text:
My 2013 calendar: Q1
Yip, its time to plan again. Sure, by this time last year my plan was already sorted. Where-as in 2011 I attempted to do as many events as possible ( 40 in fact) and in 2012 my goal was km driven ( 3062km), this year I am aiming at one substantial event per month. That doesn't mean that I wont do the small ones or even attempt to do more than one big one a month!
So, here's my plan as it stands now:
- Bay to Bay 30km run. Did that one last week-end and yes, I am still suffering. Being more of a 10km runner and having only ever done 1 half marathon, 30 km is quite something for me. So, that should really be my ONE big event for January 2013.
- The Totalsports Challenge, Terra Firma. I did the solo Terra Firma in 2011 & 2012 so decided to try the pair thing this year. I'll be doing the 13km road run as well as the 9km beach run. My riding partner, Omri Kleynhans will take care of the cycling legs. Good to have him on board. This takes place on Saturday 12 January from Gordon's Bay to Kleinmond.
- Two smaller events for January are the 10km long course trail run at 7pm on 23 January at Constantia and the 49km MTB event in Paarl on 27 January.
- In February there are a couple of trail runs and road rides I'll be participating in. The main event however will be the 3 day Grape Escape. This MTB event starts in Riebeek Kasteel with Wellington being the race base. Day 1: 75km, Day 2: 60km, Day 3: 70km. It aint the distances or hills I'm worried about but the HEAT! Date: 28 February to 2 March.
- In March there's the good ol' Argus Cycle Tour. I am not a huge fan and so far have only done 5 in total. It is a good day out, especially if you stop twice for coffee along the way….Date: 10 March.
- Then there's the Two Oceans Half Marathon on 30 March. I hear the biggest challenge is just to get away from the 16,000 strong bundle before one can actually start running.
So, now I am looking for suggestions for the second quarter of 2013. Any suggestions / ideas will be welcomed.
The only other definite for 2013 is the Big 5 at the Oyster Festival, 28 June to 6 July 2013:
- Pick n Pay Weekend Argus Rotary Knysna MTB race – 80km
- Pick n Pay Rotary Knysna Weekend Argus Rotary Knysna Road race- 100km
- Salomon Featherbed Trail Run – Coelacanth – 14km
- Totalsports XTERRA: Full (3km trail run, 23km MTB, 7km trail run)
- Pick n Pay Cape Times Knysna Forest Half Marathon – 21 Km
My TSC experience: 2011
And so it came to pass that I finally participated in the Totalsports Challenge 2011. Being weary of too much water, I entered the Terra Firma event. This encompassed a 50km road ride, a 13km road/trail run, a 25 km MTB event and then a 9km beach run.
I started at 07h45 on Saturday, 8 January with the other 91 Terra Firma individuals as well as with the Terra Firma road ride team members taking part in the team, pairs and trips categories.
For a first time road event on a road bike, I must say, it was ideal. Really great weather and an excellent route on Clarence drive from Gordon's Bay to Kleinmond.
Arriving in Kleinmond it was time for the first transition and that was where I dumped my bike, helmet, cycling shoes and changed into running gear, cap and sun glasses. The first half or so was on tarred road and then we went off the Kleinmond – Hermanus road into the bush. I really loved this part and know that trail running is going to form a great part of my 2011 event schedule. The 13km run ended on the edge of the lagoon just next to the Arabella Sheraton where we exchanged running gear for mountain biking gear. It was a smooth transition, especially with such a dedicated and committed support team ( my wife Debbie and 2 kids)
The MTB section took us across the tarred road and up onto Highlands road. Having done that road a few times I knew it wasn't gonna be my friend, especially not at about 11h00 in that scorching heat. Little did I know that the turnoff left out of the road into the bush was going te be even worse. Long uphills on soft sand made that a difficult stretch. All the while I was of course thinking that "what goes up must come down" and that a great long and fast downhill was awaiting me. Alas, that was not the case. The downhills were even more rocky and sandy than the uphills and at that stage of the day, it required concentration to stay on the bike. Taking chances were therefore not an option. It was a LONG 25km.
The mtb ride to beach run transition happened at the same place as the event finish line. Though nice to catch the vibe right there on the beachfront, it wasn't great thinking that the 9m beach run was still ahead. The air next to the sea, however, was remarkably cooler and there was enough of a hard sand section to make the run bearable. In fact I did considerably better on the beach run than planned.
Crossing the lagoon on the little foot bridge coming into the finish area was a very emotional experience for me as I realized I actually made it. Hearing Paul Valstar doing his "welcome home" announcements really felt great. I did not have anything to say to my wife and kids at the finish line for at least 5 minutes and that after 2 Powerades!
All in all a great experience a and great way to start the year. At least on 9 January I could say that I've already given 2011 a serious go!
Thanks to Hendrik Steytler for the great pics! A job WELL done.
I took part in this event in aid of BeingSam, an initiative to get SA Men (SAM's) to start taking charge of their health and lifestyles!
Check it out at www.BeingSam.co.za
TSC briefing session
I just returned from the Totalsports Challenge 2011 briefing session. This event takes place on Saturday, 8 January from Gordon's Bay to Kleinmond. The main event includes 7 disciplines. Within that event is the Terra Firma. This is the one without all the water disciplines ( ocean swimming, surski and K1 paddling).
The Terra Firma includes a 50km road cycle, 13km road run, 25km MTB and then 9km beach run.
According to the organisers, it will be the biggest field yet with a total of 304 participants in the full challenge and 269 in the Terra Firma.
This includes teams and individuals. 30 brave souls will do the 7 leg event and 91 individuals will do the solo Terra firma. 90, excluding me, that is.
So, if you are around that day, come and say hi.
Total Sports Challenge 2011
For years I've been toying with the idea of entering as part of a team in the seven-discipline event from Gordon's Bay to Kleinmond. When they introduced the Terra Firma ( road run, MTB and beach run) I seriously wanted to enter in a team.
Well, now I've finally done it! I just entered and paid for the Terra Firma event in the solo category. Sure, it ain't such a big deal: 50km road ride, 13km road run, 25km MTB and then 9km beach run. It's just that you do it all consecutively and will really have to rely on different muscle groups to play along. And of course there's that long December break filled with braais and too much of everything else that wont help my case. That's the REAL challenge.
Will you join me? Please……!
Anyway, this is what the Totalsports people sent me:
TOTALSPORTS CHALLENGE Kleinmond "One Team, Seven Challenges"
Entries are now open for one of South Africa's most exhilarating and much loved multi sport events, the Totalsports Challenge presented by New Balance and Powerade! Starting in Gordon's Bay on Saturday, 08 January 2011 sport enthusiasts can choose between the 7-discipline Totalsports Challenge or the less daunting 4-discipline Totalsports Terra Firma Challenge.
According to Dezroy Poole, Race Director, the Totalsports Challenge is a fun event that can be enjoyed by athletes of all skill levels. "Although we do have our serious athletes competing on the day, the Totalsports Challenge also attracts a large number of social athletes whose main aim is to have fun with family and friends. For these athletes the team category of the Totalsports Challenge or even the Totalsports Terra Firma Challenge is the ideal event of choice. In the past we've seen team entries include the likes of professional athletes such as Christoph Sauser, Burry Stander, Conrad Stoltz, Kevin Evans and Warren Petterson. It really is a treat watching these stars in action. We trust that all finishers will go home with a feeling of great accomplishment on the day," says Poole.
DATE: Saturday, 08 January 2011
Start – Gordon's Bay Beach Front
End – Kleinmond
START: Totalsports Challenge – 06h00
Totalsports Terra Firma Challenge – 07h45
Totalsports Challenge – 12km surfski, 1.5km swim, 50km road bike (from
Gordon's Bay to Kleinmond), 13km road run, 13km K1 canoe, 25km mountain bike and finally a 9km beach run.
Terra Firma Challenge – 50km road bike (from Gordon's Bay to Kleinmond), 13km road run, 25km mountain bike and 9km beach run.
Totalsports Challenge – compete individually or in teams of two, three or seven (male, female or mixed)
Terra Firma Challenge – compete individually or in teams of two or four (male, female or mixed).
Enter online: www.totalsports.co.za
WHAT'S UP FOR GRABS AT EACH EVENT ~ awesome lucky draw prizes compliments of Totalsports and New Balance.
Family and friends are encouraged to show support on the day.
Latest tweets
- Loading tweets...
Recent Posts
- 2016 Husqvarna Classic Mid-Illovo MTB Challenge reports increased entries
- Husqvarna Classic Mid-Illovo MTB Challenge & Trail Run – Sunday 24 April 2016
- An 'X' for Xterra – How not to do it!
- Sean Tait shares his summer plans.
- Westcoast Beach Run; 11 – 13 December 2015
- Adventure Racing
- Beach running
- Big 5 challenge
- Cape Argus
- Cape Epic
- Downhill
- e-bikes
- Grape Escape
- Husqvarna Classic
- Kevin Evans
- knysna oyster festival
- Mountain Biking
- MTB Festival
- Sani2c
- Sea Otter Classic
- The Munga
- Totalsports Challenge
- Trail Running
- training
- Uncategorized
- wines2Whales
- XCM world 2014
- Xterra


text:
We use cookies to improve your experience. By your continued use of this site you accept such use. Read more
Download the BERNINA Toolbox embroidery software and create beautiful embroidery designs right away. Get all in one: Buy the Toolbox Bundle and get access to all modules plus choose 600 designs from our design library.
With the CutWork software and the CutWork tool, up to 15 layers can be cleanly cut out at once, depending on the material. You maintain precise edges quickly and evenly.
With the CutWork tool, you can cut out forms cleanly and precisely. Your imagination knows no limits. To achieve the desired results, you will need a BERNINA machine capable of embroidery and the CutWork tool, which you will insert in place of the needle. Break the mold and combine your embroideries with CutWork. You will be amazed at the gorgeous effects you can achieve – whether on garments, accessories, or quilts.
The BERNINA DesignWorks Software Suite and the companion accessory tools are compatible with the following BERNINA embroidery machine models:
B 560, B 580, B 750 QE, B 780, B 830 and B 880.
The following BERNINA embroidery machines are compatible with the CutWork accessory and software only:
artista 630/640/730, aurora 430/435/440/450, bernette 340 Deco or higher.
Whether beautiful broderie anglaise or an awesome 3D look with appliqués – the combination of creative technologies produces amazing effects. And when you are working on patchwork, CutWork helps you create individual or multiple layers in the desired form with just one operation. The result: perfect quilts.
The CutWork software offers numerous tools that make the individual editing or even the creation of your own motifs on the PC possible. Operating the software is simple and clear. A sequence manager indicates the orderof the motif areas to be cut. In just a few steps, your own cut design with amazing effects can be made out of your very own idea.
BERNINA CutWork Software
Select DesignWorks motifs from berninadesignstudio.com
Are you a proud owner of a BERNINA 830 or a BERNINA 580? In order to use the DesignWorks Software Suite and Tools, you need to install the newest Firmware Update before doing so!
Click here for the B 830 Firmware Update
Click here for the B 580 Firmware Update

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Photograph Details
When an emperor penguin returns to the colony after a fishing trip, exiting from the sea as swiftly as possible is a matter of urgency. To hang around could make it a target for any leopard seal lying in wait. 'I had been diving under the ice for a while,' says Paul, 'waiting for the penguins to arrive at the ice exit hole, when suddenly I realised they were emerging from the depths – and at incredible speed.' Recent research, based on analysing clips from a BBC film, has shown that as emperor penguins accelerate to their exit, they release millions of micro-bubbles from their feathers, which reduces the friction of their plumage against the water and helps them achieve maximum speed. This photograph captures the phenomenon perfectly. 'The penguin shot up, bubbles bursting from its bill and the feathers on its head, belly and back, looking like a rocket blasted from the depths,' says Paul, who is one of the few people to be able to appreciate first hand how penguins use air to 'lubricate' their ascent.
Technical specification
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV + 16-35mm f2.8 lens; 1/1250 sec at f5; ISO 400; Seacam housing.
Cape Washington, Ross Sea, Antarctica
Sign up to receive emails from the Natural History Museum about events and exhibitions, including Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
Paul Nicklen, Canada
A polar bear specialist and marine biologist, Paul grew up on Baffin Island among the Inuit people. From them he developed a love of nature, an understanding of ice ecosystems, and the survival skills that have made him an award winning nature photographer. Paul has contributed stories to National Geographic covering the slaughter of narwhals, salmon farming and the importance of polar ecosystems.


text:
Search for "online degree" on Google and you are liable to come back with more than 23 million returns.
"Get your degree fast!"
"Never go into a university!"
"We are accredited!"
As gimmicky as it may seem, there's a real need for this service. To advance careers, many professionals find they need to return to school to obtain a degree or to further their education with a graduate program. It has become possible for universities to offer distance learning options via the Internet that can be flexible enough to avoid interrupting professionals' jobs. These programs are noted for their reduced cost, increased flexibility and the convenience of obtaining the degree from home in some cases. But there also is the perception that an online degree is easier than obtaining a diploma in a traditional college campus setting.
At the same time, using an Internet-based program of study introduces its own set of challenges. Candidates need to be highly motivated to complete self-study, discipline is needed to complete long-term assignments and for synchronous programs - those in which you attend a class with a teacher in real time online - students still have to make time to attend classes. Online students have to be able to filter out distractions.
As the concept of attending a university online has become more accepted in professional societies around the globe, the number of degree programs and institutions has skyrocketed to address a varied landscape of learning needs. New online learning models have emerged, from hybrid models in which a student takes classes on a flexible schedule at a nearby campus, to options that are completely online with a real-time teacher or completely self-governed. Every year there seem to be more and more options to extend professional learning online, but how can students tell whether an online degree is the right career move?
Types of Degree Programs
The first thing to consider when looking at an online degree is the type of program being offered by an institution. In recent years, programs have been introduced that provide students with more and more autonomy and control of their programs of study. While programs vary by institution, most online degree offerings break down into three categories: hybrid programs and synchronous and asynchronous online learning.
Hybrid study programs offer students the opportunity to take some classes online and some in a traditional university setting. Online synchronized study offers students the choice of studying through an online portal system; however, the student is expected to appear for most classes on a real-time schedule. These classes often are presented via video and webcam over the Internet in the evenings and offer the student the ability to pose questions, interact with a real professor and obtain real-time support for the learning material.
Recently, online institutions have introduced courses that are completely online self-study, also called asynchronous learning. These courses often boast a series of assignments that need to be completed in a certain timeframe, with an online feedback system or forum that allows students to pose questions to the professor and their classmates.
Early distance learning and online learning programs allowed students to attend many of their classes at a local institution's traditional campus and then pay to attend certain courses via an online learning system in a hybrid model. This hybrid model offers students the opportunity to choose the "best" method for their individual learning needs, as well as the option to take some classes at a campus. Even in classes that are entirely presented through the online distance learning mechanism, there still is the opportunity to visit a professor on campus and obtain personal support for concepts presented in the class.
This level of support comes at a cost to the students in the flexibility of their programs of study. Many of the classes offered in this hybrid environment are synchronous - that is, they offer either video or other learning content that is taken by a class of students at a given time. Often, this can mean professionals will need to plan to either be available at home at a certain time, or they will lose that access to the professor and instead attend a recorded session.
Online degrees with synchronous learning provide a completely online program, so the student will not need to plan to attend in-person classes but still will participate in real-time online sessions. These programs attempt to offer students a balanced learning environment. While students are not required to appear on a traditional campus, they still must plan to "attend" some classes online during certain times offered as video broadcasts, usually supplemented with a chat or voice channel to allow students to ask questions.
Many institutions that use this synchronous learning environment for online students will also offer "office hours" - posted times when a professor is available to answer a question quickly - roughly analogous to when a student at a traditional university would be able to come and ask a question of a professor. While many synchronous learning programs will provide better real-time support for students and the ability to directly ask questions and get answers, students interested in one of these programs will need to be careful about scheduling and will need to balance work or other family demands against the times classes are conducted on the computer.
More and more common these days is asynchronous online learning - the completely independent self-study method. In a self-study environment, the student is completely responsible for learning, and the institution takes more of a mentoring role, connecting students with resources for study material and textbooks, ways to get help and grading exams. As the student is completely responsible for his or her own learning, the course can be self-paced and there is no time that the student is required to be available to attend an online class.
Stephen Gatlin, president of Gatlin Education Services, a provider of learning content to online organizations, described the independent self-study method. "Students can create their own study schedule and complete courses in their own time," Gatlin said. "The instructional design is such high quality that the actual learning experience is rich and interesting, as well as effective." These kinds of programs offer the most flexibility for the student but the least direct support for the student's learning. Students often can look forward to online Web-based forums or e-mail for learning assistance.
Online Degrees Fit in the IT Industry
With online degree programs' relatively recent introduction to the IT industry, many students are unfamiliar with the level of acceptance of online degrees offered and how certifications fit into the degree programs. This varies by institution and can be based on the location of a learning institution's headquarters and the university's technology partners. These are key questions students should ask the counselor of any institution they approach because many programs offer certification as part of the program; however, the degree of integration varies, including how program fees are incorporated.
When examining a school's value for your career, one of the most important things to examine is the level of accreditation of the school. There are six regional accreditation associations in the United States, and the school you are considering should be listed with one of them. Without regional accreditation, the degree or credits you earn with a given school may not be recognized by outside businesses or other schools.
As long as the school has been accredited by one of these six associations, the degree you earn from their programs will have the same standing as a degree earned from a traditional university. When asked what caution he would have for a student considering an online degree, Pat Partridge, vice president of enrollment at Western Governors University, indicated that a student shouldn't "think it's easier. It's generally not. Studying and preparation is still essential."
Many of these online degrees are focused on technology, and as a result, can offer a student a more comprehensive learning experience than some traditional university settings.
"Our programs are developed around core competencies recognized by the marketplace as being relevant," said Ruki Jayaraman, director of the College of Information Technology at Western Governors University. "Unlike traditional degrees in [computer science] or IT, the degree programs at WGU are not only designed to develop hands-on skills and capabilities in current areas of information technology, but also help students become competent in project management, leadership and professionalism."
By attending programs integrating additional components that go beyond the technology and general education focuses of many traditional institutions, students can gain exposure to many of the real-world scenarios they will encounter in the field.
As part of this beyond-the-classroom focus, many organizations integrate information technology-centric industry certifications into their degree programs. Being aware of how an institution of choice uses certifications can help a student choose a program that will provide the basis to build a successful career right after graduation. Many institutions provide the learning necessary for a student to certify and then allow students to choose whether or not they would like to take that extra step on their own. Other programs integrate certifications as exams in technology-focused courses to provide an industry-based assessment of a student's learning. An enrollment counselor at any university should be able to explain how certifications are integrated into the degree program.
Matching a Program With Your Life
With the wide array of options that students have to pick from in online study programs, they should take the time to choose the program and university that works best for them. Each of the available types of programs places different demands on the student, and institutions have different ways of implementing the programs within each category. Students interested in self-study programs should be aware that a balance exists in most programs between flexibility for the student and the amount of support resources available for each class.
When considering an online program, it is important to take the time to find out about the program and the institution offering it. It is important that a student understands the time and commitment involved in enrolling in an online degree program.
"Do the research," Jayaraman said. "Talk to people who have had experience in online learning to ensure that you not only understand what the learning responsibilities entail, but that you are prepared for them."
Some students may choose to give up some of the flexibility in a fully self-paced asynchronous online program in order to obtain some of the advanced support from professors that a synchronous or hybrid program may make available. For self-study programs, it is critical that each student is prepared to put in the time to complete course material every week.
"Students will need to have the discipline to commit themselves to 20 to 30 hours a week for learning and preparation," Jayaraman said. "Unlike a traditional brick-and-mortar institution, where students have structure and a schedule for attending classes, students can sometimes get lost in an online world, where they lose the connection with others in their cohort group and, sometimes, the motivation for learning. They must have the discipline necessary to stay focused."
Making the Decision
In the end, students will have to make the decision about which program type and institution most closely matches their schedules, abilities and career aspirations.
Each program has differences in learning format, mentoring resources, exams and assessments, access to professors and resources required for completion. Taking the time to examine the available programs, find out how the university works, how certifications are integrated and the total costs will help you determine if an online degree program is right for you.


text:
December 1st, from 5:30
Unitec Painting Department: Building 6 (via Gate 1, Unitec)
In conjunction with the unitec painting department's graduation show, 'Aftermath' is a new series of works by Mic Watts.
The works are based on Mic's intrepid inner journeys while completing the negotiated studies paper: 'Studies in Recursion'.
With generous support from Lothlorien organic feijoa wines… Yuss!


text:
When I started at Ithaca as a journalism major, I was certain that I wanted to be a reporter for some famous news outlet. But I also loved history, so I decided to add it as a second major. Come to think of it, the two aren't so different—both are about telling stories. During my junior year, a semester in Washington, D.C., and an internship at the Smithsonian opened my eyes to a way of telling stories I hadn't considered before: the world of museums.
Back at Ithaca, I looked for local opportunities in the museum field. My adviser suggested the History Center of Tompkins County, and soon I was working as their archives intern. Did you know that metal paper clips and staples are quite damaging to paper because they rust over time? Or that light and acidity gradually fade and destroy paper artifacts? While working on collections new to the museum, I spent many hours pulling out metal staples and paper clips and replacing them with plastic ones, then storing the artifacts in acid-free folders within acid-free boxes.
One of the more interesting parts of processing a new collection is evaluating what the original owner wanted to convey by leaving it behind. I looked at how documents were arranged to see if that yielded any clues. I took careful stock of the files, folders, and boxes in case they provided a missing piece of the puzzle. Often it was what I couldn't easily see that allowed me to make sense of a story. I discovered this while scrutinizing romantic letters from the Victorian era. Back then, the man was supposed to do the courting, while the woman gently encouraged him with her words or gestures—and it would've been improper for her to do any more than that. The correspondence between two lovers rarely states outright the feelings of attraction and tension in a courtship, but reading between the lines tells a completely different story.
My internship wasn't all about handling artifacts. I also helped History Center patrons with their research. I learned to use the online database and cross-reference it with the paper database, which was more complete. People would come in looking for information on their ancestors; others wanted to know about the city's street system; some were interested in local Native American connections. The more I helped people, the more I learned about Tompkins County. Independent of my classes, I even did my own research project on the founders of Ithaca College which resulted in an article in the Ithaca Journal, the local newspaper.
Digging through musty old piles of papers, journals, diaries, and ledgers is not for everyone, but I loved it. Everyone has a story. I once got to delve into the diaries of a man who lived in Ithaca in the late 1800s to find snippets about the winter weather in Ithaca. I found that it was cold and snowy back then too, but he describes getting around in an open sleigh. Even if we've seen pictures of this, it becomes easier to imagine when we can read about it in the diaries of someone who lived it.
Places like the History Center ensure that those stories are passed to the next generation, and it is critical to have such a repository, along with knowledgeable staff and people willing to help out. After graduation I worked as the curator for the Chemung Valley History Museum in Elmira, New York, and am currently working on my master's degree in history museum studies at the Cooperstown Graduate Program. With my IC education, internships, work experience, and graduate studies, I'm heading toward my ultimate career goal—to go back to the Smithsonian, this time as a curator.
Are you a prospective student with college planning questions? Then myIthaca has got you covered.Sign-Up Learn More
Fuse is a student produced publication about the Ithaca College experience. All content in the print and web versions of Fuse is developed by current Ithaca College students in a breadth of different areas of study.


text:
Cute Bbw Spreads Her PussyFebruary 19, 2019 — Porn Guy
|Watch Free Trailers of Naked Fat Girls – Click Here !
|Watch Free Trailers of Naked Fat Girls – Click Here !
|For the Best of Fat Naked Girls Click Here !
|For the Best of Fat Naked Girls Click Here !
Now this is the type of webcam model that I really like to chat with. I do like a lot of them but this brunette from livesexcast is my favorite. I like the way she likes to show her ass to the camera and tease on how hard she would want me to come to her and bang her pussy doggystyle. She likes getting fucked like that and also feel your balls hit her pussy. This girl is really nasty and can really put on a show for you that will blow your mind. I've chatted with her a couple of times and I don't know how, even after I was done she kept on going asking for more. Oh yeah, now this is what webcam entertainment is all about.
Were you looking for someone with amazing big boobs? Well if you did then you can stop your searches because I was 2 steps ahead of you. So let me present to you one fine ass chocolate babe and her juicy natural boobs. They have the amazing size 42M and you can only imagine how much milk a guy would want to drink milk from there. Sitting on her sofa, she slowly takes down her top exposing those natural big breasts of hers. She's getting you hard just by looking at her tits. She likes to shake and squeeze them while taking this photo session so you will want to see more new pictures with her in the future.
|Click Here to See Nude Fat Girls in Nasty Hardcore Action !
Looking to get away from all the mainstream middle of the road smut shown on other porn tube sites? Check out Porn5.com where they specialize in rare hard to find hardcore tube videos in HD for free! Every niche and bitch you ever wanted to see getting fucked is waiting for you at Porn5 hoping you'll visit!
|Fat Girls Fucking and Sucking in Hardcore Action – Click Here to Watch !


text:
[Music] Adria Kain – Better Life
March 6, 2015
Shouts out to my girl ADRIA KAIN. Whether she's on stage with a full band keeping people totally captivated (did you catch her set opening for RAPSODY earlier this year?!), or behind the boards and mic making the magic happen, I'm always loving what she releases. Get familiar!
Follow her on Twitter @AdriaKainMusic


text:
2015 Charpak 1-4 Months Exchange Program For Indian Students In France , and applications are submitted till 17th May 2015. Applications are invited for Charpak – Exchange Program which is designed for exchange students at the Bachelor's or Master's degree level to study in France. Applicant must be an Indian national and reside in India. This is a paid internship program. The duration of program is one to four months. Applications will be selected on the basis of your academic excellence, as well as the consistency and quality of your statement of purpose. There is no CGPA / percentage cut-off for the scholarship. Full details:
School(Institutions/ Country): | France
Level: Exchange Program
Field(s): The program is for exchange students at the Bachelor's or Master's degree level.
Deadline: 17th May 2015
Funded By: Campus France
Beneficiaries(Target Groups): Charpak 1-4 Months Exchange Program is targeted for Students of India
Benefits(Value/ Inclusions):
‣ Award No: Not Specified
‣ Scholarship Duration: The duration of program is one to four months.
‣ Scholarship covers: Is this paid internship? Student visa fee waiver
‣ This 2015 Charpak 1-4 Months Exchange Program is designed for exchange students for a period of one to four months (duration of an academic semester) at the Bachelor's or Master's degree level.
‣ be an Indian national and reside in India
‣ not more than be 30 years old maximum at the time of application
‣ be currently enrolled at an Indian institution of higher learning that has a tie-up with the French Institution where the applicant will pursue an exchange semester. Please note that it is mandatory.
‣ Final semester project and laboratory research in a partner insitute in France is not applicable
‣ Results will be announced on 27th May 2015.
Scholarship Application Method
‣ Applications should be send via e-mail.
‣ Internship Applications are due on 17th May 2015.
‣ Application forms and guidelines can be download from the official website
‣ It is important to read the application procedure, and visit the official websites (link found below) for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship.
For more Information about 2015 Charpak 1-4 Months Exchange Program
2015, France, India, Internship, Masters, Undergraduate , May Deadline , Paid Internships


text:
You have no items in your shopping cart.
Regular Price:
Special Price
Product is currently out of stock
Write a Review
Free Shipping!*
Built based from Kryie Iriving fast tactics, these Nike Kyrie 1 are equipped with the technology for even the fastest player. The green upper has Hyperfuse construction that offers durability, breathability, and support. The iconic Nike swoosh is silver contrasting from teal canvas. Installed with a visible forefoot , these Kryie 1 help with natural forward motion. The air unit in midsole for cushioning. The green and orange midsole have a lightweight foam under the heel for impact protection. The outsole wraps around the shoe for maximum traction. Run up and down the court with the Nike Kyrie 1-Flytrap.
© CityGear.com 2019


text:
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Drawing of the traditional image
of the supposed "pterosaur" in
Black Dragon Canyon, UT. From
Geggel, 2015, Photos:'Winged Monster'
Rock Art in Black Dragon Canyon',
August 18, 2015,
On May 24, 2014, I posted a column titled DINOSAURS IN ROCK ART? - THE BLACK DRAGON CANYON PTEROSAUR, about the supposed pictograph of a pterosaur seen on a cliff wall in Utah. In that column I stated: "To me one of the strangest sub-studies of the field of rock art consists of attempts of creationists and evolution deniers to find dinosaurs in rock art. Apparently this is to prove that humans and dinosaurs lived concurrently because that is the only way primitive people would have their examples to portray. As best I can tell this is the work of a group of creationists who ascribe to the theory that the bible says the earth is only 6,000 years old based upon 17th century Bishop Usher's calculation that "the first day of creation began at nightfall preceding Sunday, October 23, 4004 BC" (Wikipedia), so dinosaurs and humans have to have coexisted." (Faris 2014)
Chalked pictograph in Black Dragon
Canyon, UT. Public Domain.
I then continued, citing Phil Senter whose July 2012 exploration of the subject (Rock Art "Dinosaurs", More "Dinosaur" and "Pterosaur" Rock Art That Isn't, Palaeontolical Association) took on the crazy ideas of creationists and evolution-deniers directly. I wrote "Whatever their motivation, there are a few tired examples that get trotted out over and over to supposedly prove that there are indeed portrayals of dinosaurs in rock art. Of these, perhaps the most ubiquitous example is the supposed pterosaur pictograph in Utah's Black Dragon Canyon. In 2012 Phil Senter stated "An alleged pterosaur painting in Black Dragon Canyon, Utah, is actually not a single painting. Its "head" and "neck" are a painting of a person with outstretched arms. Its torso and limbs are those of a painting of a second person with outstretched arms, whose body continues into the "pterosaur's" "wing." The other "wing" is a painting of a horned serpent. The three paintings only appear connected because someone outlined the group with chalk." (Senter 2012)" (Faris 2014)
Phil Senter's analysis of the image.
Senter presented a detailed analysis showing that the supposed pterosaur was a combination of smaller painted (and quite faded) Fremont images. An August 18, 2015 article in LiveScience written by Laura Geggel, and titled "Photos: 'Winged Monster' Rock Art in Black Dragon Canyon'" presents a project that resulted in even better analysis of the image and shows the original imagery in greater detail using DStretch analysis of high quality photographs of the panel.
The new DStretch analysis of the
pictograph, Black Dragon Canyon, UT.
From LiveScience.com.
Now a more recent (2015) analysis of the image of the supposed "pterosaur" in Black Dragon Canyon has utilized DStretch to provide even more detail of the real image. This study was conducted by Jean-Loïc Le Quellec, Paul Bahn and Marvin Rowe, ("The Death of a Pterodactyl," Antiquity, Volume 89, p 872-884, 2015, Copyright Antiquity Publications Ltd., published by Cambridge University Press.), and reported on in LiveScience by Laura Geggel in her article Photos: 'Winged Monster' Rock Art in Black Dragon Canyon, August 18, 2015. Where Senter had conclusively proven that the image was not a pterosaur, but was instead a combination of Fremont pictographs including a pair of anthropomorphs, a pair of animals, and a long sinuous image which might represent a therianthropomorphic figure, Le Quellec, Bahn, and Rowe, have now given us even more detailed images of the original Fremont figures, and even more proof of the fallacy of the Creationist position. And, thank you to Laura Geggel and LiveScience for making this accessible. Go to
http://www.livescience.com/51892-photos-utah-rock-art.html to read the whole article and see a number of detailed photographs.
Faris, Peter
2014 Dinosaurs in Rock Art? The Black Dragon Canyon Pterosaur, May 24, 2014, httpp://rockartblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Black%20Dragon%20Canyon
Geggel, Laura,
2015 Photos:'Winged Monster' Rock Art in Black Dragon Canyon', August 18, 2015, http://www.livescience.com/51892-photos-utah-rock-art.html
Jean-Loïc Le Quellec, Paul Bahn and Marvin Rowe,
2015 The Death of a Pterodactyl, Antiquity, Volume 89, p 872-884, 2015, Copyright Antiquity Publications Ltd., published by Cambridge University Press.
Senter, Phil
2012 Rock Art "Dinosaurs", More "Dinosaur" and "Pterosaur" Rock Art That Isn't, Palaeontolical Association, July 2012. (http://palaeo-electronica.org/content/2012-issue-2-articles/275-rock-art-dinosaurs).
Posted by Peter Faris at 10:27 AM
Labels: Black Dragon Canyon, dinosaur, DStretch, Paul Bahn, Peter Faris, Phil Senter, pictograph, rock art, rockartblog, Utah
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Recover to Live
I just have to let it go now and try to relax. Have been told it will take 3 months for me to get grade back so I do just have to let. it. go. Somehow. Let it go and figure out what to do next.
Maybe my next task should be write a book about my journey in sobriety. What shall I call it? "Confessions of a Boozy Housewife"? Or maybe "How blogging saved my liver"? Or what about "What, me alcoholic?" Ha ha!! But seriously I am going to need to think of a new plan eventually.
In the meantime I've been cooking up a storm and I have a huge pile of novels next to my bed and am also dipping in and out of the brilliant recovery book Belle's been talking recently. Recover to Live. It is bloody marvellous resource and exactly what I was looking for when I first got sober and was frantically looking around for books and information to educate myself about alcohol addiction.
I did find a few books that really helped me along and also found some useful information off the tele (!) from the likes of Dr Drew and Oprah (!!). When I think back now about what I didn't know when I first decided to remove alcohol from my life it's astounding. I honestly thought I was simply an aging party girl whose drinking habit was getting a little out of control and I just had to learn how to not drink alcohol and everything else would continue on as normal. I didn't realise my steady heavy drinking was actually all about how I'd been choosing to deal with emotions all my adult life and what I would really be learning in sobriety was how to deal with shit raw. (That's a technical term - 'how to deal with shit raw'. Not.)
What I mean is I had to learn, and am still learning, how to sit with uncomfortable feelings, or go through hard (sad, angry, stressful) times without reaching for an 'out' or numbing away the pain.
When I look back over the past year and a half it is bloody amazing what I have discovered and I am sooooooo grateful to myself making the decision to remove alcohol and sticking to it. I wouldn't want to be anywhere but where I am today.
Anyway this book by Christopher Kennedy Lawford is a massive tome bursting at the seams with loads of information from so many clever, educated and knowledgeable recovery experts. If you have a question about anything to do with addiction the answer will be here. It's great. And I really like that it calls itself a 'self-treatment guide'. Self treatment is all I've done so far.
Actually that's a big fat lie. Self treatment and the undisputed, undeniable, unbelievable support of a community of online bloggers and readers. Kudos to you lot too.
Love, Mrs D xxx
11 comments:
Ok, I'm going to have to read the book. Its publisher sent a copy to me too and wanted me to promote it and give a free copy away so I guess I'll dive in and give it a look.ReplyDelete
I think that a lot of us are finding success in recovery just the way you and I did it, through online blogs and other internet resources would be an excellent idea for a book, especially for someone who just finished writing a monster of a thesis and has such a great communion with her readers. I do, I do, really, I do.
I was just thinking the other day that I'm not sure I'd be where I am in my recovery if it weren't for this blogging community. It saved my liver too!ReplyDelete
Love you girlfriend. Congrats again on being thesis free!!!!
- AnonymousMarch 1, 2013 at 9:37 AM
I can't remember how or on what day I found you amazing bloggers. I only know how helpful it is and continues to be. I have a long way to go, tons to learn and I am early in my sobriety.ReplyDelete
I have Christopher Kennedy Lawford book - which I haven't read yet. I heard him speak a few years ago.... He has a lot of wisdom and experience. I think I'll get to reading it.
Thanks for the support...and my liver thanks you, too.
Mrs. D should totally write a book. There really aren't that many good personal stories out there....because I have been buying them for years! The personally stories are the most helpful. They validate the high bottom drinker like me and change our thinking! It's working for me. Thank you!! Jenny... Still sober!!
- AnonymousMarch 1, 2013 at 7:01 PM
Book book book book! Would love to see you write a book. I'd buy it! All your blogger friends would. You have an inbuilt 'platform' as they say and that is key in convincing a publishing to cough up some money and a contract. There ARE a lot of personal stories out there but I've still personally only found a few I found really well written and useful. An angle is always good - like the role blogging played in your recovery. But, hey, no pressure. Maybe you need to embrace NOT having a goal for awhile. I mean, feck, getting sober AND completing a Masters thesis are both bloody huge. Maybe it's high time for some metaphorical roses sniffing?ReplyDelete
Don't sweat or push it - the next thing will come to you in a flash of inspiration and enthusiasm when you're ready for it. Meanwhile, bake, workout, read, relax, enjoy. :)
Lilly x
- The Other Mrs DMarch 2, 2013 at 2:35 AM
Mrs D, I definitely think you should write a book. You have an undeniable gift with the written word and your personality is extremely inspiring and motivating. I found your blog 5 months ago today. I am 5 months sober...TODAY. And this blog has been a huge support to me in that effort. Your honesty and humor make me look forward to each new post. And I also look forward to reading each comment to your posts. So yes, please consider writing a book...I am certain you would touch at least one person's life and save them.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousMarch 2, 2013 at 5:07 AM
Letting go...yes, what a thing we need to do now in our sobriety. Not letting go, like holding my breath, was pointless and draining. Easier said than done, but it's something that brings serenity and the much needed idea that I am not in charge of the Universe, let alone what a few people might think...so why worry? So glad that you're seeing it that way...I am sure we've all had our share of waking up in the middle of the night wondering what kind of things we said or did while drunk...yikes.ReplyDelete
And yes, I will join the chorus and say keep writing. Your personality sparkles through the screen...why not through the page? :)
i've got a book title for you!ReplyDelete
"Hello, Higher Power. It's me, Alcoholic"
Be well, my friend!
i've got a book title for you!ReplyDelete
"Hello, Higher Power. It's me, Alcoholic."
Be well, my friend!
The sober blogging community is... words fail to describe what a difference everyone makes to me, every day. I am beyond grateful for this- and beyond grateful for the grace to open up, ask for help, and receive the wise words of those who came before me and after me. There's so much to learn from each person.ReplyDelete
How about: "My Jilted Liver" or "I Used To Be Drunk, Now I'm Just High On Life!" (Total tongue in cheek there...) I've often thought we should compile a "best of" blog post book. Hmmmm.
I'm a "self-treater" too. I've been thinking of a group for that as well. Which is kind of an oxymoron, huh? "I'm in the Self-Treater Group!" ;)
I just found your blog a few days ago. I have also started one myself...just as a way to vent and document my journey through sobriety. I have also been a self treater.....reading blogs and joining recovery sites. The book by Christopher Kennedy Lawford sounds interesting. I have also thought about recovery face to face meetings. For now, I have found so much support from people like yourself. Thank u!ReplyDelete
Tried to file a comment here the other day but it didn't seem to register... "What, Me Sober?" already exists! http://whatmesober.com ... Chris Kennedy Lawford is coming to my city next week and I'm looking forward to meeting him. I read his books SYMPTOMS OF WITHDRAWAL and MOMENTS OF CLARITY when I first got sober in 2008 and though there are lots of folks who say he shouldn't have published "celebrity" stories, the ones by Steve Earle and Jamie Lee Curtis really helped me. It's great to know you, Mrs. D. cheers /GReplyDelete


text: Hi looking for a little help on the hotspot issue. I have a 4s locked to vodafone, using a R-sim5+ to unlock it everything works fine using this sim except the personal hotspot. It shows me that its there in the mobile data settings but every time I click on it it tells me I need to go to the vodafone web page to set it up on my account,but as I'm not using a vodafone sim I'm kinda stuck!! Any help with this would be amazing. Big thanks in advance


text:
A 22-year-old Laguna College of Art + Design student was struck by a vehicle and critically injured in a crosswalk on Laguna Canyon Road on Thursday night, Laguna Beach police said.
The woman was crossing from the main campus side of the road at 8:46 p.m. when she was hit by an 83-year-old Minnesota woman driving a Honda sedan, said Capt. Jason Kravetz of the Laguna Beach Police Department.
Police did not elaborate on the extent of the pedestrian's injuries, but said she was transported to the trauma center at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo.


text:
New 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab Standard Box 2-Wheel Drive LT
Price $31,487
6-Speed Automatic, Dark Ash With Jet Black Interior Accents Cloth. Deep Ocean Blue 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT LT1 RWD 6-Speed Automatic EcoTec3 5.3L V8 Flex Fuel Picture may not represent actual vehicle. Price varies based on Trim Levels and Options. Please confirm all terms and requirements with a dealership sales professional before making a purchase. Your additional costs are sales tax, tag and title fees for the state in which the vehicle will be registered, any dealer-installed options (if applicable), and a $300 dealer processing fee. Every Internet Price is subject to change, and prior sales are excluded from these offers. While every reasonable effort is made to ensure the accuracy of this information, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions contained on these pages. Please verify any information in question with the dealer.


text:
A tsunami has hit Hawaii, forcing nearly 100,000 people to move to higher ground, hours after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck the west coast of Canada.
The waves were not as high as forecasters had predicted. The first was three feet high, rather than the expected six-foot waves.
Though the first waves are usually the tallest, higher waves may still be on their way. Forecasters expect the biggest waves to strike Hilo, Hanalei, Kahului, and Haleiwa.
Waves three feet above sea level are generally considered dangerous. "The tsunami arrived about when we expected it should," said geophysicist Gerard Fryer.
"I was expecting it to be a little bigger."
No major damage has been reported so far.
Tsunami warnings were already in place ahead of the waves. The mayor of Honolulu, Peter Carlisle, said all police and emergency personnel were evacuated from flood zones soon after the first waves hit the area. He warned citizens against ignoring evacuation procedures.
Carlisle urged motorists to think about leaving their vehicles and proceeding on foot.
"If you are stuck in traffic, you might consider getting out of your car and consider walking to higher ground. You will have to assess your own situation, depending on where you are right now. Right now it is critical."
The Governor of Hawaii, Neil Abercrombie, said, "I want to make sure everybody understands how serious this is. We're getting reports of people trying to drive to shore areas, endangering other people trying [leaving] shore areas. I want to make crystal clear to everybody to have all the authorities on all of the islands to take appropriate actions or control whatever needs to be done for civil defence purposes. We have full mobilisation of our civil defence organisations in advance of the possible consequences of these waves coming."


text:
OPERATOR of the PNG LNG project, ExxonMobil PNG Ltd, has spent more than K12 billion on services provided by local companies.
Managing director Andrew Barry told the Papua New Guinea-Australia Business Forum in Cairns that this was apart from developing the company's workforce.
"A key component of its national content strategy involved creating opportunities for local businesses to grow and prosper, from small micro-SMEs all the way through to large landowner companies," he said.
"Since 2010, the PNG LNG project has spent more than K12 billion on services provided by PNG companies. "Of this, more than K3 billion has been spent with landowner companies.
"Our partnership with the Papua New Guinea Institute of Banking and Business Management Enterprise Centre has also continued to develop.
Since 2010 our partnership has assisted over 17,500 local businesses with more than 20,000 days of training, mentoring and business assessment services, through the Enterprise Centre's supplier development programme."
Barry said one of the early actions of the Enterprise Centre was to establish a supplier database to facilitate communication between local businesses and PNG LNG project contractors. The supplier database now has more than 1,500 registered businesses.
"In our local communities, we are continuing to build key programmes focusing on education, health and environmental management, where we are helping thousands of PNG citizens lead better and healthier lives. We are seeing the benefit of our long-term approach to capacity building within key community groups, as they become more self-sustaining and pass their success onto others."
ExxonMobil spends K12b on services
on 7:27 PM


text:
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Dr. Gridlock blog post on bike/car/bus challengeBike edges car and bus in commute contest is the title of the Dr. Gridlock blog post on the bike/car/bus commute challenge we completed yesterday.
Wright said he hoped the contest would show that cycling is a viable option for many people on a short commute. I hope it has a future for commuters who now drive short distances to Metro stations. That would help the commuters, because they would save the annoying cost of warehousing their cars all day at a Metro garage. And it would help the communities, because it might save the cost of building more of those concrete fortresses that now surround our outer Metro stations and allow that valuable land to be used for more productive purposes.
Labels: dr. gridlock


text:
Towering 800 feet above the North Platte River, Scotts Bluff has served as a landmark for peoples from Native Americans to emigrants on the Oregon, California and Mormon Trails to modern travelers. Rich with geological and paleontological history as well as human history, there is much to discover while exploring the 3,000 acres of Scotts Bluff National Monument.
A Landmark for Many Peoples
Sunset in Mitchell Pass
Today's road runs through Mitchell Pass just as the wagon ruts of the pioneers.
Last updated: August 6, 2016


text:
There is probably no British equivalent of Serge Gainsbourg. Like Patti Smith or Bob Dylan, he was objectified as a creative icon as well as a musician, and in the year of what would have been his 80th birthday the capital's Cité de la Musique has paid a multidisciplinary homage, making strange art out of his inspirations.
France is excited. Everywhere in Paris – on the Metro, adorning magazine covers and posters in the street – Gainsbourg is looking down on passersby, a sneer on his face and the trademark white Repettos on his feet. Though he might only be famous in Britain for a rude pop song, here he is a national treasure. That might be why the exhibition, which collates exhaustive multimedia with personal collections from Gainsbourg's home on rue de Verneuil, affords him the status of a legend.
The exhibition, Gainsbourg 2008, is broken into four themes, slicing up a richly erratic life, from Gainsbourg's developmental "Blue" period to "Ecce homo", where his reggae version of La Marseillaise defined the end of his 40-year career. The format is the same throughout: metal cuboid stands with photographs of the man and the times he lived in juxtaposed with video montages on an even number of screens. Home footage, interviews with other artists, music videos and excerpts of his films loop while screen shots and iconic images fill the other squares. A film with his daughter is placed next to the opening credits of Kubrick's Lolita in the "Idols" period; "Decadence" has the unforgettable image of Gainsbourg in drag, sucking on a cigarette, next to Bowie.
The totems cluster together as if to form an uncomfortable labyrinth, though this spatial vision is supposed to represent a "dreamlike" voyage into Gainsbourg's universe. Crouching into the displays to hear the sounds while watching the synchronised screens, it feels like the only other way to present Gainsbourg's life and work would be to somehow build a living, moving mosaic; one which would have to be three storeys high to fully encompass the sheer volume of material.
Overlaying the exhibition is a sound installation, envisaged by curator Frederic Sanchez. More than 10 artists close to Gainsbourg, including Jane Birkin and Catherine Deneuve, read out his song lyrics like poetry, making associations, like the images on the podiums, that reflect the musician's style: borrowing, remixing and referencing to the point of cultural cacophony and well-designed chaos. Unfortunately, nothing is translated; but perhaps the French want to keep the star, and his kaleidoscopic oeuvre, for themselves.
As this representation of Gainsbourg shows him as a posing scandaleuse, who was very much publicly owned and consumed, paraphernalia that line mirrored walls show the other side - the creative, inspired, retreating Gainsbourg. His duality is made apparent as the thousands of processed images are reflected behind the items that belonged to him; collections, lyrics, artworks and ephemera.
Though Gainsbourg mania is well and truly alive, the objects make surprisingly fresh insights into his work. A Salvador Dali sketch (La Chasse Aux Papillons, 1930) from his home reveals Gainsbourg's commitment to the surreal; the hoarded decorations, bullet shells and lapels given to him by police show his disquieting fascination with authority. A scribbled-on manual of an old Ford Mustang, with words like "Select Shift Cruise-O-Matic Drive" circled, reveals the source of his song, Ford Mustang. Likewise, a sculpture by Claude Lalanne he bought in cash on a whim is displayed, well-lit, in a corner. Called L'homme a Tête de Chou (The Man with a Cabbage Head), the work provided the inspiration for an entire album of the same name.
As well as the clouds of dialogue and music that evaporate into the exhibition space, Gainsbourg manifests himself physically in his infamous 1957 work Autoportrait, painted in sad pastels with thick brushstrokes and showing the same expression as the posters currently adorning Paris: bags under soul-searching eyes; a pronounced nose that evokes snobbery and sadness.
There is also an original manuscript of his one book, Evguénie Sokolov – a sarcastic allegory of a man who uses his dog to mask his own flatulence. Otherwise, we have ostentatious sketches of his planned bathroom, Polaroid composites of him by Stefan de Jaeger, and a photograph of Marilyn Monroe in the morgue.
A smaller, adjacent room displays more than 300 record sleeves, each associated with Gainsbourg's music as well as the albums and singles he wrote for others: Jane Birkin, Brigitte Bardot, Jacques Dutronc, France Gall. The neatly mounted display spans an entire curved wall, providing marked chronology and reminding you of the man's achievement in contrast to the chaotic room next door.
Gainsbourg apparently used to look in every single newspaper every day to see if he was being written about. Now, probably much to his delight, he is objectified more than ever.
· Gainsbourg 2008 starts today at the Cité de la Musique, Paris, and finishes on March 1 2009


text:
Wednesday, 19 December 2012
Stamped gift tags
I've kept my gift tags really simple because I'm going to have to make LOTS of them.
I covered the tags with distress inks and stamped with a snowflake stamp (a Craft Stamper freebie). Then I stamped the 'Do not open..' stamp in black. This stamp is by East of India, who I think are more of a gift company than a craft one, but they do a small range of rubber stamp sentiments which stamp beautifully. The two biggest tags are a slightly different shade to the others- that's because they were manilla luggage tags and the others were die cut from white card.
I'd like to enter these for:
Crafty Creations Challenges Seasonal Tags
Out of a Hat Creations Winter
Little Red Wagon Christmas Tag
10 comments:
- chrissies said...
These are lovely tags Marina. The colours are just right and a great idea to add the 25.
Nice to have you share them with us at Out of a Hat
Love Chrissie xxxx
- 19 December 2012 at 18:27
- MaryAnn said...
love your tags, wonderful colours and your snowflakes are lovely.
- 19 December 2012 at 18:55
- Janet said...
Fabulous Tags Marina,love the stamping.
Thanks for sharing with us at Out of a Hat.
Janet x
- 19 December 2012 at 19:48
- Sandra's Spot said...
Terrific tags love the back ground stamping. Thanks for joining us at Out of a hat. Hugs Sandra X
- 19 December 2012 at 21:10
- Michelle said...
You are good to make your own tags, it's a step too far for me. Lovely design x x
- 19 December 2012 at 22:12
- Tammy said...
Love these--simple and bold!
- 19 December 2012 at 23:19
- Rosanne said...
Terrific tags! Thanks for sharing them at Little Red Wagon!
- 20 December 2012 at 02:42
- sandie said...
these are great and Good idea to keep to the same design. I still have this on my list to do so may go with your idea. Thanks for the inspiration
- 20 December 2012 at 07:06
- Lisa said...
Such pretty tags! I love how the distress inks colored them! We also have a tag challenge going on at Pink by Design, and we'd love if you'd enter your tag. :)
- 20 December 2012 at 07:38
- Vicky Hayes said...
These are absolutely brilliant Marina! I love the subtle background and the simple date and I particularly like the way you've made them all shapes and sizes - now why didn't I think of that?! Have a lovely Christmas, Vicky x
- 20 December 2012 at 15:24


text:
Skip to Main Content Area
Free Health Care Articles (Clinic, Insurance, Advice, ...)
Free Fitness Videos & Apps Reviews (YouTube, iPhone, Android, ...)
Free Beauty Samples 2019 & Products Online (Beauty Bag, Games, Tips, ...)
Popular Products
1. The Truth About Abs
2. The Fat Burning Furnace
3. The Muscle Maximizer
4. The Fat Loss Factor
Article Reviews / Top Lists
Video Reviews
Two free bonus ebooks for you:
7 Secrets of Permanent Fat Loss and Fitness
Training & Nutrition Insider Secrets for a Lean Body
Download them now for free:
Because we respect your privacy, we pledge that we will not rent, sell or otherwise reveal your email address to any third party. Simply put, your email address is safe with us! You can unsubscribe whenever you want.
Health Reviewer's Topics
Beauty & Fitness
Beauty Pageants
Body Art
Cosmetic Procedures
Cosmetology & Beauty Professionals
Face & Body Care
Fashion & Style
Hair Care
Spas & Beauty Services
Weight Loss
Aging & Geriatrics
Alternative & Natural Medicine
Health Conditions
Health Education & Medical Training
Health Foundations & Medical Research
Health News
Medical Devices & Equipment
Medical Facilities & Services
Medical Literature & Resources
Men's Health
Mental Health
Oral & Dental Care
Pet Care
Public Health
Reproductive Health
Substance Abuse
Vision Care
Women's Health
Top Searches
Women's Health
February 2019
womenshealth.org - Women's Health
The National Women's Health Information Center - NWHIC A service of the Office on Women's Health in the Department of Health and Human Services. The NWHIC provides a gateway to a wide variety of Federal and other women's health information resources. From the site: What is the National Women's Health Information Center? womenshealth.gov 800-994-9662 or 888-220-5446 (TDD) Monday through Friday (9:00...
Top 3 Women's Health Concerns
Although women generally live longer than men in almost every country in the world by at least four years, it is not a reason for them to not be too much concerned about their health. This is because there are plenty of health conditions and problems which many women experience today, especially by those who are not aware of what they are and how they can be prevented. If you are a woman and would...
Popular Health, Beauty & Fitness Products
1. The Truth About Abs
2. The Fat Burning Furnace
3. The Muscle Maximizer
4. The Fat Loss Factor
Search Amazon.com's catalogue:
Find Health & Fitness related information products in our marketplace:
Information Products
Search this site:
A link to a cool product...
Free Beauty Samples 2019 & Products Online (Beauty Bag, Games, Tips, ...)
Free Fitness Videos & Apps Reviews (YouTube, iPhone, Android, ...)
Free Health Care Articles (Clinic, Insurance, Advice, ...)
Popular Topics
Beauty & Fitness
Beauty Pageants
Health News
Aging & Geriatrics
Pet Care
Hair Care
Weight Loss
Body Art
Cosmetic Procedures
Alternative & Natural Medicine
Face & Body Care
Fashion & Style
Men's Health
Health Foundations & Medical Research
Cosmetology & Beauty Professionals
Spas & Beauty Services
Oral & Dental Care
more tags
About Us
Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2018/2019
Health Reviewer
. All Rights Reserved.


text:
Online MBA in Healthcare Management Explained
Health care and business have been colliding for years. But big changes -- a surge in hospital mergers, a push for nurses to attain advanced degrees, and the introduction of the Affordable Care Act -- have made the pairing inseparable. Doctors in private practice want to optimize operations. Hospitals and other health care facilities are looking for talented people who at once understand patient care, insurance, and the bottom line. Other professionals, such as nurses, want to make themselves viable for management positions. Nowadays, you really can't have health care without knowledge of business.
That's why professionals with interest in entering the field or climbing the ladder are turning to online MBA programs in health care. Some of the people you might find in these virtual classrooms include nurse managers looking for a promotion or a vice president of patient care services aiming to direct free-standing health centers, says Denise Westbrook, dean of the College of Health Professions at University of Wilmington in Delaware, which collaborates with the College of Business to offer the dual-degree online MBA program with a health care administration concentration.
While reigning in health care costs, properly charging people for treatments and services, dealing with insurance companies, and creating budgets that make the best use of funds are important aspects of any business, health care professionals must also consider the softer side. They have to be able to weigh intangibles, such as bedside manner and a patient's quality of life. In other words, being a number cruncher will never be enough for health care MBAs. Online MBA programs taking on this sector try to balance their quantitative and qualitative teachings.
What is an online MBA in health care?
An online MBA in health care takes students through the expected business curriculum -- finance, ethics, marketing, operations management -- through the lens of medicine. For example, the University of Wilmington has its online students take a marketing in health care course about "issues related to the measurement of patient satisfaction, physician recruitment, and product development" through case studies and an applied research project.
"Doctors are running their own businesses," says Donald Durandetta, dean of the College of Business at University of Wilmington. "They must understand more complex forms of health care both as a health care professional and a businessperson."
Students participating in the Wilmington course are also required to take seminars in health care administration, health policy and economics, health insurance and reimbursement, and legal aspects in health care. Applicants to programs should pay close attention to the different requirements for the specialization because they can vary widely from school to school. Saint Leo University, for instance, requires those pursing their online MBA in health care management to take health care organization/managed care, health care management, and health policy evaluation. The other two required courses have descriptions that stand out on the school's website. Community health evaluation offers an overview of the health reporting systems required by the federal government and the role they play in disease and death prevention and containment. In addition, critical issues in health care have students exploring pressing issues, such as malpractice in contemporary America, health care and taxation, legal problems facing providers and patients, and ethical issues in human reproduction, genetics, and death. In case you're wondering, this is not your standard MBA fodder.
Practical, real world experience is a unique component of the Saint Leo program, according to Barry A. Hoy, associate professor and chair of Administrative Studies in healthcare management, human resource management, and law.
"A three-credit internship is a mandatory part of the program except in very specific situations," Hoy writes. "This internship provides students with first-hand field experience and places them in the network of healthcare administration employment."
Both programs use different online learning platforms to deliver coursework to students. Discussion threads, video, and mobile apps are among the tools you might find in any online degree program. While there are usually group projects and requirements for participation, students mostly can create their own schedule and work at their own pace to soak up material and complete assignments.
One thing to keep in mind when researching potential programs is that some are taught exclusively by medical professionals with skills in business, while others are taught exclusively by those in business with some knowledge of health care. Some may be taught by a mix of both. If you have a preference, you should look into the faculty ahead of time.
What are the admissions requirements?
Applications vary from program to program, but there are usually a few common threads. Most require an application fee, a statement of goals, proof of an undergraduate degree and transcript, and work experience (not necessarily, but probably, in health care). For example, 90 percent of students in the Wilmington program have some sort of work experience, usually in a health care-related field. Other programs might ask for standardized test scores, such as the GMAT. You'll probably have to be willing and able to explain why you want to earn an MBA in health care online at this time. In other words, you have to answer the question: how is this degree going to advance your career?
Who is the right fit for this MBA program?
As mentioned earlier, health care professionals -- including doctors, nurses, pharmaceutical executives, and health care management executives -- are potential candidates. Those who are interested in transitioning into health care could also be a match. What administrators of the online programs want potential students to know is that these programs often have great value. "The rigor in our coursework," adds Hoy, "ensures that people who complete the program are well-prepared for the workplace."


text:
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Whether you're looking to party hardy or enjoy a more low-key holiday, City Pulse's 2017 St. Patrick's Day event guide has options for all. Check out our collection of parties, festivals and live music events here.
Halloween may be the prime time to bust out your crazy costumes, but March is dress-up time for Lansing-area anime and gaming fans. The seventh annual Shuto Con, Lansing's annual anime and cosplay (costume play) convention, comes to the Lansing Center this weekend. The event features over 24 hours worth of panel discussions, video game tournaments, live music and a hall full of artists, vendors and Japanese merchandise dealers. Throughout the weekend, organizers are collecting donations for Ele's Place. 9 a.m. Friday-6 p.m. Sunday. $15-$55. Lansing Center, 333 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. shutocon.com.
For more local events, see below.
Classes and Seminars
Gentle Yoga. Relaxing pace class suitable for beginners. 11 a.m.-noon. First class FREE/$5/$3 members. Williamston High School, 3939 Vanneter Road, Williamston.
Funding Your Graduate Experience: Humanities and Social Sciences. Review potential funding sources. 3-4:30 p.m. FREE. MSU Library, 366 W. Circle Drive, East Lansing. ow.ly/ vLdR308C98c.
Mud & Mug. Pottery class. 7-10 p.m. $25. Reach Studio Art Center, 1804 S. Washington Ave., Lansing. (517) 999-3643, ow.ly/683K308T3KN.


text:
Weeeeee! Very exciting news to share with you all.... today is the launch of the British Nail Bloggers giveaway!
A group of us have clubbed together to offer a frankly flipping fantastic giveaway:
1st Prize: $100 Gift Certificate
3 x 2nd Prize: $50 Gift Certificate
The gift certificate can be used at any online nail e-tailer to treat yourself to some lovely pretty polish goodies.
This giveaway is open internationally and runs until 8pm on Friday 28th June. You must be over 18 to enter. All you need to do is cick on the Rafflecopter widget below and enter. The more blogs you follow, the more chances you have of winning one of these brilliant prizes!
Good luck!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway


text:
The Future of Network Marketing
One-to-One Marketing and "Mass Customization"
By JR Ridinger
The pace of change and the advance of technology have resulted in paradigm shifts away from mass marketing, mass production and mass advertising to Internet e-commerce, one-to-one marketing and "mass customization." These trends represent the future of business--and they are realities you can capitalize on today.
Get million-dollar tips from our experts and success secrets from top earners.
Join below and receive our FREE "Network Marketing Is..." prospecting tool validating our business and profession in 28 powerful quotes!


text:
Rangeland losses due to a combination of drought and wildfire have dealt a severe blow to California's ranchers, who now are facing tough choices on whether to reduce herd sizes.
The losses are estimated at more than $80 million and include costs of supplementing feed for animals and the predicament of having to sell animals that are underweight, said Steve Lyle, a spokesman for the California Department of Agriculture.
"We're seeing a lot of people reducing the size of their herds," said Matt Byrne, executive vice president of the California Cattlemen's Association.
Read the complete story at mercedsunstar.com


text:
Since being ever so slightly pushed towards supporting Arsenal by my dad in the summer of 1983, the FA Cup had not been very kind to me. Embarrassment at Middlesbrough; total humiliation at York; rolling over at Luton; and anger against Watford. Not the smoothest introduction to the greatest cup competition in the world.
For a while it looked as if 1988 would be different. Leading Manchester United 2-1 at Highbury with the minutes ticking away, Arsenal had one foot in the sixth round. But no sooner had my thoughts turned to possible opponents in the last eight, than that sinking feeling returned once more.
When the draw was made for the FA Cup fifth round, there were two outstanding ties - Everton v Liverpool, and Arsenal v Manchester United - the former a local affair between the reigning league champions and the last great Liverpool side, a match steeped in tradition and rivalry. Yet there was enough recent history involving Arsenal and Manchester United, to ensure that this match would be just as keenly contested.
Barely a year had elapsed since the very first Battle of Old Trafford, a match that saw Norman Whiteside fly into numerous challenges, including one on David O'Leary that really should have seen him dismissed. Arsenal's youngsters, unbeaten in 22 matches, became so riled that it became only a matter of time before one of them retaliated.
David Rocastle obliged, kicking Whiteside after yet another incident involving the Northern Ireland international. George Tyson immediately sent the Arsenal man off, United won 2-0, but Arsenal were far from happy. With heated exchanges in the tunnel afterwards, the modern Arsenal-Manchester United rivalry had commenced.
United were in a confident frame of mind at the time of the February 20 FA Cup date. Four straight league wins, including a 2-1 win at Highbury in January, put them in second place in the table, admittedly 12 points behind Liverpool, but there was no disgrace in that.
Indeed, Ferguson looked to be steadily turning the ship around, with only two league defeats from January to May, and eight wins from their last ten cementing their position as the best of the rest. With close season signing Brian McClair in fine form, United went to Highbury optimistic, although they did suffer a blow when Bryan Robson withdrew due to a thigh injury picked up on England duty.
Arsenal on the other hand were wobbling slightly. Ten straight wins between September and November, had seen them top the table, yet a slump of just two wins in twelve pushed them to fifth. Scoring goals had become a massive issue. Unlike McClair, Arsenal's new striker Alan Smith was suffering, his last goal coming in a shocking 1-1 draw at Portsmouth on New Years Day, and with Niall Quinn and Perry Groves also struggling, and Paul Merson not quite seen as ready for the first team, the recent departure of Charlie Nicholas to Aberdeen looked a questionable decision by George Graham.
Such was the lack of goals in the Arsenal team that Graham was linked with a number of centre forwards, including Kerry Dixon, Tony Cottee, and John Fashanu, but as if to spite everyone, the Scot strengthened the squad after the United defeat by signing Stoke City's full back Lee Dixon. As always seemed the case in the 1980s, George knew, yet at the time the frustration building up in Arsenal fans was understandable. Cup football did at least provide a distraction from the stuttering league campaign, Highbury well and truly throbbing in tension for the United game and the second leg of the Littlewoods Cup semi-final against Everton four days later.
If you wanted to try and convince someone of just how important the FA Cup was back in the not so distant past, then you would do well to show them highlights of this fifth round clash. 54,161 fans packed into Highbury - some of those unable to gain access taking to the top of flats behind the Clock End - and would witness a Cup tie played in an electric atmosphere, with both teams busting a gut to try and make it through to the next round. Sometimes an eagerly awaited match can be a bit of a let down, but this was not one of those occasions.
Arsenal tore into United during a first half in which the home team appeared to have rediscovered their mojo. Kevin Richardson had already tested Chris Turner from distance before Smith ended his personal drought to put Arsenal in front after 21 minutes. Nigel Winterburn, surely the most left-footed player to have ever played as a right back, provided the cross for Smith's header, as United's defence was caught square.
"I was relieved as much as anything when that goal went in," Smith later revealed. "Although I haven't been scoring I felt I had been contributing to the team's pattern of play. But when the goals don't come you question yourself, but I've always had confidence in my ability. I knew I would score goals eventually." Smith's worth to Arsenal would be proved the following season, the signing of winger Brian Marwood key in providing the striker with the ammo he needed to win the Golden Boot and the title.
Another future Graham signing would also pay dividends in 1988/89. Steve Bould slotted into what would become the famous back four, but not only was he a key component at the back, he also contributed greatly from set pieces. Luckily for Arsenal on the day, United's Mike Duxbury would perform the near post flick-on role that Bould would make his own in the future, his header glancing past Turner in the 41st minute to give Arsenal a thoroughly deserved 2-0 lead at half-time.
It was a much needed break for Ferguson, although it might not have been appreciated as much by his players, the Manchester United manager undoubtedly employing the hairdryer after a poor first half. Whatever was said, it got a reaction. Smith went close early in the second half but United scored the crucial next goal. Colin Gibson's cross from the left was volleyed in by McClair, his 20th goal of the season in the 51st minute setting up the sort of nerve wracking finale that probably shaves years (and hair) from the lives of supporters.
McClair's goal changed the mood of the afternoon completely. From being in a position of strength, Arsenal were now under the cosh, the anxiety almost suffocating both players and fans. United swarmed forward, staying firmly on the front foot and coming close on a number of occasions. Kenny Sansom cleared a Clayton Blackmore effort off the line; Viv Anderson almost scored against his former club; Winterburn thwarted a Gibson shot with a fantastic tackle. Listening at home on Radio 2, you got the feeling that it was not a case of if United would equalise, simply when.
But during this pressure, Arsenal did have an opportunity to put the tie to bed. Michael Thomas, the 20-year-old midfielder who was fast developing into a key component of Graham's Arsenal, surged through the centre of United's defence, his run from the halfway line leaving just Turner between him and a place for Arsenal in the next round. But Thomas fluffed his lines, treading on the ball and letting United off. Thomas would not be so charitable on May 26, 1989, but on this February day in 1988 his miss looked like proving costly.
As soon as referee David Hutchinson awarded United a penalty in the 87th minute my heart sank, the same feeling of dread that filled my body during the York match. The situation may have been different, after all even if penalty taker McClair scored then Arsenal would get another chance in a replay, but after leading 2-0 it would have been an opportunity spurned.
It didn't help matters that the man who won the penalty for United was Whiteside, villain of the piece during the still painful defeat at Old Trafford the year before. Subsequent views of the incident involving Whiteside and Thomas in front of the North Bank suggest that the United midfielder was clever, making sure that there was contact between him and the Arsenal man.
Five Arsenal men surrounded Hutchinson to make their complaints heard, not that it mattered of course. As McClair placed the ball on the spot, Arsenal's angry players could only watch on with their hopes now dependent on a man who had already scored four penalties that season.
McClair struck the ball viciously but far too high, and as the ball sailed over the bar into a jubilant mass of bodies in the North Bank, the growing anger and tension exploded into celebrations on and off the terraces. Winterburn made his way immediately to the distraught McClair, evidently not wishing to discuss politics or the unexpected recent rise to fame of Eddie The Eagle Edwards. Understandably McClair was not too happy about this, thus starting a not so beautiful relationship between the pair that would go that one stage further during the next Battle of Old Trafford in 1990.
"After missing I felt the loneliest man in the world," McClair said after the match. "It was a difficult situation in which to take a penalty but I've always had the confidence to take them, whatever the circumstances. I have to accept the flak or responsibility because I missed." In a season of missed penalties - Aldridge, and Winterburn himself missing cup final spot kicks - McClair's soaring effort sits uncomfortably in the 1988 hall of shame.
Ultimately the win didn't lead to any silverware for Arsenal - they were dumped out in the next round by Nottingham Forest - yet the win over Manchester United in the 1988 FA Cup fifth round was pure joy for players and supporters. But the match was not only a celebration for Arsenal, merely confirmation of how absorbing the FA Cup was, especially during the period of the European ban for English clubs. It may not have been pleasurable for Manchester United fans, but they have had enough to cheer about since.
Personally I can't see the FA Cup ever returning to the status it once enjoyed, the promise of Premier League and European riches dictating that teams would rather finish fourth, stay up, or win promotion than risk too much on the old competition. But the memories are there. Some good, some bad, yet all playing their part in the rich and famous history of the FA Cup.


text:
Cornmeal and Ricotta Cake with Cranberries Recipe
With a base of cornmeal, full of the richness of ricotta, and topped with the bright tang of cranberries, this healthy and easy cake alternative makes a beautiful winter dessert.
Using natural and simple ingredients, Yossy Arefi presents a collection of heirloom-quality recipes for pies, tarts, ice cream, preserves, and other sweet treats in Sweeter Off the Vine (Ten Speed Press, 2016). She cherishes the fruit of every season and celebrates what's fresh and vibrant any time of year, enhancing fruit's enticing sweetness with bold flavors like rose and orange flower water inspired by her Iranian heritage, and whole-grain flours like rye and spelt. With desserts for all seasons, treats to suit every taste, and visually-stunning photography in Arefi's signature, earthy style, Sweeter Off the Vine is sure to delight not just in the spring recipe featured here, but throughout the whole year.
You can purchase this book from the Capper's Farmer store: Sweeter Off the Vine.
Use medium ground cornmeal for this recipe, as coarser ground cornmeal will give the cake a gritty texture. I have included a recipe for a shocking pink and wonderfully tart fresh cranberry glaze below, but the cake is also quite beautiful with a simple dusting of confectioners' sugar instead.
For cake:
• 1 cup (125g) all purpose flour
• 2/3 cup (100g) medium ground yellow cornmeal
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 10 tablespoons (140g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 cup (235g) whole milk ricotta, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger
• 1 slightly heaping cup, about 4 ounces (115g), fresh cranberries
For glaze:
• 3/4 cup (75g) fresh cranberries
• 2 cups (240g) confectioners' sugar
For cake:
1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C/Gas Mark 4). Butter an 8-inch springform pan or an 8-inch cake pan with sides at least 2 inches tall. Line the pan with a parchment paper and butter that, too. Dust the pan and paper with flour.
2. Whisk the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing for 30 seconds after each addition. Add the ricotta and zests and mix for one more minute. Fold in the flour mixture all at once until just combined and then add the cranberries.
3. Fill the prepared pan with the batter and smooth the top. Bake until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 40 to 50 minutes. Cool the cake in the pan for 15 minutes, then invert it onto a rack to cool completely.
For glaze:
1. While the cake is cooling, add the cranberries to the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and puree. Add the confectioners' sugar and pulse until smooth. The glaze should be thick but pourable. If it seems too thick, add a few drops of water or lemon juice; if it seems too thin, add a bit more confectioners' sugar.
2. Pour the glaze over the cooled cake and give it about 30 minutes to set before slicing. Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.
More from Sweeter Off the Vine:
• All-Butter Pie Crust Recipe
• Vanilla Sugar Recipe
• The Simplest Strawberry Tart Recipe
Reprinted with permission from Sweeter Off the Vine, by Yossy Arefi, copyright © 2016, published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC. Photographs copyright © 2016 by Yossy Arefi. Buy this book from our store: Sweeter Off the Vine.


text:
15 August 2010
......animated knife crime viral..
Just thought I'd post a wee snippet about a short animation I co-directed earlier this year. It was animated using a stop-motion technique where each frame is painted on the wall and photographed frame-by-frame.
Stupidly we made this in March and as most of you will remember - it was bloody freezing!
It was produced to highlight the dangers of carrying knives and the consequences if they are used!
Knife crime is a serious issue - please check it out and spread the word!
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)


text:
Don't have time to read this blog post? Sign up for my newsletter and I will email you a link to it and you can read it at your leisure.
Are you are trying to get pregnant? pregnant already? or just in the thinking stages of starting a family, have you thought about where you are nutritionally? Are you healthy? Do you know what healthy means? Do you eat right most of the time but cave into sugary drinks, foods or fast food regularly? Do you worry about having a healthy pregnancy? [Read more…]


text:
From the HUD Office of Policy Development and Research:
"The following matrix highlights 10 proven and affordable green building technologies organized into four categories: Building Envelope, HVAC, Management and Use, and Water. Each product features a brief description for general reference; technical overviews are addressed by the resources highlighted in the 'Additional Information' section. These entries have a track record of providing savings, are affordable across building types and scales, and are viable in diverse climates. This document is not intended to be a comprehensive exercise in quantifying green building strategies or elevating every high-return-on-investment (ROI) product. Instead, it is a simple, accessible, cogent tool to educate and motivate builders about the nuanced economics of green building."
For more information, read the full matrix and report.
mspotts May 24, 2012


text:
Those of you who have a read A Place Beyond Courage, or who have followed my blog for some time, will know about the Marshal links to Newbury and its castle – a structure that has now disappeared so thoroughly, that no one knows where it is – although I have very strong suspicions myself as to where it once stood.
Newbury is in west Berkshire a short distance from the Hampshire border. The town is situated in the flood plain of the River kennet near the junction of the River Lambourn at a point where the Oxford to Southampton road crosses the river and the London to Bath road passes to the north. So its situation is of strategic importance.
Saxon settlements are known from the 10th century with charters existing at very nearby Speen and Thatcham. By the late 11th century a manor called Ulvritone was listed in the area by the Domesday Book, belonging to one Arnulf de Hesdin. The name of the town itself is first mentioned in a grant of 1080. Evidence suggests that it was created as a planned town on the site of Ulvritone. It had a castle by 1152 (more on that in a moment). The town seems to have developed steadily during the 12th and 13th centuries. By 1204 it had a market as well as town bailiffs, and why you 1225 it was represented at assize by its own baliff and jury.
Excavations were undertaken in Newbury between 1979 and 1990 in the course of which the search for a castle at the traditionally acknowledged site of the Wharf was pursued from 1988 -1990. The area was called 'The Castle' by the locals. The evaluation of the area by theTrust for Wessex Archaeology in March 1990 suggested that the tradition of a stone built castle standing on the side and surviving into the later medieval period was unsupported by fact. It was highly likely to have been a temporary earth and timber structure, short-lived and purely defensive as were many castles hastily thrown up in the period of the war between Stephen and Matilda. 'The balance of evidence would tend to suggest a location other than at Newbury Wharf.'
My own feeling on the subject of Newbury Castle is that the archaeologists should have been looking to the outskirts, to Speen, where the Marshals and the Bishop of Salisbury had interests. There is a fine big house at Speen built on the site of a dwelling that once belonged to the Bishop of Salisbury. The site is the highest point on a ridge overlooking the River Lambourn to the north and the Kennet to the South. The Roman road- Ermine Street coming from Cirencester to Speen must have been very close by. The place in ancient times had been an iron age hill fort and the ramparts can still be seen on the spot. There have been Roman finds nearby too. Fortifications and ramparts are regularly adapted and reused down the centuries. John marshal was renowned as a cunning builder of Castles and the Speen site would have been tailor made for his skills, especially if he was throwing up defences in a hurry and this place was a strategically important site.
On the map, I have gone over the rampart lines in red. The walking distance from Newbury centre is 1.4 miles. Click to enlarge.
The church for Speen is that of St Mary The Virgin.http://www.achurchnearyou.com/st-mary-speen/ On its own website it says:
'It is a medieval church built on Saxon Foundations, and was the mother church of Newbury. In 1086 it was recorded in the Domesday Book. The church stands about 200 yards from where I purport the castle site to be and I found it interesting that the church is claimed to be the 'mother church' of Newbury. Built before the others were built. The Marshals have a connection with this church. There are several charters listed in the cartulary of Sandford Priory.
For example from 1206:
Uniuersis etc Willelmus Marescallus comes Penbr[] salutem Nouerit uniuersitas uestra me concessisse etc deo et beate Marie et fratribus militie Templi Salomonis intuitu caritatis et pro salute anime mee et Isabelle uxoris mee et puerorum meorum et antecessorum omnium et successorum meorum in liberam et puram et perpetuam elemosinam ecclesiam de Spenes cum omnibus ad eam pertinentibus et omnibus libertatibus suis habend et tenend et in usus proprios perpetuo possidendam Et ut etc Hiis testibus Edwardo abbate de Nottel
My Latin is pretty terrible, but basically it's a salutation from William Marshal giving the proceeds of the church at Speen to the Templars for his soul, for the soul of his wife, Isabelle and for the souls of their ancestors and their heirs. There is also a mention in the Pipe roll of 1199 referencing William Marshal and Speen. 'Et in perdonis Willelmo Marescallo dim.m. de wasto qod exigebatur ex eo in terra sua deSpienes per breve R. Which concerns a fine for waste land in William's lands at Speen.
None of this proves that there was a castle at Speen, but it does add to the circumstantial evidence. The Histoire de Guillaume le Mareschal tells us that John Marshal built a castle at Newbury. But no one knows where it is. Speen, on the outskirts, with its commanding views over the landscape and strategic roads would have been an ideal place. The church, within short walking distance has been there since Saxon times. The Marshal presence at Speen from the late 12th century is confirmed by pipe roll evidence and then charters. It's a slow, laborious process, but nothing turned up so far detracts from the idea that Newbury Castle was at Speen, and indeed, in a peripheral manner, supports the argument. Perhaps one day we'll know for sure.