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The Road to Damascus Germany Expels Four Syrian Diplomats
Just two days ago, two alleged Syrian government agents were arrested in Berlin on suspicion of spying on Syrian opposition members living in Germany. Now the German government has continued its campaign against Damascus by expelling four Syrian diplomats from Germany.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle announced on Thursday that he had informed the Syrian ambassador of the decision earlier that day. The diplomats, three men and a woman employed by the Syrian embassy in Berlin, now have three days to leave the country. German media quoted sources in the Foreign Ministry as saying that the four Syrian Embassy employees had carried out activities that were "not compatible" with their diplomatic status. Westerwelle did not go into detail about the reasons for the expulsion, but did refer to Tuesday's arrests.
On Wednesday, a judge at Germany's Federal Court of Justice ruled that the two suspected spies should be remanded into custody. They are accused of having conducted systematic observation of members of the Syrian opposition in Germany over a period of years.
The Syrian ambassador was already summoned to the Foreign Ministry in Berlin on Tuesday in connection with the arrests. The ministry said in a statement that the ambassador had been told that such action against Syrian opposition figures in Germany would not be tolerated.
The German authorities said they had no proof of possible attacks against Syrian exiles in Germany. "I have no evidence that this danger exists," said Harald Range, Germany's federal prosecutor general, adding that the case only involved "espionage activities." Commenting on the arrest of the two suspected spies, Range said that intelligence agencies in the Middle East were known to monitor opposition members in Germany and exert pressure on their relatives here or in their home country.
On Friday, members of the Syrian opposition are planning to discuss the uprising in Syria at an event in Berlin. Participants will include Ferhad Ahma, a Green Party politician and member of the Syrian opposition who was attacked by two unknown men in his Berlin flat in December. At the time there was speculation that Syrian intelligence might be behind the incident.
'Grim Harbinger'
Meanwhile the brutal crackdown on rebel forces continued in Syria on Thursday. The Syrian army continued to bombard the city of Homs, a center of the uprising against the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad, with mortar and rocket fire. At least 50 people were killed on Thursday alone, according to activists, who put the total death toll since the start of the uprising in March 2011 at over 7,000.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the "appalling brutality" in Homs, calling it "a grim harbinger of worse to come." Ban said the UN's failure to agree on a resolution on Syria had encouraged Damascus "to step up its war on its own people." Russia and China have been strongly criticized by the West for their decision to veto the draft resolution on the violence in Syria on the weekend.
Speaking in Berlin on Thursday, Foreign Minister Westerwelle called for a new attempt to pass a UN Security Council resolution. He also expressed his support for a joint observer mission between the Arab League and the United Nations as well as the deployment of a UN special commissioner. Both moves would be "an unambiguous signal to the Assad regime," he said.


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Rosicrucian Science of Inititation
Source: video.google.com
This is a very interesting presentation by Robert J.Gilbert PhD, on the topic of Rosicrucian tradition and their system of initiation. He goes though some of the background and the different traditions that are connected to the Rosicrucian's. He talk about angelic hierarchy, history, mythology, spirituality, consciousness, the dark age, G. I. Gurdjieff, H.P. Blavatsky, Lucifer, Jesus, Christ and much more. I'd say it's interesting for the conspiratorial minded as well as for the metaphysical oriented.
More info here: vesica.org

subset: commoncrawl


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This sporty edition of the OnTheGo PM tote comes from the LV Match capsule, a tribute to the world of Grand Slam tennis. Crafted from a velvety Monogram jacquard with contrasting leather trim, it is lined with the same Monogram pattern in a reverse colorway for a playful effect. A fun, fashionable piece to carry courtside or in the city.
This reference is either Made in France, Spain, Italy or in the US.


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Written by Vyacheslav Basharimov
Whatʹs Great
1. Who can give a dare to numerous hordes of Insectus and to protect the native Galaxy? What do the Black Holes hide inside them and where do they lead? To answer these questions one should become a hero of Star Defender 4 who is brave and strong enough to break this dark silence.
Latest Version: 1.29.0
What does Star Defender 4 (Free) do? Ready to fight?! Then go ahead! Start your space battle in Star Defender 4 and prevent impudent aliens from conquering the Earth!
Who can give a dare to numerous hordes of Insectus and to protect the native Galaxy? What do the Black Holes hide inside them and where do they lead? To answer these questions one should become a hero of Star Defender 4 who is brave and strong enough to break this dark silence. Humanity has nothing to do but to keep their faith and believe that their first pilot will be able to accomplish the task and come back home safe and sound. If you want to feel as you were the Intergalactic Disinfector # 1 who craves for taking vengeance on that disgusting annoying insects… If you long for the real war - then Star Defender 4 is for you! Hold your breath…
- A wide array of alien spacecrafts
- 8 large missions with a huge Boss at the end of each one
- More than 100 gripping levels
- A system of bonuses including Time-Freeze, Missile Strike, Immortality
- New Star Defender 4 unique weapons
- Become the hero of Star Defender 4!
- Try before buy! Start your adventure for free and unlock the whole game without leaving the app!
● Cradle of Persia – Match your way through 100 levels to reveal the secrets of ancient Persepolis!
● Cradle of Rome – Highly addictive 100 levels of matching madness!
● Cradle of Rome 2 – Journey through 5 epochs of matching fun and exhilarating process of building the city!
● Cradle of Egypt – Build your own Egypt in the lastest game of the award-winning Cradle series!
● Golden Trails: The New Western Rush – Intriguing detective and romantic storylines and your chance to have the greatest adventure!
● Golden Trails 2: The Lost Legacy – Find over 2 000 hidden objects all around the world to reveal the secrets of the pirate's treasure!
● Golden Trails 3: The Guardian's Creed - Track the treasure and solve the riddles of the past in this hidden object game with the Templar setting!
● Letters from Nowhere – Follow the letters from a spirit in more than 30 stunning locations and collect powerful artfacts to unlock the mystery!
● Letters from Nowhere 2 – Challenge your searching skills and find missing Patrick in this cryptic hidden object game!
● Romance Of Rome – Love and treachery, adventure and jeopardy await you in this amazing HO game!
● Star Defender 3 – A wide array of alien spacecrafts in more than 100 breathtaking levels!
● Check iPad App Store for more AWEM games!
Have more fun: http://www.awem.com/
Find us on: https://www.facebook.com/awemgames
Follow us on: http://twitter.com/#!/awem
Watch us on: http://www.youtube.com/user/awemgames
Enjoy our art on: http://pinterest.com/awemgames/
Download and Install Star Defender 4 (Free)
Star Defender 4 (Free)
Cradle of Rome (Free)
Star Defender 3 (Free)
Cradle Of Persia
Golden Trails 3
Luxor: Amun Rising HD
Samurai II: Vengeance
Jigsaw Puzzles Epic
The Perfect Tree
Mantras 3D Free
Chess Academys
Bubble Explode
Happy Solitaire
DreamSleuth: hidden object adventure quest lite
Intel, 64-bit processor, OS X 10.7 or later.
Yes. The app is 100 percent (100%) safe to download and Install. Our download links are from safe sources and are frequently virus scanned to protect you


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Feather Baby
Chloe 2 pc. Set in Periwinkle
Regular price $39.99
Feather Baby Chloe 2 pc. Set in Periwinkle. Dainty is as dainty does. Dainty designs on a soft, lightweight jersey weave with all the functionality for a growing and active baby. Bloomers have an elastic waistline. Toddler set features matching short. 100% Pima Cotton. Made in Peru. Toddler sizing comes with a matching short.


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Brian Wilson and Jeff Beck have added a few dates to their joint tour. The duo will now be performing at the Bayou Music Center in Houston on October 1, the Wellmont Theater in Montclair, NJ on October 16 and the Riverside Theatre in Milwaukee on October 20. Tickets to the the Houston and Milwaukee shows go on sale August 30, while tickets to the Montclair show will be available on August 29.
Wilson and Beck will be joined by Wilson's Beach Boys bandmates Al Jardine and David Marks throughout the tour. The musicians will open each show by performing a string of hits with their respective bands. The show will then focus on eclectic selections from Wilson's more than five decade career before Beck opens the second half of the concert by playing music from his solo career with a four-piece rhythm section. All four artists will then team up for the finale, when they will perform some of their favorite songs from their youth, as well as (for the first time ever) some classic Yardbirds material.
Here's a look at Wilson and Beck's joint tour dates
September 27 Hollywood, FL—Seminole Hard Rock Casino
September 28 Clearwater, FL—Ruth Eckerd Hall
October 1 Houston, TX—Bayou Music Center*
October 3 St. Augustine, FL—St. Augustine Amphitheatre
October 4 Atlanta, GA—Chastain Park Amphitheatre
October 5 Washington, DC—Warner Theater
October 6 Bethlehem, PA—Sands Event Center
October 8 Albany, NY—Palace Theatre
October 9 Boston, MA—Wang Theater
October 11 Wallingford, CT—Toyota Presents The Oakdale Theatre
October 12 Westbury, CT—Theater at Westbury
October 13 Philadelphia, PA—Tower Theater
October 15 New York, NY—Beacon Theatre
October 16 Montclair, NJ—Wellmont Theater*
October 18 Las Vegas, NV—The Pearl Theater
October 20 Los Angeles, CA—Greek Theatre
October 22 Oakland, CA—Paramount Theatre
October 25 Detroit, MI—Fox Theatre
October 26 Toronto, ON—Massey Hall
October 27 Akron, OH—EJ Thomas Performance Arts
October 30 Milwaukee, WI—Riverside Theatre*
(*) New date


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The EPT Clinic
Excellence in Paediatric Healthcare
Providing education, psychology and therapy to expecting parents, babies, toddlers, children, adolescents, young adults and parents.
– Parent, 2019
What We Do
We are a private child and family health service based in Kilkenny, Ireland. We aim to support babies, toddlers, children and young people's well being, development and learning. We offer psychology, psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, speech and language therapy, and occupational therapy to children of all ages.
Our Approach in the Clinic
Our clinic operates a family-systemic, disability and mental health service which offers multi-disciplinary assessments, interventions, psycho-education and therapy to children and families. We also offer training and courses to parents, children, teachers and professionals on a range of topics – online and in person.
EPT Learning Hub
Access EPT courses and resources here!
EPT Learners and Clients
If you already have an EPT account, login here to access the EPT Hub:
Lorraine O.B. Madden
C. Psychol., Ps.S.I. M6672 M.A. B. Ed. Psych. Ad.Dip.
Clinical Director Lorraine O.B. Madden C. Psychol., Ps.S.I. M6672 M.A. B. Ed. Psych. Ad.Dip. is a Chartered Psychologist, registered with the Psychological Society of Ireland. She worked in the HSE in Children's Services before opening the EPT Clinic in 2019. Lorraine and the clinic's highly qualified team believe in helping all children reach their full potential.


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Urban Core Paintball
Formerly South Tampa's Paintball Co.
- Home
- Paintball summer camp
2021 Paintball Summer Camp in Tampa, Florida
Do You Want Your Kids Off the Computer and
Socializing with Real Humans?
Are you Looking for a Safe, Fun Activity for your Kids to
Engage in this Summer?
Are you Trying to Cultivate New Interests in Your Kids while
Motivating them to Stay Active?
Beginner, Amateur, and Experienced Players alike,
UCP Cordially Invites You to Attend Our
Paintball Summer Camp
June 7th – June 11th
DAILY HOURS: 9:30AM to 3:30PM
$337 per Child
$307 per Child w/ Own Equipment
$297 per Sibling if more than One Child
*Lunch Provided*
*All Necessary Equipment & Up to 2 Cases of Paint Provided*
Additional paintballs will be available for purchase
Summer Camp Agenda
This schedule is made to be fun, focus on teaching kid's safety, and how to stay alive during a game. Our coaches will teach kids how to get into strategic positions to control the field and stay in games longer. This ideology helps form a new generation of smart players as opposed to needlessly aggressive ones.
Each day will start off with short, quick exercises: simple lap around a field, followed by a small number of push-ups and jumping jacks. Afterwards, the players will engage in drills and practice that focus on the subject of that particular day:
Gun Safety and Maintenance
Basic Gun Skills
Communication during Game-play
Strong Focus on Rules and Safety Reinforcement
Learn how to Breakout (where and how to move when buzzer sounds)
How to play Bunkers during Game-play
Ghosting, Edging, and Laning (paintball jargon during play)
How to Interact with Teammates during Game-play
Learning how to Run and Gun
Learning how to Slide Safely into Bunkers
How to Spot Lanes and Avoid them
How and When to move between Bunkers
Learning Gun Control
How to Shoot with both Hands
How to Snap Shoot
Practicing Running, Gunning, & Sliding with Guns
This is the day they've all been training for! Tournament day!
Players Pick Teams and Play a Tournament
Prove and Show-Off Newly Developed Skills
Winning Team and Players Receive Prizes
Summer Camp Pricing
- 337 per Child
- 297 per Sibling if More than One Child
- 307 per Child w/Own Equipment


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COLLIDER.COM – After the explosive events that occurred in the first season of Bates Motel, things are only going to keep getting tougher and more dangerous for Norman Bates (Freddie Highmore) and his mother, Norma (Vera Farmiga), especially with the economic livelihood of the motel being threatened. On top of that, Dylan's (Max Thieriot) business is in a precarious position, Norma's brother (Kenny Johnson) is in town, and there are new love interests for the characters.
During this recent exclusive phone interview with Collider, actress Olivia Cooke (who plays quirky teenager Emma Decody) talked about what most surprised her about Emma's journey in Season 1, what she most enjoys about playing this character, how anxious she is to get tidbits of information about what's to come, the status of Emma's friendship with Norman, how close Emma is getting to Norma, what Emma's new love interest will be like, that Emma will have a scare involving her Cystic Fibrosis, and that she'd love to see Emma caught up in a murder. She also talked about her work in the upcoming feature films The Quiet Ones, a horror movie about a university physics professor who assembles a team to help create a poltergeist, and the thriller Ouija. Check out what she had to say after the jump, and be aware that they are some spoilers.
Collider: When you look back at Season 1 and the journey that you took with Emma, did anything most surprise you?
OLIVIA COOKE: I was very surprised that Emma started working at the motel. I was really thrilled when I heard that. I was like, "Oh, that's great. She'll be more embedded into the Bates family." And when she got stoned, that was awesome. That was fun.
What have you enjoyed most about playing Emma?
COOKE: I've enjoyed her eccentricities. In life, I'm pretty low-key and quite non-descript. But Emma is so eccentric. She's so emotionally available, all the time. She wears her heart on her sleeve. Having Cystic Fibrosis has made her a lot more open. Time is of the essence. There's no point beating around the bush. She just states it as it is. I love that in her. That's so great to play.
After how things were left, at the end of Season 1, were you anxious to learn where Season 2 would go and what her journey would be?
COOKE: Definitely! I was like, Will she go back to Norman? Will there be someone else? If she goes back to Norman, I'm gonna be really pissed off at her 'cause she shouldn't let people treat her like that. I'm quite protective.
Did the writers and producers give you any indication of what her journey would be this season, or do you have to find out with each script?
COOKE: No, not at all. I have to find out as it goes. Sometimes they'll say something like, "Oh, if it goes to Season 3, then here's a little thing that might happen." And I'm like, "But, I want to know about now. I don't care about Season 3, that this moment in time."
Where is Emma at, at this point?
COOKE: I think she's just trying to get over things, as best as possible. There's still a bit of bitterness because she has to see Norman every day at school and at the motel. So, she has to just eat some humble pie and get over it. She's very cold and very clinical toward Norman. It's just friendly small talk.
Having had a season of this show behind you, did this season feel any different? Did it feel like revisiting and old friend, or were there new discoveries, as well?
COOKE: There was a very different feel because we shot it in the summer. Instead of all these moody, dark, foreboding images, it was very light and the motel had a revamp. It all felt quite positive, but then it was juxtaposed with all these crazy things happening around us.
As these characters fall further and further into the abyss, is it fun to be the one nice, sympathetic character on the show?
COOKE: It is! But also, I feel like I'm being left out sometimes. I'm like, "I wanna do some crazy stunt where I get hit by a truck or jump off a bridge, or something."
Will Emma and Norman's friendship get back on track, or will they drift further apart?
COOKE: It's very much up and down with Norman and Emma. Something may happen that brings them together, but then when they're on the precipice of friendship again, something happens where they're pulled apart. It's just very strained between them.
One of the great things about Emma working at the motel is that there's been some really fun interaction between her and Norma. Will we get to see more of that, this season?
COOKE: For sure! There are so many awkward questions that Emma asks Norma. She sees Norma as a mother figure, so she feels very open towards her and like she can ask her questions that she would have asked her mother, if she was around. So, Norma has to step in as this motherly figure for this girl who's never had a mother. It's pretty funny.
At this point, would you say that Emma is closer to Norma or Norman?
COOKE: She's definitely closer to Norma and feels like she can talk to her more, and interact and divulge information with her. As close as the Bates family is, she's still very much on the outside. She's never really allowed to take a step in.
Last season, there was a love triangle between Emma and Bradley and Norman, but there's a new girl in Norman's life, this season. Does Emma interact with her, at all?
COOKE: Yeah, we have a few interactions. What Emma learned with the whole Bradley fiasco is to just brush it off. They're very cordial to each other. There are no big mishaps. They're just two girls who happen to have feelings for the same boy. There is an element of respect.
Will Emma get her own love interest?
COOKE: Yeah. You'll see Emma get it on with someone who's not Norman.
Especially what happened with her and Norman, is it harder for Emma to trust people, or does she look at it on an individual basis?
COOKE: I think it's definitely individual. She needs to get as much from someone as she can, so she delves into experiences. This person that comes along isn't Norman, and she'd rather be doing it with Norman, but he is a really great person and he cares for her. He's a really, really good second best.
Will her illness become more of an issue, at any point?
COOKE: There's definitely a scare in the season, where her illness is prevalent again and she realizes that she's not as invincible as she'd like to be. I think the character is everything but her illness. That is just a tiny part of her that she deals with, really well. She doesn't let it stop her from doing things that any other girl would do.
What was your working relationship with Freddie Highmore like, this season?
COOKE: Me and Freddie got even closer this season. Because we were always working with other people, it felt so nice when me and Freddie actually got a scene together. We really relished in the fact that we'd get to spend time with each other. It was always really lovely to see him.
With Emma being around the motel, and Norma's brother and a new love interest for Norma coming into play, do you also have contact with either or both of those characters?
COOKE: I don't have contact with the brother. Emma is not let into that secret, right away. But she definitely comes into contact with her new love interest, and it's very awkward for all three of them.
What's it been like to work with Vera Farmiga?
COOKE: She's amazing. She's so emotionally available, all the time. She just gives it 100%, and she's so effortless. She's so humble, and such a real woman. I never went to drama school or studied acting, so just to see her is a lesson, in itself. It's really, really beautiful to see.
Is there anything you'd like to see Emma get to do or go through, that she hasn't gotten to do on the show yet?
COOKE: I'd love her to get involved in a murder that has happened at the hands of Norman and Norma. I don't know if Emma would ever kill someone. Maybe she would, if it was for Norman. But I'd love her to be involved in it, and maybe try to hide a murder or try to dump a dead body. It's so weird, but that would be cool.
You have The Quiet Ones coming out, and you've also done the Ouija movie. Are you the type of person who gets creeped out with scary movies or TV shows, and do you ever get creeped out on set?
COOKE: When I was filming Ouija, there were some elements in that that really creeped me out. The Quiet Ones was my first film, let alone my first horror film, and I had so much fun. I had such a laugh, every single day. I look like such a feral child in it. It was awesome. I loved it. I love going to watch scary movies. I love going with all of my friends and seeing them cringe in fear. I think it spoils it for me because I'm like, "Oh, I know how they did that. I wonder how they did that. I wonder how long they spend in prosthetics this morning."
Was The Quiet Ones physically and mentally exhausting to shoot?
COOKE: Yeah. I was living in London while I was doing it, and I'd go home to my agent's house, because I was staying there, and I'd have a new bruise or a new cut. My hair wouldn't wash properly because it was layered with so much grease. I'd just feel so exhausted, but I'd lie down on my bed and feel like I'd just given everything that I could. It was a really good feeling.
How did doing Ouija compare to The Quiet Ones?
COOKE: My character is definitely not at all mentally challenged, as the one in The Quiet Ones is. She's just a normal girl that stumbles on these really unfortunate circumstances and has to deal with that. She has to be the heroine in the story and try to fix what's been broken. In that sense, it wasn't as mentally demanding, but it was definitely physically demanding. There were a lot of stunts in it.
Do both of those films rely on the build-up of tension and scares more than they do the gore, or do they have a fair amount of gore, as well?
COOKE: It's not really gore. There are definitely elements of psychological thriller, and they're very character-driven. You have to rely on the actors and the music to build that tension that you need to get the audience to feel chilled and scared for these people.
Are you personally drawn to this kind of dark material?
COOKE: No. If I love the character, then that's all that matters to me. It doesn't really matter what genre it is. But, I think I'm definitely moving away from horror now. I think it does take its toll on you. When you're living in that heavy, dark world for awhile, you definitely feel it.
Bates Motel airs on Monday nights on A&E.
Olivia Cooke Central STAFF March 24, 2014


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Ramona is so excited to be going to kindergarten! Unfortunately, every time she tries to behave, something goes wrong and people begin to think she is misbehaving on purpose. Will her kindergarten teacher even like her anymore? Maybe she should just drop out!
I REALLY enjoyed reading this book. This was the first Beverly Cleary book I ever read, and I know I've been missing out! Ramona is so real and funny. I love that she has a crush on an eleven-year old and already plans to marry him. Isn't that just like some 5-year olds you have known?!?! If you know anybody like this, or if you ARE somebody like this, I know you'll enjoy this book! (By the way, the AR level seems kind of high to me. I think it is more like a 4.1)
Read a little more about Ramona in my "What I'm Reading Now" article.


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One's state of mind does not affect the facts of the case. So, my main problem remains my total lack of progress in any direction (Except topping up the cat total. Yeah kittens!). However, a large part of my recent inability to cope with same has stemmed from an undiagnosed infection. A course of Keflex has mitigated the worst of the whining and the moping. Placebo effect? Bring it on. As long as it works, I don't care what it's called.
What have I done with this new energy? Borrowed a fire hose and power-washed the kitchen? Written sparkling, irrefutable marketing letters? Dusted off my gym membership? Nope, nope, and nope. I added handwalks to Mathilda's schedule and more thorough grooming sessions for both horses. That's just what my life needs to attain balance, more time at the barn [Spinning]. There is something seriously out of whack in my prioritizing.
What would you do with another hour in your day?
Gratuitous Kitten Pic


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Certified Tutor
I have a MA in German Philology and Linguistics, and a Masters Level ESL Certificate from UW-Madison. I've taught university-level German and English, and have taken lots of linguistics courses which helps me to teach you proper pronunciation, a necessary foundation for learning a second language. Part of my personal gifting is for learning foreign languages, and I know how to translate that to teaching. I have a natural passion to teach what I've learned and make it enjoyable.
I have a strong work ethic and high personal expectations for myself. Subsequently, I like to work with students who have specific academic goals and would like to develop a functional fluency in the language. Don't worry! I can help you formulate a learning plan to reach those goals - I also have a MA in counseling, and am a coach and trainer, as well as an instructor. I started learning German at age 18, so I understand what it's like to gain mastery of a language as a young adult. I've made six German-language business trips for three US corporations, so I know how to function in a cross-cultural Business environment.
I lived as an educator in Germany for 6 years, and have visited there countless times - including once or twice a year in the past 8 years when I taught ESL at a university in the Middle East.
Last summer (2016) I rented a car and saw many of my German friends (both East- and West-), and visited WWII sites - which I plan to describe with a website in Sept.
I'm well versed with cultural history, especially the recent controversial refugee crisis.
My strongest academic passions are for German dialectology and Medieval Art History.
Undergraduate Degree: University of Wisconsin-Madison - Bachelor in Arts, Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL)
Graduate Degree: University of Wisconsin-Madison - Master of Arts, German Studies
European travel, hiking, Antiquity, European history and language learning
Adult ESL/ELL
Conversational German
German 1
German 2
German 3
German 4
GRE Subject Test in Literature in English
GRE Subject Tests
Medieval Literature


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The type of shoe worn –- or lack thereof –- has a significant impact on running gait in teenage track athletes, according to research that will be published in the Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics in June.
For the study, 12 competitive adolescent runners ran on a treadmill at four speeds while running in conventional cushioned running shoes with a heel or racing flats, or while barefoot. Using sensors in the runners' feet and video capture, researchers from the University of Kansas measured the first contact point during each of the footwear options.
While wearing cushioned shoes, the young runners heel struck first nearly 70% of the time, compared to less than 35% of the time while in racing flats and less than 30% of the time when barefoot.
Scott Mullen, an orthopedic surgeon and one author of the study, says he expected the runners' form to change based on footwear, but he didn't expect the changes would happen so quickly.
"The change was instantaneous," Mullen says. "As soon as the shoe or condition changed, their gait changed. It was surprising to see their form change that quickly."
Mullen, a marathoner, says he chose to test adolescents because their form is still developing. He believes footwear might not affect adults as much because their form is likely more neurologically hardwired from years of running a particular way.
While Mullen is uncertain whether a certain type of foot strike leads to injury, he says knowing how shoes can change gait will be important in injury prevention down the road.
"We don't know if a heel strike versus a forefoot strike converts to overuse injury, but this brings to light that perhaps the shoes you wear dictate the type of foot strike you have, especially in an adolescent population who are still developing their gait," he says.
Mullen also believes his findings are significant for coaches of young runners.
"If you have people do all their training in a trainer but they race in a track spike, inherently all of the biomechanics will change," he says. "Maybe you're not training the best way possible."
This study supports the common practice of having track athletes do at least some of their hard workouts in the type of footwear they race in. This practice prepares runners' feet and lower legs for the different stresses of racing in a flat versus a conventional training shoe.
Kit has been a health, fitness, and running journalist for the past five years. His work has taken him across the country, from Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, to cover the 2016 Olympic Trials to the top of Mt. Katahdin in Maine to cover Scott Jurek's record-breaking Appalachian Trail thru-hike in 2015.


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Read next
For many, traveling is one of life's greatest pleasures. Whether you're exploring a bustling city or lounging on a secluded beach, vacations are a highlight in nearly everyone's calendar. But as many advantages that there are when it comes to traveling, there are an equal amount of pitfalls that travelers can forget about.
Wouldn't it be nice if travelers could hear the necessary advice that will maximize their trip before they hop on a flight? Fortunately, now you can.
Related: What to Do in January to Save on Airfare All Year
Your horoscope can reveal a lot about you. Your likes and dislikes, personality traits you exhibit, and what you're most passionate about all find their way back to your astrological sign. Your sign can say a lot about you, and, believe it or not, your horoscope could actually prove to be very useful when you're traveling.
Read the travel advice you need to hear based on your Zodiac sign below — you might be surprised at how helpful it will be when planning your next much-needed getaway.
Pisces (Feb. 19–March 20): Go off the beaten path
A Pisces wants nothing more than a hammock, room service, and a luxury spa package when it comes to their vacations. It's not in their nature to take a spontaneous hike or go on a last-minute adventurous excursion. But if only they'd simply go against their laidback-approach to vacationing and do something out of the ordinary, they'd realize that there is adventure in the unknown. Going off the beaten path — whether that means choosing a destination that's not as popular as their counterparts, or simply choosing to ditch your itinerary and get lost in a beautiful city — will bring joy to this play-by-the-rules sign.
Aries (March 21–April 19): Enjoy your layover
Aries is a playful sign that, although they are highly motivated and fun to be around, can lack patience. So when obstacles get in the way of an Aries' vacation — like a delayed flight or a missing suitcase — it can be hard for them to exude understanding. Similarly, an Aries is not happy when it comes to stopping before their destination — they are the child that used to exclaim, "Are we there yet?" from the backseat of the car. An Aries should instead channel their excitement into every part of their journey — including their layover. Rather than running to make a connection, book a flight that offers a long layover in a fun city, and use that time to go exploring. You can, of course, hang out in some of the coolest airports for a long layover, but an adventurous Aries should utilize these hours in a new place to their advantage and see what the world looks like outside the revolving doors.
Taurus (April 20–May 20): Find free fun
A Taurus appreciates the finer things in life, and prefers to indulge during vacation — that means once-in-a-lifetime excursions, world-class cuisine, and shopping for the most luxurious souvenir. Instead of emptying out your wallet, try leaving it in your hotel's safe and doing something that's absolutely free. There are a ton of things to do in America that are completely gratis — from widely known museums to touring famous breweries — and the best part of it is that your bank account won't budge one bit.
Gemini (May 21–June 20): Stop booking last-minute flights
A Gemini's dual personality can sometimes cause for indecision, impulsiveness and spontaneity, which, during a trip, can lead to some exhilarating and unexpected adventures. But it can also lead to last-minute decisions, like booking a last-minute flight, which can be detrimental to a schedule — and a budget. Airlines increase their ticket prices as the date of departure draws near, so plan a trip for the future rather than this Friday, and leave the spontaneous ideas for once you reach your destination. Read up on last-minute travel hacks so that if you do have to travel on short notice, you'll be prepared to save time and money.
Cancer (June 21–July 22): Remember to bring your creature comforts
Cancers absolutely love to vacation. Whether it's lounging on one of the world's best beaches or exploring a bright and colorful city, Cancers use this time to enjoy themselves and appreciate new experiences. But because Cancers are nurturing and emotional, they can feel quite homesick if their travels go on for longer than a week or two. Packing things that will transport you to your safe place — such as your favorite essential oils or a journal to write your thoughts in — will allow a Cancer to continue on a care-free journey to somewhere new.
Leo (July 23–Aug. 22): Put down your camera
A larger-than-life Leo needs to show the world their accomplishments, because feeling admired and adored is something that a Leo truly indulges in. Showing off your most recent road trip or the views from your stay at an incredible hotel is not unlikely for a Leo, but perhaps this sign should focus less on impressing their friends and family back home, and more on the journey itself. It can be liberating to take in a sunrise over the mountains or a breathtaking sunset without feeling the need to document it. Take things one step further by going completely social media-free on vacation, and appreciate the moments on vacation all by yourself.
Virgo (Aug. 23–Sept. 22): Stop planning every second of your trip
If a Virgo takes a vacation, that means there's not usually one day in the trip that's left to play by ear. Analytical and logical to a fault, a Virgo has the desire to plan nearly every aspect of their trip, right down to the restaurant each night for dinner, as they prefer nothing be left to chance. Instead of planning each moment of your trip, instead try to keep pockets of the day open for exploring. Sure, you can download an app to help aid you with vacation plans, but why not leave some things up in the air? You might just stumble into a town's coziest cafe or a city's best-kept secret speakeasy bar, proving their can definitely beauty in the unknown.
Libra (Sept. 23–Oct. 22): Organize your suitcase
Libras are arguable the most laidback of the astrological signs; they are indifferent to change and don't make too much noise if things aren't to their liking, but can sometimes lead a life that's not as organized as it should be. This can sometime leak into all aspects of their life — especially when it comes to packing for a trip. Not one to make a checklist of things to bring on a trip, you'll find the items in a Libra's suitcase are usually packed without rhyme or reason. Following packing tips, such as rolling your clothes or using packing cubes, will not only help to organize your suitcase, but will give the peace of mind that you're well-prepared for your upcoming vacation.
Scorpio (Oct. 23–Nov. 21): Learn how to avoid the crowds
Scorpios are very self-reliant and in control during their day-to-day life, so when they take time to vacation, they are looking for a way to de-stress and revive. But traveling somewhere popular and well-known can mean crowds of people, stress and chaos — the exact opposite of what a Scorpio craves. Learning how to avoid the crowds of people, whether that's traveling during off-peak months or visiting touristy places during unusual hours will help a Scorpio get their much-needed downtime while still enjoying an often crowded, well-known destination.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22–Dec. 21): Don't be afraid to splurge
Sagittarius' are up for nearly anything when it comes to their vacations — and we mean anything. Traveling to witness the Northern Lights or watching wildlife from a safari bus are activities that some may find too action-packed, but not for a Sagittarius. In fact, the more thrilling, the better — which is why they shouldn't be afraid to splurge on their next adventure. For a Sagittarius, they are at their happiest when they're trying something new, so spending their money on an activity rather than an object is what will bring them the most pleasure in life.
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Our day
The school day starts at 8:50am and finishes at 3:15pm.
Registration is from 9:00am to 9:05am.
Morning playtimes
Morning break is 10:50am to 11:05am for all children.
Children in FS1 and FS2 have lunch at 11:50am.
All other children begin their lunchtime break at 12:15pm.
Lunchtime ends for all children at 1:15pm.
Afternoon playtimes
Y1 and Y2 children have an afternoon playtime.
FS1 and FS1 have break times which are quite flexible.
Drop off and collection
At the beginning and end of the school day, parents are encouraged into the playground. This helps to build a close relationship between home and school. We want to have good links with all parents. If normal arrangements have to be changed (eg. you are delayed or another person is collecting your child) please let us know, this avoids any confusion or upset.


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5.2 Cu. Ft. Top Load Energy Star Washer & 7.4 Cu. Ft. Steam Electric Dryer
Aaron's carries both gas and electric dryers, but you need to pick the one that's compatible with your home. Don't know which one you need? Here's a guide.
Need a gas dryer instead? Shop Gas Dryers.
Choose a Lease Ownership Plan
Payments & availability for
Today's payment: $25.00*
Need help or have a question?Chat Now 800-950-7368
What's Included:
Delivery:When you lease with Aaron's, delivery and set up are free! Please contact your local store for store-specific delivery guidelines designed to keep you and our team members safe. Set-up does not include connection of gas or water, or installation of AC units or video doorbells.Service & Repair:If you have a service problem, Aaron's will dispatch a repair technician at no additional charge. Plus, a natural disaster waiver is included too, in order to protect you in the event of fires or floods. When you pay out your lease, we even provide you an additional 60-day limited extended warranty (N/A in NC or WA). Some restrictions apply.
Brand Name Samsung Appliances
Item Description: 5.2 Cu. Ft. Top Load Washer - Brushed Black
Descriptive Item Features:Samsung's new Top Load washer has a large 5.2 cu. ft. capacity and with Super Speed Wash, you can wash a full load of laundry in just 28 minutes without sacrificing cleaning performance. Wi-Fi connected so you can receive end of cycle alerts, remotely start or stop your wash, schedule cycles on your time, and more right from your smartphone with the SmartThings App.* The WaterJet gives the option to Presoak your clothes and Deep Fill allows you to adjust to your desired water level. EZ Access Tub makes getting the clothes out of the washer easier. Our washers are ENERGY STAR certified and recognized by the EPA in delivering cutting-edge energy efficiency, along with the latest in technological innovation.* Do your laundry without disturbing anyone at any time and in any place. Innovative Vibration Reduction Technology+ reduces noise and vibration for quiet washing. Keep your washer drum fresh and clean; Self Clean will notify you when it is time for a cleaning.
Key Features:
- Large 5.2 Cubic Feet Capacity
- 12 Preset Washing Cycles
- Super Speed for Faster Washing
- Active WaterJet to Presoak Clothes
- Wi-Fi Connectivity
- EZ Access Tub
- Deep Fill Tub
- ENERGY STAR Certified
Brand Name:Samsung Appliances
Item Description:7.4 Cu. Ft. Steam Electric Dryer - Brushed Black
Descriptive Item Features:Samsung's new Smart Electric Dryer has integrated Wi-Fi that allows you to remotely start or stop your cycle, schedule laundry on your time, and receive end of cycle alerts, and more right from your smartphone. Also, the Steam Sanitize+ cycle eliminates 99.9% of germs and bacteria while relaxing and smoothing away wrinkles from everyday wear. Large 7.4 cu. ft. capacity allows for fewer loads, less time in the laundry room, and more time doing the things you love. Sensor Dry automatically optimizes the time and temperature of your drying cycle to protect your clothes from heat damage, while avoiding excess energy use. CleanGuard gives peace of mind with antimicrobial technology that protects high-touch areas of your dryer.
Key Features:
- Large 7.4 Cubic Feet Capacity
- 12 Preset Drying Cycles
- Steam Sanitize+
- Wi-Fi Connectivity
- Sensor Dry
- Cleanguard
- Interior Drum Light
- Vent Sensor
- Capacity - Washer (cu. ft.) 5.2
- Capacity - Dryer (cu. ft.) 7.4
- Dryer 27.00''W x 44.68''H x 30.25''D
- Pedestal No
- Washer 27.56''W x 44.68''H x 29.43''D
- Smart Capable No
- Front or Top Load Washer Front Load
- Front or Top Load Dryer Top Load
- Energy Consumption (kWh/year) 120 kWh/yr
- Energy Star - Washer Yes
- Steam Function - Dryer Yes
- Gas or Electric Electric
- Control Location Top Back Panel
- Controls Dial
- Dry Cycles 12
- Wash Cycles 12
- Stackable No
- Electrical Requirements 120 V / 240 V / 60 Hz 30 Amps
In addition, after the same as cash option expires, you can purchase the merchandise for more than the cash price but less than the total of remaining lease payments, as described in your lease agreement. This early purchase option amount varies by state and is explained in the lease agreement.


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President Donald Trump declared the week of September 18 through 22 "National Gang Violence Prevention Week." He also declared that week "Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week," (President Obama made this same declaration last year). While the issues of gang violence and opioid abuse get to share a week together, the difference in how the Trump administration approaches each issue are quite stark. Here's how Attorney General Jeff Sessions explained the declarations when addressing law enforcement officials in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania last week:
The President's first declaration makes clear to all those who are suffering addiction, seeking treatment, or who are in recovery: we stand with them, we are praying for them, and we are working every single day to help them. And the second puts all gang members and other organized thugs on notice: we are coming for you. We will find you, we will hunt you down, and we will bring you to justice.
That first group, deemed deserving of prayer, can mostly be found in majority-white communities in states like West Virginia, the state where the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found the highest rate of drug overdose deaths in 2015. Of the top 20 counties for opioid deaths, half of them were in West Virginia, as were the top four counties for opiate overdoses, according to the CDC. Nearly 33,000 people died in the U.S. of opioid overdoses, which was four times higher than the number of people who died of the same cause 20 years ago.
"These trends are shocking and the numbers tell us a lot," said Sessions speaking in Charleston, West Virginia last week, "but they aren't just numbers. They represent moms and dads, brothers and sisters, neighbors and friends. They represent unique, irreplaceable people, and fellow Americans."
The idea that the only way to deal with violent crime offenders is to "hunt them down," while white opiate drug offenders deserve prayers of relief can't be separated from the optics of race. Medical experts say that gun violence should be treated as a public health issue. Cities are increasingly recognizing that this might be necessary. More cities could treat it this way if federal health funding could be applied to gun violence—which currently, it can't. So why is Sessions still treating gang members as if they can be incarcerated and deported away rather than rehabilitated?
Some cities have already been working on ways to deal with violent crime that aren't purely about policing. Take, for example, Portland, where Sessions also spoke last week, to chastise the city for refusing to cooperate with his immigrant detention demands, and also to lecture about violent crime. He pointed out that the city's homicides increased 140 percent from 2013 to 2015, when it tabbed 34 killings. Said Sessions during his Portland talk:
We are in the midst of a multi-front battle: an increase in violent crime, a rise in vicious gang activity, an opioid epidemic that it is taking an American life every ten minutes, and threats from terrorism—combined with a culture in which family and discipline seem to be eroding further and a disturbing disrespect for the rule of law.
Sessions didn't mention that Portland has since made progress — Portland's homicide numbers dropped to 14 in 2016, according to new FBI crime figures. Portland is also dropping the tough gang talk—it announced last week that it will no longer use "gang" designations, and will purge its gang database, which was disproportionately composed of the names and data of people of color. This was the result of a years-long push from initiatives such as the city's Community Peace Collaborative, which involves the Portland police department, and organizations such as Black Male Achievement Portland.
"If you're going to be documenting people's names but not connecting them with any services or referring them to any kind of care, you're not doing anything else but tracking them for law enforcement purposes," says Justice Rajee, program manager for the Portland Opportunity Industrialization Center and member of the Black Male Achievement initiative. "That's not an effective use of that data, if the data is even accurate."
The website for Portland's Office of Youth Violence Prevention states that it "reflects the emphasis on attacking the root causes of problems in neighborhoods, rather than simply focusing on policing efforts," which runs counter to the hunt-them-down and lock-them-up approach that Sessions seems eager to impose on cities such as Portland. But Portland's criminal justice community is doing just fine without Sessions' help.
"Where the present police bureau is right now with its new chief and where the mayor is at, I don't think they're going to move towards the Sessions way of doing things," says Rajee. "There's strong community support right now and Sessions didn't convince people that that's the way things should go and to drop our plans moving in the other direction."
Meanwhile, the opioid crisis has claimed far more lives than guns have in these cities. Sessions was concerned about the 34 people killed in Portland in 2015, but 50 people died from overdosing on fentanyl alone that year—an opioid 50 times as powerful as heroin. This can't pinned solely on gang violence. They are not the originating plug for the opiate pills.
Sessions acknowledged as much himself last week, when he faulted doctors over-prescribing opiates as "one of the major reasons this drug epidemic began in the first place" while delivering talks in Harrisburg and West Virginia. He noted that in his home state of Alabama that there have been "more painkiller prescriptions than Alabamians for over a decade," and the highest per capita rate of prescriptions of any state for the last five years.
To that end, Sessions announced that the Justice Department was committing $20 million to its war on opiate drugs and unveiled two new tools in that fight. The first one is a data analytics program to help law enforcement officials locate physicians who are over-prescribing opiate pills, and to identify where patients are dying within 60 days of a prescription. The other tool is a team of prosecutors trained to focus on a dozen "hot spots" around the nation where opioid prescription abuse is most prevalent. They will go after pharmaceutical companies and "pill mill" physicians alike.
These doctors and pharmacists are far more responsible for far more deaths in the U.S. than people with guns, and yet Sessions is just now getting around to focusing on them, nine months into Trump's presidency. Meanwhile, virtually every week has been gang violence week for Trump since his first few weeks in office. One of his first orders was for Sessions to assemble task forces on violent crime and immigration, both of which are often lumped together in Trump's speeches and policies. The crime task force has been meeting in secrecy and has been passing along recommendations to Sessions that have not been divulged to the public.
"The Justice Department should publicly release these recommendations given the significant expected changes in drug, sentencing, and immigration policy," said Inimai Chettiar, director of the Brennan Center's Justice Program. "Many of the Department's recent policy changes have been solutions in search of a problem, and are only going to make our crime and mass incarceration problems worse."
That much is evident given that Trump has allowed Sessions to unfurl policing practices that have been lambasted and deemed unlawful by liberals and conservatives alike in the name of fighting crime. If the Trump administration talked about the opioid crisis the way it talks about violent crime then it would have been tracking and hunting down, from day one, those responsible for flooding cities with opiate drugs with the same ferocity he's gone after gang members. Instead, the Justice Department is now hobbled by a Drug Enforcement Administration whose leader just announced he is resigning.
The fact that opioids claim more lives than bullets is true for most cities, yet you wouldn't know this from how the Trump administration targets its city policies.


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Chiefs edge Boyne City, move to 2-0 on season
BOYNE CITY — The Cheboygan varsity girls' basketball team improved their record to 2-0 on the season, holding on for a 47-42 victory over Boyne City in a non-conference contest on Tuesday.
Despite holding a slim 39-38 lead after three quarters of play, the Cheboygan defense clamped down and held Boyne City to just one field goal in the final period to earn the win.
"Boyne City was a really quick team, and we had a really hard time matching up with them on the perimeter throughout most of the game," Cheboygan coach Jason Purcell said. "The second and third quarters were kind've a chess match between both of us, but they were able to knock down four three-pointers against our zone defense. We never let them get in the paint, though, and I believe that was huge in the fourth quarter, because I think they wore down a little bit, and they weren't able to make those long-range three's like they did earlier in the game."
"It was hard-fought, close game tonight."
Emerging out of the contest with a stellar performance was junior Holly Socolovitch, who scored a team-high 14 points and added five rebounds.
"I knew (going into the season) that Holly could have a big year," Purcell added. "She's got long arms, she's tough, she's physical, and she won't back down from anybody. She posts the ball hard and she finishes well. We had a three-year starter in Taylor Lopiccolo graduate, but Holly's really stepped into her role and played well. I was thrilled with how she stepped up and played very well tonight."
Bridget Blaskowski chipped in for Cheboygan with 11 points, four assists and five steals, while Macey Charboneau added eight points and eight rebounds, Caitlin McNeil tallied five points and four assists, and Sam Buhr delivered four points and four rebounds. Rounding out the Chiefs on the night was Brooke Hancock (three points) and Mariah Rozek (two points).
In the junior varsity contest, Hannah Hudak and Carolyn Clark scored 10 points each to lead the Chiefs' junior varsity team to a 41-26 victory over Boyne City.
Cheboygan, who also improved to 2-0 on the season, were led by five points apiece from Autumn Hudak and Brooke Beaubien.
In a 34-23 win over Alpena on Nov. 29, the Cheboygan JV team was led by 13 points from Ashley Hempensall, while Kaitlin Dobrowolski had nine and Beaubien tallied five.
Both Cheboygan teams will travel to Newberry for a Straits Area Conference matchup on Friday night, with the junior varsity game starting at 6 p.m.


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This week, Annex Cloud hosted the webinar, Is Brand Loyalty Dead? Customer Retention in the Age of Distraction. We shared our top insights into how to keep customers loyal to your brand in this challenging age of retail and e-commerce, and we had a great turnout!
Annex Cloud's VP of Growth and Marketing, Chris Bechtel, spoke about current market trends and changes in customer behavior, providing actionable tips for how marketers can respond and keep their customers coming back for more. Chris was then joined by Wayland Wong, CEO of Marine Depot (and Annex Cloud customer), who shared some of the challenges his company has faced and what they've done to continue leading their industry.
If you weren't able to attend or if you were but would love a refresher, you can watch the full recording of our webinar below:
You can also learn more about Annex Cloud's customer loyalty solutions here.
Thanks to all those who attended and asked great questions, and thank you to Wayland Wong for his fantastic insights! We'll see you at the next webinar!


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If to do, were as easy as to know what were good to do, chapels had been churches, and poor men's cottages princes' palaces. It is a good divine that follows his own instructions. I can easier teach twenty what were good to be done, than be one of the...
The dramatic (poetical) works of William Shakspeare; illustr., embracing a ... - Page 175
by William Shakespeare - 1850
Full view -


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If you are considering a hysterectomy, let the doctors at San Francisco Women's Healthcare guide you through the process. From consultation to recovery, their convenient locations Downtown and in Laurel Village offer counseling and consultation for hysterectomy in a comfortable environment.
A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure where a woman's uterus is removed. Once the uterus is removed, a woman can no longer become pregnant. There are three types of hysterectomy – total hysterectomy, supracervical (or partial) hysterectomy, and radical hysterectomy. A total hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus and the cervix. A supracervical hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus, leaving the lower part of the cervix intact. A radical hysterectomy is generally performed when cancer is diagnosed or suspected and includes the removal of the uterus, cervix, and the structures and tissues surround the uterus.
A hysterectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures for women in the US. It is used to treat many women's health conditions including uterine fibroids, endometriosis, uterine prolapse, abnormal uterine bleeding, chronic pain, or cancer. A hysterectomy itself does not include removal of ovaries; therefore, a woman will still maintain her ovarian function unless she chooses to have them removed. Since a woman can no longer become pregnant after a hysterectomy, the fallopian tubes are now usually removed along with the uterus. Recent studies have shown a decreased risk of ovarian cancer with salpingectomy, the removal of fallopian tubes. The doctors at San Francisco Women's Healthcare can discuss the hysterectomy options available as well as the best course of treatment for their individual patients.
Patients will remain in the hospital for up to a few days after their hysterectomy. This largely depends on the type of hysterectomy performed and any complications that may arise. Most patients experience some pain for the first few days after surgery. They are generally given medication to mitigate that. There is usually discharge and bleeding from the vagina for several weeks following surgery that can be helped by sanitary pads. Some women have problems with constipation or emptying their bladder after surgery, but medications can alleviate much of this discomfort. In most cases, total recovery can take up to 6 weeks, with many normal activities resuming after 4-7 days.
At San Francisco Women's Healthcare, we accept most major insurance plans. Here is a short-list of just some of the most popular plans we accept. Please contact our office if you do not see your insurance provider listed. Please be prepared to bring your current insurance card with you for your appointment. Our office requires payment at the time of service.
"SF Women's Healthcare makes me feel like a priority; they never make me wait or feel rushed even when they're really busy. I actually look forward to my annual!"
"I have the utmost confidence in her knowledge and the expert level of care I get at Women's Health."
" I had a great experience here. Everyone is friendly and attentive. Karen Chu was patient and caring."


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2018 Special: How to deal with thunder
"You know, I never expected Alenkas to have weather like this?" Emma said loudly, thunder going off directly into the wolfess' ears. She whimpered and quickly curled up into a ball.
Kevin laughed, the horse's booming voice drowning out the thunder easily. "It's not that difficult to understand. I mean, the weather team basically took out all the normal storms, the rains, etc of the east coast of the US. Just got rid of hurricanes."
"And in return we still have thunderstorms. Wonderful," Emma complained, whimpering as another flash of lightning thundered across the two of them. The wolf's ears were far more sensitive than they were as a human, and when the thunder and lightning roared across them, it seemed to accompany a full sound stereo.
"It's just some lightning and thunder. It'll go away after the night, like most of the storms do around here," Kevin tried to reason. Emma growled, the low sound drowned out by another bout of lightning.
"Yes, I know it'll go away, but it's the fact that it fucking HURTS!" Emma yelled with a tone of panic and hopelessness. Kevin stared at her for a bit, the same smirk of self-confidence and arrogance painted it as he almost always had.
"There's a lot of things that hurt. I thought you were into pain, truth be told," Kevin muttered. Emma curled up into a ball, cutting off her planned sarcastic remark, as another lightning flash echoed across the two of them. "Seriously, there are ways to ignore the thunder and lightning."
"Like what." Emma growled out. Their apartment was fairly high up in the air, on the third floor, and while it was dirty beyond all thoughts -there were cum stains abound, mostly with a combination of her and Kevin's juices- it was still what they called home.
"Distract yourself from it, or head down to the basement. I know there's one here. The basement will hinder the lightning although you won't be notified of when to expect it," Kevin reasoned. Emma stared at him a bit, wondering how and when he figured out that kind of thing.
"Why are you telling me this, and why do you know this?" Emma asked.
Kevin sighed, his hand running through his short brownish hair that doubled as a mane. "You know I grew up in the country right? Not quite a ranch, but something close to it. I used to be afraid of lightning and thunder too, because it usually meant something awful was happening outside, or fires were going to be starting, you know, the various things that we need to worry about in the fields. I learned the best way to deal with that fear."
"By hiding in the basement?" Emma asked. Another lightning flashed them, the thunder roaring near them, and she whimpered slightly. Kevin shrugged.
"Not entirely. I found that masturbating helped, something to concentrate on other than worry about it. I think it's just the sound that's bugging you, not the thoughts of what the lightning is doing out there. At which point, yeah distractions would work or just hiding in the basement. Which one?" Kevin asked.
Emma shot him a look. "Distraction works? Then I think you know my answer," Emma said, getting up off the cum-covered couch, and turning around to present her pussy and ass. Her tail swung by slightly, covering her privates and revealing them slowly again.
Kevin raised an eyebrow. His cock was almost permanently hard when Emma was in this kind of mood. He grinned a second later, not bothering to be nice as he stepped up behind the wolf. He grabbed her tail easily, pulling it out of the way roughly as he lined himself up.
With a small thrust, he pushed the tip of his cock into her wet pussy. And he knew she was wet -it was almost a constant fact these days that probably wouldn't go away anytime soon- and he sighed as he felt her warmth surround his flared tip. Emma sighed with relief, a small smile gracing her face for the first time since the storm started.
He didn't push in far at first, gently moving in and out just stir up Emma's passion. She knew that he could very easily thrust in and truly take her…but he didn't for some reason, instead stirring up something inside of her, forcing her to want to beg for it. "What are you waiting for…!?" Emma begged. She tried to squeeze down on him, trying to force him in further inside.
"This," Kevin answered quietly as another roar of thunder echoed around them. As Emma froze at the suddenness she gave a loud low moan as Kevin thrust in as far deep inside as he could right away. His thrusts gained far more distance, pushing a good half of his cock into and out of Emma's slavering cunt.
Emma's eyes closed, trying to ignore the loud roar of the thunder around her by ignoring the flash of the lightning. Kevin timed his thrusts to the lightning, pausing every time he saw a flash, thrusting in as far as he could to the sound of the thunder.
Kevin tried to keep going for several minutes with that rhythm. The lightning was random, but he was moving quick enough that it didn't matter how long it took for the thunder to arrive because he'd always had enough time to pause and thrust in completely.
Finally after getting almost impatient, Kevin stilled himself as deep as he could go without hurting Emma. He knew she enjoyed it though, and it was one of her absolute favorite things. Emma smiled to herself, knowing what it was that was waiting for her; a sense of extreme fullness, something that she had only experienced with Kevin.
He waited for another flash, and carefully pushed himself to the very edge of her vagina, the deepest part that he could reach. He pulled back just a bit, trying to reach the wolf's entrance to that one part inside of her. As soon as the lightning hit his ears, he thrust in, opening past Emma's cervix, hilting his entire cock into the wolf.
Emma froze up, her head paused in an open pleasured scream. Kevin moaned slightly, feeling the complete fluttering of her body over his entire cock rather enticing. He let her relax for a moment, before thrusting out and back in, never exiting that deeper part of her body.
With the new development, Emma couldn't help but squeeze down on him, her orgasm approaching significantly faster now. She moaned with every thrust, and when Kevin put his hands on her hips, forcing her body to move to his thrusts, effectively using her as a living sex doll, she almost ran out of breath.
After several more minutes, Kevin's endurance not all that surprising to Emma, she started panting, her body starting to involuntarily squeeze all over his cock, starting to shudder as some of her muscles went out of her control. "Fuck…fuck me. So close…" she panted out barely.
Kevin smirked from behind her, holding her steady as he fucked her womb. He gave a few more thrusts in the same rhythm, allowing Emma to just barely go near that peak, before he exited her pussy completely. She gasped in wanted pain and pleasure, suddenly her body depleted of all stimulation. "What the fuck!?" she yelled, looking behind her in anger.
She paused as she felt Kevin's cock at her ass. "Ohh-" she said quickly, her words turning into a scream of pleasure as Kevin shoved in, hilting himself into her ass. The sudden change of penetration triggered something in Emma's body, squeezing down her entire body onto the invading cock.
"Fuck, gonna cum!" Kevin whispered into her ear. She moaned, barely allowing the air to escape her throat. She was tired, and he knew it, and as he groaned, forcing a massive amount of cum deep into her ass, she didn't bother trying to force herself to move. She was truly just impaled on his cock, her entire body tired and wanting nothing but rest.
She didn't bother moving when Kevin gently slid from her ass. "You didn't even notice the last few thunders, did you?" Kevin said, smirking playfully. Emma groaned, a small gurgle of cum dripping out of her gaping ass. Kevin got the message perfectly, 'Fuck you.'


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My Website - SkylarArt.com
"Beauty Draws those who Draw Beauty" - Skylar
'Tain't fur kids. Them's two kids, Skyler. . . . Painted up right nice at that.
"Not a bit is wasted and the best is yet to come. . ." -- remembered from a dream
So peaceful, warm and comfortable Skylar! Makes me want to gently nudge them sideways a bit and climb up for a snooze as well.
A beautiful scene Skylar of them soaking up the sunshine
Just lovely - nice that they are such good friends. I really like the way you have painted the fur - especially on the cat. Lovely all round.
Oh God of homeless things, look down
And try to ease the way
Of all the little weary paws
That walk the world
today. - Unknown.
[My setup: hp 15in laptop, 24in acer 2nd monitor, Huion QK11 wireless drawing tablet, Windows 11, ArtRage Vitae.]
Excellent You, dear Skylar! I kept looking to this placid scene for quite a long time, since I like it very much. I eventually stopped when I felt I was going to fall aslept too ... LOL
Panta rei (everything flows)!
Great painting, great use of brushwork and light.
Love it! You can't go wrong with the subjects you've chosen.
I'm an artist. I draw flies . . .
Skyler what a wonderful homey painting, so well painted. ..they look so peaceful but I am sure they get into plenty of trouble as well..
My Gallery:
Wonderfully painted and such great subjects!


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This is the last post of our honeymoon. On Wednesday we took the train from Rome to Naples. We had arranged it so that our train left Rome at 9am and got to Naples at 10:10. We had a driver picking us up at the train station to take us on a chauffeured trip of the Amalfi Coast. We had heard the roads were ridiculously narrow and windy, so we decided it would be safer and more enjoyable to hire someone to drive us around to the coastal cities. Of course, the one day the trains are delayed was that day. We were about 15-20 minutes late and at first we couldn't find our driver. Since the train was delayed he had to move his car from temporary parking to permanent, so when we got there he was in the process of moving his car. He was a young guy who spoke perfect English! Chris was impressed he was driving a grey Mercedes-Benz S320 sedan.
He first took us to Sorrento. It was a very cute town full of shops on the main street. We sat down for a drink and bought Chris' mom some seeds to plant some veggies and herbs. I also found a little wood-carved elephant magnet. It started to rain while we were there... thank goodness we had an umbrella. It was a shame that the one day it rained was when we were on a drive of the coast with amazing views of the water :( But at least we had a car to pick us up and take us to each town.
The next city was Positano. We knew we'd be arriving there around lunchtime, so we asked the driver to recommend a good place to eat. He suggested we go to this family restaurant that is located in the hills of Positano rather than the actual town. We went there and it was super cool. It's completely family run and there are no menus. They basically just bring you out a ton of food. When we sat down she asked what kind of water we wanted, flat or fizzy, and then I said I'd have wine, and Chris said beer. Well out comes a huge bottle of water, a whole bottle of wine, and a huge beer! Good thing the wine was pretty weak or else I would have been passed out in the back seat the rest of the afternoon! They would describe all the food they brought out and one of the dishes he said, "It's what they call in english, a meat-a-ball". Then the pasta they actually had one that was simply described as "Mama's pasta", which was actually a manicotti type dish... it was my favorite! The restaurant also had really cool views of the water and cliffs! After lunch our driver took us to the town of Positano and we walked around and had desert at a fancy hotel on the water. It was nice to sit by the water despite the rain :)
The next 2 towns probably would have been more fun if it wasn't raining, but by that point it was raining harder and we really weren't in the mood to explore much. I wish that we could have enjoyed Amalfi and Ravello more. A couple we met on the cruise last year had raved about Ravello, so that was disappointing :(
That night we just ate at the hotel restaurant because the driver told us that the city of Naples wasn't very safe and it would be best to take a taxi wherever we went for dinner for safety reasons. We figured it wasn't really worth it and just stayed in. The hotel wasn't very nice so we ended up upgrading our room. Chris nicknamed the front desk guys "Tweedle Dee and Dum" because they could barely speak English and were of no help. We decided that since the train from Rome was only an hour and ten minutes long that we should have probably just stayed in Rome and taken 2 day trips to Naples to do the tours we had planned. But what can you do... traveling is about experimenting and learning.
Thursday we took a day tour that went to Pompeii and then to Mt. Vesuvius. We were getting picked up at 10:45 so we actually got to sleep in until 9! It may not seem late, but after that last few days, it felt luxurious! Pompeii was a lot of fun, but the pizza lunch that was included was not good. It was very hard to cut with the extremely dull butter knife they gave us, so after a while I gave up and just picked up the whole thing and ate it. Then we went to Mt. Vesuvius... the drive just to get there was ridiculously windy and I was almost getting car sick! Then we started the hike up. I got maybe half way up when my ears started really hurting because of the altitude. Chris was nice and didn't want to leave me alone so he could go to the top... instead he came back down the mountain with me. You would think that the last night of our honeymoon would have been a super romantic dinner, but since we were exhausted and scared to go out around town, we hit up the hotel restaurant again. It was really good that night... I had this great pasta with ricotta cheese and sauce (YUMMM!). We just packed and went to bed super early since we had to get up at 4am the next morning for our flight.
Chris loved that there was a car in Italy called "MEGANE". So he had me stand in front of it covering the "E" so that it was the MEGAN car (even though I have an "H" in my name)
Our flight home was from Naples to Rome, and then Rome to Newark. We got a cab at the ungodly hour of 5am and got to the airport before it was even open. We waited a lot and the whole experience was comical. As sitting at the gate we see what we thought was our plane right in front of the gate. Since it's a small airport we figured we'd be walking to the plane. Instead they had us all squeeze onto a shuttle bus where there was only standing room. The bus would move a few feet, stop, and the doors would open. Then we'd just wait... in total we probably waited for 15 minutes. Finally the bus drives in a circle and stops on the other side of our plane. The plane was closer to the gate than to wear the shuttle bus dropped us off. I really didn't get the point of the shuttle! At the gate we also saw a guy in a wheelchair who just randomly stood up, walked over to the trash bags, found the one that looked the emptiest, took it out of the bin, and used it as his carry-on! As he brought it on the plane Chris could see his almond wrapper that he had just previously thrown out in this guy's "carry-on"! The things we saw in Italy! The flight to Rome was only 35 minutes long... I fell asleep and the only reason I woke up is cause I felt the landing... I've never been that out of it! We had a pretty seamless flight back to Newark except for a little turbulence while circling the Newark airport, but nothing too bad.
While we had some interesting encounters while in Italy, the trip was amazing! It was so nice to get away and explore these amazing cities with my new husband! Now we are back in NJ settling into the apartment as a married couple. So far it's a lot of fun!
Again... if you want to see ALL the pictures, they are all on Facebook.


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This is my favorite time of the year, as it is for a lot of us who see spring just around the corner. For me, and about 100,000 racing fans however, it's when the "Boy's and Gal of Thunder" invade our village for NASCAR weekend at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. That's right, gang, the speedway almost becomes the fourth largest city in Nevada, beginning this Thursday (March 3) and ending on Sunday afternoon following the checkered flag for the Kobalt 400.
For me, personally, it's when I get to watch the new young bloods of the sport coming up the ladder, and perhaps say goodbye to some of the older drivers. I fell in love with auto racing beginning in 1947 (age 14), while I was growing up in Los Angeles. That's when I had a motor scooter paper route, and had enrolled in auto shop at Washington High School (no longer standing). I was learning how to take a four-cylinder 1929 Chevrolet engine apart, do some tricks to it, and "Hello," you suddenly had more horsepower. It's also when a bunch of us built a jalopy to take out to the new dirt track (an old city garbage dumping ground) built by J.C. Agajanian, called Carrell Speedway. It was a quarter-mile track at the time, and as its popularity grew its owner began to expand the seating (wooden grandstands), ending up in 1957 being re-named Ascot Motor Speedway, and the track enlarged to a half-mile banked dirt speedway. Parnelli Jones, who went on to gain fame as an Indy 500 Champion driving for J.C. also got his start at the old dirt track, where he eventually became the track champion. Jones began racing at the track when he was 15 (we are the same age) and he only knew one speed then and now: foot to the floor board! He eventually was talked into racing in the Mint 400 Off-Road Race in 1968 by me (I created the race in 1967), and Parnelli went on to become a great Off-Road Champion too. We have remained friends over the years, and in 2014 he was honored by the Mint 400 promoters as its Grand Marshall, a well-deserved honor indeed!
So now we have NASCAR in town. The guys at the speedway, Jeff Motley and Neil Reid, have kept all of us writers well informed as to what is planned for the track and its spectators. Here is a few of those notes:
Award-winning country star Craig Morgan will highlight pre-race activities for the Kobalt 400 when he performs the national anthem before the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at the speedway on Sunday (March 6). The native Tennessean and U.S. Army veteran is perhaps best known for his chart-topping hit "That's What I Love About Sundays," which was named as Billboard magazine's number one country hit of 2005. Morgan, a two-time Inspirational Country Music Award winner, is also known for his breakout songs "International Harvester" and "Redneck Yacht Club," among others. The 51-year-old, who is also a sheriff's deputy and former EMT, will be in Las Vegas performing at Race Jam on Fremont Street on Saturday, March 5. Morgan is the host of the popular television show "Craig Morgan's All Access Outdoors," which airs on the Outdoor Channel. Joining Morgan for pre-race activities is the popular group The Atlantic City Boys, who will perform before opening ceremonies for the 19th annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at LVMS. The Atlantic City Boys perform hits of all kinds, from Beatles and Beach Boys songs, to top hits from the Bee Gees, Four Seasons and members of the "Rat Pack."
Kobalt 400 pre-race festivities will also include a flyover by the famed Thunderbirds, as well as driver introductions and the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers' meeting in the Neon Garage. The Neon Garage in the superspeedway's infield opens at 7 a.m. PDT, LVMS' 2016 NASCAR Weekend begins Thursday, March 3, with a free practice session that runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Stratosphere Pole Day follows on Friday, March 4, with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying beginning at 4:45 p.m. The Xfinity Series' Boyd Gaming 300 takes place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 4, and the weekend's crescendo comes on Sunday, March 5, in the form of the Kobalt 400 at 12:30 p.m. For tickets, call 1-800-644-4444 or log on to LVMS.com.
Whether you're a race regular or a first-time fan, anyone visiting Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the 2016 NASCAR Weekend can find everything they will need to know via the LVMS app. Chocked full of information ranging from facility maps, shuttle routes, daily news and schedules and fan information, the LVMS app has it all. The easy-to-use app – which can be easily downloaded to any mobile device – also includes a social media hub so you can tap into all of LVMS' social channels, as well as helpful venue information to assure a stress-free experience. Fans who want to know anything from what time the qualifying sessions run to when driver introductions begin can use the app as a one-stop-shopping source of information.
The app will be updated in real time with schedules, driver appearances, ticket upgrade information, directions, traffic tips and even live audio. As if that wasn't enough, the app also houses the innovative LVMS Fan Zone, where you can go to have fun and earn chips redeemable for prizes and merchandise in an interactive environment that is easy to navigate. From answering trivia questions and voting in polls to performing social media tasks, there are plenty of ways for fans to use the social rewards program to earn chips that can be used to claim a variety of special LVMS- and NASCAR-related items. Any iPhone user can download the app via THIS link, while Android users can access it HERE
Thanks to the Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities, racing fans attending the speedway have a number of fun ways to get involved in the festivities. The charity's slate of race-week events kicks off on Thursday, March 3, with the Driver and Memorabilia Auction, continues with Richard Petty Driving Experience rides on Saturday, March 5, and concludes with the annual Track Walk on the superspeedway on Sunday, March 6, prior to the Kobalt 400. Each event is unique and a fun way for fans to get an up close and personal experience they will remember forever.
"NASCAR Weekend is always big for Speedway Children's Charities, and it's great to be able to offer so many fan-friendly events during race week," Las Vegas SCC Chapter Director Paulette Anderson said. "There aren't many sporting events where fans have the chance to either walk or ride on the actual field of play, but thanks to LVMS and Richard Petty Driving Experience, we are able to offer that to our fans. The Driver Auction is also a ton of fun and is one of our most successful fundraisers all year, and we can't wait to enjoy all of our events with fans during race week." The Driver and Memorabilia Auction takes place at 6 p.m. PDT. at Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall, where you can bid on all sorts of racing memorabilia. Fans can also bid online and can cast bids for the chance to participate in parade laps with NASCAR superstars that take place on the superspeedway before the Kobalt 400. The RPDE rides give fans the opportunity to ride along with trained instructors as they circle the 1.5-mile track following the Boyd Gaming 300 on Saturday. A portion of the $159 ride-along fee will be donated to the Las Vegas SCC Chapter. Hundreds of fans have enjoyed a nice leisurely walk around the track during the SCC Track Walk, which takes place on Sunday from 9-10 a.m. before the Kobalt 400. Fans can sign up for $25 before Feb. 29, or purchase wristbands trackside for $35. Children 16 and under are free with a paid adult.
Track Walk participants must pick up their wristbands and t-shirts and sign waivers at the SCC tent located behind the LVMS Gift Shop before 8 a.m. on Sunday, and each person who registers will receive an event T-Shirt sponsored by the South Point Hotel Casino & Spa. Participants can also pick up their wristbands between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Friday, March 4, and on Saturday, March 5, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information on any SCC event, contact Paulette Anderson at 702-632-8242.
Boyd Gaming – the longest-running title sponsor of the NASCAR Xfinity Series Boyd Gaming 300 race – is getting revved up for Las Vegas' NASCAR Weekend 2016! Boyd Gaming properties throughout the Las Vegas Valley will be hosting special events and promotions for the race, including live entertainment and the charity auction benefiting Speedway Children's Charities. Events include: The aforementioned Speedway Children's Charities Drivers Auction that will take place on Thursday, March 3 at Sam's Town Live! inside Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall. During the live auction, attendees will have the chance to bid on the ride of a lifetime – a chance to join a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series or NASCAR Nationwide Series driver during the parade lap for the Kobalt 400 or Boyd Gaming 300. Doors open at 5 p.m. and bidding will begin at 6 p.m.
After the race, head to The Orleans Showroom inside The Orleans Hotel and Casino for the official Boyd Gaming 300 after-party, featuring The Marshall Tucker Band. Since releasing its self-titled debut album in 1973, The Marshall Tucker Band has influenced numerous country music performers, including Alabama and Travis Tritt, with its definitive blend of rock, R&B, jazz, country and gospel. With hit singles "Heard It in a Love Song," "Fire On The Mountain," "Can't You See" and "Take The Highway," The Marshall Tucker Band has earned seven Gold and three Platinum albums. The group also scored four hit singles on the Billboard country music chart and one on the gospel music chart. Showtime is 8 p.m. both nights. Tickets start at $29.95 plus tax and fees and can be purchased at any Boyd Gaming Box Office, by calling 702.284.7777 or by visiting www.orleanscasino.com.
Well, gang, see ya at the speedway.


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After quite a long power cut last night, followed by a stream of fire-engines flying past the house (ok, not "flying" as in really flying, but you get the drift)… I couldn't get email, but today this arrived …
The Mitac Mio in action! It's a 9 Megs video again like the Tanager Video, and it shows the new software applications, the game Metal Strike, camera speed (you can record videos easily), menu speed and more!
Click here for the full story (from our friends at mobilejoe.de) or you can click here for the video.
First impressions? That video capture on the Mio is smooth and quick plus it's not as big as I imagined either.
Also check out the additional video from PocketPCItalia.com by clicking here!
Thanks to mobilejoe.de and PocketPCItalia.com


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Kickstarter Profile with Korduroy.TV, MHM Gear, and Lumi Co.
August 10, 2012
Thoughts on Kickstarter from Korduroy.TV, MHM Gear, and Lumi Co.
If you're a creative type and you haven't heard of Kickstarter, the world's largest funding platform for creative projects, do yourself a favor and check out the site which was designed and developed to help people (like you!) kickstart creative and executable ideas.
Kickstarter was launched in the Spring of 2009, and in the three+ years of operation there have been over 27,000 successfully funded projects sourceing over $266 million in startup monies (as of August 10, 2012, according to Kickstarter stats).
The New York Times states Kickstarter is "an unexpected influence on indie culture, a new model for a D.I.Y. generation." This is confirmed by the successful funding of nearly half of the projects launched on the site. According to the site, "every week, tens of thousands of amazing people pledge millions of dollars to projects from the worlds of music, film, art, technology, design, food, publishing and other creative fields."
The average project on Kickstarter raises just under $10,000, but many projects have raised significantly more. Just this week, Ouya - a company based in Los Angeles featuring a new game console for the TV - ended their campaign, successfully receiving 904% of their project's funding goal. Ouya managed to crowd-source $8,596,475, a successful campaign indeed.
Do you have an idea and want to start a project of your own? Or, are you curious on how Kickstarter works? Well, we spoke with three creative minds who successfully used the site to launch or re-launch a project of their own creation. Meet Cyrus Sutton, the Director & Photographer for Korduroy.TV, Casey Lorenzen, VP of Marketing & Brand Manager for MHM Gear, and Jesse Genet, the CEO of Lumi Co. Read on for some of their thoughts on Kickstarter.
What's happened since you reached your funding goal?
Cyrus: KorduroyTV is known for our high quality video content centered around healthy, DIY outdoor culture. Since our Kickstart, we've been able to improve on the story and production quality as well as add new series like DIY-Not?
Casey: Since starting the company and launching our product just over a year ago, we have experienced crazy growth. With the success of initiatives like Kickstarter, we only see spikes in that growth. Since our project's success, MHM has gained a lot of recognition in and outside of the industry, including the cover of Backpacker Magazine's Editors Choice Award issue. And, we recently launched our new line of backpacking packs at the Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City.
Jesse: Since we've reached our goal we've been working around the clock to fulfill our pledges as well as doing a lot of strategizing for what our next steps are. We are interested in seeing the Lumi printing process grow into a technology that is accessible to creative people all over the world and so Kickstarter represents a very early phase of sharing it with the world.
Obviously the benefits of successfully funding a project through Kickstarter is having those monies available to pursue your passion – can you think of any negative aspects of Kickstarter, if there are any?
Cyrus: There are definitely pluses and minuses. Many businesses get lured into the idea of crowd-sourcing thinking that it's a meal ticket. But the cost of our prizes combined with shipping and Amazon fees ended up netting us about 10 dollars an hour. Looking back, we are very appreciative to have that $10/hr job and Kickstarter facilitated that opportunity but it was far from a free lunch. I think tech gadgets will have a longer run, but crowd-sourcing for media production and other endeavors are rapidly approaching critical mass. I equate Kickstarter to running a farm stand. If you're the only food for many miles then you'll sell a lot of fruit, but if you're sandwiched between 4 other stands and a convenience store you better have some amazing deals and top quality stuff. This ultimately cuts your profits and makes you work harder for each dollar.
Casey: It really was nothing but positives from start to finish. The site has an immensely broad reach; it has a clean, user-friendly platform and was easy to maintain. The only real downside to our project was that with the incentive rewards, we had to cut pretty deep into our margins on the packs, which again, we just chalked up as a marketing expense. One thing we didn't foresee was that, with the amount of packs sold, came the logistics of delivering that many packs in a short period of time to funders who were "eager" to get their rewards.
Jesse: Since we have a physical product and a very international audience there are some technical difficulties with the Kickstarter platform because it isn't arranged to make shipping charges and international shipping easy - but all in all this is a small issue. Our entire experience with Kickstarter has been overwhelmingly positive.
Were you surprised when the public answered your call and successfully funded your project?
Cyrus: When you are crowd-sourcing you put your company's reputation on the line. There are so many opportunities for the endeavor to negatively affect your brand and falling short on funding is definitely the chief concern. Despite researching how to run a successful campaign and executing it to the best of our ability, there was definitely a sense of fear at launch and happy surprise when we surpassed our goal.
Casey: Initially, we were elated with how well our project was received. In the first few days, we raised way more than what we had imagined and it stayed quite constant over its entirety. Being a pack manufacturer, we knew going into it that our reach wouldn't be as broad as some of the other consumer goods, such as electronics, but we knew that if done right, we could reach the right market.
Jesse: Surprise wouldn't be the most accurate word to describe our feelings about our Kickstarter success, extremely grateful to all of our supporters and backers is more accurate. We have been working on this project for over 8 years, so there has been a lot of preparation in building up to our recent campaign. So we aren't shocked that it went well, but we are overwhelmed by all of the help, kind words and connections our new backers are providing us.
If not for Kickstarter, do you think your company/site would be where it is today?
Cyrus: No, the support of our fans has put us where we are today.
Casey: Going into it, we knew whether the funding was successful or not, that only good would come from it. At the end of the day, it's basically free advertising, and for a small company like MHM with limited resources, there was really nothing for us to lose. Like all opportunities that come our way, they only help spread the MHM brand, so I can't say we wouldn't be where we are without Kickstarter, but I will say that it has definitely helped propel the brand.
Jesse: It's hard to imagine our company without Kickstarter because it has played such a pivotal role in Lumi history. If Kickstarter did not exist we probably would've tried some other radical method for reaching out to customers because we don't like the idea of approaching our business in a traditional way - but there is no way to know exactly how far we'd be without the incredible Kickstarter platform.
Why did your company/site ultimately decide to feature your project on Kickstarter?
Cyrus @ Korduroy.TV: We chose Kickstarter as a means of connecting with our viewership directly rather than solely going through a third party such as an investor or company supporters. It makes sense because they are the ones who will ultimately benefit.
Casey @ MHM Gear: After exploring Kickstarter and seeing how effective a project can be, we felt it was a no-brainer. We really saw no downside to feature MHM on the site. Because ultimately, if the project is unsuccessful, there is no risk involved to the company. We saw it as a great opportunity to get the MHM brand in front of thousands of consumers who already had intentions of supporting up-and-coming brands and products.
Jesse @ Lumi Co.: For us, Kickstarter is far more than just a funding platform - it is a way to make powerful connections with our audience. Our company has prioritized grassroots organic growth from the beginning and Kickstarter is a way for us to give our products directly to customers first, rather than make them buy through retailers.
Anything we missed?
Cyrus: Under promise and over deliver!
Casey: Kickstarter is the ideal platform for the right company. MHM was in a perfect situation to start a project but I wouldn't say it is for everyone. Part of the reason our project, hell, our company has been successful has been because we are seen as an underdog. In a market that has been filled with the same bigs for the last 30 years, we have entered it a couple of 20-somethings fresh out of college, basically with no right to be competing with these mega brands. Kickstarter shows people what else is out there and what creativity and innovation can accomplish.
Jesse: The Kickstarter experience is all what you make it. In order to have a great experience you need to put a lot of work into preparation as well as into conversing with your audience. We view the funds raised on Kickstarter as just one piece of our accomplishment, the connections we made with our audience and the goodwill press we received is also extremely important to us.
(from l-r: Cyrus Sutton [photo: Mark Tesi/Reef], Casey Lorenzen, Jesse Genet)
Remember - each and every Kickstarter project is the independent creation of someone like YOU!


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Community, Nonprofits and Businesses sharing Information
Time: June 1, 2018 from 7:30pm to 10pm
Location: First Presbyterian Meeting Hall
Street: 704 Whitney Avenue
City/Town: New Haven
Website or Map: http://www.ctfolk.org
Phone: 203.859.4487
Event Type: folk-rock concert
Organized By: CT Folk
Latest Activity: Jun 1, 2018
Export to Outlook or iCal (.ics)
CT Folk presents THE END OF AMERICAin a special Folk Friday concert / fundraiser[with silent auction and refreshments]The End of America is a band of friends, singers, and travelers who blend three-part harmony with rock and Americana. The Philadelphia-based outfit harnesses a style that resonates with fans of Ryan Adams, CSNY, and Dawes. The band played to great acclaim at last year's CT Folk Festival.
- Voted "Favorite Newcomer" of the 2016: Philadelphia Folk Festival
- Voted "Most Wanted" band of 2017: Falcon Ridge Folk FestivalFOR FURTHER INFO and ADVANCE DISCOUNT TICKETS @ $25:https://ctfolk.com/events/ [$30 at the door]


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My online bookclub was looking for a comfort read and while browsing Goodreads' Most Comforting Reads list we were all attracted by the storyline of Violets of March: after a nasty divorce, Emily decides to have some me-time with an aunt who lives in a gorgeous island. There she discovers an old diary that uncovers Dark Family Secrets.
Written this way, I really fail to see what the attraction was. It has "formulaic" all over and it delivers: white woman with a seemingly perfect life and enviable husband discovers she has been blind, that everything was A LIE! and goes on an adventure to a place full of handsome men who fall for her at first sight. In the meantime she still has time to dig into her family's history, heal past wrongs and restore her faith in true love.
So, not my cuppa, but I can see the attraction. There's definitely a comforting side to it, even if just because you already know the story from somewhere.
Other (kinder) thoughts: S Krishna's Books, Rundpinne, write meg!, Book Chatter, Stacy's Books, Devourer of Books, Literary Housewife, Book Line and Sinker, Jenn's Bookshelves, Lesa's Book Critiques, Lakeside Musing, BookNRound, Small World Reads, Linus's Blankets, 2 Kids and Tired Books,


text: This program features a conventionally trained physician (Christian O'Neil MD) exploring the world of alternative approaches to healing and wellness. Each episode begins with an interview of an alternative health care practitioner. Prior to each interview, Dr O'Neil personally undergoes the healing therapy being featured. Thus, the audience is able to actually observe the therapies being practiced rather than merely discussed.