Christmas is creeping in!

I'm prepping for Christmas and beginning to start making wreaths and a few more baubles.  Here's what I'm reading for inspiration....<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnoeEVh5QJf5IBggep_V0Q4qRsbbGVI6hyiYOePw3c058jfpTCCHv3f0elaSTfG94VEjua089sO8oG_TK_PfedV5R7xyViuVZ8VmirWnrnky6U5DB97TUoj_JlXbaNQIazLY2wZU74Aa6/s640/blogger-image-1847691444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnoeEVh5QJf5IBggep_V0Q4qRsbbGVI6hyiYOePw3c058jfpTCCHv3f0elaSTfG94VEjua089sO8oG_TK_PfedV5R7xyViuVZ8VmirWnrnky6U5DB97TUoj_JlXbaNQIazLY2wZU74Aa6/s640/blogger-image-1847691444.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's a great book with lots of craft projects and also style & decorating tips.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Szuvp1F4ZiL5SHzXJS4t82dLIhzRy1OfdeSJYyTebqIrt8p8Bxt_2GTR-CQdP5KeOrWZlj4R_FPxgTDOd3E_7b9i6AYKcskyx6J8uuNC_EGyF3Ha4Rrc_qryBMamisdsfRYhg0NhqsTy/s640/blogger-image--772203779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Szuvp1F4ZiL5SHzXJS4t82dLIhzRy1OfdeSJYyTebqIrt8p8Bxt_2GTR-CQdP5KeOrWZlj4R_FPxgTDOd3E_7b9i6AYKcskyx6J8uuNC_EGyF3Ha4Rrc_qryBMamisdsfRYhg0NhqsTy/s640/blogger-image--772203779.jpg"></a></div><br></div>I wonder what way I will dress my table?</div><div><br></div><div>This will be my first Christmas at home in Ireland for about 8 years!!!</div><div><br></div><div>We will hopefully order food from Marks and Spencer's </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIuz6U1No0HAy7mkM7IGRc1QFR__F6YSyUx5Lh7YJznT9zGxq8Lpm7C6cE42Kk18wbXipRI37IPd8Sc-yeZHCb99nCaevb7256x8jOWy6STiVe4apNimzmTYVO_GVi2ndf7MAA3hoQuwq/s640/blogger-image--1258177574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIuz6U1No0HAy7mkM7IGRc1QFR__F6YSyUx5Lh7YJznT9zGxq8Lpm7C6cE42Kk18wbXipRI37IPd8Sc-yeZHCb99nCaevb7256x8jOWy6STiVe4apNimzmTYVO_GVi2ndf7MAA3hoQuwq/s640/blogger-image--1258177574.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>There catalogue is out now - with a free bottle of wine if you put in your order (of over €80) before Mid November</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MafKuH9JhvczXtIEUvhXl_kvInmz94I-oXSLyiYc8WBMyajfiIjHv-0ehYa9nBYJDpIBwqKGBcUCqnNnOFaTZ0PyvbdFdJfhQCgB5HpZ7oG-34j7xjRd5OdfsfXeOk8eGTUIk22Ng-aL/s640/blogger-image--1672233014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MafKuH9JhvczXtIEUvhXl_kvInmz94I-oXSLyiYc8WBMyajfiIjHv-0ehYa9nBYJDpIBwqKGBcUCqnNnOFaTZ0PyvbdFdJfhQCgB5HpZ7oG-34j7xjRd5OdfsfXeOk8eGTUIk22Ng-aL/s640/blogger-image--1672233014.jpg"></a></div><br></div>

Christmas is creeping in!

I'm prepping for Christmas and beginning to start making wreaths and a few more baubles.  Here's what I'm reading for inspiratio...

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Introduce your students to Google Chrome…

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzJqR213TSEjQYNOpfn-aS-3MuKskdWu78duLNWCzHJnCwJlO8io0nwXQALeFSWUrD2mBEhE8fOueSh_FdyvlvDPFcLtUAk8799ItxnsaY37fgmad7moCMiCz0DKoyG48XphqPdxuICQ/s1600-h/image%25255B11%25255D.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="image" border="0" height="59" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmg4SaOW1zpWH7-g7OOancdFHCG31bHhuQOhEPk11OixpsBNkknLtwddPWuwxQ0sVas_y2La-57UCM_aXnPs8JAbF0YRwiPY96EgTpQMfUtHJ0p6zcP5ncUgA_GEB20_npLsqowjeWsU/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="165" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the recent Google in Education Summit in Cape Town there were a number of presentations outlining the usefulness of Google Chrome as a browser option. Not only is it fast and reliable as a browser but it has a unique way of enabling almost everything that you want to do in your browsing session work right from the browser bar - by means of extensions.  This is what my browser bar looks like currently and the list is growing.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxaWLLQBLjqq52nep9EA4OPuXktxVJVcIykeQraWfBF9izz7HNMN9MjipUmB3ONRc7eu3J8QeNXEiwfo3zdcw_0_GV_hU8oaXO5jfuxSVKGlarTTUYR5rOIlmR8nPOxcz0NBAyoDYZxBY/s1600-h/image%25255B6%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOfOlD7P4L0K_vGeEmwt1Ys-by4uGI9ndUwek01wvPNN6qpt5kr5EXZdfcGKRHa5_RPQ_zRy5uvTMsQFhvRf_BBVrbYNNCsBV7mIu6tPvZwIOU-qyC8e9tWFFV_X7_KDWbkW6jHZYXY8/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another unique feature in Chrome is that the Omnibox can be used for so many different purposes in addition to being the place where the page URL is shown.  This is a great time-saving feature for students. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I thought that it would be a good idea to introduce Chrome to students showing in particular these two features to start off with. This presentation introduces six useful extensions for students as well as seven useful ways of searching from the Omnibox. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><iframe allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="389" mozallowfullscreen="true" src="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/100vUxI7mCX89L9iLdQyM2YPCSGRlnwhHGK-PGHjy4MM/embed?start=false&loop=false&delayms=60000" webkitallowfullscreen="true" width="480"></iframe><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Note:</u> One point to remember is that Google is always improving matters, so nothing remains static. Even extensions are improved and changed. This presentation might already be out of date!</span></div>

google Introduce your students to Google Chrome…

At the recent Google in Education Summit in Cape Town there were a number of presentations outlining the usefulness of Google Chrome as a br...

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Nexus 5 Comes with Android 4.4, Will Announce on October 15: Report

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">Google is going to organize an event on October 15. According to rumors Google will unveil the next version of Nexus 4 and Android. It is very possible that Google will announce the launch of <a href="http://pc-gadgetworld.blogspot.in/2013/09/android-44-kitkat-latest-versions-name.html" target="_blank">Android 4.4</a> KitKat comes with <a href="http://pc-gadgetworld.blogspot.in/2013/09/images-and-features-leaked-nexus-5.html" target="_blank">Nexus 5</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-blSQsp6jNXM/UlecTx3q1dI/AAAAAAAAAa0/9-yMyZPlleA/s1600/599x400xAndroid-KitKat-599x400_jpg_pagespeed_ic_4x9ZC_bWCx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-blSQsp6jNXM/UlecTx3q1dI/AAAAAAAAAa0/9-yMyZPlleA/s1600/599x400xAndroid-KitKat-599x400_jpg_pagespeed_ic_4x9ZC_bWCx.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC-Gadgets</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">The availability of Nexus 5 might deferred from earlier rumors which said that device will be available from October 31st.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Excitement is double and no need to wait for longer time, only four days to go.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m2JxrWZKvk0/UlecmkfBtSI/AAAAAAAAAa8/SszckTIATCM/s1600/605x406xandroid-kitkat_png_pagespeed_ic_hQdE9W_hE8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m2JxrWZKvk0/UlecmkfBtSI/AAAAAAAAAa8/SszckTIATCM/s1600/605x406xandroid-kitkat_png_pagespeed_ic_hQdE9W_hE8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC-Gadgets</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Nexus 5 comes with 4.95–inch IPS full HD screen powered with Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor. The device comes with 2GB RAM and 16/32 GB internal memory. In connectivity option NFC and Bluetooth, wireless charging is also supported by the device.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/100638775997274345522" rel="author">Anil Swami</a></div></div>

android 4.4 KitKat nexus 5 Nexus 5 Comes with Android 4.4, Will Announce on October 15: Report

Google is going to organize an event on October 15. According to rumors Google will unveil the next version of Nexus 4 and Android. It is ve...

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National Coming Out Day

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Cheeeeeers and Happy Friday Chuckleheads!!  You know what today is?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALyxaPKIJBOK31OCMRRZfl1J0ui67nkEhuGkJTySUJJu-gGzF1uXo4VCfaxyr9kh4JTCF3fcDD5erMKxxQ5TEkiuhPg2pR12C2rPEwXgl-1nXOeSEFTPLXBEY5UoLZFLSIvekELYCUhvS/s1600/NCOD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALyxaPKIJBOK31OCMRRZfl1J0ui67nkEhuGkJTySUJJu-gGzF1uXo4VCfaxyr9kh4JTCF3fcDD5erMKxxQ5TEkiuhPg2pR12C2rPEwXgl-1nXOeSEFTPLXBEY5UoLZFLSIvekELYCUhvS/s400/NCOD.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>That’s right…<br /><br /><i>National Coming Out Day!!</i><br /><br />And let me tell ya…<br /><br />If I, as a fine heterosexual father whose kid hates me because I live in sin with a whore can acknowledge that I live a deviant and less than Godly lifestyle; other people who live, shall we say, a less than “righteous” lifestyle, should be able to man up as well.<br /><br />Er…maybe “man up” is not the phrase…perhaps, <i>“Sally forth, and admit that you are gay, or just a complete asshole.”</i>, would be better.<br /><br />Anyhoo…<br /><br />Since today is <i>National Coming Out Day</i>, I would like to give a shout out to some folks who, with a nudge from me, will come out and admit that they are gay, or a complete asshole.<br /><br />Corey Booker…Mayor of Newark, NJ., and candidate for the U.S. Senate from New Jersey?  You are one gay, mutha-shut-your mouth brutha.  Holy Cow Cor-Boy.<br /><br />You are well-kempt.  Well-shaven.  Well-everything, and you are a media darling.  You want to hide your true sexuality behind your recent tweet toward a female stripper, but we all know…<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-xQIhe7p8UQd4AOe3urfdwOmLiUCbhfhq5IgxvxuzVytUN4ZPZI-voYOpHfmHPMOVxHSXTGPdpAwKWvItWHpzkVAHhpwF7kmZsPJ4mmBd3KhwtagqHtz9ykrJNAO0-6y8cqZ_WQ0G46P/s1600/Sean+Hannity+Asshole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-xQIhe7p8UQd4AOe3urfdwOmLiUCbhfhq5IgxvxuzVytUN4ZPZI-voYOpHfmHPMOVxHSXTGPdpAwKWvItWHpzkVAHhpwF7kmZsPJ4mmBd3KhwtagqHtz9ykrJNAO0-6y8cqZ_WQ0G46P/s400/Sean+Hannity+Asshole.jpg" width="400" /></a>You are the black, yet not too black Jim McGreevey, and we appreciate you keeping your gayness at home in Newark, and not taking up space at a rest stop along the New Jersey Turnpike where gay redneck truckers and gay redneck bikers coincidentally meet in order to show their manliness, curse Obama, and all the while, take it up the ass.<br /><br />Seriously Corey...You are the Bruce Vlanch of New Jersey politics.  It's okay.  Take your Senatorial seat and/or Emmy and shut the hell up.<br /><br />Sean Hannity…You know dude?  You need to come out and admit that you are biggest douche bag in the history of TV and Radio.  I call you a douche bag because, well…you have a vagina, and sometimes you need one.  You are a girly-man.  You keep saying…<br /><br /><i>“The Republican Party should do this, and the Republican Party can’t back down.  The Republican Party should elect this guy in District Whatevah.”</i>  But…<br /><br />As you proudly and incessantly say on your radio show…<br /><br /><i>“I am not a Republican.  I am a registered Conservative in the State of New York.”</i><br /><br />You are, but…You only say that to give yourself cover.  You are a Republican through and through, and if they go down, you can conveniently say that you are not a Republican.<br /><br />Grow some balls Sean, and conversely, could Sarah Palin please lose the balls that she thinks she has, and go back into the closet of pseudo-manliness?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01MbA1zEDWDWxEIfUsXpRygmIoHjO0uYaFl_4GU-WIHXjS-9QgO5TnjksDU3GJxRn4En4LHWysoapsXDcuwE4UsWXJDWBg1slCekk3YheUd1N9BRqmm7Tvw3fQFQTnGrOpJlnElW45qNu/s1600/boehner+crying+shutdown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01MbA1zEDWDWxEIfUsXpRygmIoHjO0uYaFl_4GU-WIHXjS-9QgO5TnjksDU3GJxRn4En4LHWysoapsXDcuwE4UsWXJDWBg1slCekk3YheUd1N9BRqmm7Tvw3fQFQTnGrOpJlnElW45qNu/s320/boehner+crying+shutdown.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>She is going to be in New Jersey this weekend in order to campaign for Corey Booker’s Senate opponent, Steve Lonegan.<br /><br />Call me crazy, but as self-aggrandizing as Corey Booker is, I don’t think an egotistical, vapid as the Sahara is dry, right wing numbskull, such as Sarah Palin is going to move the NJ Senate poll numbers much.<br /><br />And lastly…You know who else should come out of the closet?<br /><br />John Boehner.<br /><br />I mean, c’mon…He grew up in the hardworking, blue-collar town of Cincinnati, and worked from dawn to dusk at his family’s bar.  And yet…<br /><br />He cries often.<br /><br />I’m thinking his family’s bar was a gay bar; because at real, true, American, straight bars…there is no crying.<br /><br />It’s time to come out, Speaker Boehner...It's time to come out.<br /><br /><i>Cheers!!</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>Matt-Man</i><br /><br /><a href="mailto:mattmaniws@ymail.com">mattmaniws@ymail.com</a><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/MattMan_IWS" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">@mattman_iws</span></a><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/mattmaniws" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">My Facebook Page</span></a></div>

National Coming Out Day

Cheeeeeers and Happy Friday Chuckleheads!!  You know what today is? That’s right… National Coming Out Day!! And let me tell ya… If I, as a f...

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Matt Said, Jay Said 1234567890

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal">Matt: This is a bit forward don’t you think? <br />Jay: What? <br />Matt: Calling without permission. <br />Jay: I don’t need no stinkin’ permission. <br />Matt: Says who? <br />Jay: You! <br />Matt: Oh. <br />Jay: With your memory, you wouldn’t know if I was lying or not. <br />Matt: Very true. <br />Jay: Hey! Tomorrow is National Coming Out Day? <br />Matt: I know, <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2013/10/national-coming-out-day.html" target="_blank">I’m writing about it for Friday</a>. <br />Jay: You’re coming out? <br />Matt: Eh, no, but there are some people who need to. <br />Jay: Oh, so you’re gonna shove them out of the closet. <br />Matt: Drag. I’m not  in the clo .. OH NEVER MIND! <br />Jay: I really never thought that would work on you. <br />Matt: I’m drinking Rose! No fair! <br />Jay: I’m cheap and dirty that way. <br />Matt: That’s hot! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9MOl-O3BQeyvQWkE4LxCSm7qk5Fro3w8wlYTwsJO8i0UhN8-VJrq0tnxjETmSU3cFvgdZN1fp9ho0pxkJh-cknv1Tvn2lOQkQ7MzuIM-ZnqgzoHvDC_agZmv2PigshpP14H3OV0ehdQF/s1600/Yvonne+Strahovski+Legs+Hot+Sexy+Feet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9MOl-O3BQeyvQWkE4LxCSm7qk5Fro3w8wlYTwsJO8i0UhN8-VJrq0tnxjETmSU3cFvgdZN1fp9ho0pxkJh-cknv1Tvn2lOQkQ7MzuIM-ZnqgzoHvDC_agZmv2PigshpP14H3OV0ehdQF/s1600/Yvonne+Strahovski+Legs+Hot+Sexy+Feet.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />Matt: Schmoop taking Friday off. <br />Jay: Need a day to prepare for having Matt home the whole day?<br />Matt: Exactly! And Sunday to recover. <br />Jay: Totally understandable. <br />Matt: What was for supper? <br />Jay: We call it dinner here. <br />Matt: What the fuck was for dinner? <br />Jay: That’s better. Chicken, bowtie pasta in a red sauce and garlic bread. <br />Matt: Delcious! <br />Jay: I love Italian food. <br />Matt: Are you wearing a track suit and plenty of bling? <br />Jay: It won’t taste right if I don’t. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCwt5zwJ-k0evCi4ctdP8FyVRjECD6-zqAYiPaLZ2oeyp_r6qSo3mHbZLIgugdeAl2tl3zclOojTISZX7XA0n7-W3hyAY_2b8rK6XkXVOLB-FEzQefVjfruBE9wFVKjGYXNO4EzAZi6A7/s1600/Alexa+Vega+Boobs+Cleavage+Hot+Sexy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCwt5zwJ-k0evCi4ctdP8FyVRjECD6-zqAYiPaLZ2oeyp_r6qSo3mHbZLIgugdeAl2tl3zclOojTISZX7XA0n7-W3hyAY_2b8rK6XkXVOLB-FEzQefVjfruBE9wFVKjGYXNO4EzAZi6A7/s1600/Alexa+Vega+Boobs+Cleavage+Hot+Sexy.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Jay: A no-prep show this week? <br />Matt: That’s the plan. <br />Jay: I desperately want to prep now. <br />Matt: Not me. <br />Jay: Why should this week be any different? <br />Matt: Hey now! <br />Jay: Another cheap shot. I know. <br />Matt: So hurtful! <br />Jay: What ARE we gonna talk about though? <br />Matt: Just whatever. <br />Jay: Any audios? <br />Matt: Maybe, but probably not. <br />Jay: Calling anyone? <br />Matt: Party Marty. <br />Jay: Who won’t answer. <br />Matt: John Boehner. <br />Jay: Who won’t answer. <br />Matt: My ex? <br />Jay: God I hope she doesn’t answer. <br />Matt: Gold Jay! It would be GOLD! <br />Jay: I guess. Ha<br />Matt: Maybe we’ll call Drive-By Mikey out on his combine farming. <br />Jay: That could be fun. <br />Matt: There’s really no telling what might happen. <br />Jay: People better tune in then!! <br />Matt: Damn right they should! <br />Jay: And call us up! <br />Matt: Definitely! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">So, don’t forget it’s a very special edition of <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/im-with-stupid/2013/10/12/breakfast-at-stupids" target="_blank">IWS Radio onSATURDAY morning at 11 AM ET</a> this week!! Be there or else! Please. <o:p></o:p></div></div>

Matt Said, Jay Said 1234567890

Matt: This is a bit forward don’t you think? Jay: What? Matt: Calling without permission. Jay: I don’t need no stinkin’ permission. Matt: Sa...

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You do not know me

The criminal case against my husband has been thrown out. The assistant prosecutor called me Monday and told me. He is very young and inexperienced. He told me that he didn't think he could win the case. He said it was a "she said/he said" case. I guess the bruises and scrapes on my body, the hair that fell out in clumps the next day from my husband pulling it out, don't mean anything.<br /><br />Today I read what he wrote about the case and why it was being dismissed. I was devastated. I was called a liar, that I didn't sound like I was afraid on the 911 tape. I finally stood up to the bully and because I didn't run screaming from the house in the middle of the night that what happened to me was my fault. I don't even begin to understand our justice system, but I can certainly see that it's flawed.<br /><br />I want to send this to the little twerp that's the assistant prosecutor, but I'm not going to. It wouldn't serve any purpose. However, writing it here has helped me.<br /><br />To the assistant prosecutor on my case -- <br /><br /><b>You do not know me</b><br /><br />You do not know the pain I've endured during my 24 years of marriage to a tyrant and a bully. <br /><br />You do not know how many times I was screamed at and called names like "stupid fucking bitch" or how many times my husband  told me that I was an idiot, that I didn't know anything.<br /><br />You do not know how many times I was shoved and pushed by my husband. Or how he would stand an inch from my face and called me names that I can't even put in writing, screaming at me so loud that his spit would hit my face. <br /><br />You do not know about the time my husband ripped the collar on my bathrobe as he jerked me around like a rag doll. <br /><br />You do not know about the time he literally tore down my locked bedroom door in the middle of the night so he could scream at me. <br /><br />You do not know how many times he would come into my room in the middle of the night while I was sleeping, yelling obscenities at me. The next day I would have to go to work while he slept. <br /><br />You do not know about his relationships with other women during our marriage or his porn addiction.<br /><br />You do not know about his 10,000 emails and chats over the last two years to a woman that was his high school sweetheart. His main topic was me and how much he hated me and that I was stupid.<br /><br />You do not know about all the years my husband spent not working, always finding an excuse to avoid full-time employment, going for months at a time staying home and watching TV or sleeping or instant messaging his girlfriends and viewing porn. While I worked full-time the entire time of our marriage. I was the main support of the household<br /><br />You do not know that I was raised by a good family on a homestead in Alaska with wonderful parents.<br /><br />You do not know that I'm a Christian and believe in God and Jesus as my Savior. I was raised in the Baptist Church and was taught to be kind, to follow the ten commandments and to be a good person and live a good life. I was taught that divorce is wrong and that God hates divorce. However, considering my marriage I'm pretty sure I have God's blessing for my divorce.<br /><br />You do not know that I have a college degree and work as a software developer engineer.<br /><br />You do not know that I have worked for the same company for 30 years.<br /><br />You do not know that I have close girlfriends that I've had for over 25 years and that my husband's only friend is someone he met a few months ago.<br /><br />You do not know that I'm the legal guardian of my disabled 74-year sister who suffered a debilitating stroke two years ago. She can't speak or walk. I visit her every Sunday and take her out to a movie and dinner.<br /><br />The most important thing that you do not know about me is that I'm not a liar. What I said happened on the night of November 7, 2012 was the truth. The man I had lived with for 24 years put a loaded 357 magnum between my eyes and said:  "You stupid fucking bitch, do you want me to blow your fucking head off?! I will, I will! I'll do it you stupid bitch!". I didn't make this up. It's embarrassing to me to even repeat those words. <br /><br />He crossed the line that time and that's why I called the police. That's why I reported this because I finally stood up to the bully.<br /><br />For you to throw out this case after eleven months and say it was my fault because I yelled at my husband, that I didn't sound scared when I was on the 911 call, and that there's no case is reprehensible. You should be ashamed. You're a disgrace to your office.

You do not know me

The criminal case against my husband has been thrown out. The assistant prosecutor called me Monday and told me. He is very young and inexpe...

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Sky High & the logic of luxury

This timely exhibition just opened at <a href="http://www.skyscraper.org/EXHIBITIONS/SKY_HIGH/sky_high.htm">The Skyscraper Museum</a>, where it is on display until April 19, 2014. More information on the must-see show is below.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.skyscraper.org/EXHIBITIONS/SKY_HIGH/sky_high.htm"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3mUv5yp1RJ27Zi2sWtZtmnSudPB8DWX57q3CuWesU2dfZlcPfpktilCmC5yGyr_P9GwxABS22A28G5fr7oJbDIjl4ZpD1pELHCzuVfb2RwQB7ccx2tcw7TQ_LXjktzSFwudvoHiSbz9L/s1600/sky_high_banner.jpg" /></a><br /><blockquote><a href="http://www.skyscraper.org/EXHIBITIONS/SKY_HIGH/sky_high.htm">SKY HIGH</a> examines the recent proliferation of super-slim, ultra-luxury residential towers on the rise in Manhattan. These pencil-thin buildings-all 50 to 90+ stories-constitute a new type of skyscraper in a city where tall, slender structures have a long history.<br /><br />Sophisticated engineering and advances in material strengths have made these spindles possible, but it is the excited market for premium Manhattan real estate that is driving both heights and prices skyward, Reported sales seem almost inconceivable: some penthouses in the buildings featured here are in contract for $47 million to $95 million.<br /><br />The rarified geographies of where these projects take shape and the economics of high land costs, high-style design and construction, and stratospheric sales prices are deconstructed. The buildings featured include the super-slender towers of the "57th Street phenomenon"—432 Park Avenue, One57, and the feather-thin 111 West 57th scheme—as well as downtown's 56 Leonard, the Four Seasons at 30 Park Place, and the planned Tower D in Hudson Yards.<br /><br />Ultra-luxury is a distinct clientele, to which the towers' developers direct their branding and marketing psychology. But there is also a "simple math" in the logic of luxury that shapes the design of these projects in every aspect.<br /><br />The exhibition is organized around a series of themes and featured projects. It begins with a history of slenderness and examines the special engineering issues, wind tunnel testing, and damping devices against sway that must be designed for tall and very thin structures. The "invisible Monopoly game" of assembling contiguous lots and piling up air rights, the options for optimizing floor plans and ceiling heights, and the simulation of views and lifestyles of the future domiciles in showrooms and on websites are other topics.</blockquote>

Sky High & the logic of luxury

This timely exhibition just opened at The Skyscraper Museum , where it is on display until April 19, 2014. More information on the must-see ...

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The Comic Offers No Spoilers for 'The Walking Dead' Season 4 Premiere

<div class="MsoNormal">I know what you’re thinking.  When it comes to “<a href="http://www.amctv.com/shows/the-walking-dead">The Walking Dead</a>,” I am something of an uncontrollable junkie.  I love the <a href="https://www.imagecomics.com/comics/series/the-walking-dead">comic from Image Comics</a> (or graphic novel if you please) and the television show on AMC is also truly top notch.  The one thing that really has me baffled is the double standard involved in the source material of the television show.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">According to the Associated Press, the man behind the story, Robert Kirkman, does not necessarily <a href="http://tv.yahoo.com/news/kirkman-offers-no-road-map-walking-dead-152750376.html">follow the comic literally</a> when it comes to the television.  Of course, I could have told you that being an avid reader of the series.  The issue I have is why there are not more (if any) fans screaming about the departure from the source material.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The answer I have come realize involves the television show, like the comic, being extremely well done.  Are there better comics on the shelves of local comic book stores?  Maybe, but that’s a point of personal taste.  The same holds true for the television show.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The AP article mentions the awkwardness Kirkman felt around killing Glen off in the comic but leaving actor <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3081796/">Steven Yeun</a> a bit in limbo with where his character is going.  Of course, the same rule applies to Andrea, who died in the Season 3 Finale of “The Walking Dead” on AMC but is still alive and (quite literally) kicking in the comic book.  The differences are staggering, and just because someone has been following the story from issue #1 does not mean that they have any clue what is going to happen next.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">As long as things are done well, fans of both mediums do not necessarily seem to have a problem with what happens from the comic to the screen.  The same thing applied to a little movie called “The Avengers.”  The movie did not follow the comic verbatim, but it was done well enough that nobody really raised any flags.  The same holds true for “The Walking Dead.”<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">In the back of the comic, Kirkman is sometimes brought to task by readers for a ton of different reasons (I admit I wonder where a guy found a tiger, let alone a trained one), but one that really got me going was a few issues ago when a reader accused him of “jumping the shark.”  Kirkman’s reply was short and sweet and the basics of it were that he has heard it all before and the thing is still taking off.  Jumping the shark?  It’s a story about zombies that includes a sword carrying nomad and folks living in an abandoned prison.  I have agree with Mr. Kirkman, because as long as it is entertaining folks will be buying the issues and tuning into the show.  The unexpected is what keeps it interesting.<o:p></o:p></div>

season 4 premeire spoilers walking dead The Comic Offers No Spoilers for 'The Walking Dead' Season 4 Premiere

I know what you’re thinking.  When it comes to “ The Walking Dead ,” I am something of an uncontrollable junkie.  I love the comic from Imag...

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Peak leaf color above 4,000 feet is this weekend

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzvCHExBNMDTz99UHrD-2gdv58nF2bS8bhm5FGyNT2Xd3unPXJFhgEN_IczLw0WxJ_mrEL3lySVDN3MMCbwKjOroPc7cJfheShqSG_F2WDwb38EpcXzsFJs2Uis0vDas_Iz4SX0Cr_KVy/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzvCHExBNMDTz99UHrD-2gdv58nF2bS8bhm5FGyNT2Xd3unPXJFhgEN_IczLw0WxJ_mrEL3lySVDN3MMCbwKjOroPc7cJfheShqSG_F2WDwb38EpcXzsFJs2Uis0vDas_Iz4SX0Cr_KVy/s400/4.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Eric McCarty at Blue Ridge Parkway Color Tracker reports that peak leaf color will be this weekend, October 11-13, 2013, at elevations above 4,000 feet. That includes Grandfather Mountain, Craggy Gardens, and Mt. Mitchell in the North Carolina mountains.<br /><br />Go to http://www.blueridgeparkwaydaily.com to follow the color changes along the Blue Ridge Mountains.<br /><br />Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell

Blue Ridge Mountains Blue Ridge Parkway Blue Ridge Parkway Daily Craggy Gardens Grandfather Mountain leaf color season Mt. Mitchell Peak leaf color above 4,000 feet is this weekend

Eric McCarty at Blue Ridge Parkway Color Tracker reports that peak leaf color will be this weekend, October 11-13, 2013, at elevations above...

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fess up friday - etsy stalker

Etsy. Just the word makes my heart pitter patter. Whenever I have something that I need to do but would rather put off (laundry, dishes, etc.) I go on Etsy for awhile instead. It's a much better use of time in my opinion.<br /><br />"Big deal Elizabeth, everybody loves Etsy." I hear you, but here is my fess up - I have 17 pages of  saved Items I Love. It is a sickness people. I try to go in and periodically clean the list up, but whenever I do that it usually ends up growing. There is just too much awesome in one place. I can't stop myself.<br /><br />Here are some of my favorites, in no particular order...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjh5OC-ggJUNISbWfs66eHhSzGMbQU8_Vj0nPS5Cwez5m-bITc77jSKxSDh9sIjZCnJvbEnTobV0S4ctOS0Q_hX7Zu-y1lCGx3tkDcpBuasJuKA_nBJjkbLCIppuYNZiBc-p5hsRnsG8bP/s1600/web_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjh5OC-ggJUNISbWfs66eHhSzGMbQU8_Vj0nPS5Cwez5m-bITc77jSKxSDh9sIjZCnJvbEnTobV0S4ctOS0Q_hX7Zu-y1lCGx3tkDcpBuasJuKA_nBJjkbLCIppuYNZiBc-p5hsRnsG8bP/s1600/web_logo.png" /></a></div><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/AriannaBelle" target="_blank">AriannaBelle</a> - she's a sponsor of LBD for a good reason - she makes hella good pillows. Her style is always spot on and her work impeccable. She has her own store <a href="https://www.ariannabelle.com/shop/index.php?route=product/category&path=59" target="_blank">here</a>, but you can also find her on Etsy.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tMGQGlSrF6tzguYqC90G9df_QiCNB-jxYdO8sXgDsLmQj3nPlCDCv4Sg8e-FBym9TkwE5NT5c3jYNZCMEYgFrzpNviQE_Yi0zVjyl6t6Q1sEAikQP0q0-hI8h35-4MBLsX2k8FiB_bCG/s1600/Gypsa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tMGQGlSrF6tzguYqC90G9df_QiCNB-jxYdO8sXgDsLmQj3nPlCDCv4Sg8e-FBym9TkwE5NT5c3jYNZCMEYgFrzpNviQE_Yi0zVjyl6t6Q1sEAikQP0q0-hI8h35-4MBLsX2k8FiB_bCG/s640/Gypsa.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/gypsya" target="_blank">Gypsya</a> - They cover all the bases - pillows, throws, rugs and even jewelry. Very boho chic and very reasonably priced.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvzN-UkVCBNut1S3xOLYMCyS4h_l4L5ouFdnv_IPYpZQtwnYQ71QV0L6dL298PVaMKTJFW0XfUQJ7e7GAO6aZN4KiHnbkvLzihib7RtRU0A2SC83qykHNurE9nEOT-YCVX3LOsqJkSg57/s1600/meetmeinphilly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvzN-UkVCBNut1S3xOLYMCyS4h_l4L5ouFdnv_IPYpZQtwnYQ71QV0L6dL298PVaMKTJFW0XfUQJ7e7GAO6aZN4KiHnbkvLzihib7RtRU0A2SC83qykHNurE9nEOT-YCVX3LOsqJkSg57/s640/meetmeinphilly.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/meetmeinphiladelphia" target="_blank">Meet Me in Philadelphia</a> - I love Ashley's <a href="http://meetmeinphiladelphia.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a> and now I can buy her stuff. Her collection is as eclectic as her house and she's got a mix of made and found things. I've got my eyes on those lucite napkin rings, so hands off people.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtaOizrVUo02QhfTCDJgIDahf_5csaozZn1oyAKxtDD0MSXfjy0XgcR3GbRNDHrmfX8X2Z14cgIMOkRgSUrA-_wdFTXYCZRlIF1j7fN6ETpjZ2CXIpdwo64JQgbSrfC3A4qNdbs5AkEUx/s1600/misterpillow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtaOizrVUo02QhfTCDJgIDahf_5csaozZn1oyAKxtDD0MSXfjy0XgcR3GbRNDHrmfX8X2Z14cgIMOkRgSUrA-_wdFTXYCZRlIF1j7fN6ETpjZ2CXIpdwo64JQgbSrfC3A4qNdbs5AkEUx/s640/misterpillow.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/misterpillow" target="_blank">Mister Pillow</a> - Vintage rugs to die for and pillows made out of vintage rugs to die for. Enough said.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WJZA_2mEvSM40oYQDxsUWW4wm_YBU5gE-IiIxOLkLL6gaF6L9l8yCT_7wTA2XIozsCDVobXutpFBzhSMzTdUqHP6YUtLIHRvkRupbBx1M3r_Drih5_ZGZoyM2W7dbt5mbqIANwwCgrh1/s1600/janethillstudio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WJZA_2mEvSM40oYQDxsUWW4wm_YBU5gE-IiIxOLkLL6gaF6L9l8yCT_7wTA2XIozsCDVobXutpFBzhSMzTdUqHP6YUtLIHRvkRupbBx1M3r_Drih5_ZGZoyM2W7dbt5mbqIANwwCgrh1/s640/janethillstudio.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/janethillstudio" target="_blank">Janet Hill Studio</a> - I am a big fan of Janet Hill's work and it is my mission to have a gallery wall of her work. Her colors just sing to me and I love her traditional subject matter with a twist.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhar1VekSgnjqx3gUw8SjCgAkX3o3JvIz2FVmJYj2d5wkgLN4177GFnTtjuvKmPQLbgXLw1Q3VWUptQYJXs2n_Ra95quvQ_Oe9bVWdHvKyMg10uUdajMnosO5e5P4OSCMSca4-6zXzDQGKr/s1600/thepinkpagoda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhar1VekSgnjqx3gUw8SjCgAkX3o3JvIz2FVmJYj2d5wkgLN4177GFnTtjuvKmPQLbgXLw1Q3VWUptQYJXs2n_Ra95quvQ_Oe9bVWdHvKyMg10uUdajMnosO5e5P4OSCMSca4-6zXzDQGKr/s640/thepinkpagoda.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/thepinkpagoda" target="_blank">The Pink Pagoda</a> - As a long time fan of Jennifer's <a href="http://blog.thepinkpagoda.us/" target="_blank">blog</a> and her store, I've gotten to enjoy a few of her prints and I've got several more on my Christmas list. (I pick really good sponsors, don't I?!) Her Merchant Man and Wife have a prominent spot in my <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/p/living-room.html" target="_blank">living room</a> and I always get compliments on them.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0JziTKw-5MF-3LO3D2KwfsEv4s3pRRmvNQFaGXfa7spiv87PAPbdZezfwymryXWq-f1Q73EhX2yAoQ4BHAs9SW_EPgIrBp9m4Y0ZimTSzdcWfNVMKeQhOmCYv6_ZKWs3xmMK10fw7SPg/s1600/sonj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0JziTKw-5MF-3LO3D2KwfsEv4s3pRRmvNQFaGXfa7spiv87PAPbdZezfwymryXWq-f1Q73EhX2yAoQ4BHAs9SW_EPgIrBp9m4Y0ZimTSzdcWfNVMKeQhOmCYv6_ZKWs3xmMK10fw7SPg/s640/sonj.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SoignebyEG" target="_blank">Soigne</a> - A joint venture by <a href="http://instagram.com/egigliadesign" target="_blank">Erin</a> and <a href="http://mybestfriendcraig.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Charmaine</a> gives us all a chance to buy those things we wish we could find at estate sales and antique shops. Their collection is envious and they are always adding to the pot. Be sure to follow them on Instagram (<a href="http://instagram.com/egigliadesign" target="_blank">Erin</a> / <a href="http://instagram.com/mybestfriendcraig" target="_blank">Charmaine</a>) to get a first look at pieces as they come in.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEp0pci-EL5-Zl3MKFS4OnexV-sRg_xwS_aEkYT7u7LYClVs-6VlKhaSzhTrHoLLlq6oJZcED2b6EdzZGbe90_LTPo-v8ckxjv1QjbUo_yN6Rfp7mc2v1IGJcCuOyBCUmNNNr5ir9hm51n/s1600/kerrysteel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEp0pci-EL5-Zl3MKFS4OnexV-sRg_xwS_aEkYT7u7LYClVs-6VlKhaSzhTrHoLLlq6oJZcED2b6EdzZGbe90_LTPo-v8ckxjv1QjbUo_yN6Rfp7mc2v1IGJcCuOyBCUmNNNr5ir9hm51n/s640/kerrysteel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/KerrySteelefineart" target="_blank">Kerry Steele</a> - <a href="http://designdumonde.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kerry</a> creates custom pieces that are museum worthy. Her work makes me feel like a big, grownup girl. It makes me want to have a big white wall where I can spotlight her work. And if you read her <a href="http://designdumonde.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a> like I do, then you know she's a pretty cool chick on top of her talent. Not fair.<br /><br /><br />What Etsy shops are your favorite? What do you look for most on Etsy? (I'm a pillows fool myself) And how do you pronounce it? (At-see or Et-say)

fess up friday - etsy stalker

Etsy. Just the word makes my heart pitter patter. Whenever I have something that I need to do but would rather put off (laundry, dishes, etc...

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TCM Presents Five Tyrone Power Films in Primetime and Late Night

<div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Nightmare Alley </span></b></i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">to Make Its TCM Premiere</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecv-hSBfkvdWmxu4sTIvfki8zuULI7lcakXWNRespp87gEYmrZXZpQHxXhlQibeWNpCMkARSSVZawHP40Dk_1eHUOUGw_0wGzF3JypfRez7h3yAmpdnBCzqQNklF9dzsRE8M4isp5hdc/s1600/nightmare_alley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecv-hSBfkvdWmxu4sTIvfki8zuULI7lcakXWNRespp87gEYmrZXZpQHxXhlQibeWNpCMkARSSVZawHP40Dk_1eHUOUGw_0wGzF3JypfRez7h3yAmpdnBCzqQNklF9dzsRE8M4isp5hdc/s400/nightmare_alley.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>Nightmare Alley</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://eves-reel-life.blogspot.com/2012/08/remembering-tyrone-power.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Tyrone Power</span></a> was one of <i>the</i> biggest stars in Hollywood from the late 1930s through the late 1950s and he was 20th Century Fox's<i> </i>most famous star until <a href="http://eves-reel-life.blogspot.com/2012/08/marilyn-monroe-out-of-dream.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Marilyn Monroe</span></a> came along. Turner Classic Movies hasn't traditionally aired as many films of Fox's great stars as those from other studios - this has been about film rights more than anything else. Since TCM entered into an exclusive licensing deal with Fox, though, that has begun to change.</span><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In August 2012, Tyrone Power was honored for the first time with a day filled with his films as part of TCM's annual <i>Summer Under the Stars</i> event. Soon after, more of Power's films began appearing on the channel than in the past, but Wednesday evening, October 16, marks the first time since then that TCM's primetime schedule and late night hours are being devoted to his movies.  Among the films to be aired are two that will be making their TCM debuts: <i>Rawhide </i>(1951), a Western, and <a href="http://eves-reel-life.blogspot.com/2013/02/cmba-blogathon-nightmare-alley-1947.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i>Nightmare Alley</i></span></a> (1947), a film noir that contains what most consider Power's best dramatic performance.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Schedule (all times Eastern/Pacific):</span></u></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8:00pm/5:00pm  <i>Rawhide</i> (1951), co-starring Susan Hayward, directed by Henry Hathaway</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">9:45pm/6:45pm  <i>Nightmare Alley </i>(1947), co-starring Joan Blondell, directed by Edmund Goulding</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">11:45pm/8:45pm  <i>The Mark of Zorro</i> (1940), co-starring Basil Rathbone and Linda Darnell, directed by Rouben Mamoulian</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1:30am/10:30pm  <i>The Black Swan </i>(1942), co-starring Maureen O'Hara, George Sanders, Thomas Mitchell and Anthony Quinn, directed by Henry King</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3:00am/midnight  <i>Marie Antoinette </i>(1938), co-starring Norma Shearer, directed by W.S. Van Dyke </span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqjC3I1X0a6nG8lIBqrHHsD-tb9wb0Q-Ep-_CawiYox7O1xlNdPlMUUVfHv8igAVoJjHUbUFLVRZwtno-G4amFfJWBf4AxmjS22RzZ2HmM9c7jjuEOnxo7TD_j0HaHKwUNk5EN_UlU_E/s1600/black_swan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqjC3I1X0a6nG8lIBqrHHsD-tb9wb0Q-Ep-_CawiYox7O1xlNdPlMUUVfHv8igAVoJjHUbUFLVRZwtno-G4amFfJWBf4AxmjS22RzZ2HmM9c7jjuEOnxo7TD_j0HaHKwUNk5EN_UlU_E/s400/black_swan.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Black Swan</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>

Marie Antoinette Nightmare Alley Rawhide TCM The Black Swan The Lady Eve (author) The Mark of Zorro Tyrone Power TCM Presents Five Tyrone Power Films in Primetime and Late Night

Nightmare Alley to Make Its TCM Premiere Nightmare Alley Tyrone Power was one of the biggest stars in Hollywood from the late 1930s throug...

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Element Bars Review!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cPiVWcNh5RU/UlcW6Evz-KI/AAAAAAAAKJk/lJtSd9zAJiY/s1600/13+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cPiVWcNh5RU/UlcW6Evz-KI/AAAAAAAAKJk/lJtSd9zAJiY/s320/13+-+1" width="320" /></a></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>Looking for a snack that is not only healthy packed with nutrients but keeps you fuller longer?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>Especially when your on the go all day you need something to keep you going throughout the day, <a href="http://www.elementbars.com/">Element bars</a> do just that.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>Packed with all of the nutrients that our bodies need such as fruits and nuts.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>I was sent two bars for review and couldn't wait to try them when they arrived!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>You can actually make your own bar on their website too!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>How cool is that!?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>Banana repair:</i></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bol9IN_f_70/UlstuJJ84aI/AAAAAAAAKNw/kYCR_K6QapY/s1600/13+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bol9IN_f_70/UlstuJJ84aI/AAAAAAAAKNw/kYCR_K6QapY/s320/13+-+1" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>Whoa, this bar was insanely delicious! To me it tasted like a banana chocolate chip muffin!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Good morning bar:</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F7ofkDAkJcQ/Ulb3BlaPtlI/AAAAAAAAKIk/8C4RPD36W4c/s1600/20131010_110314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F7ofkDAkJcQ/Ulb3BlaPtlI/AAAAAAAAKIk/8C4RPD36W4c/s320/20131010_110314.jpg" width="240" /></span></i></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I brought this bar with me to work today for a snack to hold me over till lunch and I'm glad I did because this bar was so delicious! To me it tasted just like an oatmeal cookie with plump juicy raisins in it! </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Links:</span></i></div><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></i><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Website:</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.elementbars.com/">http://www.elementbars.com</a></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Facebook:</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/elementbars">https://www.facebook.com/elementbars</a></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Twitter:</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://twitter.com/elementbars">https://twitter.com/elementbars</a></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Element Bars Review!

Looking for a snack that is not only healthy packed with nutrients but keeps you fuller longer? Especially when your on the go all day you n...

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Locked-out Teamster funeral directors rally against SCI

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container tr_bq" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicesykDY94VxvRPpNuPIpEfr8ZqIPLtLkagloJKOddTZnnGOs78F333Gr8T6Ry9U7RZ7OLnmQ_ssBQmR4gOhwMZJCF7Dn-pCYVyawlP3JqH3HEzDrk6a7ZFHqGZdzuukrqBKF5YrtE6vSm/s1600/SCI+lockout+Teamsters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicesykDY94VxvRPpNuPIpEfr8ZqIPLtLkagloJKOddTZnnGOs78F333Gr8T6Ry9U7RZ7OLnmQ_ssBQmR4gOhwMZJCF7Dn-pCYVyawlP3JqH3HEzDrk6a7ZFHqGZdzuukrqBKF5YrtE6vSm/s400/SCI+lockout+Teamsters.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Funeral home workers rally on 100th day of lockout.</td></tr></tbody></table>Locked-out <a href="http://teamster.org/" rel="nofollow">Teamster</a> funeral home employees marked their 100th day on the picket line with a rally before a Chicago-area funeral home yesterday. The rally was attended by political, religious and labor leaders who support the Teamsters' fight to preserve health care and retirement benefits. Their employer, funeral giant <a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/09/NLRB-rules-against-SCI.html" rel="nofollow">Service Corporation International</a>, wants to strip those away. <br /><br />SCI locked out 59 funeral directors and drivers from 16 of the 59 funeral homes it owns in the Chicago area. As Teamster Angela Anello explained to <a href="http://www.insideonline.com/" rel="nofollow">Inside Booster</a>:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">All we are asking for are salaries and benefits that are commensurate with those at the other funeral homes in the Chicago areas.... </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">(We) agreed to a pay cut. The next deal, we took a pay freeze for three years. Now, they want to tout a generous pay increase but also decrease our benefits. </blockquote><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKnZ1wt7Ng27GwFXlF9BY6gB2HJwRgpgnTG0LiSOX2UQAFUILqSzrIlcNiiFHrFYYuS4FubR7rGq2SE2b60DwEbFrTZXH3uo31XC-PZauMiTUDfd2Km02sI5NcwQs3CzwD21_dS-zKk0q/s1600/SCI+Coli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKnZ1wt7Ng27GwFXlF9BY6gB2HJwRgpgnTG0LiSOX2UQAFUILqSzrIlcNiiFHrFYYuS4FubR7rGq2SE2b60DwEbFrTZXH3uo31XC-PZauMiTUDfd2Km02sI5NcwQs3CzwD21_dS-zKk0q/s320/SCI+Coli.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John T. Coli.</td></tr></tbody></table>The event featured guest speakers, including Teamsters Joint Council 25 President John T. Coli, state Sen. Bill Cunningham, state Rep. Kelly Burke, Chicago Fire Department chaplain Fr. Thomas Mulcrone, state Sen. Tom Cullerton, Teamsters Central Region Vice President Becky Strzechowski and Chicago Alderman Nick Sposato.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.teamsterslocal727.org/news/news_2013/100913_Funeral_SCIRallyMediaAdvisory.html" rel="nofollow">Teamsters Local 727</a>, which represents the workers, explains:<br /><blockquote>With more than 1,400 funeral facilities, SCI is valued at approximately $4 billion and has seen its stock price rise 94 percent in just two years. </blockquote><blockquote>Local 727 urges all Chicago-area residents to support community-owned funeral homes. Recommended funeral home alternatives can be found at www.IntegrityInIllinois.com.</blockquote>Anello said SCI's business model relies on the local funeral directors, who are part of the community:<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6E4QjGpQgwBMY3MxhvOEllf1d9_H8sM95KnjPffhI4T_NFrKVc13lNiJF3NHHyZpz1pz87Cv-E2ViTM4LJONyRVQPjmGqmT6IhW9eqMHhuXLPsMzuTrSRlxhcU5pDnKdFeVyO6L6ttLCh/s1600/sci+Becky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6E4QjGpQgwBMY3MxhvOEllf1d9_H8sM95KnjPffhI4T_NFrKVc13lNiJF3NHHyZpz1pz87Cv-E2ViTM4LJONyRVQPjmGqmT6IhW9eqMHhuXLPsMzuTrSRlxhcU5pDnKdFeVyO6L6ttLCh/s320/sci+Becky.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Becky Strzechowski</td></tr></tbody></table><blockquote>We know the families. We pride ourselves on following up on all the details for the families we serve. We also have strong relationships with all the area churches and clergy... </blockquote><blockquote>The replacements are not from here. They don't even know the simple things such as how to get from point A to point B.... </blockquote><blockquote>While our work is physically demanding and we work very long hours, it's very rewarding work. We all do it because we want to. Our job is to ease the transition from life to death and to make it easier to bear. There are hundreds of details to get it right. Hiring scabs is like turning this into a factory.</blockquote>

Chicago funeral directors lockout SCI Locked-out Teamster funeral directors rally against SCI

Funeral home workers rally on 100th day of lockout. Locked-out Teamster funeral home employees marked their 100th day on the picket line wi...

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Eatery 120 reopening?

A few months ago I wrote about the closure of Eatery 120.  The building that Eatery 120 was in looks like it is now being refurbished.  Is it reopening or will there be a new restaurant in its place??<div><br></div><div>Watch this space!!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAruYtdlfUyChsANsJGm9QIzQFj5RRbV8sKtPknKgZ0iPvDA6tcpeNSUNX68jDB_x3ho2fVDHkjia8Cky8PfZTWEcWsnXdv850EITPwKTCpm1ZzGZFK9poCSKcDYe8TIJKlPyHDu1fjIg/s640/blogger-image-309998738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAruYtdlfUyChsANsJGm9QIzQFj5RRbV8sKtPknKgZ0iPvDA6tcpeNSUNX68jDB_x3ho2fVDHkjia8Cky8PfZTWEcWsnXdv850EITPwKTCpm1ZzGZFK9poCSKcDYe8TIJKlPyHDu1fjIg/s640/blogger-image-309998738.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div>

Eatery 120 reopening?

A few months ago I wrote about the closure of Eatery 120.  The building that Eatery 120 was in looks like it is now being refurbished.  Is i...

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Back To Work

Even though I have had the week from Hell so far, I still didn't miss that place.<br /><br />Life goes on and there are still bills to pay.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVorqQaE0YIVpGZiBzDYlH05OaSMpyAwpwOxDbppgFhyphenhyphen14QKlePM17MkeGVfXbV_PLNFH-EFgHibWO_NjNo4wSwVK0DT3LVDD-dIkM_8fVYO9kfG2IqOTXYTOiwx1T3I5pLyxqwlC5V5o/s1600/8531851742_e6edb7038d.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVorqQaE0YIVpGZiBzDYlH05OaSMpyAwpwOxDbppgFhyphenhyphen14QKlePM17MkeGVfXbV_PLNFH-EFgHibWO_NjNo4wSwVK0DT3LVDD-dIkM_8fVYO9kfG2IqOTXYTOiwx1T3I5pLyxqwlC5V5o/s640/8531851742_e6edb7038d.jpg" /></a>

Back To Work

Even though I have had the week from Hell so far, I still didn't miss that place. Life goes on and there are still bills to pay.

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Applying the logic of the shutdown to baseball

A disgruntled Atlanta Braves fan wrote a tongue-in-cheek (we hope) letter to his congressman, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Kingston" rel="nofollow">Rep. Jack Kingston</a>, a Georgia Republican, on Oct. 8, the day after the<a href="http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/baseball/braves-blow-lead-eliminated-with-4-3-loss-to-dodge/nbH4T/" rel="nofollow"> Los Angeles Dodgers eliminated the Braves from the playoffs</a>. <div><br /></div><div>We read his letter on <a href="http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/10/08/applying-government-shutdown-logic-to-the-baseball-playoffs/" rel="nofollow">Hardball Talk</a> and figured we'd share some of it: </div><blockquote class="tr_bq">Like you, I'm sure, I am profoundly disappointed that the Atlanta Braves lost the NLDS last night. And to the Dodgers -- a bunch of California liberals! </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">This outrage cannot be allowed to stand. But the system has failed us. We tried to resolve this issue through traditional means: In last night's game alone, we must have sent batters to the plate at least 40 times. But just because we couldn't score enough runs, the Dodgers refuse to relinquish the title -- and worse, they won't even discuss it.  </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">LA's stubborn refusal to even talk to us about reversing the results of this series is unsportsmanlike and un-American. But there is an answer: If the Dodgers won't listen to the cries of average Americans like you and me, then Congress should outlaw Major League Baseball until the Dodgers cave... </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Just because the Dodgers had more hits, scored more runs, and won more games doesn't make them right. You can help them see that. And if that means the country will be deprived of its national pastime -- well, the Dodgers will have only themselves to blame. </blockquote><div>Read the whole thing <a href="http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/10/08/applying-government-shutdown-logic-to-the-baseball-playoffs/" rel="nofollow">here</a>.</div>

baseball government shutdown Applying the logic of the shutdown to baseball

A disgruntled Atlanta Braves fan wrote a tongue-in-cheek (we hope) letter to his congressman, Rep. Jack Kingston , a Georgia Republican, on ...

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The Day Of The Doctor: Joanna Page Confirms Elizabeth I Role

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-5WZ8f4todH_7aY4GwVIiDBDb8dlFroo060iEtCJ0gdEC-LIN7LuIuczTteD7ndPzh_tIn5XKvQXgq-sVdXE_hzmEmobck7j0pyft3ZF-LrC4xkNErp6BuH_6df1d7mHjmGdMFZalcA/s1600/Doc50th2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-5WZ8f4todH_7aY4GwVIiDBDb8dlFroo060iEtCJ0gdEC-LIN7LuIuczTteD7ndPzh_tIn5XKvQXgq-sVdXE_hzmEmobck7j0pyft3ZF-LrC4xkNErp6BuH_6df1d7mHjmGdMFZalcA/s640/Doc50th2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Joanna Page appeared on ITV’s <i>Loose Women</i> earlier today and confirmed that she will be playing Queen Elizabeth I in the Doctor Who 50^th Anniversary special <i>The Day Of The Doctor. </i>She also spoke about what it was like working on the show so soon after giving birth.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">New mother Joanna revealed that she had intended to take a year off after giving birth to her daughter Eva, but the Doctor Who offer was too good to refuse. Joanna made sure that there were conditions to her returning to work early.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Doctor Who asked..” she said. “You don’t expect three weeks after giving birth for them to phone and say will you play Elizabeth I. I said ‘Yes, OK, but [my daughter]’s coming with me, and I think they knew not to mess with me, I was like a lioness. I was ‘I’m feeding, this is when she gets fed, she’s coming on set, she’s coming everywhere with me’, and that’s what happened. But everyone was just great.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The filming schedule was adjusted to the new baby’s needs, sometimes at very short notice. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“One day I was about to get on the back of a horse with David Tennant and James, my husband, drove in in the car with Eva, said ‘She needs feeding’ so I got off the horse, got in the back of the car, ripped open the bodice and Elizabeth I was breast feeding! That’s working mum for you.” Joanna said.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today’s edition of Loose Women is available on <a href="https://www.itv.com/itvplayer/loose-women/10-10-2013"><span style="color: blue;">ITV Player</span></a> for the next 29 days.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Joanna can be seen in the new ITV drama <i>Breathless</i> tonight from 9pm<i>.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The <i>Day Of The Doctor</i> stars Matt Smith, David Tennant, Joanna Page, Billie Piper, Jenna Coleman and John Hurt. It will be simulcast worldwide on Saturday 23rd November.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-decoration: underline;">Find out more about The Day Of The Doctor on our website</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>

David Tennant Doctor Who Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Joanna Page The Day Of The Doctor The Day Of The Doctor: Joanna Page Confirms Elizabeth I Role

Joanna Page appeared on ITV’s Loose Women earlier today and confirmed that she will be playing Queen Elizabeth I in the Doctor Who 50 th A...

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Locked-out union workers rally against government shutdown

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgziL5LFL2ZKFq-fopEhAe6zFGP9pFDTWm6lJ1d0fi86xrfd95L_PBo043shku9twx8qQfsA1XiKtZNcXVGwB7BIdsGqffzNpaZe1a3KYNnRLaJ_kBQr_QBNy8AhXpcBTi6F-bK56mTHdL_/s1600/teamster+rally.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgziL5LFL2ZKFq-fopEhAe6zFGP9pFDTWm6lJ1d0fi86xrfd95L_PBo043shku9twx8qQfsA1XiKtZNcXVGwB7BIdsGqffzNpaZe1a3KYNnRLaJ_kBQr_QBNy8AhXpcBTi6F-bK56mTHdL_/s320/teamster+rally.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today on Capitol Hill. </td></tr></tbody></table>The gloom of the government shutdown and a cold rainy day didn't stop a thousand locked-out federal workers from rallying outside the Capitol in Washington, D.C., this morning. <br /><br />With the shutdown now in its tenth day, the huge crowd of furloughed union workers -- including members of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Federation_of_Government_Employees" rel="nofollow">American Federation of Government Employees</a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Treasury_Employees_Union" rel="nofollow">National Treasury Employees Union</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFSCME" rel="nofollow">AFSCME</a> -- gathered to express their outrage and demand that extremist Republicans stop holding the country hostage. Other workers from <a href="http://www.seiu.org/" rel="nofollow">SEIU</a>, the <a href="http://teamster.org/" rel="nofollow">Teamsters</a> and <a href="http://goodjobsnation.org/" rel="nofollow">Good Jobs Nation</a> came out to support their union brothers and sisters.<br /><br />Rain pounded down on a furloughed aviation inspector who spoke to protesters:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">I'm a little damp right now, but that's nothing compared to the way American workers are getting soaked by House Republicans.</blockquote>Rev. Jesse Jackson, union leaders and dozens of members of Congress also rallied the crowd. Like a <a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/10/hundreds-rally-against-shutdown.html">similar protest held last week</a>, Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) of the Progressive Caucus led the demonstration, joined by Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) and Nancy Pelosi.<br /><br />Workers chanted "Let us work," holding umbrellas and signs that said "Stop the lockout" and "Stop holding America hostage."<br /><br />One AFGE leader set the record straight on what American workers are willing to negotiate on with anti-worker Republicans:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Half of our members are out of work and the other half are being forced to work without a paycheck. And despite what John Boehner and tea party extremists are saying, we are willing to negotiate. We want to negotiate an end to sequestration and a fairer tax system so that the rich and corporations pay their fair share. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">We have all kinds of ideas to end the plight of the working class and improve federal government. But we don't shut down the government to make a political point.</blockquote>As always, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) called out the extremists in Congress and put their latest attack on the middle class in context:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">This shutdown started with tea party hostage-takers wanting to stop health care reform. But let's be clear: destroying health care is just the tip of the iceberg for right-wing extremists. They want to destroy Social Security and Medicare. They want to end regulations on Wall Street. They want to go after the whole social safety net that keeps millions of Americans from falling into extreme poverty. They want an oligarchic society ruled by the rich.</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">And they say they are willing to negotiate -- it's time to compromise. We have already compromised! The budget we passed is <em>their</em> budget. We don't like it. And still they want to take more from the American people.</blockquote>Today the shutdown hit <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2013/10/nuclear-regulator-furloughing-staff-a-day-sooner-than-expected-98093.html" rel="nofollow">3,600 employees at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission</a> -- the people who make sure a Fukushima-like nuclear disaster doesn't happen in America. Meanwhile the clock is ticking on the deadline to increase the debt ceiling. <br /><br />The shutdown has hurt hundreds of thousands of workers, families and small businesses, but millions more will face a deep economic crisis if Congress drives the government to default. <br /><br />Some locked-out government workers said they will <a href="http://www.dclabor.org/ht/display/EventDetails/i/111831/pid/538" rel="nofollow">return to the Capitol tomorrow</a> -- rain or shine -- to keep the pressure on politicians and stop Republicans' war on working families.

anti-worker extremists Congress government shutdown government workers lockout Locked-out union workers rally against government shutdown

Today on Capitol Hill.  The gloom of the government shutdown and a cold rainy day didn't stop a thousand locked-out federal workers from...

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Singapore Sightseeing: The Interlace

<i>I'm back home from attending the World Architecture Festival in Singapore last week (read my recap for World-Architects <a href="http://www.world-architects.com/en/pages/insight/world-architecture-festival-2013">here</a>), so I'm playing catchup this week. While doing that I'll be posting photos from the various buildings I was able to visit while in Singapore. The below photos and more can be found in <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/sets/72157636305275654/">my Singapore set</a> on Flickr.</i><br /><br />Here are some photos of <a href="http://www.theinterlace.com/">The Interlace</a> designed by <a href="http://www.oma.eu/">OMA</a> and <a href="http://www.buro-os.com/">Buro Ole Scheeren</a>:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/10193771636/" title="The Interlace by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="The Interlace" height="480" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5520/10193771636_3325a0dcf3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/10193829123/" title="The Interlace by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="The Interlace" height="480" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2873/10193829123_6461a6fca4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/10193662874/" title="The Interlace by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="The Interlace" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7416/10193662874_a2c5d99ab5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/10193759995/" title="The Interlace by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="The Interlace" height="427" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5448/10193759995_7df29fe63b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/10193754515/" title="The Interlace by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="The Interlace" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7307/10193754515_45d9644c18_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>

Singapore Sightseeing: The Interlace

I'm back home from attending the World Architecture Festival in Singapore last week (read my recap for World-Architects here ), ...

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Former Gov. Douglas Wilder endorses Terry McAuliffe

Former Democratic Virginia Governor Douglas Wilder is respected by many for his lack of blind party loyalty, sometimes leaving people hanging on to the edge of their seats wondering whether he will be endorsing Democrats or Republicans in any given election. This year's gubernatorial election was no exception.<br /><br />Today Governor <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/doug-wilder-endorses-terry-mcauliffe-for-governor/2013/10/10/4727267c-31c4-11e3-8627-c5d7de0a046b_story.html">Wilder endorsed Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe</a> who expressed his gratitude in a statement: <br /><blockquote>"I am honored to have the support of Governor Doug Wilder. Governor Wilder has a long record of responsible budgeting and working with members of both parties to get things done, exactly the opposite of what we are seeing happen in Washington where Ted Cruz and Ken Cuccinelli's extreme Tea Party allies have held the government hostage to drive their extreme ideological agenda. As governor, I will work in a bipartisan way to focus on growing and diversifying the Commonwealth's economy and creating more opportunities for all Virginians."</blockquote>Wilder shared his reasons for the endorsement with the <i><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/doug-wilder-endorses-terry-mcauliffe-for-governor/2013/10/10/4727267c-31c4-11e3-8627-c5d7de0a046b_story.html">Washington Post</a>:</i><br /><blockquote>Wilder told The Post Thursday that the federal government shutdown, and the polarized Washington politics behind it, have helped convince him that McAuliffe is the right man to lead Virginia.<br /><br />“The thing that’s going on at the national level — we’re so close to it — we could show that we are not affected by it and we are going to move forward,” Wilder said. “We are not going to separate into enclaves — this group, that group. It’s not a matter of pitting one group against the other group.”</blockquote>Read the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/doug-wilder-endorses-terry-mcauliffe-for-governor/2013/10/10/4727267c-31c4-11e3-8627-c5d7de0a046b_story.html">entire article here</a>. This is a solid endorsement for McAuliffe.<br /><br />Governor Wilder, a Richmond attorney who began serving his district in the Virginia General Assembly in 1969, was elected governor of Virginia in 1990, the first African-American governor since Reconstruction.

2013 gubernatorial election Douglas Wilder Terry McAuliffe Virginia Former Gov. Douglas Wilder endorses Terry McAuliffe

Former Democratic Virginia Governor Douglas Wilder is respected by many for his lack of blind party loyalty, sometimes leaving people hangin...

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