text:
I'm going through a rough(er) patch. My body is scaring me because I can't find any cause for recent episodes. One of the good things these past few years, is that I can usually pinpoint a reason for reactions and downturns. Even after the last horrific night I suffered with apparently no reason (it was last November, during my Dad's very short visit and I couldn't blame it on overdoing it because I didn't), I started spotting late the next day and–light bulb!–it was my period coming a week early (I can have terrible reactions on the day before or the first day of menstruation).
When my husband called 911 on the first day of my last period (both my MD and ND said that my body had gone into shock), it was the first time I'd had such a bad collapse with vitals bottoming out since 2010 — since before I was sick! Then, 5 days later, I got a tingly tongue and lip during IVIG and then a hive on the base of my throat. I realise it was a tiny reaction compared to what so many mast cell patients go through (a week later, a friend of mine went into full-blown anaphylaxis during her IVIG infusion and then somehow got the guts to try again the next day with the same batch –that put my experience into perspective), but the thing is, except for one small hive when I tried Xanax in 2013, I hadn't had any hives since being in full-blown anaphylaxis 17 years ago! And that place–a hive in the suprasternal notch– was always the position for a systemic red alert, for something I ingested, as opposed to benign contact dermatitis.
Then Saturday evening, my tongue swelled up for the first time in 7 months for no reason that I can figure out. I had tongue swelling a few times last year, but I could always explain it (dental work, sauna, vancomycin). Even more concerning, it's still swollen now, 45 hours later and that's very unusual. I took Benadryl the last 2 nights, squirting it onto the affected area of my tongue, as I've been told to do (this is also unusual for me–I am extremely judicious with Benadryl, only taking it when absolutely necessary) and the swelling still hasn't resolved. I can't remember another time it lasted this long — maybe, again, 17 years ago during anaphylaxis.
Then yesterday afternoon, I was hit with vertigo after spending too much time on my feet, preparing food. Vertigo is rare for me and is a big red flag. It's very different from dizziness and I don't think it has anything to do with blood pressure. I went to bed for a while, hoping it would resolve, but, when I got up, I was still slamming into walls, as if I were walking the hallway on a lurching boat. The last 2 times I experienced vertigo were 5 months ago during–shocker–my period and a year ago on the morning we were leaving for California, after killing myself the day before to finish packing. I thought it might be something to do with my neck, which always has issues, so I used heat, then my cervical traction device, then an ice pack. I think it helped; the vertigo had mostly abated by the time I went to bed.
A few hours after I went to sleep, I woke up with horrible shakes and chills and drenching sweats. My BP was low (but low-normal for me: 80/50), HR was a little high, temperature was 96 degrees, and O2 was 95%. It was 7 terrible hours that felt viral, like when I first got sick, but was probably mast cells, what with the swollen tongue and all. I finally got up to do that thing that other chronically ill people might understand: put on clothes in case I had to go to the hospital. On a normal day, I might sit around in my dressing gown with unbrushed hair all day, but when there could be a chance I'm going to the hospital, I try to make sure I'm not naked. I also make sure I'm not wearing anything I care about — I've lost clothes in the hospital before.
Strangely, I had almost an identical episode on this exact day last year. Here's a screenshot from my calendar:
After the most stable autumn and winter I've had since being sick, this downturn–this piling on of relatively rare, red-flag symptoms–scares me. My sleep has gone to hell in the last few weeks, which compounds everything by stealing energy and increasing pain. Plus, I'm exacerbating things by holding tight to my "best winter yet" narrative and by fighting so hard to maintain the level of functioning I've had this past year, rather than pulling way back and resting aggressively.
My ND says the naturopathic philosophy is that you will go back through previous stages of health and experience earlier symptoms as you travel the healing journey back to where you once were. I've latched onto this theory to anchor myself and dispel some fear. The resurgence of all these old symptoms means there has been a shift in my system — but maybe it's a positive shift, even though it doesn't feel that way. I've gained weight since starting IVIG, over 8% of my norm, which is not insignificant, especially on someone as small as I am. I'm at my heaviest since being sick and, although I'm not overweight, I've lost muscle tone the last 7 years and I don't have the physical ability to burn fat and build muscle, so I hope this trajectory doesn't continue. My doctor thought this, also, pointed towards a shift in my body: maybe I've started absorbing nutrients better. Acne is coming back a little, too. Maybe my hair will grow back! Or the next thing will be that I'll catch a cold for the first time in 8 years… (And because I really don't want this to happen, no matter what it might indicate about a calming immune system: knock on wood, toba, toba, spit over shoulder: patuey.)
But, as I lie here, shaky, with my swollen tongue, chronicling these last few weeks (minus the osteoporosis diagnosis and extremely elevated post-antibiotics SIBO test results, both of which I'll have to write about at a different time), none of it feels like a positive shift and I worry about what I should eat so as not to add to mast cell reactivity and whether I should stay in bed and lie still, even though longed-for Seattle sun is streaming through the windows and I'd love to make some breakfast and sit at my table watching Riley lounge in the grass, soaking up the rays, and the hummingbirds diving around our feeders.


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"The United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), supposedly to avoid a massacre, launched a military attack against a sovereign state without there being any threat to international peace and security, and unleashed a 'change of regime' operation," Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla said.
Stressing the importance of Libya's independence and sovereignty, he said its people should be allowed to decide what kind of rule they want without any foreign intervention.
Rodríguez noted that the former Cuban president Fidel Castro had warned about NATO's intention to intervene in Libya as early as February and said that since then Cuba has defended not a particular government but the principle that "the assassination of thousands of innocent people with the dubious objective of protecting other civilians is something unacceptable."
After forces supporting then leader Muammar al-Qadhafi cracked down against a popular uprising, the Security Council authorized member states in March to take "all necessary measures" to protect civilians.
Members of NATO subsequently carried out air strikes and, following months of fighting between pro-Qadhafi forces and rebels, the National Transitional Council (NTC) has recently assumed authority over the country.
But Rodríguez said: "The military intervention in Libya and the growing threat against Syria have been the opportunistic and defensive responses given by the United States and Europe to the collapse of their system of domination and plunder in Northern Africa and the Middle East, the emergence of genuinely popular movements in Tunisia, Egypt and other countries, in order to secure huge reserves of oil and water and confiscate financial assets in times of global economic and social crisis."
"In this war, waged with the most advanced and lethal military technologies, the means of communication have been used as combat weapons by the financial and media emporiums which are profiteering from the war and the reconstruction operations as if they were anti-crisis instruments," Rodríguez said.
He warned against any intervention in Syria, where authorities stand accused of committing serious human rights abuses while cracking down on a similar pro-democracy movement.
"It is the task of this General Assembly to exercise its powers to prevent a military aggression against Syria. The public opinion should receive objective information and speak up against the war."
During his address, Rodríguez also spoke of the negative effects of the long-standing United States economic, commercial and financial embargo on his country.
"The economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba has been tightened and the damages it has caused have totalled $975 billion according to the present gold price," he said, while reiterating his country's willingness to normalize relations with the US.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Cat Cool Flaming Cat Edition Hawaiian Shirt
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text:
When Christine told me last night that yesterday was National Iced Tea Day, I just knew we had to have some. And when we walked into Popeyes for dinner and the place was covered with flair advertising their brand-spanking-new offering, Cane Sweeeet Iced Tea, well, guess what we ordered to drink?
Actually, Greta and her sweet-tea-hating Mommy had water. And even though I am usually more of a Dr. Pepper man at Popeyes, I decided to honor this awesome holiday I knew nothing about by sampling the Cane Sweeeet Iced Tea.
And, man, was I glad I did! I haven't had sweet tea in years, even when my Mom and sister lived in the South, we never drank it. I mean, it's good and all, but, a little Southern sweet tea goes a long way. I'm not kidding, you get like, instant cavities…it's freaky.
But this Popeyes deliciousness is a freaking revelation! I don't know if it's the cane sugar or what, but this is the best sweet iced tea I've ever had anywhere. And unlike most sweet tea, you can really taste the fresh-brewed tea in every sip. I actually had flecks of tea leaf in my ice when I finished! Awesome!
So, I take a bunch of pictures and am getting ready to blog about this cane sugar perfection and what do I read online? This Saturday, June 12th, in honor of National Iced Tea Day and Popeyes' 38th anniversary, Popeyes locations nationwide are offering my favorite new drink in the world for free! That's right, y'all, free Cane Sweeeet Tea for everyone! Yay!
Here's hoping Popeyes has a rocking birthday and to the visionary soul who invented the best new holiday ever…we salute you. National Iced Tea Day 4eva!


text:
Bebe Au Lait
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I had never tasted curry ketchup until I spent a school year in Germany … they use it constantly there. Every dish of french fries comes with a puddle of it, and many German restaurants also have a killer curry-wurst sausage. I haven't been able to find it in the states other than at the occasional German restaurant, so I decided to make some.
Later, I amended this project to be a trio of condiments together for the San Diego Food Swap this month. I made spicy mustard (which I have made a few times, see here), as well as curry ketchup, and to change it up a little, instead of a cucumber pickle relish (booooor-iiiing, plus I prefer my pickles on the fried side), I decided to make a thick roasted corn and pepper relish.
All three condiments were a huge hit! Plus, they were all super-easy to make.
For the curry ketchup, I followed this recipe from Coco Cooks, except I quadrupled the recipe to make multiple jars (and I swapped every single one, so it was worth it), and instead of running it through a food mill at the end, I used my immersion hand blender to puree it, and then I used a slotted spoon to scoop out the seeds, spices and stubborn tomato chunks left inside. I also simmered mine a little longer — I figured more time letting all of the flavors get happy together couldn't hurt. It didn't.
I halved and quartered about 8 lbs of various ripe tomatoes, and then added all of the sugar, spices and vinegar, and set it to simmer on the stove. As it was cooking for several hours in a huge pot on the stove, I placed a few cups of mustard seeds into a bowl of beer to let them soak …
… and started a fire in my grill outside so I could char some peppers and whole ears of corn for the relish. As always, with grilling whole corn, you pull back the outer husk, then pull out the soft hair inside. Then if you are going to season it, do it now, and pull the husks back over the corn. Then place it on the hot grill with a few bell peppers.
Once the corn is cooked, simply strip the corn by removing the husk entirely, and remove the corn by standing the ear on one end and running a sharp knife down each side. Since we are making a relish, don't worry if the kernels don't look pretty and perfect.
Don't forget to chop those roasted peppers, as well as a whole onion (and additional jalapeno or other peppers, if you want an extra kick:
Then, once all of the corn, peppers, and onion are diced, add 2 cups of vinegar and 1 cup of sugar, as well as 2 tablespoons each of kosher salt, garlic powder and cracked black pepper.
Let it simmer for about an hour, until the corn and onion are a little tender but still crunchy. This is an excellent topping for grilled fish and baked salmon, as well as just for a simple and tasty dip for tortilla or pita chips.
Now that the relish is finished (and getting ready for its 20-minute hot water bath), I blend the now-soft mustard seeds with fresh and smoked jalapeno pepper and smoked garlic, and puree them all a little in the food processor. Then it goes on the stove with the remaining ingredients while I puree and skim the curry ketchup.
The ketchup is refrigerator-only, but the corn relish and mustard can both be sealed in sterilized mason jars in a 20-minute hot water bath.


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Jewish World Review May 23, 2003 / 21 Iyar, 5763
George Will
Big Tobacco suits going up in smoke
Three years ago a Miami jury decided that cigarettes, even when used as intended, are often addictive and sometimes lethal. The jury awarded compensatory damages for three people with cancer and punitive damages for 300,000 to 700,000 Florida smokers. This even though the three had chosen to use this legal product, the health hazards of which have been relentlessly publicized by government for almost four decades. And even though cigarettes, although addictive, are not irresistibly so: There are about as many American ex-smokers as there are smokers.
The appeals court denounced the plaintiffs' attorney's "pandering" to the predominantly African American jury with "inflammatory and prejudicial" and "racially charged" statements. The attorney incited the jury to nullify the settled law establishing that selling cigarettes is neither tortuous nor otherwise improper. Reproving him, the appeals court tartly noted that "nullification arguments have absolutely no place in a trial and violate state and federal due process by exposing defendants to liability and punishment based on lawful conduct."
The plaintiffs' attorney had made much of the fact that a defense witness's rťsumť revealed that he had studied John C. Calhoun, the 19th-century statesman who defended slavery. And the attorney said that disregarding the law on the legality of selling cigarettes would be akin to Martin Luther King's and Rosa Parks's civil disobedience. He said that respecting the right of tobacco companies to stay in business is akin to saying there are "two sides" to slavery or the Holocaust.
The appeals court notes that although the plaintiffs' attorney concedes that attorneys cannot explicitly tell juries to ignore the law, he has written a book boasting of his "subtle way" of insinuating "my 'P--- on the Law' theme."
But tobacco policy radiates contempt for law. Cynical lawmaking produced the $246 billion settlement of an extortionate suit by 46 state governments against major tobacco companies, purportedly as recompense for smoking-related health care costs. Never mind that governments probably profit from smoking in two ways. Cigarettes are the most heavily taxed consumer product -- but are usually not taxed so heavily that too many smokers give up the lucrative (for governments) habit. Furthermore, governments reap savings in the form of reduced spending for Social Security, pensions and nursing home care for people who die prematurely from smoking-related illnesses.
The $246 billion is to be paid out over 25 years. But some of the 46 state governments are hot to get their hands on the cash, even at the cost of discounting the value of their payout. They are selling all or portions of their future payments at a discount to investors in the form of tobacco bonds -- state-issued debt backed by future payments from tobacco company profits.
All this gives states a huge stake in profitable tobacco companies. Hence the horror in various state capitals in March when an Illinois court told Altria, formerly Philip Morris, to post a $12 billion bond while appealing a $10 billion judgment against it in a consumer fraud case concerning the marketing of "light" cigarettes. Altria used the B-word (bankruptcy), the ratings of Altria bonds tumbled -- and state tobacco bonds lost 10 percent of their value.
Tobacco policy now depends on tobacco products not being priced out of the reach of too many of today's smokers, and on tobacco companies finding a steady supply of new smokers. Because tobacco policy has two primary ends, both monetary, both inimical to public health.
One is a reliable stream of money transferred from smokers (a regressive transfer; smokers are increasingly low-income) to state governments desperate to finance spending programs they improvidently launched during the perishable boom of the late 1990s. The second is the transfer of money from smokers to trial lawyers (their fees from the $246 billion settlement totaled upward of $15 billion) so they can transfer a portion to the Trial Lawyers Protection Association, aka the Democratic Party, that scourge of exploiters.
An Illinois judge (that state is panting for $7 billion to $9 billion from the 1998 settlement) negotiated a reduction of Altria's required $12 billion bond to $7 billion. Meanwhile, when the major tobacco companies raised prices to cover the $246 billion settlement, low-price discount brands began gaining market share. So the major companies have been cutting prices. Which will increase smoking. Which state governments, those virtuosos of situational ethics, deplore. And desire.
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THURSDAY, Aug. 9, 2012 (HealthDay News) -- With options shrinking to a single antibiotic that can fight resistant strains of gonorrhea, U.S. health authorities issued revised guidelines for treating the sexually transmitted bacteria on Thursday.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends that the injectable antibiotic Rocephin (ceftriaxone) be the first-line treatment for this sexually transmitted disease, supplanting Suprax (cefixime).
Rocephin should be used in combination with one of two oral antibiotics: azithromycin or doxycycline, the CDC stated in the guidelines published in the Aug. 10 issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Strains of gonorrhea that are resistant to Suprax have increased globally.
"We are very concerned about the possibility of the potential for untreatable gonorrhea," said Dr. Robert Kirkcaldy, a medical epidemiologist with the CDC's Division of STD Prevention. "Facing this threat of drug resistance, the CDC is taking the critical step to preserve the last remaining drug that we know to be effective. We're hoping that the actions taken now will prevent that from becoming a reality."
Another expert agreed with the decision. "The risk of organisms becoming completely resistant will be a lot less [with the combination of two drugs] than if we're just doing one treatment," said Dr. Greg Ward, an assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology and women's health at Saint Louis University, in St. Louis. "Two antibiotics confuses the organism a little bit so . . . this should slow the progression of resistance."
Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a particularly "crafty" bacteria which has progressively become resistant to every antibiotic used against it since the 1930s, Kirkcaldy said.
These include sulfonamides, penicillin, tetracycline and, in the 2000s, fluoroquinolones.
In 2007, the CDC recommended abandoning fluoroquinolones as a first-line treatment, thus leaving cephalosporins, which include Suprax and Rocephin, as the only class of antibiotics available to effectively combat gonorrhea.
By limiting use of cephalosporins to just Rocephin, it's hoped that gonorrhea will not develop resistance to all drugs in the class.
Although rates of gonorrhea are at historic lows, Kirkcaldy said, it is still the second most commonly recorded infection with more than 700,000 new U.S. cases annually.
Symptoms can include burning when urinating or a discharge from the penis or the vagina. But too often, gonorrhea produces no symptoms at all.
"If left untreated, gonorrhea can result in severe reproductive health consequences including chronic pelvic pain, potentially life-threatening ectopic pregnancy and infertility," Kirkcaldy said. "We also know that having this infection can increase risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV."
The new recommendations also call for all patients to undergo a "test of cure" to ensure that the infection is fully resolved. That means all patients receiving treatment will need to make another office visit, Ward said.
In the past, the test of cure was only done on pregnant women, he added.
To prevent transmission of gonorrhea, individuals should also follow safe-sex practices, such as using condoms. Noting that abstinence and monogamy are the greatest protective measures, the CDC said that groups at greatest risk -- sexually active gay and bisexual men and high-risk sexually active women -- should be tested for gonorrhea at least once a year.
Kirkcaldy also called on drug makers to "step up quickly and boldly to invest in new drugs" to fight gonorrhea.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on gonorrhea.


text:
Hidalgo II
400 W between North Temple and South Temple (click for map)
Catering : Yes
Review Score : 4 out of 5 stars
The wind was angry mis amigos. Nearly as angry as members of our taco army who have written me angry emails due to the lack of taco reviews on slctacos.com over the last year. This wind was so angry that it almost blew away the tacos we tried to eat in creating this review. The fact that you are reading this now means that we did not die and the tacos ended up in our mouths. As a strong group of 6 taco enthusiasts, we have just experienced the tacos from Hidalgo II located on 400 W between The Depot and Energy Solutions arena directly in front of the office building on the North end of the Gateway.
Having heard from several co-workers about the tacos at Hidalgo II and the long lines to acquire them, we arrived to find a sizable queue consisting of construction workers and office folk. We were not disappointed and this is definitely a taco stand that I would recommend to one and all. Since there are some new readers who may be reading this review at Ugly Magazine rather than on slctacos.com, let me say that this one of the first things I look for in suggesting taco stands to taco newbies is to watch how food is prepared and how money is handled. On both accounts Hidalgo II scores high marks since they keep their grill and cooking area clean and they have a separate gentleman to handle the dollars. So the place is clean and this keeps the line moving. But enough about this, let's get to the tacos.
Among our army of enthusiasts, we tried the tacos and a couple of the burritos. Tacos are $1, Burritos are $4 and Quesadillas are $3. I personally tried the 4 tacos offered so I will review them each individually :
Al Pastor (Spicy Pork) : 4.5 stars
Carne Asada (Beef) : 4 stars
Carnitas (Shredded, roasted pork) : 3 stars
Pollo (you guessed right : chicken) : 2.5 stars
I always measure a taco cart by the quality of its al pastor which was exceptional with a fantastic marinade with just the right amount of spice, but I was surprised by the carne asada. I'm usually not a fan of beef at most taco stands but I will definitely be returning to order a couple more of the carne asada tacos. The meat is perfectly cooked since the cook at Hidalgo II is precise and lightning fast. There is such a line there every day at lunch that he is forced to move at superhuman speeds. During this flurry of taco duty, the chavo was still able to talk to me a bit about the stand and told me he was excited about the revista I am currently writing. His recommendation was that everyone should try the carne asada at the stand since he is particularly proud of it and he says the local construction workers love it.
After snagging my tacos, a horrible viento rushed upon me out of nowhere which attempted to blow my tacos all over 4th West. The review could have ended there. Instead, this was the moment I met Nicolas who rushed up and helped me cover the precious tacos with tin foil as soon as I had my toppings. Nicolas did not initially believe me that I work as a taco journalist but after a few questions he realized that I mean serious taco business and he was happy to answer questions about the stand he runs with fellow amigos from Hidalgo, Mexico.
He told me that as in all parts of Mexico, methods and materials for building delicious tacos are different and he is excited to share his tacos in the style of his home state Hidalgo. Hidalgo II has been open for 9 months now and Hidalgo I would be 3 years old but it recently closed due to the fact that 4th West is torn to shreds from construction. When the construction is over, Nicolas says that both will be open since they have a large number of visitors every day.
We wished we could stay to talk to Nicolas a bit longer, but the wind did not allow it. Even with tin foil guarding our delicious cargo, we were forced to retreat to our taco fortress (work) where we could eat. Some of us could wait, but the anticipation was nearly overwhelming. As you can see from the photos, some of us started eating along the walk. When we finally were able to give the tacos a proper prueba we all agreed that Hidalgo II would enter regular rotation so we will be seeing you there when we show up for lunch.
As a final note, I must mention that the anticipation and wind intensity were factored into the final review score for this taco stand. This did make our taco adventure more exciting and it did enhance the flavor, so the review score was slightly reduced so that the true quality could be reflected without being influenced by the wind which nearly killed us and stole our tacos.
Stay tuned for the next taco review and I'll see you at the taco stands!


text:
English Revised Version
Saul's Overthrow and Death
(2 Samuel 1:1-16; 1 Chronicles 10:1-6)
1Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa. 2And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. 3And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers overtook him; and he was greatly distressed by reason of the archers. 4Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took his sword, and fell upon it. 5And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he likewise fell upon his sword, and died with him. 6So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together.
The Philistines Possess the Towns
7And when the men of Israel that were on the other side of the valley, and they that were beyond Jordan, saw that the men of Israel fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.
8And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen in mount Gilboa. 9And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to carry the tidings unto the house of their idols, and to the people. 10And they put his armour in the house of the Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan.
Jabesh-Gilead's Tribute to Saul
11And when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard concerning him that which the Philistines had done to Saul, 12all the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan; and they came to Jabesh, and burnt them there. 13And they took their bones, and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.
English Revised Version, 1885
Section Headings Courtesy BereanBible.com
© 2013, 2014 Used by Permission
Bible Hub


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Kent Bush: Thanksgiving is bittersweet this year
I have so much to be thankful for.
But this year when I was heading toward Thanksgiving, I couldn't help thinking more about what I was missing than what I still have.
I appreciate that the Pilgrims and Native Americans had a good time almost 400 years ago eating lobster, rabbit, carrots and squash. I also appreciate that the woman who wrote "Mary Had a Little Lamb" also convinced Abraham Lincoln to make Thanksgiving a national holiday. I'm not even upset about the fact that a few days of going from family dinner to family dinner will hit the reset button on a diet I have been on for more than six weeks.
Thanksgiving was harder than normal this year.
Every time I began to count my blessings and enumerate all of the things in my life for which I am thankful, I kept coming across an idea that was bittersweet.
Thinking about how thankful I was to have enjoyed so many years with my dad before he passed away this fall, was not one of those warm and happy Thanksgiving thoughts.
In fact, being thankful was becoming quite depressing. Thoughts would begin on the grateful end of the spectrum and wander over to the sad and still grieving side pretty quickly.
And then I saw my oldest son in a play.
He wasn't spectacular as a lead character. As a third-grader in a group of little thespians who ranged in age from third to eighth grade, he was awarded a role as a dog in a play called "The Aristocats." You can imagine the artistic burden he carried.
But he had so much fun that after six performances in two days, he was not ready to stop. He would have continued for another week.
He didn't get that from me.
I can fake my way through public speaking but my artistic enterprise is confined to writing. Blake loves to be on stage.
He is not a chip off the old block. We brought Dawit home from Ethiopia a little over a year ago and he is more like me than Blake is.
That made me thankful.
It isn't that I didn't want him to be like me. But this is one of the few ways that I am like my dad. My dad raised a son that was nothing like him too.
Like Blake, more people would compare me to my mom.
So as I go to musicals in between soccer and basketball practices and watch him read far better than he hits a ball, I am thankful that my dad taught me to raise an individual.
I'm sure that I didn't meet dad's checklist for the "perfect son" although he never did anything but support me in whatever I was doing.
I see some of that in myself.
As Blake and Dawit grow up and their interests change, I hope I am able to show the same ability my dad did to selflessly enjoy them and their interests.
College basketball coach Jim Valvano once said something that rings true to me.
"My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me," he said.
My dad was always a supporter and safety net for me. I am thankful for that.
I am also thankful for two sons who don't always think or act like me because they give me a chance - in some small way - to be more like my dad.
Kent Bush is publisher of the Augusta, Kan., Gazette.


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The U.S. intelligence community is worried that mysterious assassinations and bombings aimed at Iran's nuclear program may be spurring the Iranian leadership to pursue attacks inside the United States, according to current and former U.S. officials.
On Tuesday, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper told the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence that a plot last year to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the United States "shows that some Iranian officials—probably including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei—have changed their calculus and are now more willing to conduct an attack in the United States in response to real or perceived U.S. actions that threaten the regime."
The alleged 2011 plot to murder Saudi Arabia's ambassador—using contacts in a Mexican drug cartel to carry out the hit—was uncovered in October.
"The Iranians feel—and they have said this already—that they are under attack via economic pressure and things blowing up in their country," says Juan Zarate, a former deputy national security for counterterrorism who served under President Bush and the senior adviser at the Center for Strategic & International Studies. "The Iranians seem to be responding by trying to attack the United States and its allies abroad."
While U.S. generals have stated in public testimony that Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps has killed U.S. soldiers in Iraq and worked with insurgents who target Americans in Afghanistan, it was not until 2011 that the U.S. government accused Iran publicly of trying to launch an attack on U.S. soil.
Clapper's testimony is the first time, however, that a U.S. official has publicly suggested the plot to kill the Saudi ambassador may have been approved by Iran's supreme leader.
U.S. officials working on the Iran file told the Daily Beast that Clapper's words were chosen carefully. "Some people are concerned that Iranian perceptions of what is happening to them may lead them to believe they are already in some kind of conflict," one official said.
What is happening to them includes the Jan. 11 bombing of Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan, a 32-year-old physicist who, according to Iran's semi-official Fars news agency, was in charge of procurement for the Natanz enrichment facility. Five Iranian scientists or engineers affiliated with Iran's nuclear program have been killed since 2007 and a sixth attack on a scientist was foiled. Four of those attacks used the same kind of magnetic limpet bomb, affixed to the vehicles of the targets.
Many national-security experts speculate that Israel's Mossad intelligence agency is behind the assassinations. Israeli officials have made little effort to dispel such speculation.
After Roshan was killed in Iran, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton took the unusual step of publicly denouncing the attack and stating the United States played no role. In the past those statements were delivered at the spokesman level.
There have also been a string of industrial explosions at facilities associated with Iran's weapons programs, such as a Nov. 12 blast at a missile-testing facility outside of Tehran that killed Maj. Gen. Hassan Moqqadam, the head of the country's missile program.
"There's been great deal of speculation about events in Iran surrounding its nuclear program," says a U.S. official who would only speak on background. "Iranian paranoia about these events could lead them to lash out. I'm not saying it will happen, but it's an option people have to consider."
Iran's intelligence service and its Revolutionary Guard Corps may have already started lashing out. On Tuesday, Azeri authorities announced that they had thwarted an attack aimed at Israel's ambassador to Azerbaijan and alocal rabbi. The country's national-security ministry issued a statement claiming two Azeris were arrested who worked with an Iranian named Balagardash Dadashev to procure sniper rifles, explosives, and handguns from Iran.
On Jan. 14, Thai authorities announced arrests that they said had thwarted an Iranian plot against tourist destinations and possibly Israeli and Jewish targets in Bangkok.
Zarate said Clapper's prediction about Iranian attacks represented a new assessment for the U.S. intelligence community. "This is a big deal for two reasons," he said. "It suggests the calculus at the highest level of the Iranian government to cross the most serious red line, which is to attack inside the United States, has changed. Also, the regime already feels fundamentally threatened. This suggests that the Iranians are ready to engage in an all-out proxy war."
Until recently, the U.S. intelligence assessment was that Iran had the ability to attack the United States through its allies in Hizbullah, but would not cross that line unless the country was attacked militarily. In 2010, Michael Leiter, who was then the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, was asked during Senate testimony, "Do you think if there's an escalation between Iran and Israel that we will see more of a threat here in the United States?" Leiter responded with one word: "Yes."


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Willard Suitcase #16 and News
This is not a suitcase per se, but Henry L.'s possessions were in this cardboard box. As I continue this project, I occasionally come across different ways the museum has preserved the items. This box was not wrapped like the others, but was in an archival box of its own.
I was particularly moved by this box.
Sometimes I don't know what to write about these remnants of someone's life.
As usual, I have obscured his surname here.
The quality of the his artificial foot and leg was amazing. I am not sure when it was made as there was no date of Henry's admission on the tag attached to the shoe.
The parts on the brace above were machined beautifully.
Thanks to you all for following the project. And now for some really great news. I have signed a contract with the Exploratorium in San Francisco to have a large number of the suitcase photos in an exhibit to be called "The Changing Face of What is Normal". One third of the exhibit will deal with mental health issues and my work will be a part of that component. I am so excited and proud to be involved in this. There will be a formal opening on 19 April, 2013 in their new space at Pier 15 in the Embarcadero and it looks like I will be doing an artist's talk a few days after that. My friend, the poet Karen Miller will also be involved. She has been working with many of the same cases and her poems are amazing and evocative. So I will look forward to seeing some of you next April in San Francisco. Again thanks for all the feedback and support.
19 Responses
congrats! I am really enjoying the photos of the suitcases and boxes.
This one breaks my heart, Jon. The prosthetic leg and the one shoe with heavier wear…"what happened to your leg, Henry? Did whatever happened to you break your spirit as well?" This man's story squeezes my heart.
So glad you'll be coming to SF! Please keep us updated about the exhibit.
Hearty congratulations to you Jon! Your sensitive photographs of the suitcases and box evoke varying emotional reactions from the viewers. It would be interesting to watch the people's faces as they view your work!
I would love to fly down to SF to see this show. Do you know what date you'll be giving your talk?
If I were still living in Sacramento, I would love to see the exhibit! However, it is a bit far from the south of France so will have to send my friends and settle for their stories.
Thank you for sharing the contents of this box, is that all he had? Wow, compared to some of the women's suitcases, this guy owned very little but clearly these were his most precious possessions. Obviously. A very touching legacy. Congratulations on your inclusion in the the exhibition, I would travel far and wide to see it!
What a story in this carton! It causes one to wonder about the individual they belonged to..how did it happen? How old was he? How did it affect him mentally? How did he cope on a daily basis. So many things to wonder about! Once again, I am intrigued by your findings. Were there any other suitcases with his name? I was curious about the numbering. Are there records that show more information about the people that lived at the institute still in existence? Congratulations! How exciting for you and for everyone that is able to attend the opening! Thanks for posting!
Congratulations on getting these images included in the exhibition. It is a fascinating project, every new entry leaves me wondering about these people and their lives
I'm sure it could be a travelling exhibition, perhaps you could bring it to one of the UK photographic galleries or festivals (preferably one near me! eg Ffotogallery in Cardiff or the RWA in Bristol)
I hav
e loved seeing these suitcases. Looking forward to seeing you in my hometown!
Regarding the date of Henry's admission, I would guesstimate not much later than 1915-20 from the style of the shoes and probably earlier.
Thank you so much for your work photographing all the cases, It is a mammoth undertaking. I'm especially interested on a professional level as an archivist to see how the museum is handling the preservation of this mixed media collection.
[…] Willard Suitcase #12, Willard Suitcase #13, Willard Suitcase #14, Willard Suitcase #15, Willard Suitcase #16, Willard Suitcase #17, Willard Suitcase #18, Willard […]
I would love to see the whole exibit in Dallas/FT Worth.


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Maya Angelou? Nathaniel Hawthorne? Thomas Hood? Richard Brinsley Sheridan? Charles Allston Collins? Anthony Trollope? Lord Byron? William Makepeace Thackeray? Anonymous?
Easy reading is damned hard writing.
I thought this adage was coined by the prominent author Maya Angelou, but recently I learned that she credited Nathaniel Hawthorne. Would you please explore this statement?
Quote Investigator: This topic is complicated by the existence of two complementary statements that are often confused. Many different versions of these statements have circulated over the years. Here are two expository instances:
1) Easy writing results in hard reading.
2) Easy reading requires hard writing.
An extended discussion of the first maxim is available under the title "Easy Writing's Vile Hard Reading" located here. This entry will focus on the second maxim.
The earliest evidence of a strong match located by QI appeared in the London periodical "The Athenaeum" in 1837. The humorist, poet, and essayist Thomas Hood wrote a letter to the editor which was printed under the title "Copyright and Copywrong". Hood commented on the process of writing. In the original text the word "damned" was partially censored to yield "d__d". Boldface has been added to excerpts:[1]1837 April 22, The Athenaeum: Journal of English and Foreign Literature, Science, and the Fine Arts, Copyright and Copywrong, (Letter to the Editor of the Athenaeum from Thomas Hood), Start Page 285, … Continue reading
And firstly, as to how he writes, upon which head there is a wonderful diversity of opinions; one thinks that writing is "as easy as lying," and pictures the author sitting carefully at his desk "with his glove on," like Sir Roger de Coverley's poetical ancestor. A second holds that "the easiest reading is d__d hard writing," and imagines Time himself beating his brains over an extempore.
Hood placed the adage between quotation marks suggesting that it was already in use. In fact, variant statements containing the phrases "hard reading" and "easy writing" were already being disseminated, and the expression probably evolved from those antecedents. Hence, apportioning credit for the formulation of this maxim is a difficult task.
Here are additional selected citations in chronological order.
Continue reading Easy Reading Is Hard Writing
|1837 April 22, The Athenaeum: Journal of English and Foreign Literature, Science, and the Fine Arts, Copyright and Copywrong, (Letter to the Editor of the Athenaeum from Thomas Hood), Start Page 285, Quote Page 286 and 287, Printed by James Holmes, London, Published at the Office of The Athenaeum, London. (Google Books Full View) link


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none of my business
A Nigerian Pastor Blasts South African #Blessers and Blesses, Calls Kenny Kunene a pastor
Dr. Charles Awuzie is best described as a dynamic bible expositor and CEO of Gemsbok Group Pty. Ltd. He is followed by several thousands of people on social media for his inspiring micro blogs on issues of Spirituality and faith, relationships and marriages, life and death. This is his recent post on facebook, blasting the recent viral #Blesser Hashtag:
"Currently Trending in South Africa is the Hashtag #Blesser
Where does the term "blesser" come from?
The term "blesser" comes from social media. Girls would post pictures on Instagram, facebook and twitter of themselves sipping cocktails on the beach, popping bottles in the club, driving in top of the range automobiles, flying business class or getting their nails done, using the hashtag #blessed. Some people started asking: Who's really 'blessing' them? And just like that, a cultural phenomenon was popularised – a phenomenon where younger girls hunt for older and rich guys who would 'bless' them. Then a meet up platform was launched online to help a potential #Blesser meet a desperate #Blessee.
But What's 'My Own Sef'? (in my Nigerian ascent)…
Why shouldn't this Kwerekwere facebooker mind his own business? Or should we remind him that his Nigerian brothers are the biggest blessers in Mzazi? Doesn't he know that even 'pastor' Kenny Kunene – the now repentant sushi King respected Nigerians in this 'blessing' game?
Well, sisi, I share your concerns. After the "blesser" hashtag went LIVE and viral, my first response was to imitate the tea-sipping Kermit and convince my conscience that it is 'none of my business'.
But my conscience won't let me…
How can I mind my own business when approximately one-fifth of South African women in their reproductive ages are HIV positive? (Source: statssa.gov.za/publications/P0302/P03022014.pdf)
How can I mind my own business when almost 3 out of every 7 girls who came to me for prayers wanted me to pray so God can give them a rich man (a blesser) who will be a 'blessing' to their lives?
How can I mind my own business when almost 90% of our daughters/sisters are in one way or the other hunting for a #blesser? (Source: Experience as a youth pastor).
How do you expect me to mind my own business when foolish men have ascended the throne of a #blesser, demonstrating a total rebellion against God who alone is the #TrueBlesser?
And you want me to mind my own business….?
I refuse to mind my own business…I make bold to say that if you are a young lady and you are dating older married men so they can 'bless' you, you are a disgrace to yourself. Your heart is desperately wicked and your end is shame if you don't turn away from your evil ways. That man is someone's husband, dad and boss. What you are taking away from him through your seduction belongs to those he belongs to. You are a thief and like every other robber, you will be caught and brought to shame someday. It is not late to go back to school or acquire a skill. If man is your blesser, you are cursed…But when God is your blesser, sisi, you are #TrulyBlessed.
And finally to you foolish blessers….You either repent or perish with your filthy money. How dare you take the place of God? Are you not afraid of HE who can destroy both your flesh and your soul? Who made you a #blesser? Listen, Grace is your only life line to repent today. If you continue in your haughtiness, Jehovah – the #TrueBLESSER shall soon withdraw His blessings from you and your life shall be empty again.
My name is Charles Awuzie and my cry is that #SouthAfrica shall be #TrulyBlessed.
Dr. Charles Awuzie blogs on http://www.charlesawuzie.com and tweets on @pastorcharlesc.
Africa Thisday wishes to introduce #BlessersMustFall hashtag. Make this viral. Share!


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Anna Russo
Anna Russo was born in Naples, Italy. Her debut as a writer partly came about after she received a major literary prize for travel writing: "The Next Generation".As a result of the...view moreAnna Russo was born in Naples, Italy. Her debut as a writer partly came about after she received a major literary prize for travel writing: "The Next Generation".As a result of the grant she lived for twelve years in Southern France where she became close to the gypsies, particularly two of the "grand" families of Reyes and Baliardo. From this research and collaboration, she wrote two important books, "Gitani si nasce e si diventa" (We are born and we become Gypsies) and "El Cante Flamenco" (The Flamenco Song), which received support from the Spanish Consulate in Italy and by the Cervantes Cultural Institute.Her meeting with the publisher Salani generated another book, "La bambina Babilonia" (Babilonia Girl), which received great success and was awarded numerous prizes: Cento Award '05 -The international Award Gay-Tachè '07.Following this success, she signed with Einaudi r. one of the most respected publishers in Italy. Her new writing includes: "Pao alla conquista del mondo" (Pao conquerer the world) published in 2006 by Einaudi r."Caro Hamid, fratello lontano" (Dear Hamid, my far brothers) in 2007 by Einaudi r. . The meeting with Einaudi publisher represent a decisive turn in the poetics and direction of the author.In meanwhile she do a lot of conference running up and down Italy to be more near kids and their world.At the same time, in 2007, begins a collaboration with the prestigious production house, Demas & Partners, for the creation and scriptwriting of the series "I racconti dell'aquilone" (Tales of a Kite), 26 episodes of thirteen minutes each, a series which brings the author's subjects towards other media carriers.In 2008 publishes with the famous publishing house Fatatrac, "Ibrahim, the child of the field", a text that immediately meets an outstanding public success.In 2010 publishes with Mursia "The Dictatore's Moustaches" that becomes a didactict text in the middle school, and in 2011 published with Alacran "Chuang Tse and The first Emperor".She lives in Rome, Italy.view less


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Genitalia is defined as the sex organs, or any anatomical parts, which are involved in sexual reproduction, and constitute the reproductive system in a complex organism.
Genitalia and furry[edit]
Many furries that design their character's form to include anatomical parts use genitalia that's either human-like, animal, or mix of both. This is most commonly an issue between male, hermaphrodite and intersex characters, since the penis varies much more widely between species than the vagina.[clarify]
In furry art, the depiction of the genitalia in it is what generally determines its content ratings.[citation needed] To some,[who?] the existence of genitals is the defining line between furry and funny animal art.[citation needed]
Animalia anatomy and media[edit]
There are many[who?] artists that design their characters with a humanoid penis, many of which have it tucked inside a penile sheath (the equivalent of a human foreskin), with the inclusion of animalistic features.
For example, canine characters may have a canine penis with a chisel tip and the process of a knot at the base. Felines may have sharply-pointed glans covered in soft barbs. Equines often have a comparatively larger penis, many with flaring, mushroom-shaped glans.
Kangaroo males may have a long, tapering, crooked penis, with their testicles either hanging above it, like an anatomically correct marsupial, or in a more primate fashion.
While there are many that utilize a humanoid vagina, there are some exceptions, such as the Y-slit vulva of canine furs.
Did you know?: Female kangaroo have three vaginas?.
See also[edit]
|This stub about a term could be expanded.
Humanoid - Morphic - Multifurry - Non-anthro - Nonmorphic - Taur
Limb styles
Body parts


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It is always a treat to get visitors at my house. It is a million times more wonderful when family comes over. Last weekend my mother, father and grandmother came for a visit! Naturally, I was so excited I immediately planned a meal I would be proud to serve them. I decided to keep the menu simple but interesting. My main was Murgh Mughalai (Murgh=chicken), with basmati rice and naan and rava hulwa. For dessert, homemade French Vanilla Ice Cream made with my own homemade vanilla extract! (recipe to follow). Fun Fun Fun! (and I admit, a little nerve wreaking serving Indian food to my Indian parents when I don't cook Indian food that often). At any rate, I made the meal and it was met well by my family. Joy! Couldn't take a fancy food photo but I did manage one shot at least. On to the recipe!
Mughalai cooking comes from the imperial kitchens of the Muslim Mughal Empire. This is a North Indian Dish that has strong influences in Persian Cultures. Optional: Pretend you are royalty when you eat this dish. Also Naan and Basmati Rice can't hurt!
8) Deglaze pan with chicken stock.


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For our 3rd year, we ventured over the hill from the Central Valley to hang out with some heroes and villains, and zombies too!, in San Jose. This was sort of a last minute venture due to availability issues with minions, but in the end we made plans and set out to see what there was to see.
As I write up the event and my thoughts, I am starting to think there should be classes on convention etiquette because there were several moments that were frustrating. However, there were also a lot of really good things. Did it balance out? I'm not sure… let's talk about some of the highlights and issues and see. Continue reading


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We are not a militaristic nation, we Kiwis. However we have a proud fighting tradition, standing up for democracy and human rights all over the world. We lost many men and women in the World Wars and on many other fronts such as Viet Nam and Korea. Once a year on ANZAC Day, we remember them and those who have fallen since, in Afghanistan, East Timor and other fronts. In RSA Clubs around the country the dwindling numbers of vets and their families have a beer, share a yarn, have a dance and a sausage roll and club sandwich and share the ANZAC Prayer.
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them."
Then they play the last post, we stand proud and we remember.
My late father in law was a few months from his final rest after a terrible fight with cancer. He served in the Air Force in Guadal Canal and other locations during World War II and my mother in law was a Wren. You should have seen her march in the parade, as erect as she would have been in her youth. Now we are left with photos and memories, not only of our people, but of their reunions with their fellow service people, remembering the fun times and remembering the fallen and the horror as the nights went on. The things that they could only discuss with those who had shared the experiences. The things we civilians can't appreciate because we weren't there. The trenches, the mud, the desert, the beaches, the waiting, the camaraderie, the fear, the relief, the moments of respite, the people in the countries where they served, who looked at them with gratitude and relief, coming home with their cobbers, coming home without their mates.
Today is ANZAC Day and we remember our lost and respect those who remain. I'm proud to be a Kiwi, even though I am an import. In some ways more so because, while I haven't experienced war first hand, I was born in Holland and the Allies rescued our country from the ravages of 5 years of occupation.
When I was in the USA again last year, I was humbled by the respect shown to all veterans in all places. Everywhere I went, I met and shook hands with people who had served. Everywhere I went, people thanked them for their service. Every concert I went to, we stood and people were thanked for their service. Of course the numbers of people who have served in the USA are so many more on a ratio than in New Zealand. They are more visible as well. While there is a lot of negativity towards US involvement around the world, I have to wonder with a shudder what our world would be like if they weren't there. I also think about the fact that we are talking about individual people, with partners, children, parents, who are stepping outside of their lives to do the right thing for their country. They all have their own stories.
That's what motivated me, after 6 months of research, to write the song Another Stretch in Iraq, my Christmas song for 2007. I remember performing it in a 'biker friendly' bar in Florida, seeing a couple of 6 foot something men coming to the stage and thinking "I'm going to get beaten to a pulp" as the came towards me with tears in their eyes. But no, they came to thank me and welcome me into the arms of their Desert Storm 'family', saying that I had taken them straight back to their Bradleys and MRE's.
Yet, as I sit here in my lounge and watch the ANZAC commemorations in New Zealand, I am reminded that we, at the bottom of the planet, far removed from all the fronts and global politics, do serve. We tend to be in peacekeeping forces these days rather than at the front lines, but you will find Kiwis in most countries where there is freedom to be preserved. We fight for human rights. We take global responsibility as we can and we care fiercely about freedom and democracy. To a large degree we do that because of those who lead by example, who took arms and piled onto planes and ships and those who didn't come back.
We will remember them. We do remember them. Even if our eyes aren't wet every day as they are this morning. We remember them and we honor them by trying to do the right thing for the future of our children.


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14K White Gold Round Three Stone Ring With Trellis Setting (.50 ct. tw.)
Add a Diamond!
I received my rings this morning and couldn't be happier. Everything, from the rings themselves, to the presentation box, to the included appraisal, met and exceeded my expectations and I will not hesitate to do business with you in the future.
Thank you so much,
Stock ID: 5992
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Stock ID: 8900


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Undescribed Glossodoris, found on the underside of the St. Anthony. To my knowledge, I was the first person to see and photograph this unnamed species in Maui, although it had been seen in Oahu waters.
A lovely juvenile Trembling nudibranch (Chromodoris vibrata)
I don't have a common name on this one, but I finally found out the species: it's Cyerce elegans. Much thanks to Pauline Fiene and Cory Pittman and their excellent Opisthobranch website-- http://www.seaslugsofhawaii.com/
This is a Red spotted nudibranch (Chromodoris sp1-undescribed). Right after I took this photo, I was witness to what I can only call an extremely low-speed collision....(see next 4 photos in gallery)
So here's our beautiful Chromodoris, minding its own business...and entering from right on a slow closing vector, we can see a Pebble collector urchin (Pseudoboletia indiana)...(see next photo)
...with a dramatic mutual relative speed of well over one cm per second, disaster seems immanent...
...and the collision! Someone call 911! Neither animal was particularly happy at this point...obviously the Red spotted nudibranch did not like getting spiked, and the Pebble collector urchin had no interest in letting a toxic Chromodoris anywhere near its underside...they violently (relatively speaking) swerved apart a few seconds later.
The displeased Red spotted nudibranch (macro detail)
Sometimes mother nature gets a little creative--this is a Kangaroo nudibranch (Ceratosoma tenue). It's very unusual to see one of these crawling out in the open sand like this, they usually hide in the reef.
A tiny, tiny White-margin nudibranch (Glossodoris rufomarginata)
A Trembling nudibranch (Chromodoris vibrata)...a little darker brown than is usual for C.vibrata, their normal coloration is more bright yellow--see other C. vibrata pics in this gallery.
A gorgeous Kangaroo nudibranch (Ceratosoma tenue)...I used to consider these beauties rare, but lately it seems I've been finding one on almost every dive!
The rare and beautiful Snow goddess nudibranch (Glossodoris poliahu)
A pair of Imperial nudibranchs (Risbecia imperialis)
This is a creature I've only seen twice and only photographed once...a Tiled pleurobranch (Pleurobranchus grandis). Pleurobranchidae (also called side-gill slugs) are related to nudibranchs, but are quite a bit larger--this one was about the size of a dinner plate...
A White-margin nudibranch (Glossodoris rufomarginata)
I was pushing the limits of what my camera could do on this shot---but thanks to Cory Pittman I do know what this is: family Tethyidae, species is Melibe megaceras...and according to Cory this is the first photo of one taken on Maui. See this link for more information.
I was quite excited to see this enormous (I'd estimate close to 10 cm!) nudibranch...this is the first time I've ever seen a Speckled platydoris (Platydoris formosa). Thanks to Pauline Fiene and Cory Pittman for their excellent Opisthobranchia ID site: www.seaslugsofhawaii.com
Platydoris formosa
A look at the gill clusters of the beautiful Red-margin spanish dancer (Hexabranchus pulchellus)
H. pulchellus, mantle retracted.
...and here you can see a H. pulchellus defensive reaction--notice the gills being retracted ito the body at upper left.
An extremely large Varicose phyllidia (Phyllidia varicosa), also called a "Scrambled egg nudibranch". Unlike most nudibranchs which have an obvious "gill tuft" (see the Gold lace nudibranch in this gallery), phyllidiids carry their gills in a fringe under the skirt of the mantle.
An underwater rose....the egg mass of a Redmargin spanish dancer (Hexabranchus pulchellus)
This is a Gold lace nudibranch (Haigerda terramtuentis), one of the prettiest dorids you'll ever see. This amazing translucent nudibranch is only found in Hawaiian waters.
Another look at H. terramtuentis...you can see in this photo that the gill tuft can be retracted for safety.
Another Gold lace nudibranch (Haigerda terramtuentis), this one is feeling a little more bold--notice the gill tuft is fully extended. However, the rhinophores at the front are tucked in a bit...just being cautious, I guess.
Blue dragon nudibranch (Pteraeolidia ianthina), macro head-on view...
A fantastic (and very large!) Red-margin spanish dancer (Hexabranchus pulchellus)...the Hawaiian swimming crab (Charybdis hawaiensis) in the foreground--apparently ready for his closeup--will give you some scale.
A closer look at the Red-margin spanish dancer (Hexabranchus pulchellus)...
A pretty Red-spotted nudibranch (Chromodoris sp1-undescribed).
A handsome White-margin nudibranch (Glossodoris rufomarginata)
Varicose Phyllidia
(Phyllidia varicosa)
Gold Lace Nudibranch
(Halgerda terramtuentis)
"Two Of A Kind"
(Imperial Nudibranchs - Risbecia imperialis)
Tom Smith's Nudibranch - Ardeadoris tomsmithi


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I'm Bob Blaskey. I've always loved stories, in whatever form: movies, books, plays, and even songs.
My great friend and mentor, Fr. Francis White, once said "Face it, Bob, you're hooked on God." He was right. I've been able to combine my two loves – of God and stories – in my own writing, as well as in my teaching through the spiritual messages found in other media.
We all know the parables of Jesus, but what are "the parables of today"?
They are scenes from a movie which help us understand God or our faith better (they can also be from a TV show, song, or book – anything which tells a story).
The spiritual message may or may not be intentional, but if the teaching moment is there, why not use it?
Movies can be used to help your audience adopt Christian viewpoints; with a new point of view to consider, they will gain a whole new perspective.
You may not approve of a particular movie as a whole, but that doesn't mean you can't use what's good in it to teach about God. After all, Samaritans were reprehensible to Jesus's audiences, but that didn't stop him from using them to make his point.
When you talk about a popular movie in the middle of a conversation, lesson, or sermon, you can't help but pique your listeners's interest. Jesus understood this principle and used parables: an interesting story makes more of an impact than a lecture. You can show a clip from the movie or simply refer to it. If your audience is familiar with the movie, a simple mention of it will help them make the connection.
Once you start looking at movies from a Christian perspective -- using 3:16 vision -- you will find these parables of today just about everywhere.
Here are some examples from movies I'm sure we've all seen at least once. My college writing professor used to say "It takes three trees to make a row." Three is even more important to us Christians, so here are three examples, beginning – like the Bible – at what was the beginning for me.
Star Wars (the original, known to some younger viewers as Episode 4, A New Hope)
This was the first scene which struck me with the power of film to convey a Christian message.
On the Death Star, Obi-Wan confronts his former friend and protege, Darth Vader. Vader is confident, saying he was once the student but now he's the master. Obi-Wan's answer is that if Darth Vader were to strike him down, Obi- Wan will return even stronger. This echoes what Jesus said about a grain of wheat needing to fall to the ground and die before it will bear much fruit (John 12:23-24).
The battle between Obi-Wan and Darth Vader continues until Obi-Wan is sure Luke is watching him. Then, with an enigmatic -- even beatific -- smile, Obi-Wan raises his lightsaber and allows Vader to kill him. If anyone has trouble identifying with the sacrificial death of Jesus, you can supplement your discussion by showing them this scene.
(This is part of a complete workshop, The Gospel in "Star Wars")
ET: The Extra-Terrestrial
At the end of ET, Elliott and the alien have the biggest farewell scene since Dorothy left Oz. ET encourages Elliott to "come," while Elliott wants his friend to "stay." Ultimately they both realize they literally come from different worlds and must part – but not without a promise. ET takes his glowing finger and touches Elliott's head, saying "I'll be right here" – his own version of the promise Jesus gives at the end of Matthew's gospel.
Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump is filled with examples of God's love and desire for reconciliation. While in Vietnam, Forrest saves Lt. Dan but the officer is wounded so severely he loses both his legs above the knee. Lt. Dan takes out his frustration and anger towards God on Forrest. Instead of being angry in return, Forrest offers Lt. Dan a job on his shrimping boat. Lt. Dan eventually mellows and Forrest tells us he knows his friend has finally made peace with God.
The relationship between Forrest and "his girl" Jenny mirrors the relationship God has with us. Forrest -- like God -- is always there for Jenny, regardless of the lack of interest she shows him. When Jenny goes away from Forrest -- as we often turn our back on God -- Forrest is still there when she's ready to return.
(This is part of a workshop, Reconciliation: God's Gift to Us)
|Posted on April 28, 2014 at 11:00 PM
Christian Themes Surpass Magic of The Tempest
The Tempest is considered to be William Shakespeare's final play – and it was the first of the Bard's that I saw onstage.
I saw it most recently at the World Premiere of a new production of the classic. With Teller (the "silent partner" of the magician duo Penn &Teller) as co-adapter/director, it was a reasonable assumption that this show would include plenty of magic tricks – as befitting Prospero, the man who conjured the title storm which sets the play in motion.
As expected, this production was magical, but not just because of the tricks. It highlights the play's themes of forgiveness and reconciliation and even resurrection, when father is given back to son after each thought the other was dead.
In the play, Prospero is out for revenge and powerful enough to create a storm that shipwrecks a boat filled with the men who wronged him and tried to kill him. This production shows him levitating people, making others appear and disappear out of and into nowhere, and a table full of food suddenly appear.
But perhaps the greatest "trick" of all is when he is able to turn the other cheek and offer forgiveness instead of vengeance to all those who had hurt him, proving that "the rarer action is/In virtue than in vengeance."
|Posted on December 5, 2013 at 7:35 PM
Wonderful Lessons From
It's a Wonderful Life
I have enjoyed It's a Wonderful Life at least once a year since being introduced to it by my dad in 1977. It is an entertaining, heartwarming movie with a tour-de-force acting performance by Jimmy Stewart – his first film after fighting in WWII.
We all know the story: George Bailey is a good man with grand dreams who puts them aside to have a family and help his town. He despairs when things go really bad one Christmas Eve and he is ready to commit suicide. Then George has the chance to see what the world would be like if he had never been born. He is helped by Clarence, (Angel Second Class), sent to earn his wings by helping George.
"Strange isn't it – each man touches other lives."
Clarence delivers the main message of this endearing movie which has touched so many lives. George has to learn that while he never achieved the goals he envisioned, he was instrumental in the lives of most members of Bedford Falls.
But besides this crucial lesson, there are many other gospel messages we can harvest from the movie. As we go through the story, let's see what we can learn from George Bailey and his wonderful life . . .
"He's got the IQ of a rabbit." "Yes, but he's got the faith of a child – simple."
As the movie opens, prayers are heard in Heaven and someone needs to be sent to George Bailey in his moment of need. It's Clarence's turn to help but he isn't the smartest clockmaker in Heaven. However, he does have what's important – faith.
Obviously the Heaven in the movie agrees with Jesus, who said the faith of a child is needed to enter the Kingdom of Heaven (LK 18:17).
"I'm not very good at this." "Neither am I." "Okay – what can we lose?"
George runs into Mary Hatch at a high school graduation party. George has known Mary all her life, but now is attracted to her. Their conversation is interrupted by the announcement of a Charleston dance contest. George and Mary both say they aren't good. They participate anyway and have fun, even when they fall in the pool which opens beneath them.
Like David, Moses, Peter, and Paul, George doesn't let his shortcomings stop him from doing what he should. God doesn't look at our resume, but our hearts, measuring our desire to follow.
"I'm glad I know you, George Bailey."
George gives his old friend, Violet, a reference letter and some money to make a new start outside of Bedford Falls. Violet is choked up and admits that she's glad she knows George. The Gospels tell us that people went out of their way to meet Jesus, so it's a safe guess that everyone who knew him was equally glad they did. Are people glad they know you? If not, what can you change?
"Is Daddy in trouble?" "Yes Pete." "Shall I pray for him?" "Yes, Janie, pray very hard."
After George releases his frustrations on his family, he goes out into the night. Mary calls friends to help him. The children come up with their own idea on who to turn to: God. Eventually the adults pray as well – these are the prayers we hear at the beginning of the movie. Started by the children, the entire town of Bedford Falls learned the message of MT 21:22 to turn to God with our needs.
"I'm not a praying man . . ."
Having blown up at his family and beginning to despair, George goes to Martini's bar. George turns to prayer and asks God to "show me the way." While he may not be comfortable with prayer, his request for guidance -- rather than an easy solution -- shows sound theology.
Shortly after this prayer, George is punched by Mr. Welch. George cynically believes getting hit is the answer to his prayer. But it turns out that Clarence is the real answer – tho not the one George initially had hope for . . .
"Please, God, let me live again."
Ate end of the fantasy sequence, George has seen what life would have been like in Bedford Falls if he had never been born. He desperately wants his life back but doesn't regain it until he invokes God's name – it becomes a prayer, not just a plea. How often does our life improve when we turn to God?
"I've got to earn (my wings) and you'll help, won't you?" / "Mary did it, George! Mary did it! She told a few people you were in trouble and they scattered all over town collecting money."
Clarence asks George to help him earn his wings. He also later asks the heavenly Joseph for assistance. Likewise, Mary spread the word that George was in trouble and everyone in town pitched in.
So often in life, others are willing to help us if we only ask for their help. When Potter suggests George turn to "the rabble" in town to cover the missing funds, George says they don't have that kind of money. They didn't individually, but together they did make a difference!
(Of course, if George had done this, we wouldn't have the movie we have now!)
It's become part of the American myth, the individual who does everything by him- or herself. But even Paul admitted that he's stronger when he's weak and turns to God (2 Cor. 12:10).
"To my big brother, George – the richest man in town."
Harry Bailey offers a toast in his brother's favor. George discovers the copy of Tom Sawyer Clarence was reading and finds an inscription to him: "No man is a failure who has friends." Just like Peter tells the beggar in Acts. 3:6, George realizes that there are more important things than money.
Whether it's your first or 39th time (as it will be for me), enjoy the magic and hope of It's a Wonderful Life this Christmas season . . . and learn from it.
These and another nine lessons from the movie are available in the workshop on It's a Wonderful Life
Copyright 2013 Robert Blaskey
|Posted on November 4, 2013 at 8:30 PM
Warner Bros. 2013
I wanted to be an astronaut when I was a kid – until I saw the movie Marooned.
I'm sure Gravity will do the same to any boys and girls considering such a career. It is out of this world in more ways than one.
Veteran astronaut Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) and civilian Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) are stranded while spacewalking after a freak accident.
Kowalski continues to talk to "Houston in the blind" until Ryan asks why he's wasting his time. Matt says NASA might be able to hear even if they can't talk back – and someone may be able to save their lives because of that.
Isn't this the essence of prayer? We might feel that God doesn't hear us because our prayers aren't answered – but that doesn't mean God doesn't hear the prayer.
Ryan later says she would pray but no one taught her how. She eventually does pray when she voices her desires and requests.
There are signs of spirituality in the two foreign spacecraft she enters: the Russian ship has an icon of St. Christopher carrying Christ – the common patron for safe transportation. In the Chinese ship, there is a statue of Buddha.
SPOILER ALERT – Major Plot Points
Ryan can't get the spacecraft to work and she is resigned to die. Suddenly Matt appears and gives her the solution she needs: something she had learned in training but forgot. He encourages her to keep on living. Ryan realizes this conversation really didn't happen – Matt is dead. But his solution definitely works and saves her.
Was this a hallucination . . . a dream . . . or Matt actually appearing to her? Just like the Josephs in each Testament, it was definitely a way for God to transmit life-saving information.
Re-energized and committed to living, Ryan talks to Matt even though he can't hear her – more prayer – and says that he will soon be meeting her dead daughter, a firm belief in the Afterlife. She asks him a question, pauses, and then says "Roger that," as if he did answer. What a great way to illustrate the Letter to the Hebrews' idea of the cloud of witnesses/communion of saints cheering us on and helping us.
When the craft splashes down, we hear NASA trying to contact Ryan – apparently they were hearing her (prayers), even if they couldn't contact her.
When Ryan is finally back on safe, solid ground, she stands up and says a prayer of thanks.
To paraphrase Kowalski, the movie is a hellova ride – but filled with heavenly ideas.
|Posted on July 30, 2013 at 9:35 PM
2013 FilmNation Entertainment
Lawless is about a family of moonshiners in Prohibition-era Virginia and the corrupt law enforcement people trying to catch them.
Near the end, a beloved character is brutally murdered. "What they did to that boy goes beyond forgiveness," one character said. Another says "there will be no absolution."
As mentioned in the Introduction, the Parables of Today are sometimes a teaching moment of behavior we should not emulate. God's attitude is quite the opposite of those two characters. In 2 Peter 3:9, we're told that God doesn't want anyone to perish, but for everyone to repent.
We are told throughout the Bible about God's loving forgiveness, including Ephesians 1:7.
|Posted on July 30, 2013 at 9:25 PM
Iron Man
2008: Marvel Studios, Paramount Pictures
Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) is so successful making weapons of war that he is known as "The Merchant of Death." He even laughs that he would "be out of a job with peace."
He visits the Middle East and is ambushed, seriously injured by a bomb made by his own company, proving Jesus's observation that those who live by the sword die by it (or are at least delivered to death's door).
Tony is able to live only with the help of an electromagnet keeping shell fragments from entering his heart. But he has an even greater change of heart – he decides to no longer manufacture weapons.
When Stark survives the ambush, he thanks the man who saved him. "Don't waste your life," is the response, which contributes to his conversion. He takes this to heart – so to speak – and later explains his conversion: "I shouldn't be alive unless it's for a reason."
Like Paul on his trip to Damascus, Stark"had my eyes opened" and he metaphorically fulfills the prophet Isaiah's vision of swords beaten into plowshares.
It turns out that Stark was targeted for death by Obadiah, the man who had become a second father to Tony – doing Judas one better in the betrayal department.
|Posted on January 25, 2013 at 1:15 PM
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo is a graphic story of lust, murder, and betrayal, told in the original novel and two movie versions – the original Swedish and the English-language/Hollywood remake. Yet even in such a tale can be found the parables of today – after all, the story of the good Samaritan would probably have been rated PG-13 because of the violence.
(These reflections are based on the Daniel Craig-Rooney Mara movie version.)
The title character is Lisbeth Salander, one of the most unique and unforgettable of modern characters. She has been a ward of the state since her pre-teens and is considered antisocial and angry at the least, insane and violent at the worst. Her periodic employer sums it up: "She's different . . . in every way."
But Lisbeth does have her tender side, initially seen in her concern for her guardian, who suffers a stroke. Through a later, simple gesture of wiping the drool from his chin with her sleeve, we see that Lisbeth is capable of compassion, living out what Jesus said about doing to the least of others.
Mikael Blomkvist first meets Lisbeth after learning she illegally hacked into his financial and personal records. But he isn't there to cause trouble, as she initially suspects. Then she has another surprise: he treats her with respect and connects with her like he would anyone else, humbly asking for her help on another case. From his interactions with tax collectors, adulterers, and others, we can easily see Jesus acting the same way – not condemning, but accepting and going a step further – raising expectations for the person so they will strive harder and live up to them. Indeed, Lisbeth has a similar conversion.
|Posted on January 7, 2013 at 7:55 PM
Here Comes the Boom
Kevin James plays a teacher who turns to mixed martial arts (MMA) fights to try to win money to save the music program at his school.
Along the way, he forms a disparate community of friends who share one thing in common – their belief in him (much the same as the early bickering Church who were bonded by their belief in Jesus).
Inspiration comes at the dinner table ("breaking bread") when one of the characters cites Genesis 32:24, Jacob wrestling with God, and plans their strategy. Often in a movie, there are allusions to the Bible or scriptural quotes without attribution, but this is a rare example of a character in a mainstream movie quoting and acknowledging Scripture.
Before his biggest match, Kevin James and his advisors/supporters hold hands and pray. We can't hear what they're saying, but we know this is a prayer because of the way they hold themselves and they end with "amen."
Henry Winkler's character says the kids are inspired by James's taking to the MMA cage – and inspiring students is "what we're supposed to do as teachers." As Christians, we are supposed to inspire as well, to lead others to Christ by our words and actions. Many of the early converts turned to Christianity because they were intrigued with the way Christians courageously – even joyfully – went to their deaths. It is also living out what St. Francis of Assisi said – preach the gospel to everyone you meet . . . and if necessary use words.
Here Comes The Boom is also about hopes and dreams and perseverance. Jesus said that with patient endurance, we will save our lives. Kevin James finds the same applies to getting a date with Salma Hayek.
|Posted on August 30, 2012 at 7:50 PM
Whether it's 2- or 3D, Titanic has examples which can be used to illustrate the nature of God.
When Jack and Rose are desperately trying to reach the top of the ship after it starts sinking, they make time to unselfishly try to save a little boy. This is in direct contrast to Cal's behavior: he poses as a girl's father just to secure his place on a lifeboat.
A theme throughout the movie is the difference between the classes of people – even when Rose's mother gets in the lifeboat, she wonders if there's special seating for First Class passengers.
But with the ending, when we can assume Rose dies and is reunited with Jack in Heaven, there is no distinction amongst the people celebrating their reunion – even the Captain is standing next to a Third Class passenger. What a wonderful way to illustrated what Paul said about there being no differentiation between people in Christ, as well as what the Letter of James says about discrimination!
(photo from James Cameron's 1997 Best Picture-winning Titanic)
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text:
Life is so funny sometimes…
I've said it before, my transformation into a Craftyfish is recent. Looking back at my adolescence, and even my 20's, I never, ever, thought the words "I really want this book" and "Martha Stewart" would be found in the same sentence coming from my mouth…but go figure.
I really, really want this book!
Martha, please feel free to send me a copy and I'm sure I'll have soooo much to say about all the amazing crafts and ideas you've managed to compile into this invaluable book that every crafter should have.


text:
I heard that N2 Extreme Gelato had arrived in Melbourne and couldn't wait to check it out! N2 Extreme Gelato – a science based ice creamery was started up ex-accountant Min Chai in Sydney. The basic idea was to use liquid nitrogen to produce smooth, creamy gelato/sorbet of intriguing flavours.
This funky ice-cream lab is located on the bustling Brunswick street and as you walk in you see the massive blackboard menu on the left hand side, with information about what the place is about on the wall to the right. Once you decide which flavour you want and order, you can then view the magic right before your eyes. Each tub is made fresh!
There is a benchtop which is set out lab style that houses rows of Kitchenaids and a large vat of liquid nitrogen. The staff have the whole scientist look going complete with goggles and laboratory gear. They then proceed to create gelato heaven and it is quite a spectacle to watch. People are lined up with their camera phones taking pictures and videos. You watch as the liquid nitrogen creates a cloudy haven.
The ingredients are fresh and real fruit is used and the full cream milk and fresh cream are sourced from local dairies. The major feature of course is the use of liquid nitrogen – the main reason being that liquid nitrogen freezes so fast that the ice crystal formation is minimised. This results in a much smoother consistency compared to if you produced it the conventional way. It also means that the gelato can be made to order and served at the perfect temperature of -6C. Freshness guaranteed. =)
There are many different wacky and enticing flavours to choose from with flavours changing every Thursday. Some flavours include SPAM & Mustard – yep you read that right it is SPAM infused gelato with Mustard, Black Salted Caramel, Butter Popcorn, Sour Cream Chocolate, Me So Happy (Miso Caramel & Peanuts with Milk Gelato), Creme Brulee and Mango Sorbet.
I decided to get the Crème Brulee flavour and N got the Mango Sorbet. Once you walk past the viewing area there is a sitting / chilling area out the back which is complete with Astro Turf Crate benches together with graffiti walls. The space is open and light filled and is a great place to eat gelato! The music playing is just as great.
The Crème Brulee gelato comes complete with a blow-torched layer of caramel on top – WOW! The result of this gelato was absolutely delicious – it didnt seem like a gelato at all but a real creme brulee dessert served at a restaurant. The gelato resembled silky smooth custard and the layer on top was crunchy, sugary and all around delicious. The result was that you don't want to stop eating it. N's Mango Sorbet was just as delicious – the mango flavour was intense, sweet and all round great! The serving size is quite generous as well and all for just $6.
N2 Extreme Gelato allows you to not only taste some of the best gelato going around but in intriguing flavours all whilst providing a bit of entertainment in the form of liquid nitrogen fun! Whats not to love in a place that combines a bit of science and delciousness?
Rating : 5 Pandas
Price: $
Menu – The flavours vary from week to week – but include SPAM Mustard, Black Salted Caramel, Butter Popcorn, Sour Cream Chocolate, Me So Happy (Miso Caramel & Peanuts with Milk Gelato), Creme Brulee and Mango Sorbet
Fullness: 100%
Atmosphere / Ambience: Casual, Funky, and Fun
Standout Flavour: Creme Brulee, Buttered Popcorn
Service: Friendly =)
Details and Location:
329 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
Opening Hours:
Monday to Sunday: 1pm – 11pm


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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Confused by NASCAR's new points system and Chase format? Here is a primer and some frequently asked questions.
How do drivers make the Chase?
The 15 drivers with the most wins over the first 26 races get a spot in the Chase as long as they finish in the top 30 in points and attempt to qualify for every race. The 16th Chase spot goes to the series points leader at the end of the regular season.
MORE: Wins key in Chase | More contact expected | Changes gets positive reviews | Bowyer contract
What if there are more than 16 winners (or 16 winners and a regular-season champ with no wins)?
The regular-season points leader automatically gets in Chase. Ties among race winners would be broken first by number of wins, and then by points.
What if there are fewer than 16 regular-season winners?
The remainder of 16-car Chase field will be filled by the winless drivers who are highest in points.
PHOTOS: Media Tour gallery | Hall of Fame inductions
What if a driver gets hurt?
NASCAR will decide on case-by-case basis if a driver misses a race for a medical condition but has won a race and is still in the top 30 in points. For example, if Denny Hamlin had won a race last year during the regular season, he likely would have been allowed to compete in the Chase.
What if a race winner fails inspection?
NASCAR could determine that any driver who wins a race but fails postrace inspection can't use that win to either advance to the Chase or advance during the elimination rounds.
How will points be reset?
All drivers who make the Chase will start the Chase with 2,000 points, plus three bonus points for each regular-season win.
How is the Chase broken down?
The Chase will have three three-race segments, followed by the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. In 2014, the first round, or Challenger Round, will be at Chicago, New Hampshire and Dover. The second round, or Contenders Round, will be at Kansas, Charlotte and Talladega. The third round, or Elimination Round, will be at Martinsville, Texas and Phoenix.
How do Chase drivers advance from each round?
Four Chase drivers, based on points, will be eliminated from each round, but with a key exception — a win automatically qualifies for a driver for the next round and keeps that driver from being eliminated. After the first three races, 12 drivers will advance, followed by eight after six races, and then four.
Will points be reset after each Chase round?
After the first round, the 12 remaining drivers will have their points reset to 3,000; after the second round, the eight remaining drivers will have their points reset to 4,000. Entering the final race, the final four drivers will have their points reset to 5,000. There are no bonus points for wins during the Chase as part of the reset.
Will there be bonus points for leading a lap?
In the final race, the four finalists are not eligible for bonus points for leading a lap or leading the most laps.
What happens to the points of the drivers who are eliminated?
Drivers who are eliminated from the Chase will have their points reset to what they had at the beginning of the Chase (2,000, plus any bonus points for regular-season wins) plus any points they have earned in the Chase. This allows a driver who gets knocked out after the first round to still possibly finish as high as fifth.
Will this points system be in effect for all series?
No. Just Sprint Cup.


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One bright, sunshiny day in mid August, we checked out the Peterson Lake trail, which is about four and a half miles long, and ends at cabin by the lake. There were rumors of recent trail improvements on the first three quarters of a mile. Indeed, there's a section with a new base layer of angular, ankle-twisting cobbles, eventually to be covered by finer gravels; then there's a section of packed dirt and, just before the big waterfall, a smooth section of finished trail.
After the big waterfall (where the steelhead have to stop, in the spring), the trails goes on as it has for years, with a section of packed dirt and slippery 'corduroy' logs and then boardwalks through the muskegs. At the Mile 2 marker, a long stretch of mud and roots winds through the forest until the lake finally appears.
The forest was very quiet on this day and no birds were evident, so those of us who are interested in natural history focused nearer the ground. A black slime mold had developed on a log: thousands of individual, independent cells had been feeding on bacteria and fungi in the soil, but now they had gathered together in a single mass for reproduction. Some of the cells will produce spores, while others serve as support structures for the spore-producing individuals. I wonder how they decide which cells will make spores!
The muskegs were dotted with several kinds of ripe berries, including black crowberries, bog blueberries, red bunchberries, and orange cloudberries. I was interested to find a large colony of timberberry in one of the muskegs, with several stems bearing the orange fruit. Timberberry is sometimes called pumpkin berry or, for no apparent reason, bastard toadflax—a name more correctly applied to a different species, but still for no known reason. The name game gets quite confusing, because this plant had been classified in two different genera at different times by different taxonomists. Sigh. The most interesting thing about this plant is that it is a hemi-parasite, drawing some of its nutrition from other plants while also having its own leaves. This is a very versatile parasite, capable of using many host species, such as spruce, alder, willow, currant, bunchberry, horsetail, asters, lupines, and dozens of others.
The lake level seems to be maintained in part by beaver dams at the outlet. After poisoning many of the resident fish some decades ago, the lake was stocked with juvenile rainbow trout (in the 1960s). A boat by the cabin gives ready access to all parts of the lake.
Along the trail, we noted several late-flowering monkshoods, one of our loveliest wildflowers, which grows at many elevations around Juneau. The complex, bumblebee-pollinated flower is usually a rich purple, although sometimes the purple is streaked with white. A fascinating feature of this plant is that ALL parts are reported to be very poisonous, but perhaps especially the roots and seeds. Eating even a tiny amount of this plant is likely to cause intense gastro-intestinal distress, followed by cardiac and respiratory failure if not treated immediately. And if you handle the plant more than casually, for example by picking leaves or breaking off the stems with your bare hands (not merely brushing by it as you walk), your skin can absorb the poisons. You are then likely to suffer the negative cardiac and respiratory symptoms, but without the gastrointestinal calamities.
The poisonous properties of monkshood have been known for centuries, and extracts of the plant have been used to make poisonous arrows for hunting or warfare, among other deadly uses. On the other hand, as is true of many plant poisons (think of digitalis, for instance), monkshood has also been used medicinally, in small, careful doses. It is a food plant for the caterpillars of several species of moth, which clearly have evolved physiological means of dealing with the poisons. And the bumblebees that pollinate the flowers either find a way to cope or else perhaps the nectar and pollen has less of the poison. Monkshoods are popular garden plants, but it is obvious that gardeners must handle this plant with great care!