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Jeff Huebener has built this beautiful coffee table for the living room, just congratulate him, his work is excellent, a whole pallet DIY artist.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Six Decades of Music Making - our origins and the conductors who have led us.
The Guernsey Choral Society was formed in 1948 by John Longmire. John Longmire, who was born in Lincolnshire, moved to Guernsey prior to the Second World War. He joined the evacuatiuon from the Island in anticipationof the German occupation but returned after 1945. He was a prolific composer of piano music and also wrote for solo voice and choirs. Much of his output is still available.
At around the time of the outbreak of the Second World War British composer and organist John Ireland lived briefly in Guernsey and he and John Longmire became friends. John Longmire subsequently published a respected biography of John Ireland.
The orchestra was formed in 1971 and the Society name changed to the present form.
Roll-Call of Conductors
|1948 - 1954
|John Longmire
|1954 - 1962
|Winifred Perkins
|1963 - 1964
|Gordon Hugh
|1964 (Dec) - 1976
|Marian Blondel
|1977 - 1979
|Malcolm Vivyan
|1979 (Dec) - 1983
|Roger Surcombe
|1983 (Dec) - 2001
|Alan Gough
|2001 (Dec)
|Bruce Cornelius
|2002 (May)
|Roger Brooks
|2002 (June - Dec)
|Keith Dawber
|2003 - 2005
|Stephen Le Prevost
|2006 - 2014
|Helen Grand
|2014 - present
|Alan Gough
In 2008 the Society published A Brief History of the Guernsey Choral and Orchestral Society to mark the 60th anniversary. The history was written by Stephen Oliphant, then the immediate past chairman of GCOS.
It was at a public meeting on 30 October 1815 that Admiral Sir James Saumarez, later Lord de Saumarez, conceived the idea of building St James.
The church was to provide a place of worship for the British garrison in Guernsey, where services could be held in English. At that time, services in the Town Church were heldin French. The building was completed in 1818.
After a full life, which included its use as the Elizabeth College chapel for many years, the building finally became redundant in 1970 and fell into partial decay.
In1981 The Friends of St James Association was formed to achieve St James' restoration and then to administer the building as a concert and assembly hall. The States agreed to pay for its full restoration in 1983 and the building re-opened in July1985.
Since that time, St James has provided the island with a unique and versatile venue for concerts and public events covering a broad range of tastes for both residents and visitors.
In early 2002, the Dorey Centre opened after a fifteen month building period and years of fund raising by the Friends of St James Association. The resulting three-storey annexe now houses a reception and box office, fourfunction rooms, bar and café as well as the prestigious Guernsey Tapestry. These additional facilities provide St James with the increased versatility itrequires to cater for many different types of functions and also provides theAssociation with further let-able income from local businesses and organisations.
The Friends of St James receive an annual grant from the States of Guernsey to help towards the administration of the building while fund raisingand income from Membership of the Association help them further to meet their financial obligations.
The island has its own parliament, the States of Deliberation, which is democratically elected. There are no political parties in Guernsey and therefore the island is not prone to pendulum swings in regime or policy. The States is responsible for domestic affairs, its economy and tax regime. Guernsey enjoys full fiscal autonomy in tax and regulatory matters.
As a Crown Dependency, the island's ties to the UK are through the Crown rather than the British Parliament, where Guernsey has no representation. The Lieutenant Governor is Her Majesty's personal representative and official channel of communication between the Crown and the UK Government and Guernsey.


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June 25, 1918 - August 17, 2016
Age 98, of Castile, NY died August 17, 2016 at the East Side Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Warsaw.
She was born June 25, 1918 in Caneadea, NY daughter of the late Justus and Dollie Clute Pero. Justa operated a boarding home in Silver Springs for many years. She enjoyed crocheting and she loved her pet animals.
Her husband Lawrence Treusdell died in 1983.
Surviving are her son, Larry (Sally) Treusdell of Silver Springs; her grandchildren, Justa (the late Fred) Goodell and Janinne (Alex) Luczak; her brother, Deanne (Virginia) Pero of Florida; five great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Merton Pero.
Friends may call Saturday, August 20 from 1 – 3 PM at Harmon-Watson Funeral Home, 35 N. Main St., Castile where Justa's funeral service will be held immediately following visitation at 3 PM. Private burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery, Silver Springs. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to East Side Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, 62 Prospect St., Warsaw, NY 14569 or Wyoming County Office for the Aging, 8 Perry Ave., Warsaw, NY 14569 or Community Action for Wyoming County, 6470 Route 20A, Suite 1, Perry, NY 14530.
August 20, 2016 : Calling hours for Justa I. Treusdell - 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
August 20, 2016 : Funeral service for Justa I. Treusdell - 3:00 PM
Aug 17.16 from Carol Smith:
Larry, Sallye and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I have always treasured my visit with your Mother a few years back. She filled me in on the Clute family. I tried to have her give the picture she had of my great-grandpa James Clute from the Civil War,but she wouldn't part with it, and I understood. She did give me a picture of her Mother, my Aunt Dolly which is in my Clute genealogy.I always wanted to get back to visit her again but never did. You all take good care. I love you! Cousin, Carol


text: James OlsonFather AdamskyBurt YoungAnthony MontelliRutanya AldaDolores MontelliJack MagnerSonny MontelliAndrew PrineFather TomDiane FranklinPatricia MontelliMoses GunnDetective TurnerTed RossMr. Booth, the LawyerLeonardo CiminoChancellorDanny Aiello IIIRemoval Man 1 Amityville 2 - A Possessão Amityville 2 The Possession September 24th, 1982 Amityville II: The Possession Join the network of satisfied members and try this service for Free. Fill out the signup form and start watching instantly. Unlimited Access Search for Anything Ads Free All Platforms Create Free Account ×DMCA Notice I have read and agree with Privacy and DMCA PolicyCancelSubmit


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Pathways Professionals
Elaine Wittmann
Jacqueline Aldridge
Julie Burks
Patrick Sullivan, PhD
Elizabeth Hill
Christy Miller
Nicole LaMotte
Play Therapy
Sandtray Therapy
Psychological Evaluations
Client Resources
Medication Management
More than thirty five years of working with children and families, as teacher, counselor and supervisor in a variety of settings, gives Elaine Wittmann a rich understanding of the human experience. More than twenty five years of specific study in counseling provides Elaine with the knowledge and skills to address a diversity of human problems and to appreciate the strengths that individuals and families bring to counseling – to cope, to heal, and to grow.
Elaine's Specialties include:
Play Therapy
Sandtray Therapy
Creative and Expressive Therapies
Neurological Disorders
Women's Issues
Trauma and Abuse
Loss and Grief
Dream Work
Elaine is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor, a Nationally Certified Counselor, A Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, and an Approved Clinical Supervisor. She has experience and credentials in working with children and families around issues of transition, trauma, loss – through death, foster care, adoption, or changes in family structure, abuse and neglect, and working with systems. Elaine also has an interest and experience working with a wide variety of neurological disorders, and an interest in working with women across a lifetime.
As a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor with twenty-five years of training and experience in Sandplay/Sandtray, Art Therapy, and many creative-expressive methods, Elaine is able to offer these models to children and adults alike. The use of dreams in therapy is also utilized.
Elaine uses an integrative model of counseling that respects the client's ability to grow in a relationship of support, and recognizes the universal nature of strengths and problems. The use of the creative process is honored.
To schedule an appointment with Elaine, call (828)260-0202
Elaine Wittmann, LPCS, RPTS, ACS, NCC


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Rest of the team
|Office Staff:
|Executive Officer:
|Wendy Tobias
|Administrative Assistant:
|Jocille Goldstone
|Lydia Gilmore
|Resident on site:
|Doug & Viv Wilson
|Honorary Officers forming the Executive (all are volunteers):
|The President:
|Rosalind Peters
|Vice President:
|Michael Eaton
|Vice President:
|Religious Services:
|Neville Cohen
|Vice President :
|Social & Cultural:
|Marilyn Coen
|The Treasurer:
|Stephen Kagen
|Religious Services:
|Voluntary positions
|Noel Sumroy
|David Jacobs
|Leslie Baker
|Chazzan Emeritus:
|Rev Michael Saville
|Honorary Life President:
|Geoff Eastman
|Honorary Life Wardens:
|Stanley Surr & Gerald Tammer
Synagogue Council:
The Council comprises (in addition to the serving Honorary Officers & all past Presidents), 18 elected members, all of whom participate in numerous sub committees.
Several Council members represent the Synagogue as delegates, at meetings of other Communal organizations.
School Visits:
The BHH is a popular venue for organized visits by children from schools throughout Yorkshire, furthering their inter-faith education.


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The left side suggests the less dominant, more passive side. Often it is taken to represent all that is dark and sinister and those parts of our personality that we try to suppress.
It is, however, more to do with instinctive behaviour, what feels good inside, and with personal behaviour without attention to moral codes.
The left side is supportive in expression, and receptive by nature, so anything appearing in dreams on the left side can be accepted as a symbol of support.
Any pain experienced on the left side is interpreted in terms of sensitivity.
The left expresses the more feminine attributes and often the past.
Any conflict between right and left indicates the differences between logic and intuition.
Indecision over left or right suggests an inability to decide whether to rely on drive or instinct. Feelings of being left behind suggest a sense of inadequacy, of disintegration and of having to leave the past behind.


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Wine Do's And Don'ts – Tips To Use
For centuries, wine has been enjoyed by countless individuals. To get the most enjoyment out of the act of drinking wine, a bit of knowledge is essential. Spend some time reviewing the advice below, and you can soon become a true connoisseur and relish each and every drop of wine you drink.
You should write down a few notes after trying a new wine. Make sure you write down the name of the wine, its origin and the year as well as your impressions. It will be hard to remember what a wine tasted like, especially if you attend wine tastings and try many different wines in the same day.
If you are really passionate about wine, you should consider visiting a vineyard. You will learn a lot about how wine is made, what makes a flavor unique and even get a chance to witness the production of your favorite wine if you visit a vineyard during the right season.
Simply because a bottle of wine is more expensive than another does not mean that it is necessarily better. You don't have to buy the most expensive bottles of wine that you find. Try wine at all different price levels. You may like something better that is less expensive than what you usually buy.
If you enjoy cooking, try incorporating wine from your wine rack into your dinner menu. Wine can be used in a variety of cooking formats including sauces and marinades. If you have small children, you need not be concerned about cooking with wine as most of the alcohol is cooked out during the cooking process.
A great tip if you're interested in buying wine is not to get too carried away with buying a lot of wine that you currently like. Tastes change all the time, and you might regret packing your wine cellar with a bunch of wine that you happen to like right now.
If you want to keep wine for long periods of time, you should consider investing in a wine refrigerator. Even if you have a dry and cool basement you can use, temperature will still vary slightly from one season to the next. The wine you store will keep its flavors if it remains at the exact same temperature.
If you are new to the world of wine, consider attending a wine festival. Festivals are a wonderful way to meet other people with an interest in wines and try several varieties without breaking the bank. You can also get some great ideas about pairing wines with foods. The fun and festive atmosphere also provides for a great date night out.
Find someone else who enjoys wine. It could be an employee at a store you go to often or an online blogger or critic whose opinion you respect. This individual can help you figure out what to try next, particularly if you are stuck in the rut of simply drinking the same thing over and over again.
Wine has long been a staple to cultures and civilizations the world over. However, to really optimize the wine drinking experience, it is important to familiarize yourself with everything you can pertaining to wine. By keeping the above information close at hand, you will be able to do just that and enter a world of sheer pleasure.


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Someries Castle, Hyde
Someries Castle, Hyde, Bedfordshire LU2 9PL View on map
Someries castle's name was derived from William de Someries who had a residence on the site. The site was acquired by Magnate Lord Wenlock in 1430 and work commenced on building the mansion. The house is unique in that it is regarded as one of the first brick buildings in England. Demolished in the 1700s, the fine brickwork can still be seen in the remains of the gatehouse.
Opening Arrangements
At any reasonable time.
Adjacent to Luton Airport, the property is accessed via Copthall Road (a single track road) from Lower Harpenden Road (B653), then via a unmade farm track which is not recommended for motor vehicles. Alternative, unsigned verge parking is available around the commencement of the farm track, at its junction with Copt Hall Road approximately 550m from the property. Rail: Luton (5 miles).
Parking Spaces
There is limited verge parking available adjacent to entrance, but vehicular access to this point, via unmade farm track, is not recommended. Alternative, unsigned verge parking (at drivers own risk) is available around the commencement of the farm track at its junction with Copt Hall Road, which is about 550m from the property.


text: I'm looking at changing the motor in my Sta-Rite 1hp Duraglas pump to a 2 speed motor. Is it ok to just change the motor, or do I need to buy a new pump? There isn't anything wrong with the single speed motor, except the electric bill . Thanks for the help.


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|"She Keeps Secrets"
Faery Wand
Item #J-752
|This Faery wand is made with wood that I have found on my many adventures around
the lakes and streams here in the Southwest. I only collect fallen branches from trees.
Gifts from Mother Earth!
This wand has so many different areas of detail it is hard to capture it all in pictures!
Beautiful Quartz Crystals and Real gemstones in Labadorite, Garnet, Iolite, Amber,
Amethyst, and Peridot are set into the wood. I do all of the nature inspired wood
burning designs which wrap around the wand in great detail. Copper wire is wrapped
around a section of one of the forked branches in a spiral design with a rainbow of
colored ribbon.
Entire length of the wand is about 18 inches from longest tip to end. With the natural
curves and twists the wand stands at about 14 and 1/2 inches tall. Average width of
wood is about 1/2 of an inch to 1 inch.
|To purchase this item using PayPal, just follow the link at the top of the page back
to the "Faery Finds" page to use the Paypal buttons.


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Blog Tour: The Mystery of Hollow Places by Rebecca Podos (REVIEW + PLAYLIST)2:27 PM
Synopsis (via Goodreads): All Imogene Scott knows of her mother is the bedtime story her father told her as a child. It's the story of how her parents met: he, a forensic pathologist, she, a mysterious woman who came to identify a body. A woman who left Imogene and her father when she was a baby, a woman who was always possessed by a powerful loneliness, a woman who many referred to as troubled waters.
When Imogene is seventeen, her father, now a famous author of medical mysteries, strikes out in the middle of the night and doesn't come back. Neither Imogene's stepmother nor the police know where he could've gone, but Imogene is convinced he's looking for her mother. She decides to put to use the skills she's gleaned from a lifetime of her father's books to track down a woman she's never known, in order to find him and, perhaps, the answer to the question she's carried with her for her entire life.
Rebecca Podos' debut is a powerful, affecting story of the pieces of ourselves that remain mysteries even to us - the desperate search through empty spaces for something to hold on to.
Author: Rebecca Podos
Publisher: Balzer and Bray
Release Date: January 26th, 2016
Genre: Young Adult, Mystery, Contemporary
This is another book that tackles important topics well. It gives us a glimpse of mental illness and shows us the impact of a broken family to an impressionable child. Being someone who has never experienced any of these things, I thought I would find it hard to empathize with this character, but it was surprisingly easier than I thought. I don't think I will ever be able to completely get everything that Imogene is feeling, but I feel as if I understand at least a little bit more now that I've read this. A large contributor to my being able to empathize with Imogene was that the story portrayed her not only as a girl in search for her mother but also as a troubled high school student who had a lot on her plate.
It took me quite some time to get into this book since I always seem to have troubles getting into a story and for some reason, I had even more trouble getting myself invested in this book. Even so, I had a feeling that this would be a good book, and I'm glad I continued to read it. As I read more of the book, I realized that I really appreciated the way Rebecca Podos wrote. Her writing is beautiful and has depth to it. It truly seems like you have a work of art in your hands. It's clear and doesn't have something extremely different about it, but at the same time, it has this complexity to it that really hits you. I can say with full conviction that the author really does know how to use her words to create the effect and tone she wants to achieve.
The Mystery of Hollow Places gives a great portrayal of relationships, not just within the family, but also between contrasting yet complementing friends. I found it fascinating how she could write about these relationships so well, letting the readers feel everything deeply and getting all the points across. She writes about good people who have their flaws and are growing in many ways.
If I have one thing I would say against this book, it's that I felt like it needed a little more. The build-up was excellent, but the ending seemed a little lackluster. It was not a bad ending, far from it, but with the writing skill shown in the entire book, I believe she could have made it more impactful than it was. Even so, it was an excellent novel that was beautifully written, and I would highly recommend it. :)


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You probably check yourself in the mirror before a night out, but are you forgetting to check how you smell? Today is "Sense of Smell Day" so at Bondara we're taking a sniff at the best way to pick up a date through the wonders of sent.
Perfume, aftershave, you probably have a few different bottles on your shelf, but do they create a wiff that will get you laid? Osmology scientists have determined that women and men are attracted to one another via selective chemical messengers called pheromones. These are arousal-stimulating chemicals which signal sexual desire, hormone levels and fertility, which therefore indicate to a mate that you're available for the horizontal tango.
If you're not having much luck finding a date, then maybe you need to consider a pheromone boost! At Bondara there are pheromone sprays and perfumes for both men and women to create the aroma of desire.
What's your favourite smell for your partner to wear? Is there a specific aftershave you love? Or do you adore their natural smell? Let us know below in the comments.


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Jeep Buyer's Guide
Jeep vehicles are known for their adventurous, go-anywhere attitude, a reputation that has endured for more than 75 years. Jeep's off-road savvy isn't reserved for the hard-core trail-seeker, either, as its SUVs are loaded with modern technology, handsome interiors and distinctive style. Ranging from smaller, value-minded models to those with an eye toward luxury and even high performance, every Jeep is something of a specialty in its segment.
Ordered by Price
Starting Price: $18,890 | Build and price your own
From our Full Review: "For those seeking basic transportation at a good price with the added bonus of having light off-road credentials, the Patriot is hard to beat." Read more
Starting Price: $19,090 | Build and price your own
From our Subcompact SUV Comparison Test: "The little toy-Jeep-looking SUV played calmly in traffic and on open roads. Best of all, if you think real Jeeps should be off-road ready, you can pick up a Renegade Trailhawk (starting at around $27,500) and you'll have a trail-rated SUV with more ground clearance, more all-wheel-drive capability, skidplates, and gutsier tires." Read more
Starting Price: $20,935 | Build and price your own
From our Full Review: "The new Jeep Compass is comfortable, roomy and surprisingly quiet out on the road. It also looks good, incorporating traditional Jeep styling cues like the 7-slot grille neatly onto a vehicle notably smaller than the Grand Cherokee. On top of it all, the Trailhawk models offer genuine off-road capability." Read more
Starting Price: $24,790 | Build and price your own
From our Jeep Cherokee Buyer's Guide: "There are very few compact SUVs that can boast any ability in the dirt. The Jeep Cherokee goes a step further, being the only one that has genuine off-road credibility and capability. It combines that with the daily drivability and practicality of the segment's best-sellers." Read more
Starting Price: $25,090 | Build and price your own
From our Jeep Wrangler Full Review: "The Jeep Wrangler is an authentic American original. For its loyalists it's nothing short of Old Glory with 4-wheel drive. Still true to its original concept after 75 years, the 2017 Jeep Wrangler continues to deliver exceptional off-road capability with ever-increasing amounts of on-road civility in an affordable package." Read more
Starting Price: $28,990 | Build and price your own
From our Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Full Review: "You're ready for a little adventure with every drive. That's the secret to the Wrangler's timeless appeal. Whether you're headed for the hills for a weekend of dirty play or just dropping the kids off at volleyball practice, the new Wrangler doesn't just get you there, it makes it fun." Read more
Starting Price: $31,490 | Build and price your own
From our Jeep Grand Cherokee Full Review: "With models ranging from the most basic 2-wheel-drive (2WD) Laredo to the performance-oriented 475-horsepower SRT, and a tow rating up to 7,400 pounds, the Grand Cherokee offers something for everyone." Read more


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The Megas
Before I was a Nerdcore MC, I was first in a video game cover band. For those of you who are unaware of this genre (and by the way, WTF? You're on this site after all, you should know this) it is basically the act of covering classic video game soundtracks with instruments such as guitars, drums, horns, and a theremin if you're lucky. Bands like the Minibosses, NESkimos, Powerglove, and the Advantage are all excellent examples and rock out with their proverbial 8-bit cocks out.
The Megas definitely slot well into this crowd of cover artists. They stick to a theme, Mega Man, and run with it better than most. They separate themselves not only with their focus, however, but also with their eloquent harmonies. Yes, unlike most of video game music, the Megas provide vocal story-telling amidst face-melting leads and powerfully poppy licks. How does it work? Well, I'm glad you just read that question I typed out loud so I can answer it for you.
This quartet managed to come with something very fresh to the idea of the Mega Man mythos. What of the perspective from the point of view of the robots the Blue Bomber battles? Are they simply two dimensional foes laying in wait for their enemy or do they have a deeper side? Diving into the dark side of the digital, dastardly droids, they write a near rock-opera telling of the conflict and desires of these so-called villains.
They nail it. Both lyrically and musically this band manages a stroke of genius with near every track. Re-arranging the music to mesh pop sensibilities with true-to-form play of the original complexity the Megas make feet tap at every tap-on. This is why they're so accepted. Normally lyrical video game covers fall flat or are balked against, but when done this well it can only be recognized as some of the best geek tunes a nerd can grow teary-eyed with nostalgic memories to. Nay, this is just some of the crème de la crème of alternative pop music in general!
They've got three primary releases. Get Equipped was their first full length album spanning all of Mega Man 2. Some of the most exquisite tracks include Quickman's theme and Airman's theme. They then, with the help of another act by the name of Entertainment System, nailed the first Mega Man soundtrack in Megatainment. Just recently they released Get Acoustic, the unplugged version of their first release. All of these are available on their website for purchase and recommended highly by anyone with the ability to hear music.
I'll close with this. The only critic one might have of the Megas is their emo-influenced lyrics. To this, I'll counter. The simple, earnest, and aggressively emotional tale of Mega Man 2's circuit board bounded brothers is in contrast to the straight forward and shallow original narrative of the game. In their re-telling they turn Mega Man from a great platforming title with an amazing soundtrack into something that almost has meaning. The simplicity delivers blunt but meaningful emotion. The easy-to-absorb phrasing sticks in the mind. The music makes me smile. It should make you smile. Go check out these native Californians. They inspired our track, Rockman Blues, and deserve all the credit that I can give for well produced, well thought out, well constructed, nerd music.
Go to their website, seriously!


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Normally to use server side includes in your page you must rename the page to have a .shtml suffix. Similarly to use PHP in your page it must have a .php suffix. This is because only web pages with these suffixes normally gets processed by the server to interpret these commands before serving the web page.
If you only have one or two pages that use PHP or SSI then this default arrangement is exactly what you want since processing the page on the server slows the display of the page slightly even when there are no PHP or SSI commands in the page to be processed.
The situation is a bit different if you decide that you want to use PHP or SSI in all of your existing pages and don't want to have to change the suffixes on all of your pages names. Firstly, changing all of the page names would mean that you would need to change all of the links in your pages. Secondly, changing the page names would lose all of your search engine placements. Thirdly, links from external sites would no longer work. In this instance we need a way to turn on the appropriate server side processing without changing the existing page names.
Provided that your host allows you to create a .htaccess file on the server you can easily tell the server to process all .htm and/or .html pages for SSI or PHP. The visitors to your page will see ordinary web pages and wont even know that you are using server side processing.
First you need to create a .htaccess file. On Windows this is slightly complicated because the name starts with a dot. Also you may find that a suffix gets added to the name when you save it. You need to make sure that the file is renamed to .htaccess (with the dot on the front and no additional suffix) before you upload it to your server. The unix/linux filename is htaccess with no suffix and the dot on the front means that the file is a hidden file that will not appear in any directory listings.
You need to add the following line to the .htaccess file to tell the server to process all of the .htm and .html for server side includes.
AddHandler server-parsed .htm .html
If you only want to process .htm for server side includes and not .html (or the other way around) then just specify the one that you want to be processed on the server in the command and leave the other one out.
To process PHP commands in your pages requires a different line to be added to your .htaccess file.
AddType application/x-httpd-php .html .htm
You can specify whichever combination of these commands that you require to perform the required processing on your pages. If we want to process all of our .htm files for SSI and our .html pages for PHP we could specify:
AddHandler server-parsed .htm
AddType application/x-httpd-php .html
The disadvantage of these commands is that all of our pages will be scanned for server side processing even those that do not contain such commands. This will slow our page loading unnecessarily if most of the pages don't actually require server side processing. On the other hand if we do want to perform server side processing on all of our pages then this is the quickest way to convert all of our pages and make the server side processing completely invisible to your visitors.
This article written by Stephen Chapman, Felgall Pty Ltd.


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We all need a little inspiration every now and then – especially when you're down on your luck. So, we've put together our favourite quotes to keep in mind the next time you're playing your favourite games.
Casino gambling is colorful and dramatic and theatrical. - Steve Wynn
Gambling is more than just winning. Every time you play, it's a journey. But unlike a movie, you never know how it's going to end. That's half the fun!
Without gambling, I would not exist. - Hunter S. Thompson
We here at AskGamblers can't agree more. Gambling is just one of those things that makes life enjoyable. And without it, we wouldn't get to help out awesome people like yourself.
Gambling is part of the human condition. I love it. I have the best time gambling. I've been winning fortunes, and I've been losing them. - Jerry Lewis
Getting a little deep there, Jer! But when you think about it, so many things in life really are based on chance. The best thing you can do is enjoy the ride.
I want people to understand, gambling is not a bad thing if you do it within the framework of what it's meant to be, which is fun and entertaining. - Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is no stranger to gambling. He's spent tens of thousands on the cards and the sportsbooks over the years, and been caught by the tabloids plenty of times. We're just glad this NBA great never went out of control!
Uncertainty doesn't make life worth living, quite, but it does make striving and gambling worth attempting. - Walter Kirn
You can never really be sure of anything, can you? But that doesn't always have to be a bad thing. Some of the best things in life are really just happy coincidences anyway.
Part of it went on gambling, and part of it went on women. The rest I spent foolishly. - George Raft
Hey, at least he's honest! As one of America's true gangster icons, George Raft had his fair share of tough breaks and wild nights. His true legacy? Getting banned from the UK after his Mafia connections came out. Bummer!
Sometimes a 3-1 favorite loses. That's why they call it gambling, and that's why they keep flipping over the cards. - Richard Roeper
Whether you're playing poker, blackjack, or anything else, nothing is ever guaranteed. Just remember: you're just as likely to lose to a bad beat as you are to win from one!
I like to think of the world as a sort of a casino, except the house doesn't have the advantage. If you're smart, you have an advantage. It behooves you to place a lot of bets. - Evan Williams
As the co-founder of Twitter, Evan Williams knows about success. And we think he's onto something: just make sure you're making smart bets!
Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. - Seneca
Sure, there's only so much preparation you can do at a casino, but this bit of wisdom is worth keeping in mind. Good opportunities are always waiting on the casino floor – you've just got to look for them.
Quit while you're ahead. All the best gamblers do. - Baltasar Gracián y Morales
You know what's harder than winning? Quitting. The "shoulda, woulda, coulda" is the bane of all gamblers. If you can get past the urge to keep playing, you're already a pro!
If you must play, decide upon three things at the start: the rules of the game, the stakes, and the quitting time. - Chinese Proverb
Letting loose and relaxing is half the fun of playing in a casino. But if you want to keep it fun, this is one bit of advice you'll want to remember every time you log in to your favourite site.
The only sure thing about luck is that it will change. - Bret Harte
There's a reason they call it beginner's luck. No matter how lucky you feel, there's always a dry spell on the horizon. But when things take a turn for the worse, you can always rest assured that won't last forever either.
True luck consists not in holding the best of the cards at the table; luckiest is he who knows just when to rise and go home. - John Milton Hay
Believe me, I know how hard it is to stop when your hand is hot. But you've got to stop at some point. It may as well be on a high!
A dollar won is twice as sweet as a dollar earned… - Paul Newman
We can't agree more with this one. Wages are good for keeping a roof over your head and food in your belly. But winnings? They're the perfect excuse to go crazy.
A man's gotta make at least one bet a day else he could be walking around lucky and never know it. - Jim Jones
Jim Jones: you don't want his Kool-Aid, but we think this piece of advice is worth taking. You just never know when you're going to have that once-in-a-lifetime win.
You'll always miss 100% of the shots you don't take. - Wayne Gretzky
As one of hockey's biggest legends, Gretzky has probably dealt with more misses than he can count. If he can get past it, anyone can.
Eat your betting money but don't bet your eating money. - Horseracing Proverb
Last but not least, always remember to keep things fun! Gambling should never be a priority over the important things in life. If you ever feel like it's becoming an issue, take a break and take some time to read up on responsible gambling.
17 bits of wisdom
Well, we think that about covers it! From the wild Vegas nights to the wins that got away, the gambling experiences of these influential people are worth keeping in mind the next time you decide to play.


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Cover of Azumi volume 48 as published by Shogakukan
|Written by
|Yū Koyama
|Published by
|Big Comic Superior
|Original run
|1994 – 2009
Azumi (Japanese: あずみ) is a manga series created by Yū Koyama in 1994. Its story concerns the title character, a young woman brought up as part of a team of assassins, charged with killing the warlords that threaten the uneasy peace in Feudal Japan in the aftermath of its long Sengoku civil war period.
Azumi was originally published by Shogakukan and serialized in Big Comic Superior, and received an Excellence Prize at the 1997 Japan Media Arts Festival and the Shogakukan Manga Award in 1998.[1] The manga was later adapted to two feature films starring Aya Ueto (2003's Azumi and 2005's Azumi 2: Death or Love), and a video game and a stage play in 2005.
Azumi focuses upon the life of the titular young female assassin. The manga begins an indeterminate number of years after the Battle of Sekigahara. As Azumi begins her duty, the manga introduces its characters into mainstream history. Many of the early missions that Azumi undertakes are the assassinations of the prominent supporters and generals of the Toyotomi clan, against whom Tokugawa Ieyasu expected to again go to war. The manga "reveals" that many of the Toyotomi leaders who conveniently died of diseases or accidents prior to the final confrontation between the Toyotomi and Tokugawa were actually victims of assassinations by Azumi and her comrades, thus indicating to the reader when the events were taking place.
Azumi is raised by an old man known as Jiji (Grandfather), whose name is later revealed to be Gensai Obata, as the only girl among ten students. They are secluded from the society in a tiny valley called Kiridani (Fog Valley) to such an extent that they do not know the difference between men and women, what a baby is, or customs like marriage. Early in the manga, as part of their training, Azumi and her comrades are ordered to go to Shimotani, a hidden community of ninja who became farmers, to learn the basics of ninjutsu. The manga sets a very chilling tone early on. The 10 erabareta senshi (chosen warriors), who are all young children (Azumi has her first period well after her first missions, so she appears to be somewhere between 10–12 years of age at the onset of the manga) are told by Jiji that they have completed their training. For their first mission, they are to form a pair with whomever among the 10 that they feel the closest. Azumi pairs with Nachi, and all others pair with their closest friends. Having formed the pairs, Jiji tells them their first mission is to kill their partner—whoever is too weak to kill their partner is too weak to fulfill their life's missions, and will not be allowed to survive. The ten children each fight their respective duels, and Azumi slays Nachi, an event which appears to deeply traumatize Azumi, but she hides her feelings, as do the others. Then, their second mission was to massacre all 53 residents of the peaceful ninja village, including their teacher, women and children, as they know of the group's existence. Azumi slays three men and four teenagers but is unable to kill a woman with baby, a task which one of her comrades quickly accomplishes.
The remaining five warriors proceed to go on assassination missions of the various important supporters of the Toyotomi faction. As the manga proceeds, it evokes various moral concepts such as the morality of assassinations (and killing in general), the dehumanization effect of politics, as well as leading the reader to question basic assumptions of right and wrong. For example, throughout much of the middle volumes of the manga (Vol. 8-19), Azumi frequently fights and kills many bandits—many of whom are depicted robbing, murdering, and raping innocent victims. Azumi does not question that her killing such bandits is right, and few readers probably question her righteousness. Later on in the manga, the political background to the reason for the banditry is revealed. The Tokugawa ruling family deposed and ended many previously prominent daimyō feudal lords who opposed them leaving the samurai and mercenaries in their employ without work or any means to live—therefore they resorted to banditry. Azumi questions whether it was right for her to have killed so many men who had been driven to banditry not by their own choice.
A consistent recurring theme is the contrast between Azumi and other prominent characters. Azumi is compared to a bodhisattva—a kind of enlightened being. This is indicative of the theme in Azumi where characters around Azumi are motivated by a variety of obsessions. Some are motivated by a kind of blind idealism, others by religion, others by a lust for battle, greed, or even normally sanctified motivations like honor. Not all the forces (particularly those motivated by more noble incentives, like a pair of ninja assassins whom Azumi kills, who are participating in the planning of a revolt as the only way for a ninja community to survive) are depicted as if their single-minded drive towards their goals are somehow evil. However, nonetheless, in each case, those who are attached intensely to something in the world are killed by Azumi, while she, who seemingly has little attachment to the earthly world and few personal desires, survives.
Film series[edit]
Azumi was loosely adapted into an action film directed by Ryuhei Kitamura in 2003. A sequel, Azumi 2: Death or Love, directed by Shusuke Kaneko, followed in 2005.
Video game[edit]
An action game for PlayStation 2, based on manga's original story, was developed by Gargoyle Mechanics and released in Japan only by Entertainment Software Publishing in 2005.[2] The game was also re-released as part of the budget-range Simple series (Vol. 32).
Stage play[edit]
The theatrical version, directed by Okamura Toshikazu, premiered on April 3, 2005, starring Meisa Kuroki as Azumi.
Azumi Original Soundtrack containing music from the film was released by For Life Music in 2003.[3] Azumi figure line based on the manga version was released by figuAX in 2006.[4]
- Gifford, Kevin. "Azumi". (November 2006) Newtype USA. p. 154.
- ^ 小学館漫画賞: 歴代受賞者 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-19.
- ^ "IGN: Azumi". Uk.ps2.ign.com. 2004-11-22. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
- ^ "Azumi Original Soundtrack Original Soundtrack (CD)". Cdjapan.co.jp. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
- ^ figuAX あずみアートコレクション 【ハピネットロビン】 (in Japanese)
External links[edit]
- Official website of the video game (in Japanese)
- Azumi (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- Azumi (video game) at GameFAQs
- Azumi—Vintage Ninja
- Manga series
- 1994 manga
- 2005 video games
- Action video games
- Drama anime and manga
- Fictional assassins
- Fictional characters introduced in 1994
- Fictional Japanese people in anime and manga
- Fictional female ninja
- Fictional secret agents and spies
- Fictional women soldiers and warriors
- Japan-exclusive video games
- Manga adapted into films
- Ninja in anime and manga
- Orphan characters in anime and manga
- PlayStation 2 games
- PlayStation 2-only games
- Samurai in anime and manga
- Seinen manga
- Shogakukan manga
- Video games based on anime and manga
- Video games developed in Japan
- Winners of the Shogakukan Manga Award for general manga
- Yū Koyama


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Periodontal disease is characterized by a progressive loss of supportive gingival tissue in the gums and jawbone. It is the number one cause of tooth loss among adults in the developed world. Periodontal disease occurs when toxins found in oral plaque inflame and irritate the soft tissues surrounding the teeth. If left untreated, bacteria colonies initially cause the systematic destruction of gum tissue, and then proceed to destroy the underlying bone tissue.
Osteoporosis is a common metabolic bone disease which frequently occurs in postmenopausal women, and occurs less frequently in men. Osteoporosis is characterized by bone fragility, low bone mass and a decrease in bone mineral density. Many studies have explored and identified a connection between periodontal disease and osteoporosis.
A study conducted at the University of New York at Buffalo in 1995 concluded that post-menopausal women who suffered from osteoporosis were 86% more likely to also develop periodontal disease.
Reasons for the Connection
Though studies are still being conducted in order to further assess the extent of the relationship between osteoporosis and periodontal disease, the researchers have thus far made the following connections:
Diagnosis and Treatment
Osteoporosis and periodontal disease are much less dangerous if they are diagnosed in the early stages. Once a diagnosis has been made, the dentist will generally work with the patient's doctor to ensure that both diseases are effectively controlled.
Here are some methods commonly used to diagnose and treat the diseases:
If you have any questions about periodontal disease and its connection with osteoporosis, please ask your dentist.
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This was my first trip to Westhill dentist for anything more than a cleaning / checkup. I had to have a filling in one of my molars removed and replaced. Everyone at the office was very friendly and accommodating. The procedure went very smoothly and I had little pain afterwards. It's been a few days now and I feel as good as new!
Candace, Laura and Trenna make you feel so comfortable and Dr. Broderick has made dental procedures very painless and I appreciate that very much. Holly's friendly attitude makes me feel so at ease and she really tries to make appts that are very convenient to me, so appreciate that Holly
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One day after swimming we found the Trinity county Cemetery near Helene, California. The cemetery is located near Helene creek and the Trinity river. It's very old and dates back to the late early 1800's or so.
Category: Helena
Helene in Trinity County, California
Helene, down river, near Big Flat is beautiful, this creek runs into the Trinity river. The creek is much warmer water than the river. The water is clear, crisp, and wonderful to swim in!
There are several places to swim and this one is a bit of a hike to get into. It's doesn't have a very well marked trail, and you have to be very careful. You could end up hurt if you slip or fall.
Swimming at the Rope Swing, Helena, Trinity County, California
Swimming at Helena is absolutely delightful! The water is pleasantly cool and refreshing. It is very deep in parts and people enjoy jumping off the rocks and the infamous rope swing which every rural area seems to have. There are small rapids that the children and adults alike enjoy floating and swimming in.


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Potassium is a "macromineral," along with calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphate and sodium, according to The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Macrominerals serve as electrolytes, conducting electrical impulses in the body, and are required for bone, muscle, heart and brain function, and to maintain acid-base balance. A healthy diet that includes a variety of fruits and vegetables can supply your daily requirement of potassium, which is 4,700 milligrams per day as reported by the Linus Pauling Institute.
The National Institutes of Health advises good fruit sources of potassium include all citrus fruits, bananas, cantaloupe, figs, raspberries, strawberries, plums, kiwi, grapes, apricots, tomatoes and nuts. One medium banana contains 422 milligrams of potassium; a 1/2-cup serving of prunes contains 637 milligrams and a 1-ounce serving of almonds contains 200 milligrams of potassium.
Many vegetables are good sources of potassium, including green leafy vegetables such as broccoli, Swiss chard, mustard greens, turnip greens, collard greens, kale, romaine and spinach. Beans, such as lima, pinto, kidney, lentils and green beans, are good sources. Potatoes and cucumbers are also good, especially when you eat their skins. A medium baked potato, with skin, contains 926 milligrams of potassium; a 1/2-cup serving of lima beans contains 485 milligrams and a 1/2-cup serving of spinach has 420 milligrams. Other good vegetable sources are celery, peas, brussel sprouts, beets, asparagus, bell peppers, cauliflower, cabbage, sweet potatoes, winter and summer squashes, and eggplant.
Having too much potassium is called hyperkalemia; having too little is called hypokalemia. Potassium balance is affected by the amounts of sodium and magnesium in your blood. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, a diet high in salt can increase the need for potassium. Potassium is available in supplements and is often a component of multivitamins. However, it is best to talk to your doctor before taking any supplements since too much potassium is as dangerous as too little.


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The Anti-Aging Effects of Carnosine
Proteins are the substances most responsible for the daily functioning of living organisms. Destruction to proteins can be caused by oxidation (as by free radicals) and protein-sugar reactions (glycation). Once too many proteins lose their ability to function, the body becomes prone to degenerative diseases and premature aging.1 Carnosine, an amino acid compound, has been shown to specifically protect against the age-related degradation of protein.
Carnosine quenches the most destructive protein-oxidizing agent (the hydroxyl radical). One study showed carnosine was the only antioxidant to significantly protect cellular chromosomes from oxidative damage.2 Antioxidants cannot completely protect proteins. Nature's second line of defense is to repair or remove damaged proteins.3 This is where carnosine demonstrates its most profound anti-aging effect.
Protein degradation occurs as a result of cross-linking and the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGE). These changes figure prominently in the processes of aging and its typical signs such as skin wrinkling and brain degeneration.4,5 Studies show that carnosine is effective against cross-linking and the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGE).6,7 Glycated proteins produce 50-fold more free radicals than nonglycated proteins and carnosine may be the most effective anti-glycating agent known.
An example of carnosine's defense against protein degradation is provided by MDA (malondialdehyde).8 MDA causes protein cross-linking and AGE formation. Carnosine has been shown to inhibit MDA-induced glycation in blood albumin and eye lens protein.9 Carnosine has also been shown to keep MDA from inducing protein cross-linking.10 One study showed that carnosine actually decreased MDA levels in mice.
Carnosine is highly concentrated in the brain. The reason is that the brain uses carnosine to protect against cross-linking, glycation, excitotoxicity and oxidation. Animal studies show that carnosine provides broad protective effects in simulated ischemic stroke.11
Abnormal copper and zinc metabolism stimulates senile plaque formation in Alzheimer's disease. Chelators of these metals dissolve plaques in the laboratory. Carnosine is a potent copper-zinc chelating agent that can inhibit the cross-linking of amyloid-beta that leads to brain cell plaque formation. A signature of Alzheimer's disease is impairment of brain arterial and capillary system. Carnosine has been shown to protect the cells that line brain blood vessels from damage by amyloid-beta as well as byproducts of lipid oxidation and alcohol metabolism.12
Carnosine extends cellular life span
Our bodies are comprised of cells that replace themselves by dividing. There is a genetic limit as to how many times our cells will continue to replicate themselves via healthy division processes. Once enough cells reach their genetic reproductive limit, the organism (our body) is no longer able to sustain life functions and succumbs to disease or death. Carnosine appears to extend the period of time that cells will continue to divide in a youthful manner.
Laboratory research suggests that carnosine has the ability to rejuvenate cells approaching the end of the life cycle of dividing cells, restoring normal appearance and extending cellular life span.13 When scientists transferred late-passage fibroblasts (a type of skin cell) to a culture medium containing carnosine, they exhibited a rejuvenated appearance and often an enhanced capacity to divide.14 The carnosine medium increased life span, even for old cells. Cells transferred to the carnosine medium attained a life span of 413 days, compared to 126 to 139 days for the control cells. This study showed that carnosine induced a remarkable 67% increase in cellular life span.
These aged cells also grew in the characteristic patterns of young cells, and resumed a uniform appearance in the presence of carnosine. But when they transferred the aged cells back to a medium lacking carnosine, the signs of senescence quickly reappeared. The scientists switched late-passage cells back and forth several times between the culture media. Carnosine consistently restored the youthful cell phenotype within days, whereas the standard culture medium (without carnosine) brought back the senescence cell phenotype. How does carnosine revitalize cells in culture? Some researchers propose that carnosine may rejuvenate cells by reducing the formation of abnormal proteins, or by stimulating the removal of old proteins.9
Carnosine extends organism life span
A study tested the effect of carnosine on life span and indicators of aging in senescence-accelerated mice. Carnosine extended the life span of the treated mice by 20% on average, compared to the mice not fed carnosine.15 The mice given carnosine were about twice as likely to reach the "ripe old age" of 12 months as untreated mice.
Carnosine did not alter the 15 month maximum life span of the senescence-accelerated mouse strain, but it did significantly raise the number of mice surviving to old age. Carnosine distinctly improved the appearance of the aged mice, whose coat fullness and color remained much closer to that of young animals. Significantly more carnosine-treated mice had glossy coats (44% vs. 5%), while fewer had skin ulcers (14% vs. 36%).
The researchers also measured biochemical indicators associated with brain aging. Carnosine treated mice had significantly lower levels of toxic MDA (malondialdehyde) in their brain cell membranes. MAO-B (monoamine oxidase B) activity was 44% lower in the carnosine-treated mice, indicating maintenance of youthful dopamine metabolism. Aging humans produce too much MAO-B, and this is thought to contribute to certain types of brain cell damage. Glutamate binding to its cellular receptors nearly doubled in the carnosine treated group, which may explain the more normal behavioral reactivity of the carnosine-fed mice.
This longevity study showed that carnosine significantly improved most measures of appearance, physiological health, behavior, and brain biochemistry, as well as extending life span. The researchers concluded that "carnosine-treated animals can be characterized as more resistant to the development of features of aging."
Carnosine chelates copper and zinc
Copper and zinc are neurological double-edged swords. While the body cannot live without them, new research confirms that they can also be neurotoxic. Abnormal copper-zinc metabolism is implicated in Alzheimer's disease, stroke, seizures, and many other diseases with neurological components. Copper and zinc appear to be needed to modulate synaptic transmission, but can become neurotoxins at the concentrations reached when they are released from synaptic terminals. The brain must buffer these metals so that they can perform their functions without neurotoxicity. The new research on copper-zinc toxicity shows that carnosine provides that buffering action.16 When scientists exposed rat neurons to physiological concentrations of copper or zinc the neurons died. However carnosine at a modest physiological concentration protected the neurons from the toxic effects of these metals.
A spate of recent research papers point to the role of abnormal copper and zinc metabolism in the development of Alzheimer's disease. This abnormal copper and zinc metabolism contributes to amyloid-beta formation and toxicity through a host of mechanisms.17,18 These findings on copper and zinc as Alzheimer's disease promoters led scientists to investigate the effect of metal chelators on amyloid-beta plaques. A recent laboratory experiment by an international team of scientists found that chelators of copper and zinc solubilize (dissolve) aggregates of amyloid-beta in post-mortem human tissue samples from the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients.19 They hypothesize that:
Carnosine fits this metal chelating profile, offering pH buffering and hydroxyl radical scavenging actions in addition. Not only does carnosine chelate copper and zinc, but the presence of copper and zinc ions enhances carnosine's potency as a scavenger of the superoxide radical.20
Microvascular damage is the harbinger of Alzheimer's disease, preceding its other pathological features, possibly by impairing delivery of nutrients to the brain.21 An experiment on rat brain blood vessel walls shows that carnosine prevents this damage.12 In another experiment carried out by the same British team, carnosine protected brain blood vessel cells from damage by MDA (malondialdehyde), a toxic product of lipid peroxidation. Carnosine inhibited protein cross-linking, while protecting cellular and mitochondrial function.22 A third experiment showed that carnosine also protects cells against the toxicity of acetaldehyde, which is produced when alcohol is metabolized.12


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I am dispatching until the 21st of December for christmas
Please remember It is possible to get your Christmas gift delivered in time if you order before the 21st of December. I will fill orders as best I can , but please check if ordering that close . If I run out of things I will let you know as soon as possible. I am delivering daily to the post office and will carry on but can do only what I can as time gets near. Here are some of todays pile of Mail orders and also a picture of Tintin on the beach this morning.


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Ive been reviewing a lot of $250-$400 phones lately and for good reason; With phones like the Moto X Play, Asus ZenFone 2 and Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3, this segment of the market is just red hot with competition.
Not to be left out, Sony has their $300 locked on Bell and Virgin, Xperia M4 Aqua which brings a very uncommon but very practical feature - water resistance. Lets check it out.
vs Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3:
For the same money you can pick up one of my favs, the Idol 3. Both have 5 displays, 13 megapixels cameras, Snapdragon 615 SoCs, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage.
The Idol pulls ahead with a full HD (1080P) display while the Sonys is a more pedestrian HD (720P). It also has stereo speakers which sound better and an beefy 3000mAh battery.
On the other hand, the M4s speakers, while not quite as good, are still pretty damn impressive in their own right. However, the M4s key advantage is its water resistant. That plus the speaker make for a great combination in the shower.
Id personally pick the Idol 3 but you cant go wrong with either. The Idols screen looks better and is noticeably sharper but the M4s water resistance is a very practical feature.
vs Motorola Moto X Play:
While $100 dearer, the Moto also has a larger, higher resolution display. The difference between them is noticeable - the Moto noticeably sharper and bigger. Ditto for the speakers and camera both of which are a bit better.
It also has a 3630mAh battery which is over 50% larger than the Sonys.
As for updates, Sony has a mixed record with updating their phones. Theyve been really, really good with their flagships
The Sony has is 3 key advantages, water resistance, a slimmer body and most importantly a lower price tag.
Id say if you can swing it go, for the Moto but if every penny counts, then the M4 is also a smart choice.
vs Asus ZenFone 2 16GB:
Then theres the ZenFone 2; it has a faster SoC, a larger, sharper display, dual SIM cards both of which are unlocked, bigger battery and a price tag thats $50 cheaper.
The Sony counters with water resistance, a louder and better sounding speaker and a sleeker design.
These are all important points but if you can look past this then the ZenFone offers more for less money.
- 1280x720 resolution
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 615
- 4 x 1.5Ghz ARM Cortex A53, 4 x 1Ghz ARM Cortex A53
- 16GB storage
- MicroSD
- 13 Megapixel camera
- water resistance
- LTE bands: 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 28
- NanoSIM
- 2400mAh
- 802.11n (2.4Ghz and 5Ghz)
- 145.5 x 72.6 x 7.3 mm
- 136g
- Android 5.0
The M4s body looks a lot like Sonys other recent flagships with a smooth front and back.
It doesnt feel quite as fancy though - the back appears to be plastic. It actually bends if you press in. The body also flexes quite a bit when you twist it. This worries me a bit since the M4 is water resistance - will putting in your back pocket and sitting on it too many times compromise the water resistance?
For what its worth, I twisted the M4 a few times. It was able to survive repeated rounds of me singing in the shower afterwards, my wifes ears on the other hand, were not so lucky.
There are volume, power and a camera button half way down the right side. I kind of wish the buttons stuck out a tiny more but then again, this makes the M4 easier to handle.
Otherwise, is the M4 is comfortable to hold and easy to use.
Note that the M4s headphone jack and MicroUSB dont have covers on them. The ports themselves are water tight. You no longer need to fiddle around with a port cover everytime you want to connect headphones or charge it. Bravo!
The MicroSD port is located under a door on the left side.
The Nano SIM card goes on the right and is also behind a door.
The M4 has a 5 1280x720 display. Most of the competition is rocking 1920x1080 resolutions these days so this is the M4s greatest weakness. The difference in sharpness between a 5.x 1920x1080 display and the M4s is noticeable.
Color is pleasant, off-angle performance is excellent. Its also great outdoors. The only other problem is that black levels arent very deep.
If youre not happy with the colour, you can adjust it manually via 3 sliders.
On the back is a 13 megapixel camera with autofocus and a LED camera flash.
Im pleased that one of my favorite Sony features, the dedicated camera button made it on to the M4. To start the camera, you just press and hold the button. You can half press it to focus or all the way to snap a picture.
By default it tries to guess the best settings - low light, action, portrait, that sort of thing. I guess other cameras do this but the Sony software really makes sure you know its doing its best.
Some features from higher-end camera models include some dedicated shooting modes including a nifty augmented reality which puts dinosaurs into your shot (Yes, I did just type that). Another cool one is the ability to shoot video and sync up video on 2 phones simultaneously. Of course, youll need a supported Sony phone.
Image quality is good for the price point. More importantly, the camera is relatively capable so you dont have to take as many shots to get a decent one.
Video quality on the other hand is pretty awful. By default Steadyshot - really strong digital image stabilization is turned on and it just smears everything and results in unusable video. However, once you turn it off, youll still notice that video doesnt look all that great - even when youre outdoors and theres plenty of light.
The microphone isnt all that great either. I suspect theres too much noise reduction going on.
The M4 Im using is running Android 5.0. Some of the competition like the Moto X Play (which came out after the M4) is running 5.1. Hopefully Sony wont forget about the M4.
You appear to get the same overlay youd find on Sonys flagship devices including their small apps which hover over your other apps so that you can use multiple apps simultaneously.
Its a different approach from Samsung and LG in that you can access the app drawer without having to relaunch the apps youre currently using.
Like Samsung and LG, the small apps feature only works with a handful of programs.
Performance is in line with what youd expect from a Snapdragon 615.
The 615 in the Moto X Play is clocked a little higher so its scores are correspondingly higher.
I did notice that the M4 can get quite hot close to the camera when I was setting it up - Im talking close to 140F hot.
Its hot enough that the M4 has to throttle processor speed when I was benchmarking. I know this because placing the M4 in my freezer running a whole bunch a couple back-to-back on my desk resulted in a 20% difference in scores.
I also suspect this may be a reason why the M4 wasnt able to complete all the benchmarks I wanted to on it.
You know how I complained that the display could have used higher resolution? Well, one area where this is a plus is when it comes to gaming performance.
The Zenfone 2 on the other hand has an Intel Z3560 SoC which has different cores and GPU both of which are substantially more powerful than the M4s. In fact, the ZenFones SoC compares favorably with Qualcomms Snapdragon 801.
Yeah, the 801 is 2 years old now but theres still a considerable gap between it and the 615.
Practically speaking, the 615 does feel a bit slower than the Intel and the 801 but you need to use phones with each SoC to really appreciate the difference. Occasionally, sometimes screen redraws stutter a tiny bit but most of the time the 615 feels snappy.
Id say performance is more than adequate. I know this personally because I switch between a regular LG G4 and some Snapdragon 615 phones all the time and I rarely complain about the drop in performance.
As a Phone:
Maximum earpiece and speakerphone volume are both average
RF performance is average.
You get a 2400mAh battery. The battery is a tad small while the display is quite bright so power users will need to find a plug halfway through the day. Casual users will probably make it through the day.
Media Capabilities:
Theres a single speaker at the bottom right. Its fairly powerful and sounds like its received a moderate amount of tuning. Its not quite as good as the Idol 3 or Moto X Plays but it does run circles around the ZenFone 2.
You get around 11GB of storage which is plenty. If you need more you can pop a MicroSD in the left side of the phone.
Overall, I enjoyed using the M4. While I wish the screen was a tad sharper, its still sharp enough that I dont notice it most of the time.
Otherwise, for the price the M4 is a well rounded phone. Its pleasant to use and offers a good mix of features and more importantly, it doesnt have any serious weaknesses.
3.5 Howies out of 5.
- water resistant
- slim body
- body flexes a lot
- display could be sharper
- Lousy video recording
- Heat problems


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Simon Tong's Erland & The Carnival are also set to appear
Tunng, The Leisure Society and ex-Verve guitarist Simon Tong's new band Erland And The Carnival are all set to appear at a festival in Windsor.
The bands will be performing at a showcase for the Full Time Hobby label at the Theatre Royal as part of the Windsor Festival on October 1.
The Fall were among a host of bands who played at the event last year.
For more information go to FireStationArtsCentre.com.


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Dr. Chee is fortunate to focus on restorative dentistry over the life of her patients. To her, being a dentist is about helping her patients take care of their teeth and oral health over their lifetime, and fostering a friendship along the way.
Dr. Chee and her team are dedicated to providing excellent dental care in a caring environment, where children and adults can feel comfortable with their dental visits.
For those of you who are searching for an adult dentist with the caring and gentle approach of a children's dentist, we would be thrilled to have you join our practice family.
We're excited to welcome you to experience our exceptional general and restorative dental care with a caring, thoughtful approach. Read More…


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...Or Face Jail
Chris Brown
R&B singer Chris Brown is in danger of going back to jail, as his probation was revoked last week. Judge James Brandlin gave Brown several months to complete 1,000 hours probation, but work commitments as well as partying got in the way. As of last week Brown was 202 hours short. Brown would have to work round the clock (with no sleep) at sanctioned community service locations to complete the missing hours in time, which really is not feasible.
Chris Brown performing on stage
The community service deadline crept up on Brown for a number of reasons. Once again, Brown needs to cut certain friends loose. Even his mother, who coddles him as her only boy, is telling him this. Said friends are taking up his time and money with unproductive ventures. His girlfriend, Karrueche Tran, has been trying to keep him on track, but they've broken up a few times during his probation. He was also in jail for 4 months in 2014.
A tearful Chris Brown in court last week starting the new year with a probation revocation
Brown must change his mindset and look at probation as a job. Something he must do. Judge Brandlin has been merciful to Brown, but he's given him many chances and time is running out. Even if Brown has to take a month off from work, he needs to get the community service hours completed and move on with his life or he will continue to be stuck in this cycle of probation, jail and community service.
Karrueche Tran
It's not good for his mind, well being or progress. Brown also needs to find a smart old school manager, not one who is partying with him and not telling him the truth about some of his trouble prone friends.
Witnesses State Chris Brown Was Shot At During VMA Party That Left Suge Knight With 6 Gunshot Wounds


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Toronto FC announced today that the club has recalled goalkeeper Quillan Roberts from its USL PRO Club affiliate Wilmington Hammerheads FC.
"We are excited and encouraged by the progress Quillan made with Wilmington over the course of his loan this season," said Toronto FC General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. "We wanted to ensure we have three keepers on our roster as we head into the second half of the season. I'd like to thank Wilmington for providing Quillan with an excellent professional soccer environment over the past five months."
Roberts, 19, has appeared and started in 17 matches, logging 1514 minutes, with a record of 5-4-8 while registering six clean sheets. He was named the USL PRO Player of the Week for Week 18, and was also named to the USL PRO Team of the week for week eight. Roberts appeared in a friendly match for the Wilmington Hammerheads FC against Toronto FC on June 18 where he started the match and played the full 90 minutes. Most recently, he appeared in Toronto FC's July 23 friendly versus Tottenham Hotspur, logging 45 minutes against the English Premier League club.


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On last night's The Colbert Report, host Stephen Colbert took aim at the way the health care reform bill has been impacted by lobbyists — which is to say that lobbyists are dominating the decision-making
As Stephen says – Come out of the closet – say what you really are O members of congress and senators – "whores" – Time for Baucus and the rest to shout out — "We're here, we're insincere, Get used to it.
2. AmericaCantWait.com
Now is the season for action. The majority of Americans want health insurance reform with the choice of a public option that keeps insurance companies honest, lowers costs, and increases service. Howard Dean asks us to support the campaign for a public option
3.As opponents of reform try to water down or derail the President's plan, it's our urgent responsibility to speak out. Will you help make the case for reform by writing a quick letter to the editor of your local paper?
Getting Started


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International Youth Day is the best time to commemorate the power and strength of the youth all around the globe. It is celebrated every year on 12th August since 1999. The aim of International Youth Day is to endorse consciousness, particularly among youth. The World Programme of Action for Youth was started before 2000. The World Programme of Action wants achievements in 10 major areas which include starvation, poverty, education, employment, health, drug exploitation, childhood felony, recreation events, Child and young women, Environment. It suggests that regional, countrywide and worldwide implements the Programme.
International Youth Day is the world's first global holiday, a time to celebrate youth with music, dance, poetry, art and sports. It is also a time to acknowledge the problems faced by youth in employment, education, health, peace and justice. The first International Youth Day was held on August 12th, 2000. The purpose of the day was to draw attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues surrounding an endangered demogrsphy.
Each year from Nepal we the youth gather together for a day; filled with fun activities, music, and performances to celebrate International Youth Day. This allows us to promote peace and cultural understanding. The theme for this year's International Youth Day was 'Dialogue and Mutual Understanding'. The choice of theme reflects the General Assembly's appreciation of the value of dialogue among youth from different cultures as well as among different generations. This message was clearly apparent in the two day Youth Jatra organized by us. This was probably the biggest program of Rotaract Club of Kathmandu jointly with more than 20 youth organizations. It was a two days program (11th and 12th August) which had a plenty of events in it. A group of Youth organizations in Nepal like Association of Youth Organizations Nepal (AYON), Rotaract Club of Kathmandu, and YUWA etc were involved to make it a huge success. The event was supported by UNFPA, Save the Children, Maiti Nepal and CWIN.
The event was a celebration of young people's energy, imagination and initiatives. We had tried to bring together young people with different skills and creativity to a common platform to showcase their talents. The program had also included a photo exhibition titled 'Youth Expressions' where photographs taken by young people were presented. Though the photos cover a vast array of issues, the skills and ideas behind the photos were really praiseworthy. More than 25 students from different colleges participated in a poster presentation where they made posters addressing 'Youth for tobacco free society' and many school students had also participated in rally, installs of different organizations and documentary show.
A panel discussion on topics like same sex marriage and brain drain in Nepal engaged participants in a lively interaction with interesting views coming from young students. Besides, one minute documentaries prepared by young people also got an audience to share their stories. The event also featured blood donation, forum theatre and yuwa bazaar, with food and games stalls.
The event proceeded on 12th August with youth organizations coming together for a solidarity rally starting from Shantibaatika and ending in GAA Hall, Thamel and, the fun was started there with B-boying, musical concert, games and food stalls functioning on full swing. Along with these, other events related to youths had also launched alongside the musical concert to overlap with the International Youth Year 2010 in Nepal.
(This article was published on Joint Monthly Bulletin "NEWZ DESK" of Rotaract Club of Kathmandu and Rotaract Club of CBE Comito.)
With Regards,
Rtr. Rajendra Gautam
International Service Director, 2010-11
Rotaract Club of Kathmandu


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HARRISBURG - In a first public appearance, Gov. Tom Corbett's nominee for education secretary urged senators Wednesday to provide maximum opportunities for parents to exercise school choice for their children.
The remarks by secretary-designate Ronald Tomalis came as the Senate Education Committee held a major and often contentious hearing on a school choice bill targeted for low-income students.
Mr. Tomalis spoke about the issue in broader terms saying a new generation of parents are showing up at school board meetings and parent-teacher conferences who are used to exercising choice in their daily lives.
"And now these young people are entering an education system as parents, an education system where the factory model still dominates," said Mr. Tomalis.
He echoed Mr. Corbett's campaign position from last year that parents should have the right to choose the public school their child attends and that parents in failing schools should be able to make a choice outside the public education system.
Mr. Tomalis' appearance heralds what panel Chairman Jeffrey Piccola, R-15, Harrisburg, said will be a focus by his committee on the issues of school choice, mandate relief for public schools and opening new avenues for charter schools.
Mr. Piccola's legislation would offer vouchers or scholarships to low-income students in nearly 150 failing public schools in the first year. The option would extend to all-low income students regardless of school district by the third year. Students would take the per-capita state subsidy that goes to their school district and apply it as tuition to the public, private or parochial school of their choice.
"SB 1 is a threat to the establishment, which has turf and union jobs to protect," said Mr. Piccola in an opening statement that signaled the strong views on both sides of the issue.
Expressing a skeptical view of the bill, Sen. Daylin Leach, D-17, King of Prussia, said concerns exist that recipient schools will "cherry-pick" the students they want and reject others and that the vouchers will be inadequate to pay the full tuition at a chosen school.
Sen. Pat Browne, R-16, Allentown, said he's considering a bill amendment to require that private schools receiving school choice vouchers comply with state pupil assessment measures.
Mr. Tomalis said some accountability is needed, but he voiced concern about it leading to "back-door" regulation of private schools.
Voucher opponents said the key to fixing failing schools is turning to proven strategies like early education programs and reducing class size.
"For the vast majority of our schools, Pennsylvania students are doing very well," said Michael Crossey, vice president of the teacher-oriented Pennsylvania State Education Association.
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Four-year-old thin-film solar startup SoloPower has so far kept a low profile, with only four press releases posted on its site since 2007 and none before then. But earlier this month, the San Jose, Calif.-based company said it was applying for a $190 million loan guarantee from the Department of Energy to build a high-volume manufacturing plan — a move that it hopes will accelerate it "into its next stage of growth."
SoloPower also announced this month that its founding chief executive, Homayoun Talieh, is leaving and that it has selected Lou DiNardo, a partner with SoloPower investor Crosslink Capital, as its interim CEO. The news came just a few months after the departure of Rommel Noufi, who had been the company's vice president of research.
At the Intersolar North America conference in San Francisco last week, we sat down with Alain Harrus, a partner at Crosslink Capital and a SoloPower board member, to get an update on what's happening at SoloPower and hear his thoughts on some of the changes the industry is seeing in solar investing. Here are excerpts from our conversation:
Q: So what really happened with the CEO? Why did SoloPower decide to make the change?
A: [Changing CEOs] happens very often and it's kind of the natural evolution of these companies, especially when you're starting from nothing. This started with two people; it really was just an idea. [When a company matures and enters mass production, you often] need a different set of skills. A good analogy is a triathlon or a relay race. You need different people who have different capabilities.
Q: The company put an interim CEO in place, rather than waiting to find a permanent replacement. Why did the CEO leave before you'd found a permanent replacement?
A: We selected an interim CEO just because of timing. Sometimes it takes longer to get a new CEO — it might take 90 days, [especially because] solar is in a downturn. [We decided to change CEOs right away] in order not to lose momentum. We don't want to miss the market window. It's a matter of getting the right staff to get to high-volume manufacturing.
Q: Why did Rommel Noufi also leave the company?
A: Rommel was on a leave of absence from NREL and was commuting from Colorado. He had been here for a year, and it was very interesting, but he had been at NREL for 27 years and all his family was there [in Colorado]. His decision was driven more by personal reasons.
Q: Why do you think it makes sense to pursue this market – and a new factory – when supply outweighs demand and SoloPower faces a crowded field of thin-film competitors?
A: Right now, solar is in a downturn, but all the companies in CIGS are just making miniscule amounts of product, in the tens of megawatts. The ramp for product is 2011 or 2012. Then, the demand will be a lot larger because of what I call "the sleeper markets," the United States and China, will wake up, and we'll also see strong markets [elsewhere]. By the time we get to the 8-10 MW levels, it will be a pretty good market for CIGS.
Q: How do you expect to be able to compete with First Solar (s fslr) and other competitors?
A: The market is so large, no one person can meet all the demand. The right price point and efficiency, and you have a business. So it's not about beating First Solar (s FSLR); it's about being as close to First Solar as possible. As long as you're in that zone [of cheaper panels], you can sell. And Solopower wants to be a flexible panel, not flat-plate glass [like First Solar]. You're going to see more product differentiation going forward.
Q: Venture-capital investments in solar have declined. Is the VC appetite for solar becoming saturated?
A: There's still a lot of interest in the next generation of photo absorbers — not just concentrators, but also multijunction and III-V materials — in better system monitoring and management and in the [energy] storage area. These areas are still very active, with the bar a little higher and a lower level of investment. [Reporter's note: Multijunction cells have multiple layers of semiconductor materials to boost their efficiencies, while III-V materials, such as gallium arsenide, also have the potential to reach much higher efficiencies than cells commonly used today.]
Q: Valuations for solar companies are down significantly. Do you think they will come back to the levels we were seeing most of last year, or do you think those valuations represented a spike and were too high?
A: Over a long period of time, valuations will go up. As long as companies are creating earnings and value, the markets we're talking about are really large –- trillion-dollar markets. There are many areas where low-carbon energy could have a transformative impact.
Q: Some VCs have expressed concern that the government has begun acting as a VC, but may not be best-equipped to pick the winners. What do you think?
A: I think the money the government is spending is extremely well-spent money. Some will be conventionally spent -– such as in tax credits -– and some is going to be, frankly, VC money. But if you think about it, in some ways, VC creates enormous value. Even if [a venture-backed company] doesn't succeed, the industry as a whole learns something and [the investment] creates jobs for people for two to three years, or the life of the company, and then they go on to start other companies. It's not a return from a financial point of view [if the company fails], but it's a different return. You could argue it provides a return by training or educating the workforce.


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Inspired by a post by John Resig about conflicts between HTML element IDs and DOM properties/JavaScript variables I started to think about related techniques that would lead to security risks or even vulnerabilities. Garrett Smith and Frank Manno also crafted an excellent writeup about this topic and related problems if you prefer a deeper introduction into form controls and unsafe names. And guess who copied this feature from whom?
Some Code
Let's have a short look at what we are talking about here. First we have a bunch of markup - a simple form. Notice the IDs the elements have.
<form id="a"> <input id="b" /> </form>
It's now possible to access the elements directly with window.a and window.b - or just a or b. We can also traverse through a to get b with a.b. The traversal only works for elements which make their child elements accessible via a numeric index - this being basically forms and their input elements. You can do the same with name attributes of images and forms but only in the document scope - we won't touch that aspect here.
But what if the form elements have IDs like location and href? Theoretically they should be accessible via location.href - generating a severe conflict with an already existing and pretty important DOM property.
<form id="location"> <input id="href"> </form>
Opera, Firefox, Gecko and Safari know how to deal with attempts like these. Most of the really interesting DOM properties are protected from being touched via form controls - such as navigator, window, document, location etc. But actually it's possible to overwrite a lot of DOM properties like the following example shows.
<form id="a"> <button id="length">0</button> <button id="style">1</button> <button id="id">2</button> <button id="className">3</button> <button id="baseURI">4</button> <button id="textContent">5</button> <button id="innerHTML">6</button> <button id="title">7</button> <button id="elements">8</button> <button id="method">9</button> </form>
The element with the ID id can now be accessed via id. Or a.id - since it resides in a's properties too. We can also set variables - for example via var b = id.id - which in this case would be id. The next example tries to be less confusing and shows how window.lang can be overwritten and then have it's vale being executed by a single assignment. There's no reason why someone would write code like that but it works.
<a id="url" href="javascript:alert(1)"> <script> location=url; </script>
Conclusion already?
Altogether this thing doesn't seem to be very interesting from a security point of view. The juicy properties can't be overwritten, an attacker has to be able to inject form elements with IDs - most WYSIWYG implementations allow that by the way. What makes the issue even more boring is the fact that if the variable has already been set before the markup is being parsed, it won't get reset by the injected HTML elements.
But - maybe you noticed one important browser missing on the above mentioned list. The Internet Explorer of course. IE6 up to IE8 Beta 2 don't care if properties like location or document shouldn't be set via markup and IDs. So - incredible but true - the following code works perfectly in all tested IE versions.
<form id="document" cookie="foo"> <script>alert(document.cookie)</script>
<form id="location" href="bar"> <script>alert(location.href)</script>
It's also possible to interfere with really important variables like document.cookie, document.body.innerHTML and almost all others I tested. The technique doesn't depend on doctype or apparently other factors to work. Furthermore you can define own attributes and have their value being accessible via traversal - like in the document.cookie example.
<form id="document"> <select id="body">bar</select> </form> <script> alert(document.body.innerHTML) </script>
Scripts being used on millions of pages like Google Analytics work with those properties and are usually included right before the closing body tag. Depending on the position where the markup containing the malicious attributes and IDs can be injected it's at least possible to influence the JavaScript application flow or in the worst case execute arbitrary code - nested in the HTML attributes. In case an application allows the user to post inactive HTML it's very important to make sure the submitted and to be rendered elements mustn't contain IDs. In some cases it may make sense to initially set the properties with themselves - and therewith blocking them from being overridden by markup.