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Redevelopment of New Delhi railway station
20 entities indicated their interest in New Delhi railway station redevelopment. September 2020
3D printing construction has the potential of being among the mainstream construction technologies in India in a decade's time. IIT Madras expects Indians to positively accept 3D printed structures, as these can have identical, if not better, quality compared to conventionally built buildings. The technology will start seeing viable use in three to four years, where large-scale construction can be made possible using 3D printing.
The Indian construction industry already recognises 3D printing as an important technology for the future. Among other countries, the Chinese construction industry has been a frontrunner in large-scale construction using 3D printing. Groups in the Netherlands and the US have also successfully constructed full-scale small structures. Indian industry, too, with the right support from the Government, can easily catch up with the rest of the world in a timeframe of one to two years.
Cost and availability
The technology needs the availability of concrete 3D printers, which are not easily available in India. The only manufacturer in the country so far is Tvasta, the research partner of IIT Madras. The other option is to import 3D printers, which is an expensive proposition.
At present, the construction cost of 3D printing would be higher than conventional construction, particularly as IIT Madras is in the R&D process and the materials and printers are produced only in batch quantities. However, in the next few years, once the benefits of economics of scale are used, IIT Madras is looking at making this process competitive with conventional construction.


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What is Actinic Keratosis?
Actinic keratosis is a very common dermatological condition that is important because it often leads to skin cancer. It usually manifests itself in patients over the age of 40, especially if you are fair-skinned and have spent a lot of time outdoors since childhood.
The rash usually appears on the face, although it can be seen in other sun-exposed areas on the body. It is very east to diagnose as it usually looks like red patches of skin and feels like sandpaper to the touch.
There are several different ways to treat this including topical medications, liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy) or chemical peels.
We always recommend that you see a dermatologist to screen for skin cancer once a year and if necessary let them determine the best way to treat this.

subset: commoncrawl


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Review: Avocado Oil by AlpStories. Universal helper!
It has been a gift by AlpStories. Beautiful glassy bottle with an avocado oil. Firstly I couldn't understand how to use it but I decided to started and now I still to be absolutely delighted. This product is really irreplaceable. It is multi-purposal. And it is very powerful. So I think an Avocado oil by AlpStories should be with me always! And today it is a main character of my new review!
This is just an avocado oil. Nothing more. 100% pure oil which is very helpful!
If we have started to talk about a composition I want to emphasise that this product is paraben, mineral oils, artificial colors, synthetic fragrances and silicones free. It is also cruelty free (for me this is very important) and this oil is vegan so if you have got it you use the really pure product. As always when you buy something by AlpStories.
How to use the avocado oil? It's time to talk about a miracle! I'll tell you how I do this.
The main case when I use this product is a haircare. My hair extremely need a good moisturization and I use the avocado oil to give it them. This product is very effective for brittle, damaged, dry hair. Actually I have got quite desent hair, the main problem is just the ends. They become dry very quickly even after the hair cutting so I need an effective care. And the avocado oil by AlpStories gives me all its best! It contains nutrients and they protect the hair from any damage.
I use the product 1-2 times per a week. Just put it on the ends before go to bed. I have read in a few blogs that girls do it more often - sometimes even every day but for me it's too much! The hair get a lot of nourishment in this case and they start to fall. But if I give them an oil metered I have got no problems!
I know that this oil can be putting on the face but I have got an oily skin in some zones and I'm affraid of excess oilness. So I never cover all face with the pure product... BUT! I add 1-2 tads in my facial cream (it's also by AlpStories) an I get very cool effect!
The avocado oil rejuvenates the skin because it penetrates in it very deeply. I can have got very bad, dim skin in the evening but I use the oil and get really cool and very good moisturizing skin in the morning. Now I can see that the relief of the skin has become better and it was very quick result.
But I need to say that this procedure I also do not very often - 1-2 times per a week. If I overuse a nourishing products the skin starts to be even worse that it was.
This is the main miracle for me. The hands are very bad after a horrible weather or a long walking? No problem! One tad of the avocado oil by AlpStories and they are velvet again! This procedure I do before go to bed - also 1-2 times per a week (or often if I really need it). And I get very deep moisturization which I can't have got even with very powerful hands creams. This oil is really a salvation for the skin. And I have noticed that in this case I can't overload the skin - even if I use too much oil the hands don't react badly.
I also know that this oil is very good protective product when you are sunbathing. Of course I want to check this fact in summer so now I use the avocado oil so economically!
A few words about a quality of the product. Of course it's perfect! The avocado oil looks like an usual oil but it is a little bit thicker than other products of this type. It has got a green color with a yellow undertone but it is invisible on the skin - no spots, no problems! You have just to cover the skin carefully and the oil will be absorbing quickly.
When I put the oil on the hair I need to make some efforts - it is spreaded slowly and I feel how it penetrate in an each hair deeply!
A swatch:
The product is very convenient. The bottle has got a portioner which gives you enough quantity of the oil. Sometimes it gives even more that you need so be carefull :)
And one important observation. The avocado oil by AlpStories has got a specific aroma. It is not unpleasant but it can be good not for everyone. I like it and I got used to it very quickly. So for me this is not a problem.
Have you tried the avocado oil by AlpStories? Or may be other oil by this brand? Do you like using the oils?
*The avocado oil was given by AlpStories for independent testing. You can buy it on the European web-site of the brand (unfortunately it isn't available in Ukraine yet).


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Home›Forums›General Discussion›Where to get TEFL Certified?
- This topic has 7 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 6 years ago by msinglynx.
June 13, 2014 at 4:41 pm #40695
Apparently I need this to get a visa & work in Shenzhen. Anybody know a relatively cheap place I can do this as quickly as possible?June 14, 2014 at 8:45 am #40705Al the DeadParticipant
Whoever told you that TEFL/TESOL is needed for visa, lied.
Though many vacancies do have it as a req. But there is no way to get it "fast". Online course with teacher support will take you about a month (if you study every day) and you still need to pass an exam too. Any course less than 100 hours is worthless for job purposes.
I was able to substitute it easily with my diploma + work experience no matter job reqs, while getting it at my own leisure pace.
http://www.teflonline.com/ is the one i took, but if you wanna try other, take special care to see who will authorize your cert. That does matter and directly connected to the difficulty of last exam you will take.June 14, 2014 at 12:52 pm #40706
Al is right, this isn't a national requirement for acquiring a visa. If the school told you that it was, I wouldn't trust them.
Google "TEFL Certification" and you'll find a lot of online "schools" which are incredibly easy. You might want to ask the job your'e applying to what kind of criteria they're looking for in certification. I'm inclined to think that they're just looking for a useless piece of paper to file rather than where the certification comes from or what it actually means.June 14, 2014 at 3:50 pm #40712
Well, I've been teaching for 5 years so I thought they would just waive that but apparently it is required by the local government to work in pubic schools there, which sucks. The place offering me a job is apparently one of only 2 companies/agencies (?) allowed to get visas directly so apparently they actually follow the rules. They said I dont need it to work in training schools but the public school jobs are just tooo sweet: ~20 hours (or less) per week, no office hours, apartment (already available, no waiting), visa, and 11K before tax. All the training schools have similar pay & benefits but for 30-40 hours a week.
My friend suggested I just get a fake one but I'm kind of conflicted. The company seems like a good,legit company so I do kind of want to work with them instead of just taking any job that will lie to get me there.June 14, 2014 at 8:12 pm #40716
Well, I've been teaching for 5 years so I thought they would just waive that but apparently it is required by the local government to work in pubic schools there, which sucks. The place offering me a job is apparently one of only 2 companies/agencies (?) allowed to get visas directly so apparently they actually follow the rules.
Sounds sketchy to me. Which is exactly what I'd expect of Shenzhen based on my experiences there. But anyway, just complete the online course if you don't want to get a fake. It'll take a few weeks and then you'll be done with it.June 15, 2014 at 5:26 pm #40724
Sketchy? Sigh…. I feel like everything is sketchy… I'm just slowly drawing out my eventual giving up on China :/June 15, 2014 at 9:35 pm #40731
Sketchy? Sigh…. I feel like everything is sketchy… I'm just slowly drawing out my eventual giving up on China :/
After searching for about a minute I found this job listing for a public school in Shenzhen that offers TEFL for free as a benefit. Here's another job listing that says TEFL Certification is not a requirement (but is preferred).
Have you researched this online and done due diligence or are you basing everything off what they told you? If you expect everything to be straight forward, honest and easy going in China, you are definitely going to have a hard time.
Good luck!June 16, 2014 at 1:52 am #40738
I've been using Dave's (esl cafe) forum & asked. Seems to be a requirement for public schools because so far every ad I have seen has asked for it (I mean through echinacities & esl cafe, etc). I also learned I cant teach on a student visa there, which rather sucks. Here you can do up to 20 hours a week and the uni will fill out a form.
I'm going to check out the ads you linked to.
OK, So the echinacities one also requests a tesol/tefl or teaching certificate, as does the other one, they just give you a "training" before school starts so the can give it to you themselves. I'm going to apply for that first one though (even though it requests a teaching certificate which I dont have) cuz saving money is never a bad thing. 😛 thanks charlie.
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China: rule of law and human rights - time for institutional reforms
Every year hundreds of thousands of people suffer human rights violations because there are too few legal safeguards to protect them and no independent bodies to prevent abuses. The judiciary lacks independence and continues to be subject to political interference, torture is rife and anyone can be detained by the police for years without having committed any crime.
'In the current economic and social climate in China, violations on this scale cannot be ignored for much longer if China is to continue to develop in a stable social environment,' Amnesty International said.
'The authorities should take action now,' it added.
The Chinese authorities are fully aware of the need to introduce reforms in line with China's rapid economic and social changes, and with the requirements of international trade agreements such as the World Trade Organisation. The reforms introduced so far, however, have focused almost exclusively on the economic aspects of the rule of law and protection of rights.
'Little has been done to give a broader meaning to respect for the rule of law and human rights. This requires institutional reforms and protection of the full range of rights', Amnesty International said.
In its memorandum, the organisation makes recommendations for reform of the judiciary, the abolition of two systems of administrative detention, and the introduction of effective measures to prevent torture.
'These reforms would constitute immediate major steps towards establishing the rule of law and respect for human rights,' the organisation said.
At present, the combined effects of repressive and vaguely worded criminal legislation, the existence of a system of administrative detention, a weak judiciary, powerful law enforcement agencies, and impunity for officials who abuse their power, mean that anyone can suffer human rights abuses at the whim of individuals in a position of power.
Migrant workers, beggars, vagrants and others without fixed residence, including the disabled or mentally ill and homeless Children's rights, are randomly picked up off the streets and detained by police without judicial supervision under the system of 'custody and repatriation'. Those detained have to pay for food and 'accommodation', conditions are reported to be appalling and those held are often ill-treated. Over one million people are detained without charge every year under this system.
The system of 're-education through labour' also involves detention without charge or trial and without judicial review, but for set periods ranging from one to four years. Police use the system to punish behaviour or acts which are not formally considered to amount to 'crimes'. In early 2001, 310,000 people were detained in 're-education through labour' camps - a figure which has probably increased significantly since then as a result of the government's crackdown on the Falun Gong and the 'Strike Hard' campaign against crime launched in April 2001.
The National People's Congress and the State Council should abolish both systems and put powers to review all detention in the hands of the judiciary. The government also needs to take urgent steps to reform the judiciary so that it is free from political interference and can play its proper role to ensure the rule of law is respected.
Reforms are also needed to prevent torture. The government has recognised that torture is used by police and has taken some steps to deal with it. However few safeguards have been introduced to prevent it. This would require lifting current restrictions and obstacles on detainees' access to lawyers, and ensuring that such access is granted to all detainees promptly after they are taken into custody. Another essential preventive measure is to ensure that confessions and statements extracted under torture are not used as evidence in court. This is not the case at present, and there are many reports of people being wrongly imprisoned after being convicted on the basis of confessions extracted under torture.


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Welcome Jeff
Hello Sandy Pines members. I am Jeff Sweitzer and I am blessed to be your next Park President. I am a West Michigan resident married for 25 years to my wonderful wife, Amy. We have 3 wonderful children, Kennedy a sophomore at Aquinas College, Rece, a junior and Elly a sophomore both attend Hudsonville High School. Our family loves camping, golfing and other outdoor activities. We are active in our local Hudsonville church. I am passionate about spending quality time with my family, traveling with my wife and building lasting relationships as well as memories along the way.
While attending Northview High School, I found a love for playing baseball. I've carried that love into coaching my son Rece over the last 5 years in travel baseball with next year being his last. I attended Grand Valley State University receiving a Business Degree in Marketing and later receiving a master's degree in International Business from Aquinas College. I have served many organizations over my 25-year professional career while seeing many parts of the country and world, but I am most excited about this opportunity at Sandy Pines. The culture and family atmosphere are fantastic, and I can't wait to bring my servant leadership skills to the board and you the members. My entire family will be a part of this adventure which makes this even more satisfying. We look forward to carrying out Sandy Pines' mission of being dedicated to providing a happy and safe environment where families and friends create a lifetime of memories.
4 Comments
Welcome to our Happy place looking forward to
Meeting you & your family .
Welcome Jeff and Family.. Good luck with your new tenure as President.
Best regards,
Scott & Linda Brown
Phase 1 / Lot #20
What experience do you have to run a resort like this? I have been in this park for 48 years now I have known many of the Park Directors many I have gotten along with. Not many I didn't.


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Reflection Films
We are video storytellers and content creators for mission-driven organizations and businesses. We do filming and animation, often for marketing, fundraising and training purposes.
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We use sound, informed strategy & strong, meaningful creative to successfully change people's attitudes & behaviors. Connecting with audiences at an emotional, visceral level is truly what we do best.
LiveWire Collaborative
Angela is Founder and CEO of LiveWire Collaborative, a digital marketing consultancy. Services includes training for corporations, one-on-one Executive Coaching, Strategy and Implementation, Facebook.
The WSI Touch
Digital marketing services for lead generation and sales, including website design, search engine optimization, pay per click and display advertising, email marketing, social media and analytics.
Outfront Media
Simple, short, & memorable, grounded by 3 letters: TLC. We leverage the power of technology, location, & creativity to deliver impactful & engaging interactions with audiences as they live their lives
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Brand strategist and marketing writer with extensive experience serving B2B and B2C clients, from small start-ups to Fortune 500 global leaders in healthcare, financial services, education, technology
Market your business, with no advertising waste, in our targeted geographic local zones.
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Full-service, award-winning marketing communications firm: copywriting & graphic design services for digital, print, and video
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Strategic Adrenaline works with small business owners and entrepreneurs who are looking to define or redefine their business and/or marketing strategies for optimum growth.
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Creating and delivering fun, social, and high quality publications that bring people together. Providing a relevant, local, and endearing way for businesses to enhance their direct response marketing.
Boston Globe Media
Serving our Front Lines - The Boston Globe is partnering with local restaurants to serve those working on the front line in the fight against COVID-19.
TCB Advertising
We are a local direct mail business supporting other local businesses in our community for nearly 30 years. We publish The Coupon Book each season of the year as well as targeted direct mail pieces.


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Apple is going to replace faulty graphics cards in 27-inch iMacs models between May 2011 and October 2012. The graphics card recall is limited to a very small category of the 27-inch iMac.
"Apple has determined that some AMD Radeon HD 6970M video cards used in 27-inch iMac computers with 3.1GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 or 3.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processors may fail, causing the computer's display to appear distorted, white or blue with vertical lines, or to turn black. iMac computers with affected video cards were sold between May 2011 and October 2012."
Apple will replace the video card for free, up to three years from the date of the retail purchase. If you can be so sure that your iMac contains the AMD graphics card, you can contact an Apple retail store; Apple authorized service center, or Apple technical support. The affected iMacs contain serial numbers with the last four characters of DHJQ, DHJW, DL8Q, DNGH, DNJ9, DMW8, DPM1, DPM2, DPNV, DNY0, DRVP, DY6F, or F610.
Visit Apple's AMD Radeon 6970M Replacement Program website for more additional information. If you are already done with this replacement program, don't be shy and let us know how it goes. And don't forget to back up your iMac before taking it in for service.
Replacements can be done through AppleCare, the Genius Bar, or Apple Authorized Resellers and iMac users that paid to have the graphics card replaced are also eligible for a refund.


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I received a complimentary copy of this book from JustRead Tours. My review of A Cuppa Trouble is voluntary, and all views expressed are my honest opinion.
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour & Giveaway for A Cuppa Trouble by Angela Ruth Strong, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
Title: A Cuppa Trouble
Series: The CafFUNated Mysteries #2
Author: Angela Ruth Strong
Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink
Release Date: July 1, 2019
Genre: Inspirational Cozy Mystery
Can a couple of baristas chase down a car thief without spilling a drop of their favorite drinks?
Plans for a Valentine's Day grand opening of a small town coffee shop go awry when the first customer is killed. Evidence points toward the victim being mixed up in a car theft ring, but shop owners Tandy and Marissa have reason to believe he was framed.
An assortment of suspects–from a pink-haired heir to Tandy's charming ex–all seem to know a little too much about grand theft auto.
Without approval from either their boyfriends or the gum-chewing FBI agent in charge, the shop owners go on stakeouts, plan stings, and pursue justice in a high-speed car chase. If they don't find the killer soon, it might be more than their love lives in trouble.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
This is another wonderful work of fiction by Angela Ruth Strong. It's a comedy/romance/mystery joyride. 🙂
A Cuppa Trouble is the second in Angela's CafFUNated Mysteries series. The first introduced the two main characters–sassy & savvy Tandy and beautiful & klutzy Marissa–and this builds on their relationship and fun dynamic. Chapters switch back and forth between the two friends, instead of the usual Boy/Girl/Boy/Girl.
Tandy and Marissa somehow land right in the middle of trouble again, and their sleuthing continues to get in the way of real life.
Caffeine Conundrum, their new shop which caters to both coffee drinkers and tea enthusiasts, is center stage for most of the story. The running gag about which is better (coffee or tea) is thoroughly and shamelessly exploited–with a few surprises.
As usual with these two, hilarity ensues, eyes are rolled, snark is thrown, misjudgments are made, and lessons are learned.
Angela is one of my favorite authors, and she's also a friend. I really appreciate her natural writing style. It's always easy to follow and a joy to read. I can hardly wait to see some of her books come to t.v. or the big screen, because they remind me of Hallmark movies (which I adore!).
This series is on the lighter side, so it could be enjoyed by a younger reader (preteen) and still entertain old ladies (like me, at 43!). I love that while it's fun and entertaining, I'm always left thinking about things. How I relate to and treat my husband, how I trust others, how I trust God.
It was a great read, and I'm anxiously awaiting the next installment!
Angela Ruth Strong sold her first Christian romance novel in 2009 then quit writing romance when her husband left her. Ten years later, God has shown her the true meaning of love, and there's nothing else she'd rather write about.
Her books have since earned TOP PICK in Romantic Times, been optioned for film, won the Cascade Award, and been Amazon best-sellers. She also writes non-fiction for SpiritLed Woman. To help aspiring authors, she started IDAhope Writers where she lives in Idaho, and she teaches as an expert online at WRITE THAT BOOK.
CONNECT WITH ANGELA: Website | Facebook | Twitter
This doesn't affect your chances of winning, but which do you prefer; tea, or coffee?
(1) winner will receive a "Coffee is like Sherlock Holmes" mug, "Drink Coffee & Do Good" sign (painted with coffee by author's cover designer), $25 Starbucks Gift Card & "Drink Coffee, and Read Books & Be Happy" tote.
Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight June 24, 2019 and last through 11:59 PM EST on July 1, 2019. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!


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Task Tracker Utility 4+
- $1.99
iPhone Screenshots
If you need to track the time you spend on your projects, you maybe be looking for a simple time tracker app that helps you to do that. Task Tracker has been designed to be a simple and intuitive utility for time tracking. Just tap once to create a new project and then tap again to start a new task.
### Attention! This is a minute based timer, which shows HH:MM, not MM:SS. When you start it only dots are flashing and you see 00:00 until one minute passes. Then it will change to 00:01. ###
Some useful features available for you:
- create as many projects as you need at the same time
- new task is created automatically when you start a timer
- you can edit a description, starting date and duration of the task
- you don't need a registration on the website
- ability to send all your tasks by e-mail
- ability to print a whole project using AirPrint
- you can archive any finished project for later use
- you can export all tasks from project(s) to the file using CSV or Excel format
- integration with a Calendar to automatically add finished tasks to the default calendar
- "one task at a time" mode, which automatically stops previously running task in other projects when you start a new one
What's New
Version 1.9.0
- iOS 12 and new iPhone Xs/XsMax compatibility update
Ratings and ReviewsSee All
Great easy to use app
This app is easy to learn and using it is a very effective way to track time on projects as well as identifying where time is wasted. It is sometimes surprising how much time can be spent on a project, but how little of that time is spent doing useful work. I look forward to future enhancements to the software.
Work great
I use it every day!
Outstanding - Just what I needed!
This app tracks the time you spend on activities associated with projects. You create the projects and then log the activities as you do them, or add them in after the fact.
The interface is simple and easy to learn with built in Help. The clever interface makes it easy to quickly log activities as you start them, so you don't get behind in tracking your time.
When you're done, you can export your project and activity data either through iTunes or via email, and as cvs or Excel.
This is one great app!
- Seller
- Mike Melnikov
- Size
- Category
- Utilities
- Compatibility
Requires iOS 8.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
- Languages
- Age Rating
- 4+
- Copyright
- © 2011-2018 Cherry-Design
- Price
- $1.99
Family Sharing
With Family Sharing set up, up to six family members can use this app.


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MIAMI – January 9, 2013 - On January 7, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit affirmed a lower court's ruling dismissing two class actions brought against Celebrity Cruises Inc. by cabin stewards who claimed the company had withheld their tips.
The first case was brought by Celebrity employees who are natives of India and originally was being handled in arbitration due to a provision in Celebrity's collective bargaining agreement with its workers. After being dissatisfied with their union's representation, the plaintiffs returned to court and filed a suit against the cruise line and union under the Labor Management Act. Ultimately the courts, relying on two U.S. Supreme Court rulings as precedent, ruled that U.S. labor law does not apply to wage disputes between foreign ships and foreign seamen.
A separate class action was brought against Celebrity by 10 of the members of the original class, this time under the Seaman's Wage Act. Their claims were dismissed under the doctrine of res judicata, meaning that they should have asserted their Seaman's Wage Act claim in the earlier filed case.
Miami-based partners Sandy Bohrer and Scott Ponce acted as lead counsel to Celebrity.
Please note that email communications to the firm through this website do not create an attorney-client relationship between you and the firm. Do not send any privileged or confidential information to the firm through this website. Click "accept" below to confirm that you have read and understand this notice.


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Star Breeze is large enough to pamper and entertain you, yet small enough to tuck into delightful tiny harbors and hidden coves that others can't reach.
Starting 10/27/2020, this all-suite ship will complete renovation as part of the $250 Million Star Plus Initiative to provide more of what our guests love. New public areas, including a two new dining venues, a new spa, infinity pool, and fitness area. The ship also boasts all new bathrooms in every suite and a new category of Star suites, featuring a new layout. With ocean-views and over 277 square feet of comfort, Star Breeze is the perfect ship to watch glaciers and fjords drift by from the serenity of your suite.
Carrying only 312 guests, Star Breeze still tucks into small ports like Le Lavandou and Wrangell or narrow waterways like the Corinth and Keil Canal. Learn more about the newly renovated ship and the $250 Million Star Plus Initiative.
We can't wait to welcome you onboard for your next 180 degrees from ordinary adventure!
CAPACITY: 312 guests
OWNER'S SUITES: 4, with private verandas
CLASSIC SUITES: 2, with private verandas
DELUXE SUITES: 3, 2 with French-style balconies
STAR BALCONY SUITES: 22, with French-style balconies
BALCONY SUITES: 36, with French-style balconies
STAR OCEAN VIEW SUITES: 21, with picture windows
OCEAN VIEW SUITES: 58, with picture windows
DECKS: 6 guest decks
CREW: 188-190 international staff
SHIP'S REGISTRY: Bahamas
LENGTH: 522 ft (159 meters)
DRAFT: 17.7 ft (5.4 meters)
BEAM: 63 ft (19 meters)
TONNAGE: 12,995 gross registered tons (grt)
PROPULSION: Twin propeller, driven by two Wartsila diesel engines
SPEED: Cruising speed 15 knots
We'll send you the latest deals to your email.
Click here to view our current special offers.


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Article 19 of the simplification decree provides that for tax periods after 2018 the tax credit granted to hotels and agritourism businesses for building renovation, eliminating architectural barriers, increasing energy efficiency, earthquake-proofing and the purchase of furniture and large electrical appliances aimed at furnishing is recognized provided that at least one of the interventions listed above is carried out.
Previously, already a series of facilitating interventions had been regulated.
The article 10 of the law decree n. 83 of 2014 had foreseen a tax credit to the hotel facilities in the amount of 30 percent of the expenses incurred up to a maximum of 200,000 euros for building renovations or for the elimination of architectural barriers and increase of energy efficiency, ie for the types of expenditure referred to in paragraph 7 of this article, according to the procedures provided therein.
The tax credit regime has been extended for the 2017 and 2018 tax periods, to the extent of 65 percent, as required by paragraph 4 of art. 1 of the budget law for 2017: the only condition laid down is the nature of the interventions, i.e. refers both to those listed in Article 10 above, and to those contained in paragraph 2 of Article 1 which includes restructuring measures energy of the common parts of buildings, interventions against the seismic risk and also related to the purchase of furniture and home appliances aimed at furnishing.
Among the beneficiaries of the tax credit (paragraph 4, article 1) are also recognized the structures that carry out agritourism activities (ex Law 20.2.2006 No. 96 and related regional provisions), the thermal establishments as well as the construction of thermal pools and for the acquisition of equipment and equipment necessary for the conduct of the spa activities.
Source: Cassa depositi e prestiti S.p.A


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Clash Royale MOD APK: The Clash Royale mod apk is a modified version of the original game which has been having edited by its developers and moded it in order to offer unlimited resources. You are going to be immersed in the fight which is quite crazy, fierce and hard to believe. The game has been combined with such attractive gaming styles as goalkeepers, cards collection, as well as MOBA, Clash Royale is making its way into the charts of the Google Plays along with the Itunes Store. In order to play this super hot game, download Clash Royale on your device.
The mod works the same as the original works, but apart from the original working, the mod also offers you unlimited coins as well as gems that you won't get in the original game.
Here you will get unlimited resources that have made the gaming experience more easy and quick, therefore you don't have to wait for the army in order to explore all resources. In addition, the main point is that in order to install the mod you do not even need the rooted device. In other terms, it means that you can install the mod file in any android devices. In the meantime, the Clash Royale mod for iOS is not developed yet but it might come up very soon. On the other hand, gamers can enjoy the game on their PC using the emulator.
Today, with the help of this article we are going to provide you some details and will discuss the Clash Royale Mod APK so that with the help of these details you can have a great experience of this gameplay. So, without wasting any time let's get started…
Clash Royale MOD APK Summary
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- Publisher: Supercell
- Platforms: Android 4.1 or more
- Genre: 3D Games, Online Games, Strategy Games
- Latest Version: 3.1.0
- Size: 100M
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text:
First Air of Autumn
"I know no good way
to live and I can't
stop getting lost in my
thoughts, my ancient forests...
You ask - how does a man rise or fall in this life?
The fisherman's song flows deep under the river."
- Wang Wei
I work my way downstream
stripping a black woolly bugger
through riffles and pools.
Leaves release from their
branches. Water swirls cold.
Clouds pile onto each other.
Trout chase flash through pebble
and sand. Sediment settles
in the first low water of the season.
I have nowhere to be
except to make pizza for dinner
in a few hours.
"Ask me how it is I've come to perch in these
blue-green hills,
and I'll smile with no answer; I'm happiest with
heart-and-mind just so, may be...
Peach blossoms float by here, gone into the
quite definite shadows.
There is another world, other than this one we
choose to live in."
- Li Po
Leave a Reply.
I stumbled upon the name "Raftman's Path" walking the river trail that traverses through the little town I live in. It was named during the days when lumber was a huge commodity in this area. The Susquehanna River was an industrial thoroughfare - bearing down loads of lumber from the northern reaches of Pennsylvania towards the Chesapeake. Marietta was a stopping point, a place for the lumber either to go to the mills lining its banks or shoot further downstream through pig iron smoke. Raftmen would guide the lumber down to the mouth of the Susquehanna into the Chesapeake - an estuary of salt, water, lumber, ore, eel and shad. When their job was done, they would walk the raftman's path back through the Susquehanna Riverlands of Lancaster County towards their homes. The path is now wooded and meanders through some of the only "wild" places left in the county.


text:
Churchill Downs partnering with Keeneland on Corbin horse racing facility
The long-awaited quarter horse track in Corbin will be a partnership between Keeneland and Churchill Downs officials have announced.
Cumberland Run, which is to be built on 149 acres of property off of the Corbin bypass, will be one of two facilities constructed under the agreement.
The second facility, Oak Grove, will be built in Christian County in southwestern Kentucky.
"Horse racing is a $4 billion industry in the Commonwealth that creates thousands of jobs, strengthens our statewide economy and attracts millions of visitors from around the globe," said Churchill Downs Inc. Chief Executive Officer Bill Carstanjen. "Churchill Downs and Keeneland share a deep commitment to making Kentucky's horse racing industry the very best version of itself, and the new racing facilities in Corbin and Oak Grove will help us achieve this by generating much needed funds to increase purses and breeders' incentives."
According to a joint press release from Keeneland and Churchill Downs, the facilities will feature live horse racing and historical racing machines.
Officials stated that one holdup on the facilities is a license from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission authorizing the historical racing machines.
Applications for those licenses are to be filed with the racing commission today.
The racing commission is next scheduled to meet on Oct. 17.
"Corbin is thrilled to be a part of this historic venture between two of the horse racing industry's most iconic names," Corbin Mayor Willard McBurney said. "The new racing facility will be a welcome addition to our city's already long list of sites and attractions for local residents and visitors."
Keeneland officials announced in 2014 they would build the new facility in Corbin.
Corbin Economic Development Director Bruce Carpenter said plans for the facility remain essentially unchanged.
"I just think the fact that you have Churchill involved with Keeneland is a major step forward," Carpenter said. "Locally, we are here to support the effort anyway we can."
The original target date for opening was September 2016.
However, numerous snags, including an infestation by a species of endangered bat and a legal battle over the required racing license, has delayed construction.
Initial plans were to purchase the required racing license from Appalachian Racing, Inc., the owner of the defunct Thunder Ridge harness racing track in Floyd County.
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has issued eight racing licenses to facilities across the state.
However, upon discovering the existence of an unissued ninth license, Keeneland officials applied to the commission for that license, changing the name of the proposed Corbin facility to, "Cumberland Run."
With Floyd County potentially liable for the bond debt, a lawsuit was filed to force Keeneland to purchase the Floyd County license.
Floyd County officials noted that if the county were held liable for the debt, it would be bankrupt.
The case moved to the Kentucky Court of Appeals in 2016 and is currently in the hands of the Kentucky Supreme Court.
In July, the $2.2 million outstanding bonds were paid off.
"From my understanding, if all the things come together, we could see some activity out there this year," Carpenter said when asked when construction may begin.
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text: Quick view Wishlist Element RC Element RC Enduro Sendero 1/10 Rock Crawler Builders Kit $489.00 A performance rig built to endure. When hitting the trail, you want to do it with confidence and the answer is the all-new Enduro Builder's Kit!At the heart of the Enduro is our revolutionary Stealth(R) X gearbox. Although the exterior appears to have a... Sold Out


text:
Dear Kim,
Where have you been? We miss you!
your REM cycle
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Open Letter
4 comments:
- Kristina P. said...
Let me know when it finds you.
I am still waiting for your Snuggie picture.
- November 5, 2009 at 12:23 PM
- Lauren said...
You know, I let you go home early yesterday so you could sleep. I'm disappointed thatyou did not take advantage of that...
- November 5, 2009 at 3:54 PM
- Kim said...
I got distracted by laundry and Van Morrison.
But 3:30 am is a decent bedtime, yes?
- November 5, 2009 at 4:13 PM
- Corrine said...
I have a similar letter. :)
- November 5, 2009 at 6:08 PM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
No website wants to be penalized by Google. The damage incurred from a penalty can be devastating to a website. These penalties can affect the revenue a website can make and reduce the organic search visibility, as well as reducing traffic to the website.
Understanding the reasons why Google might penalize a website is important so that these penalties can be avoided in the future. According to BCC Interactive Philadelphia SEO Agency, before looking at whether or not a website can recover from a Google penalty you need to understand exactly what a penalty is.
Penalty vs Algorithm
Many times, algorithm issues are mistaken for penalties. Updates like Panda and Penguin aren't penalties. They are just two of the algorithms that Google uses. These algorithms use a set of calculations and rules to deliver a desired outcome. Google's desired result is to reward a website's search results because they meet their quality standards as defined by their webmaster guidelines.
Google employs a large number of human reviewers to sift through websites to rate and reward ones that have managed to get past the algorithms and to find ones that don't meet their quality standards. It is imperative to figure out if you have been hit by the algorithm or if you have received a penalty because this information is needed to determine the strategy a website should employ to recover from the penalty.
The main difference between getting a penalty and having an issue with the algorithm is that a penalty requires you needing to interact with Google directly. A site that has been penalized will receive a manual action report. Once the violation is fixed it is required to explain the origin of the problem and the resolution in a "Reconsideration Request". Being put down a few ranks due to not meeting the standards of a new algorithm, though, doesn't require one of these requests.
Types of Penalties
There are 13 different types of manual action penalties that Google might hit you with, and for the most part, they can all be fixed. They usually come in two forms: either partial matching or site wide matching. While there are penalties for keyword-stuffing and for having expired info like job offers being left on a site when the job has been filled, the following three areas make up the bulk of the penalties Google can hit a website with.
Cloaking is when the information that a user sees is different than what Google sees. Sometimes websites require users to have to log in or register to see all the content while Google is able to see the information already.
Another type of cloaking involves obscuring one image with another. This type of penalty causes partial matches that affect parts of a site or site wide matches that affect the entire site. The basic way to fix this issue is to just make sure that the information the user sees is exactly the same as Google sees.
Unlike all the other penalties, this is one that no one can plead ignorance to. The main spam-based penalties come from free hosting services. Pay for name brand hosting to avoid this penalty. Other type of spamming penalties are due to spam in comments.
A good solution is to have someone whose job is to moderate comments so that they can catch any spam that might be posted; or look into installing automated security filters. While you can recover from this type of penalty, if it happens a second time there is less that can be done to help. In some instances, you might have to recreate the website.
Bad Links
Again, you can have partial match and site wide matching penalties if a website has unnatural links to and from a site. These are the most common penalties. They are the result of buying links which are clear violations of Google's policies.
While it is very frustrating to be hit with a penalty by Google it isn't the end of the world. As long as you aren't continually allowing spam to affect your website, you can recover from the penalties Google will hit you with. The best advice is to be vigilant to make sure your website avoids having these types of issues that can lead to a penalty.


text:
Customer Service and Sales | Entry Level #newcareer
- Expired: over a month ago. Applications are no longer accepted.
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Responsibilities Include:
- Manage customer service for small to medium accounts
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We are hiring into their entry level sales and Management Trainee positions in Customer Service and Sales. Candidates must possess integrity, character and exemplary ambition for success. The customer service position is considered an entry level marketing and sales position meaning thorough training is provided. We have a strict promote only from within policy which provides sales and customer service specialists with ample room for advancement and experience in marketing, sales, and business. Advancement and compensation are based on an individual's performance.
Please submit your resume and contact our HR Department for immediate consideration if you would describe yourself as the following:
*Excellent people skills
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*Critical thinker
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Persons with Experience in the following areas may apply:
Business development manager, customer relationship manager, restaurant, retail, full time, part time, entry level accounting, entry level full time administrative assistant, receptionist, warehouse manager, retail associate, retail cashier, management, office assistant, office, jobs, clerical, entry level office manager, insurance, customer service representative, leadership, operations manager, store manager, supervisor, director, teacher, project manager, fraternity, sorority, microsoft office, b2b, labor, construction, government, government jobs, contract jobs, contract position, communications, retail salesperson, entry level customer service, entry level marketing manager, marketing, territory manager, sales administrator, full time marketing executive, e-business, distribution manager, customer service clerk, jobs, careers, opportunity, advancement, call center agent, entry level customer service director, customer service sales, field sales representative, entry level account manager, advertising director, area sales manager, communications manager, full time entry level communications director, media relations, public relations, e-commerce, sales, inside sales, outside sales, direct sales, insurance sales, executive administrative assistant, sports, sports director, sports league official, entry level business systems analyst, assistant manager, account executive, office executive, administrative, admin, secretary, finance, banking, insurance, office support worker, admin support worker, human resources, full time recruiter, entry level recruiter, real estate, real estate agent, property management, training, develop, development, host, hostess, waitress, waiter, full time prep cook, restaurant manager
Why Work Here?
Positive work environment and a collaborative team with room for advancement!


text:
The most classified woman Sibel Edmonds tells Lew Rockwell about her new novel The Lone Gladio and the secret crimes of the U. S. Empire.
Following the success of her recent memoir, Classified Woman, PEN Award Winner and 'Most Classified Woman in the U.S.' Sibel Edmonds' thrilling conspiracy novel has just been released to wide acclaim. The Lone Gladio is now available through the following channels: Amazon, Nook & TLG e-Store
Sibel Edmonds is editor of Boiling Frogs Post, found-director of the National Security Whistleblowers Coalition, and author of the acclaimed book Classified Woman: The Sibel Edmonds Story, and a brand new novel The Lone Gladio. She is the recipient of the 2006 PEN/Newman's Own First Amendment Award. Ms. Edmonds has been subjected to several government-asserted State Secrets Privilege orders, and the U.S. Congress has been indefinitely gagged and prevented from taking up her case through unprecedented retroactive classification orders issued by the Department of Justice. She is nationally recognized as the most classified woman in the United States. Ms. Edmonds is a certified linguist, fluent in four languages, and has an MA in public policy from George Mason University and a BA in criminal justice and psychology from George Washington University.


text:
On my last visit to New York City, I visited the Intrepid Museum and boarded USS Growler, the 1950s-era cruise missile submarine that is part of the permanent exhibition. Its remarkably narrow quarters made one wonder how it was possible to actually live and serve there. Das Boot, the heavily Oscar-nominated film that took the German director Wolfgang Petersen to Hollywood, remains perhaps the best onscreen illustration.
A correspondent is assigned to a submarine
The film begins with the sobering claim that out of 40,000 men who served on German u-boats during World War II, only 10,000 survived. In 1941, a war correspondent called Werner (Herbert Grönemeyer) is assigned to U-96, a submarine captained by Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock (Jürgen Prochnow). He meets the crew in a French nightclub where another captain who's just become a decorated war hero gives a drunken speech where his contempt for the leadership in Berlin is obvious. The next day, U-96 sails out of La Rochelle. After many days where absolutely nothing happens, the only thing Werner has to observe is how jaded some of the officers' attitude to the war has become.
Eventually, the submarine has an encounter with a British destroyer and narrowly escapes being hit with depth charges. However, a subsequent attack on a British convoy has very serious consequences for U-96…
Heavily criticized by the author
When Petersen's film was released (initially in a 145 min. cut; this later version that I'm reviewing was released in 1997), it was heavily criticized by Lothar Günther Buchheim, the man who wrote the novel on which it was based. Buchheim, who was pretty much the real-life Werner, had taken great care to make sure his wartime chronicle was as correct as possible and did not appreciate the artistic license that Petersen had taken.
However, it's not hard to dismiss Buchheim's complaints; most of them concern details and aspects of filmmaking that in no way are fatal mistakes. Buchheim felt that his anti-war sentiments were lost in the translation, which is also hard to understand. There is plenty of criticism in the film against how the war was waged by the German leaders, many examples of disillusionment and cruelty. The fact that we do get close to the men who serve on U-96, share their pain and occasional moments of triumph, as well as the bitter irony of the submarine's ultimate fate (spectacularly staged), does not make us sympathize with the German cause during the war, nor does it make us want to be part of the crew as they fight for their lives. In Buchheim's view, the filmmakers went Hollywood… but the movie has nevertheless become a classic and its realism helped audiences understand yet another aspect of what it was like to fight in World War II, regardless of which side you were on.
Cinematographer Jost Vacano and the visual-effects crew ably convey the horrors of the situations that U-96 encounters… but director Petersen also understands (especially in the 1997 version) that the story needs time and patience in order to build our emotions for the captain and his men. It helps with a cast of pros; just like Petersen, Prochnow (who plays the kind of world-weary 30-year-old that only a war can produce) would also have a subsequent career in Hollywood.
Das Boot has an enduring quality. In the 1990s, a techno group called U96 even had a worldwide hit with their version of composer Klaus Doldinger's emotional, sweeping theme for this film. The main reason though why the movie has survived is that the filmmakers had a very serious, more profound approach to their subject. Most submarine thrillers are pure entertainment. This one offers a lot more.
Das Boot 1981-Germany. 211 min. Color. Produced by Günter Rohrbach. Written and directed by Wolfgang Petersen. Novel: Lothar Günther Buchheim. Cinematography: Jost Vacano. Music: Klaus Doldinger. Cast: Jürgen Prochnow (Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock), Herbert Grönemeyer (Werner), Klaus Wennemann (Fritz Grade), Hubertus Bengsch, Martin Semmelrogge, Bernd Tauber.
Trivia: Also released as a 293-min. miniseries. Later a German TV series, Das Boot (2018- ).
Last word: "We thought in the beginning we might kill ourselves after a few weeks because it's just such a small place. Then you develop a kind of discipline there that you can do it forever and forever. You get very tired. We spent one year, because of the long version, one year in that set. It's tiresome but more and more, the more we realized we can do it, we'll make it, we're getting amazing footage. Because we shot in sequence, the actors got more and more really into it, into their part. They could've done that forever. It's beautiful." (Petersen, Crave Online)


text:
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text:
By Diane Batshaw Eisman, M.D. FAAFP
(EDITORIAL NOTE: From Sir Galahad, Siberian husky):
As the Major Domo in general charge of the Curmudgeon household, I attempt to edit these columns. Frequently I seek advice from Renpet, the Feline ["retired" CIA cat] as she has a legal degree. This column was written in a frenzy on the night before Thanksgiving, so it is a tad dated)
It is not just because I am a curmudgeon that I avoid Black Friday as if it were the plague.
I do not hate all holidays. There are all the festivities in December: Hanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa…that provide me with loving messages from celebrators and lots of good food.
We celebrate our pride in being a part of this country. Our flag is raised, July fourth, Memorial Day, Veteran's day.
And who could possibly feel antipathy toward Thanksgiving? An aversion to Thanksgiving? No Bah. No humbug from this curmudgeon. I do not eat turkey (had a good friend who was a turkey, but that is for another column and another day) But, oh those wonderful vegetables; plain sweet potatoes (I like them unadorned, as I do hold an extreme dislike for marshmallows), green beans, mashed potatoes, pecan, pumpkin and apple pies, fresh biscuits…..aahhhh.
But Black Friday?
What demented mind dreamed this up?
I quake at the thought of standing in a near endless line.
And I understand that there are those who bring blankets, thermoses and other sustenance to camp near the front of the line on the night before. Has Black Friday Eve now joined Christmas Eve and Halloween Eve? People now station themselves at night just to be first to cram through the doors at their chosen shopping mission. They sit out there in the cold in the North and the damp and rain and humidity in the South.
And what of these bargains?
Are they really such fabulous deals?
Since I do not attend Black Friday functions, I have heard tales of hours in line to buy 1000 inch 4K ultra HD 3D TVs with smell vision and installation and delivery that can also tell you when your plants need watering and it is time to go to the dentist….for only two hundred dollars! Wow! What a great buy. Then you arrive and are told there was only one available and that has to be kept for the display model!
I now quote from the Great Wikipedia:
"There have been reports of violence occurring between shoppers on Black Friday. Since 2006, there have been 10 reported deaths and 111 injuries throughout the United States.[20] It is common for prospective shoppers to camp out over the Thanksgiving holiday in an effort to secure a place in front of the line and thus a better chance at getting desired items. This poses a significant safety risk, such as the use of propane and generators in the most elaborate cases, and in general, the blocking of emergency access and fire lanes, causing at least one city to ban the practice"
My own plans for the lovely Day After Thanksgiving (I refuse to think of it as Black Friday)?
1. Sleep late
2. Remain in pajamas
3. Coffee, toast, blueberries
3. Relax with crossword puzzle
5. Snack on mixed nuts
4. Too late for lunch
7. Dinner of homemade pizza and recorded TV programs of choice
8. Homemade cappuccino with leftover apple pie brought from friend's home
9. Good book with slice of organic cheese
10. Husband to massage feet
11. Bed with good book until I fall asleep with nose in book
Will brush teeth and wash face in AM and PM…probably won't even bother to shower on that special Day After Thanksgiving.
Husband is immune to any pungency I might have.
Doctor Curmudgeon® is Diane Batshaw Eisman, M.D., a physician-satirist. This column originally appeared on SERMO, the leading global social network for doctors.
SERMO www.sermo.com "talk real world medicine"Contact the Feature Writers


text:
In Wednesday's strikes, Israel managed to severely damage Iran's military capabilities in Syria. However, new weapons and personnel are constantly being brought in from Iran.
Late Wednesday night, Iranian forces launched about 20 rockets at Israel from Syria's territory. None of them caused any real damage and some were intercepted by Iron Dome. Israel, having known about Iran's intentions for months, struck back with a massive aerial attack on multiple Iranian targets.
Among the targets badly hit were a military headquarters, intelligence bases, weapons storage facilities and rocket launchers. But above all, Israel managed to severely damage Iran's aerial defense system, which would have helped protect Iranian ground forces from the Israeli Air Force.
In addition, Israel hit three Iranian compounds in Aleppo and Hama where rockets were being prepared to be launched toward the Israeli Golan Heights.
But despite the successful Israeli operation, Iran can still recover from the blow. It still has a considerable amount of rockets in Syria and is constantly bringing in more weapons and more military personnel from Iran.


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Trigger Warning: Self-harm, depression, suicide
Birds of a feather flock together, right? Or so they say (whoever "they" might be).
We as people like everything to be organized by any number of qualifiers, whether it be size, color, species, etc. – "the tendency to classify and categorize objects is a deeply ingrained aspect of human nature" (Kaufman, 2012). If it is so deeply ingrained, it must serve a purpose, right? If I didn't know how to categorize colors, I wouldn't know how to put a cute outfit together. If I didn't know how to categorize animals by "safe" and "not safe", I might bring home a poisonous snake as a pet instead of a loving puppy. If I didn't know how to categorize food by "healthy" or "not healthy", I might end up eating junk all the time. (We'll ignore the fact that I do eat junk all the time. It's an example, people!) The reason we have communities, clubs, churches, and work organizations is because unique individuals find something in common with others and they choose to build on those similarities. Countries are based on shared national pride. Support groups are based on a shared need that would otherwise go unmet. Categorization can be a very good thing!
However… "this fundamental skill can also be extremely damaging, especially when it comes to categorizing people" (Kaufman, 2012). A fact of human nature is this: people or things that are different scare us. Have you ever had someone come up to you who doesn't speak the same language? It's absolutely terrifying (maybe not for everyone, but certainly for someone with Social Anxiety like me). This person doesn't communicate like I do. While I don't see it as a bad thing, it's still scary. It makes me uncomfortable. I start to panic and wonder how on earth this is not going to end in disaster. Are either one of us right or wrong? No. We're just different. I should rejoice in those differences, but instead they make me shake in my boots.
That is a very literal way of saying someone scares me because I don't understand them. I actually cannot understand the words coming out of their mouth. What's the solution to this? If I am never going to interact with this person again (or anyone else who speaks that language), I might do my best to draw or mime until we get somewhere. Or I might just pretend I'm about to miss the bus and go running in the other direction as fast as I can. It's hard to say. On the other hand, if I am going to spend time around this person (or others who speak this same language), it would be in my best interest to quickly devote some time to learning not only the basics of the language, but also build some general knowledge of their social customs and culture. Why are both important? First, learning the language will obviously foster communication and make interactions a little less scary. In addition to this, learning a bit about their culture will help me move forward with communication and interaction in a way that hopefully won't come across as offensive or ignorant. The only thing I would ask from the individual(s) is that they have a healthy dose of patience and the ability to forgive as I inevitably make mistakes throughout the learning process.
I used to be very involved with the Deaf community. I was going to school to be a sign language interpreter, spent most of my time around Deaf people (including my then boyfriend, who was born profoundly deaf), and was planning a career around this beautiful language and culture. To become fluent in the language and comfortable with various interactions, I chose a total immersion approach. Besides interacting with my family and coworkers, I devoted all my free time to putting myself in potentially uncomfortable situations in which I would gain experience and exposure to the Deaf world. I put aside the idea that Deaf people need a hearing person's help – I realized quickly that this perception would get me nowhere in such a tight knit community (never mind the fact that it is 100% false). Instead, I took on the mentality that I had a chance to grow as an individual and expand my comfort zone by mega proportions. Not only did I meet wonderful people (my best friend of 12 years is a perfect example!), I learned how to be comfortable with a form of communication that requires expressiveness to the extreme. Without dramatic facial expressions and big sweeping gestures, the meaning of some statements or words may be completely missed. This forced a very shy and introverted girl to become more comfortable in her own skin and with her own facial expressions. The amount of patience I received from Deaf individuals made my learning experiences far more positive than they could have been. This is a perfect example of how stepping out of our comfort zone can lead to incredibly valuable (even necessary!) personal growth. Although I did not complete the interpreter program, those experiences forever shaped my life and my ability to express myself in a more meaningful manner.
Now let's take that concept and apply it to a different form of not understanding someone. Whether it's because of differing faiths, cultures, health circumstances, political persuasions, sexual orientation, etc., there is no shortage of ways in which I may not understand someone's experiences or their chosen lifestyle. Does that mean I should pretend they don't exist or even demand that they change who they are so I feel more comfortable around them? No! If someone is different or I don't understand them, it just means I have been given a wonderful learning opportunity. Instead of building walls and sticking within my very limiting comfort zone, I must learn as much as I can about whatever difference may exist between us. Hopefully they will return the favor, along with respect, patience, and understanding as I try to bridge the canyon that separates us.
I am specifically thinking about how we as a society and as unique individuals interact and react to individuals who suffer from mental illnesses. We all know there is stigma. We all know there are many mental health needs that go unmet or unnoticed. I'm sure we would all love to say that we would never treat someone with a mental illness any differently than any other person with whom we might cross paths. But if you think long and hard, this might not be the case. I struggle with Depression, Generalized Anxiety, and Social Anxiety, but even I react poorly to others with mental illnesses I don't understand. I say this to point out that we all struggle, whether we have personal experience with mental illness or not. Let me give a few common examples – think about how you would likely react (not how you should react…how you would react). Think about the thoughts that would immediately jump into your mind.
- You are out to dinner and your server reaches for you glass to refill your water. You notice an abundance of scars on her wrist. She clearly was, or perhaps still is, a cutter.
- You just parked your car and noticed an individual kissing the roof of his car, walking away, then returning to do it again before finally entering the store.
- Your seemingly happy cousin attempts suicide.
- You invite a coworker to your Fourth of July BBQ, but they refuse to stay for the fireworks. They get sweaty and start acting strange when you insist.
- You overhear a girl who looks to be about 90 pounds complain that a certain dress makes her look fat.
- Your colleague brings their brother to a work-sponsored softball game. The man will neither make eye contact with you or shake your hand when you first meet, then later tells you that your hair cut is sloppy.
- You are at the store and witness a mother walking down the aisle while her child repeatedly kicks at her and tells her how much he hates her.
Are any of those scenarios similar to something you have experienced? If so, did you laugh or go home to tell your spouse or friends about the crazy person you saw or met? Do any of those examples make you feel uncomfortable by simply reading them? I'll be the first to raise my hand. For the sake of conversation, let's expand on each example.
- You are out to dinner and your server reaches for you glass to refill your water. You notice an abundance of scars on her wrist. She clearly was, or perhaps still is, a cutter.
When people see another person with cutter scars, it's easy to jump to the conclusion that they must have gone through a broody phase as a teenager during which they hurt themselves for attention. In some cases this might be true, but not in most cases. Self-harm is an extremely common coping mechanism. According to Psychology Today (2019), "self-harm, or self-mutilation, is the act of deliberately inflicting pain and damage to your own body and can include cutting, burning, scratching, and other forms of injury." That means a cry for attention, right? Not necessarily. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) explains that "hurting yourself – or thinking about hurting yourself – is a sign of emotional distress" and that "when a person is not sure how to deal with emotions, or learned as a child to hide emotions, self-harm may feel like a release" (NAMI, 2019). You might be asking, "How on earth could cutting, burning, or any other form of self-harm be a release?" Speaking from personal experience, I can tell you that physical pain can go a long way toward relieving emotional pain. I thankfully never got into cutting, but I was a burner and have always been a skin picker. As someone who has always struggled with healthy coping mechanisms for emotional pain, I found relief in self-harm because 1) physical pain is something I can understand and 2) I was controlling what was causing me pain, which is typically not the case when it comes to emotional pain or trauma. I have found more socially acceptable forms of causing physical pain (i.e. tattoos), but that doesn't mean I am not still tempted by other forms of self-harm. If you know someone or come across someone with scars, don't judge them. Understand that they have been through things you can probably not comprehend and that they need kindness and support more than anything. Don't treat them like they are lesser individuals. Encourage them to get help – therapy is a great way to learn healthier coping mechanisms. Sometimes even just providing them with a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on provides enough of an outlet that they don't feel the need to hurt themselves. You may not understand it, but acknowledge their pain without being one more judgmental person in their life.
- You just parked your car and noticed an individual kissing the roof of his car, walking away, then returning to do it again before finally entering the store.
Lets talked about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It's not uncommon to hear people say "I have OCD" just because they like their Tupperware organized or their piles of paper neat and tidy. This is not OCD. True OCD "is a common, chronic, and long-lasting disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions) that he or she feels the urge to repeat over and over" (NIMH, 2016). I dated someone who had severe OCD. He was literally unable to walk away from his car without first holding his arms out to the side, leaning over, and kissing the room of the car. Likewise, he could not leave his apartment without kissing the door frame on the way out. When he would try to practice self-control and walk away from his car or apartment door without doing the kissing ritual, his subsequent anxiety was debilitating – he would either have to return to the car or return home to complete the ritual so he could continue with his daily life. He also struggled with obsessive thoughts about taking a large kitchen knife and stabbing himself. Look back at the NIMH definition, though – these behaviors and thoughts are uncontrollable. Can you imagine knowing how ridiculous you look kissing your car, but being unable to control the need to do so? Take care when flippantly saying you have OCD or laughing at someone who appears to be doing something bizarre. Remember that it is a truly life-changing struggle for many people – as many as 2.5% of our adult population have this illness (BeyondOCD.org, 2018).
- Your seemingly happy cousin attempts suicide.
How many times do you hear it said of people who attempt or commit suicide that "they seemed so happy and normal"…? Does this mean they were liars, really good actors, just seeking attention, or possibly so emotionally distressed that they couldn't bring themselves to open up to anyone about their struggles? According to the World Health Organization, "close to 800,000 people die due to suicide every year, which is one person every 40 seconds" (WHO, 2019). Do the math. How many people have died just while you've sat here reading this blog post? They may be strangers to you, but it is still a devastating loss of human life. Here's the deal, though – "people can be so quiet about their pain, that you forget they are hurting. That is why it is so important to always be kind" (Unknown). Seriously…telling someone who feels suicidal or has attempted suicide that they shouldn't be so selfish or that they have a lot to live for will only make them feel guilty and put them into even more emotional turmoil. Suicidal ideation is a very real thing, whether you have been personally touched by it or not. My best suggestion is to look beyond someone's outward behaviors and words. Really look them in the eye. When you ask someone how they are doing, listen to their answer. You might be thinking to yourself, "How the heck am I supposed to know someone is depressed if they don't come out and tell me?" I have news for you – people who are truly depressed and suicidal likely won't come out and tell you. That's why we need to be so in tune with those around us and learn how to see the signs – withdrawal from social interaction, absences from work, extreme pessimism, maybe even frequent references to death. And remember: just because someone has started seeing a therapist or taking medication, this does not mean they are out of the woods. Always keep an eye on people. Your kindness might just be what gives them enough hope to carry on for one more day.
- You invite a coworker to your Fourth of July BBQ, but they refuse to stay for the fireworks. They get sweaty and start acting strange when you insist.
It may very well be that your coworker has severe Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that is triggered by fireworks or other loud noises. This disorder "can occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, a serious accident, a terrorist act, war/combat, rape or other violent personal assault" (Psychiatry.org, 2017). Perhaps they are a war veteran who does not speak of his experiences because they had such a profoundly negative affect on his life. Perhaps he was a gunshot victim in a terrorist attack. Perhaps he was beaten by his father during a fireworks show. It could be any number of things. What's important to remember is that people have a reason for declining invitations or saying they need to leave early. If they want to share those reasons, great. However, if they are clearly uneasy about doing something, don't force them to do it if you do not know or understand their background or experiences.
- You overhear a girl who looks to be about 90 pounds complain that a certain dress makes her look fat.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), "there is a commonly held view that eating disorders are a lifestyle choice. Eating disorders are actually serious and often fatal illnesses that cause severe disturbances to a person's eating behaviors" (February 2016). Let me drawn your attention back to the words often fatal. I was surprised to learn that "anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder" (NEDA, 2018). Instead of judging someone for being too thin or self-absorbed, remember that true eating disorders can be incredibly dangerous and life-threatening. If you have children or are around children, look for the signs early. The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) reports that "the best-known environmental contributor to the development of eating disorders is the sociocultural idealization of thinness," and lists bullying/weight shaming as a huge issue (NEDA, 2018). Teach your children to be kind to other children, regardless of how they look or how much they weight. Teach yourself to be kind. Yes, it is someone's own choice to go down the road of an eating disorder, but if we aren't teaching our kids to not bully others, aren't we as much to blame as that individual? It is our responsibility to change the societal view that both women and men must be a certain pants size to be appreciated, valued, and loved. No one deserves to feel less than perfect.
- Your colleague brings their brother to a work-sponsored softball game. The man will neither make eye contact with you or shake your hand when you first meet, then later tells you that your hair cut is sloppy.
I came across this incredible meme about autism the other day:
It moved me. It reminded me that just because I don't understand what it's like to have autism (or any mental health disorder or illness), doesn't mean I should call someone weird or crazy for their exhibited behaviors. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) "refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication" (AutismSpeaks.org, n.d.). If you know or find out that someone has ASD, this doesn't mean you should avoid them. This means you should pay close attention to their verbal and non-verbal cues. If they don't feel comfortable shaking your hand, don't force them to shake your hand. Also, remember that ASD is 100% unique to each individual – it's called a spectrum for a reason. The Autism Speaks organization (n.d.) has this powerful quote by Dr. Stephen Shore on their website: "If you've met one person with autism, you've met one person with autism." Read that again. Think about how that applies to ASD or to any other mental illness. You might know ten people with ASD, but that doesn't mean the 11thperson you meet will have the same needs as any of the other ten. Doesn't that apply beautifully to humans in general? We simply cannot generalize, regardless of the disorder – especially if it has anything to do with the human mind!
- You are at the store and witness a mother walking down the aisle while her child repeatedly kicks at her and tells her how much he hates her.
This example hits home for me for a number of reasons. I have witnessed this in the store before. If I hadn't known someone who has a child with similar behavioral tendencies, I probably would have thought the boy was abused and/or the mother simply didn't pay him enough attention. The mother I witnessed was simply continuing her shopping, despite the stares coming from all directions, and she kept telling him "I know" every time he stated that he hated her or that she was a horrible mother. So whose fault is this? Instead of jumping to the conclusion that the child is either spoiled rotten or completely neglected, could there be another explanation? I'll give you a little hint: there can always be another explanation. Any number of mental illnesses could cause that kind of behavior. In this case, my heart goes out to both the boy suffering from something, as well as the mother, who has probably tried just about everything to get her little boy back – psychotherapy, psychiatric care, medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, occupational therapy, etc. Mental illness is particularly challenging with a child. How long should one experiment with medication dosages and combinations? How far should one push the child with therapy? How does one deal with the behavioral outbursts at school? How can one cope at home when there's no escape for anyone involved? My point with this example is as follows: don't assume the child is a spoiled brat and don't blame the parent. You have no idea what they might be going through. You have no idea what measures they have taken to try to get any sort of behavioral issues under control. Show some grace. Show both the child and the parents that grace. They are trying and they didn't choose this.
I hope you've learned something, as I did during my research for this post. I hope you remember that categorization and labels don't always improve a situation. What improves already difficult circumstances is education. Learn about the disorder, illness, etc., and learn how to talk about it and interact with those affected. Putting yourself out there in a non-offensive way will result in more kindness toward others, as well as increased personal growth and understanding. I hope that next time you are in public and see someone "different," that instead of pointing and laughing, you hold out your hand, an open mind, and a willingness to learn about what makes them special and unique. Think outside the box. Celebrate the differences and the light we each bring to this world.
"God damn it, you've got to be kind." – Kurt Vonnegrut
"…every single person on this planet has their own unique combination of traits and life experiences" (Kaufman, 2012).
AutismSpeaks.org. (n.d.). What Is Autism? Retrieved from https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism
BeyondOCD.org. (2018). Facts about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Retrieved from http://beyondocd.org/ocd-facts
Kaufman, S. (2012). The Pesky Persistence of Labels. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/beautiful-minds/201210/the-pesky-persistence-labels
NAMI. (2019). Self-Harm. National Alliance on Mental Illness. Retrieved from https://www.nami.org/learn-more/mental-health-conditions/related-conditions/self-harm
NEDA. (2018). Statistics & Research on Eating Disorders. The National Eating Disorder Association. Retrieved from https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/statistics-research-eating-disorders
NIMH. (2016). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/index.shtml
NIMH. (February 2016). Eating Disorders. National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/eating-disorders/index.shtml
Psychiatry.org. (2017). What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder? Retrieved from https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ptsd/what-is-ptsd
Psychology Today. (2019). Self-Harm. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/self-harm
WHO. (2019). Suicide Data. World Health Organization. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/suicideprevent/en/


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Woodlands Explains: Lip Filler (Part 1)
According to Google Trends, there are more online searches for lip filler treatments in Liverpool than for anywhere else in the UK. However, while lip enhancement seems to be much more commonly accepted than it was a few years ago, there is still a great deal of stigma and confusion surrounding this treatment.
Unfortunately, there are still lots of stories in the media about "botched" treatments or people who have gone way too far and now look overinflated and fake. Leslie Ash is a cautionary tale of exactly what can happen when filler goes wrong and her case is often cited as a reason to avoid the treatment altogether. However, there are far more people who have "gone under the needle" and have come out the other side looking natural. Kylie Jenner is a great example of this; while it is now common knowledge that she had lip filler treatments, for a long time there was a great deal of debate around whether she had or hadn't, because, even though her lips were a lot fuller than they had been, they didn't look false.
So if you're considering lip enhancement, what are the main things that you need to know to make sure you end up with a perfectly plumped pout rather than lips like lilos?
Product type
In the UK, some of the most commonly used filler brands include; Juvederm, Belotero, Restylane and Teosyal. These are HA fillers, which means their main ingredient is Hyaluronic Acid, a substance that occurs naturally in the body. Hyaluronic Acid plays a vital role in keeping the skin hydrated and plump, as it attracts water molecules. HA fillers are temporary; the effects will eventually wear off over time.
There are also different filler formulations. For example, Belotero is available in Soft, Balance, Intense and Volume. These products are designed to treat a particular area of the face and the weight of each varies. When treating the lips, a practitioner will usually recommend a lighter product, as the tissue of the lips is very soft. Something heavier, such as Belotero Volume, which is used to restore volume in the cheeks, would be far too bulky in the lips. A knowledgeable and experienced aesthetic practitioner should explain the different dermal filler products available to you and help you make an informed decision on the one that will give you the best results.
You may have heard people talking about a "full syringe" or "half syringe" of filler, which can be confusing! Generally speaking, lip fillers are available in syringes that are either 1ml ("full ml/full syringe") or 0.55ml ("half ml/half syringe") in size. If you're new to fillers, your practitioner may recommend starting off with a 0.55ml syringe to allow you to get used to how your lips look first, rather than going for 1ml straight away, which may give a fuller result than you were expecting.
It's important to remember that the lips usually swell immediately after treatment, so how your lips look at first will not be how they'll always look. Swelling normally settles after a day or so. We sometimes hear from patients who preferred how their lips look when they were swollen, and in those cases we recommend going for more product at their next treatment session.
For patients who want to increase the size of their lips more dramatically, most practitioners will do this gradually over several sessions. It may seem like a better idea to just inject a lot of filler all in one treatment to get it "out of the way", but this will likely result in excess swelling and the results will look unnatural. Instead, the best option is to allow a few months between treatments to allow the filler to integrate with the tissue of your lip. This will keep your results looking natural.
Lip filler can look great when it's done correctly, however, it is also a medical procedure with its own potential risks and complications (we'll come back to this in Part 2). For anyone considering a lip filler treatment, the main piece of advice that we can offer is to research your practitioner. Lip enhancement is a delicate procedure that requires a great deal of skill. Like anything, practice makes perfect, so a highly experienced practitioner, who has carried out many lip treatments before, is far more likely to give you the natural-looking results you were hoping for.