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You are here: Home > Strategic planning and policy > Landscape > Devon character areas > East Devon area > Clyst Lowland farmlands
Clyst Lowland farmlands
This is a low lying, intensively farmed landscape with a uniformity to its undulating topography except in the north where there are a couple of outliers of higher ground. The uniform topography and pattern of hedgerows and hedgerows trees mean that there are few distinguishing features and this coupled with winding rural lanes results in a landscape which can feel quite disorientating. A distinguishing element of the area are 'Clyst' place names which mean 'clear water' and the numerous small steams which drain the area, along with the more prominent Clyst and Tale valleys, are defining characteristics. This is a settled landscape with a dispersed pattern of villages and farmsteads and includes modern communications and infrastructure, namely the A30 corridor, railway lines, pylons and more recently Exeter Airport. It also includes the town of Honiton.
This area comprises low lying farmland between Exeter and Honiton which is drained by a series of small steams feeding into the more pronounced valleys of the Clyst and Tale. The northern fringes of this area are marked by the distinctive hills of Budlake, the M5 corridor and Culm Valley although the change in character to the Culm Valley Lowlands is transitional. To the south the landscape is also transitional but distinguished by more undulating terrain and closer association with the Pebble Bed ridge. To the east the change in landscape is marked by the rising greensand ridges while to the west the boundary is clearly defined by the urban edge of Exeter and the Exe Estuary.
3A: Upper Farmed and Wooded Valley Slopes, 3B: Lower Rolling Farmed and Settled Valley Slopes, 3C: Sparsely Settled Farmed Valley Floors, 3E: Lowland Plains, 1E: Wooded Ridges and Hilltops
148: Devon Redlands
Lowland, undulating farmed landscape underlain by mudstones, siltstones and sandstones.
Landscape crossed by streams and meandering watercourses which feed into the more distinct valleys of the Clyst (a tributary to the Exe) and the Tale (a tributary to the Otter).
Higher ground to the north at Budlake (harder igneous geology) providing a more distinctive and often wooded skyline.
Generally well treed appearance due to significant numbers of hedgerow trees although few woodlands with exception of Killerton Estate (part of Ashclyst Forest).
Notable small orchards often on the outskirts of villages.
Mixture of small to medium scale fields often with curving boundaries reflecting medieval origin.
Mixed farming including arable and some pasture along watercourses where there is seasonal flooding, as well as areas of horsiculture and hobby farming.
Nature conservation interest provided by unimproved neutral grassland and marshy grassland, particularly fringing streams and plantation/ semi-natural and ancient woodland in the north-west.
Historic parkland in the north-west of this area with notable areas of parkland and veteran trees.
Dispersed pattern of small villages (particularly along the watercourses many with 'Clyst' place names), dispersed farmsteads and town of Honiton.
Strong local vernacular of cob and thatch.
Overarching perceptions of tranquillity and quintessential English lowland farmland when away from infrastructure and communication corridors and a sense of isolation in parts.
Views to surrounding ridges of higher land.
Special qualities and features
Well managed, generally low hedgerows enabling views to distinctive wooded skyline hills around Budlake and to the south (Pebble Bed Heaths), which help provide orientation and sense of place.
Sense of tranquillity enhanced by natural qualities of the meandering streams and rivers.
Killerton SSSI valued for its igneous geology exposed in small disused quarries.
Other nature conservation interest mainly limited to patches of unimproved neutral grassland and marshy grassland or fen, traditional orchards, steam margins and areas of parkland containing veteran trees.
Rich cultural heritage of the area's hilltops, such as Bronze Age barrows, Iron Age hillforts and ancient settlement remains.
Concentration of historic parklands in the north-west including Sprydon Park (National Trust), Killerton Park and House (National Trust) and Rockbeare Manor with one of the largest populations of veteran trees in Devon.
Picturesque villages with traditional buildings linked by narrow winding lanes crossing historic stone bridges; many listed buildings and Conservation Areas at Sowton, Whimple and Ottery St Mary.
Many buildings constructed of local stone e.g. Killerton Chapel.
Clyst St Mary historically associated with the 1549 Prayer Book Rebellion.
William Makepeace Thackeray lived at Ottery St Mary; his novel Pendennis was set here.
Past planting of coniferous shelterbelts and plantations conspicuous on higher ground in north-west.
Loss of traditional orchards adjacent to villages.
Decline in woodland management including coppicing and a spread of alien species affecting the appearance and biodiversity of the landscape's woodlands (partly reversed in Ashclyst Forest through initiatives such as charcoal making).
Hedgerow removal in the drive for agricultural intensification, spurred on by the introduction of the Common Agricultural Policy in the 1970s.
Replacement of hedgerows with post-and-wire fencing, affecting the integrity of field patterns.
Conversion of former areas of pasture to arable, beginning in the late 18th century and intensifying after the Second World War.
Pony paddocks on edges of settlements that have a suburbanising influence, as smallholdings are taken out of traditional agricultural management.
20th century expansion of Clyst St Mary with linear growth along roads, including business parks and recreation developments standing out in the landscape along the A3052.
Growing demand for facilities such as caravan parks, holiday accommodation and visitor attractions – many as farm diversification enterprises.
Development of Exeter Airport affecting tranquillity.
Growth of Honiton.
Peace and tranquillity interrupted by main roads in some valleys – particularly the A30.
Pylons in the Clyst Valley that are visually dominant and affect tranquillity and sense of place.
Draining and agricultural improvement of former moors and heaths such as Broadclyst Moor (evident on 1st edition OS).
Changes in crops and land use as a consequence of change in climate and markets e.g. new markets for bioenergy crops.
Higher demand for domestic food production potentially leading to an increase in stocking levels (risk of poaching and over-grazing) and intensification of agriculture on more fertile valley pastures (increased risk of diffuse pollution in watercourses).
More intense periods of drought, as a result of climate change, leading to the drying out of important wetlands including wet meadows and rush pasture.
Development pressure within the area and along the main A30 and A3052 corridors, particularly due to the area's attractiveness as a place to live close to Exeter and Honiton.
Growth in and around Exeter including planned development of Cranbrook New Town, transport interchange and industrial park in M5 and Exeter airport area.
Increased recreational pressure due to associated population increase.
Increased demand for woodfuel leading to re-intensification of use of Ashclyst Forest and other woodlands.
To protect and enhance the landscape's low-lying wetland character associated with streams and rivers and also the views to wooded skylines on hills within and around the area. Opportunities are sought to restore conifer plantations to broadleaves and heathland habitats on the higher land to the north which forms important skyline features and to sustain population of veteran trees within parklands. Field patterns are reinforced through the restoration and management of characteristic hedges. Distinctive tree-lined streams and wet grassland along watercourses are managed and expanded to help prevent downstream flooding, protect water quality and conserve and enhance wildlife. Traditional orchards are conserved and expanded where feasible. The landscape's settlement pattern and place names continue to have a strong influence, whilst opportunities for sustainable recreation and limited low-carbon development are sensitively accommodated.
Protect the distinctive, wooded skylines at Budlake.
Protect the landscape's strong sense of tranquillity and remoteness with clustered villages and hamlets reinforcing a strong historic sense of place.
Protect and appropriately manage the rich cultural heritage of the area's hilltops through livestock grazing at appropriate levels and recreation management.
Protect the character and setting of the parkland landscapes, ensuring any new development does not encroach upon the historic landscape or views to it.
Protect the sparse settlement pattern of clustered hamlets, villages and farmsteads, preventing the linear spread of development along river valleys and roads wherever possible.
Protect traditional building styles and materials, particularly cob and thatch, utilising the same styles and materials in new development wherever possible (whilst seeking to incorporate sustainable design).
Manage conifer plantations for sustainable timber production, recreation and wildlife, creating new green links to surrounding semi-natural habitats.
Manage and enhance the valleys' semi-natural woodlands and broadleaved plantations through traditional techniques including coppicing and control access by livestock and deer browsing to promote natural regeneration; explore further opportunities for community utilisation of coppice residues as a low-carbon fuel source.
Manage the veteran trees – retain old trees free from competing younger tree growth and protect from overgrazing and ploughing; plant new veteran trees.
Manage the landscape's distinctive hedges to strengthen the strong square field pattern. Reinstate coppicing to mature sections and grown-out trees to ensure the future survival of these characteristic features.
Within the valleys, manage and extend species-rich meadows and floodplain grasslands through appropriate grazing and traditional land management regimes – both to enhance their wildlife value and functions in flood prevention.
Plan for long-term restoration of the more prominent conifer plantations and shelterbelts to semi-natural habitats including re-creation of heathland and rush pasture, wood pasture (where its role in timber production has ceased) and broadleaved plantation.
Encourage the natural regeneration of woodland and new planting (using climate-hardy species) to link fragmented sites.
Minimise soil erosion and reduce diffuse pollution by replanting of former hedgelines (particularly using disease-resistant elm) to minimise soil erosion and reduce diffuse pollution.
The planting (or selection) of hedgerow trees including oaks to provide vertical elements and future veterans for wildlife.
Restore and manage areas of relict traditional orchards and explore opportunities for the creation of new ones, including community orchards to promote local food and drink production.
Plan to ensure the sensitive location of new development and particularly new urban extensions of Honiton, avoiding prominent open ridges and slopes.
Plan for a network of green spaces and green infrastructure links to support the current and future population of Honiton and other settlements in adjoining character areas.


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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The Story Lab expands with Head of Program Formats and Development
Published on: 5th June 2017
The Story Lab Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of Josh Butt to the newly created role of Head of Program Formats and Development, based in Sydney.
Josh will be integral in delivering The Story Lab's mission to create new, innovative models of investing, producing and distributing premium entertainment content that attracts audiences, broadcasters and advertisers.
Managing Director of The Story Lab, Adriana Colaneri said the appointment marks an important milestone in the evolution of The Story Lab in Australia.
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Josh brings over 20 years' experience writing and producing content for film, TV and advertising, working for various production companies, including the ABC, Fairfax, Nova Entertainment and most recently MBA, where he was Head of Production and responsible for spearheading branded content programs such as Air Rescue and Storm Season. Josh has also led the production of TVCs and commercial films for clients including Westpac, Duracell, Foxtel, Transport NSW, Mars and others.
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The announcement follows The Story Lab's appointment of well-known broadcast journalist and media personality Dixie Marshall to the role of Head of Creative and Partnerships in April, and the launch of The Story Lab in Perth.
Josh joined the team on 5 June.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Q: Plotting many unconnected lines in MATLAB I need to plot a lot of unconnected lines in MATLAB. This code will do it using a for loop:
x = 1:5;
y = 10:-2:2;
figure;
hold on;
for ii = 1:5
    plot([0,x(ii)],[0,y(ii)],'b-');
end

Is it possible to do the same thing without using a for loop?
Use case: I am trying to visualize a tree and there are many lines to be drawn. I would like to precalculate the end points of all the lines and call plot or equivalent once. This is what I am doing with scatter to show the nodes of the tree.

A: You can make use of NaN to disconnect lines when plotting. Therefore, you can concatenate your x and y values with an NaN-vector of the same length and then reshape it in order to have an NaN to disconnect the lines in between the individual segments.
To make the code universally applicable, we introduce xo and yo to be the coordinates of the origin. Now, the points to be plotted can be calculated as follows:
xp = reshape([ones(size(x))*xo;x;NaN(size(x))],1,[]);
yp = reshape([ones(size(y))*yo;y;NaN(size(y))],1,[]);

The xp-vector looks like this now:

0   1   NaN    0   2   NaN    0   3   NaN    0   4   NaN    0   5   NaN
└ origin           └ end point of segment 2           └ to disconnect lines

The whole code to produce the same result as in your question is the following:
x = 1:5;
y = 10:-2:2;

figure;
xo = 0;     % x-coordinate of origin
yo = 0;     % y-coordinate of origin
xp = reshape([ones(size(x))*xo;x;NaN(size(x))],1,[]);
yp = reshape([ones(size(y))*yo;y;NaN(size(y))],1,[]);
plot(xp,yp,'b-');

A: Another solution:
plot([zeros(1,length(x));x],[zeros(1,length(x));y],'r-')

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Hello and welcome to June's edition of Runners Tell All. Runners Tell All is a monthly linkup hosted by Sunshine to the Square Inch and The Lady Okie that occurs on the 21st of every month. Our goal is to build a community where we can encourage and inspire each other on our running journeys. Each month we offer two co-host options. This allows for us to connect with you, advertise your blog and it also helps fund the monthly giveaways. June's prompt is your favorite running story and next month's theme is your go to for optimal running nutrition.
Sponsorship Update: I put the ad spot for Runners Tell All on my advertising page. I have the $15 listed but if you want the $10 option just let me know and I'll give you a coupon code for that.
I'm looking forward to reading about your favorite running experiences. I'm on vacation right now with my family so I won't be able to read all of your posts today but I will read each one of them soon! If you don't normally post on the weekends no need to worry because the linkup will be open until Thursday.
I have sooo many favorite running stories but I'm only sharing one today. My most favorite race since being married has already been blogged about so I chose something else. You would think my favorite running story would be how I managed to run 26.2 in hilly Seattle or maybe that time when I got hailed on during my first 1/2 marathon but it's not. My favorite running story is super simple.
Each year my hometown of Wichita has an annual River Run. The whole week is a festival but they also have a 10k run around the river. I signed up for this race and I believe it was my first or second 10k. I was nervous, excited; you know how it goes. Well, it also happened that my brother flew in that weekend and we ran 'together'. I know I already mentioned that by 'together' that means we started out together and when he looked back I was no where to be found. I can't run 7 / 8 minutes miles .... yet!
Of course my brother finished about 10 - 15 minutes ahead of me but guess what? He came back and found me. He then cheered me on to push as hard as I could and to finish strong. I love that! In fact, that is one thing I love most about races are that I have friends and family who will wait close to the end to give me that boost.
Today there will be TWO winners! We are giving away a watermelon nuun hydration pack and a running tank top. If you haven't heard of nuun it's a great way to rehydrate after a long run. Each tube of Nuun contains 12 tablets. Each tablet makes 16 oz. of Nuun, and delivers 360 mg Sodium / 100 mg Potassium / 25 mg Magnesium / 13 mg Calcium. Plus it's watermelon flavor which is perfect for summer!
We are excited to have Jessica and Z for our June sponsors. We hope that you will stop by and get to know them a bit more.
I love the memory you chose, Beka. Although I ended up writing about my proudest moment, my favorite moment resembles yours. I can still hear my little brother cheering me on toward the finish line in a high-school race, more enthusiastic about me achieving my goal than I even was. The encouragement of others is so powerful. Thanks for hosting the link-up!
Our favorite memories are similar. I love the fact that he came back to finish out the race with you! How fun!
it's the best when you run with friends and family in a familiar place! my first 10k was in the DC 'burbs, along streets I knew well, and I was the last in my family to finish - it was amazing to see them all cheering for me at the end!
So cool that running is a family thing for you too! My sister runs, but she is 8.5 hours away so its not something we get to do together very often!
I love that he came back with you! So sweet!
That is so fun about your brother and cute, since he is younger. I agree that the encouragement of others is powerful. I've never heard it termed that before but you are very right.
I'm glad to host the linkup and love it! Thanks for dropping me a comment.
Fun that we have similar memories =).
Yeah, it hailed at the end. It was weird midwest weather but honestly the hail wasn't huge so it was doable.
Your brother is a smart guy! I LOVE eating after a race as I feel that every calorie is earned.
I'm glad they were there to cheer you on. There is just something really special about having family support on races and I'm glad you had that.
I agree! He's the best.
Well, maybe over time you can recruit them to run with you. I wasn't a runner at all and my sister converted me over.
I love this linkup and am glad to host it. Thanks for the kind words.
My brother is 8.5+ hours away so we don't get to run as much together anymore but when we do I cherish it.
Aww, I love this! One of my favorite things about running is that, over the years, more and more of my family starts doing it -- a couple years ago we ran a 5K as "team tie-dye" with my brother, parents, something like 6 cousins, some aunts and uncles - even my grandfather walked it!
Um! That is just amazing that all of your family ran a 5K together! Your grandpa is awesome for walking that. Running families are just so neat.
Aw that's so sweet. Running can really bring out the best in people sometimes!
I wish I could tell you that the first time I ran with my (younger) brother was just as sweet. It was his first time running a 5k, and his only goal was to beat me. So, he took off running as fast as he could off the start line. I realized his mistake, and just paced myself. I caught up with him before the end of the first mile, but then he would start slowing down right in front of me so I would start to go around him. When he realized I was trying to pass him, he would take off sprinting again. We did this over and over again until we caught sight of the finish line. He out-sprinted me by 3 seconds. It was probably the most frustrating 5k I've ever ran, haha.
I agree! Running brings out the best and it's so fun to be a part of it.
I completely agree! I still love the 5k you and your Mom ran together. Good memories.
My mom and I have been running together for many many years now. Basically everything we do together revolves around running, racing, and meeting with our fellow racing team members! I love your story, quality family time is so important!
I love that you and your Mom run together! That is just really great! What is the longest race you have run together?
ha ha! I agree it is more fun when we are in front =) However, I'm glad to have people cheering me on either way.
Haha so true about the running "together" thing! But I love that he came back for you, what an awesome story!


> > Wasn't Turkish thought to be Uralic too or am I completely off?
>belong to the "Uralo-Altaic family".
> > but I thought it was an accepted theory.
>Still pretty controversial.  :-)  Even Altaic is controversial.
Finnish professionals don't believe in it.


text:
Go to site - London School of Economics and Political Science http://www.lse.ac.uk/sociology/'
School review and Information: Sociology
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Other GamesAeronautica ImperialisBlood BowlYuGiOhHobby
Rocco's Year in Review: Space Marines, Blood Bowl, and Yu-Gi-Oh! Oh My!
By Rocco Gest
Brotherhood of the Tidal Storm, Photo Credit: Lhyon
2022. It's been a long year. I went to a lot of big 40k events, a lot of concerts, and picked up an old hobby. It's been a long year. I really dove head first into the hobby in this one. Since starting my hobby journey during the pandemic I've painted two whole armies, but this may be my current hobby record. I painted 105 models and 95% of that count was Space Marines alone.
Let's talk about that first.
I did A LOT with warhammer this year. I painted a Necromunda gang and several weirdos. I played a lot of Necomunda too. The game rules and more people should play it. Have you seen the models?? They are consistently some of the best models I see Games Workshop produce and I am always excited to paint them. It gave me a home for my Cultists of the Abyss models, I don't own Blackstone Fortress and I was never going to run them on the tabletop. I also took the liberty of using Tempestus Scions as gangers because I think those models are awesome. I'm not including a picture, because I could do a lot better on the Scions and the Water Guild and they will probably be repainted next year. I am happy I painted them this year.
Another great decision I made was getting into Blood Bowl. Fellow writer Joey "Custode", Crab-stuffed Mushrooms, turned me on to the game after I heard about it for hours on end listening to the 40k badcast. I went and got myself the season 2 starter box immediately afterwards. I tried to con some of my local friends into playing but they aren't as into board games as me so we only got to play a learning game. Then NOVA Open 2022 came rearing it's wonderful head. I had no painted team and I was planning on playing in the Rookie Rumble (7's) and Slaughterday (11's) tournaments. So I came up with a pretty quick scheme for my Black Orks and slapped them together the week before the event.
The Blockaz N' Mash, Credit: Rocco Gest
The trained troll is Mash. the rest of them are da Blockaz. I had a lot of fun with these guys and they tempted me to paint more Orks. This desire would be sated 3 months later with the Goff Rocker who was coincidentally the last model I painted this year.
Warboss Diamond, Lead Singer of Merciless Fatez, Credit: Rocco Gest
This guy was an absolute blast and I absolutely need more goofy one-off Ork models to paint in the future. I decided to give him black and white face paint, known as corpse paint, and styled the guitar on his back after my own.
I talked about it in Road To articles for the Grand Narrative in New Mexico (can be found here and here), but when GW announced that there would be side games of Kill Team and Aeronautica for actual faction progress in the narrative I jumped at the chance to paint up some tiny planes. What I really love about these models is that they are all the detail of their full size Forge World resin brothers, but smaller and in plastic and much more affordable! I managed to paint up this squadron in time, but didn't get a chance to actually play a practice game. So I learned the rules at a brewery that week. The game rules. Please go out and buy some tiny planes of your choosing and get your friends to play too!
Brotherhood of the Tidal Storm Squadron, Credit: Rocco Gest
As I said before, 95% of my painting this year was space marines. I purchased an Astraeus at the NOVA Open 2022 and painted in time for me to bring it to the Grand Narrative Finale. I painted 20 Vanguard Veterans, 5 Bladeguard Veterans, 6 Eradicators, 10 Assault Intercessors, 5 Infiltrators, 2 Redemptor Dreadnoughts, a realized version of the chapter master I wanted to kitbash, a Primaris Techmarine, a Relic Shield Primaris Lieutenant, and 3 Outriders in the months leading up the Goonhammer Open 2022 in Maryland. I also painted a custom Ancient in Terminator Armor, the Primaris Champion commemorative model, a Phobos Librarian, and 5 Tartaros Terminators. This is a lot to post in on section of an article so I'll just post the army photo I was able to grab at the Grand Narrative. I plan on doing an army showcase in the future.
You can read about my journey creating their background and lore here.
I talked about my experience at the GHO in a previous article that you can read here.
I did not, however, talk about my experience at the NOVA Open 2022. It was the first time I've ever been to the event and I was excited to go to Warhammer summer camp with the good friends I've made/cursed with my presence since starting the hobby. I toyed with the idea of doing the narrative, but seeing as there were so many other options and after the joy of losing a lot of Warhammer at the GHO I decided to not spend all of my vacation playing Warhammer and instead only spent some of my time playing Blood Bowl and Necromunda.
In my first ever Blood Bowl tournament I came in DEAD LAST in the 7's tournament (the Rookie Rumble). I was graced with this beautiful trophy to commemorate my horrible showing.
My wonderful last place trophy, Credit: Rocco Gest
In Slaughterday, the next day I wasn't nearly as impressive. I had a lot of fun using my Trained Troll to throw goblins down the pitch, but I was possibly too good at it. I came very close to dead last again, but I didn't perform poorly enough.
On the last day I played Necromunda. I had a lot of fun throwing my Water Guild Outcast Gang (The Gang Green with such inspired names as Jim Gevitis, Tim Burculosis, Bob Tulism, and MRSA the Subnautican), then in the final round I was paired into the Necromunda kingpin Dan Boyd and his Orlock gang. We had a lot of fun in this game and the stakes kept getting raised as the event organizer brought over the prizes we were competing for. We had no idea there were prizes in the first place. What started as an extremely goofy game of Necromunda with zany custom rules for the map became extremely cutthroat and the closest thing to competitive Necromunda anyone could imagine.
The last noteworthy part of NOVA was playing Street Fighter: The Miniatures Game. I had just picked it up from one of the vendors at the event and managed to con 5 other Goonhammer contributors/members into playing. Campbell talked about it in his article covering the event here. I had a blast playing this game and was very satisfied with the gameplay. When I got home I immediately bought every expansion available.
Street Fighter: The Miniatures Game Stretch Goal Fighters, Photo Credit: Rocco Gest
That's all the Warhammer and Warhammer adjacent stuff I did this year. Now for unrelated hobby stuff.
Yes I consider concerts a hobby. I'm a huge metal head and I love concerts. I just want to write a short blurb here about my two favorite concerts of the year.
I saw Meshuggah in September, and by god they may have put on the best show I've seen in my life thus far. The energy was electric and almost primal as they played. I had seen them once before the pandemic, but I had mezzanine seats. This time I was in GA and I was able to experience them in the pit as intended. They played all the songs I was dying to hear and some great ones off of their recently released Immutable.
Amazing light show and thundering rhythms, Credit: Rocco Gest
The other concert I really loved was Trivum in October. One of my favorite Metalcore/Prog Metal bands and my absolute favorite band, Between the Buried and Me, opened for them. Between the Buried and me played a 45-minute set consisting of 5 songs. I adore that band. Trivium played an amazing set, the best set I've seen them play, including my favorite song by them, Shogun.
I like video games a lot, but realistically I played 3 video games this year: Elden Ring, Vampire Survivors, and Pokemon: Scarlet.
Elden Ring had me hooked from the jump. It helps that I was already a huge From Software fan beforehand, and was majorly awaiting the release. My initial run was Dex/Int build hacking and slashing my way through the game with the Moonveil. Game rules. I love it. I already put 171 hours in and I can't wait to put in more.
Even though Elden Ring was the best game of 2022 and won Game of the Year at The Game Awards, Vampire Survivors was my true game of the year. I played it for about half as much time as Elden Ring, but it feels like I've played it for a century. It's an amazing time waster and just an absolute nightmare of a viewing experience.
I'm actually winning here, Credit: Rocco Gest
Finally there was Pokemon: Scarlet. This was a newer addition to my games played for this year, but I loved it all the same. The release was sub-par, but patches have been good. This is the best that Pokemon in the game have ever looked. Ever since Pokemon moved to 3D they've all just looked like someone sculpted them out of Play-Doh. This time Game Freak got smart and actually game the Pokemon textured skin! I am also a big fan of the VGC circuit, that's Pokemon's competitive circuit, and will be doing my best to participate this coming year.
I still have some room left in this article to type, so now you're all cursed with reading about Yu-Gi-Oh!. I was always a big fan of this card game. I was playing semi-competitively from 2016 up until early 2019. I dropped the game entirely because I had a couple of bad experiences at a relatively sweaty local environment. I had no plan to pick the game back up. Until Master Duel came. Master Duel was good. Too good. I thought I could play it and have my need for Yu-Gi-Oh! gameplay sated. I was wrong. I started buying staples, and starting buying decks. I was back in and it felt good. I'm still in now. I've written 3 articles so far and there are going to be more on the way (if they let me write them). You can read about getting into Yu-Gi-Oh! here, read about getting started with Master Duel and the other digital formats here, and read about the ever growing Goat Format here.
Which brings me to my goals for 2023.
Goals in 2023
I need to beat Death Guard one time with my Space Marines. For all of 9th I have played against Death Guard and every game has been like smashing my face in against a brick wall. I don't claim to be an amazing, or even good 40k player. Death Guard have my number. They are the antithesis to the way my stupid caveman brain plays this game. Apart from the hobby goals, which I will go into, I have to defeat this stinky, pox-infested army once.
As far as hobby goals are concerned, I think I want to build a display board this year. I have a cool idea in my head that will use some liquid resin, sand, and Necormunda tiles to create a spacecraft submerged on a beach that my marines are scavenging. I also have a huge backlog of gray plastic, so my next army goal is going to be a Legio Oberon force for Adeptus Titanicus. I love that stupid big robot game. There is also a lot of 40k, Necromuna, Blood Bowl, and Star Wars: Legion in my backlog. We'll see which of those I get to first.
Thanks for reading! I told you it was a long year and I hope 2023 is as fulfilling if not more so! Until next time.
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About RingCentral
RingCentral offers an intuitive platform for voice, video meetings, team messaging and collaboration. From click-to-dial functionality to one-click video conferencing, everyone on your plan can readily access the same digital tools through a single, easy-to-use platform that works across office sites and mobile devices. Setup, deployment, and adoption is also easy, and IT can manage it all from anywhere. RingCentral supports all types of businesses, with plans built to each company's size and needs. The plans can get expensive for large businesses, but the company promises no hidden fees.
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RingCentral moves beyond a traditional VoIP service by providing one platform for voice, video meetings, a contact center and team messaging and collaboration. There are several plan options and price points available with no hidden fees.
RingCentral Reviews
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Page 3 Reviews 35 - 65
Robert of La Grange, IL Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
Original review: Oct. 10, 2022
RingCentral seemed that they had the most to offer. Not necessarily the cheapest, but they had a good value. I was looking for a basic phone service. There are features here that I did not anticipate having. But they are nice features. It's mostly answering calls. I tried transferring a call earlier today and it seems to work fine. So, I'm happy with that. A couple of people who have called commented that when they're on hold, they appreciate the music or while it's ringing.
Oct. 26, 2022 RingCentral response
Robert, Great to hear! We're always here to help. Please don't hesitate to reach out to the Review Team if we can help! We'll share our contact info via Private Response.
Deangela of Fishers, IN Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
Original review: Oct. 8, 2022
I have been a tough cookie to crack, but Wilma, my sales agent, stayed right in there. She called me whenever I told her when to call. She didn't let me fall off. I like her diligence and patience. She was very informative and always sweet. She walked me over. My onboarding guy, Joe, was the best. I got more of what I need with RingCentral. Today is the first day that I've jumped in and started making phone calls. I'm having a issue when I'm trying to call out on my phone but so far, so good.
DeAngela, This is such great feedback. We're so grateful to hear from you.
If our team can help, please reach out. We've left our email vis Private Response.
We'll be sure to share the positive feedback about Wilma and Joe.
Tyronda of Clarksdale, MS Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
It's been great with RingCentral. The young lady that helped me set it up was great.
Tyronda, Thanks so much for sharing your experience!
Josh of Redding, CA Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
Original review: Sept. 30, 2022
So far, the experience with RingCentral hasn't been entirely great. We were told that the text message thing was supposed to port over between 24 to 72 hours, but it still doesn't work. When we try to get text messages from customers, it says that it's a landline. We've been having some issues with that with customers. As for the phone quality, we've been having reports from people that it's hard to hear us in some instances. Other than those, the app is super cool. The app and internal messaging is good for our team. The voicemail service is nice.
Josh, Thanks for sharing this feedback. We're sorry to hear you've experienced some challenges. We're glad to support you - please reach out to the Review Team directly. We've shared our email via Private Response.
Vickey of Bakersfield, CA Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
RingCentral is horrible. I was so disappointed in their people. They should employ some people in the United States that you can speak to because all of their people are in the Philippines, and all you can hear is this chit-chat in the background and dogs barking and you can hear all the background noise. It's horrible. Then they kind of talk in circles. They don't talk in full sentences. So, I was like, "Oh, my God, how did I get into this mess?" I tried to get them to port over a couple of phone numbers from AT&T to them because AT&T wanted to get rid of our old landlines, and I messed with them. I never got hooked up with them because they could not port it over. Some days I would get six or eight emails from them saying that they couldn't port over the numbers because the lines were disconnected. They weren't disconnected because they were still working here in my office. I called AT&T.
AT&T said that they have horrible problems with these people all the time. So, AT&T even went to bat for me and contacted them and said, "It's not going to happen, so can you give her her money back?" I was on the phone with either them or AT&T for about five hours a day for five days. I turned AT&T in to the FCC in order to get somebody's attention, and my threat to RingCentral was they were going to be next.
I finally said, "I give up. Just forget it. If you can't get it done, forget it. Just give me my money back." I had paid for the service for a year because it was so inexpensive. I bought a phone from them. I told them, "I'll keep the phone, but I want my money back for the service because you haven't been able to hold up your end of the bargain." They sent me a cancellation notice, but they didn't send the credit. So, every few days, I called. Finally, I turned them in to the credit card company, and so I got my credit. They credited me back while they investigate. I called RingCentral again on Friday and they said I should see a credit this week.
Sept. 30, 2022 RingCentral response
Sorry to hear about your experience, Vickey. Please reach out to the Review Team and we'll be glad to assist. We've shared our contact information via Private Response.
Shari of Fresno, CA Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
We were using the phone and fax with RingCentral but we canceled. It was not good. We were struggling to get voicemails and calls coming through. We had a lot of issues. We used it for a week and a half and switched back. They pretty much set it up, and then we were on our own. That was a little frustrating because we're a law office and we're not tech people. It's kind of like, "Okay, we need the phone to be ready to roll." There are issues with the phone. It was all coming through our computer at first. We were told our phones would integrate with it, and then they didn't, and then they did. So, that was a little bit frustrating at first. Then, calls weren't coming through. We missed a lot of calls. Then, we weren't able to transfer. Some phones weren't working.
I was very dissatisfied. We were warned not to change to RingCentral. We were told it is bad. My husband said, "No, I really want to try it." We called and we had emailed their customer service. Our phone was not working out. They said, "We can't get to you right now. You can call the 1800 and try to get somebody." It was very frustrating and it was a really bad experience.
Sorry to hear about your experience, Shari. If we can assist with any closure on this, please reach out to the Review Team.
Derek of Sapulpa, OK Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
The amenities that RingCentral has compared to what I was using are night and day. I decided to change because the brokerage that I work with put new rules and regulations that we have to record every phone call. The service also got a feature where I can do video conference. So far, it's been a wonderful experience with RingCentral. The customer service has been awesome.
Derek, So excited to hear from you regarding your switch to RingCentral.
Stay in touch and let the Review Team know if there is anything we can do to assist! Onward and upward!
Linda of Orlando, FL Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
I thought the experience was gonna be a bit more difficult than what it is, and it really is not. People are receptive to the call recording and we're good. We faxed from RingCentral to see how that aspect works, and it was a little slower than what we thought it should be, but it works just fine. Considering that it went from a phone to a fax machine, it was perfect. The only problem is I have the program on my computer, but I don't have the accessibility through my computer as of yet.
Linda, Thanks for this feedback. We're so glad to hear that things are going well. For any additional challenges, please feel free to reach out to the Review Team directly. We'll send our email via Private Response. Keep us updated on how things are going!
Michael of Cincinnati, OH Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
I switched over recently, so I haven't used RingCentral extensively, but so far, so good. Their implementation team spent an hour walking me through the setup. It was a very seamless transition, and their support and the customer service has been great. I like their interface better than my previous phone service too.
Excellent to hear, Michael! We're so glad to have you with us.
Please don't hesitate to reach out if we can assist! Onward and upward!
Crystal of Colorado Springs, CO Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
RingCentral has been terrible. I have been signed on for several weeks and haven't been able to use the service a single day because they can't seem to port my number in. I've spent at least five hours this week on the phone with them, and all they do is repeatedly repeat themselves even though I've sent screenshots from OnSIP showing that OnSIP has done everything that they're supposed to do for the transfer to go through. I threatened to cancel yesterday, then my account manager called and now they've been working on it.
Crystal, sorry to hear about these challenges. The Review Team would like to help. Please reach out to us if we can facilitate. We'll leave our email via private response.
Sandy of Cole Camp, MO Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
Our numbers just got ported over today, but the whole setup, the process we went through the other day, I was very impressed with that person. Someone else got in touch with me yesterday, and they are now our rep. So far, I've been very pleased.
Sandy, Great news! Thanks for sharing your feedback!
Let us know if we can help further!
BRIAN of North Miami Beach, FL Verified Reviewer
Resolution response: Sept. 21, 2022
Company finally allowed me to cancel after several attempts on here and BBB.
We signed a 2 year contract in 2018. This year nearly 5 years later, we changed our company CRM. It requires us to use a different service for our phones. We had RingCentral PORT OUR NUMBERS over to the other service. We then contacted RingCentral to cancel our subscription. They refuse to cancel us because they tell us we are auto renewed into ANOTHER 2 year contract every 2 years. We now have NO PHONE NUMBERS with them, but we are still being charged. Basically you can NEVER leave unless you cancel at exactly the right time (30 days before your contract ends). If you already signed a contract, DO NOT LET THEM AUTO RENEW YOU OR YOU CAN NEVER LEAVE!
Brian, The Review Team would like to look into this matter. Please reach out to us via the email address we've sent via private response.
Jocelyn of East Orange, NJ Verified Reviewer
I have been with Ring Central for a little over a year. I am a small business owner and I ignorantly choose this phone system. Throughout my time, support has been awful. I never get help, no one understands my questions, and my bill has increased rapidly. I called to terminate services as I can't get proper assistance and I was told they automatically renewed my contract for another year and I am unable to terminate without paying over $1000. I have called 3 times in the last 5 days just to be hung up on over and over again. They refuse to cancel my service, they refuse to allow me to speak with a supervisor. I am about ready to contact my lawyer and the Better Business Bureau. STAY AWAY!
We're so sorry to hear about your experience. We'd like to help you out. Please reach out to the Review Team via email. We've provided our email in a private response.
Brett of Sheridan, WY Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
I did research on various VoIP services and decided RingCentral offered the best cost for value. I'm just getting off the ground right now, so as I'm setting things up and signing up for bank accounts and business licenses, I'm giving them to my marketing team to put out there. Working with RingCentral makes it easier to centralize my communications that way. RingCentral is very professional.
We're so happy to hear about your experience. Thanks for taking the time to give us a review. We'd love to hear more if you would like to share. Feel free to reach out to the Review Team to tell us more. We've provided our email in a private response.
James of Dallas, TX Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
We have not extensively started using RingCentral, but training sessions have been nice and the staff have been very supportive.
Great to hear, James! Thanks for sharing this feedback. If the Review Team can help, please reach out to us. We'll share our contact via private response.
Adam of Orlando, FL Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
We've had RingCentral turned on for a few months, but I'm still setting up the business. So now, we're just starting to get calls. So, we use it with PATLive. We have an answering service and we use their call forwarding to them. So, when my customers call in, they call our call center, and the staff uses it for interoffice communication. I'm happy with it.
Music to our ears, Adam! Thanks for taking the time to share this feedback. Please reach out to the Review Team if you need any additional support!
Buzz of Southborough, MA Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
We've had some internet issues where we're staying right now, but that's temporary. There has been a bit of WiFi trouble that have caused a couple of problems. But so far, so good.
Buzz, Thank you for sharing this feedback! Let the Review Team know if we can be of assistance. We'll share our contact information via private response.
Evan of Blanco, TX Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
Original review: Sept. 8, 2022
I'm using RingCentral for phone calls and text messages. I found out the hard way that it's limited to 20 texts a month before I get charged another $24, and I was unaware of that so I'm no longer going to be using texting. It would be nice to be informed about the limited text messages before receiving a bill for going over the allotted text messages. They said that there were calls and texts for the Essentials package, and that's what I have, which was 19.99 a month. I paid for a year upfront. Then last week, I received another bill for $24, and I called inquiring about it, and then I was informed that there's a cap on text messages per month.
Evan, Sorry to hear this. RingCentral changed our SMS pricing in response to demands from the FCC to crack down on fraudulent/spam text messages.
We send out communications when changes like this take place.
We've enclosed, via private response, a Knowledge Base article with details about the change.
Please feel free to reach out to us with any additional questions.
Robert of Mansfield, TX Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
We got the 1-800 number through them. It's putting us on the map as far as being able to be googled.
This is great news, Robert! Best wishes for much growth for your business!
Daniel of Corpus Christi, TX Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
I had a Google Voice number for my business and it wasn't working very well at all. So I ported my number over from Google Voice and RingCentral took care of it really well so I can have my calls forwarded to my answering service at a given time. I've been pretty pleased. The girl who helped me through this and set up everything took a lot of time. She was really good.
We're so happy to hear about your experience. Thanks for taking the time to leave us a review. We'd love to continue the conversation and hear more, reach out to the Review Team via email. We've provided our email in a private response.
John of New York, NY Verified Reviewer
My company has been using RingCentral for over a year. We say that it is an impediment to communications. Specifically:
1. The quality of RingCentral conference calls is very poor; it's really hard to hear people speak and there is some odd background noise.
2. I was trying to log in to my company's email and document management system, and two-factor authentication is required. The system kept calling me and texting me to send me the log-in codes that I needed to log in, but RingCentral wouldn't have my phone ring or accept the texts, so I was unable to log in to my work email or document management system. This happened when I was traveling on vacation. I couldn't be without access for days, so I had to turn around and come back to the office. So I missed a vacation and wasted $550 on the trip (on a train). This is RingCentral's fault. If RingCentral hadn't been installed on my cell phone, my cellphone provider would have accepted the two-factor authentication system's calls and texts, which would have let me log in.
Sept. 6, 2022 RingCentral response
Thanks for taking the time to leave us a review. We'd love to help you out. Feel free to contact the Review Team using the email provided in our private response.
Tracy of Waldorf, MD Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
I'm not happy with RingCentral so I'm about to switch back to my old carrier. I got an email about this text message thingy, and I forwarded that to my rep. The email was about two weeks old and I did not get a response to that. I sent her an email and another email. I still did not get a response. I called in to Nextiva twice. One of the people I spoke with sent her a direct message to give me a call. But still no response. I called again and laid a complaint. I even got a complaint number, but to date, my rep still has not responded. I called her myself and I texted her. She still did not respond. This has been going for way more than two weeks. This experience is really leaving an ugly taste in my mouth. I'm getting all these charges for text messages. But I cannot pay an extra penny with that message I've not heard of. Why did my rep not tell me that there are stages in the text messaging package? Because if she did, I would not have switched.
We're so sorry to hear about your experience. We'd like to help out. Feel free to reach out to the Review Team via email with more information. We've provided our email in a private response.
Christian of Ashburn, VA Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
We like RingCentral. I like how I can route the calls automatically. One of the things I liked the best is when you get a voicemail, it can text you or email you. I don't have to listen to the voice messages because I can just read them on my email.
Thanks for taking the time to give us a review. We're so happy to hear about your positive experience. If you would like to share more information, feel free to reach out to the Review Team via email. We've provided our email in a private response.
David of Mckinney, TX Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
We use RingCentral for phone numbers so that we can have a designated line. Then we communicate with people through the phone numbers and emails that we have. RingCentral is the support system that does that.
David, we're so happy to hear about your experience. Thanks for taking the time to leave us a review. If you would like to share more about your experience, feel free to reach out to the Review Team. We've provided our email in a private response.
Laure of Maricopa, AZ Verified Reviewer
Original review: Aug. 30, 2022
To begin with, they have an unorganized overseas call center that kept calling me. Then when I needed help I tried calling the customer service line and could not get out of the automated attendant. I tried using the messaging feature and after waiting for about 8 minutes I asked why it was taking so long to "pull up my account" and was told that the rep was handling 3 to 4 calls at once. I scoured their site, watched their videos and tried finding my answer online. 3 hours later I decided to walk away and canceled the next day. Even cancelling took my more than 30 minutes. Who needs this? This shows a complete lack of respect for the customer's time as well as their employees. No way. No how. Never.
Aug. 31, 2022 RingCentral response
Laure, we're so sorry to hear about your experience. We'd love to help you out. Feel free to reach out to the Review Team via email. We've provided our email through a private response.
Melissa of Lynchburg, VA Verified Reviewer
I have been with Ring Central since 2015. I have recently decided to cancel my account and transferred my lines. When I called to cancel, they said that my contract renewed automatically every year and I would have to buy my contract out for $2000. I called them on 8/26 and they conveniently said the contract renewed on 8/21 the day I transferred my lines. Don't use this service, horrible customer service and very hard to use. Every time I would try to use the dashboard to change my settings the phones would get messed up and I would have to call someone to get it fixed. Every person would change it differently and they never worked properly. Grasshopper is a much better company!!
Thanks for taking the time to give us a rating. We're so sorry to hear about your experience. The Review Team would like to help, feel free to reach out via email. We've provided our email in a private response.
Marco of Seattle, WA Verified Reviewer
DO NOT USE RING CENTRAL. Their customer service has one job and that is to try and keep you signed up and paying fees to get out of it. I had been a user for several years and had transitioned to a lower plan and was confirmed as month to month. When I went to cancel they said I had to pay out for another 10 months... They sign you up for Contracts with no notification. They make it impossible to port the numbers out. Do not use them!!!! They are unworthy and unethical. Stay Away.
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Tara of Crystal Falls, MI Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
We've only had RingCentral for a week or two up and running. But so far, so good. We're utilizing the call forwarding and we love the online part of it also. Communication is a little bit easier among departments.
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I have them for phone and fax service, and text messaging. They offer a lot of features for the price. The setup is complicated, but they have expert staff who walk you through it.
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William of Madison, OH Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
I used RingCentral in the past and it was easy with some techs. But I didn't have the best experience with RingCentral. It was slow and things were laggy. But this time, I started my own business and I gave them another shot. It's not laggy this time around. It's been better. They got a pretty decent customer service. But I don't like getting on a recording and having to click through stuff. So I usually get them on the line. I can get them on the computer or on the phone and they handle things pretty quickly.
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text:
Seattle with a chance in the Concacaf Champions League
April 18, 2022 by Clemente Lisi
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Apr 18, 2022) US Soccer Players – MLS has hit many milestones in recent years. The league celebrated a quarter-century in business, embarking on its 28th this past February. They've mushroomed to 28 clubs, and the biggest market finally produced a champion just last season. Fans are back in the stadiums after the worst of the pandemic, and TV ratings have seen some growth.
The one thing missing from the timeline of milestones is winning the Concacaf Champions League. Since the format change in 2008, that's become an annual disappointment for MLS. This time around, it's Seattle representing the league in the final, playing Liga MX club UNAM Pumas over two-legs, and hosting the deciding game.
As in some of the previous editions, MLS already knew they'd get a finalist. The draw put Seattle and NYCFC on the same side of the bracket in the semifinals. The Sounders, one of the best teams in the league over the last few years, got the better of the defending MLS champions over two legs, winning the series 4-2 on aggregate. What remains now is for Seattle is to make history and break the long streak of Liga MX teams winning the title.
Four MLS teams have previously come up short in the final all against Liga MX opponents. Most recently, that was LAFC in 2020. In the Champions Cup era dating back to 1962, only two MLS teams, DC United in 1998 and Los Angeles Galaxy in 2000, have ever won the title.
"There are select few opportunities to make history," Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei said after the game. "There is one elusive trophy for MLS, and if you can do that, it'll be massive. What a massive opportunity."
Seattle travels to Mexico City to take on Pumas in the first leg on April 26 at Estadio Olimpico Universitario. The Sounders host the return leg on May 3, where they could conceivably lift the trophy before a home crowd at what is expected to be a sellout at Lumen Field. The title would book Seattle a place in the next FIFA Club World Cup.
The Sounders have every other title likely to fill an MLS trophy case. That includes four US Open Cups, a Supporters' Shield, and their two MLS Cups. In the coming weeks, coach Brian Schmetzer said he looks to build on the team's past successes by adding the Concacaf Champions League.
"It's a cup that the club certainly covets. I think that is something we have made public and said it was a goal of ours," Schmetzer told reporters following last Wednesday's 1-1 draw in the semifinals that put his side through. "The constant theme and culture of this club is to win every game, every trophy, every competition and take all the games seriously."
What are the challenges of facing Pumas? Schmetzer said they "want to enjoy the moment" and take a look at their upcoming opponent this week.
"We have to live in the moment and enjoy the moment," Schmetzer added. "Then we'll watch the tape and do all the things that we do to see what we can take out of these two games (against NYCFC) and apply it to the rest of the year."
A theme that has followed Seattle around the past few years is its wonderful attack, spearheaded by Nicolas Lodeiro, and featuring strikers Jordan Morris and Raul Ruidiaz. In recent weeks, however, the team's four-man defense and goalkeeping have stolen the spotlight for their ability to stifle opponents and help build up play from the back.
"We were able to withstand (NYCFC's offensive pressure) but not break," Frei said. Seattle has only conceded three goals over six CCL games this season while going 3-0-3. That's another example of what Frei brings to the squad, but Pumas raises the level needed to succeed.
"There are always things we can improve on," Frei said. "We're hungry. We're happy to be able to get a chance at a trophy."
As for Pumas, they eliminated the New England Revolution in the quarterfinals, scoring three goals in the return leg to take the series on penalties. In the semifinals, Pumas got the best of favorites Cruz Azul in an all-Liga MX affair, winning the series 2-1 on aggregate after holding their opponents to a scoreless draw in the second-leg.
Pumas, coached by Andres Lillini, has several offensive stars that could change the outcome of games. Juan Ignacio Dinenno, the tournament's top scorer with seven goals, joined UNAM just last year and has 28 goals in 76 Liga MX matches. Frei and his teammates will need to stay sharp to keep the 28-year-old Argentine striker off the score sheet.
Seattle has gotten off to a slow start in MLS, with their 1-0 home loss to Inter Milan on Saturday just the latest example. They've made up for it in the Champions League. Seattle is a team that embraces competing on multiple fronts. At least for a brief moment, everyone in the league should be rooting for the Sounders to make history. It's a milestone MLS needs if it wants to continue its upward trajectory while lessening the gap with Liga MX.
MLS tactics early in 2022
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The USMNT visits Estadio Azteca tied on points with Mexico
Photo by Howard C Smith – ISIPhotos.com
Filed Under: Featured, MLS, Soccer News, Top Posts Tagged With: 2022 mls season, concacaf champions league, seattle sounders


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In Hertfordshire we are lucky to have numerous splash parks. Simple bright designs that the kids love & they are FREE to enter, what could be better.
Splash parks are suitable for children of walking age & up, B started going just after he was one!
In the Hertfordshire area I can highly recommend the splash parks at Fairlands Valley in Stevenage, St Albans & Letchworth.
I have been to all three & can highly recommend them all, my favourite is Letchworth. It has a smaller water jet area but 2 sets of shallow paddling pools.
Its always a good idea to choose a splash park that has a playground attached or close by because sometimes kids can get bored & its a nice mix to be able to have a splash then go off on the swings & slides.
Nature walks are a great way to get the kids exercising whilst doing something fun. I used to go on them all the time when I was little & plan to take B on them properly when he's that little bit older, let your little ones minds run free & let them have some imaginative play while you get some fresh air!
As a family we used to make up a little booklet before we left of things that we needed to look out for, fairy baths & feathers were among some of the items on our checklist. We always used to have great fun with these & would tally off how many we found. Come to think of it, I don't think I've seen a 'fairy bath' since I last went on a nature walk & that was when I was 10!
Whilst you don't need to do these booklets I can assure you they are great fun for the kids.
I can recommend Sherrards Park Woods in Hertfordshire & Heartwood Forest in St.Albans.
Check out the Woodland Trust website to find your local woods.
To put it simply a Lido is pretty much an outdoor pool. Indoor pools can get over crowded & too hot in the good weather so why not take full advantage of local Lido's & have a swim outdoors!
I don't swim so can't recommend it personally but plenty of my friends visit Ware Lido & have a lovely time there, its a popular place so make sure you pick the right time.
This is an easy one if you have a nice local playground, my local one is pretty pants for my sons age so we avoid it at all costs. However a small drive away we have a fantastic park which has a lake & a playground! My son loves it there & its far more appropriate for his age.
Kids love playing & a playground is the perfect place to let them run free & explore.
How about bringing a picnic along too to make it that little more enjoyable!
I personally love taking B to Stanborough Park in Welwyn Garden City(although I find their parking charges disgusting), Verulam Park in St.Albans & Fairlands Valley in Stevenage.
As stated above St.Albans & Stevenage have splash parks also so its another activity to do while you're there.
Now this is a hit & miss one dependent on your child & the type of Garden Centres you have close to you.
In Hertfordshire we are lucky enough to have Van Hages in Ware! Van Hages has a small animal garden that has Pigs, Meerkats, Fluffy footed Chickens & so much more inside! The fluffy footed Chickens make B go HA HA HA. If you spoke to him he would tell you the story. This animal garden is free to walk round & is a lovely little activity to do, B tends to go every Sunday with his Nanna & Grandad.
There is also a fabulous mini train that runs at weekends & certain days in the school holidays! We love it lots & B usually goes on it a fair few times, it costs £1 a person from 2 years & up.
Come Christmas time they also have an ice rink & a santa claus, I haven't braved the ice rink since my mum fell over & snapped her phone.
I know not all Garden centres will be as good as Van Hages but its worth trying them out & letting your kids explore, MAYBE not near the breakables though! Why not play pretend & act as if the plants are a jungle & the ornamental animals are real animals, that quite obviously need to be avoided.
It sounds simple but sometimes we forget about the space we have outside our houses, thats if you have a place with a garden of course!
Garden toys can be picked up extremely cheap on local for sale pages, you could get a fair few bits less than you'd pay for a brand new slide for instance.
I managed to get B a mini climbing cube with slide for £10! He loved it so much & I was so pleased, it retails at £100+ so I couldn't complain!
Garden play is a great way for you to get a bit of peace & quiet, depending on the age of your child. I don't get that.
For the purpose of this I will be using my local farm, Standalone Farm, as an example.
A ticket to come here for a family, 2 adults 3 children, will set you back £21. A small fee for a lovely little day out.
I think nowadays the smaller family run farms get forgotten about but I think they are hidden gems.
I always used to come to Standalone Farm when I was little & I always enjoyed myself there, from Tractor rides to visiting the piggies, theres fun for all the family. My cousins particularly liked the model railway here.
Make sure to check on Google for your local farm, they seem to be priced much fairer than some of the more larger farms.
I always think theres a different air to them as well, much more down to earth & appreciative.
Lets just call this hi-tec treasure hunting. This has been around for a long time but many aren't aware of it, heck even I forgot about it till a friend reminded me of it.
If you've got a spare few hours & a phone with GPS capability or GPS receiver then I highly recommend this little activity.
Head out if its a nice day, expect to walk a fair bit, bring along some items to pop in the boxes you find & probably expect to get a little lost.
All you have to do is check out the Geocaching website to find your local Caches! I think back when I used to do it we found them & printed them off but hey, times have changed, everything is electronic now.
Enter the details given to you from the website & off you go! Make sure you bring items with you to exchange at the caches.
Many a time we got lost but it was a great feeling when we finally found one we'd been searching for for hours. This is a fun filled activity for the whole family. It was never about the prize for me & shouldn't be for you either as the items in the boxes you find are trinkets & nothing of value, it is however a great form of exercise & a great laugh.
Make sure to bring a camera so you can document your day.
Got some of your own?
Great ideas we love our local splash park and going for nature walks are fab.
Love the budget friendly ideas, no one wants to go broke trying to keep occupied over summer vacation!
You're so lucky to have free splash parks nearby. I don't think we have anything like that here in North Cornwall. Lovely list, perfect for summer!
We're big fans of garden centres such a great free resource especially if they have fish!
Thanks for sharing these ideas. We would love to go out in the park and have some family bonding but there is nothing close here from where we live. But will definitely go out next weekend.
Great places to enjoy the sunshine. We have only been to a splash park once but it was so much fun!
I always enjoyed going crabbing at the seaside!
Great ideas! With four children, the summer holidays get expensive. We are always looking for new parks to visit and most of the time play in the garden if the weather is fine!
Free Splash parks?!!!!! Any near London love the sound of that!
Haha, Head down to ours <3 great for pictures!!


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I have kept honey bees on the island of Newfoundland in and around the town of St. John's since 2010. I use this mighty blog in a straightforward and practical manner to record all of my beekeeping successes and failures. By being honest about my mistakes while documenting what actually seems to work, it's my hope that others might learn as well from me as they would from more experienced beekeepers without being told what to do. If I do anything on this blog other than listen to myself talk, I'd like to create a space that allows new beekeepers to discover their own intuitive intelligence for beekeeping like I have.
Mud Songs is written and illustrated with photos and videos intended for hobbyist or easy going backyard beekeepers like myself, not commercial beekeepers who often require a more systematic approach to beekeeping. Not to say that I don't take beekeeping seriously. I just don't want to take myself so seriously that I start lecturing at people. I'm not a certified master beekeeper yet, but I do my homework, enough to satisfy my unambitious approach to beekeeping and to keep myself in honey all year round.
I got interested in honey bees after reading about people keeping bees on their roofs in Chicago. Then I began to follow some beekeepers out of California whose methods were perhaps a bit too natural and ill-advised for my cold climate. That led to more realistic and practical online lessons from David Burns, which led to several more months of online research, and finally on July 18th, 2010, the bees arrived. I harvested my first batch of honey in September 2011, and it was delicious.
As of October 2018, I have seven Langstroth honey bee hives next to my house in a rural-like location outside St. John's (though I've had as many as ten). I kept bees in the city in my small backyard for a couple years but decided to move them to the country to keep the peace with some unpleasant neighbours. I made my fair share of mistakes in the beginning, and as a basically mentorless beekeeper I continue to make some doozies, but I feel pretty good about where I am now.
Mud Songs used to be a gardening blog, but it's strictly a beekeeping blog now. (All of the old gardening posts are gone.) The name "Mud Songs" didn't make a whole lot of sense even as a gardening blog and makes even less sense now as a beekeeping blog. That's just the way I like it.
I am not a member nor a spokesperson for the Newfoundland and Labrador Beekeeping Association.
All text, images, videos and other original content © by Phillip Cairns (me), unless otherwise noted.


The Alchemy of Stone series evokes the energy experienced during personal transformation and transmutation. Alchemy is popularly known as the search for the Philosopher's Stone. This was a symbolic reference to the Monad or Fifth Element. The Philosopher's Stone was not a physical rock or stone, but rather a spiritual idea or transmission to a higher state of being. In that state, it was believed that you could turn lead into gold. In the physical it could also make a person a genius, cure all sorts of ailments, bring about spiritual awareness, transformation and transmutation. The 33 original paintings in this series are alchemical in nature and of their own creation using acrylic, oil and gold leaf on various canvas sizes. The Alchemy of Stone paintings are featured in Jereb's book Alchemy of the Stone. This book details his unfolding spiritual journey, as recorded in his journals, on the way to creating Stardreaming.


United Nations' Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, visited Senegal yesterday, 25 July 2016, as part of his tour to a number of countries in Central and West Africa.
While in Dakar, Mr. Feltman met with Mr. Mankeur Ndiaye, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad and was received in audience by H.E. President Macky Sall. He commended Senegal for its efforts towards consolidating its democratic reforms and for its contributions to regional and global peace and security, as a current member of the United Nations Security Council.
Mr. Feltman also consulted with the Ambassadors of Security Council Members in Dakar over the political developments in the region, including Guinea Bissau and The Gambia.
He further met with UN Regional Directors based in Dakar and called for the sustained engagement of their respective Agencies and Programs in the region. He underscored the importance of acting as One UN in the implementation of the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel (UNISS).
Mr. Feltman's visit to Senegal concluded his tour of a number of countries in Central and West Africa, notably Gabon, Congo, Chad and Guinea-Bissau.


text:
Wiesenberg (s031 pan): Sophie and meeting of minds
Michael Wiesenberg Exit
Note: Not at the old Poker1 site. A version of this entry was first published in Card Player. This entry in the "Aunt Sophie" series covers pan (or panguingue), which is a multi-player form of rummy, often played for money.
Michael Wiesenberg index.
Michael Wiesenberg
Aunt Sophie and the meeting of the minds
"Nu, Tsatskeleh, for first night Pesach seder to me you're coming?" asked Aunt Sophie.
"I don't know," I hesitantly replied into the receiver. "I can recall a couple of social events with you whose principle object seemed to be to introduce me to a person of the female persuasion, and on at least one occasion, your interior decorator tried to pick me up."
"Dollink," she continued, "nothing like that. A few relatives I'm having, my little bit of Mishpocheh that's left in this world, and of course you're the closest. My cousin Moishe, you know, the one who owns all that Moon Microsystems stock, he's a millionaire already, and my second cousin Minnie, and your cousin Harry, and of course Zaydeh. Oh yes, Cousin Pearl, and your nephew, Joel."
"He's not really my nephew," I retorted. "My ex-wife's relatives are no longer my relatives."
"Ai, yi, yi," Aunt Sophie wailed, "such bitterness in one so young. It's not becoming."
"Aunt Sophie," I remonstrated, "I'm not so young."
"Yes," she bore on, "but you are too cynical. A family holiday celebration, that's what I'm inviting you to. You and I both don't got too much family. Now come, please, by me. Can you bring some wine?"
"Okay," I answered, "but none of that sacramental treacle. I'll get a good kosher California."
"Come in, Dollink, come in," greeted Aunt Sophie, taking my coat and the bottle of Napa Zinfandel. "You're the last one, and the guests are all waiting. Let me introduce you to my cousin Minnie. That's her over in the corner."
"And," I queried, "who is that with her, as if I didn't know? Some lonely orphan who just happened in through the door? Eliyahu in drag? Didn't you promise me no more matchmaking?"
Aunt Sophie started protesting innocence. "Dollink," she commenced, "I didn't know Minnie was going to bring her niece. She told me Sara was not the social type, and under no circumstances would she come. But at the last minute, Sara had no place to go tonight, and she didn't want to stay home alone. Please, don't embarrass me. Come over and say hello to them. I know you won't like the niece. She's gloomy and pessimistic. No fun to be with. No one you have to be concerned with at all."
"Okay," I assented, "it's your party."
We walked over to the corner in question. Aunt Sophie performed the introductions.
"Minnie, Sara," she said, "this is my nephew whom I think of almost like a son. Dollink, my second cousin Minnie, and her niece, Sara. Shall we sit down and begin? Everyone else is at the table."
Cousin Minnie sat one chair away from the end of the table occupied by Zaydeh, who would be leading the service, and on his left, while Sara seated herself immediately to Zaydeh's right. That left one chair for me, directly opposite the dispenser of dreariness. Here, apparently, was a threat as great as the Vassarette of previous social engagements.
Zaydeh began chanting the service. From time to time he called upon one or another of us to read a section from the Haggadah. When it was time for the Fier Kashehs, the Four Questions, Joel did the honors.
"King Arthur had his knights lined up for review," began Cousin Harry, the only person I ever knew with a complete collection of The Carolina Israelite. "All of the knights were dressed in their finest armor, which gleamed in the sun. All had fine feathered plumes, all stood proudly as their king walked past inspecting each. Knight after knight in burnished armor, until he came to one who did not look so fine. This knight's armor was dented and his mail was rusting. A bedraggled plume drooped from his helmet. He carried a broken lance. And thus said King Arthur: `Mah nishtanah halayla hazeh meekol halaylot?'"
"So," put in Minnie, "are you still writing?"
"Some," I returned, as I accepted some parsley dripping salt water.
"Is that what you do?" questioned Sara.
"Well, yes," I responded, "I do some writing."
"Aunt Sophie told me you play cards," she went on.
I tried to glare daggers at my aunt, but she was turned the other way, engaged in a lively conversation with my "nephew" about the fifth grade.
"I play a little," I offered.
"Where do you play?" she wanted to know.
"In public cardrooms," I sighed.
"What games do you play?" she insisted.
I was beginning to regret having been brought up to be so polite. "I play poker," I ventured, "and pan."
"Pan?" she inquired. "What's that?"
"Shah!" hissed Zaydeh. "It's time for the Moitseh." He began passing small pieces of matzoh to everyone. I was relieved not to have to go into details about my avocation.
After the blessing, Aunt Sophie got up to begin serving the dinner. First came gefilte fish, followed by steaming bowls of matzoh ball soup. Again the harridan felt she could press the conversation.
"You were telling me," she proceeded, "about pan." Aunt Sophie chose this moment to deposit a bowl before me.
A disease
"Pan," Aunt Sophie supplied for me, "is not a game; it's a disease." With these words of wisdom, she retreated to the kitchen.
"Actually," I followed through, "that is a somewhat simplistic answer. Aunt Sophie says that because she is addicted to the game. Pan is a game played for money in cardrooms. It's much more social than poker. In a way, it's like gin rummy played with eight decks of cards. Unlike gin rummy, more than two can, and usually do, play. Also, players have a choice whether or not to play a hand. In gin rummy, they must play every hand dealt them. Further, some of the melds are worth money, in the form of chip payments from the other players, when they're put down. By `put down.' I mean played on the table. Also unlike gin rummy, melds can be played as they are formed. You don't have to match up the whole hand at once.
Everytime you put down one of these money melds, what pan players call a condition, all active players give you chips. If another player puts down a condition, you pay that player. The object is to match all ten cards plus one more. That's called going out, and when you do, each player pays you for going out, plus you get paid all over again for any conditions you may have melded on the way. There's a lot more to the game than that, but it would take too long to go into details. And, as I said, it's a very social and sociable game. Most players don't play to win; they play to have a good time. I play sometimes, mostly to relax. I do, however, find it more relaxing when I win than when I lose, so I play my best, and I often do. Aunt Sophie, on the other hand, regards pan more as a social occasion, and doesn't win quite as often. She probably has more fun than I, though."
"My goodness," suggested Cousin Minnie, "that was quite a speech."
"Yes," added Sara, "you explained that very well."
"Thank you," I demurred. And then politely went on: "And what do you do?"
"Well," Sara declaimed, "right now I'm a programmer at IBM. I'm working on the new micros, but I suppose you know nothing of them."
"On the contrary," I remonstrated, "I have an AT, and I've done some poker simulations. But you said `right now.' Am I to take it that you have not done this for a long time?"
"I'd rather not talk about that here," she bit off crisply. I noticed that both Cousin Minnie and Aunt Sophie were giving me the old evil eye.
Next: 032 Aunt Sophie stays home
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TRIBE is a 5 letter word that starts with T.
sons of Jacob. ``The Lion of the tribe of Juda.'' --Rev.
A wealthy Hebrew of my tribe.         --Shak.
plants; a tribe of animals.
tribes of the Six Nations; the Seneca tribe.
the city of Athens was divided into ten tribes.
the Duchess tribe of shorthorns.
Our fowl, fish, and quadruped are well tribed. --Abp.
Definition: a descent and kinship-based group in which subgroups are clearly linked to one another, with the potential of uniting a large number of local groups for common defense or warfare. Unlike bands, tribes are usually settled farmers, though they also include nomadic pastoral groups whose economy is based on exploitation of livestock. Individual communities tend to be integrated into the larger society through kinship ties.