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2017 Results
The Route
THE DISPATCH Canoe Race
DISPATCH Race Results for 2016
Watch me as I paddle around the 5 Great Lakes at:
"Not all those who wander are lost"
- J. R. R. Tolkien "Lord of the Rings"
The Adventure began on March 9th, 2017
Traci Lynn Martin, an experienced expedition kayaker and successful ultra endurance competitive kayaker, will attempt
to set a new World Record in paddling a surf ski.
She will attempt to set a record for the farthest documented
non-stop paddling trip by a Surf Ski in one year.
Currently, according to Guinness World Records, the longest solo journey by a
Surf Ski
is by Gerhard Moolman (South Africa) when he covered a distance of
3,822 miles
(6,152 km) on a surfski between Hout Bay, South Africa, and Lamu, Kenya, from 20 April to 23 October 2002.
His expedition was called The Far Blue and served to raise funds for, and awareness of, AIDS among children in Africa.
A surfski is similar to a kayak, except that the paddler sits atop the vessel rather than inside it.
A surf ski is typically longer than a kayak, with a deeper cockpit. Despite its typical instability, a surf ski (with an experienced paddler) is a very effective craft for paddling in big surf and waves.
Surf Ski's were created in Australia.
Follow me on Social Media
Twitter @StellarTourD4ce
Traci Lynn Martin
UPDATE.... As of 12/18/17
On October 15th, 2017 Traci became the first person to circumnavigate the 3 largest lakes in North America (Lakes Michigan, Superior, and Huron) in 1 calendar year.
She paddled the entire South shoreline of Erie.
On Saturday November 18th, she walked her boat around Niagara Falls.
Monday November 27th she bagan paddling Lake Ontario.
She was caught in Toronto for 2 weeks during a winter storm.
On December 16th, due to ice forming on Lake Ontario, she decided to end her record attempt.
3,592 Miles Paddled in 10 months
To Inspire Others
November 23, 2016
The Route
Lake Superior
Lake Huron
Lake Ontario
Lake Michigan
The Start
Port Huron,
9th, 2017
Lake Erie
All of the months are color coded
April = yellow
May = orange
June = green
July = blue
August = hot pink
September = Dark green
October = red
November = Royal blue
December = white
The Start
Fort Gratiot Lighthouse and Beach Park
Port Huron, MI
on the southern
tip of Lake Huron
March 13 th, 2017
(or as soon as the ice melts )
I will paddle north-west towards Lake Michigan
(follow the yellow arrows)
The Finish
Lake Erie Metro Park
32481 West Jefferson Ave
Brownstown Township, MI
It is located on the shoreline of where the Detroit River flows into Lake Erie
Finish Date... sometime in December
Check back for updates!
Heading 1
I will be paddling through:
2 Countries
1 Canadian Province
8 States
Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York
The 5 Great Lakes... Huron, Michigan, Superior, Erie, Ontario
Sturgeon Bay Canal
Sault Ste. Marie Canal
Portage Lake
4 River's
The Saint Mary's River
The Saint Clair River
The Detroit River
The Niagara River
I Need Your Help!
I will be camping along the shoreline every night for 10 months. If you live on the shoreline or along any of the rivers on the above route and would not mind having me camp on your beach or property, then
contact me.
If you or someone that you know has any interest in following me for a day or more or allow me to have supplies shipped to your house and then meet me along the shoreline with the supplies, then
contact me.
Any help would be much appreciated and your name would be added to our website as a valued volunteer! Thank you!
Heartfelt Gratitude and Colossal "Thank You"
to Stellar Kayaks
Stellar Kayaks has been working with Traci to provide her with a customed designed,
high quality, reinforced hull, kayak.
Traci has elected to paddle the SR Stellar surf ski.
The NEW Stellar Racer (SR) is stable and fast for those paddlers looking to transition from a touring kayak or those who want more stability from a surf ski in rough conditions.
A greatly narrower catch and reduced volume footwell help to modernize this popular surf ski.
We moved the paddler forward to catch waves easier as well as increasing the bow deck volume a little to release from the waves easier.
We kept the same hull shape below the water that paddlers raved about!
The beauty of the SR is that its allows you to keep your paddling rhythm without bracing, which keeps the hull speed at a higher constant rate than if you were in a racing ski and had to brace.
A water bottle holder in the cockpit and handles in the bow in stern round out this amazing
Length: 19'2" / 5.84m
Beam: 18.9" / 48cm
Depth: 13.3" / 33.8cm
Paddler: 5'-6'6" / 1.5m-2m
Capacity: 295 lbs / 135 kg
**Stellar Kayaks are adding a front and rear hatch so that Traci can carry her gear and supplies, as well as extra deck rigging and anchors.
Stellar Kayaks is an amazing company to work with!
A HUGE Thank You to All of Our Sponsor's
A personal "Thank You" to all of the wonderful individuals whom I have come to know
behind each of these logos,
Your encouragement and faith towards this vision has been a Godsend.
Feng Yi outdoor Leisure Equipment Enterprise Co., Ltd.
The DIPASQUALE Family
(for your incredibly generous donation of $1000.00)
MidWest Paddling Racing.Com
O'Connor Wealth
Management Inc.
A HUGE Thank You to All of Those who made this World Record attempt Possible
Scott Edwards ..
Thank you for all of your hard work and all of the time that you have devoted to helping me with this incredible journey. No amount of words can express how much I truly appreciate this. You have been a God Send! Thank you Scott!
Mary Strope
Thank you Mary for coming on board with this project and being my Media Coordinator. Your experience and expertise has been invaluable! Thank you!
Bob Van Hise and Patti Zander
... (from Tonawanda, NY)
Thank you so very much for offering to bring supplies and to car portage me around Niagara Falls (coming and going).
Your noble and charitable help will be invaluable to me!!
Jarett Bies
Your help and support is appreciated beyond words...
I am truly grateful and indebted to you!! Thank you Jarett!!
Stephen Brede
.. ( from Petoskey, MI)
Thank you for your personal interview and expedition advice.
The information you provided will be invaluable to me!
I also want to thank you and your wife, Ruth, for allowing supplies to be mailed to your home and for your invitation to allow Bill and I to stay several nights with you! Thank you Stephen and Ruth!
Wendell Martin
(from Chicago, Il) Thank you so very much for offering to bring Joe and I supplies! Your kindness is very much appreciated!
Mark Dipasquale
.. (from Hopkins, Mn)
Thank you so very much for your extremely generous donation!
Elaine Mestrezat
... Sarasota, FL
Thank you for your donation!
Susan Haywood
.... ( from Brighton, Victoria, Australia)
Thank you for all of your continued support and encouragement in my cause and for your generous donation! Even though we live an Ocean apart ... I feel like I can call you a friend. "Thank you".
Laura Schoenholt
.... (from Albany, New York).
Thank you for offering to bring supplies to me!
(from Kingsville Ontario).
Thank you for offering to bring Joe and me supplies!
Williams Marine
... (Lansdowne, Ontario).
Located in the heart of the 1000 Islands on the Saint Lawrence River.
Thank you for offering to allow me to camp over night at your marine!
Kaite McKy ....
(Brooklin, Maine).
Thank you for offering to to let me stay the night at your home, and to take a long, hot bath... Thank you for your kindness and generosity.
Wilmette Kayak Club..
Riverside Kayak Connection ....
(Retail Location)
4016 Biddle Avenue, .. Wyandotte, MI 48192
Thank you for your offer to help me as I am paddling through your area!
George Verras
... Thank you for allowing my team to stay in your lovely cabin!
Kris Domboroski
... Thank you for allowing my shipment of supplies to be mailed to you and then for bringing them to me! Your kindness is so much appreciated!
Kevin Alfradio
.... Thank you for the help and advice and for the hot tea when I was so cold that day on the beach! Thank you!
Kathy Morse ...
Thank you for your endearing friendship
John Peterson
.. Thank you for believing in me and being my #1 advocate and supporter. Your assistance and counsel has been priceless to me. I fear that my words of appreciation fail to express just how cherished you truly are to me. You have given me a sense of clarity which I have never known before, and for that I will forever be in your debt. Thank you John!
Darci Winthers
Thank you for your generous offer to spend two weeks following me along the route and setting up a camp for me every night. Your help will make it possible to carry less gear and therefore paddle faster and farther!
Thank you Darci!
Jorglynne Maranda Martin Shepard Brooks
... Thank you my dearest daughter for offering to help mail supplies to us during our trip!! Love You!
Renee and Darron Henderson
Thank you cousin for offering to help mail supplies to Joe and me during our trip!! Love You!
Alex A. Shepard.
. for all of your time and invaluable help and patience.. Thank you Alex!
Douglas Martin....
Thank you for all of your help, support, and encouragement!
Tamara Martin
.... Thank you for all of your help, support, and encouragement!
ulie and Chris McMillian
Thank you for all of your help, support, and encouragement!
Historic Fort Adams
... Newport RI
Thank you for allowing us to mail supplies to the Fort and for allowing us to stay the night there as well!
Steve Bianco
..... Lake Erie
Thank you for offereing to help and for spending a day paddling with me!
Lisa MacDonald
.... Drummond Island on Lake Huron
Thank you for offering to allow me to stay the night in your home with you!
Glenn Coltman ....
East Dover, Nova Scotia
Thank you for offering to allow me to stay at your place!
Ben Stafford
... Big Fork MT.
Thank you for your help and for your donation.
John Porter
.... Presque Isle, MI
Thank you for all of your help and for the AMAZING popcorn!
Beach and Marianne Hall
... Port Captain and former Mayor of Rogers City, MI
Thank you for allowing Bill and I to stay at your place,
Thank you for a nice dinner and for all of your help!
Sharon Bustamante
.. Leland, MI
Thank you for allowing Bill and myself to stay in your lovely home for 2 nights, thank you for the wonderful meals and the hot showers, and "Thank you" for paddling with me on the morning of the 25th of April.
Dan O'Connor
.... Port Washington, WI
Thank you for paddling with me through Milwaukee on May 26th.
Thank you for allowing Bill, my two boys, and I to stay in your lovely home!
Thank you for the hotel room at Village Inn on the Lake on May 30th!
But, most of all, Thank You for you continued support and encouragement throughout this expedition!
Check Out This Amazing Individual Who Helped Us!!
Stephen Brede
He has paddled all 5 of the Great Lakes!
In 2009 he paddled around Lake Huron in 90 days.
In 2010 he paddled around Lake Michigan in 95 days.
In 2012 he paddled around Lake Erie in 60 days.
In 2013 he paddled around Lake Ontario
In 2014 he paddled around Lake Superior
Check Out His Amazing Adventure!!


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13 May 2014"God grants graces through the Immaculate Heart of Mary."
~ Blessed Jacinta Marto of Fatima
"My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the Way that will lead you to God."
~ Our Lady to Sister Maria Lucia of the Immaculate Heart
Most Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, vouchsafe to intercede for Thy servant, Thy son: be Thou his Refuge and the Way that will lead him to God.

subset: commoncrawl


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The conference will be held at Sumac, in Docklands, Melbourne.
The venue is easy to find. It's right opposite Etihad Stadium and on tram routes 30, 35, 70, 71 and 86.
If you catch the train, get off at Southern Cross station and catch the 86 tram on Spencer St, or walk from the station via Etihad stadium.
If you come from the airport, catch the Skybus ($18, one way) to Southern Cross station, and walk from the station via Etihad stadium. Or catch a taxi from the airport, but expect it to be around $60.
Walk down Central Pier, keeping the water to your right. The venue is at the end of the pier.
We haven't arranged any special accommodation for this conference.


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Avalanche Warning – One Dead on Sheep Mountain
BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — The Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center is warning people in the backcountry about dangerous conditions.
The warnings cover the mountains near Cooke City, the Madison Range, the Gallatin Range, the Lionhead area near West Yellowstone and the Bridger Range.
Officials say continuing snowfall and strong winds have made the snowpack unstable and natural and human-triggered snow slides are likely.
One avalanche on sheep Mountain yesterday killed a snowmobiler from North Dakota.


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your information, here's the book description from Amazon.com:
As a professor, writer, and philosopher, Dr. Antonio del Drago has immersed himself in the literary and mythological traditions of the world.
Applying this knowledge to the writing of characters, he has developed a systematic, layered approach to character development that is based on psychology and archetypes.
In this guide, you will discover:
- The secret to writing multidimensional characters
- How to develop your character's unconscious motivations
- Four ways in which characters interact with their worlds
- Five formative relationships that shape your character
- Nine mythic character archetypes and how to use them
- The difference between proactive and reactive protagonists
- Ways to define a character through dialogue and physicality
This is more than a book on how to write characters. This guide offers a practical, step-by-step approach to character creation that is sure to take your writing to the next level.
Now for the review:
Overall, I give this book 3.5 stars.
I was a little on the fence with this book when I received it. It's got some good writing advice in it, but I'm a little wary of a "how-to" writing book by an author who, as far as I can tell, has never published anything outside this book (though he does have a PhD and runs his own writing forum). That alone would prevent me from picking The Mythic Guide to Characters off the shelf at the book store, but since I got a free copy, I decided to give it a go.
The book reads like a popular essay, which is different form many of the writing books I've read. Drago is really good at giving examples (drawn from well-known books and movies) of varying character and relationship types. I especially liked the connection between how a person plays a video game and how a character interacts with his world.
The book dives into the ideas of "enneagrams," archetypes, and soul triptychs, which made for an interesting and enlightening read.
I didn't entirely agree with the section on physical characteristics--I think there was a lot of general assumption being thrown around, and the advice flip-flopped a little. Drago also addresses the use of "real-life" dialogue (writing as people actually speak) in a way that almost went overboard for me. Sort of like he was venting a pet peeve. (I will note that I've never seen broken, "natural" dialogue in any amateur [or professional] writing. Bad dialogue, yes, but not in the way this book describes.)
With all that said, if you're a beginning writer (especially in the fantasy or science-fiction genre) and can get


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Friday, June 24, 2016
Boot-mud seedlings
I first read Weeds and Aliens, a volume in the New Naturalist series written by Sir Edward Salisbury, a former Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, almost fifty years ago. One particular section, where he discussed seeds distributed on footwear, has always stuck in my mind.
Salisbury went to some lengths to demonstrate the effectiveness of seeds dispersal by our feet as we walk around. He even swept up the soil on the floor between the pews of churches after services and germinated seeds of plantains, daisies, irongrass, pearlwort, chickweed and several grasses that had been carried in on the feet of the congregation.
He had a particular bee-in-his-bonnet about Roman soldiers carrying seeds across Britain in mud on their hobnailed sandals.
Early this year after a visit to Hayley Wood in Cambridgeshire I followed Salisbury's example and scraped the mud from my walking boots into a seed tray to see what would germinate. The picture above shows some of the seedlings. So far I've been able to identify:
Broad-leaved dock
Broad-leaved plantain
A willow herb species
Mouse-ear chickweed
Wood avens
Herb robert
Hairy bittercress
Toad rush
4 unidentified seedlings
plus four species of grass that I haven't identified yet.
No real surprises but quite a mixture. The wood is famous for its oxlips but I don't seem to have had any luck picking up their seeds on my boots!
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NEW YORK (Reuters) - Roger Federer will battle Argentine Juan Martin del Potro at the U.S. Open on Wednesday in a highly anticipated rematch of the 2009 final.
Del Potro walked away from that marathon five setter with his first and only grand slam title, breaking Federer's unprecedented steak of five straight U.S. Open championships.
The big-serving Del Potro won the most memorable match of the tournament so far this year when he fought off two match points to rally back from two sets down to defeat sixth-seeded Dominic Thiem on Monday.
Federer, who sat out the Cincinnati Masters last month due to a back injury, needed five sets to get through the first two rounds before settling down and winning his next two contests in straight sets.
With rain forecast for Wednesday, the match will likely take place under the closed roof of Arthur Ashe Stadium, which will amplify the volume of the raucous New York crowd.
Prior to that match Madison Keys will try to continue the march of American women into the semi-finals when she battles unseeded Estonian Kaia Kanepi and world number one Rafael Nadal will face 19-year-old Russian Andrey Rublev.
Reporting by Rory Carroll; Editing by Toby Davis


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We all know that homecoming is amazing, but there are a few homecoming secrets that we keep as milspouses…
We all love seeing the videos of a surprise homecoming on YouTube. Our eyes fill with tears when we watch those shows featuring service members being welcomed home by their loved ones. And who could resist a picture of a dad in uniform holding his baby for the very first time? But those of us who have actually been on the other side of the camera know that while homecomings are amazing in their own right, they can also present some unique, and often times surprising challenges.
I remember that very first homecoming.
It was the first time I had been away from my husband for that length of time, and it had been an incredibly stressful deployment. My husband was in one of the first groups to enter Iraq when the war started, and it was a totally different experience than the deployments we have experienced since.
There was no Skype, phone calls were scarce, and we were all terrified because this was so new to everyone and we had no idea what to expect. So when the time finally came, I thought, "Thank goodness this horrible experience is over and we can get back to our normal lives."
It would be years later when I first heard these very wise words: "Normal is just a setting on your washing machine."
The things I didn't realize about homecoming, that no one told me… well, it's a list a mile long. There are some really important ones though, and ones that I really wish I knew before he stepped off that bus and into my arms.
5) Never shave your legs until you know that boots are on the ground.
The U.S. Military is the best in the world. They complete their missions with accuracy and precision. They can be called upon at a moments notice to take care of the most impossible situations if they arise. But for some reason, no unit that has ever returned home in the history of deployments… has ever arrived home on their original return date.
At least that's how it feels. It's just something you have to accept: Never plan on the original return date. Then, when you finally get a firm date, the time will get pushed back… about four or five hundred times. So, girls, don't shave until you know for sure. In fact, just to be safe bring the razor with you and just shave those legs when you see that first white bus on the horizon.


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Reality TV beauty Kim Kardashian was one of the surprise performers helping Billy Crystal deliver a special musical farewell to Jay Leno on his last ever Tonight Show.
Kanye West's fiancée took part in a Sound of Music-themed Farewell song, with special lyrics just for Jay.
Scroll down for video of Kim singing
Her lines were: "So long farewell last night I told my folks, now I won't be the butt of Leno's Jokes," which drew laugh's and smiles from the TV host.
Kim was just one of several stars taking part. Jack Black kicked off the ditty, singing: "if Fallon tanks you'll be back here next year," referring to the new host Jimmy Fallon.
Meanwhile Big Bang Theory star Jim Parsons sang: "your success is called the big chin theory."
One of the biggest cheers came for chat show queen Oprah Winfrey. She sang: "You really raised the bar if you were me you'd buy them all a car," referencing her famous giveaways, including one where she gifted cars to every delighted member of the audience.
Sheryl Crow's musical effort included the words: "I want to get on Dave," talking about Jay's rival David Letterman.
The extravaganza marked the end of a 22-year stint as one of America's top chat show hosts.


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156 Noosa Hotels, Motels & Apartments
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While outdoor activities are one of the most popular attractions in the region, the thriving tourism industry has also allowed many fantastic restaurants and cafes to spring up, while there are also a range of shopping opportunities. Thanks to its incredible scenic surroundings, the region is also a popular place for hikers and walking enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the beautiful natural scenery of Australia.
Nomads Noosa Backpackers 6 "Ideal"
Nomads Noosa Backpackers
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Photo by Alejandro MeléndezMexico's 30-day lesson in democracy / Waging Nonviolence - People-Powered News and Analysis: "This time, the Yo Soy 132 participants — who on June 5 officially declared themselves anti-party, anti-Peña Nieto, and anti-neoliberal — called for another march this past Sunday. In total, 300,000 people marched over the course of four hours between the Zócalo and the Angel of Independence. At the same time, people in states all across Mexico and abroad marched against Peña Nieto."
'via Blog this'


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Members of our Board of Directors
The Board of Directors meet on the second Thursday of every month. These meetings are open to the public. We welcome your attendance and we welcome your concerns and suggestions sent to email address above.
Niama Elharrak, originally from Morocco, have been an active member at ICP since 2001, she is married and has three kids who love ICP and consider it their second home. Sister Niama has been working as a registered nurse for 15 years and currently is attending graduate nursing school. Her Passion is seeing kids grow and be raised in a Muslim environment. She has been involved in the Education committee, Specifically the Sunday school and Summer Programs for many years. She believes in community involvement and contribution to be the best Muslims we are.
Sister Elaine Linn
Elaine Linn is an American born revert to Islam. She is the Assistant Director for Academic Affairs at the Global Studies Center of the University of Pittsburgh and is the faculty advisor to the Muslim Student Association. She is also the executive director of the Consortium for Educational Resources on Islamic Studies (CERIS) a 31- member consortium of institutions of higher education and community organizations in Western PA and Ohio, housed at the University of Pittsburgh. Elaine and her husband and their three children have been an active members of the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh since 1991.
Brother Ahmad Arafat
Brother Ahmed Arafat is an IT professional who is a long time member of ICP. He believes that our various Islamic centers and mosques in Pittsburgh represent one of our communities most important assets and that all of us are responsible for supporting and safeguarding them. They enable us to grow strong in our faith, provide a nurturing environment for our kids, help those in need, and extend the peaceful message of Islam through outreach and collaboration with our surrounding communities.
Brother Mizanoor Biswas
Mizanoor Biswas is a native of Bangladesh. He served as a member (and or an executive member) on many boards for a wide variety of important constituents like the City University of New York (CUNY) Board of trustees, NY state Higher Education Service Corporation, CUNY Athletic Council, Community Board #3 of Queens, Borough President's (of Queens) Airport Advisory Council, and the NY State Governor's Task force on Campus fire safety etc. over the years. While working at CUNY in both teaching and non-teaching positions, Mizanoor had integral roles in many of CUNY's executive searches (chancellery and college president and other executives), and he supervised student organizations and activities. He has always been involved in leading various civic organizations and major community events.
He has partaken in many important higher education policy making and legislative issues in local, state and federal levels. Mizanoor has received many accolades and awards for his leadership work and was quoted/interviewed in many newspapers and media outlets including NY Times, and NY1 TV etc. Mizanoor Biswas earned his BS and MA from York and City College of CUNY. His other interests are travelling, and gardening. Mizanoor Biswas resides in Pittsburgh's Friendship neighborhood with his family.
Brother Muhammed Haq
Muhammed Haq is a physician by training and is currently doing research.


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Toddler Jasmine Slippers
Item # DI83865 Write Review
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Product Information
Items Included
- Pair of Slippers
- 100% polyester
- Glittery gold shell, turquoise lining, elastic band over instep
- Gold rosette on toe of each slipper
- Anti-skid soles
Jasmine was a pretty practical princess. She kept a Tiger around in case anybody decided to come attack her or even if she just wanted to cuddle, she had some awesome ribbons in her hair, and when it comes to footwear, she doesn't reach for those high heels or glass slippers. She knows those are going to break or just hurt her feet.
Instead, when she goes out adventuring through Agrabah or around the world on a magic carpet she finds her comfiest pair of slippers to adventure in. Not only are these great for running through the sand but once she gets home she can be ready to head right to bed and pass out after a long day of defeating a mighty sorcerer and saving her palace. Once you get these slippers all you need is your very own Raja. We recommend a kitten though because, unless you have a palace, you might not have quite enough space for a full grown tiger.
Size Chart
|Heel to Toe
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Forget Harry Potter. The real sea change in young people's reading habits over the past ten years has come not from the boy wizardwhose unreplicable success was a lightning strike of fantastic storytelling, canny marketing, and dumb luckbut from a section of the bookstore that you likely ignore. Unless, that is, you're 13 years old, in which case it might be the only section you patronize: the manga section.
Mangapocket-size comics usually translated from the Japaneseare now a driving force in the young-adult market, with sales of over $220 million in the U.S. last year. It's not surprising, though, that manga is overlooked by adults; the medium's rows and rows of identically shaped books with confusing titles (Naruto? Hot Gimmick? Fruits Basket?!) are too alien for most adults to treat with anything other than a shrug and an At least they're reading, right? But for typical young-teen readers, graphic storytelling is now as familiar a language as traditional chapter booksand one they expect to find in bookstores, not on spinner racks.
As barriers to the acceptance of mainstream graphic storytelling are falling, two writersBrian Selznick, author of The Invention of Hugo Cabret, and Jeff Kinney, creator of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid serieshave seized on the shift in young people's reading expectations to make enormous hits out of books that mix comics and literature in clever ways. The yearlong residence of Hugo Cabret and the Wimpy Kid books near the top of the Times chapter-book best-seller listtypically populated by the usual suspects of young-adult best-sellerdom, like fantasy epics and li'l-chick litrepresents the first wave of a potential revolution in the YA market: the incursion of comics into respectable children's fiction.
Of the two, The Invention of Hugo Cabret is the one that makes greater gestures toward high art. Set in 1931 Paris, it tells the story of an orphan who lives alone in the depths of the Montparnasse railway station. Hugo spends his days winding the station's 27 clocks and his nights tinkering with a broken automatona mechanical man that Hugo's father was fixing when he died. If Hugo can repair it, it is programmed by the springs and gears hidden within to come to life and write somethingHugo doesn't know whaton a piece of paper. Hugo comes to believe that the note the machine might one day produce was going to answer all his questions and tell him what to do now that he was alone. The note was going to save his life.
That what eventually springs from the pen of the automaton is not text but an iconic image is fitting, since in Hugo Cabret, pages of workmanlike prose serve only to propel the plot forward. When action or wonder is required, Selznick switches to his secret weapon, handsomely shaded two-page pencil drawings: of Hugo being chased through the bowels of the Gare Montparnasse; of Hugo and a girl gazing at the lights of Paris from inside the great glass-faced clocks in the station's tallest tower; of Hugo in a dark theater staring, rapt, at the flickering light of a movie. Silent films are just one of the curiosities in which the novel takes a young person's obsessive interest; the automaton is another, as are Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales, windup toys, sleight of hand. At times, the impeccably curated cultural touchstones seem a bit artificial, as if Selznick had made a product-placement deal with the Cinémathèque Française. But the carefully selected details make Hugo Cabret feel like, well, a machine, full of tiny interlocking parts, built to fuel a curious child's lifelong infatuation with wonder.


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Thursday, March 6, 2008
"Memories Light the Corners of My Mind"- Barbara Striesand
And thankfully prior to that I decided to start writing down some of my favorite stories through out the years, because I was starting to forget some of my favorites. So I didn't feel like a total hypocrite, telling the ladies how wonderful recording your life is and then not actually doing it myself.
This last week there's been a few times I've kicked up some stories and memories I haven't thought about in forever. . . . .stories I love because every time I tell them or think of them, they remind me that my life isn't as boring as I think.
For Example. . . . . . .
Last year around this time Angie and I road tripped to Reno to visit by friend John Walker. We wanted to hit up a Karaoke Bar, and the only one open the night we went was a Lesbian Bar called "The Patio" A Gathering Place. Angie and I where disappointed in the music selection, it was not what I expected from a place like Reno (apparently Lesbians AND gay men love show tunes!) Any who, I guess it was more disappointing that they didn't have our signature song "Shoop" by Salt and Peppa. We have been bringing down the house with that jam everywhere we go! And had great luck conquering the hearts of Vegas when we blew the roof off the Tropicana Karaoke lounge, but I digress. We had to settle for "Push It" by the same artist, but please believe we made some fans with our amazing rendition of "Don't You Wish Your Girlfriend was Hot Like Me!". . . . . . . You can't tell me that's not funny! That's like comedy gold! What has two thumbs and sings Pussy Cat Dolls at Lesbian Bars. . . . .this Girl!
American Idol asked their contestants this week about there most embarrassing moments, and it reminded me of mine.
When I was in middle school, eighth grade to be exact. I was really excited about my Mom and Dad picking me up from school because Hey no Bus, right? Plus I thought my Mom had a pretty nice ride at the time. So I'm waiting outside with the rest of the school, getting kinda cocky. I look across the parking lot, and through the parked cars I see this vehicle full of garbage with a broken rake sticking straight up and flapping in the breeze like a big "White Trash Banner" and I literally thought to myself "Man that would be so embarrassing if that was my parents!". . . . . . . (Can you guess where this is going?) The vehicle pulls up to the pick up zone and I realize, "Oh My Gosh, that's my Dad's car!" My Parent's picked me up from school not in our nice new red Ford Taurus, but instead opted for an El Camino full of garbage! And the worst part was my Mom opens the door and exclaims "Emily! Get in the car we're going to the DUMP!" I mean can you believe that? A side note for those of you who aren't familiar with El Camino's, I'd say they fit two people comfortably. . . . . and My family and I aren't exactly small. So stuffing three chubby people in a two seater car wasn't exactly the best idea! I couldn't hide my face too well because I was stuffed up against the window! Is your heart bleeding yet?
Also another thing I get reminded of a lot (especially recently) is our YCL (Youth Camp Leader?) skit we did my last year of Girl's camp, the summer before I graduated. There was a lot of drama that year because they switched up some stuff, and because nobody likes change, we all kinda threw a fit. So any chance to rebel, was usually taken. We where supposed to do like a 10-15 minute skit introducing ourselves, and we made it into like an hour long production! We may have had some leaders upset with us, but it was kinda worth it! We did this beauty pageant spoof, that was nothing short of amazing if I do say so myself. Kacey Earl (Nielson now) rocked a "Spear Britney" shirt and slam danced to the punk version of "Hit Me Baby One More Time" Nicole Hansen (now Gartner) did a little spoof on the scene from Miss Congeniality when the dumb girl exclaims about red underwear being Satan's Panties. . . . . .and the Stake President was there. . . . .so awkward, but hilarious! I had this red Lycra bag that I'm pretty sure I stole from my best friend from elementary school. It's hard to explain, the bag is like a costume, and it's big enough to fit an averaged sized male, when it's on it kinda looks like a burca that Muslim women wear. I sported this, while I danced to Michael Jackson's "Thriller", mind you this was like six or seven years ago before that song was kinda played out, but I think it was a big hit, I think this because all the little girls I was a leader over at Girl's camp, keep coming to singles ward and reminding me of it! It was a good memory, I wish I remembered every detail because everyone made an amazing effort, and I just remember that night having such a euphoric feeling of job well done!
I was checking out my walls on Sunday, and I saw the picture of Dee and I all dressed up for the 80's dance we went to the summer we where roommates at BYUI. I think you where supposed to have dates, but Dee and I went stag. I can honestly say we had probably the best outfits there. . . . .I kid you not, well if we had to rank, Dee's was far more amazing then mine. She sported my tube top as a mini-skirt! Anyway we both where nominated for best outfit, but Dee got screwed over, and I ended up winning. It took some effort though, there was a guy booing at me in the front row, but I made sure he was aware my shirt said "Fat Chicks Rock!", and that seemed to shut him up. I won tickets to the enchanted ball they had a little later in the semester and got hooked up with a guy that served his mission in Moses Lake, but I don't think I ever met him then. In the two years I attended BYUI that was the only time I ever saw that guy I think his name was Alan, he was shorter then me and he had one of those chains clipped from his pants to his wallet, and he was rocking big skater pants (You know before they switched to skinny) that if I remember correctly where stapled on the bottom and pretty beat up Airwalks and then a white shirt and tie, he was a funny guy. What was also funny was when we went to take our picture the lady asked if we where dating and he said we just got engaged that night, and I was thinking they musta thought we where a funny pair what with me being obviously bigger then he was. But really that night was fun!
I think Pres. Monson was right when he said memories are like June in the December's of our lives, or something like that. But anyway I love recollecting and reminiscing about things I've done, and I appreciate your going along for the ride, for my sake!
Peace Out!
2 comments:
- krystind said...
Memories are the best! here's some i think you may have forgotton on this post... :)
1. The time those guys were making fun of shelly's hat, and they kept driving by your house yelling stuff, and you finally had the last straw, threw your horkly's down that you just bought, ripped off your plastic earings and threw your arms up all gangster yelling and asking them if they wanted to battle.
2. The night you, me, john, shelly... and jessika for a few minutes took a "drive" and we ended up at ririe at 1:30 in the morning scoring free hotdogs from the Flying J guy because we were flirting with him. And then all of us drinking a huge trucker mug full of mt dew that john sprung for.
3. The time you didn't make me a valentine and about a month later i drew this huge picture of a cartoon devil with flames and a stick saying "i want my valentine" above your bed on the cardboard that was securing the bed above you! freaky. And it was drawn with stinky stinky poster board black marker so you could smell it for weeks!!!
4. The fact that you would tell people that you would bounce a check for the glorious goodness of an Arbys Chicken Cordon Blue sandwhich.. haha.
5. The night that Aubree Dove snuck us all into the gymnastics place and we had a foam fight in the foam pit. This is actually one of my all time favorites.
Okay maybe these are mine, and this is the longest comment ever. :)
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- September 3, 2015 at 6:56 PM


text:
Vote, vote, vote, vote, vote for me!
Please enact a federal ban on every promotion, contest or other attention-seeking gimmick that involves repetitive Internet voting.
You must get these, too: A friend sends you a form email that reads something like --
First, how annoying.
Second, what kind of measurement of worthiness is it that a person has the greatest number of contacts with the most amount of spare time on their hands?
Third, one-person one-vote comports with the values that made this country great.
Grandfather in "American Idol" if you wish, but get on this idea, lest I encourage my readers to barrage your offices with "personal" letters demanding action.
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
These Emails are only annoying when they come from someone who wouldn't do the same for you. Otherwise, what does it really cost you to click on a link and vote for someone, or like their FB fan page or whatever.
Now if you ignore it and they attempt to guilt trip you, that another story
1. I've never gotten one of these, maybe because I refuse to use Facebook.
2. I still say Idol is fixed due to the fact that people can vote repeatedly & the producers refuse to release the vote totals.
Also, those stupid pictures on FB as well with kids holding up photos begging for "likes."
I've never received an email like that...
I do get notices on FB every now and then from self-styled social media experts asking me to like the page of some pet project or client of theirs. If I were to make a similar request of them, I'd probably be ignored, since most of these individuals can't be bothered with someone whose social media footprint is as small and lowly as mine.
The comments to this entry are closed.


text:
Years ago SU came out with three related stamp sets--all had the word "sketches" in the name. This image is one of my favorites, but they're all great. A customer needed an anniversary card for her daughter and her husband, so I used this stamp with Michelle Zindorf's brayered sky technique. I am slowly getting better with this technique, but still a long way to go. It would probably help if I practiced more!
I stamped and masked off the couple. I brayered Peach Parfait, Melon Mambo, and Rich Razzleberry on the top, Crumb Cake and Soft Suede on the bottom, and created a horizon with Perfect Plum. I sponged Old Olive on the plants around the couple and Early Espresso around the edges of the panel. I used my white gel pen for the whitecaps. I used my little marker/air gun thingy to spray some Crumb Cake ink on the bottom for sand grains. After unmasking the people I colored them with ink pads and blender pens. CS colors are Crumb Cake, Peach Parfait, and Rich Razzleberry. Main panel is Whisper White.
I like the way this turned out. There are some things I will do differently next time I try this, but all in all it's kind of cool. Thanks for dropping by today!


text:
Shawn is a mama, teacher, and writer dedicated to illuminating the path of authentic, integrative practice. With undergraduate studies in English and Religious Studies at Georgetown and Oxford University, and a graduate degree in Eastern Classics and Sanskrit from St. John's College, Shawn combines her studies in yogic philosophy, language, and mystical poetry with the alchemy of nearly twenty years of living in evolutionary practice.
In addition to offering yoga teacher trainings, workshops, and retreats worldwide, Shawn mentors others in Prana Vinyasa, a sacred embodiment system created by her teacher, Shiva Rea. She is the Director of Programs for the nonprofit Anahata International, bringing trauma-sensitive wellness trainings and resources to conflict-affected communities in places like Rwanda and the West Bank. She also co-founded the DC Global Mala – part of a worldwide event raising awareness and funds for issues such as global warming, fair trade, and equal education opportunities. Shawn's work has been featured in publications ranging from Yoga Journal and OmYoga to SHAPE Magazine.
Get your tickets here to attend Unify Fest
Shawn invites students to awaken and heal through embodiment practice. Her offerings have emerged from immersion in the teachings of Insight Meditation and many modern asana lineages including, most resonantly, Prana Vinyasa: an energetic, creative, full-spectrum approach to embodying yoga. Through this open system, Shawn teaches classical and innovative pathways of vinyasa drawn from her teacher's illuminated sharing, Krishnamacharya's heritage, Tantra, Ayurveda, Bhakti, Mystical Poetry, and the creative unfolding of her own practice.
UnifyFest is a Conscious Health, Music, Yoga, and High-Vibrational 4-Day Festival Unifying Humanity Through Regenerative Sustainability Focused on Leaving the Land Better than We Found it. For 4-inspiring days thousands of people will be invited to experience a fun and conscious music and health festival that unites, inspires, and educates each of us to live in more harmony with the planet, increase our health through high-vibrational products and education, and connect deeper to our life's purpose while learning to live sustainably on the land and honoring the planet and all living beings. We are taking a step back in time to help revive and bring forth native, localized, communal practices and understandings while bridging new scientific discoveries and empowering skillsets of permaculture, biodynamics, and sustainable living to co-create living community, vibrant health, and meaningful relationships and experiences all while learning to live and experience borderless Unification of Humanity. All of this takes place at the beautifully preserved and naturally designed sacred 200-acre grounds of Las Golondrinas in Santa Fe, NM. The land of enchantment, Santa Fe is highly regarded as the 2nd largest art center in the country and is revered as a spiritual city where indigenous culture and sustainable living still permeates the lives of many locals. Unify Fest is designed as a charity-based event helping raise a large portion of its proceeds to build a non-profit sustainable-school and eco-community – and we invite sponsors/donors/attendees/associations/and supporters alike to assist in supporting this empowering and much-needed sustainability movement to be lived and experienced by thousands of people during UnifyFest 2016.


text:
How to include my services/*.pp in my manifests/site.pp?
I read Puppet Best Practices and it mentions that the services should be located in another directory.. such as:
I have my modules written in
Assume I have a mysql module, and I need the service to be
service { 'mysql':
ensure => running,
enable => true,
The above service is written into a file:
Question: How would I be able to include that s_mysql.pp file into my manifests/site.pp?
I know I can include the mysql module by writing the following into manifests/site.pp:
include mysql
But I am unsure how I would do this for the service file (s_mysql.pp) that is located in a separate directory (since the import feature is deprecated)


text:
Coming events:
How to implement the National Back and Radicular Pain Pathway (NBRPP)
Friday 8 March 2019, 12.30 – 1.30pm
The webinar aims to support the implementation of the National Back and Radicular Pain Pathway. It will initially explain the pathway and present data from early implementers to help make the case for change in your local area. The physiotherapist who led the implementation of the NBRPP across Cheshire and Merseyside as part of the Walton Centre Vanguard Project will talk about her experiences, common barriers to implementation and strategies to overcome them.
Back pain is the largest single cause of disability in the UK, with lower back pain alone accounting for 11% of the total disability of the UK population as well as the largest cause of sickness absence.
The NBRPP is the product of a unanimous consensus of 29 stakeholders based on best evidence. Its objectives are to provide a streamlined care pathway for radicular pain and an effective, managed pathway for patients with low back pain. Value impact analysis has indicated substantial cost savings in early implementation in the North East. The Pathway is demonstrating improved clinical results in patient clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction.
Who should attend: All professionals involved in the commissioning and delivery of spinal care.
Register in advance for this webinar:
Stephen Hodges, NHS RightCare
Samantha Davies, The Walton Centre
How to integrate mental and physical healthcare for long term musculoskeletal conditions
Friday 29 March 2019, 3:00pm
The importance of integrating psychosocial care into the treatment of long term musculoskeletal conditions is well established. What would this look like in practice? Using the example of the 3 Dimensions for Long Term Conditions service at King's Health Partners this webinar will cover why and how to provide and effective integrated service which benefits patients and works for clinicians. The 3 dimensions service is not an MSK service, but the approach would work equally well in supporting people with MSK conditions.
Depression is the most common co-morbidity among people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and the presence of depression can lead to a person's pain and overall disability being worse. Yet in a recent survey of people with RA, 2 in 5 had never been asked by a healthcare professional about their emotional or psychological wellbeing. Twenty two percent had a diagnosis of depression, but 37% of these were not receiving treatment for that depression.
The webinar will cover why we need to integrate mental and physical healthcare, common psychological reactions and symptoms. It will describe an example of psychosocial integration using a stepped care approach and explore the challenges and successes of joint working.
Presenter: Dr. Lindsay Ip, Principal Clinical Psychologist at King's Health Partners (KHP)
Who should attend: This webinar is for anyone involved in providing or commissioning services for people with long term musculoskeletal conditions.
Register for this webinar: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jpqsrzz5TyqbKDeH7YXFdw
Resources from recent events:
Everything you wanted to know about setting up a Musculoskeletal Service but were afraid to ask!
15 February 2019
This webinar describes how we set up the Telford Musculoskeletal Service, some of the problems we encountered along the way, and our solutions.
After winning a tender three years ago, the MSK Service was devised to be a single point-of-access for Rheumatology, Pain, Physio, Orthopaedics and musculoskeletal services in the NHS within Telford. The service is a Prime Vendor-type model with Shropshire Community Trust holding the main contract and sub-contracting to other NHS and Private providers in the locality.
Who should watch? Commissioners, First contact practitioners, GPs, hospital consultants, physiotherapists, Patients and Patient Organisations and charities.
Dr Louise Warburton, GPwSI in Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Medicine at NHS Telford and Wrekin;
Claire Horsfield, Outpatient AHP Service Manager at Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust.
ARMA webinars are free to access thanks to the support of our partners. We would like to thank Roche Products Limited and Chugai Pharma UK for supporting this webinar.
Supporting people with musculoskeletal conditions to be more active
30 November 2018
The benefits of physical activity for musculoskeletal health are well known. Despite this, many people are less active than recommended levels. People with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions have additional barriers caused by their condition, particularly pain. What can be done to support people to be more active?
Three different initiatives attempt to do just this. Moving Medicine and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists Love Activity campaign both aim to help supportive conversations with patients about increasing physical activity. parkrun MSK ambassadors aim to provide a safe environment to encourage and support people to walk or run or volunteer at their local parkruns. The webinar looks at how clinicians can encourage and support physical activity and how activity providers can better understand the needs of people with MSK conditions and how to make them feel included.
in partnership with
Arthritis Action
Who should watch? Anyone who works with people with MSK conditions, providers of physical activity and those working in public health.
Dr Ai Lyn Tan
Associate Professor, Honorary Consultant Rheumatologist, UK University of Leeds, Leeds teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, and parkrun Outreach Ambassador Arthritis & Musculoskeletal Conditions, for parkun
Hamish Reid
Sport and Exercise Medicine Consultant, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust
Sara Hazard
Assistant Director Strategic Communications, Chartered Society of Physiotherapists
A new way of delivering MSK pain service: Integrated Pain Assessment and Spinal Service
Tuesday 20 November 2018
This webinar describes the Integrated Pain Assessment and Spinal Service (IPASS) which started in 2016 in Berkshire West. We discuss the previous state of pain management in Berkshire West and the reasons for coming together as a system to develop IPASS. The video covers how joint working with a strong patient focus can improve outcomes, and outlines the positive outcomes after IPASS, a services that has been recognised by the British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) for a Best Practice Award in 2016.
Dr. Antoni Chan
Consultant Rheumatologist and Associate Medical Director, Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Dr. Rupert Woolley
GP and CCG clinical lead for Planned Care
Anna Wylie
Operational service manager and Extended Scope Physiotherapist, Integrated Pain and Spinal Service
Click here to download the PowerPoint slides for this presentation.
Watch the recording of this webinar in a YouTube window.
The British Society for Rheumatology's Choosing Wisely UK Recommendations
1 November 2018
Choosing Wisely UK is part of a global initiative which aims to reduce unnecessary tests and treatment by promoting shared decision-making conversations between patients and their healthcare professionals. The British Society for Rheumatology's (BSR) recommendations were developed in partnership with patients, nurses, and primary and secondary care clinicians.
This webinar outlines the principles of Choosing Wisely UK including a discussion around shared decision making. We describe the process by which the BSR's recommendations were developed, before discussing each recommendation in turn and what it means for practice.
Who should watch?
Everyone interested in optimising care for people with musculoskeletal problems, including patients, carers, clinicians from primary and secondary care, allied health professionals and commissioners.
Charlotte Sharp, Rheumatology Specialist Trainee, HEE(NW) and Clinical Academic Fellow, NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care Greater Manchester
Lizzie MacPhie, Consultant Rheumatologist, Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, and Chair of the British Society for Rheumatology's Standards, Audit and Guidelines Working Group.
Click here to download the PowerPoint slides for this presentation.
@sharpcharlotte and @lizzymacphie
Commissioning for Quality: Community-based Rheumatology Service
19 October 2018
The webinar outlines how a community-based rheumatology service can provide effective management of rheumatology patients, with benefits both to the patients and the usage of clinical resources. The Service is commissioned by the CCG and GPs from participating practices refer directly into the Community service.
The service was initially established in 2009 by a GPWSI who had 10 years + working in a secondary care rheumatology service as a clinical assistant, together with a nurse consultant in rheumatology with over 20 years' experience.
Findings from the pilot study demonstrated that patients requiring disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS) can easily be managed in a community setting. A community setting with provision of the specialist skills provides patients with local, more convenient care and reduced disengagement. It also optimised the use of local resources – for example, moving some of the routine follow-up activity for rheumatology patients (such as drug monitoring) would undercut the tariff by 30%. Patients see the most appropriate member of the healthcare team allowing more effective management of their condition and freeing up specialist rheumatologists for more acute cases.
The service now has 3 GPWSI, 1 extended scope physiotherapy practitioner, 2 nurse consultants and a clinical nurse specialist, as well as 6 consultant sessions per month plus 2 full time administrators.
Erica Gould, Nurse Consultant at Community Rheumatology Service Modality Partnership
Who is this for? Commissioners, GPs, clinicians working in rheumatology services.
Click here to download the PowerPoint slides for this presentation.
Watch the recording of this webinar in a YouTube window.
Focus on Musculoskeletal Health: developing and implementing a JSNA chapter
6 April 2018
As a group musculoskeletal conditions cause 31.3% of all years lived with disability, and their incidence is rising as the population ages. Understanding this at a local level is therefore crucial in public health, prevention and health and care provision. With an ageing population this becomes increasingly important for a healthy workforce and a strong economy.
This webinar was one of a series delivered in partnership between the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA) and NHS England. Using the example of the London Borough of Ealing and NHS Ealing CCG, the webinar outlined the development of the JSNA chapter and why this is important for improving the musculoskeletal health of a local population.
The JSNA is a statutory document that describes the health and social care needs of the population, identifies gaps and unmet needs, and makes evidence-based recommendations to health and social care commissioners.
Presented by:
Ian Bernstein, Clinical Lead for Musculoskeletal Transformation, NHS Ealing CCG and NW London STP Rutuja Kulkarni-Johnston, Consultant in Public Health, London Borough of Ealing
Professor Kevin Fenton MD PhD FFPH, Director of Health and Wellbeing, Southwark Council
Download the slides for this webinar in PDF format.
Sport, Exercise and Musculoskeletal Training and Delivery in the NHS
Friday 8 September 2017
Presented by Natasha Jones, Consultant in Sport and Exercise Medicine, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS trust and Mike Rossiter, Consultant in SEM & MSK Lead, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
The webinar gives a brief outline of the Faculty of Sport, Exercise and Musculoskeletal Medicine (FSEM), particularly it's aims and what the speciality covers. It also details the scope of work of a Sport & Exercise (SEM) Consultant, both within and outside of the NHS. It will highlight the particular importance of Exercise medicine within the Health of the Nation and the potential for this area of medicine.
There is an example of how an NHS Musculoskeletal (MSK) service has been set up and run successfully and the positive impact it has on investigations and interventions.
Finally, the webinar outlines current SEM training and accreditation within the UK.
This webinar is aimed at NHS Trusts (or other bodies) that are thinking of setting up, or refining, an MSK service, and professionals who wish to find out more about the FSEM, particularly those that are considering following this speciality as a career.
To watch the webinar recording, click here.
Self-care and prevention workforce skills and competencies webinar
presented by Beverley Harden, Associate Director of Education & Quality, South, HEE
28 April 2017
"A radical upgrade in prevention" "changing the relationships with people and communities"
HEE is working with and across the system to articulate how we develop the workforce to build skills in person centred approaches, i.e. how we work in partnership with people and their families to support health and wellbeing. This work brings together the core skills of:
- health coaching
- care and support planning
- shared decision making
- a number of behavioural change interventions
The work illustrates the values, strengths based approach and core skills to enable the workforce to more consistently build relationships and partner with people to support effective prevention (at all levels from obesity to loneliness to medicines compliance) and self-care/management.
The webinar discussed the thinking to date, considered some areas where the techniques have been utilised and the impact they have had for people, both patients and staff. The conversation then explores the 'how': how we shift thinking for services and busy people from reactive to preventative, how we skill people to habitually work in this way and support their own behaviour change in service.
Stream: Self-care workforce skills
Stream: Q&A
The following downloadable versions can be kept for offline viewing with the Webex Player:
Download and keep: Self-care workforce skills
Download and keep: Q&A
Joint Pain Advisor Webinar by London Health Innovation Network
24 March 2017
Chronic joint pain accounts for around 1 in 5 primary care consultations. GPs feel overwhelmed and are concerned that they don't have the time or the skills to give people adequate information or advice about exercise and weight control (NICE core recommendations).
To improve access to better management London Health Innovation Network has introduced Joint Pain Advisors into six primary care surgeries. Their role is to give people simple information, advice about self-management strategies, constructed personalised care plans and use behavioural change techniques to help people adopt healthier lifestyles. Patients were reviewed at 3 weeks, 6 weeks and 6 month intervals, at which the Advisor fed back progress, reinforced health messages and provided on-going support, reassurance and encouragement where required.
Over 500 patients used this service and reported less pain, better function and higher activity levels. A high satisfaction rate was achieved which included reduced BMI, body weight and waist circumference and has led to fewer GP consultations, investigations and onward referrals.
The Joint Pain Advisors role has been enthusiastically accepted and is a more effective, efficient and sustainable way to deliver care to this high proportion of people.
Stream slides and commentary: Joint Pain Advisor presentation
Stream: Q&A
The following downloadable versions can be kept for offline viewing with the Webex Player:
Download and keep: Joint Pain Advisor presentation
Download and keep: Q&A
Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) Masterclass
10 March 2017
Getting It Right First Time – reducing unwarranted variations
Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) is a national, clinician-led programme, created to help improve the quality of medical and clinical care within the NHS by identifying and reducing unwarranted variations in service and practice. Following a successful pilot in orthopaedics, led by Professor Tim Briggs of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, GIRFT has received £60m of Government funding and is now being rolled out to more than 30 specialties including neurosurgery, emergency medicine and cardiothoracic surgery.
This webinar explores the philosophy behind GIRFT, its methodology, including the deep dive data analysis and peer-to-peer engagement with frontline medics, and importantly the benefits it has brought in improving patient outcomes and delivering efficiencies through the sharing of best practice.
Trusts involved in the pilot programme have already reported direct savings and benefits of between £20m and £30m, with an additional £15m to £20m expected in the second year. At the end of GIRFT's three year funding it is expected that the programme will have helped prevent £1billion of wasted costs and unnecessary treatment.
The webinar was jointly presented by Rachel Yates, Managing Director of GIRFT, and Mary Newman, Interim Head of Policy and Implementation GIRFT. It will be of interest to Health Care Professionals and Commissioners from CCGs, Primary & Secondary Care and Clinicians.
The following downloadable versions can be kept for offline viewing with the Webex Player:
Download and keep: Getting it Right First Time webinar and Q&A
Webinar – MSK Clinical Networks
Dr Ian Bernstein, NHS Ealing CCG, 29 April 2016
Clinical Networks: Transforming Musculoskeletal Care in North West London. To open the narrated slide presentation (powerpoint with audio), please click below.
Learning objectives, programme and more details are available on the MSK Knowledge Network on Yammer. Please see the "Useful Documents, Tools and Files" section. You can also find the full video version of this presentation and slides-only version there.
Webinar – Physiotherapy in Primary Care
Q&A with Andy Lord, 21 June 2016
Presentation on MSK Physiotherapy in Primary Care (Self-Referral to Colocation) led by Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).
Click image to open presentation on Prez.com.
The Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire
24 February 2017
Musculoskeletal disease (MSK) is one of the largest single sources of disability in the UK and MSK services are making major changes to address growing demands.
To date few direct measures of health status have been in place which could be used across the spectrum of MSK to inform service improvement. The introduction of the Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire (MSK-HQ) has been developed to meet this need. The webinar will introduce different possible applications from audit, quality improvement and performance evaluation through to facilitating communication and personalised care with individual patients. The role of Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) will also be discussed.
The webinar was presented by Raymond Fitzpatrick, Professor of Public Health and Primary Care and Elizabeth Gibbons, Senior Research Scientist both from the University of Oxford who provided an overview of their experiences and plans for use of MSK-HQ in various NHS settings. This webinar will be of relevance to any health professional, manager or commissioner concerned with MSK service provision.
Stream: The Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire webinar
Stream: The Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire Q&A
The following downloadable versions can be kept for offline viewing with the Webex Player:
Download and keep: The Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire webinar
Download and keep: The Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire Q&A
Presented by Christian Verrinder and Giles Hazan
10 February 2017
Dr Christian Verrinder and Dr Giles Hazan share aspects of their experience to date in MSK commissioning, including their thoughts on: process, structure, design, procurement, implementation and review.
This webinar looks at how we can build on current service provision for people with MSK conditions in order to identify how and where current services and support can be improved and reflects how this new programme of work has influenced the commissioning of MSK services.
The following downloadable versions can be kept for offline viewing with the Webex Player:
Download and keep: New models of MSK Masterclass webinar
Download and keep: New models of MSK Masterclass Q&A
Lead by Tony Woolf in participation with ARUK/BSR
12 January 2017
The Musculoskeletal Health in the Workplace Project aims to prevent work loss caused by musculoskeletal problems.
In 2013 31 million lost workdays in the UK were attributed to musculoskeletal conditions, compared with 27 million for minor illnesses like coughs and colds and 15 million for stress and anxiety. We are all living longer and working longer so we need a system that promotes economic independence, health and wellbeing and productivity throughout life.
The Musculoskeletal (MSK) Health in the Workplace Project aims to prevent work loss caused by musculoskeletal problems. There has been much focus on health protection but the problems remain. There is a need for a different approach that brings together health promotion and health protection along with health management with a focus on being proactive rather than reactive; enabling managers and employees to achieve this; and empowering people to and self-manage their MSK condition.
The management of MSK problems needs to focus on getting people back to functioning in order for them to stay in or return to work. Early intervention, rehabilitation and return to work support are all ways of achieving this.
This webinar looked at how we can build on the current service provision for people with MSK conditions in order to identify how and where current services and support can be improved.
It was presented by Professor Tony Woolf, Consultant Rheumatologist and Honorary Professor of Rheumatology, University of Exeter Medical School, and Plymouth Peninsula Medical and Dental College. The webinar was produced in participation with Arthritis Research UK and the British Society for Rheumatology, targeting a specific audience of MSK professionals, Occupational Health leads, GPs and CCG Commissioners.
Stream: Work & Health MSK webinar
Stream: Work & Health MSK Q&A
The following downloadable versions can be kept for offline viewing with the Webex Player:
Download and keep: Work & Health MSK webinar
Download and keep: Work & Health MSK Q&A
Webinar Specifically for Users of Musculoskeletal Health Services
Government Green Paper on Work & Health
Friday 27 January 2017
Building on the current service provisions for people with Musculoskeletal conditions.
We are pleased to be able to share the news that 'Improving Lives – the Work, Health and Disability Green Paper' was published on the 31 October 2016 by the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department of Health and reflects the Government's new and ambitious approach to work, health and disability.
We want to spark a far-reaching, national debate on the issues and the proposals set out in the document, ensuring that we listen to you so that we can develop our programme of work and understand the role others have to play in driving action forward.
How can you as a service user be involved and help shape your future services?
The Work and Health Unit would like to work closely with people working in or needing Musculoskeletal services in order to identify how and where current services and support can be improved, as we start developing policy proposals for improving MSK services for both service users and professionals.
Looking widely across the current range of services and provision of support for people with MSK, we would like to discuss with service users your views on these questions:
- how do you access MSK services and how can this access be improved?
- how can you be assisted to stay in work/return to work after being away from work due to your condition?
- how can practitioners (non-specialist health, employability professionals, work coaches) help you with work and health issues?
- how MSK services can provide you with the help and care you need and link with employment support to deliver a more joined-up service for you.
This webinar was part of a public consultation which ran until 17th February 2017.
An online survey hosted on Citizen Space also provides a simple and easily accessible way to respond to all consultation questions.
It can be found at: https://consultations.dh.gov.
'Improving Lives – the Work, Health and Disability Green Paper' can be found at http://www.gov.uk/
MSK webinar series: Designing Optimal Falls Services webinar
Friday 7th July 2017
Falls and fractures are a common and serious health issue. The human cost can include distress, pain, injury, loss of confidence, loss of independence and mortality. For health services they are both high volume and costly with 255,000 falls related emergency hospital admissions per year for older people in England and the annual cost of hip fractures to the UK estimated at being around £2 billion.
RightCare is a national programme to improve population health by addressing unwarranted variation. In collaboration with national experts and patient groups, is launching an 'Optimal Solution for Falls and Fragility Fractures' to support systems to improve outcomes.
In January, a number of national organisations launched a 'Falls and fragility fractures consensus statement' and we are now publishing an accompanying technical annexe with resources to support delivery of key interventions and the RightCare Optimal Solution.
The webinar will introduce the Falls and Fragility Fractures Optimal Solution and how this is supported by the new technical annexe. This will assist health economies in the delivery of key interventions including how to develop a fracture liaison services according to clinical standards as well as strength and balance exercise programmes. For those with established services, this is an opportunity to ensure that your service is optimally configured for your population.
This webinar will be presented Amy Bowen, Optimal Solutions Lead NHS RightCare, Daniel MacIntyre, Population Health Services Manager, Public Health England, Tim Jones, from National Osteoporosis Society and Ann Parry, living with osteoporosis and will be of relevance to any health professional, manager or commissioner concerned with improving Falls and Fragility Fracture Services.


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Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Bright Pop Flowers in Pink & Yellow
A new set of bright and shiny graphics! This retro pop flavored set of flowers comes in bright pink, orange and yellow. There's a bigger set of these graphics in my store and on Creative Market with a small set on Etsy - (they have upload restrictions unfortunately.
I managed to shake off my summer relaxation mode (which was working well) and get back to work on editing graphics. Lots of new sets to come including a big Christmas set next week. Can't wait to share it.
Posted by SLScheibe at 11:43:00 AM
Labels: Watercolor Graphics
5 comments:
Gorgeous flowers, really full of summer. Hugs, ValerieReplyDelete
Awesome flowers Sal! GREAT!ReplyDelete
Beautiful work!ReplyDelete
This florist rocks. Nice folks, great designs, dependable service. They have great style to Deliver Flowers and great customer service. The florist was very fast with responding to emails and requests.ReplyDelete
Flowers ChiswickReplyDelete
keeps importance from expressing his emotions for living to dead person without saying a single word because flowers mean everything. According to everyone's thinking,
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Senate Democrats Crushing Senate Republicans in Fundraising
From the PoliticalMoneyLine:
Democrat Senatorial Campaign Committee 11/19/2005 The Democrat Senatorial Campaign Committee filed its report covering 10/1/2005-10/31/2005. The committee reports $3,030,580 in receipts and $1,691,585 in disbursements. Cash on hand totals $20,588,392
National Republican Senatorial Committee
The National Republican SenatorialCommittee filed its report covering 10/1/2005-10/31/2005. The committee reports $2,350,853 in receipts and $2,644,954 in disbursements. Cash on hand totals $9,127,833
(HT: Byron York).
This gap is even more striking given the GOP leads in the two other categories of RNC v. DNC and House Republicans v. House democrats.
Byron thinks it is because of Schumer, and that is certainly an advantage.
But grassroots disgust with the Gang of 14 in the spring, and now the Alito delay, the Kavanaugh deep freeze, and last week's meltdown over the Warner Amendment have crippled efforts to rally enthusiasm behind the 2006 Senate races in which the GOP holds an opening edge because of the map.
Majority Leader Frist has to spend his break figuring out how to get the base back into the effort to preserve the majority. He should have matched the House GOP's defense of victory in Iraq from Friday, and he can still force the Judciary Committee to act in December to vote Kavanaugh to the floor, and the floor to vote on Kavanaugh and Boyle and of course The Patriot Act.
The Senate is in disarray, and articles like this one from the New York Times on the effort by Senators McCain, Graham and Warner to conduct their own foreign policy (as well as their own confirmation policy) explain why.
The Majority Leader's presidential ambitions are dissolving in the Senate smash-up. He hasn't got much time to rescue them.


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READS members interested in serving on a committee should contact the Committee Chair.
Nominating Committee
An ad hoc committee consisting of the Past President and two other READS members, appointed by the READS President. Committee recruits candidates for READS elected executive board positions and for READS committee leadership positions.
Program Committee
Plans and carries out two READS programs every year:
- The annual Fall Program (October), an all day program that includes lunch, annual READS Business Meeting, and elections as well as the presentation of the READS Award of Excellence.
- A series of Spring roundtable discussions (around the 4th week in March) on a topic of interest to New Hampshire librarians.
Program Committee Members:
Eileen Gilbert, chairperson, Belmont Public Library
Amanda Alwyn, Laconia Public Library
Matt Gunby, Meredith Public Library
Kristen Gurciullo, Nashua Public Library
Maria Schroeter, Nesmith in Windham
Nicole Prokop, Concord Public Library
Provides book discussion groups around the state of New Hampshire with complete packages of highly discussable books and discussion leader resources.
READS-TO-GO committee members:
Brianna Hemmah, chairperson, Hooksett Public Library
Judith Haskell, unaffiliated
Elizabeth Herold, North Hampton Public Library
Claudia Mayr, unaffiliated
Elizabeth Nerbonne, Rochester Public Library
Tricia Ryden, Wiggin Memorial Library, Stratham
Martha Simmons, Hooksett Public Library
Award Selection Committee
Coordinates the annual presentation of the READS Award of Excellence.


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I've really got to stop leaving things to the last minute! Max was unexpectedly hospitalized for a couple of days this week. A nasty chesty virus that affected his breathing. He seems to be almost 100% but we need to find out if it means he is asthmatic.
Of course everything stood still for those 2.5 days and I wish I had another week before Xmas. I've made considerable progress on the Santa Sacks - two out of three patchwork fronts completed. The green one is in it's second incarnation because the first one blogged earlier was just not doing it for me. I think this new version works much better. I only have tomorrow to finish them all! Aargh!!


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This is the time of year where everyone and their mama is talking about planning. And that's a good thing, right?
Well. Kinda.
There's a million ways to plan – but planning soulfully isn't always talked about. (You know how I feel about soulful strategy!)
So, where do you start in planning out your biz for the New Year? Here's how to plan your business's year in four ease filled,


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|More by Wilkinson Eyre Architects
|More greenhouse projects
|More projects in London
|More from Kirsten_Hannema
Davies Alpine House
Wilkinson Eyre Architects
|contributed by
The arched shape of this greenhouse is both a new landmark and a welcoming gesture towards visitors to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew (a UNESCO heritage site). In the tradition of the innovative, high-tech glasshouses of Kew, this design provides a balanced, energy-efficient growing climate for Kew's collection of Alpine plants. The height of the two back-to-back arched structures ensures efficient thermal updraught to expel warm air at the top of the structure. A fan-shaped cloth provides protection from sunlight. Underground, air is conducted through a concrete labyrinth where it cools down before being reintroduced at the bottom of the greenhouse.
Chidan says:
Your blog is really a good platform to get informative posts. It is really a helpful platform.
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Rustic Tree Branch Wood Candle Holders-
Rustic Wedding Supplies
3 tree branch candle holders in the following sizes
1 qty approx 2 inch tall holder
1 qty approx 4 inch tall holder
1 qty approx 6 inch tall holder
All approx 2 to 2.5 inches diameter. (These are a little smaller around than some of our other candle holder sets, but still look great!)
All sizes are approximate. These are made to fit a 1.5" votive or tea light candle.
You can also order these with a 6 inch diameter wood slice to use as a base for your set. Wood slice will be a rough cut like the one in the photo. It will have obvious saw marks. We have a limited supply of these.
We have other candle holder quantities and combinations at this link.
Tree types will vary, but include hickory, oak, cherry, elm, and possibly others.
This is a stock photo, you will receive products that are similar to photos, but not the exact product. Candles not included. Intended for decoration only, never leave unattended while lit.


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As I was picking apart three roasted chickens with my bare hands, my mind wandered. I tend to do that when everyone else is sleeping and I am up in a silent house. Sometimes, I feel like Caroline Ingalls. Well, with an electric roaster. I am raising two Lauras and a Mary. But my Mary can't speak. She can't read.
I was reading at Adelaide's age. It's a double standard that I don't think twice about my 5-year-old boy wanting to choose engineering solutions and incessant building over the written word. He can spell his own name, knows his alphabet, and knows some of his sounds. It will come in time. I am not worried at all.
But Adelaide. She's my little homebody. With all she misses out on, I am grieved that she can't escape into another world without help. She says her alphabet from a to q, with xyz thrown in at the end, the same way she counts from 1 to 20 or thrashes her head from side to side for minutes at a time. It soothes her. It's repetition.
Will she ever know what those letters can do? Will she ever pick up Little House in the Big Woods? I don't know. I will read it to her. Pull her out of her own world, back into mine, and then hope that we can travel together.
But it doesn't matter if she can't understand what I am saying. I read to her in the womb when she could hear, but not understand. I read to her as an infant. Words dancing out of my mouth. The cadence of it all fascinated her.
She may never be able to do it on her own. I am preparing for that possible reality. I will continue to share with her the stories of little Laura and her family. Fun, games, back-breaking work, fear, times of plenty, and struggle upon struggle.
Life is similar now and then. So many differences, but I am sure that Caroline was up, mind meandering, thinking about the futures of her children. Motherhood is picking the meat from chickens. Messy. Necessary. Buried in the task. But oh so rewarding.


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This is a hearty, yummy soup for a cold fall day or a Thanksgiving long weekend!
coconut pumpkin harvest soup
peasant soup
Peasant or "Stone" Soup, is a traditional, simple soup made with whatever you've got lying around to throw in the pot, and is often topped with crusty bread and, if you're me, a little melty cheese.
Creamy Carrot Soup with Yoghurt & Cumin
Too many carrots!! Had to clear out the veggie drawer before the next farm share box this week, and this carrotty deliciousness was the result. Creamy and tangy, this is a very healthy, versatile soup recipe.
celery root bisque with garlicky croutons
Here's a delicious recipe for a not-so-pretty root veggie. Don't know what celery root (a.k.a. celeriac) is? It's that really ugly, knobby looking white ball in your CSA box. You can also find it in the grocery store right now. If you're looking to clean out your farm share box or just want to try something new, here's an easy, tasty, healthy soup recipe to try this weekend.
lemon-basil tomato soup
So easy, so good! My kids and husband love this easy (cleanse-friendly) recipe, and my weight loss group this month have been raving about it.


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Build Your Own Bloody Mary at Dysart's Flatbed Pub
February 4, 2018 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
|Recurring Event (See all)
An event every week that begins at 9:00am on Sunday, repeating until August 26, 2018
Event Navigation
You know how you like 'em…come and build 'em! Every Sunday from 9:00 a.m. til Noon


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I was playing Darkest Dungeons today, and my Leper contracted syphilis.
That poor bastard. He was probably thinking how his life couldn't get any worse and now this.
Also, if he was fighting a monster in such a way that he contracted syphilis from it, it's no wonder I keep losing so many fights.


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May 21, 2012
Grand Prix Assignments 2012-2013: Men and Ladies
The Grand Prix assignments for the 2012-2013 season have been released! Some observations/speculations for the men's and ladies' assignments:
-Johnny Weir actually appears to be somewhat serious about coming back, and managed to wrangle for himself two GP events: Rostelecom Cup and Trophee Eric Bompard. Mr. Weir has zero chances of winning at Rostelecom Cup and merely an infinitesimal chance to do so at Trophee Eric Bompard, though. Outside shot at the podium for both, though more so at Paris than at Moscow.
-in other news on the comeback front, neither Evan Lysacek and Evgeni Plushenko received official assignments, although both Skate America and Rostelecom Cup have TBA host pick spots. There's still the (hopefully distant) possibility that Mr. Lysacek may return and claim his host pick spot at Skate America, but Patrick Chan's presence in Moscow at the GP next year should all but guarantee that Mr. Plushenko will not skate in the GP next year. There's no point of losing to Mr. Chan on home territory if it could be avoided....
-the most boring GP event next year for the men should be the Cup of China. Utter cakewalk for Daisuke Takahashi barring a complete meltdown, as Brian Joubert has not looked on form early in the season for the past couple of seasons, and most of the other skaters are somewhat lacking in the PCS department (Kevin Reynolds, Nan Song, Artur Dmitriev Jr., Jinlin Guan, Samuel Contesti, etc.)
-it's not a surprise that someone like Jason Brown would stay in juniors as he's not very competitive on the senior level with his current jump repertoire, but it's somewhat puzzling that Han Yan and (to a lesser extent) Joshua Farris are going to stay junior. Perhaps Mr. Farris is staying junior due to the fairly deep US men's field, but it doesn't seem to make much sense for Mr. Yan to do the same.
-the most interesting GP events for the men should be Skate America (Michal Brezina, Yuzuru Hanyu, Takahiko Kozuka, Jeremy Abbott) or the NHK Trophy (Yuzuru Hanyu, Daisuke Takahashi, Javier Fernandez)
-"Alexandra" Majorov of Sweden skating at Skate America in the men's discipline?
-as for the ladies, it also appears that Miki Ando is also mounting a comeback campaign with her two GP assignments (Cup of China, Trophee Eric Bompard). With her purported split from Nikolai Morozov, it will be interesting to see what form Ms. Ando will be in next season, as well as the state of her programs.
-the ladies GP has some very deep fields, including the Cup of China (Miki Ando, Mao Asada, Carolina Kostner, Julia Lipnitskaya) and Trophee Eric Bompard (Carolina Kostner, Miki Ando, Julia Lipnitskaya, Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, Ashley Wagner).
-the next big wave of junior ladies is finally hitting the senior GP, with Kaetlyn Osmond, Zijun Li, Gracie Gold, Polina Korobeynikova, Julia Lipnitskaya and Polina Shelepen all moving up to the senior level for the time being
-reality checks: Mirai Nagasu with one assignment (Cup of China), Cynthia Phaneuf with none (but possible Skate Canada host pick?), Kiira Korpi with one (Rostelecom Cup), Alissa Czisny with one (NHK Trophy)
-Rachael Flatt and Christina Gao as two of the three host picks for Skate America? Looks like the USFSA is working hard to try to crown Ashley Wagner as Skate America champion next season.
15 comments:
- Another AnonymousMay 22, 2012 at 2:19 AM
I think Chan's Rostel assignment may actually be a calculated move by the Russian Fed. Chan's not a consistent early season skater, and he can be beaten - Tomas Verner did it in 2010, at the same event, without massive political support like Plushenko will have. With an unsettled coaching situation and reportedly two new programs, Chan may take a while to get his season going. So this can give Plushenko a good shot at beating Chan, and then he proves that he's a serious contender and doesn't need to do Worlds in Canada to show that - and he certainly wouldn't win there.ReplyDelete
Considering Csizny's injury, I don't expect her at NHK, either.
Takahashi wasn't great at his first GP last season; who knows what we'll see from him.
Ladies is actually becoming quite interesting. It's the dance fields that are generally snooze-worthy - no real depth. But we saw that last year, with people like Carron/Jones and Isabella Tobias winning medals.Replies
I have little doubt that the Russian Fed is leaving their TBA spot for the possibility of Mr. Plushenko's return to the GP, but I doubt he will actually show up and take the spot. Yes, Mr. Chan is usually a sloppy mess during the GP, but Tomas Verner only won because Mr. Chan Zayaked (if Mr. Chan didn't Zayak he would've won even with his 4 falls) and the judges usually have no trouble handing him high PCS even with his sloppy skates, even more so now since he's a 2-time WC. I would think that Mr. Plushenko would want to preserve his health/body for Sochi, and not risk the possibility of damaging his reputation by losing at home. I expect him to show up at Russian Nats and Euros next season, no more--that should be enough to prove he is a "serious contender" without the risk of actually losing.Delete
But I hope I'm wrong, because I want to see if the judges would dare to give Mr. Plushenko 8s in transitions like they did at Euros this season when he's directly up against someone who actually has a lot of them. The contrast should be embarrassing enough.
I don't expect to see Ms. Czisny at NHK either.
Mr. Takahashi doesn't need to be great to beat the likes of Artur Dmitriev Jr., Nan Song, Kevin Reynolds, Adam Rippon. The only threat is a strong Brian Joubert, which is unlikely to happen given how Mr. Joubert's GP seasons have been of late. The entire field looks pretty boring: no interesting match-ups, and strong likelihood of sloppy podium finishes (including Mr. Takahashi himself),etc.
I am agree that ladies looks v. interesting next season.
I thought you liked Song Nan. Your Eric Bompard post suggested it anyway. I don't think he has a hope in hell of winning though, I mean he hasn't even placed in the top ten yet. No way he has the reputation to win unless Daisuke falls 15 times or something.Delete
- AnonymousMay 22, 2012 at 4:12 AM
I agree with Anon. Plushenko team is very calculated and this indeed may be their move to shake Chan at home, do Euros and skip worlds going into olympic year with the memory imprinted on everyone's mind of Plush' victory over Chan. I think its the best strategy for Plush and hes always been good at these mind games anyway. Otherwise I honestly dont see how he can manage to have a shot at that olympic gold.ReplyDelete
Although Im very saddened by miki's return, I also wonder if she will be her usual flat boring tone deaf self in competitions or not. It will also be interesting to see how Caro will handle the added pressures of a champion this season. Im sure the Gps will be telling.Replies
I think the best strategy for Mr. Plushenko is to preserve his body and health, and rack up his reputation by going to competitions he basically has no chance of losing on the road to Sochi (i.e. Russian Nationals, Euros). There's no guarantee that Mr. Plushenko can actually beat Mr. Chan even if the match-up is on Russian ground.Delete
I'm actually quite excited for the ladies GPs next season. The onslaught of the junior ladies moving up may change the whole dynamic, and some of the fields are actually quite deep and have very interesting match-ups.
RACHAEL FLATT!! NOOOOOOOOO!!!ReplyDelete
Apparently I'm the only one who wants Evan back and Johnny to go away, sigh. I agree it would be fun to get an early laugh at Plushenko's terrible transitions and upper-body movements. I'm betting he doesn't do much until Sochi, though, where he'll gain approximately 50,000 +GOE on everything and throw a tantrum when he finds out there's not really a platinum medal.Replies
- AnonymousMay 23, 2012 at 10:39 PM
You speak as if Chan is someone like Yagudin who won competitions based on the phenomenal quality of his skating.ReplyDelete
Seems pretty obvious to me that someone or some people have been buying Chan's wins over the last couple of years - since very few know who is involved or how it is actually happening, it remains to be seen if 'they' will continue to keep it up.
Not to mention others with more clout/money than Chan's could start buying wins for a competing skater.
In any case, if who I presume to be Chan's "sponsors" fail him in the future, he won't be so 'unbeatable' anymore, unless he himself can up his game by at the very least managing to stop falling, and even better, skate with some actual feeling.
As for Plushenko, hope he retires and becomes a jump coach. Maybe he could help out Jason Brown.
Like the person above me, I dread being subjected to Rachel Flatt's skating again. If she's as smart as her PR claims, why can't she find a way to play to her strengths and downplay her (many) weaknesses?
I AM excited to see Johnny again though. Moro should not be so quick to count him out.Replies
Now, let's be fair here. Mr. Chan has indeed won competitions based on the quality of his skating. I may be harsh on his scores sometimes, but this season alone, I think he completely deserved to win Skate Canada, GPF, and 4CC overall. Undecided on TEB and Worlds.Delete
I am excited to see Mr. Weir again too. But realistically, the current field has passed him by....
Can someone explain to me WHY we need to see Weir again? How many comebacks has he had now? Yes, I loved him years ago when he was good and artistic and deserved all his medals, but he's not keeping up with the way competitive skating is now. He also seems to put his ego before actually improving his skating. He can be fabulous all he wants off-ice, but I would want to see some really good, improved skating before getting excited about his latest "comeback."Delete
I'm not trying to argue just to argue. I genuinely don't get it. Agree to disagree and all that.
- Another AnonymousMay 25, 2012 at 3:54 AM
We will see Weir again because the ISU provisions allow him to return to competition as a comeback skater. I'm not sure why you think he's had multiple comebacks; this is the only one.Delete
Also, how exactly do you know how well Weir will skate and what sort of programs he'll have, considering he is in training and hasn't competed in over two years?
I'm looking forward to Weir's return. He may not contend for major medals, but he has a unique style that I've missed seeing.
- AnonymousMay 24, 2012 at 11:33 AM
I'm so excited for the Grand Prix this year! Especially with some of the juniors hitting the stage and Johnny Weir.ReplyDelete
Honestly, I like PChan's skating - he has lovely lines and excellent speed - but the judges are pitting me against him. I hope Weir delivers something like his Zhivago program again...but as you said, realistically, he's out of the game.
And of course Yuzuru - I can't wait to see his Wilson program and Takahashi is sure to deliver (knocks on wood fervently). Maybe PChan will clean up his programs this year? Ah, there's so much speculation in the air~
- AnonymousNovember 3, 2012 at 8:00 AM
So much for Daisuke's cakewalk.....ReplyDelete