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The Story of America
Essays on Origins
Jill Lepore
Princeton University Press: 416 pp, $27.95
For Jill Lepore, a Harvard history professor and New Yorker staff writer, the story of America is part myth, part tall tale, and never less than engrossing.
"All nations are places," she writes in her stylish new collection, "but they are also acts of imagination. Who has a part in a nation's story, like who can become a citizen and who has a right to vote, isn't foreordained, or even stable. The story's plot, like the nation's borders and the nature of its electorate, is always shifting."
As if to underline that point, Lepore's own narratives in "The Story of America: Essays on Origins" move from close-up to context and back again. She trains the literary equivalent of wide-angle and zoom lenses on seminal American documents, examining their subjects and their creators.
One of Lepore's great themes is that "the rise of American democracy is bound up with the history of reading and writing." For that reason, she argues, the study of our history and our literature are necessarily entangled.
In these elegant, often challenging essays, literary texts are treated, albeit skeptically, as historical evidence, and historical documents are subjected to close textual analysis. These methodologies are the hallmark of Harvard's History and Literature Program, which Lepore now chairs (and from which I graduated many years ago).
Take, for example, her deconstruction of "Paul Revere's Ride," Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's alternately beloved and reviled historical poem. Over the years, Lepore reminds us, historians have derided its inaccuracies, and literary scholars have dismissed it as "a piece of nineteenth-century romantic nationalism."
Lepore sweeps away both sets of objections by arguing that the poem is, in fact, "not about liberty and Paul Revere, but about slavery and John Brown." The date of composition is telling: 1860, on the brink of the Civil War. Longfellow was close to both Charles Sumner, a leading abolitionist, and his brother George. In an 1859 diary entry reflecting on the imminent execution of John Brown after his failed raid on Harpers Ferry, Longfellow predicted "a new Revolution, — quite as needed as the old one."
Published in the January 1861 issue of the Atlantic, "Paul Revere's Ride" was read as a "call to arms, rousing northerners to action," Lepore writes. But she says the poem can also be interpreted as "a fugitive slave narrative," a tale of capture and escape whose rhetoric echoes other Longfellow poetry explicitly about slavery. The poem's subject, she says, is "waking the dead" — not just complacent northerners, but "the enslaved, entombed in slavery." If she doesn't single-handedly restore "Paul Revere's Ride" to the academic canon, Lepore certainly sends readers back for a second look.
Not every essay is quite this invigorating. But Lepore is never less than lucid in rooting out historiographical fallacies central to America's myths about itself. Her America is flawed, but not hopeless; she embraces ambiguity and paradox.
Analyzing the travel narratives of Capt. John Smith, for example, she declines to brand him simply as a liar, and his Jamestown, Va., colony as a failure. Nor, she suggests, should they be celebrated uncritically. "Neither he nor Jamestown can bear the burden of the national need for a tidy past," she writes.
Among Lepore's other subjects are Benjamin Franklin's frequently misunderstood compendium of aphorisms, "The Way to Wealth"; Tom Paine's brilliant "Common Sense" and mostly tragic life; Noah Webster's initially derided dictionary; Edgar Allan Poe's unabashedly popular, self-parodying horror stories; and the art of propagandistic campaign biographies.
In "President Tom's Cabin," she takes on the charged debate about Thomas Jefferson's relationship with Sally Hemings, and how legal historian Annette Gordon-Reed reset it by taking evidence of the liaison seriously. An enthusiastic ironist, Lepore contrasts William Wells Brown's melodramatic 1853 novel, "Clotel; Or, the President's Daughter," in which Jefferson's fictional African American daughter commits suicide, with Harriet Hemings' actual life, spent passing as white in the shadow of the White House.
"To Wit," Lepore's closing essay, homes in on the not-entirely-distinguished tradition of presidential inaugural addresses. Her focus is on James Garfield, a scholar whose diary chronicled his study of the genre. In his own address, Garfield, though falling short of Abraham Lincoln's eloquence, spoke movingly of the overthrow of slavery and an inevitable "final reconciliation" among the combatants. Lepore, presuming historical literacy, omits mention of another tragic parallel — that Garfield, like Lincoln, was felled by an assassin's bullet.
Ending on this note underlines Lepore's contention that American history is messier and more complicated than we may prefer. Following her literary journey through its byways isn't a wild joy ride — just good, old-fashioned intellectual fun.
Klein is a cultural reporter and critic in Philadelphia and a contributing editor at Columbia Journalism Review.


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Winning the Richard Cosgrave Memorial Award for the second straight year was extra special for Jason Glass.
Glass takes aggregate title once again
Winning the Richard Cosgrave Memorial Award for the second straight year was extra special for Jason Glass.
Aboard his MJ's Water Hauling wagon, Glass edged out Kurt Bensmiller's Tsuu T'ina Nation outfit by .17 seconds for the aggregate award after eight nights of racing.
"I can't say enough about the horses," said Glass, whose outfit on Friday included one of Colt Cosgrave's horses. "This award is for Richard Cosgrave, so it's very special."
Starting off of Barrel 1, Glass won Friday's ninth and final heat in a time of 1:11.13, just .80 seconds ahead of Bensmiller. It was the third best time of the evening behind Rae Croteau Jr., who stopped the clock in 1:09.92 aboard his Nabors outfit, and Mike Vigen (Marcon Pipeline Solutions), who finished second in 1:10.29.
Croteau's time was the fastest time of the Stampede so far and earned him the top prize of $6,000 in day money.
Bensmiller and Glass had been waging an all-out battle for top spot in the aggregate standings at the 2014 Rangeland Derby. Through seven nights of action, Bensmiller's led Glass by just .63 seconds.
"Guys have moved up there and moved out, but it's pretty much been me and Jason," said Bensmiller, who noted prior to Friday's disappointing result that he's been having a blast at this year's Stampede. "I've been having a lot of fun. It seems like everything's been clicking and the outfits are really starting to work together. It's made my job a lot easier, so we're pretty happy."
Due to Friday's result, Glass won a bronze trophy and a new 2014 GMC 3500 HD truck, while his outriders Chad Cosgrave and Chad Fike accepted silver trophy buckles.
Glass commended Bensmiller for his strong showing so far in Calgary.
"Kurt Bensmiller has been running strong," Glass said. "He's got two really nice outfits or whatever he's putting on the track. They're starting, turning and running and he's driving really well. I think his confidence is getting better every year. He's obviously taking care of business and he's taking this very seriously."
In fact, Glass would like to see more young drivers like Bensmiller competing at the Calgary Stampede and on the World Professional Chuckwagon Association circuit.
"It's perfect for our sport," Glass said. "We need another 10 guys like Kurt Bensmiller — young, strong, excellent drivers. He's a first-class guy. His whole family is. I'm rooting for him."
Of course, Glass is also intent on defending his title.
"When you start here, you want to have your outfits organized and healthy and hope you have enough run," said Glass, who has been pleased with how his horses have been running through the first eight days of competition. "You want get your spring training right and everything lined up before you get here. You really find out what you've got after the first few days."
Rick Fraser won the eighth heat aboard his Direct Horizontal Drilling outfit in a time of 1:11.62 to maintain his position in third in the aggregate standings.
"The horses have done really well," said Fraser, who's in contention to win his first Rangeland Derby title. "You've done everything you can to get to this point. It comes right down to horses now."
Rounding out the top eight drivers, who will advance to Saturday's semifinal heats, are Croteau (Nabors), Jerry Bremner (Dynamic Directional Drilling), Wayne Knight (Mike Oilfield Services), Gary Gorst (Royal Well Servicing) and Luke Tournier (Midwest Pipelines Inc.).
"There's almost probably more pressure these first eight nights than there is going into the finals, because once you start making semifinals and finals there's no pressure, you just go for it," said Tournier, a Rangeland Derby champion in both 2005 and '07. "You learn from those that you've got to stay clean, just keep calm and take every day just one day at a time."
Bensmiller echoed Tournier's comments.
"There's two parts to the show," he said. "There's the first eight days and then there's the last two days. Both are equally are important. Once the first eight are done, then it only matters day-by-day after that, so anything can happen."

subset: commoncrawl


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Best Kids' Parties: Dr. Seuss
Name: Alex, 1
Location: Charlotte, NC
Our son Alex always lights up when we read Dr. Seuss, so when it came time to pick a party theme, it was no contest. The red, white and teal color scheme of The Cat in the Hat set the tone for the whole party.
Since we both have a design background, we kinda went nuts with all the stuff we did ourselves: a Happy Birthday banner (printer paper & ribbon), Thing Mom, Thing Dad and Thing Alex t-shirts (iron-on transfers), giant 3D letters that spelled ALEX (foam core, spray mount and pages from The Cat in the Hat), Alex's birthday bib (hand-cut felt letters), even his pom-pom party hat. Plus every sign, food card, favor sticker and treat stand. We even created a party logo featuring a Seuss-like drawing of Alex that we rubber-stamped in the napkins (and will use for the thank you cards later).
Even the food was Seuss-themed. We served green eggs & ham, 1 fish 2 fish Swedish red fish, Thing 1 and Thing 2 cake pops with cotton candy hair, and anything else that we could give a fun Seuss-y name to.
You'd think the toughest part would be coming up with all the Seuss-ian rhymes for the various signs, but actually it was a tie between blowing up over a hundred balloons to fill the party room's ceiling and trying to keep the Cat in the Hat decals from falling off the wall (they were one of the only things we bought from a store and they stunk. Thank goodness for heavy-duty spray mount).
The party was a Seuss-tastic success, though Alex was bouncing around from all the sugar for three days.
Thanks, Helen!
(Images: Helen Greenstein)


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- Cite
- English
Hitler's Non-Aggression Pact with Poland
One of Adolf Hitler's first major foreign policy initiatives after coming to power was to sign a nonaggression pact with Poland in January 1934. This move was not popular with many Germans who supported Hitler but resented the fact that Poland had received the former German provinces of West Prussia, Poznan, and Upper Silesia under the Treaty of Versailles after World War I. However, Hitler sought the nonaggression pact in order to neutralize the possibility of a French-Polish military alliance against Germany before Germany had a chance to rearm.
Appeasement in Europe
In the mid and late 1930s, France and especially Britain followed a foreign policy of appeasement, a policy closely associated with British prime minister Neville Chamberlain. The objective of this policy was to maintain peace in Europe by making limited concessions to German demands. In Britain, public opinion tended to favor some revision of the territorial and military provision of the Versailles treaty. Moreover, neither Britain nor France in 1938 was militarily prepared to fight a war against Nazi Germany.
Britain and France essentially acquiesced to Germany's rearmament (1935-1937), remilitarization of the Rhineland (1936), and annexation of Austria (March 1938). In September 1938, after signing away the Czech border regions, known as the Sudetenland, to Germany at the Munich conference, British and French leaders pressured France's ally, Czechoslovakia, to yield to Germany's demand for the incorporation of those regions. Despite Anglo-French guarantees of the integrity of rump Czechoslovakia, the Germans dismembered the Czechoslovak state in March 1939 in violation of the Munich agreement. Britain and France responded by guaranteeing the integrity of the Polish state. Hitler responded by negotiating a nonaggression pact with the Soviet Union in the summer of 1939. The German-Soviet Pact of August 1939, which stated that Poland was to be partitioned between the two powers, enabled Germany to attack Poland without the fear of Soviet intervention.
Invasion and Partition of Poland
On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland. To justify the action, Nazi propagandists falsely claimed that Poland had been planning, with its allies Great Britain and France, to encircle and dismember Germany and that Poles were persecuting ethnic Germans. Ultimately, the SS, in collusion with the German military, staged a phony Polish attack on a German radio station. Hitler then used this action to launch a retaliatory campaign against Poland.
The Polish army was defeated within weeks of the invasion. From East Prussia and Germany in the north and Silesia and Slovakia in the south, German units, with more than 2,000 tanks and over 1,000 planes, broke through Polish defenses along the border and advanced on Warsaw in a massive encirclement attack. After heavy shelling and bombing, Warsaw surrendered to the Germans on September 27, 1939. Britain and France, standing by their guarantee of Poland's border, had declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939. The Soviet Union invaded eastern Poland on September 17, 1939. The demarcation line for the partition of German- and Soviet-occupied Poland was along the Bug River.
In October 1939, Germany directly annexed those former Polish territories along German's eastern border: West Prussia, Poznan, Upper Silesia, and the former Free City of Danzig. The remainder of German-occupied Poland (including the cities of Warsaw, Krakow, Radom, and Lublin) was organized as the so-called Generalgouvernement (General Government) under a civilian governor general, the Nazi Party lawyer Hans Frank.
Nazi Germany occupied the remainder of Poland when it invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941. Poland remained under German occupation until January 1945.
Glossary Terms
Series: World War II
Critical Thinking Questions
- Investigate the reasoning behind various choices by the Allies in response to German policy and military moves in the 1930s.
- What factors might affect national responses to aggression?
Further Reading
Record, Jeffrey. The Specter of Munich: Reconsidering the Lessons of Appeasing Hitler. Washington, DC: Potomac Books, 2007.
Rossino, Alexander B. Hitler Strikes Poland: Blitzkrieg, Ideology, and Atrocity. Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 2003.
Zaloga, Steve. Poland 1939: The Birth of Blitzkrieg. Westport, CT: Praeger, 2004.


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MANCHESTER, N.H. – Less than 24 hours after winning an overtime battle men's hockey (9-6-2, 5-5-0 ECAC East) continued their winning ways as they skated to a 3-2 win over St. Anselm College (6-5-3, 3-5-2 ECAC East), in ECAC East conference action Saturday afternoon. The victory marked the first for the Beacons over the Hawks since the 1999-2000 campaign.
After falling into a 1-0 hole after the first period, the Beacons tied the score at 1-1 on a Faiz Khan (Newhall, Calif.) even strength goal. UMass Boston then jumped out to a 2-1 lead following a Bryan Albert (Redlands, Calif.) even strength score. The Beacons would maintain their one-goal lead going into the second intermission.
In the third, St. Anselm tied it all up at two goals a-piece on a power-play score by Tucker Mullin, who also netted the Hawks first goal of the night as well. Scoring the game-winner with less than seven minutes remaining in regulation was Andrew Burke, off of an Anthony Fitti (Watertown, Pa.) and Jim Ennis (Roslindale, Mass.) assist.
Kevin Bendel (Denville, N.J.) remained strong between the pipes as he tallied 41 saves to improve to 5-4 on the year. Across the ice Robert Kang was handed his first loss of the season despite coming up with 23 stops in the contest.
For head coach Peter Belisle, his first win over the Hawks marked the second straight weekend where UMass Boston recorded back-to-back victories over ECAC East opponents. Riding the momentum of last week's win over previously unbeaten Norwich, and yesterday's overtime victory over New England College, UMass Boston has quickly climbed the conference standings, and are currently sitting in sixth place overall behind Babson College.
UMass will face the Beavers in a home-home next weekend in what should be another crucial weekend as the Beacons look to continue their recent hot-streak.
On the night the Beacons did not go on the power-play once, while St. Anselm went just 1-for-2 in what was a very clean hard fought affair between the two squads.
Men's Hockey returns to the Clark Athletic Center on Friday when they host Babson College at 7 p.m.


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10-05-2019: Friday LAN
26-04-2019: Friday LAN
12-04-2019: Friday LAN
05-04-2019: Friday Session
22-03-2019: Friday LAN
15-02-2019: Friday LAN
01-02-2019: Friday LAN
18-01-2019: Friday LAN
11-01-2019: 1st 2019 LAN
21-12-2018: Last Friday LAN
08-12-2018: Last LAN for 2018
23-11-2018: Friday LAN
10-11-2018: November MEGA LAN
26-10-2018: Friday LAN
12-10-2018: Friday LAN
28-09-2018: Friday LAN
14-09-2018: Friday LAN
03-08-2018: Friday LAN
20-07-2018: Friday LAN
06-07-2018: Friday LAN
02-06-2018: June MEGA LAN
24-03-2018: MEGALAN EVENT - You dont dare miss this one
16-03-2018: Friday LAN
09-03-2018: Take a Break and have some fun
02-03-2018: Friday LAN Night
16-02-2018: Friday LAN
02-02-2018: 1st 2018 Friday LAN
16-12-2017: Saturday LAN
24-11-2017: Friday LAN
10-11-2017: Friday LAN
28-10-2017: October MEGA LAN
13-10-2017: Friday LAN
29-09-2017: LAN Night
08-09-2017: LAN Night
25-08-2017: LAN Night
05-08-2017: August Mega LAN
28-07-2017: Friday LAN
14-07-2017: Friday LAN
30-06-2017: End of FY LAN Night
16-06-2017: Friday LAN Night
02-06-2017: Friday LAN Night
06-05-2017: The MAY MEGA LAN
21-04-2017: Friday LAN Night
07-04-2017: Friday LAN Night
24-03-2017: Friday LAN Night
03-03-2017: Friday LAN Night
17-02-2017: Friday LAN Night
11-02-2017: 1st 2017 MEGA LAN
03-02-2017: Regular LAN Night
20-01-2017: 1st LAN 2017
03-12-2016: End Of Year MEGA LAN
11-11-2016: Another LAN Knight
28-10-2016: Regular Lan
14-10-2016: Swiss Flat Out Session
16-09-2016: Regular LAN Night
02-09-2016: Regular LAN Night
19-08-2016: Casual Friday Gaming
05-08-2016: Regular Lan
23-07-2016: New F/Y MEGA LAN
08-07-2016: First Lan for NFY (Round 2)
01-07-2016: First LAN of the NFY
29-04-2016: Regular Lan
25-03-2016: Easter Online Only
11-03-2016: Regular LAN
04-03-2016: Regular Lan
05-02-2016: 1st Gaming Night of 2016
16-01-2016: Farewell MEGA LAN for Azrail
12-12-2015: End Of Year MEGA LAN - Any games
04-12-2015: Just Another LAN...
20-11-2015: Another LAN
17-10-2015: MEGALAN OCT2015 - Any Game Any Time
25-09-2015: Just Another Lan
11-09-2015: Last Minute LAN
28-08-2015: Last Minute Lan - pending Swiss to unlock
14-08-2015: Catch Up LAN
24-07-2015: LAN Night
10-07-2015: Have Fun 9
20-06-2015: 1st 2015 MEGA LAN
12-06-2015: Pre Mega-LAN LAN
29-05-2015: Have Fun 8
15-05-2015: Have Fun 7
01-05-2015: Have Fun 6
17-04-2015: AGM + Gaming
10-04-2015: Online Gaming
27-03-2015: Calm Sea's For Now
13-03-2015: Game On
13-02-2015: All Hail the Humble Bundle
30-01-2015: AGM & Gaming
21-11-2014: LAN Party
21-11-2014: Lets Play - EDN Community Centre
07-11-2014: Lets Play
17-10-2014: The Internet Strikes Back
10-10-2014: Heroes of the Storm
26-09-2014: To Game, or Not to Game...
12-09-2014: Games Up
22-08-2014: Friday LAN
08-08-2014: Catch Up From Missed LAN
27-06-2014: Friday LAN Night
13-06-2014: Have Fun 5
24-05-2014: World Domination!
16-05-2014: Have Fun 4
02-05-2014: Have Fun 3
17-04-2014: Have Fun 2
04-04-2014: Have a bit of Fun
21-03-2014: Let the gaming begin
21-02-2014: ReUnion
20-12-2013: One Last LAN
29-11-2013: End of Year Birthday Party
08-11-2013: ARPG Night
01-11-2013: EDN LAN Night
18-10-2013: EDN LAN Night
04-10-2013: Mystery Game Night
20-09-2013: Welcome Back LAN - CDRBAZ
23-08-2013: Tower Defense
21-08-2013: Payday 2 - Club Heist
09-08-2013: A LAN Night
26-07-2013: Christmas in July
21-07-2013: Civilisation V: Brave New World
28-06-2013: Company of Heroes 2
14-06-2013: COH 2 Trial
31-05-2013: LAN Party
17-05-2013: Uber Mirco
03-05-2013: Lets Party
19-04-2013: The Annual Gaming Shoot
22-03-2013: The Queen of Blades is back
10-03-2013: Uber-LAN
08-03-2013: DotA 2
22-02-2013: Regular Meat ....with Cheese
22-02-2013: Back to the Future - Gaming Style
08-02-2013: Fail to LAN, plan to fail!
08-02-2013: 2013 EDN PC Gaming CLub AGM
02-02-2013: ACTion Lan
25-01-2013: First LAN 2013
30-11-2012: Shooters
25-11-2012: Alien vs Predator ONLINE
16-11-2012: Humans vs Aliens
21-09-2012: Internet Connection is LIVE!
07-09-2012: Heathen Computer Gods
24-08-2012: Supreme Commander
10-08-2012: David Attenborough – The Gamer
27-07-2012: Things to do without the internet
13-07-2012: Racing
29-06-2012: Diablo 2
15-06-2012: Company of Heroes
18-05-2012: Annihilation (im feeling merciful today)
04-05-2012: LAN Warming Party
27-01-2012: Australia Day
Heart of the Swarm is upon us, and it is now time to pick sides. Will you hold the line with your fellow marines against the Zerg onslaught, or will you help ensure the destruction of both humanity and protoss(inity?) With all 3 sides possessing new tech and new units, it is time to revisit everyone's favourite RTS.
Before you can continue you must agree to the following:
1. Constitution
1.1 I have read and understood the terms and conditions of the RAAF Edinburgh PC Gaming Club Constitution found here. I agree to abide by the rules contained therein.
2. Software Piracy
2.1 I understand that any copying of computer software by me or instructions given by me to make such copies without authorisation from the copyright owner is in breach of the law and against the constitution of the RAAF Edinburgh PC Gaming Club, and that such action can expose me to severe disciplinary measures, including expulsion from the club and/or civilian legal action.
2.2 I agree to use only software legitimately acquired and to comply with all licence conditions accompanying any software acquired or used, as required by law. I take full responsibility for all the software/games/programs that are on my machines before, during, and after any club events.
2.3 I understand that the use, advertising, copying or distribution of unlicensed software, Warez, or other products designed to allow copyright to be infringed (such as circumvention devices) is prohibited.
3. Illicit Material
3.1 I understand that the use, advertising, copying or distribution of illicit material, including pornography, is against the constitution of the RAAF Edinburgh PC Gaming Club and may lead to disciplinary action, including expulsion from the club. Where illicit material constitutes a breach of Australian law (including the Crimes Act 1914, the Criminal Code 1995, the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997) action will be taken in accordance with that law. For example, accessing, storing or distributing certain types of material (including child pornography) is a criminal offence. Where such activity is detected, evidence will be passed to the appropriate authority for action under the Crimes Act, the DFDA, or the Public Service Act 1999.


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Project Reach
Project REACH is a program that provides consultation and brief mental health services to trafficking victims throughout the United States. Project REACH is currently funded by the Office of Victims of Crime, U.S. Department of Justice, to provide services to pre-certified victims of human trafficking. We also provide technical assistance for post-certified victims of trafficking through a subcontract, with funding from HHS. The program has been in operation for six years and has served hundreds of victims of human trafficking, including victims of sex trafficking, domestic servitude, and other forms of labor trafficking. We have provided services to people from numerous countries in Africa, South and Central Americas and the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, and Asia and Southeast Asia. We have provided over one hundred trainings on human trafficking and trauma throughout the U.S. Project REACH is a mobile crisis intervention team comprised of trauma specialists. We work to identify the acute psychosocial and psychological needs of trafficking victims and help local service providers meet these needs. Staff are available to travel to sites where human trafficking victims have been discovered to provide crisis-oriented mental health services, and to offer consultation services to local providers. Project REACH provides direct client services, as well as technical assistance and capacity-building among providers. In terms of direct client services, we are available to conduct psychosocial needs assessments with human trafficking victims, addressing each person's unique needs. Our trauma specialists provide psycho-education and brief coping skills training with trafficking victims. We are also available to conduct trauma-focused psychological evaluations of human trafficking victims. These evaluations may be used to develop service plans for clients. They may also be used as part of a T-visa application, documenting the impact that the trafficking experience has had on an individual. Additionally, Project REACH provides case consultation to local health providers regarding individuals who have been trafficked, offering expertise on trauma and mental health to local providers. In terms of capacity-building, Project REACH offers trainings about trafficking and trauma. Project REACH works to train local service providers who will be working with specific trafficking victims about relevant issues, including basic information about trafficking and the psychological effects of trauma such as trafficking, concrete information about working with trafficking survivors (such as interviewing techniques), and information on culturally appropriate trauma-informed interventions with survivors of trafficking. For more information, or to request consultation, direct service, or training, please contact Dr. Elizabeth Hopper at (617) 232-1303 x211, or at firstname.lastname@example.com.
To donate online to Project Reach, please click the button below.


text:
Being a user of The Bat! at the moment, I decided to take a look at PocoMail this weekend, and I must say I'm impressed. Perhaps someone could answer a few questions on PocoMail, and, since I heard some rumors about some new version of PM coming up, on PM 4?
Btw: the "Contact" link in the website's main menu is broken... (FYI)
* Will PM 4 feature 'virtual folders'? It's one of the features of The Bat! that I wouldn't want to live without...
* Would there be some easy way to import The Bat! e-mails into PocoMail (except using 3rd party software)? It seems TB has a very easy-to-read format for storing e-mail, so would there be a wizard for this?
Thank you in advance!


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TEL AVIV, Israel, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, one of Israel's leading defense companies, and the Raytheon Co., based in the United States, are reported to be seeking to integrate the jointly funded Israeli-made Stunner air-defense interceptor missile into an advanced version of the U.S. Patriot system.
The moves comes amid growing U.S. interest in co-production deals on air-defense systems that are being produced or developed by state-owned Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries to protect the Jewish state from threatened missile bombardment by Iran and other regional foes.
Despite Israeli misgivings, this and other co-production arrangements involving defense systems could materialize, in large part for economic reasons, given current defense spending cuts.
"Scores of major U.S. manufacturers -- from General Electric to General Motors -- have research and development centers and technology incubators in Israel," Michael Eisenstadt and David Pollock of the pro-Israeli Washington Institute for Near East Policy observed in March. "Across the United States, Israeli firms or their subsidiaries have set up manufacturing plants that employ tens of thousands of Americans ... .
"These partnerships have helped the United States preserve its military edge. When the United States gives Israel $3 billion in annual military aid, 75 percent of it comes back to purchase American-made products and services."
All four of the anti-missile systems under production or development have been heavily financed by the United States.
Arrow-3 is being developed by IAI, based in Tel Aviv, and the Boeing Co.
The system is designed to intercept hostile ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere and will constitute the top layer of a four-tier anti-missile shield Israel is constructing.
David's Sling, intended to destroy medium-range missiles, is being developed by Rafael, based in Haifa, and Raytheon. It's scheduled to become operational in 2014.
The Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency -- for the first time -- included funds in April totaling nearly $400 million in its annual budget for Rafael's groundbreaking Iron Dome missile defense system in fiscal 2014 and 2015.
Iron Dome, the bottom layer of the Israeli shield, has been operational since early 2011. It's the only air-defense system in the world to use radar-guided interceptors to counter short-range threats.
Israeli officials say it has a kill rate of 90 percent, an achievement that's been widely questioned by missile specialists and analysts.
But it's been allocated $700 million in U.S. funds, primarily so the Israelis can buy Iron Dome batteries, each costing around $90,000, to protect Israeli cities.
The U.S. House of Representatives Armed Services Committee, which has been highly supportive of funding Israel's anti-missile systems, called on the MDA in 2012 "to explore any opportunity to enter co-production" of Iron Dome in view of the U.S. financing of that system."
The Americans were not always so enthusiastic about Iron Dome.
When Israel was scrambling to find weapons to counter the 4,000 rockets with which Lebanon's Hezbollah had battered the country during a 34-day war in 2006, military experts said such a system would be too expensive and not effective.
They recommended Israel acquire the U.S.-made Phalanx air-defense system.
To be fair, there were doubters in Israel's defense establishment as well.
But in 2008, U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama -- then a U.S. senator from Illinois -- visited Israel, and after his election in 2009, he endorsed the Iron Dome concept so Israel could maintain its Qualitative Military Edge.
The joint production concept was first proposed by Washington in 2011 -- and rejected by Israeli. But with heavily reduced defense budgets in the United States and Israel, the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv became concerned about cutbacks in U.S. funding for Iron Dome and other systems deemed vital to the state's protection.
Following the House committee's proposal, Brig. Gen. Shachar Shohat, commander of Israel's air-defense force, appeared more amenable to the idea and said it was important Israel demonstrate its appreciation to Obama for his support.
Shohat supported the idea of a U.S. plant to produce Iron Dome's Tamir interceptor missiles, calling it "a win-win situation" for both allies since he needed missile defense units "as quickly as possible."
"I understand the need of the other side to encourage investment in it side ... certainly given U.S. policy of trying to create jobs during a troubled economic situation," he said. "To me, it's clear that the American partner also has to look out for the American economy."


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Keira Knightley Half Updo for Prom
Keira Knightley's bouncy curls are great for medium to long hair and instantly dress up her half updo. Steal her look: 1. Start by washing hair using a curl-enhancing shampoo and conditioner. 2. Dry hair as you normally would and set entire head in hot rollers for about 10 minutes. 3. Remove rollers and spray hair with flexible-hold hairspray.4. Brush top half of hair back, leaving out a couple of pieces around your face, and secure with a jeweled barrette.
Jessica Simpson Wedding Updo
Jessica Simpson's classic and sophisticated updo is great for straight, long hair with no bangs. What to do:1. Pull dry hair back with a hair band in a ponytail, leaving a little volume at the crown. 2. Smooth flyaways using just a dab of styling paste rubbed between your palms. Don't use too much -- your hair will end up looking greasy.3. Tease the base of the ponytail and then smooth top portion by gently brushing with a boar-bristle brush. 4. Twist ponytail to the right and then loosely twirl ponytail clockwise around the base, then pin into place with bobby pins. 5. Finish with maximum hold hairspray and then a bit of shine spray for that extra glimmer in the moonlight.
Jessica Simpson Sophisticated Updo
Jessica Simpson's sophisticated updo with long, side-swept bangs really draws attention to beautiful high cheekbones. Steal her style:1. Flip head upside down and blow dry hair completely using a paddle brush.2. Tease hair -- and don't be shy here, the more you tease, the better this will look. Smooth top layer by gently brushing. 3. Gather hair at nape of neck and gently twist, bringing ends of hair toward the ceiling and tucking the ends into the twist. Pin with bobby pins up and down left side of twist and make sure to hide the bobby pins well.4. Sweep bangs to the left and spray entire head with maximum hold hairspray.
Jessica Simpson Edgy, Blonde Updo
Jessica Simpson's messy look is just what is in order for drinks with the girls. Messify your look with these tips:1. Using a large-barrel round brush, blow dry hair.2. Create a loose French twist by pulling hair toward the nape of your neck, twisting counter clockwise, pulling ends toward the ceiling and using bobby pins to secure in place. Don't worry about loose ends or flyaways -- the messier the better, we say.3. Pull a few face-framing pieces free along with a few from the top for that extra-messy feel.4. Finish with shine spray all over.
Jessica Simpson Sophisticated Ponytail
Jessica Simpson's ponytail is a new twist on an old standby and is especially cute with long bangs. To get the look:1. Spray hair with a volumizing spray, then blow dry hair in sections using a medium-barrel round brush. The more volume you can create at the root here, the better. 2. Tease your hair at the crown, brush over gently to smooth top layer and let bangs fall forward to the sides your face.3. Pull hair into a low ponytail at nape of neck and secure with hair band or clip.4. Finish with medium hold hairspray used sparingly in the crown area (where you teased).
Angelina Jolie Wedding Updo
Angelina Jolie's loose French twist is ideal for medium to long hair.1. Roller set dry hair with big hot rollers (apply them all over your head) for about 10 minutes and let loose once they're cool. This will help hair keep its hold as well as create those loose curls coming out the top of the twist.2. Comb hair smoothly back from your forehead and to one side on the back of your head. Pin hair flat down to one side against scalp.3. Take hair from the bottom and start twisting up, counterclockwise so you are twisting over the bobby pins already in place. Twist all the way up, pinning as you go (tip: if you crisscross the pins, the twist will stay better).4. Once secure, fluff out the curls coming out of the top of the twist.5. Pull out a couple of pieces around your face and spritz your entire head with medium hold hairspray.
Angelina Jolie Wavy Half Updo
Angelina Jolie's half updo looks polished for long straight or wavy hair. 1. If your hair is straight start by curling your entire head from about eye level down with a large barreled curling iron and mist with flexible hold hairspray.2. Section off the top half of your hair and tease the section near the crown of your head from some volume.3. Sweep top section of hair up and back from forehead with a brush, smoothing over teased area (no need for everyone to know you created a rat's nest to get that volume). 4. Secure hair with barrette and spray top of head with maximum hold hairspray.
Angelina Jolie Sexy Updo
Angelina Jolie's messy twist is super sultry for medium length hair. 1. Apply a volumizing mousse and blow dry hair using a large barreled round brush, lifting at the roots to create volume.2. Finger brush dry hair away from forehead and to one side on the back of your head. Pin hair down to one side against scalp.3. Take hair from the bottom and start twisting up, counterclockwise so you are twisting over the bobby pins already in place. Twist mid way up, pinning as you go.4. Once mid-way up the twist, pull the ends (that are pointing towards the ceiling) down and tuck them into twist and secure. 5. Come back to the front of your hair and mess things up a bit with your fingers, making hair loose from your pinned twist and pulling out random pieces near your face - it will look like you just got your hair done but then rolled in the hay for an hour - super sexified.
Angelina Jolie Romantic Half Updo
Angelina Jolie's lightly tousled half updo is perfect for a date or the prom. 1. For straight or slightly wavy hair, start by towel drying hair and apply a lightweight texturizing product while hair is still slightly damp.2. Roughly blow dry with your head upside down (for volume) while gently finger combing.3. Once hair is fully dry, section off your scalp into two parts by parting horizontally from ear to ear. Make sure to not brush your hair and to pull it away from your face with just your hands - you want it to look slightly messy.4. Finally secure the top section with a barrette and spray with a medium hold hairspray.
Angelina Jolie Long Half Updo
Angelina Jolie's loose half updo bun is a whimsical look for straight, medium length hair. 1. If your hair is wavy, apply smoothing cream and blow dry hair straight using a flat paddle brush.2. Section hair into two parts and secure the top half of hair into a loose ponytail with a small elastic band. 3. Twist the ponytail into a loose bun and bobby pin down. 4. With the bottom half of your hair, use a medium barreled curling iron and twist big strands around the barrel letting hair sit on the iron for about 10 seconds - just long enough to curl, not scorch, your hair. 5. Pull out thick strands around your face from the top of your hair and spray with a medium hold hairspray.


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September 2004
Japan, a country of islands, extends along the eastern or Pacific coast of Asia. The four main islands, running from north to south, are Hokkaido, Honshu (or the mainland), Shikoku, and Kyushu. About 3,000 smaller islands are included in the archipelago including Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-gunto), Daito-shoto, Minami-jima, Okino-tori-shima, Volcano Islands (Kazan-retto), and Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto) which includes Okinawa . In total land area, Japan is slightly smaller than California. As Japan is situated in a volcanic zone along the Pacific depth, frequent low intensity earth tremors and occasional volcanic activity are felt throughout the islands. Destructive earthquakes occur several times a century. Hot springs are numerous and have been developed as resorts.
Because the islands run almost directly north-south, the climate varies considerably. Sapporo, on the northernmost main island, has warm summers and long, cold winters with heavy snowfall. Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe, in central and western parts of the largest island of Honshu, experience relatively mild winters with little or no snowfall and hot, humid summers. Fukuoka, on the island of Kyushu, has a climate similar to that of Washington, DC, with mild winters and short summers. Okinawa is subtropical.
Japan's population, currently some 128 million, is primarily an urban society with only about 6% of the labor force engaged in agriculture. About 80 million of the urban population is heavily concentrated on the Pacific shore of Honshu and in northern Kyushu. Major population centers include: Metropolitan Tokyo with approximately 14 million; Yokohama with 3.3 million; Osaka with 2.6 million; Nagoya with 2.1 million; Kyoto with 1.5 million; Sapporo with 1.6 million; Kobe with 1.4 million; and Kitakyushu, Kawasaki, and Fukuoka with 1.2 million each.
Japan is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government with universal adult suffrage and a secret ballot for all elective offices. The executive branch is responsible to the Diet, and the judicial branch is independent. Sovereignty, previously embodied in the emperor, is vested in the Japanese people, and the Emperor is defined as the symbol of the state.
This map has also been used:
- Japan, October 1999


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Jerome Crawford
As an MSU undergrad, Jerome Crawford already had a strong affinity towards Green and White. "However, MSU College of Law won me over via its commitment to personal service provided by the professors, faculty, and staff. Everyone made me feel truly at home from the day I expressed interest until the day I walked across the graduation stage--and still today," he said.
For Jerome, the practical experiences he had during law school best prepared him to practice law. "My involvement in the Moot Court and Trial Advocacy Board (Trial) and the Trial Practice Institute (TPI) helped me hone many real lawyer skills that certainly give me a boost in my practice," he said.
During his time at MSU College of Law, Jerome also served as coordinator of the Alumni Weekend for MSU Law's Black Law Students Association (BLSA). "I also had the pleasure to serve as a volunteer with a Detroit-based organization called Boys Hope, Girls Hope. I mentored several middle school and high school aged young men about the importance of focus and how to be successful in realizing their goals. Through this incredible experience, I gained a greater realization that the youth are looking up to us as future lawyers in our communities. I understand the great duty we hold because 'to whom much is given, much is required,'" he said.
Jerome feels that earning a J.D. not only qualifies a person for the practice of law, but also represents a symbol of dedication, prestige, and hard work. "My father once told me that a law degree is like a giant key that can open any door into any field of work you wish to go into. I couldn't agree more. To those interested, I would say to explore that interest and determine if a legal education can help you attain your goals; if so, then commit fully to law school because the grind will definitely be a vigorous one."


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High Street in Millville sure lived up to its name Tuesday after police confiscated a pair of marijuana plants growing right on the sidewalk.
First reported by the Press of Atlantic City, the plants were discovered in a city-owned flower pot hanging from a lamp post by a passer-by.
"There was a huge pot plant, inside the pot," director of public safety Dave Vanaman told NBCPhiladelphia.
Two tall green stalks dwarfed the pink petunias and small checkered flags also in the planter, which is maintained by city's Parks Department. No one's sure how long the plants were there or if they were intentionally planted, Vanaman said.
Residents and shop patrons got a laugh from the spectacle -- snapping pictures and texting friends, the paper reported.
Police have been mum on the find, but Vanaman offered his feelings on the situation: "I thought, 'Oh well, somebody just lost their private garden.'"
All we know is it sure gives a new meaning to the term potted plant.
Get More: Press of Atlantic City


text: There seems to be some problem with the new (3.0.5) Monitor (Show Overview) page. Every now and then the new "white box" just keeps staying on the middle of the page and we get no Overview page at all. I think this started after upgrading to 3.0.5. It also looks like the Search function dies after a certain time has passed and the server has to be rebooted to get it working again.


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Saturday, 3 April 2010
And Then This 'Should' Is Like A Spendthrift Sigh, That Hurts By Easing.
Well, maybe so. Perhaps the moving and shaking, cringing and hiding, boldness and timidity that are just some of the qualities of living all come to nothing, and have no import beyond their intrinsic value, by the virtue of their existence. Perhaps a solid, unshakable system of belief isn't strictly necessary to live, or whatever the belief system there is, it can unfold gently and naturally, with not too much importance placed on absolute adherence to a set of rules based on imagination. Perhaps the less the will interferes with life, the "better," more efficiently, and more smoothly it goes...or perhaps "better" doesn't matter quite so much, and all the facets of emotion and circumstance can be relished, it not outrightly enjoyed.
Everything life requires is always present. If nothingness manifest, the formless formed, awareness without duality is how the mind likes to conceptualise existence, there is nothing wrong with that; but it's useful to remember that no matter how fundamental the concept of existence is, it's still a concept. Any idea about reality is one step removed from reality. Everyone is reality itself, before the mind gets hold of it and has a lot of fancy ideas about it. Enlightenment defined as awareness looking at itself, before the mind gives it time and objectivity, is fine. Some experience of life without the analysis of mind being the most important thing is probably desirable. Yet it doesn't matter; everything is everything, nothing is nothing, right now, no matter how the mind and ego interprets it.
This clip illustrates the frustration that can ensue when the nanny state is busy over-dictating each and every interaction with society. A million Londoners will identify with Edina (Jennifer Saunders), ranting in court in a fantastic episode of Absolutely Fabulous. The fact that she was very deserving of being in court is beside the point. Sometimes it's fun to take the story seriously!
17 comments:
- Gorilla Bananas said...
You're so right - if you think too much you just go round in circles. Doing simple things, like picking up an egg and caressing it, is better than thinking. I have caressed many eggs.
- 3 April 2010 at 08:41
- No One In Particular said...
Hey GB, trust you to get to the nub of it. Egg-carressing - the answer to all problems, the balm to ease all trouble!
- 3 April 2010 at 10:51
- Rizal Affif said...
Nice one. Stop thinking and start living.
Less words, less thinking though :D
- 3 April 2010 at 12:40
- No One In Particular said...
Hey Rizal, Hah! Just TRY and stop the ol' thinking. Good luck!
- 3 April 2010 at 14:02
LOL. I love this. Ultra-serious spartan non-duality in one hand and crack-me-up Advaita in the other...that ought to gobble 'me' up, littety split.
Thank you Suzanne.
- 3 April 2010 at 17:58
- No One In Particular said...
Hi Leslie, you're welcome, any time...
- 3 April 2010 at 19:01
- Ricky said...
If nothing else, God's Blogs are very entertaining.She writes to herself and tries to answer her own questions, only to be dissatisfied with any answer she gives and then asks another one- just to make sure She doesn't really know. Bizarre for Mind; simple for God.
- 5 April 2010 at 15:36
- Constance said...
LOL! I'm still laughing, very good. Just this morning I was thinking about how little thinking helps anything, and ha, that was thinking too, -it's endless. Thanks, Constance
- 5 April 2010 at 16:00
- No One In Particular said...
Hey Ricky, right on Bruthuh!
- 5 April 2010 at 17:58
- No One In Particular said...
Hi Constance. Nothing wrong with thinking! Even thinking about thinking's ok.
- 5 April 2010 at 17:59
- Brenda (betaphi) said...
Hi Suzanne. I paid my taxes today. The rant made me feel a bit better.
- 5 April 2010 at 22:39
- Ricky said...
You know when you're dreaming when you wake-up in the morning.
When you don't wake-up in the morning, well, now that's a very different kettle-of-fish.
Better leave that one to the
Man-Up-There, I think.
- 6 April 2010 at 00:00
- No One In Particular said...
Hi Brenda, death and taxes...in the unfolding story, count on them!
- 6 April 2010 at 07:22
- No One In Particular said...
Hey Ricky, just as well if you don't wake up, there's no one there to despair...and the man up there, you mean Carlos Slim Helu, right?
- 6 April 2010 at 07:25
- Ricky said...
Everytime God has a go at changing his dream he gets thrown-out of the studio- keeps being told he's spoiling things. The director came up to him this time and said, "if you want to be useful, pal, just watch and get into the spirit of things.There's only an hour left, surely you can wait that long.
"You told me that last week", God replied. "Yes", said the director, "shows you never really listen. Do as your told and I'll give you the main part, soon."
"Cuh", came the reply- "It's always soon with you."
Love your Blog, Suzanne.
- 6 April 2010 at 09:21
- No One In Particular said...
Hey Ricky, thanks, and that little parable rocks, a fantastic illustration of the ego's machinations.
My ego's given the main part to everyone and everything, it would seem! Bit crowded, but nice.
- 6 April 2010 at 09:34
- No One In Particular said...
Hey Lenny, whatever one cares to label it...me likey!
- 6 April 2010 at 19:02


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Chris Young to Perform National Anthem, Free Concert at Talladega Superspeedway
Chris Young will be performing the national anthem at the Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama during Aaron's Dream Weekend, which takes place May 3 through May 5. So that's right around the corner.
Young will offer up his version of 'The Star Spangled Banner' on Saturday, May 4, prior to Aaron's 312 NASCAR Nationwide Series race, which starts at 2PM CT on ESPN.
But Young won't be showing up, singing the patriotic song, watching some racing and then bolting. Instead, he will stick around and perform a free Infield Concert that night, held near the historic Talladega Boulevard. So fans that love racing and the 'Tomorrow' singer are in for a double treat next weekend. It doesn't get much better than that.
About Young's selection as the national anthem singer and performer, Talladega Superspeedway Chairman Grant Lynch said, "We're excited to have Chris sing prior to the start of the Aaron's 312, and can't wait for his concert on Saturday night."
Young will spend his summer vacation touring with Brad Paisley on the Beat This Summer Tour. Never a dull moment for Chris Young.


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How to Endure and Possibly Triumph Over the Adorable Tyrant
who Will Ruin Your Body, Destroy Your Life, Liquefy Your Brain,
and Finally Turn You
into a Worthwhile
Human Being.
Written by Alice Bradley and Eden Kennedy
Chicago Review Press
W. W. Norton & Co.
Bright Sky Press
Kensington Books
Random House
The site that inspired the book!
At LET'S PANIC ABOUT BABIES, Eden Kennedy and I share our hard-won wisdom and tell you exactly what to think and feel and do, whether you're about to have a baby or already did and don't know what to do with it.


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SoftBank, the number 2 Japan carrier, is going Android after all.
As we broke news earlier, the operator announced that it would start carrying the HTC Desire, renaming it the X06HT and will launch it with Android 2.1 almost untouched.
Softbank's Nexus
The Desire is basically Google's Nexus One without the search engine branding and was announced by HTC at the Mobile World Congress in mid-February in Barcelona.
It comes with an unique home screen that reminds a lot of Apple's exposé, which allows to see all home screens at once.
The hardware is close to Google's phone, with Qualcomm's 1GHz SnapDragon chip for instance, but leaving some features out as to reduce pricing, while adding nice touches as an optical trackpad.
SoftBank will offer it at around 10,000-16,000JPY with contract and add a 2GB microSD card to the lot. The S! Basic Pack (315 JPY per month) will be needed for internet connectivity.
Smartphone diversification
It's interesting that SoftBank, known for its flagship smartphone, Apple's iPhone, would diversify like this. Up to now, only NTT DoCoMo was selling an Android-powered phone, the disappointing HT-03A (KDDI has previewed its Sharp IS01 but won't sell it before October). I wouldn't read too much into it and imply that the carrier is dissatisfied with the current level of iPhone sales –estimated at around 2.5m, but simply that going away from what is basically a one high end model strategy makes sense (well, SoftBank also does Windows Mobile).
Yahoo! goes Google?
It will also be interesting to see if and how SoftBank will port it's current Yahoo! services to what is a Google phone. Dedicated applications or software updates might address this issue, as well as the S! Mail one, also absent in the iPhone, giving headaches to many users depending on these addresses for services in Japan.
On its press release however, SoftBank touts Gmail, Google Maps, Google Earth and other Google services.
Android in Japan
In a saturated market, going Android could open doors to some growth potential. SoftBank was the first operator to earn more revenue from data than voice in 2009 and going to an app-driven market seems sound.
Smartphone penetration is also very low in Japan compared with other countries.
Remains to be seen how the big three will coordinate -or not- some of their Android efforts. The number 1 operator is gearing up with localized resources, operator-specific APIs and reaching out to local app developers –DoCoMo needs them, as having an app market means easier entry for foreign entities, not having to go through the keitai specs to release services in Japan anymore.
KDDI is going with its au one Market and will link it to the Android market with its own billing platform this summer. It also hinted at a later version of an Android smartphone with Osaifu keitai -RFID payment- integration.
Android in Japan: will it blend?
Image by SoftBank Mobile


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Harry Styles, a well-known flirt, was a popular guy...
- by babyasian13
- Rating:
- Published: 17 Apr 2014
- Updated: 29 Apr 2014
- Status: Complete
He was nothing. He was of no importance to anyone. He had been living a life in darkness, a life where no light could penetrate his lifestyle. It wasn't until he met her. The light to show him the way. Yet, he had to keep his secrets hidden from her to keep her safe. Who knew curiosity could lead to your downfall? It's in his DNA.
Join MovellasFind out what all the buzz is about. Join now to start sharing your creativity and passion
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Author: Cranz, PhilipPublisher: UniformologyYear: 2011ISBN: UB38Binding: Soft CoverDescription: ** FREE POSTAGE within Australia, postage overseas at cost -- Note: Postage will be added automatically when you place an order, but I will adjust the postage cost when the order is processed. ** After the major difficulties in researching the more than fifty regiments of the Cavalry Legere or regular French cavalry of the Seven Years War we though the simple task of dealing with a mere sixteen regiments of dragoons would much easier. Well I can tell you that thought has proven false. The dragoons were every bit as confusing and confounding as the regular cavalry. We have gleaned every French source we have found including royal decrees and the different books of the Etat Militaire from 1748, 1753, 1757, 1758, 1759, and 1761 along with the Essai Sur La Cavalerie published in 1756 along with more modern sources like Pajol and Lienhart and Humbert. The result are comparisons and contrasts for all these sources for you our reader to make the decisions for himself or herself. We have also presented beautiful full color schematic illustrations of each regiment along with beautiful renditions of the famous dragoon cap for each regiment. In addition to the dragoons we have included the sixteen companies of the Gendarmes de France. They ranked between the troops of the King or the Maison du Roi and the regular cavalry. These companies were all formed together in squadrons and served under their own commander as a regiment of cavalry. They were made up of richly attired nobles who went on campaign with a full baggage train and accompanied by their personal servants like knights of old. Their exploits were quite famous during the early part of the 18th Century. During the Seven Years War they were in line alongside the Royal Carabiniers at the battle of Minden. Despite heavy losses they fought bravely.Like all Uniformology publications you will find more color and more details than any other source.Click here for a list of the Prints in this set
There is currently 1 of this item in stock.


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I'm a much better writer than you are.
Sure, I know that taste is subjective. But if we could wave a magic wand and strip away personal taste and bias, leaving only the raw, core elements of what makes writing good, everyone would know the truth: That I'm the greatest writer to ever live.
It doesn't matter if other writers make more money. They got lucky, and good for them. But my writing is better than theirs.
It doesn't matter if other writers sell more books. That's all dependent on the publisher, and how big a marketing budget a book has. It doesn't make their books better than mine.
It doesn't matter if other writers win more awards, or get better reviews. That's all subjective. On a level playing field, if we stripped away the bias and nepotism, I'm better than all of them.
I shouldn't ever say this in public, of course. People will think I'm an ass. An egomaniac. A deluded know-it-all. They'll question my grasp of reality, and try their best to cut me down, to prove me wrong.
In fact, they might try to cut me down even if I never speak of how great I am. That's okay. They're envious, or ignorant, or unhappy with their own lives. A writer as magnificent as I am can't be bothered with petty people.
But the undeniable fact remains. I am the greatest writer who ever lived. I am a legend. I am a god.
I have to believe this. I have to believe this with all of my heart and soul. How else could I keep sitting down, day after day at my computer, forcing out prose that might never ever sell?
I know I'm the best. How else could I keep my sanity in a crumbling marketplace and a volatile industry?
I'm superhuman. How else could I justify the time, the money, the blood and sweat and toil and tears I've shed pursuing this profession? How else could I believe that someday I will land that megadeal, and hit that bestseller list, and win those awards, and get those great reviews?
Do you really think I'd get anything done if I believed I sucked?
But that is irrelevant. I don't suck. I'm incredible.
Every time I struggle through a tough scene, wrack my brain for a plot complication, send yet another baby out into the world to be ridiculed and rejected, the only thing that keeps me going is my unwavering faith in myself.
I. Am. The. Best.
And if you don't think you're the best, quit now. Once you begin to doubt yourself, you get eaten alive.
I encourage all of you to gape in awe at the greatest writer in the universe. I command that you gaze into this writer's eyes and see the creative genius simmering within. The writer that towers above all others. The writer that will conquer the world.
Go. Do it now. Look at this magnificent writer.
Hint: You'll need a mirror.
Friday, February 13, 2009
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Howard Elliott Collection Dublin
About Howard Elliott Collection
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The Dublin collection by Howard Elliott Collection includes Wall Mirrors in a variety of finish and glass options. Contact our knowledgable sales team for additional options.
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We do not charge a restocking fee for any returnable Howard Elliott Collection products.
If you find a Howard Elliott Collection product on another site for less than us, we will match it PLUS 10% of the difference. Learn more


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Indy 500 qualifying to be 3 rounds over 2 days
The new qualifying format for the Indianapolis 500 will include three rounds over two days, with the pole-winner emerging from a "Fast Nine Shootout" on what used to be Bump Day.
IndyCar officials also said Friday there will be points incentives that have yet to be announced.
Qualifying for the Indy 500 this year will begin on May 17 when the fastest 33 cars are locked into the field. All entries will be guaranteed at least one four-lap attempt to qualify, and the fastest nine drivers will move into the shootout.
On Sunday, the previous days' times will be erased and entries 10 through 33 will complete another four-lap qualifying attempt to determine their starting position. The fastest nine drivers from Saturday will then make one four-lap attempt to determine the prestigious pole winner and starting front row.
The Indy 500 has had four-lap qualifying runs since 1939. The Fast Nine pole shootout was introduced in 2010, but was on Saturday.
The change comes as IndyCar struggles to fill the 33-car field, making the once tension-filled Bump Day drama-free the last two years. Without additional entrants on hand trying to make the race, Sunday had become a glorified practice session.
By making qualifying stretch over two days, Sunday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has become relevant again.
"We have a desire to give fans more opportunities to see IndyCar drivers on the track when there's a lot at stake, not just with practice, but where they are out there with putting it on the line in a way that matters," said Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman Motorsports. "I think in the last many years, Saturday has been the day in qualifying, but there's been an opportunity to add more compelling content on Sunday, and that's what we're trying to do here."
IndyCar driver Graham Rahal called the new format "intriguing" and praised it for adding fan appeal.
"The most important thing to realize here is we have to give our fans a better product both on TV and at track," Rahal said. "As we know Sunday in the past has been a moot point. Now I think there's going to be quite a bit of buildup Saturday, see who the 33 will be, then go into Sunday and wait till the very end to see who the pole winner is going to be.
"I'm pretty excited for the changes that are ahead. Of course, I am a traditionalist, but I'm always one that's open for change as well."
The format will make life a little more difficult for NASCAR driver Kurt Busch, who will attempt to become the first driver in 10 years to run both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Busch will now have to qualify in Indianapolis on Saturday, fly to Charlotte, N.C., for NASCAR's All-Star race that evening, then return to Indianapolis to determine his starting spot in Sunday's qualifying session.
Under the old format, had Busch locked himself into the field on Saturday, he would not have necessarily have needed to return to Indianapolis following the All-Star race unless he was in danger of being bumped out.
ABC will broadcast the final two hours of Saturday's qualifications and three hours on Sunday. Additional hours of qualifying will be carried on ESPN3, the network said.
"Down through history, qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 has made for many dramatic and compelling television moments, and we're confident that the leadership of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar will continue that tradition with this new format," said Rich Feinberg, ESPN vice president, motorsports, production.


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TechNavio's analysts forecast the Global Carrier Ethernet Equipment market to grow at a CAGR of 6.99 percent over the period 2012-2016. One of the key factors contributing to this market growth is the need to reduce the total expenditure of service providers. The Global Carrier Ethernet Equipment market has also been witnessing the increasing demand for EADs. However, the interoperability issues could pose a challenge to the growth of this market.
To Read The Complete Report with TOC Visit: http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/analysis/158300
TechNavio's report, the Global Carrier Ethernet Equipment Market 2012-2016, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the Americas, and the EMEA and APAC regions; it also covers the Global Carrier Ethernet Equipment market landscape and its growth prospects in the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.
For All Latest Reports Visit: http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/latest
The key vendors dominating this space are Cisco Systems Ins., Alcatel-Lucent SA., Huawei Technology Co. Ltd., and Juniper Networks Inc.
The other vendors mentioned in the report are Brocade Communications Systems Inc., ZTE Corp., Ericsson Inc., Fujitsu Ltd., Hitachi Cables Ltd., NEC Corp., Ciena Corp., Infinera Corp., Nokia Siemens Networks Inc., Ceragon Networks Ltd., ADTRAN Inc., Fiberhome Technologies Group, ADVA Optical Networking North America Inc., and Overture Networks Inc.
To Browse All Reports visit: http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/
Key questions answered in this report:
- What will the market size be in 2016 and what will the growth rate be?
- What are the key market trends?
- What is driving this market?
- What are the challenges to market growth?
- Who are the key vendors in this market space?
- What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?


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I know no one gets excited about vaporware, but the new Textfyre website will address some of the issues Jim talks about here.
Based on my work on Zifmia, which is a client-server engine based on FyreVM, which is a .NET implementation of the Glulx specification, I have been able to build a new Textfyre website. This new website is intended to be a portal for client-server Interactive Fiction games.
Here is the scenario I envision for the portal:
Games are played in a standard fashion, but mostly based on whatever template is devised. The template I'm working on is a hybrid of things we've seen over time and a slightly out of date version can be seen at http://beta.textfyre.com.
One of the major differences with the portal is that every turn of every game is saved on the Textfyre servers, in the cloud. If you play the game on any connected device, you will never lose your places. Save, Restore, and Undo become irrelevant. The user interface will have a mechanism to jump to any turn the user has played. If they type a new command at a previous turn, the history branches. These branches are displayed to the user and can be panned and zoomed and reviewed.
Obviously, this is a connected service. Future implementations may include client-side storage, but it's not on the radar today.
I have Cloak of Darkness working as an example. I'm still (slowly) working on the standard template and Shadow will be implemented as a pay-to-play game when the site is released publicly. Secret Letter will follow and we're working on getting Empath's Gift completed, at which time it will also become a part of the portal.
I would love for an author to step up and offer to work with me on the standard template or a new template for their own game. If anyone is interested, let me know. This is mostly going to be undoing any Glk specific code in your game file and replacing it with FyreVM stuff and then working on the client-side code.


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For a long time, the cure for diabetes type 1 and type 2 has relied on agonizing insulin shots for patients or insulin infusion via mechanical pumps. Regarding this, experts have been creating artificial pancreatic beta cells with the he…
Production, means the output of Gas Cutting Machinery
Revenue, means the sales value of Gas Cutting Machinery
This report studies Gas Cutting Machinery in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India, focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, covering
- ACRO Automation Systems, Inc. (USA)
- IDEAL-Werk (Germany)
- Miller Electric Mfg. Co. (USA)
- Bernard (USA)
- Air Liquide SA (France)
- Panasonic Corporation (Japan)
- ARCON Welding, LLC (USA)
- Hobart Brothers Company (USA)
- Illinois Tool Works, Inc. (USA)
- Carl Cloos Schweisstechnik GmbH (Germany)
- Daihen Corporation (Japan)
- Denyo Co., Ltd. (Japan)
- Fronius International GmbH (Austria)
- GSI Group, Inc. (USA)
- IGM Robotersysteme AG (Austria)
- KUKA Aktiengesellschaft (Germany)
- Kemppi (Finland)
- Kiefel GmbH (Germany)
- Kobe Steel Ltd. (Japan)
- Manufacturing Technology, Inc. (US)
- The Lincoln Electric Company (USA)
- Tianjin Golden Bridge Welding Materials Group (China)
- Victor Technologies International, Inc. (US)
- Voestalpine AG (Austria)
Market Segment by Regions, this report splits Global into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue, market share and growth rate of Gas Cutting Machinery in these regions, from 2011 to 2021 (forecast), like
- North America
- Europe
- China
- Japan
- Southeast Asia
- India
Split by product type, with production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided into
- Type I
- Type II
- Type III
Split by application, this report focuses on consumption, market share and growth rate of Gas Cutting Machinery in each application, can be divided into
- Application 1
- Application 2
- Application 3


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Bridges and Highways
Oklahoma's State Highway Transportation Infrastructure
The State owned highway system in Oklahoma is comprised of the State numbered route highways, the US
numbered route highways and the interstate highway system. The state system of highways encompasses
12,265 centerline miles as measured in one direction along the dividing stripe of two lane facilities and in one
direction along the general median of multilane facilities. Transportation on our highways is also facilitated
via 6,788 bridge structures that span major rivers and lakes, named and unnamed perennial streams and creeks,
other roads and highways and railroads. On the average, passenger vehicles, buses and light and heavy trucks
traveled more than 66 million vehicle miles each day (daily vehicle miles traveled or DVMT) in 2010 on the
non-toll highways in the State of Oklahoma.
As the information in this update is considered, it is important to reflect on the conditions, experiences and
occurrences that previously defined a highway system in a state of unmanageable disrepair along with the
initiative, efforts and dedication that have fueled the improvements we are witnessing today.
While improvements are occurring, Oklahoma's highway system bridge and pavement problems are readily
recognized and are a direct result of many years of "deferred maintenance" due to a lack of funding. From
1985 to 2005 state transportation investment was quite simply flat. As a result the condition of the
infrastructure experienced a consistent, downward spiral and decline that will take many years of committed,
focused and dedicated resources to correct. Prior to 2005 the problem was quickly becoming overwhelming
with no viable solution. At that time highway pavements were deteriorating at a rate beyond repair, let alone
reconstruction and more than 1,500 of our highway bridges were structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.
In January 2006, 137 of those bridge structures across Oklahoma were posted as unable to carry a legally
loaded truck.
Understanding that a world class transportation system is the cornerstone of a vibrant economy, a defining
quality of life element and a leading factor in growing and attracting new business, the Oklahoma Legislature
clearly decided that investing in transportation infrastructure should be a priority of state government. In 2005
these policy makers set about the important business of reversing the devastating trend of the previous 20 years
and several pieces of landmark transportation legislation were subsequently crafted and passed. These
transportation funding initiatives have introduced new state resources reserved for the construction, care and
maintenance of our transportation infrastructure and are unequivocally responsible for the positive results being
experienced by travelers on the state highway system.
If these trends are sustained and enhanced, these growing revenue streams represent the true turning point for
the future of Oklahoma's transportation assets. Today, the Department is afforded the opportunity to develop
an investment strategy and direct a multi-faceted plan that wisely and transparently dedicates the available state
and federal transportation resources in a balanced manner. This strategy represents a monumental effort to
return not only Oklahoma's bridges, but the highway system as a whole to a state of good function, safety and
repair and keep it that way.
Please enjoy the progress described in this update, understand the challenges that lie ahead and most
importantly, accept our deepest appreciation for your interest in and support for Oklahoma's transportation
Oklahoma's Transportation Infrastructure
Condition and Needs Summary
Oklahoma's bridge problem is well recognized. Of the more than 6,700 bridges on the state highway system,
1,290 are either too narrow to support today's traffic or have structural deficiencies, or both. Over the last
several decades, Oklahoma consistently ranked at or near the bottom of the list of states with the nation's worst
bridge conditions. Crumbling transportation infrastructure and deficient bridges have a detrimental impact on
Oklahoma commerce, job creation and economic growth and can even endanger our citizens.
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation has accelerated bridge replacement efforts through a focused and
concerted effort made possible by additional state funding provided by the Legislature. This effort has allowed
the Department to replace or rehab 626 bridges since January 2006. Even with this progress and our best
efforts to gain control of the bridge infrastructure deterioration curve, the conditional problems caused by 20
years of flat state transportation funding continue. An evaluation of the most recent bridge inspection cycle
and December 31, 2010 reporting reveals that an estimated 293 structurally deficient bridges were still
unfunded in the 2011-2018 Construction Work Plan.
The current 2012-2019 Construction Work Plan includes the replacement or major rehabilitation of 799
bridges which includes an additional 126 that are structurally deficient.
Proposed bridge replacements / major rehabilitations in the 8 Year Construction Work Plan .............799
416 structurally deficient bridges are included.
The Department has always envisioned the development of an aggressive bridge rehabilitation program
formulated to effect badly needed improvements on marginal bridges, but never possessed the resources
required to launch a meaningful initiative. The Department has instituted a bridge specific program designed to
be flexible and somewhat reactive. This bridge rehabilitation program allows the Department to stretch our
scarce regular maintenance dollars farther. At the same time, the program has proven effective in slowing or
stemming further deterioration or functional decline of borderline bridge infrastructure and enhances the ability
to manage these transportation assets in a manner that maximizes their life cycle.
Annual investment in bridge rehabilitation.....................................................................................$30 Million
While these efforts exemplify the wise investment of the available resources, today the Department recognizes
294 bridges that are not in the current 2012-2019 Construction Work Plan in need of complete rehabilitation or
replacement including 167 that are currently structurally deficient. Also, we must consider that a continuing
long term annual bridge replacement commitment will be required to keep pace with the projected aging and
deterioration rates of our current inventory.
Low Sufficiency, Narrow and Structurally Deficient bridges not funded……..........................................294
6 7
* as of December 2010
8 9
10 11
12 13
Built in 1932
Comanche County
SH-17 over Whiskey Creek
Structurally Deficient Bridge
Johnston County
SH-22 over Butcher Pen Creek
Structurally Deficient Bridge
Alfalfa County
SH-8 over Driftwood Creek
Structurally Deficient Bridge
Woods County
US-281 over Cimarron River
Structurally Deficient Bridge
Highways & Safety
Oklahoma's Transportation Infrastructure
Condition and Needs Summary
Oklahoma's rural nature and historically agricultural based economy has witnessed the conversion of many farm-to-market
roads and bridges into highways. While these roads were ideal for transporting livestock and crops to market 70 years ago,
they are less than adequate when supporting today's heavier trucks, increased traffic demands and higher operating speeds.
Over 4,600 miles of Oklahoma highways are two-lane facilities without paved shoulders.
Shoulders and roadway improvements to two-lane highways without paved shoulders in the 8 Year Construction
Work Plan…………………………………………………………………………………………….……………….617 miles
Traffic on our major highways has increased dramatically in the past two decades and is expected to continue to compound
for the foreseeable future. The daily vehicle miles traveled on facilities with more than two lanes in 2010 was 47.75 million
miles. Improvements to these facilities are often our most expensive and resource consuming projects, but also yield high
returns and have an immediate impact on regional traffic patterns. Over 239 miles of interstate pavement have experienced
significant rehabilitation or reconstruction since 2003 and an additional 89 miles are included in the Construction Work Plan.
Surface, operational and capacity improvements to high-volume major highways in the 8 Year Construction Work
Plan (estimated total investment)..........................................................................................................................$1.86 Billion
The greatest potential for tragic crossover accidents exists on divided high volume, high speed road and by the end of 2007
crossover collisions were responsible for 39 fatalities. In an effort to dramatically reduce these types of collisions the
department began an initiative that same year to install cable median barrier along divided high volume, high speed roads.
Beginning with the pilot cable barrier project in 2001 the department has completed or has under construction 480 miles of
cable median barrier. By the end of 2010 fatalities resulting from crossover collisions had been reduced by 82%. Although
one fatality is one too many, our efforts to protect drivers from crossing open medians has been tremendously successful and
will continue where funding is available.
Cable Median Barrier scheduled……………………………………………………...................................................83 miles
Much like our bridges, our pavement surfaces require systematic rehabilitative attention in order to maximize the life cycle of
our highways. In the past it has been impossible for the Department to afford the consideration of such initiatives. As
budgetary conditions improve we can invest in and develop a timely surface rehabilitation program with a focus on extending
the life of our pavements.
Annual investment in surface rehabilitation...........................................................................................................$65 Million
Based on an evaluation of safety features such as passing opportunities, adequate sight distances, existence of paved
shoulders, recovery areas for errant vehicles, and the severity of hills and curves about 31% or approximately 3,859 of our
12,265 miles of highway rate as critical or inadequate which includes 3,360 miles of two-lane highway. Even with the
improvements scheduled in the current 8-Year Construction Work Plan over 3,160 miles of inadequate highway will remain
unaddressed. To put this distance in the proper perspective, that is the equivalent of driving from Tulsa to Santa Barbara,
California and back on a highway with deteriorated pavement or sharp curves, no shoulders, steep hills, blind intersections or
high traffic demands. Hundreds of millions of dollars of improvements to our high volume arterial freeways will also go
unfunded as the department cannot afford to be proactive or even effectively reactive to these expensive needs. The safety of
our transportation system and the traveling public is paramount to our mission and always has our full attention, but many
highway safety improvements that could prevent property damage, personal injuries and the tragic loss of life will remain
Remaining inadequate highways with no improvements scheduled....................................................3,160 miles
20 21
24 25
Progress Summary
Performance management, asset management, investment strategy, system analysis, and transparent
reporting are primary terms often used in developing and managing business. Today, these primary
terms are becoming more and more ingrained in vernacular of government agencies and their
operations. The intent is to better report, understand and measure the outcomes associated with the
expenditure and investment of public funds. However, identifying the right measures to consistently
and accurately collect the necessary data and then communicate the progress of government to the
public in an understandable and meaningful manner can be quite difficult. Equally, when good
measures are established and widely accepted, the nature of quantifying any gains or losses can be
highly complex and difficult to concisely explain.
The Department of Transportation understands the needs of our transportation assets and monitors the
effectiveness of our investment strategies on a daily basis. The data collection and analysis necessary
to manage the transportation system is indeed extensive, complex, often voluminous and sometimes
inconsistent due to changing national collection and reporting criterion. With thoughtful
consideration of these complexities, the Department has selected several important and meaningful
measures for the purpose of providing a brief progress summary in the context of Oklahoma's bridges
and highways. It is anticipated that in the coming years this progress summary will evolve to
become a concise snapshot of the progress of the highway and bridge investment strategy.
Structurally Deficient Bridges
A review of the most recent transmittal of the National Bridge Inventory System statistics reveals that
Oklahoma has 706 structurally deficient bridges on the highway system or approximately 11% of the
almost 6,800 bridges. The structurally deficient bridge numbers have significantly improved from a
2004 peak of 1,168, in large part due to the additional focus and resources provided by the
Interstate System
The Interstate System in Oklahoma is a critical transportation link that is the viaduct of commerce
which facilitates the movement of goods and services within the state, across the nation and abroad.
The 674 total centerline miles of interstate carry a significant percentage of the daily vehicle miles
traveled and represent a priority investment strategy component. Since 2003 more than $1.7 billion
has been invested resurfacing, rehabilitating or reconstructing the non-toll interstate system including
bridges, interchanges and necessary property acquisitions and utility relocations. These improvements
represent the scheduled work accomplished as part of our Asset Preservation Plan and our
Construction Work Plan.
Non-interstate Highways
The needs of the state transportation infrastructure are constantly assessed and appropriate
maintenance, rehabilitation and reconstruction activities are planned and implemented in a fully
integrated and systematic manner. Regular maintenance extends the lifecycle of the transportation
facilities and timely rehabilitation and reconstruction activities as encompassed by the Construction
Work Plan are necessary to leverage those maintenance resources so the efforts are restorative and
preventative in nature. The timing of these investments is critical, as resources being directed to
infrastructure and facilities that are beyond useful repair does not constitute effective maintenance and
will not prevent the eventual, inevitable and costly failure of those elements.
In the context of the 2003 to current Asset Preservation and Construction Work Plan investment
strategies, the Department has resurfaced, rehabilitated, constructed or reconstructed non-interstate
highway pavements and bridges totaling an infrastructure investment value of more than $3.5 billion
including necessary property acquisitions and utility relocations.
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What do you guys and garls think of 3D animated videos?
Hi Sarah;
I haven't seen one yet.
In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.
They're awesome, but:
1) The glasses can hurt your eyes.
2)4-D movies (that's where there are theater and seat effects that resemble what's happening in the movie) are much better.
3)The glasses always slip off.
They would be better if you didn't need glasses to watch them.
I'll be here at least once every decade.
I have heard that TV makers etc are hoping that 3D will create the next big wave of sales for them (just like flat screens have). There would need to be enough content, and the glasses issue may be a problem.
"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..." - Leon M. Lederman
Are you kidding? I hate 4-D, it's a truly frightening experience. I know this I saw some at Disneyland. Anyway, wearing those glasses for two hours is really painful.
People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy.
~ Anton Chekhov
Cheer up, emo kid.
They can Be nice!!
Pages: 1


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I'm looking for a book or video that teaches how to interpret dog body language. Duke growls (and sounds scarey) when he plays. With the new addition coming into our home in a few weeks, I want to be sure I know how to judge when the play may be escalating into something that should be stopped.
We never had a problem with he and Trouble, because with her disability they never just played. She (or we) would stop him before he got started.


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Less than a year after he was suspended indefinitely for orchestrating the Saints' bounty program, Gregg Williams is back in the NFL.
The Titans announced today that they have hired Williams, and that the league office has confirmed to the team that he has been reinstated and is welcome to return.
"Commissioner Roger Goodell today notified Gregg Williams and the Tennessee Titans that Williams' contract with the Titans has been approved and that he has been reinstated," the team said in a statement. "The commissioner cited several reasons for the reinstatement, including Williams' forthcoming acknowledgement of and acceptance of responsibility for his role in the bounty program at the Saints, his commitment to never again be involved in a pay-for-performance or bounty system, and his pledge to teach safe play and respect for the rules at all levels of the game. The commissioner emphasized that Williams must fully conform to league rules and will be subject to periodic monitoring to confirm his compliance."
This is Williams' second stint with the franchise, having previously worked from the team from 1990 to 2000. His new title will be senior assistant for defense, and head coach Mike Munchak said he's excited about what Williams can do for his team.
"I have known Gregg for over two decades and have seen him work his way up from a quality control coach to a head coach," Munchak said. "He will bring a great deal of defensive knowledge and energy to our staff. The decision to bring him here only came after going through a thoughtful and thorough process."
With Williams back, all of the suspensions for both players and coaches handed out in the Saints' bounty scandal have come to an end, concluding one of the most controversial chapters of NFL history.


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How to Check Which Links Can Harm Your Site's RankingsBlog Post: April 15, 2012
You know what would be really nice? If they didn't just change all the rules completely, from top to bottom.
They are penalizing a lot of innocent people. They do not care what carnage they produce.
They just changed the rules from what they have been for 10 years. Then, without notice, penalize you for doing what they told you to do a few months ago.


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The Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program is seeking volunteers to serve as advocates for children in Iowa's foster care system. Currently, 460 CASA volunteers are providing advocacy on behalf of more than 900 children in the system. "We have heard from judges and service providers that many more Iowa foster children would benefit greatly from having an advocate in court. We hope to double the number of CASA advocates over the next two years," said Jim Hennessey, administrator of the Child Advocacy Board (CAB), who oversees the CASA program. "We believe many more Iowans will step forward to help these children if they know of the need," he added.
A court-appointed special advocate represents the interest of a child in any judicial proceeding in which the child is involved. Individuals who volunteer for the CASA program will complete a 30-hour pre-service training course before being assigned to a case. Once assigned to a child's case, the volunteer can expect to spend an average of 10 hours per month getting to know the child and his or her specific circumstances.
"Volunteers get to know the child they represent by talking with everyone in the child's life – parents and relatives, foster parents, teachers, medical professionals, attorneys, social workers and others," Hennessey continued. "They use this collected information to inform judges and others of the child's needs, including what would appear to be the best permanent home for him or her. Serving as a CASA volunteer is a meaningful and rewarding way to be involved in the life of a child, advocating for a child's needs and rights in court and in the community," Hennessey added.
Iowans who would like to make a difference in the life of a child are urged to contact the Court Appointed Special Advocate Program at 1-866-448-4608, or emailing the CASA Program coordinator at email@example.com.


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French art director and photographer Patrice Letarnec combines his two talents when he devised this cleverly simplistic photoseries. Having his subjects switch their top and bottom clothes, Letarnec then has them stand on their hands, walking about upside down on their daily routes. Thus the title of the series, Head Over Heels, which is taken quite literally.
The results are subjects which look familiar at first, until a general unease sets in to the missing head, arms which are too long, and legs that are far too short. The orangutan-like subjects are more comedic than disconcerting, another win for Letarnec's eye (who also deserves a bit of credit for finding subjects who can balance on their hands so well while blindfolded).


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Kristen Stewart's Mom Wanted To Cast Her Daughter as a Multiple-Rape Victim
K-11, the directorial debut of Kristen Stewart's mom Jules Stewart, is like a weird nightmare you just woke up from, in which you went to jail, watched someone shit out a balloon full of coke, stared at No.2 pencil-drawn chola eyebrows for way too long, heard someone howl, "I want a jailhouse fuck and I want it now!" while never quite grasping why anyone is doing what they're doing, ever. And did you get buttfucked? It's too fuzzy to be sure. It's the B-est, gayest, longest episode of Oz. It's madness, borderline camp and it seems to be aiming for something as sleazily quotable as Showgirls. It can't touch those debased heights, but any movie featuring an old, effete prisoner shouting, "I ain't leavin' here without my laxative! I'm in pain, god damn it!" either knows what it's doing or at least is wise enough to stay out of its own ridiculous way.
It would have been more insane had Kristen Stewart appeared in it as planned. The actress' rising profile had her drop out to take the starring role in Snow White and the Huntsman, which creepy weirdos will surely mourn because the role of Butterfly (as assumed by Youth in Revolt's Portia Doubleday) would have required Stewart to simulate being raped repeatedly. Under her mom's watch. By the guy who was Zeus in the WWF, no less. (Kristen Stewart does make a voice cameo during a phone call.)
Though Jules stands by her decision to recast her daughter's original role, the filmmaker still believes that Kristen would have done the part justice. "Kristen has a dark side," she tells Us. "Kristen has the edge — thank god, right?"
Well, now we see where she got it. I can't think of a less pleasant (thus more ideal) metaphor for the stage mom/child actor dynamic.
A neo-jailsploitation yarn that's virtually threadbare, K-11 is trash. It's watchable trash that very explicitly pushes lurid buttons by being set in the gay/trans wing of the Los Angeles' Men's Central Jail and having its characters ridiculously spar over contraband drugs and turf and showers. It is "run" by prisoner Mousey, who slinks around with the advanced smuttiness of a Rock of Love girl (she's the one with the No. 2 eyebrows) and says things like, "I'm the queen and this is my kingdom. You're in my world now. Mind your manners." Jason Mews (aka Jay of Jay and Silent Bob) is a featured player.
The marketing of this movie is as curious and slipshod as the film itself. Its official site proudly displays a pull quote from The Hollywood Reporter that isn't exactly a compliment: "Like a deranged John Waters remake of The Shawshank Redemption." Also on the site is a feature that invited you to make a picture of yourself over as "a transgender Mousey," an especially tasteless and clueless version of the Dragulator. (It's probably worth noting that the actress who plays Mousey, Kate del Castillo, was born a biological woman and is not trans.)
Also to Us Weekly, Stewart highlighted a theme of her movie:
"In the dorm, there's no racial issues — they're all gay or transgender," Jules says. "That's what holds them together. So race is not an issue, which was a big message in this film...It doesn't matter what color you are, everybody is the same."
Other non-issues in K-11 include the characters' eye color, place of birth, preferred salad dressing, favorite Friday the 13th installment and whether or not they are double jointed. Egalitarianism rules.
And then, there's the practical disingenuousness with which Jules Stewart (a frequent script supervisor) regards her famous daughter's pull. To the L.A. Times, Stewart said:
"To the world, I have no name. I am 'Mama Stew' - that's what they call me, all of her zillions of fans. Or I'm Kristen's mom; I'm famous for being her mom," she said with a shrug. "Most of the female directors that are successful in this business came up through the ranks. And I'm hoping to follow in their footsteps. I have my own career. My own thing going on. And I would hate to think that it's because of my 22-year-old that I got to direct a movie."
Right, but the first line of the press release I received for this movie is: "I'm writing to introduce you to K-11, the directorial debut of Jules Stewart, the mother of Twilight Star Kristen, starring Kate Del Castillo and Goran Visnjic." In all likelihood the aforementioned profiles (both of which name Kristen in their headlines) and this very review wouldn't exist without the K-Stew connection.
Then again, making an insane B-movie about queer prisoners who fuck and fight and canoodle and rub their silicone tits alluringly in open showers is not a bad way of removing yourself from whatever you've got going on at home. K-11 is a promising start.