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1. Alanis Morissette, Canadian Tiffany
Alanis Morissette had already logged time as a child star on the widely seen kids' variety show You Can't Do That On Television before she began her recording career. She cut two albums of of-their-era dance-pop songs—Alanis and Now Is The Time—that caught on in Canada, but never found much traction in the rest of the world. Then, when Jagged Little Pill appeared in 1995, earning her a Best New Artist nomination, both albums kind of… went away. (She didn't win that Grammy, but walked away with a bunch of others.) Still, some songs are too hot to remain buried forever.
2. Neil Gaiman, pop-culture journalist
Before he had fanboys of his own, Neil Gaiman was a struggling pop-culture journalist who made ends meet by chronicling the exploits of synth-pop bands. His 1984 Duran Duran bio may not have been his proudest moment, but it was enough to keep him in issues of Alan Moore's Swamp Thing until he was able to join the ranks of the late 20th century's most influential comics creators. Gaiman's early years did produce one keeper, the Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy companion Don't Panic, still in print and still essential reading for Douglas Adams fans.
3. Katy Perry, Christian pop star Katy Hudson
Before her boobs shot fireworks, before she married Russell Brand, even before she kissed a girl, Katy Perry was Katy Hudson, a 16-year-old ingénue who released a self-titled album of palatable, rock-tinged Christian pop. Starting a Christian-music career after being raised by two pastor parents and brought up in the church choir is an obvious progression, but the throughline gets blurred on the way to Perry's current career as a candy-fellating, Elmo-titillating pop tart. But regardless of where she started or how she got where she is today, it's clear Perry made the right choice in going secular, at least commercially: Her two albums as Katy Perry, One Of The Boys and Teenage Dream, have several platinum certifications between them, while Katy Hudson has been out of print since the label that released it went out of business in 2001.
4. Ryan Gosling, teenage beefcake
It's common knowledge that Serious Actor Ryan Gosling came from the same Mickey Mouse Club class as Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears. Less well known is what Gosling did after that, before rebranding himself by playing a Jewish neo-Nazi in The Believer. Over 50 episodes that aired in 1998 and 1999, Gosling played the title role in the TV series Young Hercules. As a Greek demigod with floppy blond hair and dreamy blue eyes, Gosling didn't look much like he was going to grow up into Kevin Sorbo, which may be why his recent parts have favored scraggly facial hair over glistening pectoral muscles.
5. George Carlin, unthreatening comic
Before he became comedy's greatest linguist, George Carlin was a successful but forgettable comedian plying lukewarm counterculture satire to Tonight Show squares. Portraying "hippie-dippie weatherman" Al Sleet (whom he occasionally revived in later years) and refitting cavalry-movie clichés to fit a Native American sergeant, Carlin used the tools of an earlier era, tickling the audience's funny bones without getting into their heads. Lenny Bruce's obscenity arrest helped turn Carlin toward more oppositional ends. He grew his hair long, traded his suits for faded jeans, and started working his way toward becoming one of the most important figures in the history of stand-up comedy. Carlin might have stayed successful had he stuck to his initial path, but he'd almost certainly have been forgotten.
6. Black Eyed Peas, conscious rappers
As mentioned in an AVQ&A in September, before the Black Eyed Peas dominated the pop-music world with their fantastically brainless hip-pop, the group started life as a Fergie-less trio indebted to hip-hop's Native Tongues movement. Although the Peas' 1998 debut, Behind The Front, and its 2000 successor, Bridging The Gap, slightly hinted at the future—Front's song titles included "Love Won't Wait" and "The Way U Make Me Feel"—it hardly compared to the flat-out pop pandering that arrived with 2003's ridiculously titled Elephunk. Four albums and millions of sales later, the Black Eyed Peas' first two albums are simply prologue to the group we all know and grudgingly tolerate today.
7. Dr. Dre, electro DJ
Dr. Dre had an intimidating presence in all those videos from his classic 1992 album The Chronic, looking every bit the gangsta the album and his previous work in N.W.A. purported him to be. But all that badassery could be quickly undercut with a quick look at The World Class Wreckin' Cru, the flashy electro outfit that gave Dr. Dre his start in the mid-'80s. Dre worked as the group's DJ, where his moniker was taken literally: Check out the Wreckin' Cru song "Surgery" (about the man with "a Ph.D. in mixology"; Dre introduces himself as a "gorgeous hunk of a man") and the stethoscope Dre wears in group photos. The group's shiny, shiny outfits and Soul Glo hair couldn't look more comical nearly three decades later, and the Wreckin' Cru's music hasn't fared any better. The same year N.W.A. released Straight Outta Compton, Dre was opening the Wreckin' Cru slow jam/Smoove B anthem "Turn Off The Lights" with "Hey, what's happenin' baby / I'm the one who needs no introduction / because I'm the world-class doctor, the master of seduction."
8. Tori Amos, big-haired rocker
Before she became an earnest singer-songwriter, Tori Amos had an ill-fated career as the lead singer of Y Kant Tori Read, a tough-looking but less-than-tough-sounding L.A. rock band signed to Atlantic. The major-label association landed Amos the support of Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen and Robin Zander and other stars, but Y Kant Tori Read never caught on, in spite of a video for the lead single "The Big Picture" that gave Amos a good dozen costume changes as she sang and played her way through a slicked-down back alley, sounding a bit like Kate Bush's more commercially minded kid sister.
9. Ministry, electro-pop stars
Ministry made its name popularizing a hybrid of dance, punk, and experimental music that typified the industrial style of the late '80s and '90s, a sound that took shape on the group's third album, 1988's The Land Of Rape And Honey. Frontman Al Jourgensen would like the world to forget Ministry's first two albums—1983's With Sympathy and 1986's Twitch—and with good reason. With Sympathy is a painful gauntlet of sub-Human League electro-pop that's cheesy at best, cringe-inducing at worst. (In the latter category: "I Wanted To Tell Her," with its disco beat, "Don't You Want Me"-style male/female vocal interplay, and goofy spoken-word interlude that ends with "No more babysitting for neurotic girls today!") Twitch fared a little better, but just about anything would after With Sympathy.
10. Larry The Cable Guy, non-cable-guy comic
Daniel Whitney was swept up in the '80s stand-up comedy boom like a lot of other people, but his career didn't take off until his "cable guy" character landed on some morning radio shows, particularly the nationally syndicated Bob & Tom Show, which also helped establish Mike Birbiglia. That led to regular appearances on Jeff Foxworthy's The Foxworthy Countdown and the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, which made Larry The Cable Guy a superstar. Little remains from those early days as Dan Whitney, but the clip below shows him looking like Dave Coulier's portly brother: bushy Richard Marx mullet, high-rise khaki pants, turquoise button-up shirt, and white, Seinfeld-style sneakers. The jokes are groaners, but the most recent post on Larry The Cable Guy's website isn't an improvement: "Ya ever wonder why when they make zombie movies they never take place in Washington, DC? Ill tell a why, zombies eat brains!!!! If there's any organization full of more idiots then [sic] airport security it'd be hard to find."
11. Beastie Boys, hardcore punks
Well before delving into hip-hop and smooth-funk instrumentals, the Beastie Boys were just another bratty hardcore punk band opening for Reagan Youth and Dead Kennedys on the stage of CBGB's. Adam Yauch, still years away from being known as MCA, initially formed the group with friends Michael Diamond, future Luscious Jackson drummer Kate Schellenbach, and guitarist John Berry in the spirit of acts like D.C.'s Bad Brains, whom they paid homage to by adopting the same initials for their own band name. It's possible that the highlight of the Beastie Boys' entire career could have been appearing alongside Bad Brains on 1982's New York Thrash compilation or independently releasing the Polly Wog Stew 7-inch if not for the accidental hip-hop hit "Cooky Puss." That experimental goof (based on a prank call to Carvel Ice Cream) took off in New York dance clubs and caught the attention of Def Jam's Rick Rubin, who soon got the Beastie Boys to abandon hardcore and make themselves over as rock-flavored rappers. The genre-bucking group has since paid tribute to its punk roots through songs like "Heart Attack Man" and a cover of Sly Stone's "Time For Livin'," and, most notably, on 1995's fast-and-sloppy Aglio E Olio EP.
12. Billy Joel, proto-heavy metal rocker
A classically trained pianist who also took nightly requests while playing dive bars, Billy Joel could have ended up doing just about any kind of music—though not, as the sole album by his hard-rock duo Attila attests, doing it particularly successfully. Dismissed by Joel himself as "psychedelic bullshit," 1970's Attila found Joel screaming in a high-pitched wail over a loud, distorted Hammond B-3, creating a wah-wah-inflected wall of sound and a relentless, chest-thumping aggression that extended to the album cover, which featured Joel and drummer Jon Small dressed as barbarians and standing in a meat locker, surrounded by frozen, bloody carcasses. Needless to say, it's all a bit silly. Yet although Joel and the critics came to hate it (AllMusic called it "the worst album released in the history of rock 'n' roll"), Joel manages to wring some heroically monster riffs out of his limited setup, and viewed through the proto-heavy metal haze that only got thicker in the years to follow, it's an admirably bold sound for its time—albeit one that would absolutely shatter the chardonnay glasses of "Just The Way You Are" fans.
13. Nico, pleasant pop star
After hooking up with Lou Reed and John Cale's legendary band The Velvet Underground in 1966, Nico became a fixture of the edgiest fringe of the counterculture, thanks to a glacial monotone that seemed to deliberately neutralize her fashion-model looks. Nico did start her career as a model, but she also made a stab at pop stardom before getting involved with VU; in 1965, The Rolling Stones' Brian Jones introduced her to The Stones' manager, Andrew Loog Oldham, who hired a pre-Zeppelin Jimmy Page to produce her first single, "I'm Not Sayin'"/"The Last Mile." Even then, her voice had a formidable chill, only slightly offset by the lush, pillowy folk-pop.
14. Pantera, hair-metallers
Cowboys From Hell—Pantera's brutal, mosh-ready, highly influential breakout album—appeared in 1990, just in time to capitalize on the changing of the heavy-music guard. Out were glitzy, hairsprayed glam bands; in were grittier, grimmer groups like Metallica and Soundgarden (and, right around the corner, Nirvana). Pantera was all too happy to ignore the previous seven years spent releasing four albums of glitzy, hair-sprayed glam. Starting in 1983 with the band's debut full-length, Metal Magic, original singer Terry Glaze led Pantera through a wasteland of shoddy cock-rock anthems and keyboard-slathered power ballads that Cinderella would have ignored. Granted, by the time 1988's Power Metal came out, Pantera had begun to harden its sound—a change sped along when Phil Anselmo replaced Glaze. Still, Pantera did its best to revise history and ignore its earlier, embarrassing output after Cowboys took off, and the group's first four albums remain officially out of print to this day.
15. Sterling Hayden, beautiful man
Sterling Hayden was a badass onscreen and off. He dropped out of school at 16 to become a fisherman, wrote novels in his spare time, and was an avid adventurer and inveterate traveler. At 6-foot-5, Hayden was a macho, imposing presence, but that somehow didn't keep Paramount from trying to sell him to the public as alternately "The Most Beautiful Man In The Movies" and "The Beautiful Blonde Viking God." Is it any wonder Hayden experienced a hate-hate relationship with acting and movies over the course of his long, illustrious career? He wasn't having it, and he enrolled in the military before his career as a pretty boy could take off, eventually working as an undercover agent for the OSS.
16. David Foster Wallace, hip-hop theorist
David Foster Wallace was revered as one of the most brilliant novelists and essayists of his time, a man with a ferocious intellect and the vocabulary to back it up. He was not, however, known for dropping science on the art and craft of hip-hop, even though he and Mark Costello co-authored Signifying Rappers: Rap And Race In The Urban Present, a cerebral 1990 meditation on hip-hop and linguistics that today reads like a groaningly pretentious post-graduate dissertation, not the early work of a great writer. Considering Wallace's singular writing style, it's only fitting that his stint as a hip-hop deep-thinker amounted to a mere footnote in his otherwise distinguished career.
17. RZA, novelty rapper
Before he revolutionized hip-hop as the architect and sonic mad scientist behind the Wu-Tang Clan, RZA released a goofy novelty single and EP called Ooh I Love You Rakeem under the moniker Prince Rakeem. Alas, it wasn't RZA's destiny to become the poor man's Fresh Prince, and the bubblegum trifle bombed. Prince Rakeem was dropped from Tommy Boy, and the man born Robert Diggs reinvented himself as a torchbearer for gritty underground East Coast hip-hop.
18. Matthew Weiner, sitcom scripter
Before Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner acquired the reputation as the most accomplished, sophisticated television writer of this era, he apprenticed under David Chase and Terence Winter as a writer and producer on The Sopranos for three seasons—a gig he got because Chase liked his unproduced Mad Men pilot script so much. But Weiner was a gainfully employed TV scribe even before that, toiling away on sitcoms. He worked on the short-lived Téa Leoni vehicle The Naked Truth, and the much-loved Andy Richter Controls The Universe, but his biggest pre-Sopranos TV credit was as a writer-producer on Becker for two seasons. Weiner-penned Becker episodes like "The Ghost Of Christmas Presents"—in which Ted Danson's misanthropic doctor keeps failing to deliver the gift he promised to an underprivileged child—don't show even a hint that the person who wrote them could go on to write a TV episode as brilliant as "The Suitcase." Still, Becker and Don Draper would probably get along well. They're both complainers.
19. The Moody Blues, English R&B giants
In 1967, The Moody Blues had a worldwide hit with their second album, Days Of Future Passed, a pop-rock-classical fusion influenced strongly by the band's two newest members, John Lodge and Justin Hayward, the latter of whom wrote the album's two biggest singles, "Nights In White Satin" and "Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?)." The band went on to continued success over the next decade-plus as one of the stalwarts of what came to be called "progressive rock." But it rarely reached back to its roots and the reason it was called "The Moody Blues" in the first place: Before Lodge and Hayward arrived, the band was led by Denny Laine and Clint Warwick, and was part of the R&B-heavy wave of the British Invasion. Its 1965 debut album, The Magnificent Moodies, is one of the best of its kind, mixing James Brown and Sonny Boy Williamson covers with similarly spirited originals, and peaking with "Go Now," an impassioned take on an obscure early-'60s soul single.


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Ferrying your little one to school? Here's a fun handlebar that can be easily mounted to any electric scooter to keep your child safe. Customise the coloured grips to any order you like! Be it a full firetruck red, rainbow or black and white like a zebra!
Every handlebar comes with a universal mount, adaptor and 8 grip rings and 2 end caps. Fits all escooter types such as etwow, Inokim, Zoom Air, I-Max, GoBoard etc.
A circular mount would be required (instead of the universal mount) if you are installing it to the top rounded part of the stem. Do leave a comment at checkout if the circular mount is required.

subset: commoncrawl


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The College of Charleston's Nuovo Cinema Italiano Film Festival will return for its 8th year with a packed schedule running from November 6th through the 9th. All showings will take place at the Sottile Theatre.
The four-day festival, which celebrates contemporary Italian cinema, boasts a jam-packed schedule and notable guests.
Italian film critic Valerio Caprara, directors Fabio Mollo (South is Nothing), Claudio Giovannesi (Wolf) Gianluca Migliarotti (O'Mast), and screenwriter Alessandro Valenti (Quiet Bliss) will all be in attendance.
"This year we have an exciting film schedule which includes the works of notable Italian directors who will participate in the festival and interact with audiences," Dr. Giovanna DeLuca, the festival's artistic director and professor of Italian Studies at the College of Charleston, said in a press release.
For more information on the Nuovo Cinema Italiano Film Festival, click here.


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In Battling Mine Project in Myanmar, 2 'Iron Ladies' Rise
WETHMAY, MYANMAR — They were trailed by plainclothes police officers and called "cows" by government officials. They spent four nights in prison until a public outcry prompted their release.
Aye Net and Thwe Thwe Win, the daughters of farmers whose education stopped at primary school, have rocketed to national prominence in Myanmar for their defiance of a copper mining project run by the powerful Myanmar military and its partner, a subsidiary of a Chinese arms manufacturer.
小学没有念完的农民之女埃内(Aye Net)和兑兑温(Thwe Thwe Win), 一跃成为缅甸全国的知名人物,因为她们反抗强大的缅甸军方及中国一家军工企业的子公司在缅甸的铜矿联合项目。
"Whatever pressure they put on us, we won't give up," Ms. Thwe Thwe Win said in an interview in her village on the edge of the copper mine. "I want them to shut this project down completely."
Myanmar's new civilian government, led by President Thein Sein, is moving swiftly toward a less dictatorial society, releasing hundreds of political prisoners and abolishing media censorship. But those changes are a world away from the everyday realities of the impoverished countryside, where two-thirds of the population live. In the shadow of the massive copper mine in Wethmay, the authorities are following the old playbook of repression and harassment.
缅甸新的文官政府由总统登盛(Thein Sein,又译吴登盛)领导。该政府正在迅速转变,不再高度独裁,并释放了几百名政治犯,废除了媒体审查制度。但是,这些变革距离缅甸贫困乡村的日常现实,还遥远得很。而全国三分之二的人口仍住在农村。在维特梅大铜矿附近,官方并没有改弦更张,仍然用镇压和威胁对付人民。
Wethmay is one of two dozen villages affected by the mine's planned expansion. In December, the authorities tried to force inhabitants to move by attacking the local monastery with hammers, carting away Buddhist statues and removing all the furniture and equipment from the primary school. These and other incidents prompted a series of protests and clashes with the police, some of the largest demonstrations in Myanmar since the country's civilian government came to power last year.
The police have been unbending. U Tint Aung, the chief of police of Monywa, the city where the two women were jailed, lashed out during an interview by telephone when asked why the women were being followed.
警方毫不留情。在埃内和兑兑温被关押的蒙育瓦市,在一次电话采访中,警察局长丁昂(Tint Aung)怒斥询问他为何关押这两位女士的记者。
"Why should you care?" Mr. Tint Aung barked into the phone. "So what if we follow them?"
The authorities also appear eager to keep foreign eyes away. During a recent two-day visit, a reporter was constantly trailed by men on motorcycles, detained by the immigration police for an hour and told not to return to the area. His interpreter was threatened with arrest.
The case has been widely reported in privately owned publications in Myanmar, a measure of the country's newfound freedoms. But the government has sought to curtail reporting of some its aspects. In March, a private weekly newspaper in Myanmar, The Voice , was sued by the Ministry of Mines after citing a report by the country's auditor general that pointed to corruption in the sale of a stake in the project to the Chinese company.
埃内和兑兑温一案在民营出版物上得到了广泛报道,体现着缅甸新近获得的一点自由。但是政府也试图禁止报道此案的某些方面。3月,缅甸民营周报《声音》(The Voice)被矿业部起诉,因其引用了缅甸审计总长的一篇报道。该报道指出,在向中国公司出让部分股权的过程中存在腐败。
At the heart of the case are environmental concerns — opposition to the copper mine is being championed by environmental groups that are concerned that surrounding farmlands will be contaminated by runoff from the mine — and more broadly the issue of land seizures.
Land grabs are a longstanding problem in Myanmar, and activists fear they may increase in the coming years in the rush to develop the country. Despite two laws passed last month that seek to clarify the land rights of farmers and policies governing vacant land, Parliament and opposition party offices have been flooded with complaints.
"There has been a failure to bring justice to farmers during the liberalization period — they are still marginalized," said Tun Lin Oo, a co-founder of the Yangon School of Political Science, an organization that researches land rights, among other issues.
仰光政治学校(Yangon School of Political Science)的创建者之一吞林吴(Tun Lin Oo)说,"在自由化过程中,农民没能得到公正——他们仍处于边缘化状态。"该组织研究土地权利等问题。
The copper mine controversy appears to have resonated in Myanmar because of the strong-arm tactics used against Ms. Aye Net, 34, and Ms. Thwe Thwe Win, 29. The two women are portrayed in weekly news magazines as being locked in a David-and-Goliath struggle, two unusually courageous villagers up against a constellation of powerful forces, including the military.
"The struggle made them into iron ladies," said Ant Maung, a celebrated poet who lives in Monywa. "This is life or death for them — they will defend it at the cost of everything."
"斗争把她们变成了铁娘子,"生活在蒙育瓦的著名诗人安貌(Ant Maung)说,"对她们来说,这是生死的较量——她们会不惜一切代价去抵抗。"
Mr. Ant Maung calls the case "a good test for the democratization process" in Myanmar.
"Five years ago this would have been impossible — such a movement would have been cruelly crushed," he said.
The troubles here began two years ago, when the government offered new housing and compensation equal to three months of annual income to villagers who agreed to move. Villagers complained to the authorities that the new housing was shabby and that they would lose their fields — and thus their ability to make a living. When only a handful of villagers took up the offer, the authorities called a meeting and told villagers that they must leave or be evicted.
"They shouted at us and called us animals," Ms. Thwe Thwe Win said.
According to her account, the authorities tried to end the meeting, but she interjected.
"I said, 'Now it's my turn,"' said Ms. Thwe Thwe Win, who dropped out of school when she was 12 years old and spent her childhood foraging for mushrooms and plants in the hills where the copper mine now operates. "I pointed my finger at the governor, 'You are not a gentleman. Don't call me again to this kind of discussion."'
The governor, who has since been replaced, could not be reached for comment.
Villagers say they are even more determined to stay in their villages after seeing the relocation area, a collection of shoddily built houses in a treeless field.
Like the controversy over the Myitsone hydroelectric dam, another Chinese project that was suspended last year after a popular outcry, the case of the copper mine has undertones of anti-Chinese sentiment commonly heard in Myanmar. Two years ago, mining operations were taken over by a subsidiary of a Chinese arms and explosives manufacturer, Norinco , after a Canadian company, Ivanhoe, pulled out of the project. The mine is now jointly owned by the Chinese company and the business arm of the Myanmar military known as the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings.
就像密松大坝水电站项目引起的争议一样,这次铜矿争议中,经常能听到反华情绪。密松大坝水电站也是一个中资项目,因民众的广泛抗议而于去年被叫停。两年前,加拿大艾芬豪(Ivanhoe)公司退出后,中国的武器和炸药生产商中国北方工业公司(China North Industries Corporation,简称 Norinco)的一家子公司接手了采矿业务。如今,铜矿为该中国公司和缅甸军方下属的一家企业共同所有。军方下属的该公司名为缅甸联邦经济控股有限公司(Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings)。
Tempers flared in June when three Chinese employees of the mining company made rude gestures toward villagers as a local employee rolled a large rock toward them from atop a pile of mining debris. The villagers from Wethmay, which means "sleepy pig" in Burmese, were roused into action and began the series of protests.
Ms. Aye Net and Ms. Thwe Thwe Win were arrested earlier this month and released on Sept. 14 after the national news media covered their case. Prominent former political prisoners also traveled here to help negotiate their release.
For now, the government appears to have put the plan to evict villagers on hold. But the women of Wethmay village are taking no chances.
After the raid on the monastery, Ms. Aye Net and Ms. Thwe Thwe Win traveled the old British road to Mandalay, a three-hour drive, and consulted with lawyers there about land rights. They bought a video camera to record any future incursions by the authorities.
Ms. Thwe Thwe Win said she was reading a copy of the country's 2008 Constitution.
During military rule, generals ran the country by fiat, Ms. Thwe Thwe Win said. "Now we know there are rules," she said.


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David Cesarani
Blood Relations
The Himmler Brothers: A German Family History
By Katrin Himmler
Macmillan 331pp £14.99 order from our bookshop
When she asked what grandpa Ernst did in the Third Reich, Katrin Himmler's father used to tell her that he was basically an apolitical man who was prodded into joining the Nazi Party by his elder brother, Heinrich, and took an innocuous job in German radio. Apart from that, Heinrich, the powerful head of the SS, had little to do with his brothers. For a long time this explanation 'sounded plausible'.
Then, in 1997, Katrin's father asked her to look at the Nazi Party files that had recently been returned to Germany by the Americans. For reasons she does not quite explain, he wanted to see if they shed light on what his father and uncle got up to while their brother was achieving notoriety. Katrin quickly discovered that the 'plausible' version was full of cracks.


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We now have a system for Lost Property.
The lost property box is in the vollie cupboard. In the drawer underneath the till, there is a Lost Properly book.
Items found in the cafe will be but in the lost property box. They will be catalogued in the Lost Properly book, with a date, person who found it and if it's been collected.
If someone comes to collect something, they should ask a KM or NM. Try to get them do describe it best they can, rather than letting people look through the box for goodies to claim.
If anything isn't collected within 2 weeks, it goes in the Free Shop. This time is due to the fact a lot of stuff goes unclaimed in the Forest so we gather a lot of crap. No more!
There's instructions in the front of the book.
Lost Property
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2 posts • Page 1 of 1
Lost Property
Re: Lost Property
good system i say
officially speaking
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2 posts • Page 1 of 1


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If you've ever received an estimate to remodel one of the rooms in your home you know that you start with a certain budget in mind. Often times when customers provide a list of 'must haves" and then give us their budget, it just isn't feasible. When this happens we will usually give the customer an estimate with all of their 'must-haves' on it that is over budget (sometimes by a lot sometimes not by much). We do this not because we want to go over their budget but to show them that it isn't a realistic budget for what they are asking for. When this happens if often times scares customers away...they either give up on their project all together thinking they cannot afford it or hire a company that promises them they can give them what they want within their budget that either takes their money and runs or does poor work leaving the customers leery of ever trying another remodel project.
What you should do when you receive your initial estimate is try working with your contractor to get it to a price you are comfortable with by removing items that aren't as important. This sometimes isn't as easy to figure out as you would think. Below is an excerpt from our Kitchen and Bathroom Remodel Survival Guide, it has an assignment that we recommend all potential customers do to help them narrow down what's really important to them. Often times customers find that they can still get a great kitchen/bathroom/basement without getting everything they initially thought they needed. Something to keep in mind is you can always add the items from your 'Desire' list at a later date.
Below is the excerpt from our Survival Guide which you can also use for a basement remodel.
To help plan your budget, you need to develop a list of "Needs, Wants, and Desires". This list helps you prioritize the styles and functional elements you want to see in your new kitchen or bathroom and ultimately stay within your budget. To create this list, we recommend the following steps:
-Make a list of everything you don't like about your current kitchen/bath. Once you think you have a pretty good list of "dislikes" (you can always add more later) take a few minutes to number this list with one being the most important change you need to make.
-Go through all of the design ideas you have gathered and make a second, separate list of every design and functional element you want to see in your new kitchen/bath. Be sure to leave room for new ideas that may come up as you're shopping. Draw three columns to the right of your list labeled "Need", "Want", and "Desire".
-With your list of "dislikes" close by, begin going through your list of new features. For each one, if it clearly addresses one of the things you dislike about your current kitchen/bath, put a check in the "Need" column. If it does not, put a check in the "Want" column for something that adds value, or check in the "Desire" column if it is simply an "oh wow" item, like decorative moulding or chocolate glaze. This is one of the most important steps, and the challenge here is to remain honest with yourself.
-Prioritize all of the items in each of "Needs", "Wants", and "Desires" columns, beginning with number one as the most important. Compare the item to what it "fixes" from your first list to help determine how important it might be. You might need to repeat this step a couple of times to make sure you are happy with the order.
-Rewrite the entire list, in the order you have just selected. This last step may seem trivial, but it gives you a final opportunity to make changes and adds a little peace of mind that you were thorough.
Once you've made your list, you're ready to meet with the contractor who provided the estimate and adjust items as needed to fit within your budget.
Whether you choose to work with our company or not we highly recommend following these steps on any remodel project.. it will help to save a lot of time, stress, and money!
Contact our office today at 240-398-9003 for a FREE copy of our Kitchen and Bathroom Remodel Survival Guide !
We've compiled a list of our favorites from the Kitchen and Bath Show 2015 in Las Vegas, NV. This includes the latest technology and newest releases from some of the leading brands in the industry.
1. Arabesque Tile by Granada Tile- 4" cement Arabesque wall tile . Approximately $15 per sq ft
Moroccan inspired mosaic tiles, with 11 colors to choose from, this tile will give any space a unique edge.
2. Retro Stove by Big Chill Hardware. Starting at $4,295
Choose from 8 standard colors and 200 custom colors ( at an additional cost). With stainless steel construction and authentic chrome trim and handle. Available in natural gas or propane. Easy to clean sealed burner top. Automatic electronic ignition system. 24" oven depth. Convection fan. Full extension oven rack. Direct-fired ceramic infrared broiler. Full motion grates with 4 burners. 1 year warranty on parts and labor. Choose between 30" or 36" wide unit.
3. Artesso Single Handle Articulating Arm Kitchen Faucet by Brizo. Approximately $720
Features: ADA compliant, Diamond Seal Technology ( an internal contact surface made up of tiny diamonds that makes the valve leak-free and durable and keeps water free of contact with potential metal contaminates), Magna Dock Technology ( powerful magnet mounted in spray head that helps to center and pull the wand firmly into place) , Euromotion Technology ( long-lasting leak free performance with an ergomatic Euro-Motion valve), TouchClean (Soft rubber nubbins allow you to easily wipe away calcium, lime, and build up with the touch of a finger), and No Lead Compliant( Compliant with State and Federal drink water legislation).
4. Cottage Style 2x4 Island/Helpmate 'Server' by Twin Star Home Furnishings.
Approximately $550
Features a black granite top, beadboard paneling on the back, and brushed nickel hardware.
Provides additional seating and storage without the permanency of an island. Side one features 2 open shelves with 2 drawers on top and side two is a breakfast bar with room for bar stools.
5. the Sektion Collection by IKEA . Approximately $2,200 for a 10x10 Kitchen
The all new kitchen system offers more storage and configuration options, deeper top drawers, 4 door styles, and organizers like the drawer in a drawer. Comes with options to suit any style and budget, with a wide range of fronts from sleekly modern to warm traditional and materials ranging from solid oak to high gloss foil. And they offer a 25 year warranty!
6. 12" Brookside Prismatic Light by Progress Lighting. Approximately $121
Comes in Brushed Nickel. Features clear Prismatic glass shade, diffused light, and metal stem to cover the cord. Light types: Incandescent, CFL, and LED. With it's vintage undertones and train-station styling this light would add charm to any kitchen type.
7. Home- Center Cabinets by American Woodmark (found in Home Depot) Approximately $185 per LF
Gray is the on-trend color of the moment for cabinets, it's versatile and mixes well with any palette. Cabinets pictured in Painted Stone.
8. Formica Laminate Countertop- Jonathan Adler Collection. Sheets Approximately $17 per sq. ft.
Features a glossy, scratch resistant surface and provides the look of luxury without breaking your budget. In this picture- Zesty Orange Greek Key backsplash and Lacquered Linen countertop.
9. Spectrum Color Barn Door Hardware by Real Sliding Hardware. Approximately $433
Comes in Scarlet, Tangerine, Lemon, Forest, Cobalt, Violet, Metallic. These punchy colors are sure to brighten up any room. Use it to draw out the accent tones of throw pillows, artwork, your favorite armchair, etc. Each kit includes a track, hanger, and bottom guide
10. Temp2O Water Faucets by Delta. Approximately $140.
Features Temp2O Technology- with a digital temperature display and background color indicator that turns blue when cold, magenta when warm, and red when hot, making it clear when the water temperature is safe for you and your family.
11. Electrolux Ergorapido Bagless Vacuum. Approximately $150
Features 180 degree swiveling head, self cleaning brush roll, one-touch release dust cup, built-in hand vac, and flexible charging stand
12. Decolav's Matt Muenster Designer Series. Sold at Lowe's. Approximately $696
Granite topped with stained veneer (pictured in Espresso). Features individual modules purchased separately to configure your own semi-custom vanity. Includes sinks, countertops, and door pulls.
13. Moen Mosaic Flush Mount Multi-Function Body Sprays. Available July 2015. Approximately $183 each
Offers customizable showering or vertical spa experience with the option to switch between 2 spray functions (traditional or pulsing massage). With it's easy-to-operate lever you can toggle between 2 functions to direct the water exactly where it's wanted. The sprays can be tilted quickly and easily. Provides 67% greater angular adjustment.
14. Discovery Gas TouchTop Stainless Steel Range by Dacor. Starting at $2000
Comes in 36" or 48". Features 2 SimmerSear burners with melting feature (800-18,000 btus), 4 high performance sealed gas burners with true simmer (800-15,000 btus), exclusive extra wide continuous platform griddles, brass burners and valves, sealed burner and porcelain enameled one-piece spill basin for easy clean, Perma Flame auto reignites flame for continuous heating and uninterrupted cooking should a burner unexpectedly go out, Smart Flame reduces flame contact with grate to prevent grate discoloration and increase longevity, interchangeable accessories, Island trim included, Illuminated knobs (Dacor signature flame blue) to let you know when burner is on, and brass and black burner caps (you get both).
15. Houzer Porcela Undermount Sink. Approximately $452
Made of enameled resilient steel, it has the charming vintage look of a cast iron sink without the laborious install and 65% less weight. It's durable and chip resistant. It's also heat, stain, and scratch resistant. 100% non-toxic.
16. 36" Multi-Door Freestanding Kitchenaid Refrigerator. Approximately $4,200.
With Platinum interior design, 5 doors, 2 soft-close drawers, Preserva Food Care System which uses 2 independent cooling systems (keeping food fresh longer), and under-shelf lighting for greater visibility. In black-stainless. 8 cu. ft of storage.
17. Crackle Hexagon Knobs from Home Decorators Collection. Home Depot. Approximately $2.88 each
Zinc die-cast base with ceramic head and antique brass finish. These knobs will add a noticeable change to any room.
18. Kohler Touchless Toilet Kit. Approximately $67.
Easy to install retrofit kit. Hold hand over tank sensor to activate flush. Mounts inside tank. Powered by 4 AA batteries (included). Works with most canister and flapper toilets and is not compatible with dual-flush, top-mount flush, pressure assisted, or ballcock valve toilets. Install takes less than 20 minutes.
19. Merola Ceramic Floor and Wall Tile. Approximately $1.97 each.
Comes with 3 options: Revival Ring, Boheme Full, and Twenties Classic. First quality. Ceramic glazed finish with low sheen. Semi-Vitreous. For commercial and residential use. No sealant required.
20. Panasonic Cyclonic Wave Microwave Oven. Approximately $330.
Microwaves in a 3 dimensional circular pattern, dispersing microwave energy to contact food evenly. Can be used as a countertop or built-in. Has electrostatic glass touch control panels, 1250 watts of cooking power, multi-stage cooking, 20 programmable sensor cook and reheat options, and turbo defrost mode.
21. GE Cafe Series French Door Refrigerator with Keurig K-Cup Brewing System. Approximately $3,300. Available Fall 2015.
Dispenses fresh filtered water ( advanced water filtration system). Comes with dishwasher safe Keurig K-Cup Brewer, hot water dispenser, precise fill setting, full width electronic temperature controlled drawer with colored LED lights, and Twin Chill evaporators. Water is purified through the only filter tested and verified to remove 98% of five trace pharmaceuticals from water and ice.
22. Brondell Circle Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System. Approximately $400 for unit and $23-$80 for filters.
Key Features: Water saving smart technology-up to 10x more efficient than conventional RO systems. Designer chrome faucet with integrated LED filter change indicator. Space saving compact design leaves plenty of room for under sink storage. Patented Smart Valve & flexible water tank delivers max water efficiency. Auto filter flushing significantly extends life of RO membrane filter (2 yr). Certified 4-stage filtration- sediment filter, carbon plus filter, RO membrane filter, and post carbon block filter. Gold Seal Certified by WQA (Water Quality Association)
23. Palm Shower from Delta. Approximately $250. Available Fall 2015
Simple, one-handed operation, slides easily into the palm of your hand with it's rubberized grip securely hugging your hand. Attaches to a sleek grab bar making it easy to adjust the shower spray's height.
24. Wellborn Pullout Table from the Estate Collection. Approximately $1,380.
Hidden behind a drawer front in a pantry style cabinet is a small slide out table. It provides extra space for meals and meal preparation. Great for small kitchens! Finished to match cabinetry.
25. The Frigidaire Professional Series.
With smudge-proof stainless steel and professional grade appliances. When purchased all together the cost for the range, dishwasher,and microwave are under $5,000, add another $3,200 and you can get the refrigerator too.
26. Modular 3000 Freezer by U-Line. Approximately $3,470
This built-in frost-free freezer seamlessly integrates with your base cabinets. Sits flush and comes with a stainless or panel-ready door. It's hinges can be concealed and it's height adjusted. Equipped with LED theater lighting that turns off automatically when the door closes. 3 Full extension, durable, vinyl coated freezer baskets are removable for easy cleaning. Front ventilation engineered to circumvent the need for additional airflow.
27. Wilsonart Quartz. Approximately $65-$85 per sq. ft.
Man-made quartz that's durable and requires zero upkeep. Wilsonart's new line offers dozens of colors and patterns (including Lyra, shown). An affordable alternative to granite. Virtually eliminates visible seams. Can be carved like wood so that edges can be sculpted or layered .
28. Caesarstone Classico Concrete-Inspired Collection.
Starting at $65 per sq. ft.
Caesarstone's concrete-inspired collection provides the industrial look of concrete with the low maintenance of quartz. There are 3 colors to choose from, including Fresh Concrete (pictured), Raw Concrete, and Sleek Concrete. It is scratch, stain, and crack resistant. Resistant to most household chemicals including acids and solvents. Mold and Mildew Resistant. Non-absorbent and non-porous. Has flexural strength (bend strength), color consistency, immunity to freeze and thaw, and somewhat heat and burn resistant.
29. Cattura downdraft by BEST Range Hoods. Approximately $1,530. Coming August 2015.
Moves smoke & steam at the rate of 600 cu ft per minute. Vents are strategically placed along the top and sides to handle serious cooking ventilation requirements . The integral self-closing cap completely hides the lowered downdraft for an unobstructed view of the kitchen. LED lights illuminate the cooktop. 35% quieter than other downdraft systems. Heat Sentry detects excessive temperature and adjusts speed to high automatically to prevent the damaging effects from heat and increase the life of the product. Convenient 10-minute time-delay shutoff feature and filter maintenance reminder light for a fresh kitchen. Works with optional Automatic Make-Up Air Dampers.
30. Toekick Drawer Modification by Diamond Cabinets a Division of Master Brand Cabinets Inc . Starting at $515
Features a 3" tall by at least 18" wide storage solution. Push-latch closure allows for a completely hidden drawer with no knob to giveaway its secret. Great place to store flat kitchen accessories or even jewelry.
31. Flood- Proof Flooring by Shaw Floors. Approximately $4.50 per sq. ft.
These wood-look vinyl planks are quickly and easily installed. Should you have a pipe that springs a leak (or worse) they can be pulled up, dried out, and reinstalled. Because of it's durability, it can even be installed in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements with no worries. Has the elegant look of hardwood without the worry of moisture, buckling, and mildew.
32. Gridscape Series by Coastal Shower Doors. Approximately $800.
Gridscape Series V1 or V2. Both provide 3 glass options: clear, satin, and smoke grey. The 36 x 72 multi-functional door can be ordered as a stand-alone panel, room divider, or bypass shower door. Custom configuration is also available. Has a 10 year guarantee. Made in the USA. Comes with adjustable rollers.
33. Hold by Sabi. Approximately $150
This circular grab bar made of powder coated aluminum delivers strong, secure, reassuring grip. Can be held at multiple angles and heights. Comes in Dark Blue, Gray, and (punchy) Yellow. Pro installation suggested.
34. Aquatic Serenity 55- Alcove Size Soaker Tub. Approximately $1,805
Designed to fit a typical 5 1/2 ft. alcove. This oval acrylic tub has an elongated backrest and armrests giving it a roomy feel despite its modest size (63 x 34). Comes with deep bathing well, lucite cast acrylic surface, and limited lifetime warranty. Options include: premium color, cable drive and waste overflow (chrome, oil rubbed bronze, polished brass, brushed nickel, biscuit, bone, or white), Oval comfort pillow (biscuit, white, or black), Chromatherapy LED lighting (Hot Soak Option), and Life gate delivery. Standard Colors = White, Biscuit, Bone, and almond. Premium Colors = Black, Cashmere, Mexican Sand, Red, Sand Bar, Sterling Silver. Jet Trim Options- Chrome, Polished Brass, Brushed Nickel
35. LumaWarm Heated Nightlight Toilet Seat by Brondell Inc. Approximately $199
Say goodbye to the freezing cold toilet seats and glaring bathroom lights during those midnight trips to the bathroom. The LumaWarm toilet seat is heated and comes with a blue LED nightlight. It's energy efficient and has 3 adjustable temperature settings. Comes with a sturdy and sittable lid that's also gentle-closing
Winners of the Kitchen and Bath Show 2015
Best of Show: LG Hausys TechTop Wireless Charging Surface
Embeds wireless charging technology into Hi MACs solid surface or Viatera quartz allowing you to charge your phone by placing it on top of the countertop surface. No more tangling cables or outlet hunting!
Best of Bath Gold: Walker Zanger's Sterling Row Porcelain Tile Collection
Inspired by the best Men's tailors in London, Manahattan, and Paris this collections color palette consists of grays, blacks, and whites. Consists of 8 patterns: Link, Houndstooth, Wingtip, Oxford, Argyle, Tuxedo, Chesterfield, and Buckle. Can be used on all interior surfaces and exterior walls and pool lines.
Best of Bath Silver: Michael Berman Graceline's C-Spout Widespread Lavatory Faucet
Features sleek lines and industrial details. Inspired by luxury ocean liners of the 20s and 30s. Features a long, graceful arch, and complemented by lever or dial shaped handles reminiscent of ship cleats. Thumb depressions on the handles and knurling banded escutcheons add a hint of glamour
Best of Kitchen Gold: Brizo Articulating Faucet
(Listed above # 3 (on our list which is in no particular order). A clever twist on the classic pull-down architecture, the spray wand can be easily docked and undocked for maximum function and efficiency while maintaining a fluid and streamlined form. Will be incorportated in two distinct collections by Brizo: Artesso (TM) and Solna (R).
Best of Kitchen Silver: Brondell's Integrated Faucet
Delivers pure filtered water, in addition to the hot and cold tap water, directly from your main kitchen faucet. Easily installed in the existing faucet space with no need to drill your countertop or install a separate pure water faucet. Constructed from the most durable materials, such as 304 stainless steel and comes in 4 styles and 2 finishes.
Small Bathroom Remodeling Tips
The size of your bathroom should never limit you as a homeowner. With the following tips and ideas you can transform your small bathroom into a beautiful and luxurious retreat.
Try using a compact elongated toilet, it provides most of the comfort of a traditional elongated bowl in the same space as a round bowl. It features an oval shape and has a larger feel than a round bowl despite being roughly the same size.
Install a tub that will maximize space, like one of the tubs pictured below.
A skylight is another way to really open up a small space. If your bathroom is on the top floor of your home and it fits within your budget, go for it!
(The cost to purchase a skylight starts at $200 and to install varies greatly depending on the size of the window and the complexity of the roofing . The figure is usually somewhere between $500-$1,400 for labor and building materials).
Bonus: Skylights also save electricity!
Keep a monochromatic color scheme, blending tile with the wall color. Busy patterns and extreme contrasts can make a small space feel even more cramped.
Use paint to open up your small bathroom. Painting the walls and ceiling the same color keeps the room from feeling like its closing in (painting the ceiling a different color can make it look lower than it is). If your bathroom is shaped like a rectangle, you can paint the shorter walls just a shade lighter. You can achieve this by mixing in one cup of white paint per gallon for the shorter walls; add just a little more white and you have the color for your ceiling! You can also try painting wide horizontal lines ( they appear to 'push out' the walls) thus making your bathroom appear larger.
Use larger tiles in lighter colors and/or lay tiles diagonally.
Try to keep the space as open as possible. You'll notice in the fourth picture above that the wall between the shower and the bathtub really divides the space and not in a favorable way, if you removed that wall and put up a glass shower wall it would really open it up.
Choose your vanity wisely. The right vanity for you depends on how small your bathroom really is. If it's tiny, you may opt for a pedestal sink (the one pictured above has a little more storage than your typical pedestal sink). A floating vanity makes the room appear larger by leaving open floor space (adding a light underneath opens it up even more). You may need more storage than those options give you, that's where a larger vanity with a linen cabinet to the ceiling come in. Or you may just choose a smaller version of a traditional vanity.
Small Bathroom Perks
There are advantages to having a small bathroom. Adding luxury to a smaller bathroom is easier than to a large bathroom. Think of the square footage difference and the cost per square foot you're saving! Having a smaller bathroom means you can purchase more expensive wall tile and floor tile since you won't have to buy as much. You can upgrade your small tub with a large shower head or with a rain shower head. Since there won't be as much countertop surface to fill, you can use a pricier stone .
In closing, you don't have to follow every tip listed above, you can pick what works best for you and still achieve a grand transformation of your small bathroom!
Kitchen Cabinets...Dark or White?
White Cabinets
- Timeless and trend-proof
- Best option for smaller kitchens (white cabinets can make the kitchen appear larger than it is)
- Compliment almost any style- modern, contemporary, traditional, country, etc.
- Best choice if you tend to update your kitchen often
- Perfect for kitchens with limited natural light
- Shows dirt, smudges, and food particles
- Not always recommended for large families or families with small children
- Can show signs of aging
- Some people think white cabinets have a hospital-like feel to them
Dark Cabinets
- Have a formal, rich look to them (they tend to look more expensive)
- Black kitchen cabinets are supposed to be a huge trend in 2015
- Can transform a boring kitchen
- Make a great accent to almost any color (especially lighter colors)
- Not recommended for small kitchens (can make it feel small and closed-in)
- Not recommended for kitchens without a lot of natural light (can give the kitchen a heavy, dark feel)
- The color/stain/shade trends are always changing with darker cabinets
- Shows food particles, dust, and water splotches
- Shows scratches and dings
*Things to Consider:
When choosing between white or darker cabinets...
the architectural style of your home should be taken into consideration; For example, dark cabinets might look more natural in a craftsman style home and white cabinets may look better in a farmhouse.
the lighting in your kitchen should be taken into consideration. A kitchen with a lot of natural light would look great with white or dark cabinets, but if you have a kitchen with only artificial, or very limited natural light then you should consider white cabinets.
Leave a Comment...What's Your Preference and Why?
33 Ways To Winterize Your Home
Many people have family and friends traveling to their home for the holidays. Traveling is stressful enough as it is, adding that it's a holiday makes it more trying. If you are having guests for the holidays, you will most certainly want them to be comfortable and stress-free. Below there are some tips on how you can make your guests feel right at home just by preparing your guest bathroom for them.
Kitchen Countertop Options
There are so many decisions to be made when remodeling your kitchen, it can be overwhelming. We have compiled a list of some of the most popular countertops being used this year, we listed the benefits and the drawbacks of each and the average price range. Use our list to help you narrow down your options!
Engineered Quartz
Engineered Quartz countertops are arguably one of the best choices for a kitchen, they are durable, with a rich, luxurious feel to them. They have virtually no maintenance and will outlast cheaper materials.
- Almost maintenance free
- Stain, scratch, acid, heat, and impact resistant
- Because of it's nonporous surface, it doesn't need to be sealed (unlike natural stone)
- It's extremely durable, because it's made from one of the hardest materials on earth
- Comes in a wide range of colors and patterns (has a wider range of colors than the other natural stones)
- Leaves less of a carbon footprint than granite
- Safer Choice- it is difficult for bacteria and other pathogens to develop on its surface (You can even
choose to add an antimicrobial agent to its surface )
- On the pricey side, however usually slightly cheaper than granite
- Can discolor over time when exposed to a lot of sunlight
- Heavy and should be professionally installed on sturdy cabinets
- Seams are visible, but less noticeable when a darker color is chosen
How it's Made:
Engineered in a factory and made up of approximately 94% quartz combined with polyester
resins and pigments for color. Some designs also use small amounts of recycled glass or metallic flecks.
$40-$185 per s.f. (installed)
- Great for resale value
- Has a high-end look
- Durable prep surface
- Comes in a wide range of colors and patterns
- It is a natural product
Pro/Con- Each piece is one of a kind- this is both a pro and a con because it may make it hard to find slabs that go well together, however no one will have the exact same countertop as you.
- Can stain easily, so spills should be cleaned right away, especially oils, wine, and soda
- Because each slab is unique, matching them can be tricky
- To keep in good condition, they should be sealed once a year
- On the pricey side
- Heavy and should be installed by a professional on top of sturdy cabinets
- Impossible to hide the seams
Types of Granite Countertops:
Slab- Most expensive and elegant option- a solid piece of stone cut from the ground in chunks, then cut and customized to your needs.
Modular- Mid-range price; comes in a range of pre-cut sizes.
Tiled- The most budget friendly option; tiles are placed edge to edge and secured with epoxy. Can be hard to clean because of all of the seams.
Polished- Shiny, glossy look
Honed- Soft, matte finish
How it's Made:
Granite comes straight from the ground; once granite is found, a quarry is made around it and large chunks are cut and drilled from the ground.
$35-$200 per s.f. (installed)
- Not easy to clean (even though it does not require special chemicals) it takes caution and effort
- Not as durable as natural stone
- Excessive or hard cleaning can cause marks and damage
- Can and will look dull and old if it gets damaged, can also start to peel due to wear and moisture exposure
- Easily cut and scratched (always use a cutting board)
- Not heat resistant and burn marks are NOT easy to remove
- Difficult to repair if damaged
- Because of it's raw particle board core, it cannot be used with an undermount sink
How it's Made:
Laminate countertops are made of paper blended with resins and fused to particle board
$10 to $50 per square foot (installed)
- It has classic beauty
- If you are looking for a white countertop, it will be almost impossible to find one that's as bright
- Naturally cool surface (which is especially great for baking)
- Heat resistant (but you still should NOT put a pot or pan directly from the stove on it)
- Very susceptible to stains
- Regular sealing is required
- Special care with acidic products is needed in order to prevent etching
- Sharp knives can scratch the surface easily
- Heavy pots or mugs can chip or even break off a piece (if slammed hard enough)
How it's Made:
Marble is a metamorphic rock that changes from it's original sedimentary form (limestone/dolemite) to marble under severe pressure and heat (the materials completely re-crystallize)
The more budget friendly option- cultured marble is made of crushed marble and a manufactured thermoplastic resin (stains are less of a concern with this option)
$40- $250 per s.f. (installed)
- Ideal for food prep-when properly sealed, you can even cut meat on it
- Budget friendly
- Highly heat resistant- you don't have to worry about hot pots and pans
- Can be mixed and matched with other countertop materials such as natural stone
- Has a warm natural appearance
- You can sand scratches out of it
- It is a quieter work surface (you won't hear the loud banging you would with other surfaces)
- Works with all design styles ( including Traditional, Country, French Country, Mediterranean,
Old World, Modern, Contemporary, Transitional, Eclectic, etc.)
- Warm to touch
- Can be made from recycled/re-purposed materials
- Easy on knives (the blades will last longer)
- Swells and contracts with moisture exposure
- Must be sealed properly or it's naturally porous surface will harbor bacteria and germs
- Needs frequent oiling; at least 2-3 times per year or more
- Must be kept dry around sink areas and after spills
How It's Made:
Can be made of almost any wood or a combination of woods. Usually made of strips of wood bonded together. Commonly made from Maple, although Oak, Cherry, Walnut, Teak are also used, and eco-friendly Bamboo is gaining popularity as well.
$35-$250 per s.f. (installed)
- Coordinate with any color
- One of the easiest to clean; all you need is a cloth and a mild soap
- The MOST hygienic countertop available (no mold, bacteria, or other common germs)
- Durable/ Industrial strength
- Resilient to almost anything- heat, water, stains, etc
- Has a non-porous surface- no liquids can penetrate into it (at all)
- Does NOT stain!
- Hot pots & pans can be placed on them without worry of heat damage (although it will make the surface under it heat up..the heat won't spread to the rest of the countertop)
- Will stay cool during the summer
- Custom made to fit your needs; you can even have your countertop made with an integrated sink ( no seams or edges to clean), can be cut to any size, seamless edges
- Can be strategically placed to create the illusion of a larger kitchen
- 100% recyclable
- The surface WILL get scratched! However after it's scratched due to usual wear and tear, it starts to patina, which is a look many people like
- Can dent if you are careless (or if accidents happen)
- Some think the stainless steel look is 'cold'
- They are noisy- clanging, etc.
- Considered low maintenance, but could also be considered high maintenance, due to it's tendency to show smudges, fingerprints, and small crumbs
How It's Made:
Made of a metal alloy that contains about 10% chromium. Stainless steel sheets are purchased then molded and welded according to the desired size and shape.
$75-$150 per square foot (installed)
- Can be cut into any shape
- Has endless color options
- Easy to clean
- LED lights can be used to illuminate the surface
- Non-porous surface (no liquids can penetrate)
- Versatile- can be used to house fabric/artwork between its layers or embedded with materials that mix browns, blues, greens, etc to suit any color palette
- Heat resistant
- Durable (make sure to get glass that is at least 1 inch thick and tempered)
- Eco-friendly
- Can be made to emulate granite
- Pricey (if budget is a concern, you can use glass in conjunction with another surface)
- Can crack or break
- Scratches and fingerprints are visible
- Cannot be repaired, must be replaced if damaged
How It's Made:
Resins are used to bond together crushed particles of glass mixed with pigments, ash, or ceramics. Each company has it's own proprietary mixture which provides unique results.
$50-$200 per sq. foot (installed)
- Highly customizable in color and layout
- Mixes well with many different materials
- Energy efficient- when the temperature in your home rises, the concrete captures the heat and releases it when the temperature cools
- Flexible- Can be formed to any shape or size and has the ability to incorporate other functional features, such as integral sinks, butcher blocks, and drain boards
- Can be personlized with unique embedded items, such as pebbles and recycled glass
- No visible seams when a seam filler is used
- Stain resistant (when sealed)
- Unlimited color options
- Custom edges
- Extremely hard and tough
- Needs sealing-when made and every 1-3 years after
- Costly- costs about the same as Granite
- Hot pans will burn
- Can be damaged by water and heat if not properly sealed
- Even with proper sealing, moisture or oil can make it look wet or sloppy
- Producing cement for concrete and transporting the concrete, emits greenhouse gases
How It's Made:
Made of cement, light weight aggregates, and a combination of additives (such as fiber, sand, gravel , stone, and crushed glass).
Made 2 different ways-
Precast- Cast offsite in a shop where conditions are controlled, the concrete is poured based on a template of the layout, it's left to cure, then sealed
On Site- Poured right on top of the cabinets and set in place, can be formed to any client's particular needs
$70-$150 per square foot (installed)
- Highly stain resistant
- Bacteria/germ resistant
- Non-porous; it will never absorb liquids so you won't have to worry about spilling red wine or acidic drinks
- Available in a range of gray tones from pale green, light gray, to a dark, almost black, gray
- Does not require sealing
- Regular application of mineral oil can disguise surface scratches and dents
- Durable- available in a varying degrees of hardness
- Unique- No 2 slabs are the same
- If quarried in Brazil it will have veining like fine Marble
- Environmentally friendly- Can be 100% recycled, contains no sealers or toxins of any kind
- Good ROI (return on investment) from 50%-80%
- The installation is more cost effective, it does not require a specialist
- Scratches can be left as a part of natural patina or you can sand them out
- You can choose the texture-from slightly rough to smooth
- Scratches and dents easier than other stone; because it's a softer stone (but it can be repaired with sandpaper, mineral oil, and a cloth)
- If you choose a slightly rough surface, it can scuff China and glassware
- If you want it to darken, you will have to oil it regularly
- Limited selection- limited colors and patterns
- The installation is cheaper but the actual price of the stone is comparable to other natural stones
How It's Made:
Harvested from the earth and custom cut to fit your needs
$60-$105 per square foot (installed)
*Make sure to select architectural grade, NOT artistic grade (this type is meant for sculptures, etc.)
*Can be purchased as a slab or tiles
- Very durable and sturdy
- Comes in a variety of sizes and colors
- Heat and moisture resistant
- Easier to cut and shape
- Each slab/tile is unique
- Cheaper than Granite
- Very aesthetically pleasing
- Environmentally friendly
- Reflects light, making kitchen appear brighter
- If you don't fill and seal its pitted surface, food and bacteria can get trapped and liquids absorbed, making it more high maintenance (has a porous surface)
- Even minor spills can stain
- If you use your kitchen often, this is NOT the countertop for you
- Requires special cleaning products
- Mats should be used underneath hot dishes and cookware, place mats under ceramics, silverware, and china, and coasters underneath drinks to prevent damage to countertops
- Must be sealed once every 1-3 years
- Should disinfect regularly to prevent the growth of bacteria due to liquid absorption
How It's Made:
Combined with cement then smoothed and polished to provide a more uniform surface
Tiles- $25- $135 per square foot (installed)
Slab- $35-$150 per square foot (installed)
Why settle for your current bathroom when you can customize it to fit your family's needs? If you are considering or already planning on remodeling your bathroom you may want to answer the following questions first. These questions will help you focus on what your needs are for your new bathroom.
1. How many people live in your home? What are their ages?
2. How many bathrooms are in your home? How often is each one used?
3. Which bathroom or bathrooms do you plan to remodel?
4. What is/are the bathroom/s you plan to remodel primarily used for? Guests? Is it your Master Bathroom? Is it a child's bathroom?
5. Do you anticipate any changes in your family that may need to be considered? A new baby? Are your parents or in-laws moving in? Do you have a child leaving for college? Will any of this effect the needs of the bathroom/s being remodeled?
6. Does anyone in your family or anyone who frequents your home have any physical limitations that should be considered in the design and layout of your new bathroom/s?
7. Do you have any water usage concerns? i.e. Do you run out of hot water often?
8. Is there anything about the current layout of your bathroom that makes it difficult to use?
9. Is there anything about your current bathroom that you would like to remain the same?
10. Other than the usual bathroom activities, what else do you use this space for? Makeup application, getting dressed, relaxation, etc.
11. Do you prefer taking a bath, a shower, or both?
12. What appliances/fixtures do you use in the bathroom?
13. Do you have enough electrical outlets in your current bathroom?
14. Is there enough surface space in your bathroom?
15. Do multiple people use this space at a time? Brushing teeth together, etc.
16. Is there enough privacy in your current bathroom?
Kitchen Remodeling- Planning
The kitchen is one of the most popular rooms in the home. It is also one of the most popular rooms to remodel, because of it's high ROI (return on investment). When you make the decision to remodel your kitchen, it is best to be prepared before you begin. Without proper preparation, a kitchen remodel can turn into a disaster. If you are thinking about remodeling your kitchen, contact us for our free, Kitchen and Bath Remodel Survival Guide.
Below are questions you should ask yourself before remodeling, it will help you and your contractor (if you're using a contractor-which we strongly recommend for kitchen remodeling!) get an idea of where to start.
1. Assess your current kitchen and the wants and needs of your family.
a. What do you like about your current kitchen?
b. What would you most like to change about your kitchen?
c. What would your dream kitchen look like?
d. What colors do you like?
e. How would you describe your home decorating style?
f. What feeling would you like your new kitchen to have?
g. Do you want/need multiple work stations in your kitchen?
h. How many people are living in your home?
i. How many 'chefs' are in your home? What are their ages?
j. Does anyone in your family have physical limitations? If so what are they?
k. How many times a month do you entertain?
l. When you entertain, do you have large events with a lot of people or small gatherings?
m. Do you want an 'open-concept' kitchen?
2. What activities will take place in your kitchen?
a. Cooking- does your family generally do fast easy meals or large family meals from scratch? Do you do gourmet cooking? Do you do a lot of baking? Do you do a lot of cooking for guests/entertainment?
b. Dining- Will you have a dine-in kitchen? If so what type of dining does your family do? Formal? Informal? How many people generally dine with you?
c. What other activities will take place in your kitchen? laundry, tv, school or office work, computer time, crafts, house work, etc.
3. What items will you store in your kitchen?
a. Food/Beverages-canned goods, fruits, veggies, spices, oils, coffee, milk, etc.
b. Cookware/Dishes- pots, pans, plates, cups, silverware, measuring cups, cookbooks, etc.
c. Other items- paper plates & cups, food storage containers, baggies, foil, pet food and supplies, and cleaning products.
4. What type of cabinet storage will you need?
a. Base Cabinets- full-extension sliding shelves, hinged swing-out wire shelf units, Lazy Susans, door-mount racks, slide out racks for storage bins and trash cans, etc.
b. Wall Cabinets- pull-down overhead shelf units, flip-down shelf, etc.
c. Other- storage cabinet for TV, ceiling-mount pot rack
5. What features will you choose for your kitchen?
a. Will you be doing any structural changes? Adding/removing walls? adding or removing a door or window? Building an addition to extend kitchen space?
b. Cabinets- What style will you choose? Traditional, contemporary, transitional, cottage, modern, etc.
What type of surface will you choose? Wood? If so, what species and finish. Laminate or vinyl overlay. Metal?
What door style will you choose? Full overlay (shows very little of the cabinet frame giving it a modern, seamless appearance or a half inch overlay (leaves 2 inches of the cabinet frame exposed between the doors giving a more traditional look)
Will you have other options- Such as multiple surfaces, cabinet hardware, an island, matching range hood, matching appliance panels, etc.
c. What type of surfaces will you use for your backsplash and/or countertop? ceramic tile, concrete, laminate, quartz, solid surface, stainless steel, stone (such as granite), wood, etc.
d. What options will you choose for your sink? Material- acrylic, cast iron, composite, enameled steel, solid-surface, stone. What configuration will you choose? Single, double, or triple basin? Apron front? Prep sink?
What fixtures will you choose? Faucet-Single-handle, bridge, high arc, pull-out, pot-filler, or wall mount? Will you choose a built-in water filtration system? Will you select a built-in soap or lotion dispenser? Will you have a garbage disposal?
e. What type of flooring will you choose? Bamboo, ceramic tile, concrete, cork, laminate, linoleum, sheet vinyl, vinyl tile, wood, engineered wood, stone, etc.
f. What type of ventilation will you have? chimney hood, custom insert, down-draft, island hood, microwave-hood combo, under-cabinet hood, etc.
g. What type of lighting will you have? under-cabinet lighting, accent lighting, sky light, task light, recessed lighting, or pendant lights.
h. What large appliances will you have? Conventional oven, convection oven, microwave, steam oven, cook top stove, free standing range, slide-in range, warming drawer, refrigerator, freezer, built-in refrigerator, built-in dish washer, regular dishwasher, washer, dryer, washer/dryer combo, etc.
i. What small appliances do you/will you have? toaster, toaster oven, rice cooker, slow cooker, blender, bread maker, deep fryer, food processor, coffee maker, espresso or cappuccino machine, juicer, etc.
With this list completed, you are one step closer to having the kitchen of your dreams! Call us today at 240-398-9003 and we can help you with this process or if you are interested in our free Kitchen and Bath Remodel Survival Guide, contact us and we will email it to you! or if you are on your smartphone...click here to call:<a href="tel:2403989003">Click HERE to Call: 240-398-9003</a>
M.A.K. Remodeling
We are a Professional Remodeling company in Maryland that specializes in kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and decks.
June 2015
Located in Fort Washington, MD. We service Northern Virginia, PG County, Montgomery County, and Southern Maryland, including Charles County, St.Mary's County, and Calvert County.


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23 Aug I attended your Bendigo workshop
Hi Lisa,
I attended your Bendigo workshop. On Sunday night after her not feeding herself to sleep I decided to start putting her to sleep without boob, 45 minutes later and a bit of crying she went to sleep. I just laid with her and shushed and patted.
I was so surprised at how well she took to it, I also decided to wean straight away as well and she hasn't ask for the breast at all. The second day for her nap she went down like a charm, the second night she went down within 10minutes and slept for the whole night!
The third night she woke up in the middle of the night (her arm was out of her top) but was able to put herself back to sleep very quickly, tonight was an easy put down again and she is still asleep normally she has woken a couple of times since being put down.
My husband was able to get her to sleep for her naps the last two days and he was so happy.
Tonight she didn't even want me to touch her just to lay next to her. Thank you so much for all your advice I feel like a different person with the world as my oyster and not being "tied" down so to speak and I am able to go out for dinner with friends without having to worry about getting home to put Chloe to sleep.
I have noticed the difference in Chloe as well she is taking in so much more and isn't as cranky and is just a happier child! I feel like I'm getting too much sleep now haha!
Thanks so much!


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Azio Retro Classic Keyboard Review
Keyboard makers Azio are known for making high quality mechanical keyboards for gamers and I got the chance to try out their latest product the Retro Classic, a steampunk inspired retro keyboard from a company known for their PC gaming products.
The Azio Retro Classic comes in four different models. The Onyx, Posh and Artisan come with copper or chrome keys and trim with black or white leather. The fourth, the Ellwood is a little different combining a zinc alloy frame with a walnut wood surface. A polished plaque with the name of the keyboard is a nice finishing touch. The frame is held on by exposed screws adding to the mechanical feel of the keyboard. The back legs are adjustable depending on whether you prefer your keyboard flat or at an angle.
Connectivity & Function
The Azio Classic supports both Windows and Mac and can connect via USB-C or Bluetooth if your computer supports it. The keyboard boasts a 6,000mAh battery that offers roughly a month between charges with the backlighting on. Dimming down or totally disabling the backlighting should extend that to around a year.
While in Bluetooth mode the keyboard also goes into standby mode after five minutes of inactivity, dimming the backlights to save on battery. The keyboard wakes up quickly enough with a tap of a key.
Switching between PC and Mac modes is as easy as flicking a switch located on the rear of the keyboard. Each keyboard comes with two sets of keys to support both platforms and it's easy enough to just pop off one set of keys put the others on.
How it feels
Of course all the great work that's gone into the design of the Azio Retro Classic would go to waste if it didn't function well. Luckily that isn't a problem here. Typing away on the keyboard each press of the key comes is accompanied by a satisfying clunk that makes typing a delight. Others in your vicinity might not appreciate it but hey, they are probably just jealous.
The only thing heftier than the keyboard is the price tag. Coming in at a hefty £189.99 on Amazon the Azio Classic is without doubt a luxury purchase. For your money you are guaranteed to get a quality keyboard that looks and feels great so the only decision to make is do you want to part with that kind of money.


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As fun as a day out at the beach can be, more often than not it can come with it's own set of problems and hazards that can sometimes take the fun out of a nice, family outing. But don't worry, we've got the answer and we've put together a list to show you why it's so much better to own a pool, so here's why…
1) You never get sand in your bikinis.
Chafing, rashes and assorted irritations that come along with getting sand wedged inside a wet bikini are things of the past when you own your own pool.
2) You never have to drive to get there.
No need to worry about traffic, gas or getting the kids strapped in for a car trip to the beach when you have a pool right in your own backyard.
3) You don't get sand in your sandwiches.
Cucumber, lettuce, tomato and SAND are just not a very tasty combination and no matter how you package them, the sand always seems to find its way inside – but with the comfort of your kitchen right there with you, this is no longer an issue!
4) You can get cool in less time than it takes to pack the car.
Wake up and it's another scorching hot day? No worries, just run outside (pyjamas included) and dive straight into your pool, instantly cool down and relax and laugh at the rest of the people sweating it out in their cars on the way to the beach.
5) You can swim day or night.
At home on a Friday night and feeling like taking a swim? No worries, open the door and walk out into your backyard… there you are. No need to worry about dangerous night swimming at the local beach when you can dive straight into your personal oasis.
6) You don't have to worry about sharks, stingers or seaweed.
Slimy, gross seaweed and sting-covered legs are just something you don't need to think about when you own a pool – except maybe a few stray leaves!
7) You always know where the kids are.
It's hard to keep track of a bunch of excited kids at the beach, playing around in the waves, trying not to lose them in the crowd of people; but with your own pool, you can sit back, relax with a book and know that your kids are playing safe.
8) You don't have to go on vacation to get there.
No need to fill out that vacation form, apply for leave and count the hours you have saved to get your own swimming holiday. Each day you come home from work, just jump straight in and let the worries of the day wash away.
9) You won't get swept out to sea.
Pools are much more forgiving than the ocean, you can even get swim jet systems to simulate resistance like you'd find in the ocean and never have to worry about getting swept away.
10) You can swim for miles and still be in the comfort of your own home.
Enjoy uninterrupted miles and miles of swimming back and forth without having to look out for other swimmings, beachgoers and surfers when you own your own pool, just zone out and swim to your hearts content!
If you're as convinced as we are that a pool is much better than shipping off to the beach on a hot summer's day, then head over and follow the simple steps to get a free quote for a pool from your local Leisure Pools dealer or if you're still not convinced, apply for our Great Ideas Pack to see how beautiful a pool can look in your backyard!


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Home > Back to Search Results > The Andersonville jailer...Jeff Davis...
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The Andersonville jailer...Jeff Davis...
Item # 633643
September 01, 1865
NEW YORK HERALD, Sept. 1, 1865
* Henry Wirz trial
* Andersonville Prison
* Jefferson Davis
Among the front page column heads on the events ending the Civil War are: "DAVIS AND WIRZ" "Jeff's Repudiation of the Andersonville Jailer" "The Story Said to be Unfounded in Truth" "The Andersonville Prison Records Missing" "Description of Wirz" "Andy Johnson's Home" "A Visit to Greenville, East Tennessee" "Recollections of the President When a Tailor" and more.
Eight pages, very nice condition.
Category: Post-Civil War
Available Now


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Now can you guess what the actress, Natalie Portman, and the movie maven, James Lipton, both have in common? No! It does not have anything to do with them looking good naked. And no! It doesn't have anything to do with their love for harming small animals either. It's that they've both appeared in this 60 minute program recorded in 2007 together. Very simple question, right?
Natalie Portman
the 9th of June, 1981, in . She has dual
Israeli / American citizenship. (2) Her mother, Shelley, is currently her
agent, whilst her father, Avner, is a fertility specialist and gynaecologist.
They first met each other at a 'Jewish Student Centre' situated at Jerusalem,
Israel .
(3) Believe or not, Portman's Romanian-born great-grandmother was
a spy for 'British Intelligence' during World War II. (4)
Natalie enrolled at Ohio
State University in
1999, to study psychology whilst working as an actress. She completed her
degree four years later, in 2003. (5) 'The World Patrol Kids' was an
environmental song and dance troupe she was a member of. (6) Actress, Kate
Hudson, got hired for two of Natalie's films roles. 'Le Divorce' -- because
Natalie turned it down. And 'Almost famous' -- because Natalie failed the
audition process. (7) Did you know that little Ms Portman was discovered by a 'Revlon' casting agent whilst frequenting a pizza parlour in Harvard University New
York City? (8) When she was a young girl she worked
alongside Britney Spears in the off-Broadway show, "Ruthless", as an
understudy. (9) Not only can Natalie speak her native languages of Hebrew and
English, but she's also conversant in French, German, Japanese and Spanish too.
(10) Natalie has her own website -- www.natalieportman.com
Natalie Portman
In this episode of 'Inside the Actors Studio', the girl with the pretty face, Natalie Portman, has a rather refreshing tête-à-tête with the man with the pretty mind, James Lipton.
Now isn't that just a pretty turn up for the books, huh? As in earnest 'our Nat' answers such questions concerning: (1) Her family history. (2) The reasons why her family moved from
to America. (3)
How her Father's profession made them travel from coast to coast during her
youth. (4) Her love of dance. And (5) Revlon or bust.
Here, check out some of these 'Natalie quotes' for the 411:
- On choosing 'Portman' as a stage name -- I got 'Portman' from my Grandmothers maiden name.
- About her ability to listen -- You have to pay attention to whatever people around you are doing.
- On her work ethic -- When you have stuff to do, you just have to do it.
- On human-nature -- Our job as actors is to show empathy, like in life.
- On being attractive -- Of course it helps.
- On her time studying her physiology degree -- I never did my own laundry until I went to college at nineteen.
Also, throughout her interview with James, Natalie elaborates on her film and stage work as well:
- On 'The Professional' -- I begged and screamed at my parents to allow me to do it. They negotiated my role of course.
- On 'Beautiful Girl' -- Demi was a beautiful person. I'm very sad that he's gone now.
- On 'Everyone Says I Love You' -- Woody took me to the dark room. No. Don't laugh. It wasn't like that! Ha!
- On 'Mars Attacks!' -- Jack kept on trying to teach me how to whistle.
- On 'The Diary of Anne Frank' -- It's was an indescribable experience to explain, especially when I think about my family history.
- On 'Star Wars' -- I'm sorry to say this, but at first I didn't know the difference between Star Wars and Star Trek.
- On 'Anywhere But Here' -- I did not want to do the sex scene. Thankfully, it was cut out from the final picture.
- On 'The Seagull' -- Mike Nichols is the love of my life. I don't think I'm his though, ha!
- On '
' -- Jude Law didn't flirt with me. He didn't have to. Cold Mountain
- On '
' -- I connected to it straight away. Garden State
- On 'Closer' -- It's about a group of characters that keep on swapping partners again and again and again.
In closing this interview, Natalie answers questions posed by James from the Bernard Pivot structured questionnaire -- where we learn that she likes the word 'Langer' and hate the word 'Genius'. Then, as per usual, she subsequently answers subsequent questions posed to her by the studious audience, relating to: breathing exercises, dance and physiology, plus any future independent film projects she would be interested in.
Now when I normally write this type of 'celebrity focused' review, I always attempt to associate the celebrity in question with someone I know -- just I can illustrate a 'character portrait' within my mind. For example; Mickey Rourke reminded me of one on my Dad's old drinking partners. Jim Carrey reminded me of me on drugs. And Clint Eastwood reminded me of a firm family friend that has always encouraged me to do better with my life. But to be perfectly honest with you, dear reader, in Natalie Portman's case -- no -- I have nothing. I can't seem to compare her with anyone at all.
Me -- well -- 'kind of' like me.
Admittedly, she is a lot prettier than I am -- whilst I am a lot wittier than she is. However, the one thing we both have in common -- if I do say so myself -- is that we're driven people, who want to do the best in our chosen fields, while maintaining a humanitarian slant to our lives in the process.
Personally speaking, I think that this derives from us coming from a background steeped in history and pathos; urging us to strive forward like our forbearers once did. Also, another thing that we share is a nerdish, cute, and sarcastic demeanor; which derives from education and a need within us to educate in turn.
Alright, so it's possible that I'm talking out of my own ass when I say all this. Nonetheless, after watching this episode of 'Inside the Actors Studio', the one thing that I've ascertained from Ms Portman's, plus my own view on life, is that you should never judge a book by it's cover, because one day it may grow into an intriguing novel.
Just think about it.
JAMES LIPTON WITH NATALIE PORTMAN Reviewed by David Andrews on January 22, 2013 Rating:


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What a pleasure it is to go shopping right in the comfort of your own living room. It's great to save time and gas by searching online for hard-to-find products. This is quite possible. By using the Internet so that you can shop you'll be saving cash and you won't be stressed out if you learn how to shop online properly.
Before you shop at a new Internet store, take the time to look over their terms and conditions and their privacy policy. You want to find out how they protect your information, what details they will require and what terms you are agreeing to if you make a purchase from them. If you are unsure of anything, contact them with questions before making a purchase. Never buy things from stores with disagreeable policies.
Prior to shopping online, it is important that you check your computer to see if its antivirus software is updated. Online shoppers are prone to landing on fake webpages. Some folks make websites specifically for the purpose of infecting computers. Make sure to protect yourself before you visit an online store, even if it seems quite reputable.
You should never, ever give out your personal social security number while shopping online. No shopping websites should ever ask for this extremely personal piece of information. A site that asks for a social security number is more than likely a scam. Leave the site, and go to one with a better reputation.
If you're going to become an online shopper, make sure you shop from a secure computer connection only. Avoid shopping at public places because hackers will hack into public Wi-Fi connections in order to steal personal information. It is okay to do some browsing as a guest, but make sure you are not logged into your account.
Check the URL of a website before you submit personal information. If you see "https," you can go ahead, since your data will be securely encrypted. If it does not, then you have to know that you are leaving yourself open to possible fraud in the future as your information is not necessarily being safely stored.
You should now have a better understanding of how to shop online. It's fun to search out items that would have been impossible to find otherwise. Keep the tips included here in mind as you go through the process.


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Fireside and Waterside Gasket Kits
Halmar Fireside and Waterside Gasket Kits are made to conform to OEM specifications for Cleaver-Brooks firetube and watertube boilers.
We assemble Fireside Gasket Kits for more than ten models of Cleaver-Brooks firetube boilers, including CB, CBH, CBI, CBLE, CBR, 4WI and 4WG firetube boilers, and the Model 4 watertube boiler. Each kit includes gaskets that are specific to the model of boiler. All Fireside Gasket Kits also include spray adhesive glue and a ceramic fiber insulating strip.
We assemble standard Waterside Gasket Kits to include Topog-E gaskets, McDonnell Miller low water cutoff gaskets and gauge glass washers. Our Waterside Kits are also available with the BLUE-MAX, BLACK-MAX, Flexitallic and expanded Teflon gaskets.


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Rebecca Chaplin and Linda Glitz will moderate this series. Each week they and a guest lecturer will explore options for meaningful and interdependent lifestyles in our later years, from staying in your own home to a variety of other options. Using the articles included in Aging in Community as a jumping off point,participants will work toward a personal action plan with the help of readings, discussion and a virtual field trip. This course is open to anyone interested in options beyond isolation or the nursing home. Required text: Aging in Community, Janice M. Blanchard, ISBN-13: 978-1482302653. Cost $17.32
Rebecca Chaplin (email@example.com), LS, MA is passionate about health and aging. She graduated with a master's degree in gerontology from Naropa University in 2003 and has worked in gerontology research, policy and practice in the UK, Canada, and the United States. Linda Giltz (email@example.com), AICP, MA, has been doing urban, rural, and regional planning work for almost twenty years. Most recently, Linda has focused more on planning issues related to older adults andnewer models for housing and communities.
Session 1, September 25: Starting Where You Are: Assess your needs, goals and resources as you age and explore an overview of options. This session will set the stage for all future classes. Presenter: Marianne Kilkenny
Session 2, October 2: A New Frontier: Move beyond the false choice between aging in an institution or in isolation. This session will introduce the possibility of a new frontier: of Aging in Community. What might a community look like? What are the options? Presenter: Linda Kendall Fields
Session 3, October 9: A Rich Design for Aging in Community: Learn more and discuss the possibilities for a new design of aging in community. This session will invite and exploration of possible site plans, unit designs, outdoor space, walkability, green and universal design. Presenter: Alex Mawhinney
Session 4, October 16: Virtual Field Trip: Take a virtual field trip though real-life local and regional examples for aging in community. Facilitated by: Linda Giltz & Rebecca Chaplin
Session 5, October 23: Social Policy: Challenges and Opportunities Understand the implications of social policy on aging in community and explore the opportunities for community support and governmental action to address social policy challenges. Presenter: Philippe Rosse
Session 6, October 30: Connecting to Create or Enhance Community Where We Live Explore the formal and informal experiences that foster a sense of caring, belonging and effective interdependence among all residents - whether in an established community or looking to catalyze our existing neighborhood into one. How are people engaged equitably? Decisions made? Disputes resolved? More than money, these options require creativity, flexibility and a willingness to co-create an adventure. Presenter: Gaya Erlandson
Session 7, November 6: Community Resources: Moving beyond theory this facilitated discussion will explore what the group views as community resources to age in the larger community of the county or city in which they live drawing from discussions of earlier sessions and group interaction. Facilitated by: Susan Wrzalinksi
Session 8: November 13: Finalizing Your Personal Plan: Re-examine your original perceptions of your needs and goals and revise as needed after learning more about the options and elements of aging in community. Leave with a personal commitment statement and action steps. Presenter: Marianne Kilkenny


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Ed Vaughan has every reason to be excited about what the future holds for Magic J after he received quotes for next year's Qipco 2000 Guineas following his winning debut at Yarmouth on Tuesday.
Having cost 950,000 dollars as a yearling, the son of Scat Daddy paid a small slice of that back when securing an eyecatching length-and-a-quarter victory in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes.
Following the race, the Phoenix Thoroughbred-owned juvenile was introduced at 50-1 for the mile colts' Classic with Paddy Power and William Hill.
Vaughan said: "We've been a bit nervous and had a few sleepless nights with this fellow as we think he is pretty good.
"Mine only work on the bridle at home. He has worked with nice horses and he does it incredibly easily. He will come on for that and Oisin (Murphy) has given him a beautiful ride.
"We will get him back and won't rush him. He is a very talented horse and he will tell us when he is ready.
"He is in the Dewhurst. That's a while off, but we will see. I'd like to go baby steps as I do it with every horse I have.
"He is a fast horse and he will get better with better company he runs in. Oisin said he took a fair while to pull him up there and he galloped out well.
"If he is good now, he is going to be good next year. He has handled it all well today. I'm really excited about this horse. It is the most excited about a horse I've ever been in my life.
"We've had some nice horses, but I think this fellow is in a different league."
George Margarson hopes he could have a potential Pattern race performer on his hands in Protected Guest after he gained his third victory at the Norfolk track in the Dan Hague Yarmouth's Number 1 Bookmaker Handicap.
Racing over an extended one mile and three furlongs for the first time, the 10-1 shot proved a length and a quarter too strong for Shuhood.
The Newmarket handler said: "He is a big, raw horse and by giving him time between his races he has just developed. This race was the plan when he started liking Yarmouth.
"I'm not worried about coming back in trip for the Silver Cambridgeshire. He is a proper horse and we don't get many of those. He could reach Group Three company in time."
Chris Dwyer celebrated a one-two in the Moulton Nursery Of Acle Handicap after Faithful Promise (12-1) defeated stablemate Precious Plum by neck to complete a brace for the Newmarket handler.
He said: "There was not a great deal between them and I fancied the pair of them to run well. Faithful Promise was entitled to do that as she has been running OK of late."
Stall number 13 was anything but unlucky for Right About Now (7-1) who got the ball rolling for Dwyer with a length-and-a-half win the La Continental Cafe Of Great Yarmouth Handicap.
Stuart Williams has had to bide his time with Breathtaking Look (8-1), but the wait proved worthwhile after she claimed the Grosvenor Casino Of Great Yarmouth Novice Stakes by two and a quarter lengths to form the second leg of a double for Richard Kingscote.
The Newmarket handler said: "We've always liked her, but she has just been big and backward. She will run in another novice race now. Hopefully she can go on from this."
The Mark Johnston-trained Massam (1-2) had earlier got Kingscote on the scoresheet when making all to collect the Robert Eustace 50th Birthday Nursery Handicap by six lengths.


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Some friends of ours are already there and she sent me pictures of them at the beach! I don't know why its just hard for it all to seem real. Its quite overwhelming when I think about everything we have yet to do... I packed 14 outfits for Princess today. I figure two weeks worth of clothes will have to suffice, only so much will fit in a suitcase.
Whenever I have gone on a trip in the past I always pack shirts that I never end up wearing... Its hard to decide what you will want to wear for days in advance. I am packing 2 weeks worth of clothes that I will be wearing over and over (washing of course) for the next 6 weeks. Or however long it takes for all our belongings to get to Hawaii. Supposedly, its around August 19th. But that's just an estimate.
Bobo will be sleeping in a play-pen while we are in CO so we went ahead and took apart his crib so that he had a few days to get used to the play-pen while he was in the familiar surroundings of his own bedroom. He was not too sure about the situation when I put him to bed. He cried for a little bit but then decided to play for a bit before falling asleep. Hopefully this will make it easier for him to sleep somewhere else in the play-pen.
I Hate Moving, and we will have to do this all over again in 3 years. But I think it will all be worth it for the experience of living in Hawaii.
Mrs. Marine


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I just found out about the Ultimate Blog Party, hosted by Janice and Susan, twin bloggers from 5 Minutes For Mom. I am still learning about the party, but it seems like a HUGE gathering of many bloggers. They are also doing a bunch of giveaways. There are a few simple requests, like following people on Twitter, adding them as fans on Facebook and blogging about this party. I figured I would check it out and see who I could meet.
I am heading out to see what it's all about, and will let you know as I learn more! If you stopped by from the UBP, please let me know. See ya soon!