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Saddest. Website. Ever.
Thanksgiving! A Time For Giving! (Also, Thanks)
I was admonished by my friend Genghis Jon because I didn't have a Thanksgiving entry to my blog. My apologies, Jon... some of us are too busy LIVING life to write about it.
Okay, that's not true at all. I have spent the last four hours trying to eke out a good fare to go home for Christmas. This is the sort of complex, multi-legged, carefully balanced vacation that comes from being a modern day child of divorce. One must take into account where you spent last Christmas, how long you spent there, when you saw each parent last, and on what grounds. If one leg of the holiday is shorter than the next, you have to prepare for the guilt you're going to receive. Either in person, or in the form of passive-aggressive holiday gifts. I'm talking socks, toothpaste, deoderant... pretty much anything purchased at your local pharmacy counts.
The truth be told, I love visiting my family. It's days like Thanksgiving which make me miss them the most - the comfort you can have in your own home, even when you're walking on eggshells, is amazing. Plus, being fed home-cooked meals it a good change. Sorry, Trader Joe, you got nothing on home-made lasagna or artichokes.
So this Thanksgiving, as I sit down to a small meal with a couple of food friends, I'll raise a glass to family. If I'm not too busy pounding the keyboard in frustrationg, trying to get my airplane ticket price down just a few more bucks...
posted by opus at
I can travel through time. But I can only travel forwards, and only real-time. It's not a very good power, but it's all I've got.
posted by opus at
Party Central, USA
Last night was supposed to be a nice get-together dinner with some old writing friends of mine. But one dropped out, and plans got rearranged and suddenly it was an all-night-super-party-time. Tom decided to join us for dinner, and then insisted we all go out afterwards.
I'm not exactly the nightclub type, myself. I knew that I was out of my element when I pulled my battered Ford Focus Hatchback into the parking lot full of BMWs and Lexii. When the valet guy asked me if I wanted the twenty dollars "deluxe" parking or the ten dollar "regular" parking I felt like asking if there was a cheaper option.
Tom knew the doorman, so we were just waved in past the line outside. Once inside, we were in a crush of hip kids, each bustling against one another in a constant attempt to get somewhere else. I am pretty sure I was the only guy in there, wearing a tie. Lots of people kept coming up to Tom, asking him for autographs and stuff.
Eventually some girls struck up a conversation with a few young ladies. One, named Persia, introduced herself by grinding her crotch against mine. Then she instructed me to hit her hand and call her a "bad kitty". Her friend remarked casually that she liked this.
Persia danced with me a while more, pausing occaionally to look me in the eyes and call me a brat. I was struggling to keep up with this. All I know was that a few hours later, Persia was on stage, and her friend was giving me dollar bills to tuck into her pants.
It was an interesting evening, sure. But I was glad to get my dinky little car back from the valet guy and move on home. The beat of bad hip-hop still throbs in my veins, the strobe lights still blink in my eyes, and I'm thankful I have nobody calling me a brat anymore.
posted by opus at
Here's something extremely satisfying: When you're driving, and a truck visciously cuts you off, causing you to slam on your breaks and choke yourself on your own seatbelt... notice the tuck. Notice that it's from "Elite Granite and Mabrle" and then take out your cell phone and give "Elite Granite and Marble" a call. Let them know their drivers are acting like jerks on the road and giving their company a bad name. Sit back and savor the sweet sweet revenge.
posted by opus at
posted by opus at
I am posting from my cell phone. In my car. In traffic.
I'm so BAD.
O, calm down, people. I'm not endangering anybody. Traffic is stopped - I couldn't hurt a snail without moving.
Now somebody get me out of here.
posted by opus at
Completely Made-Up Old Saying Of The Day
"Loan" turns to "own" once your friend get the "L" out out of there.
posted by opus at
Somebody sent me an email saying my Amazon Wish List wasn't working. Well, here it is.
Now buy me bunches of stuff. It's the American Way!
posted by opus at
I heard today on the radio that there will be 14,000 police deployed in London to help stem the tide of protestors. fourteen Thousand ... and those are just the cops. Or, as they say, "Bobbies.". Of course, the US has shut down huge parts of London for "safety reasons" meaning that the protestors may never get near Bush himself. Lord knows, Bush and Blair wouldn't want to be troubled by hearing the will of the people or any such bothersome nonsense.
I have also heard that Blair agreed to give his support for the Iraq war because Bush agreed to help him push a Palestinian State. And now Bush has pretty much screwed Peace in the Middle East up (and how? He had a roadmap, after all) so I'd be interested to hear if Blair can get past that infamous British politeness and really chew Bush out. After all, Blair's political career is pretty much over thanks to Bush. He can't be too happy.
Oh, crap... have I become one of those jerks who espouses his own narrow political viewpoint on his blog and expects everybody to care? Damn... I'm sorry. Here, have a catalog of funny comic strip exclamations like "oomph!" and "Aarrrgh!' and forget I ever said anything.
In particular, forget I ever said "ooomph!" and "Aarrrgh!"
posted by opus at
Have you ever gone to type something, and your fingers land on the wrong keys, and for a minute you think, "Wow... I'm typing in Swedish!"
Hsbr upi rbrt hpmr yp yu[r dp,ryjomh smf upit gomhrt ;smf pm yjr etpmh lrud. smf gpt s ,omiyr. upi yjoml. "
Wpe... z''o yu[omh om zsewfodj!"
posted by opus at
Rise of the Machines
It's a rough day to be somebody with a clue. The one-two punch of dunderheads in positions of power has left me dizzy. Today Rush Limbaugh returns from drug rehab to take back his radio show, and apparently, he's as much of a jerk as ever. And of course, Ah-nahld is taking over the state of California.
The Rush thing so drips with hipocrasy, it's so soaked in its own self-delusion, that it's almost hard to even make fun of it. I mean, this is a guy who kept calling for tough penalties on people who abused drugs. And now, of course, that he's the one who's in the hot seat... it's all different. In my experience, conservatives mock liberals for being "bleeding hearts," but then turn around and expect compassion when it happens to one of their own. Look at Jeb Bush's daughter down in Florida, for example.
And Arnold. Poor poor California. I honestly can't understand how he got into office. I understand people were fed up with Davis, fine. But that doesn't mean you take any schmoe who comes down the pike. In my mind, I kept lumping Arnold with Gary Coleman, both of them actors who were making a jokey little play at office. I couldn't see how either were that different - neither had any experience, neither have been particularly successfull at acting lately, neither had any real right to be in office. One of them is. If any of you voted for Arnold, please, explain to me why. I honestly can't comprehend it. I promise not to be condescending, just explain exactly what it was that made you punch his chad.
I'd like to give him a congratulatory grope.
posted by opus at
Dirty Images created entirely using mathematical algorithms. Ooh, baby, yeah, square that root....
posted by opus at
Presidential Name Game
Why is it so many of the democratic cantidates have two first names?
Howard Dean
John Edwards
Wesley Clark
John Kerry
Bob Graham
Dennis Kucinich
This is something every Tom, Dick and Kucinich has to really worry about.
posted by opus at
Sickly Ickly
Well, friends, Opus isn't doing so well. I'm sick. Yesterday was the worst - laying in bed, with a headache too horrible to sleep, but also too horrible to open one's eyes and focus on, say, a book. No, instead, you have to just lie there and pretty much just think about how much it sucks that you're in pain.
Why not try some headache medicine, you ask? Well I did. And then the headache started growing ooky tenticles, which reached deep into my body and started throttling my tummy until I was forced to puke up my stomach contents. The best part was, while puking loudly, I heard my roommate rewind the movie he was watching because he missed hearing something. Sorry my incessant ralphing was too loud for you!
Today I'm slightly better. Thanks for asking. I'll try not to vomit into this web page.
posted by opus at
Best. Campaign Ad. Ever. Watch it. For serious.
posted by opus at
Orangutan Boxing? That's just cruel and inhumane. At least give them knives and let them have a fighting chance....
posted by opus at
Over the weekend I traded in a bunch of used CDs at Ameoba. It's amazing how much an iPod has changed my whole way of thinking about music. I used to think about the discs, or tapes, and with every album the image of that cover would be conjured along with the music. Now the CD gets used exactly once, to rip the tracks into mp3 format. After that it sits on my shelf. Often I'll never even crack the booklet.
I'm still stubbornly hanging on to most of my CDs for now, though. I tell myself there may be a hard drive crash or something, and I'll need the backups. I think it's just some small part of me that can't comprehend the idea of ownership without a physical representation of what it is I'm owning. I think I'd be just as happy with a small framed certificate that read "The Bearer of This Certificate Hearby Owns The Decemberists' 'Castaways and Cutouts'. Amen."
Some day I'll bring people up to look at my music, books, movies, and art - and just point to a hard drive whirring away. Ain't she a beaut?
posted by opus at
People Acting Like Cars to try to get into our country. They're like human Transformers! Only the real Transformers didn't work sub-minimum-wage jobs with no benefits.
posted by opus at
Two Thousand Baboon Noses Found in Amsterdam Airport Suitcase. Seriously, the Baboon Uncle that played "Got Yer Nose" 2,000 times really needs to be disciplined.
posted by opus at
Jessica Lynch slams the Pentagon's "Lies" Funny how I had to read this on a British web site. You'd think our "liberal media" would jump all over this one.....
posted by opus at
Who wants to marry Dennis Kucinich? The new game by the same people who brought you "Who the hell is Dennis Kucinich?"
posted by opus at
The World's Oldest Woman Passed Away and is being buried next to her husband, even though she hated him. Perhaps she should have rethought using the phrase "over my dead body."
posted by opus at
When hiking through a dark forest, what could be scarier, more spooky, more terrifying than
70 pairs of shoes filled with butter????
posted by opus at
Haven't you always wanted to see what various zoo animals would look like on an infrared camera? No? Trust me, you have. Really. Seriously. Check out the Infrared Zoo
posted by opus at
Feeling furiously icky today. A nose sniffle kept me tossing and turning all night last night. I always wake up 2 minutes before my alarm clock goes off. In my college days, I was so restless I could count on waking up in time for anything, and never had to set my alarm at all. Insomnia is good for something. Those were the days.
Anyways, today I'm sore and cranky. But when you're working at a place that helps kids with cancer and HIV and serious, life-threatening dieases, you can't really complain about a sniffle. Once I told a kid I ate a bad burger. She told me for the past few years all of her food came from a tube in her tummy. That shut me up.
Any home-made, sure-fire, mom-approved cures for the cold out there?
posted by opus at
If you're trying to woo a date, you should always compliment him or her. However, you should be careful to carefully take care to choose your words carefully. Here is my helpful guide, culled from years of experience in screwing up.
Pleasantly Plump
Surpsisingly stench-free
Resistant to Infection
Supersize It
The money's on the dresser
posted by opus at
Fifth Graders listen to Radiohead for the first time and give their unsullied reaciton. Shades of Emporer's New Clothes, anybody?
posted by opus at
Well, over the weekend there was one of the most horrible attacks on US troops in Iraq, underscoring our aimless strategy there and the lives Bush's folly is taking. What can make it all better?
An Adorable Puppy!
On Saturday, my roommate found an adorable puppy running in traffic and so she took it in. We're technically not allowed to have pets in our apartment, but when you see the Adorable Puppy shivering from the cold in the arms of your roommate, technicalities do not apply.
There is something about puppies, and little animals in general. Evolution has made them adorable. This is so we do not kill and eat them. I would think making them tough and stringy would be enough, but evolution knows a lot more than I do. Evolution has more experience in these matters.
For a few hours this weekend, troubles melted away as the Adorable Puppy (who I called "Stupid Puppy" so as to not get too attached) romped and played and bit my stockinged feet. We need to send some adorable puppies to foreign leaders. I think it would solve a lot.
The Adorable Puppy now lives with a neighbor who is allowed to have dogs, and we're back to our mudane puppy-less existance. Which is good because, cute or not, I was getting hungry and that box of Puppy Helper was just sitting on the shelf...
posted by opus at
Is it really wrong of me to really want the MicroTouch Trimmer?
posted by opus at
September 2003 October 2003 November 2003 December 2003 January 2004 February 2004 March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005


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During installation, you might not see the Next button on the language and input screen of the Windows Setup application. Use these steps to go to the next screen:
- Use the pointer to select the language, time, and currency format and your keyboard or input method.
- Press Alt-N to go to the next screen.

subset: commoncrawl


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Ina Faye Teague Peek
- Details
- Category: Obituaries
- Published on 06 April 2011
- Written by Mount Vernon Optic-Herald
- Hits: 3860
Ina Faye Teague Peek, 92, went to be with the Lord and her family on April 2, 2011.
Faye was born on September 2, 1918 to Sara Elizabeth Teague in Mount Vernon, Texas. She was the youngest of eight children. Upon graduation from high school, Faye came to Commerce and worked her way through college and obtained her degree from East Texas State Teacher's College in 1941. In February of 1942 she married J. H. (Joyce) Peek at the First Baptist Church in Commerce. From their union came Mike (Beverly) of Athens and Jim Peek of Commerce. Faye's grandchildren are Rachel (Seth) Flutcher of Frederick, Colorado, Meredith (Jeff) Davis of Keller, Jaron (fiancee Tiffany Mathias) of Lewisville, and Craig of Athens.
Faye was devoted to God, family, and her beloved church, where she taught Sunday School and cared for the children in the nursery for over fifty years. She was a mother, a homemaker, a care-giver to everyone, especially the young children of Commerce. She would love and "adopt" just about every child in town, opening her home to them. She would take food, medicine, clothing, and whatever she could to older people in need. She donated a lot of her time and resources to new churches in Commerce. Faye proudly served on the Zoning Commission and the Rosemound Cemetery Boards for many years.
Visitation will be at Commerce Funeral Home on Thursday, April 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. A graveside service will be on Friday, April 8 at 10:30 a.m. at Rosemound Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to the First Baptist Church Pre-School Ministry Program or the Rosemound Cemetery Association in Commerce.


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Advanced Binary Robot Used by Successful Traders
Automated binary options trading is a special type of trading that is becoming extremely popular among financial traders. Automated binary options trading is a unique financial trading with an advanced binary robots that let traders to start trading immediately after they complete their registration process. Just Click Here to find out how you make make money from today.
Click Here To Watch Binary Robots Power in Action
Automated Binary Options Trading
Binary options are simply based on a yes or no proposition. In other words, binary options provide a simple way to trade markets with capped risk and capped profit based on a yes or no assumption. Will an underlying asset rise above a certain price in the future? Binary options traders place their trades based on whether they think the answer is yes or no, making it one of the easiest and simplest financial assets to trade. The simplicity of binary option trading has resulted in broad appeal amongst newcomers to the financial markets.
Let's take a quick look at an example on binary options trading below:
Will the price of gold be above $1,000 at 2:00 p.m. today?
If your instinct tells you it will be, you then buy the binary option. If however, you think gold will be below $1,000 at 2:00 p.m., you sell this binary option.
The price of a binary option is between $0 and $100, and there is a bid and ask price just like other financial markets.
The above binary option may be currently trading at $45.50 (bid) and $48.50 (offer) at 2 p.m. If you buy the binary option then you will pay $48.50, if you decide to sell then you will sell at $45.50.
Let's now assume you decide to buy at $48.50. If at 2:00 p.m. the price of gold is now above $1,000, your binary option expires and it becomes $100. You just made a profit of $100 – $45.50 = $54.50.
However, if the price of gold is below $1,000 at 2:00 p.m., the option expires at $0. Hence, you lose the $48.50 invested.
The bid and offer go up and down until the binary option expires. Just like any other financial markets, you can close your position at any given time before expiry time in order to quickly lock in profit or reduce loss.
What is an automated binary option trading?
Automated binary options trading is a special type of trading that is becoming extremely popular among financial traders. Automated binary options trading or simply auto trading is providing an experience different from any other form of financial trading. Thanks to advanced binary robots, traders can start trading immediately after they complete their registration process.
Types of auto trading software
Automated binary option software is called a robot, and there are two types of auto trading robots, depending on how trading signals are generated. Trading signals can best be described as tips on how and when to trade with a certain asset in a certain moment.
The first group of auto trading robots includes robots that automatically place trades based on trading signals provided by market specialists. Robots that use human generated trading signals claim that their experts have experience in financial markets, and can carefully predict market movements.
The second group comprises of robots that are based on advanced automated trading algorithms. Algorithms are always scanning the market looking for profitable and low-risk trading opportunities, taking all factors into consideration. With this type of auto trading robots, human error is drastically reduced.
Technically, it is quite difficult to say which type of auto trading robots is the best because we have different types of traders with different kind of mindset: those who prefer human touch in trading and those who prefer computer inputs. However, traders must bear in mind that automatic trading does not eliminate the trading risk completely therefore learning about binary option trading and financial markets in general is very important.
After a trading signal is generated, the auto trading binary robot uses a special program that automatically places the trade according to the user settings or preferences. Trader than only has to wait for the result. There are robots that place trades even when the trader is offline, but it is better to use only software that requires a trader to be online, as such approach is best for better money management, and helps avoid unexpected losses.
How to choose a good binary robot?
Auto trading is a trend in the binary industry, and more traders are opting for this type of trading every day. Of course, when the market for a certain product is getting big, many fraudsters take advantage by selling scam or fake trading software. For this particular reason, many traders are skeptical, and selecting a good auto trading software is now a big task.
Trading with robots that are free make realistic promises, support regulated and reputable brokers, and also have an excellent customer support could be the answer. Robots that require the trader to be online and also optimize their account settings are also considered a better choice. It may seem stressful trying to meet all these conditions, but this is the best way to find a good binary option trading robot that will bring optimal trading experience.
Why are binary brokers important for auto trading?
Many traders believe that it is enough to have a reputable binary broker or a good auto trading robot to make a decent profit. However, the truth is quite the opposite. Profit is only made when both the broker and the robot the trader chooses are reliable. If you choose a bad broker, not even the best robot can become profitable. Also, traders must take their time to learn about binary options trading and practice very well, as they are risky investments that can potentially lead to significant losses when approached the wrong way.
Choosing a reputable broker that supports auto trading with a profitable auto trading robot is a great way to trade binary options and become a successful auto trader.
Auto trading all over the world
Binary options trading is a now a global trend in financial markets all over the world, and auto trading is another trend that follows. Financial traders from all over the world are using binary robots to trade binary options, but there are still many experienced traders who are not sure if this type of trading is legal or regulated.


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Community Story
ReGina Harvey's Story
Sparking Imagination and Engagement With Fractured Fairy Tales
Teaching kindergarten students to think for themselves is a challenging task. I am frequently looking for new and inventive ways to spark imagination and enhance comprehension. One day I found the lesson Cowboys and Castles: Interacting with Fractured Texas Tales on the ReadWriteThink.org. This lesson inspired me and recovered my joy for teaching. I could not wait to teach the lesson. The lesson immediately caught my students attention. Using the story Cinderella was an ingenious way to motivate the girls to learn, and the book Bubba the Cowboy Prince was an even more engaging enticement for the boys.
Although I did not follow the authors exact plan, I used many of her inspiring ideas. Each day we talked back to our characters, activated schema, made comparisons, practiced verbally retelling the stories using a retelling picture handout and note for home to explain the task; we also made personal connections, charted story elements, and created our own fractured fairy tale using the interactive tool Fractured Fairy Tales. By time we got to the fractured fairy tale portion of the lesson, the students were very excited about changing the story and making it their own. I truly enjoy this method of teaching; I was amazed at how consumed they became with creating their own stories. The students were more engaged in this lesson than any other lesson I had taught them thus far.
Read Write Think helped me to culminate everything I knew about teaching reading. I now use the site regularly to create my lessons and I have begun to recommend it to my peers.
ReGina Harvey teaches kindergarten at an intercity school in Hattiesburg, MS. She loves to read and write children's books and to read The Reading Teacher. She has been happily married 17 years and has three children: Breanna (15), Naylon (11), and Gianna (2).


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Checking In On… The Big West ConferencePosted by Brian Goodman on February 13th, 2012
David Gao is the RTC correspondent for the Big West Conference. You can also find his musings online at Zotcubed, a UC Irvine blog, or on Twitter @dvdgao.
Reader's Take
The Week That Was:
- Long Beach State Draws Creighton At Home: The 49ers' last chance to boost their nonconference slate and RPI through the ESPN BracketBuster couldn't have turned out much better, as they drew a ranked Creighton team on national TV. Unfortunately, things haven't gone so well for the Bluejays since the announcement as they have lost three straight including a blowout loss to Wichita State. Regardless, the away game in Omaha on ESPN2 will be a great opportunity for Dan Monson's team to make one last statement on national TV before the end of the season. If Long Beach is to entertain any notion of an at-large bid, this game is a must-win.
- Titans, Tigers Surge: With the Big West Tournament less than a month away, the standings are beginning to stabilize. Cal State Fullerton, aka Transfer U, has really gelled over the last month. They have won six of their last seven, thrusting themselves into talk of being the second-best team in the league, ahead of UC Santa Barbara. Likewise, Pacific has improved vastly under the legendary coaching of Bob Thomason, winning five of its last seven. The Tigers find themselves tied for fourth at 6-6 with Cal Poly, much better than their early season struggles would have predicted.
- Davis Finally Gets First Win : Eighteen losses in a row was enough for UC Davis, as the Aggies finally pulled out their first Division I win of the year on Feb. 9 against Cal State Northridge. With a 1-11 mark in conference play, the Aggies are only a game down from the 2-10 Matadors, but are automatically in the Big West Tournament due to Northridge being ineligible for post-season play. That virtually guaranteed first round matchup between UC Davis and Long Beach State should be a real nail-biter.
Power Rankings
- Long Beach State (19-6, 12-0) – It has been more smooth sailing in Long Beach over the past two weeks, with four more wins to keep the 49ers unbeaten in Big West play. Although all of their opponents have geared up for better than usual performances against Long Beach State, it seems like Casper Ware and crew have been able to turn it up a notch down the stretch, putting away games comfortably in the end. It was also a record-setting week for Ware and T.J. Robinson with Ware became the all-time career assists leader at Long Beach State and Robinson becoming the all-time career rebound leader in the Big West Conference. Read the rest of this entry »


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Wall-to-Wall Production
Saves resources through short distances
Apart from using 80% of our energy from renewable sources, we implemented what's called 'Wall-to-Wall' production at the production site. This means our cans are manufactured and filled on the same site - helping us save many miles of transport. Since we don't have to transport empty cans to the fill up plant, this reduces the footprint significantly!
What does Wall-to-Wall mean in numbers?
Approximately 5.2 billion cans annually need no further transport until they're ready to leave the facilities for their final destination. This saves the equivalent emissions of more than 26,300 truck journeys of 614 kilometres each or more than 16.2 million kilometres per year.
More than 14,845 tons of CO2 emissions are saved each year, thanks to Wall-to-Wall production.
One production hub serving the globe
Red Bull's manufacturing base in central Europe has a lot of advantages:
Red Bull guarantees that the same premium product quality is enjoyed around the world, thanks to our state-of-the-art production process and the use of high quality ingredients, such as locally-sourced alpine water.
New efficiency-enhancing technologies - which, in turn, help preserve natural resources - can be implemented immediately.
The energy used for production comes from the region; around 80% is sourced from renewable energies - and Red Bull's working to improve this figure however possible.Back to lifecycle


text: Categories CORONA TIMESSets of wooden building blocksWooden blocks topsellerWooden blocks for beginnersSets of small building blocksSets with large wooden blocksThe knight´s castlecolorful wooden blocksFröbel Wooden blocksDomino- SetsSpecial Set for AdvancedSets for kindergartenWooden blocks for schoolSets in laserengraved boxesWOODEN CUBES 10 - 200mmwooden cubes from BeechwoodDices from beechwoodwooden cubes from maplewooden cubes from walnutwooden cubes from oakCandle holderDeco wooden cubesSeating cubeLetter beads alphabet beadsLetter cubes A-Z positivLetter cubes 0-9 positivLetter cubes A-Z negativLetter cubes 0-9 negativLetter cubes SetsWooden balls 10 - 150mmWooden balls 10 - 150mmwooden balls half drilledfull drilled wooden ballsHalf wooden ballsWooden dome discswooden macrame beadswooden balls with special holeswooden balls production to orderwooden blocks rectangular singleSmall wooden blocks 30 x 15mmwooden blocks square 30 x 30mmwooden blocks 45 x 30mmwooden blocks cuboid 45 x 45mmwooden blocks 50 x 25 mmwooden blocks 50 x 50 mmBuilding blocks square 60 x 15mmFröbel-wooden blocks 60 x 30 mmLarge building blocks 60 x 60mmLarge building blocks 90 x 45mmwooden blocks flat 120 x 15mmLarge wooden blocks 120x60mmStempelhölzercolorful wooden blockswooden cylinder,ring,conecylinders of beechwoodwooden cylinder 25mmwooden cylinder 1 inchwooden cylinder 30mmwooden cylinder 45mmround wooden pillars 50mmround wooden pillars 2 inchesround wooden pillars 60mmwooden half-pillar/cylinder 30mmwooden half-pillar/cylinder 60mmRings made of beechwwodwooden cones from beechwoodSpin TopRound and drilledRundstäbe Buchewooden blocks triangularwooden triangular pillarswooden triangular pillars 30mmwooden triangular pillars 60mmtriangular wooden blocksWOODEN CARSDrilled wooden blockswooden pyramidsLeonardo´s bridge,arch bridgesboxes for building brickssystemic constellation figuresblocks-Production to orderCandleholderTeaching materials from woodteaching materials: cuboidteaching materials: diceteaching materials: cylindersteaching materials:half-cylinderteaching materials: ballsteaching materials: triangularwooden triangular pillars 30mmwooden triangular pillars 60mmteaching materials: conesteaching materials: pyramidsfor teaching platonic solidsteaching materials:arch bridgesteaching materials: to orderteaching materials: setsBamboo cutting boardHOLZBACKRAHMENPope Francis Octahedronwooden blocks by agebuilding blocks for toddlersround wooden blocks for toddlerssquare wooden block for toddlersCompilationswooden blocks for kindergartenmaterial for teachinggeometric solids: cuboidgeometric solids: cubegeometric solids: cylindersgeometric solids: ballssolids: triangular pillarssolids: half-pillars/cylindersgeometric solids: wooden conessolids:wooden pyramidsgeometric solids: arch bridgessolids: production to ordergeometric solids: setswooden blocks for kindergartenwooden blocks for kindergartenwooden block extra largeSPECIALLasermarkingPrinting and LabellingPrint on the blockslaser engravingLabeling of wooden blockstactile aids for saleblocks in the advertisingPrinted building blocksLaser marked blockscolorful wooden building blockstactile aids for sale Top » Catalog » Allgemeine Geschäftsbedingungen General Terms and Conditions 1. Area of validity The following Terms and Conditions apply to all contracts, deliveries and services between Tischlerschuppen - der Webshop für Holzbauklötze der besonderen Art (the web shop for special wooden building blocks), Proprietor Michael Wirges, Auf der Höh 32, 53819 Neunkirchen-Seelscheid, Germany, with its domain www.tischlerschuppen.de and all other registered domains for the distribution purposes of wooden building blocks and its customers. 2. Prices and changes 1. The respective price stated for our goods is the final price including any Value Added Tax if applicable and including further price components. The price does not include the costs for delivery and forwarding. For orders below a goods value of 15 € we have to charge a handling fee (low order fee) of 3.60 €. 2. With the update of the Internet sites of www.tischlerschuppen.de all previous prices and other details about goods are invalid. 3. The price at the time of the customer's submission of the offer is significant for the invoice. 3.Offer and conclusion of the contract 1. The contractual language is German. The presentation of the products in the online shop does not represent a legally binding offer, but an unbinding online catalogue. 2. After entering your personal data and clicking the button "Buy" in the final step of the ordering process, you enter a binding purchase offer on the basket of goods included from. Before submitting the order you have the option of any input errors to identify and correct using the trim function and / or modify. The confirmation of the order follows immediately after sending the order. This automatic acknowledgment of receipt only documents that the order with us is received and does not constitute acceptance of the order dar. We are entitled to accept your order within 2 days after receipt by sending an order confirmation in writing or in text form (eg email), in which will be confirmed by the processing of the order or the delivery of the goods, or by sending the goods. However, a binding contract can already come about before if you choose an on-line mode of payment and carry out the payment immediately on sending the order. In this case, the contract is concluded at the time when the corresponding payment service provider confirms payment instructions. 4. Viewing the text of the contract The text of the contract is saved. You may view General Contractual Conditions at any time at Tischlerschuppen.de and save the same on your computer. The actual order details as well as the General Contractual Conditions will be sent to you via email and may be viewed upon the registration in the login area. 5. Delivery The delivery is plus costs for forwarding. If an item is out of stock due to an unexpected high demand, the buyer may withdraw from the contract. The delivery is subject to the delivery costs stated. If the goods are not available without our fault, the consumer will be notified about that immediately and any counter performances, which might possibly have been provided already, will be returned. 6. deleted ++++++++++ ++++++++++++ +++++++++++ +++++++++++ +++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++++ ++++++++++++ +++++++++++ +++++++++++ +++++++++ ++++++++ 7. RIGHT OF WITHDRAWAL FOR CONSUMER A consumer is any natural person who enters into a transaction for purposes which can be attributed mainly neither commercial nor their independent vocational activity. RIGHT OF WITHDRAWAL You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason. The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good. To exercise the right of withdrawal, you must inform me www.tischlerschuppen.de Proprietor Michael Wirges Auf der Höh 32 53819 Neunkirchen-Seelscheid, Germany Retoure to: Gewerbegebiet Bitzen 7 D-53804 Much PHONE: +49 02247 758409 Fax: +49 02247 758408 Email: firstname.lastname@example.com of your decision to withdraw from this contract by an unequivocal statement (e.g. a letter sent by post, fax or e-mail). You may use the attached model withdrawal form, but it is not obligatory. To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired. EFFECTS OF WITHDRAWAL If you withdraw from this contract, we shall reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (with the exception of the supplementary costs resulting from your choice of a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us), without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract. We will carry out such reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement. We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest. You shall send back the goods or hand them over to us, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods. The right of withdrawal does not exist: For delivery of goods which are not prefabricated and for their manufacture an individual choice or decision by the consumer is important or which are clearly tailored to the personal needs of the consumer. In case of delivery of Goods which can spoil quickly or whose expiration date has passed quickly. The right of revocation expires prematurely: Upon delivery of sealed goods which are unsuitable for reasons of health or hygiene to return when their unsealed after delivery. ++++++++++ ++++++++++++ +++++++++++ +++++++++++ +++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++++ ++++++++++++ +++++++++++ +++++++++++ +++++++++ ++++++++ Download FORM RIGHT OF WITHDRAWAL by http://www.tischlerschuppen.de/includes/ languages/english/widerrufsformular.pdf ++++++++++ ++++++++++++ +++++++++++ +++++++++++ +++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++++ ++++++++++++ +++++++++++ +++++++++++ +++++++++ ++++++++ General notes regarding returns Please, avoid signs of usage and damages to the goods. If possible, please return the goods with all accessories and the original packaging. At any rate, please, use suitable packaging to protect against damages in transit. Please, do not return the goods freight forward but as insured parcel. Please, note that the above-stated notes do not represent any conditions for the assertion of your right of rescission. ++++++++++ ++++++++++++ +++++++++++ +++++++++++ +++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++++ ++++++++++++ +++++++++++ +++++++++++ +++++++++ ++++++++ 8. Payment Payments are against cash in advance to the account stated, by direct debit/automatic direct debit, by down payments, on account for regular customers, by PayPal or by cash on delivery (plus 7.14 € fee for cash on delivery payments). The sensitive bank details are transferred securely via SSL encoding. 9. Retention of title The goods delivered remain my property to the payment for all claims. 10. Guarantee The guarantee is according to the legal provisions. 11. Transport damages Despite all diligence damages in transit may occur during the delivery process. In this event we will of course replace the damaged items free of charge. In the event of transport damages we would kindly ask you to follow the procedure below: If possible, transport damages must be reported to the deliverer (parcel service) immediately upon receipt of the goods. Please, notify us subsequently of any transport damages determined. If you wish to return the goods, please, inform us in advance by email, fax or telephone. We will happily help you if you have any queries regarding returns. Your warranty claims remain unaffected from the note regarding the procedure. We would like to thank you for your understanding and your cooperation. www.tischlerschuppen.de Proprietor Michael Wirges Auf der Höh 32 53819 Neunkirchen-Seelscheid, Germany Retoure to: Gewerbegebiet Bitzen 7 D-53804 Much Tel.:+49-02247/758409 Fax:+49-02247/758408 Email: email@example.com 12. deleted 13. Miscellaneous As our goods are natural products, which were treated with the highest level of diligence and precision, it still is possible that size tolerances occur due to natural loss and welling. These are not a reason for complaints. The same applies for the possible natural discolouration (red-tinge etc.) of the wood. 2. The castor rollers of the beech containers are for self-assembly. All assembly parts are included and the holes are pre-drilled, the castor rollers only need to be screwed together tightly. 3. Please note: ATTENTION! The delivery may contain small parts ! Choking Hazard - Small Parts. Not suitable for children under 36 months! This concerns in particular the following products and others: Cone 30mm - order no: KEG30 shot 30mm - order no: Kugel30, half wooden ball 30mm - order no: Halbkugel30, Cylinder 30mm - order no: HS30H30. Please supervise your children! 4. We are members of the "Verein sicherer und seriöser Internetshopbetreiber e. V." and have subjected us to the local criteria and the free for our customers, extrajudicial conciliation body. http://www.internetsiegel.net/Pruefungskriterien.pdf http://www.internetsiegel.net/html/ schlichtungsstelle.html 5.Information on Online Dispute Resolution The EU Commission has created an Internet platform for the online settlement of disputes (so-called "OS platform"). The OS platform serves as a point of entry for the out-of-court settlement of disputes arising from online purchase contracts. The OS platform can be reached at the following link: https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr/ We are not obligated and unwilling to participate in a dispute settlement before a cnsumer sealing station 6. Special orders: Offers to special designs are subject to change until confirmation of order and / or invoicing. 14. Place of jurisdiction All disputes from this legal relationship are subject to the Law of the Federal Republic of Germany. Excluded from this choice of law are the mandatory consumer protection provisions of the country in which the customer has his habitual residence. The application of United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods is excluded. If the contractual parties are business people, the court, where www.tischlerschuppen.de has its office, is responsible, unless an exclusive place of jurisdiction is justified for the dispute. ++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Provider identification: www.tischlerschuppen.de Proprietor Michael Wirges Auf der Höh 32 53819 Neunkirchen-Seelscheid, Germany Germany VAT-ID no.: DE 222327077 PHONE:+49-02247/758409 Fax:+49-02247/758408 Email: firstname.lastname@example.com ++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Continue


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More students in Oregon will have the opportunity to be credited with an associate's degree while earning a bachelor's degree through a new "Reverse Transfer" agreement, signed today between the Oregon Institute of Technology (Oregon Tech) and Clackamas Community College (CCC). The signing ceremony, held at CCC's Oregon City campus, was led by Oregon Tech President Chris Maples and CCC President Joanne Truesdell, and launched the Reverse Transfer Degree pilot program as a way to increase degree attainment and support graduates' workforce preparation.
"Reverse Transfer" is a relatively new program in Oregon and the U.S., which recognizes students' achievements with an associate's degree after they have transferred to a 4-year school. The agreement will provide students who have attended both CCC and Oregon Tech with an associate's degree, awarding them for the work they have already completed while at the community college. There are no additional costs to students to apply for and receive the reverse transfer degree, which will be awarded from CCC once the accumulated credits are reached at Oregon Tech.
"Today's students move frequently between two- and four-year colleges and universities to earn a degree, so it's important to have options that recognize this reality," said Chris Maples, president of Oregon Tech. "Establishing a reverse transfer program between CCC and Oregon Tech has tremendous value for students and for Oregon's workforce. In today's job market, graduates need to show the scope of their educational background, and having an associate's degree credential shows the real depth of their skill set."
Early research on outcomes shows that students who are awarded an associate's degree through reverse transfer benefit in a number of ways, including being more likely to stay in school and finish a four-year degree program. Graduates also gain both an associate's and a bachelor's degree on their resume, reflecting a broader, more accurate view of their skills and training received over time. This can add up to higher entry level and higher paying jobs for graduates.
"The old pattern of education first and work later no longer holds," noted CCC president Joanne Truesdell. "Most students are also workers. Having an associate's degree while studying for the bachelor's shows employers that students are ready to enter their chosen field, even while they pursue further education."
Colleges and universities also benefit from reverse transfer. Community college completion rates will more accurately reflect the investment of time, resources, and support that two-year institutions have in the students who transfer prior to degree completion. These institutions will gain credit for the degrees in their completion outcomes, create closer transfer collaborations with four-year institutions, and gain alumni who feel a greater connection to the community college.
This reverse transfer agreement is a pilot exclusively between Oregon Tech and CCC for the 2013-2014 and 2014-15 academic years, started in Spring Term 2014.
For more information about Oregon Tech's education partnerships, contact Marla Edge, director of Academic Agreements, at 541.885.1034.
To learn more about CCC's education partnerships, contact Larry Cheyne, director of Educational Partnerships at 503.594.3320.
About Oregon Tech
Founded in Klamath Falls in 1947, Oregon Institute of Technology is the only public 4-year institute of technology in the Pacific Northwest. Oregon Tech provides degree programs in engineering and health technologies, management, communication, and applied sciences that prepare students to be effective participants in their professional, public, and international communities through hands-on learning. Oregon Tech has a full-service, residential campus in Klamath Falls and an urban, industry-focused campus in Wilsonville. Visit www.oit.edu to learn more about Oregon Tech.
About Clackamas Community College
Clackamas Community College serves the residents of Clackamas County and students from throughout the region. The College has three campuses, in Oregon City, North Clackamas, and Wilsonville, and provides additional educational opportunities at extension sites in local communities. CCC provides lower-division transfer credits, training that leads to careers, basic skills education, and services for workforce and industry. The college served more than 30,000 students in 2012-13. For more information about CCC, visit www.clackamas.edu.


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Notice of Termination: As of Wednesday, February 29, 2012, the Students in Service (SIS) AmeriCorps program will be terminated thru mutual consent of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and Washington Campus Compact.
SIS AmeriCorps Member Termination Notice
SIS AmeriCorps members: The last day to count service hours was 2/29/2012. If you have not done so already, please pass in your final time log and complete exit paperwork to your SIS Campus Coordinator asap. (NOTE: Failure to pass in your final time log and/or exit paperwork may result in the member being exited without a full or pro-rated educational award.)
Campus Partners: All SIS members are expected to be exited out of the egrants system by March 23, 2012.
Once you have exited out all of your members please review and organize your member files by grant year, alphabetically by last name. Once this process is complete please contact your state Campus Compact office regarding next steps for your member files.
Important Grant Close-out Information for:
SIS AmeriCorps members
Lycamobile Student Plans
Campus Partners
As a result of the conference call discussions concerning the termination of the Students in Service (SIS) AmeriCorps grant, many campus partners requested that a forum be created to give student AmeriCorps members, campus partners, and community agencies affected by the SIS grant termination an opportunity to express their views, concerns, and comments. Please provide your comments below on how the SIS grant termination has affected you, the SIS AmeriCorps members, and the community agencies that they served.
SIS Grant Close-out Campus Partner Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Talking points for campus partners when talking to SIS members
Community partner talking points for campus partners


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text: This event has passed. GriefShare, a special 13-week seminar and support group for people grieving the death of someone close to them. This video course/support group will offer understanding and encouragement as you work through the grieving process. To sign up for GriefShare, fill out the form below. Sign up for Griefshare: Name* First Last Phone*Email* Sign me up for (check all that apply): DivorceCare (support for those struggling with the heartache of divorce) GriefShare (find peace as you work through the stages of suffering a loss) Financial Peace University Class (manage finances, budget, and free yourself from debt) Cancer Hope Support Network (support for cancer patients, survivors, and care givers) Embrace Your Journey Caregivers Support Group (support and encouragement for caregivers) + Google Calendar+ iCal Export Details Date: January 31, 2018 Time: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Event Categories: GriefShare, Support Group Event Tags:Adults Organizer: Christ Wesleyan Church |Recurring Event (See all)Every week until April 11, 2018


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Musical Monday # 143
I think it's a fun way to show off some of the music we like and brighten up our Mondays at the same time.
I'll be finding my clips on you tube, so will simply credit that site since there are often so many versions of everything and I wouldn't want to accidentally credit the wrong artist.
Today's clip is: Paul Kelly & the Coloured Girls


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Reducing Ethnic Tensions in Crimea and Improving the Level of Investigative Journalism in Eastern and Southern Ukraine
10.03.2011 / 13:13 | Aktualizováno: 10.03.2011 / 13:49
People in Need, 2008
One of Ukraine's specific problems is ethnic tension in Crimea. Neither the central government in Kiev, nor the representatives calling for Crimean autonomy have been able to solve this problem. Furthermore, political groups and the media have proven to be too partial to help resolve this conflict, creating one of the main obstacles to reducing ethnic tensions. The purpose of this project is to inform journalists, local representatives and Crimean authorities about the danger of nationalism and extremism, as well as helping them learn more about the possibility of taking different approaches to minorities.
People in Need had several objectives in implementing this project:
1. Contribute to the reduction of ethnic tension in Crimea by providing training to local media and authorities
The concept of setting up Crimean seminars was established with the help of two Ukrainian experts on Crimea's ethnic conflicts. Altogether 5 seminars were realized between June and September 2008 - 2 for local authorities, 2 for members of the local media and 1 for teachers. About 70 people attended and successfully completed these seminars, which were led by 4 Czech and 3 Ukrainian experts. Participants acquired more knowledge about mechanisms for the prevention of ethnic conflicts, about the role of media and local government in this effort and about the power of multicultural education in schools. In October 2008, a group of Crimean journalists, who write about the ethnic tensions in Crimea, came to a study trip to Prague, where they met notable personalities of Czech and international journalism, such as Petra Procházková, Andrej Babickij and others.
2. Improvement of investigative journalism in Eastern and Southern Ukraine
In August 2008, the NGO People in Need chose, according to results from a contest it organized earlier, 11 young Ukrainian journalists, who spent the next two months under the supervision of 5 experienced Ukrainian journalists that helped them in their research. Five of the most successful young journalists were invited to participate in a study trip to Prague, where they attended several workshops designed to improve their reporting skills. All of their final investigative reports were published in Ukrainian media and most of them were well received by Ukrainian society.
3. Inform Czech society about situation in Crimea/ Ukraine and networking among Czech and Ukrainian experts
In April 2008, PIN held a public lecture in Prague, which was led by Ukrainian experts and focused ethnic tensions in Crimea. People in Need supported the publishing of a "White Paper" – a brochure about the violations against freedom of speech occurring in Crimea. Since this event, PIN has been regularly sending a monthly overview of the events in Ukrainian politics and civil society on more than 400 emails, especially to politicians, parliamentarians, senators and journalists.
Seminar on autonomy


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Sam Llanas pays tribute to Les Paul in new music video
Former BoDean Sam Llanas has paid tribute to a fellow Waukesha-born music man—late guitar innovator Les Paul—in a new music video for Llanas' song "The Way Home."
The video features Llanas playing on Paul's first professional Gibson L-5 guitar, which Paul purchased at the Gibson guitar factory in 1933. Waukesha locations featured in the video include Club 400—once owned by the Paul family and the site of Paul's first public performance with Mary Ford—as well as Paul's burial site at Prairie Home Cemetery.
The video is presented by the Waukesha County Museum to promote its forthcoming Les Paul exhibit, "Les Paul: The Wizard of Waukesha," opening on June 9.
"It's always been an honor to say that Les Paul and I come from the same hometown," Llanas said in a statement. "Since the museum is bringing Les' personal items back to Waukesha, and giving them a permanent place for the public to view, I'm honored my song will be used to support their mission."
The video, appearing below, can also be seen at a new website for the exhibit, lespaulexperience.org.
The site also announces a star-studded assortment of advisors, including Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen, ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons, singer and guitarist Orianthi, Llanas, and Paul's godson Steve Miller from the Steve Miller Band.
E-mail Newsletter
Ready for the weekend? The Journal Sentinel's Kathy Flanigan offers some options for what to do around Milwaukee and Wisconsin in this weekly newsletter.
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Journal Sentinel music writer Piet Levy tells you about the week's must-see shows, hot concert tickets on sale and more. Look for it in your inbox every Thursday at 4 p.m.
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What to Do in Milwaukee Blog
Your first look at what's happening around Milwaukee and all of the latest events you can't miss.
Tuned In: Local music writers share the latest news and views about music in Milwaukee and beyond
Hip-hop Takeover: Milwaukee's DJ Bizzon brings you the authentic spin on Milwaukee's DJ and hip-hop scene


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As a long time and trusted marketing agency, TopRank Online Marketing gets to work with some amazing B2B technology and SaaS companies. One of those companies is StrongMail. Today Kristin Hersant, VP of Corporate Marketing joins an esteemed group of marketers and thought leaders ranging from Guy Kawasaki to David Meerman Scott interviewed here at Online Marketing Blog.
Kristin is a firecracker of smarts and energy towards online marketing. Her company StrongMail is the leader in an array of email marketing and social media marketing services. Read on to learn more about the future of Email Marketing and its intersection with Social Media:
Please share a bit about your marketing background and StrongMail. What types of companies do you serve?


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I've made a big decision. I'm leaving the one I love. After indecision and agonising, I'm changing genealogy software. This isn't something I take lightly as I still remember how much work it was the last time I changed (from TMG to Genbox) nearly seven years ago.
I've been thinking about it for some time but, perversely, it was Kerry Scott's post Why It Doesn't Matter Which Genealogy Software You Use way back in February that gave me the final push I needed.
That post had stayed in the back of my mind and as I agonised over the idea of changing, I went back and reread it. I thought it would persuade me to stick with what I had. No! As I read, I realized that the thing that was holding me back from changing was that I placed too high a priority on all the things I love (and will miss!) about Genbox, but things have changed, and they are no longer so relevant.
You see, in the last seven years the way I research has changed. The internet allows me to find more records, more quickly. I have always liked to trace down at least a few generations from my ancestors, but over seven years I have pushed back a few generations and 'tracing down' now involves different types of records, most notably census records.
Features that were a high priority for me seven years ago, aren't so much now. Kerry's post helped me to realise that I will live without the special features I love. While desirable, they are not essential. Thanks Kerry for the perspective!
So having more objectively considered which features will best suit my needs, and after much experimentation and consideration, I have decided to switch to Family Historian.
Factors that weighed in on my decision:
- It appears that the product is still being actively developed. They recently put out a call for more beta testers for the upcoming version 5.
- Using GEDCOM as a native format means that I have a better idea of will go through when I upload to my family data site. I can also edit the file myself in word or even Excel if I want which makes the initial clean up much quicker and easier.
- Ancestral Sources, a free program designed to work with Family Historian, allows form based data entry for census and baptism records, with more records types coming. I find census records in particular very time-consuming to enter.
- Alternatively, merging in other GEDCOMs seems to work well, opening up the possibility of using something like Geves (described previously) for focused data collection on a branch and then importing and merging. I wouldn't want to merge on a wider scale. My early tests looked promising.
- Auto-citation feature where you designate a source to be added to anything you add, until you tell it to stop. Genbox also does this and it's something I would prefer to keep.
- I can live with less granularity to the source citations (Genbox allows you to set different sources for date, place, details etc of an event). So far as achieving quality citations goes, I think I'll follow Randy Seaver's lead and use freeform text. Again, I've experimented with this a bit already and I'm sure it will improve the sources that go onto the website – which is the public face of my database. This wasn't a concern seven years ago!
- Multimedia capabilities look promising - I need to explore that more.
Now that the decision is made I've no regrets and am very excited by the change. I'm looking forward to learning more about my new software!


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How to Make PDT's Winter Wassail
Get the Recipe
There's no sweeter remedy for chilled bones than a steamy cup of spiked cider. PDT's winter warmer is a carol to the wassail, a ceremonial, cider-based beverage mulled with citrus and spice. The historical English drink was traditionally consumed when wassailing—singing and drinking at orchards to awaken the cider apple trees and ward off spirits, in hopes of a bountiful fruit harvest.
For his wassail base, PDT head bartender Jeff Bell reaches for Breezy Hill Orchard's Hudson Valley Cider. He simmers the cider with orange and lemon juice, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and ground nutmeg and ginger. After fine straining and cooling, Bell spikes the wassail with V.S.O.P. Armagnac before storing it in the refrigerator.
The rich, toasty brandy was in fact Bell's muse for the cocktail. "I wanted to make a warm, Armagnac-based drink. I love its apple orchard notes, which work well with spices," said Bell.
When it's time to serve, Bell warms up the wassail and adds Kronan Swedish Punsch for some extra funk and sweetness. Made with spiced sugar cane spirits from the East and West Indies, the liqueur adds a welcome layer of toffee-coffee warmth.
A touch of St. Elizabeth's allspice dram brings it all together. "I like to incorporate spices throughout the drink," explains Bell, "rather than drying out the mouth with a lot ground spice on top. This way it's less astringent; cleaner."
The sum of the parts is comforting but not heavy. While baked apples and spice jump out at you, the orange juice—which often hijacks a drink—provides a lovely, sunny undercurrent.
It's the kind of drink you might want to take with you on a chilly walk in the park or a round of caroling in the neighborhood. And despite what it seems, this winter warmer is relatively light in alcohol: "With the heat, the alcohol vapors come up in your nose, so warm cocktails will seem stronger than they are," notes Bell.
Get the Recipe
More Recipes from PDT
Nolet's Noël »
Cranberry Cobbler »
Gingerbread Man »
5 Apple Brandy Cocktails from The PDT Cocktail Book »
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Aristotle, binary world, Functionalism, Hiroko, Kimi Koi Limit, Love, love triangle, Satomi, Sono, soulmate, yuri
Having only three series on my winter anime cart, I have been re-reading lately some of the mangas that I'm regularly checking for new releases. One of these is the nice but fairly sad story of Kimi Koi Limit, a yuri manga.
While the plot is a somewhat clichéd bizarre love triangle, I'm really enjoying reading Kimi Koi Limit mainly because it's nicely drawn, well-paced, emotionally engaging, and stimulatingly expressive. It also doesn't have that heavy atmosphere because comical fluffs are being thrown in before the drama fully consumed the reader. Also, the conflict is simple but how it's being delivered is so engaging.


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The science fiction blog io9 has taken it upon itself to review all the Hugo and Nebula nominees this year and has started with Zoe's Tale, and happily for me has given it a pretty positive review, and even better makes a point that I think is salient about the book:
But Zoe's Tale isn't really about the clash of mighty empires or rescuing loved ones from monsters, exciting as those parts are — it's about Zoë. It's about that time in our lives after we've come to grips with how the world sees us but we are still not sure how we see ourselves. It's not about what you are, but finding out who you are. This whip-smart, often funny, and deeply moving novel portrays that journey of self-discovery to the satisfaction of adults young or otherwise.
Yup. There's a reason why it's called Zoe's Tale: Because it's about her.
Also, for those of you who want to keep up with io9's other Hugo/Nebula reviews, bookmark this: it's the site's "Book Awards 2009" tag.


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SAN ANTONIO – A civilian at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston was arrested Wednesday for nearly pulling off her 6-year-old son's genitals because she was angry with him, and then using superglue to try to repair them, court records said.
The FBI charged Jennifer Marie Vargas, 34, with assault within maritime and territorial jurisdiction resulting in serious bodily injury. She faces up to 10 years in prison.
A criminal complaint affidavit said the child's father, who is enlisted in the Army, returned to his home from work Sept. 27 and found his son crying in an upstairs bedroom.
The father saw bloody tissue in the boy's underwear and a severe injury to his scrotum, and took him to the San Antonio Military Medical Center, the affidavit said.
There, he was found to have a laceration to his scrotum that was 4 centimeters long and he had bruising to his penis area, the affidavit said.
"Due to the child's extreme physical pain, the medical staff had to administer medication," the affidavit said. "The child was taken into surgery to repair the damage to his scrotum."
The child is recovering from the surgery and remains in his father's custody.
Vargas, the affidavit said, admitted to agents that while angry with the boy she grabbed him by the scrotum and pulled him to her as hard as she could, "thereby ripping his 'sack' and causing a laceration."
Vargas told agents she cleaned the wound with alcohol and then tried to fix it with superglue, the affidavit said.
"She applied superglue to the (boy's) scrotum until the bleeding stopped, stuffed his underwear with paper towels, and then told him to go to bed," the affidavit said. "Vargas did not seek any type of medical treatment for the child."
U.S. Magistrate Judge Pamela Mathy ordered Vargas detained without bond pending a bail hearing Monday, where prosecutors will argue that she continue to remain jailed.
Vargas was not charged until now because the matter still was under investigation.
Federal investigators said they are looking at previous states where the couple lived to see if there have been any prior interactions with child protection agencies in the past.
"We have not dealt with this family before," Child Protective Services spokeswoman Mary Walker said Wednesday.
The lack of prior CPS involvement sits in contrast another notorious child abuse case that came to light earlier this month.
Police said 9-month-old Michael Rene Sanchez Jr. was found dead at his mother's Northeast Side home — stiff, cold and tightly wrapped in wet blankets. His mother had been under investigation by CPS for neglectful supervision since before the child was born.
Bexar County had 6,205 confirmed child-abuse cases in 2012 — the highest rate of any county in Texas, including Harris. Of those, 19 involved children who died.
Twitter: @gmaninfedland


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Part of a school initiative called the Future of the Clinic Information System (FOCIS), the system was implemented by a dedicated team of faculty, staff and students. AxiUm is expected to improve and transform many aspects of how the dental school functions.
Some of the features include:
More calibration and oversight among employees


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Don't Fear the Foreigner
You might have heard that the Citizens United decision will allow foreign corporations to become involved in American campaigns. You might have heard that from the President, in fact, whose speech decrying the decision said foreign corporations "may now get into the act" of pursuing their "special interests" in American politics.
Not true. Justice Kennedy explicitly says the Court did not decide whether Congress has the power to prevent "foreign individuals or associations from influencing our Nation's political process." Nothing in Citizens United prevents Congress from prohibiting such political spending by foreign corporations. The Supreme Court might uphold such a law or it might strike it down. The upholding or the striking down of such a law was left for another day. (Other parts of existing laws would also probably preclude foreign nationals or corporations from getting involved in American elections, as Brad Smith argues).
I don't think I like the new populist Obama as much as I did the old rationalist Obama. The old Obama would have read a Supreme Court opinion before talking publicly about it.


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Air quality for the highest demands. The versatility of ZIEHL-ABEGG ventilation products usually offers the right solution for various ventilation system requirements case by case. Thanks to the highest degree of research and development expertise, as well as the incorporation of bionic insights and natural resource bases, all fan series offer extremely high performance, high efficiency and very low noise levels.
With control engineering that is specially designed for almost any ventilation application and can be extended tailor made, perfect results are achievable.


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Grand National Roadster Show - Part 3
Not All The Cool Cars Were Inside
The Grand National Roadster Show has earned the reputation as the Grand Daddy of All such events for both its longevity and the quality of the cars displayed. All indications were the 2014 edition would continue the tradition. Not only was the coveted America's Most Beautiful Roadster trophy up for grabs, over 500 show cars would be on display with special areas dedicated to Gassers, woodies, customs, lowriders, motorcycles, Bonneville racers, and more. And then there's one of the most unique aspects of the show, the Grand Daddy Drive-In.
Show cars are displayed in eight separate building and thanks to SoCal's climate and the spaciousness of the Pomona Fairplex there is the opportunity to exhibit specialty vehicles outside as well. Saturday and Sunday pre-1973 hot rods, customs, classics, muscle cars, and trucks are allowed to park on the grounds between the buildings. Registered participants get a dash plaque, a goody bag, entry to the show—not to mention the best parking spots imaginable. For those attending the GNRS it's a two-for-one deal—a car show surrounded by a car show on Saturday and Sunday.
This was the 9th Grand Daddy Drive-In, and as in years past the editors of STREET RODDER magazine picked two vehicles each day for awards. Like everything the SR staff does this process is an elaborate, painstaking procedure—which means while walking around outside awards are given to cars we really like.
There's no question that this year's GNRS lived up to its reputation, and the Grand Daddy Drive-In certainly adds another unique element to the show. Inside and out, this is a car show that shouldn't be missed.


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Homeland Security Issuing Its Own DMCA Takedowns On YouTube To Stifle Speech
from the seems-questionable... deptWe recently wrote about the fight over copyright/fair use in political videos. In the comments, someone anonymous pointed us to a YouTube page including a typical takedown notice.. Here's a screenshot.
The real question is why is Homeland Security issuing takedowns? Works produced by the federal government, of course, can't have copyright. However, it is possible for the government to hold copyrights -- mainly if someone else gets it and assigns it to the government. So it's possible that happened here, though it still seems like a strange move. If the video is the same as the other one pointed to, it's just conspiracy theory claptrap, and I don't see why DHS would even bother issuing a takedown.
But, even if we assume that the copyright itself and the takedown were legit, does this seem reasonable at all? Having a government agency directly using a copyright claim to take down a video? Especially when that group is DHS -- in which national internet censor ICE exists. Giving it the power to censor videos too just seems like it's going way too far. It's not as if Homeland Security is going to bring the work "to market" to make money, so it's not like there's an "impact on the market" for the work. The only reason to issue the takedown -- no matter how accurate the claim is -- is to silence speech. A government organization using a government-granted monopoly to stifle speech may be all too common, but that doesn't mean it should pass by unremarked upon.
I reached out to people at YouTube to see if they could explain why DHS appears to be issuing DMCA takedowns, and got back the equivalent of a "no comment." I also reached out to Homeland Security, who at first seemed interested in looking into the details and then completely stopped responding to emails. Having not received further communication from them in over a week at this point, I'm just going with the post as is, in the hopes that maybe someone out there can explain why the federal government is using copyright to censor speech?
Filed Under: copyright, free speech, homeland security, takedowns, youtube
Companies: google


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Watch the Trailer for 'One Direction: Where We Are' Film [VIDEO]
Yesterday, One Direction announced that a concert film for the 'Where We Are' tour would be hitting theaters this October 11 and 12. Today, a trailer for the concert film was released on the band's official YouTube page. Click on the video above to check it out.
The film will show the band's concert recorded at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy. Unlike 'This is Us,' the movie will not be in 3-D but will feature 75 minutes of concert footage in high definition, as well as 15 minutes of recorded interviews with the band.
After the movie's limited release in October, the film will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on December 1.
Meanwhile, the 'Where We Are' tour continues to North America beginning on Aug. 1 in Toronto, Canada. The band will then make their way around the United States before concluding on Oct. 5 in Miami.
Directioners, are you looking forward to the 'Where We Are' film?


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Adam Johnson in conversation with Naomi Benaron
Wednesday, November 7, 2012, 7:30 P.M., City Lights Bookstore, San Francisco
celebrating the recent release of their current titles
Running the Rift (Naomi Benaron, published by Algonquin Books)
The Orphan Master's Son (Adam Johnson, published by Vintage)
Running the Rift follows Jean Patrick Nkuba, a gifted Rwandan boy, from the day he knows that running will be his life to the moment he must run to save his life, a ten-year span in which his country is undone by the Hutu-Tutsi tensions. Born a Tutsi, he is thrust into a world where it's impossible to stay apolitical—where the man who used to sell you gifts for your family now spews hatred, where the girl who flirted with you in the lunchroom refuses to look at you, where your Hutu coach is secretly training the very soldiers who will hunt down your family. Yet in an environment increasingly restrictive for the Tutsi, he holds fast to his dream of becoming Rwanda's first Olympic medal contender in track, a feat he believes might deliver him and his people from this violence. When the killing begins, Jean Patrick is forced to flee, leaving behind the woman, the family, and the country he loves. Finding them again is the race of his life.
Naomi Benaron was born and raised in Boston Massachusetts and is a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Before she lost her mind and decided to devote her life to writing, she worked for many years as a geophysicist and seismologist. She has lived on a sailboat, worked on a Kibbutz, and traveled extensively. She works with Afghan Women through the Afghan Women's Writing Project, an online space where the women of Afghanistan can write in safety and freedom.
An epic novel and a thrilling literary discovery, The Orphan Master's Son follows a young man's journey through the icy waters, dark tunnels, and eerie spy chambers of the world's most mysterious dictatorship, North Korea.
Part breathless thriller, part story of innocence lost, part story of romantic love, The Orphan Master's Son is also a riveting portrait of a world heretofore hidden from view: a North Korea rife with hunger, corruption, and casual cruelty but also camaraderie, stolen moments of beauty, and love. A towering literary achievement, The Orphan Master's Son ushers Adam Johnson into the small group of today's greatest writers.
Adam Johnson teaches creative writing at Stanford University. His fiction has appeared in Esquire, The Paris Review, Harper's, Tin House, Granta, and Playboy, as well as The Best American Short Stories. His other works include Emporium, a short-story collection, and the novel Parasites Like Us. He lives in San Francisco.


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Security forces take over plaza in Venezuela
- Security forces took control of Plaza Altamira
- Peaceful daily protests have devolved each afternoon into violent clashes
- Demonstrations have erupted in numerous parts of the country
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Security forces on Monday took control of a Caracas plaza that has been at the heart of anti-government protests that have shaken Venezuela for a month.
Clusters of National Guardsmen patrolled Plaza Altamira and the principal streets extending from it while dozens of green-vested workers swept up debris that protesters used to block streets in the middle- and upper-class neighborhoods of eastern Caracas.
Another branch of the National Guard patrolled surrounding neighborhoods on motorcycles, and officials were making the takeover public relations event. At least four Venezuelan government ministers were present giving interviews about the plaza's "liberation."
"We're deployed since 3 a.m. in the entire municipality," Interior Minister Miguel Rodriguez Torres said in an interview with state television from the plaza. "We're re-establishing the right of thousands of citizens of Chacao who have been forced to stay inside their homes by violent actions."
It was not immediately clear if the crackdown by some 1,000 members various security forces would stifle the student-led protests in the capital or if it might shift them elsewhere.
Some student leaders vowed they would continue until the government meets their demands, the first of which is releasing those arrested during protests.
"You're going to have to get 60 million soldiers for us to abandon the streets of Venezuela," said Juan Requesens, president of the Central University of Venezuela, at a news conference.
Demonstrations have erupted in numerous parts of the country and the capital, though the graceful, sloping Plaza Altamira in the capital's Chacao borough has become a focal point. Peaceful daily protests have devolved each afternoon into violent clashes with tear gas, rubber bullets, water cannons and Molotov cocktails.
Only a small segment of the demonstrators stick around for the skirmishes, but the damage wreaked by an even smaller subgroup has been highly publicized on state television.
Maduro has used the disorder for weeks to jab at opposition Mayor Ramon Muchacho for not having control of his area.
In a speech Saturday, Maduro warned protesters that they had only hours to clear Plaza Altamira or security forces would enter. Maduro referred to the demonstrators as "los Chuckys," a reference to a diabolical doll in a U.S horror film series. There were clashes on the plaza Saturday and Sunday night as usual, but early Monday morning security forces entered the plaza with the apparent intention of staying.
Muchacho, who supports the peaceful protests, has maintained that public order is the responsibility of the state, not the municipality, and has blamed the National Guard and National Police for excessive force in putting down the demonstrations. He began holding community meetings asking residents to keep the protests peaceful and to not block streets.
Muchacho said via his Twitter account Monday that Chacao awoke "militarized" and added, "The militarization doesn't resolve the crisis or the discontent."
General Manuel Quevedo, the National Guard's regional head in the capital, blamed a small group for trying to impose itself on the majority of people who want to live in peace in the area.
"With this situation we assure that every day the plaza is going to stay this way — calm, in peace," Quevedo said in a television interview from the plaza.
Some local residents welcomed the government's takeover of the plaza. "What I didn't understand was the violence of making the barricades," said Jorge Chayeb, 39, who lives nearby.
The protests have been joined by tens of thousands of Venezuelans, mostly from the middle class, who are fed up with inflation that hit 56 percent last year, soaring violent crime and shortages of basic necessities such as corn flour and cooking oil.
Also Monday, Aragua state Gov. Tareck El Aissami said in a news conference that National Guard Capt. Jose Guillen Araque, 34, was killed during a protest Sunday night in Maracay, a city some 75 miles (125 kilometers) southwest of Caracas.
Guillen was shot in the head in a neighborhood where at least 40 "terrorists" were blocking streets with burning tires, El Aissami said. He blamed "fascist groups," phrasing often used by government supporters to describe the opposition.
Prior to the shooting, the government had identified 25 deaths related to more than a month of protests in Venezuela. He would be the fourth National Guardsmen killed.
Associated Press writer Fabiola Sanchez contributed to this report from Valencia.


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Community News
Kids ride free in Rotary's Annual Tour de Cypress Saturday, April 21
- Details
- Category: Community News
- Published on 15 April 2012
- Written by Mount Vernon Optic-Herald
Kids age 12 and under can ride free in the Tour de Cypress Bike Ride and Tour slated for Saturday, April 21.
Kids can ride free with a paid adult registration on the 10-mile family course. Runs of 5K and 10K have been added to the event. More than 100 participants have pre-registered for the event. For more details on how to register for the rides or runs, see the April 12 edition of the Mount Vernon Optic-Herald.


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A new poll shows Gov. Andrew Cuomo has slid to his lowest job-approval rating since becoming governor.
The Siena College poll released Monday reports Cuomo's rating is at the point most voters view his performance negatively.
It shows 56 percent of those polled rate the Democrat's job performance as only fair or poor. That's up from 47 percent a month ago.
Still, Cuomo's overall favorability among voters remains high at 61 percent. That reflects their view of Cuomo himself.
Cuomo would also trounce potential Republican challengers at this point as he prepares to campaign for re-election next year.
The poll of 806 voters was conducted last Monday through Thursday. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.


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Is Manila ready for another tonkatsu brand?
Ginza Bairin is the latest tonkatsu restaurant to open at the new Glorietta 2.
What sets it apart is heritage that goes back to 1927, when the first Ginza Bairin opened in the now-posh district of Ginza in Tokyo.
It was founded by Mr. Nobukatsu Shibuya, who formulated the first tonkatsu sauce, prior to the invention of Bulldog sauce. Watch this:
Last Tuesday we got to meet the founder's grandson, Mr. Masaya Shibuya, who was in town to open the first branch in Manila. At right is Mr. Tetsuya Oyabu of Ginza Bairin Japan.
We started off with a bowl of ligtly salted edamame
and got acquainted with the sauces on the table
Grind your own sesame seeds
Add the special sauce
Also on the menu is this unique-looking gyoza
Eel katsu
Kushi katsu with meat and onion inside
Meet my lunch: a sampler set of prawn, rosu, and hire katsu. The price is surprisingly affordable (around Php 475) for this and unlimited unlimited Japanese rice, fresh cabbage salad and dressings, miso soup, seasonal tsukemono (Japanese pickles), and genmaicha (Japanese brown rice tea).
All teishoku (set meals) also include a serving of seasonal fresh fruit.
Ginza Bairin uses only the freshest meat using Japan-approved quality standards.
For its Kurobuta Tonkatsu, it uses Black Berkshire pig—prized for its marbling, juiciness, flavor, and tenderness. For frying, they use only cottonseed oil, a healthier alternative with zero trans fat.
The panko (breadcrumbs) used to coat the katsu is imported from Japan, made from an exclusive, in-house recipe especially made for katsu.
International Head Chef Yoshijiro Miyakozawa flew in to Manila to train the Philippine chefs the Ginza Bairin way
Now you can enjoy authentic katsu in three delicious ways:
First, as tonkatsu, or pork cutlet
Secondly, as Bairin Katsu Sando, or hire katsu sandwich
Third, as katsudon, particularly the Ginza Bairin Special Katsudon, often hailed as "Number One Donburi in Japan.
It combines tender hire katsu, Japanese rice, special sauce, and farm-fresh eggs.
From a small store in Ginza, Tokyo, Ginza Bairin has branched out to Honolulu, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul, and now in Manila.
And for Scott Tan, Philippine Managing Director, Ginza Bairin is a passion project. "I recall eating at Ginza Bairin as a young, katsudon-obsessed boy on family trips to Japan. Ginza Bairin pioneered the katsu house as we know it—and today, I am deeply honored to have been chosen by Shibuya-san to be part of his family's legacy."
From L-R: Mr. Yukio Hayashi (Ginza Bairin Philippines head chef), Scott Tan and Jimmy Tan of Ginza Bairin Philippines, Mr. Masaya Shibuya (President of Ginza Bairin), Mr. Yoshijiro Miyakozawa (Ginza International Head Chef), and Mr. Tetuya Oyabu, also of Ginza Bairin.
Ginza Bairin is at the Ground Floor, Glorietta 2, Palm Drive, Ayala Center, Makati City.
For inquiries and reservations, call 553-7350.


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First off, let me apologize for the lack of blogger etiquette and wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Boxing Day (linked because I had to look it up myself), Happy New Year, and/or best wishes for whatever holiday(s) you celebrate this time of year.
Whew. It feels good to get that out of the way!
Needless to say, it's been a whirlwind couple of weeks. The days and weeks leading up to Christmas were kind of a nightmare, due in no small part to the fact that I bit off a little more than I could chew with making homemade gifts (hence the relief implied by the title of my post!). Pictures of all of the gifts I made are at the bottom of this post. I was literally uploading the pictures as my wife and kids were waiting outside in our packed minivan!
On December 23rd, we set off to Greensboro NC to spend the Christmas holiday with my wife's family. It was a nice visit, and my brand new nephew was baptized on Christmas morning. From there, we drove 12 hours up to New Jersey to stay a night with my aunt, uncle and grandmother. On the 28th, we continued on to New York City where we stayed with my mom in Brooklyn through New Year's. On Friday the 2nd, we made the 13-hour trek back to Raleigh.
We had a nice enough trip and, of course, it was great visiting with family. But we decided that this is the last year that we'll be traveling for Christmas. For starters, the traveling is completely exhausting and, even with 2 weeks off from work, we don't feel like we had much of a break. That's a shame.
And more importantly, it's time that our kids are able to wake up in their own beds on Christmas morning and for us to start making our own traditions. I think we've reached a point where it makes more sense for the grandparents to come to us on Christmas, rather than vice-versa.
So that's my holiday break in a nutshell. Now, on to what you really want to see ... pictures!
First up is a pillow that I made for my SIL. She's in the Air Force and lives in California. On my wife's side of the family, we have a tradition where we secretly pick a name for one another (like a normal Secret Santa), but the twist is that the gift has to either be homemade or you have to do something nice for that person. I decided on this 20" x 20" log cabin pillow:
I love this Simplicity fabric and I've been on a tear with it. I made a deal with Emily to buy some of the scraps from her daughter's quilt. Thanks for the scrap bag, Emily -- I'm getting a lot of mileage out of it!
My favorite is the "words" fabric ... I put "family" at the center of this design.
Another of my SIL's got this pillow as her gift:
It's made from another of my favorite lines: Park Slope by Erin McMorris.
The funny story is, I had a FQ bundle from this line on my birthday / Christmas list, and she (not so subtly) hinted that she's love something made from this line for Christmas. The original intent was to make a quilt but ... yeah, that didn't happen. Actually, I got all of the blocks made, but ran out of time to assemble it. Maybe for her birthday. Or maybe I'll just keep it.
A close-up pic ... I've been on a free-motion bender lately!
Another log cabin Simplicity pillow -- this one was for my mom. She had often commented on how much she likes rectangular pillows and wanted one for her couch. So instead of buying her one, I decided to make it!
Again, free-pieced and free-motion quilted. This one features "family" and "harmony" in the middle squares, with some other words scattered throughout.
Remember my Giveaway Day tote bag? Well, it was one of three. The other two were gifted. This one, made from pink and red Swell fabrics, went to my grandmother.
Next, I made an apron for my aunt -- she's an amazing cook and actually wears aprons ALL THE TIME while cooking, so I know this one will get a lot of use. I got the (free) pattern from the Spool Sewing blog (one of my faves!) and used some cool new Debbie Mumm fabrics from Joann's (50% off before the holidays!).
Here's a close up of the front fabric -- ferns and bugs.
A coordinating plaid for the back:
And finally, I gave my grandmother a quilt for Christmas. I figured if anyone deserves one, it's her. I actually started this quilt in my Beginning Quilting class one year ago this month. I pieced it in the winter, basted it in the spring, quilted it over the summer, and finally bound it before Christmas.
(P.S. Don't look for any close-ups of the binding. I machine-bound it to save time, and it did NOT come out very well. Luckily, I don't think it's very noticeable ... but it was certainly less than ideal).
The fabrics are from the Folklorique line from Fig Tree Quilts. Basic rail fence pattern -- hey, it was my beginner's class!


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Built to Last
"This is not a book about charismatic visionary leaders. It is not about visionary product concepts or visionary products or visionary market insights. Nor is it about just having a corporate vision. This is a book about something far more important, enduring, and substantial. This is a book about visionary companies." So write Jim Collins and Jerry Porras in this groundbreaking book that shatters myths, provides new insights, and gives practical guidance to those who would like to build landmark companies that stand the test of time. Drawing upon a six-year research project at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, Collins and Porras took eighteen truly exceptional and long-lasting companies -- they have an average age of nearly one hundred years and have outperformed the general stock market by a factor of fifteen since 1926 -- and studied each company in direct comparison to one of its top competitors. They examined the companies from their very beginnings to the present day -- as start-ups, as midsize companies, and as large corporations. Throughout, the authors asked: "What makes the truly exceptional companies different from other companies?" What separates General Electric, 3M, Merck, Wal-Mart, Hewlett-Packard, Walt Disney, and Philip Morris from their rivals? How, for example, did Procter-Gamble, which began life substantially behind rival Colgate, eventually prevail as the premier institution in its industry? How was Motorola able to move from a humble battery repair business into integrated circuits and cellular communications, while Zenith never became dominant in anything other than TVs? How did Boeing unseat McDonnell Douglas as the world's best commercial aircraft company -- what did Boeing have that McDonnell Douglas lacked? By answering such questions, Collins and Porras go beyond the incessant barrage of management buzzwords and fads of the day to discover timeless qualities that have consistently distinguished out-standing companies. They also provide inspiration to all executives and entrepreneurs by destroying the false but widely accepted idea that only charismatic visionary leaders can build visionary companies. Filled with hundreds of specific examples and organized into a coherent framework of practical concepts that can be applied by managers and entrepreneurs at all levels, Built to Last provides a master blueprint for building organizations that will prosper long into the twenty-first century and beyond.
Jim Collins is author or coauthor of six books that have sold in total more than ten million copies worldwide, including the bestsellers Good to Great, Built to Last, and How the Mighty Fall. Jim began his research and teaching career on the faculty at Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he received the Distinguished Teaching Award in 1992. He now operates a management laboratory in Boulder, Colorado, where he conducts research, teaches, and consults with executives from the corporate and social sectors.
Introduction to the Paperback Edition
Chapter 1 The Best of the Best
Chapter 2 Clock Building, Not Time Telling
Interlude No "Tyranny of the OR" (Embrace the "Genius of the AND")
Chapter 3 More Than Profits
Chapter 4 Preserve the Core/Stimulate Progress
Chapter 5 Big Hairy Audacious Goals
Chapter 6 Cult-Like Cultures
Chapter 7 Try a Lot of Stuff and Keep What Works
Chapter 8 Home-Grown Management
Chapter 9 Good Enough Never Is
Chapter 10 The End of the Beginning
Chapter 11 Building the Vision
Epilogue Frequently Asked Questions
Appendix 1 RESEARCH ISSUES
Appendix 2 FOUNDING ROOTS OF VISIONARY COMPANIES AND COMPARISON COMPANIES
Appendix 3 TABLES
Appendix 4 CHAPTER NOTES
About the Authors
Author's Note
Books by Jim Collins