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If you would like to incorporate search engine optimization in your organization to make sure which you get the highest ranking in search engine, then an SEO expert can work helpful for you personally. This expert has the ability to create your web site visible in search engines. Specialists in search engine optimization aid a good deal especially in analyzing elements that influence the traffic to your website.
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In order for your website to remain on top, it must have top quality content material and having misspelled words and material errors in it does not count as qualitative. Because of this, that you are required to hire an Seo consultant so your internet site is going to be maintained. This may let you to present the public with relevant website content material that can create an excellent impression.
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Are you spending thousands of dollars on your website and you are nowhere to be "found" on Google? If your answer is Yes, our Search Engine Marketing services may be a great fit to you. We provide PPC Management, Web Analytics and SEO Services.


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Alleged hitman in Toronto facing 37 gun charges in Vancouver
When Dean Michael Wiwchar was charged in June for gunning down a man in Toronto's Little Italy, his lawyer claimed he was innocent and "in shock" over the "surreal" charges. And the lawyer refuted a police claim that he was a B.C. resident leading up to his arrest.
But I tracked down court documents Thursday that show Wiwchar was not only established and living in B.C., but that he was under investigation by the Vancouver Police Department in March through May 24, 2012.
That investigation led to 37 firearms counts related to some high-powered guns allegedly found the possession of Wiwchar, Vancouver gangster Philip Juan Ley and a woman named Juanita Hyslop.
Ley, you may recall, was targeted in a Richmond shooting just days after Gurmit Singh Dhak was gunned down in Burnaby in October 2010. Then a few days later, the Gang Task Force (now CFSEU) disrupted a pro-Dhak meeting in Vancouver's Kensington Park that a prosecutor later alleged was to plan another attempt on Ley's life. Mike Shirazi and Christopher Iser were charged and convicted on several gun counts.
VPD wouldn't comment on what led them to look at Wiwchar and whether he is believed to be connected to any of the gang shootings in Metro Vancouver before his arrest in Toronto.
He was released from jail until June 2011, but was here until his Toronto arrest in June 2012.
Alleged hit man in Toronto shooting also charged with weapons offences in Vancouver
An alleged hitman was under investigation by Vancouver police for months before he was charged in a brazen gangland execution June 18 in Toronto's Little Italy, The Vancouver Sun has learned.
But Dean Michael Wiwchar, who remains in pre-trial custody in Ontario, was not charged in the B.C. probe until after he was arrested in the killing of Toronto's John Raposo.
Vancouver Provincial Court documents obtained by The Sun show Wiwchar, Philip Juan Ley and Juanita Suzanne Hyslop were charged June 27 with 37 firearms counts related to an investigation that covered March to May 2012.
All three are due to be arraigned on the charges Nov. 7.
Ley, a gang associate, was wounded in a Richmond shooting in October 2010 that police said was in retaliation for the Metrotown murder of gangster Gurmit Singh Dhak days earlier.
Ley's name surfaced again earlier this year during the trials of two men caught with firearms in Vancouver's Kensington Park, also in October 2010.
The men – associates of Dhak – gathered with others in the park after attending funeral services for their friend. The Gang Task Force watched as one of the men hid a gun behind a baseball diamond. Other guns were found in a secret compartment of an SUV.
One of those in the park – Billy Tran – was carrying three photographs of Ley and had $20,000 cash in his BMW. He was never charged, but associates Mike Shirazi and Chris Iser were convicted on firearms counts and sentenced to more than five years each.
The Crown alleged during the trials that a possible murder plot with Ley as the target had been interrupted by police.
More than a dozen shootings and murders over the last two years have been linked to boiling gang tensions between the Dhak-Duhre group and an alliance of some Hells Angels, Independent Soldiers and Red Scorpions. Just this week, Chief Supt. Dan Malo, head of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, described Dhak's 2010 murder as the "flashpoint of the current gang conflict."
Vancouver police wouldn't comment Thursday on the charges against Wiwchar, Ley and Hyslop or whether the Wiwchar investigation is connected to any of the unsolved shootings and murders in the Lower Mainland.
"The file is currently before the courts and it would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment further at this time," VPD media officer Sgt. Randy Fincham said.
After Wiwchar's arrest in the Little Italy shooting, his lawyer Christopher Avery refuted police claims that he was from B.C. and he was "shocked" to be charged with first-degree murder. "He has no idea why he's been charged. He finds the entire experience surreal," Avery said.
Avery did not return a Sun reporter's call Thursday about the 37 new B.C. counts.
The seven-page Vancouver indictment says both Wiwchar, 27, and Ley, 26, possessed 15 illegal or prohibited firearms between March 16 and April 23, 2012, "at or near Surrey."
Among the guns listed are two 12-gauge pump action shotguns, an Uzi submachine-gun, a Romanian automatic rifle, a Norinco semi-automatic rifle, Sig Sauer, Colt, Taurus, Ruger and Norinco semi-automatic pistols, a .38 Smith and Wesson revolver and a .44 Magnum.
The indictment alleges some of the guns' serial numbers had been defaced and that both Ley and Wiwchar also illegally possessed six "over capacity cartridge magazines" for the firearms.
Wiwchar and Hyslop face eight counts jointly on the indictment that relate to possessing both a Ceska Zbrojovka tactical rifle and a loaded .45 Ruger handgun without permits in Vancouver on May 24, 2012 – less than a month before Raposo was shot in the head in front of the Sicilian Sidewalk Cafe in Toronto's Little Italy.
Both Ley and Wiwchar also face charges of possessing firearms while under court prohibitions.
Wiwchar, who grew up in Stouffville, Ont., landed in a B.C. prison after being convicted and serving time for a series of robberies in his home province.
While in Kent institution, he was convicted of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm for an incident that happened in April 2010. He got a three-month conditional sentence and a five-year firearms ban. He was also convicted of assaulting a correctional officer and uttering threats while in an Abbotsford prison in 2009.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed the five big telecoms operators in the country to increase their data tariffs from Thursday, December 1, in order to allow small operators and new entrants to acquire market share and operate profitably, Daily Trust has learnt.
An NCC official who confided in Daily Trust Newspaper on Monday said the regulator came up with the new data regime after some new entrants into the market complained that there was no way they could break even if they operated on same data regime with the likes of MTN, Glo, Etisalat and Airtel.
He said NCC yielded to their pressure when last month it notified the operators of the new rate.
1,568 total views, 2 views today


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Cinema ZX Cassette Wheel
- Brand: CINEMA
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Availability: Backorder - Available 06/01/2019
The Cinema ZX Cassette Wheel features a Cinema ZX cassette hub with lightweight aluminum hub shell, precision sealed bearings, 14mm chromoly axle and 1-pc chromoly driver with 4 pawl engagement system, laced 3X with black 14G spokes, to a 36H Cinema 333 double-wall rim. Includes Cinema rim strip and nylon hub guards for both drive and non-drive sides to protect hub and spokes from grind damage.
OE Replacement Parts
Axle: 14mm Chromoly
Driver: 1-pc Chromoly
Driver Bearings: 6802 (x3) Verify bearing number on side of rubber seal
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Hardware: Aluminum
Hub Shell Bearings: 6902 (x2) Verify bearing number on side of rubber seal
Spoke Length: 185mm (3X), Note: Spoke length is for original hub, rim and lacing pattern.
Weight: 2 lbs 12.5 oz
Dans Comp offers a large selection of BMX Freestyle Tires to fit this wheel.


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I really do. When I first started experimenting with craft beer, I thought they were horrible. How could anyone drink something so bitter and… gross? Over the years, I've started to enjoy and love the taste of craft beer, but bitter isn't something you love overnight. I would drink an IPA but did not enjoy it as much as other beers.
My first craft beer I actually liked was Sweetwater Blue. Huck liked 420 and IPA, but I couldn't drink it without making a face… ewww!
Sweetwater is an Atlanta Brewery and until a few weeks ago, we could only get their beer when we went home… And Huck would stock up.
The other night, I was marinating some Steak. I used some of the IPA in my marinated and started drinking the rest of it. Then it hit me… "I really like this!! Like really like it". Before, I would just drink it so it wasn't wasted, but I was really enjoying it. It wasn't too bitter, and I wanted another one.
It's amazing how much your taste changes. I always thought I just didn't have the taste buds for bitter beers.
It's also funny I'm confessing my love for a beer I once said I would/could never love!
Never say never!!
Now on to lunch…
Lunch yesterday was great {Minus the undercooked Couscous! I was hungry!!}
Did you know beer is a great meat tenderizer? Yep! Really, beer can do it all! It taste good, it brings people together, helps you dance, helps you make poor life choices {Is that a good thing?} and it even tenderizes meat {Insert inappropriate jokes here}!
I cut my steak into large pieces and marinated them in beer, Worcestershire sauce, and Huck's spicy steak seasoning. I left it in the fridge over night and cooked it to medium rare the following day for lunch with some grilled veggies and pineapple. It was all the ingredients of Kabobs without having to spend all the time putting meat and veggies on sticks. I'm way to lazy for that!
When I make Kabobs, I always take everything off the stick and mix it together anyways. It's kind of like Kabob Stir Fry.
I hope you enjoy!
Now, I'm off to find a boat. It's been raining for two days straight. Not typical South Florida weather {I say that like some expert that's lived here my whole life}.
What is a beer you like now that you hated before?
Sweetwater IPA Marinated Steak with Grilled Veggies
- 1lb Steak (Cut into bite size pieces)
- 2 tablespoons Steak Seasoning (I use a mix of garlic and onion powder, ground red pepper and jalapeno powder, and salt and pepper)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1/2 cup IPA Beer
- Veggies of Choice (I used Squash, Onion, Garlic, Pineapple, Bell Peppers, and Mushrooms)
|Combine all ingredients {But the veggies} in a large bowl or Ziploc bag. Refrigerate for 1-24 hours. The longer the better.
|Remove from fridge 30 minutes before cooking to allow the meat to come to room temp. Preheat a grill pan to medium high heat. Remove the meat from the marinated.
|Add veggies to the pan with some of the steak marinated. Cook until they veggies are almost done. Remove the veggies from the pan and cover to keep warm.
|Once the pan is really hot again, add the steak to the pan and sear on all sides. 1-2 minutes. I like my steak medium rare. Time will depend on your steak preference and size.
|Add the veggies back to the pan and fully combined and warm, about 1-2 minutes. Remove veggies and steak from pan and serve.


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29,900 Points & Free Shipping
We will send you this stuff from Tokyo, Japan by Parcel Post.
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1 people have reviewed this reward.
this is a great reward for one pice fans i like it very muchi because i ,love luffy the main character of one piecee you should by it evrrybody it will look awsome on your phones so i hope i was usefull arigato minaa interestt <3
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4 of 23
Answer: Mozzarella Cheese
Yes! This one is mozzarella, the king of pizza cheese. But don't take our word for it. Food scientists in New Zealand performed a set of experiments and concluded that mozzarella is, in fact, the best cheese for making pizza because of its elasticity and even browning. Try your hand at this recipe for grilled pizza this summer.


text: I am using an ubuntu 12.04 with the ispconfig 3 perfect server (apache2) setup. My server has the same hostname as i want to use for email accounts, so when i send myself an email it goes to /var/mail/oliver rather than /var/vmail/wootton-house.com/oliver/Maildir/ Also any other accounts that aren't server accounts cant recieve emails ans there isn't a file in /var/mail/ for them. How can i fix this problem? Thank You Oliver


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The moment you graduate, the number one mission or task at hand is to find an entry level position. Getting that first job is a huge achievement, not only that it is also considered a blessing. A blessing in the fact that your first job gets things rolling and gets you started with a promising life changing career and job which will be filled with various opportunities to progress and excel. This is why getting this hurdle out of the way as early as possible is what everyone tries to achieve from their first day post-graduation.
An entry level job is basically your first professional and full time job that you will embark on after finally completing all your academic achievements. This is the job where you will learn most and get tremendous learning opportunity most in any role you take on as a future growth. So in that sense entry level job is very important as the learning you get will lay the seeds and foundation of how progressive and fast track your career will be. However, before all that getting the job is what is the most challenging part as there are hundreds and thousands of students competing against the likes of you for this very job. So how do you stand different and ensure your employment? Today, we will talk about four tips for an entry level job application and how to really make it very impressive.
A great looking resume
All employers know that for a position at entry level, a resume might not highlight an extraordinary level of experience, which means you really do not have to stress about finding the work experience to talk about for that job. For a great looking resume in context to your entry level position, all you have to do is to focus on the employability skills gained through your internships and academia that match exactly to what the company is looking for. Highlight your credentials in the context of the role you are applying for, so they make perfect sense for the employer when reading it.
Decent cover letter
For many students, cover letters might have lost their importance, but the fact is especially for entry level positions cover letters are one of the strongest points in the application. If you write an impressive cover letter with a decent looking resume, half of your job is done and your job application is already worth considering. Your cover letter should mention points not already present in the resume and should be brief yet comprehensive as well as should lead the reader to opening your resume, so there has to be the right connection between the two.
Important documents
Some job applications require students to attach their documents like particular certifications or portfolios in order to better make employers understand about your work and potential. So always keep an eye for an opportunity to showcase your work and skills through evidence of recognized certifications.
Providing everything else required
Some job applications are lengthy and ask for much more information besides a resume and a letter, so always ensure you have correctly addressed each and every requirement and your application is not incomplete.
Author Bio:
John Kelly is the author of this blog post. Kelly advises students on the different aspects regarding jobs and university applications. Recently he linked with a legitimate custom homework writing service to provide assistance and guidance to the students of colleges as well as universities.
John Kelly is the author of this blog post. Kelly advises students on the different aspects regarding jobs and university applications. Recently he linked with a legitimate custom homework writing service to provide assistance and guidance to the students of colleges as well as universities.


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Welcome to 6/5W
17th December
Thank you for your help in supporting your child's class party. It was an extremely enjoyable afternoon.
16th December
Years 5 and 6 took part in a Victorian workshop. They had an amazing time and were all involved in a performance that they shared in the phased group. We have a few budding future actors within Years 5 and 6!! Please see the photos below.


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Orsini has many gifts on the ground. Just grab a group gift and pick up all the goodies. This outfit is called Tiana. And its a really pretty mesh dress.
I blogged the skin earlier today but thought it was perfect with this getup.
Tameless changed the gifts they have in their lucky chair, this is one of the 3 I saw while I was there. As always they are just gorgeous.
Hair: Pearl (Lucky Chair, Free 5 Minutes) @ Tameless http://slurl.com/secondlife/Dreyfus/148/176/1503
Skin: Alba (Group Gift, Free) @ Taps http://slurl.com/secondlife/Enoshima/88/43/3481
Dress: Tiana (Group Gift, Free) @ Orisini http://slurl.com/secondlife/Evolution/206/76/3035


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Our sports games section is a should for all athletes, and all individuals prefering active life-style. Xbox is for hardcore FPS Gamers and PS3 is more for the exciting and individuals who play a assortment of games. Calls for Microsoft to split the games onto two discs to enable the Xbox360 to play the huge games, nevertheless the ps3 does not due to the fact it uses Blu-Ray. To locate the very best totally free on-line sports games, check out the evaluations and ratings obtainable with every title. I for certain am not going to acquire the elite for 399$.I am deciding on the xbox 360 or, xbox 360 me some me know. The only games that i`ll probably purchase or play on it is nba 2k9 and madden..or other sport games..and rpg also.
Appear, it is this basic, Playstation has been answered often will be a sports game console Xbox is your adventure games and some sports. Customers even asked for more free of charge to play games, and Microsoft have answered with Project Spark, Warframe and upcoming games Smite and Neverwinter. And lastly we don't have to pay for online play and we can still assassinate every single other just the same way as xbox!
You have to spend for on-line on the xbox (which totally blows) and the graphics are absolute shit! Like this at the end we can say that sports and games play a crucial role in our life. Sports games have traditionally been extremely popular arcade games The competitive nature of sports lends itself well to the arcades where the main objective is usually to acquire a higher score The arcade style of play is generally much more unrealistic and focuses on a quicker gameplay encounter. I have attempted and tested the above statement correct numerous occasions for many distinct games.
That's why schools with distinct sports competition are noticed to present the society a lot more very good students with diversified skills. Oh also get the games Uncharted 2/3, LBP2, Dead space, Mw2/Mw3, Black ops 1/2 Killzone 3, and so forth. Xbox is definitely not matchabe to ps3's blu-ray….but it has a much better style with an edgy look….and if ps3 has blu-ray….xbox has XBOX Reside which beats any online multiplayer network!!!!!! Even children participating in games are observed to have multiple and diversified skills. You cant say xbox has far better games due to the fact they both have their share of wonderful games, xbox with halo, and gears.
It has been observed in the statistics that individuals who are prone to games and sports lead a healthier life compared to the ones who are not. Even though you can still play on-line with the Arcade, you will not be in a position to download any patches or new content, leaving you behind your peers. For even far more cost-free games Addicting Games provides eight additional categories, including Action, Puzzle & Board, Shooting, Arcade & Classic, Strategy, Adventure, Life & Style, and NewsGames. If you like adventure, xbox is your game, if you like sports ps3 is you game or do what I did and get all 3 consoles.


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Week beginning 10th July
Today we started by writing about our visit to the beach for Super Sentences. Mr Carter chose Reece as the Gruffalo Super Sentence Writer of the Week and Mrs Curtis chose Tegan for the Elmers. We all came together to talk about our exciting day before getting changed for PE. Mrs Jones and Ms Richings played some circle games with us while Mrs Curtis and Mr Carter went to see one of next year's Elmers! We all then went with Mr Parsons for PE and played lots of games on the field along with some of the 'big' children who were in school on work experience. We went back to Mr Parsons after play before coming back to the classroom to get ready for lunch.
In the afternoon we did the register before getting changed back into our uniform. We talked about our Stay and Play session and then got our home time things. We all went outside for a playtime with the Year 1s and 2s before coming back in and getting our things. We all went to our Year 1 classrooms and lots of us were lucky to have our family or friends to come and play with us for the afternoon! It was really good fun to explore the new classrooms and make resources ready for next year! Thanks to everyone who came!
On Tuesday and Wednesday Mrs Curtis and Mr Carter spent the days visiting next year's Elmers and Gruffalos at their houses. We spent the time writing and making paintings about our first year at school. We wrote about what we have enjoyed this year, what we are good at and what we would like to improve. We painted pictures of things that we have enjoyed and wrote a sentence about them so that we can show the new Elmers and Gruffalos what they might enjoy doing! We made cards, enjoyed playing games and doing PE with Mr Parsons and squeezed some time watching tv! (Shhh!). We also wrote about The Train Ride story, coloured pictures and sequenced things that happened in the story. We also said goodbye to Stui who had his last day on Wednesday - enjoy your holiday, we'll see you in September!
Week beginning 6th July 2015
Today we started with our Rainbow Fish Super Sentences before coming together to share some of the things we have been doing at home. Mrs Curtis showed us the video of the Underground after her trip to London and this led to lots of us discussing what we knew about World War 2 (because someone knew that people hid in the underground!). We all got changed for PE and Mr Parsons took the Elmers while the Gruffalos played some circle games to do with our Speaking and Listening Core Learning Skill. After play we swapped over before we had lunch.
In the afternoon we swapped around to practise our songs for the house singing competition. We also go the chance to practise in the hall before going outside for a playtime. When we came back in we got out home time things before going to an assembly with Mrs Curtis and Mr Carter. They told us all about the Summer Reading Challenge!
On Tuesday it was our trip to Minehead beach! We went on the coach to the train station and got onto the steam train! We travelled all the way to Minehead (being most excited to have snack!) and when the train stopped in the station we got off and walked along the sea front. We stopped on the beach and had lunch before digging sandcastles, drawing, making pictures and going for a paddle! We popped our shoes and socks back on before getting back on the coach and heading back to school.
A huge thank you to all of the adults who helped and to the children too - you were brilliant and it was a complete pleasure to take you out of school! Below you can see a couple of the photos we took - more to follow!
Today was French day! It was fun to see everyone dressed up! We learned some French words and names for things. We learned about French food, and tried some croissants and pan au chocolate and learned about the weather in France too. We looked at the Eiffel Tower and made our own versions out of Lego, Duplo and straws. We coloured in and cut out French flags to make bunting and had a go at painting our own Mona Lisa with water colours! We also learned the song 'Frere Jacques' so that we could sing it in assembly and even managed to sing it in a round!
In the afternoon we went to a whole school assembly and every year group shared what they had been doing during the day! Afterwards we had a playtime before getting ready to go home and listening to a story.
On Thursday we started with Super Sentences and we wrote about what we saw during our train ride to Minehead. Afterwards we came together to look through more of our photos from our trip! We chose our own activities with lots of us roleplaying about trains and chalking tracks on the patio! Some of us also went to do PE with Mrs David, who was in for Mr M. After play we had Read, Write Inc. before going to lunch.
In the afternoon we went to our classrooms to practise our songs one more time before we went to the hall for the singing competition! We all enjoyed listening and watching each of the houses sing their songs and also special guest star Mr Priestley singing 'Let It Go'! (He lost a bet about his football team and now you can watch his video in the Gallery section from the main page!). We had a quick playtime before going back to find out that Apache won for Key Stage 1 and Mohican won for Key Stage 2!
On Friday we started with Super Sentences and we wrote about photographs of our trip to Minehead! Afterwards we chose our own activities while the adults helped us to do Friday Feedback! After play we had Read, Write Inc. before going to lunch. In the afternoon pre-school came over to play for a while and after they helped us tidy up we got ready to go home before going to Singing Assembly with Mrs Weston and Mr Carter!


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Dear You
Every once in a while, I wonder at my irrationality in writing these letters that you never read. What is the point of talking to someone who doesn't want to listen to what you have to say? And then I remember the reason why I made a promise when I started off this series. It was because I knew that when I wanted to chicken out or give up, the weight of that word would bind me.
When that happens, I am reminded of the fact that these letters may have a lot to do with what I want to say or how I feel, but they are also firmly embedded in the desire to share the treasure of knowledge I am tapping into with every letter. The Prophet of Islam (pbuh) also spoke to people who weren't willing to listen, right? Some listened in time, some never did. But the loss was theirs and never his.
So what do I have to lose in continuing with these letters? Some pride maybe, a little ego at the thought that you might be snickering when you see the tag pop up in your feed and then simply deleting it. Perhaps the doubt that the others reading this might be thinking, "What? She's *still* at it?"
And what do I have to gain? Everything. In every letter I write, I see something new in the world around me. I learn something and I am inspired to change a part of me for the better. Every time I sit down to put these words together, I find I am once again overwhelmed by gratitude at how much God has provided for my guidance out of the darkness I was in, towards a place of light.
And perhaps also, with every time I finish one of these letters, I feel a little bit sadder because I no longer know how much further from that light you have walked away….
Remember my son, the best of my advice is tell you to fear God, to concentrate and to confine yourself to the performance of those duties that have been made incumbent upon you by Him and to follow in the footsteps of your ancestors and your pious and virtuous relatives. Verily, they always carefully measured their thoughts and deeds, as you must also try to do.
This kind of deliberation made them take from life what was really the best and forsake that which was not made incumbent upon them.
Fear God. How often has that phrase been repeated in religious circles? And how often it has been misunderstood or misinterpreted. Is God an entity to be afraid of? Are we supposed to live as serfs – bound by a feudal Lord – to obey Him under the threat of a hell we have not seen, but whose terrors we have been told we cannot imagine? Are we to be subdued by dread and promises of the worst kind of fate for an eternity. Is that truly what we were created for and what is meant to motivate us to worship and follow His Laws?
How can you love a God you are afraid of? How can you be intimate with an entity that threatens you? How will you ever turn to Him in times of need if you live constantly looking over your shoulder in fear of His Wrath?
I don't deny that there is a Hell and that we can end up in it because of our sins, but perhaps it is because we begin with that as the basic premise of belief that religion seems such a difficult, limiting and oppressive system to so many.
What if we started with love instead? What happens when you love someone? Truly love them with all your heart and soul. Doesn't it become the most natural thing in the world to want to impress them, to gain their respect and admiration? To please them?
As we move from new-love to mature-love, there is a subtle transition in our attitude. We begin with being afraid of doing or saying something silly or something that will make the other person think less of us (or worse leave us). And because we can no longer imagine life without them, this fear keeps us on our toes – we need to look our best, to sound our best and always be at our most perfect possible infront of them.
With time, when we trust them enough to believe they're with us for who we are and not what we do – when we realise the otherperson isn't going anywhere – we find a place of comfort where we know the occasional idiotic thing said will not drive them away.
In a really good relationship, however, we are aware of the danger of complacency, the possiblity of destroying the relationship if it isn't nurtured, so we still try to surprise them with something clever or special all the time. We strive to become even more beautiful than what we are – for them.
Isn't that the way it should be with God? At first, we want to be obedient servants and make it to Heaven / stay out of Hell. We're afraid of not being able to measure up to the requirements so we feverishly perform all our duties, sometimes getting so caught up in the technicalities that we kill the soul of the action.
As we get to know Him better, we realise that of course we'll never be able to match His Standards because He is Infinitely Perfect! With that knowledge, we also understand the limitlessness of His Love and His Kindness, His Gentleness and His Ever-Forgiving Essence. We accept that we may be flawed, but that He is willing to embrace us into His Mercy despite that. After all, He didn't create us flawed with the purpose of punishing us. We are flawed because there can only be One Perfection and for us to be able to realise that, there exists the difference between us and Him.
Yet, because He is so Beautiful and Amazing, we live in a delicate balance of hoping that everytime we do something good we've pleased Him and fearing that everytime we slip up, we've disappointed Him. The fear we then have of disobeying Him stems from our awe of His Power and His Grace and not from an oppressive burden of guilt.
This is the kind of fear we need to have, where we are so in love that we are afraid to an opportunity to earn His Love pass us by.
…Remember that before you start deliberating over a problem, seek guidance from the Lord and beseech Him to give you a lead in the right direction. Avoid confusion in your ideas, and do not let disbelief about the truth of the teaching of religion take hold of your mind, because the first will lead you to agnosticism and the others towards errors and sins.
When you are thus prepared to solve any problem and you are sure that you possess a clear mind, a sincere and firm desire to reach the truth, to say the correct thing and to do the correct deed, then carefully go through the advice that I am leaving for you.
If your mind is not clear and free from doubts as you wish it to be, then you will be wandering in the wilderness of uncertainties and errors like a camel suffering from night-blindness. Under these circumstances it is best for you to give up the quest because with such limitations none can ever reach the truth.
Who do we turn to when we have a problem or need to make a decision? Friends, family, ourselves. And when none of them can help? Aah, then we turn to God, so really He is our last resort when all else fails….
Ask yourself who you would turn to at 3 a.m. if you had a dilemma you needed a way out of. That person is a usurper in your heart who has taken the place that rightfully belongs to your Creator. As a Muslim, you are already committing what is called 'subtle' shirk (polytheism) by inviting a 'partner' to God into your priorities.
The most famous and comprehensive verse quoted with regard to the relationship between God and man in the Qur'an is "When My servants ask you about Me, [tell them that] I am indeed nearmost. I answer the supplicant's call when he calls Me. So let them respond to Me, and let them have faith in Me, so that they may fare rightly." (2:186)
Can you see any conditional element to that statement in terms of when, how or where? If we truly love God as we claim, then together with love comes trust and dependency and loyalty. We claim to be loyal to God by our obedience to Him, but do we not believe that He is loyal to us? Has He not promised that if we depend on Him, He will suffice for us? Do we not trust that promise to be true at all times and in all cases?
And if do trust Him and ask for guidance, how then do we know what the answer is? That's where the rest of the advice comes into play: clear your mind and then set yourself the aim of reaching the truth and doing / saying the right thing. In Islam, the guidelines to discern right from wrong are already present in the Shariah and so all you have to do is filter your decisions through them.
Is what you're planning to do going to hurt someone? Will it involve anything haram (forbidden) by the law? Are the consequences going to harm others? Does it involve immorality? These questions usually eliminate a lot of our choices.
Of the ones that remain…well, by the time you have gone through the entire process, you've pretty much achieved the goal of submitting to His Knowledge and Will, you've fulfilled your end of the covenant and I don't think it matters which option you then coose. Since you started by relying on Him, He will suffice you and lead you to the place of your trust in Him by whichever path you pick.
How many of us have made choices based on our own emotional judgement instead of on what is right and true? How many of us have been afraid of going forward when we should have simply trusted Him and forged ahead? You can know exactly where you've come from by looking at where you are right now.
Are you in a place where you might not know what lies ahead, but you are confident that the next step will open up because you are equipped with faith, knowledge and trust? Do you feel safe where you are? Or are you lost and wandering, feeling surrounded by a wilderness from which you cannot discover a way out? Do feel adrift in a choppy sea, stomach slightly churning because there is no land in sight, you don't know which direction to steer in and now you're wondering if you should have taken a train instead…?
The Will says that in such cases you should give up on your current path, but how do you do even that if you're stuck where you are? How do you find your way out? How do you go back and start over?
My dear son, carefully, very carefully remember these sayings of mine, that the Lord who is the Master of death is also the Master of life. The Creator is the Annihilator. And the One who annihilates has the power to bring everything back again to existence again. The One who sends you calamities is the One Who will bring you safely out of them.
We started off by saying that we needed not to fear God in Himself, but rather be in awe of Him and fear His Displeasure. We started off by saying we needed to be in love with God. What do you do when you've hurt someone you love? Do you give up the situation as hopeless and abandon your relationship? Do you run away from your mistakes and leave behind something that added value to your life? Can you honestly – if you have claimed to love – go on with life and build happiness in the future knowing you have left un-accounted for pain or disappointment in your past?
How then can you abandon the best relationship in your life? How can you give up on the only one and true love you will ever have? Real Love is selfish by nature. That's why God always wants us for Himself only. And we need to be selfish as well. We need to want to hang on to the relationship with God, no matter what happens.
So we make mistakes, Love forgives. So we walk away, Love waits for us to come back. So we commit sins, Love forgets. So we bring back excuses and apologies, Love tolerates. So we cry out of shame, Love embraces us with acceptance.
No matter how far we go, the thread binding us to Real Love never breaks. It anchors us to the One who Loves us even when we forget that we love Him. He might let us wander off, but sometimes it's only when you're cold and lost and terrified that you realise how much you need Him and how safe He makes you feel.
I don't know where you are right now. But I do know that when you left, you were going off in the wrong direction. That's why I gave you the things I did: a book in which are the answer to the questions you are so afraid to ask, a number to call if you don't know where to start, a promise to be there whenever needed and a prayer that you should use any or all three helplines some day.
Perhaps you've already found your way back, but incase you haven't…reach inside your self, somewhere there's an empty torch (batteries included) simply waiting for you to pick it up and turn it on so it can show you the way back.
After all, the dark wilderness and the choppy seas belong to His Kingdom as much as the lush hills and the clear waters and who knows the easiest paths out of them better than Him?


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Barcelona cruise past PSG
Neymar took his tally for the season to 30 goals with a double as Barcelona eased into the UEFA Champions League semi-finals by beating Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 to secure an emphatic aggregate triumph.
Despite the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marco Verratti from suspension, PSG headed into Tuesday's quarter-final second leg with a mountain to climb having lost the first leg at the Parc des Princes 3-1.
And the French champions never looked pulling off a remarkable comeback at Camp Nou, Neymar instead putting the tie beyond doubt with an excellent performance highlighted by two first-half goals.
The Brazil striker was the beneficiary of the sparkling creativity of Andres Iniesta as he netted an early opener, taking advantage of a fragile PSG defence without the services of injured captain Thiago Silva.
And a fine delivery from right-back Dani Alves, heavily linked with a transfer to PSG in the close-season, set Neymar up to head home his second - and his fifth in four games against PSG this season - 11 minutes before the break.
From there Luis Enrique's side proceeded to take their foot off the gas, coasting into the last four for the sixth time in the last seven seasons with a display that gives further credence to the idea that they could well win a Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey treble.
Barca needed just 14 minutes to break the deadlock thanks to a piece of brilliance from Iniesta.
The Spain star jinked his way beyond three players and played an expertly placed pass into the path of Neymar, who coolly rounded Salvatore Sirigu and tapped the ball into the empty net.
PSG responded well to going behind but only the reflexes of Sirigu prevented Barca from extending their lead soon after. The goalkeeper palmed a long-range strike from Dani Alves away and then kept out Neymar's header on the rebound.
But Sirigu could do nothing to stop Neymar from doubling his tally in the 34th minute as he was given the simple task of nodding home Dani Alves' excellent in-swinging right-wing cross.
Iniesta was withdrawn and replaced by Xavi at half-time and Barca did lose some of their attacking impetus in a low-key second half.
Yet they were rarely threatened by a PSG team, who never looked like they believed they could reverse last week's demoralising defeat at home.
Verratti lashed wide from the edge of the area and Ibrahimovic stung the palms of Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, but that was all the visitors could muster as Barca - who nearly added a third through Lionel Messi in injury time - marched on in ominous fashion.


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Tagged: Hot Stove
Rick Hahn's Interesting Comments at SoxFest
Over the weekend at SoxFest, Rick Hahn had some interesting commentary in regards to the White Sox payroll. Hahn declared at the morning seminar at SoxFest that if the White Sox were in contention, fans could expect the team to add to payroll if necessary. "the money has always been there," said Hahn. So that is the good news. Now stop drooling White Sox fans, the fact that Hahn said he would raise payroll does not mean the Sox will be splurging, but it does mean that if the White Sox are an impact player away from being a force to be reckoned with come July, Hahn will have the flexibility to swing a deal.
The undeniable bad news though is the biggest question mark in Hahn's comments. If the money has always been there, then why not re-sign fan favorite A.J. Pierzynski? A man who had just come off of a career year at the plate. When asked about the departure of Pierzynski, Hahn said that the money that would have gone into a Pierzynski extension was instead reassigned to the contracts of starting pitcher Jake Peavy, utility man Jeff Keppinger, and reliever Matt Lindstrom.
Assuming Hahn would have re-signed Pierzynski on a one-year contract, Hahn was apparently about to dish out about $20 million on the thirty-six year old catcher. Now, I am being facetious, but if the White Sox are willing to spend on an impact bat later in the season, why wouldn't they spend on a proven bat like Pierzynski's now? There could be several reasons as to why the Sox passed on Pierzynski, but I am assuming Pierzynski wouldn't have commanded as much as the $7 million dollar price tag he signed for in Texas from the White Sox.
Overall, I am pleased that the Sox see themselves in a win-now mode, despite the bleak outlook on the division. The Tigers are still an offensive juggernaut with a great complementary starting rotation. The Kansas City Royals have improved their weak rotation, which should combine with a solid bullpen and young, exciting lineup to be somewhat relevant in 2013, but yet Hahn and the Sox front office can still see themselves having a shot at this thing. Only time will tell.
Matt Lindstrom Signs On with South Siders
Yesterday news was broke by Jon Paul Morosi that former Rockies and Orioles reliever Matt Lindstrom had signed a one year deal with the White Sox. Lindstrom, 32, split time last year with the Orioles and Diamondbacks, he compiled a 2.68 ERA, with a walk ratio of 2.7 and a strikeout ratio of 7.7.
Lindstrom could very well be the reliever the Sox have been talking about acquiring all off-season as he is a 6 year veteran, and throws pure gas. In addition the Pale Hose only had one more remaining roster spot, and it was for a reliever. I do like the surface numbers Lindstrom has put up over his career, however I do have some major concerns when it comes to this type of pitcher.
My number one concern when it comes to pitchers is league changing. When pitchers go from the National League to the American League they are notorious for getting completely shelled in the beginning of their stint. Example 1 being Ryan Dempster. Last year, Ryan Dempster was traded from the Chicago Cubs to the Texas Rangers. Dempster had been lights out for the Cubs but with their rebuilding effort going on Dempster was more worth what he could bring in than what he put in. Before the trade, Dempster had a 2.25 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and a 2.3 walk ratio. After he was dealt to the Rangers, Dempster regressed heavily. In 12 starts Dempster had a 5.09 ERA, 1.435 WHIP, and his walk ratio jumped up a whole point. The competition in the AL West, with teams like the A's and Angels combined with the designated hitter rule, was just too much for Dempster to handle. So now I begin to wonder.
Lindstrom pitched in the National League exclusively for 5 years with the Marlins and Astros. The beginning of 2012 was the first time he had been on an American League club. Even worse, it was an American League club in the best division in baseball. During Lindstrom's time with the O's, he didn't fare too badly. But the fact that his walk rate with the O's compared to the Diamondbacks was alomst 1.5 points higher is a little concerning.
I'm not saying this was a bad signing, because I do like the fact that the White Sox went after a veteran reliever with some pop. But what I am saying is that the switching of leagues is something to watch out for , as it may not be a smooth transition. Fortunately, Lindstrom is coming into a pretty weak division even despite all the improvements the clubs have made this offseason. If there is any American League division that most resembles a National League division it's the AL Central.
Thank you for reading another edition of the Next White Sox GM. If you have any comments on the signing of Matt Lindstrom, or have any ideas of your own please comment below and have your voice heard! Spring Training opening day is only 34 days away, and pitchers and catchers report on February 10th!
According to a Rival GM: Michael Morse Traded to Seattle in 3-Team Deal
The AL West just got a little tougher today when general manager Jack Zduriencik of the Seattle Mariners pulled the trigger on a three team deal that saw former Nationals outfielder/first baseman Michael Morse head to the Emerald City, also involved in the deal was Mariners catcher John Jaso who went to Oakland. Oakland then sent minor league pitchers AJ Cole and Blake Treinen to Washington, who will also receive a player to be named later from Oakland. Morse was being shopped after Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo re-signed first baseman Adam LaRoache to a two-year deal. With Morse's first base position filled, and Jayson Werth, Bryce Harper, and the newly-acquired Denard Span patrolling the oufield Morse was out of options. Though he could have played second base and been part of a stacked lineup, Rizzo saw more value in the talent that Morse could bring in than having the extra offense lying around in the lineup.
Michael Morse brought back former Nationals prospect AJ Cole, who was traded away in the Gio Gonzalez deal last year. The year he was traded to the A's the Nats sold on him high with Cole being the fifty-seventh ranked prospect according to Baseball America. In 2011 at Single-A Hagerstown Cole pitched to a four win and seven loss record, a 4.04 ERA, and a WHIP around 1.2. Solid stats, but they could have been better. What most likely attracted the eye of A's GM Billy Beane was Cole's outstanding walk rate which was a relatively cool 2.4 and his high strikeout rate which was at 10.9. In comparison David Price's career walk rate is 3.0 and his career strikeout rate is an 8.3.
Now more on Michael Morse, who will head to a smaller Safeco field, and be placed in the middle of a now formidable Mariners lineup. Before this offseason the Mariners need to address their offensive needs, and badly. Their best hitters were designated hitter Jesus Montero and third baseman Kyle Seager. However, GM Jack Zduriencik has vastly improved their anemic offense by adding former Angel Kendrys Morales and signing former Mariner great Raul Ibanez. Morse just seems to be the cherry on top. Yet there still lies a problem. As noted by MLB insider Jon Paul Morosi: Jesus Montero, though not the subject of the deal is the key player to making this trade work.
But why is Montero so key? Well that's because Montero, though listed as a catcher, does not actually catch. Of the 135 games Montero played last year, he was the starting catcher for 55 of them, catching 40% of Seattle's games. With the DH spot now being occupied by a revolving door of Morse, Morales, and Ibanez; Montero will have to find at-bats elsewhere. But the problem is, the elsewhere might not be catcher for the Mariners, it might be designated hitter elsewhere.
Montero's fielding numbers at the catching position are not promising. Last year he let up 7 passed balls, in addition to not really being a brick wall behind the plate, Montero also only threw out 25% of base runners attempting to steal on him. In comparison, 35 year old catcher AJ Pierzynski only let up 8 passed balls in about 71 more games than Montero, and Pierzynski also threw out about the same percentage of base runners. Now don't go saying "well, Pierzynski is one of the best catchers in the game and got by." That is not the right logic here, Pierzynski is about 14 years older than Montero and had one more passed ball allowed than Montero, while being the backstop for 71 more games than the younger Montero. In order to get the same kind of at-bats a young power hitter like Montero will need, Jack Zduriencik will most likely need to look elsewhere. The good thing is that a player like Montero still holds significant value considering he won't be arbitration eligable until 2015, and isn't a free agent until 2018, which still gives the team receiving him about 5 years of cheap control on Montero.
Now we move on to the Moneyball A's, who essentially gave up prospects AJ Cole, Blake Treinen, and a player to be named later for catcher John Jaso. Yes, the A's did a three-for-one trade for John Jaso, That's what I said when I first heard about the deal, and thought Billy Beane had gone mad. But upon further investigation I started to warm up to why Beane did this deal. Though Cole was an elite prospect upon coming to Oakland, he left under much worse circumstances.
Upon his arrival Cole was placed in Single-A ball with Oakland's Burlington affiliate. Nothing had changed, Cole improved his whip to a 1.0, dropped his walk rate to a 1.8, and had a dazzling 9.6 strikeout rating, all while maintaining a 2.07 ERA. But then Stockton happened. Cole was promoted to A+ ball, and just fell apart. He was not the same pitcher that left Burlington. Though maintaining a 2.4 walk rate, Cole's strikeout rate decreased to a 7.3 and his home run rate increased a full point to 1.7. Cole's ERA also ballooned to a near an 8, and he lost all but one of his starts which was a no decision. Now this by no means indicates that Cole is done, considering his size of good work versus bad work is still about 38 starts to 7, but if Cole did continue to tank then Beane would have been SOL (so out of luck). Thus, it pained Beane to part with a promising prospect of Cole's caliber, but he got someone who could help the big league club in Jaso.
Going into the 2013 season Beane had planned to have Derek Norris and George Kottaras battle it out for the starting catcher job. Norris who came over with Cole in the Gonzalez trade had had a decent year at AAA Sacremento, grinding out a slash line of .271/.329/.477 (avg./obp.%/slg% for those who aren't familiar), Norris also tacked on 9 home runs and 38 RBI's. Oh, and not to mention this was all done in less than 250 plate appearances.
Kottaras, the other man battling for the job, came over in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers. Though Kottaras doesn't hit for a high average, he is known for getting on base, something that sources tell me Billy Beane really likes a lot. With Beane ready to let the two duke it out for the job, the opportunity to acquire Jaso came up. Beane had been chasing Jaso for months, and would only let Cole go for Jaso. Jaso was Beane's man. Jaso is probably thought of so highly by Beane because of his insanely high on-base percentage, which flirted with .400 last year (.394). Having Jaso, who is staying in the same division he played in with the M's is probably all the more insurance for Beane, as the adjustment period won't be as long as if he had switched divisions or leagues. Not to mention that 2013 is the first year Jaso is arbitration eligible, and he won't be a free agent until 2016 which gives Beane so time to think of a creative way to keep Jaso on the cheap.
All in all, I like the deal for all parties involved as the M's improve their lineup, the A's get their starting pitcher, and the Nationals stock their system after losing a draft pick from signing reliever Rafael Soriano. This trade was truly a masterpiece, and kudos to Beane, Rizzo, and Zduriencik for making the trade work and make sense for all parties involved.
White Sox News:
- In White Sox related news, second baseman Gordon Beckham and center fielder Alejandro De Aza filed for arbitration. mlbtraderumors.com anticipates a $3.1 million salary for Beckham and $1.7 million for De Aza.
- Javier Vazquez is also still on the market, the White Sox, Nationals, and Red Sox are considered front runners, with the Nats showing the most interest.
Thanks for reading another installment of the Next White Sox GM, if you have any thoughts on the trade or a question anything else in general please leave a comment.
According to a Rival GM: Baltimore & Philadelphia Interested in Kyle Lohse
This is not actually according to a rival GM, but I needed a witty title for what I would make headlines of posts that don't involve the White Sox, considering they are not always making news, and some moves that other teams make are great to write about from a GM's perspective. So here goes the first in the series of "According to a Rival GM."
With the stove heating up for Shawn Marcum, and the Tigers receiving offers from multiple teams for Rick Porcello, Scott Boras and client Kyle Lohse are relegated to the sidelines. As of right now it is January 14, 2013, and Lohse has still not found a place to play next year. But Lohse should not be worried, he wil pitch somewhere next year, as demand for a a pitcher who can get batters out and keep runners off the base paths. The problem that Lohse faces however is that signing him means that the team that does so must yield a draft pick to do so. And for the double whammy, Lohse's agent, Scott Boras, is one of the most ruthless negotiators in the business; Boras will not rest until he has squeezed every dollar out of the team that he can. Despite all the factors working against Lohse, I believe that the Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies have both the financial flexibility and the willingness to forfeit a draft pick necessary to sign Kyle Lohse.
The Baltimore Orioles need pitching and badly. They have been linked to several free-agent pitchers this off-season, and the trade market for pitching has always included the Orioles. Lohse could very well be their last chance to upgrade their pitching staff, and make another run at what looks to be another very strong AL East. If Lohse can be the missing piece to the Orioles making a deep playoff run there is no doubt in my mind that they would forfeit the cash & the pick to sign Lohse, however, I could only see them signing him for no more than three years as Lohse is thirty-four, and can start to lose his stuff at any point.
Contract Prediction for Lohse-to-Baltimore: 2 years/$24 million with a club option in 2015 worth $13 million.
The Phillies are also a team I could see attempt a run at Lohse. The Phillies are an aging team, whose championship window is closing with premier players like Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Cliff Lee getting up there in years. In the past the Phillies have shown a willingness to part with prospects and draft picks, see the Roy Halladay trade, and Cliff Lee signing. With the signing of a pitcher like Lohse the Phillies could push Kyle Kendrick to the fifth spot in the rotation, knocking out John Lannan, and have a rotation of Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, Kyle Lohse, and Kyle Kendrick. However, to get a rotation that stacked will cost money which is something that the Phillies have, especially playing in a big market and having a very supportive fan base. Because of this flexibility the Phillies can more effectively eat bad contracts and move on, so I think they would have more guaranteed years but slightly less cash.
My contract prediction for Lohse-to-Philadelphia: 3 years/$30 million with the contract being front loaded so that Lohse would be easily dealt in his later years of the deal.
Thanks reading my non-White Sox related post, the Sox have been very quiet lately and I hope they can make a splash soon considering we still have trade chip Gavin Floyd and holes at third base and in the bullpen. Not to mention we still have not acquired the left-handed bat we have been searching for all off-season.
White Sox Exploring Trade with Arizona for LF Jason Kubel
Rumors broke last yesterday evening that the White Sox have been in discussions with the Diamondbacks regarding one of their outfielders. The reason being the D-Backs now have a surplus of outfielders in the wake of their signing of former NLCS MVP Cody Ross. Initial discussions between the two sides apparently involved a swap of some sort involving Alexei Ramirez going to the Diamondbacks in exchange for Justin Upton. However, as talks progressed the Diamondbacks felt more comfortable dealing Kubel rather than Upton, so now the White Sox are presumably in talks with D-Backs GM Kevin Towers regarding Kubel.
Kubel will make $7.5 million dollars in 2013, and the team that possesses him would have a $7.5 million club option for him in 2014. Kubel ranked 4th last year among qualifying left fielders in bases on balls last season with 57; only Martin Prado, Ryan Braun, and Matt Holliday had better eyes than Kubel. Kubel was also a doubles machine last year with 30 two-baggers. In addition Kubel also pelted 30 home runs with 90 RBIs, while sustaining a .327 on-base percentage, which would have been the 7th highest on-base percentage had he been with the Sox, just behind slugger Adam Dunn. Kubel will also turn 31 this upcoming season, and would be 32 by the end of the life of the contract, just leaving his prime production years.
Kubel would most definitely be an upgrade for the Sox, and I belive they should pursue him as he would be essentially replacing recently signed former White Sox AJ Pierzynski's numbers. But there lies an issue, the Sox already have their outfield set with Dayan Viciedo manning left, De Aza running center field, and Alex Rios patrolling right; there is also no room in the designated hitter role as Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko will be sharing time there this season. Assuming the Sox do not need to trade any major league talent for Kubel, which they shouldn't, the Sox will probably resume the Viciedo experiment at third base and insert Kubel into left field. If the Sox do require major league talent to land Kubel I will assume that Viciedo would be the talent heading to Arizona, but Arizona would need to include prospects of their own or include money in the deal to offset the loss of a controllable young talent the Sox would giving up for an aging, already free-agent eligable outfielder.
The White Sox need to make a move, especially with the division around them getting better. As I type this article the Indians are finalizing a four year, $56 million contract with Nick Swisher. The Royals have a significantly better starting rotation, and assuming their young core of talent, including Butler, Moustakas, and Hosmer continue to progress, they will be scary. The Tigers signed Torii Hunter, and re-signed starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez. Both moves improved the team as Hunter is a consistent hitter and gold-glove winning outfielder, and Sanchez reinforces the back-end of an already very strong rotation that includes former MVP Justin Verlander, power pitcher Max Scherzer, and the lights-out Doug Fister. If the White Sox can add Kubel they can improve the middle of the order and hide their weaknesses more effectively (Tyler Flowers). The addition of Kubel would create a lineup that looks a lot like this:
1. CF De Aza
2. 2B Keppinger
3. DH/1B Dunn
4. 1B/DH Konerko
5. LF Kubel
6. RF Rios
7. 3B Viciedo
8. SS Ramirez
9. C Flowers
This type of lineup would put a lot less pressure on Flowers to produce considering he has a very talented Ramirez in front of him and a clutch Alejandro De Aza hitting behind him. Flowers could essentially just work on his hitting, and not worry about producing all the time.
Thanks for reading another report from the front office! Please leave feedback and other comments below! Happy Holidays readers!
Jeff Keppinger Signs Three Year Deal with Palehose
Wednesday afternoon Rich Hahn and the White Sox made their version of a splash at the Winter Meetings by signing journeyman Jeff Keppinger to a three year, $12 million deal. The move fills the previous hole the South Siders had at third base, but after having a great player like Kevin Youkilis manning the hot corner, Keppinger leaves a lot to be desired. This entry will focus on analyzing the player Hahn signed, looking at the alternative options Hahn had in free-agency and in house, then breaking down how good the signing was, and making a prediction.
Last year Jeff Keppinger had a breakout season with the Tampa Bay Rays compiling a .288 batting average, .367 on-base percentage, and 40 RBIs in 418 plate appearances. Keppinger also can play multiple positions, in 2012 alone Keppinger appeared in 50 games at third base, 27 at first and second base, and also DH'd in 20 other games. This versatility combined with his breakout performance made Keppinger a prime candidate to fill the any team's third base vacancy; and trust me when I say that there are a ton of vacancies of the position. In addition to positional flexibility Keppinger came into his own offensively last year posting a 2.4 WAR, (Wins Above Replacement) which is almost a full run better than his previous high with the Cincinnati Reds in 2007. However, there are always downfalls to any deal, and Keppinger is no different. One problem is that Keppinger, like AJ Pierzynski, just had his best season and his is starting to get up there in years. Now does that mean he can't reproduce the season he had last year? No, but we also can't expect him to maintain the production he just had last year into his third year and last year of his deal at age thirty-six. Now let's take a look at other options the White Sox had.
Kevin Youkilis
Youk was the incumbent to the position heading into the off-season. Rick Hahn stated publicly that he wanted to bring back both Youk and AJ is possible, but most analysts knew that both play a position of need, and would be priced out of the White Sox price range. However, Youk did have an amazing run during his time on the South Side, in his tenure he hit 15 home runs and drove in 46 runs, and not to mention had the highest WAR of any Sox third baseman since the great Joe Crede. Youk was embraced on the South Side and fans, including myself wanted and continue to want him back, but his option the upcoming season was an astronomical $13 million. Thinking he could pay less for the aging third baseman Hahn declined the option and let Youk hit the open market, which is where the Sox have run into problems. The Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees also both need third baseman due to Lonnie Chisenhall not being able to completely shoulder the starting job, and because Alex Rodriguez is yet again having hip surgery in New York. With this unexpected competition from the Indians who have money to spend because they DON'T spend and the Yankees, who always seem to have bottomless wallets, the White Sox found themselves between a rock and a hard place. The last reports I heard from ESPN was that the Yankees offered Youkilis a 1 year deal for approximately $12 million, which is only $1 million less than the Sox would have paid him had they picked up his option, which is what detered Youk's return to the South Side.
Eric Chavez
The former all-star third baseman hit free-agency yet again this off-season. In 313 plate appearances Chavez hit 16 home runs and drove in 37 runs, very good for a guy who isn't an everyday starter, though I would like to point out that the short porch in right field at Yankee stadium definitely inflated his home run total. In addition Chavez is 35 years old and he will only start to decline faster, so it's probably a good thing that Arizona snatched him up before the White Sox could because, after Chavez signed it came out that his decision came down to the White Sox or D-Backs, but since Arizona was closer to his home he signed there. All in all it was probably in the best interest of the Sox that he was taken off the market.
Jack Hannahan
Another option similar to that of the Keppinger signing was Jack Hannahan. A career .234 hitter, Hannahan was not the most attractive option for the team, but he would have come cheap. Reports are still floating around the Hot Stove that the White Sox are still interested in Hannahan despite the Keppinger signing, but I can't see the Sox signing him because the need at the third base position around the league. Not much to say there.
Mark Reynolds
29 year old Mark Reynolds fits the mold of players the White Sox usually try to acquire. Low average but hits for power, and moving to home-run friendly US Cellular Field would only increase those power numbers. Unfortunately, Reynolds missed some time last year due to injury that concurrently lead to a drop off of his power numbers. In 2011 Reynolds hit for a .221 average, 37 home runs, and drove in 86 runs, only a year later, in 20 less games Reynolds again hit .221, but saw his home run and RBI total drop to 23 and 69 respectively. Despite Reynolds fitting the mold of an ideal White Sox offensive third baseman, he does not fit the mold of a defensive third baseman the White Sox need. In 2011, Reynolds played 114 games at third, in 2012 he played 15 games at third, switching to first and playing there for 108 games. So with that Reynolds is out.
Chone Figgins
Okay, stop rolling your eyes at me right now. I realize that Kenny Williams had a man crush on the guy when he was last a free agent, but Figgins is a legitimate candidate here. In 66 games last year Figgins compiled a .181 average, 2 home runs, and 11 RBIs. Not impressive numbers, I know. But let's also remember three things here: 1) Figgins hasn't gotten a lot of playing time since his bust 2009 season, and not being able to play does wear on you 2)When Figgins did play; what protection did he have? The Mariners "potent" lineup doesn't really have a plethora of hitters who strike fear into the heart of Major League Baseball which didn't allow Figgins to get many good pitches to hit, because pitchers weren't afraid to face the next guy 3) Figgins was playing in Safeco Field one of the most notorious pitcher's parks in the league, a move to more hitter friendly US Cellular Field might do him good. Now here is the catch, I am not lobbying here for him to start, but what could it hurt to sign him to a 1 year, incentive laden, low-risk contract and see how he can perform as a super-utility guy? I think it would be worth the risk, and I would support Hahn signing him to a low-risk deal.
Brent Morel
Morel was flat out terrible in 2012. He was the heir apparent to the third base job, and he screwed it up. Of course he does have a couple of things working for him: he is only 25, he can still improve with coaching, and he has a great glove. With the Keppinger signing I expect the Sox to let Morel continue to regain confidence in Triple-A and hopefully in 2013 the Sox can give Morel another shot at the job, but it is a long shot.
Ultimately, with what Hahn had to work with he made a very good signing. He signed one of the better options the market had to offer, and he got his man at fair price. Despite getting the player he wanted I still have to say that I disagree with the amount of years Keppinger got. In a perfect world I would have tried to work out a 2 year deal worth $8 million with a performance based option that would vest if he reached certain goals and statistics.
Grade: B
Finally, my prediction for this upcoming year for Jeff Keppinger is for him to start for the Sox at third base. He will hit for somewhere around a .270 batting average, 14 home runs, while driving in 71 runs.
Well hope you guys enjoyed another installment of the Next Sox GM, until next time. Thanks for reading!


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Esperanto DBpedia released
We are pleased to share with you this important information: the first automatically-created edition of DBpedia is out!
Esperanto is a constructed language spoken by about 2M people in the world. The Esperanto Wikipedia is – with its 200K+ articles – one of the biggest Wikipedia for which the DBpedia corresponding chapter has not been created yet. It is ranked 34th in the list of Wikipedias sorted by the number of articles, and it is constantly updated by a community of almost 100K users.


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Wellman BLOOD TESTS
Be well, be strong, be confident.
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Be well, be strong, be confident.
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One of the most exciting parts to becoming a parent is getting your space ready for the newest member of your family–however, we know nesting can quickly get overwhelming. Every parent wants to create the perfect nursery for their little one, but between choosing the right color scheme, furniture, and accessories, many parents forget one of the most important details–how healthy the nursery is for their baby.
What exactly do we mean by "healthy"? It's less ambiguous than it sounds–there's actually something very specific that you can focus on to make sure your new baby's nursery is safe and healthy for their development, and this something is surrounding you right now: your air!
Many of us take for granted that the air we're breathing is healthy and safe since it's not something we can typically see–but this isn't the case, especially for air that's indoors. In fact, indoor air can be 5x more polluted than outdoors, which can affect allergies, asthma, our ability to concentrate, the quality of our sleep, and more. Particularly "unhealthy" or "bad" air can even cause a variety of health problems for your baby, including dry skin and eyes, coughing and sneezing, headaches, hives, nausea, and developmental issues.
So how do you make sure your baby's nursery has healthy air? It's much easier than you think! The key to having healthy air is to look out for the factors that affect your indoor air quality: specifically, your air's levels of chemicals, dust, humidity, carbon dioxide, and temperature. To help you get started, we've created a list of the top things to look out for in your nursery, along with a few tips on how to help keep your baby safe and healthy.
1. Pay Attention to your Paint
If you're planning to paint the walls in your nursery or paint a few pieces of furniture, you could be doing more damage than good to your baby's room. Paint contains a variety of toxic chemicals, including VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which evaporate at room temperature. After a room is freshly painted, VOCs will leak off the walls (a process known as "off-gassing") for months, even after the "new paint smell" is long gone. Being exposed to VOCs can wear away at immune systems and cause a variety of side effects, including headaches, nausea, coughing and sneezing, and hives
Luckily, VOC-free and toxin-free paint is available–and they'll probably have the color you're looking for.
2. Be Mindful of your Furniture
Like paint, new furniture–especially wood-pressed and plastic furniture–contains a variety of VOCs, including formaldehyde. VOCs can be compounding, and too much exposure to VOCs over time can lead to severe side effects, from itchy eyes, nose, throat, and skin, to cancer.
When you're shopping for your baby's crib, changing table, and dresser, try to look for those with a Greenguard certification. If this isn't an option, let your baby's furniture air out for as long as possible before bringing it directly into the nursery.
3. Avoid Having too Much Carpet
You'll want to keep the amount of carpet in your nursery at a minimum if you're concerned about the quality of your air. This is because carpet is a perfect trap for a variety of air pollutants–especially dust. Too much dust in the air can cause itchiness, asthma, eczema, and hay fever for your baby. Exposure to dust mites has also been linked to conjunctivitis, hypersensitive pneumonia, and both allergic and migraine headaches.
If removing the carpet from your nursery isn't an option, try to keep it as clean as possible–but you'll have to be careful about how you clean, becasue vacuuming can create even more dust in your air.
4. Keep the Drapes Clean
Thick drapes are essential in the nursery for a good night's sleep and naptime, but like carpet, they can be a magnet for dust. Look for drapes that are easy to wash–if you can clean them often on high heat, you'll have a better chance at keeping dust mites at bay.
5. Watch Where you Open Registry Gifts
Keeping you air quality healthy can sometimes come down to the details. One of the most common mistakes new parents can make is getting too excited about registry gifts and accidentally open them directly in the nursery–and unwrapping presents and opening product packaging will cause both dust and chemicals to spread into the nursery's air.
If you're concerned with the amount of chemicals in your baby's air, there are plenty of quick fixes, including buying plants like the Snake plant, which help by absorbing VOCs.
Creating the safest possible nursery for your little one doesn't have to be a challenge. One of the best ways to always make sure your baby's air is safe is by understanding what's in your air with an indoor air quality monitor, like Awair. Awair tracks toxins and chemicals in your air and provides you with personalized recommendations to help you stay safe and healthy. The limited edition Awair Baby could blend perfectly into your nursery's design.


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US: General Motors axes mainstream Chevrolet in Europe
General Motors is to make Chevrolet Europe a niche division from 2016 with the volume models currently sourced from Korea to be discontinued. The move is expected to cost the automaker up to US$1bn.
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More to look forward to from Disney.
I'm sure my 3 and 5 year old will be all over this Disney Junior business as right now things are pretty much all Disney all the time at our house regardless of if we are watching TV or not!
On Monday February 14th, the new brand Disney Junior will launch as a multi-platform destination for kids aged 2-7.
The newly branded, learning focused Disney Juniorreflects the emotional connection generations of consumers have to Disney storytelling and Disneycharacters, both classic and contemporary.
It looks like Disney Junior will be available as a current time block on the Disney Channel and as an individual Disney Junior channel depending on your Cable plan. Celeb Moms are joining in the launch with participation in the new line up.
Super star moms Katie Holmes and Jennifer Garner will lend their voices to Disney's new short-form series "A Poem Is…," premiering this February with the debut of Disney Junior on Disney Channel. The series showcases poems for children set to scenes and imagery from classic Disney films including "Dumbo," "Bambi" and "Lady and the Tramp." Designed to bring fond memories of Disney classics to parents and create new ones for kids, the series will introduce preschoolers to the beauty of a poem.
Other new shows include: The new interactive animated series "Jake and the Never Land Pirates," "Mickey Mousekersize," "Special Agent Oso: Three Healthy Steps," supporting Disney's Magic of Healthy Living initiative; "A Poem Is…" and the full length series "Babar and the Adventures of Badou" and "Tinga Tinga Tales." Viewers' current favorites, "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse," "Handy Manny," "Special Agent Oso," "Jungle Junction" and "Imagination Movers," will also be seen on Disney Junior.


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[Welcome back to the Damn, I Wish I'd Thought of That! newsletter. This is text of the great issue all of our email subscribers just received. Sign yourself up using the handy form on the right.] Little changes, tiny gestures, and slight modifications can deliver big results. Check out these inspiring examples to see how it can […]
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Newsletter #906: The "Simple Things Make a Real Difference" Issue
October 11, 2012
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Event Date:
Wednesday, April 26, 2017 - 2:30pm to 3:45pm
Event Date Details:
Event Location:
- Karl Geiringer Hall (UCSB)
Event Price:
Admission is free.
Event Contact:
Adriane Hill
Marketing and Communications Manager
UC Santa Barbara Department of Music
(805) 893-3230
UC Santa Barbara Department of Music
(805) 893-3230
Photo by Bonica Ayala of Bonica Ayala Photography.
Members of the Grammy Award-winning vocal project Roomful of Teeth will conduct a workshop on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 from 2:30-3:45 p.m. in Karl Geiringer Hall. The guest artists will present examples of various singing styles from around the world, and explain how those styles have inspired specific repertoire and commissions. The ensemble will also discuss their training, how the group originated, and ideas on entrepreneurship for 21st century singers. Admission is free. This event is co-presented by the UCSB Department of Music and UCSB Arts & Lectures.
Roomful of Teeth in concert
Roomful of Teeth will present a concert featuring works by Caroline Shaw, William Brittelle, Caleb Burhans, Toby Twining, Rinde Eckert, Eric Dudley, and Brad Wells on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at 7 p.m. in Hahn Hall at the Music Academy of the West. Tickets are $32 for the general public and $10 for students with a valid student ID. Tickets are available at:
About Roomful of Teeth
Roomful of Teeth is a GRAMMY-winning vocal project dedicated to mining the expressive potential of the human voice. Through study with masters from singing traditions the world over, the eight-voice ensemble continually expands its vocabulary of singing techniques and, through an ongoing commissioning process, forges a new repertoire without borders.
Founded in 2009 by Brad Wells, the group gathers annually at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) in North Adams, Massachusetts, where they've studied Tuvan throat singing, yodeling, belting, Inuit throat singing, Korean P'ansori, Georgian singing, Sardinian cantu a tenore, Hindustani music and Persian classical singing with some of the world's top performers and teachers. Commissioned composers include Rinde Eckert, Judd Greenstein, Caleb Burhans, Merrill Garbus (of tUnE-yArDs), William Brittelle, Anna Clyne, Fred Hersch, Wally Gunn, Sarah Kirkland Snider, Missy Mazzoli, Michael Harrison, Sam Amidon, and Ted Hearne.
Projects in 2015-2016 include The Colorado, a music-driven documentary film that explores water, land and survival in the Colorado River Basin (featuring former Kronos Quartet cellist Jeffrey Zeigler and Wilco's Glenn Kotche); collaborations with NOW Ensemble, Kanye West and the American Contemporary Music Ensemble (ACME); performances with the Seattle Symphony featuring Luciano Berio's Sinfonia, appearances at new music festivals in the US, Mexico and Canada; and partnerships with over a dozen higher education institutions across the country.
Lead sponsorship for Roomful of Teeth's 2015-2016 season is generously provided by Sharon Banker, the Lenore S. & Bernard A. Greenberg Fund, The Aaron Copland Fund for Music and New Music USA. Additional support provided by Herb Allen, Katie Schmidt, Virginia Philhower, Pacific Harmony Foundation, the Amphion Foundation and the Cheswatyr Foundation.
April 5, 2017 - 11:30am


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Wine manufacturer Sangwine enlisted the help of illustrator Lydia Nichols to create labels for the company's line of fine vinos. Looking to highlight the lifestyle synonomous with the vineyard's California home, the fun-loving label celebrates the beautiful landscape of the sunshine state. Echoing the aesthetics of the late 50s/early 60s, this delightfully retro branding exudes the carefree feeling of a lengthy summer vacation.
Rendered in a style similar to Saul Bass, these minimalist illustrations are made all the more charming through the use of color blocking. Covered in retro hues of turquoise, brown and mustard yellow, these beautiful Sangwine labels are sure to seduce lovers of all things vintage. The company logo itself is simple and clean, so as not to detract from the colorful cast of characters depicted on the rest of the bottle.
Fun, playful and daringly retro, the Sangwine packaging is like a carefree summer vacation.
Retro California Vino Branding
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Efficient Eco-Friendly Branding
Personified Cork Branding
Bare Bones Meal Branding
Colorful Cloud Juice Branding
Floral Vino Branding
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The Sangwine Packaging Design Celebrates the Sunshine State
- By: Susan KeefeMay 8, 2012
References: lydianichols & thedieline
References: lydianichols & thedieline


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Our residential garage door product lines are styled and priced to meet every need. Take a look at our unparalleled selection and we're certain you'll find just what you're looking for. No matter what your style – classic style, modern flair, basic affordability – we've got the perfect garage door for your home. Also, don't forget the convenience and safety of an automatic garage door opener. We have the hardware, the expertise, and the long-term commitment to quality to make sure that you get the absolute best garage door value on Long Island.
When you're in the market for a commercial overhead door, you're looking for durability, price, and maybe even attractiveness, Freeport Garage Door is here to help. We know commercial overhead doors like nobody else on Long Island, and we're committed to helping you find the perfect fit for your business needs.


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One day strike
All you need in Ely is rackspace for minimal squads
All land training in Cambridge
Great Ouse in Ely is for rowing mileage
This action will generate dynamic publicity in battle to beat Oxford
I am committed to stopping this eco-destructive attempt to build complex and car park on highly flood-prone site.
Wrong side if the dyke!
Exteme rain coming. Sea levels rising!
But my main point is that in terms of winning Boatrace it is wrong-headed.
By email to President CUBC


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Gore, Tommy with T.L. Armstrong
Category: Sunken Treasure
Keywords: 1715 Fleet, 1622 Fleet, Atocha, Mel Fisher, 1733 Fleet, San Jose, Cabin Wreck
Comments: Includes a bibliography; illustrated
Size: 5.5" x 8.5"
Pages: 277
Editions: The first edition (not stated) was published by Signum Ops (2006), in paperback.
Description: This book recounts the author's 30 year career as a Marine Field Agent for the State of Florida overseeing many treasure salvage operations, including the "glory days" of the 1960's and 70's. The book includes the author's experiences with Florida's 3 biggest treasure recoveries: the "Atocha", the Cabin Wreck (1715 Fleet), and the "San Jose" (1733 Fleet). The author also tells of many lesser-known salvage operations.


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We don't get paid until you buy. That's why we're so pushy.
As a former furniture store owner, Stephen Antisdel says he's familiar with marketing tactics salespeople often use to boost sales. But that didn't prepare him for a visit to a major department store near his home in Buchanan, Mich., where he says he was on the furniture floor for about 30 seconds before a saleswoman approached him. Stephen, 59, explained that he and his wife Shelli wanted to replace their 15-year-old sofa and that he was fine searching the store by himself. But the saleswoman hovered over him for another fifteen minutes, suggesting that he make a purchase quickly before the store's sale ended, before he gave up and left. He hasn't been back to that department since. "It was painful," says Antisdel, who is now an adjunct professor of business at Indiana Tech's College of Professional Studies.
Most furniture stores pay salespeople a salary and commission, with heavy volume retailers giving 4% to 8% and some upscale retailers offering 10% or more, says Nicole Larrauri, managing partner at the Retail Marketing Group, a marketing and consulting firm that works with furniture stores. But, raking in commissions is harder since furniture store sales are still down. In December, they totaled $7.6 billion in sales, down 15% from December 2007, according to the Commerce Department. And some stores require salespeople to sell a minimum dollar amount of furniture before they qualify for any commission, says Larrauri. With fewer couches and four-poster beds moving and a high bar for commissions, the result is often aggressive sales pitches–like claiming a living room set is almost sold out or that a weekend sale won't occur again. Usually it's not true; furniture stores often repeat sales and incentives, especially during national holidays. Industry reps contend that salespeople are simply trying to figure out what the customer is looking for. "If you have a salesperson trying to discover those objectives, they're probably going to ask a bunch of questions and some people will interpret that as being pushy," Steve DeHaan, executive vice president at the National Home Furnishings Association
No matter what I say, your furniture might not arrive anytime soon.
Three months before Dana Marlowe, 34, gave birth to her now two-year-old son, she ordered a customized rocking chair from an independent retailer in her hometown of Silver Spring, Md. She was looking forward to rocking her newborn son in it and was assured the chair would arrive one month before her due date. But that day came and went, with no sign of the rocker. "Every time I called, they said they were working on it but there was no exact delivery date," says Marlowe, president of Accessibility Partners, an IT consulting firm for people with disabilities. When the chair finally arrived, her son was already two months old.
Once a purchase is made, there's little guarantee the furniture will arrive in the time frame that the store claims, says Jeff Green, an independent retail consultant. Even major retailers, like Crate & Barrel and Macy's, sometimes deliver weeks after the date they promise. A Macy's spokesman says late deliveries are rare but occur if the store learns the furniture is damaged or if the furniture manufacturer doesn't ship the right order to the store's distribution center. He adds that in few cases in the past couple of years, furniture manufacturers weren't able to fill an order because of financial problems they were experiencing. Crate & Barrel didn't respond to requests for comment. Before purchasing an item, confirm that the order can be canceled in case of delay. For furniture that a consumer purchases on the phone or online (or via the mail), there's the Federal Trade Commission's mail order rule, which states a company must ship an order within 30 days unless it states a different time period. Otherwise, the retailer must notify customers of the delay and give them the chance to cancel instead of continuing to wait.
We're not responsible for any damage to the furniture—and that crack in the wall the couch made? Not our problem either.
Shortly after Jessica Commins and her husband Andrew bought their new home in Raleigh, N.C., Jessica, 32, visited a local independent furniture shop where she purchased a queen-sized mattress and box spring. The shop delivered them the same day for free–but the process was anything but smooth. By the time the box spring made it into the guest room, where it would accommodate Andrew's parents when they visited, there was a small, two-inch tear on its fabric. But the real damage, she says, occurred elsewhere. As the deliveryman tried to navigate the narrow hallway into the house, she says she watched in horror as he jammed the box spring into the wall, removing part of the stucco from the ceiling and exposing the metal support beam (and making that tear).
Around 20% of consumer complaints filed against furniture stores, or roughly 7,500 from 2007 to 2009, involved broken or damaged furniture, according to the Better Business Bureau. Consumers should inspect the furniture closely before it's moved into their home. If it's damaged, don't sign for it or accept it – instead tell the company to take it back. DeHaan says that stores typically inspect furniture before it's loaded on a truck for delivery to a customer's home, but in some cases it's possible they might not notice the damage or that it could have occurred during the delivery process. Consumers who accept damaged furniture will have a harder time making the case for a refund. Also, if it's clear that the furniture can't fit through the hallway or up the stairs without banging up against the wall, think twice about allowing the deliverymen to try anyway; if damage is caused, they could claim you were aware of the issues and told them to proceed anyway. To avoid problems, measure the doorway, hallway corners and staircase heights to confirm the furniture can fit into the house before you buy, says Jackie Hirschhaut, vice president of the American Home Furnishings Alliance, a trade association of more than 225 furniture manufacturers and importers.
There's a lot you don't know about our quality.
Not all furniture is created equal. When comparing wooden furniture, pieces made with solid wood typically tend to weather the elements – like a science project gone wrong at a kitchen table – better. And repairing scratches or water marks is usually easier than with veneer wood. Furniture made with the latter is usually more affordable because manufacturers use thin surface material over composite wood or fiberboard. But it could be more susceptible to chipping, which isn't easy to fix. Hirschhaut says that with careful use, including wiping down with a damp cloth on a regular basis, a veneer finish should last for 15 years.
Separately, consumers should conduct some quality tests of their own at the store before making a purchase including checking bed and chair frames to confirm that the joints are solid, she says. If it wobbles, that's a sign of a breakdown to come. And look for seams, on couches for example, that are in a straight line, consistent and not fraying. For upholstered furniture, look for a gold label from the Upholstered Furniture Action Council, which signals that the materials used to make the product are less susceptible to catching fire.


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Smart CarsScreenshot
The game Smart Cars releases an all-absorbing line of arcade races. You drive a racing car and your objective is to be the first at the finish first. The game gives you a feeling of speed and danger. Every level of the game is full of obstacles, which you need to overcome in a limited period of time taking different routes. The obstacles reduce the speed, skid your car or cause a car crash. Your car will encounter different checks in your way.