text:
Betsafe offers a welcome bonus in total of €25 + €10 Free Bet (T&C apply, 18+). The bonus is available to new users registering an account with Betsafe in 2022. The Betsafe bonus can be used in the sports betting section to place bets on a variety of sports and betting markets.
To claim the Betsafe welcome package click on the buttons below and create your Betsafe account. Bonuses available at Betsafe for new users are listed in the table below, at the Welcome Bonuses section.
Betting Bonus Casino Bonus Poker Bonus
Betsafe Welcome Bonuses
|Europe Bonus
|Betsafe Sports
|€25 + €10 Free Bet bonus
|Betsafe Casino
|€1000 + 200 Free Spins bonus
|Betsafe Poker
|€100 bonus
|Betsafe Bonus Code
|⬆ Bonus Code ⬆
Bonus terms & conditions apply. 18+. Check below for details.
Betsafe Bonuses
As a new user at Betsafe, you can get any of the bonuses listed in the welcome packages above, like €25 + €10 Free Bet bonus on sports betting, €1000 + 200 Free Spins deposit bonus on casino or €100 bonus in poker. Bonus T&C apply. 18+.
Betsafe was established in 2006 and has been providing since gaming services to over half a million satisfied players from all over the world. Owned by Betsson AB, Betsafe also enjoys a stable and financial secure environment. The sports betting section comes with some interesting betting markets, with average to highly competitive odds on numerous sports. The casino section operates on NetEnt, Quickfire (Microgaming), Ash Gaming and Genesis. This brings multiple quality games under one roof. The poker section is powered by the Microgaming software, offering a simple to use user interface and access to many tournaments. Betsafe is licensed to operate from several jurisdictions like Malta, United Kingdom, Denmark, allowing them to accept users from a multitude of countries. The above sign up bonuses from Betsafe are a great welcome package for all new users.
Betsafe Registration Bonus T&Cs
It is advised you check the Betsafe bonus codes and use them at registration of your account to be sure you get the welcome bonus at Betsafe.
As with any bonus, there are certain terms & conditions that need to be met in order to qualify for the bonus:
- Bonuses available for new players only. One bonus per household. Minimum age of 18 to register with Betsafe.
- Deposit bonuses / free bet bonuses require a minimum cash deposit to your Betsafe account. Certain deposit methods restrictions apply for redeeming the bonuses.
- Free no deposit bonuses may require ID verification for validation of account. Cashing out winnings from free no deposit bonuses require a deposit to be made.
- Each bonus comes with individual turnover requirements. Details and Full Terms & Conditions can be found on Betsafe website.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I claim the Betsafe welcome bonus? – To claim your Betsafe registration bonus, you should first meet the above terms & conditions of use. If these terms are meet, you just need to click on the Claim Bonus buttons above related to the product you are interested: sports, casino, poker. You need to register you account and make a qualified deposit to redeem any of the deposit bonuses.
- I reside in a country not listed in the Welcome Bonuses table. Do I still get a bonus? – Yes. Although the bonuses available to you may be different. We recommend you browse our website to your native language if available in the right side of this page. If the language is there, we most likely have the correct bonuses listed there for you. Otherwise, check the above Betsafe terms & conditions for qualification.
- How to make my first deposit to get the welcome bonus? – Operators usually have a some bonus restrictions to payment methods used for first deposit. When making the first deposit using a credit/debit card, the welcome bonus should be activated immediately. However first deposits with ewallets are most times not triggering the welcome package. Ewallets are Skrill, Neteller, Paysafecard, Ukash. Please refer to the Betsafe bonus conditions for details on such restrictions.
Should you have any questions about bonuses, do not hesitate to contact us or Betsafe over email, chat or at the following address details:
- Website: www.betsafe.com (UK, International)
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +44 808 238 0028
- Address: Betsafe Support, Experience Centre / Ta' Xbiex Seafront, Ta' Xbiex XBX 1027 / Malta


text: Here is a musical salute to one of the greatest trumpeters of all time, Harry James. Jeff Hest transcribed and reconstructed this chestnut to showcase your trumpeter just as Harry James recorded it. What a wonderful change of pace for any concert -- a showstopper with tremendous audience appeal, with stylistic flair, and a beautiful melody that will show off the band and the soloist. This trumpet solo is part of big band history -- Harry James put this song on the map. Clarinet doubles.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
- Rat NATO-agent, Baharuddin, was captured near Sabhi Green airport by the Toubou tribe. In the battle, yesterday, he was with 53 European plus 29 Arab contractors and Libyan mercenary-rats. The 29 European mercenaries were neutralized. Baharuddin and Libyan traitors are facing multiple charges and possible execution by hanging. Libyan People continue to be mobilized: there are now more and new types of weapons available for the Green Resistance.
- Rat Ali Saleh Almagt, one of the rats-leaders, was neutralized along with 21 of his bodyguards, who refused to surrender their weapons. Others 70 Nato-rats from his battalion were wounded and taken prisoners.
- Sabha – In a battle with the mercenaries invaders from the Persian Gulf, 15 of those killers were neutralized, but 6 members of the Sleiman tribe also died in Sabha.
- Qatar sent an Airbus with contractors in Sabha airport: aircraft caught fire immediately on arrival at the airport. Currently the airport is controlled by the Toubou green tribe and black tribal forces, Murzuk, Subhi and from southern of Libya.
- Hospitals and mortuaries all over Libya are filled with the bodies of wounded and dead Nato-rats: hospital of the city could no longer absorb more of them.
- The NATO-rats had blocked the north-Egyptian border, because of non-payment of wages: they have set up barricades on it. At the Tunisian border, Nato-rats were killed by Tunisian soldiers while they were crossing the Tunisian-Libyan border.
- Green army has over 2000 surface-to-air missiles, with portable media patriotic militia, so they can protect themselves and their city.
- Green Army signed a memorandum of understanding between the African solidarity party for independence and the democratic forces of Mali, who vowed to destroy foreign domination and injustice in the Sahara.
- Abdul Jalil again survived to an attack from Green snipers in Sirte: he was lucky. The Green snipers are everywhere, and sooner or later they will get him. There is no place on earth where he can hide himself. Each traitor, mercenary and NATO-rat will pay for his crimes.
- Italian Ambassador came under the fire of green sniper, his assistant got a bullet in the head and has been taken to hospital in Malta.
We thank all the friends of LibyanFreePress.net for their presence and support.
News Received from Green Web-Resistance on-line
Supported and Reloaded by LibyanFreePressNetwork


text:
IGI 3 game torrent free download for pc kickass ocean of games Project igi 3 torrent is among the optimally action game. The game set of igi 3 free download mission were quite awesome. No matter your preference you will locate a game that fits your style. Among the most critical issue to be considered is these sites will charge you a small sign up amount at first, but nevertheless, it will nonetheless be lesser than a new igi 3 game free download PS3 game that you get from a neighborhood gaming shop. Many people believe Dalmatians are stupid. It's possible to utilize a great deal of amusement military weapons.
Sure it is a budget shooter, but it doesn't excuse the simple fact that it is a terrible igi 2 torrent download game. You may use loads of game military weapons. This game has quite an easy but intriguing game-play. You may use a great deal of military weapons game such as a igi 1 game free dwnload.
None the less it gives you a nostalgic vibe. It can work with no extra input hardware, besides the fundamentals, and supply complete cohesion to any that are provided. So far as skipping transmissions are involved, the issue is quite serious and must be addressed immediately.
IGi 3 game torrent free download for pc kickass ocean of games Info
IGI 3 game download comes with a skin able interface that is some what user-friendly. In case it shows any error a file isn't found please reinstall the computer software. It includes a solitary 2GB module free of memory card available. HTML Text Extractor cuts throughout the protection.
If you cannot discover your model number in igi 3 ocean of games you can't use this procedure to update your GPS device's maps, and it'll be pointless that you buy maps from using this oceanofgames site. Otherwise the gadget is unchanged. `Your device was connected will immediately be shown on your PC. Register your device utilizing the computer software.
That is not but the solution since the pump will quit working every time that it over heats. Opting for the reputed brand will like wise help you in regards to purchasing products you can depend on. This is a feature which has been developed for the security of people, and it's an invaluable feature indeed. To begin with you all should download and install call of duty black ops torrent.
Download igi 3 game full version for pc utorrent
Your water breaking could indicate that you're going into early labor and your physician will need to provide you with instructions. The effect is like running out of gas. The second alternative is to prepare the model for a plane (ACRO). Worn-out gears don't accomplish this, thus causing the transmission slipping out of gear. There was still some wonderful material available but the cost was incredibly substantial. It's this mechanism that produces speed variation possible utilizing the torque created by the igi 3 system requirements auto engine.
Standard maintenance contributes towards longevity thereby boosting the functioning of your vehicle. Modern-day vehicles normally have an electric fuel pump that is located close to the fuel tank. If this doesn't address the problem then you may move on to replace the fuel pump. In the event the pump becomes heated inside a few minutes of turning the vehicle on it should be replaced. Fuel pumps stop working owing to a selection of factors.
Project igi 3 system requirements for computer
You must report an accident if you're injured at all. If there's anything that you don't understand about call of duty black ops 2 torrent, since the supervisor to explain it again. In this manner we can reach close to the point of exit fast. It is a form of endurance that's crucial to any athlete.
These are the exact books on the first day of our previous Testament today. In any situation, this is an adjusted kind of amusement The strategy. In fact, law and love cannot arrive together. The laws for downloading music differ from nation to nation.
The president of the USA and many leaders also have criticized the magnate Donald Trump. For instance, before they nuke London, the terrorists want to kill the marine and his sister since they're the sole people who are able to determine the missile they intend to use. igi 3 apk A better part of the last touches on the song are finished at the mastering stage. Sneaking into bases is only the ideal thing.
Find just what you're searching for only faster. On the opposite hand it may be because they would like to die nobody knows at this point. It's very straight forward and fast in the practical a person who does oceans of games. For starters you are able to even use a dot in lieu of a picture.
Concentrate in such a manner that no divergent thoughts visit your mind. Your attention needs to be centered just on the picture. Telekinesis can happen, all you need to do is set your head over matter. It is the ability to move things using the power of mind.
Below are some of my personal favorites. Naturally, it's possible to always use a complimentary down loader to download these videos. Although, it isn't proven they help telekinesis in actual life, they can actually offer a feel of the exact same to a beginner.
Because of this, it isn't going to turn. This condition could possibly be due to multitude of causes. These words are especially beneficial in difficult scenarios where you believe that you cannot just go on any longer. The program delivered accurate outcomes, completely concealing our favorite links in tests.
Repeat is essential if the updating fails. You can improve your brain power by these activities. Consequently, telekinesis is normally regarded as paranormal activity. Attempt to stick to a method per day. This is a standard client-server atmosphere. This tool supplies a solution. Here's the previous one inside this list. Also information below if you prefer to purchase these shows.
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Download Zip Password:oceanofgames.net


text:
Published 11-15-06
Submitted by Mitsubishi Corporation Foundation for the Americas
MICF's grant to O Boticário Foundation for Nature Protection in Brazil provides lead support for a massive project to protect parts of the Atlantic Forest that serve as the second major watershed for the capital of Sao Paulo, improving the quality and supply of water to more than four million people. The innovative initiative, known as the Oasis Project and modeled partly on measures used to protect the watershed that serves New York City, will offer payments to landowners for conservation easements aimed at preserving natural areas on their land. O Boticário Foundation has been developing this project for more than three years and has identified key conservation areas to which it will apply an environmental valuation model that it has created in partnership with environmental economics and legal experts. The goal for the first phase of the Oasis Project is to protect 2,500 hectares of private land under agreements to be signed between 2007 and 2011. The MIC Foundation is proud to contribute both to the conservation of a threatened region of high biodiversity and at the same time contribute to improved and sustainable water quality for the people of Sao Paulo," said Mr. Ryoichi Ueda, Chairman of the MICF.
The grant to the Sustainable South Bronx, a leading advocate of environmental justice, will fund the continuation and expansion of the Bronx Environmental Stewardship Training (BEST) Program, which links environmental clean-up and restoration in the community to the career development and economic needs of local people. First launched in 2002 as a pilot program, the BEST Program has successfully provided training for underserved community residents in ecological restoration, hazardous waste clean-up, landscaping and similar fields. To date, 90% of the program graduates are now gainfully employed and 80% are working in the field of environmental stewardship.
MICF grants to The Friends of the High School for Environmental Studies and the Brooklyn Center for the Urban Environment will support environmental educational programs at public schools in Brooklyn and Manhattan, while the grant to the New York Botanical Garden will support children's education programming in the Bronx. MICF's support of the New York Botanical Garden, dating back to 1994, now totals more than $300,000, and this year's grant will be used for continued support of educational programs and activities involving the Mitsubishi Wild Wetland Trail, where visitors learn about the ecological significance of wetlands.
The grant to the International Funders for Indigenous Peoples will support IFIP's annual Linking Circles conference, which provides a forum for funders and indigenous peoples to collaborate on how best to support indigenous peoples' causes.
In addition to the new grants, the MICF Board authorized the payment of annual installments coming due for multi-year grants totaling over One (1) Million Dollars, including multi-year grants of $500,000 to the Wildlife Conservation Society, $250,000 to Forest Trends, $206,800 to the American Bird Conservancy, $80,000 to the Rainforest Alliance, and $50,000 to the Japanese American National Museum, which were approved in prior years.
The Mitsubishi International Corporation Foundation, based in New York City, was established in 1992 with funding from Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan, and its U.S.-based subsidiary, Mitsubishi International Corporation. With a current endowment of nearly $6 million, the Foundation has dedicated more than $3 million to charitable causes throughout the Americas. Contributions for Europe and Africa are made by the Mitsubishi Corporation Fund for Europe and Africa, which has given more than $2 million to environmental conservation, education and research since 1993.
For more information about the Mitsubishi International Corporation Foundation, please visit www.micfoundation.org; and for more information about the Mitsubishi Corporation Fund for Europe and Africa, please visit www.mcfea.org.
The Mitsubishi Corporation Foundation for the Americas, based in New York City was established 1991 with funding from Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan, and its U.S.-based subsidiary, Mitsubishi International Corporation. Since its establishment, the Foundation has contributed over $12 million to environmental causes throughout the Americas. We have funded over 100 projects in more than 15 countries, focusing on four themes: biodiversity conservation, environmental education, environmental justice, and sustainable development.
More from Mitsubishi Corporation Foundation for the Americas


text:
The other day, my partner Brock came home with a chicken of the woods (Laetiporus sulphureus) mushroom he found walking in the neighborhood.
Fun fact: chicken of the woods is one of the easiest/safest starter mushrooms for amateur foragers. This is the second one we've found and brought home, after stumbling upon a monster (4+ lbs trimmed!) last fall.
After confirming via Instagram that yes, this was edible and no, we weren't going to murder ourselves eating it (thank you, Chef Jeremy) I got to work on a delicious chicken of the woods mushroom risotto. (Adapted from Serious Eats mushroom risotto, which, if you haven't tried the pressure cooker version of, you're missing out on something magical.)
- About 6 c chicken stock (or veggie stock. or mostly stock and some water if that's what you've got)
- 4 T butter
- 4 T olive oil
- About 1 pound chicken of the woods mushrooms (after cleaning, trimming), cut into small bite-size pieces
- Sprig of thyme
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 c dry white wine
- 2 t soy sauce (+/- to taste)
- 1.5 c arborio or other risotto-friendly rice
- 1 T yellow miso
- Grated Parmigiano Reggiano to taste
- Salt & pepper
Put your stock (or stock + water) into a pot and place it on the burner behind the one you'll be risotto-ing in. (Or next to, but I find behind to me most convenient.) You just want to keep this warm throughout cooking, so heat it to just a simmer then stabilize it on low.
Melt 3T each of the butter and olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Toss in your mushrooms with the thyme sprig, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook until they have soaked up much of the liquid, are soft and beginning to brown a bit. Add the rest of the butter and oil, along with the onion, and continue to cook and stir until it becomes translucent. You're already using a fair amount of fat here, so if your pan starts to get some too-brown bits on the bottom, pour in a bit of your wine to deglaze. Once the onion is soft, add the garlic and cook and stir until it's aromatic and no longer raw. Remove the thyme, stir in your soy sauce, and taste your mushroom mixture. Not there yet? Play with the salt, pepper, and soy until it's delicious. Good? Good. Take it out of the pan and keep it on a plate or in a bowl while you make the rice.
Deglaze your pan with a bit of wine, then add the rice and toast it just a bit. Add the miso and stir that into the rice as best you can as it toasts. When that's fairly mixed in, drop your heat to medium/medium-low and add the rest of your white wine. Stir until it's nearly all soaked into the rice. Then, add a ladle (or re-use your measuring cup and shoot for about 3/4 c) of the warmed broth. Stir until it's nearly all soaked into the rice. Add another ladle of broth. Stir until it's nearly all soaked into the rice. Notice a pattern emerging? You're going to follow this process – add broth, stir until soaked in, repeat – until your risotto is done.
How do you know when your risotto is done?
By taste and texture. You want the raw bite to be completely (or almost completely) gone, leaving you with soft, creamy, chewy rice that almost feels like it's in a broth even though you've cooked all of that into the little grains of yumminess. You can start tasting when:
- You've gone through at least 4 cups of your broth. When I made this, I used about 6 cups of liquid total. (Honestly, started with a quart of broth and had to switch to water at the end. It was totally fine.)
- You notice the texture or the rice changing. Your goal is a creamy consistency, almost like grits or polenta but with larger grains.
When the risotto is the proper doneness for your taste, add mushroom mixture back in, along with your Parmigiano Reggiano. Stir everything together and taste your risotto. Add salt, pepper, and/or more Parmigiano Reggiano to taste. A little lemon zest might be nice, too.
Serve and enjoy. 🙂
Side story:
Some things I love about the internet and social media. Others I hate. One thing I love is that – surprise! – there still is community out there for people who share passions. Opportunities for strangers to connect positively and make each other's lives better.
Here's the post I made earlier this week asking for help identifying our chicken of the woods.
View this post on Instagram
Look what @broccolipants found walking for work! I'm pretty dang sure this is a chicken of the woods (Laetiporus sulphureus). We found a similar mushroom last year and @tmgastronaut was kind enough to confirm we weren't going to murder ourselves by eating it. (Thanks for making the connection @robertstockham.) Chef, any chance you can help us out again? . . #wildmushrooms #mushroomhunting #foraging #mushroomforaging
And here's the post from last year, asking for help with our first find. It was through this post that an old friend made a connection to Chef Jeremy Umansky, a licensed wild mushroom hunter and kick-ass chef that's killing it with what may be the best Jewish deli in the country, back in my hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. After connecting with Jeremy, I went down a crazy food rabbit hole on Insta, finding like-minded chefs, foragers, hunters, farmers, and foodies, and quickly circled back to some of my own connections in Chicago.
Things like this remind me that it actually is a pretty small world, and one filled with overall good humans. At least that's how I feel.


text:
Gov. Christie Joins Anti-Rand Paul Club
The anti-Rand Paul club gained a new member: New Jersey's Republican Gov. Chris Christie.
Christie ripped into the Kentucky senator and his cohorts for promoting a "dangerous" libertarian philosophy on national security issues in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks.
"I just want us to be really cautious because this strain of libertarianism going through both parties right now and making big headlines I think is a very dangerous thought," Christie said at an Aspen Institute panel of Republican governors in Colorado Thursday night.
Asked specifically whether he was referring to Paul, Christie said, "You can name any number of people and he's one of them."
"These esoteric intellectual debates-I want them to come to New Jersey and sit in front of the widows and the orphans and have that conversation," Christie said, evoking 9/11. "And they won't because that's a much tougher conversation to have."
Paul on Twitter fired back at Christie's comments this morning, standing by his opposition to the National Security Agency's anti-terrorism programs.
Christie worries about the dangers of freedom. I worry about the danger of losing that freedom. Spying without warrants is unconstitutional.
- Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) July 26, 2013
Christie becomes the latest Republican to sound the alarm against Paul, who has been an outspoken critic of the National Security Agency's surveillance programs. Last week, Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., said he would consider a potential presidential run to challenge Paul if he were to run.
But the rub for Republicans is that Paul is not alone. This week, the NSA narrowly dodged a bullet when an amendment sponsored by Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich., that would have limited the agency's ability to collect metadata from Americans, picked up unexpected support from Republicans and Democrats. It was narrowly defeated 205-217, and notably both Republican and Democratic leadership in the House voted against the NSA provision.
The intra-party disagreement among Republicans over national security issues is like a hangover from the 2010 Tea Party wave that ushered in a slew of anti-establishment lawmakers, Paul included.
And though the party has accepted wholesale the small government economic message championed by the Tea Party, they have had a tougher time swallowing the national security inclinations that run counter to the party's post-9/11 dogma, as evidenced by Christie's comments.
King even went so far as to warn that if Paul ran, Hillary Clinton would beat him handily because of foreign policy issues.
Christie also becomes the most prominent Republican with 2016 ambitions to take on Paul and the Tea Party-libertarian supporters he represents-even if it means praising a Democratic president.
"President Obama has done nothing to change the politics of the Bush administration in the war on terrorism," Christie continued. "I mean it, practically nothing. And you know why? Because they work."


text:
The Expansion Model - How the Industry Has Changed
Keller Williams expansion model has taken the industry by storm. Great real estate teams now have a platform to take their systems and models into new areas even new states with the support of KW international.
Gary Keller explains the Three main reason why a team would use the expansion model:
1. To increase profits;
2. To expand the vision for your business so you can attract and retain more and higher quality talent;
3. And to deepen your bench.
As entrepreneurs we are all in this business with the hopes of creating jobs and wealth building opportunities for ourselves and others. Expansion will allow teams to share the skills they have developed over time with agents starting out. They provide the support and structure for that agent while increasing their own base and profits.
What's the path to Mega Agent Expansion?
"First you expand in your city, which has the convenience of the same MLS. Next you expand into a different city in the same state, which probably means a new MLS. Next you expand into a different state, which means not only a different MLS but probably different licensing requirements.
Addressing owner/brokers, operating principals and team leaders in the audience, Keller encouraged them to seize, rather than resist Mega Agent Expansion. "This is already happening," he said. "The mega agent is already validated and they're going to recruit agents to your office. I'd get on the phone and call top producers in your area and ask if they want to expand into your market center. Imagine if you have 20, 30 or 40 expansion teams operating out of your market center? If you have 100 expansion teams earning $100,000, that's $10 million a year."" - (KW International)
Are you wanting to build a business that can expand nationally? Are you ready to learn about Keller Williams? Contact me or visit http://www.kwrecruiter.com
#RealEstate #Careers #Expansion #BusinessTraining #NewBusiness #NewCareer #KellerWilliams


text:
First Love Malisa
Author(s): LIN Malisa
Status: Ongoing
Rank: 6831th
The sweet and the sour of a first love! Boy or girl, everyone is looking forward to that first encounter. No words can describe the nervousness and excitement felt at that destined moment! Perhaps the story of your first love, too, is collected in the First Love MALISA series. Malisa Lin's new work is filled with delicate artwork, elaborate drama, rich laugh-out-loud moments, and perfect endings. This series tells stories of "falling in love"


text:
Jennifer Lopez's name is already synonymous with acting, dancing and music. But her namesake brand covers the full gamut of fashion and lifestyle products as well. She's got a clothing line, perfumes, books and a jewelry collection. So it's no surprise that the multifaceted entrepreneur recently launched a beauty line too. What's Haute was on […] Read More »
CoverGirl Collabs with the Leading Ladies of Empire on a Limited Edition Makeup Collection
How cool is this?! CoverGirl has partnered with the women of Empire to launch a limited-edition makeup collection, inspired by the four beautiful leading ladies (sorry, no 'Cookie'/Taraji). Grace Gealey (Anika Calhoun), Serayah McNeill (Tiana Brown), Gabourey Sidibe (Becky) and Kaitlin Doubleday (Rhonda Lyon) are featured on Covergirl's Instagram page with four #EasyBreezy beautiful looks! […] Read More »
Getting Beautiful for Valentine's Day with Maybelline!
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MNYLooksToLove #CollectiveBias A few weeks ago I showed you how to create the perfect Valentine's Day date night look with Maybelline makeup. Well, I couldn't get enough so I've gone ahead and created a second date night look […] Read More »
Valentine's Day Beauty Tutorial: Creating "Looks to Love" with Maybelline
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MNYLooksToLove #CollectiveBias Got Valentine's Day plans? You know I'm always planning my V-Day look months ahead of time, of course. I've usually got a red dress or two on standby for that particular date night. And a few […] Read More »
Beauty Review: butter LONDON Shadow Clutch
butter LONDON has been rolling out a bunch of new product lines over the past year and one of my recent faves that they sent over to me is the Shadow Clutch! I recently used the Shadow Clutch to create this holiday eye makeup look in this post. I typically don't wear eye shadow on […] Read More »
Empire x Deborah Lippmann Collection Coming this November!
Balmain x H&M isn't the only haute collaboration to get your hands on this November! Celebrity manicurist and nail polish brand owner Deborah Lippmann just announced a new collaboration with TV's #1 hit show, Empire! The Empire x deborah lippmann collection is a limited edition, 3-piece set of nail lacquers, retailing at $24. The nail […] Read More »
9 Must-Have MAC Lipsticks
It's hard to find a makeup lover without a MAC lipstick or two, or ten, or more (*guilty*) in their collection! Although, compared to some of my beauty blogger friends, I consider myself a MAC lightweight: I only own a little over 20 MAC lipsticks and a handful of MAC lip glosses. But still, MAC […] Read More »
Beauty Review: butter LONDON LIPPY Bloody Brilliant Lip Crayons
I've previously waxed poetic about my love for butter LONDON's cosmetics line so get ready for more love! I tried the LIPPY Bloody Brilliant Lip Crayon ($20) in 'Ladybird' but the brand sent over seven more shades for me to play with! And what better day to share my thoughts with you than on National Lipstick […] Read More »
I'm Obsessed with butter LONDON Cosmetics!
I've always been a huge fan of butter LONDON's highly coveted nail polish line. But in 2013, the brand launched a full line of color cosmetics, which I was recently lucky enough to receive some samples for summer. The brand sent over a box of cosmetics and they must know me well because it's the exact […] Read More »
New Chanel Makeup Collection Inspired by 2.55 Bag
The Chanel 2.55 flap bag is one of the most iconic bags ever made. Created by Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel in February 1955 (thus, the 2.55), its features include a signature quilted, boxy body and double leather-threaded chain straps. The 2.55 is a very recognizable and highly coveted bag. Sixty years after its creation, the Chanel […] Read More »
Haute Beauty Buy: Gucci Beauty
It's been a long time coming but Italian luxury brand Gucci finally launched a line of cosmetics! The 200-piece collection debuted last week at Milan Fashion Week, both on the models on the runway at Gucci's Spring 2015 show, and presented after the show. Gucci's creative director Frida Giannini worked with iconic makeup artist and […] Read More »
Beauty buy: VIVA GLAM Rihanna Lipstick & Lipglass
Rihanna's collaboration with MAC had one helluva year! Each collection sold out immediately, with us beauty addicts salivating and lining up for the next. After the success of her RiRi [Hearts] MAC collaboration, it's no surprise that the brand would 'brand' her their newest spokeswoman for M∙A∙C VIVA GLAM. She recently launched two bold, limited-edition […] Read More »
Create a smokin haute holiday makeup look with Urban Decay!
I love doing a dark smokey eye when I want a dramatic look for a party. I've created a pretty holiday look using Urban Decay shadows to create a pretty smokey eye look with a hint of gold for the season. Lips can be neutral, but I prefer a glossy red lip to really show […] Read More »
Starlooks: November Starbox and December blockbuster offer!
So November has come and gone, and once again my monthly Starlooks Starbox does not disappoint! This month's box was packed full of professional quality, highly pigmented cosmetics valued at $72! A monthly subscription to Starbox is only $15 plus shipping. My November Starbox included the Monaco 5 Shade Shadow Palette which launched exclusively in […] Read More »
Drugstore Finds: Get pretty in pink with e.l.f. cosmetics
I love discovering great beauty finds at the drugstore that I can use to change up my makeup and look. I recently grabbed some e.l.f. cosmetics at Target. What I love about e.l.f. is that the cosmetics are great quality but generally cost less than $5! That allows me to try something new without investing […] Read More »
Rihanna's summer beauty collection, #RiRiHeartsMAC, launches at 12pm today!
Did you miss out on RiRi Woo, Rihanna's first product for MAC Cosmetics? If you did, don't worry – there's another chance to get your hands on several other Rihanna for MAC lipsticks. The second launch in Rihanna's MAC Cosmetics collab is the "RiRi Hearts MAC" collection, which goes on sale at 12 noon, ET […] Read More »
We're 'Wild About Spring' – A new collection of Finger Paints Nail Polish!
Happy Spring, hauties! Even though the cold weather doesn't match the current season, I'm getting ready for a trip to warmer weather, so I've been buying some new nail polish to get my nails and toes ready for the beach. I found some great new colors for spring and summer. Finger Paints Nail Polish, available […] Read More »
Lift your spirit and make a bold statement with Emotional Brilliance Liquid Cosmetics from Lush!
I was intrigued by LUSH Cosmetics' Emotional Brilliance line of liquid cosmetics so I ordered some to try and really love them! All of the cosmetics are handmade and are in truly vibrant and beautiful colors that fit your mood and lift your spirit. Their liquid eyeliners, cream eye shadows and lipsticks all have names […] Read More »


text:
Today we remember Bob Hope, who passed away on this day 15 years ago at the age of 100. A comedy legend, Hope entertained audiences all around the world in almost every entertainment medium, from vaudeville and Broadway, to radio, television, and film.
He was born Leslie Townse Hope on May 29, 1903 in Eltham, near London, England. He was the fifth of seven sons born to William Henry Hope, a stonemason, and Avis Townes, a light opera singer. In 1908, the family immigrated to the United States aboard the SS Philadelphia. They passed through Ellis Island before settling in Cleveland, Ohio.
After working a series of odd jobs, Hope found success in vaudeville. By 1934, he began performing on radio and soon became one of the most popular radio performers on air. As television gained popularity, Hope smoothly transitioned to the new medium while also starring in several films. He headlined numerous television specials on NBC, consistently earning impressive ratings for each new show, and became a long-standing figure on the network.
During World War II, Hope dedicated his free time entertaining American troops. He would continue to perform USO shows for the next 50 years. In 1997, Congress declared Hope an honorary veteran of the United States Armed Forces.
Hope died on July 27, 2003 just a couple of months after his 100th birthday. At the time of his death, Hope was one of the most honored performers in entertainment history.
Explore Bob Hope's family tree on Geni and share how you're related to the legendary comedian.
View Bob Hope's Geni Profile
iframe{ border: 1px solid #999; }
Image: State Library of New South Wales, Flickr
Source: Geni.com


text:
Studio East cultural panel
Cross-collaborations between fashion houses and artists, designers and the like are nothing new; but one more likely to surprise is shopping centre giant Westfield's latest venture. It has teamed up with Tracey Emin, Tom Dixon and Roland Mouret on a new creative initiative for its upcoming UK Stratford City flagship.
When it opens in late 2011, Stratford City will be Europe's largest urban shopping centre. And with a floor space clocking in at 1.9 million sq ft, someone obviously thought it would be a good idea to fill some of it with attractive, hopefully crowd-drawing, artwork.
From this idea has emerged 'Studio East by Westfield Stratford City'. Headed by a high-powered panel comprising Emin, Dixon, Mouret, British model Erin O'Connor and retail expert Mary Portas, Studio East will provide a bursary for a series of four artistic commissions in the categories of fashion, art, product design and environment. Each commission is worth £10,000 while production costs will be picked up by Westfield.
The idea for Studio East, says Portas, is to 'engage the cultural community to identify, foster and nurture the freshest new talent which will create a new benchmark for the future of retail.'
Translated: an engaging, visual inventory that will not only displace the traditionally bland shopping centre interior, it will also fuse the arts world with retail therapy.
Watch this space.


text:
Christmas at Disneyland
Merry Christmas, everybody!
Today's post will be short but sweet, since I am out of town. I thought that this would be a nice picture to feature, showing the Matterhorn (in a photo from January, 1962) looking huge and impressive here. The Christmas star is huge also, does anybody have any idea how large it was? I'm throwing a guess out, maybe 15 feet high? The Yacht Bar can be see edge-on, as well as the roof of a ticket booth.
There was another star, only this one was made of flowers, and was in the center of the Hub, right about where the "Partners" statue is now. Crowds are heavy - - I like the glimpse into Tomorrowland!


text:
Top-Performing Automated Accounts Solutions
You want—and need—to get paid; It's essential to your bottom line. Wouldn't it be nice if you could reduce the traditionally complicated, manual accounts receivable processes and instead move to automated methods to improve efficiency?
Managing The Accounts Receivable Lifecycle
You need an accounts receivable solution to help you operate at peak efficiency and profitability. And you need to send invoices in a way that meets your customer's expectations—whether that's digital or via a self-service platform and adheres to compliance standards no matter the system.
You provide a service or product, and it's essential to receive payment on time. But if you have outstanding invoices, it's hard to keep track of who's paid what and when. You need an AR strategy prioritizing specific invoices and clients, employs follow-up protocols, and allows employees to focus on critical business areas. That way, nothing will slip through the cracks.
Accounts Receivables solutions and technologies make it easy for clients to submit a payment. The automated process allows clients to pay remotely and with multiple methods. You'll also know who is where in the payment process and can quickly reach out to overdue accounts. Clients will no longer have to wait for answers to their questions—and your time will be freed up so you can emphasize value-added tasks.
Streamlining the accounts receivables management process can save hours in your accounting department. Instead of picking up the phone or sorting through documents, staff members can gain instant visibility on an invoice's status. They'll know what was due when and who to contact. An automated process will reduce frustration, become pain-free, and reduce disputes.
A comprehensive Accounts Receivable (AR) software solution will give you all the information you need at your fingertips. We know it won't be 100% automated, but many of the tasks could—and should—be. Doing so can free up tedious tasks and enable you to handle twice as many active customer accounts so you can focus on what matters most.
When you decide you're ready to upgrade your accounts receivable department, DRS will take a holistic review of your current processes—from how you invoice to processing costs—and optimize the workflow. We'll design a solution to improve efficiency and collaboration so you can maximize your working capital.
DRS Imaging
Our experts are here to help.
Contact us today to start your blueprint digtization project.


text:
The New York City Coffeehouse Tour has begun! I am excited to give you my reviews of local roasters and coffee houses in NYC, from my viewpoint as a Seattle native. Before I post my first review, I thought I would share a little background about the coffee tour.
What made me decide to start this tour? It all began in the Fall of last year as I contemplated the direction I wanted to take BaxtronLife going forward. I started to ask myself questions like, "what am I really passionate about?" "What are the big themes in my life that I can share?" And undeniably one of the first things that popped into my mind was coffee. You see, I'm sort of a big coffee snob, having grown up in Seattle - the home of an endless plethora of local roasters and coffee hangouts. I got spoiled with rich coffee flavors, warm and inviting cafes and rarely a mainstream coffee establishment.
Then, I moved to New York City. Within weeks of being here I became a Starbucks loyal. Side note - let me just tell you that Starbucks, while okay for the occasional Frappuccino, was never on the list of regular places I frequented in Seattle. And I believe that 95% of Seattle natives will agree - it is almost a crying shame to frequent there when you have so many amazing locally roasted brew houses all over the city. I don't say that to knock Starbucks - hey, like most of the bloggers I know, I get excited for the seasonal favorites, Salted Caramel Mocha anyone?
Well, after my first few tries of what I like to call "coffee water" in New York City, I was discouraged by the lack of coffee brewing skills I encountered. I mean, cart coffee is pretty disgusting. (No offense if you like that stuff, but seriously!? How CAN you like that stuff?) I started googling coffee houses in my neighborhood, and was stunned to find virtually nothing that appealed to me. How could the biggest city in the U.S., the center of the world (lol) be lacking in the art of coffee appreciation? So, I began investing hundreds of dollars in Starbucks without the benefit of profit sharing.
So what is different now? Over the last couple of years there has been a growing influx of coffee lovers, Seattle natives and people who are just realizing that New York needs help to raise its standard of coffee appreciation. The coffee puritans have arrived! There are so many new local coffeehouses popping up all over Manhattan, and it made me realize that it is time to give New York City another chance. It is time to put my Goldcard away and go on the search for the best coffee in New York City!!
How will the tour work? I am starting my tour at the top of Manhattan and working my way to the bottom! Every weekend I will visit a coffeehouse that meets my criteria - uses local roasters or specialty coffee beans, coffeehouse vibe and has received word-of-mouth recommendations. I will be basing my review on comparison to my absolute favorite coffee roaster in Redmond, WA - Victor's Celtic Coffee. I am excited to share my love of coffee with you as well as have fun opportunities for you to experience some the tour for yourself (giveaways - coffee exchanges - coffee of the month, etc.)
Come on the tour with me - with new review posts on Tuesdays! Have a coffee house you'd like to recommend? Own/work at a coffee house you'd like me to visit? Email me!
Check back this Tuesday for my first stop: Darling Coffee in Washington Heights!


text:
LoginSign up Forgot Password?
Questionnaire Design & Use Workshop
Venue: Radisson Plaza Hotel Minneapolis
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
|Event Date/Time: Oct 18, 2012
|End Date/Time: Oct 19, 2012
|Registration Date: Oct 17, 2012
|Early Registration Date: Sep 20, 2012
• Design and manage market research projects
• Utilize correct sampling survey techniques
• Obtain high response rates for surveys
• Construct high-quality questionnaires
• Write questions that provide accurate data for decision-making
• Choose appropriate data collection methods
• Use resources wisely
This two-day workshop is an intensive learning experience with active participant involvement, taught by experts with academic credentials and more than 38 years of market research experience.
From this workshop you will:
• Gain skills you can immediately apply upon returning to work
• Build confidence in your research skills
• Gain knowledge from experienced market research experts
• Stretch resources farther
• Bridge the gap from theory to day-to-day work
• Take home valuable reference materials including the course workbook and the Research Rescue Kit to help you apply what you learn
Contact us or visit our website to learn more: http://www.ana-inc.com/workshops/questionnaire.html


text:
Feit brings a striking new store concept to NY's West Village
How do you properly highlight Feit's luxurious and exclusive footwear line? With wood. Lots and lots and lots of wood. Founder Tull Price and designer Jordana Maisie have called their work, Installation Two: Volume and Void, and the shop is more of a modern art experience than a retail storefront.
Joining their Prince Street Flagship location, the second store is located in NY's West Village and is filled from top to bottom with geometric wooden fixtures that boldly frame their limited run leather products. The shop will be home to their standard and seasonal styles and products that are available exclusively at the New York locations.
The shop is located at the corner of Greenwich and Christopher Ave at 11A Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10014.


text:
No products
Available Discount Vouchers For This Order
Simply Apply Voucher Code Upon Checkout
No matter what your flooring vision, you'll find an exciting range of patterns and hues across the four most popular types of flooring materials: wood, engineered wood, laminate and vinyl. Great quality, reputable brands and unmatched prices are at your disposal. Once you've made up your mind, have a free sample delivered to your location within...
No matter what your flooring vision, you'll find an exciting range of patterns and hues across the four most popular types of flooring materials: wood, engineered wood, laminate and vinyl. Great quality, reputable brands and unmatched prices are at your disposal. Once you've made up your mind, have a free sample delivered to your location within 24-48 hours.
The floor of a house or commercial establishment may not be the first thing you notice on-premise but you eventually get around to either admiring its aesthetics and quality or turning your nose up at it! Floors either add to or detract from an otherwise appealing interior. But beyond the superficial, good quality flooring is also important from a practical point of view. After all, it is the foundation of your home or office interior.
Your floor weathers a lot of traffic each day, which can cause chipping, fading and staining over time. All flooring options offer their own advantages and trade-offs with regard to durability and maintenance. Some are designed for high-traffic areas while others make low-maintenance and easy upkeep a priority. You'll also find flooring solutions that tick all your boxes. In a nutshell, the overall desirability and value of a flooring product is dependent on several factors and individual preferences.
Regardless of the flooring ideas you have in mind, it pays to make quality a priority. That means adherence to international standards for quality coupled with flawless installation. The good news is that the flooring products on BBK Direct are the world's most top quality brands, crafted to the highest quality management standards, so all that will be left for you to do is simply install.
Wooden flooring
Wooden flooring is an excellent long-term investment. Solid wood floors are valued for their beauty, warmth and character. They create an illusion of space and transform the look and feel of interiors easily. The large choice in wood species, stains, patterns and colors allows for much experimentation. Whether you want a modern or rustic interior, the right wooden flooring product can bring your ideas to life!
Vinyl flooring
If you're looking for budget flooring material, vinyl is hard to beat. Long-term warranties on vinyl flooring can be as much as 20 years, so it is also a durable material. You have a vast choice in styles to choose from, many of which mimic the appearance of expensive, luxurious materials such as wood and marble. Vinyl floors are easy to maintain, requiring a sweep or mop-up from time to time.
Engineered flooring
Engineered wood flooring technology has advanced rapidly over the years. Engineered wooden floors are available in a range of colors and styles, with superior quality products being virtually indistinguishable from solid plank floors. Resistant to moisture, these floors can be nailed down, glued or placed using a tongue-and-groove system.
Laminate flooring
If you ask around for eco-friendly flooring options, chances are that laminate will be suggested to you. That's because laminate flooring is a synthetic product made from recycled natural resources. It can imitate the look of wood or stone, and as such, is malleable to an array of design requirements. Durable and scratch resistant, laminate flooring has stood the test of time and continues to be a sought-after option in homes across the UK.
Browse our extensive flooring options and products now.
Solid wood was one of the earliest materials used for construction of floors. Despite the advancements made in technology, it continues to be one of the most popular options amongst designers across the world for the simple reason that it offers unparalleled warmth and beauty. At BBK Direct, we offer high quality solid wood flooring for the people who love to keep things classic.
All solid hardwood floors evoke richness and charm within the home, but not every design and wood species are created equal. Here is a short guide to help you choose the right solid wood flooring for your home.
The place you plan to install the flooring has a huge influence on the quality and features of wood you choose. If you plan to install the flooring at the ground floor, where it may interact with more water and moisture, you will need specially treated solid wood. If you are planning to install solid wood flooring on higher floors, make sure that your home's structure can bear the weight of solid wood.
The species of trees that the wood belongs to adds a distinct personality to the flooring with their unique color and gain patterns. Maple and oak are known for their hardness while Brazilian cherry and mahogany offer a lovely appearance. The harder the wood, the more durable it will be to scratches and tears.
The finish on the wood can have an impact on the color, feel and the durability of the flooring. A high quality finish provides a long lasting luster to the wood and factory applied finishes are always better than site-applied finishes. You may even invest in some wood finish to maintain the flooring and maximize its lifespan.
At BBK Direct, we believe in giving you the freedom to choose every element of the design of your home. Browse through our collection of solid wood flooring and click on the products that you find interesting to know more about the dimensions, features and price.
Once installed, the majority of people cannot tell the difference between engineered wood flooring and solid wood flooring. But that is not the main reason that home owners choose it. Engineered wood flooring is seriously tough, it does not expand and contract as much as solid wood, it manages to add an element of sophistication and class to the room without costing you a fortune. At BBK Direct, you can find a collection of engineered wood flooring that will suit your design requirements.
Not all engineered wood floors are created equal. The large variety in styles and types can make it difficult to decide which one you want to install in your home. Given below is a short guide to help you narrow down to the ones most suitable for your requirements.
Engineered wood floors are created by gluing together several layers of wood, with their grains opposing each other so that they are less prone to movement. More layers means that the floor will be much stronger and resistant to expansion and contraction, even if the overall thickness remains the same.
The type of wood adds a unique personality to the floor, which is why it is more of a personal choice to go for the wood that suits the interior styles of your home. Walnut, merbau and other exotic woods are dark in colour and are more suited to modern themes, while maple and beech work well in more traditional settings.
The surface treatment influences the feel, color and the resistance to damage. Brushed finish highlights the texture of the wood, distressed finish makes it look vintage while satin finish provides a smooth sheen to the surface. Choose floors that have as many finishing layers as possible as it lasts much longer.
At BBK Direct, we believe in providing high quality products that helps you create your dream home. Browse through our collection of engineered wood flooring and click on the products to find out more specific details.
Wood flooring is one of the most sought-after amenities in a home because of its warm underfoot feel, ruggedness and timeless beauty. But hardwood flooring can be costly, difficult to install and maintain. Laminate flooring, on the other hand, is more durable, very versatile and much more cost effective, which is why it is so popular. At BBK Direct, we offer a huge collection of laminate flooring so that you can get one which is perfect for your home.
Laminate flooring comes in a nearly endless variety of textures, colors and finishes which can make it a daunting task to pick the right one. Here is a short guide that will help you narrow your selections down.
Choose according to thickness:
The thickness of laminate flooring does not contribute to the durability of the material, but it helps prevent warping and other issues. Thicker laminates are more resistant to bending and can even reduce noise, but there is no reason to choose a 12 millimeter thick flooring when an 8 millimeter one would suffice.
Pay attention to the AC rating:
Most manufacturers give you an idea of how durable the laminate would be by showing its resistance to wear on a scale of five. The lowest, AC rating 1, is designed for a home area with little foot traffic, like a bedroom. On the other end of the spectrum, AC rating 5 is meant to withstand some serious commercial traffic.
Find the right texture and design
Laminates come in an endless array of design options, and you can take full advantage of it by choosing the best color, texture and finish that goes with your home. It can be designed to look like wood or stone, and it can sport a matte, gloss, satin or natural touch finish.
We believe in providing you with the right components to design a beautiful home. Browse through our collection of laminate flooring and click on the designs to find out thickness, AC ratings, and available colors, finish type, dimensions of planks, price and other details.
The advantages that vinyl flooring offer are hard to beat. It's resistant to water and dirt, and it is one of the easiest floors to maintain. It's incredibly durable and can last for well over two decades. and it also has a felt or foam layer beneath the vinyl surface that provides a much softer flooring than tile or even wood. We at BBK know that you look beyond mere functionality when you choose vinyl flooring, which is why we have an extensive collection of attractive vinyl designs to suit every taste from the top quality brands.
Vinyl flooring does provide a lot of value for its price, but it can be difficult to choose the best one for your home. Given below is a short guide to buying the right one for your needs.
Vinyl floors come in two main types: sheets and tiles or planks. Vinyl plank floorings are manufactured in plank format and has a click or tongue and groove system that makes its installation a much easier and mess free. Sheet vinyl's are prepared in rolls and can be cut according to the dimensions of the room, making it much easier to install seamlessly, but they do not always have that high end feel like vinyl planks do.
The thickness of the top most layer has a huge influence on the amount of wear that the flooring can tolerate. Some manufacturers also coat the surface with layers of urethane to make it more resistant to scuff marks, scratches and stains, and make the lustre last longer.
Vinyl flooring is considered to be an interior designer's dream because of the incredible versatility it offers. You can choose from an array of patterns to suit both traditional and modern design requirements. Printed vinyl gives a glossy finish to the floor while inlaid vinyls have a richer finish. Vinyl is also an excellent imposter, and can be designed to look like tile, wood and even stone. Pick one that compliments or contrasts your design, the choice is yours.
We at BBK Direct are dedicated to offering everything that you need to make your home functional and beautiful. Browse through our collection of vinyl flooring and click on the products to view more details like colour, dimensions and price.
Heating up your home keeps people comfortable and healthy during cold weather, but radiators provide only localized heating and take up a lot of valuable wall space. Underfloor heating takes away the drawbacks of using a radiator and gives many more advantages in return, including uniform heating for the entire room and minimal maintenance. The underfloor heating systems available at BBK Direct can give you the comfort of warmth in your home.
Underfloor systems are much more energy efficient and effective in heating a room than a radiator. But installing it requires some effort. This short guide will help you through the process of getting a good underfloor heating system for your home:
BBK Direct gives you the tools you need to make your home functional, comfortable and beautiful. Browse through our collection of underfloor heating systems and click on the products to find out more on specs, energy rating and cost.


text:
https://i0.wp.com/www.fictionvortex.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/FV-ebook-October-20141.jpg?fit=999%2C1600&ssl=1 1600 999 Fiction Vortex https://www.fictionvortex.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/VortexW-1-293x300.png Fiction Vortex2014-10-10 08:54:282014-10-10 08:54:28The Horror 2014 Issue is Alive!
The Horror 2014 Issue is Alive!
Horror is about suspense and loss of control. Right? Well, in our process of metamorphosing from lean summer busy-bodies into lazy winter bums we are resigned to exerting our control before we are faced with coats, large family dinners, and holiday marketing. What does this have to do with the October Issue?
We aren't announcing the winners of the contest until we actually post those stories on the site. Suspenseful, right?
However, all of the information about the winners and is available for spoilsports in the eBook of the Horror 2014 issue. Get it on Amazon and Smashwords.
For those who want to revel in the suspense, continue to look for the new horror stories here.


text:
Author: Rep. Gary Knopp | Opinion, Rep. David Guttenberg | Opinion
The main criticism surrounding the commercialization of the North Slope gas reserves is that the state would never find investors. Many also believed that if the project was not economical under the private sector, it was not economic at all. Neither belief is true.
The Alaska Gasline Development Corp. is on the cusp of signing deals with investors who will pour hundreds of millions of dollars into our state. That is an immediate path forward for the Alaska LNG pipeline. We don't have to wait and wish for another megaproject anymore — we already have it.
In preparation for advancing the project, AGDC recently asked the Legislature for authority to receive outside funding. This request is not an attempt to exclude the Legislature from the process. Rather, it is but another step toward the AKLNG pipeline and the 20,000 new Alaska jobs, a steady flow of low-cost energy, and increased revenue for schools, roads and troopers that come with it. The Legislature will still be the appropriating body, and they will still need to approve any additional state spending or issuance of debts or bonds.
Critics, inside the Legislature and out, have recently asserted that we Alaskans are incapable of managing anything of significance on our own.
On that point, we both take exception.
I'm Rep. Gary Knopp, a Republican from Kenai. I came to Alaska 30-odd years ago as a young man without connections or wealth. The same things folks are saying about Alaskans working on the gas line now, they could have said about me back then. I was young and unqualified, with thin financial resources — the biggest thing I had going for me was my will to succeed. Since that time, I worked with other Alaskans to build a construction company that has completed hundreds of jobs on time and on budget across the Kenai Peninsula. Don't tell me that Alaska can't handle big projects.
And I'm Rep. David Guttenberg, a Democrat from Fairbanks. I moved to Alaska in 1969 after growing up in New York. Working on the pipeline gave me a foundation of financial security for the rest of my life, and showed me what Alaskans were capable of. We had a sense of wonder at the scale of the project and felt like there was nothing we couldn't do. The life lessons from these early years led me on a path beyond anything I could have imagined. Alaska is the "Great Land" where anything is possible.
For decades, Alaska leaders who came before us, like Ted Stevens and Dan Fauske, made sure that Alaska and AGDC would be ready when an opportunity to commercialize Alaska's gas emerged. That opportunity is now.
Since when did Alaskan leaders decide it was politically important to undercut our team and second-guess our own accomplishments? Since when did we doubt our own ability to think for ourselves and determine our own path forward?
We are our own worst enemies if we resort to taking potshots in an attempt to sink the project that holds the key to our economic security. Some of this is being done for personal political gain, which is particularly unsettling.
Let's instead look to the leadership of our Republican colleague from Nikiski, Rep. Mike Chenault, who hit the nail on the head when he recently spoke out against cutting AGDC's funding, saying, "If we continue to be afraid to make that investment to get to a point where we see if we have a viable project or not, in 30 years we'll be saying the same thing we're saying today, is that: 'We should have went forward and completed a project.' "
Questions about this project from lawmakers and everyone else are welcome. Every aspect should be thoroughly examined, and the Legislature must play a critical role in vetting decisions that will impact Alaska's financial future. That is exactly what is happening.
On this effort, we must work together and act as leaders, not politicians. The Alaska LNG project is far too important to our state to undermine for partisan gain.
Rep. Gary Knopp is a Republican from Kenai and Rep. David Guttenberg is a Democrat from Fairbanks


text:
Evaluation software to assess your relationship performance.
Strengthen work with agency partners and drive highly successful relationships through our end-to-end evaluation program.
Scoping tool to manage scope (SOW) workflow and spend.
Drive operational and cost efficiencies, while optimizing resources and decision making through improved control and partner negotiations.
Supplier management software to source an agency.
Improve scalability, drive spend to your preferred, partners, consolidate your roster of agencies, and drive transparency of capabilities and internal governance.


text:
By Ziad Munson
The abortion debate has mobilized millions of people and hundreds of millions of dollars in the United States over the last 40 years. What is perhaps most surprising about the battle over abortion, then, is that public opinion toward abortion has remained remarkably and stubbornly stable over this time. According to Gallup polls, approximately 52 percent of Americans today believe abortion should be legal under some, but not all, circumstances—not very different from the 51 percent in 2002, 53 percent in 1992, 52 percent in 1981, or 54 percent in 1975. The ideological debate over abortion during this period has remained stable too: the pro-life movement has focused on the humanity of the fetus, and sees abortion as the killing of a human being; the pro-choice movement has focused on the rights of women, and sees abortion as a woman's choice necessary for her to retain control over her own body.
One of the most significant changes to the pro-life movement in recent years is the new way in which it has tried to strengthen the persuasiveness of its own core argument while at the same time co-opting the core argument of its opponents. And it is the crisis pregnancy centers, not large political lobbying or protest groups, that are at the forefront of these efforts. Crisis pregnancy centers, or CPCs, are social movement organizations that seek to attract pregnant (or potentially pregnant) women into their doors to convince them to carry their pregnancies to term. Have you seen billboards or other advertisements in your area that say "Pregnant? Scared?" or "Pregnant and Need Help?" Federations of CPCs are responsible for such ads. These organizations have existed since the beginning of the pro-life movement—the first were established in the late 1960s—but the number of CPCs has grown rapidly in recent years. Chris Scheitle at St. John's University estimates there are approximately 2,900 CPCs nationwide. To get a sense of this number, compare it to 2,248 Home Depot stores or, of more relevance, to approximately 1,790 abortion providers.
CPCs attract women into their centers through advertising (often offering free pregnancy tests) and referrals from clergy, social workers, and law enforcement. The centers focus on giving the women individual counseling that focuses on the movement's view of fetal development, the value of life, and the trauma of abortion. They may also offer a variety of material resources to assist women, including maternity clothes, cribs, diapers and other supplies, and even rental assistance or transportation to pre-natal appointments. The activists who work in CPCs range from volunteers with just a few hours of training to state-licensed social workers. CPCs vary in size too, with some consisting of little more than a back room of a church and two or three volunteers, and others owning their own free-standing buildings and employing dozens of staff.
What do CPCs have to do with the core arguments of the abortion debate? First, CPCs have sought to strengthen the pro-life movement worldview by medicalizing their look and operation. Centers models themselves after medical clinics, with antiseptic waiting rooms, front desks framed by walls of colored file folders, and in some cases even the use of licensed nurses and other medical personnel. The centerpiece of this medicalization process is the purchase and use of ultrasound machines. Activists say that the number of pregnant women they convince to carry pregnancies to term goes up dramatically if they are able to show them an ultrasound of the fetus. This process of medicalization—and specifically the increasing use of ultrasounds—has the potential to strengthen the pro-life argument by taking the core concern of pro-lifers out of the realm of personal opinion and into the realm of science and technology. Don't take our word for it, the activists seem to be saying, look at how this sophisticated, scientific ultrasound machine can prove that it's a baby! The core argument of the movement is thus transformed from a moral claim to a scientific (and technologically mediated) fact.
But the rise of CPCs mean more than just the potential for strengthening the pro-life movement's core argument. CPCs also serve to challenge their opponents' monopoly over the language and rhetoric of choice. Activists working in CPCs argue that many women don't have a meaningful choice to carry their pregnancies to term because they don't have the emotional support, or the material resources, to do so. CPCs see themselves as filling that gap; providing women with counseling and material support so that they have a meaningful choice between alternatives. Such a view represents a significant threat to the core argument of the pro-choice movement. Many pro-choice activists, and most of the pro-choice public, are not so much in favor of abortion as they are in favor of leaving reproductive decision-making to women themselves. But if CPCs are "merely" offering better or expanded choices, then the central master frame of the pro-choice movement is compromised. The dynamics of the abortion debate in the coming decades will be altered dramatically if CPCs are able to convince many outside the movement that they are the true purveyors of choice.
This challenge is reinforced by the activist and demographic profile of CPC volunteers. CPCs eschew street protest, legal challenges, and overt politics—indeed, most centers will not even allow their volunteers to be involved in such activity. They are staffed and run largely at the grassroots level, involving tens of thousands of activists nationwide. And activists tend to be older, more female, and wealthier than activists in the rest of the movement (or indeed, in many contemporary American social movements). All of these factors give CPCs a more sympathetic profile to observers outside of the movement—a far cry from the angry (male) protestors pushing and shoving outside of abortion clinics in the 1980s—and thus contribute to CPCs' potential impact through changing the ideological terms in which the debate is fought and in which public opinion is formed.
Will they be successful in affecting such a change? On the one hand, past history suggests not. Despite the many changes in the abortion debate, and American society generally, public opinion has changed little over the issue. Why should this change in the pro-life movement prove any different? On the other hand, social movement scholars don't fully understand why public opinion over abortion has remained so static. It may be this stability is an important lesson in the difficulty social movements have in making an impact on society. Or it may be this stability reflects two well-organized and well-resourced movements effectively cancelling the efforts of each other out. How the pro-choice movement responds to the challenge of CPCs may therefore play an important role in determining how opinion over the issue will change in the coming decades.


text:
Paul Fish Productions
The Disco Entertainment Experts
Paul Fish Productions
Professional Services
The most important day of your life!
Running a very high standard of service from the moment we answer the phone, to playing the last song of your celebration.
During the months or even years of preparation, you will have the opportunity to meet Paul Fish to discuss the finer aspects with you. From your first slow dance, to favourite songs & helping to organise your evening by announcing the cutting of the cake, to the grand finale exit.
The music is suited for all ages, with a vast music collection. We have no problems catering for all of your guests. Please remember that repeat business is a major part of the success of Paul Fish Productions.
We dress in a dinner suit or smart casual, depending on your requirements.
Remember that we are still one of the most important key services for your special day as we are the closure to what has been a memorable day, so make the right choice with Paul Fish Productions, Quality Mobile Disco Entertainment.
Interesting Wedding Statistics:
72% of all brides say they would have spent more time choosing their reception entertainment.
Almost 100% say they would have spent more of their budget on the entertainment.
During wedding planning, Brides say their highest priority is their attire, followed by the reception site and caterer - reception entertainment is among the least of their priorities. Within one week after their reception, 78% of Brides say they would have made the entertainment their highest priority!
When asked 81% of guests say the thing they remember most about a wedding is the entertainment.
65% of all couples that chose a band to entertain at their wedding, said, if they had it to do over again, they would have chosen a disc jockey.
*These statistics were published in Bride & Groom Magazine. Sources include; National Bridal Service, The Knot; Brides Magazine.
Corporate Events
Whether your event is a conference, a team-building event, award ceremony, product launch or a family fun day, Paul Fish Productions will bring it's enormous experience to bear in satisfying your requirements.
We can dovetail our services with your other suppliers.
As well as striving to provide exceptional entertainment to your guests, we recognise that the presentation of your company and the strengthening of it's image can be of extreme importance.
At all events, indoors or outdoors, our equipment is fully insured for public use and is attended by qualified personnel.
In our third year providing discos for The Sussex Business Awards 2015 and new for 2015 The Brighton & Hove Business Awards 2015.
Proms and Children's Parties
The best possible way to end your last term in style with a School Prom.
With a large sound system and lighting we can turn any sports hall or other large room into the school's own on-site Nightclub.
Parties for the under 18s are a great way for new and old friends to get together and celebrate a birthday. Paul Fish Productions offer a compact sound and lighting rig to suit all age groups.
Bubble machines and other effects are also available FOC.
Paul Fish Productions will help with games and play party music.


text:
The DIPSAR Library covers a total area of 4400 sq. ft. With a reading of 2000 sq. ft. and a stacking area of 2400 sq. ft. is fully air-conditioned. It is situated on the first floor of the front wing of the Institute. The Library has been equipped with modern furniture, reprography facility and library software system. Established in 1979, the DIPSAR Library is vibrant, well organised information system which enables the user to find out the required information in minimum time. It has one of the richest Pharmacy Library collections in India with over 17,000 books covering all branches of Pharmaceutical Sciences like Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Technology. It also has a good collection of books of basic science related to Pharmacy like Medicine, Pathology, Biochemistry and Microbiology.
Link Access to Delhi Public Library, Ministry of Culture and governed by Delhi Library Board


text:
|Alejandro Giammattei, Eduardo Castillo, Estuardo Zapeta and Nineth de Montenegro at the F.A. Hayek Auditorium
The third forum of the series Towards Elections 2007, organized by the Institute of Political Studies and International Relations, of Universidad Francisco Marroquín, was celebrated last May 18th of 2007 at the Friedrich A. Hayek Auditorium, of this house of studies.
The participants were the presidential candidate Alexander Giammattei, from Gran Alianza Nacionalista; and the vicepresidential candidate Nineth de Montenegro, from Encuentro por Guatemala. Eduardo Castillo, parliamentary candidate by Gana, also participated. Alvaro Colom, from Unidad Nacional de la Esperanza and Rigoberta Menchú, from Encuentro por Guatemala were also invited, but they could not participate.
The forum was lead by the journalist and anthropologist Estuardo Zapeta, director of the radio show Contravía, and columnist in the newspaper Siglo Veintiuno. The presentation of the forum was made by EPRI's director, Pedro Trujillo.
During the event the candidates and their companions had the opportunity to present their proposals and then they were submitted to questions from the conductor of the forum and the students, professors and public who attended the encounter.
The next forum will be next Wednesday May 23rd at 4:00 p.m. in the Friedrich A. Hayek Auditorium. The participants will be Eduardo Suger, Marco Vinicio Cerezo and Harold Caballeros.
More photos,
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 1.547
- Siguiente »


text:
This was one of those very intense weeks for me. Not in the sense that I had a lot to do, but more in terms of the depth, intensity and the demands what I was working on put on my brain power. Weeks like this happen often for most working mothers and before you know it and without even realizing it you are totally burnt out. The situation is more compounded by the fact that we are still primary caregivers at home and once we get home from work we still have another shift commonly referred to as the double shift.
Based on my experience being a very ambitious working mom, over the next few posts I will be sharing more on this subject. I believe in self care first which enables you to then look after those you love and do amazing work whether you are a professional or running your own business or both.
So how do you actually know you are experiencing burn out? Well, like I said, I have some experience here. I am a working mom of three children under 7. There was a time the twins were newly born and our oldest was a two year old who took every opportunity she got to remind me that she was also still a baby (😂😂 I don't even know how she knew how to say that).
The symptoms will obviously differ from person to person but include some of the below:
1. Waking up tired regardless of how much sleep you get.
2. Making silly mistakes.
3. Being irritated by things that normally don't rattle you.
4. Forgetfulness
5. Loss of appetite
6. Insomnia (the opposite of 1) above
7. Physical and emotional exhaustion and general lack of energy
8. Lack of concentration.
The list above is in no way exhaustive. I therefore invite you to also share some of the symptoms of burnout that you have experienced.
In my next post I will share some of the ways I have handled burnout.


text:
|Article Index
|Author Bio
|Book Reviews
|Discussion Questions
|Full Version
Code Name: Lise: The Story of the Woman Who Became WWII's Most Highly Decorated Spy
Larry Loftis, 2019
Gallery Books
384 pp.
An extraordinary true story of Odette Sansom, the British spy who operated in occupied France and fell in love with her commanding officer during World War II.
The year is 1942, and World War II is in full swing. Odette Sansom decides to follow in her war hero father's footsteps by becoming an SOE agent to aid Britain and her beloved homeland, France.
Five failed attempts and one plane crash later, she finally lands in occupied France to begin her mission. It is here that she meets her commanding officer Captain Peter Churchill.
As they successfully complete mission after mission, Peter and Odette fall in love. All the while, they are being hunted by the cunning German secret police sergeant, Hugo Bleicher, who finally succeeds in capturing them.
They are sent to Paris's Fresnes prison, and from there to concentration camps in Germany where they are starved, beaten, and tortured. But in the face of despair, they never give up hope, their love for each other, or the whereabouts of their colleagues.
In Code Name: Lise, Larry Loftis paints a portrait of true courage, patriotism, and love—of two incredibly heroic people who endured unimaginable horrors and degradations.
He seamlessly weaves together the touching romance between Odette and Peter and the thrilling cat and mouse game between them and Sergeant Bleicher. With this amazing testament to the human spirit, Loftis proves once again that he is adept at writing "nonfiction that reads like a page-turning novel" (Parade). (From the publisher.)
Site by BOOM
LitLovers © 2022


text:
Random Observations:
Teenagers are funny. I bought what I thought was a cool sweater for my 15 year old daughter. It was argyle with blues and grays. She gave me a disgusted look when I showed it to her, tried it on and then texted me "It fits weird and makes me look elderly". WTF? It was totally something that I would wear!
Here's how not to feel guilty about going for 1/2 priced burgers and beer on the first day of marathon training:
Get a side of asparagus and red wine (antioxidants!) instead of fries and beer. Just as much pleasure (the bacon at Hazellewood is SO flippin good!) and way less guilt! 🙂
Advice on age group prizes – If you win an age group award, pick the award up on race day. Look what showed up in the mail today for me (broken in two pieces):
I thought for sure I must be missing something when my broken award for 3rd place female 40 – 44 at the Women's HM arrived. So I searched and searched in the tissue paper, hoping to find a Target gift card or something useful, but to no avail.


text:
How it Feel to Have Supermodel as BFF? ask Taylor Swift!
Taylor Swift recently hosted her supermodel BFF (Best Friend Forever), Karlie Kloss, Martha Hunt, Gigi Hadid, author Tavi Gevinson, and stylist Ashley Avignone for a weekend of cooking and goofing around.
"I didn't get the 'let's all wear black' memo. @gigihadid @karliekloss @marhunt @ashavignone,"
joked Swift in a caption featuring her friends and her cat, Meredith.
According to model Karlie Kloss, blondes do have more fun – and based on the photos from her weekend with best friend Taylor Swift, she may have a point.
Swift has earned some well-deserved time off. She's gearing up for a tour to promote her album, "1989," and in her spare time, she's been surprising her fans with gifts galore.
Last week, it came to light that the "Welcome to New York" singer sent one woman a $1989 check to help her pay off her student loans.


text:
Xcorps TV Presents SWAMIS King Tide Surfing New Years Day 2018
WATCH Below:
Xcorps Action Sports TV SWAMIS Sunset KING TIDE from the LOW tide beach Jan.1, 2018!
Xcorps TV Presents New Years Day scenes along the Southern California coast with Surf Action at SWAMIS point in Encinitas.
Music by Dub Proof – Purple Planet Dub featuring Addis Pablo.
Dub Proof music featuring Addis Pablo from the album- blisstique meets dubproof IN A RUSH released March 25, 2016
Music Copyright: Nick Paolise 2016
Performance Rights Society: BMI
Composed by – Nick Paolise & Addis Pablo
A JSE FiLm
See The Action Hear The Music Join The Xcorps!


text:
Welcome to the No-Name Motorcycle club site.
ALBA 2012 was a success. If by that we count all the fun rides, wet tents, and at least one rider getting a reminder of how good gear can save your skin. We had Tim serve up some food on Friday and Saturday.
If you went hungry then you should have ate. Door prizes were well received with some pretty cool things such as a SOG hatchet, some riding gear, and other sundry items.
Thanks to Jim Post for stepping in at the last minute and getting this ALBA in the books. We hope to have news soon for the 2013 event. Stay tuned.


text:
My Piano Pal
Here comes Piano Pal for little artists!
Pull the piano's tongue gently down to slide his mouth open, reveal its tooth… and hear it sing… as soon as you close its mouth, it stops!
Press on the 4 colorful keys to trigger various short lively tunes or sound effects or simply spin the two disks on each side to teach fine motor skills.
- Fine motor skills
- Relation of cause and effect
- Emotional intelligence
- Sound acuity


text:
We're excited to see what other clients say, but SAP Concur recommends ensuring you're capturing missing receipts with a signed affidavit. We encourage moving away from paper and use the Missing Receipt Affidavit function in Concur Expense. You will benefit from the Missing Receipt Audit Report (folder: Expense Processing).
Using affidavits? Ensure your users do not think it is an excuse to not use original receipts. Create an audit rule that alerts the approver when a receipt affidavit is used.
Remember, if you reclaim VAT, it is highly likely that your tax authority does not support an affidavit as evidence of expense and tax paid.
Receipt Affidavits are an essential part of the setup used to eliminate paper.
In case, the workflow is designed to only send expense reports for manager approval/Audit in selected scenarios, it is a good idea to make the use of Affidavit as one of those scenarios. It should be straightforward to enable this behavior by adding a condition to your workflow (in case one does not exist) and adding an Audit rule with the exception level specified in the workflow.
VAT setup will probably need adjustments to post zero VAT or non-recoverable VAT in case an Affidavit is used.
Don't forget to translate the Affidavit text in case your users use languages other than English.
Most recently we recently implemented this for a client having users in Russia and Ukraine. It helped eliminate a paper-based offline approval process that we uncovered during a post-implementation process review.
Hi Rohan,
Thanks a lot for your feedback. Could you please share the steps on how to set the VAT setting to post zero VAT or non-recoverable VAT in case an Affidavit is used....or is there a doc to explaine these setups?.
I look forward to your feedback.
Hi Dimitrios,
There are a number of ways you could approach this, but I think an Audit Rule is probably the simplest and most straight-forward.
For most customers the recoverable VAT is calculated using the Receipt Status field. This field is a system drop-down with three possible values: Tax Receipt, Receipt, and No Receipt.
Logically, if the user says they have an affidavit they should not be allowed to set the Receipt Status to Tax Receipt or Receipt. We are going to do just that with our Audit Rule.
When creating the rule use the Entry Save event and create two conditions:
Receipt Status <> No Receipt and Has Missing Receipt Affidavit = Yes. Here is a screenshot:
Then set the Exception to be a red flag with a message indicating that when using the Missing Receipt Affidavit they must choose a Receipt Status of No Receipt.
I have to be honest and say I have not tested this, but it should work, but I'd still test it before rolling it out to your live users.
Hi Grant,
Thanks for your feedback.
But that does not answers my question requiring Rohan to share the steps on how to set the VAT setting to post zero VAT or non-recoverable VAT in case an Affidavit is used..
Best Rgds
We do use the missing receipt affidavits within Concur. We also run monthly reports looking for employees who are abusing this option.
I am looking to create a report for pulling who/how many times receipt affidavits are being used. I thought there was a standard report for this but cannot seem to locate it. Any suggestions?
@nancylmeyer In Concur Intelligence Reporting, create a custom report that includes Expense Report Line Item detail. Add a filter where [Expense].[Entry Information].[Has Affidavit] = 1
This report will return the Expense Report and Line Items where the Missing Receipt Affidavit has been selected on the Expense Report.
HI, in the very first post it mentioned how to get the report.
it's under "expense processing" under your reports tab > standard reports (if you have it enabled).
If we see an employee utilizing the MRA more than 4 times, we send an email reminder with their usage from the report in the body of the email. We emphasize that the affidavit is to only be used in the RARE instance of a lost receipt, and further include information on Expenseit Pro to help minimize future issues.
What criteria do you use to indicate potential abuse? Categories, quantities, amounts etc. Thanks!
We make our Lost Receipt Affidavit difficult. We have it posted on our myTravel intranet site, not automated. We make it difficult because we want them to use mobile or attach correctly.
We also track number of affidavits per associate.
How do you enable the Receipt Affadavit function in Concur? I am looking to begin using this.
Turning the feature on is done differently depending on what SAP Concur platform you are on. Are you using SAP Concur Standard Edition or SAP Concur Professional Edition? Once you tell me this, I can tell you how to turn it on.
Hi There,
We are using: SAP Concur Professional Edition.
Thanks and rgds
You can click on affidavit option while creating workflow
I'm curious how companies handle the MRA when the employee does not have access to Concur (e.g. production floor employees) and a delegate is preparing the expense report since delegates can not use the MRA. We've considered adding an attachment MRA but then we can't track the use of MRA.


text:
I thought I would take a break this week from Journaling and discuss another favorite pastime: Coloring.
These days Coloring Books for Adults are available in nearly every store (I dare not say Adult Coloring books for obvious reasons). While I would never call myself a trend-setter, I will admit to coloring LONG before it became the national obsession.
In college I would de-stress during finals week by purchasing a Christmas coloring book and a pack of 24 crayons. Perhaps it was the nostalgic images of Santa, Christmas stockings, and decorated trees that relaxed me. Or perhaps it was the vibrant colors that awakened my senses after reading pages upon pages of black and white text. Or perhaps it was the kinesthetic movement of coloring that relaxed my mind, body, and cramped hands. Whatever the reason, it worked. After a few minutes of coloring I was ready to tackle the books again.
Scientists today confirm what I felt in college: coloring causes us to slow down, to tap into our imagination, and to subconsciously help us view the world from a different perspective. Come to think of it, coloring and journaling are not that different. Both can be used to bring about wholeness and spiritual well-being.
I first discovered mandalas about two years ago. Mandalas are circular shapes, filled with geometric lines that when viewed as a whole present a different image. I love the mandala's symmetry, and the infinite creative opportunities it represents. Unfortunately, my mind freezes when I'm faced with unlimited choices. Do I want to use every color of the rainbow or stay within a defined color palette? Where do I start, or does it matter? I am often frustrated before I begin, thus nullifying any possibility of relaxation.
This week, however, I was determined to rediscover my joy of coloring. I used this design included with Susannah Conway's Unraveling the Year Ahead (available free on her website). While the design appeared simple enough, I still struggled. Perseverance was my motto, however, and here are a few lessons I learned along the way:
- Recreating what I see in my mind is not an inherent skill. I had an idea of what I wanted the finished piece to look like. I wanted a symmetrical flower using a beach color palette. I wanted to express the feeling of carefree and happy – warm summer days with bare feet in the sand. My first attempt was neither symmetrical nor beach-y. The colors I chose were too dark, and the lines I followed led to dead ends. A re-start was necessary.
- Weaknesses do not equal failure. I am visually impaired. Well, my brown eyes see fine, but my inner eye suffers. I cannot accurately visualize what something "might" look like. I must see it in person. This prevents me from helping with any remodeling decisions, but it doesn't have to hinder my coloring. If what I want to create falls short, I can just print another copy and try again.
- If at first you don't succeed… is actually a worthwhile maxim. I have always associated talent with effortless success the first time. And since I never succeed the first time, I assume I have no talent. But this is coloring! There is no right way to color. There is no perfection. There is little skill. So rather than quit, as I am wont to do… I tried again. And again. And again. I think I made seven copies of this one mandala and continued to experiment.
- There is joy in the journey. And with each experiment, I learned a little more about the process. I refused to listen to that inner voice, trying to convince me I'm not good enough. Instead, I continued to remind myself how much I enjoyed the repetitious movement of the pencil across the paper. I paid closer attention to colors and how they worked together (lights and darks, monochromatic and complimentary, etc.) I even mixed two colors together to create a new shade. Dare I say it, I began to have fun!
- Consider another perspective. After several attempts, I was pleased with the outcome and thought I was finished. But then I looked at the design again. Rather than viewing it horizontally, I looked at the petals and how they aligned vertically. I wondered what the result might be if I colored from this new perspective – better or worse? Interestingly I discovered that neither was superior to the other.
- Art is about expression, not judgment. I love the idea of being an artist. I enjoy photography, scrapbooking, and writing. I often daydream about painting a large canvas mural. But I rarely take part in these creative endeavors because I am afraid I'm not good enough. It won't be perfect. I'll make a mistake for the world to see. But art isn't about pleasing others – art is about self-expression. And who can best express me but… me.
I see lots more coloring in my future. In fact, I think it will become a part of my regular routine. What better way to start the day than with a little writing, a little prayer, and some therapeutic coloring.