Seattle Center Winterfest 2008
Looking for a fun, wintry activity that the entire family can enjoy? Tired of paying extravagant prices for activities that should be free in a just world? Ready to spend your holiday fun with other friends and families in Seattle?
Then check out Winterfest 2008 at the Seattle Center! From November 28th to December 31st, you can enjoy delightful entertainment and activities. Everything is free or low-cost, and very kid friendly, so bring the entire family!
Every day there are many, many fun activities, from ice skating and winter trains, to school concerts, ballets, and other theatric performances.The Seattle Center’s website has a list of activities and entertainment for each day. Since many of the scheduled events change from day to day, so don’t forget to check their online calendar to find out what’s going on each day! Also, you can get directions to each event, and find out other useful information, such as where to park, things to see and places to eat and hang out,
How to Keep Your Skin Looking Supple & Youthful – Simple Tips Revealed!
Who doesn’t want to know how to keep their skin looking youthful, elastic, supple and glowing, not to mention wrinkle free. And nobody can argue that there is not a person on this planet that actually desires dark eye circles, crow’s feet (wrinkles near the tear ducts) or baggy and puffy eyes. And who wants wrinkles in their skin, scaly patches or dried, dull and listless skin? Nobody does! We all want to look supermodel gorgeous every day and many of us will spend ample amounts of time in front of the mirror trying to make ourselves appear that way. But the best way that you can keep your skin looking and feeling glowing and young is by taking care of it properly. So, here are some rather simple skin care routines that you can use to easily assure that your skin looks great every day, and not just after a pricey facial at the local day spa.
The Sun is Your Skin’s Worst Enemy
UV rays from the sun are some of the most damaging elements that your skin is most frequently exposed to. When it comes to proper skin care and you – a strong sunscreen is essential to your success. Use a potent sunscreen with at least an SPF 15 or preferably an SPF 30 or 45 rating. Use it everyday before you leave your home. The sun can destroy your skin and even cause diseases like cancers if you do not strive to protect it. It does not matter if it is cold outside; the sun’s rays are radiation, and they can destroy your skin cells.
Lousy Products Adorned with Cheap Fillers Make Skin Look Dull
There is an abundance of more lousy skin care products on the market than there are good ones – which is entirely unfortunate for those who get duped into buying a product that is supposed to enhance the appearance of their skin, but realize after a certain amount of time, that indeed, the product does not work at all. When you are looking for skin care products here are some good rules of thumb.
Soaps & Cleansers
Avoid alcohol, laurel sulfate (foaming and lathering agent) and scents. Buy soaps that have anti-oxidants in them and powerful moisturizers. Do your research, you will find plenty of great affordable soaps and cleansers that you can use.
Moisturizers
One of the best moisturizers on the planet earth is Hyaluronic Acid—a very potent moisturizer that is capable of carrying up to a thousand times its own weight in water. Look for creams with this compound in them for the ultimate in skin hydration.
Anti-Aging: Eye Creams, Wrinkle Creams
Two of the best ingredients that you can find in a skin cream, wrinkle cream or eye cream are: Palmitoyl Oligopeptide & Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7. These two compounds increase the growth of the connective tissues, they help to resuscitate broken capillaries (in eye creams) and they boost the production of collagen in the skin naturally, while increasing the growth of the connective tissues. Look for other great compounds like collagen, Vitamin K and Retinyl Palmitate—found in the best eye creams and wrinkle creams.
The other hitter split - CORE BASEBALL DISCOVERY ALERT
;- )
SABRMatt, in the comments below, points out a very fundamental baseball tactic that I, for one, have NEVER heard remarked on.
.....................
Cool Papa, Fett, and SabrMatt (following Tom Tango) have noted for a year or two that flyball hitters do better against groundball pitchers, and vice versa.
For example, if Ichiro (who hits blizzards of groundballs, all season) were to hit off of Jared Weaver and Weaver's flyball tendencies, we would expect Ichiro to do better than his usual performance (as a generalization).
It's not an overwhelming tendency (and I don't recall Ichiro hitting Weaver well). It's like saying you'd expect Adrian Beltre to do better against Jarrod Washburn (LHP) than against Miguel Batista.
Still, you'll hear it all the time. "Our lineup was too lefthanded last year. We were vulnerable to tough lefties. We needed a big RH bat." Why wouldn't you hear, "we were vulnerable to groundball pitchers last year. We needed some guys who could get the ball in the air and square them up!" It would make exactly the same sense.
=== Rhyme and Reason Dept. ===
The theoretical explanation for this, we have never seen anywhere, but here's what I would assume ...
The thing is, groundball hitters like Ichiro get on top of the ball well. Their GB ratios indicate this, and the eye also indicates this, if you ever watch a guy who hits grounders. Jose Lopez has seen his HR rate capsized by his groundballs -- he's simply way in front of the pitch and way on top of it, because he's too fast for the game at this point.
It's a baseball truism that it is harder to "get on top of" good heat ... you swing a tick late, the bat is lower to the ground because of its natural upward arc. So if you're even a bit behind, you sky the ball 300 feet for a can of corn.
Which is why Nolan Ryan types throw their fastballs high -- to emphasize the problem for the hitters. Almost all swings and misses at FB's are underneath the ball.
Many Latin hitters get grounders because they're so quick at the plate. You can deal them 95 mph cheese up, and still see a lined one-bouncer past the SS.
Brad Wilkinson was a hyper-extreme case of the reverse. You take him up the ladder at all, he's a little late, can't deal...
...................
You can see why the reverse would be true. If a Brad Wilkinson is a flyball hitter, he's always a skosh under the pitch line. Then here comes a pitcher who keeps the ball low, or sinks it ... and this promotes Wilk's tendency to square the ball up.
.
=== Now That We Know That, What Do We Do?, Dept. ===
The GB/FB platoon split that most hitters have -- their tendency to do better against flyball pitchers or groundball pitchers, is fairly subtle: it's a bit less than the .040-point boost to AVG that you can expect if you have a LH hitter against a RH pitcher.
But one of these days, of course, managers will start using this to their advantage, because it's Truth. It's real. And it can add W's, just like the platoon advantage can.
Not sure to what extent you can actually base your FA signings on this understanding. I guess you could. I mean, franchises construct their rosters so as not to be overly LH or RH, right? "We were just too vulnerable to good lefties last year!" Why do you never hear, "We were wiped out by high cheese last year, so we need some guys who hit groundballs!" It would have just about the same impact.
...............
When a player really does have a big platoon split -- an aging LH hitter, let's say -- we're aware of it the moment the home team signs him.
Well, if a hitter has a wild GB or FB tendency, why aren't we aware of that? Why aren't we going, "uh-oh, better sit Ichiro against Brandon Webb"?
.
=== In The News, Dept. ===
Russ Branyan has colossal flyball splits: 0.60 grounders per fly is typical for him. Facing him up against high cheese is probably a little like putting Brad Wilkinson against CC Sabathia.
Perhaps the key with Branyan is not to bat him only against righties. Perhaps the key with him is to make sure that you give him his 300 AB's when you're seeing < 93 mph that day. I don't know.
Chris Shelton is also a flyball hitter, not nearly so extreme as Branyan (Shelton's around 0.80). No GB/FB platoon is possible here, other than to give Shelton the toughest FB pitchers just to limit the damage a bit.
Righthand or lefthand pitcher, the M's might want to give Shelton the 50-70 AB's that occur against the most extreme FB pitchers.
......................
Are ML managers aware of this type of thing? Well, certainly, they have the batter-pitcher matchups for the day. If Russ Branyan is 1-for-13 against whoever's starting that day, the manager knows.
Still, there are times when there is no track record to go on, and that's when a little insight like this can help. Hey, one extra base hit can easily be the ballgame.
Cheers,
jemanji
How Newer Wrinkle Creams Show Results in First Ten Minutes
If you are like most people, and you tend to turn a blind eye to the numerous commercials that you see on television for the latest and greatest wrinkle treatment, or to the many different printed ads, found most often in the cosmetic and women’s magazines, advertising that their wrinkle treatment is the best technology currently available, there is one thing that you will want to keep in mind: newer facial relaxing compounds are safe and very effective. What this means for those of you who prefer to not have to walk around all day long sporting your wrinkles to the world, or counting them in the mirror, is that thanks to recent advancements in wrinkle treatment technology, you can now see nearly immediate and fairly impressive results when you choose the right anti-wrinkle cream.
Newer Facial Relaxing Compounds Within Ten Minutes of Application
The biggest foray and accolade recently achieved with regards to newer wrinkle treatments and anti-wrinkle creams are facial relaxing compounds. Similar to the techniques that show quick results in the popular Botox facial injections or injected dermal fillers, facial relaxing compounds relax the muscles in your face that can contract thousands of times per day and create noticeable wrinkles and smile lines. One of the most commonly used facial relaxing compounds is Acetyl Hexapeptide. This compound relaxes the facial muscles and shows signs of immediate improvement within the first ten minutes of the very first time that you ever use it. And, it has been clinically and scientifically proven to work with such astounding results. Another added benefit is that this wrinkle treatment, unlike injections, has no known adverse side effects and is very affordable in comparison.Other Tips on Keeping Your Skin Wrinkle-Free
There are some other methods that you can incorporate into your daily routine that will help to keep your skin from becoming wrinkled and dull. Your first step should be in the facial cleanser that you choose. You want to avoid products with alcohol, which can dry out your skin, and the commonly used laurel sulfate (which is a foaming and lathering agent) that can dry out your skin. Avoid scented products, as these often contain elements that can contribute to dried and aging, or dull and wrinkled skin; I recommend using Dr. Bromer’s soap. Wash your face twice per day using an exfoliating face cloth and warm water. Always remember to apply SPF 30 or higher rated sunscreen before heading out for the day – the sun can burn your skin even if it is cold outside that day, in the winter or the summer; if the sun is there, your skin is at risk.
What to Look for in a Wrinkle Cream
Make sure that it uses safe ingredients that have no side effects. Avoid products with alcohol. Assure that the proprietary ingredients have been clinically proven to work. Do some online research and read customer reviews, see for yourself. Never spend more than a hundred dollars for a month supply, or you are spending too much.
A Cheap Shot
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
8:30pm
Dear Diary,
Barack and I are not friends. I can’t believe how he humiliated me in front of those kids. As if he really has to impress them. Come on! A bunch of fourth graders won’t be voting for another eight years or so. Why on earthy does he think has to impress them? The kids were just talking about what they’re learning in school. One kid raised his hand to announce, “Decimals.” So Barack has to blurt, “Decimals! Wow, Joe doesn’t even know his decimals.” What a cheap shot. I would never come back with some bit talking about Barack’s fractions, or something like that.
Honestly, it’s ridiculous. And it’s not like I need a bad rep when it comes to my capabilities in the White House. If anything, I need to be proving that I’m capable, since my responsibilities as a Vice-President have been few and far between, at best.
Of course, I can’t complain, or say anything about this. They’ve even hired a Director of Communications for me, since apparently I can’t be trusted to say anything on my own. these BIden gaffes are ridiculous, and definitely taken way out of context. Not to mention it’s a slap in the face to have the same guy who said that I “shoot from the hip” and “say the wrong thing at the wrong time.” Jay Carney may be a smart guy. And I’ll admit, I think it’s clever that they put in the same guy who once insulted my public speaking abilities. I’d rather just be my own Director of Communications, though I suppose that’s not an option.
Until next time,
Joe the Veep
Originally posted in The Secret Diary of Joe Biden
3 Drinks to Warm Up Your Winter
Welcome, everyone to Liquid Sexy. My name is Michael and I'll be your bartender twice a week. In this blog, we'll be sampling all there is to love and appreciate about drinks with spirit. There will be reviews of particular brands, recommendations, step-by-step instructions on how to build the perfect cocktail and more.
Tonight, I can't help but notice a nip in the air, which makes me want to take a nip of my favorite wintry drinks. If you'd care to join me, I can make a few suggestions.
Frangelico and Coffee
Frangelico, for those of you not fortunate enough to have tasted it, is hazelnut liqueur. It's sweet, has a lovely golden-brown hue and tastes exactly like what it's made from, which is more than we can say for other nut-based spirits. It is this superb nuttiness that makes Frangelico such a great fit for a variety of desserts and after-dinner drinks. Try it on top of a good Turkish almond pudding, it's worth running through traffic to get a spoonful. The recipe for a good Frangelico and Coffee is simple. Mix one ounce of liqueur for every six to eight ounces of hot coffee, add cream if you desire, drink, repeat.
As for why I've decided to promote the Frangelico and Coffee instead of the old standby, Irish Coffee, it's really just a matter of excellence. I like Irish Coffee, don't get me wrong. On the right night, it can be heaven. But the Frangelico and Coffee is superior because the flavors fit so well together. Coffee benefits from nutty tones, thanks to a mutual history of roasting. Also, the Irish Coffee runs the risk of bearing some over-complications like whipped cream and mint liqueur. Remember this rule of cocktails: If it seems unnecessary, it probably is.
Brandy Alexander
My appreciation for the Brandy Alexander comes from the same place as my love of old theaters. This is a cocktail right out of the book of classics, so much so that it uses ingredients rarely found in modern bars. Most people will only ever consume one cream drink in their entire lives, and that's the White Russian. That's fine, but I'd take a Brandy Alexander over a Caucasian any day, especially on one as cold as today. Take one and a half ounces of good (but not too good) brandy and one ounce of dark creme de cacao, stick them in a tin shaker with a handful of ice and introduce them to a good ounce of cream. Now, give the mixture eight to twelve good shakes, strain into your favorite glass and garnish with a dash of fresh nutmeg.
Real Hot Chocolate and Creme de Menthe
Let's talk about doing it right. Hot chocolate, real hot chocolate does not come dried in a little package. In fact, it doesn't take much longer to make the real stuff. Just an ounce and a half of bittersweet chocolate, chopped and thrown into a cup of simmering whole milk in a saucepan will get you something worlds better than the store-bought stuff, double that if you put a few drops of vanilla extract in the mix. Leave some room on top for a half ounce of creme de menthe and you have everything tasty about winter in a single mug.
Until next time, stay warm and tip generously.
More Gifts From my Cat – This Time it’s a Pigeon!
If you have ever had the distinct pleasure with the company of a cat for a pet, then you already know where I am going with this one merely based off the title. But where my story may beg to differ from the others that surround this often talked about topic, with regards to our cats, is that the present he (my cat) brought to me this time, for a change, was still alive. Cats like to let their parents (owners, handlers, what have you) know that they love them. They are happy little hunters in the pride that we call our homes. And from time to time, they will display such affections to us in the forms of tiny little creatures that they have hunted for and captured on our behalf. It’s purely a form of love, or them saying, ‘Meow’ (which translates into thank you for all the kibble, kitten treats and toys…I love you).
Why Do Cats Leave us Dead Presents?
Of course, on most occasions these poor creatures have suffered a terrible fate, all to appease the offerings of our cat to us! Thanks kitty! In many cases the cat will leave the present on the doorstep of the home, for those of you who have outdoor cats, as a reminder when you leave, “Hey, you see that dead thing? I caught that, and it’s for you buddy! Cause I love you so much!” Then we are left to clean up their loving mess, which can be gruesome task for most people who are not fond of having tiny dead animals rotting on their doorstep. But I guess the most important notion here is that cats will always catch things, and leave them for us—they are saying they love us, that is all.
Throwing out a Dead Bird Really Sucks!
Then there is the present that you don’t find for quite sometime: my cat caught a bird once and decided to hide the dead body underneath the bed, where he likes to hang out; only after a few days of a horrid smell did I dissect the room to find his thoughtful gift. But in most instances, the cat will leave your dead present on the stoop of your front door or your back door.
Firstly, it’s a present from your cat to you – so you don’t want to let them see you hocking it in a plastic bag and heading to the trash can. Put your cat somewhere inside where they are unable to observe what you do with their ‘gift.’ Then don some gloves, and wrap the present in a plastic grocery bag, and keep your garbage bin outside until the truck comes by mid-week. And always thoroughly sanitize your hands afterwards.
Please Comment on the Weirdest Thing your Cat Ever Caught or Killed to Bring You!
Even though I have some odd stories, what have you experienced with gifts from your cat? My latest experience was my cat bringing a pigeon in by the wings while I was watching a movie in my bedroom – poor bird.
Please, comment back with your stories, I am eager to hear them all!
Baghdad Battery
The first battery was invented by Alessandro Volta in 1800. Except for the ones that were used in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) around 250 B.C.
Used for what?
Google "Baghdad Battery" and you'll find that these are the indisputable facts of the case:
1. The Mesopotamians used devices that consisted of 5-inch-tall ceramic jars, containing copper cylinders that were sheets of copper wrapped around iron cores (!!). 1a. At the top of the jar, the iron is even isolated from the copper by an asphalt-like organic substance, while at the bottom of the copper cylinder, the iron is left open to the copper and to the air. 1b. The ceramic jar is even formed to bulge outward at the center, as (we understand) a modern chemist would design it. 2. When any electrolyte -- such as wine (!) -- is placed in the jar, an effective battery results. With wine inside the pot, electricity would be produced.What would the Mesopotamians do with electricity?! And who was the Da Vinci of the time who was capable of realizing that all of these elements, brought together, could produce voltage? I mean, Leonardo da Vinci himself did not realize this. Nobody did, until the 1800's. This is one of history's four or five greatest anachronisms. It is in dispute what the Mesopotamians did with these jars -- even under dispute whether they actually filled them with wine to produce voltage. But the facts in the above inset box are not under dispute. And if they did not fill the jars with wine to produce voltage, then why were they going to the trouble to wrap iron in copper in a ceramic casing? . === What they did with the batteries === Did the pre-Iraqis have a set of machines they powered with these batteries? We can probably rule that one out, however open-minded we might be. One must string together ten of these "batteries" to produce four volts. And no archaeology has uncovered any transistors in the area :- ) Electroplating has been suggested as a possible use, but there are major problems with the feasibility of that. For one thing, fire-gilding would have been many orders of magnitude more efficient. Electrostimulation has been suggested -- whether in an acupuncture-type context, or simply because they were fascinated by the tingle. Superstition and/or primitive religion may have found the electricity useful - suppose that you connected the jars to the wings of two metal cherubim. One grasping these wings might have felt pain, tightness in the chest, etc. . === How did they think of the batteries? === Those disposed to believe that UFO's landed and intervened in ancient civilizations would have little trouble imagining a set of semi-technological devices taught the ancients... If one studies the Old Testament, one realizes that the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians were very, very serious about collecting 'scientific' knowledge from around the globe.
Dan 1:3 And the king (Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, ca. 600 BC - jemanji) spoke unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes; Dan 1:4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favored, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.The Babylonians systematically exploited the learnings of every culture they conquered. We still aren't completely sure what those cultures did, and didn't know. Some even posit that such civilizations had entire advanced technolgies that were later erased in war and buried in the sand. ................ Perhaps the simplest explanation of the development of these 'batteries' has been given by Paul Keyser. He imagines an ancient using an iron spatula to stir vinegar around in a copper vessel, feeling an electrical tingle, and then working out the primitive battery from there. The iron-spatula-in-the-copper-vessel idea is of great comfort to those who wish to rule out the amazing, but it's a bit of a reach. If that's what happened, the accomplishment was easily on the level of many of the greatest chemical discoveries of modern (1700-2009) times: a happy accident, followed by intelligent trial-and-error and refinement. Except that nobody ever did anything like that in the subsequent 2,000 years. It's not as if somebody else happened across the same iron-and-copper accident in (say) 850 A.D. ............... Personally, I believe that the Egyptians and Mesopotamians knew a lot more than they are telling. I don't think that they drove Chevys, but I do think that their handbooks of science would hold our attention. :- ) Cheers, jemanji .................. image: http://www.uned.es/geo-1-historia-antigua-universal/new%20website/EGIPTO...
One Way to Avoid Braces – Your Kids Will Thank You!
All parents know that at some point in time they will have to go and see the orthodontist regarding making sure that their children have straight teeth growing in. And for many parents, this is a dreadful task for a few important reasons. One, its really expensive, and braces can really take their toll on your checkbook. Two: kids really hate braces, for the most part, and they will tend to be rather resistant in you choosing for them to get braces. And three: the maintenance of braces, a retainer and so forth are also costly and tedious – which is why many parents are not fond of this task during the youth of our offspring. But if you have not already heard about revelations and big strides made in the fields of eliminating braces for most people, then read on…read on!
How Does Invisalign Work?
In a nutshell, Invisalign is a newer orthodontic remedy for the many calamities that are caused by braces; the tediousness, the costliness and so forth. Basically, an orthodontist will take a mold of the teeth and make sure that Invisalign will work efficiently. Then they order the mold from the company. A few weeks later an Invisalign retainer arrives at their office and they fit the mold to the child. It is named as such because basically it is a clear plastic mold that over time corrects the position of the teeth. Throughout the process there will be several molds created as the teeth begin to correct. Unlike braces, which are highly noticeable, these molds tend to be mostly hidden from the eyes, hence the name.
How Much Does it Cost?
It all depends on what corrections are necessary for the teeth. In many cases parents can escape with only a few grand out of pocket during the duration of the treatment. Other times, depending on the teeth and their positions in the mouth, it can be more costly. In most cases, however, it tends to be less costly than braces and less painful for the patient.
Who Can Get Invisalign on Their Mouth?
It’s a patient by patient basis. The only way that you can truly know if your child can use this orthodontic treatment is by making an appointment at the dentist of your choice and seeing what they have to say. They will be able to tell after examining the mouth whether or not an Invisalign treatment will be more effective or effective at all, over the latter: braces.
Pros & Cons: Invisalign VS. Braces
There are many pros to Invisalign – no braces, no rubber bands, zero pain, no costly retainer and cheaper maintenance; less frequent doctor visits. Cons include that it is not an applicable treatment for all patients, and some insurance companies will not cover the costs of this treatment over getting braces. And, finally, the big tell-all: your kid does not have to walk around for the next five years with ugly braces covering their teeth like a metal car grill! And that my friends, especially in the mind of the youth, is very priceless!
Want Veneers? Better Have 12k!
The dental office – an expensive yet necessary part of life, that for many people means a certain amount of pain to get the treatments that they so desire, while maintaining proper oral health. And did I mention that dental treatments can be really expensive? I mean lavishly costly? So I find myself once again in the seat at the dental office, getting a routine oral checkup and exam. Of course my dentist uses the latest and greatest equipment (remind me to thank him for doing away with those horrid bite wing x-rays in favor of an external and easy machine), when my dentist informs me that they will be taking free pictures of my mouth so they can show me ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos should I want to pursue getting cosmetic dental veneers applied to my teeth. That was all nice and dandy, and boy did the ‘after’ photo look rock star, super model awesome! But the cost of the treatment plan was just above twelve thousand dollars; that’s twelve big ones folks!
Why are Veneers so Costly?
Veneers are so costly because they are manufactured from expensive porcelain or similar materials using millions of dollars of equipment in a static-free lab. You pay for this luxury, through teeth (all puns fully intended). Then you pay to have them shipped to the dental office. Then you pay for the four hour application of them, which also can add up to nearly a thousand dollars, depending upon what your dentist charges you. And no, your dental insurance plan will not cover a solitary cent of the procedure because it is deemed, and is, cosmetic.
How Does the Procedure Work?
Your dentist will typically numb the area on your mouth, or if you prefer sedation dentistry knock you out, or even place you on nitrogen oxide, in combination with numbing the general area. They then use a drill and shave off a certain portion of the exterior of your teeth. Then they use a powerful adhesive to attach the veneers. Finally, they adjust them to fit perfectly.
Who in the Heck Can Afford Such Luxuries?
If you find yourself like I was, sitting in the chair and scoffing at the bill for the treatment plan, then you know, as I do, that almost nobody can afford to drop twelve grand on their freaking teeth. Mind you, if money was of no object or concern, my teeth would have had veneers a long time ago. But like most people, I got bills to pay, food to eat and do not wish to buy veneers that cost nearly as much as a decent car does. Besides, I have already spent too much money on wisdom teeth extraction surgeries, root canals and crowns and general maintenance. So in spite of how attractive they may look, most people will not be able to afford veneers, unless they are fond of telling their kids that they now must pay for their own college education because mommy and daddy splurged on veneers instead.