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GATSwatch.org > GATS Negotiations > Requests & Offers
Initial GATS offers
10 April 2019 -- 15 WTO member states have now filed an initial GATS offer. The countries that have submitted intial offers are: Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United States and Uruguay.
This low response comes as no surprise, as only less than a third of the WTO membership has so far tabled initial GATS requests (which was supposed to have happened before 30 June 2019). It is becoming ever more obvious that the GATS negotiations are being driven by a small group of OECD countries, basically pursuing the agenda of big services corporations based in those countries.
The lack of progress and in particular the low participation of developing countries in the services negotiations adds to the general malaise of the current WTO trade talks and underlines that the term "Doha Development Agenda" is to be considered pure rethorics.
The thirty WTO members that tabled GATS requests still refuse to publish the full text of their requests. The only requests that are available in full are those from the European Union, which were leaked and published in February 2003.
As considers the initial offers, only Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the United States have derestricted their initial offer and made them available to the general public. Japan has only published a summary of its initial offer, while I have found it impossible to find any detailed information on the other initial offers.
The European Union has failed signally to meet the 31st March deadline for submitting initial offers. Currently, EU Member States and the Commission are trying to overcome disagreement over certain parts of the Commission's draft initial offer. In particular the Commission's proposed 'Mode 4' commitments have proven quite controversial with some EU Member State governments.
According to Brussels insiders, it will at least take until Easter to finalize the EU's initial offer. A new Commission proposal on Mode 4 is to be discussed with Member States services experts in the Committee 133 ad hoc services meeting on Wednesday 9 April 2019. On Monday 14 April this proposal will be discussed at Ministerial level in the General Affairs Council. The Commisison then hopes to finalize the initial offer in the full members' meeting of the Committee 133 on Wednesday 16 April in Brussels.The Swiss government has announced that it hopes to present its offer by 15 April. Initial offers and reactions by anti-GATS campaign groups
All EU GATS Cards on the Table
EU outgoing requests (final versions -- July 2002)
Draft versions of 29 outgoing EU requests (April 2002)
Incoming requests (since July 2002)
Revised Draft EU Initial Offer (March 2003)
Reactions to the leaked EU requests by groups campaigning to Stop the GATS Attack
The leaked EU requests in the media
25 February 2019 -- According to Pascal Lamy, interviewed on BBC 4 Radio this morning: "It's a joke. These documents have been available since July 2002". In fact, Mr. Lamy was joking himself: on 4 July 2019 the EC made available a very limited summary of its requests to 109 countries.The summary is roughly 10 pages long, whereas the documents put in the public domain today run into thousands of pages. These documents, the EU's actual negotiating requests have never been in the public domain before.
A very selected group of people could, under conditions of the strictest secrecy, consult these 109 documents. For example, Green MEP Caroline Lucas, one of the few Members of the European Parliament who did get access to the 109 requests, reported how she was "instructed to keep the papers in a locked safe, to refrain from copying them or emailing them, and to shred them after reading."
Last week, after a closed doors meeting between members of the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy and Commissioner Pascal Lamy, Social Democrat MEP Harlem Désir sent out a press release in which he objected against the fact that most MEPs have to rely on leaks through NGOs as they only have access to summaries of the negoting documents.
The 109 EU requests were recently obtained by the Canadian Polaris Institute and have now been put in the public domain. After their release it has become very obvious why the European Commission has put so much effort into keeping these documents secret. The 109 requests reveal how the European Union is putting pressure on developing countries to opening up their services markets (including essential services like drinking water or energy) markets for European services TNCs. For example, countries like Tanzania, Mozambique and Bangladesh are asked to open up their markets for drinking water supply.
In pursuing a corporate-driven agenda towards developing countries, the European Commission seems to have forgotten the golden rule of doing as you would be done by: according to the EU's initial draft GATS offer, the EU itself is (with good reason!) not intending to liberalize drinking water and other public services under the GATS.
Incoming requestsThe European Commission has prepared a general summary of the incoming requests, with no country-specific details. This summary served as the basis for a much contested civil society consultation on the EU GATS offer.
EU Draft Initial Offer
Revised version (10 March 2019)
EU Initial GATS Offer (revised draft by the European Commission, 10 March 2019)
MFN Exemptions (Annex to EU Initial GATS Offer revised draft, 10 March 2019)
First version (5 February 2019)
EC summary of the proposed Draft Initial GATS Offer (5 Feb 2019)
EU Initial GATS Offer (first draft by the European Commission, 5 Feb 2019)MFN Exemptions (Annex to EU Initial GATS Offer first draft, 5 Feb 2019)
GATSwatch is a joint project of Corporate Europe Observatory and Transnational Institute


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Enjoying a relaxed, convivial atmosphere, Dolce Vita puts a uniquely modern twist on the alluring flavours of authentic Italian cuisine. Passionate about retaining the true spirit of traditional Italian cuisine, Dolce Vita features the freshest of produce and the finest seasonal ingredients, which are translated into delicious daily creations.
Providing the perfect backdrop for the cuisine is Dolce Vita's elegant, minimalist décor, which features comfortable wooden chairs, linen covered tables and a large open kitchen. With floor-to-ceiling glass windows opening up to views over the stylish pool area, Dolce Vita has a light, sun-kissed ambience to complement the wonderful menu.
5 Raffles Avenue, Marina Square
Singapore, 039797
Opening Hours
Monday - Sunday:
► Lunch • 12:00 - 14:30
► Dinner • 18:30 - 22:30
Saturday - Sunday:
► Brunch • 12:00 - 15:00

subset: commoncrawl


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Elsa is a simple wife and mom to 4 children. She belongs to a particular tribe of Aeta called Magbukon situated in Sitio Kinaragan of the municipality of Limay, Bataan. She was trained by MAP as a Sitio Health Worker. Now, she can confidently assess her neighbors whenever they come to her for check-up which she could refer to their Health Center. She was also recognized by the Barangay Health Workers and work with them in BP monitoring and other activities for the community.
I remember when she was not yet an SHW. She lived a very simple life. Being a housewife, she would be normally busy with her chores and kids, sometimes helping her husband as well in their small farm. She was timid and to a point, felt inferior, maybe brought by the culture or perhaps the non-Aeta (Tagalog) people around them.
When MAP came to conduct training in Primary Health Care, Elsa hesitated to join thinking that she won't be able to learn well since she did not finish schooling. But with the help and constant nudging of Ate Esther (her former teacher), Elsa gained confidence to attend the training.
After finishing the training, Elsa happily shared that she have conquered her timidity and realized her self-worth when her neighbors started coming up to her for health assessment. She added that though it is hard to fulfill the role of an SHW, it comforts her to know that she is able to help her community which she believes God commands us to do.
Elsa thoughtfully concluded, "The most important thing that I've learned is that I and my family are precious in the eyes of God and He has a beautiful plan for my life. I thank MAP for that. (isang pinakaimportanteng bagay ang malaman na ako at ang aking pamilya ay espesyal sa Diyos at malaman ang magandang plano niya sa buhay ko. salamat sa MAP.)


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Are you looking forward to an Expert Android development company? We build Andriod Apps for your business and convert your ideas into Android Apps.
According to Nielsen's survey 53% of subscribers have used Android devices to access their apps in comparison to their iOS counterparts at 43% in the third-quarter of 2015. Due to this increase in market share, with our outsource Android development services, we create design, develop and distribute high-end custom mobile apps that revolutionize the way you choose to execute your business. Each customer has diverse application needs, for which we facilitate to create Android applications to suit their varied demands. Our suite of Android development solutions endows your business with speed and flexibility.
In such a changing scenario, the obvious question is about the app compatibility. We build Android apps compatible to the latest Android release. Though there is an argument that Android 6.0 Marshmallow is not being used much, we have discovered that things have changed.
Our expert Android team of diligent developers is capable of providing customized solutions based on Google Nearby, Bluetooth, LTE, WI-FI, GPS and various other prominent features of Android phones, Tablets and Wearables. We at Macronimous, help you to get unmatched desktop effect on your mobile device with the help of tools like Android Studio
, SQ-Lite, 2D and 3D graphic libraries, etc.
We at Macronimous handle Google-recommended standard Android app development process that consists the following
- Android UI development (Material design)
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- Cloud driven apps with Google cloud platform
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- Real-time DB storage and communication apps with Firebase or Socket.io
The outsource Android Applications that we develop typically go through a number of standard quality tests before going live. Our systems are vertically combined and we work jointly with our client's right from the beginning by analyzing every aspect of the project. Our Android mobile development team has earned us our reputation and customer gratification in the industry and we have constantly thumped our mark in these areas,
- Business and finance applications
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We also provide Android app design services with elegant Material/Flat UI Design services.
For the best in Radical Solutions, Contact Us.
We work to channelize our experience in this field combined with our proven technical expertise to give you the decisive edge. At Macronimous, you can be sure of the best in class delivery, commitment to schedules and focused implementation strategies. Outsource your Android development to us and you are assured of getting a superior customized offshore Android application uniquely designed to meet your burgeoning business needs.


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Implants are synthetic tooth roots. They are usually made of titanium, zirconium and inert materials that are safe for the body.
The oral surgeon embeds the implant in your jaw bone and allows it to integrate with the bone before the artificial tooth or denture is attached to the implant. This system is the best teeth replacement solution whether you are missing one tooth or several.


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A few months ago, we welcomed Rhett Dukes as Exeutive Chef at The Nodding Donkey. Rhett had been with us for sometime, starting as a sous chef and quickly moving up the ranks as a force to be reckoned with in the kitchen.
As part of Rhett's new role, we wanted to overhaul our menu. Keep the old favorites that everyone has come to know and love, but looking forward to innovative ways to serve the freshest "bar food" around. We are excited to announce that our new menu is now available at The Nodding Donkey, and we can't wait for you to try it!
Freshness is Key
The fresh new menu at The Nodding Donkey Greenville Ave. is chock full of dishes you wouldn't expect at your favorite Dallas bar. Sure, we're still going to offer some of your old favorites like chips & queso, chicken strips, and jalapeno skins – but each dish has upped its freshness quotient. The chicken strips are freshly marinated and prepared with 9 different herbs and spices. The queso is prepared with real cheddar cheese and loaded with brisket. You get the idea. It's the little things that give the food a freshness you can taste. Oh and did we mention that if you join us for the best brunch in Dallas, all eggs are free-range, organic eggs.
A World of Variety
Appetizers. Burgers. Pizza. Salads. Sandwiches. A wide variety of what we call Texican food (it's not Tex-Mex here…it's Texican!). A whole menu full of lighter fare, comfort food, American favorites, and more. We know you are sure to find something you love.
Join us at The Nodding Donkey Greenville Ave. this weekend to enjoy a college football game and a meal off of our brand new menu! Pair that with a Dallas drink special or two, and you're set! We can't wait to see you at the best sports bar in Dallas!


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When you choose Bailey Law, PLC, you can count on working one on one with an Oklahoma lawyer who has the in-depth experience and skill you require for success.
Attorney Wayne Bailey has been practicing law for the past 15 years. He also has decades of business and accounting experience, so you can rest assured that even your most complex concerns are in competent hands. Most importantly, Mr. Bailey is committed to providing you with the highest level of customer service and attention.
Whether you are involved in probate litigation, you need to negotiate a real estate contract, you have a construction defect claim or you need assistance in other areas of practice, reach out to our firm today.
How An LL.M In Taxation Benefits You
If you own a small business, real estate or other significant assets, working with an attorney skilled in tax matters is a decided benefit. Mr. Bailey's LL.M degree, combined with years of real world experience dealing with the IRS prior to his law career, gives him keen insight into sophisticated asset protection strategies, IRS tax disputes, succession planning, income tax preparation issues and many other matters.


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All of our carefully chosen seafood selections are eco-friendly and environmentally sustainable.
Please select one station…
- Butter Leaf Lettuce - With Red and Yellow Tear Drop Tomato with Crispy Onions with Creamy Italian Dressing Mixed Greens - With Bleu Cheese, California Strawberries (Seasonal) and Candied Walnuts with Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Sustainable Market Seafood
- Poulet Roti (French Style Herb Roasted Chicken)
- Spinach, Mushroom and Cannellini Bean Casserole
- Herb Roasted Baby Yukon's
- Grilled Seasonal Vegetable
- Caprese Salad - Bocconcini Mozzarella, Cherry Tomato and Fresh Basil Tossed with Fresh Spinach
- Caesar Salad - Romaine, Shaved Parmesan Cheese and House Made Lemon Croutons Served with Traditional Caesar Dressing
- Chicken Milanese with Tomato and Fennel Sauce
- Flat Iron Steak - Served with Arugula Tossed in Lemon dressing with Parmesan Cheese Tri-Colored Pasta with Creamy Pesto & Parmesan
- Fresh Seasonal Vegetable
- Mixed Greens Salad - With Spiced Pecans, Herb Goat Cheese, Dried Cranberries and Sherry Vinaigrette Spinach Salad With Cucumbers, Carrots, Pear Tomatoes with Herb Croutons and Champagne Vinaigrette
- Grilled Beef Tri Tip with Horseradish Cream
- Grilled Airline Breast of Chicken with Seasonal Fruit Coulis
- Pesto Stuffed Grilled Portabella Mushroom
- Garlic Mash Potato
- Fresh Seasonal Vegetables  All Food and Beverage Pricing Is Subject To A 22% Service Charge and Applicable Sales Tax.
Dessert Buffets
Please select one dessert station…
- SWEET TREATS - Assorted sweet petite desserts
- CALIFORNIA DREAMING - California s'mores, dark chocolate bark, white chocolate bark and California chocolate dipped strawberries (seasonal)
- LAST WORD - Individual chocolate ganache cake
An additional $200.00 Carver fee will apply to all menus that have "carved to order" All dinner menus include Artisan Rolls and Butter All dinner selections include Starbucks Coffee (Regular and Decaffeinated) and Tazo Hot Tea Service


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Give us a call to get our secret deals 1-800-293-2602
Property Location
A stay at Rodeway Inn Findlay places you in the heart of Findlay, within a 5-minute drive of University of Findlay and Mazza Museum. This hotel is 16 mi (25.7 km) from City Park and 17.7 mi (28.5 km) from Loudon Meadows Golf Club.
Make yourself at home in one of the 100 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms have bathtubs or showers and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones with free local calls, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Make use of convenient amenities such as complimentary wireless Internet access, gift shops/newsstands, and a vending machine.
Grab a bite from the grocery/convenience store, or stay in and take advantage of the hotel's room service (during limited hours). A complimentary continental breakfast is included.
Business, Other Amenities
Featured amenities include complimentary wired Internet access, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and a 24-hour front desk. Free self parking is available onsite.


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Sorry, we were unable to deliver your message to the following address. .... Message expired for domain arnold.co.nz. Remote host said: 452 Too many recipients received this hour [= RCPT_TO]
More recently just getting. Mail server for "arnold.co.nz" unreachable for too long.
arnold.co.nz resolves to a fixed TC IP address. Ironically my paradise.net email address (that presumably goes through a different TC mail server, but ends up in the same mailbox) gets through fine.
126.96.36.199 tm3.bullet.mail.sp2.yahoo.com is the last IP address in the mail header of the bounce back to my sister if I read it right.


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Every year around pumpkin carving time, I start dreading the big event. Martha Stewart I am not! I always have good intentions, but it just never seems to come out like its suppose to. Well this year it all changes. There is no need to wield a giant knife, risking injury to yourself and others. These no-carve pumpkin ideas will even help your pumpkins last longer, too.
1. The Glitter Pumpkin
2. The Blinged-Out Pumpkin
3. The Patterned Pumpkin
4. The Thumbtack Pumpkin
5. The Chalkboard Pumpkin
6. The Black Cat Pumpkin
7. The Decoupage Pumpkin
8. The Mummy Pumpkin
9. The Sexy Lace Pumpkin
10. The Painted Pumpkin
11. The Doily Pumpkin
12. The Studded Wire Pumpkin
13. The Fabric Covered Pumpkin
14. The Cozy Sweater Pumpkin
15. 3D Paint Pumpkin
16. The Ribbon Pumpkin
17. The Eyeball Pumpkin
18. The Punk-In
19. The Flower Pumpkin
20. The Decoupage Leaf Pumpkin
21. The Penguin Pumpkin
source- adapted from buzzfeed.com


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These Qupid White Floral Open toe Platform Wedge feature fabric material upper with gorgeous white and blush floral print, open toe design, cute bow on front, slingback style, wrapped wedge heel and platform, non-skid synthetic sole, and stitching details. Finished with cushioned insole for comfort and adjustable buckle closure. Fashionable, affordable, and comfortable. Amazing new style from Qupid. Style name: Glory-174x.
4.75″ heel, 1″ platform, synthetic sole, true to size, imported.
These Qupid White Floral Open toe Platform Wedge are super versatile! Wear them for your casual every day errands or for a party with your girlfriends. They are super gorgeous under a flirty skirt and amazing under denim. These Qupid White Floral Open toe Platform Wedge have a super modern and sassy design, definitely a look that you will love. The gorgeous floral print, the bow decor, and the sky-high wedge heel adds a touch of uniqueness and glamour. Perfect for the upcoming season, you will never want to take this wedge off. Brought them to you only by Cutesy Originals. Shop now to make sure you don't miss your pair!


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Google INC. master of internet search engine atlast launches his first OS in the market with the great functionalities build-in with the build-in web browser support of its own google chrome for challenging the dominance of microsoft corp. Windows. It is designed for low-cost laptops called netbooks firstly, and will be available to consumers in the second half of 2010. By this google clears and intesifies the microsoft company's competition with Microsoft, the world's largest software maker. In addition to Web browsers, the companies compete for Internet-search users. Google is also going after users of Microsoft's Office software by offering online word-processing and spreadsheet programs.
The Chrome OS will be an open-source code, that means the program code will be open to developers, The software will work on top of Linux, the open-source operating system.despite of this microsoft haven't commented on this news.
Google chrome will be working on the android software which was initially designed for the mobile phones. google offered it with the saying that the user's will love it coz' of it linux upbuilding feature that will prevent user rom having to deal with viruses and security updates.


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Reactivity Scientific Advisory Committee
This page last reviewed January 21, 2016
The Reactivity Scientific Advisory Committee (RSAC) was established in April 1996 as a group of independent scientists who make non-binding recommendations to the California Air Resources Board (ARB) on the science related to the reactivity of volatile organic compounds, such as hydrocarbons.
Committee Members
Dr. John Seinfeld of the California Institute of Technology
Dr. Roger Atkinson of the University of California at Riverside
Dr. Jack Calvert of the National Center for Atmospheric Research
Dr. Harvey Jeffries of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Dr. Jana Milford of the University of Colorado at Boulder
Dr. Armistead Russell of the Georgia Institute of Technology
Meeting Information and Summaries
All RSAC meetings will be scheduled with at least 10 days' notice and will be open to the public. The public will be given an opportunity at these meetings to comment. Meeting agendas and summaries will be posted on this website as soon as they are available.
March 25, 2009 Meeting
Reports and Presentations
- Bill Carter: SAPRC
presentation, SAPRC-07 final report is posted at http://www.engr.ucr.edu/%7Ecarter/SAPRC/
- Azzi et al. Review
of the SAPRC-07 Chemical Mechanism, Presentation
- Derwent et al. Reactivity
Scales as Comparative Tools for Chemical Mechanisms: SAPRC vs MCM,
- Harley SAPRC-07
Chemical Mechanism Peer Review Comments, Presentation
- Stockwell Peer Review of SAPRC-07 Mechanism, Presentation
October 8, 1999 Meeting Announcement, Agenda and Minutes
August 26, 1998 Meeting Information and Summary
February 24, 1998 Meeting Information
February 3, 1997 Meeting Summary
If you have any questions or comments about the content of the RSAC pages, please contact Dongmin Luo at (916) 324-8496.


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This is pretty incredible for me, to be writing my first blog post. I never saw myself as a blogger, as I always considered them a special breed of people created of a different cloth to me.
Yet here I am, blogging and I'm so excited!! I usually work in a fast paced, deadline driven environment and like all office workers have very little free time to explore my city (Durban) during the week.
Fortunately I've created some free time which sees me finally doing what I've always longed to (but never honestly expected to be able to do).
Top of my bucket list (apart from travelling!) was always to tour Durban's cool and interesting spots (i.e. coffee shops, restaurants, etc) without an agenda, to just soak it up, as one does on holiday.
Now that I can, I'm trying to visit a different spot each day, and blogging my discoveries. I'm hoping it provides you, especially the working person or Durban tourist, with impetus to similarly explore Durban.
This blog isn't just about Durban, but what moves me, be it in any part of the world or on any topic. I hope you find this blog interesting and relevant.
Let's get started then, Bismillah..


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Here are some of my favorite places for a short weekend in London.
Friday evening
8PM/20:00. Check in at Soho House Dean Street 76
Soho House has everything you can wish for. It is actually not necessary to bring anything here except what you're wearing… A bit on the expensive side, yes, but the rooms are fabulous and the location is perfect. sohohousedeanstreet.com
10PM/22:00. Dinner at Gymkhana
In 2014, Gymkhana was awarded as UK's best restaurant and has one Michelin star. If you come here late in the evening, it's quite relaxing. The service is on top. Order a cocktail with some Indian influences before you eat. If you do not know what to choose from the menu, the staff is happy to help you (I can recommend the Aloo Tikki Chaat, it's amazing). Be hungry. gymkhanalondon.com
Midnight/00:00. Cocktails at Mr Fogg's Residence
Do not miss this charmingly crazy and beautiful bar in Mayfair. A perfect ending, or why not a start, on your night out. Here you will find some of the best cocktails in London. mr-foggs.com/residence
9:30AM/9:30 Breakfast at Soho House
Eat where you stay and save time for other things rather than searching for a breakfast location on the town. Soho House has a small but good breakfast menu. The green juice is great.
11AM/11:00 Shopping at Liberty London
I love this little place, especially the interior department. Liberty is also where you shop your Christmas tree ornaments every year. Trust me. libertylondon.com
1:30PM/13:30. Sashimi at Roka
Roka is a popular Japanese restaurant in Fitzrovia. Their yellowtail sashimi with yuzu and truffle dressing is a must. rokarestaurant.com
Explore the city
Oxford Street is close to Roka and has both Selfridges and an enormous Topshop store. The bar Forest on The Roof inside Selfridges is a nice stop for a drink. From here you can walk to Hyde Park (and Winter Wonderland during the winter), or take a longer walk or the subway to Harvey Nichols or Harrod's. Do not miss the chocolate at Harrod's if you go there!
8:30PM/20:30. Dinner at Foley's
I love this place, Foley's is one of my top favorite restaurants in London. Exciting menu, great service and staff and a relaxed atmosphere. foleysrestaurant.co.uk
11PM/23:00. Drinks at London Cocktail Club
You will like this place if you 1) are unpretentious, and 2) want to have a great night. Fire, screams, dangling lamps and a boozy crowd all at once. londoncocktailclub.co.uk
12AM/12:00. Afternoon tea
A London visit is probably not complete without afternoon tea. You have a lot of options, from tea-tox without sugar and gluten at trendy Brown's Hotel, Wyld Tea at Mondrian Hotel or traditional afternoon tea luxury at Claridge's.
If you have the time, I can also recommend:
Convent Garden
Cozy part of London with great shops and a market. coventgarden.london
Buckingham Palace
It's a must! royal.uk
Big Ben
Also a must. parliament.uk/bigben


text: Put Your Foot Down August 18, 2018 Literally.Put your bare foot down on the ground and you'll connect with the earth's electricity. Any type of ground works: grass, sand, gravel or concrete. Or swim in a lake (my personal favorite; see below). Or lean against a tree.It's called grounding. Idea being that we humans have lost our connection to the earth's electric charges since we wear shoes (with good reason) and thus our ability to access the negative charge generated by the earth. These negative ions can act as antioxidants which neutralize free radicals. Research shows that barefoot contact with the earth can actually produce changes in physiological measure, help improve sleep, reduce pain, decrease muscle tension and lower stress. This article verified my belief that one of the best things you can do to promote well being is to step (or swim!) in nature. So if you're lucky enough to run across water like this beautiful pool, dive in! (This is Siouxan Creek, in Southwest Washington. The colors are amazing. But my feet look a little pale.) You can read the full article about walking in the grass here


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A gorgeous roulade flavored with vibrant, fresh Matcha powder
This recipe for black sesame matcha roulades is perfect to make when you're planning for company because you can prepare it and then save it. It lasts well in the refrigerator for several days, and even requires, at least, five hours of chill time before serving.
It's a beautiful matcha cake, and it tastes even better. The cake of a roulade is sweet, light, fluffy, and spongy—and the whipped cream flavors are prominent and delectable. The purple roulade is flavored with lavender extract, giving the cake a distinctive floral accent, and the green roulade is flavored with vibrant, fresh matcha tea powder.
Aesthetically, the black sesame matcha roulades is eye-pleasing and intriguing: pairing pastel colors with black sesame is instantly exotic and chic. It's also perfect to serve with a classic matcha green tea latte!
Using Matcha green tea powder also unlocks your physical and mental potential. It's a natural energy-booster, immune system booster, and also helps with concentration, creativity, memory, and relaxation.
Make a lasting impression with amazing black sesame roulades. Elegant and unusual, it makes for a truly enchanting centerpiece, and the health benefits to using matcha are huge.
Black Sesame Matcha Roulades RecipePublished: 2016-06-16
Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 15 mins Total time: 30 mins
- Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup ground black sesame
- 1 cup cake flour
- 1 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 eggs, yolks separated from whites in different bowls
- 2/3 cup water
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon meringue powder
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 teaspoon lavender extract, plus a few dabs of violet food coloring
- 2 packets of whipped cream stabilizer
- 2-3 tablespoons Epic Matcha green tea powder
- Directions
- Preheat oven to 350° and line the jelly roll pan with the parchment.
- Mix together egg yolks, water, oil, and vanilla extract in a large bowl with a whisk until evenly incorporated. In another bowl, mix together black sesame, cake flour, sugar, and salt.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer or other large bowl, place the egg whites, cream of tartar, and meringue powder. Mix this on medium-high speed until you get a stiff peak to the egg whites (takes five to seven minutes).
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet egg yolk mixture until evenly blended. Add half of the egg white mixture on top of the mixed black sesame batter and lightly fold in using a "J" stroke using a rubber spatula. Add the second half of the egg whites and fold in until the mixture is just barely consistent.
- Pour the batter into the parchment-lined pan and spread out until the batter is even within the pan.
- Bake for about 15 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool the pan to room temperature.
- While the pan is cooling, prepare the whipped cream filling for the matcha roulade. Put one cup of heavy cream in a medium bowl and scatter one package of stabilizer powder on top. Using the stand mixer or handheld mixer, whip the cream until you get soft peaks, then add the Matcha green tea powder and whip into a stiff peak. Set aside to chill in the refrigerator.
- Repeat step #6 until you get soft peaks of whipped cream, then add the lavender extract, and again whip to a stiff peak. Set aside to chill in the refrigerator.
- With serrated knife, trim dry edges off of the cake, then cut the cake in half to form two 12 x 9-inch rectangles, making sure to cut the bottom parchment under the cake as well.
- Evenly spread Matcha whipped cream on one piece of the cake, then roll into a roulade using the parchment-lined base to aid in the rolling process. Repeat this process with the second piece of cake using the lavender whipped cream.
- Wrap roulades tightly in clear plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 5 hours before slicing and serving.
Yield 2-9" inch rolled cakes
Want more Matcha powder recipes? Download our recipe book today, or visit our blog!


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10 stories of people having supernatural experiences after dying and then coming back to life.
Venetian, The
The name used to identify one of the Chohans of the Brotherhood of Adepts. According to Charles W. LEADBEATER, he is the Chohan in charge of the third ray (see SEVEN RAYS) and was born in Venice, hence the name.
© Copyright by the Theosophical Publishing House, Manila


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Opioid Awareness per a Chronic Pain Patient
If you follow me on Twitter you know that most of my tweets have been about #OpioidAwareness lately. As a chronic pain patient with multiple arthritis diagnoses, opiates are apart of my pain management program. I say pain management and not treatment because I am under the belief that part of the stigma regarding opiates is people associate medication with curing a disease. Opiates do not cure my pain; they mask or hide it so I can regain the time that would have been lost to my pain. My body is still very much experiencing the physiological and mental symptoms of pain, I am just able to cope better than I would without opiates.
Coping is an interesting term that is defined differently by every chronic pain and arthritis patient on the planet. I do not assume to speak for anyone but myself when I say coping for me means an opportunity to live a meaningful and mindful life, just like most "healthy" people want. Like many patients, I can accept that there will never be a cure for my particular patient issues. However, I can hope that science will come up with ways to give me more opportunities to live a meaningful and mindful life, which is how I cope. Coping means adding time back to my life in order to accomplish what my heart wants too. Alternative pain management techniques are very much a tool I rely on in my own pain management program that gives me hope for a more mindful life.
Much like coping, alternative pain management is also defined differently by every chronic pain and arthritis patient on the planet. In my case, it is fair to label me a high functioning, athletic patient of which there are many of us. My alternative pain management techniques include skiing, skiing, photography, hiking, mountain climbing, road biking, gym rat, reading, Buddhism, writing, eating, flotation therapy, blogging, and did I mention skiing just to name a few. For comparison, I know other high functioning; athletic patients include knitting, painting, cooking, running, triathlons, poetry, travel, caretaking, yoga, drawing, and Buddhism in their definition of alternative pain management. Although there is overlap, each patient is still an individual, which means their techniques are just as unique as they are.
Part of my high functioning status comes from the fact that I am still able to work full-time as a Senior Financial Specialist. Although my employer supports me, they would like to remain anonymous in my blogging life. That said much of my financial compensation is online if you know where to look. With Twitter limited to 140 characters, it is incredibly hard to express the financial side of being a chronic pain patient with arthritis. Since blogging is best for complicated, multifaceted issues I would like to submit to you an insight to my own finances as a patient. (I would like to point out that I am still taking an increase risk to my financial future by sharing my life with opiates. Too many patients don't feel as comfortable taking this risk as I do. My hope is my story is more powerful than the risk, please cross your fingers for me!).
My Compensation-
As a Senior Financial Specialist I am an hourly employee with good health insurance and retirement benefits. Much of my compensation comes form the fact that I only pay roughly $50.00 a month for health insurance through Blue Cross of Idaho. As we all know "good" is a relative term, in this case it means for living in Boise, Idaho. My hourly wage is above the average needed for a single person living in Boise but would be considered low if I had a small family. Here is a general description of my income broken down:
After Taxes/Benefits Monthly Income
$2,200.00 a month
$600.00 a month or 27.27% of Monthly Income
Food (Groceries & Eating Out)
$150 a week or 27.27% of Monthly Income
Free Income after Major Expenses
$1,000.00 a month
Alternative Pain Management Technique Costs-
Skiing-10 Years as a Ski Instructor
Season Pass at Bogus Basin Ski Resort
$499.00 or 22.68% of Monthly Income
Head Supershape Skis
$999.00 or 45.41% of Monthly Income
Head Ski Boots
$599.00 or 27.23% of Monthly Income
North Face Denali Jacket
$179.00 or 8.14% of Monthly Income
North Face Ski Pants
$140.00 or 6.36% of Monthly Income
Photography-Just for a camera
Sony A6000 Mirrorless
$549.99 or 25.00% of Monthly Income
Nikon D5300
$699.99 or 31.82% of Monthly Income
Cannon EOS Rebel T5i DSLR Camera
$649.00 or 29.50% of Monthly Income
Floatation Therapy-One Hour
Stillwater Float Center
$65.00 or 2.95% of Monthly Income
Gym-One Year Membership
Idaho Athletic Club
$465.88 or 21.11% of Monthly Income
Comfort Food-Starbucks
One Pumpkin Spice Latte & Muffin
$9.54 or .43% of Monthly Income
Book-Barns and Noble
Falling Off the Roof of the World
$11.37 or .57% of Monthly Income
Physical Therapy-No Insurance
Per Visit if Paying in Cash
$120.00 or 5.45% of Monthly Income
Physical Therapy-My Insurance
Up to 16 Visits
4.38% of a Year
My Opioid Prescription-
Thanks to my good insurance I pay $10.00 for 120 pills that must last me for 30 days. My current pain management doctor will allow me up to 4 opiates a day.
Prescription with Insurance-Fred Meyer Pharmacy
120 pills that must last 30 days
$10.00 or .45% of Monthly Income
Per Pill
.08$ per Opiate
Analysis of Numbers
To begin with lets look at my skiing. I started skiing at 5 years old. During college I was working as a ski instructor, which meant I probably spent close to 100 days on the snow a year during my prime. Due to my medical issues, I'm now grateful and mindful to get 5 to 10 days at an ability level somewhat near to my ski instructing days. However, more and more, my disease wins and I only get 1 or 2 runs in before the pain gets so bad I can't take it. Don't get me wrong, I'm more than happy to risk only 1 or 2 runs versus yet another night on my couch with ice packs and pills.
Currently a season pass at my home ski resort of Bogus Basin costs $499.00 a season. To put it another way, that is 6,237.50 opiates or 4.27 years of potential pain management for me. Generally speaking, one opiate is supposed to provide 4 to 6 hours of coping relief. That means 6,237.50 opiates has the potential to provide me with 24,950 to 37,425 hours of coping that I would have lost to pain. There are 8,760 hours in a year, which means one season pass at Bogus Basin could potentially buy me 2.84 to 4.27 years of pain coping if my math is correct.
Ski equipment. As a long time skier, who is well over 6ft tall, I need equipment on the high end of the performance spectrum in order to match my ability and size. I could probably get by with cheaper equipment but the increase risk to my health due to cheap equipment would not be worth it. That is why I have researched the price of Head Supershaped skis and corresponding boots. Many buyers' guides and top skiers throughout the world generally consider Head ski equipment "the best".
To outfit me with just skis, boots, pants, and a coat would cost me $1,917.00 or 87.14% of my monthly income. For the sake or argument, lets assume I can ski 5 years with this equipment before it needs replacing. This reduces the expense to $383.40 a year; $383.40 a year equates to 4,792.50 pills. In this case I am now choosing between new equipment every 5 years or up too 28,755 hours of my life back from chronic pain.
Floatation therapy is a new technique for pain management that I have only begun to utilize to my benefit. For those of you that have never tried floatation therapy I HIGHLY recommend that you do! It consists of floating in an enclosed capsule full of 10 pounds of Epson salt water that is warmed to body temperature. I've found it to be both a physical and mental reward that is unlike anything else that I have experienced so far. In a perfect world I would float at least once a week for my current levels of chronic pain and arthritis disease activity. I can't say enough good things about this alternative pain management technique.
In Boise Idaho one hour of floating costs $65.00 plus tip. I usually tip $10, which makes the total expense of floating $75.00 per visit for me. At .08$ per pill, with my good insurance, one visit is equates to 937.50 pills. I would need to get 234.38 days of relief from 1 hour of floating to equate to the same number of hours of relief I could potentially get from 937.50 pills. I'm a huge fan and advocate of floating, but I guarantee you one float does not equate to 65.21% of a year relief from my chronic pain unfortunately.
I get up each morning with the hope of a higher quality of life. It is the reason I see multiple doctors on a monthly basis, eat mostly organic food, work, go to the gym, ski, and take scary medications (like the chemotherapy drug methotrexate which has just ridiculous side effects). A higher quality of life is the reason for this post and any advocacy or help I've ever provided on social media. The desire for a higher quality of life is the reason for my friendships and fuels my desire to complete all opportunities that have crossed my path at the highest possible level.
Thankfully I can still work full-time at a high level job that compensates me well. In addition, I come from a family in the solid to high middle class economic category that has afforded me with opportunities that too many patients have not had. Long story short, I get to take advantage of many more alternative pain management techniques due to my economic status than most. Right now I have a relatively high quality of life despite my chronic pain and arthritis disease.
However, despite my relatively solid economic status, I still face choices each day regarding my use of opiates and alternative pain management techniques. I still have to balance life with my economic and financial reality, which is barrier to a high quality of life. Right now I can't imagine the stress a fellow patient has to go through each and every day that isn't as lucky as I've been in regards to finances. Stress is a huge trigger of pain, huge trigger.
According to the movies and tv, falling in love is one of life's greatest pleasures. I have no trouble accepting this idea. However, even if I were to only fall in love and not have children, much of the financial information I have shared today would be obsolete. My calculations and lifestyle are currently based on the idea of selfishness and loneliness. Something as pure as falling in love could and would have an impact on my ability to take advantage of alternative pain management opportunities currently available. Now imagine the changes that would occur if I lost my job, got into a serious car wreck, or succumb to the family history of having major strokes.
Opiates are not a medication in the traditional since of an antibiotic or anti-inflammatory. They are more time management tools so I can continue to ski, go to the gym, read, study Buddhism, or partake in floatation therapy. The idea is if I can continue to participate in these alternative activities then maybe I can reduce my opiate intake. I don't want to take opiates, the constipation alone can be worse than the actual pain I'm trying to cope with. However, I only have a limited number of hours on this planet and I want to make sure I use them all to the greatest of my potential. I will make mistakes, fail at friendships, accidently eat gross coconut things, and avoid vegetables like the plague, but that is life, not life with chronic pain.


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No malfunction before South Carolina medical helicopter crash
GEORGETOWN, S.C. – Federal safety investigators found no indication that a medical helicopter malfunctioned before crashing, killing all three crew members on board, and hope to find witnesses who saw it come down in coastal South Carolina.
National Transportation Safety Board member Robert Sumwalt said Sunday all major portions of the aircraft were accounted for, and that none of those parts showed anything was wrong before the crash Friday night.
The engine seemed to have been working at the time of impact and the recovered tail rotor showed no signs it failed, Sumwalt said.
"If there had been damage, it might indicate that it had frozen up in flight," he said. "But at this point, it is completely free-moving. So it would indicate that it was turning as it should have been at the time of the crash."
Investigators want to talk with any witnesses to the crash, The Sun News of Myrtle Beach reported Monday.
The crash came just one day after the NTSB issued 21 recommendations to help improve the safety of air ambulance flights, following a four-day public hearing on the issue over seven months ago.
The helicopter had just dropped off a patient at a hospital in Charleston and was flying to Conway, about 90 miles to the northeast, when it crashed about 11:30 p.m. in Georgetown County, said Peter Knudson, an NTSB spokesman.
Omniflight, a Texas-based company which operated the helicopter, identified the crew members killed as: pilot Patrick Walters, 45, of Murrells Inlet; flight nurse Diana Conner, 42, of Florence; and paramedic Randolph Claxton Dove, 39, of Bladenboro, N.C.
The helicopter went down about 20 to 30 feet off a logging road in the midst of some pine trees in a sparsely populated area. Sumwalt described the crash site as small.
The crash left a 3-foot crater in the soft ground. While all three rotor blades were recovered, one of the blades was buried about 2 feet.
Sumwalt said the helicopter had flown between two intense thunderstorms and it was raining when it crashed. He could not say if the conditions were a factor.
"We will certainly be looking at weather as it may have related to this accident," he said. "But we're looking at a lot of factors."
Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said Saturday that the pilot last radioed air traffic control at 11:05 p.m., saying the crew was about four miles from an airport near Charleston and had it in sight.
Investigators will probably be able to finish their work in the next several days, Sumwalt said. The wreckage will be moved to a salvage facility, and officials will go over maintenance records and pilot training records. A preliminary report could be issued in the next 10 to 12 days, with all information available in about six months.
NTSB records show there were nine fatal helicopter ambulance accidents between December 2007 and October 2008, killing 35 people.
"We don't want to see any more accidents like this," Sumwalt said.


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I hope all readers had a happy feast of the Ascension. For most people in this country it was Ascension Sunday that you celebrated; but for me and a small minority it was Ascension Thursday.
I have been away on retreat, staying in a strictly enclosed Benedictine monastery. On arrival I asked what was happening on the Thursday, and this is what I was told: "Here we celebrate the Ascension on Thursday, by special permission. Celebrating it on Sunday would mean that the novena between Ascension and Pentecost would make no sense."
Funnily enough, this aspect of the great question had never occurred to me. Given that Ascension is on a Thursday and the feast of Pentecost the Sunday after next, that means that there is a nine day gap between the two, and this nine day gap, traditionally the time when the Church waits in prayer for the coming of the Holy Spirit, is the reason we keep novenas. This is the original ur-Novena.
It says in the Acts of the Apostles, 1:12-14:
Then [ after the Ascension] they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day's journey away. When they entered the city they went to the upper room where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
Not only was this the first ever novena in the history of the Church, and the pattern of all future novenas, it was also the most distinguished one in Church history, consisting of the eleven apostles, the holy women, and the Mother of God Herself.
Despite this, I have the distinct feeling that novenas are going out of fashion. It is time they were revived, and the same goes for Octaves too, the custom of marking the eighth day after a feast and the period in between. The Easter Octave is still with us, but the Octave of the Assumption, which ends with the feast of the Queenship of Mary is one celebration that I have never witnessed. As a child, I do remember making a novena before the feast of the Immaculate Conception.
I suppose what we are witnessing here is the disappearance of the concept of sacred time; this is a huge pity, for a tradition once lost can only with great difficulty be restored. We can hardly complain about Christmas concerts and Christmas parties in the first weeks of December when we ourselves go along with this creeping secularisation. I asked last year about the restoration of the Ascension to the Thursday, and there was some talk of putting it back in its original place.
Is it worth asking again?


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One of my favourite places to grab a coffee from is the Cup of Truth, down in the subway at Flinders Street Railway Station, in Melbourne where I live. One routine morning upon arriving at my desk after grabbing a take-away coffee from this excellent hole-in-the-wall outlet, I found myself staring at the question the cafe had printed, stencil-like, on the outside of their cardboard cup: "WHERE DO YOU LOOK FOR THE TRUTH" [no question mark].
As I sat at my desk, fixated on these profound words and contemplating their appeal, my own answer came to me. I wanted to reply. So I tweeted: "@cupoftruth: Where do you look 4 the truth? People don't look for something they don't want (THE truth); they prefer their own version of it."
Just as people maintain their own versions of reality, operate within their own narrative on life, they also regard beauty independently. The old adage "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" suggests beauty is personally discerned.
But is it? Despite such personal interpretations of beauty and truth, it was Keats who said they were one and the same: "'Beauty is truth, truth beauty,' — that is all/Ye know on earth and all ye need to know."1
The linking of the two is key to unlocking what they individually mean. Whilst we can walk around with our own version of reality, and debate whether something is beautiful or not, by defining beauty and truth as one the poet teaches us that perhaps not everything we hold as beautiful is beautiful, and not everything we believe to be true is true. Keats is not simply linking synonymous words. Keats links different words — words of different meaning — in a statement of qualification. The meaning of both words is conditional upon the other: beauty is only beauty if it is also true, and truth is only true if it is also beautiful.
So what does each word individually mean that they may be joined in association to give a greater, more complete and definitive meaning? Robert Grudin, in his book Design and Truth suggests truth "is the laws of nature as we experience them…[that] the truth lies in the rough but workable details of what we are and where we are."2 He, too, links truth to beauty by suggesting good design — which he argues "tells the truth" — "honours the dominion of beauty and delight."
What then of beauty? In his book The Thinking Hand: Existential and Embodied Wisdom in Architecture, Juhani Pallasmaa teaches us that "beauty is not a detached aesthetic quality, the experience of beauty arises from grasping the unquestionable casualties and interdependencies of life."3 Sounds a lot like truth.
In my first post, I introduced a rough definition of design. My main theme concerned the process of design and the importance of strategy in it. What I want to build in here, is just why design matters. Design is critical because through a process of observing our world and devising new ways of interacting with it, design can bring us in a direct and real relationship with our world and with ourselves in the world. And in this greater consciousness of ourselves and the world in which we are living — a greater sense of being alive — good design reveals the truth and affords beauty. The ocean baths at Merewether does both.
Designed and supervised by H.G. Skott, Engineer, Merewether Ocean Baths were built during the depression and completed in 1935 by unemployed labourers through a depression-relief scheme. At an overall dimension of 100-metres x 90-metres they are the largest ocean baths in the state of New South Wales, and possibly in Australia.4 (Many locals believe them to be the largest ocean baths complex in the southern hemisphere.) Merewether is a suburb of Newcastle, and is located 3 kilometres from the city centre. The city lies 162 kilometres north of Sydney.
The baths consist of two large rectangular pools (100-metres x 50-metres, and 100-metres x 27-metres) arranged perpendicular to the ocean, orientated with their equal longer sides parallel to the shoreline. The two pools are divided by a generous concrete walkway level with the edges of the pools. The wider, outer pool is tidal; the inner, narrower pool is partly filled with sand and water pumped from the ocean, and is used by young children for shallow swimming.
The shell and surrounds of the baths are constructed entirely of in situ concrete formed on natural rock shelf, and finished with whitewash applied after cleaning which occurs twice weekly during the swimming season and weekly the rest of the year. Bench seats line the dividing promenade between the two pools. Picnic tables and shelters and outdoor showers are provided just below the baths pavilion opposite the wading pool. The pavilion houses a life guard on duty seven days during the summer swimming season, and change rooms, toilets and showers.
The realness of the sea is all around. It is in the natural elements of the coast — the constantly moving ocean, the sound of waves and birds, the rocky shelf around the walls. Our own existential awareness is heightened in relation to these natural elements through the constructed: the feeling and appearance of the weathered whitewash-coated intermittently wetted concrete underfoot — the patchy arrangement of exposed stone and white coating illuminating the ocean waters to a translucent emerald colour. There is also an awareness that is internal — within ourselves — in the challenge the waters of the baths present to us as individuals with abilities and preferences known only to us. And there is our awareness of each other; of people similarly partaking in what is offered. Overall, there is a happiness, a joy of being there, a celebration in participation by all ages, all body types and all levels of swimming ability.
This joy of engagement is not something I have experienced, say, at a regular municipal public swimming pool. For starters, the ocean baths are free of charge. There are no lane shenanigans here — no abuse, no dropping in or charging ahead at the change of ends as is customary at in-ground public pools. (Perhaps paying a price to swim gives some false sense of entitlement or right of possession.) Here, nobody owns the ocean.
In the early hours of the morning, feeling awkward with camera in hand in a public place where everyone had next to no clothes on, I was taken with people's acceptance of me being there. Everyone I politely asked for permission to allow me to take photographs in their vicinity had no objections. On the contrary, most enquiries led to prolonged discussion about the baths. Through this I learnt of one elderly lady who had the previous day lost her goggles, only to come back the following day to find them hanging visibly on the shelter adjacent the baths, where someone kindly and thoughtfully placed them. This was important to her; she suffered emphysema and had set herself a goal to swim one entire length of the baths. I benefited from a similar act of consideration when, occupied swimming laps on an incoming tide, someone had thoughtfully lifted my sandals from off the weathered pavement and onto a bench seat to save them from being washed away. Elsewhere, two local men proudly told me about the "Steps of Knowledge" where regulars, around 8.30am, would meet to discuss affairs. Two other men soaking up the sun and enjoying conversation, poolside, pointed out the defunct Burwood Colliery railway tunnel in the bluff behind the bathhouse.
As the morning developed, families occupied the smaller pool. Here, children in rashies safely paddled about in floaties and pool toys, closely observed by parents standing knee-deep in the same calm, protected water. Other families played in the sand, next to beach towels and under umbrellas, completing an overall colourful, carnival scene of innocence that both parent and child were equally enjoying.
It is not just the swimmers who enjoy the baths. Next to the Steps of Knowledge is a much longer flight of steps which afford a different type of workout to swimming laps. Here runners and walkers do climbing repeats. Nearby rails and benches are used for push-ups, step ups and crunches. Again, all ages and abilities are in action, and no one really seems to mind what anyone else is doing.
It can't be the sunshine and ocean alone which make people so happy, so relaxed, so charged with enjoying the moment and life. Afterall, the beach is more natural and, although popular, does not match the baths for the united participation and rapport among individuals. (Besides, I was told by the two men on the Steps of Knowledge that they and their mates continue their daily ritual of laps and communion year-round without a wetsuit, and, apparently, winter is the season for more intense conversations focusing on the football performance of the city's beloved Knights.) Nor is it merely the provision of a relatively safe area in which to swim, or the topography that is so ideally suited to other forms of outdoor exercise; there are plenty of community and sporting facilities in our cities. There is something more to Merewether Ocean Baths.
At 100-metres x 90-metres and possibly the largest of their kind south of the equator, these are indeed impressive dimensions (an olympic-size swimming pool measures 50-metres x 25-metres), but their size isn't their significant quality. As Dutch Landscape Architect Paul van Beek has said of landscape design: "Size doesn't matter; Scale does!"5 Here is where beauty and truth come in to play: scale is contextual. And in design, context is everything — literally (context is physical, social, cultural, psychic, economic) and metaphorically (design cannot be pursued independent of context). Context determines which rules of truth apply.
At this size the ocean baths would potentially obliterate parts of an inland suburban neighbourhood if installed there. But perched on the edge of Merewether's rocky shoreline, at the base of a rugged, dramatic bluff, the baths are at one with tide, crashing wave and ocean horizon — whereupon enormous bulk carriers waiting in line for their turn at entering Newcastle port appear strangely unaffected by wind or current. This is due to scale, which here, is part size (just over six olympic-size swimming pools), part plan simplicity (rectangular against a rocky sea edge), part siting (just above high tide), and part robust and consistent use of the one material (concrete finished in whitewash). And because of the appropriateness of scale to context, (and in the greater context, a gritty, traditional working-class city founded on coal mining), people are at one with the baths, with each other, and with all the sounds, sights and smells of the sea this perfect relationship and synergy so vividly affords.
Beautiful because it is so irrefutably true. Our awareness of our human condition relative to nature is heightened: the clear but subtle juxtaposition of the framed water of the baths to the infinite vastness and uncontrollable power of the ocean heighten our appreciation of both nature's strength and rhythms, and our own individual vulnerability in relation to it — perhaps more so than what the ocean separately induces. We appreciate the relative safety of the pool, and feel secure with fellow swimmers compared to creatures lurking in the untamed ocean depths. This reveals the truth about the tide and our limits.
There is an honesty to the baths, which is a form of truth. You can almost feel the hardened hands of those who built the massive, concrete battered outer pool walls. There is no other added aesthetic to this construction. Everything built is made for purpose. Form has followed function in the modern tradition, but my guess is when H.G. Skott designed these baths to be built by men who sustained their living in doing so, he was only thinking of tide, pool depth, swim length and maintenance. There is no other sense of consciousness here that invades our contemporary seaside promenades. No ubiquitous "surfboard" seats or "ship's mooring" bollards — what Grudin would refer to as "design lies".6 Just the amplification of the essence of being at the coast, which is defined not by what we can bring to the water's edge, but what the expansive ocean horizon, flushing salty waters and wind and sun in your face can bring to us. Good design is about what it reveals about place and what it reveals about us. Beauty is in the revelation.
What impresses me most about the baths is the incredible level of communal exchange that occurs there. The baths are a platform for the daily ritual of immersion in nature, exercise, conversation, mateship and courtesy to others. Merewether Ocean Baths teaches us that good design is less about what a designer produces than what a designer enables. As Grudin argues, "good designers are truth-tellers, facilitators in the dialogue that allows us to comprehend and engage reality."7 To this end it is worth returning to the complimentary wisdom of Juhani Pallasmaa who reminds us that "beauty and simplicity cannot be preconceived, conscious targets in artistic work; one arrives at these qualities by struggling for other ends."8
When it comes to cities, the commercial foundation, existence and basis of their survival should not preclude the generation of wealth defined by non-financial terms. Cities need to be productive places where the economic livelihoods of their citizens are maintained, but, in ways which makes for a society rich in the cultural, the social, the psychic, and the sensory, as well. In this regard, Merewether Baths is a sound public investment in physical infrastructure that enables us to be brought into a closer connection with nature and our own biological part in it, and with our fellow human beings. And it is an investment which seems true to the city it is within: open, friendly and workman-like.
As concurred by the husband of the lady who had lost and recovered her goggles, I think the wonderful sense of genuine communal exchange and ritual down at the baths is due to the respect that we have for one another in recognition that we are all seeking and enjoying the very same thing. That's a beautiful truth. And that is worth both designing and living for.
1. John Keats, poem titled 'Ode on a Grecian Urn', 1819.
2. Robert Grudin, Design and Truth, Yale University Press (New Haven and London), 2010.
3. Juhani Pallasmaa, The Thinking Hand: Existential and Embodied Wisdom in Architecture, Wiley (West Sussex), 2009.
4. NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, Heritage Branch website, http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/07_subnav_04_2.cfm?itemid=2170762
5. Quoted from the presentation given by Paul van Beek at the AILA National Conference, 200 Mile City — Designing a sustainable urban future, Brisbane, 2004.
6. Grudin, Design and Truth, op cit.
7. Ibid.
8. Pallasmaa, The Thinking Hand: Existential and Embodied Wisdom in Architecture, op cit.


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McManus focuses on the big picture
Nothing matters quite like Cheltenham to J.P. McManus. The Festival is the principal reason he owns many more horses than anyone in jump racing. So his feelings last March, when the best of them was scratched in curious circumstances, just three days before bidding for a second Champion Hurdle, are the source of fevered imagination.
They have been no clearer than that, until now, because McManus is the master of inscrutability. He favours the grey clothes that suit his deadpan demeanour. You would no more see him punching the air in euphoria than expressing recriminations in defeat. You would not wish to play poker against him.
Surely, though, even his equanimity was challenged when the call from Nicky Henderson, his trainer, told him that Binocular…


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We all know physical therapists help us work through the pains we have in our bodies so we can get better. Many of us who have had physical injuries have had to do some type of strengthening to help us get back to normal. When we let an area of our body go that has been injured and don't do what we should to work through the pain of healing, we can do more damage than good. Yes, it hurts to work the affected area; however, the pain is worth it.
It is painful to work a muscle or joint that has been injured. We feel as if we can't move it at all without some type of annoying ache. We may feel as if we can't go another minute working that area because it just hurts so badly. However, we soon find out after time the pain has subsided and we are able to use that part of our body again without much difficulty.
When we work through the pains we have in our bodies, we find that our dedication and attention to getting better has paid off. We need to look at using this same concept with the pains we have emotionally. We all have them. There are times we are so emotionally broken we don't want to even be around others. There are times we are so hurt all we can do is talk or think about it.
Matthew 11:28-30 "Then Jesus said, 'Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.'"
Working through emotional pains is something we have to give to God. Just as we trust Him with healing our bodies, He can help us with our minds as well. We can give God the situation and ask Him to help us let go. He is ready and waiting to take our burdens and give us rest. We can know He will help us forgive whoever hurt us. We can know He can help us move on and work through the pains we have had.
We don't have to continue to play the situation over and over in our heads wondering why it happened and what we could have done differently. We don't have to give up on our daily routines and what we should be doing for God just because we have been emotionally hurt. The quicker we can put the past behind us and move on, the quicker we can work through the pain and allow God to work through our lives.
It is really a decision we have to make. When we have situations that hurt us emotionally, we have to want to work through the pain so we can be focused again on what God's will is for us to do. We can't continue to dwell on the past and who has hurt us. We can't continue to live in a world where we feel everyone is out to use and abuse us. We have to decide to move past what others have done and could do to us so we can better serve God and make a difference.
Frances Lucas has lived in the Birmingham, Alabama area for the past 40 years. She is a firm believer in leading by example and what she shares comes from her experience in life having to set her own goals and make things happen in her life…not depending on anyone else. She can help you, your team members and your employees to realize their purpose in life, learn their strengths and begin to develop their strengths.
She attended Corporate Coach University where she obtained an Advanced Certified Corporate Coach degree. Frances also has a bachelor's degree in Business Management and a masters in Human Resources. She has facilitated classes for large and small groups, created and organized self-improvement and employee development programs, classes, and work books. She enjoys coaching others one-on-one or in groups. Frances is a professional discipleship coach certified through Blueprint for Life Institute and is dedicating her life to helping others find their God-given purpose in life.
She has found her passion in life and wants to share her passion by helping others find theirs!
Please visit www.a-plusconsulting.net and sign up for our free daily devotionals regarding how you can apply God's word to your life.
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284 MOD-Palm Springs pt. 1/
Dim the lights. LIght a candle or two. Add exotic music. And now a nice cocktail. Al that will happen in just the first five minutes of this weeks podcast. In the low lighting of the Zen Tiki Lounge, Starshine, Kalani and Sunshine sip the Mandarin Rumtini while listening to music from acts you will hear at the upcoming MOD-Palm Springs event. In keeping in theme with a more mid century and less tiki event, Sunshine is fashioning drinks that are a little less sweet and a little bit more stiff. Most of this show is dedicated to an October event that we are all very much looking forward. Rory Snyder and Artist SHAG are well into the deep planning of the swankest shindig in decades. Hosted at the Curve hotel in Palm Springs. We all needed another chance to get out all the clothes we bought at the height of Mad Men. Smoking jackets, cocktail dresses, mini skirts and swank attire with a tropical flare will all be en vogue. Martini Kings and Kitty Chow and Fisherman are the featured artists on this podcast, both you can hear at MOD-Palm Springs. Rooms and wristbands are on sale now, so get moving.
To be timely we share a quick update on Tiki Oasis 13 which is just two weeks away from the recording of this podcast. Listen to Zen Tiki Lounge podcast on SpyRate pirate radio while at Tiki Oasis.
Listen to this episode for the first details on the MOD-Palm Springs unofficial Room Crawl and Parties. It may be unofficial but it will be the place(s) to be over the event weekend.
Have you heard about the newest RUM podcast on the interwebs? Listen to Five Minutes of Rum with Kevin Up The Grove. Kevin reviews Rum by type and variety and gives great cocktail recipes as a compliment. On his most recent episode, Spiced Rum, you get some understanding of how spiced rum is made and a nice mention of our very own house spiced rum. Sunshine's Very Spicy Rum is just a short infusion away.
Next week you won't want to miss part 2 of our MOD podcast. Including an interview with Rory Snyder and more music you can hear LIVE at the party.
And so much more. Cheers and Mahalo!


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London restaurant reviews
The newest restaurants, cafés and gastropubs, reviewed anonymously by our critics
Been on your hols? Catch up with the reviews you may have missed. Updated weekly, this is our archive of 'recent reviews'. For the bang-up-to-date 'current reviews' (updated daily), check out the pages for either restaurants or bars.
Latest London restaurant reviews
Cinnamon Kitchen
A modern Indian restaurant in the City, led by celebrity chef Vivek Singh
Spice Box
A permanent restaurant for the Indian vegan street food stall
A longstanding and beloved Punjabi curry house in Whitechapel
O Moinho
A slice of Portugal in South London
A no-frills family-run Turkish restaurant
Casa Fofò
A tasting menu for £39? Yes please.
Restaurant of the week: Orasay
A smart-casual neighbourhood restaurant from chef Jackson Boxer.
Goods Office
A buzzy local joint in a street-side Crouch End spot.
Halo Burger
This is vegan junk food at its junkiest and we're more than okay with that.
Restaurant of the week: Xier
An innovative tasting-menu restaurant in Marylebone.
Lost Boy's Pizza
A branch of the '80s vampire-themed pizza restaurant, near Mornington Crescent.
A Japanese-inspired restaurant, originally from Ibiza, now in Covent Garden.
Venue says Join us for the Lunch&Pre-theatre menu from 12pm to 2:30pm // 5pm to 6:30pm Monday to Saturday. £27 per person
A second branch of Sushisamba, this time in Covent Garden.
Venue says Pre-theatre dining made easy with our Samba Fixe menu. Pick 3 courses and experience some of our Samba favourites in time to see your show
A street-foody fried chicken joint in Brixton Market.
Stem + Glory
A Cambridge-based vegan restaurant, now in London.
Venue says Stem + Glory voted best vegan/vegetarian restaurant in London at the Design My Night 2019 awards!
A Shoreditch pizza and pasta restaurant with OTT interiors.
A neighbourhood restaurant in Hackney serving modern izakaya-style food.
No. Fifty Cheyne
A stylish brasserie on Chelsea's posh Cheyne Walk.
A Malaysian restaurant just off Oxford Street, specialising in laksa.
Bao & Bing
A Taiwanese street food restaurant in Marylebone.
A plant-based Shoreditch spot serving globe-trotting fast food.
Sichuan Grand
A smart Sichuan restaurant in Stratford.
Redemption Bar
The flagship Seven Dials branch of the vegan, alcohol-free restaurant and bar.
Kerridge's Bar & Grill
A fine dining spot from Tom Kerridge, at the Corinthia Hotel.
Morty & Bob's
A casual all-day café at Coal Drops Yard in King's Cross.
The Dining Room at The Bedford
The more formal rear dining room of The Bedford pub.
Da Terra
The fine-dining restaurant at Bethnal Green's Town Hall Hotel.
An all-day Fitzrovia dining room with South American influences.
Yen Burger
A Japanese-inspired burger joint near Borough Market.
Venue says Led by thriving female food entrepreneur Yen Nguyen, the new Japanese-inspired restaurant joins London's famous Borough Market.
Casa Pastor
A King's Cross spin-off of Borough Market's El Pastor.
Milk Beach
A bright, airy, all-day café and organic wine bar in Kilburn.
Pachamama East
A sibling of the Peruvian fusion restaurant, this time in Shoreditch.
Cakes and Bubbles
A luxurious hotel patisserie from a world-renowned pastry chef.
A larger, eat-in site for the vegan cult hit.
The Soho outpost of famed Istanbul restaurant Yeni Lokanta.
A head-turning coffee bar and restaurant in Spitalfields.
Wild Food Café (Islington)
An offshoot of Wild Food Café, this time in N1.
A Sichuan restaurant in King's Cross.
Le Petit Citron
A rustic French brasserie in Brook Green.
Unity Diner
A cool vegan non-profit diner in Hoxton.
A neighbourhood restaurant from Emily Roux and Le Gavroche chef Diego Ferrari.
Gunpowder Tower Bridge
A second outing for the Indian small-plates restaurant.
Barrafina King's Cross
A branch of the tapas restaurant at Coal Drops Yard.
Blacklock Shoreditch
A new branch of the chophouse in Shoreditch
Brother Marcus – Angel
A second location fror the Eastern Med brasserie.
Burger & Beyond
The first permanent eatery from the street food supremos.
Kinilaw & Buko
A Filipino small plates joint in Hoxton.
Le Petit Citron
In amongst brook Green's small eateries and huge pubs sits Le Petit Citron, a vibrant wedge of rural south-west France. Inside, the look is understated, very French: right down to the large windowed frontage and, on closer inspection, probably expensive, distressed mirrors and Tiffany lampshades. Wooden tables are covered by red chequered tablecloths, old food posters adorn the walls. You get the idea. The menu of solidly hearty Provençal home-cooking matches the rustic ambience. Garlic is both front and centre, with handfuls of tarragon in support. It may not be especially refined stuff but it's certainly satisfying. The slow-cooked daub of beef was so melt-in-mouth, it was bordering on gooey. It came with the creamiest mashed potato on the side and the whole lot was topped with a thick carrot that had been braised in orange juice. Equally good was a piece of sea bass, perched over a large helping of tangy aubergine ratatouille. And while kick-offs of goat's cheese tart and chicken liver pâté were somewhat ordinary, a cherry frangipane and tart lemon posset were a cut above the norm – so skip the starters and save room for the puds. Oh and here's a tip: the set menu is a steal.
A Mediterranean-Italian restaurant specialising in pizzas and small plates.
Kin + Deum
A modern Thai restaurant serving Bangkok-inspired food.
Bababoom Islington
A twenty-first-century kebab joint in Islington.


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Ted Nugent Puts Himself In The Crosshair Of The Secret Service [VIDEO]
Over the weekend Right wing Republican rocker Ted Nugent got the attention of the Secret Service with an anti-Obama rant while at the National Rifle Association convention in St. Louis.Hear the impassioned plea to convention attendees to get out a vote for Romney in November here.
The video did get the attention of the Secret Service, they requested a sit down with Uncle Ted later today.
The extremely right-leaning rocker today will sit down with members of the Secret Service and try to explain some of the highly-charged and violent partisan rhetoric he spewed, including telling NRA members, "We need to ride into the battlefield and chop their heads off in November." On Wednesday, Nugent said, "We actually have heard from the Secret Service and they have a duty. I support them. I salute them. And I look forward to our meeting tomorrow. I've never threatened anybody's life in my life. I've never threatened. I don't waste breath threatening."


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My classroom environment last year I would describe as: relaxed, orderly, responsive, enticing and beautiful. My provocations were perfect. Even during play, I would run around and tidy up provocations as they were used. Children were expected to clean up their things before moving on to another area. We had a center-board, that helped keep the room organized and never chaotic.
My goals last year were largely centered around the environment. If you were to ask me my favorite part of my classroom I would say the environment. This year, if you were to ask, I would say the kids.
I have been struggling to blog as much as I did before primarily because I have less photos to use. Not because I am taking less photos – I still take on average 200-300 a week. But the subject of the photos are the children – not the environment, the provocations or the materials. I will go to blog something that happened that week and will find I have no photos I can use as they all contain children's faces.
Their happy, smiling, laughing, engaged, excited, lively faces.
Don't get me wrong, I would still say my room is aesthetically pleasing and very often beautiful.
I would say there is more: color, nooks and crannies, hidden treasures, life and personality.
The room has become beautiful because it represents the children in our room, their interests, their personalities, their temperaments. I could tell you which part of the room each child prefers, and what they add to that area. I could also tell you what parts of the room represent each teacher. From the Christmas lights, to the potted plants to the jars of water color and puppets hanging from the ceiling – every part of our room is a piece of someone in our classroom.
Beauty is an interesting thing, especially when it comes to our third teacher – the environment. Last year I would have told you my current classroom is cluttered, maybe even a bit chaotic. My lens though has now shifted from the agenda of an adult to the agenda of a facilitator.
Before, I would have noticed the containers I used, the amount of natural materials, the way a provocation is set up, and the frames and quotes around the room.
This year, I notice the children – their artwork, their buildings, their home toys and treasures they found walking to school or on the playground tucked in the dress up clothes or in baskets or bags. I hear their voices, I bask in the sound of their laughter, and I enjoy being with them.
And that is beautiful.


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It all starts with a name
In five years the new domains will be used by everyone, everywhere, in every language. Changing consumer habits takes time. New technology adoption takes more time. But the Internet is in the process of evolving towards a better defined naming system where businesses and consumers can chose names that make more sense for what they are doing online. Names like .Blog, .News, .Global, .Fashion, and even very niche names like .Fishing, tell an Internet user MORE about what they will find on the site. That makes better sense for searching and finding things online. That makes better sense for the evolution of the Internet.
DomainDiction is a PR and Marketing agency dedicated to the new domains. We work with the domain extension owners (the TLD registry) to define the campaigns, marketing strategy and communications programs that will bring those domains to life.
Learn more about new the TLDs
the internet is being upgraded
Internet addresses now accommodate every language, every geographic region, every culture and every function you will find online. Use the new names to better define your online presence, sharpen or extend your branding, or simply create more doors to your business through great destination names such as .News, .Blog, .Video, etc. All of which positively affects your search engine optimisation.
big news
Did you know that 50% of the world's top brands now have
their own domain extension? That's GreatCoffee.Starbucks,
Buy.Dell, SellOn.Amazon, Search.Google, 3series.BMW, SpringCollection.Gucci, News.BBC, and many more. New Domains mean a world of options for brands online - web addresses that actually say what's on the site. Names that are
easy to remember and speak more directly to the consumer.
New domains we have worked with
The power of a name
Using something meaningful in your online name powerfully affects search and allows your brand to wear as many hats as you fancy. DomainDiction will help you boost your online presence and get you noticed.
Catch up on our blog
TLD Strategies for Newcomers
If your brand has multiple services, numerous geographic footprints and positioning strategies, a Top Level Domain of your own could be a powerful tool to add to your digital portfolio. Your .Brand gives you a more authoritative online brand, tighter intellectual property control and heightened security and consumer trust.
Get in touch now to discuss applying for yours.


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More Teens Wait to Drive [POLL/AUDIO]
Fewer teens are getting their driver's license when they become of age.
Data from the Federal Highway Administration finds about 28 percent of 16-year-olds had their driver's license in 2010, compared with about 46 percent in 1983. Those numbers go up as the teens get older, but today's older teens are still less likely to be driving than those from the 1980s.
University of Michigan analysis found about 70 percent of 19-year-olds had their license in 2010 compared with 87 percent in 1983. Why?
"I think one of the main factors is cost," said Tracy Noble, spokesperson for AAA Mid-Atlantic. "It is a lot more expensive today to purchase a car, to insure a car and to fuel a car than it was 20 years ago and that cost is prohibiting families from getting cars for teen drivers. Unfortunately, teens who are working minimum wage jobs can't afford to purchase vehicles by themselves."
There has also been a shift in parenting styles and many moms and dads don't mind driving their children wherever they need to go.
"That comes from a culture where parents, in recent years, have been taking kids back and forth to games and practices and have been very involved in being the chauffeur in their children's lives and it continues into the late teen years and no one seems to think anything of it," said Noble.
Another factor is social media.
"Kids are not connected 24/7. Going back years ago, the only way to know what was going on with your friends was to either be in school with them or to be hanging out with them after school and having that connection in person," said Noble. "With social media and smartphones that are connected 24/7, everyone knows what's going on so you don't necessarily need to be out there, you just need to be connected."
"At some point, kids will want that independence and that right of passage," said Noble. "I don't expect to see people bringing their parents on dates as they get older or being driven to college classes, but that transition will come and the older a person gets, the less cumbersome it is to obtain a license."


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Somali officials announced today that US airstrikes may have killed a leading Al Qaeda operative. In the capital Mogadishu, violence between insurgents and Ethiopian troops is sending scores of people to the hospitals.
Somalia has been lost in chaos for the past 30 years, but this week's fighting marks a surprising turn of events. Two weeks ago, the Union of Islamic Courts, which had taken control of Somalia from a UN-recognized transitional government, was pushed out by the Ethiopian military. Days later, the US began its air strikes.
Abdurahman Ali Osman grew up in Somalia. As a young man in Mogadishu, he knew some of the kids who would grow up to become Islamist extremists and leaders of the Islamic Courts. For a time, Abdurahman worked as principal advisor to the Somali prime minister--then, this past summer, he switched sides and became a spokesman for the Islamists.
Abdurahman talks with Dick about his belief in making peace through the ancient Somali practices of resolving disputes and why, despite everything, he still has hope for Somalia.
- Listen to Abdurahman's favorite Somali music
Americans are burying themselves in debt--and that makes big business for debt collectors. Hank Babb has worked the job for 23 years, and he has plenty of stories about how he gets all kind of people to pay up.


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Important Changes to the Hungarian Residency Bond Program
Immigrating to a new country is not simple and there are many procedure and processes that may take years if at all, for a foreign national to gain residency. For those seeking to gain entry into the EU, or simply want an opportunity to relocate to a European country, the Hungarian Residency Bond Program may be beneficial to those who qualify.
What is the Hungarian residency bond program?
The Hungarian Residency Bond Program allows a non-EU national citizen to enjoy the benefits of being able to travel using their Hungarian official residency documents as proof of residency in Hungary. It allows the qualifying individual the ability to travel to 26 European countries as well as Schengen countries without a visa.
What are these changes to the Hungarian residency bond program?
Whilst it is rated as one of the best residency bond programs in Europe, its recent changes offer even more benefits. Read all of them below.
You and your family
The program will benefit you and your entire family because it will cover your spouse, and dependent parents over 60 years as well as dependent children over 18 years will get a permanent residency card. Prior to the new changes, dependent children had to be under the age of 18 to qualify for residency under the same application as that of either parent.
Speedy time delivery
Since its inception, the time has radically been reduced and it takes around 1-2 months for applicants to receive their permanent residence. Prior to the new and current times taken to process and deliver, it use to be a 2 step process in which applicant would first apply and obtain a temporary residence and only after 6 months had lapsed would the said applicant be allowed to apply for permanent residence, with process time being 8 months.
Further benefits
Other benefits afforded by the Hungarian residency bond program:
• Many residency programs may have a set amount of years that the individual would have to reside within the country before gaining official residence. With the current Hungarian residency bond program, it does not require a set period for applicant to reside in the country and no need to have a Hungarian address either.
• State education is afforded to children benefiting from the residency program
• Qualifying individuals can also enjoy state of the art health care within Hungary and the rest of Europe.
• Lastly, qualifying applicants do not have to purchase expensive residential property nor invest large sums of money in a Hungarian business.
These changes make it not only easier and quicker to apply and move through the immigration process, but also an affordable method of immediately entering into the EU and enjoying freedom of movement with the whole family.


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Thank you so much for attending the 2019 festival! Even with the weather changing from beautiful to cold and wet, we had a blast with each and every one of you! Thank you for your generous donations, your support of our student performers, your enthusiasm for our headliners, your interest and purchases from vendors, and the photos you shared over social media! Tomball LOVES you! We can't wait to see you at the next one!
Tomball German Heritage Festival
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
March 27, 28, 29
Friday 6pm - 10pm,
Saturday 10am - 10pm,
Sunday 10am - 6pm
Free parking and free shuttle service! Now over 1000 parking spots available. Park at the east parking lot of the Tomball Regional Hospital, 605 Holderrieth.
Shuttles will run non-stop; Saturday 9:30am to 11:00pm and Sunday 9:30am to 7pm. Shuttles will drop off near the Stage at Heritage Park (the corner of Pine and Market). Lighted message boards and signs will be visible, directing guests to the pick-up spots in the parking lot.
Bier Stein Holding contests will take place at Ziegenbock / Warsteiner stage, TBD, located at Heritage Park. Referees will be watching as contestants hold their full stein at arms length. They'll be looking for the longest steadiest hold. Start to droop, bend, change posture or spill, you're out. Separate contests for ladies and men. Awesome Gift Certificates provided by Texas Beer Bus for the winners!
Hollerin' Contest takes place Saturday afternoon TBD at the Texas Stage. Hollerin' is like yodelin', just a little louder and a little less Alpine. This is a great contest for the kids! Prizes provided by Texas Renaissance Festival!
Chicken Dance Contests TBD. Prizes provided by Lustig Tours Holiday!


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Refugee Boy Drama
On Thursday, the class split up into groups of about seven and did drama on a chapter in the book - Refugee boy. Each person had a different role: Alem, Alem's father, the Adjudicator, the Barrister for the State, Mrs Fitzgerald and Nicholas Morgan (Alem's Barrister). We did it so we could understand the story and then write an assessed piece of writing. We acted out the part when Alem was in court for the second time followed by his father who was going to have his first time in court. This was the part in the story where they were told they couldn't stay in England and had to go back to Ethiopia where there was war and they would be in danger (especially Alem as he was Ethiopian and Eritrean.)
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Mr Jeff Rix
July 2017


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Our elegant Round Silver Pill Box has three compartments with a push button opening. Makes a great gift with the highly polished lid being the perfect place to have your local jeweler engrave a message to someone special.
At 1 3/4" wide x 1/2" deep it is the perfect size for your pocket or purse!
Quantity discount available, see pricing below.
Base prices for this item before size or color options:


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Harrison was a LION this year. He was so cute and made a great "rrroooaaaarrrr" sound for everyone. We attended the Trek or Treat at West Huntsville and had a great time. William and Patsy (Derrick's parents) came up for the event as well. Derrick was out of town for Halloween but on November 2nd, we got Harrison dressed back up and took him outside for a few more pictures.
9 months ago


text: [..not subscribed to the list, will probably break thread, sorry..] >> supposedly somebody could like to have a custom callback() like a syslog >> one. > then he sets av_log= my_callback; Although I'm aware that lavc isn't recommended as a shared library atm I guess it will some time in the future be allowed? If so then the above suggestion is not practical for non-dl methods as variables are not exported .. my impression is that this is the reason av_log_set_callback() exists (and it works great as well), it would be a pity if this was removed... - CISC


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Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Microsoft's Windows Live Mail
Windows users will soon be able to upgrade to Microsoft's new, updated mail program called Windows Live Mail, which will replace Outlook Express on Windows XP and will replace the Windows Mail program on Windows Vista. It will feature in-line spell checking, RSS support, emoticons, and The best news: it will reportedly be advertisement-free! According to the Windows Live Mail team's blog, "there will be no graphical ads". I wonder if there will be text ads. The beta of Windows Live Mail should be available in "a few weeks" from http://get.live.com/betas. (Sources: InfoWorld, Wikipedia)
Posted by Brian Hall at 10:43 AM Labels: Technology
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Furnishing Gallery, Bengaluru, are pioneer trader and suppliers of a superior range of Decorative Items that include Office Decoration Accessories, Home Decorations Accessories, Bed Linen, Carpets, Curtains, Cotton Bed L ...
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YORK, Pa. – The Capital Athletic Conference released its weekly tennis awards on Tuesday and Salisbury University student-athletes won both awards this week. Senior Curtis Quandt claimed the men's Player of the Week award while junior Elaina Iosue was named the women's recipient.
Quandt earned four wins in matches against Stevenson University and Frostburg State University. He paired with Nick Mancuso at No. 3 doubles to record an 8-2 victory against the Mustangs and an 8-1 victory versus the Bobcats.
In No. 3 singles, Quandt defeated both opponents from Stevenson and Frostburg State in straight sets, dropping just six games.
Iosue partnered with Katie Youlios at No. 2 doubles defeating the Mustangs and Bobcats for straight-set victories and also topped both squads' players at No. 2 singles.
The teams will each play at home on Wednesday, April 11. The men will host Hunter College at 3 p.m., while both the men and the women will take on CAC foe Wesley College at 5 p.m.