With a total of 33 points scored over a 18 game NBA “career”, Paul Shirley never did diddly-squat on the court worth mentioning. The only reason to notice him now is because saying something dumb got him the attention that sitting at the end of the bench guarding the Gatorade never did.
While the rest of the world looks to do the right thing and help those in need there’s always one in every crowd whose contribution is demonstrate there’s no situation where selfishness and stupidity can’t be interjected.
In this case it’s Paul Shirley. Insert one big “WHO?” here.
Paul Shirley, a former NBA player whose greatest accomplishment prior to popping off about Haiti was being the tall stiff and 12th man holding down the end ofthe benches of the three teams he briefly “played” for. Shirley took time out from picking splinters out of his backside to pen a long, boring and badly in need of editing essay about the world’s response to the earthquake in Haiti for FlipCollective.com.
I haven’t donated a cent to the Haitian relief effort. And I probably will not.
I haven’t donated to the Haitian relief effort for the same reason that I don’t give money to homeless men on the street. Based on past experiences, I don’t think the guy with the sign that reads “Need You’re Help” is going to do anything constructive with the dollar I might give him. If I use history as my guide, I don’t think the people of Haiti will do much with my money either.
Shirley addresses a “letter” to the Haitians.
Dear Haitians –
First of all, kudos on developing the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Your commitment to human rights, infrastructure, and birth control should be applauded.
As we prepare to assist you in this difficult time, a polite request: If it’s possible, could you not re-build your island home in the image of its predecessor? Could you not resort to the creation of flimsy shanty- and shack-towns? And could some of you maybe use a condom once in a while?
The Rest of the World
The appropriate response to such craven stupidity should be who the fuck is Paul Shirley and why should anyone care about what he says about anything?
Here’s the important numbers about Paul “Splinters” Shirley: played in 18 games in the NBA for a total of 121 minutes over three seasons for three teams and scored 33 (count ’em) points. He’s bounced around to no less than 13 basketball teams in the NBA, to the Yakima Sun Kings to Greece, Russia and China. Which just proves that as long as you’re tall (6’10”) you’ll get a shot even if you got no game.
If you’ve never heard of FlipCollective.com or it’s writers, don’t feel bad. Neither has anybody else. Subjects like “Glouchester Cheese Rolling: A Dying Breed of Fun” and “What the Fudge: The Burrito Line” aren’t the kind of underrated literary masterworks that bring editors from Esquire, GQ and Vanity Fair running. It’s just the kind of self-indulgent bullshit that proliferates on these type of blogging collectives across the Internet.
Having no skills beyond being White and tall, Shirley garnered more notoriety by writing for ESPN.com about his journeys around the world playing basketball badly for numerous teams. ESPN fired him for his “put on a condom” remarks. Seems they didn’t dig what he had to say.
Paul Shirley is the personification of a non-entity. Plus, he’s got the last name of a girl. But at least Rush Limbaugh and Pat Robertson can say “Thanks, Paul” for taking some of the heat off of them as Stupid White Men saying incredibly dumb stuff about something they know nothing about. A week from now when this all blows over Shirley can return to the obscurity he’s worked for, he’s earned and nobody can take away from him.
Then once again the response to anything Paul Shirley say will be, “Who?”


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Manage episode 240795760 series 2496603
This week, the Bellas Podcast welcomes special guest Artem Chigvintsev to discuss his unexpected departure from Dancing with the Stars! First, the trio opens up a bottle of Sparkling Brut Rosé from Hill Family Estate and Artem opens up about the shocking DWTS announcement. For Matchup of the Week, Nikki and Brie face-off over whether or not they're okay with their significant other liking and following random hot girls and models on Instagram. For Kill a Rumor, Artem jive kicks the rumor that he left DWTS for Total Bellas. Then he steps in for WWE Superstar Daniel Bryan to host another hilarious edition of Bella Brains. And not to be outdone, Bella Army Q&A starts with a fan question about Nikki's soon-to-be-completed house in Arizona and ends with a proposal of sorts (??!?). Show the Bella Twins some pod fam love by leaving a 5-star rating and a review with your favorite part of the show. Tweet your questions with the #BellasPodcast hashtag for Brie and Nikki to answer on future episodes.
Learn more about how to help protect the Amazon Rainforest #ActForTheAmazon.
Come watch The Bellas Podcast recorded live in Phoenix! Purchase tickets here for our September 25th event: https://phxevents.cblive.com/shows/110155.
Stance: Go to Stance.com/Bellas to get a free pair of socks with purchase.
Embark: Get 15% off your Dog DNA Test Kit at EmbarkVet.com, promo code BELLAS.
La Croix: For retailers and more information, visit LaCroixWater.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

domain: entertainment


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- I'm Doing...
- About Me/Contact
Submitted by Pam on Mon, 12/17/2012 - 03:28
Submitted by Pam on Tue, 12/11/2012 - 01:47
Very simple "punched tin" paper angel ornament to make with the kids!
Since I celebrate both Guadalupe Day (December 12th) and St. Lucy Day (December 13th), I became very excited when I came up with this little ornament idea - a perfect ornament that blends two cultures whose special celebrations fall so close together.
Submitted by Pam on Thu, 11/29/2012 - 21:12
Make a family heritage garland to celebrate the holiday season!
Every yarn star on my garland represents a part of my heritage - countries of my ancestors. The colors and designs are derived from the flag of each country and the center of each holds a small mirror - a reflection of who I am and where I came from.
Submitted by Pam on Fri, 11/16/2012 - 20:15
Submitted by Pam on Thu, 11/15/2012 - 21:00
Creating variety in weaving patterns and the tops of Danish woven heart baskets is easy! And fun! Begin with this tutorial to make Danish Woven Heart Baskets and after you have mastered the technique, move on to adding your own creative touches!

domain: artistic


The B1 and B2 bombers are both important current military aircraft, but there are some distinct differences between them. Comparing the two reveals various differences in mission capabilities, design, and the role they both play in modern defense tactics.
The B-1 is a long-range, multi-role, supersonic conventional bomber. It is capable of reaching a top speed of Mach 1.25 and can fly intercontinental ranges without stopping to refuel. It is equipped with a variety of weapons, including long-range cruise and air-launched missiles.
Five Quick Facts About The B-1
1. The B-1 Lancer is the world’s first supersonic variable swept-wing bomber.
2. The B-1 was designed to fly at altitudes of up to 30,000 feet and speeds of 900 mph.
3. The B-1 was designed to carry a payload of up to 75,000 pounds.
4. The B-1 is powered by four General Electric F101-GE100 engines, each producing 32,000 pounds of thrust.
5. Over 100 B-1s have been built since its introduction in the 1980s and it is still in active service.
The B-2 is a stealth heavy bomber designed for deep penetration of enemy airspace. It has a top speed of Mach 0.95 and is equipped with long-range air-launched cruise missiles and nuclear weapons. In addition, it can easily evade most enemy air defenses due to its low observability and low radar profile.
Five Quick Facts About The B-2
1. The B-2 Spirit is a strategic bomber designed by Northrop Grumman for the US Air Force that first flew in 1989.
2. The B-2 is capable of carrying up to two 20-kiloton nuclear bombs.
3. The B-2 is one of the most expensive military aircraft ever to be developed and produced, costing over two billion U.S. dollars in its initial production run.
4. The B-2 has a low radar cross-section, which is thought to be roughly the size of a small bird or the head of a golf pin that the radar beam essentially bounces off of it.
5. The B-2’s includes the ability to refuel in flight and its maximum altitude of 50,000 feet, although its normal operating altitude is around 40,000 feet.


A Municipal Water Utility had a project involving construction of a 6.6-mile long water transmission main. The transmission main was to be constructed inside a continuous tunnel using 84-in. diameter Prestressed Concrete Cylinder Pipe (PCCP). Project specifications required that the PCCP be fabricated in accordance with ANSI/AWWA C301, and stated that inspection and testing by the Owner during manufacture of the pipe will be performed by representatives of the Owner. However, fabrication of the PCCP commenced prior to notice being given to the Owner’s representative, which resulted in 208 individual pipe sections (~12% of pipe produced for project) that lacked an adequate basis for acceptance.
CTLGroup was retained by the Owner’s representative to perform post-fabrication evaluation of the 208 pipe sections that had not been inspected during fabrication. CTLGroup’s scope of work included 1) review of all available relevant documentation related to fabrication of the subject pipe and destructive evaluation of nine representative pipe sections taken from the lot of 208. Destructive evaluation consisted of removing the mortar coating and prestressing wire from each pipe, documenting key fabrication details, and obtaining component material samples for subsequent laboratory evaluation. Upon completing this work, CTLGroup provided the Owner with a report documenting findings and conclusions from the evaluation work.


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Migration is one of the most spectacular, albeit increasingly threatened, phenomena of the living world (Wilcove 2008). Birds provide impressive examples, with some covering more than 80 000 km annually (Gill et al. 2009; Egevang et al. 2010). Eighteen per cent of the world’s ∼10 000 bird species undertake regular long-distance migrations (Fig. 1; Sekercioglu 2007) and every year 40 billion birds are estimated to migrate (Wikelski et al. 2007). However, research has mostly focused on discovering the migratory cues and mapping migrations, and the ecological reasons for bird migration are still vague (Boyle & Conway 2007; Boyle 2008a). Understanding the drivers of animal migration is particularly challenging due to the difficulty and expense of keeping track of birds covering long distances. Less spectacular but equally important types of migratory behaviour, such as short-distance, altitudinal and partial migration are particularly understudied. This is especially true for birds <100 g that cannot be tracked by satellite even though they make up 65% of the world’s bird species (Dunning 2007; Wikelski et al. 2007). Detailed studies of tropical songbird movement can mean thousands of hours of radiotracking on foot (Sekercioglu et al. 2007), often in rugged, wet and challenging terrain, so even less is known about these birds.
Although most bird species do not migrate (Fig. 1), even seemingly ‘sedentary’ tropical birds can cover hundreds of kilometres in search of food (Holbrook, Smith & Hardesty 2002), and hundreds of species are involved in short-distance, altitudinal and partial migrations (Berthold 1999; Sekercioglu 2007). However, there are few detailed, long-term, individual-based movement studies of tropical birds. Given the range of migratory behaviour seen in the tropics (Boyle & Conway 2007), such studies are essential for revealing the ecological and evolutionary mechanisms behind bird migration (Levey & Stiles 1992; Chesser & Levey 1998; Boyle & Conway 2007). Understanding avian mobility is also important for guiding the conservation of tropical bird communities and the restoration of their habitats (Sekercioglu et al. 2007), especially in the face of climate change threatening hundreds of tropical bird species with narrow ranges and limited mobility (Sekercioglu et al. 2008).
Partial migration, in which some individuals migrate and others remain sedentary (Jahn et al. 2010), might be central to the evolution of migratory behaviour and likely represents an evolutionary transition between sedentariness and complete migration (Berthold 1999; Boyle 2008b). Although ‘extremely widespread at higher latitudes’ (Berthold 1999), much less is known about partial migration in the tropics where only a few studies have been done (Boyle 2008b; Boyle, Norris & Guglielmo 2010; Jahn et al. 2010). However, most bird species live in the tropics where the diversity of migratory behaviour exhibited makes migratory research especially pertinent. The South American austral migration system, despite being the third major migration system between temperate and tropical regions and the only one in the Southern Hemisphere (Chesser 1994), has been particularly neglected.
It is therefore welcome that Jahn et al. (2010) in this issue break the mould and test two important hypotheses of partial migration on a tropical bird species in the Southern Hemisphere, where there is ‘a unique opportunity to better understand the evolutionary ecology of bird migration’ (Dingle 2008). Jahn et al. (2010) conducted a detailed individual-based study of tropical kingbirds (Tyrannus melancholicus) to test the dominance and body size hypotheses. According to the dominance hypothesis, subordinate individuals who are unable to compete effectively with dominant individuals for food are more likely to choose migration over competing for food during times of food scarcity (Gauthreaux 1978; Ketterson & Nolan 1979). The body size hypothesis predicts that larger individuals (usually males) are better able to withstand cold weather and food shortage, which means smaller individuals are more likely to migrate (Belthoff & Gauthreaux 1991). Jahn et al. (2010) were unable to test the arrival time hypothesis, which states that individuals establishing breeding territories (again, usually males) will migrate less than non-territorial individuals because a shorter migration distance will enable a faster return to breeding areas and first access to best territories (Ketterson & Nolan 1976). As all three hypotheses were developed in the north temperate latitudes and mostly tested there, it is especially important to know if they can explain partial migration in other parts of the world (Boyle 2008b).
Tropical kingbirds are common, widespread and mostly insectivorous Neotropical songbirds found in a range of open habitats. They belong to the family Tyrannidae, which is the main bird family in the austral migration system (Chesser 1994). Tropical kingbirds are completely migratory south of 18°S, but at the grassland study site in the Amazon basin of Bolivia (14°49′S), they are partially migratory. Jahn and colleagues combined mark–recapture, radiotracking, and maximum-likelihood modelling in a rigorous framework to tease apart the probabilities of detection, migration, survival and permanent dispersal. Individually colour-banded kingbirds were surveyed every 2 weeks. By radiotracking individuals, they showed that birds were not moving locally, but migrating instead. There was strong support for partial migration, the probability of which was influenced by age, body mass and the interaction of these with sex in an unexpected pattern. Large adult males and small young females had the highest probability of migrating. Because older kingbirds dominate younger kingbirds, the results did not support the dominance hypothesis for males, underlining the importance of sexual differences. Similarly, the body size hypothesis was not supported.
These findings complement those of Boyle & Conway (2007) who conducted a comparative analysis of 379 species of tyrannid flycatchers to test the evolutionary precursor hypothesis of migration (Levey & Stiles 1992). After incorporating phylogenetically independent contrasts, Boyle & Conway (2007) showed the importance of habitat and diet interaction and foraging behaviour in shaping migratory behaviour. Their resource variability hypothesis states that species relying on more seasonal resources are more likely to evolve migratory behaviour (Boyle & Conway 2007). Jahn et al. (2010) explain migratory variation among individuals with their food limitation hypothesis. This modifies the resource variability hypothesis by proposing different threshold values for individuals based on their sex and age (Table 1). The variability of the insect resource forces the largest males and the smallest females to migrate in the dry season, when insect prey is reduced and the basal energy requirements of the former and the territorial defence costs of the latter likely push them above the available energy threshold (Table 1).
Food limitation is thought to be the main driver of migration in most birds (Alerstam, Hedenstrom & Akesson 2003; Boyle 2008a). However, additional environmental conditions such as reduced nest predation, inclement weather or parasites can play critical roles (Alerstam, Hedenstrom & Akesson 2003; Boyle 2010; Boyle, Norris & Guglielmo 2010). The complex interaction of these factors with habitat, sex, body mass and other traits (Boyle & Conway 2007; Jahn et al. 2010) make simple explanations difficult. A variety of research approaches (e.g. bird banding, nest monitoring, hormonal measurements, radiotracking, population models, dietary analysis, parasitology) is necessary, especially outside the well-studied north temperate region. In the Southern Hemisphere, the migration strategies employed are more varied (Jahn et al. 2010) and opportunities abound to study the evolutionary ecology of bird migration (Chesser et al. 1998; Dingle 2008). Therefore, it is remarkable that Jahn et al. (2010) are the first to study the partial migration system of any South American bird species, even though this is ornithologically the richest continent and two-thirds of Neotropical austral migrants are potentially undertaking partial migration (Jahn et al. 2006).
Although habitat, diet and their interaction can be important in determining which birds migrate and which do not (Boyle & Conway 2007), the variability of access to food resources has emerged as the primary driver of migratory behaviour (Levey & Stiles 1992; Chesser 1998; Boyle & Conway 2007; Boyle, Norris & Guglielmo 2010). In fact, in South America, open country insectivores show the highest migratory tendency (Boyle & Conway 2007), whereas insectivorous species of ‘buffered’ tropical forest interior environments are not known to migrate (Chesser et al. 1998). With this study, Jahn et al. (2010) provide important empirical support for the importance of resource variability in austral bird migration by explicitly linking migratory behaviour in a Neotropical insectivorous bird to seasonal changes in insect numbers. Tropical forests, commonly thought to be ‘stable and constant’, can also experience substantial resource variability that has consequences for avian reproductive seasonality (Wikelski, Hau & Wingfield 2000). Many tropical forest insectivorous bird species faced with resource fluctuations and increased habitat fragmentation (Sekercioglu et al. 2002) might be undertaking partial migrations yet to be discovered.
In the only other Neotropical (Cost Rica) partial migration system studied to date, Boyle, Norris & Guglielmo (2010) also showed the importance of the interaction of environmental variation with intrinsic variables like age and sex in determining migration likelihood. However, unlike Jahn and colleagues’ system, Boyle et al. found that inclement weather (storms and heavy rains) reducing foraging opportunities, not food shortage per se, was the main driver of migration in white-ruffed manakins (Corapipo altera). In this system, adult males were also more likely to migrate, but this was because they were smaller and did not have the fasting advantages of the larger females. In both systems, migration likelihood is influenced by the effect of weather on food obtained, and different ages and sexes vary in their responses to food shortage based on their body mass. While the Brazilian dry season reduces insect food abundance and forces some kingbirds to migrate, in the wet mountains of Costa Rica storms and heavy rains prevent manakins from foraging, forcing them to choose between fasting or migrating.
Because increased migratory behaviour in birds reduces extinction likelihood (Sekercioglu 2007), advances in avian movement ecology will also advance bird conservation biology, especially in the face of climate change. While climate change is expected to affect sedentary birds more negatively than migratory species (Sekercioglu et al. 2008), migratory birds will face their own challenges, such as longer migrations and simultaneous impacts on wintering, breeding and stopover sites (Huntley et al. 2006).
Unfortunately, detailed movement studies involving long-term bird banding, radiotracking, and satellite telemetry are lacking for most bird species, especially in the tropics. With accurate satellite transmitters dropping in price, there is great promise of testing various migration theories (Alerstam, Hedenstrom & Akesson 2003), but the high cost (£1000s/animal) of satellite transmitters and data collection fees make it prohibitively expensive for most scientists, especially in tropical, developing countries. Satellite transmitters have been getting smaller and are now down to 5 g, but this is estimated to be their minimum size limit (Wikelski et al. 2007). Because the transmitter should ideally not exceed 5% of the body mass of the study species (Wikelski et al. 2007), the migrations of birds <100 g cannot be followed, excluding at least 65% of bird species (Dunning 2007). Wikelski et al. (2007) proposed the establishment of a global small-animal tracking system based on the launch of a dedicated satellite (http://www.icarusinitiative.org). The cost of £33–66 million is more than justified by the revolutionary implications for research on animal ecology, evolution, conservation, agriculture and public health.
Nevertheless, Jahn and colleagues’ elegant and painstaking study shows that we need not wait for a dedicated satellite to conduct ground-breaking research on bird migration, especially in the tropics. Thousands of tropical bird species have never been studied, basic truths about bird migration are waiting to be discovered, and movement ecology is a scientific frontier that is wide open.

domain: literature


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Selected hotels in most popular Faugeres destinations are listed below. You may find hotels in other places within the Faugeres area using the form above.
Bazouges-la-Pérouse is located in Faugeres, Ille-et-Vilaine, Bretagne, France (see Bazouges-la-Pérouse map).
Hotels in Bazouges-la-Perouse are listed below. Visit Bazouges-la-Perouse map page for a detailed satellite map of Bazouges-la-Pérouse and related user contributed content.
This beautiful building of the seventeenth century is known for its fabulous resorts and welcomes you in an elegant atmosphere.
This monumental building situated in a beautiful, sleepy village not far from the golf course. It offers comfortable accommodation and a pleasant atmosphere. The rooms of Le Manoir are welcoming, relaxing spaces and bright, spacious rooms.
Saint-Brice-en-Coglès is located in Faugeres, Ille-et-Vilaine, Bretagne, France (see Saint-Brice-en-Coglès map).
Hotels in Saint-Brice-en-Cogles are listed below. Visit Saint-Brice-en-Cogles map page for a detailed satellite map of Saint-Brice-en-Coglès and related user contributed content.
A former diligence. Framework of greenery and tranquility. Charming rooms soundproof, overlooking the park and relaxation. In the restaurant or garden on the terrace of 200 m²: refined regional cuisine and specialties.
This fifteenth century mansion is located in a large garden in Britain. It has a terrace and offers rooms with original stones, wooden floors and exposed beams.
Parigné is located in Faugeres, Ille-et-Vilaine, Bretagne, France (see Parigné map).
Hotels in Parigne are listed below. Visit Parigne map page for a detailed satellite map of Parigné and related user contributed content.
This XVIIth century castle located in the heart of a park of 2.2 hectares in the village of Parigné. It is located near a small lake and a forest, and has a chapel and a golf driving range.
Fougères is located in Faugeres, Ille-et-Vilaine, Bretagne, France (see Fougères map).
Hotels in Fougeres are listed below. Visit Fougeres map page for a detailed satellite map of Fougères and related user contributed content.
Our hotel nineteenth century has been restored and is located in the heart of the ancient citadel of the Duchy of Brittany. Fern is the ideal place for holiday. Historic monuments are in fact many in the city and its ...
Brit Hotel du Parc is located 2 miles from the center of Fougeres. It offers free wireless internet access and all rooms are en suite and a flat screen television with satellite channels.
Housed in a mansion in the eighteenth century, the Hotel Balzac is located in Fougeres. Located in the historic center, near the belfry, the medieval castle Europe's largest and gardens.
The hotel offers value for money in this cozy accommodation. The dedicated staff is happy to welcome you in a friendly atmosphere. Fougères Campanile Hotel is located in a central park on the outskirts of the city center.
Hotel de Bretagne is located in Fougeres, 20 minutes walk from the castle and 800 meters from the Old Town. It offers free Wi-Fi and rooms with LCD TV.
Saint-Germain-en-Coglès is located in Faugeres, Ille-et-Vilaine, Bretagne, France (see Saint-Germain-en-Coglès map).
Hotels in Saint-Germain-en-Cogles are listed below. Visit Saint-Germain-en-Cogles map page for a detailed satellite map of Saint-Germain-en-Coglès and related user contributed content.
This 16th-century castle is located in the botanical gardens of Upper Brittany. It offers spacious rooms with antique furniture and a beautiful view over the gardens. It is 34 km away from the castle to Mont St Michel.
Faugeres is located in Ille-et-Vilaine, Bretagne, France.
Maplandia.com in partnership with Booking.com offers highly competitive rates for all types of hotels in Faugeres, from affordable family hotels to the most luxurious ones. Booking.com, being established in 1996, is longtime Europe’s leader in online hotel reservations. See the overview of Faugeres hotels above.
At Maplandia.com you won't be charged any booking fees, cancellation fees, or administration fees – the reservation service is free of charge. The reservation system is secure and your personal information and credit card is encrypted.
We have put together also a carefully selected list of recommended hotels in Faugeres, only hotels with the highest level of guest satisfaction are included. Many photos and unbiased hotel reviews written by real guests are provided to help you make your booking decision. Luxury hotels (including 5 star hotels and 4 star hotels) and cheap hotels (with best discount rates and up-to-date Faugeres hotel deals) are both available in separate lists. Always bear in mind that with Maplandia.com and Booking.com the best price is guaranteed!
Maplandia.com is not sponsored by or affiliated with Google.

domain: travel


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Final Tappahannock Farmers’ Market is Saturday
Saturday, November 16, will mark the final Tappahannock Farmers’ Market for the year. This final Holidays Market, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., will not only offer late fall bounty of the fields and many delicious meats, seafood and baked goods, but the crafts will also focus on Thanksgiving and Christmas décor and gifts.
As usual, WRAR radio will broadcast live during the market, interviewing visitors and vendors.
Hague Winery and Vault Fields local wineries will be offering free samplings and wine to purchase.
The featured artists for November will be Karin Andrews and Trish Hill.
The market will return on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

domain: news


In the United States of America, NBC airs a singing competition show called The Voice. On April 26, 2011, it debuted during the spring season on television. The Voice is a singing competition show that is based on the original The Voice of Holland and is part of The Voice franchise. It has aired for twenty-one seasons and seeks to find unsigned singing talent (solo or duets, professional and amateur) by holding public auditions open to anyone over the age of thirteen.
The winner is decided by public votes cast by TV viewers by phone, internet, SMS text, and iTunes Store sales of the artists’ recorded vocal performances. As a result of winning, they are awarded $100,000 in cash and a recording contract with Universal Music Group.
- Amazon’s Alexa May Soon Be Able To Imitate The Voices Of Dead Loved Ones!
- Officially, NBC’s The Voice Has Announced Why Is Kelly Clarkson Leaving the Voice and a New Judge Has Been Named in Her Place
The Voice Season 23: Procedures and Formats For Choosing Contestants
The “Blind Auditions” are where the coaches choose the artists they will be working with throughout the season. When an artist performs, the coaches’ chairs are oriented so that the audience can watch them; when an interested coach member presses their button, their chair spins around to face the performer and a glowing “I want you” appears at the base of the chair.
If there was more than one interested coach, the artist can choose their coach after the performance, or they can go with the coach who showed the most interest. In the 14th season, a new feature called “Block” was introduced that allowed a coach to prevent another coach from selecting a contender.
Each coach will partner up two members of their squad to perform in the “Battle Rounds,” and then move one of the duos to the next round. There are famous people who help coaches out in different seasons. Season one sees coaches and advisers seated side by side on the arena stage.
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The advisers used to participate in the battle stage alongside the coaches, but that changed in the second season. In season three, a new element was introduced in which each coach was given the opportunity to steal two contestants from the elimination pile. Artists perform in weekly concerts during the live performance portion of the competition, where the audience votes to eliminate competitors and crown a winner.
When an artist fails to garner enough votes from the public in a given week, the coaches might choose to save them. In order to be saved by their coach, these performers have been doing a “last performance” since season two. However, the viewers and the coaches each have an equal vote in determining who advances to the final four.
In the grand finale, with just one member of each team surviving, the contestants face off against one another, with the winner being determined by viewer votes. For the first two seasons, only one artist per team made it to the finals. However, in order to make the competition more interesting, the rules were changed so that the artists with the fewest votes were eliminated one by one every week until only five remained (three until season 6, then four before season 17).
The Voice Season 23 Coaches Have Been Revealed
Even though Season 22 of The Voice hasn’t finished airing yet, we already have great news about next year’s show: NBC has announced a minor tweak to the Coaches’ roster for 2023.
Who are The Voice Coaches for Season 23?
Season 23 of The Voice will mark Blake Shelton’s final season as a coach. Kelly Clarkson, however, will return to her red chair after a short break. Niall Horan and Chance the Rapper, two other musical heavy hitters, are also making their series debuts here.
Chance said in a statement, “I’m pleased to join The Voice as a Coach for the next season.” I can’t wait to share what I’ve learned and enable other artists to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We are about to enter #TeamChance, so get ready!
Horan said of his participation in this season of The Voice, “I’m pleased to be joining as a Coach. As we go head to head-with the other teams, I’m looking forward to meeting and guiding the next generation of stars! Even though Shelton and Clarkson are well-known to fans as Coaches, we can’t wait to see what Horan and Chance bring to the table with their strong resumes.
Blake Shelton is Leaving After Season 23; Niall Horan, the Rapper, Joins the Coaches Panel
Shelton has been in the red chair for 23 years, but he is stepping down this spring. Since he began working on the show from its beginning, he has helped guide 15 acts to No. 1 on the iTunes Top Songs chart and has won eight times himself.
Shelton said in a statement, “I have been struggling with this for a while and I have decided that it is time for me to move away from The Voice after season 23.” The cast and crew of this programme have become like family to me, and I can’t imagine my life without them.
All of you at The Voice on NBC—from the producers to the writers to the musicians to the crew to the caterers—have made this incredible journey possible over the past 12 years. Putting on a live concert twice a week requires a lot of dedication, enthusiasm, and, um, alcohol (Ha!).
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Over the years, I’ve developed strong relationships with all of my colleagues and coaches, including Carson and my wife, Gwen Stefani. I want to send a great shout-out to the singers, the “Voices,” who continue to astonish us with their talent season after season, and I want to thank those who have chosen me as their coach.
Finally, it’s about you, the viewers and supporters of The Voice who cheer on the contestants, the coaches, and everyone involved in the show as they follow their goals. In your absence, this simply could not occur. Future-focused artists Chance the Rapper and Niall Horan, formerly of One Direction, will join returning mentors Blake Shelton and Kelly Clarkson for Season 23.
This time around, Carson Daly will serve as host once again. Last night was the final night of the Blind Auditions for Season 22 of The Voice, which featured current coaches Camila Cabello, John Legend, Gwen Stefani, and Blake Shelton. As of tonight at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, the fights will begin.
The Voice is produced by ITV Studios The Voice USA, Inc. in partnership with Warner Horizon and Warner Bros. Unscripted Television. John de Mol, together with Mark Burnett, Audrey Morrissey, Amanda Zucker, Kyra Thompson, and Adam H. Sher, serves as executive producer on the series he created.
Coaches and Host of the Current Season 22 of the Voice
It was reported in May 2022 that Stefani will be returning to the coaching panel for season twenty-two, replacing Grande in that capacity. She will be joined on the panel by Legend and Shelton, who will also be returning. After some time had passed, it was revealed that Kelly Clarkson would not be returning to the series for the 2022 season. Camila Cabello would take over for Clarkson in the role of the new coach.
Camila Cabello U.S.-born musician of Cuban ancestry. It was as a member of the successful girl group Fifth Harmony that she first came to public attention. Even while still a member of Fifth Harmony, Cabello began to make a name for herself as a solo artist with the releases of the Shawn Mendes and Machine Gun Kelly-assisted “I Know What You Did Last Summer” and the “Bad Things” duet. The latter peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100. Later in 2016, she decided to leave the band.
Camila, her first proper studio album, debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200. The RIAA certified the pop album with a Latin flavour as Platinum due to its widespread acclaim. The lead single “Havana” topped the charts in the United States and the United Kingdom, while the album’s second single “Never Be the Same” also broke into those nations’ top ten. In 2019, Cabello’s “Senorita” duet with Mendes was her second number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100.
Blake Tollison Shelton is a country music musician and TV host who was born in the United States on June 18, 1976. His first release was the 2001 single “Austin.” His self-titled first album’s main hit, “Austin,” topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for a total of five consecutive weeks. Two further hits (“All Over Me” and “Ol’ Red”) from the debut album made the top 20 charts and earned the record a Platinum certification.
The Dreamer (2003) and Blake Shelton’s Barn & Grill (2004), his second and third studio albums, respectively, have been certified gold and platinum. In 2008, he released a deluxe edition of his fourth studio album, Pure BS (2007), which featured a cover of Michael Bublé’s pop smash “Home” as an extra track.
Startin’ Fires, his fifth studio album, was released in November of 2008. The 2010s brought us the EPs Hillbilly Bone and All About Tonight, and the albums Red River Blue (2011), Based on a True Story (2013), Bringing Back the Sunshine (2014), If I’m Honest (2016), Texoma Shore (2017), and Fully Loaded: God’s Country (2019).
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Who knew Scotland plus a reality show could lead to such a fun and awesome book.
Jamie and Dylan are quite the pair. Their evolving relationship along with all the other surprises makes for a really dynamic read.
If you're looking for a good winter holiday book or as fun romance check this book out ASAP.
I'm sad about the ending, as well. That the main couple will probably drift apart. Realistic maybe, but I'm into stories like this for the fantasy.
So many characters in this book are over the top ridiculous, and that unfortunately includes the hero. One can be socially awkward and not spew inane word vomit on a constant basis.
This wasn't a book I got lost in, it was very easy to put it down.
Full review to come
I love this book so, so much and it might just be my new favorite thing ever.
It has witty banter.
It has relatable and funny characters.
It has reality T.V. craziness.
It has a prince in disguise.
It has all the swoons.
I don’t know why it wasn’t on my radar, but once I read the summary, I immediately bought it and when it arrived, I immediately started reading it.
You’re not going to find and crazy twists and turns in this one, it’s incredibly predictable, but you won’t even care! What you will find is one of the sweetest YA romances around. It is so smartly written, with so many fun pop culture and classic literature references, and if you’re like me, you’ll find yourself laughing every few pages!
From the very beginning, the chemistry between Dylan and Jamie just pulled me in. They just connected on this super nerdy level that I appreciated immensely. Dylan is stuck in what might be considered her personal hell… her sister’s reality T.V. wedding and with cameras everywhere she just knows all the awkward moments of her life are going to be magnified. She doesn’t expect to find a kindred soul in Jamie… the guy who rescued her from freezing to death at the train station.
The secondary characters were so fun too – Ronan, Dusty, Kit, & Heaven… I couldn’t get enough of them!
If you’re a fan of light-hearted, swoon filled contemporary… this is the book for you. It’s got a permanent place on my favorites shelf and I definitely plan to do an annual reread!
Dylan and Jamie's story is so amazing and sweet that I almost got diabetes.
Prince in Disguise is a lovely story about finding that very special person that is meant to be an important part of your life, whether is a person that is meant to stay in your life or just help you grow
and then just leave you with an amazing memory.
This story is written in such a way that reminds you of how awkward it can be to fall in love for the first time and then you add on the whole reality TV aspect of it all and it just becomes the perfect recipe for an unforgettable adventure that leaves you with happy thoughts and hopes for the future.
Perfect read if you are craving a cute and fast story.
Totally recommend Prince in Disguise, I mean there is literally a prince in disguise, I wish I could find me one of those!


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The Son Of No One: I'm Just Trying To
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- A young cop is assigned to a precinct in the working class neighborhood where he grew up, and an old secret threatens to destroy his life and his family.
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Recognising dyslexia in time: Foundations laid for future early test
Five years of common research has made it possible: An early test which recognises widespread dyslexia in time–and would therefore spare about five per cent of children a long path of suffering. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences and the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI) have succeeded in laying the foundations for a test which, with the help of brain activity and gene analyses, could predict whether a child could be affected by this disorder. The conclusion of their research project LEGASCREEN offers an opportunity to reflect on current and future dyslexia diagnosis.
Words stretch and break up, letters are unrecognisable. One in 20 children, that is, at least one pupil per class, despairs when reading or writing words and sentences–despite being normal or generally intelligent. They suffer from dyslexia, a congenital defect in the brain. For an affected child, it can mean longstanding failures at school, often without knowing the real reason.
To spare the children this fate, Leipzig’s scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences (MPI CBS) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI) have spent the last five years successfully laying the foundations for an early dyslexia test. By examining brain activity and genes, it will be possible to indicate in time whether a child will suffer from dyslexia or not.
"We now know that there are two crucial changes in children’s brain structure which cause this disorder. On the one hand they have a thinner cortex, especially in one specific region of the left hemisphere", explains Jens Brauer, neuroscientist at MPI CBS. "On the other hand the fibre tracts between two important language areas which act as a kind of data highway to transport the information between these two brain areas are less developed", adds his colleague Michael Skeide, linguist at MPI CBS.
Electroencephalogy (EEG) offers a promising approach to reveal changes in the cortex. Here, a child listens to a chain of the same syllables or sounds that is sometimes interrupted by another sound or tone. If the child does not find it hard to notice the irregularities and if their brain activity shows the typical amplitude, their reading skills are largely well developed. If this is not the case, it could indicate an impending dysfunction. "With the help of these investigations we can recognise, by means of the neuronal reaction, when the information relevant for language is processed differently from the normal way and thereby identify those afflicted by dyslexia–even at kindergarten age", says neuroscientist Brauer.
Combining brain activity and genes
However, the sole prognosis by means of the EEG is not significant enough. Therefore, the scientists also want to use the explanatory power of the genes. Since there is up to a 70 per cent chance of inheriting dyslexia, a simple saliva test could predict the disorder even more precisely. As a precondition for this, the scientists have identified a comprehensive list of DNA variations that are involved in this disorder in German dyslexics. "For instance, we could prove for the first time that the long-time suspected gene KIAA0319 does in fact have an impact. It influences how we process language at an early stage by affecting the processing of sounds in the brainstem", says Arndt Wilcke, neurogeneticist at Fraunhofer IZI.
Wilcke and his team have finally developed a genetic risk score based on 25 DNA variations that are especially important for dyslexia. This score combines the negatively changed gene variations. The greater the number of these variations found in a child, the higher the score and the higher the risk of being affected by dyslexia. For some of these variations the neurogeneticists filed a patent for so-called marker genes that signal impending dyslexia.
"By combining indications of the brain and genes, we hope for an even higher detection rate. Now we have to refine the two single procedures and to confirm them in a further independent sample. It will then reveal if our previous findings can be implemented in an early test", Wilcke says. "We are confident that we will be able to take the decisive steps in the coming years. A simple precise diagnostic method using EEG and a saliva test would be within our grasp", he adds. Their goal is to develop it into a marketable commodity.
Parents support early test
The results of a representative survey among parents of children between the age of three and seven–the future target group–show that such an early test would be well received. Nearly 90 per cent of the respondents evaluated such a test as reasonable. More than 80 per cent would let their own child be investigated by such a method–more than half of them would even pay for the cost of the tests privately.
Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed great interest in such a test procedure, and, in February of this year, she invited the leader of Legascreen to present the project as one of ten particularly innovative research projects within the event "Perlen der Forschung". There, project leader Angela D. Friederici explained her vision to the chancellor: "If we succeed in diagnosing the majority of the affected children in a medical examination before they attend school, we could start to offer targeted support opportunities in order to compensate many of their deficits. Not only do we open doors to give children the same chance to gain a good education, we also facilitate their participation in society, helping them to lead a content life."
Indra Kraft, Jan Schreiber, Riccardo Cafiero, Riccardo Metere, Gesa Schaadt, Jens Brauer, Nicole Neef, Bent Müller, Holger Kirsten, Arndt Wilcke, Johannes Boltze, Angela D. Friederici, and Michael A. Skeide, "Predicting early signs of dyslexia at a preliterate age by combining behavioral assessment with structural MRI," NeuroImage 143, 378-386 (2016).
Nicole Neef, Bent Müller, Johanna Liebig, Gesa Schaadt, Maren Grigutsch, Thomas C. Gunter, Arndt Wilcke, Holger Kirsten, Michael A. Skeide, Indra Kraft, Nina Kraus, Emmrich Frank, Jens Brauer, Johannes Boltze, and Angela D. Friederici, "Dyslexia risk gene relates to representation of sound in the auditory brainstem," Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience (2017).
Michael A. Skeide, Holger Kirsten, Indra Kraft, Gesa Schaadt, Bent Müller, Nicole Neef, Jens Brauer, Arndt Wilcke, Frank Emmrich, Johannes Boltze, and Angela D. Friederici, "Genetic dyslexia risk variant is related to neural connectivity patterns underlying phonological awareness in children," NeuroImage 118, 414-421 (2015).
Michael A. Skeide, Indra Kraft, Bent Müller, Gesa Schaadt, Nicole Neef, Jens Brauer, Arndt Wilcke, Holger Kirsten, Johannes Boltze, and Angela D. Friederici, "NRSN1 associated grey matter volume of the visual word form area reveals dyslexia before school," Brain 139 (10), 2792-2803 (2016).

domain: psychology


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In my previous post about the “Are Men Finished?” debate hosted by Slate and Intelligence Squared, feminist scholar Christina Sommers observed that Americans are falling prey to a “Women are Wonderful” bias. This is interesting for two reasons: the idea that women are now impervious to judgment, and the use of science now being used to support women’s natural advantages in the workplace and home.
Societal Crush or Earned Respect?
The idea behind the “Women Are Wonderful” theory is that Americans are now perpetuating a reverse discrimination of sorts. The pendulum of female empowerment has swung so far in the other direction that society is now actively discriminating against men. We’re is using overhyped science and biased news reporting to support generalizations that claim women are far more qualified (wonderful) for careers due to natural ability as well as being superior moral human beings. Men cannot catch a break due to this new social distortion, and women can do no wrong.
First, I don’t think society is so enamored with women that it’s completely blind to women’s poor behavior. Plenty of reality TV shows like Bachelor/Bachelorette, Bad Girls Club, Bridezillas, The Hills, Jerseylicious, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Real Housewives, Super Nanny, Teen Mom, and Toddlers & Tiaras show women acting … well … far less than wonderful. Fictional characters in dramas like Desperate Housewives, Gossip Girls, Sex in the City, and True Blood often don’t behave any better. Not to mention documentaries like Snapped, which chronicles real life stories where women have been accused or convicted of murder. Society seems plenty interested in watching and depicting women acting poorly.
Second, I think the perspective that’s missing in regards to the numerous scientific studies and news stories favorable to women is that we have some reparations to make. The reason why it’s more socially acceptable to talk about women’s natural abilities or strengths, and not men’s, is that society has a long history of telling women they didn’t have any. For a long time, it was ‘common knowledge’ that women were weak, irrational, unable to be objective, incapable of stressful work, lacked the natural ability to be leaders, etc. Men and women believed this made-up, culturally biased narrative as actual fact. After generations of perpetuating these cultural myths, society has amassed a huge, juicy pile of dubious facts that are tempting for scientists to prove wrong.
Generalizations Based on “Science”
However, I do agree that generalizations about men’s abilities could in time turn into discrimination against men just as easily as it caused (and continues to cause) discrimination against women. Many social scientists are already concerned about the impact of biases against poor men and men of color. So how can we view all the news reports and studies without internalizing a new set of harmful generalizations about the differences between the sexes?
#1. We admit that science is not the objective field we like to believe it is. Cultural biases permeate scientific analysis and interpretations of facts. A lot of studies don’t have the longitudinal data to rule out cultural influences in the outcomes. People, including scientists, are often unable to discern between skills, abilities, personalities and our own biased perceptions. And let’s remember how often scientific ‘fact’ changes from year to year – the scientific field is not immune to trends and group think.
#2. We stop overhyping small differences between the sexes. Yes, men and women are different. But men and women are far more similar than different. Most of the small differences in ability between men and women don’t make a big difference in the real world. Let’s focus on skills and not attach sex or gender to them. If we need more people who can do skill A than skill B, let’s find a way to teach skill A. I don’t think it matters whether more men or more women can already perform skill A.
A New Definition of Discrimination
I think Sommers’ observation hints at the bigger question of “What exactly is sex discrimination today?” It’s a lot harder to define today because its far more nuanced than it was in the past. It seems clear to me that discrimination occurs when men and women are denied the chance to compete fairly or a generalization is used to defend a shaky scientific conclusion. The difficult issues arise when culture and science intermingle enough to create a gray area.
Is it discrimination to say one sex appears naturally better at something? Personally, I think it’s hard to answer that question without looking at it in the context of systematic oppression against women. For women, there is always the danger that a statement favoring men will be used to excuse or validate past discrimination. For men, while there is the danger of future discrimination, I don’t feel as though a statement favoring women creates a large amount of risk for them. But that doesn’t make it right, only less harmful. Maybe a better question to ask is if one sex’s advantage really matters that much in our modern world?
There are times when we all rely too heavily on the stories we tell ourselves about men and women instead of accurately judging a person on the facts. Fortunately, I think we are at a point where Americans are beginning to separate the big picture (the national trends) from the small picture (the person in front of us).
Photo: Alex Masters


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Ruth 1:19-20 – Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem. And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, “ Is this Naomi?” But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.” NKJV
In my last post, I wrote about the children of Israel stopping at a place called Marah. Today I want to continue my discussion of the sin of bitterness. I sensed a need to “update” this “series” from my first year of blogging.
Naomi and her husband went to the land of Moab with their sons to avoid the famine in Bethlehem. After they got to Moab, her husband died. Her two sons had married Moabite women and after a time, her sons died. Around this time, Naomi hears that there is food in Bethlehem, and she decides to return to the land that she had come from. Her daughters-in-law wanted to go with her; but in the end, Ruth was the only one to travel with her to Bethlehem.
It’s been at least 10 years since Naomi and her family departed from Bethlehem, maybe longer. For some reason, the women of Bethlehem ask “Is this Naomi?” It could have been the shock of seeing her again, or of seeing her alone, or she could have changed in some way. Whatever the reason, they were unsure that it was her.
Naomi immediately tells the women that they are not to call her Naomi, which means pleasant, but they are to call her Mara which means bitter. She continues to explain why she wants to change her name:
• The Lord has dealt very bitterly with me, she said!
• I went out full (with a husband and two sons).
• And the Lord has brought me home again empty; which wasn’t completely true, because she had a daughter in Ruth!
I’m not judging Naomi, but it’s pretty obvious here that she is making it plain that she is bitter and has a right to be bitter. She is so bitter, that she believes the Lord has dealt very bitterly with her. I can only imagine the devastating heartache that would accompany the loss of both a husband and your children. So I get that she is hurting! What I don’t understand is why she feels she has a right to be bitter!
In Naomi telling the women, “Call me Mara” she sounds as if being bitter is a badge of honor. It is not! Then she goes on to list all of her issues as if she has earned the right to be bitter. She has not! God wasn’t responsible for the things that caused her bitterness, and He isn’t responsible for any bitterness that we may harbor in our heart.
The Bible doesn’t elaborate on how her husband and sons perished, but whatever caused their deaths, she laid the blame at God’s door, and that’s not where it belongs!
In Jeremiah 4:18, God shares insight into bitterness:
“It’s the way you’ve lived that’s brought all this on you. The bitter taste is from your evil life. That’s what’s piercing your heart.” Jeremiah 4:18 MSG
In other words, God is saying that the bitterness isn’t from His hand. He wasn’t piercing Naomi’s heart, life was! He isn’t piercing your heart, life is! Maybe not your life, but maybe the life of a loved one lived without God, and your heart is pierced. It’s not His fault! Things happen to the just and the unjust! When stuff happens to the just, we are not to react like the unjust. The unjust have no hope for they are without God; but we have the promise of deliverance, from the Great Deliverer!
Peter, in addressing Simon the diviner realized that he was a bitter man and said this:
For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” Acts 8:23 NKJV
Bitterness is poison to the soul. It is deadly and capable of causing many physical issues in your life. It’s not worth holding on to!
In the book of Hebrews, it is written:
“Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;” Hebrews 12:15 NKJV
The writer of Hebrews encourages us to be careful unless we allow a root of bitterness to spring up and bring trouble in our lives and cause many people to be defiled. When we are bitter we have a tendency of defiling ourselves and others. Our bitterness becomes the lens in which life and relationships are processed.
When I got married, several divorced women told me that all men were dogs. Others told me to watch out for the seven year itch. These things were said by women who had become embittered towards the institution of marriage and men. Probably with great cause! These words could have defiled me and my marriage had I listened to them! But I didn’t! I considered my source!
But if you have bitter, envy, and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. James 3:14 NKJV
James is letting us know that there is nothing to boast about when we are bitter. As a matter of fact when we boast, we lie against the truth! Our situations, our pain, and eventually our bitterness makes us feel like we have a right to feel the way we feel, and say the things we say, which results in us lying against the truth of God’s word!
In my opinion, bitterness short-circuits a heart of gratefulness. Naomi was still alive! Ruth had come with her to help provide for her and to take care of her. They had made it back to Bethlehem without any trouble. She had much to be thankful for. But she wasn’t concerned about anything except the fact that she had loss so much! Ruth was also a widow and we don’t get any vibes that she was bitter. Naomi’s bitterness was so deep that she could only see her pain and her losses, and was blind to the goodness of God. Rightly she said that she should be called bitter because she was a very bitter woman.
But Naomi had a loving Father. One who doesn’t easily offend. One who knows we are imperfect beings. One who understands. And even though she couldn’t see Him working things out to bless her, He was doing exactly that! And thankfully, if you are born again, your Heavenly Father is wanting you free of bitterness because the poison is destroying the blessings He is bringing in your life!
Life is tough! For some it seems to be down right unbearable. But, it is not an excuse for bitterness, or a need to boast in it! Bitterness says I will never do this, or I will never do that, because of what happened to me! Bitterness says that no one has the right to tell me how to feel until they have walked in my shoes! Bitterness says I will never trust another person as long as I live! All these emotional statements stem from a root of bitterness!
Stop boasting in your bitterness! Get rid of it! A willing and repentant heart is all God needs to start the process of healing! Instead of blaming Him, try trusting Him! Instead of living with bitterness, try living without it! Let it go! It’s only making you sick! Wonderful Jesus!


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Shabash, Seim, Kiop
If the three words which form the above caption seem unfamiliar, it is because they are the names of three Mohican Indians, the first Indians to be baptized in Pennsylvania, at the home of John DeTurck, in Oley in 1742.
In 1740, Christian Henry Rauch, a Moravian missionary, established a mission at Shekomeko, in Dutchess County, New York, near the borders of Connecticut and also to Stissik Mountain. IN 1742, Count Nicholaus von Zinzendorf, great leader of Moravians, arrived in American and began to call synods of all interested persons. The second of these synods was to be held in the DeTurck home in Oley. In advance of the meeting Gottlieb Buttner, an ardent teacher of Moravian doctrines was sent to Shekomeko to invite Rauch to bring all Mohicans who wished to be baptized to Oley. On January 22, Rauch and his three converts left their village on foot, arriving at the DeTurck home on February 9, after enduring several hardships en route.
Two days later the red men were baptized in the barn of the DeTurck farmstead, Count Zinnendorf being present at the ceremony. The preliminaries of the administration of the sacrament called for hymns and prayer. These were offered and sung during the morning.
Some “ill-disposed” persons in the neighborhood gathered and created a disturbance outside of the barn but the ceremonies were not interrupted. The Rev. Mr. Rauch baptized the three Indians while Deacon Buttner and Bishop Davide Nitschman looked on. Christian names were substituted for the Mohican, thus Shabash became Abraham; Seim became Isaac, and Kiop became Jacob.
Later Seim, or Isaac, became a very important assistant to the missionaries who carried the gospel westward across the Alleghenies and in several instances Isaac proved himself of great value to the British authorities.
After the ceremony, the Indians were so filled with the Spirit that they began to preach in relays; when one tired another began and exhorted the unconverted Delawares who had come to witness the ceremonies.
The Oley ceremony was the first baptism of Indians within the borders of Pennsylvania.
Archival Notes: “You recall the time when the Jesus Indians of the Delawares lived near the Americans, and had confidence in their promises of friendship, and thought they were secure, yet the Americans murdered all the men, women, and children, even as they prayed to Jesus?” — Tecumseh 1810, speaking to Governor William Harrison of Indiana Territory. Shabash, Seim, and Kiop were the first Indians baptized in Pennsylvania, by the Moravian church, in 1742. The baptismal took place within the barn of the Deturck homestead, in Oley. Conversion to Christianity would not provide safety for the Indians. Tribal members of Shabash, Seim, and Kiop who also converted to Christianity were massacared at Gnadenhutten, Ohio by the Pennsylvania in militia in 1782. 28 men, 29 women, and 39 children were murdered and scalped by the Pennsylvania Militia.

domain: library


Election security plan in 2 days: MoI
Ghulam Siddique Siddiqui, the ministry spokesman, told Pajhwok that the security plan would help ensure IEC staffers discharged their responsibility based on that strategy.
He added: "In this plan, we absolutely assure the commission that elections will take place in all parts of the country, where the ministry personnel will provide them security."
At the moment only four districts were under threat from the insurgents, the spokesman said, explaining efforts were on to deal with the situation and pave the ground for inclusive polls.
Meanwhile, the IEC urged the government agencies concerned to ensure security for the presidential and provincial council elections, due in April 2014.
Download “Pajhwok” mobile App, on your smartphone to read and access latest news, features, interviews, videos and photos about Afghanistan.


Trump's battle with Harley-Davidson over foreign tariffs tests motorcycle riders' loyalty
EVERGREEN, Colorado – The beer is cold and the tempers are running hot at legendary biker bar Cactus Jack's Saloon Grill over President Donald Trump's ongoing feud with Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
"Harley stands for truth, justice and the American way, not this president," said rider David Matney, whose bicep sports a flaming skull tattoo. "He's trying to take our American heritage away. He's not helping us."
Matney, who rides a three-wheeled Tri Glide Harley, said when it comes to deciding between Trump and Harley, there's no choice.
Trump has repeatedly attacked Wisconsin-based Harley over the company's announcement it will move more production overseas in response to his tariff fight with Europe. That's setting him up squarely in a fight against one of the country's most beloved brands.
“Harley-Davidson should stay 100% in America, with the people that got you your success. I’ve done so much for you, and then this. Other companies are coming back where they belong! We won’t forget, and neither will your customers or your now very HAPPY competitors!” the president said in a tweet Wednesday.
Few companies have managed to remain as iconically American as Harley, which was founded before World War I and has long burnished its credentials as an American-made product beloved by military retirees. Wrapping its advertising in flags and adoring its motorcycles with eagles, Harley targets veterans as customers, as well as union workers proud of their brothers and sisters assembling the bikes in Kansas City, Missouri, York, Pennsylvania, and Tomahawk and Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.
But like most things, there's a subtlety that's easily missed: While the motorcycles are assembled in the United States, Harley already does some manufacturing and assembly internationally, in India, Australia, Brazil and Thailand. And the Kansas City plant is being shut down while the plant in Thailand is being ramped up to make Harley-Davidson motorcycles for the Asian market.
Company officials say Trump's trade war with Europe is forcing them to consider making motorcycles for Europeans outside of the United States, to avoid the higher export taxes. They have not directly responded to the president's attacks. Harley buyers in Europe could see prices rise by an estimated $2,200 due to retaliatory tariffs being levied on specific American goods in response to Trump's higher tariffs on European products.
The president argues new tariffs are needed to balance trade imbalances and restore American manufacturing, but companies like Harley-Davidson are increasingly operating globally.
And this battle comes at a bad time for Harley: Overall, the company's motorcycle sales were down 6.7 percent in 2017 compared to 2016. U.S. retail sales decreased 8.5 percent and international retail sales were down 3.9 percent, the company said. Company officials see international expansion as a key driver for future growth, hence their quick announcement they would move some manufacturing to Europe.
For 2018, Harley-Davidson predicts it will ship 231,000 to 236,000 motorcycles worldwide, compared to about 242,000 in 2017. Most of those will be sold to American customers. Overall, there's about 8.4 million motorcycles on U.S. roads, according to federal data.
It's unclear if the president understands that today's Harleys are assembled from international parts, or that it already planned to make some motorcycles abroad. Shortly after his inauguration, Trump singled out Harley as an iconic brand and invited company officials to the White House to highlight the motorcycles as American-made.
"A Harley-Davidson should never be built in another country-never! Their employees and customers are already very angry at them. If they move, watch, it will be the beginning of the end - they surrendered, they quit! The Aura will be gone and they will be taxed like never before!" the president said in a tweet Tuesday.
At Cactus Jack's, where license plates adorn the walls and riders are asked to park their bikes two to a spot to make room, Harley owners are debating the fallout of the president's feud. Some worry his actions will lead to higher prices, while others think Trump's bluster will force Harley-Davidson to make American customers its top priority.
Matney and fellow rider Patty Gardner said the president should be doing more to help American companies like Harley, instead of getting into trade wars with our allies. Neither voted for the president, and neither has been impressed with his performance so far. Matney, an electrician at the Molson-Coors brewery in Golden, Colorado, said he supports some of the president's moves, but this isn't one of them.
Gardner was more blunt.
"Trump's an idiot," she said as strapped on her helmet and pulled on riding gloves. "I can't stand him."
But combat veteran and Harley low-rider owner Shawn Moss said the president deserves respect. An Army and Navy veteran who now is a member of the Combat Vets Association motorcycle club, Moss served under three presidents. He said Trump is on the right track in criticizing Harley, especially since so many of the motorcycles' parts are already made abroad.
Moss said Harley should focus more on lowering prices instead of fighting with the president: Entry-level Harleys start around $7,000 but can cost well above $30,000 for more comfortable, powerful rides.
Jason Converse, a retired military K-9 handler who now manages product safety for a Denver-area manufacturing plant, bought his first Harley last year, a 2017 Fat Bob. He sees the dispute in the same dollars-and-cents calculation as Moss, although he's reached a different conclusion.
Converse, a member of the Pipe Hitters Union Motorcycle Club, describes himself as a conservative but “not much of a Trump supporter,” and said he understands Harley’s first responsibility is to shareholders, not politics. The Pipe Hitters Union got its start with returning special forces veterans.
“Adding $2,200 onto an already struggling company’s product that might literally put them out of business,” said Converse. “The president does not want the quintessential American company’s demise being blamed on him, so he tweeted at them, which is all it seems he needs to do these days to electrify his supporters. As a biker, I love my Harley and I’m confident that the bike I ride and the bikes I ride in the future will be made in America by Americans. To be able to realize that means that they have to do business globally and if it allows Harley to continue to make these incredible machines? I’m all for it."
Moss, a high school carpentry teacher, said when it comes to deciding between his beloved Harley or the president, there's really no conflict. Motorcycles are important, but so is our country.
“I love my Harley and I love my country and I’ll always support the president," he said.


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The Blurb On The Back:
Inequality makes us feel poor and act poor, even when we’re not. It affects our mood, decision-making and even our immune systems.
Using groundbreaking research in psychology and neuroscience, Keith Payne explains how inequality shapes our world and influences our thinking, how we perform at work and respond to stress – and what we can do to combat its most insidious effects on our lives.
You can order THE BROKEN LADDER: HOW INEQUALITY CHANGES THE WAY WE THINK, LIVE AND DIE by Keith Payne from Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK. I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.
The Review (Cut For Spoilers):


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At the recent ALA library conference, I learned the basics of GIS from a Map and Geospatial information Librarian from the University of Minnesota. I was so excited to try it out for myself, using some historic maps related to my family’s history! I tested it out by making this composite map of DeKalb County. All of the maps that I used to create this map were from the 1929 Atlas and plat book of De Kalb County, Illinois : compiled from surveys and the public records of De Kalb County, Illinois, digitized by the Library of Congress. (See the whole atlas here!)
I started with the county map, matching up points on the county map with points on a present-day digital map using MapWarper. Then, I did the same thing for all the townships and main towns and villages in the county. I linked them together using ArcGIS. The result is a complete snapshot of 1929 DeKalb County! The finished map is best viewed in the web app here. Zoom out to see the whole county, and zoom in a little to see the individual townships and see the property owners in the country. Zoom in even further into a town, and see all of the streets and city lots! You can look at the different layers (or parts) of the map, and adjust the transparency of each layer to view the present-day map underneath it.
This map is cool, but why is a map like this useful? For me, it is a powerful tool for putting my ancestors within the context of their neighbors and their communities. For example, several of my ancestors lived on the edge of their townships, such as Gustaf Medine in northeast Mayfield township, and Charles Drake on the west side of Genoa township. This map quickly allows me to view their communities and their neighbors. A quick glance can tell me that although they lived in different townships, Gustaf lived very close to his brother Peter (see the image on the right). By using the slider to make the historic map more transparent, I can also compare it to present-day roads and landmarks, and quickly determine how the property has changed over the years. Combining historic maps with GIS technology can definitely produce some wonderful local history resources! Please explore my 1929 DeKalb County map and let me know what you think!
This week I attended the annual conference of the American Library Association (ALA) in Chicago. It was such a great experience! It is the largest conference for libraries of all kinds in the United States. I learned a lot about today’s librarianship, including lots of cool tidbits about how libraries are helping genealogists!
Some genealogical highlights from the conference:
My professor Nicole Wedemeyer Miller (who taught Genealogy and Library Services last semester at Univ. of Illinois, and who just published a book about Family History services at the library) spoke about conducting a successful genealogy reference interview, emphasizing the need for patience and organization. Not every family historian who walks into the library will know what they are looking for!
Genealogist Tina Beaird reminded us about some great free genealogy websites to suggest to patrons (or use for our own research!). These included Digital Public Library of America, Linkpendium, FamilySearch, Google News Archive, and local or state Digital Memory Projects like Montana Memory.
This year is the 100th anniversary of the US’s entry into WWI. Representatives from FindMyPast and FamilySearch highlighted some great resources for locating your ancestor who participated in WWI. FamilySearch has a huge variety of WWI resources at all levels, including local, state and international records! FindMyPast (free subscription through many public libraries!) offers a British perspective of the war, including most WWI British military records. Missouri also has a wonderful project for Missourians who fought in WWI called Missouri Over There. The project is bringing together all kinds of digitized photos, 3D artifacts, and a service database that has a listing for every WWI service member from Missouri.
We heard an overview of the project to find the Haymarket Martyrs’ Monument time capsule. A librarian had stumbled upon a historic newspaper article about the erection of the monument that described a time capsule that was buried underneath the cornerstone of the monument. That discovery started a project to uncover the time capsule. With the help of an archeologist, they worked to uncover it, but did not end up finding it. The librarian is continuing her search for the remarkable time capsule!
A session called “Mapping the Generations” was a great overview of how libraries can help genealogists use maps to find their ancestors.
If you have Chicago ancestors and you haven’t used ChicagoAncestors.org, it’s such a great resource! Find out what the neighborhood where your ancestor lived was like, or find out which churches were nearby. Bonus: you can send them your own photos and information to add to their site!
New York Public Library has a bunch of digitized maps for New York City, and has some crowdsourcing projects going on that use Fire Insurance maps, modern maps, tourist maps, and information from city directories to eventually create a great genealogy resource! (These can be found at NYPL Map Warper and Building Inspector.) In the end, you’ll be able to zoom in to the map, see the footprint of the building where your ancestor lived, and see a listing of all the people in that household! It’s still a work in progress, but it will eventually be an amazing resource for New York City genealogy!
One of the BEST sessions that I went to was “How to put your family history on the map: Georeferencing and geocoding historical information” by Ryan Mattke from the University of Minnesota. I loved this session because I’ve always wanted to learn more about geospatial technology, and this tutorial gave me the basic tools to make my own interactive maps! He showed us how to use this for genealogical research, but it has a lot of applications, like creating walking tours of your town, or create your own interactive map like ChicagoAncestors.org! He showed us how to overlay a digitized historic map over a modern map (like Google maps), link them, and then add your own interactive points to the map! You’ll be seeing my own interactive map here soon!
I also attended a short debate about preserving analog audiovisual materials in libraries, museums and archives. The question was, “Is the preservation of analog audiovisual media the single most important preservation issue facing libraries (and archives and museums) in 2017?” However, the panel and audience did not reach a full consensus. Although the discussion was primarily among professional archivists and preservationists, it did raise some important questions that are also important for family historians. If you do happen to have old audiovisual materials in your family history collection, such as old home movies on VHS or film reels, or cassette tapes of interviews with relatives, what do you do with them? Especially for degrading formats like magnetic tape (VHS or cassette), there is immediate need to preserve the content by digitizing them. However, once you digitize them, you need to actively migrate them to stable file formats in order to preserve the digital files. I learned that digital and analog audiovisual materials can both be easily lost (very soon!) to time and obsolescence if we do not actively work to preserve them! As for me, I’m ready to dig out my grandmother’s old film reels and get them digitized!
I went to a lot of sessions pertaining to genealogy, but they weren’t the only ones I attended! I got a bunch of free books and swag at the exhibit hall, I met the Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, and was just barely missed meeting Representative John Lewis! I went to several other events, including a speech from Reshma Saujani (CEO of Girls Who Code) and Hillary Rodham Clinton at the closing ceremony! I’m both excited and exhausted from the experience!
Hillary Clinton giving a speech at the ALA closing ceremony
The Library of Congress’s booth in the exhibit hall.
I met Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress!
I didn’t get to meet John Lewis, but I did see him!
I’m looking to reconnect with any relatives of the Medine family from DeKalb County, Illinois!
This semester, I took an online Genealogy course at University of Illinois with genealogist Nicole W. Miller. I feel like I learned so much about developing trends in genealogy, and I developed better practices for researching and sourcing my own family history. One of my accomplishments was writing a formal compiled genealogy for the Medine family. I realized that there are still some close Medine cousins that I know very little about! I would love to reconnect and share family stories with their descendants. If you are descended from any of the relatives listed below, please connect with me by commenting on this post! I know the basic information for each of these people, but I’d love to add more to their biographies! I will definitely share the final genealogy paper with you!
Ralph/Harry Shaffer, born about 1913, Illinois. Son of Roy and Julia (Medine) Shaffer. He likely grew up in DeKalb, Illinois, and I believe that he lived in Chicago in 1943. No further information.
Leona G. Bowen, born 16 September 1913 in Mayfield, DeKalb County, Illinois and died 4 February 1975 in Sycamore. Daughter of Jesse Scott and Augusta (Medine) Bowen. She married Melvin Ernest Voltz on 25 November 1933 in Elgin, Kane County, Illinois. He was born 27 October 1909 in Illinois and died on 29 October 1983 in Wisconsin.
Donald M. Bowen, born 18 November 1916, Sycamore; died 9 December 1989 DeKalb County, Illinois. Son ofJesse Scott and Augusta (Medine) Bowen. He married (1) Edna Eddy on 15 June 1946 and (2) Teresa Mary deRin on 2 September 1949 in Geneva, Kane County, Illinois. Teresa was born 17 January 1921 in DeKalb, the daughter of Anthony and Sylvia deRin, and she died 26 May 1988.
Helen M. Bowen, born 11 July 1920, Mayfield; died 27 July 1949, Elgin, Kane County, Illinois. Daughter of Jesse Scott and Augusta (Medine) Bowen. She married Charles Joseph Leonard on 25 April 1940 in Dubuque, Iowa. He was born 25 April 1912 in Illinois to James and Mary Leonard, and died 26 December 1993 in Van Nuys, California.
James Leonard Medine, born 30 June 1924, Genoa, Illinois; died 11 December 1944 in France. Son of Fred and Lillian Kleona (Leonard) Medine. He served in the military in WWII and was killed in action.
I will also be writing a compiled genealogy for Gustaf Medine’s siblings who also settled in DeKalb County, Illinois. They are all the children of Andreas Danielsson and Lena Stina Svensdottr, born in Smoland, Sweden, and emigrated here in the 1880’s. Their original last name was Andreasson, and they all changed it to Medine when they arrived in Illinois. Please contact me if you have any additional information about the following individuals! Thank you!
Peter Sven Medine was born 9 June 1858 in Mistelås, Kronoberg County, Sweden, and died 12 January 1930 in Sycamore, Illinois. He married Mathilda Johnson (1861-1925) in DeKalb County, Illinois on 9 December 1887. They had four children, all born in DeKalb County: Harry William Medine (1888-1964), Arthur Albert Medine (1890-1972), Carl Edward Medine (1894-1987) and Ernest Glenn Medine (1900-1991).
Mary/Maria Medine was born 1 May 1856 in Mistelås, Kronoberg County, Sweden, and died 27 Mar 1940 in Sycamore, Illinois. She had one daughter who was born in Sweden, Amanda Helena Medine (1882-1953), who married Alfred A. Reed and Edward Castenson. In 1890, Mary married Andrew Turkelson (1834-1910) in Illinois, and they had three sons: John William Turkelson (1892-1953), Rienhold Turkelson (1895-1910) and Carl Victor Turkelson (1897-1970).
Helen Medine was born 1 March 1863 in Mistelås, Kronoberg County, Sweden, and died 15 November 1948 in Maywood, Cook County, Illinois. In 1886, she married Andrew Elmberg (1851-1924). They had one daughter, Maud Victoria Elmberg (1888-1967). Helen later married Herman H. Phillips (1867-1943).
Christine Medine was born 5 March 1846 in Mistelås, Kronoberg County, Sweden and died sometime after 1907. She arrived with her father Andreas in Illinois from Sweden in 1899. When Andreas passed away in 1907, she is named as “Mrs. Christine Anderson of Mayfield.” I’m not sure who she married (if she did marry), or when she died, or if she went back to Sweden after 1907. She had a son, born in 1873 in Sweden, named Anders Göran.


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Wait … what was the question again?
Oh yes, will I watch Wedding Band, which premiered on TBS on November 10 in USA, and just last night here in Australia, for as long as we both shall live or till falling ratings do us part?
Why yes, yes I will thank you.
Thing is I suspect it is going to be a rather long, fruitful, and musically-rich relationship.
Why is that you ask?
What is so compelling about this one show, one among many great shows in this new golden age of television, that you are going to faithfully make time for it every week when you already have more televisual goodness than your sore, tooth-pick propped eyes can handle?
Well for a start dear reader (and I thank you for your interest, I really do) I walked away at the end of the episode liking each and every one of the characters who, miraculously within the confines of a pilot episode when everything but the kitchen sink must be introduced (and I suspect that even made it in when we first meet mostly happily-married Eddie), were given to us as fully-fleshed people worthy of watching every week.
That is some impressive writing – thank you Darin Moiselle and Josh Lobis, ex-South Park, for your well chosen words (they also serve as executive producers with one Mike Tollin), and acting (thank you everyone, and yes I mean everyone) and singalong-inducing musicianship (the covers that pepper the show are inspired and not poor cousins to the originals) going on there Wedding Band.
And there is a lot going on, pretty much from the moment the opening scene pans over the Seattle skyline, and the iconic Space Needle and we meet the band in question.
In quick succession, we are introduced to Tommy (Brian Austin Green, Beverly Hills 90210), gleefully described as a “perma-bachelor” and introduced seducing another in a long of women, married Eddie (Peter Cambor, Notes From the Underbelly) who juggles work and the band, and choices over pirates for a birthday party (“Somali or Caribbean?”) not always successfully, and Eddie’s goofy well-meaning brother Barry (Derek Miller, Secret Girlfriend) who rocks the drums, adores the big pyrotechnic moment and is, and this is a good thing I believe, “Del Taco Customer of the Month”.
And then there is “new guy” Stevie (Harold Perrinau, Lost), later revealed as a session player who has done his thing with all the big names and wants in on the band because he believes, quite rightly based on the amazing music that fills, as you’d expect, most scenes of the show, that they “have something special”.
His arrival is cleverly used to explain what the band does – lots of weddings and even a Bar Mitzvah in slightly cheesy hotels with a cast of guests who run the gamut from desperately lonely and amply proportioned to socially ill-adept – and more importantly, and this is where the show really excels, why they do what they do.
And this my dear friends is where the show stubbornly, and to a most rapturous, and yes relieved, welcome from me, refuses to go down cliche avenue.
Where you might be expecting more jaded cynicism, and bitter regret at musical talent unfulfilled than you could throw a bouquet at, of which we would tire quite quickly as viewers since it tends to be a surly one trick pony, you get instead a group of men who actually believe in what they do.
Imagine that ye addicts of post modern ennui!
More than that, they love what they do, and they take it seriously.
Would they like a chart-topping album, a world tour and the creative kudos that comes from being recognised as rock gods?
Of course they would – seriously who wouldn’t? – but while that is an aspiration, they are also savvy enough to know there is a very real chance they may never get there at all, and so rather than tolerating what many would regard as a halfway house to true musical glory, they own where they are now, live it with a passion and treat it as a calling, a mission.
After all, they make a difference in peoples’ lives, get to play their music, and keep the bonds of friendship strong, and in life that’s a pretty decent roll call of achievements.
And thankfully they know that.
They are also pretty damn funny.
In amongst the drama of saying goodbye to the great love of your life – Tommy agrees to play at the wedding of his ex and one true love, Sara (Bree Turner, Grimm) which exposes what caused the split between the two – there is slapstick humour (behold an important life lesson: be careful where you aim the champagne cork!), scuffles with a rival band called Armageddon It which involves fake British accents and kilts (don’t ask; OK yes do), quips aplenty especially by ballsy events company owner Roxie Rutherford (Melora Hardin, The Office) who envisions an interesting line in earrings and chokers, and sight gags (name me a band who has their meetings on kids’ seats shaped like mushrooms?).
Mixing drama and humour is not an easy thing to do but Wedding Band makes it look effortless, with each element bolstering the other than detracting from it.
The show also manages, and this is truly a miracle of non-Hallmark-esque proportions, to be sweet and endearing without making you feel like you are suffering the sugar rush after effects of ingesting all that leftover Halloween candy you really should have given to the needy children at the orphanage.
It is true that there are cliches galore in the show – the douchbag lead singer with a heart (Tommy), the harried dad (Eddie) and his often-irritated wife, Ingrid (Kathryn Fiore, Good Luck Charlie), the ruthless cougar-ish businesswoman (Roxie) and her sweetly ambitious much put upon assistant (Rachel, played by Jenny Wade, American Horror Story), the goofy drummer with grand ideas (Barry) and the quiet much-accomplished type (Steve) – but what show does have them?
It all comes down to how originally you use them, and Wedding Band uses them very well, exhibiting a willingness to play with convention and zig where you might, O wearied viewer you, expect them to zag.
And that is an accomplishment of great import in today’s oft-derivative culture where tropes and memes are often copied but never used imaginatively or improved on.
While I hear that it’s time slot in the USA isn’t the best – 10pm on a Saturday anyone? Yes you club-goer, linger a little before you boogie the night away – you can only hope that anyone who values smart writing, inspired acting, a deft mix of comedy and drama, and awesomely great music will stick around and check out a show that deserves to be around far longer than the time it takes to say “I do”.


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Tag Archives: Poland
I still have not adjusted to the time change. Despite walking all day yesterday and being exhausted, couldn’t fall asleep until sometime after 2. Oh well, that will get better.
Time to say goodbye to Warsaw, we enjoyed it so. Maybe one day we’ll pretend like we have money and take a cab. That day has yet to arrive. After breakfast, we walked 1.5km with our luggage to the Europcar office. Not too much of a problem, except for the intersections where you need to cross underneath the streets in Warsaw. Helps separate pedestrians from cars, it’s really a great idea. Except with luggage.
We got to the Radisson Blu where the rental car office was. A couple of signatures and we were shown to the garage where our Opel was waiting. 5 speed, big enough to hold our luggage, that’s all I wanted. And we were off, using Waze as our guide. Seriously, anyone who has a smartphone but doesn’t use Waze, WHY???
It was a little over a 2 hour drive. Interesting drive, we took 17 most of the way. Mostly a 2 lane road, but with this 1/2 lane to the right, that you would use to move over if someone wanted to pass you. Odd at first, but we got used to it. Speed limit was generally just 70-90kph, which isn’t very fast. Occasionally we could go 120kph, but not often enough.
We got to Lublin just a little after 1pm. Our hotel is just beautiful.
We dropped our stuff in the room, and then took off. Lublin is a town of about 350,000 people, with a nice old town, castle and parks. We walked straight into town, toured the castle, walked the streets and enjoyed ourselves.
We made it back to the room for a very short time before heading out to dinner. We had picked one restaurant via TripAdvisor, but it was almost across the street from the hotel and not all that interesting, so we went to our 2nd choice, just inside the old city. We sat outside on the square, and had the best meal at Czarcia Lapa. Ellen had chicken, I had bream, we shared a bottle of wine and a chocolate cake dessert.
An easier day, able to enjoy Lublin for the day and look forward to Krakow tomorrow. While not home for the 4th, we can’t look around and not realize how much the Poles are enjoying their freedom from Communist rule.
We let Rick Steves be our guide today, and walked 12.5 miles according to Ellen’s FitBit. Here’s how the day went.
Our hotel includes breakfast, so we ate a good meal to start the day. We walked from our hotel to Nowy Świat, a wide boulevard of shops and restaurants. We first came to the Tomb of the Unknown.
It led us up to the Polish Academy of Science and a statue of Copernicus.
One of the most amazing sites was a sculpture in the Church of the Holy Cross. Besides having Chopin’s heart (what is it with Europe and body parts?), there was an amazing statue of Pope Saint John Paul II, where he is emerging from the stone. Really something to see.
We wandered onto the campus of Warsaw University, where Ellen was thrilled that I made a friend.
We took a tour of the Royal Castle, which is featured at the top of this post. Like 99% of Warsaw, it was destroyed in World War II, so we were looking at a reconstruction. Much of the old city struck us as looking like a Disneyland street, it had that feel of being “new old,” and looked a little too neat and orderly. Such is the price of having your city destroyed by the Germans and “saved” by the USSR.
We had lunch on the old town square, pizza and pasta. We continued into the new town, which means it was outside the original city walls, but established in the 15th century. These are the times you realize we have almost no history in the USA.
Madame Curie was from Poland, and we happened by her museum. Loved the exterior.
We made it back to the hotel around 6pm, allowing ourselves to rest our feet for an hour before heading out to dinner. The first restaurant we chose from TripAdvisor wasn’t there, so we went back along our walking route from this morning. We searched TripAdvisor again and selected Specjaly Regionalne. We shared duck pierogies as an appetizer, Ellen had roasted duck and I had beef goulash. Our waiter had lived in the US (Fort Myers, FL) for 7 years and enjoyed talking to us about the States.
Some more wandering and then home for the night. Tomorrow, the Jewish ghetto. Ellen’s grandmother was from Warsaw, one of 12 children and the only member of her 50 person extended family to escape before the Holocaust.
With a solid month of preparing our house for sale, this vacation came at a time when we needed a break. I’ve had moments of brain overload, trying to balance work, buying a house, selling a house and a wedding in less than 2 months.
That overload manifested itself 10 minutes after leaving the house, when on the Beltway just before River Road, I realized I had left my wallet in my work pants. Not too far to get back, but it cost us 25 minutes. We then had to drop Colby off at Seneca Hill in Great Falls and ran into rush hour traffic on Georgetown Pike. After Colby was all set, back into traffic to get to the airport. Ellen was stressed from the delays, so I dropped her off at Dulles and then parked the car and got to the airport myself. Boarding passes, security, transport to the gate, all went smoothly, and we were able to relax in the lounge for awhile before it was time to board.
Having used miles for this trip, we flew to London in business class on British Airways. It was our first time in the lie flat seating, and we it was so worth it!! We both skipped dinner and just slept. We arrived at Heathrow around 9am, and had 5 hours to wait. There wasn’t much to do except use the limited free wifi, read our Kindles and wait. 2pm was our flight to Warsaw, and we both slept again.
Arriving in Warsaw, the trip finally was starting for real. Immigration and luggage were easy. We found an ATM to get Polish currency. And for those looking forward to a long drawn out story on securing SIM cards, you’ll be sadly disappointed. We went into a Relay convenience store at the airport, bought 2 Plus cards for $5 each, and they worked without a hitch, giving us each 1gb for such a low price!
Next challenge was figuring out how to get bus tickets for the 175 bus into town. We had money, but found a ticket machine that couldn’t issue paper tickets. The bus came, but the driver communicated that we needed coins. Back to the airport, found another ticket machine, but a woman told me the credit card reader wasn’t working. Found third ticket machine, got the info in English, but didn’t know what zone we needed. A taxi dispatcher nearby helped me, and for $3 for 2 tickets, we were set. The bus took us right into town, about a block from our hotel.
In Warsaw, we are staying at the Polonia Palace Hotel. It’s quite nice and in a great location.
Dropped our luggage, pulled up TripAdvisor (Yelp reviews were all in Polish), and picked a restaurant nearby. Used the great Tripadvisor feature again that points you in your direction with a compass and the distance to your destination. It is great! We ate at the Restauracja Zaścianek. It was advertised as a small restaurant where mom cooks the food fresh for you, and that’s exactly what it was! We each had perogies for appetizers.
Ellen had a pork cutlet, I had chicken for dinner. It was a really good meal, home cooking for less than $40. If you have a chance, eat here!
After dinner, we wandered over to a mall next to the train station, just to people watch and get a sense of the neighborhood. we went into a grocery store, one of Ellen’s favorite things in a foreign country. We went back to the hotel, and watched the first half of the US-Belgium World Cup match at the bar. Came up to the room to watch the rest and figure out what to do tomorrow.

domain: geography