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Born Maximilian Carlo Martini in Woodstock, New York, Martini is a citizen of not only the United States, but also of Canada and Italy. His parents were involved in the arts and instilled in him an appreciation for all things creative. After moving around a bit as a child, he made his way back to New York City and began to study acting. Starting out at the Neighborhood Playhouse he did the majority of his training with 'Michael Howard' in Manhattan. He then took a break from acting to focus on his early love of fine art, attending the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan and receiving a BFA in painting and sculpture. After completing college, Martini began to work steadily in both film and television projects. His film roles were sharing the screen with Tom Hanks and Matt Damon in Saving Private Ryan (1998) as "Cpl Fred Henderson", Ryan's commanding officer who helped "Captain Miller" (Hanks) and his men in the brutal final shootout of the film; & also had roles in some smaller independent films, working with Calista Flockhart in Pictures of Baby Jane Doe (1995), Chris Penn and Jeffrey Wright in Cement (2000) and in the 2000 Sundance Film Festival favorite, Backroads (2000). He also took on a lead role in the Steven Spielberg Emmy-nominated 20 hour mini-series Taken (2002) and has a recurring role with Kiefer Sutherland as "Agent Steve Goodrich" on Fox's Emmy-nominated 2nd season of 24 (2001). Other television work includes series regular roles on John Sacret Young's Level 9 (2000), Chris Carter's Harsh Realm (1999) and recurring roles on Breaking News (2002), and the award-winning Canadian series, Da Vinci's Inquest (1998). He has also co-starred in several TV movies including Morgan Freeman's Mutiny (1999) and Francis Ford Coppola's Passion impossible (2001). He also made many memorable guest-star turns on popular series. Martini is active in the theatre, having co-founded "Theatre North Collaborative" in New York City, a theatre company of American and Canadian actors dedicated solely to producing new works from both sides of the border. Max has recently been filming CBS's The Unit (2006), created by David Mamet and produced by Shawn Ryan of The Shield (2002). He has also written a film, Desert Son (1999), which he co-directed with his younger brother, Christopher Martini and was costume-designed by his sister Michelle Martini. Martini, his wife Kim Restell and their two boys spend their time between their home in Los Angeles and their horse ranch out of town.
Movie Name
Drama, Romance, Thriller
Drama, Romance


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This is but a supplement to the Alien review posted earlier this week. Whereas the previous article offered an overview of the film and highlighted its strengths and weaknesses, today's article will dig into the finite details of Ridley Scott's horror masterpiece. We hope you enjoy reading and find the same giddy pleasure in the film's details as we did.
Much was written about how the alien creature, by its design and presentation in the film, haunts me till this very day. It has often been said that the more is left to the imagination, the greater the fear instilled into the minds of the viewers. Rarely has this been truer than in Alien, wherein director Scott, his cinematographer and editor refuse to ever leave the extraterrestrial beast complete drenched in light from head to foot. To begin with, there are only a precious few moments when the alien is depicted on screen: its first attack on Brett, for a tiny glimpse when Dallas shines light on it in the shafts (blink and you'll miss it though), when it dispatches Parker and Lambert in quick succession and finally in the small shuttle during the climax when the only human passenger left is the unexpected true protagonist of the picture, Ripley. In each of these four scenes, the alien is given incrementally increased screen presence, but the full body is never revealed, therefore taunting the viewer about what it may look like. In the first three death scenes, the creature is often given only brief screen time, save for when it sneaks up behind Brett, during which time the camera rests on its bizarre head structure for a few seconds.
Birth is indeed painful
What is revealed is frightening and, quite frankly, discomforting. Consider, for example , the first ever revelation, aka Brett's death. Our hopeless character, completely unaware of the impending doom which seeks to destroy him, has walked into a storage room were condensation has accumulated to the point where water falls from the roofs. Unbeknownst to him, the alien has in fact been hiding among the dangling chains where the shower flows from. Therefore, once the predator carefully, silently lands onto the ground in attacking range of his prey, his is completely wet, which is a great effect. However, the most impressive shot of the sequence is when the camera closes in on its head from a side angle. First and foremost, the viewer can immediately recognize the phallic shape. In interviews, both Ridley Scott and the creature's progenitor H.R. Giger expressed an interest in lending the villain a sense of sexuality, one that would clearly be uncomfortable for the audience. The results are exquisite, if such a word may be borrowed in singing the praises of such a vile thing. So, there is the structure of its head, but the sexual undertones do not cease there. Nay, if one looks closely at its mouth in that same side angle shot, apart from the drips of water which sprinkle down its face and mouth, one can see another substance emanating from its lips, a thicker, more consistent one noticeable by its pale colour. Yes, ladies and gentleman, it looks as though sperm is spewing out of the alien's foul mouth as it breaths rhythmically, aroused by the potential for a kill (and as if it were having, what else, sexual intercourse). The third and final sexual undertone in the scene, although at this point one questions if we are still discussing mere undertones, is of course when the second, smaller mouth emerges from the alien's principle vocal orifice. It is straight as an arrow and, as evidenced by how it easily crashes through its victims' head, very, very hard. It is the substitute for, well, I'm sure the readers have clued in on what's going on...
Ian Holm, as Ash, is doing something very subtle in this film, notwithstanding the scene in which it is revealed he happens to be a company hired cyborg hellbent on eliminating any of the Nostromo's passengers who so desire to vanquish the 'pure' beast they have unwilling brought along with them. Naturally, it is not the filmmakers' interest to reveal Ash's true nature too early, otherwise one of the picture's insidious subplots is spoiled even before the story kicks into high gear. The actor does more than enough to fool the audience, behaving mostly like a real human being, but there are subtle ticks about him that just may hint at something more sinister. One such instant, one found in the 2003 cut of the film, has Ash perform a little jog in one place just prior to his fellow members suiting up and exploring the alien planetoid. He does it a very strange way, as though his robot limbs need a warmup before engaging in the expedition, but he is not venturing on the journey, so why would he be doing that? It goes without saying that the little ticks are noticeable only on repeat viewings. It does not seem possible that anybody would guess Ash is a robot when seeing the film for the first time. What is more discernible is his keen interest in the creature, from its very first incarnation, that being the facehugger, to its very last, that being the adult hunter, although that curiosity can easily be explained by the fact that he is a scientist. Nice bit of screenwriting that. The revelation of his 'raison d'être' never feels too intrusive either. One supposes that at this stage in the future, weapons may be designed as otherworldly creatures. The intrusion of a huge corporation for ulterior motives comes as a shock, a genuine one as opposed to a head scratching one.
Tiny detail that makes me laugh every time: When Parker attempts to rescue Ripley from Ash's powerful arms as he chokes her with a magazine, the cyborg suddenly clutches Parker on the chest. It's just one hand, but apparently Ash's grip is so strong because Parker's face suddenly contorts in surprise and pain. It is hard to explain why, but I always get a kick out of that moment. Even the awesome Yaphet Kotto is getting toasted by this cyborg!
Oh yeah, I'm feeling it!
It is interesting to note that the characters are not offed in the order one might suspect. From the outset, it is made clear to the audience that Dallas in in command, which makes his demise as third in line all the more shocking. It is not as though Scott makes any conceited effort into presenting Ripley as the central character of the story. She is but a part of the team, no more and no less. That is the sort of actress Sigourney Weaver is, after all, very unassuming, very capable of holding her own while acting off of multiple other cast members, never resorting to obnoxious tricks in order to overpower the others. She nevertheless exudes great energy and confidence when the script calls for it. Dallas, as played by Tom Skerritt, is, by comparison, so calm and so subtle that it almost feels natural that he does not last the entire film, certainly not when set toe to toe against as ferocious an enemy as the titular invader.
Where would Alien be without the Jerry Goldsmith score? There is a fair bit of controversy surrounding the music in the film in reality. Some scenes feature Goldsmith music from other films and in other cases it is second or third kicks at the can which made it into the picture. The most apparent example of music from another film is when the facehugger's acid blood oozes through multiple floors of the Nostromo. That is not original Alien music but rather a cue from the Freud: The Secret Passion score. Probably what makes this score one of my personal favourites is not merely its beauty but how it is fearlessly juxtaposed against the oblique world of the film. The score is nearly out of place with what transpires and the overall tone of the visuals, but somehow, someway, it fits like a glove instead.

subset: commoncrawl


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|10th January 2013, 06:20 PM
diyAudio Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
*Newb* HDMI --> Analog being performed by the TV, is this bad?
I've been doing some thinking about my signal chain lately... I think i have at least one weak link...
A pic says a thousand words, so here's a diagram of my setup:
The HTPC is almost exclusively my source for everything. FLAC, Spotify, Movies, Games, TV, etc. We turn the cable box on about once a week.
The computer just has a decent gaming style graphics card with HDMI Out. That's where all the sound and video comes from.
Then it goes to the TV. The TV does the Digital to analog work, then send it out on RCA's to the receiver that i'm using for a pre-amp, then to my amp.
I assume this is less than ideal... but i'm not sure why. I should probably get something better in the line to do the digital to analog work for the sound right? Perhaps a better sound card for the computer? Then I could just set the audio from the sound card to go straight to the receiver, and the video will continue to go out through the HDMI?
|10th January 2013, 07:02 PM
diyAudio Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
I dunno, is it?
You can probably set up the cable box or the HTPC to output to a DAC, the cable box probably has digital out, the HTPC will have a USB port, you can probably fiddle with the settings to get it to use a USB DAC, or put a card in there to output S/PDIF to a DAC, or analog to the receiver as you yourself have suggested. The TV may have a digital output too. Or even take the sound from the built in PC motherboard audio, although that's likely to be the weakest in terms of signal-to-noise, but you can probably set this up so that any hiss is unnoticeable under almost all conditions.
Chances are there will be no significant difference, as long as the TV isn't sadly wanting, and most have pretty good sound these days, it's the built-in speakers that let them down.
You'll almost certainly easily find someone to disagree with this though.
I have several systems around the house, a couple use analog sound from TVs, some are self-contained, eg DAP->headphone amp->headphones, at least one can route the sound either through the TV, direct from the satellite receiver, from the satellite box through a DAC, from a BluRay player or from a PC soundcard, If I want I can swap the DAC from the satellite to the BluRay. I treat them all as indistinguishable.
I build a lot of stuff, because building stuff is fun, not because I expect to get a better sound. If I had a lot of money and I was bothered about a better sound then I might buy some speakers.
|10th January 2013, 07:35 PM
diyAudio Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
I felt like i knew what i was doing when I wasnt in the computer age... Plug in a nice CD player, or record player and play your music!
I just get a little confused when it comes to this digital stuff... I know HDMI is fairly high quality, but there are a lot of people spending a lot of money on DAC's, and that cant be for no reason.... and i have my 200$ TV doing the job.
The TV does also have optical audio output, right next to the Analogs im using now.
Is that signal of equal quality to the HDMI coming from my video card?
Is the HDMI sound from the video card up to par? Or could it be improved? If so, how?
These are the questions i don't know the answers to...
|10th January 2013, 07:56 PM
diyAudio Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
I mean, good treble, bass, flat frequency response, reasonable volume with most 'phones... what more do you want? Listen to one. See if you can hear anything lacking in it.
Modern digital audio is fantastically good. People feel comforted by spending money. Good audio used to cost a lot. Now it doesn't. People haven't caught up, or audiophiles haven't caught up. Sad to say, lots of people haven't got anything better to give meaning to their lives and a lot of other people don't mind exploiting them.
Expensive equipment often has a better paper performance (although not always), but hear the difference? Well, there will always be those who insist that they can.
By this I don't mean there's no reason to buy good quality amplifiers and particularly speakers. Stylish and robust count for something, and speakers are the weakest link in any system.
Last edited by counter culture; 10th January 2013 at 08:04 PM.
|10th January 2013, 08:50 PM
diyAudio Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
I understand what your saying... I also understand that the weak links in many systems are the speakers and amps...
I feel that in my system, these may not be the weak links, so i'm trying to find out what is.
My speakers are older Monsoon FPF-600 Hybrid Planar Dipole speakers that I got for cheap because they were in need of a simple repair. They arent the greatest in the world, but they are absolutely stellar, and better than i should have been able to afford. I drive them with another humble, but solid piece of equipment, an old Sonance 260 amp.
I'm fairly happy with and confident in those items, especially when connected to my record player. But my confidence doesn't extend up into the digital side of my signal chain. I want to make sure i'm getting the best signal all the way from my media player inside of windows to the amp.
Of course there is a chance that i wont hear a difference if i switch things around, but there's a chance i will also... that's why we are all here to begin with isn't it?
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Vehicles sorted from highest to lowest price
Used Sedans Under $8000
Inventory Page 233 of 409
5 Photos
Selling my 1994 Grand Marquis LS V8 4-doors sedan for less than $2K in Tucson, AZ 85705, with...
2 Photos
Hey, guys! I have a Honda Accord 1999 LX, black, with 5-speed transmission and 200k miles for...
5 Photos
Smooth running car, clean title.
6 Photos
148k miles. Runs great. Very clean interior. Heat and AC work great. Loaded with...
2 Photos
Acceleration fault, AC good, 4 doors, new tires, todo price.
- Certified Pre-Owned
5 Photos
Great car cold ac,............... . .
- 1-Owner Vehicle
3 Photos
Black VW Jetta '05 for less than $2K by owner in Perris, CA 92570. This car runs great and...
4 Photos
Motor and transmission run great. Few scratches and dings from normal wear and use. Interior...
4 Photos
V6 engine..Body. Has no dents runs..no tow needed...repairs needed are ball joints to pass...
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Nissan Altima '01 for less than $2K by owner in Lewisville, NC 27023, near Winston-Salem....


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Here are some customer canal boat holidays testimonials.
Here is what our customers say about their experiences with their Canal Boat Holidays.
"We have just returned from a great week onboard Wisp of the Water (from Worcester Marina) and wanted to take the opportunity to say how absolutely delighted we were with the new boat design"
M & J Williamson
We hired a boat from your company from Thursday April 14th until Thursday April 21st and travelled round the Cheshire Ring from your Anderton Base. We would like to say how much we enjoyed our holiday. The staff at the Anderton Base were very friendly and helpful."
"The stag do was fantastic thanks! We were very happy with the service and everything to do with the boat went very well. A great weekend was had by all. Honestly we can't think of anything to change. Thanks for your help organising it. Cheers"
"I just want to thank you for the wonderful holiday, we just had from 19th-24th Feb Union Wharf, it was the first time we had been on a canal boat and it was fantastic and we will definately be doing it again, the children loved it seeing all the wildlife and helping with the locks, your staff were brilliant and so helpful, your boats are so well equipped with everything you need. thankyou very much again"
The Todd Family
"I'd like to say a big 'thank you' to the staff at Union Wharf for the great service afforded us last weekend. We had a warm welcome and received explanations about the process for loading the boat, the tuition and how your system works, including how things worked on board. We were very pleased with the boat - good condition, clean, tidy and very well equipped. The tuition and information we received was straightforward and well-delivered, which helped us to enjoy a very lovely weekend - thank you. I would certainly recommend you in the future."
Sue Bridgehouse
"Five friends and myself have just returned from a 4-day narrow boat holiday in Shropshire, which we booked through yourselves. I just wanted to say, on behalf of the group, what a great experience we had from start to finish. The boat was impeccable and the staff at the marina were very friendly and helpful. Even the weather turned out nice. We will definitely be booking a boat with you in the near future and perhaps trying out one of the other canals available."
Rob Gallie, Surrey
"We've just returned from Ellesmere where we picked up our canal boat for our holidays last week. We really enjoyed our holiday and we were very impressed with the standard of the boat 'Great Western 84'. We found the boat yard staff very friendly and helpful and with a bit of guidance from them we soon became masters of the waterways. A great holiday and we hope to do it again soon."
Cyril & Margaret Steer & Friends
"I just want to write to thank you for the excellent service my group experienced at the weekend with your company. The team at the wharf were very thorough and friendly and the boats were very well equipped. Everyone had a fantastic time and we were lucky with the weather. Please pass my thanks onto your team."
Jeff Scarborough
"In twenty years of canal boating we think this was the most comfortable / well appointed boat we have had and also the easiest to drive by far! Staff were super at both arrival and departure."
Mrs W.N. Watson - Bedford
"Thank you for the help and advice you gave us, which made our week aboard Castaway such a success."
John Temple - Oxford
"Just a line to say thanks. We have recently hired the boat Devon Maid No2 off you w/c 09/02/08 from your Blackwater Meadow Marina on the Llangollen. The boat was superb and much better than what we had hired previously from other companies. The staff at the marina were friendly & efficient. We will definitely be hiring from you again."
Steve Cross
"We had a canal holiday 27th-31st March and would just like to say what excellent value for money it was and how enjoyable. The staff were always extremely helpful."
J Wilmot
"Just had a wonderful 3 days on the Coventry canal. Never done it before but Chris made it so simple. Thank you for such a friendly, efficient and comprehensive service. Couldn't have been better"
Chris T-R
"I had to write and tell you what a wonderful time we had on one of your boats. We went from Union Wharf and found the whole experience fantastic. The standard of service shown by your staff and the quality of boat was amazing. None of us had ever been on a narrow boat before but by the time the training was over we felt confident to hit the canal. We had such a good time that even the weather did not matter. Will we be doing it again? Definitely YES! Will we go with you again? You Betcha!."
Best regards, Tony Whitmore
the fastest way to slow down!
(© 2007 - 2019 All rights reserved.) canalboatholiday.net for canal boat holidays


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Youre dazed and confused. When she starts coming on to you again, you are more willing to follow her lead...straight to her bed where strips down and rides your hard dick until you both pass out.
When you wake up the next morning, you try to leave, but she once again sweet talks her way back into your good graces. As you back toward the toward the door, a sudden rush of energy bursts through you and you push her had onto the bed and give her you cock once again.
Fucking her feels so good even though its so wrong!
This 20 minute clip includes silent pov, simulated sex, fucking, seduction, strip tease. The 1080HD format can be found in Cali Logan's Custom Fantasies store under the "Homewrecker" category.
*** This story was a CUSTOM commissioned project. Create your own fantasy by filling out the submission form at CalisCustoms.com ***


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"Collision Town-Psychic City/Ghost Edition" 2016
On Sale
"Psychic City/Ghost Edition" is a series of works on paper from 2017 made from screen prints of red, gold and black inks on multiple sheets of Japanese rice paper that are layered on top of each other and then soaked in my homemade beeswax/dammar/carnauba wax encaustic.
Each sheet of paper is printed on the front and back so when the wax penetrates the fibers the image on the reverse side bleeds through.
The effect of the multiple sheets layered creates a beautiful "Ghost" image of the buildings, hence the title of the series.
The 3 sometimes 4 sheets of paper are combined that make the piece into a nice thick-coated object that resemble an old map or star chart. This process also creates a totally unique work even when the same screen is used in multiple works.
The finished print is cropped and hand buffed.
This piece is titled "Collision Town". It is inspired by when the city one lives in and the city in one's dream collide. It is a tribute to the side effects of the psychic noise one is subjected to after a couple of decades of living within a metropolis.
"Collision Town" is floated in it's own handmade, custom frame of mahogany stained and waxed wood with gold trim accent. The frame is finished off with a sheet of clear plexi-glass for protection. The plexi is removable in case of any unfortunate damage or if the collector prefers glass.
The handmade frames are created to fit the individual piece, which ensures that each finished work is an absolute one of a kind and unique piece.
Each piece is wired and ready to hang. The back of the frame is signed as well as the back of the print if ever it was to be removed or re-framed.
1 in stock


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Rosetta's comet takes shape
In current images obtained by OSIRIS, Rosetta's scientific imaging system, the nucleus of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko covers a good four pixels.
July 03, 2014
Almost there! ESA's spacecraft Rosetta eases closer and closer to comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko and has now reached a distance comparable to the small stretch of space that separates weather satellites in geo-stationary orbit from Earth. In new images taken by OSIRIS, Rosetta's onboard scientific imaging system, the comet's nucleus is beginning to cover several pixels. The resolved images now give scientists a first hunch of its shape.
"After a long, long journey it feels like we have now entered into 67P's direct neighborhood. We have only about 40 000 kilometers to go", says OSIRIS Principal Investigator Holger Sierks from the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) in Germany. In the OSIRIS images produced within the last days, 67P corresponds to a good two by two pixels.
"If you look closely, the comet appears a bit fuzzy and seems to cover a larger area", Sierks describes the recent images. This is, however, not evidence of a visible dust coma surrounding the nucleus, but due to physical effects of an optical imaging system. Once Rosetta gets closer to the comet and OSIRIS produces high-resolution images, these effects will be negligible. Within the next two weeks, 67P's image will grow to a size of 20 by 20 pixels.
While the comet's activity is currently too low as to produce a visible coma, the data does point to a slight increase in dust production. "It is, however, still too early to tell, whether this is only a short event as earlier this year or foreshadow of a continuous increase", says Sierks.
Rosetta is an ESA mission with contributions from its member states and NASA. Rosetta's Philae lander is provided by a consortium led by DLR, MPS, CNES and ASI. Rosetta will be the first mission in history to rendezvous with a comet, escort it as it orbits the Sun, and deploy a lander to its surface.
The scientific imaging system OSIRIS was built by a consortium led by the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (Germany) in collaboration with CISAS, University of Padova (Italy), the Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille (France), the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucia, CSIC (Spain), the Scientific Support Office of the European Space Agency (The Netherlands), the Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (Spain), the Universidad Politéchnica de Madrid (Spain), the Department of Physics and Astronomy of Uppsala University (Sweden), and the Institute of Computer and Network Engineering of the TU Braunschweig (Germany). OSIRIS was financially supported by the national funding agencies of Germany (DLR), France (CNES), Italy (ASI), Spain (MEC), and Sweden (SNSB) and the ESA Technical Directorate.


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Former Bravo star Kelly Bensimon's yard sale — in the parking lot of Hamptons hot spot Georgica on Saturday afternoon — offered everything from beds handmade in Italy and jewelry from her collection, to stuffed animals, American flags, pillows, lamps, an image of her Playboy cover and "Real Housewives of New York" bric-à-brac. We saw her former cast mate Jill Zarin stopping by to browse. (In true reality-TV star mode, Zarin was seen bending over to inspect some items, then popping back up and having a very public nipple slip. Quick-witted Bensimon reached over to help hike up Zaran's shirt, then began singing humorously, "That's what friends are for.") Amid Bensimon's treasure culled from her former Hamptons mansion on Further Lane, Zarin found a can of tennis balls and opened them to discover one was signed by Serena Williams. She told Kelly not to sell them. Former "The View" host Joy Behar was given a special VIP discount. "These are the same lampshades as the ones I just bought!" Behar said while looking at lighting. "They're yours. No charge," Bensimon offered. The one-off tag sale diva told us the stuff being offered was "from everywhere. East Hampton, New York. I had this huge house to put things in, and now I have to downsize. I was going to move to Florida in January, and that's why I was like, 'OK, we're good.' And then we decided to stay in New York and our apartment is smaller than this big house. My ex-husband wants me here so we're gonna stay [in the area]." Bensimon, who's living in Manhattan with her two daughters, reportedly sold her Hamptons house for just over $5.5 million after originally seeking $12 million. She reportedly said of the sell-off, "I can't afford the lifestyle I did when I was married . . . I'm a working single mother." She was married to fotog Gilles Bensimon.
Housewife sells yard
By PageSix.com Staff
August 19, 2013 | 4:00am


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I look around and all I see are rain stained Uggs, lace up trainers and hiking boots; an abomination of chunky brown practicality.
First of all, we're on our way to work, not up Mount Everest. Secondly, there isn't any snow north of Maidstone or south of Scunthorpe, so what's the deal? Hmm? What's with all the hiking attire going through the heart of our lovely dry city, possibly the warmest place in the UK? Is there a climbing wall party on Chancery Lane that I'm not aware of?
Don't you remember when we used to have fun with our footwear? When trainers could be red, yellow, green and...errr..neon pink? When even boring brown brogues had a splattering of gold?
Yes, it's December. Yes, it's a bit chilly. But hiking boots?
Come on, people.
This is winter. Not war.


text: On Thursday at Memorial, Tiger Woods shot a three-under 69 after making two subtle equipment changes.In his post-round interview, the world's No. 1 player said, "I went with a little more loft, a 10°." Woods had previously used a 9.5° Nike Dymo 380 driver."As my release has changed over time with Hank [Haney], I needed a little more loft to get the ball in the air, little more spin."Woods said that he is hitting the ball just as far with the 10° driver. And while .5° is not a big change in loft, for at least one day, Woods was clearly more accurate off the tee. He hit 13 of 14 fairways at Muirfield Village on Thursday."I don't have all my length back," Woods said. "It's getting better each and every week. My speed is coming back. My power's coming back. It's taken a lot longer than I thought it would, but then again, most people that play other sports take two years to come back. So it's a little bit different." Woods also used different irons on Thursday. He did not use the Nike Victory Red Forged Blade irons he had used in each of his previous 2009 appearances. Instead, he used a set of Nike Forged Blades that in photographs appear to be identical to the irons Woods used in 2008. Click on the photo of Woods taken Thursday for a better look. The insert image was taken during final round of the Players.Nike's tour field manager, Rick Nichols, said in an e-mail, "This is not the exact set of irons Tiger played last year, but they are similar."According to a video featuring Tom Stites, Nike's director of product creation, nearly every aspect of the Victory Red Forged Blades were inspired by Tiger Woods and what he looks for in an iron. It is very possible that the only differences between the Victory Red Forged Blades and the older set Nike blades Tiger used Thursday are cosmetic. However, just two weeks before the U.S. Open at Bethpage, the fact that Woods has chosen to put an old set of irons back in his bag could signal that he is looking for a subtle difference in feel or look. Following David Dusek on Twitter.(Main photo, Fred Vuich/SI; inset, Scott Halleran/Getty Images)


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Hobbico recently launched their new Instagram contest on 9/26/16, which they will be giving away an ARRMA NERO RC Truck, one of the most powerful trucks ever built (MSRP $699.99)
Details below:
Win a free ARRMA NERO with different brain technology. Enter the Instagram giveaway by completing these three steps:
1. Like the video https://instagram.com/p/BK1W124hih3/
2. Follow hobbico
3. Tag a friend
You'll be entered to win the giveaway starting 9/26/16-10/26/16.
Must be a US resident, 18 years of age or older. Official rules


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Taku Taku Matsuri hangs out "help wanted" sign
Nestled between Kawaii Kon and Oni-Con Hawaii on this year's "major and majorly cool events that local anime and manga fans ought to attend this year" calendar is the inaugural edition of Taku Taku Matsuri, being held Aug. 25 at Hawaii Kotohira Jinsha-Hawaii Dazaifu Tenmangu (1239 Olomea St.). If there was a checklist of things that you'd want at a summer festival celebrating otaku-ism, this event would pretty much hit all the highlights on that list: food, games, artists and vendors selling all sorts of cultural swag, photo shoots, live music, and the Cosplay Chess Brigade and Yu x Me Maid Cafe and Host Club holding court.
Any event of this scale, though, is going to need volunteers to help it run smoothly. To that end, Taku Taku Matsuri is putting out the call for volunteers for both night-before setup on Aug. 24 and day-of event staffing. You'll need to be over the age of 18 before Aug. 25 and, if you're interested in working on the day of the event, attend at least one training session. And that's why I'm bringing this up now -- the first two training opportunities are happening on Sunday. Here's the full list of training days and times:
Sunday: 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m.
Aug. 3: 1-3 p.m.
Aug. 18: 10 a.m.-noon, 1-3 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.
Interested? Email firstname.lastname@example.com for the appropriate forms.
Also, a reminder for those of you who may not have seen the last Ota-cool Incoming! calendar: The Mini Mini Taku Taku Water Gun Fight is still on for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ala Moana Beach Park ... and now, because any good water gun fight can work up quite the appetite, there's going to be a potluck as well. You bring the food; they'll supply the water and juice. I'm not sure at this point which part of the park they'll be setting up shop, but I'll update this post with that info if/when I hear back from people in the know about such things.
Update 7/27: Meet at the tennis courts at 10 a.m.! There also will be watermelon smashing! And a Taku Taku Matsuri prize raffle at 4 p.m.! Exclamation points!


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A week later, my parents let me return to school. Apparently, all of our parents returned us together. The whispers and stares at school were pretty intense and freakier than dealing with Captain Li. More intimidating in their own way. The kids no longer saw us as one of them.
We were something else. Something more like living legends.
That was freakier than I would like to admit.
I thought I wanted to run and hide a lot. I was only twelve after all. I was no immortal or demigod. But I wasn't the same twelve. I was different. Too much had changed. I had seen too much. Helmet. Li. Jaideep. Too much.
My friends and I finally got to talk. The story I got was pretty much the same. Everyone majorly grounded. Some parents were cooler than mine. Some were less. Poor Veena! Her parents were considering homeschool and whether or not she'd be allowed to even talk to us, never mind be friends. On the other hand, Rosa's parents were stunned and thrilled and let her off with a light grounding. I guess I didn't get it too bad compared to Veena though.
The adults did ransack our fort. They took everything from there. They were considering tearing it down altogether. Dad counseled caution though. Once torn down, it would not be rebuilt easily. The adults grumbled, but accepted it for that moment. They didn't tear it down, but we didn't get to go back until the next school year.
Everyone felt like we needed to chill out for a while and lay off the pranks. That lasted until the next school year only though.
And then there was Maven.
She showed up a week later with Derplicates in tow. She made her displeasure known and she would get us back. Yet, Tom didn't seem phased. Whatever used to scare him about her was dispelled by the adventure. She was disturbed. And turned on me and vented, I just looked at her and dismissed her. She didn't have anything even remotely as scary as Li did in that moment and I had stood my ground then. No two bit crabby brat was going to phase me again.
We dismissed her. She looked shocked. Our great and terrible enemy - in her mind and once upon a time - had been dismissed as a nothing more than an annoyance.
Our message was loud and clear:
Go away kid: you're bothering us.
We went back to the manmade cave where Helmet died. We erected a marker. We never knew his name and the BII agents were not saying if they did. We came for years afterwards. Even has Shadwell slowly encroached on the site.


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Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Freedom Together
Freedom Together
Prestige PR 7463
Recorded 1966
Side One
1. Freedom Together
2. Getting To Know You
3. Ode To Prez
Side Two
1. Nocturne For Contrabass
2. Just You, Just Me
3. Night Leaves
4. Young At Heart
Jaki Byard; piano, tenor sax, electric piano, celeste, vibes, drums
Richard Davis; bass, cello
Alan Dawson; drums, vibes, tympani
Jr. Parker; vocals, lagerphone
'One man band' is not a phrase that you hear often in a jazz context, but it could well be applicable here. Look at the list of instruments played by Byard here, and you can begin to wonder what on earth he was doing with a rhythm section on this 1966 recording. Of course, he cacn't play all his instruments at once and needs a bit of backup, but the presence of multi-instrumentalist Byard adds considerable colour to this trio date (I say trio - Jr. Parker adds vocals to only a couple of tracks, and they're best skipped over, especially the rather straight reading of Rodgers & Hammersteins' 'Getting To Know You').
Byard is best known for his piano playing, with a style wholly his own. He can be at times angular and sharp in the manner of Cecil Taylor, whilst at others he rips up the keys in the style of a ragtime pianist. Practically every other style of jazz is present in his playing, too, most of the time condensed together into a single phrase. It makes for an interesting listen, most of the time, but it's also great to hear him take a break from the limited piano-trio format (always likely to get a bit dull, i think) and let loose on tenor, or vibes. He's great at playing all of these instruments, too.
This is an interesting album from an interesting figure in jazz, although it doesn't go down as a classic it's worth a listen nonetheless. Make sure you have a look at Jaki Byard's website, which has a detailed biography of him that's worth a read if you want to know more.
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When I was thirteen, I was in love with this girl named (hmm…let's call her) Jenny. Jenny had no idea who I was, and if she did, she was keeping it way on the down-low. One day, I saw her talking to a boy named Tristan, whom I knew to be a student with special needs (we did not call them that then…).
I saw Tristan as my "in", and if I could establish some rapport with Tristan, establish some bonafides with Jenny (I'm nice, I talk to "special" kids), then establish that Tristan could go away, I might be able to finagle the situation into something resembling a come-on.
Except, Jenny really had no idea who I was, and when I approached, asked Tristan if I was his "little friend." Forget that she was patronizing: that's what cool, pretty, popular junior high school girls did, as far as my thirteen-year-old brain could tell. Hell, the only boys with the stones to approach them without some hare-brained scheme were the kids blessed with lowered faculties for manipulation, abuse, and exploitation (This is, of course, not necessarily true; I'm sure those with different, perhaps even objectively diminished mental faculties are just as capable of manipulation as Mensa-grade diplomats in war-torn Darfur, but it did not seem that way to my thirteen-year-old brain. I chose Tristan because I saw him not as a person but as an opportunity). Anyway, I took her comment as an affront and more importantly a wedge in my genius plan, so I back-pedaled, informed everyone who would listen that Tristan was not my friend because I was not in the same classes as him, because I was not retarded.
Yep. Retarded. Said it at least three times, once in that junior high voice that signified to assholes everywhere the idea of "retarded."
Jenny and I are Facebook friends now. That's the extent of our romance. I do not remember one conversation we had after that afternoon that did not begin with "Do you have a pencil?" and end with "Yes/No." It never occurred to me to apologize to Tristan, which is shameful. He is, as far as I can tell, not on Facebook.
I am tiptoeing like a ballerina on hot coals to distance myself from that disgusting little thirteen-year-old bastard. Except, I still am that disgusting little bastard, in my heart. Insecure, sneaky, manipulative, and consciously striving to approach others with honesty and integrity and without prejudice, especially when I have the opportunity to make someone I perceive as "less-than-I" look dumber, weaker, angrier, or meaner, therefore making me look smarter, stronger, happier, and kinder to someone I want to impress. Especially if I think it's funny.
I mention this not as some mea culpa (25 years late…) but because the season finale of "Girls" and a particularly gnarly pair of episodes of "Last Man on Earth" aired on Sunday (3/22). The shows could not be more different, except that both have a particularly interesting knack for making the protaganist(s) artfully, if bludgeoningly, unlikeable.
The lack of likeable characters is a knock that's dogged "Girls" since its premiere–spoiled, entitled, manipulative, bafflingly overconfident (to the point of psychosis–Marnie makes "Eastbound and Down's" Kenny Powers look almost Buddhist)–and perhaps most damningly "hip to the point of insufferable triviality." And yet the show leans into these criticisms, which leaves room for grace notes that seem earned. When Jessa surprises herself by taking control of the gonzo water-birth of Adam's sister, it's affecting, undercut by her decision later in the episode to become a therapist (she lacks the skill, education, empathy, and rigor to train a pet, let alone become a licensed therapist for other human beings). And yet you pull for her, just as you pull for Hannah and Adam and Ray–whether they're trying or not, their weaknesses are the same weaknesses I see in myself (pretension, deflection, projection, self-pity, etc.). Marnie and Desi suck, suck, suck, though.
Sunday's "The Last Man on Earth" was surprising in its cruelty, even if it knew exactly what it was doing. Phil Miller's (Will Forte) treatment of the new "last man" is so transparently immature and shitty (he talks of "the Fats" as if they are a racial subset) that it becomes a parody of insecure Alpha-male posturing (and done so ineptly as to be a kind of performance art). I actually think these two episodes could skew viewership, as Phil has become so unsavory, needy, and unlikeable that it transcends satire. It is only pathetic; there is no meta-agenda. I personally think it's brave–it's the most daringly awful a purportedly "comedic" show has consciously allowed its main character to act since Ricky Gervais's David Brent in the British "Office".
Many people like shows with "likeable" protaganists. What are these shows, objectively speaking? "The Big Bang Theory"? "Friends"? "Mike and Molly"? I'm cherry-picking, of course, and bashing on traditional, laughtrack-based shows of a certain ilk, and yet these shows have terrible human beings at their center. Whiny, unrealistic, grabby, awful people. Chandler Bing is such a profound homophobe he hates his own transgender dad and uses her as a point of ridicule. Ross's codependency is borderline sociopathic. Rachel is a callow, materialistic man-eater. Joey is a stupid, amoral, gluttonous, womanizing douchebag. Take away the laugh track and it becomes an Andrew Jarecki documentary. The only reason we do not see that is because the conflicts and co-stars are even worse. We root for the protagonists because even though they are ethical monsters, the people they have to deal with and challenges they have to overcome are beyond the pale. The unlikeable is masked by the overall misanthropy of the writers and creators.
I enjoy "Girls" and "Last Man…" because they don't just needle, they explore. We are asked not just to laugh at the characters, but come to terms with them. It's the difference between "this is humanity" and "that is humanity"–one points in, the other out. The comedy pricks because the unsavory behavior is rooted in what we (OK…I) feel is endemic to our (my) insecurity, our (my) shitty behavior, our (…my) inept attempts to act like a human being. Which probably makes it that much more human.
Random Recommendation: "Headhunters" (Netflix), Morten Tyldum's debut, is crazy and fun and risky. Basically everything his solid but staid second film "The Imitation Game" is not. At one point there is a chase involving a forklift, a dead dog, and a very, very dirty outhouse.
Can't wait for: "Bitch Planet" by Kelly Sue DeConnick. Graphic novel that explores feminism and patriarchy through a combination of sci-fi and women-in-prison exploitation films of the 1970's. Basically the weird bastard child of Betty Friedan and Russ Meyer.


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John Rasp Wins Again At Path Valley Speedway
Four divisions of sprint cars and two stock car classes were on the card Friday night along with a make-up feature from March 27 for the 4-Cylinder Thunder Cars. Two drivers made their first trip to victory lane in 2009 while another continued a perfect season.
The make-up feature for the 4-Cylinder Thunder Cars kicked off the program. Eric Seibert started on the pole and grabbed the lead at the drop of the green flag. John Rasp started ninth, but he quickly moved towards the front, taking fourth on lap 4 and third on lap eight. Three laps later he passed his son, Justin, for second. Rasp then took advantage of a lap fourteen restart and used the high groove to drive around Seibert for the winning pass. Seibert held off Justin Rasp for second with Bill Kennedy in fourth and Andy Stouffer in fifth. John Rasp was the heat winner on March 27.
In the 600cc Micro Sprint feature Eddie Rice started outside the front row and lead the first lap. Tyler Walton started sixth, but quickly showed he was the man to beat, jumping to second on the first lap and into the lead one lap later. From there he was never challenged the remainder of the distance as he took his second win at Path Valley in 2009. Timmie Barrick also put on a strong performance, starting eighth and finishing second.
Dave Friedrich started on the pole and he beat the rest of the Mini Stock drivers to turn one and the lead. Scott Gordon slipped by Terry Smith and into second. Frank Gordon was closing in on the leaders when his right front tire went flat. On the ensuing restart Friedrich bobbled in turn two, allowing Scott Gordon and Kevin Thomas to get by. Two laps later Thomas used an inside move to grab the lead. Thomas lead the remaining five laps to take his fifth win in as many races. Thomas has also won four out of five heat races. Scott Gordon held on for second ahead of Friedrich, Kenny Hill, and David Showalter. Heat wins went to Jodie Varner and Frank Gordon.
With a smooth groove and a strong cushion to lean on the PASS 305 Sprint cars were blistering the quarter mile oval. Mark Watkins dominated his heat race and looked like the car to beat when he started on the pole. Watkins' fast pace found him catching the tail end of the seventeen-car field by lap seven. On lap eight Watkins went to go around a slower car in turn three. But he got too high and into the marbles. Tyler Bear seized the opportunity and dove low to take the lead. With two laps to go Bear narrowly missed several cars spinning in front of him. Mike Freet was running fourth at the time, but he rolled over after contact with the stopped cars, bringing out the red flag. All the drivers were uninjured, but three were finished for the night. Bear brought the field quickly back to green and held off Watkins for his first win in 2009.
Mark Strickler started third for the Sidewinder main event and he powered by Rohan Beasley and Gary Funck right at the start to take the lead. On a lap three restart Strickler pulled two wheelies and while he was fighting to gain control Chad Hough drove underneath and into the lead. From there Hough easily drove away for his second win in 2009. Strickler held off an improving Joe Robertson for second while Tim Mertz finished fourth. Jim Young substituted for Sean McAndrew and he finished fifth. Alex Schanz and Mertz collected heat wins.
Lyle Barnes made his 2009 debut a success in the 4-Cylinder Thunder Cars as he wired the field to take the win. Mike Brindle started alongside Barnes on the front row and stayed within a car length of the lead the entire distance to finish second. Justin Rasp continues to show improvement with a third place finish. Denny Scofield and Matt Sowers battled side-byside for fourth for almost five laps with Scofield taking the position with two laps to go. Sowers held off John Rasp for fifth. Heat race wins went to Randy Stull and Justin Rasp.
If you want the definition of "heartbreak," just watch the replay of the 270cc Micro Sprint feature. Kameron Morral took the lead from his second place starting position on lap one. His dad, Randy, jumped into second and the idea of a father-son onetwo finish quickly came to mind. Tim Mertz squeezed by Randy Morral on lap three and into second. As those three sped away Kameron Morral maintained a small advantage over Mertz. With the checkered flag in sight, Kameron's car got loose in the final turn and as he fought for control Mertz drove to the inside and the win. Kameron Morral finished second, ahead of Steve Whary, Randy Morral and Colby Dice.
Path Valley Speedway returns to action May 1 with Late Models and Legends joining the regular show of 270cc and 600cc Micro Sprints, Mini Stocks, and 4-Cylinder Thunder Cars.
Quad racers added to Saturday night stock car action
The management at Path Valley Speedway is always looking for something different to excite the fans. In 2009 they have five dates when the Saturday night crowd not only gets the paintswapping action of the stock car racing, but also the high-flying action of the River Valley Quad TT Challenge Series. Saturday, April 25 was the first date in the series.
The Quad racers kicked off the night's activities. Kris Bures got the hole shot on the start and lead the entire 15 laps to take the win. Bures did make one slip when he spun entering the infield. But he quickly turned his quad around and retained the lead. Eric Jennings ran second early on, but a bobble in the infield let Matt Dice get by. Jennings recovered and was able to chase down Dice and reclaim second. Dice finished third and Robert Kline and Jeff Horseman completed the top five. Bures and Jennings won their respective heats.
Dale Martin outran Rodney Brown and Chuck Gipe to win the Strictly Stock Truck feature while Dan Gelwicks outlasted Joseph Daywalt to win the 6- Cylinder Strictly Stock main event. Martin and Gelwicks also won their heat races.
While most of the 8-Cylinder Strictly Stock field were running the high groove, Carl Miller stuck to the bottom. On lap five he drove underneath Joey Burdge and into the lead. After that he slowly pulled away and won by a full straightaway. Burdge held on to second, ahead of Steve Frazier, Jeremy Woodring, and Robby Eaton. Miller also won the heat race.
Steve Harlan started on the pole and when he beat Adam Imes to turn one it turned out to be the winning move. Imes ran a strong second until his string of bad luck continued when his right rear axle broke on lap 13, ending his night. Adam Yetter took over second at that point, but he could not advance any further. At the checkers it was Harlan, Yetter, Bobby Witters, Craig Imes, and Mike Saylor. Adam Imes took the heat race win.
Johnny Runk won for the second week in a row taking the checkers in the 4-Cylinder Strictly Stock feature. The action was wild and wooly early on. With Jesse Dehart leading, Robbie Imgrund, Dan Smith and Runk raced three-wide right behind him. Runk was able to drive underneath the whole pack and take the lead he wouldn't relinquish. Smith and Imgrund battled hard the entire twenty laps with Smith just edging out Imgrund by less than a foot to take second. Imgrund finished third and Dehart fourth. Runk also won the heat race.
Saturday night stock car action continues on May 2 with the Super Stocks and Strictly Stocks along with a demolition derby. Gates open at 3:00 p.m. and warm-ups begin at 5:00 p.m.


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"It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action and discipline that enabled us to follow through."
Zig Ziglar
"It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action and discipline that enabled us to follow through."
Zig Ziglar
Accomplishing a goal takes great determination and dedicated commitment. What prevents one from achieving their dreams? Is it that they give up too easy? How strong is their desire and/or passion? Listen to this great show as Jerome and Jason from selfhelpmadesimple.com discuss the power of decision and how quickly abundance becomes manifested in your life, once you decide to act.
Continue reading Self Help Radio: Committed To Your Decisions
How does one achieve something that seems so out of reach?
Simple, here are 13 keys to achievement.
Are you one to break promises? I'm usually great at delivering when I promise to others. Which I feel most people are, but it might be the promises to self that people have a hard time fulfilling. How can we get ourselves committed 100% to delivering this promise to our self?
It may help to have a network of support around you. An accountability partner could help. It is one that reminds you to hold to your promise. If you are in a relationship, your partner may be able to be that for you and likewise for your partner to you. You can also ask a friend, mentor, or a coach, but try to make sure it is someone that is willing to support you and is one that believes in you.
Also before making the commitment to the decision, is it one that you believe you can fulfill? What are the steps you will take to get there? If it is a goal that seems out of reach, then map out an action plan of steps that will take you from point A to point B.
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I'm a big fan of AppleCheeks. I try not to say that a certain brand of diapers is my favorite, but I will say that AppleCheeks is definitely in my top 3. Since I love their diapers so much I was wondering how I would feel about their other products. I was super pumped when AppleCheeks joined in as a sponsor for A Blogtastic Extravaganza and sent us a Swim Diaper and Storage Sac to try out. My parents surprised Dilly, Sugar, and I with an overnight trip to Idlewild in Pennsylvania which was a perfect opportunity to put our new AppleCheeks products to the test.
The hotel we stayed at had an indoor pool so it was time to try out the AppleCheeks Swim Diaper. Sugar received the Samoan Sunset Swim Diaper in size 2.
I already mentioned how much I love the envelope design diaper that AppleCheeks makes and they translated that design into their swim diaper! It has the same awesome elastic around the waist and leg openings that keeps even the messiest of poops where they belong. Plus they are gentle on Sugar's skin and leave no red marks behind. It is made of two layers of 100% polyester Canadian-milled mesh which allows water to comfortably flow through the diaper, but keeps solids trapped inside. The AppleCheeks swim diaper is available in two sizes: size 1 fits from approximately 7 to 20 pounds and size 2 fits from 18 to 35+ pounds.
Since Sugar is on the lower end of the size 2 the Swim Diaper is a little droopy on her butt, but it still keeps everything inside where it should be and provides room to grow!
I hate covering up this super cute Swim Diaper with a bathing suit and when swimming at home or a family members house Sugar just goes topless, but at a public pool I prefer she has something to cover her top half. I would love to see AppleCheeks carry a matching top, perhaps with an SPF built in? That would be awesome!
We also received a size 2 Storage Sac to try out. It measures 25″H x 20.5″W x 4.5″D which makes it a perfect size to fit in a standard kitchen trash can with lid – exactly what we use in Sugar's room to store dirty dipes until wash day.
But what I love even more about this Storage Sac is the drawstring closure. The rest of my pail liners do not have this feature and it is awesome for holding the dirty dipe stink in when transporting the laundry downstairs. And it also makes it awesome for traveling! I took this along with us on our trip to Idlewild and used it to hold all the dirty diapers and kept it in our suitcase. There was absolutely no odor or leaking. I L.O.V.E. it.
Interested in purchasing your own Swim Diaper or Storage Sac? Just visit the AppleCheeks website where you can purchase the Swim Diaper for $19 CAD or the size 2 Storage Sac for $21 CAD.
Oh and make sure you enter the Bums and Beyond prize pack giveaway because AppleCheeks has very generously offered a $25 CAD giftcard which you can use on any item you want! Just fill out the super simple Rafflecopter entry form below – this is the same entry form that is on the extra entries post with an additional entry option for commenting on this post with what you would use your $25 CAD gift card for.


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Financial Peace University | Reservoir
Sunday, April 7th, 2019, 9:15am
Beginning February 10 | 9:15 a.m. | E108
Take control of your finances this year and learn to handle money God's way. Financial Peace University is a fun nine week class that will give the baby steps you need to get out of debt, save money, and make a plan for the future.
Sign up at the special discounted rate of $109 per membership (one annual membership per household). Simply bring a check, made payable to Pinelake Church, to the first session in order to receive your membership activation code and course materials.


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I really like thinking about family.
I dont necessarily think of each of them individually, but as a group.
These here people raised me from the ground up. They taught me most of the things that I know, and I'd like to think I taught them bit too.
Our family unit resembles ww2 at times and more often than not you could hear us screaming obscenities at one another opposed to quietly chatting about the day.
Call us passionate.
Either way, behind all the fighting, annoyance, and useless drama I can always remember the way they love me.
It's a love like no other. And it's all because two of us came from the same belly, the other two created life together. That's entirely what joins us.
It's the most far from perfect love I know of. But i'd rather that than nothing.
I remember one day my sister and I went into a toilet at a local shopping centre. I must have been 6 and Renee 10. When I had finished in the toilet, I washed my hands and went to dry them. I was not aware that you didn't have to press a button in order to use the hand dryer, so when it went off automatically I got the fright of my life screaming like a nutcase. Renee was by my side in a matter of three seconds, not even bothering to pull up her pants.
God know's what she thought happened to me but I dare say her fright was much larger than mine.
Pretty cute.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Posted by Carlee Jane at 9:36 PM
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Florida elections tend to be fairly competitive, and the race for the open U.S. Senate seat is shaping up to be no different.
While the primaries aren't until the end of August, Republican Gov. Rick Scott and incumbent Democrat Sen. Bill Nelson are seen as the frontrunners in what's expected to be an extremely costly election.
The fact that a sitting U.S. senator and a sitting governor will likely square off in the race is a rarity, Dr. Susan MacManus, a University of South Florida professor and expert on Floridian politics, told Fox News.
"It's two people with understanding of grassroots-level campaigning, two state politicians with two different views of the world," MacManus said. "It's a clash of titans, I would say."
Here's a look at the contentious Senate race ahead of the August 28 primary.
Rick Scott has been the governor of Florida since 2011 -- which is the first political office he has held. (Reuters/Joshua Roberts)
Gov. Rick Scott, 65, officially declared his candidacy for Senate in April 2018.
To win, Scott shouldn't try to paint himself as a political outsider – after all, he's spent the past seven years as Florida's governor – but should discuss congressional term limits as a way to differentiate himself from Democratic incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson, who has been involved in Florida politics for decades, MacManus said.
He should also tout his success in bringing jobs to the state. Scott, in announcing his candidacy, said nearly 1.5 million jobs were added under his governing; PolitiFact said Scott brought about 86 percent of the jobs he promised to the state – and he still has a few more months in office.
Scott, who is term-limited, got his first experience in Florida politics as its governor. He is a Navy veteran.
Also gunning for the Republican nomination are: Lateresa Jones, Howard Knepper, Martin Mikhail, Dr. Joe Smith and Marcia Thorne, according to records from the Florida secretary of state's office.
Incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson has represented Florida in the U.S. Senate since 2001. (Reuters/Joshua Roberts)
Incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson, 75, has represented Florida in the Senate for more than 17 years. Before he was senator, he served in the state legislature and the U.S. House.
It was while he was a congressman that he was able to join the crew on the space shuttle Columbia in 1986 for six days.
To win, Nelson needs to be able to get voters, particularly minorities, to come out to vote, Dr. Gregory Koger, a political science professor at the University of Miami, told Fox News.
"I think if he campaigns as a real Democrat, a real member of the party who is interested in checking the president, that's probably a strong message for him," Koger said.
In the Senate, Nelson serves on the Armed Services and Finance committees.
Tamika Lyles and Randy Alan White are Bill Nelson's only Democratic challengers, according to filing records.
News Talk Florida reported that Lyles is not expected to mount a serious challenge against the incumbent. However, her Twitter page has remained active – retweeting criticisms of Nelson and offering her support of the recent nationwide teacher walkouts and demonstrations.
Nelson has not had a serious challenger since 2000.
Trump narrowly defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton in Florida in the 2016 presidential race by less than 2 percentage points, according to Fox News' election results.
As of April 9, The Cook Political Report considers the race to be a toss-up since Scott confirmed that he would run. Real Clear Politics' aggregated polling data has Nelson with a nearly 4-point lead.
"Florida statewide elections tend to be fairly competitive," Dr. Kevin Wagner, a Florida Atlantic University political scientist, told Fox News. "Florida is a purple state that neither side can win, and that's increasingly uncommon [nationally]."
Wagner said both sides will need an assist from their national parties in order to win in the fall.
"Florida is a very large state and a very expensive state to run in," Wagner said, adding that Scott may already have a slight advantage as he's already shown, through his gubernatorial campaigns, that he is willing to spend his own money.
President Trump: It's inevitable that the president will play a role in the race – for better or for worse, depending on voters' opinions of Trump. It's not uncommon for midterm elections to become a sort of "proxy on how the president is doing," Wagner said.
But Trump's visibility certainly is heightened in the state given Mar-a-Lago, Trump's Palm Beach, Florida resort considered to be a "winter White House."
"The fact that the president essentially lives here, comes on a regular basis, will make it hard for Republicans in the state to claim they do not know him or stay away from him," Koger said. "His presence here will be a constant reminder of the agenda of this administration."
"The fact that the president essentially lives here, comes on a regular basis, will make it hard for Republicans in the state to claim they do not know him or stay away from him."- Dr. Gregory Koger, University of Miami political science professor
"So much more than other states, this election will probably be a referendum on the president, and that won't do well for the Republican Party," Koger said.
Gun control: In less than two years, Florida has seen two of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history – the Pulse nightclub attack in 2016 and the Parkland high school shooting in 2018.
Despite his A-plus rating with the National Rifle Association, the powerful gun lobbying firm, Scott ultimately signed Florida's new law raising the age limit to purchase rifles to 21 and creating a new process enabling law enforcement to seize guns from someone who is considered a danger.
Nelson has advocated for universal background checks and a ban on certain types of semi-automatic rifles.
Puerto Rico: Following the devastating hurricanes in 2017, particularly Hurricane Maria, more than 200,000 Puerto Ricans have relocated to Florida, at least temporarily, according to NBC News. And neither Nelson nor Scott have wasted time in courting the votes of those who have moved to the Sunshine State.
"The administration's poor response to Puerto Rico will probably hurt Rick Scott," Koger said, although adding that Scott hasn't been as "anti-immigrant as President Trump."
Both Nelson and Scott have visited Puerto Rico since the hurricanes. Wagner noted that there's typically not a high voter turnout among this demographic of people but the hurricanes could change that this year.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


text: San Jose is really getting out of hand. You have people taking the law into their own hands and brawling in the streets. On June 12, 2014 around 10:20 p.m. someone reported a shooting of a young male in his mid- to late teens at an apartment complex near Spartan Stadium and Happy Hollow zoo. A witness told authorities that several men with baseball bats and shovels were walking in the area looking for someone. Witnesses also told the police that it was at least a dozen people brandishing baseball bats, shovels and fighting in the streets. Someone in the crowd had a gun. shots rang out.Unfortunately a young man lost his life. Nobody knows what motivated this brawl. I can only imagine. Was it motivated by revenge? Or was this brawl gang related? I think it was motivated by revenge because if you're walking around with baseball bats and shovels you're not playing baseball or digging a ditch. I guess we will find out what motivated this deadly brawl in San Jose in the weeks to come or maybe not. Authorities are asking anyone with information about the case to contact homicide detectives at 408-277-5283 or leave a tip with Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-STOP (7867) or with svcrimestoppers.org.


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The Death of Thanksgiving - An ON Scripture Feature
Colossians 1:11-20, A Reflection by Henry G. Brinton
Macy's Department Store is famous for presenting the Thanksgiving Day Parade. But now the same store that is in its 87th year of producing a nationally televised parade, watched by millions, is being blamed for ruining the holiday.
What has the store done? Decided to open its doors to shoppers on Thanksgiving Day at 8:00 p.m. Time Magazine reports that people are denouncing the move as "greedy, misguided and unfair to the employees being forced to work on a day traditionally reserved for family."
"Please write an obituary because I think this death needs to be acknowledged," said one person after hearing Macy's decision. "It is the death of Thanksgiving."
But wait a second — other stores are guilty as well. Walmart, Target, and Toys "R" Us launched special deals on Thanksgiving last year, and Macy's may simply be trying to remain competitive.
However if no one wanted to shop on Thanksgiving, then no stores would be open.
The true Thanksgiving-killer is the person who leaves the table and heads to the mall.
Let's use this controversy as an opportunity to take the pulse of thanksgiving in both church and culture today. We need to take a look at how thanksgiving is doing — not just the day called Thanksgiving-- but the act of giving thanks itself.
Look around, and you can see evidence that gratitude is being replaced by good deals. Family meals are losing their competition with shopping sprees. The gifts of life and health are taken for granted as we concentrate on shiny and expensive material gifts. And since we have so many struggles at work and at home these days, we often look for the cheap high that comes from buying something nice for ourselves. It's called "retail therapy."
As Thanksgiving approaches and commerce clashes with personal values, people talk about what they are thankful for.
The apostle Paul must have wondered about this when he wrote his letter to the Colossians, a group of Christians living along a main roadway in Asia Minor — what is now modern Turkey. They were pulled between the values of their faith and the values of their culture, much as we are today. Paul warned them, "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ" (Colossians 2:8).
These words ring true today, don't they? We know the philosophy of trying to spend ourselves out of economic troubles. The empty deceit of a sales pitch. The human tradition of making the holidays an orgy of consumption. The elemental spirits of the universe that lure us away from Jesus Christ.
Paul asked the Colossians, and he asks us, "Why do you live as if you still belonged to the world?" (2:20). It's a good question, one that we should ask ourselves on Thanksgiving Day, and every day.
But the apostle is not a scold, trying to make us feel bad about ourselves. No, if anything, Paul is the apostle of gratitude, with the phrase "be thankful" as one of his recurring pleas (3:15). New Testament scholar David Pao points out that the New Testament has 62 mentions of thanksgiving, and Paul is responsible for more than three-quarters of them.
This pattern holds true in Colossians. Paul begins with an outpouring of thanks, saying, "In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints" (1:3-4). After affirming the good work being done by the Colossians, Paul says, "May you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light" (1:11-12).
As the human tradition of holiday shopping tries to crowd out Thanksgiving, we are able to "endure everything with patience" because our joy comes from the gifts of God instead of from conspicuous consumption. Notice how the letter to the Colossians does not assume that we show gratitude only when everything is perfect. Instead, Paul knows that there will be much hardship to endure at the same time that we are giving thanks.
Holding thanksgiving and hardship together is a spiritual challenge. We struggle to give thanks after the death of a spouse. We try to be grateful when a child is sick. We do our best to count our blessings when we lose a job, fail a class, suffer an injury, or experience a crushing disappointment.
Fortunately, many people find a way to do this. In on-the-street interviews, men and women rarely talk about material gifts when they are questioned about being thankful. Instead, they mention the gifts of God that sustain them through the struggles of life: Children, friends, partners, good health, kindness, generosity, knowledge … plus the gift of life itself.
George Niederauer, the Archbishop of San Francisco, adds to this list: "God's gifts of artistry, imagination and creativity; his gifts of dedication, fidelity and perseverance; his gifts of strength, acumen and skill."
You cannot buy these gifts at Macy's, whether it is open on Thanksgiving or not.
Paul concludes today's passage by inviting the Colossians to give thanks to God for what he has done for us through Jesus, the one who is the ruling power of the universe. First, we can be grateful for his forgiveness. Paul says that God "has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (1:13-14). No matter how many times we stumble, Christ is present to pick us up.
Next, we give thanks that Jesus is at the center of creation, holding everything together. "He is the image of the invisible God," says Paul, "the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers — all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together" (1:15-17).
Jesus Christ is the one who is at the center of everything that is precious to us: Children, friends, partners, health, kindness, generosity, knowledge, artistry, imagination and creativity. In Christ, all things hold together.
Finally, we can be grateful for the presence of Jesus in the community of faith. "He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things … by making peace through the blood of his cross" (1:18-20).
Whenever two or three are gathered, in church or around the Thanksgiving table, Christ is present. He shows us the fullness of a God who loves us so much that he sent him into the very middle of human life, to do the work of making peace.
Is Thanksgiving dead? Not as long as Jesus Christ is alive among us, at the center of creation and the community of faith. But it is our job to respond by giving thanks for the gifts of forgiveness, for the gifts of the world, and for the gifts of the church.
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We are purring for all the Veterans,and all they have done for us.Purrs Tillie and Georgia,Treasure,Tiger, JJ and Julie
Here here! Why can't humans get along?
We were late getting our post up yesterday and it was all Jan's fault. It is important to remember our veterans,
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text:
…Vacation had to get away"
The Go-Go's? Anyone? Bueler?
Ok…So anyways I am on vacation! Bryan and I (and #LilFitt) are in Gulf Shores, Alabama with my parents and brother and sister for a whole week!…which ends tomorrow. Womp woooomp.
Pause: I think in the midst of the chaos of packing and whatnot I forgot to post for the blogging world that #LilFitt is a BOY! More on that later.
Back to vacation. My family and I have been coming here for over 10 years. We pretty much have this whole beach vacation thing down to a science. Relaxation: check. Great seafood: check. All of the fun bars and hot spots: check.
Also on the vacation docket this year? Big feelings and heart change, apparently. Leave it to Jen Hatmaker (If you're new to my little corner of the interwebs, you should know and will probably pick up on the fact that I am obsessed with her.) and her words and feelings and convictions to completely wreck me inside. AND ON VACATION.
Truthfully though? I am loving it. I'm halfway through the book and I love that it has made me cry actual tears while sitting on the beach. I love that it is giving me a basis for the 7 experiment that I and my friends did through her guidance. I love that it provides a channel for God to kick me in the butt and get me moving.
I swear, I have read my mom like half of the book aloud. I'm making her resent it before I force her to read it. Probably not the best strategy. Oh well.
That's all for now on an update! I'll post vacation photos soon…promise.
Love, Alex


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Dialing In on Smartphone Deals
The cost of owning a cellphone often comes down to picking the right carrier and plan. But increasingly, where shoppers buy their phone makes a difference, too. Kelli Grant has details on Lunch Break.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... I ... welcome back to lunch break ... a great smart and deal price a deal ... to me was when any sense you think that a deal that day right here from Kelly ... these are just watched on Lunch Break how you ... doing well but you have to wait awhile for them and this and you know I just teeth that yet and they seem to find many details but alas I was the main Amazon did for Black Friday but we are seeing some really really good prices that are coming out of retail stores don't ... carry your baby go to best buy her some the other electronics stores and spent so you're saying is I'm so used to being on the ... horizon ... eventually you get the look on me ... and I go to the store always to buy my phone but you're telling acts of public got a better deal going ... to another retailer ... yes we're seeing more of these retailers that are getting into the cellphone market and ... they're able to do this financially at topic is really good deals because the carrier still picking up the subsidies you're getting the cheap by phone or whatever else the carrier still paying for the bulk of what the difference between a retail price and what you're paying for ... a new phone ... other retailers are counting on enough profit new going you buy some accessories maybe pick up a few non cellphone items swell ... to offset that they can get a little bit of a lower price in ... Japan so we assume our pricing of what sort of ... like that are we talking about here it can be substantial for something like a dream razor two hundred and fifty dollars the horizon hundred and fifty as I sit stand right under dollar ... here and there depends on the phone model might be an extra twenty dollars thirty dollars fifty ... of the that that some really big gaps when you're talking about what you pay for cellphone service ethic among the free service on some of these plants right ... is the undersigned the new contract ... and you get the deal on the phone ... there we haven't set up a new all in the public to get a better deal at the ... the phone store then when you assign a new contract known as Joe reliever talking and other retailers because basically you're going you whenever you're going you're buying from Best Buy or Wal-Mart reveals ... you're still signing a Verizon contract you're just too high in their store I said that in the carrier store with all the same services is getting a better price on the phone so I hear stories reacting to this ... well you start seeing the expectation is that the minister offered some more of their own exclusive deals ... said that they say you know maybe you should cut the carrier store versus the going aspiring at the gadget store ... of course is that carriers really they're making their money on the surface so ultimately to bend it doesn't much matter who's selling the phone just this one is the getting was a subscriber ... and Kelly's this across the board on the different brands of onion from the Droid models to BlackBerry to I Phones or stimulate some select models overseen pre much everything is showing up at the stores that carry a little bit depending on how much space to store has to display all different models ... I and we are hearing that summer the carrier's they might hold back the phones for a little bit because they they do want to have some expert said the firm was he might not see the park and sat in there for a couple weeks after comes out with the carrier and worse the pricing is can a very too awful you can find a discount my phone when you go to Walmart ... so that's one drawback in to buy at the store anything else we should look out for it where you know I haven't that one drawback to going ... to buy like Best Buy or Amazon ... any other drawbacks they would be looking at some of the rebates and other deals that are healthier some of those the carriers can a say in it you can get this on any eighteen T phone no matter where you buy at other ones it's going to be specific to have to bite through their site for one of their stores C1 be double checking all of that before you go when assume that you can get an extra twenty dollar retailing rebate might not work if you're going to the retail store ... I feel so this one to be looking at the service obviously when you go your carrier store or some these other electronic stores ... you're going in your phone's being active bidder great they are you walk out everything was all set up but some better deals are online secure getting through Amazon or some these other websites ... euro have to fear an activated transfer everything over and you know that he wanted to support it deftly Nareit Kelly Brett went from a song that smart I think something that you have a Friday


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1) Cut jalapeno in half and remove seeds. Roughly chop shrimp. Fill the cavity loosely with cream cheese. Add in cooked, chopped shrimp. Wrap peppers with prosciutto. Insert a toothpick to hold together. Grill until done, about 5 minutes.
A viewer, who may not be a professional cook, provided this recipe. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe and therefore, we cannot make representation as to the results.


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A Missive from the Allsherjargothi of the HOLY NATION OF ODIN, Inc.
Heilsan Folk!
As of late I have spent more than a considerable amount of time upon my meditations regarding the current state of the Aryan people and the primordial spiritual perspective of our fathers' fathers, what we today call "Odinism/Wotanism".
And equally important within the scope of said meditations, is the role in which I serve and shall continue to serve our Faith and Folk in the capacity of Allsherjargothi of the HOLY NATION OF ODIN (Inc.) and it's Ministry.
The title of Allsherjargothi (pronounced: All-sheer-yar-go-thee), has assumed an elevated station in contemporary times among many of our folk and the numerous Odinist Institutions, Organizations, Ministries, etc., wherefore the Gothar (Priesthood/Clergy) is in regards. The very title of Allsherjargothi, or Allsherjargythia wherefore our Gythiar (Priestesses) are regarded, has been employed as the most eminent and exalted Gothi or Gythia (Priest or Priestess). While it is a station which deserves the folk's respect, so long as the one occupying said position fully fulfills the duties in concert with scared office of Allsherjargothi. The literal translation from Old Norse simply put is "the People's (Folk's) Priest/servant". Furthermore, one responsible for raising and sustaining the rest of the Gothar (Priesthood) of his/her Ministry. His/her eminence is warranted and measured by the success of the Gothar and Folk within the care of his ministry. If he fails to meet the Folk's spiritual needs, if he fails to provide the Folk with an accessible proficient Gothar to serve and address their myriad of spiritual, philosophical needs and cultural needs in concert with the heritage of the Aryan Tribes, then he/she is not serving anyone's needs other than his/her own need to assume some station of abused spiritual authority for the sake of one's own ego!
It is both an honor and a privilege to serve both our Gods and Folk in the capacity of Allsherjargothi of the HOLY NATION OF ODIN, Inc. and Chieftain and Allsherjargothi of the ORDER OF THE SONS OF ODIN, 1519 - VINLAND, as your servant in our Faith and Folk. For that is what the Allsherjargothi's ordained station is, Spiritual servant of the Gods and Folk and not more!
In the role of defender of our Gods and Folk, "Ek Einherjar" (I am a One Harrier)!!! I am but "One" who fights on our behalf. I am not "Thee" General of Odin's battalions. I am merely one Commander, one soldier among many in his Holy Army! That is my honor.
I realize that we as a people/Folk suffer a great disunity and lack of Fraternal Solidarity among the cause for the 14 Words, which is our very survival and more correctly so, the survival of our descendants and their future thereafter. There is so much animosity between the many factions of our people. Why, we Odinists alone suffer a grave lack of disunity within our collective spiritual community due to an unwillingness to communicate among our several ministries and resolve to form a cohesive alliance, designed with the mission of advancing the vehicle of our Ancestral Faith and make it more approachable and attractive to our working class folk in the main-stream of society. Without a sound spiritual leadership and community on par with the' mainstream faiths and their weekly services offered, why should any among us even consider Odinism/Wotanism, or Ásatrú as a viable alternative to what they currently have, even if they are in a rut? They shouldn't is the answer. There is no sense in insulting the intelligence of the very folk we seek to call home to the old ways of their/our Ancestors.
Our folk may set up a Stallr/Stali (indoor Alter) in their homes and practice our faith with their own families. They may erect an Hörg (Pronounced; Herg, which is an outdoor Alter) in their back yard and honor the old ways.
They can gather together with extended Kin & Kith (Family & Friends) and form a Kindred to perform Blot services together. The options available are varied and many designed to suit the comfort and needs of the individual or family. What is not an option at this place in time in Vinland, are actual Hofs (Temples/Churches) where our folk may assemble together for services and Blot. We need to construct legitimate Hofs and/or rent/buy old business buildings and convert them into genuine Hofs where our Folk may gather. In the late 1970's, early 1980's, a Christian Pastor named Raul Ruiz formed a ministry called Calvary Chapel, in Los Angeles County (San Gabriel Valley). I'm not certain as to exactly what date it had occurred, but he and his ministry had purchased an abandoned supermarket in, Azusa I believe it was, and they had converted it into a beautiful and ornate house of worship. I had a girlfriend at the time whom along with her family were intent on seeking to convert this little Heathen, as it were and they attended this church which I speak of. I had gone with them one Sunnastag morning.
When I consider what they converted that old tired supermarket into, I dream about our Folk/Faith community having such Hofs. I dream of the HOLY NATION OF ODIN and other Odinist and Ásatrú Ministries having such Hofs in our communities across the street and down the street from houses of worship of the Abrahamic Faiths! Where our folk may assemble with their heads held high with pride in where we come from and where we are leading our descendants to in the future. A brighter future which is not laden with decadence and moral bankruptcy. A future where our folk our not ashamed to say the word Aryan out loud, nor be anything less than openly and unapologetically proud of the grand contributions which our ancestors have contributed to humanity and civilization. A future where our Faith openly thrives in the 21st Century and beyond just as it did in centuries millennia past, prior to the advent and forced conversion of Christianity.
We must work together in a diligent fashion to bridge the gap which indeed exists between several components of the Aryan Peoples. The severe bickering and disunity which plagues our people is one of the chief agents contributing to the demise of the white race! It is coming from within our own cultures. What good is a line of defense against outsiders, when one of our biggest foes stands among us, behind the imaginary defensive line? Odinists and Christian Identity Folk must take measures now, today - to heal the rifts between us! We are a people divided by our own design! Unacceptable I say! Pan-Aryan Unity is the hope for our descendant's future. If we do not address this paramount issue now, our differences right now, at this place in our history. Then that is all that we will become...History. A memory of an extinct species. At that point, what difference will it make Odinist, or Christian Identity? It will mean nothing at all. What then will history say about us when we have vanished from the face of the planet; Led to our extinction like a heard of dumb cattle going to the slaughter. Led their by our own collective leadership's unwillingness to place the survival of our people and future for our children above and beyond their own personal aspirations or agendas. Such men and woman who do not seek to secure and advance our race are neither leaders of our race/folk, nor champions of our cause. And they should be removed from such influential positions and replaced with responsible leaders whom are dedicated to serving both our folk and our cause. And anyone whom proves to be a legitimate threat to our safety and security, should be addressed accordingly. No matter who they are!
Willful lack of viable solidarity among our folk must be counted and equated as being among the most evil and sinister agents amassed for the purpose of destroying our culture, heritage and the institutions generated by them and therefore, the very survival of our folk, our faiths and our Gods!
Let us all endeavor to dispense with the huge egos. Let us assume accountability for educating our people to the very real dangers which face us all. Let us dispense with any notions of exalted or elitist station of one faith over another. Let us rid ourselves and our racial communities of stale animosities toward our own people and our independent philosophies and Theologies. Let us resolve to replace our many prides with "one" pride..."WHITE PRIDE!"
I present myself to you, my folk, as your genuine servant and defender as Allsherjargothi and Einherjar of the HOLY NATION OF ODIN, Inc. and as one whom is more than willing to work with any and all of our EuroFolk of the Aryan Tribes in the pursuit of Pan-Aryan survival and advancement in an honest effort toward Folk Building!
I believe that this sacred mission is in fact preordained and commanded by Allfather Odin. It matters not to me whether you wear a Hammer, a Cross, or nothing at all around your neck. All that is of concern is that you have a willingness to fight for the mission of the 14 Words.
Furthermore, it matters not your religious denomination, as a member of the Aryan Tribes, your heritage, culture and history belong to you just the same as any of our ancestral lineage.
The time for coining catchy phrases and slogans is past tense. We have three which serve the needs of our ideologies just fine: W.O.T.A.N. = Will Of The Aryan Nation; O.R.I.O.N. = Our Race Is Our Nation and the very essence of our sacred mission, the 14 Words; "We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children."
The late and beloved Folk Patriot and Odinist, David Lane, in part warns us in his 88th Precept, against any Guardian, Leader, or Servant who would aspire to either wealth or glory. I seek neither. My own purposes are quite straight forward and quite fixed; A secure future for my grandchildren's future. For "OUR" descendants future!
I implore you all, strive for, cultivate, foster and promote Pan-Aryan Fraternal solidarity, while we still have a chance. Share and emphasize this message with other Aryan Folk, no matter their faith or lack thereof.
While I'm not saying anything new, it bears repeating over and over again if our people are to live on beyond this century.
I remain in Frith, service and Fraternal solidarity with thee...
"Ek Einherjar!!!" Heil Allfather Odin!
the Honorable Allsherjargothi,
Dr. Casper Odinson Crowell, 1519-CCG
HOLY NATION OF ODIN, Inc.
"No matter the host amassed against us, their overwhelming numbers, or their desire for our failure and demise. It shall not come to pass, unless we fail to unite and achieve Pan-Aryan Fraternal Solidarity." --Casper Odinson Cröwell, Ph.D., DD
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Sons of Albion - Ron McVan
We must choose nothing less than our future this choice cannot be compared to any previous choice. The unique quality of this choice is the simple grandeur of the decision to be taken in it. The inexorability of the simple and the last allows no delay!
This decision reaches out to the uttermost boundaries of OUR existence, OUR Folk and OUR Heritage!
Our Race Is Our Nation!
This decision reaches out to the uttermost boundaries of OUR existence, OUR Folk and OUR Heritage!
Our Race Is Our Nation!
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