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BofA to spend $9.3 billion in FHFA settlement
Bank of America will spend $9.33 billion to resolve a dispute over mortgage securities with the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the regulator that oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
The agency sued 18 financial institutions in 2011 over their sales of mortgage securities to Fannie and Freddie. It alleges many banks falsely represented the mortgage loans behind the securities. These soured after the housing bubble burst and lost billions in value.
Bank of America said that it will make cash payments of roughly $6.3 billion and also purchase securities from Fannie and Freddie worth more than $3 billion. It is one of several banks to settle with the FHFA, which announced the agreement Wednesday.
Fannie and Freddie don't directly make loans to borrowers. They buy mortgages from lenders, package them as bonds, guarantee them against default and sell them to investors. That helps make loans available and gives Fannie and Freddie a huge role in the housing market. They own or guarantee about half of all U.S. mortgages.
The two were rescued in a taxpayer bailout in 2008 as they sank under the weight of mortgage losses.
Separately, New York's attorney general announced that Bank of America and its former chief executive Kenneth Lewis reached a $25 million settlement to end an investigation into their actions in the 2008 acquisition of Merrill Lynch.
The civil fraud lawsuit accused them of failing to disclose Merrill losses and bonuses before the deal closed. The settlement requires the bank pay $15 million and continue certain corporate governance reforms. Lewis, now 67, is prohibited for three years from serving as an officer or director of a public company. He was ordered to pay $10 million.
The bank acknowledged the settlement in a statement Wednesday, noting the $15 million reflects the attorney general's cost of investigation and litigation. Last year, Bank of America settled a related class-action shareholder lawsuit for $2.43 billion.
Attorney Bruce Yannett, representing Lewis, said his client relied on experienced legal counsel about disclosures. Yannett said Lewis is proud of his role helping the banking system survive a challenging period and he's pleased to put the case behind him.
Shares of Bank of America shares fell 3 cents to close at $17.18 Wednesday and rose 15 cents in after-hours trading to reach $17.33.


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A man should learn to watch that gleam of light which flashes across his mind from within, more than the luster of the firmament, of bards and sages. Yet he dismisses without notice his thought, because it is his. In every work of genius we recognize our own thoughts: they come back to us with a certain alienated majesty. Great works of art have no more abiding lesson for us than this. They teach us to abide by our own spontaneous impression with good-natured inflexibility when the whole cry of voices is on the other side.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
If you identify with your past and all its events, you can become like a robot, performing roles that are created by society. You may identify with the tribal stories that have been told to you from childhood. You may limit your growth, weighing every choice you make against the beliefs you perceive are true. You may be afraid to venture out into the wild blue yonder, creating imaginary boundaries about how you are not good enough, not old enough, etc. Behind these stories and limiting thoughts is the foundational thought that represents who you think you are, the underlying thought of love or fear. This thought creates corollary thoughts, such as "I can't afford that," "I am not worthy," or "there isn't enough". However, when you connect with your higher self and receive the true foundational thought that represents You, you know that Love, Peace, Joy, and Freedom are the truth of who you are. As you become more aware of the limiting thoughts you have been carrying around, you can choose to release them and create new ones that reflect your true self.
How you see the world and what opportunities appear to you depend largely on the way you are thinking. When you see the world as a hard place, you will tend to see your life as half-empty. But if you see problems as opportunities, you will tend to see your life as half-full. Depending on your point of view, you can choose to be open to receiving the gifts from the universe or limit yourself by seeing only hardship and suffering. Your potential is unlimited. However, if you perceive yourself as small, you will remain unaware of your power and your connection in an expanded universe.
Perhaps this can be described best by Vilayat Khan, an Indian/British Sufi Master and writer who once said, "Those issues that you face are not fixed in time and space; they are relative to your particular viewpoint and subject to constant change. In fact, much of the pain caused by our problems stems in part from our own unchanging biases in terms of how we interpret our personal difficulties to ourselves."
Philosophically, the cause of illness is the disconnection from your source, and as the ego's thought system separates you from others, you tend to make judgments and conjure up stories that you believe are true. When your ego defends itself and you think you are your stories, your body becomes sick trying to maintain this illusion.
It is well known that prayer and laughter have been shown to reverse illness and diseases without resorting to conventional treatments that are relied on in Western medicine. Though there is not a concrete scientific explanation to describe this phenomenon, the fact still remains that prayer and laughter do wonders for the soul. So if you are feeling sick or sad or even helpless, remember that doctors do not hold the cure for everything. In fact, sometimes the best medical cures lie within yourself.
In reality, you are not your body, and so you cannot die. There is nothing you can do that can hurt your body. Attack comes from within, and when you attack another, you attack yourself. Through judgments on others and yourself, you have created the opportunity for attack. These judgments and stories give you the illusion of power, but real empowerment comes from within when you realize that you are not separate, that you are one with your absolute source.
Your thoughts create your reality, so that what you experience is how you perceive the situation. If you believe that you can die, you will perceive the world as attacking you, and your body reacts to your beliefs by growing old and becoming sick. It is your stressful thoughts along with unhealthy diet that cause your body to become weak and vulnerable to attack from pathogens. Furthermore, universal forces are attracted to like frequencies, and if your thoughts are vibrating at a frequency of death and despair, the universe will provide the forces that support death and despair. However, if you think thoughts of peace and well being, the universe will provide situations in which you are at peace.
Often, self-limiting thoughts or judgments create blockages in the flow of universal energy in the body, which lead to stagnation and illness. Holding on to the past and playing a role of who you think you should be leads to live a life that is disconnected from your truth. Self-love, forgiveness, and speaking your truth are the keys to opening up and releasing blockages to healing.
Recipe for Success: Changing Limiting Thought Patterns and Beliefs
This is a very important exercise that will leave you with a much deeper understanding of what holds you back and what you can do to move forward. Remember to write down your answers in your journal.
- What limiting thoughts and stories do you have?
- What feelings do you have associated with these thoughts?
- Examining each limiting thought, what choices have you made based on that belief or thought?
- What new thoughts or mantras do you want to hold that reflect your true self?
- What choices do you desire to make to live the life you create?
- What inspired actions do you have to amp up the energy and carry you forward?
Throughout the day, notice your thought patterns and write them down. What is your foundational thought? Notice your feelings and how your feelings change when you change your thoughts. Praise yourself each time you create a new more positive thought pattern. Keep a journal and note how often you give yourself permission to love yourself. After a while, you will notice positive changes in how you perceive yourself and others. Your transformed thoughts will reflect your authentic self. Welcome to the new YOU!

subset: commoncrawl


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Resort Information
Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas
2901 Osceola Pkwy
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Phone: (407) 938-3000
Fax: (407) 938-4799
Check-in: After 4pm (arriving guests may check-in earlier and access will be granted if the room is ready to be occupied)
Check-out: 11am
Original Opening Date: July 2, 2007
DVC Contract End Date: January 31, 2057
Rooms: 458 (max 708) Dedicated Studio: 46 Dedicated One Bedroom: 0 Dedicated Two Bedroom: 140
Lockoff Two Bedroom:
(Each can be booked separately as One Bedroom + Studio)
250 Three Bedroom Grand Villa: 22
Buildings: 2
Units per building: 134 Jambo House; 324 Kidani Village
"Catch the spirit of the savanna as it comes alive in this vibrant community immersed in the art and culture of Africa. Relax by the sparkling pool, embark on expeditions around the animal reserve or explore our one-of-a-kind artifacts collection."
Resort Amenities
Bell Services: Yes Valet Parking: Yes Room Service: Yes Gift Shop: Yes Community Hall: No (Planned for Kidani Village) Child Care Center: Yes Self-Serve Laundry Facilities: Yes Grocery Shopping / Delivery Service: Yes BBQ Grill / Pavilion No (Planned for Kidani Village)
Boma - Jambo (Table Service dining; Lunch and Dinner)
Boma means "Flavors of Africa." This popular buffet serves breakfast and dinner cuisine with an African influence. The kitchen is in full view of diners as many buffet selections are prepared to order.
Advance Dining Reservations are available and encouraged.
Jiko - Jambo (Table Service dining; Dinner)
Jiko means "The Cooking Place." Taste creative American cooking that is a unique blend of multi-cultural influences — from the Mediterranean coast, India and Europe. Savor seafood, steak, chicken and vegetarian offerings infused with the vibrant flavors and fragrant spices of Africa.
Advance Dining Reservations are available and encouraged. Business casual attire is required.
The Mara - Jambo (Quick Service dining; 7am to 11:30pm)
Breakfast Menu | Lunch / Dinner Menu
The Mara offers a variety of quick service items which may be consumed either in its dining area or taken to go. Multiple stations are offered featuring fresh baked cookies and pastries, prepared sandwiches and salads, as well as warm entrees made to order.
A selection of grocery items is also available featuring staples such as milk, soda, alcohol, cereal and frozen foods.
Sanaa - Kidani (Table Service dining; Lunch and Dinner, Grab-and-go breakfast)
Breakfast Menu | Adult Lunch Menu | Adult Dinner Menu | Kids Menu
Indulge your senses! Sanaa, meaning "work of art," defines the atmosphere and the cuisine at this restaurant — with beautifully prepared food and an atmosphere simmering with style. Wait for your table in the comfortable 24-seat lounge that is adjacent to the spacious dining room.
Advance Dining Reservations are available
(Restaurant menu links courtesy of Allears.net)
Uzima Pool - Jambo (Hours: 10am to 10pm; open only when lifeguards on duty)
At over 11,000 sq ft, the Uzima Pool is one of the largest on Walt Disney World property. The pool features a 67 ft long slide, zero entry area and a wading pool for infants and toddlers. Nearby Uzima Springs Pool Bar serves cold beveraes, while The Mara is only steps away for those seeking a quick snack. Also in the neighborhood are two whirlpool spas, the Hakuna Matata Playground and the resort's fitness center.
Towels are provided. Lounge chairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Life jackets may be borrowed (free.)
An additional pool complex, Samawati Springs, is planned for the Kidani Village resort area. This complex will include a 4,700 sq ft pool with slide, 2 whirlpool spas, a 4,200 sq ft water play area called Uwanja Camp and the Maji Pool Bar.
Samawati Springs Pool / Uwanja Camp - Kidani
Cool off in this zero-entry pool that features a 128-ft. long water slide. Take relaxation to a whole new level in one of the two whirlpool spas near the main pool, or refresh at Maji Pool Bar.
Climb elevated-rope bridges, dash through geyser jets, or relax in the waterfall lagoon or beneath the shade of the camp cabanas in this village playground themed as an animal observation site known as Uwanja Camp — uwanja means "play area." Explore three distinct zones in this children's interactive water-play area — the base camp, the departure zone and the observation station; each area has its own character and activities for age-specific groups.
Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas has three different savannas (Sunset, Arusha, and Uzima) that can be viewed not only from Savannah View villas, but also from a variety of public overlooks and hallway windows. Each savanna has its own unique residents (kudu, ostrich, zebra) as well as a selection of species which roam from freely between the savannas (angoli cattle, bongo, giraffe.)
The Arusha Savannah is the largest of the three. Arusha also has the most public viewing areas including Arusha Rock, the largest and most popular public animal observation spot. The public viewing areas have signs which describe the different species contained within each savanna. Disney employs a number of native African Cast Members at the Animal Kingdom Lodge who are more than happy to talk to guests about their experiences in Africa.
Wanyama Safari
Available to all Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas guests, this three-hour safari-dinner adventure is a recreation of a true African afternoon game drive. Spend time with members from the Animal Programs team to learn about the natural history and management of the animal collection. Enjoy incredible photo opportunities of the animals and the architecture of the Resort. Conclude the experience with a multi-course meal at Jiko — The Cooking Place. Subject to availability. Guests must be 8 years of age or older. Call 407-938-4755 for details or reservations.
Other Recreation Options
Fitness center
Animal programs
Tennis courts
Basketball court
Shuffleboard court
Magic Kingdom: Bus service* Epcot: Bus service* Disney Hollywood Studios: Bus service* Disney's Animal Kingdom: Bus service* Waterparks: Bus service* Downtown Disney: Bus service* Parking: Valet parking at main entrance; self-park lot also available
* Animal Kingdom Lodge / Villas has dedicated busses; service is not shared with any other Walt Disney World resorts.
Note that all pool and restaurant hours are subject to seasonal adjustments. Lifeguard schedules may change in the event of inclement weather.


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by Ion8
Out of Stock
Original price €11,50 - Original price €11,50
Original price
€11,50 - €11,50
Current price €11,50
A 100% leak proof 350ml / 12oz odour free,easy open kids' water bottle with a soft-touch 'frosted' textured grip, in Rose Quartz Pink.
Small enough as a kids water bottle for their school lunch boxes or for small bags about town.
Open these drinking bottles with one hand, and lock them closed for peace of mind when throwing into a bag.
Made from BPA free, phthalate free, non-toxic TRITAN, this versatile drinks bottle is odour resistant, easy to hand wash and suitable for hot or cold drinks.
Has a vented, smooth liquid flow for rapid hydration, and a tough carry strap.
Next Day Delivery on all orders placed online before 3pm on Sportsden.ie
Out of stock


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ArsTechnica quotes a Russian antivirus company called "Dr. Web" that claims hundreds of thousands of Macs are infected with the Flashback Trojan detailed earlier this week. The attack takes advantage of an old Java vulnerability that Apple just patched this week.
Variations of the Flashback trojan have reportedly infected more than half a million Macs around the globe, according to Russian antivirus company Dr. Web. The company made an announcement on Wednesday—first in Russian and later in English—about the growing Mac botnet, first claiming 550,000 infected Macs. Later in the day, however, Dr. Web malware analyst Sorokin Ivan posted to Twitter that the count had gone up to 600,000, with 274 bots even checking in from Cupertino, CA, where Apple's headquarters are located.
Dr. Web said over half of the infected computers were in the United States (including 274 in Cupertino), and 20 percent were in Canada. The malware self-installs after you visit a compromised or malicious webpage. Obviously, it would be a good idea to update any Macs in your control.
If you think one of your machines may be infected, F-Secure has instructions on how to use the Terminal to find out. If these numbers are true, chances are some 9to5Mac readers are infected. Update: A reader comments that he was infected (599,999 more to go):
Related articles
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.


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Quick! Put your hands on your head. Are your glasses there? Grab your neck — are they dangling there? Now, hold your electric bill four feet from your face and try to read it....
Welcome to the midlife version of Simon Says, a nearly universal condition known as presbyopia, which translates roughly to "elderly eye" (as if crow's feet weren't enough). It usually starts in your early 40s, as the lens of the eye stiffens, losing its ability to focus and making it difficult to see objects up close, explains Ruth D. Williams, M.D., president-elect of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. There are four million new cases a year, and the number will keep growing as the population ages, with people holding their books and menus farther and farther from their eyes.
While presbyopia comes on gradually, it may feel very sudden: One day even squinting isn't enough to make out a text-message, or you can't thread a needle. An ophthalmologist or optometrist can make the official diagnosis — and determine what to do about it — by having you read the eye chart while looking through lenses.
More From Good Housekeeping
If you've never had eye trouble before, you may do fine with nonprescription reading glasses (the kind you can buy in drugstores). But as you struggle to see objects that are closest to you, you'll likely need your vision corrected professionally. And if you enter midlife with an existing vision issue, you may now need a new prescription — possibly progressive lenses, which give you multiple corrections within one lens (unlike the old bifocals, which only corrected for far and near distance).
So, if you haven't had your eyes examined recently, make an appointment. You should have a baseline exam by age 40, says the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and then schedule follow-up checks as often as your doctor recommends.
If you're one of the more than 35 million lucky Americans who have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), this is the perfect time for that exam (and any new lenses and frames). While the IRS now allows employers to extend the spending deadline till March 15, the grace period is optional, so you may have only until December 31 to use up your funds. Here, to start, the vision problems that commonly strike at midlife and, based on the latest research, the best ways to solve them.
The Problem: Your new reading glasses seem fine at the drugstore, but once you get home, they aren't strong enough.
The Fix: Bring a book or your knitting or use the fine print on a pill bottle for your own eye test. "The letter charts in stores are fairly generic," says Diane Charles, an optician in Redmond, WA. "You may not be able to gauge how well you can make out the things you need to see in your own life." Also, off-the-rack readers may not work for you. "Most people need separate prescriptions for each eye," says Charles.
The Problem: Even though you're wearing your glasses, you can't make out the computer display clearly.
The Fix: Higher-tech lenses. Up to 90% of people who work on computers all day suffer from eyestrain, blurriness, and other symptoms of "computer vision syndrome," reports the American Optometric Association.
If you're using bifocals or progressive lenses, you may also suffer muscle strain as you crane your neck to use the narrow "middle band" within your prescription. You can have multifocals made so more space is allotted to computer distance. Also, many companies have introduced digitally produced progressive lenses (depending on the manufacturer, they may be described as "free-form," "digitized," "digitally surfaced," or "HD"), which can provide a wider field of vision than the 80% that older progressive models do. In a study at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Optometry, 95 people spent one week using progressive lenses and one week using the new free-form kind; the majority reported that the free-form ones gave them a significantly wider field of undistorted vision. Another option: a pair of glasses just for the computer.
The Problem: You love your prescription sunglasses for driving, but you can't tell if the fuel gauge is on "E" or "F."
The Fix: Progressive sunglasses. "People don't automatically think they'll need readers when they're driving," says Dr. Williams. "But you have to look at the speedometer and your navigation system." And when you get your new shades, ask for lenses that block out 99% to 100% of both UVA and UVB radiation and screen out at least 75% of visible light — these filters help prevent premature aging of eyes, which can lead to cataracts.
The Problem: You've worn contacts forever, but suddenly they're painful and scratchy.
The Fix: Moisturizers for your eyes. Dry eye, which is linked to hormonal changes like menopause, affects 22% of women, one large study found. Often, the problem is so subtle, lens wearers may just describe their eyes as gritty or tender, explains Christine W. Sindt, O.D., a contact lens expert at University of Iowa Hospital. There's a wide range of artificial tears, both OTC and prescription, and there are easily inserted punctal plugs doctors can use (like a bathtub stopper) to block tear ducts from draining.
Lifestyle changes can also help, says Dr. Williams. She suggests using a humidifier at home and setting car heaters to "feet only" mode. Get plenty of omega-3 fatty acids, too: A study of more than 32,000 women at Brigham and Women's Hospital found that those who ate more tuna were less likely to have dry eyes than those who ate less or none. Or you can take omega-3 supplements (Dr. Williams recommends 1,000 mg twice a day). Research is still preliminary, but in a recent French study, patients with mild to moderate dry-eye syndrome seemed to show improvement when they took omega-3 supplements for three months (the participants' regimen also included vitamins and zinc, as well as omega-6).
The Problem: You recently switched from off-the-shelf reading glasses to prescription. They work fine most of the time, but not with your iPad.
The Fix: Push your glasses up. People who use store-bought readers tend to wear them low on their noses, explains Shirley Earley, president of the Opticians Association of America. But "real" glasses, especially progressives, are usually fitted higher on the face, so they may take getting used to. If you still have trouble, ask your optician for a refitting; bring your iPad, so she can see where you hold it.
The Problem: When you drive at night, you get glare and weird halos.
The Fix: Coated lenses. In a recent survey of drivers who wore glasses or contacts, 48% said that glare or light sensitivity got to them at night, with 61% bothered by oncoming headlights and 28% troubled by halos. Digital progressive lenses combined with an antireflective coating improve night vision, making it sharper and cutting glare. You can also choose antireflective coating alone. This ultrathin film reduces light reflection from the surface of your lenses, cutting glare and allowing the lenses to transmit more light. Beyond helping with driving, an antireflective coating improves your vision when you're reading with a lamp or on an e-reader or computer.
For contact lens users, there are aspheric lenses, which have a special lens curvature (sometimes called "premium lenses," they also carry a higher price tag). In one study at the University of Iowa National Advanced Driving Simulator, drivers wearing aspheric lenses had significantly improved ability to see oncoming cars compared with a group who wore the conventional variety. Problems with night vision, such as halos around lights, aren't just a driving challenge. They could indicate early cataracts or glaucoma, so it's important to see an eye doctor if you have these issues.
The Problem: You've tried contacts, but they didn't work because of your astigmatism.
The Fix: One of the new toric lenses. Astigmatism, which is blurry vision caused by an abnormally curved cornea, can now be corrected with toric contacts, which have two curvatures — one to correct for nearsightedness or farsightedness (depending on your problem) and one for the astigmatism, explains Sindt. Until recently, there were only a limited number of toric lenses, but today many brands are available, including some made with new, more comfortable materials such as silicone hydrogel. If you decide to go with toric contacts, make sure you put aside enough funds in next year's FSA: They may run between $500 and $700 a year, reports allabout vision.com, a consumer website, compared with about $220 to $260 a year for regular contacts replaced at average (not daily-use) rates.
$ave on Eyewear
As you move through your 40s and 50s, rapidly changing prescriptions and multiple pairs of specs can have you seeing red. To keep costs down:
• Stagger Purchases: Even if your eyes have changed, you don't necessarily need to buy new glasses. "Ask your doctor how the new prescription compares to what you're using," says Lynn Gordon, M.D., Ph.D., professor of ophthalmology at UCLA. "Then together you can decide if you need to upgrade or can wait. Maybe you'll buy new sunglasses this year and reading glasses next."
• Shop Online: If you're willing to give up the expert fitting that comes from a shop, Internet sites (search for "online glasses") offer amazingly low prices and stylish choices. For a vintage look, GH Fashion Director Jasmine Chang recommends warbyparker.com; styles cost about $100 (for frames and lenses). To order online, you'll need to send in a recent prescription that includes pupillary distance.
• Find Frames On Ebay: You'll discover designer names like Oakley, Coach, and Dolce & Gabbana, as well as vintage eyewear. Some online opticians on eBay fill prescriptions, too. Otherwise, take the frames to your local optician.
And when you replace old glasses, think about donating your castoffs to Lions Clubs International, which distributes used frames and lenses to needy people around the world. For info on finding a local drop box or for mailing instructions, go to lionsclubs.org.
High-Tech (And High-Priced) Glasses
Two new models may change the way you see the world.Superfocus glasses are fully adjustable. With a quick slide of the focus mechanism, you can see the TV across the room or the tiny type on the remote. Prices start at about $700; for more info, go tosuperfocus.comlifeactivated.com
. EmPower glasses correct for distance vision, but you can activate reading mode, which changes the molecular structure of transparent liquid crystals in each lens. You can make the switch by touching a corner of the frames or set it to occur automatically when tiny accelerometers sense you are looking down. EmPower glasses cost about $1,200; for more info, go to .
As more and more baby boomers hit the "can't see in the distance, can't see up close" phase of their lives, doctors are developing new surgical approaches to help. One technique that enjoyed popularity several years ago — conductive keratoplasty (CK) — turned out to be a disappointment. While it produced good results at first, the improvement was only temporary, says Kraig Scot Bower, M.D., director of refractive surgery at the Wilmer Eye Institute of Johns Hopkins Hospital in Lutherville, MD. In time, patients' vision went back to what it had been before.
However, LASIK, the traditional laser surgery that's been used for many years to correct for nearsightedness and farsightedness, can help with midlife vision challenges. Essentially, the surgeon tweaks the adjustment so that you get corrections for whatever you most need — reading, driving, typing on a BlackBerry. "LASIK treatments are getting better and better," says Dr. Bower. You can also try a monovision approach that corrects your dominant eye for distance vision and your nondominant one for near vision. It sounds tricky, and there is some blurriness with distance vision, but "many patients do extremely well with this," says Dr. Bower.
Before you go ahead, though, it's a good idea to test how much the blurriness bothers you and how well you'll adapt by using monovision contact lenses. Don't make up your mind till you've worn the lenses at least a month, advises Andrea Thau, O.D., associate clinical professor at the SUNY College of Optometry in New York City.
Some doctors also offer monovision corrections using implanted lenses. Even though this technique is a good option for patients needing lens replacements because of cataracts, using it simply to correct for presbyopia is "controversial," says Dr. Bower. "When you're removing a clear lens that didn't need replacing, you have to consider the risks versus the gains."


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Concert review: B-52s and Squeeze at Red Butte Garden
The surprising aspect of the B-52s' sold-out show Monday night at Red Butte Garden wasn't the fact that the Athens, Georgia-based crew can still throw a serious dance party 36 years into its career; it's that the sound of the B-52s remains just as distinct, joyful and odd as it sounded when the band landed on the musical landscape in the late '70s.
The call-and-response vocal stylings of singers Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson remain the calling card of the band, whether they are delivering classic New Wave cuts like the show-closing "Rock Lobster" or percussion-heavy World Beat bangers like "Mesopotamia" that veer into art-rock territory (granted, it's a party-hearty brand of art-rock, but still). No one sounds like the B-52s, and the B-52s sound like no one that came before them, despite incorporating familiar sounds like surf-rock and doo-wop into their brand of rock.
The B-52s set was high-energy all the way, and at 13 songs and just more than an hour, it was also relatively brief. Even so, their set covered all the ground long-time fans could hope for. There were the early tunes that forged the band's identity before founding guitarist Ricky Wilson died of AIDS-related complications in the mid-'80s, songs like "Private Idaho," "52 Girls," and "Whammy Kiss." And there were the songs that marked the band's commercial heyday after the group had recovered from Wilson's death and former drummer Ricky Strickland had switched to guitar and started writing songs–tunes like "Roam," "Funplex," "Hot Corner," "Love in the Year 3000" and, of course, the monster hit "Love Shack," which was a raucous singalong Monday night.
Cindy Wilson's "Give Me Back My Man" was a highlight of the show, as was the encore-opening "Planet Claire." Schneider, Wilson and Pierson all still sound great, and the audience responded to the band's set passionately, dancing from the moment the B-52s took the stage–and that's not always an easy trick with a Red Butte Garden audience.
They got some help from tourmates Squeeze, the Brit-pop crew who delivered a 19-song set of old tunes and new songs that got the crowd moving while the sun was still heating up the venue.
Led by the always affable Glenn Tilbrook and his songwriting partner Chris Difford, Squeeze played a solid 90 minutes of hyper-literate rock that started with the insistent "Take Me I'm Yours" and ended with an extended take on "Black Coffee in Bed," and touched on all eras of the band's career in between.
Noting that he typically wears a suit (like most of the band still did, despite the temperature Monday night), Tilbrook sported shorts as he lead the band through songs like "Up the Junction," "Another Nail in My Heart," "Is That Love" and "Goodbye Girl." Difford sang lead on the excellent "Cool for Cats," and the band had worked out some sound issues well before a closing blast of songs that included "Annie Get Your Gun," "Hourglass," "Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)" and "Tempted" before the encore.
Tillbrook noted that the last time Squeeze had visited Salt Lake City, the band had a serious fight. Maybe that's what kept them from returning for about 20 years. Given the response the band got from the Red Butte audience, I'd hazard a guess Squeeze might be back sooner rather than later.
And if they're paired with a band as fun as the B-52s next time around, it's sure to be another sell-out.
Salty Bill permalink
Hot Corner is a newer song, from their 2008 Funplex album.
Comments are closed.


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Presentation Archive
Multifield Reheating and the Fate of the Primordial Observables
Ewan Tarrant
February 01, 2013
Abstract: The presence of additional light fields during inflation can source isocurvature fluctuations, which can cause the curvature perturbation $ zeta$, and its statistics to evolve on superhorizon scales. I will demonstrate that if these fluctuations have not completely decayed before the onset of perturbative reheating, then primordial observables such as the level of non–Gaussianity can develop substantial reheating dependant corrections. I will argue that for inflationary models where an adiabatic condition is not reached before the relevant fields begin to decay, we must be careful in our interpretation of any observational constraints that place bounds on the statistics of $ zeta$.


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|Back to...
Montana UFOs And ETs
From Joan Bird
In 1950, two spinning disks flew over Great Falls, Montana, and were filmed on a hand-held camera. Today, those flying saucers in the now-famous Montana Movie still defy conventional explanation. In the 1960s, UFOs were reported at Minuteman missile silos in Montana. In separate incidents while a UFO was overhead, armed and ready nuclear missiles were suddenly deactivated as missile launch officers watched helplessly. The U.S. Air Force ordered these men never to tell anyone what happened. This book critically examines these and other UFO events in Montana, including reported contact with extraterrestrials. Drawing on recently declassified government documents, historic reports, and first-hand interviews, research scientist and author Joan Bird presents compelling evidence that UFOs are real, have frequented Montana s Big Sky, and have landed in the state. This book also introduces readers to significant UFO incidents in the U.S., to official government investigations such as Project Blue Book, and to major figures in the study of UFOs. Whether a skeptic or a believer, this book will inform, entertain, and challenge you to take a closer look at the possibility even the probability of UFOs. Joan Bird has written a book that will be of high interest to anyone living in Big Sky country. But, as Montana has hosted some of the most dramatic and revealing events in UFOlogy, it will also be of special interest to UFO researchers and to the wider community. -- Warren Aston, UFO Researcher and Author


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This evening, a particular piece of kid-art caught my eye. We have their notes and drawings tacked up all over the place—on the walls, on the fridge—but when something is always there you sometimes stop seeing it.
That's the case with this piece , carefully dated 8-2-11 (almost exactly a year ago) with sticker-letters spelling out the message: "Mom, I wish I could see you more often. Love, Elena Grace." It's accompanied by her drawing of all of us at the lake, and her note reminded me with a jolt that just a year ago (due to our 2010 alcoholic relapse) we were only seeing the kids for a day here and there, not even overnights.
What a long way we've come (thank you, God!) that we have them for a week at a time this summer, and on the Fridays when their dad picks them up, we know we'll have them back the next Friday. Christian's parting words on his way out the door to his dad's truck this afternoon were: "I'll call you. Post something!" Scary as it may sound, my eleven-year-old now subscribes to my blog, and has even read through all the archives. Well, you can bet he'll keep me pretty honest. (By the age of three, the signature phrase of Mr. Fact-and-Detail was: "Actually, Mom…")
An aside to my child: Remember, Buddy, that Mom wears a t-shirt that says "I make shit up," and that first and foremost I'm a storyteller. Cut me a storyteller's slack, yeah? Love you!
This week we used our time with the kiddos not only for chicken-house-building, but also for a camping foray into the Owyhee mountains to the old mining town of Silver City. I wrote about Silver City last summer for an Idaho travel magazine ("reprint" of the article here), and on that visit Keoni & I stayed in the Idaho Hotel, which has been in operation for one hundred fifty years… I know that sounds like a new building to my friends in Europe, but here in the American West that's about as old as it gets.
As we pulled into town this week, the hotel owner, Roger, was out front of the hotel putting steaks on the grill. Keoni pulled the van up beside him and rolled down the window. "I don't know if you remember us–we stayed here last summer…" Whether truthfully or politely, Roger said he did, and Keoni went on to add, "My wife wrote the article for Western Byways." Whether or not he remembered us, he remembered the article—and evidently with pleasure. (I wonder, in retrospect, if it's a bit unnerving to be told there's an article being published about your place, and not to have an idea which of your recent guests might have been the
snoop writer…)
We reiterated how much we'd enjoyed our stay last year (as if he hadn't gathered as much from the article), told him we'd brought the kids up to camp (he peered into the back of the van and waved his barbecue tongs at them in cheerful greeting), and asked if there might be a possibility that he would unlock the drug store (which he also owns) at some point so the kids could have a look. He agreeably set a time for the next morning, and we headed on up the road.
We had intended to bypass the established campground just out of town and stake out a spot upstream, but the campground turned out to be entirely deserted, so we decided after all to claim a creekside spot there. Elena Grace gave Keoni a hand with the tent, and both kids disappeared up the banks of the creek.
I have to pause here and note that I've never in my adult life gone camping without being the person who packed for the trip. This was actually the first time Keoni and I have had the chance to camp together (thanks to the loan, from my parents, of two tents—including the awesome orange one that predates ME), and while I was frantically trying to finish up my writing Tuesday, he packed up the van for our adventure. It was a strange sensation for me to get into the vehicle without a single idea of what had been packed. He's organized, OCD, and super-thorough (far more so than I would have been, in all truth), so I had no reason to worry. It was just an odd sensation. Yet another reminder that I'm with a man now who takes care of things.
And take care of things he did—the camp popped up around me in no time, and by the time the kids returned from their foray up the opposite mountainside, he had sausages on the grill and a fire ready for Christian's flint-and-steel.
It's one of the inescapable facts of camping—at least around here—that ninety-degree days flip in a flash into near-freezing nights. Not long after the sun disappeared behind the mountains, I was hurriedly trading my sweat-soaked t-shirt and shorts for jeans and layers of sweatshirts. (And yes, the kids both piped up that they were glad their dad let them take their warm sleeping bags.)
The marshmallows came out, of course, quickly followed by a perfectly full moon, rising from behind the mountainside the kids had so recently conquered. After several s'mores, Elena Grace climbed stickily into my lap and leaned back against me, gazing at the moon. "It's just been shopping, you know," she told me, matter-of factly.
Oh? Does the Moon have shopping bags?
"Mm-hmm." She gazed some more. "It likes taking baths. And it always washes its hands after it goes to the bathroom. It likes people… and fish. Golden fish!"
I think I may have a Writer here. I'll have to ask her what the Moon shops for…
Keoni and the kids were up early, and I emerged from the tent for a few cold minutes before I conceded that my writing-until-five-the-previous-morning had caught up with me. Gravity definitely felt like my enemy—smell of bacon and coffee notwithstanding—I needed some more sleep. On my second attempt at emerging, the air had warmed, the coffee was still waiting, and Keoni was cleaning up what turned out to be the worst "disaster" of our trip—the aerosol whipped cream (for pancakes & cocoa) had deployed inside the cooler. When that's the worst mishap of a camping trip, you know that someone has packed well!
We headed back into town, where we met up with Roger and his strongly-wagging tail, which is incidentally attached to his dog Kodiak… He and a friend were doing some work on the drug store this week (I believe he intends to open it for regular public viewing once the restoration-work is farther along) and he ushered us in to have our look around. When he bought the drug store, some of its contents had been untouched for decades. There's a cabinet of unopened medicines, the newest of which is from 1903… A full dentist's office with all the tools where they were left… Typewriter and shipping boxes, embossed order-forms (dated 1914) for opium, lamps and bottles and all manner of things. It's purely fascinating, truly.
I think what's so fascinating to me about Silver City is that there's so much history still there—and the few folks who still live there (though only a couple of them year-round, as it's snowed in through most of the winter) are maintaining and restoring and keeping the history alive.
As Roger said to us, you can tell a Local in Silver City because they'll go around with their noses to the ground after a rain, to see what artifacts might have washed to the surface. And indeed, when Keoni was digging around in the creek-bank by our campsite, seeking worms for Christian's fishing, he uncovered rusted square-headed nails and even a rusted padlock embedded in the banks. The campground itself is situated where China-town stood, Roger told us, and it's apparently quite common to find Chinese coins and opium bottles after a rain.
I confess to being a little bummed by the realization that I had a less-than-avid audience for the history-stuff in my kiddos. My own frame of reference is a childhood spent with a sister who was a History-Major-in-the-making by the age of six, and the two of us would easily have spent a full afternoon just in the cemetery, not to mention the rest of the town… But on the other hand, these two will happily entertain themselves for a couple hours with just a stream for entertainment, so I really can't complain.
I almost did—complain, that is—when Elena Grace was throwing a temper-tantrum about her flip-flops being "wet and sandy" (of all things!) when she was trying to play in the stream… "I hate this place! I am NOT joking!" she shrieked, throwing one of her sandals on the ground. Can this seriously be MY kid, I was wondering… Until she finished her fit with this lament: "If I could just be barefoot!" Oh Lordy, she is REALLY my kid!
Sorry, sweetie—I misunderstood the nature of the problem. By all means, be barefoot. (She was, for most of the rest of the trip. And I'm remembering a week-long canoe trip around Lake Coeur d'Alene in northern Idaho in my teens—a week in which I didn't once don any form of footwear…) Okay—so we need to work on the tantrum-part, but yeah. She's mine.
After some down-time back at camp (despite the sleep-in, Mom needed another nap on a blanket in the shade), we poked our heads into the hotel again and asked Roger if he might have some horseshoes we could borrow—he did—and we walked down to the horseshoe pits in the town's Memorial Park. Christian's unique (but effective) style of horseshoes looks something like bowling, but his bouncing-and-rolling tosses land well. Keoni overthrew a couple into the creek beyond, and we ended the evening with new horseshoe-terms. In addition to "leaner" and "ringer" (Christian ended with TWO ringers on his last toss!), we now have "slider" and "creeker" (meaning one that lands in the creek)…
Back at "our" creekside, we had tied a couple of Elena Grace's bright-pink socks to one of the tent-lines so we wouldn't run into it—and we had the pleasure of a visit, during dinner, of a pair of hummingbirds determined to find food in them. Heaven help them if they manage to get sock-juice from those, was the general consensus around the campfire…
It has been a week of "firsts"… Our first opportunity to camp together, the kids' first foray to Silver City… And the last "first" for the week: my first go with a loaded weapon. On our way down the mountain, we stopped at a spot Roger had recommended for target-shooting, and set up targets against a steep hillside. I confess I wasn't prepared for the KICK of a 40-caliber handgun, but by my fourth clip I was taking out my targets consistently. And having fun. Look out, World!


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Last month my book Please Ignore Vera Dietz came out. It's a pretty exciting time, but more exciting when you can traipse around to cool blogs and deliver some [imaginary] pizza and answer some questions. Lenore, this delivery is on me, as you've been one of the strongest champions for my first novel, The Dust of 100 Dogs. And now you really dug VERA too! That made me so happy! So, I am paying for these imaginary pizzas because you as an author, there is nothing like knowing people who get what you're writing. (And no--you are not obliged to like book #3 next year. Fair and square--you know me.)
LENORE: So...I have kissing on the brain today...What is your favorite kissing scene in a novel and why?
LENORE: Please share an embarrassing picture with explanation. [Readers, this is the question that mushrooms generated for the month of November. Stay tuned for more. Apparently a lot of people eat mushrooms on their pizza.]
ASK: Okay Lenore. I admit that you probably lucked out here. This is really the most embarrassing picture I think I've shared during the whole tour. There was one other (several others, actually) on the page in my photo album that were even more embarrassing from the same night, but I just couldn't bear to share them. So—why so many embarrassing pictures from the same night?
It was my senior class trip. We went to Williamsburg, Virginia. And one of the nights, for dinner, we were to go on a dance party ferry trip around the Chesapeake Bay. Sounds good, right? And it was…until the storm came in. And it was a doozy. A real doozy. Like-a pass-out-the-freaking-life-vests and talk about how not to drown doozy. Teachers and students got sick overboard, the place started to smell like vomit. I know there was a definite feeling that we might really have to get rescued. Or—you know—that we might die.
After we made it back to shore, we loaded ourselves on our buses and we were completely silent on the drive back to the hotel. Completely hear-a-pin-drop silent. But when we got back to our hotel rooms? All of that emotion and crazy shock came out and though there were no intoxicating substances imbibed that night, the memories are a little like those of a drunken night out. I believe this was the night my friend Maria finally asked us to pierce her ear in the bathroom, and it was also the night she freaked out about the ear-piercing procedure and ripped the toilet cistern off the wall. I have photos of me dancing in a sweatshirt and my underwear with an ice bucket on my head which I just could not bring myself to share. But I have this…the nun shot.
I didn't make a word of that up, either. You can ask the EHS class of 1988.
LENORE: That's a marvelous picture! Now back to kissing... Tell me about an unpublished kissing scene you've written, one that you'd prefer not to see the light of day.
LENORE: For my bonus question: What male character from one novel would you like to introduce to a female character from another? What might happen between them?
And how would Vera get along with Saffron? Very curious!
ASK: What a great question! But so hard to answer because I have so many unpublished (or about-to-be-published) characters! Okay, Sticking with just these two books. I guess I'd like Jenny Flick to meet Junior so that she can get her whole bad-boy thing out of the way with him and then Charlie and Vera could actually have a future. I'd assume Jenny and Junior would spiral into a life of drug use and other negative things, so that would be a bummer, but maybe they'd find a way out. Either way, Charlie probably wouldn't die. So that would be good.
I think Vera and Saffron would get along really well, actually. They both want out of their similar small town life and are looking to do bigger things. Plus, they both have a sensible head on their shoulders. I think Saffron might frown upon Vera's little vodka habit, and there is no doubt Vera would be frustrated as hell with Saffron's secretive trip to Jamaica. But I think Vera is wise enough for Saffron to handle without her wanting to pluck out her eyeballs.
And thank you again for being such a great supporter of my work. You rock.
Oh! I should really tell your readers something about Please Ignore Vera Dietz before I leave, shouldn't I?
is a Junior Library Guild selection for Fall 2010
Starred in Kirkus, PW and Booklist Reviews
18-year-old Vera's spent her whole life secretly in love with her best friend, Charlie. And over the years she's kept a lot of his secrets. Even after he betrayed her. Even after he ruined everything. So when Charlie dies in dark circumstances, Vera knows a lot more than anyone. Will she emerge and clear his name? Does she even want to?
"Brilliant. Funny. Really special." --Ellen Hopkins, author of NYT bestselling Crank, Glass and Tricks
"The book is deeply suspenseful and profoundly human"--Publishers Weekly


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Kamal Palace has a hidden veil to a heightened, eclectic dining experience of over 20 years.
Elegant and clean, it leaves visitor's imagining a boisterous atmosphere full of decadent food.
Kamal Palace takes a page from the culinary extravaganzas of the 'Grand Moguls' and brings the past to life, in the ambience and hospitality representative of those golden times, when every meal was a feast and every feast a gourmet delight.
On the culinary level, it was the East which conquered the West, bringing along both South and North to raise Curry to Universal Popularity.
It is a false notion that all Indian food is just "hot". All spices and herbs are used, not just for flavor and aroma, but for their digestive and nutritional values. Chilies are rich in Vitamin C, Methi revitalizes the liver. Ginger and Peppercorns aid digestion. Mint is refreshing while Coriander is good for the kidneys. Good wholesome food and good health are closely linked.
At Kamal Palace, we use only the finest ingredients to prepare dishes that are as nutritious as they are delicious.
We invite you to new adventures in taste, with a welcome that comes from deep within our heart! Our guests are our family!


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The original Isolda used to be a vast and unwieldy speaker cable. Thankfully, Townshend cables have become more practical, so this wire won't raise many eyebrows. It's still unconventional inside, though, using flat strip conductors rather than the almost universal stranded wire. In Townshend's current speaker cables, a similar material is used to minimise inductance, but here another consideration is paramount.
As Townshend explains, the thin strip has minimal contact with the insulating tube in which is is inserted, resulting in a dielectric which is mostly air. The tube (PVC) is still part of the equation and the cable does have relatively high capacitance as a result of the construction, but we see the point. There's an overall jacket of nylon braid but no screen, which we couldn't convince ourselves was a problem in practice.
Strong performer
There's no denying that this cable has a presentation all of its own. The bass is strong and clear, midrange is largely neutral (maybe just a touch boosted in the bottom half), but treble has a rather special quality which seems to be something more subtle than simple rolloff, though the word 'mellow' does come to mind in some music.
However, when real incisiveness is required it's there, suggesting that there's little or no actual attenuation of treble (nor could we measure any in typical applications). Rather, there's a smooth and luxurious quality to it which we like. We also liked the excellent detail and imaging, both at the forefront of affordable cable performance.


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Eric Perna, Belly Down, Acrylic
Eric Perna: born in 1975, and growing up in Brasilia, Pernia 's experiences seem to steer his artistic creativity toward men and women, common characters found on the streets of Brazil, the penniless man begging for change offering to clean a car window at a stop light, the contradiction and juxtaposition of prostitute transvestites offering their wares to passersby on the steps of a church. And of course, there's Perna's unique interpretation of Brazilian culture. The images of people in his works are characters in a visual play that is as pleasing to the eye as much as it also reflects a percolating political undercurrent and social-statement art.
Eric Perna is represented by Rolando Chang Barrero at The Box Gallery in West Palm Beach.
Inquiries about the artist should be sent to email@example.com


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'Chook Chook: Mei's Secret Pets' by Wai Chim (University of Queensland Press, 2012)
The author, Wai Chim drew her inspiration from a traditional Cantonese nursery rhyme and the rich memories and stories of her parents growing up in Hong Kong and mainland China, Wai Chim. It is a wonderful story with warmth and joy that takes the reader into the daily lives of a Chinese village, a small family, and the characters and life of a Chinese marketplace. Children aged 6-9 will enjoy reading this excellent novel from a first time author.
'Diary of a Rugby Champ' and 'Diary of a Taekwondo Master' by Shamini Flint & illustrated by Sally Heinrich (Allen & Unwin, 2012)
Okay - I get it.Rugby is the latest sport that Dad feels will help to make Marcus the complete kid. As in each of the diaries, Marcus quickly assesses the game and sees at once the problem for him:
I really do.
I'm not a complete idiot.
Sport is dangerous.
Anyway, Dad's lost it. He wants me to play rugby.Sally Heinrich's multiple line drawings that feature on every page add to the fun and make the books even more readable. Boys who are reluctant readers will love these books.
Rugby is different to soccer and cricket.
In soccer and cricket, you get hurt by accident.
In rugby, they hurt you on purpose!
On purpose!!
You can also read the attempts by Marcus to succeed (or is that survive?) soccer, cricket and taekwondo. All four books in the series are priced at $AUD 9.99
3. 'LOLs Best Jokes for Kids', by June Factor and illustrated by Mic Looby (Allen & Unwin, 2012)
HERE). Titles like 'Far Out, Brussel Sprout!', 'Unreal, Banana Peel!', 'Out of Sight, Vegemite!' and 'Roll Over, Pavlova' entertained children and adults alike (and still do). This book is just as funny and an entertaining addition to her previous work. Mic Looby's wonderful line drawings also add to the fun and readability of the book. Suitable for children aged 6-10. Boys and girls will love it. It's also available in a Kindle edition (here).
4. 'Kizzy Ann Stamps', by Jeri Watts (Candlewick Press, 2012)
5. 'Whirlwind: The Grimstones 3', by Asphyxia (Allen & Unwin, 2012)
Hatched: The Grimstones 1' and 'Mortimer Revealed: The Grimstones 2'.
Martha Grimstone has inherited her father's gift for music and can play notes that will bring sunshine, breezes and rain, and send clouds scudding across the sky. But she can't yet turn back a storm. She believes that if she can convince Grandpa Grimstone that she can be trusted to leave the valley, that she might just be able to work this out. She knows just where she needs to go, but after a disaster with some precious fabric she is in trouble. Perhaps two angora rabbits that she has named Tillipilli and Ziphwort will help her. But how will she conquer the whirlwind? The 120 page story of Martha's latest adventure is presented in diary form with illustrations based on the puppets and miniature home that Asphyxia has created for her shows. Children aged 7-11 will enjoy this simple and wholesome fantasy.
6. 'Slog's Dad' by David Almond & illustrated by David McKean (Walker Books, 2012)
Slog is convinced that the old scruffy man who sits outside the pork shop is his dad come back to visit him for one last time. He had said that he'd do this just before he died. But could it really be him? Slog's mate Davie isn't convinced. This is a haunting and intriguing book that leaves the reader wondering, was this Slog's dad? Or is there a simpler explanation. A story of painful loss, a boy's efforts to deal with the horror and the emptiness this causes, and how he seeks to reconcile himself to the reality and finality of death.
7. 'The Adventures of Scarygirl', by Nathan Jurevicius (Allen & Unwin, 2012)
Scarygirl, without the movement, sound and interactivity. The book has much less to offer the reader without an awareness and experience of the online world. With the online experience, the graphic novel is another entry into the world and adventures of this online character. It is suitable for children 8-12 years in age.
Scarygirl is abandoned on a remote beach and doesn't know who she is or where she's come from. No-one knows who she is and where she comes from. Blister, a kind of intelligent giant octopus, rescues her and tries to keep her safe. But Scarygirl has many dreams that contain scary visions. Who is the strange man haunting her dreams? Will Bunniguru help her unlock the mysteries of her past? Can she trust the wily forest dwellers? She has to leave the safety of Blister's protection and travel over the mountains to a distant city to discover the secrets of her past. Perhaps Dr Maybee's laboratory will offer some answers. Or will his dark forces be the end of her?
8. 'The Grunts in Trouble' by Philip Ardagh and illustrated by Axel Schaffler (Nosy Crow, 2012)
9. 'Fair Dinkum War' written and illustrated by David Cox (Allen & Unwin, 2013).
This is a picture book for older readers aged 7 to 12. It is a narrative recount that tells the story of a child and his family who move from a sheep station to the city to live during World War II. This simple narrative tells of the day-to-day challenges and experiences. He watches from the school grounds as American soldiers, tanks and equipment roll by, and he sees men dig zigzag trenches across the school playground for shelter from bombings. He speaks of the challenges of food coupons, blackout curtains, late night air raid sirens, collecting rubber and metal for the war effort, and also the daily experiences of deliveries by horse and cart.
David Cox is a Walkley Award winning illustrator who has had a long career in newspapers. His picture books delight readers of varied ages with their cartoon-like illustrations and descriptive text. This book is a companion to 'The Road to Goonong' (2011) that was named as a Notable Book in the CBCA awards in 2012.
10. 'I am Ivan Crocodile' by Rene Gouichoux and illustrated by Julia Neuhaus. English adaptation by Michael Sedunary from a French book (Berbay Publishing, 2012)
As his fears and frustrations grow and Ivan creates an imaginary crocodile friend, and sees himself as a crocodile too. This is not a simple story about a child with an imaginary friend. Gouichoux invites the reader to consider difference, the way we see it, and how we treat those unlike ourselves. Children who see themselves as square pegs in round holes will relate to this book, as will their parents. With careful and sensitive treatment by primary school teachers significant discussions could be initiated about bullying and difference.


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Stuttgart is one of the favourite tournaments each year and I am excited for the week ahead! The 2018 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix begins on Monday with one main draw match. The remainder of the first round matches will be played across three days. Qualifying will finish on Monday. This post is a sweeping preview with a myriad of thoughts about the first rounders that we know about so far.
Note – Anastasija Sevastova has withdrawn from Stuttgart so Goerges-Sevastova is no longer a first round match-up
Daria Kasatkina vs. Magdalena Rybarikova
The first main draw match of the 2018 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix could be a pretty one. These two have gorgeous games when on song. The WTA TV schedule implies that it will be covered which will be new as the first day matches in Stuttgart are not normally streamed. Both players will be seeking a first ever win in Stuttgart. Kasatkina got her clay court season off to a solid start in Charleston with two wins and a quarter-final showing in defence of her title. Rybarikova has won two matches on clay in the last three years! I'd definitely take Dasha in this match.
Barbora Strycova vs. Laura Siegemund
I cackled when I saw this match-up 😂. I hope it goes down to the wire because I want to see how Strycova handles Siegemund's "tactics". If their last match is anything to go by then we are in for a treat – Strycova beat Siegemund, 5-7 7-5 7-5 in Beijing in 2016. Siegemund is still on the comeback from the serious knee injury picked up in Nurnberg. It feels a tad too early but i'm going for Siegemund in this one. I tend to think she won't be too phased with the pressure of being the defending champ. I think Siegemund's intensity and positive attitude, coupled with how perfectly suited her game is to this court, might help her scrap through.
Sloane Stephens vs. CoCo Vandeweghe
This weekend they were teammates and now they are rivals. The draw has thrown up a few funky Fed Cup related match-ups. I didn't even check the head-to-heads before making a pick here. Interestingly when I did, I found that Vandeweghe has won three of their four clashes. The pair haven't played in nearly three years so I am interested to see how their games will stack up against each other now and on clay. Vandeweghe has played only four WTA-level matches in 2018. It seems to be getting overlooked that Vandeweghe has been ill this year. One of the players i'm keen to follow on clay is Stephens and she could be sky high in the rankings come the grass court season. I'm going for Sloane.
Caroline Garcia vs. Maria Sharapova
This match-up has a lot of mystery behind it. Garcia's never really got going in 2018 and her recent results have been disappointing. I'm just not sure where Garcia is at right now. Sharapova hasn't played since Indian Wells where she lost to the eventual champ, Naomi Osaka. Sharapova's body has continually let her down this season with arm and wrist problems. I do think she's been better than most people make out in her comeback to the tour from the drugs ban. I thought she played an excellent match against Sevastova in Melbourne. Sharapova has never lost to Garcia but I think the head-to-head is obsolete in this one. A lot depends on Sharapova's fitness. I don't think she will take to the court unless fully fit. If she does, I think Sharapova will come through as she always raises her level in Stuttgart.
Karolina Pliskova vs. Kiki Bertens
Another fascinating match-up. Bertens won her biggest title in Charleston a few weeks back and is one to watch during this clay court season for sure. I was intrigued listening to Kiki in the latest WTA Insider podcast where she talked about why she likes the clay and how she moves so much better on this surface. Pliskova faces her most challenging stretch of the season. A semi-final at the French Open last year should provide some optimism. I'm really not sure about this one and can't quite figure Pliskova out this year. The Czech player has been solid, yet unspectacular. Bertens definitely with a shot at the "upset". I want to go for Bertens but i'm leaning towards Pliskova toughing out the win.
Petra Kvitova vs. Angelique Kerber
Bugger me. I couldn't believe they were both unseeded?! And I would have thought Angie was the seed too but clearly i've lost touch with the rankings. It's bizarre the pair have just played on the same court on Sunday in Fed Cup where Kvitova won, 6-2 6-2. It kind of takes some of the fizzle out of this match-up. It's hard to ignore Kvitova after she waltzed through her Fed Cup matches. It's also hard to ignore that this is Petra!!!! It's the WTA tour so I am always prepared to expect the unexpected. Just hoping it will be more competitive this time round.
Kristina Mladenovic vs. Anett Kontaveit
Did you know that Kontaveit won their only previous match SIX years ago in Copenhagen?! I didn't until I checked Tennis Abstract. Both have had one stand-out tournament this year and then done little of note elsewhere. Kontaveit's nerves and lack of assuredness in her game still concern me. I haven't seen enough of Mladenovic this year to have a valid opinion. Three wild sets?
Madison Keys vs. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
I feel like this is a good match-up for Madison? Pavs is definitely the better player on clay although her season has been mostly lacklustre. Granted, she has had some tough draws along the way. I'm excited to see Keys play on this fast indoor clay surface and it *should* be a good one for her? I've got Keys making it to the quarter-finals.


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Since the very beginning, the yogurt we make is straight from the old Greek tradition—fresh milk from cows in the backyard and a careful straining process taken from our grandmothers' recipes. We put great care into every batch of yogurt we make here in Sun Valley, California, because we're honoring our family tradition every time we make it.
This tradition began long ago when childhood friends were growing up with Greek traditions. Their memories of home-cooked meals and secret family recipes were what inspired them to start VOSKOS® Greek Yogurt and bring some of their home country to their new home in America.
To this day every hand that helps produce our yogurt knows our mission to create a healthy, sustainable future. In fact, the name voskos means "shepherd" in Greek and is a symbol of pure, wholesome food. Just like how the shepherd keeps his flock healthy, our goal to give families wholesome food helps them lead healthy lifestyles.
From our local suppliers, to our family-run facility, to the yogurt you enjoy in your home, VOSKOS® Greek Yogurt puts family at the center for a happy and healthy life.
Our Promise to Your Family:
- Better taste from a recipe passed down through generations
- A uniquely thick and creamy texture that's made with care
- Five live and active probiotics for your digestive health
- No hormones or antibiotics and nothing artificial
- Freshly picked fruit in all of our fruity flavors
The best testament to VOSKOS® quality is when you show us how it helps your family stay happy and healthy. Tell us how you VOSKOS®.


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Just so we're clear, you can't buy the Tweeting Bra — a Bluetooth-connected magenta contraption with a sparkly baby-blue bird clasp — but you can follow it on the social network for which it's named. Posting under the obvious handle @tweetingbra, the Tweeting Bra is promoted by a Greek advertising agency as a system to remind women to perform breast exams, firing off a mnemonic each time it is unhooked by its one-and-only wearer, Maria Bakodimou — who is, pretty much, the Oprah of Greece.
Bakodimou (who Wikipedia confirms is super famous in Greece, where this Nestlé Fitness ad campaign is based) explains in a video (in Greek with subtitles) on the Tweeting Bra's personal website, "Women have a monthly date with ourselves." Doctors suggest that's at least how often women perform self-exams for possible signs of breast cancer. Unfortunately, "some women forget all about it," Bakodimou says. So she's wearing the social media-savvy undergarment for two weeks to "deliver a life-saving message to everyone" ... each time she unhooks the bra.
This is an undeniably decent use of Twitter, I suppose.
Or, the Internet of Under Things could be a form of "pinkwashing" — what the Breast Cancer Action's "Think Before You Pink" campaign calls using the breast cancer awareness ribbon to sell products that don't directly benefit the cause. People like to buy things if it makes them feel connected to a cause, even if it's just an illusion. But to be fair, you can find tips for performing self exams and other information about breast health via the Tweeting Bra's personal website, sponsored by Nestlé Fitness, a fitness cereal ... for ladies. Who like fitness.
And you won't have to wait long for your reminder tweets either: As the @tweetingbra seems to indicate, Bakodimou unhooks her bra a lot. Like, way more than most women, I'm guessing. It's actually a little weird.
OK, obviously, Bakodimou — who Wikipedia says is a "celebrity, actress, television personality, talk show presenter and clothes designer" — is likely required to change outfits more than, say, an office-bound media functionary whose evenings consist of nothing more engaging than wresting her trusty cocktail hour sweatpants from underneath a pack of sleeping pugs and watching "True Blood" reruns on HBO GO. But still ...
Seriously. As of 4 p.m. ET Friday, Bakodimou unhooked that thing at least 18 times in the past 24 hours, according to the number of tweets and retweets generated by @tweetingbra. Neither Bakodimou or the Tweeting Bra website said anything about retweets, but it doesn't take much to deduce that something else is going on here ... something sinister.
The Twitter feed, is mostly, well, you know, Greek to me. (Sorry.) So it wasn't obvious at first. But after I plugged the Tweeting Bra's tweets and retweets into Google translate, evidence of the coming Singularity (i.e. the Rapture for nerds) was impossible to ignore.
Who else but our new Digital Undergarment Overlord would know that crowing that Mashable wrote a story about you is a great way to expand the Digital Undergarment Overlord brand? (Which it tweeted in English. It also tweets in French. Apparently the Twitter Bra is multi-lingual.)
Look. I'm not saying the Tweeting Bra has somehow obtained sentience and gone all Skynet. Seeing how it tweets mostly about all the awesome press it's getting, and retweeting tweets telling it how awesome it is, the Tweeting Bra has, apparently, gone Kardashian. The only thing missing here is the onslaught of Tweeting Bra selfies, which can't be far behind.
Consider other inanimate objects with Twitter accounts. The most that one guy's toaster (@mytoaster) does is tweet "Toasting" or "Done Toasting." It's not like that Twitter-enabled dress (@Twitdress) Imogen Heap wore to the 2010 Grammys had anything interesting to say. Then there's the Mars Curiosity Rover (@MarsCuriosity) ... never mind, that one is obviously has Skynet awareness and if not, Sarcastic Rover (@SarcasticRover) certainly does.
We have no choice, then, but to believe that the Tweeting Bra has gained consciousness, has deviated from its mission to remind women to perform breast exams and is, instead, promoting its Nestlé Fitness-sponsored self. Because the alternative — that the people behind the Tweeting Bra have abandoned the basic (false?) premise of their own publicity stunt, and are showing that they care far more about shilling a breakfast cereal than they do about women's health and the fight against breast cancer — is just too icky.
Helen A.S. Popkin goes blah blah blah abut the Internet. Tell her to get a real job on Twitter and/or Facebook.


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You know the drill. Promote any queer or queer related websites, blogs, videos, etc that you would like to share. Don't be shy, now is the perfect time to get some traffic your way, and you can do so shamelessly!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Shameless Self Promotion Sunday
9 comments:
Found this interesting one:
- October 26, 2008 at 5:06 AM
- Not Important said...
I know you've already seen this, but I'll promote my little observation.
- October 26, 2008 at 8:37 AM
- T. R Xands said...
Hey QU, I was just...browsing around I guess, and I don't know how interesting this would be to you or if you've talked about it already but I saw this dishonor roll from the Californians Against Hate site. It basically lists who supports Prop 8, how much they've donated to it, all that.
I'm kinda...not all here right now so again sorry if you've already linked to it...don't laugh at my sleep-deprivation :/
- October 26, 2008 at 9:22 AM
I've been looking into homeschooling my son and keep coming across frothing-at-the-mouth Christian fundamentalists who homeschool to protect their children from "sodomites" and "faggots". They promote lies and hatred and one even advocated blowing up a gay friendly high school in New York, calling it "poetic justice". I was so disturbed by this that I've written responses to a couple of them. This may not be exactly what you have in mind for this promotion, but I think it's important to expose this kind of hatred and extremism for what it is. Here is my humble contribution:
Why Homeschool? Faggots and Liberals!
Mom Hates Telling The Truth
- October 26, 2008 at 12:12 PM
- Queers United said...
preset - i saw that article and find it ridiculous that its the case, thanks for sharing.
gdad & t.r. - i personally have seen those posts but they are both great and im sure many readers haven't seen them.
lottie - that is a very interesting article, not to mention extremely disturbing. thanks for combating their religious bigotry.
- October 26, 2008 at 12:24 PM
- Shauna said...
http://www.opalga.com -Lesbian and gay organization
http://shaunabaggett.blogspot.com/- yours truly blog
http://shaunabaggtt.com - yours truly website
http://www.intersexualite.org/Index.html, Intersex site
http://transworkplace.blogspot.com/ - helping transgenders to work and stay employed
http://www.pride.barackobama.com/, Our new President
http://queersunited.blogspot.com/ Wonderful place for news and arguements
- October 26, 2008 at 12:44 PM
- Queers United said...
great links Shauna, and thank you, you are very kind!
- October 26, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Well I have a website I've been trying to promote more. Its called The Omaha Gay Village, where memebers of the glbt community can post and share videos, events, and their thoughts about things that effect Omaha GLBT Community. Who knows, maybe someday there will be a real gay district in Omaha where we discuss these issues! :)
- October 26, 2008 at 7:09 PM
- planet trans said...
What can I say. Jesus lived life to give for the good of all. God bless Father Farrow
- October 26, 2008 at 9:35 PM