text:
October 3, 2011
This is a blog about all the reasons I am not fit to report to jury duty
I talk too much. And if you tell me I am not allowed to talk, I can pretty much guarantee that I'm gonna talk more.
I am very irresponsible. The first day I brought my son home from the hospital I forgot to feed him. When he wouldn't stop crying I thought he was just an asshole.
I am obsessed with drag queens and if one was accused of a crime and I was a juror, I'd probably let her off. Or at least go on The Lam with her and start a new life with fake names and everything and lots of moving from town to town. And since drag queens are much more feminine than me, she'd pretend to be the wife and I'd have to cut my hair and pretend to be the husband and my name would be Herbert:
I used to be a criminal. I once stole a big canister of Slim Jim's from TG&Y. And one time when Cheryl Figgenspan wouldn't let me borrow her little plastic frying pan with rubber eggs in it (sunny side up!) I put it in my pocket and took it home with me.
I am not above lying if backed into a corner. When Cheryl Figgenspan's mom called my mom to say that I stole the frying pan, I accused the entire Figgenspan family of trying to frame me.
The other day, for no reason at all, and even though I have an allergy to cat fur, I brushed my cat and made Wilford Brimley eyebrows out of her fur and taped them to my face and made my sister do it as well:
I want to tattoo Wonder Woman's costume onto my body, because (a) It's awesome, (b) I won't have to wear clothes if I don't want to because I will always be dressed. I know that this will work because when I was 9 I used my crayon soaps to color a wonder woman costume onto my body and then ran around the house and nobody seemed to notice that I was totally nude.
I cuss a lot. If you tell me not to cuss I can pretty much guarantee that I will probably cuss more.
I have a pet peanut that looks like a bird and his name is Nutbird and he lives in one of my houseplants:
I am forgetful. I once took my son all the way to the zoo but forgot to put his shoes or pants on.
I am a daydreamer and a terrible listener. Here's how it will go down: Annoying D-Bag Lawyer: "Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, I present to you a man who…" What's going on in My Brain: "Man, if I had a Unicorn I would name him Lord Burgess Atwood and I would train him to come when I sing 'U Can't Touch This', which I would totally sing right now, and he would come get me out of this juror box thingy and I would jump on his back and tell everyone 'It's Hammer Time, bitches', and Lord Burgess would fart a rainbow and we'd slide on it all the way to Baskin Robbins and I'd get the S'Mores ice cream in a waffle cone and Burgey would get Bubble Gum in a dish cuz he can't hold a cone cuz duh, unicorns don't have hands."
I once went to Target Portrait Studio to get this photo taken:
One time I walked all through Target with a pair of underwear stuck to the back of my shirt. And once I discovered it was there, I really didn't care.
I totally believe in ghosts and I'm not above bringing one with me to court. I also believe in Bigfoot, The Loch Ness Monster, Chupacabra's and Vampires.
I have a really big mouth and I can in no way promise that I can keep the details of any case secret.
I am obviously unstable.
I think this is completely appropriate attire for jury duty:
Unless one of the lawyers looks like Matthew McConaughey, I'm not gonna be paying any attention.
I'm pretty sure that Judge Judy is the only person capable of properly handling a courtroom.
I sometimes do karate for my cat. I also perform scenes from musicals. She seems to really enjoy it.
I can almost guarantee that at some point I would have to yell "I object!"
My bladder is the size of a raisin and I require lots of pee breaks. If I am denied pee breaks, I will find it necessary to wear a diaper or pee in a bottle which will be extremely messy since my husband did not buy me The Whiz.
I wear a wrist brace which I will tell everyone is from hurting my hand giving too many handy-j's to strangers in the alley, but is really from beating up hobos for sport.
I'm pretty sure that the other jurors will want to kill me, so if you choose me you risk having another murder on your hands, plus another trial, plus more taxpayer money, plus a need for more jurors. It's an endless cycle.
I would be totally easy to bribe. All it would take is some guacamole and a margarita.
I think Charlie Sheen is some kind of evil genius.
I believe that PMS is an excuse for anything.
Did I mention that I write this blog?
77 Responses to "This is a blog about all the reasons I am not fit to report to jury duty"
Anonymous Said:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:07 pm
I needed the absorbent panties after I saw the photo you had done at Target!
Patti Ford Said:
April 1st, 2011 at 8:33 pm
Now every time I'm in Target the portrait lady is like "When are you coming back?"
Anonymous Said:
July 14th, 2011 at 9:55 am
Anonymous Said:
July 14th, 2011 at 8:22 pm
The portrait, yes, it rocked my world, too.
Pama-Lama Ding-Dong Watson Said:
August 8th, 2011 at 10:45 pm
Will you marry me? wait, im already married. no marriage. and im not gay. but i love to cook and vacuum….
Bubble Bunny Said:
August 9th, 2011 at 1:20 pm
I think I'm in love with you. Marry us???
Anonymous Said:
August 12th, 2011 at 6:38 pm
I'm pretty sure YOU are the evil genius here. You should marry me instead of these other ladies
Daisy Said:
August 24th, 2011 at 1:29 am
Thank -you for the introduction. I know I like you.
As far as I can see you out do Charlie Sheen in everyway as an evil genius.
Kitkatkootie Said:
August 24th, 2011 at 2:25 am
Good lawd woman you are an Evil funny genius.
Anonymous Said:
September 7th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
Priceless who does this I love this Yes I believe there is a method to your madness. Thumbs up to you and Charlie LMAO
Maureen Said:
September 7th, 2011 at 12:51 pm
I have to go grab my cat and brush him. He hates that shit and I may end up bloody but I'm going for eyebrows AND a mustache. Possibly a goatee. Pictures in the offing in MY blog, "The Padded Cell." Read it. Follow it. Live it. Oh – I am Grown Ass Rebellion. Among other people. It's complicated in my head. And I NEVER get called for jury duty anymore. One day I'll tell you why.
megan Said:
September 22nd, 2011 at 6:53 am
patti, you're fuckin' funny and i love you.
amorninggrouch Said:
October 10th, 2011 at 1:09 am
I think sporting a fake mustache and/or eyebrows (made out of cat hair, or synthetic fabric) is completely acceptable for any occasion. Bravo and glad you re-posted, since I missed it the first time around.
cincin Said:
October 12th, 2011 at 4:51 pm
Hilarious! If the last few days of following you around to scope out new web amusements are any indication, we're going to see a drop in my productivity. I'll recover, right? =)
hippie_chick Said:
September 3rd, 2012 at 2:56 am
Double DITTO!
Lynn Reilly Said:
October 16th, 2011 at 1:15 am
Real and God Damn Hilarious!
Anonymous Said:
October 16th, 2011 at 7:25 am
You are so friggen hilarious! I have tears down my face now from reading your blog. Thank you for that!
Maureen Said:
October 18th, 2011 at 8:06 pm
Just in case I haven't told you lately, you ARE an evil genius and I'm going to Target Portrait Studios this Saturday.
Anonymous Said:
October 18th, 2011 at 8:18 pm
Lol, you just gave me an idea for our Christmas cards photo. I'm pretty sure my husband will flip out once he sees what I've planned.
Bartholomew Smyth Gherkin Said:
October 27th, 2011 at 10:30 pm
I think I love you.
Anonymous Said:
October 29th, 2011 at 11:51 pm
You need to make Youpo……. I mean YouTube videos. Bet they would be hill-larry-us!
AmberBrownCrayon Said:
November 10th, 2011 at 6:39 am
Seriously, you are my hero. I intend to stay up way too late reading every word of this blog.
Anonymous Said:
November 11th, 2011 at 6:17 pm
You are fricken killing me!!!!!!! I almost peed myself laughing while reading this!
Damn Sam Said:
December 4th, 2011 at 6:07 am
I snorted, I choked, I pee'd a little, this is fantastic!
Jaymi Said:
December 8th, 2011 at 8:23 pm
I've just started really checking your page daily and reading your stuff. But I have to tell you I think I'm falling in love with you. 🙂 Lol your awesome keep me laughing love .
Anonymous Said:
December 21st, 2011 at 11:55 pm
I absolutely love you=)
When I read what you said about not feeding your son… Well, I always joke that when I become a mom, that I'll be the one forgetting to feed my kid. =P
Anonymous Said:
January 3rd, 2012 at 2:48 am
I forget to feed my kid. Then she gets all crabby and I think -what the hell is wrong with her??? OOOOHHHH wait. Did I feed it?
Anonymous Said:
January 3rd, 2012 at 2:55 pm
My daughter will be you in her future, Lord Help me, but she might be my favorite (I have 3 to choose from and haven't decided yet). Thank God I have found my home… and I now know it's not just me (like those voices in my KEEP telling me).
Darkness Said:
January 15th, 2012 at 10:36 pm
I read this and laughed my ass off the entire way through. It's a good thing I'm not a judge. You would totally be elected in my courtroom. 😀
amanda Said:
January 15th, 2012 at 10:47 pm
I am pretty sure we were separated at birth.
Anonymous Said:
January 17th, 2012 at 5:57 pm
If i didnt have a criminal record or came from canada i would stock you…:)
HF Said:
January 27th, 2012 at 8:18 pm
You had me at "When he wouldn't stop crying, I thought he was an asshole." Your blog is my new obsession.
JaneofDark Said:
February 8th, 2012 at 5:50 pm
I used to throw peices of broken road (tar) at a retarded kid when I was younger. I've out grown that since.. You are very funny! 🙂
Noelia Jaime Interlandi Said:
February 10th, 2012 at 9:38 pm
I told you before and ill say it again.I just love you!You crack me up!
Anonymous Said:
February 10th, 2012 at 9:49 pm
Are you my twin sister? Hope not, only cousin. I do know a judge in Arkansas, but that drag thing???Role Play, what to do with my Chippendales tie.? Okies, how about a honeymoon to Suicide Cliff. Almost retired right up the beach, but had a bad feeling about my goofy dog and no fence, not to mention my exes ex…Oh, well, Charlie is a Genius, I live half his life, just have to "squat" in the beach house. Oh, and that money thinggy too, if we have to bribe our way outta Mexico, hope you got yours. I hear with inflation they want the money in both my shoes.
Anonymous Said:
February 12th, 2012 at 10:37 am
So funny
Anonymous Said:
February 14th, 2012 at 12:44 am
can i grow up to be like you…? will you be my mentor…?
TARAdise11 Said:
March 22nd, 2012 at 12:57 pm
I can't get enough of your blog…or FB posts
Debbie R Said:
March 22nd, 2012 at 1:26 pm
Anonymous Said:
April 26th, 2012 at 12:36 pm
Love the blog, love the comments, love the pics…keep em coming girl! Guac and Margaritas are two of my favoritest things in life, good to know I'm not alone! Can't wait to see what else you throw at us…peace out!
goodstuff Said:
April 26th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
*bows* amazing, loooove to read, you had me at Insane :))
I'll have to say I love you in a song... Said:
April 28th, 2012 at 11:51 pm
gosh your blog makes my blog look really boring
California Dreamer Said:
May 11th, 2012 at 5:12 pm
I am sharing your blog with all my friends!!!! Any blog in which the author is honest enough to call her kid ass hole for crying because she forgot to feed him is too good to not share! Hilarious…also, thank you for putting spell check in your reply box! 🙂
OCali Said:
May 13th, 2012 at 1:38 am
I have benn laughing my ass off for the past 2 days !
Unknown Said:
May 30th, 2012 at 12:21 am
I have always known that I was a twin and my parents gave me away to some twisted people. I am so happy to have found my twin. Actually, I think we might have been quints!!
Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms Said:
June 1st, 2012 at 2:46 am
My dad's a judge and I just told him to read this. He, the 60 plus year old judge, said through his tears of laughter that he would love to have you in his courtroom. For realz. Silly, naughty, funny, smart girl. If I offer you half my popsicle, can we be friends? Erin
aubrey moore from your facebook page Said:
June 1st, 2012 at 4:14 am
As usual- love you and everything you write.. lol… seriously- you lighten my mood and brighten my day because I always laugh and then in turn have a funny story to tell my husband. Which I do over the phone while he is at work. And did I mention when I try to retell funny stories or jokes I am usually laughing more then talking.. lol.. yeah its crazy but hubby finds it cute and amusing. Sooo thankyou!!! 🙂
LilBunEfoofoo Said:
June 1st, 2012 at 4:18 am
Ridiculously funny!
Anonymous Said:
June 1st, 2012 at 4:44 am
This is great,, I officially love you.!!
gary L. Said:
June 1st, 2012 at 5:44 am
I like the way you think. I'll never vote again because that's how them jerks pick us for jury duty.
Chels Said:
June 12th, 2012 at 8:02 pm
Will you adopt me? I mean, I love my parents, but like, I think I can swing having three. I'll make it work somehow. They can deal with the real responsibilities like paying for my medical bills, and you can feed me cupcakes and take me to Target on a regular basis. Actually, nevermind, this made me feel guilty, I love my actual parents too much. I still like you, though.
Maybe you should adopt my friend who sent me the link to your blog. (Her mom thought Alaska was an island. This is a grown woman. She is a nurse. Wh.f.dhjgkf) Anyway. We'll all hang out. Together we can be an Awe-Inspiring Trifecta of Ultimate Goodness, bringing glee and joy to the world with your pygmy goat as our sidekick. With capes, obviously. And tiaras.
I had something else I wanted to add to this comment but I forgot what it is, luckily for you. This comment is way too long, which I will admit, but I refuse to shorten it. In closing, I disagree with your sentiments on Charlie Sheen, but I think that your cat eyebrows more than make up for this incongruence. We shall enrich each other's lives with humor, and alcohol once I turn 21, which is in a few months. I only say this because you are exactly the type of person I'd love to have a drink with, and I hope the fact that I'm jumping on that a few months early does not make this creepy.
tl;dr you are a silly human being and I like that so very much. I will now proceed to follow your blog postings, and I shall add you to my RSS feed with gusto. Ta.
Anonymous Said:
June 29th, 2012 at 2:27 pm
Read this as a recent like to your facebook blog and I must say your posts brighten my day. Thanks for posting. 🙂
Jessica Said:
June 29th, 2012 at 3:11 pm
This is the funniest shit ever! you make me smile n feel all warm n fuzzy inside!
Karen Sanders Said:
July 3rd, 2012 at 9:11 pm
My work in human services didn't get me off. This is a much better script.
Jamie Said:
July 11th, 2012 at 8:05 pm
Your pretty funny! I'm not fit for jury duty either…I once had my doctor from Kaiser write me an excuse letter and I sent it back in with my plea to excuse me…and it worked!
Anonymous Said:
July 11th, 2012 at 8:50 pm
you totally make my day when I'm having a bad one! Thanks!
Cheryl Smith Said:
July 11th, 2012 at 9:19 pm
If I were a man. Or a lesbian, I would marry you!
Anonymous Said:
July 11th, 2012 at 10:42 pm
Omgeeze! U ur crazy an I digg it! Your truly great! Your Hilariousness is of the charts funny. Glad to have ya as a part of my morning, afternoon news. Lol. But fa realz, kudos big props to you. Be blessed and share the love.
Rachel Hockaday Said:
July 12th, 2012 at 1:00 am
You are hilarious! So glad I'm not the only person who ever thought my kid was being an asshole and realized he was hungry! 😉
Anonymous Said:
July 20th, 2012 at 1:01 pm
a lady after my own heart . . we think along the same lines 😉
katdodge Said:
July 23rd, 2012 at 12:13 am
damn girl.. you had me at the pet peanut.. haven't laughed this hard since the waiting room at the ortho reading the "Herman" cartoon book.. thank you.. thank you very much..
Anonymous Said:
July 24th, 2012 at 6:43 pm
I could not stop laughing. And when I laugh my checks make my eyes fo all Chinese like, so too me a.good while to read this blog.
Anonymous Said:
August 4th, 2012 at 12:23 pm
If if I was a man and you were single I'd marry you. Oh my god woman, you are so funny. I thought I was weird and crazy….but compared to you I'm sane, normal and boring:)
Anonymous Said:
September 18th, 2012 at 9:12 pm
the cat fur eyebrows are rockin!
Robin Jefferis Said:
September 20th, 2012 at 9:42 pm
I seriously cannot stop laughing…tears at work from laughing..is not a good thing..I freaking laughed so hard!! Thank you very much! Rough week just vanished into laughter 🙂
Nicky from the UK Said:
September 24th, 2012 at 4:02 pm
I wish you were my neighbour, you are just so funny and super cool. 😉
nikki Said:
September 24th, 2012 at 4:04 pm
OMG you brought tears to my eyea with this one. It may be the vino hangover talking, but I think you're effing awesome and that everyone should follow you and your madness and that if we lived closer we would totally be bff's but completely not in a stalkerish way.
Stacey Olson Said:
September 24th, 2012 at 4:08 pm
hahaha, you are my favourite.
kim Said:
September 24th, 2012 at 4:13 pm
I have bin a follower of yours on fb for a while but this is the 1st time ive read this blog!! Your awesome, i love the unicorn, tash wearing, insane woman you are!! U make me smile daily xxxx
Martha Said:
September 25th, 2012 at 5:37 pm
5 words…..Priscilla Queen Of The Desert!
Anonymous Said:
November 19th, 2012 at 10:12 pm
Your an absolute genius. <3
SweetNikkiLee Said:
November 22nd, 2012 at 3:12 am
man i love u….totally wish my brain aloud me to function as urs does my life would be so badass ….ugh u shoukd really consider a boom. or class like a Mom Brain training camo! not only could u make lots of monies but ud make the world a much bettee place …u are certainly 1 in a million, tge world could so use more Patti's oxox
jharrison1120 Said:
December 6th, 2012 at 11:53 pm
So, I'm browsing facebook the other day and I noticed that my brother had liked a post from your page and I was all like, "why's my bro likin' this MOM page, he's not a mom unless he's been hiding something from me the last 24 years". So, I hopped on over to your page, which somehow led me here. And now I'm about to piss myself from laughing so hard and my kid is in the background going "what's funny, mom", to which I responded "nothing, you can't see, go away!" 🙂
Anonymous Said:
January 8th, 2013 at 3:59 pm
I love the NutBird! You say everything most people want to say! I love it!
Anonymous Said:
January 9th, 2013 at 7:53 pm
You are my hero.
Anonymous Said:
January 15th, 2013 at 3:54 am
Too much hilarity to be legal in one post haha
Funny Is Family Said:
February 13th, 2013 at 4:13 am
I have jury duty in a month, and now I'm gonna feel like a pussy when I'm not wearing a #1 Robe Wearer robe.
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text:
Donald Roger "Poppy" Ball, born January 2, 1932 to Edward and Romona (Travers) Ball, passed away peacefully on the morning of Sunday, February 26th. He was proceeded in death by his parents, brother Alan Ball, wife Cherrill L Bachler, second wife Mary Hurst, and third wife Dinah Bergquist.
Surviving are his children - Marcia K (Appel) McKee (Gregory) of Bartonville, Shawn M Ball (Shelia Grimes) of Peoria, and Holly S (Moser) Adornato (Frank) of Peoria; Granddaughter - Rowana P (Appel) Robles (Christopher) of Stanford; Great-Grand Sons - Micah B and Hank E Robles; Siblings - Kermit I Ball of Columbus, OH, Mona L (Kip) Sullivan of Alpine, TX; three nephews, one niece, and several great nieces/nephews.
Don joined the Army in 1952, and married his childhood sweetheart, Cherrill, June 9, 1953. While in the U.S. Army (1952-1954), he lived in ElPaso, TX and was involved in the nuclear bomb testing during the Korean War. They moved back to Peoria, IL and Don began working at CAT as a tool and Dye maker apprentice. In 1960 they adopted their first daughter, Marcia, followed by their son, Shawn, in 1962. Shortly after they moved to their home in Chillicothe and adopted their precious daughter, Holly, in 1964.
Don continued to work for CAT for 42-years, where he became a foreman and supervisor. While raising his three children, he served many years as a Boy Scout Troop Leader in the early/mid-70's, and coached Holly's "misfit" softball team for several years during the late 70's/early 80's. Throughout his life, Don was active in wood carving clubs, an avid self-taught (with the help of Bob Ross) painter, and wood worker/carpenter.
Cherrill passed away in 1996 and Don married his second wife, Mary, in 1998. They shared a very happy, but unfortunately short, marriage as Mary passed away a year after they got married. Don married his third wife, Dinah, in 2001. During their marriage, they enjoyed being "snow birds" and going on cruises. Don lost Dinah in 2015.
Don was a very witty man - always telling jokes; He was also very intelligent and full of facts and stories.
Don's family would like to thank the staff at Heritage Manor, specifically Jason and Deziree and nurses Sarah and Amy, as well as the staff at Unity Point Methodist, especially his ICU nurses - Abbie and Cassie, and especially Kayla - the wonderful moments had with Don/Poppy those last couple of days would not have been possible without all of you…Keep dancing Kayla!
Everyone leans on their family during times of need and for many, family consists of more than those that are relatives. Other "family" that should be mentioned/thanked for support over the years includes: Patti (Bannister) Ritchie-Williams of Phoenix, AZ/Tony Nacarato , Gina (Nacarato) Dunphy, Laurie (Killion) Long, Tara (Crawley) Sharp of Peoria/ Kathy Cain and family of Mossville/Mrs. Muffy Walsh and family, Roxie Poplette and Jackie (Anthony) and Mike Brown of Chillicothe/Gary (Tina) Frank of East Peoria/former son-in-law Curt Moser of Tremont/Teresa "Taz" (Sutton) Bohanan of Washington/as well as Joel and Jennifer McAllister and Melinda Delgado of Jackson, MI.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 8th at Weber-Hurd Funeral Home in Chillicothe, IL from 4-6:00 pm, followed by a short service, and finally to Grecian Gardens (his favorite) to share stories, tears and laughter.
Memorial contributions may be made in Poppy's name to the ARK in Lacon or TAPS in Pekin.
Donald's online memorial tribute may be viewed at www.weberhurdfuneralhome.com.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Porky's Groove Machine is always a great hit with every crowd. We stock all tickets to every Porky's Groove Machine show!
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text:
It presents the travails of human Arthur Dent, at whose house councilmen have arrived for a demolishment.
It is a thoroughly seductive image: a cherry-red Tesla Roadster, with a space-suited mannequin in the driving seat, gloved hand on the steering wheel, in the darkness of space, with the Earth reflected on the vehicle's glossy paint.
A car, a battery-operated electric sports vehicle, sent to orbit the sun, hopefully near Mars, for perhaps hundreds of millions of years (though some party poopers believe that it will disintegrate within a year or so); that is the stuff of dreams for sci-fi fans, especially those with a sense of humour. For, to make things better, the car carries the words "Don't panic" on the dashboard, and on its sound system is playing David Bowie's "Space oddity".
Also in the vehicle is a data storage unit containing the sci-fi works of Isaac Asimov and the Foundation trilogy, argued by many as being amongst the most influential works in the genre of the current age.
This was the payload of SpaceX's "Falcon Heavy", now the world's most powerful rocket, that blasted off on its maiden flight from Cape Canaveral on Wednesday.
With its 27 engines roaring, it rumbled out of Earth's atmosphere over the same Nasa launch pad that served as a base for the American missions to the moon nearly half a century ago.
The event was hailed as "a new space age", and attracted a remarkable amount of publicity — it seems that at one point, some 2.3 million viewers were watching the livestream.
This could be taken as a measure of the romance that the idea of space travel still offers for millions around the planet, a future where "shuffling off these mortal coils" may be able to be given a new meaning altogether.
Many news organisations have reported the words "Don't panic" on the Tesla's dashboard in "an apparent nod to" the Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams' ground-breaking 1978 work of fiction that spiralled into something much more than what it had been envisioned as.
In fact, Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, has said often that it was the Hitch-hiker that changed his life as a young boy, and that gave him the drive to try to develop a private space exploration company.
When, after years of failure, the "Falcon Heavy" went off last week, Musk mused about extra-terrestrial life and the possible discovery at some point of the Tesla: "Maybe it will be discovered by some future alien race," he told reporters. "What were these guys doing? Did they worship this car?"
Separately, asked how he could justify spending some $90m to strap a $100,000 car to a rocket and send it into space, he has said that he wanted to participate in a space race because "races are exciting", and that "silly and fun things are important".
The argument is not without its detractors — more about that later — but the "silly and fun" part will have had Douglas Adams fans from the get-go.
The Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy started life as a comedy radio broadcast on BBC 4, and then grew (amongst many other guises) into a phenomenally successful series of books ("A trilogy in four parts", eventually five, and even later six, the last written by author Eoin Colfer).
It presents the travails of human Arthur Dent, at whose house councilmen have arrived for a demolishment. Within the first few pages, he is to find out that it is not just his house but in fact the entire planet that is to be demolished by order of an alien race, in order to make space for a bypass.
Dent is saved from extinction by his friend Arthur Prefect, who turns out not to be human after all, and thus finds his way to the running-shoe shaped spaceship "Heart of Gold" (which is the name SpaceX plans to give to its first intended Mars-colonising ships).
Here is how Adams describes Earth: "Far out in the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of the western spiral arm of the galaxy lies a small, unregarded yellow sun. Orbiting this at a distance of roughly ninety-two million miles is an utterly insignificant little blue-green planet whose ape-descended life forms are so amazingly primitive that they still think digital watches are a pretty neat idea" (keep in mind that this was written four decades ago).
The detractors of the "Falcon Heavy" argue that there is no justification for a billionaire to indulge himself with something like this project while here on Earth, war, famine, sickness, and unceasing deprivation are the daily lot of so many millions. Look at Syria, Iraq, Palestine — indeed, Pakistan — goes the argument. And there is no doubt merit to this.
And yet. And yet. Arthur C. Clarke famously commented that, "Two possibilities exist: Either we are alone in the universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying."
How beguiling to be one tiny step closer to finding out.
By arrangement with Dawn


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Betws Y Coed
Tel: 01690 770296
What's Nearby
Conwy Falls
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Alwen Reservoir
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A simple stone-built chapel built in 1673, noted for its fine painted ceiling.7.76 miles away
Gwydir Castle
Gwydir Castle is situated in the beautiful Conwy Valley and is set within a Grade I...7.9 miles away
Swallow Falls
An area of outstanding natural beauty.7.97 miles away
Llanrwst Audio Visual Tour
Discover the rich history and culture of Llanrwst, North Wales with this audio/visual...8.03 miles away
St Grwst's Church8.05 miles away
Gwydyr Forest Park
A forest of lakes and mountains in the heart of Snowdonia, Gwydyr Forest Park is home to...8.07 miles away


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EXTENDED through July 20, 2008!!!
"Zesty, playfully romantic stage adaptation... action-packed, endlessly ingenious, deliciously tongue-in-cheek staging... power-packed fight choreography... thanks to Lifeline, I am a complete Zorro convert." —Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times
"Even by Lifeline's lofty standards... 'The Mark of Zorro' is an uncommonly good time" —Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune
Zorro can best any swordsman and outride any horseman, but when his friend and protector Fre Felipe falls into the hands of the corrupt governor, can Zorro inspire the town's privileged young caballeros to join him in his fight for justice? Filled with Latin music, dance and sword-fighting thrills, this adventure will mine the integrity of the original like no other version before.
Appropriate for audiences aged 12 and up.
A world premiere based on the legendary novel by Johnston McCulley
Adapted by Katie McLean
Directed by Dorothy Milne
The Mark of Zorro - Home
Cast & Crew
Photo Album
Call now for tickets:
(773) 761-4477
Or purchase online:


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Unplugged Courtyard Delhi Summer Fest – Play it cool!
With the sun showing its hottest side this summer Unplugged Courtyard at Connaught Place has decided to combat the heat with the super cool Delhi Summer Fest Menu. This was our first visit by invite to Unplugged Courtyard to review their summer fest menu and we were elementally excited! The first thing that you will notice at the Unplugged Courtyard is that they have ample seating space, both indoor and outdoor. While the interiors are cozy and comfortable with the premium sofa seating, the outdoors had a more rustic look with the Bo-Tree in the middle of the courtyard. Although the temperatures are soaring high, the management had made appropriate arrangements with big coolers and sprinklers to make the seating a comfortable affair. As we were there in the evening, we opted to sit outside in the courtyard.
The courtyard had comfy sofas along with wooden benches and the seating arrangement was apt. The small dustbins on each table suggesting us to safai rakhna (keep it clean) were eye catching! Right from a scooter in one corner to the centre stage for the DJ, the courtyard was stylishly designed with fancy lights on the branches of the tree.
As the menu was Summer Fest specific, it had almost everything to save us from the heat. We began with the starters and drinks, here is all we had:
Chicken Pop Pineapple and Parsley Sauce: Cubes of Marinated Chicken and Pineapple with Tangy Parsley Sauce. This had the right blend of Pineapple and Parsley Sauce with Chicken Toppings. Visually very attractive. Must try!
Cottage Cheese Cake with Pineapple Relish: Although not much of a cheese fan, blame the ever bulging tummy; we really enjoyed this dish as it had an amazing pineapple flavor with chunks of cottage cheese teamed up eloquently.
Also Read : An evening of smoke, grills and barbeque at Pirates of Grill!
Greek Salad Pizza: Unlike regular pizzas this one was neither hot nor was it overloaded with cheese. It had a very different and a balanced taste of a salad and a pizza both. One of the best starters to go for, this pizza definitely stands apart from the regular and monotonous ones.
Orange and Celery Margarita: A tequila based cocktail, this one had essentials of fresh orange juice, celery and lime. Recommended for people looking for orange juice topped up with a good amount of tequila.
Cucumber Gimlet: Gin based cocktail and loads of mint with a stylish cucumber dipped in it. Mint fanatics should definitely go for this drink as it was very refreshing.
Caribbean Caketini: Rum based cocktail with a perfect blend of vanilla ice cream, chocolate and coconut. Turned out to be our favorite drink of the lot as it had a good amount of chocolate, less coconut and just the perfect quantity of rum to be relished.
Pomegranate and Watermelon Fizz: A vodka based cocktail, this can be called a mixed fruit juice with liquor. This drink was visually delighting and had a good taste with tons of fruit quotient as it had pomegranate, watermelon, mint and lime
Wild Cat: Must try for all the grape juice lovers, this was a mocktail peppered with lime juice and salt.
Lychee and Kafir Cooler: Best of the lot, this mocktail is a must try at Unplugged Courtyard. There are very few drinks which can be so attractive and delicious at the same time that you want to take them home with you. This drink is one such exception!
Although we didn't try much in salads as we were already full with the yummylicious starters, we couldn't resist trying few of them due to the amazing ingredients
The Summer Crunch Salad as it had pears, water chestnut and apples garnished with crispy fried noodles. Unique combination of vegetables, fruits and noodles which tasted good.
Mexican Salad with Tortilla had ice cold lattice with fried beans and corns topped with tortilla chips. The salad was nice and appropriately cooled for the hot summer evening; however the Summer Crunch Salad won the award of the two as a personal favorite.
After having good food and drinks, all one can look for is the desserts to make the evening sweeter. From Aam Ras to Cream Cheese in Blueberry Jar to Gur ki Rabri all of them were marvels in their family. While Saumya liked the Aam Ras more, I personally preferred the Gur ki Rabri as it had just the right amount of sweet needed in it. The best part about the desserts was that you can go on having them till the end and never feel burdened with the sweetness quotient.
Some quality time, well spent with friends and family is what we all look for in today's life. With Unplugged Courtyard preparing the coolest Delhi Summer Fest Menu for combating the heat of Delhi coupled with even cooler ambiance and service, all of us can now have the best and iciest experience this summer.
Have you been to Unplugged Courtyard? Do share your experiences with us!
Did you like reading this post? If yes then please show us your love by sharing!


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YOU ARE WATCHING: Channel Zero: Season 3
Have a nice day! All The Best
Channel Zero: Season 3
An anthology series based on popular Internet Creepypastas, including Candle Cove, The No-End House, Butcher's Block and Hidden Door.
Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery
Actor: Abigail Pniowsky, Keenan Lehmann, Amy Forsyth, Aisha Dee
Director: N/A
Country: USA
Movie: Channel Zero: Season 3
Production Co:
Duration: 44 min
Release: 2018
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Here's a few projects that caught my eye from last week:
How adorable is this Birdie from The Little Green Bean?
Leafy Treetop Spot shared her Men's to Women's Dress Shirt Refashion....love it!
GeorgiaBe shared her cute Monster Stuffies!!
And I loved these Quilted Bookmarks from Oh Sew Addicted!
Feel free to grab a 'Featured' button....you can now find it in my menu bar!!
Now let's get this linky party started!!
Rules for linking:
**link to specific blog post, not blog home page!
**link sewing projects only! (can be hand or machine sewn)
**I will delete any non-sewing links....don't make me be a meanie!
**visit a few of the links and leave some comment love!
**Linky Tools will remain open until midnight on
Wednesday, October 27th.
**If you come back and don't see your link, read through the rules again and give it another try!


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Some news outlets seem to have absolutely no idea how to talk about Chelsea Manning, who was known until last week as Bradley Manning and has been sentenced to 35 years in prison after she sent classified documents to wikileaks. They're confused on how to describe her actions before she announced her social transition and which pronouns they should use to talk about the period in her life when she identified as a gay man.
(hint: see previous paragraph)
Chelsea Manning is already famous under a different name, so it's fine to mention her former name. But really, don't get cute about pronouns. It is more confusing, not less, to have a jumble of 'he's and 'she's. You know from her press release that she wants to go by 'she', so use 'she' whenever you're writing about her, no matter what period of her life.
If you want to talk about something inherently gendered, then you might want a wee bit of vocabulary. She identified as a gay man for a while, meaning that's what she told people she was. Other people at the time read her as male, because that's how she presented herself. If 'read' is too jargony, try 'viewed', or 'perceived.'
You can talk about her childhood, but again, avoid being cute about it. For example, if you want to use the word 'boyhood', is there a good reason for it? Is it somehow very important to the sentence or is it a word she used herself? Don't project gender unless you're using the subject's own words or unless its needed. 'She was a quiet child' is fine. 'She was a quiet boy.' is confusing and unnecessary. 'She seemed like a normal boy.' is ok for two reasons - one is that the gender is an important part of the sentence. She didn't just seem like a normal child, she seemed like a normal boy. The other reason that it's acceptable is the word 'seemed.' She was perceived as a normal boy, which is about how she was viewed, not what she actually was. 'She was a normal boy' is not ok because it is factually incorrect (she already knew she wasn't really a boy) and because it's confusing and because it's contrary and coercively assigning a gendered identity that the subject has not assigned themselves.
In summary, use 'she' all the time. If you have to use gendered terms to refer to the past, put wiggle words around it: seemed, appeared. (I'm sure journalists are well familiar with such words.)
If Manning keeps making headlines, at some point, it will become appropriate to drop the "who was previously known as Bradley Manning," much like it's no longer necessary to mention Wendy Carlos's former first name. The point of mentioning the old name is not to draw attention to it, but to ensure that the reader knows who is meant.
Normally it's rude and somewhat irrelevant to talk about the medical aspects of a person's transition. However, because Manning is going to a prison that has specifically said it plans to violate her rights with regard to appropriate treatment, it's definitely on topic in this case. Manning has said she wants hormones. She has not said that she wants surgery. It is not necessary to mention that she doesn't currently want surgery. At some point, the repetition of this fact may become problematic. While media likes to make a big deal of 'the operation,' the reality for trans people is that hormones are much more important and that there is not one single dramatic moment during which transition occurs. Not all trans people have operations and there are a variety of operations available, rather than a single, monolithic process. The discourse around 'the operation' is a media construction. Which is not to say that trans people don't often need operations, just that the context has been distorted in popular culture. This distorted context can cause statements about anyone's lack of plan for surgery to make them seem as if they lack legitimacy or authenticity or further other them. Most trans people start out by seeking hormones and don't immediately make further plans. Therefore Manning's statement is entirely unremarkable and should not be treated otherwise.
Finally, and this should be obvious, people have a right to their gender identity that is inherently their own human right, unconnected to whatever else they've done in their lives. Whether you think Manning is a hero or a traitor, the only correct way to refer to her is through her current name and pronouns, as she has publicly requested.


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Lost Bird Project Film Screening in San Pedro
The Lost Bird Project, a documentary film about sculptor Todd McGrain's project to memorialize five extinct North American birds, will screen at Angels Gate Cultural Arts Center in San Pedro on September 12, 2014 at 6:30pm in Building H. Admission is free. The film's co-producer/cinematographer and Pandau founder Scott Anger, who is a studio artist at the center, will participate in a discussion following the screening. The film is being shown as part of a new show at Angels Gate that opens on September 15th.
The film follows McGrain's efforts to permanently install the six-foot tall memorials of the Great Auk, Heath Hen, Carolina Parakeet, Passenger Pigeon and Labrador Duck where the birds were last seen alive in the wild. He travels from the swamps of Florida to the rugged coast of Newfoundland negotiating placement of the sculptures to honor the memories of the birds.
"The sculptures are as large as humans and that parity encourages a sympathy as people approach them—they are undeniable," McGrain said. "These birds are not commonly known, and they ought to be, because forgetting is another kind of extinction."
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the extinction of the Passenger Pigeon, which was once the most abundant land bird in the United States. The last Passenger Pigeon, Martha, died in the Cincinnati Zoo on September 1, 1914.
A traveling set of the bronze sculptures is now on exhibit in the garden of the Smithsonian Castle on the National Mall in Washington, DC. The exhibit, which runs until March 15, 2015, is part of the museum's exhibition honoring the centennial of the passenger-pigeon extinction, titled Once There Were Billions: Vanished Birds of North America. The documentary film will screen at the Natural History Museum in Washington on November 20, 2014 at 6pm.
McGrain is currently an Artist-in-Residence at Cornell University's Lab of Ornithology and is the 2014 recipient of the Audubon Award for Art Inspiring Conservation.


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CLINTONVILLE - With all the changes surrounding the AuSable Valley Central School Drama Club's annual musical production, it's only fitting their show centers around breaking tradition.
This year, a cast of more than 50 will be featured in a production of "Fiddler on the Roof," the 1964 musical by Joseph Stein, Jerry Bock, and Sheldon Harnick.
Five students from Willsboro Central School will join more than 30 7-12 graders from AVCS, along with 15 students from the district's two elementary schools. For the first time in more than 10 years, adults from the community will be participating as well, including a handful of AVCS faculty and board members.
After several seasons running the lighting board for drama club productions, senior Nick Payette steps into the lead role of Tevye, the monolithic milkman who struggles against the unraveling of traditions by both his daughters and a host of outside influences.
"It's a tragedy," said Payette, "but at the same time it's a lot different from any show I've ever seen."
The musical centers around the conflict between tradition and change within the context of a Russian Jewish settlement in the early 20th century.
"Times are changing all the time and people need to adjust to change; good or bad," said Joli Straight, who plays oldest daughter Tzeitel. "Definitely, it shows that love can overcome anything."
"There's humor, which a lot of people wouldn't expect," Straight added, "but it adds a lot to the play."
Director Derrick Hopkins said the show differs somewhat from many of the productions done at AVCS in the past, which, while entertaining, may not have been as meaningful.
"We had always tended toward really family-friendly shows," said Hopkins. "With this one, the audience will love it for a different reason."
Diane White returns as choreographer and production manager. With long-time music director Steven Collier taking a year off from the drama club, this year's production includes Karen Becker in charge of both the orchestra and stage singers.
The State University of New York at Plattsburgh music professor, who also directs Champlain Valley Voices, said it's been fun for her to work with an energetic group of students on a well-loved musical.
"It's historic," Becker said of the music from "Fiddler." "Everybody has a memory of these tunes from some time or another."
Yet another change this year is the ticket price, which was increased by $2 this year to benefit the Knight Hope fund, a charity founded by Doug Knight that contributes to research and treatment of ALS, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.
"He and his wife, Alice, had run our sound board since we started in 1993," noted Hopkins.
Doug, who was diagnosed with ALS last summer, is unable to return this year, however.
"Fiddler on the Roof" will be performed at the AVCS auditorium Thursday, March 12 through Saturday, March 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 15 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the door or by calling 834-2800, ext. 500.


text: Again some crafting fun for Craftster.org Nerd battle... This challenge was vampire vs werewolf. I chose werewolf. I went cute as opposed to my normal leaning, but I think he turned out nice. He's just a little standing pillow. Lots and lots of french knots, all of his fur is french knots!


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MicroDesignCorp, have founded on November, 03th 1999 in Palembang and have developed and offered its commitments and solutions in the form of Professional Services for IT Operations Based on industry standard ITIL, committed to achieve operational excellence at national corporate market. We have fully supported by several World Top IT Brand as our Business Partner.
"Your Trusted IT Partner "
Leading on Indonesia national corporate market as an IT System Integrator Company.
At every stage of the IT life cycle our Services bring together the experience, proven methods, and paths to the inner mind of MicroDesignCorp to turn Enterprises vision into a practical and business reality.
To deliver the scope of Services and Solution that will provide customer with optimum operational and cost benefits (Hardware, Software, Networking, Maintenance & Services)
To create a partner relationship with customer.
- Professional
- Integrity
- Teamwork
- Entrepreneurship
We builds information systems for clients by combining hardware and software products from multiple vendors. A company can align cheaper, pre-configured components and off-the-shelf software to meet key business goals, as opposed to more expensive, customized implementations that may require original programming or manufacture of unique components. Creation of these information systems may include designing or building a customized architecture or application, integrating it with new or existing hardware, packaged and custom software, and communications infrastructure. Some systems integrators working in specialized areas, like ODOO installations, may offer more customization for specific applications.
We work with our clients to understand their goals and we have a clear vision of how to seamlessly integrate an accelerated solution to help meet those goals. Whether using emerging technologies, custom solutions or established packaged software from market leaders such as ODOO, we solve industry-specific or shared enterprise problems. We help organizations cross into the realm of high performance at an accelerated pace.
We help companies use technology to move to a higher level of performance
Technology Consulting
- Application Renewal
- Data Center Technology & Operations
- Enterprise Architecture
- IT Strategy and Transformation
- Network Technology
- Performance Engineering
- Security
- Workplace Technology & Collaboration
- Emerging Technology Architectures
- Microsoft Solutions
- Oracle Solutions
- SAP Solutions
- Service-oriented Architecture
Information Management
- Business Intelligence
- Data Management & Architecture
- Portals & Content Management


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LG France, in collaboration with the agency HighCo, equipped more than 30 malls with interactive kiosks showing their latest products such as screens, electrical appliances and mobile phones.
Thanks to the technology developped by Alterwave, the users are receiving goodies, free of charge over Bluetooth, such as branded LG-wallpapers and also promotional messages with discounts on recently release LG-products.
The Alterwave hotspots feature the "Fit2Phone" functionality allowing the content to be optimized for each phone model.
The hotspots are installed for a long term with campaign changes scheduled each 4 to 6 weeks – via 3G.


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The High School Curriculum builds on the solid foundations laid in the Middle School and prepares students for their senior studies. This is a time of development, opportunity and challenge.
The Core Subjects of Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Social Science, Science and Physical Education remain, with electives offered in Languages, Design and Technology, Food and Fabric, Physical Education, Visual Arts, Performing Arts and Information Technology. The Personal Development and Christian Values program continues as a program of study within Pastoral Classes.
Although Social Science is still compulsory, a wider choice is offered to students in Years 9 and 10. Students choose a Social Scienc elective to study for a year in Year 9. They may continue with the same choice in Year 10 or choose a different Social Science elective. They also choose electives from the practical areas: one is the continuing elective (studied for the two years over Year 9 and 10) and the other two are one-year electives studied in either Year 9 or 10.
The ACT Curriculum Framework Every Chance To Learn is used to develop the High School Curriculum. Content is drawn from the Essential Learning Achievements in the Later Adolescent Band of Development.


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Chrysler 300 Portland
Portland Chrysler 300 Dealer
New and used Chrysler 300 models are available now at Dick Hannah Dealerships of the Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington. If you're looking for a Chrysler 300 dealer in Portland please check out our Chrysler 300 page on DickHannahChrysler.com. Pricing and other details are included.
- New Chrysler 300 Cars
- Used Chrysler 300 Cars
Chrysler 300 Dealership Vancouver, WA
Low prices on every car as well as superior customer service are what define Dick Hannah Dealerships. See for yourself by scheduling a test drive with your favorite Chrysler 300 model right here in Portland and Vancouver. For details on the Chrysler 300 model of your choice please visit DickHannahChrysler.com.


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Vole Control – Salt Lake City / Park City
Utah Vole Treatment
Voles have and can become a huge issue in Salt lake City and the Park City area, destroying yards. You will know you have voles when you see their tunnel paths and holes in your grass and landscaping.
Pest Pro offers two types of vole treatment. We offer a one-time treatment for a small vole population. This is a great option if you have a section of your yard that has voles and your neighbors aren't having a big issue with them. We have a six week guarantee to make sure we kill the population living there. If you happen to see a vole, we will come back within that time frame and see what changes need to be made for free. This vole treatment option is great if you haven't had a problem in the past and are only seeing a small amount of activity.
Our other option is a vole pest control maintenance program which is recommended if you have a larger problem with voles and your neighbors are having issues with them as well. We will set up our bait stations and make a schedule with you to come back and re-bait the stations. This option is perfect if you feel like you are overrun with voles!
For either of the vole treatment options, Pest Pro will make sure you are taken care of. If you have a vole problem, we can help. Call us today – (801) 810-7378.


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|Report on Control/DAQ Software Design and Current State of Implementation for the Percival Detector.
|The increased brilliance of state-of-the-art Synchrotron radiation sources and Free Electron Lasers require imaging detectors capable of taking advantage of these light source facilities. The PERCIVAL ("Pixelated Energy Resolving CMOS Imager, Versatile and Large") detector is being developed in collaboration between DESY, Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, Diamond Light Source and Pohang Accelerator Laboratory. It is a CMOS detector targeting soft X-rays < 1 KeV, with a high resolution of up to 13 M pixels reading out at 120 Hz, producing a challenging data rate of 6 GB/s. The controls and data acquisition system will include a SDK to allow integration with third party control systems like Tango and DOOCS; an EPICS areaDetector driver will be included by default. It will make use of parallel readout to keep pace with the data rate, distributing the data over multiple nodes to create a single virtual dataset using the HDF5 file format for its speed advantages in high volumes of regular data. This paper presents the design of the control system software for the Percival detector, an update of the current state of the implementation carried out by Diamond Light Source.
|Poster MOPGF070 [0.359 MB]


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Kuwahara Filter
One approach to enhancing the visibility of steps and making their location more precise operates by transforming gradual changes in brightness that extend over several pixels into an abrupt change. A useful analogy is the buttes and mesas in the American southwest, which rise with sheer walls from the desert floor. Erosion causes these walls to slump. In the same way, the finite size of pixels in the camera averages brightness values from both sides of a step, producing an intermediate value. Reversing this effect can restore the step sharpness. Called a maximum likelihood technique, this procedure compares the statistical properties of neighborhoods around each pixel and assigns to the pixel the average value of the neighborhood that it is most like. This interactive tutorial illustrates the application of the Kuwahara maximum likelihood filters to sharpen steps and edges in an image.
The tutorial initializes with a randomly selected specimen appearing in the Specimen Image window. The Choose A Specimen pull-down menu provides a selection of specimen images, in addition to the initial randomly chosen one. Adjacent to the Specimen Image window is the Output Image window showing the effect of applying a Kuwahara filter to the specimen. For color images, the processing is applied only to the pixel brightness values, thus retaining the original color information.
Contributing Authors
John C. Russ - Materials Science and Engineering Dept., North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27695.
Matthew Parry-Hill, and Michael W. Davidson - National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, 1800 East Paul Dirac Dr., The Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, 32310.
Questions or comments? Send us an email.
© 1998-2009 by Michael W. Davidson, John Russ, Olympus America Inc., and The Florida State University. All Rights Reserved. No images, graphics, scripts, or applets may be reproduced or used in any manner without permission from the copyright holders. Use of this website means you agree to all of the Legal Terms and Conditions set forth by the owners.
This website is maintained by our


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Published Book Reviews
2006, edited by Jim C. Cunningham
Publ. AuthorHouse, Bloomington, Indiana
Soft Cover, 596 pages
Nudity & Christianity is Jim. C. Cunningham's magnum opus. I know the man personally, have had one-on-one talks with him, and can honestly say he is one of the great philosophical thinkers alive today. The fact that that philosophical thinking comes from a Christian-based worldview makes him all the more of a treasure. At a time when philosophers pride themselves on being iconoclasts--gleefully taking pot shots at Christianity--Jim starts with the Bible as his base and argues from there. His mission is, as I see it, to strip away the misconceptions and incorrect thinking regarding nudity extant today in Christian circles and to cause us to look at the body the way God intended. That he does this as an avowed Catholic makes it even more remarkable. Jim is not some freethinking, pseudo-Christian, who takes snippets from Christianity, mixes it with a bit of Eastern mysticism, and throws in some New Age thought for good measure. He makes no bones about his strong, Catholic faith and clearly writes how and why he came to view his Christian-based ideas regarding nudity as eminently logical. This dovetails with the Theology of the Body, introduced by Pope John Paul II.
Along the way, Jim founded Naturist LIFE International, the Mt. Carmel Academy, and the Cunningham Family Retreat. It's a shame Catholics in general don't give their faith the same honest and forthright examination--we'd all be better off for it. Just as the title implies, Nudity and Christianity is not a Catholic handbook on nudity but a handbook all Christians can use, regardless of persuasion. Not all the pieces are by Catholic authors. Nudity and Christianity is a compendium of Christian thinking on the subject of nudity, gleaned from Jim's writings, and the writings of others. The table of contents alone is the size of a small pamphlet. In the back of the book, Jim has provided a Scriptural Index and a Topical Index--great tools in using a book of this size as a handy reference. The text is fully annotated throughout. For a book that appears to be on one subject, the sheer scope of its many treatises is amazing. Of the 105 separate articles, Jim wrote 41 of them himself (and one with another writer)--and they're not cursory musings either. Each article, whether long or short, is a concise distillation of Christian thought bent to the task of showing that simple, human nudity is not the odd, or sinful thing, most Christians think. Jim's sources are eclectic, ranging from lay friends, to the Pope himself (John Paul II).
In a book of this size and scope, it's hard to pick any particular piece (or pieces) as an example but two in particular do it for me: "Dialog of Conscience: Nudism & Scandal" and "Dialog of Conscience: The Cannes Principle" (pgs. 152-165). In the first of these pieces, Jim dialogs with a woman named Tina. They discuss the issues of an innocent practice (i.e. offering wine at a family gathering) leading to someone else's sinning. In discussing this with Tina, Jim introduces the [moral] "principle of double effect," and its four conditions. In the second piece, they discuss the issue of a social practice that was once considered wrong, becoming common practice through a change in social mores (i.e. swimsuit size). Again, the "principle of double effect" with its four conditions is invoked. Good stuff--whether you're talking about nudity, or moral living in general. While the irreverent might think it just so much moral nit-picking, these dialogs are illustrations of how any moral person can come to grips with his faith, and mode of living, and not tie himself into moral knots.
Another piece of must-reading is Paul M. Bowman's "Open Letter to Evangelicals" (pgs. 166-169). It's essentially a letter to a pastor who decried Paul's view of nudity and it pulls no punches. Every Christian should have this piece copied and inserted under the front cover of his Bible.
If you call yourself a Christian and have an open mind, N&C is a must in your library. Buy it, read the articles thoughtfully and carefully (you could incorporate it into your daily quiet time reading--an article at a time each day), and keep it on your reference shelf. It's as indispensable as the dictionary.
I awaited this book with great anticipation and, now that it's out, I'm not disappointed. It will remain one of my essential reference guides, right next to Strong's Concordance and Unger's Bible Handbook.
Note to all pastors (and laypersons), of all denominations: Get a copy of Nudity & Christianity and read it cover to cover. By performing this simple act, you will educate yourself on the theology of the human body, nudity, and how the body is integral to a complete faith. You will also insulate yourself from the urge to grab a picket sign and harass the naturists at the local clothing-optional beach.
Tom Pine
For Inter-Naturally magazine
Nudity & Christianity
edited by Jim C. Cunningham
"Sexual modesty cannot then in any simple way be identified with the use of clothing, nor shamelessness with the absence of clothing and total or partial nakedness. There are circumstances in which nakedness is not immodest… nakedness as such is not to be equated with physical shamelessness. Immodesty is present only when nakedness plays a negative role with regard to the value of the person, when its aim is to arouse concupiscence, as a result of which the person is put in the position of an object of enjoyment. The human body is not in itself shameful... Dress is always a social question, a function of… social customs. In this matter there is no exact similarity in the behavior of particular people, even if they live in the same age and the same society. The principle of what is truly immodest is simple and obvious... If someone takes advantage of such an occasion to treat the person as an object of enjoyment (even if his action is purely internal) it is only he who is guilty of shamelessness… not the other."
--Karol Wojtyla (later Pope John Paul II), Love and Responsibility, trans. H. T. Willetts (New York: Farrar, Strauss & Giroux, 1981), pp. 176-192.
We don't know if John Paul II went skinny-dipping as a young priest on his hikes in the Polish countryside, but the excerpt quoted above [found on p. 1 of Nudity & Christianity], almost indistinguishable from arguments made by naturist writers, makes one wonder. The Christian justification of naturism is based on several premises: that nudity is an Edenic ideal of innocence (either never lost, or restored by Christ's death on the cross); that while the Bible condemns promiscuity and lust (acts of man) it does not condemn the nude body (God's good creation); that a refusal to honor all physical creation is essentially Manichean heresy; that dress norms are ephemeral and cultural; and that nudity was common and unexceptional in the Biblical and early Christian eras.
Jim C. Cunningham is a devout Roman Catholic who attends Mass daily, and the founder of Naturist Life International. Most of the 509 un-illustrated pages (not including introduction and indices) in this book are Cunningham's own writings, those of his wife, and apparently of fellow nudists. (Unfortunately, many contributors are identified only by name). Quotations from known writers--John Paul II, John Bunyan, Mark Twain, C. S. Lewis, a few early Christian church notables--make up a relatively small portion of the whole volume.
Cunningham is not merely a "recreational" nudist, and eloquently argues for naturism and body acceptance as antidotes both to demeaning pornography and equally to life-denying Puritanism, in accordance with John Paul II's Theology of the Body.
A very useful feature is a 23 page Scriptural Index that allows one to look up chapter and verse often used to condemn nudity, and then to read the various essayists' contrary interpretations.
Several years ago, Paul Bowman published What the Holy Bible Really Says About Nakedness. Bowman's conclusion--buttressed by scriptural citations--was that neither Old nor New Testament condemned nudity, and he offered many examples where nudity was presented in a neutral context, or even showed God's overt blessing and approval. Bowman's shorter work (177 pages) offers a more straightforward, linear approach. Cunningham's covers much of the same ground, with additional scriptural arguments, in a more discursive and often more impassioned style, and it's good to have the quotes from the various saints, clerics, and one "sinner" (Twain) in one volume.
Michael Kush
Editor, Sundial
South Florida Free Beaches: http://www.sffb.com
[Bowman's book can be purchased at the above SFFB web site.]
No one in North American naturism has had more to say about nudity than Jim Cunningham. Slightly to the right of the Pope both socially and theologically, Cunningham has for years been an unabashed advocate for what he calls "chaste naturism." As a writer, publisher, speaker and naked entrepreneur, he has preached the gospel of Christ as declared by St. Jerome so many centuries ago: Nudus nudum Iesum sequi, "Naked I follow the naked Jesus."
Whether you applaud Cunningham's efforts to salvage what he sees as the authentic core of true naturism, or have been driven to distraction by what many naked folk believe to be either unfair allegations concerning other naturists or forays into ethical issues tangential to naturism, his new anthology, Nudity and Christianity, is worth a close look.
Cunningham has been writing and speaking on this pair of subjects for years. His work has appeared in N magazine; he's led discussions for an early TNS Special Interest Group call the All-Together Christians: while in later years he's focused his energies in his own group and magazine, each by the same name of Naturist Life International. The short, easy-to-read, and intellectually engaging articles in Nudity and Christianity are drawn largely from his own writing originally presented in these sources. Other authors form NLI magazine and elsewhere also appear, alongside voices of the past ranging for Pope John Paul II and Kahlil Gibran, to C.S. Lewis and Mark Twain. Each has something to say about the inherent goodness of the body, body-acceptance, social nudity, or what the Church (Triumphant or otherwise) has said about such things.
Cunningham's new book is a sizable and engaging mix of anecdote, rhetoric, sustained argument, and biblical exegesis. The topical and scriptural indices will help those pursuing discussion on a particular subject or biblical passage. His "Dialog of Conscious: Nudism & Scandal" remains, to my mind, one of the best presentations of a useful but potentially complex philosophical principle. In response to the concern over the offense some may take at any public nudity, Cunningham masterfully unfolds in dialogue form the Principle of Double Effect, applying it as clearly as any writer I've come across on the subject.
Other articles address the use and acceptance of nudity by the early Church, and the ethics of social nudity. More than one essay argues cogently for a "nudification of culture" Nudist clubs and nude beaches are all very well, Cunningham acknowledges, but we must take our fully revealed humanity outside the confines of established sites and "stretch out tent pegs" a bit if we are to see growth in true naturist freedoms. Cunningham never fails to remind us that the struggle for such freedoms entails responsibility. Naturists interested in such responsible expansion of naturist liberty-in Christ or otherwise- will likely enjoy the many dialogues and voices Cunningham has amassed in Nudity & Christianity.
Mark Storey
"N" Magazine Autumn 2007
Edited by Jim C. Cunningham
2006, AuthorHouse, Bloomington IN
6 x 9 paperback, 545 pages
This massive but highly readable collection of writings starts at the beginning -- the Garden of Eden and Adam and Eve, who were created by God in His own image, naked and unashamed (Genesis 2.25) -- and then follows nudity down through history. With the help of early Church Fathers, the author looks at nudity in much the same way that John Paul II did in his Theology of the Body.
Author Jim C. Cunningham, a practicing Catholic, has an academic background that includes study at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Catholic University in Washington, D.C. and the Angelicum in Rome. Now blind, he was assisted by his wife, Linda, to whom the book is dedicated. Together they reared a family in Vermont, where they also operated Mt. Carmel Academy, a private school. A unique feature of this school was that it was clothing optional, just as the Cunningham family lived in their own home. The author has written several other books, including the beautiful Vermont Unveiled, and was the founder and editor of Naturist LIFE International magazine in which some of the articles in this book were first published.
Mr. Cunningham has also lectured on the late pope's Theology of the Body. The thrust of the book is summed up by Catholic, Protestant and even agnostic writers with oft-repeated references to Genesis and other parts of the Bible. Among Biblical authors citing non-sexual nudity are Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Paul. Other writers included are Catholic priests, monks and bishops, all pointing to the fact that Jesus Christ was baptized naked and was crucified naked, and that He obviously arose naked because He left His burial wrappings in the tomb. There are numerous writings of early Church Fathers quoted showing that for at least the duration of the first millennium, baptism was conferred upon new Christians -- men, women, and children -- in the nude.
"Bodies Wonderful!" is the title of the final chapter by the editor/author. He writes: "Wonderful bodies? Whose bodies -- mine?' Yes, yours, and mine. I am not referring to some "perfect 10," idealized form, but what we all see when we step out of the shower and dare to look into the full-length mirror."
This book teaches the revealed truth that our bodies are precious gifts of God, good and holy and beautiful, created as they are in the image and likeness of our all-good, all-holy, all-beautiful Creator.... "There is something beautiful in most of us which passionately wants to believe the message of this book. This is because we are made for higher things -- for ideals -- and we would like to think they could be true. Man finds his highest fulfillment in hope.
Mr. Cunningham holds that clothing actually separates mankind from God. "Go ahead," he concludes. "Leap into the air, click your bare heels and let out your yodel or yahoo!"
From: Fig Leaf Forum, Issue 125
Reviewed by Dean, California
WINNIPEG MB R3C 3R2 CANADA http://www.figleafforum.com


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Details: Dress: J.Crew (on Sale!!) | Sandals: J.Crew (on sale!!) | Earrings: Jcrew Factory (also obsessed with these from J.Crew) | Bracelet: J.Crew Factory | Clutch: Zara (old, similar here) |
Sunnies: Karen Walker
Hello lovlies and Happy Wednesday! Today is the last day of Finals, its sunny and warm, I leave in less than a week to London, England for a study abroad, AND J.Crew is having a major Sale! How could today get any better? But seriously, this is a sale you won't want to miss. If your a frequent reader of The Chestnut Hill, or maybe you know me, then you may have noticed i'm a bit "J.Crazy" as my best friends call me… But hey, how can you not be with sales like this?!
25% off EVERYTHING and up to 50% off Sale items (which would include this dress :) use code GOSHOP at J.Crew and code SALE25 at J.Crew Factory
Happy Shopping and Thanks for reading!
Xo Megs….


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Subway Surfers v1.49.1 APK Mod
Now Download Subway Surfers Apk Android game with latest update with Hawaii edition.
help Jake, intricate & clean escape from the grumpy Inspector and his dog.
Requires Android – 2.3.3 and up
Size – 39M
Current Version – 1.49.1
DASH as fast as you can!
DODGE the oncoming trains!
Help Jake, Tricky & Fresh escape from the grumpy Inspector and his dog.
★ Grind trains with your cool crew!
★ Colorful and vivid HD graphics!
★ Hoverboard Surfing!
★ Paint powered jetpack!
★ Lightning fast swipe acrobatics!
★ Challenge and help your friends!
Join the most daring chase!
A Universal App with HD optimized graphics.
By Kiloo Games and Sybo Games
What's New
★ Follow Jake and the crew on the World Tour to Los Angeles
★ Explore the marvelous movie sets of Hollywood
★ Shine up your surfer cast with the spectacular Knight Outfit for Wayne
★ Surf the Subway without jumping or rolling to earn challenging Awards
★ Go on movie-themed Weekly Hunts to unlock great prizes
What's New
★ Follow the Subway Surfers World Tour to fantastical Hawaii
★ Explore a Subway surrounded by rivers of lava and old shipwrecks
★ Customize your surfer crew with a festive new Outfit for Izzy
★ Surf along the island shores on the amazing Tiki board
★ Earn big prizes by picking up mysterious Tiki masks in the Weekly Hunts


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Tim and I both had a good break over Christmas; I think we both earned it after the long, hard push to releasing Mixtikl 2!
Now that we're refreshed, we've been busy working on an update to Mixtikl, which tidies-up various loose ends and generally makes it easier to get into! We're aiming to release this in a few weeks.
We've also been working on an iPhone version of Liptikl, which is fun and easy to use, so we hope to release that at some point after first releasing the Mixtikl update.
For those who are interested in the technicalities of such things things, most of the primary development for Mixtikl is done under Xcode on the Mac, targeting the iPhone version. Because Mixtikl is 95% cross-platform, I actually have the option to work under either Windows (with Visual Studio) or Mac OS (with Xcode). Despite Visual Studio being hugely more powerful than Xcode (with a far nicer editor model, debugger etc. etc....), I find myself working mainly in Xcode. Why? Simply because Mac OS is a great deal faster than Windows for running all my development scripts. Xcode is a lot less nice to use than Visual Studio, but overall I'm faster on the Mac because Mac OS mainly because shell scripting runs so much quicker...! Because I use the same editor on both platforms (vim ...) I can move easily between the two whenever I need to. I must say however, that if cygwin scripting were a lot faster under Windows, then I'd be back to Windows. :)
Monday, 18 January 2010
Mixtikl update for iPhone coming soon - and Liptikl!
Labels: iPhone Mixtikl Liptikl
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The Sports Show to Change the World
The ski season is ON! It just dumped 4 feet of fresh near Sugar Bowl and Halloween is next week!
We are stoked! This is the Sizzle reel for ESPN and the Discovery Channel to hopefully fight over and help us to get the message out.
Like and share this, please. We would love to get the attention of the big networks and take this huge!


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Category Archives: NewestNews
WordPress 3.3.1 Upgrade
January 17, 2012 Rod Weston 9 comments
The newest release of WordPress is a security update for WordPress 3.3 which features improved performance and ease-of-use. WordPress now supports drag-and-drop uploading as well as built-in support for many of the most popular features that formerly required plug-ins. Virtual Websource recommends updating to the latest release of WordPress, primarily for security reasons but we Continue Reading...Read more


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Wargaming is an odd hobby at the best of times. Its certainly a niche gaming pastime, and it can sometimes be frustrating to be involved in. It can take months to get from an idea to a fully realised game being played on the tabletop. Then sometimes, something comes along that goes from 'let's give it a go', to tabletop play in a very short time. This happened for me over the last week or two.
One of my regular gaming friends, Bob, suggested we give this new game a go - Guildball. We're always up for trying out new things so with some trepidation we printed some paper players from the Steamforged Games website, and cracked on. We were hooked!
I went from zero to fully painted team, token set, lovely pitch and ready to play set up in five days. Very satisfying!
OK, so firstly, what is Guildball? Rather than me warbling on, i'll simply point you at Steamforged Games. They'll give you the introduction far better than me.
Mob football is a game generally played between neighbouring towns and villages on feast days (hence the popularity). Players on opposing teams clash to control a leather-wrapped inflated pig's bladder and attempt to kick it into the opponent's goal. Over the years, rudimentary leagues and tournaments have sprung up; there have even been some national level games between some city states.
The powerful Guilds of the land have taken advantage of the huge popularity of the sport as another means to control the masses. They invested vast sums of money; creating professional Guild sponsored teams and structured leagues. The public went crazy as the game was elevated to new heights of spectacle. Guild Ball was born amidst a blaze of interest and publicity and with it, a whole new business and revenue stream for the Guilds. Games are now played out in front of vast crowds of fans, whilst behind the scenes the results can mean fortunes are won or lost on the kick of a ball.
I think its worth noting that Steamforged have made their rules etc. available as free downloads. Awesome!
What I will say in addition to this introduction is that this is a fantasy football game I'm actually interested in playing.
Guildball is bonkers fantasy version of football, not American 'Football' as we've previously seen from games like Games Workshop's Bloodbowl. Given the violence involved, i'd say English football during the English Disease era of the 1970's would be a good analogy.
So basically this is a game played to a time limit between two players, each of whom controls a team of 6 rather bizarre team members. In game play terms it reminds me of a cross between Malifaux and WarmaHordes.
Each player in each team is unique, with a specific set of attributes, traits, plays and abilities. The skill in the game appears to be understanding how these various players work together to generate effects that are 'greater than the sum of their parts'.
I believe the business bullshit term is 'synergy'.
My experience so far confirms the game hype that Guildball is indeed simple to learn but with extremely deep tactical play. Our early experiences have been joyfully exciting, and I've found finishing games with desire to immediately play again. Good signs...
OK, so enough preamble, lets get to the toys! I've chosen, based on no evidence, and with a decision made on 'I like the look of those models' to go with a team faction called The Engineers. These appear to have a Steampunk aesthetic which attracted me.
I've concluded from my initial experiences of playing the team that they have two main strengths: ranged attacks, and a decent kicking game. I'm slowly developing tactics and experience to try to maximise and exploit these strengths with a mind that i'll be facing the following teams; Butchers, Brewers, and either Fishermen or Morticians.
This week I played against Bob's Butchers team. As I understand, this team is very much a 'kill everything and score afterwards' sort of team so I was expecting a brutal beating. Here's what happened...
The Engineers (yay!) take on The Butchers (boo!)
We set up, and the Butchers kicked off. (Apologies for the low quality of the photos, I'm sure the Brewers got to the cameraman before kick off...)
The Butchers set up with two flanking forces and Ox, their captain put the kick in to start proceedings.
I set up the Engineers in a tight center group. My ranged players were grouped to kick out damage and generate Momentum from the hits (using my captain Ballista's special ability). Colossus took the east flank, and Velocity the west flank so I'd have a decent goal scorer option wherever the ball went.
Ballista and Ratchet loaded up on Influence to give me a lot of options with crossbow and grenade shots.
Early game I pushed up the gun line to support Velocity as she clanked forwards to take the ball under her feet. Mainspring, our little wooden cricket mascot hopped forwards innocently. I'm pretty sure the Butchers don't know what Mainspring can do...
I kept Colossus back as goal defense, ready to react as needed.
Turn two.
I lost initiative.
They do that that no plan survives contact with the enemy and what happened next pretty much proves that rule! With the initiative gone, Velocity finds herself out on the wing without her Influence being sent and gets mobbed by the Butcher's dog (Princess), and her handler Brisket.
Luckily Velocity survives, Influences up and becomes almost impossible to hit. But, my goal rush is stymied. curses!
So, the gun line comes to the fore and I lay down a barrage of grenades to chew up the ground and a flurry of ranges attacks from Ballista, Ratchet, and Salvo. The groundsmen are losing their minds as I chew up their pitch and blast craters (rough ground) into their turf. Hehe.
Over on the east flank, Mainspring finds himself surrounded and ganged up on. Poor little thing! Ox, Meathook, and Shank kick the crap out of my mascot, knocking him down and busting open his hydraulics. As the little fellow bleeds out, he dies and explodes!! Three butchers players take a hit and catch fire. Awesome.
The game progresses and Velocity, nimble minx that she is, although severely damaged and stripped of the ball, manages to get back out of trouble and into range of Ratchet, who breaks out the spanners and fixes her up a bit.
More grenades and crossbow bolts fly, as the Butchers, now in possession of the ball, make their play for my goal. Ox sticks it to Salvo to try to open a hole for Brisket to exploit.
It doesn't go well though and my Engineers barrages begin to tell, knocking down and taking out the Butchers. Brisket kicks the ball to Shank down the west flank, but the pass goes awry, and Velocity picks it up and retreats into the Engineers' pocket.
Colossus steams forwards to try to make a hole, and mostly to keep the Butchers' vicious, thuggish 'big lad' Boar occupied.
However, a passage never really opens and as the time runs out losses are counted and the Engineers win 8-4.
An excellent game, although I was disappointed there were no goals scored. I managed to secure the win by busting Butchers heads.
For my view of the Engineers, see here.
I suspect there will be many more games of Guildball on our table in the near future!


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Fri, Sep 9, 2011 | By Hugh Hewitt
9/11 Ten Years Later with Lawrence Wright and Mark Steyn
Mark Steyn and Lawrence Wright are authors of two of the most important books on the war that began on 9/11 –Steyn's America Alone and Wright's The Looming Tower.
Now Steyn has written a new book, After America, and Wright a new edition of his book with a new afterwards.
Both men joined me on yesterday's show to discuss the events of the past decade.
The transcript of the interview with Steyn is here.


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BIRD NOTES ~ December 26, 2008
Bird Notes
Bald Eagle at Retreat Complex
My daughter tells me that there was a mature bald eagle perched on the Retreat's cupola one day last week & it caused quite a stir!! Folks there are seeing them regularly & are excited about them!
---Hollie Bowen,
On a hike -- or I should say, a hearty snowshoe breaking trail -- on Wantastiquet Mt. yesterday (12/22) -- we had a red-tail circling and calling and then a very noisy pileated woodpecker flying by squawking. Two days before I had seen tracks of raccoon, fox, snowshoe hare, deer, and field mice, but nothing at all yesterday.
---Mark Mikolas,
The birds have been taking advantage of the feeders both just before and after the recent storms. The siskins seem to be always here in 1s, 2s, or 3s but we had about 10 this morning. A male and female purple finch showed up for just a day. The pair of
Ruffed grouse seemed to be everywhere in the national forest in
---Charlie La Rosa,
Our finches and siskins have disappeared again. However, we had an exciting visitor on snowy Sunday. A Barred Owl spent about 20 minutes hunting at our feeders. First he tried to sit in the small bush next to the feeders and then he walked around under the bush. He moved a short distance away to a tree and looked for the squirrel, which was nowhere to be seen. Our 9 turkeys visited the feeders today (12/22). They are not bothered by our movement in the house.
---Susan James,
100 cedar waxwings in the crowns of large oak and maple in the yard. Usual group at the feeders plus a good look at an adult male Cooper's hawk that snagged a junco for his Christmas dinner. He alighted at the base of a large spruce where the branches entered the snowpack with the victim in his talons then flew around behind the tree at the next blast of wind. Also, on
More siskins today (12/26) than usual, at least 15 in the group in the feeders with a lone goldfinch. There is one that comes daily that has a very thin spine of some sort protruding straight forward from its bill. I can't determine whether the spine is lodged inside the bill or between the skin and bill on the exterior. It seems to feed ok but occasionally sweeps its bill sharply to the side in an apparent effort to rid itself of the annoyance. Wish I could just stick my hand through the window pane and pull it out. I was also thinking today of the 'old days' when we had many evening grosbeaks daily devouring the sunflower seeds and pine grosbeaks in the spruce and even a boreal chickadee. Does anyone in town remember when the varied thrush spent several days at the feeder? I remember my mother serving coffee and snacks in the kitchen to people who came from miles around to see him. And that was in the 60's...pre-internet!
---Charlie La Rosa,
Six Evening Grosbeaks, 3 M & 3 F, found the black oil sunflower feeder in the yard of Burt Tepfer in Putney last Tuesday(12/23).
Please keep us abreast of what birds you are seeing, whether at home or on a trip in or out of the
Al Merritt
A friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.


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Audi R8 LMS Cup Press Release
• Phoenix Racing entry in Blancpain Endurance Series with Markus Winkelhock and Hong Kong drivers Marchy Lee and Shaun Thong
• Rene Koneberg: "Success and experience of Phoenix Racing elevates our driver development program"
• Integration of Audi Sport platforms in Asia and Europe steps up with entries in the Audi TT Cup and the Nürburgring 24h
Beijing, March 1, 2015 – Audi Sport customer racing Asia has formed a partnership with renowned motorsport team Phoenix Racing to compete in the 2015 Blancpain Endurance Series in Europe. Phoenix Racing will enter an Audi R8 LMS ultra in the GT3 championship with an Asian-European driver team. Reigning Nürburgring 24h champion, Markus Winkelhock from Germany, will share the cockpit with two drivers from Hong Kong: 2012 Audi R8 LMS Cup champion Marchy Lee and 18 year-old talent Shaun Thong. The Audi R8 LMS Cup logo will be featured on the side livery of the team's car.
Over the years, Phoenix Racing has achieved number one positions with Audi in a range of prestigious events, like the German Touring Car Championship (DTM), Nürburgring 24h, Spa 24h and Bathurst 12h.
"Asia, especially China, is one of the largest markets for Audi in the world and there is a constantly growing racing scene there with many young and talented drivers. It's great to have a first step in to such a market with this project and we are very happy to enter the Blancpain Endurance Series in 2015 with Marchy and Shaun alongside our well-known Phoenix Racing driver Markus Winkelhock", commented Ernst Moser, Director of Phoenix Racing.
Thong will also be part of the first all-Asian team of Audi race experience for the 2015 Nürburgring 24h. For the endurance race in the famous "Green Hell", he will be joined by drivers from the Audi R8 LMS Cup. The final team will be announced soon after more testing during upcoming VLN runs.
In addition to offering opportunities for Asian talents in Europe, Audi is actively developing motorsport activities throughout Asia. The Audi R8 LMS Cup was founded in China in 2012 as the first brand Cup of Audi worldwide and has since expanded all across Asia. In 2015, the sprint race series will visit China, South Korea, Japan and Malaysia. For the first time, the GT competition will also have a stop in Taiwan. The 2015 season kicks off on March 21-22 at South China's Zhuhai.
Photo credit: Audi R8 LMS Cup


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To Find Out More About This Daughter of God..
Email: email@example.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Cassdurham
Website: www.cassandradurham.net
Blog Radio Show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cassdurham
Hello Everyone, it gives me great pleasure to introduce to you my friend Minister Cassandra Baker-Durham. Minister Cassandra Baker Durham ministers the Gospel of Jesus Christ and is also a author and advocate for women. She received her undergraduate degree from North Carolina A& T State University in the field of social work. She holds a Master of Science degree in Human Services from Capella University. She also hold a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry from Liberty University. Cassandra is a social worker that provides services to individuals and families impacted by HIV and AIDS. She also conducts self-esteem, self-worth workshops with African American women who are at risk of contracting and/or transmitting HIV/AIDS. Cassandra is a trained workshop facilitator with 8 years' experience utilizing Diffusion of Effective Behavioral Interventions (DEBI's).
She sits on the Guilford County Substance Abuse Recovery Advocates board and The African American Initiative of the United Way of Greater High Point and attends her home church Temple of Prayer, Praise and Deliverance Ministries in High Point, NC where she sits under the anointed leadership of Senior Pastor: Apostle Louise Baker. Presently Cassandra coordinates the church's outreach ministry and usher board.
It is indeed my extreme pleasure to introduce to you this great Woman of God and my sister from another mother all the way in High Point, NC! She's hilarious y'all and she's the kind of girl you'd be happy to call FRIEND!
The Interview
My name is Cassandra Baker Durham. I am the mother of three children (two sons and a daughter). I also have four grandchildren. I am from a small North Carolina town (High Point) which used to be known as the Furniture Capital of the World. I still live in High Point.
Sister, I've been preaching a lot lately on "the process". It's what we thought was our storm but God was using what we went through to birth humility in us, greatness through us, and most importantly produce trust in Him. Have you been through any processes in your life and can you tell us how God used your process to produce purpose?
In Oct 2004 I was involved in a near fatal car accident which left we unable to walk for four months. I learned more about God in those four months that I have ever learned in any sermon. That process taught me to lean totally on God. It taught me to stop having a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof. God has all power in His hands. In fact the Word tells us he has the heart of the king in his hands and he can turn it which every way he will. I found out that God really is in control.
Sister you know I know all about wrecks dealing with Scroggins and I commend you for keeping the faith. Now has God ever given you a vision that you know for sure was a part of His great plan for your life? If so please explain.
Not a vision per say, but I often to get these moments of déjà vu whereas a moment I am currently living comes in line with my divine destiny. It's the feeling of living that moment before.
I know that you are an author and I'll let the people in on that at the end of the interview, but what I'd like to know is what sparked your decision to become an author?
I have always written in one form of another whether it was a diary, a journal, scholarly papers, or personal devotions. A friend came to me and suggested I compile the devotions that I had written into a book. The rest as they say is history. LOL! (~ Laugh Out Loud)
It's amazing how God will use others to speak into our lives and awaken our instincts! What advice would you give to any woman that you feel would carry them through any situation in their life, book career, radio career, etc.?
I would tell her that all things work together for the good of them that love God and those that and who are called according to His divine purpose. All of those things that they have been through, no matter what they have suffered, it will work together for their good. I don't care who left or who stayed. Who died or who lived. What the devil meant for bad God is going to make it good.
Hallelujah! You know I'm a firm believer in that. Well Sister, Minister, Friend, Author, Radio Host...my God you've got some hats Woman of God.... what can we expect to see from you next?
I am expanding my blog radio show Fully Persuaded as well as preparing to release the follow up novel to "The Summer of Wrath".
Sounds great, you know I love Fully Persuaded and as soon as I settle down, I'm going to start on "The Summer of Wrath". Now this is your time, minister to us what the Lord has put on your heart concerning God's Daughters?
Imagine God being a potter and we are the clay. He has taken the time to put each piece of clay on the wheel, pouring water into the clay, shaping it, molding it by holding it in his hands. The wheel continues to spend round and round in a circle gently shaping and making us. Ha! It is really not that simple, nor that gentle.
Initially the potter (God) cuts the clay from a slab, and then it is plugged and wedged over the wheel. The potter has to manipulate push and pull it to create an opening eventually forming a cylinder. The cylinder is brought to the desired height and then the shaping begins. Round and round and round on the potter's wheel we go, at times He may use a sponge ( trouble, trials and tribulations ) to get off the excess water. This process also smooths the surface (so we are not so rough, takes the hood out of us, removing all of our roughness that will turn people off from Christ) and contributes to the strength of the clay (helps us to withstand our tests, trials and tribulations).
Once completely shaped into the image that he had desired for us the potter then allows for it (the pottery) to dry to a leathery state in which he then promptly trims it (we all know how painful the cutting and pruning process can be). God then puts the pottery back on the shelf to dry again ( this is why even when we are initially called by God we have to go somewhere, sit down and be processed correctly, but sometimes we jump out there too soon and make a mess).
After the pottery (us) is completely dry it is then ready to be fired…… (You know what firing is, right…say it with me.. SUFFERING, yep) which removes the physical and chemical waters so that it will not break. So in the midst of our suffering we cannot break. The higher the temperature of the fire (of our suffering) the more impurities that are burned off this is where a lot of saints quit, back up, and throw in the towel. They do not want to withstand the suffering.
Then the potter prepares a glaze. Glazes are so important that in the natural world that the potter's glazes are secret; it is the one thing that distinguishes their pottery from the rest. It is their signature so to speak. It is the same way with God. Your glaze may be different from mine, but we are all His. But before the glaze (the anointing) can go on, the potter (God) must take sandpaper to the pottery (us) and rub out any bumps, imperfections that may try to stick to us thereby decreasing our value.
Once the pottery ( us) is glazed it is then returned to the fire (2100 degrees Fahrenheit) for a final time, at this point the clay is no longer porous ( it has matured no longer sucking up any wind of doctrine that may come its way. It knows how to rightly divide the Word of God). The glaze (anointing) on the clay becomes very shiny at this point. The clay given a final sanding and dusting is ready for use. See now that wasn't that bad now was it… See we all have to withstand something to be vessels of use for God. Jeremiah 18:1-4 The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,2 Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.3 Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. ~ Let your light shine!
(Copyright © 2013 by Cassandra Baker-Durham)
Well Ladies & Gentlemen there you have it. Another one of God's Daughter at your service. I'm so honored to call her friend and do Check out my sister's work! Cassandra is the author of The Salt, Light, and Witnesses Blog which seeks to encourage, uplift and motivate others to walk in their divine calling as children of God. She has written four books, Fully Persuaded: 30 Days of Encouragement in Times of Trouble, The Summer of Wrath (Christian fiction novel), and Fully Constrained: What Faith Can Do and As I Live & Breath scheduled to be released soon.
To Find Out More About This Daughter of God visit..
Email: email@example.com
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Website: www.cassandradurham.net
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I pray that you've been blessed and I will leave you with this thought.... God has VESSELS all over the world that He is using just like Cassandra and myself to get the Gospel to ever corner of the WORLD. If you'd like to be used by GOD, take time to read this........
2 Timothy 2:19-21 says
19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, The Lord knows those who are His," and, Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness."20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
Be Blessed and prepare to Work the Work!