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If you were a builder in ancient Rome, you would shop the vendors who sold marble or other building stone. Builders who wanted their work to last, who believed in the ethics of business, would look for vendors whose stone was known to be sine cera – without wax. Unscrupulous vendors would use wax to fill the flaws and cracks in their product. Marble that was sine cera was the most desired. Sine cera is the Latin expression from which we get the English word sincere.
The same principle should apply in life and living as much as it did in building and construction. But it doesn't always…particularly in the world of religion.
It is impossible to be a normal person and be an esteemed religious leader so dishonesty, duplicity, and phoniness is not only tolerated, it is rewarded. Religious people expect their leaders to be saints, to be superhuman, to be different than everyone else. It stems from the belief that in order to be esteemed and respected, one must be above the normal human frailties…or at least appear to be.
One leader told me that to be a pastor you cannot ever let anyone know who you really are or what you really think. People, he warned, must be kept at arm's length. This attitude in religion has spawned a religious professionalism, a celebrity sort of status, that is, frankly, impossible to live up to.
The desired effect is intended to foster and promote leaders who live at a higher level than everyone else. It actually produces the opposite.
Because it encourages and promotes deceit. It has spawned the religious professional who had learned to talk just so, look just so, take on affected mannerisms and salt his speech with religious phrases promoted by just the right facial contortions that indicate one's piety and their more-powerful-than-a-locomotive, able-to-leap-tall-buildings sort of life. Because the focus is on outward acts that demonstrate that one does the right things, individuality and honesty is not only discouraged, it is seriously punished. If you dare reveal what you really think, if you venture a doubt, if you express a degree of humanity that does not meet the standard of righteousness set up by that group, you will be pounced on mercilessly.
When one Christian leader dared broach this subject in his blog by writing about why leaders get discouraged he was hammered by congregants who insisted that if a leader were truly the spiritual giant they had hired him to be he would be above all such things, and he would never be discouraged. If he did, then they said, there was something wrong with him.
And that, my friends, is the problem. It should bother religious people that they have forced their leaders to hide, deceive, and lie, but it doesn't. And I am not suggesting that leaders do anything illegal or even immoral. I am suggesting that the standards imposed upon them are both unnecessary and impossible.
One close friend recounted the time a visitor came to his church and introduced herself after the service. When the pastor introduced the visitor to his wife and children, the visitor was shocked that the pastor had children. "You have children?" she asked.
"Yes," he replied, "three of them."
Seeing the look of shock on her face, he asked, "Is there something wrong?"
"Well, no," she stammered, "I just didn't know holy people did such things."
It seems funny now, but you catch the thinking behind her perspective. That religious people would actually have sex seems somehow inappropriate to her. I am not, of course, rationalizing illegitimate behavior, and you know that. I am, however, suggesting that it should bother religious people that their leaders cannot be "normal" and thus we expect them to hide their normal side.
One parishioner once asked me what music my wife and I listened to when we, in her words, "want to visit never never land." When I responded that we liked Sinatra she was shocked and said so. She thought we should listen only to Christian music.
Long before political correctness came to influence speech, theological correctness has been at work. Its child, religious correctness, has spawned a weird and creepy approach to life that immediately sets a religious person and a religious group outside the realm of normal everyday living.
So hiding, pretending, covering up, and other acts of presentation are promoted. Strange isn't it, that in a religious world, so much deceit is practiced.
And it gets worse.
I am going to come at this from another angle which may sound like I am disputing what I just wrote in the paragraphs above. I have been suggesting that we allow leaders (and everyone else for that matter) to be normal. I am suggesting that our desire to have celebrities as leaders and that those leaders live the image of saintliness has encouraged hiding and deceit not only in those leaders but also in those systems and governing bodies that support them. In so doing, we have set the stage to cover up unseemly behavior and we have used whatever religious reasoning might be necessary to ensure it is never uncovered.
I've been around long enough to have seen most of the gimmicks and tricks out there…and there are plenty. I remember Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker's shenanigans, Jimmy Swaggart's crash and burn, and the schemes of too many more. The sad thing is that the ordaining body of the Bakker's and Swaggart knew very well what was going on long before it made the headlines and they did nothing at all about it. When pressed to explain they said that they really wanted to step in but, after all, those ministers were doing so much good that they felt it better to just overlook things. The ends, after all, justify whatever happens while the means are being perpetrated. It should bother religious people, but sadly it does not.
Those two cases are highly visible ones, but the same is played out all over the place all the time and covered up for the same reasons. The drive to be successful (by whatever terms may be defined as successful) is primary. The need for celebrity and the promotion of illusion is sanctioned so much that we have borrowed from strength to compensate for weakness. It should bother religious people that the illusion of greatness is favored over the essence of greatness.
Am I suggesting that we condone such behavior? Of course not. Am I suggesting that we overlook such behavior? No.
I am, however, suggesting that the entire religious context is a construct that enables such behavior to thrive. In religious settings the "holy man (or woman)," the priest, the preacher, the person with the charisma to lead a group is subjected to dynamics of contradiction.
In most groups there is a list of things he or she can and cannot do. That list usually varies from group to group and from person to person within the group. The result is a minefield that the leader must negotiate every day, carefully stepping his way through the myriad of duties expected of him without setting off any explosions.
From the clothes they wear to the car they drive to the words they speak and the tone of voice they use to express them, we have molded and shaped a standard whereby the leader learns to play the role. Religious followers have a checklist of expectations and as long as those items are checked off, well, just about anything else can happen as long as they keep it quiet and hidden.
See what I mean? The religious construct has made duplicitous behavior possible. Indeed, it has made it acceptable. I'll go so far as to say it has promoted it. As long as one plays the game, all is well. There are prominent faith healers who go out of state or out of country for medical procedures, hiding their dependence on conventional medicine lest followers might condemn them for a lack of faith. There are religious leaders who have learned to take a low salary but add to that substantial benefits that are hidden in other perks so as to mislead the faithful into thinking they live humbly when the opposite is true. The problem is not going out of country for a medical procedure. The problem is not the salary one earns. The problem is the dishonesty that is widely employed to hide it. And it would not be necessary if religion actually promoted normal. But it doesn't.
Normal people listen to music they like not music they should like because someone else thinks they ought to like it. Normal people go to hockey games because they like hockey (I know a pastor in Toronto who has to leave the city if he wants to go to a hockey game because the people in his church do not approve.) Normal people live lives without that kind of performance anxiety that produces all sorts of rationalized and duplicitous behavior.
Normal people are not phony.
This it not a new phenomenon. It's been going on for millennia because it is the religious construct that is at fault. Spirituality is not sinless perfection. Never has been, never will, never should be. Religion fosters the illusion that it is and that it should be when it cannot be….never…ever.
This should bother religious people, but it doesn't seem to.


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Tuesday, 12 November, 2019
Category: Graphic Design
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Dux Marketing is a full service marketing provider dedicated to start-ups and small businesses. It is in the middle of the spectrum. When you search for marketing support, your options are either an Ad agency with ample services or a small independent provider. The Dux Marketing model was created to be the Small Business Ad Agency, providing clients affordable access to meet all their needs under one roof.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The fact that I will leave soon to travel to America again has done a lot with the relationships I hold here. For example the relationship with my mother, it has really changed a lot! The moment she saw I was really determined to go to America, she already missed me even before I left. She started to be opening up more to me and told me she deeply Loved me and would miss me tremendously. She hugged me intense. Now this may sound very normal to many people but my mother was not able to hug in a way of letting all of her emotions float out towards me. My Mom was raised in a very conservative way with the understanding that it was not "done" to show your feelings or emotions in public. So she did not tell me she Loved me, she could not hug me the way I hoped she would. Now, within the sight of seeing her only daughter leave, she reconsidered her old beliefs and finally was able to hold me, HUG me and told me she deeply LOVED me… That was some moment to me….I felt tears coming up and held her in my arms, thanking the Universe for this gift…
Does this mean my mother did not Love me before? No. It means she never told me she Loved me. Was this an important thing to me? And what did it mean to miss this for so many years?
I used to hold the belief my mother only saw me as the troubled one, the daughter with the huge fantasies, the daughter who followed her own path. A path that was so different from the path of life she wanted me to walk. We had our arguments, our differences. We misunderstood each other from time to time. As a child I really longed for more hugs, more confirmation. My dad was a HUGE hugger and within his arms I felt totally safe and protected. Maybe that is what all little girls want; to have the feeling nothing can harm them. My father was able, in spite of his own childhood (in which he lacked positive and Loving attention from his parents) to show his emotions and was definitely able to hug and tell us he Loved his kids.
And now the miracle happened. My mom held me and told me she was going to miss me so much, I could FEEL her energy streaming through my soul, for the very first time in my life.
This means people who normally are not able to open up, hold on to their blocking belief they cannot….But it is a belief! And beliefs can be changed!
Another story which is related to this all is the next.
I was having dinner with my friend M. who told me she thought it was very difficult to focus on what I was saying because of the music in the Greek restaurant. As we were sitting down, the music was almost down, but during dinner people started to talk louder so one of the waiters thought it would be a good idea to adjust the sound level. M. told me she became a sort of pissed because of this. I asked her why.
'It reminds me of a situation in my past. My father used to do this and when I asked him if he could bring the volume down he totally ignored me.'
'So why do you choose to bring a situation of so many years ago in the here and now?' I asked her. She gazed at me and thought it over.
'It just annoys me extremely', she answered. 'And the other thing is that this has been my thought for as long as I can remember, so it is very difficult to change'. I looked at her with a smile.
'Why do you believe that it is difficult?' I asked again.
'Because it just is. I tried to change it but I can't', she replied.
'But when this is a belief that was created out of a situation in which you felt ignored, in which you were not able to change it, why would you choose to bring that feeling back into the now where you are in control of everything that you choose to think? You are the creator of YOUR own thoughts, so why not create another belief?' I suggested.
'Such as?' she asked.
'Such as that music is to enjoy and there to help you to feel comfortable instead of to annoy or irritate you. Your father is not here, you are not a child anymore and here you are, sitting at a table with me, acting from a place out of your past when you were a child…There is nothing to feel irritated about, a lot to feel happy about, it's up to what you decide to choose what to think and what to believe. The only thing that is happening here is that you hold on to another belief that things are not easy to change. But you know, the truth is that the answer is so simple we cannot imagine it can work! We have learned that things we think of as being hard to change are hard to change because we create that belief or bought this belief from The Others. We choose to hold on to these well known beliefs. But what does it bring you?' She started to understand that she was doing this to herself, bringing up an emotion she had as a child. Acting from this place of feeling hurt and projecting this emotion in the here and now; a nice dinner with a dear friend.
I wonder if you, being a reader, recognize this from your own life….do you hold on to old beliefs that create feelings such as irritation, do you focus on sounds etc.? Can you think back of the WHY this happens to you? And how you can change this? Or do you choose to hold on to old beliefs thinking and believing this is just the way it is because it has been the reaction you have had for as long as you can remember?
The ticking of a clock….the tapping on the floor with the tip of a feet….the continuing drumming with fingers on a table….the sound of sports on the television or radio….the sounds of people next to you eating loudly….etc. etc.
Just give it a thought and then decide what you want with it. Keep the old belief and choose to feel irritated or worse get frustrated, angry or even aggressive…or change the belief and enjoy every moment in life………….Simple? Impossible?
Just try and see, you will be amazed of the outcome! Belief it or not, but a belief is the most flexible and fixable thing in your life…


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Resources: Transportation
An Excellent Transportation Infrastructure
An important aspect of any economically vibrant region is its location, and the Troy area is one of the best. People and goods move easily and efficiently in and out of the region. Within its status as one of the nation's top 90-minute air and land markets and its location at the 'Crossroads of America' (the intersection of Interstates 70 and 75), the region offers an excellent transportation infrastructure.
The time it takes to move goods and people, not mileage, is the true measure of market size. Ninety minutes represents a time frame in which a business can offer cost-efficient service. The Troy area is the place to be for reaching a substantial portion of the nation's population and buying power.
Highway Systems
Troy is strategically located off of interstate I-75 that runs North to South from Michigan to Florida, and minutes North of interstate I-70 that runs East to West across the United States.
State Routes running North to South through Troy include: SR 202 and CR 25A.
State Routes running East to West through Troy include: SR 41, SR 55, and SR 718.
By Truck
Numerous trucking firms with a total of 25 terminals serve the region.
Overnight service to cities like Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Nashville, Knoxville, and St. Louis.
Second morning service to cities like Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Baltimore, New Orleans, Little Rock, Omaha, Kansas City, Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Milwaukee.
By Rail
The City of Troy has sixteen trains moving through the city per day and is on a major line of CSX. CSX operates intermodal terminals in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Marion and operates over and maintains more than 4,000 miles of track in Ohio.
CSX handled nearly 2,500,000 carloads of freight in Ohio during 2010. Products shipped include intermodal containers, coal, automobiles, grain and semi-finished steel.
In 2010, CSX invested more than $143 million in the network in Ohio. In addition, the company invested more than $490 million on freight cars and other rolling assets to serve customers throughout the network.
By Water
There is close and easy access via truck and rail to shipping through the Great Lakes ports and oh the Ohio River.
By Air
Troy is location a very short 10 minute drive to the Dayton International Airport which is within 90 minutes by air to 55 percent of the country's population making it ideal for cargo distribution. Cincinnati and Columbus are each within an hour drive of Troy.
Cargo and Freight Forwarders
- AirNet servicing Columbus via Rickenbacker
- American Airlines Cargo servicing Cincinnati
- Atlas Air servicing Columbus via Rickenbacker
- Aviation Facilities Company Inc. servicing Dayton
- Continental Airlines Cargo servicing Cincinnati
- Delta Cargo servicing Cincinnati
- DHL Express servicing Cincinnati
- Evergreen servicing Columbus via Rickenbacker
- FedEx servicing Dayton, Cincinnati and Columbus via Rickenbacker
- FedEx Trade Networks servicing Dayton
- Excel Global servicing Dayton
- Kalitta Air servicing Columbus via Rickenbacker
- United Cargo servicing Cincinnati
- UPS Supply Chain servicing Dayton and Columbus via Rickenbacker
- US Airways Cargo servicing Cincinnati
- Air Canada servicing Cincinnati and Columbus
- AirTran servicing Dayton and Columbus
- American Airlines servicing Dayton, Cincinnati and Columbus
- Continental Airlines servicing Dayton, Cincinnati and Columbus
- Delta servicing Dayton, Cincinnati and Columbus
- Frontier Airlines servicing Dayton and Columbus
- Southwestern servicing Columbus
- United servicing Dayton, Cincinnati and Columbus
- US Airways servicing Dayton, Cincinnati and Columbus
- USA 3000 Airlines servicing Cincinnati
For more information about the Dayton International Airport, please visit www.flydayton.com
For more information about the Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky International Airport, please visit www.cvgairport.com
For more information about the Port Columbus International Airport, please visit www.flycolumbus.com
For more information about the Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus, please visit rickenbackerinlandport.com
By Land
The region is the nation's tenth largest "90-minute" land market. More than 5.6 million people live within a 90-minute radius of Troy, an area that includes five Metropolitan Statistical Areas, including over 300 towns, villages and cities. Within 90-minutes, a firm can offer cost-efficient service since a vehicle can make a round trip to the farthest points in the market twice a day, including time for pickup and delivery or business meetings. This region is the largest "second morning" land service market, reaching 137.7 million people and 52.8 million households within a 600-mile radius. "Second-morning service" is defined as the market area that can be reached by truck within a day and a half. As the leading "second-morning" market, our area offers an excellent location for anyone who delivers goods.
Driving Time and Distance to Select Major Metro Areas Estimated
|Drive Time
|5 hours
|1 hour
|3.5 hours
|1 hour
|2.5 hours
|1.8 hours
|2 hours
|2.5 hours
|5 hours
|4 hours


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Farming is considered as a tedious job and we think it doesn't pay off well so we never tried to venture on it. Instead, some of us look for a different job or.. leave our homeland to serve another.
"Dati, nahihiya pa tayong sabihin na ang kabuhayan ng ating mga magulang ay pagsasaka o kaya medyo hindi pa tayo proud sabihin na ang tinapos natin ay 'Agriculture-related' course. So kahit na madiskarte ka, medyo mababa ang tingin mo sa chance mong makakuha ng trabaho na may mataas na sahod. Sad noh? Kaya.. nag-abroad ka na lang. Sana ngayon, dapat magkaroon tayo ng positibong pananaw tungkol dito" –
If we do not invest on human capital and educate (with proper mentality) now, the future might seriously suffer. Let's be involved 🙂
😊 Agriculture is a NEED not just a WANT.
No Farmers, No Food, No Future ^_^
The Modern Farmers
What's New?
Caleb Harper, director of the Open Agriculture Initiative at the MIT Media Lab, wants to change the food system by connecting growers with technology. Get to know Harper's "food computers" and catch a glimpse of what the future of farming might look like.
Watch This Computer Will Grow Your Food in the Future and see how it works.


text:
With WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010, THQ is looking to cater to fans like you.
That's right, we got in-game match footage!
Yes, SmackDown is back and packing more than 60 Superstars, 50 Create-a-Superstar slots, and a brand new attitude. At the forefront of this push is 2010's tagline "It's your world now." Last year saw the introduction of Create-a-Finisher, but this year THQ and Yukes are looking to create an online community. In the latest SVR game, you're going to be able to create fully 3D characters, entrance videos, finishers, logos, color schemes for existing WWE stars, and even your own stories to play through. As if that wasn't impressive enough, the hook is that you'll be able to upload all of these creations to the SVR servers so that the world can search for them, rate them, download them, and share ideas.
CAS websites might no longer need to exist.
All of this news and a handful of SVR 2010 matches slammed into the collective consciousness of the universe today at a SummerSlam Eve SVR press conference in Los Angeles. Hosted by SVR Senior Creative Manager Cory Ledesma, a roomful of videogame-amanics were walked through what SVR 2010 is and what we can all expect when it's released on October 20 in North America and October 23 in the United Kingdom.
For starters, the main menu lives in the THQ Training Facility -- an area that looks like the dojo from Tough Enough. There's a ring packing red, white, and blue ropes; posters promoting pay-per-views from days gone by; and whole bunch of empty chairs. Here, you'll get to tackle the first-ever SVR tutorial. Rather than just have you watch a video or play a game of Simon Says, the facility is packed with more than 100 moves and events for you to master.
Confirmed Superstars
|Triple H
|John Cena
|Randy Orton
|Chris Jericho
|Rey Mysterio
|Kofi Kingston
|John Morrison
|Mickie James
|GameStop Exclusive - Stone Cold Steve Austin
As you move around the ring, different tasks pop up in the corner of the screen in an attempt to teach you the things you can do in a given area. If you're standing in the middle of the ring, the task might be as simple as taunting, but if you're coming up on your opponent -- who can stand there like a punching bag or be changed to one of the game's difficulties -- the game might try to teach you how to pull off a grapple move. As you perform these tasks, the move gets checked off on the screen and disappears so that it won't pop up while you're learning again.
You can turn the tips off or reset them so everything pops up again, but the idea is to give newcomers an idea of how to play and to give seasoned vets a refresher course while sprinkling in some of the game's newest offerings.
At first glance, SVR 2010 looks a lot like its predecessors. As a long-time fan of the franchise, I'm used to an annual series that drops in a few new modes and calls it a day, but when I got my hands-on the controller, I got to see some of the new tidbits THQ's peppered in to compliment the new community creation stuff. When I took on Triple H as Chris Jericho in a falls count anywhere match, the ref followed the fight around the barricade and up the entrance ramp -- he didn't stay in the middle of the ring like a goon. When we were brawling around the squared circle, the camera angles were actually cool and not way too close and/or obscured by barricades like last year. When I slapped the hell out of John Morrison's chest as Edge, the Shaman of Sexy's chest actually got red from flesh on flesh contact.
There are number of little presentation touches like those that jumped out at me. Another example is that the big on-screen HUDs are gone. Now, the matches have a TV style feel to them from the location of the bout popping up during entrances to the "WWE Live" logo that appears in the lower left corner of the screen as the match begins to the WWE copyright that pops up at the end of the fight -- mind you, this is all happening during exhibition matches.
Anyway, momentum is now displayed by a small halo around the feet of your Superstar. There's a blue outline that slowly builds as you pull off suplexes and drop kicks. When you've earned enough for your Signature Move, an "S" in a yellow circle appears on the meter, and when you've got your finisher, an "F" in a red circle appears down there. There's still limb damage and such to worry about, but you'll need to watch how the Superstars are acting and not some colored silhouette.


text: Mitsubishi's out to make your rooms cooler and slightly creepier with its new air conditioner units, packing an all-seeing infrared eye that'll adjust the temperature based on people's locations in the room. Seven models in the company's new ZW series will come equipped with the technology, which divides the room up into a number of sections to scan for humans, directing the air-flow appropriately and switching to economic mode to conserve power when it's left all by its lonesome. What's more, the AC can apparently even analyze a person's or family's seating habits over a couple of weeks which, for some of us, shouldn't be too hard to determine. No word on prices for any of the units yet, but they should start collecting aggregate data about your in-home lifestyle in Japan by mid December.[Via Far East Gizmos]


text:
I have prepared Koda's transcript and got a nice dose of what we did accomplish in the last 2 years. Between moving several times, bad PPD and adjusting to new jobs we have a nice long list of what we did get done. It was a great indicator of success. She has impressed me with her knowledge of what she has even picked up on without a formal "class" and we are adding it to her transcript as well. Human reproduction ( her knowing 80% of what there is to know about home birth and why positioning is important and why water birth can be more successful than land birth) and Child development with a focus on special needs as she has been highly instrumental on assisting with Nanner's OT and continuing it with preschool. Not everything has to be learned from a text book but when you overhear your kid explaining SPD using propper terms to her grandparents and WHY it is important; you know you are doing something right.
Working has also been a big change for her as she joined me in the local park district.I have gotten nothing but compliments on how hard of a worker she is and that means a lot.
And a picture of the youngest just for good measure.


text:
You may not know her name yet but trust me when I say you will. Nicole Krinsky is an up and coming pop star based out of Atlanta who has quite the set of pipes. I was contacted by Nicole's manager and asked to do her makeup for a photo shoot that would be for the recently opened Salon Encore. Nicole's looks bright and beautiful in the front window of the salon.
Nicole loved Lace Cosmetics and tagged us in her early morning Instagram post.
Want to hear her? Here is Nicole's cover of "Sparks Fly" (my favorite) and the music video for her song "Homeboy Hook-Up"
Make Sure To Follow Our Blog


text:
The FCC prepared a report on the state of Broadband Internet access in the US and the data is useful for deciding on connectivity parameters used for testing. I'm including the key charts here but the full report is available here: http://www.fcc.gov/document/measuring-broadband-america-report-consumer-broadband-performance-us
The purpose of the connectivity emulation in WebPagetest is to provide realistic "last mile" performance from the test agents (but not to alter additional latency in getting to servers physically distributed). This means that the goal is to realistically emulate parts 2-6 of the network diagram from the FCC report with the public Internet segment being routed as it would normally:
Latency and Advertised Bandwidth
The test servers used in the FCC testing were geographically distributed close to the measurement locations and validated against measurement points within the provider's network so the latency measurements should be accurate measurements of the part of the network that we are looking to duplicate in dummynet.
Downstream Bandwidth
Upstream Bandwidth
Other Resources >


text:
Obama has been reelected, the Senate remains in the hands of the democrats, while Congress is controlled by the GOP. Most importantly, the printer is firmly in the hands of Ben Bernanke. In other words, nothing has changed, as was largely expected all along. The worst case scenario - a protracted litigation, challenging the results of the election - has been avoided after Mitt Romney contested shortly before midnight, and as a result the immediate downward gap in risk following the election has been largely recouped overnight. More importantly, '4 more years' of the same monetary policy and no end to currency dilution have resulted in a nearly $50 jump in gold overnight with the metal in the $1720s this morning, because while the Fiscal Cliff remains hopelessly unresolved, and the baseline scenario that the market will need to tumble to shock politicians into waking up, remains (as does Goldman's 1250 year end S&P price target), the reality is that no matter what happens, Bernanke and crew will print and monetize the coming deluge of debt (which would also have been the case if Romney had won). And with total debt set to rise to $22+ trillion over the next 4 years, a deluge it will be. Most importantly, with Obama reelected, Europe is now "off the hook" and can finally rock the boat, which means Greece can take its rightful place at the front of the domino chain. Remember: the latest Greek austerity vote is today and voting (i.e. debating) has begun, and with vote results expected later today. It also means that the military festivities in the middle east, where the US now has 2 aircraft carriers and 2 marine assault groups, can resume.
A just released Op-Ed by Pimco's El-Erian touches on all the key points:
Now, the morning after an expensive and acrimonious campaign, a re-elected President Obama must find a way to get Congress to step up to its responsibilities on economic governance. The election did nothing to heal the seemingly intractable partisan divisions in Washington. In fact, the bitter tone of the presidential contest could well encourage further polarisation.
Continued Republican control of the House and a filibuster-prone Senate suggest that President Obama will need to aggressively follow through on his economic vision while naming and shaming Congressional disruptors even more. This could do more than strategically align citizens' desire for clear economic direction with their low opinion of Congress's effectiveness; it could also influence the behaviour of new members coming into Congress (and there are quite a few of them).
While markets wait for this to happen, and unfortunately it could take quite a while, bond and equity investors could well experience a series of "Groundhog Days" – finding that a hyperactive Fed (still struggling to compensate for the paralysis of other policymaking entities) remains their best friend; and that the fiscal cliff, Europe's debt crisis and Middle Eastern geopolitical risks continue to constitute threats to the asset classes' favourable correlations and low volatility.
Have no doubt: yes, an enormous sum of money was spent on the campaigns; and, yes, many promises were made as the candidates sought to differentiate themselves. Yet, after an initial flurry, it is essentially déjà vu for investors. They will continue to hope for political sputnik moments while worrying about potential market instability.
Some more immediate thoughts, with an FX bias, from SocGen:
Can we expect a risk-on mood following Obama's re-election? In the very short term, that may indeed be the case: his victory means a loose monetary policy and weak USD policy will underpin economic activity in 2013. It implies low US swap rates and US bond markets outperforming the eurozone. However, we remain cautious as we see the initial market reaction as quite muted.
From a FX standpoint, we would see a lower USD/JPY via the interest rate channel (200dma at 79.62) and a higher AUD/USD (risk-on mood and hopefully more reassuring Chinese data, the 28 Sep high at 1.0474 or even the 21 Sep high of 1.0519 may be in sight). The profile for the EUR/USD is not as clear as eurozone drivers remain centre stage. Greece, Spain and, to a lesser extent, Cyprus and Slovenia are still potential sources of stress.
Cautious medium-term outlook. We do not think the initial market reaction constitutes a lasting trend. The US still must address the fiscal cliff over the coming weeks, with what will probably be a divided Congress. That is where the challenge lies. The US administration will have to renew more than half of the existing fiscal measures to avoid a marked slowdown in activity. This will have to go hand in hand with the first (smooth) signs of efforts in terms of fiscal discipline to satisfy rating agencies. Will it be enough to keep markets calm?
Risk factor. In the second scenario, were US structurals to come to the fore and take a turn for the worse, the USD and US bond markets would be in good position for a huge sell-off, with the debt ceiling and rating agencies on the radar, and 2008 still fresh in mind. This is a just risk factor for now. 10Y US swap rates have lost 200bp. The EUR/USD hit 1.60, with a completely different eurozone story. Should such a scenario occur, the cross would have to revisit 1.35 (2011 highs), before contemplating 1.4950 (2011 highs).
And as usual, the comprehensive market recap, via DB's Jim Reid:
Asian markets are retracing earlier losses with major equity benchmarks now off their intraday lows. The Nikkei, Hang Seng, KOSPI were all down somewhere between three and four-tenths of a percent earlier but are now mostly unchanged on the day. The S&P 500 Futures are also off the lows but still 6pts down since the US close. Gold continues to edge higher, up nearly $9 in the overnight session to $1725/oz as the Dollar index continues to weaken. Treasuries are also trimming back some earlier gains although the 10yr yield is still down 6bps at around a 3-week low of 1.688% as we type.
Clearly this is a developing story but the win for Obama likely ensures that money printing is here to stay which is market friendly. It's still far too early to suggest what it means for the fiscal cliff though. Only time will tell on this front as it depends on how co-operative the Republicans feel after a defeat. This story will now slowly start to unfold.
As we conclude the key vote in the US, another vote to watch today will be in Greece as the Parliament decides on the austerity measures that are prerequisites for the next tranche of the bailout. According to Der Spiegel a narrow victory looks likely at this stage which would see the coalition government secure just enough votes (154) to pass it through the 300 seat parliament. Meanwhile a 48-hour planned protest that started yesterday saw 16,000 Greeks reportedly take to the streets in Athens. Apparently numbers were slightly disappointing which was blamed on public transport workers being on strike!! The Greek tensions have been overshadowed by events in the US but it remains a live issue.
Staying in Europe, markets yesterday perhaps got their first explicit signal from Rajoy with regards to the bailout prospects. The Spanish PM told us that it makes no sense to ask for a rescue if Spanish spreads stay the same. He also added that he'd want to know how much yields would fall with a rescue. Interestingly these headlines fail to provoke much weakness with the 10-year Spanish bond yields finishing the day 9bps lower at 5.66% despite a brief post-headline spike. The market doesn't appear to be overly concerned on the timing of a Spanish aid request as long as the conditional backstop from ECB remains in place. This standoff can't last forever though and at some point the market will likely lose patience. This however doesn't seem to be imminent.
Beyond Spanish bonds and despite an uninspiring day for Euroland data, yesterday was overall a positive day for risky assets. Equity markets rallied on both sides of the Atlantic with the CAC, DAX and the S&P 500 finishing +0.87%, +0.70% and +0.79% respectively. US equities performance was helped by strength in cyclical sectors such as Energy (+1.57%), Financials (+1.21%) and Industrials (+1.10%). Commodities enjoyed a late surge into the final hours of US trading with Gold and Brent rallying +1.8% and +3.1% to $1716/oz and $111/bbl respectively. This was perhaps prompted by hopes of a President Obama victory and another term for Chairman Bernanke or at least someone in his mould.
Taking a slightly closer look at the data flow the final euro-area October services PMI fell slightly on the month driven by Germany's headline PMI and a worse-than-expected reading for France. The good news is perhaps a better peripheral reading as Italian and Spanish services PMI edged higher in October to offset a weaker manufacturing sector. That said our economists noted that assuming no change for the rest of Q4 the October composite PMI would point to a GDP contraction of 0.5% qoq in Q4, below the -0.2% qoq that they are forecasting.
Looking at the day ahead, industrial output in Spain and Germany will be the main releases in Europe. The EU will also release its autumn economic forecasts later this morning while we might also hear from Draghi as he speaks at an event in Frankfurt at around midday. Merkel will also address the European Parliament this afternoon at 3.15pm London time before meeting PM Cameron at 10 Downing Street for a dinner later this evening. The key event though will likely be Greece's parliamentary vote (likely to take place later tonight). It will be a quiet day as far as US data flow is concerned with US consumer credit and mortgage applications the only ones due. The Treasury will sell $24bn in 10-year notes though. In terms of earnings, BNP Paribas and Telefonica are some of the interesting names reporting. As for the US election, there will be a sigh of relief that uncertainty is out of the way and that the Fed are unlikely to have their wings clipped. However how long will it be before the market starts to price in the fiscal cliff scenarios?


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http://oldwoughton.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/DSCF4792.jpg 2616 3488 Philip http://oldwoughton.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/OWPC-LOGO-v2-hi-res_cr.jpg Philip2016-01-22 20:51:232018-05-31 11:59:24Plot re-staking
Plot re-staking
All the plots are to be re-staked with four corner posts. Over the years many of the markers have broken or rotted resulting in some unclear boundaries. As plots are re-staked we are also re-measuring to confirm the many different plot sizes.
The project has commenced, but the timing of inserting the stakes is very weather dependant and it is anticipated that the project will last at least three years.
Update 31st May 2018
Almost half the plots have now been re-staked.


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George Harrison
There are two artists under the name George Harrison 1.George Harrison, MBE (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001) born in Liverpool, UK, was an English rock musician, singer-songwriter and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist in The Beatles, along with mainstream success as a solo artist. George contributed to the songwriting talents of his Beatles band mates, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, firstly by adding ideas and guitar parts, and later with his distinctive style of music inspired by Eastern spirituality. Read more on Last.fm
classic rock rock singer-songwriter british pop
classic rock rock singer-songwriter british pop
George Harrison('s) Similar Artists
George Harrison('s) Top Tracks
My Sweet Lord - George Harrison
Got My Mind Set on You - George Harrison
What Is Life - George Harrison
Wah-Wah - George Harrison
Beware of Darkness - George Harrison
Let It Down - George Harrison
When We Was Fab - George Harrison
I'd Have You Anytime - George Harrison
All Things Must Pass - George Harrison
I Live for You - George Harrison


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Tonsils and adenoids are clusters of lymph tissues in the back of the throat. These tissues form part of the body's immune system, which helps the body fight disease. If these structures repeatedly become infected or become enlarged, they can lead to problems. They may then be removed with surgery. Surgery to remove the tonsils is called tonsillectomy. In some cases, the adenoids are also removed. This is called adenoidectomy.
You may have your tonsils, adenoids, or both removed for reasons that include:
Infection of the tonsils (tonsillitis) that keeps coming back
Repeated infections of the throat
Enlargement of the tonsils or adenoids that affects breathing during sleep. This causes a condition called obstructive sleep apnea.
Suspected cancer of the throat
Tonsillectomy can remove part or all of the tonsils.
This surgery is done in a hospital or surgery center. It usually takes less than 1 hour.
An IV line is inserted in a vein in your arm or hand. This gives you fluids and medicines.
You are given general anesthesia to put you into a deep sleep through the procedure.
A special device is used to hold your mouth open. A tube is put down into your throat to help keep your airway open during the procedure.
The doctor uses surgical tools to remove the tonsils and possibly the adenoids.
The doctor removes all of the tools.
You are sent home when you are awake and recovered from the anesthesia.
Risks include:
Electric burns of the mouth and lip
Injury to the lips or teeth
Numbness of the tongue
Risks of anesthesia
The need for a second surgery
Voice changes


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The Master
Wikimedia disambiguation page
The Master may refer to the following:
- The Master (2012 film) - a 2012 American drama film written, directed, and co-produced by Paul Thomas Anderson and starring Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Amy Adams.
- Master (Doctor Who) - a recurring character in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who and its associated spin-off works. The Master is a renegade alien Time Lord and the archenemy of the title character the Doctor.
This is a disambiguation page; that is, one that points to other pages that might otherwise have the same name. If you followed a link here, you might want to go back and fix that link to point to the appropriate specific page.


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I had to post this picture of Oscar...
Jun 2, 2010
I had no other choice
Posted by Monkey Toes at 9:01 PM
Labels: baby pictures, chubby baby, photography
3 comments:
- Sweet Harper said...
Awwwwwww..........looks like you just stole a cookie from him or something-which I wouldn't put past you. Listen carefully Oscar, I know you mom hides treats from you and your sisters!
- June 2, 2010 at 9:14 PM
- @deharza on twitter said...
Oscar is adorable...
- June 3, 2010 at 6:28 AM
- Bullfrogs & Butterflies Baby said...
OMGoodness...I just want to shower those skooshy cheeks with kisses!!
(AKA: ElliaCNaturals)
- June 3, 2010 at 9:18 AM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
A Students' Guide
A Students' Guide
Get Citation
Sociology Projects: A Students' Guide is a no-nonsense, practical guide to project work for Sociology students.
It includes everything from advice on how to choose a manageable topic to checklists reminding you what you need to have done by when. Taking you right through from the initial preparation to the final results, this is an entertaining and highly informative workbook. It will show you:
* where to look for useful documents
* how not to get overwhelmed by data
* when to prepare - and how to evaluate - a questionnaire
* ways of presenting your material to best effect
* how to anticipate both the possibilities and the pitfalls
… and lots more.
Written by experienced teachers with extensive knowledge of project work, Sociology Projects will be one of those books a student can't afford to be without!


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Let me start off by saying, yes this is a lousy photo - all the sides got cut off so there are only half spiders along the top row and half a zombie hand on the right side. And the year I pieced it got cut off too - 2001. Gotta make do with what I got. This quilt is in storage, so no close-ups or better pics available. Sorry.
This is the quilt that Bad to the Bone fell out of. You'll see I made another skeleton to replace him, altho I didn't go so far as to repeat the words.
On this quilt I wanted to practise making figures (my witch turned out much better this time) as well as play more with the letters. I practised making heads, hands, and eyes. It was lot of fun. I like how the eyes turned out, with the creepy slit pupils.
I got this longarm machine quilted by someone other than Bonnie. Wasn't thrilled with the results - there were rather large areas left unquilted. Sigh. I went back in with floss and did some handquilting so that there wouldn't be big puffy spots.


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ST. LOUIS, MO (KPLR) - Dr. Sonny Saggar returned to the studio for a discussion on good health advice that is often not put into action.
Dr. Saggar talked about suggestions that are offered to patients that they may never take advantage of, such as the importance of utilizing cold water.
Dr. Saggar discussed the importance of what a cold shower or splash of water can do for your health.
Many cultures incorporated a cold water dousing into their religious ceremonies.
Some Native American tribes would alternate between sitting in a sweat lodge and jumping into an icy river or snow bank.
Ancient Russians also took frequent plunges into ice cold rivers for health and spiritual cleansing.
Japanese practitioners of Shinto, both in ancient and modern times, would stand under an icy waterfall as part of a ritual known as Misogi, which was believed to cleanse the spirit.
While most doctors may no longer instruct their patients to take a cold shower or bath, a shot of cold water can still impart real health benefits.
It improves circulation
Good blood circulation is vital for overall cardiovascular health. Healthy blood circulation also speeds up recovery time from strenuous exercises and work.
Cold water causes your blood to move to your organs to keep them warm. Warm water reverses the effect by causing the blood to move towards the surface of the skin, sometimes even making you feel faint and light-headed.
Cold water is an anti-depressant
Depression is yet another thing that cold showers help and prevent. It is caused by the stimulating effect the cold has on the part of the brain that sends noradrenaline for our bodies, a chemical that might be used to help alleviate depression.
You will notice that after having a cold shower, you will feel very happy, sometimes referred to as euphoria. This feeling can be compared to the happiness you feel after exercise because of the endorphin released.
It accentuates one's breathing
What you will notice as an effect of cold showers, especially when you first start, is that you begin inhaling very deeply, while asking yourself if you're totally out of your mind. This is to try and combat the stress of the shock, the vasoconstriction and the overall need for oxygen to respire and to keep yourself warm.
It helps you sleep
Another great reason to start having cold showers is that it aids sleeping. Insomniacs are sometimes advised to try this, the physical stress and shock of a cold shower before bedtime really helps you to calm down after the exhilarating feeling of being extra alive under the water.
It augments your immunity
The most established benefit of cold showers is that they simply increase your chances of fighting off disease and infection. Several studies have suggested that people who take regular cold showers have less chance of getting cancer, colds, flu, hemorrhoids, and varicose veins.
According to a study done in 1993 by the Thrombosis Research Institute in England, individuals who took daily cold showers saw an increase in the number of virus fighting white blood cells compared to individuals who took hot showers.
Researchers believe that the increased metabolic rate, which results from the body's attempt to warm itself up, activates the immune system and releases more white blood cells in response.
It improves your metabolism
Taking cold showers has been shown to help normalize a healthy human temperature, regulating the amount of sweat you produce in doing so. As a result of the increased brown fat levels, blood pressure and body temperature, chemical reactions in your body will happen faster than they would have without regular cold showers.
An increased metabolism is what a lot of people seek out because it means that any process in the body will become more efficient. This also means more weight loss because more calories are being burned to supply energy for more reactions. It also means faster growth/repair of muscles and other cells so any exercise you do will result in better results leaving a fitter, leaner body.
It keeps one's skin healthy
Hot water dries out skin and hair. If you want to avoid an irritating itch and ashy elbows, turn down the temperature of your showers. In fact, itch receptors don't even work in the cold. Also, cold water can make your skin look healthier by closing up your cuticles and pores.
Potency & Fertility
Cold showers appear to increase testosterone. During the 19th century, many doctors and ministers recommended that young men take baths in cold water to reduce the sin of 'self-pollution'. Cold water was thought to extinguish a man's burning carnal desires. How wrong they were!
The same study by the Thrombosis Research Institute cited above showed that cold water showers actually increase testosterone production in men. Increased testosterone levels not only boost a man's libido, but also his overall strength and energy level.
Trying to become a dad? Cold showers are good for your little swimmers. Your testes aren't meant to get too hot; that's why they hang outside your body. Sperm counts decrease when the temperature of a man's testes increases.
Experiments done in the 1950's showed that hot baths were an effective contraceptive. Men who took a 30 minute hot bath every other day for 3 weeks were infertile for the next six months. Perhaps this also explains why sperm counts drop when a country gets more running hot water.
Weight Loss
Brown fat, as opposed to white fat is heavily involved in burning energy. Exposure to cold naturally stimulates the production of these brown fats. These cells burn glucose (the calories you eat and the white fat that you store) to try and produces as much heat energy as possible.
Having a higher amount of brown fat leads to more energy being burned per second and therefore, more weight is lost. Brown fat protects us from aging, fights obesity and fights diabetes.
It improves our lymphatic system
Unlike blood vessels, the lymphatic system does not contain blood. Insteadit has lymph, which carries away waste products and white blood cells which handle infections. Alsodifferent from blood vessels is that the heart does not pump lymph around the body like it does the blood.
The lymph relies on the contraction of muscles. This contraction squeezes the lymph up to the thoracic duct so that the lymph can mix with the blood and then be dealt with by our organs.
Cold showers causewhole-body contraction, and this works excellently with the lymph system, squeezing the fluid up through the body. If the lymphatic system is compromised and inefficient, then the fluid pools at far away places (usually the feet). This results in what is known as lymphedema (a type of edema or swelling). The pooling of lymph can result in serious health detriments.
Another result of the whole body contraction is that it results in the squeezing of toxins and waste products out of the skin. This means that they do not stay inside the body and cause infection or put extra strain on the organs responsible for breaking them down into manageable pieces. This detoxification can make you feel better and more 'fresh'. It also has a good effect on the skin which appears cleaner and younger.
WARNING: Before Getting Started with Cold Water Showers
If you've spent most of your life taking hot showers, suddenly turning the dial in the other direction can be a big shock to the system.
Don't try this at home (or anywhere else for that matter), if you're not in good health to start with. Getting into the cold shower thing might be too much, too soon if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, or feverish.
Just like initiating a new work-out program, it's often a good idea to see your healthcare provider to give you a clean bill of health, before you start the craziness.
How to start if you're healthy enough:
If you decide to start taking cold showers, slowly adjusting the temperature is best advised.
1. Start off with the warm water
2. Apply the body wash or soap all over, like you normally do.
3. When you're ready to rinse, just turn it down tocold. Spend a few minutes under the cold water, meditating about a lost love or on how awesome your life is.
However, many people decide to "throw themselves in at the deep end" of cold showering and start by simply throwing themselves under as much cold water as they can get their hands on.
This is of course a much quicker way of reaping the health benefits of cold exposure but carries the downfall of much more discomfort and some initial risks to your health. For those with potentially weak hearts, the gradual 'easing' method is strongly advised.
Perhaps not a direct health benefit, but taking cold showers also means using no energy while washing yourself (in the form of electric or gas usage). This means less CO2 and other greenhouse gases are emitted into the atmosphere, resulting in less global warming and a lower electricity bill. So, if for no other reason, promote a healthier planet by taking a cold shower.
Final Note
After about a week of getting into these cold showers, you will find yourself dreading the shower, which you know is good for you.
Just don't quit. Do it solidly for 30 days, and your early hesitations will transform into enthusiasm.
Drug companies will never promote this. Think about it.
St. Louis Urgent Cares presently has 4 locations in St. Louis, and all 4 are active participants in Direct Medical Care: Downtown Urgent Care, Eureka Urgent Care and Creve Coeur Urgent Care, and North City Urgent Care.
Connect with Dr. Saggar, the Medical Director at St. Louis Urgent Cares at:
• www.stlurgentcares.com
• Twitter: @DoctorIsInSTL
• Facebook: DoctorIsInSTL
• Blog: DoctorIsInSTL.com


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AC Compressor Oil – Where and How Much?
Hello, thanks alot for all your help, I have an S10 truck with a v5 compressor that I just replaced. The old one said it took 6oz of oil, do i just put it into the suction side only? I noticed the v5 compressors have a bolt on the bottom if u take it off and look in it appears some oil seeps in there, but not alot.
Does that chamber also need oil? Its a strange compressor. Just want to make sure everything that is supposed get oil has oil. Is it some time of oil reservoir? Just want to make sure, i have never seen that before, seems odd to me, I shined in a small fashlight and i can see parts that look like they may want oil?
thanks for all you help
Howdy Jim,
Here is what my mechanic found in the manual
- A 2.0L 4cylinder has a V7 compressor
- A 4.3 L V6 has a HR6 compressor
- V7 – Only put oil in drain hole 15MM bolt
- Drain oil from old compressor and measure – must have a minimum of 2.0 oz OR add 1.0 oz to the same old oil in the compressor
- Total system oil is 9. oz for V7 and 8. oz for HR6
That is all it says, I hope that makes sense to you.
Austin Davis


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Castleconnell is a scenic village on the banks of the River Shannon, some 11 km (6.8 miles) from Limerick city and within a few minutes walk of the boundaries with counties Clare and Tipperary.
Castleconnell is known as the Island Parish in the Diocese of Killaloe. It is bordered on one side by the River Shannon and on the other by the Diocese of Limerick and the arch Diocese of Cashel. It is the only part of Co. Limerick in the Clare diocese of Killaloe. The reason for this dates from the twelfth century. The O' Briens, a powerful Dal Cais family at the time, insisted that Castleconnell should remain in the Killaloe diocese as they had built a fortress at Castleconnell a fortress they were keen to hang on to.
Proximity to Limerick (11km, 7 miles), Railway line and Station stop,Proximity to Shannon International Airport (38km, 24 miles)
Castleconnell castle,Historical village,Significant Georgian Architecture, The River Shannon, Fishing, Bird watching, Rowing, Walks, Spa waters, Hotel and leisure centre, Restaurants and public houses.
Castleconnell graveyards have been digitally surveyed and are viewable if you follow these links: Castleconnell (St Josephs) Historic Graves, click here | Castleconnell (Stradbally) Historic Graves, click here
These walks follow the banks of the River Shannon and are considered to be one of Limericks Best Kept Secrets.
Castleconnell Bog is Situated to the east of Castleconnell, this is a large area of cut-over raised bog, most of which is in County Tipperary. However, there is plenty to on the Limerick side.
For more information log onto:
Castleconnell boat club has been in existence since 1983. It is located at Worrell's End. Castleconnell has one of the best stretches of water to row on in Ireland. Rowers have a smooth, wide water to row on for 3.2 kilometers till O' BriensBridge. Just beyond the bridge, the rowers have another 1.5 kilometers before they come to a water flow regulator.
For more information log onto: www.castleconnellbc.ie
There are eight beats on the fishery. Each beat is approx. half a mile long and fishes three rods. A controlled flow of water is maintained from the Parteen dam, which is situated three miles upstream of the fishery, this means that the water level never runs too low.
All legitimate fishing methods are allowed with the exception of Shrimp. A 14ft, double-handed rod is advised but a grilse rod will suffice on some of the beats.
The fishing season opens on the 1st February and ends on the 30th September. The fishery usually gets a few big Spring Salmon in Feb and March. April and May brings a good run of fish averaging 10-12lbs. These are known locally as April flyers. The peak of the fishing is from mid-May through to the end of July, this is the time of the main Grilse run on the river. Salmon will rest in some of the large pools throughout the season. In suitable conditions goof sport can be had right up to the end of the season.
Fishing methods
Spinning is usually the most effective method until the end of March. After that date most anglers prefer to fish with the Fly. There is a short list of tried and trusted flies Gary Dog Black Goldfinchâ and the range of Shrimp patterns.
Castleconnell Slí na Sláinte Walking Route
This 3.8km Castleconnell Slí begins at the Ferry Car Park beside the new playground. On leaving the car park turn right in the direction of the Castleoaks Hotel passing the Irish Harp Centre on your way.
Continue on to Flannans Terrace and then turn left passed the cottages onto the Belmont Road. Follow the Belmont Road passing the entrance to Castle Rock estate, crossover the railway track and head up to the Dublin Road.
On joining the Dublin Road you turn left in the direction of Daly's Cross. At Daly's Cross, take extra care when crossing onto the footpath in the direction of Castleconnell village.
At Skehans cross turn left down passed the primary school and continue on passing the train station on your left. On reaching the water pump walkers can take a loop of the village or continue on passed the Castle Ruin and return to the car park.
Slí na Sláinte stands for 'path to health'. Developed by the Irish Heart Foundation – the national heart and stroke charity – it's the outgoing way to make walking far more enjoyable.
Already, it's capturing the attention of young and old, not only in Ireland but in Europe and other parts of the world too! And no wonder, because it's a fun, healthy way for the average adult to accumulate the recommended 30 minutes of physical activity on most, or preferably all days of the week. You'll find Slí na Sláinte walking routes all over Ireland.
They are marked by bright, colourful signposts which are not numbered and are situated at 1 km intervals. Simply follow the Km signs, set your pace to suit your enjoyment and you'll quickly feel better and get fitter. You will also experience a great sense of achievement.
For more information log onto:
Castleconnell Childrens Playground
Situated beside the Ferry, Castleconnell, Co. Limerick
Set beside the Shannon River, the Playground was developed by Limerick County Council in conjunction with the local community.
This is a lovely playground with two interconnected areas for toddlers and older children. This Playground has a variety of play facilities for children of all ages including children with disabilities. Play equipment includes cradle swing, basket swing, spring surfboard, horse and seat springers, junior multi play unit, toddler multi play unit and a roundabout.
The playground is open during daylight hours.
There is seating and ample car parking available. This is a lovely spot for picnics overlooking the River Shannon.
Castleconnell Railway Station opened on the 8th August 1858. The station lies in the Limerick Ballybrophy Railway Line. The railway station at Castleconnell dates back to the year 1855. In that year the laying of the railway line from Limerick City had been completed and work on the building of the station house at Castleconnell was in progress. All the stone for the station came from Rourkes Quarry in Ballyhane.
The Limerick to Castleconnell line was officially opened on the 8th August 1858 when the first passenger train puffed its way into Castleconnell Station. The service was extended to Birdhill the following year. This was the old Waterford and Limerick Railway company and all the engines, carriages and wagons bore the initials W&L. As the number of trains passing through the station increased it became necessary to build a signal cabin there some years later. Paddy Joyce quotes, at the Railway Station; at the time it was the heart of Castleconnell. All day long the trains were arriving, goods at one side and passengers at the other. But it was at night time we felt the real magic of it, when the glow of the Steam Engine would be seen in the distance. However today, people travelling from Castleconnell and its environs to Limerick City can now park their cars and take the newly introduced morning commuter train. Bringing commuters from Nenagh, Birdhill and Castleconnell, the train arrives at Limerick Station at 8.45 every morning. The service was introduced on the 1st of September 2008 following a long series of discussions led by the Nenagh Rail Partnership and Castleconnell Rail Action Committee and groups of activists along the line.
For more information log onto: http://www.irishrail.ie/Castleconnell
Castleconnells name in Irish is Caislean Ui gConnaing, which means Gunnings castle. This was because the Dal Cais Gunning family built the riverside castle over a thousand years ago, the name was then anglicised to Castleconnell by which the village and parish are still known as today. For more information log onto: www.castleconnell.ie
The Georgian Manor House our little piece of heaven set in a dream location in Limerick on 26 acres of beautiful mature gardens that lead down to the banks of the River Shannon. This luxurious family run 4 star Hotel in Limerick is proud of its reputation of being one of the finest Hotels in Limerick. The Castleoaks have a modern indoor 17 Metre Swimming Pool with Sauna, Stream and Spa Pool with a fully equipped Gymnasium. The staff are on hand to help you to use all of the equipment or set you up with a fitness programme. All faculties are complimentary for guests of the hotel and holiday homes. The leisure centre runs plenty of activities for Children. The Swimming Pool is Child friendly with a separate children's pool. They also run kids camps as well as tennis and swimming lessons.
Castleoaks House Hotel, Castleconnell, Co. Limerick.
Phone: 061 377 666
Email: email@example.com
15 minutes to Limerick City and Lough Derg
luxurious & spacious rooms, all ensuite
Homely & relaxing atmosphere
Home baking
Safe parking
Wi-Fi Internet access
B&B from Euro 30 pp. – no single supplement!
Phone: +353 (0) 61 377 921/ 086 289 5349
Web: www.beechfield-house.com
Rivergrove House is a lovely Bed & Breakfast in a secluded setting on the banks of the River Shannon, where you are assured of a warm welcome.
All bedrooms en-suite with television, tea and coffee making facilities and access to Wi-Fi.
Salmon fishing on the River Shannon. Also trout and coarse fishing on local rivers.
Riverside walks
Off street parking
Restaurants and shops within walking distance.
Numerous pubs with Irish music in the evenings.
Convenient for the University of Limerick.
Worlds End, Castleconnell, Co. Limerick.
Phone: +353 61 377107 (outside Ireland) or 061 377107 (within Ireland)
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Main Street, The Spa, Castleconnell, Co. Limerick.
Phone: 061 377533
"A family run pub delivering friendly service and delicious home cooked pub food located alongside the river Shannon in Castleconnell"
Main Street, Castleconnell, Co. Limerick
Phone: 061 377104
Sallymount, Castleconnell, Co. Limerick
Phone: 061 377201
Guerin's Pub & Angling Club
Coolbawn, Castleconnell, Co. Limerick
Phone: 061 377407
Thomas Maher Bar
Castleconnell, Co. Limerick
Phone: 061 377051
New Genealogical Free Websites.
- The Tithe Applotment Books 1823-1837.
- Griffiths land Valuation 1847-1864.
- Calendars of Wills and Administrations 1858-1920.
- Ireland Census 1901 and 1911 .
- Witness Statements taken from the Bureau of Military History (1913-21) Tipperary and Limerick Statements ONLY.
- Irish Army Census Collection 1922.
- Castleconnell Historic Graves click here
- One of the best resources available free online is The Family search.org website.


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Two out of three ain't bad. You have probably heard of the expression crypto currency; Bitcoin is the poster child, and Ether its sibling. ICOs are likely just as familiar; Initial Coin Offerings, which are a a variation on IPOs. What about CCOs? Never heard of them? The extra C is for Collateral; collateralised coin offering. I am advising a client on a really interesting CCO offering, so now seems a good time to offer a view on what might be the new, new thing in the digital space.
An ICO is a means of raising capital. Rather than a traditional prospectus or offering memorandum, it is based on a White Paper, which outlines what the company will do with the proceeds.
This activity is very similar in nature to what happens in the traditional securities & banking world, with the result that regulators are beginning to flex their muscles and draw some lines to weed out bad actors. The SEC has just closed down PlexCorp for fraud; the company was promising monthly returns north of 1'000%.
As far as I can tell, most ICOs are simply asking for money saying they will do A, B or something completely different, without much in the way of a concrete business plan. The rise of the internet and the instantaneous nature of global communication means that it is very easy to spread a message about any ICO and as a result it is more likely you can find somebody, somewhere to give you money. If you invest, you need to be able to lose your money. As the saying goes: not for widows or orphans.
A crypto currency is largely a digital figment of the imagination; an imaginary value is placed on them. My view is that they are the same as art; they may be scarce and they are simply worth what somebody is wiling to pay. In truth, they have the same backing as any government issued currency; none. They both rely on trust. So far at least, officials believe that people have more trust in government than in private companies. At least this was the view offered by a Fed Governor recently on why a crypto currency would not undermine the US dollar. In Venezuela right now, you would be mad to suggest the same rules apply. You gotta have faith; in the former there is some, in the latter there is none.
A digital dollar
The same article cited the Head of the NY Fed as saying the Fed is looking at Crypto currency. This would be really welcome. In my opinion, the Fed and its fellow Central Banks are too slow on the uptake here.
For the CCO project, we will need to collect both fiat and crypto payments from buyers of the CCO. Crypto is easy and we can make it very close to a PvP, Payment vs. Payment process. Very close rather than exactly, because we need to do an FX trade to move from crypto to fiat to buy the underlying asset. Fiat is actually hard and involves some good old fashioned settlement risk for our clients; we have to collect up their subscriptions before we issue the coins. It would be a lot easier if we could accept digital Euro and Swiss Francs.
Actually, there is a digital version of the Euro and the USD; Tether. It is a private offering and claims to be 100% backed by deposits in fiat currency. This is really very much the same as somebody in Kenya giving money to their local mobile phone operator to load an M-Pesa balance on their phone. But, and it is a big but, these Tether coins will not be fungible with any other offerings doing the same thing. Imagine if you could not move the dollars in your account at Citibank to your account at JP Morgan. Add to this, you are moving your trust from banks to a start-up enterprise that is not a bank and does not have all the checks & balances that a bank has. Novel, perhaps even necessary in short-term as a step on a longer journey, but not an answer for the long term and not fit for purpose for the institutional market.
CCO, the Collateralised Coin Offering
This is like an Asset Backed Security. Understanding that you are making a sound investment means knowing a couple of things about the underlying asset; is that asset both liquid and non-volatile? Bitcoin is none of these, and even some of the major ABS products of the past turned out to have a lot more price volatility than anybody envisaged. MBS, Mortgage Backed Securities, offered comfort in in that there was an underlying asset if the payments were not made; as we now know, not all of those mortgages were equally sound.
The second factor is about the transparency of the underlying assets. This is where a certain Bernie Madoff hoodwinked all and sundry. The assets were not there. Now Tether, cited above, may be technically brilliant and it says it has the assets, but it is fatally flawed in a worst case scenario. The only place Tether can keep its $800+ million in assets is at one or more commercial banks. That is a lot of credit risk. Cash assets have very limited protection in a bankruptcy; the 100k or so that might be backed by one or other government depositor insurance schemes will not help much.
Lessons to be Learned
The ideal source of power for transactions in a digital global economy would be CBDM; central bank digital money, with the government acting as transfer agent, providing a 1:1 instant on-demand exchange facility and then locking up the fiat currency at the central bank.
Singapore is getting there with its project UBIN. The banks are trying to fill this void; UBS is leading a consortium developing a Universal Settlement Coin.
Those individual efforts are a necessary stage of the journey; regulators and central banks may well observe from the touchlines and then support the infrastructure with carefully worded regulatory guidance. This has happened in FX, with the BCBS stating in BCBS 241 on FX Settlement Risk that PvP, Payment vs. Payment, is the preferred settlement option. There is only one PvP utility available; CLS.
CCOs have the potential to establish themselves in the same generally positive way that the traditional ABS products did. To do that, they ideally need to be linked to an asset that does not have a volatile price and where the underlying assets are transparent and not subject to further issuer risk.
The CCO I am working on promises to do both those things. Super exciting. More in due course.
About the Author: The Bankers' Plumber. I help banks and FinTechs master their processing; optimising control, capacity and cost.
If it exists and is not working, I analyse it, design optimised processes and guide the work to get to optimal. If there is a new product or business, I work to identify the target operating model and design the business architecture to deliver those optimal processes and the customer experience.
I am an expert-generalist in FS matters. I understand the full front-to-back and end-to-end impact of what we do in banks. That allows me to build the best processes for my clients; ones that deliver on the three key dimensions of Operations: control, capacity and cost.
Originally published on the 3C Advisory website.


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Mole Valley
|Website URL : http://www.molevalley.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=30796
Development Control Committee - 3rd August 2016 *Please Note Change of Venue*
Please note that this meeting will be held in the Martineau Hall, Dorking Halls, Dorking. This meeting will NOT be webcasted as there are no webcast facilities. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
© 2019 Mole Valley, Pippbrook, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 1SJ.
Tel: +44 (0)1306 885001 Fax: +44 (0)1306 876821, 2019.


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FTSE 100 follows oil higher
Miners had a good start to the week and boosted the blue chip index amid rallying oil prices continued to rise.
The FTSE 100 closed 1.5% higher at 6,812.
Anglo American (AAL), Glencore (GLEN) and Fresnillo (FRES) gained up to 6.2%.
BHP Billiton (BLT) and Rio Tinto (RIO) were also in positive territory.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil jumped 2.4% to $44 and Brent crude oil was 2.3% higher at $46.84 per barrel, respectively.
Copper slid 0.3% to $4,740 per tonne.
A profit warning sent outsourcing giant Mitie (MTO) spiralling 28.6% to 191.9p. It blamed the trading shortfall on 'uncertainty both pre and post the EU referendum'. It said operating profit is expected to be below management's expectations due to a reduction project work volumes and spending by clients as well as pricing and cost pressure.
Russia-based precious metals producer Polymetal (POLY) said the content of precious metals was estimated at 6.6 million ounces at its Viksha deposit, making it one of the largest open-pittable PGM resources in the world. Shares were up 2.3% to £10.35.
Food producer Dairy Crest (DCG) declined 6.3% despite revealing that first-half profit will beat expectations. The firm maintained full-guidance despite the improved second quarter performance from key brands Cathedral City, Country Life, Clover and Frylight.
Clontarf (CLON) and its partners accepted an offer in principle concerning the revised Tano Basin acreage co-ordinated by Ghanaian officials, causing the share price to rise 13% to 0.65p.
Software firm Adgorithms (ADGO) plummeted 17.3% to 21.5p after its gross profit nearly halved from $4.2 million in the first half to $2.2 million, as R&D expenses rose by $1 million.
Online gaming operator Stride Gaming (STR) traded 13.8% higher on a strong trading update, which revealed it will beat expectations as a result of strong organic growth and a significant jump in full year revenue.
Managed services provider Maintel (MAI) disappointed investors after trading, excluding Azzurri, was slower than expected due to delays in the timing of four large contracts. Shares in the firm dropped 11.9%.
Manchester-based stockbroker W.H. Ireland (WHI) soared 26.2% to 127.5p after confirming that Kuwaiti European Holdings (KEH) is considering taking a stake in the firm.
Indian infrastructure group Skil Ports & Logistics (SPL) crashed 43.6% to 11p after announcing it needs to raise £36 million to finish its port terminal, this sum is considerably larger than its £4.18 million market cap.
Aviation services provider Gama Aviation (GMAA) fell 10% on half-year results after analysts reduced earnings forecasts amid weaker European market conditions. The company said it expects a stronger second-half performance.
Story provided by Stock Market Wire


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Daniel Craig has reportedly pulled out of The Whole Truth.
The 46-year-old actor was to star alongside Renée Zellweger in the courtroom drama movie.
According to The Boston Globe, Craig ended his involvement with the film and production ceased over the weekend (April 5, 6).
The movie was set to be filmed in Boston this spring, although local film industry professionals who were supposed to work on the picture told the paper that Craig's sudden departure led to production being halted.
Craig was to play a skilled defense attorney who fights to get his teenage client (Gabriel Basso) acquitted of murdering his father.
The movie is due to be directed by Courtney Hunt from a script by Nicholas Kazan.


text:
Red Curtain
by Still on the Hill (2012)
Inside Out
by Donna Stjerna and Kelly Mulhollan
Wish my words were so provocative
They could crawl into your dream
Wake you up from a dead sleep
Thinking wild things about me
I wish my melody could touch you
In places so deep
That you couldn't take it anymore
And you'd wake me from my sleep
Then you'd do to me the things
That I had written all about
And I would know my song was worthy
Cause you'd turn me inside out
Wish my song was so seductive
It could curl up in your bed
Be a blanket for your nakedness
A pillow for your head
Wish my song could be immortal
Take you past the point of death
Place a perfect kiss upon your lips
And whisk away your breath
Then you'd do to me the things
That I had written all about
And I would know my song was worth
Cause you'd turn me inside out
Inside out…I need your love to turn me
Inside out…drink from you loving cup
Until I drown
Wish my song was so strong
It could rise up from the page
Make a beeline for your heart
Like a bird freed from its cage
If my words could make you love me
Way on past forever
I'd write it on a paper boat
And float it down your river
Then you'd do to me the things
That I had written all about
And I would know my song was worthy
Cause you'd turn me inside out
Inside out…I need your love to turn me
Inside out…drink from you loving cup
Until I drown
There Was a Man
by John Spillane
There was a man who took a wife
To walk beside him through his life
They walked through sunshine and through rain
They walked through pleasure and through pain
She wore a dress of yellow gold
She was a wonder to behold
And underneath a purple sky
She was the apple of his eye
And when the moon arose in flight
And stars went blazing in the night
They crept into each other's dream
And slept beside a silver stream
They flew together through the air
And landed on a distant shore
They walked along a golden strand
They walked together hand in hand
She was not the easiest woman in the world
To get along with if you understand
But then again on the other hand
He may not have been the easiest man
But when the moon arose in fright
And stars went blazing in the night
They crept into each other's dream
And slept beside a silver stream
The world will turn and the rivers flow
The sun will shine and the winds will blow
While angels in the afterglow
Will light their candles in the snow
There was a man who took a wife
To walk beside him through his life
They walked through sunshine and through rain
They walked through pleasure and through pain
She wore a dress of yellow gold
She was a wonder to behold
And underneath a purple sky
She was the apple of his eye
by Donna Stjerna and Kelly Mulhollan
You give me the space,
to waltz with my Muse,
explore all my planets,
discover my Moon-----
You give me space, to pick up a pencil,
draw my own mountain…
then climb it with grace.
You give me the space to LOVE You.
You give me the space, to take rusted tin,
and turn it to gold, let alchemy in.
You give the strength,
to follow that tunnel
into my own music,
then dance on it's waves.
You give me the space to LOVE you
You give me the space, to push to the edge
or sit in the quiet or dance on the ledge.
You give me the space
to write my own story,
with my own conclusions,
you fill every page…
but still give me space to LOVE YOU.
You give the space to take my own time,
to conquer the world
with rhythm & rhyme.
You give me the strength,
to be your lover, your husband and friend
and then once again,
you give me the space…to LOVE YOU
by Donna Stjerna
A little Buddha told me once,
There's so many ways to die
Bow to everyone you meet
See the goodness deep inside
Take your lover in your arms
Fold him like an origami rose
Hold him like a precious flower
Life is fragile… heaven knows
My Great Grandfather calls to me
Through the veil I hear him say
Life is short there on Earth
Count your blessings every day
Take your lover in your arms
Hold him till the morning sings
Make every kiss…glorious
Love's the most precious thing
So my love, I say to you
Our life's a wonder to behold
Treasure every moment Love
They're more valuable than gold
Let me take you in my arms
Lead you to our downy nest
Hold you like a newborn child
Pressed against my loving breast
The Need
by Donna Stjerna and Kelly Mulhollan
I need to hold you like a pod holds its seed
like the ocean holds its treasures, like the night holds a dream
like a cradle holds a babe, like the ground holds a grave
like an addict holds the needle of the drug that he craves
like a ring holds a diamond…precious and rare
like wings hold an aero-plane up in thin air
like gravity…holds me…to the earth
I need to hold you like an artist holds his brush
like a blind man holds his cane, like a tool holds rust
like a good friend holds a secret, like a tower holds a bell
like a bucket holds the water from a deep, deep well
Like a diver…holds his breath, while trying to find a pearl
like the Internet holds all…the info in the world
like gravity…holds me…to the earth
I need you to hold me…like a bottle holds whiskey
to wet the lips of the thirsty
I need to hold you like precious memories
like a winner holds his trophy, like a sail holds the breeze
like the studs in my walls hold up my tin roof
like an innocent man, holds onto the truth
like an hour glass…holding back the shifting sand of time
like a rhyming dictionary…holding all those rhymes
like gravity…holds me…to the earth
I need you to hold me like a cloud holds the rain
like a hypochondriac holds onto pain
like a protestor holding up a hand-painted sign
like a connoisseur holds up a glass of fine wine
like a little boy holding the string of his kite
like a long summer day…holding back the night
like gravity…holds me…to the earth
I need you to hold me... like a bottle holds whiskey
to wet the lips fo the thirsty
Sing with Me My Love
by Donna Stjerna and Kelly Mulhollan
Alone I'm only random notes
Fickle as fair weather
You bring the rhyme and rhythm Dear
Hold me all together
When our voices mix & marry
They become a song…no longer notes strung all apart
We become as one
So sing with me my Love
Your sweetest harmony
Alone I'm only ½ a song
With you-a symphony
I think there's something special Love
About this song we share
You're grounded like the bass notes Love
I'm spinning way up there
Sometimes when I can't hold the beat
You stay strong and true…
I cannot imagine Love
Singing without you
So sing with me my Love
Your sweetest harmony
Alone I'm only ½ a song
With you-a symphony
You Electrify Me
by Lee Ruth
Your phone is out of order and your doorbells on the blink
You blew a circuit breaker running water in the sink
There's feedback in your stereo and lightning's struck your aerial
And Thomas Alva Edison is crying from his grave
But he can't save us
There's devils in the line and demons in the power
Receivers of the sun, the glass, the hour
And some mad prince or doctor's throwing switches in the tower
Defines the dark, defying us to see
There's plastic grass laid in his yard, his tarnished brass, no spirits guard
The world of possibilities, wonder and beauty, nearing reality
The chancing of perfection
May it be so --- what other way to go.
You electrify me, love
Most of all, when you are by me, love
and even when, you deny me, love
Your warm alive electric body, love,
Your kiss kinetic and potential, love
Charging the living battery, full of
You, electrify me, you, electrify me
Hidden Harps
(Italics are excerpted and inspired by a Rumi poem)
by Donna Stjerna and Kelly Mulhollan
Even if this world burns up
Hidden harps would still play here
Their melodies would ride the wind
Then rain down like a prayer
Brand new life would dance upon
Flowering fields of green
And all the sorrows of the past
Would melt into a dream
You..ooo..ooo and I may become a pair of wild geese
You..ooo…oo and I may become a speck of dust
But somehow we'll be together, it's just a matter of trust.
If mountains crumble to the sea
And time comes to an end
There'll be magic underfoot, starting up again
Brand new life will dance upon
All our hallowed graves
And this world will rise up singing
Blessings to another day
You…oo…oo and I may become a constellation
Two bright stars dancing in the sky above
I just know we'll be together…
There's no ending to love
I trust that the river finds the bend
I trust that this poem finds paper and a pen
I trust that the spark that burns within…never ends.
Even if this world burns up
Hidden harps would still play here
Centuries of memories could never disappear
I believe in mystery…love can never die
Oh it can change and rearrange
Grow some wings and fly
These Two Arms
by Donna Stjerna
If I had a magical lamp, with a genie at my command
I'd use my 3 wishes right now, to make you mine
And if I could play a harp of gold, like one from the legends old
My songs of love would take, your breath away
But I have no magic, no secret spell, no super power, no wishing well
I have no mojo…no good luck charm…only these two arms
If I had an amulet, with a potion of love in it
I'd tie it around your neck, to make you stay
And if my Persian rug could fly, I'd take you up into the night
On a blanket of stars we'd make love, high above
But I have no magic, no secret spell, no super power, no wishing well
I have no mojo…no good luck charm…only these two arms
If the fountain of youth were mine, and I'd live till the end of time
Without you by my side, I'd rather grow old
And if I had the wings of an owl, I'd silently fly right now
Straight to your cabin door, I would soar…
Bright Moon
by Kelly Mulhollan and Donna Stjerna
Through my open window I see you bright moon
Tonight you seem restless, so very restless
When you're this restless…I cannot sleep
So I get my guitar and write you a song
You smile like a Cheshire cat then you're gone
Oh how many songs have been written about you?
Down through the ages…on manuscript pages
In margins of Bibles…Monks sang your praises
Out in the desert in Bedouin tents, in a dark city
On a lonely park bench
lovers discover romance in your light
while I sing this sweet song, to you tonight
Through my open window I see you Bright Moon
Tonight you're so lovely, incredibly lovely
When you're this lovely…I cannot sleep
Words they flow through me, pull like the tide
I shimmer and shine, just like a blushing bride
Oh how many poems have been written about you
For centuries…sages have filled parchment pages…
Coyotes…have prayed to you down through the ages
In some run down farmhouse, old lovers still kiss…
You make them feel young on an evening like this
My whole universe…basks in your light
While I sing this sweet song…to you tonight
Through my bedroom window, I see you Bright Moon
Crane Wife
by Donna Stjerna
My path is lined with eggshells
About a quarter mile thick
They keep the weeds of insecurities
From overtaking it
I'm walking softer than I should to keep the shells intact
But with every single step I take
I feel the eggshells crack
Beneath those shells, the shifting sands
Are pouring through the hourglass
If I turn the glass onto its side
Can I slow down the hands of time
I'm dancing….just like a crane
Dancing…calling out your name
Please. lay your warm red carpet down beneath my feet
So I can walk the path with you and my poor heels won't bleed
Let me be your crane wife
I'll leave my fields of green
Lay right down beside you in the forest and the trees
Let me be your crane wife
I'm lying by the road
All alone and broken
With an arrow in my wing
Take me to your nest
Teach me how to sing
And I'll weave for you a silken robe
To keep away the winter's cold
So soft and downy white
I'll pluck my finest feathers out and place them in the loom
Then I'll sing for you each night (Chorus)
Desert Dream
by Kelly Mulhollan
On dunes of desert sand, a long forbidden land
my world begins to spin, my eyes grow ever dim
and in this spinning place, I see your perfect face
'neath folds of cavern deep, you lie in quiet sleep
my slightest motion make, mere ripples on a lake
till one's reflection brings, your iridescent wings
and without touching skin, our making love begins
my breath upon your breast, to loose your slender dress
revealed to cavern walls, on down the fabric falls
round bird and human form, a nest to keep us warm
not touch but dare admire, as one can't touch a fire
so close but not to kiss, your eyes in sleeping bliss
'round beak like tears have fallen, sweet beads of desert pollen
while down your yielding neck, each bead I softly lick
weightless my head will rest, on flesh so slight of breast
my thirsty mouth devour, nectar of cactus flower
beyond this garden bloom, a rising crescent moon
my lips by cavern dark, will sketch its graceful arc
and not a feather's space, beneath my fingers trace
along each downy crease, and down your silken fleece
yet part my body must, else dreaming turn to lust
just one false sound I utter, might cause your wings to flutter
so, one kiss before I gather, fallen dress round skin and feather
take leave of desert dune, for fate of the earth and moon
as cogs in cosmic gear, ever far and ever near
dance apart from death to birth, still the moon does love the earth.
Red Curtain
by Donna Stjerna and Kelly Mulhollan
I'm a One-Way street
Drive to the end, park and come in
I've left my heart open
I'm a jigger of gin
Juniper berries, spirit and sin
Drink me slow
I'm a lamp on the table, Light me now
I'm a shade on the window
Pull me down
I am the fingers all sinew and bone
That trace down your backside
And find their way home
I am the breath…I am the lips
I am the one who loves you the best
My sheets are turned down
My curtains are red
Come lie down with me…
I'll be your feather bed
There's a fault line down- the center of me
I'm trembling, I've been split open
Open so wide
It should be easy to slip on inside
Come on in
The clock on the mantle is ticking
I can't wait any longer, I'm spinning
I am an angel who burst from the flame
Who wants to consume you
And call out your name
I am the breath, I am the lips
I am the one who loves you the best
My lamp is turned low-my pillow is red
Come lie down with me
I'll be your feather bed
The End
by Donna Stjerna and Kelly Mulhollan
In your book of days
When you turn the final page
May you read between the lines and find me there
May the author of your book, give me a 2nd look
And with his feathered pen, write my name in the end
I don't have a golden crown or a silken gown
I tie rags around my waist and in my hair
Though my feet are cracked and bare
no silver slippers there
I've a love so true, that I'll give to you
In the end
In the end I might not be a lovely maiden anymore
I might be an old woman
Knocking at your castle door
But the apple that I'll offer you
Holds the wisdom of my years
I have nurtured it and watered it with tears
Take a look and you will see, all the love inside of me
Then give me a kiss and I'll become your princes
In your book of days
When you turn the final page
I will climb, up behind, you and ride…
Off into the setting sun, the two of us as one
And the author will then pen
the words…THE END