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The Dos and Don'ts of Office Gift-Giving
When holiday season approaches, it's always stressful to consider what you'll buy for all of your relatives and friends. When you add in your office co-workers you'll end up with an even larger headache. When it comes to your colleagues, any gift—or lack thereof—is likely to send a signal about who you are and how you perceive your co-workers.
Choosing thoughtful gifts can help you build relationships with the people in your office, while giving inappropriate presents can cause discomfort or even jeopardize your employment. "You can cross that line very easily," says Aimee Symington, an etiquette coach in Charlotte, N. C., who runs Blundersmania.com.
In many cases, a simple card is fine. But if your officemates are eager to exchange gifts, it may be tough to opt out of the festivities. So how do you make sure that you're spending your precious dollars wisely when purchasing presents for your co-workers?
Etiquette experts share these tips on choosing the perfect gifts for everyone in your office.
Check on your company's policies
Before purchasing gifts for anyone at work, it's important to make sure exchanging presents is even allowed. "Many organizations have strict regulations about giving gifts in the office and who you may give them to," says Jodi R. R. Smith, the owner of Mannersmith, an etiquette consulting business based in Boston. Banks and other financial institutions in particular often have rules that prohibit gift exchanges. If you're not sure about your workplace, check with your company's human resources representative.
Ask your co-workers for advice
If you're new to your current workplace, you won't know whether exchanging gifts is common, or what kinds of gifts to purchase, unless you ask around the office. "Ask more than one person or you might accidentally ask the one person who refuses to exchange gifts or the person who gives presents to everybody," says Smith. "Find out the general feeling around gift-giving and follow the corporate culture."
Don't buy anything overly intimate
When you're giving presents to people you work with, be aware of what is and isn't appropriate for the office. "Anything that you'd buy for someone on Valentine's Day isn't appropriate," says Smith. That means no perfume, no flowers and definitely no lingerie. Be careful about giving a gift that makes it seem like your co-worker could use help with his or her appearance. "It's one thing to give a manicure, which is fun and relaxing," says Constance Hoffman of Social and Business Graces, Inc., a Los Angeles-based etiquette consultancy, "but it's another to offer a session of hair coloring." Nose hair trimmers, needless to say, are also a bad idea.
Watch out for co-workers' sore spots
The danger of shopping for co-workers is that you may not know enough about them to avoid unintentionally offending them. Avoid giving gifts of wine or spirits; you never know whether one of your co-workers might be a recovering alcoholic. If you know that several co-workers are working hard to lose weight, baked goods aren't an ideal gift. And pay attention to potential cultural clashes: "Don't give a Christmas ham to a Jewish co-worker," says Hoffman.
Give a gift that shows real thought
A great present doesn't need to cost much it just needs to demonstrate that you understand what your co-worker would appreciate. Smith recalls a time when she worked at an office with an executive who was constantly losing umbrellas. "I went down to Walgreens and bought a dozen collapsible umbrellas," she says. "I didn't spend a lot of money, but he loved it."
A charitable gift can also be a good present, but make sure that it's a charity your co-worker supports. "Find out what causes are near and dear to his or her heart," says Smith. "If you're making a donation to a group that you support, it's not a gift."
Homemade foods and gift certificates will often be appreciated as well. "A coworker once got three of us in the office gift cards from three separate coffee shops," says Hoffman. "She recognized our favorite places, and it resonated."
Don't spend more than you can afford
Cost is, of course, a major consideration. Your bank account's probably already been wiped clean with all of the purchases for parents, siblings, and children. How much do you need to spend to show the woman in the next cubicle that you care?
Your co-workers won't expect lavish gifts, particularly if you're on the lower end of the salary scale. "Ten dollars for a coffee shop card is fine," says Symington. "It's more of a token to show appreciation to the people you work with."
It's especially important to keep costs down when you're purchasing gifts for an entire department. Unless someone is a close friend outside of work, don't play favorites by purchasing an expensive present for one co-worker. "If you work in a small environment where others would find out about your gift, you should give a small gift to other co-workers, too," says Symington.
Be careful when buying a gift for your boss
Will it seem like you're trying to buy your way into a raise if you purchase a present for the person in charge? Are you even allowed to give your boss a gift? Depending on where you work, the responses could vary substantially.
"Some companies frown upon it, but at others it's expected that you'll give your boss a gift even if you don't buy anything for your peers," says Smith.
Before purchasing a gift, talk with your co-workers about whether it's customary to purchase something for your boss or department head. If so, ask what sort of gifts they've purchased in years past to get an idea of the usual price point. In many cases, co-workers enjoy chipping in together to jointly purchase one larger gift, such as a new golf club or tickets to a baseball game, for their manager.
"A savvy admin understands relationships in the office and makes gift-giving decisions accordingly," says Smith.
Start a new office Secret Santa tradition
Of course, if the hassle and cost of purchasing gifts for everyone in your office or department is overwhelming just to consider, suggest doing a Secret Santa where each employee buys a gift for just one randomly chosen co-worker.
In a Secret Santa gift exchange, staff members are generally forbidden from spending over a set limit, often $25 or $50, which can keep costs significantly lower than if you try to buy a gift for everyone in the office. And purchasing a gift for just one person instead of 20 can help you avoid the confusion and office politics surrounding the etiquette of office gift-giving. Just make sure to stay away from the nose-hair trimmers, in any case.
Ten Office Gift Suggestions
Still wondering what to buy for your colleagues? Our experts shared their favorite office-appropriate gift ideas—see what's worth putting on your holiday shopping list.
- Gift cards for coffee, e-books, or music
- Stationary paper
- Beautiful pens from Cross or Mont Blanc
- Fruit baskets
- Silver picture frames
- Leather calendars or planners
- Business card cases
- Tickets to an event
- Unique plants
- Alumni-focused gifts


text: It may be Broadway's first kitchen-sink musical: Faith Prince is stunning as a sad Bronx matron hell-bent on giving her daughter the fancy wedding she never had, and Tom Wopat is fine as her working-stiff husband, angrily watching the bills pile up. But adding music to Paddy Chayefsky's '50s teleplay yields nothing. Given the characters' shriveled souls, melody is out: John Bucchino's songs add up to small talk with underscoring. Everyone seems clinically depressed, except for Harvey Fierstein (who also penned A Catered Affair's libretto), who hams it up anachronistically as Prince's brother, an uncloseted florist. Overall, this is one drab affair. (Tickets: Telecharge.com or 212-239-6200) C-

subset: commoncrawl


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OMEA Honors Capital University's Jim Swearingen for Distinguished Service
23rd annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Learning January 20
Nursing Students Take Top Honors at Statewide Competition
see more news & events
The Jeffrey Manufacturing Company and the Coal Industry: Formation to Depression and Preperation for WWII, 1876-1941 Christine Finch Mentor: Thomas C. Maroukis
There are many different industries and companies that have shaped both Ohio and United States history. The Jeffrey Manufacturing Company had a revolutionizing impact on the coal industry. The establishment and development of The Jeffrey Manufacturing Company marks a new beginning for the coal mining process and the coal industry. This company, from 1876 to 1941, introduced revolutionary mining machinery, reputable business ethics, exceptional employee relations, and a legacy of leadership to both the American and Ohio coal production industries. This study examines these qualities and how The Jeffrey Manufacturing Company facilitated the coal mining process locally and nationally.
Powerful women throughout history have been degraded for their openness toward sexuality, and Cleopatra VII was certainly not least among them. However, it is difficult to find sources that portray the Egyptian queen as anything other than a seductress. Contemporary Roman male writers seem unable to have appreciated either cultural or gender differences between themselves and Cleopatra. They declared her marriage to Ptolemy XIII devious and incestuous, in spite of its traditional practice among Egyptian royalty. Moreover, they portray her liaisons with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony as sinful, regardless of the political nature of both these affairs and her marriage. Roman sources also fail to note the immense impact of Cleopatra VII on history. Her affair and son with Julius Caesar influenced the decision to have him assassinated and created a threat to Octavian's claim as his heir. Cleopatra's affair with Antony spurred conflict between him and Octavian, which eventually allowed the latter to emerge as the uncontested ruler of Rome. Thus, while Cleopatra meant her adulterous affairs to aid her county's independence from Rome through alliances with those in power, her choice of lovers ultimately led to the opposite: Egypt's colonization under the Roman monarchy of Augustus Caesar.
There are several similarities between the narratives of Christianity and the collections of mythology around the world. One of these is the explanation of the fall of man from the divine. The accounts of Adam and Eve in the Bible, and Epimetheus and Pandora in Greek mythology have uncanny parallels; this is especially true when it comes to the behavior and treatment of the women. This paper investigates Greek myth and biblical messages and the great impact they had on the expectations of women in Ancient Greek and early Christian societies. It discusses the continuing influence of these lessons in churches today.
The world has had a very long history of missionaries, each possessing varying techniques of evangelization. Some have used very assertive and forceful conversion philosophies, while others have been so passive that they were not even noticed. There is one man who mastered a combination of these two techniques by passively asserting the Christian religion in China. This man was Matteo Ricci. Ricci was a genius when it came to introducing the Christian religion to the closed country of China in the late 16th to early 17th centuries CE. By synthesizing Chinese culture, values, and its love for technology and mathematics, with the Christian religion, Ricci was not only successful, but loved. These three aspects of conversion were what achieved his accomplishment, especially since Ricci did not adhere to the common ethnocentric tendencies of the West. Various primary sources are analyzed to prove each of these techniques, especially entries that Ricci and his new followers wrote while in China. By understanding how Ricci was successful with this cultural merging, one may be able to apply its execution to the present world and its consistent conflicts.
At the close of the Neolithic Period, patriarchal tribes from the north conquered the matriarchal people of Greece. The assimilation of the Greek people by this warlike tribe was reflected in the religion of Ancient Greece from the Dark Ages to the end of the Classical Period (9th to 4th century BCE). This presentation examines the cultural battle resulting from this invasion, which changed the role of Greek women, especially the Mother Goddess, as seen in the mythology of the Greek religion during this time. First, a brief historical perspective of the Greek Neolithic era is presented to provide a context for the matriarchal religion that existed at that time, including a transitional look at the Minoan civilization. Next, a basic analysis of Classic Greek mythology in the patriarchal age is introduced, including a discussion of the gods and goddesses of the time. Then, specific examples in the mythology of the Greeks are examined, including such works as the Theogony and several of the Homeric Hymns. Iconographical examples are intertwined to further solidify this analysis of ancient Greek religion through art.
This paper analyzes Christine de Pizan's literary work, Cite des Dames as a contribution to modern feminist thought. It explores Christine's de Pizan's motives for writing Cite des Dames and explains the aims it accomplished for women living during the time in which it was written. It utilizes historical scholarship through the exploration of primary source documents and secondary source documents. More specifically, this paper delves into how Christine de Pizan, by writing Cite des Dames, proves women's capabilities, educates other women, and writes a new women's history. Through the analysis of these three themes, it is evident that Christine de Pizan's was one of Europe's first modern feminists.


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Recently, we've seen a few instances of a malicious DLL that is installed as an IIS module making its rounds in forensic cases. This module is of particular concern as it is currently undetectable by almost all anti-virus products. The malware is used by attackers to target sensitive information in POST requests, and has mechanisms in place for data exfiltration. Encryption is circumvented as the malware extracts this data from IIS itself. This was seen targeting credit card data on e-commerce sites, however, it could also be used to steal logins, or any other sensitive information sent to a compromised IIS instance. Please note that this is not related in any way to the recent 'Pony' malware that was reported. Pony targets the end-users, while this malware goes after the web servers themselves.
One of my YARA rulesets that I created for this family of malware triggered, leading me to the following:
As it turns out, this happens to be the original installer for the IIS module I'm referring to, and it seemed like the perfect time to throw a write-up together. I decided to write this post for a couple of reasons:
- At the time of writing this post, anti-virus do not currently detect any of the IIS modules dropped by this malware. Even the installer is only picked up by a handful of anti-virus products, and in all cases it's simply generic heuristic detection. I'm using this post as a way of notifying anti-virus vendors so that specific detections for this malware may be written.
- I think the malware is pretty neat.
So with that, let's talk about this thing. For the sake of my own sanity, I'm going to be referring to this malware as 'ISN' going forward, as this three character string is referenced in all of the malware's exfiltration commands.
Let's take a look at the installer first. The file can take a number of arguments, as you can see below:
- -path : [Location where malware is installed]
- -i : [List of URI paths to be targeted, such as '/sensitive.aspx'
- -u : [Uninstall malware]
- -is632 : [Manually instruct malware that victim is IIS6 32-Bit]
- -is664 : [Manually instruct malware that victim is IIS6 64-Bit]
In truth, the installer is quite simple. It has four embedded DLLs (in the PE resource section) that are dropped depending on the victim. There are IIS modules for the following:
- IIS6 32-Bit
- IIS6 64-Bit
- IIS7+ 32-Bit
- IIS7+ 64-Bit
Additionally, the ISN malware has a VBS file that is also embedded as a PE resource (See the reference section below for full output and VirusTotal link). This VBS file is used to install or remove the DLLs as an IIS module.
Once run, ISN will perform the following:
- Drop the VBS file to the location specified by '-path', or the current working directory. This file is removed before the ISN installer is finished.
- Create a configuration file ([filename].cfg) in the same directory. This file contains a list of
- URIs that are targeted by the malware.
- Detect the IIS version as well as the victim architecture.
- Drop the appropriate DLL to the installation directory.
- Call the VBS file in order to install the DLL as an IIS module.
The malicious IIS module is installed as whatever the name of the executable is. For my demonstration, I've named the malware 'isn.exe', which results in the following:
As the installation process takes place, a log file named '[filename].log' is created and a number of debugging statements are written to it.
Once the module is successfully installed, it will monitor the URIs specified in the configuration file and dump any POST requests encountered to the '[filename].log' file. The module will also monitor the QUERY_STRING parameter, and can accept a number of commands. I've setup a simple IIS instance to demonstrate how this process takes place.
As we can see below, I've created a simple web form that would mimic an actual e-commerce site. A user would enter their name and credit card number and submit the information, which is simply replayed back to them in '/buy.aspx'.
I've also setup a self-signed certificate so that all of the communicate takes place over SSL.
However, this transaction took place on an IIS instance with the ISN malware. The configuration has been set to track POST requests to '/buy.aspx'. As we see below, when this POST request occurs, the ISN malware creates a log file with this information stored in the clear.
Now, I mentioned earlier that the ISN malware monitors QUERY_STRING parameters. Specifically, it will look for the following commands:
- isn_getlog – return the contents of the isn.log file
- isn_logdel – delete the isn.log file
- isn_logpath – return the path of the isn.log file
These commands can be sent remotely simply by providing them as a GET parameter.
'isn_getlog' example:
'isn_logdel' example:
'isn_logpath' example:
Overall, this malware does not appear to be widely spread and has only been seen in a few forensic case instances. However, the extremely low detection rate in collaboration with the malware's targeted functionality makes this a very real threat.
Trustwave's WebDefend and ModSecurity can be used to both block the initial point of infection for this malware and detect whether sensitive user data such as credit card numbers appear in outbound data.
Installer (9/48) - https://www.virustotal.com/en/file/587e784f8c54b49f25c01e0e8f71c205bd422e2b673fb7fbf28d721aa768e055/analysis/
VBS File (0/49) - https://www.virustotal.com/en/file/688b80289a0c3771c7cee689c50a61b1c5215e8e5ac39a1120b3c7e4f4ada002/analysis/
IIS6 64-Bit (0/49) - https://www.virustotal.com/en/file/956ed56ecc574f68b637e22add7c8e3cb0deea3b1e0dd02abea165bfcb7e3786/analysis/
IIS6 32-Bit (0/47) - https://www.virustotal.com/en/file/9f501c052f2d4f4b0954f6060c7111f272ae29f9d88188d37c961c38e13e3905/analysis/
IIS7+ 64-Bit (0/46) - https://www.virustotal.com/en/file/c6847600910ab196652a38e94ecf592e645d43025d1d61b3710b2f715238307b/analysis/
IIS7+ 32-Bit (0/47) - https://www.virustotal.com/en/file/157174f0b9be66e3c9090c95efdd1dd23b19e42aa671758ebac5540a173f760c/analysis/
Content of VBS File - https://gist.github.com/jgrunzweig/7840987


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Ten of England's oddest sights
The ancient Long Man of Wilmington is a mysterious 70m image carved into the hillside of Englandâs South Downs. (David Tomlinson/LPI)
England: seat of the royals, replete with cream teas and pastures green? Not quite. When you venture beyond England's noble heritage and classic sights, there is a motley crew of eccentric, unexpected and even raunchy attractions – if you know where to look. Choosing a mere 10 is a challenge, but here are some delightful eyebrow-raisers of the sceptered isle.
Angel of the North, Tyne and Wear
Is it a bird, is it an angel, is it an eyesore? This steel sculpture by celebrated British artist Antony Gormley has been inspiring drivers to mutter "what the…?" since its completion in 1998. Its majestic 54m wingspan is an edifying landmark for northeast England – although many see lewd potential in its form, which looks similar to a male nude with arms outstretched, dubbing it the "Gateshead Flasher". Take a peep at the Angel from the A167 road exit towards Gateshead South.
Whitby, Yorkshire
The craggy silhouette of Whitby Abbey, perched precariously above this seaside town, inspired Bram Stoker, the tortured soul behind Dracula. And today, it calls to Brits with dark tastes in music to descend in flocks for the Whitby Goth Weekend. Make sure you book accommodation well in advance if you are timing your visit for the festival – your reward will be sharing fish 'n' chips with amiable alternative rockers wearing frills, furbelows and enough black eyeliner to blot out the sun.
The Blowing Stone, Oxfordshire
Amid the green fields of Oxfordshire near the small town of Wantage lies an unassuming rock with a big history. According to legend, King Alfred blew through a hole in this very boulder to summon a Saxon army against the Vikings with a trumpeting call. Re-enact this historic moment yourself, but do not be surprised if you get little more than a low fart: myth says that anyone who succeeds in sounding a pure note is sure to ascend the throne. Console yourself with some other local sights, like the graceful outline of the Uffington White Horse that is carved into the rolling hillsides and a few drinks in local boozer The Plough in Eastbury.
A philosopher's mummy, London
Jeremy Bentham, one of England's greatest thinkers, so loved the University College London that he wanted to hang around long after his death. While his voting rights were revoked post mortem, his preserved body remains proudly on display. You can see the stuffed icon (the original head now sadly replaced with a wax model), on a self-guided tour.
Cerne Abbas Giant, Dorset and Long Man of Wilmington, East Sussex
These two enormous figures are carved into the chalk bedrock of the English hills. The Giant, just north of the Dorset village Cerne Abbas, has a phallus that can be seen for miles (snap your photos from the viewing point off the A352 road). Not to be outdone by this priapic monument, some cheeky residents of Wilmington in East Sussex, home to the other gargantuan carving, drew some crown jewels on their own chalk figure – amusement (and offence) spread like wildfire. See the (now castrated) Long Man of Wilmington on a short drive northwest from Eastbourne. There is a signposted walk to the best viewing areas.
Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxfordshire
Quaint, eccentric and bursting with intellectual treasures, the Pitt Rivers Museum captures the spirit of Oxford, England's most famous university city. Make a beeline for the shrunken heads, but take time to dawdle amid anthropological treasures like porcupine-quill shirts and Japanese masks.
Brighton's West Pier, East Sussex
Sad emblem of dereliction or alternative icon for England's sauciest seaside town? Locals of Brighton are divided on the ghostly wreck of the West Pier. A rusted metal skeleton of a coastal pavilion, the brooding beauty of the West Pier attracts as many camera flashes as its functioning neighbour, Brighton Pier. Stay in town for the quirky cafe culture, bracing sea air and raucous nightlife.


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Oriental Orthodox Festival 2011
On Saturday, 14th May, clergy and laity from all of the Oriental Orthodox churches gathered together for the 4th annual Oriental Orthodox Festival. The festival provides an opportunity for the members of the various Orthodox communities to meet together and share in the celebration of the Liturgy, and then have an opportunity for fellowship over a varied buffet lunch provided by the different Orthodox traditions and ethnicities represented.
The latest festival took place at St Michael's Eritrean Orthodox Church in Camberwell, London. Participating bishops included His Grace Bishop Angaelos and His Eminence Archbishop Athanasius in the presence of His Grace Bishop Markos. The attending priests represented the British Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Indian Orthodox, Ethiopian Orthodox and Eritrean Orthodox Churches. There were many deacons from the various Churches and the sanctuary was filled with a wonderful fraternal spirit. As Father Youhannes began the prayers of the Liturgy a spiritual atmosphere descended upon the crowded Church.
Many British Orthodox clergy and faithful had travelled to Camberwell to participate in the Festival. They included Father Sergius, Father Simon and Father Peter, together with Deacon Theodore from the French Coptic Orthodox Church, and servants and laity from the South Coast congregations. Many other friends of the British Orthodox Church were present in the congregation, including Father Deacon Richard Downer and Dr Carol Downer.
The Liturgy was conducted with the participation of the various clergy, and the congregation was marked by enthusiastic singing of the hymns and chants of the Eritrean tradition. It always makes a great impression to see so many of the faithful dressed in their traditional white clothes. It is important that this concelebrated liturgy takes place each year so that we provide a visible manifestation of our unity as Orthodox Christians.
After the Liturgy the choir of the Eritrean Orthodox church sang many of their traditional songs with the accompaniment of drums. It was a great blessing to see such devotion and seriousness in the young Eritrean Christians who sang and performed their liturgical dance, but also to see the joy and spiritual delight in the faces of the many members of the congregation who joined in. His Grace Bishop Angaelos addressed the congregation, as did His Grace Bishop Markos, whose message of welcome was translated by Father Youhannes.
But the Festival is more than the concelebrated Liturgy, and we were invited to the basement of the Church where the various churches represented had laid out diverse foods from their own cultural traditions. After a great deal of warm conversation it seemed that most people had a plate of food in front of them. I certainly enjoyed the Eritrean food I was offered, and the opportunity to talk with some of the other clergy. Father Youhannes was tireless in his hospitality and hardly had time to sit down himself.
To conclude our Festival the choir of the Indian Orthodox church had arranged to share some of their musical repetoire with us. As they started their first song the church filled up with clergy and laity. The choir sang enthusiastically, and the choir director even managed to urge the Eritrean Orthodox choir to join in with their drums. The congregation were given an opportunity to try and sing one of the Indian Orthodox songs, but I am not sure that we all managed to pronounce the Malayalam words properly.
After a final prayer Father Youhannes dismissed the congregation. It had been a most successful event, and already I have received messages from those who had been able to attend and who had enjoyed the Festival.
[Report by Father Peter Farrington]
Abba Seraphim visits the Eritrean Orthodox diocese of North America
At the invitation of the North American Archdiocese of the Eritrean Orthodox Church Abba Seraphim attended its twelfth annual conference, held this year in Stamford, Connecticut. Accompanied by Mr. Trevor Maskery, he was received at the Hampton Inn on Friday, 23 July by His Grace Bishop Makarios and introduced to the clergy and senior lay representatives of parishes as far afield as Oakland (California), Atlanta (Georgia), Seattle (Washington) and Toronto as well as east coast communities.
From here the clergy processed the short distance to the hall of the Sacred Heart Parish in Schuyler Avenue, which was made available for conference sessions by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport. Upon arrival the clergy were greeted by a large body of laity and vested deacons who conducted them to the hall with traditional songs and the beating of drums. They were then formally welcomed by Bishop Makarios, following which Abba Seraphim spoke of his close association with the Eritrean Church since its independence and his delight at visiting the North American diocese, which had remained such a staunch supporter of His Holiness Abune Antonios. Later that evening Abba Seraphim and Bishop Makarios dined together and were able to discuss matters of common concern and interest.
On Saturday morning, 24 July, Abba Seraphim and Bishop Makarios, assisted by the priests and deacons, celebrated the Divine Liturgy (Anaphora of the Apostles) at Archangels Greek Orthodox Church in Bedford Street, Stamford, during which Professor Deacon Habtu Ghebre-Ab was ordained a priest (with the name Father Athanasios) to serve the Eritrean community in Cincinatti. The new priest had only visited Abba Seraphim at the Church Secretariat in Charlton two months previously when he had spoken of his planned ordination although at that time Abba Seraphim had not planned to be in New York this summer.
During the Liturgy Abba Seraphim preached on the Gospel (John X: 11-21) and illustrated the importance to the apostolic faith and traditions, which recognised Abune Antonios as the canonical Eritrean Patriarch or the one who "entereth in by the door" as "the shepherd of the sheep" in contrast to the government appointee who "enterest not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber." Abba Seraphim declared that the clergy and faithful who upheld the canonical church order were faithful to the apostolic tradition and were right not to follow a stranger but rather to "flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers." During the service special prayers were said for Abune Antonios and those imprisoned in Eritrea for their faith and the Patriarch's picture was prominantly displayed in the church.
After lunch Mr. Trevor Maskery, who has designed the websites for Patriarch Antonios and the British Orthodox Church, spoke about the importance of harnessing the power of the internet and directed attention to some of the opportunities which still needed to be grasped.
Abba Seraphim also gave a keynote address, "How shall we sing the Lord's Song in a strange Land?" addressing some of the issues which face an expatriate community which has largely fled from persecution at home. The text of this talk is now available in booklet form from www.lulu.org In the evening Abba Seraphim and Mr. Maskery dined with a group of lay leaders and explored further some of the issues raised during the day's meeting.
On Sunday. 25 July Abba Seraphim and Bishop Makarios, assisted by the priests and deacons, celebrated the Divine Liturgy (Anaphora of St. Jacob of Serough) with St. Gabriel Eritrean Orthodox Parish of New York which worships in the basement chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church at 469 W. 142nd Street, New York, which was also the commemoration of the Archangel Gabriel. After the liturgy the clergy and people went in solemn procession around the entire block as an important witness in the community where they worship. Many people came out to watch with deep respect and to share in the joy which the procession presented to all around. After a festive agape Abba Seraphim again preached on St. Gabriel and the angelic ministries and Bishop Makarios made commemorative presentations to Fr. Athanasios and those also ordained hegoumenos and reader over this blessed weekend. Abba Seraphim returned to London on 26 July.
Commenting on his visit Abba Seraphim spoke of the deep joy experienced in the opportunity to have close contact and eucharistic communion with this particular diocese of the Eritrean Orthodox Church which is notable for its integrity and fidelity to Abune Antonios and the Orthodox tradition. He was impressed by the dedication and commitment of the clergyand by their energy, which not only involved teaching the faith but also in studying for theological degrees (often in addition to degrees already earned in other disciplines) to advance their own knowledge. The continuing love and pastoral concern which His Holiness Pope Shenouda has always shown for the Eritrean Church was manifested recently by providing them with a bishop highly respected for his fidelity and integrity, which will provide the oversight long needed by the dio0cese. "Under the wise leadership of Bishop Makarios, these faithful priests and people will prove to be a powerful witness to this authentic expression of Orthodox ecclesiology, and with its eirenic and spiritually based ethos, this diocese will one day be the means of blessing the Orthodox in Eritrea who remain and quietly witness to their long and preciously held faith in Christ."
Abba Seraphim to speak at Eritrean Conference in USA
Abba Seraphim has accepted an invitation to attend and speak at the 12th Annual Conference of the North American Diocese of the Eritrean Orthodox Church in Stamford, Connecticut. This year's theme verse is: "The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding"(Nehemiah II: 20). Under this theme the Diocese of North America will meet for four days of prayer, worship and panel discussions & workshops. On Saturday 24 July, 2010, a special Prayer Vigil for H.H Abune Antonios, Patriarch of the Eritrean Church, will be held. Among the attendees are His Grace Bishop Makarios, Bishop of the Eritrean Orthodox Church in North America and His Grace Bishop David, General Bishop of the Coptic Church in the United States, with many clergy and the faithful. Abba Seraphim will also deliver an address on "How do fathers serve people who are displaced from their country and live in foreign lands."
Eritrea Protest Vigil
A Prayer Vigil was held outside the Eritrean Embassy in Islington, London, on 3 June 2010 to protest at the treatment of Christians in Eritrea. It was called to mark the eighth anniversary of the closure of minority churches in Eritrea, after which even main-stream churches, like the majority Eritrean Orthodox Church have suffered systematic persecution.
The vigil was organised through the collaboration of a number of groups, including Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), Release Eritrea, Church in Chains, Release (voice of persecuted Christians), Open Doors (serving persecuted Christians Worldwide) and the British Orthodox Church. For an hour on a sunny afternoon in London, a committed group of concerned Christians stood on the pavement opposite the Eritrean Embassy – as cars and buses with intrigued spectators passed by – and prayed, read from the scriptures, sang spiritual songs and heard meditative addresses from those working with and for the suffering Christians in Eritrea, regardless of their religious affiliation. Unlike political demonstrations the tone was calm, reflective and prayerful and there was no hint of invective against the oppressors. Both the Eritrean President and the Ambassador in London were spoken of courteously and prayed for fervently. His Eminence Abba Seraphim spoke of his concerns about His Holiness Abune Antonios, the elderly Eritrean Orthodox Patriarch, who had refused to bow to pressure from the government when the persecuition began and because of his stand for truth and justice found himself deposed from office and placed under house arrest. His position of national importance and his unswerving integity made him a symbol of all who were suffering for their Christian faith. At the conclusion of the vigil Abba Seraphim, supported by The Right Rev'd Christopher Chessun, (Anglican) Bishop of Woolwich and Dr. Berhane Asmelash of Release Eritrea, called at the Embassy to deliver a letter addressed to the Ambassador expressing their concerns and asking for the release of prisoners of conscience.
Daniel Malyon (BOC Portsmouth), who was present at the vigil, writes:
Yesterday, in protest of the continuing persecution of our Christian brethren in Eritrea, a number of Human Rights groups and Church representatives attended a vigil outside the Eritrean embassy in London. It was great to see an event attended by such a variety of people from different cultures and Christian groups. We had people from the Eritrean Orthodox, the British Orthodox, the Anglican Church and independent Churches, all united in prayer and concern for the Christian community in Eritrea.
To have all these groups together representing a single cause is a rarity these days, but was certainly significant. Everyone was involved in the prayer and the speeches, rejoicing in the gifts we recieve through faith, and in the knowledge of our protection, and to show concern for those that are not given the opportunity to rejoice in their faith, for fear that it will cost them their lives.
The readings from Romans certainly set the tone for the vigil, reminding us that whatever we suffer for Christ in life will be repaid in joy after we die. We are reminded that though the Eritrean Christians suffer needlessly and for no real legal reason, they are the martyrs of the modern day, just as Justin Martyr, St Paul and other early Christians suffered for their faith. As Romans 8:18 says "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."
There was much media coverage on the day from the respresented charity groups, and a lot of focus on Church representation, such as the support of an Anglican Bishop and HE Metropolitan Seraphim, as to know that the church establishments are supporting them is vital for the people of Eritrea of whom 90% belong to the Eritrean Orthodox Church, a sister Church of the British Orthodox. The Evangelical representatives also spoke of the need for more to be done by the world to prevent single party governments such as Eritrea from arresting political opponents or those that speak for the rights of the persecuted, as freedom of worship and conscience are vital in society.
The vigil continued with "praise songs" from the Evangelical Church representatives, as well as prayers for both those suffering in Eritrea, and for her government. Some may not understand why we would pray for the opressors of our Eritrean brothers and sisters, but if we do not pray for those who cause suffering, we are no better than they are, as we would be as uncaring as their actions. At 4pm, after the Charities had finished speaking of the Eritrean situation Abba Seraphim led a deputation to deliver a letter to the Embassy across the road. This was given to one of the staff of the Ambassador, informing him of the reaction of the British public, church organisations and Human Rights groups to the continued opression and imprisonment of Christians in Eritrea.
This event happens yearly in London, and though it has not ended the persecutions in Eritrea, I feel that it is a moral duty to continue to stand beside the people of Eritrea, and let them know that they are still in our prayers and thoughts, for if we lose hope, so wil they.
Abba Seraphim pays his respects to departed priest
On Sunday morning, 30 May, Abba Seraphim attended the funeral, following the Divine Liturgy, of the late Father Hailemariam F. Mariam, priest of the Debre Madhanit Kidane Mehret Tewahdo Eritrean Orthodox congregation in Shepherd's Bush, London. The service was held at St. John the Baptist Church, Holland Road, London W14 and presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Antonios of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church (shown with Abba Seraphim above).
Father Hailemariam was professed as a monk of the Waldiba monastery when he was twenty-five and came to London in January 1992 at the suggestion of H.H. Pope Shenouda III to minister to the increasing number of Eritrean refugees. He was a humble and devout priest and when the Eritrean government exiled Patriarch Antonios, Father Hailemariam was horrified by such a sacrilegious act. He visited Abba Seraphim at the Church Secretariat in Charlton in 2007 to thank him for his support for the Patriarch and to affirm his own loyalty. Father Hailemariam died on 25 May 2010 aged 75 after a long battle with cancer. He was a greatly loved pastor and the church was packed for the funeral as well as having a large number of both Eritrean and Ethiopian priests and deacons assisting in the funeral rites. Abba Seraphim paid respect to his loyalty and integrity, "He had deep affection for both Pope Shenouda and Abune Antonios because he loved truth and justice. He is a symbol of the deep spirituality of both the Ethiopian and Eritrean Churches and those who were touched by his ministry should follow his example of fidelity to their last breath."
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Raising of Incense – 9:45am
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Alaine, you're amazing to be doing school in a brand new language! When I went for a semester at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok it was pretty easy on the language front because the classes were in English! The rest of them time I learned some Thai, but not at the level you are doing - way to go on being so willing to experience completely new adventures!
Talat Wan-Atit
Tharua is famous for the giant Reclining Buddha, as in the picture. Giant might be an understatement for how big it is.
Khaowfang and I got some flowers and incense sticks to do our offerings to the Buddha. Except then it started to rain. I mean, Thailand rain, not a wimpy drizzle. The whole place was full of so much activity and it smelled heavily of incense everywhere. Even in the rain, there were people dancing and playing music walking around the Buddha, it was actually really good. Within 10 minutes, Khaowfang and I were already drenched. We took our little gold pieces of paper to attach them to the Buddha to pay our respects. I looked up for a moment at the Buddha, with rain pouring down the side of the face in streaks with the little smile. I'm not huge on religion, but something there sort of struck me, made me take a step back. It was powerful, I felt connected for a brief moment to Buddhism. I can't say that I agree with the belief that all life is suffering when it is all we have, but it's unlike anything else. The little exposure that I've had to Christianity, Islam, and Judaism is completely different, that's all I can really say.
Wading through ankle deep water, we went inside the temple and Khaowfang tried explaining something about success when you pray and attempt to lift these elephant figures with handles with the ring finger. If you pray and can lift it the first time, then pray and are unable to lift it the second time, you will be successful in whatever you pray for. I didn't really understand Khaowfang in broken English, so when I went to do it I just picked it up twice thinking I did it right because I had a strong ring finger or something. I'll try again next week. Khaowfang put a little gold speck on my forehead and I did the same for her. It means that you're lucky.
We stayed for a little less than an hour because of the rain. We were literally more than ankle deep in the water and there was the loudest thunder I've ever heard. I almost thought there were gunshots and cannons, that's how intense it was. We got home fully drenched. It was completely worth it just to see what people here do on a normal Sunday morning. It was pretty fun.
I'm still adjusting to life here, which is a lot more relaxed without the amount of schoolwork and activities there were in America. I don't have much schoolwork because I don't speak Thai, otherwise I'm sure it would be much different. Lunch everyday is a choice between noodles and rice, but we have a whole hour. I don't know if my Thai is improving or not, but I'm starting to enjoy my school day a lot more, playing volleyball after school and having ice cube fights with my friends. You don't need to speak Thai to understand the shock of having a cold icecube slipped down the back of your shirt. Hopefully the other aspects of living here will start to improve as well. Oh, and Talat Wan-Atit means Sunday market in Thai.
Ahh the rain
I remember the downpour of rain that would come out of nowhere. It's like being in a waterfall or strong shower outside. There was flooding in Bangkok when I was there and I had to go to the doctor and even in the doctor's office I had to wade through water. Hmmm, didn't feel very clean or sterile!! LOVE LOVE LOVE the pictures of you, thanks for getting you in some gorgeous. You look great and I'm glad you are getting to see some new places, and have new experiences like riding an elephant! yah!
Love you!
Good to know.
Alaine, G'pa told me about your blog and I got on it. Amazing. Like you said in one of your ealier blogs, the hardest part is at first, then you adapt, you just have to. I look forward to hearing more about your time there. Thailand was always my favorite Asian country; very friendly people who seem to really like Americans, probably anyone. Good looking people too. The gold offerings to Buddha bring back some memories as do the photos you took at the ruins. Amazing how steep they make the stairways at the temples, and just how 'busy' they look. I've forwarded you a couple of emails to your account filling you in on some things going on back here. Love you and miss you. Dad.


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Quoted from DoS My friend is a very classic warrior aside from being more endomorph and less meso. He has a real egghead! Big head, big face. However now that we know his genetic information... He is allergic to all seafood.What does a warrior do when the one meat source they have is not really compatible with them?
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Plan Specification: HHF-5311
Total Square Footage: 4,600Main Level: 2,624Lower Level: 1,976Bedrooms: 4Baths: 3 Half: 1Garages: 3Width: 76 ft Depth: 65 ftFoundation: Daylight Basement-Included, Slab Foundation-Included
© copyright by designer |
Plan: HHF-5311This ultra-contemporary hillside plan has some amazing details that add style to its appearance and comfort to its livability. Extensive fenestration on the exterior takes advantage of ambient light on the inside. The main floor has a delightful entry foyer with stone columns, a bench and a niche. To the right is the open stairway to the lower level with a wall of windows on one side and a glass floor on the other. A wet bar connects the vaulted dining room to the professional-style kitchen (note the walk-in pantry). A vaulted nook with sliding doors to a patio is adjoining. Step down into the vaulted great room, which also opens to the patio (note the outdoor grill and fireplace). A large, skylit laundry is close by. On the lower level youll find a game room with built-in entertainment center, three family bedrooms, another laundry area and a snack-bar area.
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Archive for the 'social media' tag
Brand Dependence Index: Social Media Gets #Attachment Score
By The Editors
Do we feel the same about a "like" as we do a retweet? That's what the Brand Dependence Index sought to discover in a recent study of our attachment to social media brands. This is the second release of the Index, which was developed by UTA Brand Studio in partnership with uSamp. The latest findings were presented last Friday at SXSW and published in an article by Fast Company.
The word "attachment," as intended by the methodology's creators, refers to the degree to which consumers believe a brand is like themselves, and the degree to which thoughts and feelings about a brand easily come to mind.
The recent social media study specifically looks at social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest, and the one trending highest may surprise you. Click here read the article and to learn how the BDI tells us more about our social media habits than RTs and "likes" ever will.
Link Dump: March 2 – 15 2013
Welcome to uSamp's bi-weekly link dump: A compilation of all things trending in Market Research, Mobile, Social Media, Gamification and more. We hope you'll find this aggregation as informative and entertaining as we do. Let us know if there are items that you'd like to see included in the next link dump!
Market Research
Adapt to survive, warns latest Grit survey
US — Traditional researchers will have to move away from data collection if they are to survive in a world of social media monitoring, according to the latest survey on market research trends.
Shock of the New – an interview with Jane Frost
The MRS Annual Conference kicks off next week with sportsmen, artists, broadcasters and scientists on the agenda. But what does it all mean for research? Avery Dennison's Edward Appleton asked MRS chief executive Jane Frost to explain all.
Social Media
The top 10 most irritating social media updates
A new survey has revealed the 10 most annoying types of social media update. How many are you guilty of?
Will Market Research Still Exist In 20 Years?
As published in GreenBook Blog
by Ben Leet, Sales Director, uSamp
Make no mistake, we are still at the beginning of a digital revolution. Much like the industrial revolution back in the 1700s and early 1800s when we believed steam power was the pinnacle of technological achievement, so today we are in that phase where we believe the Internet and mobile technology are the limits of human capability. Do I know what's coming next? If I did, I would be a wealthy man, but I would nonetheless bet money that the digital revolution is still in its infancy, with many changes and challenges still ahead of us.
With new technology comes new applications, ideas, concepts. We in MR talk regularly about "mobile research", "social media monitoring", "big data", and many others, as we seek to use these new tools for a commercial advantage, to offer something new, to convince a client that working with our company is good because we are innovative and forward thinking. However at this point it is worth mentioning that online research is no longer seen as innovative, it's the norm for an ever increasing amount of our industry spend, which is why "online" is no longer an industry buzzword.
Quirks Article: Data Privacy and Social Media
by Dinaz Kachhi, Manager of Research Insights, uSamp
The following article originally appeared in Quirk's June 2012 Newsletter.
"It was terribly dangerous to let your thoughts wander when you were in any public place or within range of a telescreen." – George Orwell, 1984
We may be nearly 30 years past Orwell's apocalypse but we are closer than ever to his Big Brother predictions. While readers may have once shuddered to think that the walls of privacy might crumble to reveal private thoughts publicly, the above quote seems but a mundane observation in an age where status updates and hashtags make public what was once private – or at least confined to a tight-knit circle. Security concerns are becoming more pronounced, as more and more people engage in social networks and as data breaches force them to think and interact differently.
The topic of privacy is especially important in the world of survey research. Our industry is built on the premise of getting inside people's minds. We pride ourselves on being able to tap in to the private and make it public for market consumption. We are not only trying to gauge perceptions but also to understand how demographics impact online interactions.
To that end, uSamp conducted a study on social media usage across three groups (U.S. and U.K. general population and Hispanics) to compare, contrast and better understand of how social media usage and willingness to share information varies across and within these groups. The studies were completed over the course of six months. The U.S. and U.K. studies were conducted with 600 respondents each and the Hispanic study was conducted with n of 650, all drawn from uSamp's online panel. The sample was controlled for age and gender.
The results outlined variation in usage of social media platforms by these groups, along with differences in measures taken to control privacy. Additionally, there were distinct trends in the types of activities performed and willingness to share information on social networks, demonstrating different patterns for each group.
INFOGRAPHIC: Hispanic Social Media Habits and Privacy Concerns Study
Hispanics embrace social media such as Facebook, YouTube and Google+ more than the general population. But when it comes to sharing personal information about themselves, Hispanics are more cautious, according to survey results announced today.
uSamp, a leader in providing targeted audiences for global consumer insights, engaged 650 members from its newly inaugurated Hispanic panel, SúperOpinión.com, to survey participants on their attitudes toward social media compared to the general population. Here are the findings:
Anti-Social Shopping: 83 Percent of UK Consumers Don't Care What Friends Think
Only 1% of people have bought something via a social media site, but 30% have shopped via smartphone, the findings of a new U.K. study from uSamp have revealed.
The study of online shopping habits among 1,195 people was conducted by uSamp.™
Analysis of a Hashtag: What Twitter Means for Market Research
by Ben Leet, Sales Director, uSamp
Last week, while travelling home from work, a trivial tweet of mine was retweeted by a complete stranger. My initial reaction was one of annoyance; I didn't really want complete strangers knowing that I was frustrated by my train service that day. But then I started to question myself… why had I put a hashtag into the tweet citing the train company by name if I didn't want it to be found in the Twittersphere?
What even compelled me to tweet in the first place? Sure I was frustrated at the delays, and the probable untruths that were being used as explanations for these delays, but did that tweet improve the situation? And more importantly, did it make me feel better that I'd voiced my anger directly at the train company, who may or may not be paying attention to the random rant of a customer on Twitter?
INFOGRAPHIC: Why 13% Don't Engage on Social Media Sites
More findings from the uSamp's "Social Media Habits and Privacy Concerns Survey": Read the rest of this entry »
INFOGRAPHIC: uSamp Datapoint Study Finds Gender Gap over Social Media Privacy
Most women using social media are just as willing to reveal personal information about their relationships, jobs, brand preferences and political and religious affiliations as men — but when it comes to details like phone numbers, location, and email or physical address that might put their personal security at risk, women are significantly more wary than men.
These are among the findings of the "Social Media Habits and Privacy Concerns Survey," a new nationwide study conducted by uSamp, a leader in providing targeted audiences for global consumer insights and innovative SaaS technologies for audience engagement and business intelligence. Using SurveyBuilder™, its self-serve survey authoring platform with on-demand consumer audiences, uSamp surveyed nearly 600 adult men and women about the social media sites they frequent and the kind of information they share online.
What do you share on social media sites?
Will Social Media Kill Market Research?
by Ben Leet, Sales Director
It's easy to sit and blame Mark Zuckerberg. After all, isn't he the one that radically changed the way that humans interact with each other, creating this frenzy around two buzzwords: "social media"?
However Facebook hasn't changed the way human beings think, interact or communicate–it's simply given us a tool to do this more efficiently than we could have done before. Read the rest of this entry »


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My first experience with X-Pro Chrome on a trip to the capital.
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Camille Grammer is speaking out against the network that airs "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" -- saying Bravo never should have aired Season 2 after Russell Armstrong's suicide.
While Adrienne Maloof praised Bravo on last night's reunion special because she thought the show helped "spread awareness about domestic violence and suicide," Grammer sang a different tune.
"I didn't think the show should air, that's how I honestly felt," said Camille. "I kept thinking about his children more than about the show."
Russell had daughter Kennedy with Taylor Armstrong and two sons with his ex-wife.
Taylor also spoke out about why they did the show in the first place, saying she thought the cameras "would provide me some protection ... it would either have the abuse stop or force us to divorce."
As for why she thought Russell agreed, an emotional Armstrong added "I love this person and miss him, but at the same time he had a very strange personality ... he was a narcissist."
Whose side are you on? Vote below!
namers: 1096 days ago
That is telling; having just dealt with unspoken (then LOUDLY spoken) narcissism in my own family (one with oodles of depression to boot), I am glad this insidious disorder (with no good outcome) can be talked about and exposed. Best to you, the survivor, Taylor and your daughter as well.
Wonderone: 1096 days ago
I have also had a family member who was a classic Narcissist (which usually goes along with compulsive lying and other sociopathic behavior). However, the few eposides I have managed to sit through of this show made me think that Taylor fit the bill of Narcissist perfectly. Once you have lived with someone who has it, you can spot it a mile away in others, thankfully.
I didn't see her husband airing their laundry on national T.V.; living wildly beyond his means such as throwing extravagant birthday parties for his daughter; or having constant childish meltdowns (a pretty common trait) over inane stuff. Nor did I notice his excessive use of plastic surgery a la his wife.
If I were a betting person, I would say that Taylor has played everyone. I imagine her husband finally broke and decided he couldn't live with either the woman or the massive media attention she inflicted on them. For all those who have truly lived with someone like a Taylor, they know that their sole purpose in life is to destroy the people around them for their own gain. I shed no tears for Taylor. I have no doubt she is aiming her sights on some other poor guy that has no idea what's coming.
XYZ: 1096 days ago
Completely dumb. It's supposed to be "reality" and this IS reality. Men beat up women, that is REALITY. People commit suicide, that IS reality.
maria: 1096 days ago
The show should not be aired period! the baloney that it will be great for awarenss on domestic violence is all baloney this women want more money and fame it is not enough the millions they have,Karma is comming to them all together we will see !This man had children from other marriage , they love their dad not matter what! I blame this show was part of the deppression in this man when you are depressed you are volatile nasty,outraged,and violent.....this woman is just making money out of this tragedy ,pretty soon she will be dating someone ,if someone have thta bad tatste ,she is not pretty really! not only this guy was throwed under the bus , the show brought him to the suicide , and now the "widow" is talking to the world about him nasty nasty nasty.......not class at all!
lanie: 1095 days ago
I can NOT stand Taylor and I agree with Camille. It seems Taylor's lofty dreams of being a celebrity - trump her need to protect her child.
Bravo really needs to dump Taylor from the show for next season. She is the perpetual victim - always screaming, crying and carrying on like a child. I have no clue whether Russell abused her.. and if he did, if it was to the extent that she portrays. She comes across as a habitual liar and fake.
She is a trainwreck and I believe it is unhealthy to continue having her on the show.
lanie: 1095 days ago
People are assuming that he beat her, when you just do NOT know. He's not here to defend himself and she seems to be a less-than-honest person, to put it mildly. Who are we to believe? Sorry but I have seen and heard enough of Taylor to realize that she will do anything for attention and to be the constant victim.
She was spending way beyond their means, acting like she was a high roller - when they were in big time debt. She was wasting away hundreds of thousands of dollars on stupid things like a childs birthday party, which they did not even have.
She's a phony and has serious issues.
Like I said, Bravo needs to dump this woman quick!
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Acting projects: - Film/Video-wise, I'm participating as an actor in the beta test of new web TV series, which is fun because it also involves writing, improv, filming and editing. Yay! More info here: The Beckinfield project. Stage-wise, I'm regularly participating in table readings and staged readings of new scripts at ArtsWest. Music Projects Album release:A new album is out, on which I played bass! My friends Bruce Blood and Bill Scott, a.k.a. "Blood & Biscotti" released their album, "Blood & Biscotti: The CD" Otherwise, musically, I've been focusing mostly on show tunes for auditions, and learning a few new popular tunes to sing with my guitar. Web Site Updates: Details: New Pages, Widgets and News! Writing/Acting Project: I'm collaboratively writing a couple of new web series with friends from L.A. and Seattle, writing our characters for ourselves to portray, shoot and edit. An evolution of some earlier work we did for demo-reel purposes. The scripts are in the table reading phase, so nothing online just yet. Fundraising Efforts: If you would like to help me in my fundraising efforts, my current project is for my nephew 10-year-old nephew Sean, who is an amazing soccer player and has been invited to train for a week in the UK. A great opportunity for a great kid! Sean's Fundrazr Site
I'm on Twitter! It took a few days to get used to, and it really didn't seem to make much sense for awhile, but I _so_ get it now, and I have an account I'm using for my statuses: DanaRiceActor. I had to chuckle, one of the first "people" to start "following" me was "Gov. Schwarzenneger". I took a day off from Twitter to contemplate the implications of that. ::brain frizzles:: And, by the way, there is also a Dana Rice account on Twitter, that's not me. Although, I am "following" it because some of my friends have found them by mistake. I only tweet a status once every day or two, but I now have it hooked up to feed my statuses on Facebook, ReverbNation and MySpace. I'm also getting a bunch of links together from friends who are as expert as one can be about the acting scene in L.A.: Crash Course on the L.A. Acting Scene.
I've been working on several projects for the improvement of Danarice.net lately. :-} Widgets, new photos, a new splash graphic on the home page that melds my headshots into a photo of the beach in my mom's Florida home, and a new page about the L.A. acting scene. Linking together this site with all means of interacting with me on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, ReverNation, and so on. And I've been doing what I can on those sites to provide consistencly, such as designing a splahs background graphic for my Twitter site. It's all good. If you see anything you like or don't, or have any suggestions, please let me know! :-}
I now have a new Mailing List, and a Street Team, on ReverbNation. If you'd like to receive notices of my performances (mailing list) or help promote them (street team) or both, please sign up in the widget below, or just email me at email@example.com with the contact info of your choice. Thanks to everyone who's already signed up. :-}
I have redesigned my web site (this one, Dana Rice's WWW Home), and gave it a new green design with a regular toolbar at top and bottom instead of the previous array of oddball buttons. And I finally realized a dream of adding a new page called "Which Dana Rice are you looking for?" because I get so many calls for other people with my name, I'd like it to be easier to find them. I also have a new Photos page, so I'll be moving photos from their current shared location with resumes and contact info onto their own screen. Once I pick a final headshot for print purposes! So much to do!


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(Jan. 16) Mission Ranches Company LLC, King City, Calif., has announced merging operations with another produce business in the state's Central Coast region, in a move to boost effiencies and product quality.
The company said in a news release Jan. 16 that by joining with Salinas-based Sam McKinsey Farms LLC, the two firms would be able to meet increased demand from consumers, while also entering new markets.
Terms of the agreement between the two will result in a combined operation under the Mission Ranches name, still based in King City. Sam McKinsey and Ron Harney will join Stan Pura, John Romans, David Gill and Mike Hitchcock as member-owners of the business, Mission said.
Prior to the merger, Mission and McKinsey collectively grew organic and conventional commodities such as lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower and green onions, as well as specialty items ranging from spring mix to bok choy to cilantro and more.
Mission said Sam McKinsey would take a more active role in the Growers Express programs and would manage certain operations at Mission, while Harney would oversee Mission's Salinas production.
"I have worked closely with this same group of partners in our affiliated operations, investments and growth plans for 15 years," said Sam McKinsey, in a statement. "I am looking forward to building a stronger foundation from each partner having different strengths and inputs."
Editor's Note: More in-depth coverage on Mission Ranches' merger with McKinsey Farms is scheduled to appear in an upcoming print and digital version of The Packer.


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Never apologetic. Never afraid. Lieutenant Colonel Allen B. West joins Communities to bring tales from the biggest Foxhole of them all, the one inside the Beltway.
In his rush to make good on a campaign promise, Obama zeroed-out troop presence in Iraq. History will recount this as one of the greatest strategic blunders. Published 10:43 p.m. January 6, 2014 - Comments
The shadow of Benghazi — lies, deception and betrayal — hangs over Washington, and especially the White House. Published 2:27 a.m. December 31, 2013 - Comments
Six billion dollars in disrespect to our military retirees is preferable over offending illegal immigrants? Published 10:48 p.m. December 23, 2013 - Comments
Once again, Americans are given the false choice of accepting mediocrity in legislation or face a government shutdown. Published 8:33 a.m. December 16, 2013 - Comments
The President continues to say Obamacare's critics haven't presented an alternative. As with so much he says, it simply isn't true. Published 6:41 a.m. December 9, 2013 - Comments
Despite the positive press over improvements in the healthcare.gov site, the numbers for Obamacare willl never work. Published 12:50 a.m. December 4, 2013 - Comments
In a rush to eradicate white guilt, America's election of Obama has allowed affirmative action to take hold at the highest level. Published 6:30 a.m. November 25, 2013 - Comments
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is a "man-caused disaster" Published 10:28 a.m. November 19, 2013 - Comments
After last week's election results, some think the secret to GOP success is being more moderate, They're wrong. It's learning to play political chess. Published 1:15 p.m. November 11, 2013 - Comments
Obama seems to be playing a "get out of jail free" race card over and over in his game of Monopoly with the American people. But it's undermining our future. Published 10:41 a.m. November 4, 2013 - Comments
Congressman Allen West served 22 years in the U.S. Army before being elected to the House of Representatives by the constituents of Florida's 22nd district. Throughout his time in Congress, West consistently stood for policies that would make ...
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Television commentary, reviews, news and nonstop DVR catch-up by Lisa King Dolloff and friends.
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Congressman Allen West served 22 years in the U.S. Army before being elected to the House of Representatives by the constituents of Florida's 22nd district. Throughout his time in Congress, West consistently stood for policies that would make the United States prosperous, strong and free, even when speaking up was not easy. He is a Fox News contributor, a regular contributor to PJ Media and a Senior Fellow at the London Center for Policy Research.
LTC West also holds a Master of Military Arts and Sciences from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff Officer College in political theory and military operations.


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A Journey through the History of Childhood
Written and edited by Ray Merritt
FULL OF GRACE chronicles the evolution of the child in society during the last 150 years through text and photographic imagery in a fashion that has never been done before. The text explores the place of the child from the reign of Queen Victoria to today. The book is divided into five chronological chapters, each of which highlights significant moments in child development -- culturally as well as politically, exploring both advances and setbacks in the progress towards gaining and maintaining basic rights such as freedom of speech, health, protection and education. Areas such as child labor, child exploitation and the effects of intolerance, poverty, illiteracy, hunger, disease and war are assessed. The book presents and celebrates the positive aspects of the advances in child development and welfare.
Art photography and the works of photojournalists were selected as the best way to illustrate and enhance the text. Photography was born during the Victorian reign and its development surprising parallels the ascent of child suffrage. Since the child often serves as a muse and subject of photography, it seems appropriate to use that medium for this work. The book consists of over 300 images and illustrations and approximately 100 pages of text. The net proceeds received from the book and exhibitions are contributed to UNICEF.
The Cygnet Foundation believes that now, perhaps more than ever before, the struggle to insure basic rights to children is the paramount issue facing humanity. Hopefully, a book of this scope and appeal will help awaken a heightened sensitivity towards children and strengthen the readers' understanding social and cultural rights of children.
FULL OF GRACE A Journey through the History of Childhood
Book price: $30
"No sentimental cooing, please: The historic and modern images in Ray Merritt's Full of Grace: A Journey through the History of Childhood are so dazzlingly elegant, elegiac, moving and exhilarating that mushy responses are simply out of the question. This is childhood seen through the clear lens of curiosity, filtered with compassion and respect. As philanthropist-connoisseur Merritt, who will donate the book's net proceeds to UNICEF, puts it, 'Old men can make war, but it is children who will make history.'" Oprah Magazine
"A gripping collection of childhood photographs complimented by an interpretive text, Merritt arranges the photographs chronologically - from the mid-19th century to contemporary work, and from birth to teens - and by themes: romantic, innocent, marginalized..." Kirkus Discoveries
"In this elegant edition, Merritt chronicles how youth is rendered in photographs, as well as other art and literature, over the course of the last 150 years. An eclectic, captivating study, this is a fine volume for anyone who works with children or children's welfare issues." Publishers Weekly
Selected as The Best Photo Book of 2007 Photo District News
Erna Lendvai-Direksen Helen Levitt Sally Mann Robert Mapplethorpe Helmut Newton Gorden Parks Irving Penn Gilles Peress Jacob Riis Aleksandr Rodchenko Sebastiao Salgado August Sander David Seymour (Chim) Fazal Sheik Alfred Steiglitz Paul Strand Wilhelm von Gloeden Bruce Weber Manfred Willman Dr. Paul Wolff AND MORE!
Editor and Author: Raymond Merritt Design Director: Caleb Cain Marcus Senior Proofreading Coordinator: Cathy McCandalis Research Coordinator: Alexandra McNear Project Corrdinator: Marie Lillis