text:
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Decision 2009
The posting here came to a grinding halt almost two weeks ago because an opportunity had arrived in my email's In box. That opportunity surprised me just as much as a similar one that came about the same time last year. After all, I thought that last year's opportunity was a one-time thing, especially after hearing this spring that the school had changed the way the students could fulfill their writing requirements.
So it was both exciting and a humbling honor to be asked to teach again. Something I didn't take lightly. In fact, my heart leapt on numerous levels.
Then, the reality of the opportunity set in. And with it, the questions started swirling in my head.
--Was I ready to take on this challenge again?
--Did I have the time to devote to teaching in order to do a good job?
--But more importantly, whether I was ready or had the time, did I feel like this was an opportunity God wanted me to take?
For those who followed my teaching journey last fall, it might surprise you to learn how much I wrestled with this decision. And how much I immediately wanted to accept. Because based on last year, a resounding "no" should have been on the tip of my tongue.
On paper, this opportunity looked better than last year's. But, in the end, I knew that the paper with my "pros" and "cons" couldn't make the decision for me. Neither could my feelings, which changed daily. There was no bright light illuminating the path I should take or the decision I should make.
So I prayed, and I tried to listen.
It was during that time that I realized how hard it is to listen, especially in a crunched time frame, when I haven't made a habit of listening on a regular basis. It's not fun to type that.
Nor was it easy to admit that to a couple of good friends who were praying for my decision. As I lamented about how hard it was to hear and how much I desired to be obedient in making "the right" decision, one of my friends mentioned that maybe the decision wasn't the important part of this whole opportunity. Maybe it was more about seeking God in the process.
I was so focused on the outcome of my decision---and all the planning that would need to be done if I accepted---that I didn't look at the opportunity from that angle. When my friend brought that to my attention, I was able to see how much my relationship with God had changed (for the better) in just a few short days because of a renewed seeking of His will instead of my own.
I ultimately decided to decline the opportunity and then promptly began worrying about what lessons I would miss by not teaching because I learned a lot about myself, God, and life in general through teaching last fall. But I came to the conclusion that such worries boiled down to me trying to put God in a box---thinking that my decision could somehow limit His ability to teach me lessons. As if!
I realized that if God has lessons that He wants me to learn, He is creative enough to instruct me in them. Even if I'm not in the classroom. And if I start to doubt, I can look back on this decisionmaking process as proof that lessons abound everywhere.
Monday, July 20, 2009
My Broken Town
- Fort Worth is the fastest growing large city (pop. 500,000+) in the U.S. with a population increase of 25% between 2000 and 2007.
- In 2008, Fort Worth's population passed the 700,000 mark and is projected to reach over one million by 2030.
- The DFW metroplex is the second fastest growing metropolitan area in the U.S. with a projected population of 10.1 million by 2040 (in 2000, it was only 5.2 million). [Statistics taken from Oneglory.org]
These statistics underscore that I'm not the only one who thinks this is a great place to live. But I also know that this city isn't perfect.
Sad stories headline the news almost every night. I could lull myself into thinking that those stories come only from other parts of the Metroplex, but it simply wouldn't be true. Yet, even hearing individual stories that have taken place in Fort Worth doesn't have the same impact as seeing these statistics:
- 20,000 refugees from 45 different ethnicities live in Fort Worth.
- 8,000 people in Fort Worth need nursing home care but are unable to afford it.
- 4,000-5,000 people are homeless in Tarrant County (61% of those are women and children).
- At least 17 strip clubs operate in Fort Worth, plus at least one prostitution ring, employing hundreds of women.
- The Fort Worth Federal Correctional Institution holds 1,815 inmates, plus there are four major jails, one juvenile center, and numerous halfway houses.
- 1 of every 6 males and 1 of every 4 females in Fort Worth is sexually abused before age 18.
- 200-300 gangs exist in Fort Worth, which together have 5,000-6,000 members. [Also taken from OneGlory]
When I see the stories tallied up in this format, the brokenness comes to light. And the weight of it is overwhelming. All at once, I want to do something and nothing.
The "something" response is praying and/or giving financially. But then my self-imposed hierarchy of roles kicks in and tells me that these options for helping aren't good enough. Which leads me to the "nothing" response: other people are better equipped to serve and handle this situation, so I can just turn a blind eye to the bad statistics and enjoy the good ones.
But I shouldn't allow my self-imposed hierarchy of roles---that praying or giving financially are not "as good" as other roles like serving---to prevent me from praying and/or giving financially. And I shouldn't allow fear to prevent me from serving if that's the role I feel I'm being led to fill.
The above is easier said than done. So in order to fight the battles outside my front door, I guess I need to begin by conquering the mental battles within.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Blasts from the Past, 5 (Finale a/k/a Finally!)
My expectations of an immediate playmate were dashed when I realized that she could not write her name at six weeks of age. But Erin more than made up for that in the years that followed by agreeing to be my permanent student each time I announced, "Let's play school; I'll be the teacher." Ultimately, I would be the one learning from her.
Growing up, we didn't share many traits or tastes or anything for that matter. I was always too concerned that Erin would break something as she always seemed to know how to take things apart, even things that weren't meant to come apart. What I didn't recognize then was that she was developing a skill, one that would allow her to later teach Mom and me how to use different electronics and to set up anything that is mechanical or technical.
When Erin learned to write, she started inventing recipes and memorializing them on my mother's spare recipe cards. For example, "2 fish, 1 Jiff, bake 10, get out." I don't know that she ever tried to make that protein-packed dish, but I do know that her recipes have come a long way since then. She now makes up recipes that are worth tasting and has a knack for knowing what ingredients to substitute in old, tried-and-true recipes to give them a new taste.
We didn't exactly get along well when we were growing up. We seemed to be complete opposites and couldn't find any common ground. But once I went to college, things changed. It was as if we both raised a white flag and decided to become friends. And since we've been friends, I've learned so much about what a big heart she has and how she goes above and beyond to help people. Even if it's just trying to get toll booth attendants to smile.
I couldn't ask for a better sister or friend. She puts her fear of flying aside to come for visits, she drives me all over this state and other states, she keeps me informed on current events, she prays for me, and she loves me with unconditional love. I'm glad I get to brag on here in honor of her 30th birthday.
So happy birthday, sweet Sister!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Blasts from the Past, 4
Let's Start with Semantics (originally posted June 3, 2007)
For those of you who aren't from Texas, a bluebonnet is a wildflower that appears alongside Texas highways every spring.
For those of you who are from Texas, snow consists of frozen water vapor that falls to the ground in soft, white crystalline flakes.
Normally, these two natural "objects" would not be found together for obvious reasons. But with Texas weather, anything can happen, including having a wintery snowfall in the midst of spring. And that's exactly what occurred on Easter weekend this year.
But that wasn't the only odd occurrence this spring. It was around that time that I felt God awakening in me the desire/need/urge to write.
But I didn't immediately put pen to paper (my preferred way of writing). Instead, I did what comes naturally to me: I questioned God.
"Lord, is this really something that you want me to do? You know I had that idea a few years back to write a book, but I had to scrap that because my motives were wrong. Would you help me do this without making this about me?"
"Lord, you know I write all day long for work and often struggle with getting things to flow and sound right. Have you equipped me to do this? You know that I'm not humorous (or at least not on purpose). And my creativity, while it stuck around a little longer than my flexibility, has long since faded. And I think that most of my best writing was used up during college. So do I really have what it takes to write?"
"Okay, Lord, I've been reading all these books and blogs about publishing in the Christian genre, and it isn't easy. It's actually a LOT harder than I could have imagined. There's a marketing aspect involved, and I'm not sure that's part of my skill set."
"Lord, it took me 6 tries to be able to get my little blurb accepted to join The Christian Writers' View. Were you trying to block me or test my perseverance? This isn't going to be easy, is it?"
As I was struggling through this process, I decided to pray beforehand for once. (I'm really guilty of going into things and asking God to bless my decisions instead of consulting Him ahead of time.) And through those prayers, I realized that it was right to pray beforehand, and at the same time, I realized that no matter how much prayer I put into this, I still might never be published. And I have to be okay with that. I need to accept God's leading might not be calling me to a life of fame.
So even after all the prayers and questioning, I still felt God tugging on my heart to be obedient and to write. I didn't get a lot of clear answers to my questions, mostly just reminders. I was reminded that sometimes when things seem so much bigger than me, it is something that God wants me to do in order to require me to lean on Him. (All I have to do is think back to getting my job and how I said after my not-so-great interview that the only way I was going to get the job would be for God to secure it for me.) And sometimes, God strips me of things I depend on (MY creativity, MY abilities, etc.) to allow His creativity and His ability to shine through. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "All writing comes by the grace of God."
And so, I feel a little like a bluebonnet in the snow. I'm out of my comfort zone. But hopefully I will acclimate quickly and just enjoy the newness, the contrasts, and the opportunity to just hang out for as long as He allows in this world of writing and writers.
14 Inches (originally posted June 3, 2007)
Fourteen inches. That's all. Sounds like a short enough distance that I could hop on one leg while blindfolded and still make it. But that's not the leap at issue.
These fourteen inches are from my mind to my heart. And somehow, because of where those inches are located, the distance seems much greater. Just ask the nerves that run between the two organs. Mine are probably a bit weary from the constant battle.
My heart: I feel unseen, unwanted, unchosen.
My mind: Just believe the Truth.
(John 8:32)
My battle isn't the only one like this. I talked to a friend today whose heart-mind battle looked a lot like mine but with different words. This friend said that family members affirmed that the outcome of a situation was good, but the heart couldn't grasp that. It was holding onto a history of feelings. And the mind, which wanted to believe that all was well, was not sold on that outcome just yet. It was still allowing the heart to take the reins. And so the fourteen-inch battle was still in full swing.
To get my mind on top of my battle, I need to be willing to reject any feelings that are not consistent with the Truth. And I want to do that. It's just, I get stuck sometimes with my heart on a different page than my mind. It's as if my heart has taken my brain hostage, intercepted all the signals from my brain, and is directing the communication. My brain, which is powerful enough to solve calculus problems without any direction from my heart, is having trouble taking back over command central.
They say, "Pick your battles." But, I'm not sure that I personally ever got a vote on this particular battle that my heart and mind started waging years ago. I'm signing off from the battlegrounds today, but I can't say it will be the last time that my pesky heart stirs up trouble.
Slaying the Beast (originally posted July 8, 2007)
Have you ever found yourself saying, "If only I had . . ." or "If only so & so would . . . "? I know I'm guilty of this. There always seems to be that one "thing" that I can't have or at least that I can't have YET. And I know I'm not the only one. Some of the "if only's" that I know my friends are facing right now are as follows:
If only I was debt free.
If only depression/alcoholism didn't run in our family.
If only we could afford a house.
If only a family member wasn't battling cancer.
If only we could get pregnant.
If only I didn't have to work and could stay home with my children.
If only my in-laws treated me better.
If only I had a loving spouse.
If only our marriage would be reconciled.
If only a friend or family member would accept Christ as his/her personal Savior.
If only I could get published.
If only I had time to workout.
If only I could afford to take a vacation.
If only I was pain free.
The "if only" that I've had at the top of my personal list lately is "If only I could slay 'the beast,'" which is the nickname that I've given to a project that I've been working on for several months now. I had hoped to finish it before I went on vacation, but I just couldn't wrap it up. Then, my first week back from vacation, I decided to work on some smaller projects in order to prove to myself that I could still do my job, which I had started to question. With those smaller projects behind me, I returned to the beast and told myself that it had to be conquered by tonight.
"The beast" started out to be very straight-forward. There was a lot to read, but I didn't think it would be nearly as bad as it has been. It had gotten to the point that it was unwieldy and seemed so much bigger than my skill set. I just couldn't seem to tame it. Until now. A draft is done. It isn't the page-turner that I'd like for it to be, but it is ready for another set of eyes to pierce through it.
Throughout this time, I've been postponing my joy in anticipation of finishing this project. And yet, there's been so much that I could have been joyful about throughout the process. For instance, I feel like I've identified some tasks that were taking me longer than necessary and have found some ways to make those tasks more efficient when I take on the next project. I've learned more succinct ways of phrasing things. And, I've been reminded daily of how I must depend on God for His help and wisdom.
I see this pattern often in my life. I wait for something big--an "if only"--to happen. I'm content for a while, and then a new "if only" makes its way to the forefront of my mind, and I postpone my joy in anticipation of fulfillment of the new "if only" criterion. It's like a little child who asks for "just one thing" only to return and ask for another "just one thing" a few moments later because the previous toy or whatever is no longer satisfying.
By doing this, I'm not accepting that right where I am is God's "Plan A" (as my friend calls it) for my life. I am doubting that this is God's best for me. That He wants me to be right where I am right now to fulfill His purpose. And that I don't need to rush things.
I wish that by writing this, I'd somehow be immune to going through another "if only" rollercoaster ride. But I know it's not that simple. Instead, I'll need to be on the alert for it and remind myself that the One Thing that my soul is really searching for is available right now; I don't have to wait for it.
"Enough" by Chris Tomlin
All of You is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You is more than enough
You are my supply
My breath of life
And still more awesome than I know
You are my reward worth living for
And still more awesome than I know
All of You is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You is more than enough
You're my sacrifice
Of greatest price
And still more awesome than I know
You're the coming King You are everything
And still more awesome than I know
More than all I want
More than all I need
You are more than enough for me
More than all I know
More than all I can say
You are more than enough for me
If none of those were new to you, let me say thanks for being a loyal reader!
Tomorrow's post will have fresh material, so be sure to stop by and check out the finale for this series.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Blasts from the Past, 3
So today's post is a short paper I wrote during my first year of college. This particular paper jumped out at me because I remembered the meditative part of the assignment (i.e., sitting outside my dorm and listening to the night), but I have no recollection of Annie Dillard's essay or who in the world Soetsu Yanagi is/was. So without further ado, here's "Artificial Eyes" (copyright October 12, 1993 by me).
When the editors of Webster's Third New International Dictionary defined "seeing" as "the act of using one' sense of sight," they obviously had not undergone a meditative experience nor had they read essays about seeing by Annie Dillard or Soetsu Yanagi. After I had completed these activities, "seeing" conjured up a more complex definition: the process of perceiving the artificial obvious through personal and sensual involvement. But how do people do this? Do they need artificial eyes?
In her essay "Sight into Insight," Annie Dillard says that in order to perceive, one must have a love for the object being perceived. To illustrate this idea, she explains that a horse lover can readily draw a detailed picture of any type of horse, even if he or she is not an artist, and those who do not love horses will struggle to come up with more than a stick figure. Another prerequisite for perception is the knowledge that comes from prior experience with the object which one wants to see. One must use this knowledge to create a situation which will allow the artificial obvious (that which is present, but usually overlooked) to be seen. For instance, deer hunters cannot look for the full body of a deer when hunting. Instead, hunters must go to a wooded place, look for hoof prints, listen for the sounds of leaves or branches crackling, and search for patches of white in order to see a deer. Therefore, personal experience and sensual involvement unite to enable one to see an object.
Soetsu Yanagi offers different insight on the subject of seeing in his essay "Seeing and Knowing." Yanagi's essay, which dwells on how to see beauty, presents several views which directly conflict with Dillard's views. Yanagi says, "Seeing is a born faculty . . . ." Yet one who has no experience cannot place what he or she looks at into context. For instance, people seldom remember the events that occurred before their second birthdays because they had little prior experience with which to associate the events and thus no way of forming a memory. As more experience is gained, the ability to see becomes possible. Therefore, Dillard is correct in saying that the ability to see comes from learning and experience. In addition, Yanagi states, "seeing and knowing form an exterior and an interior . . . " and are separate. However, Dillard's example of people who have cataract surgery disproves Yanagi's view. Those who have had no experience with seeing must revert back to their own way of "seeing" things, such as by touching, tasting, etc., even after they regain their sight because the sight of an object does not enable them to recognize the object. Thus, as Dillard proposed, knowing and seeing must work together to provide more knowledge. Yanagi also contends that if a work of art is picked apart by scrutinization, it will crumble because the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Dillard, on the other hand, says that only when one searches for the details can the artificial obvious, such as the deer, be discovered. Thus, Dillard's essay, rather than Yanagi's essay, helped me to grasp the concept of seeing, but it was not until I meditated in nature that I fully understood what it meant to really see.
My time of meditation allowed me to view a familiar place in a new light. I felt in touch with nature because I actually heard the crickets, and I felt the wind as it made my hair tickle my ears and my neck. I forced myself to pay close attention to the sights, sounds, and smells of the area, and I became an immediate nature lover. I was able to understand why environmentalists get so excited about saving the earth. Also, this closeness with nature permitted me to release my tensions and to develop an inner peace. Most importantly, though, I realized that unless one consciously perceives the details of life, details do not exist in one's mind. Therefore, I developed a process for seeing the details or artificial obvious all the time.
First, we should strain to see beyond the obvious because the obvious does not give us insight. In order to get beyond the obvious to the artificial obvious, we should create an artificial situation in which we interact with the object to find out what is artificial about the object. Interaction can include past experiences with the article or how the article affects one's self. Once interaction has taken place, we must generalize about the object in relation to its place in the world. Finally, we should look at the object as a new object included in our life. Thus, in order to gain sight of the "artificial obvious," we must go through the steps of private exploration, public or world exploration, and private reflection. The "artificial obvious," then, is a combination of all three elements, which is why it is so difficult to see at first.
The previously described process becomes useful when meeting new people because people are often predisposed to stereotype others based on appearance. For instance, people who do not know me well would never guess that I describe myself as a quilt with many varied pieces which form a uniquely, organized and interesting pattern. Some pieces are instantly noticeable, but others are very subtle and take longer to find and to discover how they fit into the total pattern. Several events in my life have caused temporary stains, but other have become permanent stains. At times the fabric has become torn, but it is usually mended easily and does not affect the overall form. Occasionally, the quilt is compactly folded up and tucked away, but most of the time it is spread out for all to see. Sometimes the quilt is used to comfort those who are cold. However, once those people are warm, it often gets pushed away. It would like to please everyone--those who want to enjoy it from a distance as a wall-hanging and those who want to experience it more personally as a coverlet. Yet, the quilt cannot perform such a feat, so it does its best to please as many people as possible. Some people dislike the first piece of the pattern and decide to move on to other quilts without looking any closer at my quilt. But if everyone would view the quilt's intricacies as unique details, rather than as deterring flaws, his or her views would change because he or she would see the artificial obvious in me.
Seeing the artificial obvious takes love, experience, and knowledge, rather than artificial eyes. Once one is able to truly "see" according to my definition, he or she can find the inner peace that comes from not taking the small details of objects for granted. After all, one will not be able to discover the quilts of life without learning to see the artificial obvious.
If you read all that, you are quite the devoted reader, and I thank you. I hope that there are no questions because I have no answers as I no longer know what all that meant! Class is officially adjourned.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Blasts from the Past, 2
All of us have action regrets, but I think our deepest regrets are missed opportunities. Action regrets taste bad, but inaction regrets leave a bitter aftertaste that lasts a lifetime. Inaction regrets haunt us because they leave us asking, "What if?" We wonder how our lives would have been different had we taken the risk or seized the opportunity. What if we had chased the lion instead of running away? Somehow our lives seem incomplete. Failing to take a risk is almost like losing a piece of the jigsaw puzzle of your life. It leaves a gaping hole. When we get to the end of our lives, our greatest regrets will be the missing pieces.
That conviction is backed up by the research of two Cornell social psychologists named Tom Gilovich and Vicki Medvec. Their research found that time is a key factor in what we regret. We usually regret our actions over the short-term. But over the long haul, we tend to regret inactions. Their study found that in an average week, action regrets were slightly greater than inaction regrets---53 percent to 47 percent. But when people look at their lives as a whole, inaction regrets outnumber action regrets 84 percent to 16 percent.
One of my dreams growing up was to get to sing with my cousin Jamie. She is blessed with an amazing voice, one I know could have landed her on Broadway had she pursued that route.
When she made the trek from Indiana to Texas in May 1997, I decided it was now or never. So we planned to sing a duet in my home church.
On the Saturday before our performance, we went to the church and practiced the piece several times. But the next day as we stood before the congregation, my nerves took over and caused my counting to be a little off. In Jamie's words, "I thought you weren't going to come in." I ended up coming in late on my verse and was grateful when Jamie joined me for the chorus.
But when we went and sat down in the congregation, I couldn't focus on the sermon because I was so embarrassed about my performance. I kept replaying it over and over again. After the service, people thanked us for singing, but I didn't take their kind words to heart.
It's now been over twelve years since we sang, and I'm glad that I had the courage to get up in front of the church and sing with Jamie. Had I not done it then, I'm quite sure that my self-consciousness about my unskilled singing voice would keep me from doing it today.
So, in the words of Mark Batterson, "Chase the lion!" Even though it may be a bit embarrassing, it will leave you with fewer regrets than an unchased lion.
P.S. - I highly recommend Mark Batterson's book In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day. I could fill an entire week's worth of posts with things I underlined from it. It's worth purchasing so that you can do the same.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Blasts from the Past, 1
But in honor of my "Blasts from the Past" week, I have decided to release some previously private photos. Luckily for me (and for your eyes), the repertoire here at my house goes back only through 1996.
So here's a little glimpse back to November 1996. This shot was taken in Bryan-College Station right before my friend Angela and I headed out to Central Baptist Church.
The hair, oh the hair! In many ways, it speaks for itself. It dwarfs my face and shouts, "I'm from the South where big hair rules!" And the interesting thing in hindsight is that I'm pretty sure I would have considered that to be one of my "good hair" days.
I guess it's all a matter of perspective. Some things may seem good at the time but can be embarrassing later. Other things, while not so great to start with, get better with time. So it's a good idea to stop and reflect from time to time and see where you are at on the spectrum.
(The rest of the story behind the picture: I never made it into the church that day. It was raining, and I fell in the parking lot. Angela left me holding an umbrella and sitting in a puddle while she and my sister went in the church and told an usher that I had fallen. In response, the pastor made an announcement about me being down for the count in the parking lot, and a couple of gentlemen came to my rescue. The one man, who I thinks was a doctor, told me that it didn't look like I would need any stitches for my bloody knee and helped me to my feet because I couldn't bend my leg. Once I was up, Angela, my sister, and I headed back to Angela's apartment where I changed out of my busted pantyhose, cleaned up my knee, and watched the church service on television. Thankfully, I had other subsequent trips to BCS that were much less dangerous and less embarrassing.)
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Coming Soon . . . Blasts from the Past
After seeing all the fireworks over the weekend, I have this urge to post some "blasts from the past." So be sure to check back next week to find out what I'm talking about.
And yes, there will be pictures.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Laziness Unearthed
See Exhibit A below. You can almost draw a curved line to trace where the sprinkler, which was placed up near the bushes at the far left, sprayed out toward the street, working hard to cover the most ground for me.
Then, there is the matter of gardening. I honestly tried in this area. I planted 21 little vinca plants the first weekend in June. They got plenty of water. It was just the way they got watered that took its toll: Think multiple storms with 50-60 mile-per-hour winds and pelting rain mixed with a little hail for good measure.
The result is Exhibit B.
I am a tad bit embarrassed about my laziness in maintaining my lawn and flower garden, mostly because they are on display for all to see. It's not as easy to hide that as it can be to hide laziness that creeps into other areas of my life. My stewardship is not photograph-able, neither is my practice (or lack thereof) of spiritual disciplines. And because such matters aren't so easily reviewed, it's easy to let them fall by the wayside.
But thankfully, God has surrounded me with good friends who care enough to hold me accountable and ask me about the important things in life that aren't so easily depicted. In the beginning, I dreaded giving my report, but just knowing I would be asked to give one started to help keep me on track. And throughout the process, my friends were willing to extend grace and encouragement, which helped.
That has worked so well that now I guess I need to get an accountability partner for my lawn and gardening. One who can motivate me to replant flowers in the July heat. I'm thinking that person has his/her work cut out.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
It Hurts To Watch
That thought went through my mind as I watched the awards presentation following the men's Wimbledon final in which Federer defeated Roddick 5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 16-14. If those numbers look weird, that's because they are. It was the longest final in the history of Wimbledon. And it didn't turn out the way I wanted.
Andy Roddick had dropped fifteen pounds, had changed his training, and had hired a new coach---all with the hope of winning the title. He hasn't won one since 2003. And with the No. 1-ranked player out of the tournament battling an injury, Roddick was poised to succeed.
But it wouldn't be easy. In order to get to the finals, he first had to play a Brit in the semis who had the whole crowd behind him. Roddick overcame that challenge. And then two days later, he had to face Federer. A man who was going for his fifteenth title and would make history in the process if he won.
So to say that Roddick was an underdog in the finals is a huge understatement. The crowd was pulling for history to be made, just like those in the crowd at the Olympics last year waiting for Phelps to win his eighth gold. But underdog or not, Roddick came to play and to win.
He took the first set. The next two sets had to go to tie-breakers, which Roddick lost. He took the fourth set by a huge margin. And so as the match wore on, it looked like he had the trophy within reach. But then he made a few errors during his service game, and away it went.
Roddick was a gracious loser, giving Federer credit for his win, but the tears couldn't hide Roddick's disappointment. He had done everything that he could have done, he had played with all his heart, and he had still come up short.
It struck me so much because that often happens off the court in the game of life. It's hard to watch people put their all into something and not succeed. Sure, it builds character. But that seems like small consolation at the time. In the moment, the title or trophy seems all important, even though it's often not as long-lived as the character-building lesson.
And though it's the nature of the game to have just one winner, I saw two, just as I often do in the game of life: The one who takes home the trophy, and the other who takes home the lesson. And my hope is that Roddick will take the lessons learned from this final and the confidence gained from knowing that he gave "the best tennis player in the history of the game" a run for his money and turn them into his own trophy moment in the future. Because that's a win-win proposition worth watching for.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Thoughts on Freedom
As I sat watching car after car pass through the intersection, I wondered at the occupants' thoughts. This probably wasn't how they had planned to kick off their holiday weekend. If they were anything like me, celebrating the lives of those who have fought for our country's freedom would have been reserved for a small moment of silence, rather than a prolonged service of remembrance. Because the cost of freedom is so hard to grasp, until it hits home. Just like everything else in life, we don't know what a great thing we've had, until it's gone.
I wish I didn't fall into that group. I wish I cherished everything in the present. I wish it didn't take losing someone or something to awaken my appreciation. But I guess if I had to pinpoint the problem for me it would be that I think things will, to some extent, stay the same. And when they don't, the change makes me realize what feelings I had toward the missing person or thing.
But I don't want to have to get to that point with the freedom that this country provides in order to see how priceless the freedom is. The mere thought of being told what job I can have; where I can live; when I can go to the doctor; what, when, and where I can worship, if at all; how many children I can have; and having a million other choices reduced to one, government-made decision should be enough to keep me grateful daily and turn every day into a celebration of independence. Yet, I know that come Monday, I'll get back into the weekly routine, and these thoughts will fade into the background, probably until another American holiday rolls around or until the news informs me that a freedom is on the line, pending in a case before the Supreme Court.
Those are my thoughts on freedom this July 4, but I'd love to hear from you with thoughts on how to keep my scenario from being repeated year after year. Do you make it a habit to pray for soldiers or have something that you do daily or weekly to remind you to give thanks for the freedom you have?


text:
We're still sweating from
Which got us thinking — Tay looked totally hot/vampy so of course her fans would DEF want to live and breathe this new aesthetic!
While she's surely dripping in designer duds, we've set out to recreate her Look For Le$$! Ch-ch-check out our delicious and almost identical smoldering finds (below)!
You'll want to start off with the perfect outerwear, like the black trench coat and silky duster she wears to transform into a complete vixen!
Both of the (above) options are from Forever 21 and are crazy affordable at $48 each! You can find them HERE and HERE!
Underneath?? It seems Tay Tay was risking it all in just a lacy black lingerie paired with sexy thigh-high stockings…
Missguided's strappy set (available HERE) is so 50 Shades, especially when paired with the seamed Natori thigh-high stockings (available HERE) like the songstress rocked in that sexy bed scene!!
So, how did the blonde bombshell style the look??
With handfuls of gunmetal and pewter baubles adorning her stunning figure!
A choker lariat like the one (above) from Ettika, while only $50, leads your eyes to your new lingerie! Find it HERE!
Then there are the accents of the dark rings add the perfect complement to the lust-worthy ensem. INC Concept's pav ring at $26.50 does the trick (available HERE), as ASOS' statement piece (available HERE) adds a pop for $18.50!
And last but not least, how to achieve this KILLER lip…
Sadly, Pat McGrath Labs' Lust 004 kits are completely sold out, but you can recreate it with a red liquid lipstick like NYX Cosmetics' Soft Matte Lip Cream in Monte Carlo for $5.99. All that's left is topping it off with their Face & Body Glitter in red (below) at $5.99!
Score the sparkling pout by checking out the lip cream HERE and the glitter HERE!
And there you have it!! You're a sex kitten just like Swifty!!
[Image via Taylor Swift/YouTube & Forever 21 & Missguided & Bare Necessities & Revolve & Macy's & ASOS & Ulta.]
Read more: http://perezhilton.com/cocoperez/2017-01-28-taylor-swift-i-dont-wanna-live-forever-music-video-look-for-less

subset: commoncrawl


text:
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #DailyVegolutions #CollectiveBias
As I am staring at age 40 in less than a year, there is one thing for sure…my stomach isn't what it used to be. I am a Midwest girl, meat was practically my middle name. Not anymore, my stomach as decided to be sensitive to all kinds of things including most meats. Ground meat is the worse for me so imagine my delight in finding a vegetarian alternative! MorningStar Farms® has created Crumbles™, meaning they have plant based alternative to ground meats. They come frozen and all you do is warm them up and add them in place of your ground meat in your recipe
I decided that I wanted to update my go-to favorite nacho dip and use the crumbles in the dip. I actually used both the MorningStar Farms® Grillers® Crumbles™ and MorningStar Farms® Chipotle Black Bean Crumbles™ flavors in the recipe and it turned out fantastic. It is important to incorporate more vegetables in my diet at my age because it really is a lot harder to maintain health when you are near 40, with being tired a lot and working, my body definitely needs more vegetables and less food that makes my body work in over-drive to break down the food.
The best part about this recipe? I made it and didn't tell anyone what was in it and my kids didn't even taste the difference. I have personally eaten the MorningStar Farms® Grillers® for years so I knew the crumbles would be the perfect addition to my dip.
I headed to my local Walmart to find the MorningStar Farms® Crumbles™ in the freezer section! And if you are an Ibotta user, you can buy any 3 MorningStar Farms® products at Walmart, earn $3! (offer valid through January 2017)
The recipe is simple with just a few ingredients and takes less than 10 minutes to make! Cheese, crumbles, corn, Salsa and hot sauce!
Vegetarian Nacho Dip
2 C. MorningStar Farms® Crumbles (I used a cup of each flavor, MorningStar Farms® Grillers® Crumbles™ and MorningStar Farms® Chipotle Black Bean Crumbles™)
1 lb. reduced fat Block cheese
1 C. Great Value™ Frozen Corn
1 C. Reduced Fat Mexican shredded cheese
1/2 C. salsa
5 or 6 drops Hot Sauce
- Cut block cheese into blocks and melt in a medium saucepan, meanwhile in a separate pan, cook your crumbles and corn on medium. They come frozen but thaw and cook in a couple minutes (hello time saver!)
- After cheese is melted, add the crumbles, salsa and hot sauce, gently stir. Lastly add the shredded cheese and stir until almost melted.
- Enjoy!


text:
Whole Foods MarketSonoma County, California
Sebastopol, California 95472
Natural Foods Store
Whole Foods market is the most profitable grocery store chain in the United States. And for good reason: organic fruits and vegetables; a plethora of bulk foods; an amazing array of packaged natural foods; freshly-prepared foods; a humongous salad bar (with numerous veg items you won't find at any other salad bar); a hot food bar; a sandwich bar; and dining area; a section for baked goods; a veg-friendly deli; an enormous supply of vitamins/supplements; natural health/beauty products; and much, much more! What more could one ask for out of a single shopping destination?
This is a cozy store, second-smallest of this chain in the nation (bested only by the St Paul, MN location).
Added by Steve Carlson on Jul 17 07 (last updated Jul 17 07)
Mark this place closed (permanently).
NeighborhoodDowntown Sebastopol
Located in the heart of downtown Sebastopol, on HWY 116 (northbound), just north of HWY 12.


text:
Ella had her first violin recital today. I didn't take photos of her - I just wanted her to enjoy herself and for all of us to be fully present. It was a lovely experience for her Dad, sister and myself. We love Ms. Tara and we think it is really cool that she teaches us the magic of learning music. Vivian just may become a singer/song writer while Ella dreams of fiddling like Pa. Our family have all undertaken a musical instrument. I am learning to play the pan flute. It is great breath work, and a wonderful way to exhale. Geir plays guitar and is rebuilding a Telecaster under Ella and Vivian's "guidance". Homeschooling rocks!
So along with handwork, (Ella has been diligently cutting out old fashion paper dolls, and Viv is working on zippers) the girls spend time with Ms. Tara on Thursday afternoons. She comes to our home and we feel so blessed for this musical arrangement.
Friday is our Blessing day, although everyday is a blessing, the girls and I prepare the house for the weekend with Dad, (and they are really into cleaning these days as we are reading the Grimm's brother's Cinderella) we finish up or catch up on projects, try something new or just go with the flow. I like our new autumn rhythm, we are slowly moving inward, looking for warmth inside and finding peace at the end of the day with a hot cup of tea. Lately, I have been sneaking into the girls bedroom at night to watch them sleep, and it feels as though I can almost see them grow right there before my eyes. I kiss their velvety, warm, red cheeks and know that they will never be this young again. I am proud to be their Mother, and one of their teachers - it is fun growing old.


text:
Simultaneous confidence intervals for multiple comparisons among expected values of log-normal variables
In biological and medical research, continuous, strictly positive, right-skewed data, possibly with heterogeneous variances, are common, and can be described by log-normal distributions. In experiments involving multiple treatments in a one-way layout, various sets of multiple comparisons among the treatments and corresponding simultaneous confidence intervals can be of interest. The focus is on multiple contrasts of the expected values of the treatments. Previously published methods based on normal approximations and generalized pivotal quantities are extended to the case of multiple contrasts. These methods are evaluated in a simulation study that involves comparisons to a control group, all pairwise comparisons and, to illustrate more general multiple contrast types, a non-standard type of contrast matrix. A method based on generalized pivotal quantities is recommended because it is superior to all other methods in terms of simultaneous coverage probability and because the type-I-errors are distributed almost equally between lower and upper confidence bounds. Methods based on normal approximations are found to be very liberal and biased with respect to directional type-I-errors. These methods are illustrated with an example from pharmaceutical research.
If you experience problems downloading a file, check if you have the proper application to view it first. In case of further problems read the IDEAS help page. Note that these files are not on the IDEAS site. Please be patient as the files may be large.
As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to look for a different version under "Related research" (further below) or search for a different version of it.
Volume (Year): 58 (2013)
Issue (Month): C ()
Pages: 265-275
|Contact details of provider:
| Web page: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/csda
References listed on IDEAS
Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.:
- Li, Xinmin & Wang, Juan & Liang, Hua, 2011. "Comparison of several means: A fiducial based approach," Computational Statistics & Data Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 55(5), pages 1993-2002, May.
- Li, Xinmin, 2009. "A generalized p-value approach for comparing the means of several log-normal populations," Statistics & Probability Letters, Elsevier, vol. 79(11), pages 1404-1408, June.
- Mandel, Micha & Betensky, Rebecca A., 2008. "Simultaneous confidence intervals based on the percentile bootstrap approach," Computational Statistics & Data Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 52(4), pages 2158-2165, January.
This item is not listed on Wikipedia, on a reading list or among the top items on IDEAS.
When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:csdana:v:58:y:2013:i:c:p:265-275. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.
For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: (Dana Niculescu)
If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.
If references are entirely missing, you can add them using this form.
If the full references list an item that is present in RePEc, but the system did not link to it, you can help with this form.
If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.
Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.


text:
This high quality log store is constructed from 16mm boards, and is pressure treated for added convenience. A tidy and convenient way to store your logs!
- 16mm boards
- 7mm floor
- 16mm roof
- 27mm x 32mm framing
- Pressure treated
Please see 'Specifications' for full dimensions.
Here's why our thousands of regulars tell us we are their number one choice for wood fuel and solid fuels:
Our accreditation
Standard delivery is 5-7 working days, unless otherwise stated within the product description, though we will do our very best to get to you sooner. If we anticipate taking any longer than this, one of our customer service team will be in touch to advise you of a revised date.
Deliveries are typically made all day during weekdays, between 8am and 6pm.
You do not need to be at home to receive a delivery. But you do need to tell us where on your property we need to leave the goods so they are safe and secure. We'll do our best to leave your goods where requested; in most cases delivering direct to your coal bunker or log store. If we can't safely make the delivery to the specified spot, we will use our judgement on where to leave the goods (which in the case of pallets, crates or dumpy bags may be the kerbside) or we will take the goods away, and contact you to arrange a new delivery time when you can be in.
You should notify us at the time of placing an Order of any vehicle access restrictions or issues that may prevent us from safely delivering your Order.
Delivery is free to mainland England and Wales when spending over £50 in a single transaction. A delivery charge for small orders less than £50 in value, or for shipping destinations outside mainland England and Wales applies.
If you have any questions about our delivery process, please do not hesitate to contact us on the telephone number displayed at the top of this webpage, or in the Contact Us section of the website.


text:
Over the past few weeks I've written about a bunch of Dyson cordless clones and today we'll be looking at one of the cheapest options available right now just under $100. At first glance the F6 looks almost like the Dyson V6 with a similar trigger-like mechanism and purple extension wand. But the similarities […]Continue reading
In the world of cordless stick vacuums brands like Hoover and Electrolux standout but if you look at their price the Hoover costs easily over $250 and the Electrolux over $170. This product costs less than $100. If you're looking for a budget vacuum then give this a close look because it also comes with […]Continue reading
In my previous VonHaus 2-in-1 review, I talked about a corded vacuum that looked like a cordless. This time it's for real, VonHaus has finally developed something without cords. At first glance you'd think it's an Electrolux Ergorapido that's because both of them used the same formula. Stick a handheld vacuum into a stick vacuum […]Continue reading
Good quality cordless stick vacuums normally run between $150 to over $400, what if I told you that I've found a hidden gen that costs just under $100. Yup, you heard that under $100 for a robust stick vac that will hold its own against its pricier counter parts. Let me introduce the Shark Navigator […]Continue reading
The Presto BH20090 is basically a hand vac attached in a stick vacuum's body, a concept that gives you two products in one package hence the name 2-in-1. The stick part comes with a swivel nozzle that makes it easy to move this around obstacles. The handheld part comes with 3 attachments that include a […]Continue reading
The Dirt Devil BD20035RED was released sometime 2008 and their main selling point was the AccuCharge system that is smart enough to detect when the battery is full. Once that happens it automatically reduces current to a trickle, just enough to maintain its charge without overheating the battery thus extending its service life. It doesn't […]Continue reading
The 96HX is the most expensive in the Quick-Up 96 series sold in Amazon at a little over $60, close to $20 more than the 96JZ that has an extra battery. Update: Right now that's not the case as the price has gone down below $40 in Amazon. All Quick Up series vacuums have the […]Continue reading
With the RapidClean 2-in-1 Ion, Eureka allows people to clean their floors, upholstery, tables and everything in between with just one product. This saves them a lot of valuable real estate in their home, especially for those who live in small flats. The RapidClean ION 240A is yet another Eureka 2-in-1 cordless but unlike the […]Continue reading
The Eureka Quick Up 96F is a bargain hunter's alternative to more expensive $100 plus dollar stick vacuums like the Rowenta Delta Force or the Hoover Linx Stick Platinum. If you have hardwood, linoleum, tiled or laminated floorming at home, the 96F will be a good addition to your cleaning arsenal. This isn't meant to […]Continue reading
Eureka's are known to make 2-in-1 vacuums that coverts from a stick vac you can use on floors to a handheld you can use on sofas, chairs, tables or other flat surfaces where a stick or an upright cleaner ins't practical. The Quick Up 96JZ is one of seven 2 in 1 Eureka vacuums I […]Continue reading


text:
Accepting Guests
- Last login about 8 hours ago
Join Couchsurfing to see DarkNstormy's full profile. It's free!
About Me
Although I have been member of CS since 2013, I have not used this media so far, as I was so busy with my job(due to the traveling). I am an engineer, working in sustainable energy field and travel a lot mostly in Europe due to my job. Personally, I am an easy-going person; I do not travel with many expectation because I love to experience the present moment as it reveals a spontaneous attitude. Last of all, I enjoy exploring, conversing, and laughing with new and old friends.
Intention, belief, constancy...
Why I'm on Couchsurfing
To explore different cultures and host as much people as I can...
I love exploring new culture whether it be in music, films, books, or art. I like spending my weekend around bosphorus as going out for drink with friends. I enjoy also doing sport, listening music and reading and travelling around the world mostly due to my job, which I like a lot.
One Amazing Thing I've Done
Life is already quite interesting and nobody can imagine what the future will bring. That is why, it does worth enjoying the world till the end...
What I Can Share with Hosts
U are always welcome:)
Countries I've Visited
Armenia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Chile, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Qatar, Switzerland
Countries I've Lived In
Georgia, Germany, Netherlands, Turkey


text:
Tommy Kelly brings durability to defensive line
Though he was signed by New England April 10, Wednesday was the first time defensive lineman Tommy Kelly met with reporters.
The longtime Raider is clearly happy to be with the Patriots, particularly after being part of an organization that went 45-99 in his nine seasons there.
But even though he received a two-year deal worth $5 million, Kelly isn't taking anything for granted.
Asked if the potential to be in the playoffs was part of the allure in coming to New England, Kelly said, "Yeah. But you know, I have to make the team first. Bill [Belichick] doesn't guarantee anybody anything. I have to make the team before I start thinking about that."
Kelly chuckled as he said that, but he already has seen players sent packing.
"You see how many people they get rid of around here?" he said, his eyes widening. "Make the team first, then worry about all that."
Listed at 6 feet 6 inches and around 300 pounds, Kelly has started 90 consecutive games; the last time he missed a game was in 2007. He prides himself on that durability.
"It's big when you play D-tackle," he said. "You have to be reliable. It's a physically draining and mentally draining position. So when you've got a guy you know you can depend on, that's what I pride myself on, is being dependable.
"And I'm going to give my teammates all I've got. If you're out there with someone you can rely on, it makes your job much easier."
Kelly projects to play alongside Vince Wilfork, and with Kyle Love and Brandon Deaderick gone, he could see his role expand.
The Mississippi native has a healthy amount of respect for his new teammate.
"Oh, I love Vince," Kelly said. "He makes my job much easier. He makes most of the line calls. It's easy to play with somebody who's got experience and can really, really play."
Kelly said Wilfork is a lunch-pail kind of player: reliable, consistent, a guy who will be out there every Sunday.
Though he didn't want to say much about his time with the Raiders, Kelly did shed some light on how he endured so many losing seasons (Oakland was 8-8 in 2010 and '11, the closest it came to a winning record in his time there).
"At the end of the day, your film is your résumé," he said. "So, you know, I don't care what's going on with the record. You've got to handle your business personally, or you won't have a job in this league.
"NFL stands for 'not for long.' If you're not handling your business, they'll get rid of you real quick."


text:
0 Rated
0 My Bookshelves
0 Recommendations
0 Notifications
Tim Menzies
ISBN: 9780128042069 | Format: PaperBack | Release Date: 13/07/2016
Earn up to 410 points when you purchase this title.
Check your local Dymocks store for stock.
Please note that prices may vary between www.dymocks.com.au and Dymocks Stores.
Perspectives on Data Science for Software Engineering"e; presents the best practices of seasoned data miners in software engineering. The idea for this book was created during the 2014 conference at Dagstuhl, an invitation-only gathering of leading computer scientists who meet to identify and discuss cutting-edge informatics topics.
At the 2014 conference, the concept of how to transfer the knowledge of experts from seasoned software engineers and data scientists to newcomers in the field highlighted many discussions. While there are many books covering data mining and software engineering basics, they present only the fundamentals and lack the perspective that comes from real-world experience. This book offers unique insights into the wisdom of the community s leaders gathered to share hard-won lessons from the trenches.
Ideas are presented in digestible chapters designed to be applicable across many domains. Topics included cover data collection, data sharing, data mining, and how to utilize these techniques in successful software projects. Newcomers to software engineering data science will learn the tips and tricks of the trade, while more experienced data scientists will benefit from war stories that show what traps to avoid. Presents the wisdom of community experts, derived from a summit on software analyticsProvides contributed chapters that share discrete ideas and technique from the trenchesCovers top areas of concern, including mining security and social data, data visualization, and cloud-based dataPresented in clear chapters designed to be applicable across many domains"e;
Perspectives on Data Science for Software Engineering
Elsevier Science & Technology Books
203.0 mm
Sub Title:
Management & Computers /
Publication Date:
228.0 mm
Be the First one to Review this Product
Order as many items as you want for one low delivery fee per order to an address in Australia. Sometimes not all items in your order are available for shipment at the same time, and items may be delivered separately. If we need to do this there is no extra charge to you.
^ The expected delivery time period after the order has been dispatched via your chosen delivery method.
+ All our estimates are based on business days and assume that shipping and delivery don't occur on holidays and weekends.
# Express is not available on all items.
~ Please note this service does not override the status timeframe "Dispatches in", and that the "Usually Dispatches In" timeframe still applies to all orders.
Once we receive your order we verify it, complete invoicing and prepare your item(s) before we dispatch them from our Sydney warehouse.
You will notice that each product page on the Web site includes an estimated delivery date range for Saver Delivery, as well as for Express Delivery if it is available for that product.
This Estimated Delivery date range is a combination of:
In addition to the estimated delivery date range, on the product page you will find how long an item will take to be dispatched.
Usually dispatches in Minutes
Digital downloads only
Usually dispatches next business day+
In stock at our warehouse.
Usually dispatches in 4-5 business days+
Order ships directly from our supplier. Please Note: Deliveries of items with this status cannot be tracked.
Usually dispatches in 5-14 business days+
Order placed with supplier, estimated arrival time to warehouse is 5-14 business days.
+ All our estimates are based on business days and assume that shipping and delivery don't occur on holidays and weekends.
The Estimate Delivery Date is when your order is expected to arrive at your chosen delivery location.
Once you have submitted your order you will receive confirmation and status update emails.
All our estimates are based on business days and assume that shipping and delivery don't occur on holidays and weekends.
Australia Post deliveries can be tracked on route with eParcel. You can track your delivery by going to http://auspost.com.au/track/track.html and entering your tracking number - your Order Shipped email will contain this information for each parcel.
You can track your delivery by going to http://sttrackandtrace.startrack.com.au/ using your consignment number. The consignment number is emailed to you along with the invoice at the time of shipment.
To track orders sent by DHL, go to http://www.dhl.com.au/en/express/tracking.html
Deliveries to destinations outside Australia are made by DHL courier, and cannot be made to post office boxes. Charges for international delivery destinations are available below. For international deliveries we will hold your order until we can send you all your items at once.
Up to 1kg
If your order weighs more than 1.0kg (2.2lb, roughly equivalent to 1 or 2 paperbacks), we'll let you know what your delivery charge will be, and seek your approval before sending your order.
Please note that some countries may charge the recipient duties on the 'import' of parcels from time-to-time. As these charges are the responsibility of the recipient, please check the customs service in your destination country to see if charges are applicable.
Remote areas: Please note that there may be a surcharge if shipping international orders to a remote area. You can check if the delivery address is in a remote area at http://raslist.dhl.com/jsp/first.jsp.
Reshipping: If your order is returned to us by the delivery company due to incorrect or insufficient delivery details, you will be charged the cost of reshipping the order. Please note that if the delivery address is incorrect and the order has been shipped, depending on the delivery option selected we may not be able to change the delivery address until the order has been returned.
In the event that the courier company fails to deliver your order due to invalid address information, they will return the order back to Dymocks Online.
Dymocks Online will do their best to ensure the information you have input is accurate. We cannot guarantee that your order will arrive at its destination if you have not provided correct address details and as much information as possible to assist the couriers when delivering e.g. company name, level, suite etc.
If your order has not yet been shipped you will need to send Dymocks Online an email advising the error and requesting a change in details. If your order has a status of "packed" or "shipped" we will not be able to guarantee any change in shipping details.
Unfortunately, you will be liable for any costs incurred in return to sender parcels if the information you provided was inaccurate.
To read our fantastic eBooks, you will need the Free Dymocks eReader App.Select an option below:
I already have the Dymocks eReader App
Welcome to Dymocks, Australia's leading bookseller for 135 years.


text:
Ghostscript is the well-known PostScript interpreter which is available for
all common and most esoteric platforms and supports many different printers
and some displays.
This port install the fontpacks with the Type1 fonts ready for X use with
Adobe foundries.
WWW: http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/doc/gnu/index.htm
make generate-plist
To install the port: cd /usr/ports/print/gsfonts/ && make install cleanTo add the package: pkg install gsfonts
cd /usr/ports/print/gsfonts/ && make install clean
pkg install gsfonts
PKGNAME: gsfonts
SHA256 (ghostscript/ghostscript-fonts-std-8.11.tar.gz) = 0eb6f356119f2e49b2563210852e17f57f9dcc5755f350a69a46a0d641a0c401
SIZE (ghostscript/ghostscript-fonts-std-8.11.tar.gz) = 3752871
SHA256 (ghostscript/gnu-gs-fonts-other-6.0.tar.gz) = 8146cccc4699fe9dab841446bdd17039f4769c903eceb54409188b920754aab3
SIZE (ghostscript/gnu-gs-fonts-other-6.0.tar.gz) = 796086
This port is required by:
===> The following configuration options are available for gsfonts-8.11_8:
DOCS=on: Build and/or install documentation
===> Use 'make config' to modify these settings
Number of commits found: 27
Revert r427895. The symlinks to Japanese and Chinese fonts are
provided to normalize the font names into standardized ones, and to
make the users be able to install the actual font files into
the location pointed by them. japanese/font-std and chinese/font-std
will install ones which can be redistributed freely, and one can install
commercial font files instead. To avoid installing big Japanese and
Chinese font files for people who do not need them, this port does not
have explicit runtime dependency on japanese/font-std or chinese/font-std.
Add missing runtime dependencies
When there is a do-install target, do not use a post-install target, do
everything at once. Sometime, rename post-install into a options helper
I did not fix ports that were such a mess that I could not figure out
what they really wanted to do. I also did not change ports that had
some version of an auto-plist code in post-install, for the same reason.
With hat: portmgr
Sponsored by: Absolight
Cleanup plist
- Stage support
Fix properties on pkg-plist
Add NO_STAGE all over the place in preparation for the staging support (cat:
Use an old version of IPA fonts as Ryumin-Light and GothicBBB-Medium for
Ghostscript 7. This is because the latest version is not compatible with
.optnttcidfont directive. The other versions of Ghostscript use the new
- Update MASTER_SITES.
- Trim old-style header.
- Use OPTIONS_DEFINE.
- Kick MD5 Support
japanese/font-std, chinese/font-std, and dependency fixups due
to it have been added. These are to install standard fonts used in the
Ports Collection. Currently they contain:
under ${PREFIX}/share/fonts/. They are just symlinks to
corresponding font files. The symlink names are based on popular
PostScript font names.
Applications should refer the font files via XLFD or fontconfig
first. If they need a direct reference to the font file, please use
files in std.*/*. This is because direct reference to a specific
font name in an application configuration file makes the maintenance
difficult when the font file name is changed, for example.
Cleanup ghostscript-gnu-commfont and related CJK font support meta ports.
Changes include:
- Set WITH_GHOSTSCRIPT_GNU forcibly.
- Use PostScript virtual fonts to handle CJK CID/TT-CID emulated fonts.
CIDFnmap still works but when a font is both in Resource/Font or
Resource/CIDFont and in CIDFnmap, the former entry will be used.
For the actual font mapping, see files in Resource/CIDFont/*.
So, note that you need to remove (or rename) the virtual font if you use
CIDFnmap for the moment. This is still a transitional measure and
more consistent font management thoughout the ports collection should
be added later.
This is just an internal structural change; default font mapping has
not been changed.
- Add Chinese font support to print/gsfonts (but no dependency added).
Use japanese/ipa-ttfonts as the default Japanese TrueType
font if any (i.e. no dependency added). Bump PORTREVISION.
Use SUB_FILES instead of post-patch commands.
PR: ports/97223
Submitted by: Ports Fury
Add mirror sites to the MASTER_SITES.
Utilize PORTDOCS.
Replace ugly "@unexec rmdir %D... 2>/dev/null || true" with @dirrmtry
Approved by: krion@
PR: ports/88711 (related)
- Add SHA256
Squish share/ghostscript directory whenever possible
Found by: tinderbox building gnome 2.10b2 packages
Gsfonts port fails to generate a valid fonts.dir file on 5.X (and higher)
systems due to a sed change. As a temporary workaround for 5.3, add a
statically generated fonts.dir file, and also install the fonts.scale.urw
Submitted by: Jose M Rodriguez <firstname.lastname@example.com>
Approved by: portmgr (implicit)
* Fix the dependencies after the recent hostscript update
* Since korean/hlatexfonts-ocf still requires the Fontmap, install the
Fontmap file from ghostscript-gnu's lib/Fontmap.GS
Submitted by: Jose M Rodriguez <firstname.lastname@example.com>
- Update to fonts included in ghostscript-8.11
PR: ports/67516
Submitted by: Jose M Rodriguez <email@example.com>
Use ${DISTDIR}/${DIST_SUBDIR} instead of ${DISTDIR}
Submitted by: Kevin Oberman <firstname.lastname@example.com>
Update to 6.0
Submitted by: "Pedro F. Giffuni" <email@example.com>
Convert category print to new layout.
Add BUILD_DEPENDS to appropriate version of X depending on the value of
Servers and bandwidth provided byNew York Internet, SuperNews, and RootBSD
1 vulnerabilities affecting 7 ports have been reported in the past 14 days
* - modified, not new
All vulnerabilities


text:
Janey Reynolds
Studio: HotOldmoviesCWMH
Approximate Running Time: 00:10:43
Watch This Movie
Pay Per Minute Streaming Video
Don't you just love models? Janey Reynolds is a cute busty brunette that is a pleasure to lay the eyes on. She wears a see through shear top that she slowly takes off for you in a strip tease that shows her big natural tits. Janey continues to model and pose for you showing off all her greatest assets while leaving one part of her body covered for your imagination. Janey will turn you on from beginning to end with her sex appeal!
Categories: Classics -> Vintage & 8Mm Softcore -> Vintage Appearance -> Big Tits -> Natural Appearance -> Big Tits Quickies


text:
June 14 (Reuters) - Israel-based RedHill Biopharma Ltd said its experimental drug for the treatment of gastroenteritis met the main goal in a late-stage study.
The trial tested the efficacy and safety of the drug, bekinda, versus a placebo, in 321 adults and children over the age of 12.
Gastroenteritis - inflammation of the stomach and intestines that causes vomiting and diarrhea - is a very common illness in the United States, with about 179 million cases annually, the company said. (Reporting by Natalie Grover in Bengaluru)


text:
City Gate Motel
Select your stay dates to check availability at City Gate Motel
City Gate Motel
About the Hotel
Property Location
Located in South Tamworth, City Gate Motel is convenient to Tamworth Regional Entertainment Conference Centre and Tamworth Golf Course. This motel is within close proximity of Longyard Golf Course and Australian Country Music Hall of Fame.
Make yourself at home in one of the guestrooms featuring microwaves. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Conveniences include coffee/tea makers and irons/ironing boards, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Rec, Spa, Premium Amenities
Make use of convenient amenities, which include complimentary wireless Internet access and a picnic area.
Take advantage of the motel's room service (during limited hours).
Business, Other Amenities
Featured amenities include express check-out and laundry facilities. Free self parking is available onsite.
Hotel Facilities
- Picnic area
- Breakfast available (surcharge)
- Smoke-free property
- Free self parking
- Front desk (limited hours)
- Express check-out
- Laundry facilities
- Free WiFi
Room Facilities
- Daily housekeeping
- Cable TV service
- Iron/ironing board
- Free toiletries
- Premium TV channels
- Free WiFi
- Microwave
- Room service (limited hours)
- Private bathroom
- Television
- Coffee/tea maker
Hotel Policy
National Rating
This Motel property is rated 3.0 stars.
Know Before You Go
- This property allows pets in specific rooms only (surcharges apply and can be found in the Fees section). Guests can request one of these rooms by contacting the property directly, using the contact information on the booking confirmation.
The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check-in, or check-out.
- Breakfast fee: AUD 6.00 per person (approximately)
- Pet fee: AUD 10 per accommodation, per day
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.Show all hotel policy Show less hotel policy


text:
Need Wig Accessories?
3 customer reviews
LoveeeeBy MissBeckyy August 06, 2016
This was my first wig purchase ever ! I wanted to see how blonde would look on me and this wig was PERFECT! It's so pretty and I got SOOO many compliments on it, it made me want to go blonde forreal ! But I just throw it on and it's an instant glam. People really thought it was my own hair, even though it is synthetic but the quality of it is really good.Great price. Fast shipping. New loyal customer right here thanks Divatress !
Color DRBGBy MonieKat June 10, 2016
I loved the Wig!
i love this unitBy queent April 10, 2016
this unit comes in an array of colors. I purchased her in 5 different colors. The color I am wearing is DRBG. The cap construction is good. It fits firmly. No shedding, and no tangling. Buy her. You can't go wrong with this unit


text:
Vanessa Luna sucking biggest rod
Duration: 4min 58sec Views: 9 565 Submitted: 3 years ago Submitted by:
Description: This week on Backroom Facials we have a real live wire. Her name is Vanessa Luna and she obviously has something to prove. After revealing her mind blowing body, this tasty hottie starts dining on this porn agent's big cock point of view.
Pornstars: Vanessa Luna


text:
Fradella's Collision Center - Northshore
Review for Fradella's Collision Center - Northshore
Christopher T. on 08/01/2012
Christopher said everything came out real well. The timeline was long, but insurance took care of the rental car. Everything went great and the people were helpful. He chose this business based on all the positive traffic he sees entering and leaving it on his commute.
Category: Collision
Service Date: 07/27/2012
Review Created: 08/01/2012
This review was collected via phone interview by Customer Research Inc.


text:
Some of our favourite things about France are Audrey Tautou, Romain Duris and cinematic love stories.
Combine all of the above and you have Mood Indigo – the astonishingly beautiful new film from master-of-weird Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Science of Sleep).
The first trailer has just been released and, although there are no subtitles, it blew us away. Mood Indigo opens in France in April, so stay tuned for more details of an Australian release.


text:
Don't miss your chance to see Luke Bryan in Bossier City! Check out the schedule below for the concert date of your choice, then buy your Luke Bryan Bossier City tickets before they sell out!
Looking for Luke Bryan tickets in other cities? View all Luke Bryan tickets »
Sorry! We couldn't find any events for Luke Bryan in Bossier City.
If you were searching to see if Luke Bryan is coming to Bossier City, then you're in luck! For their latest tour, Luke Bryan will indeed hold a concert in Bossier City. Have an awesome concert experience when you go to see Luke Bryan in Bossier City. Get your Luke Bryan tickets Bossier City and join fellow fans for a concert to remember!


text:
Wednesday, 4 May 2016
Lately parenting is more Aaaahhh! not Awww
14 comments:
Oh yes, I never thought the little ones were the hardest, I still think the challenge has yet to come in teenagerdom!ReplyDelete
Oh golly. I remember three was hard and I always wondered WHY is it called the terrible twos when two is blissful and it's actually threenagers that are a nightmare. Now mine is nearly six he can be an absolute pleasure but we have out moments like last night where he was SO disobedient. I wish he listened as much to me as to his Teacher. Getting locked out would have been very frightening for me. I can imagine it only too well as Aaron once accidentally locked me in the garden shed and it was only the two of us at home. So so so so very glad he used the water when it was tepid. I physically sighed a breath of relief at that xxReplyDelete
My son locked me out when he was 2 yrs old and his sister just 6 months old. I'd only gone out to hang out the washing while the baby slept and he locked the back door...I had to climb in through the window. I did survive the teenage years though, just about. Then I celebrated by having three more babies...glutten for punishment, lol. I'm glad yours didn't come to any harm though.ReplyDelete
My eldest has just become a teenager and that brings with it a whole new playing field. However my experience so far is that the rocky bumps do smooth out. Good luck with it all!ReplyDelete
Every stage has its challenges, I think. I don't really wish mine were little again - I think it's more fun now (even when they lose their keys!)ReplyDelete
So funny! I think each stage has various challenges too, and the best thing is that even when they decide to do various "interesting" things, we inevitably laugh about them at some later stage! :DReplyDelete
I agree as they get older the issues get bigger! I guess at least communication is bit easier as they get older though I am dreading the moody teenager! xReplyDelete
I have learned this too, the older they get the more they actually need mum and dad. I have learned that if I set boundaries they will push against them!ReplyDelete
It's one of the biggest parenting secrets ever. Childhood is all about pushing boundaries and it never stops...at any age and it certainly doesn't get easier. They need us just as much as they get older.ReplyDelete
I'm afraid it doesn't get any easier!ReplyDelete
My two are 13 and 11 now and even though I'd say they were pretty easy kids to parent, I still have moments when I doubt myself x
It doesnt get easier does it!! My eldest is 19 and still a pest at times!ReplyDelete
This made me chuckle - Isaac is 8 and I have just started letting him play outside. I have to say that as a parent of tots and teens - the teens are harder work (sorry)ReplyDelete
It scares me with all of the issues to come with growing independence! The worry never ends does it?!ReplyDelete
I have an 8 year old who is fiercely independant and 3 smaller ones too. I love the challenges, even the tricky ones.ReplyDelete


text:
SBH Modern Cross Head ANGLED Valves-pair
The SBH Modern Cross Head ANGLED Valves offer contemporary styling to compliment suitable designer radiators, available in a chrome finish they are an essential accessory for any radiator installation
- Chrome Finish
- Modern Design
- 15mm Inlet and Outlet
- 1 Year SBH Guarantee
- Manufactured from the best quality materials
- Delivery 3-4 working days
Due to the amount of options available with valves, our Radiators don't come with them as standard.
As Valves can be confusing we have a simple guide below to explain further the choices available.
The kind of Valves you need will depend on the position of your pipes, and where they connect to your radiator:
- If the pipes come up from the floor and they connect to the bottom of your radiator - you need straight valves.
- If the pipes come up from the floor and connect to the side of your radiator - you need angled valves.
- If the pipes come out of the wall and connect to the bottom or side of your radiator - you need corner valves
Then you will need to decide on how you want the radiator to be heated:
- If you want the temperature controlled by your main thermostat - then you need a Manual Valve
- If you want to be able to control your new radiator independantly of the main thermostat - then you need a Thermostatic Valve
Please click here for our range of Valves
If you want to speak to someone regarding the correct valve choice please call 01803 450330


text:
For the weight conscious adventurer, choosing a lightweight bag is a easy way to lower the overall weight of your gear, and some situations, a weather resistant winter bag can eliminate the need for a tent or a bivy sack. For cold weather camping in the front country, the right down bag can keep you warm and comfy, and still be light and packable enough for shorter trips in the backcountry. Read on to find out what features you need from a cold weather bag and check out which bags we recommend in the Best Winter Down Bags article.
The Anatomy of a Down Bag
Baffle Construction
The bags in our 2017 selection all use continuous baffle construction. The Feathered Friends Snowbunting, the Western Mountaineering Versalite, Western Mountaineering Antelope MF, the Mountain Hardwear Phantom Torch 3 the Rab Ascent 900 and the Kelty Cosmic Down 0 employ traditional horizontal baffles to keep the down distributed throughout the bag. This allows for you to shift more down towards the bottom of the bag so you can still sleep comfortably at warmer temperatures, but also could create cold spots if you're not mindful of the where down is distributed.
The Brooks Range Drift -10 and the Big Agnes Storm King 0 use a vertical baffle design called the Insotech Flow. This design features tiny nets arranged incrementally along each baffle, allowing for airflow and heat distribution, but holds the down in place to eliminate cold spots. The Nemo Sonic and the Marmot Col have a hybrid design of vertical and horizontal baffles, allowing for more airflow in some areas, and keeping the down evenly distributed in key spots.
Most heat loss occurs through the head, therefore, a snug fitting, well insulated hood is essential for a warm night's sleep. When weight is a concern, a head hugging hood like the one on the Feathered Friends Snowbunting is a warm, efficient choice. The wider hood designs on the Mountain Hardwear Torch 3 and the Nemo Sonic are great for folks who are spending many nights in a row in their bags and prefer a variety of sleeping positions. When you are trying on a sleeping bag, cinch the hood all the way up and pay attention to how much of your face is exposed. How does it feel when you turn your head to the side? Do you primarily sleep on your side or your back? If you are primarily a side sleeper, then you'll probably prefer a bag with a deeper, wider hood.
Draft Collar
The draft collar is an insulated tube that fits around your neck and hopefully fits snuggly under your chin. All the winter down bags have draft collars to prevent cold air from entering through the hood. The Western Mountaineering Antelope MF and the Feathered Friends Snowbunting have thick, lofty draft collars with their own dedicated cinch cord and closure system. The Mountain Hardwear Phantom Torch uses one round cord for the hood and a flat cord for the collar so you can easily discern them in the dark. The Brooks Range Drift has a simple but effective draft collar that shares a cinch cord with the hood, but typically the best collars have their own, independent cinch cords.
Draft Tube
A full length draft tube is critical to guard you from cold air and moisture that enter the bag through the zipper. We feel that the most effective draft tubes have ample amounts of insulation and hang down over the zipper, like the draft tubes on the Western Mountaineering bags or the Feathered Friends Snowbunting. The Nemo Sonic and the Marmot Col -20 have two draft tubes, located above and below the zipper. Our testers found that this design is less effective and it causes the zipper to snag more.
Tighter fitting footboxes are more thermally efficient and will keep your feet warmer than wider footbox, but a wider footbox makes room for water bottles and boots. The Kelty Cosmic Down and the Feathered Friends Snowbunting have narrow, toasty footboxes, while the Marmot Col -20, the Nemo Sonic, and the Rab Ascent 900 feature more room. The Marmot Col reinforces the interior of the footbox with a thicker fabric to protect the insulation from moisture on your boots.
The best zippers have some type of stiff strip lining on either side. The Western Mountaineering Antelope MF and the Western Mountaineering Versalite have the best zippers of all the bags we tested. They glided easily zip after zip, and never (not once!) snagged. Snagged zippers can usually be mitigated by carefully holding the draft tube out of the way with one hand, while working the zipper with the other. This isn't convenient if you're trying to get out of your bag quickly in the dark, especially with gloved hands. Regardless, make sure your shell fabric doesn't get stuck in the zipper, as careless tugging could rip a hole in the shell fabric.
Stash pockets are useful for keeping headlamps, batteries and phones warm and easily accessible in the dark. The Mountain Hardwear Phantom Torch 3 and The North Face Inferno -20 have small, conveniently located pockets inside the bag over the left side of the chest. Our testers had difficulty finding the pockets on the Marmot Col and the Nemo Sonic in the dark. Alternatively, some folks find the stash pocket annoying when they're moving around inside the bag, and it is easy to keep your small items warm in a sack shoved in the bottom of the bag. When trying out a bag with a stash pocket, try to access the pocket with your eyes closed, and put your phone or wallet in there to see how it might affect your slumber.
Shell Fabrics
Most winter down bags have shell fabrics with some degree of water resistance. Bags with higher denier fabric and a DWR treatment like the Marmot Col -20 are going to be the most weather resistant, but the lighter shell fabrics on the Brooks Range Drift -10, the Western Mountaineering Versalite, and the Mountain Hardwear Phantom Torch 3 proved to be adequately water resistant enough to withstand frozen precip. If you plan on sleeping exposed without a tent or bivy sack, consider a more weather resistant bag, just know that lightweight weatherproof fabrics are more expensive. If you're carrying a tent, then your bag only needs to be water resistant enough to resist condensation.
Types of Down
Down insulation is made from the tiny, fluffy particles that are found beneath a bird's feathers. The highest quality down comes from geese. Down's quality is measured in fill power, which is the number of cubic inches displaced by 1 ounce of down. The higher the quality of the down insulation, the better the bag's warmth-to-weight ratio will be. 900 fill power is best down available, and the Feathered Friends Snowbunting is the only bag in our 2017 review that has certified 900 fill down. The other top dogs in the review all feature at least 800 fill power down. The Rab Ascent 900 and the Kelty Cosmic 0 use down insulation from ducks. This type of down is generally much less expensive and has a lower fill power. These bags are as warm as some of their high fill power goose down equipped competitors, but are significantly heavier. If weight is less of a concern for your winter camping missions, a bag with duck down can keep you warm and save you a few hundred bucks.
Down can be harvested in a variety of ways. Some birds are killed for their down and meat, while others are killed solely for their down. Some birds, geese in particular, are live plucked of their breast feathers. Others, such as the eider duck, line their nests with down, making harvest a pain free process. Animal rights activists consider live-plucking to be a cruel and painful process, especially because it happens regularly. Some companies do not use down from live-plucked geese or down harvested from animals that were force-fed in order to produce foie gras. Some of the smallest premium companies, such as Western Mountaineering, source the highest down from geese that aren't live-plucked or force fed; they collect naturally shed down from molting. Animal lovers and vegans might consider avoiding down products or purchasing them from a company such as Western Mountaineering that guarantees no harm to animals.
Down Quality Has Not Improved Over Time
Fill power ratings have increased over time as fill power testing procedures have changed. Fill power ratings represent the maximum potential performance under ideal laboratory conditions, i.e. after a one ounce sample of down has gone through a five-day "spa retreat" of washing and drying and fluffing. Geese have not developed better ways to produce down. We've simply improved our ability to test down's potential performance under ideal conditions. The result is that fill ratings today are roughly 130 points higher than they were fifteen years ago even though the down is the same.
Hydrophobic Down
Hydrophobic coated down has the potential to radically address down insulation's only drawback- its susceptibility to loft loss from moisture. Nano technology coatings claim to prevent down from absorbing water and allow it to dry out faster once it does absorb water. Hydrophobic coatings have the potential to make a very good thing even better. But how much better and is it worth the additional 10% price increase? The Kelty Cosmic Down 0, the Rab Ascent 900, the Big Agnes Storm King 0, and the Brooks Range Drift -10 all use some form of hydrophobic down. As of now, we haven't developed a way to test whether or not hydrophobic down significantly affects the re-lofting and drying times of the sleeping bags that use it. Currently, the weather resisting properties of shell fabrics are the key, observable factors that affect how much water a bag absorbs, or how fast it dries.
Caring for your Winter Down Bag
The single most important thing you can do to extend the life of your down bag is to store it as fully lofted as possible. Western Mountaineering includes huge storage sacks with their extremely lofty bags. If your bag is even slightly compressed in its storage sack, get a bigger one! For cleaning your bag, use a mild soap designed for cleaning down garments and sleeping bags. Do not use harsh detergents that could affect the DWR treatment on the shell or the relofting properties on the insulation.
Simple precautions like sleeping on a lightweight tarp will help protect your bag from abrasions and puncture wounds. If your bag does have an unfortunate encounter with a sharp rock or stick, or gets caught in a zipper, immediately patch it with whatever is available to prevent down loss. When you get out of the field you can apply a more permanent patch job, and most manufacturers offer repair services at a reasonable price.
EN Testing: Why We Don't Rely On It
The European Norm 13537 is a standardized test that measures warmth. The test uses a copper mannequin, fitted with 20 sensors, that wears long underwear and socks, and lies on top of a thin sleeping pad and an elevated 12mm thick wood platform. The mannequin lies inside of a sleeping bag in a temperature-controlled room while its sensors and mathematical models attempt to estimate the products warmth. Results from EN testing provide us with three numbers:
Comfort Limit: based on a standard woman having a comfortable night of sleep.
Lower Limit: the lowest temperature a standard man can sleep comfortably.
Extreme Rating: a survival rating for a standard woman.
Note that women generally sleep colder than men. All women's specific sleeping pads and some bags are slightly warmer than their standard counterparts.
The problem with standardized tests of all types is that they only measure how well a person or product does on the test, and the test may have little to no correlation to how well that person or a product performs in real world conditions. Thus, EN testing only measures how well one performs on the EN test. Is EN testing similar to real world conditions? Yes and no. Most people sleep on their backs, the position the mannequin is in, but not everyone has the same body type as the mannequin, and the EN sleeping pad is nowhere near as warm as those used by most people today.
For example, thin closed cell pads like the one used in EN testing, generally have an R-value around 1. Modern lightweight inflatable pads like the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite (R-value 3.2) are 300%+ warmer. The warmer a pad is the less insulation you need beneath you, and the less insulation the lighter the sleeping bag. Therefore, ones with little or no insulation on the bottom have poor EN scores. Yet many of us want the lightest ones possible…
Many of OutdoorGearLab's highest rated contenders are not EN tested. This is because: 1) they're made by small companies that can't afford the expensive test (Marmot, for example, ships bags to a lab in Norway for testing) 2) some companies may not believe EN testing provides their customers with valuable information, and 3) a design may not be compatible with the test.
For example, quilts and all non-traditional bags might not have hoods or insulation on the bottom. Furthermore, factors like and individual's body type, clothing, sleeping pad warmth, type of shelter, and food and drink can all affect one's sleeping experience. And, above all, how it fits your body has more influence on warmth than any other bag-specific attribute. We do not believe EN testing is a useful method to compare warmth across a wide range of bag types. Instead, we rely on our testers' assessment of warmth.
Most of our testers have spent so much time playing and sleeping outdoors (years) that they know exactly how their body performs in various conditions and how those conditions will influence how warm they are at night. For example, after v hours of w type of exercise with x to eat and drink, y clothing, and z weather, our testers can assess the warmth and compare it to previous experiences with other bags after just a few nights. We believe this method is better at comparing a variety of types than EN testing.


text: Learning Chinese is not just about studying books, doing homework and memorizing vocabulary, but also about having fun. So go ahead and use the learning resources below and study Chinese for free with LTL. If you have any questions or feedback regarding the learning materials on this page, please email us on firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
Original paper
Staurosira grigorszkyi nom. nov. (Bacillariophyceae) an araphid diatom from Lake Balaton, Hungary, with notes on Fragilaria hungarica Pantocsek
Á cs, É va Morales; Kiss, Keve T.; Bolla, Beáta; Plenković -Moraj, Andjelka; Reskóné, Mária N.; Ector, Luc
Nova Hedwigia Band 89 Heft 3-4 (2009), p. 469 - 483
published: Nov 1, 2009
ArtNo. ESP050008903013, Price: 29.00 €
Epilithon and epiphyton samples collected from Lake Balaton (Hungary) in 2006 and 2007 contained, as dominant, specimens similar to those described in 1902 by Pantocsek as Fragilaria hungarica. Since Pantocsek had previously used the name F. hungarica in 1892 for a fossil taxon from Deménd (Slovakia), the Lake Balaton specimens required a new name. Additionally, information collected during this study, using light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), supports the transfer of the specimens from Lake Balaton to the genus Staurosira Ehrenberg. The nomenclatural consequences from Pantocsek's dual use of the name F. hungarica, are solved herein by the proposal of the new name Staurosira grigorszkyi nom. nov.


text:
Profile Created for Self
25 years/ 5Ft. 7In. (170 cm)
Bachelor Degree
Never Married
Business / Consultant
Lives in India, Punjab, Lud...
Sikh, Arora
Detailed profile
About MI-332287
My Self Upen I M a Good Looking and Caring Honest Faithfull An I Love ........ Life is a Blessing as I Beleive An I Love all Kind of Peopl... Read More
All Rights Reserved - MatrimonialsIndia.Com (2000)
Web Design by WeblinkIndia.NET


text:
Movember: Hot Pants Lance
|Share the love...
|Now that I have your attention…Hot Pants Lance likes to dance but Hot Pants Lance also likes to take care of his body. He gets regular check ups at the doctor and he dances for excerise…awwww yeah! All the males in your life should be like Lance (no, I'm not talking about the hot pants, but whatever floats your boat). Make sure they get regular check ups and take care of their mental health.
Ghilie stitched up the party boy for the Lances in her life. I sure hope they look as good as this little cutie.
To get healthy tips and resources, check out Movember's resource page.


text:
First Tutors enables you to find a local greek (ancient) tutor in Andover and across the UK. Private greek (ancient) tuition is an excellent way to improve confidence while increasing grades and doesn't have to be boring! Please use our service to search for Andover greek (ancient) tutors and select the one who best fits your requirements.
First Tutors is the best place to find the top Andover greek (ancient) tutors for your needs, enabling you to find a private Andover greek (ancient) tutor for any subject, for example, GCSE English, A-Level Maths or even university Physics. We also help with language tuition, so if you want to learn Spanish, take a Arabic course or prepare yourself for French life, we can help - and all in Andover! We order greek (ancient) Andover tutors in your area according to their greek (ancient) tuition charges and proximity to you.
If you are a Andover greek (ancient) teacher wanting to offer your private greek (ancient) tuition services in Andover or anywhere else across the UK, please register with First Tutors or find out more about what we offer here. Home greek (ancient) tuition is a fantastic way to re-affirm your greek (ancient) knowledge while helping someone else, all in your local Andover area!