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David Frankovich
Performance & Media Art
Call for Participants! Unicorn Research Labs: "Space Is the Place" Workshop
March 21, 2015 | davidfrankovich
Call for Participants!
Unicorn Research Labs: "Space Is the Place" Workshop
Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki
21-22 and 24 April, 2015
Consider the paradoxical nature of the unicorn as a queer symbol. On the one hand, the unicorn is mythical – it does not exist – but on the other it is also a magical being, and serves as a powerful symbol of queerness. Can we imagine the possibility of some magical excess emerging from invisibility and erasure in queer performance – something not previously known or knowable? Can absence itself be thought of as a queer kind of presence and appropriated as a queer performance strategy?
Unicorn Research Labs are a series of workshops focused around the issue of queer presence in performance. Is presence a question of technique? How can we approach this question from a queer perspective? How can we challenge what it means to be present, queering the dichotomy between presence and absence? There will be three in total, each dealing with some relation to absence not as a lack, but as part of a spectrum of possible ways of be(com)ing.
"Space Is the Place" is the final workshop in this series, exploring these questions in relation to space. It is happening on 21-22 and 24 April, from 1-5pm at the Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki. It is open to anyone, whether or not they identify as queer. Participants may sign up for the entire workshop or one or two afternoons. The language used will be English.
Please email david.frankovich@uniarts.fi to register, or if you have any questions.
What: Unicorn Research Labs: "Space Is the Place" Workshop
Where: Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki, Haapaniemenkatu 6, Helsinki
When: 21-22 and 24 April (1-5pm)
photo by Monika Sobczak
Call for Participants! Unicorn Research Labs: "Stillness Is the Move" Workshop
Unicorn Research Labs: "Stillness Is the Move" Workshop
18-19 April, 2015
Consider the paradoxical nature of the unicorn as a queer symbol. On the one hand, the unicorn is mythical – it does not exist – but on the other it is also a magical being, and serves as a powerful symbol of queerness. Can there be the possibility of some magical excess emerging from invisibility and erasure in queer performance – something not previously known or knowable? Can absence itself be thought of as a queer kind of presence and appropriated as a queer performance strategy?
Unicorn Research Labs are a series of workshops focused around the issue of queer presence in performance. Is presence a question of technique? How can we approach this question from a queer perspective? How can we challenge what it means to be present, problematizing the dichotomy between presence and absence? There will be three in total, each dealing with some relation to absence not as a lack, but as part of a spectrum of possible ways of be(com)ing.
"Stillness Is the Move," the second workshop in this series will explore stillness in relation to movement. The workshop will happen on 18-19 April, from 10am to 2pm at the Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki. They are open to anyone, whether or not they identify as queer. Participants may sign up for one or both mornings. Please bring comfortable clothes for moving around in. The language used will be English.
What: Unicorn Research Labs: "Stillness Is the Move" Workshop
When: 18-19 April (10am – 2pm)
Breakfast Television tours MOCA
Call for Participants! Unicorn Research Labs: "Enjoy the Silence" Workshop
Call for Proposals: LAPSody 2015


Boudoir long A-line dress made of soft translucent tulle.
Lacy appliqués on the bust with handmade elements.
Clasp: button on the waist and adjustment the size of the belt.
Fabric: soft tulle and cotton lace.
Hand wash / Gentle machine wash.
Sleeve length - 27,5'; Dress length - 61'.


i am sure, if you have seen much of my work or followed along with my blog at all, you have noticed that I LOVE detail shots. especially rings! i've always been obsessed with the details of weddings. at one of my first weddings someone laughed at me for shooting something... a shoe maybe... and said "you really take pictures of EVERYTHING, don't you" and, well, i do try. i just ADORE the details. and rings are just so fun and so pretty. so here are a few extra ring shots from throughout the year. there are WAY more that i could post, but I things are crazy around here with a newborn and toddler, so this will have to do.


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Ocasio-Cortez Mocks 'Thoughts And Prayers' After New Zealand Mosque Massacre, Calls It An 'NRA Phrase'
TerroristPolitics
By Roxy Hamilton	 On Mar 16, 2019
As everyone was reeling and trying to take in the shootings in New Zealand at two separate mosques that took 49 lives this week, Democratic Socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) attempted to smack anyone offering wishes of support to those affected by the terrorist attack. The backlash against her was epic.
A white man from Australia who labeled himself an eco-fascist communist said he was acting against "white genocide" in an 87-page manifesto that was a precursor to him opening fire on two Christchurch, New Zealand mosques. He wasn't picky about who he killed… women, children, men… he took as many as he could out before moving on to the second mosque. Police also found explosive devices attached to two vehicles outside of the mosques. It was the very definition of a hate crime but it also felt scripted to lay blame on President Trump and guns.
Four people were arrested and Brandon Tarrant, 28, was charged with murder in connection with the mass shootings that took place at two mosques during mid-day prayer on Friday. The first attack, at the Linwood Mosque, resulted in seven dead and ended when an armed congregant pursued the gunmen and fired on them. A second shooting at the Al Noor mosque claimed 41 lives. One later died at the hospital.
The 28-year-old terrorist claimed he chose to use a gun over other weapons because it would spark debate around the Second Amendment, which he hoped would, in turn, spark a civil war in the U.S.
At 1st I thought of saying, "Imagine being told your house of faith isn't safe anymore."
But I couldn't say "imagine."
Because of Charleston.
Pittsburgh.
Sutherland Springs.
What good are your thoughts & prayers when they don't even keep the pews safe?pic.twitter.com/2mSw0azDN8
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 15, 2019
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern held a press conference where she told reporters "my thoughts, and I'm sure the thoughts of all New Zealanders, are with all those who have been affected."
This led to Ocasio-Cortez sharing a video of the prime minister. Then she laid into those offering thoughts and prayers to those who passed away in the attack and their loved ones. "What good are your thoughts & prayers when they don't even keep the pews safe?" Ocasio-Cortez asked. What an ugly thing to say at such a time or any time in fact.
("Thoughts and prayers" is reference to the NRA's phrase used to deflect conversation away from policy change during tragedies. Not directed to PM Ardern, who I greatly admire.)
Shortly after that vicious tweet, Ocasio-Cortez tried to soften the blow a bit by saying she meant only to criticize "thoughts and prayers" because it was "the NRA's phrase." She claimed those offering the phrase sought to "deflect conversation away from policy change." Just wow. That phrase doesn't belong to the NRA. It belongs to those who care and have empathy and compassion for the victims. I guess she just can't relate to that fact.
Someone might want to send a note to Ocasio-Cortez and explain to her that the NRA is an American entity and has no say in New Zealand. Talk about politicizing the tragedy and not letting it go to waste.
Pretty sure thoughts and prayers isn't anyone's phrase, and prayer especially (which you mocked earlier after what happened in a house of prayer?) is a real action, a petition to, a conversation with, God — in this case, to request protection, comfort for those suffering.
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) March 15, 2019
From The Washington Free Beacon:
"Dana Loesch, a national spokeswoman for the NRA, responded to Ocasio-Cortez. "Pretty sure thoughts and prayers isn't anyone's phrase," she said. She noted Ocasio-Cortez mocking the perceived power of prayer was a particularly inappropriate response in the wake of a shooting in a house of worship. "[P]rayer especially (which you mocked earlier after what happened in a house of prayer?) is a real action, a petition to, a conversation with, God," she said.
"The shooter intended for his attack to divide Americans and create political discord. "I chose firearms for the affect it would have on social discourse, the extra media coverage they would provide and the affect it could have on the politics of United states and thereby the political situation of the world," he wrote in a rambling and sardonic manifesto.
"Ocasio-Cortez claimed she had not intended to criticize New Zealand's prime minister for having offered her "thoughts" to the victims. Queen Elizabeth of England responded in the same way, saying her "thoughts and prayers are with all New Zealanders." Pakistan's prime minister said "prayers go to the victims and their families." Senior Palestinian official Saeb Erekat offered "prayers and tears." The United Arab Emirates' minister of state for foreign affairs said his "thoughts & prayers are with the families of the victims."
"It is unclear whether Ocasio-Cortez thinks these state leaders mean to "deflect conversation away" from their nations' strict gun laws.
"President Donald Trump offered his "warmest sympathy and best wishes" to the people of New Zealand in the wake of the "horrible massacre."
"Ocasio-Cortez has encouraged offering both thoughts and prayers in the past."
If one of your first 1000 thoughts after a horrific mass shooting is to go dunk on a person, a religious belief or an organization on Twitter, you should delete your account.
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) March 15, 2019
Ocasio-Cortez's words ring hollow here and reek of hypocrisy. Last week she did photo-ops with ash on her forehead for Ash Wednesday, now she mocks thoughts and prayers.
Ocasio-Cortez also retweeted an attack blaming President Donald Trump for inspiring the New Zealand terrorists. This woman is using the death of others to politicize gun control and stir animosity against the President of the United States. Unbelievable and beyond shameful.
Just last week, @AOC had ashes on her forehead for Ash Wednesday
Tonight she attacked those who pray pic.twitter.com/wzOnRn7R22
— Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) March 15, 2019
Sources: The Washington Free Beacon, National Review, TheBlaze, Breitbart, Washington Examiner, The Daily Mail
Alexandria Ocasio-CortezNew Zealandnra
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Arizona Police Officers Asked To Move Or Leave Starbucks After Customer Complains…

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El Centro y Santuario del campo de estudio de Wirrimbirra, (inglés: Wirrimbirra Field Study Centre and Sanctuary) es un jardín botánico y arboreto de 90 hectáreas de extensión, próximo a Tahmoor, Nueva Gales del Sur, Australia.

El código de reconocimiento internacional de "Wirrimbirra Field Study Centre and Sanctuary" como miembro del "Botanic Gardens Conservation Internacional" (BGCI), así como las siglas de su herbario es WIRBI.

Localización e información
El jardín botánico está junto al río Bargo en los matorrales del Bargo Brush.

Wirrimbirra Field Study Centre and Sanctuary Remembrance Drive, Bargo, NSW 2574 Australia.

Planos y vistas satelitales.

Este jardín botánico está abierto todos los días del año.

Historia
El "Wirrimbirra Sanctuary" fue establecido en los años 60 para preservar el "Bargo Brush" (matorral del Bargo), un ecosistema amenazado, y para promover el uso de las plantas nativas australianas.

El santuario es hoy centro de flora australiana, de educación y de investigación de la fauna. Mientras que no es un parque zoológico, usted puede vagar a lo largo de senderos pudiéndose observar en su hábitat natural a canguros, Ualabís, bandicotas, oposum, equidnas, serpientes, lagartos, ranas y muchas especies de pájaros.

Colecciones

En el jardín botánico el 100 % de las colecciones pertenecen a la flora australiana.

Entre las especies vegetales destacables la "White Waratah" (Telopea 'Wirrimbirra White'), helechos "Thistle Harris Ferns".

Referencias

Enlaces externos
 Página oficial de Wirrimbirra
 Página informativa del jardín botánico.
 Página del botánico en el BGCI

Wirrimbirra
Wirrimbirra
Nueva Gales del Sur

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Home / Sports / Broncos QB Case Keenum 'ready for whatever God has in store' after Flacco trade news
Broncos QB Case Keenum 'ready for whatever God has in store' after Flacco trade news
In his first public comments since learning that the Denver Broncos plan to trade for Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, current Broncos quarterback Case Keenum spoke to Sports Spectrum and said he was "definitely shocked." Keenum has played just one season in Denver after signing a two-year, $36 million deal with the team in March 2018.
The reported trade for Flacco cannot become official until the new league year begins March 13.
"(Broncos GM John) Elway called me that morning and we had a great conversation, which he didn't have to do, and I appreciated that," Keenum said. "I was definitely shocked."
Keenum, 31, started all 16 games for the Broncos in 2018. Denver finished the year 6-10 while Keenum threw for 3,890 yards, 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
"For us, it's another chapter in our lives and we're going to roll with it," Keenum said with his wife, Kimberly, by his side. "We're going to approach this like I do everything in my entire life, and that it's not by accident this has happened. It's just another chapter and another opportunity to overcome some adversity in my life."
Prior to signing with Denver, Keenum went 11-3 as a fill-in starter for the Minnesota Vikings in 2017, when the Vikings advanced to the NFC Championship Game. Keenum threw for a career-high 22 touchdowns that season, and posted a career-high 98.3 quarterback rating. It helped him land his first surefire starting gig in the NFL. But after a disappointing season in Denver — the Broncos missed the playoffs for the third straight season after winning Super Bowl 50 — Keenum may be on the move again, or at least in a QB battle with Flacco.
"You know, really, it's really open-ended right now. We don't know what's going to happen. So who knows what's going to be in store? I don't for sure, God does. But we'll be ready for whatever God has in store for us next," Keenum said.
Kimberly also expressed her reaction to learning the news of a Flacco trade.
"I feel like my whole motto in this whole NFL experience is just having peace in the unknown," she said. "And we keep having the unknown and not sure what's going to happen next. So I've really had to cling to that. I like to know everything going on and I've been put in a situation for the last now eight years of not having any control.
"I think the Lord has put us there to just constantly be on our knees just praying and trusting and constantly trusting His plan."
Tom Brady says wife is a 'witch', says they're 'into everything'
Baltimore Ravens broncos case keenum denver elway football god joe flacco nfl trade 2019-03-13
Lee Hartman
Tagged with: Baltimore Ravens broncos case keenum denver elway football god joe flacco nfl trade
Previous: Kansans for Israel Rally to be held at the State Capitol
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Jesus, the NFL and the "He Gets Us" campaign
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Pickens County School District
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Pickens County School District » Parents » Registration » Enrollment Information
By September 1, a student must be:
• 3 years of age for handicapped assistance *
• 4 years of age for pre-kindergarten programs **
• 5 years of age for kindergarten (compulsory in South Carolina)
• 6 years of age for first grade (mandatory in South Carolina)
* Students who require handicapped assistance may be eligible for programs at age 3. Decisions are made on a child-by-child basis after specialized preschool procedures are followed.
** For 4-year-old pre-kindergarten programs, additional requirements (i.e., testing, income verification, etc.) must be met before admission to the program.
A copy of the student's state-issued birth certificate must be provided to the school at the time of enrollment. Hospital birth reports are not acceptable. If necessary, duplicate birth certificates can be obtained from local county health departments or the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Vital Records and Public Health Statistics Division at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, South Carolina, 29201 or from a similar agency in the state of the child's birth.
A valid South Carolina Certificate of Immunization must be presented for all students prior to their enrollment. Certificates of Immunization can be obtained from the Pickens County Health Department at 200 McDaniel Avenue in Pickens or from a private physician.
Schools may ask for a student's Social Security Number. However, by federal law, schools cannot require that a Social Security Number be provided.
For a student who is transferring from another school or school district, a transfer/withdrawal form and a copy of the student's last report card should be provided to the school at the time of enrollment. Official transcripts are requested by mail and sent directly to the school. A hand-carried copy will not constitute an official transcript.
In cases where a student's parents are divorced and/or legally separated, the Court Order granting custody must be presented to school personnel and issues addressed prior to enrollment. In addition, a step-parent is NOT to be listed on enrollment forms UNLESS he/she has legal responsibility for the student by an Order of the Court.
In the case of guardianship (not to be confused with parental custody), a copy of the Court Order establishing the guardianship must be approved by and filed at the school district's Office of Student Services, 1348 Griffin Mill Road, Easley, S.C. 29640. Enrollment will not be permitted until the appropriate guardianship has been established and the document is on file. No handwritten "consent" from a parent will be accepted – whether or not it is notarized. Guardianship for enrollment purposes must be granted by Order of the Court.
It should be noted that by Common Law, the mother has sole and exclusive custody of a child born out of wedlock.
A State Affidavit can only be used for enrollment in specific circumstances as set forth by state law. This affidavit must be executed before and notarized by the school district's Director of Student Services or his assistant.
A correct "911" address MUST be provided at the time of enrollment. A post office box may be provided for mailing purposes only. A home address is required, as well as a current home telephone number and daytime telephone numbers for emergency purposes. Parents should be advised to notify the school immediately if their phone numbers change.
Students must reside in Pickens County with their parent or legal guardian in order to be eligible for enrollment in the School District of Pickens County. To ensure that students are eligible for enrollment, the district requires the parent/guardian to furnish proof of residence in Pickens County (1) upon initial enrollment at any school; (2) when a student moves from elementary to middle school; and (3) when a student moves from middle school to high school. In addition, a principal may require that the parent(s)/guardian(s) provide proof to verify the location of their residence at any time.
Documents, which may be used for this purpose, are as follows:
a copy of the parent's/guardian's current monthly utility bill (electricity, gas, water, etc.) showing the correct billing name and service address; or
a copy of the parent's/guardian's current cable television or satellite service bill, as long as it shows the service address and billing address.
Landline telephone bills, cellular telephone bills and pager bills are NOT accepted as proof of residence because those bills do not show a service address.
In the event that the parent(s)/guardian(s) cannot produce any of the above documents and state that they live with someone else (i.e., boyfriend, girlfriend, parents, grandparents, etc.), an Affidavit of Residence MUST be completed by the parent(s)/guardian(s) AND the person with whom they live and properly notarized by school personnel. It should be noted that there are criminal penalties for providing false information on the Affidavit of Residence. Click here to download an Affidavit of Residence.
Home School Options
In South Carolina, there are THREE ways for parents/guardians to home school their child/children.
1. LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERVISION (59-65-40)
"Parents or guardians may teach their children at home if the instruction is approved by the district board of trustees of the district in which the children reside." A district board of trustees shall approve home schooling programs which meet the following standards: 1) parent/guardian must hold at least a high school diploma or GED; 2) the instructional day is at least four and one-half hours per day (excluding lunch and recess) and the instructional year is at least 180 days; 3) the curriculum includes, but is not limited to, the basic instructional areas of reading, writing, math, science and social studies and in grades seven through twelve, composition and literature; 4) the parent/guardian maintains the following records for inspection upon reasonable notice by the district: a plan book, diary, or other written record indicating subjects taught and activities in which the student and parent engage, a portfolio of samples of student's academic work, and a record of evaluations of the student's academic progress, semiannual progress reports including attendance records and individualized assessments of the academic progress (progress reports must be submitted to the school district); 5) student has access to library facilities; 6) student participates in annual statewide testing; and 7) the parent/guardian must agree in writing to hold the district, harmless for any educational deficiencies of the student as a result of home education. For further information regarding this option or to receive an application form, please call 855-8150, Extension 148. (This option requires school board approval. The school board meets monthly except during the months of July and December.)
2. SCAIHS - S.C. Association of Independent Home Schools (59-65-45)
"In lieu of the requirement of Section 59-65-40, parents or guardians may teach their children at home if the instruction is conducted under the auspices of the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools. Bona fide membership and continuing compliance with the academic standards of SCAIHS exempts the home school from the further requirements of Section 59-65-40." For more information regarding SCHAIS, please contact Ms. Kathleen W. Carper, President, 930 Knox Abbott Drive, Cayce, SC 29033, or by telephone at (803) 454-0427.
3. THIRD OPTION ASSOCIATIONS (59-65-47)
"In lieu of the requirements of Section 59-65-40 or Section 59-65-45, parents or guardians may teach their children at home if the instruction is conducted under the auspices of an association for home schools which has no fewer than fifty members and meets the requirements of this section. Bona fide membership and compliance with the academic standards of the associations exempt the home school from the further requirements of Section 59-65-40 or Section 59-65-45." For a list of home school associations registered with the South Carolina Department of Education, their addresses, and contact information, please call 855-8150. Questions regarding the associations and their requirements should be directed to the contact persons on the list.
1348 Griffin Mill Road, Easley, SC 29640 | Phone (864) 397-1000 | Fax (864) 855-8159
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text:
Arden Johnson
MESICK — Arden Johnson, 79, of Mesick, passed away Dec. 23, 2010, at Munson Hospice House.Arden was born Sept. 30, 1931, to the late Roy and Hazelle (Bond) Johnson in Bear Lake. On Oct. 27, 1951, Arden married the former Virginia Mack in Harlan.By trade, Arden was a contractor, although in his spare time he enjoyed building homes with Habitat for Humanity. Throughout his life, Arden volunteered his time, serving in several aspects of ministry at Inland Community of Christ Church. He also enjoyed R.V. traveling and camping, playing cards, and watching football. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.Arden is survived by his wife of 59 years, Virginia; his four daughters, Chris (Jim) Sheffer, of Traverse City, Gail (Jerry) Dennis, of Traverse City, Karen (Tim) Roth, of Petoskey, and Michelle (special friend Kim Miller) Brace, of Allison, Iowa; grandchildren, Jamey (Renee) Sheffer, Sam (Kristi) Sheffer, Brent (Rosie) Sheffer, Aaron Dennis, Nicholas Dennis, Tyler Roth, Megan Roth, Mallory Brace, Mindy Brace, McKenzie Brace, Madison Brace; great-grandchildren, Victoria, Kira, Alex and Ryan Sheffer; brothers, Robert (Grace) Johnson, of Bear Lake, and Gordon (Doris) Johnson, of Saginaw; and sister, Margaret (Richard) Younk.Arden was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Irwin, LaVerne, Forrest and Darwin; and sister, Waneta Desonia.Visitation for friends and family will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 27, at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.Arden's life will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28, also at the funeral home. Elder Gregg McDonald will lead the celebration.Memorial contributions in Arden's honor may be directed to Habitat for Humanity or to the Inland Community of Christ Church.Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your thoughts and memories with the family at Arden's online guest book.The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.
MESICK — Arden Johnson, 79, of Mesick, passed away Dec. 23, 2010, at Munson Hospice House.Arden was born Sept. 30, 1931, to the late Roy and Hazelle (Bond) Johnson in Bear Lake. On Oct. 27, 1951, Arden married the former Virginia Mack in Harlan.By... View Obituary & Service Information
The family of Arden Johnson created this Life Tributes page to make it easy to share your memories.
MESICK — Arden Johnson, 79, of Mesick, passed away Dec. 23, 2010,...
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After making this recipe, the song "My Favorite Things" from Mary Poppins started to play in my head. At first this seemed strange, but then it dawned on me why this song was stuck in my head — this recipe encompasses many of my favorite ingredients: lemon, basil, cheese, and garbanzo beans.
But, to be perfectly honest, I usually do not make "bean salads." So, nonetheless, I was a bit hesitant to try this recipe of Chickpea Salad with Lemon, Parmesan, and Fresh Herbs; however, since it contained my favorite ingredients, I was hoping that the marriage of these elements would produce a fantastic result.
This recipe was a definite hit. The only modification I would make is to reduce the amount of lemon juice. But, other than that, this recipe is so simple that I will continue again and again to make it on days when I'm not in the mood to cook!
I LOVE spicy food. Just ask my friends — I excessively douse my scrambled eggs, Asian inspired dishes, sandwiches, and tortilla chips with Salsa, Tabasco, Sriracha, or Secret Aardvark sauce (or any combination thereof). But, in addition to my love of fiery, heat-loaded sauces, I also happen to enjoy jalapeños. In my opinion, jalapeños are a perfect addition to nachos, sandwiches, soups, and rice dishes to provide an extra kick of flavor.
Two weekends ago, I indulged in cheddar jalapeno bread for the first time at a friend's house. I was completely enamored by the salty, spicy, and cheesy flavors that mixed together with the bread. I've always put jalapenos on sandwiches that are already overloaded with other ingredients; however, I had never thought to just make bread solely with jalapenos as one of main ingredients. I found a recipe for Cheddar Jalapeno Bread; however, my first attempt resulted in a massive failure. Now, that's not to say that the previous recipe is flawed, because it is definitely not (this recipe is one of the top ten bread recipes on Epicurious and has plenty of amazing reviews). I would totally recommend anyone to make that recipe. My main problems resulted in the fact that the yeast I had on hand did not rise for some unbeknownst reason as well as that the bread takes about 6.75 hours to make from start to finish. Even though I love to bake and I'm completely willing to take the time, I'm usually not that patient (especially after I messed up the first time!). So, I decided to take a previous recipe for bread (as seen here), and add onto it by putting cheese and jalapenos on it at the end!
and Jarred Jalapeños On Top of Bread and Bake!
I was a bit nervous to make this recipe; however, I'm happy at the results. For next time, I'll definitely make one modification: add the cheese and jalapeños just a few minutes before the bread is done baking. That way, the cheese-y flavors will be more pronounced!
This past weekend, I met up with a friend and her boyfriend at Grand Central Bakery in the Sellwood area of Southeast Portland. Although we ate at Grand Central Bakery for lunch, I fully intent to revisit this cozy, neighborhood establishment for a morning pasty and daily Cup-of-Joe. Besides being totally smitten by a delicious sandwich, I was also ecstatic to discover that Grand Central Bakery has a "U-Bake Menu." This means that they sell "U-Bake" pie, pizza, puff pastry, and cookie doughs. Don't get me wrong, I love making dough from scratch; however, sometimes it is just too time consuming.
With the "U-Bake" menu staring me in the face and tempting me greatly, I decided that the $2.95 purchase of pizza dough was definitely worth the price and would save me tremendous time. For a Sunday dinner with the generous help of Grand Central Bakery, I decided to make: Cheese Pizza with Feta, Sundried Tomatoes, and Pesto and Cheese Pizza with Carmelized Onions and Prosciutto.
Step 3: Bake, Cut, Serve!
Every now and then, I have enjoyed making a pizza on a Sunday afternoon. I'm glad that I improvised for this pizza as compared to a previous post (as seen here). I still have much room to improve including getting the temperature just right and the amount of ingredients used. But, that is part of the fun with experimenting!
I just spoke via Skype with a friend who I haven't been able to speak to in months. Currently, she is living in Seoul, South Korea and teaching English to kindergartners. Although it's been a vast adjustment, she has enjoyed all of the challenges, scenery, and culture. She is a very brave young woman and I'm proud of her for pursuing that opportunity!
I especially enjoyed hearing about her travels and new experiences. Since I love food and trying new things, I undoubtedly felt compelled to inquire about South Korean cuisine. Basically, mixtures of rice, noodles, vegetables, and various meats comprise most meals in combination with plenty of spicy flavors and seasonings.
However, although she is having a blast sampling Korean cuisine and other fare from her travels, my friend does miss traditional meals from home as well as classic Southern dishes. That being said, I decided to make one of her favorite dishes and dedicate this post to her (this may seem cruel – but, we talked about it on Skype and she though it would serve as a great reminder of home!). Since I don't have a deep fryer, I thought that some type of pasta dish would be best. Instantly, the thought of lasagna came to mind. So, after replenishing ingredients at the store, I made a delicious Mushroom and Sausage Lasagna.
Step 3: Bake, Slice, and Enjoy!
[The flat no-bake noodles don't look as aesthetically pleasing.
Lasagna can be a great meal when done right. Often times, an overabundance or shortage exists of one of the items and in turn creates a taste bud rollercoaster. For example, I have had lasagnas in the past where the amount of ricotta cheese was too prevalent or lasagnas which contained a sparse serving of meat/vegetables and seasonings.
The key to a great lasagna is setting up the best ratio of noodle to sauce to cheese to meat/vegetables. This can be found by happening to stumble upon a great recipe or through trial and error. In my case, I was lucky and happened to find a great recipe on the first try!
P.S. To my friend in South Korea — I miss you dearly and I hope this reminds you of home. In fact, I'll make it upon your return!
When the Moon Hits Your Eye Like a Big Pizza Pie, That's Amore!
"That's Amore" by Dean Martin started playing on a television show the other night. I think that my subconscious engulfed the words "Pizza Pie" because a few days later, I felt the urge to make a pizza when I woke up on Sunday morning. I'm not sure if this song is where my innate desire originated from, however, I'm glad that it did because it gave me the chance to prepare a fantastic dinner!
The decision to make pizza was definitely prime. I didn't have to visit the store because I could combine ingredients I already had at home. Plus, I also happened to have a packet of active dry yeast in the cupboard, so I could be entirely authentic and make the pizza dough from scratch! After much pondering, I decided to make a simple Three Cheese and Tomato Pizza.
Cheese and Tomatoes on Top, Bake!
This year my friends and I decided to host a New Year's Sunday Brunch. We thought this would be a perfect time to get together, catch up on each other's lives, and cheers to a Happy New Year.
Naturally, I awoke too early on a Sunday and had plenty of time to mosey around the house before everyone arrived. With the extra time, I conjured up a few items that I think no casual Sunday brunch should be without.
New Year's Sunday Brunch included a Spinach and Bacon Quiche and Belgian Buttermilk Waffles with Glazed Bananas.
3. Simple and I have never made one before!
That being said, for this quiche, I altered the ingredients to cater to certain food preferences and allergies of my friends (I substituted cheddar cheese for swiss cheese (on one-half of the quiche only), nixed the bacon, and added mushrooms and roasted red peppers). I also chose to make the dough/crust the day before in order to avoid waking up too early to make it the day of brunch. Despite the fact that I had to bake the quiche for 20 minutes longer than the recipe suggested, the quiche turned out well and next time I'd like to experiment with other ingredients such as chicken, asparagus, and gruyere!
Step 4: Bake, Cut, Serve!
The waffles seemed like the easy, go-to choice to complement a savory dish for this brunch. Plus, I couldn't remember the last time I actually ate waffles and almost had forgotten what they taste like. That fact by itself solidified this choice as a done deal. These were very crunchy and the bananas provided a great flavorful kick in combination with maple syrup!
Step 4: Add to Waffles, Drizzle Syrup, Enjoy!
I'm hoping that we can make New Year's Sunday Brunch a tradition for next year too!
Cheers to a Happy 2011!
Within the past few months, I have truly learned to appreciate the small things in life and to be thankful for normal, everyday things most people take for granted. That being said, I am thankful (again) for Thanksgiving because it serves as a perfect reminder to remember what you are thankful for and count your blessings!
Don't forget to tell your family and friends this Thanksgiving season that you are thankful for them — just a few words can make such a significant difference!
All right, it is time to move onto other Thanksgiving festivities a.k.a FOOD. It is definitely a good thing that Thanksgiving comes only once a year for according to the NYDailyNews.com, the average Thanksgiving meal rakes in a whopping 3,500 calories! Despite learning that terrifying fact, I still wanted to cook the usual Thanksgiving foods; however, I tried to make some of these foods a tad bit healthier (key words being "tried" and "some")!
I forgot to take a picture of the finished product… oops!
All of these side dishes actually turned out pretty well considering these were first-time recipes! Although only one of these recipes is a little bit healthier (Roasted Sweet Potatoes), I would totally recommend to make any of these dishes again. The Pear Croustade was a bit hit with the family and I will continue to use its pasty recipe for other future baked goods!


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Must I Keep the Mohel?
Since the beginning of parshas Tazria discusses the mitzvah of bris milah, it is certainly an appropriate week to discuss:
A Case of Mistaken Identity
Yehudit and Yehuda Newparents decided which mohel they intended to employ, but did not know his telephone number. At the hospital, they asked someone for his phone number, and called to make arrangements. However, when the mohel came to check the baby before the bris, Yehuda realized that this was not the mohel he had intended to use. Could he now use a different mohel?
Billy Rubin's Bilirubin
Zev Rubin, whose old friends still sometimes call him Billy, asked Reb Leizer Izmil to be the mohel for his son's bris. However, Billy Rubin's newborn son had a borderline high bilirubin count, high enough that some mohalim would postpone the bris, whereas others would consider it safe. Billy's posek ruled that the bris should be performed on the eighth day, but Reb Leizer would not perform the bris until the count drops. May Billy forgo Leizer the razor and instead ask a different mohel to perform the bris on the eighth day?
The Busy Mohel
Avraham has used Reb Moshe as the mohel for his previous sons, and would like to use him for his newborn. However, Reb Moshe is already booked by other families and will not be available until later in the day than Avraham would like to make his bris. Should he wait for Reb Moshe, or use a different mohel who is available earlier?
Although all the names have been changed, each of the above situations is an actual case that I know of. The critical issue in all these questions is whether someone who asked one mohel to perform his son's bris may then ask a different mohel to do so. Of course, the immediate question is why should one not be able to do so? Isn't one permitted to switch one's lawyer, doctor, or accountant, if one chooses?
To introduce our discussion, let me chronicle an event that transpired almost eight hundred years ago. A newborn baby was ill, and it was obvious that the bris would be delayed for several weeks. The father promised the local mohel, Rabbi Levi, that he would be honored with performing the bris. Rabbi Levi, who was responsible for certain regional communal matters, left on a trip to attend to these responsibilities, assuming that he would return by the time the baby would be ready for the bris. Thank G-d, the baby recuperated faster than expected, and now the father wanted to perform the bris, but had no way of reaching Rabbi Levi. (Remember that cellular phone technology was not that advanced in the thirteenth century.) In order to guarantee that his son's bris would take place as soon as possible, the father brought a mohel from a different town, promising the second mohel that he would perform the bris whether the first mohel returned on time or not. On the day that the baby was healthy enough for the bris, both mohalim showed up in town, and the question was: Which mohel should be awarded with the mitzvah, the mohel who traveled specially for the bris, or the mohel who had earlier been promised the mitzvah?
Which Mohel should I use?
This question was referred to the Maharam of Rottenberg (the famed "captive rabbi," who was the posek hador at the time) for a decision. The Maharam quotes Rabbeinu Tam who ruled that once someone asked a mohel to perform a bris, he may not switch and offer the mitzvah to another mohel. Before explaining the basis for Rabbeinu Tam's ruling, we need to introduce two halachic factors:
Don't Charge for a Mitzvah
According to halacha, one may not charge for performing a mitzvah (Bechoros 29a; Nedarim 37a). (One may charge for the loss of time from one's livelihood that resulted. A full treatment of this topic is beyond the focus of this article.) Therefore, since a mohel may not charge to perform milah, he is performing it for the sake of the mitzvah. (The prevalent custom is to provide the mohel with a gift for his services.)
Keep your Word
The Torah says Moznei tzedek, avnei tzedek, eifas tzedek, vehin tzedek yihyeh lachem — You must have honest weights, honest weighing stones, an honest eifah [a unit of dry measure] and an honest hin [a unit of liquid measure] (Vayikra 19:36). The word used by the Torah, hin, however, is similar to the word hein, which means yes. The Gemara understands this to allude to: Your "yes" should always be honest, meaning that one should be true to one's word, even when no contract was created (Bava Metzia 49a). This is an extension of the idea conveyed by the Navi: She'eiris Yisrael lo yaasu avlah velo yedabru chazav velo yimatzei befihem leshon tarmis — The remnant of Israel does not perform corruptive deeds and does not speak falsehood, nor will you find in their mouths a deceptive tongue (Tzefaniah 3:13). This concept is often shortened in halachic reference to She'eiris Yisrael lo yaasu avlah¸ and refers to the ethical responsibility to be true to one's word.
The Gemara's conclusion is that someone who offered a second person a small gift is required to be true to his word. Nevertheless, should the giver renege, the proposed recipient has no claim. A Jew is obligated to keep his word, but this mitzvah does not create a liability against him.
The halacha is different if someone promised to provide a major gift. When one offered a major gift, the potential recipient does not necessarily expect that he will receive it; it is therefore not considered a violation of halacha to reconsider what one wants to do, should circumstances change.
Changing the Mohel
Putting both ideas together, Rabbeinu Tam concludes that once I offered a mohel the opportunity to perform the mitzvah, I cannot change to a different mohel. From my perspective, choosing one mohel over another qualifies as a "small gift," that I am required to honor. As explained above, although the father may not change mohalim, should he do so, the first mohel has no claim against either the second mohel or the father, even though the father did the wrong thing by changing mohalim.
Which Mohel?
The Maharam concludes that since the first mohel has now returned, the father is required to ask him to perform the bris, since the second mohel was authorized to perform the bris only should the first mohel be unavailable (Teshuvos Maharam quoted by Beis Yosef, Yoreh Deah 264). The Gra explains that since one is not supposed to change mohalim, the second mohel is only being asked if the first mohel would not be available.
Where is Yossele?
At this point, we can address Yehudit and Yehuda Newparents's predicament, in which the mohel they had called was a perfectly competent mohel, but he was not the mohel they had intended to use. The story that happened was a bit humorous. I attended the bris of people I knew, and asked them how they knew the mohel that they had used. Yehuda told me that he would tell me the story about their choice of mohel after the bris.
The Newparents had decided to use the international renowned "Yossele the mohel" of Yerushalayim (now, zt"l, of blessed memory), but, like most people, did not know Yossele's family name (Weisberg). Yehudit asked one of the observant nurses at the hospital if she knew the phone number of "Yossele, the mohel," and, knowing how busy Yossele can be, she immediately called and reserved Yossele. When the mohel arrived to check the baby before the bris, Yehuda realized that this was not the mohel he had expected. Before the mohel left, Yehuda asked if he had a business card, and his perusal confirmed his suspicion. Indeed they had called a mohel named Yosef, but he was not the famous "Yossele, the mohel."
Now, a bit flustered that he had arranged for an unknown mohel to circumcise his son, Yehuda made inquiries and determined that, indeed, Yosef the mohel appeared to be qualified. Still, Yehuda was faced with a halachic question. Could he change mohalim, since he had never intended to ask this Yosef to be his son's mohel?
Yehuda called his rav to ask whether he would be permitted to change the mohel. The rav ruled that although Yehuda could change the mohel, since Yosef the mohel was indeed a qualified mohel, he should not change mohalim, as this might offend the mistaken mohel.
By the way, the original Yossele the mohel wrote a four-volume encyclopedia on bris milah, called Otzar HaBris, in which he quotes that one may switch to a different mohel if the second mohel is more expert or a bigger tzadik (Volume 3, page 188, quoting Migdal Oz). So, according to Yossele the mohel, the Newparents could have used Yossele the mohel instead of Yosef the mohel whom their rav told them to use. Obviously, their rav disagreed, and they did the proper thing by following his directions.
Dad surprisingly shows up at his own son's bris
The Yaavetz discusses the following case: The father of the newborn is himself a mohel, but he thought that he would not be able to be at his own son's bris, and therefore arranged for a different mohel to perform the mitzvah. In the end, the father was able to attend. Is it a violation for him to perform the bris himself? The Yaavetz rules that performing the bris himself is a major gift, and that he may perform the mitzvah himself (quoted in Sefer HaBris of Rav Moshe Bunim Pirutinsky, page 4). The idea is that someone who cannot perform the mitzvah himself will anyway need to ask a mohel to perform it for him, so which mohel he chooses is a "minor" gift. However, when he is able to perform the mitzvah himself, having someone else perform it instead is the loss of a major gift on which halacha permits him to renege.
Zeide surprisingly shows up at his grandson's bris
Dovid is learning in kollel in Eretz Yisrael in an area where it is not easy to procure a mohel for a Shabbos bris. His father, who lives in America, is a mohel with a very busy practice. When Dovid's son was born on Shabbos, his father told him that he would be unable to arrive for the bris because of other commitments, so Dovid arranged for a local mohel to be available. Subsequently, Dovid's father made arrangements to come for the bris. Is Dovid permitted to switch mohalim and have his father perform the bris?
The rav who ruled on this shaylah held that it is considered a fulfillment of kibud av for the baby's father to have his own father perform the bris, and therefore, switching mohalim is permitted.
Disputed Bilirubin
At this point, we can discuss Billy Rubin's bilirubin shaylah. The Gemara rules that if a baby is somewhat jaundiced, a common and not serious condition among newborns, one should delay performing the bris until the baby is well (Shabbos 134a). A dispute among contemporary rabbonim is: at what point does one consider the child to be mildly jaundiced. The diagnosis involved is based on certain physical symptoms and the measure of bilirubin in the blood. (Bilirubin is the pigment [or chemical] that causes jaundice. A higher bilirubin score results in a greater degree of jaundice.) Chassidisha rabbonim and mohalim tend to require a lower bilirubin score until they feel the child is ready for the bris, whereas Litvisha rabbonim and mohalim often feel that the threshold for safety to allow the performance of the bris is higher, and that babies whose bilirubin is in the middle range should not be deprived of having a bris in the correct time.
Billy Rubin follows Litvisha practices, but had asked a well respected chassidisha mohel, Reb Leizer, to perform the bris. A day before he was expecting the bris, the mohel examined the baby and felt that the bris should be delayed until all symptoms of jaundice disappeared.
Billy mentioned this to his posek, who was not convinced that the bris should be delayed, and instructed him to bring the baby to a different mohel, a well respected Litvisha mohel, to check whether the bris could be performed on the eighth day. The second mohel saw no problem with performing the bris on the eighth day, but to be on the safe side, had them take the baby for a bilirubin test. The second mohel felt that the results of the bilirubin test also did not warrant delaying the bris.
This placed Billy in an uncomfortable position, since his original, chosen mohel still felt that the bris should be postponed. Should Billy use a different mohel so that he can make the bris on the eighth day? Did this not make Billy violate she'eiris Yisrael lo yaaseh avlah, by going back on his word to honor Reb Leizer with wielding the razor?
The posek held that changing mohalim in order to perform the bris on the eighth day is a "major gift" for which one does not violate she'eiris Yisrael lo yaaseh avlah.
Similarly, in case #3, where the mohel who was used for the older sons will not be available until later in the day than one wants to perform the bris, I know rabbonim who ruled that this provides adequate reason to switch mohalim. Since one should perform a bris milah as early in the day as possible, because of the idea of zerizin makdimim lemitzvos, one should perform a mitzvah with alacrity, performing it with zerizus is a valid reason to switch mohalim.
Sometimes when a person is involved in performing a mitzvah, he forgets that other considerations, such as keeping one's promise or offending someone, may be more important. In this particular mitzvah, we see the interplay of both factors, and how the poskim of the generations dealt with these issues.


Don't know who coined Social Cloud but it basically refers to the connectivity, coverage and presence within social networks. I have a very addictive personality and at this is my addiction, digital crack ha. The question you may be asking is; Why? I wish I could answer with a definitive but I can't although I can try and paint the picture clearer. It just happens I have my Information Super Highway super colouring information filler in my pocket.
Today at work was bonus day but mine is already gone as I have designated a sum to my mother as I owe her a couple of bob!! Everyone at work went for a swift one but I made a swift one home and was a rather rude dude to my princess. Needless to say that I was quick to correct my ways and hope that the rain cloud of this week will also be swift and depart, quickly!!


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Opetia nigra is een vliegensoort uit de familie van de Opetiidae. De wetenschappelijke naam van de soort is voor het eerst geldig gepubliceerd in 1830 door Johann Wilhelm Meigen.

Opetiidae


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Trav S.D.
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Gabriele Schafer-Fracaro
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Trav S.D., aka Travis Stewart, is an actor, author, cartoonist, comedian, critic, director, humorist, journalist, master of ceremonies, performance artist, playwright, producer, publicist, public speaker, songwriter, and variety booker. Deeply influenced by the Mermaid Parade, Bradshaw's Circus of World Curiosities and Coney Island itself since first visiting in 1989, Travis is an influential member of New York's alternative theater scene and the author of "No Applause--Just Throw Money: The Book that Made Vaudeville Famous" (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2005). He is a modern-day vaudevillian and embodies the cultural legacy of Coney Island.
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Tag: Alice Raine
Guest Post with Alice Raine: A Natter with Nathaniel Jackson
In eBooks, erotic romance, News
I have a great blog for you today. Alice Raine has dropped by- and we are to be privy to a confidential chat she had with the main character in her latest novella- Christmas With Nathan.
Over to you Alice- and Nathan…
It was by complete chance that I stumbled across Nathaniel Jackson last week whilst out in London, but I know how popular the handsome rogue from my Untwisted series is with you readers, so I thought I'd share a quick recount of what happened …
I was moseying around Soho enjoying some late September sunshine, when my eyes were caught by the sight of a rather fine pair of tan brogues to my right. The smart, manly shoes were attached to an equally fine pair of long legs reclining in a seat outside a cafe, and that was where my interest really caught, because I saw that the legs were encased in tailored pinstriped trousers. I love a man in a good suit, it's one of my weaknesses (along with coffee, chocolate, and good red wine), so obviously I allowed my curious gaze to wander a little higher, and that was when I realised who I was rather indiscreetly ogling. Nathaniel Jackson, the blond sex god himself, and one of the two Jackson brothers whom I had based my Untwisted novels on.
It had been a while since I'd seen Nathan in the flesh, a little over eight months actually, when I'd interviewed both him, and his girlfriend Stella, to help give me some ideas for my upcoming seasonal novella "Christmas with Nathan." Needless to say, he looked just as good as always; his blond hair was slicked back from his starkly handsome face with perfection, his suit appeared to be of the highest quality, and rather than covering his figure, the close fitting material merely acted to define the muscular body below it.
By this point my mouth was hanging slightly open in awe, I was most certainly flushed, and this of course, this was the exact moment that Nathan chose to look up and spot me. Marvellous. Seeing a small flicker of amusement twitch at the corner of his lips, I attempted to reel in my tongue and adopt a nonchalant stroll as I casually crossed the distance between us to say hello. I probably failed on all fronts.
'Alice. It's been a while.' Nathan stood to greet me, his six foot something frame towering over me as he held out a hand.
'Hi, Nathan.' I was then gifted with one of his exceptionally firm handshakes, and rendered a little bit speechless. At that precise moment, with his warm palm gripping my shaky one, I couldn't for the life of me think of one remotely useful, funny or casual comment to make. Not one. I had nothing. Which at my age was quite frankly ridiculous, but apparently the reaction that extremely handsome men caused in me, because I was the same every time I met him or his brother.
'Join me.' There was no request in those two briskly spoken words, they were a command, pure and simple. And even though I'd had no intention of joining Nathan what-so-ever, the authoritative way he instructed me to, caused my legs to buckle as I practically sank into the seat beside him.
Waiting for me to sit – collapse – Nathan then followed, elegantly folding his tall frame into the chair opposite with the utmost precision. Crossing his legs so that one ankle rested on the opposite knee, he then shook out his perfect suit sleeves to straighten his already perfect shirt cuffs, and revealed a flicker of a Rolex wrapped around his tanned wrist. Taking a moment to smooth down his waistcoat and flawless tie he finally nodded, seemingly satisfied, and then turned his attention to me. I was sat like a gawking idiot, completely enraptured with his preening display. Nathaniel Jackson was, and always had been, utterly fascinating to watch. Everything about him was refined, confident, and oozing with masculine virility.
'Coffee?'
Swallowing loudly, I nodded. 'Please. Americano with milk on the side.'
As Nathan caught the attention of a passing server and placed my order I took the opportunity to try and gather my wits. If I'm honest, Nathan had always been the character in my books that most attracted me. His bedroom dominance was more than I would ever wish to partake in, but as far as looks, build, and enigmatic personality went, Nathan had it all down to a tee.
My coffee arrived, served by a waitress who looked just as flustered by Nathan as I currently felt, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes and smirk at our pathetic responses to him. Adding milk I stirred my drink and finally dared a glance up at him. As expected, I was the sole focus of Nathan's attention as he waited patiently for me to faff with my drink. Nathan's crystal clear blue eyes were set with mine, well, not quite, in true Nathan style his gaze hovered somewhere around my cheek bones – he didn't do eye contact with me, never had, although interestingly I'd noticed he was now far more comfortable with it when Stella was around.
'So, how's the Christmas book coming along? Did you get enough information from Stella and I when we last met?' Nathan was simultaneously managing to look both relaxed, and fully alert at the same time, with his lithe body relining in the seat, but his spine somehow still rod straight. His right hand had lifted to his chin, the elbow resting on the arm of his chair, and the position pulled his jacket open slightly to reveal the tight fitting waistcoat below. There was something about a man in a waistcoat that really did it for me. To top off this already fine display of masculinity, Nathan then began to slowly rub his index finger across his lower lip. Back and forth. Back and forth. It was a contemplative look that I'd seen before on him, but god was it hot.
'Uhh…' I was being so incredibly unprofessional right now that I could barely believe it, so I quickly gave myself a mental shake, and made the effort to switch it up a gear and focus. 'It's going really well, thank you. It's recently finished in editing and is set to be released on the 12th of November.' Suddenly I remembered that I had a few spare paper copies in my laptop bag, so I bent to retrieve one and then slid it across the table to him. 'This is a paper draft, but feel free to keep it.'
'Thank you. With all your descriptions of my sordid sex life you've made me out to be quite the bad guy, Alice. I'm sure your readers were horrified by me.' I nearly snorted out a laugh at his comment. Nathan clearly underestimated the appeal of his dominant nature to the opposite sex, because my readers had been anything but horrified by him. "Fascinated" and "attracted to" would probably be more apt descriptions.
'Hardly. You have a very wide appeal and you know it.' One of his perfect blond eyebrows rose high in his brow as he continued to stare across the table toward me, his finger still rubbing his lip distractingly.
Finally he gave a small, dismissive shrug. 'I suppose there's no accounting for taste.' He murmured dryly, but I didn't believe his excess modesty for a second, Nathaniel Jackson was a very handsome, incredibly attractive man, and he was very well aware of it. I was convinced that the reason he always regarded me with a look of barely concealed amusement was because he knew how much he affected me. He probably saw the same slightly overwhelmed expression on the faces of every woman he met.
Lowering his hand from his lip he drummed his fingers lightly on the closed cover of the manuscript. 'Christmas with Nathan? That's the title you chose?' he gave a small snort and then rolled his eyes. 'It's not very inventive, is it?'
Feeling immediately defensive of my latest book – one of my favourites that I'd written to date – I drew in a breath and raised my chin stubbornly. 'Actually, I think it's rather perfect. The title lets the reader know exactly what they are going to get; a tale of you, and your many festive escapades.'
'Escapades?' Nathan made a small humming noise in the back of his throat as he considered my word choice, his lips still twitching in that marginally derisive way of his. 'I suppose that's as good a word as any to describe what I get up to in the bedroom. And out of the bedroom.' He added, his words making me shift uncomfortably in my seat.
You might think that as an author of erotica I would be used to open discussions of sex, but I wasn't, I still found it embarrassing. Nathan however, had no such difficulties, and had always been more than happy to gift me with full-on, rather graphic descriptions of exactly what got him off. Which I had discovered during our various interviews was quite a variety of things. In fact, the list was practically endless, not to mention decidedly deviant.
'And did you include all of the festive escapades that we told you about, Alice?' He enquired silkily, his eyes narrowing and smile growing darker by the second. 'Even the ones that made you blush and squirm in your seat?'
God, he was such an utter bastard. Both the Jackson brothers, Nicholas and Nathan, were absolute terrors for winding me up. Ever since we'd agreed that I could interview them as inspiration for the Untwisted series they'd taken every opportunity to make suggestive, rude or smutty comments, just to embarrass me. And much to my shame, it worked every single time.
Unwilling to rise to his bait this time, however, I straightened my back and made my face as blank as possible. 'Of course.'
Nathan's blond brows shot up for a second, as his face registered genuine surprise, but he quickly reeled in his uncharacteristic show of emotion and instead nodded his head in apparent respect. 'Even the night with the riding crop?'
As much as I'd wanted to stay calm and in control, his mention of the crop sent heat rushing to my cheeks as I recalled the interview back in January with himself and Stella. They had been giving me a recount of their Christmas festivities when they had shared the details of one particular scene to me. A night of passion that had involved no shortage of toys, cuffs and other kinky paraphernalia that Nathan favoured in the bedroom. By the time they'd finished their story the sexual tension between the two of them had been so thick that I'd felt very uncomfortable, and distinctly like a spare part. Needless to say, I had swiftly finished my notes and made a very hasty departure.
A loud swallow squeezed it's way down my throat as I blinked back from the memory. 'Uh … yes.' My cheeks were now the colour of beetroot, but Nathan still looked decidedly unfazed. The bastard. 'That scene is in the book. I … uh … I think the readers will like it.'
'Good. I certainly enjoyed acting it out.' God. The low tone of his voice was almost dripping with sexuality now, but clearly from the distant, slightly flushed expression on his face Nathan wasn't thinking about anything but Stella right now. Given how detached and domineering he's been when I'd first met him, he really had come a long way. Don't get me wrong, he was still domineering, I think he always would be, but the genuine connection and love he felt for Stella was obvious, and incredibly touching. 'Stella loved it too.' He added, thoughtfully.
'I loved what?' hearing a sweet feminine voice behind my shoulder I turned to see Stella arriving by our table. She looked just as I remembered, fresh faced, sparkling eyes and with long blonde hair that reached the waist of her lithe figure. 'Alice! I thought it was you!' Stella greeted me enthusiastically, stopping me from standing up by leaning down and placing a kiss on each of my cheeks.
'Hi, Stella. How are you?' Being alone with Nathan was never an easy task, but with Stella's arrival I immediately felt the tension leave my body.
'Better now that I've finished all my errands for the day and get to spend the rest of it with my man. He's taking me out to lunch.' She announced, the smile on her face sweetly infectious. She was clearly just as besotted with Nathan as he was with her, and it was a rather lovely union to witness.
'Sweetheart.' Nathan's greeting was practically a growl, and as I glanced across at him I could see that any discussions we had been having were over now that Stella had arrived. His eyes were burning as he stared at her, a look so intense I tried to absorb it so I'd be able to describe it in a future book. Unfortunately though, I think Nathan's level of smouldering was so extreme that it might be indescribable in words.
Taking my cue to leave I rose to my feet and offered my seat to Stella. 'No! Stay and have a drink with us, I can drag over another chair.' She exclaimed, but I could see, and feel, that Nathan was getting impatient now, so I shook my head and smiled at her. 'Actually I have to get going, but let's meet for lunch soon, text me.'
'Definitely. It's been too long. Mind you, everything I say to you seems to end up in a book!' she joked lightly, making me grin.
After saying a quick goodbye to them both I stepped away, but discreetly watched as Stella's polite public demeanour slipped away as her eyes locked with Nathan's and a small, secret smile slid to her lips. Her posture somehow opened to him, as if she were submitting to him right here on the crowded street, and the effect of her body language was immediately apparent on Nathan. He stood from his seat taking on a wide legged, cock sure stance, his figure unfurling to his full height as a possessive, love drenched grin spread across his lips. His face was now lit up properly for the first time since I'd sat down with him today. I then watched as he raised a hand and took a proprietary hold on the nape of Stella's neck before pulling her into his embrace for a blistering kiss.
Watching as they melted into a heated moment together I smiled to myself, they really did make quite a spectacular couple; both so independent, and yet equally as dependant on each other to fulfil their individual needs. Feeling my cheeks heat as their kiss deepened further I turned away with a soft smile and set out on my journey home. Nicholas and Nathan might have caused me a few stresses during the writing process, but considering their troubled childhood both men had made such leaps in recent years, and I would forever be glad that I had chosen them to be the central characters in my first series.
Alice x
*This blog post is entirely fictional, as are the events and characters in it. It is written purely for entertainment purposes for fans of the Untwisted series*
Short teaser from Christmas with Nathan
"Think very, very carefully, Stella, before you continue to scream at me,' he warned, his tone low and deceptively soft, instantly sending a trail of goose pimples running up my arms. 'Do you really think I would do the things you are accusing me of?' he murmured ominously, his stance suddenly becoming far more imposing as he spread his legs and crossed his arms over his broad chest.
Gosh, he looked absolutely gigantic. I think I'd grown used to his muscular build – a result of his strict personal training – but tonight his arms looked thicker somehow, and his chest broader … could it be a trick of the shadows, the flicker of the Christmas tree lights? Or perhaps it was my heightened senses from our angry words that were making me really see him in all his glory. And he really was glorious. Even when he looked as irate and dissatisfied as he did, there was no hiding Nathan's classically handsome features or impressive stature.
As stupid as it was, even though we were in the middle of an argument, this glimpse of his dominant side immediately flicked my switches and had me aroused within seconds. Gosh, the way his trousers hugged his thighs and groin when he stood like that was really quite spectacular and completely distracted me … why had I been yelling?…
Christmas with Nathan is available from the 12th of November, 2015. Purchasing links can be found here:
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Nathan-Alice-Raine-ebook/dp/B014JHBDK0/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1445423288&sr=1-4&keywords=alice+raine
Amazon USA: http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Nathan-Alice-Raine-ebook/dp/B014JHBDK0/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1445423288&sr=1-4&keywords=alice+raine
Connect with Alice:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AliceRaineAuthor
Twitter: @AliceRaine1
Website: www.aliceraineauthor.com
Many thanks for sharing such a great extract Alice,
Guest post from Alice Raine: Behind the Scenes Tour of The Darkness Within Him
Who better to be my first guest blogger of 2015, than the writer of one of the post popular guest posts of 2014! Please welcome Alice Raine, back to my site!
Over to you Alice…
Firstly, a big, huge, enormous thanks to my host today, the lovely, Kay x
For this blog I thought I'd do a behind the scenes tour of the areas where my current series of books 'Untwisted' is set. This post will focus on the settings of book 1, The Darkness Within Him, but if you like it and request more then I'll happily return and take you around the settings for the others books in the series too. I hope it makes for an enjoyable read and gives you a bit more of an insight into both the series, and me.
I'm a London girl, not an 'apples and pears' Cockney rhyming slang kind of Londoner, but a Londoner none then less, and so it just seemed natural to set my first series of books in my beloved hometown. What I'll aim to do in the next few paragraphs is give you a fly by the seat of your pants tour of the main locations and briefly explain my reasons for choosing them.
Let's start where all good stories do, with a sexy scene… oh, er, sorry, I mean at the beginning…
Our female lead, Rebecca Langley, lives in Camden Town, London. Why Camden Town? I hear you cry, well its simple, I just love the area. As a young teenager I spent many a good day walking the canals or roaming around the markets buying t-dye t-shirts, incense sticks and Doc Martin boots (yes, I was a hippy wannabe, possibly still am), and as I aged these days evolved to finish up in one of the various bars and pubs.
I know the backstreets, canal sides and markets off by heart, so it's a familiar and friendly location for me which makes it perfect writing fodder. Camden is always full of fascinating sights, crammed with people and buzzing with energy, it's this eclectic nature that I love; anyone from any background can go to Camden and feel like they fit in.
I've always thought I'd rather like to live there myself, but never had the chance, so when putting together 'The Darkness Within Him' I decided my character Rebecca could have the pleasure for me. I set her up in a little flat near the canal, just past the markets and the infamous Camden railway bridge. Rebecca's bookshop 'The Camden book Emporium' is at the other end of Camden, near the tube station.
London Palladium
The first skin tingling, panty soaking meeting between Rebecca and our devilishly handsome male lead, Nicholas Jackson, takes place at the London Palladium theatre where he plays a piano concert for charity. Obviously I was spoilt for choice when choosing which theatre to use because London literally has hundreds of them. As I searched through theatre listings it seemed logical to select somewhere I could describe first hand, and seeing as I've been to the London Palladium several times it immediately sprang to mind. I liked the fact that it's one of the oldest and most recognisable venues in town, and given the list of celebrities who have acted, sung and performed on the stage there it is arguably the most famous theatre in London too, so seemed a perfect choice.
So, the part that all the female readers really want to know about – the location of Nicholas Jackson's home. After quite a bit of indecision I chose Primrose Hill for Nicholas' house. The name Primrose Hill technically refers to the 256ft high hill that sits in the centre of the district just to the North of Regents Park in London, but the name also extends to the surrounding district in which Nicholas lives.
It's a truly beautiful area of London, central and convenient, but with the park, café culture and general opulence it also has a sort of village feel to it that suit's Nicholas' contained persona perfectly. Conveniently it still falls in the London Borough of Camden, and seeing as Rebecca doesn't have a car this is ideal because she can walk to Nicholas's house in about twenty minutes.
Nicholas is rather well heeled, not a snob as such, but through his piano playing he's made himself a lot of money and isn't afraid to spend it. Now with that in mind, I want you to take a second to think of Nicholas in your mind … tall, dark and handsome (yes, yes, clichéd I know, but true!) with blue eyes so intense that you'll struggle to tear your gaze away. He'll be in a suit of course, well-tailored and pulling taut across his broad shoulders as he walks down a tree lined street passing small boutique cafes and independent restaurants, perhaps stopping to buy a newspaper and a coffee on the way. The image suits him perfectly doesn't it? I thought so too, and so this is why I chose Primrose Hill for his house.
Nicholas's beautiful townhouse becomes the base for the majority of the meetings between himself and Rebecca as he begins to give her weekly piano lessons. Put a keen, experimental girl in a private music room with a handsome, rich, sexy and ridiculously skilled pianist and as you can imagine, that's where all the fun really begins!
If you'd like to see some images of these locations, and other visuals that inspired me whilst writing this series, then please check out my Pintrest page – http://uk.pinterest.com/alice3083/
Books 1,2 & 3 of the Untwisted series are available now, with the final instalment due early next year. (Reading order: 1.The Darkness Within Him 2. Out of the Darkness 3. Into the Light 4. Enlightened) http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Alice+Raine
Thanks again to Kay for having me!
Small exert from 'The Darkness Within Him'.
Unbeknown to me, Nicholas had moved to stand behind me, and as I completed the song, he placed a hand lightly on the centre of my back. As ridiculous as it sounds, I couldn't help but gasp as the heat from his palm seemed to sear my skin and simultaneously froze me to the spot. Very slowly, he used one finger to trail a path up my spine before resting his hand on the nape of my neck and seeming to rip the breath from my body as he did so. Involuntarily, I shuddered from the intense pleasure of his contact, still slightly shocked that he was touching me at all. Shooting sparks danced across my skin, causing me to jab the piano keys clumsily and make an awful racket. Unfortunately it ruined the otherwise successful piece and made me look incredibly foolish to boot.
'Am I mistaken, Rebecca, or do you feel it too?' Nicholas asked in a silken tone as he lowered himself to sit on the piano stool next to me, heat positively radiating from his body. Or perhaps the heat was coming from me, things felt so surreal that I couldn't quite tell.
Part of me wanted to play dumb and say, 'Feel what too?' but even though I'd tried to tell myself he didn't like me, I wasn't entirely naïve. The tension between us these past few weeks had grown to the point where it was almost palpable; besides, I was dreadful at seduction so I simply nodded shyly.
'Say it,' he instructed, his thumb doing disastrous things to my equilibrium by rubbing a small circle on the nape of my neck.
'I feel it too, Nicholas.' I had dropped my eyes out of embarrassment, but immediately felt his hand stop circling and grip my shoulder tighter, till it was almost painful.
'Look at me,' he ordered, and instinctively I did. I really should be remembering his obsession with eye contact by now; he'd reminded me of it enough times. 'Wayward and fiery one minute, yet so obedient the next,' Nicholas mused out loud, seemingly talking to himself. But I scoffed internally at his comment, I was confident yes, headstrong even on occasions, but wayward and fiery? Hardly – especially not when I was in his domineering presence.
Book links:
Book 1, The Darkness Within Him: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Darkness-Within-Him-Untwisted-ebook/dp/B00LO3RLMC
Book 2, Out of the Darkness: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Out-Darkness-The-Untwisted-Book-ebook/dp/B00M0KBUES/ref=pd_sim_kinc_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0P0FEV9XS6NHFPMPK6QR
(Also available via Amazon.com)
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Alice-Raine/1433662383579684
Thanks Alice- great blog!
Guest Post: Introducing Alice Raine!
I am delighted to introduce a relatively new voice (or pen) to the world of erotica today. Alice Raine is one of the most popular Cariad authors in the Xcite stable- not to mention an all round lovely lass. Over to you Alice…
Well here goes, my first ever blog post! A huge thanks to Kay for the invite be here today.
I'm new to the whole author scene, so rather than unattractively flinging links to my books in your face I thought that instead I'd use this post to share a little about my writing journey; how I got here, what I write, and why I write. At the end of the article, once I've won you over with my dazzling wit, charm and wonderful personality, then I'll fling the book links in your direction… 😉
It's probably similar for most authors, but there suddenly came a day where I just started to feel a need to write, like a compulsion really, I just couldn't bear to keep the ideas in my head any longer so I sat at my desk and just started to splurge the contents of my brain onto paper in random notes and jottings which, over time, became story plots, character ideas or bizarre fantastical settings. Ideas would literally pop up from nowhere; a quirky character on a station platform, an article in the local newspaper, snippets of a conversation overheard in the pub, even my dreams started to have a plot structure to them!
For years my writing was just a hobby, I never shared my work with anyone, but I was content to know that my stories were at least out of my head and nestled safely in my laptop. Only recently have I managed to do anything more with my work, so for me the entire 'being published' thing is still shiny, new and hugely exciting. People are reading my books… my ideas… and what's more, they seem to be enjoying them… it's just such a bizarre thought that it gives me goose bumps just thinking about it!
Like most writers my first venture in submitting a manuscript – a vampire series – was rejected by everyone that I sent it to. The dreaded 'thanks, but no thanks' slips arriving in the post thick and fast. As disappointing as this initial phase was, I did however receive some amazing feedback from Darley Anderson, a hugely famous and well respected literary agent in London. Despite how busy he must have been, he'd actually taken the time to respond to my submittal with two pages of constructive feedback, all personally hand written in flowing fountain pen and signed by the man himself. The basic premise of his comments was that he saw promise in my writing style and had generously given me several tips to help improve it.
So how does a girl go from writing vampire books to producing a four book series of contemporary adult romance with a fair bit of saucy action, you may ask? This is actually where the story gets really interesting. I'd adapted my writing using the tips Darley had given me all those years before and in the interim had written several chick lit romance novels – all very gentle and about as non-erotic as you can get. It was when sending these off in a further attempt to get published that a literary agent responded to me via email, her comment was, "I like your writing style, but it's not very cutting edge content, we need something grittier, something a little darker… have you by any chance read a book called Fifty Shades of Grey?" At her words I rolled my eyes (in a very Anastasia Steele like gesture) and immediately saw where she was going with the conversation.
Of course luckily I had read Fifty Shades, who hasn't? It was a new release at the time, but it was still plastered everywhere I looked so it would have been pretty hard to have missed it. And so it went from there, she encouraged me to write a more erotic novel and never being one to turn down a challenge that's exactly what I did. Supply and demand I suppose.
Five months later after some fairly eye-watering internet research and very long nights typing, 'The Darkness Within Him' was complete; part one of a tale following the lives of a famous pianist Nicholas Jackson and his businessman brother Nathaniel, both men with a troubled past and equally kinky sex lives to go along with it. The original literary agent who'd suggested I write it had rather inconveniently retired by this point, but undeterred I set off in search of other publishers or agents, and a few months later through the delightful medium of Twitter I found my lovely publisher, Accent Press.
Writing this post now I suddenly feel a strange compulsion to stand up and confess "My name is Alice Raine… and I write erotic romance." But I'm sat typing this in a busy coffee shop, so I think I'd better refrain, I'd hate to be the reason someone choked on their chocolate muffin or sprayed their companion with a mouthful of latte. Of course if I did announce it to the folks around me those last two words – 'erotic romance' – would have to be uttered in a low, hushed whisper, because let's face it, even with the post 'Fifty Shades' acceptance of contemporary adult fiction that has made 'erotica' almost mainstream, there is still that slightly risqué edge to it that often makes people shift uncomfortably in their seats and feel the need to pretend they don't read it, or write it.
Since I've started down this writing route I've found two common responses when I tell people about the books I've been lucky enough to get published; they're either completely not bothered by the genre and just interested in what it's like to write an entire book, or they cock their head to the side and raise an eyebrow in that curious way that tells me they are trying to work out exactly what I get up to in my bedroom. I can't help but think that they'd be rather disappointed if I confessed that what I do most in my bed is sleep…
And that as they say, is my writing journey in a nutshell! So far it's been hugely exciting working with Accent Press, books 1 and 2 of my Untwisted series are currently out, with number 3 being released on the 4th of December this year. They seem to be doing really well in the Amazon chart, the response from readers has been great, and there is even a paperback release planned for Valentine's Day next year. I'm really hopeful that this could be a huge turning point in my life, perhaps that long sought after dream of doing what I love for a living might actually become a possibility!
If you'd like to keep up with my journey feel free to follow me on Twitter or Facebook on the links at the bottom of this post.
Now, before I sign off, it's time for the sales pitch! Nah, I'm only kidding, instead of trying a fancy spiel to make you buy, I'll simply attach the links for the first two books in my Untwisted series so you can have a look if it takes your fancy.
Thanks for reading, and once again, thanks to Kay for hosting!
Many thanks for coming by today Alice! I'm proud to have been your first blog host!!


We're excited to help you complete your booking with Jim Boatrips.
Check out San Juan with a boat ride on board a mini catamaran. Cruise over pristine waters, basking in the bright sunshine for an aquatic adventure.


While an outside observer may assume preschool is all fun and games, in reality there's a tremendous amount of learning taking place. Preschool is the time when children are learning the "pre-skills," which lay a foundation for their future success in reading, writing, math and science.
At the same time, preschoolers are becoming more familiar with the daily routines of school, including how to express their opinions and share with others, which will help them transition more successfully to kindergarten.
Most preschool classrooms are designed to make learning a productive and focused activity. By organizing your classroom by different centers, each with its own theme, children get the opportunity to explore new activities. Some common centers include reading, arts and crafts, a water/sand table, a building and math toys area and a pretend play space. It's important for your classroom to include both structured time and free play, so children have the opportunity to choose their own activities.
Preschool is a particularly crucial period in children's development, which helps lay the groundwork for their future success in math and literacy. Students are also developing cognitive and social skills that will serve them well as they progress in school and beyond.
For more information on this subject, refer to our course "Brain Power! Cognitive Development in Preschoolers." ProSolutions Training also offers a CDA course and a CDA Renewal course, both developed to meet the needs of early care and education professionals seeking the CDA Credential. The credential is administered and awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition. In 2013, ProSolutions Training became the first online training company to become a formal partner of the Council.


text:
{-# LANGUAGE Rank2Types #-}

{-|

Parallel stochastic sampling for 'mwc-random' package.

-}

module Control.Parallel.Stochastic
    ( purifyRandomST
    , ParallelSeeds
    , parMapST
    , splitParMapST
    )

where

import Control.Monad.ST
import Control.Parallel.Strategies

import System.Random.MWC

import Data.Splittable

-- | Convert ST action with PRNG state into a pure function of seed.
purifyRandomST :: (forall s.GenST s -> ST s a) -> Seed -> (a, Seed)
purifyRandomST f seed = runST $ do
                          g <- restore seed
                          r <- f g
                          g' <- save g
                          return (r, g')
{-# INLINE purifyRandomST #-}

type RandomFunction source result = (forall s.GenST s -> source -> ST s result)

-- | 'parMap' with 'rpar' over list of data and initial seeds using ST
-- action which takes single PRNG state; produce list of results and
-- used seeds.
parMapST :: RandomFunction a b -> [(a, Seed)] -> [(b, Seed)]
parMapST f = parMap rpar (\(p, seed) -> purifyRandomST (`f` p) seed)
{-# INLINE parMapST #-}

-- | Split the given source, process subsources in parallel, return
-- combined results and used seeds.
splitParMapST :: (Split source, Combine result) =>
                 RandomFunction source result
              -> source
              -> ParallelSeeds
              -> (result, ParallelSeeds)
splitParMapST f wholeSource oldSeeds =
    let
        sources = (splitIn (length oldSeeds) wholeSource)
        (results, newSeeds) = unzip $ parMapST f $ zip sources oldSeeds
    in
      (combine results, newSeeds)
{-# INLINE splitParMapST #-}

-- | List of seeds which preserve PRNG states between runs of parallel
-- stochastic process sampling.
type ParallelSeeds = [Seed]

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


We make hundreds of decisions each day. While making a decision may seem like a simple task, there are a number of key factors that you need to consider in order to make sure your final decision results in the outcome you desire. I've found, unfortunately, that the decision making process involves much more than a simple coin toss.
– Recognize that a decision needs to be made.
– Identify all of the various alternatives available.
– Recognize and choose the best answer.
The decisions you make do not always involve problems. Some decision making situations come as a result of opportunity, where you realize you have the chance to make a change and must determine the best way to take advantage. Perhaps you've won the lottery, for example, and must decide how to best invest your money.
I have found that there are two main types of decisions as well. A programmed decision is one that you make on a regular basis – what to have for breakfast, what supplier you'll use when you need to purchase printer ink, etc. Others are nonprogrammed, meaning they do not come about every day and take more time and effort to consider. Deciding whether or not to fire an inadequate employee or determining how to split an unexpected bonus amongst your team members, for example.
Your strong decision making skills coupled with your now developing communication and delegation skills will enable you to constantly stay in control of your life, team, and workplace.
Do you have an example of a difficult decision and the unique process you had to go through in order to come to an end result? If so, please share. We'd love to hear about it.


text:
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Industry News • Retail Trends
How Retailers Can Find Success at Art Basel
Written by Stephanie Kidder
December 6th marks the start of this year's Miami-based Art Basel. The event is a convergence of artists from across the globe, allowing them to showcase works ranging from sculptures to film and paintings to photography.
Even if you're not a retailer in the fine art space, Art Basel could be the perfect opportunity for your next pop-up store or event. Here's how and why you might want to open a pop-up shop at Art Basel:
Targeted Audience
Art Basel draws more than 75,000 attendees — that's more than 75,000 opportunities to introduce consumers to your brand, not to mention make a few sales. What's valuable about the Art Basel audience is that it's a specific demographic. You already know information about these consumers: their interest in art and probably a higher-than-average spending power. Plus, this also tells you how to create an experience that they'll not only enjoy, but remember and share.
It's also a global audience, so you're introducing yourself to new audiences elsewhere so they can shop your online shop after they return home from the event.
Who It's Good For
The focus on art and creativity during Art Basel extends to the area's pop-up shops. That, combined with the audience, makes the event an especially viable opportunity for specific types of retailers and brands:
Travel brands
Creativity is rewarded here, and it's essential if you want to stick out in a crowd of outside-the-box thinkers and makers. In 2015, for example, the wildly popular #WELLCURATED's salon and shop pop-up was poolside, complete with live music performances.
Many artists themselves are jumping into the pop-up scene too — and they're met with lots of support. Young Artist Initiative, for example, hosted the RAW Pop-Up i 2017 that featured up-and-coming artists' works. (Tip: If you don't have art-related products yourself, you could use a pop-up as an opportunity to show your support for the art community and showcase artists instead of products.)
Find Spaces Last-Minute
Be it your own products or the work of emerging creatives, it's still not too late to open a pop-up store of your own during Art Basel. Spaces are still available to rent. (Storefront tip: Look for something closer to Miami Beach, since that's where the event is based, and you'll also get additional foot traffic from the area's pedestrians.) Here are our top 5!
Huge Outdoor Studio and Event Space in Wyndwood
2. White Box Space, 3 Room Layout in Wynwood
3. Beautiful Miami Beach Event Space
4. Perfect South Beach Shop Close to Lincoln Road
5. Prime Miami Beach Boutique in High Visibility Area
Attend Other Art Basel Events
If you're not able to make it down to Miami in time, there are other Art Basel events — one in Hong Kong, China and one in Basel, Switzerland. Or, make your debut in Miami and reacquaint yourself with attendees at an international Art Basel event to further familiarize consumers with your brand. That consistent presence also associates your brand with a highly regarded industry event.
Embark on your own retail success with a pop-up shop at Art Basel!
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Stephanie Kidder
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Pop-up with Storefront


Josh's "weekend" happened to fall in the middle of this past week on Tuesday and Wednesday. I love when he gets days off in the middle of the week, and we took advantage of the beautiful weather on Wednesday by taking the girls to the park in our neighborhood. Lila is finally big enough to really enjoy everything that our playground has to offer and had a great time climbing up the jungle gym and sliding down the slide. Josh was really nervous to let her slide down the big slide all by herself, but she did great...other than the fact that the wind would blow her dress over her eyes each time she slid down.
Alli had a great time swinging for the first time and kept the biggest smile on her face. Lila really enjoyed swinging next to her sister and wouldn't swing without her. The girls were so worn out after we got home and both took three hour naps (which is unusual for Alli). We're so glad that we have such a great playground right here in our neighborhood and hope to get a lot of use out of it before the weather gets too unbearably hot!