text:
LONDON (MarketWatch) — The U.K.'s benchmark stock index posted its second weekly loss in a row on Friday after uncertainty about the Ukraine crisis caused investors to sell equities ahead of the weekend.
The FTSE 100 index
Dragging the benchmark lower, miners posted some of the biggest losses. Shares of Anglo American PLC
Shares of HSBC Holdings PLC
The wider banking sector also dropped, with shares of Barclays PLC
The weakness in risk-sensitive sectors such as banks and miners came as the tensions between Russia and Ukraine intensified Friday afternoon, after the part state-owned Gazprom said it might halt gas deliveries to Ukraine as it did in 2009, because the country hasn't paid for its February supply. Gazprom also said Ukraine owes it $1.89 billion for gas, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Earlier in the day, the FTSE 100 briefly moved into positive territory after the U.S. nonfarm-payrolls report beat expectations. After sluggish readings for December and January, 175,000 jobs were added to the economy in February, signaling the economy hasn't slowed as much as a recent spate of indicators appear to suggest.
Meanwhile, the unemployment rate ticked up to 6.7% from 6.6% — the first rise in 14 months — but that was mainly because more people entered the workforce in search for jobs, which is usually a sign of increased optimism on the labor market.
More must-reads from MarketWatch:
Happy birthday, QE: 6 charts on U.K's 5-year recovery
Fundamentals don't matter because it's already a bubble


text:
A very mild non-toxic desensitiser in a specially compounded vanishing cream base. Produces a slight numbing effect over a desired area that keeps you going much, much longer. Turn yourself into an instant stud!
• Powerful Male Genital Desensitizers• Bestselling Delay Formula• Decrease Sensitivity For Extended Lovemaking• Odorless And Tasteless• Body-Safe
Ingredients: Acrylates/C 10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Diazolidinyl Urea, Ethoxdiglcol, Methylparben, Propanediol, Propylparaben, Treithanolamine, Water (Aqua)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
*As originally published in the Weekly Dig.
by Pink Lady
With the long days of August upon us, the ladies of LUPEC can think of few things more enjoyable to sip than a Pimm's Cup. Born in England and reinterpreted in New Orleans, the Pimm's Cup is the perfect cocktail to sip on a lazy afternoon. Also, it pairs well with civilized games like croquet, cricket, and bocce.
And thanks to its low alcohol content, you still stand a chance at winning, even if kick back your first one at lunch.
Invented by oyster bar owner James Pimm in London circa-1823 (or 1840, according to some), the original Pimm's Cup mixed gin, quinine, and a secret blend of herbs and spices. It was offered to guests as a "digestive tonic", but most likely invented to mask the bitter flavors inherent in the gin of the day.
By 1851 the drink was in such high demand that Pimm stepped up production, expanding the Pimm's Cup concept to include different versions based on other spirits. The next century saw the invention of six different Pimm's Cups, ranging from whiskey to vodka as their base. Only Pimm's No. 1 is widely available in the U.S today
The modern Pimm's Cup is an iconic British cocktail, and the drink is to Wimbledon what Mint Juleps are to the Kentucky Derby. It also has a home stateside, as a classic New Orleans cocktail prepared with nostalgic expertise at the Napoleon House. We tried them while in NOLA for Tales; you should try them on your porch.
The Napoleon House Pimm's Cup
Fill a tall 12 oz glass with ice. Add 1.25 ounces Pimm's No. 1 and 3 ounces lemonade.
Top off with 7up.
Garnish with cucumber.


text:
Chinchillas are generally hardy animals but are susceptible to several unique health conditions; understanding them will help you care for your pet and manage potential health problems. This handout describes the most common conditions seen in pet chinchillas.
Common conditions of pet ferrets include diarrhea, intestinal foreign bodies, parasites, heart disease, and various tumors. This handout outlines the causes, clinical signs, and treatment options for each of these conditions. Any variation from normal should be a cause for concern and should be immediately evaluated by your veterinarian.
There are several common diseases or conditions that may affect the pet ferret. Like dogs, ferrets may get heartworms, distemper virus, heat stroke and a variety of cancerous conditions. Yearly veterinary health examinations are recommended to assess the presence or absence of any of the diseases listed above.
Guinea pigs are generally hardy, healthy animals but are susceptible to certain diseases. They cannot make their own vitamin C and require supplementation or they may develop scurvy. Guinea pigs get various tumors, particularly skin and mammary tumors. Guinea pigs also get abscesses (accumulations of pus and bacteria) in lymph nodes, skin, muscles, teeth, bones, and internal organs. They are very prone to development of urinary calculi that form in the bladder, kidneys, or ureters which may become lodged, causing a life-threatening obstruction. In addition, guinea pigs often are affected by ringworm and can get fleas and lice. Barbering is a problem, usually associated with boredom, in which the guinea pig chews or barbers its own hair or the hair of its cage-mate. Pododermatitis, or bumblefoot, in which sores develop on the bottom of the feet from pressure, is common in overweight animals housed on wire-bottomed or dirty cages that abrade the feet.
Rodents commonly develop certain health problems. Rabies is very unlikely in pet rodents (especially those housed inside, away from other animals). Many rodents barber their own hair or the hair of a cagemate as a result of stress in the form of overcrowding, fighting, or boredom. Foot necrosis is caused by fine fiber or thread nesting material wrapping around toes or feet and cutting off circulation. Guinea pigs cannot make their own vitamin C, so they must receive it as a supplement in their diets. All pet rodents, but especially guinea pigs and chinchillas, are very susceptible to life-threatening heat stroke from high ambient temperatures (greater than 80°F or 27°C). Certain antibiotics should never be used in rodents, as they upset the normal bacteria that live in rodents' gastrointestinal tracts and favor toxin-producing bacteria that can be fatal to rodents. Chromodacryorrhea is seen in mice, gerbils, and most often in rats Diarrhea can have several different causes in rodents including infections with different bacteria, parasites, or viruses. Rodents also commonly get fractured bones from mishandling or falls, bacterial skin infections (dermatitis) on their faces, and may also experience seizures.
If your pet had an emergency crisis, how would you manage it? Ask your veterinary hospital how they handle after-hour emergencies. Use this handout to help you plan ahead and be prepared in the event of a pet-health emergency.
Penetrating wounds can look minor on the surface but may cause severe injury below the skin. A thorough assessment requires sedation or anesthesia and surgery may be required to address the extent of the injury. This handout outlines first aid steps a pet owner can take while transporting their injured pet to the veterinary hospital.
Reproductive disease in ferrets is rare today, as most pet ferrets are spayed or neutered at a young age. One disease that is still occasionally seen in pet ferrets occurs in females that are not spayed. This is called hyperestrogenemia and is a result of persistently high blood levels of estrogen in unspayed females that are not bred or fails to ovulate.
Telehealth is a broad term that refers to the use of telecommunications to provide health-related services. Telehealth services can be delivered by a variety of methods including telephone, text messaging, internet chat, and videoconferencing. Teletriage is the act of performing triage remotely, via telephone or internet and helps determine the urgency of your pet's medical concern. Telemedicine refers to the practice of medicine at a distance. In the context of veterinary medicine, telemedicine refers to a veterinarian formulating a diagnosis and treatment plan for your pet without an in-person examination. Telemedicine is typically only permitted within the context of an existing Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship. Given the current COVID-19 pandemic and social/physical distancing requirements however, some federal and local governments have relaxed the requirements surrounding telemedicine.


text:
Table of Contents
Tufts Cuts Off 'Cox' T-shirt
The administration of Tufts University, whose infamy for disregarding the basic rights of its students and faculty members has landed the college a spot on FIRE's Red Alert list, has added another incident to its roster of abuses. This time, allegedly under disciplinary pressure from a dean, the director of Tufts' men's crew team not only suspended the entire team from racing at a championship event scheduled for this weekend, but also removed two students from the position of captain-all because of this T-shirt:
The crew team had created this T-shirt for the school's annual "Spring Fling," an outdoor concert. Traditionally, groups ranging from fraternities to dance troupes create T-shirts for the event. (As a Tufts alumna, I have been to four of them.) As you can see, the shirt states "check out our cox" above a picture of a silhouetted boat. "Cox" is short for "coxswain," the person who sits in the front of a boat and directs the rowers (and is obviously also a double entendre in this context).
Most likely hoping to avoid the draconian approach Tufts administrators have historically taken to punishing free speech, the men's crew director suspended the team from participating in the New England Rowing Championships and removed two captains from their positions.
It seems that the shirt was reported through Tufts' "bias incident" reporting system, in which students can anonymously report actions, words, or pictures that "target a person or community." Not only that, the dean apparently agreed that the shirt was unacceptable, as reported by Barstool Sports (and corroborated by a case submission to FIRE):
The dean said the picture was too phallic and promoted aggression and rape.
The T-shirts clearly do not promote rape, and Tufts students and crew team members have every right to engage in both humor and controversial speech. Tufts promises its students that it "is committed to free and open discussion of ideas and opinions" and that "Tufts believes free inquiry and expression are indispensable in attaining the goals of the university."
The principle of freedom of speech does not exist to protect only non-controversial speech; indeed, it exists precisely to protect speech that some members of a community may find controversial or "offensive." While the sentiment on the shirt was undoubtedly meant as humor, humorous sentiments (even when seemingly crass or offensive) are not excepted from constitutional protection in the United States. (See generally Hustler Magazine, Inc. v. Falwell, 485 U.S. 46 (1988); FCC v. Pacifica Foundation, 438 U.S. 726 (1978)). The Supreme Court stated in Texas v. Johnson, 491 U.S. 397, 414 (1989) that "[i]f there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that the government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable." Similarly, the Court wrote in Papish v. Board of Curators of the University of Missouri, 410 U.S. 667, 670 (1973) that "the mere dissemination of ideas-no matter how offensive to good taste-on a state university campus may not be shut off in the name alone of 'conventions of decency.'" Free speech principles do not permit the censorship or punishment of the crew team's T-shirts under pressure from the dean.
Although the expressive rights of student athletes are not necessarily coextensive with their rights as students, there is no good reason to punish as tame a T-shirt slogan as "check out our cox." If students are too fragile to handle that, just wait until some student group holds an "ugly woman contest" like the one determined to be protected by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Iota Xi Chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity v. George Mason Univ., 993 F.2d 386 (4th Cir. 1993).
Public universities that have attempted to rid their campuses of all traces of sexist speech are consistently chastised by the courts for failing to honor the protections of the First Amendment. Tufts deserves its own chastisement for failing to live up to its free speech promises.
Perhaps the accounts we received are not completely accurate. But if they are accurate as presented, Tufts University has proven yet again that its commitment to open debate is limited to politically correct speech.
Recent Articles
FIRE's award-winning Newsdesk covers the free speech news you need to stay informed.


text:
Lives in Newbury Park, United States
Works as a Teacher/Photographer
Has a website at http://www.photographybyrichardmsmith.com/
Joined on Feb 23, 2003
About me:
An article written about me while working as Staff Photographer at the Tri City Voice Newspaper in Fremont,Ca says it best:'What may first captivate you about the work of freelance photographer Rick Smith is his unique perspective. Smith can transform a glass sky scraper - one you might pass by every day and hardly notice - an angular and beautiful work of art. He can peek beneath a pier - barnacles and all - and make it look inviting, a place to kick off your shoes, roll up your jeans, step into the water and explore. From his shots of the Sunol hills and sunsets on San Francisco Bay to the delicate dewdrops discovered on the inside of a Calla Lily, Smith's work could be described as simply this: he captures the best in everything, from the mundane to the extraordinary'."The creative part of picture taking intrigues me." Smith says. "The process of seeing something, getting a picture of how you'd like it to come out and then photographing it and having look like you imagined is an incredible experience. And when it looks even better than you imagined, that is the icing on the cake."'
Bejersey's wish list
Sorted by most recently added.
Added Jan 23, 2022
Added Oct 3, 2021
Added Sep 14, 2020
Added Feb 5, 2020
Added Jan 16, 2018
Added Feb 26, 2016
Added Feb 23, 2016
Added Feb 23, 2016
Added Feb 11, 2016
Bejersey's previous gear
|Sunrise by Xiaomao
from My Best Photo of the Fortnight
|Mandarin Drake by TheDispossessed
from Ducks Unlimited
|As in Days of Old by Birdman50
from Down on the farm


text:
Revenue for the three months preceding March 31 dived to 60.84bn rupees, compared to INR91.21 rupees in the same period in 2009.
Suzlon Group said its order book currently stands at 1.126GW ($3.9billion), with $2.54billion of this sitting with its German offshoot Repower, a rise of $720m in March 2009.
The report said Repower had received a major increase in order for large-size turbines in the 3MW to 6MW range.
Speaking about the results, Tanti said: ""This has been a difficult year for the wind industry. While market conditions continue to be challenging, we have made encouraging progress. We are working on improving order pipelines the world over.
"To compete in an increasingly dynamic global marketplace we are focusing on developing group synergies with our portfolio of onshore and offshore turbines and market strengths; with our new product additions designed specially for low wind speeds we now have the industry's most comprehensive product portfolio helping us to push into promising new markets while building on our position in key markets like the Americas, Australia, Europe, India, China and other parts of the world."


text:
Posts Tagged 'Belle Epoque'
Best Scores of 2017 – Rest of Europe, Part II
January 26, 2018 2 comments
The seventh and penultimate installment in my annual series of articles looking at the best "under the radar" scores from around the world sees us back on Europe mainland for a final dash around the continent. This is where we get really obscure: we've got a total of eight scores here, including a TV series from Poland, a historical action movie from Russia written by a rock musician, a Norwegian supernatural thriller, children's adventure films from both Germany and Norway – one of which is animated – and a comedy road movie about racism from Finland! It just goes to show that good film music being written everywhere, in the most unexpected places, if only you have the patience to seek it out. Read more…
Categories: Reviews Anne Kathrin Dern, Antoni Lazarkiewicz, Bartosz Chajdecki, Belle Epoque, Elias og Storegaps Hemmelighet, Film Score, Furious: The Legend of Kolovrat, Gaute Storaas, Hexe Lillis Eingesacktes Weihnachtsfest, Lilly the Witch Saves Christmas, Napoli Velata, Ola Fløttum, Pasquale Catalano, Pessi Levanto, Pokot, Reviews, Saattokeikka, Serj Tankian, Spoor, Thelma


text:
We tell powerful, inspiring stories through photography and offer a behind-the-scenes look at emerging and established photographers.
If you'd like your work to be considered, please e-mail us. You can also follow us on Twitter.
- 06 - 11 - 13
Photographer Tina Remiz is from Latvia, but both her parents were born in Russia. She generally felt part of both the Latvian and Russian communities, but sometimes there was a cultural barrier with Latvians, she said. Remiz explores the Russian community in Latvia in her project "Krievi."
Filed Under:FotoVisura • Latvia • Russia • Tina Remiz • World


text: A full-color, fast-paced introduction to developing tablet applications using Android The new release of Android 3 brings the full power of Android to tablet computing and this hands-on guide offers an introduction to developing tablet applications using this new Android release. Veteran author Wei-Meng Lee explains how Android 3 is specifically optimized for tablet computing and he details Android's tablet-specific functions. Beginning with the basics, this book moves at a steady pace to provide everything you need to know to begin successfully developing your own Android tablet applications.


text:
WSP Holdings Announces Conference Call to Discuss Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2011 Results
Apr 12, 2012, 09:00 ET
WUXI, China, April 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- WSP Holdings Limited (NYSE: WH) ("WSP Holdings" or the "Company"), a leading Chinese manufacturer of API (American Petroleum Institute) and non-API seamless casing, tubing and drill pipes used in oil and natural gas exploration, drilling and extraction ("Oil Country Tubular Goods" or "OCTG"), and other pipes and connectors, today announced that the Company will host a conference call at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday April 19, 2012 to discuss its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2011.
Conference Call
To participate in this live conference call, please dial the following number five to ten minutes prior to the scheduled conference call time: 866 519 4004. International callers should call +1 718 354 1231. The conference pass code is 712 371 66.
A replay of the conference call will be available from 12:00 PM ET on April 19, 2012 to 11:59 PM ET on April 26, 2012. To access the replay, call 866-214-5335. International callers should call +1 718 354 1232. The conference pass code is 712 371 66.
This conference call will also be broadcast live over the Internet and can be accessed by all interested parties on WSP Holdings' website: http://ir.wsphl.com/. To listen to the live webcast, please go to WSP Holdings' website at least fifteen minutes prior to the start of the call to register, download and install any necessary audio software. For those unable to participate during the live broadcast, a replay will be available shortly after the call on WSP Holdings' website for 90 days.
About WSP Holdings Limited
WSP Holdings develops and manufactures seamless Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG), including seamless casing, tubing and drill pipes used for on-shore and off-shore oil and gas exploration, drilling and extraction, and other pipes and connectors. Founded as WSP China in 1999, the Company offers a wide range of API and non-API seamless OCTG products, including products that are used in extreme drilling and extraction conditions. The Company's products are used in China's major oilfields and are exported to oil producing regions throughout the world. For further information, please visit WSP Holdings' website at http://ir.wsphl.com/.
Safe Harbor Statements
Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Any statements set forth above that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, the Company's outlook and quotations from management in this announcement contain forward-looking statements. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statement. Such factors include, but are not limited to, changes in anticipated level of sales, changes in national or regional economic and competitive conditions, changes in the Company's relationships with customers, the Company's ability to develop and market new products, the Company's ability to access capital for expansion, changes in principal product revenues and other factors detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory authorities. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise to the public any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This press release was developed by the Company, and is intended solely for informational purposes and is not to be construed as an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the Company's stock. This press release also contains statements or projections that are based upon information available to the public, as well as other information from sources which management believes to be reliable, but it is not guaranteed by the Company to be accurate, nor does WSP Holdings purport it to be complete. Opinions expressed herein are those of management as of the date of publication and are subject to change without notice.
For Immediate Release
WSP Holdings Limited
CCG Investor Relations, Inc.
Ms. Judy Zhu, IR Director
Ms. Elaine Ketchmere, Partner
Phone: +86-510-8536-0401
Phone: +1-310-954-1345 (Los Angeles)
E-mail: [email protected]
E-mail: [email protected]
Mr. Crocker Coulson, President
Phone: +1-646-213-1915 (New York)
Email: [email protected]
SOURCE WSP Holdings Limited


text:
SCHENECTADY — Modern dance is an abstract art, with bodies moving through 3-dimensional space creating lines that appear and disappear in a snap.
The centerpiece of the British troupe Motionhouse's performance Saturday night on the Mainstage at Proctors, however, was something very concrete: a large curved wall like a skateboarder's quarter-pipe that stood in the middle of the stage and rose more than 12-feet.
In "Scattered," a crowd-pleasing 65-minute piece, that wall, which was designed by Simon Dormon, was not only a screen for projected images — such as glaciers, ice floes, the inside of a freezer, drops of water, a pools of water, a desert landscape, snowfall and avalanches — but also the point from which dancers launched their bodies or to which they threw themselves.
In one segment, for example, the projected image showed the moving surface of a pool of water while the dancers, in twos and threes, performed downstage. Every now and then, though, a dancer would spin away and launch himself or herself at the screen, and the screen would show a splash and ripples, while the dancer slid down the wall, as if breaking through the surface or impossibly skimming atop it.
The dancers themselves — Jade Barton, Claire Benson, Martina Bussi, Giorgio de Carolis, Junior Cunningham, Anthony Middleton, Alasdair Stewart, Rebecca Williams and Daniel Connor — were something to watch: athletic, well-trained and fearless.
Though the performance looked and sounded great (the upbeat score was by Sophy Smith and Tim Dickinson; lighting by Natashi Chivers; and the film by Logela Multimedia of Spain), it didn't always make sense.
In one dramatic sequence, the projected image showed a waterfall, and the dancers hung from the top of the wall, as if afraid to fall and drown. To intensify the illusion, the film even showed water breaking around the body of the dangling dancer.
Then, for no apparent reason except it looked really cool, one dancer slid down on his back headfirst, the bottoms of his feet raised as a platform upon which another dancer stood as he slid down. A third dancer then put his feet on the second dancer's shoulders, and a fourth dancer did the same to the third dancer and so on, creating something like a moving human totem pole.
Meanwhile, an escalator suddenly appeared out of the waterfall. So, one after the other, the dancers climb up the escalator, walked atop the waterfall and then slid back down on someone else's shoulders. Why? Who knows, but it looked great, and the audience oohed and aahed. And when the piece was over, most of the audience rose to its feet in a standing ovation.
"Scattered" represents the U.S. debut of Motionhouse, which is directed by Kevin Finnan, and he has a winner on his hands.
Dance review
Motionhouse's "Scattered"
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Mainstage at Proctors, 432 State St., Schenectady
Length: 65 minutes


text:
Dear Readers,
If this is your first visit here, please be sure to visit this page. It is a summary of the contents of this blog; an essay called "No Ordinary Pencil."
Not long after I started this blog, California Cedar's first Palomino Blackwing* began making its way into the world, and I was excited like a lot of people and very supportive: I gave them some early photos of mine for free, which were used for some international PR, and loaned them some items to be photographed for their website. However, that initial excitement dwindled into ambivalence after some early misrepresentations were uncovered, but the benefit of the doubt persisted. Though not long after, that ambivalence eventually turned into disappointment—I, as well as others in the pencil community, noticed that the advertising campaign for the Palomino Blackwing was at times wildly inaccurate (if not purposely suggestive), and my site and its contents were in some ways becoming an involuntary partner to that enterprise. I finally began posting about these things along with other blogs in order to bring attention to what was going on. My intention was, and remains, to document as accurately as possible the interesting true story of the Blackwing, and to that end it was hard to understand the choices that CalCedar kept making.
For better or for worse it seems that this blog happens to be the only one of its kind vis-à-vis the history of the Blackwing 602 pencil. The blog itself is about two years old, but it represents about four years of work and countless hours spent researching, photographing, collecting, trading, and writing—all done just for doing's sake; a labor of love. But because this blog has content unique to the Internet, it means that it gets the attention of those who would like to use that content. Most have done so rather innocently (personal blogs, sharing photos, etc.) which is fine by me, and some have been responsible enough to send queries or notifications, but others—including some for-profit companies—have been less honorable and have infringed upon my copyrighted work. But my complaint isn't simply about scholarship and attribution, and it's not at all about money. Rather it's a combination of the appropriated work, plus how it has at times been folded into California Cedar's questionable PR campaign, which in turn has distorted the Blackwing's story, that has spoiled things (see this page for details). Everyone wants to be recognized for their work, but this is less about my wanting credit than it is about me wishing they would just do their own work and leave mine alone—just like how you'd want the person sitting next to you to stop copying from your test paper.
Knowing that a company—one with vast financial resources—was watching my every post (the CEO of the company has subscribed to this blog) slowly began draining my enthusiasm: it's difficult to explain just what it's like to work hard for each new and unique Blackwing-related "find" and to put the work into posting about it, only to realize it's likely just to be taken or copied in some way (and sometimes even inaccurately to boot). And it puts me in a unique position: as a consumer, I share the opinion of those who think CalCedar's marketing has been inaccurate and questionable at times, but I have no control over that. The best I can do for the Blackwing is to publish my own work and let people decide for themselves. But, when on top of everything else it's my own work that is being copied—especially when it's coming from a company that claims to be continuing the "legacy" of the Blackwing—that's a bridge too far. My interest remains unabated, but I don't want to continue this blog if it means being a source of reference for CalCedar's designs—the Blackwing, and the work I've put into documenting it, mean too much to me.
I want to say how grateful I am to everyone who has visited here, supported this site, and contributed to the conversation. It's remarkable how this immeasurably obscure thing—a pencil—could bring together so many kind and like-minded people from all over the world. I've enjoyed hearing from you and more importantly, learning from you.
I'm going to leave the site up and the comments open, and I will be cleaning-up and updating older posts as well as continue to edit and expand the "No Ordinary Pencil" essay, but I do not plan on posting any new Blackwing content. There's always a chance there might be a new post, but if there is it will likely be about current events. I would have preferred to keep sharing my ongoing research about the Blackwing 602, to say the very least, but not everyone is playing fair—I hope you understand.
For anyone who thinks this is about pencils, it's not—they're just pencils. It's about caring for something very deeply.
Thanks for all of your support, and I hope you've enjoyed reading.
All the Best,


text:
Relax in North Okanagan
Close to Davison Orchards Country Village and Kin Beach Provincial Park
Enjoy a bright and sunny stay at our Days Inn Vernon hotel. Located in the North Okanagan region in the province of British Columbia, across the street from Village Green Center, the largest shopping center in North Okanagan. With numerous golf courses, two beautiful lakes, and a ski resort nearby, our hotel is the perfect spot for your next trip to the region.


text:
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Candy Corn gift packing idea
24 comments:
Oh, that is too cute! Just like candy corn, but can be customized for so much more! Fantastic!ReplyDeleteReplies
Thank you Kristen :)Delete
Oh my gosh... how cute is that!?! Rory loves candy corn. I may just have to give this ago for some special little treats for her. :) Thanks for sharing, PINNED!ReplyDelete
Life With LorelaiReplies
Happy that Rory loves Candy corn :)Thank you Lorelai :)Delete
Love! I don't do Halloween stuff, so these are perfect!ReplyDeleteReplies
Thank you Melinda :)Delete
Very cute! I used this technique a few years ago to make Christmas treat boxes but I love it even more for Halloween. Thanks so much for linking up at the Make it Monday Party! Hope to see you again next week.ReplyDeleteReplies
Wow that's great !! Thank you :)Delete
Super cute and festive! Thanks so much for stopping by the creative spark link party hope you will link up with us again today http://bit.ly/12aACNjReplyDeleteReplies
Thank you Michelle :)Delete
These are so cute!ReplyDelete
Those are great! What a quick and easy way to make a treat container. Pinned it in case I get put in charge of the Halloween party in my son's class this year ;)ReplyDelete
I'm enjoying co-hosting the #HomeMattersParty with you this month!
These are adorable! What a fabulously fun idea. Great tutorial too. Thanks for sharing and being a wonderful co-host of the #HomeMattersParty - we love having you on the team! :)ReplyDelete
Life With Lorelai
loved this , you should add it to our link partyReplyDelete
So cute! Perfect for a party favor! So glad to be hosting #HomeMattersParty with you this week!ReplyDelete
That is adorable!! We don't get many trick-or-treaters, so this will be perfect for our special neighbors! :) #HomeMattersPartyReplyDelete
What a cute candy corn craft! Those are adorable. I'm so happy to be cohosting the #HomeMattersParty with you this week.ReplyDelete
This is such a cute idea! My husband loves candy corns. I should consider making this for him as a gag gift.ReplyDelete
Oh my goodness! I absolutely love these! I make little gifts for my coworkers kids, I might try to create these. They would love them! Have I mentioned how much I love hosting #HomeMattersParty with you?!ReplyDelete
These are just SO cute. what a 'sweet' idea. (see what I did there!!!)ReplyDelete
This is so cute. Thanks for resharing it. #HomeMattersPartyReplyDelete
This is just so cute! Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersPartyReplyDelete


text:
Fair trade organic (FTO) green coffee beans combine two different elements of responsible coffee growing giving you peace of mind that these varieties were grown with the environment and the growers (and their communities) in mind.
Browse our unroasted FTO coffee beans and you'll find some of our most popular varieties!
21 Items Found
Get a weekly caffeine jolt from Coffee Bean Corral.
© 2023 Coffee Bean Corral. All Rights Reserved. | Sitemap | About Us


text:
Thank you to everyone who made it to our latest record breaking roundtable meet-up of The Product Group at MTV Networks / Viacom, as well as to our sponsors, Balsamiq Studios, Sunshine Suites, and Ryma Technology Solutions.
Over the course of the night a few of the highlights were…
Featured Product: Liquid Fare
exploring the product, its challenges and successes, from pivoting the bar scene to success in execution
(thanks to Jon Zanoff and the Liquid Fare Product Team)
Managing & Maintaining the Roadmap
from "what" to "how" to "when"
The Product Group meet-ups are an opportunity for Product People (managers, strategists, marketers, etc.) to come together to meet, interact, and network in a roundtable setting. It's awesome to meet fellow Product People in a laid-back, conversational gathering.
If you are a Product Person and are interested in having your product featured or participating as a featured guest expert at an upcoming meetup of The Product Group, contact me (or email at jhorn (a-t.) tpgblog DoT com).
I am looking forward to seeing everyone at our next meetup …
RSVP Now!
And, stay tuned for more announcements about February's Featured Product.
If you would like to attend our next meet-up, RSVP today or visit our group webpage at…
Jeremy Horn
The Product Guy
P.S. Interested in becoming a sponsor or host of The Product Group? contact me.


text:
Basin Transportation is growing and looking for True Over the Road Drivers. We are seeking highly motivated Drivers who are Honest and want to the chance to earn over $100,000 Per year HazMat Endorsement Required
Drivers Earn $85,000 to $100,000 Per Year
2500 to 3000 Miles Per Week
$3,000 Driver Referral Bonsu Program No Limit
Plenty of Freight, No Broker Contact
10 Speed Manuals, 75 MPH
Pets and Riders Welcome
Benefits for Driver and Family Include:
Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
401k Retirement Program with Company Matching
Call 888-910-3055 Steve Weatherford for more information
In addition to the job benefits mentioned above, there are several other general advantages to truck driving jobs in Louisville. Situated in the east central US, Kentucky plays a vital role in supplying the nation with a variety of products, including necessities. All seven of its neighboring states provide major thoroughfares to most any destination in the US. So wherever your truck driving job takes you, Kentucky is a great place to start.
Company Drivers
The information below provides insight into how working as a Company Driver may meet your expected lifestyle, work into your long-term career plans, and provide the working environment you seek.
What is Company Driver?
Company Drivers are employed by specific companies that maintain its own fleet of trucks. Company Drivers are can be separated into 2 categories: (1) drivers working for trucking carriers that exist for the sole purpose of transporting freight of others, or (2) drivers working for companies that carry its own freight to support its own company's product or service. Company drivers are in high demand, particular among large carriers.
What are some personal characteristics helpful for Company Drivers?
Aside from the personal characteristics needed to be a good truck driver, a Company Driver can be representing a company with thousands of workers in the US and internationally. Therefore, it is helpful for a Company Driver to keep a happy, helpful demeanor both to the general public and customers. Likewise, reliability, honesty, integrity, and self-motivation is necessary since you won't have anyone looking over your shoulder or directing your every move. No one will tell you when to get out of bed in the morning or when to take a break or stop driving for the day (except the NMCSA, of course!).
For additional information about Company Drivers, including what is a Company Driver, pathways to securing a driving job, financial investment requirements, personal characteristics, average salaries and compensation structures of Company Drivers, visit Truck Driving Job Resources.
Different types of materials require different types of trailers, and each type of trailer offers drivers its own challenges. Therefore, it is important to understand what is required to not only drive your truck and your freight, but the trailer you are pulling as well.
What is Dry Van hauling?
Dry vans are likely the most basic type of trailer in the industry and the type beginning drivers are likely haul upon gaining their first jobs. A dry van is normally a 53-foot box-like trailers loaded with non-perishable good (think of the historical term of "dry goods store," and the type of products they sold).
What are requirements necessary to haul dry van equipment?
Typically, dry vans can be hauled by anyone holding the appropriate classification of CDL.
What endorsements are need for dry van hauling?
If the cargo is considered hazardous or includes hazardous materials, an (H), Hazardous Materials, or (X), Hazardous Materials/Tanker endorsement is needed.
For more information about Dry Van Hauling, including what type of companies hire, job requirements, compensation structures, what endorsements are needed, visit Truck Driving Job Resources.
Truck driving route type vary within the industry and are dependent on several factors including interstate trucking requirements, route planning, type of cargo hauled, frequency, hazardous materials restrictions, driver experience, etc.
Over the Road (OTR) Routes are likely those that most people with minimal knowledge of the trucking industry envision drivers working. OTR routes can be regional with occasional outside of region assignments or they may be cross-country to make one delivery or several along the way. OTR drivers are generally paid by the mile and are on the road for much of the year with limited home time.


text:
Regulators propose improvements in day care safety
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — State inspection records for thousands of in-home day care providers could be posted online if legislators approve new safety recommendations.
The Star Tribune reports state regulators will propose a variety of new safety measures in response to a rising number of child deaths in day care homes.
Regulators say posting inspection records online would give parents important information when making a day care decision. Proposals also include increased training for providers and tougher penalties for providers who violate state safety standards.
The proposals to be considered by the Legislature in coming weeks following an investigation by the Star Tribune last year which revealed a sharp increase in the number of children dying at in-home day care settings. There are 11,000 in-home providers across Minnesota.


text:
Editors' Choice 2008 Gold Award: Marmot Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Sleep-anywhere evidence that luxury and lightweight can go hand in hand.
Want to see a down bag puff up like a hot-air balloon? Unfurl one of these 850-fill sacks and stand back. Each bag in this line is overstuffed with the highest quality feathers we've seen–light, compressible, and amazingly lofty. And the down is well-distributed throughout–with enough on the bottom to keep your back from chilling if you roll over. The no-skimp approach to down has made these bags a tester favorite since 2001. Add Pertex Quantum shell fabric–which is breathable, wispy, water-resistant, and durable–and simple designs that are comfortable but thermally efficient, and you get standard-setting bags. If you require separate pockets for your iPod, make-up kit, and dental whitening strips, or other doodads like foot vents and pad straps, these elegant sacks are not for you. But what features there are we love: A muff around the face seals well without forcing you to crank down the drawstrings; the footbox is roomy enough for booties and hot-water bottles; and zippers stay zipped without relying on scratchy Velcro. Plus, there's a version for virtually every trip. Atom: $249, 40°F, 1 lb. 6 oz.; Hydrogen: $309, 30°F, 1 lb. 9 oz.; Helium: $359, 20°F, 2 lbs. 1 oz.; Helium EQ (waterproof/breathable): $429, 15°F, 2 lbs. 5 oz.; Lithium: $429, 0°F, 2 lbs. 12 oz.; (888) 357-3262; marmot.com.


text:
(Poem #138) Fern Hill
Now as I was young and easy under the apple boughs About the lilting house and happy as the grass was green, The night above the dingle starry, Time let me hail and climb Golden in the heyday of his eyes, And honoured among wagons I was prince of the apple towns And once below a time I lordly had the trees and leaves Trail with daisies and barley Down the rivers of the windfall light. And as I was green and carefree, famous among the barns About the happy yard and singing as the farm was home, In the sun that is young once only, Time let me play and be Golden in the mercy of his means, And green and golden I was huntsman and herdsman, the calves Sang to my horn, the foxes on the hills barked clear and cold, And the sabbath rang slowly In the pebbles of the holy streams. All the sun long it was running, it was lovely, the hay Fields high as the house, the tunes from the chimneys, it was air And playing, lovely and watery And fire green as grass And nightly under the simple stars As I rode to sleep the owls were bearing the farm away, All the moon long I heard, blessed among stables, the nightjars Flying with the ricks, and the horses Flashing into the dark. And then to awake, and the farm, like a wanderer white With the dew, come back, the cock on his shoulder: it was all Shining, it was Adam and maiden, The sky gathered again And the sun grew round that very day. So it must have been after the birth of the simple light In the first, spinning place, the spellbound horses walking warm Out of the whinnying green stable On to the fields of praise. And honored among foxes and pheasants by the gay house Under the new made clouds and happy as the heart was long, In the sun born over and over, I ran my heedless ways, My wishes raced through the house high hay And nothing I cared, at my sky blue trades, that time allows In all his tuneful turning so few and such morning songs Before the children green and golden Follow him out of grace, Nothing I cared, in the lamb white days, that time would take me Up to the swallow thronged loft by the shadow of my hand, In the moon that is always rising, Nor that riding to sleep I should hear him fly with the high fields And wake to the farm forever fled from the childless land. Oh as I was young and easy in the mercy of his means, Time held me green and dying Though I sang in my chains like the sea.
Perhaps the most startling thing about Dylan Thomas' verse is his brilliantly orginal use of metaphors. In this he shares much with the Metaphysical poets of the 17th century, who too delighted in finding resemblances between dissimilar objects, and in using those resemblances to illuminate and enrich their poetry. But whereas Donne and his ilk constructed elaborate and detailed analogies (for instance, comparing two lovers to the fixed arms of a compass), Thomas' particular mastery lies in the use of the 'compressed metaphor' - in wonderfully evocative phrases like 'windfall light', 'holy streams','fire green as grass', 'fields of praise' and 'lamb white days' (all of which are from today's poem), he juxtaposes disparate words into combinations which seem utterly _right_. Indeed, these phrases, with their wealth of connotation and descriptive detail, seem so natural that you don't even notice them on a first reading... it's only later that they strike you, and make you think. As a brief aside, do note the language of the poem; specifically, note the repetition of the words 'green', 'golden' and 'white'. It's no accident that these are the colours of Spring; although Thomas uses the adjectives in unfamiliar contexts ('fire green as grass'), the overall atmospeheric effect is brilliant. Technical details [1] apart, what I love about 'Fern Hill' is the sheer joy that rings through every word. Thomas glories in life, in the wonder and beauty and mystery of each living day; in his own words (in the introduction to the Collected Poems (1952)) he wrote 'for the love of Man and in praise of God'. This, despite his knowledge of the inevitability of death. It's the same philosophy which informs much of his work [2], but it's kept from sounding trite by the quality of his verse - phrases such as 'holy streams' and 'fields of praise' resonate with an almost religious awe in the face of the glory and majesty of life. Utterly beautiful. thomas. [1] I would mention the rhyme scheme (yes, there is one; see if you can spot it) and the metre (syllabics) in greater detail, but I thought I'd leave that for another day (and another poem). Be patiently. [2] Including the justly-celebrated villanelle 'Do not go gentle into that good night', Minstrels Poem #38 - exactly a hundred poems ago :-). George Macbeth has this to say about Thomas (and his comments are particularly apt in light of today's poem): "Whether or not he 'died of drink', whether or not he was unusually debauched, whether he was a great saint or a great sinner, are not questions of much importance for the assessment of his verse. With the exception of the radio play 'Under Milk Wood', almost all of Thomas' creative energy went into his poetry. He wrote very slowly, often at the rate of only one line a day after hours of hard, sober work... ... Apart from his painstaking craftsmanship, so at odds with the popular legend of his life, Dylan Thomas' poetry is perhaps specially interesting for its optimism. No other poet writing in English since Yeats has responded to life with such a consistently affirmative and positive note. This may in part account for his continuing appeal to readers who don't normally pay much attention to poetry." [Trivia] The name Dylan comes from the Mabinogion, a collection of 11 mediaeval Welsh tales. The word means "sea". In the tale Math, the son of Mathonwy, challenges Aranrhod, his niece who claims to be a virgin, to step over his magic wand. "Aranrhod stepped over the wand, and with that step she dropped a sturdy boy with thick yellow hair; the boy gave a loud cry, and with that cry she made her way for the door....."Well said Math, 'I will arrange for the baptism of this one......and I will call him Dylan." The boy was baptised, whereupon he immediately made for the sea, and when he came to the sea he took on its nature and swam as well as the best fish. He was called Dylan (:sea) son of Ton (:wave), for no wave ever broke beneath him"


text:
Tag: bloom edge disposable vape
bloom edge disposable vape
Showing 1–16 of 24 results
MINIMUM Order is 10 Carts
Purchase BRASS KNUCKLES CARTRIDGES Brass Knuckles Cartridges brand was laid out in Los Angeles, California, by, in all honesty, unbelievable rapper Xzibit. For quite a while, Brass Knuckles vape cartridges have since a long time ago been viewed as the best, and most grounded, available. The Forbidden Fruit accumulate tried at an amazing 90{bcb2a2ff570691f140ef955bd56bf98b8e184090e27e3ca815b8c7dcfdf40852} THC …
DMT Vape Cartridge For Sale.DMT (N,N-Dimethyltryptamine) is a hallucinogenic tryptamine drug that occurs naturally in many plants and animals. It is also referred to as the "spirit molecule" due to the intense psychedelic experience. The use of DMT can be traced back hundreds of years and is often associated with religious practices or rituals. The drug is the active ingredient in ayahuasca, a traditional South American brewed tea.
$180.00 – $1,400.00
ICE CREAM CAKE Buy Ice Cream Cake is a rare indica dominant hybrid strain (75{bcb2a2ff570691f140ef955bd56bf98b8e184090e27e3ca815b8c7dcfdf40852} indica/25{bcb2a2ff570691f140ef955bd56bf98b8e184090e27e3ca815b8c7dcfdf40852} sativa) created through a cross of the Gelato 33 X Wedding Cake strains. With this bud, the name says it all in the flavor department. Ice Cream Cake packs a super delicious cheesy creamy flavor with a sweet nuttiness …
$110.00 – $1,200.00
Weight (g): 3.5
Strains: Italian Ice Cream
Cannabis Types: Indica
Product Types: Flower Littles Smalls
THC Total (mg): 0.00
THC {bcb2a2ff570691f140ef955bd56bf98b8e184090e27e3ca815b8c7dcfdf40852}: 24.99{bcb2a2ff570691f140ef955bd56bf98b8e184090e27e3ca815b8c7dcfdf40852}
Cbd Total: 0.00
State: California
$210.00 – $1,750.00
Kush Mints is a hybrid marijuana strain made by crossing Animal Mints with Bubba Kush. The result is a high THC strain with a unique minty taste. Kush Mints provides effects that are uplifting and happy.
$220.00 – $1,899.00
Hybrid – 50{bcb2a2ff570691f140ef955bd56bf98b8e184090e27e3ca815b8c7dcfdf40852} Sativa /50{bcb2a2ff570691f140ef955bd56bf98b8e184090e27e3ca815b8c7dcfdf40852} Indica
THC: 21{bcb2a2ff570691f140ef955bd56bf98b8e184090e27e3ca815b8c7dcfdf40852} – 29{bcb2a2ff570691f140ef955bd56bf98b8e184090e27e3ca815b8c7dcfdf40852}
buy Mochi strain. Mochi is an evenly balanced hybrid strain (50{bcb2a2ff570691f140ef955bd56bf98b8e184090e27e3ca815b8c7dcfdf40852} indica/50{bcb2a2ff570691f140ef955bd56bf98b8e184090e27e3ca815b8c7dcfdf40852} sativa) created through a delicious cross of the classic Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies X Sunset Sherbet strains.
$201.00 – $1,750.00
buy OG kush STRAIN
OG Kush for sale, also known as "Premium OG," was first cultivated in Florida in the early '90s when a strain from Northern California was supposedly crossed with Chemdawg,
$110.00 – $1,200.00
Lab Data
Cannabinoid Lab Data Cannabinoid Amount THC: 20-25{bcb2a2ff570691f140ef955bd56bf98b8e184090e27e3ca815b8c7dcfdf40852}
$180.00 – $1,450.00
Buy Platinum Cake Online Buy Platinum Cake Online, also known as "Platinum Cheesecake" and "Platinum Cheese Cake," is a indica-dominant hybrid marijuana strain made by crossing Platinum OG with Wedding Cake. This strain produces strong body effects that will make you feel extremely relaxed and euphoric. Consumers who have smoked this strain say the effects …
$195.00 – $1,700.00
Lab Data
Cannabinoid Lab Data Cannabinoid Amount THC: 21.4{bcb2a2ff570691f140ef955bd56bf98b8e184090e27e3ca815b8c7dcfdf40852} Δ9-THC: 0.4{bcb2a2ff570691f140ef955bd56bf98b8e184090e27e3ca815b8c7dcfdf40852} CBN: 0.1{bcb2a2ff570691f140ef955bd56bf98b8e184090e27e3ca815b8c7dcfdf40852} THC-A: 24{bcb2a2ff570691f140ef955bd56bf98b8e184090e27e3ca815b8c7dcfdf40852} Terpene Lab Data Terpene Amount Beta Caryophyllene: 0.69{bcb2a2ff570691f140ef955bd56bf98b8e184090e27e3ca815b8c7dcfdf40852} Limonene: 0.6{bcb2a2ff570691f140ef955bd56bf98b8e184090e27e3ca815b8c7dcfdf40852} Linalool: 0.22{bcb2a2ff570691f140ef955bd56bf98b8e184090e27e3ca815b8c7dcfdf40852} Alpha Humulene: 0.18{bcb2a2ff570691f140ef955bd56bf98b8e184090e27e3ca815b8c7dcfdf40852} Alpha Pinene: 0.1{bcb2a2ff570691f140ef955bd56bf98b8e184090e27e3ca815b8c7dcfdf40852}
Buy Cartridges Online USA Cartridges Some of the more common ingredients used to "cut" the carts, or make them look lighter in color to portray higher-quality, include propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, or MCT oil. High-quality cannabis distillate will generally have this transparent golden color with a thick consistency. cartridge pre-filled with a gram or …
Minimum Order is 10 CARTS
$120.00 – $1,200.00
buy JUNGLE KUSH
Indica Dominant Hybrid – 70{bcb2a2ff570691f140ef955bd56bf98b8e184090e27e3ca815b8c7dcfdf40852} Indica / 30{bcb2a2ff570691f140ef955bd56bf98b8e184090e27e3ca815b8c7dcfdf40852} Sativa
THC: 30{bcb2a2ff570691f140ef955bd56bf98b8e184090e27e3ca815b8c7dcfdf40852}
Jungle Kush for sale. It is an indica dominant hybrid strain created through crossing the infamous Bubba Kush X SFV OG Kush X Hawaiian strains
$210.00 – $1,800.00
buy Peanut Butter Breath
Hybrid – 50{bcb2a2ff570691f140ef955bd56bf98b8e184090e27e3ca815b8c7dcfdf40852} Sativa /50{bcb2a2ff570691f140ef955bd56bf98b8e184090e27e3ca815b8c7dcfdf40852} Indica
THC: 28{bcb2a2ff570691f140ef955bd56bf98b8e184090e27e3ca815b8c7dcfdf40852}
Peanut Butter Breath for sale. It is a rare evenly balanced hybrid strain (50{bcb2a2ff570691f140ef955bd56bf98b8e184090e27e3ca815b8c7dcfdf40852} indica/50{bcb2a2ff570691f140ef955bd56bf98b8e184090e27e3ca815b8c7dcfdf40852} sativa) created through crossing the classic Dosidos X Mendobreath F2 strains
$199.00 – $1,750.00
Buy Pink Runtz PINK RUNTZ For Sale is a hybrid marijuana strain and a phenotype of the original Runtz, which crosses Zkittlez with Gelato. The hype around this strain has been firmly established – and for good reason. Features Pink Runtz features an aroma that is sweet and fruity like candy. This strain produces uplifting effects …


text:
Today's vehicles are some of the most technologically advanced machines ever produced. Even an oil change isn't as basic as it used to be. Our expert Ford Service techs know their stuff and have the right parts to help make sure the job gets done right.
Why it's important to get your oil changed at regular intervals.
You want to maintain your vehicle and keep it in great shape. Regular oil and filter changes help your vehicle run with optimum efficiency. When you use the proper grade of engine oil, you can improve your mpg by as much as 2 percent.*
The right oil change at the right time.
Everyone drives differently, but be assured: we know your vehicle. And we can help maintain it at the appropriate intervals. It's not as frequent as you think, so we can help save you time. In fact, with certain vehicles, you can go 10,000 miles in between oil changes.
For 2008 and newer model year vehicles, Ford recommends that you change your oil every 7,500 miles or every six months, whichever comes first.
For 2007 and older model-year vehicles, Ford recommends an oil change every 5,000 mles or every six months, whichever comes first. You can also check Intelligent Oil Life Monitor located in your vehicle's instrument cluster message center.
The Works™: An oil change and much more.
When you visit Planet Ford Dallas, we'll make sure your vehicle is checked properly with The Works. Our complete vehicle checkup includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid-top off, battery test, filter check plus belts, hoses check, and more.
Scheduling your oil change
Call Planet Ford Dallas, consult your Ford Owner's manual, or go to Planet Ford Dallas service scheduler. Want to know when it's time for an oil change? Take a look at the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor, found in your vehicle's instrument cluster message center.
Ford Service in Dallas
Planet Ford Dallas
3333 Inwood Road
Directions Dallas, TX 75235
Hours of Operation
- Monday 8:30am-8pm
- Tuesday 8:30am-8pm
- Wednesday 8:30am-8pm
- Thursday 8:30am-8pm
- Friday 8:30am-8pm
- Saturday 8:30am-8pm
- Sunday Closed


text:
On the first Monday of November 1994, if you happened to be in Ardmore, Pennsylvania—actually, anywhere near 7 East Athens Avenue—at about 8:30 in the morning, you would have heard the following sound coming from an aging red-brick apartment building.
Thud. Arghh. Thud. Arghh...
Ax murder? Not exactly. No, this was the sad, solitary sound of me, walking down three flights of steps the morning after running the New York City Marathon. As my feet landed on each step, pain spiked into my race-fatigued thighs. By the time I reached the bottom, 48 steps later, I was so exhausted that all I wanted to do was go back to bed. But that would have required climbing back up three flights of steps. I drove to work and slept at my desk instead.
New York '94 was my third and last marathon. Since then I've downgraded my running efforts to more manageable distances like the half marathon and 10-K. Secretly, I've come to wonder if I didn't do damage to myself in each of the marathons I ran. I don't have any scars or permanent injuries (that I know of), but where pain and exhaustion typically fade from memory, my postmarathon distress is as vivid to me now as it was on that horrific morning after.
Which is why it's kind of strange, you'll have to agree, that lately I've found myself wanting to run another one.
Over the course of a generation, the marathon has undergone a startling change in status. What was once a loopy stunt attempted by only a few weirdos is now a rite of passage for many men, the coolest test out there of fitness and health.
My buddy McDade actually put running a marathon on his list of Things a Man Must Do in His Lifetime, right there alongside reading War and Peace and seeing the Grateful Dead. (This was before Jerry Garcia croaked.) McDade is hardly alone. Last year, nearly 400,000 runners finished marathons in the United States, up from 300,000 in 2000 and a mere 25,000 in 1976.
On one level, you can file our current marathon mania under "extremely good news," since there's little doubt that training for the race is one of the best ways to improve your health and fitness. Over the years, studies have shown that regular exercise decreases everything from high LDL cholesterol to high blood pressure.
The problem? Lately, evidence has begun to mount that running the race is, as I've feared, anything but good for your health. Not only did two high-profile marathon deaths occur in fall 2007 (one in Chicago, the other at the Olympic trials in New York), but recent studies have shown that pushing your body to run 26.2 miles can cause at least minor injury to your heart.
"We didn't find any gross injuries, such as blocked arteries or blood leakage. But we did find some enzymes leaking through the heart membrane, which is consistent with significant stress on the heart," says Malissa Wood, M.D., the lead author of a 2006 study in the journal Circulation.
Now, hardly anyone is suggesting it's time to pull the plug on America's marathon obsession. A handful of deaths versus hundreds of thousands of happy survivors every year aren't horrible odds. (And a new study found that closing roads for marathons prevents more traffic deaths than the running causes.) Even Dr. Wood remains an active marathoner. But if you're one of those men with "run a marathon" on a current to-do list (or, like me, on a "maybe-do-again" list), the latest news should definitely give you pause. Could the race you're running as a demonstration of your health and fitness actually make you unhealthy? Or, to put a finer point on it: Could this stunt you're attempting in order to give meaning to your life end your life?The Chicago marathon and Olympic Trials in 2007 weren't the only races marred by casualties in the past couple of years. There have been several others, including the Little Rock Marathon in March 2008, the London Marathon in 2007, and the Tucson, Twin Cities, and Marine Corps Marathons in 2006. (Also in 2006, two runners died at the Los Angeles Marathon.) And that's not counting the races during which runners suffered cardiac arrest but managed to survive.
Any historian of running will tell you there's nothing new about death and the marathon. Legend has it, remember, that the original marathoner, Pheidippides -- the Greek courier who ran 25 miles to deliver news of victory at the Battle of Marathon -- dropped dead immediately after his job was done. At the inaugural Boston Marathon in 1897, authorities were so concerned about fatalities that they had two attendants on bicycles trailing closely behind each of the runners -- all 15 of them.
It's a risk that has persisted through the decades. "There was actually a cardiac arrest at one of the first Boston Marathons I ran, in the 1970s," says Arthur Siegel, M.D., director of internal medicine at Harvard's McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts. In addition to running the Boston race some 20 times, Dr. Siegel has published many studies on the health consequences of marathons. It's late on a Tuesday afternoon, and I've come to visit him. He's an engaging man in his late 60s with white hair and a round belly, for one simple reason: to understand what exactly happens to a man's body when he forces it to run 26.2 miles.
Researchers have identified a number of physical effects of running a marathon, including changes in immune system and kidney function. But Dr. Siegel says the brunt of the damage falls exactly where you'd expect: on your muscles. As the miles pass, skeletal muscles stiffen and leak injury-signaling enzymes into the blood.
Now, a certain inability to (ahem) walk down steps the next day notwithstanding, this may not seem like such a big deal, particularly given that the damage is self-inflicted. But your body's internal balance is deeply affected. As Dr. Siegel puts it, "Your body doesn't know whether you've run a marathon...or been hit by a truck." This is why, as you go deeper into the race, your body reacts to injury by mounting an emergency-repair response. Your adrenal glands and brain produce the stress hormones cortisol and vasopressin; your damaged muscles churn out proteins called cytokines, which trigger your liver to start producing C-reactive protein. The result is what Dr. Siegel calls "an inflammatory storm" throughout your body, one that sets the stage for some potentially adverse consequences. Early on, marathon researchers weren't sure if the heart was among the muscles being stressed, but in recent years they've confirmed that it most definitely is. In a 2001 study published in the American Journal of Cardiology, Dr. Siegel and his colleagues analyzed the blood of marathoners less than 24 hours after a race and found high levels of inflammatory and coagulation markers that are also associated with heart attacks.
Then came the 2006 Circulation study, led by Dr. Wood, which upped the ante. Using ultrasounds and blood tests of 60 marathon finishers, the researchers found that after the race, some runners' hearts experienced difficulty refilling chambers. The researchers also noticed abnormalities in how blood was pumped from the right side of the heart to the lungs.
Before you go into full freak-out mode, there is some good news. First, proper training seems to go a long way toward protecting you from heart injury during the race. The Circulation study found that people who'd averaged at least 45 miles a week in training were significantly less likely to suffer heart damage than those who ran 35 miles a week or less. That makes sense to Dr. Siegel, who notes that training is an injury-and-repair process: Your body suffers damage when you exert yourself during training but then repairs itself and becomes stronger. So runners who log lots of training miles are able to withstand more punishment during the race than those who train less.The other piece of good news is that even among marathoners who were undertrained, heart damage didn't appear to be permanent. Within a month, all the runners in the study showed relatively normal cardiac function. "There is no data to suggest that any long-term aftereffects were caused by the changes," says Dr. Wood.
But blocking out that dose of sunshine is still a very dark cloud: During the race and for several hours afterward, the systemic inflammation significantly increases your risk of a cardiac event, particularly if you're middle-aged and have some silent coronary-artery disease. (Men in their 40s and 50s form the biggest cluster of marathon fatalities.) Two things happen: First, inflammatory mediators released during muscle injury may make the thin, fibrous plaque that lines your artery walls more likely to rupture; second, this inflammation can lead to an imbalance of coagulation factors, making blood more susceptible to clots. The result: a heart attack.
The paradox is that marathoners' training puts them at an overall lower risk of heart trouble. But when you start doing the event for which you've been training, your relative risk increases. To oversimplify: At the starting line, you're Lance Armstrong; at the finish line, you're Louie Anderson.
"Marathon running may be regarded as a dose of exercise that pushes you past the zone of cardioprotective benefit into one of enhanced risk," says Dr. Siegel, who stopped running marathons more than a decade ago, partly because of the risks involved. If you want to be smart, he suggests, do all the training for a marathon...and then watch the race from the sidelines.
But, well, what fun is that, right?
The reason most people suffer through all those dreary training miles is for the thrill of the race. Take away that carrot, and many marathoners would be on the couch munching Pringles and watching American Gladiators. Eliminate the risk and you inadvertently eliminate an incentive.
My motivations: I liked to run. I knew I'd be in kick-ass shape. And my buddy McDade was doing it, so I felt some camaraderie and competition. As it turns out, I'm pretty typical. A study of motivation in the Journal of Sport Behavior found that most runners have multiple reasons for participating in the sport, from improving their health to socializing to competing. "People might have started with one motivation—say, becoming fit—but when they got into it, they found all these other side benefits," says one of the study authors, Ohio University psychologist Benjamin Ogles, Ph.D.
While women were most likely to cite weight control and socializing as reasons for running marathons, men were more into achievement and competition, either with themselves or others. It is, I suppose, easy to mock this as typical lunkheaded guy behavior: Me tough guy. Me run marathon. But Ogles says there are definite mental health benefits to setting and meeting a challenge.
"Running a marathon brings a great sense of accomplishment," he says. Citing research that dates back decades, he adds, "This need for us to have success at things can be a strong motivational force. Even young kids can be motivated by successful mastery of basic skills—[researchers] talk about the gratification that comes from learning how to walk." Mastering a skill is crucial, he says: "When there are problems with self-mastery, you end up with problems like depression."
To put it another way, we seem to have an innate need to do things simply for the sake of doing them or to see if we can do them. What makes me and half a million other people want to run a marathon, even though we know it might not be good for us? Maybe it's the same things that drive people to climb Mt. Everest or drove Leo Tolstoy to write a 1,400-page epic about Russia in the time of the Napoleonic wars.
Because it's there. Because we can.
Which brings us back to the dilemma at hand: Is the satisfaction that comes from running a marathon worth the risk?
Dr. Siegel hopes that studies may someday show that "drugs that undermine inflammation, such as aspirin or statins, may protect runners during the transition from low to high risk during and after races." In the meantime, if you're planning to run a marathon, you should have some respect for what you're getting yourself into. That means training properly -- a minimum of 45 miles a week. It also means understanding that there is some risk involved.
"People choose all the time to do risky things, like mountain climbing and scuba diving," says Dr. Siegel. "Thrill seekers are well advised to understand the risks involved to limit any adverse consequences. Marathon running is potentially dangerous for susceptible individuals. Pheidippides is still out there."
Well, actually, he isn't. He's dead. And that's a message I'm going to remember as I lace up my running shoes and start training for an event that, for some reason, I just can't seem to resist.


text:
Christmas is over and we started to clean up the house today and take down the decorations. The tree was our last item to tackle. As I took a break this morning, I looked at the tree and yes, I HDR'd it and even tried an Infrared Photo (which was not good enough). As I looked at the tree…I thought why not shoot it monochrome! As I shot it this way, I decided to go ahead and get a few additional color shots. I like closeup tree shots and processed my HDR's from this morning just a bit ago. They were cool, but we have all seen a tree HDR'd. I even posted mine on XMas. I wanted something different.
I added the pic into NIK's Software…played with Color Efex Pro…just ok. Then tried my original thought of monochrome in Silver Efex Pro. Then I clicked on the "Antique Plate II" setting and that was it! I tweaked the contrast and hue/saturation a bit. So here is my last holiday shot of the season! New Years is next!! See ya next year XMas!!


text:
A Hollywood hospital has been crippled by a cyberattack, with crooks reportedly holding its data hostage and demanding 9,000 in Bitcoin – about $3.4 million – to give it back.
According to NBC, as of Friday, ambulances were being diverted from Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, staff were reduced to using pen and paper to take down patient information, departments had to communicate via fax, and patients had to come to the hospital to pick up test results because email servers have been shut down.
The attack started a week earlier, on 5 February.
The hospital has released little information about how the cyberattack was carried out, so we don't know whether it occurred through a network hack and an emailed ransom message, or through multiple infections of ransomware.
A doctor who requested anonymity told NBC simply that the hospital's system was hacked and was being held for ransom.
Allen Stefanek, the hospital's President and CEO, told NBC that the hospital first became aware of the attack when staff began noticing "significant IT issues" and declared "an internal emergency."
He said that the FBI is investigating. The hospital has also been getting assistance from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and cyberforensics experts.
Stefanek said that patients aren't in danger. But as it is, staff can't access patients' medical records, including their medical histories, lab results, X-rays or CT scans.
Doctors are reportedly growing frustrated with the delay in resolving the issue, and patients are experiencing delays in care.
Fearing that whatever is behind the attack could get worse, management has forbidden staff to turn on their computers.
The healthcare blog The Medical Quack says that according to its sources, the computer-reliant Radiation and Oncology departments have been completely shut down.
Stefanek said that so far, there's no evidence that health data has been compromised in what he called a "random" attack:
At this time, we have no evidence that any patient or employee information was the subject of unauthorized access or extraction by the attacker.
We don't know whether the hospital will pay the ransom to get the files back – it's obviously a very difficult decision to make. On the one hand, staff need to be able access to patient data. But on the other hand, if the hospital does pay, it would be funding criminals – and with little certainty that the hackers wouldn't simply come back right away.
The FBI in October caused a stir when it said that it often advises ransomware victims to just pay the ransom.
Joseph Bonavolonta, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Cyber and Counterintelligence Program in the FBI's Boston office, at the time said that the "overwhelming majority of institutions just pay the ransom."
Victims often get back access to their data after they pay, he said.
Hopefully the hospital can resolve this quickly, and that staff can get back access to those precious records soon.
Image of hospital courtesy of Shutterstock.


text:
NATO backs Patriot anti-missile system for Turkey
- NATO approves Turkey's request for Patriot anti-missile systems
- Turkey aims to bolster its defense against strikes from neighboring Syria
- U.S. intelligence reports showed the Syrian regime may be readying chemical weapons
BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO announced Tuesday that it will deploy Patriot anti-missile systems near Turkey's southern border, shoring up defenses against the threat of cross-border attacks and bringing the United States and its allies closer to the civil war raging between Syrian rebels and President Bashar Assad's regime.
The alliance's 28 members decided to limit use of Patriots solely for the defensive purpose of warding off the mortar rounds and shells from Syria that have killed five Turks. But the announcement also appeared to be a message to the Assad regime at a time when Washington and other governments fear it may be readying its chemical weapons stockpiles for possible use.
"We stand with Turkey in the spirit of strong solidarity," NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told reporters. "To anyone who would want to attack Turkey, we say, 'Don't even think about it!'"
Fogh Rasmussen stressed that the deployment of the Patriot systems — which includes missiles, radar and other elements — would in no way support a no-fly zone over parts of Syria nor aid any offensive operation against the Arab state.
But the decision to deploy the systems takes the United States and its European partners closer to the war, with the possibility of U.S.-made and alliance-operated hardware being used against the Assad regime for the first time.
Officials say the Patriots will be programmed so that they can intercept only Syrian weapons that cross into Turkish airspace. They aren't allowed to penetrate Syrian territory pre-emptively. That means they would have no immediate effect on any government offensives — chemical or conventional — that remain strictly inside Syria's national borders.
Still, Fogh Rasmussen insisted that the weapons could help de-escalate tensions along a border across which tens of thousands of Syrian refugees have fled and which has emerged as a critical transit point for weapons being smuggled to the rebels fighting to overthrow Assad.
Germany and the Netherlands are expected to provide to Turkey several batteries of the latest PAC-3 version of the U.S.-built Patriots air defense systems, which is optimized to intercept incoming missiles. The U.S. would likely fill any gaps, possibly by sending some from its stocks in Europe.
But the exact details of the deployment and the number of batteries are still to be determined by NATO. A joint team is studying possible basing sites in Turkey, and parliaments in both Germany and the Netherlands must then approve shifting assets and the possible involvement of several hundred soldiers. It's unclear if any American soldiers would need to be deployed.
Due to the complexity and size of the Patriot batteries — including their radars, command-and-control centers, communications and support facilities — they cannot be flown quickly by air to Turkey and will probably have to travel by sea, alliance officials said. They probably won't arrive in Turkey for another month, officials predicted.
NATO, like the U.S., doesn't want to be drawn into the Syrian conflict. Washington has refused to entertain proposals for no-fly zones over Syria or providing military support to Syrian rebels, fearful of making the conflict even more violent after 21 months in which more than 40,000 people have died.
The U.S. also cites the risk of extremists among the rebels getting their hands on weapons they may later use against U.S. allies such as Israel.


text:
Name: Vanessa Kreckel
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Company: Two Paperdolls
What do you do? We design amazing wow-inspired paper for social events, designers, and businesses. With our own in-house design and letterpress shop, we create everything from entirely custom or semi-customizable letterpress invites to stand-out logos, business cards, and websites for businesses.
Overall, the studio is warm and inviting – and really feels like you are coming into our home. It's familiar but there is always some boundary-pushing element in the room that draws the eye. Clients enjoy the opportunity to get comfortable and share not only their scope of work – but want to share things about themselves and get to know us. The art of building a personal relationship has gotten lost somewhere in this e-commerce/internet/on-demand world and I think our clients value the fact that we want to get to know who they are – not just what they need. That helps us infuse their personalities into the designs we are creating for them.
Where do you go for inspiration? Architecture, fabrics, the environment, blogs, my son Landon, everyday life really
Anything else we should know? In honor of celebrating our 10th year, our new website and branding has been a labor of love we are so excited to finally share it with everyone! I think it really represents us – I especially love the Dollhouse section where you can see the studio and learn about our amazing team of talented designers and staff.
[images from Two Paperdolls]


text:
Pastor Rick Warren, author of "The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?," joins "Starting Point" on Thursday to discuss his updated bestseller and how the culture of religion in the United States has changed in the past ten years.
"The audience has changed," Pastor Warren explains. "A girl who was 12 years old when the book came out is now 22. She needs to know her purpose. I really refocused the book for people in their 20s and 30s who may have ignored it 10 years ago."
He also adds that new technology encouraged him to update his bestseller, which now offers 30-minute audio teachings in each chapter.
In addition to his updated book, Pastor Warren discusses how Christianity has changed in the United States since his bestseller was first published. "Cultural Christianity is dying," he says. "True Christianity is not." He adds that while fewer people today may identify with the term "Protestant," it does not mean that the Church is dying.
Warren has done a lot against true Christianity.
Reblogged this on Rick Buggy's Rants & Ravings.
Cue the anti-Christian bigots.......now.
Unfortunately, the Hope and Change he is bringing us is less of a Christian culture and more of a downfall of America type of thing–saddled with "get what you can" and "gay marriage" culture where homosexuals pay less in taxes. It is not evolution, as Obama sees it, it is more of a destruction of a Nation from within–that's what we're facing. Complete utter bankruptcy and self-implosion from within.
Thanks, Obama.
It's the empty space in your head that's imploding, Martin–the space where a mature intellect ought to be. To be more clear, though: that space where your intelligence should be is not in fact empty. It is filled with hatred and contempt; with the idolatry of a nationalistic heresy; with feelings that you use to drown and obscure the self-contempt generated by your sense of worthlessness and irrelevance. Those feelings are the only factually valid aspects of your psyche. Tragically, there is almost no chance at all that you will ever embrace that kernel of legitimacy within you and become a valid person. You are in that sense eternally damned, and you will probably never be able to join the ranks of decent humanity.
It's great that real Christianity is being seperated from the posers. Just because you go to a church doens't make you a Christian, as much as going to Burger King makes you Whopper. One must received Christ as Savior and Lord, and then live like that's true.
I think there may be some truth to the headline, though he really doesn't explain it. The stigma for not being a Christian has slowly been eroding, so people don't feel like they have to be Christian to be part of society.


text:
MasterMover Global News
MasterMover See Impressive Growth In Sales Of Electric Operated Tugs
A UK manufacturer of pedestrian, electric-operated tugs for materials handling applications has seen an impressive 12 per cent growth in sales revenues in 2008, bucking the current trend in the UK and global markets.
Andy Owen, Managing Director at MasterMover Ltd based in Ashbourne, says the company should see a similar increase in sales in 2009. "Despite the difficult ongoing economic conditions in the UK, MasterMover has continued to improve its position in the market in terms of sales growth. There is more interest in our products than ever before, from all types of industries around the world, including food processing, retail, logistics, manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, the health service and special, custom-designed units," he said.
According to Owen, MasterMover's continued success is down to a combination of factors: new innovative product introductions; a new website; excellent after-sales support services; and a total commitment by MasterMover to become more customer-focused in terms of how the company's products help bring benefits to the customer, including higher efficiencies, improved productivity and labour savings.
"We've really focused on what is important to the customer's business and how our products can help support their manufacturing initiatives, warehouse or logistics operations. Most customers already know how safe our products are, but we've now opened their eyes to how our products can also be integrated with their lean manufacturing operation, Kanban systems and other business efficiency drives."
MasterMover's new-look website, launched last month, has also been a hit with customers. As well improved look-and-feel and easier navigation, customers visiting the website can now look at specific application examples or case studies from their own industry, including examples from the healthcare sector, manufacturing and assembly, retail, airports, warehouse and storage, logistics, food & beverage, and pharmaceuticals. Benefits are then clearly listed for that particular industry sector, along with the relevant product information and technical data.
The website also provides video content and a popular 'quick response' option, where users are invited to submit information (including photographs) about their specific application to a MasterMover engineer, who will then respond with an appropriate solution. Users can also arrange a free demonstration of a product, where a MasterMover regional engineer will visit the customer site to show how the machine works.
The website has become an online forum for customers, says Owen, where users can share ideas with their counterparts from other industry sectors.
Ongoing new product developments have also been key to MasterMover's sustained success. As Andy Owen points out: "We are continuously developing new products. In the last 12 months for example, we've launched a new trailer system for our MasterTug range, which enables multiple static loads, such as pallets, to be moved around. One person is now able to move multiple loads, for example three or four trolleys using a single machine. We've also launched new products into the healthcare sector, including a brand new patient bed-mover. Also, following excellent feedback from our retail and healthcare customers, we developed a new SmartMover-Plus version for our industrial applications."
Adjustable, interchangeable coupling systems for pedestrian-operated tugs have also helped customers to get more from their investment. "We've developed a range of couplings that can be adapted to different applications. These couplings enable the customer to purchase a tug for a specific application, and then use the same tug for a completely different application later. The customers gets a more flexible product that can be used in a warehouse on week and the manufacturing area the next week," he adds.
As well as continuing to serve the UK and overseas markets including France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Australia, MasterMover has also opened up new export markets for its products, including South America and India.
Over the last few months, MasterMover has also invested more in its people, with new regional service engineers, sales and marketing staff.


text:
4.20 The Rapture
|The Rapture
|Episode #
|Season 4, Episode 20
|First aired
|April 30, 2009
|Directed by
|Charles Beeson
|Written by
|teleplay: Jeremy Carver
|On IMDB
|Castiel is ordered back to Heaven, leaving his vessel to rediscover his life.
|Pontiac, Illinois
|[[{{{prevep}}}|« Previous Episode]] | [[{{{nextep}}}|Next Episode »]]
Dean is sitting on a jetty, fishing, in a very peaceful scene. Castiel appears next to him and says he has something important to tell Dean. Dean realizes he is dreaming, but Castiel warns him that even in his mind someone may be listening, and gives Dean an address at which to meet him.
When Dean and Sam arrive at an old factory site, it is obvious a violent fight has occurred, and when they see symbols similar to the ones Anna used in Heaven and Hell to banish Castiel and Uriel, they understand that the battle was between angels. They find Jimmy Novak there — the man who has been Castiel's vessel.
While eating his first meal in "months", Jimmy tells Sam and Dean he knows nothing of what Castiel wanted to tell Dean and has very few memories about being possessed. His only desire is to return to his wife and daughter.
In flashback we see how Jimmy, an observant Christian, was contacted by Castiel. He demonstrated his existence by performing miracles, such as protecting Jimmy while he plunged his hand into boiling water. Jimmy's wife Amelia Novak fears he is mentally unbalanced and pleads with him to seek treatment. He refuses and, standing outside his front door, offers himself to Castiel's service, at which point Castiel possesses him. When his daughter comes out on the porch a moment later and asks "Daddy", he replies "I am not your father", and walks away, not to return for over a year.
Back in the present, Sam lays out the facts of why Jimmy needs to stay with them — regardless of his lack of knowledge as a vessel for Castiel, demons will be after him and he will only draw them to his family. Despondent, Jimmy sneaks out that night when Sam leaves the motel room to consume the last of the Demon Blood he is carrying in a flask. When Sam called Ruby earlier, desperate for more blood, she didn't answer.
Sam and Dean take off to find Jimmy, and Anna visits them to warn that demons will indeed be pursuing Jimmy, as he may know the important information Castiel was going to tell Dean. Anna also observes that Sam seems different.
Jimmy arrives home to a cool welcome from his wife, who hasn't seen him for a year. She lets him stay for a meal with her and their daughter Claire. During the meal their neighbor Roger stops by and reveals himself as a demon. Dean and Sam turn up in time to rescue the family, although Sam is unable to use his weakened powers to exorcise any of the demons.
Jimmy accepts that he must separate from his family, and Dean and Sam steal a car for Amelia and Claire to leave in. Shortly after, Jimmy gets a call that his family has been captured by demons.
Jimmy and the Winchesters travel to where the demons are holding the Novaks. Jimmy pleads to the heavens for Castiel not to abandon him, but he and the boys are captured by the demons, one of whom is possessing Amelia.
The demon that possessed Amelia shoots Jimmy in the gut and orders the other demons to kill Claire. At that moment, Castiel possesses Claire, who quickly attacks the demons, destroying them. Sam and Dean join in the fight, and Sam takes the opportunity to bite one of the demons and drink her blood, which is seen by Dean and Castiel, to their horror. He uses his recharged powers to exorcise the demon possessing Amelia.
As Jimmy lays dying, Castiel, still possessing Claire, comforts him. Castiel tells Jimmy that Claire is like her father — something in her blood makes her special, and he will use her as his vessel. Jimmy pleads with Castiel to possess him, despite Castiel's warnings that it will be painful and that he will never die or age. Jimmy agrees and Castiel accedes to his wishes.
As Castiel leaves, Dean asks him what it was he wanted to tell him, but Castiel rebuffs him, saying he doesn't serve man... or Dean; only Heaven.
Back on the road, Sam waits for a response from Dean about the revelation of his blood drinking. Dean seems weary and won't talk about it. Sam gets a call from Bobby saying he needs to see them — unbeknownst to him arranged by Dean. They get to Bobby's place, and he pretends to show them something in his panic room, but it is a ruse to trap Sam in there.
- Sam Winchester
- Dean Winchester
- Castiel
- Jimmy Novak
- Amelia Novak
- Claire Novak
- Anna Milton
- Bobby Singer
- Ruby
- Vessel
- Angel Lore
- Angel Banishing Sigil
- Demon Blood
- Demonology
- Bobby's Panic Room
- The Meaning of Episode Titles
- Electronic Voice Phenomenon
While there was no music used during the opening scene, the closed captions read, "Creedence Clearwater Revival's 'Green River' playing," and then the opening lyrics were quoted:
- Well, take me back down where cool water flows,
- Let me remember things I love...
Dean: (about Sam) Talk to Ginormo here.
Sam: I was getting a Coke.
Jimmy: How long? And don't give me that "cross that bridge when we get to it" crap.
Sam: Don't you get it? Forever. The demons will never stop. You can never be with your family. So, you either get as far away from them as possible. Or you put a bullet in your head. And that's how you keep your family safe. But there's no getting out and there's no going home.
(Nobody answers and Jimmy shakes his head.)Jimmy: Typical.
Castiel: I learned my lesson while I was away, Dean. I serve Heaven, I don't serve Man. And I certainly don't serve you.
Trivia & References
There is also a real Jimmy Novak who is a Chicago radio host who used to run a segment called "4:20 Hit of the Day".
- "We went and shot at an abandoned warehouse last week, and Jared, Jensen and I did get scolded for breaking some windows." In Collins' defense, he did mention that the windows were asking for it.
Sides, Scripts & Transcripts
- 4.20 The Rapture (transcript)
- TWIZTV transcript
- The 9 page story breakdown (aka network treatment) of the script
- Promo Pictures at Buddy Tv
- Episode Promo: 4.20 The Rapture
- Two teaser clips from the CW Source
- Promo clip from Space TV
- Community for Jimmy Novak on LJ


text:
What's it like to be a clown?
Tom Dougherty never thought he'd end up in clown school.
In fact, the Brooklyn native was pursing a career in political science when a friend who ran a children's theater company asked him for help in painting sets. When an actor became ill, Dougherty auditioned for a role and was offered an acting contract, which started his theater career. After putting together a presentation on Shakespeare's clowns, he heard about clown college and figured, why not?
It led to a career as a clown in Ringing Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's "Over the Top" circus, which comes to the Peoria Civic Center arena this weekend. Ahead of the performance, Dougherty agreed to juggle any questions we wanted to toss his way.
— Danielle Hatch
Your dad was a lawyer, your mom was a school principal. There are no clowns in your family. Was there resistance to your career choice?
No, fortunately my family wasn't heavy handed like that, they were very much into what makes you happy. Now, my mother was not all that pleased at my choice. I'd been studying theater and even that she was always, 'Well, what are you going to fall back on?' When I joined the circus she was really kind of upset (laughs).
You were in politics for a while, right?
My father studied political science and he was a campaign manager for the local Democratic party and he was always dragging my sister and I out to hand out balloons at the subway station (laughs). Being raised in the '60s, we had a lot of political awareness. I remember marching on Washington and getting teargassed, all that fun stuff.
I studied political science for a short time in college with the intention of — well, I don't really know what I was intending. I was very idealistic, they were idealistic times. We thought we could change the world.
What was clown school like?
When you went to the school (which closed in 1997) you signed an agreement saying that if they chose you, you would sign a year contract. I was chosen, miraculously.
There were 56 students and only eight got chosen. I really didn't think I had a chance. I came off of the bus and there were all these guys juggling five clubs and unicycling and all these circus skills that I had none of. But I soon realized that the acting training I had would help a lot in creating characters.
Is there a final exam in clown school?
Oh, yeah — very pressure filled. Clown college was a very intense and very wonderful experience. You worked very hard for about two and a half months, and then you had a big performance, a four-hour clown show.
Everyone wore numbers. They invited guests of the local community, in Venice, Fla. And all the big bosses would come and they'd have your pictures and your number. If they liked what you did, they wrote down your number, and if your number came up enough, you got chosen.
That happened on a Saturday night, and on a Sunday morning they would come around and tell who got in and who didn't. And Sunday night you went home with a job or you went home with good training. There was a lot of pressure in a sense of everyone wanting to get that contract, it was the carrot that drove you through clown college. So there was a lot of disappointment.
What personality traits does it take to be a clown?
I tell my students, if there's anything else you can do, go ahead and do it. If you cannot do anything but perform, then you have the first necessary ingredient, which is desire. It takes desire and perseverance and love. And you have to really want to do it. If you want to, there are great rewards.
When I teach in colleges, it was always depressing when the first question would be, how much do you make? And I'd have to remind them that there are other currencies in life that are equally valuable than money.
Does that mean it's not a very lucrative career?
No, you do not make a lot of money.
What are the riches, besides currency, that the circus gives you?
You get to meet a lot of people, you get to see our world. I've traveled extensively, and you find more so than noticing the differences in people — which a lot of people focus on these days — I would notice the similarities because I deal with the universal language, which is laughter. The people in Vietnam laugh at the same things that the people in Columbus or Peoria laugh at. And that's a very important lesson to learn.
Ringing Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's "Over the Top" circus comes to the Peoria Civic Center arena for shows at 7 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday; and 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $13, $17, $30 and $65 at the Civic Center Box Office or any Ticketmaster outlets. You can also call (800) 745-3000 or visit Ticketmaster.com.


text:
With so many dealers in the race, Porsche Gold Coast edges out the competition. Throughout the New York metropolitan area, Porsche owners have trusted the name of Porsche Gold Coast to provide the most outstanding, attentive care, and quality service when it comes to their favorite sports car.
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. Excludes options; taxes; title; registration; delivery, processing and handling fee; dealer charges. Dealer sets actual selling price. While great effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this site, errors do occur so please verify information with a customer service rep. This is easily done by calling us at (516) 758-0800 or by visiting us at the dealership.
*Number of views in last 30 days
† Based on 2023 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.
You don't have any saved vehicles!
Look for this link on your favorites:
Once you've saved some vehicles, you can view them here at any time.
(516) 758-0800Call Now
125 S. Service Rd • Jericho, NY 11753Get Directions
Open Today! Service: 8am-1pm
Open Today! Parts: 8am-1pm