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Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known. – Carl Sagan
My co-teacher L sent me this photo. She said, "Imagine these all over the classroom….. Or like as a fence in the garden…."
I couldn't deal at all and we had the following speculations about this mysterious plant:
Me: What is this. What does it feel like. Is it smooth. Is it thick? Is it like paper-like? Do the colors change? Is it always that white to green thing.
L: I'm imagining it as thick and sort of waxy. Very sturdy. I hope it grows to add a touch of violet, similar to the color of one of the succulents in our window.
Me: I don't know how I feel about the plant. I think I want to break it apart and study it. I want to see how it breaks. Like does it snap. I imagine it doesn't. I can imagine it bending.
L: It snaps probably. I'm just basing this off my minor knowledge of other succulents. I just wonder how it got so big, is it like a goldfish-in-it's-bowl phenomenon where it grows only to the limits of it's pot or what.
Me: I mean it seems like it's not normal. But can't be sure. A lot of succulents are weird.
I then commented that this must be what out children feel when they see plants that we adults are already familiar with. The urge to figure out what I was looking at and what I could do with it was so intense. It led me to reflect on how I allow children to act upon those same urges when it comes to other things, plant life or otherwise.
We talked a lot in our school last year about nature, plant life and bugs. Some teachers feel very strongly that children shouldn't be allowed to "destroy" nature or kill bugs. Others felt very strongly on the other side of the spectrum, that children should be able to explore the world at will. I think I fall somewhere in the middle, or at least I have in the past. I try to give my personal opinion that we shouldn't kill bugs, in a way that children feel they still have a choice in the matter. I feel the same way about plants – I let children know if they pick flowers before they bloom they will never bloom, but still leave it up to them to decide.
Having had this experience with awe and wonder over a plant I have never seen before, I have a bit more understanding of my children's perspective though. The urge to touch, smell, break squish, cut, and learn about something new to me was so strong that I would probably do all of those things if that plant was actually in front of me. As an adult who has formed impulse control capabilities and who understands the value in caring for nature – I would struggle to leave that plant alone.
So imagine how these children feel when they see carrot tops starting to emerge, or tomatoes that aren't yet ready to pick. They are new and wonderful and engaging and tempting.
Maybe it is worth exploring the unknown, if only because the very feeling of not knowing is a painful one. – Krzysztok Kieslowski
What does this mean for my practice? I'm not sure. I think understanding our children more deeply will always have a positive effect on our practices.
I also think it will encourage me to create more ways for them to experience new things deeply, and to investigate new things at will. Cut, crush, pull apart, and examine plants we bring into the classroom, grow a tomato plant in our classroom that they can pick as they see fit without warnings of the fruit being under-ripe and keeping singular materials out for extended periods of time.
I think most of all, I will try to take negative connotations out of my tone when it comes to how they interact with nature. I don't want the plants to become bare or the trees to lose their flowers before they bloom, but I also already know the effects of those things while the children don't. Just as I wanted to touch, cut, and break the succulent plant, and probably would have, I want to allow my children the same freedom to explore their world and discover these things adults no longer wonder at. Because their need to understand the unknown, is just as important as that trees need to bloom.


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We had a thunderstorm last night, and are expected to have another today. I've been wearing noise-canceling headphones to compensate. Fortunately, the new episode of Gettin' Grown with Jade and Keia podcast is out. It's something I look forward to each week. My Amazon Prime membership expires in a few days. Buh-bye to my former impulse shopping addiction.
In celebration of this wise decision, I ordered one last thing. I purchase fidgets and sensory toys every so often. I can't recall a time when I didn't. I'm pleased with the recent popularity of fidget toys because now they're conversation starters, too. I ordered Super Cool Unicorn Poop. (It's purple and blue, glittery slime in a cute little bottle.) It's odorless.
It feels like jello that wasn't allowed to set long enough, without the sticky mess. (It's non-toxic.) My skin feels wet after touching it, but it leaves no residue. It's right at the limit of my grossness tolerance. I won't play with it often, but it's ridiculously fabulous when I do. (I was even more amused by the fact someone is selling a single used bottle, last I checked.)
I got the 3-pack because slime shrinks over time. There's a negative review by someone who was irate over receiving partially full bottles. They may have overlooked the limited shelf-life. Or perhaps they bought a used version. Heh. I don't think of myself as stuck-up, but when it comes to slime, I prefer new. In fact, I insist. 😂 Also, I want to see this on How It's Made. So much.
My body seems to have recovered from my recent dietary fiasco. The only lingering effect is my broken off-switch. Unfortunately, it's broken all the time, so I'm probably just hyper-aware of it lately. I'm trying to be careful about what I begin because I'm likely to continue for quite some time. I usually track this by how often I complete 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles. Ideally, it should take at least two sessions.
I do them daily as part of my winding down routine before sleeping. I love puzzles. If I start completing one a day, I know my broken off-switch is operating unacceptably. I use this method because I notice, even when in rote mode. Eventually. I have a love-hate relationship with my broken off-switch. Part of me loves how I'm able to complete time-consuming tasks more quickly than others. Another part of me recognizes the need to sleep sometimes and resents it.
I don't like it when I can't stop, though. It doesn't often happen, and usually results in pacing until exhaustion. Coding marathons used to trigger it as well. I've always been this way. It used to frustrate my mom when I was a teenager. My days and nights were backward until basic training. I was glued to my computer every night. The rest of the time, I was on autopilot. I guess it's all that interested me at the time.
I also missed school more often than I missed a run as a teenager. It's always been my favorite stim. I was training for the Army, so my mom never interfered. The funny thing is, when I was on active duty, I ran PT in the mornings with my unit, then ran again at night on my own time. I started doing this in El Paso because of the heat. Then it just stuck. It only backfired once when I had a surprise PT test after running seven hours prior. I still managed to pass, but my legs were sore after. I'm off to read.
p.s. Stevie Nicks is on the above puzzle twice! (And Michael Jackson looks like someone just told him Tito killed his rat, eh?)

subset: commoncrawl


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Yesterday was a day of so many phone calls, scheduling pre-admission tests and appointment before my surgery. Today I decided to get up early and head for a walk on the beach. I feel at peace there. I can sit down and dream of better days to come.
I thought about what fun it will be to visit Portugal and all the places I will visit.
Flying into Lisbon I would choose to stay there a few days to visit all the wonderful neighborhoods like Chiado and Baro Alto. And then there is so much to see and do around Lisbon that I would have to spend a few days there in order to really experience and take photos of all the places I want to include in my Travel Book. Place like Torre de Belem which also has the big boat sculpture of the explorers.
And a trip to Belem would not be complete without going to eat the famous Pasteis de Belem which can be found at R. de Belem 84-92, 1300-085 Lisboa, Portugal .
Also there are so many museums just in the Lisbon area that i want to explore. I would want to visit the beautiful castles around Lisbon and Sintra which will make for some awesome photos. Then it's on to visit some of the surrounding beaches in Cascais, Estoril, Ericeira, Troia and also palaces in Queluz and Mafra. Small fishing towns like Sesimbra and the beaches in Costa da Caparica. Not forgetting Cabo Espichel and Cabo da Roca which is Europe's westernmost point.
When exploring the northern part of Portugal, of course Porto is a must see. But so is Braga which has a very rich history and some incredible buildings. Climbing up the stunning Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga will be on my list. A beautiful town to visit will also be Amarante which I hear is incredibly beautiful. I've also seen some pics of a small medieval village called Sortelha which looks interesting. And Monsanto which is a village built around giant rocks.
Then on to the Chapel of bones in Evora and the dramatic coastline of Sagres (yes they have a beer named Sagres in Portugal). Visiting the medieval town of Obidos and also the place where the three little shepherds appeared to the Our Lady of Fatima, in Fatima.
Then eventually head on down to explores all the beautiful little coastal towns/villages in Algarve.
I'm sure there are a lot more places that I will add to the list but so far these are the ones that I have either heard of or researched.
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Ray I. Scroggins
Principal and Founder, Scroggins Associates, LLC
Ray I. Scroggins is a frequent writer on subjects that include technology, manufacturing, construction and business. He holds degrees in business and engineering and specializes in writing feature articles for a wide range of business and trade publications. He is the principal of Scroggins Associates, LLC, a public relations firm he founded in 1984 and is based in Las Cruces, NM.


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The information below includes the name and contact details of the incumbent and access to individual parish websites. Further information may be obtained from 'A Church Near You'.
St Mary the Virgin, Pixham Lane, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 1PT
St Martin's Parish Office, Church Crypt, St Martin's Church, Church Street, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 1DW
Opening Times: Mon - Fri 9.30-12pm
Vicki Judd
Tel: 01306 884229 Email: email@example.com
SAFEGUARDING The Diocese does not tolerate abuse of any kind. Enquiries
YOUR DATA PRIVACY View the diocesan general privacy notice and data protection policy.


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Jory will also drop by to answer questions, so I encourage you to leave comments. Jory has also graciously provided a signed copy of SPIDER-TOUCHED to be given away to one lucky commentator. Giveaway guidelines are at the end of the post.
Hope you all enjoy the interview. Welcome Jory!
SFG: SPIDER-TOUCHED has just been released. Could you start things off by telling us a little more about the book and the series?
Spider-Touched is the story of an enslaved angel whose memory and power are denied him, and a human who is more than she seems.
The series is set in a post-apocalyptic world where the supernaturals have emerged. It has an over-reaching arc of: A war is brewing between ancient, unseen enemies (angels and Djinn) for who will ultimately control Earth. The heroes and heroines who find love and want their own "happy ever after" in each book play a part in preparing for that war.
SFG: Who are the main characters in SPIDER-TOUCHED? How do you go about picking character names?
The heroine is Araña. The hero is Tir. Anytime I come across a name I like, I add it to a list I keep. That's the first place I go when I need a name for an important character, including those who might one day have their own stories.
When nothing on my list seems to fit, then I hit baby-naming sites on the web. The name has to feel right to me. More than once I've changed the hero/heroine names as I got deeper into the story and learned more about them.
I tend to choose out-of-the-ordinary names because they don't come with a lot of baggage as a result of knowing real people with those names. Tir's name was on my list. Araña named herself (literally). Her name is Spanish for spider.
SFG: Your publisher bills SPIDER-TOUCHED as urban fantasy romance plus the setting is in a post-apocalyptic America which some might classify as science fiction. There has been a lot of discussion lately about the labeling of genre fiction especially urban fantasy versus paranormal romance. What do you have to say on the topic and where would you like your books placed in the bookstores?
I can see the need for labels. Booksellers have to know where to place a book on the shelves. But the trouble with labels, especially now, as more and more authors are writing stories blending genres, is that labels tend to be narrow and exclusive. Compounding the problem is that there is no way to reach every reader and provide them with specific and defining information. For instance, "Spider-Touched is a romance set in a post-apocalyptic urban fantasy world and contains erotic elements." Pretty tough to fit that on the spine of a book.
Ultimately, I think time will sort this issue of genre labels out because existing labels will expand to include a wide range of possibilities and readers will come to see the labels as simply a place to start. One of the things I love about the romance audience is that on the whole, they are very flexible and willing to try new types of stories.
Ghostland and Spider-Touched are romances at their core. The story "resolution" is all about HEA for the hero and heroine as far as their relationship goes. So I'd definitely like to see them placed in the romance section. Even better if they are next to my Ellora's Cave works so readers will know the sex is going to be dealt with straight-on.
SFG: I understand GHOSTLAND and SPIDER-TOUCHED share the same universe but are standalone stories. For someone that hasn't read the books is it important as to the read order?
They don't have to be read in order, though like any series, each story builds on and adds depth to the story world. There are supporting characters introduced in Ghostland who also appear in Spider-Touched, as well as places and concepts.
SFG: Tell us something about your research process and the choices you make when creating the story.
I would have to use the term "research" very loosely. The most honest answer is that I do the least amount of it possible in order to write the story I want to write. Sometimes I hit Wikipedia and get enough background facts to proceed—either before I start or when I'm at a place where I need to know more. Other times it might require delving into non-fiction books.
Story choices all come down to answering a series of questions—the biggest, and most important of which, at least for me, is the very first one: "Knowing that inspiration might take me to the 25% mark, but it'll take hard work to get to The End, what set of characters, story premise, and setting can I get excited enough about to commit myself to?" The Berkley books have a target length of 100,000 words. Just thinking about it is enough to freeze my fingers and make it impossible to type.
I don't plot in minutia, but these days the trigger event, midpoint scene, ordeal scene, black moment, and resolution all need to be fairly solid, giving me destinations along the way before I start writing. Then I basically ask myself "what if" and "what next". Sometimes I stop at the first answer. Sometimes it takes a few of them before I hit one that feels right (or workable). I try not to over-analyze. Forward momentum is the most important thing. Once I get to The End and truly know the entire story, then I can go back and refine the individual scenes.
SFG: Do you have a long-term plan or goal for this story universe? What happens next?
If I took no detours to give important, but minor, characters I've introduced in the first two books their own stories, or to explore some of the other worlds within this story world (the vampire world for instance, or that of the Founding Families of Oakland), I could probably wrap the series up in six or seven books. A lot is going to depend on what happens with the first three books and whether there is a large enough audience for Berkley to want more of them.
Shapeshifters are the focus of the next book, my current WIP. The setting shifts between the Were brothels in the Oakland red zone (where Outcasts survive by prostituting themselves) and the world of the pure Weres who live in no-humans-allowed territories.
After that…I'd write a story focusing on the world of the Fallen Angels, and the daughter of one of them who is a Finder.
SFG: What other projects are you working on that you would like to tell us about?
At the moment I'm working on the third book for Berkley. The heroine is a gifted healer introduced in Spider-Touched. The hero is a jaguar shapeshifter. I'm really, really excited about how this is shaping up.
SFG: You've published a number of erotic romances with Ellora's Cave. What are your favourites and are there any tie-ins to this new series? What made you shift in this new genre direction?
I've got thirty published stories with EC and hope to get at least one more turned in this year. There are four on-going series, a couple of trilogies, and then some stand-alones. It's hard to pick a favorite because each of them represents something different, but important, to me. Binding Krista got my foot in the door at EC by giving me direct access to an editor (though it was initially rejected, then went on to become one of my best selling books after I adjusted my premise by adding wings to my heroes from another planet). Trace's Psychic is my first published book with EC, while Calista's Men arrived fully formed and had me racing to get the scenes typed in as fast as they came and before they were lost. Lyrael's Sacrifice allowed me to experiment with the Djinn, though there are no tie-ins between any of my EC works and those for Berkley.
I still love writing erotic romance and don't see myself quitting. But I want to be able to do more world building and to explore questions and realities that don't necessarily lend themselves to the erotic romance genre. Urban fantasy romance is a natural progression for me. It allows me to combine paranormal, romantic, fantasy and erotic elements, all the things I enjoy both as a reader and a writer, into a single story form.
SFG: What books/genres do you read when you have the chance? Any must read authors or series?
I'm eclectic in my tastes. There are middle grade and YA authors who are auto-buys for me, as well as romance, mystery, sci-fi, and fantasy (epic, dark and urban) writers. Just to hit a few of them: Robert Crais, Terry Pratchett, Carl Haissen, J.D. Robb's In Death series, Michelle Sagara's Cast In series. Nalini Singh, Justine Musk, Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, Melissa Marr, Kristine Kathryn Rusch's Retrieval Artist series, PJ Tracy.
SFG: What music, TV series or films do you like and do any of them influence your work?
I don't watch a lot of TV since the choice usually comes down to that or spending the last couple hours of my day reading. There are a few shows I'm hooked on though: Lie To Me, CSI (NY and Las Vegas, I've given up on Miami), World Poker Tour, So You Think You Can Dance, American Idol, but only after they get through the audition and weeding-out process, American football, if the Oakland Raiders or San Francisco 49ers are playing.
As far as music goes, I'm just coming out of a twelve year Country phase. Mostly I find myself listening to Rock/Pop stations at the moment. I wouldn't say either music or TV influence my work, though occasionally they spark an idea for a scene.
SFG: If you could be any paranormal creature. Which one would you be and why?
Djinn, as defined in the Ghostland and Spider-Touched story world. They can take any form or no form, and depending on what House they belong to, have special abilities.
Thank you for being here today Jory and I am looking forward to the next Ghostland World book. But first I need to get to my copy of GHOSTLAND read :)
- Leave a comment, or question about the book, the series, writing or urban fantasy in general, to be entered into the draw to win a signed copy of SPIDER-TOUCHED.
- A name will be drawn at random.
- Giveaway runs until Midnight, August 18. I'll announce the winners next Wednesday.
- For an extra entry, blog about the Interview & Giveaway and leave the link in the comments.


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Call: 860-829-5363 (LEND)
My family has been involved with real estate since I was a child, so
I was always exposed to different facets of real estate growing up.
It was about a year after starting in the mortgage industry that my
family and close friends told me: "Sal, you have found your calling!"
As time went on, my friends started to buy homes, and I was always
there to help them when they had finance questions with regards to
buying real estate. It felt extremely natural to me. So that's when I
realized my passion for helping others paired with my knowledge of
the buying process would be a career path.
The landscape of real estate and mortgage financing is always
evolving, but the basic foundation for wanting to own a home
remains the same. I've never lost sight of that, so I feel it's my job
to stay on top of the changes and then translate between the two worlds in a way that's easily understood by my clients … whether
it's a first-time homebuyer or a fifth-time homebuyer. It's reassuring
when clients who get referred to me say, "No one's ever explained the
process to me like that … I get it, thanks."
Committed to your satisfaction!
Salvatore Morabito


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Daniel A.
Church Planter - North India
Daniel is working as a church planter in North India. The Lord has used him greatly in the villages in which he is working. Many people have come to know the love of Christ through his witness. Eighteen fellowships have sprung up in the last ten years, and more than 180 people have been baptized. In his weakness (he is crippled in his legs), God's strength has prevailed.
Testimony of Conversion
My name is Daniel A., and I am married with two children. At the present time we are establishing churches.
My family and I are from a Hindu background. In our family all the members used to worship idols, and from my childhood I was searching for God, and I always had one question in my life, "What do we have to do to go to heaven?" I used to sit with Hindu saints, and they also have the same question in their midst, but they used to say that we have to do lots of good works and distribute money. This is the only the way to go to heaven, but still I didn't have peace in my life. A question came in my mind, "The person who is old, how will he do the good works? Or the person who is not having money to feed himself, how will he distribute money?" I didn't have satisfaction in my life, and in disappointment I used to think in my mind, "Is there any God?"
Then, in my village some evangelical brothers came to me in a team and my question was, "What do we have to do to go to heaven?" They started talking to me, and for about one hour they told me about Jesus Christ. First of all they told me about man's sin, and they also shared their testimonies with me. With that I realized my sins, and I understood that I am a sinner. To teach me how sinful men relate to God they opened the scripture and started reading it for me and very slowly it started working in my life. Here are some references of Bible verses which worked in my life: John 3:16; Psalms 103:3; 1 John 1:9. Then, these brothers used to come in my house and were very excited to hear how the word of God had changed my life and now I can confidently say that I am a son of the Heavenly Father.
My wife's family background is also Hindu. When my wife listened to my testimony she also started to believe on Jesus Christ. We also used to discuss and listen to each other's thoughts, and after that we both served the Lord. We thought that as we were saved from our sins why don't we do the same work so others can be saved. From the inside I wanted to learn God's word and understand the depth of God's word. I wanted to become an evangelist and a good preacher. We prayed and God used us and gave us opportunities to share the Gospel, and now also there are good believers and people are growing in God's word.
Then, my pastor told me that if you want to learn more deeply then you have to do Bible training; then you can become a great blessing for others. For two years I was not trying to go in Bible training, and I said, "Where I am I want to live here only." But then I felt something was wrong with me; I had an unmerciful life with my family, so I went to the pastor's house and told him that I wanted to go in the Bible training. So, I did one year of training, and then I was burdened for others to be saved. I bowed down in front of God on my knees for seven days with fasting, and I said to the Lord, "If You want to use me in your ministry, please give me a clear vision so that I can preach your words." God gave me vision for a certain district in North India, and from year 2000 I have preached over there. Now, at present, 185 people are baptized, and people are growing in God's work day by day. Some believers are dedicating their lives for God's word, and in different places they are doing ministry. I have a burden in my heart to pray for these people and to give them more training regarding God's word.
Note: For security reasons a pen name is used for this missionary.


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47 Meters Down has unveiled its second trailer, and it looks like it's shaping up to be another intense addition to the well-trod genre of shark thrillers. Such films have been frequent fare for the big screen ever since the release of Jaws, Steven Spielberg's seminal 1975 blockbuster. In recent years, their output has somewhat waned, but last year's The Shallows seems to have reignited interest in shark-infested horror flicks.
That movie starred Blake Lively in heated tête-à-tête with a Great White, beginning with an innocuous trip to an isolated surf beach and fast descending into a terrifying tale of survival. Now, 47 Meters Down is picking up the torch. Mandy Moore and Claire Holt (The Originals) lead as Lisa (Moore) and Kate (Holt), two sisters who decide to recoup from a bad breakup with a vacation on the Mexican coast. Once there, they decide to do a little thrill-seeking and go cage diving, but the experience quickly turns deadly when the rope snaps and they plummet to the bottom of the ocean, where they're left to fend off hungry sharks with a dwindling oxygen supply.
The newest trailer amps up the gore — and the fright factor — featuring Lisa and Kate in several unnervingly close encounters, plus not just one, but an entire pack of savage sharks. In a particularly chilling scene, Lisa lights up a flare while swimming through dark waters, only to discover there are three open-mouthed sharks speeding straight toward her.
It's a simple premise, but it looks promising enough, having already nabbed a few positive early reviews from the horror community. Director Johannes Roberts, who also co-wrote the script, has had a rather hit or miss trajectory, though his star is certainly rising. He helmed last year's poorly received The Other Side of the Door, but was recently tapped to lead The Strangers 2, the long-awaited sequel to Bryan Bertino's 2008 invasion thriller.
For its part, 47 Meters Down has had a somewhat rocky path to screen. It was initially acquired by Dimension Films back in 2014, then shelved for a couple years before getting a direct to video release under the name In the Deep. But shortly before, Freestyle Media nabbed the rights and re-upped it to a wide theatrical bow set for this summer.
All of which is to say that 47 Meters Down could go in either direction, so it's best watch with an open mind. If nothing else, it will be interesting to see Moore in a role drastically different from her current turn in the breakout hit family TV series, This Is Us.
47 Meters Down arrives in theaters on June 16, 2017.
Source: 47 Meters Down


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A Costa Rican judge has granted the first overtly gay widespread-law marriage in Central America, stated Francisco Madrigal, political affairs director for the Center for Research and Promotion of Human Rights in Central America (CIPAC). Since the law itself has changed to present single couples the identical property rights which might be provided to married spouses, the reasoning in Walsh v. Bona not applies to the legislation in BC. The two folks have their very own condos and waiting to get one collectively but for time being throughout the 2 years relationship they were sleeping together alternatively in their own condos after which after finishing 2 years the frequent law accomplice says that they do not had any frequent legislation relationships. Yes, I imagine that you are married spiritually and that God does sanction your marriage.
If they discovered a likely suitor, they might make all of the arrangements, and even negotiate the marriage contract, however solely the mother and father may actually sign their little one into a marriage contract. In answer to the primary query, the most common criterion employed is chronological age. A widespread law marriage may trigger difficulties when coping with bureaucratic establishments comparable to Social Security and banks.
Trusting the credibility of buddies who've known them well, I consider that Esther Hicks did give start to Abraham, a outstanding instructor of loving values, and that the riches brought by means of selling The Law of Attraction suffocated them. However, a brand new common law tradition could be created across the enforcement of new legislative laws as they're enforced and brought to the eye of the court docket.
The law, under this elite-derived system, is a non-public weapon to wield in opposition to one other person or group over commercial pursuits, not an avenue of justice for all or of the frequent good. The widespread legislation of England was largely created within the period after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The establishment of marriage is a person-made endeavor created to control ladies and their inherited wealth and to allow a person to keep track of his offspring so he might be sure they belong to him and never some other dude.


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We provide optimal mental here care for the whole family.
We employ evidence based medicine to provide individualized care for each patient. We treat each person with respect, honesty, integrity, and compassion.
Our goal is to help each person attain their maximum potential, and to function to the best of their ability.
F. Ada N. Ifesinachukwu, M. D.


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Whine whine whine. (Not to be confused with wine wine wine, which is considerably more fun and less annoying to read about.)
I have now been ill for about a week. Not ill enough to justify lying around delicately looking wan, refusing food and being all Jane-Austen-heroine, but just ill. Crap, boring, hating-everything-but-mostly-myself ill. Coughing my internal organs out by night and wandering around freezing cold and miserable by day.
The meeting I was meant to have this morning (and cycle six miles to) has thankfully been cancelled, but I still have to go to Leeds and back and then host Thirsty Music tonight, and then lead a choir workshop tomorrow and a music workshop on Friday. WOE. Oh GOD I have so much NICE STUFF to be doing. Indeed I am to be pitied.
I feel so dramatic about it. I want to shout and demand to be wrapped in a slanket and placed in front of every episode of Charmed ever made. I want a little bell I can ring when I want the cat to bring me tea and toast and large doses of sympathy. I want it not to be bloody February, I want warmth and comfort instead of cold, hard snow-imminent crapness. It's got to the point where, when people ask "how are you?", I am actually telling them. This is not good.
I am meant to be planning stuff, and instead I am sulking, blogging and listening idly to the next door neighbours as they kill each other (a daily practice). The walls are so thin that I can hear every word, so much so that, if I wanted to, I could take sides. I don't want to, though. Partly because I am terrified of them, but mostly because both sides of the argument are completely insane. I am sometimes a bit envious, though. I've never really gone in for the shouty, screamy style of arguing, preferring instead the pursed-lipped, tense low discussion technique. I wonder if they would do a seminar.
("Hi there, yes, I'm from next door. So sorry to bother, I just wondered if I could borrow some of your rage? Just a cup of salt-of-the-earth, working-class shoutiness, I don't seem to have any in. I can exchange it for some middle-class terse, passive-aggressive, bottle-it-up-until-you-need-therapy anguish, I've got loads of that.")
My guitar is gathering dust and my valentine's roses are dead. I am sulking. The cat is asleep, oblivious to the fact that if he just got off his arse and made me some tea, he would make me eight billion times happier (approx.).
The neighbours have quietened down. Perhaps they can hear what I am typing and are going to kill me for referring to them as working-class. I WAS JOKING! Look, I put that bit in capitals! Oh, God.
Right, off to do be morose and self-pitying until I have to get on a train to Leeds. Good times.


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HONG KONG (MarketWatch) — Major Asian markets were split between marginal gains and modest losses on Monday as an uncertain outlook after recent advances and before U.S. and European data this week turned investors cautious.
"You get the feeling we are only one slightly negative headline or data point away from a 'fresh excuse to sell,'" said Cameron Peacock at IG Markets. "There's no doubt that with equities having hit some key levels, there is a high degree of caution about getting too carried away."
After seesawing for much of the day, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index (HSI) finished a fraction of a single point up at 20,668.86, China's Shanghai Composite Index (000001) rose 0.1% to 2,350.60 and Japan's Nikkei Stock Average (100000018) added 0.1% to 10,018.24.
Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index (XJO) slipped 0.2% to 4,262.8 and South Korea's Kospi (0100) slipped 0.4% to 2,019.19, while Taiwan's Taiex (Y9999) tumbled 1.4% to 7,967.62, coming under profit-taking pressure after a three-day advance.
Peacock said that after doubts about the Chinese and U.S. economies dominated markets last week, some investors were skeptical stocks would be able to hold on to their recent highs.
"A defensive strategy would be wise to be employed for the near term," said Lauren Rosborough, a currency strategist at Societe Generale in a note to clients.
"A weak start doesn't bode well going into a potentially whippy week on the back of newsflow, events and data releases," Rosborough added. She was referring to upcoming economic data from Europe and the U.S., as well as political issues in the euro-zone, including a general strike expected in Spain on Thursday to protest against the government's proposed labor reforms.
Several shares in Hong Kong were swayed after reporting their 2011 results.
China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. (386) SNP, +0.60% (600028) gained 1.5% in Hong Kong and 0.1% in Shanghai after its 2011 net profit rose 2%. Read more on Sinopec earnings.
But China Construction Bank Corp. (939) CICHY, +0.32% fell 1.2% in Hong Kong, after it reported a 26% increase in 2011 net profit, but warned 2012 would be more challenging.
The performance also weighed on some other mainland banks traded in Hong Kong, with Bank of China Ltd. BACHY, +0.00% (3988) falling 1.9% and Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd. (1398) IDCBY, +0.87% declining 1%.
But those losses were offset by gains in local property firms, which advanced amid expectations that the weekend election of Leung Chun-ying as the next chief executive of Hong Kong may not hurt their outlook.
"The market appears to be worrying that Leung will push ahead many land- and housing-reform policies in order to achieve affordable housing prices for Hong Kong. However, studying his manifesto, his detailed proposed land/housing policies do not differ significantly from what the current administration is pursuing," Citigroup strategists said.
Sino Land Co. (83) SNLAF, +0.00% jumped 4% and New World Development Co. (17) NDVLF, +17.89% rose 3.8%, while Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. SUHJY, -0.14% (16) added 2%.
In Sydney, shares of Qantas Airways Ltd. (QAN) QUBSF, +3.52% rose 2% after the firm signed a Hong Kong budget-airline joint-venture deal with China Eastern Airlines Corp. Read more on Qantas-China Eastern JV deal.
China Eastern (670) CHEAF, -17.30% (600115), meanwhile, lost 1.1% in Hong Kong and 1.8% in Shanghai. The airline separately reported that its 2011 net profit fell to 4.89 billion yuan ($775.7 million) from 5.38 billion yuan a year earlier. Read more on China Eastern earnings.
In Tokyo, Nomura Holdings Inc. (8604) NMR, +1.86% dropped 2.7%, extending last week's losses amid reported allegations about an employee's involvement in insider-trading, related to a share offering by oil firm Inpex Corp. (1605) IPXHY, -1.98%.
But Inpex rose 0.9%, in line with broad gains for resource-sector stocks. Among other commodity-linked shares, steel maker JFE Holdings Inc. (5411) JFEEF, -0.71% up 2.3%, and Pacific Metals Co. (5541) PFMTF, +0.00% gained 0.2%.


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Client: Conservation Law Foundation
Liz Stanton, PhD, Emrat Nur Marzan and Sagal Alisalad
February 2018
On behalf of the Conservation Law Foundation, Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD, and Research Assistants, Emrat Nur Marzan and Sagal Alisalad, prepared an Applied Economics Clinic (AEC) report that investigates how well Massachusetts' energy efficiency programs are reaching under-served communities and hard-to-reach families. In 2017, Massachusetts' "Mass Save" energy efficiency programs ranked number one in the annual efficiency scorecard produced by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) for the seventh consecutive year. Mass Save's ranking is not, however, a good indicator of whether or not low-income households are getting the services they need. At present, it is not possible to answer this question completely because Mass Save program administrators have access to - but do not include in publicly available statistics - information regarding low-income households, under-served communities and hard-to-reach families. Working with limited data, AEC found that there are substantial differences in energy savings among Massachusetts' towns, and lower-income communities are receiving lower efficiency savings. This report presents maps and other figures showing differences in efficiency savings, income, and other community characteristics like language abilities and renter status for both Massachusetts towns and neighborhoods within Boston.
This report is one of three AEC publications on behalf of Conservation Law Foundation and other stakeholders in the Massachusetts Energy Efficiency Advisory Council.
News Coverage: Barr Foundation Blog Post
News Coverage: Sampan Newspaper


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Voices: Ask the Experts
"Ask The Experts" is moderated on ControlGlobal.com by noted process control authority and CONTROL Columnist Bela Liptak. Liptak either answers the questions himself, or brings in one or more experts from his cadre of co-authors that worked with him on the Instrument Engineers' Handbook, Fourth Edition. Save yourself the hefty consulting fees by getting the answers to your questions here.
Ask The Experts: submit a question
Assigning control valve pressure drop
Energy efficiency and control repercussions dominate the discussion of ideal DPs.
*Q: I am an energy engineer currently looking at optimizing the pumping circuits in process plants by reducing unnecessary pressure drop across the system. Please advise me on my understanding. Your handbook, Volume 2, Chapter 6, "Control Valve Selection and Sizing," says, "The proper approach to the selection of valve pressure drop is to first determine the total friction energy loss (excluding static energy) of the system at normal flow, and assign 50% of that to valve pressure drop." In your view, during the new pumping hydraulic circuit design/new pump sizing, what is the recommended percentage of differential pressure (DP) across control valve to the total system pressure drop (i.e. including control valve DP)? In your opinion, at the design stage, what are the recommended rules of thumb (the percent of control valve DP of the total system DP) that one can apply in the real process operation?*Read More
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Difficult Level MeasurementsOct 2, 2007Ask the Experts is moderated by noted process control authority Béla Lipták (firstname.lastname@example.com), editor of the Instrument Engineers Handbook. In this column, he and his co-authors welcome questions concerning process measurement or control. Please include P&ID drawings using ISA symbols to illustrate questions where necessary.
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Detecting Bunker C Oil Mass FlowAug 1, 2007Ask the Experts, on ControlGlobal.com, is moderated by noted process control authority Béla Lipták. Béla and his cadre of leading experts in process automation, recruited from among the co-authors of the Instrument Engineers Handbook 4th Edition, are in the box all month answering process control questions from all comers. The best will be published here. In order to eliminate misunderstandings, please include P&ID sketches using ISA symbols with your questions.
Aluminum anodizing temperature controlJul 15, 2007Ask the Experts on ControlGlobal.com is moderated by noted process control authority Béla Lipták. Béla and his cadre of leading experts in process automation, recruited from among the co-authors of the Instrument Engineers Handbook 4th Edition, are in the box all month answering process control questions from all comers. The best will be published here. For clarity, questions should be accompanied by P&ID sketches using ISA symbols.
Regulating inlet fluid temperatureJun 7, 2007In this installment of Ask the Experts, Béla Lipták and his cadre of leading experts in process automation, share tips on regulating inlet fluid temperature and controlling the stroking time of a control valve.
Measuring flare gas; Controller set pointsMar 8, 2007This installment of Ask The Experts focuses on best flare gas measuring devices and how to keep liquid out of the service lines, and how to set up a trim controller to achieve very tight control.
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Bumpless switching of most open valvesFeb 17, 2006Process control authority Bela Liptak brings answers a reader's question about how to control variable speed feedwater pumps.
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Getting Loopy with Control LoopsJul 20, 2005This month's edition of Ask The Experts focuses in on manual control loops and offers guidance on which PID control mode should be used when, and what the range of tuning settings should be.
So much to learn, so little timeApr 5, 2005Process control authority Bela Liptak brings in specialists from his cadre of co-authors to answer a reader's question. Find out which books and online courses they recommend for continued education.
CONTROL invites you to "Ask the Experts"Feb 7, 2005ControlGlobal.com presents "Ask the Experts," a new department moderated by noted process control authority and columnist Bela Liptak. Save yourself the hefty consulting fees by getting the answers to your questions from Liptak's cadre of professional automation experts.
We can't believe our vortex shedding flowmeterJan 18, 2005This month's edition of Problem Solving Ideas


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We thought we would post an excerpt of Mujeres Mundi's extensive article with Marissa from a couple of years ago. Thanks so much to Xaviera Medina de Albrand for this (and for sending us the English copy!)
"I discovered Marissa through a picture that made me travel back in time. The picture shows two Afghan women wearing burkas, accompanied by two little girls and a boy staring at the camera. That picture reminded me of a face of Afghanistan that I do not talk about much: war. An aspect barely mentioned at home. With my husband, I have made a tacit pact to remember the highlights of the country that hosted us for three years: smiles, blue sky and a humanity hard to find elsewhere. I looked at the picture and remembered the other side of that humanity, which is humanity as well, after all: a country destroyed by war, women, children and men begging on the streets. When in the field, you tend to wear a protective shell because you know that you cannot help them. With time and looking at the picture, I felt feelings that I had stowed away for a long time flood back: helplessness and anger. It is the less rose-colored side, which is hardly spoken of.
"The war has many faces, and in the Western world we have come to see its masculine side: soldiers, guerrillas, guns, bombs and people crying. Desolation.
"What's on the other side of the line? What happens after a war? How do people rebuild their own lives? What drives them to continue living after a conflict? What about their families? How to heal the wounds? Can the wounds be healed? This is what Marissa Roth, a renowned documentary photographer, saw and lived throughout her career and, moreover, it is what she lived all her life.
"As a child I was very creative. I was always drawing or painting. When I was around 10 or 11 years old, I borrowed the little Kodak camera from my mom … and never gave it back." So begins her story.
"I became a journalist in newspapers when I was 20. It was my first step in a career of 35 years. I grew up in the United States during the '60s and '70s, a rather turbulent period. The people were upset; there were the assassinations of President Kennedy and Martin Luther King in addition to the war in Vietnam. This context sent me into activism. Becoming a photojournalist was my gun to try to stop the war."
Read the remainder of the article over at Mujeres Mundi (and brush up on your Spanish).


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There are only three things in the world that I hate, and here are three more of them.
I just went to the cinema (Elvis & Nixon - better than Batman v Superman) and accidentally sat through the adverts because TFL got me there on time, the bastards. These were 3 of the worst.
There were not 1 but 2 separate Coke adverts, in case there was any danger of going a whole day without seeing any Coca-Cola advertising. This one has something to do with football and intimidating night-time rallies. If my country ever does call, tell them I'm not home.
All McDonald's adverts present a bizarre version of the "restaurant" that does not and has never existed. Personally speaking, I can't remember the last "good time" I had in a McDonald's... what year did they have Pocahontas toys in Happy Meals?
If you're sick to death of twee fucking ads / and pray those smug arseholes are hit by a cab / or maybe dismembered by huger killer crabs... there's a beer for that.
Here's Reel Big Fish.
Here's Reel Big Fish.


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Beautiful Craftsman Style Home In Foley, Alabama!
Very few homes can match the rustic coziness of this Downtown Foley home! Built in 2009, this concrete gem boasts tile floors, granite counters, & exposed beams that all come together to produce an unforgettable feeling of what it should be like to live in Historic Downtown Foley. This craftsman-style home with metal roof is sure to please all those lucky enough to call this one-of-a-kind abode, home!
With a heartwarming entryway, across from Foley's Kids Park, that includes beautifully stained wood pillars, doors and three classic light fixtures that are tasteful additions to the already cozy entrance, this 3-bedroom, 3-bath, almost 1600 sq. ft. house is just begging to be called HOME for one lucky family! The impressive master bedroom, with beautifully remodeled bathroom, which includes a very tastefully, tiled shower and walk-in closet, is sure to please the head of the household while the loft bedroom, with plenty of space for leisure and relaxation is sure to excite the younger members of the family. The 3 full bathrooms, a rare but welcome amenity, is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Let's not forget to mention the large kitchen area with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and plenty of cabinet space that offer the most discerning tastes plenty to be excited about.
If the home itself isn't a thing of wonder, you will not find a better location in the Foley area! This home is only a few blocks away from Foley Elementary, Foley Middle and the Foley Public Library, and literally in the middle of Downtown Foley. Across the street from Foley Kid's Park, down the street from Foley Park, and walking distance to the best shopping and restaurants in the Foley area, this is a perfect location for any family.
Give us a call to book your personal showing of this outstanding find that is sure to go quickly.


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Monthly Archives: May 2014
My Modern Family
Growing up an only child I never ate at a kid's table during the holidays, I couldn't complain about mom and dad to a sibling, and hide and seek never worked. But when my family exploded …MORE AFTER THE JUMP
More from my site
Open Letter: to NYC Moms
Dear Women All Over New York Carrying Strollers Up The Subway Stairs,
How do you do it?
I think I would throw in the towel after one trip during rush hour and head to temple to beg God to give my newborn the power to walk.
Those strollers are huge, ridiculously so, and just about the most annoying thing a person could have to maneuver onto a packed subway car.
How do you not resent that beautiful little face staring up at you while you use all of your bicep strength to carry a bed-on-wheels up a flight of unforgiving concrete stairs? I resent people for so much less!
I must applaud your dedication to your child's comfort, as well as your commitment to supporting public transportation. Oh, and to the women with double strollers for multiple babies – just stop. You are clearly angels come to Earth and the world needs you to use your powers for a greater good.
Adam thinks he's a writer. He kindly requests that you pretend he's a sleepwalker and don't wake him up from this delusion. You can follow him on Twitter at @FakeAdamCecil.
More from my site
Is it Stealing?
Anyone who's been backpacking knows that your bag is always heavier on the return-trip after being stuffed with cheap cigarettes and tacky souvenirs for coworkers you don't really like. I've long-since given up on the tacky souvenirs (which just end up at the back of bookshelves anyway). I now opt for a different kind of souvenir– the kind you don't generally pay for… See what we mean…after the jump!
More from my site
Cinco de Life
It's Cinco de Mayo, amigos! Put down your breakfast margaritas and celebrate with us all of the great things that come in fives. We give to you – the Cinco de Life… More after the jump!


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The Community Church of Fontana, an ecumenical congregation of the United Church of Christ, is gathered to live in the mission of Jesus Christ, guided by the Holy Spirit. Our church community is a part of two larger communities: Fontana, our local mission, and through the United Church of Christ we extend our faith in global ministry. Our mission is to live the good news of Jesus Christ's presence in thought, word, and deed.
The Community Church of Fontana offers Christian education classes for preschool through senior high youth. The graded Sunday school sessions meet each Sunday from September though May during the 10 a.m. worship hour. In the summer months from June through August the church offers an ungraded Sunday school for the children and youth during the 9:00 a.m. worship service. The Christian education program of the church also includes confirmation study for 8th grade youth taught by the pastor and selected mentors. The church has adult bible study and book study groups. It also provides fellowship groups for junior and senior high youth.
Community Church takes seriously God's call to meet not only the spiritual needs of people, but physical ones as well. Members of the church operate a Thrift Shop to provide good, affordable clothing and household items for people of the community. The church regularly collects food for the local food pantry and supports a variety of community ventures including the CROP Walk, Relay for Life, the Fill a Backpack project to help school children of needy families in the area, and the Christmas Mitten tree for needy families in surrounding communities, and regularly provides financial support to ministries in the community and beyond.
All are welcome at the Little Gray Church on the Hill. The Community Church of Fontana is located near Geneva Lake where we are reminded daily of the beauty of God's creation.
Home >


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April 2019! Apr 6, 2019 14:08:19 GMT -5
Birthday Gift
Made by: StormNicki!
Base by: herself~
Welcome to Pixel Lounge! A laid-back art forum with a bit of a focus on dolling and nerd-culture.
Sign in to see our forum! We have boards for all types of art, roleplay boards and monthly/seasonal events! If you have any problems, please don't hesitate to reach out via email! firstname.lastname@example.com
We now have a discord server! Take a peak here!
Want to get email updates on forum happenings and community related events? Click here to learn more!
Our current events include:
-The Pokemon Pageant!
-Secret Santa Sign Up!
-NaNoWriMo 2019!
-The Pokemon Type/ Element Challenge!!
-10.19 *COLOR* Challenge: Black And Orange!!
-10.19 *FASHION* Challenge:Stripes and Fishnets
-11.19 *THEME* Challenge: No Shave November!
Forum Chat
April 2019!


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Speaking to the business community at Chambers of Commerce or other venues about VIA Rail and our vision of passenger train travel in Canada is always energizing. The projects we've been working on, the innovation, the forward-thinking plan… its amazing fun to watch people's reaction when they realize how relevant the train already is and how important it will become in the coming years (especially as it's the greenest travel choice for inter-city trips).
When addressing audiences at universities or conferences like Start Up, however, the focus of the conversation migrates more toward my role as the head of a Crown corporation. As part of my preparation for these events, I put together a list of "Top 10 Leadership Habits", which was of particular interest to the groups. In the coming year, I am looking forward to continuing my tour of Canadian universities and speaking to more bright and eager students about the train and my role at VIA Rail.
Until then, I offer a "sneak-peek" into my presentation. Here is the much talked-about Top 10 list that struck a chord with many and was the instigator of inspired questions and great conversations:
Top 10 Leadership Habits
- Be a doer and a thinker
- Accept that everyone may see what you see but leaders act on it
- Have a bias for action
- Fail fast
- Execution eats strategy for breakfast
- Listen to your gut
- It's called common sense because everyone has some
- The leader is the message – You are the brand
- As a leader, you bring meaning to people's lives – The job is how you do it
- Have fun and enjoy the ride!
If you have comments or any questions about my list, connect with me on Twitter at @VIARailPrez.
Looking forward to seeing you onboard in 2016,
Happy holidays and Merry Travels!


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Contact Me
Monday, 24 December 2012
Santa is coming !!!
Christmas may be many things to you
or it may be a few.
For you, the joy
is each new toy;
for me;
its watching you.
This Christmas Eve my brother,
It's off to bed for you !!!!
I wish you all out there a very Merry Christmas.
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on day
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Friday, 21 December 2012
Mulberry Del Rey Bag
Mulberry launches the Del Rey bag for Autumn/Winter 2012, inspired by the eclectic and Old Hollywood infused style of singer Lana del Rey. It fuses practicability with elegance and timelessness with glamour.
The Del Rey bag below costs €1150 but keep in mind that this price varies according to the material you choose.
I then went looking for an alternative and I found this bag in topshop for €48. To me it was very obvious that this bag drew its inspiration from the Del Rey, it even has the flap at the front and the large buckle resembles the post mans lock on the Del Rey bag.
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on day
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Saturday, 15 December 2012
Longchamp Le Pliage Bag
I first fell in love with this bag while on holiday in the South of France. A major turn off for me at first was that nearly every second person has one. But somehow this bag as grown on me. This could be down to its versatility. I love that the bag folds up, this makes it perfect for travelling. Below is the navy version with long straps. It costs €117 from nordstroms but can also be purchased directly from the Longchamp website.
I was doing some Christmas shopping the other day when I came across this bag it debanhams. Although there is a large price difference the longchamp bag has many advantages. The longchamp bag folds up into a small square for travelling and the bag below does not. It is also instantly recognisable and is long champs iconic and best selling bag. This is a Principles by Ben de Lisi bag that I found at debanhams for €43.
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on day
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Monday, 10 December 2012
Leopard Print Skinny Jeans
If you have ever wanted a subtle way to rock the leopard print trend , well then these jeans are for you. They are by Current/Elliot and cost €250 from farfetch.com. The jeans come in many colours but the most neutral ones are the grey ones or the classic leopard colours. These leopard jeans could be dressed up or down. During the day they can be worn with a block colour tee and then dressed up for evening wear with a classy blazer.
Although I love these jeans, €250 would be stretching my budget. I then went searching for an alternative. The jeans on the left are from asos for €32 and the jeans on the left are €43 from riverisland.
It seems I'm not the only one in love with these jeans as dozens of celebs have been spotted rocking these jeans.
posted by
on day
6:07 pm
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Monday, 3 December 2012
A Royal baby
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are having a baby, and I couldn't be happier for them. Katherine is not yet 12 weeks gone but has had to announce to news after been admitted to hospital with acute morning sickness. I wish them all the best and strongly believe they will be great parents.
The pregnancy has been showing in recent days in Kate's face. I think pregnancy suits her !!!
posted by
on day
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Saturday, 1 December 2012
The Royal Fringe
Keep your hair on ladies, all she did was cut a handful of those luscious locks off. Yes Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge has chopped a side fringe into her iconic hair. It's funny how one person cutting their hair becomes the talk of the town ours after they step out with the new do. There are varying opinions about the Duchesses new fringe, with many people saying it makes her look younger.
But what many people are forgetting is that this isn't the first time Kate has sported a fringe. This is a picture of Kate at an event in 2006.
So what do you think ? Will the side fringe become the newest hair trend ? Only time will tell I guess.
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on day
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Magnetic mount LED CLEAR mini lightbar for commercial vehicle applications. Safety warning light for HGV, LCV, Tractors, Off Highway construction machines, roadside recovery vehicles, highway maintenance. High intensity LEDs, polycarbonate lens, 12/24V supply capability & Low current consumption, 30W light output.
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They promise to help and optimise your PC, but are driver update programs actually worth it?
Underneath all of the cooling fans, heat sinks, capacitors and within the microchips and storage media of your PC lies the software that you use every day. Powering all of this and telling all of the components of your system how to run together are drivers. These special software packages are the instructions that make your system's hardware work. From the mouse and keyboard, to the graphics card and motherboard, all of this hardware needs drivers in order to function. Without them, you wouldn't have a PC capable of doing much.


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My sweet boy ran with me too.
This was one of the HILLIEST courses I've ever ran! It seemed like as soon as one hill ended, there was another one! This was my 12th 5k race of the year (not counting my 2 Half's), and my goal was to get a sub 30!! I don't care if it was 29:59! But alas, it was not meant to be. :(
My 'unofficial' time was 30:24. Extremely disappointed. I was thinking of every step I took, remembering every time I slowed down a little bit, and beating myself up for not pushing myself a little harder!!
But I LOVED being there for my Twinnie. I was SO proud of her!! This is a pic I took of her when she crossed the finish line.
Can't you just see the pure joy on her face? Priceless! I told her that is a moment she will never forget. You never forget your first race! And now she's hooked! She said why didn't she start running years ago? She had no idea she would love it so much!
After the race, I decided to leave. I don't usually stick around for the awards, no need to really.
Well, Twinnie texted me a few minutes after I left and said "look what you won!"
NO FREAKIN WAY!! Apparently I got first place in my age group! I still don't believe it, so can't wait till they post the results so I can see for myself! :)
But she went up and got it for me. She should've just let them take her picture with it, no one would've ever known! (We are identical)
So, that definitely made me feel better about my time. I know next year I will get a sub 30!! No doubt about it!
After that I went to this awesome new park I found and ran 10 more miles.
It was a perfect, beautiful day!
And then... I did this.
Yes, yes I did. I deserve it, right? I will never give up my FROYO!!
Would you like to hear hear from Twinnie about her first 5k? All in favor say 'Aye'!
Did anyone else do a Turkey Trot or other race today, or do you have one this week?


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Book Review: Get Bunny Love by Kathleen Long
I have wanted to read this one for a while, but my Kindle crashed so I forgot about it this time. Then I thought about downloading a few Chick-Lit novels for fun, which it isn't. But that's not the point.
Let's find out more about 'Get Bunny Love'….
Genre: Romantic Comedy.
Main Characters: Beatrice 'Bunny' Love, Nathan McNulty.
'Get Bunny Love by Kathleen Long' ~~ Synopsis:
Bunny is a freelance graphic designer and loves the comfort of working from home in comfortable clothes and her bunny slippers. Life as she knew it was good for her.
But her comfortable heaven is disturbed when she finds out that her apartment building is turning into condos and she needs more money if she wants to stay exactly where she is. To have more money, it's inevitable that she gets a secure steady full-time job.
The idea of 9 to 5 jobs scares Bunny, but she doesn't have many options. So she applies for a job and gets an interview call from the McNulty Events.
Bunny knows that she's not made to work from an office. When she gets to the McNulty Events office her fear increases as everything around is either in order or in gray color.
She's sure all the order and grayness of the office is already stifling her creative energy. She's not even sure how people work there and stay creative. That surely is none of her business as she's not yet appointed.
But when she's hired as an event planner, Bunny wonders if she could introduce some creative changes to at least her office space to keep her creative energy alive.
Nathan is trying his best to save the event planning firm that his father and his uncle started. He wants to keep the family business in the family. But the biggest obstacle to his plan is his aunt who is hell bent on making it difficult for Nathan to run the firm without trouble.
His aunt wants him to marry the prim and proper woman he's dating, sell the event planning company and join his girlfriend's father's insurance company. According to her, insurance is a much safer business option.
Nathan doesn't want to get into the insurance or debate about the company's future with his aunt. All he wants to do is save the company and have it under his full control so his aunt couldn't threaten to shut it down anymore.
So when his aunt throws a challenge to successfully organize a famous dog show, Nathan jumps on the offer, despite not wanting to handle the event at all. But the success of the dog show would decide his company's fate.
He also needs an event planner and fast. There's no time to search for a proper event planner so he hires Bunny, even when she tells him point blank that she's not an event planner and knows nothing about it.
But Nathan assures her it would be fine as he'd mentor her on the job. From where he's looking she seems like someone who would learn fast. Now if only he'd stop feeling too hot whenever she's around.
Bunny couldn't believe her luck. She doesn't like the idea of spending time in Nathan's orderly and gray office, but she needs the money. And how difficult could it be to organize an event for dogs?
Maybe she'd organize his office a little too, as per Feng Shui to create the greater flow of creative energy in the office. Bunny also wants to help Nathan loosen up a little. After all, he helped her save her home by hiring her.
Soon Nathan finds out that he's signed up for a more trouble than he'd ever gotten into in his entire orderly life.
Bunny's presence is not only threatening to unravel his professional life with the introduction of her disruptive ideas. But his unexpected attraction to her is making him question why he's settling for a woman he doesn't love.
Does he really want so much order in his life?
Bunny's character is quite funny with her feng shui idea and meddling nature. She's one of those people who love to meddle in other people's lives, but when someone else does the same they don't like it.
The secondary characters are pretty fun as well, especially Nathan's friend-cum-partner Bert. The one thing that disrupted the flow of reading for me was a sudden change of Nathan's name to Nate.
I get it, it's his nickname, but when the author suddenly begins to mention him as Nate, it simply made him seem like a different character. Not someone who's formal, which Nathan's character is, but someone more open and easy going.
'Get Bunny Love' promises a fun reading session and it is — a good weekend book to keep you entertained.
Hit or Miss: Hit.
Ratings: 3star/5.
Buy: Amazon
Happy Reading! & Don't Forget To Subscribe If You Enjoyed Reading The Review.
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Merchants often ask us to help them set their customers up to use Direct Debit. In this guide, we provide six simple steps to help you, the merchant, through the entire process.
By following these steps, our merchants have greatly increased customer sign ups, improved cash flow and spent less time on processing payments. To set customers up to use Direct Debit, we recommend you do the following:
1. Send advance notice of the switch
2. Send a Direct Debit request
3. Send a reminder for customers who haven't signed up
4. Follow up by phone for customers who haven't signed up
5. Address any customer concerns
6. Send a personal reminder to any remaining customers
If you're already using Direct Debit, our bulk change process allows you to easily transfer your existing customers to a new provider.
1. Send advance notice of the switch to Direct Debit
First, notify all your customers that you're planning to use Direct Debit to take payments. Ask customers to tell you if they have any questions or concerns, so you can address these as soon as possible.
You can use the below email template to tell your customers you're moving to Direct Debit. This step isn't strictly necessary, but many customers appreciate being notified early.
Hi [name],
Here at [your business], we want to save you time paying us each month. So we're moving all regular payments to Direct Debit.
Switching to Direct Debit will save you the hassle of manually paying each month. You'll be notified of any upcoming payments, and you can cancel them whenever you want. What's more, the Direct Debit Guarantee makes this the safest way to pay.
You will receive an [online/paper] Direct Debit Mandate form from us shortly. We would be grateful if you could [complete it/return it] by [due date].
If you have any questions, call us on [your phone number].
[your name]
2. Send a Direct Debit request to all your customers
The below template provides customers with a brief explanation of what will happen and gives them a further chance to ask questions. You can use it to send the mandate form to your customers.
Hi [name],
Further to my email last week, we're now moving your payments to Direct Debit. To set up your Direct Debit payment, please [complete this secure online mandate form/ return the enclosed mandate form] before [due date].
When you have done so, we will start billing you according to the agreed payment schedule. You'll be notified of upcoming payments by [email/letter], and you can cancel them if you want.
Your invoice for this month's work is attached. We will bill this against the Direct Debit once you have set it up.
Let me know if you have any questions.
[your name]
3. Send a reminder to any customers who haven't set up a Direct Debit
If you are still waiting to hear back from a customer a week later, you can use this template to remind them to return the mandate to you:
Hi [name],
This is a reminder that we would like you to set up payment by Direct Debit. Your invoice for this month's work is attached.
We will bill you against this invoice once you have set the Direct Debit, so please [complete the secure online mandate form/return the enclosed mandate form] before [due date].
Let me know if you have any questions.
[your name]
4. Follow-up by phone with anyone who still hasn't responded
If some customers still haven't set up an authorisation, it's best to call them a few days before the cut off date. Explain what they need to do and how it will benefit them.
Our merchants have found that the following explanations work well:
- Paying by Direct Debit saves time - you only have to do it once and we'll do everything else for you
- You can set up your payments instantly using paperless Direct Debit
- You're fully protected by the Direct Debit Guarantee, which makes Direct Debit the UK's safest payment method
- Direct Debit saves us admin time, so we can focus on giving you great service
5. Address any customer concerns
Some customers may still be reluctant to use Direct Debit due to concerns about control and protection. Direct Debit gives you control over taking payments from customers. But some people may worry that you could take the wrong amount, or take payment from them when it's not due.
Here are some initial ideas for how to address customer concerns. For more details see our full guide to addressing customer concerns.
The Direct Debit Guarantee protects customers against unauthorised payments. This means that:
- Customers must receive advance notice of the amount and date of each payment before it is taken
- Customers can get a full and immediate refund from their bank for any mistaken payment, with no questions asked
For customers who still have concerns, you could try directing them to our payers' guide to Direct Debit. This guide provides more detail about Direct Debit and the benefits it offers.
6. Send a personal reminder to any remaining customers
If any customers still haven't set up a mandate, it may help to send them a personal reminder. The below template lets you resend the mandate so your customer can return the form to you without needing to search for it again.
Hi [name],
We spoke on the phone last week about moving your regular invoice payments to Direct Debit, but I noticed that you haven't had a chance to fill out the mandate form yet.
[Please click the link below to set up your Direct Debit today, before your invoice due date on [due date].]
Your invoice for this month's work is attached, and we will bill you against this invoice once you have set the Direct Debit.
Let me know if you have any questions.
[your name]
GoCardless makes moving your customers over even easier
In our experience, the above steps help merchants to move customers over to Direct Debit quickly and easily. To make the process even smoother, we offer you the ability to:
- Move your customers over automatically. If you're already using Direct Debit, our bulk change system means that you can transfer all your existing customers over without them doing anything.
- Add 'Pay now' links to your invoices. This allows your customers to click through to the GoCardless payment page directly from an invoice and set up the payment immediately.
- Offer customers flexible payment dates. GoCardless lets you submit payments every day of the month which gives you the option of offering your customers more flexible payment dates.
Find out more about collecting Direct Debit with GoCardless‹ View all tips


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At one point in your writing career you'll have to make a choice, and that choice will have little to do with the art of writing and with the business of writing, but a lot to do with who you are and what you believe you can do.
Because it's all in your head.
That choice will be:
To swim with the other fish or to swim on your own?
To follow the leader or to be the leader?
To copy the tips and the tricks and the techniques, or to make up your own tips and tricks and techniques?
Red ocean or blue ocean?Read More