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Canada's Vasek Pospisil, Aleksandra Wozniak ousted on opening day at Wimbledon
LONDON — As first-round losses go, this one was easier to take for Vasek Pospisil.
Playing at Wimbledon on his 24th birthday, the Vancouver player saved three match points before falling to Robin Haase 7-6 (8-6), 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 on Monday.
Despite his loss, Pospisil was more than satisfied that the back pains which had made his life hell for the past six months have been fixed thanks to a diagnosis by a Prague doctor after months of uncertainty.
Pain-free over the last two weeks, Pospisil said he now knows exactly what was bothering him and that the problem has become "completely manageable."
Pospisil came to the All England Club after reaching the quarter-finals on grass last week in the Netherlands in his best career performance on the surface.
"This was the first match of the year which felt normal," said the player who began to be bothered by his back in Chennai in early January. "Last week was the first week of the season in which I recognized myself on court in terms of competing.
"I played quite well last week and today I just had a couple of mistakes and it didn't work out.
"But this was definitely a normal match. Now I can focus on what I need to work on. Not playing much probably cost me today. My main goal now is to stay healthy and finally be able to work on improving my game."
On the women's side, Aleksandra Wozniak of Blainville, Que., was also eliminated, losing 6-1, 6-2 to Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia.
The No. 31 seed was beaten in a battle lasting one hour 38 minutes to leave his Wimbledon main draw record at a 2013 win and two defeats.
Pospisil hammered over 21 aces against Haase and produced 58 winners to 44 for his opponent, but he converted on only one of five break points.
The Canadian dropped the opening set in a tiebreaker and levelled by winning the second before Haase took the lead two sets to one as he broke in the final game of the third.
Haase earned another break for a 3-1 lead in the fourth set but was unable to close it out immediately as Pospisil salvaged three match points in the ninth game.
But a cross-court forehand winner gave Haase one more winning chance, which he took when Pospisil's volley went low into the net.
Pospisil and Haase and split two meetings last season with a win apiece.
Pospisil was one of three Canadian men in the singles draw, where eighth seed Milos Ranoic of Thornhill, Ont., heads the effort. Frank Dancevic of Niagara Falls, Ont., earned a lucky loser spot in the 128-man draw.


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JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Marshawn Lynch is like nobody else at Super Bowl XLVIII. The running back provides the soundtrack to the Seahawks — Stiff-arm Pow! Knee-to-the-face mask Bam! Foot-stomping Rumble! — but goes nearly mute with the media. He serves as the clubhouse deejay — his iPhone the source of hard-core, squirm- inducing lyrics — but dances to the beat of a different rapper.
Last week before practice, a Seattle teammate of Lynch's was sharing an anecdote with a New York sportswriter about Lynch's days as a high school star in Oakland, Calif. He began to lower his voice, afraid Lynch might hear. Lynch made eye contact and pulled on a hockey mask befitting Jason in "Friday the 13th."
Lynch inspires fear. And he's a bit odd, simultaneously reclusive, guarded and eclectic.
"He's a great teammate. We see a different guy than everyone has seen (this week)," said center Max Unger. "He is always talking to us. We have no problems with him. He's one of us."
In the locker room, Lynch is in his element. He straps his gold-colored headphones unevenly to his ears so he can listen, talk and bob his head. He walks through the room with nods, his pants worn low and his eyes shifting back and forth.
Reporters don't approach him. He didn't speak to the Seatte-area media this season until he was threatened by the NFL with a $50,000 fine a few weeks ago. He doesn't profess to hate the media. He just doesn't see any need for talking to reporters, saying simply, "I am about action, boss."
For a guy who doesn't like to talk — he was available to the media for 21 minutes of the three hours of access over the past three days — he says more about the Seahawks than any other player.
He's a reclamation project, like so many on this Seattle roster of misfit toys. He flashed brilliance while playing for the Buffalo Bills — but ran afoul with the law off the field, and never did enough to warrant a second big contract.
He's a physical tailback, relishing contact in the open field where his churning legs become a wood chipper to overmatched defensive backs. "I am not trying to get tackled, boss," Lynch said, explaining his style.
And he's tough. Watch his runs once he clears the line of scrimmage. The grunts up front do their part with the zone-blocking scheme. But look beyond that. Seattle's receivers are holding their blocks. This, of course, is their assignment. It also is an indicator of their respect for Lynch. He runs with purpose and passion.
"You can tell he loves the game of football. Every time he touches the ball it's something exciting," said receiver Doug Baldwin. "The run, it may be designed to get a 2- or 3-yard gain, but he'll always find a way to get 4 or 5 yards out it. And if it's designed for a 4- or 5-yard gain, he'll break it for a touchdown.
"It never ceases to amaze me the way that he runs the ball, and the way that he carries himself. His balance and his tenacity and his desire to not go down, I don't think there's anybody in the league like him."
Lynch rushed for 1,257 yards and 12 touchdowns during the regular season. The bigger game, the better he's been, dating to his iconic "Beast Quake" 67-yard run against the Saints during a 2011 playoff victory. He is averaging 5 yards per rush in postseason play this year. Terrell Davis excelled behind the same blocking scheme. But the former Broncos star was all about the cut-back run. Lynch is more cutthroat.
"He's so violent. He doesn't mind hitting people," said Seattle offensive tackle Russell Okung. "We feed off him, off his intensity."
Lynch was slightly more comfortable Thursday during the media session at the Westin, the Seahawks' Super Bowl hotel, than he was the previous two days. He pulled back a layer of the onion when asked about line coach Tom Cable, a former University of Colorado assistant. "I knew he came from (the) Oakland (Raiders), and I knew he punched a guy," Lynch said. "So he's my kind of guy."
While Lynch spent the past few days earning the wrath of the media, he has his head coach's wholehearted affection and respect. Pete Carroll measures the 5-foot-11, 215-pound former Cal star on the scoreboard, on his effort, not on the quote sheets.
"He doesn't take center stage and try to tell everybody what's going on or what we should be doing. He does it with his actions," Carroll said. "Everybody knows that (and) expects that. We feel like we've come to a great understanding of who he is, and we love who he is. He's an incredible part of our football team, and I wish everybody realized what a dedicated team member he is. His conditioning, his work ethic, his commitment to this opportunity … he's given us everything we could have asked for."
Just not a lot of sound bites.
Troy E. Renck: email@example.com or twitter.com/troyrenck
Beast mode
Marshawn Lynch has been one of the NFL's most productive backs over the past two-plus seasons, gaining notoriety for his punishing runs. A look at some of his notable numbers:
5.1 — yards per carry in six playoff games, 109 attempts.
2.8 — yards after contact in the playoffs.
93.3 — yards per game in playoffs, equaling the average of Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith
32 — touchdowns in his last 41 regular-season games
4,624 — yards rushing in Seattle, ranking fourth all-time

subset: commoncrawl


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On February 19th, NTV announced that actress Yonekura Ryoko will be playing a female high school student in their upcoming spring drama '35-sai no Koukousei' (tentative title). It will be the very first time for Yonekura to play a high school girl in her career and her first starring drama on NTV in general.
'35-sai no Koukousei' is a socio-critical school drama set at a senior high school. It follows a 35 year-old woman who enters the school as a student, where she has to face the dark sides of present-day senior high schools, including bullying and playing hooky. The drama depicts how she is gradually changing the students as well as the school in general.
She hates it when students pretend not to see the difficulties of one of their classmates or blame someone else for the problems they are dealing with every day. Thanks to her age and experience in society, she can help the students to solve their problems and acts as an an older student they can rely on.
Yonekura is going to completely transform herself into an ordinary high school girl and the drama is going to show her wearing the school's uniform, doing homework after school, participating in physical education and so on. However, her character is still going to be somewhat different to a normal 17 year-old student. For example, she always arrives school in an expensive foreign car; or during lunch break she always goes to the smoking area and after school she always needs a refreshing can of beer. It is unknown why she suddenly returns to school 18 years after graduation, but the mystery about her identity is gradually going to be revealed as the story progresses.
Yonekura commented, "First I thought I was going to play a teacher when I received the story, but then I was really glad to hear that I'm actually going to play a student. I want to think about how all the different problems on the campus could be settled when experienced by a 35 year-old student and how it should be conveyed to the viewers. Please look forward to this drama!"
The expectations for this drama are high, since Yonekura once again strengthened her image as the queen of drama ratings in the year 2012. The producer�of the drama is aware of her ever increasing charms and the kind of image the viewers have of the actress. The producer hopes to live up to their expectations, while showing them yet another side of her by putting her into the role of a high school student.
NTV is going to air '35-sai no Koukousei' every Saturday at 9:00 pm starting in April.
Source: Cinema Today
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Yonekura Ryoko to play a high school girl in new drama '35-sai no Koukousei'
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Every morning, the fine folks at Sports Radio Interviews sift through the a.m. drive-time chatter to bring you the best interviews with coaches, players, and personalities across the sports landscape. Today: Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco.
Ochocinco is the merry prankster of the NFL and Terrell Owens was once known for doing things that could be construed as pranks. They're both not as good as they think they are so it's fitting that they are finally teammates. Ochocinco appeared on 106.7 the Fan in Washington D.C. to discuss the signing, his optimism for the Bengals offense and not how many ulcers Carson Palmer will develop this season.
On whether or not this move was made because of Antonio Bryant's injury:
"I haven't seen anybody since mini-camp so I'm not aware of injuries and I'm not aware of really what's going on with my other teammates."
On the expectations for the offense:
"We're gonna have a great offense. In a way I don't think people really understand the impact that Terrell will have on us as an offense. Having his presence out there. Since the game of football has been played has there ever been two receivers of this caliber on the field at the same time? There's always a number one, there's always a number two, and there's somewhat of a drop-off at number two, but I think its sorta evened out as far as level of play and level of consistency that we've had over the years and this is going to be really interesting to see what defenses are going to do to take not just us away, but then you have to deal with (Jordan) Shipley, you have to deal with (Jermaine) Gresham, the new tight end, you got Andre Caldwell, you still got Matt Jones, and we got the running game. What do you do? It's like a dream team in a sense and anything short of a Super Bowl will be very disappointing."
How T.O. will change the coverage that he sees:
"The whole point is I'm not sure how much film you guys actually watch for real, but I am doubled every game first, second, and third down. It's my offensive coordinator's job to move me around and put me in positions to elude the double team or what usually happens is I have to wait until the running game is successful or we hurt them with other receivers enough to where it loosens up a bit. Having TO on the field, having that presence, and that consistency, at some point it's going to change. I have no idea what the thought process of defensive coordinators are going to be now with someone like that on the other side so I'm excited to see what's going to happen. Forget just the passing game. The running game is going to be ridiculous because we're a run-first team now."
On working out with TO:
"We do that every year, every offseason. (Host Who's faster?) I'm the fastest in the league right now."
This post, written by Chris Fedor, appears courtesy of Sports Radio Interviews. For the complete highlights of the interview, as well as audio, click here.


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Paresh Chari appointed President of Mexichem Fluent Business Group
Tlalnepantla, State of Mexico, February 5, 2016 - Mexichem, S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV: MEXCHEM*) ("the Company" or "Mexichem") announced today that, as part of its strategy to consolidate Mexichem's Leadership Team, the Company has appointed Paresh Chari (currently President, Mexichem USA and Fluent Systems Datacom and Infrastructure) to the position of President Fluent Business Group.
In his new role, Mr. Chari will move ahead with the consolidation of Mexichem's global Fluent businesses, with the objectives of increasing revenue and operating synergies across regions and expanding the Fluent product portfolio in new markets, where Mexichem has existing operations.
The Presidents of Fluent Latin America, Víctor Aguilera, and Fluent Europe, Maarten Roef, will report directly to Paresh Chari who will then report directly to Antonio Carrillo, Mexichem's CEO.
For the trailing twelve months ended September 30, 2015 before eliminations, the Fluent Business Group accounted for approximately 54% of Mexichem's total revenue and 43% of its EBITDA.
Mr. Chari has significant experience in both U.S. and international operations. During his 20 year tenure at Dura-Line, he was responsible for the Company's substantial expansion, leading several mergers and acquisitions, as well as driving organic growth in the U.S., and internationally in markets including: China, India, Brazil, Spain, Malaysia, Mexico, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom and Canada. Prior to joining Dura-Line, Mr. Chari held executive positions at several Fortune 500 companies including: Emerson Electric, Ameritech (AT&T) and Kellogg Brown & Root (a Halliburton company).


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Open Thread: What Oreo Flavor Do You Wish Existed?
Over the years, we've stood by as Oreo has experimented with some pretty funky new flavors, successfully, sometimes...not. If we've learned one thing from years of dogged taste-testing, it's to keep an open mind and palate, because you never know which one's going to hit that magical combination of successful gimmickry with successful flavor.
We haven't tasted Oreo's latest limited-edition flavor, Watermelon, just yet (but rest assured, it's happening soon!), but the launch got us thinking about some other Oreo flavors we hope to see on the shelves one day. Below is a sampling of our Serious Eats staff Oreo fantasy flavors:
Leandra: Coffee cream!!!! Maple! Fruity Pebbles!
Tracie: Coffee—does that exist? Because I would eat a pile of those.
Ben: Maple creme filling. Maybe walnut cookie-maple creme combo.
Robyn: Black sesame! Taro!
Kenji: I'd vote for maple cream myself instead of that frou-frou creme stuff.
Max: Ribs. Just kidding! Mostly I wish they brought the green tea Oreo to the American market. A hazelnut filling would be nice.
Carrie: 1. Coffee, which may have existed as part of a 1987 special "Double Delight Oreo" but might be urban myth 2. Cookies n creme: regular chocolate cookies outside, a mix of creme and cookie bits inside. Hopefully tastes like a Hershey's Cookies n Cream bar. 3. Cinnamon Toast Crunch: Possibly a disaster, but if they use the golden cookie outside, possibly a great collaboration.
So, what about you? What kind of mythical Oreo flavor do you wish existed? Let us know in the comments below!
All products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.


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According to Singapore authorities' official version of events, Shane Todd committed suicide one week before he was to return home to the United States. But his mother, Mary, doesn't believe that for a second. To her, he died an American hero, paying with his life for his refusal to allow China access to a restricted technology its military keenly wants.
Dr. Todd's death has already become an international incident, with the Todd family's cause taken up by three members of Congress and US Secretary of State John Kerry in private meetings with Singapore officials. Though Singapore will open a public investigation on May 13, the Todds want independent oversight and Federal Bureau of Investigation involvement.
But Todd's story is also the story of the technology his family says he died to protect, and it points to a shadowy world in which foreign actors go to great lengths to get their hands on sensitive US technology. While Mary Todd's accusations are far from proved, the gallium nitride (GaN) recipe that was in her son's mind and on his laptop computer could bring billions of dollars to Chinese corporations as well as radically improve China's military radar.
Those facts, and Todd's own premonitions that he had perhaps gotten in over his head, have turned his death into the latest example of the lingering American distrust over the rise of China and its military might.
"I saw some of the details of [Todd's] work," says Steven Huettner, a military radar expert who spent 30 years at defense industry giant Raytheon. "Until I saw them, I don't think anybody really understood the significance of what he was working on."
Todd himself was loath to talk about what he was working on in the months before his death. "Mom, I'm being asked to compromise US security, but I will not do it," Ms. Todd, speaking to the Monitor in a phone interview, recounts her son telling her via Skype.
It was not until after June 24, 2012, when their son was found hanged in his apartment, an apparent suicide, that the Todds got a stunning clue. They had gone to Singapore after his death to try to piece together what had happened – soon discovering stark inconsistencies between the scene at Shane's apartment and accounts by Singapore police. As they were leaving, they found the backup hard drive for one of the laptops Singapore police had taken.
Several files included technical requirements for a joint research project between the government-backed research lab Todd worked for in Singapore, the Institute of Microelectronics (IME), and Huawei Technologies, a China-based electronics giant. The project was aimed at making GaN power amplifier chips.
On one hand, it would hardly be surprising for Huawei to be pursuing such technology. Power-distribution systems, industrial systems, electric vehicles, and cell towers are all key GaN industries, according to a recent study by Markets and Markets, a market research firm in Dallas. As a result, the GaN power amplifier market is surging at a growth rate of 80 percent per year and is expected to exceed $1.7 billion in sales a decade from now, the report says.
"It's widely recognized as a key technology for next-generation wireless base stations," said Jannie Luong, a spokeswoman for Huawei Technologies in an e-mail. "The development of GaN technology is commonplace across the entire telecommunications industry."
What would GaN do for China?
But to outside experts, the 1,000 project files on Todd's hard drive raise many questions. Perhaps most alarming is that the project appeared to have clear military uses, say those who have seen the files.
"There's a specification in there for high-efficiency and high-power amplifiers that covers a frequency band known to be radar," says Mr. Huettner. "It just smelled like defense work."
Just as Huawei would love to have the technology for its cell towers, the Chinese military would love to have it for its radar. If, hypothetically, missiles could be detected 400 miles away by conventional radar, radar equipped with GaN chips could detect missiles perhaps 600 to 800 miles away, experts say. That would increase critical reaction time. Similar upgrades could occur in missile-seeking (homing) capabilities and other crucial military applications.
"If the Chinese get a chip like this it would give them an order of magnitude increase in the capability of their radar systems," says Bernard "Bud" Cole, a retired US Navy captain and China military expert at the National War College. "It would increase Chinese ability to detect incoming aircraft and missiles and enhance their capabilities at sea with shipborne radar."
While the Chinese military has in recent years ramped up its ambitions, it still is playing catch-up, and the GaN chips would represent a significant prize.
"It's obvious that the Chinese are trying to acquire and/or upgrade such high-tech items as radar systems, flight control systems, air traffic control systems," and drones, says Richard Bitzinger, an expert on the Chinese military at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, in an e-mail. "The Chinese have a very obvious interest in trying to upgrade their military (which is still pretty backwards, overall) with systems like modern fighters, surface ships, and submarines. This means getting things like better radars, fire control and communications systems."
Huawei spokeswoman Ms. Luong said the company "does not do military equipment or technology nor do we discuss it with partners."
But others suggest that information-technology businesses in China are intertwined with the military. The industry "can be considered a hybrid defense industry, able to operate with success in commercial markets while meeting the demands of its military customers," according to a 2012 report by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission.
Last fall, a report by the House Select Committee on Intelligence declared Huawei to be a threat to US national security.
Experts also note that Huawei's research and development of new technologies have historically lagged. So Huawei has established many research partnerships, including several in the US that are focused on GaN technology. So it would be understandable for Huawei to consider a partnership with IME.
"Huawei has been behind the eight ball on R&D in recent years – it's been hard for them," says a Washington foreign-trade expert who requested anonymity so as not to burn bridges with the company. "They've really never been cutting edge, always following behind. Their equipment is good, no doubt. But it's just not there when it comes to R&D. So they have to depend on foreign partnerships and hope that they can get it right."
Todd's trip to New Jersey
Certainly, Todd was disconcerted by the presence at IME of Chinese businessmen with an eye on his project – men later identified as being with Huawei, Todd's parents say.
In January 2012, immediately after he returned to Singapore from a trip to New Jersey, Todd told his parents he was being quizzed at work not just by his own IME scientific team, but separately and intensely by the Chinese businessmen.
The timing was significant. It was on that trip to New Jersey, Todd's parents say, that he was given access to key recipes for GaN power amplifier wafers while training with Veeco, a Plainview, N.Y., company that was exporting a specialized GaN-wafer-making reactor to IME. That conclusion, they say, was based on files found on Shane's hard drive and a conversation he had with a family member.
IME had already been doing research on how to make GaN power amplifier wafers in ways that could slash production costs. Todd himself is named as an author on a scientific paper published posthumously in a Japanese scientific journal in October that announced IME researchers "for the first time" had made GaN power amplifier wafers atop an eight-inch silicon wafer. (The Pentagon relies on more potent but far costlier GaN technology based on silicon-carbonite wafers.)
But the advances hinted at in the paper were dependent on one vital element – the advanced formula, or recipe, that Todd's parents say he got in New Jersey. Among the files on Todd's backup drive was one PowerPoint presentation titled "Layer structure and summary of Veeco grown HEMT wafer" containing a formula for boosting a GaN chip, according to documents provided to the Monitor.
"What Shane was working on was essentially a far cheaper version of the GaN chip than is now used by the US military," Huettner says.
World of tech transfer
To prevent such technology from falling into the hands of rivals or potential enemies, US export law requires both the specialized reactors and the recipes to have a license granted by the US Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security. The license must describe the project, recipient, and nation.
Exporting the reactor, experts say, was not a red flag. It could be used for harmless civilian projects like producing light-emitting diodes. The recipe was the key, and formulas for making cutting-edge GaN power amplifier wafers that could be used militarily would not be granted a license, federal officials told the Monitor.
Leaking such information could mean a federal prison sentence, and that is precisely what Todd felt he was being pressured to do, his parents say.
"He told us he felt so naive and worried that he might already have made a mistake and revealed more than he should have," Ms. Todd says. "But he was worried because of the pressure he was under at work to give away these secrets. And he said his life was being threatened."
"It made him very uncomfortable," adds Rick Todd, Shane's father and a former US Navy pilot. "He was upset because he was being pumped for information about this technology by people he didn't really know – and they would ask him questions and then speak to each other in Mandarin about his responses."
By late February 2012, Todd told his parents that he was quitting IME and giving 60 days' notice. But he agreed to remain a month longer because he was the only person qualified on the specialized GaN-wafer-making reactors made by Veeco.
By June 24, one week before he was to leave Singapore for good, Todd was dead. "Nobody we have spoken to thought he was suicidal," Ms. Todd says.
Both IME and Huawei insist there never was a joint research effort on GaN technology – although both acknowledge there were preliminary discussions about one.
"IME approached Huawei on one occasion to cooperate with them in the GaN field, but we decided not to accept, and consequently do not have any cooperation with IME related to GaN," said Huawei's Luong.
Todd's files tell a different story, says Colin Humphreys, director of research at Cambridge University's Centre for Gallium Nitride, a world leader in GaN technology.
"From looking at those documents that IME had been discussing with Huawei, it was clearly a project aimed at making a high-power device," he says. "It could be for a cellphone base station, but it could also just as easily be for military radar."
IME officials deny that the company would illegally import US export-controlled technology or sell it to China. Nor would it share restricted GaN power amplifier recipes. Such allegations, if proved, would be devastating to IME, which among its many projects conducts restricted electronics research for the Pentagon's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
"IME has internal processes to ensure that it complies fully with such terms and process audits may be conducted to ensure this," reads an IME statement.
Veeco officials also deny the company made any missteps. While it won't categorically rule out supplying a "basic recipe" for GaN chips, the company insists it does not provide advanced chip recipes along with its machines.
"Veeco does not provide 'best known' recipes or technology to our customers," says Debra Wasser, a company spokeswoman, in a statement. The company complies with all federal export laws, including "employing procedures to guard against diversion" of recipes and other restricted information.
But with so much at stake, US officials argue that an independent inquiry – with the FBI having full access to Todd's two laptop computers now in Singapore police custody – is vital.
After meeting with Sen. Max Baucus (D) of Montana, Singapore's visiting foreign minister, K. Shanmugam, vowed a full investigation and welcomed involvement by the Todds.
"There will be a public inquiry where all the relevant evidence will be presented," Mr. Shanmugam said, noting that the Todd family will be allowed to appoint their own lawyers and take part in the investigation.
Senator Baucus and Sen. Jon Tester (D), also of Montana, in March dialed up the pressure further by introducing legislation to halt all US research funding for IME unless the FBI is granted "full oversight" over a new investigation.
The Todds, who live in Montana, are hopeful. The family's own forensic analysis of their son's hard drive showed attempts to delete some files relating to the Huawei-IME partnership about three days after Shane's body was found, his parents say.
"Some of the recipes in Shane's possession weren't really supposed to be passed along with the sale of that machine," Rick Todd says. "So that's my guess, that's why they murdered him. I think it's pretty simple, really. Shane had the recipe – and he could have identified the people who were pressing him for it."


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So you've read all about life at BIMM and now want to take your love of music to the next level? We don't blame you!
Below you can find all the information you need about applying for a course at BIMM Hamburg. For help, support or advice, please contact us between 8am-6pm (GMT) Monday-Friday:
Tel: +49 303 11 99 186
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Skype: internationalstudentsatbimm


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Trading over-the-counter (OTC) products with INTL FCStone Markets, LLC (IFM) enables customers to construct hedges that can meet their unique needs more closely than hedges based on exchange-traded products alone.
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PandoraTV Nas Interview
Fernando sits down with Nas after his Amsterdam show and talked about his current ongoings such as; his reality show with Kelis, his album, the decrease of album sales and Jay-Z.
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Robbert Maseland eBooks
eBooks found: 1
Culture in Economics
Sjoerd Beugelsdijk & Robbert Maseland
Cambridge University Press, December 2010
Format: PDF
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The K6933 Kids assortment includes 4 great styles for the little ones. This 4 piece color assortment features 100% UVA/UVB lenses.
Sunglass frame and lens colors included in the assortment:
Frame: Turquoise / Leopard Print Lens: Smoke
Frame: Purple / Leopard Print Lens: Smoke
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"Orphan Girl at the Graveyard"-Eugene Delacroix
"Delacroix is an extremely active artist. When he paint Orphan Girl in the Graveyard, she is not a tearful or passive orphan, but a vibrant young beauty, avid for life, alarmed and alerted by the nearness of death, but slack-mouthed and bare-shouldered as she looks away from the graves toward rescue. HEr eyeballs have the gleam of a frightened horse, but the tenseness of her neck muscles is completely healthy. She is not a victim, despite her label."
I wrote this in my journal this week and wanted to share it:
Buddy Odom shared this painting and it's description with me in the earlier days of Advent but she has follow me through the season faithfully. The girl is in a graveyard; a place of death and darkness, of hard memories and a lot of pain. She is alone, not only in the painting but in life. The girl is an orphan; no family, no place to call home. I imagine she is there, crouching down over her parents graves like she has done for days..months..maybe even years feeling the same ache in the depths of her heart that reminds her of a world that is not the way it is meant to be. Her eyes fill with tears for longing...groaning to be made whole again. To be called "daughter" and "loved." Oh, how I long to meet her. We would have so much to talk about, so much in common. I know how she feels. I know her pain and her hurt and her brokenness. I know the longing for home that goes so deep in your bones that it makes you feel like you weigh a hundred extra pounds. When I first heard the name of this painting, I immediately started weeping because that is exactly how the past few months have left me feeling... Like an "Orphan at the Graveyard." My heart longs for healing. My soul longs for comfort. I have felt the desperation for Christmas this year more than ever.
But as the Orphan's eyes fill with tears, something grabs her attention. Her eyes are full of fear and awe. She looks up. She lifts her eyes from the hopelessness of the graves towards the "rescue." It looks, to me, as if she is about to spring up from the ground and sprint towards whatever her gaze is lock on! Whatever it is that lights up her face, she wants, she needs. Oh, sweet Jesus I need you! I need your rescue. You have not left me in a cemetery to weep alone, you have not abandoned me. But you COME, O SAVIOR, you COME! You have come for me! I want to run to you, my Lord. I want to run as fast as I can out of this graveyard and into your embrace that is HOME. I want to hear your tender voice whisper "I love you and I am HERE." Even as I write this, my heart leaps in excitement! I am not a victim, but a DAUGHTER.


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Russia Today | AI researcher says people will fall in love with human-like robotic romantic partners
February 4, 2012
Russia Today | Experts say human-like robots could be the way of the future. A perfect partner who's always happy and never complains, is apparently now a reality. But there's a catch — he or she is likely be made of plastic. From simple dolls to sophisticated robots, they seem to be winning the hearts and minds of people who've given up on finding true love. Gayane Chichakyan has more from the world of the synthetic spouse.
Russia Today YouTube channel
Love and Sex with Robots: The Evolution of Human-Robot Relationships


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Florida Water Snake
Scientific name: Nerodia fasciata pictiventris (COPE 1895)
* Currently accepted name
* scientific names used through time
- Coluber fasciatus – LINNAEUS 1766
- Tropidonotus fasciatus – HOLBROOK 1842
- Nerodia fasciata – BAIRD & GIRARD 1853
- Tropidonotus pogonias – DUMÉRIL & BIBRON 1854 (fide WALLACH)
- Natrix fasciata fasciata – COPE 1888
- Natrix fasciata pictiventris – COPE 1895
- Natrix sipedon pictiventris – CONANT 1958
- Nerodia fasciata – CONANT 1963
- Nerodia fasciata pictiventris – CONANT & COLLINS 1991
Description: Adults average from 24-42 inches (61-106.7 cm). The record is 62.5 inches (158.8 cm). Stout bodied snake with broad black, brown, or red crossbands over most of body. The lighter narrower bands are tan, gray, or reddish and may contain a dark spot on the side. The light bands may be broken by a black strip down the middle of the back. Crossbands may be obscured as snake darkens with age. Belly is creamy yellow with wormlike red or black markings. Scales are keeled and there are 23-27 dorsal scale rows at midbody. The pupil is round. A dark stripe extends from the eye to the angle of the jaw. Juveniles have very clear red or black crossbands on light background.
A. Top of the head
B. Underside of the head (chin and throat)
C. Elongated scales below the tail (subcaudal scales) are typically divided
D. Front (face view) of the head
E. Side of the head
F. Keeled scales
Range: In Florida, the Florida Water Snake is found throughout the peninsula, excluding the Florida Keys. Outside the Florida, it occurs in extreme southeastern Georgia and has been introduced to Brownsville, Texas.
Habitat: The Florida Water Snake can be found in nearly all freshwater habitats, preferring the shallow waters of swamps, marshes, ponds, lakes, streams, and rivers.
Comments: HARMLESS (Non-Venomous). When threatened, the Florida Water Snake defends itself by biting and smearing its tormentor with a foul smelling musk. Active mainly at night, but may be found during the day sunning on banks or on vegetation hanging over the water. Feeds on live or dead fishes, frogs, and aquatic invertebrates. The Florida Water Snake bears live young. Mating occurs mid-winter to spring and litters of 20-30 young are born in late spring through summer. The young are 7.5-10.5 inches (19-26.6 cm) at birth.
Comparison with other species: The Brown Water Snake (Nerodia taxispilota) has squarish dorsal blotches along its entire body. The Midland Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon pleuralis) has fewer than 30 darker brown crossbands near the neck, which break up into alternating blotches further down the body, and the belly is yellowish marked with two rows of half moons.
Florida Water Snakes are harmless, though they have a mouth full of teeth and will bite to defend themselves. Because they are found around bodies of water, Water Snakes are often killed in the mistaken belief that they are the venomous Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus). Since Cottonmouths can easily be distinguished from Water Snakes there is no excuse for killing Water Snakes out of confusion. The Cottonmouth has a triangular shaped head and a vertical pupil. If the head is viewed from above, the eyes of Cottonmouths cannot be seen while the eyes of Water Snakes are visible; Cottonmouths have elliptical pupils and Water Snakes have round pupils; and Cottonmouths have a facial pit between the nostril and the eye, while Water Snakes do not.


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Location: Westmont, Illinois
I get feedback both from my clients and often their bosses. Clients experience less stress; they build more capacity for their work and lives; they become more engaged in their jobs; they are happier, more peaceful; they feel able to meet their goals. They have more confidence and some find their voice. Bosses report positive changes in relationships, communication, leadership presence, increased confidence; easier to work with, and more. Typically the client and I create an action plan, approved by the boss, and the coaching is targeted to that action plan. We meet together at the end of the engagement to discuss and celebrate the results.
I can coach all types of people. I coach executives, men and women, and I coach anyone who wants to gain the benefits of working with a coach.
Prior to becoming an executive coach, Maureen was a senior executive within major associations, such as the American College of Healthcare Executives, the National Association of Realtors and the National Safety Council. She is a successful executive experienced in general management, product development, marketing and sales with P&L accountability. Maureen successfully grew a business from $1.6 million in sales to over $6 million. Under her leadership, the organization developed new product lines including print and digital products. Maureen has successfully worked through numerous business issues in the constantly changing and increasingly demanding workplace.
Throughout her 30-year career, Maureen has effectively worked with Boards, reporting business results to Board members through reports, interactions and presentations. Maureen served on the Board of Directors of the Association Media & Publishing (formerly the Society of National Association Publications). She has also served on the Board of Directors and committee leadership roles of the Association Forum of Chicagoland. Maureen is a skilled public speaker and has presented presentations at numerous state-wide association meetings.


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By Amy Goyer
While details are still being learned about the explosions at the Boston Marathon, I wanted to share with you how you can help your grandchildren heal from a tragedy like this.
We want them to be active and healthy throughout their lives, and encourage them to exercise — perhaps even become a runner — and they might have questions about today's events.
So, how can we help our kids and grandchildren cope with these traumatic events? How can we help them to continue to feel safe in everyday places, such as school, the mall, movies, the grocery store or even their place of worship?
The most important things are to acknowledge what has happened, listen to their fears, reassure them and do whatever it takes to help them feel safe. Some children won't be forthright about their fears or discomfort, so observe carefully for any signs of anxiety.
The American Humane Association has these additional great tips:
- Keep an eye on children's emotional reactions. Talk to children – and just as important – listen to them. Encourage kids to express how they feel and ask if anything is worrying them.
- Regardless of age, reassure them frequently of their safety and security, and reinforce that you, local officials, and their communities are working to keep them safe. Older children may seem more capable, but can also be affected.
- Keep your descriptions to children simple and limit their exposure to graphic information. Keep to the basic facts that something bad happened but that they are safe. Use words they can understand and avoid technical details and terms such as "smoke grenades" and "sniper."
- Limit their access to television and radio news reports since young children may have trouble processing the enormity of the experience, and sometimes believe that each news report may be a new attack.
- Be prepared for children to ask if such violence can occur to them. Do not lie but repeat that it is very unlikely and that you are there to keep them safe.
- Watch for symptoms of stress, including clinginess, stomachaches, headaches, nightmares, trouble eating or sleeping, or changes in behavior.
- If you are concerned about the way your children are responding, consult your doctor, school counselor or local mental health professional.
Find more helpful guidance for helping children cope with tragedy from Save the Children.
Life is tentative so hug the kids in your life today. Tell them you love them. Be with them. And cherish every day with them.
Follow Amy Goyer on Twitter @AmyGoyer and Facebook


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Ryal Thomas: more than just a happy stripper
Have a chipped coffee table? Ryal Thomas can help. Have a chip on your shoulder? Ryal Thomas is still your man.
Thomas is a renaissance man of sorts, with a Belmont-based furniture restoration business and a public access show, Voices, that tackles issues including child support, racism, and single parenting. He's on a mission, he says, to make lives better.
The front rooms of Thomas's thriving Hinton Avenue shop, Ready Restoration, are filled with gleaming, newly lacquered tables, chairs, and benches; the actual restoration is done in the back of the same building.
Sitting in an elegant and newly refinished high-back chair, Thomas points to a framed essay he penned called "Innocence of Night," an ode to the importance of reflecting on your life after the sun has gone down. He says he sold several copies of the piece on the Downtown Mall. His intensity is palpable.
"This is a one-time journey," he says of life, his eyes shining. "There's no second chance on this level."
Which is not to say that Thomas has never made mistakes. In fact, he says, "the single greatest sin is to believe you never sin at all."
Thomas began his work in the furniture restoration business at age 12. "It was just money," he says. "I was doing it to help my mom," a single parent who raised him and who he now calls "inspirational."
That fortuitous apprenticeship at The Happy Stripper became more than just a source of income, however; Stripper owners Ruthann and James Payne treated Thomas "as well as their own child," he recalls. He continued to work for them through his teenage years. After a debilitating high school track injury sidelined college scholarship offers, the Paynes pushed Thomas to pursue his dreams of higher education. But after a serious car accident during his third year at Ferrum College outside Roanoke, Thomas returned to Charlottesville to help raise a baby daughter. A return to restoring furniture seemed a natural choice.
Though his first effort at running his own business fizzled (he says he was too young), seven years later he proved the second time's the charm.
Since he opened Ready Restoration in 1996, he says he has quadrupled the size of the business. He attributes that growth to his positive attitude as well as his ability to relate to people of all colors, creeds, and socioeconomic levels.
"If you treat people with respect, they will give you respect in return," he says. "People are just people." Although he has a Christian background, he says it's his life experiences that have shaped his beliefs more than any one faith.
"Everything we hear and see contributes to where we go in life," he says. "Every experience smell, sound, relationship that's who you become."Read more on: ryal thomas


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Due Diligence
Due Diligence Background Investigations
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Due Diligence Background Investigations are recommended when creating a new partnership, going into business with another individual or company, loaning or investing monies, just to name a few.
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Due Diligence Background Investigation Fee: Call for Quote.
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Make History with Cunard & Natalie Moss - Cruises Inc
In 1840, Sir Samuel Cunard made history by offering the very first passenger transatlantic cruise. Cunard Cruise Line continues the tradition today by providing regular transatlantic voyages from New York to Southampton and remains the only cruise line to do so. From the moment you step on board one of Cunard's 3 luxury ocean liners, Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth, you'll experience the unique combination of old-world hospitality and modern-day convenience that makes Cunard Cruises so special.
Cunard's famous White Star Service ensures the most exceptional service at sea, from the signature white glove greeting to the personal attention of a 24-hour room service staff. Onboard activities are numerous and varied, from fencing to golf, film screenings to lectures given by award-winning novelists, historians, or politicians. Sail aboard the Queen Mary 2 to experience the only planetarium at sea, and supplement your stargazing with informational sessions by speakers from the Royal Astronomical Society.
In the evenings, don your finest attire for gourmet dinner in the elegantly decorated main dining room. Sip on your favorite cocktail in one of the many bars or lounges before waltzing the night away to the sounds of a string quartet at a Royal Nights Themed Ball. With help from your Personal Cruise Concierge at Natalie Moss - Cruises Inc, it's easy to join the ranks of royalty and distinguished guests who have had the pleasure of calling themselves a Cunard Line passenger. The world's most famous cruise line is waiting to welcome you aboard!
Transatlantic Cunard Cruises
Revisit the golden age of glamour on a legendary Cunard Transatlantic Cruise, where the luxurious at-sea experience is front and center. You'll board your floating 5-star resort in New York (Brooklyn), England (Southampton), or Germany (Hamburg) and spend 7 to 14 days relaxing poolside, soaking up live music and theatre, dining on gourmet cuisine, and reveling in activities like fencing or golf as you make your way halfway around the world. To add beachside lounging to your long list of indulgences, choose an itinerary that includes stops on islands in Portugal or the Caribbean.
Departure Ports for Transatlantic Cunard Cruises:
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Europe Cunard Cruises
Sample the sights, sounds, and sumptuous cuisine of Europe's most fascinating cities from the comfort of your elegant Cunard Cruise ship. Cunard Cruises to Europe travel to top ports throughout the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, from big-name cities like Rome, Barcelona, and Casablanca to more offbeat stops like Yalta, Ukraine and Valletta, Malta. Itineraries range from quick 4-night getaways to month-long escapes.
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Take a one-of-a-kind adventure through the Panama Canal in supreme luxury on a Cunard Cruise. Climb on board in San Pedro (Los Angeles), California or Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida to make your way from one coastline to the other in the utmost elegance and comfort. On the way, you'll admire the tropical gardens and Butterfly Farm in Oranjestad, Aruba; stroll past cotton-candy-colored houses in Willemstad, Curacao; and swim among the stingrays and dolphins in George Town, Grand Cayman. Not to mention the Panama Canal itself – the voyage through the narrow 51-mile waterway is an experience you'll talk about for years to come.
Departure Ports for Panama Canal Cunard Cruises:
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Chapter 4 Verse 3
Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech is comely: thy
temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within thy locks.
these words Christ proceeds to give the fourth and fifth instances of the church's beauty; and says,
I.That her "lips are like a thread of scarlets" etc.
II.That her "temples are like a piece of a pomegranate."
I.Her lips are compared to a thread of scarlet. The Targum on this place, by eyes, understands the princes and wise men of Israel, who sat in the Sanhedrim, and enlightened the world; by the hair, the rest of the people of the land, in verse 1. by teeth, in verse 2. the priests and Levites, who offered the sacrifices, and eat the holy flesh; and by lips here, the lips of the high priest, who (as the Targum expresses it) by his prayer on the day of atonement, changed the transgressions of the people of Israel, which were like to a thread of scarlet, and made them white as wool: It is a received tradition among the Jews464464Yoma, C. 6. s, 8. in Mishap. that when the scapegoat was sent into the wilderness, a scarlet thread was tied to the temple-door, and when the goat was come to the wilderness, the scarlet thread turned white; which was not only a sign of the goat's arrival thither, but also a token to them of the remission of their sins, according to Isaiah 1:18. "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow:" and they tell us465465Talmud Yoma, fol. 39. 2. that this scarlet thread ceased turning white forty years before the destruction of the temple; which was about the time that Christ, the great sacrifice for sin, was offered up. R. Aben Ezra thinks, by the eyes are meant the prophets, who in scripture are called seers; by the hair, the Nazarites; by the teeth, the strong and mighty men; and by the lips here, the singers, who sung the high praises of God. R. Solomon Jarchi expounds it, of the beauty and comeliness of the lips, in making and keeping promises; as the spies did to Rahab the harlot, whose token to know her house by, was a line of scarlet.
Lips are the instruments of speech; and by the church's lips here, are meant her words, which the following expression,: and thy speech is comely," manifests and confirms; which are compared to a thread of scarlet; to a thread for thinness, and to a thread of scarlet for color; for these two things, thinness in substance, and redness of color, are the beauty of the lips: thin, red lips being beautiful, as well as white teeth; so the beautiful Aspasia had red lips466466AElian. Var. Hist. 1. 12. c. 1. and teeth whiter than snow; hence we sometimes read of red and purple lips;467467Ceilea purra, Theocrit. Idyll. 15. Purpureis labellis, Ovid. Amor. 1. 3. c. leg. 13. Labiasque modicas purpurantes, Apul, Metamorph.1. 10. Labella rosea, Catullus. and which were not only expressive of beauty, but of health, and of a sound constitution. Now by the church's lips, or words, are meant, either,
1st, Her prayers: Christ's prayers are, in Psalm 21:2. called the request of his lips; and so may the church's prayers, and every believer's, be called the request of their lips; which may be compared to a thread of scarlet, 1. For thinness: The prayers of believers are not filled with great swelling words of vanity, but with humble confessions of sin; bewailing the corruption and depravity of their natures; earnestly imploring views of pardoning grace, and the discoveries of God's love to their souls; acknowledging that they are unworthy to receive the least mercy and favor at the hand of God, but deserve the severest strokes of his justice, and the highest instances of his displeasure: they do not address the throne of grace with vanity and pride, but with an humble boldness, and oftentimes under a great deal of brokenness of soul; being conscious of their own guilt, and filled with a sense of God's majesty and greatness; was it not for the mediator Christ Jesus, and his precious blood, which is carried within the veil, and his spotless righteousness, which they are allowed to plead, they durst not presume to approach the divine presence; they do not exalt themselves, and magnify their works of righteousness, nor extenuate their sins and transgressions, but are silent in the one, and frankly acknowledge the other, with all their aggravating circumstances; they do not act like the proud Pharisee (Luke 18:11-13), who "stood and prayed thus with himself; God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican; I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess;" but like the poor publican, who stood afar off, and "would not so much as lift up his eyes to heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner:" the lips of the publican, in this prayer, were like to a thread of scarlet, 2. For their constancy, and continuance in them: the prayers of believers are like one continued thread of scarlet; no sooner are souls born again, but behold they. pray; and they continue, or at least ought to continue praying souls all their days. Christ spoke a parable to this end, that "men ought always to pray, and not to faint," and the apostle (Col. 4:2), exhorts believers to "continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving:" not that it is intended, in these places, that persons should always be actually engaged in this duty; but that believers should be often at the throne of grace; and when they are there, be importunate for the blessing they stand in need of; watch for a return of their prayers, and then be as diligent to attend the throne of grace with thankfulness; and when this is the common and constant course of a believer's life, his lips may be said to be like to a thread of scarlet. 3. For the fervency of them: the scarlet color may denote the ardency, warmth and fervor of a believer's spirit in prayer; such a warm, fervent, praying soul was Jacob, who wrestled with God, and would not stir without the blessing, but, "as a prince, had power with God, and prevailed;" and such an one was the Syrophaenician woman, who would take no denial from Christ; and such an one was Elias (James 5:16-18), who prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and it rained not; and again he prayed that it might rain, and the heavens gave ram; for the "effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much:" now when believers are thus fervent and importunate in prayer for the mercy or blessing they want, then may their lips be said to be like a thread of scarlet. 4. Because a believer's prayers are all tinctured with the blood of Christ, and so become like a thread of scarlet: they are all presented through Christ's mediation, being perfumed with his much incense; a believer does not put them up in his own name, but in the name of Christ; he pleads not his own worthiness, but the precious blood of Christ, and expects that they will meet with acceptance only through his mediation. 5. For their acceptableness with God: the scarlet color is the best of colors, and most highly esteemed of; the prayers of the saints being offered up in faith, and in the name of Christ, being presented thro" his mediation, are very acceptable to God; they are pleasant music in his ears, and sweet fragrant odors in his nostrils; he is so far from despising the prayer of the destitute, that he delights and takes pleasure in it; it is like a thread of scarlet to him. Or else, by the church's lips, we may understand,
2dly, Her praises: as prayer is called the request of the lips, so praise is called the fruit of the lips (Heb. 13:15), as with our lips we pray to God, so with our lips we praise him: and the lips of believers in praising, as well as in praying, may be compared to a thread of scarlet, 1. They are thin, like a thread of scarlet: they are not filled with big, swollen praises of themselves, and of what they have done; a believer takes the advice the wise man gives (Prov. 27:2), "Let another praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips:" he does not speak in the commendation of himself, but of the goodness and grace of God; he praises him for all temporal mercies, for his being, the preservation of it, and for all the mercies of life, which make it comfortable; acknowledging that he is not worthy of the least of the mercies which God has shewn him; and then his praises and thanksgivings rise higher for spiritual ones, for those all spiritual blessings, with which he is blessed in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: how does he adore, admire, and praise distinguishing love and grace, that such a poor, blind, ignorant creature as he, should be called out of darkness into marvelous light! that such a guilty wretch should be justified by Christ's righteousness from all his sins! That such a filthy creature should be washed and cleansed in Christ's blood, and have all his iniquities pardoned through the same! that he should be adopted into God's family, and be made an heir of God, and a joint heir with Christ Jesus! how thankful is he for the gospel and the ministers of it, which have brought him the news of, and shewed him the way unto life and salvation by Jesus Christ! and, above all, how thankful is he for Christ, that unspeakable gift of God's love! Now when the lips of believers, in praising, move in such a strain as this, then may they he said to be like a thread of scarlet. 2. The praises of believers are compared to a thread of scarlet, for the heartiness, sincerity, and affection that go along with them; as they draw nigh to God with their mouths, and honor him with their lips, so their hearts are not far from him; all the while they are praising, the fire of love burns within them; their souls are enflamed with it, and their lips look. Like scarlet, being touched with a live coal from off God's altar. 3. For the acceptableness of them through Christ's mediation: our praises, as well as our prayers, must be tinctured with Christ's blood; they must be offered up by him; for no other way are these sacrifices well pleasing to God, or accepted with him. Or,
3dly, By her lips may be meant the doctrines of the gospel, delivered by her ministers; which are the church's lips, that "drop as an honey-comb," and publish the glad tidings of peace, life, and salvation to poor souls. Now these doctrines of grace, delivered by them, may be compared to "a thread of scarlet," 1. Because they are spun out of the scriptures: all scripture being divinely inspired, qeo>pneusov, breathed by God, "is profitable for doctrine," as well as for other things" it is the fountain from whence all the doctrines of grace spring; and the Lydian stone, by which they are all tried; for whatever is not according to this "law and testimony," is not to be received: hence Christ advises to "search the scriptures," and the noble Bereans are commended for doing so. 2. This scarlet thread of the gospel, being spun out of the scriptures, is smooth and even; there is an harmony and agreement in the truths of the gospel; there is no jar and discord among them: this great trumpet does not give an uncertain sound; the doctrines of it are not yea and nay, contradictory to one another and truth itself, but are all of a piece, like one single "scarlet thread;" there is a close connection between them; they are linked and chained together, and cannot be separated; they look like, and are answerable to one another; there is a proportion or analogy of faith, according to which they are all measured. 3. The great subjects of the gospel are the blood, death, and sufferings of a crucified Christ; we, says the apostle (1 Cor. 1:23), preach Christ crucified:" a crucified Christ was the sum and substance of their ministry; therefore the gospel, and the doctrines of it, may well be compared to a "scarlet thread:" the chief doctrines of the gospel are, that the pardon of sin is procured by Christ's blood; that he has made peace and reconciliation for sinners by the blood of his cross; that sinners are justified by his blood, and so shall be saved from wrath to come; that Christ sanctifies his people with his blood, and has by it opened the gates of heaven tot them; that it is by that he himself has entered into the holy of holies, and by which saints have a right so to do. Now these are the scarlet-colored doctrines of the gospel; which, 4. Are valuable, precious, and highly to be esteemed of as scarlet; they are comparable to gold, silver, and precious stones; which angels desire to look into, and are by saints preferred to their necessary food; yea, are dearer to them than their lives, or any thing in life; witness the fines, imprisonments, loss of goods, racks: tortures, and death itself, which they have voluntarily and cheerfully underwent for the sake of it: thus her lips are like "a thread of scarlet."
It is further added, "and thy speech is comely:" which words are exegetical of the former; and manifestly shew what is intended by her lips, namely, her speech; which is said to be comely, that is, graceful, amiable, and to be desired. And so is, 1. A believer's speech concerning Christ. When believers speak to others of what Christ is unto them; how he is "of God made unto them wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption; and of what he has done for them, in atoning for their sins, bringing in an everlasting righteousness, and saving them from sin, law, death and hell; when they speak of the glories of his person, the preciousness and efficacy of his blood, the excellency of his righteousness, and completeness of his sacrifice: when believers speak "often one to another" of these, "he hearkens and hears," listens as it were to hear what they talk of, and puts it down in the "book of his remembrance," as being well pleased with it. 2. The speech of a believer is graceful and comely to Christ, when they speak for him, in vindication of his person, people, truths and ordinances; for he says (Matthew 10:32), "whosoever shall confess me before men. him will I confess also before my" Father in heaven." 3. The speech of a believer to Christ is exceeding grateful and well-pleasing, whether it be in prayer or in praise, as has been already shewn; hence Christ says, chapter 2:14, "let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely." 4. It may intend the gracefulness of a believer's speech in his common conversation: it being attended "with grace," "and seasoned with salt, ministers grace unto the hearers;" is not infectious, pernicious and destructive, as the corrupt and unsavory communication of the wicked is; but tends to the pleasure, profit and edification of others.
II.Her temples are next commended in these words, which is the fifth particular instanced in the church's beauty; "thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within thy locks." R. Aben Ezra interprets these words of the priests, who had pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet, round about the hem of the ephod which they wore: but the Targum, on the place, understands by the temples, the king who was the head of the people of Israel, and was fall of good works, as the pomegranate is of kernels; and by the locks, the governors and princes, who were next to him: but it seems more agreeable, that ecclesiastical officers are here intended, whom Christ has placed in his church, to take care of the discipline of his house, as well as to maintain and defend the gospel.
That there is, and ought to be such officers in churches, who have the presiding; ruling, governing power therein, not only the nature of societies requires, but the scripture also does abundantly confirm, more especially the following ones; "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, etc. Obey them that have the rule over you, etc. He that ruleth with diligence," (1 Tim. 5:17; Heb. 13:17; Rom. 12:8). Their work is not only to preach the gospel, and feed the flock with wholesome food; but to admonish, warn and rebuke those who stand in need thereof; to lay on and take off censures, to open and shut the doors of the church, that is, in admission and excommunication of members. Now this power is originally in the church, and only derivatively in them; they are but the administrators of it, in the church's name: they have no despotical, arbitrary, and tyrannical power, lodged in their hands, to rule at pleasure; but are limited by the taws of Christ, which he has provided for the orderly government of his house, which they are to see put into execution. Now these may be called,
First, The church's temples.
1st, The temples are called, in the Hebrew tongue, by a word468468dtqr tenuis faciei pars, Marckius; tenuior, Michaelis; vid. R. David Kimchium. in lib. shorash; rad. qqr. which signifies thinness and tenderness; because the temples have but little flesh upon them, and are covered only with a thin skin; which may teach us, 1. That those persons who are called to such a work and office in Christ's house, though it cannot otherwise be but they must have flesh as well as spirit in them, being men of like passions and affections with others; yet these more especially Ought not to live in and walk after the flesh; there should be a less appearance of carnality in them, and a greater discovery of. spiritual-mindedness, and of the life and power of godliness in their conversations; therefore the apostle is very particular in giving their characters (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9). 2. It may also teach us, that there ought to be it great deal of tenderness in them, and used by them in the discharge of their work; for in so doing, they are like to be most successful: admonitions and reproofs for sin, mildly and tenderly given, are often kindly taken; they are like "an excellent oil, which does not break the head," but wins the heart: tender-heartedness is requisite in all Christians, but more especially in officers of churches, who are to deal as tenderly with persons, as surgeons do in dressing wounds, or in setting broken or dislocated bones; hence the apostle, in Galatians 6:1 uses a metaphor taken from them, "you that are spiritual restore," katarti>zete, joint in, or set in joint again, "such an one in the spirit of meekness;" though it is true, in some cases sharpness is to be used; as when there is a gangrene in a member, which endangers the body, there must be a cutting off, an amputation of the member; so persons, when all means have been tried for their recovery and restoration, and there is no reclaiming them from an error in doctrine or practice; they are not only to be rebuked sharply, but to be cut off from the body, the church.
2dly, The temples are called in Greek, kro>tafov469469Para< to< krotei~n th<n ajfh<n, from the evident beating of the pulse there: now as a person's constitution may be judged of by the beating of his pulse; so may the constitution of a church by her temples, the officers, in their administration of affairs: if church discipline is neglected, and Christ's laws are not put in execution against delinquents, the church is in a bad state and in an unhealthful and declining condition; and on the contrary, when officers are lively, zealous and diligent in their work, and all things are kept in a just order and decorum, the church is then in an healthful and flourishing condition.
3dly, The temples are placed between the eyes and the ears; and church officers being called so teaches us that they have need of both in managing the affairs of Christ's house. Christ indeed, being God omniscient, "shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears;" but we have no other way of judging than by the sight of our eyes, and by the hearing of our ears, and therefore both are to be employed: the ears of the church-officers are to be open, without respect of persons, to rich and poor, high and low; they are to hear complaints and charges exhibited, if introduced in a regular manner, and then the evidence to support these complaints and charges; they must also hear the answers of the person or persons accused and complained of, and must not shut their eyes against clear light and plain evidence.
Secondly, These temples are said to be "within the locks;" under locks of hair plaited and curled about them; expressive both of secrecy and beauty: which may teach us, 1. That admonitions, in case of private offenses, ought to be given privately, according to that golden rule given by our Lord (Matthew 18:15-17), "If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone;" let no one know it before thou hast told him, and let none be with thee when thou dost; "if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother;" therefore for ever after never speak of it to others, nor upbraid him with it; "but if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word may be established; and if he shall neglect to hear them," matters being thus prepared, "tell it unto the church;" and then thou shalt have witnesses to support and make good thy allegations. This rule is so plain and easy, that one would think, none could mistake or go aside from it; and was it but closely adhered to, would prevent a great deal of scandal and reproach that is cast upon religion, as well as a great many disturbances, occasioned in churches by the neglect of it: and in so doing, the church's temples, in this branch of the administration of discipline, may be said to be within her locks; though it is true, in case of public offenses, admonitions and rebukes are to be given publicly, that "others may fear," (1 Tim. 5:20). 2. It may also teach us, that all the affairs and concerns of churches ought to be kept private, and not blazed about in the world; their debates and determinations ought not to be told to other churches, unless there is a necessity for it; much less told in Gath, and published in the "streets of Askelon;" for every particular church should be as a "garden enclosed, a spring shut up, a fountain sealed," (Song 4:12). 3. The temples being within the locks, may denote the humility of church-officers in their work; they lie hid under the hair, the rest of believers; they do not rise up above them, though they are taller and higher than they are in gifts and grace, as well as by virtue of their office and station in the church; yet they are, in their own esteem, "less than the least of all saints:" they do not assume to themselves a domination and lordly power "over God's heritage;" they. do not impose their sentiments upon churches for final determinations in cases; but humbly submit themselves, preferring the judgment of the church to their own private ones; they be.. come "all things to all, that they may save some." 4. May be expressive of the beauty of church-discipline: that church appears very beautiful, like the "temples within the locks," where the gospel is faithfully preached, the ordinances purely administered, and the laws of Christ's house strictly regarded. Believers, who walk together in the order, as well as in the faith of the gospel, appear very beautiful, stately, and magnificent to spectators: they are "like a company, of horses in Pharaoh's chariot;" or like a garden, with a variety of flowers, well weeded and taken care of; or an "orchard of pomegranates," well dressed and managed: on the contrary, a church, in which no regard is had to order and discipline, is like "the field of the slothful, and the vineyard of the man void of understanding," which is all overrun "with thorns and nettles," its fence and 'stone-wall being broken down."
Thirdly, These temples are said to be "like a piece of a pomegranate; not of the tree, but of the fruit, the shell or rind being broken; so the Septuagint render it.470470zwm rh jlnk aJv leJpuron rjoa~v, Sept. sicut fragmen mali punici, Vulg. Lat. & Montanus. The land of Canaan was a land of pomegranates; they grew there in great plenty, and therefore are frequently mentioned in this Song.
1st, The fruit, when the shell, or rind is broken, appears to be full of grains or kernels, and therefore is a pomegranate: and it is the nature of this fruit, that if it hangs long on the tree after it is fully ripe, it will burst and open of itself,471471T. Bab. Zebachim, fol. 88. 2. & Gloss. in ibid. and its kernels will become visible: one of the mansions of the Israelites is called by them Rimmon-parez, Numbers 33:19, the pomegranate of rupture, or the burstened pomegranate, where probably they found such. And the church's temples are said to be like to such a burstened and broken piece of a pomegranate, that is full of kernels, and visible; because those who are called to such work and office in the church, as has been mentioned, should be men "full of the Holy Ghost," as Stephen was; they should be as full of the gifts and graces of the Spirit, as the pomegranate is of kernels, that they may be capable of discharging the work aright: Christ knows full well that they stand in need of such, and therefore, as he has "received gifts for men," so he "gives them to men;" to qualify them for the work of the ministry, and for the well-ordering and governing of his churches; and yet, notwithstanding all that they receive, they are obliged to say, with the apostle, "Who is sufficient for these things?" And as they should be men full of the Spirit, so likewise full of good works; and these visible to men, even as the kernels of a burstened pomegranate;472472So the Jewish writers interpret the words of the Israelites, as full of good works, as the pomegranate is of kernels, T. Bab. Eruvin, fol. 19. 1. and T. Bab. Chagigah, fol. 26. 1. Targum and R. Sol. Jarchi in loc. their "light should shine before men;" they should have a good report of them that are without, and be examples to those that are within; and when they are so, then may the church's temples be said to be "like a piece of a pomegranate within her locks." Also the pomegranate, when broken, appearing to be full of kernels, all set in a beautiful order, and joined to each other, may be expressive of that union, harmony, and consent of church-members, with their officers, in acts of discipline; censures are laid and taken off, members are received or rejected, not by some single person or persons, but by the joint consent and unanimous voice of the whole church.
2dly, As this fruit is full of kernels, so, when broken, there springs from it a reddish, purple, sweet and delightful juice hence you read of the "juice of the pomegranate," chapter 8:2, which the church would cause Christ to drink of; and nothing is more delightful in Christ's eye, odoros to his smell, and sweet to his taste, than this juice of the pomegranate is; namely, a pure administration of his ordinances, and a strict regard and close adherence to the laws of his house; nay, even to believers themselves, result from hence pleasure, delight and satisfaction.
3dly, The fruit of the pomegranate is very useful in medicine. 1. For repressing the heat of choler, and malignity of fevers.473473Fernel. Method. Medend.1. 5. c. 3. God's children too often fall out by the way; there are frequently differences and divisions among them: many of them are of hot, fiery and choleric dispositions; do not know "what spirits they are of," and at every turn are, like the disciples, for calling "for fire from heaven" upon those who have disobliged them. Now officers in churches are like a peace of a pomegranate; they allay and repress these heats, by wholesome advice and proper admonitions; they are instruments in making peace, and reconciling differing brethren; and either remove the causes of contention, or else, with the consent of the church, remove those who are the causes of these divisions and contentions. 2. For stopping the fluxes of the belly:474474Pliny Nat. Hist. 1. 23. c. 6. the pomegranate is of an astringent nature, the kernels bind more that, the juice, and the shell or find more than either; the officers of churches are useful in putting a stop to loose and disorderly practices, by warning, admonishing, rebuking, or withdrawing from those who walk disorderly. 3. For comforting the stomach and bowels:475475Pliny Nat. Hist.1. 23. c. 6. so these officers comfort the children of God; for as they "warn the unruly, so they comfort the feeble-minded, and support the weak," by directing them to the person, blood, righteousness, and. fullness of Christ Jesus; by delivering the sweet doctrines) and opening the precious promises of the gospel.
Thus church-officers, in managing the affairs of Christ's house, in conjunction with his church, may be called her temples, which are "like a piece of a pomegranate within her locks;" or her veil476476Vid. Michaelis Not. in Lowth. Praelection. 31. p. 165. as some render at; so Symmacchus, covered with a veil, as her eyes were, verse 1. and here her cheeks; and so the Septuagint render the word in Isaiah 47:2; such veils, covering those parts, were wore by women in the eastern countries) expressive of their modesty; and what was latent, and much out of sight, seemed more beautiful. Likewise the temples, taken in a large signification, not only intend that part of the face, between the ears and eyes) and upwards, but include the cheeks also; and so the Septuagint477477Mh~lo>n sou, Sept. gena tua, Pagninus; genae tuae, Vulg. Lat. & Cocceius. translate the word here: the purple juice of the pomegranate well expresses the color of them, which is their beauty; hence we often read of purple cheeks as beautiful478478Purpureas genas, Ovid Amor.1. 1. eleg. 4. Statii Thebaid, L 1. 5:538. Ausonii Parental 23. 5:16. Purpurissatas genas, Apuleii Apolog. p. 239. a pomegranate cut affords a very agreeable resemblance of a beautiful cheek; and in Talmudic language, as Jarchi observes the cheeks are called ypad ynmwr the pomegranates of the face. And these being compared to "a piece of pomegranate within her locks," may denote her modesty, shamefacedness, and beauty. 1. Her modesty: the cheeks are the seat thereof, and being within her locks, give the greater evidence of it. The church of Christ, or believers, are very humble and modest; they think the worst of themselves and the best of others, and so take the apostle's advice (Phil. 2:3). "Let each esteem other better than themselves:" they are apt to think every saint has more grace and less sin and corruption in him than they have, and esteem themselves the least of saints and the chief of sinners; they frankly acknowledge that all they have, and all they are, is owing to the grace of God; that whatsoever they have, either of nature or grace, whether temporal or spiritual, they have received from him; and whatever they are, they say it is by the grace of God they are what they are; they do not envy the gifts and grace of God, which are bestowed on others, but could wish, with Moses (Num. 11:29), that "all the Lord's people were prophets;" yet they could be glad of more themselves, and are not puffed up with what they have, and therefore are far from despising others who are inferior to them; they are willing to be instructed by, and receive admonition from the meanest saint: they are very sparing in speaking of themselves; like their dear Lord, their "voice is not heard in the street;" and, when they do open their mouths, it is not in commendation of themselves and their own righteousness; but in lamenting the depravity and pollution of their nature; in acknowledging the imperfection of their obedience, and that when they have done all they can, they are but unprofitable servants. 2. Her shamefacedness and blushing; which is elegantly set forth by the broken piece of the shell or rind of the pomegranate, tinctured with the red and purple juice thereof: a believer oftentimes blushes before God under a sense of sin, and especially when committed against love, grace and mercy; thus we read of Ezra, in Ezra 9:6. that he was "ashamed and blushed to lift up his face to God, because that grace had been shewed them from him; and he had left them a remnant to escape, and had given them a nail in his holy place, and had extended mercy to them in the sight of the kings of Persia;" and yet, after all this, they had forsaken his commandment: it is this which cuts and grieves a believer's heart, and fills his face with shame and confusion; and never more is he put to the blush, than when he views sin in the glass of pardoning grace and pacifying love, according to Ezekiel 16:63. "That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more, because of thy shame, when I am pacified towards thee;" then are their checks like a piece of a pomegranate within their locks, or under a veil; they blush when no eye Sees them, and for that which none ever saw or could charge them with: and whenever they are charged with or reproved for sin, they have not a brow of brass to outface the charge, but soon discover their consciousness of guilt by the blushing of their countenance. Moreover, whenever they cast their eyes upon their own righteousness, they are ashamed of it, it being nothing but filthy rags, and "as an unclean thing;" and oftentimes, when they come into Christ's" presence, not having that holy boldness and confidence of faith in him, they hang their heads, and dare not so much as lift up their eyes to him; wherefore he says to them, as in chapter 2:14. "Let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely;" and that in order to remove their fears, cheer their souls, and encourage their faith. 3. Her beauty: when a pomegranate is broken, there appears a reddish juice, like blood, as Pausanius479479Boeotica, sive1. 9, P. 578. remarks; interspread between the white kernels, which gives a lively idea of her beauty; she being, as she says of her beloved, "white-and ruddy," and so a perfection of beauty: her modest dress and blushing looks; her temples or cheeks being within her locks, or under a veil; and these like a piece of a pomegranate, made her extremely beautiful in Christ's eye. Modest and humble souls he fixes his eye on, and delights to dwell with; to these he will give more grace, and will beautify them yet more with his salvation.
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text:
Title: #88LoveLife
Author: Diana Rikasari
Illustrator: Dinda Puspitasari
Publisher: PT Gramedia, Jakarta
128 pages, 3rd Printing, December 2014
Language is a perception, so it's okay to make your own Dictionary.I decided to omit the word, Problem.
--#48 of #88LoveLife, Diana Rikasari
Currently becoming a fashion blogger is quite something. More and more blogs are made. I am very much happy to see these creative young people. Although I am not into fashion but I just love to see their unique and confident way in their everyday's wear. My favourite fashion blogger is Diana Rikasari's blog. Always love to see her colourful and cheerful way in dressing even her house is also so dynamic with colour and pattern. It definitely might become a mood booster.
As a creative person Diana did lots of creative activity. Beside managing her blog, having shoes business, she also a wife and a mother of one-cute-boy. Now she has one more profession as an author. No, it's not a book about fashion in fact it's a self improvement book. Diana shares her 88 thoughts in love and life completed with beautiful illustration. The thoughts are compilation of her writing since 2007.
One more thing that I love about Diana is her positive attitude towards everything. She also experienced the up-and-down of life however no matter how hard the condition was she always tried to see the bright side of everything. Such an inspiring person.
The decision to be happy is not made for you.It is a decision you make for yourself.--#24 of #88LoveLife, Diana Rikasari


text:
Liberty holds its own in first ACAT scrimmage in Lynchburg
September 14, 2013 | Lynchburg, Va.
Freshman green belt Bryar Kader took a simple strategy into his beginner middleweight final against Virginia Tech's Hunter Wilson, Saturday afternoon in the Flames' first Atlantic Collegiate Alliance of Taekwondo scrimmage of the season. Close to 70 competitors participated in the scrimmage, from American University, Duke, UNC, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and William & Mary. The only ACAT schools not represented were Virginia Commonwealth University and newcomers Clemson and Howard.
"Basically, going into it, what I wanted to do was to throw as many kicks as I could," Kader said after his decisive victory. "Even if I didn't make contact, my goal was to try to intimidate my opponent, keep him from being sure about kicks he was going to throw, basically get in his mind to make him hesitant."
The physically and psychologically imposing style kept Kader on the offensive throughout his two-round match at the Renaissance Academy of Martial Arts of Martial Arts in downtown Lynchburg, his first official competition after training at his tae kwon do school near Rochester, N.Y.
Also for the Flames' men, John Flores won the beginner heavyweight division and Andrew Baab placed third behind competitors from North Carolina and Duke in the intermediate middleweight class.
In the women's competition, Liberty intermediate middleweight Michelle Rowell placed first and Jessica Gilman took third behind a fighter from Virginia Tech. In the beginner heavyweight division, Lydia Douglas finished third behind competitors from Duke and UNC.
The highlight of the day came in the lightweight women's black belt division final, where Lady Flames freshman Danielle Gallagher lost an extremely competitive final to a fighter from Duke, with Liberty teammate Kate Johnson placing third.
Gallagher trailed after the first round and injured the top of her right foot when her kick was blocked by her opponent's elbow.
"She was way behind at the end of the first round and she had a huge knot on the top of her foot, making it difficult for her to even walk," Liberty head coach Jesse Wilson said.
Despite being in excruciating pain, Gallagher stayed on her feet for the last two rounds, using just one leg instead of two to kick with.
"She was able to close the gap and at one time even tied the score," Wilson said. "At one point, she landed a great kick to her opponent's head and I thought she had knocked her out, but it only stunned her for a moment."
Though she finished second, Wilson said Gallagher was the one everyone was talking about at the end of the competition.
"Her emotional and physical endurance and determination to finish despite her injury had everyone cheering her on as it came down to the final seconds of the third round to see who was going to be the winner," he said.