text:
Weekend Coffee Share November 27, 2016
Not quite sure what type of beverage to offer you today. Being Summer over here, a glass of water might hit the spot and you might want to save your hot drinks for cooler climes.
Miss outside Qudos Bank Arena. "Dream Big"…the theme for School Spec this year.
After celebrating my husband's 50th Birthday last Sunday, the big event this week has been attending NSW School Spectacular held last night at Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena. Our daughter was singing with her school in a huge mass choir with 3,500 students all dressed in matching white skivvies. It's been a full on week. She had two full days of rehearsals midweek followed by two performances on both Friday and Saturday. So as much as being a part of School Spec is fun, it also takes commitment, hard work and a lot of organisation behind the scenes. Unfortunately, as we forgot to plant a locating beacon or take the Hubble telescope, we didn't actually see our daughter perform but were with her in spirit. Meanwhile the featured acts were very impressive including Fletcher Pillon, who won Australian X-Factor this year with a heartbreaking song about his little brother Benji who was tragically killed when he was run over riding his skateboard. I must also mention that I took much more notice of the dancing this year and even recognised many of the steps from my lyrical dance class. Not that I'd pulled them off with such agility, grace and finesse. However, I wasn't watching myself dance in my lessons. Both eyes were focused on my teacher and naturally, I absorbed her moves as my own.
The Finale.
Quite aside from School Spectacular, I've had a creatively productive week.
Firstly, Merril Smith put me onto an online magnetic poetry site. They provide you with a selection of words to a theme and you try to build a poem out of it. You can get words relating to various themes such as nature. I've written a few magnetic poems this week and found the exercise extremely encouraging. The words gave my poetry rich symbolism and stretched my thinking. I was thrilled with the results and recommend you have a go. Please pop back and share your efforts. I'd love to read them. You can also read my efforts: The Path and The Poet Muse.
In addition to the magnetic poetry this week, I've also started reading an absolutely incredibly amazing book: Messy: How to Be Messy in a Tidy-Minded World. I recommend you all rush out and buy it. I promise it will significantly expand how you experience creative inspiration through opening your mind to messy and chaotic approaches, which often yield surprisingly impressive results.
One of the things I have found most interesting is the idea of jolting yourself out of a creative block. I was so intrigued by a set of random cards created by Brian Eno called Oblique Strategies, that I wrote a post about them and intend to try them out. After reading about choreographer Twyla Tharp, I read elsewhere that she advises dancers to "jump" when they experience a creative block.
© CEayr.
I also participated in Friday Fictioneers. This week's prompt was a locked, chained door set into a sandstone structure. It looked quite intriguing and reminded me of a door I'd seen attached to a sandstone cave on the waterfront at Palm Beach. Naturally, this door has always intrigued me and I thought it would make a perfect pirate's lair and pictured mermaids swimming through the sea around their ship. However, instead my flash was called: "Never too old for Divorce". It's the story of a retired gent whose wife is a monomaniacal cleaner and he's withdrawn to his cave to have some breathing space. Unfortunately, I had to cut a lot out to meet the 100 word limit. In the original version, his cave was decked out with a flat screen TV, microwave, boxes of Chardonnay and he'd also salvaged his trophies from the roof. Of course, she'd banished them up into the roof calling them dust traps although her precious collection of tea cups was okay. Indeed, the tea cups had moved into his trophy cabinet. It was hard to leave all of that out so I'm working on an extended 1500 word version.
Our son seems to enjoy sailing in a bathtub AKA the Optimus.
Yesterday morning, I also had some photography fun. While I usually do the dance run and my husband drives our son to sailing, we switched roles yesterday and Geoff took Miss to School Spectacular and I found myself at the Sailing Club with menacing storm clouds on the horizon. Yummy! Well, perhaps Yummy is not the right word but I LOVE photographing clouds and the darker the better. While these clouds weren't quite up to the hail clouds two years ago, I'd rather watch those clouds on TV these days. Getting caught in that storm was pure terror.
By the way, in case you're wondering what Mister was sailing, he had a go in the Optimus better recognised as "the bathtub" and then moved onto a Feva (I thought it was a "Fever" but what would I know.) As much as I love sailing, I'm pure ballast and just strive to keep my head away from the boom.
Now, we're switching gears as Christmas parties and the end of year dance concert approaches. Unfortunately, yours truly won't be performing. The adults have respectfully been shown to our seats. I've also bailed out on my violin concert. With so much going on, I decided not to do ensemble this year and decided to perform early in the new year at a soiree in the studio. As much as I love performing, with so much on, it's been a relief.
What have you been up to? How's your week been?
I hope things are going well.
This has been another Weekend Coffee Share hosted by Deborah over at Part-Time Monster and click here for the linky http://www.inlinkz.com/new/view.php?id=680139
This entry was posted in Photography, Uncategorized and tagged choir, dance, flash fiction, Messy: How to Be Creative & Resilient in a Tidy-Minded World, music, Optimus, parenting, photography, poetry, sailing, Tim Harford, writing on November 27, 2016 by Rowena.
Aussie Jingle Bells.
Being a good Australian, I love a good yarn and a bit of theatre and so I thought I'd share this Australian version of Jingle Bells with you: Aussie Jingle Bells. I still recall my kids singing it at pre-school and we've also sung it at a family Christmas Day sing-a-long. We only had one of those and I'm sure it must've been this carol that killed it off.
I've included a u-tube link and the words so you can sing-along from wherever you're sitting right now but if you're currently experiencing Winter, please turn the heater up to "roast" so you can fully appreciate an Australian Christmas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpeu-RiSRpM
Aussie Jingle Bells
Dashing through the bush,
in a rusty Holden Ute,
Kicking up the dust,
esky in boot,
Kelpie by my side, Singing Christmas songs, It's Summer time and I am in my singlet, shorts and thongsOh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
Christmas in Australia
on a scorching summers day, Hey!
Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!,
Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.
Engine's getting hot;
we dodge the kangaroos,
The swaggie climbs aboard,
he is welcome too.
All the family's there,
sitting by the pool,
Christmas Day the Aussie way,
by the barbecue.
Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
Come the afternoon,
Grandpa has a doze,
The kids and Uncle Bruce,
are swimming in their clothes .
The time comes 'round to go,
we take the family snap,
Pack the car and all shoot through,
before the washing up.
Lyrics taken from this page
Just in case this needs a bit of translating, here's Santa is what could well be a Holden Ute:
Hope it brought a smile to your face!
This entry was posted in Australia, Humour, music, Uncategorized and tagged Australia, Australian, books, carol, choir, Christmas, family, humor, humour, music, Santa, travel on December 12, 2015 by Rowena.
The Rugged Road to School Spectacular…
Nothing makes my stomach churn more than yet another parent gushing about their progeny's achievements. Indeed, this chunderous gushing of superlatives has almost had me hospitalised in the past. Just call me Mr Creosote from Monty Python's Meaning of Life. A bucket simply isn't big enough! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aczPDGC3f8U
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Moviestore Collection/Rex / Rex USA (935963a) Monty Python's The Meaning Of Life, Terry Jones, John Cleese Film and Television
However, just because someone is young and just happens to be my daughter, does that mean I should repress my pride and hide her under a proverbial bushel? Especially, when my pride has nothing to do with her singing ability but is more about her incredible tenacity and persistence in the face of formidable adversity?
Miss Spectacular
After spending a few months under the medical microscope, Miss performed at School Spectacular last weekend, singing 30 songs as part of the 1,500 voice Combined Choir. It's a privilege for anyone to appear at School Spec but after being diagnosed with severe vocal nodules on top of a rare digestive disorder, Miss was definitely overcoming the odds. Indeed, after undergoing months of voice therapy, it's been a rather rugged road to School Spectacular!
Around April this year, Miss was diagnosed with having severe vocal nodules, which are basically blisters on your vocal chords. Her voice was very squeaky and she was missing letters in words and it difficult for her to talk, let alone sing. These nodules were caused by vocal abuse (ie screaming at her brother and less often mother) and stomach acid. The treatment involved intensive speech therapy and regular exercises and it probably won't surprise you that routine isn't our thing. We wanted that magic pill…the instant fix but without any alternative, we had to rise to the challenge.
Miss in Hospital
At the same time we found out about the vocal nodules, Miss was also diagnosed with Delayed Gastric Emptying, a rare disease where her digestion is very slow and she doesn't feel hungry. Consequently, she doesn't eat. She also gets stomach aches, reflux and all sorts of symptoms from not eating. She has been seriously underweight and had real trouble staying alert. She was looking pretty sick for awhile there before we found some food replacement drinks, which had made quite a difference to her weight and equilibrium. She's also been prescribed an appetite stimulant. You can just imagine what her moods have been like when she's not eating at all! It's been a serious concern.
While these problems weren't imminently life-threatening, she went through a battery of tests and even a hospital admission in a very short period of time. While she didn't say it felt like the end of the world, you could see those thoughts written across her sullen face. What with having a chronically ill mother and knowing what I go through, she was no stranger to what living with a chronic illness entails. She knew that when it came to life's game of Snakes and Ladders, she'd definitely landed on the snake and wasn't happy!
Snakes & Ladders…life's ups and downs.
Fortunately, sometimes those ladders can equally be just around the next corner…
Of course, when I heard how bad her voice was, I was absolutely devastated. It was the vocal equivalent of being told your child is on the verge of spending their life in a wheelchair. Although it wasn't going to kill her, for a kid who loves singing, drama and is thinking of becoming a teacher, this was serious stuff.
Of course, I knew it could be a lot worse but pointing that out when she was devastated, doesn't help. She needed hugs, time and if she just stuck with her exercises, everything would be absolutely fine! Denial can be a wonderful thing!
Knowing how hard it is for anyone to stick with such exercises, her speech therapist dangled the School Spectacular carrot in front of my wide-eyed daughter. She even spoke to the teachers at school to develop an integrated, team approach. This was really inspired thinking because our Little Miss is extremely strong willed and that will doesn't always comply with requirements.
Her voice was so bad that she was told that she needed to rest her voice. She wasn't allowed to sing for at least 3 months and had to mouth the words at choir. Of course, this was like shutting a wild bird in a cage but she complied. I love singing myself so I know what that meant.
Miss on Stage Performing Marta with her Musical Theatre Class.
That was until it came to auditioning for the role of Marta, the second-youngest Von Trapp child in the Sydney production of The Sound of Music. Miss does musical theatre and she came home from class with a web address to apply for auditions.
As far as I was concerned, getting the role was the equivalent to flying to the moon. Of course, you superficially encourage their dreams but you don't even need to look deep in your heart to know that this is a dream and not part of the real world. It's your job as parent to encourage such dreams while gently bringing your child back down to earth safely without smashing into a thousand pieces. After all, we all know what happened to Humpty Dumpty!
Knowing how much the vocal nodules were affecting her voice, I knew she didn't stand a chance and subtly tried to encourage her to audition for something next year. Next year when, of course, everything would be better and "just fine".
Of course, she wouldn't hear of it and burst into tears: "But Mummy! I'm the right height now and I'll never be the right height ever again!"
As a parent, you come to appreciate when you're beat. I filled out the application and attached a photo and pressed send. Meanwhile I developed a nasty bronchitis and was on standby to go to hospital when the email arrived. She had an audition.
Practicing for her audition.
She didn't receive a callback but she was stoked about the audition and a seed was definitely planted.
Swings and roundabouts, missing out on Sound of Music meant she could still do School Spec. Yes! Miss and her entourage were starting our way up the ladder again.
You can read about School Spectacular here: https://beyondtheflow.wordpress.com/2015/12/01/introducing-school-spectacular/
Among the 30 songs our daughter sang with the Combined Choir, one had a particular resonance:
"Climb every mountain,
Ford every stream,
Follow every rainbow,
'Till you find your dream."
Rodgers and Hammerstein, The Sound of Music.
Sound of Music Tram near School Spectacular.
It almost brought tears to my eyes knowing just how far she'd come and what it meant to her not only to be able to sing in the shower again but to perform in School Spectacular. As she said:
"Last year, being in School Spec was my dream and it came true!"
Of course, achieving such dreams doesn't happen single-handed and our choir had an impressive support crew headed by the choir teacher, exhausted parents and I'm also going to mention big brother who has been supporting his sister's creative dreams without getting jealous and has simply encouraged her. Thanks to her friend's family, Miss also enjoyed fabulous accommodation across the road and was spared a lot of travel. Geoff and I were also incredibly thankful for that. It was great to give the "taxi" a break.
I hope our daughter's story might encourage you to overcome your hurdles and reach for the stars. That the seemingly impossible can become a reality and even exceed your expectations.
So, even though I'm risking joining the chunderous brgging parents collective, in so many ways our daughter's journey to School Spectacular has made her a hero:
There's a hero
If you look inside your heart
You don't have to be afraid
Of what you are
There's an answer
If you reach into your soul
And the sorrow that you know
Will melt away…
And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IA3ZvCkRkQ
If you have written any encouraging posts about overcoming similar difficulties, please leave a link in the comments below.
This entry was posted in Chronic Illness, Compassion, music, Parenting, Uncategorized and tagged choir, chronic illness, dancing, entertainment, gastroparesis, music, parenting, school, singing, teaching, vocal nodules, voice on December 1, 2015 by Rowena.
Introducing School Spectacular.
As I mentioned in my previous post, our daughter performed with her school choir at School Spectacular last weekend. As most of you live overseas, I thought I'd give you a brief introduction to "School Spec"…the extravaganza of a lifetime!
The Marching Band Performing Outside.
Held at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, the 2015 Schools Spectacular involved 3,600 performers from more than 400 public schools. Fifty-one featured artists were joined by 2,000 dancers and a 1500-voice choir. You can just imagine how that all looked under lights!
The 2015 theme—This is our World—reflected the dreams and hopes of young people through the medium of music and dance.
The Schools Spectacular is a real melting pot involving students of varying ages, cultures, skills and socio-economic backgrounds, hailing from country, metropolitan and isolated regions of NSW.
Our daughter performed with the Combined Choir, under Choral Director Ian Jefferson. They accompanied featured artists right throughout the night, performing 30 songs complete with actions after an intensive rehearsal schedule. I was getting tired just watching them but although a few fell asleep before the finale, most of them just kept going and going and going like the famed Eveready bunny.
The Combined Choir during the Finale. This was around 11.00 PM and they were still going!
As you'd expect, the usual platitudes get rolled out at these events and yet there is such truth. Saying that being in School Spectacular is something you'll never forget isn't just rhetoric. It's so true. Moreover, it really does give the kids the experience of what it means to perform in a big, professional production what with grueling rehearsal schedules, being on time and being part of a team. They are also touched by the more experienced performers and absorb their experience like thirsty sponge.
I should also mention that it doesn't take long to realise that School Spec isn't just about showcasing young talent. It's also about promoting Public Education and showing off all it has to offer. That it isn't second best.
As a creative person myself from a family of musical performers, what I do know is that it's not always easy to get that opportunity to perform and like writers getting published, for many musicians they're desperate to be heard. Have that venue and feel the exhilaration of performing in front of such a large, vibrant crowd…the thrill!
If you are local, School Spectacular will be televised on Saturday 7.00 PM and you can look out for Miss Speck-tacular among the sea of white shirts.
This entry was posted in music, Parenting, Uncategorized and tagged band, children, choir, dancing, education, entertainment, mom, Mommy, music, parenting, school, teaching on December 1, 2015 by Rowena.
A Spectacular Performance -Weekend Coffee Share: November 29.
This week, you're invited on a virtual cafe crawl as we catch the train from Woy Woy to Sydney. Have breakfast in Glebe then drive two hour's North via the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Hunter Valley and then back down to Parramatta in Western Sydney and back home again. I assure you with this grueling schedule, you will require every single coffee and no doubt a few nature stops along the way.
The last week has been truly incredible.
Before we get onto my daughter's performance at School Spectacular, I just wanted to touch on a bit of a shadow which hung over things last week.
You see, my daughter was concerned about being caught up in a terrorist attack while she was in Sydney. Of course, being a kid, she didn't express her concerns so succinctly. She simply asked where she could buy herself her own armour after seeing Police with bullet-proof vests on TV. I had a chat with her about it all, advising her on a few things she could do if she was in an emergency, which I outlined in this post: https://beyondtheflow.wordpress.com/2015/11/25/a-conversation-no-parent-should-have/
I have to admit that even though I knew the chances of her getting caught up in a terrorist attack were very unlikely, there was that remote possibility and there's definitely that sense that trouble's brewing at the moment but we don't have that crystal ball.
Anyway, off she went and on Friday morning, I caught the train down to Sydney with our son and the rest of the local kids. It was only a four carriage train and it was packed, mostly with kids. As we were about to head over the Hawkesbury River Bridge, the lady next to me turns to me and says: "The guy next to me asked me to mind his bags while he went to the toilet but he hasn't come back and he's been awhile. I've got to get off. I can't remember what he looked like. He might have been tanned but what does a terrorist look like anyway?"
Now, let me just put you right into my shoes. Here I am on a train packed with school kids including my son, my friends' kids, friends of friends kids and the teachers who are like family to me and suddenly I'm in charge of potentially deadly situation. I've heard the announcement countless times while waiting on train platforms. If you see unattended luggage, please report it to station staff. This was exactly what they were talking about. At the same time, I looked at the large bag of Christmas presents, all beautifully wrapped in Christmas paper, wondering how they could possibly blow anyone up? How could Christmas presents ever be considered dangerous, even deadly? I noticed the intercom for the guard nearby and gave him 10 minutes to return. I was hoping that he'd been eating plenty of fibre and it wasn't going to be a legitimate (but very extended) call of nature and I'd just caused pointless stress.
This was a lot to take onboard, especially after my chat with my daughter. I certainly didn't expect to be thrown in the dead end like this. It was all supposed to be over-active imagination and now I'd somehow become embroiled in a plot, which was way too big for this little black duck.
Illustrator Sarah Davis
Of course, the fact that I'd been to a three hour writing workshop with Australian Illustrator, Sarah Davies the day before, didn't do much to appease my imagination. Suddenly, I'd become the reluctant hero but what if I made a mistake? It was a huge responsibility!!
Fortunately, the man returned and calm was restored. I could get back to reading my book. I was in the Quiet Carriage while the kids were in what could only be described as "the loud carriages".
This was the second false alarm I've had recently. You might recall that the day before the Paris attacks, we had four Army Black Hawk helicopters flying just above the rooftops of our quiet beach-side town. They were circling around doing lap after lap after lap and while I wasn't thinking about terrorists, having a very dangerous criminal on the loose wasn't desirable either. But…that was also a false alarm.
However, we made it to Sydney rather uneventfully in the end and I was able to meet up with Miss before her grand performance.
Our daughter performed with her school choir at School Spectacular, an absolutely huge extravaganza held at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. They were part of a huge mass choir, a sea of white shirts made up of 1500 kids singing 30 songs and doing actions. They did 4 performances over two days and had a pretty intensive rehearsal schedule as well. I am surprised any of them were still upright by the end.
Finale- School Spectacular, Sydney Entertainment Centre.
As we live in Greater Sydney and about 90 minutes away, Miss ended up staying across the road for almost a week with her friend's grandmother. They were staying nearby 53 levels above the ground with the most incredible views of Sydney. She was so blessed and having her there made things so much easier for me with juggling transport.
Here I am enjoying the view from where Miss was staying.
While Miss was living the high life, I booked Geoff and I into the cheapest accommodation I could find which wasn't above a pub. It wasn't too bad but when we checked it out on Google Earth, we did notice some kind of Chinese massage parlor next door and Mum did warn me to make sure Geoff didn't disappear during the night. The place had a pretty dodgy metal fire escape out the back and while comfortable,could well have been the sort of place a fugitive would hide out. Needless to say, there were no views from our hotel room. Indeed, I'm not even sure there was a window.
Hotel Carpark.
Saturday morning, we headed off to Glebe for breakfast. We had intended to have breakfast at Glebe Markets, where I used to hang out several lifetimes ago but we couldn't find parking and after weaving out way through a series of dead end and one way streets, we found ourselves sitting at the first cafe we could find on St Johns Road and refueled with coffees, an almond croissant and omelette.
Rebel Red Shoes.
I should also point out that I was wearing really dodgy shoes and could barely walk. After breaking my foot last December, I've virtually spent the year in joggers but as we were going to my cousin's wedding, I just couldn't resist wearing my fave red shoes. They have wedge heels and being flat on the bottom, I can sort of walk in them but it's definitely a case of "Ricketty Ro" and much of the time, I have to hold onto Geoff's arm for dear life.
While I have nothing approaching a shoe fetish and wear sensible shoes almost all the time, sometimes I just want to step out there and feel a bit pretty, elegant, frivolous and NOT a matron or person living with disability. Be myself. If you haven't worked out the obvious by now. I am not a sensible person so why should I wear sensible shoes?
Driving Across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Moving right along, we're having our next coffee in Kurri Kurri in the Hunter Valley. Kurri Kurri is a coal-mining town on the gateway into the Hunter Valley, one of Australia's most famous wine-producing regions. Like many regional towns looking to put themselves on the tourist map, the town has rebadged itself as "The Town of Murals". Fifty murals, each with a hidden kookaburra, have been painted around town: http://www.kurrikurri.com/kurri-kurri-murals-project/
More Coffee…Kurri Kurri Tourist Information Centre.
After over compensating for Sydney traffic congestion, we arrived at Kurri Kurri 2 hours before the wedding. Needing another caffeine hit (make that a strong one, please!) we stopped off at the Visitor's Information Centre for great coffee and Caramel Slice before driving our town checking out the murals.
Red Bus Mural, Kurri Kurri.
Next stop, was my cousin's wedding. This was so exciting that my trigger-happy camera finger went into overdrive and I'm surprised I haven't developed some form of RSI. The wedding and reception were beautifully intimate and included personal wishes from the groom's grandparents, which just added a certain magic.
We drove home last night and had my uncle to stay. Made him pancakes for breakfast and must've totally exhausted myself as I didn't photograph his visit at all.
Drove down to Sydney to pick up the kids and head off to the Muscular Dystrophy NSW Annual Christmas Party, which is so generously put on by the staff at the Commonwealth Bank in Parramatta. This is a real extravaganza and the kids loved playing on the slot car rack and enjoyed the arrival of Santa and their presents. I was particularly thrilled to meet up with other members…friends I've made at an Adventure Camp I've attended. This is my community.
Mister with Santa
Right now, I'm ready to hang up my red shoes. "There's no place like home" and a deep sleep!
I hope you've enjoyed our coffee and I look forward to topping up the caffeine levels when I pop over your way.
This has been part of the Weekend Coffee Share. Here's the linky: http://www.inlinkz.com/new/view.php?id=585846
Love & Best wishes,
PS Bilbo and Lady have made an an appearance at the Weekly Pet Share November Round-up. It's a great post! https://hopethehappyhugger.wordpress.com/2015/11/30/weekly-pet-share-november-round-up/
This entry was posted in Australia, music, Parenting, Sydney Postcards, Travel, Uncategorized and tagged art, choir, dance, Hunter Valley, Kurri Kurri, Muscular Dystrophy, music, parenting, Santa, School Spectacular, singing, Sydney, travel on November 30, 2015 by Rowena.
I Want to Swing from the Chandelier!
While I've never seen myself as a music industry guru or supporter, today I'm going to don my Stetson hat and walk in Molly Meldrum's shoes for a bit and introduce you to some new Australian talent.
Ian "Molly" Meldrum
Molly Meldrum is the Australian music industry legend who used to host Countdown. Molly introduced millions of teenagers to the likes of ABBA and Madonna and I'm not sure who else because I wasn't really into listening to music growing up and only ever had a couple of records and tapes, which wouldn't even amount to a handful.
Although Molly was loved and respected for hosting countdown, there was always that big question mark about what was underneath his hat. He never took it off, the same way KISS never appeared without their trademark face paint. Although we all assumed that he was as bald as a badger, the fact that he never appeared without his hat, just fueled the intrigued and added to the legend.
Just like Molly had his trademark hat, Molly also had his "Mollyisms".
If Molly really liked a performer, he'd tell you to "do yourself a favour" and go and buy their album…as it was back in the day.
Well, I'm now going to suggest you do yourself a favour and go and check out some of the young, up and coming performers in your local area, instead of waiting for them to suddenly burst onto the music scene once they're finally famous. "It's a long way to the top, when you want to rock n' roll" and even longer if you're into the classics.All these young people need avid fans to pave the way for future success.
That means the likes of us.
Moreover, you'll also be doing yourself a huge favour. Instead of having to pay through the nose for tickets and fight your way into the big entertainment venues, you'll be up front and personal and even breathe in the same air. I sometimes hope this will somehow inflate me with talent but it hasn't happened yet!!
We actually had front row seats and could almost reach out and touch the stage. That was a real treat!.
Last week, we attended a local music event, Showcase, which was held at Gosford's Laycock Street Theatre. Showcase features the best talent from our local Public High Schools and Primary schools and our daughter was performing with the school choir for the second time.
While you might think that Showcase is some mums and dads concert which truly has to be endured, it was actually a spectacular production and a number of the acts deeply moved me for a variety of reasons. They were not only incredibly good but the performers somehow grabbed your emotions, twisted your heart and miraculously conveyed a part of you that you knew was there but you could never quite find the words to express. For some reason, the door, the pathway was always blocked, jammed. Wouldn't open.
I know this sounds odd for such an expressive writer, poet, photographer but these are the perhaps those really scary, grab you by the throat in the dark emotions and most of the time, we're too busy trying to swing from the chandelier to acknowledge they exist. We want to shut them down and yet when they finally come out there's such relief!
There were two performances which really gripped me.
Firstly, there was Lilia Jackson who performed Sia's Chandelier.
I have listened to Sia's Chandelier countless times on the radio and yes, it has resonated with me before but nothing like hearing it performed by Lilia, who sang like an angel while accompanying herself on the grand piano.She was incredible!
Here's a link to Lilia's performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsAuchqUDc8
There is was sitting on my seat getting swept away by her angelic voice and the crystal tones of the piano when all of a sudden, I found myself moved to a place of incredible angst where I was back in Royal North Shore Hospital at the time of my medical diagnosis and the pain seared through my heart like a knife. It was the middle of the night and I was so alone caught in the intense darkness without a glimmer of light. I was so angry about my diagnosis and that I could die and leave my children without their Mum that I wanted to die. The pain was so incredibly intense. A pain I usually can't even come close to touching, writing about, nothing. The best I can do is somehow twist those emotions around with a dark sort of humour. Anyway, I've moved on. I am swinging from the chandeliers almost each and everyday now because I know that abyss and I'm not going back.
I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier
I'm gonna live like tomorrow doesn't exist
Like it doesn't exist
I'm gonna fly like a bird through the night, feel my tears as they dry
But I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down won't open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light, 'cause I'm just holding on for tonight
Help me, I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down won't open my eyes
On for tonight
Another performance which really gripped me, was Erica-Lee's rendition of Crazy. Being different is something I understand too well…sometimes from a sense of rejection but also from a point of pride. After all, who wants to be a clone, a carbon-copy of some misplaced ideal? I know that anyone who photographs bride dolls in a cemetery has to be a bit crazy but that's also how creativity takes flight. So, you know I don't even need to ask that question. I'd much rather be creative than normal and I'm grateful that after spending years working through this, that I can finally accept myself as I am.
While these two song choices really resonated with me, I was also delighted to hear Joseph Arrua: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3vUo5uSOjs As I listened to Joseph perform, I wondered where that big, deep voice came from. It was incredible. I've been friends with Joseph's Mum for many years but only heard him perform a few years ago and it's a special thing to see a young person's talent start taking flight!
My daughter singing with the school choir.
Of course, I was as proud as punch to see my daughter performing in the school choir. She has been battling vocal nodules and having voice therapy yet she loves singing. Her perseverance is a real credit to her…and to me. I'm having to drive her to her appointments and put up with the moods. Understandibly, she's not a happy camper.
This entry was posted in Chronic Illness and tagged acceptance, Chandelier, choir, chronic illness, countdown, creativity, depression, grief, Molly Meldrum, music, Sia, Swing from the Chandelier, The Voice on August 23, 2015 by Rowena.
Sydney Town Hall…Family Concerts to Remember
Sunday night before last, our 8 year old daughter "Miss" sang in a multi-school choir at the Sydney Town Hall. Celebration Sing Out was a concert supporting the Music Therapy Unit at the Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney.
Celebration Sing Out, Sydney Town Hall.
As much as we might have believed in the cause, let's be honest. All the parents, grandparents and the rest of the royal entourage were there with only one thing in mind…to see their little darling up on stage at the Sydney Town Hall. Our brilliant, shining little stars had us all transfixed in their orbit. It might not have been the Opera House but singing at the Sydney Town Hall is still a big deal and a very imposing, impressive venue with the huge pipe organ towering overhead. When the organ was completed in 1890, it was the biggest pipe organ in the world. That's not bad for a former convict town.
How have to admit this gig was pretty impressive and the children sang like angels as well!
While our little darlings might have been just one of hundreds all not-quite perfectly cloned in plain white shirts and black pants, we didn't care. We zoomed in and picked out little star out of the multitude and stared at them transfixed with love and pride.
Christmas came early…the kids checking out the Christmas lights in Sydney's Queen Victoria Building on the way to dinner.
A key component of this parental pride was getting a good seat so we could not only spot our darling among the multitude but also to get a good vantage point to take photos. Unlike many public events where you are not allowed to use cameras let alone photograph or film children, this event was a paparazzi free-for-all.
While the kids and I went to check out the David Jones Christmas Windows and have dinner in Hyde Park, Geoff sat in the queue to get our seats. He had left for work at 4.30am and was happy to mind the seats. You get my drift.
Before the concert began, I was down the front and after scanning the crowd several times, eventually I spotted Miss in the jungle. Many of the kids were waving out to the crowd and getting rather excited. However, Miss didn't respond to me at all. I was pretty hard to miss. What started out as something like a dignified, royal wave became more frenetic as she absolutely failed to respond. She didn't smile or even blink in my direction. Not one to be ignored, I'm waving both arms by now and doing everything but screaming "cooee" above the hubbub. I decided I wasn't going anywhere until she responded. She might have been up towards the back but I was standing right in front of her waving my arms, taking photos with the standout Nikon SLR camera (something with a real lens not one of these Mickey Mouse phone cameras). I mean… I really stood out. It was almost like I was standing there with two heads and still she refused to acknowledge my existence. Eventually, finally, at a point no doubt verging on terminal embarrassment, she waved back. Relief! She later told me that she's not supposed to wave. You see, at 8 years of age, she's already the consummate stage professional!
Naturally, I wasn't the only paparazzi in sight. As I scanned around the audience, there was an array of camera phones sticking up above the audience like the sort of TV antennas you see in regional towns desperately trying to pick up the city stations.
The singing was absolutely beautiful and a real tribute to everyone involved. The children sang beautifully in unison and sat still for considerable periods on stage during other performances. The concert began at 7.00PM concluding at 9.30 which is well past many of their bedtimes and yet they were the consummate performers…real little professionals.
While this performance was mostly about our daughter, there was also a ghost in the room…my grandmother.
Hard to believe my grandmother was ever a 15 year old schoolgirl. She, on the other hand, didn't recognise the old lady staring back at her in the mirror. I now understand what she meant!
My grandmother's Performance at the Sydney Town Hall 6th April, 1935 SMH April 10 1935
My grandmother, Eunice Gardiner, was an internationally successful concert pianist, music critic and piano teacher at the Sydney Conservatorium. Eunice was taking up a 2 year scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music in London. A fundraising committee had been formed to raise funds towards her living expenses in London. As part of these fundraising efforts, Eunice gave a concert at the Sydney Town Hall on the 6th June, 1935.
This is a story I grew up with and I remember my grandmother showing me her precious newspaper clippings in her seemingly ancient scrapbook. This wasn't something we looked at often…only once or twice in my life time and indeed while working on her memoirs, she even let me take it home for awhile to scan. Talk about precious cargo. This was back in the days before the old newspapers had been uploaded onto the Internet and you couldn't just summon up someone's entire life history with an instant and exceptionally gratifying Google search. Of course, you could look at the old newspapers on reels at the State Library but you needed to do your research first. It was a tedious, laborious process. So these press clippings and particularly her scrap book, were incredibly precious!!
Anyway, as we arrived at Town Hall, I was no longer viewing my grandmother's concert as an ancient black & white newspaper clipping but as a living, breathing experience. I was walking up Town Hall Steps with her parents and brother, Les. I could feel their pride bursting through my heart and saw it reflected back to me as our daughter sang up on stage, enjoying the whole experience. This was not necessarily going to be a given. Singing in front of 1000 can be daunting if not terrifying but it seems that being part of a crowd can be a good thing.
Once upon a time, when I was a little girl, I'd had my own piano performance. However, it was hardly at the Sydney Town Hall but in a hall hired by my piano teacher in Wahroonga, a Sydney suburb quite a long way from the Sydney Town Hall both in terms of kilometres and kudos. While it was a big thing for me to be performing at the concert and I had practiced pretty hard and knew my piece from memory, the fact that my grandmother was attending the concert was a big deal. I distinctly remember getting in the car and Mum asking me if I had my music. I told her that I didn't need it…that I knew my piece from memory. I was a confident little kid and not easily intimidated. I didn't need my music and I was going to do it my way despite my mother's concerns.
Well, of course, I got up on stage my legs dangling from the piano seat and of course I lost my place. I remember this terrible sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Mum had seen it coming and I'd botched it. Plus, my grandmother was watching. I'd been to see her perform at the Sydney Opera House wearing my very best dress which she'd brought back from me from Norfolk Island and where I couldn't cough, sneeze, go to the toilet and if you sat very, very still, you were actually permitted to breathe. My grandmother wasn't one of those grannies who give you Freddo Frogs (https://www.cadbury.com.au/Products/Pre-teens-Confectionery/Freddo.aspx) either . She was in some sort of inter-stellar zone us mortals could only watch from the outside. I can almost feel myself stop breathing yet I persevere and tinkered with the keys until I found my place and kept going…my pride wounded but undefeated. I am so proud of that little girl who didn't just burst into tears and exit stage left..It might not have been a perfect performance but I persevered and I conquered.
You can read my grandmother's obituary here: http://www.smh.com.au/comment/obituaries/a-musical-career-honed-in-the-laundry-20090823-ev2w.html
Actually, perhaps the last word on that concert should go to my grandmother. When she reflected on this concert in later life, she mentioned nothing about the epic stumble during my performance. Rather, she tell me that she'd got in trouble with my Dad for disciplining my brother during the concert. That's right. She'd got in trouble. You know I'm smiling!
Meanwhile, as the end of the year approaches, our daughter's ballet and jazz concerts lie ahead and I'm practicing for my violin concert. Well, like our daughter I'm part of a group and there will be no solo performance. This is certainly one time I don't want to stand out and for once in my life, just be one of the crowd.
And I'll be taking my music!
PS This is a Freddo Frog:
Introducing Australia's very own Freddo Frog.
This entry was posted in Parenting, Violin and tagged Australia, Celebration Sing Out, choir, choral, Eunice Gardiner, family history, grandma, grandparents, granparents, history, kids, mom, mum, music, music therapy, Nana, organ, parenting, pianist, school, school choir, Sydney, Sydney Conservatorium, Sydney Town Hall on November 18, 2014 by Rowena.


text:
Q: Remove Empty Nodes from HTML String in Javascript I am working on an HTML template where I have to remove some text from an HTML string through javascript. The problem is sometimes empty tags remains in the HTML string as there inside content is removed.

. Nunc sodales ullamcorper purus, in pharetra quam dictum at. Nullam iaculis, ex ut gravida commodo, nisi odio volutpat sapien, ut mattis eros est vel turpis. Nunc at eros quis nisl efficitur sagittis. Aliquam sed risus nec ex suscipit placerat.

In hac habitasse platea dictumst. In congue velit sodales ipsum tincidunt, et ullamcorper massa consectetur.

Nulla id ex eu elit congue consequat at ut odio. Nullam risus lorem, auctor ac nibh sed, suscipit condimentum augue.

As you can see in first ul tag has multiple empty tags inside it which I want to remove otherwise it creates a blank bullet list item.
var tempDiv = document.createElement('div');
tempDiv.innerHTML = str;
str = CleanChildren(tempDiv);

function CleanChildren(elem)
                {
                    var children = elem.childNodes;
                    var len = elem.childNodes.length;
                    document.getElementById("remarksContinue").innerHTML = "No of Child Node :: " + len;
                    for (var i = 0; i < len; i++)
                    {
                        var child = children[i];

                        if(child.hasChildNodes())
                            CleanChildren(child);
                        else
                            elem.removeChildNode(child);

                    }

                    return elem.innerHTML;
                }

Above is the function which I am trying to use but no luck.
Thanks in Advance

A: There's no need for recursion here - simply check the textContent of the outer element, and if its trimmed value is the empty string, remove the element:

const container = document.querySelector('div');
console.log(container.children.length);

Array.prototype.forEach.call(
  container.children,
  node => {
    if (node.textContent.trim() === '') node.remove();
  }
);

console.log(container.children.length);

. Nunc sodales ullamcorper purus, in pharetra quam dictum at. Nullam iaculis, ex ut gravida commodo, nisi odio volutpat sapien, ut mattis eros est vel turpis. Nunc at eros quis nisl efficitur sagittis. Aliquam sed risus nec ex suscipit placerat.

In hac habitasse platea dictumst. In congue velit sodales ipsum tincidunt, et ullamcorper massa consectetur.

Nulla id ex eu elit congue consequat at ut odio. Nullam risus lorem, auctor ac nibh sed, suscipit condimentum augue.

A: There is another simplest way you can try it. Please see below example,

$(document).ready(function() {
  $("div.myclass ul li").each(function(i) {
    if (this.innerText.trim() === "") {
      this.remove();
    }
  });
});

. Nunc sodales ullamcorper purus, in pharetra quam dictum at. Nullam iaculis, ex ut gravida commodo, nisi odio volutpat sapien, ut mattis eros est vel turpis. Nunc at eros quis nisl efficitur sagittis. Aliquam sed risus nec ex suscipit placerat.

In hac habitasse platea dictumst. In congue velit sodales ipsum tincidunt, et ullamcorper massa consectetur.

Nulla id ex eu elit congue consequat at ut odio. Nullam risus lorem, auctor ac nibh sed, suscipit condimentum augue.

A:

var number=1;
var clearnode=document.getElementById("clearnode");
function removeitem()
{
clearnode.removeChild(clearnode.children[0]);
}
function removeitemall()
{
var len=clearnode.children.length;

for(var i=0;i<len;i++)
{
clearnode.removeChild(clearnode.children[0]);

}

}
function additem(text)
{
var newel=document.createElement("li");
newel.innerText=text+" "+number;
clearnode.append(newel);
number++;
}

. Nunc sodales ullamcorper purus, in pharetra quam dictum at. Nullam iaculis, ex ut gravida commodo, nisi odio volutpat sapien, ut mattis eros est vel turpis. Nunc at eros quis nisl efficitur sagittis. Aliquam sed risus nec ex suscipit placerat.

In hac habitasse platea dictumst. In congue velit sodales ipsum tincidunt, et ullamcorper massa consectetur.

Nulla id ex eu elit congue consequat at ut odio. Nullam risus lorem, auctor ac nibh sed, suscipit condimentum augue.

<button onclick="additem('new ltem')">add item</button>
<button onclick="removeitem()">add item</button>
<button onclick="removeitemall()">add item</button>

A: I assumed that you get all html tags as string then you can replace all empty tags using regex that match only empty tags /<[^/>]+>[ \n\r\t]*<\/[^>]+>/gim as following code
var str = '

. Nunc sodales ullamcorper purus, in pharetra quam dictum at. Nullam iaculis, ex ut gravida commodo, nisi odio volutpat sapien, ut mattis eros est vel turpis. Nunc at eros quis nisl efficitur sagittis. Aliquam sed risus nec ex suscipit placerat.

In hac habitasse platea dictumst. In congue velit sodales ipsum tincidunt, et ullamcorper massa consectetur.

Nulla id ex eu elit congue consequat at ut odio. Nullam risus lorem, auctor ac nibh sed, suscipit condimentum augue

';

    var regex = /<[^/>]+>[ \n\r\t]*<\/[^>]+>/gim;
    while(regex.test(str)){
      str = str.replace(regex, "")
    }

    alert(str)

output: only non empty tags

. Nunc sodales ullamcorper purus, in pharetra quam dictum at. Nullam iaculis, ex ut gravida commodo, nisi odio volutpat sapien, ut mattis eros est vel turpis. Nunc at eros quis nisl efficitur sagittis. Aliquam sed risus nec ex suscipit placerat.

In hac habitasse platea dictumst. In congue velit sodales ipsum tincidunt, et ullamcorper massa consectetur.

Nulla id ex eu elit congue consequat at ut odio. Nullam risus lorem, auctor ac nibh sed, suscipit condimentum augue

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


What do we value more in our classrooms, enduring learning or a classroom full of compliant, high scoring children who only value grades?
School systems have traditionally trained children to be good little drones who answer questions with right answers and do as they're told.
Unfortunately, in today's reality, just following directions isn't good enough.
Classroom environments must be rich, adventure producing, risk promoting atmospheres that allow students to be naturally curious, ask sometimes unanswerable questions and promote skills that seek new solutions.
The Peel Schools in Ontario are doing that and they are not alone.
Teachers who actively put students in the driver's seat of their own learning engage kids to prepare for their futures as modern lifelong learners. The don't merely seek the one right answer, but broaden questions to understand there are many possibilities and they know how to talk about. And although they may not know all of them, the certainly know how and where to look for answers.
One way we can change learning environments is getting rid of grades and deemphasizing the importance of marks. Teaching students to address skills and content they know about and which they need help with by providing them with multiple opportunities to learn in different ways and teaching them a vocabulary to communicate it.
As we continue to shift our beliefs about assessment, we must be honest with ourselves and each other. Learning is messy and taking risks means that some attempts will fail, not just for the student learner, but for the teacher as well. If we are going to truly shift this practice, this must be a team effort supported by school leaders and parents, changing the conversations. In this way, we will no longer have to worry about some systemic constraints that will have to shift over time with it.
For example, post-secondary education will eventually need to start looking portfolios or other measures of learning if we change the way report cards look. We will have to stop ranking kids like they are animals at the country fair. We can promote individuality and collaboration at the same time.
Every learner deserves a chance to grow and feel about his/her self as he/she does it.


RSA House, the award-winning venue in Central London, last Friday (8th February) welcomed over 100 of London's top event professionals to an Open House at the venue.
Labelled a must see venue, RSA House hosted specially curated sessions around the theme of wellness, which left guests feeling inspired and motivated. The Open House was also the perfect opportunity to experience RSA House first hand as an event venue and meet the venue team.
A relaxing sound bath held in the Great Room was led by Harriet Emily, who guided guests on a tranquil journey to relax and unwind through the sounds of a gong and crystal singing bowls.
With RSA House launching their new DDR menu 'Fuelling not Feeding', based on low GI foods designed to keep delegates revitalised and engaged all day long, the venue's executive head chef Darren Archer led a workshop with guests able to create their own energy balls.
London PR agency Triggerfish hosted a digital masterclass sharing industry tips on how to amplify an event on social media by increasing visibility, driving guest engagement and the best ways in which to keep the conversation going post-event.
As part of National Storytelling Week RSA fellows took centre stage at the bottom of 'The Steps' in the mini amphitheatre in Rawthmells Coffee House for Friday Conversations sharing positive change stories on how their work has had an impact.
A Lunch and Learn session was hosted in The Vaults featuring dishes from RSA's new grazer lunch menu. A newly curated wine menu was also selected in partnership with wine merchant Ellis Wines. During the session guests had the opportunity to network, try new dishes, and explore some exciting and unusual wines.
Emma Gaymer, Sales and Marketing Manager at RSA House, says: "We were thrilled to have had such a positive response to this year's Open House, it was a pleasure to share the day with top industry event professionals, and to host a showcase with purpose.


Yes I have a therapist; and fortunately so, because therapy has made my life a whole lot better, and made me a whole lot easier to live with.
But therapy is a practice?
What is practice anyway? It's a means to mastering some skill. The skill I work on in therapy is self-awareness, and relating to others.
Therapy is my practice dojo for learning trust, vulnerability, and honesty. Part of what makes therapy work is that you're paying this person to keep your secrets, and if they don't they can lose their license. This enables you to look into the dark places of your soul, admit to yourself and your therapist they're there, and begin to understand why.
Everything that walks in the light casts a shadow. The only way to avoid casting a shadow is to walk in darkness. Our shadow selves come from trying to find ways to cope with the world. They are the part of ourselves we'd like to hide from the world, the part we are ashamed of, and the part we want to deny exists.
Embracing the shadow is embracing ourselves; it means accepting who we are. Deny our shadow and deny our own self-acceptance. Grace comes from that acceptance, and can lead not only to our own acceptance, but accepting our spouse, our children, our parents, and so on. It's a profoundly healing experience.
That's a hard path to walk alone. A good therapist can help us find that path to trust, vulnerability, and to honesty; a path that leads into our own darkness; but there is light and wholeness on the other side.
4) And level of vulnerability.
By propinquity I mean proximity or distance. We are much more likely to be acquainted with those in close proximity to us than we are with those who are far away. One way to improve an acquaintance is to shorten the distance between you.
The more interests we share with a person, or the greater our intensity of interest in a shared passion, the more we will be attracted to that person. The more we cultivate those interests, the more we will have to talk about, and the more interesting will become our conversation.
Our level of trust in an acquaintance is indicative of our expectation of honesty and reliability from the other. For trust to grow our actions must be consistent with our conversation and commitments. We want to spend our time with people we trust.
Our level of vulnerability is the extent to which we are willing to reveal those parts of ourselves of which we are ashamed, or those parts which if injured in some way, could do us great harm. Vulnerability allows us to bring to light those parts of ourselves hidden in darkness. With a friend vulnerability can be transformative. But if that vulnerability is betrayed, it can be shattering. For vulnerability to grow between friends, what is shared in confidence must be treasured in the heart and protected from gossip.
A social practice then should seek to shorten distance between acquaintances, seek and cultivate those who share our interests, build trust, and encourage and protect our mutual vulnerability.


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Should Your Hotel Focus on GDS Portals or OTAs For Maximum Exposure?
Hoteliers today have access to a wide variety of marketing and distribution tools. The cloud has provided hospitality professionals with the ideal platform to utilize enterprise-level systems. Any independent hotel today can attract travelers around the world by showcasing their properties on global networks.
There are two ways hotels can go about this – using a channel manager to integrate to OTAs, and the GDS to sell through travel agencies.
GDS networks are amongst the oldest distributors of hotel rooms in the industry, so their significance cannot be ignored. The platform can be thought of as the intermediator that connects the suppliers and distributors. Once you connect to the GDS, your rooms are available to travel agents who can them sell directly to their customers – both corporate as well as leisure.
Amadeus, SABRE and Travelport are the largest players in the industry.
You can distribute your rooms on the GDS using any of the three models – the retail, merchant or the opaque model. The retail model enables you to sell your rooms on traditional platforms such as brick-and-mortar stores and travel agents. These travel agents are also connected to the GDS networks and can pick up your inventory from the pool, with commissions paid for every successful booking.
The merchant model allows OTAs to distribute your rooms from the GDS pool, so your inventory is sold by offline as well as online travel agents. This is quite expensive though, as you end up paying a commission to not just the GDS service provider, but even the OTA. While it's not necessary for your hotel to have a merchant agreement to allow OTAs to sell your rooms, it's likely that your property will be featured towards in the end of the lists without a paid partnership.
The last is the opaque model – here, guests do not know the specific property they'll be staying at until after confirming the reservation. Bookings are usually made based on bids by guests.
The GDS is the ideal platform for the smaller accommodation providers, who can utilize the platform to connect to travel agents and corporate clients. Try to avoid the merchant model as it requires that you pay a commission to two parties instead of just one.
While the GDS is a fantastic platform to connect your hotel to corporate buyers, the network is used more for other travel related bookings apart from accommodation such as airlines reservations, rentals and so on. In fact, almost 90% of Amadeus' revenue comes from airline bookings!
These trends point explicitly to channel managers and OTAs. Channel managers are great for displaying your rooms to millions of prospective visitors. They also enable you to control your rates and inventory across all channels on a single point of control. Most channel managers require a monthly subscription plan, just like the PMS – unless you sign up for Hotelogix system, where you get a free-in-perpetuity channel manager with any of our property management plans.
You can learn more about our management and distribution systems here.
"Should Your Hotel Focus on GDS Portals or OTAs For Maximum Exposure?", 5 out of 5 based on 1 ratings.


The problem with the assertions and assurances issued by the hard-line Czechoslovak plotters and their sponsors was not just that they failed to materialise, but that they were contradicted clearly and publicly. The events from the late night of 20 August through to the 23rd, stripped all potential legitimacy from the actions of the domestic pro-Soviets and the invaders, isolating the former as supposed quislings and freezing them in political stasis – the support of the armies that had just militarily seized control of Czechoslovakia could not overcome the "stigma of treason"1 that they had simultaneously imposed upon Biľak, Indra and the "healthy forces".
This was a defensive contrast with 1956, made to strident Communist critics of intervention, arguing once again that despite the overt peacefulness of the Prague Spring, its purposes and the forces behind it were the same and required the same response. Not only was this a reiteration of the creeping counter-revolution thesis that had begun to dominate references to the Hungarian uprising among the five once the Soviet use of it had shifted from warning to justification, this was its strange, logical denouement. For in this and other statements of these days, the intervening parties mostly abandoned suggestions that the quiet counter-revolution could culminate in a more open and bloody manifestation. It was "elections" that would have, in this view, completed the counter-revolution in Czechoslovakia, and the Fourteenth Congress, which the five believed they had forestalled, would have paved the way.
Brezhnev's use of Hungary's 1956 to contrastingly define the current situation was loaded with pertinent and telling assessments of both the Hungarian past and Czechoslovak present. Even though the pre-invasion promises of a pro-Soviet majority on the KSČ Presidium had failed to materialise, it seemed broadly accurate for Brezhnev to imply that the Soviets had more places to look for support within the governing structure of the 1968 Czechoslovak Party and state than they did in the Hungarian equivalents of 1956. Certainly the robustness of the KSČ in August 1968 compared favourably to a Hungarian Party in October 1956 that was utterly disintegrating, but that was a current strength that the Soviets had mostly refused and failed to recognise thanks to their assessment of the Party's abdication of the responsibility to lead, and now could not take advantage of thanks to the Vysočany Congress' firm rejection of the invasion. However, while Kádár probably was the outstanding candidate to lead a post-invasion regime in Hungary in 1956, it was a peculiar and disingenuous exaggeration for Brezhnev to claim that "there was no one but Kádár", which owed more to the Soviet myths of 1956 than the realities. Although Kádár had by no means been a disciple of Nagy in 1956, he was also thoroughly implicated in his government's decisions, including the declaration of neutrality that followed Soviet military actions on 1 November 1956. Furthermore, Kádár was accompanied throughout his secret Moscow discussions at the beginning of November by another member of both government and Politburo, Ferenc Münnich, as well as eventually by Foreign Minister Imre Horváth, and was joined in his declaration of a new revolutionary workers' and peasants' government by Münnich, Antal Apró (Deputy Prime Minister and Politburo member), and another minister, István Kossa. In his discussions with Kádár on 3 November, Khrushchev mentioned ten additional candidates to serve in the new regime. Kádár certainly was not the only one the Soviets could turn to in 1956 to form a new regime.32 But while Brezhnev was exaggerating the lack of political options in 1956, he was also knowingly overestimating the options in the present, which the public failure of his own political plan had significantly narrowed. The fact that Dubček was talking face to face with Brezhnev on 23 August and not either dead or imprisoned was testament enough to that. The next day, Brezhnev himself admitted to his fellow bloc leaders that "Dubček and Černík had to be included in the negotiations because otherwise there would be no one to talk to".33 All the senior members of the Czechoslovak Party and government who had supported the invasion had proven themselves unable to seize the reins of power.
But Brezhnev's use of a comparatively negative assessment of the "predicament" facing the Soviets and their allies in 1956 only made sense, of course, in connection with a positive portrayal of the result. Everything is normal in Hungary. The people have grown, learned. This was the outcome that Brezhnev was appealing to Dubček to work towards and it demonstrates once more how little he understood his Czechoslovak counterpart. Leaving aside the matter of how much Hungary's status at this point could be regarded as normal, it was by no means an enticing goal for a reformer whose purpose as leader had been to overturn the entrenched modus operandi of Party and state in Czechoslovakia. Brezhnev's assessment also turns the Soviet military intervention in Hungary into an almost pedagogical act that succeeded in leading to a more informed and mature Hungarian citizenry. This was a kind of "education" that Dubček was not seeking for his people.
This is a strangely apt note on which to conclude our consideration of the use of Hungary's 1956 in defining the Czechoslovak events of 1968. On the afternoon of 23 October 1956 – when no one knew that an uprising was in the process of spontaneously emerging – young Hungarian men and women had marched to the square in Buda that bore the name of a Polish general, with the name of Gomułka on their lips. A reformer, a vindicated victim of Stalinism, had ascended to power in Warsaw, overcoming the intimidation of the Soviet Union. This was their inspiration on that momentous day. Only twelve years later, Gomułka looked back on the Soviet martial imposition of a new dependent regime on Hungary, just twelve days after that hopeful protest on Bem Square, and suggested to the leaders of five fellow Communist countries that this had been a clean and satisfactory way to re-establish control from which they could learn in 1968.
Hungary's 1956 had been a ghostly presence throughout the Czechoslovak crisis. Even for those adamantly opposed to the Prague Spring, it had mostly represented a situation to be avoided. Both the allegedly counter-revolutionary events and the Soviet military response in 1956 were explicitly utilised as a warning about what could happen in 1968. By July and August, however, for the Soviets and those disposed to intervention, the references became defensive justifications for what would happen. In response, it was mostly left to the Czechoslovaks themselves to distinguish between the two events, often vociferously. But here in Moscow – in the view of a former Polish reformer – three days after the five armies had invaded Czechoslovakia – Hungary's 1956 became another trophy of Communist power; a model of how to get things done.
* The present chapter edited by Hungarian Review is from David A. J. Reynolds, Revising History, Constructing Counter-revolution: The Meaning of Hungary's 1956 and the Definition of the Prague Spring, March 2016, unpublished manuscript.
1 Indra himself used this term to describe the fate of new leaders in this situation.
2 Alexander Dubček, Hope Dies Last: The Autobiography of Alexander Dubček, trans. Jiří Hochman (New York: Kodansha, 1993), 175–181; Karen Dawisha, The Kremlin and the Prague Spring (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1984), 320–322; Galia Golan, Reform Rule in Czechoslovakia: The Dubček Era, 1968–1969 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1973), 235; "Document No. 115: Discussion Involving Certain Members of the CPCz Presidium and Secretariat, at the Soviet Embassy and the CSSR President's Office, August 22, 1968 (Excerpts)", Jaromír Navrátil, ed., The Prague Spring 1968: A National Security Archive Documents Reader. (Budapest: Central European University Press, 1998), 463; "Document No. 100: Statement by CPCz Presidium Condemning the Warsaw Pact Invasion, August 21, 1968", Navrátil, 415–416.
3 In June 2004, Hoffmann was sentenced to four years in prison for "abuse of office" for his actions in the early hours of 21 August that prevented the broadcast of the Presidium's proclamation, and any other broadcasts, for a few hours. After both Hoffmann and the prosecutor appealed, the High Court changed the charge to sabotage and increased the sentence to six years ("Top communist loses appeal, gets raised sentence for aiding Soviet invasion", Radio Prague: www.radio.cz/en/section/ curraffrs/top-communist-loses-appeal-gets-raised-sentence-for-aiding-soviet-invasion).
4 Fred H. Eidlin, The Logic of "Normalization": The Soviet Intervention in Czechoslovakia of August 21, 1968 and the Czechoslovak Response (Boulder: Eastern European Monographs, 1980), 106–112; Dawisha, 323.
5 "Leonid Brezhnev's Speech at a Meeting of the 'Warsaw Five' in Moscow, August 18, 1968 (Excerpts)", Navrátil, 391.
12 "Vysočany Congress", (English subtitles by Learning Film Group), Fiks Budraitskis Oleynikov (2008): https://vimeo.com/27149238.
15 "Document No. 115: Discussion Involving Certain Members of the CPCz Presidium and Secretariat, at the Soviet Embassy and the CSSR President's Office, August 22, 1968 (Excerpts)", Navrátil, 461–462.
17 Grzegorz Ekiert, The State against Society: Political Crises and Their Aftermath in East Central Europe (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1996), 182.
18 "Discussion Involving Certain Members of the CPCz Presidium and Secretariat, at the Soviet Embassy and the CSSR President's Office, August 22, 1968", Navrátil 463.
19 Charles Andras, "Pelikan's Book: Key Documents in Recent Czechoslovak History" (Radio Free Europe Research, 3 February 1970), Open Society Archive: osaarchivum.org/files/holdings/300/8/3/ text/20-3-345.shtml (accessed 8 March 2016).
24 Of all the exaggerations expressed by the invading powers, this may have been the most egregiously counter-factual. The idea that the Central Committee elected by the Fourteenth Congress would adopt an anti-Communist stance was utterly contradicted by the following day's improvised convocation of the Congress.
25 "Letter from the Central Committees of the Bulgarian, East German, Hungarian, Polish, and Soviet Communist Parties regarding the Warsaw Pact intervention in Czechoslovakia", Wilson Center Digital Archive: digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/document/110458.
27 This conclusion is objectively underlined by the remarkable results of public opinion polling before the invasion: Jaroslaw Piekalkiewicz, "Public Political Opinion in Czechoslovakia During the Dubcek Era", in E. J. Czerwinski and Jaroslaw Piekalkiewicz, eds., The Soviet Invasion of Czechoslovakia: Its Effects on Eastern Europe (New York: Praeger, 1972), 13–41.
28 "Document 64: The Czechoslovak 'Black Book'", in Remington, 409.
31 "Document No. 116: Stenographic Account of Alexander Dubcek's Talks with Leonid Brezhnev and Other Members of the CPSU CC Politburo, August 23, 1968 (Excerpts)", Navrátil, 468.
32 "Stenographic record of a 4 November 1956 meeting of Party activists"; "Document No. 79: Working notes of Imre Horváth from the Session of the CPSU Politburo, November 3, 1956", in Csaba Békés, Malcolm Byrne, János M. Rainer, eds., The 1956 Hungarian Revolution: A History in Documents (Budapest: CEU Press, 2002), 359–60.
33 "Document No. 118: Minutes of the First Post-Invasion Meeting of the 'Warsaw Five' in Moscow, August 24, 1968", Navrátil, 476–477.


The ever active and prolific British of The Bike Shed invented the Cafe Racer Cup.
The Cafe Racer Cup is designed to get more people on-track, on bikes they normally ride on the road, while celebrating the return of the ubiquitous Cafe Racer.
It was the Cafe Racer that started the whole modern-retro motorcycle resurgence, and while the brats, scramblers, bobbers and flat-trackers get all the glory, we still love a fast-looking bike with clip-ons, rear-sets, a single seat and chin-on-the-tank attitude. Add number decals and an electrical-tape X on the headlight, and the game is on.
The format for the ride is just like a Track Day, but aimed at complete novices and those with modest track skills. Unusually for a Track day event, all bikes will be fitted with transponders, so you can see your lap times improve, and we will group riders into sets where people are lapping at similar speeds – regardless of the bike they are riding.
To qualify to ride, the are 90 places, and you must be on a Cafe Racer, and we'll try to make it clear what that means… No modern sports-bikes please. Your bike should have clip-ons, rear-sets, road tyres and ideally single seat. Half fairings and bikini fairings are permitted, but no full race bikes or track-day bikes will be allowed. We expect most riders to ride their bike to the track, and leave the same way – in one piece. If you bring your bike in a van, we assume you've come a long way and are giving people a lift!
On the Lydden Hill Race Circuit circuit, Wootton, Canterbury, Kent, the race will take place on Saturday, July 21st, with the crowded publicity grid, in fact the 90 available seats went almost immediately all sold out.


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You are here: Home / Health / Medicine / Board releases to-do list for children's mental health services in Iowa
Board releases to-do list for children's mental health services in Iowa
November 16, 2018 By Radio Iowa Contributor
Jerry Foxhoven (file photo)
A state board has completed its plan for greatly expanding options for Iowa children who need mental health care services. Department of Human Services Director Jerry Foxhoven says he's optimistic lawmakers and the governor will implement the board's proposals.
"We looked at what is doable quickly and what is most important quickly, so we know we need crisis services," Foxhoven says. "We know that we need, like, an 800 hotline. We know that we need universal screenings — so some of those steps we require almost immediately."
The plan calls for mental health screening of Iowa children under the age of 18, so parents and professionals can perhaps intervene earlier — before there's a crisis. Peggy Huppert, the leader of a mental health advocacy group, says she's encouraged by the recommendations, but she cautions that lawmakers will have to find money somewhere to make the entire plan a reality.
Foxhoven says he's optimistic lawmakers will make it a priority.
"There's been such a commitment from the governor and from both sides of the aisle that it's worth putting money into it," Foxhoven says.
There's no estimate, yet, of exactly how much money is needed to implement the plan.
(Thanks to Iowa Public Radio's Katarina Sostaric)
Filed Under: Health / Medicine, News, Politics / Govt Tagged With: Insurance, Kim Reynolds, Legislature

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Arch Intern Med. 1995 Aug 7-21;155(15):1605-9.
The incidence of herpes zoster.
Donahue JG1, Choo PW, Manson JE, Platt R.
Channing Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Mass., USA.
There are few population-based studies of the natural history and epidemiology of herpes zoster. Although a relatively common cause of morbidity, especially among the elderly, contemporary estimates of herpes zoster incidence are lacking. Herein we describe a population-based investigation of incident and recurrent herpes zoster from 1990 through 1992 in a health maintenance organization.
The health maintenance organization's automated medical records contain clinical and administrative information about care rendered to patients in ambulatory settings, emergency departments, and hospitals. Cases of herpes zoster were ascertained by screening the medical record for coded diagnoses. The predictive value of a herpes zoster diagnosis code was determined by review of a sample of patient records. Records from all patients with potential recurrences were also reviewed.
The overall incidence, based on 1075 cases in 500,408 person-years, was 215 per 100,000 person-years (95% confidence interval, 192 to 240 per 100,000) and did not vary by gender. Although the rate increased sharply with age, approximately 5% of the cases occurred among children younger than 15 years. Infection with human immunodeficiency virus was documented in 5% of the persons with incident herpes zoster and cancer in 6%. Four persons had confirmed recurrences of herpes zoster (744 per 100,000 person-years; 95% confidence interval, 203 to 1907); three of these persons were infected with the human immunodeficiency virus.
The recorded incidence of herpes zoster was 64% higher than that reported 30 years ago; the age-standardized rate was more than twofold higher. Immunosuppressive conditions had little impact on overall incidence, although they were strongly associated with early recurrences.
Diagnosis-Related Groups
Herpes Zoster/complications
Herpes Zoster/epidemiology*
Massachusetts/epidemiology
Shingles - MedlinePlus Health Information


Equal pay is the buzzword these days and whether or not it is included in Hospital Reimbursement Solutions , it will eventually be a topic that will have to be addressed. Statistically all around the world, women are being paid less than men. Some cities and countries are trying to enact equal pay laws but there is still a long way to go.
In 2006, all women combined earned only 77 cents for every dollar earned by men.
African American women earn only 63 cents on the dollar earned by men.
Hispanic American women earn only 52 cents on the dollar earned by men.
According to the Katherine Lewis, Guide to Working Moms, the above statistics are actually worse: According to a study in part conducted by WomenCertified, a women's consumer advocacy and retail training organization, women spend $4 trillion annually, accounting for 83% of all U.S. Consumer spending – or, an astounding two-thirds of the nation's gross national product.
With equal pay, women will have a higher buying power which will grow the economy. Women already share a large part of the current buying power if not more and this also includes products made for meN. Women love to shop. Nearly a quarter of all video games are purchased by consumers aged 40 and older, and 38% of all video game sales are made by women. In fact, even when it comes to "men's" products including sports items and expensive cars, women still spend more than men.
With increased pay women will not just have a higher buying power but they will also contribute greatly to the growth of the economy. Women are the main customers at home and an increase in purchasing power leads to a boom in the economy. A whopping 85 percent of purchasing decisions are made by women. They decide on most everyday items, like groceries and clothing, as well as on half of all automobiles, home-improvement products and consumer electronics purchased in the United States.
Over the next decade, women are expected to control two-thirds of consumer spending, according to a 2012 study by strategic communications firm FleishmanHillard and Hearst Magazines.
Economist Heidi Hartmann, president of the Institute for Women's Policy Research, calculated it would be enough to expand the economy by at least 3 to 4 percentage points — an effect even greater when you take into account the fact that pay hikes would entice more women to join the workforce.
The middle class has been referred to is the heart of an economy and there is truth to this. Equal pay would mean a stronger more vibrant middle class. Receiving smaller paychecks than their male equals at the workplace has cost women a lot of money. Over the course of her a career, a woman can lose between $700,000 and $2 million. With record numbers of women contributing to household incomes, the lack of equal pay for women for the same work hurts all middle-class families, including the men and children who rely on their contributions.
In middle-class families, a woman brings home around a third of the household's total income. When a wife works there is increased upward mobility and when the wife earns what they are worth it's even more increase in financial mobility and a faster-growing working class. It also means more families would be able to grow financially and join the working class. Additional income makes a key difference in families as they are able to pull ahead economically.
Just paying women fairly, according to a regression analysis of federal data by the Institute for Women's Policy Research, would cut the poverty rate for working women in half. Women of color are particularly hurt by pay disparities; African-American women earn only 64 cents to a white man's dollar, and Latinas take home a mere 54 cents.
poverty continues to rise and spread and the pay gap contributes to that. A recent report showed that a third of American women either live in poverty or are just on the brink. Why do women experience an unequal burden of poverty?
Maybe because a lot of them are the breadwinners and have to take care of more children than their male counterparts who earn more. In most child custody arrangement the woman has more time with the kids or all the time yet they earn less. This means more mouths to feed with less money.
The wage gap puts a terrible burden on families with only one female earner, which particularly hits African-American and Latino communities, where women are likely to support families on their own. The wage gap also increases the likelihood that women of retirement age will slip into poverty because their pensions and Social Security checks are shrunken by years of lower pay.


The plan was also reportedly lined up with Trump's longstanding determination to withdraw U.S. troops from South Korea because the U.S. is not "adequately compensated for the cost," and he feels their presence has become superfluous.
Pentagon officials reportedly were "rattled" by the secret withdrawal plan because they feared it would leave South Korea and Japan feeling abandoned and vulnerable at the very moment the U.S. needs their unwavering support.
On the other hand, the same NYT report said officials "emphasized that rethinking the size and configuration of the American force was overdue, regardless of the sudden flowering of diplomacy with North Korea." Evidently, some officials were much more "rattled" than others.
National Security Adviser John Bolton and the Pentagon disputed the report in very strong terms on Friday.
"The New York Times story is utter nonsense. The President has not asked the Pentagon to provide options for reducing American forces stationed in South Korea," said Bolton.
"The New York Times story is false. The President has not asked the Pentagon to provide options for reducing American forces stationed in South Korea. The Department of Defense's mission in South Korea remains the same, and our force posture has not changed," said Defense Department spokesman Lt. Col. Christopher Logan.
Late on Friday morning, President Trump himself weighed in from Air Force One and stated U.S. troop withdrawal is "not on the table" for his summit with Kim Jong-un.
The Daily Beast noted that many analysts and officials in South Korea expect some form of American troop drawdown as the result of successful negotiations with North Korea, either as a point agreed to during negotiations or as the inevitable result of improved relations on the Korean peninsula. For that matter, some influential South Koreans desire the reduction of American troop levels, a point made in the original New York Times article as well.


Classically beautiful design underpins the Marc Fisher aesthetic, which has been developed by a designer born into an American footwear family. In creating his eponymous brand, Marc Fisher has focused on shoes that fit and flatter but also work with every day life. The dual combination of functional engineered looks and a fashion conscious aesthetic produces a footwear collection that is essential to the contemporary closet. Shop the line of ankle boots from Marc Fisher for fur lined booties, fringed boots and sleek patent styles.
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Thank You! An email with MyCAA program information has been sent to you. One of our Education Consultants will give you a call in 1-2 business days with additional information. Want to talk to someone immediately? Give us a call at 800–734–1175.
You can select a meeting time below that works for your schedule and book it today. We'll make sure to follow-up over email even if you skip this step.
You can submit a pre-enrollment application today, too. This helps us serve you more efficiently and check your eligibility for financial assistance.


A former top Rugby Union player and coach, Sir Clive Woodward was head coach of the England team that won the Rugby World Cup in 2003. Sir Clive went on to work as the Team GB Director of Sport from 2006-2012, leaving the role after the phenomenal success of Team GB in the 2012 London Olympics. As a speaker Sir Clive shares his insights into sporting success, leadership and management drawing on a wealth of experience from his storied career.


Unique color hints help kids master phonics! The bingo games and word card activities will help kids learn 24 words and read a short passage about kangaroos. Both black and color resources are included so you can compare results.Also see similar resources about giraffes, elephants, frogs, and snakes. Take a look at the preview!


The fifth universal law is the Law of Rhythm, which says that everything that has been manifested has a measured motion, a flow and inflow, a swing forward and backward, a pendulum-like movement, a high tide, and a low tide. This law is closely related to the Law of Polarity.
The Law of Rhythm can swing to the negative pole or to the positive pole, or can swing towards either pole.
As with babies who were born, they eventual grow, live, and then pass; only for their consciousness to be reborn again and take another shape and form.
Everything swings from birth to death, activity to inactivity, being rich and being poor, weight gain and weight loss, clear skin and bad skin, getting the best job and losing that job, winning the lottery and bankruptcy, the rise and fall of a great leader, the swing from summer to winter, and so on. There is no such thing as absolute rest — everything is always in motion, always moving, always changing.
As with relationships, there is being together in a happy and blissful relationship, and then there's the breakup or separation.
The Law of Rhythm can also be seen in your journey to getting back with your ex. Some days you feel like giving up on your ex and just curl up in bed, but other times you feel motivated to be the best version of yourself so that you can finally manifest them back into your life. These are perplexing changes that we notice in ourselves and around us that we can't seem to understand.
The Law of Rhythm states that there is no such thing as a permanent mood. You can't expect yourself to be positive and happy all the time. You will always have changes in your mood, and you will always have the "rise and fall" in the quality of your thoughts.
The good news is the Law of Rhythm is a mutable law, which means that you can transcend and rise above it. As always, you can only transcend something if you FOCUS your mind on the creation of your desire. Which means that you need to have the mental and emotional discipline to direct your thoughts and feelings to focus only on thoughts of love.
When a negative situation comes up and you let it affect you, it can affect the rhythm of your creation. If your creation has been swinging to the right or forward all this time because of your high vibrations, by letting a negative situation affect you, your creation will swing to the left or backward. It's like taking two steps forward when you're thinking positive, and one step backward for thinking negative. The swing in your moods can derail the manifestation of your desire.
The correct way of dealing with negative thoughts is to rise above them and let them pass.
So, if you found a photo of your ex with another woman on Facebook, or you heard that they are with someone new, just ignore and let it go.
If your ex didn't reply to your text or didn't return your call, just need to shrug it off and continue to enjoy your day!
Do not investigate and do not ask. Pretend that the things that you don't like don't exist. You should already know by now that what you focus on grows, and what you ignore disappears.
If you deal with negative thoughts in this way, your creation will not be affected, will not take a swing backward and will keep swinging forward.
Always refuse to participate in the backward swing of your emotional pendulum. Always focus your eyes on your end goal, in this case, your desire to be re-united with your ex, and always vibrate in love.
If you have these mood swings, it only means one thing: you haven't made a decision yet to consciously or willfully direct your thoughts. You become like the majority of the people who want to reconcile with their exes but do not possess the mental and the emotional discipline to direct their thoughts, which results to erratic feelings.
The Law of Rhythm will always take effect, but since it is a mutable law, YOU HAVE A CHOICE whether to be carried away by that rhythm or not.
Through the entire duration of this FREE COURSE, I prepared this visualization for you to practice morning and night.
You can create your own version but make sure the important elements are still intact.
As soon as you wake up in the morning or before you sleep at night, you need to set a time and place for Conscious Creation.
Before you start the session, make sure you are in a quiet place alone. I usually do my Conscious Creation session in my bedroom while sitting on my chair. I recommend that you sit on a chair so you can focus on your mental images without dozing off.
Unless you can mentally focus on one thing and one thing only without your mind chatter getting in the way, it is important for your body and mind to reach the Alpha state or what others call the "sleepy state".
My favorite technique to get into Alpha is to sit still with my eyes closed and then empty my mind. If this is challenging, I suggest that you count from 100 to 1 or do some breathing exercises until you feel fully relaxed.
You'll know that you have reached the "alpha state of mind" when you feel totally relaxed and have no care in the world.
The next step is to do your Conscious Creation in the Mental Plane using your thoughts and feelings. Do not use words or exert any physical efforts in the Physical Plane. All creations must be done in the Mental Plane only.
In your mind's eye, invite your partner to come into your presence. If you are in a room, imagine them in the same room as you.
Imagine them happy, just happy on their own. Not with you, not with anyone else. Don't add any person to the scene.
Don't add other scenarios. Just focus on the person you love being alone and see them happy on their own.
See their bright smile and hear their contagious laughter. Feel their happiness radiate around the room.
Don't see them happy with anyone else. Don't see them happy with you. In fact, don't see yourself with them for now.
Just see them happy alone. Imagine them in their happiest moment.
You don't need to know the reason for their happiness. You don't need to know what motivates them to be happy.
Just focus on them being happy.
Imagine this scenario as vividly as you can.
If you find it hard to visualize your loved one happy, look at a photo of them smiling. Remember every detail of their facial expression. Then see them with that same facial expression in the room.
Make sure that you don't see your loved one from afar that it would be impossible for you to recognize their face. When you see them far away from you, your subconscious blocks them from being with you.
The correct distance is close enough so you can easily touch or dance with your loved one. Their facial expression and the details of their face must be clear for you to see so that when you stretch your hand, you can easily reach them.
Look at them happy and smiling from your vantage point. Feel their presence and high vibrations. Their happiness is infectious and you can't help but smile or laugh with them.
The next step is to invite your loved one to sit down and watch a movie with you.
Imagine as if they were beside you right now, as if this were happening in real life right now.
Make sure that you don't see yourself as you watch a movie with your loved one unless you look at yourself in the mirror.
Imagine being comfortable beside each other. Imagine feeling grateful and happy being together.
Imagine yourselves in the living room of your own house. Imagine yourselves living together and enjoying each other's company. Imagine it real as possible.
As you watch a movie with your loved one, see yourselves in the movie.
See yourselves live your ideal life as a couple. See scenes from your travels, your engagement, your wedding day, family get together, lunch dates with friends, and if you wish to have a family of your own, see movie clips from your child's first birthday.
Imagine as if you have chronicled your lives together through the years. See the photos and watch the videos of your wonderful life together!
Tell your partner that you're happy to live your life together and that you're happy to share memories together.
Tell your partner that you can't wait to create more memories together.
Then watch their facial expression.
Imagine your loved one happy as well.
See them happy and content with their life with you.
Feel them happy with you now.
Then, seal the moment with a kiss.


recipe and he agreed. I was really excited!
It was a little tricky finding just the right cake. Should I go with a British recipe like a sponge or should I try and find a classic American vanilla cake with chocolate frosting? With dried fruit or plain? And from which source would I find the recipe? In one of my books, a pamphlet, or magazine? In the end I settled on a unique recipe for Raised Chocolate Cakewith Sugarless Boiled Frostingfrom Grandma's Wartime Kitchen by Joanne Lamb Hayes which I've mentioned on here before. Her book has an index in the back, so since I was in a rush, her book was the easy choice!
This cake recipe is pretty standard except that it calls for yeast. I've never heard of a cake that called for yeast, so I was very intrigued.
For this week's ration recipe I thought I'd give the Brits a try. I love reading about the British homefront stories of WWII, and it's wonderful because there is so much to read about. I have very special and fond memories of going to do WWII research at the incredible Imperial War Museum in London and reading about British women during the war. If you're ever in London, that is a must-see place to visit!
My recipe for this week is an interesting one: Scotch Eggs. In a quick internet search I found that the term "Scotch Eggs" originated in Scotland, but the date of the actual creation of the dish is debatable. Scotch Eggs basically consist of a hard boiled egg coated in mince or sausage meat and bread crumbs then baked or fried. I thought it sounded delicious!
Last night was near zero degrees with a bitter wind blowing about the corners of our little farmhouse. How I wished for a wood burning stove! The next best thing, however, would be a small plate of warm cookies to go with my hot, herbal red chai dosed liberally with milk. And since the kids were in bed and my husband was on the computer doing research for some future home projects, I thought it would be the perfect time to dive right into my first week of rationing recipes.
Obviously, I don't live in a world today where rationing is an issue, but I know I can learn a lot by cooking recipes used when rationing was a reality of life. There's nothing like experiencing it first hand instead of just reading about it in a book.
So, you may (or may not) have noticed that I've had a lack of sewing projects posted on here. Well, that's because I have not done a lick of sewing since I posted last about it (besides one gift). I tend to go through phases where I rotate through various interests of mine. The past few months have been dedicated to learning Korean, doing research on homeschooling stuff, and getting things organized for my WWII reading project. I scaled back on a lot of personal projects just for survival's sake while my husband was overseas for a few months. Now that he's been home for a few weeks and the holidays are over, I feel like I have some more breathing room. Whew!
I'm planning another project to share on here which I will post about separately. I'm pretty excited about it because it involves cooking and baking with a historical twist.


We award the final Eagles Male Student-Athlete of the Week honor for 2017 to sophomore guard Blake Smith.
Smith, a native of Manchester, Kentucky, helped lead the Eagles to a split in two conference games this week.
In the 92-87 overtime victory at Brescia University on Saturday, he scored 17 points and added 5 rebounds and 2 assists. In the Eagles last second 87-86 defeat to IU Southeast, he led the club with 20 points while grabbing 6 rebounds.
In the two games, he averaged 18.5 points and 5.5 rebounds. He has helped lead his team to an 8-4 record, and they are currently tied for third place in the Western Division of the River States Conference at 2-2.