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Friday evening we relaxed. Jill got home early from work, and I wasn't hungry, so she made egg salad. She asked me to make bacon, and that made me hungry, so I made some breakfast burritos. We were going to watch Threshold, but it was a repeat, so I caught up on Daily Show and Bill Maher, and finally finished a DVD I was happy with (Queen, working on an emmet swimming one now). Saturday I got up relatively early for a neurosoma appointment at 10. I ran errands afterwards, making it to Reston in time for a 1:30 hair appointment (with the only place allowed to cut my hair, according to Jill). Got back home and put everything away in time to leave to go over to Mom's.
We'd brought Illa over to Mom's twice before without incident – he'd race around for a bit, then hang out. This time was a bit different. One of the neighbor's dogs jumped the fence, and Trina was active, but two dogs weren't enough. The neighbors on the corner had two dogs, and he could hear them but not see them. So he got a running jump, then cleared the four foot fence of the neighbor behind Mom. I jumped the fence behind him and gave chase. The only reason I caught him is he was racing around the house with the dogs, trying to get to them. I grabbed him by the collar and frog marched him back to Mom's, where he stayed on lead the rest of the visit.
We're disappointed, because that was one place we thought we could let him off leash and he'd be ok. So we went back home, and he was pretty pooped, so I watched TV (old Alias and Smallville) while Jill did homework. That extra hour of sleep was nice, and instead of being rushed to take him out before the football game, I took my time. Coincidentally, our neighbor dog Bear (the lab) was out, so I put Illa on lead and attached the other end to me, and that worked ok. Maybe next time at Mom's we'll put him on two leads and that'll be enough. The football game didn't go so well, but I finished off the newspapers and made a good stab at straightening out the office and paid bills tonight.
Author hemisphirePosted on October 30, 2005 Categories Personal
Palm-icious
Since we didn't have time for a private dinner on the weekend, tonight Jill took me to the Palm in Tysons Corner. Whoo boy am I stuffed. Asparagus and crab soup and calamari to start, then Jill had the mahi mahi and I had a 16 ounce filet mignon, and we wrapped it all up with carrot cake. And I think we have enough for another meal in the fridge now. The food and service were fabulous. Jill hadn't been there before, but I'm almost certain I have (the building is the one I got my LASIK done in, but I know I didn't use valet parking for that, and I have a vivid memory of using that parking, though not the Palm itself).
Cruise update
Sounds like we're going to Costa Maya instead of Cozumel.
From cruisecritic.com:
Wilma Destroys, Damages Cozumel Cruise Piers
(12:30 p.m.) — Cozumel is currently closed to all cruise ship traffic, and at least one of the three piers on the island has been destroyed — the Puerto Maya Pier was lost during Hurricane Wilma. Reuters describes Puerto Maya as having been "pulverized, massive chunks of concrete torn away and thrown onto the beach." The International Pier and Punta Langosta Pier have sustained damages and are being assessed, according to a representative for the port.
The fate of these piers affects nearly every major cruise line as Cozumel is a mainstay on Western Caribbean routes. However, Carnival Corp. (the parent company of Carnival, Princess, Holland America, Seabourn and Windstar, among others) is particularly affected as it has invested a good deal of time and money in creating shopping areas — and the now-destroyed Puerto Maya pier — in Cozumel.
Electricity is out on the island, and a timeframe has not yet been established for repair and recovery. However, a representative for Costa Maya tells us they are expecting to accommodate additional cruise ships due to the closure of Cozumel until April of 2006 — six months from now. Ships that are anticipated to visit Costa Maya in lieu of Cozumel include Carnival's Carnival Valor, Sensation and Inspiration; Princess' Star Princess; Disney's Disney Magic; NCL's Norwegian Sun; and Holland America's Volendam, Veedam and Zuiderdam.
Costa Maya's pier and surrounding complex sustained no damage and continue to operate at 100 percent capacity; all shore excursions are up and running.
From Carnival's Costa Maya shore excursions list, the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins seems like a good replacment for the one we'd planned on doing from Cozumel. It's also cheaper to do a tour not affiliated with Carnival.
Happy unhappy happy birthday
Friday we went out with my friend John and his kids to Fuddrucker's. I wanted an ostrich burger, but there's apparently a shortage right now, so I settled for a regular 1/2 pound burger and fries (just about the only place I always get fries because I can put melted cheese and jalapenos on them). Afterwards, we went home and watched Threshold, then I went online while Jill caught up on Lost.
Saturday was my birthday, and initially we were planning on spending the night in Richmond after going to my college homecoming. But my buddy Rusty would be gone until late evening after homecoming, so we changed our plans to go home afterwards, then up to the Baltimore area to catch Eddie From Ohio in their first show since Julie'd been diagnosed with breast cancer. We were already planning on leaving Illa at doggy day care overnight, so we dropped him off around 8:30 and headed south. My fraternity has just been reinstated at my college, and it was nice to see the letters up and the pictures on the walls.
We were there about an hour and a half before I remembered to turn my cell on (usually turn it off on the road, both for driving and the way it drains the battery). I had a voice mail from the doggy day care. Illa had been there previously for a half day and a whole day without incident. They told us he got along fine with the little dogs, unlike the other big dogs, including another malamute (which in hindsight should have been a warning). A little while after we left, he was in with the small dogs and crushed a yorkie. As far as we know, no one was watching them at that exact moment and so it's unknown if he was provoked or not (although Lezlie from mal rescue tells us yorkies and most other small dogs do not get along with mals). We decided to come right back and get him. When we did, we discovered the yorkie had died from its injuries, and Illa was banned.
We're still kinda shocked, though we wished we had conferred with Lezlie first as she doesn't feel mals do well in day care. We feel horrible for the yorkie's owners, but don't feel comfortable contacting them. We're just going to keep him away from any creatures smaller than him – we still want to keep him, and have to remember he's not a human, and doesn't have the feelings we would have in a similar situation. He was unaware of the situation, and we just took him home and walked him.
The rest of the night was better. We rode with Stuart, his daughter, and Meg (other Edheads from Falcon Ridge) up to Owings Mills, where we met another 8 Edheads at CJ's Crab House, a seafood place. We had a classic Baltimore waitress, and a good meal. The show was very moving, and Julie looked great. They brought out "The Water Is Wide" and "Oh My Brother", and we were amazed, both at how good the band was, and the crowd response (half first timers!). Got home late, and went to bed later as I tried to catch up on newspapers.
Sunday I got up around 12:30, walked Illa, heated up breakfast, cleaned the kitchen and master bath, and watched the Skins pulverise the Niners while I read more newspapers (caught up to Saturday). Jill slept 'til almost 4, then helped take car of Illa while I loaded the car with recyclables. We went out around 6, she needed to run an errand at CVS, then I looked for a tub stopper at Home Depot.
We met my family at 7 at Sweetwater. First time for most of them, and everybody enjoyed it. I made Jill drive so I could have the beer sampler (or beer on a stick), and had the prime rib while she had the jambalaya (and the tasty bread too). Then we headed over to my mom's for cake. My big gift was the Complete Calvin and Hobbes. Enormous and attractive, I only have one complaint: the commentary from Watterson in The Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book and Calvin and Hobbes: Sunday Pages 1985-1995 are not inclued, neither are the original b&w Sunday strips from the latter. Small complaint, I know, but if you bill yourself as complete, you shouldn't leave anything out.
Author hemisphirePosted on October 24, 2005 Categories Personal2 Comments on Happy unhappy happy birthday
U2: pretty good opening band
Thursday morning I took Illa to doggie day care, then went to work. Jill picked him up and deposited his worn out self at home, then picked me up at work at 5:40. We slogged through heavy rush hour traffic, getting to Ballston around 6:45. Talking in the car, we'd decided to go to FlatTop Grill, the Mongolian BBQ place. Of course I remembered I had a buy one, get one free birthday coupon in my email, so Jill dropped me at Kinko's and I went in and printed it out while she found parking. The meal was good, but we didn't get out of there until 8. We drove down to Clarendon and parked, then hopped on Metro. We got to MCI center around 8:45, and went in. We'd missed the opening act (started at 7:30), and figured U2 would have started by then, but we would have seen the start if we hadn't stopped for a bathroom break. Good show and pretty decent seats, but as we discussed later, the seats we'd had for the Queen + PR show were so awesome, these paled in comparison. Can't beat the setlist, though, and Bono was in fine form.
We left during the second encore, and headed back to Clarendon. Our reason for parking there was emmet swimming playing at the Clarendon Grill. Normally I like to catch all of their show, but I made an exception for U2. The club was pretty packed, and they had good beer (#9 on tap here now, but it was broken so I had a hefeweizen and Jill had a Blue Moon). We didn't stay to the end, either (it was almost 1 when we left), though we did see accordian king David Strickland join them for a couple songs and a nice crowd singalong on a cover of "Wish You Were Here". Ran into construction traffic on 66 and got home around 1:30. Thankfully, Illa was still out of it and just wanted some belly rubs before we put him back to bed.
Author hemisphirePosted on October 21, 2005 Categories Music
A short moment of panic among the monotony
A normal night, or so I thought. I was working a little late, had to go and pick up the weekly vegetables from the farm, and got home just in time to walk Illa before I watched CIC.
Except he was jumping up as I tried to attach his leash, and I didn't do a good job, because as soon as he pulled, the leash came off. We were in the back and I ran after him around the front. He thought it was a fun game and ran circles around me, not letting me get close enough. I was deathly afraid he'd go right towards the parkway, and once when he did he came back when I screamed.
The second time he didn't listen, but someone was looking out for us as the parkway traffic had a red light. And as soon as he crossed the street he pooped, and I caught up with him before he finished (even had the presence of mind to bag it).
We had a nice slow walk after that, but I was fairly wigged out. Went back in and played with him as I watched CIC, then most of Bowling For Columbine as I made an enormous breakfast dish and burgers for dinner. Didn't finish 'til after 11, and I just got through posting some eBay auctions (Queen stuff I want to get out now while there's publicity, and before the cruise). Now a short sleep.
Queen weekend Part 2 – Crown jewels
We tried to check in to the hotel before we got to the arena, but the hotel I'd booked (Extended Stay America – again on Priceline) was on a service road off Route 3, and AAA had had trouble trying to map it, and the directions were lousy, and when we got to the spot indicated, the hotel wasn't there. Running late, we got a little lost before I just headed south looking for big roads. We were supposed to be at the arena at 2:30 – we got there at 2:20. I'd purchased the premium ticket package which included "a guided tour of the backstage area and tea party with other fans". They put us in two groups, and the first one went off at 3, ours didn't leave until 3:30. It was a nice tour, and they did have tea and cookies, but I won't lie – I was hoping to meet the band, or at least catch soundcheck. Still, the people we met were nice, and part of the swag we did get included an autographed program, and the night did get much better.
I called the hotel for directions, and it was pretty easy to get there from the arena. We checked in, dropped our stuff off, then headed over the NJ turnpike to a nearby mall to get dinner. Jill had a craving for chicken pasta dish at Pizzeria Uno's, so we went there. I had a pepperoni and ham sandwich, Jill had a beer, and I had Jameson's and diet coke (the waiter was new, and first tried to bring my drink as a glass of diet coke and a shot of Jameson's). We didn't take long, and were back at the arena by 7. Our lanyards got us back in the VIP bar, so we sat at the bar and had a couple drinks, finally heading down to the floor just before 8, when they were scheduled to start. Now I knew we had third row seats, so I was pretty psyched, but was astounded when we got there. The middle section of seats in the front was removed to make way for a catwalk, and our seats were right next to it! (see the red dot in this picture). They took an extra half hour to get out, but even Jill was starting to get excited. The opening music came on (a remix of "It's A Beautiful Day"), and we were up and waiting. The real intro was to Eminem's "Lose Yourself", then Paul came out followed by the rest of the band to thunderous acclaim.
To anyone whose read this far and is wondering "didn't Freddie die?", yes, he did. But any time more than one member of Queen gets together (with Elton John, Robbie Williams, George Michael), they bill it as Queen + singer. Last spring, they'd gotten together with Paul Rodgers, legendary vocalist from Free, Bad Company, and the Firm for a British TV show, and had hitten it off well enough to do a small European tour. I very much wanted to go, but decided the airfare, tix, and hotel for two people was just too expensive. But this was the first of two shows in the US (other is in LA next week) and I had to go. I knew it would be a great show, but if it wasn't the best show I've ever seen, it was damn close.
They opened with "Reaching Out" (a charity song Paul had done with Brian) and went straight into "Tie Your Mother Down", "Fat Bottomed Girls" and "Another One Bites The Dust". Little breather with "Crazy Little Thing Called Love", then Paul brought out the first of his hits with "Bad Company". Paul took a break and Roger stepped out to sing the only new song, "Say It's Not True" (written for Nelson Mandela's 46664 benefit), then Brian came out alone to sing "'39" and "Love Of My Life" with crowd accompaniment. I was worried when they dropped "'39" from their warm up show in Aruba the week before, even going so far as emailing Brian to put it back in. Don't know if he saw it, but it was fantastic. He started a slow version of "Hammer To Fall" out there, then Paul joined him to take it into the fast version. Another Paul classic with "Feel Like Makin' Love", then Roger spotlighted again with a drum solo and his big hit "I'm In Love With My Car" (which means that both Brian and Roger did the songs they sung lead on "A Night At The Opera", their biggest album, which also features "Bohemian Rhapsody", but I'm getting ahead of myself).
Brian returned to the stage for his epic "Brighton Rock" solo, leading into "Last Horizon" from his first solo album. Roger came back to sing "These Are The Days Of Our Lives", then started "Radio Ga Ga", with Paul coming in halfway through. Two Bad Company tunes next, "Can't Get Enough" and "Rock & Roll Fantasy", followed by "I Want It All". The show closer was of course "Bohemian Rhapsody". They started with Freddie on the big screen for the first part, then Paul came out for the rocking bits, finishing up with a duet at the end – very nicely done. The encore was "The Show Must Go On", then the Free classic "All Right Now", and they couldn't end with anything but "We Will Rock You" and "We Are The Champions".
We were sorry to see it end. I was surprised to see Jill totally get into the show, screaming with a couple girls next to us everytime someone came by on the catwalk, and going nuts when Paul stopped to shake our hands. I took a buttload of pictures, and a third came out really well (I also kept some of the oddities). The show was everything I could have ever asked for (except for having Freddie back of course). Paul is an incredible singer and showman, and Brian and Roger haven't lost any of their vocal talent and musicanship. I was just amazed to be standing close enough to Brian to touch him as he played.
We weren't in a hurry to leave, tried to see if we could get back into the VIP bar and failed, and found we'd parked in a lot close to the exit. We drove around looking for a place that sold beer but were SOL, we settled for a stop at White Castle. Fortified with grease, we went to sleep – got up at 4:30 for a 6:10 flight. Uneventful trip, and Illa was very happy to see us at the vet in the morning.
Author hemisphirePosted on October 18, 2005 March 26, 2021 Categories Music
Queen weekend Part 1 – Family matters
Friday night, Jill made soup, and we rushed around like banshees cleaning and packing. I misplaced my Brian May t-shirt, and spent at least 30 minutes looking for it. We watched Threshold and Bill Maher, but didn't get any other time to attack our backlog of TV. Jill noticed a little after 11 Illa hadn't gone out since 5:30, and I was getting ready to take him out when I noticed a suspicious spot on the dining room floor. Sure enough, he'd gone without every letting us know he needed to go. Not sure if it was us rushing around or something else.
Saturday we got up and going. I made breakfast, cleaned up and printed boarding passes while Jill took Illa to club vet and got some coffee. We got to Dulles right on schedule, got to our gate with plenty of time to sit back and read. The flight on Independence was fine, and we were in Newark right on time. We got the rental car from National (would have used Enterprise, but all the rentals were expensive in New York, so I used Priceline), and got on the road. After a couple mixups (AAA wanted to send us through downtown Newark and there was traffic on 280 and unclear directions after we got off), we got to the retirement community where my grandmother lives (technically step-grandmother, but my mom's mother passed away before I was born). My uncle and aunt were waiting there, and we went in to see her. Nice apartment, pretty sizeable, and I took some pictures of the group. Soon my cousins with wives and children in tow arrived, then we went out to dinner at Frank's Trattoria, where we split some NY style pizza (though Jill opted for a calzone). Afterwards we followed my uncle and aunt back to their place and hung out for a while, then went to my older cousin's house for coffee and dessert. A little more chatting back at my aunt and uncle's, and we were ready for bed.
Sunday Jill slept in past 11 as she'd had a tough time getting to sleep. I talked with my aunt over tea, then Jill got up and had breakfast with us shortly before my uncle got back from church. It was good to see them, hadn't seen any of them since our wedding, but 1PM was time to go…
Author hemisphirePosted on October 17, 2005 March 25, 2021 Categories Personal
How to write an eBay auction
Make with the clicky (ganked from Mark Evanier.
Ok, off again.
Author hemisphirePosted on October 15, 2005 Categories Humor
The new TV season has two clear winners so far. Commander In Chief is great – Geena Davis is very believable balancing work and motherhood as president, and the casting is superb. Threshold is another good one, they keep on bringing up ideas out of left field, unlike the very predictable Invasion. Kolchak is ok, feels very X-Files (there's an ongoing mystery he's looking for clues for, and some eps will deal with that, some won't – the pilot was the strongest so far).
My favorite returning show has been Smallville. Maybe they just didn't know if they'd get this far, but they're pulling out all the stops on this show, and it's better than ever (surpise hookups, betrayals, new villians – including James Marsters). Second place would be Lost (ooh, this week's was good, Hurley is always cool), but Alias is fun (waiting to see how the new cast members fit in, Syd pregnant is a little odd, but they're rolling with it), West Wing is gathering steam (I can't wait for the debates), Desperate Housewives is mostly good (I like the basement plot).
Been missing Simpsons and Family Guy to a combination of being out on Sundays (thus taping WW and DH) and now them being preempted for baseball playoffs. Hopefully will catch up by spring.
Author hemisphirePosted on October 14, 2005 Categories TV


I'm tweeting the bits of two days of workshops about the ethics of the Web and the Internet that I find contentious and interesting, and will transpose my thoughts in another post after. First is the British Library's and Web Science Trust's Ethics and the Web. The second is the Oxford Internet Institute and Royal Academy of Engineering's Internet and Ethics seminar.
If you'd like to follow my stream – and indeed the community's conversation – you can do so @aleksk and #webEthics.
Full disclosure: I'm one of the co-organisers of both workshops.


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Rima R. Moawad
rmoawad@loeb.com
电话 +1.212.407.4052
我的服务
Rima Moawad focuses her practice on the representation of private equity firms and management groups in domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, going private and other corporate transactions.
Rima is also active in a number of nonprofit organizations, including the Lebanese International Finance Executives (LIFE), where she served as a board member; Social and Economic Action for Lebanon (SEAL), where she also serves as a board member; as well as the Mata Amritanandamayi Math, one of India's largest non-governmental organizations.
Represented Daher Capital, a Beirut-based family office and a principal investor in Kyriba, a fintech company, in connection with the take-control of Kyriba by Bridgepoint Capital and a growth investment round in Kiryba, in a transaction valued at $1.2 billion.
Represented BetterDoctor, a healthcare IT company, in its sale to Quest Analytics, a portfolio company of Vestar Capital.
Represented Rho Acceleration, a division of Rho Capital, in its $25 Million growth equity investment in Skyword, a digital marketing company.
Represented Health Catalyst Capital in a number of capital investments in the healthcare IT space.
Select examples of Rima's prior experience include:
Representation of Neuberger Berman in connection with its management buyout from Lehman Brothers; the repurchase of the balance of Lehman's equity stake in Neuberger for approximately $1.5 billion; and various private placements of equity securities.
Representation of Grifols S.A. in connection with its acquisition of a 35 percent equity stake in Aradigm Corporation (Nasdaq: ARDM) and its $4 billion leveraged buyout of Talecris Biotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: TLCR).
Representation of Bed Bath & Beyond in its $580 million acquisition of Cost Plus, Inc. (Nasdaq: CPWM).
Representation of the founder and controlling stockholder of Affiliated Computer Systems in connection with the company's $6.4 billion merger with Xerox Corporation.
Representation of Merrill Lynch Global Private Equity in more than 20 transactions, including the $33 billion leveraged buyout of HCA.
新闻与见解
Loeb & Loeb Advises Daher Capital in Investment in Kyriba
消息/新闻稿
CFNews (France): Kyriba se paie un fonds majoritaire
New Funds Provide Back Door to Coveted GPs
Loeb & Loeb Expands Corporate and Private Equity Practice in NY with Addition of Partner Rima Moawad
Harvard Law School, 法学硕士
University of Paris II - Assas, Maîtrise
University of Paris II - Assas, License
消息/新闻稿 Loeb & Loeb Counsels NV5 Global, Inc. in its Acquisition of WHPacific
Experience Represented NV5 in its Acquisition of GeoDesign
Awards and Accolades The Recorder Honors Arash Khalili Among 2019 California Trailblazers

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


We humans have an innate magnetism for open-air smoke, and char-grilled meat. Especially if it is a weekend and the whole family is here watching fixtures and drinking beer. The Charcoal BBQ Smoker Grill is the ideal partner a grill master would want to have. A powder-coated, stainless steel grill that found the perfect combination of style and functionality.
Extra strong shelf holds up plates of meat and condiment.
Just fold it down when not in use.
This also comes handy when holding up your drinks while you turn the meat.
The small things make big difference. Attached within the frame is a bottle opener.
You can't drink and drive, but you sure can drink and grill!
The Charcoal BBQ Grill sports an extra layer of grate for keeping cooked food warm on top of the spacious cooking area.
Utility hooks attached to the side shelf keeps your tongs organised.
Control the heat temperature with the crank on the side of the hood.
Thick framing and wheels makes sure your BBQ grill is stable but movable.
The Charcoal BBQ comes with an ash drawer to ensure that charcoal particles do not get to your food.
Assembled Dimensions 115cm x 107cm x 65cm 3'9" x 3'6" x 2'2"
Grilling Area (WxL) 36cm x 55cm 1'2" x 1'10"


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A top Trump administration intelligence official warned of the "real potential" of war between Israel and Hizbullah that could bring in Iran and embroil the region in conflict.
Thus began a conversation of more than 40 years, as Arab and Jew learned to discuss the complexities of the problem that still embroils the Middle East today.
Then Gandalf, the wandering wizard, embroils the unassuming hobbit in a treasure hunt by telling a group of dwarves that Bilbo is a burglar.
Luther's enterprising friend Sparky is dying to get out of Flint, and he has hatched a get-richquick scheme, involving a rat and a lawyer whose phone number is 1-800-SUE-EMALL, in which he embroils Luther.
It is a delicate balance between the two characters that embroils the women in their lives as well as the authorities.
Luther's enterprising friend Sparky is dying to get out of Flint, and he has hatched a get-rich-quick scheme, involving a rat and a lawyer whose phone number is 1-800-SUE-EM-ALL, in which he embroils Luther.


Local young people from The Prince's Trust have been rolling up their sleeves to support Sanctuary Care residents in Edmonton, London this summer.
Eight young people aged 17 to 25, known as 'Team 4 The Unstoppable' dug deep to support residents and the team at Sanctuary Care's Parkview House Residential Care Home in Edmonton by giving the home's garden a facelift.
Adding a spot more colour, a new shed and a space for tables and chairs, the local young people planned the green-fingered facelift from start to finish – including deciding what improvements to carry out and raising money with charitable car washes and bake sales.
To thank the blossoming team for all their hard work, residents and the team at the Houndsfield Road home hosted a high-tea garden party for everyone to admire the young team's efforts.
The Prince's Trust Team programme has been supporting young people from different background and levels of achievement to work together in their local communities.
Over the last 25 years, the programme has been developed to meet changing needs, including an increased focus on employability skills to a more clearly-defined target group.
Community projects are a key part of the programme, both to the development of teamwork and contribution to the community. All projects are based on a volunteering basis and the cost is fully covered by the fundraising events that the young people organise.


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MLBTR Chat with Steve Adams 5-10-16
Greetings! If only there were some large, headline-grabbing news to discuss since the last time I hosted one of these. I'll get started in one minute, regardless.
(Feel free to start asking questions now though of course)
Did u know there's a player in the nba named Steven Adams? Craziest mustache and a weird pony tail. Pretty good though.
You've no proof that we're not one and the same!
Actually, you do. He spells his name with a V, aka the lame way. it's all about the PH.
Should Arizona trade one of Lamb or Drury for an SP?
I'm probably higher on Lamb, of the two, but I'd hang onto both if they feel Drury can play a passable second base. The Jean Segura smoke and mirrors show is fun while it lasts, but this is the same time of entirely BABIP-fueled spike we've seen from him before and it's not going to last. Some gains in contact rate mean maybe there's a bit of genuine improvement here, but not much.
May as well shop Segura, though I doubt many people are sudden believers in him based on a few weeks of hot hitting
Noah h
Who do you think Lincecum will sign with and will he be a starter or bullpen
He wants to start somewhere and will sign wherever gives him a clear opportunity to do so. Angels look like a good fit, in that regard, at the moment. Just a guess.
Metss
Bart for Cooperstown!
Greatest home run ever? Yes or YES? I vote both.
Matt E
Two of the seven biggest deals in baseball. Does this impact Washington's chances of signing/extending Harper?
I don't think they ever had a great chance at extending him in the first place, though I'd have said the same about Strasburg yesterday. I'd be surprised if Harper signed for anything under $400MM. The Nats have enough deferred money in the Strasburg/Scherzer deals, though, that if they get the MASN mess settled and don't need to rely as heavily on deferrals, they can probably work something out with Bryce, too.
What's your reaction to a Strasburg extension?
Genuine shock at both the timing and size of the deal.
The latter being "Only $175MM?" Not "Wow, $175MM!"
I called Tim Dierkes just to ramble with him for ~20 minutes about how much we were both stunned by the deal when word leaked yesterday.
Any word on Michael Morse now that he's a FA?
There are a lot of people, both on Twitter and in the comments on our site, that seem surprised he hasn't signed, and I don't really get it. He was genuinely awful at the plate in 2015 and in 2013, and you can't put him anywhere in the field and feel OK about it. He'll take a minors deal somewhere, but no nothing as to where that'll be.
Not saying it will happen, but humor us. Angels trade mike trout to the Cubs for... (A guy can dream)
Addison Russell, Willson Contreras, and several other MLB-ready or current MLB assets with control remaining? I'm sure they wouldn't trade Bryant, but the Halos would probably ask for him, and rightfully so. The asking price would be so outlandish for Cubs fans that it'd make you genuinely angry if they did it.
Why did you suggest Jake Arrieta was a one year wonder, he's proven that wasn't a one year thing
I have never, ever, ever suggested that. I've pointed out to those who have made such claims on Twitter that it's a preposterous statement and have been fully on the Arrieta train since early 2014 when he started down the path to a five-win season that no one apparently paid any attention to.
How long for the coaching staff in Minnesota
Jim Pohlad just recently gave a full backing to Terry Ryan and Paul Molitor, because the Twins are the most overly loyal organization in baseball, if not pro sports, so I'm sure the coaches are fine.
Would the brewers trade Jerremy Jeffress and is he worth anything?
I think they'd move him but only for a fairly substantial package. He's definitely worth something as a controllable, still-reasonably-cheap reliever (he'll probably make ~$3.5MMish this winter?) with three years of club control.
What are these buttons at the bottom of the chat?
I don't have the same interface on the back end that you do, so I'm not sure. My suggestion, as is the case with all enigmatic buttons, is to just push them rampantly. Nothing can ever go wrong there.
Will Votto or Bruce be traded by the Trade Deadline?
Votto no -- full no-trade and has said he wants to remain in Cincy, so I'd be pretty surprised. Bruce seems very likely to me, though his sudden inability to draw a walk isn't doing his value any favors.
What do the Pirates do with their outfielders? With Polanco extended and Meadows in the far, who is the odd-man out?
I believe that's what teams call a "good problem to have." I'd imagine Meadows will draw his fair share of trade interest, but he also hasn't even played at Triple-A yet. Bucs could easily hang onto all of them for another year to safeguard themselves against injury, and then if everyone's healthy next winter give more serious consideration to including Meadows in some kind of package deal for an MLB upgrade.
Is it safe to say that sabermetrics finally caught up with the Royals?
The Royals made two consecutive World Series appearances, including a win, based enormously on buying into the concepts of defensive value, contact rate, and baserunning. To suggest that they're an anti-Sabermetric team would just be wrong.
Who's the best player in baseball right now?
I'll take Harper
Surprised or not that Seattle is in first this "far" into the season?
Not surprised -- I wouldn't have picked them to win the West prior to the season, admittedly, but Jeff and I chatted on the podcast prior to the year about how the AL West was one of many divisions that we considered a complete toss-up, with specific mention of the Mariners' improvements. I liked most of Dipoto's offseason moves, with the exception of trading Carson Smith for Wade Miley, so I did think they'd be an improved club
Disable emojis in future chats?
Yes! (75.8% | 225 votes)
No! (24.2% | 72 votes)


text:
How the Covid vaccines will impact length of lockdown
England went into one hard lock stop the spiraling COVID-19 hospital stays and relieve the health system. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the new lockdown would last at least seven weeks, but it is safe to assume that this is the case in many hospitals close to capacityIt stays in place for as long as necessary to minimize the risk of overwhelming the NHS.
In the meantime, the government is betting that the House will step up its vaccination program to offer a vaccination first COVID-19 vaccine dose to 13.8 million people by mid-February, including up to all over 70s. Not everyone who is eligible will take one, but we can given the UK normally expects quite a high level of acceptance comes close To meet the World Health Organization's goal of including 75% of the flu vaccine in those over 65.
Assuming these ambitious vaccine goals can be achieved, how much pressure is there on hospitals to ease?
Vaccines could lower absorption
Public Health England numbers show that people over 70 are at highest risk of being hospitalized due to COVID-19. People aged 85 and over are particularly at risk. Their hospital risk over the past two months was roughly twice that of 75 to 84 year olds, four times that of 65 to 74 year olds, and more than ten times that of groups under 65.
Our own calculations that combine Public Health England figures The Office of National Statistics population figures show that around 60% of new admissions of COVID-19 in December 2020 were from patients over the age of 70.
Admission of COVID-19 patients to hospitals in England in December 2020 by age group. Recognition: Peter Sivey, James Gaughan
According to preliminary data For COVID-19 hospitalized patients who have not been admitted to the intensive care unit, older patients stay in hospital longer on average – those over 75 years of age stay eight to ten days compared to six days for patients aged 50 to 64 years. This means that older patients make up an even larger proportion of patients in the hospital than those originally admitted.
Therefore, prioritizing protecting this older age group from infection with vaccines can greatly reduce the pressure on hospitals.
Intensive care will still feel pressure
The most heavily used hospital areas were intensive care units bursting at the seamsespecially in London and in the South East despite capacity expansions.
As with general hospitalizations, immunizing most people over 70 will help relieve these pressures. However, this effect is less in intensive care units for two reasons.
First, ICU patients with COVID-19 have an average age of only 62 years; less than a third of these patients are over 70 years old.
Second, ICU patients are also in hospital for much longer on average, roughly twice as long as COVID-19 patients without an ICU. This means that vaccination admissions will take longer to reduce pressure on ICU patient numbers.
Therefore, it may not be possible until people in their fifties and sixties are immunized, and even then, there will be delays due to the long length of stay of many patients in need of intensive care.
Will the ban take effect?
It is hoped that the new lockdown regulations, including school closures, will give the vaccination program time to achieve these desired effects. The Prime Minister has indicated February 22, after the mid-term break, as the first possible time for the schools to reopen. How likely is it that this goal will be achieved?
The four-week lockdown in November in England saw one Flatten in hospital numbers with no significant decline. It's unclear whether the current easing, which is tougher, will be enough to reverse the recent sharp surge in infection rates – which is believed to be due to a new variant of COVID-19 – in the seven weeks ending February 22nd.
And at the time of writing the Number of patients in hospital in England with COVID-19 already exceeds the first high observed in April 2020: 27,727 on January 7, 2021 compared to 18,669 on April 10, 2020.
At the start of the lockdown in November, the number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital was only 10,994. Starting from a worse position, this could take longer than before. With the initial lockdown, restrictions that started in late March weren't lifted until early June.
It is hoped that vaccination for most people over 70 when first introduced will ease pressures on hospital capacity alongside the lockdown, thus speeding up the return to manageable levels, although there are time lags at each stage.
It takes at least a few weeks for patients to develop immunity to vaccines, and a drop in hospital admissions lags behind the drop in infection rates from vaccination. Any decline in the number of patients actually in hospital (especially those in intensive care) will lag even further.
The proposed February 22nd date to ease the lockdown and opening of schools seems optimistic. Based on the experience in November and in view of the current development, the hospital numbers and the pressure in the intensive care unit will not have decreased significantly by then, even in the best case. Reopening schools and relaxing other measures in mid-March seems more plausible.
Peter Sivey, Reader for Health Economics, Center for Health Economics, University of York and James Gaughan, Research Associate, Health Economics, University of York
This article is republished by The conversation under a Creative Commons license. read this original article.
Categories World News Tags COVID, impact, Length, lockdown, Vaccines


This detached holiday home with private swimming pool is located in the Puig Sec district of the town of L Escala. The holiday home has a large garden and a partially covered terrace which assures you can find a spot in the shade during the warmer days. Prepare a lovely meal with the family on the barbeque and enjoy a well deserved holiday!L Escala is the most southerly village on the bay of Rosas. Here you can enjoy the peace and quiet or undertake some of the activities which L Escala and the environs have to offer. Whether you love sports such as diving. windsurfing. cycling or golfing. or are on the hunt for culture. Visit the famous Dali museum in Figueres only a 30 minute drive away.


8 where can i buy antabuse in the uk mail is given. Condensed milk is useful if fresh milk is not procurable.
33 where to get antabuse in massachusetts lpn of urea excreted daily for a long period of time for individual cases.


One of the simplest ways to send money overseas is through a bank or building society, although you can also use high street transfer firms, such as Western Union. Others use foreign exchange (FX) brokers, or money transfer companies.
How much will it cost you to send money abroad? The company breaks your cost into three categories: foreign exchange rates, the cost you or your recipient will have to pay for recipient to receive the money, and the cost for transferring the money.
Some companies charge more than others. Forex agencies tend to be cheaper than others when sending large amounts. Money transfer companies are more expensive for sending amounts under $60.
If you live in Britain, check that your money transfer firm or FX broker is Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) authorised. Better still, check that they are under the 'authority' of the FCA. Fx brokers and money transfer schemes are not covered by compensation schemes, so you can lose your money if they fail. If they are simply 'registered' by the FCA, they do not need to safeguard your money if they collapse. On the other hand, if they are 'authorized' by the FCA, they are required to keep your money separate from company funds, so you may be able to sue.
Verify transaction rates and the amount of time it takes for your funds to reach its destination, as well as confirm that the company can handle the amount of money you want transferred. It's a good idea to get a written copy of these details, either as email or mail, and to keep a record of the paperwork in case something goes wrong. This is particularly so since some money transfer companies do not require identification, and with others you may not even need to open an account when sending relatively small amounts of money.
Some companies offer instant cash for your recipient or transfer directly to the bank account. Others ask the recipient to pay for incurred charges, while some give you the option to cover the enter transaction. You may want to confirm transaction details before you proceed.
Check the processing time. This varies with banks averaging almost a week for standard delivery, charging you extra for their express service which takes 1-2 days. Transfers from money transfer and FX channels can take, in the first case, 24 hours, and, in the second case, a matter of minutes. On the other hand, both FX companies and high street or money transfer companies are less safe than banks.
While Fx companies will not charge you for amounts of over $4,000, some companies may charge you an absurd amount for small amounts. For instance, you could end up paying $20 to transfer just $60. FX companies tend to change better exchange rates than money transfer companies and certainly cheaper rates than banks. The exchange rates of online money transfer firms can vary on a daily basis and according to currency, so make sure you compare costs on the day you plan to send the money.
The first option businesses usually think of to send money overseas is their bank. Banks are easy to arrange and convenient. You can even make transfers from your mobile phone, and they protect your funds. On the other hand, their services aren't cheap. Expect to pay high transfer rates, around $20 to $75), and to receive exchange rates that tend to be below mid-market norm.
Online money transfer companies provide superior exchange rates and lower fees than banks, allowing your beneficiary to receive more money in the end. You save more, too.


Nearly six years after its inaugural event, Invicta returns home to Memorial Hall in Kansas City. Invicta FC 34 will take place on Friday 15th February with the night's main event pitting top-ranked contender Vanessa Porto (20-8) up against surging Pearl Gonzalez (9-3) for the vacant Invicta FC flyweight championship.
The winners of each semi-final bout at Invicta FC 34 will then meet in the tournament's final round at an event later this year.
Serving as the flyweight tournament reserve bout, streaking Tracy Cortez (4-1) takes on Mexico's Karina Rodriguez (6-3). Plus, former featherweight title challenger Faith "The Immortal" McMah (6-3) returns to the Invicta cage for a scrap with Helena "Pretty" Kolesnyk (5-2, 1 NC).


Leorard Nimoy, dies at 83.
Leonard Nimoy passed away today, aged 83. Not many people, including me, knew that he was a passionate fine art photographer.
In this interview clip he gives away an illuminating piece of information about the difference between photojournalism and fine art photography.
Successful paper test carried out yesterday. Very pleased with the result. Printing of next exhibition due to start soon once the larger paper arrives. Exciting.


Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 74. South wind 3 to 7 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming south southeast after midnight.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers after 11am. Increasing clouds, with a high near 70. South wind 5 to 11 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Monday night: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind 7 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tuesday: Showers likely, mainly before 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.
Friday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67.


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


The SEBO Central Vacuum (CV) Kits come with either a 30 or 35 foot 1 3/8" silver, 3-way switch and swivel, crush-proof combo power hose with a gas pump handle. The standard SEBO CV kit also includes a white or black SEBO 12" ET-1 power head, cord-management telescopic wands, as well as a crevice tool, dusting brush, upholstery tool and a 12" floor brush in a titanium colour.The Premium SEBO CV Kit (pictured) includes a white, black, orange or red SEBO 12" ET-1 power head, integrated cord management telescopic wand, 1 1/4" aluminum telescopic wand with "comfort seal" (for use with SEBO floor tools), a SEBO adapter to fit 1 1/4" tools, a SEBO parquet floor tool (dark grey), as well as a crevice tool, dusting brush, and upholstery tool (black). All SEBO CV kits include a hose hanger and wand attachment holder.
This kit includes a TurboCat Zoom Turbine Powerhead, 30' Hose, one-piece Adjustable Wand, 12" Premium Turn & Clean Floor Brush, Premium Crevice, Dusting & Upholstery Tools, VacPac Caddy and Wire Hose Rack.
Kit includes 13" Edge Electric Powerhead, 30' Electric Hose, Adjustable Chrome Wand with Cord Management, additional one-piece Adjustable Wand, Premium 12" Bare Floor Brush, Premium Crevice, Dusting & Upholstery Tools, VacPac Tool Caddy and Wire Hose Rack.
This kit includes the EG1400 Electric Powerhead, 30' Electric Hose, 2-piece Chrome Wands with Cord Management, one-piece Adjustable Wand, Premium 12" Floor Brush, Premium Dusting, Upholstery & Crevice Tools, VacPac Tool Caddy and Wire Hose Rack.
This kit includes the EG1200 Electric Powerhead, 30' Electric Hose, 2-piece Chrome Wands with Cord Management, 2-piece Friction Fit Wands, 10" Floor Brush, Dusting, Upholstery & Crevice Tools, Mesh Tool Caddy and Wire Hose Rack.


Conventional instrument wiring carries variable current, voltage, discrete, or data highway information between process sensors and control equipment. Wireless Data Acquisition refers to an initiative within the process control industry, to replace these physical wires with radio waves. The results when using some early generation wireless equipment have been mixed. The chief advantages are in the cost savings of having no wiring and conduit hardware, plus the prevention of possible circuit interruption from wiring routes which pass through hazardous or out-of-service areas within the plant. Traditional disadvantages have included the costs of the FCC license and relay towers, plant machinery interference with, or caused by the radio equipment, and the need for line-of-sight positioning between the transmitters and receivers.
At an average of $18 per foot for instrument wiring and conduit, wireless sensor connections can provide considerable savings for the plant's project budget.
Acme Process Equipment Company, together with FEDD Systems, offers a unique family of wireless data acquisition equipment, based on a low power 900 Mhz spread spectrum technology, which eliminates most of the drawbacks found the earlier generation wireless equipment. Its standard operating range is seven miles, with options available for extended ranges. FEDD Systems is most cost-effective for facilities which have, or anticipate having multiple sensing points instead of just one or two. The initial cost, which includes the transmitter(s), receiver / control interface, and factory start up, can be as little as a few thousand dollars. Additional points are a few hundred dollars each, and only require plant personnel to bolt on a self-powered radio transmitter to the process sensor, and program the new address into the receiver.
Patented low-power technology is neither affected by, nor creates any plant interference.
No exposed antennas susceptible to breaking off.
No line-of-sight requirements, except for extreme mounting locations, such as within solid metal buildings or enclosures.
Can transmit most common process control and data highway signals.
Can work with existing process sensors; or, can offer FEDD Systems' own combined process / radio transmitters for pressure, temperature, vibration, or VOC emissions monitoring.
Combined pressure / radio transmitter can differentiate between a rupture disk leak and a burst.
Optional on/off wireless relay control for discrete input devices.
Can work from within hazardous environments or anywhere a battery-powered wristwatch can go.
Can interface with most existing plant PLC, DCS, or PC-based control systems.
One receiver / control interface unit can monitor approximately 2000 sensor inputs.
Compatible with standard modem or satellite uplink systems for extended ranges.
Factory start-up, plant control system interface programming, and training provided standard during the initial installation and available afterward upon request.
PC-based plant monitoring software for facilities without an existing monitoring system.
3.2 volt lithium transmitter battery is typically good for 1-3 years, with remaining battery life monitored by the receiver.
Solar panels optional, to power both the radio and process transmitters in some cases.
Type and number of originating points to be monitored.
Hazardous area classifications and approximate physical spacing of the originating points.
Distance to the operator or system destination area.
Building design or obstructions the radio signal will need to pass through.
The destination monitoring equipment or type of display desired.
Additional technical information is available on our "Manufacturers" page.


text:
Lennie Arne Robin Rahm (born 13 September 1986) is a Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender. He is currently a free agent.

In August 2010, as a result of testing positive for use of doping, Rahm was suspended from all professional ice hockey in the 2010–11 season as well as 2011–12. He returned in the 2012–13 season, signing a two-year deal with then-reigning Elitserien (SEL) champions Brynäs IF.

Playing career
Rahm started his senior-level career playing for his youth team Sunne IK in Sweden's third-tier league Division 1. After having been dressed as a backup goaltender sporadically since the 2002–03 season, he took over as the starting goaltender for the 2005–06 season. Playing in 22 games, he posted a .917 save percentage and was ranked as the second best goaltender in save percentage in Division 1 E that season, despite that Sunne finished second to last in their division.

During the 2006–07 season, Rahm played in 28 games and improved his save percentage to .921, again ranked second in Division 1 E, but Sunne's sixth-place finish did not qualify them for an Allettan spot and they moved on to play in the spring series where Rahm posted an impressive .942 save percentage with two shutouts in five games. During that season, Rahm was briefly loaned to Södertälje SK in HockeyAllsvenskan where he dressed as a backup for two games, and to Frölunda HC in Elitserien where he joined as an extra goaltender during practices.

After that season, he signed a two-year contract with Frölunda, and was assigned to their HockeyAllsvenskan affiliate Borås HC, but due to a groin injury during the pre-season, Rahm started the 2007–08 season with his former team Sunne in Division 1.

On August 5, 2010, it was revealed that on June 28, 2010, Rahm tested positive for use of doping. The test showed signs of anabolic steroids. On October 6, 2010, Rahm was suspended for two years. Färjestad immediately cancelled his contract with the team.

After the suspension, Rahm signed a two-year contract with reigning champions Brynäs IF of the Elitserien (SEL) on July 5, 2012 to return to the Swedish top-tier league for the 2012–13 season.

Career statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

Awards and honors

References

External links

1986 births
Borås HC players
Färjestad BK players
Living people
Swedish ice hockey goaltenders
Doping cases in ice hockey
Swedish sportspeople in doping cases
Brynäs IF players
HKM Zvolen players
HC '05 Banská Bystrica players
Swedish expatriate ice hockey players in Denmark
Swedish expatriate ice hockey players in Finland
Swedish expatriate sportspeople in Slovakia
Swedish expatriate sportspeople in Austria
Swedish expatriate sportspeople in Poland
Expatriate ice hockey players in Austria
Expatriate ice hockey players in Slovakia
Expatriate ice hockey players in Poland

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


"I Need Your Assistance; Suha Arafat"
Like everyone on the Internet, I have received my share of Internet scam letters, the so-called Nigerian 419s. "Please excuse my intrusion into your private life as I write you this letter in good faith and to the glory of almighty God …" is a typical start, followed by an intricate financial proposition. This fraud may look idiotic but it is so serious that even the U.S. Secret Service is involved in stamping it out.
Most of these spams supposedly come from no-name individuals, usually lawyers, but some come from widows of known leaders, such as the many from Mrs. Sani Abacha of Nigeria ("I am Mrs. Mariam Abacha, the widow of late Gen. Sani Abacha …").
I am Mrs. SUHA ARAFAT, the wife of YASSER ARAFAT, the Palestinian leader who died recently in Paris.
Since his death and even prior to the announcement, I have been thrown into a state of antagonism, confusion, humiliation, frustration and hopelessness by the present leadership of the Palestinian Liberation Organization and the new Prime Minister. I have even been subjected to physical and psychological torture. As a widow that is so traumatized, I have lost confidence with everybody in the country at the moment.
Having Known my Condition I decided to donate this fund to either a Moslem Organization Or devoted Muslim individual that will utilize this money the way I Am Going to instruct here- in. I want this Muslim organization or Individual to use this money in all sincererity to fund mosques, Orphanages, widows and also propagating the word of ALLAH and to Ensure that the Society upholds the views and beliefs of the holy Quran. The holy Quran Emphasized so much on ALLAH'S benevolence and this has encouraged me To Take this bold step.
I took this decision because I don't have any child that will Inherit This money and my husband relatives are new Christian's converts and I Don't want my husband's hard earned money to be misused by people I Call Unbelievers. I don't want a situation where this money will be used In An unholy manner.
You can assist Mrs. Mariam Hussein by sending your contact information and (after receiving a small deposit from you) she will send you the cold cash.
Comment: Were I sending out English-language scams, this is hardly the approach I would take; I wonder that anyone would think it a winning pitch.


text:
Home » Business » Activists hope to fly Trump baby balloon over president's New Jersey golf club
Activists hope to fly Trump baby balloon over president's New Jersey golf club
The giant balloon portraying President Donald Trump as an angry baby that was flown next to the U.K. parliament in London might make it across the Atlantic.
A crowdfunding campaign, which has raised more than $14,000 in three days, aims to take the baby balloon to the Trump National golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey.
An activist identifying himself as Jim, from Hillsborough, New Jersey, stated on the "Baby Trump" page of the GoFundMe website: "I got together with local organizers of the People's Motorcade (campaign group) and we agreed we need to bring Baby Trump to Bedminster where he plays golf during the summer. With your generous donations we have exceeded our goal to purchase our Baby Trump from the U.K."
The president spent time at the course last summer during White House renovations. "This is not a vacation — meetings and calls!" he tweeted on August 5.
The angry orange baby balloon caused controversy in the U.K. ahead of its appearance during Trump's European visit last week. At first, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan did not authorize its use, but he then changed his mind after more than 10,000 people signed a petition calling for him to do so. It flew next to the Houses of Parliament in London on Friday.
Speaking to CNBC on Thursday, Drew Liquerman, the chairman of Republicans Overseas, said: "Some of these protests are quite embarrassing and cringeworthy, specifically the balloon."
Sheila Menon, one of the organizers of the U.K. balloon, told CNBC's Steve Sedgwick on Friday that the protest became so popular because "so many people have a very strong opinion about President Trump."
After its London appearance, the baby was flown over The Meadows, a park in Scotland's capital Edinburgh, on Sunday while Trump was in that country. A paraglider who flew a Greenpeace banner over the Turnberry golf resort where the president stayed last weekend was arrested Sunday and has been released pending further investigation.
– CNBC's Silvia Amaro contributed to this report
« Gold Rises On Dollar Weakness Ahead Of Powell's Testimony
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text:
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The Valley of the Shadow ~ Carola Dunn
January 27, 2014 by Olga Godim
Title: The Valley of the Shadow
Author: Carola Dunn
Series: Cornish Mystery #3
Reviewed by: Olga
Description: While out on a walk, Eleanor Trewynn, her niece Megan, and her neighbor Nick spot a young, half-drowned Indian man floating in the water. Delirious and concussed, he utters a cryptic message about his family being trapped in a cave and his mother dying. The young man, unconscious and unable to help, is whisked away to a hospital while a desperate effort is mounted to find the missing family in time.
The local police inspector presumes that they are refugees from East Africa, abandoned by the smugglers who brought them in, so while the countryside is being scoured for the family, Eleanor herself descends into a dangerous den of smugglers in a desperate search to find the man responsible while there is still time.
Review: This mystery is so cozy it doesn't even have a murder. Although there are definitely victims, bodies floating in the sea, and a villain, the crime itself is entangled with the British foreign policies of the 1960s or perhaps '70s – the author herself is unclear on her dates.
The entire root for the crime is an immigration issue. When the British Empire began to crumble in the '60s, many African states, previously under the British rule, declared independence. British citizens were expelled. The white Brits returned to England. Unfortunately, many East Indians also worked for the British in Africa and held British passports. They were expelled too, of course, but the British government denied them the rights to settle in England. Those people had nowhere else to go. No other country, India included, would grant them citizenship. With British passports but no entry visas, many of them had no choice but vagrancy. Others opted for some illegal ways into the country. And of course, where the law is so inhuman it has to be broken, a number of greedy felons enter the fray. Human smuggling, money, and racism intertwine in unholy combinations, creating the background for this story.
Most of the characters investigating the crime are familiar to the readers from the previous novels of the series. Our old acquaintances include Eleanor, an absent-minded, retired lady who forgets to lock her doors but always remembers people and faces, and her niece Megan, a sergeant with the Cornish Police. There is also Megan's boss, the grumpy DI Scumble, and Eleanor's assorted friends and neighbors. Together, they solve the crime perpetrated before the novel started, but I won't relay the details here to avoid spoilers. I would also point out that it's not necessary to read the other novels of the series to appreciate this one; it stands firmly on its own.
The action is rather lagging, despite the urgency of the victims' situation. Too many unnecessary chats, tea cups, and other trifling aspects are woven into the tale like red herrings, so the readers always wonder, together with the heroes: is this man important? Will this woman play a role later in the story? Some of those hints even pay off eventually, while others peter to nothing.
As always in Carola Dunn's novels, I found a number of delightful British colloquialisms, some new to me, others not, but all worth repeating:
Fascia – a board over a shop front
Hoick – to rise or raise something abruptly and sharply
Gimbal – a device (see the technical explanation elsewhere)
Load of codswallop – nonsense, lots of it
On the whole – an easy, entertaining read, although nothing special.
Posted in Book Reviews, Home, Mystery.	Tagged book reviews, books, Carola Dunn, Cornish Mystery, Cornwall, cozy mystery, goodreads, silk screen views, silkscreenviews, The Valley of the Shadow
The Hum and the Shiver ~ Alex Bledsoe
Title: The Hum and the Shiver
Author: Alex Bledsoe
Series: Tufa #1
Description: No one knows where the Tufa came from, or how they ended up in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, yet when the first Europeans arrived, they were already there. Dark-haired, enigmatic, and suspicious of outsiders, the Tufa live quiet lives in the hills and valleys of Cloud County. While their origins may be lost to history, there are clues in their music – hints of their true nature buried in the songs they have passed down for generations.
Private Bronwyn Hyatt returns from Iraq wounded in body and in spirit, only to face the very things that drove her away in the first place: her family, her obligations to the Tufa, and her dangerous ex-boyfriend. But more trouble lurks in the mountains and hollows of her childhood home. Cryptic omens warn of impending tragedy, and a restless haint lurks nearby, waiting to reveal Bronwyn's darkest secrets. Worst of all, Bronwyn has lost touch with the music that was once a vital part of her identity.
With death stalking her family, Bronwyn will need to summon the strength to take her place among the true Tufa and once again fly on the night winds.
Review: I liked this book much more than Bledsoe's Eddie LaCrosse series. It was written better, and its story was deeper and more mature.
The protagonist, a twenty-year-old soldier of the US army Bronwyn, was injured in Iraq. She has returned home to recuperate, but her homecoming is not at all restful. In pain from her healing wounds, obviously suffering from PTSD and numb from painkillers, with her mind hazy and her spirits low, Bronwyn is tired and disoriented. She wants to find her unique 'song', but neither the army, nor the small town where she grew up, nor her family offers her a safe place.
She belongs to the Tufa, a hard, mysterious people living in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Always rebellious, even as a child, she never wanted to conform to her pre-assigned role in her community. That's why she enlisted in the army two years ago: to escape from her heritage. But now she is home, and her heritage demands its due.
Torn between her people's past and future, between the modern technology and the centuries-old traditions of magic and music, Bronwyn is searching for her place, for her own melody. Her path is fraught with mistakes and detours, as she repeatedly asks herself: "Who am I? What should I do?"
I like Bronwyn. She is a multidimensional character, a complicated young woman with strong opinions of right and wrong. A fighter with an intense conscience, she is an instigator of change. Of course, her hankering for change brings her nothing but trouble, but she copes with her troubles with honor intact, if maybe slightly tarnished. To my relief, she is not 'a chic with a sword,' the archetype that has recently invaded the modern fantasy genre. Instead of weapons, she uses her common sense and morality, her assertive nature to win her battles.
Like Bronwyn, several secondary characters in the novel are also on the road of self-discovery, trying to find their niche. Self-discovery seems to be one of the dominating themes of this novel. Its other theme is much more disturbing – the ethics and legitimacy of killing.
Can you kill in peace time? Who has the right to make that call? Are there any special circumstances when killing is permissible or necessary? When a soldier is ordered to kill, are morals involved? What if someone is so evil, caused so much grief, that he needs to be eliminated to prevent more suffering? Who must assume the responsibility to kill him? Where is the borderline between a just killing and a murder?
Such difficult questions raise their heads in the course of the novel, and although the author doesn't shy from expressing his views, he invites his readers to formulate their own answers.
The pacing is deceptively slow, covering the day-to-day lives and seemingly inconsequential events, but the pages turn very fast. The author is a master of intrigue, and his skill kept me glued to the book until I finished it.
A couple details I didn't like in this book, although they didn't cause me to lower its rating. First – the secret of the Tufa. Bledsoe keeps dropping hints at some otherworldly origins of the people, at their mystic powers, but even as far into the book as page 116, nothing was clear. Who are the Tufa and what they can do is only revealed towards the end. Can't say it was a big surprise though. The allusions are sprinkled throughout the tale, and the anticipation keeps the tension high, keeps the readers guessing. Still, I think the full disclosure should've happened earlier in the story. It would've read better.
My second objection: nothing is resolved by the last page. Many subplots are left dangling, like in real life. Even Bronwyn isn't yet sure what will become of her, although by the end she at least has some inkling. Certain controversies have been resolved, while others haven't been touched yet. Overall, such ambivalence leaves the readers vaguely dissatisfied and hankering for more. Maybe that was the point.
Posted in Book Reviews, Fantasy, Home.	Tagged Alex Bledsoe, book reviews, books, Bronwyn Hyatt, Fantasy, goodreads, silk screen views, silkscreenviews, The Hum and the Shiver, Tufa
Preview: After the Garden by Michelle Browne (4)
January 25, 2014 by Soo ~ The Instigator ~
SSV is happy to present a preview of Michelle Browne's newest book, After the Garden. It will be published in 2014. We're happy to release a series of the upcoming novel and give our readers a taste of what's to come! A segment will be released on Saturday. Keep an eye out and read along with us.
~ After the Garden ~
A young woman is experiencing memories of The Time Before. She and some other Bearers are trying to solve the riddle of their past and stay under the radar, but a certain fanatical cult may have other ideas. There's a chance that love might complicate things, but in a world of ruin, poverty, and decadence, it might also be her undoing…
o-o-o-o
Ezeriah frowned at the sound of music from the courtyard. He reclined on the finest silk cushions, one of his Magdalenes sitting alert beside him. She was shapely, young, and fierce; she had been a recent choice, her mother almost reluctant to give her daughter up. Ezeriah knew the girl's mother was probably one of the music makers, he let it go. Temptation was everywhere, and just because music was a string of irritating tones to him, didn't mean others weren't entranced by it.
Lust, except in very controlled circumstances, had to be reined in. Even he, immortal angel, could be tempted. He shuddered, thinking of the demoness, and steeled his soul.
Still, there had been unrest. He could only channel their impure hungers, their lust and need for music, into chanting and prayer for so long. And more, there had been muttering, of late. He looked over at his Magdalene and raised the left corner of his mouth. To some, it would have seemed like an expression of amusement, but this girl was cunning, far more than her fourteen years suggested, and she knew what it meant. Find out what's going on, said his body language. For good measure, Ezeriah reached within her mind, used the high language of ceremony to impress his point.
[Investigate, my Magdalene. Thou didst say thou wouldst prove thy worth to me if I allowed thee to join with these holy sisters.]
The girl fumbled, her eyes widening in fear, but he sifted through her brain (how crude, simple, like an animal's) and stroked the the pleasure centre. He saw her quiver, the spasm that passed through her fabric-shielded thigh, the momentary arching of the back.
[That is the holy bliss of following the commands of the Untainted One.] He intensified it for just a moment, and slowly withdrew his mind from hers. She rushed off like a greyhound.
A few moments later, the girl was back, dragging her mother in by the arm. The woman had had her daughter late in life, and she was grey-haired already.
"She was making a commotion," said the girl. Her voice was flat, but an eyelid twitched uncertainly. Ezeriah watched her. Despite her fervour, he sensed clear unease at the thought of seeing her mother punished. It subsided as she made cool calculations about her position. Ezeriah approved.
The woman tore her arm out of her daughter's grasp and threw herself to the floor at Ezeriah's feet. "My saviour, spare my daughter, I beg thee! She is too young for a holy maiden."
"Woman, this position is one of great honour. May I remind you that it was your daughter herself who came forward?" He kept his voice at the level of gentle chiding. The woman lifted her head in disbelief, anger crossing her features and making them hard, deepening the creases.
"Kata is too young! She doesn't know what's best yet!"
Ezeriah looked down at her with gravitas and pity in his face and manner, but he was already inside her dissident mind, plucking the strings of pain and stimulating warning spasms in her back. Sure enough, he sensed the touch of demons in her. It was early, the corruption; but he felt a vague regret in realising the cost of another purging.
"The Untainted One will punish you," he intoned. "Thou hast sinned." He lifted his hands to his chin and twisted the fingers together in the complex ceremonial gesture to indicate a calling upon higher powers. He reached into her mind and killed her.
It was not a painless death; with her last reflexive movements, the woman's bladder emptied and the back of her robe was soiled. The eyes stared at the world unseeing as she twitched a few final times, then lay still. The Magdalene flinched as the woman curled and writhed.
"Go fetch one of the Unearthers, Magdalene," said Ezeriah softly. He drew his mind across hers, soothing the temptation and pain away. "You have proven yourself. Now the body of this sinner must be disposed of."
"No need to cushion me. I know she gave me life, but she had to pay for her impiety," said the Magdalene severely, and Ezeriah knew he had chosen well.
The rest of the day would be required to soothe the flock with doctrine, to send his Magdalenes around with comfort, and explain why one member of the Order had gone missing. That night, he would take the new Magdalene to his bed, and seal her ordination within the sisterhood.
It was the least he could do.
Mealworm larvae, fried and combined with a basic salad, were the main course for supper. Eva pushed her plate away delicately; Kerrick noted with amusement that she had devoured every salad leaf and left nearly all of the mealworms on her plate. "I'm full, thanks; may I be excused?"
"I'd like to see a few more of those mealworms disappear first," Karine replied. "You need the protein." Reluctantly, Eva speared three with her fork and lifted them into her mouth. She chewed fast and swallowed gingerly.
"I don't know why you hate them," remarked Chris, "they're nice and crisp."
"It's not the texture she objects to, Chris," Hamza said. "Next time, Eva, I'll make it steak tartare, instead of larvae."
"EWWWWW!"
"At least it would be easy to prepare," muttered Kerrick. The others laughed, but Callaghn glanced furtively at the others and cleared his throat. He twitched, but managed to speak.
"Speaking of raw food, any word on what that guy wanted with the fertilized spider eggs? That Jared guy said something about the request…"
Karine mollified him immediately. "I know Jared; he's a cousin of mine. He's another silk worker, remember? You saw him at the last trading fair, six months ago."
"Oh, yes," said Callaghn, placing a hand over his brow. "It's just—I heard the most awful rumours."
"I—an old acquaintance."
"Someone I would know?"
Callaghn shot him a black look. "Not unless you were a—" he couldn't say the words. He never could. The air around him tensed, and the others drew back, giving his secrets room. "Anyway, I heard somewhere that the Order's head has the most disgusting dishes on a nightly basis. This could be a bit of vicious gossip, but I've heard he likes everything raw."
"Ugh," Eva interrupted. "No, not really? I mean, the legs are nice, but anything else, well—"
A grin on Callaghn's face, the jack-o-lantern grin that spread from ear to ear almost maliciously. "Yup, I hear Ezeriah has a taste for the most delicate meats, and I'm not talking about the tarsal cuts."
"I don't imagine it would be the hearts, and the brains aren't substantial." This was Karine. "Eyeballs, maybe? They'd be interesting, anyway."
"Okay, now I am so leaving the table," Eva said, jumping up.
"Thanks," muttered Chris. His arms and legs tangled like a bamboo wood chime as he followed her, stumbling over the couch. "Wait up, Eva!"
The others brought their plates to the sink, and Kerrick watched as Callaghn cleaned the dishes. He didn't miss the longing sigh Callaghn let out, glancing in the direction of Eva's room, but he ignored it. Hamza was looking dark at the mention of the Order, and a game of chess would be just the thing to get both of their minds out of the shadows.
Prologue & Chapter One
Check out Michelle Browne's website for more information on the author and her work.
Posted in Gazette, Home, New Releases, Ramblings.	Tagged 2014 Release, After the Garden, Gazette, michelle browne, Ramblings, silk screen views, silkscreenviews, Sneak Preview
He Drank, and Saw the Spider ~ Alex Bledsoe
Title: He Drank, and Saw the Spider
Series: Eddie LaCrosse #5
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery
Format: ARC, Kindle
Description: After he fails to save a stranger from being mauled to death by a bear, a young mercenary is saddled with the baby girl the man died to protect. He leaves her with a kindly shepherd family and goes on with his violent life.
Now, sixteen years later, that young mercenary has grown up to become cynical sword jockey Eddie LaCrosse. When his vacation travels bring him back to that same part of the world, he can't resist trying to discover what has become of the mysterious infant.
He finds that the child, now a lovely young teenager named Isadora, is at the center of complicated web of intrigue involving two feuding kings, a smitten prince, a powerful sorceress, an inhuman monster, and long-buried secrets too shocking to imagine. And once again she needs his help.
They say a spider in your cup will poison you, but only if you see it. Eddie, helped by his smart, resourceful girlfriend Liz, must look through the dregs of the past to find the truth about the present—and risk what might happen if he, too, sees the spider.
Review: I received the uncorrected ARC copy from NetGalley as a Kindle file.
The protagonist of this novel, a sword jokey Eddie LaCrosse, stands out from the pages like a living man, with all his merits and faults. It's the fifth book in the series about him, and by now, he feels like an old, grumpy friend, a guy I could entrust with my problems.
Of course, he is a bit cynical and a habitual drunk, but who wouldn't be, doing what he does. He is PI in a fantasy world, and his investigations often take him into the middle of some dirty conspiracies. Despite repeatedly coming up against the worst in people, he still retains his compassion and tolerance for the human beings. For Eddie, almost everyone has something good, and even a monster deserves a second chance.
Like any good PI, Eddie can't resist a mystery. Secrets fascinate him, but his compulsion to discover the truth frequently leads him into danger. He also has a penchant for saving people – from bandits or dragons or wild beasts. He does it in every book.
This book is no exception. It starts with a bang from the past – the young Eddie saves a baby girl from a bear (why am I not surprised?) – but then it slows down. Being a mercenary, he doesn't have a place in his vagabond life for a child, so he finds her a home among sheep farmers and goes on his way with a clear conscience.
Sixteen years later, on a leisurely vacation with his girlfriend, Eddie stumbles upon the same community of sheep farmers and meets his foundling again, now a pretty young girl. His curiosity stirs. He feels compelled to solve her mystery, to find out who she is and why fate dropped her in his path all those years ago. To the readers' delight, Eddie's quest for answers sets off a chain of calamities, and only Eddie could prevent the looming disaster.
Besides Eddie, the novel boasts several requisite character types of the fantasy genre, including an orphan, a shady sorceress, a king or two, and a scary monster, but the roles they play are frequently controversial. Is this monster evil or simply ignorant? Is that sorceress ruthless or has she just run out of choices? The unorthodox functionalities of the common types are among the best aspects of this novel.
The tale, a blend of mystery and epic fantasy, like the rest of the series, follows Eddie's probing mind from a shepherds' village to a king's palace, from the throne room to the dungeons. Quietly and unobtrusively, the author raises the stakes for his hero and winds the tension in his narrative, until it thrums like a tight string by the middle of the book. The reader avidly turns the pages and wonders: what next?
Unfortunately, in the second part of the novel, the story goes downhill, and the denouement is disappointing. As if to simplify the finale, the author arbitrary cuts off most of the subplots by killing a score of characters and sending others into obscurity, as if they're not important for the main storyline. Maybe they are not. But then, why were they introduced in the first place?
The conclusion to the single plotline the author did choose to explore feels artificial and predictable, no match to the original and explosive beginning of the tale.
The other characters in the book are significantly less defined than Eddie, perhaps a bit cartoonish, with single traits of their personalities exaggerated for the sake of an archetype. Most of them, with rare exceptions, could be described with one modifier. A mad king. A scheming rogue. A no-nonsense girlfriend. A loyal guard. A cruel killer.
There are some extremely extraneous details in the story – like Eddie going to pee in the bushes. I don't need to know that. Nobody does.
The novel is uneven, but on the whole, I enjoyed reading it. Definitely recommended for the fans of the series.
Posted in Book Reviews, Fantasy, Home, Mystery, NetGalley.	Tagged Alex Bledsoe, ARC, book reviews, books, Eddie LaCrosse, Fantasy, goodreads, He Drank and Saw the Spider, Mystery, NetGalley, silk screen views, silkscreenviews
Clean Sweep ~ Ilona Andrews
Title: Clean Sweep
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Innkeeper Chronicles #1
Genre: Fantasy, UF
Format: Kindle
Source: Own
Description: On the outside, Dina Demille is the epitome of normal. She runs a quaint Victorian Bed and Breakfast in a small Texas town, owns a Shih Tzu named Beast, and is a perfect neighbor, whose biggest problem should be what to serve her guests for breakfast. But Dina is…different: Her broom is a deadly weapon; her Inn is magic and thinks for itself. Meant to be a lodging for otherworldly visitors, the only permanent guest is a retired Galactic aristocrat who can't leave the grounds because she's responsible for the deaths of millions and someone might shoot her on sight. Under the circumstances, "normal" is a bit of a stretch for Dina.
And now, something with wicked claws and deepwater teeth has begun to hunt at night. Feeling responsible for her neighbors, Dina decides to get involved. Before long, she has to juggle dealing with the annoyingly attractive, ex-military, new neighbor, Sean Evans—an alpha-strain werewolf—and the equally arresting cosmic vampire soldier, Arland, while trying to keep her inn and its guests safe. But the enemy she's facing is unlike anything she's ever encountered before. It's smart, vicious, and lethal, and putting herself between this creature and her neighbors might just cost her everything.
Review: The world building in this short novel is fascinating, quirky and utterly unique. It's combining science fiction and fantasy, and it feels like the authors gave free rein to their imagination while creating it. They populated their story with a sentient inn, vampires, werewolves, hundreds of different worlds connected by some sort of gateways, and of course the innkeeper with a broom – her deadliest weapon.
Dina, the protagonist, is the innkeeper. Her inn is a sanctuary on Earth for all the travelers from other worlds. While Dina stays inside the inn's property, her magic, combined with the inn's magic, is the strongest, but when she leaves the perimeter of the inn, for example to go shopping, her power diminishes with every step she takes away from her inn. What an original manifestation of the idea that any power has a price and a boundary.
Like every innkeeper, Dina is supposed to maintain neutrality in any conflict arising between worlds. Her guests' safety is supposed to be her first priority. But when someone or something starts killing dogs in her quiet little town in Texas, she feels she must interfere.
Then a handsome, arrogant neighbor, werewolf Sean, arrives to tell her that he will take care of the problem. Butterflies flutter in her stomach every time she glances at his muscular thighs/shoulders/abs. His penetrating yellow eyes don't help her peace of mind either. But she can't let him face the danger alone, alpha male or not.
Then a charming vampire lands in her backyard, with the same purpose – to destroy the baddies in Texas. Testosterone levels spike, as the trio fight the villains and try to figure out their relationships at the same time.
The story runs quickly, maybe too quickly, as if it has too many legs but sometimes those legs trip over each other. The dialog is fast, snarky and funny, representing the authors' dry, offbeat humor. Although characterization is pretty primitive (with the exception of Dina), secondary to the world-building and plot, the whole is an enjoyable read. I like this book more than the authors' other series. Obviously, I'm not a huge fan of Kate Daniels.
The illustrations included in the text are simply gorgeous, even though I read the book on my B&W Kindle.
Overall – a delicious, entertaining reading experience.
Posted in Book Reviews, Fantasy, Home, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Urban Fantasy.	Tagged Arland, book reviews, books, Clean Sweep, Clean Sweep ~ Ilona Andrews, Dina Demille, Fantasy, goodreads, ilona andrews, Innkeeper Chronicles, sci-fi, Sean Evans, silk screen views, silkscreenviews, uf, Urban Fantasy, vampire, werewolf
The Humans ~ Matt Haig
January 20, 2014 by Mark Matthews
Title: The Humans
Author: Matt Haig
Genre: Literary Sci-Fi
Source: $11 purchase
Reviewed by: Mark Matthews
Description: The critically acclaimed author of The Radleys shares a clever, heartwarming, and darkly insightful novel about an alien who comes to Earth to save humans from themselves.
"I was not Professor Andrew Martin. That is the first thing I should say. He was just a role. A disguise. Someone I needed to be in order to complete a task."
The narrator of this tale is no ordinary human—in fact, he's not human at all. Before he was sent away from the distant planet he calls home, precision and perfection governed his life. He lived in a utopian society where mathematics transformed a people, creating limitless knowledge and immortality.
But all of this is suddenly threatened when an earthly being opens the doorway to the same technology that the alien planet possesses. Cambridge University professor Andrew Martin cracks the Reimann Hypothesis and unknowingly puts himself and his family in grave danger when the narrator is sent to Earth to erase all evidence of the solution and kill anyone who has seen the proof. The only catch: the alien has no idea what he's up against.
Disgusted by the excess of disease, violence, and family strife he encounters, the narrator struggles to pass undetected long enough to gain access to Andrew's research. But in picking up the pieces of the professor's shattered personal life, the narrator sees hope and redemption in the humans' imperfections and begins to question the very mission that brought him there.
Review: The world is divided into those who have read this book and those who have not. Those who have read this book are shaking their heads in the affirmative right now.
It is not so much the story, but read it for that. It is not so much the characters, but read it for that too. It is for the statement it makes on the flawed yet wondrous nature of humans. This book will resonate with you long after you read it. (if not, we can't be friends.) You will be convinced the author himself is from another world, sent here to give us some wisdom, but perhaps also fearful if we can handle it. I liken it to "Illusions – The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah" by Richard Bach
Yes, I loved this book and I am a better person for it. A beautiful book that made me cry. At times I feared it would become predictable, but there was just enough variance and certainly more than enough genius. A wonderful range of emotions. The prose was both beautiful and simple. How many times have we all wondered, "What would an alien think if they came to Earth and experienced this?" Well, this book provides an illuminating answer.
Highly recomended. Get ready to highlight on your kindle or dog-ear your paperback.
-Mark Matthews
Posted in Book Reviews, Home, Literature, Other Genres, Science Fiction.	Tagged book reviews, books, goodreads, Matt Haig, Professor Andrew Martin, sci-fi, Science Fiction, silk screen views, silkscreenviews, The Humans, Utopian
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"It shows beautiful floral and citrus notes on the nose, which carry nicely to the palate," he says of the wine made from Verdicchio grapes. "Lemon lime, a touch of mineral and fresh pineapple flavors are coupled with bright acidity, which keeps the finish hanging on."
It's most important quality? It'll be a much-needed break between all of the mint juleps you'll be ingesting.


Hiking is an activity that is best for people who love to connect with nature. Some people also hike to sweat, to drop some pounds, and to keep their heart rates up. But the best part about hiking is that whenever you conquer a mountain, it makes you forget about everything else and it keeps you focused on the different twists and turns of the trail.
For you to enjoy and be more focused on your hike, you need to wear comfortable clothes to protect you from either the heat or the cold. Aside from your hiking shirts, pants, and shoes, another important thing is to have a good pair of hiking socks. This will help you prevent having overheated feet, blisters, aching, and unsupported arches. But how would you know which socks are the best for hiking?
When you go hiking, you will encounter on the trail many ups and downs as well as roots and rocks. With each step, your socks will play a critical role in keeping your feet safe and comfortable throughout the adventure. For you to choose the best socks, there are four things that you should consider.
Sock Height: Wearing socks with the right height will protect your feet against abrasion with your shoes.
Cushioning: This is very important to keep your feet comfortable and warm.
Fabric: You should also choose socks that are made with soft and comfortable fabric.
Fit: Of course, you need to pick socks that fit well on your feet to prevent having blisters.
There are a lot of socks available in the market and choosing the right one for hiking can be challenging. But don't worry because we will help you. Here are some of the best socks for hiking that we can recommend.
No slipping, no bunching, and no blisters. Fine Gauge Knitting: Unprecedented durability and Darn Tough's unique "put it on, forget it's on" feel.
These socks take up less room in the shoe and are perfect for those who prefer a lighter, cooler feel.
These hiking socks are made with 67% merino wool, 21% stretch nylon, 7% elastic, and 5% acrylic. They are fully cushioned that have seamless toe closure, ventilation channel, and an elasticized arch. It is an affordable and quality sock that is best for beginners in the world of hiking. It is also best for casual use or if you want to keep your feet warm in the winter.
These socks will prevent you from slipping, bunching, and having blisters while hiking. It has fine gauge knitting, making it durable. It also has fast action wicking that keeps sweating from getting in the way of enjoying your hike. It is made of merino wool that promotes ultimate breathability. This is the best pair of socks if you're into hiking hard and high.
If you have sweaty feet and you can't seem to keep them from slipping and overheating when you hike, then these are the perfect socks for you. It features breathable mesh zones, making extra ventilation to keep your feet cool, dry, and safe from blisters. It also has an anatomical toe box which helps reduce chafing and it gives your foot more space for extreme breathability.
If you're hiking on a warm weather and you want to keep your feet comfortable and safe, this can be a great choice. These socks will also keep your feet dry even if a little water gets into your shoes. These socks are best worn in trail running shoes because they are much lighter. It features an undetectable toe seam and provides high density cushioning.
These socks will offer you a more comfortable feel and dialed-in fit. They can hold your arches and insteps really well. They have a stretchy nylon across the top of the foot to keep everything in place while you hike. You can choose from three thickness such as ultralight, light, and medium cushioning. This is a great pair of socks that are best used for long hikes.
These socks will give you the most comfortable fit for the ultralight pack. It features good cushion and thin panels on top of the foot for breathability. It is a competitive hiking sock option that is best for warm weather. It also has a quarter height which will give enough clearance for most low and mid-height shoes and boots. But it also has a crew sock version for those who wear high-cut boots when hiking.
These socks have a five-toe design that claims to reduce the possibility of blisters and hotspots. It is a mid-weight model that offers additional cushioning compared to original weight socks. However, it may take a longer time in putting on these socks because of the five-toe design, but it is a great choice if blisters and hotspots are major issues for you whenever you go on a hike.
Socks are indeed important in hiking because they serve as the line of defense against blisters and tired, sweaty feet. We hope this list will help you find the perfect pair of socks to wear on your next hiking adventure that will keep your feet comfortable, safe, and blister-free.