Infrared thermography is equipment or method, which detects infrared energy emitted from object, converts it to temperature, and displays image of temperature distribution. To be accurate, the equipment and the method should be called differently, the equipment to be called as infrared thermograph and the method to be called as infrared thermography. Recently, however, more and more public literatures show tendency not to pay attention to such appellative. We call our equipment as infrared thermography considering such generalization of the terminology.
While infrared imaging systems are relatively simple to use, interpreting images taken with this equipment can be far more complex and challenging. With training and experience, however, remarkable information can be extracted from an infrared camera that can help asset managers and maintenance personnel alike better maintain systems and equipment while monitoring or improving the quality of products.
When it comes to inspecting mechanical equipment with infrared, certain conditions are needed. It is also important for the thermographer to have a strong foundation of basic radiometry and heat transfer, knowledge of how the mechanical equipment operates, as well as a solid background on the infrared camera’s capabilities and limitations. As with any type of technology, proper training is essential to successfully operate these systems.
Infrared Thermographic Testing is Powerful, Versatile, and Highly Accurate
Infrared thermographic testing is essentially a non-invasive, non-destructive inspection process that uses temperature sensing scanners. These infrared devices gather temperature signatures that lie beyond the range of visible light. Analysis of this data will help you detect a wide range of problems in building systems and structures, including moisture intrusion, missing or damaged insulation, overloaded circuits, faulty wiring, loose electrical connections, construction defects and storm damage.
Advantages of Thermography
- You get a visual picture
- So that you can compare temperatures over large area
- It is real time capable of catching moving targets
- Able to find deteriorating components prior to failure
- Measurement in areas inaccessible or hazardous
- Reduction of production losses due to unplanned
- Reduced maintenance and repair costs
- Increased equipment life
- Increased Mean-Time-Between-Failures (MTBF)
- Increased productivity and profitability
Thermographic Electrical Inspections
Electrical inspections can detect heated connections or components which may be indicative of a potentially major problem causing fire, injury, equipment damage, down time, etc. Thermography can find problems with faulty connections, overloaded circuits, faulty switches, phase imbalances, transformer issues, fuse problems, defective breakers, undersized connectors, insufficient cooling, etc. Many insurance companies now require annual inspections of critical equipment.
Mechanical inspections can detect elements of motors, compressors, bearings, belts, etc., under heat stress. Thermography is an invaluable part of any maintenance program. It is always better to repair items before failure causes operational interruptions and unexpected replacement costs.
Building Envelope Inspections
Building envelope inspections can detect problems with heat loss, air leakages, and water leakages. These are crucial for energy savings and occupant comfort.
The arrows illustrate window flashing leakage and masonry leakage.
Thermography can be used to inspect for..
- Roof and basement leaks
- Leaks behind a surface
- Thermal pane problems, (which often appear after the warranty period)
- Missing, damaged or improperly installed insulation
- Great for inspections on newer homes before the warranty period expires
- Plumbing leaks that are not yet visually detectable
- Electrical overheating from poor installation, overloading, etc.
- Exterior wall leaks
- Furnaces, air conditioners, fan motors
- Under floor heating systems, (water or electrical)
- Air leakages at walls, windows, doors, ducts, etc.
- Conditions in a home which could lead to mould growth And many others…
Have A Question? Contact Us Now We Are Waiting For Your Queries!!


text:
Email & Password
Not a member? Register.
Dermoaroma®, an Italian-based innovator in therapies for medical aesthetic products, has announced the anticipated UK launch of its revolutionary new product line: Purasomes.
Derived from nature, energised by cutting-edge research and inspired by the future, Purasomes has been specially formulated to advance and amplify cell regeneration to repair, restore and renew. It comprises of 3 unique formulations: Purasomes SGC 100+ Skin Glow Complex to brighten and protect skin; Purasomes NC 150+ Nutri Complex to address signs of ageing and Purasomes HSC50+ Hair & Scalp Complex to prevent hair loss and promote healthy growth.
Clinically proven and meticulously tested, utilising the perfectly balanced composition of its groundbreaking and multi-patented AMPLEX+ technology, Purasomes combines a unique blend of potent Growth Factors and enriched Exosomes derived from organic bovine colostrum to optimise cellular function in a way that is safe, powerful and natural to deliver remarkable results.
Future Driven, Nature Inspired
Over the last 9 years, scientists working in collaboration with Dermoaroma® have developed AMPLEX+, with the ambition to unveil an effective, safe, sustainable and ethically-sourced therapy that can enhance the natural healing processes within the human body. As a testament to its quality and innovation, AMPLEX+ has since demonstrated complete safety in multidisciplinary applications and obtained 14 patents in the fields of Regenerative Medicine and Aesthetics.
Abundant in vitamins and nutrients, colostrum is the first, biologically privileged milk, produced by the mammary glands of mammals shortly after giving birth and is key for the survival, growth and development of its offspring. Harnessing its high content of antibodies, antioxidants and over 250 biologically active compounds, bovine colostrum serves as the ideal alternative for the human equivalent.
AMPLEX+ technology isolates and concentrates Exosomes, Growth Factors and Cytokines from high-quality organic bovine colostrum using complex cross-flow filtration and purification techniques. Just 5ml of AMPLEX+ contains 20 billion Exosomes and 20 of the most powerful Growth Factors; it’s these active properties that facilitate the regeneration of injured tissues for both aesthetic and medical purposes.
By combining this advanced formulation with a seamless delivery system of microneedling treatments, Purasomes works to progress cell regeneration to the level of maximum performance in skin and hair by stimulating fibroblast function and thus increasing collagen production.
The application of Purasomes has been crafted as a combined therapy in conjunction with microneedling. Since the micro-injuries caused by the controlled puncturing of the skin during microneedling treatments stimulate the skin’s natural healing process, the addition of Purasomes achieves remarkable results after just one session and enables the body to initiate AMPLEX+’s smart technology.
For optimal results, it’s recommended that patients undergo 3-5 treatments every 4-6 weeks followed by maintenance aftercare with the GF20 Boost, though each treatment plan should be tailored accordingly to suit patients’ skin and each individual’s concerns. For patients undergoing treatment with Purasome HSC50+, aftercare should be followed with the DPD Revive Hair & Scalp Nano Serum.
The treatment is generally well-tolerated with minimal downtime, however, patients may experience some mild redness and sensitivity after the procedure which typically subsides within a few days.
What Makes Purasomes Different?
• 100% natural with zero artificial components.
• Completely safe, non-recombinant and non-toxic.
• Isolated and concentrated from the richest source of growth factors existing in nature.
• Non-human and non-tissue derived.
• Approved cosmetic product for use in the UK.
• Ethically sourced from a family-owned, organic certified farm in Italy.
• Harvested within 6 hours after parturition.
• Meticulous purification system.
• High-grade composition derived from high-quality Holstein breed.
• Lyophilised to preserve its integrity and make for simple logistics and storage.
Visit Dermoaroma® for more information.

domain: medical


I’ve always been fascinated by the power of the sun and its ability to provide us with renewable energy.
Did you know that the amount of solar energy a location receives can vary greatly depending on various factors?
In this article, we will explore the data-driven world of solar energy availability, understanding the patterns of solar radiation, and how seasonal variations and time of day can impact solar energy generation.
By optimizing solar energy harvesting for different locations, we can harness the maximum potential of this incredible energy source.
- Solar energy availability is significantly affected by cloud cover, which is influenced by atmospheric conditions such as humidity, temperature, and air currents.
- Solar energy potential is highest when the sun is directly overhead, and understanding solar radiation patterns can help optimize solar energy systems.
- Sunlight intensity varies throughout the year, with summer having the highest intensity due to longer days and a direct angle of incidence.
- Cloud cover can affect solar energy output by reflecting and scattering sunlight, even thin or scattered cloud cover can significantly reduce solar energy generation.
Factors Affecting Solar Energy Availability
One of the factors that affects solar energy availability is the amount of cloud cover in a given location. Clouds can significantly reduce the amount of solar radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface, impacting the solar energy potential of a geographical location.
Cloud cover is influenced by various atmospheric conditions, such as humidity, temperature, and air currents. By analyzing historical weather data, it is possible to determine the average cloud cover for a specific area and understand its impact on solar energy availability.
This information is crucial for planning and optimizing solar energy systems, as it helps identify regions with higher solar energy potential and lower cloud cover. Understanding the relationship between cloud cover and solar energy availability is essential for harnessing the maximum potential of solar radiation in a given location.
Understanding Solar Radiation Patterns
Understanding solar radiation patterns can help us determine the optimal time for harnessing sunlight. Solar energy distribution varies throughout the day, with the highest intensity occurring when the sun is directly overhead. To illustrate this, consider the table below, which shows the solar energy potential at different times of the day.
|Time of Day||Solar Energy Potential|
As the table demonstrates, the sun’s position in the sky influences the amount of solar energy received. At 12 PM, when the sun is at its highest point, solar energy potential is at its peak. This information is crucial for optimizing solar energy systems, as it allows us to align the capture of sunlight with its highest intensity. By understanding solar radiation patterns, we can make informed decisions to maximize the utilization of this renewable energy source. This knowledge also contributes to our understanding of seasonal variations in solar energy intensity, which will be discussed in the next section.
Seasonal Variations in Solar Energy Intensity
The intensity of sunlight varies throughout the year, depending on the season and time of day. Understanding these solar energy variations is crucial for optimizing the use of solar power.
Solar energy trends show that during summer, when the sun is at its highest point in the sky, the intensity of sunlight is the highest. This is due to the longer days and the sun’s more direct angle of incidence.
As we move into autumn, the intensity gradually decreases, reaching its lowest point during winter. This is primarily because of the shorter days and the sun’s lower angle of incidence.
Time of day also plays a role, with solar energy peaking around midday when the sun is directly overhead.
Time of Day and Solar Energy Generation
During the day, the intensity of sunlight is highest, making it an optimal time for generating solar power. The solar energy output is directly influenced by the amount of cloud cover, which can significantly impact the amount of energy that can be harnessed. Cloud cover acts as a barrier, reducing the amount of sunlight that reaches the solar panels.
Even thin or scattered cloud cover can reduce the solar energy output by a considerable margin. This is because clouds reflect and scatter sunlight, preventing it from reaching the surface. Additionally, the presence of clouds can cause fluctuations in solar energy generation throughout the day, as they move and change shape.
Therefore, it is important to consider cloud cover patterns when designing solar power systems, as they can have a substantial impact on overall energy production.
Optimizing Solar Energy Harvesting for Different Locations
Cloud cover greatly affects the amount of sunlight that can be harnessed for solar power, making it crucial to consider when optimizing solar energy harvesting for different locations. Understanding the impact of geographical location on solar panel efficiency is key to maximizing energy production.
Here are three factors to consider:
Latitude: The closer a location is to the equator, the more direct sunlight it receives throughout the year. This higher solar intensity leads to increased solar panel efficiency.
Elevation: Higher elevations receive higher solar radiation due to less atmospheric interference. This results in improved solar panel performance.
Local weather patterns: Areas with frequent cloud cover or high precipitation may experience reduced solar panel efficiency. Locations with clear skies and low humidity tend to have higher energy production.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does the Tilt of the Earth’s Axis Affect the Availability of Solar Energy at Different Locations?
The tilt of the Earth’s axis has a significant impact on the availability of solar energy at different locations. Due to this tilt, areas closer to the equator receive more direct sunlight throughout the year, resulting in higher solar energy availability.
Conversely, areas closer to the poles receive less direct sunlight due to the oblique angle of the sun’s rays.
Additionally, atmospheric conditions such as cloud cover can further affect solar energy generation by blocking or diffusing sunlight.
Can the Presence of Clouds Significantly Reduce the Amount of Solar Energy Received in a Specific Area?
The presence of clouds can indeed significantly reduce the amount of solar energy received in a specific area. Clouds act as a barrier, blocking sunlight from reaching the Earth’s surface. This effect of atmospheric conditions can have a direct impact on the efficiency of solar panels.
Additionally, the orientation of solar panels plays a crucial role in maximizing solar energy absorption. Properly aligning the panels towards the sun’s trajectory ensures optimal energy generation.
Is There a Difference in Solar Energy Availability Between Urban and Rural Areas?
Is there a difference in solar energy availability between urban and rural areas?
Solar energy efficiency in coastal areas and the impact of vegetation on solar energy availability are factors that can affect the amount of solar energy received in a specific location. These variables can vary between urban and rural areas due to differences in land use, population density, and vegetation coverage.
Understanding these variations is essential for optimizing solar energy systems and promoting sustainable energy practices.
Do Factors Such as Air Pollution or Haze Affect the Efficiency of Solar Energy Generation?
Factors such as air pollution or haze can have a significant impact on the efficiency of solar energy generation. The presence of smog and aerosols in the atmosphere can reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the solar panels, thereby decreasing their power output.
These pollutants act as barriers, absorbing and scattering sunlight before it can be converted into electricity. Therefore, it is important to consider air quality when assessing the potential for solar power generation in a specific location.
How Does the Proximity to the Equator Influence the Amount of Solar Energy Received Throughout the Year?
The proximity to the equator greatly influences the amount of solar energy received throughout the year. Being closer to the equator means that a location receives more direct sunlight and experiences longer days, resulting in higher solar energy potential.
Additionally, the proximity to oceans can also affect solar energy generation as water bodies can act as heat sinks, moderating temperature fluctuations.
Conversely, the presence of mountains can create shading and cause variations in solar energy availability.
In conclusion, the quest for optimal solar energy harvesting is akin to a grand puzzle. Each piece represents a unique factor affecting its availability. By unraveling the intricate patterns of solar radiation, we can unlock the secrets of when and where a location receives the most solar energy.
Understanding the seasonal variations, time of day, and geographical nuances is essential for harnessing the full potential of this renewable resource. With data-driven analysis and technical expertise, we can navigate this puzzle and pave the way towards a brighter, sun-powered future.


text:
Batman Detective s/c vol 4 Deus Ex Machina back
James TynionIV, Christopher Sebela & Alvaro Martinez, various, Yasmine Putri
Date Released: Expected 13-Dec-17
Preview by Publisher Blurb
In these tales from DETECTIVE COMICS #957-962, Azrael and Zatanna join the ranks of Batman's allies in Gotham City
unfortunately, someone from Azrael's old home with the Order of St. Dumas has found him. The Order has unleashed a bizarre new evil on the world, and it's convinced it must destroy Jean-Paul Valley!

domain: entertainment


Buisness aviation news
Mecaer Aviation Group (MAG), an acclaimed designer and manufacturer of high-end cabin comfort systems, announced the delivery of a newly completed AW-139 helicopter to a US-based customer, represented by aviation consultant, The VanAllen Group.
Textron Aviation today announced the delivery of its 400th Citation CJ4 series aircraft to Koch Holdings of Easton, Pennsylvania. This milestone delivery for the Cessna Citation CJ4 series reinforces the Citation family as the world’s most popular line of business jets and demonstrates the company’s commitment to continued innovation for customers as exemplified in the latest Citation CJ4 Gen2 aircraft.
Alton Aviation Consultancy says 2023 will be a pivotal year for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), as the industry edges towards entry-into-service (EIS) and the start of commercialization.
Gogo Business Aviation announced today it will expand its Gogo 5G network into Canada, providing additional coverage to business aviation operators in North America.
With the current economic climate and uncertainty, being up to date on data trends is your best way to prepare for summer. To help create some clarity we want to share Avinode data and insights more regularly. Here are the latest demand indications for charter within Europe and the US.
Welojets, the private jet provider based in Madrid and with offices in Miami and Buenos Aires, has launched a specialized Group Charter Desk to serve the rising demand for global private aviation group charters.
Daher announced the European airworthiness validation for its Kodiak 900 – the larger and faster version of the robust and rugged Kodiak 100 turboprop-powered aircraft.
Once again Pilatus and Platoon Aviation can celebrate this year the handover of two more PC-24 aircraft. With the handover of Super Versatile Jet, serial number 306, the German charter operator has grown its fleet to six PC-24s within just three years.
Textron Aviation is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Zürich and Düsseldorf Service Centers joining its global customer support network. Employees marked the milestone anniversary with celebrations at each location earlier this month.
F/LIST, a leading manufacturer of high-quality aircraft interiors, luxury residences and yacht fittings, announces that its innovative bio-based material F/LIST Aenigma has been awarded the prestigious Red Dot Design Award 2023.
ASG has added base maintenance approval for the Dassault Falcon 900LX at Centreline's CSAT operating base of RAF Northolt, following the successful addition of the type to its UK CAA Part 145 scope.
Daher’s efficient and fast single-engine turboprop aircraft – the TBM 960 – is making its first public European appearance at this week’s AERO Friedrichshafen, Europe’s largest general aviation exhibition.
WINGX’s weekly Business Aviation Bulletin.
The company has recently achieved essential TC, EASA and FAA approvals for almost its entire fleet of Challenger and Global aircraft.
Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.’s G500 will make its German air show debut this week at AERO Friedrichshafen. The clean-sheet, next-generation Gulfstream G500 optimizes speed, wide-cabin comfort and efficiency to offer customers best-in-class performance with advanced safety features.
STACK.aero, the leading developer of business operations systems for aviation, today announced the integration of its Business Operations System (BOS) with Avinode, a platform that processes approximately 18 million trip requests per year.
Business aviation spend management platform, MySky, has announced the relocation of its EMEA headquarters to Dubai to create one strategic hub serving the EMEA region.
South Korean manufacturer PLANA won the Professional Concept prize at the iF Design Awards for the design of its advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft in Germany.
Expectations in the preowned business aircraft marketplace for the next six months have increased, compared to the outlook in the fourth quarter of the past year. That’s according to the First Quarter 2023 Market Report’s global perception survey of members of the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA).


A 30-year property-tax exemption has been granted to the Portage Apartments, 261 Portage Road.
The City Council approved the break, which matches the length of the term for the financing of the reconstruction of the building. It was gutted in a fire May 7, 1998.
Portage Apartments, L.P., will pay the city $3,500 in lieu of taxes in the first year after construction is completed. That amount will rise by 2 percent a year, with the building becoming fully taxable 31 years from now.


text:
Disclaimer: This recipe and its accompanying images were created by @delicamara
Sometimes you are too lazy to bake a big batch of cookies, shape them all, cook them... but you'd really like to eat a cookie with some chocolate chips.
- 15gr butter at room temperature / softened butter
- 2 tablespoons ground almonds/almond flour
- 1 tablespoon coconut flour/coconut flour
- pinch of salt
- 1 tsp erythritol / 1 tsp erythritol
- 1 piece of Funky Fat Chocs
- Mix all the ingredients together, with a fork or with your hands.
- Shape the cookie with the chopped Funky Fat Foods ounce. Set aside in the freezer for 5 minutes (don't skip this step!).
- Place on baking paper and microwave at 600W for 45 seconds, then add 15 seconds more. Do not try to pick up the cookie (it will crumble), let it cool completely or put it back in the freezer for a few minutes while you prepare a coffee, a tea... then you can enjoy it.

domain: food


text:
Bloodbound - Book Of The Dead review
|Album:||Book Of The Dead|
|Release date:||May 2007|
01. Sign Of The Devil
02. The Tempter
03. Book Of The Dead
04. Bless The Unholy
05. Lord Of Battle
06. Flames Of Purgatory
07. Into Eternity
08. Black Heart
09. Black Shadows
10. Turn To Stone
11. Seven Angels
12. Rivers Of Pain [Japanese bonus]
13. Bonus Video [European bonus]
This year, one of the best surprises of 2006 is back with a new album. The Swedish dudes of Bloodbound finally release their second album "Book Of The Dead" but you have to know that it's a different band. A lot the members has left the band, especially Urban Breed which was replaced by Michael Bormann at the beginning of the year. We're still in front of a real band of Heavy Metal but well, it's a bit different now.
On a side, "Book Of The Dead" is a really good album of Heavy. The band knew how to produce something which sounds like the previous album. "Nosferatu" was a real killer, one of the best albums of the year 2006 and "Book Of The Dead" follows this road. The music is still a mix of Heavy Metal a la Maiden with Power a la Helloween. The riffs and rhythms are still extremely catchy, the choruses are still pure "sing a long" ones, so really if you like great classic Heavy this is a must for you. But on the other hand, we have some radical changes on this release and the bigger one is the singer. Michael Bormann is a great singer, and his hoarsy vocals are really original though I have to say that some of you will probably be really disturbed by his performance. It's probably a matter of taste but I think that the voice of Urban Breed fits better to the music of Bloodbound. Urban is a real singer of Heavy, Michael is better for Hard Rock in my opinion. But I say it again, it's a matter of taste really…
"Book Of The Dead" features eleven great songs of Heavy and its production is perfect. One more time, the guys of Bloodbound prove that they're among the best musicians of the Heavy metal scene. It's hard to find anything bad on this release, it's catchy, the songs work and the only real problem with this release is its real difference with the previous album of the combo. Honestly at the first listening it was really chocking for me but with time it will be ok I think so be patient with this new release please.
"Book Of The Dead" is not better than "Nosferatu" but it's a real confirmation. If you like the first release of the band and if you're not afraid by the voice of Michael Bormann I'm sure that you'll enjoy a lot this new release. But try it first please because it's different really.
Comments: 3 Visited by: 48 users
| Walter Iego
Hits total: 9778 | This month: 27

domain: artistic


Back to Mobile View
AOL.com Search Video - Atlanta Thunderstorm
Welcome, Sign In
Make AOL My Homepage
Maps & Directions
Huffington Post Sports
Homes for Sale
How To Guides
Real Time Traffic
Find a video
1 - 12
The Atlanta meetup was closed down by a huge thunderstorm.
July 16, 2012
Stunning Timelapse Featuring Thunderstorm ...
A jaw-dropping timelapse showcasing a recent thunderstorm in Hagen, Germany. 'Kometennorbert' managed to capture the astonishing scenes from the storm...
August 13, 2014
Red Flag Warning in Northern California Ha...
Fire crews on high alert after a thunderstorms warning issued for parts of northern California.
August 11, 2014
Unfolding Now: NYT Says Recent U.S. Rescue...
Here’s this morning’s news: U.S. recently attempted to rescue James Foley but the mission was unsuccessful, about 100 protesters continued marching wh...
August 21, 2014
Katherine Rundell on Carthwheeling in Thun...
Katherine Rundell speaks about the adorable experience that inspired her to write her anticipated follow-up to Rooftoppers, Cartwheeling in Thundersto...
August 06, 2014
Four Die in Flash Flood at Italy Festival
Four people died on Saturday evening when a severe thunderstorm created a torrent of mud and water that swept through a village festival some 60 kilom...
August 04, 2014
One Killed as Freak Lightning Strikes Veni...
A 20-year-old man has died in the hospital after being struck by freak lightning at Venice Beach in California on Sunday. According to media reports, ...
July 28, 2014
Lightning Strikes 13 People at Venice Bea...
A 20-year-old man died Sunday after lightning struck 13 people at a popular Los Angeles beach and a golfer on Catalina Island during rare summer thund...
July 28, 2014
Stunning Timelapse Shows Storm Developing ...
A 2-minute timelapse featuring a stunning storm developing over the sea off Bexhill, in East Essex, United Kingdom. An incredible sight! From Ben Cars...
July 23, 2014
Hottest Day Follows Thunderstorms
Temperatures nudge 32C after thunder and lightning in south-east England as the Met Office warns of more storms to come.
July 18, 2014
Tree Falls on Car During Severe Weather in...
A large tree came crashing down onto a car during a severe thunderstorm in North Andover Tuesday afternoon. Luckily, the driver escaped serious injury...
July 16, 2014
Breathtaking Footage of Thunderstorm in Ge...
Footage showcasing a breathtaking thunderstorm in western Germany, near Hagen, on June 9th 2014. The storm came, which appeared to be a supercell, lef...
July 09, 2014
ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Prompts Catholic...
Taylor Swift and John Mayer Spotted Together...
Pamela Anderson Won't Do ALS Ice Bucket...
Back to Top
Help & Feedback
About Our Ads
© 2014 AOL Inc.
All Rights Reserved.


Legislation sponsored by Assemblywoman Connie Wagner and Assemblyman Timothy Eustace to help protect the public from flooding and facilitate smart development will go before the full assembly for approval after being approved by an Assembly panel on Monday.
The bill would require the Department of Environmental Protection to quickly evaluate any newly released FEMA flood maps in order to allow applicants to apply for a permit using the federal floodway delineation when it is at least as protective as the DEP's delineation. Sen. Bob Gordon is the primary sponsor of the senate version of this bill.
"Over the years, many flood maps have become outdated due to urban growth, changes in river flows and coastlines, and even flood mitigation efforts," Wagner said. "A home or business that may have once been located in a flood zone might not now, and vice versa. In the interest of public safety and economic progress, it's important that we make sure these flood designations are kept current."
Currently if a town has an existing DEP map, the FEMA map cannot be used, or relied upon, in determining flood elevations. The 1980 DEP flood map trumps the 2005 FEMA map. The FEMA map is primarily intended for use by the National Flood Insurance Program.
"Accurate and up-to-date delineations of floodways and flood hazard areas are essential to inform state and local officials and property owners of changing flood risks," Eustace said. "Bergen and Passaic counties are no strangers to the hazards of flooding. But the ever changing landscape of our state requires that we stay on top of these patterns so residents and business owners avoid flood traps."
The bill would amend the state "Flood Hazard Area Control Act" to direct DEP to update its delineations of flood hazard areas as frequently as necessary and at a minimum of at least once every 15 years, as well as whenever FEMA adopts a new floodway delineation.
Have a question or news tip? Contact editor James Kleimann at James.Kleimann@patch.com, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox every morning, sign up for our daily newsletter.


Gov. Bill Ritter would rather wear his well-worn Wranglers and black cowboy boots than a stately suit.
And the most fun he has had his first year as governor wasn’t politicking under the Capitol dome, but standing in the Big Thompson River with the captain of the national fly-fishing team.
It’s that man-of-the-people, regular-guy persona that has helped boost Ritter’s approval ratings to 60 percent and higher. And the fact that the Democratic governor might come off less as a political savant than his predecessors makes sense, since he’s the first in three decades to enter office without legislative experience.
But some say Ritter’s populism-over-politics attitude led to a few missteps last year.
Now, with a quarter of his term behind him and the honeymoon phase over, observers are watching to see whether Ritter overcomes political inexperience to lead his party through what could be an era of monumental reforms in health care, education and transportation.
His second legislative session begins this week as the billion-dollar requests of his blue-ribbon panels await resolution.
In a recent interview in his office, Ritter acknowledged a few stumbles as he learned to work with legislators. For starters, he said, he failed to stop a pro-union bill before it reached his desk, signing a surprise February veto that hit leaders in his own party like a meteor.
But Ritter said he was pleased with what he called his “foundation year,” and particularly proud of pushing the state on a path toward creating more jobs in renewable energy.
His admirers speak of his “genuine” personality, his devotion to detail and his ability to listen carefully. Detractors call him “erratic” and “incoherent.”
Some say the DA-cum-politician failed to rise above a steep learning curve and lacked the political compass to navigate minefields occupied by lawmakers and interest groups. But fellow Democrats are willing to forgive Ritter for a perceived lack of political savvy.
“I think politics, not policy, have been his roadblocks,” said former Gov. Dick Lamm.
Ritter’s second year, in many ways, begins much like his first — full of promise and expectations.
But he starts off on shaky ground with business interests because of his controversial executive order welcoming unions to state government, and with Republicans challenging a property-tax freeze as an illegal tax hike during an election year.
“The first year has been marked by an almost rudderless ship,” said state Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma. “The agenda was never fleshed out.”
Denver pollster Floyd Ciruli said, “There is no further room for mistakes.
“His leadership has to be seamless,” he said. “So far Ritter has shown good form, with a couple exceptions, but he has been all promise. Now he needs substance.”
Energized clean push
Ritter’s first campaign TV commercial had him standing in a wheatfield near Lamar, wind turbines behind him. After his election, he pushed the legislature to pass a package of bills jump-starting what he calls the “new energy economy.”
“We put this state on the map in the renewable-energy world,” said Ritter, who followed up with a climate action plan calling for clean-car standards and cutting emissions from electric utilities.
The clean-energy package passed on bipartisan votes and won him fans among environmentalists and business interests spurred by the economic opportunities.
But pushing renewable energy, by some accounts, wasn’t really that contentious. Voters passed a constitutional amendment in 2004 requiring some utilities to generate 10 percent of their power from renewables by 2015. And governors across the West were pushing proposals similar to Ritter’s.
“There was really no cost attached to it,” said political analyst Eric Sondermann. “The real thrust of the Ritter administration is as of yet undetermined. The rub is going to come very quickly.”
Ritter takes offense at the suggestion that it was easy to require 20 percent of large-utility electricity to come from wind and solar power and the burning of beetle-ravaged trees and other biomass by 2020.
As for criticism that he has yet to choose his big priority — education, health care, transportation or something else — Ritter says he has been laying the groundwork to tackle the state’s biggest problems.
He appointed several blue-ribbon commissions studying everything from how to get more kids to college to how to afford health insurance for all Coloradans. All that studying became an easy mark for critics.
“We can’t find a blue ribbon anywhere in town,” said Senate Minority Leader Andy McElhany of Colorado Springs.
Democrats, though, say Ritter made a number of bold moves.
Soon after taking office, he signed a much-hailed executive order helping to enact a discount prescription-drug plan for Coloradans lacking health insurance. Former Gov. Bill Owens, a Republican, had vetoed similar proposals.
Ritter then took on the energy industry to change the makeup of the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, expanding it to include environmental, wildlife, public health and landowner representatives.
In a narrow partisan vote, Ritter also won approval of his controversial plan to stop property-tax rates from declining. The governor wants to spend much of the cash to get more at-risk kids in preschool and full-day kindergarten.
By most accounts, his most brazen move was his November executive order creating union partnerships with state workers. The move sent Republicans into a frenzy over “unilateral action” from the governor’s first-floor office and infuriated business leaders, who claimed he excluded them from secret talks with labor bosses.
Ritter’s first legislative session also was marred by the first veto override in nearly 20 years.
Just before lawmakers adjourned in May, they overrode his line-item vetoes in the state budget. It was primarily a symbolic move by the legislature, trying to assert control over the budget. But the perception by some was that Ritter was not leading his own party.
“A governor of the same party with control of the legislature should not have his vetoes overridden,” said Mike Feeley, a former House minority leader during Gov. Roy Romer’s administration. “Romer wouldn’t consider a veto if there was a possibility of an override.”
In 2003, though, a Republican-
controlled legislature sued Owens over the same budget issue.
Ritter ended the year forging what many called a brilliant compromise between environmental protection and drilling on the Roan Plateau.
The balancing act pacified environmentalists opposed to federal plans for expanded drilling as well as industry officials who wanted to boost the western Colorado economy.
Ritter is now discussing the Roan plan with the U.S. Department of Interior.
“I think he will grow on the business community,” said Blair Richardson, managing partner of Bow River Capital Partners and a well-heeled Republican donor. “It’s not a free ride. There have been some disappointments, but he’s shown he can be balanced.”
Top mistake: handling of veto
On a Friday afternoon in February, Ritter vetoed a bill that would have eliminated a second vote needed to create all-union shops — a bill he said he would sign while campaigning for governor.
He calls the way he vetoed House Bill 1072 his biggest mistake.
The shocker blew up in a flurry of text messages around the Capitol as lawmakers sat in committees. Ritter was breaking from his party only weeks after it had gained control of both houses in the legislature and the governor’s office for the first time in nearly 50 years.
Former Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald, D-Jefferson County, was visibly peeved. Almost a year later, House Speaker Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver, won’t talk about it, and new Senate President Peter Groff, D-Denver, says he hates “that question.”
At the end of his first year, Ritter says he believes he was right to veto HB 1072 and sign the pro-labor executive order. The way he handled the veto, though, was messy enough that he held a “post-mortem” on it in his office.
“There was plenty of blame to go around on 1072,” Ritter said. “I accepted part.”
Sen. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, was among those who said the surprise veto was bad political form.
“If you wanted to be ungracious, you would say he didn’t communicate even with his own party,” he said. “He put them out on a limb and sawed off the limb.”
A communication problem between the governor’s office and lawmakers is mentioned most often in critiques of Ritter’s first year.
Some lobbyists and lawmakers complain that the governor is isolated and that his staff members show up at meetings without the power to cut a deal.
“This year you will see a lot more confidence,” said Groff, who called Ritter’s first year “outstanding” but acknowledged there’s room for improvement in legislative relations.
Staff for former Gov. Owens would “send folks up with an outline of where he was ready to go,” Groff said.
Ritter shrugs off comments that, compared with Owens, he comes across as less of a smooth-talker, political strategist and statesman who can sweep into a room and steal the show.
“It’s a fair comment and not one I take as a criticism,” the governor said, noting that he didn’t have the same political “upbringing” Owens did.
Chief of staff Jim Carpenter calls Ritter a “delegator.”
The governor, a former Denver district attorney, says he tackles his new job the same way he used to prosecute criminals.
“I gather evidence,” he said. “A lot of what you do in building an agenda is like building a major case: Do you have the evidence to go forward?”
His unique approach, Ritter says, has been guided by a genuine need to “do the right thing.”
When making policy determinations, Ritter dispatches his staff to collect evidence for him.
“They bring it to me and help me in my decisions,” he said.
“Serious loss of privacy”
Ritter eats lunch at his desk. Or sometimes he ends up in the Wendy’s drive-through because he spoke at two luncheons and missed meals at both.
He misses being able to go out and grab a Fat Tire beer with a friend. When he does, state troopers tail him and position themselves nearby.
“There is such a serious loss of privacy in this job,” Ritter said.
But Ritter said he appreciates the security “in a different way” after a tuxedo-clad gunman claiming he was the “emperor of the state” was shot to death outside the governor’s office in July.
Often, Ritter would rather drive to a community meeting in Del Norte than stick around the office.
“He gets antsy,” Carpenter said.
Connecting with the people has been perhaps Ritter’s strongest attribute.
In the past year, he has made nearly 100 trips out of Denver — for things as varied as helping break ground for a biodiesel plant in Dove Creek, touring an ethanol plant in Windsor and signing a law about bark beetles in Frisco.
“While the things that happen inside this building are of great significance to the people of the state, paying attention to what happens outside this building is of equal or greater significance,” Ritter said.
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper called Ritter “a natural.”
“He’s covered a lot of ground,” Hickenlooper said. When the mayor talks to people in Pueblo and on the Western Slope, “it seems like the governor was just there a few minutes ago,” he said.
Some recall Ritter, in jeans and boots, hooting it up with folks at a party in Rifle.
“He is the genuine article,” said political consultant Ben Davis. “He actually has a fair amount of political savvy when it comes to understanding what the people care about and what they don’t care about.”
Ritter’s trips haven’t been without controversy, though — particularly when he doesn’t agree with the locals.
He talked of a “spiritual experience” after he stood on a precipice in the Vermillion Basin in Moffat County. He told the story to explain why he did not support oil and gas drilling there.
The decision annoyed Western Slopers.
“It looked like, ‘I’m from Denver. I know better. I have to leave now and catch my plane,’ ” said Reeves Brown, the president of Club 20, a western Colorado business group. “Strategically, politically, he probably could have handled that a little bit better. It’s part of that learning curve.”
Ritter says sometimes people confuse listening with agreeing.
“People want you not only to listen to them but, at the end of the day, convince you,” he said.
Vow for just one tax hike
Ritter begins his second year in office as the recommendations of his panels on education, health care and transportation are handed off to policymakers.
He has vowed to push for only one tax increase, if any, on the 2008 ballot.
Perhaps his greatest challenge now is winning back the support of the business community, still angry over his executive order on unions.
The perception that the executive order on unions is anti-business is perhaps greater than reality. But Joe Blake, the head of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, said some believe that “Colorado’s balance between management and labor is shifting,” which could hurt the state’s competitiveness.
As a result, the business community is working on a bill to ban strikes by state employees. Ritter has said he would sign it.
The executive order also gave Republicans ammunition to paint Ritter as a liberal.
“He masqueraded as a moderate and business-friendly, and now we know that was a farce,” said state GOP chairman Dick Wadhams.
Ritter believes he and business leaders “have a significant meeting of the minds on the big issues” — primarily education.
“If we don’t get the education part right in this country, we fail,” he said.
While political analysts say it’s time for Ritter to pick his priority and grab the reins of the state, the governor doesn’t see it that way.
Ritter said he isn’t concerned about choosing a legacy issue.
“I don’t think you can worry about legacy,” he said. “Your legacy becomes whatever it is based upon how you deal with circumstances during the time you’re privileged to govern.”
Jennifer Brown: 303-954-1593 or email@example.com
Questions for Gov. Bill Ritter:
Q. It’s May. The Democratic nominee for U.S. president calls and asks him to be the vice presidential nominee. And there’s no time to call his wife, Jeannie.
A. “I’d say no,” he says. “I was elected to be governor, and I’m a year into this.”
Q. Whose cellphone number has he gotten since taking office?
A. Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal, a Democrat. “He’s on my speed dial,” Ritter says. Freudenthal invited Ritter on an antelope-hunting challenge in which the Colorado governor got a hard time from a Wyoming game warden. Ritter guesses it was a setup.
Q. Has he gotten tight with any other governors?
A. Sort of, he says. Ritter got to sit next to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, at a governors gathering because the states were in alphabetical order. Ritter got his autograph on a cocktail napkin for a family member.
Q. What’s the best part of the job?
A. Getting energized by citizens at town-hall meetings, he says. “It’s the most invigorating thing there is.”
Note: Questions and answers edited for space and clarity.
Year in review for Bill Ritter
• Shocks party by vetoing bill that would have eliminated second vote needed to create all-union shops. Nearly a year later, he calls handling of House Bill 1072 his biggest mistake.
• Enacts discount prescription-drug plan for Coloradans lacking health insurance.
• Signs two laws as part of renewable-energy agenda, saying they will make state a leader in wind and solar power.
• Pushes controversial legislation to reduce number of oil and gas officials and add environmentalists, wildlife experts and landowners to Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.
• Signs property-tax freeze, preventing automatic decreases in rates when values go up. Opponents have since sued, calling it an illegal tax hike.
• Withdraws offer to his pick for state emergency-management director after questions are raised about prospective director’s background.
• Signs executive order creating bargaining partnerships with state workers, sparking debate between union supporters and business interests.
• Announces climate-action plan that includes clean-car standards, updated farming techniques and emissions cuts of 20 percent from electric utilities by 2020.
• Releases first budget proposal, which includes the lowest increase for prisons in years. Ritter wants $5.9 million to reduce recidivism.
• Ends year with well-received compromise between protecting environment and drilling on the Roan Plateau. He won’t fight federal plan to drill for gas but seeks staggered leasing and expansion of wildlife- protection zones.
• Makes surprise visit to Colorado National Guard troops in Iraq and Afghanistan at the invitation of the Department of Defense.
• Unveils a $115.5 million plan to get more at-risk kids in preschool, send 22,000 students to full-day kindergarten and hire dozens more guidance counselors to keep high-schoolers from dropping out.


text:
Christain Wedding Songs
Everybody says that the weeding day has to be everybody’s best day in her or his life. In case that you prepare for the big day, you have to read this article because you can find a list with the most commonly used Christian wedding songs which can make every moment special. The wedding ceremony doesn’t exist without the songs and music which is a central part of it. The right music can make every moment more meaningful. In case that you want a modern Christian wedding, it is important to choose one of the Christian wedding songs that you can find in this article.
You have the possibility to select songs from different music genres including hymns, classical, worship and contemporary versions. The Classical music genre contains selections from our biggest artists such as Handle, Mozart, Schumann and Pachelbel. When you choose one of these songs, it is important to decide if you want a simply replayed version or a performed music. The hymns are recommended for conservative grooms and brides. It is important to know that the most commonly played hymn it is considered the “How great Thou Art” and “For the beauty of the Earth”. When you choose the song’s title it is important to list the vocals carefully.
The contemporary music is a combination between the commitments and lyrics. This music genre contains big creations such as “Give me forever”, “How Beautiful” and “I will be here” songs. Finally, the worships include songs like “How great is our God”, “Take My Life” and “Oh Lord you are beautiful”. These songs create a ceremonial atmosphere. When you select the songs, it is important to take in consideration your guest’s preferences. Another tip that you have to take in consideration when you select the songs is to prepare a wide assortment of music.


Indie-rock band, Approachable Members of Your Local Community have just announced their upcoming tour dates …
BIGSOUND Festival, Night One
5th September, 2017
Fortitude Valley Entertainment Precinct, Brisbane
We decide to kick off our BIGSOUND 2017 live experience just right, descending deep in to the bowels of Crowbar for a quick shot of Campari occult courtesy of Melbourne Giallo metal outfit Pagan.
Frontwoman Nikki Brumen is a full-blown demonic songstress: clad in a white tee, stamped with an ‘I’M HELL’ declaration, Brumen throws sassy winks and casual hair-flips at the crowd in between every devilish banshee shriek. It’s easy to see why this quartet are the most recent signees to metal imprint EVP Recordings, with tonight’s showcase being nothing but walls of screeching feedback and punk-rock grit with a frost-bitten, black metal tinge. Drummer Matt Marasco hits some disco beats with riding hi-hats, while Brumen announces a new song from the band’s debut album that’s “still being written.” Closing out their frantic set, Brumen asks for a shot of Amaretto and thanks her “La Familia” in Clowns for coming out. If tonight’s bat-shit set is anything to go by, Pagan’s full-length is going to hit 2018 like a god-damn wrecking ball.
Crossing Wickham Street, we make our way over to The Brightside and head inside just in time to see metalcore crew Drown This City run through a brief soundcheck. When the band kicks off, the live sound is epic in scope but comes out thin-as-fuck, harsh enough to cut a diamond in thin air. Running through singles like Bend/Break and tracks from their 2016 False Idols EP, it’s blatantly obvious that there’s an over-reliance on backing tracks going on here, which stretches the suspension of disbelief to the point of incredulity. Frontwoman Alex Reade is certainly formidable, but it’s difficult to hear her impressive vocal range over the top of glitzy, dubstep electronic samples, ghost falsettos, and a mechanical metal mix that sounds like someone’s blaring Digimortal at an ear-piercing volume through a set of bargain-bin laptop speakers. There’s also more photographers in the mostly-empty mosh pit taking happy snaps than actual onlookers, which is slightly disappointing. It’s clear that Drown This City have potential, yet we think that the band might benefit from loosening up a little, rather than relying on those cringey, synchronised stage moves.
Moving outside, there’s a massive crowd eagerly waiting for locals WAAX to take the stage, and enough industry hype in the air you could get a contact high, even without a fancy delegate lanyard. Bathed in blue and red hues, the Brissy five-piece run through a blistering set, proving why their one of the most buzzed-about bands at this year’s festival. Singles like Wild & Weak and Same Same are unfurled on a throbbing crowd with raucous energy, alongside chanted, call-and-response vocal lines from magnetic frontwoman Marie DeVita, who stalks the stage like a caged animal. The band debut some new material, as DeVita maternally quips that she birthed this new song from her womb, informing everyone that she’s “a mother now.” Closing out their set, DeVita declares that she “loves y’all” and to “keep safe,” and there’s nothing but good vibes running through the crowd right now, as industry pros rub shoulders with sweaty fans drenched in ciggie smoke and bad decisions.
Fresh from what’s undoubtedly a 35-hour-long daisy-chain of shitty airport connections, Norwegian punk boppers Sløtface make their Australian live debut with infectious energy and radiant smiles. Vocalist Haley Shea is a bottle-blonde pocket rocket: small in frame, yet large in stage presence, with smooth, bright vocals and the occasional scream lending just enough high-end grit to percussionist Halvard Skeie Wiencke’s punchy fills. The band showcase material from their new album, Try Not To Freak Out, with cuts like Pitted and lead single Magazine (shout out to Patti Smith!) warming up the crowd, despite a blustery wind sweeping through the Brightside car park. It seems that the Stavanger quartet have managed to drag some summer vibes all the way from the Northern hemisphere, as the crowd sways along to their feel-good rhythms, bathed in alternating red and yellow hues. With Shea imploring the crowd to move around and enjoy themselves, it’s a set that’s equal parts short and sweet for Sløtface, as the group are tight, focused and clearly stoked to be rocking out Down Under.
Back inside once again, we see Melbourne alternative outfit The Beautiful Monument have a crack at a nearly-midnight set, with their Paramore meets A Day To Remember sound pushing through the walls of The Brightside with every resounding double-kick burst. With an all-female line-up, it’s great to see girls at the front of this year’s BIGSOUND. Unfortunately, those pesky backing tracks rear their naughty little heads once again, which does take some of the charm away from undeniably catchy tunes like Manifestation, and vocalist/guitarist Lizi Blanco’s melodic yet gritty delivery. Despite these misgivings, the drum sound is punchy as fuck, and there’s plenty of folks bobbing heads to the ear-worm choruses from the group’s debut record I’m The Sin.
Watch out for our Night Two wrap of Bigsound tomorrow!
Disclaimer: Nikki Brumen was a fill-in co-host for the Hard Noise Podcast, produced by Hysteria Media.


text:
Zouk Heat is your premier source for lit Brazilian Zouk special events in the Washington DC Metro Area: Socials, our signature Zouk Fire Weekends, our annual Festival: Zouk Heat......and more! We work to create a welcoming vibe at our events for Zoukers of all levels & support the growth of Brazilian Zouk through collaboration with our fellow local organizers, DJs & instructors. Our events are produced with YOU in mind with quality venues and top tier talent delivered in a safe environment. We bring the heat and seek to unite our dance community in an inferno of love for Brazilian Zouk!
Copyright © 2022 Zouk Heat, LLC - All Rights Reserved
Sorry...no chocolate chip nor oatmeal cookies here! We use the kind of cookies that help us analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience.


text:
MUMBAI: The churning in the news channels continue. CNBC TV-18's Ashu Dutt, an established anchor on the business channel has called it quits.
When contacted, Dutt refrained from commenting on his exit. Television Eighteen CEO Haresh Chawla, however, said, "Ashu has decided to take on other opportunities and we wish him all the best."
Beyond that Chawla did not say much, trying to downplay Dutt's exit. Industry sources also indicated that Television Eighteen's plans to launch a Hindi business channel, along with CNBC, may also get delayed from the projected launch time of end-2004.
Meanwhile, among his diverse assignments, Ashu has been CEO and director on the Board of Sab TV, business and financial markets anchor and business news consultant to Star News. On the corporate side, he has been a principal and head of the Media and Entertainment Practice for Heidrick & Struggles.
Currently, Dutt is working on three books for Penguin, the subjects focussing on financial markets.
At Star News --- at a time when content was being provided by NDTV--- Dutt spearheaded the conception of a number of business and financial news segments and anchored Star Business News. Interestingly, Dutt was never a full-time employee of TV-18 and was appointed to overlook the editorial for personal finance shows like Insurance, Intelligence, Mutual Fund Investor and Classroom. A contractual agreement with TV 18 gave Dutt the freedom to pursue other businesses.
Industry sources, though, did say that Dutt's exit would be a loss to the business news channel, considering Dutt's experience and cachet in the financial markets.

domain: finance


text:
Market values Czech Republic: Slavia biggest winner - Top provider Provod gains
Transfermarkt has updated the market values of 79 players Czech Fortuna Liga players in the latest intermediary update. The biggest winner is Lukas Provod from Slavia Prague; his market value went from €4.5 million to €6 million. With nine assists this season, the 24-year-old is the best provider in the Czech top-flight and, as a result, has the highest market value in his career, which makes him the fifth most valuable player in the league.
Provod's teammates Abdallah Sima and David Zima have also seen their market values grow. Both of them saw their market value grow by €3 million and are now worth €11 million and €6 million, respectively. Right-winger Sima is one of the biggest stars of the Fortuna Liga and was once again updated after receiving a new market value in December and is now the most valuable player at his club.
The 19-year-old convinced during his first season with Slavia's first team and has been a dangerous goalscorer. Only teammate Jan Kuchta (+€2m) has scored once more than Sima (11 goals). His performances have meant that the Senegalese forward is being scouted by West Ham United and Everton.
Intermediary update Fortuna Liga: Slavia Prague biggest winner
Overall, Slavia Prague is the biggest winner of the intermediary update. The squad value of the six-times Czech champions has increased by 25.1% from €62.25 million to €77.9 million—partly because the club qualified for the Europa League quarterfinal, where they were eliminated by Arsenal (5-1 on aggregate) but also because of Slavia's dominant position at the top of the Fortuna Liga.
|28.12.2020||11:02||Fortuna Liga update: Hlozek breaks €10m mark - Premier League target Sima with high start value|

domain: news


text:
Fort Lauderdale is a city of vibrant beauty, culture, and exciting attractions. At Palm Beach Facial Plastic Surgery, we provide the highest quality cosmetic care to our patients from Fort Lauderdale and beyond. Led by the experienced Dr. Mark R. Murphy, our team specializes in a range of procedures, from Rhinoplasty to Deep Plane Facelifts, aimed at enhancing your natural beauty and boosting your confidence.
Patients from Fort Lauderdale visit our top class facility to benefit from our celebrated cosmetic care. We welcome you to enjoy our services.

domain: health


text:
Bitcoin Bitcoin/USD enjoyed a big bullish 24-hour trading session on Tuesday alongside the general market. S&P 500 Up 1.63% from the opening price.
Bitcoin ended its session up 4.4%, ethereum Ethereum/USD increased by 8.7%, dogecoin Doge/US Dollar Closed over 6% higher.
Pre-market action on Wednesday SPDR S&P 500 spy The general market showed opening lower, but the crypto sector appears to be unaffected.
Bullish momentum seems to have grabbed Bitcoin and pushed the cryptocurrency up another 2.3%. Ethereum surged more than 4% on Wednesday while Dogecoin surged more than 6%.
The three cryptos have been stuck in a sideways trading pattern for the past few weeks. Benzinga pointed out October 21st. That long period of consolidation may be coming to an end as all three cryptocurrencies were about to break out of the pattern on Wednesday.
Bitcoin chart: on wednesday, Bitcoin Trying to sustain above $20,479, the sideways pattern will be countered if the cryptocurrency can close a 24-hour session above that area.
At the time of writing, Bitcoin was hovering around $20,890.
Higher highs formed during the Tuesday and Wednesday sessions confirmed Bitcoin’s chart uptrend, with the latest high formed Friday at $18,659. It could break new lows and offer a solid entry for traders who don’t have a position yet.
The recent bullish action has pushed the 8-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) above the bullish 21-day EMA. Once Bitcoin finally turns down, a trader can watch for the possibility of a bullish reversal candlestick printing above his 8-day her EMA.
Bitcoin has resistances at $21,313 and $22,729 and supports at $19,915 and $17,580.
Ethereum chart: ethereum There was a clear break from a sideways pattern during Tuesday’s session, and on Wednesday the cryptocurrency surged with above-average volumes in a shorter timeframe. is shown.
Like Bitcoin, Ethereum confirmed its uptrend on Tuesday by posting higher highs. Ethereum’s most recent low was made on October 21st at 1,254 tonnes. Eventually, Ethereum retrace and hit another high.
Ethereum is trading above the 8-day and 21-day EMAs and has also regained support at the 50-day simple moving average. This indicates that long-term sentiment has turned bullish.
Ethereum has resistances at $1,717 and $1,957 and supports at $1,421 and $1,245.
Dogecoin Chart: dogecoin The pair briefly broke out of the horizontal pattern on Wednesday but broke below the level to consolidate on a shorter timeframe.A close above $0.066 would be a bullish break from the pattern.
Like Bitcoin and Ethereum, Dogecoin is confirming its uptrend with new highs. Dogecoin’s most recent low was $0.057 on October 21st.
Dogecoin has resistance above $0.075 and $0.083 and support below $0.065 and $0.057.
Note that a low low or low high formation will cancel the current uptrend and act as a warning signal for bullish traders.

domain: economics


text:
When I walk by Andalu, it doesn’t invite me in. It’s one of those places in the neighborhood that just feels too new and too upscale. When I walk in I feel a little out of place. But wait, apparently it did invite me in, because here I am, on last Sunday, ordering brunch. The thing is, I really like eggs benedict. Sometimes when I’m hungry I’ll browse the Flickr pool. But it’s not easy to make at home and it’s not especially cheap. Especially at Pork Store, which is the nearest eggsbenedicteria to my home.
At Pork Store I have to shell out something like $13 for the dish and, sure, it comes with coffee and juice, but I don’t always want all that liquid. (their online menu says that the benedict is $8.95, but maybe that’s only at the Haight Street location, or I’m just plain wrong) Plus, there’re the lines and the scene (which is maybe a plus and a minus?) and the quality, which is just so-so, but what they don’t have in quality is definitely made up for in bigness.
Boogaloos also has the lines and the scene, their benedict is great, but also 5¢ more expensive than Andalu, and comes with fruit or hashbrowns, not both.
Valencia Pizza & Pasta has a pretty good and very filling benedict, and there usually isn’t much of a wait or a scene there. Plus you get a whole orange.
I had the eggs florentine at Weird Fish once, it was good, but smothered in sauce.
At Andalu the benedict is $9.95 (pictured above) and is delicious. The eggs were cooked into little orbs that squirted their warm yellow yolk all over the place when popped. Which is a good thing, I think. And the polenta fries (not pictured, we got those with the french toast, which was also very good, but I’m not talking about that) were great dipped into the hollandaise. The only downside to the food was that I was still a little hungry afterwards.
So, what do you think? Eggs benedict – overhyped? Is there a better spot in the neighborhood (under $10) that I left out? Or should I just eat at home more?
19 thoughts on “The State Of Benedict”
the best eggs benedict are at brenda’s, no question, they’re even worth the endless line.
I too love eggs benedict, and greatly appreciate this coverage.
I haven’t made it to Brenda’s yet (maybe I’ll go for breakfast tomorrow morning, thanks to albionite!), but the best eggs benedict I’ve ever had anywhere in the world has been at Canteen, Dennis Leary’s tiny restaurant on Bush St. The hollandaise was amazing! I’ve also had one of the three best dinners I’ve ever had anywhere in the world there. The eggs benedict haven’t been unbelievably awesome every time, but they have been great every time. I don’t think they’re quite under $10, but they are very reasonably priced for the quality of ingredients and preparation, definitely in the range of The Pork Store. Brenda’s and Canteen are out of The Mission, but this is all about the benedicts, no? Plus, Dennis Leary plays punk rock – or interesting scheit – in the mornings.
If I remember correctly, I’ve also had great eggs benedict on occasion at Universal Café (on 19th between Florida and Bryant). I don’t believe they’re always on the menu there, but there is usually a great scramble and a great hash of some sort with poached eggs on the weekend brunch menu. Plus sunny sidewalk seating! And very nice people… Former long-time staff became owners several years ago.
I did have great eggs benedict twice at Ebb & Flow on 18th & Guerrero, but I will never eat there again – the owners of the space began micro-managing the kitchen and attempting to downgrade the menu, and the chefs they had partnered with to change the concept and improve the quality walked out, along with other staff. Their departures were described publicly as amicable, and may ultimately have been so on a personal or social level, but it was definitely a case of owners not understanding certain levels of quality and how to create a successful business at those levels, and not following through on commitments and plans to do so. Too bad! (Don’t worry about the staff, though – they’re great, and were working again in better establishments almost immediately.)
Okay, please keep up the great food reporting on Mission Mission!
Has there been any eggs benedict street art?
My favorite benedict is at Mo’s in North Beach. Its a bit over your cap of $10 though.
The discrepancy between the online price and the menu price for Pork Store’s Eggs Benedict is attributable, I believe, to their practice of having different weekday and weekend menus. On the weekends, they jack the prices way up and add a few extras. So if you just want the Eggs Benedict at a reasonable price, without all the liquids, go Monday through Friday.
That Weird Fish picture is truly disgusting!
I have no other suggestions because, while Eggs Benedict (and Florentine, too, and also any variation involving smoked salmon) sound delicious to me in theory, my stomach has always had trouble tolerating hollandaise sauce — too rich. So now I just make the dish at home with a substitute sauce of plain, low-fat yogurt and dijon mustard (a pinch of curry powder is nice, too). If I’m feeling lazy, I have one of those plastic microwave egg-poachers.
PS: Or try this one…
I think you’re right about the Pork Store thing, thanks Crank. And I’d try your hollandaise sauce but the dairy would destroy my sinuses.
OK… try this, then: If you have a food processor (or a useful substitute), throw in half a ripe avocado, a squirt of fresh lime juice, and a few drops of olive oil (a squish from the garlic press is optional — not everyone likes garlic in the morning). Puree. Instant “green eggs and ham”! Works on Canadian bacon or smoked salmon… not so much on spinach (but there, melted pepper jack cheese or smoked fontina is better anyway).
Sunrise Cafe on 24th at Folsom/Shotwell. Awesome, with good coffee, hardly ever a wait. Alba, who owns it, is a peach…
Actually, it super sucks. Stay away. You won’t like it.
Totally agree. Everyone stay away. :)
I really like Sunrise too, but the one time I had eggs benedict there, it was pretty sad. Maybe it was just an off day?
try the Squat & Gobble at 3600 16th st.
If you’re willing to walk up 24th street, Joe’s 24th St. Cafe has an excellent benedict. It’s like $10, I think. And the benedicts at Savor are lovely, though they don’t have the traditional Canadian bacon/ham option. Their florentine is nice. And the cajun hollandaise that comes with the crab cake one is pretty great, too.
Figured you’d be the one to give away my other secret Benedictery. If there’s a line, I’m blaming you, lady.
Hah! <3 We never make it to benedict until like 2 anyway. I decided the world can handle it.
it’s those hash browns I want right now….
The Blessington Benedict at the Phoenix is extremely delicious and under $10. I would die for a nonstop supply of that soda bread.
The best eggs benedict in town is, for my money, at the Bayside Coffee Shop: http://www.yelp.com/biz/bayside-coffee-shop-san-francisco
I’m pretty sure it’s $8-ish there. They serve giant glasses of fresh orange juice too. Get one.
The only breakfast food in the whole world that’s better than their eggs benedict, is this magical thing they call the “Corned Beef Hash Combo.” It’s like eggs benedict, except it has corned beef hash between the egg and the English muffin, and for no reason at all, it has a fried banana on the side.
It’s the most magical breakfast in the history of the world. Try it.
There are two places I go for super yummy eggs benedict. The top place is Le Zinc in Noe, and I’ve never had to wait in line. They are French, so they know what they are doing and the hollandaise is just like my mother makes. If you don’t like rich hollandaise and strong cappuccinos, this place is not for you!
The runner up is a little place in West Portal called the Village Grill. They are a good ol home style mom and pop place and the staff are super friendly and efficient.
I’d vote for The Liberties (22nd / Guerrero), where you can get yours with a potato pancake (pasty?) and your choice of a fine morning libation…


text:
For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to see the Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights. As a sci-fi space geek I just had to see it once in my life. Thing is though that its not easy to see. It’s like travelling to the UK in the hope of seeing a rainbow. They happen but you need to be in the right place at the right time. Generally Iceland is a good place but not till winter. We were there mid-September.
A few days before we left for Iceland the forecast was rain. Every day. Rain. If you don’t know rain comes from clouds and clouds block the sky. I’d pretty much given up on the idea we would see anything. We arrived to rain and the bus ride to Reykjavik felt like we were inside a cloud the entire journey. I thought our entire trip would be a massive waste of time and money. Sure I like to photograph in the rain but this was like being in a cloud.
As the days went on the weather improved to the point of sunny blue skies. We were out near Thingvellir at sunset and we drove past a sign for the ION Hotel. It’s a rather funky looking hotel that was on our list of things to see. I checked the aurora forecast for the night and it was at grade 4, active. The website says “Aurora forecast shows expected activity at your selected date. Even grade 2 (low activity) can be beautiful and grade 3 (moderate) can be dazzling.” So grade 4 could be stunning and it was a very clear evening. I suggested we have tea at the ION Hotel so we would be out in the landscape just in case. It was about a 40 minute drive back to Reykjavik so if there was a chance of seeing it we would be out there ready.
Tea was nice and we exited the hotel into complete darkness. I mean absolute darkness like I’ve never seen… because it’s dark… I now had a 40 minute drive in pitch black conditions. Total darkness. The only thing to help was little reflective strips either side of the road. Admittedly these were a great help. The ones in Iceland would stretch far into the distance so it helped you see where the road was going. The real problem was not knowing anything beyond that. It felt like I was driving along the most dangerous road in the world with 1000 foot cliff edges either side. One wrong move and we were dead. Our day time trip had included moments like this along with suicidal sheep who would jump out at any moment causing me to slam on the breaks. I have never been as terrified as I was that night. It was a 40 minute drive but I was doing about half the speed limit which didn’t help. Constant terror. I can’t really explain why I felt this way but I did and it took me by surprise at how terrified I was.
After 5 minutes I wanted to drive back to the hotel and see if they had a room for the night, at one of Iceland’s most expensive hotels. I was that scared. But we pushed on. I had to get us back. 10 minutes in and I missed a turning which required me to turn the car around. It was a big car. I had no idea where we were or what was behind us. In my head we were on a cliff edge. I took a long time to turn that car around. I carried on driving. Slow and steady wins the race according to Terry Wogan. It was slow. To the right of us was a pipeline which was freaking me out for two reasons. Firstly because it was there and I was so stressed that a pipe was scaring me. Secondly because we hadn’t driven past it on the way to the hotel, so Apple maps was now taking us into completely unfamiliar territory. “Where the hell were we?!”
If I had to describe the feeling I imagine it would be like standing on the top of a bridge ready to do bungie jumping but unable to jump because you’re paralysed by fear, but for an hour. My wife doesn’t drive so it was my responsibility to get us home alive. That was all that kept me going.
After a while I noticed that the clouds were, shall we say, funky. I stopped the car and looked out the window. The clouds were green and streaking across the sky. They weren’t clouds. It was the aurora and it was right above us. I found a place to safely park the car and set to work trying to photograph the aurora without throwing up. We were completely alone in the middle of nowhere.
I got the above photo after a few settings tweaks and was super happy. My wife and I stood together watching this incredible display of colour dancing above us. It was completely silent and just so unreal to watch. The photo doesn’t do the full display justice. Right above our heads was this pulsating circle of greens and purples that quickly changed to a wibbly wobbly curtain like effect which would whoosh off into the distance like a cinnamon swirl.
Below is a time-lapse I quickly produced before the aurora faded.
On the horizon we could see the glow of Reykjavik which was incredibly comforting but when photographed made me glad we were away from it.
One thing I hadn’t noticed until I processed the images was the amount of stars in the sky. Before travelling to Iceland I knew it might be possible to see the Milky Way and photograph it. This is also a big dream of mine. It may have been possible that night but with the cloud rolling in and my anxiety levels at near breaking point I just wanted to get home. A shame as I’m sure we could have got some more interesting photos.
A therapist would say if you’re scared of something exposure therapy is a good way to get over it. I know that to be true but on the next two day trips out in the 4×4 I raced home before it was dark. I did not want to go through that again which was heart breaking for me as I knew I was missing out on photos. This was unacceptable to me as a photographer but unfortunately fear, well sheer terror won out. My dream of seeing the aurora did not include pushing myself in this way. I was completely unprepared for the way my silly monkey brain reacted. We were in Iceland to see the landscapes and have a good time. Terror wasn’t exactly on the list. My responsibility was to make sure we had fun and drove around safely. Daytime off road driving was bloody good fun. Night time knife edge driving wasn’t, so I decided to skip that and enjoy the nightlife in Reykjavik instead.
All in all though achievement unlocked. Aurora seen and photographed. I can’t think of any better way to celebrate my wife and I’s first wedding anniversary. Love you Mrs Carr 🙂
I’ve made this photo available for wallpaper download on iPhone, iPhone 6 and iPad. Please don’t go silly and canvas print it, use it for commercial gain or stick it on your own site without first asking me. If you would like a print they’re available from my print site.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

domain: geography


Long-distance truckers and everyday motorists trying to make medical appointments may have an easier time this winter tooling along major Northern Ontario highways.
Ontario Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney announced on Friday her department has upped the maintenance standard for highways 11 and 17, vowing to ensure they are back to bare pavement 12 hours after a snow storm has ended.
The previous standard for the routes was 16 hours, and even longer than that on highways that are not part of the Trans-Canada Highway system.
The new 12-hour standard follows a ministry review that looked at road-maintenance performance on the two routes over the past two winters.
Though the 12-hour period is a noticeable improvement, it falls short of the eight-hour standard that applies to major provincial freeways like the 400 highway series in southern Ontario.
Marathon Mayor Rick Dumas said the 12-hour standard for the North sounds good, but “we’ll see where things are at in January.”
Ontario’s NDP has been unsuccessful in convincing the province to apply an eight-hour standard to Northern highways.
For several years, Dumas and other Northwestern Ontario municipal politicians have complained about shoddy winter road maintenance.
The tide began to turn when former Liberal transportation minister Glen Murray at least acknowledged the deficiencies, and made the unusual move of offering an apology for bad service.
Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association president Wendy Landry said Friday that while winter-road maintenance remains a hot topic, the announcement of the new bare-pavement standard “is a great step.”
In a news release, Northern Development Minister Greg Rickford (Kenora-Rainy River) said he knows “first-hand the unique challenges and conditions that drivers face across the Northwestern parts of our province, especially during the winter months.”
Most of Ontario’s highways are cleared and salted by independent contractors paid by the province.
In Friday’s news release, the province said it is taking other measures to improve winter-road maintenance, including updated snow plows and “pro-active” use of chemical agents that can melt ice.


The concept of “musical interval” in music means the simultaneous or sequential taking of two sounds. This category of musical science has its own classification. Depending on whether two notes are played or sung together or separately, diatonic (melodic) or harmonic intervals are distinguished. Diatonic means taking sounds separately, and harmony means united. According to their location in relation to the octave (a distance of seven notes), the intervals are divided into simple (within it) and compound (outside them).
There are fifteen intervals in total: eight inside the octave, seven outside it.
Names of compound intervals
The names of combinations of sounds in music are of Latin origin. This is due to the history of the origin of musical science, rooted in the era of ancient civilizations. Pythagoras also worked on harmony and tonal issues and musical structure. The names of composite musical intervals and the meanings of their Latin designations are as follows:
- Nona (“ninth”);
- Decima (“tenth”);
- Undecima (“eleventh”);
- Duodecima (“twelfth”);
- Terzdecima (“thirteenth”);
- Quartdecima (“fourteenth”);
- Quintdecima (“fifteenth”).
What are compound intervals?
Compound intervals are essentially the same simple intervals, but with a pure octave added to them (an interval of 8 notes, for example, from “to” the first octave to “do” the second ), which introduces a noticeable difference in the sound between them.
- Nona (the second interval, taken through an octave, is 9 steps);
- Decima (third through an octave, is 10 steps);
- Undecima (quart through octave, 11 steps);
- Duodecima (fifth through an octave, 12 steps);
- Tertsdecima (sixth through an octave, 13 steps);
- Quartdecima (septim + octave , 14 steps);
- Quintdecima ( octave + octave 15 steps).
Compound interval table
|Name||Number of steps||Number of tones||Designation|
|undecima||eleven||8-8.5||part 11 / uv.11|
The designations “uv” and “mind” in the table are the qualitative characteristics of the intervals, abbreviated from “reduced” and “increased”.
These categories clarify the quantitative parameter of consonance and mean an increase or decrease in the interval by a semitone. Such a classification is necessary for the modal division of the system into major and minor .
Intervals outside the fret a are simply small, large (seconds, thirds, sixths and sevenths) and pure (prims, octaves, fifths and quarts). The letter “h” in the table defines “clean”, “m” and “b” – large and small intervals. There is also the concept of twice enlarged and twice diminished intervals, when their width is supposed to change by a whole tone.
If we talk about the structure of the interval in music, then its first sound is called the base, and the second – the top. On the piano, you can build inversions of intervals – swap its lower and upper sounds by moving them an octave higher / lower on the keyboard. Such an instrument as the piano is the most understandable for showing and studying intervality in musical theory, thanks to the convenience and visibility of black and white keys. That is why any musicians – performers, in addition to their main specialty, are trained in solfeggio on the classical piano.
Let’s look at examples
It is most convenient to build compound intervals and analyze their types from the sound “to” the first octave. The pure octave to be exceeded is the C note of the second octave . Both keys are white. The black note following it (to sharp) will be the top of a small nona, built from “to” the first octave (or a small second through an octave). “Re” of the second octave (next one semitone higher) will be the top of the big none all from the same “do” of the first octave. This is how m. 9 and b are built. 9 from the note “to”.
An example of an increased interval from the note “to” would be, for example, a f-sharp of the second octave . Such an interval is an enlarged undecima and is designated uv.11.
Answers on questions
How many compound intervals are there in music?
In total, musical theory has seven compound intervals.
What is the easiest way to remember interval names?
“Decima” means ten, therefore, when memorizing terms, it is worth starting from this concept.
Instead of output
There are seven compound intervals in music. Their designations are of Latin origin, and they are built by adding an octave to simple intervals. For compound intervals, the same rules apply as for simple intervals. They are also divided into subspecies and can be converted.


text:
Although this recipe is really for my bread buddy and new friend, Amanda, I have to recommend it to the rest of you as well. I realize, of course, that the idea of making bread at all–much less making bread without the use of commercial yeast–may sound a little far-fetched, but let me present you with an argument in its favor, before you dismiss it entirely. These are the reasons I think you ought to give sourdough baking generally, and this recipe in particular, a try…
1. LOOK AT IT!
2. It’s really cool. In fact, my older son (who is, admittedly, a little weirdo–and I say that with great pride!) calls the sourdough cultures our pets. He and I came home from a birthday party one afternoon, and the house was empty–the other kids were off on a field trip with their daddy. We came in, and he shouted, “Hello? Hello?” Then: “Nobody’s here, Mommy. Just you, me, and the sourdough cultures.” A few weeks later, when creating a poster for school depicting the importance of numbers in his world, he immediately settled upon the sourdough culture as the “oldest thing in our house.” The King Arthur company, from whom I purchased my culture, says that the culture has been around for 300 years. His poster showed a stick-figure drawing of himself, labeled “7 years old,” and a rough sketch of a bubbling mass in a bowl, which he labeled “300 years old.” How cool is that?
3. Old is good. If you and gluten don’t get along, there is a good chance that sourdough cultures can broker a truce between the two of you: http://www.breadtopia.com/2013/10/10/gluten-intolerance-and-bread/ (Read the part called “How Bread is Baked.”) Lest you suspect this woman is an unreliable, hippy-dippy bread enthusiast, I should tell you that she is in good company. Michael Pollan writes so beautifully about the experience of baking with sourdough cultures that, if you read the section devoted to bread in his book Cooked, you will be instantly moved to sourdough action…and also overwhelmed by the complexity of the process as he describes it. Which brings me to my next point: I never thought I would say that Michael Pollan is wrong, but…Michael Pollan is wrong. (At the very least, he misrepresents the difficulty involved in this particular task.) Baking a really, really good loaf of sourdough bread is easy.
4. This bread recipe requires very little measuring, very little mixing, no kneading, almost no shaping, and just a day’s time. You can mix it up in the morning while you’re waiting for your coffee to brew, bake it while you’re fixing dinner, and serve your family a beautiful, crackly loaf of bread with salted butter by dinnertime. Seriously.
5. Sourdough cultures are easy to come by. No need to conjure yours out of the wild yeasts in the air, as Michael Pollan instructs us to do. I’ll be happy to give you some of mine! Otherwise, you can inexpensively order some from King Arthur Flour, which is what both Amanda and I did: http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/items/classic-fresh-sourdough-starter-1-oz..
6. This loaf of bread costs less than 50 cents. When was the last time you saw any loaf of bread–even a loaf of past-its-prime sandwich bread–for 50 cents?
Are you persuaded yet? Come by sometime and let me feed you some bread, and then you will be.
I spent the first month or so with my starter following the fairly complicated instructions provided by the King Arthur baking folks. Then I came to my senses and remembered that I virtually never follow instructions–especially when they seem overly fussy or illogical. I’m a skeptic and a critic by nature, which makes me a real treat to live with, I’m sure, but also makes me a more effective and efficient cook than I would be otherwise. And the King Arthur instructions differentiated between a “fed starter” and an “unfed starter,” directing me to throw away one cup of my starter and then feed it (with more flour and water) and let it stand undisturbed for a couple of hours before using it to leaven my bread. As you may have noticed, I’m not especially thrifty in the kitchen, but I hated throwing away that sourdough starter…and I hated waiting on it. It just seemed silly. So I decided to try making my usual loaf of bread with “unfed starter”–which the KA folks would have told me to throw away–in place of the commercial yeast and some of the flour and water. To say that it worked fine would be a massive understatement. That dough puffed right up over the course of a day’s time. (In the cold of my winter house, it might take a little longer, but it tastes better the longer you let it rise anyway.) The hungry little microbes didn’t need fed before I mixed them into a dough: They were fed by the dough!
Sourdough No-Knead Bread
1 cup sourdough starter
1 cup water
2-2 1/2 cups of flour (I’ve been using 1 cup of stone-ground whole wheat and 1 cup of white OR both cups white)
1 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1. In a large bowl, whisk together your sourdough starter and your water.
2. Switch to a wooden spoon, and stir in the flour and the salt. Start with 2 cups of flour and then add more until the dough seems like dough instead of batter. It should be firm enough to form a sort of ball. It may be a little sticky, which is fine, but it should hold together. It may be shaggy. That’s also fine. You don’t need to create a glossy, smooth dough. Time and the sourdough cultures will do that work for you.
3. Let it rise, covered, at room temperature, until it’s at least doubled–several hours.
4. An hour or two before baking, put some oil or butter on your hands and form it into a ball by stretching it outward and tucking it under and into itself until it looks…well, like a ball. Then plunk it into a lightly oiled oven-proof dish with a lid. (This is the only specialized piece of equipment you need. I use my enamel-coated cast iron dutch oven. But any oven-proof pot of proper size would also work. If it doesn’t have an oven-proof lid, you could just cover it with foil. Just be sure that it is plenty big to allow your bread to rise. Because it is going to rise, my friend.)
5. Preheat your oven to 425. Use a super-sharp knife to slash the top of your risen dough ball, put the lid (or foil) on your pan and then put your bread into the hot oven. After 25 minutes, remove the lid (or foil). Bake until it is golden brown and beautiful.
6. Let it cool slightly, and then serve it with room-temperature salted butter…or olive oil…or Nutella…or just about anything.
Go ahead and take a picture, too. That’s one pretty loaf of bread!

domain: hobby


text:
THE SILMARILLION (Silmarillion)
- Buy New: $12.98
as of 5/19/2013 12:34 EDT details
Availability:Usually ships in 1-2 business days
- Seller:Bluebird Books&Gifts®
- Sales Rank:2,838,095
- Language:English (Published)
- Media:Mass Market Paperback
- Shipping Weight (lbs):0.5
- Dimensions (in):6.9 x 4.1 x 1
- Publication Date:1985
"Majestic!...readers of THE HOBBIT and THE LORD OF THE RINGS...will find THE SILMARILLION a cosmology to call their own...medieval romances, fierce fairy tales and fiercer wars that ring with heraldic fury...it overwhelms the reader."
Those interested in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth should not be without this grand volume that tells the tragic tale of the struggle for control of the Silmarils, a struggle that would determine the history of the world long before the War of the Ring.
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

domain: literature


Take Your Kids To The Opera
Take your children on a stimulating field trip. Take your kids to the opera! Remember, before television, there was only the opera. The opera, where the fat ladies sing and the music is as old as the hills.
You may ask why, but I have first hand experience that tells me kids like opera! It's important to give kids a chance to look beyond television, movies and pop music and give them a sense of cultural perspective, not to mention a fun history lesson.
Piano Is Easy
The Original Television
Kids like old-fashioned operatic spectacle, and the sense of performing event that you can't get elsewhere. And don't plan on staying for the whole show. In case you didn't know, operas have a way of lasting at least three hours. That's far too long for most kids, unless it has spaceships and popcorn.
You can just visit for one act, so if the child is bored, you can leave. But they won't be bored. Your child will be fascinated by the antiquated stage machinery, the pomp, the splendor, and of course, the singing and the music.
Watch The Singers Sweat
If you can, get seats as close as possible so you can see the actors sweat and strain to sing those absurdly difficult high C's. It's fun to watch the sausage being made! Clearly you'll be limited in your choice of operas to see, depending on where you live. Here's a list of classic crowd pleasers.
Act One of any of these shows will knock you out, and it's likely these operas will be in the repertoire. CARMEN: Swirling spectacle and rivalry. Familiar, great music. LA BOHEME: Lush, Romantic spectacle. THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO: Mozart's comic swashbucklers.
Doesn't Have To Be Opera
If opera is too intense, or too old fashioned, take your child to a large Broadway type of production, one with sets and costumes and an orchestra. Choose the biggest and fanciest production you can. Sit as close as possible so you can see the pimples and the sweat, the costumes bulging, the whole disaster!
In the words of a child who saw an opera for the first time at the age of seven, "I liked it when the fat lady sang and then the guy came out with his sword to kill the other guy." You can't beat that for cultural enrichment.
What Killed the Golden Age of the Piano
Carl Tausig Cooks His Cat
I Meet Aaron Copland
George Sand Killed Chopin
Why Brahms Must Have Been Fat
Artur Rubinstein Was A Vampire
Igor Stravinsky Loses His Cool
Vladimir Horowitz Goes To The Racetrack
Beethoven Was No Beauty
The World’s Largest Blue Danube Waltz
Was Mozart Murdered?
Beethoven’s Rage Over A Lost Penny
Franz Schubert, The First Bohemian
Chopin’s Singing Piano Tone
Stravinsky’s Good Luck
Tchaikovsky’s Greatest Fan
Hector Berlioz and the Orchestral Train Wreck
Piano Lessons with Papa Bach
Piano Lessons with Frederic Chopin
The Great Piano Craze of 1910
The American Piano Wars
Why Hugo Wolf Went Insane
Rachmaninoff and the Evolution of Pop Songs
Piano In The Past Was Better
The Master’s Hands
Einstein’s Violin Improvisations In Gypsy Style
A History of Piano and Numbers
Ryan Seacrest’s Piano Concerto #2


text: This is the Jane Turner(1668) original sampler reproduced by 'The Essamplaire'...I fell in love with the colours on this one, as well as the lady in the garden which graces the center. This is a beautiful sampler, with many elements common to English band samplers of this period. Many of the bands of double running stitch may be familiar...also the eighth band from the top which features the stylized Stuart 'S'. The original of this sampler is in the Burrell Collection in Glasgow, so it may very well be Scottish, although I don`t see any obvious Scottish motifs on it. The lady in the garden in the center is featured on a number of other samplers, although this is one of the prettiest renderings i`ve seen. There is a sampler almost identical to this one in a private collection dated 1667. It may be the sampler of a sister or have been done by a student of the same teacher.


text: This tape is the most ambitious Bob has attempted, combining outstanding smoking technique with high production content..........featuring four brilliant vignettes that bring together all the elements of smoke fetish. It's difficult to use the phrase "the best work Bob has done to date".... but this tape clearly establishes a new 'high water mark' that raises the bar an artistic notch. If you're also Serious About Smoke, then please don't miss this tape. "Three Days at the Office" was inspired by an email from a customer.... and the original idea erupted into a major vignette. It stars Taylor-J , a proper British secretary who knows that the boss (Peter) is just squirming to get his hands on her, and that he also has a major 'thing' for her smoking. She cleverly devises a way to channel his predictable peeping at her into a means of getting him to sign over the company...to her...simply by using her sexy smoking and hot body to distract him senseless. In just three short days she reverses their 'positions' in the corporate structure. Terrific smoking (lots of it!!!!), voyeurism, smokey masturbation and a smokey blow job all lead to a dramatic reversal of fortune for sexy Taylor-J. Mary Jane and Angela are drawn to each other like sexual magnets caught in a dance of attraction and desire. Lingerie, sunlight and thick smoke expose their lustful feelings, while butler Tristan offers silent testimony and assists the lovers in their smokey foreplay. Fabulous technique and electric chemistry create a tightly erotic lesbian scene. It's non explicit and not a word is spoken as they share three cigarettes and a supercharged moment, as Mary Jane gives eager Angela a bath in swirling smoke. Layla Jade offers a change of pace, sitting in her chair overlooking the Pacific Ocean in perfect late afternoon light. She enjoys a cup of coffee with her marlboros. Topless and barefoot in jeans, she puts on an amazing performance of smoking style and skill, enjoying a variety of inhales, and even smoking two cigs at once. And finally the tape concludes with Angela drawing Tristan into the scene, as Mary Jane sits, cool and aloof and casually watches them, fully dressed in heels and hose and smart suit. Mary Jane power smokes three shooters and glances briefly at the erotic display of fellatio, almost timing her deep drags to the thrust of hard flesh into a warm, wet and smoky mouth.