i don’t even really know what words to use.  i’m really disappointed in the way that adam chose to “express” himself at the american music awards.  i was a fan of him during the idol days, and to be honest, although i don’t personally agree with homosexuality, i’m not going to judge anyone based on that.  the problem with his performance at the AMAs is that it was trashy.  tasteless.  disgusting.  overly sexual.  i don’t know.  it’s not that i’m completely shocked, because as a whole, let’s be real, sex sells.  i guess i’m just shocked at how s&m the whole thing was.  it was just too over the top…and i was grimacing the whole time…not only at the…uh…motions, but also at the painful singing.  i was not impressed at all with his vocals, which is something that always wowed everyone when he was on idol.

all tastelessness aside, people (well, most people) don’t want to see what is basically soft-core porn in my opinion.  do whatever you want in your spare time, but on a network broadcast during primetime, that’s not something you do.  it wouldn’t be such a big deal to me if his “freedom of expression and artistic integrity” happened on a cable channel, but not only was he blowing up his career, but he was doing it at the expense of ABC.  it’s like the whole janet jackson/justin timberlake thing…the reason why every network television live broadcast has time delay.

did he even think about all of the people that have supported him?  all of the kids and their parents who voted for him on american idol and basically made him famous?  i feel like he just used and abused his celebrity status as a way to get his point of view across.  i guess it’s been done before, but i was still surprised.  i had a lot of respect for him when he was on american idol because he didn’t use it as a platform to fight for “equal rights.”  he didn’t make a big deal about how he was gay.  now this?  i don’t know.  i just feel like he went too far.  he just completely slapped so many people in the face.  i seriously doubt that there is anyone left “on the fence” about how they feel about him now.  he completely polarized anyone who saw the performance, and he’s going to have a hard time putting that back together if he ever wants to.

i think that in the end, that performance is going to hurt adam a lot more than it’s going to help him.  sure, any publicity is good publicity (at least according to speidi), and he definitely got people talking, but it was just too extreme.  whatever.  i’m just sad.

you can watch the video here if you want to, but i wouldn’t blame you if you just wanted to skip out.  it’s gross.

Better than a Flu Shot!

Miss Beatrice, The church organist, Was in her eighties
And had never been married. She was admired for her sweetness
And kindness to all.

One afternoon the pastor
Came to call on her and she showed him into her quaint sitting room. She invited him to have a seat while she prepared tea…

As he sat facing her old Hammond
organ, The young minister
Noticed a cut glass bowl Sitting on top of it. The bowl was filled
With water, and in the water
Floated, of all things, a condom!

When she returned With tea and
scones, They began to chat.
The pastor tried to stifle his
curiosity About the bowl of water and its strange floater, but soon it got the better of him and he could no longer resist.

‘Miss Beatrice’, he said,
‘I wonder if you would tell me about this?’ Pointing to the bowl.
‘Oh, yes,’ she replied, ‘Isn’t it
wonderful? I was walking through
The Park a few months ago
And I found this little package on the ground.

The directions said
To place it on the organ, Keep it wet and that it would prevent
the spread of disease…
Do you know I haven’t had the flu all winter.

Seorang teman seringkali mengeluh, mulai dari hal sepele hingga hal yang… sepele juga. Dan saya pun tidak berhenti memberikan saran atau sekedar membuatnya tenang. Namun keluhan itu terus datang, walau sesekali berhenti sih.

Saya menjadi berpikir, kenapa kita terus menerus mengeluh? Kenapa tidak mencoba menghitung rejeki dan berkat yang ada pada kita? Cobalah untuk bersyukur, count your blessings. Kalau mengeluh karena banyak kerjaan, coba lihat di sekitar, masih banyak orang yang kesulitan untuk mencari pekerjaan. Kalau mengeluh makanan tidak begitu enak dan mencoba membuang makanan tersebut, coba lihat di sekitar, masih banyak orang yang jangankan makan enak, untuk mengisi perut saja susah. Kalau mengeluh karena sakit, itu adalah teguran supaya kita mau menjaga kesehatan yang diberikan.

Cobalah lihat dunia dengan sudut pandang yang positif, jangan hanya melihat dari hal-hal negatifnya saja. Jika kita terus mengeluh, maka kita bukanlah orang yang bersyukur dan tidak menikmati hidup. Bersyukurlah masih diberikan nafas untuk menghirup udara. Bersyukurlah masih bisa menikmati makanan, walaupun harus dengan susah payah mendapatkannya. Bersyukurlah jika masih ada orang yang menyayangi dan memberikan perhatian. Jangan lupa juga berterima kasih kepada Penciptamu setiap hari karena masih diberikan kehidupan sampai saat ini. *duh saya kok jadi serius begini ya*

Memang sebaiknya kita berpikir positif dan optimis dalam hidup. Hey, life is indeed beautiful! Cobalah optimis dalam menghadapi semua hal. Janganlah memasang wajah yang ditekuk (maksudnya muka jutek ), cobalah pasang muka senyum, maka orang di sekitar kita pun akan ikut tersenyum terbawa semangat kita.

Kalau misalnya sedang bete, suntuk atau tiba-tiba malas, untuk mengembalikan mood biasanya saya membuat susu coklat hangat, chatting dengan teman, atau mendengarkan musik. Entah kenapa dengan mendengarkan musik saya serasa bisa mengobati rasa suntuk yang ada pada diri saya. Seperti kata salah satu lirik lagu, Let The Music Heal your Soul. Yes, music can be my mood booster.

Ngomong-ngomong soal musik, saya dikasih lagu sama teman saya. Lagu baru yang merupakan kolaborasikan 4 penyanyi, yaitu Ello, Ipank, Berry (Saint Loco) dan Lala berjudul “Buka Semangat baru.” Menurut saya lagunya asyik banget! Jadi semangat dan senyum-senyum melulu dengar lagu ini apalagi kalau ditemani chatting sama… *batuk batuk*. Bagian lirik yang saya sukai adalah yang ini:

.

Dengarkan hatimu, pastikan pilihanmu
Esok mentari kan datang, bawa sejuta harapan
Kita jumpa di sana, berbagi bersama
Dan kita tahu, pelangi yang satukan kita

.

Sudah pernah dengar belum? Saya cari-cari videonya tapi tampaknya belum ada. Jadi yang ingin dengar lagunya coba klik ke sini aja.

Bagi yang sedang memiliki masalah atau bimbang dengan segala hal, dengarkan hatimu dan pastikan pilihanmu. Hidup itu pilihan, bukan?! Jadi, apapun masalah yang kamu hadapi, tetaplah optimis dan berpikiran positif. Jalani hari-harimu dengan penuh semangat. Mari buka semangat baru. Semangat semangat semangat!! *senam SKJ*

Photo nyolong dari inmagine.com.

“Certificate of meritorious service presented to Chrissie Slade by the Council in recognition of many years loyal service to the Society.”

These were the words on the framed certificate received by my wonderful home visitor this weekend, along with an RSPCA pin brooch.

Chrissie joined ‘the team’ in 2002 as a home visitor and was also responsible for the original website. All that aside Chrissie has adopted more guineas from me than anyone else. Chrissie adopts the older guineas, Mr Happy being the oldest- adopted at 5 years old. Over the seven years Chrissie has adopted well over 10 guinea pigs from me including 3 pairs of boars, the famous Florence who left us aged 9 after spending 6 years as a Gorgeous Guinea and Marvellous Marbles (also one of the pairs of boars), whose bladder issues are well documented and often used as an example for helping other guineas in similar situations.

Chrissie has also been there for the real emergencies when I’ve been full, one of whom was the Gorgeous Eclipse who was about to be put to sleep because of his ’skin condition’ (but that’s another story!).

A home visitor that thinks along exactly the same lines as me is of prime importance, if we’re not thinking along the same lines and do not have the same ideals then it’s not a team that will work effectively for me. So a ‘thank you’ from me too, and all the guineas we have rehomed over the years
Karen (who thinks that words are not enough but some things need to be said )

Eclipse, who spent his first wheeks with Chrissie who also treated his skin condition along with Jenny at Active Vetcare.

(Save it, Baby! Count me in!)

So, it goes like this . . .

Hairspray haze, a couging mess.

Squinted eyelids shield me from the fog of beauty!

UGH!

Do you think it’s easy to get this beautiful?

Hair dye.

Shampoo, Conditioner.

Shave my fricking legs. Timberlines on either side of the razor. Holy Crap.

Lotion, “Slick me up like a greased hog! Whew Doggy! I want to get beautified, Momma!”

Right.

I hate lotion.

No dang lotion, okay?

Mousse.

Mineral freaking make-up.

8 cleansers.

Scrub.

Toner and 9 cotton pads later.

Eyeliner.

Shadow.

4 kinds of shadow, so you think I have some depth here.

I’ve got some friggin’ depth, okay?

Shadow primer. Give me an f-ing break. What a sales pitch.

Foundation. Yeah, we’re building a mountain here.

Conture color.

Bronzer.

Rouge.

Dusting Powder.

11 different expensive brushes. You’d think I was her highness, Oprah right?

Mascara on my puny, insignifigant eyelashes. Trying to make them more signfigant.

Okay, screw the lashes.

Blow dryer with a comb, and cone on the end. Makes it look like a blow horn. Helps me to yell at my kids. “Get out, I’m trying to frickin’ beautify myself. This is serious and dangerous business. Save yourselves! Get out!”

Whew.

Brush.

Hot Curlers.

ouch, Ouch. OUCH.

And, those ridiulous pins that are supposed to keep them in? Who the heck designed those?

Asshole.

These feel like hot coals in my hands. Burning, burning. Melting. Melting?

Aaaaah! Screaming.

“Get out I said!”

Bend all the way over in front of me and toss my hair around.

Toss, shake . . .

All the way forward . . .

Toss, and shake . . . open eyes

Ooops, forgot my underwear.

Where’s my freaking underwear?

“Who’s got Mommy’s underwear?”

Silence.

Cricket. Cricket.

Forget about it.

Today, commando.

Yeah! I still got it . . .

Stand up.

Spray that mop that I call hair.

Nice.

Hard, like a rock.

Hair should be hard like a rock, right?

Human . . . once again.

“Get out! I’m not ready, yet.”

Perfume. Which perfume am I to wear today?

Yes . . . there it is . . . “Eau de Bee-atch.”

Nice.

Okay, kids. You can come in and see Mommy now.

“Are you sure?” they ask.

Don’t worry, you won’t turn to salt . . . again.

I think.

See. See what I have to go through . . . ?

Do you appreciate me now?

—–

Be well,

Belle

  A 78th Annual Writer’s Digest Award Winner

S. Belle Karper, Author, Speaker www.BelleKarper.com
THE WIDOW WEARS BLACK - An Edgy Memoir from an Outspoken Survivor
Check out S. Belle Karper’s – Beauties and Beasts – Blog! Baby! Blog!
and Belle Karper Face Book & the popular Twitter-Belle - all on Website
Save it, Baby! Count me in!

I did it! Well, someone else, whom shall remain nameless for right now, did it for me.  LOL.  I registered today!  (Thank you God!)  Even though I feel a little overwhelmed right now about school, the thought of missing out on getting the classes I needed for the next quarter had me in a state.   This is it for me guys.  My last shot.  I have challenged myself.   I have to get my child off to college soon.  And the annual tuition will be about $27,000.00  I got the classes I wanted at the times I wanted.  I am just taking one art class this time.  See, lesson learned.  And I really want to get out there and prove myself.  The content is fine.  Feel confident about that.  The courseload…..that’s another one.  But having more technical and general ed should give me a breather, solidify my gpa, and strengthen my foundation before moving on.

We have all seen them. The coupon crazies. They’re in front of you in line at the Target and the grocery store – every time.

Yesterday I witnessed a woman with a full cart of Target goodies… toys, household products, clothes, art supplies, etc… Up and up went the total and then, right before my eyes, she handed over a stack of coupons.

Then there I was. Staring. (Ok, so I was staring the whole time, what’s the big deal?) Watching the total plummet. Her original total was at least over $50. Post stack-o-coupons the total was $8 and change.

To be honest, it kinda pissed me off. How can she do this and I can’t? What was her trick? So, being the shy person that I am… I say, “Hi. How’d you do that!?” Her response was short. In fact, too short. “Coupons online.” Uh, okay – can you be a little more specific? (Alright, that’s where my shyness comes in – I didn’t really push her for more details.)

Let’s be honest here, folks. We all want to be a coupon crazy. One of my friends has offered to give me a coupon tutorial. I plan to take notes and study her every print and cut. And when I save almost 90%, I’ll be sure to tell you.

And, don’t worry – I’ll share my secrets.

Today was/is one of those days you would hope not to have.  Today the community came together to receive the body of a fallen soldier, Staff Sergeant Zorn.  Everything went off with out a hitch and the emotions were everywhere as to be expected.  The body was flown into Gillette because it is the closest airport to Wright, Wyoming the home Staff Sergeant Zorn. 

Our citizens again surpassed all expectations by the tribute they displayed for an American Hero.  You lined the highway for miles to show your respect for this young man.  You came to the airport to show your respect and support to the Zorn family.  Thank you for your participation and recognizing this American Hero.

To Kevin and Rita from the Funeral Home, Jay Lundell the Airport Manager, Chuck Deaton and Joe Baird of the Gillette Police Department, Jewels from Flightline and to all the many military personnel who assisted in the success of today’s event.  Thank You so very much I know the family appreciated your efforts today.

These are the kind of days one does not want to have.  But, when we do and the community comes together as we did it makes me proud to say I am the Mayor of this great community.  God Bless Staff Sargent Zorn his family, God Bless our military, God Bless each of you and God Bless America.

If you’re looking for some updates on that new-ish comedy by the same name, this is not the place.  However, you’re welcome to keep reading. I’m really talking about discovery.  Play.  What my 2 year old son does every day of his life. 

Like I wrote about my previous post, I spent a lot of late hours working to get ready for my last craft fair.  While I had fun and was able to tap into an almost unbelievable amount of adrenaline to keep me upright, I expended myself.  My body needed a break and my creative cup-that-runneth-over was empty.  So, I left my craft room in a most undesirable state and took a week off.  Of course, that doesn’t mean my brain took a break.  (Don’t you do most of your crafting in your brain anyway?  (Shaking my head…awfully hard to shut that thing down.) 

When I started working again this weekend, the first thing I tackled was this collection of cards:

I didn’t necessarily plan to create these, but I had some really lovely red velvet ribbon that was calling my name.  I decided to truly “play” which meant I wouldn’t use a ruler, a template, or any hotsy-totsy die cutting machine. Noooo, sir.  I stuck with some basic tools and just decided to go for it.  The first card uses gold florist wire that I shaped into a star and a set of mini staples for a trunk.  The next card features white gel pen used to draw simple lines, dashes, and dots.  I played a little more with the pen in the third card.  Using a ribbon spool as a guide, I drew tree branches in the shape of a wreath.  I don’t think it could have been any prettier if I had used a stamp.  The ribbon isn’t perfectly perfect (I probably wouldn’t have used so much), but I like the inspiration behind it. 

Sometimes you won’t have the perfect image, the exact size die cut, the cutest sticker or right color rub-on.  What you do have is you–your style, your creativity, your ingenuity. 

And that’s enough.

Since the .com explosion, internet and marketing have been two facets that work side by side. The internet has brought the world together, connecting people from far away places and in part sharing things that would have never before been shared. This is where marketing comes in. Marketing on the internet allows people to promote themselves or their products to much larger audiences than previously thought possible. Now that you know a bit more about social media and marketing the question that arises, is how to use it to your benefit. What are the steps that are needed to promote yourself in an environment that best suits you and your audience? In this video, Perry Belcher demonstrates how YOU can use social media in business.

Moodle - with apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning

How could I use thee? Let me count the ways.

1. I use thee to the breadth and depth and height of Professional Development
   • Online courses for CEUs and/or other incentives
   • Book Studies – Online forum style
   • Wikis or Forums on Technology Integration Ideas (among other things)
2. I use thee to the level of everyday’s Educator Virtual Library needs
   • District-wide Resource Drop Box – upload, store and share resources
   • One Stop Shop for Tip-Sheets on District Resources (equipment, software, etc.)
   • Employee FAQs (and their answers, of course)
3. I use thee with a passion put to use in Student Courses
   • Remediation Courses – make up credits, review and reinforce specific skills,  supplement classroom instruction, etc.
   • Hybrid Courses – classroom instruction paired with online delivery of course materials
   • Advanced Full Courses – all online – gifted, advanced placement, enrichment, elective courses, etc.
4. I shall use thee with a love for Communication and Collaboration
   • Teacher Blogs, Discussion Boards, and Wikis for general questions, words of encouragement, file sharing, and collaborative, cross-curricular projects
   • Calendar Block – for teachers – meeting dates, deadlines, training events, etc.
   • Course Calendar Block – for students (and parents) – class events, assignment due dates, test dates
   • Student Wikis for collaborative projects
   • Exabis e-portfolio block (non-standard – must be downloaded and extracted into the blocks directory) – peer review published work

I shall but use thee better after I Learn to Use thee

• Level 1 – Introduction to Moodle – video tutorials
• Level 2 – Moodle in Depth – video tutorials
• Moodlecommons.org – video tutorials

These are just some of the ways in which Moodle can be used. How are you using Moodle?

Giving without expecting anything in return, working numerous hours without counting – nor billing, being involved in a team project without competing against each other, switching off your computer with the satisfaction of having achieved something good.

Should the definition of a perfect world be where all you get for your hard work is a rewarding big smile on people’s faces?

Imagine a world where you don’t go to work just for the sake of work, where your main objective isn’t keeping your boss or client happy and where productivity and stress are pleasant notions.

A utopia, you would think. Let’s call it a dream. A dream that you can make come true. And we did.

On November 15th, based on an idea and the perseverance of Eatlikeagirl, food bloggers organised a Blagger’s Banquet at Hawksmoor to raise funds for Action Against Hunger. During two weeks, bloggers blagged in their spare time and over nights to collect ingredients for the menu and prizes for the auction. On the day itself, the persevering bloggers dedicated their Sunday to cook, serve and entertain the 50 guests who attended this first-of-kind event.

The result? More than £3,000 collected for charity on the night, happy and thankful guests, and a bunch of bloggers tired but proud of their achievement.

So, yes, we can.
Life is not just about money and making our big productive machine of world go round. Life is also about dedicating time to others and lending a hand to deserving causes. We can make this dream come true and we did.

But the dream wouldn’t have been possible without the help of food and wine suppliers, restaurants, PR companies and all the people that provided prizes for the auction.

The dinner wouldn’t have happened without wonderful cooks, terrific barmen and sommeliers, an efficient front-of-house team, queens of goodie-bags, motivated blaggers and generous donators.

But, before all, the event wouldn’t have seen the light without the strength and will of Eatlikeagirl

Bravo, Niamh, du fond du cœur.

I remember that movie about a boy wishing for a better world, where he dreamt of people holding a candle and passing it on.

That night, brands, restaurants, musicians and bloggers combined all their forces for Action Against Hunger.

That night, I got involved in my first ever charity action.

That night, I was proud of the world.

Thank you everybody. You made a dream come true.

It is now your turn to pass it on. Go to auction.

—————

Blaggers Banquet Menu
15 November 2009

Menu conceived by Signe Skaimsgard Johansen with Danny Kingston, Charlie Nelson, Neil Rankin

—

š Canapés and table nibbles š

Fresh goats’ cheese and pomegranate crispbreads with a salty vanilla twist and fresh chives
(Brockhall Farm, Abel & Cole, Peter’s Yard and Halon Mon)
Buffalo mozzarella, tomato and fresh basil brochettes with a pesto dip
(Laverstoke Park, Abel &Cole and Purely Pesto)
Crispy chicken skin bites (Silfield Farm)
Cheddar Gougeres with thyme (Barbers 1833, Abel & Cole)
Spicy Bar Mix (Munchy Seeds)

The canapés were offered with a choice of the following
(also available throughout the evening from the bar):

Chapel Down Pinot Reserve 2004
Albarino Laga de Bouza 2007 (The Wineaux)
Sipsmith’s Gin martini
Sipsmith’s Vodka Martini
Sipsmith’s Gin or Vodka and Fevertree tonic
The Blaggertini (Sipsmith’s vodka, Chegworth Valley Apple and Raspberry juice, Galliano Balsamico)
Cornish Cocktail (Bramley & Gage Quince Liqueur, Chapel Down Sparkling Wine)
Black Velvet (Chapel Down Sparkling Wine and Porter)
Marston’s Pedigree
Innis & Gunn
Fullers London Pride
Daas White
Chapel Down Brut
Chapel Down Porter
Firefly Tonics
Chegworth Valley Apple Juice
Chegworth Valley Apple and Blackberry Juice

—

š Starter š

Monkfish and beetroot tartare with tomato salsa
(Fish for Thought, Abel & Cole)

Brewery Hill Chardonnay/Viognier 2008 (Naked Wines)

—

š Main Course š

Grilled buffalo steaks with bearnaise sauce (Laverstoke Park)
Winter Beef Stew (Donald Russell)
Lamb hotpot (Donald Russell)

served with a selection of seasonal vegetables from Riverford organic
and handmade sourdough bread from St John Restaurant

Quinta do Lagoalva 2004 (Casa Leal and Viniportugal)
The Pastor’s Blend Journey’s End 2007

—

š Dessert š

Golden Chocolate Fondant served with Crème Fraiche
(Trish Deseine, Easy Tasty Magic and Sainsbury’s So Organic)
Titillating Jellies from Bompas & Parr

Lorca Fantasia Malbec 2008 (Naked Wines)
Castello Romitorio Morellino di Scansano 2007 (The Wineaux)

—

š Cheese š

Barbers 1833 Vintage Cheddar
Brockhall Farm Chive Goats Cheese
Trethowans Dairy Gorwydd Caerphilly
A selection of deliciously fragrant cheese from Pong’s

Served with Peter’s Yard crispbread and a selection of seasonal fruit from Abel & Cole

Albarino Laga de Bouza 2007 (The Wineaux)

š And…

Coffee from Square Mile with milks from Sainsburysn,
Brockhall Farm and Lahloo Tea
Chocolate truffle by Lahloo tea and Damian Allsop

We also used ingredients throughout the menu donated by the following:
Abel & Cole – herbs
Billingtons – sugar
Halen Mon – flavoured salts
Hill Farm – extra virgin rapeseed oil
Maldon Salt – salt and pepper
Riverford Organic – assorted vegetables
Sainsbury’s – all dairy produce except cheeses and goats milk
Silfield Farm – chicken used for stock

I’m watching the Notebook for the first time (dont judge me) while waiting on my friend to come visit me. Good idea? it’s kinda sentimental and lovey dovey…

It’s worth having your say on public forums like the one below, especially as this one seems well used by the council. So we thought we’d promote it a bit.

You have to log in. Got to;

www.theilfracombecentre.co.uk

It looks like this:

MAKE YOUR OPINION HEARD

Probably see you there.

W.I.I.

                           Rev. E. Anderson

HAVE A GO

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do” – Ecclesiastes 9: 10

Don’t wait for opportunities, make them, “find” them by seeking. So advises the \old testament preacher: but his advice is as modern as ancient. Have a go.

Do it wisely. Whatever you are handy at, pursue it. It is not sense to attempt the impossible, but the

Don’t let it overtake you, be ready fo it. To be prepared is half the battle. Lethargy can kill the tardy soul, but a constant availability, like fertile loam, can embrace the seed and provide it with elements of fruition.

Do it well – “with all your might”. If we tackle problems half-heartedly, we must not complain if results are meagre. In sacred, as well as secular, affairs, we only get out what we put in.

Romans 12 teaches us that if we are living in a stat of consecrated readiness, the will of God will become clear to us, good, acceptable and perfect. Having by sober assessment discovered our propensities we will than pursue them to the perimeter of possibility making a  meaningful contribution to the living Church of God.

        The past week was very memorable for this newbie, who in the beginning only wanted to get serious with her physical well-being.

         She never aimed to create a site or to blog for that matter. She was just trying to document the running by keeping the race bib’s and some knick knacks afterward. The original intention was to make a scrapbook out of it.

        She also didn’t aim to join a running clinic… being a soldier means passing the PFT. It doesn’t need serious training to pass such requirement. Lots of attitude will actually do.

         On the outset, she never thought that there will be a whole new world in store for her when on a whim she decided to attend a speed training. It was also during that fateful day when she accidentally stumbled upon the shout box of takbo.ph, a site she frequently visits for updates and other topics related to running.

         Little did she know that the shout box, popularly known as SB to its frequent users will lead her to astonishing discoveries…

         She had a grand time the first time she was at SB. The people there kept her laughing. She took note of the screen names and wrote nick names across each one. She couldn’t get enough so she made it a point to visit SB every chance she gets.

         A couple of days later, she met more of them virtually. What a happy group of people?! It’s as if you’ve known them all your life…  

         Finally, on 18 November 2009, the faces behind the screen names came into view,and the newbie had her first class picture at the Army pool…

the faces behind the screen names

The responsibility of what medical treatment your guinea pig receives is in your hands, ultimately; it is you that decides on who will treat your guineas and this is likely to affect the eventual outcome. However, one would hope that  your vet can guide you in this treatment with the benefit of their knowledge and, if you are fortunate, their good experience.

Information is much more accessible now, both to the veterinary proffession and to the general public. This, however, does not prevent mistakes. In the last 2 weeks RGPR have been aware of 2 vets prescribing Penicillin to guinea pigs- something they CANNOT tolerate! The problem is that the drug is not ‘called’ Penicillin which, unintentionally, disguises the active ingredient to those who might know that it should not be given. Generally speaking anything ending in ‘cillin’ or ‘mycin’ must be investigated further for the active ingredient. Unless all other options have been tried and the situation is a do or die one giving Penicillin is not wise!

The instances that RGPR are aware of were not ‘do or die’ ones and alternatives had not been tried. Never be afraid to ask your vet what’s really in the medicine, better still ask if it contains Penicillin. At the end of the day it’s your Guinea’s life in your hands…

See NOAH for more information, but feedback should be to your vet.

Here is the logo:

The new £40,000 sperm logo for Ilfracombe

Here is the reason behind it:
New brand says “Take another look at Ilfracombe and be surprised”
Representing Ilfracombe’s business community, Ron Ley, Director of Charterwell Homes said, “It is important that Ilfracombe looks at how it currently positions itself in the market and where it would like to position itself. Ilfracombe has not always been consistently presented as the quality destination it is and it is this lack of consistency and targeting of the lower-spend market that we aim to redress.”
A considerable amount of background work and collective thinking informed the process and development of the brand. Consultants Fresh Bread Marketing had a brainstorming session
in the summer with representatives from Ilfracombe’s tourism, retail and business
communities as well as Ilfracombe Town Council and North Devon Council. They were given the difficult task of encapsulating Ilfracombe’s fascinating and appealing attributes into one logo, strapline and brand that reflects and reinforces the distinctive essence of Ilfracombe.
Fresh Bread’s Tessa Martin said, “Ilfracombe is a fresh, intriguing place to visit with an
impressive landscape. It is steeped in and continues to offer a maritime experience and has a strong cultural theme with a fascinating Victorian heritage.” She continued, “The new
Ilfracombe logo, with its idiosyncratic ‘swirl’ above the ‘i’ indicates intrigue, mystery and
drama expressed with a spot of humour and fun too. It also reflects the twists and turns of
the landscape and can conjure up thoughts of the seaside, sea, an ice-cream, the harbour and fish.”
The logo incorporates the strapline “Curious Coastal Charm” – three words that evoke some of Ilfracombe’s best characteristics. Curious reflects the intriguing, edgy elements including
its arts and events; coastal communicates harbour, paths and dining and sports
opportunities; charm evokes Ilfracombe’s community spirit and individual appeal, fun for kids, couples and families.
Further devices to enhance the brand are included in the brand identity manual as well as a new image library that includes photographs specially commissioned and some submitted in Ilfracombe Town Council’s photograph competition. They have been selected to show fresh
angles and different perspectives compelling viewers to take a second look whilst always presenting Ilfracombe as a high quality contemporary seaside destination.
Access to the logos and images is through www.theilfracombecentre.co.uk under the
heading ‘About Ilfracombe’. The Brand Identity Manual explains how to get the most effective expression of the Ilfracombe brand and is free to use but the strict guidelines must be followed to ensure consistency, quality and continued brand recognition.

Brand guidelines should be found here:
http://www.theilfracombecentre.co.uk/media/logos/Ilfracombe-Brand-Identity-Guidelines.pdf

AMENDED: It appears as if the £40,000 wasn’t for the logo (originally read in the south devon version of the journal website) it was £5000 including the photographs. That sounds a lot more like it.

Unfortunately it appears as if it was miss-quoted from Cllr Philip Webb: http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/news/Ilfracombe-ferries-new-identity/article-1529371-detail/article.html

However the logo is still poor and a huge missed opportunity for Ilfracombe.
Do you think it looks like a sperm on the i or is it just us?

Were speechless.

Something doesn’t feel quite right but I can’t put my finger on it. Think I need some pinkberry.

Being a few days before the annual Ohio State-Michigan game, it seems like a proper time to throw out what I believe to be the best rivalries in sports.

1. Ohio State vs. Michigan - When I was a kid, I truly believed that there was a special rule that said the winner of this game automatically won the conference because that always seemed to be the case.  It is everything a rivalry should be.  It’s intense.  The game usually matters (aside from the last couple of years).  It has character and characters.  One of the things that truly makes it special is that it takes place only once a year.  Win, and you savor it all year long.  Lose, and it’s a long hard winter.  It’s a big deal.
2. North Carolina vs. Duke - Similar to above.  A lot of college hoops intensity between these two programs.  Each   one is always in the others way.
3. New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox – Great rivalry.  I’m sick of hearing about it though.
4. New England Patriots vs. Indianapolis Colts – These guys want to beat the other so badly, they will go for it on fourth down in their own territory.
5. Army-Navy – Lots of pride, tradition, and honor.  Good stuff.

Honorable mention – Celtics vs. Lakers and Yankees vs. Dodgers.  These classic confrontations just haven’t happened in a few years, but they were truly special once upon a time.

As I lay in bed at 5:30 am, listening to my three year old breath and snores (she always managed to crawl in bed with us at 3 am), I realize that it is my favorite time of day.  I set my alarm for 5:30am for my morning workout and to wake my seven year old up to get ready for school.

This year I realize that if I send the seven year old to bed by 8:30pm and wake her up at 5:30am, our morning routine will go much smoothly.  She likes to take her time to get ready and giving her two whole hours to get ready in the morning makes it a pleasant morning.  No more yelling at her to hurry up and get in the shower, get dress and clean her room.  The two hours that she gets, gives her enough time to do all of that on her own terms.

After my workout and shower, I turn on the TV to VH1 or the Food Network while I get the three year old ready for daycare.  By this time, my husband will just be getting home from the gym (he gets up at 4:30am to go to the gym).  While we wait for him to get ready, the girls and I sit on the bed and talk about what we are going to do that day.

There is nothing better than morning like this….well, it would better if I don’t have to workout or go to work.  A girl can only wish….

Chicago School Board President Michael Scott is dead.
His body was found at the water’s edge of the Chicago River near the Kinzie Bridge. Cook County Coroners ruled his death a suicide from a single gunshot wound to his head.
People close to Scott claimed that he was “a bright”, “happy”, “effervescent” fellow and were shocked and surprised to hear of his suicide.
Throughout his many years with the Chicago political scene, Scott had close dealings with Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, Rod Blagojevich, Jesse Jackson Jr., Valerie Jarrett, and then-Community-Organizer-turned-State-Senator Barack Obama.
Most recently, he had been under scrutiny for the questionable way that Chicago students were selected for the system’s highly sought-after elite selective-enrollment high schools.
In addition, he came under fire for his efforts to promote the nomination of Chicago for the 2016 Olympic Games. In an investigation that is still ongoing, it was discovered that Scott, as well as Valerie Jarrett, would reap a massive financial windfall if the 2016 Games had been held in Chi-Town: both of them (among others, many of whom are part of an alleged shadow corporation) were owners of several properties…notably several city-owned lots…that would’ve been used as venues for the Olympic events and the Olympic participants. Had teh Olympics taken place in Chicago, Scott could’ve made millions in brokered deals….
…as opposed to Jarrett, who (allegedly) would’ve banked close to a billion dollars.

So why is this a big deal to me?
Well, Michael Scott is closely tied to the so-called “Chicago Political Machine”…along with Jarrett, Daley, and President Obama. He was also under close Federal scrutiny for his involvement in said ethically-questionable issues.

But most importantly, there’s this:
Coroners say Scott’s death was a suicide from a gunshot wound to his left temple.

Michael Scott was right-handed.

Think about it.

Does the name Vince Foster ring any bells…?
I’m just sayin’, is all.