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Kern: Eschews apology, manages to further offend
In response to the audio in which she said, among other things, that gays are more of a threat than terrorists, Oklahoma Rep. Sally Kern has issued an official statement. Most offensive part? This quote (highlighting out own):
"A vigorous debate on an issue is not 'hate speech' – it's free speech. I have made clear my opposition to the agenda of homosexual activists, but I have never endorsed or supported any hateful action targeting individuals on the other side of this debate and never will. The fact that many gay rights activists claim anyone opposing their agenda is engaging in 'hate speech' says more about them than me."
Yea, Sally? Those who are loudly lashing out against your comment that homosexuality is "the death knell of this nation" are saying more about themselves than they are saying about you? And what is it, exactly, that they are saying about themselves: that they refuse to sit back and let someone compare their lives and loves to an atomic bomb? That they won't allow people to foster the sort of hostility that keeps us all vulnerable? Or simply that they have a better handle on the concept of reality than you do, Ms. Kern? Because all we are hearing, Mr. Kern, are people who are SICK of living in a world where comments like yours get a considerable pass!
Sally dear, you got caught when you thought nobody was listening. And you were caught warning folks that gays will destroy this society. Gay activist aren't claiming everyone who lashes out against gays is engaging in "hate speech." We are claiming that YOU, Sally, have disseminated hate-filled rhetoric! It's fine that you want to try and spin it in your favor. Such in human nature. But don't try and pass the buck, or make it sound like the gays are being nutty by reacting unkindly to you putting a warning label on our existences! You put your homo-hostile thoughts on record, so we are now putting our reactions on the same!! And should the chips fall in your direction? Well that says more about our need to keep fighting for respect than it does the righteousness in your words!
**Full press release after jump:
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Media Division
March 10, 2008
Contact: State Rep. Sally Kern
Capitol: (405) 557-7348
Kern Responds to Activist Criticisms
OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Sally Kern (R-Oklahoma City) issued the following statement today in response to the criticisms of homosexual activists who have objected to a recent speech she gave on their efforts to promote their agenda at both the federal and state level.
"To put this simply, as a Christian I believe homosexuality is not moral. Obviously, you have the right as an American to choose that lifestyle, but I also have the right to express my views and my fellow Oklahomans have the right to debate these issues.
"In recent years homosexual activists have begun to aggressively promote their agenda through the political process, often providing substantial financing to candidates who agree with their views, including many running for state legislative races. National publications such as Time, The Atlantic and USA Today have noted that trend. That is their right, just as it is my right to voice opposition to their agenda, which I have been asked to do at several public forums in recent months. That's what democracy is all about. It appears some homosexual activists believe only one group is allowed a voice in this debate. I disagree.
"A vigorous debate on an issue is not 'hate speech' – it's free speech. I have made clear my opposition to the agenda of homosexual activists, but I have never endorsed or supported any hateful action targeting individuals on the other side of this debate and never will. The fact that many gay rights activists claim anyone opposing their agenda is engaging in 'hate speech' says more about them than me.
"Most Oklahomans are socially conservative and believe marriage is a sacred institution, the union of one man and one woman, and that the traditional family is worth protecting and preserving. When I campaigned for office, I promised my constituents to stand up for those values, and I do not apologize for keeping my word."
Your thoughts
I was waiting for what you would say today Jeremy. I do not think I could say it better than fritz in his video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws--W7Cs5ms
Posted by: LMendoza MD | Mar 10, 2008 4:03:29 PM
I think what some of these right wings people forget is that free speech doesn't equal free pass. No one founding father ever said that people should turn a blind eye to hateful speech. They said that the **government** could not censor a person and prevent them from speaking. However, the founding fathers never said that the "people" couldn't hold someone responsible for that speech.
No one is preventing Ms. Kern from making any statements. However, if the people she serves and who she supposedly represents recognize that her speech is hateful, doesn't reflect the values they hold and want to replace her that is their right. We have the right to point out that hateful, if only in our opinion, speech to the world and let them evaluate it.
She can then use her free speech to defend her thoughts and her words. But free speech doesn't mean we have to like the speech and remain quiet. We can challenge her on it as long as we don't deny her the right to her own corner in the world to say what she wants. That corner just doesn't necessarily have to be in city council if the voters don't want it to be.
Posted by: Ed | Mar 10, 2008 5:32:02 PM
Exactly, Ed. You have no clue how many emails I receive from people asking why I feel have the right to stifle others' free speech simply because they don't agree with my "lifestyle." It never occurs to them that they have just as much right to start a mirror image website that challenges everything written on here!!
Posted by: G-A-Y | Mar 10, 2008 5:36:48 PM
This woman was airing hate speech, plain and simple - which shouldn't be associated with free speech. It's no different than the KKK ranting about blacks, or neo-Nazi's ranting about Jews.
For that matter, each time somebody like this vile bitch makes a speech like this, it should be loudly compared to the anti-Jew propaganda of the Nazi's. Nobody ass-kiss the pruney old skank, because that's exactly what it is.
Posted by: Scott | Mar 10, 2008 5:59:59 PM
LOL thanks for the YouTube laugh, Mendoza. OMG that sounded straight-up trailer park!!
Off Topic: call it "trolling" if you want, but here's my latest YouTube creation. Hitler meets the "ex-gays" and their wacko buddies, meets Eric Cartman/Faith Plus 1:
Some of you may get a kick out of it LOL ;)
Posted by: Scott | Mar 10, 2008 6:26:07 PM
Her last paragraph is a complete non sequitor, especially considering she was not "debating" SSM but making all encompassing blanklet pronouncements.
What is of further concern is that:
(a) She has a B.A., Sociology, University of Texas, 1971; Teacher Certification in Social Studies with an emphasis in Government, East Texas State University, 1986. And that Kern is a teacher by profession.
(b) Rep. Sally Kern, District 84 Republican, serves as Chair on the Social Services Committee, and serves on the Education Committee, Common Education Committe, and Human Services Committee.
Posted by: Stefano A | Mar 10, 2008 6:32:23 PM
When people use the "free speech" argument, I think they are trying to intentionally distract from the issue. Ms. Kerns has every right to say what she feels, but I would like to know where she gets her "facts."
Posted by: a.mcewen | Mar 10, 2008 6:47:53 PM
Might want to correct this: "Gay activist are[n't] claiming everyone who lashes out against gays is engaging in 'hate speech.'"
Also, I haven't ready every LGBT organizations responses to this, but did they really use the term "hate speech" or is she just projecting that onto them?
Posted by: GayMormonBoy | Mar 10, 2008 7:30:34 PM
LIVE petition to remover her as an Okie State Rep. NOT flattering for Oklahoma.
Posted by: Gerry | Mar 10, 2008 8:06:49 PM
FWIW this creature's career is dust even if some of her constituents agree with her bigotry.
A representative of a city that has been the victim of a terrorist attack just said gay people are worse than terrorism: I'm sure her constituents, even those who agree with her bigoted views, remember the sight of dead children being pulled from the Murrah building.
Posted by: James Probis | Mar 10, 2008 8:35:32 PM
I think the best solution is to remove her in the Republican Party primary. Get a somewhat not as hostile Republican to replace her, the new Republican still may not be as friendly as a Democrat. However the deadline to file is like 2 months from now, but its never too late to start an organization.
I tried to find the information for Log Cabin Oklahoma, but their e-mail bounced.
Posted by: Matt from California | Mar 10, 2008 9:03:34 PM
"Also, I haven't ready every LGBT organizations responses to this, but did they really use the term "hate speech" or is she just projecting that onto them?"
Local activists as quoted in Oklahoma newspapers and on Oklahoma City television stations KWTV and KSWO as well as others have referred to the speech as "hate speech". GLADD's response referred to the Kern's comments as "hateful and defamatory language."
I cannot think of a more accurate description for the mendaciousness of her hyperbolic comments.
Posted by: Stefano A | Mar 10, 2008 9:20:05 PM
This says more about the phobes than anything else:
Hate speech that Silly Sally uses is exactly what causes some people (namely young males) to go out and bash and kill gay people, as well as those who don't fit the traditional stereotype of heterosexuality. Therefore, she should be tried as an accomplice to murder for any and all bashings and murders of gay people that take place in the future.
She has blood on her hands, and I guarantee that there are young males out there who have heard what she's said and have filed it away in the back of their mixed-up minds under "Memo: Elected officials have declared that gay people must be killed in order to save society". Eventually some will act on this, and because of Sally's vile little diatriabe, they have now decided that killing gay people is a moral necessity, something which must be done to save society, of no more consequence than squashing a bug, and something which officials deem to be perfectly acceptable.
I pasted a couple other comments below from a friend I thought are good:
[usaqueers] Sally Kern technically calls for the eradication of homosexuals??Monday, March 10, 2008 10:57 PM
From: "Rusty Morris" ([email protected]) View contact details To: [email protected]
What I find most interesting is what would happen to her based on her remarks in places like Canada or an EU country. Do you realize that based on one particular remark she actually calls for (technically) the eradication of Gay people. In her speech she sets up a scenario by which she equates the U.S. with "the body" and proceeds to equate Gay people with "toe Cancer"...now we aren't stupid. Everyone knows what you do with Cancer, to survive cancer you must cut it out, you must kill it, you must eradicate it from the body.
She proceeds in her analogy to discuss how, like toe cancer, if ignored will kill the body. She states that to ignore toe cancer is stupid because although at the time it seems "nothing", that without treatment it will spread and consume. Well of course, this is logical and all true. Her use of this analogy however is a lot more serious than it seems. TO equate Gay people with toe cancer, a disease that must be stopped BEFORE it kills the body...KNOWING what we all understand to be the proper course and treatment of cancer. Cancer must be killed, must be purged, must be eradicated to survive.
She then hammers this subtle point home by moving on to statements and claims regarding any society that accepts homosexuality as only lasting a "couple decades". When taken altogether, her statements are technically a call for the extermination of Gay people. Now of course the sheeple masses would agree that technically this is true but "couldn't be what she really meant". In Canada such a statement by a public official would be taken as it lay. She would be charged with Hate Speech violations and there would be no sissy codling of her words as "accidental analogies". The headlines would read (and should read here) "Rep. Sally Kern technically calls for the eradication of homosexuals? " Of course she did not get specific, and it is a question I would love to know, how DOES she plan to "Eradicate this cancer before it spreads"
Killing?..isolation ?..deportation? ...concentration camps?...arrest/ imprisonment? By what method does she see an eradication of this cancer taking place in this country? This is something I would love to hear her respond to, I can here her now "Oh no, I didn't mean it like that"..well sweety, it seems you should have chosen your analogies a bit more carefully... because technically, and with all of us knowing the proper course for cancer treatment... she DID just that.
Rusty Morris wrote:
She can double talk all she wants to. Equating Gay people with "toe cancer" as inevitable destruction of the body (the US) if not "treated". The use of words like "Terrorists" when engaging in what she calls "debate", claiming Gay people are more of a threat than "Terrorists" is indeed the very definition of "hate speech" as it seeks to enrage, frighten, and demonize, KNOWING what those feelings drive people to do. Further association and use of terms like "Indoctrinate 2nd graders" (A further attempt to demonize and touch upon primal rage in the public by demonizing Gay people as a threat to children). If Sally Kern expressed her opinion that according to HER interpretation of her PERSONAL religious beliefs SHE believes Homosexuality to be immoral and LEFT IT at that. Then she would indeed have been doing nothing but expressing her "Free Speech" right to her own personal opinion. This is not what Sally Kern did and SHE knows it. She used every "buzz-phrase" ..every "demonization red herring" and every "incitement to riot" fear tactic she could vomit up in her "speech" to a group of, and in the company of, like minded fascist scum. Sally Kern, like all those who skip happily down her road, RAPED the ideal of "Free Speech" by abusing it, twisting it, and codifying it as a shield for obvious hate speech. To be a public figure and NOT know the difference between Free Speech and Hate Speech is WHY every other civilized country from Canada to Sweden laughs at us. But like most right wing pundits, Sally Kern depends on the primal hatreds and ignorance of the public to allow her to whitewash what she said and what she is. Sally Kern doesn't like homos?..more power to her, revel in her hatred and bias till Jesus spits in her face and points her the other way, but when you say that my people are akin to a cancer in this country, a threat to 2nd graders, more dangerous than terrorists, blah blah same Nazi buzz tactics they used to rally people against the Jews...then she has indeed went across the line, out from under the veil of free speech and into the nest of fascist Klu Klux Klan, Phelps soldier pickets, and Christian Identity supremacist ideals. That is the truth of the matter.
Posted by: Preston | Mar 11, 2008 7:54:40 AM
If you want to tell her just how unpleasant you find her you can at:
Capitol Address: 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd. Room 332 Oklahoma City, OK 73105 (405) 557-7348.
District Address: 2713 Sterling Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73127.
Email: [email protected]
Posted by: forbesfart | Mar 11, 2008 10:53:06 AM
Wow, Preston - very nice response, and spot on. Give your friends a cyber-hug from me :)
Of course a majority of gay people are like "we need to understand her", "maybe she's having financial problems", or some other ass-kissing lame excuse.
When trailer trash like this hillbilly is spreading an indirect version of Nazi propaganda, people need to call it like it really is.
And there's some gay activists out there who will try to present her speech as a pretty decorated cake, and those tree-hugging sissies are no better than this woman.
Supposedly she has a gay son, and when presented with her own speech, she couldn't listen to it. I wonder if her son was unaware of exactly how nutty his mother is, and she's worried he'll soon find out? Of course if I were the son, I'd be stopping by to pick up whatever belongs to me, and the nutball wingnuts can have the bitch LOL
Posted by: Scott | Mar 11, 2008 1:00:06 PM
Thanks for sharing the petition Gerry - signed it.
Posted by: Scott | Mar 11, 2008 1:12:04 PM
Ok, I've done my part to help out with the Sally Kern petition LOL ;)
Posted by: Scott | Mar 11, 2008 7:04:11 PM
Please sign the petition to get Sally Kern out of Office. Forward to all your friends, post on your blogs!
Posted by: Heather | Mar 12, 2008 12:45:35 PM
"Homophobia is a fear of people loving, more than it is of the sexual act"
"There seems to be an innate distaste for the love involved, which I find absolutely extraordinary.
The issue is love. It's not about sex, neither terrorists!!!
Shame on you Sally Kern
Posted by: Steven Green | Mar 12, 2008 8:41:22 PM
I wanted to call her up and leave a message but I do not know if that is legal... A woman this evil could probably get me in trouble for it but i wanted to tell her she should be MORE than ashamed of herself for saying that homosexuality is more of a threat than terrorism and comparing it to cancer of the toe? She should be stripped of any power she holds in this "land of the free." Destroying our nation? Try school shootings or STDS that are affecting homosexuals and heteosexuals alike. This woman does not represent anything I stand for and she should also be ashamed as a Christian-EVERYONE is loved by God. This is the most disturbing speech I have heard in a long time and it is scary that evil people like her have power. SHAME ON YOU if you are reading this... millions of people heard you loud and clear.
Posted by: Shayna | Mar 13, 2008 9:01:00 AM
I support her right to speak her mind. And all of you gays should be ashamed of yourselves to trying to take her right away.....Also she is spot on in her assessment that our schools no longer teach but simply indoctrinate....She is also correct ( for those who do not know history ) the homosexuality has taken down very powerful societies ...She is on the mark....even though gays do not like her truth
Posted by: Tammy | Mar 14, 2008 3:30:02 PM
Tammy: For the one million and sixth time, nobody is denying her right to speak her mind. We are simply employing OUR right to call her out on her words!! The "free speech" argument is a childish distraction.
Schools do not indoctrinate. They are trying to eliminate bias. The bias that those of us who grew up gay knew (and still largely know) all too well.
Homosexuality has not ever destroyed a society. What revisionist rubbish!!
Posted by: G-A-Y | Mar 15, 2008 9:04:00 AM
Although I do not agree how Sally said this; could she be telling the TRUTH? It seems to me the whole issue comes down to what TRUTH we believe. Could this shift in our personal TRUTH lead to our nation's downfall? God has given us the ability to choose between TRUTH and NON TRUTH. Most of us want to do what is right. We all are looking for data or research that will support what we think is the TRUTH. Sally's TRUTH is based on what was written and has been followed for over 4000 thousand years. Your TRUTH is just getting out. I can only wonder why it has taken this long to come to us after all this time. My hope, and I'm sure this is God's hope, is that we both get the TRUTH before we see our end on this Earth.
Posted by: Denis | Mar 18, 2008 6:55:45 PM
Yes there is such a thing as free speech, which she executed, there's also something called consequences of one's actions. I think that consequentially Sally Kern needs to resign. because as an elected official it is your responsibility to represent the people of your county and your voice is their voice so you'd better watch you what you say. If an elected official said that African American's or Arab Americans or insulted any race by calling them the "downfall of society" or "the death knell of this nation" the would be out of office faster than you could snap your fingers. So why should it be any different for Sally Kern who blatantly attacked homosexuals with some serious accusations and false indoctrination. this is the type of brainwashing that's is confusing people into hating something harmless. Behind every Mathew Shepperd their's a Sally Kern spewing lies into the ears of the attackers.
Posted by: Jesse Johnson | Apr 2, 2008 7:06:30 PMcomments powered by Disqus


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By Kelly Clay, PayScale.com
Every weekend, we round up the employment trends, career stories and job news that you may have missed during the past week.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Dear Hailey,
I've been in an abusive relationship for 15-years. It's been one filled with gas lighting, manipulation, and verbal abuse. I only saw it clearly recently when after my ex took my daughter to the place he's working so he could "be a dad" and then told me I was being a bad mom if I didn't come visit.
This is a man who could never let go of me, he clearly doesn't see me as a human being who has needs, thoughts, and wants. I'm a tool to him, I'm usable. Because when we're together he's controlling, when we're separate he breaks me down until I do what he wants and until he can convince me we need to be together.
He seems to have finally gotten the hint that I don't want him, because when I refused to come up to "visit my daughter" aka – him. He decided I can't see her. I'm getting a lawyer. But the truth is, I've been battling depression and demons my whole life.
Part of me thinks I should just leave her with him, she's almost 14. I think this will probably be devastating to her, but emotionally I'm not equipped to handle the constant abuse, his anger, his mistrust, because if I'm not with him I'm obviously with someone else and he won't allow that. I've realized how absolutely destroyed I feel. I don't feel like I have any rights in this situation. His words and his anger have made me into a non-human.
So my question is, should I leave my daughter so he'll leave me alone?
Dear LDW,
I would caution you against leaving your daughter. This would not only be devastating to her, but it is highly probable that she could resent you for leaving her. While she will be an adult when she is 18 in 4 short years, your relationship will likely never recover if you leave her with your ex-husband. You have described your ex-husband as abusive. Often abusive behavior is not limited only to one person. You need to consider the possibility that in extricating yourself from the situation that you could be leaving your daughter in an abusive home.
I can only imagine what you have lived through. I'm sure that it's been hell and that you are tired of fighting. But I encourage you to fight for your daughter. Don't bow out. You don't have to do this alone. Counseling, support groups, domestic abuse centers, and more are available to provide you with support.
You mentioned getting a lawyer, and that's great place to start. There are options after the court ruling such as a custody agreement that limits contact, a mediator or other third party to handle disputes, and more. Discuss your concerns with your lawyer.
Truly, this is your choice. You need to consider all of your choices and the ramifications before you make any big decisions in this arena. Remember that you are strong, and you can do this.


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As an Estee I can't tell you how many times I have had a client on my table and had her explain to me that she has dry skin. In order to have dry skin you must not have or have very little oil production. See dry skin is a skin type. There are a few of those. Dry is little to no oil production with small pores. Oily is oil production over most of the face (at least 75%) & larger pores. Combination is oily in the t-zone with larger pores in that area, and smaller pores with no oil leading out to the hair line. Normal has larger pores on the cheek area with a little oil production and smaller pores with no oil production in the t-zone.
Now for skin conditions, which dehydration falls into. Dehydration is a lack of water in the skin. There is also acneic skin, which is severe breakout (ladies if you have a few blemishes it is NOT acneic skin). Sensitive (which is also considered in some areas a type), which means most things upset the balance in your skin. Rosacea, which is red inflammatory skin and is hereditary. Couperose, or broken capillaries in the skin which you will sometimes see referred to as talangiectasia. That can only be treated with laser therapy. Just to name a few.
So let's talk about dry skin (type) vs dehydration (condition). You can have dehydrated skin with any skin type. I am a perfect example. I am an oily skin type, yet I am always dehydrated! Dehydration is a lack of water in the skin and this is caused by so many different factors. It can be as simple as you don't drink enough water. But it can also be attributed to caffeine, medications, sun exposure, wind exposure, diet, exercise, exfoliation, and even your favorite beauty products.
Let's break some of these down. Drinking water is a huge part of your diet. As human beings we are made up of 70% water! So if we aren't getting our water intake (usually 8 glasses a day) we of course become dehydrated. Caffeine drinkers listen up! For every glass you drink of that favorite pop of yours, you need to balance it out with 3 glasses of water. Hence why I am always dehydrated! Medications can zap your water intake, so can the sun & wind. If you don't exfoliate your skin cannot breathe properly and you can't get you moisturizer into your skin. And speaking of that moisturizer, does it contain alcohol in it? Because that will kill your face. A lot of over the counter moisturizers put alcohol in it to make it cheaper...and it shows. Fat free diets also kill your water intake. So make sure you are eating the fruits and veggies because they hold a ton of water, and nutrients you need for you body!
Always let your Estee tell you what your skin type is. We have been trained to do it,and we have the tools to do it. It's why we are here!
Here are a few skin care lines I highly recommend to my clients!
Hope these help!


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A literature review by Ines Drefs and Barbara Thomass on findings about media assistance organisations is now available.
Download at: http://www.mecodem.eu/publications/working-papers
Executive Summary
This literature review provides a systematic overview of findings on media assistance in the fields of journalism training, civil society support, and good governance. It covers both academic accounts as well as "grey literature" from media assistance organisations (MAOs), democracy development organisations (DDOs), or public bodies in order to shed light on approaches, goals, and measures in media development practice. The literature review identifies concrete reference points for future research activities towards developing an understanding of modern-day capacity building for journalists, activists and governments in conflict arenas.
- The reviewed literature differentiates between linear and relational approaches to development as regards overall trends in development cooperation. Today, conceptualisations of development as a linear process of cause and effect have widely been replaced by relational approaches which emphasize local expertise and the contexts and complexities of social change.
- The literature emphasizes the importance of accounting for specific needs when it comes to media assistance in conflict-ridden contexts. The reviewed recommendations boil down to establishing communication between different actors (such as oppositional players or media and public professionals) and to institutionalising this communication in the form of round-tables, press conferences, or other modi vivendi of dealing with one another in a democratic way.
- Two aspects are salient throughout the reviewed areas "journalism training", "capacity building for civil society actors", and "capacity building for political leaders": The need for multi-stakeholder dialogue and an emphasis on creating awareness of the general value of communication.
- Differences across the reviewed areas seem rooted in the amount of practical experience gained so far with the respective group of beneficiaries. Future research is well-advised to adapt its focus accordingly. Examining "best practices" is especially relevant when it comes to journalism training. An understanding of support offered to activists can be gained by identifying specific challenges to civil society organisations. When it comes to capacity building for governments it seems especially informative to address the standing of improved communication skills within established training structures.


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A German politician's fingerprints have been cloned by hackers from photos taken with a camera phone.
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At RM79,797, this 145hp & 168Nm R3 tuned car should be a good choice for those who really needs high performance + superb handling sports car! Limited to few units only, this is a chance for you to grab the more affordable Neo R3 version instead of the Neo R3 Lotus Racing with same engine performance that is priced above RM100k.
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Shd1Ssh5NsU 425 344]
Proton R3 Satria Neo
Neo R3 Engine
Engine Base : Stage 2 upgrades to the standard 1.6-litre CAMPRO S4PH engine
Horsepower : 145bhp at 7,000 rpm
Torque : 168Nm of torque at 5,000 rpm.
Transmission: close ratio 5-speed manual transmission
Other Performance part:
+ revised fuel maps for spirited drives
+ a carbon fibre air intake system
+ a higher flow 4-2-1 performance exhaust system
+ adjustable aluminium camshaft pulley.
Weight : 1,200kg
Ride and handling : has been improved.
+ R3 performance springs drops the car 10mm lower to reduce body roll
+ Recalibrated alignment, toe and camber settings increases grip and steering precision.
+ 16" inch advanti lightweight alloys
+ Bridgestone Potenza RE001R 205/45
+ High performance brake pads
+ Fire Red with a black painted roof
+ CPS bodykit
matte red and black two-tone interior.
+ R3 limited edition front bucket seats wrapped in nappa leather.
+ two airbags, anti-lock braking system with Electronic Brake Distribution .
Proton Satria Neo R3 price : RM79,797 (MT Metallic)
Booking fee : RM2,000


text:
The PE Act requires a registered professional engineer to comply with
requirements relating to continuing professional development (CPD) as part of
the criteria to renew his practising certificate. The objective of CPD for
professional engineers is to reinforce the need for lifelong learning. It is
also in line with the emerging global trend towards promoting and ensuring
continuous learning by engineers and other professionals so as to maintain their
A PE who wishes to renew his practicing certificate is required to obtain a
minimum of 40 professional development units (PDUs) over a prescribed renewal
qualifying period. The 40 PDUs shall comprise a minimum of 15 PDUs (20 PDUs for PC 2015 and thereafter) in structured
activities, and the remainder can be obtained from either structured or
unstructured activities. A structured activity refers to a course or activity
that is qualified by PEB for PDUs while an unstructured activity refers to an
activity that involves self-directed learning, reading, discussion or
Before making applications online, a course organiser must register with PEB first.
Upon approval of registration with PEB,
the course organiser will be given an online account and a password to access the account.
Course organiser can then make an online application for qualification of a CPD
activity under categories 1(a), (b) or (c)
of the PEB's CPD programme.


text:
What Your Clients Should Know About S Corps and State Tax
Some states require additional paperwork and others don't recognize S Corp status at the state level at all.
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California follows S corp elections I believe. I may have read the article too quickly however.


text: From body scrubs to face creams, we've tested a range of products that boast botanical properties and inspirations. Crabtree & Evelyn's Lily Bath and Shower Gel (HK$225/250ml) and Lily Body Lotion (HK$245/245ml) are made with peony, white magnolia and elder flower. The shower gel is quite thick, but you still need to use a large amount. The body lotion contains shea butter and coconut oil, and again, quite a lot is needed to cover the body. The smell is fantastic, however, and skin feels silky and soft after use. Available at all Crabtree & Evelyn stores. L'Occitane's Angelica Eye Roll-On (HK$220/10ml) and Angelica Hydration Cream (HK$360/50ml) are made with oil extracted from angelica root. The roll-on has a runny consistency but is absorbed straight away and instantly refreshes the skin around the eyes. For those moments when you need an extra boost, store it in the fridge and apply cold. The face cream has a thick texture but feels light and non-greasy once applied. It's also absorbed immediately and leaves skin feeling refreshed. Available at all L'Occitane stores. Panpuri's Rose Absolute Hand Cashmere Cream (HK$320/3x25ml tubes) has a thick, velvety texture and hands feel soft and hydrated for hours after application. The cream is enriched with olive and damascena rose extracts, giving it a distinct scent that's not too sweet and lingers on skin for hours. We love the fact it's made using only natural, plant-based and hypoallergenic ingredients. Available at Lane Crawford stores. Aesop's Geranium Leaf Body Scrub (HK$250/170ml) is a body exfoliant made with milled pumice, bamboo stem and geranium-leaf oil. The scrub has a gooey, gel-like texture that's gentle on skin and has a fresh, uplifting scent. Use with water and it creates a lather that makes it fast and easy to apply over the entire body. Skin instantly feels smooth and soft. Use a moisturising cream straight after the scrub, when the skin is primed for hydration. Available at all Aesop stores.


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Based on the series of best-selling novels by Bernard Cornwell, the story of Richard Sharpe (the remarkable Sean Bean), illegitimate son of a prostitute, rising from the enlisted ranks to an "Officer but Not a Gentleman" Lt. Colonel through a combination of courage under fire and luck, offers action, drama, comedy, romance, and a healthy dose of irreverence, as the more-than-capable Sharpe is often assigned under less-than-competent officers, under the eye of his mentor, Lord Wellington (Hugh Fraser, in most of the films). Accompanied by loyal Irish Sergeant Patrick Harper (Daragh O'Malley, soft-spoken and absolutely fabulous in the role), and his 'Chosen Men' (John Tams, Jason Salkey, Lyndon Davies, Michael Mears, and Paul Trussell), Sharpe is given one 'impossible' assignment after another, testing his resourcefulness, honor, and, often, his patience, as well!
A terrific collection of first-rate actors appear in the series, as Sharpe's allies, enemies, and distractions, including Philip Whitchurch as scarred, one-eyed Capt. Frederickson (who, despite being thoroughly disgusting, grows into a quite endearing fellow, before Sharpe 'steals' his lady), Michael Cochrane, Pete Postlethwaite and F�odor Atkine (three of the nastiest villains you'd ever care to meet) and a young Paul Betthany (as the infuriatingly reckless and incompetent young Prince William of Orange, who decimates Sharpe's command in "Sharpe's Waterloo").
American audiences will recognize a youthful, dark-haired Daniel Craig ('James Bond', in "Casino Royale"), as a malevolent fellow officer, Brian Cox ("X-Men 2") as an Irish strategist for Wellington, Elizabeth Hurley ("Austin Powers") as a duchess with a 'past' that included Sharpe, Alexis Denisof (TV's "Angel") as the nobleman who 'steals' Sharpe's wife and money, Alice Krige (the Borg Queen from "Star Trek: First Contact"), as a pawn in an elaborate plot to disgrace and hang Sharpe, and Toby Stephens ("Die Another Day") as a renegade British officer in India, in Richard Sharpe's long-awaited return to the screen, "Sharpe's Challenge".
While buxom beauties are always a part of the story, three remarkable women figure prominently in Sharpe's saga; Assumpta Serna, portraying the doomed Spanish resistance leader who has his daughter; Abigail Cruttenden, as his less-than-faithful bride; and C�cile Paoli, as a French officer's widow with whom he would eventually find happiness, for a time.
Above everything else, the series succeeds because of Sean Bean, who truly brings Richard Sharpe to life. Dashing, quick-witted, and brave, Bean's 'Sharpe' literally 'leaps off the screen', with his dazzling portrayal. If you are only familiar with his many villainous screen roles, prepare to be surprised...Bean makes a wonderful hero!
This is a first-rate series that should NOT be missed!
O'er the hills and o'er the main.
Through Flanders, Portugal and Spain.
King George commands and we obey.
Over the hills and far away.
When duty calls me I must go
To stand and face another foe.
But part of me will always stray
Over the hills and far away.
If I should fall to rise no more,
As many comrades did before,
Then ask the fifes and drums to play.
Over the hills and far away.
Then fall in lads behind the drum,
With colours blazing like the sun.
Along the road to come-what may.
Over the hills and far away.
For MORE about Richard Sharpe, and the remarkable Sean Bean, I highly recommend these sites...
The Official Website of "Sharpe" author, BERNARD CORNWELL
SHARPEFILM.COM, the Official Sharpe Films Website
'Richard Sharpe' at WIKIPEDIA.ORG
The Sharpe Appreciation Society
SHARPE and his CHOSEN MEN: a Life in Pictures, by Jason Salkey ('Rifleman Harris')
SHARPE and his CHOSEN MEN: Sharpe's Rifles Quiz
Sean Bean
Bean-Box.com, a Sean Bean Fansite
Full-of-Beans.net, a Sean Bean Fansite
Bean There, A Sean Bean Fansite
IMDb Entry for Sean Bean
...and pages devoted to some of my OTHER interests, too! Best viewed with . Send e-mail to the Webmaster
with questions or comments about this site.
My Personal Homepage / My Celebrity Photo Album / My Autographed Photo Collection / My TV and Movie Reviews for IMDb / My Amazon.com Reviews and Buying Guides / My Cat Page / My MIDI Collection / SUPERMAN, Then and Now / CHARMED! / Bond, JAMES BOND! / My JOHN WAYNE Tribute Page / My A-Team Mini-Site / My Man from U.N.C.L.E. Mini-Site / My CLASSIC Star Trek Mini-Site / My BUCK ROGERS in the 25th CENTURY Mini-Site / My FLASH GORDON Mini-Site / IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD / The SHARPE Saga! / Myspace/BEN BURGRAFF / The Ronald Colman Saga
Best viewed with . Send e-mail to the Webmaster with questions or comments about this site.


text:
People in Kapiti will continue to have access to quality after-hours healthcare close to home following an announcement from Capital & Coast DHB.
Last year, Capital & Coast DHB began talking to the community – including local health providers, and staff – about how to better deliver after-hours services.
This is because of ongoing challenges staffing the Kenepuru Accident & Medical Clinic overnight.
Executive director strategy, innovation and performance Rachel Haggerty says – "there is no plan to close the clinic – but we do need a better way of providing services so residents have reliable access to after-hours care.
"We gained valuable insights from those conversations, and have listened to the community's concerns," she said.
"We will increase staff numbers on the afternoon to 11pm shift, so people aren't waiting into the early morning to be seen. Overnight, we'll still have a service available – however emergencies continue to be seen at the Wellington Regional Hospital emergency department."
The DHB, in partnership with primary health organisations, is also working to help GPs extend their hours to better reflect their patients' lifestyles.
"We want to strengthen our relationships with the Porirua and Kapiti communities and the healthcare providers working within them.
"We understand how important it is for people to have continued access overnight healthcare close to where they live, and we're committed to this."
(from the KC News website)


text:
Anyone who has spent time on Wall Lake knows how relaxing lake life can be. Whether it's the quiet trips around the lake, water skiing, tubing through the lily pads, fishing, or swimming at the point, Wall Lake has it all! This site has been created so the Wall Lake community can come together throughout the year and live lake life.
|Wall Lake Gear
|Wear the Lake
|Wall Lake Classifieds
|Buy, Sell, Trade, Rent!
|Wall Lake Live Chat!
|Community Connect
|Wall Lake Pictures
|Share favorite lake pics
|Wall Lake History
|Howd we get here?
|Good Fishing Reports
|& recipies
|Boating Resources
|Know the rules
Wall Lake is the gem of all Barry County lakes. Located in Delton, Michigan Wall Lake is a 540 acre lake. Bordered by M43 to the west Wall Lake is only a 45 minute drive from Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and Grand Rapids, making it a central location of paradise for most of the summer residents. Residents can partake in a number of activities including swimming, boating and relaxing. Wall Lake has several species of fish including Bass, bluegill, perch, walleye, and crappie. The scenery around Wall Lake is breathtaking. Wall Lake has a family of swans, in the morning Loons can be heard, Wood Ducks have also been spotted. After an action packed day on the lake one can enjoy a quiet boat ride. Upon darkness several campfires appear were residents enjoy drinks, smores, and conversation. Wall Lake is Great!
Not Seeing what you want on wall-lake.com We are always looking for good ideas to make wall-lake.com better!
If you have questions or comments please send them to email@example.com
Current water temp as of June 4th ~ 68 degrees
Why has this site been created?
Wall-Lake.com has been created for the residents of Wall Lake. Here is a place where you can buy a boat, sell your fishing pole, share pictures, share hot fishing spots, chat with other residents, buy a shirt, read Wall Lake history, but mostly Wall-Lake.com is a place for friends to gather and live the lake! What does Wall Lake mean to you?


text:
The Politics of the Common Law: Perspectives, Rights, Processes, Institutions by Adam Gearey
The Politics of the Common Law offers a critical introduction to the legal system of England and Wales. Unlike other conventional accounts, this revised and updated second edition presents a coherent argument, organised around the central claim that contemporary postcolonial common law must be understood as an articulation of human rights and open justice.
The book examines the impact of the European Convention and European Union law on the structures and ideologies of the common law and engages with the politics of the rule of law. These themes are read into normative accounts of civil and criminal procedure that stress the importance of due process. The final sections of the book address the reality of civil and criminal procedure in the light of recent civil unrest in the UK and the growing privatisation of public services. The book questions whether it is possible to find a balance between the requirements of economics and the demands of justice.


text:
December 3, 2013
Life in a Mobile Nation
André da Loba
Atlantic Cities has been exploring "the new geography of being young in America" – suggesting cities where millennials are most likely to find jobs, housing and an appealing culture. Other articles detail where older Americans move when they retire, or why they don't move.
Can one city be "ideal" for a lifetime? Or, if people relocate over and over throughout their lives — either because they can afford to or because they can't afford not to — how does that change family life, education and community ties?Read the Discussion »


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Hey guys! I've made this ppt to show some monsters to my students, so they choose one, do a research about it and present to class. Some of them wanted to dress up and role play a made up story, so I just let them do it (but I haven't seen it yet). Hope you enjoy it! =)
Upload date: 2017-10-24 21:00:38


text:
Well, except for the wet lung thing, the exploding device, and all those pesky toxins that get inhaled. Other than that, though, e-cigarettes including the Juul are all the rage, at least that's what the marketing, directed at children, says.
"There's what appears to be the first death by vape, once considered the millennial response to cigarettes, the potential safe replacement to the oddly human oral fixation of sticking something that blazes fire on one end into one's mouth. Firefighters responding to a fire earlier this month found 38-year-old Tallmadge D'Elia with severe injuries to his face. Officials believe the lithium battery, used to generate heat for the smoke that's emitted at the end of a vape, got so hot it exploded, causing the fire and killing D'Elia. Then there was the case of an 18-year-old hostess at a rural Pennsylvania restaurant who decided to try using e-cigarettes, according to a case study in Pediatrics. Within three weeks, the woman developed a rather nasty condition—"wet lung"—that included coughing, labored breathing, and stabbing pains in her chest, eventually sending her into respiratory failure." (https://www.thedailybeast.com/vaping-killed-vapers-dont-care).
Yeah, yeah, but adults successfully use e-cigarettes to quit real cigarettes, right? Maybe not. "Some people believe e-cigarettes may help lower nicotine cravings in those who are trying to quit smoking. However, e-cigarettes are not an FDA-approved quit aid, and there is no conclusive scientific evidence on the effectiveness of e-cigarettes for long-term smoking cessation. It should be noted that there are seven FDA-approved quit aids that are proven safe and can be effective when used as directed." (https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/electronic-cigarettes-e-cigarettes).
If you suffered a miscarriage or delivered a baby suffering from birth defects after using JUUL devices, or if your teenager has become addicted to JUUL vapes, contact a lawyer. It is our goal to help put an end to this crisis by helping the victims file civil lawsuits to recoup their losses. If you are located in the State of California and want help, please call Attorney and Physician Paul J. Molinaro, M.D., J.D. today for a free consultation.
* The above text may be considered an ad from a California law firm.


text:
Though the All-Star break is typically used to distinguish the first and second halves of the baseball season, most teams play their 81st game of the 162-game schedule sometime in late June. As we approach the actual halfway point of 2013, most of the early-season statistical oddities have abated, leaving only a few players on or near record-breaking paces. And long gone are the lusty days of the late 1990s and early 2000s when players seemed to threaten major records every year. Any records shattered in 2013 will be of the more subtle sort, if not necessarily less impressive.
Four records in particular are endangered — two lofty, two lousy.
Most doubles in a season
Record-holder: Earl Webb, 67 doubles, 1931.
The threat: Manny Machado, Baltimore Orioles
Machado is 20 years old and already looks like one of the best players in the league. Through his team's first 80 games, he already has 36 doubles, putting him on pace to shatter Webb's 82-year-old record with 73 doubles. No one has hit 60 or more doubles in a season since 1936. Machado's biggest hurdle in the chase could be his own ability, though, as players his age tend to improve rapidly. At some point, as he grows stronger, some of those doubles will become home runs, so Machado falling short of Webb's mark might wind up a very good problem for the Orioles.
Best strikeout to walk ratio by a starting pitcher
Record-holder: Bret Saberhagen, 11:1, 1994
The threat: Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals
Rate stats like this one don't make for very exciting record chases in the season's last month. But if Wainwright can maintain the remarkable control over his first 16 starts of the season, he should be in the hunt for the Cy Young Award. The 6'7″ righty has as many wins this season — 10 — as walks he has allowed, something no one has done since Saberhagen's strike shortened but record-setting 1994 season. With a 10.6 strikeout to walk ratio, Wainwright could get to Saberhagen's pace with four more strikeouts without a walk. But keeping it up through the second half of the season will be a challenge.
Most strikeouts in a season
Record-holder: Mark Reynolds, 223, 2009.
The threat: Chris Carter, Houston Astros
As the baseball world has learned more about what contributes and detracts from run-scoring, strikeouts seem to have lost some of their stigma for hitters while paradoxically gaining prestige among pitchers. The byproduct is that all five of baseball's 200-plus strikeout seasons have come in the last five years — three of them from Reynolds. Carter has 108 through his team's first 79 games, putting him on pace for 221 strikeouts. He's one of the Astros' best hitters despite all the whiffs, so he should get plenty of opportunities to challenge Reynolds.
Most batters hit by pitch in a season
Record-holder (post-1903): Jack Warhop, 24 HBP, 1909.
The threat: Doug Fister, Detroit Tigers
This record's difficult to define, as 19th century hurlers plunked batters at a downright ungentlemanly rate. Someone named Phil Knell actually hit 54 batters in 1891, though he did through 462 innings. Fister, a thin and cerebral righty with great control, clearly doesn't fear throwing inside. With 12 batters hit through his team's first 77 games, he's on pace for 26 hit by pitches in 2013. Kerry Wood hit 21 batters in 2003. The last guy with more than 21 was another Tiger — Howard Ehmke, who hit 23 batters in 1922.
Other notable half-season accomplishments: Rockies starter Jhoulys Chacin — who pitches for the Colorado Rockies — has allowed only 0.206 home runs per nine innings, best in the Majors. If he could somehow maintain that, it'd be the best by any starter since Greg Maddux's incredible 1994 season, and the best in Rockies' franchise history. The Rockies' pitching staff has been third best in the Majors at suppressing home runs, so maybe they're figuring something out.
The Orioles' Chris Davis is on pace for 107 extra-base hits, which would tie him for third most in a season all-time. There have only been 15 seasons of 100-plus extra-base hits in baseball history. Four guys did it in 2001, with Barry Bonds notching 107.
Both Mets starter Matt Harvey and the Mariners' Hisashi Iwakuma have WHIPs (walks plus hits per innings pitched) below 0.9. That rate has only been bettered five times since pitcher's mounds were lowered in 1969, and not since Randy Johnson did it in 2004.
Reds outfielder Shin-Shoo Choo is on pace to be hit by pitches 41 times. That'd place him well shy of Ron Hunt's stunning modern-era record of 50 HBPs in 1971, but it would make Choo only the second player since 1900 to be plunked more than 40 times.
Phillies starter Cole Hamels is on pace for 22 losses. It won't happen, but if it did, he'd be only the second 20-game loser since 1980. And Hamels would presumably look very sad.


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Tennis poems
Great contributions from Stella and Clifford, thanks guys! I second a separate and permanent Poet thread [on the top bar, TP?]
OK, it's all over, so, to wrap up, here is my final Wimbledon verse.
To those who liked the verses I say "Thanks" for telling me
To those who didn't like them I say "Thanks" for not telling me.
so, as players assess how their grass court season went and look forward to the
American hard court season I will end with this.
The time has come the tennis coach said.
to talk of many things.
Of shots, and shoes and strategies.
And those Babolat RPM Blast strings.
And why England was boiling hot.
And what the hard court season brings.
that's all folks
we used to sing "rounds " around the caampfire as Brownies and Guides.
so this is
rafa and Tomas in roundabout way.
Wimbledon July 4th.
4th final there for Nadal.
Nadal wins in straights over Berdych.
Berdych can't break Rafa's serve.
Serve wide to the ad court.
Court baseline turned to dry clay.
Clay no worries for Rafa.
Rafa , second title at Wimbledon.
Wimbledon July 4th.
4th final there for Nadal ………….. and so on, and so on
today and tomorrow, and wrap up Monday. I'm getting ready for retirement.
Vera's bad dream.
I just had a really bad nightmare.
Dreamt I was playing on famed Centre Court.
Across the net was Serena.
it was harder than I'd ever thought.
She looked so angry while playing.
Hit lots of first serves, so well placed.
So, even though I tried my hardest.
Time after time I was aced.
But today I didn't break my racquet.
Have a tantrum or even blub out loud.
And I fought to the very last second.
My surgeon and rehab guy should be proud.
Now I've awakened it was no dream
Serena is champion today.
But my Wimbledon dream continues.
I've still the doubles final to play.
(rats I lost that too )
today's should read a bit like the Longfellow poem– Hiawatha.
On the courts at SW19
Stood the Scot/Brit Andy Murray.
Heard the speaking of the umpire
heard the clapping of the watchers.
"15-40 " said the umpire.
'Come on Andy" said the mother.
Saw the game coach Miles Maclagan
Saw him urge his man on forward
Keep our hopes alive of winning.
Keep the dream alive for Britain.
But the man from Dunblane, Scotland
Could not beat the Spaniard , Rafa.
Could not make the Britons happy.
Could not break the drought since Perry
So dies the soccer/Wimby double.
And leaves the Brits to drown their troubles.
Cheers !!
again I didn't get to watch today so will settle down with my match tapes tonight.
Today is Canada Day and I spent much of the day on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, alongside well over 100,000 others to attend a concert, a flypast by the Snowbirds and to see the Queen who arrived in a horse drawn carriage with a escort of Royal Canadian Mounted Police on their beautiful steeds ( and hopefully no tasers). I say " to see the Queen' but since I'm 5ft 1 inch tall I saw most of it on the big monitors by the stage, but I did get a glimpse of her hat as she walked only about 5 feet away.
Today's verse is the "by request" one. I was asked to do Kader Nouni. Ithought "how?" — then I remembered a comment made by Tracy Austin at the Rogers cup in Montreal and the verse grew from there.
The first time I heard Kader Nouni,
I was courtside, Roger's Cup, Montreal.
When he spoke with that voice, and en Francais,
we eagerly awaited each call.
The next day I'm watching on TV,
Tracy Austin in the commentary box
suggests that each time she hears Monsieur Nouni
it makes her shiver right down to her socks.
"The grooviest man in tennis"
His Facebook homepage does say.
The BBC calls him La Umpo.
Je pourrais ecouter sa voix toute la journee.
( translated — I could listen to his voice all day )
today was supposed to be about Nouni. That can wait till tomorrow.
We had a major event today. I don't know much about the verse style called Haiku ( I read it is 3 lines, 5,7,5). Maybe Chieko San can tell me if I've got it all wrong but here is my attempt for today.
End of an era.
After seven straight finals.
Federer bows out.
and if I could speak to him I'd say:–
Go home , hug your girls.
You're still their Number 1 Dad.
Your life is so blessed
I've been out all day with no chance to see the day's play so I don't know who won or lost. So, it's 6pm here and I have a lot of tapes to watch. that means todays verse is the more general type and not about today's matches.
It was inspired by a kids book I spotted in Chapters on the weekend. I'm sorry Big sam Querrey lostyesterday because he's the subject of the verse. Imagine if you will, Sam is about 8 years old , playing by his house near supper time. A load of boys with tennis racquets hitting balls in the driveway. There's a tinkle of glass as a ball goes through a window. Dad Querey comes out to see who broke the window and sees a load of guilty looking kids.
Now, from Dr Seuss, Green Eggs and Ham , here is Sam I Am
I would not hit balls at a house.
I would not hit balls with a mouse.
I would not hit them with a fox.
No, I'm not standing on a box.
I would not hit them here or there.
I would not hit them anywhere.
I would not eat frogs legs or spam.
I do not like them, Sam I am.
I did not do it , sam I am..
PS tomorrows verse, by request is about Kader Nouni !!
so I got the message that some of you want more verses so ………….
Today was Magic Monday. The US Open has Super Saturday but I've always thought that Wimbledon's Magic Monday beats it hands down. All 32 players left in the singles draw are on court, none of this top half and bottom half of the draw stuff.
So for Magic Monday and its events you get a BOGO. Buy one , get one free
Of all the days to watch tennis,
Second Monday at Wimbledon's best.
Round of 16 all men and women
and today we were certainly blessed.
I switched from one court to another,
many matches I wanted to see.
For as well as the marquee players,
there were many who were quite new to me.
I've spent countless hours watching tennis,
on TV and from the stands.
But I've never seen Zakopalova,
Pironkova,Groth,Lu or Brands.
and now the free one……….
A player from Taipei name of Lu.
Drew Roddick on Graveyard Court 2.
They said "Roddick in 3″
It wasn't to be.
9-7 in the 5th, Lu goes through
Suunday 27th a day of rest. I think this will be my last verse. I think people are getting tired of them so unless I find fans waving placards and protesting in the streets maybe I should stop.Let me know . I don't want to outstay my welcome.
So this is to celebrate Federer . The greatest , the magic of his play , and the fact he made it to week two. This verse is with apologies to William Blake. As you read it ( or sing it) it is to the music of Sir Hubert Parry. All anglos or anglophiles will recognise this as the "hymn" Jerusalem
for those of you who do not know "Jerusalem I have included a you tube link to the song.
And did those feet in modern time,
Dance over England's grass courts green.
And was the grestest of all time,
On England's pleasant pastures seen.
He will not cease from mental fight,
nor shall his racquet sleep in his hand,
Till he has won another Slam.
In England's green and pleasant land.
Umpires get a lot of criticism. They oveerrule too much, or not enough. They enforce the time rule, or not. They enforce the coaching rule, or not. you get the idea.
One thing they have to do is umpire for an amazing United Nations of players and I am always amazed at how they handle the names.
So that is the theme for today.
A smart young man did aspire,
To be a tennis umpire.
He said "I won't worry"
"If I get Henin or Murray"
"But I don't think I can say Krasnoroutskaya.
or Razafimahatratra
or Kudryavtseva
or Pryzsienzy
or Lertcheewakarn
or Pavlyuchenkova
or Amanmuradova
or Bogomolov
or Cervantes-HHuegun
or Chakhnashvili
or Dzehalevic
or Lapusshenkova
or Zahlavova Strycova
( especially if they play together in doubles)
All names taken from Wimbledon 2010 players list
after the first 4 days I really felt "tennissed out" today so here's the latest.
I needed a break from just watching,
So I went out to play tennis instead.
But I did watch the straight sets from J J ,
and the same from my other fave, Fed.
Lleyton took on Gael on Centre.
"come on" defeated "allez"
The Djoker looked very impressive.
They'll play each other Monday.
Isner went out with a whimper.
As we all expected he might.
Justine, Venus and Kim won their matches.
That's it , so to all a good night.
well that was a historic day so I've changed from the comic style of the Limeric to a more "appropriate for the occasion" narrative verse style as used in epic poems and Norse sagas.
It's longer , so , take a bathroom break, make a coffee, and here goes…………….
The Queen visited Wimbledon Thursday,
77 was the last time she came.
She met and lunched with some players.
Then sat in a box bearing her name.
At lunch she saw Fed and Martina,
Novak, A Rod,Ginny Wade and Billie Jean.
They ate salmon and chicken and salad,
and of course Kent strawberries and cream.
Andy and Jarkko were first on.
Walk, turn,put bags down,and then bow.
They must have been feeling quite nervous.
But got loud applause from the crowd.
When they finally started playing,
I'm sure it's a fairly safe bet,
That neither man wanted their scoreboard,
To read 59 all, final set.
Then when the first match was over,
She met the players up on the roof.
Tim Phillipps then showed her the trophies,
She got in her car and was gone–"poof"
When she got back to the Palace,
She wispered in Prince Phillip's ear,
They gave me lunch and a great seat , dear ,
But I don't think I'll go back next year.
Then Isner and Mahut's epic followed,
the match that just wouldn't end.
70-68 Treetops wins it.
We won't see something like it again.
After that it seemed anticlimactic,
though we had lots of great players play.
Serena, TP's Anna and Rafa,
Rounded out this most memorable day,
So, with apologies to however wrote this limerick first, this is the best I can come up with today—
There once was a man from Japan
Whose verses never would scan
When told "but the thing"
"should go with a swing"
He replied " but I really want to get the most games in the last set as I possibly can"
OK, it's raining here so I can't get out in my garden .
So, rather than wait for tomorrow, here's today , Day 2, in a nutshell.
for Serena, Rafa and Murray.
easy, straight set wins in a hurry.
Though Stosur's not happy
to lose to Kanepi
they've now time to golf with Henman in Surrey
I promised no more verses but yesterday inspired me.
So here, from the poet in non residence at the Planet is Day 1 in a nutshell
The tennis from France was a yawn.
But what a day one on the lawn
Djoker, Davy and Fed
We gave up for dead
But they all won in 5 and moved on
there once was a lady called Jenny,
who said "players from spain there are many'
because they're from Spain
they can play in the rain
but it's grass and not clay , bring your wellies.
OK, that's my last.
there once was a fellow called Murray,
who said to the Brits "don't you worry'
I'll beat Querrey and Rafa
cos its Roger I'm after
and i'll be the first British champ since Fred Perry
such verse — and it's free— I'm not in residence
22 Responses to "Tennis poems"
June 25, 2010 at 3:17 pm
Wow, TP! Thank you 🙂 Stella, Clifford, everyone – A permanent poem thread!
June 25, 2010 at 8:50 pm
Now we'll have to keep writing!
- June 25, 2010 at 8:50 pm
June 29, 2010 at 4:31 am
Love the poems – here's my offering
The British Dream
Every June and July, we watched someone try
To fulfil his life-long dream
We shouted "C'mon Tim, you can beat him"
As we tucked into strawberries and cream
At Wimbledon each year, it was Tim we would cheer
All of Britain hoped he would win it
But he couldn't beat Federer, He's that much betterer
And so the final …..Tim never got in it
In 2002, it was Hewitt who got through
In the semi's, Tim played him and blew it
He tried to attack, but was forced to stay back
He got to the net, too " late and knew it" !!
(Leighton Hewitt Get it?)
He excited the nation, but lost to a Croatian
As Ivanisovitch won a match in the rain
Though Tim we admired, he has now retired
And he won't be playing Wimbledon again
He played well every year, gave us plenty to cheer
As we roared on this British star
We had such a thrill, out on Henman Hill
He got so near, but alas so far
And what other Brits have thrilled us ?
Andrew Castle and Neil Broad, we used to applaud
John Lloyd, Mark Petchy, Mark Cox
I expect they are threatenin' …. to play as a veteran
They're best sticking to their jobs on the Box
Roger Taylor, Nick Brown, Chris Wilkison, Barry Cowan
There was Chris Bailey and Jeremy Bates
Rusedski and Dowdeswell, entertained the crowds well
But they fell to some of the greats
Like McEnroe or Ashe, Boris Becker, Pat Cash
I wish Borg had been bjorn in Leeds
Aussie Wally Masur, was born in Britain I'm sure
He could have been one of "our" seeds
So Tim's now a panellist, and a studio analyst
He'll sit alongside John Inverdale or Sue
To debate with Mac or Boris, what chance there is for us
Of seeing our British dream coming true
So if it couldn't be Tim, there's a guy who can win
He comes from Dunblane – is that in Grampian?
This Scot Andrew Murray, is in such a hurry
As he aims to be Wimbledon Champion
Whose standing in Murray's way?
Well Nadal can play, he is at home on the clay
He has won at Queens on the grass
But he must sort out his pants, that he wore when in France
And stop them from riding up his …….bottom
(sorry I couldn't get it to rhyme)
And there's Djokovic the Serb, who's been playing superb
He plays with a smile and seems jolly
But Murray can go through, he knows what to do
He must lob the Serb…. and volley
If the umpire calls out and there's an element of doubt
Here 's what Andy Murray should do
In his best Scottish voice, tell the umpire he's no choice
He must turn off Hawk Eye the noo
Well this young Scot, with the talent he's got
He's the one on whom we are all countin'
If he wins then we will, have to replace Henman Hill
We'll call it instead Murray's Mountain
Alistair Speirs, Winchester
June 29, 2010 at 9:16 am
Here's a funny poem but it has to be read whilst Andy Murray is still in the competition
August 3, 2010 at 6:34 pm
Next week there's tennis in Toronto.
I wish I could go see them play.
But the next week I'll go watch the ladies.
Even if it's just for a day.
the USO is getting closer.
Rafa is doing all he can so he'll win.
Murray has fired miles Mc Laghan
But Fed will team up with Annacone
August 3, 2010 at 8:02 pm
We'll be seeing how Rog likes his new coach
And what tournaments Rafa's knees bear
And just how the sweep treats Andy Murray
(though we're not sure, right now, he's "all there").
Faves like Feña return – even though we
won't see Polito back till DC –
But the best part of the USO sweep?
That Stella gives us more poems! Wheee!
Is this the Warmup with Assonance, Stella?
In honor of the American portion of the tour?
August 4, 2010 at 11:28 am
no !!!
August 4, 2010 at 11:38 am
actually I was suffering a little discomfort from pent up creative juices so I just let it out and am feeling much better now.
It seems to me you could do it quite admirably
August 4, 2010 at 1:51 pm
LOL. You inspired us all to flights of fancy last time. Even some epics.
I feel confident everyone will return with the same bursts of sparkling creativity.
(Except me. I think I just spent mine. 😛 )
September 4, 2010 at 3:32 pm
Wow how wonderful !!
- August 4, 2010 at 11:28 am
- August 3, 2010 at 8:02 pm
August 16, 2010 at 2:55 pm
I switched on the TV this morning.
To watch Peer and Kanepi play.
and there in the chair was my man Nouni.
Now this really has been a good day
September 4, 2010 at 3:27 pm
Aww, Stella, that's cute.
I saw this morning that on the US Open website there is a guy who wrote up a bunch of poems….only had the chance to skim, but some of them were very witty.
September 4, 2010 at 3:30 pm
Si si un bel di !! Yes indeed a beautiful day. I love your poem.
- September 4, 2010 at 3:27 pm
September 6, 2010 at 12:46 pm
I hoped M would make verses.
About the USO play.
I guess she's just been too hot.
But it's a lot cooler today.
September 6, 2010 at 1:29 pm
As Sir V said, this year's been strange so far
With its bombard of imagery,
And Stella, I'm a shadow of your star –
You're a *lot* better at this than me.
But the chaos has mellowed a lil' bit,
Got some hopes of a FEDAL final peak (*hopes hopes hopes*)
So perhaps other Planeteers'll join in
And we'll see what we can do this week!
- September 6, 2010 at 1:29 pm
September 6, 2010 at 3:50 pm
well done M.
I had some free time today and came up with this version of "Sea Fever" by John Masefield.
Called Tennis Fever,
I must go back to the court again,
To the court and the crowded stands.
and all I ask is a good serve,
and the cheers of all those fans.
And the balls kick,
and the wind's calm,
and the opponents knees shaking,
and a winning drive on a match point,
as it's his serve I am a breaking.
September 7, 2010 at 5:05 am
Thanks for this, Stella – it's just how I feel!
(Also, are you going to share with the rest of us one of these days your gift for creating out of thin air those new versions of our old favorite songs? 🙂 )
- September 7, 2010 at 5:05 am
September 7, 2010 at 4:57 am
The Ballad of Roger's Fourth Round
I'm no photographer as Sir V is,
And Stella's poetry is much more nice,
But if your tolerance be generous,
Then I will try to entertain you twice.
For I was there as Roger did advance
Though more than once we thought he might not win it –
Watched breathless as his elegant court dance
Banished spectre of final with no Roger in it.
And many times you called it, Planeteers,
Your commentary validated fears
How little did we know the match with Meltzer
Might leave Rog fans with need for Alka Seltzer!
But Roger fought the weather and his man
Through shanking and through second set tiebreak
And rose again like phoenix in the third
Whip, counterpunch, all shots, for his fans' sake.
Friends, fans were legion! Gavin, Gwen too,
They came to marvel at our hero's range
(But management *must* toss that kiss-cam, though –
distracted, I missed a Roger shirt change).
But pictures, they say, better tell a tale,
And, as you can imagine, my brain's toast,
So since I knew my oratory'd fail,
I've left TP the link in Wanna Post.
P.S. They're not brilliant like Bluechyll's from the Australian and Sir V's from Wimbledon – please see disclaimer in first line, and I know I need a new camera –but I hope you enjoy them. 🙂
September 7, 2010 at 8:58 am
lovely. you were so lucky to be there.
Now I'm off to see your photos
September 7, 2010 at 9:01 am
went to Wanna Post and could not find the link to your photos M
September 7, 2010 at 10:03 am
Sorry, Stella – it must still be in moderation.
Let's try this
http: // s953. photobucket. com/ albums/ ae16/ roolz1/
(push spaces together to get link)
Guest Password: TennisPlanet
September 7, 2010 at 10:22 am
Stella, also – for some reason, photobucket seems to have put them in in reverse order. So you may want to scroll down and click on "View All" so you can start from 001 (hopefully then the pics will make better chronological sense).
- September 7, 2010 at 10:03 am


text:
Man charged in Staten Island murder of Voorhees man
NEW YORK — The NYPD says a man arrested after a Staten Island carjacking has now been charged with killing a man.
Police say Tyrell Brown has been charged with murder in the death of Kuwan Collins of Voorhees Township, N.J.
Collins was found with a gunshot wound to the head Sunday on Staten Island.
Police said Thursday they're also questioning Brown in connection with another homicide in the borough that day.
Both killings occurred shortly before the carjacking.
Brown was arrested Tuesday night near the Verrazano Bridge for allegedly stealing a black Hummer at gunpoint.
When police spotted the vehicle on the bridge Monday, police say Brown sped off and broke through the toll barrier.
It wasn't immediately known if Brown had a lawyer.


text:
HOMER - Eugenia Smith Estes, 88, formerly of Avondale Estates, died Sunday, December 27, 2009, at her residence.
Born in Atlanta, she had lived most of her life in Avondale Estates. She was a homemaker and an active member of the Decatur First United Methodist Church and Avondale Garden Club.
Survivors include her husband of 67 years, Egbert W. Estes; daughters and son-in-law, Ellen Whitfield, Karen and Keith Campbell, all of Homer; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, December 30, 2009, from the chapel of A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home in Decatur.
A.S. Turner & Sons, Decatur, was in charge of arrangements.


text:
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text:
Monostorapáti is a nice village in the Centre of the Transdanubian region, it is located appr. 150 km far from the Hungarian capital, along the route Nr 74 that runs between Veszprém and Tapolca. Lake Balaton is about 20 km from us. The village is beset with low hills and nice green valleys; it is situated in the valley of creek Eger which belongs to the landscape protection area of Balaton-highland. Its borders are Agártető (north) Boncsos (south- east) Sátormapuszta (south) and Hegyesd (west). Monostorapáti has got a lake, called Lake Apáti, which is owned by a businessman.
On the hills of Monostorapáti there are vineyards. The wine produced in this area e.g. Olaszrizling, Szürkebarát (i.e. Grey Monk) Isabella, Zweigelt, Othello, Kékfrankos are famous for their bouquet. Several Hungarian kings obtained wine from Monostorapáti.
The population of the settlement fluctuates between 1100 and 1200 people.
The area has been inhabited since the Celtic Age, which is proved by archeological findings. In the Roman Age this district was a part of Province Pannonia. In the age of conquest of Hungary there were most probably several heathen sacrificial places in the forest near the recent Kapolcs and Monostorapáti, and the name of one hill near the village: "Áldozótető" refers to it.
The name of the village was given after the abbey of Saint Benedict order, that owned it. The abbey (which ruins are on view near the recent Monostorapáti) was established by son of Bánd, called Atyusz (Öguz, Ogüz, Ákos) in 1117. Bánd was originated from Bulcsú horka (he comes from Turkish) ("horka" means a high dignitary of the old Hungarian tribal confederation), and he was the ancestor of count of family Almády. The settlement where the abbey was established, was called Almád. This name comes from Turkish. The church of abbey was benedicted for the honour of Holy Virgin Mary and of All Saints. In the last decades of Árpád age the abbey became the victim of pilferages. Petur bán was born in Almád today in Monostorapáti, he comes from family Almády.
During the Anjous in 1300's the settlement gained strength. According to the contemporary letters it changed its name to Apáti then to Almádapáti. It appeared as Monostorapáti first in 1468 under Rex Matthias. In the age of Turkish Occupation the village lied on the border fortress. During this time the Hungarian inhabitants interbred with the Turkish occupation army. Its reminiscence are the Turkish family names: Bati, Gyarmati, Merse, Szokoli, Török (it means Turkish) etc. Monostorapáti is a typical Turkish village.
Monostorapáti won fame this time of its mills in 1599. Six mills worked next to creek Eger .
In 1773 Monostorapáti was still a Roman Catholic village. Bishop Padányi Bíró Márton started building the region's church here in 1752 named after Saint John of Nepomuk.
Because of the location of the village the main source of living was covered by wine growing, forestry and animal husbandry. Since the 1950 we have had a choir and an acting company working here. Both of them take part in traditions like harvests or carnival feasts, saint's day, Pentecost, village day. Cultural traditions have developed later.
In 1996 Monostorapáti joined the Valley of Arts which contributs to the cultural life of the village. Each summer festivals are organised in the Valley of Arts. A lot of people, among several famous ones come here to the village during these 10 days.


text:
Led by Corey Masisak, a team of NHL.com writers have published their ranking of the league's top 14 centers. Washington Capitals center Nick Backstrom is not on that list.
Nathan MacKinnon, Claude Giroux, Joe Thornton, and Henrik Sedin all ranked above Backstrom. Only one writer, Dan Rosen, included Backstrom in the top 14.
I'm not outraged. I can kind of see why they did it, and it all depends on how we define our terms.
If this ranking were truly about individual talent and nebulous stuff like "potential," Backstrom should and would be in the top 10. Personally, I'd put him around 7th– near Tavares and Bergeron.
But during 5v5 last season, Backstrom's team was outscored 56 to 41. His plus-minus (thanks to a bunch of shorthanded goals against) was a dreary minus-20, if you countenance such things. And while Backstrom racked up a bunch of 5v5 assists on Ovechkin goals, he scored just four times during even strength when skating with Ovi– a 4.5 shooting percentage. He didn't look like a top center, even though he is.
Backstrom is a great player; he just played on a bad team last year. His talent was obscured by unwise lineup decisions, a faltering defensive scheme, the lack of a second good scoring option at wing, and some rotten luck. Much of that you can pin on Adam Oates.
The NHL.com article didn't specify if the players' circumstances were factored in to the rankings, and it's not totally clear if the list comprises a sort of projection for next season. (If so, I'd be a little skeptical about Nate MacKinnon at number 13.) Still, as a list of "who was awesome last season and might be awesome again," I think the NHL.com list is pretty darn good.
But if we're making a list of who we think the top 14 centers in league will be next season, Backstrom should be a lock.
Russian Machine Never Breaks is not associated with the Washington Capitals; Monumental Sports, the NHL, or its properties. Not even a little bit.
All original content on russianmachineneverbreaks.com is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)– unless otherwise stated or superseded by another license. You are free to share, copy, and remix this content so long as it is attributed, done for noncommercial purposes, and done so under a license similar to this one.


text:
I actually quite like ironing. Don't get me wrong, there's any number of things I'd rather be doing - drinking wine, reading a good book..... - but for a chore that needs to be done, there is a certain amount of pleasure involved. One pleasure these days as I set to work on my current husband's crumpled cotton is seeing the label that proudly states '2inches longer'. I know it refers to sleeve length (my husband is a tall, long limbed gentleman) but I can't help feeling a bit smug and mildly amused in the knowledge that this applies equally to other body parts. It is good to be reminded of the husband 'upgrade'.
The pleasure I get from ironing, and indeed any task that requires an appliance, is influenced greatly by the quality and design of the equipment used.
I bought a new iron in 2008.
The purchase wasn't something I had planned but became a necessity following an ironing board repositioning manoeuvre that went badly wrong. My precariously balanced appliance was flung to the ground, smashing rather spectacularly. I persevered and ironed a couple more shirts regardless of the exposed inside iron parts that no housewife should have to see until I concluded that it was probably all a bit dangerous. Having decided that a new iron was a better bet than a repair job with insulating tape, I headed off on an emergency shopping mission.
My product selection was based entirely on price rather than features, being seduced by the big red letters announcing HALF PRICE. I really had no idea exactly what I had purchased until I got home and unpacked it. It looked like an ordinary iron until you plugged it in when suddenly the whole thing lit up. It was a 'digital colour select iron' which meant that instead of having a nice sensible dial to choose the operating temperature, you had a little bippy button that toggled up through all your usual heat settings as the water tank lit up in pretty rainbow shades. There was a certain degree of flashing and beeping that occured during the process which I failed to fathom the purpose of but it was all good. As luck would have it, the cotton setting which is my temperature of choice as a general rule just happened to light up with one of my favoured wavelengths of the visible spectrum - purple.
I had a panic moment as I was ploughing my way through the pile of waiting shirts. As I was ironing, the shirts were getting really wet. Now my old iron used to dribble a bit when it wasn't quite up to temperature but nothing like this. I was pressing buttons, turning the iron upside down, shaking it...but I couldn't work out where all this water was coming from. I was starting to think I must have purchased a faulty one and would need to take it back to the shop (which was a bit embarrassing because my baby girl had chewed a big soggy hole into the cardboard packaging while I was trying to make sense of the instructions). What I hadn't realised at this point (but thankfully did realise before I became 'angry consumer demanding full refund') was that whilst I was shopping, the old iron carelessly left on the ironing board had emptied a nearly full tank of water onto the absorbent material of the ironing board cover. It was absolutely saturated and hence the source of sogginess. That sorted, new iron and I began to forge a happy working relationship.
That relationship was doomed to failure. The 'bippy button' that toggled through the heat settings was situated inconveniently on the handle so I would inadvertantly toggle it with the palm of my hand as I ironed. This became a major problem when the light that elevated this appliance from 'iron' to 'digital colour select iron' stopped working. Toggling to the wrong setting without the colour change to alert me was a huge annoyance. I would only become aware that it was too hot when I scorched the fabric (too late) or too cool when the creases laughed out loud at my vain attempts to flatten them (much time wasted). I struggled on regardless through the years until such a time that I became convinced that the thermostat mechanism must have given up. The quality of my ironing had deteriorated to the point that I might as well not have bothered at all.
That all changed with another half price offer. A sexy black iron with no-nonsense, straightforward controls. It was everything I wanted from an appliance - love at first sight.
I bought it.
My ironing experience was transformed. Gliding effortlessly over even the most crumpled of garments with the gentle hiss of steam, my lovely new iron delivered crisp, crease free results. The clothes rail began to fill with perfectly pressed shirts.
An upgraded husband and now an upgraded iron. The three of us are still living our happily ever after in the great laundry of life.
This blog post is my entry into the Tots100/PartSelect 'Love Your Appliance' competition.


text:
Eatokyo - Temple Bar
Contact Information
Eatokyo - Temple Bar
51 Wellington Quay, Temple Bar, Dublin 2,
Telephone: +353 (0)1 534-8576
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Web: eatokyo.ie
I've had a lot of bad food dished up in the name of Japan in recent years, from soggy tempura prawns to basically bad takeaway Chinese style stirfries. So, it was rather ni...
How to get there
Situated by the River Liffy, at the edge of Temple Bar in the heart of Dublin City.
Good to know
Opening Hours:
Sun-Wed 12pm-10.30pm
Thurs 12pm-11pm
Fri-Sat 12pm-11.30pm
A La Carte:
Mains from €12.90-€17.90
Early Bird:
5pm-8pm €19.90
Sunday Lunch:
Children's Menu:
Number of Covers:
Wheelchair Facilities:
Credit Cards:
Private Dining Facilities:
About The Restaurant
I've had a lot of bad food dished up in the name of Japan in recent years, from soggy tempura prawns to basically bad takeaway Chinese style stirfries. So, it was rather nice then to discover Eatokyo, a delightful new noodle and sushi bar on Wellington Quay close to Merchants Arch and the Ha'penny Bridge. It's the venture of Jay who will be familiar to regulars of Musashi on Capel Street, where he has been working for the past four years. It was following a meeting in town, that I rolled up with my friend Paul for a late lunch cum early dinner, not always an easy thing to find, and hit on a good thing, for Eatokyo's lunch special menu runs from 12pm–5pm, alongside the regular all day menu, so we cherry picked from both.
It's a long room, located on a corner, with big plate glass windows, artfully decorated with Japanese geishas and pretty cherry blossom. Having bagged ourselves a nice table by the window, we took in the menus, which are very comprehensive. The Lunch Special was great value with various stirfried, noodle, or curry dishes as well as a Bento Box that changes daily with one of the main dishes from the menu, plus two pieces of sushi and a side of miso and rice.
We wanted to see how they performed when it came, shall we say, to their signature dishes, but where to start! We ordered three very different types of little dishes to share - sushi, gyoza and tempura. The sushi selection was enormous, big rolls, small rolls, combination plates, and very clearly laid out and explained. There was Ama Ebi – sweet shrimps, Unagi – eel, Tako – octopus, Inari – fried egg, tuna, salmon, avocado, crab, but they were on a winner when I spotted a quartet of soft shell crab tempura futomaki – big sushi rolls containing the delicious, not often seen, crispy crustacean. Artfully presented, sprinkled with red fish eggs, they were more than a mouthful, served with pickled ginger and wasabi. Yasai Gyoza were six deliciously light crescent shaped vegetable dumplings, which you could also have filled with prawn, garlic and chives; deep fried chicken and vegetable, or with a blend of pork and vegetables. Served with a tasty gyoza dipping sauce, they were very tasty and a far cry from the battledress versions I have had on many an occasion. Our third dish, Ebi Tempura were fabulous big prawns, with their tails on, served standing up. The tempura batter was so light and crunchy, before you hit the soft texture of the perfectly cooked prawns. They were a real treat.
So what were we going to have as mains was the next question. Again, there was huge variety, from noodle dishes of all shapes and sizes including yaki soba, yaki udon, and ramen soup dishes mixed with chicken, pork, seafood and so on, to curries and Japanese teppan grill dishes, involving striploin steak, chicken, salmon tuna or tofu. I fancied Yasai Yaki Saba while Paul put his eye on Chicken Katsu Curry, however, we were in further luck because both of these were also on the lunchtime specials. The Yasai yakisoba was a cracking dish of stirfried egg noodles with crispy pieces of tofu, beansprouts, an abundance of fresh mangetout, broccoli, peppers, and courgette, garnished with shallots, pickle ginger, sesame seeds and topped with a fried egg. I loved it, and its deep almost sweet soya based sauce. Paul too enjoyed his curry which has the chicken breadcrumbed and fried, served with a light curry sauce on top, steamed rice, salads and Japanese pickles.
So next time you're in the city centre, treat yourself to some supreme sushi.
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text: Tracyanne Campbell, singer and songwriter for Glasgow's Camera Obscura, has overcome a couple of identity crises to put her band on an impressive winning streak. The group began under the daunting wing and influence of Belle & Sebastian, working with Stuart Murdoch and reflecting the B & S sound more than a little. Camera Obscura co-founder John Henderson left in 2005, leaving Campbell as the de facto leader. This role has benefited both her writing and the band; 2006's Let's Get Out of This Country earned the biggest accolades of their career. Campbell continues that hot streak here, increasingly easing, if ever so gently, away from the band's bedrock twee foundations toward a marriage of girl-group/wall-of-sound bedrock. The record's best moments (the single "French Navy," has an impressive string arrangement, and the bouncy "Swans" retains just a touch of debt to B&S) mark more of the territory that Campbell began to explore on Country. So while there aren't any major surprises in this Career, there's plenty to recommend. — Chris Drabick