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Yellowstone National Park Events, Coupons, Reviews!
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We spent a glorious week camping on the shores of Jackson Lake at Signal Mountain Lodge and Campground. This sheltered corner of Grand Teton National Park is so beautiful that we could have stayed there under a stick lean-to and had a heckuva great time. But … there was something so sublime about the people and facilities at Signal Mountain that I'm jumping ahead on my blogging narrative to share our review with you.
Signal Mountain Lodge and Campground overlooks Donaho Pt. Island in Jackson Lake with Mount Moran in the background.
As promised, I must disclose that the folks at Forever Resorts who run Signal Mountain Lodge (as well as the campground, restaurant, and store) invited us to stay for the week of June 30 to July 6 for free, and even threw in a couple of other freebies which I'll get to later. It's not that we could promise them all kinds of great free publicity (at the time of their invite we only had about 19 followers of this blog). But they really liked the idea of supporting "Every Kid in a Park," and I hope that we can live up to the faith they put in our family to help get the word out.
That being said, I think we would have loved this place even at full price. And the reason is simple — the people who work there are outstanding! From the first moment we arrived, the Forever Resorts crew was really looking out for us. Well, actually, it was the second moment …
Laney Breaks the New Trailer
The view from Signal Mountain with marina on a foggy morning.
Okay, the grown-ups responsible for guiding and backing the travel trailer onto the campsite parking pad may have had something to do with the ensuing disaster. There were a couple of hard lessons that my daughter had to learn about listening to her folks' directions, and this was one of them. Laney was still recovering from her double-skinned knee episode at the rim of the Lower Falls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, when the following incident occurred.
Because of the new trailer, our rig was probably about 5 feet longer than when we had informed Signal Mountain about our impending visit with the old pop-up. But there was our reservation card with our name on it, and the site looked doable. Since Signal Mountain Campground features a lot of sites that are terraced into the slope down to the lake, there isn't always enough campsite length to simply back up a camper and vehicle onto the pad. Many sites require a quick back up and unhitching so that the vehicle can be parked to the side of the camper to get out of the way of other vehicles coming through the campground.
Another driver patiently waiting for us to get into our site, while we calmly but quickly got the trailer in place and unhitched. Apparently, our camper was a bit too long for this particular site. The campground can handle rigs up to 30 feet long, but some sites are smaller. Just as we got the truck out of the
Best access to Jackson Lake is from the Signal Mountain Boat Ramp. Easy for big boats, too.
way and before we had all the jacks down and everything chocked and secured, Laney ran into the camper to escape a couple of bugs (against mom's specific instructions), and the whole camper lurched dangerously forward down the slight incline that the tongue jack was resting on. One of the jacks got bent up and sheared off a bolt, and the whole thing looked like it could take a further tumble at any second.
Some parents would have quickly reassured their nine-year-old child that it wasn't their fault, but we kind of let the chips fall where they fell for the time being. With my daughter safely returned to the truck and bawling ("I broke the camper!"), we managed to get the trailer back onto the truck as Hunter the Campground Manager rode in on his trusty steed (the golf cart) and guided us to safety at a bigger site.
Signal Mountain would of had our eternal gratitude with just that simple act of campground grace, but that was only the beginning of the excellent care we received at Signal Mountain. Hunter returned with Steve the campground maintenance man who helped me assess the damage to the jack and assured me that we would be fine with a few adjustments.
The Trapper Grill
Our server and new friend Eliska took extra care of us.
It was getting late, so I sent Carol and Laney ahead to the powder room and restaurant. Everybody needed some extra TLC after the near disaster of the bent jack. When I caught up to them (with sweat still pouring from wrestling with the trailer), I found them in much better spirits thanks to Eliska our server and new friend. She's from Slovakia and married to a Yank who also works at The Trapper Grill Restaurant.
Eliska and the Trapper Grill crew soon had us feeling much better. The food was fantastic and reasonably priced. And we had no trouble getting our fill. I had The Signal Chicken Quesadilla and Laney had her usual butter and parmesan pasta. Even though Carol wasn't quite feeling up to a full meal yet, she was impressed by all of the environmentally conscious care that the restaurant takes — organic and locally grown, raised, or caught meats and veggies, soups made from scratch, and fresh baked goods.
We came back again for breakfast a couple of days later, and were even more impressed. I ordered the Trout Cake Benedict with two trout cakes topping a perfectly cooked eggs Benedict with hashbrowns and a
Mt. Moran landscape on the Etch A Sketch.
fluffy buttermilk biscuit. Carol got the Eyeopener Skillet with organic potatoes and cage-free eggs, smothered with an organic veggie medley and Cabot white cheddar cheese. Laney devoured the thick-cut sourdough French Toast with butter and powdered sugar. We had juice and coffee, too, and the whole breakfast feast only cost us $31.43 plus tip.
I included my Etch A Sketch rendering of Mt. Moran — one of the completely useless abilities I have in my unusual skill set — as a tip bonus for Eliska .
We give Signal Mountain Campground 5 stars, 2 thumbs up. Excellent staff and great facilities with campsites just a stone's throw away from Jackson Lake. Great tent sites all along the top of the bluff above the lake. Try sites 5-12 for RV sites with electricity and views of the water. Some RV sites are a bit tight though (30 ft. max), so you may have to park your trailer, disconnect, and then park next to your rig. Flush toilets, pay showers ($5 for 7 minutes, but the showers are nicer than what I've got at home), laundry, gas station and store, restaurant, gift shop, and lodge are all within easy walking distance. We didn't get to it, but the 6-mile-roundtrip Signal Mountain Summit Trail is said to be well worth the effort, and you can get to it from the campground by foot. Standard sites are $22 a night and electric sites are $45 a night. Also, there is a dump station and place to fill up your potable water.
Other Amenities
Signal Mountain Lodge and marina
Signal Moutain Lodge
Signal Mountain also has its own marina, so you can rent boats by the hour or by the day. They have runabouts, pontoon/deck boats, canoes and one & two person kayaks. We had our own canoe, but I would have loved to take out a little runabout to explore the lake and fish with my girls. Maybe next time. A Wyoming fishing license is available at the front desk of the lodge, but be sure to budget enough time and money for your fishing. Apparently, they aren't just giving their fish away in Wyoming. An out-of-state license costs $14 a day or $104 for the season. Guided fishing trips with Signal Mountain Lodge guides are also available (sign up at the front desk). We took a scenic Snake River float trip through the lodge, as well, but that's a story for another day …


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Recreation Management Certificate courses courses will provide students with information about the history and concepts surrounding recreation and leisure, and equip them to administer effective and popular recreation programs in a variety of settings. The following Recreation Management Certificates, along with the required course for each certificate area, are available:
CEM 535 Introduction to Parks, Recreation and Tourism
A survey of the concepts and issues related to leisure, parks, recreation, and tourism in American society. Also, the effects of recreation and leisure on social, individual, and environmental aspects of our society will be examined.
CEM 536 Philosophy and History of Recreation and Leisure
This course is designed to discuss philosophies and contemporary social issues concerning recreation and leisure. Also, the history of recreation and leisure will be discussed.
CEM 537 Introduction to Recreational Sport Management
Explores concepts and applications of effective recreational sport programming and administration. Information concerning careers in recreational sport management will be presented.

subset: commoncrawl


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Governments across Europe disregard the human rights of intersex people, the Commssioner for Human Rights warns today.
"Europeans remain largely unaware of the painful personal histories of intersex people and the human rights violations they face," Nils Muižnieks writes.
"Stereotypes and norms grounded on the binary female-male classification have led to unnecessary medical and surgical interventions on intersex infants and a climate of incomprehension in society. It is time to address this unacceptable situation.
In his research study, Muižnieks reveals the medical, legal and administrative obstacles which prevent intersex people, some of whom were called "hermaphrodites" in the past, from fully enjoying their human rights.
He adds: "European countries have been slow in recognising and upholding the human rights of intersex people and the gender diversity they represent.
"It is urgent to end unnecessary medical treatment and surgery of intersex individuals without their consent; to respect their right not to undergo sex assignment treatment; to review medical classifications which treat variations in sex characteristics as a pathology; and to ensure intersex persons' right to self-determination by facilitating their legal recognition in official documents."
The commissioner also urges governments to give intersex people full access to their medical records. The authorities should also offer professional training on the problems encountered by intersex people, and improve the counselling of intersex children and their parents.


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Chat show host Oprah Winfrey had India in her "places to see" list for a long time and has finally flown over for a week-long visit in aims to shoot for her upcoming show "New Chapter".
While she has been scheduled to visit Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Rishikesh during her stay, her week started with a visit to the Bachchan family and with a highly attended bash hosted by Parmeshwar Godrej in Bombay, to which numerous stars flocked to meet the TV diva.
Oprah sported an orange sari for the occasion and was personally chauffeured by none other than Amitabh Bachchan to the party organized in her honor along with Abhishek, Aishwarya Rai and Jaya Bachchan.
Other stars seen attending the event were Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Lara Dutta, Imran Khan, AR Rahman, Preity Zinta, Priyanka Chopra, Anil Kapoor, Anupam Kher, Sameera Reddy, and Arjun Rampal, all of which expressed their joy in meeting her and seeing her wear traditional Indian attire.


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12 Tips to become a Responsible Pet Owner
While everyone thinks of February just as Valentines Day, it is also Responsible Pet Owners Month.
I am a major animal lover. Well, a kind of passive animal lover. I don't really volunteer or eat vegetarian, but still. I'm that type of person who becomes furious when I see any type of animal abuse. I recently read an article about how the little animals at big pet store chains like Petsmart, Petco, and Pet Supplies Plus are kept in horrible conditions. It made me really mad.
Anyways, just being a good pet owner doesn't mean you are a responsible one. Think about animal hoarders. They love animals and they think they being truly good things. But again, being a good, loving pet owner isn't the same as a responsible one.
Here are my tips for being a responsible pet parent!
- Don't have too many pets.
- I mentioned hoarding above, but you don't even need to be a 100 cat person. Really think about how many pets you can care for. That includes food and vet, but also attention and love. Personally, I think I could handle three cats. As much as I want a cat for every Disney villain, I know it isn't possible.
- Make sure your pet has identification.
- Ursula has two types of identification on her all the time. The first is her collar/tag. I got her this adorable little Ursula tag with my info on the back.
- The second is a microchip. I got a fabulous deal, but they really aren't that much. It is definitely worth it because all animals have the chance to get outside.
- Be ready.
- Before you even get a little baby (or big baby) make sure you are ready. Don't just think 'oh I want a dog' and then go adopt one that same day. Do some research. Not all breeds, of dogs or cats, are the same. When we got my dog, Mia, we did a bunch of research. I think I took out every dog book at the library. We knew we wanted something small that was calm and loveable. It's why we got a mini schnauzer.
- Get the stuff you need before you get the animal. If you are cheap like me, plan way ahead so you can get the best deals. Get food, a bed, toys, ect. My brother surprised me with a kitty for Christmas a while back. We went that night to Meijer on the way home to pick up all the stuff I would need. I think I got him a few days later. Only good thing is that I found a $10 Target gift card in the parking lot.
- Make sure you have money for your new baby. Animals cost money, just like human babies do. If you are getting an actually baby animal, they need shots, to be fixed, ect. Even if you shop around for the best prices, it still usually costs over $100.
- Pamper your pet.
- I don't mean pamper like take it to a doggy spa and pay for a massage. But keep the animal clean.
- Make sure you cut the animals nails. While Ursula despises anyone touching her back feet, I still gotta do it. I don't really do it with Mia because she does a really good job of keeping them short herself. Not sure how, but it works.
- Keep their fur trimmed and clean. You can take them in or do it yourself, but make sure to keep on getting your baby's hair trimmed. I shave both Mia and Ursula. Mia is kind of ok with it, you can just imagine how Ursula does.
- Brush, brush, and brush again! Mia doesn't actually need brushed very often. She is old and her hair is now very thin. Ursula on the other hand, has a shit ton of hair. She thinks brushing is a means of torture, but I could brush her every day and take a kitten sized amount of fur out.
- Dress them for the weather. I know people either love or hate animal clothes. But like I mentioned, Mia has very thin fur. She needs a sweater on during the winter just to keep her warm. It can get down into the negatives her in Michigan; I don't want her to freeze to death while she pees.
- Above all, love them.
While I mentioned cats and dogs in these tips, they really apply to any pet, maybe except fish. But bunnies, hamsters, birds, even mice, all deserve to have loving, responsible owners.
I try really hard to be a responsible pet owner. And if I'm not, I'm sure Ursula will remind me. 🙂
What are your tips for responsible pet ownership?


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My Second CNN.com Essay on the Underwear Bomber
This one is about our tendency to overreact to rare risks, and is an update of this 2007 essay.
I think we should start calling them the "underpants of mass destruction."
Posted on January 11, 2010 at 1:46 PM • 41 Comments


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Bread's Mr Egghead and the Easter Egge Hunt
walkabout Spring Entertainers
Just in case you require some top-quality entertainment over the Easter period we have Pete and Ged Moss the Gardener's Easter Egg Walkabout Special (Live hen not included!). They will entertain the crowds with their musical wheelbarrow brimming over with colourful Easter eggs of all shapes and sizes. Audience members are invited to guess the origins of some of the more bizarre eggs in the collection.


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You may remember the lovely pearl necklace that I shared with you all on here a couple of weeks ago, it has stayed firmly around my neck ever since. And now the geniuses behind Gemporia* are launching "The Diamond Room" on 4th March which will revolutionise the way we shop online. Offering beautiful pieces of jewellery at a very competitive price.
Virtually In Store Retailing (VIStailing) is designed to give the customer a bespoke shopping experience, offering a fully interactive service using live video chat. The customer simply accesses The Diamond Room via the Gemporia site where there will be team of diamond experts to discuss and demonstrate products with you in real time offering a personal shopping experience from the comfort of your home. I mean how neat is that, it's perfect if you are after a specific piece of jewellery or need some help with the perfect engagement ring. The experts can also offer advice and answer any questions you may have whilst showcasing the piece of jewellery rather than relying on cut-out and model imagery which lets face it never gives you a true idea of what the piece genuinely looks like.
The Diamond Experts are available in The Diamond Room from 1pm-1am 7 days a week and it launches this week on Friday 4th March. So go check it out here!!
Keep Smiling


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Study Plan
Everything You Need To Know 1: Start Playing ChessIM DanielRensch 22 min
The first video in the "Everything You Need To Know" video series is designed for complete newcomers to the game of chess!...611,156 4,122 Rules & Basics
Everything You Need To Know 2: The Opening!
If you only had one chess lesson in your life, this would be it! The "Everything You Need To Know" video series launches...429,314 2,441 Openings
Everything You Need To Know 3: Tactics & Strategy
The most important video series for beginners continues with the second installment in "Everything You Need To Know". IM...226,350 962 Rules & Basics
Everything You Need To Know 4: The Endgame!
Your journey continues today! IM Rensch leads us into the final stage of chess with a few goals in mind: understand the power...169,542 685 Endgames
Everything You Need To Know 5: Bring It Together!IM DanielRensch 17 min
Unfortunately, the most important chess lesson of your life comes to an end here, but we hope you enjoyed the ride! IM Rensch...139,953 493 Amazing Games
Opening Principles ExplainedFM CharlieDroids 24 min
In this lecturew FM Charles Galofre illustrates common opening principles by showing how to play with the pieces in the opening!...50,086 401 Openings
Every Chess Opening: The First Move!
Calling all "beginning" chess Players! Have you ever wanted to invent your own opening? Or have you at least wondered why...124,186 339 Openings
Every Chess Opening: Defenses To 1.e4
If it's good enough for Bobby, it's good enough for me! Let's focus on Black's responses for now though! IM David Pruess...32,549 175 Openings
Every Chess Opening: Defenses To 1.d4
To conclude his "mini-series" on what all beginner players need to know in order to start the first few moves of every chess...29,951 196 Openings
How To Develop An Opening Repertoire
Are you a tactical player? A positional player? Are you lazy, or are you a hard worker? Whatever "category" you fall into,...33,461 230 Openings
Patterns Everyone Must Know: Basic Tactics 1!IM DanielRensch 34 min
Chess is a game of pattern recognition, but what "patterns" do you need to know? From tactics, to mating nets, to strategical...59,450 434 Tactics
Patterns Everyone Must Know: Basic Tactics 2!IM DanielRensch 29 min
In part 2 of this incredible video series by IM Daniel Rensch, you will continue with the remaining 12 patterns that you...40,891 197 Tactics
Patterns Everyone Must Know: Beyond The Basics 1!IM DanielRensch 33 min
Today you take your quest to master all the critical tactical patterns in chess to the next level! IM Daniel Rensch is your...38,747 220 Tactics
Tactics Do Grow On Strategies
"Tactics are the servants of strategy." -- Some Chess Nut-Job. Oh wait, that was former World Chess Champion Mikhail Botvinnik!...54,159 213 Tactics
Tactics Do Grow On Strategies 2
The power of pressure on an open file... oh what a beautiful thing! IM David Pruess continues his video series describing...16,702 112 Tactics
Powers Of The Pieces
Join us for GM Dejan Bojkov's enlightening series on the true powers of each chess piece. You'll learn how to evaluate your...95,643 209 Strategy
The Basic Element Of Space In Chess
International Master David Pruess is back with a bang, and today he provides some "must have" knowledge for all beginner...29,319 137 Rules & Basics
Chess Vocabulary: Pawn(s) Structure!IM DanielRensch 21 min
Have you ever watched a video where a master/teacher is consistently making references to "chess terminology" and you have...34,647 97 Rules & Basics
Pawn Structure 101: Every Opening Explained!IM DanielRensch 45 min
Can IM Daniel Rensch teach you 40 openings in a single video? In part one of this fundamental video series, enjoy a crash...168,004 274 Rules & Basics
How To Improve Your Chess
Grandmaster Gregory Kaidanov makes his return to the Chess.com Video Authors "club" by debuting his new series: How To Improve...37,311 134 Strategy
Fundamental Checkmates 1: Rook Roller And K+QFM MusicCityMaster 20 min
FM Todd Andrews brings the basics into focus with a video enlightening you on the principles of checkmate. Learn to walk...26,157 102 Rules & Basics
The Big 3 - Important Winning TechniquesFM ImmortalTechnique 40 min
By popular request from our members, we are introducing more videos designed to cover the basics of chess principles and...36,298 128 Rules & Basics
King And Pawn Endings: The Basics!IM DanielRensch 20 min
For beginners: To build your endgame "muscles" you must start with king and pawn endings. IM Rensch's new video series will...39,381 138 Endgames
Practical & Essential Endgame Knowledge - Part 1!IM DanielRensch 30 min
International Master Rensch brings you the long awaited sequel series to the "Everything You Need To Know On The Endgame"...28,070 113 Endgames
Practical & Essential Endgame Knowledge - Part 2!IM DanielRensch 27 min
In Part 2, IM Rensch provides more practical advice as he reviews two example games that clearly display the three critical...13,691 84 Endgames
Amazing Games
Amazing Games For Beginners: Unusual Wizardry!
In this Amazing Game For Beginners, you learn magic! Tactical magic that is. IM David Pruess reviews another stellar game...24,851 135 Amazing Games
Amazing Games For Beginners: Dominate The Center!
IM David Pruess brings us another Amazing Game For Beginners, and today's topic is of the utmost "central" importance! Today,...54,981 163 Amazing Games
Amazing Games For Beginners: Magic Outpost Part 1FM ImmortalTechnique 34 min
Our featured video author for the month of June starts us off with a bang! FM Elliot Liu makes his triumphant return with...72,430 201 Amazing Games
Member Analysis: Priceless, Practical Advice!IM DanielRensch 34 min
In today's Member Analysis video, IM Rensch offers his best "universal approach" for Black playing against white's most aggressive...13,913 90 Amazing Games
Amateur Game Review: Chess Crimes 1IM DanielRensch 39 min
IM Rensch kicks off a new series. Analyzing the games of lower-rated players, he seeks to provide useful advice that you...22,606 106 Strategy


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THE BLACK & Decker FireStorm line of professional-grade, high-torque, high-performance drills features a patented fast drive removable chuck. The drill's chuck nose quickly detaches to expose a ready-to-use screwdriving bit. This speeds up drilling by allowing the user to drill holes and drive screws without changing a single accessory. A fully charged battery is always ready, thanks to a dual-port charger that charges two batteries at once. Each drill comes with two extended-run batteries.
Choose from four FireStorm drill models. The FS2400D is a 24v drill with a suggested retail price of $129.97. The 18v model FS1800D sells for $109.97. A 14v model, the FS1400D, sells for $89.97. The 12v FS1200D sells for $69.97. The FireStorm drills are covered by a two-year warranty.
Contact Black & Decker, Dept. FIN, 701 E. Joppa Rd., Towson, MD 21286, 410/716-3900, visit www.FireStormTools.com or www.free productinfo.net/fin, or circle 194.


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Get the parts you need today. Pay later with . Learn more
Mercedes Benz Power Steering Rack For Sale
Power Steering Rack FOR Mercedes Benz - CHOOSE YOUR MODEL
You and your Mercedes Benz are approaching your 12th year together. It has been an excellent car for you and you have kept it as well maintained as you possibly could have. But you have also driven it a lot so it has a lot of miles on it and it starting to show in your steering system. Your steering wheel has been getting a little stiff and at times it is hard to make a turn because the car seems to get heavier. But you have a Mercedes Benz power steering rack so this should not be happening unless there is a problem with the Mercedes Benz steering rack. You take it to the mechanic and he tells you that your suspicions are right. You will need a Mercedes replacement steering rack.
Your Mercedes Benz power steering rack is going to work by using a pump and the steering gear. The pump in this Mercedes steering rack is, typically, hydraulically powered by a rotary vane pump. This pump is driven by the car's engine via belt. It contains a set of retractable vanes that spin inside an oval chamber. As the vanes spin they pull hydraulic fluid from the return line at low pressure and force it into the outlet at high pressure. The amount of flow provided by the pump depends on the car's engine speed. The rotary valve is what senses the force on the steering wheel. The key to the rotary valve is a torsion bar, which is a thin rod of metal that twists when torque is applied to it. So now that you know how a Mercedes Benz power steering rack let's find out what can go wrong with a Mercedes steering rack that is requiring a replacement.
You want to make sure you are checking for any leaks that you may have in your Mercedes Benz steering rack since this is a common problem that can lead to replacement. The end bellows of a Mercedes steering rack should contain little or no power steering fluid since their purpose is to protect the inner tie rod sockets from dust and moisture. A little bit of fluid in the bellows of a high mileage vehicle, like your Mercedes, is not uncommon but if there is a lot of fluid in the bellows the rack is leaking and needs to be fixed.
If the seals around the spool valves inside the rack are leaking, then your Mercedes steering may feel stiff or sluggish. This is sign that you need a Mercedes Benz replacement steering rack. This is because new seals alone are not going to fix most internal leaks because the old spool valve seals have usually worn grooves into the inside of the control valve housing. So in order to fix this problem you will need to replace the steering rack with one that has a new or sleeved control valve housing.
So whatever Mercedes Benz replacement steering rack you need, we are here to help! A Mercedes steering rack can be costly but we are here to help you with our low prices. Contact us today for your guaranteed to fit Mercedes Benz steering rack!


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Snowman WeekWednesday, December 16th, 2009
I went to a local shopping emporium today to buy a bag of skim milk. The two regular lines that were open had about 6-7 customers in each one, and then there was an 8-10 item line open that had three people in it. So I lined up there. As I waited, Large Marge called out, "I'm open over here, next customer please." Well wouldn't you know it but this old woman, she must have been 85, rushed over to the open line, setting all sorts of land speed records. I'm telling you, she barrelled herself THRU the other customers, all I could see was this flash of blue hair making a b-line for the open till. When she got there she pulled out a receipt and said to the cashier, "I'd like to return this _______ (whatever it was).
The Mayor was stunned. Let's face facts – old people have NOTHING to do during the day, they should always give way to younger people who are trying to get on with life. Old people should do their shopping between 8-10 am, then let the living do their shopping the rest of the time. I'm not even sure what an old person is doing outside at 5:30 pm, but returning things to shopping emporiums shouldn't be on that list. I would have been fine if someone had hip-checked the old bird, putting her in her place.
After that disgraceful display of oldness, I found myself second in line behind a kid of about 10-12 and his grandpa. The kid gets up to the counter and asks the girls for some Pokemon Platinum cards – $5.25 a pack!!!! He actually asked for two packs, and his grandpa says, "make it FOUR packs!" The Mayor was once again stunned. The chickie rings the cards in – $24 and change.
The idiot old man pays the girl and the kid starts opening up his Pokemon packs. I turn to the cashier and said, "Isn't there some occasion taking place in 9 days where that guy could give those cards as a present instead?" She looked me right in my good eye and said, "Don't even get me started, I see that crap every day".
I have just given you two reasons why the world deserves to come to an end, and two reasons why you should hate the human race. Greedy idiots the whole damn lot. I can't blame the kid, he was only doing what kids do – extend hand and ask it to be filled with gold. But the old man should be punched in the ear. Same with the old woman. And sure, while we're at it, let's punch the kid in the ear, too.
Have I mentioned tis the season to be jolly?


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July 6, 2017 By Carey Wedler
In Yulin, Guangxi, China, thousands of dogs are being tortured and killed to be sold as food at the world's largest dog meat festival, taking place this week. The annual event has received widespread criticism in recent years but has been difficult to shut down.
One of the reasons the Yulin Lychee and Dog Meat Festival continues is cultural relativism. After all, Westerners eat cows, which are sacred in Indian culture. In the United States, for example, cows and other livestock are subject to inhumane conditions that shock and terrify the animals, just like the dogs who suffer in China and in other countries throughout Asia. However, the torture inflicted on dogs at festivals like these is intentional and believed to bring quality to the resulting flesh due to the release of the animals' stress hormones. Read More


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AOMG, the Korean hip-hop and R&B record label will be bringing the AOMG Follow the Movement Tour to Singapore on 1 May 2017 at the Suntec Convention Hall 601 for one night only. Tickets will be available from 11 March 2017 via Asia Box Office. Five artistes will be featured at the concert including Jay Park, Simon Dominic, Loco, DJ Pumpkin and Gray. Tickets are priced from S$158 to S$288.
AOMG is the abbreviation for Above Ordinary Music Group. It was founded as an indie label by Jay Park in 2013. Today, it has evolved into one of the hottest and most talked-about music company.


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Photos: The State Police helicopter
Photos: The State Police helicopter
From left: Troopers Eric Fairchild, Mark Spencer, and Ed Mathurin discussed the technology used in the capture of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.
Trooper Ed Mathurin, the tactical flight officer the night of the capture, explained the operations.
A Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) camera system was used to detect the suspect while he was hiding in the boat.
The controls to the Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) camera system.
The State Police Troopers flew in tight circles about 1,200 feet overhead to avoid making themselves a target.
Mathurin said he was surprised to find a "perfect human silhouette" when he pointed the infrared camera at the bombing suspect.


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Fhotoroom, a popular Windows social networking and photo editing app has just managed to hit 5 million monthly active users – a milestone for the service.
While this number pales in significance when compared to the massive numbers of Instagram and Snapchat, it is worth noting that Fhotoroom is very unlike those two services because of the audience it serves.
It is a Windows phone first service, which means that much of its user base is composed of Windows phones, with Windows pcs and tablets second, and Android and iOS devices a very distant third.
While those numbers aren't exactly large – they aren't small either. They serve to demonstrate that a quality Windows app still has the ability to draw millions of downloads, and keep a high number of those millions engaged for months on end.
Windows phone may not have VSCO Cam or other niche photo community apps, but Fhotoroom more than makes up for it.


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So, last week our "10 Questions" feature raised a few eyebrows on a message board. Some of the responses to it were harsh, but all we have to say about the thread is this: Thanks for the page views.
Like we stated in our first installment with Nick Wey, these questions are copied from the acclaimed television series, Inside the Actor's Studio. However, this is not the first time they have been taken by one media to another: ItAS got them from French TV series Apostrophes and its host, Bernard Pivot.
We grabbed Blake Baggett for a quick sit-down at the Monster Energy Cup last month and asked him what his answers were. Mind you, this was moments after he broke his wrist and left the care of Doc Bodnar. Take that how you please.
1. What is your favorite word?
2. What is your least favorite word?
3. What turns you on?
Tight clothing.
4. What turns you off?
5. What sound or noise do you love?
A good sounding V8.
6. What sound or noise do you hate?
Cobra 50. "EH-EH-EH!"
7. What is your favorite curse word?
The most famous one of all time.
8. What profession, other than your own, would you like to attempt?
Hearing the V8 over there, I want to drive off-road trucks.
9. What profession would you not like to attempt?
What is that Olympic sport with the fastest walkers? Speed walking.
10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive?
"You're the man!"


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Hello, welcoke to the Phile for a Labor Day. The day we celebrate women giving birth. How are you? Did you survive Hurricane Hermine? I'm so glad they released a poster for the survivors...
You're welcome. So, like I said, it's Labor Day, which is a great opportunity to reflect on what you failed to accomplish this summer. For those that don't know Labor Day is a fitting tribute to the contributions of American workers in industries other than those that recently destroyed America. Okay, let's start with a story about Brock Turner, the Stanford rapist who received the ridiculously lenient sentence of six months after raping an unconscious woman behind a dumpster, has just been released after only three months. His time was halved for "good behavior." Turner, dressed like he is ready to meet his boys for cocktails, kept his eyes down the whole time and ignored reporters as he stepped toward a white SUV. The only question that can be made out is, "Are you going to say you're sorry Brock?" He gave no response, which is to be expected considering his best known method of communication is texting pictures of his victim's breasts. Judge Persky, the man who gifted Turner the light punishment due to "special circumstances" (being a privileged white Olympic hopeful), has voluntarily removed himself from hearing criminal cases starting next week due to the public outcry against him. According to the AP, Turner will move back to Ohio to live with his parents while he serves three years of supervised probation, and he must register as a sex offender for life. The package he is carrying is hate mail the jail collected for him to receive upon release. Looks like he'll have plenty of reading material on his trip back to freedom.
Fewer American teens are getting pregnant, and the reason is... Birth control! That makes sense, given that it's called birth control. Births by teenagers ages 15 to 19 decreased by 36% between 2007 and 2013, according to federal data. You might think that's because teens had stopped having sex, but haha, no. A new study, which was published online in the "Journal of Adolescent Health," found that teens are not having less sex and they're also having fewer abortions. In that case, all signs point to teens using more birth control. Researchers found teens were using all types of birth control more often and were more likely to combine methods (such as, say, condoms and the pill). In 2016, there's basically a buffet of options to keep your uterus empty. So which method is best? According to the study's lead author, Laura Lindberg from the Guttmacher Institute, what matters most is that you use anything. "If a teen uses no method they have an 85 percent chance of getting pregnant [within a year]," said Lindberg. "Using anything is way more effective than that 85 percent risk." She added that the best method for teens is "one that they are willing and able to use." The world is your oyster!
Air travel! It's always an adventure. Last Monday evening, a Southwest flight was taxiing down the runway in Baltimore when a passenger reached into the seat pouch in front of her to find a mysterious six inch gold cylindrical device. "What could it possibly be?" none of us wonder. The passenger immediately alerted flight staff, who stopped the plane. The flight was then evacuated and search teams checked the aircraft thoroughly but did not find any threats. Passengers were then searched before they re-boarded, and the flight took off and arrived at its destination in Denver. So what was the mysterious device?? Obviously we're all thinking, "It's a vibrator. Duh." But no, it was actually a vibrating anti-wrinkle device called a Bar 24k Golden Anti-aging Skin Roller which is reportedly a hot selling item in Japan and Taiwan. Pictured here...
Okay, sure. It's an anti-wrinkle device. And the Hitachi magic wand is a back massager. Officers could not return the device to its owner, who remains unknown, so it is currently being held by aviation police who say they're "not sure what to do with it right now." Maybe they should use it on their skin to prevent the (natural) effects of aging? JK. Store that thing away in a plastic bag, because it's a vibrator.
Rejoice, for "Stranger Things" is getting a second season, and there will be justice for Barb. Netflix's "Stranger Things" has confirmed that there's a second season coming in 2017, giving its fans something to look forward to as we trudge through the rest of this awful election year. The teaser trailer released August 31th includes the names of the nine new episodes: "Madmax," "The Boy Who Came Back To Life," "The Pumpkin Patch," "The Palace," "The Storm," "The Pollywog," "The Secret Cabin," "The Brain," and "The Lost Brother." That's right, nine episodes, compared to the first season's eight. The makers know we need more, more, more! The trailer doesn't include any footage or other information about the upcoming season, but it does feature the same excellent eerie synth soundtrack by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein (two of the four members of the Austin band Survive), so it's probably safe to assume they'll be scoring this season, too. The only other thing confirmed for the second season is that there will indeed be JUSTICE FOR BARB! In case you still haven't watched the first season of the Netflix original show, what on earth (or anywhere else) are you waiting for?
Ready for your day to be ruined? BuzzFeed News is reporting that there may be people dressed as clowns lurking around South Carolina, trying to lure children into the woods using candy and money. You will have plenty of time to think about how scary that is now that you will never sleep again.
According BuzzFeed, several people have spotted and complained about seeing multiple clowns in Greenville, South Carolina. There have apparently been enough sightings to warrant the property manager of Greenville's Fleetwood Manor apartments to issue this statement to residents, "There has been several conversations and a lot of complaints to the office regarding a clown or a person dressed in clown clothing taking children or trying to lure children in the woods. First and foremost at Fleetwood Manor Apartments children's [sic] safety is a top priority. At no time should a child be alone at night, or walking in the roads or wooded areas at night. Also if a person or persons are seen you are to immediately call the police. Greenville County Police Department is aware of the situation and have been riding [sic] the property daily. Remember there is a 10pm curfew for the property so to ensure your children's [sic] safety please keep them in the house during night hours and make sure at ALL times children are supervised. Anymore information that becomes regarding this issue will be sent out to all residents." On top of this, at least one person has filed a police report. In the report, Donna Arnold, mother of two boys ages 10 and 13, said that one of her sons reported seeing clowns on the edge of the woods behind their apartment complex, "whispering and making strange noises." Her older son also reported hearing "chains and banging" at the door of their home. Donna's husband, James, also reported that his sons had said, "Some had chains, some had knives, and some were holding out money, saying, 'Come here, we've got candy for you,' but they wouldn't go." Another resident reported seeing a clown standing alone under a street light around 2:30am. one morning. The clown waved at her and she waved back, and the clown did not approach her BUT WHAT THE HELL WAS GOING ON THERE HOW DID SHE NOT PEE HER PANTS RIGHT THEN AND THERE? Oh, and the cherry on top of the creepy clown cake? Residents are theorizing that the group of clowns live in an abandoned house at the end of a man-made trail in the middle of the woods. Cool. Well. Nightmares are real and they are in South Carolina.
It's back to school season, and your Facebook feed is likely flooded with your friends' kids' first day of school pictures. It brings back lots of memories of first day jitters, excitement, and of course the all important back to school outfit. Today's kids will have to wait a few years for their back to school fashions to humiliate them, but that time will come. Oh yes, it will come. Until then, for the next few weeks I will show you some awkward first day throwback photos, and be glad you started grade school before the Internet. Maybe I will find one of my back to school pictures. Maybe.
Pretty confident you could buy this outfit at H&M right now. So, do you kids have a Fitbit? There's been a few times I was gonna buy one but I'd probably never wear it... then again they do have Fitbit badges now for lazy people.
So, with that clown story I mentioned it made me remember the new Stephen King movie that is out... for some reason.
Hahaha. So stupid. So... "Stranger Thnings"... seems like it's not that of an original concept, or someone is cashing in on it.
I love it! So, it's pumpkin season I guess... man, I hate the taste of pumpkins. Anyay, some companies are taking this pumpkin thing a little too far. This is a 100% real item, kids.
Why?! Alright, so, one of the things I like to do in the little spare time I have it to go on Twitter and look up certain words. One of those words I look up is "Foghat" and this is a tweet I recently saw...
Hmmm. There's so many things I could say right now, but won't. And now from the home office in Port Jefferson, New York, here is...
Top Phive Things Trump Did In Mexico
5. Tried to keep calm admidst all the "rapists and murderers."
4. Introduced himself as Donald Trump-o, next-o president-o American-o!
3. Scouted factory locations for Trump Ties, Trump Suits and Make America Great Again caps.
2. Asked President Enrique Peña Nieto, "Who's this 'Dirty Sanchez' I keep hearing about from Roger Ailes?"
And the the number one thing Trump did in Mexico was...
1. Enjoyed a late lunch with El Chapo.
Good morning humans... Happy Labor Day. So, here's a random thought. Nobody ever bitches about it being Monday when it's a Monday on a three day weekend due to it being a holiday. While we're at it... since it's called Labor Day, we should take all the able bodied parasites (who are capable of working but refuse to... and then get a welfare check) and make THEM work today. Why not? They have the REST of the year off, WITH PAY... to enjoy themselves while WE go to work and pay their share of the taxes that pay for welfare and health care... for the lazy. But I guess I'm a prick for saying that out loud... I guess I'm wrong... I guess I'm insensitive... Must be me, right?
Good point, Laird. So, my son and I were talking about his we watched "Seasame Street" together when he was a kid. Well, this pheature shows you how the show is not the same.
"Have you ever heard about sounding, Bert? It's when you insert a long, thing object in your urethra. I can fit two straws in there side by side."
Gene Wilder
June 11th, 1933 — August 29th, 2016
Got his golden ticket punched.
Steven Hill
February 24th, 1922 — August 23rd, 2016
Going down, Hill.
Pumpkin Spice Latte
A pumpkin spice latte is the only thing white girls can even.
Today's guest is a singer from England whose new EP "High" is now available on iTunes. Please welcome to the Phile... Hetty Clark.
Me: Hello, Hetty, welcome to the Phile. How are you?
Hetty: Hi! I am happy to be on the Phile, thanks so much for having me!
Me: Okay, so, I have to ask you about your name first... I was gonna comment it's very English sounding, and then I read you are from England. Ha! So, what part of England are you from?
Hetty: Yes, I am from the U.K. and I am kind of happy that I will never escape my Englishness because of my name! My first home was in Islington, North London (though in the late 70s it was not the hip, affluent area that it is now!) We moved out to Hertfordshire, to an amazing house with a beautiful rambling garden. Rural Hertfordshire is all that you imagine English countryside to be; very green with lots of sheep! Now, like all the home counties, you get Starbucks and suburbia creeping in to the towns but the countryside is incredible considering it's only an hour north of London.
Me: I am originally from London myself, Hetty. So, how long have you been in the states?
Hetty: I had no idea you are from London! Whereabouts are you from in London?
Me: I was born in Balham.
Hetty: Balham is great... some of my best friends live there. I moved to L.A. 3 years ago on the back of a project my husband was working on. It was going to be Seoul, South Korea but then at the last minute it was L.A. After a particularly grueling British winter I was totally up for a move to California!
Me: Cool. Anyway, back to your name... are you named after somebody? You don't meet too many people with the same name I am guessing. Anyway, I like it.
Hetty: Thanks so much! I'm not named after anyone as far as I know. I like how Hetty is a little retro sounding.
Me: So, Adrienne VanDeRocker who I interviewed a few months ago suggested we get I contact with each other and I interview you. That's one of my favorite things about this stupid little blog... how my guests connect me to different people. So, how long have you known Adrienne?
Hetty: I first met Adrienne as I became good friends with her sister-in-law and so I immediately went to check out her music, which I love. I sought her advise on venues and where to play here in L.A. She was fantastic and very helpful, a really cool girl.
Me: So, what do you think of her album "Jupiter's Kiss?" Have you heard it?
Hetty: I dig her album and think it is a great combination of high-octane alternative rock, with a really nice retro feel. I love how the album is infused with electronica too and this gives it a fresh edge. I think her band expanding will continue to evolve and sound fantastic.
Me: Have you ever worked together or played together?
Hetty: We haven't worked together as such but I am in her network and so it would be fantastic to play together sometime. Actually she is expanding her band right now so you never know!
Me: Okay, let's talk about your music. You have a new EP out called "High." This is not your first release, is it?
Hetty: Yes, my debut EP was released in April 2015, "Laughing in the Dark." Josh Ricchio (Sing Engine Records) also produced this EP.
Me: Did you write the songs on the EP yourself?
Hetty: This current EP began with me writing piano sketches and lyrics but overall the EP is a collaborative project between myself, Josh Ricchio, who produced the EP and Tom Marshall who I play live with. Two of the tracks, "Nighthawker" and "The Best Is Yet To Come" began as Ricchio's instrumental and I then wrote the lyric/vocal. So overall it was a very interesting project to be a part of, and I learnt a lot.
Me: How would you describe this new EP to your past work?
Hetty: I think in this EP my writing style has shifted a little more into a dream pop world, whereas before the style was alternative indie pop. I definitely feel that each project enables you to refine the sound that you feel best encapsulates the mood and message that you are offering up to your listeners.
Me: So, how did "High" get to be the title, Hetty?
Hetty: The title came to me because the songs as a collection are all in someway quite dreamy, yet dark at the same time. The EP is about how we are never fixed in any one moment but constantly shifting between feeling high or elated to the opposite darkness and everything in between. I think the songs dramatize how transient life is and it's about finding the beauty in this.
Me: So, when was the EP recorded?
Hetty: So, the songs went through various revisions and many different mixes as all songs do but this meant that the EP ended up taking longer to produce. I think we started in around October 2015. At the time I had just finished writing some songs that were due to be released as an EP but instead they are now signed to SyncStories, a Music Publishing company in Santa Monica.
Me: I hear a lot of Everything But The Girl in your music, Hetty. Are you a fan of that band?
Hetty: I am a huge fan, yes undoubtedly! I love how the lyric and the music feel like they are in perfect sync, and there is a sort of mesmerizing inevitability about the songs and how they ended up sounding. I am sure the process was no way close to being so straightforward! I think Tracey Thorne has the most amazing natural sounding voice. She has a completely inimitable sound that is truly her own and to me this is the mark of a great vocalist. I love singers like Adele, and Alicia Keyes and admire so much their impressive vocal ranges, but I am also really attracted to voices that are powerful in an understated style. There can be an arrestingly beautiful quality to a voice that does not demand to be heard.
Me: Who else are your influences?
Hetty: The early 90s Bristol trip-hop scene inspires me and there definitely seems to be quite a revival of this going on. There are so many bands that influence me but I love Massive Attack, Portishead, Rosin Murphy, Fiona Apple, The xx, Haelos, Bat for Lashes and London Grammar.
Me: Do you get to perform a lot of shows in and around L.A.?
Hetty: I haven't been performing too much lately as I have been concentrating on writing and recording. I would love to play some shows soon and plan on doing so.
Me: Do you go to see many shows yourself?
Hetty: I have just been to F.Y.F. and saw Grace Jones. She is such an iconic performer and what an inspiration to be rocking it with such panache at 68! I love getting out to shows. One of favorite venues here in L.A. is the Echo because I love a smaller intimate venue. I went to see Kate Tempest there, she is an incredible rapper/poet. I also love going to the Ace Hotel.
Me: Do you remember what the first concert you ever saw was?
Hetty: Actually my thing was raves, way before I was into seeing bands. I got totally caught up in the rave scene in London aged around 15 or so. At that time illegal raves were everywhere in warehouses and disused spaces and for a few years house music was obsessively my thing! Friday night at Heaven (you probably went yourself?) was awesome; the DJ's were insane! It was a proper sweaty night out, gloves and whistles the lot in true early 90s style! I subsequently had to educate myself on bands as I had missed out on a few years of seeing live music. Saying that I was really into Velvet Underground, the Stones Roses and the Smashing Pumpkins.
Me: I have never been to a rave. Haha. Growing up in England, did you listen to a lot of Top 40 on Radio 1?
Hetty: I sure did when I lived there for a few years in the 80s. Absolutely Radio 1 was and still is the best place to check out new bands. Then of course there was John Peel, what an inspiration he was and his sessions introduced listeners to eclectic, emerging bands.
Me: You went to university in Scotland, am I right? Where did you go and what did you study?
Hetty: I was lucky enough to go to Edinburgh where I got a Masters degree in English Literature. In Scotland the Masters are all 4-year courses but in my 3rd year I lived in Madrid on an exchange Erasmus programme. I got to speak Spanish, stay up all night far too regularly and not do much in the way of studying for a year. It was heaven!
Me: So, have you traveled around the states at all?
Hetty: I have been lucky enough to travel in California & Utah and I've been to New York but not as yet travelled extensively within the states. I long to go to New Orleans, Portland, Austin, Texas, so many places.
Me: Hetty, your music is relaxing which is a good thing. Are you relaxed when you write it?
Hetty: Thank you so much! Writing takes me to a quiet place inside myself, so typically I am at my most relaxed unless I get really antagonized when it's not going so well. It is the highs and lows of writing that I find so addictive.
Me: What comes first, the music or lyrics?
Hetty: I think previously I would have said the lyric, but the more I write I realize that for a song to reach people it has to have a clear definable structure with catchy hooks. At the end of the day you want people to remember the song and be able to hum the tune. I think this is the most important test of a good song, but if a song is going to stick I think the lyric needs to have a life of it's own too.
Me: You also did a song with Will Pharoah... is that a band or a person?
Hetty: Will Pharoah is a production duo made up of Josh Ricchio (formerly Freak Owls) and Kolby Wade based in N.Y. Ricchio is now based here in L.A. He created Sing Engine Records, which is a boutique record label, and together they write, publish and release works by many emerging and established artists. I have been writing with Josh since I met him in 2014 and he has been really instrumental in helping me develop my sound.
Me: Do you like performing and working on your own stuff or with somebody else?
Hetty: I work a lot on my own developing ideas lyrically and melodically and I really enjoy this but I also need to be working collaboratively with others to get inspired. Writing songs is a really intimate thing and for me it is all about getting in the room with other musicians and if there is a good chemistry you know you are on to something! Since living here in L.A. I have been really fortunate to work with a number of musicians, from diverse genres and it's been great to learn and share ideas.
Me: So, what's next for you, Hetty? A lot of promotion for your EP I am guessing.
Hetty: I have just started an exciting new writing project with Ned Douglas, (Dave Stewart's engineer). The intention behind the project is to create songs that are direct, raw and unforced. We are both really into dark, moody electronic music so I am excited to see how this project will unfold.
Me: Alright, so, Adrienne hooked us up... so, is there anybody you can recommend I interview?
Hetty: I would love to recommend my friend Lettie. She is a London based electro pop singer songwriter. She is a unique talent so please check her out and send her my love!
Me: You are new to social networking, right? Do you wanna mention your website or Facebook?
Hetty: I am fairly new to social media so it's all a work in progress! Please check out my website for updates on my new project: hettyclark.com, Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/hetty-clark, Facebook: facebook.com/Hettyclarkmusic, and itunes.apple.com/us/album/high-feat.-tom-marshall-josh/id1144616737.
Me: Hetty, thanks so much for being on the Phile. I hope it was fun and I hope you'll come back again. If you see Adrienne tell her I said hello. All the best.
Hetty: Thanks so much for having me on the Phile, and hope to be back soon! I will pass on your best to Adrienne.
Me: Good job. Thanks, Hetty.
That about does it for this entry of the Phile. Thanks to Laird Jim and of course Hetty. The Phile will be back next Saturday with Phile Alum Michael Fargnoli from Hadley's Hope. Spread the word, not the turd. Don't let snakes and alligators bite you. Bye, love you, bye. Tooting is the best!
Not if it pleases me. No, you can't stop me, not if it pleases me. - Graham Parker


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What did you learn about each other through this experience that you didn't know before?
Jazmine: "I learned that I can go through anything and everything with Danielle and it would not affect our friendship. It tested us being in certain situations, but our communication and bond really helped us overcome obstacles."
Danielle: "Before the Race, Jazzy and I knew everything there is to know about each other. But I was very surprised with how much Jazzy was willing to get down and dirty. She is somewhat of a diva in everyday life but she was amazing on the Race. She didn't bring her diva-ness into the Race and she did whatever it took to stay in the game—even getting inside a trash can! So I learned that she has some real grit to her and I'm really proud of her."


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So, my dear friends here is Chandoo and his story …
Chandoo was having everything a typical indian parent wishes his child to have. An engineering degree followed by an IIM degree and a plushy job at TCS. And many people who fail to achieve such kind of an Indian parental dream usually say that IIM graduates waste two year of their life for learning just one thing : Making Excel sheets for the Companies.
Chandoo did exactly that , except one little extra thing. Chandoo got interested in Excel a lot . He blogged his interest out in night for few hours daily. With no money making plan ahead in life, he just tried to share his learned stuffs about Microsoft excel on the Internet.
When his blog started attracting considerable visitors, he thought of transforming this hobby into a full fledged earning idea. He started writing more and more about Excel and started earning through Google Adsense and selling affiliate products related to Excel.
His last year earning touched $1,00,000 mark and he is happy living a life on his own. He is happy that he left TCS and choose blogging as a career, as it gave him enough money and time for him and his family.
What have he learnt about Blogging ?
According to Chandoo, its not important to start running after those things which are heavily searched, like cricket and movies. But its important to stick to a point which you really love. In this way you can write your heart out as well as you can write for long.


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Malorossian cuirassier officer
My mistakes:
1. Color officer's lanyard by broadsword must be is a silver canvas, not a red leather stripe.
2. Shabraques lace must be a gold lace, not a yellow color.
3. Buttons on the breeches must be silver, not gray
4. The collar of the tunic should be white edging, not a yellow.


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Gamification FAQ:
What is Gamification?
Gamification is the application of 'game playing' to training material with the aim of engaging and encouraging your employees to learn, improve their performances and compete with their peers.
The application of gaming mechanics will see your learners accrue points and awards for completing the training material to high standard, star performers are also highlighted to everyone in leader boards creating friendly competition.
When is Gamification suitable?
Applicable in almost any scenario, Gamification is best deployed when you want to engage, motivate, influence and increase loyalty with your employees.
Are you responsible for delivering compliance based training/ eLearning on topics such as Health & Safety, Fire Safety, Food Hygiene etc or other subjects such as PCI DSS, Equality & Diversity or Soft Skills etc and looking for an alternative, more modern way to deliver your training material? Gamification could be the answer to increasing your audience's understanding, engagement and motivation to participate and learn your material.
We have created engaging eLearning courses with gaming mechanics across all of these subjects and more for hundreds of companies.
Is Gamification about making work/ training fun?
Assuming that gamification is all about 'fun' is a typical reaction when people hear the word 'game' however it couldn't be further from the truth. Yes, gaming mechanics can increase engagment and make your training more appealing however gamification is a genuine solution to real training problems.
All training you deliver to your employees is important and it must be understood by your colleagues, however not every employee is motivated or willing to engage with traditional training methods such as classroom or on screen reading. Gamification is a proven tool to increase engagment, understanding and motivation.
Where may I have seen Gamification before?
Everywhere. Gamification is the application of 'gaming mechanics' and incentives to employees or customers with the aim of influencing whilst increasing motivation and engagement. Classic examples in the B2C world are Air Miles, McDonald's Monopoly and basic loyalty cards i.e. Tesco Clubcard, Starbucks Rewards etc all of which are designed to encourage their consumers to repeat purchase – McDonalds see a 5.6% increase in sales during their monopoly campaign.
From an eLearning and training perspective the aim of gamification is make training more 'fun', drive employee engagement, create friendly competition and embed the learning requirements within your employees minds. This is achieved through the rewarding of points, awards and leaderboard tables.
What's eLambs Experience in Gamification
We have created eLearning for nearly 10 years and during our time we have applied gaming mechanics to hundreds of our eLearning courses and assessments for a wide variety of customers across a multiple of industries including; Hair and Beauty, Manufacturing, Hospitality, Construction and Waste Management.
Where Can I learn more?
Why not start with us? Give us a call on +44 (0) 1325 734 885 where we'd be happy to discuss the benefits of gamification further, explore how it may work for you and your business and share with you some examples of our work and case studies.


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The Dr. Pat Show: Talk Radio to Thrive By!: The Importance of Healing and Integration with Mychael Shane of The Ascension Foundation
04/11/2012 11:00 am PST
Karmic blocks have hindered us from moving forward way too long, this age of feminine energy and empowerment is the time of resolution and healing for the greater good and power. In Mychael's life, the Ascended Masters have shown him the way to this healing, now he would love to share their love with you.
Dr. Pat Baccili
Dr. Pat Baccili helps individuals and organizations break through their limiting Crust so they can reach their unlimited potential. Her specialty is assisting people face t...Find out more »
Mychael Shane
Rev. Mychael Shane is a certified physical medium of the ASSMPI Organization (American Society for Standards in Mediumship & Physical Investigation). As a physical mediu...Find out more »


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Smith was the first, and don't you forget it!by Dan Rosen
|On November 28, 1979, former Islanders goalie Billy Smith scored the first goal by a goaltender in NHL history in a game against the Colorado Rockies (now New Jersey Devils).
"We got beat real bad that game anyway," Smith told NHL.com. "Even though I scored, nobody really cared."
VIDEO: Goalie goal footage
While hockey fans view Ron Hextall's length-of-the-ice saucer shot into the net against the Boston Bruins on Dec. 8, 1987 as a defining moment for NHL goalies – it is, after all, the reason we're now celebrating goalies with NHL goals – Smith actually was the first netminder in League history to be credited with a goal.
Only, his received no fanfare, and it came during a brutal 7-4 defeat against the Colorado Rockies in Denver. Hextall, meanwhile, was showered with gifts, including a new car, and earned a firm place in NHL history when he put the puck into a net vacated by Reggie Lemelin during a 5-2 Flyers victory.
Smith, though, doesn't care. His four Stanley Cup rings and plaque in Toronto at the Hockey Hall of Fame are more than enough to take comfort in.
"It was just kind of like a joke. It just was not a big deal. A lot more was made of Hextall's than what was made of mine," Smith said. "Even the team made a bigger deal of Hextall's than what my team made of it. I didn't get anything. It was kind of like, 'Oh, he got the goal,' and than it was forgotten. It wasn't important."
Twenty-eight years later, Smith's goal has taken on significant meaning.
Nine goalies have combined to score 11 goals – Hextall and Martin Brodeur have two apiece – but Smith is on record as being the first.
"That's the thing, first guy to do it," Smith said. "It makes a difference now."
Smith's goal didn't have the same glamour effect as Hextall's because he didn't shoot the puck. He simply was the last guy to touch it before it went sliding into a vacated net. Five of the 11 goalie goals have been scored that way.
Colorado pulled its goalie after a delayed penalty was called against the Islanders, but after a Smith save, Rockies defenseman Rob Ramage made an errant pass down the length of the ice, and the puck wound up in the Colorado net.
Chico Resch, who said he started in net for the Islanders that night – "I was a sieve and had to get taken out," he recalled – remembers nobody on the bench even reacting to the goal or thinking it belonged to Smith.
"I had an idea it was me, but when they gave it to Kenny Morrow I didn't really care. I wasn't getting any bonuses for goals scored so it wasn't a big deal," Smith said. "It's just a goal, that's all it is. I'm not a sentimental guy, so it's not the type of thing I do back flips over."
He does, however, have a soft spot for his place in hockey history.
He knows Hextall's goal in 1987 widely is considered the first real goal scored by an NHL goalie, but Smith has a message for anyone who has forgotten about that game at McNichols Sports Arena on Nov. 28, 1979.
"You tell them to look in the record books to see where (Hextall's) name appears," he said.


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I am actress, still trying to make my foothold strong in Bollywood. I had made a debut in Bollywood in 2004 but that went unnoticed and I moved on to south industry.
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Today's enterprises face a profound leadership crisis - and the speed of business has far outstripped conventional executive development systems. In Grow Your Own Leaders, three world-renowned experts introduce an entirely new approach for identifying tomorrow's leaders within your own organization, accelerating their development, and deploying them immediately, to address new challenges wherever they emerge.
About William C. ByhamSee more books from this Author
An aggregated and normalized score based on 7 user ratings from iDreamBooks & iTunes


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Blue Raven farm is situated on 5 gorgeous acres in Corbett OR, just 40 minutes outside of Portland. We feel incredibly blessed to steward this land and call this place home.
Our guiding forces for each and every farm decision are based on the following values:
Coax this land into a vibrant and healthy ecosystem
Educate aspiring farmers utilizing sustainable growing practices
Connect community members to high quality, local, seasonal produce, while encouraging members to have a connection to the land where their food is grown.
our story
Ecologically grown: supporting soil biology, providing habitat for beneficial insects, and caring for the surrounding forest mutually benefits us all.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
We are committed to providing the community with four seasons of local, high quality, and delicious produce
Bridge City Farm School
Bridge City Farm School is an eight month training apprenticeship program for aspiring farmers eager to learn the nuts and bolts of running a small scale market farm.


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I'll occasionally get questions here or on Instagram about what products I use on my short hair, and I'm happy to share what has worked best for me! It definitely takes some trial and error to figure out what products will give the best results, but I've found some products I really enjoy and I'm happy to pass them along.
Of course, the products that are great for me might not be good for you, and vice versa. I have what my stylist has described as "a medium amount of very fine hair," so these products are mainly geared toward adding volume and texture, and preventing flyaways.
*affiliate links ahead!
1. Wella Enrich Shampoo and Conditioner :: This shampoo and conditioner duo is a rather recent purchase for me, so I've only been using them a few weeks. But I've been really happy with them--they add lots of softness and shine, and aren't heavy at all.
2. Aquage Uplifting Foam :: This has been a repeat purchase of mine for quite a few years now. It has the consistency of a thin mousse, and is meant to be sprayed right into the roots to give volume and lift. It is a bit pricey, but I love it and it lasts me a long time. Editing to add: I picked up L'Oreal Boost It Volumizing Mousse when my Aquage ran out recently, just to bridge the gap until I could order more Aquage, and I am really liking it! It gives my hair more of a stiff feel than the Aquage does, but I think the volume and lift is every bit as good as Aquage. Just an FYI if the price tag on the Aquage is giving you sticker shock!
3. John Frieda Full Repair Elixir Oil :: I bought this as a replacement for Moroccan Oil, which is wonderful but expensive. I've been using it for quite a while (probably a year or more), and I've been happy with it. I use 1 pump in my palms, then work it into my hair, focusing on the ends. I think it helps to smooth my hair, protect it from blow dryer heat, and give it some shine. I'll sometimes add a few more drops to dry hair to add shine.
Not pictured, because I honestly can't tell whether this is doing anything: Generic Value Products Shine Spray from Sally's Beauty Supply. I truly can't tell if it makes any difference for me, but I figured I'd mention it because I do, in fact, use it after every blow dry, despite not being able to tell if it makes a difference.
4. Beyond the Zone Rock On Volumizing Powder :: If I were forced to pick just ONE product to use on my hair every day, it would be this. (I should point out that I've tried a few different texture/volumizing powders and honestly haven't noticed a huge difference between them, so my loyalty isn't necessarily to this particular powder, but just to a texture powder in general.)
I'll warn you that these powders feel gross. They are chalky and sticky and make your hair feel dirty and nasty. But I'm willing to deal with that unpleasant side effect because it adds so much texture and grip to my hair, which is very fine with zero natural texture. I shake some powder into my roots at the crown of my head and along my part, then use my fingers to shake and rough it up. It gives great lift and texture that you can leave as is, or tease over, and it will actually hold. (If you have very fine hair like I do, you've probably gotten frustrated that no amount of teasing makes any difference! If you use some of this first and then tease your hair, it'll hold great.)
5. Ion Pomade Wax :: I use a small amount of this on my fingertips and use it to stick down any frizzies and flyaways, smooth the bangs out a bit, piece out some sections across the top and sides, and smooth the back down.
6. Kenra 25 Hairspray :: This hairspray is THE best ever ever ever. It gives awesome hold, and really helps volume to stick around all day! I've used it off and on for years, and always regret it when I decide to try a different spray. Editing to add: I picked up the Generic Value Products knockoff version of this hairspray from Sally's recently and really truly canNOT tell a difference between it and the real deal. Go ahead and save yourself a couple bucks!
If you have any hair products you just LOVE, I'm all ears!
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When I started writing in 2008, my intent was to write children's short stories. I eventually branched out into adult short stories, and I've dabbled in poetry. I had no desire to write a novel.
Then, I cyber-met Courtney Rene and she became one of my critique partners. I was privileged to read A Howl in the Night during its infancy. Chapter by chapter, I watched her novel grow and I was intrigued. I thought that if I could write a chapter at a time, maybe a novel wouldn't feel like such a tremendous task. But what would I write about?
One day, while reading an interview in O magazine by Jonathan Lethem, I read a sentence that resonated with me.
I want books to be old and to have this weird talismanic property where they've had different owners, and they convey a sense of history.
I read it over and over. I wrote the sentence and taped it to my wall (eventually pinning it to my cork board.) It was the kind of sentence that sang to me, flashed at me, made me forget everything else and play with the feeling it evoked. The kind of sentence that says, "There's a story here somewhere..."
I stared at that slip of paper every time I sat down to write, but still, there was no clear story in my head.
Then, one day a friend of mine asked me if I wanted to go to London. Ummm...YEAH! Hubby said I could go, as long as I didn't go to Scotland without him. My friend and I made a date far enough in advance to save up the money. She told me to surf the web and find all the tourist attractions I wanted to visit. While lost in the UK on the internet, my ADD kicked in, and I researched my mother-in-law's maiden name. I thought, "Wouldn't it be cool if there was an actual castle?"
Well, there is a Buchanan Castle, but it's in total ruin. Check out this link for the site record. There are some grand photos of the place before it fell to disrepair.
Check out this site for some wonderful photos of the ruined castle.
I looked past the total devastation and pictured myself walking through those halls, trying to imagine the grandeur. And then, I read the history of the castle:
The last Laird of Buchanan died in 1681 and the house and estate were bought by the 3rd Duke of Montrose (of the Graham family). The original castle on the site was the ancestral seat of the Clan Buchanan, and burned down in 1852. The current building was built by the 4th Duke of Montrose in 1854. This new house replaced Mugdock Castle as the official seat of the Clan Graham - no Buchanans have ever lived in this building.And there it was. It all came together for me. All I had to do was ask myself, "What if?"
Plus, sign up for e-mail updates from this blog in the top right-hand corner of the page.


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Smith to Run for MayorPosted by MJ
The Buffalo News reported today:
Calling for a new leadership style and new priorities for the city, 2nd Ward Alderman Jack L. Smith Jr., a Democrat, announced today he's running for mayor.
At the same time, Smith said he may file a lawsuit that attempts to overturn the Common Council redistricting plan that took away most of his current constituents and placed him in a revised ward with a Republican enrollment edge.
Also today, 4th Ward Alderman Andrew D. Chapman, a Republican, said he's running for alderman at large.
He and Smith, both first-term aldermen, have been together on the losing side of many 4-2 votes, opposing the preferences of Mayor Michael W. Tucker, the Republican incumbent who previously announced he's running for his third term.
Smith said if he becomes mayor, he would emphasize housing code enforcement and infrastructure issues.
Plans to restore the "Flight of Five" 19th century Erie Canal locks would go on the back burner, and the Council would be asked to consider cutting the Friday night concert series...Also noted was Chapman's desire to run for Alderman at Large.
And as sad as it may be that I need to say it, I expect intelligent conversation here. If you want your comment to stay keep it to topics that pertain. Any juvenile trolling, name calling etc will be deleted as will any responses to it.


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Software Platform
Memoways is an innovative audio-visual Software Platform: a cloud based and collaborative set of tools that allows content producers to creatively deliver online video for mobile uses, interactivity and user engagement.
By using our innovative Software Platform, you can leverage your existing and future documents to a new level of user experience: let your audience seaminglesly interact and become engaged with your content to get their own original and exciting experience…
The audience does not need to search for the right content in a data deluge or to struggle through a labyrinth of endless propositions: the content is automatically fitting in the context and the usage of the audience.
New original ways of navigating through our shared digital memory…
With Memoways, you will be able to seamlessly deliver media that is fully tailored to an individual user's profile, preferences or the behavior.
One of these factors is behavior in the physical world. The media assets are tagged by their position on the world map, which means that the places an user visits play a crucial role in determining what assets will be used in his final product.
With the bold concepts it introduces, Memoways represents a true revolution in the way content creation is regarded. It rewards creators, by exponentially increasing the value and usability of their media, and also end users, by offering them a fresh and exciting experience that is as personal as they expect.
Multiple outputs
The interesting and valuable part of working with the Memoways Cloud Platform is that your content and metadata can be used and leveraged for many different uses and outputs, in specific and automatic ways.
Once you completed the indexing of your content (by adding keywords and tags to your documents), you can set up your projects to provide your end users with individualized and exciting presentations.
Be it for an innovative smartphone application or a responsive website: the way your content will be shown and used will depend on the keywords and settings you choose in the Memoways application.
And of course, the way the end user interacts with the « storyworld » you created for him…


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Originally Posted by Tom Bampton Garage Games Associate
Sorry it's been a bit quiet on the GID front lately. It's been rather hectic around here lately and I've been trying to hold off the next GID til the site update was done. Unfortunately, finding time to get the GID site rewritten has been harder then I thought it would be. As with GID18*, time has ticked by far to quickly and people are starting to get withdrawl symptoms so its time for GID j** …
So, join us in #gameinaday on irc.maxgaming.net on the 8th and 9th of April 2006 for GID j, the theme being Extreme Forces.
* – GID17 was cancelled because we didn't have Constructor.
** – Game in a Day got bored of plain old decimal and has now switched to a base 62 numbering scheme.
[The theme is extreme forces.]


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Pretty Flow 184.108.40.206
Size: 17.19MB
License: FREEWARE
Publisher: Publisher | Listed Programs
Release Date: 2014-11-25
Submit Date: 2014-11-25
OS: Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista/7
Downloads: 5297
(0 Votes)
Software Product Description
Automate your tasks with PrettyFlow. Define actions which perform different things in PrettyFlow project. Backup your files to zip, update sources, build project, compile help, build setup, copy files, ftp actions and many more.
With PrettyFlow server your projects can be triggered by different triggers like when file is changed, when drive is inserted, after some time,... You can also connect to PrettyFlow server with PrettyFlow client or through browser and ASP.NET application.


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Beat Records has recently released on CD the soundtrack to one of the last Gothics from the golden age of Italian horror (and Rosalba's last horror role) - Vasco Vassil Kojucharov's wonderfully atmospheric soundtrack to 1973's IL PLENILUNIO DELLE VERGINI (THE DEVIL'S WEDDING NIGHT). The Bulgarian born Kojucharov's soundtrack includes some orchestral and choral based moments along with a creepy organ and even goes into a groovy beat at a couple of points. And along with the presence of Rosalba, photography by Joe D'Amato and some excellent set design all add up to a classic slice of 70's Euro horror.
Also recently released by Beat is Ennio Morricone's beautiful score to UNA LUCERTOLA CON LA PELLE DI DONNA (A LIZARD IN A WOMEN'S SKIN) from 1971. Long OOP on CD (the old Intermezzo Media CD was one of my prized possessions), this has been expanded to two CD's and both these releases feature Beat's usual beautiful packaging (and both are limited to 500 copies). And it's a good excuse to post some pictures.


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Make a scrapbook - it's easy!
We travelled through France too quickly and saw very little. Our first day was spent at St Malo and Mont St Michel, which was spectacular. We then travelled through the middle of France and found a B & B in the village of Pressac. The owner was English! We had a liesurely afternoon wandering around. Then it was further south to Carcassonne, which was a delightful discovery with the walled City. The whole city is floodlit at night which is spectacular, but unfortunately our photo was blurred.
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'Have you lived here all your life?' said the tourist.
'Not yet' said the local.
We made our way to the 7 Sages international youth hostel, walking amongst the sites of Xi'an - an ancient, dusty vision of China. It wasn't until we checked in that we realised Mason's passport was missing, and it must have been left on the train. We rushed over to the train station to inform them, using my knowledge of the Chinese language. They didn't seem to take me seriously until I banged my fist on the table (a trick I learned from Suzanne, which really seemed to work). They advised us to go to the police station nearby, so within quarter of an hour, I was surrounded by police officers who couldn't speak english, with me explaining in broken english about the missing passport. They seemed to have no idea what to do, eventually coming to the conclusion that we should contact the embassy. We returned to the hostel, unsure where best to proceed. Suzanne shouted out to the courtyard 'does anyone speak English?' and one man raised his hand. He agreed to help us inquire with the train station about the passport, so Mason went with him. After what felt like a million cigarettes, they returned with the info that they did indeed have the passport and the train would be returning at 4 o'clock. Mason would have to be at the station by then to collect it from the officials. It was a long way until four, so an exhausted Mason decided to have a rest before going out. Suzanne and I were wide awake, so we decided to head out by rickshaw (8) toward Shaanxi museum to have a look around Xi'an.
We were so stressed from the passport fiasco that we needed some fatty junk food from America, so we visited Burger King. It's the only time I went there in Asia, and the only time I needed to. The main benefit of going to these fast food restaurants overseas is that in places like China, it can be the only place to buy cheap coffee (although I was reminded this is probably because it is unfairly sourced - the swankier coffee outlets would employ fair trade.) Be that as it may, we had our fix and we went to the museum.
We didn't actually go inside the museum as we didn't want to spend the money without all our companions - it is actually very easy to get in without paying, you just stereotypically 'go around the back', but Suzanne was a big believer in karma, and I was being so too throughout the duration of this trip. So, we decided not to visit the museum, instead exploring the souvenir shop, which was almost just like a museum itself. We then went over to the Wild Goose Pagoda, a famous landmark in Xi'an, where a festival of sorts was taking place. Fountains would spurt water ceremoniously as children dressed up in traditional outfits. In such a majestic and uniquely Chinese event, it was easy to feel out of place as a foreigner. It's one of those moments when you can't help appreciate the wonder of culture - especially the culture of the Chinese, which is sublime, to say the least. Where is New Zealand's culture? What even qualifies as New Zealand culture? - there is Maori culture, which is on the wane, and what's left is just British. I have always thought it would be wonderful to live in a country with such a vibrant culture - one that had developed and enriched over thousands of years, and a history for that matter as well. But of course many Chinese people my age wouldn't be concerned too much about that culture, and as I say here, the grass is often greener on the other side. I might a lady in Xi'an who became a pen-pal of sorts later on, and she told me how she would love to live in New Zealand and be in the real estate business too. How do I, with my almost complete lack of pride in my own country, reconcile a comment like that? Well, I did tell her, without sound too negative, how New Zealand is almost certainly not as great as many Chinese people are led to believe. I remember an article in the newspaper discussing this very thing. The air is fresh, there's plenty of food, but what else can I say? I cannot get tight in the throat about thinking about my own country. In the end I explained it to her in a way a Chinese person might understand - 'I like my country, but I don't like where it's going. It's becoming a pawn of American Imperialism.' She probably got the gist of that.