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Author Shilpi Somaya Gowda's debut novel, Secret Daughter explores the emotional terrain of motherhood, loss, identity, and love through the experiences of two families—one Indian, one American—and the child that binds them together. Her book has already been read by hundreds of book clubs and now that it's just been released in paperback, is sure to be read by many more. I'm so pleased to have today's guest post from Shilpi in which she shares what her own book clubs have meant to her and how she has experienced her book through the discussions of those in reading groups.
Book clubs have been an important part of my life for many years. My first book club was composed of business school classmates in San Francisco, and is still going strong. Over a dozen years, we read books ranging from a dense biography of the Roosevelts to the Harry Potter series. We have debated non-fiction tomes, wept through inspirational memoirs, been swept away to biblical times and to foreign lands.
Each month, we (usually) read the book, often disagreed, and always held our discussions amongst great food and an open spirit. While the books themselves provided ample fodder for our discussions and relationships, so too did our lives. In the same dozen years, our group had six weddings, added over twenty children to its fold, and saw five members move away, including me.
Though our lives became more hectic, we continued to meet, and over all those years something quietly remarkable happened. We supported one another through heartbreak, career changes and health challenges. We have cried on each other's shoulders, stood up at each other's weddings, held each other's babies. We have formed the kind of deep friendships that will nourish our souls through a lifetime.
Books provided both the opportunity to reflect on our lives, and to think about the larger world -- to consider ourselves in the context of generations before us and cultures beyond our borders. That opportunity for reflection and connection is, in my opinion, the greatest role art can play in life.
Through the years, I have joined other book clubs, and though each group is different, they all share something in common -- a spirit of openness and goodwill, a desire to think and discuss, and in doing so, to marry our individual lives with the greater world. During the many years I worked in the business world before I began to write, reading and book clubs nurtured the part of my mind that loved to live in a story.
When I was writing Secret Daughter, I lived inside that story, and the characters were real people only in my mind. In the past year since it was published, I've had the pleasure of meeting and hearing from thousands of readers for whom Asha, Kavita and Somer are also alive. Many people have told me this book helped them understand their Indian colleagues, neighbors, patients, clients or roommates a little better.
I heard from a young woman in Montana who was adopted out of an Indian orphanage as an infant, along with her sister, and said that she always felt a hole in her heart because she didn't know where she came from or why her parents would give her away. After reading this novel, she said she felt at peace.
I've heard from dozens of women who've suffered from infertility but couldn't talk about it to anyone. They felt no one understood them, but Somer, the American character who can't have children, spoke for them, and they shared the book with their loved ones to help them understand.
Some of my favorite emails come from men, who say (sheepishly) that they picked up the book from their wives or their daughters, and tell me they couldn't put it down. One man told me this book made him appreciate the women in his life more – his mother, his wife and his grown daughters.
I've also had the pleasure of sitting in on over a hundred book clubs, either in person or via Skype, where I've seen great discussions about the various faces of motherhood. What does it mean to be a good parent? How much can a mother forsake her own needs for her child? I've seen them engage in heated debates over moral questions. Is it really wrong to commit a crime if it's in the name of survival? Can a father responsible for the death of his own child ever go on to redeem himself?
The reason I read is that a great novel has the power to transport me to another place or time, and at the same time, to reflect a little bit on myself and my life. I love when I hear book clubs pondering questions about our culture vs. others. How are the roles of women similar and different in this country and others? Does economic class play just as discriminating a role in American society as gender does in Indian culture?
It's my hope that if you read about these characters in very different circumstances, you'll find some universal meaning in what they're going through, and I invite you to reach out to me and share your thoughts at author AT shipigowda DOT com.
Look for Shilpi on Facebook and at her website, browse inside Secret Daughter and check out the reading group guide.


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MIAD Hiring an In-House Graphic Designer
Tuesday May 17, 2016
An incredible opportunity to work at MIAD! For the first time, MIAD is hiring an in-house graphic designer.
Submit a single attachment comprising a cover letter, resume, 3-5 portfolio samples and contact information for 3 professional references to firstname.lastname@example.com. References will not be contacted without the knowledge of the applicant. All final candidates extended an offer of employment will undergo background screening.
All applications must be submitted by Tuesday, May 31, 2016.

subset: commoncrawl


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Fun Party Venues in London
Our impressive London Party Venues set the scene for the ultimate celebration. When choosing your perfect party space there are a multitude of things to consider, from production and catering to impressive views, wow factor backdrops and audiovisual equipment. Our range of Christmas and summer party venues are perfect for sensational celebrations, as well as private parties, anniversaries and birthdays.
An underground party venue
Quirky underground party den Billingsgate Vaults is the ultimate London party venue. This spacious and versatile subterranean event space boasts an unbeatable party atmosphere, as well as prime position in the heart of the City. Here exposed brick walls and atmospheric lighting set the scene for magical parties. The venue is also available for Christmas parties, with festive designs and party packages provided by Ultimate Experience.
A city party venue
The Artillery Garden at The HAC is exclusively available twice a year for summer parties, Christmas parties, team-building or family days, conferences and dinners. Offering an oasis of calm in the heart of the City, The Artillery Garden at The HAC is the perfect space for private and corporate events.
Parties in the O2
Situated in the heart of the O2, the vast spaces of party favourite Building Six offer unparalleled flexibility and versatility. Here guests can be entertained over three levels and 3041 sq/m of event space. A focal point is the venue's main room, which comes complete with a stage, ideal for presentations or productions, as well as a long bar, amphitheatre lounge areas and DJ and lighting booths. For summer parties Building Six's outside space can't be beaten, this vast private area is the ideal addition to summer events.
Historic party venue
For a traditional occasion requiring a historical venue look to Lancaster House, a government favourite which has hosted many heads of state, politicians and celebrities. The venue lends itself perfectly to elegant drinks receptions, and has even set the scene for filming of the Young Victoria and Downton Abbey.
Venuseeker also offers a wide range of other party venue spaces:
- The best party venues in London 2015
- Large party venues in London
- Outdoor party venues in London
- Launch party venues in London
- Unusual party venues in London
- Birthday party venues in London
- Private party venues in London
- Small party venues in London
- Unique venues in London
- Alternative venues in London
Check our party venues in the following London areas:
- Central London party venues
- Party venues West London
- Party venues North London
- Party venues South London
- Party venues East London
- Party venues South East London
- Party venues South West London
For more party venues in London then contact the Venueseeker team.


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Studio Art Director, KJ Yu, was featured artist in a recent Kotaku Fine Art article. Fine Art is a celebration of the work of video game artists, showcasing the best of both their professional and personal portfolios. Check out KJ's personal work HERE - with incredible robot sketches, character illustrations, and watercolor landscape paintings.
KJ oversees high-level decisions in art quality, style, and creation process at Concept Art House. He has a hand in most of our projects at Concept Art House, but is most proud of his work on League of Legends (which features Concept Art House art).
Contact Us for more info about rates and services:
Founded in 2006, Concept Art House provides industry leading art services to the digital entertainment industry. Our SF and Shanghai teams work together to achieve the highest satisfaction level for our clients. CAH's strategy is simple: where passion and pride intersect, we offer you our quality, originality, and experience.
To find out more about our services and rates contact us at: firstname.lastname@example.com.


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After a glorious week of warm, sunny weather, a heavy gray cloud is moving in with the wind. The fields are taking on a winter look, touched by morning frost into a golden expanse of dying grass. Life seems to be slowing down with the gathering clouds; as I made myself busy during the last warm days, I seemed to feel that times were changing.
Clearing out the mess of boxes on the front porch was the biggest project of the week; trying to make order of all the books and small antiques that I've been selling from. It's frustrating to move box after box, only to see that the book you are looking for simply is NOT there. People think me peaceful but when something like that goes wrong---!
The rest of the week was spent getting bunnies ready for shipment to Wisconsin. I sheared them, quiet moments in the midst of busyness, and took them to the vet for health certificates, gathered up shipping equipment, which involved visits to two different towns, and this morning headed for the airport early to deliver them for shipping. Delta personnel were very helpful, as usual, and folks got down on the floor to peer into the crate to admire the bunnies. Too bad they had to travel sheared; the pure doe had a lovely coat but I was afraid that she might stress out over the trip. Despite every care, traveling is hard on bunnies, by air and by car. But they seem to adjust pretty well; Germans are placid by nature.
My cousin went with me and we had a lovely morning driving back through the leaves that were scattered by the rising breeze. The morning was warm but change was in the air; we fiddled with heat and windows, trying to be comfortable. A short shopping session because we were both "towned out" and we headed home early, foregoing our favorite restaurant. Amazing, except that we had shared a good breakfast!


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AAHA Accredited
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) is an international association of more than 42,000 veterinary care providers who treat companion animals. Established in 1933, AAHA is well known among veterinarians and pet owners for its standards for hospitals and pet health care. Approximately 3,200 veterinary hospitals voluntarily participate in the AAHA hospital evaluation program. Consultants regularly visit these hospitals to ensure compliance with AAHA's standards for services and facilities.
AAHA is the only organization that accredits animal hospitals throughout the U.S. and Canada. AAHA-accredited hospitals voluntarily choose to be evaluated on 900 standards in the following areas:
- Quality of care
- Diagnostic
- Pharmacy
- Management
- Medical records
- Facility and Practice
What can an AAHA hospital mean for you and your cat?
The Standards developed and published by AAHA are widely accepted as representing those components of veterinary practice that represent high quality care. The Standards are periodically reviewed and updated to ensure that they remain consistent with evolving knowledge and technology.
Here are a few examples of how AAHA's standards impact you and your cat.
- The standards require hospitals to provide diagnostic services (x-ray and laboratory) so that they can quickly and accurately diagnose your pet.
- The standards focus on the quality of care in the areas of: anesthesia, contagious diseases, dentistry, pain management, patient care, surgery and emergency care.
- Accredited hospitals have an onsite pharmacy (another standards area) so they can begin treatment immediately.
- AAHA standards also require that medical records be thorough and complete which helps them to better understand your pet's medical history and how past health issues might be impacting their current medical status.
To ensure continued accreditation, AAHA hospitals are subject to routine inspections and evaluations every three years. When you choose an AAHA hospital, like Just Cats Clinic, you can trust that your pet is receiving top of the line care and service.
For more information about AAHA, visit https://www.aahanet.org/
Just Cats Clinic is proud to have been accredited since May 2014!


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I can not connect to your VPN servers.
If you can not connect to our VPN servers please try these:
1- Make sure you are using the correct VPN server address as given in the welcome email. Also make sure you have typed your username and password correctly.
2- Make sure there is no router firewall is blocking the VPN connection. Some routers/ADSL modems might block PPTP connections. Make sure you set PPTP Passthrough on your router. Contact your manufacturer's support if you need assistance on how to do it.
3- Make sure there is no desktop (personal) firewall is blocking the VPN connection. Most of the antivirus software has builtin personal firewalls. You need to either open PPTP VPN port: TCP 1723 on your firewall or just simply disable when you are connected to our VPN service. You do not need any firewall protection when you are connected to our servers. All of our servers have built-in commercial grade firewalls and you are automatically firewalled when you are connected to a VPN network.
4- Some ISPs might block PPTP connections. In this case please try to connect to our OpenVPN servers using this link: https://openvpn.vpnmaster.org:943
5- If you still have problems connecting please open a support ticket at http://www.vpnmaster.com/support and one of our engineers will assist you and set your connection remotely free of charge.
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I have taken a break from blogging for a while and am ready to get back to the grind!
I figured some fun news was the best way to get back into it! Brad and I are expecting a sweet little girl at the end of September! Time has really flown since I found out I was pregnant in January. Work has been crazy busy and getting our home and life prepped for a baby in a short 10(ish) weeks has been a lot of work. We are so excited and I am thrilled to start sharing some Mama and Baby content on Delta Chic! I am going to need all the help and advice I can get, so send it my way!
Hanging out with my little sister in New Orleans at the beginning of month 6!
Old Navy Striped Maternity Shirt (from earlier this summer) - Old Navy White Maternity Jeans
One of my first baby purchases after finding out we were having a baby girl were these cute Freshly Picked Moccs! I purchased the two in the box and Freshly Picked sent me the rose gold size 0's for our little girl!
I would have been happy with a little boy, I just wanted a healthy and happy baby! But... I will say I was THRILLED to find out we were having a baby girl! I am so excited to share my style with her and watch her grow up and form her own opinions on what she wears and how her room is decorated!
I am just in love with these sweet little leather shoes! They are so cute and will look great on baby girl W! The Freshly Picked story is one that I can't help but love too! The owner started the company after being frustrated with the lack of shoes that would stay on and hold up, so with plenty of sweat equity and some trial and error, she created the perfect baby mocc that holds up so well. I love a good Mompreneur story! :)
Shop the ones I bought here: Rose Gold (c/o) - Dalmatian - Gold
I am so excited to be doing my first giveaway on the Delta Chic Instagram next week! I am giving away one pair of Freshly Picked moccs of your choice! So excited! So, check in on Sunday to try to win these babies!


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A young shop worker who was cornered by a hoodedrobber begged him: "Please don't hurt me."
Hayley Ellis, 22, told of her terror when a hooded man walked into the Subway sandwich store on Waterloo Road, where she was working alone, and ordered her to open the till.
He demanded cash and warned her: "Don't scream."
Hayley said: "I froze, my mind went blank and I didn't know what to do – I was so scared. I said, 'please don't hurt me'."
It happened at around 6.30pm on Thursday while Hayley was on the phone to a friend at another shop.
Hayley added: "He came in and he went straight for the till. I assumed he just wanted a coffee.
"Because he had his hood up and his mouth covered, I couldn't hear what he was saying.
"I said 'what do you want?' and he said 'open the till'. I said I couldn't and he said 'I know you can, don't lie to me'."
Hayley, who is just 4ft 11ins, at first attempted to scare the robber off by telling him other people were working in the shop, and that a male boss would be back any second.
But the brazen offender forced her to stand still while he emptied the till of around £80.
Hayley said: "I thought he'd be more scared if he thought a man was coming instead of just me on my own, especially because I'm so short.
"He looked very experienced because he knew how to open the till.
"He knew exactly what he was doing – I didn't even have to say anything to him.
"He was so calm about it. When we looked at the CCTV later we saw he had gone past a few minutes before on his bike so he knew I was on my own. He knew I wouldn't be a threat."
The incident left Hayley crying and shaking with fear.
She said: "I couldn't believe this could actually happen to me.
"I picked up the phone to my friend and he said 'are you OK?' and I said 'no, I've just been robbed', and burst into tears.
"I blamed myself. I thought I shouldn't have let him take it, but at the end of the day it's only money, which is nothing compared to my life."
The offender, who fled the scene on a bicycle, is described as white with a slim build and 'greyish skin'.
He is around 5ft 11ins tall, and wore a dark jacket with a dark peaked cap.
Hayley said: "I could only see his eyes. I thought that he was probably in his mid-20s, but I couldn't really tell because he was completely covered up apart from his eyes.
"If they put him in front of me I wouldn't even be able to tell if it was him or not.
"I'm a bit scared about going back.
"They're going to stop doing single-person shifts now, which does make me feel a bit safer, but I don't think I know how I'll truly feel until I get back behind the counter."
Julie Irving, Area Manager for Subway Fylde, said: "This was a shocking and distressing experience for our staff member.
"We are assisting police with their inquiries and would appeal to any members of the public who may have information about this incident to contact them.
"The staff member involved was working alone at the time.
"We are now reviewing our shift patterns locally in light of this incident.
"The safety of our staff is paramount."
Call police on 101 with information and quote crime reference number WA1619187.


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If you are related to a royal family somewhere in the world, the Family Forest® CD will tell you. This National Treasure Edition contains over 3000 years of exciting human history with many family lines going back at least ten generations – some more than sixty generations!
The Family Forest National Treasure Edition is the world's most interconnected digital resource of family history. Using the Progeny Family Explorer™ – the family tree software included on the CD, you can view, navigate and print a variety of family tree charts showing your family connections.
The Family Forest National Treasure is the culmination of thousands of hours of digging through hundreds of historical records, genealogical books and society periodicals in order to create this well-sourced, genealogy research resource. Whether you discover you are royalty or not, there are many fascinating stories to explore!
Records contained in the Family Forest National Treasure CD are fully documented, and family tree links show connections to famous people, including:
From this rich source of data, use the Progeny Family Explorer to create amazing family tree charts, including: Hourglass, Descendant, Ancestor, Pedigree and Fan charts. You can actually calculate and display many thousands of charts with more than a million boxes per chart – if you choose!
The Family Forest National Treasure Edition represents the culmination of eight years of family research and development conducted as part of the Family Forest Project – previously published as 9 CDs. Now this expanded edition can be presented on a one single CD, thanks to state-of-the art compression technology from Progeny Genealogy.
System Requirements


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This blog focuses on the creative side of photography only. Why do I write these blog posts? Because it helps me sort out my own thoughts and lessons learned. Why do I share these blog posts? First of all I hope you enjoy my work, secondly I hope it inspires others to maybe do an experiment or two and try something new with outcome unknown. Finally, like all bloggers I hope for feedback, criticism and in the best of all cases a dialogue or maybe a collaboration.
Enough said, enjoy!


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The new owners are super friendly and helpful with any request we had...We didn't stay here with the old owners but what I heard is they were great people to deal with also...Going back this weekend!
Great place for a cumulative family fishing trip!!! Had a wonderful time & already booked for next year!!!
Very nice resort...open grounds, a pool, and is located close to the best fishing areas on Leech Lake
Christie and Jamie are such nice people and do whatever they can to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. I look forward to see the changes/upgrades they want to make! Such an exciting time for them! Great family resort and we will definitely be back!! And I got a hug from them both when I checked out! Thanks again for everything!
We've been going up to Sugar Point for over 20 years, so we were skeptical when We learned Bunny and Steve sold. Well there was no need - we had a terrific time at Sugar Point this week, and it was rounded out by a wonderful 4th of July celebration, hosted by Christie an Jamie. Thanks for another wonderful vacation at Sugar Point.
The new owners are awesome!! The old owners were just as great!! Love the cleanliness of the cabins and the relaxing atmosphere. Sugar Point Resort is just a peaceful place to stay, and, the sunsets are breathtaking!!
Excited to see all of the improvements that will be made before our next visit! They were busy working away the days we were there and making huge improvements!
My brother and I had a great week. Lots of nice improvements already and many more coming. When word gets around you are going to need to call early to get booked.
New owners are great. Ready to please any way they can. Thanks again for the great memories. Be back next year for sure.
Had an amazing weekend. Fishing was great and couldn't ask for better customer service!
New owners are very accommodating and friendly. We will be returning again.
Love our time with you, our new owners. Best of luck and success.
One of the most beautiful, relaxing places ever.
Always a relaxing time in a beautiful place.
Most beautiful sunsets and greatest people in our piece of heaven - please come and enjoy!
Great place to stay, and the owners are good people. Great view of the Lake to.
New owners are awesome, cabins very clean and fishing is great.


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17th District State Representative, Nancy Dembowski (D-Knox), has received her committee assignments for the 2011 and 2012 sessions of the Indiana General Assembly. House Democratic Leader, B. Patrick Bauer (D-South Bend) recommended Dembowski for the following committees: Local Government, Commerce, Small Business and Economic Development, and Natural Resources. In addition, Dembowski will be the ranking Democrat on the Roads and Transportation Committee.
"I am the ranking minority member on the Roads and Transportation Committee and that's a Committee that I just have a real affinity for," said Dembowski. "I've been on it for the time that I've been in the House. I just think it's a crucial Committee. The infrastructure of the State is going to have so much to do with its economic future. It's a good Committee with some good members on it. The new Chairman, Ed Soliday from Valparaiso, will be a good Committee Chair, following Chairman Terry Austin, from Anderson, who was a great Chairman too. It's a good Committee and I'm hopeful that we can do some really beneficial things for the State."


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Carpet Mills Design Offers Custom Rugs & Rug Binding
For that perfect area rug consider custom rugs & rug binding. Finding the perfect area rug can be a lot like Goldilocks' search for the perfect chair, that's why the custom rugs and rug binding service at Carpet Mills Direct answers that tricky question of the perfect area rug.
In fact custom area rugs are interior designers' go-to for decorating solutions. Finding a rug that is outside of the off-the-rack 5x7, 8x10 or 9x12 area rugs is difficult; and if you find that rug, maybe you want a 10x10 square, they are costly.
Putting your custom rug together
For the body of the rug, you can use remnants, pieces cut from a roll of broadloom, or we can special order for you. To get the rug you want you'll need to consider:
Binding your custom rug
Binding finishes off the edges of your custom rug. Without binding the rug will unravel and shed along the cut edges. The two types of binding are tape and serger.
Tape binding. Tape is a heavy cotton twill that is folded in half lengthwise. The tape envelops the raw edge, forming a three-layer sandwich. The tape is stitched with a straight stitch to secure the tape. Colorwise, the tape can match or contrast the body of the rug.
Serger binding. The raw edge is overstitched very closely using a serger. If you are interested in having fringe, this is the option to choose.
Carpet Mills Direct can fabricate the custom rug of your dreams, if you are lucky enough to live in Lake Worth, West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach and Wellington. With our custom rug & binding service, there are no barriers to having that perfect rug for your home.
4517 Lake Worth Rd, Lake Worth, FL 33463 | (561) 439-1700 | Email Us
Monday - Friday 9:00am to 6:30pm | Saturday 9:00am to 5:00pm | Sunday 11:00am to 4:00pm


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Return to: Programs of Study
College of Undergraduate Studies
Office of Interdisciplinary Studies, CSEL, Suite 300
A. Zeh, firstname.lastname@example.com, 407-823-2667
The certificate program in Service-Learning is designed for students in any discipline who seek to engage in a reflective analysis of community service as it relates to academic course work. Service-Learning furthers the learning objectives of the academic course, addresses community needs, and requires students to reflect on their activity in order to gain an appreciation for the relationship between civics and academics. Through Service-Learning (SL) courses, students develop academic skills, civic responsibility, and career opportunities. Since this certificate requires the completion of four SL courses, it reflects significant interest and commitment to this process. This certificate is open to all undergraduate and graduate students in any major.


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Currently Unavailable - Awaiting stockRelated Products
Featuring : Made from premium FSC certified pressure treated round pole timber making it very durable and The soft feel ropes and heavy duty blow moulded seats give extra strength. Swingset frame has cross braces for extra stability, the 27012 is produced by Plum Products. Plum Products Gibbon Swing And Climb Set is available to shoppers to order here at our low price.
Select this 27012 from Plum Products today and get quick, efficient delivery directly to your address of choice.


text: Publications Scientific papers, economic policy articles, expert reports, blog posts, and more 4 Results enter search term Search Reset filter Suchfilter Topics Foreign Direct Investments (2) International Trade (2) Americas (1) Emerging Markets & Developing Countries (1) Publicationtype Working Paper (4) Units Global Division of Labor (3) Public Policy under Globalisation (2) Aid Allocation and Aid Effectiveness (1) Poverty Reduction, Equity, and Development (1) Understanding the Structural Forces of Globalisation (1) Authors Peter Nunnenkamp (4) Philipp Hühne (4) Birgit Meyer (3) Dierk Herzer (1) Martin Roy (1) Publication Series Kiel Working Papers (4) Date Last Month Last Year Select Period start date to end date Sort by Relevance Date Aktive Filter Publicationtype: Working Paper Authors: Philipp Hühne Publication Series: Kiel Working Papers Remove all filters Working Paper Democracies Cooperate More – Even Where it Threatens to Bite? Kiel Working Papers 07/2015 Philipp Hühne , Birgit Meyer , Peter Nunnenkamp ... Estimating two-step selection models, we find that more democratic governments are more likely to conclude preferential trade... Working Paper Aid for Trade: Assessing the Effects on Recipient Exports of Manufactures and Primary Commodities to Donors and Non-donors Kiel Working Papers 08/2014 Download Philipp Hühne , Birgit Meyer , Peter Nunnenkamp Considering that primary commodity dependence continues to be a major problem of various lower income countries, we analyze whether... Working Paper Who Benefits from Aid for Trade? Comparing the Effects on Recipient versus Donor Exports Kiel Working Papers 06/2013 Download Philipp Hühne , Birgit Meyer , Peter Nunnenkamp Recent studies offer an ambiguous picture on the effectiveness of foreign aid in strengthening the export capacity of recipient... Working Paper FDI and Income Inequality - Evidence from Latin American Economies Kiel Working Papers 08/2012 Download Dierk Herzer , Philipp Hühne , Peter Nunnenkamp We analyze whether foreign direct investment (FDI) has contributed to the typically wide income gaps in five Latin American host... Selected Publication Series Kiel Working Papers Kiel Policy Briefs Kiel Institute Economic Outlook Economics E-Journal Review of World Economics Kiel Focus


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- Home
- Home Owner Tips
- Home Buyer
- Home Sellers
- Inspection Guide
- Stop Smoking Moncton
Our "Pricing Structure" is posted on our website so that our clients can see exactly what their fee will be with no hidden suprises.
Home Inspection Fees
Inspection includes exterior inspection of home and landscaping around home. This includes decks, sidewalks, drainage, window wells, roof, windows, gutters and downspouts.
The inspection of the interior of the home includes, inspecting all systems; heating, cooling, water supply, drains, ducts and electrical.
During the inspection we open all doors and windows and test all kitchen and bathroom fixtures.
We inspect your attic for signs of moisture, lack of ventilation, proper and adequate insulation coverage and look for vermiculite or asbestos insulation.
Century Homes – These are homes with Cement and Rock foundations are a flat fee of $449.00. We are often referred by Realtor's as being a Century Home professional.
Homes with an extra kitchen – $50.00
Out Buildings or Separate Garage – $50.00
Hot Tub inspection – $50.00
Swimming Pool inspection – $50.00
Thermal Imaging Scan – Free with Home Inspection
Barrie Home Inspections the only home inspector in Simcoe County to offer a money-back guarantee if not 100% satisfied. No questions asked, money cheerfully refunded.
WETT Inspections
If a WETT inspection is required we will provide one for $50.00 if done at time of home inspection.
Fee for just a WETT inspection is $175.00.


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The Oldest Magic
It was the oldest magic, the unspoken spell
that bound our ancestors before they looked to heaven
and learned of gods and demons, ere they counted stars.
It was a magic born of dark primeval forest,
of prey and preyed upon and of the winds that howled
about the standing stones, a magic of the hunt,
the blooded spear, the fire, of woman and of man.
We cast such spells, once, counting not the rise and set
of sun nor phases of the moon to find our selves.
The ancient magic roars across all nights and we
are there; the hearts of dying beasts, still beating, find
an echo in the savage, hungry drums that call
us to the dance and in the lover's heart that beats
impassioned, pressed against our own. They bind us yet,
the ageless, wordless, yearning spells, this sorcery
of life and death and of creation, this oldest magic.
Stephen Brooke ©2016
messin' about in hexameter


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Gaining Freedom through Handicap Vans
How much time do you spend wishing that you could go to the grocery store, run an errand, or just get out of the house, but you feel bad asking other people for a ride? When you are physically disabled, this can be a reality. It is frustrating to depend completely on other people, and you know that guilty feeling that you are putting someone else out when you ask them to take you somewhere. Of course, the people who care about you are most likely more than happy to help, but wouldn't it be better if you actually had the freedom to go where you want? Continue reading


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DataXu Customer Appreciation Party: Sydney
DataXu held its annual Customer Appreciation Party in Australia on November 25th, and it was a blast. Our top customers came out on Friday night to meet up, eat, drink and take advantage of the spectacular view over Sydney Harbour at the Sky Terrace, Star Hotel and Casino. Guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d'oeuvre at the venue late into the evening, giving them the opportunity to enjoy and indulge in the pleasantries together.
"We had an exceptional year and we wanted to have a nice celebration to show our appreciation of the wonderful people we work with in Australia," said James Sampson, General Manager APAC, DataXu.
Some lucky attendees got to walk away with poker chips to continue the party at the casino. With some of our top customers from Harvey Norman, DWA, eHarmony, All About Media and Mediacom attending, the party was a grand success. Team DataXu wishes all of our customers a relaxing holiday period, and we hope to see some more fantastic success stories in 2017. Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!


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|Head Men's Water Polo Coach
|(714) 992-7483
|Previous College:
|Long Beach State
Rhett Price came to Fullerton College in the fall of 1974 as a student-athlete taking part in the water polo and swim programs. He was a graduate of Buena Park High School where he was an All-American water polo player and academic honor student. In his first year at Fullerton College, Price was the team's top scorer and helped lead the Hornets to its second consecutive state title.
In his second year at Fullerton, Rhett was not only the top scorer for the Hornets but for the entire state with 144 total goals scored. He received top honors in the state as well as his second college All-American honors. Rhett was also named as one of the top five athletes in any sport in Orange County. While at Fullerton College, Rhett completed an A.A. degree in Recreation Administration and graduated with academic honors.
Transferring to Long Beach State on an athletic scholarship, Rhett competed on the 49er Division 1 water polo team. Academically, Rhett completed his B.S. in Physical Education, a Ryan Single Subject Secondary Credential in Physical Education, and was granted a Lifetime Community College Teaching Credential. He also completed a B.A. in Recreation Administration and a Masters in Recreation Administration. All of these higher degrees were achieved with high academic honors while still competing in water polo for Long Beach State or later while coaching at Fullerton College.
Rhett was brought on as an assistant coach for the Fullerton College aquatic teams in 1978 while still completing his education as Long Beach State. While at Fullerton, Rhett served as an adjunct and substitute teacher for the P.E. Division. He was a substitute for just about every class that Fullerton College offered. Rhett was also the assistant to the SCUBA program, and in 1984 he was recognized as one of the principal models for NAUI's (National Association of Underwater Instructors) first National Openwater Textbook. Later, when Rhett went for his SCUBA Division Instructor license, he was recognized by NAUI as the third ever winner of the Kevorkian Scholarship Award for outstanding achievement in SCUBA.
After helping the Hornets win multiple conference championships, in 1986 Rhett accepted a full time position as the Rio Hondo College Aquatic Coach. Over the next four years, he guided the Roadrunner water polo team out of a two-year winless streak and into an overall record of 68-51. In three out of his four years at Rio Hondo, Rhett guided his water polo team to second place conference finishes with the swim team taking second place twice. Rhett also served three years on the curriculum committee and was named RHC's Alpha Gamma Sigma Physical Education Teacher of the Year in 1988.
Rhett returned to Fullerton College as a full time instructor and full time Aquatics coach in 1990. He also took over the SCUBA program and has expanded it into one of the most successful programs in the state.
Over his coaching career, Rhett has helped numerous athletes reach All-American status and transfer on to four-year college. This year he has one of his scholar athletes in Daniel Lepard receiving honors at the 15th CCCAA state convention.
Rhett has also been an authorized provider for the American Red Cross since 1974 as a Water Safety, First Aid, and CPR instructor. Over the years, he has done in-service training for the Fullerton Union, Brea Unified, Capistrano Unified, Yorba Linda Unified and North Orange County Community College School Districts.
He also started the first ever Fullerton College Summer Swim Program in 1978, which is one of the longest continuous swim programs under the same director in the state. The Summer Swim Program services over 500 students a year.
Over his time at Fullerton College, Rhett has served on the curriculum committee, has helped other staff members with the six-year review, worked on a joint Fullerton/Cypress College committee to align the two programs, and most recently he became the SLO coordinator for the P.E. Division. He has also been a leader in recognizing the classified employees at the college holding a special luncheon in their honor.


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2018 Scholarship Application
College Scholarship Applications are due December 1, 2018. Click here for the application.
Note: if you are a current college freshman please include your final high school transcript.
Important Notice for Youth Requesting their Scholarship Funds for the Summer Semester:
If you have won a TPHC Scholarship and plan on attending the summer semester, the below is the information we will need to process payment which will be sent to your school of choice.
This should be done at least a month before your college semester starts to give us time to get it processed and the check sent to the institution. You can send in an email request to Eileen Daugirda at firstname.lastname@example.com or snail mail to 1009 Briarcreek Dr., Arlington, TX 76012.
You must include the following:
- Your name
- Proof that you are enrolled in an accredited institution
- Student ID number
- Address to the Bursar's office or the Financial Aid Office at your institution
- Day classes start
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Eileen Daugirda via email or direct phone 817 296-9144.


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Core Laboratories NV CLB, -0.91% said it has raised its quarterly dividend by 12%, joining a growing list of companies looking to increase value for shareholders.
The increased payout to 28 cents from 25 cents will cost the petroleum and geological services company an additional $5.6 million a year.
In October, the company reported its third-quarter earnings rose 16% as revenue also rose 16% to an all-time quarterly high, with strong gains in its reservoir description and production enhancement segments.
Shares slipped 1% to $110.18 in recent trading, amid a broader market downturn. The stock is up 9.5% in the past three months.


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You probably think I have gone stale, but what the Colors of the Sea quilt was something I had promised my sister long ago, and this quilt is the quilt I had started when she first asked, and I cut enough for two, finished hers, and then mine languished – for years – before I got around to finishing it.
Size, fabrics – everything is identical, only the appliques and a little of the quilting differ:
I stuffed the sand dollars and the scallop shells so the quilting would have more definition:
I wave quilted part of it, and shallow-water-swirl quilted the other part:
This is not an original quilt, but I used shells for the borders instead of flowers, and used my own quilting ideas. I believe the most of the fabrics and the pattern were from a collection called Seaside Cottage by Moda.
I cut and pieced the quilt in Kuwait, appliqued and quilted in Doha, and did the binding and finishing hand quilting in Pensacola. Whew! It's finished!


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Why does FurBaby Daycare have a 12kg limit?
At FurBaby, we put safety first to ensure the most enjoyable experience for everybody involved. Our Very Important Dog (VID) Area has a limited size, therefore to ensure the safety of all dogs and staff, our daycare is limited to small numbers and small dogs only.
Is it possible to only use Daycare when my dog is going to Spa & Pamper?
If you only wanted to use the Daycare facilities on certain occasions (like when your dog needs grooming), we are happy to accommodate for this. As it is difficult to get grooming appointments on weekends, you are able to let your dog spend the whole day with us; exploring, socialising and playing, then coming home looking svelte with their new hair style too!
The screening process for casual clients is the same for regulars, but once your furbaby has passed their induction, they are welcome back time and time again. Talk to our staff for a schedule suitable to you.
Why does my dog have to attend induction before starting daycare?
To ensure the safety of all dogs in the Daycare, it is important that we pre-screen all new starters. We will organise an induction and assessment time for you and your dog, generally after 6pm on a Friday night. During the induction, we assess your dog's suitability for the Daycare, and answer any questions you may have. After your furbaby passes the induction, an orientation day is then held to further assess your dog and ensure the utmost safety is withheld within the daycare.
Why does my dog have to be desexed?
At FurBaby, all dogs over the age of six months are required to be desexed before they can attend Daycare. This is a requirement supported by several local Veterinarians, Animal Behaviour Consultants and certified trainers, and is something we believe is essential to the safety and wellbeing of all the dogs in our care.
We understand that in certain circumstances it is recommended to delay desexing. In this case, unless medical exemption can be provided by a Veterinarian, the dog must wait until after it has been desexed to join us.
No alternative forms of contraception are accepted (e.g. vasectomy).
What kind of Vaccinations does my dog need to attend FurBaby Daycare?
All dogs who attend FurBaby Daycare must have a FULL C5 (inclusive of Canine Cough) Vaccination. The number of vaccines that your dog receives to reach a full C5 varies between Veterinary clinics.
Proof of a full C5 vaccination is required and filed for each dog in our care annually.
No alternative forms of vaccination are accepted (e.g. homeopathy).
Why does my dog have to be in as early as possible on it's first day?
Imagine walking into a room full of extremely excited people who all want to talk to you, but you don't know any of them. Overwhelming- huh? We believe that coming into Daycare later in the day would have a similar effect on dogs.
Bringing your dog in early ensures they are settled in, and ensures they are set up positively the rest of the day.
What training methods do you use?
At FurBaby, we believe in positive training! We wholeheartedly believe that if dogs are rewarded for what they do right, they are more likely to do the right thing more often.
The FurBaby staff also undergo regular dog behaviour and management training with leading canine trainers.
How do you keep your facilities free from germs?
If you've ever visited FurBaby Café, you know just how seriously we take cleanliness!
The Daycare area has concrete flooring; which is non-slip and non-porous, which means no germs can get into the flooring and stay there. Each day we clean with a combination of disinfectant and veterinary grade cleaning products such as F10 and Trigene. We challenge you to try find a canine facility cleaner than FurBaby!
How do you make sure all of the dogs get along?
Our staff regularly undergo training with industry professionals to ensure that we are always at the forefront of current research and practice when it comes to dog behaviour. We are specifically trained and experienced in facilitating the safe socialisation, interaction and play of dogs.
Not all dogs are suitable for the Daycare environment, and all dogs are screened, assessed and monitored before, during and after their first day trial at the Daycare.
Does daycare teach my dog how to socialise?
Unless you have a puppy, daycare does not teach your dog how to socialise.
Think of doggy daycare like the deep end of a swimming pool; to be able to jump right in, you must already know how to swim. And if you're not a competent swimmer, you might have to start at the shallow end.
If you are interested in seeing if your dog is suitable for daycare, don't hesitate to call one of our facilities and our staff will happily guide you through some questions and help you make a decision.
I have a puppy, it is suitable to attend daycare whilst s/he is little?
Ab-so-lutely! Puppies learn the most when they are little. Exposing them to socialisation at a young age is extremely beneficial to puppies. Even if your furbaby is expected to outgrow the 12kg limit, you are more than welcome to enrol them whilst they are little, and they'll be armed with top socialising skills by the time they are grown.
Can I stay and watch my dog play?
Unfortunately not, we have found the best method is to just drop the dog off because of the following reasons:
-Your dog might receive mixed messages from you. Dogs are extremely intuitive and will be able to sense if you are apprehensive or nervous, leading to them being less likely to interact with other dogs.
-Even when we have the best intentions, we may interfere with dog's interactions and body language. The staff at FurBaby are trained at reading dog's body language and unique personalities, and therfore know when to intervene and when not to.
Do you feed the dogs?
While we keep a record of each dog's diet, we don't feed the dogs lunch while they are with us (with the exception of puppies under 6 months) because it is not recommended for dogs to eat a meal and then go running, bounding, rolling and chasing.
We do offer dogs' treats throughout the day, so please let us know if there is anything your dog cannot have at the time of enrolment.
How old does my dog have to be to join?
We do not have an age requirement at FurBaby Daycare, instead all dogs who want to come and play must have their full C5 vaccination (this can happen anywhere between 10 – 16 weeks).


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The lovely Amethyst is the birthstone for February! The Amethyst is a purple variety of quartz and occurs in primary hues from a light pinkish violet to a deep purple.
Meaning of the Amethyst – Stability, peace, balance, courage, inner strength, sincerity, and a calm disposition.
History of the Amethyst – Amethyst was used as a gemstone by the ancient Egyptians and was largely employed in antiquity for intaglio engraved gems. The Greeks believed amethyst gems could prevent intoxication, while medieval European soldiers wore amethyst amulets as protection in battle in the belief that amethysts heal people and keep them cool-headed. Beads of amethyst were found in Anglo-Saxon graves in England. Throughout history, the gemstone has been associated with many myths, legends, religions, and numerous cultures. English regalia were even decorated with amethysts during the Middle Ages to symbolize royalty. It has been associated with many myths, legends, religions, and numerous cultures. Historically, the finest amethyst were found in Russia and were featured in much royal European jewelry. Today, while Brazil is the primary source of this gemstone, fine material can be found elsewhere, especially in Zambia.
See our Amethyst Collection here.
[Source: Amethyst Wiki – American Gem Society]
Some of our Amethyst pieces are below…


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Wayne and Louise Craig from Off The Hook in Plettenberg Bay had the most awesome going away party for me last Saturday (5th July). They went out of their way to make it such a special evening. Their whole restaurant was decorated with SA flags, and pictures of me racing and training.The food was fantastic-seafood snacks, fish, calamari etc. It was so special to find out that I have so much support, and people watching my progress. I hope to do you all proud at the Olympics.
Thanks to all who came, and thanks to Lisa Jerling for the fantastic cake in the colours of the SA flag. Here's a picture of it:
Thanks to Lyndall from SAB,
And to Dave Rissik for your Good Luck Charm. I hope you know: a few years back when I was trying to make the decision whether or not to give up my life as I knew it, and live out of a bag, and make it my mission to go to the Olympics, that it was a small chat that I had with you, that made up my mind to go for it! Your stories of the Games, and how great it was for you (to go to THREE OLYMPICS! we have a legend living in Plett), really inspired me to go for it.
Thanks to Marty for his nice words. I still remember when I first started paddling, and Mart, Daniel Conradie, Hanno Smit and James Mangold used to work me to exhaustion. The best part of the session was catching waves at The Reef off the BI Hotel. One day, after the session, catching some fun waves, Mart turned to me and said "Don't forget ,e when you're famous." I said "Mart, don't forghet me when you famous!" The G4 winner had no clue how talented he was, and what he was going to achieve in the future!
Thanks again to Wayne and Louise and all their staff for the super evening. And thanks to everyone for coming and for all the support.
I will post the TV schedule for the Games once I know it.


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The parody video called "Game of Rails" was created by DART Photographer/Videographer Lupe Hernandez to kick off Rail~Volution 2015 and likens North Texas to the fictional world in "Game of Thrones." Rail~Volution is a conference held every year with a focus on building livable communities through transportation.
DART is the host organization for the conference that is taking place at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Dallas. Transit-oriented development, first-mile/last-mile problems, bike share, high-speed rail, streetcars and urban design were just a handful of the topics attendees learned about at Monday's kickoff day workshops led by industry experts. Alternatively, mobile workshops took the conference to the streets to tour downtown districts, major transit-oriented development hubs and more.
Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings kicked off Rail~Volution with words that resonated throughout the conference: "It works." What works? Transit, rail, buses, urban development and more, he says. For example, Dallas' rail build-out created jobs, increased development, caused growth in density and more, he said.
One session with some facts and information too good not to share was "Sex, Neuroscience and Walkable Urbanism" presented by Jeffrey Tumlin, Principal at Nelson/Nygaard consulting Associates, Inc. This workshop pitted "walkable urbanism" against "automobile dependency." Tumlin brought the science to this session sharing facts like when you exercise outdoors (walking, for example), your brain releases oxytocin, which is the same chemical agent associated with love and longing. Alternatively, exercising indoors results in no oxytocin release. He likens this to walkable communities and public transit versus being stuck in traffic. Think about that the next time you're weighing walking to the bus stop or sitting in bumper-to-bumper.


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1-Year INHF Membership
If you love Iowa and nature, you belong with us!
Most of our members send gifts annually or more often to support our work in general -- all our work, all across Iowa. These gifts are used just where they are needed most. These members are our partners in every current project: land protection, wildlife areas, trails and more.
Member benefits:
(offered to those who give $25 or more)
- Quarterly Iowa Natural Heritage magazine with features on Iowa's wild places and news about INHF's work
- INHF wall calendar with all-Iowa nature photos
- Satisfaction of making Iowa even better!
Gifts of $48 or more are fully deductible. Smaller gifts are deductible except for the $1.65 cost of providing your member benefits.
*not eligible for member code discounts
Don't know if you're a member? Email email@example.com to find out!


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The New Sony Corporation: Now, TV, and Virtual Reality at E3 2014
There were plenty of impressive and fun video games to play at the Electronic Entertainment Expo this year, but some of the most impressive and fun displays had little to do with gaming. While Nintendo focused on keeping its ship afloat, and Microsoft clawed its way back into gamers' good graces, Sony used the breathing room it earned at last year's E3 to begin branching out away from games and creating a well-rounded experience for PS4 users. Here are the three products Sony is using to cement the PS4's role as a necessity for every household.
Virtual reality
OK, so the argument could be made that not every household needs a virtual reality device. But there's no denying that Sony's Project Morpheus has caught a lot of people's interest -- it was consistently one of the most packed booths at E3 this year. Project Morpheus is Sony's first real foray into virtual reality; using a headset and the PlayStation Move controllers, Sony lets players dive into their games headfirst.
This is Sony's answer to Oculus' Rift; you'll recall that Oculus VR was recently acquired by Facebook for $2 billion. While the backing of the biggest social media company in the world is no small thing, Oculus (and Facebook) has yet to prove itself with gamers. The fact that Sony is a well-established gaming company, and currently the only one that's taking a serious shot at virtual reality, gives the company a leg up on the competition. While it won't be making millions from this device (which is still very much in development) any time soon, Sony could be gaining a nice lead in this burgeoning industry.
PlayStation Now and TV
The products that really might make Sony's PlayStation 4 a home necessity have less to do with gaming and more to do with making the console a well-rounded home entertainment device. To that end, Sony made a lot of noise about PlayStation TV and PlayStation Now at this year's E3. The PlayStation Now is a streaming service that will allow gamers access to a variety of older Sony games from earlier console generations. Users can stream the games and save their progress in the cloud; no muss, no fuss, and no dealing with extraneous devices. The beta for the service opens up at the end of July, and if all goes according to play this will be yet another compelling reason for gamers to pick the PlayStation 4 over the Xbox One, which has no backwards compatibility.
The more exciting news was PlayStation TV, a device that lets gamers stream games from a PS4 attached to one television to the PlayStation TV, which can be attached to another television in the same home. Thus if the TV with your PS4 is occupied by a family member you simply go to the television with PlayStation TV attached and play your game. The PlayStation TV will support PlayStation Now when it hits store shelves in the fall at a retail price of $99. There's no word yet of which video and tv streaming apps the device will support, but you can bet that Hulu, Netflix, and HBO Go are all very realistic options.
The competition
It's clear from the company's E3 presentation that Sony's not afraid to hit its competitors where it hurts. Not only is it going after the jugular against Microsoft, which flubbed E3 2013, but Sony's also fine with going head to head with Facebook and its support of Oculus. Meanwhile, the PlayStation TV makes for an excellent alternative to Amazon's Fire TV, and a lot of gamers will be more secure getting their gaming needs fulfilled by Sony than by the unproven Amazon.
As far as the next-gen console wars go, Sony seems secure in its lead. Nintendo's Wii U continues to struggle, though to be fair, sales of the console system should see a nice little boost thanks to Mario Kart 8. Meanwhile, Microsoft is begging gamers for forgiveness and its lineup of new games for the coming months should help it get exactly that. However, the company is clearly backing down from its strong stance with Kinect now that the device and the Xbox One are de-bundled, leaving the door open for Sony to continue catching gamers glancing longingly at Project Morpheus. If Sony can capitalize on its position as a well-established gaming company with its Project Morpheus, as well as with Now and TV, it'll continue winning this war.
Leaked: Apple's next smart device (warning, it may shock you)
Apple recently recruited a secret-development "dream team" to guarantee its newest smart device was kept hidden from the public for as long as possible. But the secret is out, and some early viewers are claiming its everyday impact could trump the iPod, iPhone, and the iPad. In fact, ABI Research predicts 485 million of this type of device will be sold per year. But one small company makes Apple's gadget possible. And its stock price has nearly unlimited room to run for early in-the-know investors. To be one of them, and see Apple's newest smart gizmo, just click here!
The article The New Sony Corporation: Now, TV, and Virtual Reality at E3 2014 originally appeared on Fool.com.Mark Reeth has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of Microsoft. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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From a poet known for her gloom, this is a sunny, witty vision of a young woman's liberation
My Hat
Mother said if I wore this hat
I should be certain to get off with the right sort of chap
Well, look where I am now, on a desert island
With so far as I can see no one at hand
I know what has happened though I suppose Mother wouldn't see
This hat being so strong has completely run away with me
I had the feeling it was beginning to happen the moment I put it on
What a moment that was as I rose up, I rose up like a flying swan
As strong as a swan too, why see how far my hat has flown me
It took us a night to come and then a night and a day
And all the time the swan wing in my hat waved beautifully
Ah, I thought, How this hat becomes me.
First the sea was dark but then it was pale blue
And still the wing beat and we flew and we flew
A night and a day and a night, and by the old right way
Between the sun and the moon we flew until morning day.
It is always early morning here on this peculiar island
The green grass grows into the sea on the dipping land
Am I glad I am here? Yes, well, I am,
It's nice to be rid of Father, Mother and the young man
There's just one thing causes me a twinge of pain,
If I take my hat off, shall I find myself home again?
So in this early morning land I always wear my hat
Go home, you see, well I wouldn't run a risk like that.


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My kitteh's eyez R nothing like teh moon.
Salmon iz far moar red than hur lips' red.
If snow iz white, why then hur fur iz brown;
if whiskerz wires, black wirez grow frum hur head.
I has seen shrimp and tuna, pink and white,
But no such fishies C I in hur cheeks.
And in sum catnip there iz moar delite
Than in the breath that frum mai kitteh reeks.
I luv 2 hear hur purr, yet well I kno
That music haz a far moar pleazing sound.
I grant I nevur saw our Bastet go--
My kitteh, when she walks, padz on the ground.
And yet, by kibble, I think mai love as rare
Az any she belied wif false compare.


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Actress Bipasha Basu, who decided to refrain from promoting 'Humshakals' prior to its release, says she won't work with Sajid Khan, the film's director, ever again.
Bipasha Basu, who was seen as one of the six key characters in the comic film which wasn't received well, has nothing against the film's co-producers Vashu Bhagnani and Fox Star Studios. But she is glad she took a stand against promoting 'Humshakals' when it was required.
Bipasha had said she was "extremely disturbed by the end result" of the film and "didn't know how to promote the film with all honesty".
Asked if she will work with Sajid again, Bipasha said in an interaction: "No, I will never work with him. I have nothing against Vashu-ji and Fox Star Studios. They have put in so much money and I respect that. I love Vashu-ji, it's just that I didn't want to come to a podium and lie and look like a fool. I am the worst liar in the world. So, I took a stand."
Bipasha says such situations are rare. "I have been in this industry for way too long. I have worked with many people and nobody has said anything against me. It's rare that you make such a mistake, it's one of those films. I did this film on the basis of trust. Anyone who has seen the film will understand why I didn't promote it.
"I was six minutes into it and I don't know what I was doing in it," she said of the movie, which also stars Saif Ali Khan, Ram Kapoor, Riteish Deshmukh, Tamannaah Bhatia and Esha Gupta.


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Praise for I Wish My Teacher Knew
"Kyle Schwartz has turned a viral classroom exercise into a powerful argument for what American students need: to be asked, heard, and finally answered. Packed with sharp insights and vivid classroom details, I Wish My Teacher Knew is a must-read for anyone who believes in the power of education."
—Elizabeth Green, co-founder, CEO, and editor-in-chief of Chalkbeat and author of Building a Better Teacher
"Kyle Schwartz truly understands that relationships matter most in the classroom, and she shares tools and stories that every educator will find both powerful and engaging. It is a 'back-to-school' must read!"
—Tony Wagner, author of The Global Achievement Gap and Creating Innovators
"I Wish My Teacher Knew is both inspiring and practical. With rich detail, it shows how, by beginning with building trust between a teacher and her students, magic can follow. Teachers will value the helpful to-do's, and all of us will value the account of life in the classroom. At a time when policymakers are obsessed with tests and accountability, I Wish My Teacher Knew delivers a powerful reminder that teaching isn't a matter of drill and kill, that the teacher's job is to develop children's excitement about learning as well as their character. For anyone who cares about teaching and learning—and that should be all of us—this book is indispensable."
—David L. Kirp, Berkeley professor and author of Improbable Scholars: The Rebirth of a Great American School System and a Strategy for America's Schools
"Full of handwritten student notes as well as research on child poverty."
—Us Weekly
"Details how essential it is for teachers and families to be partners."
—New York Times
"Includes student notes, as well as student experiences...Addresses poverty, grief and student home life...Also includes 'teacher tools' that educators can implement in their own classrooms."
—USA Today
"Sharing the profound events that shaped her pupils' lives, both online and now in this book, allowed the author to show how easy it is to bring teachers and students together to build a stronger classroom community. Addressing issues of poverty, grief, trauma, family makeup, character development, and self-efficacy, Schwartz demonstrates how significantly these events can impact learning. Supported with a sound research base, each topic is outlined and leads to concrete solutions that teachers can implement...A real passion for the kinds of teaching that better the lives of students is evident in Schwartz's every word, and her compassion and caring is contagious."
—Library Journal (starred review)
"Provide[s] suggestions for transforming any classroom or school into a greater community. After reading Schwartz's book, teachers will be inspired to join the #IWishMyTeacherKnew movement and get to know their students better."
"If you're a teacher…this book could change your career. Look for it."
—"The Bookworm Sez" syndicated column
"Enlightening…An invaluable guide for teachers, parents and communities."
—Philadelphia Tribune


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No results found
With only two perfectly matched couples shacked up in the Honeymoon Suite, the "Are You The One?" housemates have a long way to go if they want to score a million Benjamins, but judging from this mid-season trailer, they've all got a solid shot at the pot of gold!
While some are driven by love and others by money, the claws are comin' out in full force, with Shanley about to go postal on Simone, who's likely to fight back the best way she knows how: with STFU-inducing SASS. However, despite everyone's best efforts to keep Shanley and Chris T. (and their lips) apart — and Paige and Chris being a confirmed perfect match — nothing will stop Chranley from hitting Pound Town. (Guess Chris wasn't lying about their killer sexual chemistry!)
Meanwhile, a new love triangle is set to bloom between Jacy, John and Chris S.(who doesn't seem to be mourning Paige too much at all; note to Chranley!), and the Ryan-Kayla-Wes sitch will finally come to a head. There's also the not-so-minor fact that Kayla may be replacing Brittany as the resident crazy chick (according to Ethan, Amber, John, Jacy and maybe Ryan, at least) — SERIOUS CATFIGHT ALERT!
Check out the mid-season trailer, and tell us: Do you think these determined daters will walk away with a million in cash by the season's end?
#Are You The One#Are You The One? Perfect Match Clue#top story#trailer


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moved for leave to introduce Bill C-413, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act and the Canada Labour Code (extension of benefit period for adoptive parents).
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that my bill has been seconded by the brilliant member for Hamilton Mountain.
Many people are talking about the fact that so many Canadians do not have access to employment insurance even when they pay into the program. One group that does not have access to the full benefits that we would seek for equality for parents is adoptive parents.
Parents who go through the adoption process make a financial commitment and a wide range of other commitments, including time, to raise the children they have adopted, and yet the Employment Insurance Act still discriminates against them. It does not treat them the same as biological parents.
This bill would amend the Employment Insurance Act and the Canada Labour Code to extend the benefit period for adoptive parents so it is the same as already exists under the Employment Insurance Act for biological parents.
It is important to do this. Adoptive parents are making a huge commitment in time and effort to raise their adopted children. We have to make sure we provide the right support in the employment insurance program so that they can get off to the right start with their adopted children.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)


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Go fans have noticed a couple of key moments in the match between world champion Lee Sedol and Google's DeepMind AlphaGo computer. They appear to show Lee realising for the first time just how outmatched he was by the machine.
After his 3-0 defeat today, Lee told the press:
I apologise for being unable to satisfy a lot of people's expectations. I kind of felt powerless," Lee said, acknowledging that he had "misjudged" the computer programme's abilities.
"Yes, I do have extensive experience in playing the game of Go, but there was never a case where I was under this much pressure.... and I was incapable of overcoming it."
Lee's first realisation that AlphaGo was playing at a level w-a-a-a-y above him appears to have come at move W107 in Game 1, as noticed by this thread on Reddit. We've made a gif of the move below. AlphaGo, playing in white, drops a stone on the right side of the board about halfway up, at the lower diagonal from three black stones arranged vertically. It's completely unexpected, because it seems to be unconnected with the rest of the white strategy on the board. Redditor "balancetraveller" wrote:
Lee literally dropped his jaw at W102. Lee's reaction was not aired in the official YouTube live stream. The move is considered the tide-turning move.
You can see a video of the move here, at timestamp 2.30.20. This gif shows that at first he seems paralysed, and then he rocks backwards in surprise:
It was Game 2 when AlphaGo's superiority was confirmed, as noted by Wired. Move 37 by AlphaGo baffled everyone who saw it:
[European champion] Fan Hui thought the move was rather odd. But then he saw its beauty. "It's not a human move. I've never seen a human play this move," he says. "So beautiful."
You can watch the move on video here at timestamp 1.18.27. AlphaGo, playing black, puts a stone on the right-middle of the board, at a diagonal to an isolated white stone. This photo shows Lee's reaction: He gets up from his chair and walks away from the board. You can see Lee's empty chair at right.


text: Nico Nico Douga Medley Database Navigation Main File Listing Upload About FAQ Community Forum Wiki Language English 日本語 Affiliates: Filename Kumikyoku Nico Nico Douga (Karaoke ver.).mp3 (download) File Size 9.89 MB (10374668 bytes) MD5 Hash cbb54d9368c7fa0662c1551227fa61e2 Upload Date Tue May 6 2008 at 11:39 pm Downloads 10929 ID3 Artist   Title   Genre   Comments Ë0³0Ë0³0ÕR;u(²û0³)g0ºNln0B0c0_0òfj0i0'0K~D0g0r0h0d0n0òfk0W0f00~0W0_0(2¦^îv)0hQ33òfO(u0 ; YO0n0¹e'0¤Šã‰U0[0f0W0~0c0f0  Disclaimer: We believe that files offered through this service are either covered under fair use and are not copyright infringing, as they are fan-created works from the website Nico Nico Douga. If you believe that any file on this website infringes your copyright, please do not hesitate to contact the webmaster, and the infringing files will be removed immediately.


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Editors are fuckwits too
and ready to follow up with several dear editors on the Next Great Novel.
Sadly Miss Snark never even got to first base. She might as well play for the Cubs at this rate.
Editor #1 has moved to a new company. Friday was her last day.
Some editors will do an email notice of such changes, but most times
you're left holding the manuscript cover lettter with a forlorn look. If the
editor who asked to see the ms leaves/gets fired/changes jobs or divisions,
mostly it's a sunk deal.
Editor #2 is leaving her job and moving to some odd place called...Maine.
I got out the map to see where it was. This editor was a sweetie and sent
my project to a young editor eager to build a list. Of course, young editors
eager to build lists have little budget and almost no autonomy soI end up pitching to her, her boss, and her boss's boss sometimes. Yes it's a part of the deal but ohhh
man. The trick is to get past the people who can only say no and find the people who can say yes, and yes with enough money to make it worthwhile.
Editor #3 is pretty sure she's never spoken to me before, heard of me, had lunch with me and if she met me on the street would think I was someone else. The cover letter on the manuscript that referenced our telephone call and lunch last spring were clearly products of my fevered imagination. If, and she was pretty snippy about the IF, IF the manuscript is here, she would have passed it along to Editor X who handles that line.
Well of course, I didn't make it up. It is a total waste of my time and money to make up conversations. Between running a 400 page manuscript through the copy machine and sending it flying through the streets of Gotham on a bike messenger's ass, every submission costs about $20. If I don't sell this tome, that's a sunk cost. I don't get paid for it. Ever. Not if the author's next book sells, not if the author wins the lottery and wants to be good friends.
So, ya, I don't send manuscripts unless I've pitched it and you've said yes. Frigging disorganzied bitch.
oops, I mean. "overworked, underpaid, underappreciated hardworking woman".
Ya right.
I gotcher under appreciated riiiiiiight here.
5 comments:
- River Man said...
sounds like a typical Monday....
I linked your blog - hope that's okay. If not, let me know.
- 7/26/2005
- kitty said...
Totally off subject here ...
Since I picture agents and editors working amidst clouds of tobacco smoke, overflowing ashtrays at their elbows, and since you mentioned Mayor Mike in your location, have his NO SMOKING! rules & regs affected how agents and editors conduct their business?
- 7/26/2005
- Miss Snark said...
Dear Ric, Links are a great compliment, thank you.
- 7/26/2005
- Miss Snark said...
Dear Kitty,
Clouds of smoke?? How very film noir!
There hasn't been any smoking allowed INSIDE buildings in NYC for years. Mayor Mike (Miss Snark's hero) only increased the scope of the law to include bars. That was the big hullabaloo.
Now, ginsoaked as Miss Snark has been on more than one ocassion, she tries very hard to not actually conduct business in bars. It's too hard to read anything in the dim light, and while Miss Snark does look fetching in a miner's helmet, it's hard to actually read with one.
Mostly this is a phone biz.
Which is good, cause Miss Snark gives great phone.
- 7/26/2005
- chryscat said...
Nice euphemism. LMAO
It's so nice the literary world is liberally sprinkled with people that don't have consideration for others. Or know their ass from the elbow. But I digress. Really.
- 7/26/2005


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The bobo doll experiment was carried out in 1961 by Albert Bandura. He hoped to prove that human behaviour was learnt rather than inherited, and that the aggressive behaviour of children could be increased by exposing them to aggressive role models. While this study produced data that are still debated by psychologists and sociologists today, the design of the experiment brings up some important ethical concerns.
Experiment Design
Three groups of children aged 3 to 6 were selected from a nursery school. These children were placed, one at a time, in a room filled with toys. These toys included a bobo doll, an inflatable doll that would return to an upright position when knocked down. One group of children was accompanied by an adult who spent several minutes striking the bobo doll with a mallet while using aggressive language, then left the children alone to play. The second group was exposed to an adult who sat and played with them in a quiet and nonaggressive manner for several minutes, then left the children alone. The third group was left to play in the room without any adults present. Their activities were monitored through one-way glass, and video recordings were made.
The primary ethical concern in performing psychological experiments on children is the issue of consent. According to the American Psychological Association (APA) Code of Ethics, subjects of psychological experimentation must give informed consent to participate in the experiment. Children are considered incapable of giving informed consent. While it is possible for parents or guardians to give consent on behalf of their children, Bandura's paper suggests that consent was obtained only from the teachers of the children involved.
All information regarding experimental subjects is considered confidential unless the subjects give their explicit consent to have it published. This includes names, photographs, videos and descriptions of how the subjects acted or responded during the study. Because the subjects in this case were all children, all this information should have remained confidential. Instead, videos of the children undertaking the experiment were published and widely circulated. This violates current ethical standards for both consent and privacy.
The most basic rule of ethics in human experimentation is to minimise possible harm to the subjects. If there is any possibility of physical, mental or emotional harm, the subjects must be fully informed of the risks and their consent obtained. Bandura's stated goal in the experiment was to increase the aggressive tendencies in young children by exposing them to aggressive role models. This sort of behavioural modification would be considered mental harm by modern ethical codes, especially if the subjects are young children.


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This is a long shot! Please read!/
So, Lynn (ellemem) is bidding on the San Diego Meet and Greet for 3 people being auctioned off by Eden Dora. The goal (if won) was to have Lynn (Project No Control), Kat/Edwin or Malin (TMHFN/Rainbow Direction), and myself (1D Fans Give) as the 3 people to attend the meet and greet to have representation from the big fan efforts that have made a difference to 1D/Fandom.
However, bidding is already up to $4500+ and will probably go too high for us to manage by Sunday. This is completely a long shot and please don't feel pressure to donate, but if people threw in a buck or two, we might be able to win this thing!
If we don't win, I will donate any money raised to Louis' bday drive for Eden Dora so Eden Dora wins either way (I will also offer refunds to people if they would prefer that).
If we did by some chance win, any money over the amount of the winning bid will be donated to Eden Dora for Louis' drive. The auction ends Sunday night so we need to raise as much as we can between now and Sunday morning so we know how high we can bid.
The meet and greet is the day before my birthday so I'm secretly rooting for this to work - meeting Louis (and all the guys) would be a great bday present!
Again, I want to stress -please don't feel pressure to donate! This is a complete long shot and if this all worked out, it would be some sort of miracle, but it's too good of a chance to pass up. It's another one of my harebrained ideas so worst case, we raise some money for Eden Dora!
Here's the link should you wish to donate:


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Like most people, I was a Michael Jackson fan, but unlike most, I shared a birthday with the late pop star. Michael was born on August 29, 1958, and twenty years to the date, I was born. I felt so connected to Michael that for years I was convinced that I was the Pretty Young Thang he was singing about, even though I was only six-years-old when the song debuted.
When I first heard the news of Michael's passing, I thought I was being punk'd. Seriously. It didn't matter that I'm not famous and that Ashton Kutcher has never heard of me. I was being punk'd, lied to, bamboozled. I was sure of it. After all, I
sitting in a talent agent's office and the two people telling me the news
actors, so it was fairly easy for me to convince myself that they were playing a practical joke on me. Yes, I convinced myself that two strangers had conspired to trick me for no apparent reason. That felt more believable than the awful news they brought.
When my mother confirmed the news a few minutes later, I realized that I wasn't the target of some new hidden camera show. I was the victim of something much worse—grief, for Michael's death felt strangely personal.
I don't know why it hit me so hard. Not sure why it took three weeks for me to feel that I was in fact living in reality, and not some poorly plotted reality show. Although fifty-years-old, Michael seemed to be on top of the world, more untouchable than Hammer, more indestructible than the Man of Steel himself. When he sang, I listened, when he danced, I marveled, and when he sang, "I'll be there," I believed that he would be—always.
He wasn't just the King of Pop. He was the King of music, the consummate entertainer, a trailblazing performer who shattered records and raised the bar until he became the bar. He was Michael Jackson, known simply as "M.J."
M.J.'s music was magical. It had a way of drowning out everything else, even if only for 3:53. When you were listening to M.J., all that mattered was the driving beat and the accompanying movement in your pelvis. You danced to Thriller alongside perfect strangers, declared that Billie Jean was not your lover, and grabbed your crotch like it was socially acceptable.
When you were dancing to Michael, you felt gooooood. You felt the music inside of your body, feeling that the only way to express it was to dance and sing at the top of your lungs. And it didn't matter if you looked good or sounded good cause the person next to you was singing louder than you. When you were listening to Michael, all that mattered was the music, and it like it was right inside of you, where it was meant to be.
Michael was everything we longed to be. He was, first and foremost, a cultural revolutionary—influencing industries from music to fashion, individuals from Britney Spears to Russell Simmons, and cultures from Motown to Moscow. Who else could turn "Shamone" into a word and create a language composed entirely of screams and grunts that people worldwide recited?
Additionally, Michael possessed a raw talent that was awe-inspiring. While a boy, he sang his way into our hearts with his youthful, soulful voice. As a young man, he moon walked his way into our collective soul with his timeless lyrics and pulsating music. A full-grown man, he declared "I'm bad!" and we replied, "You know it!"
He was—simply put—the best. And who among us hasn't wanted to be that?
But within his success laid his demise. Fame's favorite son, he became fame's prisoner—first enthralled by her, then held captive by her, and finally choked by her.
And while I claim to know neither the inner workings of Michael Jackson nor the world in which he inhabited, I believe that he died years before his physical death on June 25, 2009.
Perhaps his death began with his first plastic surgery.
Or maybe a part of him died the first time that he wore a disguise in public so that he could feel "normal."
It's possible that he died when he essentially created his own city, Neverland Ranch, where play was supreme and Michael attempted the impossible—to regain a lost childhood.
Some believe that a part of Michael died when he was accused of child molestation, which resulted in him vowing never to live in Neverland again.
Or perhaps his very public divorce from Lisa Marie Presley killed him?
One could argue that Michael died the first time that he took a prescription drug, whether he needed it or not.
What is for sure is that Michael's death was unexpected, tragic, and mourned by the masses.
Michael overdosed on a life filled with excess: excessive fame, excessive money, and excessive access; he could buy any material thing that he wanted. But what he seemed to want the most—inner peace—seemed to evade him.
The various plastic surgeries didn't bring it; neither did the million-dollar shopping sprees. Even the world that he built for himself didn't provide the sense of security for which he seemed to be searching. He never got enough, so he never stopped. He died, still dancing, although his half-of-a-century-old frame couldn't endure the intensity of another tour. We wanted more. He wanted to give us more. His finances suggested he needed to give us more. But he couldn't.
Although the details of his death remain unclear, what is clear is that we never really understood Michael. Fame's veil separated us.


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One night in the late 1930s, Fats Waller And His Rhythm were playing at the Yacht Club on 52nd Street in Manhattan. Art Tatum, the other half of the Tatum-Waller mutual admiration society, came in to listen. When he first moved to New York, Tatum's almost superhuman virtuosity at the piano had bowled over every pianist in town, including Waller. Introducing his friend to the audience, Fats said, I just play the piano, but God is in the house tonight."
The line became a part of underground jazz lore. Then in 1972, producer Don Schlitten used it as the title of a Xanadu LP of Tatum recordings from the early forties, since reissued as a High Note CD. Tatum influenced virtually every pianist who came of age in the thirties and forties. Through the decades he has inspired or discouraged legions more. Among those who fell under his spell was Jimmy Rowles (1918-1996), who frequently heard Tatum in Los Angeles after Rowles moved there from Spokane in 1940. Tatum had a profound effect on Rowles: the young man determined not to be try to be like Tatum, which would have been impossible, but to find his own way. He did. Jimmy told me that, like nearly everyone else who listened to it, when he heard Tatum's 1933 recording of "Tea for Two," he thought it was by two, possibly three pianists.
Jimmy Rowles had an avocational sideline as a sketch artist. His visual art radiated thepiquant view of life that also characterized much of his piano playing. His drawings made their points through suggestion, subtle references, humor. Mostly, he gave them to friends, often as Christmas cards. Anybody who has a Rowles drawing is likely to have it on a wall in a frame. That is what the vibraharpist and Rowles protégé Charlie Shoemake did with Jimmy's Tatum drawing. Mr. Shoemake has kindly shared it with Rifftides. He gave Rifftides permission to share it with you.
This story appears courtesy of Rifftides by Doug Ramsey.
Copyright © 2019. All rights reserved.


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We're back with our weekly supplement of Windows apps, extensions and software updates. Alongside the regular updates, we also managed to spot some very cool giveaways from Microsoft, make sure to check the tip of the week section.
This week we'll check an app that invites anyone to build Windows 8.1 apps; a powerful text editor; a program that guards your computer from the adware toolbars, and more.
Microsoft Project Siena (Type: Free, OS: Windows 8+, Size: 4 MB)
Project Siena is an app for Windows 8+ that lets you build apps for the same platform. Unlike most other app development kits, Project Siena is for complete beginners, that is, no programming expertise from your part is needed.
There are many visual objects placed in front of you, drag and drop the ones you like to give your app a nice body layout. Once you have built the app, you get the option to publish it on the App Store.
Poet (Type: Free, OS: Windows – all versions, Size: 1.5 MB)
Poet is a plain text editor which houses a lot of powerful features. Much like browsers, it too has tabbed interface which will let you open and work on multiple text files at once. It makes basic operations like Find and Replace much easier. It also comes with an inbuilt spell-checker.
In addition, it also offers document comparison and supports code folding for many languages (XML, SQL, HTML, CSS Java, C#, etc.). Another intuitive feature which gained our attention was its support for plug-ins.
Unchecky (Type: Free, OS: Windows – all versions, Size: 400 KB)
We all are aware that many apps we download bring adware toolbars with them. While we do know that we should uncheck such options while installing any app, many a times, when our guards are down, some bogus software makes their way to our computer.
Unchecky is a very tiny tool designed to tackle such situations. It is extremely light on resource usage, and runs silently in the background. It makes sure to unwelcome any useless and harmful tools. In our test, Unchecky worked as advertised, but it is also important to know that it doesn't scan for any harmful toolbars that are already on your computer.
VSDC Free Screen Recorder (Type: free, OS: Windows – all versions, Size: 14 MB)
Whether you want to record a streaming video, or capture the ongoing screen activity, VSDC Free Screen Recorder will give you enough options to do it just right.
If you ever want to make a How-To tutorial, this tool is your best bet, as it even lets you draw on the screen and mark annotations. By default you will be capturing the entire screen, but you can tweak it to specify the portion of the screen you would like to capture.
JetBoost 2 (Type: Free, OS: Windows – all versions, Size: 4 MB)
May be your computer falls in the "high-spec" category, may be it doesn't. Regardless of that, there will come a time when you would wish your computer ran a bit faster. And when it does, you will wish you had something like JetBoost on your system. It has just one job, to make your computer run faster. It uses a lot of techniques behind the curtains and produces a stunning performance on the stage.
If you want to know what's going on, you can click on the customize button, for everyone else, just click on the big Boost button, and your end of the work is done.
PureText (Type: Free, OS: Windows – all versions, Size: 14 KB)
Don't you hate it when you copy some text from a web-page and when you paste it on a word processor, the textual data seem to regain its original formatting? PureText is here to remove all the ornaments from such text – font face, font color, paragraph style and everything but the text. It is extremely light, once installed it runs in the background and makes sure that all the texts you are importing from the web are in their non-formatted state.
Viber (Type: Free, OS: Windows – all versions, Size: 14 MB)
Popular messenger Viber ported a touch friendly version of their app for Windows 8+ this week. The app utilizes the tile and metro user interface that Windows 8 offers. In fact, it makes a very good use of Search charm and Snap View as well. You can read more about it here.
Browser extensions
Self-Destructing-Cookies (Firefox)
Cookies are incredibly useful, in fact, if it wasn't for them, the web navigation as we know it today wouldn't exist. They keep track of our log-in credentials for as long as we don't end the session. But, we have now learnt that trackers and many vicious minds are after our cookies. Self-Destructing-Cookies is a Mozilla add-on that clears all the tracks as soon as you close the tab.
NoAds Advanced (Opera)
NoAds Advanced is an alternative to popular advert blocking tool Adblock on Opera web-browser. Much like Adblock, this add-on too lets you block adverts, scripts and other different annoyances the web cater to us.
It also maintains one EasyList which lets you decide the kind of things you want to block on websites.
mozCleaner (Firefox)
From a glimpse of it, this add-on looks a bit unprofessional as you would find ample of spelling mistakes everywhere. But, when it comes to usability, this add-on stands tall across all its competitors. It lets you clean report files which are otherwise hogging space and resources on the browser. It also lets you get rid of not-in-use add-ons, plugins and search engines.
Software Updates
Evernote 184.108.40.2067
Popular note taking app Evernote got a minor update this week. Users will now be required to enter their password to sign-in even if they are offline. The new apps sees many bug fixes as well.
CCleaner 4.09.4471
Keeping up with its aggressive update cycle, the latest addition is compatibility with Google Chrome 32. Recently added Cookies screen lets you clean individual cookies. Live monitoring notifications too have got some improvements.
Tip of the week: Know why your favorite programming language sucks
No programming language is perfect. All of them have got some shortcomings. Don't get disheartened, though. Knowing such flaws can help you secure your job and understand the language better. There is an entire wiki page dedicated to why Your Language Sucks.
Microsoft is giving out free 20 GB SkyDrive storage space to all its Windows Phone users. If you're one, make sure to check your email and register for it before 31st January.
Skype is also giving away free group video calls, and screen sharing features to everyone. You can claim it here.


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Schick Hydro Silk TrimStyle Moisturizing Razor for Women
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Expert Review
Experience an incredibly close shave with Schick Hydro Silk TrimStyle Razor & Trimmer. Featuring five blades that follow your body's natural curves, this disposable razor features skin guards to reduce the chances of you getting cut or experiencing irritation. These skin guards contains a water-activated serum to restore skin's moisture levels. By simply flipping the handle, this razor transforms into a waterproof trimmer for underarm and bikini areas as well as advanced trimming technology offering four different settings for a customized trim. The trimmer also comes with a built-in, adjustable comb.
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