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William Douglas Muir
Last updated 5/23/2016 at 6:11pm
In order to spare others from the task of recording the events of my life, I have elected to do so myself.
I was born to Herbert Muir and Olive Farnham in Augusta, Maine on the 7th of February, 1934 and departed my earthly life on the 30th of April, 2016, to be welcomed into the arms of my Saviour, Jesus Christ. In addition to my parents, I was preceded in death by my grandparents, William Muir, Sarah Kaye, Rolando Alonzo Farnham and Alberta Ellen Cain; my younger brother, Robert Alan Muir, and my stepdaughter, Dawn Reneé Barnhisel.
I am survived by my sons, William Colin Muir and Matthe...
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Back to News
Noe DeWitt for Le Guanahani Hotel
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On this cold wintery day, it's nice to daydream about warmer days and the summer ahead. Our beachy inspiration for the day comes from Noe DeWitt, who photographed St. Barths' Le Guanahani Hotel! Looking foward to that sun, sand and surf!
Noe DeWitt is part of Exposure NY's photography division. Exposure NY is photography agency / stylist agency in New York City.

subset: commoncrawl


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*Please note that the following post is not intended as a reflection of any particular agency but is rather to identify broad themes experienced by many organizations who are bravely making the journey through changing paradigms and shifting priorities, and the resulting reactions from said changes. It is an attempt to pathologize the reactions that can sometimes occur in organizations, and to use the same language and jargon used to describe and diagnose those individuals who receive service from organizations. THIS IS SATIRE.
Do You or Someone you Love Suffer from Eyenoitawl?
Name–Eyenoitawl (also commonly known as Beanthrdonthat, and Shr4somfokes)
Symptoms-Excessive eye-rolling, fear of change, "this is why it won't work" ideations, chronic absenteeism, rumour mongering, toxic attitude, undue labelling and diagnosing, closed body language, unfocused anger and apathy, lack of participation , increasingly screechy vocalization of whininess.
Pathology of Virus-Highly Contagious, infectious, and prone to spread like wild fire though out entire service delivery systems, often linked to genetic relationship with government funding.
Treatment Protocol-Spending copious amounts of time with those who receive service from your agency, listening with integrity, training in Person-Centered thinking as opposed to System-Centered thinking. slowing down, acting with mindfulness, defining the difference between equality and equity, and mentorship.
Left Untreated May Result In-the eradication of citizen personhood, segregation of vulnerable people, isolation, loneliness, lack of meaningful relationships, and burn-out.


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Roto North America is excited to announce that Avia, Mighton's newest and most innovative product to date, will be introduced next week for the first time onto the world stage at the Consumer Technology Association's (CTA) annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
Avia is being introduced into the smart lock arena and is the first Apple HomeKit smart home security system to work with multipoint locking door systems, which are increasingly used in North America for residential doors due to their superior security performance. With the majority of external doors fitted to US homes protected only by deadbolt locking systems that are easily broken into, multipoint locking systems are increasingly becoming more popular in the US.
Roto North America's President & CEO, Chris Dimou, stated "Roto is pleased about this exciting opportunity to introduce the Avia smart lock to North America. The Avia offers advanced technology coupled with high functionality and will be a great addition for our customers."
Recent statistics show that there are 1.3 billion active Apple devices worldwide. For everyone with an Apple iPhone or iPad, Mighton Avia will provide a stylish and highly effective Apple HomeKit-enabled smart lock solution for their home. After extensive development work with Apple, users will have the confidence that Avia will work seamlessly with their devices.
The new smart lock is controllable from the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, keypad, and fob.
Mighton Chairman, Mike Derham, says "Avia has been thoroughly developed and extensively tested to ensure that we have a highly functional, secure and effective product that is simple to install and which works seamlessly using Apple HomeKit technology."
The Avia will be displayed at CES in Sands Halls A-D, booth 40566
About Roto North America
Roto North America is comprised of Roto Frank of America, Inc. in Chester, Connecticut and Roto Fasco Canada, Inc. in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Both locations manufacture window and door hardware, which offers solutions for North American and European applications. RFA and RFC are wholly owned subsidiaries of Roto Frank AG, a global leader in window and door hardware, with 18 production plants and more than 40 subsidiaries worldwide.
For more information please visit www.rotonorthamerica.com


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For the Mother of the Bride: 6 Ways You're Making Wedding Planning Difficult (and How to Stop!)
You may not mean to, but you might be making things harder than they need to be.
Your little girl is getting married. Now that she's got the ring, it's time to plan. With so much going on, it can be easy for the mother of the bride to get caught up in the excitement and lose sight of how your actions are affecting your daughter. Here are a few ways that you might be putting a damper on her big-day plans, plus our best suggestions for nipping your potentially bad behavior in the bud.
Showing no enthusiasm.
For many women, it's their mothers' approval-especially on their wedding day-that they look for. Whether you're trying to avoid stepping on her toes or you're just not that into the decisions she's making, don't check out of the process. "Ultimately a bride will look for approval from her mother, and when she doesn't get that, it can be disappointing," says Darci Greenwood of Greenwood Events. A simple way to fix this is to get involved. Praise the things you like and give her your reassurance.
Only focusing on your own vision.
Are you looking at this as a do-over for your own wedding? Have you been planning her big day since her birth? Slow down. "The mother of the bride can sometimes look at the event as a special occasion to host her friends," says Greenwood. The problem is that the couple wants their day to reflect who they are. Instead of trying to take over the big event, see if your daughter would be okay with you hosting a pre-wedding event for your friends or taking the lead on the welcome party.
Not picking your battles.
When it comes to mothers and daughters during the wedding planning process, the struggle can be real. You want certain flowers, she wants branches. You want to a classic invitation, she wants an extravagant boxed display. Kate Turner of Kate & Company recommends holding your comments so that you're not always the first one chiming in. If there is something you absolutely want, like Aunt Sally sitting at your table, ask. But if it's something like flowers or style choices, pick your battles. "Remember that the wedding day is one day, but the relationship with your daughter lasts a lifetime," says Turner.
Not showing up when it counts.
There is so much that goes into planning a wedding, and that can mean countless appointments, shopping trips, and tastings. While it might be tempting to skip out on an appointment or two, don't. "Regardless of who is footing the bill, show up for your daughter," says Turner. Answer her calls, be her confidant, and let her lean on you during what can often be a stressful time. She'll remember these moments long after the wedding.
Constantly reminding her that you're paying.
You're paying for the wedding, and your daughter and her fiancé are likely very grateful. But this can also be a danger zone, says Greenwood. Making comments about how much everything is costing or constantly reminding the bride that you're paying can lead to bad feelings. Greenwood recommends setting a clear, precise budget from the start and sticking to it. It will make everyone happier to know the boundaries.
Planning a wedding-day surprise.
Who doesn't love a surprise? Well, lots of people, especially when it happens at the wedding they planned down to the very last detail. The fireworks display you wanted to end the night? It's loud. The glitter drop on the dance floor? It's messy (and the venue wouldn't likely be pleased). Turner recommends leaving surprises for another time. While it's nice that you want to do something special, she says surprising someone on their wedding day doesn't always go well, so why risk it?
- Chrissy Teigen and John Legend Are Expecting Another Boy!
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- Al Roker and Deborah Roberts Shared the Sweetest Throwback Wedding Photos to Mark Their 25th Anniversary


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There is a huge amount of debate regarding the best way to 'Stretch'. I have looked into a few of these varied methods while researching for the MartialBody programs. Static stretching and static holds have a good base of research behind them. For example:
""After stretching, passive torques were significantly reduced at >50% of range of motion (ROM). Shear modulus at a given fascicle length was significantly reduced at >80% of the change in fascicle length during passive dorsiflexion.""
"We suffer more in imagination that we do in reality."
Vitamin D. More of a hormone that a vitamin the further north of the equator you get, the more you probably need.
"If there's only one supplement you're taking for your health and your diet is decent, it should probably be Vitamin D. I highly recommend taking Vitamin D instead of a multivitamin most of the time. "
Another exciting couple of weeks in the world of grappling with some amazing matches at the ADCC trials. Speedy recovery to professor Braulio Estima who tore his Hamstring very badly in warm up and was unable to compete. Also, at the Abu Dhabi Worlds we are seeing some excellent reffing and rules in place. Refs are punishing competitors for stalling and this is making the action very exciting. Finals are tomorrow so be sure to tune in on flograppling or ADsports.
I have been a long time fan of Rafe Kelley and his Evolve, Move, Play concept. Combining movement skills with martial arts and Parkour the whole system looks developmentally very useful but also a hell of a lot of fun! Especially their Roughhousing! Check him out at :


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Happy Yorkshire Day!
01 Aug
Ey up, how's tha doin?
Today millions of people across England's biggest county will be celebrating 'God's own country' for Yorkshire Day! From the outstanding views of Ribblehead Viaduct in the Yorkshire Dales to the Yorkshire Pud that accompanies your roast on a Sunday, Yorkshire is truly great.
So, whilst many of you may be getting festive with a proper brew and a rich tea, we thought it only right to celebrate with our very own…
Fruity Vodka from Yorkshire
Hand crafted in the hills of West Yorkshire, we bring your fruit flavoured vodka made with real fruit. Each flavour is created using carefully selected fruit varieties to ensure a really fruity tasting drink. When you use great fruit there is no needs for artificial flavours or colours; so none are added. Seriously light and fruity with a lovely warm finish.
Choose from these 6 flavours;
A Bobby Dazzler Cocktail
Yorkshire Cassis
40ml Blackcurrant Fruity Vodka
40ml Apple Juice
15ml Amaretto
Put all the ingredients in a shaker and mix with ice.
Serve with a slice of lemon in a Martini glass and enjoy!
We have lots of other cocktail recipes for these fruity treats, for more information get in touch on Twitter @AlanTerryWine or on Facebook at LiquidIndulgence
Keep Thi' Sen' Calm
Fancy winning a bottle of Fruity Vodka?
One of our lucky readers will receive a free bottle of Fruity Vodka. Here's how you can enter;
Follow us on Twitter and tweet your favourite flavour with #YorkshireDay. Don't forget to tag us too at AlanTerryWine.
Not on Twitter?
Like and share our Facebook business page then post on our wall with your favourite flavour and #YorkshireDay.
Good luck, competition closes Friday 5th August!
Wine Club
– click here to learn more about our great Wine Club deals.
Alternatively why not try your favourite wine as part of a mixed case of 6 bottles.


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Water restrictions will be relaxed with immediate effect in some areas after rain over the weekend, but the Tasman District Council warns the showers were not enough to break the drought.
Dry Weather Taskforce convenor Dennis Bush-King said the Waimea area would move back to Stage 3 restrictions immediately. That means the 25% cut for businesses connected to the reticulated water networks is lifted, and permit holders face a reduced cut in allocations – now 50% rather than 65%.
However, households connected to the reticulated water network in Richmond, Hope, Brightwater, Mapua, Ruby Bay, Wakefield and rural extensions, are still subject to an outdoor water use ban. The exception is watering fruit and vegetables using a bucket or watering can on alternate evenings, which is permitted.
Dennis said: "River levels are already starting to drop back after the weekend's rain but groundwater levels have lifted because there has been less pumping taking place. While we can relax the restrictions slightly, it's important people realise we are still in a drought and water conservation remains very important. More rain is signalled for next week and we will reassess the restrictions next Tuesday when the Dry Weather Taskforce meets again."
Council acting Engineering Services manager Dwayne Fletcher reiterated the need to conserve water was still vital.
"We are keeping the outdoor water use ban in place for now because while there is a small increase in the amount of water available for the reticulated supply, we believe the priority is to lift the business restrictions to ensure the economy can keep ticking over - that protects people's jobs and livelihoods."
Full list of water restrictions from Monday 11 March 2019
Urban communities and rural extensions
Stage 3: Richmond, Hope, Brightwater, Wakefield, Mapua, Ruby Bay
- 25% business cut is lifted
- Outdoor water use ban remains (excludes bucket watering of fruit/vegetables on alternate evenings, firefighting and for genuine health and safety purposes)
Stage 2: Tapawera
- Sprinkler ban
- Watering grass and lawns is prohibited
- Watering gardens using handheld hosing is permitted on alternate days between 6pm and 8am only
- Outdoor washing (for example, vehicles, windows, walls or driveways) is permitted using a hose fitted with trigger nozzle or a bucket only
- Filling or topping up pools is prohibited
Stage 1: Upper Takaka, Collingwood, Pohara
- Sprinkler ban
- Handheld hosing of gardens on alternate days is permitted
Rural communities
Water permit holders
- Cease take (water for essential human needs and stock health only): Remains in place for Moutere Surface Water zone and Dovedale but is uplifted for the Powley Creek and Rainy River zones which revert back to operating under the terms of consent
- Stage 3 (50% cut): Motupiko, Upper Catchment, Reservoir, Waimea West, Delta, Upper Confined Aquifer and Golden Hills zones
- Stage 2 (35% cut): Lower Confined, Hope Gravel, Wai-iti and Wai-iti Dam Service, Wangapeka, Tapawera, Glen Rae, Tadmor, Baton and Stanley Brook zones
- Stage 1 (20% cut): Moutere Western Groundwater and Moutere Eastern Groundwater, Aorere and Takaka zones (except those consent holders with specific consent conditions requiring greater restrictions)
- Flow sharing restrictions are lifted in the Riuwaka, Brooklyn and Little Sydney water management zones.
Rural supply schemes (Dovedale, Eighty-Eight Valley, Redwood Valley)
- Dovedale only: Water for essential human needs and animal welfare only
- Redwood and Eighty-Eight Valley: Outdoor water use ban, except watering fruit/veges with a bucket or watering can on alternate evenings
Private wells and river takes for domestic use
All areas except the Motueka Plains and the Buller
- No watering lawns
- Water conservation required


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Attentive to my pain and concerns
I went to Innovative Health with serious back problems. The staff were helpful in all respects. Dr. Jim is my chiropractor. He is attentive to my pain and concerns and is very skilled in the appropriate treatments for my particular condition. I highly recommend his skill.


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Hyper Light Drifter is a single-player video that was released on March 31, 2016 for PC, Mac and Linux. It has since been released on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. It was developed by Heart Machine and composed by Richard Vreeland, also known as Disasterpeace.
The introductory cutscene provides background information for the player character, The Drifter, and the game's world. Before an apocalyptic event, there was a floating crown-shaped object above a large city. In the four corners of the world are large pillars that once activated, caused a massive explosion in the city. In the aftermath, the player witnesses The Drifter teleport into a river of blood surrounded by dozens of corpses. In the background are several giants walking around the ruins of the city. While suffering from a mysterious illness, The Drifter is guided by a black jackal resembling Anubis, Egyptian god of the dead. The Drifter attempts to fight off creeping darkness tentacles in order to reach a glowing diamond-shaped object. After fading to black, The Drifter wakes up at a cliffside campfire during a storm.
In Hyper Light Drifter, the player controls The Drifter, who uses advanced technology to fight various enemies. However, The Drifter suffers from a mysterious illness, which causes him to occasionally cough up blood. Whenever this happens, the blood transforms into a terrifying black goo monster. The player's mission in the game is to activate the four large pillars at the corners of the map while exploring the world, fighting enemies and upgrading The Drifter's abilities. The player can learn more by interacting with certain characters. The characters' speech is represented by pictures visually rather than verbally.
The combat of Hyper Light Drifter is tactical and deliberate. Although the player can slash with their sword in rapid succession, they are punished for doing so by a short cooldown period after the third attack. During this time, they are not able to attack with the sword again for about one second. This leaves the player open to attack by enemies, which often attack in groups. The player may also utilize a short dash to evade enemy attacks. These two abilities form the fundamentals of combat. Learning when to dash in for a couple of slashes, then dash out to avoid an attack is the key to success. After a while, it becomes rhythmic.
The Drifter also begins the game with a semi-automatic pistol, which fires projectiles. To recharge ammo, the player can destroy objects in the environment, such as pots and containers, or attack enemies with their sword. The player obtains multiple guns throughout the game which each perform differently. The shotgun for example, fires multiple short-range projectiles.
At certain points when the environment is dark, the aiming reticule blends into the background and it becomes difficult to tell where it is on the screen. Although The Drifter is represented by a silhouette, the player character can become lost behind environmental details such as trees. Secrets are often located through hidden routes, so the character becoming lost on the screen is a somewhat frequent occurrence.
Players also have access to health packs to restore health. Health packs can be found hidden in the world. The maximum health packs a player can hold at once starts at three and can be upgraded to hold more. Upgrade shards can be found in secret areas and obtained from defeating bosses. After collecting four shards, they will combine into an upgrade point, which can be exchanged for upgrades in the central town.
I played six hours of the estimated completion time of seven and a half hours, according to howlongtobeat. During this time, I beat three of what I assume to be four bosses. My opinions should represent the bulk of what players can expect from Hyper Light Drifter.
I chose to play on normal difficulty. After about an hour, I came to an encounter with so many enemies I couldn't get an attack in before I was hit by another attack. After multiple attempts, I became so frustrated that I decided to restart the game on easy. The only noticeable difference was that I had an extra point of health. However, this experience did teach me that prioritizing certain enemies is important. An enemy that is shooting at the player from far away is more important than a bird that is dive-bombing.
After some time, I began to notice this same pattern repeat. An hour or so in, I became frustrated at some new enemy and would have to take a break. The enemies in the immediate area respawn when the player dies. This led me to feel like I was bashing my head against a wall until I succeeded in some areas.
While all of Hyper Light Drifter's component aspects come together to form a well-made game, it fails to have any one aspect stand out. The part that stands out the most, however, is the worldbuilding. Because only a few of the characters offer information about the world through pictures, the player is encouraged to examine the environment for clues as to how the world was before the explosion. This was the sole reason that I felt even faintly compelled to keep playing.
That being said, I would still recommend Hyper Light Drifter, albeit with a handful of caveats. Are you the type of player who enjoys exploring a mysterious world and learning about its history? Are you patient enough to learn the ins and outs of the combat? Are you willing to replay the same area after you die? For me, the answer to all of these questions is no. It's simply not the type of game that I enjoy. However, Hyper Light Drifter is still competent enough to recommend to those who can accept the caveats listed above.


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Today at PSi (which will likely be yesterday by the time I post this), in between panels on global art objects, global art markets, and ethico-political aesthetics, I took in the following performance/praxis events:
1. Ron Athey's Incorruptible Flesh: Messianic Remains, the fourth instalment in a series of performances continuing the artist's exploration of the borders between pain and pleasure, life and death, the sacred and the profane, using his own body as canvas, was profoundly disappointing. One of only two ticketed performances as part of the conference, the piece lasted all of 30 minutes, 10 of which were taken up with a pre-show ogling and greasing up of Athey's prone and splayed body. The rest was a sometimes funny, mostly pretentious ode to finding the sublime core in the trashy life and filthy death of Divine.
2. Marcia Farquhar's Long Haul is a durational monologue in which the artist talks for 10 hours and 50 minutes, the length of time it takes to fly from London to Palo Alto. I dropped in on the conversation on two separate occasions, once at the beginning and once at the 7 hour mark, and while Marcia was understandably more tired on the second occasion, I still found her utterly captivating. And although she made a point of saying near the beginning that critics never talk about her work in relation to her body, I found her frank incorporation of her fleshly being into her anecdotes about her family and the regimentation and repression and rebellion that accompanied growing up in the UK from the 1950s-70s to be far more compelling than Athey's exhibitionist star turn.
Friday, June 28, 2013
PSi 19 Day 2
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Enhancing the consumer experience is a game changer for organisations. Huge potential lies await for companies that improved their servicing in the past few years since consumer ex is a deciding factor that moves customers to engage with a modern-day business.
Consumer ex is helping organisations hack their work cycle in half with smarter strategies that make customers happy in dealing with your brand. So rather than aimlessly contributing to the already mounting quantity of work everyday, its an opportunity to improve quality while achieving high satisfaction ratings from clients.
Consumer experience hopes to achieve what no other business strategy truly focuses on; the impression that you leave with customers, improving the way they think and feel about your brand.
Behold the empowered customer – he/she sees it all and knows it all. Gimmicks can't get past them and good social media reputation is a big decision maker for them.
Consumer Ex has taken precedence over product and innovation as well, since branded customer engagement is winning more customers than innovative products.
On the road to brand building, a unified platform converts customers, racking up on loyalty points. As consumers move through their lifecycle, the chain of conversations on multiple channels should be continued on one interface.
Every team that directly interacts with the customer has a role to play in shaping consumer experience. And each of these teams can connect the dots to consumer touchpoints with the interactive consumer experience platform.


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Windows 10 PowerToys First Preview Launches
Release v0.11.0 contains two utilities in the form of a Windows key shortcut guide and a window manager called FancyZones.
Microsoft announced in May that it was resurrecting PowerToys in updated form for Windows 10. Now the first preview version is available to download and use on your PC.
The free set of PowerToys utilities was first launched for Windows 95, offering 15 useful tools for power users. We're now getting the same for Windows 10, albeit slowly. This first preview version (v0.11.0) is open source and available via GitHub (which is now owned by Microsoft).
You can download the PowerToysSetup.msi installer and take advantage of the two utilities it contains right now. One of those is a Windows key shortcut guide, while the other is a window manager called FancyZones. Once installed, PowerToys will load as a service when Windows 10 boots and appears in your system tray as an icon. The icon offers right-click access to settings where you can enable/disable individual utilities as well as tweaking their options if any are available.
By enabling the Shortcut Guide utility, PowerToys will show a full-screen Windows shortcut overlay on your display when the Windows key is pressed and held down for one second. If you have more than one display then the guide will appear for the active display. You can also make the guide stay on screen by continuing to keep the Windows key pressed after a shortcut is issued.
FancyZones is the more in-depth of the two utilities and allows you to easily "arrange and snap windows into efficient layouts for your workflow." You can set window locations as drag targets on a desktop meaning you can drag a window into a predefined zone and it will automatically reposition and resize to fill that zone.
A number of predefined layouts are offered including Focus, Columns, Rows, Grid, and Priority Grid. All of then can be edited and custom layouts can be saved, be that an edited predefined layout or a brand new one you created from scratch in the Custom tab of the utility.
It's certainly a positive start to this new version of PowerToys with both utilities being genuinely useful. Microsoft has also hinted at the types of utility we can expect to be added including a Win+R replacement, better Alt-TAB functionality, a battery tracker, batch file re-namer, quick resolution swaps from the taskbar, mouse events without focus, and contents menu file browsing.


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God has been showing me the faces of different spirits lately, and what I've noticed is that people who have strongholds of that particular spirit will display similar characteristics. For instance, the spirit of depression has a very downturned mouth, like a sad clown-face, so people who have that spirit will also at times display that facial expression. The spirit of deception has a mocking expression, kind of like a sneer (his actual face is like a monkey-troll—and he has a black tongue!!). The list goes on. Maybe I'll write a detailed list one day.
But really, I wanted to share a crazy encounter I had on Friday night.
This whole weekend there were wonderful prophetic speakers at the Fire and Glory DECREE conference, with Heart of God Church in Rancho Bernardo, and after hearing guest speaker Doug Addison prophesy that we would start seeing the heavenly realm on Friday, that night I actually did enter the throne room while praying.
I was only there long enough to realize it wasn't the first time I'd been there, when I suddenly saw this spirit charging toward me. He was very thick and muscular, with a body that was like a centaur (but instead of a horse body, it was more oxen-like), and on his head was a unicorn. His face was SO furious, and I saw him swing his head and use his horn to sever my connection to the throne room. Instantly I was out of my prayer trance, and actually craving my cell phone (which I'll address soon), but I could still see the spirit—and when he saw I could see him he instantly tried to turn himself invisible, but I could still see his outline as he raced back to where he came from.
I then asked God, "Who is he?" and God said, "The spirit of division, the prince of this nation." And suddenly all the unicorn symbolism we see nowadays made so much sense! Of course this spirit would want people brandishing his emblem, worshipping him in a way. And our nation is obviously politically divided, but it's more than that. He divides families, ethnic groups, and as with my encounter, Christians from experiencing deeper revelations with God. The main way he's doing that is with technology and social media, hence my instant craving to just hold my phone!
But God also provided me with how to fight back! On Saturday night God woke me around 12 a.m. and I couldn't sleep for the longest time. Finally, as I was praying, God spoke to me and said: "Tell them it's by faith," and I immediately saw the spirit of division again. This time as he was trying to sever a portal to heaven, his horn just kept hitting it and making a loud "THUNK" sound, like he was hitting it against a pole.
Imagine the portals like those rainbow beams in Star Trek when they would say, "Beam me up Scotty!" But narrower, like pipelines. I realized that the first one was like a fine mist: very non-corporeal and easily cut through. But the second portal I saw was so strong that no matter how many times unicorn dude tried to swat through it, it was like he was ramming against steel!
I just felt it was really important to share this so we can actually expose this spirit and start fighting back! Plus as believers we have been given the keys to the Kingdom, and God actually wants us to enter in and fellowship with Him!
Now let's go trash all the unicorn stuff lying around our homes and kick some demon butt!
On that note, here's a song I wrote on Saturday night that I think I'll title BATTLE CRY! 😀
My God, Conquerer!
My God, Deliverer!
My God of wild heart,
Imparting your presence in me
I believe in your promise,
I believe in your grace,
All the heavens are watching
As we run this wild race
A mad dash till we finish
Guide us as we go
Leaping over mountains
Nothing is too high
Treading on the scorpions
Stab the enemy in the eye!!
DEFEAT! DEFEAT! DEFEAT the enemy!
Trample him under our feet!!!


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Samsung Electronics is leading the trend towards bigger TVs with its premium QLED TVs. The 70-inch or larger premium TV market is growing globally every year. In Samsung Electronics' TV sales, the proportion of 70-inch or larger TVs jas eclipsed that of 50- to 59-inch TVs.
TVs with a 70-inch or larger screen accounted for 9.4 percent of the global TV market in the second quarter, said IHS Markit, a global market research firm, on Oct. 15. The figure jumped from 5.1 percent in the first quarter of last year.
Market watchers note that the ultra-large and premium TV market has started to grow rapidly since last year when Samsung Electronics came up with a larger TV strategy based on its ultra-high quality 8K TVs. This means that Samsung Electronics led the market's trend towards extra large TVs.
In fact, 70-inch or larger TVs accounted for 28 percent of Samsung QLED TV sales in the second quarter of this year, exceeding the 25 percent share of the TVs in the 50-inch range, which the market mainstream. The proportion of ultra-large products over 80 inches also surpassed the 10 percent barrier in the second quarters for the first time.
As a result, competition is heating up in the ultra-large and premium TV market. Samsung Electronics has been increasing its market influence by expanding the QLED TV premium product line since last year. In the segment of TVs costing more than US$2,500, Samsung Electronics boosted its market share to 53.8 percent in the second quarter of this year from 44.3 percent in the first quarter of last year.
As the market grows, a battle for second place is getting fiercer. Japan's Sony regained second place in the second quarter of this year after losing to LG Electronics in the first quarter.
Industry watchers are predicting that TV makers will introduce ultra-high definition 8K TVs one after another, reinforcing the trend towards larger TVs and heating up competition.


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Lucasfilm Ltd has appointed Teresa Cheng (pictured) as general manager for Lucasfilm Singapore. Cheng joins Lucasfilm from DreamWorks Animation where she served as senior production executive for the joint venture between DreamWorks Animation in the United States and Oriental DreamWorks based in Shanghai.
Cheng brings over 20 years of experience in animation and visual effects production to her new role. That experience bridges both the studio side of the business and the facility side having held senior positions at Warner Bros., Rhythm & Hues and Digital Domain.Her feature film credits include Shrek Forever After, Madagascar, Batman & Robin and True Lies.
"Teresa is the rare executive with a solid background of production experience, business development acumen and a rich knowledge of global markets. She brings an energy and passion to her work that I know will benefit the studio and the relationships we've built while continuing to forge new relationships in the region," Kathleen Kennedy, Lucasfilm president said.
Cheng will report directly to Lynwen Brennan,president and general manager of Industrial Light & Magic (ILM).


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Following Apple's announcement regarding HomeKit Secure Video coming later this year. Netatmo has officially confirmed that its upcoming Smart Video Doorbell will be compatible with HomeKit Secure Video at launch along with its existing video lineup.
In a response on Twitter, Netatmo confirmed: "The Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell will be compatible with HomeKit Secure Video at its launch and a free, automatic firmware update will add HomeKit Secure Video compatibility to new and existing Netatmo Smart Indoor Cameras and Smart Outdoor Cameras later this year."
When the HomeKit lands later this year, Netatmo users can experience HomeKit Secure Video through the Apple Home app on iPhone and iPad with select iCloud storage plans.
Apple announced HomeKit Secure Video that will address privacy concerns with smart cameras. The new feature means the video is processed on a hub like the Apple TV or HomePod. Once the video is processed it will be securely stored in iCloud for 10 days without counting towards your storage limit. You'll need a 200GB plan for one camera and a 2TB plan to support up to five cameras.
Don't forget to subscribe to receive the latest HomeKit and smart home. If you have a question or comment, then leave it below.


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- The Buffalo Bills announced Thursday that second-round WR Zay Jones has a knee injury and is week-to-week.
- The Bills have hired Lake Dawson as assistant director of college scouting.
- The Jets have signed fifth-round TE Jordan Leggett to a four-year contract. (Element Sports Group)
According to Jason McCourty, there was "definitely mutual interest" between him and the Patriots before he recently agreed to a two-year contract with the Browns.
"I think there was definitely mutual interest," McCourty said Thursday on "Good Morning Football" via NFL.com. "Me and Devin have never hid the fact that us playing together would be a dream come true. My mom kind of has hinted at that since we both got into the league. She knows it would be a lot easier only having to travel to one city during the season.
"I think there was definitely mutual interest, but to be honest, the Patriots are kind of set at cornerback. They have a lot of talent in that room. There really wasn't room for me. Me and Dev talked about that and that's just the way of the league. I'm excited about the opportunity I have in Cleveland to work with those guys."
- Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com writes that one issue that could factor into contracts between the Raiders and QB Derek Carr is that the current collective bargaining agreement expires after the 2020 season.
- The expectation has been that Carr would get a similar long-term extension to Andrew Luck, but because the financial landscape could change in 2021, it's possible they could consider a different type deal.
- One possibility, according to Breer, could be a three-year extension that could expire when the CBA does and after the Raiders first year in Las Vegas.
- Another option would be to do a three-year contract and then tie the final years of the contract to percentages of the salary cap.


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Solving "only 1% can answer this" Problems With Machine Learning
We examine 'genius' internet memes and consider how we might apply techniques from statistical learning to build an abstract solver.
read essay
Creating Your First Machine Learning Classifier with Sklearn
We examine how the popular framework sklearn can be used with the iris dataset to classify species of flowers. We go through all the steps required to make a machine learning model from start to end.
read essay


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Summer Fitness update
By: Bailey G.
Hi Ramblers,
Sorry again, I think I've been on a summer schedule recently, meaning blogging's been back of mind. But anywhooo, speaking of summer, let's chat summer workouts.
Zero Waste Lifestyle
By Anne B
Hello Ramblers! You guys have probably noticed that this week has revolved a lot around the environment and taking care of it. Y'all have probably also noticed that both Bailey and I are big fans of nature and very passionate about taking care of our planet. So, to continue talking about this very important topic, I'm going to talk about one of the biggest ways to save the Earth: the zero waste lifestyle.
By Bailey G
Hi Ramblers,
So today I'm going to go on a bit of a tangent—so this is the warning if you're not into protecting the environment, impacting climate change, or general tree hugging to back out now. In fact, if you don't believe that we need to take a serious look in the mirror as a society and fix the mess we made; please do me a favor and pick up a real book.
You may be asking why is this important? It's just a little weather isn't it? So, what if our summers are warmer, there's a few more hurricanes, maybe a couple less cuddly animals are roaming around…WRONG. Let me paint a picture for you.
Apartment Living with a Pet
By Anne B
Hey, hey Ramblers! Happy Sunday! I hope you guys are having an amazing weekend! I am currently chilling in my apartment and anxiously waiting for the Game of Thrones series finale with Chester curled up next to me. Speaking of Chester, my cat, let's talk a little bit about how living with a pet in an apartment has been going!
20 Tips from a 20-Something
By Bailey G
Happy Friday, sorry I'm so behind, this week has been crazy. With friends graduating, my boyfriend moving back in, and about a hundred other things needing attention; I hope you understand! I am so excited for things to slow down when summer rolls around. As most of you know, I recently just turned 22 and just surpassed a year-to-date of being graduated from college. It's kind of weird seeing how quickly a year goes by once you're out of school, and to have so much changed and yet nothing at all has. I thought I would share a few pieces of advice, for any other young adults out there navigating this crazy world!
Enjoy 20 tips from a 20-something! Let me know what you think in the comments below.
Grad School Round 1
By Anne B
What time is it?? Summertime! It's our vacationnn… ok not really cause I'm still working, but at least I'm out of class! I hope you all are too! I am sipping a Bella Amari (aperol spritz in a can) from a wine glass and catching up on YouTube videos (I'm subscribed to a lot of vloggers, k? K). Luckily for me, almost all of the videos I'm catching up on our about decluttering, organizing, and getting your life together for a good summer. These videos are exactly what I needed to get my motivation back up for all the side projects I've been pushing aside because of school (photography, fitness, getting that side moolah). But before I go off on a tangent, let's take a moment to look back at this first semester of graduate school and reflect on it.
Summer Internship + Job Tips
By Bailey G
Hi Ramblers,
Gosh it's a busy time of year! With graduations, summer plans, and just about a thousand other things going on...it can be difficult to wrap your head around the concrete things still left to do! One of those major things that I'm sure is on a lot of your minds is scoring that summer internship or entry level job if you're about to graduate college. Hopefully, you'll find these tips helpful, and no fear, everyone finds a job eventually!
by anne b
Happy Friday Jr. Ramblers! I am currently writing this blog post while sitting in a coffee shop in New York City! Can you believe it?? I definitely can't! The fact that I am in New York City with Bailey and that while Bailey is at her conference, I am strolling around alone in the city and working (because yes, I still have to work on my research stuff) in various coffee shops is mind-blowing for my small-town brain. Even though Montréal is a big city and I do that kind of stuff all the time there, Montréal is still a very small city compared to the Big Apple. Whether I'm in a small town or a big city, though, dating still seems to be a struggle. But, looking back at everything that's happened this year, I have definitely come a long way compared to one year ago. So, without further ado, let's talk about what my dating life has been like since January.


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Barn Door Brewing
Tues - Thurs: 4 PM - 9 PM
Friday: 4 PM - 11 PM
Saturday: 12 PM - 11 PM
Sunday: 12 PM - 9 PM
About Us
Not Every Bottle in Dundee Contains Wine
Deception seems to be the sign of the times these days, and while many things around us are not what they seem, our beers hide nothing and each pint offers a taste of our true work in creating honest hand crafted ales.
You'll often find the owners, Marvin and Jane Mandel, either working behind the counter or brewing in the back. We'd love to meet you and introduce you to our fine brews!


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Organising pretend profiles on dating web sites equivalent to OKCupid which is a dating website for ADULTS. National legal systems and their enforcement businesses are formally bound to nationally defined borders, whereas even a single transmission of computerized data over a community might go by means of a dozen or extra kinds of carriers, comparable to phone firms, satellite networks, and Internet service suppliers, thereby crossing quite a few territorial borders and authorized methods (Aldesco, 2002).
A few of the vehicles outdoors have been gifted to the museum by Hollywood and are vehicles which have been featured in films with some kind of legislation and order theme. By doing nothing, these offenders are going right again to where they started, which suggests they're going to must try many times to vary their conditions at home, work, or in school that caused them to violate the regulation to start with.
Interviews were carried out with personnel from a sample of Colorado legislation enforcement agencies to obtain the data necessary to answer the analysis questions. Michael D. Bayer is a regional agent-in-cost of a outstanding, internationally oriented U.S. federal legislation enforcement company. An agency will take applicable civil and/or administrative enforcement motion in cases of serious contravention which are not cases of serious crime or which aren't able to being prosecuted as critical crime.
All federal companies are limited by the U.S. Code to investigating solely issues which are explicitly throughout the power of the federal authorities. The primary husband then filed for custody of the child and attached the emails to the court filing, reviews Arizona Central. In order for the law enforcement businesses to be robust and in a position to do their part in neighborhood oriented policing, they need to make sure that their very own system's construction is beyond reproach and orchestrated in such a way that it will possibly work with the group to its finest potential.
As well as, in line with the Sep 11 commission, the creation of many intelligence businesses and organizations within the land have resulted within the safety being traded for liberty. Nonetheless, instead of specializing in discriminations between the police and the general public, I want to examine discrimination and prejudices inside legislation enforcement organizations themselves.


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Yesterday I replied to early comments here and watched football for the rest of the day. The Broncos game was a heart breaker.
Although clearly outmatched, the Broncos hung tough and actually tied the game 27-27 in the fourth quarter, but the eagles added a field goal for the win. I don't liked that, but the better team won. Fortunately Baltimore also lost, so the Broncos still have a good shot to make the playoffs.
Today's Jig Zone puzzle took me 4:15. To do it, Click Here. How did you do?
Here's your cartoon from About.com.


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Editor's Note: The following is a report on the practical applications of Debra Fileta's new book True Love Dates: Your Indispensable Guide to Finding the Love of Your Life (Zondervan, 2013).
Finding a spouse who can be the love of your life isn't just a matter of searching for someone who has qualities that attract you. In order to find a lifelong love, you first need to learn how to love God and yourself in ways that will prepare you to date successfully.
Here's how you can develop healthy relationships with God and yourself, so you can build healthy dating relationships that can lead you to the love of your life:
Date inward, outward, and upward. Invest your time and energy in three different yet complementary focuses: dating inward (getting to know yourself well), dating outward (learning as you date various people you meet), and dating upward (growing closer to God and allowing your relationship with him to guide you in all of your relationships).
Learn where you came from. Accept your past as something that can't be changed, but realize that God can always use your past to accomplish good purposes in your life now. Ask God to help you understand your past from his perspective, and to learn everything he wants you to learn from it so you can keep growing into the person he wants you to become.
Discover who you are now. Pray for the ability to see yourself as you truly are right now, rather than as the person you may wish you were, or as a person who conforms to the labels that other people have placed on you. Base your identity on God's complete, unconditional love for you. Maintain a journal in which you record your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs about yourself, as well as the ways you interact with the world around you. Regularly reflect on and pray about what you've written in your journal. Keep in mind that you'll attract romantic partners who are at your same level of self-esteem and emotional health, so try to be as emotionally healthy and confident as possible when dating.
Envision where you're going. Ask God to reveal as many of his plans for your life as he will, set goals around fulfilling God's purposes for you, and prioritize daily activities that will help you meet those goals. Rather than running after a romantic partner, run after Jesus. In the process, you'll notice people around you who are also running after Jesus. The single people who are also wholeheartedly pursuing Jesus are the ones who are the best candidates as romantic partners.
Figure out what qualities you really want in a potential spouse. Make a list of red, yellow, and green qualities: Reds identify characteristics that you would never allow yourself to settle for in a romantic partner (such as abusiveness, addictive behavior, or a pattern of dishonesty). Yellows identify traits that you would need to explore carefully (such as sexual history, family of origin issues, and communication deficits). Greens describe qualities that you especially desire in a romantic partner (such as someone who challenges you to be a better person and Christian, serves others, and has a strong prayer life). When making your list, keep in mind what's most important from God's perspective – loving God and loving other people – and choose to look foremost for a person who does that well, instead of getting distracted by qualities that aren't as important (such as a particular type of physical appearance or a certain salary level).
Click here to read more.
SOURCE: Crosswalk
Whitney Hopler, Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer


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Get out a transphobic professorout of the classroom sign now
David Sorbello, a NY college professor thought it would be funny to mock trans women. Sorbello has a history of using women and people of color as punchlines for his lectures, but he took it to a new level when he delivered a lecture where he forced his students to participate in an utterly ignorant and completely disrespectful guessing game entitled "Female or Shemale" during one of his classes.
Last year, 23 trans women were murdered.This year, with more than two months to go until the end of 2017, the number killed stands at 21. As a group, trans women face a higher rates of violence and the current statistics suggest the rates numbers aren't declining. The state of trans rights in America are no laughing matter.
Yet, Mr. Sorbello thought his class would be funny, and even suggested the students be careful when getting drunk because they could go home with "the wrong one."
This type of ignorance by a professor, someone who is charged with shaping the minds of our future leaders, has no place in academia. His class dehumanized an entire group of people and mocked their struggle and it is unacceptable.
Professor Sorello's students' shouldn't be forced to endure more shameful lectures classes. It's time SUNY Geneseo do what's right and remove Mr. Sorbello from the classroom.
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Siamese cats are pretty easy to care for. They love their food, their play time and attention. Given free rein, they'd love to have all of these 24/7.
Siamese cats tend to be a long lived breed. It's one reason we love Siamese. Like all purebreds they have some genetic quirks that can cause problems. For many years the kinked tail was a problem and in the breed standard, it is still considered a fault for a show cat. However, it is unlikely that this would cause a problem for a pet quality cat. Crossed eyes are the same way. Siamese cats tend to have bad teeth. They also tend towards cardiac problems, however as a long lived cat, this could be expected.
Current veterinary medicine says that Siamese tend to begin kidney failure younger than many other cats. However, Siamese tend to handle it far better than most other cats. In other words, their kidneys may show signs of failure at younger ages, meaning they need to have their diet managed a bit more carefully, but it does not progress at the rate it can in other breeds of cats.
One thing that I have noticed as a Siamese cat owner is that Siamese cats vomit easily. They tend to have sensitive tummies. Also at issue is the shape of their face. When they eat and are hungry, the narrow front of their face that would normally be used for tearing their food is not as effective as that of a cat with a wider jaw. When they are hungry and eating quickly, their food often goes straight back and down the throat without any chewing. It then hits the stomach, combines with the waters there and expands. They feel too full and regurgitate the extra food. Cats don't mind vomiting the way humans do. However, it does cause a mess.
However, as you get to know your Siamese cat, it is important to take any symptom to your veterinarian to have it checked out. Vomiting can be a sign of a serious disease and certainly even the most ravenous of Siamese cats only vomits this way one or twice a week. Any other symptoms combined with vomiting suggest that a veterinarian be called immediately!
Siamese should be vaccinated per your veterinarian's recommendations. They should also have an annual exam when your veterinarian can check their eyes, ears, tummy and teeth. They will listen to the heart and lungs and then make any recommendations for feeding or medication based on what is seen. Expect that you will be doing a fair number of teeth cleanings, particularly if you have a wedgie headed Siamese.
Common cat problems that your Siamese may encounter are upper respiratory infections and bladder infections. Upper respiratory infections are fairly common and cats may start to sneeze more regularly. They may stop eating. If cats can't smell food, they won't eat it. Your cat doesn't do well metabolically if they aren't eating for any amount of time. If your cat isn't eating, this could be a serious problem and they need to see a veterinarian immediately.
Bladder infections can be life threatening to male cats. If a cat is straining or crying in the litter box (or elsewhere) call the vet. Male cats can get crystals which block their ability to urinate. If this is not relieved, their bladder can burst and they will die. This is very painful. Female cats can also get infections but typically they are more uncomfortable than life threatening. Changes in litter box habits can be a sign of infection as can blood in the urine, crying in the litter box or frequent visits. Always have a doctor check your cat any time something changes in the litter box!
With proper care and living a safe indoor cat life, many Siamese cats can live to be twenty or twenty five.
Heath and Care of Your Siamese
Siamese cats are pretty easy to care for. They love their food, their play time and attention. Given free rein, they'd love to have all of these 24/7.
Losing Your Siamese
The loss of a pet can be hard, no matter what the reason. Siamese cats can be very long lived, which means if you've had your Siamese for 20 years, then they've definitely become as much a part of the family as any human member. With their decidedly distinctive personality and talkative nature, perhaps more so! However, the human life expectancy is an average of 72 years or so and a Siamese is only 16 years or so (officially). There are many Siamese who live to be 20 or 25, but it's not the average.
At some point you Siamese will age and start looking like an old cat. They may not play as much and prefer to lie in the sun rather than chase after birds. They may not eat as much but drink more water. All of these are signs that their bodies are no longer functioning as well as they could. It is up to you to recognize your cat's failing health and take the appropriate steps.
Some people want their Siamese to die at home, naturally as they can't abide the thought of making that decision. Other people may need to make the decision to euthanize the pet. Each choice, like each cat, is individual. If you are thinking of the decision, the most important thing is to think about whether the cat is happy and content or if they are suffering. Suffering should not be prolonged. Your veterinarian is the best person to help you recognize the point at which your cat is suffering.
However, what do you do once your cat has crossed the "Rainbow Bridge"? This can be hard. Often friends and family, though well meaning may attempt to trivialize the loss, saying things like "He was just a cat!" or "Well at least you can get another one," without realizing that cats are as individual as humans and the bond that runs between you is strong. Other cat owners can be very helpful at this time as they often understand how hard it is to loose a pet.
Your veterinarian may know of local area support groups and it might be helpful to visit one. You can talk to a professional if you feel no one else can understand.
Finding an outlet for your grief can be helpful. Creating a small memorial for your beloved Siamese might help. There are many places that will make a plaque for your garden or a special wall. Often people find planting a special evergreen plant is helpful. Online, you can create a memorial through the Rainbow Bridge. You can puruse other people's memorials for ideas and perhaps take comfort in the fact that you are not alone in your grief. Other people have found it helpful to make a donation to an animal shelter. Best Friends is a wonderful shelter which accepts memorial donations.
Talk to people. Creating something for yourself or reaching out through online forums and through the Rainbow Bridge can be therapeutic but nothing beats reaching out to those closest to you and talking about your grief. If your family doesn't undertand, really look around for a group. Again, your veterinarian's office can be invaluable at this time.
Feeding Your Siamese
What to eat and what to buy for cat food can be a tough choice. There are so many options and so much contradictory information. Siamese, like all cats are true carnivores, which means they must have animal protein in their diets and they do best on a fairly high fat diet.
As a human alternative healthcare provider, we purchase mostly human quality, organic food products. Preservatives and fillers have no place in a regular diet. We feed a variety of foods, although vets typically recommend against this. However as every food is made differently, if one food is deficient in something, the other food may not be.
There are feline nutritionists who believe in an evolutionary diet that is primarily protein. If you wish to do this, you can purchase a quality animal protein from a freezer section and add some vitamin type supplements to the food. The cat is then eating more like the cats of ancient times. There are also some evolutionary diets that are pre-formulated into both canned and dry food for cats, which is also supposed to mimic the diets of ancient cats.
I have read online about feeding cats LIVE food, feeling that such a diet is a more natural diet because cats are hunters. Before you decide this is best, it is important to realize that it is the mother cat who teaches kittens to kill. If a kitten misses this important time frame, they may play with a small rodent or bird mercilessly before killing it and killing may happen more accidentally than intentionally. If you choose this diet, be sure your kitten understands that at the end of a hunt,they kill the prey quickly.
Dry foods and canned foods go in and out of favor. Humans tend to prefer dry foods as it's more convenient. Cats, of course, love wet food. Cats don't drink a lot of water and so a diet heavy in canned food offers an easy way to stay well hydrated. This can be important as a cat grows older and needs more fluid in their body.
Diets should be chosen with the age of the Siamese in mind. Kittens need more calories. Elderly cats fewer. Elderly cats also do better on a lower protein diet (though this too has been argued). Most commercial pet foods offer different foods for different stages.
Remember when feeding cats in multiple cat households to be sure that everyone gets food. This may require having several food dishes scattered around so everyone can have their own space. Locking a piggy cat or a slower eating in a separate room can allow each cat to eat at their own pace.
Always feed your Siamese the highest quality food you can afford! Siamese are a highly muscled, athletic cat and need a high quality, high protein cat food. Our favorites are here.
Welcoming Your New Siamese
You've chosen your Siamese and are now ready to take him or her home. While Siamese cats are mostly personable cats and like to do what they want to do, experts recommend that you start by confining them to a small area, like a laundry or bathroom. This way your cat is not overwhelmed by a large new area, isn't afraid of other cats and you can be sure that he or she understands litter box habits.
If this cat is an only cat, then you can gradually start letting them out in the house after a short time. If you have other cats, this process might take a bit longer.
With other cats, it's a good idea to get the cats familiar with how each other smells. Cats identify friends and foes by smell so if they are familiar with a smell the new cat is less likely to be perceived as an intruder who needs to be dealt with. Some people let the cats smell nose to nose through a screen. Others will trade rooms for awhile–so put the new cat in the main house and the other cats in the room where the new cat was and let them start to smell each other. Do this for short periods each day and then let them meet under supervision.
Our Siamese was thrilled to meet our other cats. She was a very social cat in her first home. In our home, she was quite unhappy until she met our youngest cat, only month or so older than the her last litter. Once she met the other cats, she finally began to settle in. At first she preferred the other cats in the house to the people, but now she has adopted one of us and is very affectionate.
Realize that each cat will have personal preferences. Sometimes cats just don't like each other. Some cats really just want to be only cats. It's good to get as much feedback as you can about the new cat BEFORE you bring him or her into your house. Then watch carefully to see how they get along with your current cats.
Many people like having more than one cat. Several cats are good at entertaining each other and keepng each other company if you must be gone during the day. Siamese love attention so if you are gone for more than just work, you might think about another cat. Siamese tend to get along best with other Siamese and equally active breeds, such as Abyssinians.
Litter Box Health
While most people don't like to think about the litter box, it's important to know what's going on in the cat's litter box. Changes in urination and stool can be the first signs of disease in a cat.
Cats should urinate several times a day. It will vary depending upon the cat, and the amount of fluid they have taken in during the previous hours. However, blood in the urine is a sure sign that something is amiss and should be checked out by your veterinarian. Straining to urinate is equally problematic. Worse, if you have checked the box and there is little or no fluid and/or if your cat is crying while attempting to urinate. Cats who cannot void urine are in life threatening danger and no time should be lost calling the veterinarian. If it is after hours, the emergency veterinary services in the area should be utilized.
Any cat who suddenly stops using the litter box for urination should be checked by a vet. There are many reasons for this change, including behavioral problems. However, a vet should always rule out a physical cause, such as a urinary tract infection before you start working to retrain your cat to the litter box.
Stool volume and consistency should also be monitored. Stool should be firm but not hard and it should have form. If a cat suddenly has a major change in their stool, it may need to see a veterinarian. The only reasons NOT to see a vet if this happens, is if the owner has knowledge that the cat's diet has changed suddenly or if the cat is taking a medication that the vet has said will cause diarrhea.
Blood in the stool, formed or not, should be checked out. Younger cats who have this symptom are most typically suffering from a high parasitic load. A veterinarian can test for this with a simple test and the treatment is not difficult.
Changes in stool volume should also be noted. If cat is suddenly not having as many bowel movements or is straining they should be checked out. The most common intestinal blockage is the furball but cats have been known to ingest some strange items in their play, so it's important to know what's happening. If the cat seems under the weather, is lethargic or vomiting as well as straining, this can be a serious problem that needs immediate attention.
Older cats will often have lower stool volumes and be more prone to constipation. As their kidneys get older, they have a harder time maintaining their fluid balance. The stool gets harder and is more difficult to pass. It is important the older cats be monitored regularly and have plenty of fresh water. A veterinarian can offer suggestions to those cats who suffer from recurring bouts of constipation.
Siamese Breed Colors
Siamese cats come in a four standard colors in the United States. These are
- seal point
- chocolate point
- blue point
- lilac point.
The first of the point colors was the seal point. The chocolate point is a variation. The CFA defines the differences as the seal point cat having darker brown points and a "fawn" body color. The chocolate point has chocolate brown points and a creamy white body color.
The blue point and lilac point Siamese cats are dilute variations of the seal and chocolate point cats. The blue point was officially recognized by the CFA in 1934 and the chocolate point was recognized after that. Finally in 1955 the lilac point was recognized.
Other coloring points are recognized in Great Britain but in the United States, these are called Oriental Colorpoint Shorthairs. These include the tortipoint and the flame point.
Siamese cats are typically born white. Siamese cats are partly albino. There is a mutation in one of the genes involved in melatonin production. This gene is heat sensitive. It doesn't work at body temperature but it does work on cooler parts of the body. As Siamese cats age, the points start darkening. Points are usually the face, ears, paws and tail–all parts that tend to get cold easier.
Siamese Breed History
Siamese are an ancient breed. The Siamese breed is considered a "natural breed" which means the breed was not man made. Over the years, they have been bred to certain standards, but the original coloring evolved naturally.
The stunning contrast of the fur colors, rich blue eyes and distinctive personality have made them a hit with cat fanciers. The CFA standard Siamese has a lovely wedge shaped head, almond shaped eyes and a sleek tubular body. Other Siamese cat lovers have bred a heavier set cat, called an Applehead. Many believe the Applehead is the 'original' Siamese, but no one really knows for sure.
No one is certain when the breed first appeared. It is believed to be from Southeast Asia, probably Thailand. One of the earliest recordings of the Siamese cat appeared in the Cat Book of Poems which was written in Siam between 1350 and 1700.
The first Siamese cats were introduced in Britain in 1884 by a Mr. Gould as a gift for his sister. He imported the two cats from Bangkok and they are the first two Siamese registered in Britain. Many other Siamese were imported into this country during the final years of the century. All cats imported at this time came from Bangkok and so the modern cat as it is known today, is from ancient Siam.
It is likely that the first Siamese cats came to the United States under the Presidency of Rutherford B. Hayes.
Siamese cats have continued to be wildly popular. Lady and the Tramp Siamese notwithstanding, Siamese are actually very loving, caring creatures who worm their way into the hearts and minds of their people. Once you've had a Siamese, there's no going back.
Breeds Related to the Siamese
The Siamese cat is a "natural" breed meaning that it wasn't developed by breeding other breeds together to create it. It was found in nature. However, several other breeds of cat have been derived from this natural breed.
- The Balinese is derived from the Siamese. Essentially this cat is a long haired version of the Siamese. As such, the CFA recognizes only the four main point colors, but other Cat Associations recognize a broader variety of points.
- The Tonkinese is a cross between the Burmese and the Siamese. Originally the Burmese breed was typically cross bred with the Siamese. However, the Burmese tends to be a solid color cat with a heavier body type than the Wedgie Siamese. Tonkinese cats have points on their body, though their base body color tends to be darker than that of the Siamese. These cats are also much more sedentary than the average Siamese.
- The Colorpoint Shorthair. This breed is essentially a Siamese cat with the points being outside the range of "recognized" colors on the points.
- The Himalayan. This breed was derived originally from a cross between a Persian and a Siamese. It typically has the cobby body and full fur coat of a Persian but the point colors of a Siamese. Once the point colors were set, the Himalayan was bred back with the Persian until today's breed standard was acheived.
- The Oriental Shorthair is any Siamese style cat without the points. It can be a solid color cat but with the long lithe body that the Siamese is known for.
- The Ocicat was orginally a cross between the Siamese and the Abyssinian.
- Javenese is a longhaired version of the Oriental Shorthair.
- The Snowshoe is a cross between the Siamese and a bi-color American Shorthair. These cats usually have a heavier body and white feet.
Siamese Personality
Siamese cats are known for their wonderful personality.
Siamese don't bestow their love on just anyone. Often they will watch new comers to the house and see how they behave before they decide whether they will grace them with their presence. Even the most outgoing and least choosy of Siamese have one person to whom they are particularly attached. They are nothing if not loyal. We have heard it said that chocolate points, like our Cheysuli, are nothing if not loyal.
Siamese are talkers. Some folks claim they have a loud, annoying meow. Other people adore the sounds they make. The loud vocalization is part of every Siamese's repertoire, but they have hundreds of other sounds as well. There are little chirps or merfs. There are chatty meows. There are the questioning meows.
Siamese love activity and if something is being played with, they want to be part of it. They love stretching their long lean body and twisting it into position to catch that thing that is just out of reach, whether it's a bug, a string, a feather toy or the tail of another cat. When they jump and catch, they are playing with the accuracy of a predator. They don't just bat at a string or feather. They hunt to keep.
While many Siamese are highly independent, others suffer from separation anxiety. If someone is going to be gone a lot, a Siamese may not be the best cat. All Siamese love attention. They love their people socializing. If you can offer this, then you could be a good candidate for the love and affection of a Siamese


text: During the first six months of the current term of the European Parliament (July 2014 – December 2014), the three pro-European groups at the centre of the spectrum have succeeded in being 'on the winning side' much more often than the other groups, as a result of pre-vote agreements between them. Had there not been the vote in January 2015, when the political groups founded impossible to reach consensus on the Commission's working plan for the current year, we could have concluded that a (super) grand coalition is alive and well. Continue Reading


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In some very exciting news, Sony has just announced the new a9 II, the followup to the already impressive Sony a9. Built around speed and workflow, this is very much aimed at professional sports photographers and photojournalists.
Building on the originalThe new a9 II shares a lot in common with it's predecessor. It has a 24.2MP sensor, the same 20fps continuos shooting mode (with no viewfinder blackout) and a similar buffer.
Where it has been improved is in the speed of autofocus, operation and the general workflow for professionals. It's also got a refined body that's much more in line with the new A7R IV and brings a number of improvements many will have been looking for.
SpeedIn line with the original a9, the a9 II can shoot at 20fps in continuous mode and that's with no viewfinder blackout. It's also able to do that in silent mode making it perfect for sports photographers and photojournalists everywhere.
Something that was a slight issue on the original a9 was the mechanical shutter and Sony have made sure to improve this with the a9 II able to shoot at 10fps with the mechanical shutter.
With a new and faster processor, the operation speed is also improved with less EVF lag while shooting.
AutofocusAs you'd expect from Sony, the a9 II has an autofocus performance that just can't be beaten. The a9 II features Sony's incredible eye AF and animal eye AF and Sony have made improvements to the precision, the performance and the speed of the autofocus in the camera.
BodyThe body of the a9 II takes a lot from the A7R IV body. This is welcome news to anyone who wanted a more comfortable, slightly bulkier design. The buttons are bigger and easier to control, there's a locking exposure dial and a much improved, deeper grip for a significantly more comfortable shooting experience.
On top of that, the a9 II has 2x UHS II card slots making it a much more professional system as well as significantly improved weather sealing making it more versatile.
Designed for the professionalWith other features like improved gigabit connectivity and improved wifi (5GHz) as well as things like the voice memo feature allowing you to record and attach a voice memo to any image, the a9 II is certainly aimed towards professional photographers.
The speed and workflow improvements make this a great option for any sports photographer, any photojournalist or really any professional that requires speed and performance above all else.
You can view the full spec, price and everything else about the new Sony a9 II here.


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When you are overwhelmed with the idea of a new year, new struggles, and the urge to quit all or start all, just know that there are way more productive things to do with your time. All of us small aspiring farms understand the importance of time utilization! email@example.com has got the checklist on how to do this and explains the importance of doing the right things with each minute and how those small changes can vastly improve your life/time balance and well-being.
So go forth into the year and work smarter not harder!
Happy New Year to you all!


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How can people not root for Onodera to win after this scene?
I was literally cheering at my screen.
Because she's the most boring character out of all of them.
She's boring as all hell.
Fuck off, animeonly-fag
Because people that don't find their lives exciting enough are drawn to people that seem exciting. Bitch-enablers are the worst.
Because she has the smallest tits in the harem. Haru doesn't count because she's shit
The irony of someone hating a boring character but insisting that OP should read a boring manga is pretty sweet, At least the anime was worth watching because Shaft.
That has nothing to do with it. It's because she's boring as fuck and exists for no reason other than to let retards circlejerk about "muh malleable girl that I can make do whatever I want"
I thought Chitoge's the one with smallest tits?
I didn't insist. If he'd read the manga, he'd realize that Onodera literally doesn't do a fucking thing, while the Gorilla becomes a better version of Onodoormat.
Ruri is, I think.
It's Marika=Tsugumi>Chitoge>Onodera>Haru>Ruri
No, you did insist.
>Fuck off, animeonly-fag
"Your opinion on this boring character is invalid unless you read this really boring manga, like I did."
That post was really, really obviously a joke.
Gorillafags are actual gorillas.
There are a lot of fags on /a/ with shit taste.
Onodera a best.
Blandest character out of a bland as heck show.
Thought I should clarify that I'm not ranking the girls in my post.
>How can people not root for Onodera after this scene?
If he wasn't an animeonly-fag, he'd realize why nobody cares about her. His question is centered around an understanding of the character.
>I was literally cheering at my screen.
How embarrassing for you
OP's question is "Why doesn't everyone care about her?", not "Why does no one care about her?". I'm not even sure how you could misread it, bias or not. There are anime-only gorillafags, so his question stands. Watch your blood pressure.
Tsugumi is bigger than Marika.
>How can people not root for Onodera to win after this scene?
To which I would answer "She's the most boring and generic in a disgustingly boring and generic series, and she only gets worse as the manga progresses"
Hers change in size pretty randomly, so I just put them as equal seeing how they're the two biggest.
he's butthurt his favorite girl is almost certainly going to lose to Moenodera and her perfect HanaKana voice
>She's the most boring and generic
In contrast to a cookie cutter blonde tsundere? Yeah, I don't think so.
Just double checked and in the beach episode Marika mentions Tsumugi's are slightly bigger than hers.
Not him, but it's hilarious that people still think anyone but the gorillabitch will win.
when did sweetness and purity become "bland?" tsundere is such a laughably otaku choice because it's the personality type that bludgeons the insecure, beta MC with an aggressive pursuit that effectively allows the guy to become the girl (i.e. the pursued in lieu of the pursuer)
this is canon weeb behavior. real men want a nadeshiko
Why is it only in threads about the anime that people care about Kosaki?
I thought I was forgetting a line of dialogue, my mistake.
Tsugumi > Ruri > Marika > Haru > Onodera > Shitoge
Her sister is better.
>Onodera is boring
>therefore she's bad
Anime has literally rotted your brain. Just because a girl doesn't have an exaggerated personality doesn't mean she's boring. She's submissive, cute, moe, and loving and loyal and kind.
Onodera is the Megumi Kato of Nisekoi
Because only people with a taste for shit can stomach the manga.
She is a literal titty monster, bro.
If you'd read the manga or seen the second OVA you'd know she's the sluttiest one of all.
Fucking kill yourself you annoying faggot
blinded by truth and trips
But she's exaggerated to be as boring as possible, that's the thing. Megumi is actually a character, Kosaki's entire reason for existing is "look she's a cardboard cutout that I can mold into whatever I want in my head!"
I think her mom also qualifies.
Is this satire?
Fuck you, man.
All of the girls have beautiful moments. I don't know how you plebeians can just root for one girl.
That entire arc was fantastic.
Indecisiveness is a sign of mediocrity. Women will hate you for being unable to make up your mind.
I was dying to hear what you thought of it.
I'm glad to hear that. If you'd like, you can subscribe to my posts and then
fuck off.
mad af
I think while you can recognize all the girls have their moments, it's only natural to have a favorite girl and preferences of one girl over another.
>implying I truly route for my favorite and haven't just accepted Gorilla will win
Marika > Onodera > Tsugumi > Shitoge
Y-san, go back to 2chan
>On top of anything.
I hate underdogs.
>tfw I'm getting the Vita game of this today
Good for you, it's garbage.
The episode where Raku goes to work at Onodera's family sweets shop was undeniable proof that Onodera is the best girl.
That episode convinced me.
She just blows every other girl out of the water.
/a/ why did you warn me about Onodera dropping spaghetti and cringe everywhere when Tsugumi was a million times worse?
The only upside was she became irrelevant fast.
*Onodera's mom is best
>Chitoge is so shit she needs plot device to force her with Raku to have a chance of winning
Because Tsugumi's a side character, and Onodera is one of the two main girls, as well as one of the two love interests.
She has no fucking personality.
>entire story is centered around Chitoge
>lol it's just a plot device
I don't like her either, but don't be stupid.
She does, but that's irrelevant to my post. I specifically said that I wasn't ranking them.
>Onodera rated #1 in nisekoi popularity poll in Japan
>Chitoge somewhere like 5th place
>"chitoge will win"
The delusion is unreal. Onodera winning means sales, and money never lies, anon.
>let's make them think the polls matter so they buy multiple copies
It's always been Chitoge, didn't you read the oneshot?
>liking submissive girls means you are a beta
When did this become a thing?
Did you not read the manga? She has a lot of relevance and development for being a side character.
I'd assume it has something to do with betas wanting control over a girl. Actually, people have been saying that for years.
It seems like one of those glass half full things, where people either think you're normal, or you're a desperate beta who just wants to feel powerful by marrying a submissive girl.
It never became a thing, "feminists" just desperately want it to be accepted that "real" men are attracted to "strong" women. Men with high testosterone are attracted to femininity.
Don't bring 3DPD /pol/ shit in here, this has nothing to do with those disgusting freaks. It's more like the anon above you said, that people assume that if the submissive girl is your favorite you're a beta bitch who wants to feel cool.
It's irrelevant at the end of the day, because 2D is perfection in all it's forms.
Which part of the alpha/beta contrast wasn't already dumb /pol9k/ shit? Which part of my post said people don't assume that? The point of my post is that regardless of how deluded people are, it's not a thing. Masculine men seek feminine women. Alpha males want a mate to bring along on their ride, beta males seek a mate to spice up their lives.
Threadly reminder that Marika was so popular that the author had to literally kill her off to stop her from winning.
Threadly reminder that the Onodera clan is going to go extinct because the author is going to make Shitoge win despite her being only the 5th best girl in this series.
That implies that anyone who doesn't like Onodera is a beta, though. All of the other girls show plenty of femininity, Onodera is just the only one who's entire archetype is that.
Threadly reminder that I don't think you idiots understand how polls work, and one autistic nip buying hundreds of copies of Jump doesn't mean that Marika was the most popular. The polls are bullshit, and above all, unimportant. They mean nothing, and don't dictate the story.
There isn't a single implication in either of my posts. It's a direct response to someone asking why people thinking like a feminine girl is beta, explaining that it isn't. Anything you're reading between the lines is your own projected insecurity.
Historically, in modern harems, the main girl very rarely comes first in polls, all that matters is being the author's pet. Believe me, Shitoge will "win".
>Anything you're reading between the lines is your own projected insecurity.
Phew, that's a relief.
I don't think anyone was saying it WAS beta to like feminine girls, just that more often than not betas are attracted to them because they seem easy to mold.
At least we can all agree that no one wins ending up with a faggot like Raku.
>At least we can all agree that no one wins ending up with a faggot like Raku.
I just can't get used to the "winning" and "losing" shipping shit that neo/a/ brought, porbably straight out from MAL forums now that 99% of the userbase has changed, but sure.
It doesn't matter if people are saying it's exclusively a beta tendency or usually a beta tendency, the issue is that people feel free to accuse others of being beta for it. There is nothing wrong with wanting to mold things in your image in the first place, that's what leaders do.
The stakes are high. The loser girls of harems ALWAYS ends up as unhappy foreveralone permavirgins. It's how Japan works.
>neo /a/
Stop, it was always like this.
Yeah, of course. I totally agree. I don't think I'm articulating my thoughts properly, but I personally see most of it as "I'm bitter about girls so I want one that will do whatever I say". I think it's just the way I look at it, but I start to see some truth in it when people like Kevin-kun post.
Then again, I've always liked tomboys with hard-hitting personalities, so maybe I'm a little biased.
Except we used to be happy by just making our favorite girl our waifu, not running retarded shipping wars.
>Stop, it was always like this.
It wasn't and you know it. If you've ever been here in the pre-2009 era you could easily see the difference.
ever since toradora turned the genre on its head by having multiple best girls and making the worst girl win we have to put our energy into supporting the best girls who are doomed from the start.
Pre-2009? Meaning 2008? Like early 2008, when True Tears aired? Your memory is flawed.
Of course there's a difference, but the entire board is different to some degree. People were fighting over what girl would "win" in like 2007. Though, I absolutely fucking hate this "X Bowl" shit. I can agree with you 100% on that.
>shit taste
Pick 2
Collectively hating an ending doesn't equal shipping wars. I don't recall seeing the same kind of shit flinging back then. It was common to call a girl a bitch when she started getting too aggresive on screen for some reason or started fucking things up but this kind of fanbase war wasn't present.
>I don't recall seeing the same kind of shit flinging back then.
Honestly, you probably just never noticed it. Fanbase wars have been on /a/ since it's conception.
Here is an incredibly limited search. Your memory is flawed.
>talking about how you're going to masturbate to the ending scene while everyone else cries
If anything, it's gotten more tame.
Either way, "my favorite girl>your favorite girl" has been here for a long time.
Admittedly I used to frequent slice of life threads more than anything and classic harem threads, not of the ones airing at the time, were peaceful. But just going from the front page alone back then and now, it has no doubt become much more aggressive and divisive.
I'll tell you why you're noticing it now. Back then all the hate was pretty one sided directed toward characters with nonsensical violent outbursts, like Nina from Code Geass, or violent tsunderes, like Houki or Kirino right after. These days the shit gets tossed randomly everywhere.
>classic harem threads, not of the ones airing at the time
Oh boy. Yeah, that explains it. It's always been pretty vitriolic. You don't really get that in shows that have ended, except for the occasional anon who's still butthurt over the ending.
I don't really think it's gotten that much worse. It really has always been divided in terms of favorite girls.
Neo-/a/ doesn't remember the metric fuckton of best girl/worst girl shitposting for Rozen Maiden and blames standard /a/ behavior on neo-neo-/a/.
>ever since toradora
How new are you? This shit's been happening since Ranma and Love Hina.
I like Onodera because she's the purest.
Must've missed the OVA where she starts stripping and feeling up the MC while drunk.
That's fine if it's with the boy you love.
How new are you? This shit has been happening since Urusei Yatsura.
Marika = Best grill
That's not pure by any stretch of the imagination. I mean, they aren't even in a committed relationship.
But I don't want to perpetuate the retarded waifu wars shit anymore than we do every thread, so I'll shut up.
It was the worst arc ever made in any manga. I love Haru, but the bitch spent 4 chapters finally deciding not to enter the Rakubowl and then she changed her mind in the last fucking panel.
I think he's referring to the modern light novel harem era and the childish and shitty gaia-like fanbase it brought. I wouldn't be surprised to see fan fiction being discussed.
Go back to Chiba, faggot.
lmao m8


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I had no idea this film existed until a little while ago. So what? That happens all the taime. But not when the film is directed by Parolini and starring Woody Strode and John Ireland in supporting roles. Why is this one so rare? Anyway, it stars the Carambola duo. Anyone seen it?
Yes. I got a video copy 20 years ago. It's like all the other Trinity clones. Takes place at the turn of the century and involves a car race. Actors are okay but the story is poor and only worth a once over.
Had this one a while, but not viewed yet.


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My son will be turning 5 in the fall and will be having an airplane themed birthday party. I've made some invitations that look like boarding passes (name and info have been changed, of course).
I am sharing the blank template with you for free. If you want it, just click the photo. Also, you can get a personalized barcode from several free places online (if you want to add that to the invite, like in the example). It'd be cute if it said 'Ben is five' or something.