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Késako, a workshop with the school Victor-Doré?
I am Stéphanie Akré, president and cofounder of the NGO Ludociels for All. Our mission is to create educational and accessible video games for people in social exclusion. On November 17th, 2014, during the event 'Je vois Montréal' (I see Montréal), I committed myself to the name of Ludociels for All to encourage educational perseverance for handicapped youth (from 16 to 35 years old).
We furthered our goals when we partnered with the Recreational Community Centre in Côte-des-Neiges and the Neuronix Workshops, This happened thanks to a workshop centering around the creation of video games targeted at youth (16 to 35 years of age) who may live in isolating situations (they may not necessarily have any handicap, but are isolated from society by being unemployed, a new immigrant who doesn't speak much French, etc…). From this workshop, we have launched a new game, 'Blue Mountain', thanks to the help of the Intercultural Library of Côte-des-Neiges. Thomas Gaudy, our animator/ergonomist/creator of video games, has decided, thanks to his wonderful experience at this workshop, to continue the adventure by organizing another workshop with the school, Victor-Doré.
I'll explain what Victor-Doré is about in a few short sentences for those of you who don't know them. It's a specialized establishment for children from 4 to 13 years of age who show mobility deficiencies or organic disorders that may be associated with other deficiencies. The school celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2012 and can hold up to 190 students who all have at their disposal a multidisciplinary team of teachers, professionals, support staff and rehabilitation staff from the Marie Child Rehabilitation Centre. If you would like to learn more, check out their website: http://victor-dore.csdm.ca/
We returned two weeks later to Marie's class. It was 10:30am when we arrived at the school. As Jean-Paul Eid drew so well in his comic (http://victor-dore.csdm.ca/ecole/victor-dore-en-b-d/), 'The School of Invisible Children', is silent on the outside, but as soon as we entered the school and Marie brought us to her class, we started to hear the children. Some took part in their gym classes, others ran down the halls to join their class or towards different activities. We heard their laughing and exclamations mixed with the voices of the professionals in charge of their education, rehabilitation and well-being.
What struck Thomas in this school was the size of the hallways, the classrooms, the gymnasium… everything was built with wheelchairs and mobility devices in mind in order to allow the children to move about easily. Everything there is adapted to be accessible! Words that echo our mission at Ludociels for All.
Then, we met "them". Those for whom we created this workshop, the children. That morning, there were three present: a boy and two girls. They were coming back from the bathroom, two of them walked most of the morning, the third came back from a session with the physiotherapist.
The morning started with the 'hellos'. Marie introduced us and each child, one after the other, listened to the hello song "Bonjour mes amis, bonjour, bonjour, mes amis bonjour…" (Hello my friends, hello, hello, my friends hello…) by pressing on a big yellow button and then chose to whom they wanted to say hello by pressing on a representative picture of their classmates. Words, actions, gestures, signs, and looks accompanied each of the interactions between the teacher and her students.
The morning was followed by watering the plants for father's day, which was fast approaching. After looking at the pictogram that represented a watering can, the children used their buttons to grab the watering can and watched the water pour out. None of the children could talk, but they smiled, exclaimed, laughed, gestured, onomatopoeias, sounds, facial expressions, etc… It's like being a witness to a new language, and yet, they must also learn how to communicate and make themselves understood.
Then it was story time. Projected on a big screen like at the movies, were images accompanied by phrases and pictograms. Each section of the story is expressed by each child. Marie would read them a phrase and would show them the pictogram that corresponded to it, and the children would touch it, look at it, and talk about their experience. "Lola, the little bear collected flowers when she is on vacation", "look at the flower", "look at the pictogram with your eyes, touch it with your fingers, but don't scrunch it else you won't see it anymore, don't put it in your mouth, it's not one of your toys", "Do you smell how nicely flowers smell? Do you have it in your hand?", etc…
Finally, mealtime arrived too quickly. Yvette brought one of the young students their food a bit earlier to encourage them to eat. We bade the students and Marie good-bye, but we will see them again when they return back to school in September 2015 to experiment with them the games that we are creating for them. Thanks to that morning, full of emotion, we learned quite a lot, which will permit Thomas, our ergonomist and creator of video games to produce a custom-made game.
To be continued…
Stéphanie Akré.
Translation (french to english): Catherine Claus.
Note: all of the names of the staff at the school were changed out of respect and confidentiality.
Késako, a workshop on video game creation?
All of our workshops are partnered with local organizations that welcome public youth (like community centers, tutoring learning centers, schools and organizations that are open to those with handicaps…). We would like to enhance the exceptional work these social organizations do as there aren't many people who actively participate in being resourceful and aiding this youth to grow. Our workshops essentially focuses on youth from 12 to 35 years of age as school dropouts or handicapped. The goal of our workshops is to heighten the awareness of the participating youth to jobs in the video game industry and to the competencies required to create a video game:
- On one side, we use video games as a motivation for students to stay in school: "I can see how the knowledge I learned in class can be applied to creating video games. I'm going to find a way to develop my technological skills and knowledge."
- On the other side, passive consumers will, after a workshop on the process of creating these games, become more and more interactive by participating together in the creation of a collective piece.
Our game creation workshops have a process that is explained over the course of five three-hour sessions.
First session: our animator, Thomas Gaudy, will present the different professions in the video game field and the general creation process. He explains the limits within the workshop to the participants. Finally, after a discussion, he collects some ideas from the participants to potentially use in a game.
Workshop at the Recreational Community Centre in Côte-des-Neiges (fall 2014, Montréal)
Second Session: The participants proceed to building various levels of the game and define the characters and their interactions. This stage is completed by hand sketches on paper.
Third Session: The participants create the first visuals of the game on the computer. They modify the design of the levels on the computer and record the sounds that will be integrated in the game. They must be inventive to create the sounds in their game: for example, the sound of a bird flying was created thanks to a recording of a piece of paper to which our aspiring sound designers added special sound effects! Or else, when the avatar climbs, the sound was obtained by rubbing two glasses against the table… These sounds were created for "Blue Mountain", a game created at a workshop in partner with the Recreational Community Centre of Côte-des-Neiges, in Montréal.
Fourth Session: In addition to continuing their work on the designs and sounds of the game, the participating youth proceed to adjusting the levels in the game.
Fifth Session: This is a particularly important stage to make the game fun to play and a proud achievement to present to friends, family and the public at large: the research of bugs! Then our creator, Thomas Gaudy, helps the youth to correct the last issues in the game.
The work on the programming vision process was accomplished by our internal programmer, Thomas Gaudy. The amount of time put into programming a game equals about a hundred hours of work, hot chocolate (with base of almond milk), overtime hours to the wee hours of the night, from the cries of frustration to joy when the bugs and problems are finally resolved!!! In a nutshell, all of the MAGIC behind the creation of a video game ;).
Once the game is finished, the participants are invited to try it out during a social event. Snack at hand, they can discuss their experience and try their first run-through of the game. The students also present their game to the organization that permitted them to have this experience while explaining (in their words) the stages of game creation and enjoying the happiness they see in those who play their game.
Event organized at the Recreational Community Centre of Côte-des-Neiges once the game was finished (Fall 2014, Montréal)
Then it's finally time to value the designed piece of work. The game is presented in exhibitions to the public at large. We choose places that are as varied as the museums: Packman Exhibition 2008 at the musée des Arts et métiers (Museum of Arts and Trades) in Paris for the game "The Search for Prisoners" or at the Cité des sciences et des métiers de l'industrie (the Science and Industrial Careers Project) in Paris for the game "Blind Zombies World Saga" in 2014, or in libraries and cultural centres.
Keep an eye and ear out for our upcoming events: Montréal Digital Spring and the Eurêka Festival at the Montréal Science Centre for the game "Blue Mountain". Stay in-tuned to our infoletter or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
Stéphanie Akré.
Translation (french to english): Catherine Claus.
Késako, an accessible technology?
Two recent events inspired me to write this article. First off, this past December 3rd was the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (a fixed date since 1992, created by the United Nations). This year, the theme was "Sustainable Development: The Promise of Technology". Then there was this wonderful news in accessible media: AMI (Accessible Media Inc) will start a French TV station, AMI-télé, specialized for persons with disabilities starting on December 16th!
I think these are two good examples on the growing field of accessible technologies available to persons with disabilities.
For those with autism, certain technologies will permit them to express new ways to communicate their wants and needs. Or else, with the development of mobile technology (tablets, smart phones, etc), those with an intellectual disability have become more able to live autonomously, take part in the work force, or to travel autonomously in the community, etc.
We can even refer to the prototypes of smart vehicles that was presented a few weeks ago that offer new ways for the blind to travel.
Despite these awesome initiatives in technologies that increase the possibilities of persons with disabilities' social participation, there is still a lot we can do to make them more reachable.
The major impediment persons with disabilities face in regards to accessible technology is the cost associated with keeping software up to date with rapid technological growth. Even though these tools can have an important impact on improving their quality of life, many do not have the budget required to access the technology they need.
Something as simple as a building without ramps can prohibit those with limited mobility, the absence of touchscreens or alternative mouse devices limit access to public computers for those with motor disabilities.
Even though the technological evolution has made more and more multimedia information available to the masses, few developers create technology for those with disabilities in mind.
This means that writing becomes a privilege, as the principal mode of communication (websites, emails, social networks, etc) or not realize the standards for web accessibility (using good contrasts such as black on white or white on black, font size, displaying fewer pictures, simplifying menu structures, etc) during the conception of websites. Furthermore, I invite you to comment on how we're doing so we can further increase the accessibility of our website. You can write to us at: email@example.com or call us at (514)508-5694.
You can visit the very accessible site, AMI (English only), to learn more about the types of accessibilities. Accessible Media Inc. is a non-profit multimedia company, based out of Montréal, that propose broadcasting services such as AMI-tv and AMI-audio (both in English). These medias are available to more than five million people who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, hard of hearing, reduced mobility or incapable of reading printed text. The organization took part of the development of a new French TV station, AMI-télé, accessible December 16th for persons with disabilities. There is a French website www.AMItélé.ca that is still under construction.
What will make this station stand out from others is that this station will have a complete and clear video description, meaning that there will be a narrative description integrated into each of their programs. AMI-télé will offer general programs like TV series, movies, children's shows, and public affairs. In the spring of next year, original programs will be offered. The CRTC (Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission) agreed on requiring the distribution of AMI-télé (for their exceptional contribution in achieving the Canadian broadcasting laws' objectives) as a part of cable and satellite companies' basic offered services to their subscribers. The leaders at AMI-télé are Mr. David Errington, president and head of the Accessibility Media Management and Mr. Philippe Lapointe, vice president of AMI-télé's scheduled programming and production. Additionally, to quote Mr. Lapointe: "For people with low or no visual capacity, television is an essential informational tool and a privileged source of entertainment. In this sense, AMI-Télé becomes an important way for them to be included, for them and their family."
Finally, it takes very little to commit to the route of accessibility: conscienciously including people with handicaps in new technologies and slowly change the way we think to encourage the adaption of the possibilities of universal accessibility. It's the duty of each and every one of us.
Stéphanie Akré.
Translation (french to english): Catherine Claus.
Sources: Informational bulletin from RAAMM
Article by Marie-Josée Roy, published in 2014, November 27th, in the Huffington Post, Québec
Article by Dany Lussier-Desrochers and Martin Caouette, published in 2014, December 3rd on the debates page of the Presse (professors in Psycho-Education at the University of Québec at Trois-Rivières, respectively, the General Director and the Director of Knowledge Transfer from the Sharing Centre of Expertise in Technological Intervention.
Késako, bartering and trading?
I participated in an activity organized by SOCENV (la société environmentale de Côte-des-Neiges; the environmental society of Côte-des-Neiges) for a bartering trade event (without a monetary exchange). It just so happened that the day fell on infamous "Black Friday"… What better way to start downsizing, the willful simplicity and sustainable community initiatives fighting against isolation and poverty.
Personally, I'd like to share my "rule of the year": if I don't use an object for over a year, I must decide what to do with it, while trying to apply another rule dear to me, "the three R's": Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. With these rules in mind, I collected jewelry that I no longer wear, old hats and scarves, two or three thrillers that I've read and no longer wanted to keep on my bookshelf and left to go to SOCENV's meeting.
The activity was expected to last the afternoon. I was able to trade my jewelry and winter clothing for a book, two pairs of new socks, a bike's breaks, a bag that can be attached to the back of a bike and two front and back reflectors to increase bike ride safety. We can never be too prudent when riding a bike in Montréal!
It was a new experience to barter with people with whom I wanted to make exchanges. In the end, it went quite well, we decided to count up an approximate value of our objects and we proceeded with the transaction. I had a lot of fun and at the same time happy to leave with new and useful things and to offer a new life to my things rather than throwing them out!
Over the course of the afternoon, Charles Mercier, the director of SOCENV presented an excellent presentation on the Québec Accorderies Network (réseau d'accorderies au Québec).
This wasn't the first time that I heard of a services exchange system between people who do not exchange money, but I was seduced by this particular initiative! Since 2002, there exists in Québec about a dozen such accorderie networks. They are based on a service exchange system between people and promotes cooperation.
There are three in the Montréal region: Northern Montréal, Mercier-Hochelaga-M. and Longueil. It is advised to participate in an info meeting to fully understand how it works and to be ready to fully jump into it. As a matter of fact, the system functions on sharing, mutual aid and trust!
The cherry on top of it all, this accorderie system is also available in France! I love the internet when it acts as a bridge between two willful spirits aimed at the same goal: leaving the sterile consumption system to become "Consum'actors-consum'actresses".
I encourage you to check out Québec Accorderies and Accorderies of France's website. Who knows? Maybe you will have the desire to start your own accorderie in your own region…
Thanks again to SOCENV for proposing recreational and educational activities!!
Stéphanie Akré.
Translation (french to english): Catherine Claus.
Késako, an accessible educational video game?
The concept of "Accessible Educational Video Games" needs to be clarified. You are going to be familiar with this vocabulary soon enough… Let us guide you…
By "game" we mean the implementation of a cognitive activity or of a stimulating and pleasing instruction.
By "video game" we mean the support of the game more than its appearance.
A video game is a game that requires activities of computer science to support the digital medium (CD, DVD or downloadable since the development of the internet). The term "video" is used in reference to a visual aspect, a predominant factor in this type of medium. It is more convenient to talk about "digital games" since, for example, games for the blind are based on sounds.
By "Educational Video Games", we are connecting educational activities with a digital medium. Recent research (see notes on the bottom of the page) discusses the effectiveness of the process of learning the game and the students' happiness and contentment. In contrast to recreational video games, whose goals are basically to entertain targeted players, educational video games' goals are for the players to acquire knowledge in a fun way.
The centre de ressources et d'information sur le multimédia pour l'enseignement supérieur (Resource and Information Centre on Multimedia for Higher Education) (CERIMES, France) has dedicated a part of their activities to the research on educational video games or "Serious Games". For more information, visit www.jeux-serieux.fr (in French only).
By "accessible educational video games", we envision the availability of digital educational resources for a public that is often left out, due to particular problems, such as diverse handicaps or for those in unfavorable social-economic situations.
More specifically:
- people with a visual handicap cannot play most video games due to the inability to perceive messages communicated visually.
- many people with a motor handicap cannot play video games due to the complexity of use or the large number of commands required.
The media uses "Accessible" when they overcome these limitations in a satisfying way.
- Educational digital games for those with visual deficiencies are often tactile or sound games.
- Games for those with a hearing deficiency often resort to subtitles or to highlighting particular visual landmarks.
- Accessible games for those with a motor handicap generally greatly reduce the number of command buttons.
- For those with a cognitive handicap, accessible games offer a progression of level difficulties that are more adapt to an ease of learning.
Ludociels for all's objective is to cognitively and intellectually stimulate people with a physical or cognitive handicap through digital products (games) to be useful and beneficial for them.
Stéphanie Akré.
Translation (french to english): Catherine Claus.
To learn more about visual handicaps, to better understand the manner of adapting video games for the blind public, you can consult the book titled, "Conception de jeux vidéo sonores accessibles aux personnes aveugles" (Accessible Sound Video Game Conception for the Blind) by Thomas Gaudy, co-founder of Ludociels for all.
In particular, check out:
- The book "Serious Games: Mechanisms and Effects" by Ute Ritterfeld, Michael Cody and Peter Vorderer; Routledge, 2010. http://bit.ly/1nyfbtv
- The following literary review: "A Systematic Literature Review of Empirical Evidence on Computer Games and Serious Games" by Thomas M. Connollya, Elizabeth A. Boylea, Ewan MacArthura, Thomas Haineya, James M. Boyleb; University of the West of Scotland and University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, 2012. http://bit.ly/1ARctHT
Ludociels for All Toolbox… Késako?
If you have any questions about who we are, what we do, ways to help, the Ludociels for All Toolbox tempts to answer all of your questions while bringing you information that could interest you on our activities.
Here is a list of examples that we answer in our publications:
…Késako an educational and accessible video game?
Késako a Social Economic Organization?
Késako a "Ludociel"?
Késako a workshop on creating educational and accessible games?
Késako an ergonomic video game?…
Besides, what does Késako mean?
Mainly used in France and Belgium, this expression is used as a joke to ask or to announce an explanation for terminology that seems difficult.
You can send us questions in regards to our cause and our themes and we will try to respond to them on this platform. Come check out our site! Don't hesitate to let us know about your impressions. Contact us.
It's been a pleasure!
Stéphanie Akré.
Translation (french to english): Catherine Claus.
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Crossmen Announce 2013 Percussion Caption Head
Crossmen Program Coordinator, Ed Devlin, is proud to announce the addition of Tim Greene as the new percussion caption head for the Crossmen. "Tim and I have worked together in the past and I know he will be a quality addition to the Crossmen team, announced Mr. Devlin, "It is not often that someone of Tim's caliber becomes available. He is a great guy that will fit in with our members, design team, instructional staff and administration." Tim's bio demonstrates his experience and love of the activity and teaching in general.
Read the rest of the article here.
Posted by News Editor on Friday, September 21st, 2012. Filed under Current News, DCI World.

subset: commoncrawl


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- Request that all guests who plan on drinking come and go with a designated driver
- Ensure that all designated drivers have the car keys of those they are driving
- Make sure the designated driver does not get blocked in by other cars
- Stock up on party supplies so no one has to make a mid-party beer/liquor run
- Keep guests from serving themselves by hiring a professional or designating a trusted friend
- Avoid too many salty snack options, which will cause your guests to drink more
- Consider using snacks that are high in water, like watermelon and vegetable plates
- Make water readily available for your guests
- Stop serving alcoholic beverages at least one hour before you expect anyone to leave the party
- Get numbers for taxi companies or designated driver services
- Consider inviting guests who cannot drive to stay overnight
How to Keep Party Guests Safe
July 4th was a great time for pool parties, fireworks and BBQs, but almost any weekend in the summer sees many parties and gatherings of friends and family. These events require party hosts to think about personal safety of their guests. It is important that everyone stays safe. If you are hosting the party, it should be your priority to ensure your guests have a great time but are also able to get home safely. There are several ways you can do this:


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On Saturday, November 7, Congressman Mong Palatino will speak about: - the role of Filipino youth in the Philippine struggle for liberation and democracy - from the Katipunan to the present. - the Filipino youth and student movement today. - what it means for Filipino to have a representative in Congress.
Saturday, 07 November 2009
13:00 - 17:00
Father Madden Hall (in Carr Hall), St. Michael's College, University of Toronto
100 St. Joseph Street
*Click here for Facebook event*
Be prepared to participate in a discussion of what our role as Filipino youth in Canada is. Socials to follow after the forum.
* * * KAMALAYAN is a series of events for Filipino youth, running from Fall 2009-Spring 2010, focusing on Philippine history, politics and issues in the Filipino Canadian communiy. Kamalayan is a Tagalog word meaning "consciousness".
Kamalayan Organizing Committee: Migrante Ontario – Youth <http://migranteontarioyouth.wordpress.com> Kapisanan Philippine Centre for Arts and Culture <http://kapisanan.wordpress.com> Filipino Students' Association of Toronto <http://fsat.sa.utoronto.ca/> Filipino Canadian Association of Ryerson <http://stw.ryerson.ca/~fcar/index.htm>
Raymond "Mong" Palatino, 29 years old, represents the Kabataan (Youth) Party in the 14th Congress of the Philippines. He was chair of the University Student Council of the University of the Philippines Diliman in 2000 and president of the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP), the largest alliance of tertiary student councils nationwide from 2001 to 2003. http://mongpalatino.com/


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Join Real Ale and Stone Brewing as they celebrate 20 years of craft beer together. Both breweries are proud to have helped pioneer the craft movement and are excited to share an afternoon of limited release, seasonal, and year round beers. Also up for grabs with be a American hopped Hans' collaboration cask filled in Blanco.
Custom Real Ale/Stone Collaboration Hans Firkin with Centennial, Cascade, and Loral hops
Real Ale 19th Anniversary Baltic Porter
Real Ale 20th Anniversary Imperial Rye IPA
Real Ale 20th Anniversary Mysterium Verum Rye
Stone 20th Anniversary Citracado Imperial IPA
Stone Xocoveza
Stone Vertical 02.02.02 Belgian Strong Ale (First of the series)
We'll be offering both flights and full pours of each beer and throwing down on both of these breweries' 20th birthday parties in true 20 year old fashion of tapping the featured keg of the night.
There will be a million balloons and a pinata filled with swag - cupcakes TBD


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On Thursday 3 July and Friday 4 July 2003 the Department of Chemical Engineering held Open Days for sixth formers and pre-sixth form. This was an opportunity find out what Chemical Engineering is, to discover what Chemical Engineers do, to see the teaching and research facilities, to meet some of the staff and to get details on the course at Cambridge University.
The days were very well attended and the photograph shows one of the tours of the department which were on the hour every hour.


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Wednesday, May 21, 2008
My eyes! My eyes are melting!
I first needed spectacles in my late 20s and my eyes have continued to deteriorate. Four years ago, I found out that I also needed reading glasses. You may recall I had a whinge about this last month in this post. And things have just gone from bad to worse ever since. So I thought, "To Heck with it ... I'm getting myself lasered!"
As I understand it, I'll need to rest them for a day or so. Some people have told me that they suffered no ill effects at all and were back to normal (and 20/20 vision) almost immediately. Others have said that it took a few days for their eyes to start working properly. So we'll see how it goes.
John Soanes has written an excellent account of his laser treatment here. Its title is one of the best puns I've seen in a while.
And coming up on the near horizon ... the Studio Space book signing at Forbidden Planet in London ... a holiday in Lanzarote ... a trip to San Diego with Murphy (the best undiscovered comic artist I know) ... and more of the same blather.
See you all soon (and more clearly)!
10 comments:
- potdoll said...
good luck. my friend had it done a few years back. the morning after she awoke and was feeling around the bedside cabinet for her specs but then realised she could see and that she didn't need them. she's been super happy ever since. she swears her eye sockets are bigger too...
- May 21, 2008 11:08 pm
- Stevyn Colgan said...
Thanks Potdoll!
'Her eye sockets are bigger too ...?' That's just freakish!
- May 21, 2008 11:12 pm
- potdoll said...
so she says but like me she suffers from Exaggeration Tendency so who knows if it's true.
- May 21, 2008 11:19 pm
- potdoll said...
actually i don't mean the sockets, i mean there is more space between the upper and lower lids so you see more of the eye.
if that makes sense..
- May 21, 2008 11:20 pm
- Blog Princess G said...
Arrrr, are me eyes deceivin' me or be it an all-new bionic Steve? Arrrrrr.... You'll be fine, dreade pirate Steve!
- May 22, 2008 12:22 am
- Lavinia Ladyslipper said...
Best of luck on the procedure. I am way too chicken to ever let anyone near my eyes. Here's hoping that you never need to wear specs again.
I am off to hunt for some crazy glue; as my glasses are broken (again). The tape between the lenses just isn't cutting it anymore.
Good luck and a pleasant recuperation.
- May 22, 2008 1:29 am
- Stevyn Colgan said...
Thanks all! I'll let you know how it went!
- May 22, 2008 5:55 am
- joelmead said...
Best of luck, mate. I'll be thinking of you…
- May 22, 2008 7:50 am
- Jon M said...
Good luck Stevyn, Haven't the courage to get it done meself! Enjoy the holiday and signings and everythiong else! :-)
- May 22, 2008 9:28 am
- Stevyn Colgan said...
Wail! Sob! See the next post!
- May 22, 2008 12:01 pm


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See the bigger picture and communicate in a whole new way. With the Galaxy Note8 in your hand, bigger things are just waiting to happen.
The Infinity Display that's larger than life
More screen means more space to do great things. Go big with the Galaxy Note8's 6.3" screen. It's the largest ever screen on a Note device and it still fits easily in your hand.
*Infinity Display: a near bezel-less, full-frontal glass, edge-to-edge screen.
*Measured diagonally, the screen size is 6.3" in the full rectangle and 6.2" with accounting for the rounded corners.
Use the left and right arrow keys to make the product turn 360 degrees.
S Pen
The S Pen. A whole new way to communicate.
Use the S Pen to express yourself in ways that make a difference. Draw your own emojis to show how you feel or write a message on a photo and send it as a handwritten note. Do things that matter with the S Pen.
*Image simulated for illustration purpose only.
Photos, clear and steady even in low light
Get crisp photos even when it's dark and it's difficult to keep your phone steady. The Galaxy Note8's dual camera has a wide-angle camera that comes with the great low-light capabilities that you've come to expect from Galaxy phones. The dual camera supports 2x optical zoom so you get sharp photos or videos even from a distance, and both cameras have optical image stabilisation so you get steady shots even when zoomed in.
*Dual Pixel Sensor and F1.7 lens only on the wide-angle camera.
*Image taken with Galaxy Note8.
Do more with the high-performing phone
Whether you're downloading games or multitasking, it's fast and seamless on the Galaxy Note8 because the high-performing 10nm mobile processor and 6GB RAM make things run smoothly. Plus, with wireless charging, power is on your side.
*Wireless charger sold separately.
Connect to a bigger world with Phone+
The Galaxy Note8 is your portal to a new world when connected to this range of devices and interfaces. It's a world where boundaries are pushed and barriers broken so you can see more, share more, and do a whole lot more—effortlessly.
*DeX Station, Gear VR with controller, and Gear 360 sold separately. Some Bixby features may not be available depending on country, region, or language.
Smart Switch
Switching to a phone designed for you. Smart.
Making the move can be a big step, but it doesn't have to be a hassle. Smart Switch makes it incredibly simple to move important stuff from your old phone to your new Galaxy Note8. With your contacts, settings, messages, and photos right where you need them, you can simply pick up where you left off.
*Availability of services may vary by device. USB connector is included in the box.Go to Smart Switch
Accessories made for people who choose Galaxy Note8
Choose from a carefully selected range of products that are designed to enhance the way you use your Galaxy Note8.
*Accessories sold separately.
Galaxy Virtual Studio
Get a virtually hands-on experienceGo to Galaxy Virtual Studio
Go beyond fitness
Redefine your lifestyle with the latest range of Wearables. Built to be compatible with your smartphone, they are designed to help you achieve fitness goals with innovative features that make it easy to stay on track.
Whether you're looking for a personal fitness coach, a professional tracker to go under water, or a cord-free music experience to go seamlessly with your workouts, you can find the perfect Wearable to suit your needs.
Indulge in premium privileges with Galaxy Note8
Pre-installed Samsung Members App in your Galaxy Note 8 is your window to premium lifestyle privileges. Activate the app to enjoy the exclusive rewards from Marriott and Cleartrip. You can also use your Galaxy VIP card attached with the device to enjoy rewards from Marriott.Learn More
Samsung Pay
Simple, Secure,
Works anywhere
The easier, faster and secure way to pay. It works almost anywhere you can swipe or tap your card. So you enjoy all the convenience you need.LEARN MORE
* Samsung Pay is available with participating payment networks, banks and merchants and it only compatible with selected cards and Samsung Devices. Some post terminals may require updates to work with Samsung Pay. See the FAQ for further restrictions.


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Filed under: Just whatever
What the hell are you still doing over here? Everybody else left long ago… It's true. This blog is no more.
But hey, on the bright side, you can find the lovely blogger Mindy over at Behind the Byline now. So scoot on over there asap. I'm serious. Get your ass in gear and go read what awesomeness she's been spewing lately.
Filed under: Uncategorized
Just a friendly reminder that I moved… You can now find me at Behind the Byline. So mosey on over. Now. Like, right now. Immediately.
Seriously, what are you waiting for!?
Filed under: Yet another girl in the blogosphere
After two months of anticipation – on my end anyway – the time has come to finally debut my new blog. That's right, "A MinD in MoTown" will be no more as we give way to …
With some MAJOR help from LiLu*, "Behind the Byline" was born on Memorial Day and I'm 110% ready to transition onto my own domain! So change your subscriptions – yes, all three of you, please follow me over! – and click the link above, and find out the whole story behind my latest bloggy adventure. =)
* Really, there was no way I could do it without her, so thank you immensely hun!
Filed under: Yet another girl in the blogosphere
Within a week – I hope – "A MinD in MoTown" will be no more. After more than two years here*, it's time to call it quits and move up into the big leagues.
That's right, my own domain.
And with that domain comes a fresh look at yours truly. Will I be staying the course, sticking to my over-opinionated blog rantings and the constant sharing of interesting news items? Of course. But I'm also hoping that the new site provides readers with a bit more insight into the person behind the words. No, that doesn't mean I'll be sharing the details of my day-to-day life, but at least offering little tidbits here and there.
With that said, I'd love to know what those four of you who might regularly read would like to see. Is there something I could be doing better as a blogger? What kind of postings do you wish I'd write? Do I complain more than necessary? Ha. I would love for everyone to be honest – yes, I can take constructive criticism – and tell me what changes I could/should make as I dive into this latest project. After all, this blog-relocation probably provides me with the best time to do so.
Stay tuned in the coming days for more information about my new space on the Internets. As soon as it's ready to roll out, I'll be sure to let you know!
* And I just realized I never even celebrated my blogoversary nearly two months ago… Oops!
Filed under: Tuneage Tuesday
"I've got the gift of one-liners and you've got the curse of curves."
I adore this song! I was familiar with Cute Is What We Aim For, but when I found this particular tune via Pandora, I became an actual fan. Not only is the music very catchy and right in line with the genres I most love, but the lyrics are pretty sweet, too. I recommend checking it out and maybe take a moment to let me know what you think!
Filed under: Bullet points provide an easy way out, Getting my RANT on
If there's one thing I undoubtedly do best it's complain. That's right, I am an all-star when it comes to whining about anything and everything under the sun. And right now*, here's a lovely bullet-point list of what I'm finding most bothersome this moment:
- How many times do I have to mention how DISGUSTING it is to clip one's nails IN PUBLIC before change occurs? It's gross. And the LAST thing I want to hear in this newsroom as I'm typing away at an article is the clip, clip, clipping of each fingernail. Go to the damn bathroom or wait 'til you return home this evening. DO NOT flood my eardrums and my sanity ten times over as you make sure pinky-to-pinky is adequately smaller.
- I hate cell phone ringers. It's true, I do, and I'm pretty certain I've said this before. And when your phone rings repeatedly, I contemplate 1) killing you or 2) breaking your device into a million pieces. Perhaps you – yes, you in the otherwise-silent newsroom – should change it to silent asap. Just a thought.
- Tipping $3 on a $57 bill may seem like a wise decision to you – who doesn't like a nice round number in their checkbook? – but it's not exactly courteous to your super-awesome waitress who stayed after closing-time because of you, ran after you with the cell phone you left behind and then ran after you again because you forgot your child's sippy cup. $3 = unacceptable.
- Whoever invented "employee training" sucks. Watching crappy videos as a first-time hire is part of the gig, but must we reiterate these same concepts annually? Office ergonomics, I get it, I do. That doesn't mean I would like a yearly pop quiz about it.
- I'm quite annoyed by the way 96.1 The Beat's Next AM Mayhem Superstar contest (that I applied for) turned out. That, however, is a posting all in itself, so stay tuned for Part 4 of that saga.
- I loathe "weekend-update" blog posts. If you post one, it will be marked as read without a single glance from my direction. I'm sort of sorry. But hey, at least I'm honest.
- I recently bought a new phone via Sprint and canceled my Verizon service after some major discontent with that particular provider. Weeks later, yesterday, I come to discover that Verizon charges you through the end of your service cycle regardless of when in that cycle you depart. I may have canceled my plan on April 29, but I was billed through May 7. My words to the customer service rep, "So what you're saying is that if I join a few days before a new cycle begins, my plan is prorated and I pay for those days of usage. But if I cancel the plan, it's not prorated and I still have to pay through the end of the month?" She replies, "Yes. It says that in your contract." LAME SAUCE! These damn companies always find a way to get you in the end.
- Five minutes before leaving the apartment for work this morning, my boyfriend decides it's the opportune time to tell me his grandmother and mother will be coming by our place later in the day. I had little warning, and little opportunity to clean. Arriving late to work wasn't an option, so they were likely thrilled when the door opened to our humble pig sty abode today. Ugh. So glad I had ample time to prepare…
Now, why did this ranting have to occur? Well, you see, I can only take so much. Isn't that true for all of us? And sometimes I absolutely have to turn to this blog in the hopes of purging myself from everything I find incredibly irksome before I bust wide open with emotions I'd prefer my newsroom never witness. So thank you, my dear readers, for allowing me these few minutes of complaining at its finest. Time to finally take that much-needed deep breath. ::Insert breathing here:: Le sigh.
* This isn't scheduled to post 'til Monday morning (I don't like when others blog multiple times per day, so why would I force that upon my own readers?), but I'm writing it in the afternoon of Thursday, May 21, just so we're all aware.
Filed under: Ripped from the Headlines
Typically I attempt more light-hearted news under "Ripped from the Headlines," but we're veering in a different direction this time. Why? Well, a few articles I've recently stumbled upon almost require a closer look simply because of their nature. And what kind of journalist-blogger would I be if I wasn't the one to highlight these particular news items?
Nun at St. Joseph's Hospital (in Phoenix) rebuked over abortion to save woman
A Catholic nun and longtime administrator of St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix was reassigned in the wake of a decision to allow a pregnancy to be ended in order to save the life of a critically ill patient.
The decision also drew a sharp rebuke from Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted, head of the Phoenix Diocese, who indicated the woman was "automatically excommunicated" because of the action.
Upon reading this brief snipit, what do you immediately imagine? I see the nun being physically present at the woman's abortion and providing her consent. But that's not the case whatsoever. Rather, the nun acted on a hospital board and was one of several people whose opinions ultimately decided that the abortion was crucial toward saving the woman's life.
But does the Catholic Church have any leniency? None whatsoever. Despite hospital standards – I will note it was a Catholic hospital, so I understand the conflict, but still… – specifically stating that, in some cases, abortions can occur to save a mother, apparently this instance did not fulfill the requirements. Personally, I would assume "imminent death" to be a pretty good reason.
Would they prefer the woman died? Would any of those individuals truly have been happier had she passed away instead of the infant? I bet not, yet Catholic officials in Phoenix were optimistic rather than truthful, saying they hoped both would survive. Don't they recognize that maybe, just maybe, the mother's death would have come sooner than nine months and that baby would have died anyway? Sometimes faith isn't enough and medicine needs to intervene.
The article also doesn't note whether or not the other members of this hospital board were reprimanded, meaning it's both possible and plausible that the nun was the only one to receive such harsh punishment for her split-second decision. Excommunicated? I'm sorry, but even in Catholicism, that seems a bit extreme.
Second-grader asks Michelle Obama about new immigration law
During a visit to an elementary school in Langley Park, Maryland, to promote her anti-obesity campaign, first lady Michelle Obama faced a tough question from one second-grader.
"My mom said that Barack Obama is taking everybody away that doesn't have papers," the second-grader said when Obama called on her.
Quite an insightful second-grader, huh? I rarely delve into political topics – other than gay marriage, obviously – on my blog because I tend to feel as if my knowledge about such subjects isn't enough to provide a thorough comment. However, in this case, I'm willing to make an exception.
The full scope of these new immigration laws may elude me, but I know the basics and I know that government officials in Arizona are acting quite unethically in their pursuit to rid that state of illegal aliens. I also know that some people, those in politics especially, aren't looking at the faces and families behind these acts, which is quite unfortunate. You watch this video and read the words of this young girl whose mother is, obviously, here illegally and you feel for her – a child who, to some extent, believes her parent might be taken away from this country.
Do I see anything wrong with people relocating to America from other countries and nations? Not in the least bit. After all, we are a land built on immigration. Do I believe these individuals should do so legally and responsibly? Of course. But there has to be a more ethical, honorable way of ensuring this rather than simply stopping anyone who might look slightly different than Caucasian and sending them away if they don't have the right papers. How much time do you think this little girl's mother has before she's deported because of what this youngster said? Sadly, I doubt there's even much time left as I write this sentence.
Gay couple sentenced to maximum 14 years in Malawi
A judge sentenced a couple to the maximum 14 years in prison with hard labor under Malawi's anti-gay legislation, and crowds jeered the two men as they were driven from the court house to jail Thursday.
Clearly Malawi is a land very different from our own. We'd be ignorant not to recognize that fact, first and foremost. But it's one thing to ostracize individuals based on their sexual preference. It's quite another to implement harsh jail sentences. Like one commenter in the articles says, will 14 years behind bars, 14 years of hard labor, truly force these men into reconsidering their sexual preference? I think not. At the same time, this country is not my own and their laws are written as such, demanding a prison sentence for acts of homosexuality. Who am I to sharply criticize a land I'm entirely unfamiliar with? Now, this doesn't mean I wouldn't like to, but really, it wouldn't be right.
I can provide remarks about the ridiculous nature of those who commented on this Yahoo! article, though. The completely closed-mindedness of these people causes my stomach to turn. Among 3,400 comments, there are people quoting the Bible, noting the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, commending Malawi for being "better" than America in its judgmental ways, so on and so forth. I was so disgusted reading these comments – yet also a bit intrigued by people's complete lack of compassion – that I had couldn't continue my perusal. Deplorable would be a perfect term to describe many of the statements made by people who would never state them in reality, but can easily do so when concealed behind a pseudonym. How easy it is for such individuals to bravely stand behind a computer and spit out their "righteousness," yet cower when the moment arrives to confront the topic to a gay man's face.


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Makers of history, or slaves to it?
Christopher Petitt explores the burning questions of our time: Is humankind's latest era of worldwide productive growth – the Space-Digital Age – reaching its inevitable burnout? If so, will we soon see the end of another cycle, with all of the terrible consequences that come with it? Is history preparing to repeat itself?
Click your preferred bookseller to order The Crucible of Global War.


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On Saturday we went off on one of my famous long-distance "half-day" drives in the country: out to the North-East, through Lilydale and Scottsdale, then further on where I've not been for many years, through Branxholm and Derby, winding through the Weldborough Pass to Pyengana – where we at last lunched, at the Holy Cow Café no less! The lush dairying farmscape out the windows, beneath high hills wreathed in low cloud, helped explain the reason why this café was located at a well-known cheese factory.
Rather than drive back the same way (we'd come about 140 km on a very winding road that is pleased to call itself a highway), we pressed on to St Helens, down to Scamander, and then up through St Mary's Pass to St Mary's. The Pass itself is only 6 km long, which is better than the windy slow sections of the Weldborough Pass.
Then we sped through the Fingal Valley toward the Midlands Highway (some idiot has rebranded it the "Heritage Highway", but that's nuts), which I followed only for a short while before taking the turnoff to Nile and Evandale – a road less-travelled, part of which is unsealed.
Our Saturday outing only took us about 7 hours.View Larger Map


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Among the numerous scary moments in HBO's "Game Change"—most having to do with how little vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin knew about current affairs or foreign policy—one stands out.
"The news is no longer meant to be important," says Steve Schmidt, a top adviser for Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain. "It's just entertainment."
Schmidt goes on to explain what American politics has become: an over-funded machine that's more interested in finding a charismatic "star" to court the voters than someone with knowledge and experience—someone qualified to lead the nation.
And then he goes along with it, championing the Alaska governor as the perfect choice to help McCain battle the star power of Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential race.
Adapted from a portion of the book by Mark Halperin and John Heilemann, "Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime," "Game Change" (8 p.m. Saturday, HBO; 4 stars) is less about Palin than it is about this sad state of political affairs.
Sure, the complaint is nothing new; but it's what struck me the most about the movie written by Danny Strong and directed by Jay Roach, who last teamed up on HBO's "Recount."
That message made an impression, as did two amazing performances, beginning with Julianne Moore's uncanny and nuanced portrayal of Palin.
Much of it is hair, makeup and mimicry—Moore has said she worked with dialect coaches and parroted YouTube videos of Palin to prepare—but Moore finds the heart behind the political performer. Despite what the real Palin's camp is saying, this isn't a slash-and-burn portrait. It's so sympathetic at times, I can't imagine even the most stalwart Palin critic wouldn't feel for her. In one scene, as Palin watches Tina Fey mock her on "Saturday Night Live," Moore shows her pain at being ridiculed in front of a national audience.
Moore also taps into Palin's steely determination to protect her family and later, when the campaign begins to implode, to not be sidelined or silenced. Palin doesn't understand why McCain's advisers won't let her do what she does best, which is talk to real folks, and Moore channels all the conflicting emotions of that struggle.
Woody Harrelson nearly steals the movie as strategist Schmidt, who eventually comes to regret advising McCain (Ed Harris, also excellent) to choose Palin as his running mate. Harrelson portrays Schmidt as a man determined to achieve victory for his candidate. But his focus on gamesmanship and working the media over issues or ideology blinds him to the reality of his mistake until it is too late.
His ferocious support of Palin results in her not being properly vetted by the campaign, and land mines begin exploding, land mines like the infamous Katie Couric interview in which Palin couldn't name a newspaper she read regularly and the "scandals" such as the discovery that her unmarried teen daughter was pregnant.
Palin, of course, is furious that her daughter is brought into the political debate. Strong and Roach use the instance as another of many examples of how politics works these days. It uses the 24-hour news cycle and gets bit in the butt by it, and the public consumes every fresh fix of rhetoric, charges, half-truths and personal attacks until the real issues are forgotten.
Is Schmidt right, and it is just entertainment? If you believe "Game Change," the answer is, "You betcha."


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Democrats hoping to woo millennial voters lukewarm on Hillary Clinton have deployed a towel-clad, yoga-posing James Franco to make a final pitch.
In a digital video released on Thursday by the Women Vote Project, the Academy Award-nominated actor touted several real and fiction Clinton accomplishments, including the Grammy award she won for her audiobook "It Takes a Village: And Other Lessons Children Can Teach US."
"She once won a Grammy just for speaking. Hillary Swank is named after one of her pantsuits," Franco said, parodying Dos Equis "Most Interesting Man in the World."
"I don't always endorse candidates. But when I do, they're extraordinary. Vote wisely, my friends."
Thursday's ad is the latest release of a major $20 million partnership between Emily's List, a group that backs pro-choice female Democratic candidates, and Priorities USA, a major super PAC backing Clinton. The groups particularly hope to boost turnout among millennial voters, who overwhelmingly support the former secretary of state and widely loath Donald Trump, but haven't yet turned out in large numbers to support Clinton. Preliminary early voter totals have been significantly lower than turnout rates in early November 2012.
The ad is the final video of the campaign produced together by the two groups, and the third featuring Franco, who previously appeared shirtless wearing a Hillary Clinton-branded towel to urge young voters to back the former secretary of state.
Emily's List and Priorities will be promoting the digital ad in key battleground states, including Florida, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Nevada, and Pennsylvania.


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Young Leaders Program
The Young Leaders Program is for young people aged 16 – 25 years who live, work or study in the City of Greater Dandenong. The program provides a unique opportunity for participants to increase their participation in the local community, learn leadership skills and to meet and work with like minded individuals.
What does the program involve?
Personal development
Throughout the program, participants focus on learning and developing their leadership skills across a wide range of topics including goal setting, communication, public speaking, advocacy, project planning and development.
Development and delivery of community projects
Participants will be supported to use the skills they develop to research, plan, deliver and evaluate community projects based on identified community needs. By working in a team to develop and deliver community projects, participants will gain a better understanding of their personal leadership style and how it influences their decision making.
Please note: Young Leaders is a voluntary program - which means that you don't get paid. As the sessions run at dinner time, participants will be provided with something to eat and drink at weekly meetings. Participants will also be provided with lots of opportunities including interacting with councillors, engaging with state and federal governments, working with other organisations and the wider community.
When and where does the program run?
The 2019 Young Leaders program will commence on Tuesday 30 April and will run weekly until September 2019. The weekly meetings will run from 4.30pm - 6.30pm and will be held at 39 Clow Street, Dandenong.
Who can apply?
You can apply to join the 2019 Young Leaders program if you are:
- Aged between 16 and 25 years old
Live, work or study in the City of Greater Dandenong (this includes Dandenong, Dandenong North, Dandenong South, Keysborough, Springvale, Springvale South, Noble Park, Noble Park North, Bangholme and Lyndhurst)
- Willing to commit to the length of the program as a volunteer
How to apply
Applications are now open, applications will close on Friday 15 March.
Apply Online:
Follow this link to register today.
Via post:
Complete an Expression of Interest form and return it to Youth and Family Services.
City of Greater Dandenong
Attn: Youth and Family Services - 2019 Young Leaders Program
PO Box 200
Dandenong, VIC, 3175
Apply in person:
Youth and Family Services
39 Clow Street
Dandenong, VIC, 3175
Come along to our Information Session
When: Tuesday 5 March
Time: 5.30pm - 6.30pm
Where: 39 Clow Street, Dandenong (opposite the Dandenong Market)
Follow this link for more information.
Find out more and get involvedPhone: 9793 2155
Email: email@example.com
In person: 39 Clow Street, Dandenong
Facebook: facebook.com/cgdyouthservices


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Billy Boy In Poison has recently released the first single from their coming album, Iron Grip and also made a video to accompany this. Take a look and take a listen, it's really high-quality death metal/metalcore.
Billy Boy In Poison released their debut album Watchers back in 2013 and now 4 years later their second album Invoker will be released on November 10.
Although Billy Boy In Poison has a lot of the deathcore sound, that you also hear from similar acts like Thy Art Is Murder and Suicide Silence, they also have some slight black metal over them, that helps them stand out. I actually think that their own description of being modern death metal is quite precise.
check out the video here and do attend their release show on November 11, at Beta, Copenhagen if you're nearby


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There is something to be said for a movie poster that tells you exactly what the movie is going to be like. In this case, we have a dog dressed as a firefighter.
Now, do I like this poster? No. Would I want it hanging in my wall? Definitely no. But does it tell me that I should stay far away from this film? Hell yes. So, job well done!
You can see Firehouse Dog in a theater near you right now!


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Struggling with your Teen? Give him/her a Weekend Wake-Up Call!/
Seasoned parents often agree that the years spent parenting teens are among the most challenging. Some draw a comparison between the "terrible two's" and the teen years as children in both stages are known for throwing temper tantrums, being stubborn, unreasonable and attempting to exert their independence. Parents hope that in both stages, that children outgrow the phase and begin to exhibit more acceptable behavior.
When behavior problems in teens continue to escalate despite parents best efforts, then sometimes outside intervention is necessary. Treatment programs for teens are very costly and typically range between $5,000 to $10,000 per month and most programs require that youth remain in the program for around one year or longer. Unfortunately, many families simply can't afford this price tag. Some families utilize a local therapist and outpatient therapy can be helpful and many families benefit from outpatient services. However, most outpatient therapy is only one hour per week and is just not enough intervention as the teen will quickly revert to problematic behaviors shortly after leaving the therapist's office.
A unique and impactful intervention for struggling teens and their parents is Family Bootcamp. www.familybootcamp.org. Based in beautiful St. George, Utah; the Family Bootcamp provides teens and parents with a life-changing five day intense, therapeutic wilderness experience in the heart of the high desert, majestic red rocks in Southern Utah. Family Bootcamp is the ideal intervention for families that are not yet ready or able to place their teen in a long-term residential treatment program but are seeking help learning to manage problematic behaviors that are occurring in the home.
Teens at Family Bootcamp trade in their smart phone for a sleeping bag and a cooking pot and experience a "strong wake-up call" over a five-day weekend (Thursday through Monday) that life as they had been living it, needs to change. Rather than spending the weekend hanging out with friends and disregarding family rules and responsibility, teens at Family Bootcamp spend the weekend hiking and camping in the high desert of Utah unplugged from all technology and the amenities of modern society. Their parents also spent the weekend in St. George, Utah participating in a two day parenting-seminar and obtaining valuable instruction, education and support for changing the family dynamics that are contributing to the teen's acting out problems.
If you are struggling with a teen-aged child and want a "weekend wake-up call" then Family Bootcamp is for you!


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Book Review : Todd Robinson - Rough Trade (2016)
Literature is considered by most people to be a demanding form of entertainment that doesn't offer the total and immediate release of television or cinema. It's also perceived to be intimidating and somewhat pretentious because its most championed creators are like this. It wasn't always like this, though. People used to read to transcend their mundane reality and live vicariously through heroes they could never possibly be. The spirit of that era in storytelling lives today though popular art such as comic books and pro wrestling and through rare authors like Todd Robinson's who's heroes Boo Malone and Junior have been righting the wrongs of society one broken jaw at the time. His new novel Rough Trade ain't too different. It's another wild tip through the legendary Boston nightlife.
Rough Trade picks up shortly after the events of The Hard Bounce (a year or so, I'd say). Boo and Junior are still bouncing at The Cellar and righting wrong with their fists for leisure. They're feuding with another security company, having gang fights during business hours, that sort of life-affirming stuff. When co-worker Ginny asks Boo to rough up her roommate's stalking ex, it seems like he's got his work cut out for him. It's going to be fun and rewarding. Only problem is that Byron (the said ex) turns out dead a couple days later. Boo and Junior cannot explain how it happened and the police are starting to crack down on our two friendly neighborhood bare knuckle vigilantes.
I am very fond of Boo Malone. Mostly because he's so obsessed about proving everyone that he's a good person. Boo's life mission is to protect anyone that doesn't look like him from people who work the same circles or higher and it's just fascinating to me. He's grown big and tough out of necessity and developed some sort of rage superpower that allows him to kick any asses in kicking range (Boo always lets the reader know by saying "the room turned red"). There's a definite comic book influence to Todd Robinson's fiction, and his hero seems to profoundly hate who he is and sacrifices his body whenever the occasion arises. What separates novels like Rough Trade from boring tough guy fantasies is Robinson's uneven grasp on realism. It goes out the window for the story's sake whenever needed. Rough Trade tries to be entertaining more than it tries to convince me that Boo's a tough guy.
"So what are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking that you're an asshole."
"You always think that."
"True, but the feeling is particularly strong tonight."
I thought Rough Trade was slightly better than Boo and Junior's first adventures The Hard Bounce, but only slightly. The first half set a tremendous mood, especially with the first five chapters that only loosely matter in the bigger picture, but that read like a heavy metal re-imagining of West Side Story. This is what I mean when I say Rough Trade isn't afraid to get goofy and throw realism out the window. These chapters are in there just because they're wicked fun and help shape a paradigm where anything is possible. There are more serious moments too, which question Boo and Junior's values and the very nature of vigilantism. Rough Trade gets a little obnoxious at times with two cents life lessons, but it's part of Boo's character to think he can make everybody better, including the reader. If you like a character, sometimes you gotta accept his more unpleasant quirks too.
Truth is, Rough Trade and The Hard Bounce are rather similar novels. If you've enjoyed the first, you're probably going to enjoy the second even more like I did. It's very much a sequel and an evolution (albeit not really a moral one). Todd Robinson writes winding and complicated novels though and you might run out of patience with Rough Trade if you don't already love the characters like I do, so I would definitely recommend starting with The Hard Bounce. I could see Boo and Junior breaking into mainstream culture through cinema or maybe even comic books/graphic novels. They seem a little ill at ease in novels, but the sheer power and charisma of Todd Robinson's first person narration gets more than the job done. There are five weeks left to summer and Rough Trade is a light, action-packed and wildly entertaining novel to take with you on vacation. In fact, take both of Todd Robinson's novels. They're a great time.


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Getting Started with SPM: Funders
Do you want to increase the social impact of your investments with the help of well-established assessment frameworks and within a community of like-minded investors? This page is a great place to start! Here are a few ways that you can get started with SPM:
1. Read the Principles for Investors in Inclusive Finance (the PIIF), which provide a framework for responsible investment in inclusive finance. Then become a signatory to show your organization's commitment to responsible inclusive finance.
2. Read an overview or the full set of the Universal Standards for SPM, which is a manual of best SPM practices for financial service providers (FSPs). You can use the Universal Standards to understand all aspects of SPM, including how you can evaluate and support your investees' SPM practices. Investment in FSPs with strong SPM practices is your best bet for achieving social return on investment.
4. Discover how other investors are benefitting from SPM by reading short case studies on Blue Orchard and Deutsche Bank.
We look forward to supporting you as you get started with SPM.


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This month's featured wine is a 2015 Rosé: Classic dry rosé. Excellent as an aperitif or food companion. Lively, crisp, refreshing. Delicious strawberry flavors with hints of peaches. Created by the true rosé method: gently pressing whole bunches of zinfandel followed by a long, cool fermentation, preserving fruity flavors & floral aromas. An especially refreshing wine!
SALE PRICE: @$8.99 _ Regular Price: $11/ bottle.
Additional discounts apply:
Quantity discounts: 6–11 bottles: 5% / Case: 10%
Wine Club discounts: 1-5 bottles:10% / Case: 20%.
Available at the winery or by phone (530-292-3235).
To learn what else is happening at the winery, visit their website


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What Patients Are Saying
"Dr. Foley made my son feel comfortable in his office and took his time to connect with him. When I saw that my son was comfortable with Dr. Foley and his staff, I knew he was the orthodontist for us." – Christine M.
"I like Foley Orthodontics because everyone knows me by name whether they assisted me six years ago or merely just six weeks ago. I also like the promptness of all of the assistants, meaning that they always serve my specific needs in a timely manner." – Matt P.
"I chose Dr. Foley's orthodontic practice because of his strong volunteer presence in our schools and church community. He has also demonstrated a generous contribution of his time in coaching our sports teams." – Catherine H.


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Armchair with high sides PHONIC, cream and dark taupe
Art. No. PN12724
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- Highly effective acoustic booth
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High-sided armchair with highly effective acoustic properties designed to prevent sound from entering or leaving the booth. The chair provides privacy and quiet for meetings or important work in otherwise busy offices. An optional power socket can be integrated into the seat for an even more functional working space.
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Create quiet secluded areas within your office with a high-sided armchair that acts as a private booth. The chair absorbs sound both from within the booth and from external sources; this means that staff and visitors using the booth are not disturbed by outside noise and that their conversation is muffled to anyone in the surrounding office. Thanks to its acoustic properties, the armchair provides an ideal location for private meetings, sensitive phone calls or, simply, quiet worktime. You can join two armchairs together facing each other by using an optional infill panel that fits between the armrests on one end of each facing chair. This creates a two-person booth ideal for meetings. You can even fit a table to the end panel to give you a proper working space. An optional power module is available and can be fitted to the chair at the time of order to give you a place to plug in laptops and mobile devices. This is important if you are going to be using the booth for frequent client meetings or as a space where staff can go if they need to work without disruptions. Chrome legs complement the chair's modern look and raise the seat off the floor to make it easier to clean underneath. To make it easy for our customers, we have three colour combinations available as standard. However, these chairs are available in unlimited fabric colours and you can choose to have them upholstered in one, two or even three colours of your choosing to fit with your company colours or office decor; simply contact us for fabric choices and samples. All colours, including our standard options, are made to order. Our standard fabric is extremely durable and rated for fire resistance to BS 7176 low hazard.
This package deal features:
Product specifications
|1340 mm
|820 mm
|Seat height:
|490 mm
|Seat depth:
|550 mm
|Seat width:
|550 mm
|Backrest height:
|850 mm
|Beige , Blue , Pink
|Stand colour:
|Stand material:
|Seat material:
|High backrest
|23 kg
|5 years
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Welcome to WebmasterWorld Guest from 188.8.131.52
Is there any chance of getting it back? I make all my money on this one domain.
Help me please.
joined:May 21, 2002
votes: 0
Met her at the last 2 PubCons, where we spoke on the domain legal issues panel.
I was impressed.
Form your own impression.
joined:May 21, 2002
votes: 0
You have spoken with an attorney?
If what you say is correct, no response here can substitute for the legal assistance you're going to need.
In my opinon the new rule of allowing transfers to go through if not responded to in a few days it absolute B.S. and makes it eaiser for people to steal domains.
What I'd like to know is there anyone who has been in a similar experience and did you win?
I never been in that situation but I'd surely be in discussions with the Registrar about this. The whole purpose of locking domains is to prevent this type of thing from happening. And, there is typically a security question that needs to be answered prior to unlocking a domain, how did this person acquire that?
Also think they need to have those random character generaters you have to enter to access your account or someone could brute force attack to get access to your entire account.
I have NEVER seen any security question asked before and I have domains on several big registrars.
That makes me feel good in knowing that my Registrar whom I've been with for years has taken additional security measures to prevent domain transfers.
I could start over but then I have to give up on all of those search engine rankings. Or I could fight and get it back and do some damage control.
And the registrar is trying to accept no responsibility? what have you been paying them for.. it is them that should be taking this to domain resolution .. as ultimately that will be your quickest and cheapest option..
If you wait for the legal system to sort it out you'll be grey by the time it is..
Personally I would go straight for resolution and sue your registrar for any costs...
Call a legal expert in this NOW. I would NOT use a local attorney - they'll have no idea what the rules are in this case since it's not all that well defined anywhere.
Contact the hijackers immediately and first ask nicely for them to return control to you IMMEDIATELY. If this doesn't work then quietly explain you'll be suing their asses off for theft, lost business. Note the fact that if you get tagged as porn your domain is toast even if you get it back and they will be held responsible for a huge loss of future income from this theft.
Sounds to me like they hacked your password and then did the transfer. Also possible is registrar error if it was NOT locked and they failed to notify you or mail was lost.
If it was LOCKED you should be able to get the registrar to undo this immediately.
Thank you ALL, very much, for making things work as well as they do and thank you all for your continuing contributions.
Webwork / Forum Moderator (a/k/a Jeff - Make sure I buy you all a beer at the blackjack tables in Vegas.)
Oh, really, the beer is free at the tables? :)
(1) Contacted my registrar. First time, I got no help. They said i transferred it, too bad.
(2) Contacted their registrar. They at least provided me with the phoney (hacked) whois records that were used to make the transfer. But again they said contact my original registrar.
(3) Talked to my registrar again and this time talked to somebody more helpful who promised action.
(4) But not willing to trust them, I also went to the lawyers and got everything layed out with them. Unfortunately, it was three o'clock so I'll have to wait until tomorrow before letters go out.
I don't know why but I feel so embarrassed and angry that my domain was stolen.
My question is: Can the new registrar transfer it back with sufficient proof that it was mine and fraudulently transferred.
And thanks for the replies in this trying time.
They have a wealth of info on their site.. I would guess the sooner you begin proceedings with them the quicker you will have the domain back...
Anyone in a similar situation would do well to visit the ICANN website. There is so much information that I haven't begun to digest any of it, but looking around, it seems to be the ultimate arbiter of domain names. (I still haven't found out how to start proceedings with them, but I will keep looking . . . any hints?)
I had never been there until Lobo's suggested it.


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This morning we left the house when the sunrise still lingered on the horizon and frost lay thick on the ground. Fueled by frangipane tarts and coffee, we met J's aunt with our binoculars for a birthday birding walk around Swan Lake. In the chilly morning air we first saw robins, then delicate blurs in the forest that were hummingbirds, all shifting iridescence in the early light. Then ducks, many ducks bobbing around in their charming way - mostly mallards but also scaups, a ring-necked duck and a few coots. Some red-winged blackbirds trilled in the surrounding hawthorns and cottonwoods and two herons quietly lurked at the water's edge. Back in the forest among sunlit Douglas-fir, a flock of beautiful golden-crowned kinglets flitted about, too small and quick (for me) to photograph but the best of all to see. The rest of the morning and afternoon were filled with all kinds of short errands and adventures. We learned not to look for an open sushi place for a 3 pm lunch in Victoria. I found exactly the simple, pretty wedding dress I had in mind but it's $2,200... which is approximately our entire wedding budget. When the sun set in a wash of yellow sky and magenta and cobalt-streaked cloud, we were buying hay in Oak Bay. I then learned I don't like bone-in chicken stew at Baan Thai, a very sad discovery.
Because it's bedtime and it was a busy day this won't be a proper foodie post about frangipane. Good thing there's the internet to fill in the gaps for me.
Here is what I used:
1 recipe pate sucree (I brought home scrap from work- will post a recipe soon though)
8 oz (1 cup) butter
8 oz almonds (I used whole, raw, organic and unpasteurized)
1 cup sugar
4 eggs
zest of an orange
1/2 tsp almond extract
1 tsp vanilla extract
canned (jarred) tart cherries (but you could use sliced poached pears, frozen raspberries, cranberries or blueberries etc...)
chocolate chunks
Whir almonds in food processor until conrmeal-like in texture. Cream butter and sugar, add eggs one at a time. Mix in zest and extracts. Stir in almond meal. Chill for an hour or so.
Roll out the pate sucree and put it in tart rings or whatever you have that will work. Fill it 1/3 to 1/2 full with frangipane. Decorate the top with fruit (and chocolate, if desired- I forgot the chocolate until mid-bake and then tucked little chunks in). Bake in a 350° convection oven (or similar) until the sides of the pastry are brown and the frangipane feels somewhat firm. (I have never timed it at work or at home but will try to get a sense of how long it takes next time. Basically you don't want the frang. to be raw in the middle, but it will depend on how big of tarts you are making.)


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News & Announcements
Josephine County Shrine Club Valentine's Day Sock Hop
Please join us in celebration of Lover's Day with your Lady at Grants Pass Masonic Lodge on February 10th.
All Masons and Shriners in Southern Oregon, including the Coast, are invited to join the Jo Co Shrine Club in cutting the rug, oh, except we don't have a rug in the Lodge dining room, so we'll cut the linoleum. The only requirement is clean white socks.
There will be a DJ playing classic 50s and 60s rock and roll, with lights and fog machines. There will be Hamburgers with all the fixins and milk shakes. And for those on the wild side a no host bar. All this for only a $7 donation.
Mark your calendar for the 10th starting at 6:00pm. Please RSVP so we have enough food and fixins. You can RSVP at 541-476-3357 or 541-507-7590.
The Grants Pass Lodge is located at: 320 NW E Street, on the corner of NW E Street and 3rd Street.
Thanks, John Rall, Pres Josephine County Shrine Club.
Stated meeting postponed 1-3-2017
By order of the Worshipful Master, Steve Booth, tonight's started communication of Grants Pass Lodge #84 is postponed to next week, January 10, 2017, due to winter weather conditions. Please stay safe out there.
Josephine County Shrine Club Christmas Party 2016
The Josephine County Shrine Club will be holding their Christmas party on December 14th, at the Grants Pass Masonic Center.
Oasis at 5:30 PM, dinner will start at 6:30 PM. The cost will be $10 per person. RSVP by December 8th 2016 to Noble Micheal Harder 765-481-1284, or Noble Doug Sammis 541-659-9177.
Nobles, Ladies, and friends and family of our Masonic family are all welcome, the more the merrier!
The buffet dinner menu includes a mixed green salad, Pot Roast, Red Potatoes, Chicken and Cream Sauce, Mixed Vegetables, and bread; with Cranberry Apple Cobbler for dessert, all prepared by "Merrie" a professional catering service from Southern Oregon.
The celebration includes for your pleasure, songs and music from the James Gang (Christmas songs and Country Western).
Grand Master's visit December 2016
The Grants Pass Worshipful Master wants to remind everyone about the Grand Masters visit on the 6th of December with dinner before at 6:30, $10 a plate, ladies are invited to stay and play Bunco for prizes while the Masons are in lodge.
Funeral Service - Jim Ford
It is with heavy heart that we say goodbye to a dearly departed Brother. Worshipful Brother Jim Ford, an Honorary Past Master of Grants Pass Lodge, dedicated much of his life to serving Masonry, and especially this Lodge. He will be missed.
Please join us at the Grants Pass Masonic Center, on Saturday, November 19th, at 11 AM to pay tribute to and remember a great man and Mason.
Election of Officers 2016
At the November 1, 2016 Stated Meeting of Grants Pass Lodge #84, the members elected Brother Steve Booth, HA, to serve as Worshipful Master for the 2017 Masonic year. Congratulations Brother Booth, we look forward to your leadership next year.
Below are all the officers elected and appointed for 2017. Congratulations to all.
Worshipful Master - Steve Booth, HA
Senior Warden - Keith Trahern
Junior Warden - Chris Smith
Treasurer - Garett Winn
Secretary - John Rall, PM
Senior Deacon - Doug Sammis
Junior Deacon - John Davis
Chaplain - Scott Smith
Marshal - Gorm Svendsen, PM, HA
Senior Steward - Jim Warriner
Tyler - Jim Hogue, PM, HA
Historian - Bob Hamilton, PM, HA
Trustee - Bob Hamilton, PM, HA
The installation will be Sunday, December 4th, at 2 PM.
Memorial Service - WB Jon Silver Feather
It is with great sadness that we say good bye to a dear friend, Worshipful Brother Jon Silver Feather. WB Jon has been called home by the Great Architect of the Universe, to join in that great house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
WB Jon had a long and dedicated career in Masonry, and was awarded the Hiram award by Grants Pass Lodge in 2015. He will be remembered for his warm smiles, wonderful music, and inspirational outlook.
A memorial service will be held at Grants Pass Masonic Center at 4:00 PM on Saturday, August 27th, 2016.
Brownell Easter Breakfast 2016
Grants Pass Lodge #84 A.F. & A.M. proudly presents the Brownell Easter Breakfast, in honor of Sir Knight John (Jack) Brownell.
Breakfast will be 8AM-11AM on March 27th.
Please see the attached flyer for details.
131st Annual Installation of Officers
Grants Pass Masonic Lodge #84 invites you to our 131st Annual Installation of Officers.
The installation is on Saturday, December 12th, at 4:00 PM at the Grants Pass Masonic Center, 320 NW E St, Grants Pass, OR 97527 and is open to the public.
The officers elected and appointed to serve the Lodge for 2016 are:
Congratulations to all the officers.
Lasagna Dinner to follow.
1-10 of 52


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Gameday update: No. 22 Wichita State at Evansville
▪ Circumstances seem to favor Wichita State in this game, if you can ignore home-court advantage and the fact Evansville is an experienced, talented team playing its biggest game in years.
The Shockers have played three of their past four at home, so they've basically been sleeping in their own beds since Jan. 14. In those four games, only Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet played more than 30 minutes, and that was Jan. 20 at Northern Iowa. The past two games were low-stress, low-mileage affairs for everybody.
Evansville has played three of the past four on the road, including last Sunday's loss at Indiana State and Thursday's overtime win at Southern Illinois. At Indiana State, Adam Wing (35), D.J. Balentine (38) and Egidijus Mockevicius (37) played 30-plus. At SIU, Jaylon Brown (42), Mislav Brzoja (37), Wing (43), Balentine (45) and Mockevicius (43) again did heavy duty.
The Shockers are much deeper and get the benefit of an extra day of rest. The Aces are used to these heavy minutes. It is what they do and they do it well.
WSU will work to get into Evansville's legs with presses and its usual hard work. If this game is close, it will be surprising if the Shockers aren't at least a half-step faster in the final minutes.
▪ Mockevicius, as the Shockers showed in the first meeting, isn't great defending outside the lane. Anton Grady scored 17 points in that game off the pick-and-pop because Mockevicius lost him. Mockevicius can't foul, because the Aces don't have a backup, which puts him in a bind. It's hard for him to aggressively defend Fred VanVleet in the ball screen because of foul potential. If he doesn't, VanVleet gets lots of room to motor.
▪ It's good to see Evansville excited about the Aces. Downtown is crawling with fans and the Ford Center will be packed.
Evansville, like many MVC programs, has recently dormant potential.
▪ The Aces aren't an NCAA at-large team. They could pop into the discussion with a win.
With no top-50 wins and a 2-3 record vs. the top 100, it will be hard to convince the selection committee. Ten games against teams ranked 201 or worse doesn't help.
WSU could also use a resume-builder. Evansville is the best team remaining on the schedule.
Announcers: Mitch Holthus, Mark Adams


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San Javier Mission, Loreto BCS Mexico, 37 km up into the mountains in the Puebla of San Javier lies the 2nd oldest mission in the Californias, the San Javier Mission. With it's beautiful architecture it boasts of having the first glass windows and the first weather vane in Baja. This historical mission still serves the San Javier community. On the way to the mission, you'll pass miles of open desert and mountains, arroyos with running water, and several small ranches where they grow mangos, grapefruit, oranges, garlic, onions and make fresh goat cheese.
Be sure and stop at an archeological site where you can see some small cave painting and enjoy the running water in the arroyo. Travel up to San Javier can be done in a car, you can rent a taxi or take a tour. Whale Watching The Pacific lagoons of Baja California Sur has long been known as a spectacular location to have a close, intimate experience with the Grey Whale. The Grey Whales migrate from the Bering Sea each year and arrive at the calm, salty waters of the lagoon in late January and stay until the end of March.
Thousands of tourists each year get to have a close encounter with these magnificent creatures, where they can see them up close, watch them "breech", have the mother's "present" their babies to the boats and at times get to "pet" them. Magdalena Bay has 2 excellent sites for this experience, Lopez Mateo, and Puerto San Carlos. They are one and a half to and 2 hours away and easily accessible by car, taxi or tour. Arrangements can be made upon arrival.
How To Get There
To get to the town of San Javier, where the church is located take the junction to the dirt road of 37 km which is 7 km south of Loreto, in Kilometer 118 on the Transpeninsular Highway or by plane to the International Airport of Loreto.
The Spanish mission of San Francisco Javier was initially founded by the Jesuit missionary Francisco María Piccolo in 1699 at a spring called Biaundó by the native Cochimí, about 8 kilometers north of the mission's subsequent location.
The site was abandoned in 1701 because of a threatened Indian revolt but was reestablished by Juan de Ugarte in 1702. Several years later, it was moved to the better-watered present location of the community of San Javier, Baja California Sur, Mexico. The energetic Ugarte constructed dams, aqueducts, and stone buildings. Between 1744 and 1758, Miguel del Barco was responsible for building what has been called "the jewel of the Baja California mission churches" (Vernon 2002:26).
Native population
Primarily under the ravages of Old World diseases, the native population declined steadily through the Jesuit period (1699–1768) and then more steeply after the missionaries of that order were expelled from Baja California.
By 1817, the mission was deserted. The church has been restored and is now maintained by Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History.


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Libyan Airways has formally put up for sale nearly 30 ageing aircraft from its fleet, most of them now inactive.
The airline, which has been rebranded from Libyan Arab Airlines, is selling eight Boeing 727-200s and three Fokker F28s, plus an Airbus A310-200 and a 707-320. Also included in the disposal are 15 Fokker F27 turboprops.
Almost all of the aircraft are stored or parked, and are 20 to 30 years old. The carrier has publicly offered the aircraft and their spares for sale. According to the Flight Acas database, Libyan has two A310-200s, four 707-320s, 10 727-200s, 15 F27s and five F28s in its fleet.
The state-run airline has been intending to renew its fleet, following the lifting of US sanctions in 2004, but has yet to reach any firm agreement with aircraft manufacturers.
Libyan Airways operates some international services using leased Airbus A300-600s and A320s.
Libyan looks set to continue 727 operations, despite disposing of eight


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Winnie Perry is turning thirteen, a teenager, and feels scared about growing up. This story is about Winnie and her two best friends, Dinah and Cinnamon, as they go through physical and emotional changes. Winnie also has her first kiss and kind of feels awkward about it. Winnie discovers that her former best friend is drinking a wine cooler at a party. That was shocking for me! Winnie's mom goes through changes too since she is pregnant and Winnie is excited about that.
I really like this book because Lauren Myracle is a really great author and I really like realistic books. This is about a typical teenager and has some things that might not be suitable for younger children. You should really read Eleven and Twelve, the first two books in the series before you read this one to know more about Winnie's background.


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A waterfront gated community is the location for this lovely freshly painted, new carpet condo with 3 bedrooms, 2 & half bath, large kitchen with a pantry & eat-at Island, upgraded Bamboo flooring in family room, a master bedroom suite with 2 walk-in closets & deck over looking a beautiful pond to enjoy your morning coffee. It is close to shopping, restaurants, LAFB, Ft. Monroe, Buckroe Beach, and 1-64. (Bar Stools, furniture & decorative items are not included and are for staging purposes only). A guest Parking lot is available across the street at property.
Clubhouse, Exercise Rm, Ground Maint, Pool, Trash Pickup, Water, Cable, Gated Community, Sewer, Tennis Cts
Garage Att 1 Car, Off Street, Driveway Spc, Lot
Fireplace Wood, Pull Down Attic Stairs, Walk-In Closet, Window Treatments
Dishwasher, Disposal, Dryer, Microwave, Elec Range, Refrigerator, Washer, Trash Compactor
Heat Pump, Programmable Thermostat
Attic, Foyer, Master BR w/ Bath, Pantry, Balcony
Listing Courtesy of Kiln Creek Realty Inc..


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Naperville, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/31/2012 -- Global Big Data-as-a-Service market to grow at a CAGR of 68.93 percent over the period 2012-2016. One of the key factors contributing to this market growth is the demand for cost-effective big data solutions. The Global Big Data-as-a-Service market has also been witnessing the emergence of healthcare data-as-a-service. However, the data security and data privacy issues could pose a challenge to the growth of this market.
Global Big Data-as-a-Service Market 2012-2016, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the Americas, and the EMEA and APAC regions; it also covers the Global Big Data-as-a-Service market landscape and its growth prospects in the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.
The key vendors dominating this market space are EMC Corp., Microsoft Corp., IBM Corp., and Google Inc.
The other vendors mentioned in the report are Oracle Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co., SAP AG, Tresata Inc., 1010data Inc., ClickFox Inc., Amazon Web Services, Infochimps Inc., and LexisNexis Inc.
Key questions answered in this report:
What will the market size be in 2016 and what will the growth rate be?
What are the key market trends?
What is driving this market?
What are the challenges to market growth?
Who are the key vendors in this market space?
What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?
You can request one free hour of analyst time when you purchase this report. Details provided within the report.
Research portfolio in the Enterprise Computing series includes reports on the ERP market, CRM market, enterprise software market, supply chain management market, web analytics market, enterprise applications market, mobile device management market, SOA market, electronic health record market, records management market, workforce management market
To view table of contents for this market report please visit:


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Professor Tatyana Dumova and graduate students explore the new frontier of social technologies.
Earn Your M.A. in Communication Technology On Campus or Fully Online
Take Action
The rapid evolution of digital communication technologies has dramatically impacted the essential knowledge and skills required to carve out and advance a career as a communications professional or scholar. This innovative Master of Arts program — offered on-campus or fully online — prepares students to embrace technology — and technological change — as an essential part of their professional portfolio.
The 36-credit M.A. in Communication Technology program prepares students to excel in technology-driven communication fields, including multimedia, graphic design and digital journalism. Graduates will be well-positioned to pursue careers in the business, government and non-profit sectors that deal with new media production, e-publishing, marketing, public affairs, education and professional training. They will also be able to engage in communication technology analysis and research or seek admission to doctoral programs.
M.A. Program Structure
The M.A. in communication technology keeps communications theory, ethics and legal scholarship at its core but adds a focus on new social interaction technologies — all within the larger societal context. Students in the program may choose from two concentrations, social media or applied practices.
Social Media Concentration
Students will take career-focused courses that explore social media best practices, crisis and strategic communication, analytics, search engine optimization and social media campaigns. Through Wood Street Communications, Point Park's initiative with non-profit organizations, students will work with real-world clients to create and implement social media campaigns.
Applied Practices Concentration
Students will study the role and impact of technology in society, and take career-focused courses in visual communication technology, web publishing, global communication and social media, among others.
Course Offerings
- Social Media Practices
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- Social Media Crisis & Strategic Communication
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- Global Communication
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- Web Publishing and Editing
- Professional Video Techniques
- Digital Photo Editing
For a comprehensive list of program requirements, see the degree requirements and course descriptions.


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Checking In
I had every intention to post multiple times this week (I actually have some great ideas for upcoming Tips and Tricks posts…), but what is that they say about good intentions?
This week has been a doozy. I feel like I haven't even had a chance to sit down. But I've decided to just go with it. There's always next week, right?
I DID feel like I should post a quick update to share what I'm hoping to tackle this weekend.
Lots of goodies for the nursery!
I can't wait to share the finished product.
But before I sign off…
Here's a TIP.
Take caution when throwing diapers away.
The action may elicit THIS response…
(Seriously. This is because I was throwing his diaper away.)
Oh, the humanity.