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Went for a walk around the property to photograph the flowers that are springing up everywhere. Will post these as my next set on flickr soon. Came across a snake called the red racer. Relatively harmless but long and fast. This one was over 3' and once I poked him with a stick, her look off like lightning. His high speed slithering sounded like a rusty zipper as he moved across the dry ground.
Took a ride across the highway to see if my neighbor Guy Welch was back from the Slabs. He is transitioning here from Slab City near the Salton Sea in California. As I was heading down a side road toward his place, I passed him coming the opposite direction...he just got back today and was on his way out to see me. I turned around and we came back out to my place. He had a free laptop he wanted me to check out with my internet connection I wanted him to see my first wind turbine up. We hung out at chatted for a good hour then he headed home to unpack from his trip. 45 longhorns are grazing just after sunset right at the end of my driveway.


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When asked about education, many people will respond with their formative years in mind. Whether K-12 or through university and graduate school, people still have a tendency to create a mental split between the years they spend studying and the years they spend working. However, there are reasons to believe that this conception of education is outdated, especially given the current rate of change and the ever-changing demands of the modern workplace.
Continuing education programs have been around for many years now, but they often attract people who are looking for a specific benefit, such as a promotion in their field or a career change. Both of these are laudable goals, but lifelong learning doesn't have to be tied specifically to promotions or the decision to start a new career. In fact, more and more companies are giving their employees time for professional development as they work or in the form of sabbaticals.
By the time the average graduate completes a degree program, they usually find that a large percentage of the technology they learned in school has already become obsolete or has moved on to a new generation or upgrade. This alone should underscore the importance of continuing education, even for those whose work is not directly related to technology. Technology continues to transform almost every aspect of society, so those who don't keep up will lose out to some extent, regardless of their profession.
Science has also discovered other reasons that people should never stop learning. A variety of studies have found a correlation between continued learning and brain function. Contrary to what people believed before, scientists now know that the brain continues to change and even build new connections as we age. Mental exercise can help prevent conditions like Alzheimer's by strengthening the synaptic connections in the brain—something obviously beneficial for everyone.

subset: commoncrawl


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How to Jailbreak iPad iOS 4.3.5 Using Redsn0w 0.9.8 Tethered
Apple has released new iOS 4.3.5 today. this is just the minnor update which patches a apple server certificate verification issue. Today we will show you how to jailbreak iPad (1st generation) running iOS 4.3.5 by using the existing version of Redsn0w 0.9.8 made by Dev team hackers. The redsn0w iPad jailbreak however is tethered at the moment. But hacker are working hard to bring it to untethered mode right now.
The method for iPad jailbreaking is the same as we have published for the iPhone. so please go through are guide on how to Jailbreak iPhone iOS 4.3.5. All what's different is that in Step 3 of the guide, simply point Redsn0w 0.9.8 to iOS 4.3.4 tailored for your iPad 1st generation, not any other device. And also, your iPad has to be updated to iOS 4.3.5 in order to perform this jailbreak. You can download iOS from the download link bellow.
All iPad and iPhone iOS in one Download Toolbar
Keep in mind that only the first generation iPad at this point is jailbreakable using Redsn0w 0.9.8 b4, and both the 3G and Wi-Fi models are supported. the iPad 2 however is not supported at all at this point, in fact the iPad 2 cannot be jailbroken if you're on a version of iOS above iOS 4.3.3, which is 4.3.4 or the current release of 4.3.5.
Note: This method doesn't support iPad 2 device.
iPad Jailbreak is the best solution for users. You can make Cydia up and running in your iDevice after minutes of performing these simple steps.


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An Uncertain Climate Future for Chicago/
It's a short question, but a massive one: How will climate change impact Chicago? Scientific studies and climate models tell us that climate change is happening, and make broad forecasts about how different the Earth's climate will be over the next century. But when it comes to making specific predictions about how climate change will affect the lives of people in a particular city, today's models don't provide any clear answers.
But when Chicagoan Mark Mesle, creator of 50 Year Forecast, submitted that question to WBEZ's Curious City series, it prompted the radio station to organize a panel of experts and environmental justice advocates to discuss what can be said about the future of Chicago under an uncertain climate. Along with Mesle, the February panel included Liz Moyer and David Weisbach of the CI's Center for Robust Decision-Making on Climate and Energy Policy (RDCEP) and Kimberly Wasserman Nieto of the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization.
Right from the start, Moyer tempered expectations about whether the panel would be able to make any specific predictions about climate change and Chicago.
"The real damage of climate change may not be something that's easy to pin your finger on, like counting how many buildings were destroyed in a storm," Moyer said. "That is the question in climate change, and part of why policy is so difficult. People say, 'If this is so bad, what will it cost us?,' and we can't put a number on it."
At least in general terms, the panelists agreed that Chicago may be better positioned to deal with climate change than many other cities around the world. But while the direct effects may not be as serious as those in Texas and Florida, Chicago will still be susceptible to indirect effects of rising sea levels and water shortages.
"Chicago, in the US, is one of the less vulnerable cities to climate change," Moyer said. We're not at sea level, we don't depend on snowpack for our water supply. We are a fairly comfortable flat-lying, midwestern city with a huge supply of fresh water right next to us. We are in a good position, but there is plenty of the rest of the US that will be heavily impacted, so how will that impact us?"
Weisbach focused on these "knock-on" effects -- economic ripples felt in Chicago from climate change-related events around the world. Even far-off food shortages, drought, political instability, and war over increasingly limited resources could disrupt the world's markets and be felt here at home.
"If you think about what the effects of climate change will be in Chicago, it's going to be the knock-on effects," Weisbach said. "We're connected to the rest of the world, and what matters to the rest of the world matters to us. That will affect us potentially very, very deeply."
Wasserman Nieto, whose group advocates for improved public transit, clean power, and climate justice in the Chicago neighborhood of Little Village, warned that low-income populations in Chicago and around the world will be hardest hit by the effects of climate change. Health impacts, job losses, and the potential influx of "climate refugees" into Chicago could exacerbate an already-stressed infrastructure and population, she said.
Unfortunately, the same people would also feel disproportionate pain under an abrupt switch from fossil fuels to more expensive alternative energy sources. Moyer criticized the recent expiration of the production tax credit, a federal program to subsidize cleaner energy and make it more competitive with carbon-emitting fuel sources. Meanwhile, Weisbach pointed out the political challenges of making the sweeping energy supply changes that are needed to slow the rate of carbon emissions and climate change.
"It's very hard for a politician to say your energy prices are going up, and that's what we need to do to get off of fossil fuels," Weisbach said.
While Mesle's question didn't exactly receive the most optimistic answers, he said that hopes panels like these convince the public to push back against that political resistance.
"I've sort of always felt there needs to be international cooperation," Mesle said. "That doesn't happen unless U.S. politicians care about it, and U.S. politicians don't care about it unless you tell them to care about it."
For more on what Chicago might look like in a climate-changed future, and on what the city and local businesses are doing to try to prepare in the face of uncertainty, read reporter Chris Bentley's comprehensive feature on the panel. You can also listen to the full audio of the panel below.
[Photo by Seth Anderson via Flickr]


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All summer long a team of tailors at Maileg Dk have been creating the most beautiful outfits for the bunnies and mice. This season you'll discover tulle skirts, tweed jackets, classic navy striped jumpers, woolly boots, ballet shoes and Peruvian and Nepalese dresses with matching hats and jackets. With pieces to fit each and every bunny as well as the mice the festive season is full of colour, coziness and sparkles.
To help you pick the perfect outfit we've put together a little size chart with all the bunny and mouse measurements, you'll find the chart alongside each clothing description.
Being huge fans of Maileg Dk since its beginnings we proudly boast the largest collection of Maileg all in one place and to make it easier to shop for the bunny in your life you can shop the collection of clothing and acessories by size be it a micro, mini, medium, maxi, mega or mega maxi there's a clothing range for each and every one.
view the collection of clothing and accessories here


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The Marine Corps Security Force Battalion at Bangor, WA commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Keane, is a Bremerton Navy League Adopted Unit. Six of our Board members were delighted and honoured to volunteer to assist LtCol Keane's wife, Vanessa, with the Battalion's Baby Shower held in February.
MCSFBn's Family Readiness Team hosts an annual baby shower, for new and expecting mothers. We have all had fun either purchasing items or making them, these young Marines and Sailors are some of the brightest and the best and America's future.
This Battalion along with a similar unit in Kings Bay, GA, are unique Marine Corps Units made up of both Sailors and Marines. They guard America's most valuable military assets. The young Marines and Sailors in Colonel Keane's Command, have a tough, demanding job, day in and day out they patrol, protect and serve in all kinds of weather.
We have collected such items as gently used car seats, strollers, a crib and crib linens, receiving blankets, teddy bears, baby food, formula, baby clothing plus diapers. We are grateful to the local businesses who were generous in their pricing of items when they became aware of the baby shower including: Bella Luna Consignment Boutique in West Bremerton, GoodWill and Grocery Outlet in Silverdale.
We know our efforts were well-received by the wonderful volunteers of the MCSFBn Family Readiness Team and we look forward to their future events.


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"It's not my fault," is perhaps the most common defense made by a child accused of some wrongdoing. Another common, and related, defense is to blame whatever happened on someone else.
Children learn to do this because it is so painful to feel the withdrawal of their parents' love and to bear the weight of their disapproval - and often punishment. The more often they divert blame from themselves to someone else the more likely they are to begin to believe that it's true.
As adults, we may use the same strategy. He's late for work? It's not because he overslept. The subway broke down. She lost her job? It wasn't because she spent half her time there on the telephone. The boss had it in for her from the beginning.
When such strategies become a way of life, when the happiness of others is resented, when one begins to believe that the world itself has it in for her/him, an individual is in the state called by Bach Flower Practitioners Willow.
Unlike Holly people, who also feel that life is unjust, but are quite vocal about their discontent, Willow people simmer in their resentment. They may be critical in subtle ways, but rarely explode. Thus, whereas those in the Holly condition may have occasional release from their negativity, Willow's bitterness is perpetual.
Over time Willow people increasingly see the world through the veil of their negativity, and, as a result their ability to see any positive aspects to their lives diminishes.
Although the severe form of negative Willow is no more common than other conditions, it is quite common as a partial condition, one area of life which resists growth.
There are people who are successful in their careers, are prosperous, and creative, but they can't seem to find a life partner.
They say," All the good men/women are taken," or "I won't lower my standards" or "No one knows the meaning of commitment any more." They prefer not to be around happy couples.
I have heard spiritually-oriented people say, "I couldn't help doing that; it's something from a past life."
Whether Willow is a complete or a partial condition, the individual is seeing things through the filter that change and improvement is impossible. This filter distorts not only the outer reality, but the inner truth that to some degree the individual has avoided taking responsibility.
It can be a healing recognition to realize that even in the simple statement, "I can" there can be a feeling of empowerment which begins to dissolve the veil. When they are truly committed to change they can take heart in the realization that the ability to be responsible is one of the greatest human gifts. To be responsible is to have power, the ability to change one's life, to realize one's dreams.
With the Willow Flower Essence one can feel a new flowering of consciousness. Just as the graceful willow tree provides a source of golden color during the drab days of winter, so in the darkness of a victim's soul the Willow Flower Essence sheds light.
Return to Bach Flower Essences Description Index
Return to Return to Main Bach Flower Remedies Page
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Beyond the Rainbow
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Return to Bach Flower Essences Description Index
Return to Return to Main Bach Flower Remedies Page
|Articles Library
Beyond the Rainbow
Contact Me


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Nobody Liked Her
Lee Palmer Wandel
- The Last Witch of Langenburg: Murder in a German Village by Thomas Robisheaux
Norton, 427 pp, £18.99, March 2009, ISBN 978 0 393 06551 0
Anna Fessler was a young mother. Her death, on Shrove Tuesday, 20 February 1672, was typical of those that brought about thousands of witch prosecutions in early modern England, North America and German-speaking Europe: agonising and unexpected. Fessler's life was otherwise unremarkable: she was a resident of a small village, peaceably married, and had given birth to her second child a month before. She was still housebound, according to custom, but had seemed healthy that day to those who were with her: her sister, her husband and a friend. Thus, a visit she received, though not unusual, later came to seem significant. Towards evening, another friend, Eva Küstner, also a young mother, brought Fessler six Shrove cakes, then insisted Fessler eat a seventh that Küstner produced from the folds of her clothing. She said that her mother, Anna Schmieg, had baked them. That night, as Fessler's husband testified, Anna woke up abruptly, her torso swelled, she became feverish, thirsty, and began to pass blood. Again and again she cried out: 'O God! I must die!' By midnight, she was dead.
Anna Fessler's death opens Thomas Robisheaux's microhistory of a single trial for witchcraft in a small Franconian principality. The court barber-surgeon and bath master, called to examine the corpse, reported it distended and pale, but they could not determine the cause of death. The physician who conducted the autopsy concluded that 'poisoning … likely caused her death,' but he would not venture a guess about the source of the poison. Neighbours' suspicions and medical evidence were brought to Tobias Ulrich von Gülchen, the chief counsellor of Count Heinrich Friedrich of Langenburg. He ordered the arrest of Küstner and Schmieg. When he received the first depositions in the case on 27 February, von Gülchen, a pious Lutheran trained in the law, asked whether the law was able to discern evil. Like so many early modern jurists and clergy on both sides of the Atlantic, von Gülchen suspected malice in the death: not the simple social malice of murder, but the cosmological malice of witchcraft.
The case is typical of early modern witchcraft trials in so many ways: Fessler's youth and fertility; a pious jurist; a 'hag'; a collection of 'witnesses' whose testimony concerns the character of the accused and offers no evidence – at least in the modern sense that would physically link the death, the cake and the accused. Trials for witchcraft are among the most intensively studied of all early modern phenomena: the accusation, prosecution, condemnation and execution for an unprovable crime have troubled historians since the Enlightenment.
Von Gülchen left extensive notes on the trial, and they are the primary source for Robisheaux's book. His questions determined what evidence was sought, and framed its interpretation. He summoned witnesses. He consulted various authorities, from the court preacher, Ludwig Casimir Dietzel, to the Altdorf university faculties of law and medicine, and the University of Strasbourg faculty of law.
From the beginning, Schmieg was von Gülchen's primary suspect. In his first interrogation of the two women who had been with Fessler on Shrove Tuesday, her sister and a friend, he asked them about Schmieg. 'What did they know about her? What had they heard?' She quickly became his sole suspect. Three chapters later, one learns that von Gülchen knew of her reputation. As another official recorded, she was
this well-known good-for-nothing woman, who is given to wine and to the quarrels, brawls, shocking curses, swearing and blasphemous insults of all kinds that stem from this drunkenness, as is shown by the established court protocols and by others who have fallen into recalcitrance with her.
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Vol. 31 No. 23 · 3 December 2009 » Lee Palmer Wandel » Nobody Liked Her
pages 41-42 | 2770 words


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Learn about the photo-emulsion process, including preparing, exposing, and printing with screens.
Instructor: Dan Crane
Non-members: $10
Free for U-CA Co-Op Members
To learn more or purchase a Co-Op membership, stop by The Union or visit the Co-Op page.
The Union is committed to making the arts accessible: if you are unable to pay membership fee, we offer different sliding-scale option.
Questions contact firstname.lastname@example.com


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Sunday, June 19, 2011
2011.06.19 DJIA Long $ Short Term
3 comments:
- Rajeev Bharol said...
Thanks a lot. I like your charts.. Can you please do it for SnP and Nasdaq as well.
- September 18, 2011 at 3:14 AM
- Paolo said...
I'm glad you find them useful, Rajeev. The bottleneck for running additional models for the S&P and Naz is that I am running 32 CPU's pretty much at 100% to keep up with my trading models I do not post here and the cycle models I do post here. However, in the next couple of months I am upgrading my computer cluster which will give me some added flexibility for additional models. Do you have any preference as to which one (S&P or Naz) to run first?
- September 18, 2011 at 3:59 AM
- Rajeev Bharol said...
- October 7, 2011 at 1:26 AM
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- You are in:
- Homepage >
- Entertainment >
- Sportscene >
- Football
Manchester United draw blanks at Villareal
Manchester United qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League despite drawing blanks against Villareal at El Madrigal.
Cristiano Ronaldo came close to opening to the deadlock in the first half after being set up by Wayne Rooney. But the winger saw his shot touched onto the bar by Lopez in the Villareal goal.
The La Liga side were reduced to ten men late on when Spain left back Capedevila was shown a straight red card for a dangerous tackle on Ronaldo.


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(OPRAH.com) -- In money, and in life, you are very often your own worst enemy. You promise yourself you're going to diet, then eat not one or two french fries but a whole plate. You decide to really commit to saving for retirement, only to wind up with a new pair of shoes in your closet.
When it comes to your finances, your brain's natural inclinations may not always work in your wallet's favor.
Why does self-sabotage happen no matter how hard you try to prevent it?
At least part of the blame lies with your brain. It spends a lot of time working for you -- it's involved in everything from breathing to buying shoes -- but it can also work against you.
"Your brain will give you a lot of emotional signals, and some of them are not very useful. In fact, they can be quite misleading," says George Loewenstein, a professor of economics and psychology at Carnegie Mellon University.
Knowing how to interpret the signals and trying to ignore ones that may lead to trouble is key to getting your finances in order.
Use your willpower
You probably think of willpower as a renewable resource. Yet, "psychologists have found that there's this thing called eco-depletion, where you have that 'umph' for controlling yourself, but it's like a muscle -- you can wear it out and run out of willpower," says Princeton University professor Sam Wang, co-author of "Welcome to Your Brain."
That means if you're trying to stop shopping or smoking, you shouldn't try other changes that also require willpower. You'll have the most success if you concentrate your efforts: Stop smoking, curb your shopping, then work on a diet. The order is up to you. Oprah.com: 25 tricks to keep money in your wallet
Save automatically
I've said this countless times: If you make automatic contributions to your 401(k) or other savings accounts, the money is out of your hands, out of your wallet, and you're less likely to spend it before you can save it.
But there's another reason: Your brain may not do well planning for the future. It may be programmed to want something now, not later. "You can basically trick people's brains into doing the right thing by setting up situations where they don't quite feel the bite of what they're being asked to do," Wang says.
Put all your savings on autopilot, and you won't likely notice the missing cash.
Haste makes waste
"Your brain doesn't give you very reliable signals about when you should spend and when you should save, and the implication of that is that you really need to think it out," Loewenstein says.
That's why impulse buys are a no-no. How many times have you bought something only to regret it? You can return it, but that's energy -- and often money, in the form of shipping or gas -- wasted. Oprah.com: How to be a master shopper
Research shows we tend to get more pleasure from experiences than things.
A vacation gives you memories you can think about over and over. A new watch you may not really need? Not so much. That doesn't mean a ban on buying, but when money is tight, you need to put more thought into not only whether you spend it, but how you spend it. Oprah.com: Take a vacation for much less
The peanuts effect
If an expenditure is small, it may feel like we're not spending at all, Loewenstein says. In your brain, these don't register as purchases.
While it's true a small treat won't blow your budget, indulging every day could -- the same way a slice of cake probably won't hurt but, if you make it a daily habit, you may have trouble fitting in your pants. Oprah.com: What kind of shopper are you?
From Oprah.com by Jean Chatzky with Arielle McGowen © 2009
Subscribe to O, The Oprah Magazine for up to 75% off the newsstand price. That's like getting 18 issues FREE. Subscribe now!
TM & © 2009 Harpo Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
All About Personal Finance


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Saturday, November 29, 2014
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
my 27th birthday
in the past, I have often felt ambivalent about my birthday. like, I love when people remember and wish me a happy birthday but I never like having expectations about the day and what it's going to be like and, of course, it's just another day of the year and I still have responsibilities and it's, you know, another tuesday, but STILL! I was born! I entered the world! and I'm still alive and doesn't that deserve some celebration even if it means that I simply paint my nails? and, you know, I guess that I've always felt uncertain about my birthday because I expected people to live up to my expectations of it instead of doing that myself and making myself feel special. I think that we've got to do that sometimes for ourselves: be our biggest celebrators. celebrator? is that a word? you know what I mean.
so, I decided that I was going to be deliberate about making myself feel good this year.
the night before, I showered and moisturized and painted my nails (toenails and fingernails! gah, I know!) and put my hair in these here foam hair rollers. phil has never seen me in the rollers. the rollers haven't seen the light of day or a bathroom in aaaages. it's been years since the rollers have been rolled with my locks, so I thought, "well, it's my birthday so, shoot, let's do it!"
^^ hot.
after a night of good sleep (bless you, simon boy!), I had curly hair! and there was lipstick involved! and perfume! because, 1.) it was my birthday, and 2.) I like feeling beautiful on the day I came naked and messy into the world. it also kinda kicks against the "getting old feeling." anyway, my 9am french class must have been SHOCKED to see Mme White not sporting yet again another day-old bun and a headband (showers in the morning are always better thoughts at night than in practice...).
after class, we went out with my parents (in town) to el gallo giro for their huevos rancheros. and, it may have only been 10:30am but, HORCHATA and TRES LECHES cake! it was all beautiful and delicious.
^^ later that evening, phil and I went to "the paris" in salt lake for dinner. I requested we eat here since it is such a lovely french restaurant and has a sweet memory for me of a dinner I had here with some dear french house roommates from six years ago (!). on the way to the restaurant, we did a recap of the year and talked about all the good things we have been able to accomplish and our highlights. we realized, as we often do, that we have much to be grateful for.
there was added an element of surprise at the restaurant since phil had so slyly invited my dearest friend mindy and her ben along for dinner. we had so so so much fun.
there was added an element of surprise at the restaurant since phil had so slyly invited my dearest friend mindy and her ben along for dinner. we had so so so much fun.
^^ the savoyard flat bread with gruyère and mushrooms!
^^ the boeuf stroganoff aux cèpes!
(oh, you haven't seen the end of the ! yet, fair reader!)
it really was one of my favorite birthdays spent with people I love and people who make me feel happy. I feel so grateful for this life and for sweet family and friends and food and french and humor and that I am alive and lucky enough to have an abundance of beauty and goodness around me.
Monday, November 24, 2014
11 months
well, we've nearly arrived at a year of having this simon boy in our lives. how was there a time that we never had him or never knew him? he is joy. I wrote a dear friend in my program this past week who is concerned with the same thoughts that consumed me before we had simon. how would I fulfill the academic aspirations I had while still pursuing the aspirations I had of being a mother? could I have both and not have one or the other suffer? first of all, I know myself and I am very much not a multi-tasker. I mean, if "easily distracted" was a dictionary entry, you would find me there. with this master's thesis, I haaaave to be on campus/in the library to write and research. phil has his classes and research too, so it's been an interesting balancing act over these past eleven months passing the baby baton. and, when I am at home, I just want to be simon's mom, you know? and, I've just struggled with doing anything else besides taking care of him and our home while I'm with him and phil at home.
this is some of what I wrote my friend. as you read I hope you realize that, of course, EVERYONE is different. everyone has the choice to approach the course of their life as they see fit and best for them and for their situation and for the goals/dreams that they desire to achieve. some people can make certain things work great that others may not be able to. some have opportunities that others don't and choices to make that others don't have. in the end, we have to choose from what we have, what is right for us, and what will bring us lasting happiness.
"And, yeah, the whole PhD thing and having babies? I'm not sure what to tell you other than how I've dealt with it and the thought of not doing more graduate studies immediately after this year. We considered this in depth and the question that we have most prominent in our minds is how would Phil and I have Simon and more children, maintain healthy relationships with each other and them, and both be in PhD programs at the same time? We have decided that it just can't be this way right now. Pursuing Phil's career path and my desire to be a mother above all, even if it may sometimes lack in scintillating conversation, fascinating coursework, and distinction, is what we feel best moving forward with. I want to teach our children French. Simon understands "mange," "c'est fini," "ne touche pas," "salut" and "on doit changer ta couche" and, for me and for this season of life, I think that this endeavor is the most important to me: being with and teaching my children. I can still read. I can still listen to books. I can still find interesting people (and hopefully French speakers!) to talk with wherever we go. I can even teach a little or tutor in our home. Also, once the children are old enough and Phil is settled in a job, I can and want to pursue more education and/or teach more regularly. I'm grateful that Phil supports me in anything I'd like to do, and I suppose that, in the end, it is up to me to be as active in learning and progressing as possible until I do pursue a higher degree. In the meantime, I still have lots and lots to learn.
There I go gambling too. Sorry if none of that makes sense. For now, I am satisfied with a MA degree, and in the future a PhD is a route I want to take, but that season of life is afar off at the moment and I am okay with that. I'm okay knowing that I sacrifice that for something I want so much more."
There I go gambling too. Sorry if none of that makes sense. For now, I am satisfied with a MA degree, and in the future a PhD is a route I want to take, but that season of life is afar off at the moment and I am okay with that. I'm okay knowing that I sacrifice that for something I want so much more."
anyway these things have been on my mind, but what I really intended for this post was to put up some photos that I took from this past week. they have become some of my favorites of sweet simon.^^the squeezable cheeks and double chin and little pink lips and rounded nose and focused eyes. everything in this image makes my heart burst!
^^I love this blurry one which just shows how much simon moves these days (so many blurry photos!) and how curious he is about the things around him (eg: the canon). plus, the double chin and the "I want to touch that sooo bad" expression is so funny to me.
^^I love this sleeping one and how he still needs/likes to be swaddled for his two daily naps. we were given this donated fleece blanket from shriner's and it's so big and warm - perfect for swaddling his chunky self. also, the binky mark around his mouth? yeah, he still prefers his 3-6 month binkie over any other. we actually had three other identical ones that are now all lost and this is the last one we have. finger's crossed that this one doesn't find his place in the oblivion of his brother and sister pacis
^^ I love this bum shot just because he's got a cute, diapered derrière.
^^and, this last one? those sweet eyes and the post-bath combed hair? he's my bald, old man baby! when I see his face like this I think that I am beginning to understand more and more what it is like to have a mother's unconditional love because I feel something so strong for this boy.
Monday, November 10, 2014
simon's surgery
simon's hand surgery last week went by so smoothly. all I can say is,
I am grateful for the kind, capable doctors and nurses that took care of him.
there's nothing like being in a hospital and watching your child being taken away
from you to make you feel completely vulnerable. of course, we knew
that everything was going to be fine and that it was going to be a simple
procedure, yet there's still an element of unknown. and, ugh, the unknown.
it knows just how to squeeze the tears out of me. but thankfully,
it didn't last long and our baby came back to us soon enough.
EVERYTHING was funny funny funny.
and space crafts.why can't the adult-sized ones be as cool??
^^ post-op baby boy. we pushed him around the play arena in this comfy cart while he recovered.
don't you love this blond mohawk of his?
I am grateful for the kind, capable doctors and nurses that took care of him.
there's nothing like being in a hospital and watching your child being taken away
from you to make you feel completely vulnerable. of course, we knew
that everything was going to be fine and that it was going to be a simple
procedure, yet there's still an element of unknown. and, ugh, the unknown.
it knows just how to squeeze the tears out of me. but thankfully,
it didn't last long and our baby came back to us soon enough.
EVERYTHING was funny funny funny.
and space crafts.why can't the adult-sized ones be as cool??
^^ post-op baby boy. we pushed him around the play arena in this comfy cart while he recovered.
don't you love this blond mohawk of his?
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
eleven fingers
soon after simon's birth, we were taken down to our recovery room and a nurse took simon to the nursery. phil's parents arrived shortly and phil took them to the nursery to see our new little fellow. as his parents gazed through the glass and into the nursery at baby simon, phil's mom began to motion something to phil (inside the nursery). phil gave her two thumbs-up as if to say, "yeah! he's great!," but bonnie continued to motion, pointing to her own hand to indicate simon's. after a quick look and count, phil realized that simon's right hand had SIX FINGERS (an extra thumb!) instead of the normal, you know, five. they headed back to the room to give me the news of our newly minted, eleven-fingered child and, in all honestly, at first I was a little horrified. clearly, I loved our sweet simon, but this was a little unexpected, you know? after the initial shock, the pediatrician came in to see us and told us that the appearance of an extra digit (finger or toe) was called "polydactylism" (first thought: "flying dinosaur baby!") and that it wasn't as rare as we thought. every now and again, babies are born with an/multiple extra fleshy or bony digits. in the case of a fleshy digit, you can tie a string around it and it'll fall off over time. kinda sounds awful, I know. simon's extra thumb, however, had a bone in it and would require surgery if we were considering removal. after weighing the options, we decided that the surgery was the best choice. it just made sense to us in light of the fact that simon cannot move his extra thumb independently of his regular thumb (so no potential extra-amazing piano skills. darn.) and that it simply gets in his way. in the end, we don't want his dexterity to be affected, and the surgery is quick and the recovery fast.
so, before his surgery tomorrow morning, we wanted to document
the short-lived life of the extra digit of the boy that, as we like to say,
"we gave everything to AND a little more."
has a page that talks about one of the creatures having eleven fingers. I just couldn't not take advantage of this perfect photo opt.
^^ translation: "one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight,
nine, ten. he has eleven of them! eleven! that's very original!"
have a memory on hand (yes, pun intended) for simon to see
when he's older - and to show his future girlfriends.


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15 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Champagne
Champagne offers an escape to a peaceful and historic region of France. The picturesque countryside of vine-covered hills, idyllic valleys, and pristine woodlands is graced with ancient towns, castles, and serene abbeys. The region's impressive cultural heritage comes, in part, from the legacy of the Counts of Champagne and the region's prosperous trade during the Middle Ages. Champagne boasts six cities listed as "Villes d'Art et Histoire" (Cities of Art and History) including remarkable towns such as Reims and Sedan, as well as five UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Champagne region also has links to the famous French leaders Napoleon Bonaparte and Charles de Gaulle.
1 Reims
The historic city of Reims is famed for its magnificent 13th-century cathedral, which for centuries, was used for the coronation of French Kings. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims is a masterpiece of High Gothic architecture. With its harmonious unity of form and rich sculptural decoration, the cathedral is one of the grandest in Europe. The large statues and reliefs covering the exterior are fine achievements of medieval sculpture, while the immensely proportioned interior has an awe-inspiring atmosphere of solemnity. Most of the original stained-glass windows have been lost, however there are six stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall.
Adjoining the cathedral is the Palais du Tau, the former palace of archbishops. The palace now displays original statues from the cathedral, 15th-century tapestries, and other items from the cathedral treasury. The Musée des Beaux Arts has an excellent permanent collection of paintings, drawings, art objects, tapestries, and furniture from the 16th to the 19th centuries. On the large town square of Place de la République is the imposing Porte de Mars, a Roman triumphal arch from the 3rd century. South of the square stands the Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall), built from 1627 to 1630. Reims is listed as a "Ville d'Art et d'Histoire" (City of Art and History) and is an easy 45-minute trip from Paris by high-speed train.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Reims
2 Troyes
The old capital of the Champagne region, Troyes boasts magnificent historic buildings and splendid churches from the Middle Ages when the Counts of Champagne influenced the town. Listed as a "Ville d'Art et d'Histoire" (City of Art and History), the city has a charming medieval quarter, including quaint half-timbered houses on the Rue des Chats. The Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, founded in 1208, is a marvelous example of Gothic architecture. Visitors are awed by the exquisite rose window and the richly decorated "Beau Portail" doorway. Opposite the cathedral is the Musée Saint-Loup (in a former abbey) with a collection of archeology and fine arts. Dating from the 13th century, the Eglise Sainte-Madeleine exemplifies Flamboyant Gothic style. The church was rebuilt in the 16th century with a Renaissance tower and vibrant stained-glass windows. The Eglise Saint-Urbain was built between 1262 and 1286 by Pope Urban IV. Illuminated by many windows, the interior is bright and inspiring. To the right of the choir is the Vierge au Raisin (Virgin of the Grapes), a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture. The Musée d'Art Moderne, in the former Episcopal Palace, has an exceptional collection of modern art from 1850 to 1960. Highlights include works by Bonnard, Cézanne, Degas, Gauguin, Matisse, Modigliani, Picasso, and Vuillard.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Troyes
3 Châlons-en-Champagne
Châlons-en-Champagne boasts splendid churches and lovely gardens. In 1147 Saint Bernard launched the Second Crusade in Châlons. The town's most important building is the Early Gothic Eglise Notre-Dame-en-Vaux, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The church was built in the 12th and 13th centuries with four soaring towers. In the choir are 16th-century stained glass windows called the "Troyes Windows," noteworthy for their intricate details. Attached to the church is the Cloître de Notre-Dame-en-Vaux, which now houses the Musée du Cloître. The museum displays Romanesque and Gothic sculpture, including objects of art, columns, and capitals, that once decorated the cloister, revealing the architectural splendor of the original building. Another exquisite example of Gothic architecture is the 13th-century Cathédrale Saint-Etienne with an awe-inspiring interior that offer a sense of harmony. The cathedral also has fine stained-glass windows and a rich treasury. Another must-see sight a few kilometers away from Châlons-en-Champagne is the Basilique de Notre-Dame de l'Epine, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is listed as a "Ville d'Art et d'Histoire" (City of Art and History).
4 Langres
This remarkably well-preserved fortified town is listed as one of France's "Ville d'Art and d'Histoire" (City of Art and History). Proudly standing on the edge of a plateau high above the landscape, Langres is surrounded by more than three kilometers of immense ramparts. The old walls and seven soaring towers create a formidable impression from afar. The city's history dates back to antiquity, and the Gallo-Roman gate within the old walls is a testimony to this heritage. Langres also boasts many historic churches throughout the town and elegant Renaissance houses (especially on Rue du Cardinal Morlot). Tourists may walk along the ramparts, to enjoy views of the Marne Valley that extend to the foothills of the Vosges Mountains. The town also delights visitors with its winding medieval lanes and ancient passageways (covered porches). The town's Cathédrale Saint-Mamme was built in the 12th century and combines Romanesque decorations with the grandeur of a spacious Gothic interior. Another worthwhile tourist attraction is the Guy-Baillet Museum, which displays a rich collection of fine arts and archeological treasures including the Bacchus Mosaic from the 2nd century. Langres also appeals to nature lovers with its lush countryside of woodlands and lakes.
5 Sedan
At the foot of the Ardennes Mountains, the town of Sedan boasts the largest fortified castle in Europe. The castle is an enormous fortress of 35,000 square meters. Built in the 14th and 15th centuries, the Château Fort transports visitors to a bygone era. The castle features bastions, ramparts, and numerous towers typical of medieval architecture. Visitors may take a tour of the Château Fort, which includes a museum that displays scenes of daily life in the Middle Ages. The more modern Palais des Princes was constructed in the early 17th century when the Princes of Sedan found the ancient fortress to be too austere; the palace's luxurious style reflects the elegance of that period. The town also has two interesting religious buildings: The Eglise Saint-Charles, originally a Protestant church, was converted to a Catholic church in 1685 when the Edict of Nantes was revoked. Another historic monument, the Synagogue de Sedan, was designed by the architect Mazuel and built from local stone with a delicate rose window. Sedan is another "Ville d'Art et d'Histoire" (City of Art and History).
6 Charles de Gaulle Memorial, Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises
This memorial is dedicated to the remembrance of the revered statesman, French President Charles de Gaulle. Through educational documents and explanatory notes, the permanent exhibit tells the story of Charles de Gaulle's life and highlights the most important historical events such as the Second World War and the establishment of France's 5th Republic. The Memorial is in Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises, the charming village where the de Gaulle family had a home. Charles de Gaulle had a particular fondness for this area of the French countryside. The memorial features the Croix de Lorraine (Cross of Lorraine), a monumental cross that is more than 44 meters high. Created in 1972 by architects Marc Nebinger and Michel Mosser, the cross was built out of pink granite stone from Brittany. Tourists can also opt to visit Charles de Gaulle's family home of La Boisserie, which is included on the De Gaulle Journey tour along with entry to the memorial. This historic home provides an insight into the private life of the de Gaulle family. The dining room, drawing room, and office are on view and appear exactly as they did when Charles de Gaulle lived here. It is also worth visiting the parish church in Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises where Charles de Gaulle was buried in the cemetery.
Address: Mémorial Charles de Gaulle, Colombey-les-deux-églises
7 Chaumont
This remarkable town was built in the 10th century on a steep, rocky hillside offering sensational views of the valleys below. Chaumont was the former residence of the Counts of Champagne, although there are few remaining vestiges from this period. The Château des Comtes de Champagne has not survived except for its dungeons. Other noteworthy sights in Chaumont include the 13th-century Basilique Saint Jean-Baptiste, the Chapelle des Jésuites built in 1617, and the 18th-century Hôtel de Ville. Chaumont is also distinguished by its many towers. During Christmastime, traditional nativity scenes create a festive ambience. The Musée de la Crèche has a wonderful collection of 18th-century Neapolitan nativity scenes, each unique work of art features many tiny figures and sumptuous details.
8 Charleville-Mézières
Listed as a "Ville d'Art et d'Histoire" (City of Art and History), Charleville-Mézières is a dual town that straddles the Meuse River, consisting of Charleville, founded in the 17th century with the elegant Place Ducale at the center of the town, and the much newer town of Mézières. There are some remains of ancient fortifications on the west side of the town. Charleville was the birthplace of the poet Arthur Rimbaud (1854-1891) who is buried in the town's cemetery.
9 Château la Motte Tilly
In peaceful gardens bordering the Seine River, the Château de la Motte Tilly perfectly exemplifies the French Neoclassical style of the 18th century. Visitors may tour the château to see the Reception Salons, with their refined decor, and the Private Apartments including the bedrooms. The vast and tranquil gardens have been restored to resemble their original design created by Count Rohan-Chabot. A notable attraction of Château de la Motte Tilly is the Orangery where exotic plants such as orange and pomegranate trees were grown in the 18th century. The garden also has picturesque terraces for taking leisurely walks.
Address: Château de La Motte-Tilly 10400 La Motte-Tilly
10 Brienne-le-Château
Surrounded by an idyllic countryside of lakes and forests, the town of Brienne le Château is most well-known for its association with Napoleon Bonaparte. The illustrious French general spent five years here when he attended the Ecole Militaire (military academy) from May 1779 to October 1784. Housed in the former military school, the Musée Napoleon now displays memorabilia from Napoleon's school years. In addition, the museum documents the battles of the "Circuit Napoléon 1814" (the French Campaign of 1814) with an extensive exhibition of maps and engravings. There is also a statue of Napoleon in front of the building. Besides the military museum, the town's other noteworthy site is its majestic 18th-century château. Other impressive historic buildings include the Eglise Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul, the Hôtel-de-Ville (Town Hall), and La Halle (the Market Hall).
11 Abbaye Notre Dame d'Auberive
At the border of the Champagne and Burgundy regions, the Abbaye Notre Dame d'Auberive was founded in 1135 by twelve Cistercian monks. This serene abbey is surrounded by a six-and-a-half hectare park including the Conservatoire de la Pomme (Apple Conservatory). The monastery has a fascinating history; it became prosperous during the 13th century, endured the suffering of the Hundred Years' War in the 14th century, and the Thirty Years War in the 17th century. The abbey is now open to the public for tours and has a cultural center that organizes music concerts and art exhibitions.
Address: Place de l'abbaye, 52160 Auberive
12 Château de Cirey-sur-Blaise
The famous French author Voltaire spent 15 years here (from 1734 to 1749). The château served as a place of refuge when Voltaire was threatened with imprisonment for publishing the "Lettres Philosophiques" ("Philosophical Letters"). His friend, the Marquise du Châtelet, one of the great female intellectuals of the time, offered shelter to Voltaire at this lovely château. In the peaceful Blaise Valley, the Château de Cirey-sur-Blaise was built during the reign of King Louis XIII and completed in the 18th century. The château is now listed as a historic monument and is open to the public. Tourists can visit the château to see the library, dining room, chapel, salons, and kitchen. Especially interesting is the "petit théâtre" (small theater) where Voltaire staged some of his dramatic productions.
13 Beaulieu-en-Argonne
Surrounded by the lush Argonne Forest, the quaint hilltop village of Beaulieu-en-Argonne sits on a plateau with sensational views of the surrounding landscape. The name of the town translates to "beautiful place." Beaulieu-en-Argonne is listed as one of France's 4-star "Villes Fleuri" (Flowering Villages) because of the colorful potted flowers that decorate the town. The village also boasts a 12th-century Benedictine abbey built on the site of a monastery from the 7th century. The abbey building now houses an art gallery open to the public.
14 Abbaye de Clairvaux
Built more than eight centuries ago, the Abbaye de Clairvaux is an important historic monument with a rich religious heritage. The former Cistercian abbey offers a tranquil retreat in an area of peaceful valleys and dense forests. The abbey was operational until the French Revolution when parts of it were confiscated. In 1808, Napoleon converted the ancient monastic buildings into a prison. The Ministères de la Justice et de la Culture has helped to restore the abbey and open it to the public as a tourist destination. The abbey is worth visiting to appreciate the architectural splendor and natural beauty of the surroundings.
Address: Rue de l'Abbaye Clairvaux, Clairvaux sur Aube
15 Hierges
Perched on a hilltop, Hierges enchants visitors with its ancient castle ruins that are visible from a distance. The tiny village of Hierges was an important medieval community. Only four square kilometers, the village now has about 210 residents. The castle ruins are the most important tourist attraction. According to local legend, the castle was built in one night by a fairy named Melusine. The village also has a 16th-century church that is worth visiting.
Other Places of Interest
Château de Chacenay
This elegant château has an exquisitely decorated interior and is surrounded by pleasant gardens. The château is open to the public for guided visits and has a superb manuscript museum. The museum includes a fascinating collection of manuscripts from great thinkers and heads of state including Einstein, Poincaré, De Gaulle, Nixon, and J.F. Kennedy. The château is also a hotel that offers accommodations for tourists.
Address: 1 Rue du Château, Chacenay
Château du Grand Jardin
Built during the Renaissance, the Château du Grand Jardin exemplifies classic 16th-century French architecture. The château is renowned for its exquisite formal gardens that are adorned with classical sculptures and filled with fragrant flowers.
Address: 5 Avenue de la Marne, 52300 Joinville
Château de Montaubois
Set on a gorgeous property including four hectares of parkland, the Château de Montaubois takes visitors into the privileged world of a French castle. The château has been converted to a luxury hotel with plush modern accommodations and is also open to the public for guided visits. Visitors can tour the main reception rooms and halls of the château, the medieval garden, and a Baroque chapel that has been fully restored. The guided visit also includes a video about the restoration of the château.
Address: Route de Domery, Signy l'Abbaye
Château de Reynel
This quintessential medieval château is surrounded by parkland on a steep hill, which was an advantageous position during the Middle Ages in defending against the Holy Roman Empire. The château features enormous round towers typical of medieval architecture. Damaged during the Hundred Years' War and Thirty Years' War, the castle was beautifully restored in the 18th century. The château is now open to the public and hosts art exhibitions. Visitors enjoy seeing the picturesque grounds and getting a taste of castle life during the Middle Ages.
Address: 1 Grande Rue, Reynel
The ancient fortified town of Rocroi is northwest of Charleville-Mézières, about three kilometers from the Belgian border. The town is famous for its unique military architecture created in 1555 during the reign of King Henry II. The town was designed as a pentagonal star-shaped citadel, protected by two layers of fortified defense walls. At the center of the town, the Place d'Armes is lined with elegant historic houses.
Saint-Amand-sur-Fion is a typical medieval village with quaint half-timbered houses and a beautiful historic church. The Eglise Saint-Amand is a marvelous accomplishment of 12th-century Romanesque architecture. There are also later Gothic additions, including the 13th-century Gothic choir known as "la Merveille de Saint-Amand" (the Marvel of Saint Amand). The church exterior is designed with a porch, typical of the Champagne region. The interior has a large central nave, which offers a sense of spaciousness in the sanctuary. The brightly illuminated interior also features exquisite stained-glass windows and an impressive crucifix in the choir.


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Full Profile | Menu | Reviews | Book a Table!
The Mews is one of west Cork's most attractive restaurants and a lovely setting in which to enjoy the best of West Cork's seasonal foods. They offer a set carnival menu that is €45 per person.
Note: Map is an approximate indication ONLY. Please contact The Mews for directions and precise location prior to your visit.


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Fraser Mort's cool bike light is bridging the safety gap between the cyclist and the driver. Designed with the primary aim of making the road a safer place for us two wheeled travellers, the product designer's bike light puts a cyber spin on cycle safety with these simple, but effective led light emoto-graphics.
Formed out of one solid piece of aluminium which encloses the 8×8 LED dot matrix, the light connects to the bicycles dynamo via a USB socket in the back of the light. With the option to download still graphics, animations or words and phrases via web-based software, there are so many ways to enjoy this fun little gadget.
Check out the designers bike light blog and find out how to exchange designs through the online community, posting them on networking sites like Facebook, Twitter or Flickr.
Images courtesy of Fraser Mort


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Gone are the days when only the wealthy or these with big-funds journeys have been seen as standard shoppers of luxury vacation travel agents. Hence, it is going to be much better if you happen to go for the above talked about ideas to jot down your travel essays because you do not have to travel for composing such kind of essays, you may as well write on any of your travelling experiences as they are going to make you essay of travel unique, original and fascinating. Lately interjet airlines flight bookings is sort of preferred by the travelers due to the price benefit.
Each season there are three major operas performed, two in English and the third in its original language. You'll be able to recline your seat, relaxation your head on your travel pillow and place your legs within the hammock. It is an added bonus that you will be invited on family trips where you may travel at no cost, as well as receiving heavy discounts in your personal holidays.
Travel insurance is designed to reimburse you for the medical and economic costs, as well as accidents suffered during a journey in-nation or abroad. The travel agents that organize your vacations or any local medical health insurance … Travel More


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Rachel Childers joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra as second horn at the start of the 2011–12 season, becoming the first female member of the BSO brass section in its history. At the BSO she occupies the John P. II and Nancy S. Eustis Chair. Childers joins the New England Conservatory faculty with the 2015–16 academic year.
Formerly Acting Assistant Principal/Utility Horn of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Rachel has performed with the San Diego Symphony, Long Beach Symphony, Marin (Calif.) Symphony, Fresno Philharmonic, Greater Lansing Symphony, and the Birmingham Bloomfield (Mich.) Symphony.
Rachel received both bachelor's and master's degrees in music from the University of Michigan, followed by an Artist Diploma from the Colburn School in Los Angeles. Her teachers included Soren Hermansson, David Jolley, David Krehbiel, and Louis Stout. She was a Los Angeles Philharmonic teaching artist, one of a select faculty of freelance professional musicians who present and teach music in the Los Angeles Philharmonic's partner schools.
B.M., M.M., University of Michigan; A.D., Colburn School. Studies with Soren Hermansson, David Jolley, David Krehbiel, Louis Stout.
Photo by Marco Borggreve/courtesy BSO


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The Big Interview: Community Books, Grantham
Community Books was set up in November 2006 – and in that time it has donated almost £25,000 to local good causes.
The wonderful work of its manager, Nean Asher, and nine volunteers led it to win the Best Not-for-Profit/Social Enterprise award in this year's Grantham Journal Business Awards. Here, Nean tells us what makes Community Books a deserving winner.
**What are your main aims?
Our aim is recycling good quality books, CDs, DVDs, jigsaws, bric-a-brac and toys to raise money for good causes within the local community.
**How did it feel to win the Best Not-for-Profit/Social Enterprise category?
I never thought we would win with such high calibre finalists in our category but it was a great honour to receive it on behalf of everybody at Community Books. It's an accolade to all volunteers, customers and those who donate to us. It's brilliant to see our work within the community be recognised.
**How many charities/good causes have benefited from the money Community Books makes? How much do you think you've given to charities and good causes in total?
I believe we have supported around 100 local good causes over the years, some causes we support each year and this year we should hit £25k with our donations.
**How does it feel for you on a personal level to be able to support so many good causes?
It's very rewarding to have a business like this. I enjoy my day-to-day work and with being a single mum I love that my children are part of my work and they both enjoy being part of the fund-raising events. It's a bonus at the end of each year being able to meet the organisations and give out the donations, hearing from them how our money helps them, knowing we are making a difference.
**How has Community Books changed over the years, as times have changed?
Over the years we have diversified to include seasonal goods at Christmas, Easter and Mother's/Father's Day.
We have body bars and nose studs following the closure of other nearby shops that used to sell these items. We have several ladies that make and donate knitted wear and other items to us. I decorate wooden gifts for all occasions and personalised items which are available to order. Our newest line is memorial gifts as we were made aware there aren't many in town and many people like something to remember a loved one.
We hold two craft fayres a year and a bingo/beetle night.
At the end of the day we are not just a book shop; many people, especially those living alone, just pop in for a chat as they don't see anybody.
** Keep up to date with events by searching for 'Community Books' on Facebook.
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1.ICU Bridge Type Ceiling-Mounted system,specially designed for intensive care rooms, the entire proocess wards, the recovery room.Supply flexible, first-rank nursing satisty patient's separate treatment and nursing demand.Unique design lies in it all hides the electrical cable and pipeline in the ceiling-mounted arm.
2.The modular design and multiple configurations.
3.As clients' requirements,providing reasonable ICU Combination Ceiling-Mounted Pendant(Apart Dry-Wet).
4.Advanced spray technology, the intelligent combination of innovative ways to make the bridge pendant with diverse functions.
* Gas outlets*2,VAC x 1,AIR x1.
* Electrical socket x6 (220V).
* Lighting*2 .
* Dry wet:Ceiling box*1;shelf x 2,drawer x 6.
* Wet area:ceiling shelf x 2,column x 2,shelf x 2,drawer x1


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A forum about Atari 16/32 computers and their clones. This forum is in no way affiliated with Atari Interactive.
Moderators: Mug UK, lotek_style, Moderator Team
terriblefire wrote:I couldn't resist making these computers Duel.
farvardin wrote:very nice. I think the ST version runs smoother
@Frank B: Yeah, for me too, I like very much both Atari and Banjo!!
kolli wrote:I'm guessing the mod is in a more modern file format that is not recognised by this ProTracker version. Can anyone point me to a working version or to some tools to convert the file format?
Zarchos wrote:You could even add an Archie next time ....
terriblefire wrote:I couldn't resist making these computers Duel.
kolli wrote:terriblefire wrote:I couldn't resist making these computers Duel.
I wonder how you managed to have them in sync?
I have tried it with a 486 DOS-PC using Fasttracker2 and an STFM using ProTracker 2.1 and after short time they are out of sync...
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 guests


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Babor Skinovage PX Calming Sensitive Daily Calming Cream is a face moisturizer that calms and soothes the skin throughout the day.
Thanks to Alpine stem cells and Osmo Tec, a molecular catalyst, it protects against premature skin aging and helps optimize the skin's ability.
It relieves dry, red and irritated skin conditions while healing chapped skin for a smoother, brighter complexion.
Babor Skinovage PX Calming Sensitive Daily Calming Cream subsides the appearance of redness and sensations of tightness noticeably.
Copyright © 2018 Skin Beauty. All Rights Reserved.


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Tuesday, March 6, 2012
The Adventures of Tintin
I've given up trying to shoehorn a bunch of galleries and crap into this blogger format so I started up a new website over here that'll have crap shoehorned into it like crazy! It'll be a fairly static portfolio kinda thing, mostly work stuff that everyone is sick to death of seeing. Well imagine how sick it made me when I had to draw it!
That gallery button over there > links to it too. How thoughtful.
Oh yeah! There's a whole book of this stuff: The Art of The Adventures of Tintin
15 comments:
New site looks awesome man. SO MUCH AWESOME WORK.ReplyDelete
Anyone would think you were older looking through that massive array of awesome :P Well played sir :)
Again, amazing stuff. Love the specular type reflection thats happening. Oh, and thanks for your comment on my own blog. Cheers.ReplyDelete
I'm still afraid of watching the Tintin film, being a hardcore Tintin reader since I was little, but I'll give it a go when it comes out on Blu-Ray.ReplyDelete
I like the sketches for Tintin here, Christian, you got the feeling for the head and volume of the cheeks, mouth feeling right.Replies
Hey thank you!Delete
Yeah, the film is a strange one. I'm gonna watch it again when the blu-ray is out and just enjoy it for the rollercoaster ride it is. It certainly looks pretty spectacular
You are one of the sickest artist on this planet.
That's all.
I just received poster and sticker from Eyeball kicks of your work. Its Sweet' and had arrived sooner than 10 days'ReplyDelete
Faster than the "Syd Mead" puzzle I ordered 2 weeks prior to ordering your stuff and still hasn't arrived.Replies
Glad to hear it - thanks a lot Ryan!Delete
Also.. There is A Donate Button on my blogspot.. Im going to need you to put my money back in it now. j.k now you can get buy some weed draw more robots. BDDelete
Im Somewhat growing fond? Fond of them. E-Robot? lol
Never Forget Sticker, Thats Mint. Frame that Too?
Some really wonderful inspirational stuff in here!!! Amazing work man!ReplyDelete
I took my daughter to the film in the theaters here. Tintin wasn't huge in the States, so it wasn't a packed theater. I read them though, as did my brother. He and I both thought the movie was great.ReplyDelete
What was really wonderful was watching my daughter watch it. She loved it, and there's a moment with Haddock and Tintin that she really focused on. Haddocks speech near the end. I don't want to ruin it, but it's wonderfully composed and written. It almost brought tears to my eyes seeing her lean forward in her chair and listening to it. We really love that movie, and now she's reading all the old books.
The art book you guys made for the iPad is wonderful, and I can't recommend it enough. Especially for people who are curious about the whole process of making a film like Tintin.
Seriously, you guys did an amazing job on what i thought was an impossible project.
Although, you always do that.
As far as your art, these pics are amazing. the blend between photo ref, and painting is incredible.Replies
What a very kind comment. Thanks heaps Doug! I took my daughter to it too and she was surprisingly entertained! I reckon the water in that film deserved its own trailer, that shit was amazing.Delete
Thanks again Doug, really glad to hear you enjoyed it.
Looks like Bhashkar down here had a very similar experience to you!
What was really wonderful was watching my daughter watch it. She loved it, and there's a moment with Haddock and Tintin that she really focused on. Haddocks speech near the end. I don't want to ruin it, but it's wonderfully composed and written. It almost brought tears to my eyes seeing her lean forward in her chair and listening to it. We really love that movie, and now she's reading all the old books.ReplyDelete
that's a nice way to honor those guys.ReplyDelete
Thanks so much for this tutorial! I did this for a friends wedding party and it worked jolly good. It lasts the whole eveningReplyDelete
You have done a marvelous job!ReplyDelete


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RULEJournaling is not about rules, so we have kept that to minimum with only one rule:
All you have to do is follow a daily prompt, and do ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING YOU WANT WITH IT. You can do an art journal page, drawing, writing, doodling, poetry, fiction, whatever you want.
We have specifically selected prompts that could be used in a variety of ways, because even Dolly and I are approaching this Journaling Challenge from very different sides. Dolly's main form is writing, and mine is mixed media journal. So as you can imagine, our entries and our interpretation of the prompts are likely to be very different.
You can join us, and do whatever appeals to you.
PROMPTSWe will post prompts daily on both our blogs.
Nofretiri Dreams of Writing
Journal Addict
OUR PAGESAs I said - journaling is not about rules. I'm planning to share all my pages (maybe I blur out here and there some too private things). And Dolly will share some of her pages, depending on what she does with those prompts. As she's writing, some of her entries may be too personal to share. Anyway, our entries will be posted on our respective blogs.
If you want to share yours with us, please contact us, and we will be happy to post them on our blogs. Even if you don't want to show your entries, just join us on this amazing Journaling Journey, where you devote the shortest month of the year - only 28 days - to journaling every day. You can do as much or as little you want, but we believe that at the end of the month, you will feel happier or at least more insightful for this exploration.
(A big thanks to Dolly for writing this post and leaving it for my purpose, too!)


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We are pleased to present below all posts archived in 'July 2016'. If you still can't find what you are looking for, try using the search box.
Volya would like to invite all dancers age 16+ or in grade 10 to audition for our ensemble!
SUNDAY, SEPT. 11th, 2016 at 11205 107 Ave NW.
Doors open at 4 p.m., audition starts at 4:30 p.m.
Contact email@example.com if you have any questions.
Hope to see you there!
Welcome to Volya Ukrainian Dance Ensemble's blog - where you'll find information on our upcoming performances, auditions, and anything else Volya!


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I am visiting Yosemite sept 26- ocotber 2nd by myself. I want to backpack around the whole time. Is this a good idea alone? or should I just bounce around between the first come first served camps, try to make friends and drive to my hikes every morning? I wanted to wake up in the middle of nowhere each morning to enjoy a sunrise at my camp..
also, how the permits work? I want to hike trails from Yosemite valley, glacier point, and the tioga pass/Tuolumne area.
Do I need a separate permit for each trailhead I will be sepnding the night on?
how do I figure out which trailheads would be best for the trails I want to hike?
Is that too broad? should I focus on only 1 or two areas?
I will have a rental car. where do I park for the week?
thanks! lots of questions, I know. trying to figure out the whole backpacking thing


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Black Hairstyles
Photos of Hairstyles for Black Hair
Photo gallery with hairstyles for black hair.
Hairstyles Software
Try different hairstyles and haircolors on a picture of yourself with hairstyle simulation software.
Anne Veck - White Heat Collection
Hairstyle collection inspired by the versatility and unique texture of Afro hair.
African-Ethnic Hair Styles 101
Terms used to denote some of the various African hair styles and styling techniques. In some cases, the general look of the hairstyles are similar, but the techniques used and the desired results are very different.
African Hair Q&A
Questions and answers about anything that has to do with black hair. Ask your black hair related question and get a reply from a licensed cosmetologist, free of charge.
Books with Black Hairstyles
Pictures of black hairstyles and hairdressing instructions.
Black Celebrity Hairstyles
The hairstyles of black celebrities and details on how to create them.
Margaret's Braids & Weaves
California salon specializing in hair extensions, cornrows, and braids.


text: https://soundcloud.com/partysupplies/the-light-in-the-addict-feat-action-bronson-black-atlass We're usually used to hearing Action Bronson as boisterous, uproarious and sometimes even ridiculous. But these are the things that have made us love the music and lyricism of the underground Queens mixtape champion for the last few years. But almost the exact opposite is what we get on the new collaboration by Bronson, Black Atlass and producer duo Party Supplies. "The Light in the Addict" is a deep, melancholy, dreary, self-destructively bluesy piece of piano-tinkered madness. All three musical collaborators paint a bleak picture of a man at the end of his rope, as Bronson revels in his own self-loathing paranoia. It's a grand departure from some of what we're accustomed to from a team up between Bronson and Party Supplies, but the results are, if nothing else, powerfully interesting and worth more than a few listens, even if it brings you down in the process.


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Two men who died in a suspected murder suicide on Anzac Day were friends who lived on the same street.
The mother of one of the men was upstairs in the northern Sydney home when she heard several shots being fired.
Police later found the men, both aged in their 30s, on the ground level of the house on Quarter Sessions Road, Westleigh.
Both had suffered gunshot wounds.
Inspector Colin Lott wouldn't say which of the two men shot the other but confirmed they were friends.
He said it was still unclear what led to the shooting.
"That's still part of the investigation - the circumstances that led up to the incident," Insp Lott said.
"There's no suggestion at this stage whether an argument took place or not."
Insp Lott said the mother who found them was suffering from shock.
"Obviously she's affected by the situation, we are trying to assist her with trying to arrange counselling," Insp Lott said.
"Family and friends are coming to her support."
Police say there is no evidence that anyone else was involved.
The gruesome discovery is the latest among seven domestic-related deaths to have taken place in Sydney this week.
On Wednesday, the bodies of a 49-year-old woman and her daughter, 26, believed to be Chinese nationals, were found in their western Sydney home.
Police named Hong Rui Fu, 28, as the person they want to question over the deaths and have launched a murder investigation.
Police found the bodies of a 51-year-old man and 57-year-old woman inside a Woolloomooloo unit on Tuesday afternoon.
The deaths were not being treated as suspicious.
Finance worker Kate Malonyay, 32, was found dead in her Mosman unit by police on Monday.
Police were hunting for her ex-boyfriend Elliott Coulson, who was considered a suspect.
Two days after her body was found, Coulson fell 26 floors from a balcony at the Marriott Surfers Paradise Resort on the Gold Coast as police were trying to enter his room.
His death is not being treated as suspicious.


text: The CGI Tin Tin motion picture film is set to hit theaters Dec 21st but before that happens Shout Factory has decided to capitalize on the incoming film and release another cartoon classic. Three episodes from Season One 2 disc DVD set will directly tie into the new film. So if you are looking to get an idea on what to expect from the film then get out our review and get your feet wet.


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One of my favorite trees is Sassafras albidum. It's a native of dry sand country and adds a lot of color and character to black oak savannas. The leaves occur in three different types: one lobe, two lobes, and three lobes. The crushed leaves and twigs have an unusual but pleasant smell. The cut wood is beautiful and has a pungent chemical smell that is also very good. And of course, the roots have that wonderful root beer smell and flavor, long cherished for sassafras tea. Experts now say the tea can cause stomach cancer, but I'm starting to think so does breathing the air and drinking the water.
Of this remarkable and very attractive tree, Thoreau wrote the following: "The odoriferous sassafras, with its delicate green stem, its three-lobed leaf, tempting the travelers to bruise it, it sheds so rare a perfume on him, equal to all the spices of the East. Then its rare-tasting root bark, like nothing else, which I used to dig. The first navigators freighted their ships with it and deemed it worth its weight in gold." Henry David Thoreau - journal entry, August 31, 1850.


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Welcome to a blog about my not-so-little obsessions, including make up, nail polish, books, music and travelling. :)
Saturday, 25 June 2011
Essence - Choose me! with Halley's Comet comparison
13 comments:
Hmm, da vidim... Imam tega Essence in Zoyo Charlo, se mi zdi :DReplyDelete
Zoyo sem imela enkrat, Essence pa mislim da še sploh ne - ha.
I've got Choose Me and I adore it. One of the craziest polishes I own and Essence cosmetics is awesome overall.ReplyDelete
imam choose me, tj bolje receno imala sam ga jer je prakticki skroz potrosen, divna mi je teksturom i bojom, ali ga nekako ne mogu bas cesto nosit, ne znam zasto pa nisam sigurna da cu uzet drugu bocicuReplyDelete
I have only choose me and this is enough whe I see this!ReplyDelete
They're absolutely the same!
Imam ovaj lak za nokte i obožavam ga! Kada nanesem dva sloja, teško mi se skida ovaj glitter pa nekad poludim :DReplyDelete
Imaš predivne nokte! Predivne!
Stunning polish! I so wish I could get my greedy little mitts on some Essence!ReplyDelete
How can you get tired of seeing this polish on blogs? ;) It's a classic colour, especially gorgeous in the sun <3 And your pictures rocks! Wow, it really glows :) I have this version (the cheaper the better! And the brush is perfection, yes) but I am thinking of getting Halleys Comet (I've heard it should be more opaque).ReplyDelete
Biba, Essence je lahko za backup. ;)ReplyDelete
Gina, thank you!
Just me and Hohner, I agree, my opinion on their products really got insanely great during these last few months.
Lendoxia, možda pošto se stvarno teško skida? Ja imam taj problem sa nekoliko lakova, voljela bi jih nositi češće al zbog skidanja ne mogu, izgubim živce totalno. :/
rock-or-not, I'm glad someone found the late comparison useful! :)
Melody of Beauty, da, baš kažem Lendoxii, imam isti problem, skidanje stvarno nervira. Sad pokušavam ovakve lakove stavit na base boju, možda če biti bolje. :) I hvala za divan kompliment!
The Nail Buff, no problem, swap, my darling, swap for them! :)
Jette Fromm, hehe, well, I felt I'm a bit late with this little one. :D And yeah, I have no idea what's with my pics, my camera had a good day that day, as it seems! :) Hm, I wore them both, and I think they both need three coats, otherwise you have VNL ... I hope you won't be disappointed if you get the Orly one!
Thank you all for your lovely comments! Hvala za super komentarje!
so pretty!!! i love colors like this :)ReplyDelete
lak mi uopće ne izgleda loše, ali ova boja prestrašno izgleda na meni :-PReplyDelete
gorgeous shots! i love those polish :) but if ever there's a dupe of polish i'm always with the opaque one :) by the way im your new follower :) visit my blog :)ReplyDelete
i like the glittery effect! :)ReplyDelete


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LITTLE ROCK � Bill Simmons, 71, beloved family man of God, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday. He died at home.
LITTLE ROCK � Bill Simmons, 71, beloved family man of God, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday. He died at home.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Jerry, and his wife, Theodosia Jane Simmons.
He is survived by his daughter, Theodosia Jane �Teddi� Cole of Little Rock and her husband, Troy; a son, William Tobias �Toby� Simmons of Little Rock and his wife, Penny; a brother, Toby Ray Simmons and his wife, Carolyn, of Pine Bluff; six grandchildren, one great-grandchild and another great-grandchild on the way.
He was born Sept. 23, 1941, in North Little Rock, the son of William Foster Simmons and Pauline Elizabeth Hollenberger Simmons.
He started in the news business while still in high school in 1958 as a copy boy at the Arkansas Gazette, where he later became sportswriter. He took a job with the Little Rock bureau of the Associated Press in 1962, the same year he and Jane were married. After a few years with the AP in Little Rock, they moved to Detroit where he helped cover the race riots in 1967-68; soon after, they returned to the Little Rock AP, where he became the capitol correspondent covering Arkansas politics. He was dubbed the �Dean of the Capitol Press Corps� for many years before becoming the AP�s Chief of Bureau in 1990.
He retired from the AP in 1996 after 34 years of service. He then became the political editor for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in 1997 where he worked until he died. Earlier this year he received the distinguished �Golden 50 Service Award� from the Arkansas Press Association.
He came from humble roots, and always remained humble. He was described as the consummate newsman, always tough but always fair. He challenged many public officials; while not everyone liked what he wrote, he was well respected by those he covered.
He was tenacious and dogged in his work, and was loyal and generous to those around him. One of his private ministries was equipping pastors with hundreds of good books to encourage them in their faith and theology. He was a sharp communicator who had and taught a big view of God. He was a blessing to many.
His devotion to God was followed closely by his devotion to his wife and family. Thankful and proud that Jane was his best friend, he took great care of her in her declining years. She remained the love of his life.
He loved poetry, bad puns and being a wordsmith. Even though he never received a college degree he was described by his daughter as �the smartest man I ever knew.�
A visitation will be held at Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 W. Markham St. on Thursday, November 1, 2012 from 4-6 p.m. A funeral service will be held at The Bible Church of Little Rock on Friday, November 2, 2012 at 10 a.m., officiated by Pastor Tim Senn. Interment will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to The Bible Church of Little Rock, 19111 Cantrell Rd., Little Rock, AR 72223. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.


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Depending on your history with prescription medications, your doctor may decide to have a skin test performed, especially if the use of penicillin is being contemplated. (Skin tests for penicillin allergy are among the most accurate.)
Given that drug allergies arise only after a medication has been prescribed, communication with your doctor and medical team is essential when a drug prescription is discussed. Your drug history should be in your chart if you receive medical care at one institution or office over time, but you should be personally aware of any allergies that you have experienced in the past and speak up about them when the time is appropriate. If your medical team fails to talk about possible adverse drug events with a particular prescription, raise the subject yourself.
It is recommended that if you have a drug allergy, you wear an ID bracelet that identifies it. An allergy ID bracelet can be especially helpful in situations where an emergency room visit or acute care is necessary.


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The Boat
Welcome aboard Zephyr.
Let's start with some history.
Zephyr was laid up at the Colberg Boat Works in Stockton California in 1972 and she was hull # 72-18. Originally built for the San Francisco Bar Pilots her job was to safely transport pilots out to the large deep draft commercial ships so they could have a guide with local knowledge direct the crew to bring the vessel in. Zephyr's name then, was the P/V (for Pilot Vessel) San Francisco and she was one of two boats that alternated duty on rotation. P/V San Francisco was built to the highest standards dictated by the American Bureau of Shipping in steel throughout with the best materials, plumbing and wiring, 90% of which is still in use and functioning perfectly today. We still have several items aboard that show her original name.
Image courtesy of SF Bar Pilots
This is a small ship that was designed from scratch to spend its life literally running into other, much larger ships, in almost any sea condition. Truly a world class vessel.
On Sep 4, 2001 P/V San Francisco was re-christened R/V Zephyr and given a new mission. http://www3.mbari.org/news/news_releases/2001/aug29_zephyr.html After nearly 30 years of faithful service, the SF Bar Pilots donated her to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute to be converted into a oceanic research vessel. MBARI spared no expense converting and improving Zephyr for her new mission and added two utility hydraulic cranes to her back deck, two new generators, electronic engine control systems, modern navigational electronics and many other upgrades and improvements. She was also repainted from her original red pilot vessel colors to blue/white.
Image courtesy MBARI Photo Credit: Todd Walsh (c) 2004 MBARI
We purchased Zephyr from MBARI in October of 2013. A pre-purchase survey showed that the vessel was still in excellent shape and we took on the task of refitting her for adventure charters and our own next adventure too. We spent the next two and a half years doing our refit, while simultaneously working our small businesses with the goal of moving forward while staying connected to the water.
Click on www.facebook.com/zephyrnw and scroll back to October 2013 to start at the beginning of our work and see the transformation of Zephyr
Currently the Zephyr is equipped with modern navigational equipment including 2 Furuno RADAR sets with 64 and 72 mile range, 3 mounted VHF radios with elevated antennas plus 3 handheld VHF radios, a marine SSB HF radio that will reach out over 1500 miles, a Gyrotrac stabilized heading system for navigation and autopilot, AIS (Automatic Identification System) Class B transponder, which allows other vessel traffic to see us and for us to see them, even around corners and at extended distances where RADAR cannot. We have 3 electronic chartplotter systems all with redundant inputs. Safety equipment includes a SOLAS rated 16 person liferaft, an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) plus an additional PLB (Personal Locator Beacon), all required visual distress flares including SOLAS rated versions, Type I offshore PFD (lifejackets) and immersion suits. We have required bilge water level alarms in all compartments with interior and exterior alarm announciators. 9 Fire extinguishers total, one in each compartment plus an engine room CO2 fire suppression system with manual or automatic release. We also have at least one skiff (usually 2) along for safety or shoreside transportation.
The Pilothouse and navigational equipment
The ship is powered by twin Caterpillar D343T engines that produce over 300 HP each sent through TwinDisc 514C marine transmissions and 4" stainless steel shafts and a pair of massive 52' high 3 blade stainless steel propellers. Zephyr cruises nicely at 10 knots and provides excellent fuel economy at that speed. We have a conservative range of over 2,000 miles.
We bunker 3600 gallons of #2 diesel that powers all of the onboard engines and our larger skiff. We hold 1,000 gallons of fresh water, 400 gallons of waste water for dockside pump out. Our fuel tanks were emptied and cleaned in the spring of 2016.
The Zephyr has a 300# Navy style anchor, with 100' of 3/4" galvanized steel chain and 500' of 3/4" galvanized wire rope loaded onto a 16" hydraulic operated drum. Our electrical power comes from 2- 40 kilowatt 3 phase 120/208V diesel electric generators that also provide hydraulic power for the anchor windlass, bow thruster, and deck cranes, we have a third generator which is 12KW, fully enclosed and double rubber mount isolated with a water filled exhaust and is run at night for a noise free sleeping experience. We also have a 600 gallon per day reverse osmosis watermaker to refill our 1,000 gallon fresh water tanks. All water dispensed in the ship is passed through a charcoal filter and is safe to drink. The water heater is 50 gallons and has enough capacity to provide a hot shower daily to guests, just not all at the same time. We have 2 heads, one has toilet sink and shower, the other a toilet and sink.
Our super quiet Northern Lights 12KW generator, really, the refrigerator is louder than the genset.
We have also added in a 24 volt, 800 Amp/hour battery bank and 15KW of Victron Energy inverters, so now we have an absolutely silent nighttime experience. With the new inverter and battery bank we only run the generator for 2-3 hours in the morning to charge up the batteries while cooking breakfast, and another 2-3 hours in the evening, then off for 10 hours overnight. This saves fuel, reduces our energy footprint and helps create a very relaxing experience for everyone onboard. The next big thing? Solar Panels. Please stand by...
Accommodations are simple but comfortable, the area is split into port and starboard with four beds on each side, each bed has an extended twin XL mattress, except for the starboard side forward beds which are ~queen sized. Each bed has a privacy curtain that is double thickness and keeps out noise and light and a reading light is mounted overhead and a single plug outlet for charging electronics or running a small fan (provided). We can berth up to 10, 6 in the single beds, plus 2 couples in the queen beds. Crew quarters are forward of the guest berths and we do transit the area to access our quarters. Bed sizes are as follows, the twin beds are 78" long (6'5") and have 32" headroom, the ~queen beds are 78" long (6'5") and have 32" headroom. For more info and some photos of our accommodations area please click here http://www.zephyrnw.com/accommodations
Zephyr is accompanied by our inflatable skiffs, Typhoon, a 16' utility Zodiac with a 50HP 4 stroke Yamaha outboard and Vortex, and/or our 21' USMI built commercial duty inflatable with a recently refitted with an amazing 225hp Yamaha 4 stroke outboard that gets us around quickly and quietly. Both are equipped with VHF radios and chartplotters and Vortex is also equipped with AIS class B transponder. Typhoon rides aboard the back deck of Zephyr and Vortex is towed behind.
We have a compliment of 6 kayaks and two stand up paddleboards with paddles and PFD's and we can do tours for 5 guests at a time with one for our guide. If you have a kayak or SUP, you are welcome to bring it along.


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Fianna Fáil has published extensive proposals on empowering communities through radical reform of local government.
The policy provides an alternative to the Government's plan of abolishing town councils and reducing local representation. Fianna Fáil's proposals centre on the need to strengthen local government as a core part of wider transformation the political system.
Fianna Fáil Environment Spokesperson Barry Cowen explained, "We believe that the Irish political system needs to be reformed from the bottom up. Dismantling town councils, undermining local democracy and moving communities further away from the political process, as this government proposes to do, is not the answer. Instead, we need to enhance local democracy, empower communities and radically improve the efficiency, transparency and accountability of local government. That is what the Fianna Fáil policy proposes to do."
The Fianna Fáil proposals include:
- Directly Elected Mayors across every city in the country and subsequently every local county;
- Executive powers for Directly Elected Mayors, who will act as champions for their area across the country;
- A new Cabinet-style system to replace council policy groups offering greater accountability & a greater role in shaping local policy;
- New voluntary Community Councils to represent areas with no Town Councils;
- The retention of Town Councils and enhancement of Councils in towns with a population of over 7,500;
- Local referendums on major local issues, such as Local Area Plans;
- New anti-corruption plans, including enhanced auditing system, complete transparency on planning issues, mandatory declaration of interest & a greater role for SIPO in local government;
- Enhanced supports for local businesses, including new competitive funding pot for enterprise initiatives and new local credit facilities for SMEs.
Deputy Cowen continued, "We have grave concerns about Minister Phil Hogan's Local Government Bill 2013, which is due to be debated in the Dáil this week. The Government needs to learn from the Seanad Referendum, when people right across the country made it very clear that they want to see real and meaningful political reform. As legislators, we have an opportunity now to enhance community engagement in the political process and kick-start real political reform by creating a system of local government that is accountable, efficient, fair and effective."
Empowering Communities – Fianna Fáil Proposals on Local Government Reform


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'Destroyed Beauty'
Bring it!
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A bunch of artists based in Australia from many different walks in the art industry such as - game developers, illustrators, concept artists, freelancers, traditional artists, comic artists, animators and so on...showing what we do. This blog is a good excuse to have fun with the different monthly topics, get exposure and a good way of seeing each other's latest artworks.