text:
Skip Navigation LinksHome > March 2012 - Volume 18 - Issue 2 > Medical Countertransference and the Trainee: Identifying a...
Journal of Psychiatric Practice:
doi: 10.1097/01.pra.0000413276.03467.49
Winner of Resident Paper Award 2011-2012

Medical Countertransference and the Trainee: Identifying a Training Gap

Free Access
Article Outline
Collapse Box

Author Information

JIMÉNEZ and THORKELSON: Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Please send correspondence to: Xavier Jiménez, MD, PGY-4 Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 3811 O’Hara St., Room A-20, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.

Collapse Box

Objective. Although consultation-liaison (CL) psychiatrists are implicitly expected to recognize and consider interpersonal dynamics in clinical settings when offering recommendations, few guiding principles have been established, strongly suggesting the presence of a training gap. Methods. Trainees in psychiatry residency programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) were invited to complete an Internet-based, 20-item, Likert scale questionnaire assessing practices and opinions concerning countertransference management and training. Results. Of 192 respondents, 162 (84%) reported having participated in a rotation on the CL service for at least some period of time and were eligible to complete the survey; 136 (71%) reported having completed at least 2 months of CL rotations. Approximately 80% identified a frequent need to address countertransference reactions when working with primary medical/surgical teams, but less than a quarter reported doing so regularly. The motivation for addressing such issues in over half of the respondents was the belief that it would be “clinically beneficial” to patients, although 40% of respondents also feared that this practice could “worsen the relationship between the CL consultant and the primary team.” Regarding training, 95% of respondents felt didactics addressing counter-transference would be “clinically beneficial”; however, three fifths of the respondents reported that “very few” to none of their didactics explored this issue. Conclusions. Results of this study suggest that discrepancies exist between trainee perceptions of the utility of countertransference management in CL psychiatry and actual training in this area. The authors discuss possible explanations for these discrepancies and advocate for the establishment of formal guidelines in training CL residents in such aptitudes. (Journal of Psychiatric Practice 2012;18:109–117).

Consultation-liaison (CL) psychiatry, a term that is sometimes used interchangeably with psychosomatic medicine, is a subspecialty of psychiatry, with fellowship training programs first established in 2004 by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). CL practice emerged informally during the mid-18th century in the United States when Philadelphia’s Pennsylvania Hospital was founded to care for both psychiatric and medical patients.1 Although the scope of CL psychiatry is broad, one of the widely accepted core competencies, as established by a 2008 collaboration of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine (APM), and the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN), is that psychosomatic medicine psychiatrists shall “skillfully manage transference and countertransference issues that arise between patients with psychiatric disorders and/or interpersonal conflicts and their caregivers in general medical settings.”2 A similar call for trainee competence in transference and countertransference management as part of training in CL psychiatry has also been issued in Europe.3

Limited formal guidance exists concerning this role of the CL psychiatrist, although interpersonal dynamics among medical teams and the patients they treat affect clinical landscapes in undeniable ways. The best documented manifestations of this phenomenon include negative countertransference reactions.4 Poor quality of care and increased conflicts among clinical staff have been recognized as primary and secondary outcomes, respectively, of countertransference in the medical setting.5 Clinical scenarios involving negative countertransference reactions have also been linked to outpatient treatment dropout rates and negative outcomes.6Such emotional reactions have also been recognized as contributing to passive aggressive, self-defeating, and avoidance behaviors toward patients, which can in turn result in patient-perceived abandonment and punishment.7 In terms of consultant-consultee relations, triangular conflicts involving patient, clinician, and CL psychiatrist have been conceptualized as unconscious projections of disavowed feelings from patient to provider and from provider to consultant.8

In this study, we explored such forces assuming that they are relevant and important for CL practitioners to consider at all times. Terms used by cognitive and behavioral therapists that may in some ways correspond to the term countertransference include maladaptive schemas, automatic negative thoughts, or dysfunctional core beliefs.9 In addition, a significant body of literature explores the notion of unconscious physician bias,10 with numerous studies revealing disparities in physician care of patients based on ethnic, racial, socioeconomic, gender, and religious parameters. As such, researchers have shown how a physician’s conscious and unconscious beliefs directly influence his or her interpersonal behavior in the medical encounter.11 For the sake of clarity, because it is taught loosely to all medical students, and given the use of the term by the academic bodies mentioned above, we chose the term countertransference (defined below in the “Methods” section) as a singular, unifying concept in an attempt to assess current trainee experiences in navigating interpersonal dynamics within the medical setting. We recognize the inherent difficulties in using this term, but we ultimately chose it over the narrower cognitive-behavioral concepts and the potentially stigmatizing construct of bias. Thus, psychodynamic terminology is emphasized in this study, although we acknowledge how cognitive-behavioral and other models can be similarly descriptive and relevant.

Back to Top | Article Outline

The objective of this survey study was to sample resident attitudes and practices with regard to management and mediation (or lack thereof) of countertransference in non-psychiatrists from the perspective of the CL trainee.

Back to Top | Article Outline

Participants and Survey

Current psychiatry trainees in psychiatry residency programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) across the United States were invited to complete an Internet-based ( 20-item questionnaire (combining Likert-scale and qualitative items) that asked about practices and opinions about CL countertransference management and training (see Appendix). The survey was completely voluntary and confidential, with no traceable demographic information included in order to protect the anonymity of subjects. Exempt-status Integrated Scientific and Ethical Review Board (ISERB) approval was obtained from St. Vincent Catholic Medical Center. A national e-mail listserv of chief psychiatry residents from all ACGME-accredited training programs in the United States was obtained. The survey website link was e-mailed to these chief residents along with instructions asking them to distribute the survey among their residents but specifically not to circulate it to fellows or attending physicians. Respondents were asked to complete the survey only if they had participated in a CL rotation for at least some period of time. Collection of data was completed over 6 weeks (April to May 2010).

Back to Top | Article Outline
Definition of Countertransference

Multiple definitions of the construct of countertransference have been proposed in the literature.12–15 Traditionally, these definitions focused on the psychotherapeutic patient-analyst dyad; however, more recently they have encompassed nuances of all interpersonal interactions. For our survey, the classic and narrower Freudian perspective was chosen, which was indicated at the beginning of the survey where countertransference was defined as “the physician’s unconscious emotional reactions to the patient as influenced by past relationships and/or unresolved conflicts.”16 Respondents were asked to keep this definition in consideration throughout while they completed the survey. Data on level of CL exposure as indicated by months of rotation time were also collected. For each item in the survey, an effort was made to explain that countertransference pertained to the primary medical/surgical team, not to the CL resident or psychiatric team.

Back to Top | Article Outline
Data Analysis

Data from the survey were aggregated and analyzed for basic trends by the authors based on percentages of responses to individual questions. Replies to open-ended questions were also collected (see Table 1 for sample responses) and are discussed where appropriate in the results.

Table 1
Table 1
Image Tools
Back to Top | Article Outline

Of 192 respondents, 162 (84%) reported having participated in a rotation on the CL service for at least some period of time and were therefore eligible to complete the survey, while 136 (71%) reported having completed at least 2 months of rotations on the CL service. It should be noted that the nationwide ACGME-accredited psychiatry resident census for the study period (2009–2010)17 was approximately 4848, although a substantial portion of these residents (including all first-year interns) were not eligible to complete the survey because they had not completed CL rotations.

Back to Top | Article Outline
Clinical Data

Approximately 80% of respondents identified a frequent need to address countertransference reactions in the primary medical/surgical treatment team. Respondents listed a number of motivations (Figure 1) for addressing such reactions, including the thought that “it could be clinically helpful” (84.5%), that the resident “felt the consult itself was primarily motivated by countertransference reactions” (60%), and that the resident was “instructed” to do so by a “superior/supervisor” (30.3%). Furthermore, one resident indicated that addressing reactions was warranted when “the primary team was interested in examining or improving their countertransference.”

Figure 1
Figure 1
Image Tools

Less than a quarter (21%) of the respondents opposed openly addressing the primary team’s countertransference reactions (Figure 2); of these, 34.6% felt that doing so might “worsen the relationship between CL consultant and the primary team.” In addition, 19.2% of these respondents reported they had “not been sufficiently trained in this aspect of CL” and/or felt uncomfortable with the task. Despite this sense of inadequacy, only one respondent felt it was not the role of the CL resident. Interestingly, 30.8% of these respondents felt the practice of addressing countertransference was futile and that “the primary team is probably not receptive.”

Figure 2
Figure 2
Image Tools

When asked what the perceived outcomes of addressing such countertransference reactions were, the respondents appeared divided, with approximately a third (37.9%) reporting that “clinical care seemed to improve,” a third (38.6%) saying “the relationship between CL consultant and the primary team improved,” and a third (31.4%) feeling that it “depended on the nature of the case.” These last respondents were asked to elaborate and the majority (16 of 27 collected explanations) felt the clinical outcome of addressing countertransference varied according to the characteristics of the primary team. This sentiment was evidenced by statements such as “it depended on the capability of the medical team to reflect on this” or “it depended not on the nature of the case but more on the physician.” Alternatively, one respondent explicitly described the outcome as dependent on patient traits (severity of illness, genuine pathology versus malingering of symptoms), while two respondents felt that a combination of provider and CL consultant characteristics was most important in determining the results of any CL intervention. Table 1 illustrates a sampling of these resident responses.

Regardless of the overwhelming support for addressing countertransference in the primary medical/surgical team, a separate survey item revealed that over three-quarters (76.6%) of respondents rarely or never did so in clinical practice. Only six respondents reported addressing countertransference the “majority of the time” when they consulted on cases, and no respondents said that they “always” addressed countertransference (Figure 3).

Figure 3
Figure 3
Image Tools
Back to Top | Article Outline
Training Data

While the responses discussed in the preceding section establish the importance of countertransference to the average CL resident, the data further suggest a dearth of training encounters on the CL service devoted to the matter (Figure 4). Indeed, a full 95% of respondents indicated that CL didactics (defined as classes or lectures outside of clinical rounds and supervision) addressing countertransference management would be at least somewhat “clinically beneficial” as opposed to ineffective or detrimental. Conversely, two-fifths of those surveyed reported “very few” of their didactics addressed countertransference and nearly one in four of the 136 respondents had never been exposed to didactics on such issues.

Figure 4
Figure 4
Image Tools

Subsequent questions addressed other forums for discussing countertransference management on the CL service. Between rounds, case conferences, and supervision, only 11% of respondents denied exposure to any discussion of countertransference issues. Two-thirds of respondents indicated that only “some” or “very few” case conferences addressed this area, while 81% identified comparable frequencies of discussion of countertransference management during clinical rounds. In contrast, one in five residents used “most” of their CL supervision sessions to discuss countertransference and its implications or techniques for management in some capacity, once again indicating the principal role played by individual supervision in training.

Back to Top | Article Outline

Key Findings

The survey results presented here reveal significant trends among current psychiatric trainees. They suggest that residents have a strong desire to address countertransference in non-psychiatrist clinicians but the respondents also expressed considerable apprehension and hesitation about doing so. Limited instruction in this area, as indicated by the data, is a tempting singular explanation for this phenomenon; other factors also appear to be involved including perceptions that the exercise may be futile or that the success of intervention depends mostly on the receptiveness of the primary medical/surgical team rather than on the CL trainee’s abilities. The data we collected also revealed limited discussion of countertransference in a number of teaching settings, including didactics, clinical rounds, and case conferences, although the respondents notably recognized the role of individual supervision in providing guidance to trainees in conceptualizing countertransference.

Back to Top | Article Outline
Strengths and Limitations

The study’s strengths include a sizable sample, distribution across all ACGME-accredited psychiatry residencies (although it is uncertain which programs responded as this identifying information was not collected), and items exploring attitudes as well as practices. A limitation of the study was lack of control over who responded, with distribution spread among chief residents across the nation. The response rate was also lower than we had hoped for, and it is suspected that a response bias existed primarily in terms of higher responses from the home institutions of the authors. We also recognize difficulties in universalizing what is meant by counter-transference, but ultimately we believe that its use in this study was preferable to the use of other terms such as bias, cognitive distortion, or other terms that are associated with inherent problems of their own. In addition, despite our efforts, the possibility that items were answered based on a consideration of the psychiatrist’s as opposed to the non-psychiatrist’s countertransference is very real.

Back to Top | Article Outline

Despite its limitations, our survey revealed a number of important clinical and academic realms in CL psychiatry that appear to be suffering from incomplete attention or guidance. The demonstrated dichotomy between attitude and practice, whether due to lack of training or a sense of futility, suggests that residents may be unable to fulfill their CL expectations. Without appropriate or concrete guidance, CL residents find themselves unable to grapple effectively with countertransference issues and are often confused as to whether the task is even their own.

Back to Top | Article Outline
Future Directions

The findings from our study suggest potential strategies that could be developed to train CL residents in how to think about and approach countertransference in medical settings. Such interventions could take a number of forms, ranging from general medical education on the inevitable unconscious biases to which all physicians are predisposed,18 to specific educational initiatives tailored to the CL psychiatrist’s role.

CL psychiatrists have used various approaches to encourage house staff to address their emotional reactions toward patients and each another. One technique involves ombudsmen rounds in which a medical attending physician and a psychiatrist incorporate staff into a team-based, biopsychosocial approach to care, with emphasis on staff interactions with patients and with one another.19 In 1970, Massachusetts General Hospital famously implemented weekly “autognosis” or “self-awareness” rounds managed by the CL service that eventually grew to involve medical house staff rotating in the intensive care unit. These interactions encouraged non-psychiatrists to identify their subjective reactions to clinical scenarios, learn how to utilize emotions clinically, appreciate how to mitigate potentially negative sequelae of such reactions, and to discuss these feelings with other staff. This led to the recognition of body sensations in trainees as an indicator of potentially problematic countertransferential reactions and to the creation of “The Red Book,” a forum whereby members of the house staff were encouraged to document and share feelings induced by their hospital work.20

The question of whether these tactics could or should be implemented at a national, board-regulated level in the context of third-party payer systems and other systemic, financial, and clinical constraints remains relevant. A disparity in attitudes versus practices is the most telling finding from the study presented here, and it begs several questions regarding potential obstacles to the CL resident trainee approaching the primary team with counter-transference interpretations. In a separate article,21 the authors explore in depth a number of systemic and interpersonal variables that may contribute to difficulties among CL trainees in managing non-psychiatrist countertransference. There appear to be immense difficulties in conceptualizing, articulating, and ultimately teaching CL countertransference interventions. Nevertheless, the authors feel that a call for formal training and development of guidelines is warranted and have begun to develop measurable curricula22 utilizing both psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral approaches to elucidate less-formalized liaison competencies.

Back to Top | Article Outline
Appendix Cited Here...
Back to Top | Article Outline

Survey on countertra...
Survey on countertra...
Image Tools
1. Schwab JJ. Consult-liaison psychiatry: A historical overview. Psychosomatics. 1989;30:245–54

2. APA Council on Psychosomatic Medicine, the ABPN Psychosomatic Committee, the Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine (APM) Education Committee, Fellowship Directors & APM Executive Officers. The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology psychosomatic medicine core competencies outline, June 4, 2008. (Available at, accessed February 13, 2012).

3. Sollner W, Creed F. European Association of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatics Workgroup on Training in Consultation-Liaison. European guidelines for training in consultation-liaison psychiatry and psychosomatics: Report of the EACLPP Workgroup on Training in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatics. J Psychosom Res. 2007;62:501–9

4. Groves JE. Taking care of the hateful patient. N Engl J Med. 1978;298:883–7

5. Caracci G. Teaching countertransference to residents: A survey. J Am Acad Psychoanal. 1997;25:617–21

6. Malstberger T, Buie DH. Countertransference hate in the treatment of suicidal patients. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1974;30:625–33

7. Rossberg JI, Karterud S, Pedersen G, et al. Specific personality traits evoke different countertransference reactions: An empirical study. J Nerv Ment Dis. 2008;196:702–8

8. Hyphantis TN, Arvanitakis KI. Physicians’ “compliance with treatment” in the context of consultation-liaison psychiatry: The role of “triangle” relationships and projective identification. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2008;2:189–93

9. Beck JS Cognitive therapy: Basics and beyond. 1995 New York Guilford

10. Teal CR, Gill AC, Green AR, et al. Helping medical learners recognize and manage unconscious bias toward certain patient groups. Med Educ. 2012;46:80–8

11. van Ryn M, Fu SS. Paved with good intentions: Do public health and human service providers contribute to racial/ethnic disparities in health? Am J Public Health. 2003;93:248–5

12. Freud SStrachey J. The future prospects of psychoanalytic therapy. and trans. The standard edition of the complete psychological works of Sigmund Freud, Volume XI. 1910 London Hogarth Press:144–5

13. Racker H. Contribution to the problem of countertransference. Int J Psychoanal. 1953;34:313–24

14. Etchegoyen H The fundamentals of psychoanalytic technique. 2005 London Karnac Books

15. Cabaniss D, Cherry S, Douglas CJ, et al. Psychodynamic psychotherapy: A clinical manual. 2011 West Sussex and New Jersey Wiley-Blackwell

16. Gabbard GO Long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy: A basic text. 2010second edition Arlington, VA American Psychiatric Publishing:15–6

17. Resident Census: Characteristics and distribution of psychiatry residents in the U.S., 2009–2010. American Psychiatric Association.

18. Dasgupta N, Greenwald AG. On the malleability of automatic attitudes: Combating automatic prejudice with images of admired and disliked individuals. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2001;81:800–14

19. Strain JJ, Hamerman D. Ombudsmen (medical-psychiatric) rounds: An approach to meeting patient-staff needs. Ann Intern Med. 1978;88:550–5

20. Stern TA, Prager LM, Cremens MC. Autognosis rounds for medical house staff. Psychosomatics. 1993;34:1–7

21. Jimenez XF, Thorkelson GD, Alfonso C. Countertrans ference in the general hospital setting: Implications for clinical supervision. Psychodynamic Psychiatry. [Black Square];[Black Square]:[Black Square] (In press

22. Jimenez XF, Azzam P Assessing and improving consult psychiatry resident competencies in liaison roles and countertransference management on medical/surgical services. Poster presented at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center 10th Annual GME Leadership Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, February 25, 2011

consultation; consultation-liaison psychiatry; countertransference; psychosomatic medicine; residency; academic training

© 2012 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.

Article Tools

Search for Similar Articles
You may search for similar articles that contain these same keywords or you may modify the keyword list to augment your search.


Content-Type: application/http; msgtype=response

WARC-Truncated: length

WARC-Type: response

text:
Sunday, May 3, 2009

Lemony Chicken and Noodles

This recipe originally had the name of "really good" noodles and chicken. And, that about sums it up. I've modified the name to be a bit more descriptive... what makes it so good is the combination of lemon, cheese, garlic and bacon. This is quite a tasty dish. Thanks, Leigh Anne for sharing!

Lemony Chicken and Noodles - Modified from Leigh Anne

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tsp. dried rosemary (or 1 T fresh, minced)
1 lemon, zested and juiced
salt and pepper, to taste
3 T honey
8 oz thin spaghetti (we love whole wheat from Ronzoni)
1 T olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 C bacon, cooked and crumbled (we used turkey bacon)
1/2 C cream
1/2 C shredded Parmesan cheese
1 medium red bell pepper, diced (or 3 roma tomatoes, seeded and diced)

Bring water to a boil and cook pasta according to directions. Drain and set aside.

Fire up the BBQ (or use your Foreman grill like those of us who don't have the "real thing"). Mix together the honey and 2 T. of lemon juice.

Spread on the chicken breasts and sprinkle pepper and rosemary on top (you can add salt too, we omit).

Place on grill and spread honey/lemon mix and sprinkle spices on the other side before closing up the grill. Cook through.

Once the pasta is nearly done cooking, begin making the sauce ... it's quick!

In a large skillet, saute garlic in olive oil until it smells fabulous (about 2 minutes). Then, add the bacon and red pepper and cook until peppers are crisp-tender.

Turn the heat to low, and add the remaining lemon juice and all of the lemon zest (yes, it's going to be lemony!). Stir in the cream and remove from heat.

Pour sauce over the drained pasta, and toss in the Parmesan cheese. Slice the chicken breasts thinly, and place on top of the pasta. Serve warm.

  1. this was a GREAT recipe! thanks for sharing, but you are missing the cream in your ingredient list!

  2. Hi Heather -- thanks for that catch! I've updated the recipe.

Thanks for stopping by! I'd love to hear from you; especially how you're finding JOY in your kitchen.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

warcinfo:
robots: classic
hostname: ip-10-180-206-219.ec2.internal
software: Nutch 1.6 (CC)/CC WarcExport 1.0
isPartOf: CC-MAIN-2015-22
operator: CommonCrawl Admin
description: Wide crawl of the web for May 2015
publisher: CommonCrawl
format: WARC File Format 1.0
conformsTo: http://bibnum.bnf.fr/WARC/WARC_ISO_28500_version1_latestdraft.pdf


text:
Submitted to Photo Challenge: Twins
Uploaded 28 Apr 2009
Spotlight This! Enter Shoot Out
Login Required

To add items to your favorites you must login.

Already have a JPG account?

Need to create a JPG account?

JPG+ Required

Collections are a JPG+ feature. You must be a JPG+ member to create new collections and to add photos to collections.

Sign up for JPG+ to start using collections now!

© Jody Burley
Views 67
Likes 0
Favorites 0
Comments 3
Would you like to also give a props comment to the photographer?
All dislikes require a comment. Please tell us why you do not like this photo.

More of Jody Burley's Photos

  • Another Mr.Lizard
  • Moth
  • Boats on the Mekong River, Laos
  • Hey Mister Bug

Submitted to Photo Challenge: Twins

  • You must have got the skinny DNA
  • Moth
  • sunflowers
  • Evil twin
Photo Info
UploadedApril 28, 2009
TakenMarch 4, 2009
ModelCanon EOS 450D
Exposure2.5 sec at f/14
FlashNo Flash
Focal Length105 mm
No categories yet.
No tags yet.

Enter "SPORTS"!

Q: has anyone bought the leash and cuff quick connect straps wondering how they work in real life

A: Do you know?

Photo license: © All rights reserved

Moth Wings Macro

3 responses

  • Leanna Lomanski

    Leanna Lomanski gave props (28 Apr 2009):

    Wow! Fabulous macro!

  • Jamie Alexander

    Jamie Alexander (Deleted) gave props (28 Apr 2009):

    That's incredible!

  • Martin Bay

    Martin Bay said (3 May 2009):

    Great macro - almost look like a bird!

To add your comment, Log in or sign up!

Please Login or Sign Up

You must be logged in to enter photos into JPG Shoot Out contests.
Login or Sign Up


text:
Uploaded 29 Oct 2011 — 4 favorites
Spotlight This! Enter Shoot Out
Login Required

To add items to your favorites you must login.

Already have a JPG account?

Need to create a JPG account?

JPG+ Required

Collections are a JPG+ feature. You must be a JPG+ member to create new collections and to add photos to collections.

Sign up for JPG+ to start using collections now!

© Frank Goetz
You need to sign up or login to view this photo.
Views 82
Likes 1
Favorites 4
Comments 1
Would you like to also give a props comment to the photographer?
All dislikes require a comment. Please tell us why you do not like this photo.

More of Frank Goetz's Photos

Photo Info
UploadedOctober 29, 2011
TakenOctober 28, 2011
ModelCanon EOS 7D
Exposure1/125 sec at f/22
FlashNo Flash
Focal Length51 mm

Lifestyle, People

No tags yet.

Enter "SPORTS"!

Q: Do you still have a magazine?

A: Do you know?

Photo license: © All rights reserved

1 response

To add your comment, Log in or sign up!

Please Login or Sign Up

You must be logged in to enter photos into JPG Shoot Out contests.
Login or Sign Up


text:
Polynesian Sunset

Uploaded 5 Nov 2011 — 2 favorites
Spotlight This! Enter Shoot Out
Login Required

To add items to your favorites you must login.

Already have a JPG account?

Need to create a JPG account?

JPG+ Required

Collections are a JPG+ feature. You must be a JPG+ member to create new collections and to add photos to collections.

Sign up for JPG+ to start using collections now!

© Ahmed Roberson
Views 66
Likes 1
Favorites 2
Comments 0
Would you like to also give a props comment to the photographer?
All dislikes require a comment. Please tell us why you do not like this photo.

More of Ahmed Roberson's Photos

  • Sky High
  • Polynesian Sunset
  • Just in time....
  • In the Air
Photo Info
UploadedNovember 5, 2011
TakenNovember 5, 2011
MakeNikon Corporation
ModelNIKON D300
Exposure1/250 sec at f/11
FlashNo Flash
Focal Length12 mm
No categories yet.
No tags yet.

Enter "Workplace"!

Q: It seems that there is a very narrow selection of images in VS. Why

A: Do you know?

Photo license: © All rights reserved

I had an AMAZING Shoot with a New Model/Professional Polynesian Dancer today.....and here is one of my Best from the Session.

Hope you like it as much as I do :-)

No responses

To add your comment, Log in or sign up!

Please Login or Sign Up

You must be logged in to enter photos into JPG Shoot Out contests.
Login or Sign Up


text:
Uploaded 8 Apr 2012
Spotlight This! Enter Shoot Out
Login Required

To add items to your favorites you must login.

Already have a JPG account?

Need to create a JPG account?

JPG+ Required

Collections are a JPG+ feature. You must be a JPG+ member to create new collections and to add photos to collections.

Sign up for JPG+ to start using collections now!

© Thomas Cheung
Views 17
Likes 1
Favorites 0
Comments 2
Would you like to also give a props comment to the photographer?
All dislikes require a comment. Please tell us why you do not like this photo.

More of Thomas Cheung's Photos

  • smoked
  • rise
  • story
  • walls

Photo license: © All rights reserved

2 responses

  • Davide Simone

    Davide Simone (Deleted) gave props (1 May 2012):

    cool shot

  • David Jeffries

    David Jeffries gave props (14 May 2012):

    Great backlighting

To add your comment, Log in or sign up!

Please Login or Sign Up

You must be logged in to enter photos into JPG Shoot Out contests.
Login or Sign Up


text:
Alvirne Chapel

Uploaded 17 Jan 2013 — 4 favorites
Spotlight This! Enter Shoot Out
Login Required

To add items to your favorites you must login.

Already have a JPG account?

Need to create a JPG account?

JPG+ Required

Collections are a JPG+ feature. You must be a JPG+ member to create new collections and to add photos to collections.

Sign up for JPG+ to start using collections now!

© David Lee Tiller
Views 28
Likes 0
Favorites 4
Comments 6
Would you like to also give a props comment to the photographer?
All dislikes require a comment. Please tell us why you do not like this photo.

More of David Lee Tiller's Photos

  • Inextricable
  • Alvirne Chapel
  • Eventide
  • Linear Equation
Photo Info
UploadedJanuary 17, 2013
TakenJanuary 16, 2013
ModelCanon EOS 60D
Exposure1/60 sec at f/5.6
FlashNo Flash
Focal Length24 mm
No categories yet.
No tags yet.

Q: where can i buy back issues

A: Do you know?

Photo license: © All rights reserved

6 responses

To add your comment, Log in or sign up!

Please Login or Sign Up

You must be logged in to enter photos into JPG Shoot Out contests.
Login or Sign Up


text:
Uploaded 31 Mar 2008
Spotlight This! Enter Shoot Out
Login Required

To add items to your favorites you must login.

Already have a JPG account?

Need to create a JPG account?

JPG+ Required

Collections are a JPG+ feature. You must be a JPG+ member to create new collections and to add photos to collections.

Sign up for JPG+ to start using collections now!

© marija pavlovic
Views 106
Likes 0
Favorites 0
Comments 1
Would you like to also give a props comment to the photographer?
All dislikes require a comment. Please tell us why you do not like this photo.

More of marija pavlovic's Photos

  • Self Portrait
  • place for relaxing ...

Photo license: © All rights reserved

1 response

  • dostana matic

    dostana matic said (4 Apr 2008):

    you have your own style...this is example

To add your comment, Log in or sign up!

Please Login or Sign Up

You must be logged in to enter photos into JPG Shoot Out contests.
Login or Sign Up


text:
Home Message Board Events Courses J-Town Disc Golf Club
J-Town Disc Golf: Aaron Studer

Author Topic: Aaron Studer  (Read 514 times)

Aces and Chains

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 523
    • View Profile
    • Aces and Chains
Aaron Studer
« on: June 19, 2012, 11:55:39 AM »
I'd also like to give a special thanks to Aaron Studer for getting several hole sponsors for the Chain Reaction tournament. He got a sponsorship from Fast Printing of Joliet, and Lety's Bar. Thanks Aaron!

Fast Printing is where I get the posters printed at, and they are always on time with a quality product. Not to mention that the owner is a disc golfer.

Lety's - Go to Lety's bar and grill and say "it's 5 oclock somewhere" and get your second beer free.

Aces and Chains - Get you some!


text:
Saturday, June 05, 2010

Cool garage built golf cart for getting around hot rod shows (like goodguys)

Her husband had a car that wasn't gonna make it to restoration (if I recall correctly) and used the best parts to make this golf cart for her (you can see she needs crutches) to get around the car shows with

If you see the Studebaker convertible I posted earlier, it's hers too!

No comments:

Post a Comment


text:
Hi and welcome to my website!

Are you looking for my Young Adult books and ones that I write as Kate Maddison?

If you’d like to keep up with my new releases, please sign up for my newsletter.

Current status:  Launching my latest release, WHEN I FIND HER! Also launching my new nature stock photo website, LookLagoon!

Personal status:  Planted a new tree in my backyard — a beautiful Japanese Maple.

When I Find Her

Available now!

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 25 other followers


text:
Thursday, 30 January 2014

Gifts from China - Happy New Year!

I have been a member of Postcrossing for over a year now. If you haven't heard of it before, it is an international postcard swap site. I love it and have received loads of wonderful cards and made a few pen pals through it. Last year I had a message asking if I could send some Dr Who 50th Anniversary stamps to a lady in China who was a real fan. I got her a set of stamps and also sent the Official Annual for that year too. I hadn't swapped with her before so wasn't sure if I would hear back from her. I received a parcel in the post this morning that made my day!

Here is what was in my parcel. Unfortunately, there was no note so I'm not sure what the symbols mean.

I would imagine these are for Health, Wealth and Happiness
Chinese Knots are a symbol of traditional auspicious decoration.
This is a "Red Pocket" Children receive money in them during Spring Holiday
This lovely book has all 12 signs of the Chinese year. The animal is cut from a sheet of paper and mounted on plastic.
These scenic postcards are wonderful too. I love the oriental styles.
These are postcards of her hometown Suzhan, a city near Shanghai.
This is a close up of part of the banners she made for me. On the bottom of the picture is a dragon and on the top is an eagle or maybe a Phoenix.
This is one of the two banners. I would love to know what all the symbols mean.
I am so touched with my package. The banners are home made by her Uncle as the ink has come through the paper. To me that makes them even more special, that someone has gone to the trouble of making them for me. I can't wait to get into our new house and have our own little Chinese New Year Celebration!

One thing I am sad about is the lady who sent them to me didn't leave a name on her notes so I have no way of thanking her. I carelessly deleted her email after posting the stamps to her or I certainly would have written to thank her! I am hoping she may email to see if the parcel arrived so I can thank her then.

Xin Nian Kuai Le!
Happy New Year!

  1. What a lovely parcel to receive! I always try to get into postcrossing but I'm totally useless at sending things off, seeing the lovely things you receive after sending gifts off make me want to try it again!

  2. Totally cool! And brave... as like Forest Gump says... you never know what you're gonna get.

Please leave a comment as I would love to know what you think of my ramblings, thanking you muchly!


text:
On Air Now

George Noorey
George Noorey
9:00pm - 12:00am

Infinite Menus, Copyright 2006, OpenCube Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Local News

Forty workers will be cut through attrition and layoffs at Western Communication's seven newspapers.

The Bend Bulletin's publisher says they've avoided layoffs for the last four years, but the loss of revenue from foreclosure notices is forcing them to cut their workfoce.

Some foreclosures are no longer required to be published in a newspaper and that is resulting in the monthly loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Traffic & Weather

  • Brookswood Blvd CLOSED >< Pinebrook and Lodgepole Dr. (5/14 - 9/4)
  • Skyline Ranch Road CLOSED behind Summit High School (4/22 - 7/22)
  • Vandevert CLOSED between US 97 and Blue Eagle Road to replace RR crossing. (5/27 - 29)
LinkedUpRadio Envisionwise Web Services


text:
The KBOO Food Show, March 2007

Food Show guests are Kat Daddy and Tres Shannon from VooDoo Donuts.

Talking about salt is Mark Bitterman from The Meadow at 3731 N. Mississippi Ave.
The Meadow website is

Copyright © 2012 KBOO Community Radio | Copyright Policy | Community Guidelines | Website Illustration & Design by: KMF ILLUSTRATION


text:
FACT: 64% of KCBS members own three or more grills/smokers
FACT: 70% of our members grill-out/cook BBQ more than 25 times per year
FACT: 56% of Americans report having a smartphone, 77% of KCBS members do
FACT: 70% of KCBS members use Facebook
FACT: 55% of members choose charcoal when cooking for leisure
FACT: 23% of KCBS members work in the food service industry as a restauranteur or caterer
FACT: Learning from friends, family and at competitions is the best way to improve cooking skills
Joining KCBS has its privileges!
  • The official KCBS monthly newsletter, "The Bullsheet"
  • Save $5 when you buy 3 bags of Adirondack Grilling Pellets
  • Access KCBS Preferred Rates at Choice Hotels
  • 10% off all Creekstone Farms® products
  • 10% off any ICEHOLE Cooler or the option to customize your ICEHOLE Cooler with your team or KCBS logo for $50.00.
  • 15% off your total order from Papa Tony's seasonings and ribs.
  • One-day shopping pass at any Restaurant Depot location when you present your KCBS membership card.
  • 20% off your total order from Sadler's Smokehouse online store.
  • $0.50 off TABASCO Chipotle or any pepper sauce flavor!
Twitter    Facebook
All About Barbeque 101
Looking for secrets? Ask the Pros in person!
Filter classes by month:       Filter classes by year:       Filter classes by state:

Cooking Classes - August 2014

Paul Kirk - Pitmaster Class
KANSAS CITY, MO 08/09/2014
Chris Marks - BBQ Bootcamp
SELLERSBURG, IN 08/23/2014
Harry Soo - BBQ 101
DIAMOND BAR, CA 08/23/2014
Bob Snelson
KANSAS CITY, KS 08/23/2014
Chris Marks - BBQ Bootcamp
SELLERSBURG, IN 08/24/2014
Harry Soo - BBQ 101
ALAMEDA, CA 08/30/2014
Our Best of the Best 700 180 100+


text:
The One to Count On...

Law Enforcement Releases Location of Kalona Business Owner’s Vehicle

Posted: Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 at 6:30 am
Author: KCII News - Bill Gatchel

According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the car of 45 year old Sharon Ruth Hopf of Crawfordsville was found at an abandoned home located just outside of Wright City, Missouri, about 30 miles west of St. Louis.  The surrounding area near the location of Hopf’s car was searched, but Sharon was not located.  Law enforcement agencies from both Iowa and Missouri continue to investigate the disappearance.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Sharon Hopf or information related to her disappearance are asked to contact either the Washington County Sheriff at 319-653-2107 or the Warren County, Missouri Sheriff’s Office at 636-456-7088.

KCII will continue to monitor this story and will bring you more information as it becomes official.


text:
Skip to main content

Executive Committee, Working Groups Chart Next Steps

FRANKFORT Ky. – Today, Gov. Steve Beshear and U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers joined the SOAR Executive Committee to launch a summer internship program through the Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) initiative, in partnership with Eastern Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues.

EKU committed $20,000 to support five interns who will work directly with each of the 10 working group chairs until August. The interns will support each group by communicating progress and discussions in an effort to promote transparency and increase citizen participation in the SOAR initiative. Additionally, a UK graduate student will work directly with communications teams from the offices of the Governor and Congressman to assist with media coverage.

“It is my hope that this internship will inspire more students to get involved in the SOAR initiative. SOAR is designed to shape the path forward for our region, and it is our young people who will be the long-term beneficiaries of the efforts and decisions we make today,” said U.S. Rep. Rogers. “We appreciate the commitment from EKU and UK to support these students as we steam ahead.”

“I cannot think of a better way to further show our commitment to eastern Kentucky than involving our young people who are our future leaders,” Gov. Beshear said. “SOAR is an important initiative to this region, and the more we can communicate and involve all the participants, the greater our success will be.”

Also today, Gov. Beshear and U.S. Rep. Rogers met with the executive committee and working group chairs to discuss the structure and bylaws of SOAR, the next steps for the working groups and initiating the search for an executive director to be in place later this year. He or she will organize a second SOAR summit to be held this fall.

With an overwhelming response to help shape the future of Kentucky’s Appalachian region, 250 people are now involved in the initiative’s 10 working groups and executive committee. Those individuals are leading discussions focused on the region’s future economic well-being and quality of life. Based on citizen and organizational input, the groups will identify significant opportunities and a long-term vision related to their topics.

The working groups’ focus areas include broadband; agriculture, community and regional foods; business recruitment and incubation; education and retraining; and health.

Groups also include infrastructure; leadership development and youth engagement; regional collaboration and identity; and tourism, including natural resources, arts and heritage.

To help carry the mission forward, East Kentucky Power provided a contribution of $5,000 to support various SOAR meetings and activities this summer.

The Kentucky Campus Compact has also committed multiple VISTA volunteers to support SOAR committees, operations and communications for one year, starting in July. The VISTA positions are part of a project called “Toward a Sustainable Kentucky” or TASK. To learn how to become a VISTA member, contact Kristen Hedgebeth at

The next SOAR joint committee meeting is tentatively scheduled for July.

For more information about SOAR, visit and follow SOAR activities on Facebook @ShapingOurAppalachianRegion and on Twitter @SOAR_EKY.

To contact the SOAR office, call 606-444-5127 or 606-437-5127.

About the SOAR initiative
The SOAR initiative was launched by Gov. Beshear and Congressman Rogers in late 2013, after a stunning downturn in the coal market exacerbated historic challenges in eastern Kentucky related to unemployment and poverty. More than 1,700 Kentuckians attended a one-day SOAR summit in Pikeville in December. SOAR is intended to help the region develop and put into action new locally-oriented strategies to attack persistent challenges.

About & Help

Kentucky Unbridled Spirit Logo

© 2015 Commonwealth of Kentucky. All rights reserved.

Back to Top


text:
A New Destination For Kayakers: The L.A. River?

Sep 20, 2011

The once-polluted and often ridiculed Los Angeles River is now open to kayak and canoe adventures. City officials and the Army Corps of Engineers are running a pilot program that allows people to explore the river.

In the South American rain forest, I once paddled in a dugout canoe through the lush Amazon River, filled with pink dolphins and flesh-eating piranhas. So the thought of navigating down the Los Angeles River at first seemed almost ridiculous.

Most of the 51 miles is a trickle of water in a concrete ditch, a sewer leading to the Pacific Ocean, a Hollywood setting for drag races and car chases.

But the other morning, I found myself in a two-person canoe on a stretch of the river from Van Nuys to Burbank. I had to hold my recording equipment and camera, so L.A. City Councilman Ed Reyes did all the paddling.

"Just pretend we're in Venice," he joked, as a guide began singing, "When the moon hits your eye, like a big pizza pie..."

This part of the L.A. River can get waist deep. There's dirt on the bottom, and willow trees and sycamores bursting through the concrete along the banks. Officials want more of the L.A. River to become like this: a wildlife habitat.

Reyes has invited fifth-graders from a L.A.'s Leo Politi Elementary School to explore with us.

"You guys ever been on the river before?" he asks the 10-year-olds.

"No," they shout in unison.

"The reason you're so special," he tells them, "is you're the first group of students that will be able to say, 'I was on the river and did not get arrested.' It's legal to do this."

A Fast-Flowing River

Three years ago, environmentalist and writer George Wolfe paddled the river in a suit and tie.

"This was to draw attention to how crazy commuting is in L.A.," Wolfe explains from the bank of the Ballona Creek, which was once part of the L.A. River. "So here was this guy who got so fed up he leaves his car on the freeway and he gets in a kayak and goes from his home in Valley to Long Beach."

As head of a satirical website called the LaLa Times, Wolfe featured the prank on a YouTube video. Later, he helped lead a "Lewis and Clark"-type expedition through the entire 51 miles of the L.A. River "to demonstrate that it was navigable so that it could then be protected under the Clean Water Act, which was in jeopardy at the time."

Wolfe, who now leads L.A. River Expeditions, says his research helped spur the Environmental Protection Agency to federally protect the L.A. River. He credits the Army Corps of Engineers with green-lighting the kayak pilot program.

Engineer John Sweeten says it's a change in perspective for the corps.

"Decades ago, we tried to keep everybody out of the river, cause it's very dangerous," he explains from his office downtown. "This river's designed to flow way faster than anything you've ever really experienced in nature."

The Army Corps built the channel from the 1930s to the 1960s in order to control flooding. So now, when it rains hard, just six inches of water in this river can move so fast, it can knock over a 300-pound person.

Signs Of The City

Back on the water, Councilman Reyes recounts to the children how he and his brother used to explore the L.A. River back in the 1960s.

"We used to get rubber tires and pieces of wood and we'd just float," he says.

One of the kids asks Reyes: "What did you use to paddle?"

"Our arms," laughs Reyes. "The water's a lot cleaner today than it was then."

Reyes says maybe they shouldn't have gone into the water after all.

Even though environmentalists regularly clean up this part of the river, there are still signs we're in the city. On the river banks, used plastic bags hang from the branches, which have graffiti tags carved into them. Spray paint cans, Styrofoam cups and water bottles bob on the water. Rusty shopping carts submerge from the murky riverbanks.

"It's all part of the urban slobber," Reyes says. "It sounds disgusting, but it makes people think."

During our two-hour trip, guides from the California Conservation Corps helped us down the rockier parts, what they called "rapids."

In the shallow stretches, we got out and walked. There was one more natural section without concrete they dubbed "The Grand Canyon."

We saw a foot-long carp, a cover of coots and a siege of herons.

By the end of the trip, when I finally started rowing, the children had counted 32 discarded shopping carts. And one kid, Arvin Gonzalez, was fearless enough to jump in the shallow river.

He says the water was cold but also warm, and I ask if he think it's clean.

"I'll swim in it," he says as he smiles.

What will he tell his friends about the L.A. River?

"It was really fun," he says, adding that he'll tell people to not pollute in the streets. "If it rains, the trash goes in the drain pipe; the trash ends up in the river, then the river will take the trash to the ocean."

These kids from L.A.'s Pico Union neighborhood rarely get to spend time in nature. It may not be the Amazon, but they say this was the best field trip ever.

Copyright 2011 National Public Radio. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.


text:
Jobs deficit grows, median income shrinks in Pa.

August 29, 2012

The liberal group Keystone Research Center paints a discouraging picture of Pennsylvania in its latest jobs reports.

The findings, released Wednesday, show lagging employment numbers and declining median household income.

Center economist Mark Price says Pennsylvania's job numbers are not recovering fast enough to absorb people laid off during the recession and young people entering the job market for the first time.

"One of the more grim facts from the past year is that the jobs deficit has actually increased in the last 12 months by roughly 74,000 jobs. So, essentially, the Pennsylvania labor market is not performing very well," Price said, "It's losing ground."

Price says a weak labor market has held down wages -- except among those with the highest income, according to the latest data available from 2010. Price says that the top 1 percent of earners captured three-quarters of Pennsylvania's income growth.

The report, which now goes out to state legislators, recommends increasing government spending to stimulate job growth and a hike in Pennsylvania's minimum wage.


text:
Contact Us

‘Sons of Anarchy’ Season 6 Premiere Sneak Peeks: SAMCRO’s Last “Straw”

Tomorrow night will see the boys of SAMCRO roaring back as ‘Sons of Anarchy‘ season 6 revs out its latest premiere event, “Straw,” picking up shortly after the events of season 5 finale “J’ai Obtenu Cette.” The Sons are out of immediate danger for the moment, but what new villains might emerge to challenge the boys in the first three clips from the ‘Sons of Anarchy’ season 6 premiere?

Things seem back to business in the first two clips from Tuesday’s premiere “Straw,” as Gemma greets a returning Juice and confides with Unser about her latest troubles, but SAMCRO rarely stays out of trouble for long. The third clip (via Zap2It) features the group getting in hot water with a group of foreign pornographers, before the bullets quickly begin to fly. From FX’s official press release for season 6 premiere event “Straw”:

As Jax continues to push the club into more legitimate businesses he can’t escape the sins of SAMCRO’s past. Written by Kurt Sutter; directed by Paris Barclay.

While we wait for the September 10 premiere, the sixth season of ‘Sons of Anarchy’ will feature the likes of ‘RoboCop‘ star Peter Weller, C. Thomas Howell, ‘Shameless’ star Steve Howey, former ‘The Shield’ star CCH Pounder and ‘Deadwood’ vet Kim Dickens, while both Drea de Matteo’s Wendy and Donal Logue’s villainous Lee Toric will return, and Jimmy Smits (Nero Padilla) was upgraded to series regular. Series creator Kurt Sutter previously confirmed to reporters that the next batch of episodes would likely open a few days ahead in the story, with the weight of the season 5 finale’s events still fresh.

Well, what are you waiting for? Check out the ‘Sons of Anarchy’ season 6 premiere in the clips above and below, and give us your predictions for “Straw” in the comments!

Best of 95.7 KEZJ

Recommended For You

Around the Web

Leave a Comment

It appears that you already have an account created within our VIP network of sites on . To keep your personal information safe, we need to verify that it's really you. To activate your account, please confirm your password. When you have confirmed your password, you will be able to log in through Facebook on both sites.

Forgot your password?

*Please note that your prizes and activities will not be shared between programs within our VIP network.

It appears that you already have an account on this site associated with . To connect your existing account just click on the account activation button below. You will maintain your existing VIP profile. After you do this, you will be able to always log in to using your original account information.

*Please note that your prizes and activities will not be shared between programs within our VIP network.

Please fill out the information below to help us provide you a better experience.

(Forgot your password?)

Not a member? Sign up here

Sign up for EZ VIP Club quickly by connecting your Facebook account. It's just as secure and no password to remember!

Sign up to have exclusive EZ VIP Club contests, events, coupons, presales, and much more delivered to you for FREE.


text:
Filling the need for trusted information on national health issues…

Trending on kff King v. Burwell Medicaid Expansion Health Spending

SearchPrivate Insurance Search Results « » The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

  • your selections
Clear Search

Filter Results

Content Type

  • results
  • state & global data
  • slides
Explaining Health Care Reform: Questions About Health Insurance Subsidies

This brief describes health insurance subsidies available through the Affordable Care Act’s marketplaces, including premium subsidies that would be provided in the form of tax credits, as well as other subsidies that would lower cost-sharing to eligible Americans. It provides details on who is eligible for the assistance, the maximum repayment limits for the credits, and out-of-pocket spending limits.

Health Care Costs Survey – Toplines

This document includes the toplines from the joint USA Today/Kaiser/Harvard School of Public Health survey exploring Americans’ views on health care costs.Survey Toplines (.pdf)

Update on Individual Health Insurance

This report provides information about the individual health insurance market using data from the largest vendor of this type of insurance, eHealthInsurance. The report includes who is buying individual insurance, what they are actually paying for the insurance, and buying patterns. It is the first in an up-coming series of…

Issues for Structuring Interim High-Risk Pools

One of the first provisions that would be implemented under federal health reform bills in the House and the Senate would establish a national high-risk pool program to offer coverage to otherwise uninsurable individuals during the interim period between enactment and implementation of broader health care reforms. High-risk pools provide…

Statement of Gary Claxton to NAIC Exchanges (B) Subgroup

Kaiser Family Foundation Vice President Gary Claxton, who directs the Foundation’s Marketplace Policy Project, testified July 22, 2010, at a public hearing before the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ Exchanges (B) Subgroup established by the health reform law.  Testimony (.pdf)

Mapping Premium Variation in the Individual Market

This analysis examines how premiums for individual health insurance differ around the nation, finding that premiums can vary substantially from state to state. The average per-person premium in 2010 ranged in cost from approximately $136 per month in Alabama to more than $400 per month in Vermont and Massachusetts. The…

Insurer Rebates under the Medical Loss Ratio: 2012 Estimates

Beginning in 2011, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires insurance plans to pay out a minimum percentage of premium dollars towards health care expenses and quality improvement activities, limiting the amount spent on administrative and marketing costs and profit. Under the law, large group plans are required to spend at…

Quick Take: Timing Matters: States Waiting for a Supreme Court Decision to Plan an Exchange

State-based health insurance exchanges are an important component of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) designed to extend subsidized private health insurance coverage to millions of Americans by 2014. Though projections show exchange enrollment could grow to 20 million individuals nationally, aggressive planning on the part of states…

Visualizing Health Policy: Health Coverage Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Related ResourcesStudy Highlights Role of Geography and Plan Shopping Under Medicare Premium Support SystemMedicare Part D: A First Look at Part D Plan Offerings in 2013The Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit – An Updated Fact SheetOnline Consumer Guide to Medicare The latest Visualizing Health Policy infographic is a flowchart illustrating the mechanisms…


text:
Kheper Home | Kabbalah | Topics Index | New | Search

Hymn for the Sabbath Eve

(Friday Sundown)

by Rabbi Isaac Luria, the Ari Zaal

I sing in hymns
to enter the gates
of the Field
of holy apples.

A new table
we prepare for Her,
a lovely candelabrum
sheds its light upon us.

Between right and left
the Bride approaches,
in holy jewels
and festive garments.

Her Husband embraces Her
in Her foundation,
giving Her pleasure,
squeezing out his strength.

Torment and trouble
are ended.
Now there are joyous faces
and spirits and souls.

He gives Her great joy
in twofold measure.
Light shines upon Her
and streams of blessing.

Bridesmen go forth
and prepare the Bride's adornments,
food of various kinds
all manner of fish.

To beget souls
and new spirits
on the thirty-two paths
and three branches.

She has seventy crowns
and the supernal King,
that all may be crowned
in the Holy of Holies.

All the worlds are engraved
and concealed within Her,
but all shine forth
from the "Ancient of Days."

May it be His will
that He dwell among His people,
who take joy for His sake
with sweets and honey.

In the south I set
the hidden candelabrum,
I make room in the north
for the table with the loaves.

With wine in beakers
and boughs of myrtle
to fortify the Betrothed,
to strengthen the weak.

We plait them wreaths
of precious words
for the crowning of the seventy
in fifty gates.

Let the Shekhinah be adorned
by six Sabbath loaves
connected on every side
with the Heavenly Sanctuary.

Weakened and cast out
the impure powers,
the menacing demons
are now in fetters.

From: Safed Spirituality
Lawrence Fine, Translator
Paulist Press, 1984

Isaac Luria
Isaac Luria page

Commentary on this hymn
on this hymn

page history

page uploaded 15 March 1999


text:
Moment of Silence State Wide

Written by on December 19, 2012 in News

Gov. Terry E. Branstad today asked Iowans to honor our fellow fallen Americans in Newtown, Connecticut, with a moment of silence on Friday, December 21, 2012, at 9:30 a.m. CDT, one week after the senseless tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The moment of silence comes at the request of Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy who issued a proclamation calling on the citizens of Connecticut to observe December 21, 2012, as a day of mourning. In addition, Gov. Malloy sent a letter to his colleagues in the other 49 states asking them to observe a moment of silence at 9:30 a.m. local time in remembrance of the fallen.

Comments are closed.


text:
Be a Supporter!

Main News Art Favorites Reviews Stats
Follow Killerhammer

Content Stats

Submissions: 0
Other People's Games
Favorites: 5
Reviews: 2
Submissions: 0
Other People's Movies
Favorites: 1
Reviews: 2
Submissions: 1
Other People's Art
Scouts: 0
Favorites: 0
Reviews: 0
Submissions: 0
Other People's Audio
Favorites: 2
Reviews: 4

Contact Info / Websites

Community Stats

Recent Game Medals

BWOOOOONG 25 Points Complete Inception The Game in under 30 seconds. Medal Stats.
SECRET MEDAL 5 Points Unlock this medal to see it's details. Medal Stats.
Cop Bat 10 Points You have poisoned someone with cop bat! Medal Stats.
Professor Bomb 5 Points You have slain with the Professor Bomb! Medal Stats.
Level 1 5 Points You have completed the first and easiest level! Medal Stats.
Daily Driver 5 Points Clobber a civilian, and feel good about doing it. Medal Stats.
Cash In 10 Points Walk out and submit your score. Medal Stats.
Big Fuzzy Hug 5 Points Defeat BigFuzzyKitten. Medal Stats.
Hoarder Patrol 5 Points Snag the first three powerups in a match before anyone else has a chance to. Medal Stats.
People Pancakes 5 Points Lure two or more opponents into the trash compactor during any battle in the Scrapyard. Medal Stats.

Total Medals Earned: 188 (From 71 different games.)


text:
Check back regularly for news, coverage, and announcements about MAVA.

iJET Secures Investment from LLR Partners

iJET International, Inc. (iJET), a leading operational risk management solutions provider, today announced the completion of an investment by private equity firm LLR Partners. The financing will be used to grow iJET’s customer base, expand channel partner relationships, invest in enhanced technology and pursue strategic acquisitions.

Capitalizing on its proprietary technology and global network of security and geopolitical experts, iJET delivers customized intelligence, preparedness and response solutions to more than 600 multinational corporations and government organizations. These solutions enable iJET's clients to understand their global threat exposure; protect their people, facilities and supply chains; and proactively mitigate risks that could impact operational performance.

“Having such a committed financial partner as LLR will allow iJET to accelerate its global growth and leadership in the operational risk management market,” said Bruce McIndoe, President and CEO of iJET. “The LLR team, including Operating Partner Gus Hunt, who has deep knowledge of our key domains, combined with the expertise of their high-growth technology portfolio companies, will rapidly become competitive assets as we take iJET to the next level.”

"We are extremely pleased to partner with the leadership team of iJET on this investment,” says David Stienes, partner in LLR’s Security, Defense & Government Services practice. “Over the past 14 years, iJET has cemented its position as the global leader in operational risk management with world class intelligence, a best-of-breed platform and 24/7 global assistance and response operations. As organizations push more aggressively into international markets, iJET will be there to help protect them on a global scale."

iJET’s global intelligence operation monitors and analyzes over 19,000 sources of information spanning more than 200 countries and 25 languages and delivers near real-time intelligence to the right people at the right time via its patented processes. The company tracks over 130 million trips annually for direct clients and travel management partners. Through its global response network, iJET provides on-the-ground security and medical assistance in over 200 countries. iJET also assists enterprises in building and enhancing a tailored operational risk management program through policies, training, exercises and outsourced resources.

Learn More


text:
Kincaid House Hotel in Milton of Campsie, is a charming Grade ‘A’  listed country house set in its own grounds and reached by a winding, tree-lined driveway.

Located in the village of Milton of Campsie, at the foot of the Campsie Fells, this traditional and elegant 10-bedroom, privately-owned and family run hotel combines peace, quiet and excellent hospitality allied to travel convenience, with Kirkintilloch, Lenzie,and  Bishopbriggs all close-by.

Glasgow’s commercial and renowned cultural shopping areas plus all its other cultural and entertainment attractions are a 15 minute car journey away – and links to both Scotland’s motorway network and tourist routes are straightforward.

The hotel has undergone substantial and extensive restoration and retains its distinctive appearance and appeal.  Our friendly and highly efficient staff want to make sure your stay is as pleasing as possible whether you’re on business or on a break.

We welcome enquiries, so please get in touch for more information.

Special Offers

  • mealdealrevised Meal Deal

    Check out our special meal deal.  We are offering two courses for only £9.95. The menu changes on a weekly basis so be sure to pop in often to make the most of this offer. Available Sunday to ...

    Read More
  • Photography by Astrid Wedding Packages

    Winter Wedding Packages!! We currently have a range of all inclusive wedding packages to help take the stress out of planning your big day! winterweddingpackage60 All Inclusive Exclusive Use ...

    Read More


text:
Contact Information

For reprint requests:
HarperCollins Publishers, 10 East 53rd St., New York, NY 10022

For queries about film or dramatic rights:
Ron Bernstein, International Creative Management, 10250 Constellation Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA  90057

For other rights queries:
Frances Goldin Literary Agency, 57 E. 11th Street #5B, New York, NY  10003

For inquiries about the Bellwether Prize:

For information about Animal, Vegetable, Miracle:

Other requests:
Judy Carmichael, Office of Barbara Kingsolver, PO Box 160, Meadowview VA 24361

About public speaking:

Please note that Barbara does not work with any speakers’ bureau, because she does not accept fees for public speaking.

About book jacket endorsments:

Every year, Barbara receives hundreds of requests to read and endorse manuscripts, most of them apparently beautifully written and utterly deserving of her support.

If she had superpowers, and nothing else to do, she could read them all and write a jacket blurb for each, creating a ubiquitous rubber-stamp endorsement.

If she had a cold heart, she could choose among these equally deserving candidates and help a few, while shunning all others.

If she had a nepotistic nature, she would endorse those written by friends, acquaintances, people who once met her parents, etc., and ignore the rest.

Alas, she has none of the above, and is therefore unsuited for writing jacket quotes for any book or manuscript, however wondrous. Not ever. Sorry.

About fan mail:

Barbara loves reading letters from readers. Fan mail has given her a long list of reasons to keep writing books. Because of the volume, however, she regrets that she can’t write individual responses. If you have a particular question you may find the answer elsewhere on this website (see FAQs). Because of the quantity of communications, in an office staffed by one full-time human, we don’t encourage emails or telephone calls.


text:
Atlanta P.D. Job Fair: June 6 & 7

June 6, 2014 – June 6, 2014, 8:00am to 2:00pm

Venue: Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center
Address: 400 Renaissance Dr., Detroit, MI 48243

The Atlanta Police Department is constantly looking for dedicated, community-minded individuals to join our ranks, and become part of our force for positive change in Atlanta.

Please visit us at to submit an on-line application prior to the job fair.

Click Here for Complete Details

Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center
400 Renaissance Dr. W,
Detroit, MI 48243

Phone: 313.568.8000

The Atlanta police department will be recruiting police officers on Saturday, June 7th, 2014 at the Detroit Marriott. Interviews and testing will begin promptly at 8 AM. Anyone arriving after 8 AM will not be admitted. Please be prepared to be in attendance for at least six hours. Plan accordingly and come early. Please complete an online application and review the required documents listed above and bring them with you to the job fair.

Dress for success – business casual attire accepted

If you have any questions, contact the APD Recruitment Unit at 404.546.7650.

The Atlanta Police Department is an equal opportunity employer.

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 408 other followers


text:
Tuesday, 13 January 2015

I am a marathon runner

Its taken much consideration on how to write my marathon blog. It feels like there was 42.2 different themes that appeared for me on the day. From flat out denial, early bird wakeups before a marathon, perhaps over resting prior to race day, extreme use of meditation, body to brain pacing (instead of watch interrogation). Toilet management with a case of the upset tum. How to manage heat and whirling wind over 42.2km Treating endometriosis at 22km of a marathon. Dealing with the crowds when you are seemingly the only runner left on the road and they would rather cross the street than wait for a slow coach runner while there were no cars on the street. When all the small cheering children make you desperately homesick for your own nieces and nephew. How to run in a foreign country whilst you don't understand the supporters cries. How to converse in English, Spanish and Italian during the course of a marathon. The love and support from around the world that motivates you in the final stages,

The best marathon supporters I could have asked for.
The brothers from other mothers who travel the miles to cheer from the side lines without being judgey at how damn slow you are as a runner (Thank you Evan and Mike my love for you both grew that day). How an Italian man helped motivate me for the last 9km holding my hand in triumph as we crossed the finish line together. How I now know how Ebola is caught (marathon toilets...runners will understand). How my name is Jo not Yo; but 'give me hope Joanna' felt pretty special sung by a cowboy costumed supporter. How I could hear my niece shout "Just. Keep. Running" over and over for the second half of the race after a pre-race Skype video message. How being told that I have a beautiful smile at 34km (all be it hand actions when he realised I didn't understand) made me realise I was smiling through the hardship. Perhaps I could have covered the Devil Jo and Determined Jo's I found in a portaloo at 30km, how deal making with these beasts got me across the finish line and on the plane home (currently mid-flight as I type!), by the Andrew incarnate offering Cervesa (beer) with a steel drum band at 31km....how my oldest friend pops up in my life always warms my soul, or the Scandinavian man's encouragement at 29km committing to seeing my 5km hence giving me a strange sense of responsibility.How taking on water from 5km due to the heat had me anxious I might over hydrate. The inspirational man who ran with me in his wheelchair using just one hand to propel himself. How I had an entire central city crowd cheering for me as I was the only person on the road - my very own Spanish crowd. How useful my friends words of advise were to follow the line which tracks the shortest route of the course which I found 300m into this epic race. How I dedicated a Km to friends and family and that helped to focus me (at times and distract me at others).How I am too polite to pee on the side of the road (my school mates might note I haven't changed from wagon days!), or how my body got into such a rhythm I felt I could run for ever. How I ruined my finishing photos by being an aeroplane.  By being embraced after the race by a fellow runner for helping to egg him along despite not sharing a language just pats on backs (Carlos !Olé!). How a young English runner told me he was going to follow bums to finish (as he ran beside me and my voluptuous Marathon bum). How old ladies blew me kisses several times and called me Guapa (result!). How I heard an English guy telling his girlfriend how tough it was being a supporter as he jogged briefly beside her....you cant imagine the expletives I withheld from him - a man who actually spoke the same language as I do! How I said Gracias and gave hundreds of thumbs ups to the kind supporters. How crying for 8km in the middle of race was a first (in a long run at least) and I that couldn't explain why the tears propelled from my eyes, but that I was mortified beyond belief. That I finished a marathon but all I could think was how I didn't reach my time goal by a long shot and how disappointed I was in my body and my soul. How I felt sad for days afterwards and didn't want to talk about it.

 The smile belies the emotion
 I could write about each of these things lyrically, critically but perhaps I should just sit with this accomplishment. And celebrate the lack of chaffing, for completing one of Europe's flattest marathons in my old home Valencia,  where the streets were lined with hundreds of good spirited (often still drinking from the night before) supporters and steel bands who engulfed me every few km's and as I crossed the line the PA rang through "Walking on Air".

I will try and remember it all, for what it was. A marathon. And I am now a marathoner.

Sunday, 21 December 2014

one week to go....

The very thought that this time next week I will have completed a marathon is rather exciting. I am doing my best to contain this excitement. I feel I have done everything I can for the big day.

One of the key things I am trying to concentrate on at the moment is how small this challenge is relative to my previous endeavours and those my friends are undertaking. I spent some time with an IronMan last week, and this week one of my inspirational mates has taken off on a solo circumnavigation around the world, he is also a marathoner and an IronMan, a Channel swimmer and a celebrated Kiwi. Then there is my friend who just had a baby (in the past fortnight not unlike the rest of you Mum's just the most recent in my life and also the most present!). When I think of a woman's endurance in child birth it makes me focus on my own mission and how this is altogether a lot easier than the challenges cast their way.

I have climbed to Everest Base camp, battled altitude sickness and endometriosis. My pain threshold and my perseverance have been tested. Next Sunday however, will be the greatest planned challenge of my life. I know each training run has led me to this day, each experiment with nutrition, hydration, sleep, rest, pace and mental tools have kept me in good stead. And each little morsel of support I have received has only helped the last part.

I have a race plan and the last piece of advice I had was "no matter what stick to the race plan" so here goes....

Monday, 10 November 2014

Miles and Miles and Miles

You may laugh but I went for a 20 mile (32km) run and all I kept thinking was "my dear friend is having her baby, this is surely much easier than what she is going through". Now in the still light of humanity with the joy of a smiling child nestled in her arms I'm pondering what I fuck did I go for a 20mile run for, am I crazy?

And the truth is I am (for the record said labouring friend has run longer and harder than I ever will!). Thats the thing with marathon training you push your limits on what you can and can't do. I now accept I am a plodder. I have always suspected. I have even in high altitude moments been delighted with my Turtle like behaviour. But understanding that I am slow does not mean I wont finish. What my training has taught me is that if you get out for a run each day you will improve yourself. It might be that you discover the only thing you did right was drink enough water the day before, or that you bought your Oyster Card to get home! But its still a positive and affirmation that your Girl Guide days really did ensure you will always "Be Prepared".

Here are some of my lessons so far

  • Contrary to popular opinion in long distance training going out slow does not work for me. Steady yes. Slow no.
  • Hydration is king.
  • Nutrition is Queen. I learnt early on my favourite crisps give me the runs after a run (TMI sorry, but it was a well learnt lesson and has made me eat better snacks).
  • Eating before any run (no matter how short) is a great idea. And this comes from a strict no running after breakfast kind of girl! Porridge is awesome.
  • The stitch can be cured. Keep running and breath through the run (many people saw me running with one hand in the air for about 6 weeks, this helps too!)
  • Comfortable clothes are great and don't cost the earth (and in my case honestly never were meaningfully matched forgive me on race day!!!)
  • Bra's are more important than shoes. Get it fitted. If its too tight it will stretch. But if someone wants to invest a Garmin Heart Rate/Shock Absorber Bra that would be awesome I have hideous chaffing (thank god I'm single, although I'm sure there will be scars if that's what your into!)
  • Shoes are as important as Bra's. Get them fitted
  • Gels are awesome. I love them. Now. I was a big "they're a gimmick" person. But now I get it. They really boost you in a way Fruit Pastilles don't - although I still would take FP's on a half marathon!
  • Knowing your route. Although fun to be carefree it really helps if you know where you are going and where there is a toilet and water stop. I pushed my limits on a couple of long runs without these facts.
  • You don't need to run with an iPod. Mine has for lack of a better word Died. I'm seeing this as another thing that has prepared me for the day were you are encouraged not to run with a devise and hell I need all the support I can muster!!

I am about to embark on the longest run of my life. I am likely to do it slower than any living person I know. But damnit I am doing it. No
longer the screaming supporter I am the one running. I want to achieve this distance not the time. But if I get under 5 hours I would be delighted.

Wednesday, 5 November 2014

Rest is best for Fitness (and Marathon training)

I'm still hot and mildly sweaty (despite wearing sweat retardant clothes!) from a 5km run and it was easy. Now that sounds weird. I find it very strange to think running for 5km is easy. A year ago I could barely walk to the bus stop without taking a pause on route (not due to lack of fitness if you have followed the blog). And today as I return from one of my last runs before my marathon I feel a bit mah <ambivalent shrugged shoulders included>.

I know that "mah" is not a word but it feels like I have just been for a walk to the shops. Although easier, cos I haven't had to carry the bags back the 2km and up my 3 flights of stairs. I guess this is the all illusive "fitness" I have been working my way towards.

I have languished in 4 days inside my house. Over the weekend after my nearest and dearest being ill from various contagious autumn bugs, my body decided it wanted to hibernate. Ok so maybe it was my mind, but none the less I haven't left the 60sqm flat in 4 days and by god has the weather changed! Last week it was balmy 15-19degrees and well today its outright cold, puddle jumping, mud sliding miserable. These few days inside will probably do me the world of good for a few reasons.

  1. I have rested my body. And after a lovely lunch with a successful multi-IronMan any miles I put in now will really only be to keep the body in motion. Training now is only fatiguing myself for the day.
  2. My body needs a break. I made it to the illusive 20miles a week ago so I have reached the training nirvana and with more energy in the legs after the run this seems like I have done everything I can for the big day.
  3. resting my niggles. Like all runners we get niggles and one that keeps on popping up for me after long sustained pounding of the pavement is a netball knee injury from 1998 (now I feel old!).
  4. Nothing worse to run on low energy. And that has been a real problem this past week. I've boxed set it out. I have tried to push all my other problems (like unemployment, migration and life bewilderment) off the agenda for the lead up to the big day. I've made time to meditate.
I can't say I'm enjoying this taper week. I want to start eating carbs and get to Valencia but for now I am moving onto making cushions for a friend and talking to more over excitable under-delivering recruitment agents. Roll on Wednesday!

Oh my gosh that was glib....I'll work on improving this!!!!

Thursday, 23 October 2014

All Creatures Great and Small

Running my first half marathon in 2010
What always strikes me when I attend a race of any distance, is how it takes all shapes and sizes, creatures great and small. And I am no exception.

There are people who are young and old, of every race and religion, men in turbans, women in headscarves, topless and toned, slim and leggy, rotund and rouge red, bouncing, compact and flailing. But like all things in life, if You put your mind to goal then it doesn't matter what your genetic code you're going to do your best to complete that challenge.

I had lunch yesterday with a dear friend and we discussed how we describe our body shapes on dating websites. She is a completely different shape to me exceeding 5'11 and with a booty I think JLo would covet. I am 5'6 with all the right curves in all of their respective places (I wish I had the confidence to say all the right places!). We both described ourselves as curvy....yet she thinks I'm skinny, sporty skinny but skinny. Whilst as a girl I swooned a thanks, I am comfortable enough to know I aint a Skinny Bitch (the title of a great book not a slur).

Perfectly formed for a marthon....
with one of my running role models
But it bought me back to an uber ride with a very educated man and explaining why I know my way through The City of London I said "I run". He cocked his head at me and said "but your not a size zero". And he is absolutely right. I am a size 14. I have cellulite and boobs, that despite my best efforts I can't run off! I have Kiwi girl thighs and an hourglass waistline and (as yet tested) childbearing hips. I've had to learn how to manage with the body I have. I had thought that training for a marathon would change my body shape more than it has. I have slimmed down my waist (more bra shopping required, oh joy!) and my legs are very firm - this has a more to do with my loathing the foam roller than I should, so I assure you this is not a good thing. My upper arms are slimming and I have a sense of being more firm generally but otherwise my hips are wide and I can't fit my skinny skinny jeans but I can run 27km. And in a months time I will make it around 42.2km.

See thats the thing readers, runners or otherwise, it doesn't matter what size you are, its about how you approach life, each step at a time. Are you pushing yourself physically? Are you stretching your mind? Are you being kind? These are things that only we can answer for ourselves truly. Noone else knows our potential more than ourselves.

Tuesday, 21 October 2014

Running is my life (no really thats what I do at the moment!)

I've let my blog go a bit dormant over the past year. This last few months have not really been terribly travel blog worthy but more a tale of running. I entered in the Valencia Marathon back in January and 10 months later here I am a month out from the big day.

I'm not going to lie, the training has been hard. Some days are definitely worse than others and some are quite simply the best days of my life. Curiously I have just read an article on Manic Depression and I think this is how my running feels while I am on the roads/towpaths/tracks/foot tunnels to bring in the miles of training that one needs to do to prepare for a day where you run 42.2km. But there is one thing for sure, every time I climb my 3 floors to home and I gulp back water I feel better. A sense of achievement sweeps over me and I recall the grafitti ("Have a nice day" was yesterdays discovery), the smiles and raised eyebrows of acknowledgement of fellow runners, fierce geese chases, disgruntled canal cyclists and clapping supporters.

My wee patch of poppy planting
at the Tower of London
Since July and an unceremonious fall down stairs at work where I sliced open my chin and immobilised my right arm for a month and my senses for longer, I have been unemployed. I decided to leave my job because I lost any sense of purpose, a deep loathing for the management style and a hope I could earn some man money for a change. And like anyone who has had a period of unemployment this can cause you to second guess every minute detail of your life. In a recent chat to my Mum I blurted "what do I care, I can't relate to anyone at the moment, I don't have a job, I don't have a partner, I'm not planning a wedding, building a house, raising a child/ren, and as for a mortgage I don't give a shit, I'm training for a marathon and noone wants to relate to being tired, let alone what motivates me to do it to myself!'. Poor Mum didn't know where to go with this, so turned my attention to charitable work she is doing instead. Bless her. I signed up to lay poppies at the Tower of London the next day to commemorate the start of the First World War.

When I signed up for the marathon I had a few friends suggest I do the run for charity. As is commonly done here in the UK people have to do something physical to gain funds. Suggesting its really useful to focus the mind when the going gets tough. This would involve asking all my friends with the above responsibilities to give to a cause of my choosing. No, I was running this marathon for me. It is My challenge. I just didn't realise how much of a challenge it would prove to be.

In the count down to the day I plan to keep a wee note on here of my progress and the tools I use to get me across the finish line.

Monday, 19 May 2014

Citizen of the World

Its hit me like a bolt from a the blue. Something I have never really considered but just now as I take a quiet Monday evening moment, I have realised I am a citizen of the world.

I qualify for this less than legally binding membership, simply by noting I have no ONE place in the world where my friends all live. No metropolis large or small that I can call on more than one of my favourite friends (who actually know each other!). There is the one I met at work who resides in London, the one I met in a hotel lobby who resides in Barcelona, the one I met at Kindergarten who resides in my home town, the one I met over break-up tears who resides in my University city and the one who I met at a sailing regatta who resides in the big smoke. These are just an example of the many best mates I have scattered around the world....but will those centralised in the City of Sails really want to spend time with me when I get there? Will they make the time and effort of those I have in London? Will I still share things in common or has our lives diverged beyond return? I have no partner nor a child to share interests with. I have no money for a mortgage or its requisite lawn mowing weekend chores.  I don't have a power career, just a collection of scattered friends in countries I love to visit.

This makes it all seem so impossible as I make up these pros and cons lists, committing to change. Begging questions like, where shall I live? how I will adapt? See with all these friends in all these places I am spoilt and like a cherubs bow will break hearts in my wake....this is by no means a romantic notion as noone likes a arrow through a vital organ but the sadness that comes with leaving friends makes my decision seem unbearable.

And then as I did do just that by ripping the band off, mentioning my thoughts of relocation hand shakes sealed deals, wine glasses were chinked and plans were hatched. If I am going to be a citizen of the world, then I am darn well going to live in it, for it and love every moment of it and meeting in the middle is definitely a mighty fun plan....


text:
Contact Us

Machine Head Psych Fans Up for 2012 North American Tour

Rob Flynn of Machine Head
Liz Ramanand, Loudwire

After successfully unleashing their signature brand of thrash and groove metal throughout Europe, Machine Head are ready to unleash the locusts in the North American leg of ‘The Eighth Plague’ tour. The band will be joined on the road by deathcore act Suicide Silence and metalcore outfit Darkest Hour.

Following the completion of the European leg of the tour with support acts Bring Me the Horizon, DevilDriver and Darkest Hour in early December, Machine Head are ready to hit the road once again. The month-long North American tour cycle will cover the majority of the U.S. and parts of Canada, and is Machine Head’s first stateside headlining tour in four years.

California deathcore band Suicide Silence will make their debut on ‘The Eighth Plague’ tour beginning Jan 15. in Denver, Colo. The band released their latest studio album ‘The Black Crown’ on July 12, 2011, debuting at No. 28 on the Billboard Top 200 chart.

Darkest Hour will return for the North American run of the tour, delivering their melodic metal attack to American and Canadian audiences. The band released their seventh LP ‘The Human Romance’ in February of last year.

To build up excitement for ‘The Eighth Plague’ tour, Machine Head have released a promotional video (watch below), which screams “Monster Truck Rally!” Check out the full tour dates below the video.

Watch Machine Head’s ‘The Eighth Plague’ Tour Teaser

Machine Head’s ‘The Eighth Plague’ Tour Dates:

1/15 – Denver, Colo.
1/17 – Sauget, Ill.
1/19 – St. Paul, Minn.
1/20 – Milwaukee, Wis.
1/21 – Royal Oak, Mich.
1/22 – Chicago, Ill.
1/24 – Columbus, Ohio
1/26 – Portland, Maine
1/27 – Montreal, Quebec City
1/28 – Toronto, Ontario
1/29 – Buffalo, N.Y.
1/31 – Pittsburgh, Penn.
2/1 – Baltimore, Md.
2/2 – Philadelphia, Penn.
2/3 – New York, N.Y.
2/4 – Worcester, Mass.
2/6 – Norfolk, Va.
2/7 – Charlotte, N.C.
2/8 – Atlanta, Ga.
2/10 – New Orleans, La.
2/11 – Houston, Texas
2/12 – San Antonio, Texas
2/13 – Dallas, Texas
2/15 – Farmington, N.M.
2/16 – Tuscon, Ariz.
2/17 – Hollywood, Calif.
2/18 – San Francisco, Calif.

Best of KLAQ

Recommended For You

Around the Web

It appears that you already have an account created within our VIP network of sites on . To keep your personal information safe, we need to verify that it's really you. To activate your account, please confirm your password. When you have confirmed your password, you will be able to log in through Facebook on both sites.

Forgot your password?

*Please note that your prizes and activities will not be shared between programs within our VIP network.

It appears that you already have an account on this site associated with . To connect your existing account just click on the account activation button below. You will maintain your existing VIP profile. After you do this, you will be able to always log in to using your original account information.

*Please note that your prizes and activities will not be shared between programs within our VIP network.

Please fill out the information below to help us provide you a better experience.

(Forgot your password?)

Not a member? Sign up here

Sign up for Freeloaders quickly by connecting your Facebook account. It's just as secure and no password to remember!

Sign up to have exclusive Freeloaders contests, events, coupons, presales, and much more delivered to you for FREE.


text:
Contact Us

‘Fast and Furious 7′ Gets Even More Badass as Kurt Russell Joins the Cast

Kurt Russell Fast and Furious 7
Dimension Films

A few weeks ago, we reported that Denzel Washington had turned down a role in the upcoming ‘Fast and Furious 7.’ Now, Variety is reporting that the great Kurt Russell is in talks to step into the part instead. Goodbye, Mr. Washington. We love you, but this is a case where you will not be missed.

Fans of good things will know Russell from ‘Escape From New York,’ ‘Big Trouble in Little China,’ ‘The Thing’ and ‘Death Proof.’ Fans of bad things will know him as that cool guy who always elevates whatever movie he’s in by sheer force of will. In other words, he’s a perfect fit for the increasingly loony ‘Fast and Furious’ franchise, which prides itself on adding to its ridiculously macho ensemble with each entry. Few actors contain even a sliver of coolness that can match Russell.

The details of the role remain under wraps, but the fact that they’ve been pursuing a big name for the part suggest that it’s a big deal, even if it’s a supporting turn. We can see Russell easily playing either a hero or a villain in this series, but let’s face it: hero would be ideal because we’d get to see Snake Plissken kick ass alongside The Rock and Vin Diesel.

‘Fast and Furious 7′ is set to begin filming soon for a July 11, 2014 release. The plot is still unknown, but it will somehow revolve around Jason Statham‘s villain (glimpsed in the post-credits teaser of ‘Fast and Furious 6‘) seeking revenge against Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Paul Walker and the rest of the crew who killed his brother. The only way they’ll top the last one is if the movie features Kurt Russell hijacking a space shuttle and chasing Statham through the Grand Canyon.

Best of 103.7 The Hawk

Recommended For You

Around the Web

Leave a Comment

It appears that you already have an account created within our VIP network of sites on . To keep your personal information safe, we need to verify that it's really you. To activate your account, please confirm your password. When you have confirmed your password, you will be able to log in through Facebook on both sites.

Forgot your password?

*Please note that your prizes and activities will not be shared between programs within our VIP network.

It appears that you already have an account on this site associated with . To connect your existing account just click on the account activation button below. You will maintain your existing VIP profile. After you do this, you will be able to always log in to using your original account information.

*Please note that your prizes and activities will not be shared between programs within our VIP network.

Please fill out the information below to help us provide you a better experience.

(Forgot your password?)

Not a member? Sign up here

Sign up for Rockaholics quickly by connecting your Facebook account. It's just as secure and no password to remember!

Sign up to have exclusive Rockaholics contests, events, coupons, presales, and much more delivered to you for FREE.