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Coconut Activated Charcoal Review
Ever noticed the black grit left at the bottom of a Brita water filter pitcher? That’s activated charcoal!
Gold Mountain Beauty Essentials – new and blooming out of Calgary, AB introduced me to one of their products and asked if I would test it and provide some feedback. I was really happy to do so because while I had certainly heard of Activated Charcoal, I was not familiar with one made from coconut shells and truly wasn’t aware of all of its possible natural beauty uses. And y’all know how much I like to play “kitchen beautician”!
So I started doing some digging and here’s what I unearthed…
Activation is Key
First, this product is activated, and not to be confused with, or used interchangeably with regular charcoal from the bbq, camp fire or your fire place! It’s similar to common charcoal, but made specifically for medicinal use. Manufacturers heat common charcoal in the presence of a gas that causes the charcoal to become very porous or “activated”. The porous surface has a negative electric charge that attracts positively charged unwanted toxins and gases [source].
From The Chalkboard Mag:
“Activated charcoal is a carbon-rich material and natural binding agent derived from peat, coal, wood and coconut shell. Once activated, lots of internal spaces or “pores” are created (e.g. a 50 gram dose has the surface area of ten football fields!) to help the charcoal “trap” chemicals. It does this through a process called adsorption, where the charcoal binds to toxins. This differs from absorption, which is where a substance absorbs toxins. Due to charcoal’s unique properties, it is widely used in the medical community for treating poisonings and drug overdoses, and in holistic practices for cleansing.”
How is Coconut Activated Charcoal different from other food-grade charcoal products?
Well, you see, it’s made from coconuts…as you may have guessed!
What’s the advantage?
Because common charcoal products often come in ineffectively small doses (capsules/tablets) or are typically made from cheap, low quality (often unidentified) materials – this product is ultra fine and highly purified, resulting in a charcoal with increased surface area for maximum adsorption. [source]
What are its everyday uses for the DIY-natural-health individual?
*Teeth whitening, especially for sensitive teeth – traditional societies have been using charcoal for dental hygiene for centuries! It’s use dates back as far as 1550 BC [source]
*Natural face & skin care, especially for acne-prone skin
*DIY cosmetics like gel eyeliner & mascara
*Detox/internal cleansing/gas & bloating relief – see notes below
*It’s main medical use: toxin/poison-binding, e.g. food poisoning, spider bites, chemical or drug overdose, such as acetaminophen. It has been used in hospital emergency rooms for years!
*It is also safe & effective for kids & pets so may be a good idea to always have some on hand in case of accidental poisoning or overdose at home. In this case, be sure to call 911 along with taking a dose of activated charcoal 🙂
What Did I Use It For?
TEETH WHITENING – here’s how:
For 5 nights in a row, after brushing my teeth with my regular natural toothpaste, I placed a small amount in a little non-reactive dish, dipped in a soft bristled wet toothbrush and brushed for 1-2 minutes. Then I swished the gritty liquid around in my mouth for a few seconds and expelled it carefully down the drain. Then I rinsed my mouth and my sink!
I also brushed in the shower a few times for easier clean up.
You will want to dedicate a toothbrush just for this purpose as it turns the brush black. Trust me! I now have an Oral B electric toothbrush head that looks mighty grungy now.
Umm, helloooo pearly whites and smooth, clean teeth!! I was quite amazed at what soot in your mouth could accomplish. No more morning breath either – BONUS!
I have always prided myself on gleaming white teeth but had let mine go lately because I had stopped buying those expensive, chemical-laden whitening strips – so this was the perfect solution for me. My teeth are also VERY sensitive and it really worked well, with no tooth or gum irritation like you might expect.
Now that I have my “base colour”, I plan to brush 2x/week for maintenance. However, rather than brush with my regular toothpaste first, I’ll just add a drop of peppermint essential oil to the activated charcoal on those days.
NATURAL SKIN CARE – here’s how:
I used a DIY beauty mask applied over the whole face, using this dark & brooding recipe:
Mix up ingredients, apply to face using an old blush brush or the back of a teaspoon (do not use fingers as its very messy) and leave on for 5-7 minutes or until dry. Then rinse off completely – I did this in the shower for easier clean up, patting face dry with a dark towel.
This is especially good for sensitive, acne-prone skin due to the toxin-binding properties of the activated charcoal, the anti-bacterial nature of the lavender oil & honey, and the skin-soothing properties of the aloe gel.
Baby soft skin, and brighter complexion after just one application. However, I think you do need to try these things repeatedly to get a better feel for its effects. So I tried it on my husband and kids. They thought it was hilarious. I told them it was how Batman kept his skin so nice! No wonder they were so willing to assist me in product testing 😀
Good to know before you try…
As you can imagine, activated charcoal is black and it’s messy because it’s such a finely ground powder. However, it does clean up nicely – but just be mindful of getting it on your clothes or porous surfaces like grout. Baby wipes are handy for the job. If they’re good enough for a dirty butt, they’re good enough for my counters!
Also, please be advised that charcoal may interfere with the absorption of medications (even birth control) as well as nutrients such as some vitamins and minerals. If choosing to consume as an “internal cleanser”, drink two hours after meals and medications. You may want to consult a health care practitioner if you’re concerned about interactions with medications.
Activated charcoal does not bind to sodium, iron, lead, arsenic, iodine, fluorine and boric acid or alcohol [source].
Rocky Mountain Essentials advises: Activated charcoal is safe to be consumed by most individuals, but if you have any pre-existing conditions such as intestinal bleeding or blockages, chronic dehydration, slow digestion or have had recent abdominal surgery it’s always advisable to speak to your health care provider before taking an activated charcoal supplement.
*I personally chose NOT to use it as a detoxifier because I recently transitioned from using Bentonite Clay to Diatomaceous Earth for “deep cleansing” purposes (that’s another blog post!) and didn’t want to add a third one to the mix. However, I did give some activated charcoal to one of my friends willing to try it and will update you when I’ve heard the verdict!
What’s the final dirt on Coconut Activated Charcoal?
It’s definitely worth a try! It has so many different uses (my fave being the spectacular tooth whitening ability), you get a lot of product for your buck and because you only have to use such a small amount for any given purpose, it’s really great value!
Sources & Credits

domain: chemistry


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Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Blondheim Art Original Landscape Painting
oil on canvas
Purchase from Linda Blondheim Studio
Use a Color Wheel
Get yourself one of the nifty little color wheels that Jack Richeson & Company sells, if you are unsure about using color. They are very small and will fit in any paint box for quick referencing.
The one I like is their Pocket sized Color Wheel/Mixing Guide. On the back, it has illustrations of color relationships, Complements, Split Compliments,Triads,Tetrads,Monochromatic,analogous,achromatic,color and light,color and distance explanations. The front has color definitions and a 10 gray scale.
We can all mix color, but are you actually thinking about it while you go through the process? Color is very complicated and can get you in a lot of trouble before you know it.

domain: hobby


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Cryptocurrencies are decentralized digital assets that allow individuals to exchange value globally with minimal fees and near instantaneously. As these assets do not fall under government or monetary authority jurisdiction, their gains and losses may be subject to capital gains tax.
Some states have taken steps to promote cryptocurrency innovation by passing laws exempting them from securities and money transmission regulations, while other have instituted more stringent regulations such as New York’s BitLicense.
Cryptocurrencies are digital assets that function like virtual currencies and can be used to purchase goods and services using secure blockchain transactions, which record them securely. They’re commonly held as investments; their value stemming from investors trusting in them rather than government fiat money (fiat). Cryptocurrency transactions also tend to be less vulnerable to fraud due to not being centralised like fiat transactions would be.
Legality issues regarding cryptocurrency have long been an area of debate, ranging from taxation to investor protection. To address these concerns, both federal and state governments are developing new laws and regulations. In the US, SEC and CFTC are leading efforts to provide clear disclosures about cryptocurrency risks for investors while working against their use for illegal purposes such as money laundering or financing terrorism.
At present, the IRS treats cryptocurrency as property and requires taxpayers to report any gains or losses on their federal tax returns. This includes transactions involving sales of cryptocurrency for goods and services as well as mining earnings or exchanging it for fiat currencies like USD. Unlike many assets however, cryptocurrency does not fall under the wash sale rule so that losses may still be claimed even if immediately repurchased at lower prices.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission and Securities Exchange Commission are taking steps to combat cryptocurrency market manipulation. In particular, the CFTC has jurisdiction over matters of market manipulation in derivative contracts relating to cryptocurrency assets – something which may have major ramifications on their price due to their history of cracking down on fraudulent trading practices.
Cryptocurrencies have seen tremendous public interest over the past year as multiple industries look for opportunities in this emerging technology. Yet investors remain wary about their legality; although Bitcoin and similar cryptocurrencies are considered legal by the IRS, their regulation remains incomplete and they may be vulnerable to hackers and scammers. Furthermore, blockchain technology itself remains in development with states taking steps to encourage innovation; Wyoming recently passed a law permitting them to establish their own type of cryptocurrency bank.
As cryptocurrency becomes mainstream, regulators are grappling with how best to oversee this new asset class. Regulation varies between countries; some prohibiting them entirely while others regulate them to reduce volatility and provide consumer protection; yet it remains uncertain whether these regulatory efforts can fully meet the challenges posed by this innovative asset class.
Due to their digital nature, cryptocurrencies present special security risks not found among traditional financial assets. These challenges include cyber and operational risks that can compromise control or access records or lead to the destruction of cryptographic codes that provide their value – risks compounded by the fact that most cryptocurrencies lack physical or financial collateral backing them up.
Digital assets may also be used to conceal illicit activities. For instance, the notorious dark web marketplace Silk Road used bitcoin as currency to sell drugs, falsified documents and ransomware among other illegal goods and services; its operator Ross Ulbricht was eventually charged with multiple offenses related to drug trafficking and money laundering.
Furthermore, cryptocurrency prices are highly unpredictable and their market is vulnerable to manipulation – leaving investors open to price swings that can hurt investors and cause market disruptions. Furthermore, without a central clearing house it may be challenging for contracts and trades to be enforced, making understanding their risks and legal ramifications before making decisions on investments essential.
Though some governments have outright banned cryptocurrency assets, others are more accommodating and have introduced legislation to discourage their misuse. Such regulations, known as anti-money laundering and countering financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) requirements, require companies to conduct risk analyses, develop an AML program, conduct ongoing reviews, as well as submit reports to FinCEN, SEC or other authorities depending on what assets they hold.
Cryptocurrencies offer significant advantages to consumers and businesses alike, prompting increased interest from investors and regulators alike. Regulators’s challenge lies in finding a balance between the benefits of these technologies with their inherent security risks and operational vulnerabilities.
As the cryptocurrency market flourishes, investors must be cognizant of its tax repercussions. The IRS treats cryptocurrency assets like real property and taxes any profits from trading or disposing of them based on how long you held onto them; taxes also vary based on how long you held onto them for. Furthermore, reporting all gains and losses must be submitted annually so it’s wise to consult a tax expert prior to investing in cryptos.
The rapid expansion of the cryptocurrency market has coincided with an increased focus from government bodies. Some governments have banned cryptocurrency altogether while others attempt to regulate them – yet regulatory oversight of cryptocurrency remains unstable due to its ability to bypass traditional financial institutions’ control and create uncharted territory for regulators. There’s also risk associated with fraud and money laundering associated with cryptocurrency use; yet many believe its benefits outweigh these dangers.
Some cryptocurrencies are classified by the SEC as securities while others are commodities. SEC Chairman Jay Clayton told CNBC in an interview that bitcoin and other true cryptocurrencies do not fall into either of these categories, yet may qualify as commodities. Some may require registration with either agency; additionally regulated businesses must comply with state and federal anti-money laundering laws by conducting risk analyses, creating AML programs, implementing internal controls, and conducting independent compliance testing to meet regulatory standards.
Cryptocurrency can be a complex topic and there are various strategies available to you for avoiding taxes on it. If you receive cryptocurrency as wages from an employer, its fair market value must be reported on your tax return as the fair market value of wages paid out as currency. Furthermore, you should keep records of purchases and sales transactions, including prizes won from mining activities or similar endeavors and their fair market values on each receipt.
Some lawmakers are taking steps to introduce legislation that will clarify the legal status of cryptocurrencies. California Representative Ian Calderon introduced the Digital Currency Act, which establishes a regulatory framework for digital assets and defines their relationship to traditional currencies. Furthermore, this bill protects consumers while offering tax incentives to companies that utilize cryptocurrencies.
Cryptocurrency is a decentralized global market unrestrained by any central authority, so users must be mindful of its inherent risks. Cryptocurrency has been used for money laundering, terrorist financing and fraud; and law enforcement can find it hard to track or prosecute. Due to this phenomenon, financial authorities have increased scrutiny on cryptocurrency as its growth accelerates, as has President Joe Biden with an Executive Order encouraging federal agencies to assess both its risks and benefits.
Although cryptocurrencies have been used to finance illegal activities, they also offer several advantages over traditional currencies. One advantage is allowing users to purchase without providing their real names; this helps protect from identity theft and other forms of fraudulent activities. Another great perk of cryptocurrency use is avoiding currency conversion fees when traveling overseas, saving both time and money when making transactions abroad.
Legal status of cryptocurrency usage depends on which country it’s being utilized. Some nations have outright banned it while others regulate it more strictly; in the US for instance, lawmakers established a Congressional Blockchain Caucus to discuss issues surrounding cryptocurrencies and money laundering; furthermore, several cases related to cryptocurrency fraud and money laundering have also been under investigation by law enforcement.
As well as these concerns, cryptocurrency exchanges may also be subject to regulation under state and federal laws. According to the National Bureau of Standards (NBS), virtual currencies lack physical equivalents in legal tender, so participation in cryptocurrency transactions should be at your own risk. Sales of cryptocurrency may be subject to regulation if they constitute selling securities under state law, money transmission under state law, or making the seller an intermediary under federal law.
However, cryptocurrency investments continue to generate remarkable returns for investors while becoming an attractive investment choice. Despite such concerns from regulators and lawmakers alike, cryptocurrency has proven itself an increasingly viable investment choice.

domain: finance


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It has now become a daily routine among teenagers. The phone starts vibrating, their fingers automatically shift to the radiant screen, and a long silence of hesitation and reluctance soon creeps in. It is the decision that every teenager struggles to make: should I reply to that text or not?
With the ever-increasing use of cell phones, texting has become a ubiquitous method of communication. But what we do not easily recognize and acknowledge are the hidden downsides of texting that are still in need of illumination.
Nowadays, it has become a common teenage practice to ask a question about homework by simply pressing the “send” button on our brand new smartphones. Although its simplicity is indeed alluring, in return, we are constantly losing the sense of empathy and understanding that we have once felt through the voices, the eyes, and the mistakes we are shown during face-to-face conversations.
According to a 2012 study conducted by PEW Research Center, 64 percent of teens have admitted that they text on a daily basis while only 35 percent communicate through face-to-face conversations. If this trend continues on, it will take less than seconds for our generation to become a disconnected and emotionless society, or what Sherry Turkle, the founder of the MIT Initiative on Technology and Self, calls as the world in which “each of us is in our own bubble.”
The impact of texting also influences the most unexpected aspect of our lives—our own health. According to a Vancouver Island Health Clinic, injuries caused by incessant text messaging are reported to be rising. The overuse of cell phones can lead to severe strain injuries and pain in the thumb, which definitely can be detrimental to numerous students at Jefferson who constantly use their hands to perform daily tasks.
The problem does not stop here. As a student who is still learning the usage and grammar of the English language, it is unavoidable to address that texting may be eradicating the fundamentals of our language. Instead of reinforcing the language acquisition process, texting is actually impeding it.
In fact, according to a 2012 study conducted by Drew P. Cingel and S. Shyam Sundar, the relationship between middle school students who regularly use abbreviated words in text messages and their scores on a grammar assessment exhibited a negative correlation.
The world today calls us the “digital natives.” We were the ones who first touched the beginning of technology, and we will continue to experience its advancements as time elapses. But that does not mean that its hidden shadows should go unnoticed. I believe we are responsible for exposing the light as well as the dark of technology, starting out with the national teenage addiction, texting.
It could take months, years, perhaps even decades. But I believe that time has come for us to begin. For once, let’s place our phones where we aren’t aware of that telltale beep or buzz and start talking to each other.

domain: news


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If you’ve always dreamed of having your photo grace the front cover of a fashion magazine, guess what? It ‘only’ costs $430.
The U.S.-based Sheeba Magazine is currently inviting photographers to apply to be selected for its magazine cover. Here’s the graphic that’s being used to advertise this opportunity:
Sheeba Magazine “can make your dream come true.”
Submitted photos can’t already be published in your portfolio or social media. If Sheeba Magazine chooses to honor your image by using it for their cover photo, you agree to pay the magazine (yup, not the other way around) a fee of $430 through PayPal. You’re also saving 50% off that fee, because apparently the regular price charged to photographers is $860.
And after you send your exclusive high-resolution file along with a signed “Release and Publication Agreement,” the magazine will even send you high-resolution tear-sheet(s) and a copy of the printed magazine that has your cover photo.
Sounds like a good deal… right?

domain: artistic


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He’s not waking up from this sleep.
Boston mobster James (Whitey) Bulger was reportedly wrapped in a blanket and set up to look as though he was sleeping after he was choked and beat to death inside his prison cell earlier this week.
Law enforcement officials briefed on the case told NBC News the killers repeatedly struck the Irish-American gangster with a padlock stuffed inside a sock and then tried to conceal the brutal attack — resting his head on a pillow to seal the charade.
The notorious crime boss and FBI rat was found unresponsive inside Hazelton federal penitentiary at 8:20 a.m. Tuesday, just a day after he’d been transferred to the West Virginia lock-up. He’s the third prisoner to be killed at the violence-plagued facility in the last six months.
The prison has been suffering from a staff shortage sparked by the Trump administration’s federal hiring freeze in 2017, officials said.
Last week, five members of Congress wrote to Attorney General Jeff Sessions about what they dubbed a “dangerous continual under staffing” at federal prisons in West Virginia and Pennsylvania — among them the United States Penitentiary, Hazelton, which houses nearly 1,300 male inmates.
Bulger had been transferred to the high-security prison because he had disciplinary problems at the Florida lock-up where he’d been serving his life sentence, according to a federal law enforcement official briefed on the matter.
Bulger in 2015 was cited for masturbating in front of a male staffer and then threatening a nursing supervisor in February of this year, according to prison records cited by NBC. He was placed in solitary confinement, where he remained until he was sent to a facility in Oklahoma — a brief stop on his way to West Virginia.
The wheelchair-bound mobster arrived at the prison where he was killed at 6:45 p.m. Monday night and started processing — which typically takes about two hours — around 8 p.m.
The prison was locked down for the night around 10 p.m., around the same time Bulger likely arrived at his cell, according to NECN. The lockdown was lifted around 5 a.m. the next morning for prisoner count, which usually takes about an hour.
Investigators believe Bulger was attacked by multiple people and are still working to piece together a timeline of events leading up to his death. He was likely killed sometime between 6:15 and 8:20 a.m., when officers arrived at his cell after he failed to show up for breakfast.
Among the potential suspects is Fotios (Freddy) Geas, a Massachusetts mafia hitman who supposedly hates “rats.” Sources suspect the 89-year-old mob boss may have been killed by Geas and other inmates as punishment for his one-time role as an informant.
Bulger enjoyed a cozy and corrupt relationship with the FBI dating back to 1975. He would feed law enforcement tips while he led a mostly Irish mob that ran loan-sharking, gambling and drug rackets.
Tipped off that he was about to indicted, Bulger went on the run and dodged law enforcement for nearly 20 years until his capture in 2011.
He was convicted in 2013 and sentenced to spend his life behind bars.
With News Wire Services

domain: law


|Bridgeport 410-DCI2 Connector, Squeeze, Zinc Die Cast, Insulated Throat
Used to connect steel flexible metal conduit or XRW FMC to box or enclosure. Insulator rated 105 degree C.
- Trade Size in Inches: 1
- Knockout Size in Inches: 1
- Material: Zinc Die Cast
- Finish: Ball burnished, mirror smooth
- Product Note: Furnished with Tri-Drive screw.


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Federal Jury Rejects Bad Faith Claim, Voids Policy Based on Insured’s Material Misrepresentations
A jury in United States District Court, District of Connecticut returned a unanimous defense verdict on July 28, 2011 in the case of The Estate of Frederick Mali and Lucretia Mali v. Federal Insurance Company, Case. No. 3:06-CV-0147 (D. Conn.). I
The case arose from an April 1, 2005 fire that destroyed a barn on the insured’s 400 acre estate in Litchfield County, CT. The property contained two buildings; a main house and a large post-and-beam barn that contained a small living area. The insureds, who reside in New York City, used the property as a weekend retreat. Following the fire, the insureds, who had a Masterpiece homeowners insurance policy with Chubb/Federal Insurance Company (“Federal”) which included replacement cost coverage, filed an insurance claim exceeding $2.3 million for the reconstruction of the barn and its contents.
Federal contended that during the adjustment of the claim, the insureds made numerous misrepresentations concerning the size of the living area and the quality of construction of the barn. Ultimately, the insureds commenced litigation against Federal in August 2005, asserting claims for declaratory judgment, breach of contract and common law and statutory bad faith.
Prior to trial, Federal was able to exclude evidence that the insureds attempted to rely upon to show bad faith, including evidence of the insurer’s loss reserves concerning the claim. You may read the Court’s ruling granting Federal’s Motion in Limine. The court’s decision concerning the inadmissibility of evidence relating to loss reserves should be helpful to insurers defending similar spurious claims here in Connecticut and elsewhere.


Marc Simons is one of the co-founders of Crypto Museum, established with Paul Reuvers in 2008 as a virtual museum of cryptologic history. In 2001, he and Paul started work on the now famous Enigma-E, a simulator completely compatible with the war-time Enigma machine which they introduced at the Bletchley Park Reunion in 2003. As his day job, Marc founded his company YiG Engineering BV in 2000 and specializes in the development of electronic circuits for a variety of applications ranging from the Senseo coffee machine to state-of-the-art FPGA designs, for companies such as Philips and Xilinx.
Page last updated:
November 19, 2023


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Scrambling Up The West Ridge of Crazy Peak In Montana’s Crazy Mountains
Location: Crazy Peak, Crazy Mountains, Custer Gallatin National Forest, Montana
Type: Out and Back
Rating: Grade II, Class 3+
Trailhead: Big Timber Creek Trailhead
Distance: 12 miles total
Time: 7 to 10 hours
Big Timber Creek Trailhead Elevation: 6,450′ | 1,966 m
Crazy Peak Elevation: 11,214′ | 3,418 m
Total Vertical: 5,200′
Maps: Crazy Peak, Amelong Creek
Forecast: Crazy Peak Weather Forecast
The Crazy Mountains are one of my favorite mountain ranges. This isolated range lies just north of the Yellowstone River and it towers over the plains that spread eastward. In the distance you can spot the Beartooths, Absarokas, Bridgers, and other Montana mountain ranges. There are over 40 alpine lakes in the ultra rugged Crazy Mountains and the ultra prominent summit of Crazy Peak is the highest in the range at 11,214′.
Due to their locations, the Crazies are kind of hard to get to. Located to the north of Big Timber and I-90, it requires a bit of dedication and early mornings to make any attempt at climbing, hiking, or skiing in the Crazy Mountains.
To be honest, this range has eluded me multiple times. So after a backcountry partner bailed late the night before, I decided it was time for a solo mission to climb Crazy Peak. After scouring the maps, I planned to start at the Big Timber Canyon Trailhead near the Half Moon Campground, head up past Granite, Blue, and Thunder Lakes, and summit Crazy Peak via the West Ridge. No problem.
I left Big Sky in the dark, drove through Bozeman, and hit I-90 as the sun started to rise. Cruising down the Interstate at 75 mph with the rising sun in my eyes was probably the most dangerous part of my day. I was happy to turn north at Big Timber, cross the Yellowstone River and follow 191 toward Big Timber Canyon Road.
The rugged, dirt covered Big Timber Canyon Road weaves through private land (there is LOTS of private land around the Crazy Mountains). After 15.2 miles, it dead ends at the Big Timber Canyon Trailhead and the Half Moon Campground at 6,450′. Now it’s time to start walking.
The Big Timber Creek Trail (Trail 119) is a wide trail that follows the creek up into the mountains. After 2.8 miles, I took a left turn on the east flanks of Granite Peak. Here the trail crosses the Creek and leads into a steady series of switchbacks toward Granite, Blue, and Thunder Lakes.
It takes about two hours and 5 miles to reach these lakes. The hike is well worth the effort. It’s a popular destination for fishing, hiking, camping, and backpacking for good reasons. At this point, the trail ends and the route finding begins.
It’s important to note that there are at least two approaches to Crazy Peak. The first and more popular option is to follow the main drainage above Blue Lake, then to scale a super steep talus slope to the West Ridge of Crazy Peak. It takes about 6 miles and 5000 feet. The second option is to ascend the drainage above Granite Lake to a snow field and small lake, then gain the mellower ridge (almost to peak 10574), and then descend to the West Ridge of Crazy Peak. There is a short almost 4th class section low on the ridge with a bit of exposure before it joins the other route. This route takes about 6.75 miles and covers approximately 5500 feet. See maps for both routes at bottom of post.
Of course my convoluted route took me on a bit of an adventure, which I’m pretty stoked about. I started my ascent into the basin above Blue Lake as I reached the steep talus slopes. I watched as a group ahead of me consistently kick loose rock down that tumbled hundreds of feet. It wasn’t confidence inspiring on a solo mission and I opted out of climbing underneath a large party tumbling rocks down when I didn’t have a helmet.
Instead I reconsulted my map and scooted around into the next cirque – the one above Granite Lake. There was a beautiful permanent snowfield that looked like someone had recently made some ski turns and a small lake around 9300 feet. From here I hiked up a more mellow slope near the snow and quickly gained the ridge just below peak 10574.
On the ridge I got a stellar view of the SW face of Crazy Peak and it’s 2000 foot SW couloir. Wow. My route climbed down about 350 feet to the saddle where it intersected the West Ridge of Crazy Peak. From here the hiking isn’t too bad, but it is very exposed on both sides. A fall here could be detrimental to one’s health. This section of the ridge did have a couple of sketchier sections – maybe 4th class due to exposure. This lasts for a few hundred feet before it meets the other route higher on the ridge. Overall the ridge climbs about 1200 feet and it’s imperative to watch your step. I was stoked that I wore my sticky approach shoes versus my hard soled hiking boots for this climb.
Eventually the ridge ends at the northern, false summit of Crazy Peak. A small cairn marks the supposed crux of the route – a 100 foot down climb through a steep chimney. Don’t fall. At the bottom of the chimney, climb uphill just a bit and you can peer down the mega steep and tight Crazy Couloir that is still choked in ice in September.
Now with a bit of route finding that consisted of squeezing through a unique gash in the terrain (vs the ledge) and scrambling up the last few meters over loose choss, I finally reached the top of Crazy Peak at 11,214′. And I had it all to myself.
All I could do is smile. The Crazy Mountains are rugged. Granite Peak, Iddings Peak, Conical Peak, and Big Timber Peak are all impressive mountains. The basins are littered with named and unnamed lakes. The steep cirque walls hold lingering snow patches that offer turns all summer and will soon be filled snow and skiable couloirs. This place is like a massive mountain cathedral that I had all to myself. I’m already excited to come back and ski here!
After soaking in the views, it was time to carefully head back down the mountain. I quickly got back to the Chimney and carefully climbed back to the West Ridge and the false summit. I followed the ridge for 20 minutes, then decided I would down climb the main ascent route – the steep face above Blue Lake basin. There were several other groups climbing or down climbing it, so why wouldn’t I?
It was steep and the rock was loose. I used my hands a lot and wished I had a helmet. My main goal was not to go for a talus ride or take a tumble down the steep face. Try to stick to the solid rock. Let’s just say I was pretty happy to get back to the grassy tundra on the basin floor. Before I knew it, I was back at Blue Lake at 8,200′.
I guess my route got me the best of both worlds and now I know for next time. Now all I had to do was put my feet on autopilot and follow the trail back to the Half Moon Campground and Big Timber Canyon Trailhead – and most importantly my truck.
Car to car this solo mission and my convoluted route took me 9.25 hours, 13 miles, and maybe 5,700′ vertical. I’ll be back to climb this one again for sure. What an incredible mountain and inspiring range. I’m always stoked to explore different zones and this one rocks.
I also found this interesting: How The Crazies Got Their Name. Worth a read if you’re visiting the Crazy Mountains.
View MY route on HillMap:
Two Route Options:
Watch the summit panorama of Crazy Peak:
Here are a few additional photos from climbing Crazy Peak:
This trip report is from September 12, 2015.

domain: geography


text:
9in Glass Bottle On A Rope
Whether placed on a table as a centerpiece or suspended overhead, the Glass Bottle on a Rope is sure to be a showstopper at your next event or party. The suspended centerpiece trend is in full swing. These unique creations have captured the hearts of brides and event planners because they allow you to display your colorful floral arrangements in the most whimsical way.
Buy Glass Bottle on Rope Wholesale
Imagine a few of our Glass Bottles on a Rope hanging over a table, each with a few garden roses and some delicate greenery . The bottle is classically shaped and features a thick rope that adds a strong visual to this piece. An opening in the side allows you to add florals to the bottle easily. You can even fit a small candle to cast a lovely glow over your event.
From rustic-inspired weddings to nautically themed parties, the Glass Bottle on a Rope can be incorporated into a number of design aesthetics. Buy yours in bulk to enjoy the best wholesale prices available for your next big event.


InfoWars founder and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones is testifying to defend himself against claims that he must pay the parents of an elementary school child killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting for claiming that the massacre was a hoax.
Jones is on trial in Austin, Texas to decide how much he has to pay for propagating the fallacies concerning the school shooting that took the lives of 20 children and six adult employees at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, according to Reuters.
Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis, the parents of Jesse Lewis, who was six years old when he was killed in the 2012 massacre, are seeking damages of up to $150m from the radio and web show host as well as from his company – Free Speech Systems LLC. They both spoke in court on Tuesday.
While Mr Heslin testified, Mr Jones continued to defame him live on his show. Ms Lewis said she was grateful to be able to look him in the eye while she was on the stand. In a tense moment at the end of the day, the judge reprimanded Jones and reminded him he is under oath.


NEW YORK, Oct. 28 (GenomeWeb News) - Beckman Coulter today said it would distribute an automated gene expression platform developed by Array Automation, a joint venture of Affymetrix and Beckman Coulter that was established in July.
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Cancer researcher loses funding under new Wellcome Trust anti-bullying policies, the Guardian reports.
In Science this week: International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium publishes the bread wheat cultivar Chinese Spring reference genome, and more.
At his FDA Law Blog, Jeffrey Gibbs discusses FDA's technical assistance for the draft Diagnostic Accuracy and Innovation Act.
The New York Times reports that genetic testing has uncovered unfaithful penguins at a Utah aquarium.


The best thing about becoming Legitimate Automotive Journalists is meeting awesome people like this week’s guest, Andrew Ganz.
Andrew writes for The Car Connection, Motor Authority, and Green Car Reports. On top of that, he’s a great guy with stories about driving a Trabant in Budapest, Saab ownership, and that one time he didn’t talk to Bobby Rahal.
Also, please don’t call him at home.
— TeamClearCoat Website: http://ift.tt/2njYGuE
— Subscribe on iTunes at http://apple.co/1Lkzp5L
— Watch live at http://ift.tt/2nk2Dj6
— TeamClearCoat Drivetribe http://ift.tt/2neyFLX
— TeamClearCoat on Instagram: http://ift.tt/2neoLcT
— TeamClearCoat on Twitter: http://twitter.com/teamclearcoat
— TeamClearCoat on Facebook: http://ift.tt/2nk4vbJ
— TeamClearCoat Video Game Recommendations on Steam: http://ift.tt/2nelJp3


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For Episode 76, Prime Time brings one of its most popular episodes back – the annual Cigar Aficionado Top 25 Pre-Game Show (*)
Whether you love or hate this list, it’s our most polarizing one and we will break it down – Prime Time style.
Born on a live stream two years ago before there was a Prime Time Show, this has now evolved into an annual tradition. On this show, we bring to you a comprehensive preview on what to expect on the CA Top 25. We will not only be making predictions, but we will look at dark horses, who is on the bubble, and who could miss the list.
Tune in live at 10pm Eastern/7pm Pacific. If you miss us, you can catch Prime Time any time on Google Play Music, iTunes, Podbean, and YouTube. The Prime Time Show – all about industry people and industry talk.
You can watch LIVE by clicking here
* This is not a show endorsed by Cigar Aficionado, but one that is done independently by Prime Time.

domain: entertainment


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A $760,000 broken down car caused traffic chaos during peak hour on a Calder freeway at 8:30am this morning.
The driver, Michael, had forgotten to charge the battery of his luxury Lamborghini after being overseas for a couple of months.
This resulted in the battery running down, leaving Michael locked inside the Lamborghini.
A VicRoads response team came to the rescue shortly after.
"It's not every day you see a broken down Lamborghini on the side of the road," a VicRoads spokesman told the Herald Sun.
The pricey vehicle was towed to Melbourne and traffic continued to ease


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3–15 oz. cans of white cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
Fresh parsleyfor serving
OPTIONAL: fresh parsley and vegan parmesan cheesefor serving
In a 5.5 quart stockpot, such as the one shown from Xtrema, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and cook about 3-5 minutes. Add the garlic, carrots, celery, fennel, thyme, oregano, salt and pepper, and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
To the stockpot, add the broth and beans. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes to combine all of the flavors and the vegetables soften.

domain: food


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I was asked to write a review of Tom Jones’ performance the 2009 Outside Lands Music and Arts festival in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California. The following was originally published at TomJonesIntl.com
I took the afternoon off Friday to attend the Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival held in San Francisco’s beautiful Golden Gate Park. Our mission: to see Tom Jones.
It all started months ago when my wife and I thought it would be fun to celebrate her birthday in Las Vegas and to do something ‘quintessentially Las Vegas’. So we landed great tickets to see Tom at the MGM August 17th.
Being a child of the late 60’s and early 70’s I recall my easily-embarrassed Mom covering her eyes when Tom Jones would make an appearance, and catching her peeking through her fingers and giggling at how “suggestively” he moved, or seeing her sigh over him hitting a beautiful note, as only Tom Jones can. I figured it might be fun to see him live.
As luck would have it, I wound-up sitting next to Portia, who many of you know as the woman who had Tom sign her shoulder the night prior; getting it tattoo-ed later that same night. So even before the show got started we realized we were in for something special. Special it was, “Quintessentially Vegas,” on the other hand, would only apply if it means “above and beyond, spectacular, powerful, like no other.” What you get from Tom Jones is a concert performance that rivals all of the major names past and present.
lee 2OL git me someWe entered the MGM as people who had heard about Tom Jones and of course had enjoyed the music of his that we had been exposed to; but we left as real fans. My only regrets about the MGM are A) it’s a few hundred miles from home so we can’t go there whenever we want and B) it’s a lovely place with tables, so dancing isn’t quite the norm there.
For the rest of the review, more photos and a video of Tom singing Delilah at Outside Lands
Fast-forward a couple weeks and here we are in Golden Gate Park braving the perfect weather and dealing with a crowd that is probably one of the most well-mannered festival crowds I’ve ever seen; along with subjecting ourselves to the ordeal of the Winehaven tent: over a dozen California wineries giving tastes of their delicious wines right next to temptations such as Cambazola fondue
and the now infamous Mission Mini gourmet cupcakes. Oh it’s tough living in the Bay Area and Outside Lands was going to test our will. Hehehehe
I came expecting the typical dusty, cacophonous, smoky, crowded, wasted festival scene and it was anything but. Instead we got friendly conscientious music fans who each were doing their part to make this one of the most relaxing and enjoyable events ever to be held in Golden Gate Park; and because of the excellent planning, lines were non-existent. We checked-out a couple bands; easily making our way forward to the stage in most cases. I was quite happy the sound folks at the stages were really taking their jobs seriously.
So we headed over to the Sutro Stage over in Lindley Meadow. Initially I was worried about it being off the beaten track but there was quite a stream of humanity making their way over to see Sir Tom. This time, the audience was probably mostly weighted in the 30-somethings. We approached the T-shirt tent to see what was selling and I kept hearing women asking about Tom Jones baby tee’s, Tom Jones nighties, Tom Jones underthings. Hey merchandising, there’s a market to be filled in those items!
Sun was setting behind the stage, swelling crowd basted in the aromas probably not unfamiliar to the children of the 1960’s, the shadows outlining the California Redwoods and Eucalyptus trees behind the stage, making for a beautiful and natural backdrop to frame the stage.
The band came on stage and the crowd started to cheer. And after a short intro as ‘the one, the only, SIR TOM JONES!’ out came our man, and was he ever in the mood to get the party started!
He went right into the classic Tommy James song “I’m Alive” with such power the entire crowd was up and dancing from the start. The memory of this guy in a blue Mohawk dancing nearby singing along with a smile across his face right next to an older couple having the time of their lives will be forever etched in my mind as a moment where music brings people together.
The beginning notes to Hard to Handle started to ring out and Tom belted it out like he wrote the song himself. I think that’s one of the man’s best gifts: he brings so much emotion and puts himself fully into every piece he performs.
I realize Tom Jones has been at it for decades but I’m REALLY REALLY digging his newest album 24 Hours and so when I hear anything from it, I get really really happy. Give A Little Love was next and with it’s social awareness and the message of love, you really couldn’t ask for a better song to
sing to a crowd in San Francisco. No doubt this was the first time many folks there heard this song but by the second time the chorus came around, everyone was happily singing along. Talk about a catchy tune!
Next up, they pulled out Green Green Grass of Home, written way back in the 60’s by Claude “Curly” Putman Jr. Again, Tom made it his own. Meanwhile that smell of another kind of San Francisco treat started REALLY wafting over the audience, one can only guess, due to the title of the song.
I won’t even try to relay when and how many underthings were tossed onto the stage. During some parts of the show, I would put the rate of flying panties/boxers/bras at no less than one-per second. With Tom Jones on tour, the undergarment industry MUST experience some sort of up-tick in sales. Does anyone know what becomes of all of those underthings? Just wondering.
Delilah started and I swear the guy in the blue Mohawk was waltzing to it, still singing along. Such a dark song, but still catchy.
If I Only Knew was played with feeling and it started feeling like the crowd had more than doubled from the beginning of the show. Still, everyone was in great spirits and there was no pushing or shoving.
The beginning riff of Git Me Some started and Tom told us about how ’some think of this as the dirty blues, but this is the SEXY blues.’ Oh the over-the-top innuendo is definitely a hit with this crowd. I swear I saw Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder make his way to the front and toss a pair of plaid boxers onto the stage during that song.
Sir Tom gave a short introduction of most of his awesome band and then mentioned his work with the Stereophonics and this song Mama Told Me (Not to Come), originally done by San Francisco’s Three Dog Night. Of course this crowd-pleaser was met with even more raucous cheering. By this time, I’m sure the rest of the bands playing at the other stages had either put their instruments down to come over and see what all the noise was about or they were already there.
Never say never. Well, unless Never is the name of the next song he played from his newest album.
They went right into I’ll Never Fall In Love Again, which just melted the crowd. By now the stars were peeking out into the rare fog-less San Francisco evening.
By this time in the show I was expecting the crowd to begin thinning-out to catch the Pearl Jam performance that was to begin right after Tom Jones. This wasn’t the case. People stuck around and the crowd continued to swell. This was obviously where the party was at and everyone knew it.
So they pulled out She’s A Lady and as if the crowd wasn’t already ecstatic, this just pushed them over the edge. It should be said that throughout this show, Tom would give the perfectly placed subtle pelvic thrust or booty shake and women (and a lot of men) would just lose it. As I said a few weeks ago after my first Tom Jones show: the guy has more mojo than my entire generation
collectively. We’ve got a lot to learn!
What is it with Tom Jones and catchy songs? What’s New Pussycat is a classic and what a blast it was to be there with Tom leading the entire audience through the chorus.
You Can Leave Your Hat On started and the 1-airborne-pantie-per-second rate increased seven-fold. And it didn’t let up from that point forward.
Sex Bomb exploded and the crowd was once again doing their part to keep up with this infectious groove of a song.
It’s Not Unusual was a big crowd pleaser and terrific set-closer. Tom left the stage and the crowd immediately starting screaming for more. People were still pouring in.
Tom came back out on the stage and when they started playing Kiss, the crowd, I’m pretty sure, began to levitate about six feet above the ground, dancing and singing along, and cheering WILDLY when he took his own advice “I think I better dance now”. Come on, you guys only HOPE you can shake it like
that when you’re even half Tom’s age!
Well the night was wearing-on and no doubt Eddie Vedder had to get back to his stage to fulfill his contractual obligations. Even so, the crowd stuck around chanting “TOM! TOM! TOM!” Alas, as all things do, this too came to pass. It was a night we’ll always remember. We’re definitely Tom Jones fans now!


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5 posts tagged with xmas and mefimusicchallenge.
Displaying 1 through 5 of 5. Subscribe:
one of my least favourite carols, but still... [more inside]
Santa santa (with your nose so bright)
My son's singing debut just in time for Xmas.
Christmas Don't Be Late
The Most Wonderful Day of The Year (Misfit Toys)
From the "Island of Misfit Toys" scene in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. What was wrong with the doll? [more inside]
Low-Fi Silent Night
A mildly country version of silent night. Tune+Bucket=Success [more inside]


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WANT TO BE PROMOTED ON OUR SITE?
Karen Edwards Ceramics.
I create a variety of small handmade garden sculptures and planters that will complement any setting, from traditional to modern.
Each piece is unique – I am happy to make repeats but due to the nature of the handbuilding and decorating techniques that I use, each one will vary slightly from the original.
Visitors are welcome by appointment, but there is no dedicated sales or display area here at present. I try to keep examples of all designs available, but this is not always possible. Delivery time from start to finish is about 6-8 weeks (sometimes more if I am very busy) so please bear that in mind if you would like something for a specific occasion.
Originally from London, I have lived in North Somerset since 1988. I started making thrown domestic ware at evening classes, then discovered handbuilding as part of a pottery course at Bridgwater College. I now make most of my work using coiling, slabbing, pinching, modelling and carving techniques. I have always been interested in gardening, and this, together with the influence of the Somerset landscape, has a bearing on my work.
I mainly use a gritty clay called Crank (Scarva Earthstone ES50), which gives a warm light brown colour and interesting surface textures when scraped, carved or polished. It can take two to three weeks to build and refine a sculpture, depending on the size and complexity of the piece. Excess clay thickness is removed by carving or scraping. Some pieces are inlaid with porcelain, which gives a pleasing contrast of colour and texture.
The work has to dry slowly and thoroughly, which can take a couple of weeks. It is then fired in an electric kiln to 1000 C, turning it from fragile clay into ceramic, strong enough to withstand the decorative treatment of applying a metal oxide solution then scrubbing it off to emphasise surface textures. Porcelain slip (liquid clay) is then brushed over some areas, and coloured slips or glaze applied.
The piece is then fired again, to 1280 C. The high temperature of the second firing vitrifies the clay, so that sculptures and planters can be safely left outdoors all year if desired.
If you would like to order any work shown on this website, please contact me to check availability and to make delivery/collection arrangements.
I would be happy to discuss any commission ideas, so do get in touch by phone or email.
Sculptures - for more details click here
Planters for more details click here
All planters can be ordered without drainage holes for indoor use.
Strata and Layers planters are made in three sizes: Round, Trough and Tiny. Round and Trough have separate feet for drainage, while Tiny has a tray which can be filled with gravel – perfect for growing herbs on a kitchen windowsill.
Cushion, Wave, Dip and Cliff planters look particularly effective when used with sempervivums (houseleeks).
Plaques for more details click here
1st May 2010 - 30th September 2010
Gants Mill and Garden
Gants Mill and Garden,Bruton,Somerset, BA10 0DB
5th June 2010 - 26th September 2010
Chapel Gallery,Saltram House (National Trust),Plympton, Plymouth, PL7 1UH
Westcountry Potters Association exhibition
6th November 2010 - 7th November 2010
The Fifth Compton House Shopping Event
Compton House,Townsend, Axbridge, Somerset BS26 2AJ,
Every room in this historic Georgian house packed to the brim with lots of unusual and affordable gifts and crafts.
21st November 2010 - 4th December 2010
Dorset Pottery Group Open Exhibition
Dorset Pottery Group Open Exhibition,Bridport Arts Centre,Bridport
Fizz Gallery 65a Hill Road, Clevedon, North Somerset BS21 7PD, Tel: 01275 341 141
Gallery 370 39 Main Road, Cleeve, North Somerset, BS49 4NS, Tel: 01934 832 712
Hybrid Gallery 51 High Street, Honiton, Devon EX14 1PW, Tel: 01404 43201
Lantic Gallery 38 Gold Street, Tiverton, Devon EX16 8RP, Tel: 01884 259888
Mid Cornwall Gallery St Blazey Gate, Par, Cornwall PL24 2EG, Tel: 01726 812 131
Telephone: 01934 834 292
|Copyright © THE SCULPTURE WEBSITE 2017||Web Design by 7Soft/WSI Yorkshire|


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- Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Pathetic hotel at this cost to stay.No space,smell of paint everywhere,pathetic design.
Located in Singapore's Little India neighbourhood, The Daulat is in the city centre and near a metro station. Merlion and Marina Bay Sands Skypark are notable landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Gardens by the Bay and East Coast Park. Singapore Flyer and Singapore Botanic Gardens are not to be missed.
The location in Little India was lively and interesting. Breakfast is offered at the nearby Madras Hotel and was very basic. There is a great hawker market nearby , mainly offering cheap and delicious Indian food and drinks. Easy walk to nearby MRT station

domain: travel


Honda still has the dominate midrange no matter what the dyno says, the GSXR shows strong midrange but the Honda has better gearing and gets the midrange power that it has down better. Honda is going to need to come out with traction control for 2013 or continue to drop further behind in the shootout ratings however. The TC genie has been let out of the bottle and even the new 675cc MV Augusta F3 has it. The Honda is still a great bike but the TC is of real value when pushing hard at the limits of traction, that's holding the Honda back. Sure hope they don't try to reinvent the wheel here however, stick with the same formula, light weight, balanced suspension and strong midrange hit with TC to polish the sharp edges.
I have the latest ZX-10R and the power is definitely track biased but still works fine on the street as the power is very smooth and progressive, you just have to rev it a bit to get past the midrange lull.
A buddy recently switched from a BMW S1000RRR to an R6 for a trackday bike and saw a whopping 4 second drop in his lap times. Apparently hairy topend is not the best route for everyone short of a highly skilled WSB rider. I would like to see more emphasis on track times in these shootouts with test riders closer to our skill level turning the throttle. Under those conditions, the biggest HP number on the dyno is not always the best way forward. I don't think the BMW is really all that but it wins every shootout based on laying down the big numbers on the dyno. 150 rear wheel HP with friendly delivery characteristics is really all most of us can use. Just my .02.
2016 Ducati 959 Red
2012 CBR 1000RR Red
2011 ZX-10R Ebony
2009 ZX-6R Lime Green
2006 ZX-14 Passion Red
2004 VTX1300C Candy Red
"For we walk by faith and not by sight" II Corinthians 5:7


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kanyezestye said: Your blog makes me all HOT and bothered~
Sriracha is Sexxy
Just got this done today!!!
RAWR! Looks good enough to drink!
this isn’t a great picture (like my last crappy photo i sent to you guys of the kimchee/sriracha hot dog), but that doesn’t detract from the fact that it’s awesome.
it’s an english muffin sammich with provolone, BBQ pork, and sriracha. may not sound great, but it’s NOMS!!
hellomontauk said: I possibly had the best sriracha experience today. A local restaurant is serving charbroiled peppers filled with peanut butter and topped with a drizzle of sriracha. It tasted like world peace.
Haha! I love it!


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We have many fantastic opportunities to sing at Camp Encore/Coda! All Voice Primary campers are required to be in at least one choir, and all of our choirs are open to any camper that wants to join. Our choirs are directed and accompanied by our music faculty.
Upper Camp Chorus is open to all upper campers. The Chorus sings a variety of genres and musical styles. They sometimes combine with the orchestra to perform works for orchestra and chorus.
Chamber Choir is a smaller and more advanced. This choir is by audition only and is open to our more serious vocal campers.
Jazz Choir is for campers interested in pursuing vocal jazz music, accompanied by a jazz rhythm section.
Lower Camp Chorus is an optional vocal group for lower campers only, covering inclusive repertoire from traditional classical favorites to show tunes to contemporary pop hits.


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The Board of Larimer County Commissioners voted April 24 to sunset a .2 percent courthouse sales tax effective July 1, six months before the normal sunset.
The sales tax was approved by voters in 1997, to begin January 1, 1998 and last 15 years to build, renovate, and expand the Justice Center and Courthouses Offices Buildings in Fort Collins, partner on the Civic Center parking structure in Fort Collins, construct and equipping the Sheriff’s Administration building, partner on the Police and Courts building in Loveland and renovate the County Offices building in Loveland.
This dedicated sales tax can only be used on projects approved by voters, so even with deep budget cuts looming for Larimer County, this funding cannot be used elsewhere.
The Board of County Commissioners ended the tax early because all of the projects approved by the voters have now been funded and most have been completed. The County saved money by refinancing the debt for the projects at a lower interest rate and sales tax revenues were greater than initially projected. The tax could only be used for capital construction. Still, ending a tax early is unusual says Commissioner Steve Johnson, “This is the first time in my two decades of public service I’ve seen government end a tax early.”
With the change, effective July 1, the Larimer County Sales Tax will be reduced from 0.8 percent to 0.6 percent. The last day of collections for Larimer County vendors at the 0.8 percent rate will be June 30. The sales tax was due to expire on December 31, 2012. Larimer County has collected over $97 million for the projects since the beginning of the Courthouse Sales Tax.


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Childish Gambino prepares release for ‘…Awaken, My Love’
Written by Coog Radio on November 12, 2016
For months, there has been speculation of a Childish Gambino album in the works. Fans can now rejoice as the rumors appear to have been true. Donald Glover or Childish Gambino, has just announced that he is getting set to release a new album this year. The 33-year-old rapper/actor recently completed filming for the first season of his FX hit-series Atlanta. Childish Gambino has titled the project …Awaken, My Love!. The album serves as a follow-up to Gambino’s 2013 release, Because the Internet.
The reports intensified earlier this week, when an image shared online showed a release board inside an FYE store that listed the album title and a future release date of December 2. A new song was also previewed during episode 5 of Atlanta titled, “Black Justin Bieber” that recently surfaced online.
Via Twitter, Gambino confirmed the upcoming album title and also shared the official album artwork. The album will be released on Dec. 2. Pre-order for the album is available here.
By Sean Nwadinobi

domain: celebrity


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Items Similar to White Plaster Female Garden Sculpture with Decorative Pot View More
White Plaster Female Garden Sculpture with Decorative Pot
A beautiful white plaster and cement combination Female garden sculpture piece with decorative pot, circa Mid-20th Century, Italy. Sculpture has beautiful details; she looks great from the front and the back as show in images. She holds a pot on her shoulder; pot has detailed edge/trim and Lion face design. Pot can hold a small plant, succulent, or flower. Sculpture measures: 5.75" diameter base x 8.5" W x 20.25" H
- Place of Origin
- Date of Manufacturecirca 20th Century
- Materials and Techniques
- WearWear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor fading.
- DimensionsH 20.25 in. x W 8.5 in. x D 5.75 in.H 51.44 cm x W 21.59 cm x D 14.61 cm
- Seller LocationNew York, NY
- Reference NumberLU1314216555122
Buyer Protection Guaranteed
Our Promise To You: If you're not happy with the way an item arrived, we'll work with you and the seller to reach an optimal resolution. Read more
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- ShippingRates vary by destination and complexityShipping methods are determined by item size, type, fragility and specific characteristics.Shipping costs are calculated based on carrier rates, delivery distance and packing complexity.
- Return Policy
This item can be returned within 1 day of delivery.View details
- Online Payment Methods1stdibs accepts the following payment methods
- Item InvoiceGenerate an invoice that you can customize and print.
About the Seller
4.9 / 5
1stdibs seller since 2015
Located in New York, NY
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- 28 Sep 23
Following the announcement of their 2024 North American Tour, the Northern Irish indie pop trio release their newest single, a fiery, electric track.
Northern Irish indie icons Two Door Cinema Club share their first new offering of 2023 in the form of retro indie pop single ‘Sure Enough.’ Accompanied by a colourful music video, the track is an explosive, festival-ready anthem that sees the band enter a new, contemporary sound.
With vibrant, synth-forward beats, tingling electric guitar and a hooky chorus, ‘Sure Enough’ exudes the fiery energy that has earned the band a widespread audience throughout the past decade. The new single, their first of this year, sees Two Door Cinema Club entering a new era, re-defining their sound once again, yet still remaining true to their energetic, anthemic indie roots.
The new track is released along with a music video directed by unthnkable, which pays homage to their loyal audiences throughout the past year of shows, following the release of 2022 album Keep On Smiling. Of the new song, the band shared in a press release, “Comfort, safety and security are all easy to come by. All you must do is accept the lie.”
Two Door Cinema Club recently announced a 22-date North American Tour, scheduled for 2024. The tour plans to kick off at The Eastern in Atlanta, Georgia, rounding off in Austin, Texas in May. General sale goes live tomorrow, September 29, with tickets available here.
The release of their new single arrives as the band prepares to play their final UK dates, the next of which is scheduled for October 24 at the Connexin Arena in Hull. They will move on to Liverpool for two consecutive nights at the end of the month, before jetting off to South America for a run of shows.
Remaining tickets for Two Door Cinema Club’s UK shows can be found here.
Check out the music video for ‘Sure Enough,’ the spritely new single from Two Door Cinema Club below!


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Watch the ‘making of’ Big Sean’s ‘IDFWU’ video to see an appearance by coach Kanye West. Continue reading…
Congratulations to our Contest winners who have now been contacted!
Those who missed out can still click here to buy tickets to the event. You don’t want to miss out on this All-Yeezy night!
Yeezy All Night Long! Notting Hill Arts Club Are Hosting A 'Dedicated To Kanye West' Night In LONDON Tomorrow. Tickets Still Available Visit TeamKanyeDaily.Com For Details.
TeamKanyeDaily.com has teamed up with Milkshake to bring you the opportunity to win a pair of tickets to ‘DEDICATED TO KANYE WEST’ in London, where they will be playing Yeezy All Night Long! Continue reading…
The Behind-the-scenes video of Kanye West’s August 2014 GQ cover shoot gifts us with more classic quotes.
Update: Check out the full song below.
Kanye West has finished 20 songs for his new album and it sounds like Timberland boots. Continue reading…


Microsoft is reportedly planning to bring its generative AI-powered personal assistant, Copilot, to one billion Windows 10 users soon.
According to Windows Central, citing sources, similar to Windows 11, this update will place a Copilot button directly on the Windows 10 taskbar, opening the same Copilot sidebar experience found on Windows 11.
The Windows 10 Copilot update will also include plugins that work across both operating systems.
“I understand the experience and capabilities of Copilot across Windows 10 and Windows 11 will be roughly the same, including plugin compatibility across both versions of the OS,” the report said.
According to the report, the primary reason for this new update is to increase market share.
Windows 10 continues to be used on approximately 1 billion monthly active devices, compared to 400 million monthly active devices on Windows 11.
Microsoft sees an additional 1 billion users as an untapped market for Copilot expansion, so integrating Copilot into Windows 10 is a natural next step for the company, the report stated.
The AI assistant for Windows 11 launched in beta in August and officially in September.
Meanwhile, Microsoft has started rolling out the next major update to its Windows 11 PC operating system with some new features.
The main change in the new update (known as Windows 11, version 23H2) includes the name change of Microsoft Teams to Chat.
“Chat is now Microsoft Teams (free) and is pinned by default to the taskbar,“ VP of programme management for Windows servicing and delivery, John Cable, said in a blogpost.


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December 28, 2004
The museum at my alma mater, Michigan State University, is having a quilt silent auction. I first heard about this when it was mentioned in the quilt guild announcements back in September, I think it was. Since I not only graduated from MSU but volunteered as a docent at the museum for a while when I was a student, I was definitely interested in helping out by making a piece to be auctioned. One idea I had was “A Toast to 150 Years”, since MSU will celebrate its sesquicentennial in 2005–I saw a central square with hands lifting wine glasses in tribute and a border of grape and wine fabric which I have in my stash. But I didn’t ever get around to making that quilt or any other–I had the other quilts on my list to finish first and now the deadline to get the quilt to East Lansing is four days away and it’s just not going to happen and my idea won’t even work for next year’s auction, should they decide to have one. Bummer.
I’ve never managed to write an entry on December 28th before today.


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A ruined life. A broken heart.
He thought it was the end, and his gun sat ready to make sure.
But an oddball offer from his only friend comes at the literal last second. Curiosity gets the best of him, and he finds himself sucked into iNcarn8, a game claiming to be a whole new life. Now as Montana, the larger-than-life tank warrior, he has one more last time to get his life right.
One More Last time is the first book in The Good Guys, a LitRPG GameLit series. If you like fast-paced adventure, RPG mechanics, and sweet level progression with a deep magic and game system, this book is for you. It has notes of The Land and classic Dungeons & Dragons campaigns, and stars a lovable idiot of a main character who can't seem to shake his dark past and find the quiet life he so wants.
Pick up this page-turner today

domain: library


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The public will have a chance to weigh in beginning next month on New York’s plan to charge a new toll for motorists entering Manhattan.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Thursday announced 13 virtual meetings beginning on Sept. 13 and lasting through mid-October. The final three meetings, on Oct. 7, 12 and 13, will focus specifically on the program's potential impact on minority and low-income communities in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
New York plans to create a new tolling zone for the area south of 60th Street in Manhattan, an area that accommodates hundreds of thousands of vehicles daily from the New Jersey and New York suburbs and beyond. The plan, commonly referred to as congestion pricing, has been tried in Europe but would be the first of its kind in any U.S. city.
Get Tri-state area news and weather forecasts to your inbox. Sign up for NBC New York newsletters.
The MTA says congestion pricing is necessary to reduce traffic gridlock and help fund improvements to New York’s bus and subway systems. New York's legislature approved the plan in 2019 and it was supposed to go into effect this year, but it stalled under the Trump administration and was eventually given the go-ahead from federal regulators this year.
It isn't likely to be put in place until 2023, as the MTA has said the environmental review process will take until late 2022.
The congestion pricing plan has been met with criticism from some New Jersey politicians who say motorists from their districts already pay high tolls to enter the city and shouldn't have to pay an additional fee.
This month, Democratic New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer announced proposed legislation that would withhold federal transit grants from New York and offer tax credits to New Jersey motorists if the fee is implemented.

domain: economics


After so much anticipation on social media, the fast rising multi talented rapper/singer “Dimo” is back on track with a new song “Lockdown” which was inspired by COVID-19, production credits goes to talented producer JStrings.
The song featured Delilah crooner “Moz Dreay” who delivered his A game and displayed his vocal dexterity.
Lockdown is the song you have been waiting for and you’ll definitely relate to. Listen, enjoy, share and stay safe!!!
Listen & Download
What do you think about this song?
We want to hear from you all.
Drop your comments


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Venture into the epic world of Norse mythology with “Viking Valor Voyage,” an exhilarating slot game that promises to take players on a daring adventure across the high seas. Developed by leading gaming software providers, this Norse-themed slot captures the essence of Viking lore, offering players an immersive experience filled with excitement, treasure, and mythical creatures. Embark on a journey of conquest, bravery, and riches as you spin the reels and unleash the power of the Vikings.
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Unleash the Power of Norse Gods
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Immerse Yourself in Norse Lore
Beyond its thrilling gameplay and exciting features, “Viking Valor Voyage” offers players a glimpse into the captivating world of Norse mythology. From ancient runes and symbols to intricate artwork depicting legendary figures and creatures, every aspect of the game is steeped in Norse lore and tradition. Players can explore the rich tapestry of Viking culture as they embark on their quest for riches and glory.
Experience the Thrill of the Hunt
In “Viking Valor Voyage,” the hunt for treasure is as exhilarating as the spoils themselves. With every spin of the reels, players embark on a thrilling adventure filled with excitement, suspense, and the promise of untold riches. Whether you’re a seasoned explorer or a newcomer to the world of slot online, “Viking Valor Voyage” offers an immersive gaming experience that will keep you coming back for more.
“Viking Valor Voyage” invites players to embark on a daring adventure across the high seas, where bravery is rewarded, and fortune awaits those who dare to seize it. With its immersive gameplay, stunning visuals, and captivating theme, this Norse-themed slot offers an unforgettable gaming experience that will transport players to a world of myth and legend. So hoist the sails, ready your weapons, and prepare for an epic journey filled with excitement, danger, and the promise of riches beyond your wildest dreams.


This workshop offers us a profound experience of healing, at a holistic level, through the music created at the time using instruments of the Sufi tradition and musical scales with healing properties, as applied by doctors in the hospitals of Al-Andalus and the Middle East, to treat all kinds of ailments and help the expansion of consciousness.
Oriental music therapy technique that was rescued and developed by Dr. Oruç Guvenç from Istanbul, of which I have been a student, and whose dissemination work I have been doing for 14 years.
IMPART: Ignacio Béjar
DURATION: 3 hours
INSTRUMENTS: Ney (cane flute), Oud (Arabic Laud), Rebab, Lira, Tibetan bowls, Turkish Clarinet, Voice, Overtones singing.
WHEN: Saturday November 11th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
WHERE: Espacio MALACA XXI C / Eslava nº 15 (Next to Vialia) Málaga
INFORMATION AND RESERVATIONS: 951 111 144/678 648 742
More about MUSIC SUFÍ SANADORA:https://ignaciobejar.com.mialias.net/sufi-healing-music/


Announced this week were new composer assignments for Howard Shore (Denial), Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans (Rosy), Giorgio Moroder and Raney Shockne (Tomboy, a Revenger's Tale), among many others. For the full list of composer and music supervisor assignments from this week, click here.
There were 25 new soundtrack albums released this week. Click here for the full schedule.
Opening nationwide this week are (with music by): Central Intelligence (Ludwig Goransson and Theodore Shapiro) and Finding Dory (Thomas Newman).
Among all new theatrical releases, we are tracking song credits for:
- Central Intelligence (17 songs)
- Finding Dory (2 songs)
Finally, the following composers will be celebrating an upcoming birthday:
- Monday: Jeff Beal (House of Cards) will turn 53.
- Tuesday: Lalo Schifrin (Mission: Impossible) will turn 84.
- Tuesday: Dario Marianelli (Anna Karenina) will turn 53.


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November 30, 2022Department of Education, Department of Justice, and Department of Health and Human Services Release First Report to Congress as Part of the Interagency Task Force on Sexual Violence in Education
The Interagency Task Force on Sexual Violence in Education (Task Force), created by the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 (VAWA 2022 Reauthorization), presented its first report to Congress today.
August 19, 2022Department Invites Applicants for More Than $6 Million in Project Prevent Grant Program Funds to Support School Safety
Today, the U.S. Department of Education is posting a Notice Inviting Applications for the Project Prevent Grant Program, which will award more than $6 million to local educational agencies (LEAs) impacted by community violence.
March 24, 2022Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra Announce Joint Effort to Develop and Share Resources to Ensure Children Have Access to School-Based Health ServicesSecretary Cardona and HHS Secretary Becerra reaffirmed their commitment to children and youth by launching a joint-department effort to expand school-based health services.
March 16, 2022
Today, Vice President Kamala Harris and the U.S. Department of Education (Department) announced that Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that have recently experienced a bomb threat resulting in a disruption to the campus learning environment, are eligible to apply for grant funds under the Project School Emergency Response to Violence (Project SERV) program.
July 22, 2021Department of Education Releases Resource to Help Schools Improve Ventilation Systems to Prevent COVID-19
Today, the Department of Education released a resource to help schools, colleges, and universities improve their ventilation systems to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and provide healthy learning environments.
April 9, 2021Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona Joins Roundtable Discussion with Students to Discuss Experiences During the Pandemic
Following the Department of Education's release of the COVID-19 Handbook, Volume 2: Roadmap to Reopening Safely and Meeting All Students' Needs, which includes research-based strategies to address the impact of the pandemic on students, educators, and staff, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona held a virtual roundtable wi
March 12, 2021
Following President Biden's signing the American Rescue Plan into law, the U.S. Department of Education announced additional details on its plans to support schools in safely returning to in-person instruction.
September 12, 2016
The Department has established a toll-free Louisiana Flooding Hotline (1-844-348-4082) and Louisiana Flooding email address (email@example.com).
The purpose of the hotline and email address is to provide answers to questions, make references to helpful resources, and share information.
November 7, 2014

domain: politics


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On the subject of centrist politics, John Harris makes this point:
… but such trifles as the welfare state and the postwar education system were basically the work of centrists. More recently, so were Sure Start, the minimum wage and equal marriage. These things required planning, coalition-building and a willingness to listen to an array of opinions. The kind of shrill belligerence that now defines debate would probably have killed them before anyone even got started.
I can’t imagine ever describing myself as a centrist, it’s a word that’s been bandied around so much as to have become meaningless. That said, it is certainly true that, while the ideological purity of the extremes may be satisfying to some, it’s the people who are willing to make compromises and build a consensus that achieve lasting change.