day now, but I've realized that I'm not going to know when it's time 'till it's time (just call me the Queen o' Intuition). I told my lady friends that we're gonna do a little burlesque routine as our means to a soft opening. We're gonna slowly peel away bits of that paper, sending a titillating little mixed signal to our passersby, 'till we eventually get it all off.
If you're wandering by and the papers peeling and the lights are on, be brave, come knock at the door - we'll welcome you in! - Jenny


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Friday, October 31, 2008
Halloween Cards Make Me Smile
This morning my partner B handed me a bunch of envelopes, and said,
"Happy Valentine's Day!"
Being only partially awake myself, I said, "I get THREE cards this year?"
"No, one of them is for Anela!" (our cat)
You can probably pick out Anela's card from the pile of cards we exchanged today, right?
Yes, we're saps.
But loving saps.
Labels: another Maui Halloween, greeting cards, Halloween cards
Thursday, October 30, 2008
The Krispy Kreme Donut Downfall Day
This is my plan--attending to my health and waistline.
Krispy Kreme donuts changed this excellent plan yesterday.
First, I noticed a sign for 5 Cents coffee as we drove past Krispy Kreme donuts. I said to my partner B, "Wow, is that ever the sign of the times! Let's go around the block so I can take a photo of that!"
As everyone knows, food and drink are very expensive on Maui, and *anything* for 5 cents is unheard of! I wanted to document this posted sign for posterity.
So B. accommodated me, and we drove around the block. And then B. confessed he had never driven through the KK donut shop. I was astonished. He had been so strict with his healthy eating, and the thought had never occurred to him to wolf down a fattening donut! He didn't even know there was such a thing as drive-through donuts.
It was at this moment I decided we must sample the coffee offered for 5 cents and a donut or two! The coffee was very good as were the fattening donuts.
And that's how we spent nearly $8.
So much for plans!
And it's back to the treadmill today!
Labels: 5 cents coffee, donuts, donuts on Maui, Krispy Kreme donuts
Monday, October 27, 2008
Outside My Window
Lately I've been taking a sabbatical from blogging as some might have noticed.
I've done so for several reasons: health issues, blog burn-out, and a lot of other things calling me.
As I considered today's post, I searched for the word which most summed up my time away from this particular blog. Even though I manage to post on my photo blogs and microblogs on a daily basis, they're fast and easy.
The word 'sabbatical' is a delightful word, and I wish everyone could have the opportunity to take frequent sabbaticals to refresh themselves. Sabbatical sounds so much more glorious than 'leave of absence', does it not?
Here are some examples of my other favorite words:
splendor, aquamarine, and vermillion
Don't ask me why. These words just make me smile. They conjure images for me. And bring me peace and joy just like the photo from my window (above).
Labels: blog burn-out, Outsie My Window, sabbaticals, taking a break, words I like
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Back To The Future
Today I received an email from my Future Me!
Yes, I had signed up last summer--June 10, 2008-at the Future Me organization and sent an email to myself to be received today. Of course, with my busy life and serious internet/blog addiction, I'd completely forgotten about signing up and sending myself this email.
And how very timely it is!
This is the email:
The following is an e-mail from the past, composed on Tuesday, June 10, 2008, and sent via FutureMe.org
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Dear FutureMe, Congratulations on your Letting-Go project! You have successfully given away lots of old stuff, outworn beliefs, and extra baggage of all kinds. Are you sure you have missed anything? Love...Your Future Self"
When I read this email today and the last sentence, I felt a shiver run down my spine.
And I knew what I still have to let go of and have been dragging my feet because of guilt.
This past week I watched the tv series, "Brothers and Sisters", and the Mother was FINALLY letting go of her dead husband's possessions at her garage sale. She was conflicted with many emotions about this process, and as I was watching the show, I KNEW there were also many 'things' which I had been given from a relative which hadn't been let-go!
The synchronicity of receiving this email today along with the gentle reminder from the tv show tells me I've got to cut through the guilt and find a home for these possessions tucked into closets. I've asked other family members if they want them, and they said ABSOLUTELY NOT, but I want these beautiful, old treasures to find a happy home with people I know. Getting rid of them on E-Bay or a garage sale would make me too sad, and I would end-up in tears like the Mother on the tv show.
All I can say is I'm happy Christmas is on the way.
Labels: Back to the Future, Future Me, garage sales, letting-go of stuff, stuff management
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Go To The Mountain
People from time immemorial have gone to the mountains when they need to re-connect with Spirit and their Inner Selves. And this is what my daughter Gen and I did yesterday when we made the pilgrimage to Haleakala, our sacred Maui mountain.
We took along our cameras. Gen was recently gifted a beautiful new Sony digital camera by my partner B. She absolutely loves it, and she's fallen in love with photography just like her Mother.
Yesterday was a very mystical day on The Mountain. We communed with a gaggle of the state bird of Hawaii, the Nene goose. We drooled over flowers and views, rainbows, and scents of wild, fresh earth and evergreens. We purchased roadside flowers. We shopped at the lovely and charming Kula Market.
And we came home elated, relaxed, and rejuvenated.
Here is another memory of yesterday with another here and here.
Labels: flowers of Maui, Haleakala, Maui photography, nene birds, valley view of Maui
Friday, October 17, 2008
Neighbors Who've Moved On
One day we were standing in front of my home chatting when she looked over at a tree of ours which is in our front yard.
"That tree needs whacking," she said.
Horrified of whacking a tree, I simply raised my eyebrows.
"Yes, can't you see where someone has whacked it before?", she asked me as she pointed out what looked like knife marks on one side of the tree.
I could see them alright, but I never would have imagined someone would be whacking our tree.
"Go outside at night when no one is around with a large knife and give it a couple of good whacks," she counseled me.
I considered doing as she said because this whacking was supposed to help my tree which wasn't then in bloom, but I just couldn't make myself do it.
Then she moved away, and our tree is full of beautiful, red blossoms as in the photo above.
I've wondered if she came over one night and secretly whacked it.
Just as a gesture of love, of course.
Labels: Maui neighbors, Maui stories, Maui trees, tree whacking, trees
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Ho Hum--It's Halloween Time Almost
For over a decade, my partner, friends, family and me have shown up for the annual Lahaina Halloween festivity on Front Street. I think we've only missed two years out of 17....not bad, eh?
Every year we've worn different costumes. This change of costume makes it easier to keep the years straight. If we didn't do so, I fear the years might blend into one another since we basically do the same thing every year: go out to dinner and then walk up and down Front Street and ogle others and stop off at a bar here and there as we stroll back and forth. In the really OLD days, a couple of our friends used to rent a room at the Pioneer Inn, and we'd go up to their room facing Front Street and hang-out on the balcony with them.
There have been fantastic, fun years on Front Street and some dismal years too. One year it rained most of the night.
We've been TRYING to get excited about this year's party, but for some reason we've just can't get excited enough to make a decision about our yearly costumes. The other day I went around and looked at costumes in stores and got even more turned off at the outrageous prices for crummy, polyester costumes.
The last costume my partner wore was a Caesar outfit which I ordered for him online. He made a GREAT Caesar, and that year he was a huge hit with lots of folks wanting their photo with him.
Not only was the costume cool and comfortable, he loved receiving attention! Of course, he will deny this when he reads this post. Hah!
I saw a black t-shirt in one of the stores which read, " This IS my costume", and I momentarily considered this option just for a change. However, that would be cheating myself.
How often do I get a chance to walk around looking slutty and getting away with it? How often do I slap on heavy make-up or crazy clothes and feel good about myself? No, I have to find something wild and crazy to excite me and break these pre-Halloween blahs.
The above photos are from FUN years past! There are many more photos I could post, but I'll wait and show-off our fantastic NEW 2008 looks later here in another post.
And what are you doing for Halloween?
Labels: Halloween costumes, Halloween on Maui, Lahaina Halloween Party
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Trampoline Joy
For a long, long time I've had a trampoline in my life--a mini trampoline. However, for the last year or so, it's only been my partner who has been using it and not me. The trampoline sits outdoors, and my partner does daily morning jumping jacks on it.
The other day I decided it was time for me to get back on the trampoline and move my lymph around, and so I dragged the trampoline indoors, put on a dance music CD and reacquainted myself with the joy of bouncing.
Since my legs are in great shape due to having worn fitness footwear MBT shoes for quite a while, I haven't experienced pain in my legs, but I have had the heavy-breathing experience-- which is exactly what I wanted for my lymph.
Rebounding exercise is supposed to be one of the best exercises you can do. Here's a website with some rebounding tips.
My morning routine has now changed...and instead of spending hours chained to the computer writing and blogging and researching and commenting, now I'm rebounding and dancing.
Most of my friends & family would agree this is a good thing. :Smile:
Labels: dancing on trampolines, joy of bouncing, MBT fitness footwear, mini trampolines
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Vacation Memories
Since returning from our recent vacation, I've been sifting through our many vacation photos and uploading some of them on my Flickr account. Here's one I haven't uploaded yet (above), and it has a story to accompany it.
While visiting the small village of Vilcabamba, Ecuador, the Vice-President of Ecuador, Lenin Moreno, came to visit. Moreno is the one in the wheelchair above, and as you can see, when I took this photo, all of the eyes of security team turned towards me--it was one of those moments when I felt very obvious as a foreigner and tourist. Gulp!
This past Sunday Ecuadoreans ratified the new constitution which will help the poor and the hardworking of Ecuador. Here's a link.
Labels: constitution of Ecuador, Ecuador, Lenin Moreno, Vilcabamba
Thursday, October 02, 2008
How Magic Happens
I became excited as something stirred in my memory bank, and I faintly remembered how the Moon was utilized long, long ago.
I then blogged about this amazing invention on my astrology/moon blog Moonlight Becomes Me on Sept. 4, 2007.
Click here to read what I wrote.
Shortly after posting, I received an email from the public relations rep for the Interstellar Light Collector inviting me to visit and interview the inventor of the collector, Richard Chapin.
At that moment I set my intention to find my way to the remote Arizona Sonora Desert location to take her up on the offer and to experience the Moonlight Collector!
And almost exactly a year later--on September 13, 2008--my daughter and I stood on a boom lift in the Arizona desert night facing this enormous device.
"The non-imaging optical array is parabolic and composed of 84 mirrored collection panels (4' x 8' each). At 6 stories high, 60 feet across and weighing 25 tons, this breathtaking hydraulic device concentrates moonlight to many times its natural occurrence."
The Full Moon was two days away, and we were told the days prior to a Full Moon are the optimal time to experience the Moonlight Collector.
My daughter, Gen, and I stood alone on the raised boom lift with the boom lift operator, a kindly man. He communicated with another ground-crew member to tilt each of these panels ever so slightly towards us as the moon slowly moved overhead.
At one point, my daughter grabbed my arm as she nearly fainted from the intensity/bliss of the experience. She also experienced a powerful vision. I simply felt bliss, and afterwards, we both were surely glowing for we were at the receiving end of 15 minutes of concentrated moonlight--an experience we may never have the opportunity to repeat again in this lifetime.
Even though this moonlight experience was passive and receptive, I would rate it up there with some of the other more surreal experiences of my life such as having a private audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama at his home in MacLeod Ganj or galloping on a fast steed past the pyramids in Egypt with my partner.
Mahalo Nui Loa Patty, Monica and Richard Chapin, and all the other Interstellar team members for your warm reception and invitation!
Following is my interview with Richard Chapin, the inventor:
1. Your website mentions the "moonlight's unique qualities" which offers many benefits and that you're researching the "brightest stars and celestial bodies' spectral alternative properties." Please elaborate upon the research with the stars and celestial bodies.
At this time we are focused primarily on the moon. These will be future studies. We have great interest in Sirius, which we intend to begin some focus on in October.
2. Scientists and other researchers are collaborating with you on your project. Are astrologers also studying the effects of the Interstellar Light Collector?
Astrologers have always studied the effect the moon on peoples' charts. Some feel the concentrated phases of the moon on a person could help in healing.
3. You write on your website that crystals which are infused in the moonlight collector "take on the vibration pattern of the moon." I'd like to know more details about this. What was your inspiration to connect crystals with the moon?
Dr. Robert Downs has told us that the crystals, put into the concentrated moonlight, have molecularly changed. This is not a temporary change, but a permanent change. Ancient civilizations have used the moon to purify crystals for centuries. We infuse the crystals the same as people, except for a longer period of time.
4. I also read the application of focused moonlight "may lead to discoveries in industry, agriculture, biology, medicine, and in alternative healing practices." Are you also researching ways to harvest the moonlight for an alternative energy source?
We are looking into batteries, generators, capacitors, moon panels, etc.
5. Have you read the book, "Who Built The Moon?", and if so, what are your thoughts about Knight and Butler's theories and final summation?
Interesting findings, however, it goes to show you how far observation can go. Can we prove anything? Probably, this goes too far.
6. Have you researched and made discoveries about benefits from various Moon phases? Do you primarily research the New and Full Moons phases? Is there a Moon phase which is more beneficial and 'healing' than another phase?
Different phases indicate different results – our in-house testing draws from different research published from universities.
7. You will be releasing the Lunar Therapy DVD soon I read on your website. Tell me/us more about this DVD.
It has testimonials from people who have experienced the focused moonlight and professionals talking about this new therapy. We also offer a fifteen-minute light experience, filming and using the light directly from our moonlight collector.
8. Watching the video on your website, I heard you'd been involved with astronomy. Were you a professional astronomer or a student? What is your background in this regard?
I built my first telescope at age 8 and started my high school astronomy club, which was very popular. I also took university courses.
9. In your desire to help your dying friend, you began studying full spectrum light therapy. Was there an 'aha' moment as you were studying this therapy which led to the invention of the Moonlight Collector?
There was an aha moment on a star-lit night, a good friend and I were in deep discussion about the stars and the moon and how they fit together with humans, then it just came to me.
10. Do you have a goal to build another Moonlight Collector? Or a bigger collector? What are some of your future plans which you can reveal at this time?
We are hopeful of having many more moonlight collectors built by universities, institutions, and other interested parties, etc.
If you'd like to purchase products infused with concentrated Moonlight, click here.
Below is my 'not-so-great' photo from the backside of the Moonlight Collector. You can see better photos on the website.
Labels: Arizona Sonora Desert, concentrated moonlight, crystals and the moon, Interstellar Light Collector, Moonlight Infusions, starlight, Starlight Uses


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Teardrop Studs
Beautiful, minimal and easy to wear.
These Tear Drop Studs are made from 100% sterling silver. They are hand made in a small jewellery workshop in Scotland using traditional metal working skills.
Each pair is made to order and are made with love and care.
They measure 2.5 cm x 1.8 cm.


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Thursday, August 14, 2008
More ruins
Taking his cue from Mackenzie King's Kingsmere, Stephen Braithwaite used pieces of demolished Ottawa buildings (along with some new bronze sculptures) to create "Strathcona's Folly," a sculpture/play structure in Ottawa's Strathcona Park.
The somewhat unsettling looking faces are from a Bank of Montreal branch.
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I just finished reading Flowertown, a conspiracy thriller by S.G. Redling. The story is about a small town in Iowa that is quarantined after a chemical company (Feno) spills their experimental pesticide near the town. The inhabitants are held captive to a restrictive infrastructure, countless med checks and less than ideal living arrangements. They are isolated from the outside world to prevent the spread of the contamination. The side effect of the drugs they are forced to take is that their bodies give off a sickly flower like smell; hence the designation of "Flowertown".
The main character (Ellie) was in the town by chance at the time of the spill. Those closest to her were either killed instantaneously by the spill or shortly thereafter from the medications given to rid their bodies of the poison.
Ellie, after a two-year stint in a mental institution, slips into an existence of apathy, laziness….oh, and marijuana. She is a complicated, hot mess. She is sarcastic and sassy and even though she appears to be clueless, she is actually quite smart. She has a budding "romance" with an Army sergeant-turned Feno employee that is plagued with mistrust and betrayal. Her fight for survival lies dormant until she starts to see things crumbling around her as the conspiracy unfolds.
The company that is to blame for the spill collaborates with a big pharmaceutical company to manage the treatment of the town members. It's obvious as the story develops that there are motivating factors at play. Whereas you would think that with the advent of pharmaceutical advances, after 7 years the town's inhabitants would be cleansed by the contaminant. Instead, many of them have been told that their livers are failing and they are just being treated with "comfort meds". While most would resign to their fate, Ellie's rage unleashes her sass and defiance in the face of authority. You see her true colors when she is backed into a corner. Most animals when caged and abused are eventually going to fight back.
I found that I enjoyed the twisted plot and the storyline kept my attention for the majority of the story. I actually acquired Flowertown on a free Prime membership loan. About 60% into the story, I turned on my Wi-Fi to update my Kindle and it disappeared!! When my free month of prime membership expired, so did my book. Needless to say, I purchased it right away. Those that know me and know that I hate spending money on something that I already had for free can appreciate how much I was enjoying this book.
I felt the big twist coming, but I was pretty surprised anyway which is refreshing. Even though I was pretty close to piecing it together it still had the shock factor. The author develops the supporting characters just enough for you to be pulled into their stories. She makes you wonder if something like this can really happen, and how the government would handle it if it did. Would you stand by and watch as everything unfolded around you or would you rise up and fight?
The story did leave some unanswered questions, which I would imagine could lead to a second book but I'm not sure where they would take the storyline. I felt it wrapped up too quickly and lacked closure for many of the characters we met.
Overall though, I enjoyed it. It was a pretty easy read and I was intrigued by the suspense and paranoia. I found myself pulling for Ellie and hoping that everyone would escape from the greed and abuse of power of those capitalizing on the misfortune of others.
Also available at Barnes & Noble/Nook


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#1 Decorative Wall Mirrors at Shanty 2 Chic
I didn't even know that I like mirrors in Dining Rooms until I saw the Decorative Wall Mirrors that Whitney made at Shanty 2 Chic. They're gorgeous! If you don't already follow Shanty 2 Chic you're missing out on some really fantastic DIY decor projects.
#2 16 Ideas for Organized Kids Closets at Serenity Now
Amanda put together a feature post with photos of 16 different organized kids closets. This post has a bunch of good ideas. In fact, I think I had her post roll through my Google Reader 4 or 5 times, just so I could keep looking it. :)
#3 Growing Your Blog Series at Centsational GirlDid you read the 'Growing Your Blog' Series that Kate at Centsational Girl organized? It was fun to read about the experiences of five well-known Bloggers on five different topics of Blogging.
#4 Favorite Recipes of 2011 at The Girl Who Ate Everything
I made Christy's Bloomin' Onion Bread last year, it's on the readers favorites list, and my family really likes it (the ones who were willing to try it anyway). We like it on french bread too. I just slice the loaf in half lengthwise and put the toppings on top, so yummy! Christy put a list together of her favorites of 2011 as well.
#5 Aged Inside Door at Down to Earth Style
I just saw this photo on Pinterest and was so intrigued. It's an inside door that leads down to the basement. I'll be looking around this blog some more, Holly has many creative ideas for the home.
December Thank you's
I didn't ever post thank you's to the Bloggers who featured one of my projects in December. (This will probably be my last month putting this list together.) As always, the links go directly to the home page of the blog and I know they'd love a visit!
Marshmallow Wonderland Vignette
A Mommy's Life with a Touch of Yellow
Printable Christmas Countdown Block
Printable Christmas Countdown Block
Creative Busy Hands
Game Night in a Bag
Game Night in a Bag
Christmas and Winter Mantels
Printable Paint Stick Ornaments
Mod Podge Rocks-Facebook Feature
Interchangeable Holiday Frame-Snowman OrnamentsCrafts by Amanda
Interchangeable Holiday Frame-Snowman OrnamentsCrafts by Amanda
15 Gift Ideas Under $2
Simply Rebekah
Children's Nativity Set
Under the Table and Dreaming
Fun Family Crafts
#1 Project at The CSI Projects Kid's Holiday Crafts Challenge
2x4 Snowmen
Lynn Spin
Father/Dad Subway Art Print
Tip Junkie
Today's Fabulous Finds...
DIY Wall Mirror
16 Organized Kids Closets
Growing Your Blog Series
Favorite Recipes of 2011
Aged Inside Door
Fun Family Crafts
#1 Project at The CSI Projects Kid's Holiday Crafts Challenge
2x4 Snowmen
Lynn Spin
Father/Dad Subway Art Print
Tip Junkie
Today's Fabulous Finds...
DIY Wall Mirror
16 Organized Kids Closets
Growing Your Blog Series
Favorite Recipes of 2011
Aged Inside Door


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Business owners are invited to meet with the leaders of Rotherham Council to advise them of the challenges facing the business community.
The authority was taken over by five commissioners, led by Sir Derek Myers, in the wake of the damning jay Report, which highlighted how at least 1400 children had been sexually exploited in the town between 1997 and 2013.
The commissioners are welcoming business leaders to meet them and advise how the council should be run as part of a roadshow in the borough.
A council spokeswoman said: "As someone who lives or works in the borough of Rotherham, you will have strong views about what's good, what's bad, what you're proud of – and what kind of community you want to see for generations to come.
"It is always important for communities to have opportunities to discuss their collective future. Given the deeply saddening events which sent shockwaves through the town over recent months, in Rotherham, it's more crucial now than ever that we have this conversation."
Councillor Chris Read, council leader, will host and one of the commissioners will be attending. The free event is at the Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce base at Genesis Business Park, Sheffield Road, Rotherham, on June 16 from 2pm.


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DevOps Engineer – Cloud Native Service Infrastructure
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Salary: Competitive
- Job Type: Full time
DevOps Engineer – Cloud Native Service InfrastructureIn January 2018, we launched one of the industry's largest technical transformation projects, in effect building a new bank from the ground up. This project isn't greenfield in the way most banks claim projects are; we've started with a blank sheet of paper both operationally and technically. We're using the same technologies that Silicon Valley giants are using: aggressive use of multiple public clouds, building our own private cloud to achieve even better performance, pushing out microservices into what will be one of the largest Kubernetes installations in the world, leveraging immutable storage to process and store hundreds of terabytes of data a day, transforming our industry through application of distributed ledger technology and cognitive computing, aggressively participating in open source communities driving our systems.
This role is to join an international team that is responsible for our shared infrastructure in the Cloud Native Computing ecosystem. The platform that we are responsible for is based on Kubernetes (pure upstream: we believe in Kubernetes The Hard Way) along with a host of other ancillary technologies (such as fluentd, envoy, Istio, Calico, Helm). The team's remit is a true 24x7 DevOps mandate.
We are a geographically distributed team, with engineering hubs in London, Belfast, and Austin, Texas.
This Role
You will work on a daily basis to support our Kubernetes-based clusters in a DevOps fashion.
- You should be experienced with automated deployment of infrastructure technologies.
- You should be familiar with having a multi-stage pipeline for infrastructure changes and deployments
- You should understand operational playbook development (as we perform some operational support functions and act as first-line support for all our client teams)
- You should be familiar with automated infrastructure testing and continuous monitoring
- You should understand developing fault tolerant systems in modern cloud environments (such as AWS, Azure, or OpenStack)
- You should be comfortable working in a Kanban-style agile fashion
We use a combination of Terraform, CloudFormation, Ansible, Python, Concourse, but are happy to interview candidates who don't have those exact technologies but similar ones (such as Puppet, Chef, etc.)
Successful candidates will:
- Appreciate infrastructure engineering, be focused on complete automation, and be familiar with GitOps
- Be familiar with working with 24x7 follow-the-sun support models, including the needs of shift handoff and distributed office coordination
- Have excellent English language communication skills
- Experience working in engineering organizations
- Appreciate the value diversity (in all its forms) brings to our team and company
- Experience working in a financial services environment is not required or expected. Most of our team have never worked in finance before.


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BBC America orders 'Come Dine With Me'
Production on hourlong series begins this summerLONDON -- BBC America viewers will be chewing on a new stateside version of hit British format "Come Dine With Me" after the cable channel struck a deal with ITV Studios America to produce a U.S. version of the cookery show for its international network of channels.
Production on the 10-episode, 60-minute series begins this summer, with the show set to debut on BBC America in early 2011, on BBC Lifestyle in Asia, Africa, Poland, Scandinavia, Middle East and on BBC Entertainment in Latin America.
The show will feature New Yorkers competing for the title of ultimate dinner party host, bringing together four amateur chefs who take turns cooking up their idea of the perfect evening.
"Come Dine With Me" (U.S.) will be based on the format that has already proved successful in 20 territories around the world. BBC America will also air 22 episodes of the U.K. show, which will air in primetime beginning July.
The deal was announced by Paul Buccieri, CEO of ITV Studios, and David Weiland, svp programming at BBC Worldwide Channels.


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Regular Stewards at Canadian Tourism Commission Group
Contact information contained on the PIPSC Web Site is provided for the sole purpose of allowing members to contact their Institute Representatives for employment related problems or questions. This information may not be used in unsolicited bulk e-mailings.
Group: TOURISM
Region: BC
Department: TOURISM
Work Site Address: 1045 Howe Street, VANCOUVER, V6Z2A9


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Lengthened legs, practical shoes and minimal foot pain is Italian designer Gianvito Rossi's ambition when crafting shoes. His latest designs were presented during Milan Fashion Week where we finally saw the stunning Spring/Summer 2016 collection. From the height of the heels to the materials, Rossi's aesthetic continues setting the designer footwear trends. He's shortened the heels ever so slightly maximizing comfort yet maintaining the exquisite design.
Rossi pairs his exceptional craftsmanship with the use of new technical materials like a stretch open-knit and stretch jersey combined with frayed dark denim. We also see the use of intricate geometric tribal embroidery and tricolor suede. One must-have is the Phoenix ankle-wrap sandal featuring layers of white & gold piped leather all fused together. Our other favorite styles include the Queen feather suede sandal and beautifully bright Antigua teal sandal with triangular embroidery.
The black woven leather open-toe Marnie bootie is a recent favorite of Chrissy Teigen and we can see why. It hugs your foot with an accent of wrap-around ankle tie and the slim stiletto is a perfect touch keeping a sleek appeal.
He also drew inspiration from the Navajo tribe embellishing several of his signature styles with bonded piping and geometric embroidery on canvas. Rossi's trademark single sole staple pumps debut in a fresh color palette such as cyan, mustard and tamarind.
Whether you're looking for an ultra-feminine ballerina pump, modern gladiator sandal or playful wedge, the collection has something for every shoe lover.
Shop this collection at Barneys, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. For international orders, visit Gianvito Rossi.
Antigua turquoise suede ankle-strap sandal with blue stitched embroidery.
Antonia bright turquoise cross-strap sandal with long ankle-wrap laces.
Azar strappy sandal in metallic bronze piped leather with ankle-wrap laces.
Bardot crochet ankle-wrap sandal with a mesh underlay and ecru leather.
Brooklyn open-toe suede block heel bootie in brown suede.
Carla soft round-toe pumps with ballerina-inspired ankle wraps.
Cheyenne embroidered cross-strap sandal with a thick block heel and contrast ankle tie.
Chrissy cross-strap sandal with long wrap-around ankle tie in black and tabasco.
Denim thigh-boot in dark denim with block heel and soft almond toe.
Dree metallic gold leather thigh-high boot with stiletto heel.
Dree short ankle boot in metallic gold leather with almond toe.
Frances dark denim boots with frayed trim and patches.
Lola stiletto sandal with frayed trim and buckled strap.
Marnie woven leather open-toe bootie with long ankle wrap and sleek stiletto.
Maska white leather open-toe pump with corset lace-up front and ballet-inspired ankle wrap.
Mojave signature pointed-toe pumps in mustard, turquoise or tabasco suede.
Phoenix ankle-wrap sandal in white leather with piped gold & white cross-straps.
Signature Portofino sandal in tricolor suede and fishnet with a high back and bucked ankle-strap.
Postofino ankle-strap sandal in suede & leather with a thin front strap.
Queen black suede ankle-strap sandal with white suede feather embellished ankle-wrap.
Rylee strappy denim sandal with thick block shaped heel.
Shiny patent leather pointed-toe pump in pearlescent pink.
Sofia half d'Orsay pump in glossy patent leather and slim buckled ankle-strap.
Vires open-toe boot and booties in stretch knit with a leather covered stiletto heel.
Roma staple pump with a soft almond-shaped two and tapered heel.


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Thank you for your entries to this giveaway!! I am excited to announce that our newest winners for the Dial Deep Cleansing Hand Soap Coupon Giveaway have been chosen. The winners were chosen at random by rafflecopter.
And the WINNERS are:
Entry #312 Hillary Dionne
#424 Alice Poalillo
#721 Wendy Rozema
#1107 Laurie Gentry Murley
#869 Miranda Ward
Congratulations!! The winners have been emailed and have 48 hours to respond or sadly a new winner will be chosen. Thank you to everyone for taking the time to check out my blog. Don't forget to enter all of my other current giveaways. Good Luck!!


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A burglar ransacked the bedroom of a house in daylight Tuesday in the 700 block of Albans Drive, then carted off camera equipment and jewelry in a pillow case, police said.
The burglar pried open the front door to the residence and made off with $2,700 worth of valuables, including two cameras, a watch and wedding band, police said.
The burglar left behind a pen knife, according to police.


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This is a recording of an online training session that was delivered live to a global audience on 1st August 2017. It covered:
- Welcome Screen
- New Dark Interface
- Preferences
- New Panel Options
- Touch Bar Support
- User Defined Shortcuts
- Global Asset Library
- Media Library Overlay
- Text Animations
- Text Focusing
- Kerning
- Reverse Clips
- Trackpad Rotate
- MP4 Editing Performance
- Exporting
- Publishing
- Publish to Box
- Publish to Dropbox
Video Details
PresenterElaine Giles
1 hour 18 mins
What You Get
- An HD quality video recording
- Video that is compatible with Windows, Mac and mobile devices
- A downloadable video so that you can watch offline - no Internet connection required
- Lifetime access to the recording. One payment. No renewal fee - ever!
- The recording is yours to keep forever!
- Immediate access to the recording


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We mixed the acrylic paint with the fabric medium (2 to 1 ratio). As many other bloggers have said, and as it states on Cutting Edge's website, it seemed to work best to load up the roller with paint, then roller it onto a paper towel so that the roller is almost dry. I found that light pressure for the first few rolls would spread the paint around and avoid big blobs; as the roller got dryer I increased the pressure. It seemed that less paint and more pressure worked best. After a test run on a piece of cardboard we taped down the curtain panel over a plastic tarp (some paint did go through so don't forget the tarp) and started stenciling away.
Unfortunately it was not as simple and graceful as many blogs make it out to be. I've never stenciled a wall, but my guess is that it would be much easier on a flat stationary surface. After the first row of repeats, it was hard to match up the stencil to the already painted areas above and to the side of it. If one side matched, the other would be off. To help it match up, I painted a little and kind of adjusted the fabric under the stencil as I went along so that it would meet the design in the correct spot.
Another issue we had was the surface underneath us. We decided to do it in my mom's kitchen, which is tiled, because it is the largest expanse of flat surface in her house (all elsewhere is carpet). The problem was that every time we tried to paint the panel directly above a grout line, it would leave a little blank spot where the surface dipped. We then would use a smaller foam "dabber" we called it, to try to fill in these holes, but often times, too much paint on the dabber would bleed through under the stencil. I think the most effective solution was not to put paint on the dabber at all and try to fill in with what paint was already on the fabric. I'm now thinking, that perhaps we should have left these imperfections and gone over them with a small brush once the stencil was removed.
With all that said. Here are a few progress photos. The kitties were not happy about being stuck outside for 4 hours, but I think we gave them a sufficient amount of love and pets after we let them in.
One down, 3 to go. We plan on doing one more exactly the same (with a bit of improvement in technique I hope) to flank the sliding glass door in the den, and two more panels with the same stencil using the wall paint for the closet so that it's less dramatic. I can't wait to show you the results of the makeover. It's really coming along!
We'll be continuing with the project this weekend after Thanksgiving. Any suggestions from someone who's done this before? Check back for the results next week!


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The second battle of Manassas is now being waged between Walt Disney and Civil War buffs of Virginia. The Disney corporation wants to build a giant theme park devoted to American history. The historians want the Disney people to take their Mickey Mouse idea somewhere else.
If, for some reason, Disney can't get permission to build its park on hallowed Manassas ground, Joe Skalet has a suggestion.
"The company should move the park to Washington, D.C., which has been called Disney World North for some time now," he told me.
"Opening in Washington instead of Manassas would save the Disney company millions of dollars because all the fantasy is already there.


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Here's the deal: the item directly to your right is the only thing you have to help you survive the zombie apocalypse.
For example, I'd fill this reusable salad bowl with spare brains, then use it as a distraction to get away from the zombies.
So take a picture of whatever is directly to your right, and tell us how you'd use it to survive!


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The first time I jogged around the beautiful river path in Seoul, I saw all the Koreans exercising, playing with their dogs, texting and even a few day drinkers. The geese honked in the Han River, and the birds chirped in the gingko trees.
I was so happy to be in a new country. Moving overseas was a huge risk, and it was hard leaving my friends and family (and unemployment) for a new job and new life.
"Holy crap!" I thought. "All of my friends and family warned me that North Korea would go crazy and blow up my new country and me!"
Another explosion. "KA-BOOM!"
Summer in Korea is hot and humid, and if I hadn't sweated everything out during my half of a half marathon, I'd probably have peed my pants.
"OK, no more screwing around," I reckoned. Another bomb went off. I covered my head, ran, dived under a tree and screamed "EEEEEEK!"
Then I heard new noises: laughter and the clicking of cameras.
Every Korean in the area stared, pointed and giggled at me. Not one of them had tried dodging the shrapnel or flinched during the bombs.
Because there weren't any bombs.
Nobody told me that my apartment was next to a Korean air force base and they practiced shooting howitzers on the weekends. I made a total ass of myself in front of my new country.
During my time in Korea, I worked as a professor, and I was there when North Korea made threats to demolish South Korea. The first time these threats came about, I asked my students what we should do.
They all cracked up, and one smartass jeered, "We should watch a movie instead of doing your usual boring class."
Every Korean male is required to be in the military for two years. So I posed another question. "You guys are the first in line if North Korea actually attacks. Aren't you worried?"
"Nah. He does this every single year and has for decades. Who cares?"
None of my students and nobody else seemed to be bothered by a crazy man who could erase our home.
I still took my precautions. I kept a bug-out bag equipped with a Korean-to-English dictionary (because jack-booted NoKos have enough patience for an American mush-mouthing words), a box of granola bars (that I'd eat when I was drunk and rarely replace), about $20 of American money (that's a lot of money for a teacher) and a bandanna that I figured would be a pretty decent gas mask. Hey, I'm an educator, not a survivalist.
Now, I'm back in the States. I still keep in touch with my Korean friends, and they still laugh at my concern. "Only foreigners are worried," my ex said.
While I admire this nonchalant attitude, it's also pretty worrisome. Now we've got two wackos with bad hair, huge armies and no clue how the world works. They've got access to nuclear bombs. A couple mean words could hurt feelings and cause fuses to burn.
Let's hope all of this new flare-up is just another stupid misunderstanding, and we can straighten out our jogging clothes and try to pretend nobody watched us making asses out of ourselves.
Read more Freeman: coloradodaily.com/columns. Stalk him: comfyconfines.wordpress.com


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Stretch Sequins(Black/Gold)
Product ID: 17770 Categories: Stretch Sequins
Hover your mouse or tap to zoom.
3mm Elaborate Gold sequins embroidery on black nylon mesh. (Pictures were taken over a nude background)
Additional product details below
$25.00 /yd
Qty Half Yard
Want to see sample before ordering?Order Sample
Additional Info:
- Care Instruction:
- Hand wash separately in cold water, mild detergent and line dry. No bleach, fabric softeners, iron or dry clean. Bright shiny/matte foil finish may fade after wear and washing. Testing for chlorine/salt and sweat sensitivity/colorfastness and bleeding prior to garment production is recommended.
- Color:
- Black/Gold
- Content:
- 90% Nylon 10% Spandex
- Fabric Weight:
- 10 Oz/Sq Yard,339 G/Sq Meter, 472 G/Yard
- Stretch Direction:
- 2 way (Widthwise)
- Usage:
- Costumes, Dance, Dress & Special Occasions.
- Width:
- 58-60"
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The best art comes out naturally. That's where the debate of how artists are made comes in. well, here is the answer. Real artists are born. They climb up the ladder as their work gets appreciated by the people. As we are discussing, several teens have climbed up the ladder and are now topping on the list of celebrities. Art is special. It has the power to take you all the way up. Of course when you are the only one with the creativity and ability to create what others can't, you have the crown. Age doesn't matter start practicing with an easy and cool things to draw collection your way towards success.
These 5 celebrity teens have the simple drawings they made to thank for their top positions of fame now.
1. Yung Lenox
The name goes close to mean young. Well, this dude is super young. At the age of 8, he has already set the world wild. He started simple drawing as early as 5 years of age. One could expect average drawings at such an early age. Surprisingly, Lenox has been making some magic. It is such amazing work that has led to his making of album covers that are simply iconic. Frieze new York even showed Leno' work back in 2013. He is also expected to be at the Tribeca film festival premiere. Truly, Lenox is already a celebrity and the future is brighter.
2. Kieron Williamson
Yet another wonder kid. It seems 5 is the age artists showcase their talent. Kieron was 5 when he was discovered as a talented artist. He says that all he loved and loves now is to observe nature and explore more of it. A visit to the Cornwall England was the trigger to his drawing career. For sure, the inspiration was just what he needed to become a celebrity. His work was in demand short after starting small. Williamson is now earning plenty from art work. He even has the title mini-Monet. Which is obviously not a joke. His finely crafted work is promising.
3. Jack Ede
These days, the social media is all you need to become a celeb. Jack Ede never needed a teacher of art to create amazing pieces. At the age of 19, he has hand-drawn images of celebrities by his name. Yet he started with the simple scribbling. He had a lot to explain that an image of Morgan freeman he drew was not a picture. That should tell you how much of an artist is inside Jack. On Instagram he has made headlines and gone viral for amazing pieces.
4. Aelita Andre
She is probably the artist who started at the earliest age. At 2 years of age, she was already creating stuff even without knowing how to say them in words. The images said it all. It was back in 2011 that she held a solo show in New York. Her agora gallery did sold out within just a week. And more shows followed deeming her a celebrity with only 8 years of age now.
5. Autumn de Forest
Being a descendant to Robert W. de Forest who was a renowned artist, this young kid is ready to take the family to the next step of art. It is more than talent already instilled in the genes. At 13, autumn has already earned a 'prodigy' title. His income is huge and is already a celebrity. He is the kind that look back and see where they started and smile.
For all these promising artists, were it not for the early simple drawings they made, they could not be where they are. And still, more artists are being born, everyday.


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Spartan Fitness Centre, Koyambedu
No.144/30, Kaliamman Koil Street, Ayappa Nagar, Chinmaya Nagar Main Road, Near Chinmaya Nagar RTO Office, Koyambedu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu - 600092
It is fully air conditioned and has separate enclosures for gym, aerobics, yoga, dance, martial arts, etc. The cardio machines and strength equipments are imported , considered the best and the latest in the industry.
- Cardio equipment
- Physio assessment
- Aerobics Classes
- Martial Arts
- Diet counselling
- Personal Training
- Physiotherapy
- Massages Center
- Yoga Classes
- Dance Classes
- Strength training equipment
- Steam rooms
- Centralized Air Conditioned
- Change rooms
- Lockers and juice bar


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Gabrielle Dudley makes artworks that are both practical and of a very high standard. She is highly skilled in most types of artworks and welcomes commissions of all types. For ideas and information please browse these web pages or phone the studio from 11am on weekdays.
Gabrielle works steadily and constantly mainly on commissioned projects, producing designs that can be drawn from photographs or studies of just about anything. Each work that she produces will be completely unique, and vary in style and colour, being made as each customer prefers. Even repeated tiles from moulds will be glazed in unique colours as much as possible, even though there are some that have the same glazes, they are necessarily individual as they have all been painted by hand.
Gabrielle studied Fine Art at Exeter College of Art in 1969, but after leaving there, spent much of her youth raising a family and working in Agriculture.
She returned to the arts in 1992 by attending Carmarthen College of Art to study ceramics, and followed this by spending two years as a technician's assistant helping students with their very diverse projects. This has given her a very wide base of knowledge of ceramics and its possibilities. She began making tiles and mosaics for customers in 1997, having spent three years experimenting and producing work for exhibition.
She has since produced a very large quantity of murals, individual tiles, paintings, glass window mosaics, painted kitchen glass (for splashbacks and door inserts) and ceramic portrait cameos. Each of the works that are produced get the same level of care and are worked on until they meet her exacting standard.
She has exhibited regularly over 17 years of production, and has shown her work in London's St. Martins, at the Tile and Stone Show at the Excel Centre in East London, at the Grand Designs exhibitions in Birmingham and at numerous other venues in Wales, Oxfordshire, Norfolk, Hampshire, Chicago and Belfast as well as having a presence at one day events such as the Reading show, the Royal Welsh, show Summer Craft Fairs, Food and River Festivals and Christmas Fairs all around Wales from Cardiff to Aberystwyth.


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Prices, specials, features and availability subject to change.
Contact for details
Contact for details
Hampton Place, in Blue Springs, is a small community of one bedroom apartments, each with its own stacked washer and dryer. We have a picnic area in the common area. Please come and see why Hampton Place is a great place to live! We also have 2 bedroom duplexes with a finished basement and a one car garage. New Windows, Siding, Garage Doors.
Lease Terms: 12 months.. Pet Policy: 1 pet only, 30 lbs. weight limit, pet fee required.
Cats Allowed. Dogs Allowed. Call for service animal policy.
70 units
Check Availabilityor call
Great neighbors. The apt has some minor issues but overall I'm happy.
November 18, 2014
I enjoyed living here because the price was right for me and the area was convenient to various shopping and e Read Morentertainment. The manager was friendly and always took care of any issues that arose.
January 15, 2014
Response of phone calls back to you.
They promised me my full deposit back if i followed strict list of thi Read Morengs done. I did and they didnt. They said it was my word against theirs. My pet deposit was suppose to be fully refunded but they changed the words and it was a pet FEE not deposit and of course my word against theirs.
January 14, 2014
anytime I've need help on anything as far as fixing issues to apartment the have been prompt and did excellent Read More work... the upkeep to the residents is wonderful and really had no problem since moving in... The last year though it seems to be hard to find a parking space if you come in late at night...
October 19, 2013
Monday-Thursday: 9:00am-6:00pm, By Appointment
Friday: 9:00am-6:30pm, By Appointment
Saturday-Sunday: By Appointment
Hampton Place LLC
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While Ravid Kahalani grew up in the culture, singing the songs, eating the food and speaking the language of his Yemenite heritage – he did so in Israel, part of a large community of Jewish Yemenites who settled there. While never having been to Yemen, the culture shaped Ravid's musical world.
But Kahalani's band, Yemen Blues, doesn't limit itself to music from the Arabian Peninsula. As half their name tips off, Kahalani also fell in love with US blues as well as soul and funk. To this rich mix, the now seven member, diversely cultural band adds hard beats from West Africa and wild quavers from North Africa – specifically the gnawa culture of Morocco. It all comes together like it was meant to be.
The group has found fans not only at home, but in Poland (their biggest audience) and around the world – including here in Vancouver, largely due to their multiple appearances at the Chutzpah Festival. For us, what a treat now to welcome this brilliant group to the folk music festival – and Main Stage Saturday night!


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Violin Unit 1
Jun 8 – 15, 2018 in Memphis, TN
at Memphis Suzuki Institute
Violin Unit 1
Instructor: Vera McCoy-Sulentic,
Prerequisite course:
Every Child Can!, or Filosofía
Audition: Violin Basic, or Violin Intermediate, or Violin Comprehensive, or Viola Basic, or Viola Intermediate, or Viola Comprehensive.
Deadline: All audition materials must be submitted by May 29 *
*A discounted Audition Fee applies if audition is submitted before April 13. If submitted within 8-weeks of the course start date, the regular audition fee will apply.
Signup closed.
Trainer Information
Vera McCoy-Sulentic (violin) is director of the Suzuki program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She has been a registered teacher trainer for the SAA since 1991 and conducts Suzuki teacher training at SIUE. A frequent clinician at Suzuki workshops, she has traveled throughout the US and Canada and has taught in Bermuda, Sweden, Taiwan, and Brazil. She was the recipient of SIUE's Excellence in Teaching award in 1996. In 1988, Vera earned a master's in music education from SIUE which included teacher training with John Kendall. Other Suzuki training has been with Mihoko Hirata, Yuko Mori, Evelyn Hermann, and Doris Pruecil. Academic degrees include a BM in music education from the University of Oregon and a BA in French from the University of Iowa. Thanks to two wonderful sons who studied violin and cello, she also has had two decades of Suzuki Parenting experience.
Friday, June 8 to Friday, June 15, , 2018
Memphis Suzuki Institute
Southwest Tennessee Community College
5983 Macon Cove
Memphis TN 38134
Phone: 901-848-1955
[javascript protected email address]
The SAA does not run the workshops and summer institutes; it approves separate businesses to run them. For specific information on schedules, enrollment, pricing, housing, etc. please contact sponsoring organizations directly with inquiries. To get your event listed here, please see the Event Listing Guide.


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Guys, you may wish to look away now. This week I'd like to write about something us ladies go through quite a lot, once a month to be correct, so you are probably guessing what I mean by that. From time to time my fellow females have asked me about the effects of RA in our monthly cycles and how it affects me. Before I haven't so wished to talk about it (as it is quite a private matter). However, I know that some ladies are concerned that symptoms of RA have worsened around their 'time of the month'. To be honest I have never really noticed this before but have made a conscious effort to study this in my own life before discussing it.
Now I have looked at it, I too have noticed that my RA is particularly bad around this time. More specifically, the lead up to that dreaded few days. I noticed increased pain levels, horrendous mood swings (which believe it or not I never really suffered before), and an increased level of fatigue. I know that it is perfectly normal for us ladies to have these kinds of symptoms around that time of the month but for ladies with RA is it any worse? The simple answer is, it totally depends on your body. Before my diagnosis, I was never particularly affected by (and here's the horrible word) periods. I never suffered cramps or pain, I was generally in a bad mood every day of the month anyway (haha) and don't recall feeling more tired or uncomfortable. That is the key word here for me, uncomfortable. I can only describe how I have felt recently around this time as INCREDIBLY uncomfortable. I actually want to ram most people's heads into a fridge, bang my own head against the wall and generally want to curl up and die. (You may think this is a bit extreme but I've just had one of these weeks where I was so incredibly frustrated with everything and everyone that I didn't even want to talk to the people I love).
The increase in pain was significant, especially as I have been doing reasonably well lately so I really have noticed it. The main thing is that horrible flu like feeling where you ache like hell from head to toe and want to sleep all the time was amplified by about a million percent. My sleep pattern was disturbed, not that I sleep that great anyways these days but waking up every hour on the hour in the night is not a good look throughout the day. My eyes look like they are carrying large, dark suitcases right now.
Scientifically, and here's the evidence bit, when women are experiencing periods and hormonal changes their pain thresholds are lower and sleep is disturbed. I had this confirmed by my doctor this week. Therefore, if your pain threshold is not as high, you will feel your RA pain more and if sleep is disturbed your fatigue will worsen. I am sure we don't all suffer the same but it's interesting to see the connection between your gender and the severity of RA.
One positive piece of news I discovered this week is that I was sure I had read somewhere that when considering to have children, I would have to come off all treatment one year before conception. Apparently, according to my rheumatologist, this isn't the case. It is only six months prior to conception that you need to be free of treatment for. So this is great news for me, coming up to twenty five this year it's nice to know I don't have to necessarily plan so far ahead how my life is going to go. And don't worry; I don't plan on any mini me's anytime soon. Besides, I have rammed my boyfriends head into a fridge so I don't think we will even be speaking for a while..... I'm just kidding.


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Is it a clutch? No, it's a quilted sleeve for my cute little mac air laptop. I love carrying it to meetings, and slipping out my laptop. Here's how I made it.
First, get yourself a jelly roll. I used Moda Dreamcatcher batiks, which I purchased from my local quilt store. Any jelly roll will do.
Using a tape measure, measure the length of the front of your laptop, around, and up to the back, then halfway down the front again. Add two inches. This will be the full length of your project. Next, measure the width and depth of your laptop. Again, add two inches to be safe and allow for your seam allowances.
I wanted to be fancy, so I cut some of my jelly roll strips in half. I also alternated their lengths. You can see what I mean here. I thought it would make the piece a little more interesting. You can choose to cut all your jelly roll strips the length of your project, or make them different widths and lengths as I did. The choice is yours.
Sew them together, and quilt as desired onto batting. I did a simple straight line along the vertical and horizontal lines of my jelly rolls. Test it around your laptop. Does it fit? Trim the top to make the curve, as I've done with the flap that will fold over the laptop.
Choose the fabric you will line the piece with and cut to fit your finished piece with curved top. With right sides facing each other, sew together, leaving about two inches open along the bottom or a side. Pull the fabric through so that right sides now face out.
Pin the opening closed using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. You will sew this together when you add the top stitching.
With your laptop inside to make sure it fits, bring the bottom up so that it just about covers your laptop. Remove the laptop, pin to hold in place, then top stitch around the entire sides, top and bottom to give it a nice finished look.
I purchased velcro fasteners and used fabric glue to hold them in place. What do you think?
Please share photos in the comments below if you decide to make one yourself!


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You Can Paint Beaches is a bold statement when directed to someone like me who manages to paint once a year but, the instruction by the Master Robert Garden is excellent and I get to take home paintings I can feel good about and hang on my wall. The other aspect that is important to me is the friendships that have developed over the years. What a wonderful group of people. I am looking forward to the next adventure with great anticipation.
The "You Can Paint Retreat" was a wonderful and relaxing week surrounded by calm waters and beaches. The beautiful coastal views inspired me to the create and Robert Garden taught me skills that got the creative juices to flow. It was a fun and inspiring retreat. Thank you Robert and Susan Garden.
I have been coming to Robert and Susan's Beaches Retreat for 10 years. It
requires a drive of over 2000 miles, but is always worth the effort.
Not only have I made life-long friends that I keep in touch with on the
internet, but I get to see them year after year in such a fun and enriching
environment. The ability to get up each day with the excitement of knowing
that we are going to be spending the morning painting is awesome. The
students come into the classes with different skill levels and different
expectations, but everyone goes back to their condos looking forward to
whatever fun idea will be painted the next day. Our afternoons are open and
allow us to explore the area, shop, sit by the pool or the ocean, or read a
good book. There is always something new and fun, year after year. It
doesn't matter how much or how little you paint, it is a great way to
interact with people who have a love of art and the visual, with a desire to
produce lasting memories with their talents.
I have brought my family with me to the retreats also. The grandchildren
were involved and had no problem painting with Robert and Susan, but would
probably admit their favorite memories involved fishing in the ocean.... and
I'd have to agree. Great times, great memories.
I have attended five Port Aransas workshops now in the past eight years and
i wish I had started going earlier. I did not know what to expect and was
really surprised at how much fun it is. It is also a great learning
experience. The painting sessions are great. There is a mixture of people
attending the workshop including other artists and people at all levels of
experience, No matter what level you are at it is a wonderful learning
experience in a relaxed environment. Hey! the painting sessions are just
part of it. You get to socialize with Robert and Susan and other attendees
and quests through out the week several times and eat some great food. Robert is also a gourmet chef and comes up with some very tasty dishes every year. There is usually a fishing opportunity in the bay for those that
want it also. If that is not your thing you can also take boat rides to
see the dolphins. I try to do both each time I go. Robert and Susan also
try to make sure that you know about other things to do to have fun in your
spare time. You also get get to know Robert and Susan a lot better than
just attending 3 hour workshops. I don't think anyone could every say they were really glad they came and had a great time. Also it is very reasonably priced and the accommodations are great. You also usually get to meet other members of the Garden family who are also very interesting people. Both Robert and Susan are not only great artists but also are fine people and it is really great to be around them.
The week I spent In Port Aransas with Robert and Susan Garden was the most enjoyable and life-renewing experiences I have had since the death of my husband in 2010. We painted every morning, and then spent the afternoon doing whatever we most enjoyed: swimming the pool or the ocean, resting, sightseeing in PA, working on the morning's painting, or even sometimes having another lesson. The evenings were spent going out to eat with the group or eating in the warm ambiance Chef Robert's (with his hostess Susan) kitchen. Though in no way do I consider myself an artist, un the patient guidance of Robert and Susan, I managed to create several works on which I have received many compliments. I look forward to October when I can once again make my way south to experience a most delightful week painting and relaxing.


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With an attractive wood frame, this rectangular mirror adds a domestic feel to rooms in senior living facilities. Give elderly residents a sense of autonomy and they fix their hair, straighten their shirt or blouse, or check their make-up before heading off to the dining room. The warm wood tones will make their rooms feel more like home, and the mirror itself will make the room feel bigger.
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What is echolocation? Echolocation is when you use echoes or sound to detect things and find out where something is. Some animals in the dark use echolocation to navigate through the dark, and to find food to eat as they sleep during the day. Dolphins also use echolocation to find food and to communicate with families miles away.
There is something also called bio sonar (echolocation), which is another tool that people, whales and dolphins use to navigate through water. Sailors use sonar to find shipwrecks and to navigate through rough seas.There is a downside to sonar in the marine life. If dolphins hear sonar they immediately rush to the surface of the water and this can make air bubbles in the tissue of dolphins and it can lead to eternal bleeding.
Other animals such as bats use echolocation to hunt down their prey. They make a little sound with their mouth and it vibrates to the prey and bounces back. That determines and pinpoints where the prey is and then they go in for the kill. That's why bats sleep at during the daytime and why they have such big ears that are curved inwards.
Ben underwood was a person who suffered eye cancer at the age of two. His mum spotted something different in his eyes. His eyes were removed. He learnt how to use his other senses, especially his hearing. He used his mouth to click. The clicks vibrated off objects so he knew where the objects were. He was unique because he was the only person in the world to use echolocation.


text:
|2010-07-19, 05:23
|Link #41
Senior Member
Graphic Designer
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Bosnia
Age: 24
Hi guys and girls ^_^ long time havent updated anything, so i think is was time to do even 1 update ^_^ I tried new style, and this is my 1st time to do it, so pls dont be harsh ^_^
C&C pls
btw, this sign, and all others i done before can be freebie if somebody want it. i can edit tham ^_^
|2010-07-23, 02:12
|Link #46
jUsT be uR sELf
Join Date: Nov 2008
Age: 31
nice try .....^_^
for doing your on background .......................
but i suggest make it more blend to your render......
1st your background color is green the render is red and pink
i makes no sense.......
choose proper color that make more compatible to your render ^_^
and make it blend well................
|2010-07-23, 10:37
|Link #47
Senior Member
Graphic Designer
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Bosnia
Age: 24
|2010-08-05, 21:18
|Link #50
Graphic Designer
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Magic Land
Opposite of the grim, the ulqi sig is much more better, though you can rework on the text part a bit
Nice wall, I'm kinda lazy to make a wall since it's kinda harder and difficult than making a sig
|2010-08-05, 21:31
|Link #51
Senior Member
Graphic Designer
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Bosnia
Age: 24
Grimmjow was kind of test. and for text, it is just to put my signature on it to protect it. if somebody want to steal sign, at least need to spend time to delete text XD
it is not so hard to make wally when you have material for it. that one was kind of easy.
anyway, thx for comment
|2012-12-17, 17:10
|Link #52
Senior Member
Graphic Designer
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Bosnia
Age: 24
Hi guys, I wasnt around for a long so 'cause of that there were no updates here.
Anyway, recently i got back to ASforums so I though to start again with posting new works.
This was a bday gift
As always, any comment/critic and whatever is welcome
P.S. new visitors, pls dont check older posts XD Most of works are disaster (not like new ones are much better, but meh at least im trying) :P
|2012-12-19, 11:25
|Link #55
fighting in my nightmare
Graphic Designer
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: France
Thank you!
The first signature is beautiful again I really like the atmosphere! The lightning is very good!
The second one is pretty too, but I think the text is not in the good blue, so it's not in harmony with the rest of the sig.
you really did a good job on the third one, the effect are very nice and fits very well with the character!
I prefer the first version of the last sig because of the lightning, very lovely effects around the character!
|avatar, gallery, kurosora, signature
|Thread Tools


text:
My Wildlife Habitat had some new Visitors
6 comments:
- Robin said...
What a treat for you to see all this nature. We watched a turtle lay her eggs in the back of our yard but we never saw anything hatch. Don't want to think of what may have happened. Nature can be sad sometimes too.
Robin Flies South
- May 14, 2012 at 7:22 PM
- Jenny Schouten Short said...
Wow! That sounds like fun. We have some pheasants who wanter around our neighborhood and I'd love to get them to stay here. The tree they used to roost in the neighbor cut down. I will look up what they like to eat.You're an inspiration. xo Jenny
- May 15, 2012 at 6:15 AM
- Altax said...
Lovely pictures and awesome photography.
Adventure Games
- May 15, 2012 at 7:09 AM
- Amy - while wearing heels said...
How amazing. I want to come and visit. I promise I'll bring some bugs :)
- May 15, 2012 at 9:08 AM
- Susan said...
What a treat! I'm always thrilled when I find some new wild creature in my garden.
- May 15, 2012 at 11:40 AM
- Light and Voices said...
Lucky you to have a wildlife habitat. You are getting your angel wings here on earth feeding all those animals.
Joyce M
- May 23, 2012 at 10:59 AM


text:
Breathing while running should be done with the diaphragm instead of the chest. Breathe in a pattern with your steps. One common breathing pattern involves inhaling for two steps, then exhaling for two steps.
The amount of steps for inhaling and exhaling don't have to be equal. Another popular pattern is inhaling for three steps, then exhaling for two while running at an easy pace. When the intensity is increased, inhale for two steps and exhale for one.
To practice breathing with your diaphragm, lie on your back and breathe deeply through the mouth. You should feel each breath in your stomach. Begin walking while breathing this way, then progress to jogging and running.
Another way to practice breathing is to perform Pilates exercises such as the swan and the standing chest expansion. The swan is performed by lying face down with your palms directly under your shoulders and looking downward to align the neck and spine. Inhale while lifting your upper body off the mat and pressing your palms into the ground. Exhale while lowering yourself towards the ground. The standing chest expansion is performed by standing with both arms hanging at your sides, then sweeping the arms out and up as you inhale. The arms should end above the head with both palms facing each other. Exhale as the arms are swept back down.


text:
The nervous system, or meridian system, is affected by structural impingements, nutritional imbalances, emotional stress, and toxins from our environment. In holistic chiropractic we address the cause of your symptoms and release the damaging effects of stress on the nervous system. This process restores a dynamic balance and promotes innate healing within the mind, body and spirit.
Applied Kinesiology was founded in 1964 by Dr. George Goodheart and is an interactive assessment of your biochemical and neurological system. As a specialty practice, Applied Kinesiology integrates healing on a structural, chemical, and behavioral level. Most people recognize the term "muscle testing" as it relates to Applied Kinesiology and the functioning of your internal physiology. Muscle testing enters into the assessment of postural distortions, gait impairment and even altered ranges of motion.
During a functional neurologic evaluation, muscle tests are used to monitor the physiologic response to a physical, chemical or mental stimulus. The observed response is correlated with clinical history and physical exam findings and, as indicated, with laboratory tests and any other appropriate standard diagnostic methods. Many people utilize the skills in Applied Kinesiology simply because it is able to address all aspects involved in performance and health.
Emotions are a natural, healthy response process to virtually every situation we encounter. However, sometimes challenging emotional experiences and physical vulnerabilities create lingering stress in our mind-body system. Such stress can contribute to physical complaints, emotional difficulties, and problems with goal achievement.
The Neuro Emotional Technique (NET) is a powerful intervention that can assess and alleviate the internal stressors that are creating barriers to health and success. NET can help identify an old unresolved event (real or imagined) and help your body release its lingering emotional response.
Clinical Nutrition stresses whole natural foods and nutritional supplements for health maintenance and treatment of disorders. Natural foods include organically grown, as well as those not processed, refined, or stored for any length of time.
The goal of our nutritional counseling program is to provide you with reliable information that is tailored to your health concerns. Clinical Nutrition can save you thousands of dollars, prevent serious diseases, and give you the health and vitality you desire. Proper food choices will influence the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of the body.
Meridian therapy is an ancient technique that addresses the energy flow throughout the body. It is often thought of as "Acupuncture" when a practitioner inserts needles in various parts of the body. The use of needles is not a necessary component of meridian therapy and healing can be initiated and accelerated by simply pressing or tapping on meridian points. This type of healing modality is used in both Applied Kinesiology and in traditional Chinese Medicine to releases blocks and restores the free flow of life energy to heal our minds, hearts, bodies, and souls. It is useful in treating pain, systemic disease, and even mental disorders of all kinds. This approach has proved itself through wide scale clinical results in North America, Europe and Australia.
Functional Medicine is a patient centered approach to healthcare which emphasizes patient care, not disease care. Grounded in the principles of biochemical individuality, dynamic balance, web like interconnections, health through positive vitality, and promotion of organ reserve we are able to create a specific program unique for you.
Correcting core clinical imbalances in your system is a precursor to restoring your health and well-being. Through the education process and individualized treatment program, you are better able to avoid damaging environmental inputs and control your physiological function.
(949) 389-0400


text:
Brent Knopf is among the most brilliant indie rock composers at work today.
A bold statement to begin with, certainly, but one I'd stake every bit of my critical reputation upon.
If you don't believe me, invest in a halfway decent pair of headphones, sit back in your chair, and marvel and the depth and distinctiveness of his recently released solo album. Released under the name Ramona Falls, itself a tribute to a spot of pristine hiker-friendly country in Knopf's home state of Oregon, Knopf's new album, Intuit, is not just brilliant, it is brazen, beautiful, breathtaking, and just about every other over-the-top positive adjective that begins with the letter "b" or any other letter, for the matter. (I've gushed about this album before, in much greater detail, particularly on the review I wrote for Citizen Dick of the album shortly before its August release, which you can access by clicking here.) Better yet, you can see him play this music live TONIGHT at the Beachland!
The best thing about Knopf's tremendous skill as an artist, however, just might be that the person possessing said skill seems to be such a genuine, sincere, and gentle individual. I've interviewed a lot of musicians over the years, and while most (but certainly not all) were thoughtful and kind, I can't recall anyone who would surpass Knopf in either category. His humility and dedication to his craft and audience comes through in almost every arena, whether through an email, an anniversary acoustic in-store, or in preparation for a full-band national tour. Guys like Knopf make it easy to stay a fan of new music - he's not having onstage meltdowns (ahem Crocodiles), sending snarky twitter flames at other artists (ahem, Jay Reatard), being a dramatic dive alternating between trips to rehab clinics and moments shushing audiences (ahem, Tweedy), or taking a piss on and/or throwing a punch at a fan (ahem, Black Lips). Nope, Knopf is in the studio working like a genius-stricken dog to make the best, most magical music you'll here this year.
Two last notes before I come with the Q&A. Unlike nearly every other one of these I've done, rather than send answers via email, Knopf provided video answers (and often quite lengthy ones) to my questions. This was a real treat for me to watch, especially as you could see the thoughtful pondering that came along with the answer rather than assuming it was there. I'm sorry I can't share those videos with you, but I do promise I did my very best in transcribing their essence in the answers. However, if grammar or spelling mistakes are made, they are absolutely mine.
Finally, this is actually Q&A #13 for top cultural visitors to the Cleveland area since I started this series. However, as you can see in the title, I've numbered it #14. I'm guessing you can discern why. Neither Brent nor I need any kind of jinxage on our backs.
1) What are your influences? In particular, I'm interested in sources of inspiration other than other bands/musicians? I mean, is there a certain type of art or artist, idea, spirit, etc.
Probably my most significant influence is June Jordan. She was a professor and poet and an activist, and she passed away a few years ago from breast cancer. Some of her non-fiction really gets me, and the way she lived her life seemed really cool. She seemed like someone who was able to somehow take bad experiences that she endured and not turn around and inflict bad experiences on other people. She somehow took the bad and made something good. I don't know how she did it. She was kind of a magical person, as far as I understand.
Another person is Jorge Luis Borges. He was this Argentinian short story, blind librarian, writer guy, and he wrote these stories which I like a lot, featuring artists in particular.
And then ... I don't tend to take anything religious literally, but I came across a translation of the Tao which I thought was pretty intriguing. I like the way it sits with contradiction and asks questions about contradiction, because a lot of the time, when making music, I feel like I'm confronted with a decision on whether to power through or let it lie. Or a decision on whether to go for perfection or go for imperfection in different aspects, whether it be production or mixing or the way something sounds. It's kind of a strange process of making decisions and can often be contradictory.
I don't mind talking about musical influences, either. The most significant musical influence lately has been this band called The Homosexuals. They were a British band, met in England in 1979 or something like that. They've had a few different releases since then, where they took all their obscure vinyl releases and packaged them together on a couple of CDs. That's been my most significant influence, mostly because of production, and because they packed so many ideas into each song, yet it never sounded like they were trying to be virtuosos. It just sounded like they were trying to create an interesting listening experience.
I feel like when I listen to music I have a short attention span sometimes, or at least when I make music. Because when you are making a song, you're gonna have to listen to it a thousand times, as you are mixing it, as you are adding layers, and so I guess I become interested in embedding little easter eggs in the music, so that hopefully when someone listens to it a tenth time (if I'm so lucky), they'll be able to hear a new facet and think, "Oh, I never heard that before," because that's one of my favorite experiences when I listen to music in general is finding something new.
2) What are the biggest differences (good and bad) between working on your own as a solo artist versus being a part of a team like in Menomena? Do you see yourself continuing to balance the individual-group dynamic over time or feel like you are likely to stick with one or another down the road?
I guess the best thing about working on a solo project was being able to face the challenge of conspiring against myself to get it done when I wanted to get it done, and to be able to trick myself and my days into making forward progress. That was very gratifying, because when you are in a collective, that's a democracy, and you can't really exert control over anyone. It just has to happen when it happens. I was very thankful I had enough time to work on the Ramona Falls project and finish it. Now I'm excited that Menomena is recording again.
The other thing about the solo project, honestly, is that ironically Ramona Falls created a context in which I was able to be more collaborative in some significant ways than Menomena, because it gave me the excuse to contact dozens of musicians that I respect and like and gave me the excuse to hang out with them for an afternoon. I would spend around 2-3 hours with each musician, and it was really fun to have an excuse to do that.
One of the most enjoyable things about Menomena to me is that in hindsight seeing the ways you are really grateful the other members called you out on things you were blind to. With Ramona Falls, I was always asking for that - from my friends and my collaborators. I would always take the songs and ask for criticism, but with Menomena, we have to be honest with each other about how we are feeling about the songs. That's more of an embedded aspect of that relationship. It can be really frustrating, too, because there can be an idea you've had about a song that you are really excited about and hoping the other guys like it, too, and then you find out, no, they hate it. On one level, that sucks, but on another level, it is really good, because you have to consent to the notion that if something happens that all three of us like, hopefully it will be a solid idea. It can be kind of heartbreaking to let go of those ideas, but it is also a really important part of what makes Menomena Menomena, that we keep each other in check in that way.
3) If you were asked by a younger musician about to embark on his/her first tour or recording session, what advice would you give him/her?
Well, to go on tour - I'll answer this question seriously - to go on tour, I would suggest to not travel in an RV, because when Menomena did that on our first tour it caught fire a couple of times, and it broke constantly. There is this huge list of things that went wrong with that vehicle: the exhaust manifold, the catalytic converter, the muffler, the tires, the gas tank, the side view mirrors, the video camera in the back, the brake master cylinder, the alternator ... I can't believe we didn't miss a show.
Secondly, bring along on tour things that will sustain you emotionally or however you need to be sustained. I used to really dread going on tour. It is very difficult not getting much sleep, to be driving constantly, to be moving gear - it is very hectic and disorienting. One day I decided to accept that touring was part of my life and to make it is good as I can make it in terms of what I have the agency to enact, and that meant bringing along materials that kept me balanced and happy, like ecstasy or LSD ... no I'm just kidding. Like ideas that I like, books that I like, video clips by inventors or thinkers. There's this website, ted.com, and I downloaded a bunch of those videos or Science Friday NPR radio clips, so I'd be driving the van at 3 AM listening to new developments in photovoltaic cells. So that's what sustains me. I don't think that sustains most people in most vans, but that's what I'd suggest: bring along whatever sustains you. Oh, and chocolate. Bring along chocolate.
In terms of if you are going to record for the first time, my advice would be to give yourself permission to use what you have and get to work. The thing that I see most often is that people will stop themselves because they think they don't have the right gear. I'm susceptible to that, as well. I'll get intimidated by the thought, "I don't have the proper ADD converters or pre-amps or microphones or whatever," and it'll end up being really paralyzing. It took me a long time to overcome that. For other people, if you have all kinds of gear and you know how to use it, sure, that's great, but if you don't, don't let that hold you up. Just create with what you have and make music that sounds true to your ear.
Boy, I sound pretentious, don't I? Next question.
4) Any pre- or post-show rituals you have found yourselves following over the years?
One pre-show ritual became to never say that I'm not nervous. The one time someone asked me if I was nervous and I said no, that show I became more nervous than I ever have in my entire life, it was awful. So from now on, if someone asks me if I'm nervous, I always say yes, even if I may not feel like it.
In terms of a ritual, I think to myself, "have fun." It helps bring your mind and experience to the moment. Otherwise it is easy to be off daydreaming or worrying about something. And after the shows over, usually it is just running back to the merch area and trying to sell t-shirts and talk to people.
5) Any favorite artists/songs out there you'd love to cover, but just haven't done it yet?
Yeah, two. There's a song called "The Book of Love" by Magnetic Fields and a song called "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins. I think both of those songs would be fun to cover.
6) What's the track on your new album that means the most for you to play? Why?
I think the end of "Melectric" is the most fun in rehearsals right now. There's this energy of us being together, playing that "dun ta dun ta dun ta dun" thing at the end that is really fun.
7) Last but not least, any memorable Cleveland experiences?
One Cleveland memory that stands out is this random thing that happened. We played a show at the Beachland Tavern and then the next morning we were out for breakfast with a friend who had been at the show the previous night. We learned that she had some instruments at her house and I think she asked us if we wanted to come over and jam and so we did. And then she asked me, "What's this whole Deeler thing?" That's the computer program I wrote for Menomena that's like this looping recorder thing. I told her it was pretty simple and brought out my computer and set it up and then we did a Deeler session with her and that was really fun. That was a really good Cleveland experience. Danny ended up writing lyrics later and it ended up becoming a song called "Shirt." So, the basics of that song were composed in Cleveland, and that was a good experience.
Be sure to catch Brent and his touring band as they play tracks from his new Ramona Falls album, Intuit, TONIGHT at the Beachland Tavern. Doors are at 8:30, with opening duties going to a pair of local bands, Other Girls and The Modern Electric, that each have out new and really terrific albums (especially The Modern Electric's self-titled debut, which will almost certainly join Brent's Ramona Falls album on the year end Cleveland Bachelor Top 10 list).
Continuing Journeys
4 years ago


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Genre films don't come much more perfectly formed – or titled – than this black comedy that tips giddily into horror.
Based on a witty, watertight script by David Chirchirillo and Trent Haaga, and making great use of its cast, E.L. Katz's debut follows down-on-his-luck family man Craig (Pat Healy) and his old school frenemy Vince (Ethan Embry) who find themselves targeted by a devil-may-care rich couple (David Koechner and Sara Paxton) during a night of drunken dares.
Events quickly escalate into extreme territories and the result is a tour-de-force of twisted brilliance.


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The Dutch connection
Singapore is really visionary when it comes to the management of its water resources.
Its Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew reportedly said that Singapore is tapping Dutch expertise in building dykes to help prevent the island from being submerged due to rising sea levels 50 to 100 years from now.
"We start learning now, because by the time the waters have risen (and) we want to start learning, that is too late," The Straits Times quoted Kuan Yew as saying today.
"So we have already got in touch with the Dutch, who know how to make dykes," Kuan Yew said on Sunday during talks with 400 young people.
The Dutch are experts in building dykes and are inolved in Singapore's Marina Barrage project -- a clever idea by Kuan Yew to turn Marina Bay and Singapore River into a fresh-water reservoir. The barrage also acts as a flood-control mechanism.
Maybe the Dutch should also take a look at the causeway (pix taken from Both Sides of the Johor Straits) linking Singapore and the southern Malaysian city of Johor Baru. The land-based causeway has been blocking the natural flow of water in the Straits of Johor separating the two countries since it was built by the British more than 80 years ago.
Will the causeway help prevent or exacerbate rising waters surrounding Singapore in the next 50 to 100 years?