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"So where the heck is Turkish Prawn? Why is everything so quiet? Where are the funny stories?"
I know! I KNOW!…
Just in case you were noticing that the installments have dropped like a lemming off a cliff, not to mention the lack of me posting pithy quips on other blogs, let me explain in brief… briefly, because that's all the time I've got.
I have sold my company that I started lo ten years ago. It is gone… mostly. What I've been doing every week is traveling to the place of the new owner and showing them the ropes. They had no idea how to do what I did and me teaching them was part of the sales deal. That phase has thankfully, just about ended. What this has meant though is that I live away from home for three out of five work days, for ten to twelve hours shifts. When I am home, I'm on "full dad duty".
Here's the catch…
I always do my writing in the morning. Well, just about always. It's definitely when the creative juices are basting my brain the best, and I haven't had a quiet morning to write since… oh… Christmas. This is a problem.
I've got more to say. I have more things I want to cover, I'm just having a hard time getting time to write when I feel a story coming on. The first major impediment will be gone soon. I'm just about finished with the business lessons and can go home and stay there. The kiddos will always be a major distraction but, hey, I'll see what I can do. The last trick will be the classes I need to take to start my next adventure. That will be yet another time suck, but hey, I'm used to that, right?
SO! I promise to pick up the pace here… somehow. I don't know how, but I will. I just wanted those whom I count as friends (Nat, Razz, Ross, Mike, Inmate, Ladybug, and all the others) that I haven't lost interested here. I'm just going at 1000 miles per hour and need to get this out of the way.
I'll write if I find no work…
Filed under: Uncategorized | 8 Comments »


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- Primary Cause
- Housing & Shelter
- Secondary Cause
- Human Services
The mission of Partners In Housing is to provide affordable housing to people who most need a stable place to live, while giving them support and a chance to reach their highest level of self-sufficiency.
Our residents come to Partners In Housing for multiple reasons. They have been homeless, are homeless or are at risk of being homeless. Through our permanent housing solutions we provide a roof over their head and a way to reach self-sufficiency.
With every dollar you give (for every point you give us) we are able to continue providing services to help our residents become self-sufficient.
Many programs we provide are life skills training, financial management, employment support, and how to cope and overcome their addictions.
Help us support over 700 people in Indianapolis who need a helping hand.
Becky lived much of her adult life in the grips of addiction. She began using 5 days a wk, until one day she decided to turn her life around & earn sobriety, independence, & her family back. A year & a half into her stay at a shelter, & a yr into sobriety, Becky's counselor referred her to Partners In Housing (PIH) for the next steps in her journey. She settled into her new home.
Becky wanted to begin gardening again, as she had with her mother growing up. PIH met her request by creating a garden on the property. She began visiting with her nephew, Virginia's son, who showed photos of Becky's garden to his mother. "When I'd seen a picture of her garden, I knew she was back," Virginia recalls. For the first time in 5 yrs, she made the trip to visit her sister. "She was happy! She was laughing again! And I knew with the gardening, that's what gave us our Becky back."
Becky's been clean for over 4 yrs now & like her garden, is thriving. She found support & a second chance at PIH.
Depending on your interest level and the amount of time you can give, there are several different avenues for getting involved with the mission and work of Partners In Housing. Please contact Melanie Perry at 317-633-1861, x111 or by email at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Here are a few ways one can volunteer:
Event Volunteer - We have many events throughout the year.
Landscaping Volunteer - Many of our properties need help with landscaping and gardening.
Painting opportunities - each building we own (11 in all) needs some painting updates in order to brighten up the space.
Collecting children's books, donating household supplies (cleaning, hygiene), and donating emergency food pantry items.
Suggested Donations
- Provides a monthly bus pass for a resident who relies on bus transportation to go to job interviews, critical doctor appointments, etc. ($30.00)
- Provides new move-in residents with essential "Welcome Baskets" that include hygiene & household products. ($100.00)
- Provides one month of Community Life programs and activities at all eleven (11) PIH apartment communities. ($750.00)
Funding Needs
$10,000: Provides yearly social services to 600+ previously homeless residents that are receiving permanent housing from Partners In Housing
$5,000: Provides one apartment community with the gift of reading and literacy training for the adults and children.
$1,500: Provides necessary improvements to a PIH apartment community.
$100: Provides new move-in residents with essential "Welcome Baskets" that include hygiene & household products.
$50: Provides an emergency pair of shoes, coat, or work clothes for interview or new job.
$30: Provides a monthly bus pass for a resident who relies on bus transportation to go to job interviews, critical doctor appointments, etc.
$20: Provides one community breakfast for our residents in one of our communities.
$10: Provides snacks for an AA or NA meeting for our residents.
$5: Provides a one day bus pass for a resident in an emergency situation.
2811 E. 10th Street, Suite F
Indianapolis, IN 46201
|Phone number
|(317) 633-1861
|Full-time Employees
|Part-time Employees
|Active Volunteers

subset: commoncrawl


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Tribune Media Will Explore Sale of Company or Other Strategic Options
Tribune Media Co., owner of 42 local-TV stations and the WGN America cable network, said it intends to explore "strategic and financial alternatives" to better reflect its value, with its stock down 50% in the past year.
Tribune's board and the company are working with Moelis & Co. and Guggenheim Securities on potential options, which may include selling or separating assets or pursuing new partnerships and programming alliances, according to a statement Monday. The company hasn't set a deadline completing a review of alternatives, it said.
"We believe that the value of the portfolio of businesses of Tribune Media is not fully reflected in the stock price and intend to explore ways to unlock value by reviewing strategic alternatives," Tribune Chairman Bruce Karsh said.
Tribune spun off Tribune Publishing's newspaper business in 2014, less than two years after emerging from bankruptcy protection. The company also has minority stakes in the Food Network and in website CareerBuilder, and it owns and manages real estate it values at more than $1 billion.
Tribune shares have declined 61% since the split with the publishing business, compared with a 6.3% increase for the Russell 3000 Radio & TV Broadcasters Index.
Tribune Publishing has struggled as well. The company, which owns the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune, ousted Chief Executive Officer Jack Griffin last week less than a month after investor Michael Ferro became non-executive chairman.
Mr. Griffin, who took over as CEO in 2014, was succeeded by Justin Dearborn. Mr. Dearborn had been CEO of Merge Healthcare, whose software helps doctors manage medical images. In August, International Business Machines Corp. agreed to buy Merge, where Mr. Ferro was chairman, for about $1 billion.
Tribune Publishing suspended its dividend earlier this month, after Mr. Ferro became its largest shareholder with a $44.4 million investment, equal to a 17% stake, and joined the board. Ferro is also majority owner of the Chicago Sun-Times through his media holding company Wrapports LLC.
-- Bloomberg News


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Everything-Everyone Goes Alice
Yes, yes, I saw the mega display last month at Barnes and Nobles complete with the awesome hot pink leather bound and gold leaf issues of Through the Looking Glass. Followed other designer's Alice trends? Eh, sortof... Some are an absolute wonderful spin and super creative (read: Anthro's lamp), and others seem a bit quick to and uninspiring, just a fast way to jump on the movie fan wave. Although I have to say, do love any OPI clever name, Thanks So Muchness, Mad as a Hatter, Absolutely Alice, Off with her Red!... (I'm that girl who buys the nailpolish if the name makes me chuckle, hence the NicoleAlert! blinding orange currently on my toes).
The always inspiring, Anthropologie brings Alice into our living rooms with their stacked One-Lump-or-Two Lamp. Am loving the idea of creating your own with simple wiring* and stacking mismatched china on top of one another. Possible? Ideas on how to drill through porcelain without shattering? (*and by simple, I mean letting HandyManAndy at it while I sit back as Creative Director...)
Tom Binns created the Disney Couture Jewelry line just in time for the Tim Burton film release. Am feelin the excessive charm bracelets:
Totally into the idea of a big fatty bow in place of a skinny belt this summer, as found in the tea-time tearsheet (via GlamChic):
Even Avril Lavigne (yup) has jumped down the Alice hole...Her clothing collection for all ages (really? don't super see my mom prancing around in waistcoats), inspired after she wrote the title song for the recent film:
Fin (for now). Enjoy!


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Home Depot Fun Facts, History, Trivia: U.S. Home Improvement Retailing
As one of the Top Ten Largest Retail Chains in the World, the Home Depot retail chain is one of the original category killing big-box chains in the U.S. Because of its size alone, Home Depot is well-known in the countries where it operates - the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. But as much as retail industry leaders, stockholders, analysts, consumers, employees, and students already know about Home Depot, there is even more little-known history, trivia and fun facts about Home Depot to learn.
Depot Product Mix Tricks
- When the first Home Depot store opened, it was the largest home improvement specialty store, with about 25,000 different home improvement products available in each store. Today, an average Home Depot store will have up to 40,000 different products, and Home Depot customers can special order 250,000 additional products not stocked in the brick-and-mortar Home Depot stores.
- Empty product boxes were strategically placed on high shelves in the earliest Home Depot stores in order to create a warehouse look and give customers the impression that stores were stocked to the rafters with home improvement merchandise.
Proprietary Home Depot Brands
A significant part of Home Depot's success can be attributed to its sales of proprietary-branded merchandise including Ryobi® tools, RIDGID® tools, LG® appliances, Toro® lawn equipment, and Cub Cadet® lawn equipment. Home Depot's proprietary paint brand, BEHR® is reportedly the #1 consumer brand of paint, claiming to have more than 25% of the consumer paint market share in the U.S.
Home Depot's Competition Busting Strategy
The Home Depot Low Price Guarantee is an ongoing offer to beat any advertised price from a competitor on any product, as long as the product is also in stock at a Home Depot store.
Size Matters
- The average size of a Home Depot retail store is 105,000 square feet.
- The largest Home Depot store is 225,000 square feet and is located in Union, NJ.
- Home Depot is not only the largest home improvement retail store chain in the U.S., but it is also the largest home improvement retailer in Canada and Mexico.
Home Depot's Customer Care
- The Home Depot founders created a Customer Bill of Rights which entitled them to "right assortment, quantities, and price, along with trained associates on the sales floor who want to take care of customers."
- Home Depot conducts free Kids Workshop clinics at its stores. More than one million children have built their first toolbox at these workshops.
- The Home Depot Garden Club is the largest garden club in the world.
Gold Medal Employees
Since 1992, Home Depot has employed 570 Olympic hopefuls in its Olympic Job Opportunity Program. The program provided athletes with benefits and flexibility for training and competition. The program was discontinued in 2009.
Giving Away the Store
The Home Depot Foundation has donated more than $200 million to non-profit organizations, and the Framing Hope Program has donated more than $100 million worth of products to charitable causes.


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I was learning a mazurka-inspired guitar piece by Julio Sagreras when I realized that I had no clear idea as to what a mazurka is. So I looked around, and came up with these illuminations:
The mazurka (in Polish, mazurek) is a Polish folk dance in triple meter, usually at a lively tempo, and with accent on the second or third beat. (Wikipedia)
Bolshoi Ballet Mazurka :
Horowitz plays a Chopin Mazurka:
A Klezmer Mazurka:
Debussy Mazurka:
So the mazurka, it seems, is like the blues or the sonnet: a form with which you can say just about anything.


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Contact: Stacey Reynolds
Level 6, Evan Parry House, 43 Princes Street
P O Box 859, Dunedin 9054
Telephone: +64 03 474 2667
Fax: +64 03 4775300
Careers New Zealand offers expert, free advice and support to help New Zealanders make smart, well informed decisions about their career. We have an extensive nationwide hub of careers expertise and support.
Our holistic view of the careers sector enables us to lead, define practice and develop resources for use across the careers sector, improving the quality of career decision making by New Zealanders.
We work with businesses, industry and community group so that people have wider access to the information they need to make successful transitions into learning and work so they are active contributors to the New Zealand economy.
Carees New Zealand is working in partnership with government agencies, schools, tertiary providers, community organisations, businesses, unions, influencer groups and people who use our service to build an excellent careers system in New Zealand. We are uniquely placed to view all the elements, organisations, steps and links that come together to form a careers system in New Zealand.
It's our goal that New Zealanders can confidently manage their own careers throughout their lives.


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Original SWAT OS131001 Men's Chase Low Tactical Boot
Tactical professionals all over the world choose Original SWAT boots for their feet. This tactical boot is the number one choice for professionals because this manufacturer knows exactly what police and others that wear their boots expect from their footwear. The 1310 Chase low tactical shoe is a great example of why law enforcement everywhere chooses Original SWAT for their feet.
The Chase low tactical shoe is ideal for situations where a full-size work boot isn't necessary. The toe of this shoe is covered in polishable black leather, which gives it that uniform boot look and also has a double-stitched heel and toe for durability. On the soles, Original SWAT used slip and oil resistant technology which also makes these boots extremely quiet and great for use in sticky situations.
Features and Benefits:
Low height of this tactical boot allows it to fit more like a sneaker than a combat boot. The shorter height is great for off-duty tasks and occupations where a taller height is not needed.
Can be used near electrical hazards because it meets ASTM safety standards.
Midsole is made with very cushioning materials. This material allows the boot to cradle the foot.
A Texon footbed provides lateral support. This extra support also makes this a more comfortable boot to wear for a very long time.


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Queenstown, New Zealand (2011)
The Littles Road Residence is located on the South Island of New Zealand, minutes north of Queenstown. The house is situated within a grassy plateau on the property that will remain an active grazing area for sheep. The residence has views across the Shotover River to the south and west and is surrounded by expansive mountain views that include Coronet Peak, Cecil Peak, and The Remarkables.
The residence is organized into three primary components. The house is arranged beneath three linear vaults and it split into two parts with the primary living spaces in the northern portion and the guest suite in the southern zone. These two components bracket a gracious outdoor courtyard area. The entry sequence passes beneath a long vault and into the courtyard zone. This courtyard is lushly planted and stands in contrast to the neatly goat-trimmed grasses surrounding the residence.
Conceptually, the residence is a glazed pavilion set within the grazing field. Separating the house and courtyard from the grassland enclosing it is a unifying wood screen made up of a series of hinged, operable panels each measuring 2.7 meters high by 1.2 meters wide. In a gesture to anchor the project to its place, the panels are composed of a native Blackwood species that has had been water-jet cut in a pattern that abstracts the windswept, delicate grasses blanketing the surrounding hillsides.
The roof vaults also connect the building to place. The gently folded forms recall the mountainous surroundings or even the tectonic plates that have collided to create this island nation and continue to generate earthquakes experienced throughout the South Pacific. Perhaps one can interpret the vaults as a reflection of the commonly used corrugated iron that clads many utilitarian farm buildings. Regardless, upon approach the building presents an elegant silhouette reminiscent of a noble shed.
Internally the residence's spaces are organized neatly beneath the vaults and offer a reduced palette of light wood floors and polished white plaster walls and ceilings. Illumination evenly up lights the vaults and emphasizes the unadorned, uninterrupted flow of space beneath the sheltering forms.
Client: Anne Marek
Status: Design development complete - 2011
Project Team: Chelsea Clark + Maxim Borshchevskiy
Littles Road Residence


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Swine Flu – Will it help to wear a mask?
Information on the effectiveness of facemasks and respirators for decreasing the risk of influenza infection in community settings is extremely limited. So, it is difficult to assess their potential effectiveness in decreasing the risk of Swine Flu virus transmission in these settings. However, a well-fitted, FDA-approved mask together with other preventive measures MAY reduce the risk of contracting the flu. Those who are sick or caring for someone who is ill should consider using a mask or respirator if leaving the house becomes necessary.
Source: CDC


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Call: (215) 822-3860
Meet Us
We think you will find us a little different in small, but important ways. We will involve you during the entire course of your treatment. Dental health is a team enterprise with one collective goal…nurturing your teeth, gums, mouth and body to simply be the best they can be.
Maybe you have neglected your dental health for a bit too long, or maybe past experiences have left you with apprehension when it comes to dental care. Dental technology has come a long way from what you might remember. Welcome to comfortable dentistry. We are more like a dental Spa than a traditional office. Really!
If you have been thinking about making some changes to your smile and would like to see what it would look like, please ask us about our "Smile Makeover Preview". We do implants with fully guided surgery, safe holistic mercury removal, CEREC one day metal free ceramic crowns, Clear aligner braces, and we have a new 3D imaging system called Gallileos!
If you have any questions about your treatment, or any other concerns, please do not hesitate to talk to any members of our team. We want you to relax and feel good about your visit with us. Again, welcome!
Beth M. Skovron, DDS, FAGD


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Carol Brazo, EdD
Professor of Education
Carol Brazo began working at George Fox University in the fall of 2002. She is delighted to be part of a learning community that has a core commitment to the teachings of Jesus and to preparing professional educators who think critically, transform practice and promote justice. To work in an education department whose mission matches her own so closely has been one of the great joys of her professional life.
Education is the discipline that allows us to work with children, families and communities to transform society and to bring each individual into a fuller understanding of the gifts inherent in them. It opens paths to children of all ages, cultures, languages, and giftings to fulfill the promise placed within them by their Creator. It is an honor to train teachers who will devote themselves to this endeavor.
BA, History, California Baptist University (1980)
MEd, Education, George Fox University (2001)
EdD, George Fox University (2006)
Expertise and Research
Carol's expertise spans two areas: adolescent literacy and internationalizing teacher education. She trained as a secondary teacher in history and spent her early career in both private and public schools as both a history and language arts teacher. Over time, she became far more attached to teaching literacy with a focus on writing. Her own writing has spanned both educational research and two books on spiritual development.
Carol's work in bringing teacher candidates to Quito, Ecuador, has challenged her to understand the transformative elements in an overseas teaching experience. Here, she has worked with a research team as we have sought to understand which elements of the Quito experience has been the most transformative for our students. We have looked at teaching strategies that infiltrate our practices upon our return as well as the internal habits of mind that have been altered by this exposure to another culture. It remains one of the most engaging studies of Carol's lifetime.
Select Research and Writing Bibliography
Publications and Presentations
Primary Teaching and Administrative Responsibilities
EDUG 560 - Foundations of Language and Literacy: Secondary Teachers
EDUG 555 - Language Arts Pedagogy
EDUG 502 - Structures and Strategies of Learning
EDUG 501 - The Professional Educator
EDUG 522 - Action Research for Teachers
MAT Department Chair, 2012-14
Graduate Teacher Ed Department Chair, 2014-present
Outside the Classroom
Carol and Mark have been married for more than 30 wonder-filled years. They have adult children who delight them and have two dogs that create a lot of laughter in the house. The Brazos enjoy traveling together and read voraciously. Mark is a huge Dodger fan. Carol was born into a baseball-loving family and adopted the Dodgers when she married Mark. The team last won the World Series in 1988.


text: Applicants to this course should have a pleasant personality and a genuine interest in working with others. A student should have well developed fine motor skills, patience to develop manipulative skills and ability to communicate with others. Anyone seeking training to become a Barber should give attention to presenting a well groomed and neat appearance at all times.


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Here's a wearable we can really get on board with: the team at VINAYA, that makes the wearable ALTRUIS, announced today their brand new wearable ZENTA. ZENTA is unique because it is a biometric band for emotional well-being. We spoke with Kate Unsworth, VINYA's co-founder, to learn more.
Describe VINAYA.
VINAYA is a fast-growing London-based startup/company creating intentional and human-focused wearable technology products. We are one part research lab, one part technology design studio. Our Studio builds design-led technology products that elevate productivity, tranquility and wellbeing. We believe technology should be seamlessly integrated into our lives and driven by human-focused insights. Our Lab explores the intersection of neuroscience, philosophy, psychology, mindfulness and modern technology. We conduct research and cultivate technological concepts to inform our Studio's product development. Through cross-pollinating disciplines and ideas, we like to ask ourselves big questions about the modern human condition.
Tell us about your new wearable ZENTA.
ZENTA is the world's first biometric sensing wearable for both body and mind. Taking a holistic approach to a user's well-being, this super smart accessory tracks their tangible metrics like their activity, sleep and breath, as well as less visible metrics like stress, happiness and their overall mood. There is nothing like it on the market yet and we couldn't be more excited.
What inspired you to create ZENTA?
With the invention of the ALTRUIS, we were able to provide people with a less tech-centric life by providing a fashionable tool that allowed them to stay connected, not distracted. The feedback from the industry was overwhelming. After ALTRUIS launched we started thinking "how can we further help people manage their busy lives?" And then we thought, the best way to monitor a user's emotions and stress levels is to actually understand them first. And so the idea for ZENTA was born.
How does ZENTA stand out in the wearable tech space?
We truly believe that ZENTA will make waves in the wearable market because no other product can promise users both a designer piece of jewelry that they actually want to wear and a device that gives them access to wellness and their emotions. Its personalized responses through vibrations and touch allow for not only new habit forming, but improvements to a person's lifestyle as a whole. And with the ability to share their emotional state with those close to them.
What was your greatest challenge when making ZENTA and what's the most important lesson you've learned so far?
Still our biggest challenge continues to be finding ways of decoding the complexities of human emotions. The most important lesson: every single person is different, every body and mind is unique – our technology has to cater for that.
Where can we buy ZENTA and what is the cost?
You can purchase ZENTA now through our Indiegogo page. The early bird price for ZENTA starts at $119. ZENTA will then retail for $249 after the campaign ends.
What can we expect next from VINAYA?
2016 is definitely our year. We have a couple of really exciting things in the pipeline with ALTRUIS and of course the launch of ZENTA. Watch this space!
To learn more about ZENTA check out their website, go to the Indiegogo page and watch the video below.
Third Wave Fashion has been your fashion tech think tank since 2011. We publish the first ever printed fashion tech magazine, Third Wave. Follow us on Twitter or subscribe to our newsletter to stay on top of the latest in fashion tech + wearables.


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"Jing Qi" and Many Reasons for Daily Practice
I was in my twenties when the "Human Potential" movement was at its peak during the 1980's. Many of those things had an effect on my outlook on life and ultimately who I became. But as life goes on, we forget, and taking care of our energy and ourselves takes a back seat.
When we're young we seem invincible and we spend our precious capital on things that, as we get older seem frivolous. It is a blessing when one can encounter grandmasters such as Shifu Chiang and Master Hui Liu. They are selfless in their dedication to share the teachings of their teachers, to train and cultivate a new generation of teachers in those traditions and values, and to create opportunities for personal growth, health and wellness for students everywhere through WWS's bi-annual retreats.
I just found Wen Wu School in March of this year. My health was slowly spiraling downhill, and I was looking for ways to "pull up" and re-establish some personal equilibrium. I was eating sorta okay, and I was getting acupuncture once, maybe twice a week. I removed a very stressful commute from my life and successfully cultivated a job that I enjoy, but I was not getting enough exercise. I wasn't feeling well and I was determined to reverse that downward spiral.
In one of several conversations with my acupuncturist, we were talking about energy and the concept of jing qi. Each of us is born with a specific amount of jing qi, inherited from our parents, and as we move through life we deplete it. I learned that qigong is a good way to start rebuilding that foundation of the jing qi in my body before it is completely gone. I already knew a little something about qigong, because I had read about it in my travels and I had taken an introductory course. So I started to look for a teacher and a school, and discovered Wen Wu School, which I had been driving past for years. I like to feel that I have a good sense of people and teachers. I have to say that in my life I've almost never been "let down" by a teacher that I've chosen or who has chosen me. Oddly enough, the thing that helped me decide on Wen Wu, was a review that someone placed on Yelp, It said...
"... forget self defense, the real fight isn't on the streets.. it's in the heart.
the real enemy is cancer, heart disease, and diabetes..
this system will save your life!"
I showed up one Sunday morning and fortunately it was just the second class of a new semester. Auspiciousness has always guided my life. So I signed up and paid for my 5-week installment. Three weeks later, I could crouch down on the ground, which may not seem like much to many, but I had not been able to do this for the last 3 or 4 years. So I knew I was in the right place. I went every week, on Sunday, but did not practice every day. Then I started to at least do the warm-up exercises as much as I could. During August there were free practice sessions in the park, at 7:00 AM on Saturday mornings. I got up and started my weekends with them and noticed a difference in my energy level and mobility throughout the day.
One Saturday I came down the hill a little late, and I could feel something was different . . .there was a strong yet subtle difference in the energy in the little dell where we practiced in the Berkeley hills. I looked, and saw that Wen Wu School's Grandmaster Hui Liu was there. I had never met her, but even from afar, I knew it had to be her. I could tell by the way she moved and by the qi around her. I felt so embarrassed to be coming late to practice. I came down the hill, took my place in the circle, and continued with the warm-ups. Here before me was a woman, so small compared to me, yet so vibrant, old enough for me to be her son, yet my body is so stiff and struggling compared to her movements. I was touched by the fact that she comes out in the morning cold to practice with her students. Then I heard about the bi-annual Wen Wu School Retreat coming up in early September. Once again I felt blessed with an auspicious life. So I sign up, not knowing what to expect.
On the Thursday that I drive down to The Quaker Center in the Santa Cruz mountains, it was hot. It was nice to be there with fellow practitioners and nice to really have qigong practice on the agenda as my primary focus for the next four days. The grounds were quiet and beautiful, the redwood grove where we practiced early every morning, was majestic and filled with qi.
It was nice to see Grandmaster Hui Liu with us. I didn't get to spend a lot of time with her, and I'm not one to go out of the way to be noticed. For a tall person of my size, being noticed is not a problem, so more than anything I try to blend in. But a couple of things that Grandmaster Liu said to me I've taken away, and have been using in my daily life ever since. During one practice that was particularly tedious for me, I stopped to rest, sat down, and started to drink some water, Shimu came over to me and said with firm, tough love, "Get up. Don't sit. You can stop, but don't sit." Later in the retreat she came up to me and said, "You practice... everyday." I think to myself, "...this woman who has trained hundreds of students, maybe thousands over the last more than thirty odd years, still has enough love and dedication in her heart that she can instruct this new person whom she does not know to practice everyday, motivated only by the knowledge that consistent practice could add years to his life." What better way to honor the Grandmaster's attention to me than to make every effort to do what she says, especially when the effects are clear and proven. In fact, I have to ask myself,"Why would I not practice?"
There are potentially many answers to that riddle, but one thing is certain. Shifu and Shimu have dedicated their lives to our wellbeing, and we can best honor their gift through our own dedication to practice, which then enables us to share their wisdom and gifts with others through the wholeness and strength of our own presence. . . with gratitude and many thanks for the influence of Shifu Chaing and Master Hui Liu.
To see more stories, click Students Corner in the menu bar on the right, then click "Experiences."


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Learn Electron Quickly
Build cross-platform desktop applications using JavaScript, HTML and CSS. Electron is based on Node.js and Chromium and is used by the Atom editor and many other apps.
Software Engineer with experience working in multi-cultural teams, Franze wants to help people when he can, and he is passionate about programming and Computer Science. Founder of RemoteMeetup.com where he can meet people all over the World. When Franze is not coding, he is studying something about programming.
Daily Drip has easily been one of the most helpful resources on my journey to better understand Elixir and the Phoenix web framework.
With any language there are so many details to learn. What functions are built-in? How should I structure my code? What tools are available for improving my workflow? It's rare to find one source that can answer so many of these questions, but DailyDrip does this and more for Elixir.
Daily Drip is by far the best resource for learning Elm anywhere, and among the very best online learning platforms, period.


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I've been using some Kindle advertising recently to see if I could generate some sales.
There are different ways you can use Kindle ads, though they all use targeting on Amazon.
One way is to target groups. For instance, I've been using "Flypaper Boy: Coming of Age" for my ads. Here's my blurb:
He always wanted to fit in but never had the skills. Now he has the moves, confidence, and the opportunity to choose. Will he be a superhero or a villain?
You're limited for the number of characters, so you have to spend a lot of time refining your blurb to say exactly what you want, very concisely.
Then you choose your target. You can target interests or products. Interests are like, Reading: Fiction: Young Adult. There are not a ton of them to choose from, so it's really hard for me to create a target group that is successful.
The other way is to choose products like books by Bryan Cohen or Brandon Sanderson, or any other author or series that is similar in some way--that an audience for that product would be interested in your book, read the blurb and buy.
On the page of that target group or product, a little picture of my book shows up as a suggested purchase, with the little blurb next to it.
The final step to reach people is that you must name your price, the amount you are willing to pay to have your ad 'clicked'. Others may be out there bidding higher than you and will have their ad placed before you, but I've found for $.60 I get a lot of 'impressions' (the ad being placed on a page.)
Here are the results of three ads I placed for Flypaper Boy.
The first was based on groups, such as that mentioned above. I got:
110K impression
54 clicks at an average of $.49 per click and a total for $26.66 spent
0 sales when I stopped the advertisement.
I saw that was going nowhere, so I stopped it and changed my approach. I picked three different authors and targeted about fifty books.
I only got 35K impression and 11 clicks over four days for a cost of $5.95, but I had 3 sales for $6.20 in profit. Kindle shut down my ad because they said, "It lacked relevance." I realize I wasn't getting hundreds of thousands of view and clicks, but I actually turned a profit.
I beefed up the same ad but added a about 700 more specific books to target. That got me really relevant. I got 233K impressions, 101 clicks and spent $52 to get $16 in sales. (That's about $10 in revenue for a loss of $42.)
What is my take away from these three trials?
The ad that is relevant to Kindle Direct Publishing is one that makes them money fast.


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We're glad you stopped by. We are the Apartment Association of Northwestern Pennsylvania - a not-for-profit that provides information and services to the residential rental industry in Northwestern, PA: Erie, Warren, and Crawford counties.
Browse around, Check out what our Members have For Rent or For Sale By Owner.
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Contact Us
Phone: (814) 866-7414
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Bulletin Board
- November Dinner Meeting
John Persinger will discuss What the Erie Downtown Development Corporation Is & How They Are Working to Transform Downtown Erie.
- Check Out What Our Members Have "For Rent or For Sale"
Find the perfect HOME for you or your family


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Horrifyingly beautiful images from The Atlantic:
Since the time of Trinity — the first nuclear explosion in 1945 — nearly 2,000 nuclear tests have been performed, with the majority taking place during the 1960s and 1970s. When the technology was new, tests were frequent and often spectacular, and led to the development of newer, more deadly weapons. But starting in the 1990s, there have been efforts to limit the future testing of nuclear weapons, including a U.S. moratorium and a U.N. comprehensive test ban treaty. As a result, testing has slowed — though not halted — and there are questions about the future. Who will take over for those experienced engineers who are now near retirement, and should we act as stewards with our enormous stockpiles of nuclear weapons? Gathered here are images from the first 30 years of nuclear testing.
(via Kottke)


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As competition for students heats up, universities are spending on new campus construction
- Universities face cost pressures and public funding is declining for R&D space. Universities are focused on increasing efficiencies while providing the needed space upgrades.
- Universities are building out classrooms with hoteling stations and open space plans, with a goal of keeping students on campus by increasing their engagement with campus amenities.
Take a look at a few Education projects recently completed by JLL.
Source: JLL Research, BD+C. *Estimated annual rate 2015


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Seed banking is an extremely important component of plant conservation but what do you do with seeds that don't store well? A considerable number of plant species produce seeds that die when placed into seed banks. Are these species destined to be lost forever if things go south? Not if my guest can help it. Karin van der Walt is the Conservation and Science Advisor for New Zealand's Otari Native Botanic Garden and she specializes in cryopreservation of some of the rarest trees on our planet. Join us as we discuss what it takes to save trees that don't lend well to being saved! This episode was produced in part by Griff, Philip, Paul, Matthew, Clark, Bobby, Kate, Steven, Brittney, McMansion Hell, Joey, Catherine, Brandon, Hall, Vegreville Creek and Wetlands Fund, Kevin, Oliver, John, Johansson, Christina, Jared, Hannah, Katy Pye, Brandon, Gwen, Carly, Stephen, Botanical Tours, Moonwort Studios, Lisa, Liba, Lucas, Mohsin Kazmi Takes Pictures, doeg, Clifton, Stephanie, Benjamin, Eli, Rachael, Anthony, Plant By Design, Philip, Brent, Ron, Tim, Homestead Brooklyn, Brodie, Kevin, Sophia, Brian, Mark, Rens, Bendix, Irene, Holly, Caitlin, Manuel, Jennifer, Sara, and Margie.
Send Karin an email: email@example.com
Learn more about the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network
Watch a video about cryopreservation
Listen to my episode of Planted: Finding your roots in STEM careers
Pick up some In Defense of Plants merch