Quote of the Day

<b>September 26, 2013</b><br /><a href="http://www.mining.com/china-investment-opportunities-today-jim-rogers/">China investment opportunities today: Jim Rogers</a><br /><br /><div style="color: #666666;"><i>"In the 19th century in America, we had 15 depressions, with a 'd', and yet we became the most exciting and successful country in the 20th century."<br /><br />"China's gonna have a lot of problems. <span style="color: red;">I don't know what or when or why, but I know it's coming.</span> But when they happen, take advantage of the opportunity, <span style="color: red;">don't throw up your hands and say 'oh gosh, now I'm going to Denmark to learn Danish' or something</span>."</i></div><br />Based on what <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/07/sarcasm-report-v113.html">I've heckled about China</a> on this blog in the past, I'd definitely be throwing my hands up if I moved to China to learn Chinese. I'd be surrendering to the <a href="http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/1999/china.50/red.giant/prisons/wu.essay/">totalitarian authorities</a>. No doubt about it. Sigh.<br /><br />So yeah, if forced to choose, I'd prefer to go <i>to Denmark to learn Danish' or something</i>.<br /><br />I consider myself very fortunate to have been born in America. This freedom allows me to publicly state that I believe Jim Rogers is a <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=doofus">total doofus</a>. This is not his first <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2012/04/quotes-of-day.html">quote of the day</a>. He's always full of inspiring <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=sarchasmic">"sarchasmic"</a> witticisms!<br /><br />This post inspired by <a href="http://www.creditbubblestocks.com/2013/09/the-high-price-of-digging-up-dirt-in.html">"The High Price of Digging Up Dirt in China"</a> as seen at <a href="http://www.creditbubblestocks.com/">Credit Bubble Stocks</a>.

Quote of the Day

September 26, 2013 China investment opportunities today: Jim Rogers "In the 19th century in America, we had 15 depressions, with a '...

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A Peek at "-Ism"

Earlier this afternoon I got a peek at the setup for The Architectural League's (sold out) <a href="http://archleague.org/2013/09/beaux-arts-ball-2013/">Beaux Arts Ball</a> at the 69th Regiment Armory, at 25th and Lexington. The party's theme is "-ism," which picks up on the fact that this year is the 100th anniversary of the influential <a href="http://xroads.virginia.edu/~museum/armory/entrance.html">1913 Armory Show</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.situstudio.com/">Situ Studio</a> (who graciously gave me a peek) is responsible for the environmental design (as well as the fabrication), but the party will be an immersive multimedia experience, with a lighting installation by Renfro Design Group, a performance installation by Processional Arts Workshop (PAW), a sound installation by Nathan Halpern (with Mary Lattimore and Chris Ruggiero), and a DJ set from Jon Santos.<br /><br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSlQKpT1UJi_tVMcjJ3vLICvw-WKfcSL5mn4gwkmwI7kabln09BFdQypzNVgCAFHECFCzoyu-s2c7sjEtajY1eNnMnOmjqYvnM3mzLFbVhTjPlrmP-vexEDGuXFcS93rDafEf9rMTI0_n/s1600/situ2.jpg" /><br /><br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaC9zNP2EYCBD-ejxdAtmyjZuI-QDxyTZJEMln16U-QrfVCRWimgwQ5-eb_cKfnhXCX5oe8_RRMGlp5Erbl0zQKXMBMZDGlyn-HfHPGhBOcwnlCSOkS8ml4J8QqgrYYGFOddWj8_n-R8Cz/s1600/situ3.jpg" /><br /><br />Situ Studio's design consists of lightweight vapor barriers forming diamond-like objects that seem to hover within the armory's grand drill hall. The triangular white panels are actually hung from existing cables that span from one side of the hall to the other; only some 10-foot sections of conduit piping and plastic ties accompany the recycled panels, which will be donated to PAW for future performances (more on PAW's contribution below).<br /><br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwk3O35zFsxq6hYjuAYHurCknkAlP6y3MvCR5b2YebH89YDl0-tFm1tBrC-vs05zXPmlJ45vFZoa-jqIx0rzz_uaobrbUscdQoJavR1gh7jmsYksCNcuZXtl4KZ9PBsMdOjteI1bVPeMa/s1600/situ4.jpg" /><br /><br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOQNdHMphcnfTaTVPAVKYtDvtr2oXob8WulhAcChZQ-OH7t4csjTsgKhSe5km4229eQ_zDPpMgCREBDUnqqfXtUaB2IC59Pf7bH-ZFmsmginQHk-FeYWf8c-VoW0LDp_s_SJlHdSOFdyQ/s1600/situ1.jpg" /><br /><br />Those lucky enough to snag tickets to the sold-out party will experience something much richer than what I was able to capture in my brief visit. The white surfaces will be canvases for light and color (including projected paintings from the 1913 Armory Show), creating micro-environments within the grand hall. Sound will add another layer of spatial definition, and PAW's puppeteers will don huge mylar suits (a couple pictured below) and roam about the hall, provoking revelers and becoming another canvas for the light show.<br /><br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0b_-py0fJ_hUUfPauj9tg998rPrDHW4DA0JLgT26SePmYOFSFB-qKpulyx_SlZA-BD7TpocLOwvp9aevVZl6ZViiL5Tr5WLiGc0lZ_xos6H58kqfIkEhcOsXOz-ylXrA21A5umc-5ggxD/s1600/situ5.jpg" /><br /><br />Next week I'll post some photos from the party, showing how everything came together.

A Peek at "-Ism"

Earlier this afternoon I got a peek at the setup for The Architectural League's (sold out) Beaux Arts Ball at the 69th Regiment Armory,...

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Natasha's health nut cookies review

<div style="text-align: center;"><i>With the holidays approaching it can be tough to stay away from sweets especially if you want something sweet.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I'm bringing you a delicious review today that's sweet and healthy!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>These cookies are scrumptious and I'll tell you what makes them so superb! </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I was sent <a href="http://www.natashashealthnutcookies.com/">Natasha's Health Nut Cookies</a> for review and couldn't wait to try them out because they are health cookies!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Facts:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>All natural</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Gluten free</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Diabetic safe</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Low glycemic</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Celiac diets</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I was sent these 3 flavors:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Raisin amaretto:</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uqjU0WldHjY/Ukcr5wbVl-I/AAAAAAAAJ9c/1H8_BN-iQUg/s1600/13+-+2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uqjU0WldHjY/Ukcr5wbVl-I/AAAAAAAAJ9c/1H8_BN-iQUg/s320/13+-+2" width="320" /></i></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I loved that they are soft and chewy and not crunchy. Loved the juicy plump raisins and sweet amaretto taste. Worked well crumbled on top of some pumpkin ice cream.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Cranberry orange:</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WefYw0IkZhE/UkcrlpTSO3I/AAAAAAAAJ9E/sryeMr40ASw/s1600/13+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WefYw0IkZhE/UkcrlpTSO3I/AAAAAAAAJ9E/sryeMr40ASw/s320/13+-+1" width="240" /></i></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>Haven't tried this flavor but I sure do love cranberry orange muffins and breads so I'm sure I'll love this!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Vanilla chocolate chip:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Can't wait to try this one I'm sure it will go great with milk or ice cream!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YbKU3gzYgzY/Ukcr5815oVI/AAAAAAAAJ9k/KziOuHQxcOE/s1600/13+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YbKU3gzYgzY/Ukcr5815oVI/AAAAAAAAJ9k/KziOuHQxcOE/s320/13+-+1" width="320" /></i></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Websites:</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Website:</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.natashashealthnutcookies.com/">http://www.natashashealthnutcookies.com</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Facebook:</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Natashas-Health-Nut-Cookies/121736951173303">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Natashas-Health-Nut-Cookies/121736951173303</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Natasha's health nut cookies review

With the holidays approaching it can be tough to stay away from sweets especially if you want something sweet. I'm bringing you a delici...

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Personal History: An Enlarged Heart : The New Yorker

<base href="data:"><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; "><p class="descender" style="border: 0px; margin: 7px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; outline: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: 25px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">It began with a cough. Her brother had a cough. And, after all, what was a cough? They had all had them. In winter, they passed them around like sweets. Enough coughing meant no school. Although sometimes we sent them off anyway—risking a call from the school nurse, who only half the time would be convinced by our pleading that it was nothing—so that a few more hours might elapse before the apartment filled with their books and the paper wrappers from their snacks.</p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; outline: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: 25px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">But now it was August, and we were at the beach. All winter we dreamed of the house, with its blue floors, the tiny periscope hole in the roof, the red chairs, the rickety porch with its view of the bay. The children turned brown. It was hot. The sea was flat. At low tide, a little pool appeared, and a sandbar, and she, the youngest at three, stood on tiptoe in the water, screeching when an inch-high wave hit. "I think the water's actually cold," she ran to tell us. "No, I think it's actually warm." We sat by the edge in our low beach chairs, the same chairs that used to embarrass us when our parents brought them to the beach. Why do we have so much stuff? we would ask them, eager to be free of it all, of the towels and swimsuits and bottles of juice and fruit, imagining ourselves alone on an empty stretch of beach, naked, with a rucksack. Now we're the ones who unload the car and carry the heaviest bags.</p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; outline: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: 25px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">She's so little we let her run naked, even though we have learned that turning brown is bad. We are careless, self-indulgent, to let her do it. By late afternoon, the sun has slipped behind the enormous high dunes, and blue shadows lap at the water. When she comes up from the edge, she is shivering. Her older sisters and brother and their friends are far out in the waves, on their boogie boards and surfboards, unidentifiable in their black wetsuits. We keep track by counting. One, two, three, four, five, six. Is that Anna? We ask each other. Do you see Nick? There's Rose. "Come in now! Come in!" we scream at them, our arms making huge pinwheels so they will pay attention. It is easy for them to pretend they don't see us.</p><p style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: none; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 17px; line-height: 25px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); position: static; z-index: auto; ">During the night, she coughs on and off, and wakes once. The wind on the bluff pounds the house. In the morning, it is hot and blue again. We get to the beach after lunch, but the sun is still high. From the top of the dune, shielding our eyes, we look for the cluster of bright umbrellas that mark the colony of our friends. They hail us. The older children jump like seals into the waves and swim out to their pals. She stays by the edge. Today, there is another child her age, but she's cranky and won't play. It's too much sun, she didn't sleep, we explain to the other child's parents, chagrined. Secretly, we're annoyed: why won't she just play nicely? The younger children are fooling around with the surfboard, and she wants to try. A wave rears up suddenly, a dragon, foaming at the mouth, she's hurled underwater and onto the sand. Everyone races to help. How can we have allowed this to happen? This is appalling! She is young, much too young for these high jinks. She comes up sputtering. What kind of parents are we? Until someone else makes a mistake, our reputation is shaken.</p><p style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: none; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 17px; line-height: 25px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); position: static; z-index: auto; ">More ...</p></div><a href="http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2003/08/18/030818fa_fact1?currentPage=all">http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2003/08/18/030818fa_fact1?currentPage=all</a><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; "><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div>

Personal History: An Enlarged Heart : The New Yorker

It began with a cough. Her brother had a cough. And, after all, what was a cough? They had all had them. In winter, they passed them around ...

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The Need To Get Fit

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By Isaac Anthony</div><br /><br /> <div class='uawarticle'>Today, many people live detrimental lifestyles, as they are affected by bad diet and prolonged periods of inactivity. These things cause them to be overweight and out of shape. Getting fit will help you lower your cholesterol, shed some pounds, build up endurance and help prevent you from getting sick. If you find it hard to add regular fitness and exercise into your busy routine, a treadmill at home can offer the flexibility of exercising whenever convenient.<br /> <br /> Merits of Treadmills<br /> <br /> Routine use of a treadmill, whether it be for walking or for running, can condition and shape up your body. Such cardio-intensive exercise helps you burn more calories than a cycling machine or most other gym workouts. The majority of today's treadmills come with workout apps that can help you lose pounds, build fitness and endurance, and tone up. Many people find that the treadmill machine is the best fitness machine to exercise on because it accommodates to so many different fitness needs and because it's so easy to use.<br /> <br /> Wide-spread Treadmill Features<br /> <br /> The ability to set speeds is a feature available on a most of treadmills. Incline adjustment functionality is another commonly found feature in treadmills, and it allows you to raise the tread belt to various heights. Having these kinds of treadmill trainer features allows you to stay motivated and interested in working out, because workouts sessions never have to always be the same.<br /> <br /> Many of today's treadmills ship with pre-configured workout apps. These programs include workouts designed for targeted fitness goals such as weight loss and training. Just select the app before you begin and follow the treadmill's instructions. As the workout program advances, you'll see that the speed and incline of the tread belt running change. The changes to the speed and incline levels are automatic and predetermined.<br /> <br /> You'll find many treadmills have heart rate monitors built into them. These heart rate monitors are often used with pre-configured cardio workout apps so that you can keep an eye on your vitals. may be. More expensive treadmill machine models utilize a chest-strap heart rate monitor, which many say is more accurate when it comes to monitoring your heart rate and calories burned. Tracking your fitness levels, such as your aerobic activity and progress through a heart rate monitor, is important to keeping fit and staying in shape.<br /> <br /> Something. The ability to remember customized workouts is most helpful when there are multiple users of the treadmill. A handful of treadmills out on the market can use the onboard memory to store workout history, making it easy to see the fitness progress made and to target new fitness goals.<br /> <br /> Premium treadmills often times have a feature called iFit Live technology included in them. This feature allows you to exercise on according to scenarios found on real life streets and trails. If you were signed up for a race, you could download and install a map of the course and train on it. Compare yourself with others racing through a specific course with iFit Compete Live. To use iFit Live, you need a treadmill that has both Internet connectivity and iFit Live capability. Check to see if these two specific features are offered on a machine if you're interested in this technology. Other premium features found on premium treadmill trainer models include features such as color touch displays or video functionalities.<br /> <br /> Parts of a Treadmill<br /> <br /> The first thing you see when you're checking out a treadmill trainer is its tread belt. It's run by a motor. The tread belt sits over rollers and is powered by the motor as you walk, jog and run on top. In addition to the tread belt and rollers, you'll find a tread belt. This component stretches out and it supports the you and your weight as you're on the machine. The deck can typically be adjusted at various inclines to provide more resistance during workout sessions. This gives you a good cardio workout and brings variety to your routine.<br /> <br /> The majority of treadmill machine running decks rest on top of damping parts. The most commonly used damping component is a cushioning system, which in certain cases can be adjusted with various tension levels. The components just described all work in conjunction in delivering varying workout experiences.<br /> <br /> In addition to the components described, you'll find that some treadmill trainer frames are foldable. The foldable variety may be more effective for home gyms where space is limited. What happens is you lift the deck up into a vertical position. Foldable treadmills often cost more than non-foldable ones. Most establishments, such as gyms, hotels, and health clubs use non-foldable treadmill machine platforms.<br /> <br /> Variety of Treadmills Available<br /> <br /> People will gravitate to treadmills and feature sets that they want, but look into the design of the product as well. Most budget treadmills are suitable for walking and jogging; more expensive treadmills are intended for running and sprinting. Your body weight could affect the performance of a treadmill trainer. There are treadmills with more robust motors to cater to for these type of users. Taller users need a treadmill with a longer tread belt that can easily accommodate their long strides. The more often a treadmill is used, the more important it is to get a reliable and durable machine. For some, these <a href="http://laceyharrison.tumblr.com/post/57577578924/comparing-a-treadmill-with-an-elliptical">cardio trainers</a> are worth the investment, and they're willing to pay more for the better designs.<br /> <br /> Wrap Up<br /> <br /> Health and fitness are topics that you should take seriously. Adding a treadmill trainer system to your home gym can help you better your body and well-being. When looking around for a suitable treadmill trainer, consider what your needs are and what features you're interested in. Don't forget to take accurate measurements of the location of where you want the treadmill trainer to go to ensure that it'll fit. Be sure you take into account the costs of different treadmill machine models. It's not hard to get caught up and choose something that's beyond your price range.<br /> <br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawresource'><br /> <div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br /> About the Author:<br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawlinks'><a href="http://fitnesslookout.blog.com/2013/08/15/treadmills-versus-ellipticals/">Treadmill review sites</a> are useful resources to collect info. Visit some and see what folks are sharing and what models are hot.</div><br /> </div><br />

The Need To Get Fit

By Isaac Anthony Today, many people live detrimental lifestyles, as they are affected by bad diet and prolonged periods of inactivity. T...

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TV Time

<span style="font-size: large;">We have a TV crew of 3 (Matt, Kevin & Nicola) in the house today.  They are filming an episode of "Extreme Homes" for HGTV for the American Market.</span><br><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">They will be working here for today and tomorrow and will end up with about an hours film which will be edited down to 5 minutes!!!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Ciaran is working hard doing lots of dialogue to camera and showing of all the special features of the house.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bEs1bGbbpwjFwFerhJ1Dmmggv5bMiwTv9OCtU48ogaAmIJ5AWhz8YLKuujutZ28mKq3NDzMIJ_8F2mRTxzjUmnPAPYnBI7Szkjs1m-heBpnTmTUDe_Knpd24woEcui15dGUHqgS17EmV/s640/blogger-image--1279456170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bEs1bGbbpwjFwFerhJ1Dmmggv5bMiwTv9OCtU48ogaAmIJ5AWhz8YLKuujutZ28mKq3NDzMIJ_8F2mRTxzjUmnPAPYnBI7Szkjs1m-heBpnTmTUDe_Knpd24woEcui15dGUHqgS17EmV/s640/blogger-image--1279456170.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is director Nicola and cameraman Kevin up on the roof filming.  This was a camera set up on a piece of equipment with huge weights at the end if it - I can only imagine what their excess baggage charges for all their equipment on the airplane was!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsM1dJhvc4QDoX1tqpkFm4zV77BK2C8AO7reuHu2KNpxzfGyzpawgG6VE9KEBwKIo45pvLCbX-sE8uQ0JHWmC-o_A0HkK1p9-vPNLPG9YovkZ4abBFuDhrdOP7YRN9Cl3DuwOq4jBvllOG/s640/blogger-image-1893675564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsM1dJhvc4QDoX1tqpkFm4zV77BK2C8AO7reuHu2KNpxzfGyzpawgG6VE9KEBwKIo45pvLCbX-sE8uQ0JHWmC-o_A0HkK1p9-vPNLPG9YovkZ4abBFuDhrdOP7YRN9Cl3DuwOq4jBvllOG/s640/blogger-image-1893675564.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSMs0FqvKxjbKbtOrTak7I881KMTEjZRRhymgMQBajRR886QPD0vsTZ-0VICruNW03CHZ9QMf9CwLXU2tfr_uVQr2JQHndBCJjDXtJ2MiEf7i0zRcukQTAXRH8Q9nbpzOTKcpyi9nzeev/s640/blogger-image-891313991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSMs0FqvKxjbKbtOrTak7I881KMTEjZRRhymgMQBajRR886QPD0vsTZ-0VICruNW03CHZ9QMf9CwLXU2tfr_uVQr2JQHndBCJjDXtJ2MiEf7i0zRcukQTAXRH8Q9nbpzOTKcpyi9nzeev/s640/blogger-image-891313991.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cameraman Matt filming the front room (he's kneeling on an amazing Jan Kath rug, loaned to us by Conrad in RugArt).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqdxVDvdSb9O0fkgUbhM65mSYwd1Yi1nvswfweQEWkMncvl1NTPRVQIIxYowd31dnBXYSbJVl8rv1myGl6GZpLte9kw2TGaK3Cck1slbCy4-jq1x5NaC2OXgDgvQz7W6PZY_oZ_K6Havf/s640/blogger-image--1433336545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqdxVDvdSb9O0fkgUbhM65mSYwd1Yi1nvswfweQEWkMncvl1NTPRVQIIxYowd31dnBXYSbJVl8rv1myGl6GZpLte9kw2TGaK3Cck1slbCy4-jq1x5NaC2OXgDgvQz7W6PZY_oZ_K6Havf/s640/blogger-image--1433336545.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is Ciaran doing a close up of the wood cladding in the studio.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiML6e462e72NP-L1XSMgsfoAG2u776nvreGvIb99hljQDiGmElccGMHJTkNzsfNB0AlXHpE4RdOdMGiete-KT8JQHdqdb9XF_Ynr6umRxGl7PIdG3uYA1BBCXkby9xDdViwk26vhavGOV/s640/blogger-image--1989474585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiML6e462e72NP-L1XSMgsfoAG2u776nvreGvIb99hljQDiGmElccGMHJTkNzsfNB0AlXHpE4RdOdMGiete-KT8JQHdqdb9XF_Ynr6umRxGl7PIdG3uYA1BBCXkby9xDdViwk26vhavGOV/s640/blogger-image--1989474585.jpg"></a></div><br><span style="font-size: large;">The crew are such a team of professionals, extremely thorough and very pleasant to boot.  They do their work without leaving a trace that they have been there - it is very impressive to watch how they work.</span><br><span style="font-size: large;"><br></span><span style="font-size: large;">For more photos - click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.584795448223462.1073741853.122333021136376&type=1">here</a></span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJcy2uK4pWBBvU9j_2BzOe4zKd9oNXM_7Im_aRw9Tl8GydCdAsnukaWJqBRddeuJT2xMJQi-THK01nj13lsHiJN9wNRCs17qGMrvn96SMIpaOqQDOeF4UHtj8TBhb7vPFuLoe9iM9JWTQ/s640/blogger-image--1851542527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJcy2uK4pWBBvU9j_2BzOe4zKd9oNXM_7Im_aRw9Tl8GydCdAsnukaWJqBRddeuJT2xMJQi-THK01nj13lsHiJN9wNRCs17qGMrvn96SMIpaOqQDOeF4UHtj8TBhb7vPFuLoe9iM9JWTQ/s640/blogger-image--1851542527.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">The sky looks great in the above pic - I'm glad Ciaran got the window washer out this week.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2qsWewFiYhKMPyWzGVRVnosEERkgCF_XzfG-kDzRx_QTQH5odkBZ0KAy9RqkUz1juwAVO8VZ-KxgDPHbDCsY12L2TPe7Z-pZzLCYLkVlFnHqqmTslAzoYQnfcmeSEMp2KA3AhMU4qoHO/s640/blogger-image-1461153225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2qsWewFiYhKMPyWzGVRVnosEERkgCF_XzfG-kDzRx_QTQH5odkBZ0KAy9RqkUz1juwAVO8VZ-KxgDPHbDCsY12L2TPe7Z-pZzLCYLkVlFnHqqmTslAzoYQnfcmeSEMp2KA3AhMU4qoHO/s640/blogger-image-1461153225.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ciaran points out the concrete wall detail</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvH32Sdja7FfUL2UCnArSAqFeoz92k8hd9QMttmFJsQhmuoB1SPzR-U8v9QW5AmMM7XVkmKUORde_4Y-ZjAIT2mI3BWZf9WyS3_vhW5WoiZWYQ5-lmjGK40JoFSf27aYYExijV7Z9cgQX/s640/blogger-image--765091750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvH32Sdja7FfUL2UCnArSAqFeoz92k8hd9QMttmFJsQhmuoB1SPzR-U8v9QW5AmMM7XVkmKUORde_4Y-ZjAIT2mI3BWZf9WyS3_vhW5WoiZWYQ5-lmjGK40JoFSf27aYYExijV7Z9cgQX/s640/blogger-image--765091750.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AZy2IyQmcpuUeo5R_-tqYTGlEfYJGzRkGOhZCXjgZCUxWZzqIT1xvvhFPlzAblZ3IC4zqsq_NL05bKkw7D0vA4Pl65Gl7LxE2t7qUDdyfKRlONDwMR4UCN1ViC0PB5booYtA5YCLKmcK/s640/blogger-image--2117104170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AZy2IyQmcpuUeo5R_-tqYTGlEfYJGzRkGOhZCXjgZCUxWZzqIT1xvvhFPlzAblZ3IC4zqsq_NL05bKkw7D0vA4Pl65Gl7LxE2t7qUDdyfKRlONDwMR4UCN1ViC0PB5booYtA5YCLKmcK/s640/blogger-image--2117104170.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4PhwAM60YDdvNxzqJXmAkWpWiGyaX_rcPx5E82F6FDsfTp1t4aikwNWLHe65-UYjFkD9jHsvxEdnRXjhcq8d3oSWHKir9lKdjk9KADbI67AQ9PDqEkMnLO_NP2PA7ws_R3SCYUjZ0hCw/s640/blogger-image-1289583078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4PhwAM60YDdvNxzqJXmAkWpWiGyaX_rcPx5E82F6FDsfTp1t4aikwNWLHe65-UYjFkD9jHsvxEdnRXjhcq8d3oSWHKir9lKdjk9KADbI67AQ9PDqEkMnLO_NP2PA7ws_R3SCYUjZ0hCw/s640/blogger-image-1289583078.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">While Kevin & Nicola worked downstairs with Ciaran, Matt worked away filming the upstairs on his own.</span><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">I do like how the Laura Ashley wallpaper looks in this picture!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbe-JwJVCWlZ1vmW-f_U-AINE6xmhGrpsnapR8YmJ5bFUh5eYCJFTOPHslmLBt1V2JiFOCYWws0aXWiTrGKGBLXp5KvwqK6mmDjUcutNU8iQhOpgIe0A_BXTp7NOvNmMEbO81fyUb9g9lp/s640/blogger-image--453899059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbe-JwJVCWlZ1vmW-f_U-AINE6xmhGrpsnapR8YmJ5bFUh5eYCJFTOPHslmLBt1V2JiFOCYWws0aXWiTrGKGBLXp5KvwqK6mmDjUcutNU8iQhOpgIe0A_BXTp7NOvNmMEbO81fyUb9g9lp/s640/blogger-image--453899059.jpg"></a></div><br><span style="font-size: large;">I should mention that Bones the dog was not allowed in any shots.  He would mess up the continuity by being in different spots in different shots.</span><br><br><br></div>

TV Time

We have a TV crew of 3 (Matt, Kevin & Nicola) in the house today.  They are filming an episode of "Extreme Homes" for HGTV for...

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Whoa! Awesome TPP protest across from White House

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqzu49fJ5KMq8GEHBmgK1DKzgScojMIhc3yNyKKLUJevqEfH1EBH04V8Q2_s9QfaB4t91oGVwGfcEm_-_PJhMobY6xWQnDvQMp2uRuQWyMV54gjdnFdt7hvalOd68TmL1l-jzb-6N_fQZ/s1600/tpp+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqzu49fJ5KMq8GEHBmgK1DKzgScojMIhc3yNyKKLUJevqEfH1EBH04V8Q2_s9QfaB4t91oGVwGfcEm_-_PJhMobY6xWQnDvQMp2uRuQWyMV54gjdnFdt7hvalOd68TmL1l-jzb-6N_fQZ/s320/tpp+banner.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="tr_bq">The noontime protest on Monday against the TPP (the giant Trans-Pacific Partnership job-killing trade deal) could rank among the best ever, none other than the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/protesters-rising-to-new-heights/2013/09/26/465b6af8-26ea-11e3-b75d-5b7f66349852_story.html" rel="nofollow">Washington Post</a> reported:</div><blockquote>Eight “construction workers” in blue coveralls and odd “Stop the TPP” yellow hard hats somehow made their way up an unsecured scaffolding — the building is undergoing some exterior work — to the top, where they unfurled a 10-by-30-foot banner condemning the proposed treaty as a corporate giveaway. </blockquote><blockquote>Then five of the eight “workers” moved onto a lower balcony — we seem to recall it’s on the same floor as U.S. Trade Rep <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/michael-froman/gIQA3Rcv9O_topic.html">Mike Froman’s </a>office — and hung two more banners. </blockquote><blockquote>The police finally showed up and briefly handcuffed one protester. But that was all.<br />The action had been planned for a month, said <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/metro/elections/2006/maryland/candidates/Kevin_Zeese.html">Kevin Zeese</a> , an organizer with PopularResistance.org, and the coveralls and hard hats were ordered online. The door to the scaffolding was always open, he noted, and the group did a final scouting mission the Friday before the event. </blockquote><blockquote>But when the protesters arrived Monday in their “Stop the TPP” hats, he said, “we were shocked that there were no workers, no security. It was amazing.” </blockquote><blockquote>“We wanted to do something audacious,” Zeese said. “We wanted to be bold.” </blockquote><blockquote>Did we mention that the building is just across the street from the White House complex, specifically the Eisenhower Executive Office Building?</blockquote><div>Teamsters had joined an anti-TPP protest the previous Friday that included 100 people from diverse backgrounds: doctors, environmentalists, students and workers from other unions. The Teamsters ally Public Citizen explained the recent spate of TPP protests had to do with the secret negotiations going on in Washington: <br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">The TPP negotiators were not in Washington, D.C. for a formal round of negotiations, but for a below-the-radar “intersessional” meeting. Such secretive meetings are now being scheduled at a moment’s notice in countries across the Pacific Rim as the U.S. cracks the whip in desperate attempt to get negotiations all wrapped up and tied with a neat bow by the end of the year, despite the <a href="http://citizen.typepad.com/eyesontrade/2013/08/final-tpp-round-not-final-are-even-more-secretive-talks-ahead.html">yawning controversies and gaps</a> in agreed-upon text.  </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">These “intersessionals” drive the backdoor TPP talks even further underground and away from public scrutiny. Unlike the formal rounds, USTR is not even revealing the location, timing or agenda of the intersessionals. And there are no “<a href="http://citizen.typepad.com/eyesontrade/2012/09/flush-the-tpp-was-the-rallying-cry-heard-outside-virginias-lansdowne-resort-on-sunday-at-a-protestagainst-the-tra.html">stakeholder sessions</a>" to which concerned groups and the general public are invited.</blockquote></div>

Protests TPP Whoa! Awesome TPP protest across from White House

The noontime protest on Monday against the TPP (the giant Trans-Pacific Partnership job-killing trade deal) could rank among the best ever, ...

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Today's Teamster News 09.28.13

<a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-09-27/regulator-said-to-look-other-way-on-unsafe-mexican-trucks.html" rel="nofollow">Regulator Said to Look Other Way on Unsafe Mexican Trucks</a>  Bloomberg   ...“They need these companies, they need the numbers,” said Fred McLuckie, director of federal legislation and regulation for the Teamsters, which unsuccessfully sued to stop regulators from allowing Mexican trucks. “They’re looking the other way...”<br /><a href="http://www.suntimes.com/news/cityhall/22827341-418/chicago-teamsters-reject-rahm-emanuels-bid-for-contract-concessions-on-461-11-vote.html" rel="nofollow">Chicago Teamsters reject Rahm Emanuel’s bid for contract concessions on 461-11 vote</a>  Chicago Sun-Times   ...Already feuding with police, firefighters, teachers and other public employees, Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration sought but failed to win concessions this week from the only major labor group that had supported Emanuel’s election...<br /><a href="http://www.teamster.org/content/funeral-industry-giant-sci-committed-unfair-labor-practices-labor-board-says" rel="nofollow">Funeral Industry Giant SCI Committed Unfair Labor Practices, Labor Board Says</a>  teamster.org   ...Region 13 of the National Labor Relations Board has found merit in several unfair labor practice charges filed against funeral industry giant Service Corporation International (SCI), which has locked out 59 funeral directors and drivers at 16 Chicago-area funeral homes...<br /><a href="http://www.teamster.org/content/teamsters-vote-wegmans-offer" rel="nofollow">Teamsters To Vote Wegmans' Offer</a>  teamster.org   ...Workers will cast ballots on the company’s proposal that would eliminate the pensions of more than 900 of its Rochester employees and dramatically reduce their compensation package...<br /><a href="http://citizen.typepad.com/eyesontrade/2013/09/beware-of-outlandish-claims-about-economic-benefits-of-us-eu-free-trade-deal.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+eyesontrade+%28Eyes+on+Trade%29" rel="nofollow">Beware of Outlandish Claims About Economic Benefits of U.S.-EU ‘Free Trade’ Deal</a>  Public Citizen   ...The study ignored the predictable social and economic costs that would result from such extreme regulatory rollback, such as an increase in the incidence of foodborne illness and a rise in financial instability...<br /><a href="http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2013/09/federal-ruling-domestic-workers-protection-charts" rel="nofollow">4 Reasons Why the White House's Domestic-Worker Protections Matter </a> Mother Jones   ...Starting in January 2015, the federal labor laws that currently ensure minimum wage and overtime protections will be extended to the nation's direct-care workers—some 2 million people who perform jobs like caring for the elderly and the disabled. And yesterday, Gov. Jerry Brown signed the California Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights into law, expanding the legal protections for its estimated <a href="http://nelp.3cdn.net/6568360c9c5188e6d6_4hm6ibsc7.pdf">360,000</a> (PDF) domestic workers...<br /><a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/10/how-the-nfl-fleeces-taxpayers/309448/" rel="nofollow">How the NFL Fleeces Taxpayers</a>  The Atlantic   ...Taxpayers fund the stadiums, antitrust law doesn't apply to broadcast deals, the league enjoys nonprofit status, and Commissioner Roger Goodell makes $30 million a year. It's time to stop the public giveaways to America's richest sports league—and to the feudal lords who own its teams...<br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/27/ron-wyden-nsa-systematically-deceived" rel="nofollow">Sen. Ron Wyden: NSA 'repeatedly deceived the American people'</a>  The Guardian   ..."the leadership of NSA built an intelligence collection system that repeatedly deceived the American people..."<br /><a href="http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/09/27/nsa-employees-used-surveillance-system-to-spy-on-spouses-lovers/" rel="nofollow">NSA employees used surveillance system to spy on spouses, lovers</a>  Raw Story   ... a woman told the NSA that she’d recorded a conversation between her husband and a foreign telephone number because she suspected he’d been unfaithful...<br /><a href="http://laborpress.org/sectors/green-initiatives/2778-school-bus-companies-ordered-to-restore-lost-wages-to-atu-1181-workers" rel="nofollow">School Bus Companies Ordered to Restore Lost Wages to ATU 1181 Workers</a>  LaaborPress   ...Judge Matsumoto ordered the companies to return to the bargaining table they abandoned in March; bargain in good faith with the union; rescind the wage and benefit cuts and all other terms and working conditions previously imposed by the companies; and restore the wages, benefits and working conditions in effect at the time the companies imposed their cuts...<br /><a href="http://www.salon.com/2013/09/27/i_worked_all_week_for_free_the_horrifying_true_story_of_0_paychecks/" rel="nofollow">I worked all week for free?!: The horrifying, true story of $0 paychecks</a>  Salon   ...Photos provided to Salon by the National Guestworker Alliance, the group behind the work stoppage, show checks reading “No Dollars and No Cents,” and a page dated June 25 warning guest workers on H-2B visas that, “Any worker who does not show up for your assignment will be immediately removed from Mister Clean Housing and will be reported as AWOL (Absent Without Leave) to ICE (Immigration Custom Enforcement)...”<br /><a href="http://www.counterpunch.org/2013/09/27/american-workers-hanging-on-by-the-skin-of-their-teeth/" rel="nofollow">American Workers: Hanging on by the Skin of Their Teeth</a>  Counterpunch   ...Americans are losing faith in the nation’s economic recovery.” Because they don’t see any recovery...<br /><br /><br />

Chicago funeral directors contract negotiations economy FLSA Mexican trucks NFL school bus slavery spying trade Today's Teamster News 09.28.13

Regulator Said to Look Other Way on Unsafe Mexican Trucks  Bloomberg   ...“They need these companies, they need the numbers,” said Fred McL...

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Carol Lefelt - A Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Chronicle - Health Rising

<base href="data:">At the onset of the illness I was 55 years old, happily married with two wonderful sons in their 30's. Successful in my job as a high school English teacher for 25 years, I was also the Humanities Supervisor and the district's writing guru. I served as K-12 Writing Coordinator and taught Composition, Creative Writing, Advanced Placement Language and Composition, and almost every other course in the English Department.<br><br><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oXOzELYSL14lOoRtqHdZxrQzT5fHFbfyi8HQELlhB63brs9LEx0vTl0j6oWaCiEOz0BaZLqP3d5UeoORMgBbI68bxaZU1TswwZHhr8G7IrETBVdfU1znAun5te-5KIQohBreFPozE0o/s1600/Carol-Lefelt-779330.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5928651222886449602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oXOzELYSL14lOoRtqHdZxrQzT5fHFbfyi8HQELlhB63brs9LEx0vTl0j6oWaCiEOz0BaZLqP3d5UeoORMgBbI68bxaZU1TswwZHhr8G7IrETBVdfU1znAun5te-5KIQohBreFPozE0o/s320/Carol-Lefelt-779330.jpg" /></a>I advised the high school literary magazine, started a peer-tutor writing center, and attended and often led writing workshops and professional development sessions. I published articles about teaching along with some poetry and a short memoir of my mother-in-law. I also mentored adult writers.<br><br>I have been sick with ME/CFS since a flu shot in 1999. After experiences with many, many doctors, I am currently seeing Dr. Ray and Dr. Klimas at the Center for Neuroimmune Disorders at Nova Southeastern University in Florida and taking Immunovir and Atenolol.  My condition has clearly improved since the early years, but I still experience significant relapses and suffer from (sometimes severe) Post-exertional Malaise. In between the relapses, however,  my "well" times are longer and "well-er".<br><br><a href="http://www.cortjohnson.org/authors/carol-lefelt/">http://www.cortjohnson.org/authors/carol-lefelt/</a><br><br>

Carol Lefelt - A Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Chronicle - Health Rising

At the onset of the illness I was 55 years old, happily married with two wonderful sons in their 30's. Successful in my job as a high sc...

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The mountains are calling

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4Szp4tGr5MjPIcb72JtkrQ8jdQmFl7yntM5NbBQCj8xuAHGVTanwIetVdRvzNdCPm9bkUlR1od5HyKaGUe-jl7oJw8ThVAgciuE_RagLR5BEbePEU7dhn3Q9RfT89S-BRacIMRCOvdcA/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4Szp4tGr5MjPIcb72JtkrQ8jdQmFl7yntM5NbBQCj8xuAHGVTanwIetVdRvzNdCPm9bkUlR1od5HyKaGUe-jl7oJw8ThVAgciuE_RagLR5BEbePEU7dhn3Q9RfT89S-BRacIMRCOvdcA/s400/15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Going to the mountains is going home." --John Muir </div><br />Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell

The mountains are calling

"Going to the mountains is going home." --John Muir Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell

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Youth and Apprentice Deer Hunting Day for 15 and under

There's excitement in the air this morning for young hunters 15 and under....<br /><br /><h2 id="youth-deer-hunting-day">Youth and Apprentice Deer Hunting Day</h2><h4>September 28</h4><ul><li>Statewide.</li><li>Resident and nonresident youth hunters 15 years of age and under and holders of a valid apprentice hunting license, when in compliance with all applicable laws and licenses, may hunt when accompanied and directly supervised by an adult who has a valid Virginia hunting license or is exempt from purchasing a hunting license. Nonresident youth of any age need to have the appropriate licenses.</li><li>Deer of either sex may be taken.</li><li>Antlerless deer taken on the youth and apprentice deer hunting day are in addition to an antlerless deer taken under the youth antlerless deer regulation and on either-sex deer hunting days.</li><li>Deer harvested by youth or apprentice hunters count against their daily and season bag limit.</li><li>Blaze orange requirements and exceptions for firearms deer season are in effect (see <a href="http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/regulations/general.asp">General Hunting Regulations</a>).</li><li>Deer hunting with dogs is prohibited, except that tracking dogs are allowed (see <a href="http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/regulations/general.asp#hunting-with-dogs">Hunting with Dogs</a>).</li><li>Adult hunters accompanying youth or apprentice deer hunters: <ul><li>do not need a bear, deer, turkey license.</li><li>shall not carry or discharge a firearm.</li><li>shall maintain close visual and verbal contact with and provide adequate direction to the youth or apprentice hunter.</li></ul></li></ul>

deer season Virginia Youth and Apprentice Deer Hunting Day Youth and Apprentice Deer Hunting Day for 15 and under

There's excitement in the air this morning for young hunters 15 and under.... Youth and Apprentice Deer Hunting Day September 28 Statewi...

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Christmas Is Coming

I know,<i> I know</i>, please don't hurt me!<br /><br />I just wanted to give you an idea for a little stocking stuffer for your shooting enthusiast.<br /><br />I do believe I am going to get some of these just for fun.<br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/wht6OMKBdc4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Christmas Is Coming

I know, I know , please don't hurt me! I just wanted to give you an idea for a little stocking stuffer for your shooting enthusiast. I ...

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Cup of Joe

<span style="font-size: large;">After buying a few items for the filming today (fresh flowers, cakes to stage the table, etc.) we went to Nick's Coffee for a quick cup before we got back to the house for 10am to meet the crew.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9cr91vRMGgygpxGP4ifLzs4aThbOVGzKCPzpCLtABEmXKeYZZvWYiS-LTslEeRJEqYohUSx2I5kqjs2ybb3ohyU7guXsVDjNzaJXpGVZ5ZuINJT604L-xwZWPEcbyMQd6Ryd6wr32B6U/s640/blogger-image-1031569499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9cr91vRMGgygpxGP4ifLzs4aThbOVGzKCPzpCLtABEmXKeYZZvWYiS-LTslEeRJEqYohUSx2I5kqjs2ybb3ohyU7guXsVDjNzaJXpGVZ5ZuINJT604L-xwZWPEcbyMQd6Ryd6wr32B6U/s640/blogger-image-1031569499.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAxFF1xy0bI8MPvS35l8tMvHGy1JhcewFhj1DO0CqUh8kBuO_-NVLO1Qmk2ZpFPBegws89hgxcAIf-rFfeiY-J2GBg7JangAMZ1pl7Uguc6Ga5GAPdIpygst97oPMbNYzcvRmzCjTNfX8/s640/blogger-image--894101039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAxFF1xy0bI8MPvS35l8tMvHGy1JhcewFhj1DO0CqUh8kBuO_-NVLO1Qmk2ZpFPBegws89hgxcAIf-rFfeiY-J2GBg7JangAMZ1pl7Uguc6Ga5GAPdIpygst97oPMbNYzcvRmzCjTNfX8/s640/blogger-image--894101039.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here's Bones looking pitiful ;-)   P</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qIJqsJBOQ8WqYMnec4q-IBAUtukDuq0caMS31DatWFWdo1U1WX7Q6whGRGFWoYm4AdADmWnebg9C4d0TIArIo_pXjBDUVuVo79-b_lsIdCVgnKzhuqvWCWYf7Is5WYrHpQdAXqXwSGDM/s640/blogger-image-1467069138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qIJqsJBOQ8WqYMnec4q-IBAUtukDuq0caMS31DatWFWdo1U1WX7Q6whGRGFWoYm4AdADmWnebg9C4d0TIArIo_pXjBDUVuVo79-b_lsIdCVgnKzhuqvWCWYf7Is5WYrHpQdAXqXwSGDM/s640/blogger-image-1467069138.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />

Cup of Joe

After buying a few items for the filming today (fresh flowers, cakes to stage the table, etc.) we went to Nick's Coffee for a quick cup ...

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www.thefacesoffacebook.com/ - The Faces of Facebook - All Facebook At One Place

What will you say about an effort that coalesces all the Faces of Facebook? All 1.2 billion of them! This gargantuan effort loads all 1.2 billion profiles' faces on its website. Zooming onto a single portion gives one a more detailed view of the faces and even closer zooming will launch a person's facebook profile.<br /><br />Go to www.thefacesoffacebook.com to see all the  faces of facebook -almost  the cyber world brought together as it is! However as maybe expected the site is taking a long hile to load. That could be an effect of the increased traffic to the site or a conflict of all the diversity brought together ;-)<br /><br />http://www.thefacesoffacebook.com/

facebook profiles facebook profiles pics faces of facebook fce of facebook www.thefacesoffacebook.com/ www.thefacesoffacebook.com/ - The Faces of Facebook - All Facebook At One Place

What will you say about an effort that coalesces all the Faces of Facebook? All 1.2 billion of them! This gargantuan effort loads all 1.2 bi...

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The Path to Infinite Leverage (Musical Tribute)

The following chart shows the inverse of the 10-year treasury yield. Why the inverse? At 0%, one could borrow an infinite amount of money and still pay the interest payments in full (without even breaking a sweat). When seen this way, 0% isn't a floor. It's infinity!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlS_v14yyJeJ4BHQosbdGhKJo7Sykl0BTeQjqlZF8hTpa4DQGkSpvSPxy1vCHhtTaL77c0TuWPOL4ElVRf78eUhG-7cnRj78SpPsaYwbTLXJXWqoloIyTCwmjXbP-gZRHYKgv3syuZ8g/s1600/The+Path+to+Infinite+Leverage.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlS_v14yyJeJ4BHQosbdGhKJo7Sykl0BTeQjqlZF8hTpa4DQGkSpvSPxy1vCHhtTaL77c0TuWPOL4ElVRf78eUhG-7cnRj78SpPsaYwbTLXJXWqoloIyTCwmjXbP-gZRHYKgv3syuZ8g/s320/The+Path+to+Infinite+Leverage.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br />Note that there has been a trend change. As seen in the difference between the red and blue exponential trend channels, the inverse is growing even faster than it once was. What does this mean? Rising interest rate environment my @$$! That's what. Just an opinion of course. Your opinion can and probably does vary.<br /><br />But before you disagree, consider this. Our modern financially innovative over-leveraged society *requires* an exponentially increasing amount of leverage, lest it seize up (again). If not, please provide evidence to the contrary. I'm all ears. Further, an economy seizing up tends to be disinflationary (compared to what it was before it began to seize).<br /><br />If I am right, then we better start learning Japanese economics, because that's where we are headed apparently. Welcome to the era of <a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?g=mQJ">perma-ZIRP</a>. And when I say perma-ZIRP, I do not mean over the next 10,000 years. It could easily be a LOT longer than most people think though. For savers looking for <a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?g=mQM">a relatively safe return</a>, I expect the beatings to continue until morale improves. It's one reason I have not been scared about locking in long-term interest rates whenever <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2013/08/19-year-tips-trading-update.html">the opportunity presented itself</a>.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="236" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/r00ikilDxW4" width="420"></iframe><br /><div style="color: #666666;"><br /></div><div style="color: #666666;"><i>When you're at the end of the road<br />And you've lost all sense of control<br />And your thoughts have taken their toll<br />When your mind breaks the spirit of your soul<br /><br />Your faith walks on broken glass<br />And the hangover doesn't pass<br />Nothing's ever built to last<br />You're in ruins</i></div><br />This is not investment advice. It's just the opinion of a perma-bear. That said, who honestly believes that the <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/afontevecchia/2013/09/26/jcpenneys-contradictions-retailer-announces-equity-offer-hours-after-ceo-ullman-denies-need-to-raise-capital/">hangover is passing</a>? We're not just drinking a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hair_of_the_dog">hair of the dog</a> that bit us. We're attempting to drink the whole frickin' dog again. Good luck on that one long-term!<br /><br /><b>Source Data:</b><br /><a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?g=mQG">St. Louis Fed: Custom Chart</a>

The Path to Infinite Leverage (Musical Tribute)

The following chart shows the inverse of the 10-year treasury yield. Why the inverse? At 0%, one could borrow an infinite amount of money an...

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Watch Modern Family @ ABC Online FREE

<b>Modern Family</b> is one hugely popular comedy show on TV. The show reinforced its status and popularity by winning the award for the best comedy series at EMMY's for the fourth time in a row. <br />Get the latest episodes of Modern Family online free streaming at the official ABC website. This is only for viewers in USA.<br /><br /><a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/modern-family">http://abc.go.com/shows/modern-family</a><br /><br />The website has all the Modern Family trivia and is a veritable treasure for the lovers of the show with pics, recaps, bios, news, memes and more.<br /><br />Go to Hulu to watch more archived and <b>latest episodes of Modern family</b> online free. Get to watch the last 5 episodes of the serial. To get the entire current season on HD on computer - one can subscribe to Hulu Plus. Geographical viewing restrictions may apply however. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.hulu.com/modern-family">http://www.hulu.com/modern-family</a><br /><br />

watch modern family abc watch modern family free online watch modern family latest episodes watch modern family online Watch Modern Family @ ABC Online FREE

Modern Family is one hugely popular comedy show on TV. The show reinforced its status and popularity by winning the award for the best come...

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'Big Bang Theory': 7 Things to Know About Season 7

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/">http://www.hollywoodreporter.com</a><br /><h2 class="main_article_deck" style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: 'Vonness Bold Compressed', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 26px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Who's fighting? Who may get intimate? Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar dish on what's ahead from the CBS hit.</h2><div class="article_body" style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 15px 16px 0px 0px;"><div class="main_blog_image_placeholder" style="float: left; margin: 0px 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 12px;"><div class="" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><center><div class="pinterest-button clearfix" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><img alt="Big Bang Theory Deception Verification - P 2013" class="imagecache imagecache-blog_post_349_width" height="1572" src="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/blog_post_349_width/2013/09/big_bang_theory_deception_verification_a_p.jpg" style="border: 0px; float: left; height: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; max-width: 349px;" title="" width="1047" /></div></center></div><div class="main_media_credit" style="clear: left; color: #cccccc; font-size: 10px; font-style: oblique; line-height: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 0px 0px; text-align: right;">CBS</div><div class="main_image_caption" style="color: #959595; font-size: 11px; font-style: oblique; line-height: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 0px 0px;">"The Big Bang Theory"</div></div><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;">Following a sixth season that saw CBS' nerdy comedy <em>The Big Bang Theory </em>reach a creative milestone when<strong>Kunal </strong><strong>Nayyar</strong>'s Raj<a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/big-bang-theory-season-6-finale-behind-scenes-set-visit-505624" style="color: #e11a1f; text-decoration: none;">overcame his selective muteness</a>, TV's top scripted comedy among adults 18-49 returns for its seventh year Thursday with back-to-back episodes.</div><div class="recommended_articles" style="clear: both; float: left; line-height: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 20px 35px 20px 0px; width: 195px;"><div class="header" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); 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display: block; float: left; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; max-width: 648px;" title="" width="58" /></a></div></div><div class="text" style="display: table-cell; float: none; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><div class="outer" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="inner" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/big-bang-theory-books-kate-635563" style="color: black; line-height: 15px; text-decoration: none;">'Big Bang Theory' Books Kate Micucci for Return Visit (Exclusive)<img class="redarr" src="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/all/themes/thr/images/elements/icon_red_darrow.png" style="border: 0px; display: inline; float: none; height: auto; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px; max-width: 648px;" /></a></div></div></div></div><div class="module_wrap" style="background-image: url(http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/all/themes/thr/images/border_dot_h.gif); background-position: 50% 100%; 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line-height: 15px; text-decoration: none;">'Big Bang Theory' Boss Previews New Pairings in Season 7<img class="redarr" src="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/all/themes/thr/images/elements/icon_red_darrow.png" style="border: 0px; display: inline; float: none; height: auto; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px; max-width: 648px;" /></a></div></div></div></div><div class="module_wrap" style="background-image: url(http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/all/themes/thr/images/border_dot_h.gif); background-position: 50% 100%; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; float: left; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px; width: 195px;"><div class="media" style="float: left; margin: 0px 16px 8px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="thumbnail" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; height: 58px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px;"><div class="video-button-overlay" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/big-bang-theory-season-6-moments-525669" style="color: black; font-weight: bold; line-height: 15px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-image: url(http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/all/themes/thr/images/sprite_5_22_2013.png); background-position: 1px -332px; background-repeat: initial initial; bottom: 0px; display: block; height: 42px; left: 0px; margin: 0px; position: absolute; text-indent: -9999px; top: auto; width: 42px;"></span><img alt="" class="imagecache imagecache-thumbnail_tiny_58x58" height="58" src="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/thumbnail_tiny_58x58/2013/05/big_bang_theory_love_spell_potential.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: block; float: left; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; max-width: 648px;" title="" width="58" /></a></div></div></div><div class="text" style="display: table-cell; float: none; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><div class="outer" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="inner" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/big-bang-theory-season-6-moments-525669" style="color: black; line-height: 15px; text-decoration: none;">'Big Bang Theory' Cast Shares Their Favorite Season 6 Moments<img class="redarr" src="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/all/themes/thr/images/elements/icon_red_darrow.png" style="border: 0px; display: inline; float: none; height: auto; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px; max-width: 648px;" /></a></div></div></div></div><div class="module_wrap last" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; float: left; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px; width: 195px;"><div class="media" style="float: left; margin: 0px 16px 8px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="thumbnail" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; height: 58px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/big-bang-theory-at-paleyfest-428530" style="color: black; font-weight: bold; line-height: 15px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="imagecache imagecache-thumbnail_tiny_58x58" height="58" src="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/thumbnail_tiny_58x58/2013/03/bigbang.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: block; float: left; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; max-width: 648px;" title="" width="58" /></a></div></div><div class="text" style="display: table-cell; float: none; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><div class="outer" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="inner" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/big-bang-theory-at-paleyfest-428530" style="color: black; line-height: 15px; text-decoration: none;">'Big Bang Theory' at PaleyFest: 15 Things You Didn't Know<img class="redarr" src="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/all/themes/thr/images/elements/icon_red_darrow.png" style="border: 0px; display: inline; float: none; height: auto; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px; max-width: 648px;" /></a></div></div></div></div></div><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;">The first episode will find Sheldon (<strong>Jim Parsons</strong>) and Penny (<strong>Kaley Cuoco</strong>) bonding over missing Leonard (<strong>Johnny Galecki</strong>), who has been at sea on a research mission for Stephen Hawking. Meanwhile, Howard (<strong>Simon Helberg</strong>) helps Raj mend a broken heart after <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/big-bang-theory-books-kate-635563" style="color: #e11a1f; text-decoration: none;">Lucy (<strong>Kate Micucci</strong>)</a> opts to end their relationship.</div><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;"><strong><a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/gallery/big-bang-theory-guest-stars-439826" style="color: #e11a1f; text-decoration: none;">PHOTOS: 'The Big Bang Theory's' Nerdiest Guest Stars</a></strong></div><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;">The second installment will feature Leonard's early return creating a rift with Sheldon, while Howard finds himself still navigating his overbearing mother.</div><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;"><em>The Hollywood Reporter </em>caught up with Nayyar, Helberg and Galecki to get the scoop on what to expect when the series returns.</div><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;">1. Just because Raj can now talk to women won't mean he's good at it. "I’m not sure that's a good thing," Nayyar says with a laugh. "He's going to put his foot in his mouth <em>a lot</em>." Raj's goal this season? The same as it has been since season one: to find love.</div><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;"><strong><a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/big-bang-theory-boss-previews-594416" style="color: #e11a1f; text-decoration: none;">STORY: 'Big Bang Theory' Boss Previews New Pairings in Season 7</a></strong></div><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;">2. Episode three will see Raj organize a scavenger hunt that will continue what showrunner <strong>Steve Molaro</strong> previewed would be new pairings in season seven. "They put Leonard and Bernadette (<strong>Melissa Rauch</strong>) together for the first time, which is really fun," Galecki says. "They work horribly together! I hope they use that because we all understand the dynamic of having a best friend with a spouse you might not necessarily get along with."</div><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;">3. Galecki notes viewers will see a new side to Bernadette during the scavenger hunt. "When it comes to being competitive, Bernadette is a dragon! She's horrible! It was a lot of fun to film," he says.  </div><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;">4. Sheldon and Penny have grown closer -- which could create a problem for Leonard. "They've bonded over missing Sheldon, which is really sweet and wonderful," Galecki notes. "Leonard comes home a bit early and is excited to see Penny, but it takes a while to acclimate to the idea of being around Sheldon again (<em>laughs</em>). There are some complications there."</div><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;"><a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/gallery/emmys-2012-on-set-behind-scenes-big-bang-theory-329806" style="color: #e11a1f; text-decoration: none;"><strong>PHOTOS: Behind the Scenes: 'The Big Bang Theory'</strong></a></div><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;">5. Speaking of Bernadette, she and Howard will experience some growing pains as they continue to navigate marriage. "There's some fighting going on," Helberg warns. "We're getting into the possessive -- she wants her husband and he wants his friends and video games. There's some spats that happen."</div><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;">6. With Howard and Bernadette bickering, he'll turn to his best friend, Raj, for solace -- which will create a very awkward scenario. "Wolowitz crashes at Raj's a bit after a fight with Bernadette and he's having a hard time kicking the habit of video games and male bonding time to be with his wife," Helberg says of the duo's night together. "There could be some cuddling -- our shirts come off at some point, so we'll see!"  </div><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;">7. Galecki is cautiously optimistic about Leonard's and Penny's future together after he heads off to sea while the lovebirds are at the healthiest point in their relationship. "I don't think things have ever been better for Leonard and Penny," he says with a laugh. "But I'm afraid to even say that out loud!"</div><div style="padding: 0px 0px 12px;"><em>The Big Bang Theory </em>airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. on CBS. Hit the comments below with what you're looking forward to seeing.</div></div></div>

'Big Bang Theory': 7 Things to Know About Season 7 'Big Bang Theory': 7 Things to Know About Season 7

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com Who's fighting? Who may get intimate? Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar dish on what's...

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Thursday Night Football: After slow start, 49ers pull away for win

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/">http://www.sportingnews.com</a><br /><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/v1g9BdvwSrc?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Apres RE', 'apres re', sans-serif; font-size: 1.166666em; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 22px;">ST. LOUIS — Colin Kaepernick threw two touchdown passes, Frank Gore had his first 100-yard game of the season and the San Francisco 49ers' defense stepped up without some of their stars in a 35-11 rout over the St. Louis Rams on Thursday night.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Apres RE', 'apres re', sans-serif; font-size: 1.166666em; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 22px;">Anquan Boldin had five catches for 90 yards and a touchdown, and Gore had 153 yards on 20 carries and a 34-yard score for San Francisco (2-2), which was outscored 46-10 the previous two games. Navarro Bowman had two of the 49ers' five sacks with a strip leading to a fourth-quarter scoring run by Anthony Dixon.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Apres RE', 'apres re', sans-serif; font-size: 1.166666em; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 22px;"><strong>— </strong><a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/box-score/20130926014/san-francisco-49ers--st-louis-rams" style="color: #020202;" target="" title=""><strong>Box score</strong></a><strong> | </strong><a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/play-by-play/20130926014/san-francisco-49ers--st-louis-rams" style="color: #020202;" target="" title=""><strong>Play-by-play</strong></a><strong> | </strong><a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2013-09-26/phil-dawson-san-francisco-49ers-free-kick-nfl-st-louis-rams-thursday-night-footb" style="color: #020202;" target="" title=""><strong>Unique play</strong></a><strong> | </strong><a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2013-09-26/nfl-week-4-picks-dolphins-saints-patriots-falcons-bears-lions-steelers-vikings" style="color: #020202;" target="" title=""><strong>Week 4 picks</strong></a><strong> | </strong><a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2013-09-24/nfl-week-4-power-rankings-seahawks-broncos-bears-saints-patriots-chiefs" style="color: #020202;" target="" title=""><strong>Power rankings</strong></a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Apres RE', 'apres re', sans-serif; font-size: 1.166666em; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 22px;">The Rams (1-3) had an overtime win and tie against San Francisco last year, and took the early lead Thursday before falling flat. Greg Zuerlein banged in a 40-yard field goal off the right upright to end a nine-game scoring drought in the first quarter, but the 49ers answered with 28 straight points.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Apres RE', 'apres re', sans-serif; font-size: 1.166666em; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 22px;">The 49ers came close to a Super Bowl title in February and regained their footing against the team that gave them the most trouble last season. Minus cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and linebackers Patrick Willis and Aldon Smith, they quieted a raucous, hopeful crowd, sending all but a few thousand home early.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Apres RE', 'apres re', sans-serif; font-size: 1.166666em; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 22px;">Kaepernick had no touchdown passes and four interceptions the previous two weeks and completed fewer than 50 percent of his passes. He was 15 for 23 for 167 yards.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Apres RE', 'apres re', sans-serif; font-size: 1.166666em; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 22px;"><strong>— </strong><a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2013-09-26/peyton-manning-broncos-vs-eagles-offense-tempo-most-consistent-aikman" style="color: #020202;" target="" title=""><strong>Aikman's Hot Reads</strong></a><strong> | </strong><a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2013-09-26/week-4-nfl-podcast-drew-brees-saints-dolphins-monday-night-football" style="color: #020202;" target="" title=""><strong>Week 4 podcast</strong></a><strong> | </strong><a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2013-09-25/nfl-mock-draft-2014-bridgewater-clowney-mariota-hundley" style="color: #020202;" target="" title=""><strong>Best in class</strong></a><strong> | </strong><a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/video/1lko3z228quq61oyacbihlg4ai" style="color: #020202;" target="" title=""><strong>VIDEO: Ross Tucker's picks</strong></a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Apres RE', 'apres re', sans-serif; font-size: 1.166666em; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 22px;">Boldin had a monster debut with the 49ers after helping the Ravens beat San Francisco in the Super Bowl, but had been quiet along with the rest of the offense the previous two weeks. He had two highlight catches in the second quarter, a 42-yarder despite Cortland Finnegan getting flagged for holding, and a 20-yard score capped by a dive into the end zone after barely avoiding the sideline.</div><div class="hmedia embed-left" style="background-color: #f0f0f0; float: left; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px 20px 14px 0px; width: 330px;"><img class="photo" src="http://dy.snimg.com/story-image/1/59/4527825/181164-330-0.jpg" style="border: 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /><span class="caption fn" style="display: block; font-size: 0.916666em; padding: 8px 10px;">Colin Kaepernick was 15-for-23 for 167 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. (AP Photo)</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Apres RE', 'apres re', sans-serif; font-size: 1.166666em; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 22px;">Gore more than doubled his output from the first three weeks and got a lot more work, too, after totaling just 11 carries last week. Four days earlier, DeMarco Murray burned them for 175 yards in Dallas' 31-7 win.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Apres RE', 'apres re', sans-serif; font-size: 1.166666em; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 22px;">The Rams have trailed by double digits in every game, making up an 11-point deficit against Arizona in the opener but not gaps of 21 and 24 points against Atlanta and Dallas, and were down by 25 in the fourth quarter against San Francisco.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Apres RE', 'apres re', sans-serif; font-size: 1.166666em; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 22px;"><strong>— </strong><a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/team/25/san-francisco-49ers" style="color: #020202;" target="" title=""><strong>49ers team page</strong></a><strong> | </strong><a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/team/14/st-louis-rams" style="color: #020202;" target="" title=""><strong>Rams team page</strong></a><strong> | </strong><a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/statistics" style="color: #020202;" target="" title=""><strong>Statistical leaders</strong></a><strong> | </strong><a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2013-09-24/dj-hayden-raiders-rookie-scouting-report-cornerback-broncos-redskins-missed-tack" style="color: #020202;" target="" title=""><strong>Rookie report</strong></a><strong> | </strong><a href="http://linemakers.sportingnews.com/nfl/2013-09-24/super-bowl-48-odds-broncos-seahawks-patriots-cowboys-49ers-saints-packers-bears" style="color: #020202;" target="" title=""><strong>Super Bowl odds</strong></a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Apres RE', 'apres re', sans-serif; font-size: 1.166666em; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 22px;">They got hit by injuries, too, the worst of them when rookie safety T.J. McDonald was carted off with a leg injury in the second half.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Apres RE', 'apres re', sans-serif; font-size: 1.166666em; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 22px;">After mustering just 25 yards in the first quarter, the 49ers took a noisy crowd out of it in the second, averaging more than 11 yards per snap while piling up 176 yards and two touchdowns. Kaepernick was 8 for 12 for 104 yards in the half, all but 11 of those yards in the second quarter.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Apres RE', 'apres re', sans-serif; font-size: 1.166666em; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 22px;">The Rams went for it on 3rd-and-1 from the 49ers 34 and Donte Whitner's diving interception in the end zone set up an eight-play, 80-yard drive capped by Gore's 34-yard run on third-and-1 in the final minute that made it 14-3.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Apres RE', 'apres re', sans-serif; font-size: 1.166666em; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 22px;">The San Francisco defense took Gore off the hook for getting stripped by rookie Alec Ogletree and a turnover, forcing St. Louis into a three-and-out. Davis, who had been questionable with a because of a hamstring injury, broke open for an easy catch in the left side of the end zone to push the lead to 21-3.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Apres RE', 'apres re', sans-serif; font-size: 1.166666em; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 22px;">Boldin entered with 83 career receptions against the Rams, the most of any opponent he has faced.</div></div>

49ers pull away for win Thursday Night Football: After slow start Thursday Night Football: After slow start, 49ers pull away for win

http://www.sportingnews.com ST. LOUIS — Colin Kaepernick threw two touchdown passes, Frank Gore had his first 100-yard game of the season an...

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Matt Said Jay Said 8 28 38 49

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal">Matt: Let’s make this quick.<br />Jay: Good plan! Those fish sticks seemed …. “off.” <br />Matt: I didn’t need that shared with me. <br />Jay: I want to share my life with you.<br />Matt: That’s sweet, but don’t. <br />Jay: Hey now! You’ve never hesitated to overshare with me. <br />Matt: That’s different. <br />Jay: Oh. <br />Matt: Good. <br />Jay: Wait! <br />Matt: Oh God, here we go. <br />Jay: How is it different? <br />Matt: It just is. <br />Jay: I don’t think that’s a good enough answer. <br />Matt: I’m known for my oversharing. <br />Jay: And? <br />Matt: You’re not. <br />Jay: So? <br />Matt: Let’s just both stay in our lane. <br />Jay: Ohhhhhhh … Okay. <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/AVvXsEiF1PjlelyxRClIcT9gWkaCx53LecUAohC1AHmk8yfwOCICyEzjQk1JWWFmf2JqIoci4_9WoklFbwNJJgnrjtxK06HFx8Fan8Vt8XaP_HbYP5JbC5x28fMvRQKHUzr8ICn89fKv9wk-JYkE/s1600/Scarlett+Johansson+Hot+Sexy+Boobs+Cleavage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1PjlelyxRClIcT9gWkaCx53LecUAohC1AHmk8yfwOCICyEzjQk1JWWFmf2JqIoci4_9WoklFbwNJJgnrjtxK06HFx8Fan8Vt8XaP_HbYP5JbC5x28fMvRQKHUzr8ICn89fKv9wk-JYkE/s1600/Scarlett+Johansson+Hot+Sexy+Boobs+Cleavage.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Jay: Oh hey! <br />Matt: Yes? <br />Jay: We’re gonna introduce a new segment this week!<br />Matt: With a new LIVE correspondent. <br />Jay: Smugly Superior w/ Dana! <br />Matt: The role she was born to play. <br />Jay: Hell yeah. Not much of a stretch for her. <br />Matt: Well, you start with what you know. <br />Jay: True. <br />Matt: Is she gonna dis Breaking Bad?<br />Jay: I’m sure of it. <br />Matt: Good! I’m sick of hearing about that show.<br />Jay: You and me both. <br />Matt: It can’t possibly be THAT good. <br />Jay: I don’t see how. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyZv5GkUFSqnRELrywUnymLbqM2iiIiSmOsixt5whyxGYnFhSGIEEL8xS-6M86AHVAHZinnwpzokTaV9vyRm-GfSEBeekm23AHJJG_Xt-XJKpm5lKLmXau2ibioiLW7EHhSdjcQOPt4Yf/s1600/tamron+hall+iws+radio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyZv5GkUFSqnRELrywUnymLbqM2iiIiSmOsixt5whyxGYnFhSGIEEL8xS-6M86AHVAHZinnwpzokTaV9vyRm-GfSEBeekm23AHJJG_Xt-XJKpm5lKLmXau2ibioiLW7EHhSdjcQOPt4Yf/s1600/tamron+hall+iws+radio.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Matt: So what else for Sunday?<br />Jay: Another new segment. Tribute to the McLaughlin Group<br />Matt: Ha! I love that crazy old bastard. <br />Jay: He’s the greatest. <br />Matt: Oh! It’s “Confucius Day” <br />Jay: Really? We could work with that! <br />Matt: Especially when is lesser known brother PROfucius shows up. <br />Jay: I bet he’s ALMOST as brilliant as Confucius. <br />Matt: Yeah, ALMOST. <br />Jay: There’s lots of China stuff we can talk about. <br />Matt: Definitely. <br />Jay: What else?<br />Matt: Two words: Ted. Cruz. <br />Jay: HA! Is he still talking? <br />Matt: We’ll check in on Sunday.<br />Jay: I bet he’s reading off inspirational speeches from movie. <br />Matt: And maybe some other crazy-ass stuff. <br />Jay: That’s awesome. <br />Matt: And Paul Piatt<br />Jay: And EVEN MORE Drew Peacock<br />Matt: Schmoop loves him.<br />Jay: I know she does. <br />Matt: She just has a funny way of showing it. <br />Jay: And we’ll throw other stuff in as it comes up. <br />Matt: We can do it! <br />Jay: Oh the show title. <br />Matt: Hmm …. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Jay and Matt: <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/im-with-stupid/2013/09/29/cussin-the-egg-rolls" target="_blank">CUSSIN’ THE EGG ROLLS</a>! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Jay: Freaking brilliant. <br />Matt: Damn we’re good. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">That’s “<a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/im-with-stupid/2013/09/29/cussin-the-egg-rolls" target="_blank">Cussin’ the Egg Rolls</a>” this Sunday at 12 Noon ET on IWS Radio. Be there or something really terrible might happen. I mean, probably not, but why risk it? <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div></div>

Matt Said Jay Said 8 28 38 49

Matt: Let’s make this quick. Jay: Good plan! Those fish sticks seemed …. “off.” Matt: I didn’t need that shared with me. Jay: I want to shar...

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A New Character

I've wrote this a few times in my head and never seem to quite be able to put it into words.  I've struggled with this - both this for what this is and also whether or not to share it. <br /><br />I'd been planning to avoid the subject completely, basically censoring my own blog.  Or maybe start a second blog as a different person but lose the friendships i have here when i was a wearing the hat of a different person. Oh that doesn't make sense but i think you see what I'm getting at.<br /><br />And i love this community very much and am so so happy to have formed real friendships outside the confines of this blog.  And one of you in particular has really been that extra special friend and probably saved the last bits of my sanity.  Love you!!!!<br /><br />I like writing what's on my mind.  Yeah sometimes i go back a few hours later and ask myself what the fuck was I thinking and delete it.  But other times it's just helpful.  It's a hug.  It's advice.  It's a bit of companionship with a subject i can't discuss with friends out in the real world.  <br /><br />But in the end, this blog is for me, not for you. For me to censor myself or be forced to reinvent a new persona... that just doesn't seem right.  This is my space and a place i like to sort my thoughts.<br /><br />I know i'll be judged for this.  And i think I'm okay with that.  <br /><br />People say life is short.  It is, at least when you're 90 and you're looking back at your life.  You look back and reminisce about good times and you also have regrets.  Some of those regrets are where you went wrong, but many are where you didn't bother to go right.  You lived a good life, you did the safe things.  But what about all those things you didn't get to do?  Now you can't, you're 90.  That's when life is short.  You're out of time.<br /><br />So here's what dawned on me... Life is long, really freaking long.  I'm 38.  I hope i haven't hit the halfway point of my life.  Yet, here i am, looking back at my life with those same regrets.  Bad choices, oh hell, there's a lot of bad choices.  Good and safe choices, yeah got those too.  Regrets of things I didn't do or can't do?  Far too many.  And you know what? I'm not 90.  I don't have to accept never experiencing things i want to.  I have time.  And i'm going to live it.  I refuse to spend the next however many decades wallowing in this state of "I wish I'd gotten a chance to..." for the sole reason that not experiencing things is the right or safe or proper choice.  I guess i've finally realized things that are basically on my bucket list can be taken care of while I'm still young enough to enjoy it (perhaps over and over again) even if it's not proper or safe or right.<br /><br />It's a bit past 11 pm here and i'm alone in bed writing this.  My family had some fun plans for the afternoon and evening, he promised and then it didn't happen.   I know better than to tell the kids anything anymore.  But i know.  He didn't get home until very late and now he's upstairs working out.  Other things take massive priority over me.  It hurts, it just sucks plain and simple.  Will I leave him because he ignores me?  No... but these long evenings alone, stuck in the house because of the little Things a'snooze in their beds... it just gives me more time to reflect upon empty places in my soul.  <br /><br />This post really isn't giving you much information, i know.  And I'm not sure when or if i will.  I just feel like I need to go ahead and get this out of the way so when the time comes to bring it up, it's not shocking news.<br /><br />There's another character to add to my story.  His name is Sir.<br /><br />No, i'm not (and will not <i>ever</i> be) having sex with anyone other than myself, and then my husband when I'm lucky.  This is understood between Sir and i.  Which probably doesn't make any sense either but please just take it at face value that it's the truth.

A New Character

I've wrote this a few times in my head and never seem to quite be able to put it into words.  I've struggled with this - both this f...

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