text:
This post is sponsored in conjunction with PumpkinWeek. I received product samples from sponsor companies to aid in the creation of these PumpkinWeek recipes. All photographs and opinions are mine alone.
Pumpkin and cinnamon flavors unite to make this Pumpkin Coffee Cake an irresistible treat perfect for any fall breakfast or brunch.
I love a good dessert for breakfast recipe and today's Pumpkin Coffee Cake is an adaptation of my favorite Brown Sugar Cinnamon Coffee Cake, I just know you're going to love it! September is officially the socially acceptable time to start enjoying pumpkin recipes. So this week in honor of #PumpkinWeek I will be sharing 3 of my favorite ways to enjoy pumpkin and as always, there is a great giveaway you can enter for a chance to win some sweet prizes from our sponsors, make sure to see below for all the details.
Soft pumpkin cake with a spicy, sweet cinnamon pumpkin filling is topped with a delicious pumpkin pie spice glaze that will leave you wanting a second slice, this Pumpkin Coffee Cake is sure to satisfy your sweet pumpkin cravings this fall. Since you can't make a cake without sugar, I want to offer a huge thanks to Dixie Crystals for sponsoring today's recipe along with Torani, which helps make the delicious glaze on this cake. Whether you make this cake for yourself or to share with friends I hope you'll enjoy it too and don't forget to scroll all the way to the bottom for the giveaway info. Happy baking!
Pumpkin Coffee Cake
for the cake:
- 1/2 c butter softened
- 1/2 c Dixie Crystals granulated sugar
- 1/2 c Dixie Crystals dark brown sugar lightly packed
- 1 egg extra large
- 1/4 c pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 c all purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
for the filling:
- 1/2 c Dixie Crystals dark brown sugar lightly packed
- 1/4 c pumpkin puree
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 Tbs milk
for the glaze:
- 2/3 c Dixie Crystals powdered sugar
- 1/4 c Torani Pumpkin Pie Sauce
- 1 Tbs milk
Preheat your oven to 350º F and prepare a 1/4 sheet rimmed baking pan with cooking spray.
In a large mixing bowl beat the butter and sugars until creamed. Add the egg, pumpkin puree and vanilla and beat until smooth.
In a medium sized mixing bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
Stir the dry ingredients into the wet and combine until it just comes together.
In a medium sized bowl combine the filling ingredients: brown sugar, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, vanilla and milk.
Spread 2/3 of the cake batter over the 1/4 sheet baking pan and top with the filling mixture, spreading it to a 1/4" of the edge of the cake. Drop the remaining cake batter over the filling by tablespoon fulls.
Bake the cake for 23-25 minutes, until a tester comes out with just a few crumbs and golden brown on top.
While the cake cools mix together the powdered sugar, Torani Pumpkin Pie Sauce and milk to make the glaze. Drizzle the cake with the glaze, slice and serve.
Store any remaining cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or cover tightly and refrigerate for up to one week.
Looking for even more great pumpkin recipes to kick off pumpkin season?
Enjoy these #PumpkinWeek recipes from our bloggers:
Pumpkin Drinks:
Butterscotch Pumpkin Spice Latte from Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew from Food Above Gold
Pumpkin Butterscotch Smoothie from The Mandatory Mooch
Pumpkin Pie Mule from Seduction In The Kitchen
Spooky Sugar Pumpkin Shake from For the Love of Food
White Pumpkin Spiced Hot Chocolate from Our Good Life
Pumpkin Breakfasts & Baked Goods:
3-Ingredient Cheater Pumpkin Muffins from Shockingly Delicious
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins from The Bitter Side of Sweet
Pumpkin Butter from Everyday Eileen
Pumpkin Butter from Jen Around the World
Pumpkin Caramel Pecan Muffins from Red Cottage Chronicles
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast from Sweet Beginnings
Pumpkin Donuts with Brown Butter Glaze from The Crumby Kitchen
Pumpkin French Toast with Maple Butter from Cheese Curd In Paradise
Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Roll Cake from Love & Confections
Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte Cinnamon Rolls from The Baking Fairy
Savory Pumpkin Recipes:
Cheesy Corn Pumpkin Dip from Caroline's Cooking
Pumpkin Deviled Eggs from 4 Sons R Us
Pumpkin Herb Cheese Ball from The Spiffy Cookie
Pumpkin Pancetta Risotto from The Redhead Baker
Pumpkin Desserts:
Amish Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting from Palatable Pastime
Gluten Free Pumpkin Snickerdoodles from Frugal & Fit
Mini Pumpkin Bundt Cakes from Big Bear's Wife
Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites from The Beard and The Baker
Mini Pumpkin Spice Trifles from My Sweet Zepol
Pumpkin Oatmeal Cream Pies from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
Pumpkin Pie Fudge from Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats
Pumpkin Pudding from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
Pumpkin Spice Biscotti from Creative Southern Home
Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Buttercream from Family Around the Table
Pumpkin Sprinkle Cookies from Daily Dish Recipes
Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting from Blogghetti
Spiced Pumpkin and Apple Cakes from Karen's Kitchen Stories
Fall is in the air, and we are celebrating our love of pumpkin with #PumpkinWeek hosted by Terri from Love and Confections and Christie from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures. All week-long 34 bloggers will be sharing 140+ fantastic recipes for all your Autumn celebrations, including breakfasts, baked goods, savory pumpkin recipes, desserts, and drinks. Thank you sponsors for providing the prize packages. Don't forget to enter the giveaway below!
Dixie Crystals is giving one winner a Marble Rolling Pin and Board Set.
Since 1917, Dixie Crystals® has been the South's choice for high-quality sugar and sweeteners. For generations, Dixie Crystals has been at the heart of family traditions and celebrations. Our pure cane, non-GMO sugar products guarantee that treasured family recipes will turn out right every time. Bake with love and Dixie Crystals.
We believe in flavor for all and opportunity for all. In the beginning, Rinaldo and Ezilda Torre visited family in Lucca, Italy. They returned home to San Francisco with handwritten recipes, which they used to create authentic flavored syrups. Needless to say, the syrups we're a hit. A lot has happened since then, but our belief has remained the same: Flavor for All, Opportunity for All. It means that not only are the products we make inclusive and approachable, but so is our success. We believe everything starts with people, and the only way to truly succeed is to succeed together. Today, you can use more than 100 of our naturally flavored syrups, sauces and beverage bases in coffees, sodas, teas, smoothies, cocktails and more.
Cabot is giving one winner a gift box of assorted Cabot cheeses.
The farm families that own Cabot Creamery Co-operative love what they do. And they've been doing it for a long time—every single day since 1919. Almost 100 years later, we're proud of our thriving farms, strong communities, and happy, healthy cows that produce the rich, buttery milk that we use to make Cabot's award-winning cheese and dairy products. We like to think those awards mean we're doing something right. Of course, you're a big part of this too. If you love eating our cheese as much as we love making it, then we'll get to keep doing what we do for generations to come.
Thank you to #PumpkinWeek Sponsors: Dixie Crystals, Sweets & Treats, Torani, and Cabot Creamery Co-operative for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for #PumpkinWeek recipes. All opinions are my own. The #PumpkinWeek giveaway is open to U.S. residents, age 18 & up. All entries for the winner will be checked and verified. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning.
Four (4) winners will be selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. Winners have 48 hours to respond once chosen, or they forfeit the prize and alternate winner(s) will be chosen. The #PumpkinWeek Bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members in their household cannot enter or win the giveaway. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the #PumpkinWeek posts or entry.


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I was never the kid or the teen with perfect skin, but I also didn't have terrible skin. I can still remember the first blemish I got, and I was definitely in elementary school, which makes me go 'whoa'. If I am 23 now, that means I've been dealing with skin impurities for around 12 years…that's a lot!
I'd go through boughs of acne and then not have it for a while, then get a small breakout of tiny pimples, then get some cystic ones. It was never predictable and was never fun.
It seemed as though, however, when I turned 22 and was a junior and senior in college, it was the worst. Why now? I am 20 something years old and now I get consistent acne? Are you kidding me?
It started on my forehead around my Sophomore year of college — I had small pink dots covering my forehead — what was that!? I headed to the dermatologist and she prescribed me two creams, which had worked until it cleared up and my body was over it. Then I went a year or so with no acne, besides the occasional stress pimple and then, the bad stuff hit.
At 22, my chin and jawline were saturated with cystic-like pimples and I had no idea what to do. It's not even that it looks terrible (it does, trust me), but it hurt. I could feel one growing under my skin for days and theres a certain kind of pain associated with the feeling. Not to mention the stressful mental pain that comes along with knowing that in 2-3 more days, I'd have a cystic pimple that I wouldn't be able to get rid of for weeks. Plus, when that one would finally go away, I'd have another new one just started millimeters away from it.
I tried spot treatments, gentle cleansers, meditation, a dairy-free diet, facials and NOTHING — I mean nothing, was going to help. That, coupled with everyone in my life trying to say what I could be doing differently to remedy the situation, was not helping at all.
After I graduated college (yes, I had acne at my college graduation), I was able to take the time and see a dermatologist. This time, I was not leaving with a cream or a spot treatment. I don't know what I was looking for but it wasn't that.
I saw the nurse practitioner at my local dermatologist and she had suggested a pill actually. The pill is called Spironolactone and it saved my entire life. I am a coward and didn't take the pill for an entire month because I was scared what it would do to my body — I really don't like medications (fun fact!) I was prescribed 25 mg to take twice a day. When I finally felt that enough was enough, I swallowed my pride and the pill and within two weeks saw astonishing results. This is a miracle drug that I want everyone dealing with hormonal acne to know about. Spiro, as we hormonal acne-ers call it for short, is actually a blood pressure medication that dermatologists use off brand to treat acne. There are minor side effects that come along with it, such as frequent urination (it's a diuretic) and lightheadedness. I never experienced any of that, but I also take a low dosage.
I ended up upping my prescription to 50 mg 3 months later because I was still breaking out a bit.
Today I am proud to say that I can't remember the last time I've had a cystic pimple and I don't go one day without taking it for granted. I've elevated my skin care regimine and really am thoughtful about what I put on my face. For some reason I haven't taken my acne medication in about three weeks, and haven't had to. However, I know it's there and works when and if I need to use it again.
I use Aveeno clear complexion cleanser to take my makeup off at the end of the night, Summer Fridays Jetlag mask as my moisturizer, overnight mask and foundation primer and most recently, have been using St. Ives Lavender Face spray that I actually cannot get enough of. It's so refreshing to not have to worry about pimples.
If you popped over to read about my skin journey and have your own to share, let me know in the comments. We all need support when it comes to acne and I am more than here to listen. Ask your derm about Spiro if you have hormonal acne around your jawline (I sound like a drug commercial!)
Xx, Rae

subset: commoncrawl


text:
3710 words, short story
An Arc of Lightning Across the Eye of God
Zhou Wenshu was the young magistrate of Shenkong Bian and he was feeling every inch of that appointment. Today he had learned that the plastic floor of his office—the largest personal room in Shenkong Bian—was exactly four-and-a-half steps. It was the least interesting thing that he had learned today, and he'd learned it by pacing back and forth at yin shi (outpost time; wei shi capital time) when he should have been in bed.
One two three four fi—and turn. One two three four fi—and turn again.
Lei Shu—his assistant, twice his age and permanent outpost staff—had helpfully laid out a selection of brushes, freshly ground ink (both magnetic and permanent), some remarkably high-quality paper, and the secret imperial memorandum seal. Only the magistrate was supposed to have access to the secret imperial memorandum seal, but he'd only arrived at Shenkong Bian a month ago and could barely find the bathroom. And under the circumstances—
Under the circumstances.
Zhou stopped and shivered. She was still here, in this outpost, probably only a few feet away from him. Under the circumstances.
He wanted a drink.
He had sent Lei Shu off to sleep for the night, but he was sure that the older man was still there, right outside his door. He could call for a drink and get one in a minute, maybe less. Under the circumstances, no one would blame him.
He started pacing again. One two three four fi—and turn.
It wasn't supposed to be like this. It had all seemed so simple, five months ago in the governor's mansion with his uncle. Shenkong Bian was a hardship posting without the hardship. He'd be eligible for promotion in only two years, and with a glowing reference from His Lordship besides. Shenkong Bian had no taxes to collect, no levies to maintain, no peasants to murder each other in their incomprehensible dialects. It was even at an unusual transit point—an opportunity to really use all the physics he'd studied at the academy.
All he had to do was keep his nose clean. No repeats of the incident. The governor hadn't mentioned it, of course, but they all knew. His uncle and the governor had worked out the details of the assignment while Zhou stared at his shoes, ashamed, and barely said a word.
It wasn't just the career opportunity, he'd told himself. The Shenkong Bian transit point was physically fascinating—it behaved like a normal transit point, but nothing that passed through it ever returned. The astronauts had their wild stories, of course, mostly involving a transit point right into hell itself. Zhou, with his fresh physics degree, had his own theories involving an as-of-yet-undetected magnetic monopole.
Of course there'd been no mention of physics once he'd gotten to the neglected outpost. Shenkong Bian barely received the resources to maintain its hull, let alone perform any of the experiments he'd planned. And now, this. It was all too much.
Zhou sat down at his desk and fingered the paper. It really was high quality. How had Lei Shu gotten his hands on it? He waved away the thought. It didn't matter. What mattered was the creature—no, the girl.
Zhou called up the rough transcript of the interview and selected a brush. Dipping it into the cool magnetic ink Lei Shu had ground for him, he began to write:
In the seventh year of the
Forthright EMPEROR,
Eighth month, fourteenth day, wei shi,
Your servant Zhou Wenshu, magistrate of Shenkong
Bian humbly bowing before
you, reports: This morning, chou shi, there came
through Shenkong transit point
No, that was wrong. She hadn't come through the point then. They had no idea when she'd come through, or if she'd even come through the point at all, because they hadn't been monitoring it. Why would they monitor it? Nothing came through.
Except, of course, something—someone—had come through.
Zhou breathed carefully—in. Out. In. Out. The emperor wouldn't care about these details, so the emperor didn't need to know them. He wet the tip of his brush. Just the basics, that was fine.
This morning, chou shi,
your servants of the Shenkong Bian discovered, in
the vicinity of Shenkong transit point,
a vessel of foreign origin.
No, not a vessel. A creature. A person. A girl.
But how could he say that? Secret memoranda were about big civic projects, enemy troop movements, tax revolts. A girl? Alone? In space? Impossible.
This morning, chou shi
your servants of the Shenkong Bian discovered,
in the vicinity of Shenkong transit point,
a foreign object of unknown origin. Upon
inspection, it became apparent that this
object was, shockingly.
No, not "shockingly." Don't tell the emperor how he feels.
Upon visual inspection,
your servants found this object was in the shape
of a woman, covered in some sort of black
space suit, and very much alive. Acting in
accordance with my duties as
your magistrate, I led the crew of Shenkong Bian
outpost in mounting a rescue operation.
No need to mention their confusion; no need to mention the almost-an-hour they'd spent finding their search and rescue gear; no need to mention that even as they were finally suiting up to rescue her, she uncurled, and somehow, impossibly, began to drift herself to intercept them.
Definitely no need to mention that she had been signing at them the entire time.
Once the subject had been recovered,
conscious and alive, from where she had
been stranded in space, she refused
any medical aid or examination, or even
to remove her suit at all. We found
that she was completely unresponsive to
speech, both in
Imperial language and in every local dialect.
However one of the outpost staff, a
former merchant astronaut, could
communicate with her in simple
astronaut's sign.
No need to mention that the man barely spoke Imperial at all, that they needed to use two translators just to have a conversation.
could communicate with her in simple
astronaut's sign, which she responded
to with great enthusiasm. Thus I,
your servant, was able to interview her about
her past, her people, and her presence in
Imperial space. In the interest of
In the interest of? No. This was so much more than that. This was more than a passing curiosity. This was almost certainly the most important thing that had happened to the empire, ever. The emperor needed to know this. Just say it plainly.
I have attached a transcript of this
interview for
Your Majesty's immediate perusal. As this matter
is of critical importance, I have not
edited the transcript and have
not amended or elided anything in the
above report. I await
your response and guidance on this matter.
Location: Common Room, Shenkong Bian Outpost
Time: Chen Shi (Capital Time)
Present: Zhou Wenshu, magistrate. Lei Shu, assistant to the magistrate. Wu Gongpian, transcriptionist. Siggurdson Viktor, outpost staff, translating. Zhou Ami, outpost staff, translating.
Zhou: Hello. My name is Zhou Wenshu. I am the magistrate at this outpost.
Subject: Yes.
Zhou: If it's all right with you, I would like to ask you a few questions. And the transcriptionist here will record your answers.
Subject: It's all right with me.
Zhou: You can understand this language? The sign?
Subject: Yes, I can understand this sign. It is one of my father's languages, I have learned it from he, my father, who learned it from [sign unrecognizable], but past that the wake of history is lost.
Zhou: Who was your father?
Subject: My father was. [here she makes the phonetic sign marker, then pauses]
Zhou: Go on.
Subject: It is not his real name.
Zhou: Tell us his real name, then.
Subject: [ejects something wet onto the table]
Zhou: What is that? What is that? Is it dangerous?[transcript pauses]
Zhou: Please don't do that again.
Subject: You asked me my father's name. That is his name.
Zhou: That isn't any kind of name at all. That's just a disgusting pile of goo.
Subject: [still, silent]
Zhou: Why did you say that was his name? Are you that disrespectful to your father?
Subject: I love my father, and so I remember my father.
Zhou: He's passed?
Subject: Yes. Recently.
Zhou: So you are in mourning?
Subject: I am always in mourning.
Zhou: But, is it still within the mourning period?
Subject: I am always in mourning.
Zhou: I mean, the three years.
Subject: Yes.
Zhou: My condolences.
Subject: Yes.
Zhou: Did your father have any other name? That doesn't involve . . . whatever that is?
Subject: [signing phonetically: Gunnar] son of [signing phonetically: Gunnar].
Zhou: An astronaut, then.
Subject: Yes.
Zhou: What ship?
Subject: I don't want to talk about my father anymore. It is too [unknown sign].
Zhou: My condolences again.
Subject: [still, silent]
Zhou: May I ask you other questions?
Subject: Please.
Zhou: What is your name?
Subject: Are you sure?
Zhou: Of course.
Subject: Last time you didn't want me to say a name.
Zhou: The . . . spit?
Subject: You said it was disgusting. My father's name.
Zhou: Phonetic signing will be fine.
Subject: Not phonetic.
Zhou: What?
Subject: [several unintelligible signs] do not speak language.
Zhou: What?
Subject: My people [same several unintelligible signs] do not make [pause] things to hear.
Zhou: Sound?
Subject: Sound. Yes. We do not make sound.
Zhou: Then how do you communicate? In sign?
Subject: No, these signs I learned from my father, from my father's people, like you.
Zhou: No, your father is Icelandic. I am Imperial.
Subject: I am confused.
Zhou: Your father and I are from different peoples.
Subject: But you are both [unintelligible sign]?
Zhou: Never mind. Is there at least a name we could call you?
Subject: There is a name my father gave me, but it isn't really my name.
Zhou: How can you be so disrespectful of your father?
Subject: I love my father. I don't know the sign [respect] but I love my father and so I remember him.
Zhou: But the name your father gave you is your real name.
Subject: No, my real name was built by my mother out of my father's name and my mother's [unintelligible sign]. Then she grew me from it.
Zhou: But what can we call you?
Subject: My father called me "An Arc of Lightning Across the Eye of God."
Zhou: That's a very unusual name.
Subject: It is very short, yes.
Zhou: Can we call you "Lightning"?
Subject: That is even shorter. That is barely a word.
Zhou: It will be easier for [gestures, indicating transcriptionist].
Lightning: That is fine, then. But it is not my name.
Zhou: I understand.
Lightning: You don't. Or you would have tasted my father's name.
Zhou: Tasted? You mean heard.
Lightning: No, tasted. No sounds in our language.
Zhou: Oh.
Lightning: With your [unintelligible sign].
Zhou: We'll using "Lightning" for now.
Lightning: That is fine.
Zhou: Where are you from?
Lightning: We are from [unintelligible sign].
Zhou: I'm sorry, our man here doesn't know that sign.
Lightning: Do you have someone here who knows asteroids and planets? Orbits. It would be easier.
Zhou: He's the only one in the outpost who knows astronaut's sign.
Lightning: Okay. We are from heaven.
Zhou: Heaven? You sound like a Christian.
Lightning: I don't know the sign "Christian." We are from heaven.
Zhou: Who do you mean by "we"?
Lightning: My family. My [unintelligible sign].
Zhou: But your father is Icelandic.
Lightning: True. I meant my mother's [unintelligible sign]. The ones who grew me.
Zhou: When you say heaven, what do you mean?
Lightning: Heaven is not like this. Not hot. Not burning. Not so many [unintelligible sign] [brief discussion with translator]. Not so many gasses all bound together in an aluminum shell. Heaven is vast and in every direction and empty and ours.
Zhou: You mean "space."
Lightning: Yes. Space. Heaven.
Zhou: So you don't mean heaven in the religious sense.
Lightning: Yes. We are religious.
Zhou: No, I meant.
Lightning: You meant?
Zhou: You're religious? What religion?
Lightning: We are [several unintelligible signs].
Zhou: I don't understand those words.
Lightning: We must make a conversation-sign for this.[discussion with translator]
Lightning: This is difficult. There are important religious words.
Zhou: I understand.
Lightning: You don't understand. If you understood, you would taste them.
Zhou: Don't insult me.
Lightning: I did not mean to insult you. I apologize. I am simply saying that these words are sacred. They were writ into our names by God. To change them, to make them into signs, into another language: It is blasphemous and unfilial.
Zhou: Unfilial?
Lightning: Yes. God is—what's the sign?—our maternal grandfather. [unintelligible sign] is our maternal grandmother.
Zhou: You speak metaphorically.
Lightning: No. I can show you, if you will taste it, in our [unintelligible sign], where God wrote His image onto us.
Zhou: Can someone please tell me what that sign meant?[some discussion between translators]
Zhou: Get Doctor Xu in here.[further discussion; Dr. Xu Zhenbang arrives]
Zhou: So, by this sign [signs: gene] you mean genetic code.
Lightning: Yes, a name.
Zhou: And you are all like this? All your people.
Lightning: We are not people. We are [unintelligible sign].
Zhou: You are not people?
Lightning: Yes. We are not people.
Zhou: What are you?
Lightning: We are [several unintelligible signs]. We are the word of God, writ on the fabric of heaven.
Zhou: So you're saying you're a different species than us.
Lightning: I don't know the sign "species." We have different names, yes. Different genes.
Zhou: Would you consent to remove your space suit and let Doctor Xu here examine you?
Lightning: I do not know the sign [space suit].
Zhou: The clothes you are wearing. That protects you from the vacuum.
Lightning: I cannot.
Zhou: Are you worried about modesty? We can arrange for a woman to be present.
Lightning: It is not. This is me.
Zhou: What is you?
Lightning: This is my body.[multiple people talking simultaneously]
Zhou: Quiet down, everyone, Doctor Xu. What do you mean, Lightning?
Lightning: I mean that there is nothing to take off. This is me as I was grown from my father's name and my mother's [unintelligible sign]. I think you have mistaken my skin for a so-called space suit.
Zhou: Why is your skin like this?
Lightning: I was grown for this.[multiple people talking simultaneously]
Zhou: Okay! That's enough! Everybody be quiet. Lightning, are you saying you were genetically engineered?
Lightning: I do not know the sign "engineer."
Zhou: "Genetically engineered" means that your genetic code was altered before you were born, restricting your potential, limiting you to specific tasks and professions.
Lightning: Yes. My mother named me.
Zhou: But this is horrible! A crime!
Lightning: I love my mother. I remember her.
Zhou: Yes, it is natural that you love your mother. But what she has done to you—making you into a thing—is unnatural and wrong.
Lightning: But if my mother had not made me, I would not exist.
Zhou: It is only natural that you feel a filial debt to your parents for birthing you. But you must understand that what your mother did to you was wrong.
Lightning: I do not understand. Is this because of my skin?
Zhou: Yes, among other things.
Lightning: It is because of my skin and my lungs that I can survive here, in your fire, with all the gasses packed together.
Zhou: But we can all survive here.
Lightning: Yes, but you are [unintelligible sign]. You cannot survive outside, in heaven, under the eye of God.
Zhou: Still, genetically engineering your own children. It's not right.
Lightning: My skin is a gift from my mother. It is not a crime. My lungs are a gift from my father. They are also not a crime.
Zhou: Your lungs?
Lightning: Yes, they are particular.
Zhou: What do you mean?
Lightning: Most of [unintelligible sign] do not have lungs. But, for me, they let me into my father's world. Into this fire.
Zhou: Why?
Lightning: I understand the signs "why" and "?" but I do not understand what you mean by "why?"
Zhou: Why have you come here?
Lightning: There are two parts.
Zhou: Go on.
Lightning: First, I have come to tell my father's family that he is dead.
Zhou: If he travelled through the Shenkong transit point, he's been legally dead for many years.
Lightning: Nonetheless, they are his family. They deserve to know.
Zhou: I see.
Lightning: It is because I love my father.
Zhou: It is only natural.
Lightning: The second part is also because I love my father, but I am worried.
Zhou: Why are you worried?
Lightning: Because it is about my purpose.
Zhou: What they made you for?
Lightning: Yes. And that upset you. I did not intend to upset you.
Zhou: It is an upsetting topic.
Lightning: Why?
Zhou: It's slavery.
Lightning: I don't understand the sign "slavery."
Zhou: It's treating people like things. Things that can be owned.
Lightning: I am not a person and I am not a thing and I don't understand the sign "owned."
Zhou: You're clearly a person! I speak to you and can see that you have the same humanity as all of us.
Lightning: I am not a person. I am not! I am so much more than that. I am my father's name, written by my mother's vision across time and space. I am a hand of peace offered from the [several unintelligible signs] to every one of you. I am a message of hope of the divine for those confined in fire and darkness and gravity. I am my great and wonderful purpose and I am the fulfillment of that purpose.
Zhou: What is that purpose?
Lightning: To come here. To speak to you. All of you.
Zhou: What is it that you want to tell us?
Lightning: I am sorry. I cannot sign it.
Zhou: How can you tell us, then?
Lightning: Do you have someone here who can read—what was the sign?—who can read genes?
Zhou: What do you mean?
Lightning: Someone who can understand real language.
Zhou: What's "real language"?
Lightning: [gestures towards the table] Is it okay if I [unintelligible sign] something here?
Zhou: Go ahead.
Lightning: It won't upset you?
Zhou: It's fine.
Lightning: [ejects something wet onto the table, in substantially larger quantity than the previous time]
Lightning: This is real language. [unintelligible sign]. Genes.
Zhou: [shudders]
Lightning: Are you going to taste it?
Zhou: I don't know if it's safe.
Lightning: It's safe. Taste it.
Zhou: I. I don't think that.
Lightning: You will not understand unless you taste it.
Zhou: Dr. Xu? Can you analyze a sample of this please?
Lightning: [gesturing to table] This is my name. This is me. Taste me and you will understand. [stands up, begins to gesture violently] Taste me! Meet me! Understand!
Zhou: Can someone restrain her?
Lightning: This is me, and within me, my father. This is me, and within me, my mother, and within my mother, [unintelligible sign], and within [unintelligible sign], the image of God.
Zhou: Someone?!
Lightning: [unintelligible signs, likely in an unknown language]
Zhou Wenshu looked at the transcript on his desk, at the brushes, at Dr. Xu's incomprehensible report that he had begged the magistrate to include with his memorial. Zhou didn't understand it. Something about multiple compound DNA structures.
Dr. Xu had been very impressed. "If this really is her DNA, she's more closely related to a strand of yili grass than to you or me," he'd said, as if that made any sense. "Her genetic density is simply incredible, particularly for an animal species."
They'd confined her, with apologies, to the brig, but Zhou had her moved to guest quarters. The circumstances hadn't been entirely her fault. He had asked her to show him, after all. And she was a young woman—a young stalk of flowering grass?—in mourning for her father.
His train of thought was interrupted by a hammering noise coming from the hull. Were the men finally patching it? This late at night? He supposed he shouldn't care about the timing—good enough that they were doing it at all.
He was pacing again.
A woman—or whatever she was—mourning for her father. That was it, wasn't it? It didn't matter if she was a flower or a human or, in what absurdly was becoming the most likely scenario, a sort of wholly alien life, a first first-contact for the Empire. What mattered was that she mourned her parents, just like he would mourn his parents someday soon. What bound them was not genetics or culture, but that shared humane understanding. Recognizing that, who was he to stand in the way of her filial duty?
One two three four fi—and turn.
But—then—no. That wasn't right at all. She was a genetically engineered slave, a purpose-built tool, designed to contact and infiltrate the empire. She'd said as much herself. And, even if she wasn't secretly an assassin or saboteur, she brought with her a bizarre religion and her upsetting concepts of language, parentage, and God. The empire's stability hung, as it always had, by a thread. What revolts would stir up in her wake?
fi—and turn.
And then, of course, he had to think of what the imperial court would do once they learned of her. Would they righteously allow her to visit her relatives and return unmolested? Could they even do that? Or would they capture her, interrogate her, even dissect her, trying to discover the biological secrets she carried. Could he really send this report, at all, knowing that it would likely doom her? Could he trust even the emperor with this secret?
There was that pounding on the hull again.
The hull!
Zhou stopped suddenly and then leapt for the door. Here he was, fretting about his decision, but all along she'd been the one—
Through his office door—not pausing by a sleeping Lei Shu—he hurried down the corridor in a quick shuffle, the fastest he could manage without becoming tangled in his robes. The hull breach alarm was already blaring. By the time he reached her room, sealed off by the automatic pressure doors, she was gone.
Particular thanks to Dr. Alexis Siemon for their expertise and advice
about the lives and careers of Yongzheng-era magistrates.
P H Lee lives with the rose bushes behind an old walnut tree down a dead-end road out past the highway. Their other writing has appeared in Uncanny Magazine, Visions Magazine, Worlds Without Master, and Four Ways to Die in the Future. Their hobbies include cooking and translating Classical Chinese texts.


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Available media
- Thirty years ago, in 1990, Mercedes-Benz launched the 500 E at the Paris Motor Show
- This was the sporty top-of-the-range model of the successful mid-sized 124 model series
- Porsche was involved as a project partner in its development and assembly
Stuttgart. "500 E" – Merely mentioning this model name is enough to make many people's eyes light up. This is because the high-performance 124 model series saloon still outshines all the other members of this generation of Mercedes-Benz mid-sized saloons. Of the total of more than two million cars produced in the 124 model series, the 500 E accounts only for the relatively small number of 10,479 units (including the E 500 and E 60 AMG). A glance at the technical specifications of the E-Class predecessor explains why this car triggers so much fascination: Eight-cylinder, 5-litre V-engine, 240 kW (326 hp) output, top speed limited to 250 km/h. With specifications like that, this saloon belonged up among the fastest sports cars when it was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in 1990.
One great distinguishing feature in comparison with its competitors was the very discreet outward appearance of the 500 E: At first glance, the four-door saloon appeared extremely restrained. Only the initiated could distinguish this high-speed car from its less powerful brothers at a glance. This was very much in keeping with the style of many owners because, while they valued superior driving performance, they preferred a less glamorous outward appearance. And if they could leave many a sports car behind them without making a fuss, all the better! The car's classic potential was at a very high level right from the start: Soon after production ceased, the 500 E became a coveted collector's item.
When the Mercedes-Benz 500 E in brilliant silver was presented on a turntable at the Paris Motor Show from 4 to 14 October 1990, the 124 model series had already been on the market for six years. It was a gently shimmering star in the background, whose appearance did not initially arouse much interest – until a closer look revealed the details: The wings were flared outwards slightly at both the front and rear to make room for the size 225/55 R 16 tyres. The body, which had been lowered by 23 millimetres, and a modified front spoiler with integrated fog lamps were also discreet characteristics of the top model. The published performance figures were even more exciting for visitors to the motor show: With the standard automatic transmission, it achieved the 100 km/h mark in just 5.9 seconds. The actual top speed that could be reached was kept a secret, but the engine was electronically limited to 250 km/h.
The 500 E was powered by a sophisticated engine, the main features of which had been carried over from the 500 SL of the R 129 model series. The V8 engine internally designated the M 119, with four valves per cylinder and a displacement of 4,973 cubic centimetres, differed from the 500 SL engine due to the electronically controlled Bosch LH-Jetronic intake-manifold petrol injection system with a heated wire mass air flow sensor, which was deployed here for the first time at Mercedes-Benz. The engine block was also slightly lower and was now the same height as the 4.2-litre version of the M 119. The brake system was likewise carried over from the R 129 model series to cope with the high speeds. The ASR traction control system that was fitted as standard prevented the drive wheels from spinning in the event of high slip on smooth road surfaces. One of the many enhancement details of the 500 E was that the battery was moved to the boot to optimise weight distribution.
The installation of a powerful engine in the next smallest vehicle category was something that was not completely new at Mercedes-Benz. The best example was the use of the 6.3-litre, eight-cylinder M 100 from the representative limousine model 600 (W 100) in the luxury model series W 109 in 1966/1967. In doing so, test engineer Erich Waxenberger paved the way for the 300 SEL 6.3 (W 109) saloon, which continues to attract a great deal of attention today. The early design drafts of the W 124 model series around 1980 were forward-looking enough to envisage the possible installation of an eight-cylinder engine.
When the idea was taken up again at the end of the 1980s, it became clear that some changes to the front-end assembly were necessary and that the cooling air flow would have to be redesigned. However, the development capacities at Mercedes-Benz in those years were, to a considerable extent, taken up by work on the SL of the 129 model series and the S-Class of the W 140 model series. This was why, in December 1987, Porsche was awarded a development contract for the design and experimental series development of the base W 124 saloon with the eight-cylinder M 119 engine. This was the same M 119 that Mercedes-Benz used in the Sauber-Mercedes C9 – equipped in that case with two turbochargers – to win the 1989 World Sports Car Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Porsche was also responsible for the assembly of the 500 E. The body parts were supplied to the sports car manufacturer from Sindelfingen. The body was then assembled at the Porsche facility, painted at the Sindelfingen plant and returned to Zuffenhausen. Final assembly, including the drivetrain supplied in its entirety by Mercedes-Benz, was carried out at Porsche, while delivery to customers and sales partners was handled by the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen.
By April 1995, 10,479 units of the high-powered saloon had been built. In the production statistics, the 500 E is included together with the E 500, as the top model in the 124 model series was called, designated from June 1993 as the E-Class, and the E 60 AMG, which was launched in 1993. In the latter model, which was built until 1994, the 6-litre version of the M 119 engine even generated 280 kW (381 hp). In 1991, yet another eight-cylinder model joined the W 124 family – the 400 E, whose engine produced 205 kW (279 hp). This model did not attract anything like as much media attention as the 500 E but, in terms of sales figures, the 400 E/E 420 sold 22,802 units, which put them ahead of the more powerful cars in the model series.
The 500 E initially cost DM 134,510, which was more than twice as much as the less opulently equipped 300 E with an output of 132 kW (180 hp) with a catalytic converter. At the Geneva Motor Show in March 1994, Mercedes-Benz showcased the special E 500 Limited model, which, as the name suggests, was limited to 500 units and was sold with exclusive trim and the special paint finish was either sapphire black or brilliant silver. As production of the 124 model series saloons ended in 1995, the E 500 was phased out as well. The tradition of sports saloon cars embodying the highest standards of performance and driving experience was then continued by the AMG models made by Mercedes-Benz.
Trade magazine "auto motor und sport" had this to say of the 500 E in its 15/1990 issue: "As good-natured as a fairy-tale uncle, as agile as a nimble sports car and, to top it all, comfortable as well? Indeed, that's the most surprising feature of this chassis. In spite of the performance tuning, the springs and shock absorbers soak up uneven road surfaces in such a well-mannered way that even the more spoiled customers will have little reason to bellyache." "Road & Track", issue 5/1992, enthused: "The 500 E is a magnificent high-performance saloon that's heavy on the visceral. It looks right (low slung, intimidating, but not showy, like the AMG Hammer or Mercedes' own 600 SEL). It sounds great (nothing beats the thunder of a big V-8). It goes sinfully fast for a family 4-door (155 mph, electronically limited). It has everything you'd expect in a Mercedes. And a few things you wouldn't. Mostly, gobs of horsepower and an attitude that says ... well, you know the word."


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|Index > Scribe > v1.77 [Bug List]
|v1.77 [Bug List]
|Steven Hall
17/08/2002 3:46pm
|Scenario: 5 messages you double click on the first to read it. As you read a message you delete it by clicking the delete button. After deleting the 5th message, you are returned to the message list.
Bug: the 5th message will not be deleted from the list.


text:
Little Rock, AR - Americas Best Value Inn & Suites - University Avenue (Not Rated)
Address: 6401 S. University Avenue Phone: 501-565-4488
Location/ Directions: I-30, Exit # 132, just north.
Average Price (Checked May 2012): $70.00 AAA Rated: n/a Stars: (n/a)
About Hotel: 2-Floors, 20-Rooms, Exterior Corridors, Free wireless high-speed Internet access, Microwave, Mini-fridge, Coffeemaker, Cable TV with HBO and ESPN, Hairdryer, Alarm clock radio, Desk with lamp, Free local calls, Wake-up service, Iron and ironing board are available upon request, Free continental breakfast,
Air Conditioning, Restaurants Nearby, Truck and Bus Parking, No Pets Allowed.
Railroad View: Good View. Any room on the front of the motel will offer a railroad view.
Railroads past Hotel: Union Pacific.
Comments: This is an older style Motor Inn built in 1950. It was last renovated in 2006. This motel has not been rated by RailfanMotels.com
Photo Comment: Americas Best Value Inn is circled in yellow. There is a grade crossing just off the bottom of this photo, trains should blow their horns for the crossing which will alert you to approaching trains.


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Lean—Not Just Grandpa's Optimization Tool
Published March 15, 2018minute read
Though it's responsible for causing millions of people to recline comfortably, La-Z-Boy is far from sitting down. The U.S. furniture company recently opened its 350th store and is continually investing in modern manufacturing. In spring, La-Z-Boy plans to open an innovation center that will feature a model shop, tech center, and testing and 3D printing labs. Recently, La-Z-Boy's senior vice president Darrell Edwards spoke about the company's successes and preparations for future challenges in manufacturing. He credited a lean foundation as the company keeps pace with consumer demands. While manufacturing efficiency is a goal, La-Z-Boy's factories lean plans also include safety.
Present Day Lean
Even though lean is more than 70 years old, it's far from just being grandpa's optimization tool. It's helping businesses evolve and retain vitality. With ever-changing consumer demands, manufacturers must stay innovative and responsive. Technology has had influence. For La-Z-Boy, a product that started out as a wood-slat porch chair with a simple reclining mechanism now comes in a variety of upholstery and features, including embedded heat massagers, rechargeable batteries, and USB port stations.
"We have developed a lot of lean expertise in our business, and I'm very proud of that. Our team has done a great job," Edwards told Assembly magazine. "If you build a foundation of fairly sophisticated lean processes in the beginning, then, when something new comes along from our R&D team, you can easily adapt on the assembly line. If the foundation is strong, you only need to tweak one component of a very large process that you've put in place."
In a new lean effort, La-Z-Boy's $26 million investment in its Dayton assembly plant will allow the company's product engineers and designers to be able to work alongside manufacturing engineers for prototype testing, Edwards said. While accomplishing success in manufacturing efficiency, La-Z-Boy's factories lean plans prove workers can be kept safe while maximizing production. Last year, the company's records for safety were set at three plants, with one plant exceeding 10 million hours without a lost time accident.
Lean Future
Demands for products that are high-quality, delivered fast, and at a good price will only increase in the future. Edwards says he foresees a change in the amount of knowledge needed to run an integrated supply chain: from order entry, procurement, sales and operations planning, to manufacturing, distribution and logistics. Manufacturing companies are also realizing the need for better collaboration between safety and production workers. The roles of safety professionals and lean leaders are merging. Another lean tactic is to create a change in a process to do away with a hazard or to reduce the frequency of dangerous tasks in the workplace. This not only improves safety but also improves productivity.
When businesses recognize the impacts of lean on safety, greater changes and accomplishments can be made. Discover opportunities for improvement in lean and safety at the same time. Perform routine "waste walks" to focus on where workplace hazards lie and allow managers to focus attention on improving areas of most concern.
Address Productivity in Safety
Thinking lean helps simplify safety compliance and best practices. Graphic Products has a variety of industry best practice educational resources and solutions. Learn how visual communication and a visual system can explain important details, improve productivity, reduce unnecessary material handling, and more in a free guide on Visual Workplace—Visual Management. Create lasting visual solutions with DuraLabel printers and supplies. For free samples or questions about custom services, call: 888.326.9244.


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News and Announcements
Opponents of $300 million Redondo Beach waterfront overhaul file ballot initiative challenge (6/28/2016)
Angel Law proudly served as the grassroots citizen activists' legal adviser on the ballot initiative lodged yesterday with the Redondo Beach city clerk. The King Harbor CARE (Coastal Access, Revitalization, and Enhancement) Act seeks to revitalize the city's King Harbor-Pier area by improving and amplifying public coastal access and water-oriented recreation opportunities, while preventing harbor and ocean views from being obstructed by a currently proposed shopping and entertainment mall aimed at high-income visitors.
Read more about the initiative in the Daily Breeze's article "Opponents of $300 million Redondo Beach waterfront overhaul file ballot initiative challenge" by Megan Barnes (6/28/2016):


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Lover and a Fighter
May 30, 2008
Published in Lei Chic
Parents want the best for you, so they nag that your clothes should be respectable like so-and-so's, your job secure like such-and-such's, and your boyfriend, well…someone else.
Novelist Mingmei Yip rose to her parents' challenges, graduating from the Sorbonne, studying Chinese arts and music, and becoming a writer—experiences channeled into her spectacular debut "Peach Blossom Pavilion."
The novel brings to life the time of China's mingji—geisha predecessors. At age 13, Yip's spirited protagonist sees her father executed, her mother escape to a nunnery, and is left with an aunt for a better life. But instead of working for a rich family, she's sold to a prostitution house called Peach Blossom Pavilion.
At first Xiang Xiang happily studies poetry, music and other arts until realizing these activities are merely predecessors to her true fate. Soon this "pretty girl with two enchanting dimples" becomes Precious Orchid, a famous mingji, and eventually seizes the inherent power of her position to avenge her parents and lost childhood.
Precious Orchid's tale is a truly fantastical escape, building on the era's romance and success of "Memoirs of a Geisha," yet told through the voice of a cunning, empowered woman who fights to improve her fate.
She's definitely not your mother's role model.
Available online at amazon.com.


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The impact of the Lodha Committee BCCI report on sports governance in India
This was first written for and published by The Sports Law & Policy Centre.
An earlier version of this article was published as "Playing In The Corridor Of Uncertainty: The Impact Of The Justice R.M. Lodha Committee Report on Sports Governance In India" in the publication 'Game, Set and Matchless...A Reader on Sports Law' published by the National Law School of India University in 2016.
On January 4, 2016, the Justice R.M. Lodha Committee ("Committee") presented its "Report on Cricket Reforms" (the "Report") to the Supreme Court of India. The Committee, which comprised of Mr. Justice (Retd.) R.M. Lodha, former Chief Justice of India, and former Supreme Court judges, Mr. Justice (Retd.) Ashok Bhan and Mr. Justice (Retd.) R.V. Raveendran, was constituted and appointed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in its order dated 22nd January 2015, while disposing of Civil Appeal No. 4235 of 2014 (Board of Control for Cricket in India vs. Cricket Association of Bihar) and two other appeals (the "January Order").
Figure 1: Lodha Committee – Timeline of Significant Events
While the Committee was primarily constituted to provide its recommendations in the aftermath of the findings presented by the Justice Mudgal Probe Panel in relation the 2013 Indian Premier League ("IPL") spot fixing scandal, it was also mandated to examine and make suitable recommendations to the Board of Control for Cricket in India ("BCCI") for such reforms in its functioning and practices as may be considered necessary and appropriate with the aim of, amongst other things, preventing sporting frauds and conflict of interests, improving player welfare, streamlining the functioning of the BCCI, and making it more responsive and accountable to the public at large.
Through the Report, the Committee recommended a substantial overhaul of the manner in which the BCCI, and cricket in general, is governed and administered in India. In preparing the Report and in attempting to provide a comprehensive list of reforms, the Committee sought interviews and comments from several stakeholders and interested parties, including former and current sportspersons, administrators, regulators and lawyers. The recommendations provided under the Report are classified under ten (10) broad heads, each of which the Committee considered integral for the governance of cricket in the country.
In the following section, we provide a brief overview and summary of the significant recommendations made by the Committee in the Report. Thereafter, in Section III we attempt to analyse a few of the key aspects of the Report and the potential ramifications and impact that the Report's recommendations, may have on Indian cricket in particular and sports administration in India more generally. Section IV summarises the subsequent legal developments post the release of the Report and the current status of implementation of the Supreme Court's orders, and Section V concludes the article.
A. Structure of the BCCI
The Committee highlighted seven (7) primary issues with the current structure of the BCCI. These were:
- the lack of representation of all Indian states in the BCCI;
- disparity and over-representation of certain states (such as Maharashtra and Gujarat);
- representation of teams rather than territories by certain members (such as Services and Railways);
- representation of recreational clubs rather than teams or territories by certain members (such as the Cricket Club of India (CCI));
- absence of representation of Union Territories;
- ad-hoc creation of membership categories – Affiliate Members and Future Members; and
- arbitrary addition and removal of member associations.
In this respect, the Committee made the following recommendations:
- Implementation of a "One State – One Member – One Vote" policy, keeping in mind the standards followed by most international sports governing bodies. In the event of multiple state associations or teams from a single state (as is the case in Gujarat and Maharashtra), a single association to be made a 'Full Member', with voting rights and the others may be inducted as "Associate Members", without voting rights.
- Non-state members such as Services, Railways and other similar non-state members to be accorded the status of Associate Members, without voting rights and retaining their right to participate in the relevant domestic tournaments.
- Removal of 'Affiliate' and 'Future Member' categories (currently accorded to states such as Telangana and Mizoram) with the BCCI to consist of only Full Members and Associate Members.
- With respect to the long standing practice of classifying the BCCI's members into various Zones (North, South, East, West and Central), the Committee suggested that such Zones should retain their relevance only for the purpose of the tournaments conducted amongst themselves (such as the Duleep Trophy and the Deodhar Trophy) and the Zones should not play a role in the nomination of personnel to run the BCCI or serve in the BCCI's various Standing Committees, which is the case currently.
- Disbursement of funds by the BCCI to its member associations for cricket development must not be uniform and must be made in accordance with a formalised policy to be notified by the BCCI, aimed at incentivising its members to develop the sport.
Figure 2: Suggested Changes to Membership Structure
B. Governance
The Committee identified several issues with respect to the governance of the BCCI and other cricket associations in the country. These issues included: (a) concentration and abuse of power in certain sections leading to mismanagement; (b) incompetence and lack of experience in office bearers and elected officials; (c) inadequate or lack of representation of former players and women; (d) unlimited terms and tenures for office bearers and officials; and (e) absence of grounds for disqualification from holding posts. The Committee provided the following set of recommendations with respect to the governance of the BCCI:
- Replacement of the existing fourteen (14) member BCCI working committee with an Apex Council (responsible for governing the sport) and a separate IPL Governing Council.
- Constitution of the Apex Council to reflect a balance of representatives and independent members, with nine (9) members – five (5) elected office bearers and four (4) Councillors (one (1) male and one (1) female representative of the players' association, one (1) representative elected by the Full Members of the BCCI and one (1) representative nominated by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India ("CAG")).
- The terms and tenures for office bearers of the Apex Council to be fixed, by limiting them to three (3) years at a time and not more than nine (9) years in total in any instance. The Committee also recommended a cooling off period after each term served and prohibited consecutive terms.
- Any person who has: (a) completed seventy (70) years of age; or (b) is charged under penal law; or (c) is declared to be of unsound mind; or (d) is a Minister or Government servant; or (e) holds any post in any other sports body in the country to be disqualified from being a BCCI office bearer.
- Election of BCCI President to be made by all Full Members instead of a rotational basis, depending on the Zone of the candidates, which was the practice adopted earlier.
Figure 3: Recommended Governance Structure
C. Management
In an attempt to ensure professionalism in the management of the BCCI, the Committee suggested the implementation of a corporate structure whereby the BCCI will be managed by "professionals with established skill-sets".
Some of the significant recommendations made by the Committee with respect to the management of the BCCI include:
- Appointment of a Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") with strong credentials who will be assisted by a team of a six (6) managers to handle non-cricketing affairs and all non-cricketing and logistical concerns of players. The CEO to ideally have previous managerial experience for five (5) years as the Managing Director/CEO of a corporation with an annual turnover of at least Indian Rupees One Hundred Crores (INR 100,00,00,000/-).
- The large number of Standing Committees and Sub-Committees currently within the BCCI to be reduced to two (2) essential advisory committees (Senior Tournaments Committee and the Tours, Fixtures and Technical Committee) that would advise the CEO with reference to tours, technical aspects and tournaments.
Figure 4: Suggested Management Structure.
- Establishment of seven (7) cricket committees that oversee all selection, coaching, performance and evaluation matters across all categories, including disabled and women's cricket. Each of the cricket committees to consist of three (3) members who shall be former players/cricketers themselves.
- Selection committee of the men's senior team to consist of only former test players with the player having the most caps being the head of the committee.
D. Indian Premier League (IPL)
While the Committee recognised the importance of the IPL as a revenue generator for the BCCI, it also recognised the need for a reinforced mechanism of governance in relation to the IPL in light of the various controversies that have emerged over the last few years with respect to the league. The key recommendations made by the Committee with respect to the IPL include:
- Constitution of an IPL Governing Council, comprising of nine (9) members – three (3) ex-officio members (the Secretary, Treasurer and the CEO of the BCCI), two (2) representatives of the elected members of the General Body, two (2) nominees of the franchisees participating in the IPL ("Franchisee"), one (1) nominee of the CAG's Councillor on the Apex Council and one (1) nominee of the Players' Association.
- Representation of the Franchisees on the IPL Governing Council to be on an annual rotational basis, ensuring that every Franchisee is nominated at least once before a Franchisee is nominated for a second term.
- All bodies that are appointed under the IPL rules and regulations to consist of members selected by a panel of the BCCI Ombudsman, the Ethics Officer (both discussed in greater detail below) and the CEO.
- A fifteen (15) days break to be provided before and after the IPL season with respect to the national cricket calendar.
E. Players' Association and Agent Registration
The Committee also proposed the establishment of a players' association funded and financed by the BCCI to look after and advocate the interests of current and former professionals and the introduction of compulsory registration for player agents. In addition to providing an indicative set of norms to be followed by the BCCI and the players' association while establishing an agent registration mechanism, the Committee also made the following notable recommendations in this regard:
- The players' association to be brought into effect by an Honorary Committee consisting of four (4) members, which shall serve as the Steering Committee.
- The Steering Committee to: (a) identify and invite all eligible ex-cricketers to be members of the players' association; (b) open bank accounts and manage funds for the players' association; (c) receive funds from the BCCI; (d) conduct the first elections for office bearers; and (e) communicate the names of BCCI player nominees to the BCCI and take all necessary steps in this regard.
F. Conflict of Interest
The Committee observed that there was lack of awareness in relation to conflict of interest situations amongst the majority of its interviewees and also within the BCCI itself. In an attempt to provide a working policy in this regard, the Committee examined the functioning of various international sports bodies and the practices adopted by them in dealing with situations of conflict of interest. The Committee recognised that preventing conflict of interest is integral to the regulation of ethical conduct in sport. In providing its recommendations, the Committee expressly defined five (5) forms of conflict of interest and provided illustrations for each such form for better understanding. Each specific situation of conflict of interest was applied to individuals employed with, or connected to the BCCI with separate solutions or sanctions.
- The forms of conflict of interest contemplated by the Committee in the Report include:
- Direct or Indirect Interest - Where associations with family members, partners or close associates may be seen to compromise an individual's participation, performance and discharge of his/her roles;
- Compromised Roles – Where an individual's role may be compromised due to holding two (2) separate or distinct posts or positions in any of the BCCI, a member association, IPL or IPL Franchisees;
- Commercial Conflicts – Where conflicts arise out of commercial relationships with third parties (such as in the case of endorsement contracts) which could compromise the discharge of one's primary obligations or potentially deface the game;
- Prior Relationship – Where there exists a prior commercial relationship between an individual and/or vendor or service, who is subsequently engaged by the BCCI, its a member association, the IPL or IPL Franchisee; and
- Position of Influence - Where an individual is in a position of influence that may compromise decision making, control or management in relation to such individual's friends, relatives or close affiliates.
- The Committee has also categorised situations of conflict of interest as either:
- Tractable- which may be resolvable or permissible through recusal of the individual concerned and/or declaration of the interest involved; or
- Intractable - which are unresolvable and would necessitate the removal of the concerned individual from his/her position to cease the conflict of interest.
- The office bearers of the BCCI are required to make full and complete disclosure in writing of any existing or potential event that may lead to a conflict of interest in the discharge of his/her duties. All such information is to be uploaded on the BCCI website in order to maintain transparency and in the event any relevant information is withheld or the office bearer fails to make complete disclosure in this regard, he/she may face disciplinary action.
- The Full Member associations of the BCCI are also required to adopt and observe all the above ethical principles including those concerning conflict of interest.
- The conflict of interest provisions are intended to apply to all individuals who are a part of the game either as players, or management, or in any other capacity. For the sake of clarity, the Committee has recommended that under no circumstances should an individual hold more than one (1) of the following posts in the BCCI and national cricket ecosystem at the same time:
- Player (current);
- Selector / Member of Cricket Committee;
- Team Official;
- Commentator;
- Match Official;
- Administrator / Office Bearer;
- Electoral Officer;
- Ombudsman & Ethics Officer;
- Auditor;
- Any person who is involved with the governance, management or employment of an IPL Franchisee;
- Member of a Standing Committee;
- CEO and Managers;
- Office Bearer of a Member;
- Service Provider (Legal, Financial, etc.);
- Contractual entity (Broadcast, Security, Contractor, etc.); and
- Owner of a Private Cricket Academy.
Figure 5: Conflict of Interest Situations
G. External Supervision
The Committee recommended the creation of three (3) new authorities to provide external supervision and oversight of the BCCI's functions. These three (3) authorities are as follows:
- Ombudsman – The Ombudsman to be a retired Supreme Court judge or a former Chief Justice of a High Court, appointed on an annual basis at the BCCI's Annual General Meeting (AGM). The Ombudsman shall, either on a reference by the Apex Council or on a complaint by a member association/Franchisee/Zone/players' association/ Player/Team Official/ Administrator or on a suo motu basis, investigate and resolve any dispute between or among these entities by following due principles of natural justice, production of evidence and fair hearing. The Ombudsman may also entertain and redress any grievance or complaint by members of the public if such grievances or complaints concern ticketing, access and facilities at stadia and lack of transparency in the award of contracts for goods and services.
- Ethics Officer – The Ethics Officer to be a former Judge of a High Court and shall be responsible for instituting additional guidelines or bye-laws on ethics, initiating investigation or adjudicatory proceedings and awarding warnings, fines, reprimands, suspensions or recommended other actions to the BCCI.
- Electoral Officer–The Electoral Officer to be a former Election Commissioner of India and be responsible for scrutinizing nominations and clearing them, drawing up and verifying the electoral roll after identifying appropriate representatives of the Full Members, ensuring that no candidate falls foul of the BCCI's rules, conducting elections to the Committees under the rules and declaration of results. The decision of the Electoral Officer is to be final and conclusive in relation to these matters.
Figure 6: Independent Officers
H. Transparency and Oversight
While recognising the lack of transparency and oversight within the processes previously established by the BCCI, the Committee made several recommendations with respect to the BCCI's functioning, including the following:
- The Legislature was asked to consider bringing the BCCI within the purview of the Right to Information Act, 2005 ("RTI Act").
- Revision of all existing contracts of the BCCI as the Committee was of the view that the BCCI does not have fair and transparent criteria for awarding contracts or appointment of auditors and lawyers.
- Establishment of fixed norms and procedures for engagement of service professionals and contractors, and ensuring full transparency of all tenders floated and bids invited by or on behalf of the BCCI.
- Clear principles of transparency to be laid down, and the BCCI website and office to carry all rules, regulations and office orders of the BCCI, the constitution of the various committees, their resolutions, the expenditures under various heads, the reports of the Ombudsman/Auditor/Electoral Officer/Ethics Officer and the annual reports and balance sheets.
- Several recommendations in relation to advertisements during the broadcast of cricket matches, including that the entire space of the screen during the broadcast to be dedicated to the display of the game, save for a small sponsor logo or sign. Further, the Committee recommended that advertisements may be permitted during broadcasts only in breaks taken by both teams for drinks, lunch and tea, as is the practice internationally. In this regard, the Committee opined that broadcasters cut away to commercials at the stake of the game thus, depriving the viewers of on-field activity in between overs and on occasions, during the overs as well.
I. Match Fixing and Betting
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- Tags: Anti-Trust | Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) | Competition Law | Cricket | Governance | India | Regulation
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Written by
R. Seshank Shekar
Anirban Saikia
Anirban is an Associate at LawNK, a Bangalore based niche law practice specializing in sports, intellectual property, media and information technology laws.


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The Alliance has welcomed the decision made by the NHS Redditch and Bromsgrove Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), NHS Wyre Forest CCG and NHS South Worcestershire CCG not to restrict access to hearing aids for local people across Worcestershire.
The decision means that hearing aids, the only viable treatment for hearing loss and one that is extremely cost effective, will continue to remain freely available for people with a hearing loss in the area.
The three Clinical Commissioning Groups announced their decision (22 November) following a survey in 2016, with Action on Hearing Loss providing robust clinical evidence highlighting the flaws in the proposed restrictions and demonstrating the lifeline that hearing aids represent to people with hearing loss. The charity's view was supported by the Alliance, hearing aid providers, the audiology community, local deaf groups and thousands of local people.
Statement from NHS Redditch and Bromsgrove Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), NHS Wyre Forest CCG and NHS South Worcestershire CCG
Update (22 November 2016)
Over the past few months the Worcestershire CCGs have undertaken more work on the areas identified above. This has allowed the CCGs to develop a more clear understanding of the likely impact of implementing any proposed changes. The CCGs are currently unconvinced about the level of savings that would be achieved were specific restrictions to be introduced to primary care hearing aid services and 'over the counter' medicines on prescription.
Taking this into consideration, along with the responses received from patients, community groups and other key stakeholders as part of the first phase of engagement, the CCGs are not taking proposals around primary care hearing aid services or 'over the counter' medicines any further at this stage.


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I feel we are learning what is most essential in life: to listen. To be aware. To maintain our availability, humility and curiosity when facing the world. It brings such freshness to life – I mean, it brings life itself.
When I first started practicing the Feldenkrais Method six years ago, I had no idea how much this practice would completely change my life. Until then, I thought I was sensitive and functional and that it was okay and enough as it was.
With the practice of Feldenkrais and eventually Mind Body Studies, I quickly started discovering a whole new range of capacities. In the beginning, I sensed more possibilities of movements, such as new ways of walking, sitting, crawling and looking. Then I sensed all the different sensations that came together with those new ways of being in life: groundedness, stability, smoothness, fluidity, curiosity, playfulness, sensitivity and infinite new sensations!
I also realized that the connections between my thoughts, my body and my speech were much more refined. It was as if the thoughts were "embodied" and as if the body could be thought. Sensations are sharply connected with words and vice-versa. Reading a poetry book is much more of a nice ride for the body now!
As a yoga instructor, I have found that MBS changes the way I give instructions to my students and the way I look at them. I have also started to understand the postures much more as a whole-body construction. It has completely changed my understanding of yoga and of the relationship between the ego and the limiting patterns we carry around.
As a researcher of Butoh dance and of unlimited and creative expression, I find the world has opened up wide up for me, and it keeps on opening: the more I get in contact with new connections within me, the more possibilities and nuances I see in the world.
The sensation is the opposite of working out, doing Pilates or even practicing some kinds of yoga. When I do those activities, my body seems more dense, less penetrable to flow, less sensitive to a quiet breeze. When I practice MBS, my skin opens up and my body is in a state of awareness and availability. I feel opened.
With all of these changes that I began experiencing through the Feldenkrais Method, it seemed necessary to look for a deeper understanding of this practice that nourishes me so much. I'm very glad now to be having this opportunity to study with Mia and Leora. I feel we are learning what is most essential in life: to listen. To be aware. To maintain our availability, humility and curiosity when facing the world. It brings such freshness to life – I mean, it brings life itself.
This practice gives me the gift of smoothly and at the same time radically breaking the boundaries of my known being to explore new potentials. I know that may seem contradictory, but I'll say when it comes to Mind Body Studies: This practice is DEFINITELY forever.


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Worldwide Offices
THB provides broking expertise to clients
throughout Latin America and Asia via access to
Lloyd's, London and international Company markets.
News & Insights
THB Name Remains Strong In Latin America, Following UK Rebrand
by THB | 22 Feb 2021
THB, one of the specialty market's largest independent Lloyd's broking operations with over 50 years of experience, will retain its brand name in Latin American regions following the renaming of the UK operation to Amwins Global Risks.
THB Group rebrands to Amwins Global Risks
by THB | 22 Feb 2021
Amwins Global Risks' network of partner firms across Latin America and Asia will retain the THB branding.


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Christmas & Valentine's Day aren't the only Holidays for Seasonal Jewelry
Just because it's not Christmas or 4th of July doesn't mean you shouldn't be looking for great presents or lovely pieces of jewelry to wear to complement your outfit. Try our seasonal jewelry you will be happy you did.
We have many styles of jewelry that work for every seasonal holiday from New Year's to Christmas and everyone in between. Don't stop there though make sure to check the rest of the site for yourself and for others for birthdays and Anniversaries and other special occasions.
Shop our seasonal selection to add to your unique style with a piece of my uniquely crafted Artisan Jewelry.
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Showing all 6 results


text: Sometimes you just feel like a classic colour, and red is a classic nail colour that's anything but boring. Seen here: OPI "Red My Fortune" and Save The Nail 45 second top coat. I'm obsessed with this top coat, it really does dry in under a minute for a quickie manicure. It's quite thick so use a small amount to avoid surface bubbles. Background Zebra stationary from Paperchase.


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An economics, investment, trading and policy blog with a focus on Modern Monetary Theory (MMT). We seek the truth, avoid the mainstream and are virulently anti-neoliberalism.
Friday, November 6, 2009
10.2% unemployment rate highest in 26 years and they still think the Fed can fix this with low rates!!
The nation's unemployment rate rose to the highest level in 26 years and there is not a word being spoken about additional--and aggressive--stimulus (tax cuts and government spending).
Instead, our President and our policymakers are leaving the job up to the Fed, which has ZERO ability to increase aggregate demand. The Fed can only set interest rates and it has set them at zero, which effectively acts like an income cut to so many people who rely on interest income to live.
The Fed's quantitative easing is not only not helping, it is making the situation worse.
5 comments:
- Unknown said...
- November 6, 2009 at 11:59 AM
- Mike Sandifer said...
Mike, it nearly suprises me that Obama is so unconcerned about getting re-elected,although I'm suspicious of Summers and Geither. Maybe he's gotten some bum advice. However, I read that Romer wanted almost twice as much stimulus from the beginning.
Without more stimulus, it's hard to see how Obama holds onto the White House.
- November 6, 2009 at 5:00 PM
- mike norman said...
Agreed. But I believe that his political advisers, principally David Axelrod, think that the deficit is a greater political liability than 10% unemployment. That is the only way you can explain Obama's constant mention of the need to "cut America's debt," while millions of people are losing their jobs. The irony is, cutting the deficit will almost certainly make him a one-term president.
- November 6, 2009 at 6:43 PM
- googleheim said...
I have been suggesting for some time that raising the interest rates should come even as early as before the stimulus and the German "crass keynesian" commentary from their finance minister.
If they would have jacked rates up last year or more immportantly before instead of easing, a lot of money would have flowed from around the world into the USA, would have stopped the easing lending spree, would have stopped arbitrage.
The easy money created the problems, the low interest rates, the weak dollar, commodities run up.
The linkage between high oil, low dollar, spiking commodities, and all that which we have seen before and continued is a function of the set interest rates.
And we know the interest rate setting is a choice and nothing determines it.
It's the Fed's problem.
- November 8, 2009 at 5:20 AM
- MortgageAngel said...
The Current Population Survey (CPS) that is used to determine the rate of unemployment (10.2% in Oct.) is a "Household Survey", as there are actual phone calls made to households. It showed 558,000 jobs were lost last month. How convenient it is for the Obama administration that the focus for number of jobs lost is on the Current Employment Statistics (CES) which showed (only) 190,000 jobs lost.
Could this be why the unemployment rate and job creations are not jiving?
- November 9, 2009 at 1:41 PM


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US Military Purging Gospel, Adding Homosexuals
Transition Follows Prophetic 6,7,8, Cycle Pattern
ordon James Klingenschmitt is a former Navy chaplain who was forced out of the service in 2007 for praying in Jesus' name. He says the Obama Pentagon wants to purge evangelical, Bible-preaching chaplains from the service by giving them an ultimatum -- "reconcile" with homosexual sin, or quit. Pentagon leaders preparing to impose open homosexuality on the military are serving notice that discrimination against the deviant lifestyle will not be tolerated.
In a recently released memorandum, Defense Secretary Robert Gates directed his policy staff to move ahead carefully, but expeditiously, to end the ban on military service for open homosexuals. Officials said they will complete implementation plans for the new policy by Friday, February 4, and will commence indoctrination training this month . . . "Chaplains are now being faced with a choice: either quit the service, or reconcile with homosexual sin," he states. "Promotions and assignments are going to be controlled by whether or not chaplains reconcile with homosexual sin. It's really leading to a purge, I'm afraid." He contends that "many" conservative chaplains are going to be persecuted by the Obama administration - an administration he says is "forcing these bad policies to punish chaplains who quote the Bible outside of the Sunday chapel."
Editor's Note:
The transition from a straight, God fearing orientation in the military, to an all inclusive one which punishes those who will not assimilate deviant lifestyles is a fulfillment of Bible prophecy on many levels. In addition to the lesson of history, which shows such lack of intense discipline will result in an inferior fighting force, the pattern is profoundly prophetic.
Revelation presents what this writer calls the 6,7,8 Cycle, a formula that shows a 3-step transition from one position to another. In prophecy, its most common application is 6, representing man (man was made on the sixth day, etc), 7 representing the Spiritual component (7 is a number of completion, day rest, Sabbath, end of week, etc), and 8, which is represents a new beginning, comprised of the synthesis of the previous two.
Seen in the Hegelian Dialectic of thesis (6) versus antithesis (7) equals synthesis (8), Revelation tells us the "eighth" is the Antichrist Spirit which "goes into perdition" and it is "of the seven" (Revelation 17:11). In the above news story, the chaplains are being told they can continue as chaplains, but they must limit their references to Jesus, and must modify their stance to allow for the queers in the military. In other words, they can keep their Jesus, but they must combine their belief with the homosexual lifestyle as well. This is pure synthesis, and a road mark that America is on the road to Armageddon, with the Antichrist leading the way.
For more on the 6,7,8 Cycle, see the details concerning the book of the same name. The 6,7,8 Cycle.


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Some time seven years ago, my best friend showed me something that talks about The Three People You Will Meet in Life. This was theorized by human behavior experts.
About a few days ago, I encountered something almost the same, but it was called and described differently. It was We Only Fall In Love with 3 People in Our Lifetime – For A Specific Reason. Now this one came from philosophers.
First person, is your first true love. It is also called the idealistic love. You view love as black and white, no gray areas. It relies on how you see love is, but not so much on how you feel. This is where you will experience love the first time and be clueless about it. Which is why it's not going to work out.
Second person, is the one you love the most. It is also called the hard love. This is where you learn about the gray areas.
It is also the most important experience anyone can't miss because it's the coming of age romance. It doesn't matter what your age is, but this is where things get real.
The guy you will meet, will mark a before and after in your life. He will revolutionized your world in a second and teach you to see and feel things differently. This relationship creates resonance that triggers transformation in your life.
He will make you see your strengths and weaknesses, your flaws, imperfections, eccentricities and most important of all your talents and capabilities. You will believe your destined to be together, but this guy is not for you.
He is just an angel passing by you.
Just as Lang Leav said, "You may grow to love this person, but remember they are not yours to keep. Their purpose isn't to save you, but to show you how to save yourself." – Angels
Third person, is the right one for you. He's not the one you love the most, and he's not the one who loves you the most. He is the one who happens to be at the right place, circumstances and time.
I call this third person, the right love. You will find each other when you least expect it. You will connect as a surprise and you'll both know that you two just fit.
You will have just the right combination of personality and, strengths and weaknesses. Your similarities and differences, will complement each other naturally.
It's as if your soul just know and recognize each other. The moment you found each other, things just fall into place.
I know that the second person, sounds more appealing, but when you meet the third person, you'll know and feel why it never work out with the second person.
You might think that you might love the second person more than the third person. But you see the love you will have for the third person will grow in time.
That love will grow as the trust, intimacy, familiarity, the more you get along, the deeper your connection will get, you will both revolutionize each other's world, and that love will transform both of you. It will both give you resonance that will awaken you, enliven, and resonance that will bring you home.
The love you'll have with the third person is just the right amount of companionate love, and passionate love, for it to become an eternal love.
Here comes the tricky part.
The supposedly three people is sometimes three different people, but sometimes they could be one person. Sometimes the first and second person, could be one person. And sometimes the second and third person is the same. Because some people meet again after so many years.
This is one of the things that we have in real life that TV shows, and some movies fail to show.
What we see on onscreen is all about chemistry and maybe compatibility. Some writers forget about complementing the right combination of opposite attracts and similarities and more.
Another predicament here is some people gets stuck on the second person. It's because they really thought they're meant for each other.
It's only until they realized their pattern of dating people will they ever get to the third person.


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« AnteriorContinuar »
God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice
with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
NOTHING is more abhorred, of God or man, than ingratitude:-nothing more acceptable, nothing more expected, after the imparting of any benefit, than gratitude. Gratitude implies sensibility, generosity, and a feeling of obligation,
This and the two preceeding Psalms are full of expressions of gratitude; and no doubt relate to some signal deliverance or prosperity, which God had afforded. I will praise thee, says the Psalmist; for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. The stone, which the builders refused, is become the head-stone of the corner. This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes. God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
Light is put for deliverance and prosperity; in contradistinction to the use of the word darkness,
which signifies affliction. God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light—some signal deliverance. Bind ye the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar: Every acknowledgment was termed a sacrifice; some of thanksgiving, some of expiation. Bring a sacrifice, an offering: God has done it. Bring such a number of them, as a learned man reads it, that they shall reach even to the horns of the altar. The sentiment is evident. It is as if he had said, "God alone hath wrought this deliverance for us : let us yield the strongest expression of our gratitude on the occasion."
From the words of the text thus explained, I shall raise this doctrinal proposition, and apply it to the present occasion :
I. Let us consider SPECIAL DELIVERANCES.
Is there any one present, who needs information or conviction, with regard to the special deliverances lately received by this nation? There is scarcely a man among you, who could not detail them better than myself: for, living in the world, in business and in public affairs, you hear and know more than a recluse like myself can possibly do.
I would ask you then, on the knowledge which
you have of what has lately passed with respect to this country, Can you find any language that more meets the case than that which the Psalmist employs throughout this Psalm? For instance-They compassed me about, like bees: they are quenched, as the fire of thorns. Thou hast thrust sore at me, that I might fall : but the Lord helped
The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation. The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right-hand of the Lord doeth valiantly : the righthand of the Lord is exalted : the right-hand of the Lord doeth valiantly. I shall not die, but live; and declare the works of the Lord. The Lord hath chastened me sore, but he hath not given me over unto death.--God is the Lord, who hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. Bring every expression of your acknowledgment on such an occasion.
If any person present should question the greatness of the victory which we commemorate this day, or the merit of the departed victor, I would send him from this pulpit to learn of a seaman. I would bid him read LordCollingwood's Dispatches, where the true state of the case is displayed; and displayed in a language of such intelligence and evangelical simplicity and signification, that nothing can be added to it.
Yet while most men among us acknowledge this, they have not perhaps sufficiently regarded the particular state of things which enhance the importance of the victory. They may not have observed, for instance, the peculiarity of the time; when the men of might, of other nations, do not seem to have found their hands: yet, in respect to , us, it is as if the Almighty should say, How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? How shall I deliver thee, Israel? How shall I make thee as Admah? How shall I set thee as Zeboim ? I will
I will say concerning thine enemies, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further. Consider the peculiar circumstance of a calm afforded on the occasion, just before the storm which followed the battle came on; as if the waters were bid to stand still, that the victory might be obtained. Consider the disproportion in numbers, both of men and guns; which was so great, that, if the Lord had not been on our side, notwithstanding the prowess of our sailors, they must have swallowed us up. Consider, that, while so many of our enemies' ships were lost in the subsequent storm, not a single British ship perished. Consider, that hereby an additional defence is added to our country, and drawn nearer round us; now no longer necessary for a blockade: and this at a time when we were threatened with all that an enraged enemy could effect against us. Consider, too, the letter which God put it into the heart of our admiral to send. Behold the answer, also, to prayer: while we were praying that God would disappoint the devices of our enemies, and
give victory to our fleets and armies, the victory was gained.
These considerations, without going further into the detail, will oblige us to say, God is the Lord, who hath shewed us light. Our national deliverance is great and marvellous : but I must remind you, my Dear Hearers, that, if we do not speak the words of the text with a still higher reference, our view will be defective. The word of God is vast and comprehensive in its views: where it sets out with national deliverances, it ends in a reference to eternal concerns. .. The victory we speak of is doubtless a great and singular one': but, let me remind you that all you can say of it is, that it is a victory: you cannot say that it is the victory. What if, at a stroke, the whole power of France had been annihilated : what if the policy and falsehood and tyranny of that nation had been swept away at a blow:What then? you reply, " This would have been indeed a victory!" yet not the victory. For, let me ask again, What if, after all the conquests that could be possibly obtained on earth, our grand enemies, Sin, Satan, and the World remain unsubdued in our hearts --what if, after all our conquests, we ourselves are found captives, enemies to God, and fighting against one who must prevail :-what if the victors had been sent after the vanquished, and lodged in chains of darkness


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Monthly Archives: July 2015
Reasons People Stay with Cheaters
On social media it may seem like if someone is unfaithful to their partner they will immediately end their relationship. But in reality this is not the case so I will tell you a few points why people stay with … Continue reading
Is a College Degree Worth it?
The "Recession" officially ended in June 2009, nearly six years ago. However, the job market has made slow progress toward a full recovery. This brings up the topic is a "college degree really worth it"? This question became more apparent … Continue reading
How To Know If You're Ugly
In today's society most people are overly concerned with their outward appearance so here 4 ways to know if you are ugly. 1. If you never heard a complement outside of your family your ugly. 2. If nobody ever wants … Continue reading
Benefits of Being Broke
A lot of people look at the downfall of being broke but today I will tell you six benefits of being broke. 1. You get a tax refund check rich people don't get a refund. 2. You learn how to … Continue reading


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This month, the Sewanee Review — the historic literary journal published just down the road from Nashville at the University of the South — celebrates its 500th issue. Are literary magazines having a moment? To watch them flying off our periodicals shelf, you might think so. We asked Adam Ross, the Review's editor, to contemplate just what it is that literary journals add to a book-lover's reading life. He writes:
Literary magazines are — to date myself — the mix tapes of literature or, to update myself, the Pandora or Spotify of the literary world, but without the algorithms. That's to say, without the bots. They're personalized offerings from very conscientious readers and publishers made just for you, the curious reader who wants to know what's out there or what's coming down the pike.
You might've dipped into our summer issue, for instance, and read Richard Russo's remarkable essay "Getting Good," about how he became a novelist, seen through the lens of his relationship with his father, a union man, and his grandfather, a glove maker. It was a piece you wouldn't have stumbled upon anywhere else because of its length: it ran nearly 20,000 words. And that piece was placed alongside stories from Ben Loory's new collection, Tales of Falling and Flying, which has received all sorts of great press, and debut fiction by Vanderbilt MFA grad Lee Conell, and other writers new to our pages, like Ben Eisman or Charlotte Pence.
The same is true for our fall issue — our 500th — in our 125th year of publication. We are, it always bears repeating, the oldest continuously published quarterly in America, but in the last year we've enjoyed a revamp, which the The New York Times covered so beautifully, and in this issue's pages you can read a similarly long story by National Book Critics Circle Award winner Ben Fountain, an essay on craft by (again) Pulitzer-prize winner Richard Russo. These run alongside debut fiction by Elizabeth Weld and another story from a writer whose work we were the first to publish this past winter, Sidik Fofana, along with fiction by the remarkable Danielle Evans, whose first collection, Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self, won the 2011 PEN/Robert Bingham Prize and whose work has appeared in the 2008, 2010, and 2016 Best American Short Stories. And then there's nonfiction by the New Yorker's Nick Paumgarten (writing about youth hockey) and Louisa Thomas (writing about Ralph Waldo Emerson) along with the great Francine Prose, who recalls the memorial speech she gave for Stanley Elkin. This with images from our archive of writers who've written for the Review, such as Eudora Welty, Howard Nemerov, Ezra Pound, and Flannery O'Connor.
Which brings me to the most important point: American literature is healthy when the nation's literary magazines are thriving, because it's the job of their editors to be those aforementioned alogorithmatists, to identify new talent and publish those up-and-comers while also giving more established writers the platform to tackle subjects they might not elsewhere or otherwise. To lovers of good writing, then, I implore you to subscribe — to the Review, of course, at TheSewaneeReview.com — but also to visit your local bookstore's periodicals section and check out what's out there. Lit mags make for the greatest nightstand reading or after-dinner sampling. Maybe they're a cheese plate. If that's the trope I'm ending on, then please, give one a try.
* * *
A not-even-remotely exhaustive list of great literary magazines you might want to check out: Ploughshares, The Paris Review, Kenyon Review, Granta, Virginia Quarterly Review (VQR), Poetry, PEN America, The Georgia Review, Tin House, A Public Space, Ecotone, Zoetrope: All-Story . . . (Really, this list could go on forever. Come browse!)