text:
SEATTLE — Lefthander Andrew Miller, a key member of the Red Sox bullpen, was told Monday he needs season-ending surgery on his left foot.
Dr. George Theodore, a foot specialist, examined Miller and found what is known as a Lisfranc injury. Miller has a torn ligament between bones in the middle of his foot.
Miller will get a second opinion before scheduling surgery. But the Sox are not optimistic the diagnosis will change. Miller was injured Saturday night when he planted his foot on the mound en route to backing up home plate.
"Very," said manager John Farrell when asked about the significance of the loss. "Given the way he's pitched and the importance of that power lefthander in the bullpen, it is."
Miller is third on the team with 37 appearances. He has a 2.64 earned run average and a 1.37 WHIP. Over 30⅔ innings he has struck out 48.
Once a first-round pick of the Tigers, Miller struggled with command early in his career and was traded twice.
The Sox showed patience with the hard-throwing, 6-foot-7-inch pitcher, trying him first as a starter before putting him in the bullpen and changing his mechanics.
This season was the best of Miller's career as he proved reliable in late-inning situations.
"Obviously on a personal level, it's disappointing and from a team perspective we'll miss him," said Craig Breslow, now the only lefthander in the bullpen.
"This team has showed we're pretty resilient and we've had to overcome some key injuries. This is another one. We have no option but to keep on moving forward.
"Andrew been trending upward the last couple of years at a pretty rapid pace. His potential has been documented and he was finally realizing. It's got to be a tough blow for him."
Said Farrell: "He was well on his way to becoming a dominant lefthanded reliever."
The loss of Miller greatly increases the odds of the Sox making a trade to improve their bullpen. The non-waiver trade deadline is July 31.
"We'll just have to see. We've had guys step up all year when the opportunity was there. We need that to continue," general manager Ben Cherington said. "We'll see what other opportunities come our way later in the month.
"But when you lose a guy you have to replace him some way. We weren't planning on losing a guy like Miller and so we have to fill that."
With so many teams in contention, the market for relief pitchers will be active. But relievers are inconsistent by nature and determining which ones can stand the pressure of a pennant race is difficult.
"It's tough," Cherington said. "The most efficient way to do it is to ignore [the trade market] completely. But then you run the risk of not having enough guys out there. We can't say never to a trade for a reliever just because it's hard to predict. We have to evaluate each possibility for what it is. If you find something internally, that's always a better way to go."
The internal options for lefthanders are scant.
Franklin Morales has appeared in only six games this season and is on the disabled list for the second time with a strained pectoral muscle. He is at least 3-5 weeks from returning.
Lefthander Drake Britton was recently promoted to Triple A Pawtucket. Cherington said there are no plans at the moment to try him in the bullpen.
Ryan Rowland-Smith, who pitched for the Mariners from 2007-10 (47 starts in 115 appearances), pitched well for Pawtucket before needing surgery to remove his appendix. He is not expected to pitch again until the end of the month.
"We'll look at every internal option. If there's something that makes sense, I'm sure that we're open-minded to it," Farrell said.
Caught shorthanded
The Sox did not have Jacoby Ellsbury or Shane Victorino available Monday night against Seattle and were forced to use a makeshift outfield.
Ellsbury sprained his left wrist Sunday night against the Angels when he took a swing in the fifth inning. Victorino was out of the lineup for a second straight game with a sore left hamstring.
Daniel Nava started in center field for the first time in his career. His professional experience at the position consisted of four games (one start) and 13 innings in the minors.
The oft-injured Ellsbury was not available for comment. Farrell said he is day-to-day and no X-rays are planned.
"He was able to get through [Sunday] night. He was sore afterward and reported today with similar feelings," Farrell said. "Rather than risk anything, we'll give him a day out to receive treatment. We're hopeful this is something that will respond to treatment."
Victorino came out of Friday night's game with his injury. He has been dealing with lower back and hamstring injuries for much of the season.
"It's improving," he said. "But it's probably better to wait another day."
Nava has improved defensively over the last two years. But playing center was not something the Sox ever expected.
"That's the alignment," Farrell said.
Farrell said the team would wait another day or so before deciding whether a roster move is needed. Neither player is expected to land on the disabled list at this point.
Buchholz on track
Clay Buchholz is scheduled to throw in the bullpen Wednesday and Friday in advance of a minor league rehabilitation start Sunday. The righthander has been out since June 8 with a shoulder injury . . . The Sox passed infielder Jonathan Diaz through waivers and outrighted him to Pawtucket. Cherington said the team expected to need a spot on the 40-man roster and decided to be proactive . . . Righthanded reliever Daniel Bard, who has not pitched since May 15, is making progress to returning to the mound with Double A Portland. Bard has struggled to throw strikes all season and has been out with what the team claims is an abdominal strain . . . Righthander Jeremy Bonderman, who was scheduled to start for Seattle Thursday, was designated for assignment. Erasmo Ramirez, a 23-year-old righthander, is expected to be called up from Triple A Tacoma to make the start. He is 3-3 with a 3.09 ERA in the Pacific Coast League . . . The deadline to sign players selected in the amateur draft is Friday. The Sox have signed all but three of their top 20 selections. The highest unsigned player is fourth-rounder Myles Smith, a righthanded pitcher from Lee University in Tennessee.
Peter Abraham can be reached at email@example.com. Follow him on Twitter @PeteAbe.


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FYI: Reason 6.5 and above includes a newer version of TE OP-1 Remote Codec & Map! You can read jump to the Quick Reference Guide down below to get some info about it :)
Hey! :)
Hey! :)
You're a Reason 6 user and you just installed the recent Reason 6.0.2 update ?
(No? What are you waiting for!?!?)
Do you have a TE OP-1 ?
(Yeah? Congratz! ;)
...and if you still haven't upgraded your OP-1's firmware to at least OS #12234 (or newer), you should really update your OP-1's OS ASAP!:)
Yeah, so now you can use your OP-1 as a Control Surface for Reason ! Neat uh ? :)
Before going into some quick basics about this new functionality, let me tell you that there's a newer version of this TE OP-1's Remote Map. It's basically a maintenance release to fix a couple of bugs I've noticed and fixed after the first release. This (or a higher) version will surely be included in future versions of Reason, but if you want it now, here's how:
Download the following zip archive, by clicking this Teenage Engineering OP-1 Remote Codec+Map (Official V.1.2).zip link.
- Codecs\Lua Codecs\Teenage Engineering\OP-1.luacodec
- Codecs\Lua Codecs\Teenage Engineering\OP-1.lua
- Codecs\Lua Codecs\Teenage Engineering\OP-1.png
- Maps\Teenage Engineering\OP-1.remotemap
Extract those 2 folders (Codecs and Maps) to the following path:
on Mac OSX:
Library:Application Support:Propellerhead Software:Remote
on Windows:
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Propellerhead Software\Remote
which usually translates to:
on Windows Vista or Windows 7:
C:\ProgramData\Propellerhead Software\Remote
on Windows XP or 2000:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Propellerhead Software\Remote
Confirm, if asked about overwriting the existing files
(since you already have the older V.1.1 version ones installed)
Start Reason and if you already had TE OP-1 added as a control surface, all should be good. If not, just connect the OP-1 and do a quick auto-detect, just like you see in the video.
Quick Reference Guide
These are some of the general rules that apply to the TE OP-1 Remote Map:
- Transport buttons Rec, Play, Stop, < and > work as expected.
- +
To change the keyboard Octave, use Shift + < or Shift + >
- Lift / Drop buttons work as Previous / Next Sequencer Track target.
- Synth / Drum buttons work as Previous / Next patch, ID8 preset, Channel FX Insert or Base Channel, depending on what's the target or locked rack device being controlled.
- There's a notion of control pages or "Modes" selected by the Mixer (default mode) and T-keys (the big 1, 2, 3 and 4 buttons below the display). So each of the 4 encoders (the Blue, Green, White and Red knobs) and the 8 buttons (smaller numbers, below the encoders) can do different things depending on the Mode selected.
- As expected, Shift is also used to quickly access an alternate function of all these buttons and encoders. So, you can have 5 modes (default Mixer, T1, T2, T3 and T4) plus another 5 (Shift+Mixer, Shift+T1, etc...)+
+...so, when exploring what's possible to control with the OP-1, first try the encoders and the 1-8 buttons. Then try them again with Shift pressed. ...and you're still only using the default mode. Press T1 (the bigger 1 button) and try the encoders and buttons again... then try T2, etc... some devices, like Thor and Kong use almost all the 10 modes, so Shift+T4 will actually work and change the encoders function.
- Tap Tempo button works as expected too... See also what happens with all the other buttons I didn't mentioned, like the ...Tape button to toggle the transport Loop mode
Metronome Click On/Off
Quantize Record
- One other important notion to learn is that the encoders can be pushed ("clicked") down to achieve higher value resolution, when needed.
- The Mic button is usually used to trigger Reason 6's Sample feature when controlling a sampler device like NN19, NN-XT, Kong or ReDrum (well, on ReDrum, it engages an extra Sampling mode and then choose the channel to sample on with 1-8 buttons, including Shift+7 or Shift+8 for sampling on Channels 9 or 10 ...as always, press Mixer button to return to the default mode).
Other generic rules that are usually true when possible:
Blue encoder controls the Mod Wheel (when in default mode = Mixer button). Combinator is the exception to this rule. Press Shift+Blue Encoder to get to the Mod Wheel, or T1 to lock that. Mixer to unlock (i.e. return to the Default mode).
- Green and White encoders are usually mapped to Filter Cutoff and Resonance or generic knobs like ID8 or Thor.
Red encoder is mostly mapped to Volume.
- +
Shift+Play is always mapped to Run type devices, like Matrix, ReDrum, Thor, Dr. OctoRex, etc...
Button 8 is by default mapped to Bypass/On/Off status switch found on Effect and Combinator devices.
...and I guess this is quite enough for now. I'll let you figure out the rest by exploring yourself :)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Thought for a long time, to write about 2011 and what it did to my life and yadayadayada. And then thought, I don't really feel like listing down all these life-changing things that happened. Because well duh, if you are on my Facebook, you would know anyway. :D
So, yeah, 2011 was, in one word, AWESOME.


text:
For weeks, a cryptic website called "Pottermore," bearing the signature of author J.K. Rowling, has teased fans with a countdown timer ticking off toward an undisclosed "announcement."
Well, now we know what it's all about.
Rowling has announced that she has roughly 18,000 words of new Harry Potter material that will form the basis of a new interactive web site. The site will combine elements of gaming and social networking and hopes to give fans an immersive experience into the world of Death Eaters and house elves.
U.S. & World
The day's top national and international news.
"[It's] a way I can be creative in a medium that didn't exist when I started the books back in 1990," Rowling said, explaining that she had a treasure trove of "stories, drawings, ideas, suggestions" that might not get used otherwise.
Rowling also insists in calling the project an "online reading experience" and not just a tie-in game.
Users will be able to "attend" Hogwarts School (they are even placed into houses by the "Sorting Hat"), shop in Diagon Alley, and travel on the iconic Hogwarts train.
Rowling also revealed that all seven of the "Potter" books will be available digitally on e-books for the first time ever.
The interactive Potter site goes live July 31 for the first 1 million registered users as a "soft launch." It will then open to the rest of the public in October.
The final film in the Potter series - "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2" - opens July 15th. Rowling admitted that the "Pottermore" project allowed her to remain connected to her creation.
"It is exactly like an ex-boyfriend," she said. "Finishing writing Harry — I have only ever cried in that way and that much when my mother died. I have never cried for a man the way I cried for Harry Potter."
Selected Reading: MSNBC, Time, The Guardian


text:
When you buy a credit card, do you seek out the huge benefits it gives and sync it together with your requirements? if you're not doing that, you are not optimally utilising a credit card. You need to understand that while most credit that is basic offer multiple benefits such as for instance cashback, reward points, air miles and dining privileges, some credit cards contain exclusive benefits. These benefits are tailored for individuals whose requirements in one single area are far more than in another – as an example, like goodies, you should opt for a reward credit card if you are focused on savings, you can choose a cashback-specific credit card; if you are a frequent flyer you should opt for a travel credit card; and if you.
Travellers have a variety of credit cards to select from – because travel credit cards offer not only extra air miles and tie-ups with specific airlines, but also discounts on hotel stays, dining and easy transactions in foreign countries. Let us have a look at the most notable 10 credit cards in India offering advantages that are travel-related you.
HDFC Bank Travel credit Cards
HDFC bank offers a bunch of credit cards in collaboration with Jet Airways. These are generally:
JetPrivilege HDFC Bank World credit card: This credit card offers a complimentary Jet Airways Ticket as welcome benefit – under which the base fee regarding the first ticket that is domestic with your credit card will likely to be waived. The welcome benefits on JetPrivilege HDFC Bank World Credit Card likewise incorporate 5,000 Bonus JPMiles if you use your card when it comes to time that is firstit has to be within 90 days of buying the credit card), and another 5,000 Bonus JPMiles once you spend Rs. 75,000 or maybe more on retail bills within ninety days of shopping for the card. The JPMiles can help travel with Jet Airways along with its 25-odd international airline partners. You'll be able to upgrade your ticket using JPMiles.
Each time you spend Rs. 150 on retail expenses, you will get 6 JPMiles. And each right time you book a flight ticket through the Jet Airways website utilizing the JetPrivilege HDFC Bank World credit card, you get 18 JPMiles per Rs. 150. You also get premier check-in for all flights that are domestic will undoubtedly be allowed to carry 10 kg more baggage on all domestic JetAirways flights in addition to lounge access through MasterCard Lounge Access Programme and avail discounts on Priority Pass membership.
JetPrivilege HDFC Bank Diners Club credit card: The first utilization of your JetPrivilege HDFC Bank Diners Club credit card within 3 months of shopping for the card will get you 15 JetPrivilege Tier Points. You get 15,000 JPMiles when you initially make use of your card within 3 months, and another 15,000 JPMiles on retail transactions rs that are totalling 1,50,000 or more. It is possible to buy a ticket without paying the base fare in the Jet Airways website.
With JetPrivilege HDFC Bank Diners Club credit card, you get 8 JPMiles on every Rs. 150 you spend on retail transactions and 24 JPMiles on every Rs. 150 spent on ticket-bookings through the Jet Airways website. You can also avail Green Fee waiver on golf games at 20 golf courses in the country and over 40 in other parts of the world if you are a golf enthusiast. Other benefits include concierge services, anytime airport lounge access, premier check-in on domestic flights, additional 10 kg baggage allowance and over 15% discount on restaurants around the world.
JetPrivilege HDFC Bank Platinum credit card: This card provides you with a complimentary Jet airways ticket that is domestic base fare waived and 4,000 Bonus JPMiles divided equally between retail transactions and ticket booking in the Jet Airways website, within 3 months of setting within the card. Retail spends in the multiples of Rs. 150 gives you 5 JPMiles, while ticket bookings from the airline website can give you thrice higher JPMiles in addition to a 5% concession from the tickets that are domestic. MasterCard airport lounge access benefits are also available to JetPrivilege HDFC Bank Platinum credit card holders.
JetPrivilege HDFC Bank Titanium credit card: The titanium credit card offers 2,000 Bonus JPMiles – 1,000 on first swipe and 1,000 on retail swipes worth Rs. 25,000 or higher. You accumulate 4 JPMiles for each and every Rs. 150 used on retail and 12 JPMiles for every Rs. 150 allocated to ticket bookings on JetAirways website. The JetPrivilege HDFC Bank Titanium Credit Card now offers the MasterCard lounge access benefits just like the other cards.
HDFC Bank comes with 2 other credit cards focused on travel benefits:
HDFC Bank AllMiles credit card: along side welcome advantageous asset of 1,000 reward points, you become part of the AllMiles Club, by which you can easily accrue double reward points when using your credit card regarding the HDFC All Miles website. With every Rs. 150 you spend using HDFC Bank AllMiles credit card, you earn 3 points that are reward which can be collected and converted into air miles. The conversion rate is: 100 Reward Points = 75 air miles or Rs. 75 Air Voucher. The Reward Points can be used to also buy products on discount from the bank's catalogue. In addition, you get Priority Pass membership and access to airport lounges.
HDFC Bank Superia Credit Card: The Superia credit card offers a welcome advantage of 1,000 reward points and redemption of those points on international airlines through KrisFlyer and domestic airlines on tickets of Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines and Air India. The reward points which can be earned are similar to the AllMiles credit card. The reward point-to-air mile conversion ratio is 100 to 70 when it comes to the Superia credit card. You accumulate 50% more reward points than normal when dining in restaurants. Priority Pass membership and use of discount rates on products within the bank's catalogues will be the additional benefits of the HDFC Bank Superia credit card.
ICICI Bank Travel Credit Cards
ICICI Bank also offers a tie-up with Jet Airways to provide special travel to its customers and airline benefits. These card are available in both Visa and American Express card iterations.
Jet Airways ICICI Bank Coral Credit Card: As on-boarding privileges, a Jet Airways ICICI Bank Coral credit card offers membership to the JetPrivilege programme and 3,000 JPMiles. JPMiles may be earned through retail spends and on ticket bookings through Jet Airways. While American Express card holders get 3 JPMiles for almost any Rs. 100 spent on domestic and international swipes that are retail Visa card users get 2 JPMiles. Similarly, American Express card owners get 6 JPMiles for every single Rs. 100 allocated to booking ticket through the airline website and Visa card holders earn 4 JPMiles for the same transaction. You can generate no more than 40,000 JPMiles annually. Both the American Express and Visa cards offer airport lounge access, while only Visa cards offer you special rates on services from Hertz and Avis car rentals.
Jet Airways ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card: Rubyx credit cards offer 6,250 bonus JPMiles on joining along with a free (base-fare waived) Jet airways flight ticket that is domestic. You can even avail 5% off the base fare for domestic/international airfare tickets booked through Jet Airways website. With a Jet Airways ICICI Bank Rubyx American Express credit card, you will get 4 JPMiles for virtually any Rs. 100 spent inside India and 5 JPMiles for every single Rs. 100 spent abroad, and 8 JPMiles on spends in the airline website. Jet Airways ICICI Bank Rubyx Visa Credit Card, on the other hand, provides you with 3 JPMiles per Rs. 100 of domestic expenses, 4 JPMiles per Rs. 100 of international expenses and 6 JPMiles on the website. The maximum air miles that could be accumulated is the same since the Coral credit card, and airport lounge access and car rental benefits are also available.
Jet Airways ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card: because of the Sapphiro credit card, you earn 12,500 JPMiles as on-boarding benefit along side a base-fee waived domestic flight ticket and 5% rebate on domestic ticket fares. In addition, you get dedicated check-in for domestic flights and an baggage that is additional of 10 kg on domestic flights. Jet Airways ICICI Bank Sapphiro American Express credit card gives you 5 JPMiles for every Rs. 100 spent in India and 7 JPMiles when that Rs. 100 is spent outside India. Purchases through Jet Airways web portal is eligible for 10 JPMiles per Rs. 100. The Visa variant offers 4 JPMiles on domestic expenses, 5 JPMiles on international purchases and 8 JPMiles on website bills. The maximum JPMiles it is possible to collect is 60,000 with this particular card. Airport lounge and car access that is rental the same as the other cards.
British Airways Premium credit card Account: In this card, ICICI pairs up with British Airways to offer the cardholder a welcome bonus of 8,000 Avios the first time you swipe the card. If you book a return ticket on a British Airways flight from India to London within a few months to getting the credit card, you can avail 25,000 Avios. You will get both ICICI Bank British Airways American Express Credit Card and its own MasterCard variant to earn benefits that are optimum. Additionally you have the British Airways Executive Club membership.
Avios could be earned into the following ways through the American Express card: 4 Avios per Rs. 100 on retail expenses, 6 Avios per Rs. 100 when using the card regarding the British Airways website, and when your credit that is annual card is Rs. 2.25 lakh or higher, the Avios earned on retail and website transactions will be 25% higher. Similarly, with credit cards of Rs. 5 lakh per year or maybe more, you will get a 50% hike in the quantity of Avios collectable for almost any Rs. 100. However, with the MasterCard variant, you simply have the option to make 1 Avios for just about any transaction within the multiples of Rs. 100.
Axis Bank Travel credit Cards
Axis Bank offers a co-branded credit card and a travel-focused credit card to its customers. Why don't we take a good look at their benefits:
Miles & More Axis Bank credit card: The Axis Bank Miles & More credit card is available in 2 versions: World Select and World. With a Miles & More credit card, you will get privileges on 9 airlines Lufthansa that is including and Swiss. The whole world Card provides you with a bonus that is welcome of miles and a yearly bonus of 3,000 miles, even though the World Select Card provides you with 15,000 miles when on-boarding and 4,000 miles as annual bonus. For every Rs. 200 allocated to retail – except movie bookings – a World Select cardholder is entitled to 6 miles and some sort of card member can avail 4 miles. On movie bookings, expenses in the multiples of Rs. 200 earn both the global world and World Select card user 20 miles each.
If you're a Miles & More member for at the least a couple of months and also make one or more miles-related purchase in 30 days, the miles you accumulate will not expire. These miles can be utilized not merely for flight bookings and ticket upgrades, but in addition on accommodation, shopping, car rentals and in supporting social causes. MasterCard airport lounge access and Priority Pass benefits can also be found to a Miles & More member. The card also offers insurance benefits such as for example Lost Card Liability cover of Rs. 1.5 lakh for World cardholders and Rs. 3 lakh for World Select customers, and personal accident cover (air only) of Rs. 2.5 crore for World card users and Rs. 4.5 crore for World Select cardholders.
Titanium Smart Traveller credit card: Travel expenses made regarding the Titanium Smart Traveller credit gets you eDGE that is extra Rewards Points. You are eligible for 8 eDGE points for virtually any Rs. 200 spent abroad, and 4 points that are eDGE credit payments for bookings of vacation packages, hotels, airlines, train and bus in India. Other domestic retail expenses offers you 2 points that are eDGE. These points can be transformed into air miles, or discounts on products specified because of the bank.
SBI Travel Credit Cards
The State Bank of India, one of the largest banks of India, also has co-branded and travel-specific credit cards.
Air India SBI Signature Credit Card: This card provides you with 20,000 reward points as a welcome gift and a free membership of Flying Returns, the atmosphere India Frequent Flyer programme. Bonus reward points offered are: 20,000 for spending Rs. 5 lakh annually, 30,000 (plus 20,000) if you spend Rs. 10 lakh on a yearly basis, and 50,000 (plus 30,000 and 20,000) in case the yearly credit card expense is Rs. 20 lakh. You also earn tier upgrades into the Air India Flying Returns programme.
Every Rs. 100 spent making use of this credit card shall give you 4 reward points. When you buy Air India tickets using your credit card, you feel qualified to receive 20 reward points per Rs. 100. When converting your reward points to air miles, you obtain 1 Air India mile per reward point. You get airport lounge access and Priority Pass membership.
SBI Yatra credit card: with all the Yatra credit card, you're going to get vouchers worth Rs. 8,250 that can be used from the Yatra.com website as joining benefit. It is possible to avail 6X Reward Points and an additional 6x points on base fare by using your credit card on Yatra.com. Departmental and grocery store purchases get you 6X Reward Points and 1 point for each and every Rs. 100 spent in other retail shops. The reward points could be changed into Yatra.com vouchers, with 1 reward point equalling Rs. 0.25. Additionally, you also get a Yatra.com discount voucher rs that are worth. 500 for virtually any Rs. 30,000 allocated to the website. SBI Yatra credit card holders also get MasterCard airport lounge access as well.
CitiBank Citi PremierMiles Credit Card
CitiBank's travel credit card allows you to make use of the ongoing services of around 100 airlines. With a Citi PremierMiles Credit Card, you can easily avail 10 miles for almost any Rs. 100 allocated to airline transactions, through services on the Premier Miles website and on spending with online partners such as for instance MakeMyTrip and Flipkart. You can easily redeem airline as well as hotel bookings to your miles. The bonus welcome of 10,000 miles can be availed on your purchase that is first of than Rs. 1,000 within 60 days of activating the card. The miles would not have an expiry date and you can easily book tickets for any date in the calendar. In addition get access airport lounges.
How To Make The Essential of one's credit Card
Choose zero liability credit cards where possible. Also look at the payment that is late and renewal fees.
If you're a traveller that is frequent having a credit card with good customer support support will work better for you.
Usually do not accumulate multiple credit cards; this will help avoid undue debt.
Let your bank know that they don't suspend the card for irregular transactions if you are going abroad so.
With so options that are many, you can find the travel credit card you like the most effective. While privileges are typical fine, make sure you check the interest rates offered on the cards. A higher rate of interest will mean that you end up paying more for the privileges, thus nullifying the advantages.


text:
Last night, I watched the movie adaptation of Stieg Larsson's novel, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and, I must say, it was wonderful.
I read the late Stieg Larsson's book last year, and I had reservations about how a thriller with such a byzantine plot would get translated as a motion picture. But Män som hatar kvinnor (as the movie is entitled in Swedish, adopting Larsson's original title for the series of novels he completed just before untimely death) really delivers, especially in the role of the titular character, Lisbeth Salander, played by Noomi Rapace.
The movie's title translates as "Men Who Hate Women," and there turn out to be plenty of such men in this mystery, which embroils a disgraced journalist with the disappearance of a teenage girl some 40 years ago.
Movies, which seem to operate under a strict time-limit (90 minutes is optimal, while 180 minutes is unmarketable), often do a disservice when their source material is a novel, especially one that clocks over the current norm of 300 pages. (And The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, in its current English translation, is at 609 pages!) But the machinations of Larsson's plot are handled expertly under Niels Arden Oplev's direction, and the necessary compressions & omissions leave no gaping holes in the overall fabric of the story. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo is a meaty, entertaining two-and-a-half hours of cinema.
And the revelation here is Noomi Rapace's performance. She manages to inhabit & enliven Lisbeth Salander so that the character transcends her function as an avenging angel and becomes a flesh-and-blood person, tattoos and all. She becomes, like that sublime creation of Patricia Highsmith, Tom Ripley, a sociopath we really care about (though Lisbeth is by no means amoral -- in fact, she deals rather harshly with male transgressors, which makes for a memorably icky scene in the movie).
Lisbeth Salander is the heroine of Stieg Larsson's subsequent 2 novels in this series -- The Girl Who Played with Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest -- and Noomi Rapace has already played her in adaptations of those works, as well. I'm really looking forward to watching them as soon as they're available.


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We are extending the deadline because we had to take the website down, this past weekend, for some scheduled server maintenance which cost artists time to work on/ submit their proposals. Now, there is one extra week to prepare and complete proposals. For more information on the Commissions Program, application procedures and past recipients, please visit: http://www.rhizome.org/commissions. For questions, please contact the Rhizome staff at commissions[at]rhizome.org.
"In Real Life" at Capricious Space
Every weekend in the month of March, "In Real Life" took over Capricious Space in Brooklyn, NY with four-hour residencies by various art-related web sites. We felt the project stirred up some compelling ideas surrounding the presentation of online artistic activities within a gallery setting, and we attended as many residencies as we could. Finding a format to review everything that went on last month wasn't easy. We eventually decided to crib the form of curator Laurel Ptak's statement, a conversation between herself and art historian Leigh Claire LaBerge over Skype, and exchanged our impressions of "IRL" over email.
Ceci: The first "IRL" residency I attended was the performance for Club Internet. Some have grumbled that this "performance" was boring -- just a bunch of people around laptops. But I stayed at the gallery for almost two hours, talking to Laurel about the use of (and resistance to) digital manipulation in commercial photography during the 1980s, the subject of her academic research that preceded her blog iheartphotogaph. I also had an interesting talk with Club Internet founder Harm van den Dorpel. I don't know if we really needed the gallery setting or even the production of Club Internet in the background to have that kind of dialogue.
Untitled HTML Paintings (2003) - Enrico Glerean
The painting in the age of the internet? The idea for E.G. is simple: the machine is the new painter and its languages are the new painting techniques. The brush stroke is now replaced by a portion of HTML code, the painter is your own computer, each painting is generated each time and everytime is brand new. References to the past abstract masterpieces are evident, but today a work of art like a Rothko's painting is reduced to a mathematical formula that give instruction to the machine to create the final painting.
Look, See (2008-Ongoing) - Chris Ashley
It is my intention to continue making an HTML drawing for every day in 2008 and beyond.
The National Museum of Contemporary Art (EMST) in Athens, Greece, has committed itself to curating a number of recent exhibitions of internet art. Their current show, "Tag Ties and Affective Spies," features contributions from both net vets and emerging surfers, including Christophe Bruno, Gregory Chatonsky, Paolo Cirio, JODI, Jonathan Harris and Sep Kamvar, Les Liens Invisibles, Personal Cinema and The Erasers, Ramsay Stirling, and Wayne Clements. The online exhibition takes an antagonistic approach to Web 2.0, citing a constant balance "between order and chaos, democracy and adhocracy." Curator Daphne Dragona raises the question of whether the social web is a preexisting platform on which people connect, or whether it is indeed constructed in the act of uploading, tagging, and disclosing previously private information about ourselves on sites like Flickr, YouTube, and Facebook. Dragona asks whether we are truly connecting and interacting, or merely broadcasting. While her curatorial statement doesn't address the issue directly, the show's title hints at the level of self-surveillance in play on these sites. Accordingly, many of the selected works take a critical, if not DIY, approach to the internet. The collective Les Liens Invisibles tends to create works that make an ironic mash-up of the often divergent mantras of tactical media, culture jamming, surrealism, and situationism. In their Subvertr, they encourage Flickr users to "subverTag" their posted images, creating an intentional disassociation between an image's content and its interpretion, with the aim of "breaking the strict rules of significance that characterize the mainstream collective imaginary..." JODI's work, Del.icio.us/ winning information (2008) exploits the limited stylistic parameters of the social bookmarking site. Using ASCII and Unicode page titles to form visual marks, a cryptic tag vocabulary, and a recursive taxonomy, their fun-to-follow site critiques the broader content of the web ...


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12" Baridi Basket
$ 50.00
This sisal, woven basket is made by artisans in Gitarama, Rwanda. The women grow their own sisal plants, extract the fibers, then hand-dye and weave them into these beautiful works of art. The sisal is woven around sweetgrass, a fragrant grass with a subtle sweetness. Each sisal Rwandan basket comes with a string attached to the back so that you can hang it on the wall. In addition to making a beautiful table display, these baskets can also be hung as art. You can combine them with other baskets or works of art to make a feature wall collage.


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First: I have never programmed any Websites. Well, everybody had done a little bit of HTML. But i did not use Perl, Javascript or similar...
Well... now my boss told me, I have to learn Ajax. Ok. I have read many articles, many howtos what ajax is. And in EVERY these articles the used language was JS.
Now my boss told me: Hey, why? Use C# oder Java. There are enough libraries, that you can use. The Server will generate the sites for you Webuser right out of your code. Best you use Java and eclipse...
Well... well... WHAT?
Please, I "started" with Ajax yesterday. I think I understand the functionality and, how it works, between Server an Client. But, how do I start with an simple "Hello World!" in a dialogbox? I need the knowhow for the Programmer... a little tutorial, that explains any smal step.
Is it enough to have an HP on strato? You really dont need somthing, linke tomcat oder apache?
What Do you need really to PROGRAMM an Ajaxsite?
Is it true or possible to write everythink in Java, and the libraries generates everything nessesary?
Thanks for any help.


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Warning if you are male, scroll up to the top and hit the X. Get out while you can. This blog contains extreme female-oriented subjects that will be more than you ever cared to know.)
When I sat down to decide what I wanted to blog about, the first thing that came into my mind was that I should tell you that I got my stitches out. (Talk about embarrassing. The last thing you want to hear when a doctor is trying to take stitches out of your boob is, "Can you hold that thing to one side so I cut the stitches out?") Then I realized that if I tell you about getting the stitches out, I'd have to explain how I got the stitches in. And as they say in the south, it ain't purty. But I've warned you in my earlier blogs, I seldom spare you the details. Oh, no, the gory truth is always much more interesting and generally funnier than hell.
It all started when I went in for my annual mammogram a few weeks ago. You know, go in, have a stranger tape some BBs on your nipples and allow a said stranger to smash your boobs between two clear pieces of plastic. Well, that's how this all started.
I'm there, naked from the waist up, the technician has just taped on my BBs. (These are to mark where everything ends on the x-ray.) I look down and see that the tape now comes in a pink flowery pattern. I start to ask if I can have a pair to take home to model for my husband, but the woman doesn't seem the type to take a joke.
Of course, that has never stopped me before, and it didn't then either. (By the way, she was very sorry, but they won't let you take home an extra pair, but if you want, you can keep the pair that they have just placed on your nipples. She actually thought I was serious. Scary, huh?)
Anyway, said stranger starts arranging my boobs, one at a time, on a machine. I haven't been felt up that thoroughly since…well since the elephant at the zoo. Anyway, she lowers the top piece of plastic and sandwiches my boob. (Have you ever looked down at your boob during a mammogram? If not, take my advice, don't!) As she walks away to turn on the x-ray machine, my brain starts playing the "what if" game. What if the power goes off? Would I be stuck here in the dark? Brings a whole new meaning to booby-trap, doesn't it?
Anyway, she takes the pictures and goes to check and see if they are clear. You wait, BBs still on--remember they're not going to give you another pair--to see if they need to re-smoosh and re-shoot you. You stand there, pace, and pray, that when she comes back in the room that she doesn't have a horrified look on her face that tells you that your world is about to be shaken.
Well . . . my world was shaken.
I've seen too many of my friends go though breast cancer, and thank God I haven't lost one friend, so at that moment I don't imagine myself dying. It's the whole being bald thing, and not feeling good enough to write, and missing deadlines that shakes my world.
Of course, I start making lemonade out of lemons, aka, trying to look on the bright side of what was surely one of the darkest moments of my life. I tell myself that if it's cancer, I can write an article about my writing humorous books, Laughing My Way through Cancer, and publish it at a lot of magazines. Oh, and if I am bald during my autographing, think how many sympathy buys I'll get. And since I already wear hats, I won't have to run out and get any.
Three days later, still working on that lemonade, I find myself, flat on my back, naked from the waist up in a surgeon's office, and someone else is once again feeling me up. The doctor looks down at me and says, "What have eaten today?"
Now, let me tell you, there's a lot of things you expect a man to say when he has his hand on your boob, but that's not one of them. To make a long story short, instead of going home, I went straight to the hospital.
I'm not going to tell you that I wasn't scared waiting in the pre-surgery room. I was scared shitless. But I was so thrilled to get it over with, to get the answer…cancer or not cancer, going bald or not going bald, that I felt this strange kind of calm.
Then this nurse comes in and hands me a pen. "Which boob?" she asked.
I tell her and she says I need to put a big X on it and then sign it. Now let me tell you, I've been practicing my autograph for book signings, but this took the cake.
When they wheeled me into the operating room, it hit me that I'd had several other operations, but I'd never actually remembered being in an operating room. Hey, it's scary in there. Sort of like a movie about being adducted by aliens. Big lights overhead. Scary looking instruments set out beside you. And then people, all wearing masks, start connecting all these things to your body—on your legs, your finger, on your chest.
I looked up at the nurse and asked, "Will I remember this?" And yeah, even a little scared, I'm thinking "wow," I can use this in a book some day.
She looked at me and said, "You do seem awfully alert."
Right then my anesthesiologist leans over and says, "I didn't give you any thing to relax."
"Why not?" I ask.
He shrugged. "You seemed so calm."
"Oh, that's because they had me gagged and in that tight white jacket," I tell him.
Unlike the X-ray tech, who didn't like my BB joke, this guy laughed. And hey, anytime I meet anyone whom I think likes humor, I ask the all-important question. "Do you read? You know, I have a funny book coming out on November 27th."
Then he tells me that he's putting something into my IV to put me to sleep. I feel it go in my wrist, a little sting and a lot cold, it runs up my arm, and I swear I feel it enter my brain and spider into every blood vessel. It got almost to my forehead and I'm thinking I might see God, and he'll give me some bit of wisdom, on losing weight in ten days, or maybe just my next plot for my new book. But nope, the lights go out and that's all I remember.
When I woke up in recovery, I did what I think all women do after going through this surgery. I felt to see if I still had my boob. It was there, autographed and everything, hurt like someone had stabbed it with a knife—probably because someone had.
A few minutes later, I was told my results. I'm not going to go bald. The mass in my left breast was benign. Thank God.
But did you know that October is Breasts Cancer Awareness month? My mother had breast cancer, early detection saved her life. My two friends whom have dealt with breasts cancer, were also saved as a result of early detection.
Having a mammogram ain't purty, neither is having surgery, or losing your hair. But it beats the hell out of dying. If you are 35 or older, and maybe younger if Breast Cancer runs in your family, do yourself, and your family, a favor--go in and get your own set of BBs
Crime Scene Christie
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Mammograms, Boobs & Stitches
Posted by Christie Craig at 7:27 AM
50 comments:
- Jana DeLeon said...
Thank Goodness!!!! I'm so glad to hear that you're all right, Christie. And thanks so much for telling this story. Too many women don't get checked regularly and should.
I have to admit though, that I had a great laugh over the autographing your boob part. :)
- October 23, 2007 at 8:18 AM
I'm with Jana on this one - thanks so much for posting this reminder to all of us. And I am soooo glad that you are okay.
- October 23, 2007 at 8:35 AM
- Christie Craig said...
Thanks for posting and you are so right, too many women don't go in for their annual check up.
As for laughing at the part about me autographing my boob. All I can say is I'll be the people in the operating room laughed when they saw my practice run of... "Hope I give you a chuckle. Christie Craig"
Crime Scene Christie
- October 23, 2007 at 9:00 AM
- Christie Craig said...
Thanks for popping in. And maybe we should all ask a friend if she's had her annual mammogram.
Maybe we should have mammogram parties.
Crime Scene Christie
- October 23, 2007 at 9:03 AM
How scary! I'm glad you're okay.
- October 23, 2007 at 9:15 AM
Hey Christie, only you can add that special wit to something so scary. I am so glad you are okay. And as an added note, for those women who don't have insurance to cover the mammogram there is a non-profit breast healthcare organization called The Rose, they take insurance of course, but they also help with those that don't have insurance. They provide the screening, diagnosis and support. The website is www.The-Rose.org.
So glad you are okay.
- October 23, 2007 at 9:22 AM
Since I am one of your survivor friends I want everyone to know you handled your scare with humor and class...just like I taught you.
Love, Nita
- October 23, 2007 at 10:00 AM
- Suzan Harden said...
Some mammogram techs really need to lighten up.
At my first one, the tech came into the room and asked me if I knew what she would be doing today. Not one to mince words, I grinned and replied, "You're going to squish my DDD's flat between two plates and take pictures." She didn't think I was very funny.
Two years later, a different tech was cracking jokes and trying to cheer me up because I'd found the dreaded lump during my self-examination that month. I told her I really appreciated her attempts and related my story about the last tech. The girl shook her head, winked at me, and "Don't worry. That b**** doesn't work here any more."
- October 23, 2007 at 10:20 AM
- Christie Craig said...
I'm glad I'm okay, too. I'm not finished terrorizing the world. Thanks for posting girl.
Crime Scene Christie
- October 23, 2007 at 10:22 AM
- Christie Craig said...
Thank you so much for posting that web address!
And as for finding the humor in things... Laughter really is my preventive medicine. Why cry, when you can laugh?
Crime Scene Christie
- October 23, 2007 at 10:25 AM
- Christie Craig said...
Hi Nita!
Let me tell you guys, Nita was so amazing, so strong, that she really is my role model. She also makes it really hard to bitch and whine about anything.
Lov you girl!
Crime Scene Christie
- October 23, 2007 at 10:29 AM
- Christie Craig said...
I totally agree with you. I mean, if what you do for a living is squish boobs, how can you not have sense of humor?
Crime Scene Christie
- October 23, 2007 at 10:31 AM
- Gemma Halliday said...
What a great story, Christie. Of course, I did skim ahead to make sure it had a happy ending. :)
- October 23, 2007 at 10:35 AM
- Christie Craig said...
Ahh Gemma,
You know me better than that. I only write happy endings!
Crime Scene Christie
- October 23, 2007 at 10:40 AM
- Lucy said...
What an inspiration you are girl. My sister lost a breast (and most - not all - of her hair) to cancer but early detection saved her life. It's been almost 20 years and no reoccurence of the very aggressive cancer she had.
But I'm a tiny bit confused...why did you have to autograph the boob? Or did I misread that?
- October 23, 2007 at 10:59 AM
- Christie Craig said...
Thank God your sister is okay.
They actually make you sign it so they will make sure not to operate on the wrong one.
Scary, isn't it.
Crime Scene Christie
- October 23, 2007 at 11:11 AM
- Lucy said...
OMG!!! They asked you to do this BEFORE they drugged you up, I hope. I've never heard that before. (I don't think my sister had to sign anything...but it was a while ago.)
By the way, if I didn't say it before, I'm glad you're okay.
- October 23, 2007 at 11:30 AM
- Stacy S said...
So glad it turned out okay!!
- October 23, 2007 at 12:04 PM
- Christie Craig said...
Yeah, OMG! And since I never got any pre-drugs, I was pretty alert, but because I'm always getting left and right confused, I had a few minutes of panic.
Crime Scene Christie
- October 23, 2007 at 12:04 PM
- Christie Craig said...
Stacy s.,
Thanks for posting girl! And thanks for your thoughts. I'm all well now. Boob is still sore, but I'm fine.
Crime Scene Christie
- October 23, 2007 at 12:12 PM
- Jenyfer Matthews said...
"I haven't been felt up that thoroughly since…well since the elephant at the zoo."
Trust you to make a scary experience funny! Thank goodness you're ok!
- October 23, 2007 at 12:54 PM
- Jenyfer Matthews said...
You know, a friend of mine was telling me recently about a different form of breast exam, more like an MRI with no boob-squashing and it's more accurate as well. Since my tiny girls probably wouldn't fit between the plates I may have to investigate this other option...
- October 23, 2007 at 12:55 PM
- Christie Craig said...
Thanks for posting.
Hey...we gotta laugh. And I always feel better when people laugh with me. There's a C&W song, (can't think of the name) that says..."We all have junk in the trunk. And life is going to be just fine, as long as I laugh at yours and your laugh at mine."
And untrasounds are also used to look for BC. However, one of my friends is really small and they have done a mammogram on her. However...she does say she's scared to breathe because they might snap right off. Ahh, mammograms!
Crime Scene Christie
- October 23, 2007 at 1:11 PM
- Colleen Thompson said...
So glad you're ok. It's such a serious subject, I almost feel guilty for laughing over your post. But not quite. :)
Whenever I'm getting a mammogram, the procedure always reminds me of this horrible, red vise my dad kept bolted to his workbench. As kids, we'd entertain ourselves putting all kinds of things between its metal planes and slowly tightening the screws.
Probably a good thing none of us had boobs then. ;)
- October 23, 2007 at 2:57 PM
- Estella said...
I had a double mastaectomy in 1968. If yhere had been mammograms or even better knowledge of the way cancer worked, it would have been unnecessary. They were just a whole bunch of fibrous cysts.
- October 23, 2007 at 3:19 PM
- Christie Craig said...
Thanks for posting. And that vise sounds about as welcoming as the mammogram machine. LOL. But for the sake of those who haven't had a mammogram yet, they aren't total torture, just not pleasant.
Crime Scene Christie
- October 23, 2007 at 3:40 PM
- Christie Craig said...
Jeepers, I'm so sorry. And I'm so glad medicine has improved. Now if we can just get more women to take advantage of it.
Thanks so much for posting. Together our voices might be heard.
Crime Scene Christie
- October 23, 2007 at 3:45 PM
Thanks for reminding us all to get our mamograms.
- October 23, 2007 at 4:39 PM
- Christie Craig said...
You are so welcome. Call it a reminder with a smile.
Thank you for posting.
Crime Scene Christie
- October 23, 2007 at 5:33 PM
- Stacy S said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- October 23, 2007 at 7:20 PM
Christie , im so glad to hear that your ok too. its kinda funny how i only call you ever other month or so but it seems like the day i call you you have just gotten some kind of news. This last time was when you had gotten the news that your tumor wasn't cancerous. I need to call you more often i love hearing good news and you always have some to share now days.
thanks for keeping me laughing.
- October 23, 2007 at 9:46 PM
- Christie Craig said...
Okay, I beginning to see the connection. I need you to call more often so great news rolls in.
Thanks buddy for posting.
Crime Scene Christie
- October 23, 2007 at 10:11 PM
- Jenyfer Matthews said...
Actually the procedure I was talking about is called thermography
A friend of mine in CA has had this procedure and was really happy with it in terms of comfort and accuracy. Here's hoping that it becomes more widely available soon.
- October 24, 2007 at 1:53 AM
- Christie Craig said...
Hey, it sounds interesting. Funny thing is that the Doctor who did my ultrasound, I think that's what it called, which is much more comfortable, told me that it was a better testing method for detecting cancer but it's more expensive and therefore they not used.
Crazy how most things come down to money.
Thanks for posting.
- October 24, 2007 at 6:10 AM
- Irene said...
Thanks for the tale, Christie.
But, everyone should note that it is not exclusively breast cancer we all should be aware of.
Ten days after I sold my first book, I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Bleeding after menopause is one of the signs that cannot be ignored. Everyone should be aware of this nasty bit of business, too. Luckily, it is slow growing and if it does not get through the uterine wall, chances are very good it is completely curable.
Of course, you lose your uterus, but after menopause, you don't use it much anyway. And six weeks of radiation aren't fun, but you do keep your hair.
My prayers to all of you who worry about mammograms. Get your yearly check ups in the nether regions, too. You are all too precious to lose!
Irene Peterson
- October 24, 2007 at 7:04 AM
- Christie Craig said...
Thank you so much for sharing. We need to be checked out . . . top and bottom.
Because check ups aren't high on the enjoyment list, because we're afraid of hearing bad news, because taking time to get checked takes "time", we often put off doing the right thing. And we shouldn't.
Thanks again Irene!
- October 24, 2007 at 7:10 AM
- Jenyfer Matthews said...
Yes, I think that it is a question of already having certain equipment in place, people trained to use it, not wanting to spend $$$ to get newer / more advanced equipment -- and not enough people agitating for change!!
- October 24, 2007 at 8:31 AM
- BookEnds, A Literary Agency said...
A terrifying and wonderful story. And a great reminder to us all. Thanks for posting Christie. And of course here's to many, many years of good health.
- October 24, 2007 at 11:46 AM
- Christie Craig said...
Change isn't always easy, but I'd go for a new mammorgram method any day of the week.
Crime Scene Christie
- October 24, 2007 at 12:04 PM
- Christie Craig said...
Thank you for popping in!
And here's to good health all around.
Crime Scene Christie
- October 24, 2007 at 12:06 PM
- Leslie Langtry said...
I think it's so great you kept your sense of humor through all of this! I hate mams. I've had them since I turned 35. But like you - I have pushed my book there! ;)
I'm so glad you're ok!
- October 24, 2007 at 3:54 PM
- Christie Craig said...
I never leave the house without my bra or my sense of humor.
Thanks for posting.
Crime Scene Christie
- October 24, 2007 at 4:34 PM
- Bethany True said...
Kisses, Christie.
And hugs to anybody fighting this scary disease.
- October 25, 2007 at 1:19 PM
- Christie Craig said...
Thanks Bethany.
And my hats off to anyone dealing with it.
Crime Scene Christie
- October 25, 2007 at 1:25 PM
- Mrs. C said...
Ohmigod, I'm so glad you're ok Christie. I'm a bit miffed. The reason they had you autograph the boob is so if they had to operate, it would be the right one? I mean I'm glad they didn't have to operate. I'm just confused. Please set me straight.
Mrs. C
- October 26, 2007 at 7:30 PM
- Christie Craig said...
Yes, they had to operate. They took out the lump and found it wasn't cancer. Thank God.
They have you sign the boob so they won't accidently operate on the wrong one. Scary huh?
Thanks for posting!
Crime Scene Christie
- October 26, 2007 at 8:53 PM
- Nathalie said...
Very nice post... women in Canada get tested after the age of 50 because there was no significant change in survival if a tumor was detected in your 40s.
- October 29, 2007 at 9:19 PM
My mom tells me mammos are just horrible... all that pressure can't be good :)
- October 29, 2007 at 9:20 PM
- Lily said...
I feel so incomfortable when I need to palpate breasts...so mechanical!! I can't imagine how a guy feels - we are taking in a medical consultation of course ;0
- October 29, 2007 at 9:38 PM
- Lily said...
I feel so incomfortable when I need to palpate breasts...so mechanical!! I can't imagine how a guy feels - we are taking in a medical consultation of course ;0
- October 29, 2007 at 9:38 PM


text:
...And that's just week 1. Imagine where you'll be
after week 2... week 3... etc. etc. etc.!
Read on to see how this program is changing the lives of tons of Surprise residents, and how you too can start seeing these results ASAP...
To someone ready to take things up a notch,
My name's Jonathan Thornton, and I'm the founder of Legendary Martial Arts. If you're like so many of the people who have come to our Krav Maga program, there's a good chance that...
You've tried to get in great shape time after time,
only to find frustration, and little to no results...
You're currently working out and eating right...
but something just seems to be "missing"
because the pounds just won't come off!
Or maybe you realize that you need a lifestyle change,
and you're finally ready to start eating right, and getting
a great, well-rounded workout. You're ready for a
healthy, lean, happy life
I know that it can be really unnerving to pass all of these "perfect-bodied" people on the street, only to face a very different reality each time you go home and look in the mirror.
Now, I'm not saying any of this to offend you (and I hope I haven't)! I just want you to know that I get what it's like.
Actually, there are three core reasons:
Pretty simple, right?
Plus... how cool is it to know the same moves that the Israeli army uses day in and day out? ;-)
"If I'd known learning to defend myself would be this easy to start I would've done it years ago."
I always painted martial arts classes to be these crazy, tough things (and kind of intimidating too). I mean you wear these uniforms and have to bow to people and it just really didn't seem like my kind of thing.
After starting Krav Maga, I realize it's kind of the "rebel" of martial arts. You DON'T have to wear a uniform - just bring comfy gym clothes. There's also no bowing or anything else that makes martial arts seem unapproachable.
It's totally raw and REAL. You don't learn anything that you don't need. You only learn what you will help you in a real world situation, and nothing less. Honestly, you just show up, have a ton of fun, and immediately start learning how to defend yourself. I mean after day one you already feel more confident.
"I will never be scared again."
The other night I was out with a couple friends. Some guy who had too much to drink came up to us and start talking some serious trash. He seemed really hostile, like he might start a fight with us too.
The thing is, even though I was with 4 other guys... I locked up. It was like I froze. The way the guy was yelling and waving his arms around just caught me off guard, and I was worried for myself and my friends. I felt really embarrassed afterward. Ashamed. As a man, you feel like you should be this "Rambo" guy who can handle himself. I don't wanna be Rambo or anything, but I at least want to know that I can defend myself.
I haven't been taking Krav Maga for very long. But even with the short amount of time I've been learning - I know for a FACT that if anything like that ever happened again, I'd be able to defend myself and my friends.
I don't mean to say I wanna go around picking fights or anything. But sometimes fights find you. And if another one ever does - I'll feel safe, for myself and whoever I'm with.
"An AWESOME calorie-burning workout!"
I know a lot of people take Krav Maga for self-defense... But to be honest my main goal was to lose some weight. Believe me, you WILL lose weight with this! I can already see the pounds melting right off!
Every class is full of great fat-melting workouts. And as an added bonus, I now know how to defend myself. It's the best of both worlds. Whether you're looking to lose weight, or for self-defense, this is the real deal.
"Just get started already! You won't regret it!"
Here are a few more of the powerful benefits that tons of Surprise residents are already getting out of our program
You can expect these same results & benefits too (if not better!)...
Losing up to 3 (or more) pounds starting week 1
With our " sneaky" nutrition secrets plus the intense workouts - the fat will drip right off of you...
Having more energy than you thought possible.
Many people find themselves no longer drinking coffee... needing sugary foods... or needing energy drinks after just a week or two with us. Their bodies naturally just have more energy - and they couldn't feel better. In fact, so many people tell us that even when they were kids they never had this much energy!
Feeling a newfound confidence as the pounds melt away.
When you start wearing those clothes you packed away that got too tight... or buying a whole new wardrobe...and getting compliments left and right about how lean you look... you'll feel great. Your confidence will sky-rocket, and as a result your life will suddenly seem even more fun, and more exciting. It's a wonderful thing to see - and fortunately I get to see people go through this transformation every week.
Being in a friendly, supportive environment.
Even though we're mastering the moves of the Israeli army here... the environment is NOT like the military!
No one will be in your face yelling at you or anything like that. We're all about fun, and results. That's it!
Gaining powerful, simple nutrition "secrets" to jumpstart your weightloss.
We are very anti-diet here. Simply put, diets don't work. They involve too much stress... too much pressure... and too much change. That's why we'll show you tasty, healthy foods you can eat all day long - as well as snacks that will boost your metabolism too.
Making friends who will keep you accountable and on track.
There's nothing harder than getting in shape and losing weight on your own. This is the reason why so many people don't reach their fitness goals: they don't have friends and buddies to keep them on track. Guaranteed, you'll meet amazing, awesome people in your classes who will keep you on track, motivated, and excited to come back.
And here's what makes Krav Maga such a powerful form of self-defense - that burns fat fast...
Quick and easy to learn.
The Israeli Army designed Krav Maga to work around your body's natural movements. Everything just feels "right".
This makes it very unique because it's extremely easy to pick up. Sure, there's a learning curve (like with anything). But it's a FUN learning curve, and it's not like learning how to ride a bike all over again, or anything hard like that.
Become more confident, and more in control.
Krav Maga is a very "mental" style of martial arts. This means that it's not about how much physical power you have. It's about what's going on inside of your mind and your spirit.
Through Krav Maga - your confidence will grow... your self-control and self- discipline will skyrocket... and your awareness over yourself, and the choice you make, will become keen. That way you can steer yourself to live the kind of life you truly want and deserve.
Quickly learn self-defense.
Many martial arts require a lot of time to feel like you're at a level where you can fend for yourself.
That's why within just a few classes you'll already feel more confident in your ability to defend yourself. And within a few weeks? I'd be scared for whoever decided to mess with you on the street! ;-)
"This is real-world stuff that anyone can use successfully."
I've tried other forms of martial arts, like Tae Kwon Do and Kung Fu. While I think those have their strengths - none of them ever clicked with me. It's kind of like college... where you take a couple years of "pre-requisite" classes before you really start to learn anything.
With those martial arts - I felt like you have to jump through hoops for a few years before you really get to a level where you can take care of yoruself.
What I love about Krav Maga is that from day 1 you learn real-world tactics that you can start using that day. This is the no B.S. path to self-defense.
"The FIRST class blew any other self-defense class I've taken out of the water"
As a woman, self-defense has always been of interest to me. It's no fun walking down the street at night and being scared of every guy you pass. I think every lady should at least know how to handle herself.
Anyway, I've taken classes around town...at the local gyms, at the local college, and some other places too. Those were okay - but I never walked away feeling any more confident in my ability to defend myself than when I started
ONE Krav Maga class - and I mean just ONE - taught me more useful, usable tactics than any class I've ever taken. I'm not saying I'm a martial arts pro or anything - but I now feel confident that I could defend myself enough to run away and get help.
You'll find the guidance, discipline, and support you need right here. Guaranteed.
If this turns out to not be the right program for you-we'll give you your money back so you can invest in another program to help you with your fitness and health goals.
Jonathan Thornton
4th Degree Black Belt
And remember, your purchase is completely risk-free because of our money-back guarantee
Word about the results people are getting is spreading like crazy! Our classes may fill up at any time.
To ensure that you get a spot, take action now and enter your info above.
I can't wait to meet you, and get your training started!
Jonathan Thornton
Legendary Martial Arts
15341 W Waddell Rd. Suite B104
Surprise 85379
(623) 523-7016
Krav Maga [krævˈmægə] Noun:
Krav Maga, is a hand-to-hand combat system developed in Israel that involves striking techniques. It utilizes wrestling and grappling to defeat an opponent and is considered one of the premier combat sports taught today. Successful UFC or MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) competitors all train in Krav Maga. Krav Maga derived from street-fighting skills developed by Imi Lichtenfeld, who made use of his training as a boxer and wrestler, as a means of defending the Jewish quarter against fascist groups in Bratislava.
Legendary Martial Arts Krav Maga is located in Surprise and has been helping the people of Arizona for 10 years. If you live in the areas Surprise, Litchfield Park, El mirage, Peoria, or Youngtown, then you are close enough to come train with us!


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The airbrush is a unique art tool used to apply paints, inks, and pigments on to a surface using air pressure. Modern airbrushes are sophisticated instruments capable of pulverizing and spreading colors evenly over diverse surfaces from standard canvas supports to automotive body panels, t-shirts, scale models, even the human body itself!
Because airbrushes are sophisticated tools requiring unique techniques, many artists feel intimidated by the prospect of incorporating airbrushing into their work. Airbrushing, though, is really no different from painting with a brush or drawing with a piece of charcoal. Airbrush art is simply another artistic medium that any artist with a little talent and patience can master through practice, just as oil paints or watercolors can be mastered. As with any medium, diligence and dedication are the keys to attractive airbrush work.
MisterArt.com can't work on your airbrushing technique for you—you're on your own there! But MisterArt.com can and will work to offer you the very best discounts on airbrushing supplies online! We guarantee to offer you art supplies at the lowest prices on the Internet. If we don't already offer the lowest price on your favorite art products, we'll gladly match it. MisterArt.com is dedicated to making airbrushes and other tools affordable to talented artists everywhere.
Now that you know where to find the best deals online, it's time to find the best airbrushing supplies for your project! This guide provides an overview of airbrushes and tools available online. The better informed you are when you shop, the happier you'll be with your purchase.
Though the airbrushes used by artists today are elegant, sophisticated art tools, airbrushing techniques were being used millennia ago by our prehistoric ancestors. French cave paintings contain many examples of artists' hands being rendered in outline by spraying colored pigments through primitive tools like hollow reeds and bones.
The airbrush as we know it was created in 1893 by Charles Burdick, a watercolor painter. Burdick invented a device that allowed him to render graduated shadings with a delicate finish using compressed air. As the 20th Century began, airbrushes based on Burdick's were used almost exclusively to retouch photographs. The first notable airbrush artworks appeared in magazine illustrations and advertisements as well as posters. During World War II, the use of an illusory third dimension in painting became popular, and the airbrush was used to full effect to achieve this look. After the war, however, the airbrush's popularity declined sharply, with the exception of its use in cartoon and sci-fi film productions.
It was in the 1960s that airbrushing was adopted as a fresh artistic medium. Today, it's a great tool adopted by a wide range of artists. No longer limited to photo retouching or graphic design, it's been successfully applied to many media, from traditional painting to automotive graphics to set design. At the dawn of the 21st Century, more and more artists are awakening to the airbrush's possibilities.
The airbrush hasn't undergone a whole lot of changes since it was invented in 1893. Though its design has been streamlined and modernized over the past century, all of the main components in today's airbrushes were present in the earliest models, as well.
There are three main types of internal-spray airbrushes available online. Each type of airbrush affords the artist a different amount of control over the amount of air and paint being sprayed.
Single-action airbrushes control air- and paint-flow rates by means of a button that operates the air intake. Artists using single-action airbrushes can't adjust the speed or quantity of their paint flow during use, but the flow of air is adjustable. Single-action airbrushes give very exact results and are great for beginners and hobbyists.
Double-action airbrushes are a bit more versatile. These airbrushes are operated by a lever, and the intensity of the air and paint flow can be jointly adjusted while the airbrush is in use. Double-action airbrushes are highly precise and practical. They're used by pros and beginners alike.
Independent double-action airbrushes are the most sophisticated type of airbrush available. As its name implies, the independent double-action airbrush allows the artist to regulate air and paint flow independently while he or she works. The independent double-action's operation is a bit trickier, but professional artists love its versatility.
Nearly all airbrushes available online are manufactured with various nozzles ranging in size. Fine nozzles are used for precision work, while large nozzles are ideal for large-scale applications and surfaces. Paint is fed into airbrushes through a variety of configurations:
No matter what sort of airbrush your project demands, you'll find the best prices online at MisterArt.com! Our VIP Savings Club members can save up to 75 percent on airbrushes and other art and craft supplies every day!
In order to keep an airbrush in good working order throughout its lifespan, it's absolutely essential that it be kept perfectly clean and properly maintained. Airbrushes are delicate precision tools—any rough handling can cause damage.
Water is a good and common solvent used to clean airbrushes. However, if non-water-based paints such as oils or acrylics are being used, the airbrush must be thoroughly cleaned with the appropriate solvent or thinner before being well rinsed with plenty of clean water. Because airbrushes are delicate, it's always wise to have any mechanical issues checked out by an authorized technician.
MisterArt.com stocks a fantastic selection of cheap cleaning stations, lubricants, reamers, and other supplies to keep your airbrush clean and ready to paint!
Because airbrushes need pressurized air to work, air compressors and propellants are a necessity. A compressor should supply constant, adjustable pressure for an even spray. Different airbrushes can operate at anywhere from 1 to 100 psi, so an appropriately powered compressor should be chosen to match the needs of the airbrush. Artists have a lot of choices when it comes to air compressors; a given model might use reservoirs, pistons, diaphragms, or innumerable other technologies to provide a steady, quiet airflow. Accessories like regulators, purifiers, filters, control valves, and more make it possible to upgrade even budget compressors.
Although MisterArt.com has everyday discounts on compressors for all budgets, compressors are still major expenses for many airbrush artists. Luckily, there is a far more economical option available online. Compressed air cans are a relatively new product that provide a small dose of propellant perfect for sporadic airbrush work and inexpensive airbrushing systems. You can find the best selection of compressed air cans online at MisterArt.com!
Frisket describes any masking film or spray used by watercolor artists to protect areas of a work from unintended change. In airbrushing, a frisket is used to mask off specific areas of an artwork's surface so that only the exposed area is covered with paint. The frisket is often crucial to airbrushing, because it allows artists to control excess paint spray, create special effects, achieve extreme precision, control edge attributes, and to expedite the airbrushing process.
A frisket is fixed to a painting surface and then the portions covering the area to be painted are cut out of the material using a razor or scalpel. The exposed areas are then painted and the process is repeated using the cut pieces to mask their matching finished areas. When all painting is finished, the resulting work contains precise shapes with no overspray.
Many friskets are a single sheet that covers the entire work, parts of which are removed by cutting into the sheet. These friskets are available in both matté and glossy finishes. Some friskets are also solvent-proof. Liquid friskets for precise work are also available.
Airbrush mediums are additives that are combined with airbrush paints to change their properties slightly. Fundamentally, an airbrush medium is a mixing medium. It may be used to lighten the color values of all colors and does not affect the permanence. Some airbrush mediums may also be used to increase a paint's transparency or opacity or used as a top binder. Other mediums are designed to enhance the flow of colors and prevent the tip of your airbrush from drying out in extremely dry or warm conditions.
There are mediums for paints other than airbrush colors, as well. By adding special thinners and emulsions to acrylic and enamel paints, their consistency can be altered so that these paints are able to be atomized with an airbrush. Using these products, artists can airbrush a variety of paints on to trickier surfaces, including scale models and auto parts.
You can find a fantastic selection of airbrush mediums every day at MisterArt.com!
Airbrush paints are unique from paints such as oils or watercolors in that they are heavily pigmented, dry instantly, and provide superior atomization and smooth spraying. There are four main types of airbrush colors that are manufactured; these four kinds of airbrush paint can usually be mixed to create different paint effects and looks:
Transparent Colors are for white and light-colored surfaces only. They can be intermixed with all other colors.
Fluorescent Colors are for white and light-colored surfaces. They can be mixed with transparent, pearl, and other fluorescent colors.
Opaque Colors are for both light and dark colored surfaces. They can be mixed with other opaque or transparent colors.
Pearl Colors cover both light and dark colored surfaces. These colors have a shimmering metallic finish. They can be mixed with other pearl, transparent, and fluorescent colors. MisterArt.com stocks both individual colors and larger sets that include a variety of colors.
In addition to paints designed specifically for the airbrush, a number of other pigments are also popular for airbrush use. Model paint, India ink, body paint, and more can all be mixed with airbrush mediums to create pigments fluid enough to be atomized by a typical airbrush. These paints greatly increase the number of surfaces on which airbrushes can be effectively used.
No matter what kind of airbrush paint best fits your current project, we guarantee to offer the best deals online at MisterArt.com!
Because airbrushes are delicate instruments that require much care and cleaning, it's not uncommon that airbrushes with a high usage rate require a few spare or replacement parts now and then to keep them functioning at their best. Nothing is more aggravating than to break or misplace an airbrush part in the middle of a project only to discover you have no spares! Luckily, MisterArt.com has a great selection of the most commonly replaced airbrush parts in stock, ready to ship anywhere in the U.S.!
The parts that airbrush artists most frequently need are the airbrush components that are smallest or most prone to wearing out. Airbrush tips, needles, color cups, valves, and hoses are all parts which the average airbrush user can expect to replace at some point. Whether you're in the middle of an important project or simply dreaming up your next one, these airbrush parts and more are never more than a few mouse clicks away!
As any artist is all too aware, paints that are in use constantly threaten to dry out. This is especially an issue with airbrush paints, since they are typically fast-drying. Certain mixtures of paints, pigments, and mediums can also be a massive headache to attempt to duplicate—in short, it's important to properly store airbrush supplies!
Naturally, we've got the solution! Glass storage bottles with gaskets and lids ensure that airbrush paints stay fresh and ready to atomize. What's more, our glass bottles, gaskets, and lids are sold separately for convenient replacement of only the parts that you need! Airbrush storage bottles are made of thick, hard-to-break glass, and the lids are metal with an enamel finish. Our replacement gaskets are cork, the style preferred for liquid storage. Since we're MisterArt.com, we offer deep discounts on all our airbrush storage supplies every day! Our fast shipping ensures that your paint won't have a chance to dry out.
While the most common form of airbrush art involves freehand manipulation of the spray, templates are gaining in popularity, especially for more common designs that must be reproduced many times over. Stencils are especially popular with artists who use airbrushes to customize the paint jobs of their automobiles, motorcycles, scale models, R/C vehicles, and other surfaces. Often, airbrush templates are designed to be used alone with freehand techniques. However, sets are available that are precision-cut to complement each other, so you can make your designs as true to the original art as you want!
Our airbrush templates are solvent-proof, cut with laser precision from space-age polymers so that you can clean and use them again and again. You'll find the best selection online at MisterArt.com!
Just getting started? Want to give airbrushing a try? Got a small project that requires a little airbrushing to finish off? Then you're in luck! MisterArt.com stocks a great selection of sets and kits that include everything an artist needs to get started airbrushing today. Sets and kits are perfect for beginners and hobbyists to affordably get their feet wet using real airbrushes, paints, and supplies. You won't find a better selection anywhere else online, from basic airbrush kits to sets including dozens of colors, templates, lessons, even compressors!
Spray booths are handy art tools designed for the studio or work area where sprayed materials are used frequently. Essentially, spray booths create cubicle dividers that prevent paints, adhesives, and other sprayed materials and fumes from contaminating surrounding areas. The ideal booth accommodates flat or 3-D objects. It's perfect for crafters, model builders, hobbyists, and commercial artists!
Many spray booths feature a three-stage filter system: a replaceable pre-filter sheet, which captures the bulk of the sprayed materials, a thick polyester mid-filter, and a polyester/carbon filter. It also features a built-in exhaust adapter for venting out-of-doors or to another space. These features are designed to keep artists and their workspaces clean and free of toxic fumes and materials.
The booths come in a variety of sizes to accommodate the projects of artists ranging from model builders to commercial airbrush artists. No matter how large or how small your project, you can find the supplies you need at great prices at MisterArt.com!
Want to know more about airbrushing? MisterArt.com offers low prices and fast delivery of thousands of books, magazines, DVDs, videos, manuals, and software related to airbrushing and other artistic media. Check out our library today!
Mounting the reservoir on the side allows the working surface to be clearly seen, an essential feature for creating fine detail.
The advantage of gravity feed is that colors can be added a few drops at a time and changed easily and immediately.
Mounting the reservoir below allows large bottles of color to be used, removing the hassle of constantly having to add color.
Single action airbrushes only allow control of air flow while spraying; the amount of fluid sprayed can be pre-adjusted, but the flow remains constant at that amount.
Double action airbrushes allow the user to control both air and paint flow while spraying. This design gives more control over the spray pattern.
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The airbrush is a unique art tool used to apply paints, inks, and pigments on to a surface using air pressure. Modern airbrushes are sophisticated instruments capable of pulverizing and spreading colors evenly over diverse surfaces from standard canvas supports to automotive body panels, t-shirts, scale models, even the human body itself!
Because airbrushes are sophisticated tools requiring unique techniques, many artists feel intimidated by the prospect of incorporating airbrushing into their work. Airbrushing, though, is really no...
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Week Forty-Four - American Crafts - Amy Tangerine Collection - Ready Set Go - Thickers Printed Chipboard Alphabet Stickers - Everyday - Indigo
5 x 7 Page Protectors - Vertical, 6 x 12 Page Protectors: in it I used a 6x12 Instagram Grid Template made by Design Editor. I am a huge fan of Catherine and if you haven't been to her website you must check her out. Catherine provides a tutorial on her website that shows you how to use the template. The templates are simple to use... I simply selected my favorite photos from the Eddie Vedder concert, and added them into the template in Photoshop elements. Easy Peasy to use... and I love how it turned out.
And it was one of the most incredible concerts I have ever been too....
Overwhelmed?!? Don't be!!! Remember that Project Life is designed to SIMPLIFY the memory keeping process... don't over think it. You make the rules....it's your album....there are no Project Life Album Police. Make it work for you, so you can be successful!
Additional links to products used on these pages:
Project Life is a product and a system created by Becky Higgins. It can be anything you want it to be. The pieces used in my album are available here. If you live outside of the US check Becky's site for more information on sources. View all of my posts about Project Life here.


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I love making fancy dinners from time to time, and spending more time than I really need to on presentation. But sometimes it's the simple food that's the best. Last Sunday - which is grocery shopping day for the week - we came home with a rotisserie chicken for dinner. I baked a couple of potatoes and heated up some canned baked beans. Our simple supper of roast chicken and baked potatoes with a spoonful of beans on top was just right for a relaxing evening.
It reminded me of dinners as a kid - minus the chicken - as a lot of our meals consisted of affordable food like potatoes, rice and beans. When I think of baked potatoes, I remember a night when Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was on TV for the Saturday night movie feature. Since we didn't yet own a VCR, and this was long before there was even a dream of something such as a DVR, my parents pulled the TV into the kitchen and tweaked the antenna to get a signal, so we could watch the movie while we ate our dinner of baked potatoes and green beans. This was a real treat, as TV was rarely allowed during mealtime.
Burgers and fried things are another of those simple foods that are everywhere around us, so they're sort of taken for granted. For me, fries just aren't fries without a healthy dollop of ketchup. I have a fondness for ketchup - that Jamie finds kind of odd - and I'll put ketchup on just about any form of potato. I love it on hot dogs, even though mustard should be sufficient. But I like the combination of the ketchup and mustard, with lots of onions and relish. I'll even put it on eggs, if it's a boring scrambled egg at a greasy diner. Sub-par steak or pot roast... yep, you guessed it. Better with ketchup. (Although, I will say, Jamie has never made steak that needed ketchup!) Once when I was a kid, my brother and sister were teasing me about how I liked to put ketchup on everything, so my brother squirted some into my glass of water and dared me to drink it. I won't say I enjoyed it, because I do draw the line at some point, but not being able to pass up a dare, I drank it and pretended it was the best thing ever.
Jamie's been saying for a while I should make my own ketchup. But I decided not to make the classic version that's sort of bland and overly sweet. Instead, I made a spicy chipotle ketchup that's smoky and intense, but not too sweet, with onion, garlic, chipotle peppers, red bell pepper, apple cider vinegar, molasses and brown sugar. A few sweet spices like cinnamon and cloves. And tomatoes, of course, the key ingredient. I used canned diced tomatoes because it was cheap and convenient, but by all means use fresh ones if you prefer. You could even roast the tomatoes first to deepen the flavor even more.
Super Bowl Sunday is almost upon us, and although I could care less about watching football, I have a boyfriend and friends who do like it. Plus, it's an excuse to get together with friends, eat some great food and just hang out and relax.
The guys are having a chili cook-off (and I have been instructed not to help Jamie with his, because they didn't want him to have an unfair advantage). Although he's not going to make chili, and has something else up his sleeve, for some reason he didn't agree that I would make a better pot of chili than he would. :)
For dinner last Friday night, I made Black Bean Turkey Burgers - the suggestion of which made Jamie grimace - but he ended up really liking them. I seasoned them up with garlic, Italian seasoning and a little mozzarella to give them lots of flavor, and we topped our guilt-free burgers with some smashed avocado and a spoonful of the homemade spicy chipotle ketchup.
Our side dish was not so guilt free - lots of beer-battered fried things - but I wanted to do a trial run of these since I'm planning to make them for the super bowl party. I kept the beer batter pretty simple - since the chipotle ketchup packs quite a punch - but if serving with a milder ketchup or sauce, then definitely zing up the batter with a little hot sauce to give it some kick.
The onion rings fried up perfectly golden and crisp, with really little oil retention since the oil was almost up to 400 degrees at times (it's hard to regulate on our electric stove). The sliced jalapenos were spicy and yummy with their beer batter coating. I tried a few mozzarella sticks, too, but those just exploded in the oil and the cheese escaped from the batter, so I may have to work on my technique some more for those. The onion rings, jalapenos and chipotle ketchup made the perfect little marriage of flavors.
We now have a huge batch of chipotle ketchup in our fridge, waiting to be served up on Sunday. I'm also going to make football brownies - very simply just brownies baked and cooled, cut with a football-shaped cookie cutter and frosted to look like a football. (Click this link for inspiration.)
Cute, simple and something I think everyone will love! I might even make life easier for myself and make them from a box mix. I know, I know. But sometimes, baking from a box really is okay. Especially when you made beer-battered onion rings and homemade ketchup.
Spicy Chipotle Ketchup
printable recipe
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 sweet yellow onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, seeds and ribs discarded, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cans (28 ounces each) peeled diced tomatoes in their juices
- 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
- 4 chipotle peppers in adobo seasoning (about half a 7 ounce can) (this will be pretty spicy - use just 2 peppers for a more mild flavor and level of spiciness)
- 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 1/4 cups light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- juice of 1 small lemon
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
- 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
Heat the oil over medium heat in a large stock pot. Add the onion and red pepper and cook for about 5 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, chipotle peppers, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, molasses and lemon juice. Use an immersion blender to puree the mixture until smooth (or puree in batches in a blender or food processor).
Add the ground cinnamon, cinnamon stick, ground cloves, whole cloves, celery salt and kosher salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low and simmer uncovered for an hour and a half, until thickened and the flavors have developed.
For a "rustic" ketchup, remove the cinnamon sticks and the whole cloves with a slotted spoon and serve the ketchup as is. For a smoother ketchup, pour the mixture through a mesh strainer (or a food mill) into a heat-proof bowl, pushing it through the strainer with a spoon to strain out the pulpy bits of the tomatoes, peppers and onion. Discard the pulp and let the ketchup cool to room temperature (it will thicken a little more as it cools) and serve.
Yields 7 cups.
From Curly Girl Kitchen.
Black Bean Turkey Burgers
printable recipe
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 can low-sodium black beans, drained, rinsed and mashed
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Yields 4 large burgers or 6 medium burgers.
From Curly Girl Kitchen.
Beer-Battered Onion Rings and Jalapenos
printable recipe
- 1 large sweet yellow onion
- 4 jalapenos
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (leave this out if serving with the spicy chipotle ketchup)
- 1 bottle beer
- vegetable oil
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Add the egg, hot sauce and beer, whisking until a smooth batter forms. The batter should be thick enough to coat the onions and jalapenos, but not too thick.
In a large, flat-bottomed sauce pan, heat the oil over medium, or just over medium heat, until it reaches 370 degrees F. (This will take a while, so you might want to get the oil heating first.)
Working in batches, dip the onion slices in the batter and carefully drop into the oil, about 5 or 6 rings at a time. Cook, turning once, until crisp and golden brown (about 1-2 minutes each side), then set on paper towels to drain. Between batches, make sure the oil returns to 370 if it drops too much while cooking the onions. Finish cooking all of the onion rings. (If you like, you can keep them warm in a 200-degree oven.)
Lastly, drop all the jalapeno slices into the batter and toss to coat. Scoop them out with a mesh strainer and drop into the oil, pushing them around to separate them a little. Cook until crisp and golden brown, then drain on paper towels.
Serve immediately with the spicy chipotle ketchup.
Yields 4 servings.
From Curly Girl Kitchen.


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January 2017
Are you looking for independent, trustworthy advice about Living Room Decorating Ideas? Do you need to understand common installation options? If your project calls for Living Room Decorating Ideas work, the following guidelines and best practices will help you understand: Is a subcontractor really necessary for Living Room Decorating Ideas work? Will a permit be required? What are common problem areas? How much will Living Room Decorating Ideas labor cost? What are the important Living Room Decorating Ideas quality checks that should be included in the work requirements?
|What is a fair price for Living Room Decorating Ideas?
|Costs vary with project size, job quality and time of year. For typical Living Room Decorating Ideas expect to pay between $298.00 to $670.50 for each living room design. Additional fees are typically charged for small projects or rush jobs.
|Is a permit needed for Living Room Decorating Ideas work?
|Design approval and permits from your local building authority are usually not required for Living Room Decorating Ideas. If your home is subject to homeowner association covenants, you should verify that the Living Room Decorating Ideas complies with association guidelines.
|Is it worth using a professional to perform Living Room Decorating Ideas work?
|The appearance, functionality and useful life of the living room design concepts may be compromised by poor installation. Hire the service provider carefully and tie payment milestones to appropriate quality checks (use the list below).
|Is Living Room Decorating Ideas something that I can do myself?
|The typical Living Room Decorating Ideas project involves tasks that are best performed by experienced professionals. Good quality Living Room Decorating Ideas requires considerable experience, skill and attention to detail. Do it yourself mistakes are noticeable, may be difficulty to remedy and may actually reduce the market value of the project and your home.
|How many days are typically required to complete the Living Room Decorating Ideas work?
|This work can be completed in 3 to 5 days.
Use the list below to document your expectations for level of detail and finish quality for Living Room Decorating Ideas. Make sure that relevant information is included in any written contracts or work orders on your project. Before any Living Room Decorating Ideas work begins, review the checklist with the service provider. Tie payments to satisfactory completion of this checklist.
The following list summarizes work tasks commonly performed during Living Room Decorating Ideas. These tasks help ensure proper completion of the living room design concepts work and compliance with common manufacturer and vendor warranty requirements. Make sure that either you or your service provider takes responsibility for each of these tasks. All service provider task responsiblities should be clearly called out in the written contract or work orders.


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We are engaged in offering Vitrified Tile. These Vitrified Tiles are available in various designs, colors, shapes and sizes. These Vitrified Tiles are made by high grade quality material with international. These Vitrified Tiles are available at the market leading price. These Vitrified Tiles gives an adorning look to the living room and kitchen. These Vitrified Tiles are broadly valued by our customers which are located all round the world.
Product Description
Vitrified Tiles (GVT/ PGVT/ Wooden Strips)
-- Size: 60x60 cm -- also available in 80x80cm, 60x120cm and strips (20x60cm, 30x60cm, 20x120cm, 30x120cm)
-- Surface: Polish/ Rustic / Satin Matt
-- Random Patterns: Minimum 4 (UPTO 9)
-- Water Absorption: Less than 0.05%
-- Sides: Rectified
-- Pallets: Regular OR Euro Pallets with Shrink Hood Wraps
-- Manufactured: Made in India
-- Technology: Made with European Digital Printing Machines and Inks.
Note: Tones and Shades Can be Custom Made For OEM Orders.
Packing Detail
1 Box = 4 pcs = 1.44 m2
1 Pallet = 40 boxes = 57.6 m2
1 20 FCl = 23 pallets = 920 boxes = 1324.8 m2
5-6 USD / Square meter