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18 July 2013
RockCam Spy Project
Gregory Perry (Gregory.Perry[at]GoVirtual.tv) sends:
Lockheed Martin / Defense Threat Reduction Agency / RockCam Project
As we discussed prior, I was the Chief Technology Officer for Advanced Wireless
an imagery intelligence hardware provider in partnership with Lockheed Martin,
the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, and the United States Department of
Defense. The particular group at Lockheed was their fourth corporate
division with roots in the original Skunkworks R&D group, and this project
reported directly to the LMCO CEO and Board of Directors.
During this project, we designed a high resolution, secure wireless-enabled
covert imaging hardware platform that was installed into fake rocks placed
at various locations, to be used for clandestine imagery intelligence and
surveillance applications (project name ROCKCAM).
My particular role as CTO was to liaison with Lockheed Martin engineers and
the Defense Threat Reduction Agency officials to get the project through
Department of Defense Factory Acceptance Testing, so that the project could
be manufactured by Lockheed and then rolled out to other DoD components for
homeland surveillance applications and wartime theatre IMGINT operations.
The device itself was an embedded Linux-based SoC encapsulated in a fake
rock, and which included a spread spectrum frequency hopping 900MHz radio
section configured in a self-healing wireless mesh topology so that the rocks
could communicate between each other and use each deployed RockCam as a wireless
relay/repeater. A covert CMOS-based C-mount pinhole imager was installed
into each rock, coupled with a motion sensing PIR sensor that would trigger
the imager, which in turn would then use a high speed FPGA to compress via
a proprietary wavelet compression engine the intercepted image, and then
encrypt and transport the imagery intelligence data (initially static high
resolution images, later video with corresponding audio) to a centralized
Network Security Operations Center (NSOC). The base of each rock was
packaged with deep cycle lead acid batteries, with an expected lifecycle
of at least three years after being installed in the area to be surveilled.
The device was intended as a covert imaging platform that could be remotely
accessed via handheld computer or PDA to retrieve the imagery data in remote
locations, and there was a well-defined API that I worked on with a third
company called M2M which ran the Network Operations Center where all of the
captured data would be long term stored and mined.
The key to Lockheed / DTRA passing DoD Factory Acceptance Testing was a highly
secured encrypted transport layer for the imagery data being relayed between
the rocks, so that conventional signals intelligence methods would be unable
to view the encrypted image/video streams. I designed the public key
encryption implementation which used a combination of x.509 certificates
for the PKI in conjunction with Diffie Helman negotiated AES transport tunnels.
After getting Lockheed past Factory Acceptance Testing with the DoD, I was
told that the project had been cancelled, that my ownership in the company
was effectively worthless, and I was released from my employment with AWA
at that time.
A short time later a very similar "RockCam" started appearing in the mainstream
news as the result of a spy row between Britain and Russia, with Tony Blair
having recently acknowledged the existence of the program:
I've attached to this email the M2M protocol layer interfacing specifications
documentation used for interfacing the RockCam with M2M for remote covert
imagery transport. Since the project was ostensibly cancelled by Lockheed
Martin and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, I don't think there should
be any national security concerns with the release of any of this
information. It was suggested to me that this particular hardware platform
may have become the basis for a missile nose cone fly-by-wire guidance system
as well as a drone imaging module, which would make sense given the FPGA/wavelet
compression engine that was able to compress high resolution imagery data
(120:1 ratio with a better SNR than other competing wavelet standards such
as JPEG2K). However, I have no knowledge of any such derivative projects
manufactured by Lockheed, Boeing, or otherwise, so I don't think there should
be any national security concerns with auctioning off this hardware and related
engineering blueprints to the highest bidder on Ebay.
I am also in possession of a year or so worth of electronic mail correspondence
and communications by and between AWA, Lockheed, M2M, and various components
such as DTRA that may be of use to other burgeoning startups interested in
building covert imager hardware, so all of those documents, the prototype
hardware that I have here, and some pretty pictures will be listed on Ebay
today or tomorrow for NATO-friendly nation states to peruse and bid on.
I will send you that Ebay auction link once it's live and online.
The prototype hardware I have left is somewhat smokey as the auction will
state, as my house accidentally caught on fire last year in the area where
the prototype hardware was being stored.


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Once I had open heart surgical procedure in 1976 at Mayo Clinic, my world renown doctor advised me to throw out the salt shaker. Mental health is slowly shedding it's adverse connotations and making acceptance easier for some. I never noticed these sort of stories on the information in California, nevertheless it looks like the norm here in East Texas. ATLANTA (AP) — U.S. health officials have lost monitor of what number of sicknesses and deaths have been attributable to the first world flu epidemic in 40 years.
The importance of the article is generally associated the dimensions of the headline, with more important articles having larger and bolder headlines. You additionally mentioned mental health, which is an increasingly necessary difficulty in health care today. The great plan addresses problem of funding, research, access to care, and provider schooling while rising collaborative efforts to be a voice of one in driving additional changes (U.S. Division of Health and Human Providers, 2011).
Off the highest of my head, Dan Reasonably covered three main news events: he was the primary TELEVISION reporter to break the JFK assassination; he reported on the My Lai bloodbath and Watergate. The ethical of this story is NOT that the health insurance trade is actually a bunch of fine guys in spite of everything; no approach. Georgia is coping with a big backlog of complaints about nursing houses, and likewise has a considerable emptiness charge in surveyors who check situations in these services, a state health agency mentioned Tuesday. The most recent arthritis analysis is recommending ways to slash Australia's health funds by tons of of thousands and thousands of dollars. This website complies with the HONcode standard for reliable health data.
Yahoo \ OCTOBER three, 2012 LATEST EARTHQUAKE INFORMATION Three unusual earthquakes that shook a suburb west of Dallas over the weekend seem like linked to the previous disposal of wastewater from native hydraulic fracturing operations, a geophysicist who has studied earthquakes in the region says.
Glenn Beck hosts a day by day show at 5:00 PM on Fox Information, which is an element commentary, part leisure, and utterly controversial. I worked in neighborhood psychological health within the uk for 7 years before transferring back to Canada, and I am still struggling to regulate to the medical model right here. I efficiently raised a large family of 18 WITH OUT government intervention or health care packages. Simply know that there's a connection between healthy consuming, negative considering patterns and psychological health. The WHO FCTC (World Health Group Framework Convention on Tobacco Management) was developed as a treaty to handle the global tobacco dependancy epidemic that's accountable for 5 million deaths every year globally. There are many good news websites that I prefer to read over the newspaper. This is America and still African-Individuals can't belief health care, even with a Black man as President.

subset: commoncrawl


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All photos by Holly –
It's fall, the first crisp day of the season….and wouldn't you know it, the horses are fresh, and have lights in their eyes and little dancing shoes on!
It must be just about time to go foxhunting, or eventing, or get back out on the trails again after a summer of heat and bugs that kept you at home.
Well, it's time, then, for a discussion about Proper Vertical Order.
PVO is a term that some adult amateur riders I am acquainted with use frequently.
It means:
1. Earth
2. Horse
3. Saddle pad and saddle, and finally,
4. Human
Now, any deviation from Proper Vertical Order means, usually, some sort of Advil or Tylenol purchase at a drugstore, because if the No. 4 item ends up being the No. 1 item, it sure ain't the No. 3 item that is going to suffer. More likely stand there and give you the horsey finger for falling off, so it's pretty important to get a few things organized for crisp autumn riding to keep the PVO in the proper numerical order!
I like to start with me. I want sticky, grippy reins and gloves, a good old fashioned neck strap to grab onto when the wild turkeys decide to take a jaunt through the field, good full-seat breeches with some stick to them, a good pair of tall leather boots or half-chaps properly fitted, and if half chaps, proper paddock shoes with a heel and good sole against a solid stirrup iron.
I like the cheese-grater type pads on the stirrups, too. That is a matter of preference of course, but if you don't have the grip you want, make a change — support your local tack shop and find something that works for you.
Don't suffer a slipping leg because you're worried about a new pair of $35 stirrup irons. When you stack up the costs of one ER trip, it's cheap at the price. In fact, a whole new outfit would be less trouble than a few hours' wait in your local hospital emergency room waiting area. Trust me. I know this for a fact. I have stories. You don't want to hear them. Back to our sticky story….
The saddle needs to be soft, conditioned, warm, and sticky. Yes, I am talking about your saddle, not the babka at Panera. (Mmmmm!) My trainer took me aside one day and said, "I know you are busy and have a long day at work, but try and keep your saddle cleaned and conditioned, it will be stickier and easier to stay in," and I heeded her advice and condition it regularly. When traveling to hunts, I keep it in the front seat of the truck with me so it can stay warm, not in the cold horse trailer tackroom. Warm leather will be softer and 'keep' your leg.
I use what top event groom Max Corcoran calls, "Equitation in a Can", a sticky spray that is sold at tack shops that helps your wayward lower leg and bouncy seat keep in the tack. Beware, it's tough stuff to clean off but it works very well! I use it in three places, as per her recommendation: 1) on the flaps, especially the bottom quarter circle, 2) where my knee might stick in the padded part of the flap, and 3) sometimes on the jockeys, but not usually on the seat (too annoying).
I don't polish the inside of my boots, and I don't use the popular showring silicone horse coat sprays, either. Even if you only use it on the tail, they still swat their sides, and the silicone can come off on the barrel just about where your calf needs to be! I have it on good authority that no less a horseman than world champion eventer Bruce Davidson will not allow silicone sprays on his competition horses for that very reason. Since Bruce has more stickability than anyone, I'm listening to advice!
I like to make sure that "staying in the tack" means that the tack is on properly, fits well, is in good shape and can take a hard day's riding. Even something little like a snap on a breastplate that keeps opening and lets the breastplate sag on one side of the horse can really be annoying as well as unsafe when a loose piece gets caught in a stick along the trail and your horse gets snagged. Whoops. Where did that shoulder go. And we are sitting in the middle of the trail in a mud puddle.
No less a rider than the great William Fox-Pitt uses a neckstrap on all his horses even at the biggest four-star three day events, so it's good enough for me. I also make sure that if I don't have the neckstrap I have a breastplate or breastcollar or some kind of thing to grapple with my hands in front of my chin, on my horse's neck.
When you think that your hands have to hold reins, a crop, and then reach for a piece of mane, there's not much more you can get into your grip, so a thin but strong piece of leather is much easier to slide a finger underneath. I have small hands, so by the time I've organized the whip, two reins, perhaps a bridge or even double bridge, I've only got an inch or two of three fingers left to grab something in case of a Teleport Transfer Spook ("we were over there, Mom, I have no idea how we got over here.")
In the case of full-seat breeches, well, that's a garment that is totally up to each individual rear end. Suffice it to say the super sticky grippy breeches are often so grippy they scare you that you can actually ride well, so to avoid frightening myself (as well as causing anxiety about getting OUT of the saddle to get to a porta potty in an emergency) I try full-seat breeches that are a bit more traditional but still help me stick in the tack.
There is one last stickiness factor in the Proper Vertical Order equation, and that's your saddle pad and saddle itself. It goes without saying that you must have something that fits the horse. A narrow tree on a wide horse is like a clothespin on a tennis ball; it does get some traction on the fuzzy side, but eventually it's going to ping off…and you don't want to be in the saddle when it does. A saddle that rolls back and forth on a horse is not going to give you a safe ride, even with breastplates to stabilize it. It only takes one unbalanced moment to complete the law of physics and give you a taste of gravity!
The saddle needs to be stuck to the horse as well with a proper pad, one that protects, provides a good wicking surface to the horse's skin, and on the saddle side has a gripping factor as well. Many pads do not have that extra layer on the top that keeps the saddle from sliding, and I look for that type every time I buy a pad.
Too many pads can be just as troublesome! Big pillowy layers may feel nice but as soon as you have that first good gallop, off they slide to one side or the other….and you're left to standing in your stirrups, pushing on one, then the other, like a drunken sailor tacking the dinghy to and fro about the yacht club! And don't ask your horse what he thinks of such nonsense.
And do not forget to tighten your girth. Jack Le Goff told us at a clinic, once, that one should tighten the girth until you cannot get it any tighter. For that reason, I really watch using double-elastic ended girths when out hunting, or when riding for a long time. They tend to get looser as you go. I like to ride with a girth that has at least one end without elastic or stretch so that the girth doesn't give all the way.
I check all my tack, buckles, ends, lacing and stitching prior to getting in the trailer. While I do a complete check each fall, I make a quick look over all the tack part of my pre-loading routine, and I have spares in the trailer just in case. Make it a habit to be safe.
I don't blame my horse if there is a loss of PVO….it's usually my fault! But I try everything I can to keep sticking on no matter what happens on crisp fall days while you're out galloping together with bugs in your teeth, and smiles on your faces. 🙂 Tally ho!


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MMmmm Berry season is one of my favorite times of the year! There are few things quite as good as biting into fresh picked, sweet, juicy berries!! There are so many yummy ways to enjoy the berries, shortcakes, pies, trifles, cakes, but my favorite way to eat them is this amazing Creamy fruit salad! Oh I can sit and eat an entire bowl of just this for any meal of the day…or just a snack! 😉 It is so simple, its crazy! Yet it is so satisfying!
Creamy Fruit Salad
- 1 6oz container Vanilla greek yogurt
- 1.5 cup small diced strawberries
- 1 cup pitted and chopped cherries
- 1cup halved red grapes
- 1/2cup blueberries
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
In a large bowl combine the yogurt and cinnamon until smooth.
Stir in the fruit, until well combined.
Chill for 30minutes in the refrigerator
Enjoy!! 🙂
Don't be surprised if you just grab a big spoon and sit down with the whole bowl by yourself! 🙂


text:
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by Jessica Greyson
from Goodreads
With King Harold away at war Lord Raburn has his eye on the throne. Those who dare to stand in his way fall beneath his power. All but one. A girl named Annabeth. Can a common, ordinary girl, with love for king, country, and her father, achieve the impossible?
Trained by her father, a master swordsman, outlawed Annabeth has only her sword, her wits, and her disguises to keep Belterra from falling entirely into Lord Raburn's clutches. Can she rescue her captured father and Prince Alfred? Will one girl keep the kingdom from falling?
my rating
my review
This one is a little hard to review, because I devoured it in two sections while on a 12-hour flight. It held my attention (obviously), and was overall a rather enjoyable read. However, I have quite a few qualms with the book.
Annabeth is introduced as an expert swordsman despite her age and gender. But as the story progresses, our protagonist becomes a damsel in distress who must be rescued by a mysterious, chivalrous man. To give her the benefit of the doubt, we could also look at it this way: despite her training and circumstances, Annabeth retained a spark of femininity, or, perhaps, we could say that she is realistically flawed.
Ransom is the mysterious, chivalrous hero previously mentioned, but Eliot's character, though introduced later in the book, was the most complex. Judging by reviews, it looks like Captive of Raven Castle, Jessica Greyson's second book, offers more character depth. I hope this is true, because Annabeth's War shows great promise in Jessica's writing ability.


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Jump to navigation Jump to search
|Look up terrestrial in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Terrestrial refers to things related to land or the planet Earth.
Terrestrial may also refer to:
- Terrestrial animal, an animal that lives on land opposed to living in water, or sometimes an animal that lives on or near the ground, as opposed to arboreal life (in trees)
- A fishing fly that simulates the appearance of a land insect is referred to as a terrestrial fly.
- Terrestrial ecoregion, land ecoregions, as distinct from freshwater ecoregions and marine ecoregions
- Terrestrial ecosystem, an ecosystem found only on landforms
- Terrestrial gamma-ray flash, a burst of gamma rays produced in Earth's atmosphere
- Terrestrial locomotion, evolutionary adaptation from aquatic types of locomotion
- Terrestrial plant, a plant that grows on land rather than in water or on rocks or trees
- Terrestrial planet, a planet that is primarily composed of silicate rocks, and thus "Earth-like"
- Terrestrial radio, radio signals received through a conventional aerial, as opposed to satellite radio
- Terrestrial radiation, due to the insolation of heat by the earth surface, earth re-radiates the heat to the atmosphere in the form of long waves
- Terrestrial reconnaissance, a type of reconnaissance that is employed along the elements of ground warfare
- Terrestrial reference frame, the reference frame as one views from earth
- Terrestrial television, television signals received through a conventional aerial, as opposed to satellite television or cable television
- Terrestrial Time, an astronomical time standard
- Terrestrial Trunked Radio, a specialist walkie talkie standard used by police departments, fire departments, ambulance services and the military
- Cretaceous Terrestrial Revolution, the intense diversification of land animals
See also[edit]
- Extraterrestrial (disambiguation)
- Terrestre (disambiguation)
- Terrestris (disambiguation)
- All pages with titles beginning with Terrestrial
- All pages with titles containing Terrestrial
| disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Terrestrial.
If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.


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There was a time, not so long ago, when indie rock was largely defined by its shambling, inaccessible qualities: lo-fi production techniques, nonexistent stage personas, and quasi-deliberate career suicide. Whether you remember this era with fondness or with derisive exasperation probably depends on your particular taste, but everyone can probably agree that Lou Barlow and Sebadoh were the hands-down champs of this particular brand of anti-showmanship. A trio of bickering fuck-ups, Sebadoh would bury genuinely great songs in albums that were a thicket of poorly-recorded filler and tape loops, often on obscure EPs and hard-to-find singles, forcing fans to pick through quite a bit of rough to find a handful of diamonds.
As much as Sebadohs self-destructive tendencies might be perceived as either pretentious posing or juvenile nihilism, its important to remember the context of the bands existence. Forming in the late 1980s, when pop music was a sea of hyper-produced, shiny crap, Sebadohs anti-professionalism pared things down to basics of melody and song-writing. The likes of Paula Abdul and C and C Music Factory had reduced the idea of professionalism to a rote, robotic recreation of spontaneity, and there was no greater sin for underground bands than to have an overproduced album. Sebadoh responded to pops hegemony in their early days by recording sparse, low-fi acoustic albums and playing explosive, hardcore sets of noisy guitar and hoarse screaming. However, it always seemed as though there were something else lurking beneath their contradictory, infuriating performance tics and wildly inconsistent albums, something more complex than a mere adolescent need to bewilder their audience. Sebadoh was a confused, unbalanced, fucked-up band because it was a group made of people who let quite a bit of their genuine personalities shine through, for better, or more often, for worse. Few bands have examined their own peculiar insecurities with as much unflinching honesty as Sebadoh, and their performances were a kind of meta-enactment of the fears bubbling through in their songs. These fears are as common as they are ignored by most young men, fears of inadequacy, death, loneliness, and romantic failure. Sebadoh didnt just write about these fears, they enacted them.
Indie rock has changed a great deal in ten years, and its difficult for those who came of age in the late nineties to realize just how massive Sebadohs influence was on the bands around them, and on their fans expectation of what rock music should be. Sebadoh was always ruthlessly confessional, but its tone was simultaneously self-mocking, uncomfortable with its revelations. So, unlike the current crop of emo bedwetters, Barlows songs did not function simply as a purge, emotion for its own sake. Rather, the lyrics tended to rotate around questioning Barlows motives, his intentions, or even his own integrity. The musics propulsive, angular hooks served as a sharp contrast to Barlows often embarrassing admissions, pushing the songs forward even as the lyrics admitted defeat.
As Sebadoh moved, inevitably, towards indie stardom (and an eventual demise), Barlow used the moniker Sentridoh to release his home-recorded acoustic songs. By now, several dozen Sentridoh songs exist in the ether, either as albums, singles, and EPs or as random flotsam on Barlows website. Perhaps predictably, some of the songs are brilliant, some are nearly unlistenable, and others are simply mediocre. But Sentridoh has always been more than a simple diary for Barlow, or a collection of cast-offs. Rather, the project has consistently offered a parallel course for his music, a stubborn refusal to drag every idea into the studio for a full polish. As a result, Sentridoh has often produced some of Barlows most direct and powerful output, free from the constraints of band democracy and commercial expectation.
Sentridohs latest, Lou Bs Wasted Pieces, is even more scattered than usual, given that its a collection spanning six years of Barlows early recordings. Despite the lack of cohesion, its a remarkably consistent collection in terms of quality, full of the early, rough vibrancy of Sebadoh. All the familiar elements are here: shame, loss, masturbation, and buried anger, the constant standbys of Barlows oeuvre. But its been a few years since any acoustic Barlow recordings have surfaced, and in the light of current musical vogues, this stuff feels as fresh and as strange as it did fifteen years ago. Turning the rickety four-track setup into both an aesthetic and a conscious artistic choice, Barlow spits out ninety-second acoustic rants and pleadings like a vintage hardcore band, songs tumbling over each other in a battered mess, words and melodies tugging for your attention before being replaced with a noisy sound fragment or a wash of tape hiss.
There are beautiful, fragile moments: Nitemare, a simple song about waking up alone after a breakup, has a quiet power thats belied by its casual delivery. Albuquerque 89 recounts Barlow masturbating in an adult-video booth, damning himself for his stupid habit and begging his girlfriend for forgiveness. Its certainly awkward, but its also gently affecting in its honesty and acknowledgement of Barlows neediness. But what truly stands out is the messy bulk of the whole album, 31 songs that play as one long, uninterrupted vamp on the same song. Every band has, essentially, one kind of song, and Wasted Pieces, as much as anything, is a demonstration of Barlows song: beautiful, crushing, witty, and intimate, a song that is most broadly about human confusion and desire. Although Barlow has always been tagged with the role of the spokesman for the sensitive indie-boy generation, this is somewhat unfair, and lessens his contribution. Barlows persona in song is far from that of a p.c. doormat, or a soulful folkster. Hes petty, selfish, and angry as much as hes thoughtful and giving. For, while Barlows is obviously a male voice, his songs resonate because they speak to basic human problems and concerns: communication, understanding, living with ourselves. Its a complicated problem, and as such it has produced as many failures as successes in Barlows work. But this is always what made Sebadoh so exciting. The next song could be a catastrophe or a work of genius. Barlow, as well as co-contributors Eric Gaffney and Jason Loewenstein, were searching for something that they couldnt quite articulate, a synthesis of complex, messy human emotions in the context of a wiry post-punk rock song. Failure was built into Sebadoh, which only made their success more thrilling.
With the release of 1999s The Sebadoh, things had begun to sound formulaic, and the bands renowned spontaneity had mostly been forgotten. And although their previous album, Harmacy, had been well-received, the relative failure of The Sebadoh seems to have pushed the band apart, potentially for good. Whether this is for the best is difficult to say, but even if they never re-form, Wasted Pieces provides an essential document of Barlows talent and the intensity that brought Sebadoh to our attention in the first place. This stuff hasnt aged a day, and its also a good reminder that simplicity and immediacy can sometimes produce the most affecting results. Barlows is a unique and quixotic talent, one that inherently trips itself up. As such, his songs always make for an intense, sometimes difficult experience, but one that is ultimately satisfying because it mirrors so closely the complexities of our own emotional lives.
By Jason Dungan


text:
PARIS (Reuters) - Ditching the euro to return to the franc would increase French borrowing costs, European Central Bank policymaker Francois Villeroy de Galhau warned in a column for Le Figaro published on Monday.
"The idea of leaving the euro and devaluing our currency to run up bigger deficits overlooks the fact that financing French debt would cost significantly more," Villeroy said, predicting that borrowing costs could exceed 30 billion euros.
Villeroy, who also heads the Bank of France, defended the single currency's deficit rules against those who blame them for weak French economic growth.
"If France lags (its peers) in terms of growth, it's not because of excessive budget discipline ... but because of insufficient domestic reforms," he said.
Villeroy's comments come after far-right leader Marine Le Pen unveiled her manifesto over the weekend, calling for France to leave the euro.
Reporting by Michel Rose; Editing by Laurence Frost


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Whether or not you relish the purchasing experience otherwise you favor to take a no-nonsense strategy to buying men's clothes , eBay presents a handy and efficient technique to fulfill your men's vogue needs. Nordstrom and Crate and Barrel use Fifty-One, and I usually discover that the cost of shipping the merchandise is more than the price of the merchandise itself. Web shoppers know all the principles about on the net purchasing, particularly after they have spent time caretotally reviewing the store's return insurance policies online on the Net. Consider these interesting shops to discover on-line, and save money whereas doing so. By purchasing online and utilizing on-line coupons, you may be ok with looking your greatest with the money you've gotten saved. Moderately than visiting completely different retail stores for their vogue wants, men want to shop on-line. There may be a complete online choice devoted to undies, from fancy bridal sets, maternity picks, as well as the normal bras, slips, and even heat thermals. But, over the past few years, the strategy of on-line purchasing has changed the standard buying.
Equally if the buying complex or the ability you cannot get in Supermarket then you can order on-line and buy the product. This record of on-line favourites is in no way only for Australians, but my focus is on those sites that will ship to Australia for an affordable price. For sure, on-line shopping is thriving because of its ease, comfort and affordability.
Whereas the majority of their stores are within the United Kingdom, they also have a growing presence spreading throughout Europe, Asia, and the Center East. With plenty of alternative to get free gifts and jump on some giant discounts you can simply get your palms on the latest streetwear traits at a price that will not break the financial institution. With the emergence of plethora of online shops, men's vogue on-line buying has been confined to the comfort of the home.
Miss KL is actually an all around purchasing expertise with a number of bundled extras to keep trend fans up-to-date with fashion content and goodies. Along with saving at Marks & Spencer, you can use online vouchers to save lots of at other distinctive stores that supply their own particular merchandise. Karmaloop was founded in 2000 and has quickly grown to the most popular online destination for city and streetwear style. The whole lot from fundamental underwear to garments to footwear to equipment, they are finding shopping for on-line. If you happen to've been to the US, you are probably conversant in the marginally grungy, eclectic, funky City Clothes shop stores that promote Males's and Girls's clothing and offbeat homewares and presents. In addition, you're given an opportunity to compare the cost of your favorite shoe on completely different procuring websites.
At , you may be a part of a wonderful and easy procuring expertise with free delivery, delivery. Though, the market is flooded with a number of ecommerce stores that claims to offer branded and prime-notch quality merchandise at a price that everybody can afford. From sports activities footwear, formal sneakers to sneakers, a wide variety is on the market at on-line stores in keeping with events. Also, on all festive events, these on-line shops supply nice discounts and gives on the product range. Might is a passionate on-line shopper, constantly searching for new websites offering bargains to offset the declining Australian dollar. Karmaloop stocks hundreds of widespread streetwear brands and hosts constant gross sales which has solely added to its success as a web-based retailer. M & S stores ship to eighty nations worldwide, including the United States—and at affordable rates.


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Edward Steichen, Anna May Wong, 1931, originally uploaded by Gatochy.
11 hours ago
During the 1910s young girls wore big bows on their hair that fell onto the head, and so they became known as "flappers". The name would stick with this generation, as they grew up in the 1920s.
Via It'll Take The Snap Out Of Your Garters! blog.
Click image for 419 x 544 size.
Via Greenbriar Picture Shows blog. Click image for 803 x 1024 size.
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Bonnie Cashin, Vogue cover, watercolor and pencil illustration, 1927.
Bonnie Cashin, Vogue cover, watercolor and pencil illustration, 1927.
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Via Greenbriar Picture Shows. Click image for 1024 x 735 size.


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Perfect Propriety is not instantly acquired. It not only requires practice in the field, but also study from the experts. Etiquetteer herewith offers for your consideration books of the past and present, to use as markers on your Pathway to Perfect Propriety:
Etiquette, by Emily Post (1937): The grandma of all etiquette books in the United States, Emily Post led the charge for Gracious Living in the early 20th century. Countless editions of this seminal work on manners have been produced, but Etiquetteer prefers the 1937 edition and Mrs. Post's amusingly named characters: The Gildings, the Worldlys, the Oldnames, and those awful people, Mr. Richan Vulgar and Miss Nono Betta.
Miss Manners Rescues Civilization from Sexual Harassment, Frivolous Lawsuits, Dissing and Other Lapses in Civility, by Judith Martin (1996): More than picking up the mantle of Mrs. Post, Judith Martin gives us the Big Picture behind etiquette and why we need common courtesy today. Reading it should make everyone realize that they have habits they need to change. No one is exempt, but Miss Manners makes it clear in an almost self-effacing way.
Washington Wife: Journal of Ellen Maury Slayden from 1897 - 1919: Well-bred and well-read daughter of the blueblooded Maurys of Virginia, wife of a Texas congressman, Ellen Maury Slayden always behaved with Perfect Propriety -- and knew how to put people in their places when they didn't. Her stories of Washington social and political life during the years between the Spanish-American War and World War I run the gamut, from almost being squeezed out of her dress in the crush of a White House receiving line to having a new butler serve paraffin instead of salad oil at a dinner party.
Roberts' Guide for Butlers and other Household Staff, by Robert Roberts (1837): Butler to the Gore family of Boston, Robert Roberts wrote this encyclopedic guide of good manners and household hints for servants of every stripe, from how to brush hats and trim cruet stands to the proper way to lay out sideboards for supper parties. Acres of "receipts" for household potions like boot blacking and mirror polish are also helpfully included.
A Young Shaker's Guide to Good Manners: A Juvenile Guide, or Manual of Good Manners(1844), edited by Flo Morse and Vincent Newton (1998): Simple and straightforward, like everything about the Shakers, this collection of advice and admonition takes all the curlicues out of etiquette and explains good manners as the basis of good society. "Never raise phlegm into your mouth and swallow it at table; it looks very disgusting."
How to Be a Gentleman: A Contemporary Guide to Common Courtesy, by John Bridges (1998): Brisk and forthright instruction gentlemen of every nation would be wise to emulate, including Etiquetteer. "When a gentleman realizes that his fly is open, he zips it up -- on the spot, if convenient. Never does an open fly require an apology."
R.S.V.P: Elsa Maxwell's Own Story, by Elsa Maxwell (1954): Deliciously self-serving, that homely girl from San Francisco recounts her gorgeous life as a party-giver to the jet set and arbiter of caprice on two continents. A must-read for anyone interested in entertaining. "More than one woman since Lot's wife has betrayed herself by looking back, but I can't help shedding a nostalgic tear for the decline of my favorite entertainment -- the costume party."
Coffee and Waffles, by Alice Foote MacDougall (1926): One of the most charming cookbooks ever written in the United States, Mrs. MacDougall paints a picture of America As We Like to Remember It with reminiscences of kitchen gardens, lemonade on the front porch in summer, and breakfast for people who have the time we no longer give ourselves to eat it. "Everything in life should have some element of beauty. There is beauty in the most utilitarian device, provided that it suitably fit its place of usefulness. And beauty should be embodied as much in the daily service of a restaurant as it is in the arts themselves. We do not live by food alone. While we nourish our bodies, we must not forget sustenance for the soul that is bearing the brunt of life's vicissitudes. It was a long time ago that a wise man advised, 'If you have two loaves of bread, sell one of them and buy white narcissus for your soul.'"
Blessed Are the Debonair, by Margaret Case Harriman (1956): Slim, elegant Frank Case created the Algonquin Hotel as an American theatrical institution, feeding and housing generations of actors with skill and style. His daughter Margaret, writer for The New Yorker and Vanity Fair, shares brilliant anecdotes from her own Life with Father, illustrating Mr. Case's own super-gentlemanly code of behavior. "He never said to us 'Take your elbows off the table,' he just said, 'Would you care for me to bring you a couch?'"
How to Set Up for a Mah-Jongg Game and Other Lost Arts, by Joan Gelman and Carol E. Rinzler (1987): Everything you always wanted to know about mid-century Long Island housewives but were afraid to ask, including "How to Buy a Mink Coat," "How to Hire Help," and "How to Work with a Decorator." Etiquetteer is especially fond of "The Lost Art of Spotting a Floozy," something too few people are paying any attention to these days . . .
(c) 2002, 2003 Etiquetteer.com. All Rights Reserved


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Since the period of (final) Bachelor and Master presentations is coming close we would like to remind all students that have a presentation in KvB, AS, Studio I and Studio IV need to fill in one of these forms. In this way the right departments are informed of your activities and can give you the support you need.
This form needs to be filled in 3 weeks before your presentation.
Other than our website you can find these forms on the Intranet as well.
Comments List


text: at my school they are having a closeout sale for the Macbook Pro 15 inch. 1.83 Core Duo, 512mb RAM, 80gb hard drive for just $1299. Should I get it? Or is that a sign that C2D will be out very shortly? Even still, it is a great price that is just at the top of my budget


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The worst possible way to dump someone is via text. It's inconsiderate, lacks respect, and is just so ridiculously juvenile — yet sadly, it's all too relatable. Toronto-based producer Harrison is the protégé of Ryan Hemsworth and Star Slinger. The video for his song "How Can It Be" shares an intimate text message breakup from the point of view of the breakup instigator's phone. The best part: It is actually meant to be played on your phone. The images fit the phone screen perfectly in a way that casts you, the viewer, as the one who is tearing this relationship apart. Sometimes things are just easier to deal with through a screen rather than in person. Watch and see.
Harrison's EP, Colors, is available now via Jet Jam/Last Gang.
via Source


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Watford have signed Liverpool forward Jerome Sinclair on a 4 year deal.
Dortmund's highly rated defender Mats Hummels has decided to join Bayern Munich!
Munich have also signed Renato Sanches from Benfica.
Watford have signed Liverpool forward Jerome Sinclair on a 4 year deal.
Rangers who are back in the SPL have signed Joey Barton from Burnley so we won't be able to see him in our own PL next season.
Andrej Kramaric who had been Leicester's record signing at £9 M has left the foxes for Hoffenheim in Germany after an unsuccessful spell over here.
Watford are reported to have rejected an offer of £20 M from Leicester for their striker Troy Deeney but have said he is not for sale.
Miralem Pjanic [Roma - Juventus] £25.4m
Alberto Paloschi [Swansea - Atalanta] Undisclosed
Premier League
Eric Bailly [Villarreal - Manchester United] Reported £30m
Ilkay Gundogan [Borussia Dortmund - Manchester City] Reported £20m
Granit Xhaka [Borussia Monchengladbach - Arsenal] Reported £35m
Alvaro Morata [Juventus - Real Madrid] Undisclosed
Madrid activated the buy back clause in his contract but
are unlikely to keep the Spanish striker and will sell him on to the highest bidder in the summer.
Fingers crossed we go for this geezer.Originally Posted by Hams
I hope the highest bidder for Morata comes in at £1 million less than what Madrid paid to bring him back
ha ha! you would! not sure what you amy have seen to think he can cut it in our league ,but from the little is aw at these Euro's he hasn't impressed me one bit.Originally Posted by Pokerkings
More knee jerk reaction to some hyped up commentators imo.


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Capitol Pressroom
April 7, 2015: Peter Baynes, Greg Biryla, David Soares and Scott Heller, Jill Stein
April 7, 2015
NYCOM's Executive Director Peter Baynes discusses how the budget will affect municipalities.
Unshackle Upstate saw a lot of positives in the budget, including the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, the renewal of the Brownfield Cleanup Program, and infrastructure investment. UU's Executive Director Greg Biryla will explain what the organization likes and dislikes in the budget.
Today is the 2nd Anderson Breakfast of this year's series titled, "Health Crisis, Natural Disasters, and Civil Unrest: Are We Prepared?" Two of the panelists, Albany County District Attorney David Soares and Scott Heller, the Director of Emergency Management at Albany Medical Center, explain the preparation and training that go into health and civil emergencies.
The Green Party's 2012 Presidential nominee Dr. Jill Stein looks at environmental issues in New York and discusses her political future on the national stage.◄ Back to PodCasts


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words first = documenting Week in the Life.Tuesday, April 18, 2017
I decided at the very last minute this morning that I was going to participate in Week in the Life (WITL).
The last time (and first time) I participated in WITL was in August of 2014. I wasn't super successful in this project the first go-around. I took waaaayyyy too many photos and had way too much content to sort through. It was pretty damn overwhelming. And I haven't done it since.
But reading Ali's posts + listening to her talk on the podcast inspired me to give it another go. There were things I absolutely loved about WITL. Photos I absolutely loved. And I think it's in part because of that project I learned to appreciate and fall in love with everyday moments and details.
So I'm approaching it words first. (Which is an absolutely struggle for me, because my first instinct has always been "take a photo of that!") I took only a few photos this Monday, including the one above of our Cocoa girl.
I want to focus on the words + details + stories.
And I'm hoping that approaching it this way will lead me to a more successful Week in the Life documentation that I will love AND finish. Crossing my fingers!
PS: Are you documenting your week this week? Let me know so I can check it out!


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On July 14, Steve Tarter reported on a town hall meeting sponsored by Peoria Peoples Project. In that meeting the group of speakers, which included State Rep. Jehan Gordon Booth among others, stated the best way to get Illinois out of debt was to change the state income tax from a flat tax to a progressive tax. While that solution will increase revenue, it is not focusing on people who are benefiting from the current unfair system, government workers and government retirees.
Peoria's budget problems, Tarter said in an earlier article, are many, but "the fact that 85 percent of property tax money now goes to pay city pensioners," is the main cause. (Note: Nearly 25 percent of the state general fund goes to retirees.) In her letter to the Journal Star opinion page on Sept. 15, Rosemarie Gardner stated "our pension cost for public safety amounts to nearly 45 percent of the salary of a police officer or firefighter."
The tax Illinois really needs is a progressive tax on pensions of retirees. With that tax most of the tax would be paid by government retirees as they are the only ones with huge pensions. Most, not all, government retirees get a 3 percent compounded pension, which is at the heart of both state and local problems. Quick math shows that if you retired from the state making $40,000, in 10 years your pension will be $52,190, and most retirees make much more than $40,000 when they first retire. If you retire from the private sector, you normally get no increase ever.
On the local level, some drastic changes need to be made. All of the little changes, such as shutting down city hall one day a week, won't make a dent in the problem. The only way the city can achieve needed results is to privatize government services. Our state constitution has a provision that says no government pension can be diminished or impaired, so the only way cities can keep providing services is to eliminate government employees and replace them with private contractors.
I have no faith anything will ever change as our elected officials care about nothing but themselves. Mike Madigan didn't even let the "Spain Amendment," a bill to fairly draw maps determining our congressional districts, come to a vote in the legislature, even though most polls showed 85 percent of the people of Illinois supported it.
The best chance for Illinois to get turned around is; heck, no one believes Illinois will ever get turned around until the state is bankrupt.
George Will, columnist with the Washington Post, said in 2016, "High tax Illinois will continue bleeding the population and business, but with one contented cohort — the Democratic political class, for whom the system is working quite well." It's even more true today.
James White is retired from Caterpillar Inc. He lives in Peoria County.


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Got plans on Saturday?
How about going to the Golden State Theater in downtown Monterey?
They're holding a benefit to encourage the City of Monterey to purchase the Golden State Theatre and ensure its continued operation as the showplace of the Monterey Peninsula for generations to come.
Five local bands, only $10 – a great cause! Pierce Ranch Vineyards wine and Marina Ales craft beers will be available.
More info here via the Weekly.
And here's the musical lineup!
5pm: David Holodiloff and Friends: One of Holodiloff's most recent releases, Traditional Duets, featuring Gene Mason on guitar and vocals and Holodiloff on mandolin and vocals, reinvents classic folk tunes with infectious splashes of gypsy jazz, Irish traditionals, heart-warming ballads and knee-stomping bluegrass.
5:45pm: Monterey International: These musicians—Mike Marotta on accordion, Dave Dally on violin and vocalists Rachel Marotta and Sicilian tenor Erasmo "Orazio" Aiello—showcase music from just about everywhere around the world, from American jazz standards and traditional German tunes to French classics and Italian masterpieces.
6:30pm: Volume Control: Guitar specialist Joseph Lucido unleashes his latest project, a smooth jazz trio, featuring Jason McIntosh on drums and Thomas McNamara on bass.
7:15pm: Red Beans & Rice: It's safe to say that there's probably no other band in the area that's performed as much as RB&R over the past 20 years. After five albums and thousands of shows, frontman Gil Rubio has given no indication that the beloved blues outfit will ever retire.
8pm: Jonah & the Whalewatchers: The Monterey reggae favorite dates back even further than RB&R, but these days they only come out to play if the mood—or cause—is irie.
8:45pm: Casey Frazier: For a youngster—or someone twice his age—Frazier is quite prolific as a songwriter. After spending some of his formative years in Nashville and Denver, he returned to his native Carmel Valley armed with an arsenal of life lessons and tunage steeped in Americana, roots and traditional country.
9:30pm: Everest: All graduates of Dennis Murphy Music School and Carmel Youth Center School of Rock, these All Saint's Day School 8th graders have been unloading classic rock covers together supposedly since they were 3-year-olds. Now, at ages 13 and 14, these teens come armed with some serious chops and highly entertaining show.


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Wednesday, June 06, 2012
It Forced Itself
Watching the Jerry Lewis film THE LADIES MAN again... never mind why! Maybe a super secret reason I will tell you in a few months... WHO KNOWS? I'm sick of your constant prying! Jerry's character Herbert is looking at a butterfly collection. He claims to be an expert. He says, "This is a very lovely species here. This was once a frog." And Kathleen Freeman says, "A frog turned into a butterfly?" And Herbert says, "Well, it forced itself, I don't know." You really have to hear Jerry say it. His character has a funny habit of narrating his own mishaps, my favorite example being, "Oh, the skin of my back is caught in the crack of the door."
Posted by Jack Pendarvis at 6:35 PM


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Entrepreneur's Cauldron: Why Startup Fails?
By Owais Zahid, Senior Web UI Developer And Scrum Master, Fusion Lifecycle, Autodesk
Owais Zahid, Senior Web UI Developer And Scrum Master, Fusion Lifecycle, Autodesk
We are living in an age of entrepreneurship. There is a growing trend of people preferring risks and self-employment over traditional jobs. This has been a major shift and will continue to go strong in future. With all these disruptions and chaos surrounding us, there is a greater need to understand how we can make our products, services or any other tangible outcomes better.
Everything starts with an idea and translates into a reality. As entrepreneurs, we embark on the same journey to create meaningful and relevant solutions for our customers. People are more motivated, tend to work harder and collaborate more effectively in a startup culture as they have a decent team culture and an efficient communication process. More often than not, these endeavors do not give us the desired results. In fact, majority of startups fail to make a mark and fizzles out. It doesn't mean that the effort is not adequate or the resulting product is not good enough. Whatever be the case, the success of any venture is largely determined by customer satisfaction and sustainable efforts.
There is no easy drive to the destiny. There are pitfalls in the path of success. Avoid them is avoiding failure.
" Entrepreneurship is a creative process that gives you the ticket to the front seat."
Pitfall #1: Set up to be acquired
Entrepreneurship is a creative process that gives you the ticket to the front seat. The goal should be to make a difference, provide a solution to an unsolved problem or a better way of solving a problem. On the contrary, myopic goal is to focus on short term success and to make a quick impression that does not make a lot of difference. The most common example is to start a startup with a goal to be acquired by the big player. This can be lucrative but not all the times. Most of the startups die down quickly either through acquisitions or lack of it.
Pitfall #2: Not thinking Long Term
Entrepreneurs start small due to limited resources. To save up on time and money, tough decisions are to be made. But compromising on long term aspects will adversely affect the sustainability of the product.
There is a need to have a clear plan for success because with success the demand for the product increases exponentially. Do you have necessary plans to scale?
Pitfall #3: Not Focusing on Quality Goals
Quality goals or non-functional requirements usually play a second fiddle to the functional aspects. How the solution works is very important, but if quality goals are not set and properly tracked from the start then it is a worrying sign.
Non-functional aspects like accessibility, performance, responsiveness should be considered at the start of the project. They can influence the design and architecture of the project. Trying to incorporate them later in the project timeline would be costly. It is recommended to have a clear and an agreeable plan about the quality attributes of your solution at all times.
Pitfall #4: Customer Expectation is not aligned
If you ask anyone about what 'real time' application is, the most common answer you will get is "an application that can process at a very high speed … almost instantly". Instead, real time applications must guarantee response within a specific time period, which may or may not be instant. This example shows the gap in the user expectation and the application's actual capability. Therefore, it is very important to be aware of these expectations and how to reconcile them.
Customer expectations and requirements changes with time; this change is hard to predict due to its non-linear nature. This is a complex problem where a subjective space of customer's preference and criteria needs to be projected in the objective space for the development of a solution. If not done carefully the resultant project will not meet the expectation of the customer. Since the requirement will change with a passage of time, it is best to engage customers in the development process and ask for their feedback on a regular basis.
Pitfall #5: Customer Inertia
Coming up with a revolutionary idea or a next big thing is a driving force in an entrepreneurial or startup culture. There is a possibility that the novelty or uniqueness of your idea will make your product a massive success with your customer base. However, this may not be the case all the time. For instance, first-mover advantage can also turn into first-mover disadvantage if the expectations and needs of the customers are not met properly. In this way, you will end up paying the road for others to roll and avoid making the same mistake you made.
The main problem with new ideas is its demand for a change. Despite we are born to adapt to change but still it's inherent to resist to that change at first. So efforts are needed to break that inertia. This is where most of the originals fail. This is a perfect situation for solutions that are not unique but unique enough to be distinguishable to take the market by storm.
Conclusion: Entrepreneur's cauldron is my interpretation of fragilities and volatilities of modern business world where the outcome can change drastically with the understanding and management of influential factors.


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OVER 50'S MOBILE HOME VILLIAGENestled in one of the finest Mobile Home Villages that you will find and tucked away in a quiet street location is this very neat and tidy Mobile Home. Featuring 2 bedrooms, open plan living, neat and tidy kitchen and bathroom, air conditioning, shade mesh blinds, lawn locker and a carport. The Park is very secure and offers free use of the Bowling Green, In-ground pool, Tennis Courts and the Recreational Room.
Please Note: That this villiage is designed for over 50s only.
- Type: Residential Lease
- Property Type: House


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How He Asked | Katherine + Dominic/
Katherine and Dominic lived in the same New Jersey town for almost their whole lives. They attended the same church, but their paths didn't cross until high school, where they began dating their senior year. During their college years at separate universities, they faithfully prayed God would guide them and keep them close.
In Katherine's words: Believe it or not, Dominic and I met during a chemistry class in high school! Our friendship quickly blossomed, and we frequently got in trouble for talking and laughing during class. We stayed friends after Chemistry, but didn't have any classes together again until our senior year. I always looked forward to seeing Dominic with his family at Sunday Mass. From the very beginning of our senior year, Dominic walked me to my locker every day. A few months later, we both began to express our feelings for one another. Dominic asked me to be his girlfriend over a couple of ice cream cones, and we enjoyed the rest of high school attending prom and graduation activities.
Dominic attended St. Johns University in Queens, New York while I stayed in New Jersey to study at Seton Hall University. During these college years at separate universities, I faithfully prayed God would keep his hand on us.
I often prayed for our relationship inside Seton Hall's Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, my favorite spot on campus. The chapel has always been special to me: aside from being breathtakingly beautiful, it is where I decided that I would attend Seton Hall and is where I connected with God on a much deeper level and grew closer to Him during my college years. When Dominic proposed to me in that very chapel, I knew it was God's way of showing me my prayers were being answered. Now, that beautiful sacred spot is not only special to me, but to both of us.
In Dominic's Words: Early on in our relationship, I knew Katherine was the girl I wanted to marry. I frequently prayed God would continue to guide us and reveal his plan for us, and felt strongly that his plan was for Katherine and I to become husband and wife.
After getting the ring, there was only one thing left to do. On Father's Day, while Katherine was out of town visiting family, I went to her house and asked her dad's permission to marry her. After receiving her parents' blessing, I was ready to propose.
I asked Katherine to attend daily Mass with me at the chapel she so loved at Seton Hall. We heard a brief but beautiful homily, comparing the facets of a diamond to the community of believers. I understood this as a sign from God that we were exactly where we were meant to be! When Mass ended, I asked Katherine to pray at the altar with me. Once we had said our prayer, Katherine stood up to leave. I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me.
A few hours later, we learned that the day of our engagement, June 29th, is the feast day of Sts. Peter and Paul. This is a special day because Katherine's grandpa's name was Pedro, or Peter. He passed away 13 years ago. Since Pedro was our only grandparent who never got the opportunity to know us as a couple, we saw this as a sign of his blessing. Not to mention, the day that I asked Katherine's father for permission, she was attending mass at the Parish of St. Peter and St. Paul in San Francisco, California with her cousins! God had all of the details worked out for us long ago.
Photography: Rachel Gallic Photography


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Challenges Hinder Remote Groups
"What we have here ... is a failure to communicate," went the famous line from Cool Hand Luke. All too often, the same can be said for teams that work virtually throughout the world. Employees at multinational corporations report an assortment of communications-based bottlenecks that keep them from reaching their goals, according a new survey from RW3 CultureWizard.
Most Popular


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Spin Genie
JURISDICTIONAlderney, United Kingdom
SOFTWARENet Entertainment, Microgaming, Leander Games + 6 more
Spin Genie Casino has been running since 2014, and they are only available for players from the United Kingdom. Along these lines, they're licensed by Alderney and in the UK, and they're operated by the Bear Group Ltd. This operator is known for running a tight ship in their other properties, and there's no reason to believe that wouldn't be the case with this one. Overall, they have a good selection of games, a solid reputation in the short time they've been running and friendly service.
The three software companies that have contributed content to this site are Net Entertainment, IGT and Realistic Games. This provides for a good combinations of titles that come together seamlessly through their instant play offering. There is no downloadable platform at this casino, so you'll need to play through the instant play option if you're playing from a computer. The advantage to this platform is that the operating system you're using doesn't matter, so Linux, Mac and Windows players can all get in on the action through the same method.
Mobile players have a lot of flexibility when it comes to getting started here as well. They use a web-based approach instead of a set of native apps, so everyone connects in the same way. All you need to get started on your smartphone or tablet is to navigate to their website on your browser, log in and choose the game you want to play. As long as you have an updated browser and a connection, you'll have no problem getting started playing through their mobile platform.
Online Slots
It's no secret that the slots provided by NetEnt are of some of the highest quality that you can find anywhere in the industry. However, the titles from International Game Technology are of a high quality as well, and many of them have been adapted from land-based favorites. Realistic Games also has a number of great slots, so players are basically getting three different styles and approaches of high-quality games here. With a few hundred total titles to pick from in this genre, slots fans will have no trouble finding plenty that they enjoy. With a name like Spin Genie, that's not too surprising.
Table Games
Despite the name, the selection of table games isn't bad at all here. Multiple styles of blackjack, video poker and casino poker are available for players who want a bit more strategy in their experience. If you just want to enjoy the classics like Baccarat, craps and roulette, then you'll have multiple options to choose from as well. There's a fair amount of both breadth and depth here with their non-slot titles, and that's more than enough to keep the majority of players satisfied with what they have to offer.
Payments and Withdrawals
The main banking methods used here are Visa, MasterCard and Maestro. There's a noticeable lack of electronic wallets here, and that's one of the biggest disadvantages of this site. However, because only UK players are allowed, and because these three credit cards (and pre-paid cards) are widely available, it shouldn't be too much of a problem in terms of the practicalities of getting deposits and withdrawals processed.
There are withdrawal limits of £10,000 each month that do not apply to progressive jackpots. With that having been said, they do have a fairly good reputation for paying out reliably and quickly. While this site in particular doesn't have the longest history out there, they have proven themselves reliable so far, and unless something drastic happens, we don't see that changing in the near future.
Customer Service
Email and live chat are the only two options players have for getting support at this site. Having no telephone line available will annoy some players, but it's a relatively small weakness in the grand scheme of things. Players who need immediate help with something should go with the live chat option, and those who have a matter that can wait should probably use the email option instead. Their email option is advertised to get a response within 24 hours, but they answered our email inquiry within six, so that gives you an idea of what you're working with.
The fact that this site does not have any electronic wallets available for payments is clearly the biggest weakness they have. As we mentioned above, this isn't that big of a deal as a practical matter because of the limited geographical availability of Spin Genie. Overall, they have a good service going, and once they have a chance to build up a longer history, they'll be an even stronger name in the industry. This is a more than reasonable place to play if you're from the United Kingdom and like slots or table games.


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Montana Elk
hunt/ Mule Deer Hunting
Montana has a six week archery season that opens the first
or second Saturday in Sept. and closes in mid Oct. Eastern
Mt. has long been known for the trophy quality of its whitetail
and mule deer. The last few years it has also become known
as home to some of the world's largest elk.
Hunts are conducted from tree stands or groundblinds over
waterholes or trails between morning and evening feeding and
bedding areas. Hunting techniques also include spotting and
stalking along with occasionally bugling or cow calling bull
elk. This hunt should be considered primarily for deer (whitetail
or mule deer) with an excellent opportunity to take an elk.
Hunts will be conducted with a maximum
of two hunters in camp per week. Hunting techniques are the
same as Mill Iron with the difference being this should be
considered primarily an elk hunt with an excellent opportunity
at mule deer.
Deer Hunting
Montana's deer license is good for one deer and may
be used on either a whitetail or a mule deer. It is a five
week season that always closes the Sunday after Thanksgiving
so it usually opens about the fourth Sunday in Oct. With a
wide variety of habitat at each camp we will usually employ
several different hunting methods each week. The hunting method
for each day will vary depending on the time of year (pre-rut,
rut, post rut), weather conditions, physical condition of
the hunter as well as species being hunted. A typical day
of hunting would be spent glassing agricultural areas from
elevated points hoping to catch animals moving to and from
feeding and bedding areas in the morning and evening. The
remainder of the day is spent still hunting, spot and stalking,
making organized drives, and rattling and calling. The length
of the average shot will be from 150 to 250 yards with every
attempt to find a solid rest. You should practice shooting
prone, sitting, and kneeling while bracing your rifle on a
solid object such as a rock, fence post, or tree. Recommended
rifle size is .25 caliber up to whatever you feel comfortable
shooting and should be sighted in 2" high at 100 yards.
Special offers for 2016-17
BULL ELK - MONTANA HUNT - 2 hunters, 1 guide, 5 days, rifle or archery fully GUIDED hunting!
Reduced price only $2,000.00 each
$3,800 1x1 elk hunt
$1,600 (each hunter) 3x1 elk hunt
and General Information
are second generation outfitters with two camps in operation
in central and southeastern Montana to ensure our hunters
the finest hunting that Montana has to offer. We lease the
hunting rights on several private ranches as well as being
the only permitted outfitter on about 60,000 acres of National
Forest. Over the last few years we are very proud that our
hunters have received several Montana Outfitters and Guides
Association/SCI awards. We also have the distinction of being
the only outfitter in the state to have recieved awards in
each of the four major catagories, Mule deer, Whitetail, Antelope
and Archery Elk as well as having recieved more youth awards
than any other outfitter in the state. Our rifle hunters have
had a 98% success rate on Antelope and 95% success rate on
We are able to provide personal service for quality animals
by limiting the number of hunters to 4 or 5 per hunt at each
camp. All hunts are fully guided and outfitted with 4 wheel
drive being the method of transportation to and from the hunting
area. Excellent accommodations are provided at each camp including
hot showers and home cooked meals. (For a complete description
of each camp please go to our Camps page) We have guided hunters
ranging in age from 12 to 81 with excellent results, although
the better your physical condition the more you will enjoy
the hunt and increase your odds for success. You are only
required to bring your personal gear, license, and shooting
equipment. J&J Guide Service provides all necessary services
and equipment to ensure your success, including guide service,
meals, lodging, and trophy care of animals. We follow a strict
code of ethics and expect our hunters to do the same as all
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Adult Choir
The Adult Choir is an ethnically diverse group comprised of those who volunteer their service of the Church. For over the course of 30 years the choir has been a part of Archdiocesan ordinations, the Masses of newly ordained priests, organ concerts, parish and archdiocesan anniversary celebrations, and local annual ecumenical services. Each year the choir presents seasonal concerts at Christmas on Epiphany and during the Easter Season. In addition to time spent with families and work, many members have given years of generous service giving the choir a solid foundation of excellence and accomplishment. However, we are always welcoming new members, ages high school and beyond. Please join us if you like to sing and praise God in various languages and styles of song and are able to commit to rehearsal times and Masses/events for which the group sings. Currently, the choir is called at 10:00 am and sings at the 10:30 am Mass on Sunday.


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|Playing with his elbow, John Lennon at Shea Stadium, 1965.
|The actual organ used at Shea Stadium in 1965.
The next day in Atlanta, the organ was traded in for a functioning Vox Continental organ from the Thomas Organ Center - The Vox Shoppe, the exchange being completed by a local Atlanta policeman. At the concert in Atlanta they had a rare opportunity to hear the organ in concert, as the stage was equipped with something of a rarity for the Beatles in those days, monitor speakers!
It was done especially for The Beatles. FB 'Duke' Mewborn, the boss of Atlanta hi-fi store Baker Audio, decided to give the group something that had never been done before: monitor speakers on the stage, pointing towards the group, to allow them to hear their voices and instruments.
"It was adequate. We got over it, we were on top of it. You could hear them amidst the screaming," commented Mewborn.
It wasn't just on stage that the sound was different. The state-of-the-art setup on the field included four Altec 1570 amplifiers, each giving 175 watts of sound, which in turn powered two stacks of Altec A7 speakers. Although unremarkable today, in 1965 it was an unheard of amount of power for a pop concert. The difference was noted from the stage, with Paul McCartney exclaiming after "She's A Woman": "It's loud, isn't it? Great!"
Being able to hear themselves enabled The Beatles to play tighter than usual, and they were delighted with the results. Afterwards, Brian Epstein suggested that Mewborn deal with the sound for their other shows, but the offer was turned down.
The organ remained in the possession of the owner of The Vox Shoppe in Atlanta for nearly four decades.
The organ itself is distinguished by a non-standard Vox Continental logo adhered to the front of the case, which is clearly visible in pictures and film from the event and from the set of The Ed Sullivan Show two days prior.
Before auctioning away the organ in 2008 at Christies's Punk/Rock auction at New York's Rockefeller Plaza for $182,500, the original organ was repaired, keeping all the original parts (which were in pristine condition) and was fully functional at the time of the auction.
The organ features a four octave keyboard, wood weighted black and white keys (reversed), detachable Z-shaped chrome frame stand, orange top and accompanying cases.
Prior to the auction, the organ was featured in exhibitions at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Cleveland, Ohio, The Beatles Story in Liverpool and "John Lennon Unfinished Music" at Cite de la Musique in Paris.
I'm Down
"I'm Down" was specifically composed by McCartney to serve as the show closer, a studio version was recorded at the same day as "Yesterday" and released as the B-side of the "Help!" single and elsewhere. The Beatles had previously closed their shows with Little Richard's "Long Tall Sally", but wanted to be able to use one of their own songs as the closing rocker for their shows. Having tried for a while to write such a song, McCartney finally came up with "I'm Down". "That's Paul…with a little help from me, I think," said John Lennon in 1980. Paul is quoted as saying, "I'm not sure if John had any input on it, in fact I don't think he did. But not wishing to be churlish, with most of these I'll always credit him with 10 per cent just in case he fixed a word or offered a suggestion. But at least 90 per cent of that would be mine."
The song continued to be the set list closer in 1966, the first concert being the NME Poll Winners concert at Wembley Empire Pool, London, England on May 1, 1966. "I'm Down" was kept during the Bravo Beatles Blitztournee of Germany, as well as on their Far East tour of Manila and Tokyo.
Then came that final tour, the USA tour of 1966. Now The Beatles started to alternate between playing "I'm Down" and "Long Tall Sally". When the tour started at the International Amphitheater in Chicago, IL, on August 12, 1966 "I'm Down" was played at the afternoon concert at 3 pm, but substituted by "Long Tall Sally" for the evening's show at 7.30pm. This practice continued, whenever they played two concerts in a row somewhere, they would play "I'm Down" at one show and "Long Tall Sally" at the other. This rule is confirmed by the one exception, at both August 19 shows at the Mid-South Coliseum, Memphis, TN, "Long Tall Sally" was the featured closer. In the cities where they gave only one concert, "Long Tall Sally" was favoured, and was the closer of their last ever concert at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, CA on August 29. Their last performance of "I'm Down" was at one of their Seattle Center Coliseum concerts in Seattle, WA, on August 25, 1966.
As Paul McCartney was the principal singer of both songs, one would think that he would favour his own "I'm Down" when he started touring again, after The Beatles. However, it was "Long Tall Sally" that he chose to close the concerts on the Wings tour of 1972. In fact, he never sang "I'm Down" again, until the Concert For New York City at Madison Square Garden, New York, on October 20, 2001, where he opened with it. At the time, McCartney was criticised for opening with such an "unknown" Beatles song.
Another eight years went by, until he started playing the song regularly on his 2009 tour of USA. He performed it nine times in the middle of the set list during that tour, before again abandoning it. The performance of the song at Citi Field in New York City was released on a live CD & DVD album from the tour, "Good Evening New York City". In the concert film, "I'm Down" switches back and forth between McCartney's 2009 performance and The Beatles' 1965 performance at Shea Stadium. On the bonus DVD, the complete McCartney performance is shown.
If you want to know more about "I'm Down" you must be a Beatlemaniac, but here it is.


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I have just received a new HFR2-SU3S2 Pro Raid enclosure.
I have just installed 4 x HGSt Helium enterprise 8TB drives.
I have set the unit to RAID 10
The front panel shows power on, fan mode auto and low speed, USB 3 connection and disk activity on all 4 drives
It is connected to an iMac running High Sierra 10.13.4
I used Paragon v15.2.319 NTFS For Mac to initialise the RAID as a 16 TB Windows NTFS drive for use connected to our Smart TV holding our 4K HDR video media.
Paragon recognised the enclosure as a single 16TB drive as expected that was uninitialised.
Starting the initialisation, the drive was unmounted, erased with a warning that all data would be lost, then its at creating file system structures with the progress bar at about 0.25% and no movement for the last couple of hours.
It has been sitting on the desk with lots of drive activity and drive lights flashing for over two hours.
How long should this process take?


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Cocktail recipe1 Cocktail PT2M PT2M cocktail, Absinthe, Orgeat Syrup
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Lowball glass
2 Ingredients
- 3 shots Absinthe3 shots Absinthe13.5 cl Absinthe135 ml Absinthe3 shots Absinthe4.5 oz Absinthe
- ½ shot Orgeat Syrup½ shot Orgeat Syrup2.25 cl Orgeat Syrup22.5 ml Orgeat Syrup½ shot Orgeat Syrup0.75 oz Orgeat Syrup
Mix grenadine and absinthe together in an lowball glass, then add ice cubes and top up with chilled water.
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Source: https://makemeacocktail.com/cocktail/3480/momisette/


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For all your Business Laptop Repairs you can be sure of one thing when you use Laptop Power UK – excellent service. We know how important it is to be able to have all of your laptops or IT equipment up and running. This is especially important when you are running a small to medium sized business. We specialise in all kinds of Laptop Repairs and all kinds of fixes from software and hardware to plastics, screens and all kinds of peripherals.
To get your Laptop Software Fixes, Laptop Hardware Fixes, Laptop Parts Repairs done quickly and cost effectively you can rely on Laptop Power UK. Once you have tried us we are sure you will stick with us for all your business laptop repairs. We can turn around repairs sometimes within 24 hours and have them on their way back to you. Keep your laptop repairs under control, get them repaired quickly and get them back on your desk doing the job they were designed to do with the help of Laptop Power UK. Call us for more details and we will be able to give you the full low down on all of our services and prices.
This entry was posted on Monday, January 24th, 2011 at 5:51 pm. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed.


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Synergy DR needed a new postcard, flyer or print design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 30 designs submitted by 7 freelance designers.
A-1 Moving Company
A-1 Movers is an all around professional moving, packing and crating service.
They are most sought after as they are a full service professional moving company since 1891, Crating and packaging services, background and drug screenedpersonnel.
Design 4/4 Postcard 8.5x5.5
Here is a scenario you can reference..(this might be written or a graphic)
Need: "I need my entire household moved to the east coast by next week."
Promise: "At A-1 Movers, we can get your household moved by next week with our CHRONOS service. We have GPS satellite tracking and we offer up to $15,000 free insurance! "
Offer . Up to $150 Off your move
We are targeting homeowners that are pre-movers whose homes are currently on the market. We need to hook the homeowner with the offer and the ease and value of the service


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Who said dessert is bad for you! Definitely not us (by "us" we mean us sugar addicts). Bear and the Honey is "Not your basic bakery" We bake your all-time favorites sweet or savory by respecting all bellies. No matter your diet or allergy we pride ourselves being conscious of today's various lifestyles and dietary restrictions. We have created decadent sweets that will make your taste buds scream for more and your tummy feeling nothing but pure satisfaction.
Our style is based off our love of nostalgic treats of our past. The cravings we had as kids for the guilty pleasures that mom and dad only let us have sparingly. Its what we live for! We want to feed your cravings with organic and local ingredients and of course love. There is nothing better than sinking your teeth into that piece of heaven without feeling guilty, grimy or heavy. So why not cater your next wedding, corporate event or party with treats that will make you and everyone happy.
Head to the bottom of our home page to order your favorites or click below!


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Below is a list of frequently asked questions. If your particular question is not answered below, please write us an email at: firstname.lastname@example.com
Sri Lanka is a year round destination with generally good weather but the country has two annual monsoons that affect different parts of the country at different times of the year: one bringing rain to the southwest lowlands and central hills from late May to late September, and a weaker second that affects the northeast of the island from November to February. March to mid-April is generally dry throughout the country, followed by a short pre-monsoon period. The summer months from June to September are hot in the Cultural Triangle and humid on the west coast, although pleasant sea breezes provide some respite. Cyclones may occur from late September to late November, bringing with them heavy rains. At about 2,000 meters above sea level, the hill country around Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains and Bandarawela is always cooler.
Local food is reasonably priced, though it?s about three times more expensive in guesthouses than in local restaurants; it?s around Rs 300 to 450 at a guesthouse, or as little as Rs 100 at a local restaurant. Dinner at the country?s better restaurants costs around Rs 2000 per person.
Although a 10% service charge is added to food and accommodation bills, this usually goes straight to the owner rather than the worker. So tipping is a customary way of showing your appreciation for services rendered. Drivers expect a tip, as do people who ?guide? you through a site. A rule of thumb is to tip 10% of the total amount due. If there?s no money involved use your other thumb for this rule: Rs 10 for the person who minds your shoes at temples, and Rs 20 for a hotel porter.
SHOULD I BRING CASH OR TRAVELER?S CHECKS? ARE ATMs AVAILABLE? CAN I USE CREDIT CARDS?
The Sri Lankan currency is the rupee (Rs), divided into 100 cents. Coins come in denominations of five, 10, 25 and 50 cents and one, two, five and 10 rupees. Notes come in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 rupees. Break down larger notes (Rs 500) when you change money as most vendors never seem to have change. Dirty or torn notes might not be accepted, except at a bank. Commercial Bank has a wide network of ATMs accepting international Visa, MasterCard and Cirrus/Maestro cards. Other options include Bank of Ceylon, NationsTrust Bank, People?s Bank, Hatton National Bank, Seylan Bank, Sampath Bank and HSBC. ATMs have spread to all of the cities and major regional centres, though you can?t rely on the network paying up every single time. Any bank or exchange bureau will change major currencies in cash, including US dollars, euros and pounds sterling. Change rupees back into hard currency before you leave the country for the best rates. MasterCard and Visa are the most commonly accepted cards. Other major cards such as Amex and Diners Club are also accepted. Fewer people use travellers cheques these days, but major banks still change them ? Thomas Cook, Visa and Amex are the most widely accepted. Expect a smallish transaction fee of around Rs 150. Banks in major cities and tourist areas sometimes have special counters for foreign exchange.
Check with your cell phone provider. Each company is different and they can give you the most up-to-date information.


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PHILADELPHIA -- It didn't take long for the Giants to realize that Michael Vick would not be long for this contest.
"After he scrambled out one time and he grabbed his hamstring, I knew it was going to be a different game," defensive tackle Linval Joseph said.
For the second time this year, Vick started a game against the Giants but was unable to make it to halftime. Earlier this month his replacement, Nick Foles, led the Eagles to a comeback win. Yesterday, though, with Vick clearly limited from the beginning, he handed the reins to rookie Matt Barkley while Foles was inactive from a concussion.
"When he did try to scramble and he ran out, you could tell he was in pain a little bit how he was walking back to the huddle," defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins said. "He seemed to grab at the hamstring. At that point we knew for sure there was no way he was going to be doing the things that he's used to doing in that offense."
Vick looked like he had no intention of running on the opening drive when he stayed in the pocket and was intercepted by Antrel Rolle. On the next series he was sacked by the safety, again unwilling to run. On the third possession he scrambled to the sideline for a gain of 1 yard and seemed to limp back to the huddle.
"As soon as it happened, I knew exactly what that feeling was and how my body would react to it," said Vick, who added that he felt the muscle in the back of his leg pop.
"I wanted to keep going, and I was going to stay out there, but Coach [Chip Kelly] didn't want to put the team in a bad situation and he didn't want to put me in a bad situation. It was hurting."Barkley managed to drive the Eagles 78 yards to the Giants' 2, but he fumbled when he was sacked by Terrell Thomas. Barkley wound up completing 17 of 26 passes for 158 yards with one late interception. More significantly, he didn't carry the ball as a runner once.
We're revamping our Comments section. Learn more and share your input.


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Spotlight Publishers (E.A) Limited
Spotlight Publishers (E.A) Limited
Devan Plaza, 2nd Floor, Chiromo Road, Westlands
P.O. Box 13433-00800, Nairobi.
Tel: +254-20-4441345, +254-20-4441622
Cell: +254-715-782341, +254-707-909900
Uganda Office
Spotlight Publishers (Uganda) Limited
c/o Gustro limited
Plot No. 355,Kibuga Block 2
Sir Apollo Kaggwa Road
P.O. Box 9997, Kampala
Telephone: +256-778-282323
Spotlight Publishers (EA) Limited
C/O Mastep General Supplies Limited
God's Able Building
Airport Road, Remera
P.O.Box 4647,Kigali, Rwanda
Tel: +250-788-356249


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Colorado Springs roads are a disaster. 2C is the opposite of pie-in-the-sky plan. The new sales tax is small – $10 a month for most. Nearly 40% of the revenue will come from tourists and out of town business travelers. There's no debt and no new government hires. And in 5-years, the tax totally disappears. That's the plan – pure and simple. And the TV ad we are releasing lays it out in very simple, clear terms.
Showing 1-1 of 1


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Elite Preschool & Learning Center offers Toddler Care in Phoenix, Arizona designed to engage your young child for lifelong development.
Toddler care is vital to early childhood development. Our staff is dedicated to helping children reach their full potential through imaginative play and stimulation.
Child Growth And Development
Our toddler classroom is always open for imaginary play with blocks and puzzles, creative art and lots of books.
Circle time incorporates stories and songs that encourage language skills and social growth.
Beyond day care, our Elite Preschool curriculum for toddlers is designed to adapt to each individual child's age and stage.
Experienced teachers promote emotional, physical, social, and intellectual development in a fun, engaging environment.
Phoenix Toddler Program
Elite Preschool & Learning Center thrives on helping your toddler succeed. These early years are vital to your child's development. At Elite Preschool we believe these years are also crucial to forming strong skills in communication, group play, listening, creativity and much more!
Our Toddler Program increases your child's desire to learn as they work alongside our experienced teachers every step of the way. We guide them through fun and interactive activities while encouraging them to explore the room on their own.
You will see a big difference in your child's development while attending Elite Preschool. Contact our team today to find out more about toddler care.


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First, I must apologize for the lateness of this review. Mr. Sales has been remarkably patient with me and my repeated promises about getting it done. I'm a notoriously slow reviewer for the simple fact that I find it incredibly difficult to say what I think. A less cautious reviewer might simply speak from the heart and let the language be damned, but I think my academic side gets the best of me and demands I relate something more than a simple "I liked it." And that means I get stuck for long periods of time on any work of art.
In any case, I have a lot to say about Sales' novella, "Adrift on the Sea of Rains," the first of a quartet of interconnected novellas called the Apollo Quartet (released by Whippleshield Books). Set in an alternate history where the Cold War ended with the destruction of the Earth, a group of astronauts conducting experiments on the Moon struggle to survive long enough to successfully test an experimental machine that may save everyone.
It's a deceptively simple premise. Sales' hard SF narrative of scientific discovery at times gives way to a character study of Peterson, Sales' primary protagonist. Peterson's past is interspersed throughout the novella in italics, providing a thorough account of a military-pilot-turned-astronaut and gifting astute readers with details of the American/Soviet conflict — a more educated reader might recognize details here that went over my head. The narrative shifts between the present, in which Peterson and his fellow astronauts attempt to conduct a successful test of their machine, and Peterson's past, in which we we are given a glimpse into the man Peterson used to be. This device, however simplistic in design, provides the novella a comparative element that rounds Peterson as a character. Far from someone stuck in a seemingly hopeless situation, Peterson is humanized as an individual whose past complicates our understanding of his present. I wouldn't call the format wholly successful — largely because I couldn't quite discern the specific "pattern" in mind — but it did give the text a certain depth that would otherwise have been lacking, since the frame narrative, if one could call it that, is fairly straightforward by design. Short fiction, I find, benefits from some degree of narrative experimentation.
On a related note, Sales' prose is never so overwhelmed by the technical, nor overly sterile — a formal quality I have noticed in my pitiful amount of reading in the hard sf field. An apt description of the prose would be "economical," providing the right level of character depth, technical detail, and tension to keep the narrative from being dragged under by gravity. Sales' pension for littering scientific detail throughout is largely responsible for this balance, though a less tech-friendly reader may not appreciate this balance.
For example, this brief passage from the middle of the ebook provides a combination of narrative elements:
They were trapped, but now there is an escape. All but Kendall gather in the wardroom to discuss their options, squeezing about a single table but, unlike at meal-times, confidently, keenly, meeting each other's gazes. It occurs to Peterson that he has lived with these men for two years but he barely knows them. He sees seven men he knows chiefly by their reputations and the psychological profiles in their records. Their faces are as familiar to him as his own, but they might as well be the gold visors of spacesuit helmets for all their expressions tell him what each is thinking. Not once since they became isolated on the Moon have they worked together…
The Moon has changed them all; despair has made strangers of them…
Hope: half a dozen modules in Low Earth Orbit. An elusive hope: they need to find a way to reach the space station. They have one ALM ascent stage left — and Peterson gives thanks it still remains, not launched out of desperation by one of them during the past two years.
There are certainly more dense passages throughout the novella, but Sales' style is perhaps deliberately careful with its science. Here, Sales establishes Peterson's character in relation to his colleagues and provides snippets of technical detail as part of the mechanism for the emotional undercurrent of the entire narrative. Sales never quite lets that emotional element take over, which seems a reasonable product of the setting and the people involved. Unlike other "save the world with science fiction" narratives, Sales doesn't indulge in melodrama to heighten the stakes (see The Core or 2012 for a prime example of this poor narrative practice). There's an almost passive quality to the character development, which I can appreciate simply for my perceptions of realism in this case.
I can see where Sales might have turned the wrong way and made his deceptively straightforward narrative into something dull and lifeless. But that never happens. Rather, the narrative's deceptively lackluster opening — a bunch of guys doing science on the Moon — is built up in slow, deliberate motions into a massive, world-changing conflict. The end of that conflict came as a surprise, and unexpected though it was, I was happy to have caught the minute details which gave away what had actually happened. Sales' narrative seems to fall into a kind of rhythm in which the scientific "narrative world" becomes what Delany might call a reading practice or protocol; it invites attention to detail on the part of the reader, and that jolt to the brain actually saves me from getting stuck in a reader mode of one form or another. I admit that this doesn't happen all that often for me, particularly not with stories which are, if one is to look at the appendices, meticulously researched and detailed — a space science nut will certainly pick up details I simply missed (one of them needs to review this).