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Meet Our Staff
Meet Our Staff
Pala International prides itself on having the finest staff in the colored stone and mineral industry, bar none. With over a century of combined industry experience, no other company can offer you the same level of expertise.
For sales inquiries please contact email@example.com or firstname.lastname@example.com
Bill Larson
The President of Pala International, William Larson, is one of the world's most knowledgeable gem and mineral experts. Starting from a small mineral collection at age ten, he has built one of the planet's finest mineral collections in private hands. And along with that, he has built Pala International into one of America's great colored stone houses.
After graduating with a degree in Geological Engineering from the prestigious Colorado School of Mines, Bill started Pala International in 1967. Today he travels the globe several times each year, bringing back both fine gemstones and mineral specimens.
For a full biography of Bill, along with his wife, Jeanne, see Meet the Larsons: Pala's Globe-trotting Collectors.
Jason Stephenson
Jason Stephenson joined the Pala team in October of 2006. His path in the gem and mineral world began with a Bachelors of Science degree in Geology from the University of Idaho in 1999. He then earned his Graduate Gemology degree from the Gemological Institute of America in 2000 and quickly became involved in the gem trade.
Jason has worked on the wholesale and retail side of the business, and has been involved with the buying and selling of jewelry, gemstones, and mineral specimens.
At Pala, along with sales, Jason has been contributing to the growth of information on Palagems.com, by researching and writing about the ever changing landscape of gem materials.
Mia Dixon
Mia Dixon took charge of the camera shutter upon the departure of in-house photographer Wimon Manorotkul in late September 2008. (We were told by Wimon that Mia was a quick learner, as tips of the craft were passed on while they worked together.)
Mia first started at Pala International back in 2002 as the Administrative Assistant. She left the company in July of 2004 to raise her first child.
In July of 2008 she joined the team again as the resident photographer, mostly of gemstones but also some shots of mineral specimens. Mia is working part-time so she still can enjoy spending time with her beautiful boys Erik and Axel.
Mia Dixon was born and raised in the area of Gothenburg (aka Göteborg), the trade, educational, and cultural center of southwestern Sweden. She first arrived in California in 1994. Mia received her Associate's Degree in Fashion Merchandising & Design in 1996 from Palomar College in nearby San Marcos, California.
Carl Larson
Director of Gemstones
Carl's passion for the finest gems and minerals was ignited at a very young age and it has only grown from there. Working alongside his father Bill Larson for many years provided extensive, valuable knowledge and experience, which naturally led him to the Gemological Institute of America, receiving his Graduate Gemologist degree in 2013. He has also studied and assisted curating the gem collection at the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle in Paris, broadening his knowledge and experience. His keen eye for top quality stones has been developed since birth and was fine-tuned by his ongoing education and pursuit of the world's best gems and minerals.
Alison Larson
Alison, wife of Carl, joined Pala's team in 2013. Originally from Pennsylvania, her passion for the gem industry led her to the west coast to attend the Gemological Institute of America. She received her Graduate Gemologist degree from the G.I.A. in 2006 and her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Hawaii in 2012. She has over ten years of both design and jewelry retail experience, as well as many years of experience in writing and editing. Alison directs our social media.


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Houston Car Accident Lawyer
Our Law Firm Knows Auto Accidents
Harris County, Texas has 4.3 million residents, while the Houston metro area has approximately 6.3 million. This definitely explains why the Houston metro area has approximately 200 auto accidents each day, or roughly 73,000 car crashes a year. There are many types of vehicle accidents, the most common being: rear-ended, T-bone or broad-sided, head-on, and side-swiped.
Common Causes of Automobile Accidents
While there are many causes of car accidents, the most common reasons of driver negligence are identified as follows: driver inattention; speeding; texting and driving; cell phone use; fatigue; failure to yield the right of way from a stop sign or private drive; running a red light; and driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Again, these are just the most common reasons. Since every case is different, we urge you call one of our injury lawyers so we can discuss the facts of your case.
Reasons to Call the Houston Car Accident Attorneys at Joel A. Gordon & Associates
Having represented victims of auto accidents in Texas for more than 21 years, we know what questions or concerns you may have, and we know how to obtain compensation for your injuries, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. Whether your accident was investigated by the Houston Police, Sheriff, Constable, or State Troopers, our law firm will obtain the accident report, contact the at-fault party's insurance, and open a claim for your damages. In addition to obtaining the crash report and creating a claim, our injury attorneys will also secure accident photos, interview any witnesses, and consult with an expert accident reconstructionist as necessary.
Does Your Accident Have Unusual Circumstances?
No Health Insurance?
No Problem! Call Us Now!
What if the police did not investigate or did not complete a report? Don't worry. Our law office has successfully represented many clients involved in car accidents when a police report was not filed. But it is important that you contact us right away, because time is not on your side. By allowing our personal injury attorneys to establish and build your case, you can then focus on your medical care and recovery. Our relationships with medical doctors, imaging facilities, physical therapists, psychologists, chiropractors, orthopedic surgeons, dentists, and plastic surgeons allow us to assist you in finding medical care convenient to your location. Of equal importance, our office can also arrange for medical care without having to use health insurance, Medicare or Medicaid, and without your having to pay any up-front money.
We Have the Answers to Your Urgent Questions
The two most common questions we receive are: "What is my case worth?" and, "How long does the process take?" Answers on the value of your case can be seen here. As for the length of time, that in large part depends upon the severity of your injuries and length of your medical care. Cases involving soft tissue injuries like whiplash, for example, tend to wrap up sooner than cases involving surgery, paralysis, amputation, and other injuries causing permanent disability.
After completing your medical care, our attorneys will then obtain all of your medical bills and records for presentation to the insurance company with a demand that contains a list of your damages, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. In most instances, after a series of negotiations with the insurance adjuster, your case will settle. However, in those cases where settlement cannot be reached, then a lawsuit can be filed in the court system, taking your case to a different level.
What Can You Expect to Happen?
While most automobile accident cases settle without ever having to file a lawsuit, there are those cases where a lawsuit may need to be filed immediately to secure evidence or because of the serious nature of the injuries involved. Regardless of the circumstances of your case, you can feel confident that the Houston law firm of Joel A. Gordon & Associates understands what it takes to make your car accident case successful.
Don't Delay! Call Us Now Before Time Runs Out!
Having represented hundreds of clients in such cases during our long history, we assure you that your case will be a top priority in our office. We encourage you to call our office now for your free consultation where a knowledgeable attorney will review the facts of your case, explain your rights, and discuss with you what you can expect for your personal injury claim.
If someone close to you lost their life during this accident, our firm will help you navigate through your grief and financial problems with guidance about pursuing and filing, if necessary, a wrongful death claim.
In either instance, you can be certain that the lawyers at Joel A. Gordon & Associates will have your best interests at heart for the duration of your case.

subset: commoncrawl


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Cost: $15.00
22689 SW Pine St.
Saturday, June 1, 2019, 2:00 AM - 4:30 AM
A timeless tale of a young girl gifted with great kindness and a strong sense of fairness has her world turned upside down when her father dies. Her cruel stepmother and jealous stepsisters treat her like the maid of the house and make her life very difficult until her chance encounter with the prince sends her down a path that has promise of a brighter future...and perhaps...maybe likely...a little bit of magic.
Cost: $15.00
Phone: (503) 272-6600
Tickets: https://www.cytportlandvancouver.org/shows/Cinderella/9
Event url: www.cytportlandvancouver.org/shows/Cinderella/9
22689 SW Pine St.
Sherwood, OR 97140


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here's mark grudzielanek
two of the dodgers in the set.
now, i am sure i've told this story before, but when i first heard about this set, i pre-ordered a box on ebay for what turned out to be a fantastic price. unfortunately, the seller (a card shop owner somewhere out east) passed away before the cards were released, and i never received my cards. if he just wanted to keep my box once it was realized just how hot of a product this was going to be, he went through an elaborate hoax with lawyers and what not. unfortunately, there was not much i could do but leave negative feedback once i was told that there were bigger creditors than i in line for renumeration, as this was way before ebay's money back guarantee, and i wasn't going to file a small claims court claim. so, the set came out and i bought a few packs, but was kind of soured on the whole thing. i picked up a few singles here and there and eventually decided to put the set together as i had originally planned, but the pursuit has stalled out over the years. maybe this is the kickstart i needed.
i was happy that the dodgers weren't part of the short prints, even though they were with the original 1952 topps set. instead, team collectors of the mets, orioles, padres, phillies, and red sox were pretty well screwed.
here are some other cards that ryan sent.
rick ankiel
tony armas jr
freddy garcia
and jose vizcaino
those are just a few of the cards that ryan sent, and i've finally added a want list for the set to my want list site. as of right now, i haven't crossed any cards off since i need to find my partial set to do so. while i'm doing that, feel free to ask me about setting up a trade.
thanks ryan - i'll have some stuff out to you early next week!


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The Magic Bag is one of metro Detroit's premiere entertainment venues and plays host to both local and national touring acts and artists. Those that have played the Bag include The Black Keys, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Violent Femmes, The Smithereens, White Stripes, Dandy Warhols, Leon Russell, Los Lobos, Fitz & The Tantrums, Gov't Mule, Jeffery Ross, Whitney Cummings, Amy Schumer, Chris Hardwick, and Marc Maron. The Magic Bag has been voted 'Best Venue To See Live Music' for 20 years running by Hour Magazine, The Detroit News and Free Press, WDIV Channel 4, and The Metro Times .
November 20-26, 2019
Subscribe now to get the latest news delivered right to your inbox.
30 E. Canfield St.
Detroit, MI 48201
Main: (313) 961-4060
Advertising: (313) 961-4060
Classified: (313) 961-4060
All parts of this site Copyright © 2019 Detroit Metro Times.
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Tags: news
Autumn Term Newsletter 2019
Posted: Mon, 21 Oct 2019 10:17
Please take a look at the Autumn 2019 edition of our newsletter for the latest local and national anti-bullying information and news.
Tags: Newsletter, News, Anti-bullying Week
Summer Term Newsletter 2019
Posted: Wed, 05 Jun 2019 15:08
Please take a look at our most recent newsletter for all the latest local and national ant-bullying news!
Tags: Newsletter, anti-bullying week, news, training
Spring Term Newsletter 2019
Posted: Tue, 26 Feb 2019 10:25
Please read our most recent newsletter for information about anti-bullying both local and national.
Tags: Newsletter, news, training, no outsiders
Summer Term 2018 Newsletter
Posted: Mon, 11 Jun 2018 13:57
Please follow this link for the Summer Term newsletter, containing useful information on all news local and national in the anti-bullying world!
Tags: Anti-bullying Week, Newsletter, News, No Outsiders, Restorative Approaches, Award
Spring 2017 newsletter
Posted: Wed, 26 Apr 2017 14:02
Our spring newsletter is now available so check it out for the latest in the anti-bullying worlds both near and far!
Tags: Newsletter, News, Bullying, Training


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The award-winning design studio formerly known as Northern Lighting has officially launched its new lifestyle brand, Northern.
Also read: Taking oil lamps into the great outdoors
Following 12 years of commercial success and media acclaim, Northern Lighting now extend its trademark style to furniture and interior accessories. The new brand was established by Ove Rogne, CEO and cofounder of Northern Lighting, who announced the expansion last autumn.
As Rogne leads Northern into the spotlight, Northern Lighting steps off the stage, with all new and existing products to be produced and distributed by the Northern brand in future.
The new brand was developed with creative direction from designers Morten Skjærpe Knarrum and Jonas Norheim, the duo behind the Morten & Jonas design studio. For two years, the designers worked collaboratively with Rogne to establish a new brand characterised by a bold interpretation of classic forms and a determination to innovate with natural materials.
The three men established a creative team that includes 16 designers from seven different countries, each briefed to address the demand for understated luxury and the consumer need for multifunctional designs.
Also read: Birdy – warm colours for cold seasons
Together, the Northern team dared to challenge the status quo, resulting in a variety of product types made from a wide range of materials and production techniques.
The debut collection includes statement-making designs, such as the exclusive desk by Yonoh crafted from smoked oak and perforated steel. Multifunctional products, such as the upbeat modular shelving and storage system from Rudi Wulff, and the sleeper sofa by Morten & Jonas, add more flexibility to the interior.
Swedish design studio Färg & Blanche stand ready for cocktail hour with their gleaming bar cabinet. Products from designers such as Mario Tsai, Gridy, Cecilia Xinyu Zhang, Kyla McCallum, Vera & Kyte, Elina Ulvio, Stine Aas, Mattias Stenberg, Ann Kristin Einarsen, Johan Lindsten, Johanna Forsberg and Sami Kallio complete the range of the collection.
Northern launch with retail partners in Sweden, Norway, France, Finland, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The full product range is available to all retailers in these countries and others, and to architects, interior designers, contractors and individual consumers.


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Skip to Content
Home > Health Information > Health Library > Photophobia
Photophobia is abnormal sensitivity to artificial or natural light. Common causes include inflammation or infection of the iris (iritis) or the cornea.
Wearing sunglasses when in bright sunlight may offer enough protection for people with mild sensitivity. But people with severe sensitivity may need to avoid light as much as possible and cover their eyes in any lighted environment. The cause for the light sensitivity should be determined, since treatment may cure the problem.
Current as of:
May 5, 2019
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content.
To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise.org.
© 1995-2019 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
Our interactive Decision Points guide you through making key health decisions by combining medical information with your personal information.
You'll find Decision Points to help you answer questions about:
Get started learning more about your health!
Our Interactive Tools can help you make smart decisions for a healthier life. You'll find personal calculators and tools for health and fitness, lifestyle checkups, and pregnancy.
Feeling under the weather?
Use our interactive symptom checker to evaluate your symptoms and determine appropriate action or treatment.
See important information from Billings Clinic on Non-discrimination and Interpreter Services.
Billings Clinic is proud to be an equal opportunity/affirmative action (EOE/AA) e-verify employer.


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The Scottish Coastal Forum was formed by the Government, under independent Chairmanship, in November 1996. Its aims are to:
Encourage the formation of local coastal fora providing a point of co-ordination for these, as well as acting as a central point for their views and concerns
Encourage debate on coastal issues at national level
Seek opportunities for better co-ordination of national frameworks and policies
Gather information about approaches to coastal management and disseminate examples of best practice to local fora.
The Scottish Coastal Forum supports nine local coastal fora that cover much of the Scottish Coastline. On the East cost of Scotland the Moray Firth Partnership covers the area from Duncansby Head to Fraserburgh, the East Grampian Coastal Partnership covers from Fraserburgh to the River North Esk, by St Cyrus, the Tay Estuary Forum covers from the River North Esk to Fifeness, whilst the Forth Estuary Forum covers the area from Fifeness to Dunbar.


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Google Drive, the online service for storing documents and files, is currently offline for many customers, putting a crimp in the productivity of anyone who uses the Big G's cloud-storage system.
I can confirm that trying to access some Google Docs is resulting in the above error page, while Techcrunch points to those on Twitter who are bemoaning the borked service.
"Are you guys doing anything about Drive being down currently and intermittent over the past 24 hours?" one tweeter writes. "Google Drive is spewing 502 errors and seriously slowing me down this morning," another says.
Google's status page identifies 'service disruption' for Google Drive, though currently reads Mail, Calendar, Documents and other services are running smoothly.
Google says, "We're investigating reports of an issue with Google Drive," promising to "provide more information shortly." An update to that reads, "We're aware of a problem with Google Drive affecting a significant subset of users.
"The affected users are unable to access Google Drive. We will provide an update by 3/18/13 4:10 PM detailing when we expect to resolve the problem. Please note that this resolution time is an estimate and may change."
Google Drive is a free service for storing files, eliminating the need for them to take up space on your hard drive and giving you access to your data from any computer. It's a very useful service, but it doesn't work when it's, er, broken. Fingers crossed Google sorts these issues swiftly.
Is Google Drive down for you, or is it functioning smoothly? Do you rely on Google's services for work, or do you prefer to keep your files stored on a physical hard drive for exactly this reason? Let me know in the comments, or on our Facebook wall.


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I've succeded in decoding a key phrase of our times: "I'm like". This is very widespread, and seems most often used to describe a past encounter:
"So I'm like, get out of here!"
"And I'm like - no way!"
And then there "She's like", "He's like", etc:
"So he's like: leave me alone!"
Since "I'm like" is used when giving a blow-by-blow description of a conversation, the obvious conclusion is that it is simply means "I said". But when you question the speaker, you soon find that they didn't actually say, or hear, what they appear to be claiming:
"So I'm like - no way!"
"Did you actually say 'no way'?"
"Well, no, not exactly..."
"So what did you say?"
(defensive) "I'm not going to tell my boss 'no way', am I?"
And it turns out that they didn't really say anything much - they just thought it. So my big finding, for which I confidently expect to receive a linguistics Nobel prize, is that "I'm like" actually means "I wish I'd said", "I felt this way but didn't express it". It is a post-event rationalisation, a type of fiction to add a bit of drama to the retelling. (And why not.)
Anyway so when I discovered this, I'm like: "That's brilliant, I should get an award for this or something, right?"
The monkey trap
In the far East there's a simple method used to trap wild monkeys on a beach. A hole is drilled in an empty coconut shell, just big enough for a monkey to slide its paw into. The coconut shell is connected to a metal chain, which is anchored by a peg to the ground. And the coconut is then partly filled with rice.
The monkey comes along the beach, sees the coconut, and puts its hand into the shell to take the rice. At this point the trappers approach. The frightened monkey pulls away, but is held by the chain. The hole in the coconut is too small to accommodate his paw clutching a fistful of rice. He can only pull free if he lets go of the rice. But he doesn't, and so is caught and killed.
It's an ingenious trap, but rather a cruel trick, and one's first reaction is to feel sorry for the helpless monkey. And then to wonder: why can't it realise that a handful of rice is not worth capture? It's a simple choice: Let go of some rice and you live; keep hold of it and something terrible will happen.
Musing on this, and putting ourselves in the same situation, we are certain that it would take us only a second or two to decide what's important, drop the rice and make good our escape. We feel rather superior to the poor monkey, who lacked the reasoning power to save himself.
Yes, faced with a rapidly approaching and almost certain doom (or at best, something very nasty), humans would have the sense to let go of the short-term benefit, in favour of survival. Sure we would. That explains the popularity of massive, fuel-guzzling cars during a well-signposted oil crisis. That's why we keep producing and consuming more and more. And it's why we are so desperate to find more fossil fuel deposits, even though using the stuff is harming our planet, probably irreparably.
Something nasty is clearly approaching, but it's hard to let go of the rice.
Solving the Greek debt problem
Don't give any more money to the Greek goverment. Instead, use the bailout cash to pay for every German, French and UK taxpayer to take a free holiday in Greece this year. Result: a booming Greek economy, and millions of satisfed tourists. Happiness all round!
The Grudge voting system
The Alternative Vote and Proportional Representation are not the only contenders to replace Britain's first-past-the-post voting system. My "Grudge Vote" is possibly the best option of all. The aim is to reduce voter apathy by making everyone's vote count.
Here's how it works. The candidate with the most votes wins, as in the current system. But their power in Parliament is directly related to how much of the vote they receive on election night. Take an MP who wins their seat with 65% of the vote. In the current system they have 1 vote in Parliament. Under my system they would only have 0.65 of a vote. And an MP who won with just 35% of the vote - which is not unusual - would in Parliament get only 0.35 of a vote.
The power of the elected MPs in Parliament would therefore directly reflect the amount of support they command in their constituencies.
The beauty of the system is that nobody's vote is wasted. If you are a Labour voter living in a solid Conservative constituency, it is now worth going out to vote Labour. Even if your candidate doesn't win, your vote helps to reduce the Tory MP's power. And vice-versa if you are a Conservative voter living in a Labour area. It's also worth voting for a minority party; ok, they won't get in, but now you can help to reduce the clout of the winner.
Hence the title, the Grudge Voting system. There is a deep appeal in voting to enfeeble one's opponents. It has to work!
Afghanistan solution
It's a waste of time sending soldiers to Afghanistan. Let's face it, their ones are unbeatable. To overcome the fundamentalists it's necessary instead to flood the country with free consumer goods: washing machines, toaster ovens, dishwashers and other labour-saving devices for the women, and plasma TV screens, sports channels, electric guitars, and computer games for the men.
Two months later, airlift in masses of free fashion items such as blue jeans, baseball caps, t-shirts, high heels, leather jackets, etc. The Third Wave, if needed, would consist of vast shipments of free cola, pizza and ice cream.
No armies, no weapons - just tons of Western consumer stuff. The Taliban would be unable to withstand this massive cultural onslaught. The people of Afghanistan would naturally snap up the free goodies, and the insidious change would begin, with strict fundamentalist principles fatally weakened by a new ease and frivolity. Best of all, this policy would make the West seem incredibly generous, while being a lot cheaper than sustaining a real war.
Japan Travelogue
Having spent two weeks in Japan I can speak with great authority about the place, even if I didn't manage to visit everything (and particularly regret missing the steamed fishpaste museum in Hakone).
First surprise is that people are friendly, open, affable, even kind. There is lots of smiling and laughing in public. And all the bowing makes you feel like a minor celeb or royal every time you enter a shop.
Fabulously high-tech toilets, with heated seats, gears and buttons, and waterspout innovations not to be described here. But no toilet brushes. How did they miss that when conducting the years of research that must have gone into these machines? Memo to visitors: bring your own.
It's a hugely convenient place. Signs in English, maps everywhere, lots of taxis (often with uniformed drivers and lacy seat covers), snack shops, public toilets, and vending machines.
There really should be a sign at the airport saying 'Full', or 'Complet'. Japan is built-up in a way that's hard even for Western city-dwellers to imagine. The geography of the country is mostly mountainous, with the small amount of flat land inbetween crammed full of buildings. For those of us accustomed to enjoying looking at the countryside out of a train window, it's quite a shock to see this sort of view for 300 miles at a stretch:
The arrangement of the buildings seems chaotic, typically something like: factory - shrine - apartment block - shed - minimart - restaurant - factory. No planning laws here.
It's unsurprising that Japan is so intensely urban, having twice the UK's population in a country with half the landmass (and most of that mountains). Apparently the Japanese are worried about their declining birthrate but this should at least give them some breathing space, unless they were intending to build cities on the mountains next. (If the world was better arranged there would be a UN fund to pay the pensions of declining populations, as a reward for reducing the demand on the earth's resources.)
Despite being so full, Japanese cities are amazingly quiet. After a while you work out why: nobody is using their car horn. Try to imagine London or New York without the cacophany of angry horns day and night. It's almost eerie. And none of our yobbish shouts and drunken screaming on the streets, either.
Indeed it's clear that Japanese people have mastered the art of living together civilly in a tight space. For example, pedestrians use city pavements in the same way as cars share the road, with a two-way flow obeying the rule 'keep left'. (It's easy to be a rebel in Japan; walk on the right.) But as if to test social cohesion to its limit, cyclists are allowed on the pavements, even in downtown Tokyo, even at rush hour. And they ride quite fast. But somehow it works. Try to imagine the bloodshed if this was introduced in the UK.
You're not allowed to use a mobile phone on any train. This alone justifies a visit.
The streets are extremely tidy but there are very few litter bins; and everything you buy has 3 layers of plastic wrapping. Where do they put it?
Most people seem to speak a few words of English, and if menus and public signs are translated at all, it's into English. There is a mildly malicious enjoyment to be had from hearing French tourists in the Far East struggling to speak English (and not even trying to use French). It's even better to help them out by translating. Tee hee.
Arising from the popularity of the English language in Japan, the discerning tourist can get much pleasure from the strange linguistic manglings to be seen on shop signs, adverts, and T-shirts. These slogans were spotted on T-shirts in Kyoto:
The Charm to Me
Why don't you have a great smile when your heart goes down
Drift and Jumping
I love posh boy
Special you grant
Many classic moments deep into your lifestyle.
And some shop signs:
What a great country!
The London Eurostar experience
After all the laudatory write-ups in the press, it comes as a real disappointment to use the new St. Pancras link to the continent. Here is what the journalists on freebies forgot to tell us:
1. The famous champagne bar is outside the Eurostar terminal. So you check your bags and go through security and passport control, and they won't let you go out again to the bar. There is a (small) bar inside the terminal, but the only way to visit the famous champagne bar is to turn up extra-early, lugging your luggage along, have a drink, and then check in. Which lunatic thought of that?
2. The old Eurostar train from Waterloo took a pleasantly scenic route through the smiling Kent countryside. The new route goes mainly through long tunnels and hellish, polluted, post-industrial wastelands.
3. We heard a lot about the marvellous span of the St Pancras roof, but most of the station is covered by a low roof with strip lighting:
So was it worth the years of work, billions of pounds and the shaving of 20 minutes off the journey time? Sorry, but not really. The loot would have been better spent on a high speed link to Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, York, Durham, Glasgow...
Harry the heron and his pals
A walk through Regents Park, London is an increasingly bizarre experience, due to the animals. I mainly blame the tourists, although there are enough nutty locals with huge bags of bread, who only encourage the bad behaviour of these creatures:
Squirrels, who brazenly approach you and panhandle for food. I'm sure this didn't happen five years ago. For some reason tourists think the little beasts are cute, and even pose for photos with them. Don't they have squirrels at home?
The geese, who stand on the path looking tough.
The herons are frankly scary. These birds are supposed to be solitary and wary of humans but in the Park they hang about in groups of 6 or 7, right by the main path. There is something unsettling in the way they shift from on foot to the other, never taking their eye off you. The animal equivalent of hoodies. (A hoody of herons?)
How to solve the pub problem
In loving memory, The Duke of Wellington:
It was an eccentric place, full of curious objects relating to the Iron Duke. It was scruffy and cosy. At one time the local fly fishing club had a corner devoted to their activities, with a rod, landing net, and photos displayed. There was memorobilia all over the place and a fine collection of historic beer bottles dating back to the 60s. In short, it was one of the nicest local pubs in central London.
But then the landlord went, and the Duke was sold, to be completely gutted, turned into some wine bar/restaurant, no doubt with loud music and expensive lager. It's so sad and infuriating to see a piece of historic London bite the dust like this.
I therefore call upon an eccentric millionaire to step forward and help us create The Pub Restoration Society, devoted to buying nasty modern pubs and turning them back to what they were in their prime, but slowly, by stealth. Week 1, the music stops ('sorry lads, can't get the CD to work'). Next week, the spotlights are removed. Then, the dartboard reappears. The TV goes. Bench seats come back in one corner, then another. And so on, until everything is just as it should be.
Until then, we still have a few good ones, such as the traditional Golden Eagle, on Marylebone Lane in London W1:
Receipts mystery
At the exact same moment that everyone else has woken up to environmental problems, the retailers began forcing receipts upon us for every trivial purchase. You can't buy a cup of tea now without being given a (very large) receipt, which you then throw away. This only started quite recently, didn't it? Multiply it up by millions of people, every day, and we are probably onto our third landfill site devoted just to receipts for tea, coffee, and pies.
Are these food outlets misguidedly trying to help us to reclaim the cost (admittedly high) of cups of tea etc. from our employers, or spouses? If so, they should turn it around and ask 'Do you want a receipt with that?', to which 99% of us will say no.
Or is something else going on? One clue is that some retailers are fierce about making sure we get a receipt. Spotted at a pie shop:
The threat is plain: "If the dimwit serving you makes a momentary error and fails to give you a receipt, you get free food - and we'll take it out of their wages."
What seems to be going on here is that retailers are conscripting consumers in the fight against 'shrinkage', eg. where the worker sells you a pie but fails to ring up the sale on the till, pocketing the money for themselves. Spoilsports as well as planet despoilers.
Holiday fun
When walking around a city in the Summer months, try to deliberately position yourself to appear in tourists' holiday photos. It's easy. A good way to ease yourself into this new activity is to walk slowly past one of those 'living statues', which are natural photo magnets. Award yourself extra points for pulling a face.
In theory there could be a prize for the person who appears most often in other people's photographs. The enjoyment comes from imagining a situation where the tourist gets home and is showing their snaps around, and someone says: "Hold on a minute, I'm sure I've seen that person in my photos, too..."
Holiday fun, 2
Always carry bread with you on holiday. Then when you visit a castle, stately home, or indeed anywhere with a pond, moat, or lake, you are ready for the sport of carp-baiting.
For example next time you're in Paris and don't fancy queuing half the day for a museum or gallery, try an alternative entertainment. Buy a baguette and head for one of the parks containing a pond or two. The Tuilleries is particularly good for this:
These Paris ponds don't look too exciting, but they contain carp, and some big ones, too. Tear a few pieces of bread off your baguette and chuck them into the pond. You may have to wait a while, putting up with the curious stares of Parisians and tourists, before you see any action. But watch your bait, checking for swirls. Trust me, the carp are in there. Look out for any slightly darker shapes under the water, and chuck your bread pellets at them.
A sunny day seems to work best for carp-baiting. It's a well-spent hour. And some of the inhabitants are big.


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|Mark Levinson No. 436 Monaural Power Amplifier
|Wednesday, 01 January 2003
Page 2 of 2
The Music
Throughout the audition period, I was impressed by the way these monstrously powered amplifiers could reproduce the seductiveness of vocals. An excellent example came from Tori Amos's latest, Scarlet's Walk (Epic). In the cut "Wampum Prayer," the percussion intro was notably clear and airy. The piano, an instrument that is historically difficult to reproduce with accuracy, was placed distantly in the stage, yet sounded remarkably real. The No436 was able to reproduce both the strike of the hammers and the decay of this warm instrument as well as I have ever heard on any system with any recorded piano. Amos' vocals possessed fantastic inner detail and complex vocal timbres. In fact, I have yet to hear an amplifier that I felt recreated the complete vocal experience better than these amps. I have long loved tube amplification for its ability to breath life and midrange purity into my music. I was willing to accept the many compromises of tube amplification just to experience the sheer reality and seductiveness that tubes can provide. The No436 amplifiers had a quality that made me forget about the stereotypical differences inherent in the two designs, providing extremely transparent instrumental and vocal textures. In the song "Ms. Jesus," Amos' voice was crisply detailed and infinitely resolute, down to the finite crunch in her vocal cords.
Moving from the clean side of vocal perfection to the awesomely filthy side of grunge, I loaded Mad Season's Above (Columbia). In the song "Artificial Red," the No436's treated me to a unique combination experience of low-end authority and sweet yet transparent high frequencies. This recording is nasty enough that I was never wowed completely but it highlighted some specifically good characteristics of the No436s. The snare drum was tight, with a very natural ring and impending decay, and the guitar tone is simply infectious. In the song "Long Gone Day," the saxophone was placed beautifully in the depth of the stage. Overall, this recording had better weight throughout the midband than I have heard from a solid-state amplifier. As I found with other recordings, Lane Staley's vocals had a gloriously natural texture.
Off to some multi-channel music I went, with Lyle Lovett's Joshua Judges Ruth (DTS Entertainment). For those enabled with the capability to play multi-channel DTS, this recording is truly special in every way, and perhaps the best sounding popular recording ever pressed to a disc of any kind. It unites the rare combination of a fabulous artist and performer, along with a beautifully done recording. The No436s had me listening to these tracks louder than ever before. In the opening cut "I've Been to Memphis," the No436s were presented with the challenge of maintaining transparency and depth in the piano, yet providing power and low-frequency authority with the introduction of the drums. Even at volumes that could be heard three doors down, the instruments remained separated and without the slightest congestion. This recording through the No436 amplifiers was nothing short of sensational.
In Ridley Scott's "Black Hawk Down" (Columbia/TriStar Home Entertainment), I put the 436s to the test. I listen to movies very loudly and what I have found with other high-powered, solid-state amplifiers is that the less than perfect soundtrack information could sound brittle in the upper frequencies. The No436's didn't. Many amplifiers sound great and lack annoying artifacts on well-recorded audiophile music, but to take something like a shoot-'em-up soundtrack that is played at extreme volumes yielding sweet and detailed sound is extraordinary. It made me want five No436s (one for each speaker) to truly realize the potential of the soundtrack. With the absence of a subwoofer, the helicopters still sounded surprisingly powerful and didn't provide even the slightest signs of fatigue. Details such as the sound of copter blades piercing the wind and bullets flying by, were richly detailed, more so than with any other amplifier that I have auditioned to date. If I were to use more superlatives here, I might lose credibility with you. Just make sure to bring "Black Hawk Down" with you when you audition amps at this level and you'll see what I am talking about.
My listening experience with the No436 amplifiers showed that they had an extremely quiet and richly detailed top end. They did not have the ultimate high-frequency transparency of the Linn Twin that I reviewed a couple moths back at $9,000, yet the No436s had an overall better balance. Although the No436s had less high-frequency information than the Twins, the high frequencies were nevertheless more pleasurable for my taste. The No436s didn't have quite the sheer low-end power of the Pass X350, yet the No436s were more enjoyable than the Pass X350 in nearly every way. Taking all the techno mojo from the equation, the No.436s made me want to listen to real-world music and blockbuster movies more and at higher volumes.
The Downside
The high frequencies of the No436 could be on the soft side for adrenaline junkies (like AudioRevolution.com publisher Jerry del Colliano). The low frequencies are likewise a bit mellower, albeit very controlled and solid, unlike the Mack truck-slamming bass that the Pass and Krell amplifiers provide. For me, the No436's response was exemplary and preferable to either of the aforementioned amplifiers.
As always, before laying out the hard-earned dough, give them all a listen
The amplifier is a simple component when compared to feature-laden A/V preamps and many digital products, yet they have the job of a mighty workhorse. They should not be the forgotten component, but rather the foundation of your A/V system. The Mark Levinson No436 mono amplifiers are the best amps I have heard in my system and, in my opinion, are the best-sounding amplifiers in their price class. Del Colliano might prefer the comparably-priced monaural Krell Mcx 350s, but for my system, I stand by my comments. Also note that I am backing up my superlatives with my wallet – I bought the pair for my reference system.
I could go on to say in detail why I made the purchase, but I would rather opt for the simple explanation that they made me enjoy every aspect of my listening experience more than I ever had before. They are infinitely involving and brought me closer to my music. Although expensive for the pair, and even more so for the five or seven if you are so inclined to obtain them all for your A/V system, they are worth every penny.


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2 for 1 ski/board & boot hire *
This outstanding apartment is located in the Montsoleil area of the resort, split between two buildings (the other being the Terrasses d'Helios Apartments), the Terrasses d'Eos has been beautifully designed and built in Savoyard style using wood and stone and are surrounded by peaceful pine forests.
With great facilities (the Eos has a heated outdoor pool, a spa area with sauna, steam room and jacuzzi) and lovely views from the apartments' large picture windows, this luxury apartment is highly recommended. The ski school meets at the residence.
FREE baby kit (cot, linen etc) subject to availability.
Local Fees and Taxes
Bedroom facilities
A4 apartments are available for persons of reduced mobility.
Car park with designated disabled spaces, reception and swimming pool also accessible .
Board basis options available
|Sat 14 Dec 201914/12/19
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•All round resort •265km well-groomed pistes •Ski in/ski out accommodation
Part of the Grand Massif and fondly known as the "big snowy bowl", Flaine was purposely plonked on the mountain for direct access to some of the greatest terrain around. While the village may not be brimming with Gallic charm, the skiing and facilities more than make up for it, a place much loved by powder hounds and families alike.
Great for •Families •Intermediates •Snow-sure •Late season holidays
Snow Report: Top 150cm, Bottom 100cm
Snow Forecast: 0cm expected this week
Snow History: November average depth 14.5cm
Approx. airport transfer times depend on conditions:
|Geneva airport
|1hr 15mins
|France, Alps.
|First opened:
Flaine lift pass price last reported as € 216 (adult 6 day). Ask for a quote when booking Montsoleil Terrasses d'Eos Apartments.
Night skiing: Yes
Flaine has N, E, S facing slopes.
Usually open for skiing December – April.
|Town altitude:
|Top of slopes:
|Bottom of piste:
|Vertical drop:
|Total length of trails:
|Longest piste:
|Cascade 14km
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Naturally Lower Cholesterol with Some Additional Nutritional SupplementsOne often rightly thinks of cholesterol as a thick waxy fat-like substance that is contained in many of the foods one eats. Even though one may also fear the term cholesterol, it is still something the body needs for many different purposes such as manufacturing and maintaining strong cell walls as well as being critical for hormone and vitamin D production. In fact, the liver produces eighty percent of cholesterol and the remaining twenty percent is consumed through the food we eat. Simply making a dietary change will thus not have as big an impact and it may thus be necessary for some additional nutritional supplements to be taken to naturally lower cholesterol. The first step in this direction is to change the diet and the low carbohydrate Atkins Diet, the balance Zone Diet and Low Fat Pritikin Diet have all demonstrated that they can help to lower cholesterol levels.
Dietary Changes May Not Have a Big Impact
To obtain naturally lower cholesterol levels, it is also important to increase the intake of green vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, lettuce as well as green beans, all of which are good and healthy low-carb foods that also are low in calories. These dietary intakes can be consumed in any quantity and eating whole fruits and berries are also beneficial in helping to naturally lower cholesterol. Of course, eating rich and fattening desserts are a no-no.
In addition, there are also several nutritional supplements that help to naturally lower cholesterol, and these include Niacin, Octacosanol, Chromium-GTF, guggul, Omega 3 oil, and garlic. It is important to note that when taking such supplements to naturally lower cholesterol, one must follow the instructions on the labels on the bottles or even consult a health care provider to ensure that the right quantities are taken to reduce cholesterol.


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Facebook wants to give a tight competition to Google by launching the Facebook creators android app. Facebook is pushing hard to provide a video community platform to the world like YouTube-by Google.
In the last VidCon, they promised to bring more tools to the people who make their living or support their business by making video contents. Mark Zuckerberg himself stated that their new objective is "time well spent" watching videos.
For those who don't know what is Facebook creators?
Well, Facebook creators is a platform where you can upload your video contents just like YouTube and can make money from them. Here you can monetize your video using Facebook own monetization platform. Those who haven't yet registered as creators, but wants to, can register by visiting this link. After this link opens click join and log in through your Facebook account. You are now a creator on Facebook.
Whats inside Creators App?
By launching the creator app they have unleashed the features which include Creative Kit, better community management etc. With Facebook creators live kit one can make intros and outros that they can automatically add every time they broadcast. The app comes with custom frames and graphics which you can use in your live videos to make your content look more amazing. You will also be able to cross post on other platforms like Instagram.
To make community management easier, creators get a unified inbox which shows all the comments from Facebook, Instagram, and then messages from Messenger. Its make easier to manage and respond to them. The main feature is analytics is for those who want to fuel their business with the regular track.
Download Facebook Creators Android App & iOS App
- iPhone or iOS user can download Facebook creators app from HERE. You will be redirected to the app store from where you can easily download the Facebook creators app on your mobile.
For Android user, there is a bad news. Though Facebook in June 2017 announced that they will launch an Android (apk) app soon but they failed to do so. The Facebook creators android app is expected to launch in early 2018. Let's hope that Facebook soon launched its Android version.
As the Facebook launches the android app for creators. I will update the post and will provide the download link.


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This is something I have been very excited about: my new packaging!
I decided my wedding DVDs needed some lovely packaging worthy of their contents, and I spent a long time finding this packaging made of 100% recycled materials (and it's all paper or card, so recyclable too!). The only part you can't recycle is the DVD itself, and let's be honest, you'll probably want to hold onto that for a while (at least until you get those photos printed...).
The stamps were custom made by Doodle Stamp on Etsy and I can't use them enough! I'm still practising though, so please forgive any uneven inking...
The DVD is first carefully wrapped in recycled tissue paper (colours may vary).
Then it's time for my business card, and lovely letter to the lucky newlyweds... handwritten, of course. On recycled card. [My current batch of business cards aren't recycled, but my next one will be!]
Then the whole thing goes into these flat-pack boxes, and stamped with some fun rubber stamps.
On this occasion I personalised the front of the box with some lovely stationery the couple had at their wedding (how cute are the penguins!), but it would usually just have your names and wedding date on the front, with 'Wedding Photos' inked across the side so you can find it easily in a bookshelf.
And then the whole thing is wrapped in kraft paper, addressed to the new Mr & Mrs and put in the post! The box fits through letterbox flaps so there shouldn't be any hassle when you receive the photos.
[The lovely backdrop to these photos is probably my most prized possession - a quilt my grandmother made for me, and as she knew she wouldn't have time to finish it she passed the job on to my mum, who completed the quilt with many cuddles from my cat. So special.]
And voilà! Franglais packaging. Let me know what you think!


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Manchester United are preparing a £12million bid for Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen, according to the Guardian.
The Belgian struggled for regular first team football at the Emirates last season, with Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny the first choice partnership.
Arsene Wenger has admitted the club captain could leave the club this month, which has opened the door for Manchester United, however the Gunners would prefer to sell abroad than to a domestic rival.
Barcelona have also been linked with a move, but reports suggest they will only turn to Vermaelen should their move for Liverpool defender Daniel Agger fall through.
The 28-year-old is struggling with a minor hamstring injury sustained with Belgium at the summer's World Cup, but that has not put off Louis van Gaal from preparing a £12million offer.
Van Gaal is looking for two new centre backs following the departures of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, and sees Vermaelen as the ideal man to play as a left centre back in a 3-5-2 formation.
"At the moment, Thomas Vermaelen is here," Wenger said. "He is injured at the moment for a short-term injury. It [a transfer] could happen, yes. It's a possibility that he goes. If he goes, we have to replace him because he's an important player in our squad."
Asked if he expected Vermaelen to depart, Wenger said: "No, I expect him to stay but he, of course, did not play enough games last year. For me he's a very important player but I couldn't guarantee him the games he wanted last year."


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Let Air New Zealand show you some of the best of Asia, the USA and the Pacific Islands en-route to New Zealand and Australia. Here I am a civil engineering student sitting at my internship working on roads but dreaming of low cost transportation for everybody even though you're truly carrying out it! Using our around the globe trip planner, you can merely choose every city you'd like to fly to and pick as several or as couple of stops as you like. A single hard truth about planning a low cost trip that you might not want to hear: If you want to get the least expensive flights, you go exactly where the cheapest flights go. I felt a bit strange, as I did not really require the experience of flying business class. Korean Air's SkyPass Round the World award ticket charges 140,000 miles in Economy and 220,000 miles in Organization.
For instance, in peak season for the European summer, a return fare from Melbourne to Berlin can expense in between $two,000-$two,500 (based on when you book) and a return Melbourne to New York airfare could expense around $1,500-$two,200. We will apply the ideal value airfare and reply within one enterprise day, guaranteed! You can have up to 7 stops about the world (which includes your cease in Australia or New Zealand).
Thanks to our sweet flight hook-ups, obtaining around the planet on one ticket is comparatively straightforward and painless – the hardest portion will be deciding if you want to cease more than in Helsinki or Basel, Reykjavik or Casablanca. Right now, I've asked Nora Dunn, a professional globe traveler , to write up a detailed post with her tips on traveling affordably.
We've undoubtedly accomplished it before, but offered the low price, we could not assist but wonder what would come about if we had been to launch a equivalent contest for enterprise class. Fly Perth — Hong Kong — Rome through Frankfurt — Los Angeles by means of Frankfurt — Perth by means of Auckland in premium economy with Lufthansa from $3639. Trailfinders have been the UK's very first discounted flights expert and we've been helping men and women produce their personal Round the Planet tickets for more than 45 years. I made a spreadsheet and a Google map to note available flights and piece them with each other like a jigsaw puzzle.
Globe tourist attractions need to be explored or your weekend break would remain incomplete. Also delivers the rest of the most significant airlines in the planet that the other alliances do not contain, with names such as Aeromexico, China Southern, Continental Airlines, Delta and Korean Air, totaling 11 plus three related airlines. Check out these fantastic guidelines on how to develop your on the internet relationships into the true globe. Although it's not impossible to get a inexpensive cruising ticket by booking a last minute cruise, it is not simple or frequent. A lot of airlines are element of an alliance and give option flights with their partners if they never fly there. Itinerary w/ Overland Stops: Toronto -> London -> Overland to Paris -> Nairobi -> Bombay -> Auckland -> Toronto.


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This is the first project using grandma's yarn stash. Well, one skein from it and a coordinating color to stabilize it.
The orange/gold brown was hers, and so are the needles I used to knit this. It was super easy and turned out super pretty.
Here it is being blocked, I added the crochet border with just the plain brown yarn (I only had one skein of the fancy stuff and used it up in the main body of the shawl), I thought it needed just a little something to make it look finished.
It turned out nice, with just a hint of sparkle and shine! I ended up sending it to my grandma for her birthday. (She has Alzheimer's and cannot knit/crochet anymore). I haven't heard if she liked it or not, but I hope she is enjoying it.


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Loan Profile
- Property Types: Small balance commercial in the following asset classes – Multifamily, retail, office, light-industrial, medical, mixed-use, agricultural/raw land.
- Loan Terms: 6 - 18 months
- Collateral: 1st Trust Deeds only
- Collateral: CA real estate only
Fund Terms
- Structure: California LLC
- Target Return: 11%
- Target Equity: $100 million
- Minimum Commitment: $25,000
- Commitment Period: 12 - 18 months
Fund Fees
- Fund Management Fee: 2.75%
Park Avenue Capital
- Overview
Park Avenue Capital specializes in 1st Trust Deed investments secured by California real estate. Together the team has managed, underwritten and invested in over $100 million in real estate. The firm is professionally managed by a team with over 25 years experience in real estate lending and investment.
The firm provides short-term bridge loans to borrowers seeking real estate financing. The firm directly funds the loan or matches the loan request with a network of private investors. The real estate loans are secured by real estate in diversified asset classes including: Multifamily, retail, office, light-industrial, medical, mixed-use, agricultural/raw land.
- Our Approach
The Manager employs a simple investment philosophy focused on underwriting the collateral and borrower thoroughly to ensure risks are clearly identified and mitigated. The firm focuses on small balance commercial loans ranging from $200,000 to $1.5 million. These loans are directly secured by commercial real estate in a marketplace that currently has a lack of capital and a negative economic environment. In this sense the firm believes this is an opportunistic fund targeting an annual rate of return of 11.0% over a 5-year projected period.
Park Avenue Capital employs proven strategies which include thorough due diligence on the property/collateral as well as the borrower. The focus is on small balance commercial which is typically ignored by large banks. This includes Class B and C properties that are overlooked by larger funds.
- Focus and Investment Strategies
• Direct Lending in California only
• Small balance commercial loans from $200,000 to $1.5 million
• Various asset classes including B and C properties
Contact Information
- Mario Padilla
Park Avenue Capital
6755 Bright Avenue
Whittier, CA 90601
- Mobile: 562-556-0697
Facsimile: 562-309-8238
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com


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|Sony BDP-S560 Blu-ray Player Review
|Wednesday, 28 October 2009
Page 2 of 3
After selecting the Video icon, a handful of varied yet fairly standard adjustments can be made. Along with tweaking the TV Type (16x9, 4x3) and Screen Format for signals not in the TV's aspect ratio – which was toggled to Fixed Aspect Ratio instead of Original, since the latter stretches 4x3 material and makes non-16x9 zoom unavailable – adjustments can also be made to DVD Aspect Ratio for 16x9 content on a 4x3 television (Letterbox, Pan and Scan), Output Video Format (same as Easy Setup functions), BD-ROM functionality, and 1080/24p output. Under more complex video adjustments, we also have access to tweaking YCbCr/RGB color space over HDMI (YCbCr in both 4:2:2 and 4:4:4 varieties, RGB in 16-235 and 0-255), Deep Color Output (Auto, 12bit, 10bit, Off), and x.v.Color Output (Auto, Off). Most points were left set at the Auto setting, though the functions underneath do allow adjustment in case of unnatural color or the like.
Underneath the Audio icon, the sound output can also be shaped– once again, just to minor but important degrees. Along with setting the Audio Output Priority (HDMI, Digital, Stereo) and setting the Audio output over HDMI (Audio, 2-channel), the BD Audio setting allows for interchange between Direct and Mix. Mix must be selected in order to enable internal decoding, while Direct – the function more extensively concentrated on here – controls streaming the raw audio directly to the receiver. After that, we've also got Audio ATT toggle, Dolby Digital adjustment between 5.1 and Downmixed PCM, DTS adjustment in the same fashion, 48-96khz toggle, Audio DRC (Standard, TV More, Wide Range), and Downmixing properties to either Dolby Surround or Normal.
A few icons down lies the Internet Settings function, which allows for either Wired or Wireless interconnectivity with the player. Sony's player makes the process pretty simple again, asking what type of connection desired (Wired/Wireless) and the method of Wireless LAN setting (including Access Point scan to streamline the selection process). After it searches, any local networks will pop up in a scrolling menu – which, then, the right option should be selected and a passkey can be entered, if the security level is that high. After that, it cycles through the rest of the elements – Acquisition of IP address, DNS setting, and Use of Proxy Server. Following this, a Network Diagnostics test can be run to verify the options selected. Signals are picked up extremely easy through the access point scan, making the process a relative breeze in activating BD-Live and conducting a System Update.
To keep with the theme of October, Sony's BDP-S560 was put through a series of seasonal Blu-ray discs and DVDs matching the mood – ranging from blisteringly loud sound mixing and visual delights to subtle treats to create atmosphere. Sony's S560 was certainly up to task at all bends around the road, rendering respectable high-definition quality at 1080/24p and upscaling DVDs to extremely pleasant degrees. Though not quite a pristine or depth-conscious as more costly models – and maybe a hair behind the PS3 – it still performed exceptionally well.
Blu-ray Quality:
First up in the player was Sam Raimi's Drag Me to Hell, presented from Universal in a 2.35:1 AVC image and a DTS HD Master Audio that'll really push the limits of a home theater build. It's a robust horror feature with a myriad of fine details, richly used shades of subdued yet compelling shades, and a broad range of movement. Sony's S560 handles all of these elements exceptionally well, rendering details like the pattern in Christine's shirt, tree leaves, and the rather bold textures used in the gruesome CG-effects with tight precision. Though a strong visual treatment, Drag Me to Hell's prowess really comes in the signature Sam Raimi-style of lavish sound design through the Master Audio track – which is a blisteringly potent experience. Surround elements, like invisible monsters swirling in the background and aggressive wind blowing, fills the rear channels with expansive fluidity, while the lower frequency channel pounds with graceful, rightly-balanced mid-range and lower punches.
To give a harsher disc a chance to work its magic in Sony's player, Takashi Miike's Audition was tossed in the machine. Presented from Shot Factory in a greatly-improved but still difficult 1080p AVC image and a delicate Dolby TrueHD/DTS Mater Audio track, it showcases how low-cost content can be handled extremely well in high-definition. The S560 handled it with aplomb, yet the sharpness was a little softer, the colors a little less stable, and the grain a bit heavier than in other players. With that said, Sony's unit still took the disc to task, presenting a very pleasing image that retained crisp lines and a handful of impressively etched details – like a pan of acupuncture needles and the detailing in Asami's apartment. The TrueHD track, however, echoes with brilliant breadth, from the harsh ringing of a telephone in Asami's place to the bloodcurdling effects that occur during the picture's climax.
Next up was a more subdued, controlled color palette in Momentum's UK Import of Let the Right One In, offered at 2.35:1 and with a legacy DTS track as the sound function. Sporting mostly cold blues with only a few flickers of louder colors through the crisp photography, just about every detail was exceptionally sharp and handled potently. Motion rendered a flowing disposition, while the solidity of contrast and coloring were rather impressive – though the overall contrast leans towards being minutely lighter than others. The DTS legacy track filled the speakers with delicate sound throughout, being a more subtle-minded horror film with little in the way of punch or bombast. It does retain ambiance well, showcasing the S560's ability to handle a high-quality (core) legacy track to high standards.
Finally and possibly a diversion from the theme just a bit, it was time to give Warner Bros' immaculately-constructed Wizard of Oz Blu-ray a spin. Rebuilt from the ground up with a new, correctly restored transfer from the original Technicolor elements, it's a stunner in high-definition – and Sony's Blu-ray player does a tremendous job in replicating this quality. Minor elements could have been a bit tighter (with a few stronger lines), but all of the textured elements – the waffle print in Dorothy's dress during the sepia scenes, the sheen against the plasticized leaves when she enters the world of color, and the astounding rich set design – looked impressively detailed and densely colorful. More importantly, the grain structure looked rather strong, retaining a very tight and pleasing veil of film presence about the picture. The TrueHD track exhibited a proper richness as well, maintaining a well-executed balance throughout.
Operating the BD-Live functionality was made a lot easier by putting the responsive wireless connection to work within the unit, though it comes at the expense of a lack of internal memory. In order to access these features, a 1.0 GB memory stick must be inserted to the rear of the unit (the expansion USB port mentioned earlier). This is a shame, considering that the like-priced PS3 has an extensive hard-drive for this purpose and many other step-up units have at least 1 GB of internal memory for this purpose. Once that's been taken care of, everything operates as normal – as tested with Warner Bros' copy of The Matrix on Blu-ray with its In-Movie Experience. This player can't register BonusView material while in Direct (Bitstream) Audio mode, just like many others; however, hopping out of the film and activating the function is pretty quick underneath Sony's framework. Hitting the Home button on the remote takes us out of the film and into the XMB, where the audio function can be toggled from Direct to Mix quickly. You will, however, have to start from the beginning of the film. Furthermore, the BD-Live online function also worked well, as tested by Sony's presentation of the live-action Blood: The Last Vampire. It took quite a while for the information to pop up, but it eventually opens the gateway up to trailers and other downloads available on the site.
Sony's BDP-S560 is a verified Region-A locked Blu-ray player, as tested by a Region-B locked copy of The Fountain. Fox's Blu-ray booted up, only to show the rejection screen stating that the disc should be placed in a Region-B machine. This player also cannot handle PAL-encoded material, as giving the interview footage on the UK Blu-ray of Ashes of Time wasn't successful – not even sound.


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Food and Environment 2 (Wednesday's Post)
Hi everyone! I hope our final week of class is treating you all well!
"We form affective bonds with place. We dwell in it. It is where we live our lives, and it is more than the scene upon which our lives unfold." -Edward Casey
I want to start this post off by asking everyone, do you know where your food comes from? If any of you are like me, then the answer, for the most part, is no. As college students on a budget, I think it is safe to say that the majority of us have had our fair share of processed and packaged foods due to their low prices and deliciousness…. but what are we eating and where is it coming from? We have all sat at restaurants and failed to ask our waiter or waitress where our food is coming from and while there is a rising popularity to eat locally and farm-raised foods in restaurants and at home, the overall stat is that "most Americans do not know where their food comes from (or the conditions under which is was produced) and, often through no fault of their own, rarely are they encouraged to inquire," (Spurlock, pg. 9).
Spurlock's article speaks about the Piedmont Farm Tour, that has been going on since 1992, in efforts to spread awareness and educate the public about where their food comes from. The food tourism connects each visitor to their own understanding of where they are and their importance in the interdependent ecological and economic network. These tours take place in order to save the disappearing farmlands in North Carolina because with the rise in developments, property taxes and land values, the farms are becoming no longer profitable. Sustainable farming, which in its simplest form, is the rejection of any industrial approach to food production, would be nearly impossible if it wasn't for agri-tourism. Sprawls, or unsustainable developments, are overtaking North Carolina's farmland, but farmer's and anti-sprawl advocates, are struggling to fight back but the Piedmont Farm Tour provides a new perspective to the problem. Spurlock states that, "to experience this tour is to experience those values toward the land, labor, and community through shared storytelling, discussion, and sensory-based exploration and discovery that invite connection and self-reflexivity," (pg. 12).
I think that the best part of the tours is the fact that they are all self-guided. The CFSA does not tell Piedmont Farm Tours how to run their tours in order to produce the same common knowledge amongst all visitors. The CFSA encourages each of the 30 farms participating to be creative in their ability to spread their knowledge. At each site on the tour, farmers explained to the tourists the harsh realities of resource and water shortage, global warming, trade deficits, and food security through their own personal experiences. Each tour aims to make a critical intervention that questions unsustainable practices.
The good news is that, even though the article provides numerous warnings, Spurlock believes that there is still time to save the farms if society acts accordingly. Do you agree with Spurlock? Do we have enough time? What do you think could be done to save sustainable farming practices? Do you think that unsustainable food practices should exist? Why or why not?
I tried not to make this post insanely long because I know everybody is swamped with their final papers but I hope you enjoyed it!
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Size guide
Visit our size guide for help here, or contact us via firstname.lastname@example.com.
Placing an order
You can place an order via our online store and make your payment with credit card (MasterCard & Visa) via our secure payment facility or with PayPal. You will receive an email confirming your order (Please check your email spam folder if you do not receive this within 10 minutes of order, or contact us email@example.com).
Please feel free to contact us if you would prefer to place your order via email or phone – firstname.lastname@example.com (+61) 0435149148.
We ship to most countries in the world. If your country is not available during check-out, feel free to contact us to see if we can arrange delivery. Please also note any taxes or customs clearance charges made by your country are to be handled by the customer.
All payments are in Australian Dollars.
Shipping options – Australian orders
Free Shipping
Free shipping is available on all Australian orders over $75. The shipping charge for orders under $75 is a flat rate of $9.95.
We use Sendle or Australia Post's Parcel Post service. Orders are dispatched from the Sunshine Coast Qld and your email will be registered for notification with tracking. You will receive this tracking information direct from Sendle or Australia Post – please check your spam folder if you have not received this in your inbox in the case the email is filtered. If you need support please contact us!
Shipping days are MONDAY, WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY ONLY. Should you require your order urgently, we suggest you request Express Shipping at checkout ($12.95 flat rate).
Estimated delivery times to the following locations are up to (business days):
- 2 days for Brisbane and regional Queensland
- 4-5 days for Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra & Adelaide
- 5 – 6 days for regional interstate locations
- 7 -10 days for Perth & Darwin – we recommend Express Post!
- 10 days or more for all other locations.
For busy periods like Christmas, we suggest you add 2-3 days. You may prefer to chose Express Shipping at checkout.
$12.95 Express Shipping
Express Shipping is available for a flat rate of $12.95.
This uses Australia Post's Express Post service and is available to any address within the National Express Post Network.
Details of postcodes covered by the National Express Post Network are available here.
Shipping options – International orders
We ship to most countries for a flat rate of AU$22 using your local postal service & Australia Post; or you can opt for DHL Courier for AU$38.
Free shipping is available when the total order value is more than AU$300.
Estimated delivery time is 5-21 business days from dispatch depending on your location, & usual time to clear customs. We can arrange an express courier option for you on request. Email firstname.lastname@example.com to discuss.
If your country is not available during check-out, feel free to contact us to see if we arrange delivery – firstname.lastname@example.com
Please also note prices do not include any additional overseas duties and other customs charges that you may incur on delivery. You will need to handle these separately with your local authority.
Order processing & Urgent orders
We aim to process and process all orders with love and care within 48 hours of receiving them, and have them shipped on the next shipping day (Monday, Wednesday, or Friday).
If your order is urgent please call or email ahead and we will be able to confirm a precise time. You may like to choose our express post option ($12.95) for next day delivery (Australian delivery addresses only). Express orders placed before 11am AEST on an allocated shipping day will usually be processed and lodged on the same day. Please contact us for confirmation.
International Express Courier via DHL can also be arranged on request. Please email us: firstname.lastname@example.com
Returns & exchanges
We are confident you will be very happy with your sorella organics purchase, however we know that sometimes it's easy to purchase the wrong size or you may change your mind about which garment works best for you. We are very accommodating with these changes; however, have a couple of conditions for these circumstances:
- The garment is returned within 14 days from date of purchase
- The garment was not a 'clearance' or 'on sale' item. Sale items are final, and cannot be refunded or exchanged
- The garment is received by sorella organics in the same condition in which it was sold. That is:
- The garment has not been worn or washed, and it is free of odours including perfume
- The tags are still attached to the garment
If you need to return your purchase for either an exchange or product refund, please email us via email@example.com first detailing the following information, and we will process this for you as efficiently as possible and provide you the return address. If preferred, please call (+61) 0435 149148 and speak directly with Anna:
- Your name
- Your contact details
- Details of the garment you would like to exchange/refund
- Reason for exchange/refund
- Payment method of original sale or receipt number, if known
- Confirmation you will pay for and use a traceable method for your return – we cannot refund or exchange items we do not receive.
- Confirmation you will pay for the postage fees for an exchange of items back out to you (usually a flat rate of $9.95).
Once we receive your returned items, we will usually be able to process your exchange or refund on the same day. We will notify you with an email with all details (including the refund receipt if relevant). Postage for returns and exchanges are to be at the cost of the customer, unless otherwise arranged with us.
Terms & Conditions
In browsing and making a purchase on this website, you accept our Terms and Conditions as set out below, where 'we' means 'sorella organics'.
Sorella Organics reserves the right to amend the Terms and Conditions at any time without notice. Your continued use of the website after any amendment constitutes an agreement by you to abide and be bound by the Terms and Conditions, as so amended:
1. We do everything we can to ensure stock is available at your time of purchase. If for some reason your chosen garment is unavailable, we will contact you as soon as possible regarding an alternative selection.
2. Payments are charged in Australian Dollars. Prices of products, service, delivery and other charges displayed on this website are current at the time of issue, but are subject to change at any time.
3. The Australian GST (Goods and Services Tax) of 10% is inclusive in all our prices.
4. For international orders, your credit card will be charged in Australian dollars and it will be your credit card company that converts the charges to your currency. This may incur fees. Please consult with your provider regarding charges. Prices do not include any additional overseas duties and other customs charges that you may incur on delivery.
5. All costs associated with exchanges and returns will be at the expense of the customer. Please see the returns & exchanges policy above for details.
6. Please follow the care advice on your garments label which can be found on the inside side seam of your garment. sorella & me is not liable for any garment issues as a result of incorrect care or general wear and tear.
7. We do not provide refunds outside our returns policy term of 28 days for any issue. However we will consider offering a credit note or exchange for issues at our discretion.
8. We use certified organic cotton and eco-friendly dyes – this may result in some fabric irregularities, uneven dyeing of fabric or trims, and variation in colour between different stock.
9. We cannot be held responsible for unexpected delays from our freight forwarder- Australia Post. However we will always do our best to follow up and resolve Australia Post issues as they arise.
10. The purchase of items that are 'on sale' are final, and cannot be refunded or exchanged.


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4550 HARRIET STREET Vancouver, BC
Contact UsPhone: (604) 782-2083 Email: [email protected] Schedule a Visit
Nestled in on coveted Harriet St in the heart of the Fraser corridor this solid character home radiates charm & unbridled potential. A lovely front porch welcomes you into the bright living space w/ large windows, stained glass & original Oak floors. 2 good size bedrooms are separated by an updated bath with claw foot tub. The retro kitchen is a functional step back in time with direct access to the backyard of this lot with rare double frontage facing St Catherines St. Down has above grade unfinished basement (w/ bathroom) with high ceilings that could be a great 2 bed suite or 1 bed with space for upstairs. Huge upside here with Vancouver Character Home Zoning Review underway that may allow for bonus FSR/infill/strata titling.


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Distinguishing Duke and Trump From Other Politicians
Written by: Joe Morris Doss
Author's Note: The church should be non-partisan in elective politics. This includes organizations like At the Threshold that are not official but purport to speak to issues theologically and on behalf of concerns of the church. It is extremely rare for the church to find itself having to speak out against a serious candidate for office, much less a nominee of one of the two major parties of the United States, much less a nominee for President. But there are examples in history – too important to ignore – in which it is clear that the obligation of the church demands, or should have demanded, that it take a stand against certain leaders and forms of leadership. Without identifying reasons in the abstract, At the Threshold has been offering a series of statements about the candidacy of Donald Trump that should reveal why we think just such an exceptional case has arisen. Please be aware that these statements are not written due to political opinion, but are based on careful employment of well-honed moral theology.
Recently I asserted on behalf of At the Threshold that the voter who supports Donald Trump on certain selected matters, and thus chooses to support his election, is supporting all of what will happen if he becomes President. The point was that Trump has promised to take actions and positions as President so toxic that voters should balk at supporting some of his positions unless willing to take responsibility for all. An analogy was drawn to the White Supremacy position of David Duke.
Someone I dearly respect asked: "What is the precise distinguishing factor(s) between applying this 'if support some, then support all' principle to Trump and Duke but not to all candidates?"
The difference is that there are some candidates who take certain defining positions that are "out of bounds" of what is tolerable and become personifications of actions and ideas that must be rejected unconditionally by the electorate. Their leadership is to be categorically rejected. David Duke has been recognized as one such politician; Donald Trump should be another.
David Duke could not be supported on ordinary matters, like tax reform, because standing by him on anything would have conferred on him more power and standing to use in his fight for white supremacy, hyper-nationalism, and thuggish authoritarianism. In the story that was previously used, for the State Treasurer to support him on an issue such as tax reform would have been taken to mean that the official was supportive, or at least open to, his stand on race.
Normally it is appropriate to support candidates without agreeing with them across the board. To support Bernie Sanders on equalizing pay for women does not mean one must oppose the international trade agreements he criticizes. Nor is it clear that a majority agrees with him on either issue; they are matters currently being debated and not yet settled. But to support Trump on his stated plan for tax reform, and thus to vote for him on that basis, is as well a vote to endanger the world, to exclude people of certain religious beliefs and affiliations, to denigrate and discriminate against women, to elect someone who will say and do anything without regard to truth or even to personal belief in what he himself is saying, etc., etc., etc. He cannot be supported in one or more parts deemed desirable without bringing about proposals that must be avoided. It is an either/or vote. That indeed is unusual, but in this case it is very real.
The distinction we are talking about has to do with how absolutely positions taken by a candidate must be avoided. In something like nuclear proliferation it is damningly close to absolute. Throughout my adulthood, the greatest fear has always been that some crazy person, some greedy maniac, or some terrorist group might get their hands on nuclear power and use it against a city or region. If the nuclear power is available, "the market" will find it. Do we no longer fear that rogue leaders and/or nation states will gain the use of nuclear bombs and use them?
A policy like excluding Muslims may not be absolute — eventually the policy could be corrected — except in how real flesh and blood human beings and families will suffer the consequences in the meantime, and especially except for the great violence done to our values, traditions, and identity as a nation. Then, there are the issues that were once in conflict, but finally have become settled. Often a minority of citizens may continue to hold to a position after the controversy over right and wrong has been clarified and decided, and even when it would be unacceptable to go back on that settled resolution. For example, we have decided that slavery is wrong and being the United States of America is good. Yet, 38 percent of those who voted for Donald Trump in South Carolina acknowledged that they wish the South had won the Civil War; another 38 percent say they aren't sure which side they wish had won, while just 24 percent say they are glad the Union won. Thirty-five percent of Cruz supporters said they thought the U.S. would be better under the Confederacy.
There must be a line drawn between disagreement and political "debate" over a controversial issue, such as when the south largely refused to allow most black citizens to vote, and when that issue has been settled, as after the civil rights movement and voting act. To revive the previous controversy is unacceptable and must be avoided. Trump's candidacy has raised several of these kinds of issues.
Then, there are issues on which we have been moving rapidly toward political resolution, but on which Trump would reverse course. We could decide that women are just less worthy as workers and deserve less pay, but women are about done with that kind of suppression. We can rely on fear for our basic motivations, but that is doomed to become exhausting, oppressive, and counter-productive. The United States can try to become a modern empire on a model like the old Roman Empire – but that is fantasy and immoral. We could try to maintain a white majority in the US, but that will prove a simple denial of reality. We could raise established and fundamental issues of civil rights again, but that is just asking for pervasive pain. Racism in many of its manifestations is definitely at stake in this election, but we must move forward instead of backwards. Keeping Muslims out of the US and many of Trump's other promises comes pretty close to the sort of ridiculously negative standard exemplified in slavery. But there are other proposals that are even closer to an absolute "NO": like a proposal to proliferate nuclear weapons!
Another valued friend that I deeply respect opined that change is needed and that it is Trump who would bring it about. I can appreciate the way most of us are sick and tired of all politicians seeming to play the same game in which "the fix" is on and "we the people" are not in on it; I share the yearning for some genuine political reform. But going where Trump would take us is only to jump from the frying pan into the fire.


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Waterkeeper's comments on the review of Ontario's Environmental Bill of Rights and Regulations
Today, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper submitted comments to the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario regarding the review of Ontario's Environmental Bill of Rights. The EBR is a powerful piece of legislation that has been the cornerstone of Waterkeeper's provincial work to protect swimmable drinkable fishable water for over a decade. It is also a key tool for Ontarians to participate in environmental decision-making processes. Read our complete submission here.Darlington Refurbishment, Canadian rollbacks, Toronto Sewage Bypasses ebr, Environmental Bill of Rights, Environmental Commissioner of Ontario


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- Home
- General Shipping Information
General Shipping Information
Delivery Schedules and Timeframes:
Beer & Wine Clubs:
Shipments should arrive towards the last week of the month via a carrier in your region*. December shipments may arrive before Christmas.
*NOTE: Due to unique challenges required to deliver beer and wine in certain regions, occasionally the first shipment of a membership can take an additional 1-2 weeks to arrive depending on when your order was placed. Please call our Customer Service Department at 800-625-8238 for an estimated time of arrival for your delivery area.
We ship our Beer and Wine clubs to all states except Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska and Utah.
Cigar Club:
Shipments should arrive the 3rd – 4th week of the month, delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. Gift Announcements may be emailed or printed at any time.
We ship our Cigar club to all states except Utah.
Cheese & Chocolate Clubs:
Shipments are sent on the 3rd Tuesday or Wednesday of each month via FedEx 2nd Day Service, except during November when shipments may be sent the 2nd Tuesday or Wednesday to avoid conflicting with Thanksgiving.
We ship our Cheese & Chocolate clubs to all states except Alaska & Hawaii.
Flower Club:
Shipments are sent on the 3rd Monday of each month via FedEx Next Day service.
We ship our Flower club to all states except Alaska & Hawaii.
Adult Signature Requirements (Beer & Wine):
Someone 21 or older must sign for all beer or wine shipments. Many of our members ship to a work location or a neighbor who is often home. Please update your delivery address by the 1st of the month at 800-625-8238 or [email protected]
Purchase Agreement:
I agree that the age information of both the billing and shipping contacts associated with the order(s) that I have placed are correct. I agree that the purchaser(s) and recipient(s) of any beer or wine of the month club orders placed on this web site are over 21 years of age, or 18 years of age for cigar club orders. I understand that any information related to this order that is false is considered to be fraudulent by the purchaser and that any misrepresentation of age will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Furthermore, by placing this order, I represent that I am purchasing this product solely for personal use, or as a gift, and are not engaged in any sort of law enforcement activity.
Returned Shipments:
In the event that you are not able to receive your shipment during the attempted deliveries AND you did not pick up your shipment within the allotted period, your box will be shipped back to our fulfillment center at which point you have two options. You may either elect to pay a re-packaging/re-shipping fee to have your shipment repacked and resent to you, OR you may elect to have your account credited your monthly charge less shipping and handling charges.
Address Changes/Membership Extension & Termination:
Please call us prior to the 1st of the month to make all account related information changes such as address changes, membership extensions & terminations, or gift accounts desiring to continue their memberships. Address changes made after that time may require a repackaging and re-shipping charge. Direct requests by you or your gift recipient to the shipping carrier to re-route a shipment in transit or address corrections made by the carrier to the shipping address that you've provided may incur an additional processing fee.


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The event kicked off with Lou Holtz. This man is pure wisdom. He entertained audiences with delightful stories and more importantly engaged us all in how to tune into the most important factors in life; trust, commitment and love. He taught us that if we create dreams for ourselves and then focus on the present to accomplish daily tasks that benefit that ultimate goal, we can accomplish our visions. Holtz shared that if we exit bad situations with grace and dignity, far better opportunities will present themselves on the horizon, much like his career winning move to lead Notre Dame to victory. Let's just say the event could have ended there and all 25,000 of us could have walked away feeling refreshed and invigorated, but it wasn't done yet...
Then, Brian Buffini stepped in and leveraged what his mentor Lou Holtz taught us by catering the message specifically to the real estate industry. He focused on these five key principles of why real estate agents struggle:
- Peaks and valleys in income - Buffini taught that the only workaround for this is lead generation year-round, not just after a closing.
- Not knowing where the next lead is coming from - The answer to this is developing systems. If you do this you will...
- S. ave
- Y. our
- S. elf
- T. ime
- E. nergy
- M. oney
- Prioritize
- Remove and Replace
- Start Today!


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Choose your vendors wisely and listen to their advise! For example: listen to your florist on flowers that hold up well in outside conditions, they can find your colors you may want to go with but it may not be the flower you wanted. Take their suggestions since they often do know best.
Also. regarding photographers shooting sunset weddings, we have worked with many and some will not have the right equipment or experience to shoot with the sun in front of them (which can occur with sunset weddings). Make sure you see sample pictures that they have taken before and during sunset to be sure you are booking a knowledgeable photographer.


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November 28 2017 - Coinfirm CMO and Co-founder Grant Blaisdell features as a guest on The Bitcoin Podcast as he discusses how AMLT token is the first dedicated token that will ensure transparency and democratization of the financial system by allowing market participants to help determine the potential risk of others.
Listen to the Interview on The Bitcoin Podcast here
About Coinfirm
Coinfirm is a recognized leader in their field and ranked among the most influential blockchain and regtech companies and serves as a foundation for the safe adoption and use of blockchain. The Coinfirm AML & Compliance Platform uses proprietary algorithms and big data analysis to provide structured actionable data that increases efficiency, reduces costs and streamlines compliance to near automation. The blockchain agnostic platform not only benefits companies operating around blockchain but also major financial institutions, asset management companies and BI companies. Coinfirm has also recently released it's AMLT Token to allow for market participants to help provide information and democratize the financial system.
Find out more at the Coinfirm website http://www.trudatum.com/
Find out more at the AMLT website and read the white paper


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Instagram: A Social Media Success
The cool thing about Instagram is that it allows you to share your photos may it be a photo of some scenic views, selfies, portraits, food and basically whatever photos you want to share in this app. There are a lot of people who likes taking photo shoots just to post in the Instagram account.
Another is that instagram has a lot of filters you can use for your photo. You can have it edited in the app for any further improvements. You can edit the brightness, the level of contrast and the shadows to enhance the photos you want to upload and share to your friends.
Instagram application has also options for you to add a caption. You can even tag your friends or followers in the photo. Your photo can also be shared on other social media accounts if you wish to.
Another feature that Instagram developed is the Instagram story which you can have your followers see what is going on with your day for the past 24 hours hours. The story will only allow your photos or videos for only 24 hours. Which can be a really great feature if you wish if your wish to always update but you do not want to keep on uploading and posting photos and videos in your feed? Another is the Instagram Live. This feature enables a live video broadcasting which then disappears right when you end it.
Because of its features that made many users to utilize it, in a short span of time Instagram made itself part of the biggest social networking communities. It has over 40 million sign up users which makes it really great achievement in regard to the time it started.
Each day, there are 6 million downloaded photos which sums to about to roughly 1 billion. The uses of Instagram on a daily basis is also very high that photos can have up about 600 likes per second and 85 comments.
On December 21 in 2010, Instagram reached 1.5 million download that made it hold the record for a quick application to reach that high. facebook and twitter make the most connections to Instagram which cause a rumor of a powerful buyer.
All the features of Instagram made itself to be one of the most visited app daily. People and users on Instagram get entertained by just scrolling down of many other users photos to posting their own photos. It can even be beneficial many aspects. Many businessmen also make use of Instagram in advertising. Many photographers like to show off their skills on Instagram. Which can be really great.


text: 5 Chicago Spots To Boost Your Instagram Game In the market for an enviable Instagram feed? Chicago's got you covered. Read More Olivia BruttoApril 7, 2017Chicago, best of Chicago, where to go in Chicago, Instagram spots in Chicago, Best restaurants in Chicago, Instagram, The Windy City, The Hampton Social, The Hampton Social Chicago, The Flamingo Wall, The Flamingo Wall Chicago, The Flamingo Rum Club, The Flamingo Rum Club Chicago, Stan's Donuts & Coffee, Stan's Donuts & Coffee Chicago, 3 Arts Club Cafe at Restoration Hardware, Restoration Hardware, Restoration Hardware Chicago, Wabash Arts Corridor, Wabash Arts Corridor Chicago


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Medical Assistance
Medical Aid for Hospitals in Syria
Ash-Sham CARE visited several Hospitals; some improvised, based on private initiative, others the official former national Hospitals. There are great medical needs which cannot be covered. Even simple surgeries or harmless treatments cannot be done. There are also countless numbers of people affected by common health problems, pathologies that would be entirely manageable in normal settings but can quickly become deadly in the midst of a war, when the usual health care options are suddenly no longer available. Diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and maternal health complications are all taking their toll. What is the use of existing radiography equipment when there are no films for X-ray images?
As the number of people in need of urgent medical care in Syria continues to rise, several Organizations are running hospitals, health centers, and mobile clinic programs inside the country. While these medical programs are undoubtedly saving dozens of lives every day, the extremely high levels of insecurity mean that al lot of Medical personnel reaches its limited. Throughout most of the country, there are places where medical services are either limited or totally absent. Ash-Sham CARE asks for Donations to buy the medication needed. Ash-Sham CARE takes over the distribution.
Please donate now! This is very urgent!