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Thursday, Apr 15, 2010, 3:01 pm
GOP Blocks Financial Reform As Millions Lose Homes
The GOP launched its assault on financial reform this week with bogus populist rhetoric about trying to stop taxpayer bailouts, all borrowed from Frank Luntz's strategy memo with the same talking points. Of course, the mild, loophole-laden legislation doesn't use taxpayer money, but a tax on the financial industry, to close down financial institutions that are dangerously large and about to fail.
As Heather Booth, the director of the 200-group Americans for Financial Reform, says, "Calling a bill that will rein in the big banks and hold Wall Street accountable a 'bailout' bill is a page right from the dishonest and untrustworthy playbook of Wall Street and opponents of reform. If these vocal Senators truly want to end 'too big to fail', why don't they support breaking up the banks?"
Yet even though Democrats, progressives and even Sen. Mitch McConnell's hometown paper are attacking McConnell and the GOP, that doesn't mean that the financial reform measure under consideration will do anything directly to help the millions of Americans who have already lost or on track to lose their homes due to a deregulated, predatory financial industry that wrecked the economy.
It's also not at all clear that Democrats, who have always been incapable of challenging fear-based smear campaigns from the Swift-Boating of John Kerry to the "death panels" charge aimed at healthcare reform, will be able to do a better job this time around challenging GOP talking points. They're just counting, as usual, on well-reasoned rebuttals and a supposedly supportive mainstream media to do their job for them in challenging lies, while running ads that still don't go for the jugular against the GOP and their corporate allies.
Indeed, the same big banks being aided by Republicans in resisting reform are also snubbing -- even after trillions in bailouts and guarantees-- virtually all of the weak federal efforts to "encourage" them to lower the amount owed by homeowners. So let's recap: after looting the federal treasury to help pay for their excesses that brought on the crisis, the banks and Wall Street firms are enlisting Republicans and some Democrats to kill financial reform while also ignoring federal mortgage relief programs and stiffing homeowners whose inability to meet mortgage payments are due in large part to those same firms' reckless acts.
At Congressional hearings on Tuesday, as The New York Times reported:
In a rebuff to the Obama administration, two big banks on Tuesday drew a line in the sand on cutting the mortgage balances of beleaguered homeowners, saying that the tool would be applied sparingly.
The idea of reducing loan principals last month became a centerpiece of the administration's efforts to help seven million households threatened with foreclosure. But an official at one of the banks, David Lowman of JPMorgan Chase, said principal reduction could reward households for consuming more than they could afford, might punish future homeowners by raising the cost of borrowing and in any case was simply unworkable.
"We are concerned about large-scale broad-based principal reduction programs," Mr. Lowman, the bank's chief executive for home lending, testified during a hearing of the House Financial Services committee.
With that attitude, it's not surprising that federal efforts so far have been such a flop. And there's little sign that the Treasury department will do more to force the banks to write-down mortgage payments owed, as opposed to "gently" encouraging them to participate with a few thousand dollars in incentives per mortgage that are chump change to banks and their outsourced, profit-hungry mortgage servicing companies.
And as Elizabeth Warren pointed out on the Rachel Maddow show, the original TARP bailout program was supposed to help the economy, including homeowners, not just banks:
We are now 15 months after Treasury has announced its program and tried to get it up and running. And...167,000 families have gotten into some kind of modification...But just to put that in some context, every single month, 200,000 families are posted for foreclosure. That's where we stand right now. 167,000 over 15 months have received assistance under this program. And every month, 200,000 families are posted for foreclosure.
Warren's Congressional oversight panel on TARP issued a grim report on the government's failures so far, and even new White House efforts to fix the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) could even worsen the prospects for the jobless.
The oversight panel reported (via the the Economist Populist blog): "In 2009, 2.8 million homeowners received a foreclosure notice, and nearly one in four homeowners with a mortgage currently has negative equity." Indeed, 75% of people enrolled in the floundering program still owe more than their homes are worth.
As the new Congressional oversight report said:
HAMP typically does not reduce the total principal balance of a mortgage, meaning that a borrower who was underwater before receiving a HAMP modification will likely remain underwater afterward. Many borrowers will eventually re-default and face foreclosure.
On top of all that, supposed reforms proposed by the Obama administration that aim to make it easier for people to sell their homes or reduce their payments don't seem likely to have much impact. In March, as the Los Angeles Times reported:
In a renewed bid to stave off foreclosures, the Obama administration will propose measures Friday to give some jobless homeowners a three-month break on payments and give lenders more incentives to reduce the principal on delinquent loans.
The new measures come on top of a series of steps administration officials announced Thursday to fortify their $75-billion effort to modify mortgages and reduce foreclosures. To date, those efforts have focused on giving lenders cash incentives to ease payments by extending the payout period for loans.
The initiative to give jobless homeowners a reprieve on payments and to entice lenders to cut the principal was disclosed to a knowledgeable industry official, who did not want to be quoted publicly in advance of the plan's unveiling.
"These program adjustments will better assist responsible homeowners who have been affected by the economic crisis through no fault of their own," an Obama administration official said.
The new steps by the administration amount to an acknowledgment that the year-old program hasn't done enough. By the end of December, it had permanently lowered monthly payments for only about 170,000 borrowers out of the expected 3 million to 4 million it was aimed at covering through 2012.
How's that been working out?
Liz Ryan-Murray, the senior policy director of National People's Action that is helping mobilize an April 29th Wall Street protest, observes, "The fixes are too little by a long stretch, and don't do anything to address unemployed homeowners." What's missing, she contends, from all the current administration approaches to this crisis is any mandatory requirement on the banks to to write down the principal owed and the required monthly payments.
One major problem is that in a little-noticed Kafkaesque twist under the new rules, the jobless can't count their unemployment benefits as income towards renegotiating their mortgages. As McClatchy newspapers reported this week:
Recent changes to the federal foreclosure-prevention program were billed as helping the unemployed, but in the long run, they actually make it harder for people without jobs to keep their homes.
When the new rules go into effect, unemployment benefits will no longer count as income for determining whether a person qualifies for a long-term reduction in their mortgage payments.
So for people with no income other than unemployment, there will be no loan modifications - the chief tool for preventing foreclosures.
"It's ridiculous how impractical the guidelines ... are," said Al Ripley, an attorney with the N.C. Justice Center. "They truly do not address the needs of unemployed people."
This program is the centerpiece of the $75 billion federal effort launched in February 2009 to stem foreclosures. President Barack Obama has said HAMP - the Home Affordable Modification Program - would help 3 million to 4 million people avoid foreclosure through 2012.
But low numbers of long-term modifications drive criticism that the U.S. Treasury program is flawed, and that lenders do a poor job of implementing it.
To be sure, the HAMP changes will provide short-term help for unemployed homeowners. Lenders and mortgage servicers will be required to give at least three months of lower mortgage payments for people receiving unemployment benefits. The temporary reduction could last as long as six months
What's actually happening to homeowners is that the foreclosure tsunami long warned about is already well underway.
As the Economist Populist blog recounted the damage that neither the Treasury Department nor proposed financial reforms will do anything, in practice, to fix:
"RealtyTrac® ... today released its U.S. Foreclosure Market Report™ for Q1 2010, which shows that foreclosure filings -- default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions -- were reported on 932,234 properties in the first quarter, a 7 percent increase from the previous quarter and a 16 percent increase from the first quarter of 2009. One in every 138 U.S. housing units received a foreclosure filing during the quarter."Foreclosure filings were reported on 367,056 properties in March, an increase of nearly 19 percent from the previous month, an increase of nearly 8 percent from March 2009 and the highest monthly total since RealtyTrac began issuing its report in January 2005.
California had the most foreclosures with 216,000, accounting for 23% of the nation's total. Florida was second with 153,500.
Nevada had the highest foreclosure rate for the 13th straight quarter at 1 in every 33 homes. Arizona was second with 1 in every 49 homes...
The disaster, in other words is already here, and Washington isn't responding. The rest of us will pay the cost as jobless and foreclosures continue, and the value of neighborhood homes plunges as the wave of foreclosures continue. As Elizabeth Warren summed up Tuesday what this failure to prevent foreclosures has meant to the entire economy (hat tip to Democratic Underground ):
In a sense, what this program was is incentives put on the table to invite the financial institutions and the mortgage servicers to come to the table, please, to negotiate with the families who are facing foreclosure, and it is a program of limited scope and it is a gentle program.
And today, we heard from those large Wall Street banks. They went in to Congress to testify about where they stood on mortgage foreclosures, and they basically said: "Don't push us too hard, because we don't want to cooperate.'
I mean, this is really a STUNNING response from large financial institutions. So, we just have a real disconnect here about what it is that TARP is supposed to be, or at least originally, was supposed to be about."
Who in the administration is listening and responding effectively to Elizabeth Warren's urgency over this crisis?
Art Levine
Art Levine, a contributing editor of The Washington Monthly, has written for Mother Jones, The American Prospect, The New Republic, The Atlantic, Slate.com, Salon.com and numerous other publications.
More by Art Levine
- In God We Don't Trust: Growing American Secular Movement Rallies in D.C. This Week
- Despite Polling, Progressives Still Scrambling to Win Budget Fight
- After GOP Strips Bargaining Rights, Unions Launch Morning Protests Across Wisconsin. Strikes Next?
- Protests in DC: Pressure Mounting on State AGs to Crack Down on Foreclosure Fraud
- US Uncut Spreads Spirit of Madison: 50 Protests Saturday Over Budget Cuts, Corporate Tax Dodgers


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Arts and crafts are taught to children in school starting at a very early age. There's a reason for this. Arts and crafts inspire the soul and sharpen the mind. They are never boring and always rewarding. Keep reading for some great arts and crafts advice that will have you feeling like a kid again.
Incorporate recycling into your arts and crafts activities. No matter what you are into, from ceramics to oil paints, there are many ways to involve using objects and supplies that you would have otherwise thrown away. Save paper, tinfoil, aluminum, cardboard and more and stash it away for your next project.
There is no supply which can't be used in crafts. Plastic bottles or paper plates that would otherwise be thrown away are a great example. Toilet paper rolls come to mind. Magazines and newspapers are good things to use, too. Be creative with things you normally throw away and use then in your projects.
If you've got a family that loves face painting, try using a q-tip as your brush of choice. The cotton end of a q-tip makes for an excellent brush to paint on a face with. It's soft and very controllable. You can create great looking cat whiskers and all sorts of funky designs!
When crafting with children, don't show them examples of exactly what you think the project should look like. Although you may have a specific idea in mind, your child's imagination may create something completely different and wonderful. They can put an eye where an ear goes. Creativity should take precedence over perfection.
Get your kids involved in any kind of arts and crafts activity you take part in. Children who develop such interests tend to do better in school and other places than those who don't. Teach your toddler to paint, or your teenager to sculpt, and you should see a noticeable difference in attention span and creativity.
Create a location in your home where you share your family's arts and crafts projects. Whether they are made at home or in school, these are things that should be cherished by everyone! So give them the proper location that allows for prime viewing. maybe a corner of your living room can be your project showcase area.
Keep a dedicated craft space. If you don't have a space dedicated to crafts, try planning the craft to be done in a specific amount of time. You can craft on your kitchen table, but if it's not finished and you need to use your table for dinner, it is very frustrating to clean up and start again.
If you are thinking about taking up oil painting for the first time, try starting out with acrylics instead. Oil paints can get very expensive, as can the canvas upon which you will paint. Buy the cheaper paint first, get a little practice under your belt, then dive into the real thing.
To keep your painting hobby from taking over an entire room, consider purchasing a collapsible easel. That way, when you are done working on your masterpiece for the day, the easel goes right into the closet, along with your canvas. That leaves your bedroom free for the rest of the day.
When you've reached a creative standstill with your ability to paint, start using new tools. You can paint with virtually anything, from a toothbrush to a Brillo pad, and each different object gives a new dimension to your work. Mix up the paint on the palette as usual, and let your imagination guide you!
Now that you've been reminded about how much fun arts and crafts are, you should be excited. You're ready to create something that begins in the corners of your mind. When it comes to fruition, it will be that much more rewarding. Get started today, and make something only you can make.

subset: commoncrawl


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Sugar Overload: Do You Know How Much Sugar Your Kids Are REALLY Consuming?
Sugar and spice and everything nice. Isn't that how the saying goes? We associate sugar with all that is good. We call people and actions sweet. We reward our children with sugary snacks when they do well. Who else remembers focusing on the lollipop prize for sitting still at the barber or being good at the doctor's office? Sugar has been reinforced into our subconscious to mean good, well-deserved, and rewarding. We may even catch ourselves judging an anti-sweets person, trying to figure out what is wrong with them. For Americans, the use of sugar has become an extremely common and unhealthy habit.
More »
Deadly Enterovirus D68 Now in 47 States
What Parents Can Do to Protect Their Children
Nine American children died in recent weeks, who were infected in the 2014 enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) outbreak that has now spread to 47 states and the District of Columbia.
So far, the viral strain has been detected in samples submitted for a total of nine children who died; many other samples from young children who are possibly infected with the virus continue to be tested.
Are Your Children Needlessly Being Poisoned by Flame Retardants?
In the 1970's, the United States government implemented fire safety standards that now have manufacturers of many types of furnishings and household goods using toxic flame-retardant chemicals, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs.
PBDEs are similar in chemical structure to PCBs, which were banned after they were found to be linked to cancer, reproductive problems, and impaired brain development in fetuses.
But PBDEs are now being used prevalently by manufacturers of many products, including polyurethane foams for furniture; mattresses; plastics for television cabinets, computers, electronics and small appliances; wire insulation; carpeting; as coatings for draperies and upholstery — and on baby More »
Homework Headaches? 6 Tips for Parents of Young Children
Few children are predisposed to diving into homework with enthusiasm. Most have to be taught the discipline and sense of duty required to stay on task and get the often boring work done on time. Teachers can only do so much. When it comes to instilling good school habits at home, parents must play an active, hands-on role. Some children take to it better than others, but in any case, good parents stay informed of their children's homework activities and provide whatever pressure is needed to make sure it gets done. But how do you parents avoid the homework headaches?
1. Get organized: Create a system in your household for keeping track of all homework. There are a few ways to do this, but perhaps the best option is to have a homework notepad in a common area of your house such as the kitchen. When your child gets home from school, have him or her write all the day's homework tasks. Later, cross them off when they're completed. Or, if you think your child has the discipline, have him or her bring a special notepad to school to write down all homework assignments as they are given.
More »
What to do if Your Child is a Reluctant Reader
For young children, being able to read is an important foundation for all later education. But some children do not take to it as well as others. Some have difficulty learning how to read and hence cannot have fun doing it, while others simply do not enjoy books as much as their parents would like them to. In these situations, it is important for parents to play an active role so that the child does not fall behind.
Reading does not have to be your child's favorite activity, but he or she should be capable of enjoying it. And even if that is not possible, a strong proficiency with written words, letters, and sounds will More »
How Can I Help My Shy Toddler?
Your child has her own unique personality. She may be shyer than some or more outgoing. The way you respond to her basic temperament greatly affects and influences her. Sensitive and encouraging parents can help a shy child and abusive parents can make an outgoing, lively child feel withdrawn and disconnected. To help a shy child you can:
Getting your teen to talk about his or her feelings
Many 21st-century parents are very conscious of the importance of keeping the lines of communication open with their teens. This often comes at the expense of old-fashioned discipline and parent-child hierarchy, but for many parents the trade-off is worth it. In exchange for that old-fashioned stuff, you get a strong emotional connection with your child that is almost like a friendship, and you are rarely kept in the dark about important things.
Still, even in this day of unprecedented openness between parents and children, some More »
Sibling Rivalry: What's Normal, and When to Get Involved
Sibling relationships can be among the most complex in the world. With our siblings we share a special familiarity, plus lots of shared experiences that give rise to a unique understanding. With siblings, there are few secrets and very little mystery. Your siblings see you at your best and your worst, and they have known you when you are at your most vulnerable. In short, there is nothing simple about sibling relationships.
The special bond siblings share is fantastic in many ways. Unlike More »
Should Kids Be Allowed to Have Caffeine?
Many parents have strange approaches to giving their kids caffeine. On one hand, we do not think of coffee and even tea as being appropriate beverages for young children, yet on the other hand, many parents allow their children to drink soft drinks practically to their hearts' content. And while soft drinks are lower in caffeine than coffee, they have a good amount of it, and they deliver all the caffeine-related effects that coffee does. So while caffeine More »
Does My Child Have OCD?
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is an anxiety disorder and is characterised by repetitive and unwanted thoughts. These obsessions create actions made by the sufferer as they try to eradicate the anxious thoughts which are compulsions. OCD cases vary from mild to severe and manifest in different ways. With children suffering from OCD their obsessive thoughts can cause high levels of distress and anxiety often dominating their time and ability to focus and hold their attention on things. Research carried out estimates that 1.9% to 3% of children have OCD so out of 1000 children in a school 19 to 30 of them will probably have this disorder. OCD does not discriminate between ethnicities or social groups.
Hosting a Princess Tea Party
By Chris Molnar
Oh the princess tea party — it's practically a rite of passage for little girls everywhere. At some point your daughter will embrace this phase and celebrate it for all the dainty beauty that it is. This makes for the perfect theme of a party and your little princess can truly celebrate.


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Artists Frames
The 7047 Artist Frame Range are High Quality Wooden frames choosen specifically for artists, this beautifully crafted wooden frame comes in four styles to choose from. These Canvas Art Picture frames are available to purchase in packs of 3's. Our Artists Frames are sold with no backing or glass. They are designed to fit a canvas board and flexipoints, tape or a framers gun will be required on order to aid fitting of canvas board.
If you are interested in our 7047 range you can scroll down to view the various products available. If this product does not interest you and would would like to design your own customized art frame then please select the button below and Start Customizing


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This is not an offer for credit and should be used for estimation purposes only based on the information you provided. You should not base your decision on this estimate alone. Title, registration, tax and other fees, and personal circumstances such as employment status and personal credit history, were not considered in the calculations.
Ski - FOX FLOAT 3 EVOL
Front Track - FOX FLOAT 3 EVOL
Arctic Mountain Suspension (AMS)
Travel - 7 in. (17.8 cm)
Travel - 16.5 in. (41.9 cm)
Drive - TEAM Rapid Response
Driven - TEAM Rapid Reaction BOSS
Drive System - Arctic Drive System™ (ADS)
Gearing - 19/50
Chain pitch - 90
Reverse - Push-button engine
ProClimb™ - 7 in. (17.8 cm)
Runner - Single with carbide
162 x 15 x 3 in. (411.5 x 38.1 x 7.6 cm)
Type - Power Claw
*Price, if shown, is Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) and does not include government fees, taxes, dealer vehicle freight/preparation, dealer document preparation charges or any finance charges (if applicable). MSRP and/or final actual sales price will vary depending on options or accessories selected.


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Terlisa's Story: Getting a third chance
My name is Terlisa Sheppard and at the age of 31 and 34 weeks pregnant, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer while carrying my second child in November 1998.
I had been complaining to my gynecologist about feeling a lump under my arm, but he informed me that it was probably a milk duct that had formed due to the pregnancy and told me not to worry about it. The lump continued to get bigger and I voiced my concern again, this time he told me that if I insist, he would do a mammogram at that point and another one after the baby was delivered, to compare the two results. Neither my OB-GYN or I, thought that I would be getting the news that I did, once a biopsy of the lump was done.
The breast surgeon that performed the biopsy, looked at me straight in the eyes, while her assistant held my hands as they delivered the news– the cancer was advanced. It was stage 3, aggressive and fueled by estrogen from my pregnancy. I was completely shocked. Too young, I thought, to worry about anything like breast cancer, especially while being pregnant with my second daughter.
My baby pretty much saved my life.
Because of my young age and my pregnancy combined with cancer, I was quickly placed under the care of a team of doctors at the cancer center. The first step included inducing my labor six weeks earlier than my planned delivery date. Just 6 days after my diagnosis, I gave birth to a healthy, 6-pound, and 6-ounce baby girl that I named Alyah Monique. I also had a 2-year old daughter at the time, named Alexis Monet.
While in the hospital, doctors placed a port in my chest to deliver chemotherapy that was scheduled to start right away, but my white blood counts dropped so low that treatment wasn't possible at the time. I ended up starting chemotherapy about a month later.
I underwent chemotherapy every three weeks for eight months, followed by six weeks of radiation, five days a week. I had a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery on the same day in July 1999. I thought I was done with cancer and could move on with my life.
That phase was short-lived. In November 2001, I was still seeing a doctor every six months, and between visits, told my physician I was having back pain. I figured it was from lifting my daughters, but my doctor knew it was one of the symptoms of recurrence.
I was diagnosed again and this time, the cancer was deemed terminal in stage 4 (I am HER2+, Metastatic). It was now in my bones, lungs and liver. I started to feel defeated but knew I had to keep it together for my family, especially for my two daughters. And this time, chemotherapy left me sicker, sometimes leaving me so weak that I had to crawl from my bed to the bathroom a few feet away.
I managed to get through, until the next diagnosis. In August 2003, my doctors found a cancerous brain tumor that was treated with a nine-hour procedure, stereotactic radiosurgery, to shrink the mass. They literally screwed this big, steel plate onto my head and administered some meds to relax me so I wouldn't move and so that the radiation would go straight to the tumor site.
Then, in November 2007, after resisting it for over a year, I had a hip replacement because my hip bone had deteriorated from so much chemotherapy. My doctors say I'll be on some type of therapy for life.
My daughters are now teenagers, and I mentor others with cancer. I am so grateful I was given a second chance – even a third chance at life. Just having a strong need to be there for my daughters, family, friends and loved ones… really got me through it. It's not about me. I'm not the only person in this fight.
While I'm not cancer-free, I completely wish for that dream to come true one of these days. I hope my zest for life and unbreakable spirit will encourage other survivors to continue their fight as well!
Terlisa Faye Sheppard
HER2+, Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer Survivor
1st diagnosis – November 1998 stage 3
2nd diagnosis – November 2001 metastatic to bones, lung, liver
3rd diagnosis – August 2003 metastatic to brain
Living 13 years with mbc


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Last season Jelani Heath almost had the long jump record in the bag.
With a light breeze at her back, the Rogers High jumper took one lean back before bolting toward the jumping pit on the east end of Mount Tahoma Stadium in the 4A girls long jump finals last May at the 4A state track and field championships.
At Star Track, all eyes were squarely on Heath, and with one motion, Heath lept and cut through the air like a knife, landing 19 feet, 11 1/2 inches — setting the new state track mark — if not for that 2-mile back wind "giving" Heath an advantage.
"I don't worry about that now. I just want to go out and have the best senior season, and when I get back to state, I want to go 21 feet with my jumps," Heath pointed out at a recent practice.
Later that the same day, Shorecrest senior Wurrie Njadoe set the 2016 season's best long jump mark with a distance of 20-1/4, also wind aided.
No state record, but her jump crowned Heath the 4A long jump champion after taking the state title on a season where the now-senior took the state by storm.
Record or not, a new Jelani Heath was born that day.
"I feel like after winning the state title, I became more confident and kind of broke away from my shy self," Heath admitted. "It gave me confidence in myself to just be me."
The junk food queen of the high school long jump in the state has finally found herself after one season.
And from that one season, Heath was offered and committed to the University of North Carolina track and field program back in October and will sign her commitment during the final Signing Day period later this spring season.
"She's definitely more comfortable coming into this season," Rogers jump coach Baily Kapel said. "She's not the shy girl from last year who would surprise people when she would make her jumps. Jelani is more focused this year to do whatever it takes to reach her goals."
Those goals are simple.
Simple in the fact that when talking or listening to Heath, anyone could envision her accomplishment.
But there's nothing simple about reaching 20 or even 21 feet in the long jump. Only Njadoe crossed that mark last season.
After jumping for the Junior Olympics team last summer and with a UNC commitment — with dreams of someday representing the United States in the Olympics, Heath has set herself up to make the rare sight of 20-plus feet a common occurrence for this Ram senior.
"You have to set those goals to keep pushing yourself. If I didn't make a goal like that, then I wouldn't get better," Heath said. "I even cut back on my junk food and started eating healthier choices."
Heath has almost eliminated all junk food from her diet and in its place are healthier choices like fruits, vegetables and yogurt to boost Heath's energy each and every week as she prepares to cross her goal.
So far on the season it's paying off as Heath leads the state with a mark of 18-10, set at the Kent-Meridian Invite this past weekend.
"It's funny because I'm getting texts from Jelani showing me what she's eating and its her choosing to eat yogurt," Kapel said. "It's different to see that change because it tells me she's really focused this year."
She's also ready to make an encore like the state has never seen before.
Yet not everything has changed for Heath. Some old habits die hard.
"I still eat donuts," Heath joked. "Not always before a meet like last year. I can never give up donuts — or Cinnabon. I can never give those two up."
Kevin Manning: 253-256-7042, @herald_kmanning


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A glorious autumn day, bright sunshine illuminating the last golden leaves against a cloudless, blue sky.
The perfect day for a run, especially Run 2 of Week 9.
On the weekend, especially on a day like this, it seems everyone in North London flocks to the Heath. The weekend walk is the nearest we Northern Europeans have to the Italian passagiato - in which the whole town parades up and down in their finest clothes, admiring and being admired. Except that in North London in autumn, everyone is wearing duvet coats, fur trimmed parkers and Hunters wellingtons.
While I love the fact that the Heath is so well–loved and well-used, I do rather resent that my beloved weekday vistas are suddenly as busy as the M25. So many people, their children and their dogs spreading over the paths and meadows and woodlands, and all apparently competing in the World's Slowest Walker Competition. I feel like a gazelle in comparison. It seems like the whole world is here; just on my warm-up walk I heard Russian, Japanese, French and Italian, as well as one man shouting into his phone in a language I didn't recognise (and was quite glad I can't understand.)
Having accidentally stumbled off my usual route this week (see How Obama got me lost in the woods) I'm glad that I've ventured off-piste where there are less people, even at the weekend. I turned off through the woods and meandered a bit further to try and increase my distance. Since I've been listening to my own music (Springsteen's actually) and recording my runs on mapometer I know that I can run for longer than 30 minutes, it's distance that is my challenge. I passed a huge fallen tree swarming with small children looking as if they were posing for a Mini-Boden ad, leapt a few puddles, splattered through mud and fallen leaves, narrowly avoided a broken leg when I spotted one of those lethal invisible extending dog leads stretching across the path. One of the advantages of there being so many people around is that I am occasionally forced to put on the odd burst of speed to overtake them or out of sheer embarrassment as the move aside to let me go past. I made it up the hill, (which, rather puzzlingly, mapometer insists is downhill) avoiding death by several diving giant kites, then down to the drinking fountain, then back on the flat path beside the ponds and then up the lane to the Ladies pond. It might be chilly but swimming through fallen oak leaves up the goldren reflection of the sun is worth every goose bump.
Back home I worked out I'd run 4.27k in 42 minutes. That's a huge improvement in distance, if not time. Just one more run to go. I'm wondering whether to plot out a 5k route to see if I really can make it Couch25k rather than Couch 2 42minutes.


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Discussion in 'Music, Movie and Hardware Store Guide' started by ekymetal, Mar 19, 2014.
I agree, I just popped in because I was in the neighborhood and I was pleasantly surprised.
Bleecker St. Records has moved a few blocks over - it's not far but it's a bit tricky to find now. The large cat is still there (this is an important fact for my girlfriend). Village Music World is only a few blocks away, as is Rebel Rebel. Both the east and west villages are now major foodie spots as well.
Which deli was on DDD? There's a reason Katz's remains popular, but I'm personally a big fan of Sarge's, and they're much less busy (Sarge's is 24/7, Katz's is open until 3 AM on weekends).
My wife is upset because of the move. She would hang out at the little bakery next to Bleeker st Records and take the kids for treats while I ran rampant. Now what is she to do? Actually this is very tongue in cheek....she love Springsteen and digs for stuff too....
She also is the DDD expert. She saw the episode on the Brooklyn Diner and wants to go there. I'll get the name of it and post it when I get home.
Thanks for this thread. I'm soon going to NY and will not spend time on regular sightseeing, I prefer going to concerts, having some beers and stuff like that. Since we are going to Brooklyn' twice to see Luna and Yo La Tengo with Nick Lowe it shouldn't be too hard to squeeze in some records shops! Here's what I've marked so far.
And here are some on Manhattan. A proper up to date list would be good with opening hours and addresses, but I'm too lazy. This will do.
If you drew a circle encompassing Rebel Rebel to Generation Records...man I miss my time frequently visiting that part of the city. There should be some other shops within that "zone" worth checking out as well and some great neighborhood bars to boot!
FYI, Permanent has moved. And you might want to avoid The Thing (rumors of bedbugs). Everything else looks solid, tho.
Permanent moved to a tiny spot on the second floor of a co-operative workspace near the Gowanus. It's much less of a store than a cubby hole -- and when I went to visit, there wasn't any signage on the street, so I almost missed it.
As for Greenpoint, I'm a major fan of Record Grouch and the Academy outpost. Captured Tracks has a good vibe too, but I've only been there on RSD 2014 and '15.
Trip to NYC upcoming. Any new stores in Manhattan worth a visit?
What are best bets for jazz (besides DMG and Jazz Record Center) ?
Academy Records - 2 locations:
W18th between 5th and 6th Avenues and on E12 and 1st Avenue
Go to Brooklyn. Seriously. They've really stepped up their game. See Travis at Human Head.
Where is it located?
Out there in the Land of Bushwick:
Human Head Records | We Buy and Sell Used Vinyl! »
Nothing new to offer but I remember my first trip to New York in 1989 - I came back weighed down with vinyl - so many great places. I was there on my own and knew nobody so I stayed at a YMCA just near the Empire State Building which is gone now I think. I could not believe how cheap stuff was, I have albums from then with little stickers on from a store called Record Hunter - each has a code letter - signifying the price.
That's cool. Great story.
It's a different world. I'll bet most of those stores you visited are no longer there. Very sad.
It is very sad indeed for those of us who recall the glory days of record shopping in New York, especially Greenwich Village. That said it's good to see growth again, especially in Brooklyn. I'm from New York but have lived in Los Angeles for 24 years and am very appreciative of how great it is out here for buying records. Work projects usually bring me to New York for several months in any given year and I always do some music hunting when in my old hometown. I look forward to the next time, whenever that may be.
Not in New York but you may be interested to see Hong Kong's best known record shop. Paul, who's shop is his flat which is piled up with vinyl. He literally has no room to move with records taking up all the space.
If you happen to be in NYC this weekend, may want to check out the WFMY Record Fair.
Other Music is closing in June
Other Music closing in June »
That is a bummer, I always hit that place when visiting.
As is Rebel Rebel.
Man, that's a bummer. All my old haunts are disappearing.
Any place to recommend in Queens, or should one just hop over to Brooklyn?
the arepa lady in jackson heights.
Separate names with a comma.


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Andrzej CICHOCKI & Shun-ichi AMARI
Blind Signal Processing (BSP) is now one of the hottest and exciting topics in the fields of neural computation, advanced statistics, and signal processing with solid theoretical foundations and many potential applications. In fact, BSP has become a very important topic of research and development in many areas, especially biomedical engineering, medical imaging, speech enhancement, remote sensing, communication systems, exploration seismology, geophysics, econometrics, data mining, neural networks, etc. The blind signal processing techniques principally do not use any training data and do not assume a priori knowledge about parameters of convolutive, filtering and mixing systems. BSP includes three major areas: Blind Signal Separation and Extraction (BSS/BSE), Independent Component Analysis (ICA), and Multichannel Blind Deconvolution (MBD) and Equalization which are the main subjects of the book. In this chapter are formulated fundamental problems of the BSP, given important definitions and described basic mathematical and physical models. Moreover, several potential and promising applications are reviewed.
Keywords: Blind Source Separation (BSS), Blind Source Extraction (BSE), Independent Component Analysis (ICA), Multichannel Blind Deconvolution (MBD), Basic definitions and models, Applications.
In modern signal and image processing fields like biomedical engineering, computer tomography (image reconstruction from projections), automatic control, robotics, speech and communication, linear parametric estimation, models such as auto-regressive moving-average (ARMA) and linear prediction (LP) have been extensively utilized. In fact, such models can be mathematically described by an overdetermined system of linear algebraic equations. Such systems of equations are often contaminated by noise or errors, thus the problem of finding an optimal and robust with respect noise solution arises if some a priori information about the error is available. On the other hand, wide classes of extrapolation, reconstruction, estimation, approximation, interpolation and inverse problems can be converted to minimum norm problems of solving underdetermined systems of linear equations. Generally speaking, in signal processing applications, the overdetermined system of linear equations describes filtering, enhancement, deconvolution and identification problems, while the underdetermined case describes inverse and extrapolation problems. This chapter provides a tutorial to the problem of solving large overdetermined and underdetermined systems of linear equations, especially when there is an uncertainty in parameter values and/or the systems are contaminated by noise. A special emphasis is placed in on-line fast adaptive and iterative algorithms for arbitrary noise statistics. This chapter also gives several illustrative examples that demonstrate the characteristics of the developed novel algorithms.
Keywords: Least Squares (LS) problem, Extended Total Least Squares (TLS), Data Least Squares
(DLS), Least Absolute Deviation (LAD), 1-norm solution, Solving of system of linear equations with non-negativity constraints, Non-negative Matrix Factorization (NMF), Regularization, Sparse signal representation, Sparse solutions, Minimum Fuel Problem (MFP), Focuss algorithms, Amari-Hopfield recurrent neural networks for on-line solutions.
Neural networks with unsupervised learning algorithms organize themselves in such a way that they can detect or extract useful features, regularities, correlations of data or signals or separate or decorrelate some signals with little or no prior knowledge of the desired results. Normalized (constrained) Hebbian and anti-Hebbian learning rules are simple variants of basic unsupervised learning algorithms; in particular, learning algorithms for principal component analysis (PCA), singular value decomposition (SVD) and minor component analysis (MCA) belong to this class of unsupervised rules. Recently, many efficient and powerful adaptive algorithms have been developed for PCA, MCA and SVD and their extensions The main objective of this chapter is a derivation and overview of the most important adaptive algorithms.
Keywords: PCA, MCA, SVD, Subspace methods, Automatic dimensionality reduction, AIC and MDL criteria, Power method, Robust PCA, Multistage PCA for blind source separation.
Temporal, spatial and spatio-temporal decorrelations
play important roles in signal processing. These techniques are based only on
second-order statistics (SOS). They are the basis for modern subspace methods
of spectrum analysis and array processing and often used in a preprocessing
stage in order to improve convergence properties of adaptive systems, to
eliminate redundancy or to reduce noise. Spatial decorrelation or prewhitening is
often considered as a necessary (but not sufficient) condition for the stronger
stochastic independence criteria. After prewhitening, the BSS or
Keywords: Robust whitening, Robust orthogonalization, Gram-Schmidt orthogonalization,, Second order statistics (SOS) blind identification, Multistage EVD/SVD for BSS, Simultaneous diagonalization, Joint approximative diagonalization, SOBI and JADE algorithms, Blind source separation for non-stationary signals, Natural gradient, Atick-Redlich formula, Gradient descent with Frobenius norm constraint.
There are three main objectives of this chapter:
(a) To present simple neural networks (processing units) and propose unconstrained extraction and deflation criteria that do not require either a priori knowledge of source signals or the whitening of mixed signals. These criteria lead to simple, efficient, purely local and biologically plausible learning rules (e.g., Hebbian/anti-Hebbian type learning algorithms).
(b) To prove that the proposed criteria have no spurious equilibriums. In other words, the most learning rules discussed in this chapter always reach desired solutions, regardless of initial conditions (see appendixes for proof).
(c) To demonstrate with computer simulations the validity and high performance for practical use of the derived learning algorithms.
In this chapter there are used two different models and approaches. The first approach is based on higher order statistics (HOS) which assume that sources are mutually statistically independent and they are non-Gaussian (expect at most one) and as criteria of independence, we will use some measures of non-Gaussianity. The second approach based on the second order statistics (SOS) assumes that source signals have some temporal structure, i.e., the sources are colored with different autocorrelation functions or equivalently different shape spectra. Special emphasis will be given to blind source extraction (BSE) in the case when sensor signals are corrupted by additive noise using the bank of band pass filters.
Keywords: Basic criteria for blind source extraction, Kurtosis, Gray function, Cascade neural network, Deflation procedures, KuickNet, Fixed-point algorithms, Blind extraction with reference signal, Linear predictor and band-pass filters for BSS, Statistical analysis, Log likelihood, Extraction of sources from convolutive mixture, Stability, Global convergence.
In this chapter, fundamental signal processing and information theoretic approaches are presented together with learning algorithms for the problem of adaptive blind source separation (BSS) and Independent Component Analysis (ICA). We discuss recent developments of adaptive learning algorithms based on the natural gradient approach in the general linear, orthogonal and Stiefel manifolds. Mutual information, Kullback-Leibler divergence, and several promising schemes are discussed and reviewed in this chapter, especially for signals with various unknown distributions and unknown number of sources. Emphasis is given to an information-theoretical and information-geometrical unifying approach, adaptive filtering models and associated on-line adaptive nonlinear learning algorithms. We discuss the optimal choice of nonlinear activation functions for various distributions, e.g., Gaussian, Laplacian, impulsive and uniformly-distributed signals based on a generalized-Gaussian-distributed model. Furthermore, families of efficient and flexible algorithms that exploit non-stationarity of signals are also derived.
Keywords: Kullback-Leibler divergence, Natural gradient concept, Derivation and analysis of
natural gradient algorithms, Local stability analysis, Nonholonomic constraints, Generalized Gaussian and Cauchy distributions, Pearson model. Natural gradient algorithms for non-stationary sources. Extraction of arbitrary group of sources, Semi-orthogonality constraints, Stiefel manifolds.
The main purpose of this chapter is to describe and overview models and to present a family of practical and efficient associated adaptive or locally adaptive learning algorithms which have special advantages of efficiency and/or simplicity and straightforward electronic implementations. Some of the described algorithms have special advantages in the cases of noisy, badly scaled or ill-conditioned signals. The developed algorithms are extended for the case when the number of sources and their statistics are unknown. Finally, problem of an optimal choice of nonlinear activation function and general local stability conditions are also discussed. In particular, we focus on simple locally adaptive Hebbian/anti-Hebbian learning algorithms and their implementations using multi-layer neural networks are proposed.
Keywords: Modified
Jutten-Herault algorithm, robust local algorithms for ICA/BSS, Multi-layer
network for
In this chapter we focus mainly on approaches to blind separation of sources when the measured signals are contaminated by large additive noise. We extend existing adaptive algorithms with equivariant properties in order to considerably reduce the bias caused by measurement noise for the estimation of mixing and separating matrices. Moreover, we propose dynamical recurrent neural networks for simultaneous estimation of the unknown mixing matrix, source signals and reduction of noise in the extracted output signals. The optimal choice of nonlinear activation functions for various noise distributions assuming a generalized-Gaussian-distributed noise model is also discussed. Computer simulations of selected techniques are provided that confirms their usefulness and good performance. The main objective of this chapter is to present several approaches and derive learning algorithms that are more robust with respect to noise than the techniques described in the previous chapters or that can reduce the noise in the estimated output vector of independent components
Keywords: Bias removal techniques, Wiener filters with references convolutive noise, Noise cancellation and reduction, Cumulants based cost functions and equivariant algorithms, Blind source separation with more sensors than sources, Robust extraction of arbitrary group of sources, Recurrent neural network for noisy data, Amari-Hopfield neural network.
The main objective of this chapter is to review and extend existing adaptive natural gradient algorithms for various multichannel blind deconvolution models. Blind separation/deconvolution of source signals has been a subject under consideration for more than two decades. There are significant potential applications of blind separation/deconvolution in various fields, for example, wireless telecommunication systems, sonar and radar systems, audio and acoustics, image enhancement and biomedical signal processing (EEG/MEG signals). In these applications, single or multiple unknown but independent temporal signals propagate through a mixing and filtering medium. The blind source separation/deconvolution problem is concerned with recovering independent sources from sensor outputs without assuming any a priori knowledge of the original signals, except certain statistical features. In this chapter, we present using various models and assumptions, relatively simple and efficient, adaptive and batch algorithms for blind deconvolution and equalization for single-input/multiple-output (SIMO) and multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) dynamical minimum phase and non-minimum phase systems. The basic relationships between standard ICA/BSS (Independent Component Analysis and Blind Source Separation) and multichannel blind deconvolution are discussed in detail. They enable us to extend algorithms derived in the previous chapters. In particular, the natural gradient approaches for instantaneous mixture to convolutive dynamical models. We also derive a family of equivariant algorithms and analyze their stability and convergence properties. Furthermore, a Lie group and Riemannian metric are introduced on the manifold of FIR filters and using the isometry of the Riemannian metric, the natural gradient on the FIR manifold is described. Based on the minimization of mutual information, we present then a natural gradient algorithm for the causal minimum phase finite impulse response (FIR) multichannel filter. Using information back-propagation, we also discuss an efficient implementation of the learning algorithm for the non-causal FIR filters. Computer simulations are also presented to illustrate the validity and good learning performance of the described algorithms.
Keywords: Basic models for blind equalization and multichannel deconvolution, Fractionally Sampled system, SIMO and MIMO models, Equalization criteria, Separation-deconvolution criteria, Relationships between BSS/ICA and multichannel blind deconvolution (MBD), Natural gradient algorithms for MBD, Information Back-propagation.
Chapter 10 introduces the method of estimating
functions to elucidate the common structures in most of the ICA/BSS and MBD
algorithms. We use information geometry for this purpose, and define estimating
functions in semiparametric statistical models which include unknown functions
as parameters. Differences in most existing algorithms are only in the choices
of estimating functions. We then give error analysis and stability analysis in
terms of estimating functions. This
makes it possible to design various adaptive methods for choosing unknown
parameters included in estimating functions, which control accuracy and
stability. The
Keywords: Estimating functions, Semiparametric statistical models, Superefficiency, Likelihood, Score functions, Batch estimator, Information geometry, Stability analysis.
The state-space description of dynamical systems is a powerful and flexible generalized model for blind separation and deconvolution or more generally for filtering and separation. There are several reasons why the state-space models are advantageous for blind separation and filtering. Although transfer function models in the Z-domain or the frequency domain are equivalent to the state-space models in the time domain for any linear, stable time-invariant dynamical system, using transfer function directly it is difficult to exploit internal representation of real dynamical systems. The main advantage of the state-space description is that it not only gives the internal description of a system, but there are various equivalent canonical types of state-space realizations for a system, such as balanced realization and observable canonical forms. In particular, it is possible to parameterize some specific classes of models which are of interest in applications. In addition, it is relatively easy to tackle the stability problem of state-space systems using the Kalman filter. Moreover, the state-space model enables a much more general description than the standard finite impulse response (FIR) convolutive filtering models discussed in the Chapter 9. In fact, all the known filtering models, such as the AR, MA, ARMA, ARMAX and Gamma filtering, could also be considered as special cases of flexible state-space models. In this chapter, we briefly review adaptive learning algorithms based on the natural gradient approach and give some perspective and new insight into multiple-input multiple-output blind separation and filtering in the state-space framework.
Keywords: Linear basic state space model, Natural gradient algorithm for state space model, Estimation of output and state space matrices, Comparison of various algorithms, Kalman filter, Two stage blind separation/filtering approach.
In this chapter we attempt to extend and generalize the results discussed in the previous chapters to nonlinear dynamical models. However, the problem is not only very challenging but intractable in the general case without a priori knowledge about the mixing and filtering nonlinear process. Therefore, in this chapter we consider very briefly only some simplified nonlinear models. In addition, we assume that some information about the mixing and separating system and source signals is available. In practice, special nonlinear dynamical models are considered in order to simplify the problem and solve it efficiently for specific applications. Specific examples include the Wiener model, the Hammerstein model and Nonlinear Autoregressive Moving Average models.
Keywords: Semi-blind separation and filtering, Wiener and Hammerstein models, Nonlinear Autoregressive Moving Average (NARMA) model, Hyper radial basis function (HRBF) neural network.
In this appendix some mathematical background needed for complete understanding of the text are quickly reviewed. Many useful definitions, formulas for matrix algebra and matrix differentiation are given
Appendix B contains the list of basic symbols, notation and abbreviations used in the book.
The list of references contains more than 1350 publications.
Accompanying CD-ROM includes electronic, interactive version of the book with hyperlinks, full-color figures and text. The black and white electronic version with hyperlinks is also provided.
In addition MATLAB
user friendly demo package for performing


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the sapporo beer museum, the only beer museum in japan, was opened in july 1987 to provide visitors with a varied knowledge of the history and nature of brewing with the aid of on-site equipment, miniature models and films. constructed in 1890 as a factory of the sapporo sugar company, the red-brick building was used until 1965 as a factory for barley cleaning in the process of beer production. it is one of the precious cultural legacies of the earlier japanese settlement in hokkaido. the tasting lounge (on the 1st floor) provides access to a wide variety of beers. sapporo, hokkaido, northern japan, 2010.
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Ammobox Pouch for a 200 shot belt box (5.56), MG 4, M 249 SAW or for 4x G36 or 6x 30 shot STANAG-magazines, for example M4, M16, SA80, FN-FNC or FAMAS. Large velcro-surfaces allow at emptiness to don the pouch flat. On the sides as well as on the bottom side you can find modular loops for the attachment of additional pouches. With a 4 loop faststick uptake the high weight of the bag is held firmly on the carrier system.
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Earn MYER one points when you shop online with Myer.
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Our community is fortunate. We have a public school system filled with incredibly engaged students in grades pre-K through 12 and a team of professional teachers and administrators who strive daily to provide an excellent education to benefit this community for generations to come.
A vital component of the progress of our district – and thus our community – is the leadership provided by the men and women who make up the Shelby County Board of Education.
Members of the 5 Counties Friends of NRA recently attended the annual Kentucky Friends of NRA Workshop, and Fund Committee Meeting. Chair Tony Wheatley and Treasurer Larry Mott represented the local Friends of NRA committee.
At the workshop, the state Friends of NRA recognized many committees for their huge success in 2016. First, they were awarded the Friends of NRA's "Kentucky Breakout Award" which recognizes those committees that have broken out of their usual efforts by reaching an extraordinary result.
Losing our human rights
The recent railroading of our now infamous Governor Matt Bevin and Kentucky's Congress on Saturday, Jan. 7, pushing seven highly controversial pieces of legislature down our throats, has left me and thousands of others furious.
The Shelbyville City Council decided last week to draft an ordinance for review on making the council race a non-partisan affair.
Having long wondered what Republican and Democrats have to do with our small town politics, we could not be more pleased and more behind this effort.
And once information was shared comparing other municipalities, especially those similar to Shelbyville, it seems the move is a no-brainer.
Back from the grave.
That's what I thought when Dr. Michael Kommor of Baptist Health spoke the two words "divine intervention" in our meeting in his office on Dec. 5.
He said, in effect, "Mr. Matthews, there's no medical reason why you're here today. And while I would like to take the credit, your recovery transcends my medical skills and experience."
It was Dr. Kommor who had called in Hosparus in mid-November when it appeared that my time on earth was short…very short.
Find compassion, respect for each other
It is frustrating and saddening to see in letters to this paper the anger and disrespect with which some people view others across the political divide.
I believe that the vast preponderance of Americans on both sides of the political spectrum are people of good will who want the best for our country.
I like and trust those people that I know personally who did not vote as I did for president.
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The Sentinel-News is your source for local news, sports, events and information in Shelby County and Shelbyville, KY, and the surrounding area.


text:
How To Start A Garden For Next To Nothing
Each week, my living room becomes a little bit more like a rainforest. But as I've learnt, if you're into plants then a student income can only go so far.
Nurseries aren't as cheap as I'd like, so I learnt how to propagate on my own.
If you're an obsessed plant parent, read on to make your garden as luscious as your bank account.
Plant Baby Steps
Succulents are the easiest plant you'll meet. Succulents are any plants that have fleshy leaves or stems – a huge variety of plants, from the Black Prince to a String of Pearls.
To get started: take a cutting and place it in some soil. Or if you're feeling especially lazy and are prepared to lose one or two plant children to root rot, place them a jar of water.
A good rule of (green) thumb is to find a sunny spot indoors or outdoors and water once or twice a week. You'll keep your plants healthy by popping your finger in the top inch of soil – if it's bone dry, give it a good glug.
If you already have a plant you want to propagate but it doesn't have shoots to spare, you can propagate with its leaves. Tear the leaves off and place them on dirt. Water occasionally. In my experience, this has a success rate of 50 per cent so make sure you lay down more leaves than you'd like to grow.
If you've ever visited a hipster café or spent time on Pinterest, you'll know that succulents are everywhere. Finding a cutting is as easy as a small snip from the nature strip when you're strolling through your neighbourhood. Now, the ethics on doing this without asking are fuzzy. So, if you want to play it safe, ask your neighbours or better yet, ask a friend if you can go shopping in their well-stocked garden. Or have a look on Gumtree. Cuttings are usually only a dollar or two.
Keep Going
Once you've taken your first steps in plant parenthood, you can start on slightly more difficult but still very easy propagation. Some varieties of plants produce 'pups' (isn't gardening fun, with cute names like this??) In these plants, you'll see little baby plants growing around the mama plant. Steal those away, being careful to preserve the roots and repot. You'll have your own mama plant in no time.
This works well with spider plants; they'll have little plants growing from long tendrils. Pluck those (tip: with spiders, I find it is best to place the roots in water before planting to encourage root growth). But spider plants aren't the only mamas; you can do this with agave and aloe as well.
Having a healthy supply of aloe is great for beginning gardeners as they're not just there to look pretty – you can tear the leaves open and put the gel on burns or use it as an under-eye cream.
Eat Out on Your Propagation Skills
Okay, now you're basically a plant genius. It's time to eat out on your skills and to save yourself some cash. The easiest edible plants to propagate are spring onions and leeks.
When you buy a bunch of spring onions, keep the cut bottoms with their long, scraggly roots and put them in some soil. Keep them near sunshine, either indoors or outside, and they will grow in a few weeks. Water a couple of times a week.
When your onions are tall, don't pull them out of the soil; just cut off what you need. You're sorted for spring onions and leeks for the season.
Pineapple has is also a popular plant to propagate but as far as bang for your buck goes, it's not that great. Lucky, it looks excellent. You can cut the green spikey top off the pineapple, remove a couple of layers of the spikes off at the bottom and plant in soil. You'll get your own pineapple in a year or two.
If you're feeling ready for a bigger plant challenge, you can propagate citrus trees from the seed. Cut open any citrus – I used a lemon – and remove the seeds. Be careful not to harm them with your knife as you chop. Once you pluck them out, you'll notice that the seeds have a coating. Dry them and peel this off. Put four or five seeds in some wet paper towel, then secure this in a zip lock bag. Keep in a cool, dark place for two weeks. When you check on your seeds, they should have sprouted. Now you can plant them in soil and watch your lemon tree grow.
Katerina Bryant is a writer and editor based in Adelaide. Her work has appeared in the Griffith Review, Going Down Swinging and the Meanjin Blog, amongst others. She tweets at @katerina_bry.


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I read, I write, I teach high school. Angel Potatoes are my students. Revolution Mothership.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Laughing in the Savage Face of Fate.
It turns out that this was the best thing ever, according to my students.
Because I can't talk. Not really.
Or I can, but it sounds...weird.
I needed to be at school because my students had this ginormous cross-curricular project due. I don't like being absent.
What I Said:(earnest)I am so excited that you have worked so hard and today you will feel really good about this assignment.
What My Students Heard: Ah ahm toe ettited tat you hab wooked so hawd and today you wiw feew weewy gud abot tis attinement.
Students: Stunned silence.
What I Said: It's okay to laugh. I sound funny. I needed to be here because I was worried about your stress level.
What My Students Heard: It otay to waf. I tound tunny. I needit toe be hewe becaud I wat wowwied about tor trett wevew.
Students: Laughing now. Like, really laughing.
Undaunted, I plowed on, explaining the day's schedule. Several students translated. For example, I think I said "speech" and what they heard was "peet."
No one knew how to translate "peet." I had to write it out and have a kid read the note.
And even the kids who were trying really hard not to laugh, laughed. The kids who were already laughing were undone.
And you know what? I had to laugh, even if it hurt.
Because to see all these anxious kids looking completely baffled or laughing helplessly and not being stressed anymore made my day.
So of course this made me think about writing. How we write and struggle and send stuff out into the world and how the reactions we get may not be what we expect.
And sometimes that's the best thing ever.
Here's to laughing in the savage face of fate.
Or, as I would say, waffink in tuh tavag bate of bate.
6 comments:
I love laughing, even better is making others laugh.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousDecember 12, 2011 at 10:08 PM
How wonderful! I love it when people see the light in not always ideal situations. You've got some great students.ReplyDelete
LOL!!!! Yay for laughter but I do hope you're not in too much pain! Take care xReplyDelete
THIS. Is for the win.ReplyDelete
Hahaha! This was awesome on so many ways! I love all the laughter about something that wasn't so pleasant! You must be a pretty awesome teacher, or they wouldn't have been having so much fun with it-- they'd have been making fun of it. And I love how you related it to writing, too. Great post!ReplyDelete
Great post! You had me smiling.ReplyDelete
"laughing helplessly and not being stressed anymore"
That's powerful. And it's good for us, too.


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With Golmaal Again around the corner, the team is on a promotion high. They've been attending reality shows as part of the promotions. Last week, the entire cast of the movie were spotted promoting the movie on Salman Khan's reality show Big Boss.
Today, the team including Ajay Devgn, Parineeti Chopra, Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade, Kunal Kemmu And Tabu landed on the sets of Akshay Kumar's show The Great Indian Laughter Challenge.
The Golmaal team interacted with host Akshay Kumar on stage. Parineeti was seen shaking a leg with him on some of his popular songs and they were joined by Tabu and Ajay Devgn.
Golmaal Again is the fourth installment of the Golmaal franchise and will hit the theatres on October 20.
Golmaal Again team join Akshay Kumar on his show
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London, 23rd June, 2014 -<\/strong> On Friday JLL's staff members locked their personal mobiles away to raise awareness of the work of charity partner Samaritans, as well as doing some crucial fundraising.

Friday 20th June was designated by the charity as 'Phone Free Friday' with the aim to get as many supporters as possible to take up the challenge to go without their personal mobile for the day (from 9am – 5pm).  This puts people to the ultimate test, by laying down the gauntlet to go without their personal mobile phones from 9am-5pm on 20 June. Participants who can't last the whole day without their phones will face penalties. The day asks people to make a donation of £4 to Samaritans, the cost of answering one call for help.

Samaritans answered 5.23 million calls for help over the past 12 months, the highest number for five years. Funds raised from Phone Free Friday will allow the helpline to be there for more people in need of support.
 <\/strong>
Andrew Renshaw, Lead Director of JLL's Valuation and Professional Advisory group commented:<\/strong> "We are very pleased to have been involved in the launch and promotion of the campaign, even having a visit from the Phone Free Friday mascot Fred. We support our charity partner through a whole host of  activities from cake sales to sporting events, including our annual industry wide Triathlon event in July, and have raised over £ 350,000 so far. This campaign will really remind people how important communication is and the vital work Samaritans do."

Catherine Johnstone, Samaritans' CEO, added:<\/strong> "Samaritans answers more than 5 million calls for help every year, and we need to make sure we continue to be there for anyone struggling to cope. We are asking our supporters to turn off their personal mobile phones for one day and donate, so we can answer more calls. It is fantastic that staff at JLL are supporting Phone Free Friday, and we really hope that this will encourage others to take part." <\/p>


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Well-known Ukrainian artist Jamal joined the fight against human trafficking.
Popular Ukrainian singer Jamala has become a goodwill Ambassador to combat human trafficking.
It supported long-term work of the International organization for migration (IOM) – the UN Agency for migration, the fight against modern-day slavery and prevent him for starring in public service announcements, reported on the official page of the artist Facebook.
Note that the video will appear in the broadcast on Ukrainian television on October 18, European day against human trafficking. In addition to the video rotation on the TV, it also assumes a nationwide information campaign outdoor advertising Nebezpeku not visible to odrazu.
"In Ukraine, a lot of people live on the edge of poverty and willing to work anywhere and under any conditions. They usually become victims of traffickers and end up in slavery. Unfortunately, the number of victims each year is only growing. This campaign, of course, does not solve the problem, but it can attract attention and media, and officials, and society. The main goal is to warn the Ukrainians that it is necessary to be very careful when they consider job offers abroad," commented Jamal.
© 2017, paradox. All rights reserved.


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Quentin Tarantino's anger about the script leak for what was supposed to be his next film, "The Hateful Eight," will now extend to the courtroom. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Tarantino has filed a lawsuit against Gawker Media for publishing a copy of Tarantino's screenplay.
Last week, the Gawker site Defamer posted a story titled "Here Is the Leaked Quentin Tarantino 'Hateful Eight' Script," with a link to download Tarantino's 146-page first draft. THR posted a section of the Tarantino lawsuit on its website:
"Their headline boasts... 'Here,' not someplace else, but 'Here' on the Gawker website. The article then contains multiple direct links for downloading the entire Screenplay through a conveniently anonymous URL by simply clicking button-links on the Gawker page, and brazenly encourages Gawker visitors to read the Screenplay illegally with the invitation to 'Enjoy!' it."
Tarantino, of course, was upset before the Gawker post. As Deadline.com reported on Jan. 21, Tarantino put the brakes on "The Hateful Eight" after the script was pass around in Hollywood circles without his permission. "I'm very, very depressed," Tarantino told Deadline.com's Mike Fleming in an interview. "I finished a script, a first draft, and I didn't mean to shoot it until next winter, a year from now. I gave it to six people, and apparently it's gotten out today."
Tarantino revealed to Fleming that three actors had gotten the script -- Bruce Dern, Michael Madsen and Tim Roth -- and that the initial breach had potentially come from Creative Artists Agency, the company that represents Dern. CAA denied it had any hand in the breach. (Tarantino, meanwhile, said he would work with Dern again, regardless of what happened.) According to the director, he'll publish "The Hateful Eight" as a novel and work on another screenplay in the interim.
For more on the claim, head to THR. Check out Deadline.com for the full lawsuit.
[via THR]


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621 Arenas Street La Jolla, CA 92037
Hi, Michael Kalla.
My name is
and I have a question about 621 Arenas Street La Jolla
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or call during
My Question Is:
Estimated Monthly Payment$5,051
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- Status: Active
Listing courtesy of Willis Allen Real Estate
This adorable Barber Tract home has been lovingly owned & occupied by the same family for 75+ years! With original hardwood floors & period details such as arched passageways & beamed ceilings, it has unprecedented character & potential in one of the best locations in La Jolla; just a short stroll to the beach, village & schools! Its great bones, tuck-under garage, fireplace and sunny back yard with rose garden will appeal to anyone who wants to update an original La Jolla home. Equipment: Garage Door Opener. Flooring: Linoleum/Vinyl. Heating: Forced Air Unit. Market Area: Coastal South. Unit Location: Detached. Sewer: Sewer Connected. Site: Public Street, Sidewalks, Street Paved, West of I-5. Residential Styles: Detached. Water: Meter on Property., Directions La Jolla Blvd > Arenas St La Jolla Blvd & Draper
Interior Features Include:
Fireplace Description Living Room
Rooms Main Floor Bedroom, Kitchen, Living Room
Source Natural Gas, Fireplace, Forced Air
Floor Type: Wood
Exterior Features Include:
Fence Partial
Acreage: 0.0900 Acres
Description Level with Street
Square Feet 3993
Roof: Composition
Garage/Parking: Driveway, Carport Attached, Direct Garage Access, Garage, Garage - Front Entry
Parking Driveway, Carport Attached, Direct Garage Access, Garage, Garage - Front Entry
Garage Capacity: 2
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Subdivision: La Jolla
Pool: None
The information being provided by CARETS (CLAW, CRMLS, DAMLS, CRMLS, i-Tech MLS, and/or VCRDS) is for the visitor's personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties visitor may be interested in purchasing.
Any information relating to a property referenced on this web site comes from the Internet Data Exchange (IDX) program of CARETS. This web site may reference real estate listing(s) held by a brokerage firm other than the broker and/or agent who owns this web site.
The accuracy of all information, regardless of source, including but not limited to square footages and lot sizes, is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be personally verified through personal inspection by and/or with the appropriate professionals. The data contained herein is copyrighted by CARETS, CLAW, CRISNet MLS, DAMLS, CRMLS, i-Tech MLS and/or VCRDS and is protected by all applicable copyright laws. Any dissemination of this information is in violation of copyright laws and is strictly prohibited.
CARETS, California Real Estate Technology Services, is a consolidated MLS property listing data feed comprised of CLAW (Combined LA/Westside MLS), CRISNet MLS (Southland Regional AOR), DAMLS (Desert Area MLS), CRMLS (California Regional MLS), i-Tech MLS (Glendale AOR/Pasadena Foothills AOR) and VCRDS (Ventura County Regional Data Share).
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If you've been living under a rock someplace, you may not realize that Tesla Motors will unveil its long-anticipated Model 3 tonight at 8:30 p.m. Pacific/11:30 p.m. Eastern.
The Model 3 is Tesla's first foray into the market targeting the average consumer. The car will be slightly smaller than the Model S and will cost a hell of a lot less, starting at $35,000 before federal and state tax credits. The car went on sale in Tesla stores this morning, and will be available for sale online starting at 7:30 Pacific/10:30 Eastern tonight at the Tesla website.
Despite eMotion being in line this morning to place our order, the Model 3 will not be available until late 2017. In the meantime, consider renting an eMotion Model S to satisfy that Tesla fix. Available for two-day or longer rentals, the Tesla Model S is the ultimate luxury automobile with sports-car-like performance. Check availability dates by clicking here.