text:
dontravis.com blog post #278
In the last two posts, we gave birth to our literary baby, began raising it (sometimes a him and sometimes a her, depending upon my whim) in the proper way and found either an agent (a babysitter) or a publisher (a kindergarten). This week, I’d like to expose you to the most exacting and satisfying treatment by a publisher I’ve ever experienced. Dreamspinner Press and its imprint DSP Publications have both published some of my work. I’m so impressed, I want to share their procedure for bringing my books to market. By the way, they are interested in BLGT work only.
|Our Baby Book All Grown Up|
Photo Courtesy of Pixabay
Okay, now we've gone through the labor process, given birth to our book, and had her take baby steps by locating a literary agent and/or a publisher. Big sigh of relief, right? It’s over.
No, my friend, it’s just started. As noted earlier, I’ve had four publishers in my career, but none of them approach the professionalism of my present publisher, Dreamspinner Press. I’d like to take you through the way they handle their authors.
Once my work has been accepted by Dreamspinner or it’s imprint, DSPPublications, an online contract is offered. To accept, I execute it electronically, and then the dance begins.
In rapid order, I receive a Production Data Collection (PDC) form, a Cover Specifications Request, a Blurb Composition Questionnaire, and a Bio Request.
The Data Collection form provides the publisher with my legal name, pen name, gives contact information, advises of the Word Processing program I used, informs DSP if I have “fair use” (copyrighted) material in the book, and establishes if this is a part of a series (standalone? Read first to last, etc), is a first edition or a reprint, and determines the book’s genre. It also sets out any optional front matter (acknowledgments, author’s note, dedication, etc.).
The Cover Specifications allows me to give any suggestions for the cover art. In order to do this, I give the artist the primary plot points, describe the lead characters, and picture the cover of my dreams. The publisher sends cover art samples as a PDF to give me a feel for the types of covers available. I pick one or two that appeal to me, and from that, Dreamspinner assigns me an artist to work with. Maria Fanning has done all of my covers, which is a great help. We know one another now, so it doesn’t take much time to settle on an approach. She will give me three suggested covers, from which I can select one with which to work. Then we will email one another and discuss ideas until the final cover emerges.
Dreamspinner’s staff is far more skilled at doing a blurb for the book than I am. The Blurb composition questionnaire lets me summarize the story for the blurb editors, describe the main characters, and set the tone of the book (wistful, sweet, funny, dark, typical plot mystery, etc.). Finally, I take a stab at a sample blurb before they set to work performing their magic.
The bio report asks me to create a micro bio (short, pithy) and an author’s bio for the publication. I put the usual dry history down, and they turn me into a human, not a robot.
Then comes the edit… or more accurately, the edits. My head editor is Anne Regan, who lives in the Dallas area. She selects three different editors for three successive edits of the book, each looking for something different. The first edit is accompanied by Global Notes that gives Anne’s overall view of the book, pointing out faults as well as highlighting strong points. These may or may not be noted on the Track Changes accompanying the first edit. They are for me to address on my own, not by prompts in specific places.
Editor #1 then goes through the manuscript word by word and uses the track changes program to give comments. I address each one, accepting or rejecting as I see fit… giving a reason when I reject. Upon review by the head editor, the reworked manuscript is given to Editor #2, who generally has a different skill set. For my first two books, my second editor was David, a 29-year Phoenix police officer and karate black belt, who kept me straight on police procedures and machismo issues with my hero, BJ Vinson. Sadly, he developed health issues, and I lost his invaluable services. The third edit is generally mostly for style and grammar. Please note, at least one of these three editors will fact-check historical or current event details in the book. If I tie the reader to a particular time-period with music, movies, newspaper reports, etc., they’ll tell me when I get it wrong and why.
After the final edit, I receive a Galley Proof to review. They will only change this one if I find typos, omitted words, and the like.
Once the book is put to bed and a release date settled, DSP contacts some professional literary sites and arranges for me to guest post a blog about the book. There are usually four or five of these, and most will do a review of the book upon its release.
Then it’s up to me to self-promote and try to sell books… something at which I suck!
Well, that’s it. I hope I was able to enlighten you on this birth and maturation process. By the way, I have started the sixth book in the BJ Vinson process. Next week, I hope to give you a sample of The Voxlightner Scandal.
In the meantime: Keep on reading. Keep on writing. And keep on submitting your work to publishers and agents. You have something to say… so say it.
If you feel like dropping me a line, my personal links follow:
Facebook: Don Travis
Here are some buy links to City of Rocks, my most recent book.
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-city-of-rocks-don-travis/1126419974
See you next week.
New Posts are published at 6:00 a.m. each Thursday.

domain: literature


Bellows are primarily applicable in the automobile, machine tool and medical industry. Rubber bellows and synthetic rubber bellows are manufactured from time tested synthetic materials which have proven their mettle in actual operating conditions for over a decade. Our rubber bellows, synthetic rubber bellows which are in various shapes and sizes are long lasting and are available to suit every application. The choice of the materials are influenced by the operating conditions, application and the type of construction.
We supply a wide range of other rubber moulded products including Rubber Cords, Rubber Hoses, Rubber Sleeves, Suction Cups, Rubber Tubes, etc.
Please contact us with your inquiry and we will quickly reply to your inquiry.


text:
Sen. Bob Menendez has introduced a bill to align HUD standards with the CDC when it comes to acceptable levels of lead in a child's blood. Currently, the CDC has a maximum of five micrograms per deciliter and the HUD standard is 20.
The National Eating Disorders Association says 20 million women and 10 million men in the U.S. suffer from a clinically significant eating disorder at some time in their life. Help is available for them.
A jury in Missouri ordered Johnson and Johnson to pay $72 million to the family of a woman who died from ovarian cancer because it found the company knew of talcum powder's risks but failed to warn customers.
The CDC estimates 48 million people each year fall victim to foodborne illnesses. Researchers at William Paterson found that 99 percent of food truck vendors aren't changing their gloves between tasks.
Major funding for NJTV News provided by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, New Jersey Education Association, New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Group, PSE&G, and RWJ Barnabas Health.
Additional support for NJTV News is made possible by The Hyde and Watson Foundation, The Rita Allen Foundation, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, The E.J. Grassmann Trust, The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The F.M. Kirby Foundation, and The Union Foundation. Support for arts programming is made possible in part by the Jean Dubinsky Appleton Estate.

domain: news


Experience and friendship give form to the vertex where six musicians meet, all of them with formation in different edges of the rock & roll genre, where they converge in a single and wide sound of their own, full of energy, mystical and noisy rock & roll. Among an expanded amalgam of influences you can notice about the psychedelic landscapes, the spirit of the classics 60-70’s and even 80’s, the body and weight of the street hard rock and the Afro-Latin rhythms of our continent, all incorporated into a contemporary sound. A few steps from launching our first album, which has been cooking over low heat for 3 years, La Gran Reunión counts every single second for the time to summoning all.
Cristóbal Pacheco – Lead Vocals & Rhythm Guitars.
Christian Spencer – Lead Guitars & Some Vocals.
Pablo Saavedra – Keyboards & Chorus Vocals.
Mario Rodríguez – Bass Guitars & Back Vocals.
Javier Tapia – Latin Percussions & Harmony Vocals.
Manuel Yañez – Drums & Percussions.


text:
BENGALURU: If you have a day off and are planning a visit to the government aquarium located at Cubbon Park in the city, you might well think twice. The Government aquarium, also called the Bangalore aquarium, was inaugurated in 1983 and is said to be India’s second largest one.
But it is currently in bad shape due to lack of maintenance. The roof of the aquarium has developed cracks and is peeling from the outside, while inside the ceiling is broken with paint peeling off. It does not even have proper facility to ensure circulation of water and regulate temperature.
Shashank Dixit, a visitor from Delhi, said, “Most of the tanks are empty and the paints are peeling off. Why are they not maintaining it.” “Very bad lighting and many plates are missing. What’s the use of coming, lf someone like me who doesn’t know about fishes can’t even get to know,” complained Jeevan Raj, another visitor from Kerala.
Vikas, assistant director at the aquarium, said, “We don’t have a facility like LLS (Life Supporting System) which provides automatic circulation of water and temperature. We’ve to do it manually, which is tedious and requires labour.”
Recalling a recent incident he said the water channel was cut off for 25 days and there was no water. “Later, after several calls to BWSSB, it was repaired. We have given a proposal about having LLS to the government and I’m hoping we will soon have that system,” Vikas said. A sum of Rs 6 lakh has been allocated for the repair work, which would start soon, he added.
The aquarium does not even have an official website and the information provided by a private websites is inaccurate. According to the marine mammal conservation network of India, there are at least 120 species of marine mammal found in the world with a fourth of these found in India. However marine mammal research in India is still very basic and is a low priority area.


text:
Ketamine for sale. Buy ketamine from us with safe secured and discrete packaging delivery. Guaranteed quality and purity with steady supply from the trusted plug SkyHigh Market.
Ketamine Online,Inducing anesthesia (lack of sensation or feeling) before surgery or certain procedures that do not require skeletal muscle relaxation. Ketamine is a medication mainly use for starting and maintaining anesthesia. It induces a trance-like state while providing pain relief, sedation, and memory loss. Other uses include for chronic pain, sedation in intensive care, and depression.
It is a dissociative anesthetic: a drug that distorts perception of sight and sound and produces feelings of detachment (dissociation) from the environment
What is Ketamine HCL used for?
It used before surgery or a medical or dental procedure to produce loss of consciousness. This medicine is a type of anesthetic.
Before using ketamine: Ketamine for sale
Some medical conditions may interact with ketamine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following: Ketamine for sale
Amiodarone or droxidopa because serious side effects, such as abnormal heart rhythms, may occur This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if ketamine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your healthcare provider before you start.

domain: medical


text:
Loan Oregon. PERTAINING TO PAYDAY ADVANCES AND PAYDAY ADVANCES IN Oregon
Current Advance Loan State Statutes for Oregon
Oregon has one of the most significant optimum loan quantities that are greatest into the country.
Predicated on everything you meet the requirements for the, you’ll borrow just as much as $50,000. You can just be charged just as much as 36% interest. Fees max out at ten bucks for every and each $100 you borrow, up to $30. You’ll be able to get up to a $13 finance price for a loan that is 31-day or higher to 156per cent APR for the loan this is certainly 31-day.
You may be permitted to expand your short-term loan twice, you have to invest your loan down within 60 times. There’s no limitation to your amount of payday advances you can remove at the same time. The bank might charge a fee one NSF charge up to $20. You’ll have the ability to be in control of other bank expenses. The financial institution cannot just take illegal action against you.
Oregon Cash Loan Regulations
Spend day loans comes in Oregon. They are managed the way in which is exact same advance loans are.
It is because those two loan products are actually the exact same task.
Oregon Advance Loan Lenders by City
Simply in Oregon would the consistant state flower be viewed a grape. It ought to be because all things really are a small sweeter in Oregon, much like the number of advance loan financial institutions. It comes down to loans that are getting you reside among the states biggest towns and cities or smaller towns, Oregonians have choices when. We used Yelp to find a couple of types of creditors in five of Oregons many towns that are populous towns and cities. We do not claim your can purchase ever worked with your loan providers. Be aware that this variety of financial institutions has been provided to purposes that are informational.
As you could have noticed, there arent actually amount that is large of for a lot of among these towns.
It looks like some elements of Oregon currently have an inferior variety that is sized of loan financial institutions than many other similarly urban centers being sized areas from the country. This may be as a result of Oregons declare that is reasonably strict. We’re able to conserve time whenever youre researching for the advance loan financial institution. When you finish our safe type, well try and set you by having a expert loan provider thats licensed to produce in circumstances. Then you could begin the home loan procedure with certainty. Our solution is completely free. You do not have actually to phone home in just one of the populous towns and towns when you look at the list that is above take advantage of our internet internet internet site. All Oregon residents often takes good thing about our free solution.
a lot of major corporations are headquartered in Oregon. It will help raise the ongoing work price in terms of state. Currently, the jobless price for Oregon is 5.3-percent.
While Oregon provides https://cash-central.net/payday-loans-ma/ one of the optimum loan amounts which can be greatest for payday advances, it limits the interest costs to a quantity that is really low. This means way too long you will need at the time, youll have actually an improved opportunity settling the debt within the arranged term of the loan as you are careful and just just take down up to.
Requesting Title Loans in Oregon
Vehicle name loans could possibly be alternatives that are viable clients who’re struggling economically and who may have exhausted other available choices which can be financial.
Title loans are small-dollar loans that are sent applications for against a borrowers vehicle. A borrowers name can be used as security unlike payday advances where that loan is removed against an individuals paycheck, in this instance.
Month Automobile name loans can be taken out also against vehicles and motorcycles, and loan terms are generally 1. Lenders give out loans of varying quantities: typically 25% to 50percent of the worth concerning the vehicle being borrowed against. While normal loan quantities might be anywhere from $100 to $5,500, some lenders may allow borrowers to just take down as much as $10,000.
Just like other short-term loans, clients will have to provide a few anticipated paperwork as much as that loan provider and will need to meet with the eligibility this is certainly appropriate. These could often consist of proof of profits, proof residency and age, credit score and history, along with evidence car ownership.
Title Loans Laws in Oregon
As a consequence of strict guidelines regarding financing that is short-term nonetheless, title loans are forbidden in the state of Oregon.
While there is no price limit on automobile and vehicle loans in the state, as noted prior, there was a $50,000 maximum loan amount that lenders can offer and a maximum of 60 times that loans might be eliminated for.
Such shorter schedule money could be popular with clients that will be coping with crisis cash situation and from now on have instant financial requirements such as unexpected medical expenses, household or vehicle repairs, urgent lease or bills, as well as other pending money dilemmas.
But while these loans supplies the relief this is certainly above they could also have a high expenses and high dangers that are standard. Consumers can choose for many alternative choices to title lending in Oregon such as: borrowing cash from a pal, selecting a person loan, or trying to find help that is federal.

domain: finance


text:
Donating Historic Items:
From time to time, the Naval Historical Foundation facilitates the donation of historically significant naval items to repositories around the country. This includes photographs, uniforms, books, paperwork, and other physical artifacts. While the Foundation does not currently acquire new items for our own collection, we often play a part in ensuring the safe transfer of artifacts from private collections to proper archival institutions.
We are often asked what the best place is to donate and item. This is not an easy question, as it depends on the type of item, the period it is from, and the current holdings of archives and museums around the country. In general, unlabeled photographs, ships plaques, and ball caps are not desired by most collections. While each item will need to be assessed for condition, historical importance, and uniqueness, we thought it would be helpful to share this basic list of contacts that you might want to investigate if you you are thinking of making a donation.
Naval History and Heritage Command
The Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) is the U.S. Navy’s official history command, with headquarters in Washington, D.C., and museums located around the United States. NHHC’s facilities at the Washington Navy Yard house millions of paper documents and photographs, as well as the Navy Department Library which has a collection of thousands of rare and interesting books on naval history. NHHC also maintains a large material collection of artifacts including uniforms, weapons, and ship artifacts.
NHHC accepts donations from the public. If you have artifacts that are considering for donation to the U.S. Navy, please use the following contacts:
Photographs: Photo Archives, (202) 433-2765
Art: Navy Art Collection, (202) 433-3815
Books: Navy Department Library, (202) 433-4132
Physical Artifacts: Curator Branch, (202) 433-7873
Paper Documents: Operational Archives, (202) 433-3224
World War II Materials
The National Museum of the Pacific War is located in Fredericksburg, Texas, the boyhood home of Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz. They collect items related to the Pacific campaign of World War II. Information on donating artifacts can be found here.
Vietnam Era Materials
The Vietnam Center and Archive at Texas Tech University has millions of pages of documents, photographs, and artifacts related to the Vietnam War. The accept donations from the public, information can be found here.
National Archives and Records Administration
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the official record keeping organization of the United States government. While the majority of their holdings come directly from the government itself, they do acquire selected relevant and important documentation and photography from private donors. They have pamphlets on their website regarding donation of photographs (here) and motion pictures (here). In general, NARA will not have an interest in acquiring materials from private donations, unless they are closely related to Federal records already in their custody. You can reach the NARA at 1-866-272-6272.
Library of Congress
The Foundation has a long standing relationship with the Library of Congress (LOC). The LOC is the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution and serves as the research arm of Congress. It is also the largest library in the world, with millions of books, recordings, photographs, maps and manuscripts in its collections. The LOC does accept selected important items for donation, and provides instructions here on their website. Additionally, LOC runs the Veterans History Project which collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war. If you have a firsthand account from a veteran, this is the place to go.
Other Navy and Military History Museums and Archives
There are many museums around the country which celebrate our Navy’s history, and which might be interested in a donation of your historic material. You may want to contact a museum or museum ship in your local area. If the items in question are from your service, or from the service of a family member, a local museum might be interested. You can find a full list of museums ships at the Historic Naval Ships Association website, complete with contact information for each of them. Additionally, you may want to try contacting the local NHHC museum in your area, a full list of which can be found here. Additionally, your local college or university may have a Special Collections department in their Library, which may be interested in items with a local connection.
Please note: The Naval Historical Foundation does not have the capability to appraise the value of donated items.

domain: library


text:
Easter is a time for family, friends, and of course, hot cross buns! But sometimes, we want this tasty Easter treat more than once a year.
There are plenty of ways to use up your leftover hot cross buns and save money at the same time, but how do you bring the taste of Easter without having to whip out the baking apron?
Here are six easy steps for freezing hot cross buns for later use:
Step 1. Cut in half.
Slice your hot cross buns in half before freezing. This will reduce the thawing time or enable you to instantly toast them from frozen.
Step 2. Wrap it up.
Wrap each cross bun individually in cling film or aluminum foil to avoid freezer burn.
Step 3. Storage.
Transfer the wrapped buns in an airtight container or freezer bag. Label with the date and content to keep track of the freezing time frame.
Step 4. Freeze.
You can store your hot cross buns in the freezer for up to 6 months, but for best results freeze for up to 3 months.
Step 5. Defrost.
Defrost at room temperature for 2-3 hours or in a microwave by placing 1 unwrapped hot cross bun for 45 to 50 seconds or until soft using the defrost setting. Alternatively, you can use the defrost setting on your toaster.
Step 6. Let’s get toasting!
Hot cross buns can be warmed up using a toaster or in an oven preheated to 160 °C/fan for about 5 minutes or to 180°C/fan for toasty hot cross buns!
Why freeze your hot cross buns?
Not only can freezing your leftover hot cross buns help reduce food waste, but it can also save you money!
According to Love Food and Hate Waste, 36 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions (the equivalent of 3,000 double-decker buses) could be prevented by saving!
So why not put that money towards something else this Easter?
By using up your leftovers instead of throwing them away or cashing in on a bargain you find on the Gander app, you can enjoy delicious hot cross buns while saving some cash too!

domain: food


text:
Blu Homes Unveils The Lotus Mini Featuring Stikwood
"We’re trying to lower our price per-square-foot with this launch," says Maura McCarthy, one of Blu’s cofounders, "and want to deliver cooler, more personalized homes on a tighter timeframe."
The Lotus Mini starts at $275,000.
Blu’s new miniature models offers more streamlined, flexible spaces meant to have a range of uses, from potential pool houses or extensions meant to densify a lot to a vehicle for a full-on embrace of the tiny home lifestyle. The Lotus line, which includes both a compact 640-square foot mini model and 1,600-square-foot option with an offset floor plan and two bedrooms, were created with a more small footprint and luxurious lifestyle in mind. Both sizes features options that magnify their relatively small layouts, including custom storage systems from California Closets, Murphy beds, full kitchenettes, and a series of sliding doors and decks meant to amplify outdoor space. "Building lots of options into the small footprint is important to us," says McCarthy.
Gather around our workbench and learn from our team how fun it is to transform your space into something you love.Start Creating!
Need a short and sweet fix for style-devoid walls? Wainscoting is a great option! Used for centuries, the framed wall paneling is perfect for covering up minor wall damage that’s already there, or simply protecting the wall from everyday wear and tear. No matter where the wainscoting rises to, either one-third or two-thirds up the wall, it’s a classic way to incorporate personality into a room. While beadboard and square moldings are traditional looks, they aren’t the only way to go. Peel and stick wood is another option that cuts the install time in half, since you don’t have to measure and cut molding into perfect squares then nail it all into the wall. Before you give the look a whirl, check out these winning examples of peel and stick wainscoting.

domain: design


We explained the batch production method in middle-sized manufacturing sites. In these batch production sites, the the difference between the produced products is very high. As you know also the medium-sized manufacturing sites are also has production capacity 100-10000 product in a year. There is an another production method for medium-sized prodution capacity called. Cellular Production or Cellular Layout. In this article, we will explain the Cellular Layout production manner and what are the advantages and disadvantages of them.
What Is The Cellular Layout Production In Manufacturing Facilities?
If there is a great difference between the produced parts like in batch production method, it is very easy proper the build the manufacturing site as cellular layout. Because, there is no change of manufacturing equipments in time intervals as in batch production again.
The cell logic; each cell in manufacturing site consists nearly same manufacturing equipments. But there is a small difference in the produced products in each cell. So slight different products can be produces from one manufacturing site without any lost time. But the biggest disadvantage for cellular production is the low differences in product types.
The general working principle of the cellular layout is like that.
Leave your comments and questions below!
Image courtesy: Fundamentals Of Modern Manufacturing


text:
Kabob House Menu
Authentic Mediterranean Cuisine at Kabob House Restaurant.
In 2014, the company was founded. We first opened our doors in October of 2014. Azzam B. is the company’s owner. With restaurants in Ellensburg, Richland, and Spokane, as well as one under development in Pasco, owner Ahmed Baqer is building a dynasty. In the next five years, he plans to establish 20 to 25 more sites in Eastern Washington, Idaho, and Montana, and he may pursue franchising.
Tender, succulent meats are combined with exquisite cheeses and crisp vegetables obtained from local farmer’s markets in our meticulously created Mediterranean cuisine. Our globally inspired meals are a delectable mash-up of Greek, Arabic, and Mediterranean classics.


text:
These are examples, lists, links to case studies, and personal accounts of places that have characteristics of people-oriented places. After all, my People Places site promises information about people-oriented places. Readers should ask: Where are they? Show me the city!
Well, the real world is not like theory. In truth, there are very few places in the world where human beings are given precedence over automobiles and where urban planning and architecture are designed around people as opposed to functions. I include places that have at least tried to make places more people-friendly or are pursuing policies that integrate multi-modal transit and mixed use developments into planning.
- Foot Traffic Ahead: Ranking Walkable Urbanism in America’s Largest Metros
- Walker's Paradises from walkscore.com, this list shows areas of cities with a Walk Score of 90 or above.
- For small towns, check out ePodunk's ranking of walkable small towns.
- 60 of the World's Great Places This list is presented by Project for Public Spaces, a group that works to create and sustain public places that build communities. Some examples: Balboa Park in San Diego, CA; Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, MO; Covent Gardens in London; and Staples Street Bus Station in Corpus Christi, TX. These places are meant to serve as examples and guides. I hope that some of the qualities of these places can be infused into the everyday environments of people everywhere.
- Richard Florida's Creativity Index. This index claims to measure the power of a city to draw members of the creative class, members of which Florida claims are the key to economic growth. This list, to me, indicates a way to think about fine-grained amenities and aesthetics that people enjoy, as opposed to mammoth sports stadiums and downtown malls. I think Florida's qualitative research into what attracts young people to cities sheds light on what makes cities great. See his books Cities and the Creative Class and The Rise of the Creative Class.
Top Creativity Index ranking for regions of over 1 million:
- Car-Free Areas.
There are very, very few operating car-free areas in the world, but some emerging projects as well as an established list of
- Recent car-free projects
- There is a List of Carfree Places at Wikipedia. Most of these car-free areas are in the center of European cities or island or resort areas. This list includes areas that have limited automobile access (otherwise this list would be extremely short). This information can shed light on what pedestrian-only and pedestrian-oriented areas look like.
- "Best Places to Live" lists. I'm skeptical about "best places to live" rankings because they place an assumed value on things like climate, cultural attractions, sports teams, and other amenities of a place. Everyone wants and values different things, so you shouldn't take any of these best places rankings as absolute, unless you strongly agree with the values placed on the ranked items. You are probably better off making your own ranking at a Web site that allows you to place your own value on amenities and characteristics of a place (see, for example, FindYourSpot.com or the Find your Best Place survey of Sperling's Best Places).
Cities / Neighborhoods
These are specific cities and projects within cities that support various ideals of people-oriented places. Many are oriented toward ecologically-sound, sustainable development. Others are oriented toward New Urbanism ideals.
- Glenwood Park, Atlanta
- Has been built to provide a mix of housing types, with some retail and commercial, with an eye toward walkability. Winner of awards and recognition for New Urbanist ideals.
- EcoCity Cleveland
- Helps people live in greater balance with nature. Emphasis includes land-use planning and transportation policy issues to promote smarter growth in northeast Ohio, USA.
- Environmentally-friendly, energy-efficient mix of housing and work space in Beddington, Sutton, United Kingdom.
- Master-planned community that combines sustainable living with the look and feel of a small town. Located in southeast Tucson, AZ, USA.
- Home Zones
- A home zone is a pedestrian and cyclist-oriented group of streets where motorists are encouraged, through traffic calming and other features, to drive safely. This site includes a directory of home zones in the United Kingdom.
- Global Ecovillage Network
- Network of ecovillages with emphasis on ecologically, economically, and culturally sustainable future. Includes a directory of ecovillages. A subset network, Urban Ecovillage Network, has an urban emphasis.
On the opening page of People Places, I switch out various photos that visually capture what I mean by "people-oriented places." These are places that I've visited and really enjoyed. Click the thumbnail photo for a bit larger image.Chicago, Illinois, USA. An urban park can be a vibrant, interesting place with activities oriented around music, art, gardens, sculpture, skyline admiring, walking, food, and people watching. (See more photos.)
Madison, Wisconsin, USA. This street serves as the main cultural axis of the capital city of Wisconsin and shows how a bus-only street can operate (cars do cross State Street at intersections) with a canopy of trees, cafes, restaurants, stores, and cultural centers. Unfortunately, panhandlers exploit this public space and harass pedestrians. (See more photos.)
I'd like to list here articles or links to articles in which people describe experiences about where they live and how it supports people-orientation.
- Walk Los Angeles with me
- A blog and a Web site about trekking across LA on foot.
- Alternative transit and related issues. California.
- Live from the Third Rail
- Washington, DC transit.
- London Underground
- Mind the gap, blog the tube.
- 73 urban journeys
- Experiences on the 73 bus in London.
- Route 79
- Experiences on the 79 bus in London.
- Musings on Mumbai City from a self-described space-alist: "I love writing and musing on spaces and I am looking forward to designing and conceiving innovative city spaces!"
- I'm working on an article about how I live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin without a car
- I will include practical issues, using the transit system, shopping, and how my neighborhood supports walkability.

domain: geography


text:
UFC 208 Results: Rick Glenn defeats Phillipe Nover via split-decision
A bout between Rick Glenn and Phillipe Nover kicked off tonight’s UFC 208 prelims in Brooklyn, New York.
Round one begins and Nover starts off quickly. He lands a nice kick and then a right hand. Glenn attempts to fire back but misses with a left. He connects with a low kick but Nover immediately replies with one of his own. A beautiful high kick lands from Nover. Glenn somehow eats it and lands a counter left hand. Both fighters trade shots in the pocket. Nover presses forward and lands a side kick. He paws with a left jab. Glen presses forward but can not connect. Both men with some good shots in the pocket. Glenn pushes Nover up against the fence and searches for a takedown. He does not get it but lands some good knees to close out round one.
Round two begins and Nover lands a low kick to start. Glenn presses forward but Nover remains elusive with some solid footwork. Both fighters connect with left hooks. Glenn presses forward and lands a hard kick o the boy. Nover circles but Glenn is cutting him off now. Good low kicks from Glenn. He shoots in and presses Nover up against the cage. He grabs a hold of a double leg but Nover is somehow able to defend the takedown. Glenn is relentless here. He is still working hard to earn that takedown. Nover is using some excellent balance to stay on his feet. Nover lands a few uppercuts while pressed up along the cage. A solid knee lands inside for Glenn. The fighters break and Rick lands a good low kick. Nover is backing up to much here. Glenn continues his forward momentum and works some knees along the fence to end round two.
Round three begins and Nover lands a crisp left jab to start. Phillipe lands a solid left and then another. He is starting to use some good forward pressure here. Glenn circles and retakes the center of the octagon. Rick lands a hard inside leg kick. Nover responds with a hard left hand. He connects with a viscous leg kick and then another. Glenn didn’t like that and rushes forward and pushes Nover against the fence. Phillipe lands some good elbows while displaying some nice takedown defense. Not much offense from Rick here and the referee steps in and separates the fighters. Glenn quickly moves forward and engages the clinch. He immediately presses Nover against the fence in search of a takedown. Nover defends and circles out. Phillipe with a left hook. Glenn replies with a kick. He presses Nover back up against the cage and works some foot stomps. Glenn finally scores a takedown but Nover pops right back up. Glenn with a nice elbow to close out the fight.
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

domain: sports


text:
Category / The Clearing / Interview
Helen Jukes’ debut book A Honeybee Heart has Five Openings was published last week. Here she speaks to Michael Malay about what it means to keep bees, to be kept by them, and…July 30, 2018
You May Also Like
- Places of Poetry: Happy MealWe come with such force The Toon splits in two Exalting, we’re bolting, revolting, we’re through […]
- Luke Thompson and Mairead Dunne: from ‘the clearing’Four poems from 'the clearing' a forthcoming pamphlet written by Luke Thompson, illustrated by Mairead Dunne. […]
- New poems from David Troupes, Katherine Robinson and Robert Okaji‘Some seeds […]
From the Archive
THE CLEARING is an online journal published by Little Toller Books that offers writers and artists a dedicated space in which to explore and celebrate the landscapes we live in. Our contributors are encouraged to go forth and find distinctive visions that startle us, rural or urban, modern or prehistoric, industrial, post-industrial, fantastical, natural, political, however they come. But each must be meaningful, surprising, felt.
The editors welcome original submissions in all written, audio and visual genres. Submission should reflect The Clearing/Little Toller’s concern with the natural environment, but within this broad subject-matter we encourage a diversity of interpretation and approach.
Owing to the large number of recent submissions we are not currently accepting new work. If you have previously submitted work, we will review it and get back to you.


text:
I create a safe, judgment free space, to help you or your
find ways to move through life feeling more whole, connected, confident, at ease, and better able to navigate life’s stressors.
I wholeheartedly believe we all possess the innate ability to grow, heal, make mindset shifts, and build support systems to find more balance in life. Adolescence and young adulthood are prime times for creating new pathways for healthier coping, relating, and decision-making. I specialize in helping teens and young adults develop healthy patterns for coping with stress, anxiety, symptoms of trauma, and behavioral issues, as well as cultivating self-esteem. I also offer parenting coaching, co-parenting support, and

domain: psychology


text:
Saldana: Pirates put me off acting
Zoe Saldana has revealed she almost quit acting after appearing in Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl.
The 36-year-old, who started her career in the Disney blockbuster alongside Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley, admitted the experience made her disillusioned about the industry.
"Those weren't the right people for me. I'm not talking about the cast. The cast was great. I'm talking about the political stuff that went on behind closed doors," Zoe, who has not commented on speculation that she has pregnant, told The Hollywood Reporter.
"It was a lot of above-the-line versus below-the-line, extras versus actors, producers versus PAs. It was very elitist. I almost quit the business. I was 23-years-old, and I was like.... I am never putting myself in this situation again. People disrespecting me because they look at my number on a call sheet and they think I'm not important."
Zoe, who has since made her name starring in sci-fi franchises like Avatar, Star Trek and the upcoming Guardians Of The Galaxy, said she had to pursue her passion.
"You just gravitate naturally to what your heart yearns for. And I grew up in a very science fiction-driven household. I watched Terminator, Aliens, The Hunger, supernatural thrillers, I'm one of the only people who loved Dune," she said.
The actress, who next plays soul singer Nina Simone in a big-screen biopic, also revealed how she is often mistaken for Thandie Newton.
"(My mother) saw a poster for Crash and called me to ask me why I didn't tell her I was in a movie with Matt Dillon," she said. "I've gotten Kerry Washington and Jada Pinkett, too, but mainly Thandie."

domain: entertainment


text:
I have reduced the spacing at the bottom between the 2 sections from 90px to 50px...right above workshop section. I have also reduced spacing between workshop heading and its content. It appears perfectly within upfront but when I save and exit, it is showing the 90px padding and space after workshop heading.
I have cleared browser cache. I have even tried a different browser but just can't seem to to get to appear correctly.


text:
|Overview - Zechariah 14|
|1||The destroyers of Jerusalem destroyed.|
|3||The coming of Christ, and the graces of his kingdom.|
|12||The plague of Jerusalem's enemies.|
|16||The remnant shall turn to the Lord;|
|20||and their spoils shall be holy.|
Zechariah 14:15 (King James Version)
And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague.
- There are no entries for this verse!


text:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cory Bythrow, Communications Director
Phone: (202) 216-4458
Washington, DC – As hundreds of thousands of federal employees awoke to a government shutdown this morning, William R. Dougan, National President of the National Federation of Federal Employees, a national union representing 110,000 federal workers throughout the U.S., issued the following statement:
“Today Congress willfully forced 800,000 dedicated federal workers off the job of serving the American people. These workers have families to feed, bills to pay, and rent to make. They are taxpaying, hardworking citizens of this country just like everyone else, but extremists in Congress are punishing them to score political points.
My message to Congress is this: Don’t play games with federal employees’ livelihoods.
This shutdown is shameful, it is unacceptable, and this union will not rest until these workers are back on the job and their paychecks are made whole. Federal employees have already endured three years of frozen pay, cuts to retirement benefits, and over a week of unpaid furlough days. They have given more than their fair share. Even more furloughs under this shutdown will be the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Federal employees deserve better. They provide critical services to our nation every day by caring for our veterans, protecting our borders, and preserving our national treasures, among so many other vital duties. They want to come to work and serve their country. We must all stand up and demand Congress do the right thing and put our public servants back on the job where they belong.”
# # #
Established in 1917, the National Federation of Federal Employees is the oldest union representing civil service federal employees. NFFE represents 110,000 federal employees in 35 departments and agencies government-wide. NFFE is affiliated with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, AFL-CIO.

domain: sociology


text:
You are browsing the archive for 20 June 2015 - Dan's Wild Wild Science Journal.
20 June 2015
The Ghost of Bill Heads for The East Coast
It’s a summer weekend here in the Mid-Atlantic, and that means thousands are on the beaches from Fire Island To Ocean City in Maryland, while at the same time, the Firefly music festival just north of Dover in Delaware has drawn a crowd of 95,000 people to see such acts as Paul McCartney (I typed that name standing up of course) and Snoop Dog. Now, add in the remains of …


text:
A couple of days ago I saw some birds in the water next to the cycle path on my way to work in the morning. My first thought was “small ducks”, but after having past them I realised I hadn’t looked closely at them and though I tried to fix the vague memories of their appearance in my head, by the time I got to work I realised that it could have been anything from a moor hen to a “funnily coloured duck that looked small for some reason”. I wish I could go back in time and look at them properly!
Fortunately, time travel was not required in order to get a second look. On my way home from work, the ducks were still there, and though they got a bit shy when I carefully brought my bike to a stop and slowly got my camera out, they only swam a little further away, and stayed near some grass they could hide in, if they needed it. I managed to get a little video. I’m sure they were making some sounds at the time, but unfortunately it was so windy that it’s pretty impossible to hear anything on here. Towards the end I zoom in, and you can see them a bit better:
I also took quite a few photos, and here are some zoomed and cropped versions. Click for bigger versions in lightbox:
Hopefully some helpful ornithologists out there can help me figure out what they are. Please comment with your ideas!

domain: hobby


text:
Posted by Opposing Views on Friday, April 1, 2016
This police officer found a young homeless girl living out of a car with her mother. What he did next is going viral, and it's easy to see why:
A Police officer hops into action to help a homeless girl. Huntington Beach police received a call about a suspicious vehicle. They found a mother and daughter living in their car. Officer Scott Marsh spoke with the girl’s mother and contacted the Homeless Task Force; while officer Zach Pricer played a game of hopscotch to brighten the girl’s day. The hopscotch video has received positive feedback and has over 900k views on Facebook. Share this video to thank officers for their acts of kindness, both big and small.


text:
April 4 - April 25
An event every week that begins at 2:00 am on Thursday, repeating until April 4, 2024
Here’s How It Works:
- Each month, the Tavern will be featuring three different charities.
- Come to the Tavern any Thursday and get a wooden token (one per person) with ANY Purchase.
- On your way out, drop your wooden token in thecharity box of your choice.
- At the end of the month, we’ll tally up the wooden tokens given to each charity and make a donation to each cause.
- Most Tokens=$150, 2nd $100, 3rd $50!
This Month’s Charities
Voices for Children- Provides trained volunteers, Court Appointed Special Advocates, to abused and neglected children in Howard County, who advocate in court to ensure each child a safe and permanent home.
Boys Hope Girls Hope- Boys Hope Girls Hope of Baltimore helps academically motivated middle and high school students rise above disadvantaged backgrounds and become successful in college and beyond. Our goal is to graduate young people who are physically, emotionally and academically prepared for post-secondary education and a productive life, breaking the cycle of poverty.
Autism Society- The mission of the Howard County Autism Society is to serve individuals on the autism spectrum, their families, and their communities by providing information, support, and advocacy; by promoting awareness of autism that values the dignity and uniqueness of each individual; and by working to improve the quality of and access to services and to educational opportunities. The HoCo Autism Society is an affiliate of the Autism Society of America. April is Autism Awareness Month
Elias Jakob Cieslak- Providing support and solace to grieving families who have tragically lost children due to violence. Our mission is rooted in compassion, aiming to alleviate the financial burden associated with funeral expenses and offer a helping hand during times of profound sorrow. At the heart of our foundation is the commitment to honor the memory of Elias Cieslak and all victims of violence. We strive to be a beacon of hope, fostering healing and unity within communities affected by senseless acts of aggression.


text:
By Tressa Bowers
When, in 1968, 19-year-old Tressa Bowers took her child daughter to a professional on deaf young children, he suggested that Alandra was once “stone deaf,” she probably may by no means manage to speak, and she or he most likely wouldn't get a lot of an schooling due to her conversation barriers. Tressa refused to just accept this stark review of Alandra’s clients. in its place, she begun the onerous technique of beginning her daughter’s education.
Economic want pressured Tressa to maneuver a number of instances, and for that reason, she and Alandra skilled quite a few studying environments: a natural oralist technique, which discouraged signing; overall communique, during which the lecturers spoke and signed concurrently; a residential university for deaf kids, the place Signed English was once hired; and a mainstream public college that relied upon interpreters. alterations at domestic additional extra calls for, from Tressa’s divorce to her remarriage, her lengthy paintings hours, and the continued problem of entire conversation inside of their kin. via all of it, Tressa and Alandra by no means overpassed their love for every different, and their affection rippled during the complete family members. this present day, Tressa can triumphantly element to her convinced, knowledgeable daughter and in addition communicate with delight of her significant courting together with her deaf grandchildren. Alandra’s Lilacs is a fabulous tale in regards to the resiliency and achievements of made up our minds, loving humans it doesn't matter what their conditions may possibly be.
Read or Download Alandra's Lilacs: The Story of a Mother and Her Deaf Daughter PDF
Best biographies & memoirs of authors books
Thomas Bernhard (1931-1989), a literary determine of overseas acclaim and arguably Austria's maximum post-World conflict II author, turned the 1st of his iteration to show unrelentingly his country's pathological denial of complicity within the Holocaust. Bernhard's writings and certainly his personal biography replicate Austria's fraught efforts to outline itself as a country following the cave in of the Habsburg monarchy and the trauma of global struggle II.
Allen Ginsberg, Lionel and Diana Trilling, Lillian Hellman, Hannah Arendt, and Norman Mailer -- all are ex-friends of Norman Podhoretz, the popular editor and critic and major member of the crowd of recent York intellectuals who got here to be referred to as "the relations. " As just a friend may well, Podhoretz tells the tale of those friendships, as soon as crucial to his lifestyles, and indicates how the political and cultural struggles of the previous fifty years made them very unlikely to maintain.
From provincial obscurity to 1 of the main well-known writers of his day.
This new Kindle variation of S. T. Joshi's huge biography of H. P. Lovecraft comprises the whole two-volume print version in a single dossier, supplying the main specified portrait of the lifestyles, paintings, and considered the dreamer from windfall ever released. An improved and up to date variation restores the 150,000 phrases that Joshi passed over from its unique ebook and, moreover, updates the texts with new findings.
Additional resources for Alandra's Lilacs: The Story of a Mother and Her Deaf Daughter


text:
Seeger lends his name to song royalty reforms
When Pete Seeger was recording songs like “Wimoweh” with the Weavers folk quartet in the 1950s, he didn’t give much thought to the fact the people who originally created the music generally got nothing in return.
Now Seeger is lending his name to the Campaign for Public Domain Reform, an effort to create a system for part of the royalties from folk tunes to reach the corners of the world where the songs originated.
“When a song is in the public domain and you record it, it’s standard practice in the music industry to say ‘adapted and arranged by’ whoever sings it,” he said in a recent interview. “Why let the record company keep all the royalties? They didn’t write the song.”
In a performing career spanning more than six decades, Seeger wrote or co-wrote such anthems as “If I Had a Hammer,” “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” and “Turn! Turn! Turn!”
Seeger, who turned 85 last week, said he long ago turned over his share of the royalties from “Wimoweh” to Solomon Linda, the Zulu choral leader who first recorded the song as “Mbube” in 1939. But he said he was unhappy that Linda and his family received nothing after the song found new life as “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” first as a chart-topping hit by the Tokens in 1961 and later in the hit movie and Broadway musical “The Lion King.”
But then, he said, he realized he was equally guilty for taking an old song called “Abiyoyo” from a book of African folk tunes. The song came from the Xhosa people of South Africa. “I’d been doing it for 50 years and never sent any money to anybody.”
To help set things right, his publisher is working out an arrangement to send half the royalties from the song to a nonprofit organization that funds scholarships for Xhosa children.

domain: celebrity


text:
The Titicaca Lake “Stone Puma”: Is the Highest Navigable lake of the world located at 3810 m.a.s.l and the larguest lake of South America.
Known as “The Sacred Lake of the Incas “, the Titicaca Lake is a wonderful attraction for nature lovers, to enjoy an unforgettable view of the Cordillera Real of the Andes and the islands in the lake, so one can connect with nature.
This lake offers a varied fauna composed mainly of ducks, fish such as the suche, pejerrey and trout, among others.
Its flora is represented by 12 varieties of aquatic plants highlighting the totora, yana llacho and duckweed. The lake has 36 islands, among the most important are those of Taquile and Amantani, in Peruvian territory, and the islands of the Sun and the Moon in Bolivian waters. The temperature of its waters fluctuates between 10 ° C to 12 ° C.
1- Tour in the Titicaca Lake: Floating Islands of the Uros and Taquile Island (Full day – regular boat)
The floating Islands of Uros are a group of artificial islands made of totora superimposed in the Titicaca Lake. Its inhabitants are the Uros, an ancestral town that is currently distributed in the Collao and that in Peru, they only inhabit the floating islands located in the bay of Puno.
Taquile is an island located in the heart of Lake Titicaca, between 3810 and 4100 m.a.s.l with an infinity of cultivation terraces, they inhabit around 2500 people grouped into 500 families. They are characterized by their fine craftsmanship; that is why in 2005 UNESCO declared to this Island: "Masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity".
Itinerary of the Tour:
- 6:45am. Transfer from yout hotel in Puno to the Port.
- 7:10am. Start of the tour on our way to the Uros Islands.
- We will visit at least 2 islands.
- 8:40 am. Travel to Taquile Island in 2 hours and 30 minutes
- 11:15 am. We will arrive to Taquile Island, the locals will welcome us, then we will walk for about 35 minutes to arrive to its main square..
- 12:30 am. Free time.
- 1:00 pm. We will have lunch, we will have food prepared with local products, it will be a quinoa soup, Local Trout and muña tea.
- 2:50 pm. Descent to the Port to board the boat in our way to Puno.
- 5:10 pm. Arrival to the Port of Puno, then we will be transferred to our hotel in Puno.
|Tour in the Lake Titicaca: Floating Islans of Uros and Taquile (Regular Boat)|
|Cost of the tour per person||US$: 70 Dollars|
- Transfer Hotel – Port – Hotel
- Professional bilingual guide (English - Spanish)
- Entrance tickets to all attractions to visit.
- Lunch in Taquile.
- All transportation Included.
2- Tour in the Titicaca Lake: Islands of Uros and Taquile, VIP service (Full day, fast Boat)
Fast service A-1, the advantage of this trip is the travel time that is reduced to less than half and therefore the visits are longer, which allows to take less frequented routes and enjoy meetings with local families and Weavers You can see the production of the famous Taquile textiles.
Itinerary of the Tour:
- Starts: 8:00 a.m. and return to Puno: 04:00 pm.
- 7:30 am: Pick up from your hotels in the center of Puno.
- 7:45 am: Departure from the Port of Puno in our way to the floating islands.
- 8:00 am: Arrival to the floating islands of the Uros
- 10:00 am: Arrival at Taquile Island. We will start the walk to the place where we will find the weavers. For an hour and a half we will enjoy the meetings with the families of the inhabitants, the observation of Taquile's textile designs, the interpretation of traditional clothing and the way of life of the people of Taquile. Where you can also see the beautiful landscape of the Lake Titikaka.
- 12:30 pm .: Lunch.
- 13:30 pm .: Return by the stairs to the main pier of Taquile.
- 14:30 pm .: Departure from the main pier of Taquile Island.
- 15:30 pm .: Arrival at the main pier of the City of Puno and we will transfer the passengers back to their hotels.
|Tour in the Lake Titicaca: Floating Islands of Uros and Taquile (Speed boat)|
|Cost of the tour per person||US$: 95 Dollars|
The Tour includes:
- Bilingual guide.
- Tickets to the islands.
- Transportation by the speedboat.
- Lunch in Taquile.
- Wear a hat to protect yourself from the sun
- Sunscreen and sunglasses


text:
Walking North Wales Home Page: Use this site to plan your walking break in North Wales Better weather on average than anywhere else in the UK. And 60 miles of sea views from the North Wales Path – a route that starts (or ends) in Wales’ first Walkers Are Welcome town, Prestatyn. Where, as it happens, you can join the start (or end) of Offa’s Dyke Path to see Britain’s longest ancient monument. The North Wales Borderlands is great for going off-road Walked the Alwen Trail to the Hiraethog Moors near Denbigh – home to Wales’ largest red squirrel population. And scaled Moel Famau, the highest point in the Vale of Clwyd. You’ll be just about ready to sit and admire the incredible views over North Wales. Get a good look at where you’ve just been. And where you want to go next.
Here's a riddle: If a bunch of friends go on an epically scenic hike and don't Instagram it, did it really happen? OK, trick question. It doesn't matter, because the point is: Spending time outside with friends is the most fun way to fit in some physical activity—whether you get the 'gram or not. (And the breathtaking views don't hurt either.) If you don’t know how to dominate a day hike, don’t freak—.
Then you just have to figure out which trail to take. These are the day hikes that offer up the most jaw-dropping views across the U.S. So no matter where you live, you’re going to want to plan a day or weekend trip—just make sure that phone battery is fully charged. Northeast on Aug 2, 2017 at 6:48am PDT Where: Acadia National Park, Maine Type: Loop Elevation: 1,530 feet Distance: 7.7 miles Difficulty: Hard (Black) 'Gram it for: the sunrise.
It’s worth the early wakeup call when, for nearly half the year, you’re the first person in the U.S. to see the sun atop the tallest mountain along the eastern coast.
(The rest of the year that honor goes to Mars Hill near the Canadian border, due to the sun rising farther south.) on Aug 14, 2017 at 6:11pm PDT Where: Acadia National Park, Maine Type: Out and back Elevation: 1,072 feet Distance: 1.5 miles Difficulty: Hard (Moderate) 'Gram it for: the ocean views from atop Champlain Mountain.
You’ll want to spend plenty of time there catching your breath: The steep trail requires 1,000 feet of elevation gain in just 0.8 miles (on narrow ledges, no less), but the dramatic views of the rugged coast are so worth it.
on Aug 24, 2017 at 7:58am PDT Where: White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire Type: Loop Elevation: 3,937 feet Distance: 8 miles Difficulty: Hard (Black) 'Gram it for: the walk along the “knife edge” between the peaks of Mounts Little Haystack, Lincoln, and Lafayette. Seriously, the New England views don’t get much better than this, especially during peak foliage.
on Aug 14, 2017 at 2:11pm PDT Where: Underhill State Park, Vermont Type: Loop Elevation: 2,683 feet Distance: 5.2 miles Difficulty: Hard (Black) 'Gram it for: the summit of Mount Mansfield, the highest peak in Vermont that also somewhat resembles a face. (You know, as much as rocks and trees can.) Sunset Ridge is the most scenic route, so take your time and grab plenty of photos along the way. on Aug 2, 2017 at 2:17pm PDT Where: Catskill Mountains, New York Type: Out and back Elevation: 603 feet Distance: 1.3 miles Difficulty: Easy (Green) 'Gram it for: the two-tiered waterfalls that oh so beautifully spill into small watering holes you can swim in.
Bonus: It’s the tallest two-tier waterfall in New York. (For those of you who like bragging rights.) Midwest on Aug 22, 2017 at 9:04am PDT Where: Mackinac Island, Michigan Type: Out and back Elevation: 171 feet Distance: 1.1 miles Difficulty: Easy (Green) 'Gram it for: Arch Rock. The natural limestone arch formed during the Nipissing post-glacial period, when Lake Huron levels rose pretty dang high.
See it while you can—the arch is slowly deteriorating due to the brutal freezing and thawing cycle of Michigan winters. Where: Superior National Forest, Minnesota Type: Loop Elevation: 623 feet Distance: 2.6 miles Difficulty: Moderate (Blue) 'Gram it for: the forest encircling Lake Superior on this small section of the 296-mile Superior Hiking Trail.
Make sure you stop at each of the overlooks for a different perspective. on Feb 25, 2016 at 6:26pm PST Where: Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota Type: Loop Elevation: 1,082 feet Distance: 10.3 miles Difficulty: Easy (Green) 'Gram it for: the petrified forest, which, as part of the Badlands, creeps across the border into Montana and South Dakota.
Sections of the trail look like a Martian landscape thanks to arid erosion, so channel your best Matt Damon impression for this trek. (Oh, and be on the lookout for bison, elk, and prairie dogs... oh my!) South Where: Shenandoah National Park, Virginia Type: Loop Elevation: 2,493 feet Distance: 9 miles Difficulty: Hard (Black) 'Gram it for: the rock scrambles (false summits that make you think you’re at the top because they’re so damn gorgeous) and the actual summit itself.
There’s a reason this hike is considered one of the best in Shenandoah National Park—it takes a helluva lot of work to reach the top, but when you do, it’s insanely worth it. on Aug 22, 2017 at 1:31pm PDT Where: Chattanooga, Tennessee Type: Out and back Elevation: 0 feet Distance: 0.2 miles Difficulty: Easy (Green) 'Gram it for: the 145-foot waterfall found at the end of the underground cavern.
When you arrive, wait for the operators of the cavern to light up the falls so you can get a truly magical snap. Tack it onto a hike along Glen Falls Trail on Lookout Mountain to feel legit. on May 20, 2017 at 8:52pm PDT Where: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee Type: Out and back Elevation: 1,237 feet Distance: 4.6 miles Difficulty: Moderate (Blue) 'Gram it for: Inspiration Bluff, which offers up pretty spectacular views of Little Pigeon River’s upper basin.
The naturally curved Arch Rock, Huggins Hell, and Alum Cave Bluff (where you finish the trek) also have top-notch photo ops.
Where: Tallulah Gorge State Park, Georgia Type: Loop Elevation: 488 feet Distance: 1.2 miles Difficulty: Easy (Green) 'Gram it for: The gorge itself is deep and pretty to look at, yes, but the best views are arguably at the swinging suspension bridge.
Pause while you’re there and really soak in your surroundings. on May 8, 2017 at 7:09pm PDT Where: Conecuh National Forest, Alabama Type: Loop Elevation: 508 feet Distance: 6.8 miles Difficulty: Easy (Green) 'Gram it for: the crystalline lakes and simple Southern scenery. The Blue Pond holds sapphire blue water (and a slew of Southern flora), so snap your best pic there. Oh, and bring plenty of bug spray—you’ll be passing through bogs and swamps, so, yeah, you get the idea.
Mountain States on Jul 2, 2015 at 6:07pm PDT Where: Glacier National Park, Montana Type: Loop Elevation: 462 feet Distance: 7.2 miles Difficulty: Easy (Green) 'Gram it for: the view of Grinnell Lake, the icebergs you’ll see floating in it from the melting Grinnell Glacier (no joke), the meadows filled with eye-popping wildflowers, and—as if that weren't enough—the wildlife.
It’s not uncommon to spot bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and moose, so have your camera ready. on Dec 8, 2016 at 4:28pm PST Where: Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado Type: Loop Elevation: 629 feet Distance: 2.5 miles Difficulty: Hard (Black) 'Gram it for: the sand dunes, duh. This trail is unique: It’s less like an actual trail and more like a situation where you hike into it, spot the highest dune, and make your way toward it.
(The tallest sand dune in America is the towering Star Dune, BTW, so keep an eye out.) It’s also why the short distance is rated as “hard” (it’s not exactly easy to trudge through sand). Still, adventure seekers will love this place—you can rent sandboards and sleds and ride your way down the dunes for an added thrill.
on May 21, 2017 at 2:20pm PDT Where: Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Utah Type: Out and back Elevation: 1,256 Distance: 6.1 miles Difficulty: Moderate (Blue) 'Gram it for: the Wave formation at Top Rock.
Seriously, the bands of red, pink, yellow, and white Navajo sandstone that arc up, down, and around ancient stone chutes are unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Be patient, though: There are only 20 people allowed out each day—you have to enter a daily lottery four months in advance if you want a permit, or take a gamble and walk into the GSENM Visitor Center in Kanab to try to score one for the next day.
on Aug 23, 2017 at 7:30pm PDT Where: Zion National Park, Utah Type: Out and back Elevation: 344 feet Distance: 1.9 miles Difficulty: Easy (Green) 'Gram it for: the trail itself. It’s the narrowest section of Zion Canyon (hence the name), and the canyon walls go up about 1,000 feet high at some points. You’ll walk in the Virgin River (sometimes the water gets chest high), so bring water shoes and a waterproof camera case, obvs.
on Aug 23, 2017 at 8:51am PDT Where: Zion National Park, Utah Type: Out and back Elevation: 2,073 feet Distance: 4.4 miles Difficulty: Hard (Black) 'Gram it for: the change in scenery.
You’ll start the trail with a series of switchbacks—a.k.a. Walter’s Wiggles—while surrounded by sandstone cliffs. The built-in chains at the last half-mile make for badass-looking 'grams, but safety first—someone on solid ground can snap the pic while you pull yourself up the razor-thin ridge.
The summit offers incredible views overlooking Zion Canyon, giving you the trifecta of photo options. on Aug 23, 2017 at 7:29pm PDT Where: Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, New Mexico Type: Loop Elevation: 938 feet Distance: 3.1 miles Difficulty: Moderate (Blue) 'Gram it for: the insanely unique hoodoos (tall, thin rock spires) and striated rock formations that came to be after years of erosion from wind and water.
You’ll also hike through tunnels and up ledges, since this is another slot canyon hike, but once you get to the top, you’ll be able to see for miles. on Apr 28, 2017 at 4:02pm PDT Where: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona Type: Out and back Elevation: 1,223 feet Distance: 3.2 miles Difficulty: Hard (Black) 'Gram it for: the fact that you’re in the Grand Canyon. More specifically, the Insta-worthy views at Yaki Point, Ooh Aah Point (that’s the actual name, which gives you an idea of how sweet the lookout is), and Cedar Ridge.
Pro tip: Bring water, a hat, and lots of , as there’s little to no shade on this exposed trail. Where: Page, Arizona Type: Out and back Elevation: 754 feet Distance: 1.2 miles Difficulty: Moderate (Blue) 'Gram it for: the actual horseshoe-shaped geological structure you’ll see smack in the middle of the Colorado River.
Go around sunrise or sunset to capture the best light in your photos (the colors of the walls will dance in the sun thanks to minerals). Just don’t get too close to the edge—the overlook is 4,200 feet above sea level, and since the river is at 3,200 feet, you’re looking at a 1,000-foot drop.
on Aug 23, 2017 at 7:50pm PDT Where: Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park, Arizona Type: Loop Elevation: 118 feet Distance: 0.6 miles Difficulty: Easy (Green) 'Gram it for: the mesmerizing canyon walls. It’s the most-photographed slot canyon in the American Southwest for a reason—so much so, in fact, you have to book a $20 tour to access the lower canyons. Trust, it’s worth every penny. West Coast on Aug 23, 2017 at 11:43pm PDT Where: Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska Type: Out and back Elevation: 3,200 feet Distance: 8.8 miles Difficulty: Hard (Black) 'Gram it for: views of one of the largest ice fields in North America.
There’s something serene and extremely humbling about seeing such a stark sheet of ice with breathtaking peaks popping out. on Aug 22, 2017 at 8:07pm PDT Where: Olympic National Park, Washington Type: Out and back Elevation: 912 feet Distance: 3.2 miles Difficulty: Moderate (Blue) 'Gram it for: the summit views, where you’ll get a 360-degree panoramic view of the Olympic Range, Vancouver Island, and the Puget Sound.
Make sure you have your camera out well before the top, though—Olympic National Park is the only temperate rain forest in the U.S., meaning there’ll be plenty of wildlife (mountain goats and marmots are seen often) and luscious landscapes to photograph.
on Aug 23, 2017 at 5:03pm PDT Where: Palouse Falls State Park, Washington Type: Loop Elevation: 692 feet Distance: 2.6 miles Difficulty: Easy (Green) 'Gram it for: the massive 200-foot waterfall pouring the Palouse River into a deep canyon.
The marked trail itself isn’t that impressive, so if you’re feeling daring, try the unmarked options that take you to the bottom. It’s at your own risk though, so go slow and be extra cautious with your feet placement. Either way, the views are 100. on Jun 14, 2017 at 12:56am PDT Where: Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon Type: Loop Elevation: 1,135 feet Distance: 6.9 miles Difficulty: Moderate (Blue) 'Gram it for: the thick, mossy forest that surrounds this 120-foot waterfall.
(Yes, it’s always a good idea to chase 'em.) It’s not the tallest, widest, or most powerful waterfall, but the falls’ lush surroundings make this one special. It's all very PNW dreamy. Where: Yosemite National Park, California Type: Point-to-point Elevation: 3,200 feet Distance: 8.5 miles Difficulty: Hard (Black) 'Gram it for: the three major waterfalls you’ll hit along the way—Nevada, Vernal, and Illilouette, where daredevils can lie on a granite slab and peep their GoPro over the edge.
The mist from those falls also makes it likely you’ll walk straight through a few rainbows, so do your best Dorothy impersonation and pretend you’re skipping through Oz. Where: Redwood National and State Parks, California Type: Out and back Elevation: 2,370 feet Distance: 6 miles Difficulty: Moderate (Blue) 'Gram it for: the beach views and, yeah, the redwoods (you’re in Redwood National and State Parks, after all). As you trek through the forest, you’ll see Sitka spruce, western hemlock, Douglas fir, and redwood trees.
Then you’ll hit a section of prairie before being welcomed by sweeping ocean panoramas—perfect for the hiker who needs a little bit of everything. on Oct 5, 2016 at 10:03am PDT Where: Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii Type: Loop Elevation: 875 feet Distance: 3.2 miles Difficulty: Moderate (Blue) 'Gram it for: the rain forest views and the still-steaming volcanic crater floor. The hike starts in lush greenery, home to tons of native birds, but eventually you’ll make your down to a solid lava lake and pass by steam vents, cinder cones, and spatter cones.
on Aug 22, 2017 at 9:24pm PDT Where: Kamuela, Hawaii Type: Out and back Elevation: 646 feet Distance: 2.2 miles Difficulty: Moderate (Blue) 'Gram it for: the cloud porn. It’s a short hike, but you’re at high altitude, so you’ll literally have your head in the clouds for most of this trek.
Remember to go slow and take deep, conscious breaths so altitude sickness doesn’t get ya.
best dating north wales walking trails near me - Hiking Trails Near Me: Day Hikes With The Best Views
England may be a small region, but the island is full of incredibly diverse landscapes, from thick, lush forests to rolling grasslands. Dotting the landscape are rivers, moors, ancient ruins, and diverse wildlife. Some of the most well-known are known as the National Trails–these are walking, cycling, and horse riding routes that take you through some of the most beautiful landscapes in all of England.
Some of these trails go on for miles and miles; the Pennine Way, one of the most famous, meanders 268 miles through the countryside. A Walking Trail In England These trails are popular for long distance walkers, (in the States they’d be called hikers – in England they are often termed ‘ramblers’) and are the result of post-World War II desires to keep areas of England special and protected from development.
This led to the establishment of National Parks, Areas of Outstanding National Beauty, and the Long Distance Routes. The very first of these was the Pennine Way, which opened in 1965. Since then, tourists and locals like spend walking holidays out enjoying nature. Some of the trails in this guide will lead you through small, quaint villages, while others will wind out far from civilization for miles and miles.
Others will take you exploring through the rugged coastline. Whichever trail you take, you’re sure to see some of the most beautiful spots in England. Be sure to take your camera and extra batteries, so you can capture the natural beauty of England! The 20 Best Walking Trails in England Table Of Contents • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1. The Pennines The Pennines are a range of mountains and hills in Northern England, and consists of dozens of trails in and around the range.
The most famous of these is the Pennine Way, which is steeped in history and winds along the mountain tops that form the rugged backbone of England for a magnificent journey of 268 miles.• 2. Malvern Hills The Malvern Hills are south of Worcester, and despite their relatively small size, the trails wind through a surprisingly wide range of landscapes. A narrow ridge trail culminates at the summit of the Worcestershire Beacon, but the trails aren’t limited to just the ridge.
Others take visitors on gentler path through rolling green countryside.• 3. South Downs and South Downs Way South Downs cradles a 100 mile stretch from the historic city of Winchester to the white cliffs of Beachy Head.
Visitors will be taken through ancient woodlands, open heath, and chalky downs. This trail is not as hardcore as others, and is suitable for a lighter rambling walk, for horseback riding, and for cycling.• 4.
Lake District Lake District National Park is located within Cumbria. The main towns within the park are Windermere, Ambleside, and Keswick. The Lake District is broken into several smaller districts, each with their own trails that vary from easy to more challenging. The Southern Fells have the highest mountain in England, while the Far Eastern Fells are just miles of easy walking and gorgeous panoramas.• 5.
Dartmoor Dartmoor National Park is in Devon, and is dominated by some of the wildest upland moorland in the entire United Kingdom. Visitors will see granite outcroppings, rolling countryside, and high moors during their walk. Along the trails are evidence of earlier settlements, including Neolithic sites and sites from the more recent industrial revolution.• 6. Northumberland Northumberland is a large county in northeast England that shares a fiercely contested border with Scotland.
While walking trails in Northumberland you may see rounded hills that stretch for miles before turning into the rugged Simonsides, deep river valleys, the expansive Kielder Water, and huge tracts of forest before ending at the sandy coastline.• 7. New Forest New Forest contains over 193,000 acres of forest and about 143 miles of gravel path for walking and cycling.
New Forest is scattered with incredible attractions, many of which you may encounter while walking. Should it rain while you’re out and about, there are plenty of places to duck into and spend a few hours out of the rain.• 8.
Gower Peninsula The Gower Peninsula projects west into the Bristol Channel, it was the first area in the United Kingdom to be designated an Area of Outstanding National Beauty in 1956. The Wales Coast Path provides great views of the coastline, while a network of field paths take you through the countryside.
The peninsula also has beaches, if you get tired of walking and want to take a swim!• 9. Chilterns The Chilterns are only a few miles northwest of London, and yet they seem so far away from civilization. The gently rolling hills are swathed in woodland and chalk downs.
Quiet valleys house scenic villages nestled around medieval churches. You can see old Iron Age forts along the hills.
The Chilterns are over 2000km of footpaths that are well signposted, so you needn’t worry about getting lost.• 10. Peak District The Peak District National Park is split between the contrasting White and Dark peaks. The White Peak is filled with quiet limestone dales, while the Dark Peak hosts wild moors. A walk through Peak District is one of varying and contrasting elements.• 11.
Exmoor Exmoor National Park includes a dramatic section of coastline and wild moorlands. The park is relatively small, but has a central plateau, towering cliffs, rocky headlands, wooded ravines, waterfalls, and heaps of fallen rock.• 12. Yorkshire Dales The gritstone and limestone scenery of the Yorkshire Dales cover 683 square miles, and make the Yorkshire Dales the third largest National Park in the United Kingdom.
The variety of landscapes include picturesque villages, archaeological sites, wild moorland, and many areas of upland.• 13. Hadrian’s Wall Path The path runs from the suburbs of Newcastle to the Solway Firth, and follows Britain’s most iconic Roman monument: Hadrian’s Wall.
The path stretches 84 miles across northern England’s most barren terrain. All in all, it’s a fabulous archaeological walk with plenty of ruins to spot.• 14. North Wessex Downs The North Wessex Downs include significant areas of chalk downland and the iconic white horses of the area. Visitors can also visit the stone circle at Avebury, and Silsbury Castle. You’ll see sheep, rare butterflies, and a variety of beautiful flowers.• 15. Isle of Wight The Isle of Wight is actually much bigger than you’d expect: 24 miles from east to west.
It has 60 miles of coastline and a wide variety of landscapes. The island’s best known landmarks are the Needles and the colored sands of Alum Bay. However, the most popular part of the island for walkers is the westernmost part, with fewer villages and more nature.• 16. Forest of Bowland The Forest of Bowland, located in northern Lancashire, is wild upland and cultivated valleys.
While essentially part of the main Pennine range, the area is dominated instead by gritstone fells and large areas of heather-covered peat moorland. Pendle Hill is worth climbing, as it offers exceptional views over the Yorkshire Dales to the north.• 17. Norfolk Coast Path Also called Peddars Way, this National Trail is a total of 150km long, and remains close to sea level. This makes for a gentle walk that isn’t too strenuous. There are various other trails along the coastline, and these are made easily customizable due to bus routes nearby.• 18.
Cotswolds Way The Cotswolds Way is just over 100 miles of walking with long distance views. It’s a challenging route, but there are other trails in the area that are suitable for those looking for gentler routes.The trails lead through villages, so it might be tough to avoid ducking into a pub or two along the way.• 19. Thames Path The Thames Path, unlike the rest of the trails on this list, is urban, leading through the heart of London along the River Thames.
The trail follows the river for 184 miles to the sea, passing through rural villages, historical towns, through the heart of London and ending at the Thames Barrier.• 20. Lizard Peninsula While you probably won’t see any real lizards while walking around this peninsula, you will view the spectacular coastline, complete with exotic subtropical plants, rugged caves, and exquisite coves.
While the area is small, you could easily spend days happily exploring the coastline’s many crevices. England Quiz: How Much Do You Actually Know About England & The English?Test your knowledge of England with this quiz on English culture, geography and history.The United Kingdom comprises...What is the legal age to buy alcohol in the UK?Where do Geordies come from?Who has not been Prime Minister of the UK?What is Cockney Rhyming Slang for stairsWhat would you be doing if you were involved in a 'bit of argie-bargie'?How many British citizens are they?How do individuals now join the House Of Lords (the 'Senate' of the UK).What is the southernmost point in mainland England?What do you need to play a game of conkers?Hard luck.
Need a few more Englishness lessons....Not bad. Consider yourself a trainee anglophile...Anglophile. Well done! England Quiz: How Much Do You Actually Know About England & The English?Test your knowledge of England with this quiz on English culture, geography and history.The United Kingdom comprises...What is the legal age to buy alcohol in the UK?Where do Geordies come from?Who has not been Prime Minister of the UK?What is Cockney Rhyming Slang for stairsWhat would you be doing if you were involved in a 'bit of argie-bargie'?How many British citizens are they?How do individuals now join the House Of Lords (the 'Senate' of the UK).What is the southernmost point in mainland England?What do you need to play a game of conkers?Hard luck.
Need a few more Englishness lessons....Not bad. Consider yourself a trainee anglophile...Anglophile. Well done!
Fresh air. Open spaces. Four walking regions. Hundreds of miles of paths and trails. No wonder walkers love to visit North Wales. They come here to find themselves (or lose themselves) in our great outdoors.
But sometimes you have to walk – just because there’s no road. So, first things first: where do you want to go? Anglesey, Wales’ biggest island, has 60 Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Four National Nature Reserves. A in summer.
A local population that includes sharks, rays and bottlenose dolphins. More shipwrecks than anywhere else in Europe. Oh, and the Isle of which spans 125 miles. Mostly through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Snowdonia Mountains and Coast has a whopping 142 miles of coastal walks all told.
And you can notch up long-distance miles with a walk out to sea on the The (don’t worry, there’s a boat). Inland there are 100 big lakes to discover. 840 square miles of National Park. 90 different mountains. And no fewer than six different walks to the top of the highest one in England and Wales, Mount Snowdon.
Coastal North Wales has more clean beaches than you can wave a blue flag at. A string of seaside towns. Better weather on average than anywhere else in the UK.
And 60 miles of sea views from the North Wales Path – a route that starts (or ends) in Wales’ first Walkers Are Welcome town, Prestatyn. Where, as it happens, you can join the start (or end) of to see Britain’s longest ancient monument.
The North Wales Borderlands is great for going off-road. So, once you’ve explored the Ceiriog Valley, first Welsh Prime Minister Lloyd George’s ‘little bit of heaven on earth’. Walked the to the Hiraethog Moors near Denbigh – home to Wales’ largest red squirrel population.
And scaled , the highest point in the Vale of Clwyd. You’ll be just about ready to sit and admire the incredible views over North Wales. Get a good look at where you’ve just been. And where you want to go next. There are hundreds of reasons to walk in North Wales – these are just a few of them.
Our approved walker-friendly is another reason. Take a look at our guided walks and tailored packages if you prefer someone else to do the hard work for you. Then again, you could always find your own way around North Wales.
THE BEST BRECON BEACONS HIKE - WALES


text:
I was thinking about that first* rejection I received on Day 6 and the thought went through my head: “I’m happy about rejections because at least that means they’re receiving and reading my query.” Which, come to think of it, is kind of like saying: he didn’t ask you out because he finds you ugly, not because he didn’t notice you. Okay, you know what? Scratch that first sentence. Moving on…
So on day 8 I went a little wild and entered my short story One More Time in the Writer’s Digest Popular Fiction Competition. Why was that move wild, you may ask? Because I shelled out 25 big ones to enter. (Big ones as in 25 bucks, not 25,000 bucks.) Since 99% of my submissions are gratis, I don’t mind spending money on submission fees now and again.
On day 9 my brother told me of a Canadian short story competition and besides an exact word count of no less than 1200 and no more than 1500, the only criteria is that you must be a Canadian citizen. Finally, being a Canuck is coming in handy! I sent in a short story called Misconceptions, about three separate guys’ wildly differing perceptions of the same woman at a bar.
As always, I read some of the previous winners to see if my story had even the remotest chance of being seriously considered. You can write the best story in the world, but if the tone is not in alignment with the person judging your work, you might as well have submitted a crouton.
A lot of my work tends to have a sense of humor sprinkled throughout. I would never consider my stories as outright comedies or even humorous stories, though I do tend to see the world, including my own experiences, through the filter of absurdity or dark humor. But it seems as though in the literary world comedy in fiction is akin to elbowing a senior citizen out of the reserved seats at the front of the bus. This is all to say: I’m not sure if my submission stands a chance with CBC Books. So much for my Canadian citizenship paying off.
Yesterday (still day 9) I didn’t actually submit anything. I ran out of time and so I made two submissions today. I will admit to feeling a bit like a sober alcoholic who eats a piece of rum cake and then has a moment of panic about whether he’s about to fall off the wagon.
One of the reasons for this 30 submissions in 30 days challenge is that I can start something like this with the best intentions, get off to an excellent start, even go past the midpoint, and then one day when something (perhaps legitimately, perhaps not) throws me off course, poof! I’m down for the count. And then I get to wallow in the “oh poor me,” “this is never going to happen for me,” “shit like this always happens,” etc. I’m telling you, it’s as painful as bungee jumping with a piece of floss tied to your ankle to admit all this stuff.
Today (day 10) in addition to submitting to the CBC short fiction contest, I sent one of my novels, Rumors of Happiness, to literary agent Sandy Harding at Spencerhill Associates. I guess I should be thankful for my involuntary celibacy these days, because at least it’s freeing up my time for all these submissions. If it were a choice between mind-blowing sex and bracing myself for rejections, guess which one I’d choose?
Okay, time to sign off now. You know when you start discussing your non-existent sex life in a blog about writing it’s time to pack it in for the night.
* Note: this is not the first rejection I’ve received ever, just the first one I received during this 30 submissions in 30 days challenge. I honestly can’t count how many rejections I’ve gotten before this month. 25? 50? 75? All over the course of probably 10 years or so.


text:
Monday, December 07, 2009
I can't believe
I can't believe it's been two years since Rory Miggins passed away from cancer. I can't believe it.
Posted by David Beebe at 1:06 PM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)
My online journal of information pertinent to local and regional government in Presidio County and along the Texas border. Occasional posts regarding national news and other interests.
Post a Comment


text:
Tom Ford’s name alone conjures up images of style, flamboyance, and class! As one of the most prominent fashion designers of the twenty-first century, he is credited with transforming Gucci from a dilapidated accessories brand into one of the world’s most desirable luxury brands. He instilled an uncompromising style with a 21st-century sensibility into all his designs, which piqued the interest of his clients, the majority of whom were from Hollywood. Raised in New Mexico, he began his career as an actor before studying architecture and art history and eventually making his debut as a fashion designer. His passion for fashion was sparked during his final year as an architecture student. From working as a design assistant for Cathy Hardwick to becoming a prominent women’s ready-to-wear designer and creative director at Gucci, he has been pursuing his dream of changing the world of fashion. It would not be inaccurate to assert that he altered the world’s perception of the brand and cemented his place in the fashion fraternity for all time. Among his patrons are Madonna, Trudie Styler, and Bianca Jagger. Ford, an out homosexual, achieved international renown for his transformation of the Gucci fashion house and the launch of the ‘Tom Ford’ fashion label. If you’re interested in learning more about this fashionable personality, continue reading.
Childhood & Adolescence
Thomas Carlyle ‘Tom’ Ford was born in Austin, Texas, to realtors Shirley Burton and Tom Ford. He grew up in Houston, San Marcos, and Santa Fe.
He attended St. Michael’s High School and Santa Fe Preparatory School, where he received his diploma in 1979. He enrolled at Simon’s Rock’s Bard College and then relocated to New York City to study art history at New York University (NYU).
He shifted his focus to commercial acting and dropped out of NYU after only one year. He then enrolled at Parsons The New School for Design to study architecture.
He spent a year in Paris during his final year as an architecture student, interning at Chloe’s press office. He spent the final year of his studies studying fashion, but graduated in 1986 with a degree in architecture.
Career of Tom
He was immediately interested in working for Cathy Hardwick, an American designer, following his graduation from university. He called her every day in the hope of one day working for her; and he did. He spent two years as her design assistant.
In 1988, he worked for two years at the clothing brand Perry Ellis. However, he became dissatisfied with American fashion and ventured into the world of European fashion, which he perceived to be ‘classier’.
In 1990, he relocated to Milan and was appointed head of women’s ready-to-wear design at Gucci, a failing European luxury goods brand.
He became Gucci’s design director in 1992 and expanded the menswear and other apparel sections within months. He was also responsible for the brand’s pre-fall fragrances, image, advertising, and store design.
In 1993, he was in charge of eleven product lines, and while he was responsible for the majority of the popular creations, his contributions were dwarfed by those of Mello, the company’s face.
He was promoted to creative director in 1994 and credited with reintroducing ‘glamor’ to fashion with fashionable hipsters, satin shirts, and metallic boots, the majority of which were inspired by the disco era, which influenced his fashion sense in his youth.
Gucci launched its initial public offering in 1995 on the strength of Ford’s designs. By 1999, the once-dead brand had grown to a value of nearly $4.3 billion, largely due to Ford and his creative genius.
When Gucci acquired Yves Saint Laurent (YSL), Ford was appointed head creative director of that brand as well, displacing Saint Laurent as the official designer of the company’s retail line.
Due to the bold yet creative arty expression of his advertising campaigns for YSL fragrances, he became extremely famous. This reintroduced both fashion houses to the spotlight.
In 2004, Ford exited the Gucci group, which was valued at $10 billion at the time. Two years after leaving Gucci, he launched a new line of beauty, eyewear, accessories, and menswear under the ‘Tom Ford’ label.
He founded his film production company, ‘FADE TO BLOCK,’ in 2005 and made his directorial debut with the 2009 film ‘A Single Man.’
His first star store, dubbed ‘Tom Ford,’ opened in New York City on April 12, 2007. Several ‘Tom Ford’ stores have opened in the years since in London, Tokyo, Milan, and Los Angeles. In 2011, he was featured on the cover of ‘AnOther Man,’ a bi-annual publication.
Significant Works of Tom
His Spring/Summer 2003 collections for Gucci and YSL, which debuted during Paris Fashion Week, are widely regarded as his greatest. This fashion line was primarily comprised of animal prints on t-shirts, trousers, kaftans, and gowns.
The line quickly established itself as a trend-setter due to its introduction during a period when animal prints were popular.
He made his directorial debut with 2009’s ‘A Single Man’. The film was hailed as unconventional and received rave reviews from both the public and critics.
The film grossed a total of $24,964,890 at the box office and was selected for screenings at a number of prestigious festivals, including the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival.
Additionally, the film was nominated for an Academy Award in the category of ‘Best Actor,’ as well as BAFTA and Independent Spirit Awards.
Awards and Accomplishments
In 1995, the Council of Fashion Designers of America presented him with the International Award. He was named ‘Best International Designer’ at the VHI/Vogue Awards in 2000.
In 2001, he was named ‘Best Womenswear Designer of the Year’ by the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
Tom Ford’s film ‘A Single Man’ won the Venice Film Festival’s Queer Lion in 2009. In 2013, he was named to the ‘Guardian’s’ list of the ’50 best-dressed over-50s’.
Personal History and Legacies
Tom Ford is gay, as is his journalist partner, Richard Buckley. They’ve been together since 1986, but Buckley was diagnosed with cancer only three years later.
Following his partner’s recovery, they relocated to Italy and welcomed a son named Alexander John Buckley Ford in September 2012.
Estimated Net Worth
Tom Ford is a fashion designer and film director from the United States with a net worth of $500 million. He amassed his fortune as the creative director of Gucci and YSL, as well as the founder of the Tom Ford brand.
While studying architecture at Parsons The New School for Design, this legendary American designer was a regular at the club ‘Studio 54,’ where he discovered he was gay.
This renowned American designer’s smooth fox terriers have appeared in his film, ‘A Single Man,’ and one has even walked the runway with him and been photographed with him.

domain: artistic


Even though its name might suggest otherwise, the Ironclaw is a huge palm-grip-oriented mouse, and it's the newest creation of Corsair. It comes with an all-new top-notch optical sensor called the PixArt PMW3391. The mouse also features Omron D2FC-F-K switches with a nominal lifetime of 50 million clicks, two zone RGB lighting, and a robust, highly durable shell.
Slow computer got you down? Maybe a hardware upgrade should be in your cards, if so this guide to the Fundamentals of Upgrading a PC is an invaluable read. PCSTATS Tips