text:
It may take the bitter edge off that coffee you’re drinking or tame your lemonade’s tartness, but too much sugar will leave you feeling none too sweet.
|John Termini studies mutations that can result from high blood sugar levels such as those found in diabetes. (Photo by Markie Ramirez)|
Table sugar is made of two simpler sugars — glucose and fructose. And researchers have long known that high blood levels of that first sugar, glucose, can lead to harmful changes to important biological molecules. These changes are at the root of many of the complications seen in people with diabetes.
Now, City of Hope researchers have discovered how an altered form of DNA arising from high blood glucose levels can cause genetic mutations. And these mutations may lead to cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
Scientists have focused heavily on harmful products that form when glucose interacts with proteins. But less is understood about the sugar’s impact on DNA. So researchers led by City of Hope’s John Termini, Ph.D., professor in City of Hope’s Department of Molecular Medicine, have turned their focus to a molecule called CEdG.
CEdG results when high levels of glucose form byproducts that react with DNA, the molecule that contains the genetic instructions for life.
In previous research, the scientists found that CEdG interfered with cells’ ability to properly read their genetic code. It also hindered cells’ ability to replicate their DNA during growth.
The results suggested CEdG could cause the cells’ chromosomes to become unstable and lead to mutations, Termini said. Mutations often can disrupt normal cell function and lead to diseases, including cancer.
To test their theory, the team genetically changed cells to contain higher amounts of CEdG. They then compared how often genetic mutations appeared in those cells versus in normal, unaltered cells.
The scientists found that cells with CEdG had higher mutation levels than cells without it.
But the researchers didn’t stop there. They wanted to understand just how CEdG increased mutations. So they also tested another type of cell that was missing one of the tools needed to fix damaged DNA and prevent cancer.
The tool is called nucleotide excision repair, and the team found that CEdG produced far more mutations in cells that didn’t have it than in normal cells. [Click here for a brief video explaining nucleotide excision repair.]
So the team’s success was twofold: They showed that CEdG causes mutations, and they found the specific cellular tool — nucleotide excision repair — that cells use to fix the damage CEdG causes.
Ultimately, the findings also add to a growing body of evidence suggesting a link between cancer and metabolic diseases like diabetes.

domain: chemistry


text:
And so she began a fantastical story about a future world of such wonders as could never be imagined. The hero of this journey was the princess, who was equal in all ways to a man, and in many ways superior, as she had knowledge of future inventions that defied belief. He found himself as drawn to the story as Prudence. When Charlotte fell silent, he clapped along with his daughter and expressed his admiration for the intrepid princess.
Yet the story was left unfinished. “And when does the princess meet her prince? Does he find the princess and save her from her trials?”
She shook her head. “The princess doesn’t need saving.”
He smiled. “Perhaps not, but how can she live happily ever after without a prince to marry?”
“Marriage is not the only path to happily ever after. The princess enjoyed her life as it was and wished only to return.”
He frowned at her frosty tone. He sensed he’d angered her but couldn’t imagine how. “Surely all women long for a family of their own? Without a husband and child to care for, her life would be without purpose.”
“There are other things to life than marriage and babies.” She leaned past him, her breast grazing his leg, as she pressed a kiss to Prudence’s forehead. “Goodnight, Prue. Sleep tight.”
She didn’t even look at him as she swept out of the room. What the bloody hell had just happened?

domain: artistic


NeoBrake Systems Inc has announced a breakthrough in S-cam foundation brake stopping power and performance with the introduction of Matrix NeoCast, a new lightweight cast iron 4707Q brake shoe.
Matrix NeoCast 4707Q combines traditional advantages of cast iron shoes—lasting rigidity, superior heat dissipation, sustained maximum torque and optimal lining-to-drum contact—with an advanced, high-carbon ductile cast iron that weighs significantly less than cast shoes of old.
“The future may be air disc brakes, but the roadways are filled with trucks and trailers still using drum brakes to stop them,” said Rick Ballew, NeoBrake president and CEO. “We know the beating pressed-steel cores take after each relining, so we developed a shoe that could resist all that and deliver maximum braking power at every stop.”
According to Ballew, safety is the driving force behind his Milwaukee WI-area reman brake shop, which he opened in 1988. Through the years, he’s seen various changes in the industry and has adapted his operation accordingly. But the one mistake he always believed the industry made was moving away from cast iron. So when he had this idea, he knew the only obstacle standing in his way was weight. An obstacle he quickly overcame once he learned of this next-generation casting technique.
The Matrix NeoCast 4707Q brake shoe weighs within ounces of its pressed-steel counterparts and promises to boost braking power from the moment it is installed—never letting up until the day it is retired. How long the Matrix NeoCast shoe will last depends on multiple factors, which include the experience level of the driver and application, but Ballew guarantees it will last longer than any pressed-steel core. In fact, he makes the same claim about linings, drums and air brake system components.
Matrix NeoCast’s one-piece construction eliminates table flex, web stretch, and broken welds, which are common signs of deteriorating pressed-steel shoes. This leads to diminished torque, as well as uneven lining wear and, ultimately, premature lining replacement. Yet, the standard practice is to coin the shoe true every time it comes in for relining, then send it back out. That is the heart of the problem, said Ballew.
These shoes are currently available for all 4707Q applications. Additional sizes are in development and will be available once completed.
For more information, see www.NeoBrake.com.


The rise of 'neuro-architecture' and why it's essential to our wellbeing
If your daily commute gives you the option to drive along a bleak highway or enjoy a beachside drive, the scenic route is a no-brainer. So what effect does the environment we live and work in have on our mental and physical wellbeing?
With 80 per cent of Australians living in cities or suburbs, this question is more important than ever.
We are at the dawn of a new era of “neuro-architecture“, in which psychological insights are changing the way we think about town planning, urban design, and even the interior design of our homes.
Research from a diverse array of disciplines including architecture, design, psychology, neuroscience and environmental science is contributing to a growing body of evidence that shows that the built environment we inhabit significantly affects our wellbeing.
In his 1958 book The Living City, famed American architect Frank Lloyd Wright argued that “all fine architectural values are human values, else not valuable”. Half a century on it’s a philosophy that, with both high-density living and social isolation on the rise, is more important than ever. This is where “placemakers” such as Gilbert Rochecouste come in.
With a background in psychology, Rochecouste founded placemaking company Village Well in Melbourne in 1992, and has since worked with local governments, businesses and communities to “reactivate” more than 1000 cities and towns around Australia.
“Placemaking in its essence is creating meaningful places that people love and want to protect and nourish,” Rochecouste says.
It has since grown to become a larger movement that seeks to bring a holistic approach to creating community and providing people with a sense of connection to the environment they live and work in.
“We realised we were creating beautiful places and environments. And it wasn’t just about public art, it was creating places that people wanted to hang out in,” Rochecouste says.
In the early 1990s, Rochecouste worked with the City of Melbourne to help transform the city from what was then a dull metropolis into the vibrant cultural hub it is today.
“The City of Melbourne understood what we were doing had a community benefit and a social benefit,” he says.
For Rochecouste, urban design that cultivates the unique “personality traits” of a city is particularly important for inhabitants.
“We are sensorial beings in terms of taste, touch, sound, movement. Each place has a specific bioregion, and has a bioregional effect on our body,” he says. “You take Sydney and Melbourne as a classic example. Sydney is much more out there, open, and Melbourne is much more inner, which is shown in its laneways, its hidden places, its cafes.
“Each city’s personality is different and these factors affect our psychological wellbeing, which is where placemaking is important.”
While studies show that 21st-century city life can lead to a host of mental-health issues, there is also evidence that these negative effects can be mitigated by urban design that not only revitalises public spaces and restores community spirit, but also provides access to nature in the form of green spaces.
Anne Cleary is a nature and health researcher at Griffith University’s School of Medicine who studies the ways in which people benefit from experiencing nature.
“There’s a lot of literature and research showing the ways in which people benefit mentally from exposure to nature in urban environments, which can be quite stressful with crowds and traffic and everything else,” Cleary says. “It’s really important that we have these kinds of green spaces as a respite from the urban environment.”
Studies in stress recovery and attention restoration have shown that exposure to nature facilitates faster recovery from health problems and the stresses of daily life.
“Natural landscapes lend themselves particularly well to satisfying the characteristics of a restorative landscape. They are the kind of psychological pathways through which we get this wellbeing benefit,” Cleary says. “We need restorative landscapes when we are a bit mentally fatigued or stressed.”
If you live in a city or suburb sorely lacking in green spaces, don’t despair. It’s easy to create an environment that allows you to connect with nature in your own home.
“You need to work out what’s best for you. Whether it’s having a little herb garden in your apartment or volunteering at your local bush care group or even just doing bird watching,” Cleary says. “There are different ways you can bring nature into your life. You just have to figure out what best resonates with you.”


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text:
Time & Location
Nov 16, 2021, 6:30 PM
Omaha, 3015 S 82nd Ave, Omaha, NE 68124, USA
About the Event
Westgate Neighborhood Association will host a program on Tuesday, November 16, at 6:30 p.m. at West Hills Church, 82nd and Hascall Streets. The subject will be the homeless, panhandlers and what can be done to help them, including some who can be seen regularly in and around Westgate.
Speakers will include representatives from a downtown Omaha cafe that helps the downtrodden in several ways. A local therapist will explain why homelessness, addictions and poverty exist and how victims can be helped. Table Grace Cafe, at 1611 1/2 Farnam Street, has been donation-based for more than 10 years. It evolved from Table Grace Ministries, founded in 2008 by Simone and Matt Weber. It serves lunch Monday through Saturday and its patrons are those who live or work in the area including attorneys, working poor, executives and homeless. The café delivers a dignified and equitable platform to nourish all who are hungry. In 2018 they launched Mobile Grace Food Truck to take the mission beyond downtown.
Mary Ziska is scheduled to speak at the meeting. Mary was homeless when she came to Table Grace Café. She says she remembers being treated with dignity and given a healthy meal after volunteering for several minutes. She found herself in the HERO program at the Stephen Center a few years later and returned to Table Grace Cafe to volunteer as part of her recovery. Now Mary is a mainstay on the staff of Table Grace, serving at the café, on the food truck and sharing her story to inspire others who may be caught in a cycle of homelessness and addiction. She is living proof that there is a better future. More info at TableGraceCafe.com.
Westgate Neighborhood Association produces these meetings in conjunction with the Westgate Community Foundation. There is no admission fee and the programs are open to all. The association and the foundation aim to make Westgate a better place, by inviting speakers they think the neighborhood will enjoy and learn from, coordinating the spring and fall cleanup days, organizing events such as Westgate's National Night Out in August and, most recently, planting the pollinator garden next to Westgate Pool.
The association plans to have four speaker meetings each year and would encourage topics from the neighborhood. Association board members are Terry Anderson, Stephanie Elrod, Liz Koepp and James D'Agata. The door is open for more volunteer board members.

domain: sociology


text:
Can Garrofa, a modernist building in Sarral
|Comarca||Conca de Barberà|
|• Mayor||Josep Amill Canela (2015)|
|• Total||52.4 km2 (20.2 sq mi)|
|• Density||29/km2 (76/sq mi)|
|Time zone||UTC+1 (CET)|
|• Summer (DST)||UTC+2 (CEST)|
Sarral is a municipality and small town in the comarca of Conca de Barberà in the province of Tarragona in Catalonia, Spain. It includes the settlements of Sarral and Montbrió de la Marca. Montbrió was originally a separate municipality, but was incorporated into Sarral in 1972.
The municipality has an area of 52 km2, and a population (in 1995) of 1418. Its elevation is approximately 467m.
Economic activity is mainly agricultural, principally vines and wine. Sarral produces its own variety of rosé cava (a sparkling wine). The other major traditional activity is quarrying alabaster and producing alabaster sculptures and craftware. Sarral also hosts Spain's biggest producer of frozen bread and pizzas.
The town is ancient, with prehistoric urban remains having been found. It was granted a town charter in 1180. In the 14th century there was a large Jewish colony in the town; a street called Carrer dels Jueus still exists. In 1647 the town was destroyed by Castilian troops.
|This Province of Tarragona location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.|

domain: geography


text:
coyotes have adapted to live in swamps, forests, deserts, and a wide variety of ecosystems
Source: US Fish and Wildlife Service, Coyote in the cattails
Coyotes migrated from the western states into Virginia, reaching it by the 1990's. They came via a northern route above the Great Lakes and then south from Canada, and via a southern route from Texas. The Mid-Atlantic states were the last that the coyotes reached.
Coyotes are highly adapable to different ecosystes. Their gene pool is varied, with over 20subspecies identified. Today coyotes live in every county, and probably in every Virginia city.1
Coyotes are often blamed for a reduction in the local deer population, especially from predation on fawns. Other mammals eat deer too, especially bear and bobcats. Coyotes do reduce the number of deer, but other predators - plus weather and habitat conditions - are greater factors in changing the size of deer populations.
Coyote scat often includes evidence of deer, but that could be from feeding on deer carcasses rather than killing live animals. The basic conclusion of wildlife biologists is that the significance of coyote predation varies substantially in different places, while the vast majority of deer hunters blame coyotes for smaller deer herds.2

domain: biology


This old mutt was flabbergasted at the reaction by some mainstream (lamestream) media to the news that Todd Muller would…
OPINION: Most of us are under the impression that all New Zealand has fertile soil that’s great for growing food. It’s more or less a fairy tale.
Federated Farmers has welcomed the release of the Government's discussion paper on freshwater management as a "useful next step".
Irrigation New Zealand welcomes the Government's 'Next steps for fresh water' consultation document but encourages the Government to 'get on with it.'


text:
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Waterfall Park Developments Ltd applied in April for resource consent for the development, which would include a wellness centre and conference space, at Waterfall Park and on adjoining Ayrburn Farm land.
Queenstown Lakes District Council planners have recommended the project go ahead, subject to various consent conditions, including earthworks and water management provisions.
The report states: "It is considered that the adverse effects of the activity will be no more than minor."
A total of 13 submissions were made on the plans. Twelve opposed the development, including several residents and the Friends of Lake Hayes Society, which argued the plans would increase the risk of sediment loss into nearby Lake Hayes and Mill Creek.
Society secretary Richard Bowman said the council and developers should be "cautious" about the downstream effects of sediment loss.
"Any additional input of sediment into the lake has got to be of concern.
"We don’t feel the council have put significant weight on the downstream effects of the activity."
Critics raised concerns about a lack of infrastructure to cope with the proposed development.
In June, commissioners had approved the company’s plans to build an 870m road access-ing the site.
Since 2015, three separate proposals made by developer Winton Partners, which is behind the proposed Waterfall Park project, have been rejected by the council.
The previous proposals included retirement complexes to be built on Ayrburn Farm land and a 141-lot subdivision.
Waterfall Park Ltd also called for a large section of land north of Speargrass Flat Rd to be rezoned as part of the council’s proposed district plan, at a hearing in July.
The developer wanted the rezoning to allow a residential development of up to 200 units near the proposed hotel complex.
A public hearing on the four-star hotel proposals was scheduled to take place on January 22-23.
Mr Bowman said he hoped the hearing could be pushed back until freshwater ecologist Marc Schallenberg returned from the Antarctic in February, so the group could present its evidence in full at the hearing.

domain: news


which phone has the most storage
IPhone 13 Pro Max
People also ask
Which phone has the highest internal storage capacity?
Top 10 smartphones with Maximum Internal Storage Capacity 1 Apple. 2 ZTE. 3 OnePlus. 4 Xiaomi. 5 Motorola. 6 Meizu. 7 HTC. 8 Samsung. 9 Sony. 10 Nokia.
Which is the best smartphone with 32GB of storage?
The top smartphone of the year is undoubtedly the HTC One (M8). It offers 32GB of internal storage with a 2GB of RAM. As usual, the usable memory will be ranging from 25-26GB. Along with 32GB model, 16GB handset is also available in the mobile market.
Which is the best 5G phone with the best storage?
Phones with Best Storage 1 Vivo V21e 5G 2 Realme Narzo 30 3 Doogee S88 Plus 4 Blackview BV5100 Pro 5 Tecno Spark 7T 6 Infinix Note 10 Pro 7 Infinix Note 10 128GB 8 Infinix Note 10 9 OnePlus Nord CE 5G 10 OnePlus Nord CE 5G 8GB RAM
How much internal memory does a smartphone have?
It’s a known fact that if a smartphone comes with 16GB of internal storage, the usable storage will be ranging from 11.5-12.5GB. The main reason for this is because of pre-installed apps and some system files which consumes some internal memory. It varies depending on the phone manufacturer.
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text:
Tuesday, 31 May 2016
On Tuesday 31st May, from 6pm to 6.55pm looking along the north hedge of the Dip Farm football pitch at Gunton usually a very happy hunting ground for me in both patch work birding and twitching rarities here, but not today. I had a look along Dip Farm at for a Greenish Warbler well found by James W at 3.50pm, but during my visit here the light was decreasing and it started to rain too, so I left. Good to see Ricky F, Andrew E, John H, Dick W, James W, Paul & Jane F & Ali R though. I left at 6.55pm and barely a minute later it was showing again!
Sunday, 29 May 2016
On Sunday 29th May, when news broke at 9.30am I drove to carlton Marshes and rushing down the main path, I first joined James B who stated it had just flown off great! I then joined Rob Wil, Andrew E, Chris D & Gavin D and was directed to the bird that was there (it may have flown back almost instantly) on a spit with 3 sleeping Shovelors. It was feeding along the edge, a fine Temminck's Stint, a much predicted and long awaited bird for the area. It walked around feeding, typically diminutive with brownish body, short bill and when seen with the appropriate back ground pale legs. Walking back down the main path we saw a photographer photographing a male Linnet perched on top of a bush. Gavin & I then walked over to Spratts Water and by the back water, the same photographer was seen photographing a juvenile Kingfisher, it was perched in low branches, initially partially obscured I got into position stood stock still behind the photographer and managed a few shots, the adult Kingfisher flew in and fed the youngster a Stickleback it flew off the youngster remained until the other photographer moved and tried to edge closer from another angle, twigs snapped and the bird was gone, another example of poor fieldcraft which is sadly so prevalent these days. At the back of Spratts water Gavin and I saw female Scare Chaser, 2 Hairy Dragonflies and a pale Peacock butterfly. Reed and Sedge Warblers again seen.
Saturday 28th May news broke 9.30am of a female Black- eared Wheatear at Cart Gap near happisburgh, jumping straight into the car I drove there with the aid of the essential OS map and pulled into the car park. Luckily Debbie was there to tell me where to look although the bird hadn't been seen since its original discovery. Great place to visit and really nice to get news of a rarity in this part of Norfolk, which makes a nice change!!! Saw Ricky F, Paul & Jane F, Dave H, Ali, Roy H & Carl. I later went onto Carlton Marshes in the early evening in my quest for Cuckoo. One Cuckoo was again seen around the western end of Spratts water, it settled in a large tree but then flew left and not seen again. Reed & Sedge Warblers again seen plus a Kingfisher flying down the dyke turning in mid air giving me a great flight view. A Mallard showed well in the dyke. Long- tailed Tit seen too.
On Friday 27th May at Carlton Marshes tonight 3+ Cuckoo calling constantly and flying around the western end of Spratt's Water, 2 birds in particular were flying around the end bushes and the 3 bushes spied from from the south western path, a Cetti's Warbler sang its explosive song and for once I saw the bird, chestnut coloured and it flew from a bramble down into a dyke. A Kingfisher flew and perched on a vertical stick over the dyke + when I was looking at a male Blackcap in the bushes on the southern side of Spratts Water marsh, as I was looking at male Blackcap going up into a tree and looking distressed, I first heard crashing around and then I spied an interloper trampling all over Spratts Water (well off the footpath) and looking suspiciously into several bushes I think he was after nests or eggs. I challenged him he gestured that we was doing photography but a) when you are peering in a bush parting the foliage with both hands and the camera slung around the left side of your body b) crashing around making a lot of noise c) walking off the path d) disturbing all wildlife trampling on flowers and orchids this is no defence! He walked off quickly and sheepishly, I shouted "Oi" he looked around and bingo, I cold now send a pic of him to Mat. Several Reed Warblers and Sedge Warblers seen too.
On Wednesday 25th May, I drove over to Minsmere after work to look at the LT Duck. I should have visited the previous evening as the dull overcast weather would have given better viewing than the brilliant sunshine I was greeted with and the sun setting in the west causing much glare on the water on the back of the east scrape where the bird was. I couldn't see it and it wasn't safe viewing directly into the sun with optical equipment. I spied a fine adult Little Gull complete with black hood. BBC cameramen were walking on the scrape one set up a camera just the side of the south hide and a warden came in to warn us to set up another camera by the BH Gull colony. It just as well he did, as all the Gulls flew up into the air, as did the Common Terns and ducks except the Long- tailed Duck, a magnificent male in full summer plumage with long tail only occasionally seen as it was mostly drooped in the water. It swam left and I could see the bird albeit mostly silhouetted. Matthew D and his girlfried then entered and I again showed him a rare bird I had refound! A BBC cameraman with a very fine full beard (as seems the fashion these days, not quite ZZ Top style but getting there!) entered the hide and started filming downstairs.
Sunday, 22 May 2016
On Sunday 22nd May, at Carlton Marshes, on an initially cloudy start the sun broke through and on the walk to Spratts water, the 5 dead bushes by the footpath I could hear the Grasshopper Warbler as usual but this time he was perched on the one 2nd in from the right and was singing from a perch 1/3 to 2/3 up in full but often partially obscured view. My first sighting of this species for several years. Walking to the area by Spratt's Water, 2 Reed Warblers seen and further along the path, really good to see Neville S and I walked back to show him the Gropper that was still reeling. A Willow Warbler showed briefly well. Half way down the path just past the 2 bare bushes by the dyke, I heard a plop go into the water it must have been a Water Vole (walking back later it did the same on the way back. A Cuckoo was heard and appeared to be in the western area of Spratt's water actually in the large very well foliaged tree right above me, the Cuckoo then flew out and soared down and out of sight. I saw a Sedge Warbler briefly. I met Chris M, good to see Chris too and we enjoyed first a Song Thrush singing from the overhead wires and then a Buzzard and a pale male Marsh Harrier both flying north. Walking back I broke off from Chris to look at Spratt's water and saw 2 Reed Warblers again. We saw up to 8 Hairy Hawkers patrolling the dykes and an early Wall Brown briefly alighted on the path as we started the walk back. At the car park, I met with Chris again and he said he had seen a Water Vole nibbling on a stem just path the right hand bend by the dyke. I walked back initially no sign although I enjoyed seeing the showy Grasshopper Warbler reeling from his favourite bush. Walking back I saw 3 people intently staring into the reeds they had a Water Vole and just left of a bramble stem going into the water partially obscured by 2 reeds was indeed a Water Vole nibbling on a reed stem with its claws, it spent around ten minutes doing this before leaning forward and plopping in to the water and completely out of sight. Walking back just past the bend were a pair of Mallard with ducklings 2 were bright yellow, another plop into the water must have been a 3rd Water Vole although not seen.
Saturday, 21 May 2016
On Saturday 21st May, for the first time this year from the garden I could hear a Whitethroat singing & then a Holly Blue flew around and settled on a bush and the cooler weather enabled me to get a few shots of it, when the sun came out it opened its wings sunbathing before it was off. A Green- veined White looked exhausted as it rested on the ground at the rear right hand flower bed, therefore posing nicely for the camera & before the sun seemed to re-energise and it flew strongly up and over to next door.
On Friday 20th May, I drove down to Minmere met Jane & Paul F who'd just seen the BWS. I looked from North hide couldn't see it, nobody in the hide. From East hide, nobody here either I couldn't see it here either. Lots of Common Terns I'd say close on 60.Lots of people from N. Hide so I walked back met Matthew D on way went back decided to back to East hide. I eventually spotted the excellent Black- winged Stilt right down the far end of the bung on the right hand side by some green reedy shards sticking out of the water. It had a little grey on the head, black back and long red legs. It walked around here and almost looked as if it would through the gap and beyond the island out of sight, but it gradually walked back into water and started feeding. A Kittiwake was stood on th far bung too. After a while, the Black- winged Stilt flew strongly east and disappeared behind an island. Also 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 full adult summer plumage p and another more adult with more partially plumage with blotchy black head. summer plumaged Dunlin. On the walk back along the beach, a group of 10 Terns included 7 Little Terns and 3 Commons Terns flew over and over East hide towards the Scrape. Walking back 3 red deer seen by the field just east of the centre sheltering around 3 bushes, either sitting tor standing and looking at me. Back at the track to the pond, a Blackcap was heard singing and by the birdtables by the steps by the car park, a Red- legged Partridge flew away down the path on my approach.
On Tuesday 17th May evening I was delighted to see 2 Wood Sandpiper, 1 initially sen straight out on the scrape be short discovered just nearby, 3 Yellow Wagtail were at the back (western end) of the scrape including a golden yellow male, a pair of Wigeon, a Gadwall, 2 Little- Ringed Plovers one flew over showing a brown wing and no white wing bar in flight and 1 Ringed Plover on the edge. I saw first Rob Will & Andrew E walking down to the west side of the scrape.
On Thursday 12th May we drove all the way back from Scotland, having left at around 9.30am we were too late to see the Bee- eater at the cricket ground at Winterton. Next day, Friday 13th May, I waa there early at around 6am but no sign of the bird. Good to to meet Mick D and see Tim again. It wasn't until the afternoon after I had returned home that news came that it had reappeared by the BT cable station. So mid afternoon, I went over and soon as I was got there, a small group of birders with their scope trained on the overhead powerlines just to the west pointed literally to where the bird was. The excellent colourful Bee- eater perched on the wires, Tim very kindly showed me a great spot a little further on an to the left where we could walk under the cover of a fence, Leylandii trees and overhanging vegetation to get closer to the bird, where I could stand and wait and maybe get some pics of it. I stood here for an hour and a half and the bird wasn't perturbed at all by my presence and indeed it had frequently flying sorties always catching a bee and returning to the power line and promptly started devouring it. The bird even perched closer on several occasions and managed to obtain a few shots even though the sky was overcast.
Sadly, the last day was soon upon us and the beautiful summery weather had continued although temperatures were slightly down on what we had experienced but still pleasant. First stop was a local Loch, where Ospreys were breeding on an island in the middle of the Loch. We took the lower path and walking down I saw a male Great- Spotted woodpecker on a tree trunk in front of us that flew right. We settled in a good position and could see the nest well (without disturbing the birds) with the female Osprey's head occasionally poking up over the top of it. Eventually the male came and circled around twice before alighting on the nest, the female then departed. This was cue for our exit having obtained a couple of pics (I as always would have liked a few more!) 2 male Goldeneye was seen on the loch plus near where we parked the car perched in a tree by the gravestones, a fine Spotted flycatcher. We stopped in at a Nursery for tea and cake and one of the feature of this is you sit on stalls by a large window overlooking a load of peanut filled feeders on 4 trees in front of you. 2 Red Squirrels eventually came in and started feeding on the peanuts. Other birds seen included Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Coal Tits, Great Tits, Blue Tits and 2 Siskins. At Dulnain Bridge, we saw Grey Wagtail and Common Sandpiper. At Lochindorb, a repeat visit again in the afternoon, failed to reveal the elusive (for us on this trip) BT Divers, 5 Red Grouse seen by theside of the road, a fishing Osprey that flew down and crashed in to the water rising again into the air with a fish clasped in its talons was yet another memorable experience from this holiday, although it was too far away to capture on camera. 3 Common Sandpipers seen briefly by the rocks by the side of the loch. Stopping again at Dulnain Bridge, we saw 2 Grey Wagtail, a Dipper flew to the side of the bridge and up a stream to the left. 1 rather scraggy looking male Red- breasted Merganser swam quickly first up and then down the stream making it surprisingly difficult to photograph. 3 Common Sandpiper also seen on the rocks. At the river at Grantown on Spey we saw 2 Grey Wagtail and 3 Common Sandpipers plus around 6 Pied Wagtails on the rocks here too. In Grantown on Spey Pinewoods./ Anagach woods, we entered the Caper core area but failed to see any here but one Roe Deer was seen only just eluding the camera by seconds and I found a trail of Wood Ants but sadly couldn't find their nest. A Treecreeper was also seen here and finally back at Aviemore. Tim and I in the evening went for a final visit (for me, Tim sneaked another visit the next morning when I was taking pics of the Cairngorm hotel. We saw in the silver birch just above the lake, 2 relatively confiding Bullfinches first a female and then a peachy coloured male, which I managed to get a few pics of. We also saw 2 Spotted Flycatchers here. Walking around to the left hand side, I saw a close female Red Deer, she seemed enormous and Tim walking up disturbed her and she ran up the hill. Willow Warbler seen here and again we heard Wood Warbler singing. A Treecreeper flew across the road and scaled a tree at the front of the Catholic Church grounds. Back at the Cairngorm Hotel we were delighted to see the Bagpiper back outside the front entrance from 8pm!
Friday, 20 May 2016
First stop was the Cairngorm lower car park for a Black Grouse lek, we saw 1+ Red Grouse but sadly no black. We arrived about 7am maybe too late? A pair of Ring Ouzels, a male seen by a patch of grass was joined by a female. watched by another couple. Suddenly a female Sparrowhawk shot through and disturbed the Ring Ouzels that flew up the bank. An emergency meant we had to stay around Aviemore and at Craigellachie we heard singing Wood Warbler, walking back towards the entrance 4 Bullfinch were seen including 1 fine male. Tree Pipit was also heard. At Lochindorb, 8 Red Grouse seen close to the road and 3 Common Sandpiper on the loch but strangely no sign of the BT Divers. At Loch Ruthan, a male Wheatear seen, Willow Warbler, 2 Little Grebe and 3 fine summer plumaged Slavonian Grebes seen mainly distantly but 1 came across was seen from mid distance. 2 Common Sandpipers seen on the rocks briefly close to the hide. Back at Craigellachie in the evening, 2 Tree Pipits seen in trees just before the road tunnel, a Peregrine was heard, when 2 high flying Ospreys drifted over. Finally by the pool, a female Goldeneye seen plus an another Osprey flew over the pool high up in the sky. A Grey Heron seen by the left hand end of the pool. That evening, we went on the dusk watch, we assembled near Loch an Eileen, we were met by John, a jovial Scot who reassured us the Martens had been showing well the previous evening and he showed us around 30 young Red Deer stags fenced off in a field, before we entered the hide. Unfortunately I was beaten to the best spot in the hide by a couple determined to take these 2 spaces and they were very unsportsmanlike in jealously guarding this area the whole time we were in the hide, which really didn't enter into the spirit of co-operation required. I took up the next best spot overlooking the area to the left where there was a path leading down from the woods. John the ranger went outside and started putting peanut butter out and nuts etc, We were initially sceptical about whether we would see the Martens, but amazingly within half an hour of entering the hide and 10 minutes after John, the ranger had come back into the hide, the light was fading and the first Pine Marten ran down the path and briefly stopped right in front of me and I managed to get one fortuitous shot of it (see accompanying photo) as it momentarily stood in front of me. Fantastic! he then proceeded to feed on the goodies on the table right in front o the hide. It was near impossible for me to get any pics as the couple were jealously guarding their seats and not allowing me to get pic. But later on another 3 individual Pine Martens visited mainly to the table area but also to the area around the back but by this time it was too dark to get any sort of picture without flash, which of course was not allowed. We were also visited by 6 Badgers, first one around the table and then one going up a tree to take some food and then 5 around all together.
Sunday, 15 May 2016
On Monday 9th May, we were up early and in a local Pine woods we saw Siskin, Tree Pipit singing and a Wheatear and Mistle Thrush in a field. Whilst travelling back along the road, on a tree to the left we spied 2 Red Squirrels bounding about in the trees and we took some pics from the car before they bounded across the road and let onto a fence on the right hand side before bounding off into the forest. Next stop was Cairngorm travelling up to the higher car park we parked with only 3 other cars present and I spotted a male and a female Red Grouse feeding around the picnic area the other side of the car park. Walking up past the ski lift fencing, I heard and spotted a fine male Ring Ouzel singing from the fence edge end, it then flew up to the ski lift tower and started singing from there. We then walked for about an hour when John & Tim raised their bins ahead of me and pointed. By a tiny stream leading down to the path, I saw first a magnificent male Ptarmigan and then a female feeding around the heather by the stream. The male was greyer above, complete with a fetching red eyebrow with white below and fantastic characterful white feather feet perfectly adapted for walking around in snow. The female was browner speckled above and again white below with the fantastic feathered feet and legs. The male was slightly more wary than the female always staying the other side of the stream although he did once join the female to drink at the stream. The female however was much more confiding. Tim & I sneaked closer and obtained many pictures of these fine mountain specialists when Tim left the birds became even more confiding with both birds drinking from the stream and the female crossing and walking up to me down to 4 feet! I had to back off a bit as she was getting too close for pics! Slightly further up a group of Reindeer seen feeding, on the right side of ground & they were later all seen lying on a small snow drift covered bit. The others carried on walking and I saw and heard a flying Snow Bunting complete with a "tinkling" call. It flew past so I wasn't able to study the plumage. Further up with the others way in the distance I joined a couple by the rocky scree where they were viewing 2 pairs of distant Ptarmigan. I also saw around 2-3 on another rocky scree. They flew around and was rejoined by Tim & John. We also and sensationally inadvertently disturbed 2 Mountain Hares, that ran a few yards away from us. One was almost completely brown save for the white tipped legs and black tipped ears. Whilst the other had a lot more white on its underparts. They initially ran up the mountain and stopped, before the browner individual ran round back down again and stopped not far from me where I was able to get credible mid distance pics before it ran right again. From there we drove to a nearby roadside Loch and saw a Little Grebe, 2 Greylag Geese at the back water and swimming left up to them partially obscured by a bush in the foreground were 2 excellent summer plumaged Slavonian Grebes. They promptly dived but were seen on and off swimming at the back. A visit to Loch Garten revealed the male Osprey sitting on the nest and the female Osprey sitting in a tree nearby until she flew back in and displaced the male. He flew around and as we departed the hide he flew overs circling ever higher. On the walk to loch Malachite, a male Sikin seen and several more heard, no sight nor sound of the Crests but near the Dragonfly water, I heard a Spotted Flycatcher singing and saw it briefly in acrobatic flight. Early evening a visit to Craigellachie revealed 3 Tree Pipits singing and perched in trees in the mid distance. The screaming of a Peregrine was heard when an Osprey flew overhead and joined by another bird, and it later flew over the pool. Also on the pool was a female Goldeneye. Whilst a Song Thrush fed on the lawn by High Lodge. Every night we went along to the Cairngorm Hotel for an excellent meal at very reasonable prices and the icing on the cake was a chap in full tartan regalia playing bagpipes outside the front door from 8pm, absolutely brilliant!
Just back from an outstanding holiday at one of my favourite holiday destinations, Speyside and we also visited the Isle of Skye Thur 5 to 12 May 2016. Three quarters of the usual Scilly team drove up to Skye where we initially had brilliant sunny weather. On the journey up I had a brief sighting of a Whooper Swan(with extensive yellow on the bill) on a Loch and several Hooded Crows seen c8. On the journey up we stopped along the shores of Loch Lomond and the opposite side of the road I saw a singing Wood Warbler and the other side in a silver birch wood another reasonably close Wood Warbler was seen singing plus 2 Treecerreepers scaling the trees too. We also heard a Tree Pipit singing. We then went straight to Applecross where I had been informed by several people it was really easy to see Ptarmigan. We drove up to the summit and parked by a carpark either side of the road taking the track up to the tower. All we saw were Meadow Pipits. There was no sight nor sound or evidence ie. droppings of Ptarmigan anywhere. However we already had company at the top by a French speaking film crew who had been all over the summit and surrounding area. We arrived on Skye to brilliant sunshine but our only full day on Skye was sadly overcast with occasional spells of light rain. Driving over the bridge we saw 2 Red Grouse, at least 2 Buzzards, we saw 6 Hooded Crows. We stayed at Staffin, a really picturesque crofting community (what you would expect for an offshore Scottish island) overlooking a bay. Our stay got off to a great start when I saw a male Twite, a brown bird with forked tail and pink rump flew north east across the garden viewed from our room, later on a walk to the local community centre for dinner, we saw a Twite fly and settle distantly in a field and a Cuckoo calling seen perched at the top of the middle Pine in a group of 5 Pine trees. We also saw 3 Rock Doves flying past the croft fields or local garden they looked like pure birds but none posed for pictures! By the street before the harbour we got off to a good start with a Hooded Crow perched on a lamp post. We bordered the MV Stardust II hoping for close encounters with Eagle, however we didn't realise that a competitor boat went out at the same time and basically stole our birds. I spotted a Grey Seal poking its head out of water briefly. It's very disappointing when these boats can't o-ordinate with each other and we had paid £25 each for the privilege. Over some sea cliffs we saw 2 distant Golden Eagles fly over. As we approached some cliffs we were joined by the other boat and beknowst to us they had already thrown a fish out and suddenly out of almost nowhere, a large adult White- tailed Eagle flew to their boat grabbed the fish in its talons and flew off, giving great views for them but not quite so good for us! It perched on a large rock and fed on the fish grasped in its talons giving us some good perched views of this species. John spotted a Black Guillemot flying right and another Tystie seen later too. Around 20 Shags flew over the sea, 6 Guillemots and 6 Razorbills flew by. Also by the cliffs were up to 15 Rock Doves, genuine birds flying out from the cliffs and flying left. On the journey over, I spotted a group of 10 Kittiwake mostly adults with at least 1 immature amongst them. We then visited another White- tailed Sea Eagle nest perched on top a tree. Our Captain threw a fish out but the Eagle had already eaten and instead we were treated to a Bonxie flying in and settling on the sea and feeding on the fish. We were also taken to see a colony of 25 Common Seal resting on rocks and seen well from the boats some of the seals were swimming in the sea too. At another Loch, we saw both a male and female Red- breasted Mergansers swimming around the left hand edge of the Loch. A male Stonechat. Another Loch revealed 2 Red- breasted Mergansers another pair plus a fling 'Commic Tern', Just past castle we wandred around an estuary and saw 5 Swallows on perched on a wire fence. On the estuary, 4 Eider seen (2 males and 2 females) swimming around. Meadow Pipit seen feeding on the near rocks plus 2 distant Common Terns flying around a small rocky island plus 2 Common Sandpiper seen too. Finally driving past Loch where the road skirted the edge of the Loch, we saw 2 magnificent Red- throated Divers swimming close to the edge and one bird was calling its eerie wailing call. Photos were taken but the light was abysmal (as it had been all day). Finally, a visit to the north of the island a look out to a windy sea revealed 2 summer plumaged Great Northern Divers, 3 fly past Fulmars, 3 Black Guillemots and 10 Gannets. Just past this we stopped and saw another summer plumaged Great Northern Diver on the sea plus 2 Black Guillemot. On Sunday 8th May, at Staffin first thing, a Cuckoo flew east. 2 Rock Doves were also seen on the entrance path where the cars were parked but soon flew off. At a Loch, a Red- throated Diver seen distantly, another male Stonechat on a nearby bush. Common Sandpiper on the Loch edge and a Buzzard on a close Pylon which flew off when Tim stalked it, whilst I discovered a confiding Green- veined White butterfly clutching tightly to a blade of grass. On the journey over to Speyside, at a stop just before Rogie's Corner by some birch woods, we heard both a trilling Wood Warbler, heard a Tree Pipit and saw a Willow Warbler. On Speyside, we were welcomed by very sunny even summery weather, and at a local village, we saw Lapwing, Mistle Thrush and Pheasant in a field. Nearby at a loch, we parked up and took the lower track by the loch side and spied both male and female Goldeneye on the water. On the island in the middle, a large double bed-sized Osprey nest revealed a female Osprey sitting on the nest whilst a male Osprey was continually flying around. Unfortunately, as it was after 2pm we were looking into the light. A Song Thrush was seen feeding on the grass by the graves and a male Blackcap heard. At High Lodge motel at Aviemore, where we were staying for the next 4 nights, we saw and heard an overflying Siskin.
Thursday, 5 May 2016
This morning on Thursday 5th May, Green Hairstreak, male Orange Tip & Holly Blue butterflies enjoying the warmest day of the year so far in our garden. The Orange Tip always flying, whilst the Green Hairstreak is content to settle on our Hebe and Rose bushes and the Holly Blue occasionally showing too.
Wednesday, 4 May 2016
On Tuesday 4 May, 8 House Martin flying over the house this morning as I stepped out ready to go to work, a great start to the day! Plus 3 Linnets, 1 male & 2 females hopping on the pavement, when I arrived home from work this evening plus 2 Swifts flying south- east over the house and Fallowfields rough ground area, my first for the year.
Tuesday, 3 May 2016
Sunday, 1 May 2016
First thing this morning a dash down to Kessingland, revealed a fine male White Wagtail on the path walking down but sadly no Hoopoe. But a Wheatear was seen flying away I met Rob Win & Maurice B we had a calling Yellow Wagtail fly south and a Whitethroat singing from on top a bramble bush my first of the year. Next stop was Corton MOD stubble field not really sure where to look, I scanned from the road checked the Lodge no sign. A later tweet from Jane had me back there, this time pinned down to the hedge bordering the southern side of the field, I saw Margaret walking back and Paul & Jane by the cliff path, as I walked down the footpath, I suddenly disturbed a very fine male Ring Ouzel which must have been perched up in the bushes as it flew east chuckling, it was a fine male. I sat down waiting for it to pop out when up popped Craig & the 2 "Sheps" immaculately behaved as ever. We set up by the hedge and was joined by Paul & Jane and OFB later and the male Ring Ouzel hopped out and showed really well constantly feeding we saw it tug up at least 6 worms during our vigil. A dog walker brazenly walked up to the bird and was virtually on top of it when the Ouzel flew all the way to the Lodge compound before it flew back to the hedge when OFB returned we slowly walked up half way to the bird following the line of the hedge and the bird showed quite well feeding by the edge of the field before another birder walking up inadvertently flushed it and it flew back to the Lodge compound again.
on Saturday 30th April, a House Martin was heard calling near the house but not seen. on Carlton Marshes Scrape initially a beautiful sunny evening, on the Scrape viewed from the west end, I saw 2 White Wagtail- one feeding fairly close at the western side showed well through the scope another seen further straight out, joined by Rene, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 1 smart male flew by the cattle whilst 4 female flying around the scrape, a House Martin flew overhead, Whimbrel, sp Dunlin & 2 Little Ringed Plovers flew around including 1 close in at one stage, plus a fine summer plumaged Dunlin, it showed well plus Yellowhammer perced on the wires overhead + Cuckoo & 8 Groppers heard.


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We’ve all been there before: we’re at the end of a long evening, having consumed a lot of wine, and an intense headache begins to form. For most of us, the cause of a wine headache is simply drinking too much wine and not enough water. The simple solution here is to always be conscious of how much alcohol you consume and always stay hydrated.
However for a small section of our population, headaches from wine can occur even when we don’t drink a lot. So what causes these kinds of headaches and how can we avoid them?
There are three main culprits and solutions, but before we explain them, we want to clear up one myth – sulfites do not cause headaches. While sulfites can cause asthma symptoms, they do not cause headaches.
On to the three major headache-inducing culprits:
- Culprit One – Tannins:
As we discussed in our tannins post, tannins are naturally occurring compounds that exist inside grape skins, seeds and stems. You experience the effect of tannins any time you drink a wine that creates a drying sensation in your mouth, and for the majority of us, tannins create no headache at all. In fact, tannins are a great antioxidant source.But, if you seem to get headaches from wine more often when you drink red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec, you can do a quick test to see if tannins are the source of your headache trouble. Brew a cup of black tea and let the tea steep for five or ten minutes longer than the package suggests. Black tea is strong in tannins and over-steeping the tea will ensure they are all released into the water. Drink the tea and see if you get a headache. If so, you are susceptible to tannins and avoiding red wines will solve your headache issue.
- Culprit Two – Sugar:
Alcohol and sugar are two substances that when combined can create a powerful headache. When your body consumes alcohol or sugar, you need lots of water in order to help process the substances. If you are not well hydrated, your body starts to pull the necessary water it needs from other parts or your body, including your head. As the liquid in your head starts to deplete, a headache forms.To prevent this problem, avoid sweet dessert wines and white wines such as Riesling that are labeled semi-dry or sweet (if you enjoy Riesling but don’t want the sugar headache, make sure the wine is labeled as dry). Also to be avoided are cheaper wines, which tend to have more sugar due to the fact that mass producers add sugar during fermentation in order to boost the alcohol.
- Culprit Three – Histamines:
Histamines are chemicals that are released when we have an allergic reaction and can cause symptoms such as a runny nose, dry eyes and a headache. Recent research has found that food and drinks that have been aged, such as dry aged meats and red wines, can cause our body to release histamines and create these allergy-type symptoms. To prevent a histamine headache, simply take a histamine blocker such as Claritin prior to having a glass of red wine.
Let’s repeat: for most of us, the cause of a wine headache is simply drinking too much wine and not enough water. The mythical wine headache cure? It’s simple: the cure for a wine headache is to stop one it before it ever starts. In other words, don’t overdo it…especially at an office party!

domain: health


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This post’s guest blogger, Frédérique Lambrakis-Haddad, is the lead consultant at Traumainform (link – https://www.traumainform.com/). I have worked alongside her for several years and learnt much about working with young people with SEMH and Attachment disorders.
The post gives an insightful look into the world of these young people and offers practical tips for the educators and adults who work with them.
“All behaviour (truly) is communication”
As an educator, you’ve probably heard this phrase a million times before, but how does that overlap with trauma?
Below are 4 examples which exemplify different Types of Trauma. Do you recognise them? What can you do to support these pupils?
Teacher’s viewpoint. Zoe, 14 years old, living with her parents, in a middle class home and a white picket fence – or so it seems. She is pretty, well liked and a good student. Recently, Zoe seems to be hanging out with a new group of girls. Not her usual group and she starts skipping your class. You ask her what is going on and she tells you (in front of her new pals and avoiding eye contact): “nothing miss, you are just BORING!” and skips off but not before you notice a slight glaze in her eyes and you wonder, hmmm, is she high, or what is that all about?
Zoe’s story. “I cannot sleep well at night as dreams come to me. I cannot tell anybody what happened to me because I am such an idiot and mum and dad will be mad at me because they have told me a million times not to do THAT. He was so cute and I felt special when he asked me to walk with him in the park. I could not stop him from kissing and touching me. My skirt was too short. I am not even sure if I was raped, but it sure feels like it. It is my fault. My other friends don’t understand me. So what if I smoke weed to get to sleep?”
Zoe’s Trauma. Zoe is struggling with probable PTSD and feelings of shame, guilt and isolation. Her usual support system feels unavailable to her due to the feelings of shame and guilt. She needs intervention immediately and help with reconnecting with her previously existing support systems which are probably still available to her but she may need a bridge. Also, she can learn healthier ways to manage her anxiety as she appears to be self-soothing through use of drugs.
This is an example of ACUTE TRAUMA: a single event, like an assault or watching a car crash in front of your eyes.
Teacher’s viewpoint. Sam, 16 years old, lives with his mum, dad and younger sister. As his teacher, you have never seen his dad but you always contact his mum when he has pastoral detentions or exclusions. Other kids consider him a bully and it is just a matter of time, in your opinion, that he will either end up in custody or get thrown out of school.
Sam’s story. “My mum and sister are my world. Last night I heard my mum and dad get into it and I swear if he hits her again, I am going to beat the living S— out of him! I hate my dad. He tells me I am a piece of S— but he is the one who is really is a nasty C—and one day I will get big enough to kick him out and me and my sister and mum will live in peace.”
Sam’s trauma. Sam exhibits violence towards more vulnerable students because he has internalised this behavior through his repeated and consistent experience of witnessing violence from his dad. He may not respond readily to male mentors as he has not had an experience of a good male role model and he is very defensive. He runs the risk of becoming a perpetrator of domestic violence as he has not only internalised his father, but he appears to have idealised his mother and sister and may position himself as a “protector” of them. Interventions he is most likely to respond to include long-term community programmes and after-school mentoring where he truly begins to internalise and challenge the entrenched violent male role model he has lived with to date.
This is an example of CHRONIC TRAUMA: repeated, long term, like people who are living in war torn areas, bullying and domestic violence.
Teacher’s viewpoint. Ellie, 11 years old, has very few friends and looks dirty and unkempt. She is very thin and exhibits poor attention span. She is very quiet and seems like she has a learning disability, but the school has never gotten to the bottom of it. She lives at home with her single mum and is the eldest of 6 siblings. She talks to no one. You are worried about her and have approached her, but she is evasive.
Ellie’s story. “I am hungry. How can I concentrate on this Maths when I just need to know when I can get out of here because I saw some kids put their lunch boxes in that corner and when no one is watching, I am going to grab those crisps and biscuits. Kids make fun of me and I know I stink. Mum tells me I am a ‘loser’ and ‘stupid’ and she is right. What is the point of school, anyway? How can I learn when all I can do is hear my tummy growl and my arm aches where mum yanked me out of bed this morning because I was refusing to come in. I am in pain but I am not going to say anything because I hate social workers and I will just get sent away. Plus no one cares because I am a loser.”
Ellie’s trauma. Ellie is physically and emotionally neglected and abused. She lives in poverty and her mother is likely to have been a victim of abuse and neglect in her own childhood. Her mum’s poor parenting skills are aggravated by their poverty, lack of meaningful support and Ellie’s new adolescent sense of autonomy. Ellie’s self-esteem is extremely low as she has internalised all the hurtful messages given to her at home, which are amplified by her peers who mock her. Interventions she might respond to include building a one-to-one relationship with a staff person who, over time, might build trust. Also, pairing Ellie up with a peer who is kind and compassionate might help Ellie build bridges with other peers. Offering group or individual support to mum could help. Finally, any social work involvement needs to be done very carefully and only if there is very solid, documented and long-term evidence of neglect/abuse; if not Ellie might suffer more at home
This is an example of COMPLEX TRAUMA: multiple, prolonged, over time like experiencing abuse and/or neglect at a young age.
Teacher’s viewpoint. Tyree, 15 years old, looks angry all the time, has a few friends who seem really tight with him, is often truant and does not attend class but girls love him and his attitude. He lives at home with his mum, younger brother and older sister. You have tried to talk to him but he just shuts off. Once you saw him crying and you approached him and he told you to “F—- off and how could you understand anyway…you are just a white guy.”
Tyree’s story. “I am black and I never met my dad. My mum is white. I heard that my dad used to beat up my mum and that is why I never met him. I do not know what it is like to be a positive black male because every time I think of my dad I think I hate him and he is a piece of S—for beating up mum. Everyone around me is white, except my best mate. I was crying the other day because my other mates just told me that the girl I like only dates “black guys” so does that mean if she likes me, it is only because I am black? Is that all that I am? Why are all the messages I get about being black, bad or limiting? Nothing in the media or at home makes me feel good about that side in me.”
Tyree’s Trauma. Tyree is not only suffering from a lack of immediate positive role models which he is seeking as an adolescent, but he struggles with society’s definitions about what it is to be a black male. When his friends said the girl he likes only likes “black” boys, it reduces his whole self to a skin colour in a way that other people are not similarly stereotyped. It is not only reductive, but it chips away at his self-esteem and reinforces his already poor sense of self and identity. Tyree carries a trauma which has been societally supported and reinforced and so when daily events trigger him, he has a larger response than perhaps a white boy who has not grown up with all these negative images of his ethnic and cultural identity. Interventions for
Tyree include both individual and group supports in the community and out of school which promote positive male and black male role models.
This is an example of HISTORICAL/TRANSGERATIONAL TRAUMA: the most recently recognized type of trauma. It is the trauma that cultural or ethnic groups can carry and passed on from generation to generation, like racism or holocaust survivors.
So what are some of the therapeutic strategies that educators can use to approach the traumatised young person?
With the spirit of genuine curiosity and non-judgment, try to unpick what underlies the troublesome, “bad” behaviours. Your role can shift from being an enforcer of rules to an empathic detective and translator:
- Do not take insults personally. If I had a pound for every insult that was thrown at me over the past 20 years, I would be an exceptionally wealthy woman! If a student calls you the C word. Translation: “Do I remind him of his mum who is not emotionally present and so when I am nice to him, he does not trust it?”
- Be playful, but not “jokey.” Playfulness is a magnificent tool as it is gentle, mutual and light. It is very different from humour, which is so often mistinterpreted (especially when the student is hypervigilant).
- Be authentic and true to yourself. Students who are traumatised are hypervigilant and will be extremely attuned to you and your genuineness. Do not pretend to be funny, if you are not.
- Self-awareness is key to the success of your interaction with the student. If a student repels you, explore why? Similarly, what student draws you in? Both will inform you about yourself and you probably need to build distance between you and the one you “like” and build bridges between you and the one you “dislike.”
- Boundaries, boundaries, boundaries. Whatever you choose to share about yourself, be mindful that the student will have a different life experience and assign a different meaning to your story than you own.
Finally, remember that early trauma lodges itself in our bodies and minds and we may be unaware of it. In today’s world of COVID-19 anxiety and lockdowns, increasing climate change uncertainty, widespread realization of the pervasiveness of exclusion and inequality, and the fight for human rights , those of us who may have carried trauma from before, will be re-triggered and its impact on us will be more tenacious than for someone who has not.
Frederique Lambrakis-Haddad has had over 20 years of clinical experience working with significant emotional issues and has provided therapy, support and training to both staff and clients. She has worked extensively in organisational settings and has been a senior manager for 10 years, so she recognises pragmatic stressors senior leaders are often put under, whilst trying to provide the best for their clients and staff.
Frederique is the lead consultant at Traumainform.com

domain: psychology


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The US defense sector is bracing itself for what could be a trillion dollar shock. Unless Congress reaches a compromise soon, the US government will initiate automatic cuts at the start of 2013 that would slash almost $1 trillion from the defense budget over the course of the next decade, according to reports. Those cuts, along with the conclusion of the Iraq War, will probably contribute to smaller or fewer contracts for companies that provide goods and services to the Department of Defense (DoD), sources say.
“If the cuts happen in January, you’ll start to see DoD award fewer contracts,” says Todd Harrison of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. “The industry’s going to get smaller, because there’s going to be less money going around.”
The possibility of deep cuts likely had a negative effect on deal flow over the course of 2011, when defense sector M&A deal volume fell by 22 percent, according to a Deloitte Corporate Finance study.
“The potential for reduced budgets and the looming threat of sequestration (the procedure by which an automatic spending cut is triggered) has raised uncertainty with regards to the future outlook for some defense companies, and that is causing a near term decrease in defense M&A. That applies for private equity buyers and sellers as well,” says Peter Frankfort of Deloitte Corporate Finance.
Several years ago, many assumed that future cuts to government defense spending would target new programs, according to Argosy Capital founding partner Kirk Griswold. Contractors that provided research and development, or assisted with day-to-day operational services, were expected to be unaffected.
However, under sequestration, cuts would likely be felt across the board, creating uncertainty as to how individual portfolio companies could be affected by reduced spending.
That uncertainty prompted Argosy to expedite its plans to exit Ranger International, which provides maintenance, modification and overhaul services to Department of Defense and US Armed Forces’ aircraft and vehicles. Whereas Argosy typically holds its portfolio companies for four to seven years, the hold period for Ranger was less than three and a half years.
“The board had been aware of the budget cuts, and made the decision a year ago to explore the option of combining Ranger with a larger, more capable company … The concern over budget cuts was certainly a part of that,” Griswold says.
However, the cuts may also present opportunities, sources say. Harrison thinks it may enable some contractors to renegotiate DoD contracts to their advantage, while Griswold says that cost-saving programs in areas such as cyber security and unmanned aerial vehicles are “just hot”.
This thesis recently influenced The Jordan Company’s $98.75 million acquisition of VT Services, which provides logistics and engineering services support for the US Army and Navy, says managing principal Adam Max.
“Why would we buy into the defense industry when the budgets are getting cut?” Max asks. “This business is about logistics and communications within the DoD and related entities. If these organisations don’t have information systems operating at full capacity, they can’t run the other programmes. If you materially cut these activities, the results are binary … the organisation can’t operate.”
So will lower spending equal lower returns? Possibly, but not necessarily.

domain: economics


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The Department of Education (ED) has released new data showing that 18 million students were helped by emergency aid for colleges and universities throughout the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than half of which was used to provide emergency grants to students. These funds were provided through three rounds of Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) In total, $76.2 billion was provided, with half of those funds going to support students directly. Unusually for funding in higher education, the money was not heavily means-tested, and was distributed very quickly.
The report indicates that the funds were used for several essential purposes, including student basic needs, keeping staff employed, and helping keep students enrolled. For example, students used funds to cover things like food and housing at a time when employment was drying up for many students, ensuring that the Pandemic did not plunge students who already had limited funds deeper into basic needs insecurity.
Colleges used the emergency funds to help mitigate students’ costs, including reducing balances owed by students to their colleges. Over two-thirds of colleges reported that the support enabled them to keep staff and faculty on the payroll who might otherwise have been laid off. In addition, many colleges used funds to help re-engage and re-enroll students who were forced to drop out of college because of the pandemic. As enrollment in higher education has declined significantly over the past three years, these efforts are seen as vital to the long-term health of higher education and an economy in need of skilled workers.
“Today’s report makes clear that, for millions of college students, the financial lifelines delivered by President Biden through the American Rescue Plan’s Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund are what made it possible to stay enrolled and on track during the pandemic,” U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a press release.
Institutions were required to spend at least half of their HEERF funds on direct aid to students, but many schools chose to use dollars that they could have spent elsewhere to provide additional assistance to students. Around 2,000 colleges and universities spent $1.7 billion on other emergency grants for students, amounting to eight percent of institutional HEERF funds spent in 2021.
HEERF funds were vital for under-resourced schools, especially Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Tribal colleges. Both types of institutions have been historically underfunded, so the influx of support helped them keep support flowing to students that would likely not have been possible otherwise.
“The positive impact of the Biden-Harris Administration’s investments cannot be overstated, especially for students from the communities hit hardest by the pandemic, including our communities of color and low-income urban and rural communities. As I travel the country, I’ve been heartened to hear from students on how the American Rescue Plan helped them stay enrolled and from colleges and universities who said American Rescue Plan funds have helped raise the bar in how they support students, from forgiving debts to addressing food and housing insecurity, to expanding mental health supports, and so much more,” said Cardona
Pell Grant recipients and students attending under-resourced institutions were more likely to receive emergency grants. Pell Grants are federal financial aid primarily awarded to students from low-income backgrounds and used as a proxy for high financial need. Eighty percent of Pell Grant recipients received support and larger awards than other students, an average of $2,000, compared to $1,200.
The support from these emergency funding rounds, particularly for students, was unprecedented, especially given the relatively low administrative burden placed on students. Anti-poverty experts have long argued that the best way to support people in need is to provide cash and trust people to use it appropriately. However, that approach is rare, particularly in college financial aid, which tends to have a lot of red tape surrounding it. The direct support for students was also unusual because it did not change their eligibility for other financial aid—due to federal regulations, most emergency aid reduces students’ eligibility for additional funds, sometimes leaving them no better off.
By providing flexibility to colleges for how they distributed aid and limited eligibility criteria, HEERF funds were quickly distributed to students. Helping students access emergency support rapidly was key to the effectiveness of the support.
The pandemic turned a lot of thinking on its head, and hopefully, the idea that emergency aid has to be doled out with lots of conditions, and heavily means-tested are two of those things.


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Romanian women romanian dating
The area then was repopulated by peoples from the Romanized lands south of the Danube River or from the Balkans.The Magyars (Hungarians) conquered the area at the end of the 9th century and firmly established their control over it in 1003 when their king Stephen I, according to legend, defeated the native prince Gyula.You wouldn’t send inappropriate pictures that could be material for blackmail?is how you should treat your Natasha until you guys have met up, and discussed your offline future together.Seven historically Saxon villages that feature well-preserved medieval fortified churches—Biertan, Câlnic, Dârjiu, Prejmer, Saschiz, Valea Viilor, and Viscri—were inscribed on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites between 19.The historic centre of Sighișoara, also a Saxon settlement, was inscribed in 1999 as well. Thereafter the Romanized Dacian inhabitants either moved into the mountains and preserved their culture or migrated southward.
Shortly afterward the Turks were defeated before Vienna (1683).
When the Habsburgs reasserted their control over Hungary, Transylvania was separated from Hungary and transformed into a Habsburg crown land, subject to strict absolutist rule.
Subsequently it was reabsorbed into Hungary (1867).
The Transylvanians, their land overrun by the troops of the Habsburg emperor, then recognized the suzerainty of the emperor Leopold I (1687); Transylvania was officially attached to Habsburg-controlled Hungary and subjected to the direct rule of the emperor’s governors.
In 1699 the Turks conceded their loss of Transylvania (Treaty of Carlowitz); the anti-Habsburg elements within the principality submitted to the emperor in 1711 (Peace of Szatmár).
Search for romanian women romanian dating:
Blandrata encouraged Ferenc Dávid (1510–79), a Transylvanian theologian, to deliver anti-Trinitarian sermons.


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Prep 10 mins
Cook 6 hrs
An easy crockpot recipe I received in my email account this morning!
- 1 medium green pepper, chopped
- 1 medium zucchini, cubed
- 1 small onion, diced
- 8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
- 2⁄3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 (26 ounce) jar Prego spaghetti sauce (1 "large" jar)
- 1⁄4 cup sliced olive
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 (16 ounce) package spinach noodles
- Put everything except noodles in a crock pot for 6-8 hours on low.
- Serve over cookd noodles.
So tasty! My husband complains if I make spaghetti too often, but he devoured this! I didn't mention it was meatless, and he didn't notice...
I halved the recipe and made it in my little 3qt. crockpot. After 4 hours on low the veggies weren't quite as tender as I wanted, so I turned it to high for the 5th hour, and it was perfect. I don't like mushrooms, and chose to leave out the cheese. I did shred the zucchini and added 1 shredded carrot. Great recipe!
This was really good and simple. I modified with what I had. I didn't use any cheese, used canned mushrooms, used minced garlic instead of garlic salt, and just used regular noodles. I will definitely be making this again.

domain: food


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|Birth Day||July 17, 2003|
|Age||19 YEARS OLD|
Pop singer who signed with Columbia Records and Sony Music Entertainment. She first found acclaim by winning the first season British TV show Got What It Takes? in 2006. She has over 110,000 followers on her amaria_bb Instagram account.
She started singing when she was eight years old.
She performed at the Strawberries & Creem Festival with Little Simz in September 2021. She released the track "Moan Interlude" in 2013.
She grew up in Hackney, London.
She performed alongside Burna Boy at a festival in 2021.


Smyrna, The Jonquil City, is one of the Atlanta area's fastest growing destination for home buyers. Its location is perfect for families looking to have that suburban feel while still being close to the city.
Just a 15-minute drive from downtown Atlanta, yet free of the congestion. The City of Smyrna’s Village Green and Market Village are surrounded by and include 33 acres of parks and green space within one mile of downtown.
Charming neighborhoods with a vast array of amenities for residents like parks, jogging trails, pools, lighted tennis courts, public golf courses and much more. Most of Smyrna is just minutes from the Atlanta Braves Suntrust Stadium.
Search For Homes In Smyrna


Irmo falls to Dorman, 44-33 in SCHSL 5-A Basketball State Title Game
Cavaliers win largely by collecting turnovers, turning them into points
Columbia, SC (James Bowers) - The Irmo Yellow Jackets capped a 21-8 season with a runner up finish in SCHSL 5-A Basketball, after dropping a 44-33 contest to the Cavaliers of Paul M. Dorman High School at Colonial Life Arena Friday night. Dorman’s hard charging style on both sides of the ball benefited them, as they had 18 takeaways and 20 defensive turnovers against Irmo. The Cavs were able to turn these miscues into 15 points on the night.
The first quarter was a defensive struggle that ended with Dorman owning a slim 9-6 lead. Irmo turned on the scoring in the second period, picking up 13 additional points. As the second half began, Dorman saw improved scoring and began to shut down the Irmo effort, scoring 20 points in the third quarter as they began taking control of the contest. In the fourth quarter, Dorman’s defense limited the Yellow Jackets to a mere six points, clinching the 2017-2018 SCHSL 5-A Basketball title for the Cavaliers. Dorman’s state championship is the second straight for head coach Thomas Ryan and his team. The Spartanburg-area school finished the year with a 25-4 record.
Tim Whipple’s Yellow Jackets were led by Winston Hill, who had seven points, Trevez Caldwell, who scored five, and Dylan Williams, who put four on the board for Irmo. Dorman’s effort was headed by Myles Tate, who picked up 15 points for the Cavs, PJ Hall, who scored five points, and Kamron Smith, who added four to Dorman’s total.
Despite their defeat, Irmo’s players kept their heads high during postgame ceremonies as they received the runner-up trophy. The team had advanced to the state title game after shocking a heavily favored Blythewood team with a buzzer-beating game winning shot to win a 49-48 in the qualifying semifinal game. The Jackets had previously defeated Wando, Sumter, and West Ashley in the playoffs.
Irmo began the regular season strong but hit a rough patch at the start of region play. Their players were credited with maintaining their resolve despite the losing streak, and Irmo recovered from the skid to finish third in Region 5-A.The 2017-2018 Irmo Yellow Jackets will be remembered as one of Tim Whipple’s finer clubs. Whipple will have some holes to fill in their next year’s roster, as Winston Hill, Trevez Caldwell, Hasuan Rivers, and Raekown Heath all graduate in 2018. However, the SC prep basketball legend and Yellow Jackets head coach Whipple has had little trouble molding young talent in his decades-long career.


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The Wilderness World of John Muir
Edited by Edwin Way Teale
Houghton Mifflin, 1982.
332 pages, paperback
Very Good Condition
Cover is a little worn. Text is unmarked. Spine is creased.
A selection from Muir’s collected work, including pieces about Yosemite, the High Sierra, doing a 1000-mile walk, Alaska, his boyhood and his philosophy. A few illustrations by Henry B. Kane.

domain: literature


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LAKE CITY, S.C. (WBTW) — A 34-year-old Lake City man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges stemming from a shooting that injured another man in October 2021.
Frederick Markees Adams was sentenced after pleading guilty to a charge of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, a Lake City spokesperson said. He was still in the Florence County Detention Center as of Friday afternoon, according to online jail records.
Lake City police investigated the incident and issued warrants on Oct. 8, 2021, and Adams was arrested on Oct. 26, 2021, by members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force.
“Lake City Police Department officers responded to the incident and discovered the victim with what appeared to be two gunshot wounds and immediately requested the assistance of FCEMS and LCFD,” Maj. Patrick Miles. “The victim was transported to a local trauma center where further life-saving measures were taken, ultimately saving the victim’s life.”
Miles praised the work of investigators.
“I am extremely proud of the work our officers and investigators put into this case and I think the 12th Judicial Circuit Solicitors officers did a phenomenal job in achieving justice for the victim,” Miles said. “A key component to the successful outcome of criminal cases is communication and cooperation. Everyone seemed to be on the same page with this investigation, everyone from Lake City Police Department, the witnesses, victim, the U.S. Marshalls Fugitive Task Force, and the solicitor’s office all came together and achieved a common goal, which was to obtain justice for the victim and to remove a dangerous criminal from our community.”
* * *
Dennis Bright is a Digital Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on, Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.


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When you enroll at Albion, you will establish a "student account." This account will be used for all campus transactions including tuition, room and board, and telephone bills.
If you are awarded financial aid, it will be deposited into your student account and applied to qualifying expenses. This includes any scholarships, grants, and loans you may receive.
You have the right to cancel any portion (or the entire amount) of a federal loan that is applied to your student account if the funds are not needed. Contact the Student Financial Services Office within 60 days of the date of disbursement and provide a written request on the amount and type of loan to be canceled. Cancellation requests should be submitted no later than two weeks before the end of the current semester.
There are many ways to give—and even more reasons to give. Your gifts are an investment in our students, faculty, and staff, and each one makes an immediate and lasting impact.

domain: finance


Reward was a skate punk band from Quebeck, Canada .Their discography is: demo called Welcome and split with Try Again.
I'm looking for that demo and split to buy in original. Now you have chance to downland their demo which is rare even in web.
Reward - Welcome
Later I will upload Reward/Try Again split.


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In economics there exists a measure known as social cost. A social cost exists when an activity generates negative externalities – for example, when a power company causes environmental pollution, or when a plump stranger decides to sit next to you on the bus.
Both of these situations cause irreparable damage, yet only the former is taxed. This tax is known as a Pigovian Tax, and it already exists in a variety of markets.
Should the obesity market be next?
Before we condemn fatties to paying their true price we must examine the facts. Are they a source of negative externalities? And, if so, which ones?
Below I offer a humble list of four costs that healthy, fit members of society must pay as a result of our larger counterparts.
1. Space infringement
Due to their wider nature, obese individuals tend to take up more space.
Yes, I already hear the chunkies mumbling. So do tall people. And muscular people.
But it is not the same. The imprint of your ass and the circumference of your belly is the cause of the distress. Ask yourself: how let-down are you when you navigate your way to your seat on the airplane only to have Big Molly’s flabby love handles strewn halfway across your seat?
2. Weight Considerations
Most furniture is not made to support an elephant.
So what happens when big old Carlos decides to plop his behind down onto your bed? The box spring caves in, never to return to its original position (true story). Yet another cost we all must pay.
3. Health Costs
A lot of money goes into the diagnosis and treatment of obesity induced diseases and illnesses. No, we don’t have to suffer diabetes. But the health insurance we all pay is raised to treat the neighborhood fatty. This cost is not like the others, it is measured in actual dollars and cents.
4. Dating Supply
Dating is a game of supply and demand, just the same as any other market. And skinny people don’t date fat people. This constitutes a decline in the supply of potential partners. We demand compensation!
And So I Conclude
I hope the list above assists you when considering the cost obesity places upon society as a whole. A tax to balance these negative externalities is only logical.
In fact, one was proposed in 1942 by psychologist AJ Carlson to counter some of the externalities listed above as well as to provide more food for the war effort. Denmark and Japan have already begun the official war on fat with limited measures that tax unhealthy foods and waist-sizes.
I propose a tax not upon unhealthy foods, but on waist size or body fat percentage. 1% income tax for every 1% of bodyfat over an obesity determined baseline. Make them pay…
Read Next: 3 Reasons Why America Can’t Afford Obesity


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I totally forgot to mention my new tattoo. I tend to forget about my tattoos haha..when somebodies like "heh whats that on ur wrists" it ALWAYS takes me longer than 10 seconds to realize I've got one. I got it just thursday, it's still in the oh-so-painful healing process. Here's a picture:
I just wanted to get an Ankh but it turned out to have a triple meaning.
1. The Ankh itself -> egyptian sign for joy / appreciation of life.
2. Crucified Jesus. I deny every religion. There is a HUGE border between RELIGION and BELIEVE in my opinion. God doesnt live in Churches...
3. A sword as sign of strength. It doesnt need a close look to see the sword in it ;-)
It turned out that everyone see's something different in it, some see the sword, some jesus, others the ankh... The process of getting it was not painful, more like a massage at times haha seriously.. the healing tho is very painful. Let's hope it'll still look great in the end.
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
Spend the weekend in medieval Erfurt. Every year in June, theres a huge medieval festival in my lovely city Erfurt, called "Krämerbrückenfest" (mr.google knows better folks). Started out on Friday when my dear friend Anna invited me to join her watching her friends, the English band "Bleeding Hearts" @a gig in the Irish pub of Erfurt. Whilst I discovered the beautiness of a reflex camera , my friend Eric found his soulmate in singer Steven.
Saturday i was off to meet some LARP-friends -> live role players. Knights and elves fighting with sword and axe. I did always make fun of them but in the end it turned out to be a great way to just forget all your problems and dive into a new (old :P) world - the world of the medieval ages. Great people i tell ya.. I now bought my outfit for the next medieval festival to come in August. Salve!

domain: hobby


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Oceans and islands
It’s time for an adventure. Perhaps it’s always time for an adventure of one kind or another? The trouble is, many people live in my head – it gets very crowded in there. The bold, brave me makes plans to have a bold, brave adventure and then disappears a few days before it’s time to go, leaving the meek, nervous me (who’d really rather stay at home) to pack an impossible amount of things into a small bag and face the stress of international airports, connecting flights, meeting new people, sailing new boats and facing rough seas.
But the sixties is a powerful decade of life, if you are lucky enough to be in reasonable health. Your diary becomes sprinkled with more funerals than weddings and life gains in intensity. Every day that you wake up brings a deep rush of gratitude. The phrase ‘I’ll do that one day’ has been replaced with ‘If not now – when?’. Some new skills or experiences cost money, some don’t and if they do, you look at the dwindling pot of savings that you’re keeping for a rainy day and realise that it’s pouring and the time is now.
When I tell people where I’m going some of them say ‘Oh how wonderful, I’d love to do that!’ but many others say ‘good grief, are you quite mad?’
I have packed four empty sketchbooks but no camera. Suncream, sunhat, thermal underwear, balaclava, oilskins and waterproof boots. This time it’s no cruise ship, and if you’ll forgive my size 6 carbon footprints of the flights at each end, I’m doing several thousand miles of travel in between under sail. My journey under sail begins in the Galapagos Islands and finishes at the Falklands. I have a thing about islands. I’m interested in the way that the sea connects them all and yet isolates them all, giving each a unique character, and I think islands can teach us much about the planet, itself a little island in space. There are no places left on earth that humans haven’t got at and messed up, but the southern ocean still has enough power and beauty to put us in our place. For some reason I’d like to see it. On Christmas day I will be somewhere off Cape Horn, so raise a glass to me that day if you’re sitting by a toasty warm fire.
The boat I’m joining in Galapagos has just sailed through the Northwest Passage at the top of the American continent (it is rather more ice-free these days than it used to be – I wonder what poor Lord Franklin would make of that?). ‘Tecla’ is a Dutch ketch, steel, and has been round the world before, so she and her crew know what they’re about. Obviously I’ll be out of contact for most of the time but she does have a satellite tracker on board so you can follow our progress on https://www.tecla-sailing.com/follow-the-tecla/
I’ll be back in January, hopefully with some full sketchbooks and a new appreciation of our watery world. If you want to do some Christmas shopping and you live locally, come and see me this week or come along to my final open studio weekend of the year:
Saturday 2nd November 10-5 and Sunday 3rd November 12-4. Get in touch if you need directions (01394 549247)
If you’re not local, don’t worry – my online shop will be open while I’m away as my friend Emma will be popping into the studio regularly to package up and send out orders. Don’t forget your year planner! Mine is on the wall and I have worthy thoughts of working extra hard next year to fill up the empty coffers. No more adventures for a while after this one, honest. Well, for a while at least.
Finally, if you’re tempted to run away to sea but are not sure where to start, I heartily recommend hopping across to https://classic-sailing.co.uk/ – but be warned – once you get addicted to traditional boat sailing there’s no going back!


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- Captain America charging into Hydra’s military base, mask on, shield swinging
- 2 Headsculpt – 1 masked, 1 unmasked
- 2 Left arm – 1 holding the shield, primed for swinging, 1 holding onto a torn Hydra flag
- 2 Right arm – 1 with clenched fist and 1 holding mjolnir
- 1 shield to allow for display on Captain America’s back.
- Costume inspired from the Ultimate series
- Base depicts crates of weapons, mortar launcher and hydra mask
- Crafted in cold cast porcelain
- Each painstakingly handcrafted statue is individually hand-painted with the high quality finish.
- Alvaro Ribeiro – Foo Tze Wei
- Alvaro Ribeiro (Sculpt)
- Carlos Dattoli (Art Print)
- XM Studios Design and Development Team
Formats Premium Masterline
Series Marvel Premium Collectibles
Scale 1/4 Scale
Product Code XMCAPRCA1/4B
Product Size Approx. H:52.8cm W:41.1cm D:25.9cm
Product Carton Boxes Approx. 1
Product Weight Approx. 11.4kg
Material Polystone and other materials
Limited edition 499 !!!


Ray Parks and Nagoya could not repeat against Shimane, bowing 86-94 in the 2021-22 B.League Division I tournament, Sunday at Dolphin’s Arena.
Unlike their stunning upset yesterday, the third quarter doomed the Diamond Dolphins.
Reid Travis took over in the third canto, scoring 15 of his 25 points to give the Susanoo Magic a 66-60 edge heading into the final frame.
The defense of the Diamond Dolphins broke down in the final frame, allowing their visitors to grab hold of a 90-77 lead late in the contest.
Travis also grabbed 13 rebounds, towing Shimane to an 11-5 record.
Perrin Buford also had 21 points on 18 attempts with seven rebounds. Seiya Ando added 17 points and seven assists while Kosuke Kanamaru chipped in 10 points.
Nagoya, who dropped to 9-7, was led by Takumi Saito, who had 24 points.
Parks, who was outstanding yesterday, was limited to just 13 points on 4-of-9 shooting with three assists, two steals, and two rebounds while Scott Eatherton added 17 points and 10 rebounds.
In his second game with the Diamond Dolphins, former PBA import Rob Dozier only had five points and two rebounds in 14 minutes of action.
Nagoya will head to Kyoto next weekend.


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Swearing Reduces Experience Of Pain
Scientists have discovered that uttering swear words can help to lessen the feeling of physical pain.
A study at (the UK) Keele University found that volunteers were able to withstand pain for longer when they swore.
Dr Richard Stephens, who conducted the study at the university’s school of psychology, believes it may explain why swearing is still common place in languages around the world.
Stephens suggests that swearing could have evolved as a way of raising aggression levels and reducing the feeling of pain to allow our ancestors to flee or fight back when attacked by predators.
He said ‘We think it could be part of the flight or fight response. In the volunteers who swore, we also found they had an elevated heart rate, so it could be increasing their aggression levels.
“Increased aggression has been shown to reduce people’s sensitivity to pain, so it could be swearing is helping this process.”
The results of the study are published in the journal NeuroReport
The study found that volunteers who swore were able to keep their hands submerged in icy water for an average of 40 seconds longer than those who did not swear. Their experience of perceived pain was also lower.
The volunteers’ heart rate was also measured and found that it increased while swearing.
Dr Stephens said that swearing is quite an emotional form of language and it is an almost universal human linguistic phenomenon.
“When my wife was in labour with our daughter she felt the need to swear heavily at one point, but was very apologetic afterwards. The midwife said they were used to that kind of language on the delivery ward, so it got me thinking.”
“Our research shows one potential reason why swearing has developed and why is persists.”
Summarised for byronbodyandsoul.com by Mark O’Brien from an article Swearing can reduce the feeling of pain by Richard Gray
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InterNations Madrid | Friday Night Clubbing Event
Enjoy a hot winter night at one of the most famous gin clubs of the Spanish capital. Get to know other members and make new friends! As usual, we will dedicate the time from 21:00h-23:00h to networking with the music a low volume. Later on, the DJ will take over and it´s up to you to hit the dance floor!
We are looking forward to meeting you!