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When the Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka visited the Hay Cartagena festival in Colombia earlier this year, in a walled Spanish colonial town on the Caribbean coast, children in the streets instantly thought they recognised the black man with leonine grey hair. But they couldn't decide whether he was Kofi Annan or Don King. They might not have identified the great Nigerian writer, but they were certainly on to something: Soyinka is surely both pugilist and peacemaker.
Soyinka, who is 72 and won the Nobel literature prize in 1986 - the first African so honoured - has for several decades been an abrasive conscience for his country of Nigeria, and for a continent. Obsessed with the "oppressive boot and the irrelevance of the colour of the foot that wears it", he has charted the lethal gulf between legitimate authority and the "power that any goon can seize". A scourge of successive Nigerian despots and kleptocrats, he was jailed without trial for 28 months in 1967, most of it spent alone in a tomb-like cell, for trying to head off civil war with breakaway Biafra. The ordeal gave rise to his classic prison memoir written on toilet paper, The Man Died (1972), and drove him to self-imposed exile. Thirty years on, he was sentenced to death in absentia for treason under the even more brutal military rule of General Sani Abacha, whose crimes included the hanging of the writer Ken Saro-Wiwa.
We meet in a London pub on his way to give a lecture at the Guardian Hay festival at the weekend; and his subject is international culpability over what's happening in Darfur. Soyinka presided as chief judge at a mock trial last November when Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir was found guilty in absentia of crimes against humanity in Darfur. For the playwright, poet and novelist, who is also an actor-director, the symbolic court was "play-acting, but of a very serious kind". During the tribunal set up by Genocide Watch, Soyinka heard searing testimony, he says, from "witnesses flown out from southern Sudan, people whose families had been killed, or who had been raped or seen relatives raped or maimed - some broke down. They testified to the war crimes of the Janjaweed [the government's proxy militia], saying they raided villages and killed Nuba at any time."
Tracing the abuses to a vestigial legacy of the Arab slave trade that pre-dated transatlantic slavery, and likening the Darfur cause to anti-apartheid, when "non-Africans felt aggrieved by the assault heaped on humanity", Soyinka says: "This can't go on. Over 2 million refugees, and still raids by Janjaweed, backed by the Sudanese government military, with the war spilling into neighbouring countries." Instead of public indictments and sanctions with teeth, "people make token resolutions. It's yet another failure. I don't understand how this can be happening in the 21st century."
He says that all "hidden atrocities" are revealed eventually, even if many years later. "It all comes to light in the end. So why don't these would-be Stalins and Hitlers take a leaf from history instead of burdening us with exposing their crimes? Why does it have to happen again and again?"
The repetitions of history, whether as tragedy or farce, have haunted Soyinka's life and work. I first met him in 1994, when he warned despairingly of impending civil war in Nigeria, after the 1993 elections were annulled, the victorious Moshood Abiola jailed, and power seized by Abacha, the "butcher of Abuja". In his third volume of memoirs, Ibadan: The Penkelemes Years (1994), Soyinka reminded fellow citizens of an earlier "electoral robbery" in 1965, when he was arrested for holding up a radio station at gunpoint and broadcasting a pirate protest - but acquitted on a technicality. Within months of our meeting, Soyinka's passport was seized by Abacha's regime, and he made a perilous escape on a 12-hour motorbike ride across the Benin border.
Punctuated by Nigeria's political upheavals, our talks have resumed in varied locations, from his literary compatriot Chinua Achebe's 70th birthday celebrations by New York's Hudson river, to a cous-cous joint in Paris, where he ironically toasted an end to exile after Abacha's unexpected death in 1998. Abiola died mysteriously in prison a month later. While the actor's resonant voice now seems fainter, his convictions remain just as firm.
After Nigeria's interim leader returned his passport "on a gold platter", Soyinka found his welcome "overwhelming. There was amazement at what it meant to others, although, within me, I'd never left Nigeria." Unlike his first exile, which entailed "an act of internal severance", he threw himself into opposition to Abacha's rule, in which his sons Olaokun and Ilemakin were also active. In You Must Set Forth at Dawn, a volume of memoirs published this month, Soyinka puts his lifelong belief that "justice is the first condition of humanity" down to an "over-acute, remedial sense of right and wrong".
He has a home in California, and affiliations at Harvard and Nevada universities. There is now a Wole Soyinka chair of drama at Leeds university, where he studied in the 1950s. Yet Soyinka has restored the house in his birthplace of Abeokuta, outside Lagos, built with the Nobel "windfall" only to be colonised by bats in his absence. It is the place, he says, "where I recover myself; it's me in every way". His sometimes melancholy new memoir pays tribute to the dead, from Soyinka's parents to his cousin, Afrobeat star Fela Kuti, and he says he intends to be buried in a cactus patch in the grounds of his house. He still yearns for the freedom to pursue savoured pastimes, from collecting African art and book browsing, to solitary hunting in the forests ("I 'take my gun for a walk' for whatever can be eaten, not for trophies").
"Each time I think I've created time for myself," Soyinka says, "along comes a throwback to disrupt my private space."
Tomorrow's inauguration of Nigeria's new president, Umaru Yar'Adua, is, for Soyinka, such a throwback. Along with international observers, he deems last month's presidential elections "no elections at all", so baldly were they rigged. "In some states there were no votes," he says. "We have videos of police commissioners carting off ballot boxes, and police looking on as thugs carted them off." Though the outgoing president, Olusegun Obasanjo, ended military rule in 1999, Soyinka sees his rule as "civilian dictatorship". He has now "made himself life chairman of the ruling party to dictate policies", he says.
In his memoir he blames Obasanjo - also from Abeokuta - for betraying him in the run-up to the civil war, landing him in jail. Yet far from holding a grudge, Soyinka now wonders if he bent too far backwards not to criticise Obasanjo, "for fear that it might be thought I was still angry. I'm friends with [Yakubu] Gowon [the former military ruler who jailed him]. I suspect there's a missionary streak in me as the inheritor of my parents." His schoolteacher father, "Essay", and the mother he called "Wild Christian" are depicted in his early memoirs, Ake (1981) and Isara (1989).
He initially saw Obasanjo as a "practical stopgap - a soldier who had been "civilianised" by prison and given a death sentence against which the nation rose on his behalf." Yet once in power, "he built a one-party dictatorship by force majeure". In his second term, after disputed elections in 2003, "he installed a reign of thugs; political assassinations reached a peak never witnessed before. There were crimes and killings. When they realised they had a monster on their hands, he tried to manipulate the constitution to give himself a third term. The money to bribe legislators amounted to billions of naira." Yet for Soyinka, it was a defining moment when "the legislature refused to buckle. It provided a modicum of hope."
Any dictator, secular or theocratic, "merely implants the seeds of eventual rebellion," he believes. Soyinka belongs to Nigeria United For Democracy, a "temporary coalition". As recently as 2004 he was teargassed and arrested on a protest march against arbitrary police powers, though he was released within hours. "The police insist they have the authority to decide who walks the streets," he says. "How can they decide whether I can protest against government policy or not? It's unacceptable. If they say I need a police permit, I'll tear it up."
In his 2004 Reith lectures, published as Climate of Fear, Soyinka quoted a Yoruba saying, "Sooner death than indignity", and he sees dignity as simply "another face of freedom". Probing the "psychopathology of the zealot" ("I am right, you are dead"), he says the "lunatic fringe", in both state power and resistance to it, must be watched. In his view, Bush, like Obasanjo, believes in a direct hotline to God. "He says, 'We don't care about recognition from the world if God approves.' It's an extreme fundamentalism of the most dangerous kind - and it has led to Iraq." As for Tony Blair: "It was Blair who spearheaded Nato's involvement in Kosovo on behalf of Muslims battered by the Serb government. Blair acted as a man of principle - to give credit where it's due. Unfortunately, he got carried away by the moral authority he had acquired, failing to recognise George Bush as a fundamentalist of a different kind."
Soyinka sees Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe as "the latest King Baabu of the African continent" - an allusion to his 2002 play, a satire about a fictional but recognisable tyrannical general called Basha Bash. On Darfur, he hopes that not only will Arab and African countries alike pull their weight, but China will reverse its support for Sudan's government as the Beijing Olympics approach.
"One's own self-worth is tied to the worth of the community to which one belongs, which is intimately connected to humanity in general," he says. "What happens in Darfur becomes an assault on my own community, and on me as an individual. That's what the human family is all about".


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This blend of oils provides a perfectly balanced combination of wild mint, wintergreen, camphor, ylang ylang and chamomile, specially blended to soothe.
Mentha arvensis leaf oil, gaultheria procumbens (wintergreen) leaf oil, camphora (camphor) oil, cananga odorata flower oil, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower oil.
Click here to see the Essential Oils Guidance PDF.

subset: commoncrawl


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Please donate something? Pretty please?
|Blitzkrieg1701, January 5th, 2011, 12:45 pm
Posted on Aug 09, 2010
I mean, if numerous Frankenstein movies have taught us anything, you'd think that a Mad Scientist Convention would have anti-torches-and-pitchforks rules.
...I'm trying to think of something clever to add, but I'm tapped out. Sorry, but I got a spectacularly late start on this page, so I'm kind of creative'd out at the moment.
OH! But there is a new voting incentive... which isn't technically "new" since I just dug up a drawing I did a LONG time ago. Let's call it "historical" then!
|Advertisement, November 13th, 2019, 1:17 am
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It was fun this morning with Stacia on KKTV 11 News. Reese ran across the set in the last seconds of the segment…Stacia just rolled with it, she is definitely a pro!
As promised, I am back to show you how to make these wee, little, pretty, jelly bean jars! Use the colors you like, I went with some flourescent colors mixed with some pastels AND black to shake things up a bit, but if you are a stickler for those easter pastels, by all means, go for it! The color theme we use here will be what we use for all of our table decor, so just keep that in mind.
Items you will need:
- Craft paint, such as acrylic paint
- Glass Jar
- Sheet Music, Book Paper, Newspaper, any kind of paper
- Paint Brush
- Decoupage/Modge Podge glue
- rub on's or stickers
- ribbon scraps
- jelly beans, baby!
Step One: Paint stripes on a piece of paper, I used a page out of an old dictionary and old sheet music.
Step Two: Let the paint dry, then cut the paper into strips
Step Three: Embellish your paper strips with stickers, rub-ons, stamps, whatever! I used rub-ons for all of mine. The best place in town to buy all of your scrapbook supplies is Scrap4Less at Austin Bluffs and Barnes in Colorado Springs! I buy ALL of my scrapbooking supplies there! Susan, the owner of Scrap4Less is offering a give-away! More to come about that at the end of this blog entry!!!!
Step Four: Glue your strips onto your jars. Start with a layer of decoupage on the jar, place the strip, then cover in the decoupage glue.
Step Five: Once the glue dries, add some ribbon scraps.
Step Six: Fill with Jelly Beans!!!
All Done! I will be using these Jelly Bean Jars as party favors at my Easter table. They make the perfect finishing touch! Over the next couple of days, I will share the rest of my table ideas with you! It will be so fun ; )
If you don't want to make them, you can also buy them in my shop!
da da da daaaah!!! AND NOW for the moment you have all been waiting for!!!
Today you can enter to win 2 prizes!!! The first prize is your own set of 6 "Spring" Jelly Bean Jars…
There are several ways to enter, and you can enter more than once!
- follow (subscribe to) my blog – 1 entry
- 'Like' Kabibi Mei on Facebook – 1 entry
- follow Kabibi Mei on Twitter – 1 entry
- share a link to my blog on Facebook or Twitter – 1 entry
(So, you can potentially have 4 entries!) You can comment here (at the blog) and fill me in on what all you have done, so that I don't miss any entries. Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions. I will pick the winner on Friday!
The second prize is a $25 gift certificate to Scrap4Less!!!
How to enter:
- 'Like' Scrap4Less on Facebook – 1 entry
- Add your name to the Scrap4Less mailing list by filling out this contact form on their website – 1 entry
- Share the Scrap4Less Facebook link – 1 entry
(So, you can potentially have 3 entries!) You can comment here (at my blog) and fill me in on what all you have done, so that I don't miss any entries. Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions. I will pick the winner on Friday!
Ok, all! Thanks for reading!! I hope you're excited, I sure am!


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To download click on the picture to get a full size image. Right click and "save to" your computer desktop or a folder of your choice.
I hope you and yours are getting ready to have a spectacular Christmas.
Happy Yuletide to you and yours. :O)
Thank you so much for yet another beautiful image.
Thank you for sharing beautiful images with us all year.
Merry Christmas!!
Merry Christmas to you! Thank you for a great year of downloads. You are so generous!
Wishing you a Christmas full of the love and laughter of family and friends! Merry Christmas, Valerie!
Have a wonderful Holiday Season! Thank you so very much for sharing all those fabulous images with us throughout the whole year. I really appreciate all the work you put into it.
Happy new year Valérie!
May all your wishes com true in 2013.


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Five Things that Affect the Cost of Replacement Windows in Your Home
Choosing replacement windows can depend on many preferences, such as your lifestyle, your budget and the proper aesthetic for your home. At Pella Windows and Doors, we always suggest an in-home consultation with our professionals to make sure that your new windows meet all your unique needs because there are a number of things that impact the cost of your replacement windows that are vital to know about:
- Material – Pella Windows and Doors has a variety of window pane materials that can meet your needs. Fiberglass, wood and vinyl windows all offer different benefits, and bring different price points. The best way to determine which material is best for you is to visit us in our Baton Rouge showroom and check out all your options.
- Installation requirements – Sometimes homeowners get so caught up in picking the best type of replacement windows that they forget about the costs associated with the installation process. Expert installation is the best way to deliver a safe, effective and proper window installation process.
- Features and options – Special features all have additional costs. For instance, particular window shapes or fixtures, or whether you need single- or double-hung windows can affect the price. Make sure to remember that when you are perusing window selections.
- Number of replacement windows – Obviously, replacing a single window will be less expensive than replacing multiple windows in an entire room, or especially for your whole house. However, some manufacturers provide promotions that help make it more cost efficient to replace more windows at once.
- Style preference – As we have already said, your windows should represent your individual preferences and the unique style of your home. Select the best style of window for you and your budget.
These are just five factors to think about when determining the overall price of your window replacements. Budgets are important and these things will help you start considering costs and preferences to make the window searching and installation process smooth. The best way to decide on replacement windows is by coming to our Baton Rouge showroom to look at your options, or arranging an in-home consultation from our Pella Windows and Doors experts by scheduling an appointment online or contacting us at (877) 680-9334.


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You are here: Home – Immigrating to Québec > Living in Québec > Sharing common values
Sharing common values
Québec is a French-speaking society, a democratic society based on the rule of law and made rich by its diversity. The Québec state and its institutions are secular.
Québec welcomes immigrants from the four corners of the earth with their know-how, skills, language, culture and religion. Québec provides services to help them integrate and participate fully and completely in Québec society.
To integrate into Québec society is to be prepared to know and respect its common values. To support newcomers in this process, the Ministère, working alongside various organizations, offers information sessions in French on, among other things, the common values of Québec and how they shape daily life.
Speaking French is a necessity


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Whitewashing, or in my case greige-washing, is actually quite simple. In fact, I'm quite certain I could have employed Belle & Peanut to do the job if it wasn't for the fact that the family room carpet is white & I wish to keep it that way. What I'm trying to get at is that the project is a no-brainer…shockingly time consuming, but simple minded. So let's get to the details.
First thing I did was run over the brick with a dry dust cloth to remove any loose mortar/ cobwebs/ superfluous stuff that might have taken up residency on the brick.
Next I mixed up the "paint". Traditional white wash is equal parts white paint and water. I knew that I wanted a more subtle gray tone for the brick so my mixture was 1/4 BM Pashmina, 1/4 BM Dove White & 1/2 part water.
I mixed it all in an empty gallon paint container and then carried the container with me as I tackled the project.
Here is how I went about applying the mixture. I worked in sections starting with the sides of the fireplace first (to hone my skills in a less noticeable spot). I painted a large section of grout lines first and then when back & filled in the face of each brick.
When my brush ran out of paint, I would grab a dry paper towel and dab the freshly painted bricks allowing as much brick to show through as desired.
That is it folks. Repeat about a million and one times & you're finished.
A couple of tips:
- Baby wipes do a great job of removing dry paint build up from bricks if you find you accidentally applied too much paint in an area.
- Magic Erasers will remove all the dried paint from a brick if you need to start fresh.
- If you find your whitewash medium is beginning to resemble paint, add more water.
- If whitewashing a fireplace, once you are done the inside of your hearth will appear filthy…be prepared to clean that as well.
So there you have it, my DIY step-by-step guide for ridding your home of ugly brick. (Click here to see more fireplace before & after shots and here to tour the updated family room in its entirety.). If you use the tutorial please leave me a message or drop me a line. Nothing makes my day more than to know I've inspired others to make their space reflective of themselves. Plus, I'm nosy and love to see the inside of other people's homes..thank God for blogs or else I'd be watching endless episodes of House Hunters!


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The $5 billion widening of the Panama Canal will be inaugurated on June 26th when the first vessel officially sails through.
Over 960 million cubic meters of cargo passed through the canal in 2015, a new record and an amount that Francisco Miguez of the ACP calls "the maximum we could do in the existing locks". The expansion increases capacity to 1.7 billion cubic meters. The biggest container ships that could use the old canal, known as Panamaxes, can carry around 5,000 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units, or a standard shipping container). Neo-Panamaxes that will squeeze through the new locks can carry around 13,000 TEUs. The world's largest ships have space for nearly 20,000 TEUs, the majority of the global fleet will now fit through the canal.
The expansion will not only fill the coffers of the ACP and the Panamanian government. It will also change how freight moves around the world. Traffic could divert from the Suez Canal. Larger vessels, which currently ply that route between Asia and America's east coast, now have the option of going through Panama. America's east-coast ports should get busier. In the past, many containers heading from Asia to the eastern seaboard would arrive at west-coast ports, such as Los Angeles and Long Beach
Vessels carrying liquefied natural gas from America's shale beds will be able to pass through the locks for the first time, heading to Asia. They are expected to account for 20% of cargo by volume by 2020.
East-coast ports are preparing for the windfall, says Mika Vehvilainen of Cargotec, a maker of cargo-handling equipment. Ports in Baltimore, Charleston, Miami, New York and Savannah are updating facilities to accommodate the Neo-Panamaxes. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey plans to spend $2.7 billion on enlarging its terminals and shipping lanes, and a further $1.3 billion to raise a bridge by 20 metres.
Shipping lines' costs will also fall, in part through economies of scale but also because ports are automating facilities at the same time as preparing them for Neo-Panamaxes
SOURCE- Economist


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Logo design is the most difficult skill in graphic design as it forms the cornerstone of all future branding. As a recognized company logo design specialist, it's our passion to provide memorable, recognizable logo designs. We create inspired, unique and creative logo design ideas that succinctly capture the essence of your company and its core values. Before we initiate we always understand the proper requirement and make up our mind to achieve that standard. We put few hours or days to discuss the standard and aim of the design which defines the company product/services or expresses the point of view. As we have thoroughly understood the requirement at this step we design the exact samples which denote the companies product /services or express the point of view so the client can have the chance to understand and express their point of view. Now, this is the time to serve the client the best what we can achieve by providing exact logo/identity which they aim most. We always aim the perfection though we always give our client to go back and review any of our previous action.
With all respect, We are introducing our self as VeravalOnline Pvt. Ltd., the leading Web developing company located at Vadodara, head office in Vadodara, we have successfully submitted our work with 700+ websites & Internet Marketing consultancy.As we know, about the second world Internet and day by day it gets so healthy, and Website becomes the ultimate tool for internet marketing.


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Click here for a map showing the location of the major Orlando area communities.
View all villas in Lake Berkley Resort
Lake Berkley Resort is just off the 192 behind "Medieval Times". Disney World is approximately 10 minutes drive away. Lake Berkley Resort is a select private gated enclave of villas with its own recreational facilities. The superb location is minutes from all attractions. A 24 hour Walmart is within 4 minutes drive. Orlando International Airport is approximately 30 minutes away while Sanford Airport is approximately 1 hour away.
View other communities
Our community photos and descriptions are supplied by our owners and are used with their full permission.
Our community maps are copyrighted and strictly the property of Orlando Villas. Please do not copy them - take the time to do your own maps.
We are two families with our own private villas in Orlando who have joined together to offer our villas and a select group of other villas to people wishing to have the holiday of a lifetime near Disney, Orlando, Florida.
Offices in Shropshire, UK and Kissimmee, Florida.
Email: email@example.com
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I'm a bit of a chameleon. Time has taught me to try and learn everything I can. Once you reach a certain age, you'll realise that you have a three – even, four – dimensional picture of your career. Understanding lots of different disciplines means I'm able to work all the time in different environments, and it keeps me interested in what I do too.
We witness these moments of humanity, these moments of communication, in the performance arts. It doesn't matter whether you're doing something as a performer, choreographing or directing – you become privy to change happening before your eyes. The [performance] arts is the perfect mechanism that instigates people's humanity to evolve; it allows people to have a greater understanding of who they are themselves. I love injecting ideas and philosophies into the room, and just watching people change. There's just something really rewarding about seeing how people take in information, develop it and make it their own.
It's nice for the ego when you're [performing] in front of an audience. You have the power to make them laugh – or cry. It takes immense skill and dedication to your craft to be able to do that. The audience really has to believe in you, as an actor and singer, and it's lovely.
Leave no stone unturned. Just listen and try to pick up as much information as you can. Really, listen. You might have an idea or an image in your mind about how something should be done, but everyone has a different version of that. You need to be able to listen to everybody's version of that. When I was younger, I thought there was just the right way and the wrong way of doing things. But when you get older and work with so many different people, you'll realise that everyone has their own approach. It's really just listening and learning from other people's approaches. Just be patient.
Movement was a way for me to express myself and release a lot of my energy. I had a complex upbringing, and I was always wanting to find a way of expressing myself – it came through a physical sort of motion in the beginning. As I was going through my teens, I wanted to do martial arts and I was doing a lot of breakdancing. Once I found the performing arts and dance, it became an escape for me.
Not everything is about money or earning a wage. I used to have a corporate job in advertising. I was just crunching numbers and it was so boring. I took six months off and when I went back, I said, "I can't be doing this with my life anymore." The experience taught me that I needed – and wanted – more out of life. I needed to find a way to express myself. Once I made that decision, everything just took care of itself.
Conflict is a part of life. Even as a performer or an artist, there are things that you have battle against, like dealing with a corporate mentality in a creative environment. I'm looking at the holes in my own personal knowledge and seeing what I need to work on, just in terms of creating a much happier environment in my own mind. I'm trying to arm myself with more patience, and understanding of how our different worlds can collide and create friction. It's really about how you deal with that friction to make sure that you stay in a happy mindset. Things are not always going to go your way.
Tiara [Jacquelina] and I still laugh about Puteri Gunung Ledang. Tiara can't remember any of the lines, and yet I remember all of them. It was so hard for me [to memorise the script] – the process was so arduous. It (Malay) is not my first language and I really had to drill the language into me. When I got the male lead as Hang Tuah in Puteri Gunung Ledang, a lot of the press was really skeptical because I couldn't speak Malay at the time. But once I overcame that, people saw that I am an actor – and that I'd trained my whole life for it. That was really the beginning of my career here and it was amazing.
Malaysia seems to have gone through a bit of a lull in terms of creativity and the arts. I wanted to come back and just try to plug in again. It would be nice to just plug in and get something going. I'm involved in the production of Ola Bola The Musical, and I'd love to do a movie here after that. I'm much more selective about the jobs that come in and what I choose to do now. I know what's going to make me happy and unhappy now. I try to stay away from jobs if it's just for the money or if I know that there's not going to be any real fulfillment.


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We were so excited to start Alphabet Island this month!! X has been really interested in the ocean and pirates lately, so it's a great fit!
From pirate fun to boat science we've splashed and Arrrgh-ed our way through so much learning already! The Make and Play spy glass and eye patch were huge hits.
As always, the boys LOVE our manipulatives this month! It was so neat how Mother Goose Time suggested we use our foam numbers as islands for Day 1! This fun activity was expanded even further by adding a math game element. X would roll a number one the cube dice and fish out that number island. We even were able to do a little adding!
Q has been loving puzzles lately, so he really enjoyed connecting the letters and numbers.
X spent quite some time experimenting with what his boat could hold and what would make it sink. I loved the ease of creating a tinfoil boat as suggested by our Science Experiment card. Design and physics concepts at work in preschool learning! He also explored balancing items in the boat which could result in making it flip. I use any opportunity I can to bring our school into our play, especially outside, and our Day 2: Boat unit did this perfectly!


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Resident Application Procedure
The UC Davis Otolaryngology Program offers three PGY I positions each year.
Applicant interviews, arranged by invitation, are held during the fall and/or winter months. Applicants are interviewed by faculty throughout the day, tour the campus and facilities and are invited to a dinner hosted by our current residents.
Applications should be submitted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and the match will be conducted through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). We encourage applicants to apply as soon after the ERAS opening date as possible. We will review applications up until our interviews begin, however late applications may not have an equal chance of being selected for an interview and may be considered on a space available basis. Applications are considered complete when the following documentation is received through ERAS:
- Common Application Form (CAF)
- Personal Statement
- Medical School Transcript
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- USMLE Scores (Step 1 and Step 2 if available)
Applicants to the UC Davis Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery Residency Program must graduate from an accredited medical school and be eligible for medical licensure in the State of California. The Medical Board of California requires that all residents (regardless of their specialty) be licensed prior to the start of their PG III year.
The State of California, in conjunction with the Medical Board of California, passed AB3479 (September 1994) which established a four-week family practice curriculum requirement. Therefore, in order to be eligible for licensure you must meet this requirement. If you have any questions as to whether or not your medical school curriculum meets the requirement for licensure in the State of California, please contact the Medical Board directly at (916) 263-2344.
If you have any questions regarding our program or application process, you may direct them to the residency coordinator at (916) 734-5005 or to the e-mail above.
UC Davis is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of diversity among its faculty and staff. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from persons of underrepresented groups including women, ethnic minorities, special disabled veterans, Vietnam-era veterans and handicapped persons.
Please contact our residency coordinator Lisa Yee-Isbell by phone 916-734-5005 or email email@example.com for more information about applying to our program.


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The Council launched its report The forensic use of bioinformation: ethical issues at a public seminar held in London on 18 September 2007. Find out more about this report.
Working Group members presented the findings of the report during the first session. This was followed by a general discussion facilitated by Vivienne Parry, the well known writer and broadcaster.
You can download the presentations and audio recordings of the talks given by the Working Party.


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Obviously I'm really digging the most recent Lonny. First we had Monday's home, now we have this festive home belonging to color enthusiast and interior designer Eileen Kathryn Boyd. The pink holiday trimmings look so yummy with the Benjamin Moore Seaside Resort on the living room walls. The green shelves (BM Rosemary Green) are a fun touch too! Eileen said she wanted to create a happy, fun place for her kids, and I'd say she did exactly that! Definitely head over to Lonny because there's lots more you don't want to miss. And head here to see more color-infused design by Eileen Kathryn Boyd!
Eileen's home was definitely my favourite feature in this issue- absolutely loved it! The turquoise and pink, fabulous artwork and great pattern had me at hello.
Love the colors and that gallery wall is fabulous!
Merry Christmas, Erin!
Thank you, thank you for mentioning that beautiful color on the walls. I've been trying to find the perfect shade of blue/green and that looks just about perfect.
I was wondering when you were going to post this! This was my fave house from this issue. Love all the colour.
My favorite is the green wrapped presents in the top picture. Beautiful!
when i saw this issue of lonny, the first thing i thought was that you were going to LOVE it!
I'm not sure what I love more…that gorgeous tree or that stunning bedroom. Thanks so much for sharing such amazing inspiration. Your blog is better than any magazine subscription I have. Trust me…I have many.
Wow!..wow to every room. I love the bold use of blues coupled with my shades of blue and balanced with the right amount of contrasting colors and other textural elements. Bravo!
Check out my first give away at
That tree is amazing!!
Erin it is all gorgeous, love tge art as well!
Come and enter my Giveaway from My Sparrow, you will love it!
Joyeaux Noel!
Art by Karena
LOVE that second pic!!
Most amazing Christmas tree I've ever seen! I love the ribbon used as a garland!
I'm loving Lonny, too! The tree is fabulous! I love the pink and purple ornaments with the turquoise curtains. A color combo I'm smitten with (:
I just love the Christmas tree too!
Its all gorgeous! Her place just oozes happiness! Loving the green and turquoise paint colors combined.
– Kimberly
I just found your beautiful spot here and have become a follower. I also love the color turquoise which is the background in my blog. I'll be back!
This was indeed a great issue. And this feature in particular was one of my favorites. How could you ever be in a bad mood in this house!!
I thought of you when I saw this house in Lonny…knew you would love it!!
The tree is fantastic!! and very easy to make!!! thanks for the pics darling 😉
I just love all the color used so wonderfully throughout! Colorful homes done right are so cheerful and happy, not somber like neutral homes are. That pink, green, turq combo is just delicious!
absolutely LOVE the table setting and center piece. I'm totally stealing that idea. BEAUTIFUL!
Hi Erin,
Thank you for taking notice of my home in the previous Lonny Issue! I'm so glad you and all your followers enjoyed peeking inside my home and I look forward to being inspired by your blog! Thank you again for the recognition and Happy Blogging!
All My Best,


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Warm, medium weight sweatshirt with brushed underside.
90% Cotton / 10% Polyester
Fabric weight is 280 gsm
5% stretch
Width measures 150 cm
Prices are per half meter
To order longer pieces, enter the quantity of 0.5 m increments you desire and the piece will be delivered to you as a whole, continuous piece.
Bears the Oeko Tex Certification. Oeko Tex is an independent certification system that tests products for harmful substances at all levels of manufacturing.


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The Dell P2217H monitor gives you superior screen performance with full HD resolution and eco-friendly design. This Dell In Plane Switching (IPS) LED monitor adjusts to your exact angle, height and orientation so you can enjoy great visuals in a hassle-free setup across multiple monitors.
This monitor has plenty of ports on the side and bottom, enabling you to attach multiple devices without ever feeling crowded. The Dell ComfortView feature relieves eye fatigue by cutting down on blue light emissions, while direct current guarantees a flicker-free picture.
Dell P2217H specifications
- Screen size: 22 inches
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
- Brightness: 250 cd/m2
- Weight: 11.82 pounds (with stand)
- Dimensions: 19.6 x 7.1 x 13.9 inches (with stand)
- LED backlight
- Widescreen - 16:9 aspect ratio
- Ergonomically adjustable (150 mm range)
- Portrait or landscape orientation pivot
- HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, USB 3.0 (2) and USB 2.0 (2)
Frequently asked questions
Q: Are there any connection cords included?
A: Yes, this Dell 22-inch monitor comes with the following cords in the box: AC power cord, VGA cable, DisplayPort cable and SuperSpeed USB cable.
Q: Does this monitor have four holes on the back to attach it to a mount?
A: If you choose not to use the included stand, there are 100 mm VESA mount patterns you can use on the back of the monitor.
Q: Is the stand height adjustable?
A: Yes, the stand has a 150 mm height adjustment range, plus adjustable screen tilt, swivel and orientation pivot.
Q: Does this Dell monitor have audio or a headphone jack?
A: No, there is no audio component to this Dell monitor and there is no headphone jack. You can either use the audio on your laptop or you can purchase external speakers. We recommend the Dell Professional Sound Bar AE515, which snaps onto the base of this monitor.
Is the Dell P2217H monitor right for you?
Get details on pricing and buying options on insight.com.


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AT&T Access program grant
The AT&T Access Program provides a discounted rate for low-income families to purchase a broadband service. This grant through OCA National will allow OCA chapters to promote the Access program to their region, through marketing and education. Find more information about the Access program at https://www.att.com/shop/internet/access/#/. Below is the application for the grant. For any questions, contact Thu Nguyen at firstname.lastname@example.com or (202)223.5500 ext 119. Applications are due to OCA by February 20, 2018.


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Tobacco Prevention
A leading cause of cancer is avoidable.
So let's get Nevadans to avoid it.
Tobacco use is a leading cause of cancer and of death from cancer.
Let that sink in. The leading cause of cancer is almost entirely avoidable. People who use tobacco products or who are regularly subjected to secondhand smoke have an increased risk of cancer due to the chemicals in those products that damage DNA.
Tobacco use causes many types of cancer, including cancer of the lung, larynx (voice box), mouth, esophagus, throat, bladder, kidney, liver, stomach, pancreas, colon and rectum, and cervix, as well as acute myeloid leukemia. Those who use smokeless tobacco (snuff or chewing tobacco) have increased risks of cancers of the mouth, esophagus, and pancreas.
There is no safe level of tobacco use.
In Nevada, comprehensive tobacco control requires a collaboration of partners from many sectors, including public health, health care, local and national nonprofits, community-based organizations, insurance payors, professional and medical associations, higher education, and government, who work together and pool resources to ultimately eliminate tobacco use as a public health issue. Using Nevada's most recent data, tobacco control partners spent many months collectively working to develop a plan, identifying priority areas and opportunities for advancing tobacco control across the state.
The mission of this five-year plan is to provide a road map for improving the state's tobacco control landscape through a unified set of goals and strategies. Click below to read the plan in detail:
Nevada Tobacco Control Plan 2019-2023
To learn more about tobacco prevention efforts in Nevada, visit the Nevada Tobacco Prevention Coalition at tobaccofreenv.org.
Ready to quit? These resources can help.
Smoking cessation resources
The benefits of quitting smoking are immediate and long lasting whereas the risks of smoking can be sickness and death.
|Health Benefit
|72 hours
|Breathing becomes easier. Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase.
|1 month
|Skin appearance improves, owing to improved skin perfusion.
|3-9 months
|Cough, wheezing, and breathing problems improve and lung function increases by up to 10%.
|1 year
|Risk of a heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker.
|10 years
|Risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker.
|15 years
|Risk of heart attack falls to the same level that it would be for someone who has never smoked.
When you are ready to quit smoking, there are resources available to support you.
Nevada Tobacco Quitline
The Nevada Tobacco Quitline provides free and confidential online and telephone-based counseling, in either English or Spanish, for Nevada residents who want to address their tobacco use. This treatment service is delivered by counselors who are trained to treat nicotine addiction for all forms of tobacco use. Services are offered for tobacco users 13 years or older, with specially tailored counseling for youth, American Indians, and pregnant or post-partum women.
Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669) or enroll online.
Hours of operation: 7 days a week; 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Pacific Time
We all deserve to work, meet, and play smoke free.
Commit to a smoke free meetings and events policy for your organization. Click here to learn more and let us know you've adopted a policy.
Demand for smoke-free meeting spaces continues to grow throughout the state. To meet demand, we've created a Smoke-Free Meetings Directory to serve as a one-stop shop for all information needed to book your next meeting or conference in a smoke-free location.
Numerous businesses and organizations have also signed on to the Smoke Free Meetings Policy Pledge, making the commitment to only host or sponsor events in smoke free locations. See who's adopted a policy.
Submit Smoke Free Meeting Location
We celebrate the many smoke-free indoor locations in Nevada, but there still are many outdoor public settings intended for use by children, such as parks and recreation areas, that permit smoking. We're working in Washoe County to educate and inform about the risks associated with secondhand smoke, as well as the litter created by outdoor tobacco use, and to encourage adoption of smoke-free policies in outdoor settings frequented by families and children.
Exposure to secondhand smoke is most harmful to infants and young children as they are still developing. Exposure to secondhand smoke in children is known to increase the risk of health dangers including SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), ear infections, acute respiratory symptoms and infections, and asthma.


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Significantly, there are many different kinds of Passenger Elevator available in the market, so they definitely require different repair services and maintenance programs. Besides, because different elevators can be installed at any building or structure, it follows that the experts who do the installing, maintenance, and repairs should be able to tackle each one properly.
Commonly, there are rack and pinion lifts as well as passenger and freight lifts. Generally speaking, rack and pinion lifts are usually used in industrial settings to do jobs that are rough and heavy. They can also transport personnel but on a less comfortable ride than their counterparts hound in hotels and other high-rise buildings. Due to their usage, elevators are usually designed as an enclosed space that has a door that may pr may not manually opened or closed. For rack and pinion lifts, the doors are usually opened and closed manually. While the ones that provide transport to passengers are usually found in high-rise buildings and hotels that are more comfortable than those in industrial buildings and sites, and often have automatic doors that have the latest sensor innovations for the comfort and convenience of the people who ride it.
There are many different repairs that are common in spite of the different types of lifts. For instance, one of the more common parts that need regular maintenance or preventive measures is the motor. In order to function well and to avoid any accident, lifts which are in constant use undoubtedly need to be maintained regularly. Elevator repair for the motor is one thing that is most common for perpetually used lifts because of the wear and tear hat motors endure. On the other hand, the cables are also some of the things that will need to be constantly monitored and repaired when the need arises. Definitely, the safety of the passengers is depend on how well maintained the lift is and how regular it is checked. Therefore, ensuring the elevator is in a good condition is very important and necessary.
Nevertheless, it is not just the machine aspect of the lifts that may need to be checked and maintained regularly. Elevator Factory repair may also include, but is not limited to, changing the lights inside the ride as well as changing or aligning doors as needed. Other things that will need to be fixed are the bezels or buttons that are constantly pushed in order for the passengers to indicate the floor they wish to be brought to. Even the rectangular lift itself may need to be repaired when anomalies in the body are seen by the experts who are tasked to maintain it and to check it for any problems. More information will lunches at www.fujihd.net


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|Battlegroup info
|Battlegroup »
Vindication (EN) »
This article is a realm page for the Auchindoun Europe realm (server)
This is a community maintained page and does not represent official World of Warcraft history or occurrences. Information and events here are for community documentation of server particulars, history, or opinion.
About The Server Edit
Auchindoun is a European PvP server released along with the others that arrived around the time that 'The Burning Crusade' expansion was released. It is a fairly small server with about a 60:40 horde majority, but anyone willing to try hard and find a good guild may prosper as either faction. The population on the realm is not very high, around 5000 characters according to WarcraftRealms and similar sites, but activity is high and you usually run into lot's of people, also when levelling, as it's still a relatively young and recommended server.
Links Edit
Pronunciation Edit
Ok-In-Doon (Small 'O' sound on first syllable).
Guilds on Auchindoun Edit
Alliance guilds Edit
- Unicorn Wizards
- Coldforged
- The Stormwind Crusaders
- Reaving
- Tokidoki
- Sort Your Juice Out
- Dawn
- Fusion
- Natural Selection
- Barely Legal
- The Undercover Brothers
- The Moving Fast Men
- Best Friends Forever
- Apocalypse Dudes
- Guardian Angels
- Chosen
- Redmoon
- Deimos
- Onslaught
- Outcast
- Wow Boets
- Legion of Russian Bears
- Phalanx
- Sparta
- Seekers of Virtue
- Reflection
- Eminence
- Immortal Blades of Aiur
- Elemental Spirits
- Nullus Anxietas
- DaKor
- Never to old for LEGO
- Shine
- Iron Fist
- Carlsberg Factory / Eeze
- Reckless Dogs
- Empowered Rabbits
- Sapphire
- Niflheim
Horde guilds Edit
- Guildless
- Born2Kill
- Prodigy
- Monsters Inc
- Eradication
- Suit Up
- Sapped Girls can Twinket
- The Tempted
- Project Omega
- Fools Gold
- Ordo Draconis
- Lycen Fel
- Blame Us
- Turkish Raiders
- Frikandel Speciaal
- Fuscus and Napalms guild
- Random Heroes
- Damage Incorporated
- Manic Monday
- Outcast
- Prima Nocta
- Vanquished
- Guild Name Got Nerfed
- Braveheart
- De Mafketels
War Effort Edit
The War effort on Auchindoun was started on April 29th and finished on October 17th.
The gates were opened on October 30th by Bronte after having used Payed Character Transfer to arrive on the server that day, with the scepter. This sparked some controversy, as several people on the server were also trying to complete it.
A Pre-TBC Guild Edit
For some time a group of players have been struggling to push forward in a non-TBC orientated style. All the guild members have non-TBC enabled accounts and are capped at L60. While the guild is in its infacy at the time of writing (3/3/08) they have great expectations. Their name "Reflection" Their website: http://reflectioneu.com


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Over one hundred Lizards were on show at the thirtieth anniversary of the East Anglian Lizard Canary Association. Judge Brian Jay awarded Stan Bolton Best Lizard in show with a lovely Broken cap Gold Hen. This Canary displayed all the assets that one expects from the Bolton stud, dark colour, tight feather and a steadiness which allowed this hen to display its spangles to maximum effect. Second Best in show was David Allen's Broken cap Silver Hen, again a lovely Canary, well balanced and showing good type. Best Novice was J. Coakley
Pictures by kind permission of David Allen


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Get Citation
With no recent publications discussing Prometheus at length, this book provides a much-needed introduction to the Promethean myth of this rebellious god who defied Zeus to steal fire for mankind.
Seeking to locate the nature of this compelling tale's continuing relevance throughout history, Carol Dougherty traces a history of the myth of Prometheus from its origins in ancient Greece, to its resurgence in the works of the Romantic era and beyond.
Offering a comparative approach that includes visual material and film, the book reveals a Prometheus who was a rebel against Zeus' tyranny to Aeschylus, a defender of political and artistic integrity to Percy Bysshe Shelley, and a symbol of technological innovation during the industrial revolution; his resilience and adaptability illuminating his power and importance in Western culture.
Prometheus is an essential introduction to the Promethean myth for all readers of classics, the arts and literature alike.


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Book Launch: God Save Texas: A Journey into the Soul of the Lone Star State, by Lawrence Wright
Thursday, April 26th, 2018
|Thursday, April 26, 2018
|The Vivian and David Campbell Conference Facility, Munk School of Global Affairs
1 Devonshire Place
The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Looming Tower explores the history, culture, and politics of Texas, while holding the stereotypes up for rigorous scrutiny.
Lawrence Wright is a staff writer for The New Yorker, and the author of nine books. The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11 won the Lionel Gelber Award for Nonfiction and the Pulitzer Prise for General Nonfiction. His most recent book, Thirteen Days in September: Carter, Begin, and Sadat at Camp David, was named by Publisher's Weekly one of the top ten books of the year.
This event is part of the "Books that Matter" series, sponsored by the Bill Graham Centre for Contemporary International History.
If you are attending a Munk School event and require accommodation(s), please email the event contact listed above to make appropriate arrangements.
Disclaimer: Please note that events posted on this website are considered to be public events – unless otherwise stated – and you are choosing to enter a space where your image and/or voice may be captured as part of event proceedings that may be made public as part of a broadcast, webcast, or publication (online and in print). We make every effort to ensure your personal information is kept and used in compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). If you have any questions please get in touch with our office at firstname.lastname@example.com or 416-946-8900.


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We characterize ultrashort mid-infrared pulses through upconversion by using the stretched pulses obtained from the uncompressed output of a chirped-pulse amplifier. The power spectrum thus translated into the visible region can be readily measured with a standard silicon CCD camera-based spectrometer. The spectral phase is also characterized by a variant of zero-added-phase spectral phase interferometry for direct electric field reconstruction. This is a general method that provides a multiplex advantage over conventional infrared detector array-based methods.
© 2005 Optical Society of AmericaFull Article | PDF Article
OSA Recommended Articles
Kevin F. Lee, Kevin J. Kubarych, Adeline Bonvalet, and Manuel Joffre
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 25(6) A54-A62 (2008)
Tobias Witting, Dane R. Austin, and Ian A. Walmsley
Opt. Lett. 34(7) 881-883 (2009)
Matthew J. Nee, Robert McCanne, Kevin J. Kubarych, and Manuel Joffre
Opt. Lett. 32(6) 713-715 (2007)


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Create an Account - Increase your productivity, customize your experience, and engage in information you care about.
In an effort to eliminate paper waste, presentations from the 2018 New Jersey League of Municipalities Conference that include Madison representatives will not be printed for distribution. We have made all presentations accessible for your viewing and reference below.
For more information, please visit the NJLM Conference website.
All additional presentations from the conference can be accessed here.
Presentations will be posted at the conclusion of each session.
A creative thread runs through the solutions to today's new and tricky challenges and efforts at meeting evolving constituent needs. Learn how creative approaches resolved specific needs in this showcase and take home the ideas on using your creativity to develop real new solutions. Creative models from transportation, redevelopment, social service, and more.
Individual presentations can be found below.
Robert Conley, Mayor, Madison Borough
Jillian Barrick, Morristown Administrator
"Shade Tree Innovation" Presentation
Joseph Colangelo, CEO, Boxcar
"Creative Initiatives to Avoid the Cost of Structured Parking" Presentation
Roy Redmond, Principal, Mott MacDonald
"NJDEP/NJEDA Hazardous Site Remediation Fund (HDSRF)" Presentation
Michael Rogers, Summit Administrator
"Creative Transportation Initiatives with UBER and LYFT" Presentation
Donna Vieiro, Holmdel Administrator
"Redevelopment of the Former AT&T Complex" Presentation
Exploring the importance of a Public Information Officer. Should your municipality consider a staff member dedicated to communicating to the public consistently and accurately on all types of medium? Two municipalities will discuss the role of their Public Information Officers both during emergencies and day-to-day operations. They will also present on deciding if a need exists for such a position.
Alexander McDonald, Business Administrator, Millburn Twp.
Jim Burnet, Assistant Administrator, Borough of Madison
Pam Borek, Clerk/Public Information Officer, Township of Hillsborough
John Sheridan, OEM Director, Township of Hillsborough
Sustainable Jersey Green Teams across the state are implementing exciting and innovative outreach campaigns to help residents and businesses save money on their energy bills. Many lessons have been learned on the effectiveness of specific outreach techniques in municipalities that have completed campaigns to utilize existing NJ Clean Energy program incentives. Using a data-driven approach, this session will highlight those efforts and discuss effective ways for you to replicate these successes in your community.
Robert Conley, Mayor, Madison Borough
Anthony O'Donnell, Economist, Sustainable Jersey
Carmela Vitale, Councilwoman, Madison Borough
Scott Fischer, Managing Member, Ciel Power LLC
John Hoegl, Ewing Township Green Team
Sandra Torres, Director of Outreach, Tri-State Light & Energy
Marybeth Brenner, Associate Vice President, TRC


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Monday's incredible flash storm left a lot of cars underwater to one degree or another.
Being underwater is not good for cars. It can lead to moldy smells from sodden rugs and upholstery to mysterious problems with the electrical system, problems that might not be immediately apparent.
But when a lot of cars get hit at the same time, the system for rectifying those problems can be tested.
And that's why it's tough to get a rental car or an insurance adjuster in Houston right now.
If you like this story, consider signing up for our email newsletters.
You have successfully signed up for your selected newsletter(s) - please keep an eye on your mailbox, we're movin' in!
If you waited until Tuesday, say, to start a claim, you were told by one company it might be a full week until an adjuster could get out to see your car, a step which needs to be taken before repairs can start.
And if your policy calls for a rental car in case of claims, you would have called the rental car company to find you have the chance to be Number 40 on the waiting list.
A call saying a car was available might not come for several days.
So the rain might be gone, but the fun remains.


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A footballer from Wales has been jailed for 12 months after breaking an opponent's leg in a 'revenge attack'.
Nicholas Williams was playing for Cefn Albion in a Welsh National League Division One Cup match last October, when the incident occurred.
Williams lost his temper when he lost out in a 50-50 tackle with AFC Brynford's Andrew Barlow, and complained to the match referee.
However, when no action was taken, the 26-year-old took matters into his own hands – hitting Barlow with a studs up tackle around the middle of the shin.
Barlow broke both his tibia and fibula in the incident, and the match was abandoned due to the severity of the injury, and he is still receiving treatment.
Williams has been charged with grievous bodily harm, and will serve a year in prison.
The defendant claimed the incident was 'a freak accident', but referee Mark Stokes thought otherwise:
That challenge was probably the worst one I have seen in my time as a referee.
It wasn't a challenge; it was a kick. There was no attempt to kick the ball.
Ten months after the horror tackle, Barlow still hasn't been able to return to work, and regularly has nightmares after 'seeing his leg flap from side to side'.
Leg breaks on the football pitch are nothing new, but this case marks a rare time that someone has faced criminal action for something that happened on the field.
Speaking after the incident, Det Con Rhodri Ifans of North Wales Police said:
This was a particularly callous assault which has had a huge impact on the victim.
Anyone who commits acts of violence must realise to potential seriousness of their actions and we will vigorously pursue offenders and bring them to justice.
Justice seems a strong word on first glance when it's related to football, but on this case it is perfectly justified.
We wish Barlow a speedy recovery.


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Here are some of the questions people have asked in their e-mails to Jeanette.
Q: Are you able to send cookies to troops anywhere in the world?
A: We are able to send cookies to any soldier deployed out side of the continental United States (OCONUS) as long as we have their APO/FPO and expected return date.
Q: Do you accept donations for postage?
A: Donations for postage are gratefully received–except from deployed soldiers; they are doing enough for all of us. Each Flat Rate #1 box costs $18.45. Treat The Troops sends hundreds of boxes each month, and the cost of baking the cookies is donated by the "crumbs." Contributions are tax-deductible. We have 501(c) (3) status. See Donate page for donation options.
Q: Could you please send me names and addresses of soldiers?
A: I'm sorry that I cannot pass on information that is given to me. People who know me trust that I will send legitimate goods to the troops, and I stand behind what I send. I cannot assume responsibility for what someone else might send.
Q: Can you use tins, popcorn, preservatives or a vacuum sealer?
A: No
Q: Do you take requests for specific cookies?
A: No
Q: What is a "crumb?"
A: A "Crumb" is a person who is committed to helping our soldiers' morale by baking/sending homemade cookies to soldiers deployed in harm's way. Other types of "Crumbs" are "Scrounges" (gets supplies/money donated), "Snacks" (sends only snack items to soldiers), "Crumbettes" (children and young adult Crumbs).
Q: How long does it take for the cookies to get "there?"
A: Treat The Troops always uses Priority Mail boxes. It usually takes 7-10 days for the cookies to get to their destination. Please check with your Post Office for specific information.
Q: If you are an all-volunteer organization, why are you incorporated?
A: In order to obtain 501(c) (3) status (which Treat The Troops received April 2005), you must be incorporated in your home state. It is a Federal requirement. Treat The Troops is dependent upon the spirit of volunteerism and the "good will" of supporters.


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2017 Ford C-Max Energi Plug-In Hybrid Review
Sunday, May 7, 2017 Add Comment Edit
2017 Ford C-Max Energi Plug-In Hybrid Review, Just lately refreshed, the five-year-old C-Max Energi wears up to date headlights with LED operating lights, a restyled grille, a brand new set of 17-inch wheels, along with a pair of reworked taillights. Mechanically unchanged, the Energi is propelled by both a 141-hp Atkinson-cycle 2.0-liter inline-four and two electric motor/generators for any combined output of 188 horsepower.
2017 Ford C-Max Energi Plug-In Hybrid Review
The authentic showpiece of the C-Max Energi, although, is its 7.6-kWh battery pack-much bigger compared to the typical nonpluggable C-Max hybrid's one.4-kWh pack-that provides adequate juice to take the funky five-door up to an EPA-rated 20 miles on electrons alone. Needless to say, your mileage could differ. As soon as the battery pack is depleted, the C-Max Energi performs like a normal hybrid motor vehicle, delicately sharing or swapping duties concerning the gasoline engine and electrical motors as necessary. Recharging the C-Max Energi's depleted battery pack requires somewhere around 7 hours on a 120-volt charger; superior to discover a 240-volt unit that will do the deed in a additional reasonable two.five hours.
However, the huge battery pack requires up a sizable chunk with the rear cargo location. This monolith juts up through the floor, raising it significantly and intruding around the load space, especially when the rear seatbacks are folded. Whereas the non-plug-in C-Max hybrid boasts a compact-SUV-like 25 cubic feet of space, the Energi's battery pack cuts that figure down by six cubes, placing it on par with all the subcompact Jeep Renegade. Over the plus side, the C-Max Energi's pack spot has no effect over the rest on the interior packaging, and also the car or truck continues for being low and simple to enter.
As measured on our scales, the C-Max Energi weighs 230 lbs in excess of does its plugless sibling. Our Oxford White C-Max Energi SE test car or truck checked in at a chunky 3860 pounds. Thinking about its substantial heft, the high-roofed hatchback supplied surprising functionality at our test track. The sprint to 60 mph took a fair seven.six seconds, while the quarter-mile passed right after sixteen.0 seconds at 89 mph, slightly better compared to the seven.9 and 16.1 seconds we measured in the check in the 2013 C-Max Energi.
2017 Ford C-Max Energi Plug-In Hybrid Review - Interior:
Inside the true world, the overall performance is largely dependent about the battery's state of charge and which of 3 driving modes has been selected: Automobile EV, EV Now, or EV Later. Automobile EV keeps the electrical motor in command of acceleration as long as the battery pack has ample juice in it. Mat the go pedal, even though, and the four-cylinder will wake up and present added forward thrust. Choosing EV Now keeps the car or truck working on accessible electrons regardless of the correct pedal's place. The good news is, the electrical motor's just about instantaneous 117 lb-ft of torque supplies the C-Max Energi with an abundance of pep for low-speed commuting. Fly as well close for the EV mode's 75-mph leading velocity that we observed, however, as well as battery quickly runs out. Finally, EV Later on lets C-Max Energi drivers conserve the battery pack's charge for later on use.
Stopping the C-Max Energi is completed by means of vented front and sound rear disc brakes in concert with a regenerative energy-recovery system. Totally applying the brakes at 70 mph ate up 179 feet of tarmac around the approach to a complete stop-11 feet shorter than the Chevrolet Volt and 12 fewer compared to the Toyota Prius V essential. In gentler pedal applications, the changeover in between the regenerative and friction braking techniques is often jarring; in tougher braking, the transition is significantly less noticeable.
Close to our skidpad, the C-Max Energi's 17-inch Michelin Power Saver A/S tires squealed mercilessly as much as a modest highest of 0.75 g, or 0.09 g worse compared to the Volt. It might lack overall grip, however the Ford Focus-based, 63.8-inch-tall hatchback is unexpectedly engaging to drive. Credit score its well-damped suspension and also the well-weighted and chatty electrically assisted power-steering technique.
Features - 2017 Ford C-Max Energi Plug-In Hybrid Review:
Blind spots are minimized due to the C-Max Energi's comfortably raised seating position, very low beltline, and massive windshield. Thinly padded cloth seats, nonetheless, lack the support wanted for long-haul comfort. A gauge cluster with two multi-information displays might be custom-made to display driving efficiency, energy flow, fuel economy, a brake coach, and more. Our check car's $1200 401A Tools Group selection bundle added a sizable eight.0-inch touchscreen infotainment program with Sync three in addition to a pair of USB ports, backup sensors, along with a power-operated liftgate.
Our C-Max Energi SE wore an as-tested rate of $29,195, or $2945 greater than an equivalent C-Max SE hybrid. Yet, in contrast with a base Chevrolet Volt, this Energi was $4900 more affordable. The Volt's EPA-rated 53-mile EV assortment is greater than two in addition to a half instances the Energi's official rating, plus the Chevy is eligible for a $7500 federal tax credit score, although the Ford qualifies for only a $4007 credit score.
In the end, the 2017 Ford C-Max Energi's constrained EV array and hampered versatility brings to mind a quote by Parks and Recreation's Ron Swanson: "Never half-ass two points. Full ass one thing."


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A Private Equity Stuffing In Your Turkey?
Now that private equity firms Metropoulos & Co. and Apollo Global Management have brought back
Twinkies, consumers are free to stock their Thanksgiving table with some of these unusual recipes inspired by the iconic yellow sponge cake.
The most Thanksgiving-notable one is a turkey stuffing that blends the Minions-lookalike-pastry with cornbread.


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Students Wanted: Help Sue the Government
Students for a Sensible Drug Policy and the ACLU are seeking plaintiffs for a lawsuit challenging the Government's ban on student aid for those with a drug conviction.
If you or someone you know has lost their financial aid because of the HEA drug provision, please get in touch with them as soon as possible. Here's a full list of the more than 250 organizations that have called for a repeal of the aid ban.
Please raise your voice and be counted.
The ban has kept 175,000 people from moving on with their lives. These sorts of laws are the worst sort, they brand a person forever for an offense of their childhood. If any students reading this were denied federal aid because of this provision, click the links.


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Excavation and Paving
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We will work with you to complete your project on time and at a competitive price. Please contact our office discuss your planned project or to book a free estimate and no-obligation consultation with one of our experienced estimators.


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French hope Kristina Mladenovic fought through the pain with a 3-6, 6-3, 9-7 win over American Jennifer Brady in the French Open first round on Monday.
The 13th seed, hoping to become the first Frenchwoman to lift the Suzanne Lenglen Cup since Mary Pierce in 2000, said she hurt her back on Sunday and was not even sure she could make it on to Court Philippe Chatrier.
"I pulled my back yesterday and specialists were saying I needed 48 hours, I was almost sure I could not take it to court today," said Mladenovic, who burst into tears after a two-hour-59-minute tussle.
"It was not the best thing obviously but I promise you I will come back and will fight until the end."
Mladenovic surrendered her serve meekly early on and received treatment after falling 3-0 down in the opener.
She looked slightly better when back on court but still appeared to be moving slowly.
Mladenovic, among the favourites after reaching the final in Stuttgart and Madrid on clay this season, stepped up a gear in the second and managed to put her opponent, who reached the fourth round at this year's Australian Open, on the back foot.
She moved up a break three times in the decider but seemed to choke under pressure, eventually prevailing in the 14th game when her opponent dinked a forehand into the net.


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fieldfaring newsJust another WordPress.com site
Archive for April, 2012
Temescal Amity Works is revisited at Root Division
Several relics from the Temescal Amity Works and some fresh Temescal marmalade are on view in the group exhibition: Cultivar, which opened this last Saturday evening at Root Division gallery in San Francisco. The marmalade was made from three different citrus tree on Avon St. and will be served throughout the exhibition.
"A cultivar is a plant or group of plants selected for desirable characteristics that can be maintained by propagation. The exhibition for TASTE 2012, Cultivar, is a multi-disciplinary project celebrating artists and collectives whose work blurs lines between environmental sustainability, food production, social practice, and fine art."
Exhibition Dates: April 11-28, 2012
Gallery Hours: Wednesday – Saturday, 2-6pm (and by apt.)


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Somewhere between the music of Sibelius
lies - Portland, Maine - PORTLANDIA
Numbers, Beer Camp and a Flying Tomato - 8/1/14
Ride: North Station, Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Mujoy Hill, Thompsons Point
Distance: 22.2 miles
Urvi and I rode out of Cambridge and over the North Bank Bridge to catch the Downeaster up to Portland. We grabbed lunch on the train. For me it was a steak sandwich and a Shipyard Export.
|Casco Bay Bridge
Once in Portland we had to ride out to Cape Elizabeth to pick up our numbers and Tee-Shirts for the Beach to Beacon 10K. The goal was to go over the Casco Bay Bridge into South Portland. Approaching the bridge on the onramp was unnerving to say the least. However once we actually were on the bridge, there was a wide shoulder and you felt perfectly safe.
Riding through South Portland and Cape Elizabeth was nothing special (except the tomato). Just felt like the suburbs. At Cape Elizabeth High School, we picked up numbers for us, Matt & Eva, and Scott & Julie.
|Urvi and a Tomato
After getting settled and a shower, we headed back out on the bikes and back to the Amtrak station where the Thompson's Point venue was for Beer Camp. As we rode in, there were signs for: Valet Bike Parking. I started following these. The Maine Bike Coalition had set up the valet parking and greeted us with cowbells blaring.
Beer Camp was a classic beer fest. 80 or so breweries (I probably only got to about 20). Food trucks and brass band completed the hipster vibe to the event. While I had tastings of quite a few good beers (and some bad ones including an IPA that tasted like feet), four stood out: Oxbow Grizacca - a well balanced saison, Black Hog Ginga Ninja - a ginger beer IPA,mmmm, 603 White Peaks White IPA - a great mashable of witte and IPA, and Peak Organic King Crimson - an imperial red ale. Urvi and I topped off the night with Italian sausage and pizza before heading back to Munjoy Hill.
|Brewing up Urvi
Beach to Beacon - 8/2/14
Race: Beach to Beacon 10K
Goal Time: 40:18
Actual Time: 40:36
After the tough 6th mile, there was one last steep uphill before the finish line as we entered Fort William Park and approached the beacon. I took the hill and charged the inside steepest part (a little lesson from Contador, if you want to crush it take the steep part). Then around the turn I was coming into the finish, but there was no finish line. I looked at my watch: 5.87 miles...oops I still have a 600 yards to go...
The Year of the 10K continues. I've done both the James Joyce Ramble and the BAA 10K; and, Lone Gull lurks on the near horizon. As one of the Big 20, Beach to Beacon was a race I had always wanted to do. It's a world renown 10k with some of the top runners racing through suburban Portland. Urvi and I rode our bikes to the finish line to catch the shuttle to the start line. (The same guys with the same cowbells were there to valet park them for us!) It was convenient and well organized. (apparently, if you drove and parked that was not the case). The shuttle drove us across town to the start line at Crescent Beach. I caught up with Eva and Matt in the start corral.
On the start, Matt and I ran an easy first mile. As we ran through the first water stop, I decided it was time to try to hammer it. For the next two miles I hovered near 6:20 and my goal of near 40 minutes.
As a 8,000 person race, it was a blast to run with that many people and so many fans. While the race continued it got a little harder. But the fans got deeper and the cowbells more numerous. I had two more reasonably good miles with numbers 4 and 5. Then came the sixth mile.
The sixth mile is by far the hardest in the race. There are two longish hills. I kept trying to tell myself to just turn myself inside out for only 8 more minutes... now 7. But the second hill just left me running slowly. Once I crested that I felt okay. After a little down hill, you make the right into Fort William Park. I was able to recover from my blast up the park entrance hill (maybe I could have done the same with the long hill?). I was able to coast in and even put in a good finish into the park.
It was a good race for me personally and I thought a great event. Unlike Falmouth - which I may never do a again - I'd love to make this a tradition.
On the ride back to Portland took us to the Bug Light in South Portland and back over the Casco Bay Bridge. Between the race and dinner, I had a Green Flash Hop Head Red and Matt, Scott and I split a Schlitz High Gravity Very Smooth Lager (don't say beer; say Bull!)
|Julie and Scott
|The whole B2B crew
La Fleche de Casco - 8/3/14
Trip: Bike Ride
Distance: 28.92 miles
Sights: Casco Bay, Back Cove, Freeport, Brunswick
Create Maps or search from 80 million at MapMyRun
Sunday morning, Urvi and I planned to ride up to Brunswick to take the train back to Boston. After a quick run for me and a attempted swim for Urvi (where she saw Meb running with a group), we headed out on the road to Brunswick. Some of it was along the coast and through pretty
|Casco Bay and Rail bridge
|Casco Bay from Congress Street
|Urvi on the bike path in Falmouth
|Eartha: World's Largest Globe
We stopped at Eartha: the world's largest globe in Yarmouth; the Big Indian in South Freeport and tried to get lunch on the Freeport Town Pier but it was going to be an hour wait... an hour!
|You know what this road needs? A really large oversized Indian statue
|Freeport Town Wharf
|Urvi at the Wharf
We stopped for lunch at the Gritty's in Freeport Center where I had another lobster roll and Gritty's incorrectly named Maine's Best IPA. We rolled into Brunswick with enough time to stop at Ebenezer's new brew pub. Ebenezer's own brewery - Lively Brewery were on tap. First I had the delicious tripel - Holy Candy; and then the flagship Saison LaCharite.
|Ebenezers's Brew Pub
|Taps in blown glass
We then caught the train back to Boston. Aboard I hand a lunch of an Italian sub and finished the Maine beer tour with Baxter Stowaway IPA.
|En Route from North Station to home:
Zachim and North Bank Bridge from the Charles River Dam locks


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There are many apps that prevail in the market for better TV watching experience and Live streaming. The Mobdro App is one of them that has been in the market for a long time now. But, it's time to move up with some change now. We are going to discuss some of the Similar Apps like Mobdro for the Android & iOS devices here.
The Mobdro App is actually not yet available for the iOS devices. The wait has been long enough for them until now. Even though the Android device users were enjoying the services of Mobdro, they are now just not feeling the excitement with it anymore.
That is why we have put up this guide for users to switch to some better Mobdro Alternatives for your devices.
Apps like Mobdro in the Market
The Mobdro App is one of the best apps for accessing movies, channels, and other TV shows for entertainment. But, like any other app, it also has some issues that make its users want an alternative. For such reasons, we are putting up this article as a guide to get you the best Mobdro Alternatives for your Android and iOS devices.
Take a look at our collection of apps which we feel are the best in the market;
- Showbox: This application seems to be the best alternative to the Mobdro App as it also provides access to the latest movies, hit TV shows and other media content on the application platform. Users can avail the Showbox for the Android devices and for the Jailbreak iOS devices easily. Showbox has a slick interface for the user to easily search for the content that he/she desires. It also allows the users to download the content that they want to watch at their free time.
- Hotstar: It is a trending and well-performing application. Its services allow the users to access Live entertainment and movies on their smartphones. There is a website for Hotstar and can also be used as the app for easier access to all of its content. The Hotstar app is quite famous in the Asian regions. Moreover, it supports multi-languages so that all the content can be accessed by its viewers. This is why we say that Hotstar is one of the Similar Apps like Mobdro.
- Netflix: It provides the users all the contents from movies, TV shows, daily soaps, to animation series, and cartoons too. It covers almost everything that one would wish to watch over the TV sets. Netflix is available for both, the Android and the iOS platform as well. Although the services of Netflix is subscription-based, there are plenty of users who would like to opt for it as one of the best Apps like Mobdro.
There are several more apps like Livestream, Mivo, Terrarium TV, MovieBox, Plex, etc which you may also want to look up. Our readers may take on our suggestions or search for more over the internet. From among all these Mobdro Alternatives, we are sure you will find two or more apps worth your time.
Hence, we are now going to end this article on Similar Apps like Mobdro for Android & iOS devices here. We are happy to bring this information to your attention. If there is any problem or if you wish to ask for some more information, then we will be right here at Mobdro App. Feel free to contact.


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LUCY (Luc Besson). 89 minutes. Opens Friday (July 25). See listings. Rating: NNN
Lucy marks Luc Besson's return to directing fierce females in kick-ass action films like Le Professional and La Femme Nikita. The script's attempt to be a bit more cerebral - quite literally - doesn't make a ton of sense, but the film's fun and silly enough to qualify for a big summer release.
Scarlett Johansson plays the eponymous American student who unsuspectingly becomes involved in a drug mule operation out of Taiwan. When a huge batch of the mysterious new drugs enters her system, her neurons go turbo and her brain starts working at increased capacity. Soon she's tracking down the other mules for more wonder drug, and communicating with Professor Norman (Morgan Freeman), a brain expert. Meanwhile, the baddies, headed by a sinister Min-sik Choi, are on her tail.
Johansson is terrific in a role that's the opposite of her Under The Skin character. There she played an alien becoming human; here she's a human becoming... not alien exactly, but more machine-like and philosophical. And Freeman shows yet again that he can make cheesy dialogue sound profound.
The action scenes are the real star, including a surreal shootout in a hospital corridor and one jaw-dropping chase sequence through the busy streets of Paris.


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The Havana Mae gown features a daring illusion bodice with plunging neckline. The lace is expertly layered and placed in all the right places. The skirt is a floating chiffon circle design.
The management & staff at Under The Veil pride themselves in providing a friendly, relaxed atmosphere while attending to your individual needs. Your wedding gown is one of the biggest and most exciting decisions that you will need to make for your special day. After all everyone will have their eyes on the Bride!
Our spacious showroom provides a vast array of wedding, formal attire & accessories. No appointment is necessary although for a one-on-one private viewing an appointment can be arranged.
For wedding gowns, bridesmaid, after five dresses, jewellery, formal wear, millerary & accessories look no further than Under The Veil in Sarina.
Opening Hours
Monday: 9am-5pm
Tuesday: 9am-5pm
Wednesday: 9am-5pm
Thursday: 9am-5pm
Friday: 9am-5pm
Saturday: 9am-2pm
Read More...


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Pharma R&D Today
Ideas and Insight supporting all stages of Drug Discovery & Development
Wearables in Clinical Trials: Many Benefits, and One Big Challenge
Posted on July 19th, 2017 by Tim Hoctor in Pharma R&D
The rapid development of wearable technology has the power to be a game-changer in many areas, including pharmaceutical R&D. Its most obvious use for pharma is in clinical trials, where recruiting is a frequent challenge, as is getting study participants to adhere to their therapeutic regime. (more…)
Medicine Non-adherence: Time for a Personalized Healthcare Approach?
Posted on December 19th, 2016 by Dr Andrew A. Parsons in Pharma R&D
It was interesting to note the article from Beth Snyder Bulik (1) that patient non-adherence to taking their prescribed medicines not only has a potential impact on their health and wellbeing, it also impacts the companies' and healthcare providers' bottom lines. (more…)
The Intersection of Pharma and Tech: Digital Pharma
Posted on October 19th, 2016 by Dr. Makarand Jawadekar, Ph.D in Pharma R&D
For years, the pharmaceutical or biopharma industry and the information technology (IT) sector seemed to be more or less separate entities. This has certainly changed in more recent times. (more…)
Is Pain a Gender Issue?
Posted on February 8th, 2016 by Joanna Aldred in Chemistry
How sensitive are you to pain? Many women feel that men are more sensitive to pain (or at least make more fuss about it). They often cite childbirth as one of the many reasons females are so much tougher than males. (more…)


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Follow us on twitter
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My mum gives a fuck about matching shoes (and shoes in general). Not because she is a vapid, consumerist btich, bt because having suffered with her big, flat feet and lack of shoes that catered to them, she loves buying shoes that fit and feel comfy and look good.
My mum gives a fuck about cooking. Not to impress man and society with her kitchen goddess skills, but because she enjoys it, and likes to eat.
I love reading The Vagenda because I consider myself to be a feminist, and I found this blog to be accurate and funny. But this time, I feel a bit insulted because this post implies that enjoying certain things is wrong because "society tells us to enjoy them". Maybe I missed the point of the post, but it reminds me of when a couple of guys I argued with told me to "go back to my cupcakes" because they knew I enjoyed baking. The fact that I chose to spend some of my time in the kitchen doesn't make me less of a feminist and doesn't mean that I am a fifties throwback. If anything, this reinforces the stereotype of a mindless house slave drone, when it couldn't be further from truth.
I didn't put myself across as succinctly as I would have liked, but I hope you guys understand where I am coming from
Dear TulipFields,
Don't be insulted. If we got insulted by what we read on the internet, we wouldn't have time to write this awesome blog. It's just one mum's view, in a world full of millions of mums, yeah? We love mums, hence this post. Just because your mum likes shoes and baking and some of our mum's don't, doesn't mean one or the other is better. Less of the MOMPETITION please.
But to me you are not just another Internet thing- to say that I like your blog very much would be a big understatement, which is why I wanted to explain how I feel about this post. I agree that your blog is awesome and deserves high praise
And there is no mompetition involved- my mum is the best to me, as yours is to you
Lots of love,
Tulip Fields
I also found the opening paragraph of this post mildly insulting, as it is not the mum's POV, but the authors, that cooking and shoe-loving mums are boring. 'Thank God.'
Love the post, what a great Mother's Day gift! but I think you missed the point of TulipField's complaint; it's no 'Mompetition' just a (justified) observation on a post with a bit of a superiority complex.
Keep up the good work, fight the good fight, and thanks to all our mother's who pointed us down the feminist path!
My Mum taught me how to swear like a trooper. And bake.


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As I write this, it's been 162 days since the Seattle Seahawks humiliated the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII.
It's been 189 days since Florida State rallied to beat Auburn in the BCS Championship Game in Pasadena.
The sheer length of time that's passed coupled with the fact that LeBron James finally made up his mind has got me jonesing big-time for some football.
Here are the five reasons I'm geeked for the 2014 season:
5. Fantasy Football – Wanna know one of the big reasons why football is a religion in the United States? Fantasy Football. According to the Fantasy Sports Trade Association, 33.5 million Americans participated in the game in 2012 — a number that will undoubtedly rise with each passing season.
I'm not one of those 33.5 million, however. I have soured on pro-based Fantasy Football, mostly due to the reaction of frustrated players who find it necessary to Twitter-bomb pro athletes to inform them that a 13-yard performance against the Chargers may jeopardize them winning the year-end windfall of $250.
But I do still play Fantasy Football — only it's in a Pac-12 league. Myself and five friends are heading into the sixth year of our league. With less teams and players, it's more challenging than NFL-based fantasy. We don't play for money. We play for pride and the coveted Van Raaphorst Trophy. And with players like Oregon's Marcus Mariota, UCLA's Brett Hundley, ASU's Taylor Kelly and Oregon State's Sean Mannion putting up ridiculous numbers each week, it's a lot of fun too.
But the best part, coming up with my ASU-centric team name. This year it's 'Bananas Foster' in honor of Sun Devil running back D.J. Foster. Here's hoping he goes bananas in his junior season!
4. Put up or shut up – The answer is: Everyone and their mother. The question is: Who has claimed that he is the best cover cornerback in the National Football League this offseason?
Richard Sherman, Patrick Peterson, Antonio Cromartie and Brandon Flowers have all made that boast since the 2013 campaign ended. I'm sure a few others believe they are, as well.
My pick right now is Sherman, but I can't wait to see how offensive coordinators will attack the boisterous All-Pro this season. I'm no fan of San Francisco's Michael Crabtree, but I'd love to see him go off for about 13 catches and 200 yards when the Niners meet the Seahawks in Week 13.
And I'm curious to see how Peterson continues his upward trend. With a stud like Cromartie playing the other side, this might be the season the über-talented Peterson stakes his claim as the best cornerback in the league.
3. Postseason progress – Ding-dong the witch is dead! After serving as an unsightly blemish on the face of college football for 16 years, the pus-filled zit that is the Bowl Championship Series has been removed!
The College Football Playoff makes its debut in January and while its still not a perfect solution, it will pit four teams in a mini-tournament to determine the sport's national champion.
Personally, I'd much rather see an 8- or 16-team playoff to crown the top dog, but slow progress is still progress, right?
2. No more 'Johnny Offseason' – The man's name is Johnny Football, damn it. Well, you know what I mean. Johnny Manziel is arguably the most famous and most polarizing player ever to come into the league, but the offseason has been nothing but off-field scrutiny for the former Heisman winner. Seriously, I've had on-air discussions about his pool party habits, his group photo with Justin Bieber and Floyd Mayweather, his use of a stack of dollar bills as a prop, his being photographed apparently rolling a $20 bill and whether or not his toned-down appearance at Fenway Park was 'orchestrated.'
It's exhausting. I just want to find out if Manziel can play a lick at the next level. Now, if he can only beat out Brian Hoyer for the starting job in Cleveland…
1. Local optimism – The Arizona Cardinals and Arizona State Sun Devils have shared the Valley's football landscape for 26 years. Both teams experienced success in 2013. The Cardinals won 10 games and narrowly missed the playoffs and the Devils won 10 games and the Pac-12 South title. Believe it or not, it's the first time both squads are coming off winning seasons.
Improving on their 2013 campaigns will be a challenge for both teams. The Cardinals will be without linebackers Karlos Dansby, who signed with Cleveland in free agency, and Daryl Washington, who was slapped with a yearlong drug suspension. And, yes, they still play in the rugged NFC West. And the Sun Devils are looking to replace nine defensive starters.
But under the tutelage of head coaches Bruce Arians and Todd Graham, both teams have their fan bases jacked for the future.


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S and I were looking for the right way to say goodbye to NYC.
How do you say goodbye to your first home together? New York was the place we got engaged, forged our careers, lived our first years as newlyweds... It wasn't going to be easy, but leave it to him to surprise me with the perfect way to say "so long."
I'd always wanted to go sailing so you can imagine how thrilled I was when S surprised me with tickets for a Sunday afternoon sail down the Hudson River and into New York Harbor.
We boarded this giant sailboat while I fought the nerdy urge to put on a life vest.
Next, we were out to sea! The sails went up. The wind blew. The sea was rough that day, my friends (not really at all).
Our trusty crew consisted of a friendly band of bearded hipsters who not only worked the ship, but also tended to your beverage requests. Water, soda, juice? Nah. Wine, champagne and beer? That's more like it.
All beverages were included in your ticket price. They were also unlimited. Pork Slap Pale Ale anyone?
The boat made its way along the West Side down to the Financial District...
before getting up close and personal with Lady Liberty.
Here's a video of our boat sailing away from the Statue of Liberty.
So long, Big Apple. We'll love you forever.


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Mormonnewsroom.org pulls stories from the international Newsroom websites to show what leaders and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints around the world are doing to better the communities in which they live.
Kenya: Mormons and Catholics Partner to Help HIV Orphans
Children in Mombasa, Kenya, suffering from the HIV virus are receiving help from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The children are being fed ATMIT, a nutritional porridge developed at Brigham Young University and donated by the Church as a way to help those who are malnourished. Local Latter-day Saints and missionaries toured the Mikindani Catholic Church Youth Training Centre in Mombasa and visited with the children. Approximately 650 local children are assisted at the center.
Read on the Kenya Mormon Newsroom website how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Catholic Church are working together to help the children.
Venezuela: Mormons Donate Hair for Cancer Patients
More than 50 Latter-day Saint women and girls in Ciudad Guayana, Venezuela, each donated approximately 20 inches of their hair to help cancer patients who have lost their hair from chemotherapy.
The hair will be manufactured into wigs for the cancer patients.
Go to the Venezuela Mormon Newsroom website for more information on how the local Mormons became involved in the project.
Canada: Record-Setting Food Drive
Mormons in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, set a record for collecting food for the annual Winnipeg Harvest, a community-based food distribution and training center.
Corporate contributions and volunteers helped collect more than 100,000 pounds of food.
Local Latter-day Saint Wayne Drozdowski organized the event and said he considers volunteering an "exchange" rather than a "service." "We must consider that most people find themselves in need at some point in their lives. So today I may be the person with the ability to help, but tomorrow I may be the recipient of someone else's volunteer effort."
Go to the Canada Mormon Newsroom website to see the impact this food drive will have.
Costa Rica: Young Latter-day Saints Help Remove Dengue Breeding Grounds
Mormon Helping Hands volunteers in Costa Rica are helping to stop the spread of Dengue fever, a disease that comes from several species of mosquitos.
Latter-day Saint youth have been helping to move vehicle tires to storage areas so they don't end up being discarded and becoming homes for mosquitos, adding to the recent outbreak.
Read on the Costa Rica Mormon Newsroom website why these young Latter-day Saints chose to help in the project.
Nicaragua: Mormons Provide Service in Nicaraguan Hospital
The Nicaraguan German Hospital, located in the city of Managua, has been the focus of service for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Their work involved cleaning, repairing furniture and servicing air conditioners to improve conditions for the hospital patients.
Learn from the Nicaragua Mormon Newsroom website why these Latter-day Saints helped.
Peru: Mormon Helping Hands Ready School for Students
Mormons put on their yellow Helping Hands vests and painted and cleaned the Elizabeth Chimpu Occlo School in San Martin de Porres, Peru.
More than 500 hours of service were provided by the volunteers to prepare the school for when students arrive.
Go to the Peru Mormon Newsroom website for the school director's reaction to the Mormon Helping Hands' service.


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Since we're gin people, we're making classic cocktails (and riffing off them) with Tanqueray No. TEN. Today: Sparkling gin drinks meet all your festive cocktail needs.
Classic cocktails are classics for a reason: They're dang near perfect. Their ratios are reliable and drinkableness undeniable. Classic cocktails are like your favorite shoes that match everything, even that weird Paisley shirt your mom got you last year that, now, you're obligated to wear in her presence.
But even classics benefit from a little "oomph." Because if gin cocktails are great, sparkling gin cocktails can be better—and more jovial. Watch above as Rachel Ford, National Brand Ambassador for Tanqueray, shows us how to add a little bubbly to three classic drinks: The French 75, Bee's Knees, and Southside. "Adding bubbles does something to the flavor of a cocktail," Ford explains. "It drys out the sweetness." Make no mistake, though: Not-so-sweet is plenty sweet indeed.
Video by Vacation
We've partnered with Tanqueray No. TEN to bring classic cocktails (and new interpretations of them) to your home bar. Please enjoy responsibly.
See what other Food52 readers are saying.