Vodka martini, the famous James Bond drink, which he prefers to be known as Vesper, has increased in popularity in the twentieth century. This article should help you with some easy recipes.
The two main ingredients of a vodka martini are vodka and vermouth. I am sure you know all about vodka and vermouth. Vodka is a popular liquor, a gift from Eastern European countries, and is made by fermenting potatoes and grains. It has been around a long time and was introduced in the mid 1900s to the rest of the world, making it an instant hit. There are several vodka mixed drinks that are loved by vodka lovers all around the world. Vermouth, on the other hand, is a fortified wine, made from various spices. When mixed together, the resultant vodka martini is one of the most popular drinks around the globe.
Place the bottle of vodka in the freezer. Let it chill for quite some time before you start making the martini.
Keep the glasses in the freezer too, to chill them nicely. Martini, when chilled, tastes best.
Fill the cocktail shaker up with ice.
Pour in the vermouth in the cocktail shaker, lining the ice cubes.
Without shaking the ice, carefully strain any extra vermouth into a glass.
Pour in the chilled vodka into the cocktail shaker.
Stir the vodka, ice and vermouth slowly with the help of a stirrer.
Take out the cold martini glasses and pour in the vodka martini in them.
Add a couple of olives or a martini pick with a couple of olives. If lemon peel works for you, you could replace the olives with a twisted lemon peel.
Place the bottle of vodka in the freezer and allow it to be nice and cold.
Similarly, place the martini glasses in the freezer too. You could add some ice to the glasses to chill them.
In the shaker, put in lots of ice and add the vermouth to it. Slowly add the chilled vodka, lemon peels and gently stir the mixture with the stirrer.
Take out the glasses from the freezer or if you have cooled them with ice, then drain the ice from the glass.
Strain and pour in the martini and garnish with an olive or two.
Keep the vodka and the cocktail glasses in the freezer so that they can be chilled.
Fill three fourth of the cocktail shaker with ice.
First, add the vermouth and lace it with the ice.
Add the chilled vodka and the olive brine.
Stir the mixture slowly and ensure that all the ingredients blend in well.
Strain the martini in the chilled glass and garnish with an olive or two.
As you can see from the above, there are several recipes to make a vodka martini. If you are feel like experimenting, then you could add any fruit juice to the vodka martini creating different cocktails, else you could try mixing the drink with any of the numerous flavors of vodka.


What do Democratic presidential primary voters want? There's no one answer, of course. But the entry of all these candidates — former representative Beto O'Rourke (Tex.) is the latest, and former vice president Joe Biden looks ready to jump in any day — makes one wonder what we expect a president to know, to be, and to have done by the day he or she walks into the Oval Office.
It's the unlikeliest candidacies who bring that question into relief.
Let's begin with a taxonomy of the contenders. In one group we have those with the traditional set of qualifications — service as governor, senator or vice president. This is what, until a few years ago, it was assumed you had to have on your résumé to even consider running for president. The candidates who qualify are Biden, Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, Kamala D. Harris, Kirsten Gillibrand, Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Sanders, Gov. Jay Inslee, and former governor John Hickenlooper.
Then you have what we might call the reachers — people with some federal government experience (especially in the House) but, in a previous era, would have been told to move up a bit before making a run. This group includes O'Rourke, former representative John Delaney, former HUD secretary Julián Castro, and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.
Then we have the leapers — those without federal experience or a governorship who are jumping a few steps to seek the presidency. These include Pete Buttigieg, Marianne Williamson, Andrew Yang, and Wayne Messam. Of these, only Buttigieg is getting any substantial media attention.
You probably haven't heard of a couple of people on that last list, and they're surely jealous of Buttigieg, who is the mayor of South Bend, Ind. Williamson is a self-help guru, and Yang is an entrepreneur and leader of a nonprofit, so many dismiss them out of hand since they've never held public office. Messam, on the other hand, is the mayor of Miramar, Fla., which at 140,000 residents is somewhat larger than Buttigieg's home city, which has a little more than 100,000.
What makes the mayor of a small city think his next job should be running the country? You'd have to ask them (and wade through a bunch of pablum in response), but if you want to blame someone you could start with former president Barack Obama. When he first ran for president in 2008, Obama had only a few years of experience in the Senate and everyone thought it was way too soon, but he proved that with enough talent and some good timing, experience didn't matter. And though he was a once-in-a-generation politician, every politician thinks they're just dynamite and that there is no limit to the support they can get if they only have the opportunity to talk to people.
Right now, Buttigieg is getting attention not only because he's a genuinely impressive guy, but because he did something very shrewd when he ran to be the chairman of the Democratic National Committee in 2017. Even though he didn't win, it put him in front of a bunch of influential people in the party and the media, and because many were taken with him, they were ready two years later to see his presidential candidacy as something worth considering.
There's another factor that makes voters more likely to consider a young person such as Buttigieg, who's only 37 years old. In the 2018 midterm elections, we saw a wave of new Democrats elected to the House (and to state offices), many of whom were quite young. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is the most visible example; at just 29, she's the star of the freshman House class, not just because she's media-savvy but because she's offering ideas meant to challenge the status quo in ambitious ways.
This is part of Buttigieg's appeal, too. When asked on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" what his central message is, he replied, "We need a generational change." At the moment, the idea of electing someone young may not seem as outlandish as it might have not too long ago.
Nevertheless, any candidate jumping a few levels to seek the White House has an extra responsibility to demonstrate that he or she is ready to be president. If you have served as a governor, you've managed a large government, dealt with a legislature and confronted an array of problems both large and small. If you're a senator, you've had to understand foreign and domestic issues and learned about how government works. In both cases, you'll have a record we can investigate.
That goes for someone such as O'Rourke, too. He was a relatively undistinguished congressman before he ran an exciting Senate campaign in Texas, but he should be able to explain why, despite his limited experience, he can do the job better than a candidate with more time in government and pretty much the same policy agenda.
So while my general position is that anyone who wants to run for president should go right ahead, I would argue that candidates such as Buttigieg and O'Rourke ought to have some extra convincing to do. They need to show that they're conversant with the problems the federal government confronts, and that they have clear ideas about how to govern from the White House.
Of course, the other candidates should do that, too.


text:
grylliade.org
Free Minds. Free Markets. Free Beer.
Board index The Road to Surfdom General Chatter
Orange is the new President
Re: Orange is the new President
Post by Jennifer » 29 Aug 2019, 19:31
thoreau wrote: ↑
One thing I learned on the middle school playground is that it doesn't count if you say "Psych!" when someone tries to call you on it. I think this precedent was cited in a Yoo memo.
And then, once you've matured beyond the middle school "psych!" phase, it doesn't count if you say "Just kidding!" or "Can't you take a joke?"
"Myself, despite what they say about libertarians, I think we're actually allowed to pursue options beyond futility or sucking the dicks of the powerful." -- Eric the .5b
Location: Back to the lab again
Post by thoreau » 29 Aug 2019, 19:38
Jennifer wrote: ↑
Well, in high school I got into D&D, so whether or not you could get away with it depended on some complicated formulas involving CHR checks, saving throws vs. charm, and whether you were high enough in level to have henchmen.
I think Trump will make his save, though.
d21.jpg (98.45 KiB) Viewed 590 times
"They were basically like D&D min maxers, but instead of pissing off their DM, they destroyed the global economy. Also, instead of their DM making a level 7 paladin fight a beholder as punishment, he got a +3 sword of turning."
--Mo
Anyway, Trump has pardoned people for misconduct on the job, but he's never pardoned people who were involved in building walls at his behest, so I think it's pretty questionable to assume that his offer of a pardon actually means something.
Painboy
Post by Painboy » 29 Aug 2019, 19:49
Painboy wrote: ↑
Shem wrote: ↑
JasonL wrote: ↑
If they have refuge under sarcasm snark and trolling it's hard to use word only as something like impeachable.
Is that the country you want to live in?
If I had to guess, I'd say he meant "Do you want to live in a country where leaders can subvert the law by saying 'Just kidding'?"
I would rather have a country with a lot less government in all aspects of life but that's not happening so I have to deal with things as they are. And when it comes to Trump 90% of the time what he says is just him blathering or playing to the crowd. Until it actually turns into a policy push there's no point trying in to divine if what he says actually means anything.
I would rather have a country with a lot less government in all aspects of life but that's not happening so I have to deal with things as they are.
I too would like less government, but the question "how much government should we have" is entirely different from "how much accountability should we expect from individual members of said government."
Hugh Akston
Location: El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora Reina de los Angeles
Post by Hugh Akston » 29 Aug 2019, 21:57
The correct answer is 'none'. What do I win?
"Is a Lulztopia the best we can hope for?!?" ~Taktix®
"Somali pirates are beholden to their hostages in a way that the USG is not." ~Dangerman
Aresen
Location: Great White Pacific Northwest
Post by Aresen » 29 Aug 2019, 22:36
Hugh Akston wrote: ↑
Congratulations, you win a Libertarian Purity Badge* and ten years in the camps.
*Approximate value of LPB = one Comcast promise.
If Trump supporters wanted a tough guy, why did they elect such a whiny bitch? - Mo
Those who know history are doomed to deja vu. - the innominate one
Never bring a knife to a joke fight" - dhex
Aresen wrote: ↑
Do we lose the purity badge if we refer to the camps by the wrong label?
JasonL
Post by JasonL » 29 Aug 2019, 22:47
Shem wrote:
I'm not sure I want the world where people spend calories trying to figure out how many words absent actions are crimes. I'm not sure I want this world either. I dunno tbh.
D.A. Ridgely
Location: The Other Side
Post by D.A. Ridgely » 29 Aug 2019, 23:25
No, it's okay if you call them college campuses.
Post by Shem » 29 Aug 2019, 23:32
Just so long as you recognize that tolerating President Internet Troll now means that this is the new normal.
"VOTE SHEMOCRACY! You will only have to do it once!" -Loyalty Officer Aresen
Post by Mo » 30 Aug 2019, 02:05
Painboy wrote:
The crowd being a closed door meeting with exec branch officials? This wasn't something he said at a political rally.
his voice is so soothing, but why do conspiracy nuts always sound like Batman and Robin solving one of Riddler's puzzles out loud? - fod
no one ever yells worldstar when a pet gets fucked up - dhex
Post by Dangerman » 30 Aug 2019, 10:53
How would we, here, be intolerant of President Fuck face in a way that did not mean this is the new normal? Nobody here likes him, and despite the arguments that not screaming as loudly as possible on an internet forum is condoning his behavior, I don't think anyone is defending him. Impeachment is a legal matter, and the opinions of the gryllitariat are hardly germane. So what do you want? Our tolerance or intolerance is ephemeral and insubstantial.
How are you in particular not tolerant of him in a way we could emulate?
Aside from the practical matter that you can't get an impeachment through to removal, my analysis of that problem is lots of people voted for and support PIT. If I say he can't be that I'm saying they can't have the outcome they voted for. This is what brinksmanship does - it forces an evaluation of can we live with the new normal vs the cost of dramatic action.
lots of people voted for and support PIT. If I say he can't be that I'm saying they can't have the outcome they voted for.
Have you ever heard the phrase "A Republic, not a democracy"? There's a lot wrong with the phrase (e.g. it uses the word "republic" in a very different way than most countries do, where republicanism is contrasted with monarchy rather than democracy) but it also encapsulates an essential idea: There are rules above and beyond "A winning coalition of voters can get whatever they want."
Location: Goat Rope MO
Contact Warren
Post by Warren » 30 Aug 2019, 11:52
That's wrong. The essential idea is that society is governed by representatives. Usually those representatives are chosen via democratic elections.
THIS SPACE FOR RENT
Warren wrote:
The phrase gets used a whole bunch of ways. The concept of representative democracy rather than direct democracy is a trivial one because every functioning democracy is mostly run on the decisions of elected representatives rather than plebiscites. Even California and Switzerland are run primarily on the basis of legislation approved by legislators rather than ballot measures. The ballot measures make the news but the bread and butter of legislation is done by representatives.
The more interesting invocations of the phrase talk about the "Three wolves and two sheep" problem, i.e the majority shouldn't always get what it wants. Usually they take this to mean that rural areas need protection from cities, but urban voters are hardly the only majority in need of checks and rural voters are hardly the only minority in need of protection. Still, at least it gets at the idea that there's more to governance than just the wishes of the winning coalition.
And then there's the concept of republicanism as most of the rest of the world understands it: The opposite of monarchy or personal rule. By that usage the UK is, in principle, not a republic, even though the government operates primarily as a representative democracy. (Brexit, of course, is an outcome of direct democracy, which is funny when you consider that the Americans who are most likely to support it are also the ones most likely to chant "republic, not a democracy!")
Trump, however, with his demands for personal loyalty and his violations of the spirit* of the Emoluments Clause, is the one who regards governance as a personal matter. He is taking the Imperial Presidency on the next step down the road from republicanism to elected monarchy.
*I won't dare say that he's violating the letter of the law. Surely there's a loophole or nuance by which technically all of his apparent improprieties and conflicts of interest are totally legal. But if people want to they can nonetheless go ahead and remind me that none of this is illegal.
To date - the emoluments issue is the one I think might be real deal enough to entertain impeachment over.
Saying stuff isn't like emoluments.
I get the republic thing but I also feel like we are in a zone where the perceived legitimacy of outcomes is razor thin. I want to avoid using technical means to overturn election results to keep us on the right side of that line.
JasonL wrote: Saying stuff isn't like emoluments.
Depends what is said and the context.
There is no law that restrains the president from using nuclear weapons or military force. If Trump decides to nuke Guatemala as part of the national emergency invasion from Central America to "send a message" would you just shrug and say, "Welp, he didn't break a law."
Mo wrote: ↑
There is no law that restrains the president from using nuclear weapons or military force.
Not sure about nukes, but there are were definitely constraints on military force, specifically the War Powers Resolution., which limit the duration of military activities without Congressional approval. But then Obama declared that the War Powers Resolution doesn't apply to "kinetic military actions", so now it is 100% legal for the President to do anything he wants overseas without Congressional approval.
lunchstealer
Location: The Local Fluff in the Local Bubble
Post by lunchstealer » 30 Aug 2019, 18:32
Also I hate to think what would lead to Trump nuking Guatemala for more than 60 days.
"The constitution is more of a BDSM agreement with a safe word." - Sandy
"Neoliberalism. Austerity. Booga booga!!!!" - JasonL
"We can't confirm rumors that Lynndie England is in the running to be Gina Haspel's personal aide." - DAR
lunchstealer wrote: ↑
Bad hombres feed him bad empanadas and he spends the next 60 days tweeting from the toilet.
thoreau wrote:
I mean one could order bombers to flatten Guatemala in way less than 60 days if they DGAF about civilian lives.
Eric the .5b
Post by Eric the .5b » 30 Aug 2019, 19:03
How would you flatten Guatemala while GAF about civilian lives?
"Better that ten guilty persons escape than that one innocent suffer."
Cet animal est très méchant / Quand on l'attaque il se défend.
Eric the .5b wrote: ↑
Pretty easily, when you're willing to be flexible about the exact meaning of "civilian." Remember when official "terrorists" were the only people in Yemen who ever went to wedding parties?
Return to "General Chatter"
↳ General Chatter
↳ The Joys of Life
↳ Hit & Run Over

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


1983-2013: The Historical Museum of the Great War of Outdoor Monte Piana turns thirty.
In fact already from 1977 to 1982 the "Friends of the Dolomites", coordinated by prof. Walther Schaumann, had sketched a big project on the mountain, which was the scene of bitter fighting, but even more, the struggle for survival from May 1915 to October 1917. After the earthquake of Friuli of 1976, the then 4th Alpine Corps had supported logistically for six summers the Austrian group, which welcomed volunteers from all over Europe, to create the first Open Air Museum, which proposed a historic route between the trenches, barracks and tunnels on that mountain where 14,000 soldiers died between Italians and Austrians, in an exhausting war of position, for the possession of that bastion above the valleys Popena, Landro and Brixen, access roads to the Pusteria, considered important route of supply of 'Austro-Hungarian army, to South Tyrol. In 1982 some volunteers asked and obtained by the then Italian Fondazione Monte Piana, affiliated AAS. Combatants and Veterans of Treviso, to care, as well as the care of war monuments on the place and the celebration of the memory of the fallen, even manutenzionare annually what the previous group had restored in those years: daring paths of war equipped on ledges north and south of the mountain; a general restoration of the viability of war, starting from the valleys below, revaluing paths that from the point of view of landscape jaw-dropping for their beauty; the safety of caves and tunnels and cleaning debris of some sections of trenches and shelters, both on the south, Italian, and in the North, the Austrian. Fans always the story of the war in our mountains, the twins Albert and Fabrizio Gottardo, Padua, grandchildren of two fighters of the Col di Lana and the Karst region, they would not have endured that all the work done on Piana degraded yet only because the group with which had collaborated changing area, so in 1983 they began, with some friends, to spend their August holidays, not only in the old trenches manutenzionare already clean, but to restore the continuation to other positions, so as to connect the walkways leading to the remains shacks; workstations weapon to deposits and galleries approach to observers. Since 1984, the Alpine Troops resumed provide essential logistical support to the volunteers, which increased significantly from year to year. Each day during the first two weeks of August, there was until the lever, half with two alpine left early in the morning the barracks of San Candido, to reach the camp at the top of Monte Piana (2325 m.), To bring food and water (there no source) and increase the workforce. Recall also that the group has always lived self-financing with respect to the procurement of supplies, materials and printing of the guides distributed to visitors. For those 15 days of activity has always lived in military tents so spartan, but the organization has steadily improved over the years. After the draft, the Alpine Troops Command has generously continued to support the volunteer group, yielding a final various materials for the preparation of the field and paying each season working a large tent-refectory that still welcomes the thirty people who alternate in the period in which the site is open. From their twenties who were the two brothers joined the group when Gottardo Schaumann, are now supported in their work by their children who live this experience again with renewed enthusiasm.


What does making Leadership a Way of Life mean?
I'm Just Sayin'… – Revelations for Making Leadership a Way of Life is a compilation of the most compelling ideas to becoming the leader everyone follows!
Whether you are an individual professional, a business owner, a corporate leader of multiple levels of management or a non-profit leader, understanding the attitudinal mindset of a leader is the secret to thinking and being a leader versus being in a leadership position.
Based on over 30 years of successful leadership in the Military, Fortune 100, Entrepreneurial and Non-Profit ventures, this is everything the leader needs to know about making Leadership a Way of Life.
What are the key skills of an effective listener?
Why is it important to maintain business alignment to achieve success?
Why is process improvement so important and how to avoid ignoring it?
What are the keys to working with multiple generations in the workplace?


text:
Air Force approves wave of uniform changes — including shorts for maintainers
By Diana Stancy Correll
Air Force Airman 1st Class Richard Flagg, 67th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, performs pre-flight checks on an F-15C Eagle Jan. 23, 2020, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. This was the first time maintenance airmen were authorized to work in shorts on Kadena Air Base. (Senior Airman Rhett Isbell/Air Force)
The Air Force has authorized a slew of new uniform changes — including allowing maintainers to wear shorts during warm weather across the entire force.
"These options came directly from feedback from the field through the virtual uniform board and feedback from commands in the field," Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly, Air Force deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel, and services, said in an Air Force news release.
"We appreciated the feedback we received from airmen and the opportunity to hear their concerns and ideas," Kelly said. "Not all of the ideas fit within our standards or culture, but many do and provided us an opportunity to provide options for our airmen."
According to modifications coming to Air Force Instruction 36-2903, commanders of maintainers have the authority to allow them to wear dark navy blue shorts instead of the Airman Battle Uniform or Operational Camouflage Pattern trousers when temperatures are expected to meet or exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fun in the sun: Flightline shorts on the way for overheated Nellis maintainers
Who wears short shorts?
These shorts may be worn in areas such as the flight line, hangars and dock areas where the temperature cannot be controlled, the service said. The shorts would be paired with a coyote brown T-shirt and uniform green or coyote brown socks with uniform boots.
Several Air Force installations, including Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, have paved the way on this issue, and have previously allowed their maintainers to wear shorts.
Across the entire Air Force and Space Force, airmen and guardians will be allowed to wear duty identifier patches that are no more than five letters and fall within the spice brown color scheme. Socks that are solid black, white, navy blue, gray, desert sand, tan, Defense Logistics Agency‐issued green or coyote brown and have only small trademark logos are also permitted with physical training gear.
Additionally, the Air Force has given the green light for eyeglasses and sunglasses with frames that are black, brown, white, navy blue, gray or transparent material, or gold or silver wire.
Air Force to OK braids, ponytails for women — but no beards for men
Female airmen have complained the old hair grooming standards resulted in hair damage, migraines or, in some cases, even hair loss.
Likewise, airmen and guardians are allowed to carry messenger and lunch bags — so long as they are black, brown, gray or navy blue and do not feature designs outside of the ABU and OCP patterns. And finally, the fleece cap and/or gloves may be worn without an outer garment.
The changes are slated to take effect on March 15.
Separately, the Air Force announced March 2 that it had signed off on new designs for an Air Force Physical Training Gear uniform. The designs for the PT jacket, T-shirt, shorts and pants will become available to airmen in 2022.
Air ForceUniform changesAir force maintenanceAir Force ShortsAir Force UniformsAir Force Maintainers Allowed to Wear ShortsUSAF
Both Army veterans, the two men were sworn in as U.S. citizens at a special naturalization ceremony in downtown San Diego.
Navy salvages security patrol boat that sank in Washington
The ship was raised from roughly 160 feet underwater at Hood Canal.
Feds charge Navy captain with cyberstalking
Prosecutors allege that Capt. Theodore E. Essenfeld started fake social media accounts using his civilian ex-girlfriend's name and images.
A return to the Philippines
The longtime ally could again host U.S. naval forces in the not-too-distant future.


PermaSeal® is the last concrete treatment you will need! Preserve your patio's concrete with one treatment that lasts 25 years. We fill the porous holes in your patio with our proprietary all-natural process, strengthening it by 23%. After your PermaSeal® application is complete, your patio's concrete will be protected for 25 years guaranteed!
PermaSeal® Concrete Sealer will bring your patio's concrete back to life, minimizing checking, corrosion, and deterioration, using a biodegradable, and non-toxic treatment process.
PermaSeal® reacts with the patio's concrete to create a resilient substance permanently protecting against acids, salts, oils, and more.
Your PermaSeal® includes a 25-year guarantee! Forget about intensive concrete maintenance; one treatment and you're DONE.


text:
Q: sorting an array between array and string values I am creating a template parser and i need to sort the array of variables that gets passed into the parser so that each array element that IS an array get processed first. For example:
$data = array(
    'name' => 'Steven',
    'type' => array(
        'gender' => 'M',
        'age' => 23'
    )
)

I need 'type' to be first since it is an array, and 'name' to be last. Does anyone have an idea on how to do this? Ive looked at php.net's manual at the different sort functions, but dont see how any apply to my situation.

A: function cmp($a, $b) {
    return is_array($a) ? -1 : 1;
}
uasort($data, "cmp");

This will sort the array based on the value type...alphabetically. Array comes before String.

A: function cmp($a, $b) {
   return is_array($a)? -1 : 0;
}

uasort($data, "cmp");

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Perhaps you grew up eating eggplant where your grandmother had you breading it and layering it into Eggplant Parmesan. Or perhaps you were turned off by it because of it's spungy texture and odd feel. Maybe you never tried it and never care to. It is also possible you like eggplant and are open to trying new types of cuisines and recipes involving this quite interesting summer vegetable. I can relate to that last one, and for some reason lately I've been especially drawn to this night shade.
My favorite way to cook eggplant has been on the grill or roasted in the oven with olive oil, salt, and pepper. It is very simple and brings out the flavors quite well. But after making this recipe, I think I can say this may be my new favorite way to eat eggplant. If you have ever been to a Moroccan restaurant, then you have probably tried something similar to this. They generally serve an eggplant dip (they call it a salad) at the start of the meal with some freshly cooked flat bread. This salad, or dip as I refer to it, is traditionally called Zaalouk. Now I'm no Moraccan cuisine connoisseur, but when I tried this for the first time, I was in love and desperate to make myself. Many months later, I came across a recipe that sounded just about right, so I was all in. With a little tweaks here and there, it turned out to be all that I hoped for.
Summer is slowly coming to an end, but not yet are the plentiful amounts of summer vegetables. Our gardens are still proliferating with tomatoes. BLTs, summer sauces, and tomato salads have been on the menu daily. Still I was eager to try something a little different. My love of eggplant combined with the plentiful amount of tomatoes birthed this tasty and authentic dip I'm happy to share with all of you. Roasted, sauteed, and then mixed all together with plenty of spices, there is something that just felt right about making this. If you can make a dish and be temporarily transported to some remote part of the world, then you must be doing something right, don't you think?
Traditionally served with fresh flat bread, this dip is a wonderful party addition. Serve warm or at room temperature for best results. Add to some fish or meat as a tangy and flavorful accoutrement. Or if you're like us and tend to avoid bread, simply eat with some organic blue corn chips and you'll be more than satisfied.
Arrange eggplant on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Arrange tomatoes on a separate baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.
Roast the eggplant in preheated oven for about 20-30 minutes or until golden and soft.
Roast the tomatoes in preheated oven for about 10-20 minutes. You can bake both at the same time, it won't disrupt the cooking process.
Remove eggplant and tomato from oven. You can decide at this point if you want to remove the skins of the eggplant since they can be tough. Then roughly chop eggplant and tomato.
In a large skillet, heat 2 T olive oil on a medium-high flame. Add chopped tomato, eggplant, minced garlic, cilantro, paprika, cumin, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
Allow mixture to cook on medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, for about 10-15 minutes or until the paste has thickened and is no longer watery. Taste and add more salt if needed.
Serve warm or at room temperature garnished with a slice of lemon and some fresh cilantro.


text:
Inspiration from Celebrity Weddings: A Look at Kim Kardashian's Wedding
Celebrity wedding inspiration: Kim Kardashian's wedding.
I have to admit: I love celebrity weddings (I'm a little obsessed with celebrities in general), and and now that the dust has settled a bit from Kim Kardashian's wedding to NBA-er, Kris Humphries, I thought it'd be nice to kick some back up into the air again.The wedding of Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries certainly qualifies as one of the biggest and best celebrity weddings of 2011. (At the very least, Kim Kardashian's wedding was the celebrity wedding of the year in the U.S., only surpassed in media attention and general hullabaloo by the Royal Wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton.)
The Kardashians are all about full blown glamour, and have no less than fully devoted their lives to looking great at all times. Even if you're not their biggest fan, you have to admit, they always (or at least, almost always) look fabulous. That said, who better to look to for wedding planning glamspiration, than the queen of glam herself, Kim Kardashian?
Recreate Kim Kardashian's wedding looks – without breaking the bank.
Ever the glamazon, Kim K. chose to wear multiple designer wedding dresses on her big day, all of which were designed just for her, by longtime Kardashian family friend, Vera Wang. Wearing wedding reception dresses in a different style from the gown worn during the wedding ceremony has become increasingly popular for today's on-trend wedding planning brides. Most brides looking for wedding reception dresses choose a dress with a shorter hemline than their ceremony gown out of practicality, as they are much easier to relax and dance in… But not Kim Kardashian! On Kim's, sorry, Kim & Kris' big day, our girl Kimmy wore exactly three (yes, THREE!) designer wedding dresses - one style for the ceremony, and two reception dresses (one for the couple's first dance, and the other for the rest of the night's festivities). Kim's wedding was filmed for a special episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians … and if I were planning a wedding that was going to air on national TV, I would wear no fewer than five designer wedding dresses. (Just kidding.) For those of you who, like me, love celebrity weddings and wouldn't mind borrowing a bit of celebrity style inspiration for your own wedding planning, I've picked out a few designer wedding dresses and accessories, which will have you looking like a superstar on your big day. (And with the affordable bridal gowns at Wedding Shoppe, Inc., you'll look glam without giving up an arm and a gam!)
Kim Kardashian Wedding Dress #1:
For her walk down the aisle, Kim Kardashian's wedding dress featured a ball gown silhouette, basque waist, modified sweetheart strapless neckline, and gorgeous Chantilly lace appliqués throughout the bodice and train. If you love fairytale wedding dresses, and see yourself as a "Princess Bride" (and I'm not talking about the movie), the first of Kim Kardashian's wedding dresses is a perfect style for you! The ball gown silhouette is the most formal wedding dress silhouette, and it is also the most traditional. Perhaps Kim K. chose this style for her ceremony wedding dress, because deep in her heart of hearts, she is a traditional bride. Who knew? I certainly wouldn't have guessed! If you want to recreate the first of Kim Kardashian's wedding dress styles for your own wedding day, here are my top picks:
With gorgeous Chantilly lace appliqués covering the bodice, a dramatic tulle ball gown skirt, modified sweetheart neckline, and figure-flattering basque waist, Pronovias Bridal Gown Barroco perfectly embodies princess fairytale wedding dresses, and just happens to look a lot like Kim Kardashian's wedding dress. (I actually like this dress more than Kim's!)
With its sweetheart neckline, tulle ball gown skirt, and lace appliqués along the hem, Moonlight Bridal Gown H1164 is another great option for bride's who fell in love with the fairytale princess style of Kim Kardashian's wedding dress.
Bridal Gown: Casablanca 1992 is another one of the designer wedding dresses from Wedding Shoppe Inc. that displays the classic design elements that Vera Wang used in her design for Kim Kardashian's wedding dress. Best of all, the affordable bridal gowns from Casablanca Bridal are completely wedding budget friendly!
For brides looking for fabulous plus size bridal gowns, Sincerity Bridal Gown 4533 is a great style, featuring the slimming & elongating basque waistline, flattering sweetheart neckline, and full tulle ball gown skirt. It even has detachable cap sleeves!
Kim Kardashian's Wedding Accessories:
On her wedding day, Kim Kardashian was positively dripping in diamonds. (She reportedly wore close to $15 million in diamonds throughout the night, and counted the jewels as her "something borrowed"). To accessorize the first of her three designer wedding dresses, Kim wore a diamond headpiece, diamond drop earrings, and a cathedral length, lace-trimmed veil. Fabulous!
Kim Kardashian's Headpiece:
Kim's headpiece was a whopping 65-carat diamond headband, worth about $2.5 million. For a headpiece like the one worn with Kim Kardashian's wedding dress, I picked out these much more affordable wedding accessories:
Kim's Earrings:
Kim Kardashian wore a pair of $5 million, 28-carat diamond drop earrings….
The Mariell Wedding Jewelry E660 look just as fabulous as Kim's earrings, without the crazy-expensive pricetag:
The Kim Kardashian Wedding Veil:
Kim Kardashian's wedding veil was a traditional style, lace edge cathedral veil.
If you adore dramatically long, lace wedding veils, then you'll love J.L. Johnson V4837 Wedding Veil:
For Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries' first dance, Kim wore a wedding dress with a curve-flaunting mermaid silhouette, Chantilly lace appliqués on the bodice, straps to support , and a skirt made of organza petals mixed with Chantilly lace and organza sprig embroidery. Kim said this was her favorite dress of the night, and I would definitely agree, as it perfectly flaunted Kim's famous curves. The following designer wedding dresses from Wedding Shoppe Inc. are fabulous, and great styles for brides who want to recreate the second of Kim Kardashian's wedding looks.
For her third and final wedding dress, Kim said she "was going for an Old Hollywood look". Thus, perhaps in an effort to channel the classic beauty of Marilyn Monroe, the last of Kim Kardashian's wedding dress styles was a simple, elegant, satin, vintage style circle dress finished with a sexy v-neck. The following styles are fabulous options for recreating Kim's final wedding day look (and I think these affordable bridal gowns look even better than the vintage style circle dress that Kim Kardashian wore!)
So, what do you guys think about Kim K's decision to wear three designer wedding dresses? And which Kim Kardashian wedding dress style was your fave?
Other Posts You'll Love: Reality Show Personality Khloe Kardashian and Lakers Star Lamar Odom Wedding What Will Kate Wear? Our Picks for Kate Middleton's Wedding Dress Inspired by The Royal Wedding Featuring Sara Gabriel Bridal Headpieces Part 1
[1] Garcia, Jennifer. People 5 September 2011.
Thanks for the great post


Dalia is a female name.
The name Dalia derives from the name of the flower Dahlia, named after the Swedish botanist Anders Dahl. Dalia is also a variant of Delia and a Hebrew and Lithuanian name.
Dalia has the meaning "the (flower) Dahlia" or "the one from the Island Delos", in Lithuanian "the luck/fate", in Hebrew "God has done great".
You're looking for names like Dalia?


text:
The Moosup River Site (RI-1153) is an archaeological site in Coventry, Rhode Island.  The site is located on a bluff overlooking the Moosup River in western Coventry, not far from the Connecticut state line.  The site was identified and excavated in 1985, yielding a quartzite Neville point, and radiocarbon dates to 3050 BCE.

The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

See also
National Register of Historic Places listings in Kent County, Rhode Island

References

Coventry, Rhode Island
National Register of Historic Places in Kent County, Rhode Island
Archaeological sites on the National Register of Historic Places in Rhode Island

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
$474,900555 Massachusetts Ave NW Unit 406
555 Massachusetts Ave NW Unit 406, Washington, DC, 20001
Home TypeCondominium
ParkingGarage - Side Entry,Inside Access,Underground, Parking Garage
MLS #DCDC2075458
StatusAccepting Backup Offers
(ACTIVE UNDER CONTRACT)
About 555 Massachusetts Ave NW Unit 406
Don't miss out on your chance to own a condo in one of Mount Vernon Triangle's most beloved buildings, 555 Mass. Located in the heart of one of DC's most vibrant neighborhoods, there's an energy that's palpable. This well-appointed unit has an open and airy feel thanks to a smart layout and floor-to-ceiling windows. Future owner will appreciate the newly installed floors, granite counters, stainless steel appliances (with gas cooking!), and deeded GARAGE PARKING space. The spacious bedroom boasts a work nook, walk-in closet, and en-suite access to the bathroom. 555 Mass delivers the goods, including a 24/7 concierge, gym, resident's lounge, and spectacular rooftop complete with tons of sitting areas, BBQ grills, a large pool, and some of the best views of DC! As for location, it's truly hard to beat this one. Located in the heart of the city, owners enjoy easy access to some of DC's most sought-after restaurants and nite-life. You couldn't be much closer to many of DC's favorite landmarks, including Union Station, National Mall, Capital One Arena, Flagship Apple Store (located in the Carnegie Library), Washington Capitol & Monument, and so much more. A commuter's dream with immediate access to I-395 just down the street and you're just blocks away from all Metro lines (Gallery Place - Red/Green/Yellow, Metro Center - Red/Blue/Orange, Convention Center - Yellow/Green...to name a few). Convenience of location is a true understatement. Bottomline, if you're ready to love where you live, then this is the place to BE! **FIRST OPEN HOUSE THIS SUNDAY 12 PM - 2 PM**
Living Area: 658 SqFt
Listing Agent: Jamie S Bauer
Parking: Garage - Side Entry,Inside Access,Underground, Parking Garage
Dunbar High School, Public District Grades 9-12
Walker-Jones Education Campus, Public District Grades EE-8
Directions: head southbound on Massachusetts Avenue, NW and the property is located
Washington Housing Market Report
Sold Prices For All Homes in Washington
$3.2K$9.6M
The Median Sold Price for All Homes in Washington is $677.2K
See Washington Housing Market Report
MLS Name: BRIGHT
MLS Number: #DCDC2075458
Information Deemed Reliable But Not Guaranteed. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website appears in part through the BRIGHT Internet Data Exchange program, a voluntary cooperative exchange of property listing data between licensed real estate brokerage firms in which participates, and is provided by BRIGHT through a licensing agreement.
The information provided by this website is for the personal, non-commercial use of consumers and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Some properties which appear for sale on this website may no longer be available because they are under contract, have sold or are no longer being offered for sale. Some real estate firms do not participate in IDX and their listings do not appear on this website. Some properties listed with participating firms do not appear on this website at the request of the seller. This home sale information is not to be construed as an appraisal and may not be used as such for any purpose.
BRIGHT MLS is the (or a) provider of this home sale information and has compiled content from various sources. Some properties represented may not have actually sold due to reporting errors. ©2023 BrightMLS. All rights reserved.
Walker-Jones Education Campus
1125 New Jersey Ave NW
Public District Grades EE-8
Dunbar High School
101 North St Nw
1200 L St NW
Kipp Dc Lead Academy
421 P St NW
Public Charter Grades 1-2
Center City Shaw Campus Public Charter School
711 N St NW
Public Charter Grades PK-8
Basis Dc Public Charter School
410 8th St NW
Kipp Dc Will Academy Public Charter School
McKinley Technology High School
151 T St NE
Cardozo Education Campus
1200 Clifton St NW
Major League Soccer (MLS)
The neighbors living near this home have an average income of $58,663. Most Washington, DC residents have annual incomes less than $35k. Most families are single, no kids. The majority of residents in this area have post secondary degree education.
1300 N St NW Unit 803, Washington DC, 20005
Christopher Polhemus
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
#DCDC2050816
1117 10th St NW Unit 909, Washington DC, 20001
James R. Wright
Samson Properties
Justin Warren Noble
TTR Sotheby's International Realty
1300 Massachusetts Ave NW Unit 501, Washington DC, 20005
Tam Nguyen
KW Metro Center
1300 N St NW Unit 10, Washington DC, 20005
Joseph E Freeman III
McWilliams/Ballard, Inc.
Marco Stilli
50 Florida Ave NE Unit 224, Washington DC, 20002
Nina Foldvari
Washington Fine Properties, LLC
Living In Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square, Washington
Types of housing in Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square, Washington.
Around three quarters of the population of this neighborhood rent their home while the remainder are owners. Large apartment buildings are the predominant housing type, representing almost all buildings in this neighborhood, and the rest of the dwellings are mainly small apartment buildings. The average year of construction for properties in this part of the city is 1992. This part of Washington is primarily composed of two bedroom and one bedroom homes.
What is it like to live in Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square, Washington?
Home buyers who enjoy a vibrant atmosphere and spending time in green spaces will feel at home in Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square. This area has a very large number of streets to discover. There is a vast selection of entertainment venues, there are very often many people around, and with its about 30 bars, there are options for nighttime activities. There are about 40 green spaces nearby for residents to check out, including President's Park and Exec. Office, which makes them very easy to access from the majority of locations in this part of the city.
Is it easy to get around Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square, Washington without a car?
House buyers in Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square will appreciate that a general and a specialty grocery store is always only a very short walk away. H Street is among the best streets for groceries. Likewise, there are over 500 restaurants and over 100 cafes to benefit from in this part of the city. It is also a short distance to a very good variety of clothing stores. When it comes to education, locals will welcome the proximity to primary as well as high schools, which are within walking distance from vast majority houses for sale in this part of Washington.
Transportation in Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square, Washington.
No matter the means of transportation, it is very simple to travel in this neighborhood. This part of Washington is very transit friendly. More specifically, it is very convenient to reach a nearby rapid transit station, including Archives Station, Federal Triangle Station and Gallery Place Chinatown Station with access to the Silver Line, Blue Line, Orange Line, Green Line, Red Line and Yellow Line, from most residences in the neighborhood. The neighborhood is served by over 50 bus lines, and it is very convenient to reach a nearby bus stop from most houses. Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square is also quite car friendly. Most houses for sale are a short car ride from the closest highway, such as Dwight D Eisenhower Freeway. It is especially convenient for people walking to navigate this part of Washington; running common errands is very easy on foot, and numerous businesses are especially nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions About 555 Massachusetts Ave NW Unit 406
The listing price of 555 Massachusetts Ave NW Unit 406 property is $474,900.
The property 555 Massachusetts Ave NW Unit 406 is a condo located in Washington, District of Columbia, 20001.
Accepting Backup Offers: 555 Massachusetts Ave NW Unit 406 is Accepting Backup Offers (Active Under Contract), there is still a chance to have your real estate agent submit an offer.
The assigned schools for 555 Massachusetts Ave NW Unit 406 are:
Walker-Jones Education Campus: GreatSchools Rating 3/10
Dunbar High School: GreatSchools Rating 4/10
The property at 555 Massachusetts Ave NW Unit 406 has 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom.
The property 555 Massachusetts Ave NW Unit 406 is 658 SqFt (source: MLS/tax record).
The year of construction for 555 Massachusetts Ave NW Unit 406 is 2005.
Interested in 555 Massachusetts Ave NW Unit 406? Let's connect.
Rocket Homes›District of Columbia›Washington›20001›555 Massachusetts Ave NW Unit 406
This home is located at 555 Massachusetts Ave NW Unit 406 in Washington, DC and zip code 20001 in the Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square neighborhood. This 658 square foot home was built in 2005. Features: 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom. It has been listed on Rocket Homes since November 18, 2022 and is currently priced at $474,900.
In December 2022, from all listings sold in Washington, DC there were more than 75 sold above asking price, over 223 sold below and more than 88 were sold right at the asked price. The number of listings in Washington, DC decreased by 4.5% between November 2022 and December 2022. In December 2022 median list price was $677,212 and the average listing age was 40 days.
More Homes For Sale in Washington
Naval Anacost Annex homes for sale
Alexandria homes for sale
Mount Rainier homes for sale
Chevy Chase Village homes for sale
Colmar Manor homes for sale
Cottage City homes for sale
Fairmount Heights homes for sale
Takoma Park homes for sale
Capitol Heights homes for sale


La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc. was established on February 19, 1982, at Cornell University to provide a formal structure for the positive presence and representation of underrepresented groups at institutions of higher education across the United States. On April 1, 2006, ten undergraduate student leaders founded the Alpha Phi Chapter at the University of Southern California with the support of LUL alumni who had pledged at Cornell (Alpha), Yale (Kappa), and other East Coast-based institutions. Together, these Hermanos chartered the first chapter of La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc. on the West Coast in an attempt to formally unite student leaders who sought to maximize their time academically, socially, and professionally at USC. Collectively, we strive to realize our fullest potential while leading by example in order to light a path of success for the next generation of underrepresented leaders.


text:
"there's no such thing as a kid who hates reading. There are kids who love reading, and kids who are reading the wrong books."
--- James Patterson
We are a family of readers (and writers), coming from a long line of readers. Grandma Rose, a Russian immigrant with an eighth grade education, was never without a book by her bed. Her love of reading was contagious, and she made sure I always had the latest Nancy Drew book as soon as it was published. During her final days, spent in an assisted living facility, she still had her stack of books close at hand.
Her daughter, my mother Marlyn, was an equally avid reader. Our home was always filled with books, and I especially loved reading the books that had once belonged to her. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Heidi and Jane Eyre were all my companions during many a winter night and are still counted among my favorite books. I became an English teacher and a book reviewer to help encourage a love of reading in others, and I never tired of watching a student begin to understand Shakespeare or develop a love of poetry.
Michael was four years old when he read his first book without help, and Beth was three years old when she began reading fluently. Although I attribute much of their skills to Sesame Street, I like to think that it is my genes, running through their bodies, that makes them avid readers to this day. Mike is a fan of the classics, with a bit of the supernatural now and again, while Beth favors fantasy, sci-fi and the dystopian novels that are so popular today. Of course neither of them limits their reading to just those genres, and both of their homes abound in books.
One of my favorite pictures of oldest grand-daughter, Sarah, has her sitting in a big, over-stuffed chair, intently reading a picture book. She is ten months old at the time, and she is to this day the most fanatical reader of us all. She brings a book with her wherever she goes, and the only time she ever gets in trouble in school is when she is caught reading a book rather than listening to the teacher.
I decided to share my family's reading history because several young mothers, over the last few weeks, have asked me how I got my children to enjoy reading. While I often tease about the genetic component, I truly believe that an environment resplendent with books will make a child a reader. He/she will seek the comfort of the familiar as they grow, and it is our responsibility as parents to highlight the positive comforts in their lives. Bookcases overflowing with a variety of reading material will teach them that there is a genre for all tastes. Allowing them an extra half hour of reading time before they shut their lights each night will show them the importance that you place on reading. Giving them freedom to choose any book that interests them (yes...even graphic novels) shows them their tastes matter. Most importantly...teach by example. Make sure they see just how important reading is to you.
Reading The Pope's Suicide by Steve Richer is a great way for you to demonstrate what an avid reader you are. The premise is definitely an interesting one. Did the Pope really commit suicide while visiting in New York? NYPD detective Donnie Beecher is forced into taking the case that is sure to cause him many a sleepless night, and the reader is along for the very bumpy ride.
Jeff Shelby, the author of the Joe Tyler series(one of which I recently reviewed) offers us a lighter read in his book The Murder Pit (A Moose River Mystery Book 1). We have all heard about people who purchase a new home that turns into a money pit, but Daisy and Jake have a more complicated problem. While trying to fix a frozen pipe in the crawl space of their new home, they come upon a dead body. Is someone trying to frame Daisy?
As usual complete reviews of both of these books follow this blog.
lick on the book cover to order the title mentioned in today's blog:
The Pope's Suicide by Steve Richer
Those who follow the Catholic religion are taught that suicide is a sin leading to eternal damnation. In Steve Richer's The Pope's Suicide NYPD detective Donnie Beecher is well aware of that, when he is forced to take on a case he does not want. The Pope is found hanging in the bathroom of the home he is residing in while visiting New York. All indications point to suicide, but Donnie is being pressured to call it a murder. Those close to the Pope believe an announcement of suicide could topple their institution.
Richer writes a very readable book, and the story is a little different than the typical detective novel of today. Donnie is a strong character who refuses to give in until he finds the truth. The supporting characters, especially those connected to the Vatican, are interesting, and their roadblocks to the truth keep the reader involved. Teaming up with a former nun, Officer Emma Aldridge, Donnie realizes that there is more to this international thriller than the solving of the Pope's death at stake.
I loved reading about the subterfuge that goes on at the Vatican. Of course this is fiction, but Richer's description of the secrets and lies that make up the political atmosphere had a ring of truth. After all, wherever there is a climb to power, there will be those who skirt the truth to reach the pinnacle.
Finally, Donnie Beecher is more than just a detective, and his family life becomes an interesting addition to this detective novel. Watching him juggle a wife who is recovering from a long illness and a teenage daughter who is causing them stress, allows the reader to get to know the man as well as the detective.
- Beverly
Date of Publication - January 3, 2017
The Murder Pit (A Mose River Mystery Book 1) by Jeff Shelby
Since Jeff Shelby has written several books that I have enjoyed, I decided to give his cozy mystery series a try. The first in the series, The Murder Pit (A Moose River Mystery Book 1), is definitely an enjoyably light read. While it wasn't as intriguing as many of his other books, it is one of the better ones in this genre.
After a bad first marriage, Daisy re-finds Jake, her high-school boyfriend, and they decide to marry. Daisy falls in love with a wonderful 150 year old house in Moose River, Minnesota, and they move in with their four children, ages 8-14. Jake isn't quite as enamored with the house, and defrosting the frozen kitchen pipe is not a chore he relishes. When Daisy crawls into the crawl space with a hair dryer, she is determined to get the pipes working, but her discovery of a dead body definitely stalls the process.
Shelby builds his characters well, and I enjoyed following this family as they try to deal with one problem after another. We get to know each member and want to see them all succeed. The dead body was a man Daisy had dated before Jake, and it seems obvious that someone is setting her up to look guilty. The police begin to suspect her, and the family finds the town becoming less and less friendly. Daisy believes that she must find the real murderer to clear her name, and goes against Jake's advice to do so.
The relationships in this novel show real affection, the setting is an interesting one and the supporting characters helped to make the story more entertaining. This book is definitely written in a different style than Shelby's Joe Tyler series. I found it a fun mystery to try to solve and recommend it to those looking for a light and well constructed mystery.
Publisher - Amazon Digital Services LLC
"They said that I should lose my ideals and begin to believe in the methods of practical politicians. Now, I have not lost my ideals in the least; my faith in fundamentals is exactly what it always was. What I have lost is my childlike faith in practical politics."
---G. K. Chesterton
I live with the curse of being impossibly pragmatic, and much as I try not to judge people, I sometimes have trouble understanding their decisions. For example, I do understand that seat-belts can be uncomfortable, but I have no understanding how parents choose to leave their children unbuckled. I understand that motorcycles can be fun, but come on dude...wear the helmet.
I am not a believer in heavy government control of adults. If an individual chooses to risk his/her life in unsafe practices, and it effects only him/her, then so be it. If, however, it puts you and me in danger, then the government needs to become involved. If all drunk drivers only have single car accidents then the choice to drink and drive is theirs. Since it is usually the sober victim that pays the price though, a jail sentence should be the penalty of drinking and driving, even if there are no accidents.
If your intent is to do something that can cause harm, then your act is criminal. I never understood being rewarded for being a bad shot. If you shoot and kill someone, you can go to prison for life, but if you shoot at that same person and miss, it is attempted murder with a much shorter sentence. As far as I am concerned, once you take that shot, you are a murderer...successful or not...and should be treated as such.
Of course there are extenuating circumstances. If a person is mentally ill in the eyes of the law, they can't make a rational decision to take a life, and therefore they can not be punished for the act. Mentally ill people need special treatment in most walks of life. Pragmatic me wonders then, why would our senate vote to nullify the part of the gun control bill that keeps severely mentally ill people (people with psychotic disorders who can't manage simple tasks on their own) from buying guns. It wasn't even all mentally ill people, it was focused on those who needed help for personal management. Yes, our house and our senate both decided that it is more important to appease the NRA than to protect the citizens that they were elected to protect. This is not about gun control...this is a common sense safety precaution.
I think the only way to solve the quagmire that is our political arena, is to elect our senators and representatives for one six year term only. Six years will give them enough time to accomplish their goals. No more worrying about re-election. No more dealing with lobbyists, because no need for their money. No more out of proportion retirement packages that they vote for themselves. Just six years of pure public service and back to their former careers. One and done!
Speaking of one and done, I must apologize because today's blog will contain only one review. Unfortunately, family matters continue to occupy my time this month, and reading has taken the dreaded back seat. Fortunately, the book that I did review, Never Say No To A Rock Star: In the Studio with Dylan, Sinatra, Jagger and More... by Glenn Berger was quite interesting. Mr. Berger was seventeen when he started working for A & R Recording Studio, and his interactions with the musicians and top names in the industry make for a great peak into a world that most of us only fantasize about. The book is definitely on my gift list for the music lovers in my life.
Click on the book cover to order the title mentioned in today's blog:
Never Say No to a Rock Star: In the Studio with Dylan. Sinatra, Jagger and More... by Glen Berger
Glenn Berger was seventeen when he started interning at A & R recording studios in New York. He was an apprentice (shlepper) to well known recording engineer Phil Ramone. The book begins in current times, when the author has a music induced epiphany that ultimately brings us back to 1972. He gets this internship that puts him in contact with some of the greatest musicians of the time. He was smart enough to quickly climb up in the company ladder and end up as Ramone's assistant.
Berger eventually becomes a well known psychologist, but not before becoming a recording engineer superstar. This book takes us into the music business of the seventies and the stars we all know and love. He gives us glimpses of the lives of Dylan, Jagger and Paul Simon (who was not an easy man to work with). We even get a peek at Sinatra as the book progresses.
Berger is not afraid to lay his own life out there either. His relationship with various stars, the stress he went through, and even the adoption of his son, build a picture of a man faced with the choice of fame or integrity. Since the roads he took lead him to writing this book, perhaps he made the right choices. The book, Never Say No to a Rock Star, is informative, humorous and even poignant in parts. I will say that it took away some of the hero worship I felt for a few of these music legends, but sometimes seeing the real man behind his music makes that music even more meaningful.
Publisher - Schaffner Press, Inc.
Date of Publication - July 1, 2016
"Presidents come and go, but the Supreme Court goes on forever."
---William Howard Taft
Each day's news gets more bizarre as our politicians attempt to come to terms with their new realities. We spent last year watching President Obama's White House pass laws that were frightening to most republicans, and this year finds President Trump's White House doing the same to democrats. If we take a step back on many issues, we might be able to see that there are points to support both ways of thinking, and we need strongly unbiased heads to prevail. The Supreme Court was established to give us this guidance.
Unfortunately, when politics are involved, nothing is unbiased. For example, President Trump's promise to appoint a justice who is strictly pro-life is the antithesis of what we need. A justice should be neither totally pro-life nor totally pro-choice but rather open minded when exploring points surrounding every issue. It would be difficult to follow the constitution while seeing to one's own biases, and choosing a member of the Supreme Court is not to be taken lightly. This lifetime position is one that helps to set the laws of our land and must be filled by the fairest of candidates.
A year ago, President Obama presented a reasonably moderate judge to fill the vacancy of Antonin Scalia. I understood the reluctance of the republicans to replace a staunch conservative with a moderate, because the court has been conservative heavy for quite a few years, but Scalia died during a democratic President's term, and the choice should have started with that President. The republican senators who refused to give Judge Merrick Garland a chance did a disservice to all of us. He has spent a career being moderate enough to win acceptance from both sides, and would have been perfect as a deciding vote in any case.
I don't know a great deal about our current President's choice, Neil Gorsuch, but I do know his nomination should not have occurred. When politicians refuse to do their job unless they are getting their way, then the whole idea of "representing the people" becomes a sad joke. I know that Judge Gorsuch is a strong conservative, but I hope that he will do his job well and follow the constitution instead of his personal beliefs.
Speaking of seeing both sides of a legal issue, Author Victor Methos does an exceptional job showing us both sides of the euthanasia debate in his latest book, Mercy (Neon Lawyer Series Book 2). Ted Montgomery is accused of killing his wife as she lay in pain and close to a natural death by cancer. Attorney Brigham Theodore, first introduced in The Neon Lawyer agrees to lead Montgomery's battle, even as he finds his client less than forthcoming. The book is well written and definitely shows us varying viewpoints on this controversial topic.
Phillip Margolin shows us a different kind of lawyer in Sleight of Hand: A Novel of Suspense (Dana Cutler Book 4). Dana is a private investigator who is presented with an odd assignment that takes her to the Pacific Northwest in search of a relic from the Ottoman Empire. Horace Blair is a millionaire being framed for the death of his wife, and Charles Benedict is a criminal defense attorney who dabbles in magic and illusions. Margolin weaves a well plotted story around these three, and the reader has fun following the intrigue.
As always complete reviews of these two books follow this blog.
Mercy (Neon Lawyer Series Book 2) by Victor Methos
Watching a loved one suffer is more than some people can deal with, and euthanasia often becomes a viable way to end suffering. There have been many true court cases surrounding this controversial act, and many authors of legal thrillers have had their protagonists fight the battle of mercy killing. Methos does a particularly good job in showing his readers both schools of thought in his latest thriller, Mercy (Neon Lawyer Series Book 2).
Brigham Theodore, first introduced in The Neon Lawyer, is never one to back down from a fight. However when Ted Montgomery, an engineer with three young children, asks for his help, Brigham hesitates. Ted is accused of killing his wife as she lay in her hospital bed. She was in horrific pain and very close to death when he allegedly administered a lethal dose of morphine. He is a sympathetic character, and Brigham eventually agrees to represent him.
The prosecutor is determined to put Ted in jail for a long time, and Brigham is not making things easy for her. His rivalry with the district attorney adds another dimension to this story that pulls at our heartstrings, but the reader still pulls for the defense as the story progresses.
Victor Methos' characters are interesting, but I would have liked to have seen a little more character development. We see them at work, and their relationships are touched upon, but we never really get to delve into the meat of their lives. There are definitely surprises throughout the plot though, and I found myself being pulled back to the book as I went about my otherwise busy days. I look forward to the third book in this series.
Sleight of Hand: A Novel of Suspense (Dana Cutler Book 4) by Phillip Margolin
With an impressive number off books to his name, Phillip Margolin never fails to capture my interest as he weaves his intricate plots and introduces his readers to strong and likable characters. Investigator Dana Cutler is one of my favorite of his protagonists, and this book definitely has her following some peculiarly interesting leads.
When Dana is hired to track down a missing relic, we are treated to a little bit of ancient history. With her boyfriend Jake off on another photo shoot and a great deal of money as payment, Dana agrees to travel to Seattle to track down the missing royal scepter from the Ottoman Empire. Of course nothing is as it seems, and she returns home perplexed and tired.
The second story that is being explored in Sleight of Hand involves a missing prosecutor, her wealthy husband and an unsavory defense attorney who is a magician in the courtroom. As the book evolves these two stories seem to connect, and Dana's involvement leads to another interesting book in this particular series.
There are perhaps a few too many characters to make this a totally comfortable read, and the convoluted story lines add to the confusion, but Margolin has a way of bringing the reader back to where he/she needs to be, and I found myself more involved in the story the further I delved into it. I was glad to see Jake return home for a while, because his character tends to soften Dana and make us relate to her a bit more. While this author tends to victimize women more than I am comfortable with, he also portrays some strong female protagonists,
Sleight of Hand is a good example of Margolin's ability to tell a complicated story without losing his audience.
Publisher - HarperCollins Publishers
Date of Publication - April 9, 2013
Its true we'll make a better day
---Michael Jackson
Discontent is not a new thing, and through the years we have realized that when we stand together we can conquer unfathomable odds. Americans worked together to abolish slavery, we marched together for Civil Rights reform, and five million people linked hands one Memorial Day weekend, from New York City to Los Angeles to show support for the hungry and the homeless. When we put our minds to it, Americans are pretty darn strong in our convictions.
There is no doubt that we are living in stressful times right now as we watch human rights take a back seat to political ambition, but I have decided to look for the silver lining. The majority of us are sensitive and caring people who have been awakened and are supporting each other in any way we can. Republicans and democrats alike refuse to watch the rights of others trampled upon. We are peacefully letting our voices be heard by phone calls to our representatives and emails to those in control.
My first "silver lining" lies in the strength of our people. When Americans decided to don their pink hats and demonstrate the need for respect and equality for all races, religions, genders and lifestyles, we became a peaceful group to be reckoned with, and politicians took note. What was particularly heart warming were the groups throughout the world who joined our march, many wearing little pink hats. My son, Michael believes that pop culture is our largest export, and the number of people joining our cause proves that we are still exporting, and they recognize we are still here fighting for the rights and needs of all people throughout the world.
My second "silver lining" is found in the realization that even while terrorists try to tear us apart, we will be there for each other. In Victoria, Texas the Victoria Islamic Center was devastated when its Mosque burned to the ground. The community quickly joined together to help their neighbors, and the leaders of the local Jewish congregation gave them the keys to their synagogue so they could continue to worship. A GoFundMe page was set up to help with the reconstruction of the mosque, and over one million dollars has been collected. It doesn't matter what religion these people followed, when someone is in trouble, we all must lend a hand.
My last "silver lining" was a politician who followed her beliefs instead of orders. Last week's Acting Attorney General Sally Yates was put in a difficult situation when President Trump instituted a ban on immigration from seven Arab nations, and several judges granted a stay for those travelers with valid visas. Ms. Yates believed that the stays were warranted and that sending these people back would put them in danger. She decided not to fight the case for the government and was immediately fired. Thank you Ms. Yates for following what you believed was morally right instead of "following orders."
As I looked at all of these stories in the news over these last few weeks, I was reminded of Michael Jackson's words in his song "We Are The World."
When you're down and out, there seems no hope at all
But if you just believe there's no way we can fall
Let us realize that a change can only come
I will continue believing that the basic morality of the vast majority of people in the world will ultimately rule and we will truly "make a better day."
Andrew J. Morgan did a great job giving me a better day of reading in his Science Fiction book, New York Deep. In it, Manhattan tunnel engineer Josh Reed, happens upon a large empty room while excavating the East Side Access of New York's railway service. Combining well researched New York history with well written science fiction, Morgan lays out a tale that will keep his readers turning pages through the night.
On the lighter side, Harper Lin's cozy mystery, Sweets and a Stabbing (The Pink Cupcake Mysteries Book 1) is a perfect read for a lazy Saturday afternoon. Bring it to the park with a thermos of lemonade and a pink iced cupcake, and you can forget the world's problems for the rest of the day.
As usual, complete reviews of both books follow this blog.
New York Deep by Andrew J. Morgan
Genre: Sci-Fi/Thriller
Science Fiction is a difficult genre for me. Sometimes it is so silly that I can't plow through it, and some authors grab me from page one and never let go. Maybe it is my interest in New York (under and above ground) or maybe I was just swept up in the story, but New York Deep really kept my interest.
It begins with Josh Reed, a tunnel engineer in Manhattan, and his team, excavating the East Side Access of New York's railway service. The drills unexpectedly hit some sort of crystalline metallic, and upon further investigation Josh comes across a large and seemingly empty room.
If this isn't strange enough, some of his coworkers disappear and the CIA is mysteriously involved in what is clearly an uncomfortable situation. I won't give any more plot information, because I don't want to reveal anything that will take away from the excitement of this book, but I will say that the author did a great job of mixing researched information with a strong mysterious plot. Like Linda Fairstein, Andrew Morgan uses the mysteries of New York City to enhance his plot.
Morgan also does a very nice job with characterization. Josh is a likable character who uses his intelligence well as he tries to understand what is going on in this area that he thought he knew so well. His boss (and friend), Lionel Parker, helps him unravel this mystery, and the reader feels a kinship to both men as they fall deeper into the secret of the underground. Morgan shows his characters' weaknesses as well as their strengths, and the story builds to a great climax.


text:
AllEconomyMarketMoney
NK risk clips Kospi rally, forecasts mixed
Rising geopolitical instability over North Korea's provocations hit South Korea's stock market last week, but experts expressed mixed views on the prospects for the Kospi, which has been setting records in recent months. Some say the market responding to North Korea risks is not new. However, what makes the difference now is that the bigger presence of foreign investors could make the market more vulner...
By Julie Kim Jackson
Published : Aug 13, 2017 - 16:48
Updated : Aug 14, 2017 - 14:34
Rising geopolitical instability over North Korea's provocations hit South Korea's stock market last week, but experts expressed mixed views on the prospects for the Kospi, which has been setting records in recent months.
Some say the market responding to North Korea risks is not new. However, what makes the difference now is that the bigger presence of foreign investors could make the market more vulnerable, as they view the North Korea factor more seriously.
The Kospi has fallen 4.26 percent since the beginning of the month. Korea's top 10 conglomerates saw their stock values fall more than 5 percent in the past 10 days, following escalating nuclear and military tensions between North Korea and the United States.
(Yonhap)
The combined market capitalization the country's top 10 groups fell to 884.6 trillion won ($772 billion) as of Friday, recording a 5.15 percent loss compared to the beginning of the month, according to the local corporate tracker Chaebul.com on Sunday.
In particular, the stock value of listed Samsung affiliates fell 7.6 percent, while those under Hyundai Motor Group saw their market value dropping 1.1 percent. SK affiliates on the stock market also saw a 4.3 percent decline.
Tension has escalated since last week, as US President Donald Trump lashed out again North Korea, saying that the country would be met with "fire and fury" if the communist regime continued to threaten the US. North Korea threatened to fire ballistic missiles toward the US territory of Guam.
"This sort of 'North Korea risk' has always been a naturally occurring and cyclical factor in our country's financial system, so really what's happening with the stock prices falling now is nothing new," Hong Ki-hoon, a finance professor at Hongik University, told The Korea Herald.
"It is not to say that the current slip in the Korean stock market is not a big deal, but in my opinion, rather than saying it's a huge deal, I would say that it is to be expected because market fluctuations will always reflect North Korea's actions," Hong added, stating that further provocations could result in continued dips in the stock prices.
However, according to a report released by Lee Chang-sun, a senior researcher at the LG Economic Research Institute, the South Korean stock market is particularly vulnerable because of its spike in foreign investors.
The report states that as of the end of March, foreign ownership of domestic stocks and bonds accounted for $546.5 billion, a 50 percent increase from the $364.8 billion at the end of September 2007, marking the highest level of foreign ownership prior to the 2008 financial crisis.
"Although the bond market does not have a high share of foreigners, the stock market and the foreign exchange market are relatively sensitive to foreign capital deviations," the report said.
"Recently, Korea's potential of internal risks has always been pointed out as a factor by international credit rating agencies, investment banks and foreign investors," Lee's report added, noting that if the political and financial risks involving North Korea continue to deepen, foreign investors may begin to offload their shares.
Local market tracker FnGuide also announced Sunday that Korean securities companies have lowered their third-quarter earnings estimates for many of the country's top listed companies.
Samsung Electronics, Kia Motors, LG Display and Hyundai Mobis saw their third-quarter operating profit forecasts drop by more than 100 billion won.
In particular, FnGuide experts project Samsung's third-quarter operating profit to fall from 14.46 trillion won to 14.09 trillion won.
Korea Electric Power Corp., which has been struggling amid the Moon administration's shift toward more environment friendly energy pledges, is expected to suffer the most profit losses, falling from 3.57 trillion won to 3.14 trillion won.
"It is certain for third-quarter operating profits to be better than the previous quarter, but brokerage houses are starting to downgrade their predictions in the wake of tough government property policies and other measures," Kim Dong-young, an analyst at Samsung Securities, was quoted as saying to Yonhap News Agency.
Threats by North Korea to engage its nuclear and ballistic missile programs have also led to surging gold prices, according to the Korea Exchange.
On Friday, a gram of gold was priced at 47,210 won, the highest level since April 20. The weekly price of gold jumped 3.18 percent last week, the first time since last July that the weekly increase rate has surpassed 3 percent.
By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)


Increasingly staff are being required to work alongside and with individuals and families experiencing complex challenges as well as alongside and with other agencies. This requires an ability to engage with those who have/are difficult to engage.
This practical programme provides the skills to support workers to be able to be persistent and proactive in order to engage difficult to engage individuals and families. It is practical and "hands on" with a focus on skills and strategy development, backed up by an understanding of why approaches work. It produces more confident and competent practitioners who are ready to deliver positive and effective support to individuals and families.
Our training is based on our knowledge of working closely in Early Help, working with vulnerable and complex families, troubled families and social care staff.
Understand the balance between support and challenge.
Working with partners to support engagement.


Screen sharing in software like WebRTC services, Google Hangouts, Skype, etc works well under Xorg.
Remote Desktop control for example RDP & VNC works well under Xorg.
Recoverability from Shell crashes is less dramatic under Xorg.
Wayland has been under development for almost ten years now but has only, in the last few years, started making any appearances on mainline Linux distributions. Fedora 25, which shipped at the end of 2016, used Wayland by default and this decision was followed by Canonical which utilised Wayland in Ubuntu 17.10. With news that Canonical won't ship it by default in 18.04, it'll mean that Linux Mint, another very popular distribution which bases its releases on the latest Ubuntu LTS, won't switch to Wayland until 2020 at the earliest.


I knew the minute a sneak of this was released I would need it in my stash, and it really doesn't disappoint! I have been using this all month, and is quickly becoming a staple.
My favourite way to us this is definitely with minimal makeup in the places the sun would hit my face. Strobing is an easy trend to take on when you have something like this to work with!
This brush is just such a good alrounder, it is quickly becoming my most used eye brush - overtaking my MAC 217. It just picks up and blends products so beautifully. Really cannot get enough of this one.
This ended up being the lipstick my friend wore on her wedding day, and ever since we used it on her trial I have been loving it's more natural look. It really is a fab "your lips but better" shade. It is beautiful.
I love this nail varnish. Every girl (or maybe just girl) is obsessed with copper and rose gold at the moment, so why not let it move onto your nails too? So lovely. And edgy.
This just smells like summer in a bottle, sweet and lime smelling, it is lovely. I pretty much bath in it before I leave just now - it smells fab!Very vanilla musky, but its lovely. Try it out next time in store.
I have had these for a few weeks now and the rule is if they are dry and clean I am wearing them. They are high waisted, ridiculously comfortable and kind of on trend for me - surprisingly. Next do a pretty awesome pair too, but they are almost double the price. So if you are looking for a cheap alternative try Tesco!
JEFFREE STAR. Sneak Peak for June, HAULS. Seriously I am obsessed with him, his lipsticks, his highlight, his snapchat, his YOUTUBE. Seriously if you are not subscribed you should be. He is so worth the hype!
Ah, routine can be a good thing, and especially when you're sharing such gorgeous products! haha ;) The Too Faced peach palette looks really great, featuring so many fab shades. Though, more than anything I love the look of Urban Decay lipstick - swoon!
I really want that Urban Decay lipstick, it looks so pretty!
Sugar Crush is my all time favourite Soap & Glory range, I haven't tried the mist though! I haven't tried Morphe brushes - but they're so affordable, I think I might have to, you can never have too many brushes!
I need to pick up a metallic nail polish, it's so in trend now and I'm seeing it everywhere! I have yet to sit down and figure out my May favourites but the one thing that I have been reaching for almost every day is NYX Butter Gloss in shade Sugar Cookie.
Too faced palettes are always the best! Lovely favorites!
Hope you have a lovely day babe!
I'm so obsessed with Too Faced at the moment, love it! Great post.
Ooooh I want all of these things now! The highlighter and lipstick look especially fab :) I think I may already have too many lipsticks to justify it, but there's always room for one more, right?!
I NEED that palette! I could get so many amazing looks from it!
Love a good favourites post! I so need that palette in my life asap, it's gorgeous.
I don't usually comment, but i love your blog... I will start commenting more!!
Gorgeous wee collection of faves - that Barry M nail polish is divine!
Woww! That popcorn looks good! I am a sweet and salt kinda gal atm, but I would deffo give this a try, peanut butter is my weakness!


text:
When good brands go mad: How A-list fans can spark a sales frenzy
by Sally McDonald
A celebrity endorsement or two has always been good for business.
But with social media bringing the stars closer to fans than ever before, experts reckon Instagram is a must for merchandisers in 2019.
According to the Influencer Marketing Hub, the photo-sharing network has grown tenfold in just five years and is well on its way to hitting the two billion active monthly users marker. Used well it can be a lucrative cash cow and the stars of stage, screen and sport know how to milk it.
Here, we take a look at how a single social media snap of an A-lister sporting a designer item can spark a buying frenzy with the potential to turn a non-profit product into a £500,000 payback and a cottage company into a commercial giant.
I got a text saying Meghan loved our bag. 11 minutes later, it had sold out. That's princess power for you.
Meghan Markle with the Strahberry tote bag.
It started small, a handbag firm run by a husband and wife team from their Edinburgh home and set up with savings and £125,000 in crowd-funding.
But today Strathberry bags sit alongside Chanel and Manolo Blahnik in designer stores around the world.
The company is just about to launch a second shop in London's upmarket Mayfair – only eight months after the first – this time in Mount Street, home to the UK capital's top fashion retailers such as Louboutin and Oscar de la Renta.
Things were already going well for bosses Leeanne and Guy Hundleby but princess power propelled their bags to a whole new level.
Things changed forever on the morning of December 1, 2017 when, on her first
joint public engagement with Prince Harry, in Nottingham, Meghan Markle – the future Duchess of Sussex – carried a Strathberry bag. By the afternoon their young firm was a global sensation.
Guy said: "I was in a meeting when I got a text message with a photograph of her carrying one of our bags. I said, 'I'm leaving this meeting because something's just happened that I think might be quite a big deal.'"
Mum-of-four Leeanne added: "Within 11 minutes of the photos surfacing, the handbag sold out.
Visitors to strathberry.com were up by around 5,000%. Over the next few days, 3,500 shoppers signed up for stock updates."
It might have been a stroke of good fortune but it was one the couple had planned for.
Keen to get their luxury product on A-list arms, they had contacted Meghan's team a month before her engagement to the prince.
Leeanne, also 47, from Ireland, explained: "I had watched Meghan's TV series Suits and always thought that she was stylish. I routinely wrote to her agent and stylist, and then, on a whim, we sent a few pieces."
It paid off. Meghan's second outing with a Strathberry was on her first trip to Scotland where she chose the £425 bottle-green east/west mini for a walkabout in Edinburgh in February 2018.
The bag sold out in minutes while sales of other Strathberry products soared by 300%. Months later in July, she was seen out on her first overseas tour to Ireland with the
£525 midi tote.
Leeanne said: "We didn't know she was going to carry our designs. There is definitely an element of luck when it comes to celebrities being seen out and about with our designs.
"It was such a wonderful surprise each time Meghan carried a bag. We were delighted she chose to carry our Strathberry midi tote during her first royal engagement.
"Seeing her in our home town Edinburgh with our east/west mini was an absolute honour and her outing in Dublin was a special one for me being from the Emerald Isle."
She added: "We have been very lucky over the years to have the support of international celebrities and amazing women such as Lady Gaga, Karen Gillan, Rose Leslie, Heidi Klum and Coco Rocha who have all carried Strathberry designs.
"Social media has definitely played a big part in the growth and evolution of our brand.
"It has changed the way brands approach and talk to their customers. Instagram especially is a great platform in which emerging brands can showcase their products and reach a global audience.
"We have always worked very closely with influencers on an international scale and have grown organically over the years thanks to the amazing support of brand ambassadors."
Oasis rocker had his beady eyes on my John Lennon T-shirt. Now he's mad for it
Robert Chambers, owner of Social Recluse shop, who has designed t-shirts which have been worn by celebrities, such as a John Lennon t-shirt, which is worn by Liam Gallagher.
When Robert Chambers set up Glasgow's Social Recluse four years ago, he never dreamed it would be catapulted to cult status thanks to the backing of stars like Liam Gallagher, Steve Craddock and Irvine Welsh.
Youngsters clamour for its limited edition designs inspired by decades of subculture and brought to life on T-shirts, clothing and bespoke prints.
Robert said: "I never planned on having a shop. I was just making my own clothes, and I wore them out. Somebody would say, 'where did you get that from?' and it spiralled from there."
Robert told how Dundee band The View asked to wear his T-shirts on stage when they supported The Stone Roses at a 2013 Glasgow gig.
He said: "One of them stays in London. He wore the T-shirt out one night and bumped into Liam Gallagher. Liam asked where he got it from and he said, 'my friend in Glasgow makes them'. Liam said, 'Well tell your friend in Glasgow I want one off him.'
About three months after that Beady Eye, Liam's band, were playing Barrowlands. I made Liam a John Lennon T-shirt and dropped it off there. After that it seemed to be his favourite T-shirt."
With his merchandise heavily influenced by the subculture of Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh's books, Robert was chuffed to gain the writer's backing.
He had already designed a T-shirt based on the New Order song. Your Silent Face, one of Welsh's favourites. And about three years ago Robert was able to give the writer the T-shirt at a book launch in Glasgow. "The next day he was at a function in Edinburgh and he had my T-shirt on," he said.
"A friend sent me a photo of him wearing it. When I get a photo like that I stick it on social media."
He added: "Raymond Mead from Ocean Colour Scene, comes into the shop. He was going on stage one night in a T-shirt of mine and Steve Craddock says, 'I'm having that.
Where do you get these T-shirts from?' So I sent Steve a couple. He has been photographed wearing them out with Paul Weller and Noel Gallagher.
"Once a picture goes on social media all the youngsters want to buy it.
"My shop is now in King Street in Glasgow. It's a cool part of the city and we love it. Just through social media the business is growing."
With the holiday season in full swing, we ask three experts how to pack like a pro and save a heap of money while you're at it
Royal fans celebrate Archie's christening but private event disappoints many
How joining a choir can improve your emotional and physical health
Treat fireworks like knives: Safety officers demand tougher curbs on sales and clampdown on louts to end Bonfire Night mayhem


Boasting a sought-after location on the exclusive Xujiahui, this impressive four bedroom house offers beautifully presented contemporary living and entertaining space with a stunning private terrace. Arranged over three floors. Spacious private terrace to rear. two bright and airy bedrooms.Ample entertaining space on ground floor.Three en suite wash rooms.two bedrooms, big living room with open kitchen, one big bathroom with both shower and bathtub.Double glass windows, radiators and air-con.with built-in closets.Please contact our consultent for availability.


text:
#Make4ProsperityWeek
COHORT 1
WE SUPPORT RURAL FARMERS TO SUPPORT URBAN DWELLERS WITH VEGETABLES
About Solution
Global food production faces great challenges in the future. With a future world population of 9.6 billion by 2050, rising urbanization, decreasing arable land, and weather extremes due to climate change, global agriculture is under pressure. While today over 50% of the world population live in cities, by 2030, the number will rise to 70%. In addition, global emissions have to be kept in mind. Currently, agriculture accounts for around 20–30% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Shifting food production to locations with high demands reduces emissions and mitigates climate change. Urban horticulture increases global food production by exploiting new locations for cultivation. However, higher land prices and urban pollution constrain urban horticulture. Today, urban communities are more engaged in infrastructural projects, such as constructing houses, factories and other business. Considering the high cost of land and its unavailability for agricultural purposes, the access to healthy and enough food remain challenge in the urban communities.
Sierra Leone has abundant natural resources, good rainfall and vast acres of land suitable for a variety of agricultural products. Yet Sierra Leone has ranked bottom of the Human Development Index for the past five years and is seen by some of its development partners as a fragile State, whose legacy of war continues to cast a shadow over its future. One of the major causes of this challenge its as result of the poor or no support received by the rural communities to help them produce large quantity of vegetable and create a market friendly environment for their products. It's evident that, the limited rural farmers who produce vegetables little above the needs of their families also face challenge to access to market .To help urban populations increase access to healthy and sustainable food ( vegetables), our solution envisages to address this problem in the following ways:
Provide requisite supports: Our plan for the provision of requisite reports to vegetable farmers producers including: (A) seeds
we plan to support rural farmers with variety of seeds that enable them cultivate large scale of vegetables that will be sold to the enterprise owners in the urban communities. This will accelerate the availability and accessibility of vegetables into the cities and towns.
Provide support rural vegetable farmers with storage facilities: One of the huge challenges face by rural farmers in Sierra Leone is the problem of storage facilities. The able vegetable producers produce less quantity even in the means where one has the capacity to produce more. They are fear of exposing their products to pests which will create harms to their operations. With definition, the storage facilities under this solution cover: construction stores, packeting facilities cooling facilities with others.
Create access to transportation for rural farmers to the urban communities. In Sierra Leone, most of the places where vegetable are produced in the country are far away to the cities or urban communities. Farmers face huge challenges in transporting farm products from their farms to the cities. Using commercial or public transportation with no passenger segmentation affect perishable agricultural products before reaching in the cities.
Provision of chemical: our solution plans to support vegetable farmers with the necessary chemicals such as fertilizer, pesticides that will boost the production of vegetables and helps urban communities to have access to healthy and sustainable for food from now to 2030.
Support farmers with market linkage: farmers in sierra Leone generally lack the support that will link them market for the realizations of product profitability. With this, majority only embark on the production of small scales that this fit to serve farming environment. As we plan, this solution will empower farmers by linking then directly to the markets.
Value chain – our solution will ensure that farmers add innovative values to vegetable produces before reaching to the market. Part of the value chain will capture packeting the products at the fields.
Drainage and irrigation facilities : one of the major challenges face by farmers in Sierra Leone that are responsible for the limited productionof farm products to make it available to the urban communities is that they lack the capacity that enable them practice continuouscrops production. This happens so because some of the key elements that will accelerate massive production of vegetables such as irrigation for continuous water supply are totally lacking in their daily practices.This limits their capacity of supplying larger quantity of products to the cities. For for this solution, we plan to empower vegetable producer farmers with the necessary water supply facilities that will empower them to adapt continuousvegetable production and supplying of the cities.
Global Good Partners
Robotics Hub
Copyright © 2020 makingprosperity. All rights reserved.
Content submitted for review
Your comment was posted and will be reviewed by our moderation team
Please LOGIN or Register to interact with this Solution