text:
Simon Munnery's surreal style has made him one of the most original comedians around and his cult show AGM was an Edinburgh hit. For the first time ever, he brings it to London offering Soho audiences a chance to participate in a brand new and unique version – his Extraordinary General Meeting.
Simon Munnery's EGM
Unlike film, theatre doesn't have an official age classification organisation. That means all age recommendations are subjective and should be treated as guidelines unless otherwise stated. With this in mind, we ask you to use your judgement in regards to a show's suitability prior to purchase. However, we are more than happy to help you make a decision. Please email our Customer Care team to find out more about your chosen show.


text:
(4th LD) S. Korean, Japanese defense chiefs fail to narrow differences on GSOMIA
(ATTN: ADDS results of three-way meeting, more details in paras 21-24)
By Oh Seok-min
BANGKOK, Nov. 17 (Yonhap) -- The defense chiefs of South Korea and Japan held tense one-on-one talks in Thailand on Sunday, just days before the planned expiry of their intelligence-sharing pact, but no breakthrough was made.
Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo said after the meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Taro Kono, that the two sides stuck to their existing positions on the issue of the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) set to expire Saturday.
"(The two sides) exchanged original stances," Jeong told reporters after having 40-minute talks with Kono in the Thai capital of Bangkok on the sidelines of the 6th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus).
"As I repeat, our government was to renew the pact until June. Following Japan's export curbs (on South Korea) saying their security trust was hurt, however, we were forced to have decided to terminate GSOMIA," Jeong said.
Stressing that there seems to exist more room to resolve the issue in the diplomatic realm than in terms of defense, Jeong stated that he called on Kono to make efforts to resolve the issue diplomatically.
Sharing the need for the bilateral security cooperation, as well as trilateral coordination involving the United States, the two ministers agreed to work closer to strengthen their defense ties, Jeong added.
Noting what he said was the "very difficult" security situation in Northeast Asia following North Korea's missiles tests, among others, Kono told reporters after the meeting that he asked for South Korea's "wide response regarding GSOMIA."
When entering the meeting venue, a grim-faced Kono refused to answer reporters' questions about any new suggestions from the Japanese side and if he was optimistic about the fate of the agreement.
The termination decision was followed by Japan's export curbs on Seoul, citing security concerns, which is seen as political retaliation for last year's Korean Supreme Court rulings against Japanese firms over wartime forced labor.
Japan wants to maintain the pact, and the U.S. has also called for its renewal. But South Korea has maintained the stance that any reconsideration would only be possible if Japan first changes its course.
As the deadline draws near, Sunday's meetings could practically be the last chance for South Korea and Japan to seek a breakthrough regarding the issue.
Japan, however, has not showed signs of retracting its export restrictions against the South. According to Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun on Sunday, Japan has notified the U.S. of its decision not to accede to South Korea's demand.
Under the circumstances, what role the U.S. can play also draws attention.
Later in the day, Jeong and Kono joined U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper for trilateral talks and discussed ways to deepen the three-way security ties.
"It is important that we all work together closely to achieve our shared goal. This means looking beyond and overcoming bilateral issues that harm our efforts and play into the hands of Pyongyang and Beijing," Esper said during his opening remarks, adding, "As such, we also talk about the importance of information sharing between allies."
During a joint press conference with Jeong before the trilateral meeting, Esper also reiterated his calls on the both sides to strive for the renewal of the pact.
"GSOMIA is very important to ensure timely and effective decision making in the air of crisis, in a time of crisis," Esper said, calling on Seoul and Tokyo "to work together to overcome their differences."
Expressing "the deepest regrets" at North Korea's successive missile launches this year, Kono also called for promoting trilateral defense cooperation, but he fell short of putting forth any measures to reverse the situation.
North Korea has carried out a total of 12 rounds of major weapons tests this year, including new types of short-range ballistic missiles and a submarine-launched ballistic missile.
"It is regretful that security cooperation between the two friendly countries of South Korea and Japan faces huddles, both small and big, over historic, political and economic issues," Jeong said, while voicing hope "to maintain momentum for trilateral security cooperation."
In a statement following the meeting, the South Korean defense ministry said the three sides agreed to boost trilateral security ties through "intelligence sharing, high-level policy discussions and combined drills."
They also vowed to work together "to support diplomatic efforts for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the achievement of a lasting peace," it added.
Jeong last met his Japanese counterpart in Singapore in June, and the trilateral meeting among the top defense officials from the three countries was also held on the same occasion.
On Sunday, the South Korean defense minister also held bilateral talks with his counterparts from China, New Zealand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand and discussed ways to deepen their defense ties, according to his office.
The two-day multilateral event, set to run until Monday, brings together high-level defense officials from ASEAN countries and eight member states -- South Korea, the United States, Japan, China, Russia, Australia, New Zealand and India, according to the ministry.
During a plenary session Monday, Jeong will deliver a speech on the government's peace process involving North Korea and ask for international support for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the push to turn the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) into a peace zone, the ministry said.
In his address during the U.N. General Assembly session in New York in September, President Moon Jae-in proposed turning the DMZ that separates the two Koreas into a global peace zone, saying the plan will provide an institutional and realistic guarantee of North Korea's security.
ADMM-Plus was launched in 2010 to benefit participating countries to build capacity to better address shared security challenges and promote mutual trust and confidence, according to its organizer. It had been held every two or three years. Then from last year, it became an annual event.
(Yonhap Feature) 'Pay attention not to us, but to the deaf': S. Korean COVID-19 sign language interpreter
Foreigners' wild fireworks party frowned on by virus-weary Busan citizens
BTS' 'Map of the Soul: 7' becomes bestselling album in U.S. in H1
Seoul mayor found dead in northern Seoul: police
(2nd LD) Court rejects extradition request by U.S. for child porn site operator
(Yonhap Feature) 'Pay attention not to us, but to the deaf': S. Korean COVID-19 sign language interpreter
Seoul mayor found dead in northern Seoul: police
(2nd LD) Seoul city to hold mayoral funeral for Park Won-soon, unveils note
(LEAD) Foreigners' wild fireworks party frowned on by virus-weary Busan citizens
ITC favors Medytox over Daewoong in botulinum toxin strain dispute
New virus cases rebound; imported cases, cluster infections on steady rise
(LEAD) Political controversy erupts over mourning Seoul mayor's passing
N. Korea says Britain will 'pay price' for imposing sanctions
(LEAD) New virus cases rebound; imported cases, cluster infections on steady rise
(3rd LD) S. Korea reports 35 new virus cases, number down for 4th straight day

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Japanese meat and potatoes
Member recipe by tartanjuda
ServingsServes 5
One of the most popular dishes in Japanese home cooking. You can use either minced or sliced beef or pork.
This recipe has been submitted by the Good Food community. Sign in or create a My Good Food account to upload your own recipe creations. Please note that all recipes will be moderated but they are not tested in the Good Food kitchen.
Save to My Good Food
- 1 tbsp sesame or vegetable oil
- 200g beef or pork mince, or sliced beef or pork
- 2 medium onions, each cut into 8 pieces
- 4 medium potatoes, each cut into 8 equal pieces
- 300-400ml water
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sake (Japanese rice wine) or red wine
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/2 tbsp rice vinegar (option)
- (For the decoration)
- few green beans, boiled in salted water
- few sliced carrot, shaped in flower as photo if you like
- Heat the oil in a sauce pan and brown the meat. Add the onions, stir for 1 minutes, then add the potatoes.
- Cover the potatoes with measured water and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add the mixture of soy sauce, wine, sugar and honey, and continue simmering until most of the liquid is gone.
- Add the vinegar to intensify the flavour if you wish, remove from the heat, and putting the lid on, allow the potatoes to absorb the taste for at least 30 minutes. It becomes nicer next day.
- Serve with a little decoration as photo if you like.


text:
A list is only as strong as its weakest link.
My general working style is to write everything first with pencil and paper, sitting beside a big wastebasket. Then I use Emacs to enter the text into my machine.
The most important thing in the programming language is the name. A language will not succeed without a good name. I have recently invented a very good name and now I am looking for a suitable language.
If you optimize everything, you will always be unhappy.
People think that computer science is the art of geniuses but the actual reality is the opposite, just many people doing things that build on eachother, like a wall of mini stones.
I currently use Ubuntu Linux, on a standalone laptop - it has no Internet connection. I occasionally carry flash memory drives between this machine and the Macs that I use for network surfing and graphics; but I trust my family jewels only to Linux.


text: Image mwgerard January 18, 2011 No Comments decoarchitecture: Vintage Postcard of Empire State Buildingvia electricviolets I love vintage postca Related Posts: Top Ten Tuesday: Fall 2018 Reading List Books for December Share:EmailTwitterFacebookTumblrPinterestWhatsAppRedditLinkedInPrint ← REVIEW: Unknown by Didier Van Cauwelaert decoarchitecture: Empire State Building, NYC, New Yorkby Elliott Erwitt, 1955 Beautiful image by pho → Say something! Cancel reply This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.


text:
This post is sponsored by Quaker Oats
There is a new bev in town – Quaker's new Oat Beverage! Oat milk has been trending as a great lactose-free, plant-based milk, and naturally, Quaker would be the one to make a delicious one. I've been using the three flavors in everything from cereal to smoothies to oatmeal itself.
There are three flavors to choose from – Original, Vanilla, and Original Unsweetened, which has no added sugar. My favorite flavor is the Vanilla (because I'm a vanilla girl!) The Original has plenty of great flavor – subtly grainy, very slightly sweet, smooth as can be. The texture is thick not watery, so you'll be happy to use this for all of your milk-based recipes.
On the nutrition front, each 8 ounce serving of Oat Beverage is an excellent source of calcium and vitamin D, a good source of fiber from oat bran and chicory root, and clocks in at 30 (Unsweetened) to 50 (Vanilla, Original) calories. Quaker's Oat Beverage is also specifically formulated with fiber from oat bran to qualify for an FDA heart health claim, with .75 grams of soluble fiber from oat bran per 8 ounce serving. [Studies show 3 grams or more of soluble fiber daily from oat bran, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease.]
Snickerdoodle Smoothie Recipe
My number one use of Oat Beverage has been smoothie making, and I serendipitously created this snickerdoodle variation using the vanilla flavor. It combines oats, Oat Beverage, almond butter, and cinnamon into a smoothie that tastes like a blended cookie. The almond butter and cinnamon are key!
A Heart Healthy Diet
A heart healthy diet should include whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, low fat dairy, lean protein and legumes, and should limit fat, saturated fat and cholesterol and sodium. This recipe per 1 serving provides at least 1g soluble fiber. Experts recommend that to maintain good health, no more than 10% of your calories should come from saturated fat, and no more than 20-35% of daily calories should come from total fat.
Snickerdoodle Smoothie
- 8 ounces Quaker Vanilla Oat Beverage
- 1/4 cup Quaker Rolled Oats
- 1/2 medium banana frozen
- 1/2 tbsp vanilla almond butter
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Blend everything together in a high power blender. Top with additional cinnamon.
Thanks to Quaker Oats for sponsoring this post. For more information on Quaker's Oat Beverage and where to buy it, click here.


text: Proof that Golf really is the Bee's Knees??? Thu, 02 Mar 2017 03:08 PM by Maura Hutchinson Fancy 18 holes with a partner who might just sting you if you win? Researchers have released experiment results that suggest bees are clever enough to understand the game of golf. Scientists are teaching the bees to golf. Meanwhile, they have failed to correct my awful slice pic.twitter.com/qMZ6SiAgWs — David (@Very_Dad) February 24, 2017 The team at Queen Mary University of London has tested the intelligence of bees by teaching them a "golf like" game. Using a circular wooden platform the researchers cut out a small hole in the centre of the wood and filled it with a sugar solution. The bees were then trained to move a small ball into the hole for the sugary reward. Using a plastic bee attached to a stick the team demonstrated what the insects needed to do. Amazingly the bees caught on quite quickly and even illustrated that they don't just blindly follow what the bee before them did. Proving they are capable of adapting to get a quicker or better result. They didn't even have an issue when the colour of the ball changed! "The old-fashioned view is if an animal has a small brain, it's not intelligent or smart," says Olli Loukola, one of the authors of the study. "Our study shows it's not true that small brains are not capable of this kind of cognitive flexibility." Check out the experiment for yourself below:


text:
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. PT (2-3:30 p.m. ET), Wednesday, February 28
Register now for this no-charge webinar.
- What are the major stages of a career in local government?
- What are the key factors for success in each and resources to support you?
- What are examples of ways to leap forward, be resilient and enjoy the profession?
Strategic Framework for Career Growth
- Don Maruska, Master Certified Coach and Director, ICMA Coaching Program Early Career
- Amanda Kaufman, Assistant to the City Manager, Marion, IA Mid-Career
- Ben Bryant, Deputy City Manager, Happy Valley, OR Executive
- Bertha Henry, CAO, Broward County, FL, Public Official of the Year, Governing magazine
Audience: all persons interested in local government careers
Meets Practice 1. Personal and Professional Integrity, 4. Staff Effectiveness, 5. Personal Resiliency and Development


text:
The Ozpig is a portable steel bbq come outdoor fireplace for camping or caravan use.
The original inspiration for the Ozpig's barrel body was a 9kg gas bottle but these days he comes purpose built with detachable legs, chimney, hot plate and diffuser.
This type of fireplace is generically called a choofer and a number of camping sites have pages dedicated to making one at home if you don't want to stump up the $240 for a professionally built one like Ozpig.
The Ozpig is perfect for cooking everything from a roast to muffins.
Your Ozpig comes with 2 warming plates, one for cooking and the second for warming and you can also purchase a diffuser.
Pivot the top plate away and add the diffuser on top of the flames. You now have the option of two warming areas while cooking on top of the diffuser. The diffuser is excellent for toasting bread & muffins. It can also be placed under your camp oven to reduce the heat (stewing).
Having 2 plates and a diffuser enables you to keep your kettle hot on one, your chili or stew hot on another while cooking on top of the diffuser.With a look only a mother could love, the Ozpig is a great gift for all camping enthusiasts. Weighing approximately 17kgs, the Ozpig comes with it's own vinyl carry bag.
See it most major camping and caravan shows or visit the Ozpig site.


text: tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795951.post2262707360945371639..comments2020-03-15T08:26:56.115-04:00Comments on A Theory of Ice: On LosingEhttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795951.post-28018417512366486512013-07-13T09:40:48.004-04:002013-07-13T09:40:48.004-04:00So that i appreciated this content, you're thi...So that i appreciated this content, you're thinking that which the article writer seemed to be ad for one visitor, the item ended up being but additionally that which is fascinating as well as what exactly is instructive or even what on earth is food selection for one go. Because of the writer, I am just generally ability to hear his or her own web-site, or even every one of her own web page cassino aussiehttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795951.post-80027010150937815772013-05-31T15:02:09.782-04:002013-05-31T15:02:09.782-04:00Well, I don't think that loosing is something ...Well, I don't think that loosing is something that bad because you learn a lot about it. but loosing and keep loosing proves that you haven't learned anythingpph free trialhttp://email@example.com


text:
When going into live sex cam sites, chances are you want diversity. You do not want the same faces whenever you go there, yet you might have a few favorites that you keep returning to every once in a while. But other than that, you want to try a different model when interested in some entertainment. With so many options out there, deciding on one can be tricky. Yet, some websites stand out in the crowd.
This CamFuze review will introduce you to a feature packed portal with everything you can think of – a good communication, plenty of models, lots of extras and literally something for everyone. So, what should you know about it?
Registration and Packages
Registration is free, but the best features are not. In other words, you can get some absolutely free shows if you are lucky. They are based on tips, so models will go pretty far trying to earn some money. In other words, you might see them fingering themselves or even having hardcore sex with their partners. However, once you want to go into private and have a beautiful model fulfill your fantasy, you will need to pay the local currency – tokens.
Tokens can be purchased in a series of different packages. You can get actual tokens or just monthly subscriptions, which will give access to everything. There is something for every budget, while payments can be done through multiple options
Prices and Rewards
Unlike some live cam sites that allow models to set their own prices, CamFuze has fixed rates. Whether you find a model to be ugly or the most beautiful being in the world, the price will be the same. Obviously, tips are not fixed. They depend on whatever you want to give.
Small rewards here and there can make your life sweeter. For example, random gift cards given every once in a while to premium users toward token purchases will reduce the monthly costs of your subscription.
Models and Performers
There are over 110,000 models registered with CamFuze. According to every CamFuze review out there, you can find hundreds of them online at all times. With such impressive numbers, you are likely to find new faces whenever you browse. However, do not forget to mark your favorites if you want to return.
CamFuze is mostly aimed at men. After all, about 75% of all models are women. You can also find couples, men and transsexuals. No matter what you are into, you can find it there. Random amateurs? Check! Porn stars? Check! Man on man anal action? Check! Pregnant girls? Check! Well fit shemales? Check! Literally anything – you name it and it is there.
Interaction and Communication
Interaction and communication are quite direct. You can tip in any kind of chat – both private and public. Free chats are quite explicit and will go straight to the point, so there is no need to censor yourself – just be polite and avoid insulting others. You can also have private chats – even more, full private chats, so no premium users can spy on them.
The voyeur mode allows you to see and hear models without interacting with them. Group chats are just as common. Some premium accounts allow cam to cam functionality. The model watches you masturbate while you do the same. It is a more intense sexual experience. Private messaging models are also accepted.
Versatility and Camera Quality
CamFuze has a fully functional mobile alternative to the official website, so you can watch and interact with your favorite models regardless of your location. Just take your phone out and enjoy it. The version works flawlessly and it looks slightly different from the desktop one, yet you can do the same things.
Cameras are both SD and HD. The ratio is about 50-50, which means you can have hundreds of HD cams at any random time. It depends on the model's camera, so it has nothing to do with CamFuze. Overall, the technology behind this portal is quite good. It is quite fast and rarely lags. It is worth noting that full screen is available to premium users only.
Who CamFuze Is for?
CamFuze is recommended to everyone. While babes tend to dominate it, it has a decent amount of men, couples and transsexuals. In fact, its numbers can easily outdo most of the competition. It makes a solid live sex cam solution for both men and women of any age.
You can search by body characteristics, skin color, location and so on, so finding the model of your dreams is a matter of minutes only.
What I Like about CamFuze
The wide variety of models is definitely a plus. This is what you want when you go on a live cam site – diversity. You want to find different girls the next time you come over, but you also want some options while online.
There are plenty of packages to buy from and again, this is excellent for customers because they can be flexible. Even if you only buy a few tokens, no one will bother about it. You buy whatever feels suitable to your needs.
Last, but not least, there are thousands of HD cams available – another major plus.
What I Don't Like about CamFuze
Only about half of all models rely on HD cams, but that means you have plenty of HD users too. You do not have to struggle trying to find them, as you can choose the right camera quality in the search criteria.
In the end, this CamFuze review has all the answers you require. Whether you want to know more about models, payments or options, everything is transparent and crystal clear. There is no way you can go wrong with CamFuze.
Overall Rating
CamFuze is the home of amateur sex cam broadcasts. If you're not interested in glamour models and fake shows, and you'd rather check out real people in their homes, this could be the site for you.

Lots of models

Plenty of HD cameras

All genders, all orientations, all fantasies

Fixed price shows

Many features in terms of diversity

Not enough free features for basic accounts


text:
NogginLabs builds custom e-learning that will make your jaw drop and change people's behavior. We push boundaries, bring teams closer to the creative process, and forever change the way learning is viewed in companies.
Better Business. Richer Lives. Stronger Communities.
Best and brightest strives to recognize the most influential, trend-setting companies across the country and regionally in focused programs.
Contact Us
Monday - Thursday: 8:30am - 5:00pm EST
Friday: 8:30am - 3:00pm EST
Friday: 8:30am - 3:00pm EST


text:
THE SUN will have to be just a little higher in the sky before we can feel the warmth of the coming spring, but in the meantime we can think about hatches and rising trout.
If fishing on the fly is something that is foreign to you, but you've always thought about wanting to learn, now is a good time to look into a fly fishing school.
There is no better school than the Wulff School of Fly Fishing, located on the Beaverkill River in the Catskill Mountains. I learned the art of fly fishing at this school close to 20 years ago and what I was taught remains with me today.
Today the school is headed by Joan Wulff, the Grand Lady of fly fishing. There is no one who knows the art of casting a fly better than Joan. Through a simple set of mechanics, Joan and her instructors will have you prepared to cast a fly to a rising trout on almost any body of water in the world.
There are two types of courses offered by the school, Trout Fishing and Fly Casting. The Trout Fishing course is excellent for beginners because it is all-encompassing, covering everything from entomology and knots to casting and releasing of the fish. The Fly Casting course, meanwhile, is designed to improve almost any angler's casting skill in fresh or saltwater.
Courses run in May and June, starting at 8 p.m. on Fridays and ending at 5 p.m. on Sundays. For more information, you can call (914) 439-5020 or check out their web site at http://www.royalwulff.com.
The Catskill Fly Fishing Center, in Livingston Manor, N.Y., offers a great fly fishing school for children ages 8 to 14 years old.
The center has been offering this program for 15 years and it is designed to instill an appreciation not only for fishing, but for the environment as well. This school offers children courses that include stream ecology, freshwater biology and environmental issues, as well as fly casting.
The school, which takes places on weekends in July, also includes overnight camping and meals. For reservation forms and more information, call (914) 439-4810 or send an e-mail to email@example.com.
You can also check out the fly fishing schools that will have booths set up at the upcoming 23rd Annual World Fishing and Outdoor Expo, which will take place March 2-5 at the Rockland Community College Field House, in Suffern. We'll give you more information on this show next week, but you can also go to their website at http://www.sportshows.com.
If you're looking ahead, fly fishing enthusiasts can mark their calendar for the Theodore Gordon Flyfishers Annual Day, with auction and dinner, that will take place on March 11 at LaMaganette Restaurant on 50th St. and 3rd Ave. in Manhattan.
The format is changed this year. The auction includes fly fishing equipment and paraphernalia, artwork and hundreds of literary books. There will also be grand raffle prizes. Admission and dinner is $40. After dinner, Jack Hemingway, Ernest's son, will be on hand to speak about his life experiences as an angler. The auction starts at 4 p.m. and the dinner at 6 p.m.
Send your checks to the order of TGF to: TGF c/o Cliff Albertson, 52 Bon Aire Circle, Apt. D3, Suffern, N.Y. 10901. If you want to receive an e-mail of the auction catalogue, please include your address.


text:
Sitting approximately 1,759 kilometres north of Cuba in the middle of the North Atlantic and home to a tad less than 65,000 inhabitants, Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory that you might not want to leave out if you like subtropical adventures and places that are not that crowded. Stretching upon a combined land area… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Island Nations
Federated States of Micronesia – Top 5 Facts
Occupying more than 2.6 million square kilometres of nautical space within the Pacific Ocean, the Federated States of Micronesia is a place that you might want to visit if you get the chance. Harbouring only a little over 100,000 inhabitants, it in fact has a combined land area of 702 square kilometres. Sitting between New… Read more »
Marshall Islands – Top 6 Facts
Consisting of 29 coral atolls and 1,156 islands and islets, the Marshall Islands of the Pacific is a place that not many people visit but they most indubitably should. Known officially as the Republic of the Marshall Islands and harbouring just over 53,000 inhabitants, the island nation has a combined surface area of 181.43 square… Read more »
Sri Lanka – Top 5 Facts
Known officially as the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka is an island nation sitting southeast of India and northeast of the Maldives. Harbouring more than 21 million inhabitants and occupying 65,610 square kilometres, it has a history that spans more than 3,000 years. With recent efforts to increase its tourist-flow, Sri Lanka's… Read more »
Cyprus – Top 5 Facts
Technically sitting in the vicinity of Asia but functionally a European country, Cyprus is an island nation that is visited by more than 2 million people per annum. "Why?" you might ask. Well, its welcoming locals and excellent weather patterns are just the icing on the cake as this fine Mediterranean paradise is more than… Read more »
Qatar – Top 5 Facts
The Persian Gulf is one of the most mesmerising places that you can visit in the Middle East and this is not only due to the fact that it is a historically abundant region but also because it is filled with modern-day wonders. Harbouring more than 2.6 million inhabitants, Qatar's expats massively outnumber its locals… Read more »
Bahrain – Top 5 Facts
Bahrain, Bahrain – where do we even begin with Bahrain? Well, let's just kick off this article with mentioning the fact that Bahrain is one of the greatest places to visit in the world. Now, with that out of the way, let us see some basic stats. Harbouring just over 1.5 million inhabitants and considered… Read more »
Antigua and Barbuda – Top 5 Facts
Antigua and Barbuda The Pacific Ocean is not the only place in the world where you can find exquisite island nations for the Atlantic is also there to be noticed. Harbouring the fascinating island nation combo of Antigua and Barbuda, it seems to have a lot to say for itself. Stretching upon a combined area… Read more »
Vanuatu – Top 5 Facts
There is no doubt about the fact that the island nations of the Pacific Ocean are brilliant places to visit. While some of them may lack certain infrastructures, they are still tranquil, tropical, and inviting. Furthermore, as you may have guessed, the Republic of Vanuatu is no exception to this rule. Harbouring over 270,000 inhabitants… Read more »
Papua New Guinea – Top 5 Facts
Planet Earth is by no means short of tropical paradises and the island nation of Papua New Guinea is one of them. Stretching upon an area of 462,840 square kilometres, it harbours just above 8 million people. While it may look rather small on the world map, you'll find that it has quite some remote… Read more »


text: Freakitecture.com is all about architecture. This site is an attempt at promoting good design and initiating thoughtful discussions. It may someday me more than just me, but for the time being, I'm the only contributor. As such, most of the content is created by myself. Also, if you're wondering, my name is Ben McGhee and I'm an architectural masters student currently living in Rotterdam, NL. Sharing the freakin' world of Architecture. My portfolio. My Linkedin.


text:
Issue #24 – Wrap Your Wrist with this DIY
This wrap around bracelet has some bling to it and it's fun to make.
Great project to do by yourself or if your daughter has a slumber party
and want something to do. This also makes for a good gift idea for
Supplies needed:
1/4 or 3/8″ ribbon (enough to wrap wrist 3 to 4 times)
Plastic trim with crystals (on a spool)
Thread (match the ribbon)
1″ piece of cord elastic
Any type button (or crystal beads)
1. Measure the ribbon by wrapping around wrist 3 to 4 times and
measure the plastic trim with crystals by laying on top of ribbon.
2. Attach the trim to the ribbon by sewing it on.
3. Sew on the elastic cord to the back of the ribbon at one end.
4. Sew on button of choice onto the opposite end of ribbon.
5. Wrap bracelet onto wrist and fasten together and enjoy your


text:
Today, there is one cooking technique that remains popular with many
people—grilling over an open flame.
This cooking technique continues to be one of the oldest, and also the most common in Japan, just like in the western world.
A traditional Japanese home setting had a family grate in the main room. Here, people could assemble and use the open fire for light and warmth, and other chores like drying clothes as well as cooking.
My favorite Konro set is this Lovt Konro grill. You can get it in different sizes to suit your needs and it looks the part with the wood base and ceramic bowl.
The best part is that they are very affordable. Prices vary depending on what size you want but even the larger one still fits perfectly on your table setting and is still not that expensive actually.
I love the markings on it and it just looks great at my dinner party. You should check out the sizes here.
It's got that authentic feel to it that's just great as a conversation starter and totally something different for your tabletop grilling than an electric grill, which I've used a long time for parties before the Konro by the way.
Most people in Japan have used charcoal as their main house fuel for the longest time possible.
As a result, this has led to the introduction of charcoal grilling techniques, which have, in turn, introduced different cooking techniques and dishes, which still remain to be popular in modern Japan.
In the past years, different grills have been introduced in Japan. Most of these grills can be used in different settings and situations while preparing grilled foods.
Konro grills are common Japanese gills, which are box-shaped, and compact in design. Most of these grills are either lined with aluminum or ceramic.
You can use a Konro grill for cooking so long as you have binchotan charcoal, even though gas-fueled grills have become very common in the past few years.
Typically, a Konro grill has a slim design, which allows skewered food to be placed on the grill's top without falling in the grill.
Let's take a quick look at the top 5 choices:
|Best authentic Konro grill: Lovt grill set
(view more images)
|Best small Konro Grill: Noto Dia Hida wooden base
(view more images)
|Best Konro mini grill: Tabletop King
|(view more images)
|Best Japanese Charcoal grill: Hitachiya BBQ Charcoal Konro Grill
(view more images)
|Best Konro grill for Yakitori: Kinka BBQ Diatomite Charcoal Grill
(view more images)
Read on for my in-depth review of each of these or go straight to the how to use a Konro grill section:
In this post we'll cover:
- 1 best Japanese Konro grills reviewed
- 2 What Makes Konro Grills Famous?
- 3 How Do You Use A Konro Grill?
- 4 What is a Konro Grill?
- 5 Konro Bakar Recipe
- 6 Conclusion
best Japanese Konro grills reviewed
Best authentic Konro grill: Lovt grill set
This Konro grill comes in different sizes—extra-large, large, medium, and small. The grill will allow you to enjoy delicious yakitori, as well as other grilled meals on your patio.
With this Japanese-like charcoal grill, you will realize that there is nothing as interesting as yakitori or chicken skewers grilled on charcoal.
One notable thing about this grill is that it uses bichotan (Japanese charcoal), which tends to burn hotter and better compared to usual charcoals.
Therefore, you can use this grill on a table, which means no one should ever miss a picnic or party while tending to the Konro grill.
If you are looking for a grill that will make your food taste great, this is the ideal grill.
One thing you need to note about the charcoal Konro grill with a net is that it's made out of diatomite bricks. These bricks pass through a factory's kiln, which makes them stronger, more fire resistant, and tighter.
Because this grill is made out of diatomite, it has exceptional insulation capabilities. This means that the charcoal used in this Konro grill starts fast and burns for a longer period of time compared to other conventional grills.
The grill comes with a cooking net, and a standard grill can serve between 5 to 7 people. When using this product, make sure that you use it in an area with good ventilation.
This is because it uses charcoal, which produces carbon monoxide, which is a poisonous, odorless gas, poisonous to a person's health. Also, you need to understand that this grill is made with natural clay.
Get good at making sushi:The most comprehensive sushi course online by Dan Yang
Get hard to find Asian groceries:Asian market on Walmart
Get your quick start in enjoying Japanese cuisine here with our top recommended tools
Therefore, you might notice some hairline fractures developing on the grill after using it for some time. However, this shouldn't worry you as it cannot affect the usage of the quality of the grill.
Kaginushi, the maker of the grill, boosts of having skilled workers hand-fitting the grill together. They join together the diatomite bricks to form a grill that is strong and durable.
The product is made to be stronger, tighter and more heat resistant meaning that the heat from the charcoal will only be used for grilling. The diatomite grills used have higher heat insulation capabilities meaning they burn longer than in other cookers.
This grill is made in a way that it has a large grilling area and is fuel efficient. If you are
looking to grill your yakitori cuisines or any other type of dish, then this is the grill for you.
Check out the latest prices here on Amazon
Also read: grills with reversible griddle surfaces for more cooking options
Best small Konro Grill: Noto Dia Hida wooden base
The Hida Konro Grill comes equipped with a wooden base net screen. This is one of the grills that will give you an exceptional grilling and dining experience.
Therefore, if you are looking for such an experience, then look no further.
This grill will bring you all the excitement to your table, as it allows your guests to grill skewers for themselves, or feature sizzling starters for a beautiful presentation.
There is one thing that you need to understand about Konro grills—they are an integral part of the Japanese grilling culture, and they have remained that way for the longest time possible.
In addition, this grill is made out of unique mineral clay composition, which ensures a long-lasting heating and grilling experience.
You can even get a few of these for a party like Cooker's Paradise did:
The Hinda Konro Grill comes with an elegant washi paper embellishment, cooking net, as well as a wooden base, which helps in protecting your table while you cook.
This Japanese Konro grill will allow you to enjoy the most coveted Japanese grilling secret to your home.
Check prices and availability here
Best Konro mini grill: Tabletop King
You need to treat yourself with a Konro set in this season if you want to enjoy the secrets and experience of Japanese grilling.
The black charcoal Konro grill set is the ideal grilling starter kit for grilling enthusiasts.
The grill set comes equipped with everything that you require to venture into the fantastic Japanese grilling world.
For anyone who hasn't experienced the advantages of the Japanese binchotan charcoal, then you have the opportunity to experience the difference with this grill.
The Black charcoal Konro grill set comes with a grill net, a pair of tongs, heatproof base, sumi charcoal – 1 pound, and a traditional Japanese konro grill.
The most exciting thing about Sumi charcoal is that it can burn at high temperatures constantly for a long period of time. The charcoal doesn't have any harmful additives or chemicals, which means it cannot harm your health.
In addition, the Sumi charcoal will highlight the natural flavors in your ingredients, which improves your grilling experience.
It's the most affordable here on Amazon
Best Japanese Charcoal grill: Hitachiya BBQ Charcoal Konro Grill
This grill from Hitachiya is made with Diatomite Stone meaning its heat retention capabilities are always top notch. The manufacturer uses stripe metals across the grill to make it tougher.
The grill is made to have a great balance between the UV rays and the heat emanating from the charcoal giving you an amazing heat using the grill.
When constructing the grill, the maker passes the diatomite bricks through a furnace of up to 1000 degrees so that the grill will last longer.
If you want the best you can get you should check this one out. Chef Erik Ramirez of the Llama Inn also uses Konro grills like these:
This also ensures that the bricks will retain their thermal insulation capabilities for a long time. The grill has two air ventilation windows which allow for good hit circulation.
Best Konro grill for Yakitori: Kinka BBQ Diatomite Charcoal Grill
Kinka has come up with a good BBQ stove that has been designed to give users superior service. This model of a charcoal grill is made with diatomite which is designed to retain the heat so well that the outside will get hot but not too hot to burn.
The grills are made in a way that they will uniformly pass the infrared rays giving you a timely and effective grilling.
The manufacturer carefully desired this grill in a way that it has alkaline coal ash which neutralizes the acid from various food and leaving a mouth-watering aroma.
At just 24 pounds, this grill is easier to set up for an outdoor event, and it has two handles to help move it around.
It's a great buy, you can get it here
What Makes Konro Grills Famous?
If you ever visit Japan, then you will notice some of these small grills almost in every street. E
specially, when you visit the entertainment area of Osaka, you will notice that almost every restaurant has a Konro grill.
Each of these grills is manned by a skilled operator, who skillfully twists yakitori skewers or other delicious meals.
The Konro grills are not only common in Japan, but also to the west, where they are known as Hibachi grills. However, they are known as Konro or shichirin in Japan.
Well, this might be somehow complicated, but the Konro and shichirin names probably changed when people started using these small fireboxes for cooking instead of heating.
It is said that Hibachi was developed in the 18th century A.D. The primary purpose of these grills was to act as heaters. However, they transformed to become cooking utilities, just like the way we use the modern electric hot plates.
Over time, people discovered that these grills were impressive for cooking yakitori and other food items. That's the reason why they were renamed or rebranded Shichirin or Konro.
The original material used to make Konro was volcanic diatomaceous earth, a material with natural capacity of dispersing and retaining heat.
Modern Konro grills are long, slender, and with rectangular shapes. As highlighted earlier, these grills are either made of ceramic or firebrick material.
With a decent amount of charcoal, a Konro grill can produce up to 750° C. Since these grills come in a compact shape and sizes, their ceramic or firebrick construction makes them ideal for cooking skews of sliced vegetables or meat.
Since the food is cooked just a few inches away from the charcoal, its juice drips down to the grill, and then it evaporates into a smoky puff of deliciousness. This vapor infuses with the food being grilled.
The grill's hot temperature is also ideal when it comes to creating crisp caramelized skins on different types of meat.
How Do You Use A Konro Grill?
So, you've finally got that Konro grill you've always desired to own. Now, you are only a few steps away from enjoying that backyard prepared yakitori and other mouthwatering grilled treats.
When you look at the manual, you realize that they are all in Japanese. However, you don't have to worry. Here is how you can set up your Konro grill.
When putting the charcoal, you need to make sure that it is enough to cover the bottom of the grill. Putting more than that can lead to excessive flame and heat.
Lighting the Charcoal
If you want to light your thaan, binchotan, or lump charcoal, you need to pile it on and around barbeque fire starter or burning wood—you should not put it underneath.
Once the charcoal is lit, you can proceed to spread it out over the grill's floor. You can also use a BBQ chimney, which also an excellent tool for lighting your charcoal.
Operating Your Konro Grill
The vents in the Konro grill will assist you to adjust the heat. Opening the vents allows more oxygen to get into the coals, which leads to increased temperature. Closing the vents will reverse the whole process.
Binchotan can burn for an extended period of time. However, if you want to add extra, make sure that you need enough for the bottom of the grill to remain covered.
Once Done
Extinguish the coal in a think iron-cast contain or put them in a bucket full of water. NEVER POUR WATER ON YOUR KONRO TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE!
This can make your Konro grill to break as a result of rapid change in temperature. Make sure that your Konro has completely cooled before storing it or putting it away.
The following are some basic dos and don'ts for anyone who owns a Konro grill. Following these guidelines can assist you in having a delicious and safe grilling session.
- Charcoal produces carbon dioxide when burning. Therefore make sure that you use your Konro grill in an area with sufficient ventilation. Never use the grill indoors.
- The bottom of a Konro grill can become very hot. So, you should never use a Konro grill on a tatami mat or carpet. Always make sure that the surface you place your grill on is fireproof.
- Never move your Konro grill while still on use.
- Never leave a Konro grill unattended while on use.
- Always make sure that you have completely put out the fire after using the grill.
- The metal parts of the grill will become hot. Therefore, exercise extra caution while handling the grill. In addition, you need to be extra careful since the metal parts can also become sharp, which can lead to cuts or scrapes.
- Most Konro grills are made of either ceramic or clay material, which can break if banged or dripped. Therefore, handle your grill with extreme caution.
- Do not pour water on your grill to extinguish the fire. This can make your Konro grill to break.
- Never leave your grill outdoors once you finish using it. Avoid storing it in an area with extreme humidity. Make sure that the area where you store it is weatherproof.
- Make sure that you place your grill in a level and flat surface.
- Your Konro grill might not function as it is supposed to in case it becomes wet. Therefore, allow your grill to dry completely before using it again.
With that said, you might be wondering which is the best Konro grill for you.
However, there are some essential things that you should note before buying a Konro grill.
Some of these things are:
Purpose of the grill
The primary purpose of your grill should be the most important consideration observe when purchasing a Konro grill. Here, the word "important" stands out.
The reason is, there isn't any general explanation of a Konro grill. The choice you make should be perfect if it meets your needs.
A Konro grill that meets your needs can fail to meet the needs of another person since we all have unique and diverse requirements. Therefore, the grill that you choose should be not be determined by your preferences, but by your requirements.
The size as well as the cooking surface
When buying a Konro grill, it is essential to make sure that you put into consideration the cooking surface as well as the size of the grill.
Mostly, the size of the cooking surface depends on the number of people you need to serve. A minimal number means that you should get a smaller grill, while a larger number translates to a larger grill.
Quality of the grill
Almost every grill is designed to survive extreme weather conditions. That's the reason why you need to consult some of your friends and relatives before buying a grill since they can advise you on the best grill to get.
The best Konro grill should remain intact regardless of the frequency and time of usage.
Therefore, the quality of your grill is crucial since it has a direct impact on the longevity and sturdiness of the grill. You should make sure that your grill is made out of weatherproof material.
It has been said time and time again that the world has become a global village. As we continue to use technology, we get to interact with people from every corner of the world.
This means that we get to learn of the way of life of different people from different places. It is true that this has brought up a lot of bad vices, but we cannot count out the many benefits that come with interactions with different people.
One industry that has greatly improved because of technology is the BBQ industry. Different people have different ways of barbecuing, but it's through interactions with different people that we learn the best BBQ tools and methods.
One of the places that have really shaped the modern barbecuing is Japan. With cooking styles such as Teppanyaki and Yakitori, Japan cooking styles and methods are taking over most BBQ setups.
Additionally, Japan is also reshaping modern day BBQ experiences with Grills and Smokers that are becoming quite famous.
One such grill is the Konro Grill. If you are probably hearing it for the first time, worry not, because in this article we will talk everything Konro grill.
From description to some of the best Konro Grills in the market and the recipes you can cook, it's a complete article. So, sit back and lets us unpack for you this grill.
What is a Konro Grill?
A Konro grill is a compact charcoal grill that is built to help in heat retention. Most are made with a flat grilling surface which is usually made with galvanized iron for easy heating and grilling.
The grill is made two ventilation windows that help in airflow and heat control. The grill is made for easier movements, and this is why we have two handles to help in moving it around. It is also not-that-heavy hence making it very portable.
One of the main reasons why grilling is preferred to other cooking styles is because it adds to the Smokey flavor as well as it is a faster way to cook. Additionally, heat will also reach the deep inside of food because of the high temperatures.
One of the other reasons why we prefer grilling is because it leaves all the succulent juices inside especially when it comes to meat. This means you will have a crispy, golden exterior with an inside retaining the juices.
These are some of the reasons why the Konro Grill was invented.
Konro Bakar Recipe
After learning what a Konro Grill is and some of the best Grills you can find in the market, it's now time for some recipe you can grill on the Konro Charcoal Grill.
We will focus energy to the Konro Bakar Recipe which is grilled beef ribs. The Konro Bakar is a popular dish South East Asian Dish with Indonesia being the main place you can find it. Here is how to go about it:
- 1 kg of beef ribs
- 6 cloves
- 1 teaspoon Coriander
- 1 teaspoon Peppercorn
- 1 teaspoon minced Turmeric
- 1 teaspoon Seedless tamarind
- 5 to 6 peeled and soaked kluwak nuts
- Sugar and salt (if desired)
Grind all the ingredients. sauté them and clove until they become fragrant. Add the beef ribs and let it cook till it turns brownish. Add water and cook till until the meat softens. At this point, add salt or sugar to taste and let it cook over low heat for like 20 minutes. Serve with a side dish of your choice preferably rice.
For those intending to grill, you should follow the procedure and then remove the beef ribs from the soap and grill.
There you go, that's one of the favorite dishes in Indonesia, and you can recreate that right at your home.
Also read: these are the typical Japanese pancakes
There you go, those are some of the best Konro Grills in the market. We hope that if you didn't know what a Konro grill is, and if you did, you have probably learned something new.
The grill is made to ensure that heat emitted from the charcoal is well retained and efficiently used. From most of the materials used in the construction of this grill to the way it's set up, the Konro grill is made to ensure that users get the best from their meals.
This is on top of using as less charcoal as possible. Users are urged to take great care of the grill to avoid causing damages and injuries.
Since the heat emitted from the grill is often high, users are urged to place it on a hard place where it's unlikely for the adjacent items to get damaged especially the bottom side which gets hot.
One other important point to note is the fact that charcoal emits a dangerous gas in carbon monoxide and users are highly urged to place the Konro grill in a well-ventilated area.
That said, the Konro Grill is one of the most fuel-efficient grills and users are guaranteed good value for money.
It is always recommended that 'cue lovers use the Bincho-charcoals for these grills. This type of charcoal is famous for lighting up easily as well as its smell.
In fact, the Bincho-charcoals emits a good smell that interacts with your food to give you an intriguing aroma that will attract everyone to your BBQ.
So next time you want a sweet aroma to be another addition to your outdoor kitchen, try this type of charcoals. Moreover, if you are wondering where you will get these charcoals, well worry not.
Some, if not all, of the manufacturers will include the charcoals in the delivery package, but you can ask to be sure that the charcoals are included.
So next time you are planning to have a BBQ, try the countertop grill that uses cleaning burning charcoal that is not very expensive. We hope that you will enjoy using this product.
As you have seen, there are various Japanese Konro grills out there in the market. However, the best grill will ultimately depend on your preference as well as your budget.
In addition, it is important to check on the quality of the grill before buying it—that's if you want something that will last. Lastly, ensure that you observe all the necessary safety measures while buying and using the grill.
Get to know everything that makes Japanese food great:92 best authentic Japanese food recipes by Pearl Ishizaki
Get hard to find Asian groceries:Asian market on Walmart
Get your quick start in enjoying Japanese cuisine here with our top recommended tools
Also read: do you know all of these different Japanese noodles yet?


text:
The Gardener contains plenty of exfoliants such ground pumice, poppy seeds, and coffee grounds to really get that dirt off your hands after a long day of working in the garden. This soap is unscented, allowing you to focus on nothing but getting your hands clean.
Each 4 oz bar was handmade and hand cut, so slight variations in size, shape, and color may occur.
This soap was handmade in West Virginia, USA.
At Ole Tradition Soap Co., we use the highest quality ingredients to make sure you get the highest quality products. Each product is extensively tested by our team, so we can make sure we really love everything we bring to you. We're confident you'll love it too.


text:
The global header settings are controlled in Theme Options – General – Header.
This option applies to ALL pages, taxonomies, posts and so on.
Media Header Type can be set globally (for all pages) from this section and admin can select between: Google Maps, Revolution Slider, Theme Slider Static Image or None.
Header Google Maps
If you select Global Header Media as Google Maps – then you can change default map location, default google maps zoom, cluster max zoom from theme options – Map – Map Settings – http://help.wpresidence.net/article/google-maps-settings/
Header Revolution Slider
If you Choose Revolution Slider as header – you must type the revolution slider name in the below field:
Header Theme Slider
If you choose Theme Slider as header – you must select the properties for theme slider from Theme Options – General – Theme Slider
Header static image
If you choose Header Static Image – you must upload the image in the below url:
Below you'll find other options controlled from Header Options:
Transparent Header will look good if you will choose light colors for menu font. Hence you will need a dark background for menu too.
You can set to Transparent Header from Header – and then you will have a global header or from the Property page for a single page.
You can override the global settings from edit page – edit post – edit agent or edit agent.


text:
Our daily photo is from @rceri of North Vancouver at golden hour.
Every day we publish a Vancouver photo from the Instagram hashtag #vancouverisawesome shot by you and your friends in this great city of ours.
If you'd like to have the chance to have your photos featured simply tag your pics. And don't forget to follow the @viawesome Instagram account!


text:
On this remixed version of the EP, you get two mixes apiece of Blink Twice and The Nine In One. Anthony Collins' remix of the former is a mellow deep house take with lots of gentle jazz piano, while Nitin himself supplies a Re-Edit on which he's collaborated with Colombian group Sexteto Tabala. Together, they deliver a version laced with hypnotic tribal percussion and slightly more use of the female vocal, which sounds to me very much like a sample from Coldcut & Lisa Stansfield's People Hold On, though I guess it could not be.
Moving on to The Nine In One, this features another sampled vocal and comes with rubs from Subb-An and Brett Johnson. Brett's 4 Steppers Only Remix features, er, steppy beats and the kind of fat n' squelchy bottom end you associate with broken beat; it's quality 'late night' stuff for sure, but if you need something a little more driving then the Subb-An Remix – a prog-tinged deep house throbber – should see you right.
Between them, then, the four mixes explore different musical territories, but they all do so very successfully, making this an EP lovers of more leftfield deep house need to be checking for sure.
Out: This week
About: This is number 45 from James Teej & co's Toronto-based My Favorite Robot. Nitin himself, it's also worth mentioning, is co-owner of the excellent No19 Music, who've also featured on this blog before now.
*Actually I guess I could probably find them on YouTube or Beatport of something but, y'know… I'm lazy.


text:
What Were the Odds?Bethesda: The Right DirectionWhat Were the Odds? - RSS 2.0
Second Coming
In addition to extending the franchise he inherited from Weaver, Howard and Bethesda are taking on another franchise, one with more baggage than a five-time divorcee: Fallout.
Originally created by Tim Cain, Leonard Boyarsky and Jason Anderson of Interplay, Fallout is an open-ended, comedic game set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. You're sent out of your bomb shelter by your community to find clean water. Once the shelter's giant lead doors slam shut behind you, the grim world of barter towns, bandits, PIPBoy 2000 and radioactive scorpions invite you into any number of adventures.
Praised by fans for its dry-as-a-bone, dark-as-night humor and the huge scope of the world, Fallout has been on a nigh-Biblical journey. The original game was the only one to have its creators' names on it, and each progressive version, from Fallout 2 to Brotherhood of Steel, has gotten progressively worse. Cain, Boyarsky and Anderson couldn't get the rights to the franchise from Interplay, and their work on a spiritual successor was cut short when their new company, Troika, went bankrupt. But Bethesda, with their deep pockets and street cred to match, was able to capitalize on Interplay's financial trouble in 2004 and acquired the Fallout license.
But even though Bethesda has the chops to make an open-ended RPG dripping with carve-your-own-path potential, history has proven that it's not easy capturing Fallout's humor and charm. Howard, a guy who's done a good job picking up on The Elder Scrolls' nuances, isn't too worried.
"Like I was talking about before, with sequels, you have to define the experience the first one had and stay true to it," he said. "I think the first Fallout's tone is brilliant, but then they start to drift in the sequel and subsequent games. When it comes to humor, I'm very anti 'jokes' in games. Most designers try too hard to tell a joke, and it just doesn't work. I think good humor for Fallout is dry, almost satirical. Like getting your leg blown off, blood starts spraying all over the place and you get the little [PIPBoy] interface image giving you the thumbs up - I find that funny. Horrible situations juxtaposed against cartoon mascots. But that's just me.
"We're headed in the right direction. I want us to be seen as the developers that keep that old school game experience at heart, but keeps pushing it forward, that tries new things. If you see 'Bethesda Game Studios' on the box, you know there are some crazy ideas in there. We won't always get it right, but we'll always keep trying."
Sounds like he's got it. And Bethesda, from their auspicious beginnings as the purveyors of the Son of the Morning Star to their franchise built on the backs of sports games, gets it, too.
Joe Blancato is an Associate Editor for The Escapist. He quotes Wayne's World and Dr. Strangelove more often than what can be considered normal.


text:
Product registration
Product packages by room
Find the product package that fits you best in three easy steps
To room packages
Roof window overview
VELUX INTEGRA® electric and solar
VELUX INTEGRA® electric top-hung roof window
NEW STUDIO window
Sloping and vertical roof windows
Roof window replacement
Price calculator
VELUX CABRIO® balcony
Roof Terrace
Burglary Resistant
Passive House
Smoke Ventilation
Installation products
Installation guide
Technical details
Buy direct from VELUX
Find a dealer
Buy from online dealers
All VELUX flat roof windows
VELUX Curved glass rooflight
VELUX Flat glass rooflight
Emergency escape
Flat roof dome
Smoke ventilation system
Flat roof rooflights configurator
Flat roof dome calculator
Buy from an online dealer
Installation instructions
Blinds & shutters
The biggest range of roof window blinds and shutters, choice of colours and fabrics, designs and styles to compliment any interior.
View all blinds
Blackout blinds
Blackout energy blinds
Disney and VELUX Goodnight Collection
Duo blackout blinds
Insect screens
Pleated blinds
Roller blinds
Roman blinds
Venetian blinds
Awning blinds
Light dimming blinds for flat roof
Energy control
Heat protection
Insect protection
Light control and decoration
Extensions bundles
Whether you have a kitchen or living room extension, we want to make sure your space is as comfortable as possible.
Find out more
Lofts bundles
Make the most of daylight in your loft conversion with our choice of roof window bundles.
Sun tunnel price calculator
CAD drawings
Modular Skylights for your home
Introducing VELUX Modular Skylights, the perfect way to open up large rooms in your home to create a light, bright and spacious environment. This solution can be opened automatically for ventilation and the addition of electrically operated roller blinds offers greater light and energy control.
VMS for your home
VELUX Modular Skylights mark a shift in the evolution of commercial daylighting. For the first time the market is offered a fully prefabricated skylight concept. Made from a composite material that ensures excellent energy performance, thermal stability and high strength, the product was elegantly designed in collaboration with Foster + Partners.
Go to VELUX commercial
Vario by VELUX
Vario by VELUX is the first stylish range of high quality and completely bespoke rooflights from the VELUX Group that will transform your home into a brighter, airier and healthier living space.
Read more
To Vario by VELUX
We can help you design your dream home using natural daylight with your own bespoke rooflight.
Go to website
Contact us
To contact us, follow the link below and fill out the form. We will respond to your enquiry as soon as possible.
Planning a project? Whatever stage you're at, our Project Support Team are on hand to help.
Help & advice
Get help and advice on your VELUX products here. You'll find product brochures and guides to use and maintenance. You can also order spare parts or a service visit here.
Service and maintenance
Cleaning window
Window replacement
Spare parts
Find an installer
VELUX Certified Installers undergo rigorous checks before being listed on our website.
Either perform a quick search using your postcode or enter details about your project to send an enquiry to multiple VELUX Certified Installers and receive advice and alternative quotations.
Search here
VELUX ACTIVE support
Placing your VELUX ACTIVE sensor in the correct spot is vital for your indoor climate and well-being. Browse through our collection of frequently asked questions regarding VELUX ACTIVE.
VELUX Guarantee
Your VELUX roof windows are supported by a 10 year guarantee
Centre-pivot or Top-hung? Manual or remote control? Concerned about rain noise or uninvited guests? We'll help you choose the VELUX roof window that's right for your room, with answers to all your questions.
Choose your VELUX blinds
Blackout or roller? Pleated or Venetian? Here you'll find VELUX blinds and shutters to enhance your VELUX roof windows, harmonise with any interior, and adapt easily to the changing needs of each room.
Get inspiration, prices and details about VELUX products from our many brochures, including our new extended online brochure.
CE marking
VELUX showroom
Book an appointment
VELUX extensions
See the difference daylight can make to your extension. From a 360 degree video to advice from Charlie Luxton.
Click here
360 extension experience
Make the most of your extension
Bifold doors & VELUX roof windows
Case studies
Watch Charlie's film
Top tips for your extension
VELUX roof windows for self build projects
Discover the benefits of daylight and fresh air for your new home.
How to start a self build project
Case Study: A stunning seaside home with an eagle's eye view
Loft conversions
Whether you are looking for inspiration, after some more practical guidance or are ready to take the next steps - VELUX can help...
Loft conversion of the year
More case studies
Loft daylight configurator
Download eBook
Replacing your existing roof windows is quick and easy with VELUX.
Find your replacement solution
Conservatory roof replacement
Revitalise your tired old conservatory and bring a new lease of life to your home with VELUX and Guardian Warm Roof.
Room gallery
See how you can add daylight into your home by adding VELUX windows in specific rooms.
Get inspired
Living room
Kids room
Work room
Project Support
Planning a project? Whatever stage you're at, our Project Support Team are on hand to help
VELUX blinds shop
Add the perfect finishing touch to your VELUX roof windows with VELUX blinds and shutters. Control your home's indoor climate with our range of internal and external blinds - FREE delivery now
VELUX roof window shop
Buy your roof windows, flat roof windows, sun tunnels and accessories online direct from VELUX
Go to shop
Create your own bespoke skylight with Vario by VELUX.
Go to configurator
Smart Home
Blinds shop
Inspiration gallery
VELUX potential
This bedroom features a quattro combination of white painted MK08 sized INTEGRA centre pivot VELUX roof windows which provide fantastic views, and can also be linked with our VELUX ACTIVE package. With Smart sensors continuously monitoring the temperature and humidity levels in your home, combined with INTEGRA windows and blinds this automatically creates a healthier indoor climate. The windows have blackout blinds to ensure a great night's sleep too.
Thanks to a group of MK08 sized roof windows, this upper storey bedroom now benefits from lots of natural light during the day. The convenient top operation of our standard windows makes it easy to open the windows even when the bed is right next to them. And the white painted internal finish adds a clean, modern look to the room.
In this bedroom with high knee walls, three centre-pivot VELUX roof windows with clear laquer finish bring daylight into the bedroom. If darkness is needed in the daytime, external roller shutters provide 100% blackout. Lower the internal roller blinds to soften incoming daylight and achieve basic privacy. Featured size: MK08.
Two centre-pivot roof windows with white polyurethane internal finishes provide incident light and view to the trees. The flashing kit used here is a twin combination - an 18mm frame gap is the closest you can install 2x sloping roof windows side by side. Featured size: MK08.
In this bedroom it was possible to install two top-hung roof windows, which provide a fantastic panoramic view. Below the top-hung roof windows, special function windows GIU have been installed, providing a great view to the garden - and even more daylight. Featured sizes: MK08, MK34.


text:
2018 Art Exhibition
Thanks to everyone who attended or exhibited at our annual art exhibition in May – a great time was had by all! There were over 230 pieces of artwork and we had more than 200 people visiting over the weekend. Some visitors attended just to see the work of Albin Trowski, a Polish artist who had served in four armies in WWII. He was injured in the D-Day landings and then recovered in Ormskirk, going on to study art after the war at the Liverpool School of Art. Our display featured a collection of his 'Tramps' artwork.
Organiser Rob McCrimmon said the event had been very successful. "The quality of the artwork was great. We had more photography this year which added a diversity to the exhibition and with our first featured artist Trowski we also attracted new visitors. We also had 20% new artists and it was very encouraging to welcome these new exhibitors. Thanks to everyone who helped make it a success!"
If you're artistic, why not enter the exhibition next year – you keep all the sale money.


text:
Have you ever miscalculated a bill? Typically, a late fee or a strongly worded warning follows. But do you know what happens if you miscalculate and underpay your property taxes—even just a few dollars? In at least 12 states, the government can seize your property, sell it, and leave you with nothing.
Property taxes must be paid, and it's legal for governments to seize your home to pay for outstanding debt. But the government shouldn't keep any more money beyond what's owed. The rest is your property: home equity that you've worked hard to build.
In the courts and in legislatures, Pacific Legal Foundation fights to preserve your property rights to home equity and prevent governments from preying on citizens to steal their nest egg.
Consider the case of Uri Rafaeli, who owned a rental property in Oakland County, Michigan. He mistakenly underpaid his property taxes by $8.41. To cover the debt, the county sold the property at auction for $24,500 and kept every penny of the proceeds. Mr. Rafaeli is fighting the theft of his home equity at the Michigan Supreme Court, which will hear oral arguments in the fall of 2019.
Why would governments do this? We've found two reasons:
- Local governments can pad their budgets with stolen equity. In Detroit, there's a budget line every year for expected windfalls from home foreclosures.
- Some politicians use the system to reward their friends and family with homes priced below market. In Montana, before the practice was banned, local treasurers sold foreclosed homes to preferred private investors. In Michigan, local officials funnel auctioned properties to their family and connected businesses at a discount.
PLF is fighting home equity theft in the courts and legislatures.
- The Michigan Supreme Court will hear arguments this fall in Rafaeli v. Oakland County and consider whether the practice is unconstitutional under the U.S. Takings Clause and Michigan Constitution.
- The Montana legislature recently passed a bill (SB253) banning this practice, in consultation with PLF. Attorney Christina Martin had spoken to legislators and consulted on drafting SB 253, which both sides of the aisle passed overwhelmingly. Now, no Montana home can be transferred to private investors without compensation to owners.
- PLF is looking to end home equity theft in the other states where it's legal. Submit your case if your home equity has been stolen.


text:
Conjures up the magical spirit of the absinthe world.Discover them
Small-batch Organic Gin distilled in North Karelia, Finland.
Made in the midst of nature. Kalevala Gin is subtly sweet, with piney resiny juniper, and a pleasantly spicy, firey ginger touch to the finish. Organic raspberry leaf, cardamom, mint, rosemary and of course juniper go into this
Finnish organic wheat vodka, made with pure North Karelian well water.
Made in the midst of Finnish nature. Pure rivers flow from pristine pine forests, into immense lakes. Water. The main ingredient of vodka, and essential to every vodka's success. It is all dependent on the water used. Kalevala Vodka is mad ...
A strong, aromatic and complex organic gin from Finland.
The organic Kalevala Navy Strength Gin is produced in North-Karelia in Finland. The name Kalevala comes from The Kalevala, an epic poem of Finland. At 50.9% alcohol, Kalevala Navy Strength gin is stronger in contrast to the normal


text: Search Apply Shop Shop Category Jewellery (1) Womenswear (1) Country United Kingdom (2) University (-) university of strathclyde (2) Graduation Year 2009 1994 Ranking Grey Sheep This block is broken or missing. You may be missing content or you might need to enable the original module. VASLAV AND LILLYGrey SheepUnited Kingdom MILITZA ORTIZGrey SheepUnited Kingdom


text:
Dark-Eyed Junco
Dark-eyed Juncos are neat, even flashy little sparrows that flit about forest floors of the western mountains and Canada, then flood the rest of North America for winter. They're easy to recognize by their crisp (though extremely variable) markings and the bright white tail feathers they habitually flash in flight. One of the most abundant forest birds of North America, you'll see juncos on woodland walks as well as in flocks at your feeders or on the ground beneath them.
Please follow and like us:


text:
Kids Smart Watch GPS Tracker Phone Watch for Boys Girls – Touchscreen Camera 2 Way Call Voice Chat SOS Alarm Clock Anti Lost Flashlight Game Sports Outdoor Smartwatch Bracelet Cellphone Wrist Watch
The following setting steps just suit for US. If you want to use the kids smart watch outside US, please contact us so that we can help you to choose the correct SIM card and set the correct IP and APN. Any setting questions, really appreciate our valued customer can contact us via the following
(as of April 19, 2020 2:21 pm GMT-0400 - Details) + Add To Wish List


text:
Main Content
UX Web Summit
About the Event
April 21, 2010
Austin, TX
A great user experience (UX) can mean the difference between merely having a web presence and truly engaging your visitors so they'll gladly come back over and over again. Practical techniques to create the best UX are hard to come by, though.
Join some of the Web's most experienced UX professionals as they share experiences culled from working on sites big and small. Learn from the pros how to tackle user experience difficulties head-on with proven methods in use by some of the most popular sites on the Web.
Are we missing a talk? Sign in or Create an Account to add it.


text:
Why FCM paint? September 14 2014
I've had a lot of questions about why this paint is "better than regular paint like we all used to use"?
Here's why.
Latex paint is basically a thin plastic and rubber based film that you're spreading on your surface. If you use plain old latex paint on a previously finished surface, its got nothing to bond to, and will eventually peel off in large sheets.
Trust me. I know this for a fact :)
FCM paint, however, is a specially designed polymer blend that has a little bit of texture that sticks well to previously finished furniture.
They don't even compare!


text:
During the 1970s, there was widespread concern about how much states were spending. This brought about debates across the nation of how best to effectively limit state spending.
In 1976, New Jersey took the first step to accomplish this through statute by enacting a tax and expenditure limit (TEL) that limited spending –growth to no more than state income growth. After forty years, twenty-seven states now have some sort of TEL.
The results from these experiments show that any TEL tends to be better at achieving a state's intended objective of limiting spending than not having one, but some TELs perform better than others.
A TEL is simply an institutionalized restriction on the growth of revenue and/or spending. The goal of a TEL is to restrain the growth of state spending to a level that can fully fund government programs without over-burdening taxpayers by paying too much in taxes.
Despite more than half of all states having a TEL, the Mercatus Center finds that total spending by all 50 states increased at a rapid rate from 2000 to 2009. Specifically, states spent $1.90 for every dollar increase in the private sector during this period. This almost 2-to-1 state government growth compared with the private sector provides a great deal of concern about the crowding out of taxpayers' ability to save, budget appropriately, and start businesses.
Effective limitations on the growth of government are needed more now than ever.
According to the Cato Institute, citizen initiatives have proven to be the most effective way to restrain the growth of government. Democratizing the approval and structure of TELs has led to more surpluses refunded to taxpayers and to stronger restraints on the expenditure limit.
Different metrics can be used to guide the TEL. Research on this issue finds that population growth plus inflation has been a good approach in the past of allowing taxpayers to keep more of their hard-earned dollars. Only five states-Alaska, Nevada, Ohio, Utah, and Washington-have a TEL based on population growth and inflation.
The stronger the disconnect between the spending limit and taxpayers, which occurs when legislators pass a TEL in statute but do not let citizens vote on the measure, the more likely the state is to use loopholes and accounting gimmicks to spend around the limitations.
For example, Texas' citizen-approved constitutional TEL caps spending of general revenue funds not designated by the state's constitution based on the growth of the state's economy-which personal income is used as a proxy. A common critique of Texas' TEL is that it does not account for total state spending. This gives the legislature wide discretion to shift spending around in the budget to avoid a hard cap, contributing to higher spending growth.
The success of TELs, particularly an approach based on population growth plus inflation, provides evidence that states with clear and achievable government spending restraints hold the line better on spending growth than states without. Texas' legislators should consider strengthening the state's TEL by limiting all spending to the growth rate of metrics that work to reduce the growth of government, such as population growth plus inflation. This will help provide the best path for liberty and prosperity to reach all Texans.


text:
Transform your photos into one-of-a-kind, hand painted masterpieces!
American League Teams
National League Teams
Historical Teams
Minor Leagues
Wall Art
American League Teams
National League Teams
Popular Players
1 - 13 of 13 economy photographs for sale
Results: 13
Los Angeles Dodgers
Ralph Crane
Daily News Front Page Wrap Derek Jeter
New York Daily News
Mike York
Andrew Burton
Daily News Front Page Derek Jeter
Daily News Back Page Derek Jeter
Taking The San Francisco Bay Ferry To
George Rose
Joe Torre
Jed Jacobsohn
Howie Kendrick and Starling Marte
Justin Berl
Filters Applied
All Shapes
Similar Art
We've shipped over 1 million items worldwide for our 500,000+ artists. Each purchase comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.


text:
I always think it's silly when people take breaks from posting online and then apologize for their absence. I think it's okay to take breaks. Also, I usually hadn't noticed their absence until they announced it. But now, I feel the need to apologize for not posting for over a month. To be honest, I'm never sure how many people are reading this blog. (Two? Five? Negative one? Wait, how would that be possible…). Lately, I've had so much going on elsewhere in my life that I've let blogging slide. I have been feeling guilty about it so here I am! Pretty much everything I do is to avoid guilt.
I'm going to start by writing a post about weeks 1 through 4 in my marathon training. I'll then resume writing about each week individually, plus the two races I need to recap! There will be a bit of catching up to do. Bear with me.


text: ComponentsCare Bag systems are polyethylene bags with pull tie closures. Each bag comes with a GelMax absorbent pad. Double-soldered seams along with the pad means no risk of leaking. Classic and Classic S bags are sized to fit most commode pans, bedpans or pails. URI bags are sized to collect up to 16oz of urine discreetly. VOM bags are sized to be placed over the mouth to collect vomit.


text:
111 Main Street Condos
Two newer one-bedroom condos & an attached studio lockoff on historic Main Street in Frisco, only steps from all the conveniences… restaurants, bars, coffee shops, gifts, liquor, and bakery.
These quiet condos are located just one block from Summit Stage bus stop with free shuttle service to Breckenridge, Keystone, and Copper Mountain. Close to Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Keystone, Vail, and Loveland ski resort areas. Hiking, biking, cross country skiing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, town parks, national forest, mountain climbing, Lake Dillon, and Frisco Marina are all easily accessible from this central location. Convenience in the mountains. Just what you want after a hard day of fun!
Master suites in the 1 bedroom units contain a queen-size bed, their own TV, and full private bath with jetted tub. Second large bath has oversized shower. Living room features gas fireplace, flat screen TV, DVD player & DVD collection, and queen-size sofabed. Additional features are fully-equipped kitchen, heated floors, washer and dryer, balcony, off-street parking, and views of Buffalo Mountain, Grey's and Torrey's Peaks. HOT TUB and fitness room just down the hall. An ideal location for those who want to enjoy the outdoors and still be close to all of the amenities. FREE WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS. Studio is a lockoff to one of the 1 bedroom units & can be rented separately or together. Studio has a Murphy bed & sofa sleeper, stackable washer/dryer, Advantium oven, small kitchen appliances & a full bath with jetted tub. Studio was fully remodeled in October 2016.
Vacation Rentals
303-912-4663 phone
303-942-4331 fax
Click to email this business at
Owner is a licensed Realtor® in the State of Colorado.
PO Box 4100 • 1 Main Street Frisco • Colorado 80443
(800) 424-1554 • The Town of Frisco, CO • All Rights Reserved


text:
ANTIPOLO – By now, June Mar Fajardo has grown accustomed to seeing San Miguel start slow in conferences.
Not that the five-time PBA MVP welcomes it.
"Mas okay 'yung mananalo talaga," said Fajardo after a 0-2 start to the Commissioner's Cup by the Beermen. "Last conference 'yun eh. Ibang conference na 'to eh. Sana makabalik kami at makuha uli namin 'yung rhythm namin at makabalik kami sa winning track. Bounce back hard."
San Miguel lost to TNT, 110-97, on Saturday in game that saw the Beermen trail by as many as 24 points. The Beermen are in their second game since winning their fifth straight Philippine Cup title last month.
Last year, the Beermen started out 0-3 to begin their Commissioner's Cup campaign.
Fajardo said the loss isn't because of championship hangover, insisting TNT simply played good and San Miguel otherwise.
"Talo lang talaga. Kailangan naming mag-step up. Sabi nga ni coach, marami pa kaming games na lalaruin. Hindi pa kami out sa conference. May chance kami makabawi. Kailangan lang naman mag-step up lahat," said Fajardo.
Fajardo had 13 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks while going up mostly against TNT import and former NBA player Terrence Jones, who had 30 points, 18 rebounds, and five blocks.
Fajardo expressed confidence San Miguel will be able to snap out of the slump with the Beermen having enough time to prepare for a game against Blackwater on Friday.
"Basta kailangan namin makabalik sa winning track. May mga ilang araw pa naman kami na practice. Kailangan namin mag-step up at manalo uli," said Fajardo.


text:
So who should my hero be?
I think it has to be Russell, he's my type, the brooding, emotional, Alpha who can take command. I've yet to see Ryan brood. Sorry ladies have to kick Ryan to the curb and call Russell to the major league it's the only way I can fantasize enough to get into character.
Or maybe I place the Chronicles on the back burner and write a dark thriller. Hmmm we'll see, the cover of EW really has thrown me into a tailspin. Maybe book two of the Lost Legacies is in order.
Although if I write book 2 the female lead from the first book may die at the beginning, or not. Who knows. There's also No Ordinary Love.
It's official I'm stalling and the cover of EW with Daniel Craig and the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo have me distracted. Maybe a gritty noir-ish erotica is in order. Oh well, we shall see we shall see.


text:
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a female health condition in which many small cysts are present in the ovaries. This condition is known by several names like polycystic ovary disease, polycystic ovaries, Stein-Leventhal syndrome, or polyfollicular ovarian disease.
PCOS or Polycystic ovaries occurs among all races and nationalities. One in 10 women who have reached child bearing age are affected by this reproductive health condition. PCOS is a leading cause for female infertility. According to statistics this condition currently affects millions of women globally
Normally in the menstrual cycle an egg gets matured and released. This egg travels through fallopian tube to reach uterus. In normal cycle a sac or follicle holds the egg till it gets matured and then the matured egg comes out by rupturing the follicle. This is known as ovulation. In PCOS the eggs in these sacs or follicles may not mature and eggs are not released. This altered process makes unmatured follicles or sacs build up in ovaries in the form of cysts. Since ovulation is not occurring and egg is not released each month, it is common for women with PCOS to have irregular or missed periods.
How can this condition be analysed based on ayurvedic principles?
Usually vitiation of tridoshas are reason for any imbalance in normal health. Even PCOS are not an exception to this. Vata and pitta dosha play a major role in this condition. Vata and Pitta regulate the actions of endocrine glands and their secretions. Any imbalance in these two doshas can affect the delicate balance of hormones involved in ovulation and cause PCOS.
Imbalanced doshas vitiate the Kapha ,mamsa dhatu (muscle tissue) , Rakta dhatu (blood) and meda dhatu (body fat). This vitiation leads formation of small round inflammatory swellings called 'Granthi'. These are very well explained in texts of Ayurveda as chapters of Yonirogas or arthavavyapad.
Click Here For Ayurvedic Treatment Kit for PCOS
BUY PCORID CAPSULES – The Ayurvedic Medicine for PCOS


text:
by Reggie Osborne II
Follow @reggieosborne on Twitter, friend me on Facebook or Google+.
Me: "Hello, my friend. I am Pastor Reggie Osborne, and I will be your spiritual adviser for the evening. What brings you to this illustrious church of paneled walls and dated drop ceiling?"
Searching Stranger: "Well, I was talking to my friend here. And I just decided that I needed to make some changes in my life. I haven't been to church in forever, but I believe in God."
Me: "Ah, I see. Well let me tell you about Jesus…"
{The Gospel is shared in a clear and simple way.}
"My main concern for you is that you trust the Lord for the forgiveness of your sins – that you're saved from Hell. Are you ready to trust Jesus with your life – to call upon Him as Lord – to follow Jesus with all your heart?"
Searching Stranger: "Yes."
Now, to this point, this conversation has gone about as well as it possibly can. And frankly, that's a little disturbing to me. Because I've been in plenty of gospel-sharing scenarios before, and practically none of them go this smoothly.
I've been derailed by ghost stories, alien visitations, and countless deals that people think they've made with God in their pasts.
There's always something.
So when someone shows up for one church service, asks to speak with me afterwards, and is immediately ready to trust Jesus as Lord and Savior, warning bells start to go off. My sermon wasn't even that good!
It's not supposed to be this easy, is it?
What if you went to the bank for a loan, but when you got there the banker was already waiting for you at the door with a suitcase full of money. What are you gonna' do? Sure you want the money – but at what point do you take a step back and ask yourself, "Is this for real?"
Don't get me wrong – there's nothing greater in the world than seeing someone be saved. I could not possibly tally the number of hours I spend working to see someone trust Jesus as Lord.
But, on the other hand, there are few things as depressing as baptizing someone, completing membership classes with them, and embracing them as a brother…only to see them disappear forever a month later! That sucks. It really sucks.
So what I'd really like to do here is look into the future and figure out exactly where this is all leading…
Me: "Before we pray, let me peer into my crystal ball and determine whether or not I'm wasting my time with someone who is going to stab me in the back and vanish like a ninja three weeks after your baptism…"
I do not want to be hurt. I don't like being duped.
So what I need is a radar gun that I can point at the chest of new Christians to detect whether or not they're really saved. If they are, then I'll be happy to baptize them and throw all my energy into helping them grow. If they're not…well, I'll keep praying and sharing the gospel until the radar gun gives me a confirmation!
See, at some point you start asking yourself, "Is it even wise to baptize someone so soon after a profession of faith? Maybe we should just give this some time and see how this all plays out…"
Now, that's my human nature infringing upon my faith in God. That's my desire not to get hurt interfering with God's instructions.
And praise God, just about the time I start thinking that way, the Word of God saves me from incurring His anger – for what could possibly anger Him more than a pastor turning away a perishing sinner at the gates of Heaven?
Rather than a crystal ball, my fears are relieved by Scripture:
Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is desert.
So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet.
Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and overtake this chariot."
So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?"
And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. The place in the Scripture which he read was this:
"He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opened not His mouth. In His humiliation His justice was taken away, and who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth."
So the eunuch answered Philip and said, "I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?"
Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?"
Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may."
And he answered, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. (Acts 8:26-38)


text:
Tiny Tots (2–4 years)
This 45 minute class is full of creativity and imagination! Basic dance fundamentals and terminology are introduced while singing, dancing and acting out their favorite character each week.
Creative Dance and Music (2–4 years)
This class is designed to build a love for all styles of dance and music. This class will explore movement through music, stimulate student's imagination and promote creativity. It will also give them the understanding of the class room community, improve social skills and develop fine motor skills all while having fun!
Pre Ballet (4–6 years)
This class is an introduction to classical ballet. Children will explore elements of rhythm,locomotor skills, and creative movement. We introduce the children to the first steps and elementary terminology of ballet giving them a strong foundation for years to come.
Ballet (All Ages)
Ballet is the "backbone" of all dance training. In Ballet, the students will learn grace, elegance, technique, discipline, flexibility and confidence. We offer Ballet for all ages and abilities.
broadway bound
This intro to musical theater class consists of singing, dancing and acting! Students will learn jazz/tap dance and develop acting/singing skills all while learning scenes and songs from our most beloved musicals.
Tumbling (6 –17 years)
This is a tumble, stretch and strength class. Children will learn basic balance beam skills, acro skills and basic knowledge of a beginning floor routine.
Lyrical (all ages)
This is a combination class that is rooted in ballet. Classical ballet technique is taught and emphasized the first half of class and the second half of class we explore with different "lyrical" movements that bring a blend of modern and jazz. Students will learn the art of story telling through dance and creative expression.
Contemporary (All Ages)
Lyrical is a fusion of ballet, jazz and modern with expressive motions that tell a story. These classes blend the sustained, control movement of ballet with the freedom, power and dynamics of jazz and modern. Students will learn lyrical technique along with freedom of expression and interpretation of music.
Jazz (All ages)
In our jazz classes dancers will learn many fun and trendy dance steps of today with a mix of vintage styles of jazz from the last decades. Jazz emphasizes balance, flexibility, coordination,strength and creative expression. Turns, leaps and combinations will be taught.
pointe (By invitation only)
Pointe work is a very serious step in ballet training. Students are expected to take 2–3 technique classes per week in order to be considered. Pointe classes will be introduced only to girls who show adequate physical strength,accurate technique and necessary mental awareness for such a challenging endeavor.
tap (all ages)
Students are taught rhythms, timing and leg/foot coordination done to various types of music. We teach a mix of old school and new school styles!
Hip–hop (All ages)
Hip hop incorporates a variety of old and new urban dance styles. In this class, we introduce you to all of the basic hip hop movement, music and culture. This class is upbeat and fun and will leave your child wanting more!!!
Musical Theater (All Ages)
Students participate in theater games and warm ups and learn scenes and songs from musicals we all know and love!
Special Needs Hip–Hop (8+ years)
In this fantastic class, students with special needs (kids AND adults) are invited to explore the art of hip hop! We will learn the absolute basics of hip hop and get the dancers moving and grooving. It's an amazing form of empowerment and community!
stretch and strength (18+ years)
Have you been concerned about unusual aches and pains that are taking away from your quality of life?
Do you have body parts that feel debilitated from lack of use?
Does your over all balance and stability need some improvement?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, this class is for you! This class will include:
- An extensive warmup, using full range of motion for every body part
- Light stretching, gentle strength building and finish the last 10 minutes with an easy, full movement dance routine to great music!
- Styles of dance and music that will change ever 2 weeks to help make new brain connections and keep the class interesting! If you miss a class, you will get a fresh start on a new combination within a week
- Full sets of barres to hold onto while performing range of motion movements
- Sprung floors that is easy on the joints and no slip Marley floors
Praise dance (All ages)
Praise Dance/Liturgical Dance is an expression of worship. The interpretive style of dance may change depending on the choreographers vision. At Ray of Light we praise God in the styles of ballet, lyrical, hip-hop and much more!
Performance Team
ROLPA has a mini, junior and senior performance team. The class consists of technique and learning choreography in various genres. These students perform all over the Bay Area through out the year. Students look forward to performing at events such as Oakland Dance Festival, SF Movement Arts Festival, Art & Soul Fair and much more. This class is by invitation/audition only. Students are required to take three or more technique classes a week.
Holiday Schedule
Ray of Light Performing Arts will be CLOSED on the following holidays:
- Easter Sunday
- Memorial Day Weekend (Friday–Monday Memorial Day Observance)
- Independence Day
- Labor Day Weekend (Saturday-Monday Labor Day Observance)
- Thanksgiving and the Day After
- Week of Christmas and Week of New Year's (Classes resume on January 4th)
Studio Polices
Join us today
Sign in to view your class schedule, add classes or to create your profile.