text:
Exclusive riverside homes
Prices not released
From an exclusive address on the south side of the River Thames, The Corniche offers panoramic views over the most important stretch of the river Houses of parliament to the pods of the London Eye towards the City of London. The Corniche is perfectly placed to capture the unique beauty and personality of the London metropolis.
New Marketing Suite now openOpening Times: 10am - 6pm daily21 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TJ
The Corniche
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The Berkeley Group plc's brands (Berkeley, St Edward, St George, St James, St Joseph and St William - A list of those companies within each Brand is available here) have a range of properties that might be suitable for you.
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text: AVCA was formed in April 2016 by vapers from across New Zealand who were concerned about having their voices heard by those in local and national government with regards to their rights to purchase electronic cigarettes, nicotine containing e-liquid and the ability to vape in public. All members are volunteers and are former smokers who have been and continue to promote vaping as an alternative to using combustible tobacco products. All of us are adults, all of us are former smokers and we know that vaping is an effective means to tobacco harm reduction through our shared experience. Experience which has been validated through science and research conducted both onshore and overseas.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Saving Space With Bunk Beds
When your two kids share a small bedroom, bunk beds are pretty much inevitable. We loved the family heirloom beds our boys had been using, but there simply wasn't enough space for much else in the room. We made the move to bunks and couldn't be happier. When I was looking for a set of bunks, I wanted to make sure the beds would last (previous to the family heirloom beds, we had a set of twins/bunks that fell apart after a year). In my time volunteering for the MV Big Flea, I ran across a lot of This End Up furniture and knew it was sturdy and could face the brunt of two growing boys, so I purchased a set that had a simple and rugged design. The best part of the deal was that This End Up assembled the beds for free. And even though I was told it would take 6-8 weeks to get the beds, they arrived in about a month. Each order is custom...Read More


text:
Group Contact
Locations: Northumberland, Sunderland, Windsor & East Berkshire, Bristol & Bath, South Wiltshire, Plymouth, Torbay
The MND Association has over 90 branches and groups across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, all run entirely by volunteers who work together in many different ways to provide support, raise awareness, influence, and fundraise at a local level.
Volunteers play an important role in the MND Association. They help to ensure that people with MND and their families receive the support and services they need.
We are looking for a Group Contact to offer a proactive named contact service for people seeking help or information about motor neurone disease (MND), the Association or your group.
What does this role involve?
This role would suit someone who has completed the Association Visitor training or willing to undertake Group Contact training. You will be required to have knowledge of MND and its impact along with knowledge of the Association and key contacts. You must be reliable, empathetic and understand the need for confidentiality.
You will be provided with a thorough induction into the Association and the role, ongoing support and access to a range of workshops and event.
This role requires people to be available for telephone enquiries and follow up calls on a regular basis.
Full training and induction will be provided and travel expenses will be reimbursed.
For more information or to apply for this role please visit: https://volunteering.mndassociation.org
The MND Association was founded in 1979. Our mission is to improve care and support for people with MND, their families and carers. We also fund and promote research that leads to new understanding and treatments and brings us closer to a cure for MND. The Association also campaigns and raises awareness so the needs of people with MND, and everyone who cares for them, are recognised and addressed by wider society.


text:
Hello Louise,
-----Original Message-----
From: Freeman, Louise Margaret [mailto:email@example.com]
Sent: Mon 5/13/2002 12:12 PM
To: Adrian Teo
Subject: RE: Is there a gay gene?
>AT: Wayne, I think it is an error to consider genetic disposition and
>free will to be mutually exclusive. Genes do not directly cause
>behavior. The path from genes to behavior is long and complicated,
>and there is no evidence to suggest that any complex human behavior
>is caused by genes to the exclusion of the freedom of will.
Louise: A nice rationale, but IMHO overly simplistic. I
think we need to expand
beyond "genes" to "biological factors beyond our control."
The degree to which
behaviors are the result of free will versus something eles
depends on the
particular behavior and how "complex" it is. For example,
supposed I run a
red light and strike a person with my car, killing them. In
one scenario, I
did this because I specifically wanted to commit homicide.
In another, it
happens because did not see the light or the person. In the
third, I suffered
a epileptic seizure behind the wheel and my foot struck the
gas pedal at the
wrong time. The first incident would be entirely a result of
my free will
(grave wrongdoing in the eyes of the law, and presumable
God), the last,
completely beyond my control (no wrongdoing on my part.) The
difficult as far
as judging morality comes with the second... yes, I "chose"
not to pay as
close attention to the road as I should have, but that act
could also be a
result of a host of uncontrollable factors: my biology (maybe
my color vision
isn't as acute, or my multisensory attentional processes are
not as sharp as
someone elses'), the environment (car windshield was dirty,
it was cloudy,
person was not wearing relective clothing) or my training (I
had a lousy
driver's ed instructor who neglected to emphasize being careful at
AT: In this second scenario, none of the factors you
mentioned would free the person from culpability in any court of law.
There is no gray here - they are all factors pointing to negligence
on the driver's part. Not seeing the traffic light is NOT an
acceptable excuse.
Louise: The point it, the external observed behavior (running over
someone with my car) doesn't look any different to a third
party... you'd
have to get inside my car and know what went on there to
accurately judge the
morality of my actions... to what degree the accident was "my fault."
AT: Let us reason. Based on your described criterion, all
legal persecutions of such drivers are invalid. It is not possible
for any judge or jury to get into the car prior to the accident and
know what went on.
Louise: Similarly, we could have three different women who
describe themselves as
#1 read a Biblical passage that condemned homosexuality,
thought "Who is this
God person to tell me what to do?" and promptly went out and
found a female
lover "I'll show Him!"
#2 was raised in a home with a violent father who abused her
mother, and now
totally distrusts all men, and therefore seeks out
relationships with women.
#3 has congential adrenal hyperplasia, a gentic mutation
which caused her
adrenal glands to produce high levels of testosterone in
utero. Studies have
shown that women with this condition show higher levels of
tomboyish behavior
as children and are more likely to identify themselves as
lesbian or bisexual
as adults. This is thought to be a result of action of
testosterone on the
brain during development.
If the degree of morality in the women's sexual actions the
same for all
three? Are all of their actions controlled by "free will" to
the same degree?
Or does knowing something about the suspected causal factors
give us basis for
making a different judgement? If so, the answer to the
scientific "how?"
questions does influence the question a Christian must ask
"Is this behavior
right or wrong in the eyes of God?"
AT: In cases 2 & 3, there is no will involved in the person's
*desire* for intimate relationship with same-sex partners. However,
humans are not like animals that are ruled by their appetites. Reason
and will may not have much influence over desires, but they do have
influence over *behavior*. Regardless of my personal desires, I am in
control of my actions - I choose to do this or that, to act or to
refrain from acting on my desires. The bible does not condemn
homosexual orientation, but it does condemn homosexual behavior.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Tue May 14 2002 - 14:37:49 EDT


text:
Anette's makes their most popular Tall sauces in a mini version. Choose from Chocolate Cabernet, Chocolate Port, Chocolate Amaretto and Chocolate Raspberry Liqueur.
Drizzle over your favorite Dessert! .... Ice Cream, Pear Cobbler, Cheesecake......
All sauces contain 4.8% alc. NetWeight 5oz.
If you plan on ordering 12 or more bottles, select the " By the Case" option which reflects a 10% discount.
© 2008—2019 Anette's Chocolates by Brent. All Rights Reserved. Site by designthis!, llc


text:
Your Premier Consultation
Getting started is as easy as 1-2-3. This page is intended to ease the process by which you can schedule a private nutrition consultation with Be Well Nutrition.
Individual counseling sessions are available by phone, Skype, or in office. We begin with a Premier Consultation to review all of your health history and get to know you at a deeper level. This allows us to make the most of the first session and make clear recommendations for your treatment plan and next steps of action.
1. Access our scheduling page to reserve your session time:
Click here for the Phone Session scheduling page.
Click here for the In-Office Session scheduling page (in Denver, CO)
Office location is near the intersection of Speer Blvd and Washington Blvd in Denver, CO.
For Skype sessions, please schedule a phone session and indicate your Skype ID in the phone # field.
2. Complete and return your Health History Questionnaire prior to your first appointment.
The Questionnaire should be submitted along with any recent blood work or test results at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled session. We will review your materials in detail, getting to know you at a deeper level. This enables us to make the most of your first session and allows you to walk out the door (or hang up the phone) with some clear steps for moving toward your goals.
Click here to download the Health History Questionnaire.
Please send completed Questionnaires and any recent blood work or test results by email to email@example.com OR fax to (877)257-2102.
3. At the time of your scheduled session, we'll get started together:
For phone sessions, dial (877) 704-0221 extension 1.
For in-office sessions, please come to the office address provided in your scheduling confirmation.
The comprehensive review of your materials and initial one-hour counseling session is offered at a rate of $250. This phone or in-person session is our time to discuss your health, your goals and your concerns, determine how we might best work together to find your unique remedy, and provide you with the first action steps for getting started in your treatment plan.
Wondering if Nutrition Counseling is the best fit for you?
If you're not sure if nutrition counseling is a match for your needs OR if you're curious to learn which of Be Well Nutrition's programs is best for you, I'd like to invite you to a Discovery Session to explore your needs further.
In this 30-minute session, you'll get clear about your current health goals and how reaching these goals will make a difference in your life. Together, we'll outline the priorities and areas of focus for addressing your needs and determine if the offerings at Be Well Nutrition can help you make healthy happen so that you can thrive.
I'm committed to helping you get to the next step in your health journey – whether that's with individual nutrition counseling, a Be Well Nutrition program, a recommended book, another practitioner, or another route altogether!
So, I invite you to join me in a Discovery Session completed dedicated to you and your goals. Click here to reserve your Discovery Session now.


text:
This competition is now closed
I was recently asked if I would like to host a giveaway on my blog for Craftsy. Of course I would! I enjoy giving awesome prizes to my readers and I've done a few Craftsy Classes and I love them.
Craftsy is an online facility that provides hundreds of different classes in heaps of craft categories including (just to name a few)
It costs nothing to join Craftsy. You might also be interested in checking out some of their free mini sewing, quilting or photography classes. The free classes are not quite as extensive as the paid classes, but will help to give you an idea of how it all works.
Would you like to win a Craftsy class?
Entering is really easy,
just click on the link below
and enter your details.
This competition is now closed
This competition is now closed
The competition will remain open until the 30th of March.
Have you taken any Craftsy Classes?
Which classes have you taken?
Which class would you like to try if you win?
*This post contains affiliate links.


text:
Meet The Expert
Your experience with The Moses should always be exceptional. If you have any question regarding the use of The Moses before, during, or after treatment, please feel free to contact our Expert:
Dr. Allen J. Moses, D.D.S.
Inventor of The Moses
Dr. Moses' primary endeavor is the delivery of high quality, comprehensive dentistry.
Below is a list of his accomplishments in the fields of Sleep Medicine and TMD.
- Assistant Professor at Rush University Medical School in the Department of Sleep Disorders. He teaches and constructs oral appliances to treat sleep apnea and snoring.
- Diplomate American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine
- Diplomate American Board of Craniofacial Pain
- Author: "Controversy in Temporomandibular Disorders: Clinicians' Guide to Critical Thinking"
- Earned his B.S. and D.D.S. degrees from the University of Illinois
- Served in the U.S. Air force Dental Corps, rank of Captain
- Lectured and taught courses in the U.S., Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Panama, England, France and Italy.
Please feel free to contact Dr. Allen Moses regarding any questions in relation to The Moses.


text:
Regardless of when you visit the site, you're going to find dozens of sexy singles and couples showing off their bodies and sexual prowess in front of their home webcams.
These are real amateurs - some are there to earn a few dollars by stripping for tips, while others are true exhibitionists who really get off having sex knowing that hundreds of people are watching. It's a behind the scenes look at the internet's largest adult video chat room.
A by big, we mean 1000+ singles, couples and swingers all getting naked and having sex while others watch.
Da Boink is a true porn app for your i Pad and Android device that delivers over 55,000 HD XXX videos right to your retina display. The good news is, this is a great way to add new contacts to your Skype contact list.
And once you do meet, it can lead to some great (and free) webcam sex encounters!
Don't be fooled by the minimalist ic and somewhat dated site design.
If you're lucky, you might come across a few lesbian cam girls as well.
We strongly recommend opening a free account, as this entitles you to a ton of perks, such as chat room interaction and email notifications when you're favorite performer comes online to play.
Tablets are great for watching porn - as long as you can find a porn app that works with your tablets. Sex Play Cam is an adult dating and personals site with a twist - it caters to real people who want to meet others for casual webcam chats and maybe a little flirting on the side.
Sure, there are tube sites out there - but who wants to watch low resolution porn that takes forever to buffer with non-stop popup ads. This is not a site with live models - these are real people, so just like any other dating site, you'll need to invest some time in getting to know prospective chat partners before you hookup.
These are real exhibitionists who love to be watched while they have sex.
And best of all, the site is so big that you'll meet tons of people from your city who love sex just as much as you do.


text:
Click on the Beaver to see our what we do!
Welcome to Telford Timber Supplies
Telford timber supplies were founded in 1976 and were known as Telford building supplies.
We are a family business and supply Telford and surrounding area with quality products at competitive prices for the occasional diy'er to the professional builder, decorator and landscape gardener.
We pride ourselves on our helpful and friendly service. We offer a delivery service that goes beyond the kerbside and most timber can be cut to size.
If we don't stock or cannot source what you require we can usually recommend someone who can help you.
Timber :: Sheds :: Decking :: Interior & External Doors :: Stairs :: Play Houses
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Tel: 01952 242916


text:
Just to say hi to all my friends in DA. It's been quite some times since I logged in last time and surprise to see there are still many of you still browsing my DA page, and thanks to all your compliments and comments given to my works.
I've been quite busy with my job and it's almost 2 years I didn't really sit down and do vectors, but I try to resume my hobby recently, tried to do some vector drawing when I am free, and will try to upload to DA to share with you all again in the future.
I'd received a few email from DA friends asking whether I can sell some of the vector works posted in my DA page to them, but I have to say very sorry here because I am not the copyright holder of the original reference, so I can't sell them. However, I started to sell some vector works in some stock image libraries, not too long ago, and if you are interested to purchase some of my vector stuffs, u can always visit this URL to have a look:
OK, that's all for now. I promise will post more works to DA in the future. Stay Tune!


text:
The Upper West Region office of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has taken delivery of 11 new four-wheel drive pick-up vehicles for each of the district offices as logistical support for the Modernising Agriculture in Ghana (MAG) programme.
The pick-ups are to ensure the district offices could access farms in even remote areas so they could deliver relevant services to farmers.
MAG is a five-year budgetary support programme being sponsored by the Canadian government at a total of Can$135 million.
For just 2018, some Can$94.4 is being injected into the local agricultural sector to boost yield and revenue for both farmers and the national economy.
The MAG programme involves technical and logistical support to the Ghanaian agricultural sector to boost crop and livestock production to ensure food security and sufficiency as important incentives for higher profits for farmers.
The package under the programme includes providing 216 pick-ups to all the districts that existed before the latest calibration adjusted the number to 254.
Officials of the programme say it is meant to strengthen and modernise agriculture extension services at the district, regional and national levels to improve production in terms of both quality and quantity of yield to drive up jobs in the agriculture value chain.
It is also aimed at having an agriculture sector that makes a contribution to poverty reduction, food security, structural transformation, and creating jobs.
Presenting the vehicles to the district offices in Wa last Friday, the Minister for the region, Alhaji Sulemana Alhassan, said the district offices would now have no excuse to fail in delivery critical extension services to farmers.
He urged the district agric officers to ensure that the logistical support impacted crop and livestock production to justify the Canadian government's financial commitment to Ghana.
He said the efforts fed into the government's Planting for Food and Jobs policy and requested the district officers to deliver to expectation.
He warned against putting the vehicles to private uses rather than the prescribed official purposes and said such infractions would not be countenanced.
The regional director of MOFA, Mr Emmanuel Sasu Yeboah, said the vehicles had been delivered in time for the peak of the farming season.


text: Hello Hello I am experiencing intermittent communication failures (e.g. intermapper pings a machine and reports it down and then it comes back up later) in a small fraction of nodes. I've looked into the possiblilty of bad ports and nics but that seems to not be the problem. I've read that the 2.2.11 kernel would sometimes freeze the network interface under heavy load. Any known bugs of this sort in 2.2.16-22enterprise ? Thanks Dan Daniel Janies American Museum of Natural History New York http://research.amnh.org/~djanies ftp://ftp.amnh.org/pub/molecular


text:
Welcome to the new array of workshops organised for the first half of the year. There is a lot to get involved with.
This year we have TWO frolics for you. Our February Frolic is back by popular demand. Learn four techniques in one day. You will learn how to knit from charts; colourwork; knitting with beads; and buttonhole techniques. We also have our first "frolic" for crochet. Learn four techniques in one day. Learn Tunisian Entrelac, African flowers, chainless foundation and crochet texture.
Yarn Tasting
If Indie yarn is more to your taste, come along and meet 3 Indie yarn dyers showcasing their yarn.
Reaction Dyeworks - www.etsy.com/au/shop/ReactionDyeworks
24 Mile Hollow Yarn - www.etsy.com/au/shop/24MileHollowYarnCo
The Australian Woolstore - theaustralianwoolstore.com
Each dyer will tell us the story behind their creations and then provide an opportunity for us to purchase their products.
Beautiful yarn, superb knitting, but how is your finishing? Knowing the art of finishing is not only enlightening but is the secret separating the 'homemade' from the 'hand crafted'. Learn the joy of sleek shoulder lines, invisible seams and picking up stitches without leaving a hole. Learn why you should swatch first and why and how to block your completed work.
Are you looking to learn a new technique? Twined Knitting is a traditional Scandinavian knitting technique dating back at least to the 17th century in Sweden. It's called tvaandsstickning in Swedish and tvebandsstrikking in Norwegian – both meaning 'two-end knitting' because traditionally both ends of one ball of yarn is used. It differs from stranded knitting but the two are often worked in conjunction. This may just be the best wearing sock heel and is good for mittens, slippers, hats, trims on garments and bags – just for starters.
Handy App
Finally, do you have a table or smart phone and are looking for a better way to manage the admin side of knitting? You really should be using KnitCompanion. KnitCompanion is an app that manages your patterns, charts, rows, stitches all in one place. This workshop will teach you the basics and provide you with an overview of the free version of the app.
Click Book Events for more details about our workshops and information on how to book.


text:
Chemical in vitro safety assessments are an important part of your product's safety profile and critical to the health of the planet. We share your commitment to the environment and understand that in vitro safety assessment cannot be compromised. When you partner with Envigo, you gain more than 20 years' experience with in vitro safety testing. We offer a comprehensive service for in vitro safety assessment of crop protection products. We also have a dedicated chemical registration services group offering specialists for in silico and WOE evaluation of in vitro testing requirements.
With over 20 years' experience of in vitro safety testing, our scientists offer the following experience:
Envigo also supports you with expert guidance from Envigo's dedicated regulatory affairs group and chemical registration specialists
The Search Tool will scan all pages and documents in the Envigo.com site and return a listing of links with descriptions based on the entered search term(s).
As you type in the Search input box, a list of suggestions appears based on your input:
You can choose an auto-suggested item by clicking on it and the value will be placed into the input box. You can then click the Search button to conduct the search.
Clicking on the 'Area Filtering' box reveals a list of areas on this site you can focus your search on.
You can choose an item by clicking on it and the value will be placed into the 'Area Filtering' input box. You can then click the 'Search' button to conduct the search.
We have simplified the Envigo search experience by changing the way searches are conducted.
Searches perform an "exact match" search by default
For example, the search "nude mice" will return only items which contain the phrase "nude mice".
When "exact match" search is not desired
Search terms may be entered separated by commas. For example, the search "nude, mice" will return items containing one or more of the entered search terms.
Copyright © 2019 Envigo


text:
Definitely one of my favorite interviews ever! This man is an intellect & his struggle inspires me.
The Definition of Underprivleged Intelligence
Imagine walking down unpaved, arid roads filled with people with sad, desperate eyes, swollen, hollow stomachs and hearts heavy with the daily terror of their lives being cut short. Welcome to Somalia. If you know nothing of Somalia, know this: it is the Nation of Poets, the violence is palpable and K'naan stems from those very roads. It's through these hard knocks, that K'naan's self proclaimed fresh, thought-provoking, melodic and relevant music has been able to make waves in the hip hop community. And K'naan fully intends on riding those waves as far as they will take him, with his anticipated sophomore album, Troubadour, set to release in January 2009. The album title is certainly a testament for K'naan, as a wandering, poetic soul, telling stories of true violence, struggle and pain that are ever-present in Somalia. From his eyes to our ears, Somalia is revealed.
YRB: You spoke previously about having "survivor's guilt" in regards to Somalia. With over half the population in need of medical aid and food as well as insurgency driven by Islamist and nationalist groups; how do you deal with that survivor's guilt?
K'naan: I watched a documentary while I was in Capetown, South Africa called 24 Hours in Somalia, and it got me so down. I wasn't able to do my work over the next three to four days. I called my mother and told her what I saw and how I felt about it. She said, the unfortunate thing is that, those of us who left—who are outside of the country—who are not able to be helpful to them, will be made to feel like skeletons; like people who left their souls behind. It's a very sad tragedy, the circumstances of this country and those of us who live outside of it that are not sharing in those misfortunes with our families and friends who live there. We can't feel too good about it. I think that is across the board and anyone who is a thinking and feeling human being, has the same issues as I do.
YRB: Being that you're associate with so many different regions—being born in Somalia, moved to New York and settled in Canada, Why is it that you don't think of your music in terms of regions?
K'naan: That's interesting. I think it is because of that—because I was in so many regions—influenced me. It becomes regionless. If you add so many things to the puzzle that they make up their own puzzle rather than you having sections. It's well clicked and only makes sense in the whole, rather than in the pieces I come from.
YRB: You're able to mix potent lyrics with upbeat music. Do you feel your message gets lost or confused in the marriage of the music and lyrics?
K'naan: I'm fortunate in that it never gets lost, but it does give people the sense of should I be dancing or thinking? I think that is the mix of my life. I bring the listener to my world and it is the contradiction of a beautiful melody and a tragic message—the upbeat feeling in the music and the conflict of what I am dancing to. These are the things that I feel, so I transfer it to the listener.
YRB: I know your debut album was called The Dusty Foot Philosopher, so what is the Dusty Foot Philosophy?
K'naan: It's underprivileged intelligence, like concrete genius, that sort of thing where the mix of uneducated brilliance and street culture come from the dust. Having the ability and the voice to inform those of feel they're educated.
YRB: You say that your music is a mix of tradition and articulation of your life and past experiences, so that makes it always personal. Is it difficult to repeatedly pour your heart out like this?
K'naan: That's a very good question. I do get tired. When I do, it's usually when I feel as if it's been underappreciated. I've been very fortunate to travel the world and play and we've always had incredible audiences, but I've left shows in the middle where I had a crowd that came for me and like 1000 to 2000 people in the room, loud, drinking, and being obnoxious. I left several of those because it's hard for me to justify sharing personal, powerful scenarios with people who feel as if I am there to entertain them. I don't feel like an entertainer.
YRB: If you're not an entertainer, you are…?
K'naan: I guess what I do entertains people because it makes them feel good listening to it, but I am in the art form of enchantment, more than entertainment.
YRB: How does understanding true violence influence your music?
K'naan: Understanding complete violence gives you a position in music in which you are really just sharing things from a place of someone who knows a little bit. When you meet someone who has had a past, usually there is an air of calm around them because they are settled into themselves; they know the fortunes offered to them. They know that the future is a fortunate thing, so they kind of just are at ease with things. I'm at ease with my music. I don't really try.
YRB: You say you're rooted in hip hop. But with lyrics like, "I gotta water down my thoughts because if it came hardcore to the brain like I use it, then radio would refuse it," does that hip hop foundation stifle the music you create?
K'naan: I think it helps because I'm a lyricist that sings and has melodies. It makes for an interesting show. When I play, people that come to the shows, come with the question, what kind of artist of this dude because I just heard about him? And when they leave they still don't have the answer. I like that feeling. I like to not be predicted. I think hip hop is a cool thing for me because I like the exercise of words.
YRB: Speaking of the exercise of words, I know that you received music from your father while you were still in Somalia and he was in New York. You also learned the English language through that music. So, how did evolve into you being so poetic with the English language?
K'naan: I used to listen to hip hop and try to extract the references being used. It not only taught me how to communicate, but it also showed me the cultural contrast of what is going on with America and everyone else. That's been an incredible part, but I chose to continue to think in the Somali language. I write in the English language, but I still think in my own language. What then happens is my writing is informed by the value weight of another language. That's why my phrases sometimes that I may use, like Mos was talking about one of my lines: 'How come they only fix the bridge after somebody's fallen.' This is an imagery that only comes from where I come from but it speak to this generation too because he thought it was about New Orleans. I wrote it before that.
YRB: Do you feel that through your body of work, you've been able to reveal Somalia to listeners?
K'naan: I think I've been helpful in that before me there wasn't any music in the English language being made about Somalia. I was a door to that. I hope I've done a good job in showing people both sides of Somalia—both difficult and beautiful.
YRB: What can we expect to hear on your new album, Troubadour?
K'naan: I never make the same albums twice or the same songs. I am not interested in repeating myself, so it's very different from The Dusty Foot Philosopher in the way that it sounds. Also, I've grown as an artist. You can expect some good music.
YRB: Are you trying to prove any points with this album?
K'naan: No, that's not my job. My job as an artist, is to remain on a level of honesty and just to share. I choose to continue to go further than just to be honest about my surroundings and circumstances and I'm honest about myself. That's always a more difficult thing for an artist to do—put themselves out there.


text:
I'm now down four stone and so many dress sizes that my wardrobe goes from massive to sort of fits me. In fact, I'm hoping to be able to wear a few of the outfits that have been hanging around in there for years pretty soon, which would be amazing.
To keep you all up to date with what's going on, here's what I've been dealing with over the last few weeks:
I've said goodbye to lots of food
It doesn't take me long to realise that something doesn't agree with me as it makes me feel incredibly uncomfortable and can cause a lot of pain. Even foods that I know I can eat can make this happen if I don't chew them enough, so I have to be really careful with certain textures, as well as whole food groups.
However, there's still plenty I can eat, including some less-than-healthy choices. This means I still have to be careful with my food choices so I don't undo everything the band has done so far, but don't have to totally give up everything I love. Currently I'm obsessed with seaweed, frozen yoghurt and Snapea Rice Stocks and I'm finding that healthier versions of foods are actually really good.
My hair is still falling out
It's especially frustrating because I had worked hard to improve the condition of my tresses before my operation and it now feels like all of that is being undone. I'm also scared to henna it, as it's a fairly complicated process that requires a fair bit of pulling on my hair, so my colour is fading too quickly for my liking.
Currently, I'm taking all the vitamins I can to help ensure my body is getting everything it needs so I'm hoping the hair shedding will calm down pretty soon.
Hormone changes have a bigger impact
My mood gets more volatile and I get really bad breakouts, as well as getting tired and incredibly sensitive. I'm going to put part of this down to SAD (seasonal affective disorder), but there is definitely something else going on here.
So much more confidence
I've embraced my changing body and have started wearing a things that I previously would have looked at and liked but wouldn't have tried to wear. There is no way I'm ever going to change my style completely - I love rockabilly fashions far too much and feel totally at home in them - but it has been nice to step outside of my comfort zone and feel happy doing so.
What's next?
Keep an eye out to see how my recovery goes and feel free to email me any questions.


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Jobs in Pakistan Industrial Technical Assistance Centre (PITAC)
Deputy Manager, Coordination Officer, Assistant Network, Junior Network, Junior Programmer, Office Instant, Shop Technical Assistant, Computer Hardware Technician and Assistant Store Keeper
No. of Posts with Designation and Academic Qualification and how to Apply: Please read carefully in above given Ad.
More Details: http://www.pitac.gov.pk/
Reference: Express Newspaper 10-08-2015


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22 Questions for All Bookworms (and My Answers!)
Hardback or trade paperback or mass market paperback?
I prefer paperback, with whatever the prettiest cover is, and WITHOUT those jagged rough page edges. Those are the worst.
Amazon or brick and mortar?
Love my local indie bookstores, but do buy on Amazon occasionally.
Locally owned bookshop or big name chain store?
Local! Always local.
Bookmark or dog-ear?
Underline/highlight/write notes. I don't use bookmarks or fold pages ever.
Alphabetize by author or alphabetize by title or random?
Author last name!
Keep, throw away, or sell?
Never throw away. I keep anything I've loved or know I'll revisit, but sell or giveaway everything else. I rarely buy fiction since I hardly ever read a fiction book more than once.
Keep dust jacket or toss it?
Keep. I hardly ever take them off.
Read with dust jacket or remove it?
Always leave it on!
Short story or novel?
Novel. Not a short story fan.
Collection (short stories by same author) or anthology (short stories by different authors)?
If I'm going to read short stories, it's going to be an anthology.
Stop reading when tired or at chapter breaks?
Chapter breaks.
"It was a dark and stormy night" or "Once upon a time"?
Once upon a time.
Buy or borrow?
Borrow fiction, buy non-fiction or favorites.
New or used?
Depends on the book! I love used books, though.
Buying choice: book reviews, recommendation or browse?
Browse. I rarely read reviews.
Tidy ending or cliffhanger?
Gotta be honest, I love both.
Morning, afternoon or nighttime reading?
All of the above.
Single volume or series?
Single. Not a big series person.
Favorite series?
The Chronicles of Narnia. Hands down.
Favorite book of which nobody else has heard?
Surely people have heard of this one, but everyone I've ever recommended it to hasn't!
Favorite books read last year?
They're all here!
Favorite books of all time?
My best list is here.
What would your answers be? If you blog your own responses, leave your link in the comments so I can check it out!
(ps-- found this list here!)


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Most romantic comedies show us the meet-cute, the dating journey, the proposal, and then a quick cut to the wedding, that magical happily-ever-after that everyone dreams about. But what happens when the engagement goes on a bit longer than intended?
That's the basic premise behind The Five-Year Engagement, a film that follows Tom (Jason Segel), Violet (Emily Blunt), and their many trip-ups on the way to the altar.
The film begins with Tom and Violet driving to a New Year's party, exactly one year after the first time they met and the day that their relationship began. The two decide to tie the knot — even after a foiled proposal, caused by Tom's inability to lie to Violet — but life soon gets in the way.
Violet longs for a job in academia near San Francisco, where the couple lives and where Tom is a very successful sous-chef. But once she is turned down, Violet decides to take a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Michigan. Tom is the everyman in today's feminist-empowered society, willing to do what it takes to please his fiancé. He's a yes man, and he has no qualms about relocating to Michigan — at least, not yet.
Tom soon finds out that life in Michigan is not what he had hoped; he can't find a job to be proud of, the people are weird, and it is freezing cold. When Violet's two-year fellowship gets extended, things get worse — and not just for Tom. As their journey toward marriage is prolonged, grandparents die, Tom turns into a mutton chops-wearing Midwesterner, and Tom and Violet continue to drift apart.
Despite being labeled as a raunchy comedy, which it is, The Five-Year Engagement has a lot of heart, taking us along a surprisingly sad and tragic journey (while still making us laugh) and ending with a very touching and fun reunion that reminds us why we go to the movies.
As a Judd Apatow production, it goes without saying that this film involves some zany, over-the-top, and at times ridiculous gags, one including a crossbow (as seen in the trailer) and one including a frostbitten toe. However, while those gags could detract from other films or steer them down a one-way path to a rotten rating, that doesn't happen here. The Five-Year Engagement is smart, self-aware, and yes, funny.
What this film does well, among other things, is its portrayal of relationship realism. There are times throughout the film where Tom and Violet could be any real-world couple, fighting to be heard, fighting for each other, struggling through hard times and doing their best to overcome what's tearing their relationship apart. Screenwriter Nicholas Stoller, along with Jason Segel, clearly knows something about relationships that the rest of Hollywood could use a class on.
There are a couple of issues I found with the film, however: one being its length — it's a tad overlong, particularly in the middle — and the other being the route that Stoller and Segel chose to go in terms of the couple's split. While I won't spoil what happens, I had a feeling that the film would test these waters, but I really hoped it wouldn't. Perhaps that was just me seeing the chemistry between Tom and Violet and hoping they would just tie the knot already. Those are just minor issues, however, in a very solid film.
The Five-Year Engagement could succeed on its wit alone, but it really thrives on the chemistry and charm of its two lead actors, Jason Segel (The Muppets) as Tom and Emily Blunt (The Adjustment Bureau) as Violet. The two play off each other so effortlessly that viewers could actually see them in a relationship together, but the film succeeds even when they aren't in scenes together, which is often the breaking point of nary a romantic comedy.
The ensemble supporting cast — including Chris Pratt (Moneyball), Alison Brie ("Community"), Rhys Ifans (The Amazing Spider-Man), Mindy Kaling ("The Office"), comedian Kevin Hart, and many others — is phenomenal and, in typical Judd Apatow fashion, adds another very funny layer to the movie.
There are several hysterical bits to be found, including a Cookie Monster/Elmo voice gag, Tom's sweater-knitting hunter friend and their misadventures, Alex's (Chris Pratt) one-liners, and various scenes including Violet's fellow postdoc, uh, fellows. This is a riotous comedy, and yet, it is much more than that: it is a very funny romantic comedy that, despite its raunch, has a lot of appeal. While its opening weekend box-office may not be indicative of that, I have a feeling that after people are done catching The Avengers, they'll return to the theater to catch this gem.
Better than Step Brothers, better than Pineapple Express, better than Funny People, better than Get Him to the Greek, and yes, better than Bridesmaids, The Five-Year Engagement is the best Judd Apatow production since 2008's Forgetting Sarah Marshall. And you can take that to the altar.
The Five-Year Engagement: B


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|(Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
Alex Carter is a pretty complete CB, but doesn't excel in many physical measurements outside of his strength. He shows a high football IQ on and off field. Whereas some of the previous CBs I've analyzed shied away from contact, Carter uses it to his advantage. In a man coverage scheme Carter could very well develop into a #2 CB in time.
No one talks about Alex Carter ever. And yet Alex Carter isn't bad.
— Ethan Hammerman (@Ethanhamm) April 17, 2015
Height: 6'
Weight: 196 lbs
Arm Length: 32 1/8"
Hand Size: 9 1/8"
Combine Results:
4.51 40 Yard Dash
17 Reps of 225 on Bench
40" Vertical
121" Broad Jump
7.05 3 Cone Drill
4.07 20 Yard Shuttle
11.31 60 Yard Shuttle
College Stats:
Three years: 146 tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, 2 interceptions, 18 passes defended, 5 forced fumbles
*Player through a torn shoulder labrum in 2014
Professional Comparison:
Byron Maxwell - Coming out of college, analysts were predicting Maxwell would need to make the change to safety due to his lack of quickness and hip stiffness. He also was exceptionally strong and had adequate speed. Both struggled in man coverage when it came to turning and running with receivers who were faster than them. Also, both were great against the run with good tackling and no fear, as well as the ability to shed blocks. Their mental attributes were lauded when it came to seeing things happen in front of them.
Probably one of the strongest CBs in the draft. Shows good ability to disengage blockers. Won't be tossed around by bigger WRs like some other CBs in this draft. Good tackler who can stop any RB in the NFL. Understands run contain at CB position. Adept at using hands to knock passes away in contested situations. Can plant foot and drive on comebacks and curls.
At 0:10-0:19 - Engages blocker, sheds block, and comes down to make play.
At 0:22-0:29 - Sits on top of route, plants foot, and comes down fast on WR.
At 1:19-1:27 - Near perfect punch to jam WR at LOS, even though it was a run play.
Lacks elite speed/quickness. Needs his long strides to reach top speed. Too often lacks the giddy up to catch WRs who pass him. Isn't as physical with WRs as he should be at the line of scrimmage. In zone, he tends to look at QB and lose the receiver. Keeps his arms/hands low when running (could have been due to labrum tear). Should work on using strength to run receivers' routes for them. Finds himself separated from receivers too often. Drops his head trying to line up big hits instead of breaking down and form tackling.
At 1:02-1:12 - In zone coverage, gets caught looking at CB when he should've rerouted the WR.
At 2:46-2:55 - Another clean release given up, which leads to WR having the inside.
3rd Round. With coaching he could become a good #2 CB in a defense that will allow him to exploit his strength to make up for his lack of speed. Could also be seen as an option at safety if he can add a bit more muscle to his frame. He is at his best when he doesn't have to fear being beat deep and can read and react to a play rather than rely on quick twitch actions. Press man with safety help or a softer cover 3 or cover 4 could be the best situations to use him in.
Will the Patriots draft him?
If he is available with their early pick in the 4th round I could see them grabbing him there. He intrigues me because he seems to be a bit of a tweener with his skills between a safety and a corner. Against bigger, slower WRs he could be a great press corner due to his ability to contest passes with jump balls and strong hands. Patriots picking him would depend a lot on what defensive scheme they plan on playing next year.
Follow me on Twitter - @PatriotsInform
For more of my articles, click here.


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|New Site, San Miguel
Jordan Guimaras
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|63 (033) 581 2164
Located in Jordan, JM Backpackers Hometel is a perfect starting point from which to explore Guimaras Island. The hotel offers a high standard of service and amenities to suit the individual needs of all travelers. Wi-Fi in public areas, car park, car hire, restaurant, coffee shop are there for guest's enjoyment. Each guestroom is elegantly furnished and equipped with handy amenities. The hotel offers various recreational opportunities. JM Backpackers Hometel combines warm hospitality with a lovely ambiance to make your stay in Guimaras Island unforgettable.
Check-out for Promo Rates at Agoda for Hotels and Accommodations in Guimaras


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Dog Training Network
Prevent Your Puppy's
Destructive Chewing
It's perfectly natural for puppies to
want to explore their surroundings. Two primary ways of getting to know
the world around them are through their noses and mouths, which is why
many puppies can be seen smelling or chewing on just about everything
they encounter.
Preventing Destructive Chewing Using a Constructive Multi-Pronged
Not long ago I trained an
adorable five-month-old Labrador Retriever puppy whose owner had tried
for months to correct her puppy's chronic chewing problem.
Prior to meeting with her, she had attempted to solve the problem by
disciplining her puppy after-the-fact, whenever she returned home from
work and found that he had chewed something. The chewing continued, and
so did the discipline, until finally she realized that nothing was
getting any better.
Then one day -- in a desperate attempt to curtail her puppy's
destructiveness -- she went out and bought over a hundred dollars worth
of chew toys and rawhide bones!
According to the owner, it was heaven for the first couple of days while
the puppy played with all his exciting new toys and left the furniture
intact. It didn't take long, however, for the puppy to grow bored and
return to gnawing on chair legs, sofa cushions, and rug fringes.
Soon after, she called me to set up an appointment. When I arrived
almost a week later for our initial consultation, I noticed that the
living room was a virtual Toys-R-Us for puppies! And clearly, neither
after-the-fact discipline nor truckloads worth of puppy toys were the
answer. Instead, I recommended the following multi-prong approach to
correcting the puppy's chewing problem:
1)Puppy-proof your home . Instead of constantly reprimanding a
young puppy for getting into things, puppy-proof any areas of the house
to which your puppy will be given access, in much the same way one would
child-proof an area for a baby:
2)Limit the number of toys.
While all puppies should have toys to play with, the problem with
providing your puppy with too many toys is that it makes it more
difficult for the puppy to differentiate what's his from what's yours.
Do not provide a destructive puppy with more than a few toys at a time.
(This rule does not apply to dogs who are not destructive chewers).
3) Safely confine your puppy. Use a suitably sized crate or
wire-reinforced puppy gate whenever you're unable to safely supervise
him. When introduced properly and used correctly, crate
training is a safe, preventive, effective and humane housetraining
tool, which provides the puppy with a secure, protective den, while
offering his owner peace of mind. Please note: Introduce your puppy to
his new crate using positive association (ei: feed him in his crate),
and never use his crate as a punishment.
4) Offer him lots of outdoor exercise. Puppies who are
destructive indoors, need one to two hours of active outdoor exercise
daily, provided they are fully immunized. Teaching your puppy to
retrieve a ball, toy, or Frisbee will help cure his chronic chewing
problem. [Note: If your puppy doesn't have all of his "shots"
yet, it is probably NOT safe to allow him to play with other dogs (other
than those who are aready part of your household) or to give him any
access to outdoor areas where neighborhood dogs go. Final " puppy
shots" are usually administered by a veterinarian when a puppy is
around 16 weeks of age.]
5)Offer your (fully vaccinated) puppy playtime with a puppy playmate.
Lots of active play each day, keeps the hyperactive puppy demons away !
6)Obedience train your puppy. Just 5 to 15 minutes of training a
day can make a big difference. For young, immature and hyperactive
puppies who have difficulty concentrating during lengthy obedience
lessons, even a few 30-second obedience training
"mini-sessions" offered on a daily basis will prove very
helpful. Remember to remain upbeat throughout, and always end your
sessions on positive note!
There are several ways you can learn how to train your dog, including:
For more information, please visit our
section. 7) Enroll your (vaccinated) puppy in an agility training
class. Agility training helps build coordination and confidence,
offers your puppy substantial exercise, and is great fun!
8)Apply Bitter Apple spray or salve to accessible woodwork and
furniture legs. The bitter taste is usually an effective deterrent
for most puppies.
9)Avoid the futile after-the-fact discipline syndrome. In order
to successfully correct your puppy's misbehavior, you must either catch
your puppy in the act, or, better yet, work on preventing his
misbehavior to begin with.
10)Consider enlisting the help of a reputable dog trainer or canine
behavioral consultant if despite these steps, your puppy still acts
like a canine demolition crew.
Choose Suitable Chew Toys
Rather than attempting to stifle your puppy's chewing tendencies, his
desire to chew should be constructively channeled and directed towards
acceptable items such as his chew toys. Avoid giving your puppy
discarded socks, shoes, sneakers or other articles of clothing. While
some puppies may learn to differentiate between those things which are
his and those which are yours, most puppies cannot.
When it comes to choosing which toys to give your puppy, these are the
primary qualities to look for:
I especially recommend the
following toys:
The Tuffy or Kong. These are not only great chew toys, but are also
great retrieve toys as well. They have plenty of "give" for
puppies who are teething, and are also virtually indestructible for most
dogs. In my opinoin, they are two of the best puppy toys on the market.
2) Cresite, Beefy Baseball, or other durable rubber balls. Both
the solid and hollow thick rubber balls can be rolled across floor for
puppy to chase and chew.
3) Tennis balls are perfect for teaching medium to large sized
puppies to retrieve.
4) Starballs. These odd-shaped, erratic-bouncing balls are ideal
for the consummate retriever who likes a bit of a challenge.
5) Mutt Pucks, which are both hardy enough to last with most
puppies, yet are not so hard as to discourage chewing. (Some dogs can
chew their toys apart in a surprisingly short period of time. Should
this happen with your puppy, remove any pieces which can be swallowed
6) Buster Cubes and Actvity Balls. Fill these toys with kibble or
your puppy's favorite treats and watch the fun begin.
7) For special occasions, make "Puppy Cannolis":
hollowed, sterilized beef marrow bones, which can be filled with a thick
kibble-based mixture, then frozen.
To make the mixture, place I cup dry dog food kibble, 1 small cube of
freeze-dried liver, crushed into powder, 1 teaspoon powdered or fresh
pressed garlic, and 1 cup warm water. Mix well and let sit for 1 hour.
Stuff mixture into beef marrow bone. Cover edges with approx.1
tablespoon cream cheese or soft Velveeta cheese (optional). Freeze
overnight (also optional).
Frozen "Puppy Cannolis" should be considered and extra special
treat, and offered only on an occasional basis. Make sure the beef
marrow bone is big enough that it can't be swallowed, and that bone
fragments are not eaten. Owner supervision is advised.
Copyright 1995 - 2000, Robin Kovary


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To recognize the National School Lunch Program and the 30 million children it serves every day, Learning ZoneXpress will recognize National School Lunch Week from October 12-16, 2015. The theme, "School Lunch Snapshot" is all about sharing the best images of today's school lunches.
National School Lunch Week will emphasize the healthy foods that are offered daily at schools.
According to the School Nutrition Association, "School lunches are healthier than ever, with more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and less fat and sodium" . "National School Lunch Week helps educate parents and students about all the benefits of our lunch program, and the appealing choices we offer".
The federally-funded National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides nutritionally balanced, healthy meals to students everyday. The program, which has been serving the nation's children for over 60 years, requires school meals to meet federal nutrition standards like offering fruits and vegetables every day, serving whole-grain rich foods, and limiting fat, calories, and sodium.
The "School Lunch Snapshot" campaign is made possible by the nonprofit School Nutrition Association. Parents and students can follow the fun via the hashtag #NSLW. For more information about schools meals, visit www.schoolnutrition.org/SchoolMeals.
Join the fun and celebrate National School Lunch Week, October 12-16, 2015!


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Brain Association Test
Brain Associations Test™ (BAT):
People have specific unconscious associations with their surroundings. Product attributes or brand ideas that are personally meaningful or recently activated are more readily accessed by your brain, and concurrently slow down performance on other competing tasks. The more inherently meaningful or activated the word, image, advertisement, or idea is on the brain, the longer the delay in performing a competing task.
NeuroGPS technology leverages this aspect of the way our brains work though the Brain Associations Test™ (BAT). The BAT documents a person's unconscious associations to a brand or any marketing stimuli through an innovative web based measurement tool.
The specific test stimuli can be versatile, and the results provide marketers with a comprehensive and pinpointed list of positive and unintentionally negative associations that are embedded in the consumer's brain. These are the ideas that are drawn upon in making purchase decisions.
To learn more about this groundbreaking science and technology, contact us.
Brain Reactions Test™ (BRT):
Our brain processes a lot of information that never reaches conscious awareness. Often there is a value we place on this information whether or not we realize it. This aspect of how our brain works is captured through the NeuroGPS Brain Reactions Test™ (BRT).
This test utilizes subliminal priming to provide data related to instinctual emotional reactions, both positive and negative of which people are not consciously aware. This is accomplished through an online presentation of stimuli which elicits a measurable true response.
The BRT can test your brand, a competing brand or any marketing content to determine the unique emotions evoked. Alternatively, you can compare two or three concepts or products against one another to determine which is seen in a more positive or negative light.
To learn more about this groundbreaking science and technology, contact us.


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I was listening to episode 146 of the Airplane Geeks in which they had Mikey McBryan of Ice Pilots fame as guest. He mentioned that Rick Mercer had visited Buffalo Airways and that there was a video of it on YouTube. Without further ado, here's Rick Mercer visiting Buffalo Airways. Enjoy!
• Flying • Video


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Masquerade Night is the eighty seventh chapter in the Vampire Knight manga.
Yuki and Zero leave the mansion, with Yuki saying it's okay if they hurry, since it has good and bad memories within it. They board the underground train to see Isaya, an old friend of Yuki's parents, to ask for help. While on the train, Yuki begins to eat the blood tablets but pauses after taking notice of a sleeping Zero. Questioning whether or not he is hungry after receiving injuries she tries to force him into taking her blood which he adamantly refuses. She then sees that Zero has satisfied his bloodlust for over a year. Zero reveals that he has drank the blood of madness from Level E vampires. Yuki knows what it's like to have satisfaction and that abstaining from bloodlust is difficult. Although Zero wasn't satisfied by the Level E vampires, he says, "Therefore," with Yuki following with, "In that case..." He then stops and looks at Yuki with a lighthearted expression. Then, Zero sits down and says his bloodlust being insatiable is none of her business. Yuki realizes that more words should have been said then and that they act as if they conceal their hearts behind a mask. They get off the train, and Isaya's servant gives them an invitation to a masquerade.
Yuki dresses in an extravagant gown and sees that the guests seem uneasy, waiting for Kaname to show up. Isaya says he couldn't remain a spectator while the children of his beloved old friends were at the heart of the problem. He then dances with Yuki, while Rima arrives with three other mysterious figures in cloaks. Yuki jokes around with Zero, pretending, while wearing a mask, that she's meeting him for the first time. They dance together and Yuki is surprised that he can dance. Zero says that Yuki is very similar to a girl that died a year ago and Yuki agrees he's similar to the boy who she wanted to protect, yet she hurt him. Zero isn't the same person now since he isn't someone who'd dance with a vampire. As the two continued to dance, Yuki and Zero's faces inch closer to one another. Flashbacks of Yuki and Zero as children are shown: with Yuki caring for Zero, him leading her out of the dark forest, and them served as the Day Class guardians, back when Yuki seemed really happy and was still a human being. Yuki wonders why they had to end up being enemies, that Zero become someone she wants to cherish, and that the feeling inside her is real. Yuki then notices Kaname has arrived at the masquerade as she takes off her mask.
Characters in order of appearance:
Memorable Quotes
"I don't want him to realize that I really need blood." -Yuki Kuran
"He told me before that he couldn't dance. Besides,its fine since Zero is a hunter, and I am a Pureblood." -Yuki Kuran
"You look a lot like the girl who was important to me, that died a year ago." -Zero Kiryu
"You also look like the boy I cared for and wanted to protect. Yet unintentionally I hurt him. However you are not the same person. He isn't someone who would dance with a vampire." -Yuki Kuran
"Why..... Why....did it end up like this between us? The boy that I want to cherish..... I love him. This feeling is so real. It exists inside of me...." -Yuki Kuran


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Playing Truth or Dare
A good friend of mine came to visit for the weekend, so we (he, I and my wife) went out for dinner and drinks. When we came home, we sat down to chat with a few more drinks. Eventually, I suggested a game of truth or dare. They both reluctantly agreed and things started off with almost everyone picking truth. Finally I got my wife to take a dare and dared her to play a round topless. With only a little encouragement, she took her top off and played a whole round topless. My friend pretended to be a gentleman by covering his eyes. I doubted his dedication.
At one point I picked dare and my wife dared me to play a round naked, which I did. Then I dared her to go to the front of the room and strip naked. She went up, removed her top, then removed the rest of her clothes (which I got a picture of), then bent over while facing the other way, wiggling her ass and (unwittingly?) pussy at us. Again, my friend pretended to be a gentleman and covered his eyes. However, he later slippled and made a comment about her wiggling her ass at us, which he wouldn't have know about if didn't peek.
I was incredibly turned on by the whole thing, but unfortunately we decided to quit shortly thereafter. - Kevin
© 2004 Truth or Dare


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I currently work within a community mental health center. My area focuses on Alcohol and Drug Counseling (which is needed seeing as how where I work is in the Top Ten of Heroin Deaths per Capita in the Nation). There are many things that I enjoy about my work. I believe it gives me perspective. I have learned to be grateful for many basic things and I also have been able to put issues in perspective a lot better. When you hear about a mother who is struggling to make ends meet while dealing with a nine year old child who self harms themselves to the point of permanent damage, the annoying neighbors really aren't a big deal. Also, due to the services we provide I am usually surrounded by pretty liberal and socially conscious people.
However, even in this environment there is one area that has always troubled me and that revolves around the concept of promiscuity as diagnositic criteria.
My first and biggest problem with this is that I have NEVER heard this brought up as a symptom of mental illness when discussing a male. It is always something that is brought up about a female. I can't help but assume that this is linked to the belief that "excessive" sexual activity is normal for a man and not a symptom of mental illness while no "healthy" woman would engage in or enjoy casual or alternative styles of sex. I also think it is linked to the belief that women are the only ones that have sex with other people due to low self esteem or possibly in a reckless manner because they have some self-destruct tendencies. See, sex is damaging to women, they can't just enjoy casual encounters or engage in sex purely for self-satisfaction: they must be wounded in some way or they must be wrongly searching for the intimacy they so desire.
The second issue that bothers me is who decides promiscuity? Is there a specific number, types of activities, the way they describe it? Or are there just assumptions that must be made on the part of the therapist as to what they consider "healthy". I do agree that some type of mental conditions may lead people to engage in unsafe/unhealthy sexual behavior. But I am reluctant to qualify that as promiscuity. Intentionally forgoing contraception or admitting that sex is not done for enjoyment can be something to talk about and work on in therapy but, in this case, the client is the one admitting and owning the problematic behavior. My issue focuses around a client talking about sexual behavior and the therapist deciding it is improper.
The basis for my discomfort is that I don't believe we live in a society where women are truly viewed as sexual beings with all the autonomy and desires as men. I am afraid that the internalization of woman as searching for intimacy and relationships will color too many minds from seeing that sometimes women just like sex and that it has little or nothing to do with their mental illness. Also, there are issues of race that must be taken into consideration. Any stereotypes the therapist may or may not hold can affect the way they view the women in front of them and how they describe their sex life. Also, any possible views about alternative sexual lifestyles can skew the necessary objectivity that's required in therapy. Understanding the appeal and functionality of BDSM relationships would be necessary to fully understand what may be going on in the sex life of a bottom or top that comes in for therapy. All in all, I would be more comfortable with the concept of promiscuous behavior not being a valid criteria for a mental health diagnosis.


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The Microdos dosing pumps and systems are excellent products for swimming pools, detergent dosing (dish wash & laundry) and chemicals dosing in water treatment. Over the years Microdos has developed a strong position in the Southern European countries.
The cooperation enables the distribution of the innovative Microdos products through the worldwide Verder Liquids Sales & Services network. Within the Verder channels we will introduce the products under the Verderflex name.
Mr. Alessandro Mostarda, founder of Microdos, will remain Managing Director. His knowledge of and experience in OEM markets, electronics and the water treatment industry will be of added value to the Verder Group.
More information on Microdos products: www.microdos.eu
With this cooperation Verder is convinced that it is able to provide its customers worldwide with the best solution for dosing systems in several markets, like the swimming pool, detergent dosing and water treatment markets.


text: Also Called: Unrefined or mildly refined baseoil; [A complex combination of hydrocarbons obtained as a raffinate from a sulfuric acid treating process. It consists of hydrocarbons having carbon numbers predominantly in the range of C15 through C30 and produces a finished oil with a viscosity of less than 100 SUS at 100 °F (19cSt at 40 °C). It contains relatively few normal paraffins.]; Distillates, petroleum, acid treated light naphthenic [Unrefined or mildly refined baseoil]


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So I guess the whole world know already about the volcanic activity in Iceland. And that there are thousands of people around the globe suffering with delays and incertanty.
Me too. Or better yet: we too.
We're supposed to go Rio in less than two weeks. Now we wonder if it's still going to happen…
For more details, BBC's website on the volcanic activity.


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|"Our Mother's Legacy" - acrylic
This time I'm not painting from the camera club photos but one from my professional photographer sister and we'll both show the results at an art show in her home town in Colorado in July.
We chose this photo because it has meaning for both of us. Our mother was an avid gardener and had a green thumb that wouldn't quit! After she died, my sister tried to rescue as many of her flowers as possible as my dad is sort of the type to mow the lawn in a straight line whether there are plants in the way or not! (I do have to say that he's done a really good job of taking care of her remaining flowers though).
This beautiful clematis bloom is the result of the rescue of a start from Mom's original plant. The photo of the bloom is lovely with its glowing back-lit petals and it was a challenge to capture that glow.
You may not be able to tell, but this is painted on hardboard with another, smaller board glued on top. After everything was completely dry, the whole board was prepped with a primer and several coats of gesso.
The painting is acrylic (yeah, yeah, I know, not usually my medium of choice!) and is titled "Our Mother's Legacy".


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STEP 1 – Download the emulator
This first thing you have to do is to download the emulator. The most recently updated and therefore the most likely to be operational on newer PCs is NullDC. You can download the zip file at this LINK. Let's say you're using Windows 7 and downloaded the file to the Downloads folder: C:\Users\<your_username>\Downloads.
STEP 2 – Unzip the emulator archive
You need a software like WinRAR to extract the files. Just right click and select "Extract to nullDC_104_r136″:
STEP 3 – Download BIOS dump
The emulator needs an image of console BIOS in order to start. You can download Dremacast image on get-your-rom.com: LINK.
STEP 4 – Unzip Dreamcast archive
Unzip the archive, just like you did with the emulator. This time is better to choose "Extract here" because there is already a folder name "Dreamcast" in the archive which contains the files.
STEP 5 – Copy the required files
The next thing you need to do is to copy the emulator files from BIOS dump folder to theemulator's data folder. If you saved and extracted your files in the Downloads directory, do as follows:
Go to C:\Users\<your_user_name>\Dreamcast\
Select the files "DC – BIOS.bin" and "DC – Flash.bin". Click copy.
Go to C:\Users\<your_user_name>\nullDC_104_r136\data
Paste the files
STEP 6 – Rename the files
Go to C:\Users\<your_user_name>\nullDC_104_r136\data
Rename "DC -BIOS.bin" to "dc_boot.bin"
Rename "DC – FLASH.bin" to "dc_flash.bin"
STEP 7 – Download some games :)
Try this site: http://www.get-your-rom.com/isos/dc-sega-dreamcast
STEP 8 – Start the emulator
Go to C:\Users\<your_user_name>\nullDC_104_r136\data
Double click "nullDC_Win32_Release-NoTrace.exe"
STEP 9 – Select the game's image file
Click File -> Normal boot, then the button with the 3 dots to select the file.
And voilà – that's it! Congratulations! You are now able to play Sega Dreamcast games on your PC. If you want to configure or check out the controls, just click click Options>Maple>Port A> Config keys to player 1.
Here is a screenshot of the game Crazy Taxi 2 played on PC:
You should be aware that the emulator is still in development and therefore some bugs and malfunctions are very likely to appear. Like they say on the project's home page:
In simple words, this is pre-alpha quality software at best and various parts in it might be broken at any given time.
Have a nice gaming!


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Can you afford to buy here? If you like, we can get one of our mortgage experts to tell you exactly how much you can borrow, which is the best mortgage for you or how much they could save you right now if you have an existing mortgage. Click here to get help choosing the best mortgage rate
The $32,150 price tag on the median Fork River home means that it is very cheap in comparison to the rest of the nation.
Manitoba has the sixth least amount of properties available to property investors, with Fork River having 186th most in the province, out of a total of 235.
Manitoba has hundreds of possible neighbourhoods for you to invest in and there is lots of data to sift through to help you narrow your search down.
Stock on the market can be an important leading indicator of whether market pressure will be on prices to rise or fall – in Fork River there is about the same amount of stock than three months ago. This would indicate housing stock pressure remaining the same.
It's never an exact art, but to try to forecast how property is going to appreciate in Fork River for investors, it's important to look at data like:
It's always hard to tell what property prices will do over the coming months, but over the last three months the properties available for purchase in Fork River have stayed pretty much the same which would tend to indicate that demand is steady.
Just fill in a few details, and we'll arrange for a Mortgage adviser to help you find the best mortgage for your needs


text: Today makes the 40th anniversary of Judas Priest's third studio album, Sin After Sin, originally released April 23, 1977. This was the first album on a major record label for the group, as well as the first to fully embrace the heavy metal sound. I was gonna write more about this album, but then a KFC ad started playing on Spotify and now I can only stare into oblivion wondering if any of it was ever worth it? When are we here? What are those 11 herbs and spices? Oh. The album is back. Never mind.


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Sometimes you need a little help
Remember the term paperless office, which was widely promoted during the Jurassic era of computers? Not only didn't we achieve a paperless office, we have managed to generate even more paper sending us screaming for help.
Years ago when I was managing corporate properties and foreclosures for resale, I depended a lot on an expediter to obtain the proper permits required for both the legal and illegal renovations to the homes we inherited. Since I worked in an area that had the lethal combination of older homes and strict sometimes unintelligible building, codes her services were well worth her fee to get the property in the condition where it could be sold.
The expeditor advised us on what had to be removed and what had to be brought up to code, saving hours of tedious work required just to get through the application process. As I recall, the easy choice was just to get what was not legal and never could be removed, like storage sheds, above ground pools and decks that were too close the neighbor's property line. After awhile the expeditor was my best friend and became an import part of our team in getting difficult properties ready for sale.
In Florida, expeditors can be particularly useful when building a backyard swimming pool or dealing with waterfront building lots that could have an environmental impact.
During the housing boom, expeditors were widely used to speed up the processes. Now as new construction is growing and home renovations are commonplace, the need for an expeditor is also growing. Expeditors are hired by builders, architects and individual homeowners to advise them on problems they may be encountering or just because facing more paper and making more decisions will put them over the edge. Their job is to keep up with changing ordinances and finding ways to get projects approved.
I did find on line some companies in the Tampa Bay area that provide permitting services for both commercial and residential properties. Some of the services they provide are: filling out forms and applications, highlighting proper materials and proper installation methods, recording notice of commencement form at local courthouse, paying appropriate fees to the county, submitting and tracking permit packages, picking up and delivering the permit, setting the final inspection appointment as well as any follow up and finalization needed to complete the process, they can also obtain duplicate permits.
As far as I know there is no formal training for expeditors. Generally people who perform these services can be anyone who has worked in the home building profession, real estate or just have personal knowledge based on their own experiences working with local municipalities.
Fees for expeditors vary based on location. But generally they charge hourly fees that can range from under $100 per hour to well over based on the complexity of the task. Paying for the services of an expeditor may not be for everyone, but it could save you hours of your personal time and also provide some inside information to smooth the way.
Thinking back on it now it seems not only funny, but improbable, that computers could ever have eliminated the paper that invades our home and work offices. It's just not in our DNA at least not in the DNA of anyone over 30 to totally give up the comfort of holding a piece of paper in our hands, but some day it probably will happen.


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Krombacher Weizen 30L Keg
Krombacher Brauerei was founded in 1803 in the small town of Krombach, nestling in the beautiful Siegerland Hills of Westfalia, central Germany. It was sited to take advantage of the local pure Felsquellwasser (spring water) still used by the brewery today.
Naturally cloudy and lightly carbonated wheat beer, with soft and sweet aromas reminiscent of honey and banana; restrained bitterness leads to a fruity finish.
About the Brand
Imported into the UK by Morgenrot since 1987 Krombacher's continual expansion and ability to maintain its leading position in todays challenging beer market is backed by investment and innovation and, above all, by maintaining quality and authenticity.
Founded in 1803 in the small town of Krombach, the brewery nestles in the beautiful Siegerland Hills of Westfalia, central Germany. It was sited to take advantage of the local pure Felsquellwasser® (spring water) still used by the brewery today.
Being under family control Krombacher is the largest privately owned brewery in Germany and remains the best selling brand in the competitive Pilsener sector of Germany's domestic market. It is also exported to thirty countries worldwide and is a prominent brand throughout Europe where beers of superior taste, quality and character are readily appreciated.
Adhering to the strict German beer purity laws, Krombacher is made using traditional brewing methods and the finest natural ingredients: Hallertau hops, malt from summer barley and their own age-old yeast strains. But the renowned factor in Krombacher's brewing is its use of the crystal clear spring water – soft and low in minerals and ideal for producing the Pilsener style of beer that arrived from Bohemia in the late 19th century.
On the Krombacher emblem, the tower is surrounded by green forest, representing Krombacher beer's singular connection with the countryside – the brewery is situated in its natural surroundings. The source in the lower part of the emblem is a symbol for the unique Felsquellwasser®, from which all Krombacher beers are produced. It is outlined in red, a reference to the iron-rich rocky soil of the Siegerland. The Krombacher emblem is framed by two ears of summer barley, left and right, and by hop cones, above and below.


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The Black & Green Tea Skin Moisturizing Set is perfect for those who are looking to use the finest tea blends to achieve better looking and better feeling skin. Using this set over a long period of time will improve the skin's texture and consistently maintain the right amount of hydration.
After cleansing and toning, dispense the 'Real Black Tea True Active Essence' onto the palm of hands. Rub hands together and gently press the product evenly onto face and neck. Tap lightly for maximum absorption. Then, take the 'Spring Green Tea Watery Calming Cream' and spread evenly onto face and neck. Gently massage until product is fully absorbed.
In order to test the effectiveness of black tea water, they went through several tests at the Korea Dermatology Research Institute. First was the "Antioxidants Test," where they found that A.True's black tea contained 57% more antioxidants than the common green tea while A.True's fermented black tea contained 86% more antioxidants. Second, they went through the "Moisture Test" which led to the results that A.True's black tea water was twice as effective and moisturizing than water. Lastly, they went through the "Absorptivity Test" where two sets of lentils were absorbed by A.True's black tea water and regular water. It led to the conclusion that A.True's black tea water had a significantly higher absorption ability when it was compared with regular water. When A.True was producing and developing their products, they were instantly committed to being cruelty-free and decided that they were against unethical and unnecessary animal experiments that the cosmetics industry regularly practices.
The Black & Green Tea Skin Moisturizing Set is ideal for those who want to try the two most popular products of A.True. It consists of the 'Real Black Tea True Active Essence' and the 'Spring Green Tea Watery Calming Cream.' The essence is formulated with 81% black tea fermentation which fills in every layer of the dermis and epidermis to improve skin texture and restore the skin's original rhythm. The calming cream is formulated with 71% black tea water and deeply moisturizes the skin to relieves dryness without irritation.
Real Black Tea True Active Essence: This essence's tea blend is a F.T.G.F.O.P (Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe), which is harvested within the Castleton Tea Garden, placed in Darjeeling, India, at altitudes of 1,500m. This unique environment is home to the F.T.G.F.O.P and such rare selections were once so valued that they would be compared to gold. Today, they are harvested to deliver amazing skincare benefits. Spring Green Tea Watery Calming Cream: This calming formula is a lightweight cream formulated with not only black tea water but a green tea blended formula (green tea extract, rose petals, sunflower petals, mallow petals) to improve moisture retention while providing various vitamins & minerals. Natural calming ingredients like lavender, cornflower, chamomile and borage makes this cream perfect for soothing sensitive skin.
AHAlife is committed to help you live a conscious and inspired life.
Many of the items you discover here are exclusive to AHAlife, which is what makes our community of designers and artisans so special.
If you find one of our products anywhere else for less than it's being sold on our site, we will match it.
Our dedicated Support Team is here to help. Reach out any time at:


text:
Our Sponsors
Website https://cloud-computing.insightconferences.com/ | Edit Freely
Deadline: December 12, 2018 | Date: March 11, 2019-March 12, 2019
Venue/Country: London, U.K.
Updated: 2018-05-18 15:31:54 (GMT+9)
Keywords: Accepted papers list. Acceptance Rate. EI Compendex. Engineering Index. ISTP index. ISI index. Impact Factor.
Disclaimer: ourGlocal is an open academical resource system, which anyone can edit or update. Usually, journal information updated by us, journal managers or others. So the information is old or wrong now. Specially, impact factor is changing every year. Even it was correct when updated, it may have been changed now. So please go to Thomson Reuters to confirm latest value about Journal impact factor.


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The Clark County School District is seeking outstanding Secondary Assistant Principal Selection Pool candidates for possible openings at the junior high/middle or high school level. Successful candidates will be part of an educational system focused on developing the skills and talents of all students through rigorous learning experiences, supportive relationships, and relevant real-life applications.
This posting will generate a pool of candidates from which the Human Resources Division will conduct preliminary screening activities for the purpose of acceptance into the Secondary Assistant Principal Selection Pool. Those candidates who are selected for placement into the pool may remain in the pool for three (3) years. Site-specific vacancies will be advertised as retirements, resignations, or transfers become known. Site-based hiring administrators and school associate superintendents will then choose finalists for specific positions as they become available.


text:
Reserve Met and Will Sell
AppDesigners.com – The singular sold for $2,500 in 2011, and is now fully developed. The pricing on the plural is less than a third of it at press time.
iQOD.com – I see iPod. Alexa rank near 16 million, so it gets a little traffic.
Shed.org – The keyword is more commercial in nature, but since it's a .org, the price is only around $200.
JJUR.com – Double "J" for under $100
DQAA.com – Double "A" for about the same price.
JRDW.com – No vowels, which is apparently the way to go for LLLL.com these days.
Reserve Not Met
DIE.com – Not just death…..manufacturing dies (tools), as well.
QOQ.com – The double Q is at $21k.
VFR.com – The seller sees "Virtual Future", but I see a LLL.com.
Problem.com – Per the seller, "This name can get you businesses at your door step like a money making machine." Hmmmm……
FP.org – The two most recent LL.org comps are PJ.org at $10,001 via NameJet and ZB.org at $10,099 via Sedo.


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Tiny Turtle Magically swim as soon as you please her in water. So cute, so sweet and so REAL! Your CUTE-SEAS comes to rest after 4 minutes to save battery.
Key Features:
- TINY TURTLE FEATURES - Duel functioning: walks on land and swim in water - 100% waterproof & water activated - Two fantasy colors - Realistic fin movements - Robo-Advance 'power save'; switch off after 4 minutes - Comes loaded with 2 XLR44 batteries-
Pack Includes:
- 1x Robo Alive Tiny Turtle


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In a Jan. 25 article on blackmail by Chinese journalists, Hua Kejian, Liang Yongjian and Song Yi were named by several knowledgeable sources as participants in a blackmail scheme. Hua, Liang and Song deny they were part of the scheme or knew about it. They say that, however those involved in the scheme portrayed it, they never had any intention of accepting money in return for withholding news.
Blackmailing By Journalists In China Seen As 'Frequent'
Thursday, January 25, 2007
SHENZHEN, China -- At 9 p.m. in a dark Shenzhen parking lot, Bai Xiuyu handed over a plain brown envelope containing 15,000 Chinese yuan, the equivalent of nearly $2,000, in what was supposed to be a discreet blackmail payment to a local reporter.
Hidden in Bai's car, Gou Hua, Shenzhen bureau chief for the Southern Metropolitan Daily, watched the scene unfold and recorded the transaction with his cellphone camera. His interest was more than journalistic; the reporter receiving the payoff was Zhou Yu, a 29-year-old newcomer to Gou's own bureau.
To his consternation, what Gou saw the evening of Sept. 21 was another instance of the blackmail journalism metastasizing through China's news media. Bai's money was supposed to buy silence on alleged wrongdoing at her health clinic in this southern Chinese city. But more generally, journalists and officials say, Chinese reporters are demanding such hush money with increasing regularity from businesses and government agencies in exchange for the withholding of unfavorable news.
"It's very, very frequent," said Ma Yunlong, an editor whose newspaper exposed an instance of extravagant extortion in central Henan province in 2005. Ma said the case involved 480 reporters and others pretending to be reporters who asked for "shut-up fees" to keep news of a mine flood out of the public eye.
In many ways, blackmail journalism grew naturally out of a system in which Communist Party censors control the news rigorously, barring reports that could be seen as unfavorable to the party or contrary to the government's political goals. If the ruling party distorts the news for political reasons, blackmailing reporters have concluded, why wouldn't they do it themselves for financial reasons?
In addition, local party officials, long used to manipulating information, have been complicit in the payoff system when it suits their needs. In the everybody-does-it atmosphere, even non-reporters have found ways to get in on the take by posing as journalists.
After the August 2005 mine disaster, for instance, reporters and their friends in Henan province dispatched a flurry of cellphone messages as soon as they heard the news -- not because they were eager to report on it, but because they knew local officials would be eager to hush it up.
By the time Fan Youfeng of the Henan Business News arrived at the mine, in a village in Jiliao county, local officials said they had already given money to so many reporters and phony reporters that the coffers were dry. But still more people showed up, Fan wrote, and the officials sought more cash, pressing the mine owners to chip in.
Journalists and poseurs lined up to get their handouts, he said, with some pushing and jumping the queue. Over several days, the extortionists carried away 200,000 yuan, or more than $25,000, he reported, quoting officials and a list signed by those who got the cash.
Encouraged by Ma, his editor, Fan wrote a story for the Henan Business News about what had happened. It was the first open discussion of what had become a widespread if secretive practice, Ma said with a note of pride.
As a result, however, an official from the central government propaganda department visited from Beijing and accused Ma of publishing an "inappropriate" and "false" story. The newspaper was suspended for a month, Ma was forced to retire and Fan was reprimanded, Ma said. The death toll from the mine disaster was never reported, he added.
"This kind of thing has an important impact on the success of local officials," Ma explained, "so they always want to cover it up."


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- Increased Cost Savings and Avoidance
Company did not have a centralized sourcing process. Meetings were sourced and contracted on an event-by-event basis. The company did not feel they were receiving the greatest cost savings and risk mitigation from a silo approach.
M&IW was selected to be the global strategic sourcing solution. A team of sourcing professionals and contract negotiators funneled business to the company's preferred hotels, negotiated multi-program, multi-year agreements, and leveraged overall meeting spend to obtain more aggressive rates, concession and terms.
The company was able to realize 6% or $3 million cost and avoidance savings in the first year. Next steps included negotiating supplier rebates to further increase the perpetual cost savings
- Mitigation of Hotel Cancelled Space
Company had a large number of meetings that cancelled and they were unable to reuse the space internally. Therefore, they ended up paying significant cancellation fees to hotels. In a specific example, they had $266,835 at stake in penalties if they were unable to use the space.
Meetings were decentralized within the organization and there was no repository for cancelled meeting space. M&IW centralized the cancelled meeting space using our technology tracking system which allowed us to broker the space to outside companies as well as trying to reuse the space within the company.
M&IW was able to reuse the space for another company and hotel credits were applied between the two companies, thereby mitigating the loss to the original company. M&IW also managed the billing process between the two organizations and the hotel. This resulted in 77% reuse of cancelled meeting space.
- Compliance Increased by 30%
Company did an internal audit and determined 50% of meeting owners were not following the company's meeting policy and failed to use preferred meeting management companies.
M&IW surveyed meeting owners to gain insight into non-compliance. The results revealed that many meeting owners were unaware of a corporate meeting policy or that their company had designated preferred meeting management providers. The meeting policy was a one paragraph statement contained within a larger corporate travel policy and loosely worded. A defined and separate meeting policy was drafted with clear parameters, approval processes, and finance oversight for exceptions to the guidelines. Data was collected from hotels, accounts payable, and from the MMCs to determine employees going outside of policy. A non-compliance escalation process was developed to follow up with those individuals. Additionally, new hires were required to read and sign a meeting policy awareness and acceptance statement.
It became mandatory to register all meetings within a central technology tool, given a unique identifying meetings code, and triaged by the meetings department staff to the preferred MMCs. After these elements were in place, registered meetings increased from 400 to 640 meetings out of 800 meetings annually. Compliance increased from 50% to 80% company-wide.
- Sarbanes Oxley (SOX) and HCP Audit Compliance Increase
Company in the pharmaceutical/healthcare market was heavily scrutinized and meetings data was randomly audited. The results were less than stellar and the external auditing firm found the company had major flaws in their compliance to PhRMA code, SOX compliance, and state reporting with only 62% compliance in all areas.
Individual meeting owners were unaware and unenthused about following any state, federal, or industry codes because they were concentrating on the drug-to-market processes. They did not realize the negative impact of the audits. M&IW was retained to help overcome these weaknesses. M&IW stays current with PhRMA code, open payments, state reporting regulations, and SOX by attending industry sessions on the topics, receiving and updating of country codes on an internal grid and having a pharmaceutical industry attorney train our staff annually. Because of our expertise in the pharmaceutical/healthcare market, our staff became the gatekeepers to ensure all meetings met or exceeded the various compliance guidelines.
All meetings were adhering to the domestic and international PhRMA guidelines when it came to Health Care Professional (HCP) attended meetings. M&IW developed a detailed HCP spend tracking process so individual state reports were completed and managed. They also made sure that every approval and communication with a meeting owner or attendee was in writing or backed up in writing. Random audits found that 98% of all meetings were now in compliance.
All meetings were adhering to the domestic and international PhRMA guidelines when it came to Health Care Professional (HCP) attended meetings. M&IW developed a detailed HCP spend tracking process so individual state reports were completed and managed. They also made sure that every approval and communication with a meeting owner or attendee was in writing or backed up in writing. Random audits found that 98% of all meetings were now in compliance.
- Best-in-Class Practices in Action
A large global medical device company knew there were many meetings being handled internally by HR staff and administrators. They were concerned the internal staff was putting the company at risk from a liability and legal standpoint. There were no policies and procedures surrounding meetings and no data was being captured. With the advent of Open Payments, the firm also needed a way to track Heath Care Professional (HCP) spend in order to comply with the new government mandates.
After talking with the Stakeholders (Procurement, Finance, Meeting Owners, etc.) extensively, M&IW created a road map tailored to company's wishes. A meetings registration portal was developed and implemented to include the preferred supplier network, parameters for when to use the preferred suppliers, and set pricing as established by procurement. Training sessions with internal staff were done regionally to roll out the new meetings process. Preferred suppliers were selected through an RFP process and introduced at the training sessions & trade fairs. Due to our work with many prominent pharmaceutical and healthcare companies, our team of experts in this area worked with the customer to develop an HCP process and data tracking system. After a pilot program for six months where M&IW handled the booking and data tracking for HCPs in one division, the program was deployed enterprise-wide successfully.
Meetings & Incentives Worldwide won the company's Best Supplier Collaboration award in our first year of work with the client, out of all suppliers, not just for meetings and events. With our vast SMM and HCP experience in the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Industry, we took the best practices from the market and applied them to the medical device company's needs.