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365Hangers: new designs from a variety of designers – view styles that are available in your size only

Aviesta: Taverniti by Jimmy Taverniti Jeans, Fendi Sunglasses

Beyond the Rack:  Michael Kors and Burberry, Deal of the Day:  Knit Skirt, Fever, Apple Bottoms Plus, Trend Watch:  Layer Cake, Diesel, Radiance Pearl, Dedia & More, Dollhouse, Kamik Rainboots, Projek Raw, Marion, Vespa, Bedtime Story:  Luxury Linens, Household Essentials, Core Bamboo, Men’s Sweaters, Ladies’ Sweaters under $29.99

Biva: Lacoste Fragrances, Victoria’s Secret

Century 21: No Excess – Men’s, Romeo & Juliet – Women’s, Fall Fashion Finds, 0039 Italy – Women’s, C’est Chouette – Kids, Kenneth Cole Reaction – Kids, Cardigan – Women’s

Editors’ Closet: Designer Sunglasses Under $50, Intimates, Generra

Fab.com: Housefish – Key Modular Storage, Matthias Heiderich – Fine Art Photos from Berlin, Busso – Sleek Space-Saving Furniture, Option-G – Tree-Hugging Art Prints, Xonex – Art Supplies for All Ages, OMHU – Walking Sticks With Attitude, Blauet – Luxe Lamps and Wall Sconces, Tango Home – Fun Accessories for Cooks

Gilt: C & C California, Chloe Sunglasses, Current/Elliot, Hanii Y, Miguel Ases Jewelry, The Fall Boot Guide, top Trend for Fall:  Moody Florals, A Pop of Color:  Bold Accessories, Jewelry Essentials:  The Stud Earring, La Fee Verte Clothing & Intimate Apparel

Gilt Children: Baby Boutique, The Boys’ Shop, The Girls’ Shop, Acoustic Kids’ Apparel, Cotton Caboodle, Jason Wu Collector Dolls

Gilt Home: How to:  Decorate like you Dress, Modern Pop Design:  Art for Kids, nuLOOM Rugs:  Ikats and More, PrintedArt Featuring Raymond St. Arnaud Photography, Animals Matter & L.a. Dog Company:  Pet Beds and Accessories, The Coffee Event:  Gaggia, mypressi & More

Gilt Man: Alpha Industries, Daily Deal, Fall Trend Report:  Distressed Denim, Fred Perry by Raf Simons, nuLOOM Rugs:  Ikats and More, Richer Poorer, The Montauk Yacht Club Resort

Hautelook: Corey Lynn Calter, CZ by Kenneth Jay Lane, Madame Alexander, Calvin Klein, Report Collection, Fusion Beauty, Remy Olivier think Kitchen, DEPT, Kelsi Dagger, N-Fini Shapewear, La Quinta Resort & Club Palm Springs, Autumn Pillows, GLOSS Moderne, Bodhi, Cin2, Alisa Michelle Necklace

HomeSav: Impulse! – Fun Drinkware & More, Modern Bar Furniture – Bars & Barstools

Ideeli: Nicole Miller, Cara Couture, Carolina Amato, Taylor, Plus Size Perfection, Lucid new York, Sweet Romeo, Pump it up, Grace Hats, Essentials by a.B.S., cold Weather Chic, Desigual, AR + Cook, Violight, Strike a Yoga Pose, Ashton Sutton, Mai Cashmere, MICHAEL by Michael Kors, Jambu, Akribos, Yansi Fugel, Rockabye Toys, Kinetic

InVino: 2007 Robledo Pinot Noir – Los Carneros, *Double Gold Medalist – $24.99 ($40 Retail), 2006 Robledo “Los Braceros” Red Blend – Sonoma Valley, *Gold Medal & best of Class – $18.99 ($30 Retail)

Ivory Trunk: Tommy Hilfiger, Theory Sunglasses, Jil Sander

Jack Threads {for Men}: Enjoi, Nooka:  Brand new, Durkl:  Up to 80% Off, Obey:  Up to 50% Off

Jetsetter {Travel}: Montauk Yacht Club – Montauk, The Mandala Hotel – Berlin, Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul, La Valencia – La Jolla, CA

Joss & Main: Mollaspace – Funky Home Accents, Robert Siegel Handmade – Handmade Ceramics, Style Study – French Country

Modnique: Dior, MaxMara, Onsen Orogold Cosmetics, Judith Leiber, Silver Jewelry Under $50, Luxury Watches, Made in Italy Sunglasses, Fall Footwear, Tonino Lamborghini, Marika

One Kings Lane: Veranda’s House of Windsor – Get the Look, Mehraban – Hand-Knotted Rugs, Evergreen – Decorative Accessories, Rare Posters – Fine Art Posters, BIA Cordon Bleu – Basics for Everyday Dining, The Stylish Study – Desktop Accessories

Pure Citizen: Greenola

Rue La La: Lafayette 148 new York, Andrew Marc, Andrew Marc – Men’s, Black Brown 1826, Devon Leigh, Completing the Kitchen:  From Basics to Beyond, Schug Carneros Estate Winery, Luxe Land & Sea Excursions:  Greece, Egypt, & Beyond

Shop like Kings {for Men}: Elwood

Snique Away {Travel}: Hotel 43 – Boise ID, Omni Cancun, Cheeca Lodge – Florida Keys

Swirl: Erica Klein, Habitual

The Foundary: Aged Appeal, Analog Clocks, JK Adams, Travel Companions, way Basics

The Mini Social {for Moms & Kids}: Matthew Porter, Lillybee

The RealReal: Cattle Baron’s Ball, Shop Paula’s Closet, Chanel, Burberry, Alaia, McQueen and Demeulemeester

TheSampleSale.com: Swiss Spotlight, Contemporary Favorites, Versace & Vera Wang

Totsy {for Moms & Kids}: Snoopy Womens Slippers, Elise Hope Bags, Kidoozie, Thunder Boots, Baby Blooms, Marika Magic, Lil Leggings, Snoopy Kids, Vintage Snoopy Baby, Velvet and Tweed

Vacationist {Travel}: Inn at Eagle Mountain – Arizona, Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel – Hawaii

VoyagePrive.com {Travel}: Yuletide Winter Wonderland, Costa Rica & Panama

Zulily {for Moms & Kids}: On Your Feet by Chinese Laundry, Dr. Seuss, Rub a Dub Dub, Dream Mullick Collection, Veond, Fozia London, AFG baby furniture, Kid Athlete

Yes 4G mobile Internet will be a standard feature in new Proton models starting from the upcoming P3-21A (undisguised shot here) that will be launched very soon.

The Internet service is delivered via a portable yes 4G Huddle, which can support up to five devices.

Yes 4G currently covers 65 percent of the 960 km North South Highway, and aims to increase this to 80 percent by year end.

Of course, there is a little need to have a vehicle specific mobile Internet service since any mobile device with a data plan can be turned into a WiFi hot spot. The vehicle is not even a factor of consideration.

To add value, Proton and yes aims to offer smart applications like remote real-time vehicle diagnostics, security and location based services in the future.

To celebrate this partnership, yes and Proton are giving away a one-off customized Inspira worth RM 100,000. The Inspira comes with a yes 4G Huddle with on-board cradle and car charger, three Apple iPad 2 WiFi, Sony audio system, 18-inch wheels and titanium black glass tinting. Details on the contest can be found Yes’ website.

The SYM Symba has a 101cc engine that accelerates it to 35-40mph very nicely. you can easily get it up to 55 on a flat road, and I’ve even hit 65 going downhill. however, hills pose a bit of a challenge to the motor and the bike is only able to push me at a constant 45mph on a nice sized incline … so beware of that. on normal city / neighborhood streets where the speed limit doesn’t get over 40, the Symba has no problem keeping up (and even passing) traffic. I’ve had the bike on the freeway twice, and only for short distances – but it kept up with traffic (after it got up to speed … which can take a few seconds). I wouldn’t recommend riding this scooter on the freeway though … only if you must and only for short distances. Stick to the side roads.

Storage on the Symba sucks … as in there is none. Absolutely zero. There is a helmet lock on the left side of the bike, but its a chore getting a full face helmet to lock onto it. however, I was able to fit my old sport bike saddlebags on the back, and they fit perfectly. I have a three piece Cortex saddle bag set, and I would highly recommend picking one up. This set fits perfectly over the rear seat and can fit a rain cover, rain gear, extra set of clothes, a tool kit, first aid, and still have the entire trunk section empty and ready for groceries or other payload. and don’t worry, you won’t want to carry a second person on this scooter. The max weight for the passenger seat is only 22lbs (according to the manual) and the whole scooter has a max carrying weight of 199lbs. I’m not sure if I trust these figures as they seem REALLY low … but then again, I don’t really see a reason to carry 2 people on a little scooter …

Engaging in LorneLast week, Cr Libby Coker and I travelled to Lorne to meet with local residents at the Visitor Information Centre. The monthly Councillor and customer service visits to the Lorne Visitor Information Centre are an important opportunity to discuss community issues and get feedback from local residents.

My discussions with residents picked up on some parking and traffic management issues in the town centre, drainage issues and emergency management issues. The next monthly Councillor and Customer Service visit to Lorne will be held on Wednesday March 21 between 10am and 3:30pm.

Busy agenda for CouncilThe February Council meeting, to be held this Wednesday 22 February, will consider a number of important matters including future planning for recreation infrastructure in Aireys Inlet, a four-year Memorandum of Understanding with G21, the Torquay and Jan Juc Retail Strategy which will guide retail development in the town and the awarding of a tender for the redevelopment of the Spring Creek Reserve Pavilion.

Council will also consider the outcome of community consultation conducted last year as part of a review of its Pathway Strategy. The meeting will be held at Council Chambers on Wednesday 22 February from 6pm with all welcome to attend.

Rotary car show successI was pleased earlier this month to attend the Torquay Rotary Car show, which this year attracted more than 3,000 local residents and visitors as well as a lot of fine cars. The day raised a significant amount of money for important causes and to aid Torquay Rotary’s excellent community work.

I was honoured to present the Mayor’s choice award to a 1966 Black Mustang, which stood out from an impressive field that included immaculately-kept vintage Peugeots, Ferraris and other impressive vehicles.

With inclement weather affecting the event in previous years, it was especially pleasing to see a great turn up on a typically sunny Torquay day. Congratulations to the organisers and all who participated in this very enjoyable event.

Traffic safety at BellsThis week, Council is starting traffic management work around Bells Beach to help improve safety around the car parks and regulate the movement of large vehicles in the area.

The works are the result of a traffic safety audit done around the car park late last year, and will fix immediate safety issues while a longer term solution to regulate coaches and tourist buses that visit the reserve is agreed between Council and the Department of Sustainability and Environment.

This will include a licensing regime, which will see tour operators provide funds for the maintenance of the reserve. The works will be completed between 16 February and 9 March. Access to the beach and toilet facilities will not be restricted at any time.

Coup for Barwon ParkThis week, Barwon Park in Winchelsea will host the Australian Shakespeare Company’s production of DH Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover. The production is a significant coup for Winchelsea and shows the growing importance of the Barwon Park historic mansion as a community asset, as well as its potential for hosting community events.

Lady Chatterley’s Lover will show at Barwon Park on February 24-25 from 7pm. Tickets are available from Ticketek, Shakespeare Australia or at the venue from 5pm on performance nights. for more information on the event and ticketing, visit shakespeareaustralia.com.au.

Eastern Reserve upgrade lifts WinchThe opening of the new Eastern Reserve Community Centre at Winchelsea has generated considerable interest, with the building having already been used for a number of functions.

The new Community Gym has also opened for operation, providing local residents with access to new fitness facilities as well as important opportunities for local sporting clubs; particularly during the football and netball pre-season training. to find out more about the gym, contact 52672336 or email au.

Cr Brian McKiterickMayor, Surf Coast Shire

London, Feb 7 (ANI): Lingerie Football League’s final in Las Vegas was a sight to behold as scantily-clad women wearing only helmets, sports bras, knickers, garters, and shoulder, knee and elbow pads heated up millions of television sets on Sunday.

The game was set up as a politically-incorrect alternative to the Super Bowl half-time show.

While approximately 100million sports fans watched the Super Bowl on Sunday, Los Angeles Temptation competed against Philadelphia Passion in the risque Lingerie Football League’s Lingerie Bowl IX at the Orleans Arena.

The event saw defending champions Los Angeles Temptation keep their crown with a 28-6 massive win.

Until a few years ago, the event was only a pay-per-view substitute to the tedious, PC Super Bowl half-time concert, the Daily Mail reported.

But it has now generated its own industry and a league which boasts 12 teams playing in front of crowds in their thousands.

The LFL features a two-conference format.

The Baltimore Charm, Cleveland Crush, Orlando Fantasy, Philadelphia Passion, Tampa Breeze and Toronto Triumph battle in the Eastern Conference.

While Chicago Bliss, Green Bay Chill, Las Vegas Sin, Los Angeles Temptation, Minnesota Valkyrie and Seattle Mist compete in the Western Conference.

And at the end of the season, the 11-girl team that proves itself to be the best contender is rewarded with the Lingerie Bowl trophy in a showdown between the conference winners. (ANI)

One sunny autumn afternoon when I was about 13, my dad and I were out collecting canned goods door to door as part of a Thanksgiving charity drive. We strolled house to house, our paper grocery bags filling with dusty boxes of mac ‘n’ cheese and squatty little neglected cans of tuna. the sun was getting low in the sky and as we entered yet another cull de sac, I saw something I’d never seen before.

“What the heck is that?” I asked, pointing toward an open garage across the street.

“Ooh! That’s a Mini, son. C’mon, you won’t see one of these every day.” my dad replied.

Twenty yards from us was an open one-car garage with a faded blue classic Mini Cooper inside. in the dim light of the garage, I could just make out its squatty little stance and Union Jack roof graphic. I’ve inherited a big soft spot for british motors, as my dad is the original owner of a 1969 MGb GT. Dad talked to the owner about one thing or another, but I was transfixed by this groovy little car and wondered what the hell it was doing in northwest Louisiana. As we left, I was nothing but questions. I was sad to learn that emission standards and bumper height regulations meant that the Mini was only imported for a few years. Still, I was determined that someday I’d simply have to own one.

Flash forward. I’m done with school, working in advertising and design, and the CP+B branded MINI had captivated me even beyond the classic. here was this car that by my calculations was a near mythical blend of efficiency, style, sport and cheek. What was more, I could just afford one. I’d done a nice long test drive in Kansas City and my mind was thoroughly made up. unfortunately, I was up against a deadline.

It was 2006, and the car I’d fallen in love with was soon going to drastically change [I strongly felt] for the worse. the R53, Frank Stephenson’s Rover initiated, BMW polished masterpiece was being fiddled with by the bean counters at BMW. the design language of the new car, the R56, seemed to have a bizarre German accent and there were mechanical changes that seemed to go against common sense and good character. the raw roar of the supercharger was to be replaced by the whispy buzz of a twin-scroll turbo. the bulletproof iron block was now a fragile lump of aluminum. more alarmingly, BMW had opted for on-demand electric oil and water pump systems which just seemed like disaster waiting to happen. Then I looked at the interior changes. No. No. No! What the #@$% were they doing to my dream car? That tore it. If I was going to own a MINI, it was R53 or bust.

Long story short, I did some wrangling and managed to order my car — one of the last few hundred R53 MINIs built at Oxford — a dark silver Cooper S with a light silver roof and mirror caps, silver on silver anthracite interior, Premium/Sport/Cold packages, and 17″ rims. Todd Pearson hooked me up with a full custom front end with silver bonnet stripes and a silver hood scoop to match the roof. gorgeous! I was in love. not only was it a magnificent looking car, it was more powerful than I’d ever expected and cornered like nothing I’d ever experienced. No buyer’s remorse here. No sir.

Three years later, here I am. in August I come to the end of my three year MINI Select financing term and I have basically two options.

1. Refinance the balloon payment and keep the car. 2. Trade in/sell my MINI and buy/lease something else.

Three years ago when I bought the car, #2 was not an option. I was going to keep this car for 40 years, just like my dad has kept his MG. That was still the plan up until this last Thursday. last Thursday I had what turned out to be a short in my dash wiring that gave me a false ABS/flat tire warning. Simultaneously, the thermostat housing catastrophically failed and the car nearly overheated. If I hadn’t been watching the gauges because of the ABS warning, I may not have noticed the temperature needle shoot skyward. Thankfully I did notice and shut the car off just as that light came on and avoided doing any damage to the engine.

A call to MINI Roadside Assistance and 90 minutes later, I received the fob to an R56 Cooper loaner car. I’ve had these Cooper loaners before and frankly, they’re dangerous. They’re dangerous because they’re so much more comfortable than my R53. every time I drive one, I kinda want one. I ended up keeping this loaner for four days while Motorwerks mended my MINI. What was supposed to be only a strictly platonic business arrangement turned into a torrid affair. I fell in love with that confounded Cooper, on/off oil pump, automatic transmission and all.

Not only did this mean that I needed to swallow quarts of my own bile from the comment sections of Motoringfile, but it meant that I needed to seriously reconsider my entire approach to car ownership. Am I willing to part with MY car for something better? was I keeping my car for the right reasons? is it even remotely practical or even possible to keep a 2006 MINI running for 40 years? It’s a pretty big brain shift going from “keep it forever” to “drive something else for the next three years or so and then change again.” What’s more, I am tempted hard by the Cooper, not just the Cooper S. the Cooper is so appealing in its little quirky way. the mileage is fan-frakking-tastic, the looks have really grown on me, it’d mean a much lower car payment than I make now, and bottom line: it’s a profoundly more comfortable car. I fit in it better and the ride quality is worlds better.

So yesterday, as I returned my loaner car and picked up my repaired MINI, I stopped by the sales department. They were kind enough to let me demo first a 2009 Cooper, then a 2009 Cooper S, both with manual transmissions. If I made a move away from my MINI, I really just can’t see myself driving anything else but another MINI.

In the Cooper, I worked my way through a small urban area, then zipped up and down 35W for a while. the Cooper actually reminds me a lot of my Vespa Grantourismo. the power is there, as is the speed, but it’s not a brute. It’s swift, but delicately so. When you really know the car, you can wring lots of speed out of it, but not by simply mashing on the pedal. in a lot of ways, the R56 Cooper feels about as powerful and quick as my R53 Cooper S, just minus the torquey power-on-demand I get from my supercharger. the Cooper is an extremely easy car to drive mated to the Getrag 6-speed manual gearbox, and especially so in town. “I could have a really good time in this car.” I thought to myself.

Next I drove the Cooper S on the same route. I’d previously driven an R56 Cooper S on a short demo in 2007 and frankly wasn’t impressed with it. It felt numb and seemed to lack that uncivilized, raw power I could get from my R53. now that I’m much more used to the R56 platform, I was able to unleash the S for the turbocharged monster that it really is.

Wow! What had I done? Why did I drive this car? I should have known better.

The R56 MCS isn’t simply a little quicker than my R53. There’s a world of difference. the overboost, the giant swell of torque, the rally car growl and the comfortable sharpness of the handling were beyond a simple improvement compared to my R53. At one point I was going state prison fast as the car and I slingshot down the onramp and blurred past traffic. I wasn’t actually trying to go that fast, I just wanted to punch it and see what would happen. Wow. Did I say wow? Wow. now I’m conflicted. Do I drive the dancer or the monster? I’m not sure how I feel about it yet.

Throughout this process, I’ve been rethinking my whole outlook on cars and my outlook on “stuff” in general. I think that many of us perceive that what we drive can say a lot about who we are if we want it to. a car or a bike or a scooter or how we dress — these are all statements we make about ourselves. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. When those things define us — define who we are — rather than the other way around, then that isn’t healthy, of course, and it’s an easy thing to fall into. we are always communicating something, whether we want to or not. the Prius owner often has as much to say in their purchase as the Hummer driver. They’re just saying different things. For a lot of people, they’re driving a car that says “I don’t care what I drive so long as I get there.” That’s a statement too, and a good one. And really, most people are just driving and don’t give a second’s thought about their car, their clothes, or their 401(k). That’s alright too, and healthy in its own way.

Being unemployed for several months this year put a lot of these sorts of PR notions into sharp perspective for me. What do I really stand for? What are my priorities? What am I communicating to other people intentionally and unintentionally? It’s easy to get all image conscience, but that isn’t the point. in reality, very few people will ever give a crap what I’m driving, and I’m not going to make my buying decisions based on those perceptions really at all. I just know they’re there and want to make sure that what I’m communicating about myself is above all else authentic.

I think the biggest lesson I learned from being unemployed was the value of enough. there is a profound freedom in having only the things your really need and a few of the things you really want. there is comfort in actually living within one’s means. my wife and I recently moved into a smaller apartment. Our previous place was simply more space than we needed and more expense than was worth paying. So we downgraded. we dropped two bedrooms, 1-1/2 baths, 500 square feet, and we absolutely love our new place. It’s just right for us and our mutts. in a lot of ways, I’m thinking that a change to the R56 Cooper might also be just the ticket. Then again, that Cooper S is one beautiful monster.

I’ve got until July or so to figure out this car conundrum. Do I hang on to my car — a car I really do love in spite of its subtle faults? Do I keep my monthly payments roughly the same and drive a beastly Cooper S? Do I save money, embrace “enough” and cruise ’round in a Cooper? Do I depart from MINI all together and lease a Honda Insight or a Jetta TDi? It’s amazing the emotional attachments we make to something as silly as a car, yet here I am, utterly conflicted. this is a fun problem to have, that’s for sure. definitely a first world problem.

My car vs. Cooper vs. Cooper S vs. ???

Time will tell.

The results of the soil analysis at the Phoenix site suggest the surface of Mars has been arid for hundreds of millions of years, despite the presence of ice and the fact that previous research has shown that Mars may have had a warmer and wetter period in its earlier history more than three billion years ago. The team also estimated that the soil on Mars had been exposed to liquid water for at most 5,000 years since its formation billions of years ago. they also found that Martian and Moon soil is being formed under the same extremely dry conditions.

Satellite images and previous studies have proven that the soil on Mars is uniform across the planet, which suggests that the results from the team’s analysis could be applied to all of Mars. This implies that liquid water has been on the surface of Mars for far too short a time for life to maintain a foothold on the surface.

Dr Pike, from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Imperial, who is lead author on the study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, explains:

“We found that even though there is an abundance of ice, Mars has been experiencing a super-drought that may well have lasted hundreds of millions of years. we think the Mars we know today contrasts sharply with its earlier history, which had warmer and wetter periods and which may have been more suited to life. Future NASA and ESA missions that are planned for Mars will have to dig deeper to search for evidence of life, which may still be taking refuge underground.”

During the Phoenix mission, Dr Pike and his research group formed one of 24 teams based at mission control in the University of Arizona in the USA, operating part of the spacecraft’s onboard laboratories. they analysed soil samples dug up by a robot arm, using an optical microscope to produce images of larger sand-sized particles, and an atomic-force microscope to produce 3D images of the surface of particles as small as 100 microns across. since the end of the mission, the team has been cataloguing individual particle sizes to understand more about the history of the Martian soil.

In the study, the researchers looked for the microscopic clay particles that are formed when rock is broken down by water. such particles are an important marker of contact between liquid water and the soil, forming a distinct population in the soil. The team found no such marker. they calculated that even if the few particles they saw in this size range were in fact clay, they made up less than 0.1 percent of the total proportion of the soil in the samples. on Earth, clays can make up to 50 percent or more of the soil content, so such a small proportion in the Martian samples suggests that the soil has had a very arid history.

They estimated that the soil they were analysing had only been exposed to liquid water for a maximum of 5,000 years by comparing their data with the slowest rate that clays could form on Earth.

The team found further evidence to support the idea that Martian soil has been largely dry throughout its history by comparing soil data from Mars, Earth and the Moon. The researchers deduced that the soil was being formed in a similar way on Mars and the Moon because they were able to match the distribution of soil particle sizes. on Mars, the team inferred that physical weathering by the wind as well as meteorites breaks down the soil into smaller particles. on the Moon, meteorite impacts break down rocks into soil, as there is no liquid water or atmosphere to wear down the particles.

More information: “Quantification of the dry history of the Martian soil inferred from in situ microscopy” Geophysical Research Letter, Vol. 38, December 2011 edition. for a full list of the authors and a copy of the paper: https://fileexchan … GL049896.pdf

Provided by Imperial College London (news : web)

The last thing Pat Holmgren was looking for was a relationship,especially with someone she met online.

But when the single mother of three from Florida logged into aSturgis motorcycle rally message board, she found herself in themiddle of a conversation about the challenges of finding theperfect man.

It wasn’t long before she received a private message from a manin Washington State, also a motorcycle lover although not a fan ofher thoughts at the time. 

“We started talking,” Holmgren said, and the back and forthturned into a friendship.

The couple planned to meet at the Sturgis rally, where she hadplanned to attend with a friend from Denver.

“We spent that week with his family, and when it was over, Ididn’t want to go home,” she said. “I wanted to go to Washingtonwith him.”

The week at the rally was the start of a long-distance romancethat turned more serious in April of 2009, when Chuck “soldeverything he had, and rode his motorcycle from Washington toFlorida to be with me.”

He proposed Christmas morning of 2009 and the couple was marriedlast June.

In April they decided to move to Rapid City, where ChuckHolmgren grew up. Pat Holmgren has no regrets.

“I’m loving it out here,” she said. “I got a wonderful man.”

And it wouldn’t have happened if she hadn’t been willing to getto know someone through the Internet. She is not alone. Accordingto the dating site eHarmony, online dating is the third mostpopular way for newlyweds to have met during the past five years.About 100,000 couples get married each year after meeting througheHarmony, the company said. others are meeting through chat roomsand social networking sites, venues that weren’t available just afew years ago.

“My friends and family said ‘Aren’t you afraid to go and meetsomeone you met online?’” Pat Holmgren said. “But you’ve got takechances.”

Michelle Rose of Black Hawk also met a man online afteraccidentally signing into a chat room. A man from Athens, Greece,sent her a message and the two struck up a friendship. he asked herto visit in November of 2010 and Rose’s friends and family werewary.

“I went and it was love at first sight,” she said.

She took another trip to see him a year ago, and the couple hasmaintained a long-distance relationship since. he plans to move tothe U.S. in June and start school. The couple also plans toeventually get married.

Rose said her family’s resistance has diminished as time haspassed.

“The first time I went, they thought I would come back in a bodybag,” she said. “Now, they’re totally behind me.”

Online relationships don’t always end well, Rose added. She oncemoved to New Mexico to be with a man she met on the Internet. Itdidn’t work out, and she promised herself never to do it again.this time, she knew what to look for, she said.

“Don’t jump into it right away,” Rose advised. “Do a backgroundcheck and be true to yourself.”

Pat Holmgren agreed. She did as much background research on hernew husband as she could and provided her family with his contactinformation, address, employer’s name and other information beforeshe left for the rally.

Not all Internet connections start with strangers. For some, thetechnology simply plays a hand in keeping touch – as it did forElisha and Chris Johnson.

Their love story began long ago – when they were just children,playing in the neighbors’ yard.

“I was the pesky little neighbor girl, and he was four yearsolder than me,” Elisha said.

After high school, Chris left for basic training in the AirForce. The two kept in touch but eventually lost contact. Duringschool, her cross-country coach mentioned that he had heard fromChris and Elisha got back in touch with him through email.

Through multiple moves – from Korea to Georgia and one to Guam -Chris lost her contact information and he emailed the cross-countrycoach again for Elisha’s information.

When Chris returned to the United States and was stationed inMinot, N.D., Elisha went to visit him.

“It took me all of a half a day to realize I wanted to marryhim,” she said.

She moved to North Dakota to be with him, he proposed and thecouple was married six years ago. They were stationed in Guam forfour years before moving to Rapid City. They now have twochildren.

Thanks to their coach, email and fate, they are together forgood, she said.

“I don’t know how we would have gotten in touch otherwise,” shesaid.

When he was overseas, no other line of communication would haveworked.

“I was in high school,” she said. “It’s not like my mom wasgoing to let me call Korea.”

It was all part of a greater plan, she said.

“There had to have been a reason we kept getting back on touchwith each other,” she said.

Pat Holmgren feels the same way about her love story.

“We lived 3,000 miles apart, and I never knew he existed,” shesaid.

It’s amazing how well they fit together, she said.

“We always know what the other is thinking,” Pat Holmgren said.”We finish each other’s sentences.”

Opel is looking forward to two world premieres at this year’s Geneva Motor show (March 6-18, 2012): the all-new Mokka sub- compact SUV and the new Astra OPC. entirely in line with this year’s show motto “Driving into the future”, with the new Mokka, Opel is the first German manufacturer to enter the fast growing SUV-B segment. Visitors to the Opel press conference on March 6, Geneva Palexpo, Hall 2 at 11:30 hrs will be able to see that not only is Opel expanding its vehicle range with the new Mokka and the new Astra OPC but it is delivering even more emotion to the brand and the customer.

The new 206 kW/280 hp Astra OPC compact sports coup

The tarot readings originate in Europe since the fifteenth century. at those times they were called triumph cards and were used only for entertainment purposes and not for divination.

Tarot card reading has been practiced for over a hundred years now. The first reading of the cards is dated back to the fourteenth century.

The tarot cards have become one of the ways of future prediction. The usual pack of tarot cards contains 78 picture cards. this tarot card reading is done in specific patterns or spreads. though each card has unique meanings, when read in different arrangements might differ slightly.

The pack of 78 cards is divided into two sets: Major Arcana, containing 22 cards numbered from 0 to 21 and Minor Arcana, which have 56 cards divided into 4 suits. these cards can be shuffled and spread in different ways; that is straight or reversed, which change the meanings.

Here are the tarot card meanings:

Major Arcana:

• The fool (0): this card represents youth, innocence and is also known as the novice,

• The magician (1): this card represents skill, self control, action or taking charge.

• The high priestess (2): this card stands for wisdom, intuition, mystery, secrets and firmness.

• The empress (3): this card signifies fertility, motherhood, health, kindliness and wealth.

• The emperor (4): this card represents will power, ambition, stability, fatherhood and patron.

• The hierophant (5): this card refers to marriage, religion, mercy, higher self and good advice.

• The lovers (6): this card is useful for the love tarot card reading as it represents love, beauty, overcoming obstacles and emotional success.

• The chariot (7): this card represents a driving force, triumph, war and revenge.

• Strength (8): this tarot card stands for fortitude, courage, self discipline, success and energy.

• The hermit (9): this card stands for caution, treason, discretion and spiritual quest.

• Wheel of fortune (10): As the name suggests, this card signifies fate, luck, destiny and a turn for the better.

• Justice (11): this card represents truth, law, balance and contract.

• The hanged man (12): this card shows wisdom is difficult times, self sacrifice, intuition and prophesies.

• Death (13): this tarot card shows transformation, events going out of your control, new but difficult start, major change in life and also actual death.

• Temperance (14): this card stands for management, spirit transcending matter, restraint and economy.

• The devil (15): this card shows anger, violence, envy, greed, deceit and instinct.

• The tower (16): this tarot card signifies catastrophe, ruin, adversity and calamity.

• The star (17): this card represents hope, goals, guidance, enlightenment and bright future.

• The moon (18): this card suggests illusion, nightmares, hidden fears and dark forces.

• The sun (19): this card represents joy, freedom, rebirth, marriage and success,

• The last judgment (20): this card represents major decision, final result and overcoming problems.

• The world (21): this card is known for successful completion of a task, assured success, harmony and even long distance travel.

Minor Arcana

This set is divided into four suits:

Wands: these cover the intellectual activities and career.

Cups: these cards of cards are usually used for love tarot card reading as they include emotions, love, pleasure and sensitivity.

Swords: these cards represent struggle, illness and difficulties.

Coins: this set of cards signifies the material world, finance and property.

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