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Let me tell you a story.
Once upon a time there was a collection of wonderful tales, stories of magic and courage and beauty and true love. Generation after generation they delighted, enriched, and inspired all who read them. They had a timeless quality about them so that, no matter how many times you heard them, they were always magical.
Then one day a new generation came along. It thought itself much smarter, more sophisticated, and bolder than those that come before it. This generation demonstrated that supposition by ignoring everything the previous generations had ever taught and destroying or defacing everything they had passed down to it. When it found these wonderful tales, this wicked generation did its best to wreck them as well with sneers and scoffing. It insisted that they could only be told ironically, or defaced with grotesque and cruel alterations, so that everything good was made out to be wicked, and everything wicked was made out to be noble, and nothing of beauty or kindness was left. For this generation did not believe in beauty or magic or love.
So it went, year after year, these beautiful stories were only told in warped, ugly, and brutalized ways. And year after year they grew uglier and meaner and more grotesque.
But you can't kill a story, however much you try. The real thing, the beautiful tales were always there, just waiting for someone to find one and tell it anew.
Then one day, someone did. And after so many years of broken, ugly tales, the beauty of that story smote the heart of he that heard it again.
Those stories are, of course, the fairy tales. The storyteller is Mr. Kenneth Branaugh. And that one particular story that was found and told again as it always was is Cinderella.
This is the film I hardly dared to hope for: as romantic, as beautiful, and as magical as it ought to be. I feel like C.S. Lewis after he had read Tolkien's The Lay of Luthien: "I have drunken a long draft and quenched a long thirst."
As we begin, little Ella (played as a young woman by Lilly James) lives a life of absolute bliss with her loving father and mother (Ben Chaplin and Hayley Atwell). Then tragedy strikes and her mother dies. Years later, her father re-marries the proud and haughty Lady Tremaine (Cate Blanchett), who is accompanied by her equally disagreeable daughters. Shortly thereafter, Ella's father dies while away on business and the jealous Lady Tremaine begins to treat her as a servant. But Ella is never embittered and answers her cruelty with kindness. Her stepsisters nickname her 'Cinderella' for the ashes that collect on her face when she has to sleep next to the fire…
Well, I suppose I don't need to go on, do I? You know the story. This is that story. That itself makes it a minor miracle; there are no revisions, no subversions, not the slightest hint of cynicism or contempt for the material. This is Mssr. Perrault's classic tale definitively brought to the screen by a talented group of filmmakers. It is not subversive, but what science fiction author John C. Wright would call superversive: it builds up rather than tears down.
To start with the heroine herself, Miss James' Cinderella is a wonderful character. She is not feminist, but feminine; kind, gentle, humble, demur, and with grace and beauty to spare, she faces the world neither with defiance nor weakness, but with a quiet courage that allows her to be in horrible circumstances without becoming of them. Even at her lowest and most desperate moments, Ella always is mindful of others and puts their needs before her own misery. And it is that, significantly, which is the real cause of all her triumphs. Yes, her Fairy Godmother helps, but Ella's own goodness is what puts her in a position to benefit from that help, and time and time again her generosity and kindness prove to be her greatest weapons against the cruelty of the world.
In addition to her kindness and courage, Ella is humble: she dares to be grateful for what she has, even as it seems like her dreams are being stolen from right underneath her feet. This too plays directly into the film's happy ending. In short, the movie consistently presents virtue as the key to happiness just like a fairy tale should!
Our prince (Richard Madden) is, even more amazingly, a worthy suitor for our Cinderella. Gallant, courteous, humble, and good-humored, he introduces himself to her during an unexpected encounter in the woods as "an apprentice still learning his trade." Like Ella, the prince finds himself in trying situations, which he manages not with the angry defiance of a modern hero, but with tact and subtlety. His father, the King (Derek Jacobi) intends him to marry a princess so as to help secure their small kingdom with a valuable alliance, but the prince himself hopes to marry for love…specifically, for love of that bewitching girl he encountered in the forest. But the prince neither defies his father's command nor resents him for it. Indeed, the King himself is a thoroughly sympathetic figure, and though we know that his desire for his son to marry a princess is misguided, we always understand why he is insisting upon it. And, like the prince himself, we don't doubt that he can be persuaded to come around.
Though he is not defiant, the prince is not pliant either; he has the confidence and self-possession to stick to his guns to the end, and he maintains the balance of neither disobeying his father nor letting anything stand between him and his true love. I also liked that he was allowed to have a few scenes demonstrating his own strength and masculinity. A brief fencing match reminded me of a similar bit in the BBC's adaptation of Pride and Prejudice: no better way to show off your gallant romantic hero than a little swordplay. In short, these are two people who we can see from the first absolutely could and should fall in love.
Cate Blanchett as the proverbial wicked stepmother gives probably the strongest performance in the film. Her Lady Tremaine is not only wicked, but believably so. We are given some insight into her character and motivations that, while they never come close to excusing her actions, at least let us understand why she does them, and even to feel a modicum of sympathy for her. But, as I said, this is no revisionist tale in which the villain is only misunderstood: Lady Tremaine is one wicked lady.
In some ways she represents the opposite of Cinderella and the prince: when she finds herself in a difficult situation, she responds with cruelty and selfishness in the hopes of getting her own way. She meets the world with pride and envy and cunning, and is fired to greater heights of villainy by the very kindness and goodness of her stepdaughter, who stands as both a constant rebuke and as a reminder of the sainted woman whom she could never measure up to. Basically, Lady Tremaine knows that for all her haughtiness, all her airs, and all her supposed sophistication, Cinderella has something that she doesn't and she hates her for it.
Most of this nuance is due to Miss Blanchett's simply superb performance in the role. She lets you see the envy and resentment that Lady Tremaine hides behind her mask of haughtiness. I also loved the thoughtful looks she gives Cinderella the morning after the ball as she, in spite of all magic and all reason, silently pieces together the truth. Even better are her last moments in the film, where she is felled, not by a rebuke, but by one more undeserved act of kindness.
Of course the last piece to the puzzle is the Fairy Godmother, played with delightful charm by the priceless Helena Bonham Carter, who as always simply melts into the role. Her Fairy Godmother is just as sweet and off-kilter as you could have hoped for, and her whimsically casual approach to magic earns a lot of laughs (the one objection to her – in fact, one of the only ones I have to the film at all – is that the movie gets the notion of what a fairy godmother is completely wrong: a fairy godmother is a fairy who is present at your christening, like in Sleeping Beauty. Here the film stipulates that "everyone has a fairy godmother," which I think robs the figure of some of her mystique).
Speaking of which, the magic scenes (the only two major effects scenes in the film) are wonderful, but especially the scene where Cinderella gets her magical gown, which is nothing short of breathtaking. The camera gives a long, steady gaze as the dress flows and twirls about her, shimmering into being like the mist (several blue butterflies hover about her before becoming part of the pattern, which struck me as a perfect 'fairy tale' touch). Almost as stunning is Cinderella's big entrance into the ballroom, descending the staircase and drawing every eye, both on and off screen.
This is a beautiful movie, from the charmingly elegant and homey interior of Ella's house (before Lady Tremaine stripped it of most of its decorations) to the gorgeous palace and grounds, to the flowing fields and green forest of countryside. Elegant dresses and smart uniforms are everywhere we look (as well as a few that are comically unfortunate). Graceful dances, moonlight, flowers, and gilded carriages abound. Everywhere you look there is something new to delight the eye and strengthen the heart.
Knowing that the film would appeal to children, Mr. Branaugh dares to include shamelessly whimsical scenes involving Cinderella's mice friends, who kind of but don't really talk and who certainly are much more human than real mice, and who of course become the four white stallions who draw Cinderella's coach. The film also includes the lizards who become the footmen and the goose who becomes the driver (incidentally, I don't know if it was intended, but I could have sworn that one of the lizards in mid-transformation became a perfect CG version of Bill the Lizard from Alice In Wonderland and The Great Mouse Detective). There is also some slapstick included with Lucifer the cat. Personally, I loved this and thought it was a perfect fit for the film, giving it just the right dreamlike touch and, just as important, is exactly what you would expect from a fairy tale.
So, basically I loved this movie. I love, love, loved it! It's a good, beautiful film about good, beautiful people who triumph over adversity and find true love through kindness and courage and a little magic. Watching this movie after all the revisionist trash of the past decade or so is like emerging from a stuffy, dark office into a brilliant summer's day, or like coming home after being away so long you almost forgot what it looks like.
Final Rating: 5/5. The definitive film version of a classic story; a balm to the heart and a feast for the soul.
P.S. Cinderella was preceded by Frozen Fever; a short follow-up to Frozen. It's basically five minutes of condensed fan service. I'm not a fan, as you know, but I found I actually didn't mind it much. As a matter of fact, I rather liked it. The short actually gave us a chance to enjoy seeing the close sisterly relationship that was, alas, largely theoretical in the actual movie, and I admit I laughed at most of the jokes. It again makes me wish that Frozen hadn't been such a mess, because these really are charming characters. Basically, it was a cute, condensed version of (mostly) the good parts of Frozen. It's fluff, but largely inoffensive fluff.


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Nickel-Plated Steel Roundwound (4250s, 5250s, 7250s)
Price: $17.04
Price: $20.49
Fender Electric Bass Guitar Nickelplated Steel Super Electric Bass Long Scale 34 , .045 - .125, 7250-5M
Price: $20.49
Fender is credited with manufacturing the first electric bass strings. A legacy the company takes seriously. Fender nickel-plated, roundwound bass guitar strings are the standard for the company's long history in bass string manufacturing. The Fender 4250s, 5250s and 7250s bass guitar strings all offer dynamic outputs by combining the versatile tone of steel with the smooth, easy finger action of nickel. Perfect for all styles of music that appreciate a little punch, nickel steel, roundwound Fender bass strings come in three scale sizes to fit your bass guitar. The Fender 4250 and 5250 bass strings are mini versions of the Super 7250s. Although these strings are short on scale, they are not short on tone. The Fender Steel Super 4250 strings are custom made for a 28.59 inch scale and are factory made for Fender's P Bass Jr. The 5250s are custom for a 30 inch scale and provide great tone and enhanced sustain for smaller scaled bass guitars. The nickel-plated, steel roundwound Super 7250s are the Fender standard of long scale, 34 inch bass guitar strings and are celebrated for their sustain, bright and balanced tone, and durability. The Super 7250s are available in different gauges to complement all playing styles, and 7250 sets are also offered for five and six-string bass guitars.

subset: commoncrawl


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Are you curious as to all the hoopla with Hemp CBD? Here's a minuet the main enormous quantity of information I've learned researching Hemp CBD.
The financial industry demonstrates that it's a lot more lucrative compared to California gold rush that lasted from January 24, 1848 through 1855. A new study created by Forbes implies that Hemp CBD market could reach 20 Billion Dollars by 2024.
The medical community is quietly waiting to find out what happens with pharmaceutical facets of this phenomenon. "A WebMD article says that The U.S. Food and Drug Administration took a superb look at the safety and effectiveness of CBD products because it weighs the best way to regulate the hemp-derived compound to come."
CBD is a term cannabinoid with more than 100 different cannabinoids found throughout Hemp plants.
According to echoconnection.org "Cannabidiol, also referred to as CBD, is just about the abundant of every one of the cannabinoids. It's within all kinds of cannabis but dominates the makeup of Hemp plants."
Hemp Oil and CBD Oil both of them are made from a similar plant though. Hemp oil is quite beneficial containing lots of antioxidants and omega3 and 6 fat. Hemp oil is generally pressed through the seeds in the hemp plant, this means it does not support the same quantity of cannabinoids present in CBD oil or Hemp Extract which might be extracted through the whole plant.
Is CBD Hemp legal? "Entrepreneur VIP contributor John Rampton writes, "The 2018 Farm Bill legalized Hemp and Hemp-derived products using a federal level. The DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency), CBD oil from hemp is not really a Schedule 1 controlled-substance, or drug. Per section 10113 from the Farm Bill, Hemp cannot contain greater than 0.three percent THC by weight."
Are you still interested in learning this phenomenal Hemp Plant? CBD oil uses the main plant, while hemp oil emanates from its seeds. CBD oil is made out of a variety of parts from the mature hemp plant including its stalks and flowers. In order to get CBD along with compounds through the plant, they will be separated within a process called extraction
Education is the vital thing to using CBD for medical concerns or for marketing or paying for the HEMP CBD Industry.
However, I have personally witnessed some from the health benefits as well as the safety of CBD, Regardless of how it's presented, HEMP CBD Oil has played a crucial role in my life.
If you need to do decide to try the benefits of Hemp CBD Oil, only be aware that all CBD is not the identical. Do your home-work. Find a fantastic grade before buying.
Disclaimer. The information in article originates from my research along with the facts about this HEMP CBD phenomena are slowing emerging.


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Thinstone Panel
Realstone Systems most modern and fashionable collection. Thinstone Panels are made up of thin slices of slate, quartzite,and sandstone which are then placed together to form individual panels. Many different profile options are available with Thinstone Panels including split face Ledgestone finish, smooth Shadowstone, and a angled cut profile. These panels bring a rich surface texture, as well as, a depth of color to any indoor or outdoor area.


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Sprint has announced that customers can now sign up for Amazon Prime service through Sprint. This will allow customers to pay for the service on their Sprint bill for $10.99 per month.
From Sprint:
Sprint, the exclusive wireless retailer of Amazon Prime, offers customers the convenience of adding Amazon Prime to their monthly wireless bill for just $10.99. AND…for the month of July, customers can enjoy all the benefits of Amazon Prime on us (for 60 days). After that, they can continue with the monthly service or cancel at any time.
Customers wishing to add Prime to their Sprint bill can head over to Sprint's Prime site, call 1-(800)-SPRINT1, or head to a Sprint store to sign up. You'll get an activation link in a text message, which you'll need to click to finish the process.
Sprint is also the official wireless retailer of Amazon Prime Day, a sales event during which Amazon will offer Prime members deals on a wide variety of products. Prime Day will take place on July 12.
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.


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- Private Guide ―
- Articles
Many tourists, choosing a hotel, are instinctively guided by the number of stars. So what do these stars mean and whether only a five-star hotel always is a guarantee of high level service and tastefully furnished rooms?
The topic is chosen, the information is studied, the story plan is ready, so it's time to plot a route. After all, showing on the ground is the most important part of a tour. Without it, your event turns into a lecture. What exactly needs to be done?
Working with a group of 30-40 tourists and communication one-to-one require from the guide different approaches. In the first case, the guide directs the crowd: forwards it in the right direction, monitors its general emotional background, keeps in view all participants. When following an individual event you don't need to disperse your attention to many people, but instead you should delve into interests and needs of every individual. What are the other differences of a personal tour?
A tour guide has to be a real psychologist to be popular with customers, as every tourist has some expectations from the trip and some information requirements. The tour visitors can be divided into seven types by their preferences.
A wide outlook of the guide is a pledge of that his trips are entertaining and exciting for people with different interests. But knowledge does not come from nowhere, it is the result of constant self-improvement. What ways of self-education are available to a modern specialist?
The times of mass tourism are gradually receding into the past. Today, many people prefer individual travel instead of group travel, refusing a clear program, time frame and other constraints. As it turned out to the surprise of many of them, it's not so expensive, especially if you go within a mini-group of 3-5 people. Besides, an individual approach has much more advantages than the classical one.
France, the United States or Thailand? A fascinating tour of an old town streets, gastronomic tour or passive beach-related rest? What drives people of different ages and social strata to choose one or another tourist destination, you can know it from the statistics and sociological surveys presented as infographics.
Sometimes the guide's behaviors and character traits produce such a painful impression that the tour does not trigger to tourists nothing but irritation. What weak points produce the greatest dissatisfaction?
It is not clear for novice guides what they really have to deal with. The area of responsibility is the first thing that should be deeply felt by the guide beginning to work.
A person skilled in tourism will need documents confirming qualifications and certifying the right to conduct tours. The guide must be ready to present these "papers" on the first client's request.
Let's start off by saying that you can't reduce to zero the probability of conflict with a tourist. However, you can be prepared for some of the situations and prevent their negative developments.
In this part we're speaking about how to create a description of your tours, to get from tourists as much feedback as possible.


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Greer's Woodard holds early lead in WSCGA Amateur at Colleton River
Dawn Woodard shot a 4-under par 68 on Tuesday to take the first-round lead in the Women's South Carolina Golf Association Amateur Championship on Colleton River Plantation Club's Nicklaus Course.
Woodard, a Greer resident, leads Lea Venable of Simpsonville by two shots. She made five birdies and one bogey as one of only two players to shoot under par.
Kathy Levin of Callawassie Island and Renee Rezzetano of Hilton Head Island are tied for third at 6-over 78.
Woodard, the defending champion, has won the tournament four times. Venable was last year's runner-up. Woodard also beat Venable in the WSCGA Match Play tournament final at Sanctuary Golf Club in June, her fourth consecutive title.
The three-round tournament resumes at 9 a.m. Wednesday and concludes Thursday.


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I know it's called "Thursday Doors" but Norm gives us until Saturday at noon to participate. So here is a last minute door that I felt was worth sharing.
In case you need a translation: *Washing won't wipe the smile away*
I know it's called "Thursday Doors" but Norm gives us until Saturday at noon to participate. So here is a last minute door that I felt was worth sharing.
In case you need a translation: *Washing won't wipe the smile away*
Hi folks,
This week for Norm's 2.0 Thursday Doors Challenge I am back in Montreal's alleys again where I spotted something unusual, a "door within a garage door". Not quite sure how well it works or if it works at all but I felt it was worth sharing.
To view more interesting Thursday Doors click here.
Honestly, the child in me LOVES ❤ that door!!! What a cool idea to please your little ones.
It is located at the back of the house in the alley so it doesn't detract from the look of the property from the front.
Check-out Norm 2.o Thursday Doors for more interesting doors
If I say Molson, you are probably thinking "beer" or of our hockey team the "Montreal Canadiens".
As far as cemeteries go, Notre-Dame-Des-Neiges Cemetery is a wonderful one. I was there last Sunday on a photography outing with some friends. One never knows when a door will show its face kind of saying: "Wouldn't I be a good one for Norm's Thursday Doors?"
While strolling through the massive site, I came across the family tomb of the Honorable John Molson. Therefore I decided to part from my usual grungy/graffiti style this week to share my finding with you.
Seeking to find a suitable door for this week Norm 2.0 Thursday Doors, I went door hunting in Montreal's downtown alleys again. This one sparked my interest.
Everywhere I go, I find myself looking for different, yet interesting doors. Norm Frampton's Thursday Doors challenge occupies a permanent place in my brain. He must be pretty pleased about that.
While on an early morning walk in southern Florida, that train caught my eye. A train with graffiti on it; I like it. It must have a door? You can't have a train without a door. I needed to get closer to see. I don't know much about trains. Two days later we walked by again and this time I went up close… Bingo! I found multiple doors. Here are a few that I am pleased to share with you.
The little unusual gems you find while driving through the city.
For this week's edition of Norm 2.0 Thursday Doors challenge.
Driving by on Van Horne Avenue that door got my attention. I did not have my camera with me so I went back a few days later knowing it would be a fine find for Norm 2.0 Thursday Doors weekly challenge.
Shot last summer, for this edition of Norm 2.0 Thursday Doors.


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UPDATE: 6 p.m.: The garage has reopened. Police determined the device was a GPS unit and not explosive.
UPDATE 4:20 p.m.: Oak has reopened. The garage remains closed.
At about 2:30 p.m. today, police were called to the city parking garage at 12th and Oak downtown. A man and woman had just left court to get an order of protection against another man. The couple saw that man standing next to their vehicle in the garage, and he then walked away. When the couple approached their car, they saw a small black box attached to it. They thought the device looked suspicious and called police.
KCPD's Bomb and Arson Unit is on the scene investigating. Oak from 11th to 12th streets is closed. The parking garage is closed completely from the sixth to ninth levels. Those parked on the fifth level or below will be able to access their vehicles to leave, but no new traffic will be allowed in.
These closures are expected to be at least an hour while police investigate. We'll keep you updated.


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If there is one thing the Little Ones love the most it is the beach, they could play for hours and hours in the sand digging and building sandy forts and castles. They love being at the water's edge, paddling and jumping waves although none of them has been brave enough to actually go in past their knees yet.
Days on the beach usually end up with the Little Ones driving home in underwear with a blanket and bare sandy toes because both sets of clothes and the swim suits got wet as they just had to go back for one last play, ice cream dried onto those happy little faces and straight up into a warm bath when we get home.
With our nearest beach from home being about 45 minutes away, our most recent trip to the beach was on holiday and it was an exciting event because it was Little 3's first proper beach trip. He has been to the beach several times before in the pushchair last summer when he was tiny and earlier in the holiday but he preferred to nap and didn't like the cold sea on his toes so we took him for a walk instead.
This time it was a bit chilly, leggings and t-shirt kind of weather and although some brave souls were out in their swim suits the girls kept their clothes on. There was a pretty nippy wind too as the tide was on the turn so we headed down to the beach with jumpers and wellies too. I knew that Little 3 would fall over a lot on the uneven sand having not been walking long and I wanted him to be free to explore without feeling cold and wet so we popped his wellies on too and his waterproof suit and off we went.
At first he wasn't really sure what to do and just kept stooping down to poke the wet sand and rub it with his fingers then offer me his hand to wipe it off, I am not sure he liked the gritty texture. Once he had done that for a while he found his feet and began to wander along the sand, run and fall over a lot which was quite funny as he obviously wasn't keen on touching the sand as he would sit there looking at you to come and stand him up again so that he didn't have to touch it.
We then led him down to the rook pools where the girls were busy with their nets attempting to catch some creatures but they were not having any luck, I think their technique needed a little practice as Little 2 was catching net fulls of sand and Little 1 was swishing wildly scaring off anything within a 5 metre radius!
Little 3 loved the rock pools, he was splashing around in his wellies and falling over getting soaked but he didn't mind, he thought it was great fun.
It was little 3 that found the wildlife on this beach trip! Suddenly when he was sat down a big crab came scurrying out from beneath him, I think he had sat on it. It was a pale green/white colour and we watched it bury itself a few feet away with his white back looking just like a pebble. It was brilliant camouflage. We captured him for the girls and soon found a few more knowing how they were hidden, I hadn't seen pale coloured crabs before, we had always caught dark ones. Again Little 3 seemed to send them scurrying as he splashed around and we soon had a bucket full.
Little 3 was pretty amused by the crabs trying to climb out the bucket and watched them for ages, he was so gentle and patient for a toddler while he stood there.
Soon it was time to go, just a quick trip this time at low tide as we had promised the girls we would find rock pools on holiday, we had managed to find some on our last day just a short distance from our caravan, phew. A change of trousers and back to the caravan for quick showers, while Nanny had gone in search of a fish and chip shop, then it was chips out on the caravan veranda, a lovely way to end our holiday.
We loved our holiday on the Isle of Wight and the girls are already asking when we can go back again, even though we have been twice now we have hardly seen anything of what the island has to offer, it is quickly becoming one of our favourite family places and I can see many a holiday there in the future.


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As a child, I remember dreaming about how life would be when I grew up. I would meet and
marry my soul mate, we'd have children, and we'd live happily ever after.
I could have never imagined how my life would play out.
As it turns out, I did meet and marry my soul mate, and – after a year of trying to get pregnant –
a new bundle of joy was finally on the way.
Call me "naïve," call me "ignorant," but I just assumed that everything would be perfect.
When Will was born, it seemed like everything was perfect. And in some ways, it was: 10 fingers, 10 toes, 2 eyes and a cute button nose.
I never thought things would end up where they are now.
As time went on, we began to realize that our vision of 'perfection' was clearly skewed and just
an illusion. It was a terrifying and gut-wrenching journey. Those that traveled it with us were just
as flabbergasted as we were. Life was certainly not what we envisioned it would be – and it was heartbreaking.
By the time we figured out what was wrong with Will, I found out that I was (unexpectedly)
pregnant with Sasha. I was terrified that she too would have the same issues as Will. Little did I
know, we were in for a far more difficult journey with her than we had been through with Will.
It truly was such a dark time in our lives because it just felt like, no matter what we did,
something always was going wrong. And no matter how hard we prayed, the answers weren't
good. The things that were happening to our children were so astounding to us. It was hard to
believe that 2 kids could have so many issues, that they could be sick so often….and that it
would last as long as it did and (often) be as severe as it was.
We were young and full of our own expectations – and the truth was such a hard pill to swallow.
The truth was that our children were not going to live a 'normal' life (whatever 'normal' is) and
that the dream that we had shared (of having a nice, normal, and quiet life walking into the
sunset of 'happily ever after') was just that: a dream.
Much of the beginning of our journey, we traveled alone. Some people tried to be supportive and
understand, and yes, there were a few family members that have stood by us through thick and
thin from the start, but most of our friends and family couldn't understand anything we were
going through. It was just so overwhelming for them (and I agree, it WAS overwhelming!). I
guess – if I were to put it into words – it felt like Ralph and I were in this abyss of darkness and
we were reaching for someone or something to pull us out. It was truly a terrifying and lonely
place for us. We were struggling to understand what was happening to our children and many
people just couldn't handle our 'reality.' At the time, we were angry that – in our greatest hour of
need – most of our friends and family just deserted us. What we didn't realize was that this was a
hard reality for them to face as well.
When the immunologist told us that Sasha would need to start the Gammaglobulin therapy, my
heart sank and it felt like the end of the world. To think that I would have to be putting 2 needles
into my kid each week and pumping her full of blood from thousands of donors just scared the
heck out of me. Little did I know thatthis would be the turning point in our story.
A month before her first infusion was slated to begin, I decided that it was time to take action I
was tired of feeling isolated, scared, and angry. Instead, I wanted to do something and I wanted
to help others that were in my shoes. I never wanted another person to ever feel the confusion,
anger, and sadness that we had gone through alone. I wanted to be there to support people
through this complicated medical maze.
I contacted Children's Hospital and set up our
first blood drive. It was held a few months after
her first infusion in May of 2007. It was a
wonderful success! At the end of the day, the
feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment I
felt for being able to make a difference was
immeasurable. To see people come out and
support my daughter – and to support a need
(the need for blood) touched my heart and
reignited that flame of innocence and
hope I once had.
Our IDF group that went to Capitol Hill
I knew, from that moment on, that I had a calling. And I had to answer it. I contacted the Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF) and told them that they had the option to work with me while I raised awareness and funds for Primary Immunodeficiency Disease (PIDD) OR I would just work alone – but either way, I was going to do something.
Kathy, from the IDF, was thrilled to have me work with them, and a beautiful relationship began between the IDF and our community. "Team Will and Sasha" was formed. Within months it grew into "Team Hope" as it began to support more than just Will and
Sasha. A group of parents were banding together and making a difference!
It was a feeling that could never be expressed properly in words.
I also became involved in legislative efforts for
our patient population. Part of this movement
led Sen. Kerry to introduce legislation to the
Senate that would help our PIDD patients have
better access to their life saving infusions. I
can't even begin to explain how amazing it was
to be a part of something that was so much
bigger than me or my two children.
Suddenly, our world around us was no longer
dark and scary – it was full of light, hope and joy.
The feeling was amazing. It no longer felt like
we were waging a war alone and in the dark.
Was it scary and dark sometimes? Sure, but we had this newly found Hope.
We were in this journey with so many other people….we felt less alone through it all, and that made all the
As time went on, it was quite clear that Sasha had much more going on than we originally
thought. When she started having difficulty walking, eating, and drinking, shaking spells,
facial asymmetry, and periods of unresponsiveness (without reflexes or any type of
response) for up to 45 minutes at a time, the conversations between us and the doctors
took a serious turn. We were absolutely terrified. More and more, we were hearing
doctors discuss genetics in detail, her specific genetic mutations and deletions, energy
metabolism and Mitochondrial Disease.
We didn't know what hit us. We had finally began to understand the immune system and
all its functions at a deeper level, and now we were being thrown all kinds of new things to
research and learn about – and none of it was simple. This began a tedious process of
hospitalizations and many visits to specialists at Children's and Mass General Hospital. It
was one of the worst times in our lives, primarily because no doctor was able to say with any
certainty what was going on within our daughter.
Throughout these months, I immersed myself in medical literature about the various
conditions they suspected could be affecting Sasha. I met countless individuals who were on
the same journey we were on – and became very close with many of these incredible people.
Again, feeling as if we weren't alone on this path was a great comfort to both Ralph and me.
When it was discovered that Sasha had many genetic mutations that were rare – and that she
was believed to have some form of Mitochondrial Disease or dysfunction – we were referred to
specialists out of state. This process was drawn out for over a year – some tests were good,
others were not good, but there was no test that was definitive either way. So the Mitochondrial
question continued to loom. All of our trips yielded another piece to Sasha's puzzle. And, sadly,
our journey through uncertainty isn't one that is unique. So many people go through this just for
some sort of answer – and at times, unfortunately, there aren't any.
We consulted with some of the best specialists in the world regarding her various genetic
presentations because we wanted to be on the right path getting the proper diagnosis. At that
point, the working diagnosis for Sasha was Mitochondrial Disease; they now believe that there
is complex genetic disease process occurring that they've never seen before.
In April of 2009, Ralph and I were asked by the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF)
to help lead the New England Chapter. It wasn't because our child had an 'official' diagnosis, but
because they saw our desire to be a 'part of the cure' – regardless of the diagnosis. Without
hesitation, we both agreed. Ralph became a board member and I became Co-Vice President of
the chapter. We knew that – no matter what the outcome, whether or not Sasha or I had
Mitochondrial Disease – we were passionate about making a difference within this community.
We wanted to be a part of the cure. And that was enough for us and for the UMDF.
Ralph and I have continued to be active with
both IDF and UMDF. In June 2009, we were
invited to the IDF's national conference . While
there, Michelle (another Team Hope mom) and
I were honored as fundraisers of the year
nationally – And they shared our story about our
efforts with Senator Kerry to illustrate how it just
takes one person to make a difference.
The next week, I sang on stage at the UMDF National Conference in front of 500 or so people about our journey through illness and the power of hope. My music was able to move many in the audience and touch many hearts. It was comforting to know that I was able to reach out in this way to those who are on the road of uncertainty. I met so many people. And I heard so many stories of incredible strength, determination, and love. I was moved beyond words. The urgency to find a treatment and cure permeated the air – and burned into my heart. This energized and motivated me to do more!
I continued my correspondence with Sen.
Kerry's office and was part of the movement
that led him to be an original co-sponsor of
the new legislation for Mitochondrial Disease
(S.2858, the Brittany Wilkinson Mitochondrial
Medicine Research and Treatment
Enhancement Act). Again, it was amazing to be
a part of something that was far bigger than
Sasha and myself!
Throughout the summer of 2009, we
participated in a parade and a few small scale awareness/fundraising events for both IDF and
UMDF. This included the Chelmsford Independence Day Parade and Festival.
In October, I was proud to have been asked to run a large scale patient education meeting for the
IDF which was a great success.
Then we slowed things down and enjoyed the holidays with our families. It was great to have
time to rest and rejuvenate! I knew right from
the start that 2010 was going to be a busy year.
There were many events that needed planning, but while the planning was in full force, our
journey with uncertainty continued. The doctors began to do testing on me as well given the
nature of my medical issues – and we waited 3 long months for answers.
In hopes of getting those answers, we took a bit of a break in March 2010 and traveled down to
Atlanta to see Dr. Kendall (an amazing Mito specialist) for both Sasha and me. It was there that I
received an official diagnosis of Mitochondrial Disease. When this came to light, it was
suggested that the rest of our symptomatic family be tested. They now had identifiable
genetic factors they could look for in the others. The testing process would be quite simple:
look for the exact mutations and see what the results were. The testing revealed that 5 out of
6 of my family members tested that had the same mutations identified in my testing. I'd like to
say it was a shock, but I think we all knew it deep down. While there was relief that we finally
had a name to our health ailments, it certainly wasn't a happy feeling to know that what we
were dealing with wasn't exactly a bowl full of roses. But at least we know what path we need to
go on now to keep ourselves in the best health we can be in.
Having a diagnosis changed nothing and everything at the same time. I was sad to have the
answer be Mitochondrial Disease because I was praying it was not. But I knew that this was the
path that was chosen for me and I wasn't going to let it destroy me – especially since I knew I
could be a part of something positive and bigger than me or this disease. So with that, I got my
head in the right place, my horizon refocused and my feet to the floor. Nothing was going to
stop me.
While I had high aspirations, a few things needed to change in my life in order for me to continue
to do all the things I wanted to do. I had to learn to listen to my body and do what needed to be
done in order to keep living without having medical setback after setback. I was encouraged by
my doctors to use a wheelchair when tired (which usually happens after about 20 minutes of
exertion) and to take frequent breaks throughout the day. It was not what I wanted to hear, but I
had a choice to make: I could keep doing what I was doing and continue to have issues (severe
pain, cutting trips short or even avoiding certain trips); or I could choose to do what is best for
my body. I began using a wheelchair – and it made such a difference! I was able to go places
with my children and family that I hadn't been able to go in a long time. I was able to save my
energy for better things, like spending more time outdoors with my children. I learned that
sometimes doing what isn't 'comfortable' for you can really change the whole outlook of things.
April 2010 was a fun – but busy – month. There was a lot
of planning and also a trip with my friend
(and partner-in-crime) Michelle to participate in the IDF's
Advocacy Day in D.C. It was met with GREAT success!!!
May was even crazier! I began recording my newest musical endeavor, Hope Rising: The Journey. This album is so very near and dear to my heart. It is a compilation of music that I've written over the past five years about our journey through chronic illness, the unknown, and hope. The goal is to offer the same hope I've found to others who are on this journey, to give comfort to those who are struggling,
and to raise awareness about the impact the journey has on the lives of those involved.
In mid-May 2010, my friend Michelle and I hosted the second annual Wine Tasting even for
Team Hope. Michelle did so much of the work and it really paid off! The Wine Tasting raised
over $16,000.00 for IDF/Team Hope. It was an amazing night!!!!!
A week later we held our first ever UMDF Energy for Life Walk-A-Thon that raised over
$30,000.00. Around 200 people from all over New England joined together at the MIT
campus in Cambridge, MA, to prove that we will not be victims, but rather "Part of the Cure."
We also launched our "Action Center" to get support for legislation. It was a massive
undertaking that couldn't have been done without the help of the AMAZING committee.
Summer 2010 began with preparations for the 4th of July Parade and Booth on the Chelmsford Common. This mainly consisted of Ralph building the float with the help of Keith. The float was a great success and brought together both the IDF and the UMDF.
While working the event, we met many people,
including Senator Scott Brown,
Congresswoman Niki Tsongas,
Lt. Gov. Tim Murray, and
Mrs. Massachusetts, Jane Marshall. We also
had great success with our fundraising and
action center. From this event alone, we
gathered over 100 signatures for the new Mitochondrial Disease legislation.
A few weeks after the 4th of July, Team Hope hosted a blood drive that brought in 51 pints (which is an awesome number for a summer drive) with the help of our good friends, Chelsea and Keith. After meeting her on the 4th of July, Mrs. Massachusetts Jane Marshall joined us for the event. She pledged to help us in any way she could.
Around the same time, my friend Chelsea and I ventured out for our first 'solo' mission to the
Federal Building in Boston to meet with Sen.
Brown's aide. The meeting was highly
successful (we met for an hour and twenty
minutes!) and we're hopeful that Sen. Brown
will sign on to the UMDF legislation.
It was a LONG and tiring day, but with the help
of Beast pulling the chair (he does an awesome job) – we made it through the day!
Not too long after that, we held a family gathering for our Mito friends that brought 35 people to
our house – it was wonderful to be able to enjoy the company of others and be able to celebrate
life and hope!
The end of the summer brought with it the end of the recording process for my album,
Hope Rising: The Journey. The album never would have been possible without the help
of my good friends Juleen, Lisa, Nathan, Yahuba, Bob, and Jess. We also were putting the
final touches on the UMDF Patient Education Meeting (Sept. 25th, 2010).
We took a break during the 2010 Winter (that's usually the toughest on all of the
mito/immune deficient folks) and I found that my health began to decline. While it was
difficult to do so, I reached out to Chuck at the UMDF and let him know that there just wasn't
any way that I could continue to lead our chapter in an efficient manner given my health issues,
but I promised I'd still be active and continue to support UMDF. He was so grateful and
2011 began with a 6 day hospital stay – which gave me a lot of time to think about what I wanted this year to be about. I had a lot of ideas….
the trick would be to be physically well enough to actually put my ideas into action. I began planning a very special musical event,
Show of Hope (September 23rd, 2011) with my best friend, Chelsea Hertzog, as well as the IDF Patient Education Meeting
(April 9th, 2011), 4th of July events, many blood drives, and our Annual Promise of Hope Wine
Tasting Event (October 15th, 2011)…AND co-chairing an 'anti-recall campaign' in our town….all
while bouncing in and out of hospitals as my Mitochondrial Disease sporadically rears its ugly
I am still learning my limits (through trial and error), and I am also learning to listen to those
who care about me. I try really hard not to get defensive when they look out for me and tell me
I'm doing too much – but it's so hard to hear that I 'can't' or 'shouldn't' do something. I love my
friends and family dearly, and, without them, I don't know what I'd do!
People ask me why I do what I do.
People sometimes don't understand me.
People wonder where in the world I get my 'drive' to do everything I do.
The answer is very simple. I do these things because I believe we all deserve a cure. I do these
things because – despite where the journey leads for us (even though they're pretty certain
whereit has led us) – I have met some truly incredible and inspirational people who fight these
diseases (Mitochondrial Disease and Primary Immunodeficiency Disease). I do it because I am
passionate about it. I do it because my heart is in it 110%. I do it because it's not about me or
Sasha; it's far bigger than that. I do it because someone has to. I do it because I can and want
to! I do it because Will and Sasha need to see that life may be difficult, but – despite our health
issues – we can do good and we can make a difference!
Truly, I do it because – at the end of the day, when all is said and done, when I can't make
my children better, when one is crying in pain or unable to play because she's too tired or
she feels too crummy, when he's miserable and feeling sick, when nothing seems right – I
can look at all the good there is in people and all the good I can accomplish and
I can lay my head on my pillow and know that I have made a difference.
We've said this from the beginning, and I'll say it again: if the doctors today told us that we
were on the wrong path, that none of us had Mitochondrial Disease or Mitochondrial
Dysfunction or any of the other things we've been dealing with, I would still continue to
fight for the same causes I've been fighting for over the past 4 1/2 years. There are just
too many amazing and incredible people worth fighting for to stop now!
Some of you still might not 'get' me, and that's okay.
I don't do this for recognition, acceptance, or understanding; I do this because I CAN.
These past few years have given me so much joy and a lot of heartache – but through it all,
I have remained focused on what matters most to me – my family, my friends, and my faith.
I look back with a sense of accomplishment as I reflect on all that's been.
We are so far from where we were then, and while we have so far yet to go, I look to what
lies ahead with hope, joy, and sweet anticipation.
In 2007, when I first started with all of this, I kept reminding myself and others of this:
"It only takes ONE person to change ONE life… BE THE ONE!"
That statement couldn't be more true, and if any of you ever wondered what the
"Power of One" can do, just look at me. I may only be ONE person,
but I am a determined, passionate, and driven person.
To me,this isn't a 'contest' as so many out there make it out to be. It doesn't matter what
your 'diagnosis' is, if you have it worse or better than me, if my suffering is greater than
your suffering. It matters that we're helping each other in this whole journey through
life and chronic illness together.
After all, isn't that what it's all about?


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What is the Newfront? This is a series of presentations and meetings hosted like an exclusive conference of media planners and press to generate interest and buzz among the advertising community for digital media content. It is a play on "the upfront."
Among the videos on the "newfront" website are examples of the content being developed for digital distribution.
Each year in the traditional television business, the network executives and talent present their concepts and trailers for new series intended for that upcoming television season. The agency buyers will reserve much of the advertising inventory for new and returning series in advance because they can negotiate a volume discount on behalf of their clients. Agency planners will make rating estimates for use in these negotiations. This period of showing, estimating and negotiating is called "upfront." We are in the negotiating and deal closing portion of the fall 2012 television season now, and many networks are closing or have closed the agreements with agencies and advertisers for the time they want to purchase in advance. In the case of digital, the over-the-top players are riding the "upfront" coattails in order to capture a portion of the big television advertising budgets by showcasing their first run digital series at a time when advertisers are placing their bets for new hit series.
In addition to this sales tactic, it would be wise to consider adopting and experimenting with more strategies and tactics successfully employed in successful traditional television series. Television has many marketing and channel strategies that will continue to work in the digital media space. People consume television series as a way to relax, but they often consume online viral videos in a much different mode. We need to be much more disciplined than the "make a lot of content and see what goes viral" method described by Ron Faris of Virgin Mobile in his presentation at Newfront 2012, and doing so, will allow us to see the full potential of advertising revenue migrating to digital content.
I suggest that digitally distributed available content be packaged and of similar or better quality as the content available through traditional television because the audiences and business models need to support the advertiser's objectives in terms of reach and impressions. First, however the content needs to be engaging across enough episodes and hours for the consumer to watch long enough to support the minutes of advertising required.
We are just getting started with a first "newfront" and there is a long way to go in with the opportunities for defining the audience levels and business model for hit digital series.Share


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SamauraiFrog did this Disney Animated Feature Challenge a couple months ago…
1: Your favorite character
My favorite Disney character is Roger, the adult human in 101 Dalmatians, who sings Cruella de Ville. But of the more anthropomorphic, Donald Duck, who I used to do a poor imitation of.
2: Your favorite official princess
I suppose the more modern ones, like Tiana from the Princess and the Frog, or Belle from Beauty and the Beast.
3: Your favorite official prince
Excluding The Beast, they are pretty much interchangeable.
4: Your favorite heroine (that isn't an official princess)
Dumbo's mom, Jumbo, protecting her child.
5: Your favorite hero (not an official prince)
Tramp, from Lady and the…
6: Your favorite cast of characters
Beauty and the Beast. Always liked Mrs. Potts and her colleagues.
7: Your favorite friendship
The cubs in the Lion King.
8: Your favorite sidekick
The Genie in Aladdin.
9: Your favorite couple
Beauty and the Beast
10: Your favorite animal couple
Lady and the Tramp
11: The pet(s) you wish you had
12: Your favorite villain
Scar in The Lion King
13: Your favorite villain song
Gaston from Beauty and the Beast; I find it hysterical.
14: The most chilling villain demise
The villain in Snow White, which I saw in the last few years.
15: A moment that makes you laugh until it hurts
The Genie in Aladdin, any number of antics.
16: A moment that makes you cry your eyes out
When the Beast "dies" in Beauty and the Beast, though I was also sad about a character dying in The Princess and the Frog, because I wasn't expecting it.
17: A moment that scares you
When I was a kid, there were countless moments. Bambi and fire, good chunks of Pinocchio.
18: A moment that makes you mad
Aunt Sarah in Lady and the Tramp.
19: A moment that makes you happy
The Sorcerer's Apprentice in Fantasia
20: Your favorite musical number
When You Wish Upon a Star
21: Your favorite romantic moment
Beast giving Belle the library, because I'm a librarian.
22: Your favorite ending
The restaurant in The Princess and the Frog
23: A line that inspires you
Hmm. not coming to me.
24: The first movie you remember seeing
101 Dalmatians in the early 1960s, at the cinema. It's possible I saw Snow White or Sleeping Beauty on TV before that, but not sure.
25: A movie you think is under-appreciated
The Princess and the Frog, which had a lovely empowering story
26: Your favorite movie of the Golden Age (1937-1959)
27: Your favorite movie of the Dark Age (1960-1988)
101 Dalmatians
28: Your favorite movie of the Renaissance Age (1989-1999)
Beauty and the Beast
29: Your favorite movie of the Millennium Age (2000-present)
Finding Nemo
30: Your favorite movie
Fantasia. Didn't see it until I was an adult, and I still appreciated it.


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In an attempt to defend herself against growing outrage at her suggested link between autism and internet use, Baroness Susan Greenfield has stated the following:
"I have never claimed new technologies are causing autism. Rather, I've said that the increase in lack of empathy, that is documented scientifically, may be leading to behaviours like that and this should be explored." (From the Daily Mail.)
So, if I am reading that correctly, she is equating "an increase in lack of empathy" with autistic behaviours. (Do let me know if you read her statement differently, but the rest of this post takes her words as they are, and is based on her previous statement clearly linking the rise of autism with internet use.)
Autistic behaviours are those defined in the DSM-IV-TR, as qualitative impairment in social interactions, communication, and restricted or sterotyped patterns of behaviour. When you broaden autistic behaviours to include the other four pervasive developmental disorders that make up the autism spectrum (as it's come to be known), you don't need all three areas of impairment (sometimes two is enough, and Retts and CDD have somewhat different criteria). If any of those three areas of impairment include or suggest a "lack of empathy," it would come under the head of "social interactions." But empathy is not mentioned nor necessarily implied, in the description of those impairments.
Specifically, the mentioned social interaction problems are as follows: impairment in the use of non-verbal behaviours, failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to level of development, a lack of spontaneously seeking shared enjoyment, and a lack of social or emotional reciprocity. An autism diagnosis (though for not all conditions on the spectrum) requires only two of those social impairments to be present.
If someone with autism had every single one of those social impairment criteria (my son, for instance, had everything on that list when he was diagnosed), that would not mean they lacked empathy. It might mean they are very withdrawn, which is often the case. But having immense trouble interacting with and understanding other people, is not the same thing as lacking empathy. Indeed, there has been growing understanding that autistic people often suffer from too much awareness of others emotions and feel overwhelmed by facial expressions (again, my son has become such a person). Even if an autistic person cannot read another person's body language and facial expressions, and struggles to understand what another person means, that is a very different claim from the idea that they don't care what the other person feels and thinks.
Being able to understand what someone else feels and thinks and not caring about it, is something else entirely. A very nasty something else, and incidentally, the same something-else that is often linked to internet use; the trolling, cyber-bullying, griefing behaviours that concern parents and society more generally.
It has been argued that internet time – particularly the time spent on an internet by a parent when the should be interacting with a child – can reduce a child's ability to learn from and about body cues and facial expressions. But the internet time would have to be extraordinarily extreme to actually give rise to anything like autistic behaviours, and the child would have to be excluded from interactions with other human beings too, who would otherwise have passed along this non-verbal information. Furthermore, in addition to this extremely deprived situation, the child would have to somehow pick up repetitive / stereotyped behaviours, and have marked communication problems or abnormalities, for an actual diagnosis of autism.
The idea that abuse or neglect on this sort of scale, could lead to autism, is an old and fully debunked theory. There is no connection at all between parental abuse or neglect of a child, and a child getting autism. There are entire cultures that do what we in the West would consider extremely neglectful behaviour when bringing up their young children, and yet they do not have higher rates of autism (anyone not familiar with such cultures and the fact that there is no connection between abuse and autism, would be well recommended to read "Unstrange Minds" by Richard Grinker). Autism is, by definition, a pervasive developmental disorder; both those words – pervasive, and developmental – are essential to appreciating the nature of the condition.
What of the older age groups then – the teenagers who are face-down in the internet and technology, and thereby take on "autistic behaviours." Considering that autism isn't something you suddenly get as a teenager, this is a very misguided approach. Autism is present from very early on in life; usually evident before the third birthday, and often by 12 months old. Less severe forms of autism may go un-diagnosed until the teen (or even later) years, but there is no evidence linking such diagnoses with increased internet use. None. (If you know of some, do share, I'd be very interested to have a look.) Again, you would have to also account for such things as repetitive behaviours; even if internet use lead to lower social skills and communication skills, and even if we labeled this "empathy", where did the autistic stereotyped behaviours come from?
But there's a great big elephant in the room that I haven't even pointed out yet.
It's got a great big sign on it that points out that internet use has also been linked with higher levels of empathy and more real-world social interactions. So even if the internet was leading to lower levels of empathy that created more "autistic behaviours," might it not – in the same breath and reasoning – be reversing autistic behaviours and tendencies? (Though I think the link to autism in either direction is weak and unconvincing.)
There are some things we do know about autism and internet use. We know that the internet allows autistic people to get jobs, make friends, get a sense of belonging and self-worth, that might not have otherwise been possible. If there is a link between autism and the internet, it would seem to be one that helps those who are already autistic, not turns non-autistic people into autistics. To demonize internet use, is to not helping autistic people, in fact it may harm them in some very real ways.
There is one way to perhaps save the statement linking lack of empathy to autistic behaviours, as arguably represented by the social impairment criteria for autism. Which is to say that the behaviours at issue are only the social impairment ones, not autism as a whole (this is definitely a way someone might read Greenfield's statement). However, that makes the "autism" reference entirely redundant. Autism is not just social impairment, (even if social impairment there meant lack of empathy). If what she means is just social impairment, then she should say that. If what she means is just lack of empathy, then she should say that. Autism, on this reading, is in no way part of the picture, and is a meaningless tag-on word serving no obvious nor helpful function.
In the meantime, the damage to understanding autism, its behaviours, and its causes, is already done. Headings like those at the top of the story by the Guardian on this matter, "Research linking autism to internet use is criticised," makes it all the harder, since there is no such research (and in the piece itself they don't even suggest or refer to any such research; it is just a bad header). And just when I thought the story was bad enough, she had to throw in that suggested link to empathy, which is a widely-spread misunderstanding about autism already, and which particularly damages the public's willingness to interact with, and themselves empathise with, people on the autism spectrum.
Autistic people are not unfeeling, uncaring monsters. Struggling with non-verbal and verbal language, doesn't make you a sociopath nor a psychopath. Lack of empathy is not part of the definition or description of autism. Suggesting it is, is not only wrong, it is harmful.


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Tim White, PhD, LPC, NCC offers advice on family planning and parenting, LGBT issues, disability issues, education and work issues, relationships, ethics and "unusual" social issues. Send questions to Tim for future columns through his website.
Hi Tim,
I am a woman, 38 years young, and big kid at heart; friendly, cheerful and social. I am one of those morning people full of coffee who are so cheerful they sometimes get on others' nerves. I wear youngish clothes in bright colors like overalls, loud prints and bright sneakers, or striped socks and hats with big plastic purses and costume jewelry. I like to wear my red hair in pigtails or very curly and wild. I have always been childlike in the way I dress and act and it has never been a problem until recently. I have been working as a receptionist at a small office for an attorney over the past few months, and I have gotten stares but my boss asked me to change my wardrobe because clients are put off by my appearance. Is that acceptable? We don't even have a dress code! Should I take this lying down or fight to be who I am?
– Cheery Chick
Hi Cheery,
If your office does not currently have a dress code I think you have inspired one. You sound about two tablespoons of clown white away from the circus. I tried to imagine all possible reactions I might have if I were arriving at my attorney's office clutching my neck brace, or limping painfully, having lived through the trauma of getting rear-ended by a city bus, mauled by a pit bull, or worse; an IRS audit, only to be greeted by a caffeine-charged Raggedy Ann or Pippi Longstocking galloping up to me barking salutations; somewhere near the top of my list was "sheer terror," depending on how much caffeine I had that morning. It is great you bring energy and enthusiasm to your workplace, and a pediatrician or toy store may be ideal for employees with a penchant for the perky, but legal proceedings provide enough surprises; the ambience should be as somber as possible. I am not a professional stylist, but there is room for compromise at your place of work if you are willing. You could pair smart and subdued suit pieces with colorful belts or shoes or other accessories or tie up that merry mop with a bright bow, thereby making your outfit pop, not explode all over the room like a dirty bomb.
Reconnected Ex
Hi Tim,
I am a mid-forties woman, divorced five years after 20 years of marriage. I've dated before, but nothing serious, since I have high standards. My ex-husband has stayed connected only through our two kids, and has been a fine father. Although he cheated on me and lied about it more than once, which ended our marriage, he seems to have been a decent husband to his new wife of three years (she is not one he cheated with). Last weekend, we got together to discuss our daughter's upcoming wedding. We felt comfortable alone together for the first time in a long time, and he confessed that he wanted to sleep with me! He wants to make it a regular thing, and rationalizes that I would not have to trust him anymore, just have fun the way we used to and keep it casual. I am lonely, still attracted to him, and he can pour on the charm when he wants to. What would the harm be?
– Reconnected Ex
Hi Reconnected,
It sounds like It's Complicated. No, seriously: the plot of the 2009 comedy film, give or take a few details. Your ex-husband is married to a woman who, like you at one time, trusts him. You even noted she was not one of his paramours. Is there some reason she does not deserve the respect you did not receive? You say you want to throw caution to the wind, but the path you are considering is lousy with caution. What could be more comfortable and safe than hopping in the sack with this familiar guy; a guy who is also unable to be honest with any mate. This is the same old routine for him, and only fake-naughty for you. I am not even convinced that you are convinced; if so, why write me and mention your high standards? All this energy and time taken up by Mr. Disappointment might be better spent on a new, single someone out there with a better personality.
All Human and Loving It
Hi Tim,
I am a 20-year-old, red-blooded woman with definite needs who is attracted to the most smoking hot, fit boy with an actual brain and a sense of humor. When I say fit I mean chiseled like an underwear model. Perfect body. He likes me too and we are just starting to get to know each other. Now for the problem. He was very upfront that he is an otherkin. He believes that instead of human he is a therian wolf in a human body; not a lycanthrope, just internally wolfen. It's okay I guess, I have read a lot about it and I am trying to get on board, because he is dead serious about it, although I gather sex would be normal, but in between he wears a collar, eats out of a bowl on the floor, etc. I have to mind my pronouns too. Look, I am a very horny, open-minded girl with a lot of room to grow, but how does one grow around this nonsense?
– All Human and Loving It
Hi All Human,
Otherkin, for those unaware, believe themselves to be partially non-human in spirit, but typically fully acknowledge their human body. Explanations include reincarnation, nonhuman soul ancestry and parallel universes. They may identify as real-life animals or creatures from fiction, or mythical creatures like angels, dragons, fairies, elves and animals, among other beings. Their interest in the paranormal has earned their belief system status as a "quasi-religion" that flourishes on the internet. The identification with their spirit can be quite integrated into daily life, complete with adjusted pronouns. You wrote that he was upfront about his orientation. If this is too off-the-map for you now, the routine out of bed may be much tougher for a nonbeliever to accomodate than a simple kink. The question you need to address with each other is what you expect from getting closer. Will you be happy only romping with your canine Adonis, or will you expect him to become domesticated?
Editor's Note: The opinions offered in this blog are the author's alone. Tim White, and any experts he may consult and/or quote in responses to letters, will never provide medical or psychological advice, diagnoses, treatment, or counseling of any kind. General advice, opinions, and suggestions may be offered with no obligation on the part of readers to accept or act upon the content published within this column. Anyone in immediate crisis and/or mental/physical distress should call 911 or related resources of assistance.
Photo courtesy Tao WU, licensed under Creative Commons


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Hello We R fans and thank you for once again for joining me, as I share with you some decor pieces for my very new little corner of the house. It has taken many years for me to infiltrate but I have finally commandeered the spare room, haha! I now have some lovely natural light to create in and space away from the hustle and bustle. I've created some framed pieces for my desk which I hope will set the tone for the room. I'm thinking I now need some hot pink in there for sure!
I think these frames pack a punch and would make a great gift on a small budget.
Let me show you how I created them, starting with the smaller 'Create' frame…
I started with some simple supplies:
Some store-bought frame
Designer poster board in the black and white stripe
Some acrylic alphabet letters
Heatwave stencil
Minc Reactive Paint
Minc machine
*If you don't have access to a Minc, some gold paint would work very well too*
I cut my card down to the size of the frame. In this case it was 5×7 inches. I taped it down to my work area and adhered my letters with some Blu-Tack. (I don't know what the equivalent of this would be outside of Australia, lol. Google suggested Plasti-Tak.) I used Blu-Tack so I could move them incrementally without damaging my paper and also take them off when I ran my paper through my Minc machine.
I then went about painting around the letters with Minc Reactive Paint. I started off with a flourish through the stencil but I didn't like the way I joined up the dotted area to the flourish, so I painted over it. (BUT I will say that the paint works great through the stencil.)
Once the paint was dry, I ran the paper through the Minc on heat setting number 4. Peeled away the foil and I was amazed at how fabulous it looked!
I wanted to give it a lot more texture and dimension, so I popped the acrylic alphas back on and set about with a bit more paint etc. Finally, I added some gold Clearly Posh chipboard thickers over the top.
Here is how it turned out… Love is not a big enough word for how I feel about this! It inspires me to not be afraid to explore my own creativity.
I completed the set of three with a very simple framed piece of patterned paper from a 6×6 pad of Inked Rose. I'd like to think that the frames represent many possibilities.
Now let me show you how easy it was to put together the largest frame…
I used my Alphabet Punch Board to cut the initials of my each of my family. (You could use any word that divides evenly as an alternative of course.) I used the Metallic Foil Pad which is fabulous as the sheets are already cut to size to there is no measuring needed.
A tip If you are wanting to use metallic or a specific side of patterned paper etc, start with the side you want to face up, facing down to make your first punch. This would not be so important for letters that look the same both ways iykwim, but for specific letters and numbers, it would be important.
I arranged the letters simply across two lines on top of a piece of the same striped Designer Poster Board. In the space on the left, I added some glittering foam thickers. I think the gold on the black & white is really effective.
As a final touch, I've added a delicious Ruler Studio Glass Knob to the top as well as a Ruler Studio Hanging Clip. Now I can add some pics or hang a memento off the edge of the frame.
I had so much fun creating these and I absolutely love the way they turned out. If you give something like this a go, please tag us in your pics – we'd love to see your beautiful creations!
Until next time,
Happy crafting!
Alphabet Punch Board
Designer Poster Board Black
Metallic Foil Pad
Ruler Studio 9" Folded Ruler Natural
Ruler Studio Glass Knobs
Ruler Studio Hanging Clips
Clearly Posh Alphabet Thickers


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Everyone loves the summer, the gift of the warm fresh air blowing at you when on the beach or at home is such an amazing feeling to behold. This appreciated warm weather can sometimes get too much with temperatures g=high enough to make going out very uncomfortable.
The most reliable situation is to get yourself an outdoor fan which would make the situation less displeasing to you. Not just any fan would serve you well for such purposes as fans are often specially built to handle certain situations.
In the case of having the right fan for your patio, your best bet would be to get the patio misting fan. In making your decision, there are a number of factors you have to take into account.
- Fan Quality.
Fans like every other merchandise often come in various standards. Misting fans are no exemption as they do also come in various models and quality. It is very essential that the fan lives up to the buck in terms of serving its purpose rather than breakdown after being used over a short period of time.
A way to go about getting yourself a patio misting fan of great quality is to simply do proper research. You would need a product that is generally appreciated as that would negate the trouble of the cost of repairs in the long run.
- Usage rate.
A very important factor you need to take into account is the expected hours of use for the fan. Fans like most electronics are built to operate under certain conditions and can often breakdown in situations whereby such conditions aren't favorable.
Patio misting fans are designed to reduce heat to the barest minimum especially during the summer, so it is best you get a fan that not only operates effectively but also has the ability to run for long stretch of hours without parking up.
- Size.
Another important factor to consider before selecting any patio misting fan is its size. If your patio is larger than the usual then it would be best you get yourself a fan that is also large as that would help increase efficiency.
- Portability.
Patios are open areas with cover sheds above them in rare situations. This means that in most likelihood, your patio misting fan would most likely be exposed to the direct sky.
This is often concerning a number of individuals considering that in the advent of rain, there would be the need to move the fan. This issue is easily addressed by getting a fan that is easily portable thereby making it easily moveable to another room
It is advisable you take all of the above factors into consideration before purchasing any patio misting fan. Regardless of misting fans in general making use of both mist and fans to cool the temperature. Cool-off being specialists in providing the highest quality shade or misting solutions is your best bet in getting that patio misting fan that you are in need of.


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@MISC{Altunbas_bankfor, author = {Yener Altunbas and Leonardo Gambacorta and David Marques and Yener Altunbas and Leonardo Gambacorta and David Marques-ibanez}, title = {Bank for International Settlements Communications}, year = {}}
the Bank for International Settlements, and from time to time by other economists, and are published by the Bank. The papers are on subjects of topical interest and are technical in character. The views expressed in them are those of their authors and not necessarily the views of the BIS. Copies of publications are available from:
international settlement communication
topical interest
international settlement
Developed at and hosted by The College of Information Sciences and Technology
© 2007-2019 The Pennsylvania State University


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Cost savings
Investing in a new genset is expensive. Various parts and subsystem of a genset are not equally worn, spares turn obsolete and electrical safety standards change. To scrap a complete system because only a certain part is not working or a spare part cannot be bought is a waste of money, environment and resources.
The latest generator control systems may provide functions which were not available when the generator was originally manufactured, electrical wiring might be damaged, braking system on the generator trailer needs to be updated. By renovation, refurbishment, modification and upgrades of old and worn generators MSE provides a reliable, safe and cost effective solution often as good as a new one. The most beneficial generator upgrades are the ones of critical systems requiring the highest availability and which are not extensively used, such as back-up power generators or military generators.
Typical examples of renovation and upgrade tasks:
• Change of generator, rewiring of generators.
• Change of engine.
• Change of control system and control panel.
• Upgrades and improvements of fuel system.
• Refurbishment of cooling system.
• Addition of new functionality, such as synchronization of several generator sets.
• Improvement of acoustics.
• Mechanical and electrical upgrades, adjustments and improvements.
• Safety upgrades, to make the gensets comply with the latest standards.
• EMC improvements, analysis, design, implementation, verification.
• Re-painting.
• Repair of corroded parts.
A system solution from MSE
MSE delivers a complete solution, including design and development, mechanical and electrical installation, verification and validation, commissioning and delivery. In addition to delivery of the upgraded generator, services like system safety analysis, project management, production and updates of technical documentation, manuals, spare part lists and maintenance schedules are provided.


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for a limited time only!
"So his master said, 'Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.'" Luke 14: 23-24
This is a brief part - the climax of a bigger story that Jesus told to illustrate God's attitude toward us when He offers/calls us to an opportunity to follow Him, to be part of His family and His plans and agenda. A King invites people to a banquet and those invited can't get around to showing up because they all have really practical things they need to tend to. Sorry, can't make it. Their replies make sense to them - entirely understandable and reasonable. Jesus bluntly says they are making excuses and it infuriates the King.
You ever eat a McDonalds' McRib sandwich? Set aside the debate if it's even real food, much less if it's nutritious or delicious. If you pull up to MickeyD's and order one, you will notice the signs all say "LIMITED TIME OFFER" or "FOR A LIMITED TIME". If you are into that sort of fast food, you better grab it fast because it will be gone (never mind McDonalds always brings it back eventually)
Here's the point: God's offer to you (Eternal Life, meaning, purpose, opportunity in this moment, etc.) is not fast food - don't treat it like something you can always get around to later. It is insulting to the King. It is infuriating to Him. We even understand something as meaningless as McMysteryMeat-in-Strange-Red-Sauce has a limited time availability and act accordingly if we really want it. You and I better recognize and respect the fact that God is so patient and kind - but His offers are for a limited time - Jesus finishes the story with the revelation that the King had enough of being blown off and passed the offer on to those who would respect it and respond.
So you: no excuses, move to accept and embrace what He's offering without delay while the offer is available!
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what is "spark"?
Its a small thing - like the flash on a spark plug that hopefully ignites something bigger to propel you forward.
Niki melton
Niki is a wife and mother of 2 children. She lives in Charlotte, NC where she enjoys everyday moments that ignite her relationship with our Lord and Savior.
June 2020


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FREE Honey Chamber @ Birdies When: Sun Sep 22, 2013 9:30pm to 12:30am EDT Where: Birdies Event Status: confirmed Event Description: Come hang out on Sunday night. Drink some dranks and dance with us. ...[Read More]
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One of the great basketball debates across the country is "What is the best area of the country for producing basketball players?"
One of the other questions that have recently arose in the youth basketball world "what is the most competitive basketball camp for middle school players?"
Well basketball Mongol Mike Melton may have made the smartest move in camp history – Melton brought the top players in the country to the best basketball producing epicenter in country. What transpired was the greatest concentration of youth basketball talent top to bottom in America.
Along with multiple national media outlets in attendance Basketball Spotlight Future Phenom Camp attracted the premier local media company DMVelite. DMVelite is the major media outlet in the DC Metropolitan area and has seen some of the best players in the country come through their area.
For instance in 2004 alone in the Washington area, there were 25 All-Met players on the first through fourth teams. That list includes plenty of NBA draft picks (Rudy Gay, Roy Hibbert and Jeff Green), household names (Villanova's Scottie Reynolds) and great college players (George Mason's Folarin Campbell).
Now guess who wasn't on the list? Kevin Durant. One of the top players in the world and he was "only honorable mention" - but do note this was his sophomore year of high school. As well on that list, West Virginia's Joe Alexander, No. 8 draftee in the 2008 NBA draft.
ESPN recruiting analyst Dave Telep said, "You could make two NBA teams and make the playoffs with both from that list"
A snapshot of the past decade and a half, include premier players out of the DMV such as Michael Beasley, Carmelo Anthony, Delonte West, Sam Young, Josh Selby and Will Barton. These players along with Durant, Hibbert, Green, Ty Lawson and Gay to make the DMV unmatched in terms of talent production.
With all this history in the hometown of the Spotlight Future Phenom Camp; DMVelite brought it cameras out to see some of the best players in the nation which included a plethora of DMV stars and future stars.
Visit them at: DMVelite.com
With so many known commodities in the DMV we found a few future stars that you must be on the lookout for in the future:
Trevor Keels (2021): Keels is a terrific long armed athlete that does a great job running the floor and attacking the basket on the break and in the half court. He can hit the open three with time and space but he is at his best when getting to the rim where he can score over, though, or around his opponent. When he is in attack mode he is very effective and efficient. His offensive game and overall skillset is enhanced by his ability to put the ball on the floor and play/guard multiple positions. Keels would be a star in most programs but plays with a larger entity where his full display of talents is not utilized consistently; his attendance at the Basketball Spotlight Camp proved Keels can play with anyone and compete on the highest level. Look for more to come from Killer Keels in the future.
Ryan Conway (2020): Conway possesses the dangerous combination of strength, size, and a thoroughbred's competitive drive. Along with a consistent jumper and stroke to 3-point range, he brings a certain type of toughness to the floor and is able to impose his will on both his teammates and opponents on both ends of the court. He was a consistent producer all weekend long and contributed to his in points, rebounds and assists along with playing some stellar defense. All Conway needs is the right program, right coach, and right skill development and he has bigtime star potential.
Trey Thomas (2021): An extremely athletic combo guard who likes to slash and can get to the basket at will where he is a very creative and tough finisher. A true highlight reel player who embraces that aspect of his game; his swagger and confidence is apparent. Showed decent jumper shot, but needs work on range; will come naturally as the core strength is further developed. He loved the contact on the break and in the half court set and didn't back down from any one. He was just flat out tougher than a lot of guards he faced – when his growth spurt completes look for him to be considered a difference maker and game changer – at the end of the day when Thomas gets his shoulder by a defender on a drive he usually scored or found a teammate for an easy basket.
Cole Hanin (2021): At times Hanin looked like more of a shooting guard at first sight due to his shooting ability; which is was impressive. A closer look revealed that he has high end point guard skills. He breaks pressure with spacing and dribble tactics, finds and creates passing lanes for himself, and he is excellent and creating opportunities for his teammates. Very intense player who is very hard on himself; you can tell that he put a premium not just on winning but performing well. This is the type of player who will, will himself to being in the conversation of the top players.
Keyshawn Johnson (2020): Johnson is an underrated athlete who shows no fear taking the ball to the hoop. He made some electrifying plays around the basket and is not afraid to go at anyone. He has a comfortable shooting range to about 18 feet and he has the ability to get to lane and finish or pull-up and knock down. Watching him, he is a different player when under control and would flourish with the right coaching and IQ development. The skill is clearly there and he controls his destiny by applying the intangibles to a great skill package.
See what we are talking about below – courtesy of DMVelite.com


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It was the 6th of November 1939. The fog still blanketed Requejado. It was so intense that you could barely see anything. Among the aspens, some shadows could be seen, which could be the spirits who inhabited that same place not so long ago. They were still there, trying to find the hopeful light they saw, but they ignored it since they opted to continue fighting for their beliefs. The temperature lowered as you got into the heart of the forest, grief and feelings for deception could be felt there; a kind of bitterness, which unfortunately would be eternal.
In his first novel, Spanish author Pablo Solares Acebal deals with themes of love and life, death and dreams. Lyrical and occasionally poetic, this book is hauntingly atmospheric, reminiscent of intriguing overheard conversations.
Set in the village of Requejado in northern Spain, we start to explore the lives of people searching for meaning and struggling to cope with the implications of the past. Religion and class distinctions run like a thread through the book, which challenges novel writing conventions, raising unanswered questions in the mind of the reader and unresolved issues that leave you wanting more.
The Spanish edition was released in Spain and in selected South-American countries two years ago. I was fortunate to have an advance copy of the English language translation, to be published on March 9, 2014 in the UK and Austrailia and May 6, 2014 in the U.S. In the meantime, a Spanish edition is available on Amazon. Pablo Solares Acebal is currently working with director Daniel Cabrero in a film adaptation of The 6th of November.
About the Author
Spanish Author Pablo Solares Acebal lives in Villaviciosa, Asturias, and worked at an emergent publisher in Spain. He has a degree in English Studies and Translation from the University of Oviedo and now works as a freelance English-Spanish translator. Pablo is on Twitter @solaresacebal and on Facebook


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Cleanroom Lockers
Our Lockers are suitable and compatible with all cleanroom change areas. As we manufacture ourselves, we can produce our lockers in a variety of bespoke specifications based on your needs or preferences. Ventilated or non-ventilated, freestanding with adjustable feet, or completely flush between walls, flooring and other lockers.
Your options do not end there. For example you can have locking options (key or combination). We can produce lockers to any non-standard configurations and specifications.
Available in: 12mm HPL or SS 304


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Happy Wednesday beauty!
OK…I'm cheating this week…as I normally channel a message to serve you each earlier in the week but this week I'm taking a little time 'off the grid' that I'm looking forward to sharing next week…so just a few nuggets & an offer today! It was a joy to be interviewed by Christy Laverty…PR & Media Coach extraordinaire last week ☆
Here are 3 Tips I shared with her & her audience on a FB Live…that I hope serve you too!
1. Surround yourselves with those who will lift you higher…and love the others (even former close friends & family) from an energetically safe distance.
2. Connect with & do more things you love. Be very intentional. This raises your vibration…so you attract better things, situations & people to you.
3. Things happen 4 U not 2 U…you are NEVER a victim – refuse to see yourself that way.
That's it…short and sweet ♡
Once again…I have a few 1:1 Elite Coaching spots available this July.
So…if you identify with being a "heart-centred ROCKSTAR' as you have done a LOT of AMAZING things & people are always telling you how inspiring you are…but deep down you struggle with Imposter Syndrome – feel that you are not really worthy of these accolades – & have suffered in the dark places (eg. depression, anxiety & panic), but still sense deeply that you were brought here in this lifetime to play a MUCH bigger game. If you would LOVE to learn get out of your own way so you can make the difference you were born to make (#uniquelegacy) on the planet, while living the life of your dreams…please connect with me…I would love to chat ♡
Book your 'Complimentary Clarity Call'
Always here to serve you beauty, E