text:
Its always great when you hear about a piece of news that reminds you of your childhood, even more so when a very old friend is involved. Just launched on Kickstarter is Noggin the Nog The Miniatures is bringing to life the adventures of Peter Firmin and Oliver Postgates animated adventure series of Noggin the Nog, a young warrior that was first shown on television back in the late 1960s.
Now my good friend David Woods (who perhaps has the single biggest collection of miniatures in Christendom and beyond) has launched his kickstarter to bring to life these amazing animations from long ago and they look amazing.
The kickstarter has already started and is nearly funded so please head on over to the funding page and pledge, and also visit Davids website.


text:
Love had a busy day yesterday, no?
Twenty-four hours, 1,440 minutes of spreading yourself around the globe to surprise the unexpected, warm hearts, and turn millions of frowns upside down.
Love's been packed into chocolate wrappers, flattened and folded inside Valentine's greeting cards, and its scent sprayed onto to a gazillion roses of every color in the rainbow.
If I were Love, I'd be TIIIIED!
But a single day will never make Love break a sweat. Long after the chocolates have melted and flower petals fade – Love is STILL at work for us, in us, and through us.
And for that, I'm grateful.
Love never sleeps, takes a vacation, or clocks out…why? Just take a look at Love's forever to-do list, with YOUR name at the top of the paper:
- Work the life-plan written for _____. Love is constantly guiding and maneuvering us through the plan written for our life, every day of our lives. This includes strategies to support and prosper us till we reach every purposed milestone. As long as someone's still breathing on Earth, there's a life-plan of execution in play.
- Save the day for _____. We get ourselves in more trouble than a little bit, and sometimes trouble pays us a visit – without invitation – at no fault of our own. No worries. It is Love's compassion that, just in the knick of time, weaves safety nets when we fall, and builds trap doors that give way to freedom, long before our backs are ever against the wall.
- Discipline _____. I know, we love #2. But sometimes after our hide is saved from our own poor judgment, rebellion, or disobedience – we feel the brunt of negative consequences. Love uses situations to get our attention, so Love can tell us the truth about ourselves. The loving discipline and rebuke comes to instruct us and deter us from the repeating the same mistakes over and over.
- Heal _____. Remember those tears you used to cry, where you thought you'd never get to the last drop? Or that pain that broke your heart into a million pieces? Love works around the clock as a mender of broken people and lives. Love heals – not to restore to the original condition – but restores to an unrecognizable newness we never imagined – in our minds, bodies, and spirit.
- Remind _____. What would our lives be like, if we remembered what Love said about us? Sometimes Love's words are but a distant echo, drowned out by what others say, or what we tell ourselves. Love works to constantly remind us of what words to live by – Love's truth.
Only the weary need rest. Only those whose strength can fail need a break to rejuvenate. Love? Love never stops. Love never fails. We can forever depend on Love to get the work done.
Prayer-note: "Dear Love, I quit getting in the way of your work. You are so much better at what You do, than me trying to imitate, help, or out-think You."

subset: commoncrawl


text:
This Item Qualifies for Free Standard Shipping
ArtCarved 14K White Gold Ring Mounting with Diamond Milgrain and Scrollwork Shank, 0.55aptw
Shipping Info
Ring Information
- Metal: White Gold
Center Diamond
- Ring can be set with: Diamond
Accent Gemstone
- Type: Diamond
- Number: 1
- Minimum Carat Weight: 0.55
Item InformationThe ArtCarved 14K White Gold Ring Mounting with Diamond Milgrain and Scrollwork Shank evokes artful extravagance with its brilliant detailing. Meticulously crafted from 14K white gold, this ring mounting is studded with 0.55aptw round diamonds to create a beautiful piece. Sparkling scroll work swirling under the gallery is complemented with diamond studded shank and intricate milgrain detailing. Complete its stunning look with a center diamond of your choice (sold separately).
Certain sizes may not be available for immediate delivery. For more information, please call 800.642.GIFT or email us at [email protected]


text:
Two Brothers... and Bernard, Part 2
"Two Brothers... and Bernard, Part 2" is episode #273 of the Adventures in Odyssey audio series. It was written and directed by Phil Lollar, and originally aired on June 18, 1994.
Bernard tells Erica Clark the story of Jacob and Esau.
Erica Clark is having trouble with her little sister, Hayley. Bernard Walton tells Erica the story of a real sibling rivalry, one of the greatest in history, in fact, between twin brothers named Esau and Jacob. It's a story filled with treachery, jealousy, thievery, hatred, thoughts of murder, and, ultimately, brotherly love. Read all about it yourself in Genesis!
- This plot section is too short and should be expanded. »
Discussion Questions
- What did God mean when He told Rebekah that "two nations struggle in her womb"?
- What is a birthright?
- Why was a father's blessing so important?
- Why didn't Esau kill Jacob like he vowed?
|Voice Actor
|Bernard Walton
|Dave Madden
|Erica Clark
|Erin Love
|Brian Cummings
|Corey Burton
|Joe Campanella
|Ann Ault
|Pamela Hayden
|Phil Lollar
Bernard Walton: How these kids can get a flag pole dirty is beyond me.
Erica Clark: People sure did a lot of running back then.
Bernard Walton: Well, they had to. Their cars were in the shop.
Bernard Walton: Just remember, God can heal the worst of relationships between brothers and sisters.
Erica Clark: Yeah.
Bernard Walton: Meanwhile, you need to be patient and loving. And the next time Haley does something bad to you, short sheet her bed.
Erica Clark: Really?
Bernard Walton: No. Kid believes anything I tell her.
- Episodes aired 15 times
- Episodes in Album 20: A Journey of Choices
- 1994 Season Episodes
- Episodes sorted alphabetically
- Episodes sorted chronologically
- Episodes hosted by Chris Anthony
- Episodes written by Phil Lollar
- Episodes directed by Phil Lollar
- Episodes produced by Bob Luttrell
- Episodes with sound design by Bob Luttrell
- Episodes with music by Jack Ballard
- Episodes recorded at Unknown
- Episodes engineered by Bob Luttrell
- Episodes executive produced by Chuck Bolte
- Episodes in Bible Eyewitness: Collectors Set
- Episodes with Empty intro
- Episodes with Narration wraps
- Episodes with Normal wraps
- Episodes with theme of Bible history
- Episodes with theme of Love
- Bible story Episodes
- Episodes with sound design by Dave Arnold
- Episodes with references from Genesis
- Episodes produced by Paul McCusker
- Episodes produced by Dave Arnold
- Episodes with promos
- Episodes with samples
- Episodes on CBD
- Episodes on iTunes
- Episodes on Amazon
- Episodes on AIOHQ
- Episodes on the Odyssey Library
- Episodes on the Odyssey Scoop
- Episodes on the Soda Fountain
- Episodes with Bernard Walton
- Episodes with Erica Clark


text:
The FREE Social Fundraising Platform
Buffalo Inclusive Practices Summer Institute 2020
Buffalo Meat Raffle 2020
Buffalo Believe in Our Build
Buffalo Meat Raffle 2019
Buffalo Donate
Choose a suggested amount below, or give whatever you want.
Copyright © 2000 - 2020 Click & Pledge. All rights reserved. | Privacy Statement | About Us |
Follow us:


text:
Product Description
Product Description
Laflin & Rand Envelope: Colorful and attractive early advertising cover (envelope) for Laflin & Rand gunpowder, featuring nice image of cowboy w/ text advertising on backside (1907 cancellation). Excellent (C. 8++).
Size: 3-5/8 x 6.25
Date of Sale: 3/28/13
Looking to sell or consign this or a similar item? Send an email and photo to Antique Advertising


text:
We are moving!
We have a new home, at VirtualPieces.com! We'll be putting updates and new content there, so make sure you check out that site once you finish reading this!
The evolution of Igna, or how Quasr isn't Magic
(Note: This article requires the knowledge of the game. To learn how to play Quasr, please visit the Quasr website to sign up. But I'll try to make it as general as possible.)
Now that Quasr is online for some time already, I figure it's about time to talk about the design and development of the game. I'd start with a general article, but it seems like I've written it already. Check out "The color pie and the color salad bowl". I'll go into slightly more specific subjects, in the mean time touching on some history of the game, and how did it come about.
I can't talk about Quasr without mentioning Magic: the Gathering – Indeed, if there's one game that changed my life, it has to be Magic. Back in early 2000 I was studying high school in Singapore. I just checked in to my dorm after the year-end vacation, when I noticed my room-mate and few other friends playing 'poker with pictures' in the room. It didn't take me long to get hooked to Magic. Now, studying abroad under scholarship and staying in a Presbyterian hostel isn't the best time and place to start investing in a 'Satanic' (as my teacher puts it) game. I've gotten into a fair share of trouble which I don't want to mention again.
Two years later and I was in junior college. That meant a new dorm as well as new room-mates. Among my five room-mates, one was, for a lack of better terms and I hereby ask you, Michael my ex-room-mate, for your forgiveness, a chess freak. While my other room-mates were quite accommodating of playing any game, Michael and I seemed to be at two ends of the gaming spectrum. I never understood chess for the lack of strategic thinking, and he never understood Magic for reasons that I don't know. Oh, and there's Edison, who doesn't play anything other than Diablo 2, until I introduced Magic and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City to him.
Quasr, then titled 'Battle Chess' for a lack of imagination and product research, was born in search of the middle ground between Chess and Magic. The rules are a combination of both – defeat your opponent's 'King piece' (the Aspect) using cards from a deck you build. There were numerous iterations between the first design and the current one (In fact, the current version that you see on the site is undergoing some changes as well). These changes happen when we learn new things that we never knew before. One thing we did not know was how strong direct damage can be.
Due to the expanding nature of the game, one of the aspects of Quasr design was conserving design space for future use. For each 'faction' (in quotes because of the lack of a better term;we wanted to change it but have not thought of a replacement yet), the idea was to pick a strategy and go all the way with it. This leads to several problems along the way, but right now I'll just talk about 'Igna'.
Igna was one of the three starting 'factions' of Quasr. Each of the three factions corresponded to a creature stat (Windia, whose details I shall leave unwritten for now, corresponded to the now-obsolete 'Movement' stat, or how many squares a creature can move per turn). Igna's stat, as it turns out to be not too hard to deduce if you have played the game, is Attack (ATK). Igna's creatures have been big-fisted and small-butted ever since the first card list, as the saying goes "Offense is the best defense" – When you're busy attacking, there's no need to hold back. The idea of 'attacking' extended from just creatures to Hacks, the 'spell cards' of Quasr. This is where the problems started, and the whole point of this article.
There was this one little card in Magic that I stole into Quasr:
Shock felt generic enough to be in any card game that had creatures and combat. It feels just like 'extended combat' – attacking with something else when your creatures can't. Thus, a similar card found its way into Quasr's set file.
THIS deals 2 damage to target creature or Aspect.
The 'R', which stands for 'Range', is the card's cost, defined by either the number of rows or columns between the player's Aspect and the target, whichever is greater. Soon enough its cost was increased to R+5. It might not even make it past the next iteration.
Balance is a tricky thing. Just because it's a common that doesn't get played in Tier 1 decks in one game doesn't mean that the same card would not dominate in another game with slightly different rules. The difference – the board – turned out to be not so slight this time. Whack, in a land of one-grid-per-turn movers, was considered 'cheating'. It was the gun in the fistfight, the Brazilian in the Malaysian football team. It could take out a creature from a distance, or a finishing blow to an Aspect being hurt by similar cards (Igna is full of these). While the Igna player gains no card advantage by scrapping a creature with Whack (what is known as a 'one-for-one' trade), it makes up by gaining the player tempo advantage – You save the amount of turns used to move towards your target and attack it. This advantage is even more significant when a creature can only move one grid per turn, a rule implemented to counter the imbalance of fast movers. (We'll talk about this another time.)
Playtesting makes it so clear that the addition of the board into Quasr makes it so much more different from Magic. A more experienced game designer might spot that out immediately but hey, we're all learning.
Related Posts:
After hours
In the darkness, on the soft earth, the First Being lay.
The strange world, thoroughly barren in every direction the boy looked, had areas of light and shadow. He had crossed a border a while ago, a blurry line, slightly jagged from the bumpiness of the ground. Stepping across that border marked the instant transition from light to darkness. The First Being looked back, trying to find the Lightgiver through the buzzing purple and green objects in front of his eyes.
The Lightgiver was still there, though only a sliver of white light was seen from his angle. In the darkness he could still see his hands and feet, as well as the bluish wings of his friend. The wings gave off a very faint glow, invisible under the Lightgiver but now illuminating the air around him.
"If only I could bring the Lightgiver with me," the First Being mumbled. His friend nodded nonchalantly.
"Why not try crafting it?" His friend asked.
The First Being did not say another word. He closed his eyes and channeled power into his fingers, still lying down. He pictured the Lightgiver in his mind, focusing on crafting the essence of Light on his fingertips.
A seed of Light formed on his palm. Then leaves, stems, roots. The seed swelled into a bud, and burst into petals.
Beneath his eyelids, the First Being sensed light. He opened his eyes. Hovering above his palm was a plant. A flower with petals of yellow and white, curving up towards a center, where a fuzzy ball of light bobbed lazily.
Forgetting his fatigue, the First Being got up on his feet and planted the flower into the earth. Focusing energy in his palms again, he crafted another flower, and another…
The standard working hours in Hatchlings is 2pm to 12am. Most of the people leave a the strike of midnight. Choo just picked up the habit of staying in the office until 3am. Kwang will not be here until Wednesday. Slade went off to fetch Iris from the airport… so right now, at 5.51am, it's just me.
Our office has this small extension room, which is meant to be
the storeroom another company's room. So far they have not turned up, so we gladly took control.
The room is about a third the size of our office, though it can comfortably fit 4 (or even more) if the authorities would just throw away the dozen or so broken monitors (hence, 'storeroom'). Choo's PC takes up the other corner in that half of the room.
On the other half is a couch and two mattresses. Slade and I usually sleep there after hours. I mean, not together. That's why there are, you know, two mattresses. And a couch. Right? Usually Slade takes the thicker mattress and I take the couch. And we'll have nightmares of each other.
After office hours is pretty much casual time. Sometimes Iris, Slade and I will have a casual discussion on game design (Yes, work can actually be relaxing… but only at night), otherwise I'll be goofing around on my Nintendo DS. I usually pass out at about 7am, just when the sun rises.
Cyberjaya is very sparsely populated at night, largely due to the fact that most of the land here is occupied by offices. No cars on the street. Just streetlights and lights from hourses far away. A medley of yellow and white.
The future crafters came to the world, and stunned by the flowers' radiance, named the area the Glimmermeadows.
The agitated gamer, and other mildly amusing anecdotes
… It's been a while, hasn't it?
That was what the low-polygon professor from Brain Age told me when I, on a fine day, thought I'd do some elementary math after two months of… doing something else.
Brain Age is one oddity. Last weekend I brought my Nintendo DS Lite home for the first time (seven months after I bought it), my younger sisters were naturally attracted to its 'weird controls', but my parents were wary – Both of them are primary school teachers for about 25 years now, and as far as primary school education goes, games and television are bad for children.
I wasn't too surprised when I saw my mum hogging the DS a few days later, trying to break my record for 100x Calculations on Brain Age (1 minute, 1 second). I said nothing, and just smiled. I don't think Brain Age or the DS would break their "Games are bad for children" mindset, though I suppose they'll be referring to the DS as 'the GameBoy with the maths game.'
It always happens – The general public merely takes the lowest common denominator and uses it as a norm. That's why any instant noodle here is called 'Maggi', any chocolate drink is 'Milo', any image editing program is 'Photoshop'. I didn't do any tedious research, but here are the five media stereotypes that currently irk me the most. And in no particular order (but it just sounds more exciting when done in countdown):
#5 The conspiring friends
This one's pretty common, and I'm sure that I'm not the first one to talk about it. Here's the scenario: Little Jimmy was a quiet little boy, until his 'friends' introduce him to cigarettes, Ecstasy, pornography, video games or whatever is the current social ill. Little Jimmy got himself addicted to said vice, and his personal and social life slowly crumbles into a mess. A tearful confession full of regret ends the message with a powerful note.
Witness the power of testimony. It's always "I drank and drove and lost both my legs", never "My friends got me into smoking and we all got lung cancer." What happened to said victim's so-called friends? They're pretty much never heard of again once the protagonist falls far enough. Sometimes you'd think if 'the rest' are conspiring against the poor guy.
The influence of testimony doesn't stop here. Remember your visiting aunt, who told you that sleeping after 11pm will give you prostate cancer, or the friend who is sure that Sonic will be in Super Smash Brothers Brawl because he read it in a forum thread started by this guy whose uncle works at Nintendo (Personally, I sure hope Sonic will be in SSBB). It doesn't matter that radiation from microwave oven would not cause cancer even when there's a scientific explanation behind it, to some people radiation is radiation. It's just so convenient to get 'facts' from friends, and when something bad happens it's always their fault.
Which would lead me to my next point…
#4 The 'Brand X'
My country, Malaysia, is a country that likes superlatives. Everything has to be the 'biggest', 'fastest', 'first'. True story: There's this banner in front of my apartment complex, proudly advertising a fishing competition with 'the highest prize money in the country'. Imagine winning twelve thousand ringgit (That's about US$3,500) in a fishing competition.
With that out of our way, it's not hard to think of an advertising plan in Malaysia: you just have to compare it with something else, and somehow show it's better. That brings us to the 'Brand X'.
Sample TV commercial: A guy in a lab coat interviews this young woman. "I used to have dandruff problems", says the woman, smiling, as she twirls her finger in her hair, "but after using [name of shampoo being advertised], my hair is shiny silky smooth!" Obviously, said brand of shampoo is better than 'the others' because 'the other shampoos' don't solve her dandruff problem.
Some advertisements take it further by introducing the 'Brand X', the perpetually unnamed victim of inane advertising campaigns. Invoking the law of typicality, as long as something is better than something else of its league, it's better than any other item of its kind by inference. This brand of detergent washes away grease stains better than 'Brand X'? 'Brand X' might as well be a bucket of paint.
#3 The 'and more'
…Because, well, the supposedly main attraction just isn't enough.
Pardon me for naming names here, but I've been long irritated by The Chicken Rice Shop's tagline. "Chicken Rice… and More" – it doesn't take half a brain to think of that. Imagine a world of and-mores:
KFC – Fried Chicken… and More!
Dell – Computers… and More!
EA – Challenge Everything… and More!
See, even I can do it.
The and-more tagline is another instance of the law of typicality in effect. You don't have to love chicken rice, just come on in and you might find something you like because, you know, we call ourselves 'The Chicken Rice Shop' but we don't want people to think that we sell only chicken rice.
I have a suggestion. Instead of 'and more', people should use 'and stuff', or even 'and blah'. "KFC – Fried Chicken… and blah."
#2 The thieving woman
The man wakes up in the morning, bleary-eyed. He shambles to the kitchen counter to make some coffee. The coffee done. With a satisfied smile he puts his lips close to the coffee…
And his wife pops out of nowhere and takes the cup away from him. The woman happily walks away with her loot while the man is clearly disappointed.
And Nescafé isn't' the first commercial that's doing it. Because you know, a happy family is composed of a man that tries to get himself a treat, and a thieving woman.
#1 The Agitated gamer
I didn't have much to say on the last point because I'm saving it for this one. Technically both fall under the same category – annoying stereotypes – though the agitated gamer grazes a raw nerve whenever I see a 'gamer' on television, butt-jumping up and down on his couch, jerking the wired controller with a force enough to throttle a child, frantically pressing the shoulder buttons without any apparent pattern.
Because people can't keep their elbows still while playing a game on his favorite console (Typically a Playstation). Because these people have this crazed look in their eyes when gaming. Because games now still show "YOU WIN!" in Arial when you clear it. Because being able to tolerate your thieving woman makes you a real man. Because people actually slip on banana peels in real life.
These are simply tools to get the message across easily. Guy bouncing in chair = gamer. Girl runs out of house after a quarrel with dad = car accident. It's like how the black guy or the guys in the red shirts always die first. I couldn't care less about the others, but the agitated gamer stereotype keeps gaming at an immature, ADHD-rife level. That's why DS-es will always be fancy GameBoys to my mother. First person shooters will be murder simulators to Jack Thompson. And gaming, in general, will be bad for kids.
I told my mum that the fancy GameBoy is actually a DS. Now she thinks that it's a 'PS' (Playstation). Oh well…
Chapter 4: The Wind City of Cuelo
We take a break from the Ark arc (ARK ARC LOL) and focus on another character.
In another city across Quasar, Deena ran.Deena's metal gliding wings, in a cool shade of pale green and grey , were kept straight behind her. The wings caught the sudden gust of wind that blew into her face, slowing her down for a second. But still she ran, now with a pair of wind-shielding goggles on her eyes, and her wings folded tightly. Behind her three boys ran, evidently attempting to catch up to her. Deena was taller than each of the boys, but she did not possess the strength they had. The four children wore uniforms of green and light blue, the colors of the Prodigious Crafting Academy of Cuelo.
"Deena, stop! You're running on the wrong side of the currents!" One of the boys shouted. None of them stopped.
"Stop chasing me!" Deena turned her head, trying to look over her shoulder while still paying attention to any oncoming traffic. "I don't know what you guys are talking about, I have nothing to do with Master Avolia!"
"But I saw you together with Master Avolia!" Another boy yelled, this one the chubbiest among the three. "I saw it, he taught you a new hack. Just you! We just want to see it, that's all!"
"Shut up, Bern!" Deena had her head turned back, avoiding incoming gliders at this busy part of the windtrail. There was a major junction in front, going further down the road led to a sheer cliff towards lower parts of the city.
Before the children knew it, horizontal ground was a thousand-foot drop below.
Deena fell for the first two seconds. She did not look the least bit worried, but merely spread her tucked wings and glided down. Another short fall later, her feet landed on a paved road. Reorienting herself to the vertical part of the city, she continued to run
The City of Cuelo was built on and along a mountain range and its neighboring canyon. Having different laws of gravity than Pamira, buildings and roads were built on the sheer cliff and canyon walls. Along the roads were automatic wind generators, three-bladed metal fans that spun by itself to produce a constant wind current on the road. Cuelo citizens did not travel by vehicles, instead using their wings to glide along quickly.
Deena silently hoped for the clumsiness of her classmates, that they would not reorient themselves on vertical ground that quickly. Meanwhile, she took a sharp turn away from the main currents, losing herself among the alleys of Bolero Town. She smiled at her good luck, the sun was shining on the other side of Cuelo at this hour.
She heard another shout from behind her. Before she could turn around, a green-gloved hand snagged at her shoulder roughly. "Gotcha!" Three young male voices cheered at the same time.
"Emilio! Bern! Nach! How…"
"Oh, we had our eyes on you all the while. You took so many turns that you ended up on the street just by the main road. So we split up to go for you." the boy named Emilio, the shortest yet most shrewd-looking among the trio, cut her question short. "Now c'mon, just show us your new trick before we tellt the rest of the class tomorrow."
"Hell, I could tell them now," the boy named Nach added, touching a thick band on his right index finger which responded by beeping softly.
"But… why? What could you guys get out of this?" Deena cried, "If I actually a trick, that is."
"C'mon, you know we're battle freaks," Emilio said matter-of-factly, "Bern even knows a couple of Fraynian hacks." Bern nodded sheepishly to that comment.
"I know you don't care about tournaments, but there's a big one coming up in Pamira in three days. We can't afford to miss that one, it'd affect our ladder standings too much." Emilio continued to say, "Bern says he caught a peek while you were with Master Avolia. He says it… Bern?"
"It all happened too fast." Bern completed Emilio's sentence. "It was like… whoosh."
"So Dee, what's your decision?" Nach pressed on, the thick band on his finger pulsed in a faint green light.
"No Nach, don't you dare." Deena growled, "and don't ever call me 'Dee' again."
Nach said nothing, but just stared at her. She knew he was all too high-nosed to pass up a chance to challenge the best female battler in class. He had left her with no choice but to disobey her master's instructions ("Especially not to Emilio and his gang,"). Instantly she came up with a plan. She grinned slyly, as she imagined the outcome of her demonstration.
"Fine then. Now, promise me you won't tell anyone that I showed you this."
"Fine by me," Emilio agreed without a second thought. The other boys nodded.
Deena cracked her knuckles.
"Ready now, blink and you'll miss it."
Deena's body exploded with strands of green energy, enveloping the other three children within it. A split second later their visions cleared. Deena remained standing in front of them, but somehow she looked blurry…
To Deena, time was slowed to a crawl. Experienced battlers would be able to stop time entirely, but she had only learnt it for just about a week and can slow time to a fiftieth of its usual speed – a commendable result for a Time Hack amateur. The grin on her face widened. Still panting from the sudden release of energy, she began her revenge plan.
"What in the…" Nach was only in mid-sentence when he felt a sharp tug on both of his shoulders and the warmth of freshly-crafted metal wrapping around his arms and the rest of his body. He tried to scream, but was served with a mouthful of foul-tasting sticky goo the moment he opened his mouth. He saw his other two friends were in the same state of astonishment, as what seemed like ventrilium twine fused around their bodies and legs. In less than a tec, all three boys stood helplessly bound, glaring at Deena's trail of residual images with fear, surprise and respect.
There were a few seconds of silence, each one of the boys listening to their own trembling heartbeat and strained breathing as they felt the tightness of the ventrillium rope biting into their skin. Then at the same time all three of them heard a faint giggle from their behinds. Nach turned his head over, lost balance and fell on his butt. He let out a soft grunt through the disgusting gag.
"Mrrrphmm," Nach tried to speak with his mouth full of goo, probably calling the name of the girl who had just incapacitated him in slightly more than a blink of an eye.
"So there," said Deena with great exhaustion and a hint of smugness, "How'd you like it?"
"That was awesome, Deena!" cried Bern, wiggling his toes to keep him from falling.
"Now, your end of the promise. A word of this to the others and I'll hang all three of you on the Academy gates every morning."
"Yeah, you bet, we won't tell anyone." Emilio said, "Now if you could set us free…"
"Eh, it's just triple-bound ventrillium twine," laughed Deena. "Nothing that your hacks can't handle, since I left your fingers free. Obviously it will take a while, you better be quick though, it's getting dark. See you guys in class tomorrow!"
With that, Deena slowly walked off despite her classmates' cries of help. She nearly tripped over her feet twice within the short distance from the alley to the main road. Evidently the hack took a high toll on her mental strength.
The three boys watched silently as she shambled her way back to Bolero Main Street. Again there was a moment where nobody did or said anything. A fat raindrop fell into Nach's eye. As though struck by lightning, the three boys woke up from their trance, crafted metal scraps on their fingertips, and started cutting.
The Quasr Story (can also be read from the game site):
Chapter 3: The Domed City of Pamira
"I did not know Arky- what?" Ark asked, scratched his forehead. The duo had left the booth some five tecs ago and were walking on the streets of Pamira. His new identity felt itchy."Arkylezious.""OK. I did not, I mean, didn't know Arkylezious is an actual name.""Me neither. I came up with it on the spot.""Right."
"You came up with Mico too. I like that name." Mico smiled, his wings glowing slightly brighter.
"I guess I could get used to Arkyl- Ark."
The Base Echelon's main road was the longest in the whole of Pamira, as it ran a complete circle around the widest platform of the city. Roads that lead to the inner parts of the Echelon branched off every five hundred feet. As the duo watched wrollers whiz past them, it did not take them long to figure out that they were lost.
"I… I think the arena is on the other side." Mico stammered, frantically scanning for the distinct three spikes of the Pamiran Arena.
"I'm so tired after all that waiting outside," Ark sighed and looked up, the dome was partially blurred to shield the city from the midday sun, obscuring Meta. Other than that the sky was clear.
"We should have asked for directions just now." He sighed again.
Yellow lights coalesced on top of Ark's head, as though the breath from his mouth formed matter – not something he cannot do, but he did not prepare so.
"ARENA, 12,035 F THIS WAY," The yellow characters cheerfully bobbed in mid air, and a big arrow of equal size pointed to their destination. Ark's mouth remained open.
"Did you see that?" Ark pointed upwards and asked, still feeling what just happened was unbelievable for a being who can craft matter at his whim. He peeked at the floating arrow to ensure that it was still there. It was.
"See what? There's nothing up there," Mico looked at the finger's direction, "Nope, not even clouds."
"It's not the clouds, it's… these!" Ark jumped and waved his hands above his head wildly. To him he was grasping at the floating arrow, but to Mico and every other passerby, he was just a hyperactive boy on a sugar high. After a tec of futile grasping, Ark gave up on explaining. "Oh well. Let's just walk along this road, we should reach the arena in… one hour."
"How sure are you? I don't want to…"
"That's what I've been trying to tell you!" Ark jumped agitatedly. "Never mind, let's just go."
Ark walked for a while, his stride going faster and faster, turning into a jog, then a run, eventually spreading his wings and lifted off the ground. The pedestrians on the road watched him take flight in disbelief – Citizens of the Windy City of Cuelo had gliding wings to ride the wind currents flowing across and around the city, but a person who would fly without wind was never seen or heard of.
"Much better!" Ark laughed. A drop of perspiration dripped off his arm and splashed on a man's forehead.
At one hour past midday was a spontaneous carnival. As rays of sunlight shone through a small hole at the top of the dome and hit a well-marked spot – a black symbol engraved in a cube of solid gold in the central park at the highest Echelon – the city exploded into a fanfare of lights, fire and music. A stream of green fire singed the tip of Ark's hair, clumsily he dove to ground for cover. He was not safe on the ground either, shortly after he landed he was assaulted by a stream of photon confetti.
The revelry lasted for one full tec – ten seconds – returning to the usual bustle right after. A few people still remained standing, stunned – evidently their first experience with this tec-long festival.
"That was… weird." Ark said, still dazed from the show of lights. "And fun."
"It's the Midday Festival. First time here, eh, kid?" A passing adult male explained cheerily, "Name's Perillo, nice pet there!"
"It's not…" Mico tried to explain, but apparently the stranger named Perillo wasn't listening.
"Sorry, no time to chat. Drop by my store some time! You know where." Perillo waved goodbye and continued walking.
"Sheesh, how rude! He should have kept his mouth to himself. Do I look like a pet? A pet?"
"Maybe," Ark commented, noticing a few other boys and girls across the street with small critters accompanying them.
"I wonder why did he even bother to be an adult. Who wants to grow up?" Mico continued to complain while Ark just smiled. "By the way, he said you know where his store is. Do you? I don't think so."
"I do," said Ark with a smile, much to his friend's surprise. Once again the yellow arrow appeared in front of him, pointing towards the other side of the city, two Echelons down. "But let us get on our journey for now."
Until they reach the Arena, Ark and Mico opted to stay on foot. Along the way people stopped, smiled and waved to the duo. A few intrusive ladies even patted Ark's head, commenting on his cherubic appearance.
"What's wrong with these people? They weren't caring a tenth as much when we were outside." Mico grumbled, referring to the multiple cold shoulders they faced while queuing to enter the city.
"It's the whole city itself," said Ark while delivering a high-five to a boy walking towards him, "You just can't help but to be happy when you're inside here."
The Quasr Story (can also be read from the game site):
Quasr FAQ
Q: Qu- Qu- what?
A: It's pronounced 'qway-zer'.
Q: What does it mean?
A: The name came from the astronomy term 'quasar', or 'quasi-stellar object'. We used the name because… it sounded sci-fi. Or something. Please proceed to the other questions while no-wing figures out how the name came about.
Q: What happened to Encephalon?
A: For those who have been following our blog, we did mention about Encephalon more than once in the past. Encephalon was the old name of Quasr. Encephalon is Quasr.
Q: What is Quasr?
A: Quasr is a game. It's hard to put it in a specific genre, but let's just say it's a Web Trading Card/Board Game. That's quite a mouthful.
Q: Trading card game you say? I see no trading features on the site.
A: The beauty of web games is that development cycles are fast. At this point we're still working on adding cool features and eye-candy to the site.
Q: Cool! So what features will you have? When will it be done?
A: There's no such thing as 'done' in web development, we'll be adding features and polishing up the game as long as we don't get hit by a bus or something. These features should be available by the end of next month:
- User subdomains (http://username.quasr.com)
- Forum
- Art community
- A full-fledged game client
- Card editor
- Deck editor
- A lot more new cards
Q: Wait, an art community in a game site? Card editor? I don't get it.
A: Quasr was developed with more than just a game in mind. While most trading card games exist in paper form, Quasr is fully online (though that doesn't rule out a paper version in the future), and thus allowing both developers and players to have bigger degrees of freedom.
A big feature of Quasr is that players are able to modify their own cards, for example giving a card better stats or a new power, even naming the card itself or giving it new art from the art community. Quasr is not just about playing a game, it's also about contributing to the community.
Q: That sounds like a great idea! I'm telling my friends about this!
A: We're glad you feel the same way as we do 🙂 Please tell your friends about Quasr, the game gets better with more people.
Chapter 2: The First Being takes a trip (and gets a name)
It's quite tiring to refer to him as 'the First Being' all the time.
Here's the first part.
The First Being sat on the bed in the middle of his room, bare legs dangling and swinging over the edge and two inches above the cool white stone floor. The ageless boy hummed tunelessly, while his hands tried to cover the wide grin on his face, while his diminutive friend watched nearby, hovering five feet off the ground, arms crossed."Yes, my crafter, I can see that you are very happy about tomorrow's trip down to earth." The First Being did not reply, though a few chuckles were heard from beneath his palms.Above the hustle and bustle of Quasar was Meta, the Silent Moon, the uncontested abode of the First Being. Shortly after he departed from mainland Quasar and arrived on the Big White Sphere in the Sky, he crafted himself a simple home beneath the moon's surface. His palace had no doors or windows, since the moon itself produced a faint white light by itself.The clock on one side of his wall, a downscaled replica of the First Clock, spun lazily on the other corner of the room, the two interlocking metal discs chiming faintly as they knock into each other once every ten seconds. The dials on the clock marked the amount of time that has passed ever since time started. Currently, it marked 189 years, 37 days, 23 hours and 312 tecs, or ten-seconds. Midnight was approaching.
"Alright, time for us to rest now. Look at the time already," the friend said as he fluttered towards the First Being. "We have a long journey ahead tomorrow."
Midnight came and went, and there was dawn. The room walls glowed gently as Meta's outer surface absorbed sunlight. The First Being turned and stretched on his bed, his head still buried among a hill of putty pillows. On a normal day he wakes up at midday, but today was a very special day. His friend was already up, buzzing busily around the room making preparations.
"Oh wait, we don't actually have anything to bring along. Good morning, my crafter."
The First Being's wings stirred a bit, then in another moment spread to full width. He leaped up from his bed, and another leap he landed on the floor. The clock chimed loudly.
"Is it time to move out yet?" The boy asked anxiously while running towards a full-length mirror not far from the bed. His clothes were the ones he made for himself on that day he finished crafting the world – a long sleeveless robe that covered up to his ankles.
"What should I wear today?" He asked loudly.
"Honestly, my crafter, you already look good in this. But if you really insist on changing, let me just relay some designs from the world below to you."
After several changes, the First Being finally settled on battler clothing in white with different shades of grey. "What do you think?" He asked his friend as he crafted himself a silver headband.
"I don't know, I've seen battlers dress up in all colors except white. But you look very smart in it," said the friend as he circled him. "I wonder why white is such an unpopular color though, that's something I couldn't figure out."
The trip down to Quasar was uneventful, though they incited some commotion as they landed on the outskirts of Pamira City. Several pedestrians were slightly shocked to see a winged boy in dressed in white landing on the streets.
"Pamira," exclaimed the First Being as he looked up at the domed city in front of him, awestruck, "Looks so different from the ground, isn't it." His friend nodded, equally stunned by the sheer scale of it. From Meta, the city was but a yellow-and-grey snowglobe.
The biggest and busiest city on Quasar, Pamira City was an architectural oddity by itself. One half of the city was built on concentric circular Echelons, or platforms, tapering to a minimum of a two-hundred-foot radius at the top Echelon. The other half of the city was built suspended in a large pit, symmetrical to the upper half except decreasing in radius as it gets deeper. Not only that, it was as though the normal laws of gravity do not apply here; buildings were built on both sides of anEchelon. Covering the entire city was a massive dome of a tough, spongy membrane to regulate the weather and temperature within.
"Well, let's go in then," the First Being said, brushing off a thin film of sweat from the back of his neck, "It's sure warm out here."
"Why yes, we're in the tropics now. You know, the cold quadrants don't reach this place," his friend quoted from his compiled data.
For a grand city like this, the gates to Pamira are sure unceremoniously dull, thought the First Being as he stood in queue to the identification check station. Though all that required was a mindprint scan, the pedestrian line stretched a quarter mile long, each one sluggishly trudging under the sweltering mid-morning sun. The First Being took off his right glove and wiped his forehead. He tried to start a conversation with a lady that stood behind him a while ago; apparently no one was interested in talking.
"Looks like you need a change of clothes once you get in, it'll still be another good half-hour before we reach the ID station." the friend fluttered around impatiently. On the road beside them chains of wrollers whizzed past. Wrollers – bulb-shaped automobiles – travel on mostly gravity with a little help from solar-powered cells on slightly deep tracks. Pamira was a wroller driver's dream – the roads were fashioned such that no matter how one moves in a wroller, he will always go downhill.
The air grew warmer as the tecs ticked by, and finally it was almost the First Being's turn. He could clearly see the relief in the people who went inside in front of him, that the regulated climate of Pamira City was a most rewarding thought after an hour standing in queue.
"It just occurred to me that I forgot to tell you something." The First Being's friend said while scratching his chin.
"You need a valid identity to go in, else you'll have to register one manually over there. For that, you need a name. And I need one too."
"Can't we just tell them that we have no names?"
"They won't take that as an answer.' Before the friend could finish talking the mindprint scanner beeped. A tall woman, wearing a skintight dark blue uniform with a loose coat over it walked to them.
"Good morning, boys, my name is Byati. It seems like we don't have your ID data. Please follow me, this way," the tall woman smiled hospitably.
"Uh wait… we have names!" The First Being added anxiously as the three of them walked away from the line to a small booth nearby.
"Of course, sweety, everyone does," Byati chuckled, "You just need to give me that and some other details, and you're free to go in."
The registration booth was less than six feet wide and across, but the air was cool and the couches arranged along the walls looked soft and comfortable. The First Being and his friend both gave a sigh of relief in unison as they stepped into the booth. Byati instructed them to sit, while she remained standing. A translucent screen materialized in her left palm.
"Let's start with you first," said Byati, pointing to the First Being, "Please tell me your name, age, city of origin and purpose of visit."
"We're here to battle!" exclaimed the First Being as he jumped up from the couch. Byati laughed, and scribbled something on the screen with her right index finger.
"OK, so that's one question down. I still need your name."
"Um… I'm…. uh…"
"Arkylezious. Or Ark for short. His name is too long that he forgets it once in a while. Heh, heheh. We came all the way from Cuelo. Yeah."
"Um… that's it, I think, heheh. Say, er, Mico, how do you spell my name again?" The First Being was quick to catch on his friend's act.
"No problem, I think I got it. We had two Arkyleziouses last week," said Byati as she continued scribbling on the palm-screen, "I always thought you people have issues with getting attention."
"Uh well, I thought it sounded cool. Heheh."
"Precisely. Age?"
"One hu-"
"Thirteen." 'Mico' interrupted.
"You're pretty short for a thirteen year old, isn't it." Byati said as she switched off the screen with a light sweep using her right palm. She walked towards the boy who will be further known as Ark. Lifting up her left thumb, she pressed it gently on Ark's forehead. The boy felt a sudden jolt of warmth coming from it.
"And there's your identity mindprint. Welcome to Pamira."
The Quasr Story (can also be read from the game site):
Chapter 1: The World came to be
Oh, it's been a while since I wrote stories. I hope it doesn't turn up sucky.
And so, the World came to be.And the first being came into existence all of a sudden, like a stray thought manifested into flesh. His eyes were open the moment he materialized on the ground, naked and hungry. He was, in words from our world, a human boy. The first being looked upwards, into a sky of pure white. A small sphere was seen in the distance, its white perimeter darkened into a light shade of grey to contrast its distance from the white infinities. He looked down and saw the dirtless ground in the same color. His shadow formed a dim grey circle around his feet. His skin did not feel hot or cold. Blinking, he uttered the very first words of this world, those words that echoed in the loneliest corners of this world for the rest of eternity, those same words that will bring those who are lost back into safety for the eons to come."Where am I?"His voice reverberated within the world, battering him with his own fear and doubt. He knelt down, eyes shut tight. And then the second words were uttered, those words that echoed where there was creation, and those same words that will weave into the threads of reality that form this world."I wish… there's someone with me."The first being felt a warm pulsing from beneath his left hand. He pulled him arm up. A yellowish glow pulsed less than an inch from his open palm. He stared into the glow, not knowing what to do. His heart was pumped with excitement, though in back of his mind a hint of jealousy, that he was not alone anymore. The spherish glow buzzed, bobbing up and down in his palm. And then it spoke.
"What do you want me to be, my crafter?"
"I want you to be my friend."
As the first being uttered the last syllable, sharp rays of yellow and green shot out violently from both his head and the glow. His eyes were momentarily blinded by the sudden flash, and when he could see again, his friend was standing in front if him, the yellowish glow still weakly pulsing from his body and faded away eventually.
The first being's new friend was shaped similar to him, though he stood no taller than twice the height of his ankle. The miniature friend smiled, and the first being smiled back. And the world grew a little warmer. Drops of perspiration formed on the first being's back. He felt strained, like a part of his mind wrung out and formed what was standing in front of him.
"What is my name, my crafter? And what is yours?"
"I don't know. My crafter did not give me one."
"You do not have a crafter. You are a crafter." The friend smiled.
"Wait, how do you know more than I do?"
"I know as much as you do, my nameless crafter," said the friend, as translucent yellow wings grew from his back. He fluttered around the first being. "The difference is that I am born of this world and you are not. You know all the answers to your own questions, my crafter. It is only a matter of time and place before you find them."
"Will you help me?"
"Of course, my crafter. And before you find your true name, I shall remain nameless as well."
"But where should I go? This world is empty. There is nothing but only you and me."
"This world has everything that you could ever need and want," said the friend. "Use your hands to craft, just like how you have crafted me."
And so the building of the World began. The First Being crafted a clock, but did not set it into motion as the World was not ready for time to flow. He crafted hemispheres of Day and Night. He crafted a sky of clear blue, a sun of royal gold and stars and rainbows of every color in the spectrum. He crafted the season quadrants. All those he set aside, as time remained still. His friend stood guard to all these objects, ready to guide them into operation on the command of his crafter.
After all that was done, the First Being crafted the geography of the World. He dug the seas and piled the mountains. He shaped the tides and the winds. He erected towers and paved roads. Other than his winged friend, he was all alone. But somehow he knew that eventually this World will be filled with beings just like him, and another million types of beings who are unlike him. Halfway through he found himself standing on the other side of the World, looking up into a patch of clouds, seas and cities, dotted far above the skies.
The world was not flat, as he originally thought, but rather the interior of a hollow sphere. Nevertheless he worked on, perhaps finding an answer to all his questions – He was born in a world of emptiness, yet he has the ability to create something out of nothing. Surely, he thought, he must have came from somewhere.
After an eternity, the First Being was done. He stood proudly on top of the tallest tower, looking down and up into his creations. He crafted for himself garments of pure white, so that he does not forget the original color of this World. However, there was one last part of this World that was left untouched by his hands – the sphere at the center of the World.
"Let us go there, my friend. We shall make it our eternal home." The First Being crafted a pair of wings into his skin, and hand in hand with his friend, flew towards the sphere. As they ascended, the First Being looked back down on the world.
He waved.
The first clock started to tick. The season quadrants began to turn. The winds began to blow.
And so, the world began.
In time, more beings of different builds came to this world, materializing in a split second like how the First Being did. They gave names to each other, as well as to every single thing in this World. They named their world Quasar, a self-sustaining microcosmos. They spoke of the sphere in the sky, and named it Meta, the Silent Moon.
The inhabitants of Quasar, like the First Being though not as powerful, had the power to craft matter out of their fingertips. They contributed to the World with their powers, adding myriads of unique objects that no one else in Quasar has never seen before. They entertained themselves by crafting little animate creations to fight against each other – a battle of wits than muscle, a war without blood.
For a world where wars are not fought over resources but over leisure, the once pastime soon became popular all over Quasar. Lavish arenas, each one distinctly different according to geographical location, are built to host such events, attracting crowds by the hundreds of thousands. In the arenas, people find fame and fortune, striving to be the best 'battler' of Quasar.
And beyond the clouds sits the Silent Moon. The First Being, still nameless, sits there and watches. He stands up, cracks his knuckles and sptretches his wings. Soon enough he shall revisit his world he created down below, joining the tournaments as a normal being. He marched happily back towards his self-crafted palace deep beneath the moon.
After all, boys will be boys.
The Quasr Story (can also be read from the game site):
Hatchlings Games features in GameAxis
Just picked up March's issue of GameAxis today while out. I'm not an avid buyer of GameAxis (or any magazine for that matter), but hey there's an article about us 🙂
More info to be updated soon, I'm not quite prepared to read it yet.
- October 2007 (3)
- September 2007 (6)
- July 2007 (2)
- June 2007 (21)
- April 2007 (6)
- March 2007 (15)
- February 2007 (7)
- January 2007 (30)
- December 2006 (6)
- Communities
- Education
- Entrepreneurship
- Funding
- Game Development
- Games
- Gaming
- Hatchlings Games
- Job
- Malaysia
- Management
- News
- Programming
- Quasr
- Sharing
- Tutorial
- Virtual Worlds
- Web
RSSEntries RSS
Comments RSS


text:
Newer and lesser-known bands often perform some of the more interesting shows at music festivals. Two musicians with Seattle ties, Madeline Kenney and Jason McCue, will get their chance to impress at Bumbershoot.
There are big-font bands and there are little-font bands. For the headliners and mainstage performers whose names are emblazed in giant type atop festival posters, Bumbershoot is near the end of the summer circuit. But for little-font bands, tucked away on smaller stages, Bumbershoot might be the biggest festival they play and the best chance to leave an impression on an unsuspecting crowd.
This year's installment of Bumbershoot (Sept. 1-3) at Seattle Center once again mines the local music scene for known acts like Tacocat and less known like Jason McCue. Production company AEG took over the festival three years ago and was quickly able to bring in big-name electronic music and hip-hop acts that appeal to younger crowds, while keeping a robust cast of local talent.
Don't let the small font fool you. The bands at the bottom of the festival poster, playing early in the day, often put on interesting and memorable shows. Many of these bands have local ties and in some cases went to Bumbershoot as teenagers.
"I'm mildly freaking out," said Madeline Kenney, who grew up in Redmond but now lives in Oakland, California. "I'm on the same poster, a different font size, with Solange."
Kenney, whose songs are a warm embrace of fuzzy guitar loops and smart lyrics, plays at 3:20 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, on the Monster Energy Stage at Fisher Green. She's been playing music since kindergarten, and attended Bumbershoot as a teenager, but the route to making it her profession was circuitous, including four universities while studying neurosciences and a baking apprenticeship in Oakland. "The life of a musician doesn't conform to a baker's life," she said.
Jason McCue wasn't raised in the Seattle area like Kenney, but the Seattle University student did watch Bumbershoot performances on YouTube from his childhood home in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
McCue, a singer-songwriter with a hypnotic warbly voice, gained notoriety after this year's Sound Off!, a battle of the bands at MoPOP for musicians 21 and younger. Past participants include Naked Giants, Fauna Shade, the Lonely Forest and Schoolyard Heroes. Unlike those bands that have had success since Sound Off!, McCue won the competition. Something he never expected, nor did he expect where winning Sound Off! would lead him.
"I applied not ever expecting to be selected and now I'm playing Bumbershoot," McCue said. "It still hasn't set in that I'm playing Bumbershoot."
Kenney shares that same feeling of awe. She never thought that would be her on a Bumbershoot stage. Playing in front of a hometown audience means a bit more because her first full-length album, "Night Night At The First Landing," on Company Records, is set for release Friday, and a supporting tour kicks off Sept. 7 in San Francisco. "I love playing shows. I just want to play shows forever," she said.
Her show at Bumbershoot will be a family affair. Kenney's parents will be there, and her brother is heading down from Bellingham to man her merch table.
While Kenney is well down the path of being a professional musician, that question is still unanswered for McCue. The 21-year-old environmental-studies major is entering his senior year at Seattle University and is recording songs in his bedroom with a $30 microphone plugged into his laptop. He mostly plays house parties but has started picking up more gigs since he won Sound Off!
"Really, I want to have fun with everything right now. Recording music is like my video games," McCue said. "I'm going to keep going at the rate I'm going and see what happens."
That is a good mindset to have going into his Bumbershoot performance. McCue has the difficult task of kicking the festival off on the Monster Energy Stage at Fisher Green at 3:15 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, along with Peach Pit at 2:55 p.m. at the Mural Amphitheatre and The Spider Ferns at 3 p.m. on the KEXP stage.
The size of the stage or audience doesn't bother McCue. He is appreciative and still wide-eyed about being included. One of the advantages of playing early on the first day is that McCue will have a chance to see some of his favorite acts such as Weezer and The Roots.
"It's a very surreal feeling to know about the greats who have been there before," he said.


text:
Feature image courtesy of Cherie Lucas.
My teaching was peer reviewed at my previous University (Sydney), and the best advice was to draw from my previous experience when teaching. I started working in a community pharmacy at age 14 years and have continued to work and experience other areas of work in the retail sector (non-pharmacy related), hospital (HIV/AIDS specialist clinical pharmacist, RPA), pharmaceutical industry (clinical research), broadcast pharmacy, Arthritis Foundation of NSW (drug information officer) and academia. Even working from home (writing examinations and grading papers) and part-time (to keep up my pharmacy registration) whilst having three gorgeous children.
My area of teaching involves teaching reflective practice. I am constantly explaining a situation to current students and how one may deal with something unusual (that does not follow the text book scenario). I do this by drawing on my experience and explain how I dealt with the situation at the time (e.g. providing CPR, handling a situation that requires first aid, dealing with ethical issues that arise in practice, dealing with forged scripts etc). It keeps things real and the students prefer to know that their teachers in pharmacy have had these types of experiences to share. I feel that drawing from one's experience and having class discussions about how to deal with complexities of practice, increases student engagement in a task. There are no right or wrong answers here, just choices made under difficult circumstances. If we can learn from these choices to improve future practice, then that is the best learning that can be achieved.
Even as a university teacher I admit I am still learning. I don't know all the answers but if I can instil a sense of curiosity in my students, guide them to be the best future pharmacists they can be; provide them with opportunities within different placement settings and assist them to be self-directed with their learning, I feel that this is a start to their life-long learning journey.
How learning and teaching had changed since I was a student?
Gone are the days where didactic teaching was the only mode of teaching. Thank goodness that aspect has changed and UTS offers a wide variety of learning modes and dynamic educational learning spaces. I teach Clinical Practice and I am the Subject Coordinator for the 4 Clinical Practice Subjects across the 2-year Master of Pharmacy degree. UTS offers a unique way of learning in addition to the real life experience (my students are required to complete a minimum of 500 hours on clinical placement and an additional 90 hours on "virtual placement"). The virtual placement is a the "placement without going on placement" and we utilise the dynamic simulated learning spaces available on campus. The virtual community pharmacy experience utilises the simulated pharmacy and a robotic pharmacy system (ROWA) in the workshops and the virtual hospital placement utilises the simulated hospital rooms (located in building 10) equipped with mannequins. Being a hospital pharmacist myself, I can tell you that these rooms look authentic. The idea is that the students have the opportunity to experience the placement setting and environment before they are sent to the real life placement.
Also, another distinct difference since I was a student studying the Bachelor degree was the connection we all had with the library (not because we really wanted to hang out there but because we had no choice but to try and be the first to reserve the books we needed for our learning and to complete our assignments plus the hours of photocopying any texts that we could not take home). The internet has changed everything.
Something new I tried out in teaching in the past year…
What I really wanted to know before I left university after my Bachelor degree, was how to get that much needed job. Last year I happened to meet someone from UTS Careers whilst waiting for my coffee order at a café on campus. I started a conversation about how I would like to incorporate career workshops into my 4 subjects. This conversation resulted in the implementation of 4 workshops conducted jointly my myself and a UTS careers academic covering aspects of careers related specifically to the pharmacy setting e.g., Where to find pharmacy related jobs and addressing Selection Criteria, Interview Techniques (Hospital/Community and Industry jobs); LinkedIn profiles and other Social Media and Critiquing CVs and Cover Letters. I also offered "one-on-one mock interview sessions" to any student who was granted an interview in hospital and/or Industry. This year, UTS pharmacy students were offered the greatest number of hospital and industry intern positions ever offered in the past and the feedback from students continues to be positive that this type of inclusion into professional degrees is a must.
My next trip (for work or play) will be…
I can't really say that I have had much time off work; an academic role is really busy (teaching/grading/researching). I had the privilege to present some research at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland last year and I have had two abstracts accepted to present research (related to novel ways of teaching and learning in pharmacy education at UTS) at the next International Pharmacy Conference in Italy this year. So I guess the next trip will be work related.
Outside of work, I am passionate about…
I have always had an interest in Latin dancing and it has only been in the 18 months that I decided to take this up and learn Salsa. The Latin dance School is literally down the road from UTS and it is a great way to keep fit, have fun and met people of all ages. It is certainly my new passion! Second to teaching of course!
Join the discussion
You must be logged in to post a comment.


text:
Homegrown goodies that deserve a spot in your bathroom
Our candid interview with the Australian model and business woman
It's Certified Organic!
You gotta get your hands on these
Got a hard budget and no idea? Too easy
She's been using it throughout her pregnancy
Meet the fragrances set to become your new favourites
Treat yo' self
Skincare that not only does us good but makes us feel good too
Your complexion will be glowing in no time
Learn the lingo before you go green
Kick off the new year with these shiny new beauty buys
We review our favourite self-tanners right now
Pros and novices alike are going to froth over these newbies
This top trend at Paris Fashion Week will inspire you to take a break from found…
We need this in our life
If you're not a natural skin care, hair and makeup convert yet – you will be aft…
A celebrity dermatologist says this cheap alternative is all you need
Love the body you have
Plus, why organic skin care is so important to the Aussie beauty
The seasonal swaps you should be making asap
No matter your skin type
Literally never!
Just because you're on holidays, doesn't mean your beauty routine can take a bre…
She reveals how she created her stunning bridal look
We spoke to the Aussie beauty for her go-to products
Let your bouquet be the gift that keeps on giving
© 2020 Bauer Media PTY LTD


text:
By Steven Maviglio
Republicans and pension busters have been whacking CalPERS like a pinata for the past year. But here's something they don't like to talk about: CalPERS is a huge job creator in California. And weakening it would be a major drag on the state's economy.
CalPERS has invested more than $17 billion in California-based companies, properties and projects, helping to generate nearly one million jobs throughout the State, the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) Investment Committee was told on Monday.
The investments represented 8.5 percent of the System's $200.5 billion portfolio as of June 30, 2010, and are spread across all asset classes, according to CalPERS for California, a report presented to the committee that details the Fund's statewide investments for fiscal year 2009-2010. The report includes an update on CalPERS California Initiative, a 10-year-old private equity program designed to invest in traditionally underserved markets that are primarily, but not exclusively, in California.
The report also outlines CalPERS future plans for additional investments in California, particularly in private equity and infrastructure, where renewable power generation, power transmission and energy pipelines offer promising opportunities. A change to a real estate benchmark with a larger California weighting also means increased investment in statewide properties.
"Our California investments are helping to create and support jobs during tough times for our state," said George Diehr, Chair of the CalPERS Investment Committee. "While our overall portfolio is global in scope, in keeping with our fiduciary responsibility to get the best possible risk-adjusted investment returns, we do try to 'think California' to help nurture the economy of the state where most of our members live."
The largest California investment - $6.1 billion - was in public companies, 644 of them with headquarters in the State. Those California-based businesses were responsible for employing an estimated 700,000 workers statewide, nearly 5 percent of the State's total workforce.
Among other highlights in the CalPERS for California report:
"These are good investments, not only for California but for CalPERS," said Joe Dear, CalPERS Chief Investment Officer. "Our primary responsibility is to find investments that fit our strategy and can generate attractive financial returns, regardless of where the companies are located. Our California investments do just that."
The $1 billion California Initiative program has investments in 115 California companies that employ more than 17,000 jobs statewide, according to CalPERS for California. Many of the workers live in low- to moderate-income areas.
The program consists of two funds, Phase I launched in 2001 with a $480 million commitment and Phase II, known as the Golden State Investment Fund, launched in 2007 with a commitment that now totals $560 million. About $757 million of funds committed has been invested to date.
Other key points concerning the California Initiative:
The California Initiative also includes a $100 million fund-of-funds investment in Banc of America California Community Venture Fund (BACCVF). As of June 30, 2010:
CalPERS is the nation's largest public pension fund with approximately $235 billion in assets. It administers retirement benefits for more than 1.6 million active and retired State, public school and local public employees and their families, and health benefits for 1.3 million enrollees. More information about CalPERS is available online at http://www.calpers.ca.gov/.
You need to login to comment.
Find Us
California State Retirees
3000 Advantage Way Sacramento, CA 95834
Contact Us
Fax 916.326.4201
Follow Us
Hear From Us
Join Us!


text:
Tilt 2 from Tilt Scooters on Vimeo.
If you needed something else to be thankful for today, Tilt released their groundbreaking full-length Tilt 2 today. I'm not really sure what more you can say about this video that hasn't been said. It has the best filming, editing, music, and of course, scootering out of any scooter video ever. So if you're a cheap ass and haven't bought a copy of the Blu-Ray, thank the scoot gods above for blessing you with this 40 minute audio/visual presentation of insanity.
And Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Thursday, November 26, 2015
Tilt 2 on Vimeo
1 comment:
If you're going to bother to comment anonymously, think about what you're saying and what credibility you'll have without a name. Besides that, please keep the comments constructive, thanks!
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
Added to your basket
Subtotal: ( items in your basket)
Sorry, unfortunately this product is currently out of stock
Other customers purchased
Aroma Home Sleep Kit
Sold out
Live Chat
Average connection time 25 secs
Average connection time 25 secs
Everything you need to get a good nights rest in a handy travel pouch. The Sleep Kit contains an eye mask to block out light and relax tired eyes; ear plugs that are perfect for noise reduction; detoxing bath salts to help clear the mind; jasmine & chamomile shampoo and body wash for an even more relaxing bath and a lavender fragranced pillow mist to set a calming atmosphere. Each of these items has been specifically selected to help take the hassle and stress out of a busy schedule. An ideal gift for others or treat for yourself.
There are currently no reviews.
Write a review to be in with a chance of winning a £100 voucher.


text:
Product 14/84
PROGRAM NOTEThis opener was written for the North York Temple Band and uses the hymn Christ the Lord is Risen Today as the main theme. Fragments of Thine is the Glory, a favourite hymn at Easter, are also prevalent throughout the piece. Celebratory in nature, the overarching theme is the coming together of the Christian church to celebrate the Risen King. While the message of Easter is predominant, this would be a suitable selection at any time of the year.
ABOUT THE COMPOSERMarcus Venables is a member of the Canadian Staff Band and soldiers at North York Temple where he serves as Band Sergeant, Deputy Songster Leader and YP Bandmaster. He graduated in 2017 from the University of Toronto with a degree in trumpet performance. As well as working with several local Toronto groups as a performer and soloist, Marcus has traveled to the United States, England and Europe as both a soloist and conductor.
In addition to playing, composition is a main focus for Marcus. He has received various awards, publications and commissions for his compositions for band, wind band, choral groups and strings. His music has been recorded by numerous groups and has received premieres around the world. His true passion, however, is serving the Lord in whatever way possible. Marcus considers himself beyond blessed to be able to use music ministry as a way of worshipping, serving and growing the kingdom.
PDF Sheet Music Permission to make copies as required for purchaser. File will be sent electronically to you within 2 business days


text:
09-May-2018, 19:53
Your are right
Your are right
Munich 2018
09-May-2018, 19:53
Your are right
09-May-2018, 21:29
Glad to see Devialet is getting active again after a worrisome time. Those follow Devialet know there has been a quite a long history of promises made and not delivering. This even lead to the online petition signed my many customers. When former CEO himself promised to change tack ... just very little happened.
I do think the number one question to face (no matter what News get announced) is what is different with the approach taken now - why should customers again regain trust in Devialet? Which unfortunately actively disappointed customers by creating a beta community, CI logbook with the clear intention / statement to provide regular feedback and be instantly available to questions and have an ongoing dialogue.
Being in the brand management business for over 20 years it's a big challenge Deviaket is facing. And if not starting to make the right decisions further brand destruction is inevitable - which might even be hard to fix ever after.
09-May-2018, 22:02
(09-May-2018, 19:35)K4680 Wrote:(09-May-2018, 17:22)cereal killer Wrote: Also from what i understand there is a new person in charge of UK sales and distribution?Hello, I think it's the new headquarters for Germany, Austria and Switzerland (D-A-CH) !!
I hear that DACH stands for Devialet Are Customer Heros.
Antipodes CX and EX and P1 and P2 (with Roon lifetime)
MacBook Pro (with Air)
Draytek Vigor 2860v-Plus/Devialet Original d'Atelier CI Nos. 54A&B/Magico M3 pair
Shunyata cables (digital/interconnect/loudspeaker/power)/Shunyata power units (Triton/Typhon)
Dialog/Phantom Gold/Tree pair
Missing Link cables (power)
09-May-2018, 22:47
(09-May-2018, 22:02)IanG-UK Wrote:(09-May-2018, 19:35)K4680 Wrote:(09-May-2018, 17:22)cereal killer Wrote: Also from what i understand there is a new person in charge of UK sales and distribution?Hello, I think it's the new headquarters for Germany, Austria and Switzerland (D-A-CH) !!
You are hilarious Ian!
Looking forward to seeing whoever can make it!
Industry disclosure: UK distributor for Shunyata Research
220 PRO, totaldac d1 server with additional external power supply, totaldac d1-seven, Echole PSU for Totaldac, Wilson Audio Sasha 2, Shunyata Research cables, Shunyata Hydra Alpha A10 + DPC-6 v3, Various Entreq ground boxes and cables, Entreq Athena level 3 rack, 2 X SOtM sNH-10G with sCLK-EX + 10MHz Master Clock input + sPS-500 PSU, i5 sonicTransporter w/ 1TB SSD
Hello, if you feel like listening to a screening of Silbatone on the HighEnd! A completely different world, horn speaker from 1924 !!! Extremely Emotional Impressions and Good Music (Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple etc.) Oh, what will become of my Devialet in 94 years?
The pictures are from 2016!
Devialet 220Pro/CI, B&W 802 D3, McIntosh MA9000, Audio Physic Avantera III, Linn Klimax DS/Katalyst, Burmester 089 CD, Melco N10 + D100, S100. Cable Audioquest (NRG-10,Diamond,K2,Yukon,Coffee etc.), iPad-Pro, KECES P8 Dual, Sbooster MKII, Qobuz Studio
IsoTek: 2 x EVO3 Genesis One, EVO3 Titan One, EVO3 Syncro
Roon: Nucleus+, Lifetime
Germany / Bavaria
10-May-2018, 16:05
(10-May-2018, 15:23)ghosttipper Wrote: RAAT is coming for Experts
I'm pretty sure that will happen, the question we would all have is when?
I think Devialet got the message about RAAT when we first got our CI boards and they didn't work so well, but knowing you need to do something and actually doing it aren't the same thing! Especially with Devialet
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Roon/RAAT - Dev 250 Pro - TQ Ultra Black - SF Olympica ii
10-May-2018, 19:26
Now some infos are out. I have heard similar like ghosttipper and a little bit more........
Gesendet von iPad mit Tapatalk
10-May-2018, 19:51
(10-May-2018, 19:26)Elztalbiker Wrote: Now some infos are out. I have heard similar like ghosttipper and a little bit more........
Ok, its your turn now to spill the beans :-)
TAD Cr-1; Synology NAS/Roon->Trinnov Altitute-16->220pro ,
Oppo 203 -> Trinnov Altitude-16 ->220pro (Digital In),
11-May-2018, 08:59
Keep us updated - recorded session would be nice too!
Yes, updates would be greatly appreciated as we don't know when Devialet will formally advise of the changes/updates, and even then the info supplied may be limited.
Hope you get the answers you're looking for, Devialet are fully open/transparent with their replies, and they also manage to give you positive news that will put a smile on all our faces
Have fun Guys & Gals
1000Pro (Matte Black), Lenehan Audio ML5 Reference's, FoilTek Speaker Cable's, Paradigm Sub1, Entreq Poseidon, Antipodes CX, Roon (Lifetime), Curious Cable USB, Aqvox Switch, Gigawatt PC-3 Evo Se, Mad Scientist Link Cable (RCA/AES), PSC Power Cords
Australia (Perth)
« Next Oldest | Next Newest »


text:
73 S Hamilton St
This is a Single Family Home.
73 S Hamilton St is a 2-floor Single Family Home in JORDAN. The building was built in 1870, has 4 bedrooms, and has 1,832 square feet of living space.
Regarding weather, the average summer temperature is 70.7°F, while the average winter temperature is 22.7°F. The average annual rainfall is 43.6 inches and the average annual snowfall is 95.5 inches.


text:
Fire Engine Visit 30 November 2018
Posted by Secretary on Nov 30, 2018 in Newsletters | No Comments
We had a really exciting visit today from the fire service! After a whole school assembly, where Lola modelled the uniform and we learnt about fire safety in the home, we were able to go on the fire engine. We sprayed the hoses, narrowly missing the postman, whose window was open…! It was a perfect end to a busy week!


text:
FILM REVIEW – THE NICE GUYS. With Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, Angourie Rice, Matt Bomer, Kim Basinger. Written by Shane Black & Anthony Bagarozzi. Directed by Shane Black. Rated R for violence, sexuality, nudity, language and brief drug use. 116 minutes.
Shane Black doesn't have the cachet of Quentin Tarentino, but he's getting there. He first came to notice as a screenwriter of over the top action films like "Lethal Weapon" and "The Last Boy Scout," and then finally got to direct with "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang." In his third film as director (after "Iron Man 3"), Black is back with the sort of bent thriller that made "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" different from most of what was out there. THE NICE GUYS is at once very violent, very funny, and a true original.
Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe) and Holland March (Ryan Gosling) have a bizarre "meet cute" in 1977 Los Angeles. Healy, who's not really a private investigator, is hired to beat up March to scare him off his latest case. However they soon join forces in the search for a missing woman involved with a porno film that has already led to the deaths of several other people. Like Mel Gibson and Danny Glover in "Lethal Weapon" or Val Kilmer and Robert Downey, Jr. in "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang," Crowe and Gosling are an odd couple. If their characters can figure out how to work together without getting killed, they just might crack the case.
Black (who wrote the script with Anthony Bagarozzi) recreates a time when porn meant physical film not the internet, as the two detectives–and March's precocious 13-year-old daughter Holly (Angourie Rice)–follow the leads. These include hit men, an elderly woman who believes her dead niece is still alive, a self-described "projectionalist," and the head of the Justice Department (Kim Basinger briefly reuniting with her "L.A. Confidential" co-star Crowe).
One quickly loses track of the "collateral damage" of innocent bystanders caught up in the mayhem, but the scene that may best sum up Black's unique take on the material is when March discovered a dead body in an unexpected place and tries to get Healy's attention. Fans of the comedy horror classic "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" will instantly pick up that Gosling is channelling Lou Costello as he soundlessly tries to attract his partner's attention while simultaneously conveying the horror of his bloody discovery.
In the end the plot doesn't bear too much analysis. It's a vehicle for us to enjoy the buddy cop film which could, quite possibly, launch a new franchise. That has yet to be determined. However, for those who want their action as pulpy as possible but want some laughs as well, Black nicely mixes it up while deftly managing the unexpected chemistry between Crowe and Gosling. "The Nice Guys" turns into a film that is not only set in the '70s, but carries the sensibility as if it was made then as well.•••
Daniel M. Kimmel is a veteran movie critic and author of a host of film-related books. His most recent book is "Shh! It's a Secret: a novel about Aliens, Hollywood and the Bartender's Guide." He lives in Somerville, Massachusetts.


text:
The Official Prince Tribute Concert Coming to St. Paul
Fans from around Minnesota will have the opportunity to band together and celebrate the remarkable life and music of the legend we call Prince. The Official Tribute to Prince will be on Thursday, October 13th at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
Who's Performing: Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Christina Aguilera, John Mayer, Tori Kelly, Anita Baker, Morris Day & The Time, Bilal, Judith Hill, Liv Warfield, Mint Condition, Doug E Fresh, Luke James with members of New Power Generation and members of the 3rd Eye Girl band.
Tickets go on sale this Monday (9/19) morning at 10:00 am. Ticket prices start at $19.99. Click HERE to purchase tickets. Limit 6 tickets per person.


text:
Orders? - 8 am to Midnight CT - Call Us 7 Days a Week!
(Customers only!)
About Us
Contact Us
All Categories
Customer Favorites
Our Most Popular Horse Prints
Newly Released Horse Art Prints
Styles & Settings
Framed Horse and Western Art
Original Oil Paintings - Horse and Western
Horse Sketches and Drawings
Elegant Wild Horse Prints
Gray or White Horse Art Prints
Large Size Horse Prints and Western Art
Western Art
Cowboy Art Prints
Cowgirl Art Prints
Children and Horses Art Prints
Horse Racing
Horse Racing Pictures - Horse Racing Art
Thoroughbred Horse Racing Prints (by Horse)
Justify Pictures - Art Prints of the Racehorse Justify
Secretariat Pictures - Secretariat Art Prints
Robert Dawson Prints
Tim Cox Art Prints
David DeVary Art Prints
Jack Terry Art Prints
G. Harvey Art Prints
Chris Owen Prints
David Stoecklein Prints
Tony Stromberg Prints
Horse Artists A - C
Horse Artists D - H
Horse Artists I - P
Horse Artists R - Z
Other Categories
Horse Prints Under $30
Sales and Clearance
Thoroughbred Horse Racing Prints (by Horse)
Preakness Pictures - Art Prints of the Preakness Stakes
Oxbow Winning the 2013 Preakness - Gary Stevens Jockey - Framed Photo
TODAY ONLY (till midnight)
Save 10% - Right Now!
Enter promo code MOOSE
Free Shipping Too
Oxbow Winning the 2013 Preakness - Gary Stevens Jockey - Framed Photo
8 x 10 framed photo - $99.95
11 x 14 framed photo - $139.95
16 x 20 framed photo - $199.95
Usually ships in 5-7 business days
Total Price:
Product Description
8 x 10 photo of Oxbow ridden by jockey Gary Stevens winning the 138th running of Preakness at Pimlico Race Course on May 18, 2013
The photo is double matted and framed as shown to an approximate overall size of 14 x 14 x 1.
Also available:
11 x 14 framed commemorative photo (overall size of 19 x 22) shipped free for $139.95
16 x 20 framed commemorative photo (overall size of 24 x 28) shipped free for $199.95
Choose from drop down menu above
Shop Similar Items
Click on the seal above to read reviews from actual customers


text:
No need to lug another bottle of Gatorade, the cult-favorite Motive Pure has become our official hydration sponsor for all rides!
Motive Pure is zero calorie electrolyte mix and is naturally sweetened with fruits to give not only your water a boost but a sweet taste. Motive pure was a fan favorite among riders all last summer and therefore, we are even prouder to say that they will be keeping all of us hydrated and healthy!
Visit Motive Pure's website to learn more.


text:
New Dating Show
When it comes to dating shows you might think we've seen it all; but perhaps not. There's a plan for a new show and it's all about threesomes! Actually the show is planned as a semi-documentary that will explore the dating game in relation to people who want to explore with more than one partner. Haven't we all at least fantasised about that?
'The Threesome' will hope to link up trios and follow them on dates. The show won't go on to show them having sex, but will broadcast the conversations that go on beforehand. The concept certainly interested some of the ladies at our Leeds Escort Agency.
According to reports, the application form doers involve questions around what an ideal threesome would look like and where it would all happen. Makers describe the proposed programme as 'a sexy sophisticated insight into the world of three-way dating'. Ok. Got it.
If you get through the application process you'll be filmed chatting with two others, just as you would on a normal date. According to the makers, it's that conversation that will be broadcast, nothing else. Should make for interesting viewing!
Channel 4 have had some success with dating shows, namely 'First Dates'. If you're interested in applying you need to email [email protected]
Back to blog


text:
John Lewis, Waitrose, Tesco and Sainsbury's Gift Card Scheme
Raise money for the school PTA without spending a penny!
CLESA PTA raised £3,275 in the last academic year 2018/19 from our gift card scheme through which we earn commission of up to 5% by selling John Lewis and Tesco vouchers to parents.
We earn 4% from Sainsbury's and John Lewis voucher sales and 5% from Tesco.
However, every year we lose families when they leave year 6 so we always need new families to sign up and keep raising money in such an easy way.
It all adds up, doesn't cost you anything more than the face value of the vouchers.
Why don't you join in?
- £150 could be raised each year by every family that sets up a standing order of £250 per month.
- The gift cards we sell are identical to those sold in the shops so they're perfect for using for the weekly shop in Tesco, Waitrose or Sainsbury's.
- John Lewis Gift Cards can be used in-store or online at both John Lewis and Waitrose.
- Sainsbury's Gift Cards can be used in-store and are topped up by us every month to spend any at any time. The value of your shopping is taken off leaving the remainder for the next shop.
- Tesco Gift Cards can be used in-store only for grocery shopping. They come on a pre-loaded and now re-loadable Gift Card to be spent any time and the value of your shopping is taken off leaving the remainder for the next shop and which is then topped up on a monthly basis.
- If you are planning on buying furniture or other high cost items, or organising a party and need refreshements we can supply vouchers on an ad-hoc basis for these too.
If you have any questions please contact Trudie at firstname.lastname@example.com
Chestnut Lane and Elangeni Schools' Association Registered Charity 291212


text:
SAA | Overseas Membership
With over a thousand members across 55 different countries outside of the UK, the SAA is a truly international community!
Overseas Membership with the SAA gives you all the support and encouragement you need as well as interacting with 42,000 fellow members from wherever in the world you are.
Overseas membership includes…
- The inspirational PAINT magazine 6 times a year
- Subsidised postage on ALL orders
- Discounts on all products
- Exclusive member-only offers
- Interact and be part of an international art community
- FREE Postage for members with large orders*
- Access 100s of videos with Video on Demand
Overseas Membership
Overseas Membership from £53.00 a year
- Subsidised P&P on all orders
- Inspirational Paint Magazine
- Exclusive Member-Only Offers
Automatic Renewal*
* Qualification of free delivery is based on total order value and country of delivery, please see our members delivery page for more information.
SAA Membership – What's in it for me?
Find out more about membership and see a glimpse in to the amazing benefits it can offer you!


text:
Nigerian Nollywood actress, Mide Funmi Martins, took to Instagram to celebrate her beautiful daughter, Omotolani Abiodun's birthday with a heartwarming and prayerful message.
Looking at the photo of her beautiful daughter, it is very obvious that she looks exactly like her father.
Read the birthday message below;
Happy Birthday To My Beautiful Angel... Omotolani Abiodun Omo Joh Daddy.... My Special Creation, My First Fruit, My Bundle Of Joy...You Are A Great Blessing To Me From God & I Love You To The Moon My Girl... I Wish You All The Greatness Of This World 🌎....May You Find, Love, Peace, Joy, Favor, Happiness Everywhere You Go... May You Live Long Enough To Fulfil Your Destiny Ijn.... I Love You My Sunshine!!!.... May Allah Continue To Bless Your Existence!!!💖💖💖💖💕💕💕💕😘😘😘😘😘
See the photo she shared with the message below;


text:
Tagged: 30daysofyoga
15 days of bliss – halfway through my 30 day yoga challenge
If you saw my last post, you'll know that one of my January goals is to complete Yoga with Adriene's 30 Days of Yoga challenge.
I'd always thought yoga wasn't really for me. My mind moves fast – I like to be busy, can find it hard to really switch off, and struggle a little bit with feeling the pressure to be totally zen and wear hemp trousers that I used to associate with yoga.
I'm also not what you'd call bendy – I'm more the kind of woman known to grown when I have to pick my keys up off the floor. I did do an amazing Ashtanga Yoga session at Shambala festival a couple of years ago, which I found relatively straightforward, but I'm quite sure that was because I was possibly (read definitely) still a teeny, tiny bit shitfaced from the night before and feeling a bit gung ho about it all.
So fast forward to 2015.


text:
The FIFA World Cup is here with us again, this time being hosted in Russia for the first time. All the matches will be shown on DStv.
DStv is offering an extra for its customers by giving them a way to follow the games while on the move. This will be possible through DStv Now. All the customers have to do is sign up for the service at now.dstv.com with their customer credentials. They can then watch the matches via the DStv Android or iOS app for smartphones and tablets, or via the web browser.
Additionally, DStv has partnered with Safaricom and Telkom Kenya to bring the cost of watching a match via mobile data down.
The deals only work with 4G smartphones and are as follows:
1. Safaricom
Safaricom has a data offer called Safaricom Giga Football. To subscribe, just dial *544# and select GIGA Football Pass, then select DStv Now.
- 3 hours of unlimited 4G data: Ksh 20
- 24 hours of unlimited 4G data: Ksh 50
2. Telkom
To get the Telkom Kenya's DStv Soccer bundle dial *544# and select the DStv Soccer bundle.
- 4GB for Ksh 99, valid for 24 hours


text:
Some of our Primary 2 Pathlighters were invited to participate in the Sharity Day Carnival 2019 on 14 August. They integrated with other students from mainstream and Special Education schools through a range of carnival activities, and enjoyed an interactive musical skit together.
Pathlighters Ploypapat and Caleb Lim even represented the school and were student emcees for the event. They co-hosted confidently with peers from mainstream schools, in front of more than 1,000 guests!
It was indeed an enriching and fun day out at the Sharity Day Carnival, where our students learned to care deeply and share freely with peers from all walks of life!


text:
El Camino High School
Class of 1965
Doug McGuire McGuire
|Residing In
|Santa Cruz, CA USA
| Andrew, born 1985, deceased 2008
Rejeana, born 1986
Daniel, born 1988, deceased 2014
|Military Service
Doug's Latest Interactions
Posted on: Jun 13, 2020 at 6:33 PM
Happy birthday. I am sorry you lost Keith, but you have your boys. Enjoy every day.
Happy Birthday Judy. I have always admired nurses, the amount of education, the caring. Hope you are doing well....
Happy Birthday old friend.
Happy Birthday
Happy birthday
keep strong:)
Posted on: Aug 13, 2017 at 10:22 PM
Will, I am sorry to hear of your son Kevin's demise. I lost my son Andrew in 2008 due to a car accident, and my son Daniel due to a semi-truck & trailer losing its brakes on Hwy 17 in 2014. We are in the same club nobody wants to be in. Bless you and your family..
Posted on: Jul 24, 2017 at 10:21 AM
My brother Bruce (known as Damon since 1972), ECHS class of 1967, passed away last week due to lung cancer. He fought it bravely but it is a nasty foe.
Happy 70th. Hope you had a good one.
Doug's Photo Gallery


text:
Absolutely nothing like LolaBohemia vicious live humiliation web cam sessions. I definitely like the level of destruction I go through with her. If you have been searching for a long time a mistress, goddess or domme to serve, look no more because LolaBohemia will please each and every one of your darkest fetishes. She has stunning huge tits for you to worship, lovely feet to jerk off countless times and a superior ass to kneel down and serve all night long. You will be mentally and physically fucked in her live femdom web cam show. If you are obedient she may let you take pleasure in a benefit here and there, however her threshold of obedience is really high, so if you do not fulfill her standards then it's most likely that you will suffer her penalties, however don't worry, all the discomfort and degradation is very worth it. Training sissies is her specialized.
If you think you will have any kind of manhood left after a live web cam show with her, you are completely wrong. She will completely damage your manhood, make you take pleasure in dick and your ass fucked, trained to just cum to gay pornography, wear the sissiest attire and far more. Just after a lot pain and humiliation, she will let you pull your cock out and cum for her. LolaBohemia is one of the most genuine mistress in the femdom webcam area. She enjoys being superior and she encourages female supremacy over males at all times. If you believe you are able to submit to her commands, you better hesitate your ability to serve and comply with due to the fact that she will push your limits like no other goddess. Stop getting excited by thinking how a bdsm experience would be with her and do something about it, go to her live cam program, and totally give up to her power.