This will be the first of a new series of posts that will highlight some of the top innovators in the fashion industry. Fashion trends directly influence trends in decor, from color palette to form….this first designer has us foaming at the mouth to get creative with color!
Roksanda Ilincic is a Serbian-born / London based designer, that studied Womenswear at Central Saint Martin and launched her eponymous label in 2002. She is an artist, with loyal celebrity followers that include Michelle Obama, Cate Blanchett, Charlize Theron, Amy Adams and Keira Knightley.
Her collections include show stopping pieces in vibrant colors in shades of lavender, mint, coral, fire orange and a almost neon shade of royal blue. The fit of her dresses is always perfection. The pieces in her collections range from very feminine, flowing long evening gowns, to the more edgy sculptural pieces that have a decidedly sporty edge. Her seasonal collections are always on point!
We can't wait to work on a few ModShop pieces inspired by this talented designer / artist. We hope you feel inspired too…here are a few samples of her work and how you could take this inspiration and translate it into your decor.
With summer in full swing, and travel on everyone's mind, we thought it appropriate create a blog post detailing our idea of modern beach house design decor. I've pulled images of two distinct but different design styles, one modern, but neutral with natural elements and modern rustic details…. the other, fun, colorful and eclectic. Both are winners no matter which you prefer…think Montauk, NY or the Hamptons, without the snobby rich kids sipping martinis and looking you up and down. LOL.
Which one are you…organic modern sophisticated, or colorful eclectic?
I hope you find our images as inspirational as we do…and a few of ModShop's pieces you could use to re-create these looks.
Wishing everyone sun, fun and sand between your toes!
Modshop carries a fabulous assortment of upholstery items in luxe emerald green velvet, and we offer any of our lacquered pieces in any custom shade of emerald green. Adding a few of these to your home will leave your friends green with envy!
With so many amazing and inspiring examples of emerald green out there, here's are our top picks ….. Enjoy!
Our latest style obsession!!…Scandinavian or Nordic design. Both interior design and the furniture design itself.
This style is generally characterized by white walls, wood floors, clean, minimal furnishings in natural materials accented by soft pastel hues and bold geometric prints. Due to the long winter and short summer days in Scandinavia, the use of light and open space is crucial in Nordic Design, this creates a contrast to the Nordic landscape and creates a warm, inviting interior.
Whether you prefer the monochromatic palette, or the more feminine pastel variety, Nordic design has something for everyone. Here's what we found inspirational, and some of ModShop's own Nordic inspired collections. Enjoy!
This year, according toe the color experts at Pantone , the color of the year is…drumroll!!!! Marsala?
Do they really think of design world when coming up with these things? If it were strictly food related I think it would be fantastic, personally my favorite foods contain the name Marsala…I love Italian and Indian food (I know that's actually masala in Indian seasonings. LOL)! I also LOVE wine…a few of my favorite things.
It took me a while to find inspiration images using this color palette that were more modern and in fitting with ModShop's design aesthetic…I did find some good stuff. And was pleasantly surprised by how creative people can be when forced to go with something as important as 2015's color of the year!
I hope you like what I've found and that you leave feeling a tad inspired to do more with Marsala than eat, drink and be merry!


June is almost here, and finally we are living through the summer. Ice cream, bathing, maybe even surfing, more energy to move, to think, to organize something, but maybe a little bit less will to do all these things. Nevertheless, summer is a high time to dive into serious things.
Like listening to the voices from the past.
Six years ago, Tohoku was affected by the devastating tsunami and earthquake. The wounds are still here - you can see them on the buildings, or on the seashore, but there are wounds unseen - those hidden in the souls of survivors.
Sendai 3.11 Memorial Community Center decided to present the voices that are barely heard. 「それから、の声が聞こえる」 is an exhibition that combines many types of art, including dance and performance to tell us about what happened then and after. Just be ready for anything - it is not a usual type of walking-and-watching exhibition, you can find yourself in a strange place, doing some strange things, but this is what it is about - learning something new in an unforgettable way.
Or maybe it is time to see some incredible art.
Keisuke Serizawa, famous Japanese textile designer, who was designated as a Living National Treasure, a creator of katazome stencil dyeing technique, is offering us a new way of seeing beauty. His dyeing method is especially distinguishable because it allows to create a blank area in a pattern, that can be left as it is or colored by hand later. This providing a blank space can be seen as a useful skill in our everyday life. We all need this blank space, don't we? A space to color up with things that we don't usually do, like seeing something beautiful, or hearing stories.
Tohoku Fukushi University Serizawa Keisuke Art and Craft Museum offers an insight into his creation - an exhibition of his works. Definitely it would be interesting to all art lovers.
It is a wonder how many things you can do in summer. All you need is a will to do. Cheer up!


Gringo al SUR is a character that was created for a TV program on Ecotel television in Loja. He is an expat from Belgium who embarks on a discovery trip around the Loja province and it numerous "pueblos".
He likes talking to the people. He is very curious by nature and wants to know everything. He is not scared of asking silly questions and make people laugh. His ambition is to help the people living here rediscover the beauty of their own country and province, to show them things from the perspective of an outsider..
The video below is a short presentation of what the program is about. It is in Spanish and we haven't done subtitles yet for those who understand a bit of Spanish it will give them an idea and hopefully a desire to know more and watch all the episodes.
We hope you liked the intro. Click on the Episodes button above to watch some more. Click on the Comment button to leave a (most welcome) comment.
In Ecuador, whoever has fair or fairer skin and does not look Chinese is called a "gringo". Whether you are Swedish, Australian or even, how ironic, Russian, you are a gringo. At the beginning when I first arrived in this country in 2008, this was a little disturbing to me. I am European, from a tiny country called Belgium and I feel in no way related to the real gringos from North America.
My conclusion after years of being exposed to the Ecuadorian culture is that there is something deeply genetic that makes the Ecuadorian people who they are. Most people here are "mestizos", meaning (in Latin America) people of mixed race, especially the offspring of a Spaniard and an American Indian. I am no expert but I guess this would be true about the Colombians and the Peruvians as well. However, there must be something about the specific Ecuadorian mix that makes the people so nice. What I mean by "nice" is that they are a gentle, non-confrontational, non-aggressive and fundamentally happy race.


The flat is on the 3rd floor, it is very sunny and the windows of the big bedroom (with a balcony) and of the living room have a view to the park, the Margaret Island and the Buda hills on the other side of the Danube.
It is a 80 m2 large apartman, with a living room, 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
I live there with my 7-year-old daughter, who has her room with a double bed on a mezzanine and a separate bathroom with shower.
The other bathroom is very comfortable, with a bathtub.
There is an elevator in the building (which may seem to be a not relevant piece of information, but many old buildings built before the 2nd WW might not have any).
Next door another family lives, with 2 children, we are good friends, they are very nice and discrete people.
I am a 40 year old woman with a 7-year-old daughter.
I speak fluently Hungarian, Italian, English and French and can speak also Russian and German.
I (we) love nice old furniture and books, therefore you will find plenty of books, many also in English and French, also children books.
My flat is in a central, very friendly and cosmopolitan neighbourhood in Pest.
It is very close to the Danube, a very nice park with several playgrounds for children, the Margaret Island and the Parliament building.
This part of the city is very well served by the public transport, the flat is 5 minutes walk from the lines of the 4 and 6 tram, that serve the Buda and flat central city boulevard 24 hours a day.


If you would like to be inspired by photographs, take a look at the winners in the PDNOnline Digital Imaging Contest 13. I was surprised not only at the variety of work displayed there, but also at how appealing many of the images were.
I clicked through them all, expecting that some would be a big ho-hum for me. How wrong I was! Every category had at least one or two images that made me pause, ponder, and click the "about this image" button.
The subject matter was extremely varied. The first image I saw was comprised of a trio of haunting pictures that were all part of an advertising campaign for the Salvation Army. Later, I laughed at imaginary botanical shoes, enjoyed both the description and images of musician Tom Waits, and just gaped at a breathtaking shot of a highway shot from below.
You do not have to sign up or do anything more than visit and appreciate.


text:
Анна Мелентьевна Скаженик (; 8 сентября 1924 год, село Лютенька — 2005 год, село Лютенька, Гадячский район, Полтавская область, Украина) — колхозница, доярка колхоза «Заповедь Ленина» Гадячского района Полтавской области, Украинская ССР. Герой Социалистического Труда (1958).

Биография
Родилась 8 сентября 1924 года в крестьянской семье в селе Лютенька. Получила начальное образование. С 1938 года работала в колхозе имени Шевченко и с 1945 по 1962 года — дояркой в колхозе «Заповедь Ленина» Гадячского района.

В 1958 году удостоена звания Героя Социалистического Труда «за особые заслуги в развитии сельского хозяйства, достижение высоких показателей по производству молока и других продуктов сельского хозяйства и внедрение в производство достижений науки и передового опыта».

В 1961 году избиралась делегатом XXII съезда КПСС.

После выхода на пенсию в 1962 году проживала в родном селе, где скончалась 21 мая 2005 года.

Награды
 Герой Социалистического Труда — Указом Президиума Верховного Совета СССР от 26 февраля 1958 года
 Орден Ленина

Ссылки

 Скаженик Ганна Мелентіївна. Герой Соціалістичної Праці (1958)

Делегаты XXII съезда КПСС

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Online Gambling Sites USA / US States / Online Casinos Tennessee 2023
The Most Legit Online Casinos Tennessee 2023
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It makes no difference whether you're a seasoned gambler or a complete newbie, this article is for you if you live in Tennessee and you enjoy wagering on casino games. If you're keen to learn all about the best online casinos TN has to offer, then we're keen to help with that!
Keep checking back regularly to find out what's new in the state, and we'll tell you all about the best online casinos in Tennessee as soon as they open their doors for business. And we hope that won't be too long – sportsbook sites have already gone live across the Volunteer State, so it's surely only a matter of time before casino betting is permitted too.
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Although Tennessee is pretty much surrounded by states that permit at least some gambling activities, this doesn't seem to have influenced the lawmakers at all. And it's certainly not a new stance, as the state has never really embraced the concept of wagering real money on games of chance.
Up until the early 20th Century, Tennessee residents were legally able to bet on horse races, which grew in popularity following the end of the Civil War, but restrictive laws passed in 1906 soon put an end to that. And even though other states slowly began to warm to the idea of pari-mutuel betting around the era of the Great Depression, Tennessee lawmakers weren't persuaded to change their stance.
Further US gambling developments occurred in the 1970s, when state lotteries became all the rage. Yet still Tennessee held firm on its anti-gambling position, refusing to bow to pressure from enthusiastic bettors. It wasn't until 2003 that the Tennessee Lottery was officially launched, and even then, it took almost a year before residents were legally able to purchase tickets. Even charitable bingo games weren't permitted until as late as 2011 – much later than other states.
The winds of change blow through Tennessee
Betting fans hoping to welcome online casinos in TN had their hopes raised in 2019 with the Sports Gaming Act. State governor, Bill Lee, opted not to vote, as he was firmly opposed to gambling, but he agreed to abide by the overall decision, which was to allow online sports betting. Lee was adamant that he wouldn't permit any bricks and mortar sports betting operators, leading Tennessee to become the very first state to sanction sportsbooks to set up shop exclusively online.
Lee also managed to place the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation firmly in charge of all online sportsbooks in the state, and not the usual regulatory bodies authorised by other states. But, it's the speed with which Tennessee moved following the lifting of the ban on sports wagering on a federal level that took most onlookers by surprise. Nobody saw it coming, which would seem to bode well for the future of all types of gambling in the state.
It's worth noting that the Sports Gaming Act of 2019 faced quite a lot of opposition before being passed. State representatives were extremely concerned that permitting online gambling in Tennessee could open the doors to further illegal gambling activities, but the temptation offered by the potential tax revenue ultimately proved to be too great to resist. The vote was carried by 58 – 37 by the House, and 20 – 12 by the Senate, proving that change really can be embraced.
The future of online casinos in Tennessee
We don't unfortunately have a crystal ball to refer to, but right now there's no telling quite how the future looks for online casino gambling in the Volunteer State. Despite its strong anti-gambling stance, we've seen that changes can be made, and that doesn't only apply to sports betting. During 2019 Tennessee passed its March Madness and Fantasy Football Freedom Act, helping to fuel speculation that casinos might be next.
At the moment, Tennessee doesn't even permit any tribal casinos to operate. It's not alone in that respect, online casinos RI are currently in the exact same boat. It's really anybody's guess as to what direction the laws will take over the coming months, but rest assured that as soon as casino gambling becomes legal, we'll be on hand to guide you towards the best online casinos TN has to offer.
You might not be able to register with an online casino in Tennessee just yet, but we think that situation is bound to change at some point in the future, so there's absolutely no harm in getting ahead of the crowd and setting out a plan for when the great day arrives! It's also worth taking a look at casino operators that have launched in other states, online casinos in Kansas, for example. That way you'll get to know which are your favourites, ready for the big day when online casinos in Tennessee finally become legit!
When online casinos in TN go live, we highly recommend BetMGM as a reliable and safe operator – and it might even be a brand you're already familiar with. BetMGM already operates a sportsbook site in Tennessee, so it makes good sense to stick with what you know. The only drawback would be that you can only claim one BetMGM introductory bonus, so you could end up missing out on the casino welcome package if you're already a member of the sportsbook site.
However, don't worry! There are always new promotional offers to discover with BetMGM. There may not be a VIP program, but the operator offers its own reward program linked to MGM Resorts, its parent company. Every wager across its sportsbook and casino brings opportunities to collect points which you can use to play games, exchange for cash or spend on services at the MGM Resort of your choice.
You're also never far from help and support when you sign up to BetMGM. The operator has one of the most comprehensive help sections we've come across, answering just about every question you could come up with. If you still haven't found the answers you're looking for, there's also a dedicated support team, who are ready and waiting to help you whenever you need it.
When it comes to online casinos in Tennessee residents are obviously going to have to wait for a while before they can access and sign up to an operator, but this shouldn't stop you from getting ahead of the game with a little preparation. The more you can plan ahead, the better your results are likely to be once you start wagering on your favorite casino games, so this is an excellent opportunity to advance your knowledge.
As soon as casino gambling is legalized in Tennessee and online casinos in WY start to be launched, you can expect a rush of operators, all offering bonus promotions to try and hook you in. Scam operators can be extremely convincing, so it's important to make sure you only sign up to the most reputable operators, and that's something that we can help you with. Follow these five tips for the safest and most secure wagering experience in Tennessee.
Read our operator reviews
Our expert reviewers go to great lengths to explore every aspect of each casino operator featured on our site. Spending five minutes of your time reading through an operator review will save you literally hours of online research, making it much easier to decide which operators might be suitable for you.
Check out what other users have to say
Our comprehensive online casino reviews will tell you just about everything you need to know about an operator, but we can't tell you whether it'll fit with your personal taste or playing style, so take a look at what other players have to say too, as that will give you a broader picture of other people's experiences of a specific operator.
If you can't find anything online about an operator, it's often a good sign. People tend to shout the loudest when they've had a less than satisfactory experience, whereas satisfied players tend to keep it to themselves. However, customer reviews can help to highlight any sites' shortcomings that you may want to know about before committing to an operator.
Check for the games you most enjoy playing
Not all online casinos offer the same selection of games, so it's a good idea to take a look at what's on offer before signing up to an operator. You might be a keen slots fan, for example, in which case you'll be looking for all your favorite titles, as well as plenty of new ones covering themes that are of interest to you.
Maybe you'd like to perfect your Roulette skills, or improve your knowledge of playing Blackjack. Make sure there's a selection of games offering suitable wagering options too, so you can play at your preferred level.
Use your bonus promotion wisely!
Most online casino operators offer a generous welcome package to get you off to a great start. The offers may seem to boost your bankroll – even doubling it in some cases – but that should never be an excuse to go crazy with your wagering. Take your time and plan every bet carefully, so that you can reap the maximum rewards, and be sure to pay attention to the wagering requirements and bonus expiry dates too, so you don't miss out on your winning opportunities.
Always check the site's terms and conditions
Our reviews may give you all the information you need to get started with a casino operator, but don't assume that nothing has changed in the meantime. Online casinos are constantly reviewing their products, offers and terms, so it's essential that you have a good understanding of what's required of you.
It may seem tedious to read through the fine print of a site, but it's something we strongly recommend. It helps to ensure you fulfil your obligations as a member of the site, particularly when it comes to accessing bonus promotions, which can change with very little notice.
As we've already mentioned, our casino experts always go that extra mile when reviewing online operators, leaving no stone unturned in our quest to give you all the facts you need to come to a decision. Although you can't sign up to an online casino in the Volunteer State just yet, and the same applies if you're eagerly awaiting online casinos in Alaska, once the day arrives, you'll be extremely glad to have us on hand to point out everything you need to know about the available operators.
Take a look at our casino reviews and you'll see just how comprehensive they are, covering all aspects of a site, to bring you the complete picture. These are just some of the subjects we cover:
There are numerous regulatory bodies overseeing the online casino industry, and every operator must hold a license by law. But, unfortunately, industry regulators are definitely not equal. Some of them will happily issue a license to any operator prepared to pay the price for one, which doesn't offer much security to the players.
We know which licenses are worth having, and which one's aren't worth the paper they're written on. Rest assured, we only promote the former, so it's one more thing you don't have to worry about.
The overall design of a casino website is important, as it helps to set the tone for your gaming session. However, there's more to a great casino than the way it looks, and our experts want to know how easy a site is to navigate. You'll be wanting to deposit money and start playing games as easily and intuitively as possible, and that requires clear and intuitive navigation. It's something that our reviewers are particularly keen on, as it has a major impact on your overall experience.
Payment methods and withdrawal times
Before you can settle down to wagering at your preferred casino, you need to deposit money into your account. We check out all the payment options – and we like to see a broad selection, including debit and credit cards, bank wire transfers and e-Wallets.
We also look to see how long it takes to get hold of your winnings, when you're ready to make a withdrawal. We'll tell you how long it usually takes to action a withdrawal request – although the length of time it takes for your funds to arrive in your account varies according to your payment provider or bank.
It's inevitable that you're going to have some questions now and again, so we investigate your customer support contact options. We're looking for easily accessible help, including an FAQ section, and a variety of options for getting in touch with someone if you need any one-to-one support. Live chat is usually the quickest way to get a response, but we like to see email and telephone contact details listed too.
Bonuses and reward programs
Nearly all online casinos operators offer an introductory bonus for new signups, so we explain what you can get and how to claim it. But we'll also tell you about rewards and bonuses too, which can help your gambling funds go that bit further when sports betting in TN. We'll let you know if there are any tournaments to take part in, as well as pointing you in the direction of the hottest promotions.
OK, so you can't actually sign up and play at an online casino in Tennessee just yet, but once the virtual doors are opened you're going to be faced with a whole lot of choices! We've already pointed out the aspects of an online casino that we examine in our reviews, and given you some pointers for selecting honest and reputable operators, but how do you make sure you pick the right online casino for your specific needs?
We suggest taking a long, hard look at your gambling style, your budget and your overall expectations, so that you can make appropriate choices about which operator to sign up to. Here are some points to consider to help guide you in your decision-making process:
When do you like to play?
Think about the times you'd most like to indulge your passion for playing casino games online. Are you a daytime bettor, or do you prefer to hit the online gaming tables late at night? Make sure that your chosen operator's customer support team is available when you're likely to be playing, so that you know help is on hand when you need it. Some operators offer 24/7 support, but others may have more restricted access hours.
Are you a high-stakes player?
Some casinos are aimed at the casual player, whilst others offer games with high rollers in mind – and it's important to pick the right one for your bankroll. If you enjoy high-risk, high-stakes gameplay you'll need to be sure there are sufficient games aimed at people like you. Also, be sure to look out for a VIP club, which could earn you extra free games, bonuses and even tickets to live shows in some cases!
Are you a fan of Live Casino gameplay?
There aren't any land-based casinos in Tennessee, and there aren't even any retail sports betting opportunities, even though online sportsbooks are now permitted. So, once online casinos become legal in Tennessee, they might offer your only chance to play live dealer games, capturing the full bricks and mortar casino experience. We think the best online casino in TN will almost certainly offer live gameplay, but it's wise to check if it's something you think you'd particularly enjoy.
Although online casinos aren't yet legal in Tennessee, judging by the enthusiasm with which sportsbooks have been introduced into the state, it can only be a matter of time. When legislation is passed, you can rest assured that we'll be ready and waiting to bring you the best online casinos TN has to offer.
Until that day, we recommend that you bookmark this page on our site, and make a point of checking back in regularly. We'll keep you fully updated on the latest news, so that you can be ready to take advantage of the best operator sites as soon as they go live.
❔ Which is the best online casino in TN?
Casino players in Tennessee have very limited options at the present time, thanks to some draconian gambling laws. But we've got all the latest info about what's legal, including the top casino sites to aim for when legislative changes are made. With operator reviews, bonus promotion info and strategy guides to help you make the most of your bankroll, we've got everything you need right here!
✋ Can I gamble at an online casino in Tennessee?
Federal law has very little influence on the stance each state decides to take when it comes to online casinos. Come and find out what to expect in Tennessee, and we'll fill you in on the best ways to get started. With how-to guides, information about state laws and details of some of the best bonus offers around, can you afford to miss out?
🎲 Which online casinos are live in Tennessee?
Every state decides on its own gambling laws, and Tennessee is stricter than most. Come and find out what's allowed – and what isn't – and discover how to choose your perfect casino operator. We've got all the info you need to explore your gambling options in the Volunteer State, so come and take a look!
🎰 Is it legal to visit an online casino in Tennessee?
Gambling laws across the US are varied and complex, but we're here to help you make sense of them. Discover what's legal in Tennessee and whether you can sign up to an online casino yet in the state. We're here to address all your questions, helping you to make informed decisions when it comes to selecting your perfect operator.
🎱 Which are the best online TN casinos?
Read our guide to online casinos in Tennessee to find out what's legal, what isn't, and when to expect changes to the current legislation. If you love to gamble, and you spend time in the Volunteer State, you need to read this!
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Star Wars Cinematic Universe Retrospective: Episode II – Attack of the Clones
star wars retrospective	by thethreepennyguignol September 15, 2019
You know, I accept that The Phantom Menace has a lot wrong with it, but at the end of the day, it's still a movie that I enjoy watching very much: it's nonsense, and I can see that, but I still like watching it. Attack of the Clones, though? There were points on our re-watching of it that I found myself thrashing around on the couch in abject pain, unable to so much as look at the screen because what was going on was just so bad, so artless, so fucking stupid.
When we talk about Attack of the Clones, the bad must come first. And there's so much of it: it's almost incredible how much utter bullshit Lucas and company managed to cram into just over two hours of cinema. But before we get to that, we must address the elephant in the Jedi temple: Hayden Christensen.
How many actors do you think tried out for this role? I mean, Darth Vader is probably one of the most iconic cinematic creations of the twentieth century. I can't imagine that a casting call for his younger version would have been met with indifference. It galls me, galls me, to think of the hundreds of young, unknown actors who tried out for this part, who probably thought about what they could bring to the role, who read the script and thought yeah, I can do this. And most of all when I remember that George Lucas chose the worst of the lot to bring this iconic character to life.
Sometimes, when I'm feeling more generous, I'll put more blame on the script than Christensen for Anakin's appalling showing in Attack of the Clones. And don't get me wrong, it's bad; do I need to reiterate the iconic sand monologue? I write romance in another one of my many writing lives, and make no mistake when I say that this is the most aggressively awful attempt at building romantic chemistry I've ever seen; Anakin is a creep, Padme is (for the most part, but we'll get there) a swooning, dithering damsel, and the romantic chemistry between Natalie Portman and her alleged "man" is put to shame by that of the twins that they'll go on to parent together.
But that would be to take away from the near-sublimety of how bad this performance is. I wonder at what point during shooting the crew exchanged glances and realized, Oh my God, he's going to tank this entire fucking film. Was it during that opening with Obi-Wan, as he appears to be reading from cue-cards? Is it amidst the gruelling romance warzone where Hayden must convey flirtation, and manages constipation, instead? Perhaps when it clicked that he could hardly swing a lightsabre convincingly? I'm not sure, but I'm certain it must have happened, but by then, it was too late: Christensen had been set in stone as Anakin, and there was no getting out of the enormous hole he was going to crack through the middle of this film.
But to put all the blame on him would be to skip out on the spectacular bullshit that the rest of this film offers up as "storytelling". Trying to figure out the actual throughline logic of the plot requires everyone involved and especially the Jedi to be unremitting idiots, so I'm not going to torment myself with reiterating it here. I just have so many questions about this movie, and the choices that were made that led to the giant, unwieldy beast we see in front of us now: why does Dooku, the alleged villain, turn up a half-hour before the end and then do next to nothing apart from basically out his secret boss and his identity? Why do the Jedi so willingly take on a Clone army of unknown origin without questioning its creation or existence? Where did R2-D2's flying jets come from? I have so many fucking questions. It's all so fucking stupid and it doesn't even have the decency to be stupid in the way the podracing sequence is; self-serious and self-serving and self-indulgent, everything is gruellingly po-faced (apart from Ewan McGregor's sarcastic and be-mulleted Obi-Wan, whose every line of dialogue could be clarified by adding "You little bitch" at the end of it).
And alright, let's get on to Padme, while we're on the subject of plot holes. I adore Padme in the first movie, as I said last week, and I really think the remainder of the franchise just shat over that version of the character; I will say that she's marginally better in Attack of the Clones than I remembered, with a few moments of boldness and bravery that brought to mind our Bitch and Queen of choice from Episode I. But the fact that the movie requires Padme to get smashed by Anakin sees her character distorted beyond all recognition to fit into that mould: in what world would the Padme we know and have had a crush on since adolescence love not kick Anakin's ass when she found out that he had slaughtered a tribe of Tuscan Raiders, including innocent children, for no good reason? "Oh, we all get angry sometimes!", she soothes him after the fact. No fucking way! Queen Amidala protected innocents above all else; she wouldn't be back-patting some block-of-wood Jedincel for murdering children because he was upset. From here on in, Amidala will only be relevant to Anakin's story, when she could have had such a badass arc of her own. Farewell, sweet potential Amidala: you're most of the reason I got into writing fanfiction.
I could write ten thousand more words on this movie, easily – everything wrong with it, those minor things right (some of the action is fine, I suppose), all the ways that it undercut the small amount of good work the Phantom Menace had set up. I could, but I want to cling on to the last of my sanity that's left after dragging myself in miserable agony through the carnage of Attack of the Clones. Next up, we have The Clone Wars movie – a welcome respite from the chaos of the prequel trilogy. Join me next time for something a little less fucking terrible, and hopefully, we can leave this international disaster behind us.
If you enjoyed this article and want to see more stuff like it, please check out our other cinematic universe retrospective – for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Jurassic Park movies, and the Batman cinematic universe. You can check out more of my work on my personal blog, The Cutprice Guignol!
By Louise MacGregor
(header image via Business Insider)
Movie Review: IT: Chapter 2
Movie Review: Hustlers
thethreepennyguignol	 on September 17, 2019 at 4:07 pm
I really didn't think it could possibly be as bad as I remembered


Getting the flu shot doesn't only protect mom, it protects her unborn baby.
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- It's National Influenza Vaccination Week and while doctors urge all of us to get the flu shot each fall in anticipation for the winter flu season, pregnant women need to take the flu shot the most seriously.
As an adult, Lauren Sotomayor never got the flu shot.
"I was the person who thought you should get it but never got around to taking it," says Sotomayor.
But this year, there was no putting it off.
"It was kind of not even an option. It was, 'Well, you need to get a flu shot because of all the risks associated with getting the flu while you are pregnant.'"
Yesenia Blancas, M.D., is an OB-GYN affiliated with Memorial Hermann Memorial City and Assistant Professor at the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth.
She says what most people think is just a cough, runny nose and fever could land them in the hospital and even cause them to die from the flu.
That's a risk she won't take with her pregnant patients.
"Pregnant women are a group at higher risk from getting these complications from the flu. The immune system changes during pregnancy, and because of that, they can have more complications from it," says Dr. Blancas.
"Whenever we get the flu vaccine, it creates an immune response in the mom and that immune response gets transferred to the baby, so when the baby is born, the baby has an immunization against the flu. That's very important because at birth, they are way too young to get the vaccine, so by giving mom the vaccine, they are able to get protected," says Dr. Blancas.
And gives moms like Sotomayor some piece of mind.
"There's so many things to worry about with it being winter and the holidays and everyone being sick, and I'm really excited that getting the flu won't be something I'm stressing about."


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Southern side of campus has a new look
by Shannon Chapla
For those who have been away from the University of Notre Dame campus for awhile, the drive in on the south side looks very different.The most obvious change is the realignment ofAngela BoulevardandEdison RoadbetweenIvy Roadon the east andNotre Dame Avenueto the west.The old roadway between those points has been removed, and all four lanes of the new stretch will be open by Aug. 15.
Notre Dame Avenuefrom Angela to the Main Gate has re-opened as construction of a new ceremonial entrance to the campus progresses.The gateway, which is intended to signalNotre Dame Avenueas the Universitys principal entrance, will be a gently arching composition of granite and limestone piers connected by wrought iron fence. Work continues on the entrance structure and landscaping, which is scheduled for completion next month.
In addition, Holy Cross Drive, directly north of the DeBartolo Center for the Performing Arts between Notre Dame Avenue and Juniper Road, will close from Aug. 15 through 19 for installation of speed bumps and stop signs.
* Contact: * Phillip Johnson, assistant director, Notre Dame Security/Police, 574-631-8338; or Douglas Marsh, University architect, 574-631-4200


1985 SUPER RARE Data recovery tool.
Hard to find Microdrive software cartridge for the Sinclair QL Computer. The Sinclair QL , or Quantum Leap , failed to make its mark as a popular computer, despite having a 16-bit processor. However, a few independent publishers did make games for it, which due to tiny sales figures, are now amongst the rarest of all Sinclair titles.


The Soho Hotel is a unique luxury boutique hotel situated on a quiet street in the heart of one of London's most vibrant neighborhoods. Kit Kemp, the owner and interior designer, has created a work of art with the decor. I loved the fashion and literary elements woven throughout, right down to the selection of paperback books in our room.
The hotel has 96 individually designed rooms and suites, including connecting options ideal for families. All of the rooms are individual and beautifully decorated, with brilliant style and taste combining classicism, quirkiness and modernity.
We stayed in a one-bedroom Richmond Suite, which felt like guest quarters in a very well-appointed private home. It was not just visually fabulous — it functioned perfectly for our family in every way. The bed was incredibly comfortable and outfitted with luxurious linens, and the room was unbelievably quiet (especially for a city hotel) due to the superb room-darkening blinds and insulated windows.
The bathroom was quite large with a soaking tub and adjacent TV. Our favorite part was the wonderful walk-in shower, which had amazing water pressure — not always a given in London.
Refuel Bar & Restaurant offers a lively atmosphere and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The breakfast, a continental buffet followed by an a la carte menu, was so good that we were already looking forward to it by the time we went to bed each night.
We loved our accommodations so much that we decided to order in-room dining and have a family movie night for our last night in London. The food arrived promptly and was delicious. A sweet and savory afternoon tea is available all day in the the Drawing Room.
There are many amazing restaurants near the hotel, and the fabulous concierge team is happy to make suggestions and book reservations. For a quick meal or takeout, we liked Princi, just a block away. We even stopped there to get food to take the airport with us since we were flying out of Gatwick, which has fewer food options than Heathrow.
The basement theater, called the Screening Room, is unlike anything I've encountered at another hotel. My kids were ecstatic to find we were the only guests for the Saturday afternoon viewing of War Horse, complete with a choice of regular or salted caramel popcorn and many fancy drink options. Entrance to the Screening Room is complimentary for guests; contact the concierge prior to arrival for showtimes and reservations.
After a day of sightseeing, families can enjoy a beverage from the Honor Bar and settle in the Drawing Room to play a board game. A pleasant surprise is that the drinks are reasonably priced for London.
Personal touches are evident throughout the hotel: complimentary bottles of Evian water in the gym, the welcome gift of a scented candle from Kit Kemp's own line, relaxation spray at the bedside and wonderful toiletry items in the bathroom.
We caught a double-decker bus near the hotel and took it to the Tower of London, then did a commuter ferry ride, getting off at the London Eye stop. Order timed Fast Track tickets for the London Eye to avoid the long queue in high season.
The Soho is steps from the Theater District, Chinatown and the popular Piccadilly and Covent Garden neighborhoods. And shopping on nearby Oxford Street is a must for families with teenage girls.
Want help booking a stay at the Soho Hotel or planning a family trip to London?
Editor's Note: Sandy was provided a media rate to review the property for Ciao Bambino. As always, our opinions are our own. Photos by Sandy Pappas.


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Chapter 496 - Two Beauties
"Wen Qingxuan?"
When this name rang into Mu Chen's ears, even he felt his heart growing slightly colder. Ever since the start of the Great Spiritual Academy Tournament, her name had been akin to thunder piercing his eyes. That's due to the number one place of the Top 16 rankings of the tournament had been occupied by this group from the Myriad Phoenix Spiritual Academy ever since it started. Even with many other strong groups doing their best to catch up, they were still unable to surpass them.
Wanting to lay claim to the number one place of this Great Spiritual Academy Tournament rankings, where the experts were as numerous as the clouds in the sky, wasn't an easy task to accomplish. This was even especially so when this group was entirely composed of such pretty and exquisite-looking beautiful girls. For them, the difficulty to accomplish such a task would even be intensified.
Therefore, being able to continuously occupy the number one place showed that Wen Qingxuan's group definitely possessed rather frightening strength.
Whoever dared to underestimate and neglect those girls who appeared even more beautiful than flowers might have to pay an exceedingly high price.
Mu Chen focused his gaze on Wen Qingxuan. Although he was shocked in awe of the appearance and temperament of the girl before him, he felt even more of an ambiguous vigilance against her. Not knowing Wen Qingxuan, and with the latter suddenly knocking on their doorsteps, he felt that this wasn't much of a good matter.
The strength of the group currently present before them might be the strongest group they've encountered since the start of the tournament. If they were to truly start a fight, even Mu Chen, who had just broken through, would not dare to guarantee themselves a victory against this group.
"So it's Captain Wen Qingxuan. I've been looking forward to meeting you for a long time."
As those thoughts revolved within his mind, a faint smile appeared on Mu Chen's face as he cupped his hands toward her.
Quietly standing by Mu Chen's side, Luo Li shot a somewhat strange look towards Wen Qingxuan. Although she had seen her before, they couldn't be said to be anymore than aquantancances. Initially, while in the Spiritual Road, Luo Li's mind was only set on dealing with Ji Xuan, which resulted in her not having the heart and mind to form connections.
Looking towards Wen Qingxuan, the latter suddenly panned her head over, causing two similarly beautiful and soul-stirring eyes, yet possessing entire different temperaments, to cross gazes.
These two young girls were both exceedingly outstanding, appearing as if the intelligence of the world had condensed into their bodies. They merely stood there, not saying a single word. Yet, a unique atmosphere started to extend and envelope, causing the people at the side to be unable to interrupt their staredown. Naturally, there was also no one that was willing to break this graceful challenge.
As their beautiful eyes crossed gazes, it appeared as if something scorching-hot seemed to gush from the depths of Wen Qingxuan's eyes, causing Luo Li to become slightly startled. Getting a strange feeling from it, she subsequently panned her gaze away.
Brimming with smiling intent, Wen Qingxuan took light and graceful steps forward, walking towards Mu Chen, as her alluring figure caused other people to be unable to stop following her every move with their eyes. Bringing about a delicate fragrance, she drew closer towards Mu Chen and Luo Li. As she did so, Mu Chen was finally able to clearly see this alluring beauty.
Faced against Wen Qingxuan, even Mu Chen had to sigh in admiration towards her. Just based on her exquisiteness and degree of beauty, Wen Qingxuan was not one bit inferior to Luo Li, merely that her temperament was entirely different from Luo Li. Luo Li was like the lotus resting quietly within the mountain valley, making the troubles and worries within people's hearts to gradually turn peaceful upon seeing her. Compared to her, Wen Qingxuan had a noble and arrogant air radiating from her, something like a phoenix that was soaring over the clouds would possess. It was extremely hard to find the softness and gentleness ordinary girls would have from her. Accentuating her slender and graceful figure, the tight-fitting golden battle armor on her body gave people a unique feeling of her being a goddess of war.
"Luo Li, we meet again."
Standing before the two, Wen Qingxuan's eyes were currently resting on Luo Li's figure. Extending her slender and jade-like little hand, she said with a smile, "I've yet to thank you for what happened at the end of the Spiritual Road. If not for you obstructing Ji Xuan, I might not have been able to obtain the championship."
With a faint smile, Luo Li shook her head as she extended her hand to give a gentle handshake to Wen Qingxuan. She didn't have a cold and indifferent temperament, merely that she loved to be in a quiet and calm environment. The girl before her, Wen Qingxuan, could be the most outstanding girl of similar age that Luo Li had seen over the past few years. When girls as outstanding as the two met, there would mostly likely be two extremely different outcomes. One would be the rise of some hostility, while the other was them becoming somewhat emotional. This was similar to the so-called "mutual understanding and respect between men."
Therefore, Luo Li did not reject Wen Qingxuan when faced with the latter's friendly action.
"I've some grudge and grievances with Ji Xuan. Since Mu Chen was no longer in the Spiritual Road then, that's why I personally took action. You're very strong, and have relied on yourself to obtain the Spiritual Crown. I didn't give any help to you," replied Luo Li in a soft voice.
"If you had attempted to take the Spiritual Crown, then, I might not have been able to contend against you," replied Wen Qingxuan with a smile as her beautiful eyes wandered about.
Choosing to reply, Luo Li only gave a smile back in response.
Looking at the two girls from the side, Mu Chen could not help rubbing his nose. For some unknown reason, he could faintly discern himself feeling unnecessary… furthermore, he could feel that the gaze Wen Qingxuan sent towards Luo Li wasn't quite right…
Behind him, Xu Huang and the other two exchanged glances with each other. Under the envelopment of the atmosphere coming from the two girls, They didn't even dare to utter a single word.
"Captain Wen Qingxuan. Could it be that you and your group didn't rush here for us?" said Mu Chen with a soft cough. If it was a male who dared to get so close to Luo Li like that, his face would have already flipped and turned black. However, with the opposite party being such an enchanting girl, the only thing he could do was to endure.
Only at this moment did Wen Qingxuan turn her gaze to look towards Mu Chen. Her pair of noble and arrogant phoenix-like eyes started to size him up, giving off what seemed to be the flavor of an examination. In the next instant, a shade of ridicule curled from the corner of her red lips as she said, "Captain Mu Chen, I'm here to make a deal with you."
"What deal?" asked Mu Chen in slight startlement.
With a clench of her jade-like hand, an Academy Plaque appeared within Wen Qingxuan's hand. Present on the surface of the Academy Plaque was a number nearing 8000, the number of points this plaque possessed. Although they knew about this, Xu Huang and the other two still sucked in a breath of cold air, while their hearts and minds were filled with shock. After exhausting themselves for so long, the number of points they had was actually not even half of what Wen Qingxuan possessed. These girls were too terrifying.
"Captain Mu Chen, I'll give all of these points to you. Furthermore, I'll guarantee your admission into the final match. However, the condition is that you allow Luo Li to join my group. What do you say?" Grasping her Academy Plaque in her hand, a smile surfaced at the corner of Wen Qingxuan's mouth as she gave her reply.
Hearing those words, Xu Huang and the other two instantly gawked as they vacantly looked at Wen Qingxuan. Clearly, they did not understand the meaning of what she had said. She wants to use those points to exchange for Luo Li?
Mu Chen and Luo Li had also gawked at those words. However, frowns quickly started to slowly appear on Mu Chen's forehead as he thought, This Wen Qingxuan's actually aiming for Luo Li?
A frown also appeared on Luo Li's forehead. Looking towards Wen Qingxuan, she said in a somewhat displeased manner, "Captain Wen Qingxuan, what is this about?"
Not replying to Luo Li, Wen Qingxuan continued to grin as she looked towards Mu Chen.
Staring straight at Wen Qingxuan, Mu Chen's gaze turned dull as he slowly replied, "I don't know exactly what you want to do; however… Captain Wen Qingxuan, let's not talk about a mere 8000 points, even if you use yourself to exchange for Luo Li, I would feel that it's not worth it in the slightest."
Although he knew that the girl before him wasn't benevolent or virtuous, her strength was on a level that caused even him to feel danger. However, Mu Chen could not permit her to act that brazenly and wilfully here. Therefore, he no longer remained courteous with his reply.
Upon hearing Mu Chen's reply, the four similarly alluring and beautiful girls standing behind Wen Qingxuan instantly roared with their sweet voices.
As for Xu Huang and the other two, they quietly stuck out their thumbs. Faced against a girl like Wen Qingxuan, Mu Chen might be the only person that would treat her like that.
A grin still hung on Wen Qingxuan's absolutely beautiful face, with the only change being the slight jump in those pair of phoenix-like eyes. Clearly, it was also extremely rare for her to bump into anyone that dared to speak to her in such a manner. Although she didn't have the thought to compare herself to Luo Li, the tone present in Mu Chen's reply, which sounded as if she was absolutely unable to be compared to Luo Li, was something that she wasn't too fond of. After all, there's always some pride and arrogance in every girl's heart. What's more, a girl like her, who was always the centre of attention wherever she went…
Upon hearing Wen Qingxuan's reply, spiritual light sparkled from the hands of the four girls behind her, especially from the twins, with unique fluctuations starting to radiate from them.
Wen Qingxuan wasn't the only strong person with this group. Even her four other group members weren't people that were easy to deal with. If each of them were to go their separate ways, every one of them would be able to take charge of a group by themselves.
Sensing that the atmosphere had turned into something that wasn't quite right, Xu Huang and the other two quietly revolved their Spiritual Energies. Although they knew that the group before them possessed terrifying strength, if it was needed for them to take action, they would go all-out without any restraint.
Luo Li's forehead started to knit up, since she clearly didn't expect that the situation, which was originally somewhat friendly, would turn into this in an instant. Nevertheless, without speaking a single word, she slowly tightened her grip on her Luo God Sword as her lovable face grew slightly frosty. As long as Wen Qingxuan and her group took action, she would not hesitate one bit to take action herself.
Although she had quite a good impression towards Wen Qingxuan, it was nothing compared to her relationship with Mu Chen.
The minute action of Luo Li tightening her grip on the Luo God Sword was noticed by Wen Qingxuan, leading to her gently puckering her little red mouth. Sending a sweet smile towards Mu Chen, she said, "What I've said just now was a joke. You won't be offended by it, right?"
Sensing the change in attitude from her tone, Mu Chen could only nod his head while remaining silent.
Seeing Mu Chen nod his head, Wen Qingxuan gave a light laugh, with her voice growing increasingly gentle and soul-rapturing. "However… I do take mind in the words you've said earlier. Could the renowned Blood Calamity of the Spiritual Road allow me to experience the ability you possess that made Luo Li stay by your side?"
At the very instant when her gentle voice rang out, frightening Spiritual Energy erupted from her body, like a volcano. With a clench of her jade-like hands, an exceedingly gorgeous golden-coloured spear surfaced within. With a whoosh, the spear tip was thrust straight towards Mu Chen.
At this instant, the atmosphere froze up.


If one considers how much, for instance, has been allocated to the development of the nation's prime sport as compared to what is being stolen or siphoned off from the national budget, the gaping difference can be noted. Instead there is evidence of illegal manipulation of the budget after it had been passed into law.
Funding to the National Football Team is $350,000.00, representing 0.0006% of the national budget. A total of 29 National Sporting Federations and Associations received only $72,700.00. How then can the nation expect the desired victories from the Lone Star football team when little or nothing is being provided to win the victories the nation longs for as it did in past times when President George Weah played on the national football team? And talking about patriotism or the lack of it as the reason for Liberia's defeat at the hands of Congo is mere idle talk and vicious gossip which can be dismissed in the face of living reality.
This newspaper knows of no other footballer of such fame that has his son donning the colors of another country playing for its national team. Those who call the team unpatriotic should remember above all the saying that "charity begins at home". The excuse that the son of the President was born in the United States of America or that his professional growth and development could become compromised by plying for Liberia is indeed laughable.
Both sons of famous Ghanaian footballer Abedi Pele for example play on Ghana's national team. And both of them play in the English premiership, the foremost football league in the world. How has their playing for Ghana stymied their professional development is the question which begs answers from those attempting to denigrate members of the national football team.
His supporters would later justify in the view that a victory for Liberia would have elevated President Charles Taylor from his pariah status. Similar views about the team's alleged unpatriotic performance have been expressed in the wake of the Lone Star's recent defeat. Those espousing such views ought to realize that President Weah rode to the presidency on the fame of his exploits on the football field.
President Weah should also realize that there are huge expectations of a successful Lone Star under his watch. And the logic is, if he cannot deliver the Lone Star from its state of backwardness, he certainly cannot deliver the nation from the morass into which it has sunk. As roots singer Jones Duopu puts it, "don't place blame on where you fell, place blame instead on where you stumbled and fell.
Don't blame the Lone Star!
Next articleKnow the Major "Players" of Liberia's ICT and Telecommunications Sector.


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StoneLite Stands Strong Amidst Near Record-Setting Summer
Posted on Sep 24, 2011 by Ryan Nielsen
Stone Panels, Inc.® Product Proves Testing Results in Real-World Conditions
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Mere months later, Dallas-Fort Worth is on the tail-end of an almost record-setting summer, wherein the metroplex nearly set a record for number of days in a row that temperatures rose above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The record, set in 1980, is 42 days. The summer of 2011 gave Dallas 40 days in a row over 100 degrees.
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Hi! Any handymen out there good with putting together IKEA furniture?Hi! Any handymen out there good with putting together IKEA furniture?Hi! Any handymen out there good with putting together IKEA furniture?Hi! Any handymen out there good with putting together IKEA furniture?


Those among us who have managed to find professional success and eke out a life actively embrace this philosophy. They must set aside their first hours of the day to invest in their top-priority activities before other people's priorities come rushing in.
Science supports this strategy. Vanderkam cites Florida State University psychology professor Roy Baumeister's famous finding that willpower is like a muscle that becomes fatigued from overuse. Diets, he says, come undone in the evening, just as poor self-control and lapses in decision-making often come later in the day. On the other hand, early mornings offer a fresh supply of willpower, and people tend to be more optimistic and ready to tackle challenging tasks.
So what do successful executives and entrepreneurs do when they are rested and fresh? From Vanderkam's study of morning rituals, we outline the following 12 things that the most successful people do before breakfast.
Successful people know that time is a precious commodity. And while theirs is easily eaten up by phone calls, meetings, and sudden crises once they've gotten to the office, the morning hours are under their control. That's why many of them rise before the sun, squeezing out as much time as they can to do with as they please.
The top morning activity of the rich and powerful seems to be exercise, be it lifting weights at home or going to the gym. According to Vanderkam, Xerox CEO Ursula Burns schedules an hour-long personal training session starting at 6 a.m. twice a week; Christies CEO Steve Murphy uses the mornings to do yoga; and Starwood Hotels CEO Frits van Paasschen runs for an hour every morning starting at 5:30.
Beyond the fact that exercising in the morning means they can't later run out of time, Vanderkam says a pre-breakfast workout helps reduce stress later in the day, counteracts the effects of high-fat diet, and improves sleep.
The quiet hours of the morning can be the ideal time to focus on an important work project without being interrupted. What's more, spending time on it at the beginning of the day ensures that it gets your attention before others (kids, employees, bosses) use it all up.
Vanderkam uses the example of business strategist Debbie Moysychyn, who dealt with so many ad hoc meetings and interruptions throughout the day that she felt she couldn't get anything done. She started thinking of the early mornings as project time, and chose a top-priority project each day to focus on. Sure enough, not a single colleague dropped in on her at 6:30 a.m. She could finally concentrate.
Novel-writing and art-making is easy to skip when you've been in meetings all day, are tired and hungry, and have to figure out what's for dinner. That's why many successful people put in an hour or so on their personal projects before they officially start their days.
We may exalt the family dinner, but there's nothing that says you have to have a big family meal at night, says Vanderkam. Some successful people use the mornings to invest in family time, whether reading stories to the kids or cooking a big breakfast together.
In the evening, it's more likely you'll be tired from the day's activities, and time can easily be wasted with dinner preparations and zoning out in front of the TV. That's why many successful people make connecting with their partners a morning ritual.
Even if they're not getting frisky every morning, many couples use the early hours to talk. For instance, BlackRock Managing Director Obie McKenzie and his wife commute from the suburbs into New York City every morning. They spend the hour-plus trip discussing their lives, finances, household to-do lists, and plans for the week.
Manisha Thakor, a former corporate executive who founded and now runs MoneyZen Wealth Management, practices transcendental meditation to clear her mind. She does two 20-minute sessions a day, the first before breakfast and the second in the evening, and focuses on breathing and repeating a mantra in her head. She's found it to be "one of the most life-enhancing practices" she's ever experienced, she told Vanderkam.
They write down things they're grateful for.
Expressing gratitude is another great way to center yourself and get the proper perspective before heading to the office. Writing down the people, places, and opportunities that you're grateful for takes just a few minutes but can make a real difference in your outlook.
Pharmaceutical exec Wendy Kay told Vanderkam she spends a good chunk of her morning "expressing gratitude, asking for guidance, and being open to inspiration." When she gets to work, she always has a clear vision for herself and her staff.
They plan and strategize while they're fresh.
Planning the day, week, or month ahead is an important time management tool to keep you on track when you're in the thick of it. Using the mornings to do big-picture thinking helps you prioritize and set the trajectory of the day.
For instance, Gretchen Rubin, author of "The Happiness Project," wakes at 6 every morning before her family's up at 7. She uses the time to clear her inbox, schedule the day, and read social media. Getting these tasks out of the way from the start helps her concentrate better when she moves on to more challenging projects, she told Vanderkam.
Whether it's sitting in the corner diner and reading the papers or checking the blogs and Twitter from their phones, most successful people have a pre-breakfast ritual for getting the latest headlines.
By the time they get to work, they have a pretty good idea of what's going on in the world. Then, they can get down to the business of changing it.


A huge portion of the General Motors family consists of veterans. In fact, more than 6,000 military vets are current employed by GM, with over 50,000 retirees also being veterans. It should come as no surprise, then, that Chevrolet recently did its part in giving back to military veterans at a Chevrolet Corvette auction. Taking place at Barrett-Jackson, the auction raised over $2.325 million to benefit U.S. military veterans.
Proceeds from the first auction will be going to the Bush Center's Military Service Initiative. The organization's top priority is to assist post-9/11 military veterans and their families through the process of transitioning back to civilian life. It also provides vets with resources for finding steady employment and overcoming unseen obstacles, such as PTSD. The second auction will benefit wounded veterans through the Steven Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation's America's Bravest Program.
The Chevrolet Corvette auction included two different unique models. The first was a Corvette Carbon 65 Edition that had been signed by President George W. Bush himself; it was purchased by John Staluppi of Atlantic Automotive Group for $1.4 million. Meanwhile, the second model was a Corvette ZR1, touted by Chevy as the fastest and most powerful production model ever built by the brand. It sold for $925,000 to Rick Hendrick, the owner of Henrick Automotive Group and NASCAR Cup Series winner Hendrick Motorsports.
In the market for a new Corvette of your own? Visit us at Hanner Chevrolet and we'll set you up with a test drive.


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Lil' Miss Lixx
Jan. 13, 2023 - The Slipper Room Show
Jan. 12, 2023 - Wilfredo a Go-Go
Dec. 22, 2022 - Wiggle Room
Dec. 11, 2022 - Slippery Sundays
Dec. 9, 2022 - Lil' Miss Lixx Presents: Kinky Krampus on Krampusnatch
Nov. 26, 2022 - Mr. Choade's Upstairs Downstairs
Nov. 17, 2022 - The Wiggle Room
Nov. 9, 2022 - Burlesque in a Bottle is Back!
Oct. 26, 2022 - Musica Instrumentalis
Oct. 16, 2022 - Slippery Sundays
Sept. 8, 2022 - The Wiggle Room
May 11, 2022 - Stache Novak's Midnight Fingers
May 5, 2022 - Chris Harder's Late Nite Cravings
April 15, 2022 - Slipper Room Show
March 25, 2022 - The Slipper Room Show
March 10, 2022 - The Wiggle Room
Feb. 19, 2022 - Dromedary Burlesque
Feb. 17, 2022 - Glamourmess
Feb. 2, 2022 - Stache Novak's Midnight Fingers
Jan. 15, 2022 - Dromedary Burlesque
Jan. 1, 2022 - Mr. Choades Upstairs Downstairs
Dec. 16, 2021 - Glamourmess
Nov. 27, 2021 - Mr. Choades Upstairs Downstairs
Nov. 26, 2021 - The Slipper Room Show
Nov. 17, 2021 - Broadway Brassy and The Brass Knuckle
Oct. 28, 2021 - The Pandemic Burlesque x Gills Gills Gills Halloween Show
Oct. 21, 2021 - The Wiggle Room
May 14, 2020 - Naughty Noir's Virtual Hanky Panky 2
April 16, 2020 - The Wiggle Room In Exile
March 9, 2020 - Wilfredo a Go Go!
March 4, 2020 - Musica Instrumentalis
Feb. 27, 2020 - Stache Novak's Midnight Fingers
Jan. 9, 2020 - The Wiggle Room
Jan. 7, 2020 - Coat Dew Ruin
Nov. 11, 2019 - Wilfredo a Go Go!
Nov. 9, 2019 - Mr. Choade's Upstairs Downstairs
Nov. 2, 2019 - Mr Choade's Upstairs Downstairs
Oct. 25, 2019 - The Slipper Room Show
Sept. 8, 2019 - Slippery Sundays Burlesque
Aug. 29, 2019 - The Wiggle Room
Aug. 11, 2019 - Slippery Sundays Burlesque
Aug. 8, 2019 - Stache Novak's Midnight Fingers
July 27, 2019 - Kinky Christmas in July
June 14, 2019 - Sequinette Presents: Paint The Town Pink
June 2, 2019 - Stand Up and Take Your Clothes Off!
May 13, 2019 - Wilfredo a Go Go!
May 4, 2019 - The Furry Follies: Ridiculous Mammal Burlesque
April 8, 2019 - Wilfredo a Go Go
March 25, 2019 - The Corn Mo and the Love Show Show!
March 23, 2019 - Coney Island Spring Gala
March 20, 2019 - Broadway Brassy and The Brass Knuckles featuring Burlesque
Feb. 21, 2019 - The Wiggle Room
Jan. 6, 2019 - Stand Up and Take Your Clothes Off
Dec. 17, 2018 - Wilfredo a Go Go! Holiday Special
Nov. 8, 2018 - The Wiggle Room
Oct. 18, 2018 - Stache Novak's Midnight Fingers
Sept. 27, 2018 - 16th Annual New York Burlesque Festival: Teaser Party
Aug. 25, 2018 - Random Acts of Undress Burlesque Improv Gameshow
Aug. 17, 2018 - Hot Face!
Aug. 4, 2018 - XXXO, Love Letters from Coney Island
July 27, 2018 - Bambi's Burlesque Beauty Parlour
July 20, 2018 - Multiple Partners
May 25, 2018 - The People's Playground A Tribute to the History of Coney Island
May 12, 2018 - Mr. Choade's Upstairs Downstairs
Jan. 17, 2018 - Risque
Jan. 4, 2018 - Stache Novak's Midnight Fingers
Dec. 16, 2017 - 11th Annual Menorah Horah!
Nov. 7, 2017 - Pastiche Parlour
Nov. 3, 2017 - The Slipper Room Show
Sept. 16, 2017 - Mr. Choade's Upstairs Downstairs
Sept. 14, 2017 - The Wiggle Room
Sept. 8, 2017 - The Slipper Room Show
Sept. 1, 2017 - Trash Can Twins Present: The 3rd Annual Dumpster Dive
Aug. 10, 2017 - Stache Novak's Midnight Fingers
June 10, 2017 - Mr. Choade's Upstairs Downstairs
May 26, 2017 - Bambi and Chuck's Bachelor Party
May 15, 2017 - Monday Night Fever
April 14, 2017 - The Slipper Room Show
April 13, 2017 - The Wiggle Room
April 11, 2017 - Solid Gold Lounge: Spring Fling
April 1, 2017 - April Fools Fall In Love!
March 25, 2017 - Coney Island USA Spring Gala
March 14, 2017 - Gettin' Lucky
March 9, 2017 - The Wiggle Room
March 3, 2017 - The Slipper Room Show
Feb. 13, 2017 - The Last !BadAss!
Feb. 11, 2017 - Mr. Choade's Upstairs Downstairs
Jan. 26, 2017 - Stache Novak's Midnight Fingers
Jan. 15, 2017 - Legends of Burlesque Calendar Show
Jan. 11, 2017 - Glitter Gutter
Dec. 8, 2016 - The Wiggle Room
Dec. 1, 2016 - Bah Humbug Burlesque
Oct. 6, 2016 - The Wiggle Room
Sept. 24, 2016 - !BadAss! presents !Bath Ass!
Sept. 2, 2016 - Dumpster Dive Part 2 - Part Duhh!
July 23, 2016 - Trapper Keeper: A Burlesque Salute to Lisa Frank and All Things Super Girly!
June 25, 2016 - Half Dozen Hot Whores on the Halfshell
June 16, 2016 - Stache Novak's Midnight Fingers
June 11, 2016 - The Midnight Experience: Sex, Aerial & Rock n' Roll
June 4, 2016 - The Midnight Experience: Sex, Aerial & Rock n' Roll
June 3, 2016 - The Slipper Room Show
May 27, 2016 - The Midnight Experience: Sex, Aerial & Rock n' Roll
May 5, 2016 - Sweet Tits and Stiletto-hoes
April 29, 2016 - With Love! World Famous *BOB* Birthday Bash
April 25, 2016 - Temple of the Virgins
Feb. 5, 2016 - Bedlam Burlesque: Neil's Birthday Spectacular!
Dec. 26, 2015 - Mr. Choade's Upstairs Downstairs
Dec. 3, 2015 - Catwalk Sex Party
Oct. 14, 2015 - The Glitter Gutter
Oct. 5, 2015 - Pink and a Smile
Sept. 26, 2015 - !Badass! Does Barbie
Sept. 25, 2015 - 13th Annual New York Burlesque Festival: The Premiere Party
Sept. 5, 2015 - Mr. Choade's Upstairs Downstairs
Aug. 15, 2015 - Mr. Choade's Upstairs Downstairs
Aug. 8, 2015 - Bambi the Mermaid and Divina GranSparkle present "BURLEZQUE!"
July 31, 2015 - Blunderland Burlesque at the Beach
July 25, 2015 - Mr. Choade's Upstairs Downstairs
July 21, 2015 - Bushwick Burlesque: DRENCHED! Darlinda's Hot and Sweaty Birthday Bacchanal!
July 4, 2015 - Endless Summer: MODS vs. ROCKERS
June 26, 2015 - Dumpster Dive
June 22, 2015 - Temple of the Virgins
May 30, 2015 - Jason Mejias Presents: The Bodacious Review!
May 13, 2015 - American Gransparkle - Help Divina stay in the USA!
May 9, 2015 - Mr. Choade's Upstairs Downstairs
May 2, 2015 - The Midnight Cabaret
April 29, 2015 - Glitter Gutter
April 19, 2015 - V/O/XXX
April 18, 2015 - Burlesque Below the Bridges
April 15, 2015 - Take a Turn for the Nurse
April 9, 2015 - The Wiggle Room
March 14, 2015 - Mr. Choade's Upstairs Downstairs
March 4, 2015 - Glitter Gutter
Feb. 20, 2015 - The Slipper Room Show
Feb. 18, 2015 - Take a Turn for the Nurse
Jan. 24, 2015 - Mr. Choade's Upstairs Downstairs
Jan. 15, 2015 - The Wiggle Room
Jan. 14, 2015 - Nurse Bettie Burlesque: Take a Turn For the Nurse
Dec. 19, 2014 - Slipper Room Show: Holiday Extravaganza!
Dec. 18, 2014 - The Wiggle Room
Dec. 15, 2014 - Monday Night Fever Solid Gold: A Christmas Burlesque Show
Dec. 10, 2014 - Mo' Betta Burlesque
Dec. 10, 2014 - Nurse Bettie Burlesque: Take a Turn For the Nurse
Dec. 6, 2014 - Mr. Choade's Upstairs Downstairs
Dec. 3, 2014 - Shaken & Stirred Burlesque
Dec. 1, 2014 - The Slipper Room Show
Nov. 19, 2014 - Nurse Bettie Burlesque: Take a Turn For the Nurse
Nov. 12, 2014 - Mo Betta Burlesque
Oct. 16, 2014 - Spanking the Lower East Side with Calamity Chang
Oct. 8, 2014 - Nurse Bettie Burlesque: Take a Turn For the Nurse
Sept. 19, 2014 - The Slipper Room Show
Sept. 4, 2014 - The Slipper Room Presents: Camp Moose Knuckles
Aug. 30, 2014 - Floating Kabarette
Aug. 9, 2014 - Floating Kabarette
Aug. 1, 2014 - Bedlam Burlesque
July 28, 2014 - Temple of the Virgins: 2 Year Anniversary Show
July 10, 2014 - The Wiggle Room
May 9, 2014 - The Slipper Room Show
May 1, 2014 - Spanking the Lower East Side with Calamity Chang
April 16, 2014 - Burlesque at Bedford Hall
April 6, 2014 - Kitty Nights NYC
March 6, 2014 - Spanking the Lower East Side with Calamity Chang
Feb. 26, 2014 - Nurse Bettie Burlesque: Take a Turn For the Nurse
Feb. 14, 2014 - Filthy Gorgeous Burlesque Valentine's Spectacular!
Feb. 7, 2014 - The Slipper Room Show
Jan. 16, 2014 - Spanking the Lower East Side with Calamity Chang
Jan. 8, 2014 - Mo Betta Burlesque
Jan. 3, 2014 - The Slipper Room Show
Dec. 21, 2013 - The Slipper Room Holiday Show
Dec. 19, 2013 - The Wiggle Room Christmas With Moisty The Snowman
Dec. 12, 2013 - Wasabassco: A Starknaked Xmas
Dec. 6, 2013 - Bedlam Burlesque First Anniversary Spectacular
Oct. 23, 2013 - Nurse Bettie Burlesque: Take a Turn For the Nurse
Sept. 29, 2013 - 11th Annual New York Burlesque Festival: The Golden Pastie Awards
Sept. 20, 2013 - Bedlam Burlesque
Aug. 10, 2013 - Dead Sexy Burlesque
Aug. 9, 2013 - Dead Sexy Burlesque
June 20, 2013 - The Wiggle Room
June 6, 2013 - Spanking the Lower East Side
May 25, 2013 - Dead Sexy Burlesque
May 16, 2013 - Pinchbottom Pretencion
April 19, 2013 - Bedlam Burlesque
March 30, 2013 - Dead Sexy Burlesque


Dan Duet, an award-winning Catholic recording artist, will facilitate "Soul on Fire!", a gathering of prayer through music and Scripture. Join us for a great evening of praise and worship. Admission is FREE!!
A Love Offering will be taken up to support ACTS Retreat Scholarships and other needs.


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Kit Siang set to announce candidature in Johor
Posted by Kit in DAP, Elections on Friday, 15 March 2013
By Lee Way Loon | 4:13PM Mar 15, 2013
In an attempt to win federal power, DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang, who has been visiting Johor frequently of late, is expected to contest a parliamentary seat in the state in the coming general election.
It is learnt that the Ipoh Timor MP will be making an official announcement on his shift to the southern BN stronghold at DAP's 47th anniversary celebration and ceramah in Skudai, near Johor Bharu, on Monday.
Several party insiders told Malaysiakini that the possibility of Lim contesting a Johor parliamentary seat in GE13 was "very real".
However, it could not be confirmed that whether Lim would also name the seat he intended to contest, tough speculation has been that it could be Gelang Patah.
Lim,when contacted on this matter, refused to comment.
On Tuesday, DAP national organising secretary Anthony Loke (left) said a "major announcement" would be made at the party's anniversary celebration in Skudai.
The most probable date for long-awaited Parliament dissolution is Monday, March 25 although it could be later or even earlier
Posted by Kit in 1Malaysia, Elections, Media, Muhyiddin Yassin, Najib Razak, nation building, Parliament, UMNO on Friday, 15 March 2013
The most probable date for the long-awaited dissolution of the 12th Parliament is Monday, March 25 although it could be earlier in the next ten days or even later.
The automatic dissolution of the Negri Sembilan State Assembly on midnight on 26th March 2013 should under ordinary circumstances be the last cut-off date for the dissolution of Parliament, but these are not ordinary times, and Parliament can be dissolved earlier in the next 10 days or even later, exhausting another 32 days to lead up to the unprecedented automatic dissolution of Parliament on midnight April 27, 2013.
It is precisely because these are not ordinary times that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has put the country for nearly four long years on an election mode ever since he became the sixth Prime Minister on April 3, 2009, spending more time campaigning to get an elected mandate of his own instead of uniting and inspiring Malaysians with an overarching vision and governing the country efficiently and professionally, with integrity and full commitment to democracy, human rights and the environment.
If we are in ordinary times, the 13th general elections would have been held already and Malaysians would have known whether Najib has finally his own mandate to be the Prime Minister of Malaysia or whether Malaysia has got a new Pakatan Rakyat federal government in Putrajaya with a new Prime Minister in the person of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Malaysian government using spyware against citizens? No, not really.
Posted by Kit in IT on Friday, 15 March 2013
By Keith Rozario | march 15, 2013
keithrozario.com
I've been pretty busy the past few months, and my post count has been pretty low, and although I just returned from a 2 week trip abroad and am now flushed full of work, I decided to burn a bit of the midnight oil today because the Malaysian Insider completely pissed me off.
It all started with an article from Lim Kit Siangs blog, which read "Malaysia uses spyware against citizens, NYT reports". The post was merely a cut-and-copy reproduction of a Malaysian Insider article that had the same headline. The headline really got my blood churning and it was followed up with an even more mouth watering opening paragraph:
'Najib's economic figures are fictional'
Posted by Kit in Economics, Elections, Najib Razak on Friday, 15 March 2013
By Ong Kian Ming | 4:56PM Mar 14, 2013
COMMENT Yesterday, March 13, 2013, national news agency Bernama quoted Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak as saying:
"We have been able to buck the external global economic trend. In the last quarter, we achieved 6.4 percent growth, which indicates the resilience of the national economy.
"When we talk about benefits to the people from 2009 to 2011, our gross national income (GNI) per capita has grown from US$6,670 to US$9,970, roughly about 49 percent. There is no country in the world that has achieved this kind of result."
Najib said this in the 'Conversation with the PM' programme aired by Media Prima group's TV3 on Tuesday night (March 12).
Where did our prime minister-cum-finance minister get these figures from? I suspect that it's from none other than Idris Jala (left), the chief executive officer of the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu), which comes under the PM's Department.
Lahad Datu intrusion – sovereignty compromised
Posted by Kit in Defence, Sabah on Friday, 15 March 2013
Through my aging eyes
By Dr Edwin Bosi
Borneo Post
I received a surprise call from DAP National Advisor Sdr Lim Kit Siang on the evening of 18th February 2013, first asking me about the "armed intrusion" in Lahad Datu and then telling me that he is flying into Tawau tomorrow and to proceed to the flash point in Kg Tanduo. I have booked my flight earlier to Tawau for the 20th to attend the Tawau DAP Chinese New Year gathering and later the next day to see some cattle in Kabalakan. Kit Siang's plan caused me to re-schedule my flight.
Deputy DAP Chairman Fred Fung and I managed to get a flight to Tawau on 19th evening, arriving Tawau just 20 minutes earlier than Kit Siang. At the airport, DAP Chairman Jimmy Wong, Chan Foong Hin and few others were waiting for him. We went to one of Tawau best seafood restaurants where he was briefed on the plan to Lahad Datu. All along we were in the dark about the incident and could only refer to the articles in the main stream and alternative media.
We left for Lahad Datu at 6am the next day in three vehicles. We had a quick breakfast at Lahad Datu town together with DAP leaders from Sandakan Stephen Wong and George Hiew. We made contact with the District Police to make a courtesy call on the OCPD but unfortunately he was not free to meet up with Kit Siang.
There was nothing amiss in Lahad Datu town. Everything seemed to be normal as far as I can observe. I spent a lot of time in Lahad Datu when I was with the Wildlife Department and SOS Rhino (USA) and it reminded me of my lucky star when a group of armed men attacked and robbed the bank in town. That was in 1985. We had left Lahad Datu town in search for rhinos at Danum Valley and was shocked upon returning to Lahad Datu a week later to learn of the gun battle.
Seeing Kit Siang so cool and composed made me worried. My mind was at times confused. Without any arms and no Police escorts, I was practically praying that nothing bad would happen. We heard a group of journalists were inside the "battle zone" and were unable to get out. They were not allowed to leave. We did ponder what happen if Kit Siang and the group cannot leave after visiting the site? We even made some jokes of Kit Siang been kidnapped and what would happen. We refused to think of been caught in a running gun battle. Read the rest of this entry »
27-Day Countdown to 13GE – IMF Report Card warns of an austerity scenario for Malaysian economy not too dissimilar to that of several EuroZone countries
Posted by Kit in Economics, Elections, Finance on Friday, 15 March 2013
The nation is just weeks away from choosing a Government to steer the ship of state.
The upcoming General Election will be momentous and will demand a choice between Barisan Nasional, a coalition that has ruled the nation for almost five and a half decades, and Pakatan Rakyat, an alternate group that offers change and a new direction.
Meaningful choices should ideally be based on full information about the current state of affairs and the alternative visions offered by the two coalitions.
The information on the state of the economy is less than transparent and that which is available is skewed in favour of the incumbent regime. The opposing coalition lacks full access to information.
Under these circumstances, it is necessary to look to alternative independent sources to arrive at objective assessments.
Such an objective and comprehensive assessment is indeed available. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) conducted its Annual Article IV Consultations in Nov –Dec 2012. A report based on the consultations was considered by the IMF's Board of Executive Directors in late February 2013. The Fund has released the report and posted it on its website. Read the rest of this entry »
Malaysia Reformed
Posted by Kit in Corruption, Education, nation building, Poem on Friday, 15 March 2013
The country lives in calmness,
And grows into its greatness.
People live a useful life,
Free of any racist strife.
Each is allowed his own dream,
Without nightmare or rude scream.
Each nurtures his potential,
With no obstacles racial.
We're one nation, one people.
Malaysia Reformed has charms,
In people's smile that disarms;
Like the beaches with tall palms,
And the breeze's caressing balm.
Malaysia is harmony,
Sharing a common destiny,
Of one country, one nation,
With the same destination.
This is the hope of one people. Read the rest of this entry »
Is anybody listening to what Sabahans want?
Lucy Ahmed
When speaking of the recent Sabah intrusion incident, many people are trying to relate it only to the bigger picture of the Malaysian government's political issues.
But it is much deeper than that as it has crept into the fabric of the social lives of Sabahans.
I am here talking because I am a Sabahan, and my hometown is Sandakan, which is only few kilometres from where the incidents are taking place.
I am definitely very concerned over the lingering issue of never ending claim by some non-existent sultanate that has no legitimacy at all since the Suluks "lordship" was only valid around 200 years ago.
While the main decisions are being discussed and taking place miles away from across the ocean in the peninsular Malaysia, we the people of North Borneo are all living in a tense situation and in uncertainty on our own soil.
We are not given any right at all to voice our opinions over the matter. We are just like a colony without any power to decide our future, but to simply follow orders from across the ocean. Read the rest of this entry »
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