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January 30th: Blue Shield and Sutter sign 2015 contract update January 5th Blue Shield Sutter falling out below Blue Shield of California jolted their members with a New Year's announcement that … [Read more...]
Surviving medical debt and restoring your credit rating
Even with the Affordable Care Act extending health insurance to millions of Americans, medical debt can still be a burden to many families. Toni Turner of Financial Education Services was kind enough … [Read more...]
Health Net restricts provider networks on Covered California plans
There was tremendous confusion over which doctors were in-network for the new individual and family plans offered through Covered California in early 2014. While the major health insurance plans … [Read more...]
CEC webinar provides CIA training
When it comes to keeping Certified Enrollment Counselors (CECs) informed about updates and changes, Covered California has been doing a great job. I only wish the communication was as good when it … [Read more...]
Anthem Blue Cross California tiers facilities to reduce costs
In what could be the first consumer driven attempt in California to push down rising health care costs Anthem Blue Cross is flagging facilities in California that are unwilling to pass on deep … [Read more...]
Delay your open enrollment in new Covered California health plans
Open enrollment for the new Covered California health plans launches October 1st. But you don't have to rush into unknown waters and sign up for coverage that doesn't start until January 1, 2014. … [Read more...]
Are Hospitals Tweeting Out Your Private Information?
The attending emergency room physician slipped her camera phone out of her pocket, focused on the patient's leg and snapped a picture. As the patient sat in slightly stunned silence, the doctor posted … [Read more...]
ObamaCare cuts MediCare reimbursements
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Family photo ideas: make a striking family portrait from individual faces in profile
Many photographers struggle for great family photo ideas, but some of the best family portrait photography is that which relies on the old adage that less is more. In this quick and easy tutorial we'll show you how to make one of our favourite family photo ideas – shooting individual family members in profile and combining them on the computer into one striking family portrait.
At once simple yet instantly recognisable, side-on profiles have been a popular record of a person's likeness since long before the invention of the camera.
From the silhouetted keepsakes of 18th century lovers, to the royal visage adorning every coin in your pocket, profiled portraits have been ubiquitous for centuries.
One reason for this may be because they show off a person's unique features in such a clearly defined shape, which also makes for a fascinating family portrait.
Here we'll show you how to shoot a series of dramatically lit profiles of an entire family – one person at a time – then stitch the individual portraits to create a family photo that not only looks stylish, but also delivers an interesting study of the similarities and differences between each face.
If you're planning on shooting your own, we've got a host of useful tips that will show you how to set up, light and shoot your family in profile.
Once shot, you'll find a step-by-step guide that shows you exactly how to put your images together in Photoshop. This is much easier than you might think.
All we need to do is use the Lighten Blend Mode so that the lighter parts on each layer show through, then tidy up with a little painting. As the images are mostly black, this makes combining the faces a quick, painless task.
If you prefer to watch, there's a video among this month's files that guides you through both the camera skills and Photoshop technique involved in creating an elegant family portrait that will be cherished for years to come.
Family Photo Ideas – step-by-step how to shoot your striking family portrait (1-3)
01 Use a black background
Begin by putting up a black background. Black velvet is best because it's completely non-reflective. If you don't have one, you can improvise with some other common material.
It's crucial that the background remains as dark as possible, so watch out for light spilling onto it from your flash or lamp. If there is any spillage, reposition the light or place something between the light and background to block the light from reaching it.
02 Set up a light source
You'll need a strong light source to create your dramatic profiles. We've used an Elinchrom home studio flash head here, fitted with a small softbox to diffuse the light.
If you don't have a flash head, you could use a flashgun fitted with a diffuser as long as you can trigger it wirelessly or via a cable. Alternatively, a strong lamp will work, but you'll need to increase your camera's ISO and adjust exposure to allow for weaker light.
03 Position the light
Set up your light source off to one side and slightly behind where your subjects will be. The positioning, height and angle of the light is vital, because the aim is to light the edge of the person's profile while keeping the rest of the face fairly dark.
Directing the light straight at the person will result in harsh light, while swinging it more in the direction of the camera will 'feather' the light and give softer results. Take a few test shots to determine the right angle.
PAGE 1: Family Photo Ideas – step-by-step how to shoot your striking family portrait (1-3)
PAGE 2: Family Photo Ideas – step-by-step how to shoot your striking family portrait (4-6)
PAGE 3: Family Photo Ideas – step-by-step how to combine your images into one portrait (1-4)
PAGE 4: Family Photo Ideas – step-by-step how to combine your images into one portrait (5-8)
14 portrait photography tips you'll never want to forget
Studio Lighting: 4 seriously simple lighting techniques to try at home
54 Portrait Ideas: free downloadable posing guide
40 More Portrait Ideas: part 2 of our free downloadable posing guide

subset: commoncrawl


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We caught up with Congressman Ron Paul after his speech at the Tea Party Patriots American Policy Summit in Phoenix over the weekend. One of the themes of that speech was that America cannot impose democracy upon the rest of the world. However, unaddressed was whether America ought to protect allies who are free and wish to remain so. Here was our follow-up with the congressman.
"Nobody's Gonna Touch Israel": NRB Interviews Ron Paul
UCLA's Palestine Awareness Week: Students for the Extermination of Israel
The author paid a visit to the UCLA campus last week to cover the Muslim Student Association's Palestine Awareness Week. He came away with the experiential knowledge that our premiere public universities are aiding and abetting Islamist jihad and the global neo-communist campaign for the extermination of Israel.
J Street Crowd Gives Call for Revolution in Israel a Standing Ovation
J Street audience applauds call for revolution in Israel.
J'Accuse: The New York Times Promotes Muslim Brotherhood Lies, Covering Up For Nazi Collaborators
Recently, Tariq Ramadan, considered by the Western intelligentsia to be the very epitome of enlightened Islamism, wrote a New York Times op-ed in which he was not only allowed–among other total lies–to deny that the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood and his grandfather, who then led the group, were Nazi collaborators before, during, and even after World War Two. In fact, he dares claim–because he knows the mainstream media will not expose this lie–that the Muslim Brotherhood was an anti-fascist organization!


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The FDA has given Quidel 510(k) clearance to sell its Molecular RSV + hMPV test, which is used to identify the presence of human metapneumovirus and respiratory syncytial virus as well as differentiate them from each other. The assay already is available for sale in Europe.
View Full Article in:GenomeWeb Daily News (free registration)
Published in Briefs:


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27 May 2015
MassMutual Appoints Michele Baldasarre to Manage Relationships with Institutional Retirement Plan Providers
Latest leadership appointment bolsters strategy to extend record satisfaction marks from plan sponsors
26 May 2015
MassMutual Appoints Brad Hoffman Senior Vice President, Enterprise Risk and Actuarial
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) has promoted Brad Hoffman to Senior Vice President in its Enterprise Risk and Actuarial organization, effective immediately.
20 May 2015
MassMutual Retirement Services Earns Record Satisfaction Ratings from Plan Sponsors
Increased marks attributed to focus on service, continuous improvement
18 May 2015
MassMutual Names Elizabeth Ward Chief Actuary
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) has named Executive Vice President Elizabeth (Betsy) Ward, Chief Actuary, effective May 29, expanding her role as Chief Enterprise Risk Officer.
11 May 2015
MassMutual RetireSmart App Introduced for Smartphones
New app allows consumers 24/7 access to their retirement savings account information as part of a broader, multi-app mobile technology strategy
07 May 2015
MassMutual Cinches Seven Stevie® Awards for Customer Service
Company Honored in Multiple Categories for Dedication to Exemplary Service
05 May 2015
MassMutual Receives Easter Seals Team Hoyt Award for Empowering People with Disabilities
SpecialCare Program Commended for Outstanding Contributions to Special Needs Community
24 April 2015
MassMutual Named DiversityInc. Top 50 Company
Makes "Top 10 Companies for LGBT Employees" List for Second Year in Row
24 April 2015
MassMutual Nombrada Entre Las Primeras 50 Compañías por DiversityInc
Logra Entrar en la Lista de "Las Primeras 10 Compañías para Empleados Lesbianas, Homosexuales, Bisexuales y Transexuales (LBGT)" por Segundo Año Consecutivo
24 April 2015
매스뮤추얼 (MassMutual)
다양성을 존중하는 50대 기업으로 선정


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Ask Ananda's Experts
Questions and Answers About Meditation, Yoga, the Spiritual Life, and More
Category: Self-Realization
The Beatitudes, and Spiritual Laws
February 6, 2012
JANICE freebern
United States
Hello. I have two questions:
1. Where might I find information on the "beattitudes"?
2. Where can I find a definitive list of the spiritual laws?
Thank you.
Dear Janice,
Paramhansa Yogananda did comment upon the Beatitudes, and Swami Kriyananda, Ananda's founder and Yogananda's direct disciple, shared his commentary and interpretation in a booklet. This was once in print, and although I don't see it on the Crystal Clarity publisher's website, I did find it here.
As to a "definitive list of the spiritual laws" that's a tall order, indeed!
We think of the Ten Commandments of the Bible, or the Yamas and Niyamas (do's and don'ts) of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, and any number of such listings from scriptures or scriptural interpetations down through the ages.
We think also of the Golden Rule, to "do unto others as we would have done unto us," and the two great Biblical commandments: to love God and to love our neighbor as our own Self.
The precepts of Self-realization are beautifully summarized in the book, The Essence of Self-Realization.
All such precepts derive from the essential teaching that we are children of God. That which affirms our identification with the body, ego, and senses should be avoided in favor of seeking God as love, compassion, peace, and wisdom.
The underlying message of Self-realization is that we were created to achieve the permanent realization that we are but sparks of the Infinite Spirit. Non-violence, truth telling, desirelessness, contentment, cleanliness, self-control, service to others, compassion, self-giving, self-study, and seeking the company of saints and like-minded souls, together with prayer and meditation, constitute the path to God.
Nayaswami Hriman
Mary Mother of Jesus as Explained by Yogananda
October 26, 2011
What was the reason that God picked Mary to be the mother of Jesus ?
Dear JK:
This is going to be a long answer to a short question. There is so much theological confusion behind what you ask that even in a long answer I can only begin to unravel it. For the "rest of the story," I urge you to read Swamiji's book, Revelations of Christ as Proclaimed by Paramhansa Yogananda.
There is much controversy now about the life and teachings of Jesus. Historians, theologians, intellectuals, sociologists, politicians, even novelists are all offering competing theories.
How is the devotee to know what is true and what is mere speculation?
Revelations of Christ gives us the answer: Look to the saints. Only those who share the consciousness of the Masters are qualified to speak with authority.
When Swami Kriyananda was a young disciple, sitting at the feet of his Guru, Paramhansa Yogananda, he was present when Master dictated a revised set of lessons to be sent to the devotees. (Alas, never put into wide circulation.) In the first lesson, Master made this astonishing claim: The three Wisemen who came to visit Jesus in the manger were none other than three of the Masters in our line of Gurus: Babaji, Lahiri Mahashaya, and Sri Yukteswar.
Whether this was an astral visitation, a previous incarnation, or Babaji as he is now descending from the Himalayas, Master didn't explain.
There was, however, some enduring quality to their presence, because Master further explained that during the so-called "lost years of Jesus," he "returned the visit," traveling to India and Tibet to sit at the feet of these same Gurus. There are many traditions in the East that have Jesus visiting there.
Jesus lived only 33 years. Yet all four of the Gospels say nothing at all about 18 of those 33. It is preposterous to imagine that in the time Jesus spent with his disciples the subject never came up or that his biographers would fail to include this critical period of his life.
Self-realized Masters incarnate for no karma of their own, but to show those of us struggling to be realized the path to freedom. Spiritual practice - sadhana - and the relationship with the Guru are critical elements on this path.
Almost every Master demonstrates in his own life how to be both a disciple and a sadhaka. Sometimes there is no apparent Guru, but still there is a deeply devoted, disciplined, focused way of life.
Otherwise, it would be too convenient for disciples to say, "On your path you have to meditate and do austerities, but on our path, we just sit around and know God."
Think how much of Autobiography of a Yogi is about Master's search for his Guru, his years of training with Sri Yukteswar, and his intense effort to meditate and realize God. Yet he was born Self-realized. This wasn't his own karma he was expressing; it was a freely chosen role to show generations to come how to achieve Self-realization.
The life of Jesus was just the same.
Master tells us that when he was 12, Jesus left home and wandered for 18 years in India, learning from the Masters there and doing intense sadhana to set the example, and prepare himself for the mission ahead.
For some centuries after Jesus passed away, this part of his life was included in the Gospels and known by all his disciples. It helped define how they, too, should live if they would fulfill the destiny their Master offered them. "That which I do, ye shall do and greater things," Jesus said.
He promised Self-realization, not merely after death, but while living, as Jesus himself showed.
However, at some point, in Kali Yuga descending (the darkest of the ages on this planet, which reached its nadir at 500 A.D.), the Church began the process of making Jesus more and more "special." Being steeped in the materialistic thinking of Kali Yuga, Church officials - by now more bureaucrats than saints - could no longer understand the true nature of their own Master and set about remaking his image to more closely resemble what they felt it ought to be.
It was at this time that those 18 years were "lost" from the Bible.
Church officials reasoned that it would hurt people's faith to think that Jesus had to undergo a period of training under the guidance of other Masters.
Some argued that it didn't hurt the faith of the disciples who were with Jesus and heard about it directly from him, but that plea fell on deaf ears. And in the end those 18 years were removed.
As Swamiji points out, one proof that they were taken out, rather than omitted by the original writers, is that there is a complete blank where those years are concerned. The officials had the nerve to remove information, but they could not bring themselves to create new facts.
Any biographer would have at least said, "And he grew up and worked in his father's shop."
Instead, there is nothing.
Also removed around this time - 553 A.D., at the Second Council of Constantinople - were all references to reincarnation.
The logic was similarly non-logical: "We need people to buckle down right now. We don't want them to think they have all the time in the world to work things out."
Again, counter arguments fell on deaf ears. Even the Pope at the time, it is believed, opposed the ban. Still it was carried out. Removing reincarnation from the Bible proved a little trickier than the lost years, and some direct references remain. (See p. 311 of The New Path, by Swami Kriyananda.)
Now how does all of this relate to Mary the Mother of Jesus?
You see, what has happened is that by taking out of the "Christian" teachings the concepts of Guru, sadhana, and reincarnation, you have removed the whole idea of Self-realization.
The Church accomplished exactly what it wanted. No longer can the devotee work on his own salvation, now it comes only through Jesus Christ, and - here is the worst part - through the intercession of "His" Church. Rituals, sacraments, blessings, absolutions, etc. were all gradually substituted for the direct connection between God and the devotee which is the heart of Self-realization.
Thus "Christianity" becomes "Churchianity."
It is not when religion becomes "organized" that the damage is done. It is when the institution makes itself essential to the devotee's salvation that true teaching dies.
The other purpose the Church had in doing this, besides strengthening its own position, was to make Jesus ever more unique and special. The teachings of Self-realization say that every soul has the same infinite destiny. That Jesus himself - and all Self-realized Masters before and after him - are souls like us who have completed the journey we are now on.
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is perfect," was not a compliment, it was a commandment.
But if Jesus is unique, as the Catholic Church now tells us he is, then the whole process of Self-realization is moot, in fact, impossible. If Jesus never went through it, obviously none of the rest of us could either. We would have to simply depend on Jesus (and the Church) for our salvation.
And if there is no such thing as reincarnation, and one lifetime would obviously not be long enough to become "perfect, even as our Father in Heaven is perfect," then the meaning of that statement must be other than it seems.
Many translations of the Bible have been amended accordingly; "Be ye therefore good, as your Father in Heaven is good," is but one example.
The Catholic saints who do make it to Self-realization (whatever the Church calls it) are an anomaly.
There is no tradition within present-day Christianity to explain how it happens.
They just appear, are usually fiercely persecuted by the Church, and then canonized by that same Church after they die. They are persecuted, because without an understanding of Self-realization, saints cast doubt on the whole system.
For example, according to the Church, all priests are ordained equally. How do you explain it then, when one priest is obviously more "ordained" than any of the others, i.e. a saint?
Because the Church has no answer to this question they usually try to bury the evidence, sometimes literally, by confining the priest to his cell, or transferring him to some far-off parish where they hope he'll never be heard from again.
Read the life of Padre Pio for a modern day example.
Paramhansa Yogananda called his work "The Second Coming of Christ." He came, he said, because of the request of Jesus to Babaji to restore the original teachings of Jesus, and the original teachings of Krishna (which have also been diluted) and show that in essence they are the same.
The Bhagavad-Gita explains divine incarnations in a more expansive and explicit way. "Whenever virtue declines," the Gita says, "and vice predominates, I, the Infinite Lord take visible form to destroy ignorance and restore dharma."
Now, again, back to the question of Mary.
In his lifetime, Master spoke not only of that incarnation as Paramhansa Yogananda, but of several of his incarnations in the past, including as Arjuna and William the Conqueror.
He also mentioned previous incarnations of other in the line of Gurus: Lahiri Mahasaya had been Kabir and also King Janaka; Babaji had been Krishna; Sri Yukteswar incarnated when Master was William as his closest advisor, Lanfranc.
James J. Lynn, Master's most advanced male disciple, whom he named Rajarshi Janakananda, had been with Master as one of Arjuna's younger brothers. When Master was William, Daya Mata was his daughter; Swami Kriyananda feels he was Henry, one of William's sons. (A fascinating book about William the Conqueror and his son Henry is Two Souls, Four Lives by Catherine Kaivari.)
The list goes on and on. In The New Path, in the chapter "His Last Days," Swamiji describes in thrillingly poetic terms how families of souls form around a great Master, incarnating together again and again "to work out their salvation - not only inwardly on themselves, but by interaction with one another.
"To achieve divine emancipation, it is necessary to spiritualize one's relations with the objective world and with other human beings, as well as with God."
"The stronger the family, spiritually speaking," Swamiji goes on to say, "the greater its attractive pull on new souls that may still be wandering in search of an identity of their own. A family evolves with its individual members; at last it, too, becomes a 'star' in the firmament of humanity, and begins to produce great souls of Self-realization.
"As spiritual 'stars,' such great families become powerful for the general upliftment of mankind... Yogananda's is one such spiritual family. His forms part of a greater spiritual 'nation,' of which Jesus Christ and Sri Krishna (in this age Babaji) are also leaders."
I believe what the Bible tells us, that an angel came to Mary and told her of what was to come.
She would have had the state of consciousness where she could easily commune with angels.
She was not, however, some random, albeit pure-hearted girl who happened to catch the angel's attention. Mary's relationship with Jesus must have been formed many, many incarnations before. She was part of his spiritual family, one of those "great souls of Self-realization" that Swamiji speaks of.
God chose Mary because Mary chose Him.
As we say every week in the Festival of Light, "Your chosen people have always been those of every race and nation who, with deep love, chose Thee." The Festival goes on to lead the congregation in this prayer: "O Lord, with all my heart, with all my mind, with all my soul, and with all my strength, I choose Thy love, I choose only Thee."
There are also ancient traditions gaining new credibility that say Jesus was part of the Essene community, an enlightened group within Judaism that was still in touch with more uplifted teachings than most Jews practiced at that time.
According to this tradition, the Essenes knew that an avatar was coming and the community had been working together for a long time to prepare for him and the mission that would follow. Part of that tradition is that Mary was trained from a young age for her role as his mother.
Who can say if this is true? Certainly it is apocryphal.
For Mary to play the part she did, she would have to be highly dedicated and evolved before Jesus was born.
Understood this way, Mary is not merely an inspiration and a blessing: she is also an example we can all follow of dedicated service to God, Guru, and mankind.
Nayaswami Asha
Discovering the Essence of All Religions
September 21, 2011
Master talked about great saints from all religion. But I never found anywhere Master taking about Mahavira or any other Jain Saints. Was there any special reason for this? In Jainism the main emphasis is on liberation thru meditation and right living. As per Jain principles as far as I heard and read, liberation is not possible without leaving all inner as well as outer belongings and it claims that even Ram and 3 Pandavas became Jain muni and became Siddha. They had to leave even their clothes...
Dear KJ,
You are right, Yogananda taught to revere the saints of all religions, he strongly advocated unity amongst religions, and even called his various temples "Church of All Religions."
Each day, in every group prayer we say at Ananda, we humbly pray to the "saints of all religions."
However, Yogananda concentrated mostly on Christianity and Hinduism, less on Jainism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, Taosim, etc.
In the book Conversations With Yogananda, Swami Kriyananda reports the Master's answer to that question:
"A visitor, who had read Autobiography of a Yogi, though he wasn't an SRF member, came to converse with the Master. I took notes at their meeting.
"May I ask, out of curiosity," the visitor said, "why, although you call this a 'Church of All Religions,' you place so much emphasis on the Christian religion?"
"Actually," the Master replied, "we place emphasis on two of the world's great religions: Christianity, and Hinduism. We concentrate especially on the teachings, rather than on the religions, of Jesus Christ and of Krishna.
"I do so because that was the wish of Babaji. He and Jesus Christ together sent this mission. They are the first in our line of gurus.
"The wish of them all was expressed to me by Babaji, particularly: to interpret the Christian New Testament, and the Hindu Bhagavad Gita, and thereby to demonstrate the essential oneness of the truths of both religions."
His visitor had, of course, implied something more also: Why didn't the Master teach all religions?
On other occasions the Master answered this question also, though perhaps on the occasion I've described he didn't feel inspired to go more deeply into the matter with this particular person.
To complete his meaning, therefore, I should explain that he said also that his mission was to show the essence of all religions.
It was never his purpose to compare various scriptural passages intellectually, in order to show their similarity.
In other words, he did not teach syncretism. That would have meant merely skimming the surface of truth.
His mission, and that of our line of gurus, was to show the essential oneness of truth itself. It is at their deepest level that all religions are one. For this purpose, it sufficed to show the oneness of only two of the great world religions.
Outwardly, Hinduism and Christianity are very different.
Yet both have produced saints of high spiritual attainment.
To know God is the eternal need of mankind. All people need to understand their need for personal, direct communion with the Lord.
"Self-realization," the Master predicted, "will someday be recognized as the essential truth of every religion in the world."
His prediction referred not to his organization, Self-Realization Fellowship, except insofar as that organization promoted this ideal.
What he was referring to was the eternal principle itself: Self-realization.
This principle is destined, in the present Dwapara Yuga, to become accepted everywhere. The true purpose of religion, regardless of its diverse dogmas and "credos," is union with God, the eternal Self pervading the whole universe.
But, KJ, you might be glad to hear that Yogananda did mention Mahavir in his most famous book, the Autobiography of a Yogi.
In his chapter about Mahatma Gandhi he wrote: "As I was bidding the Mahatma good night, he considerately handed me a bottle of citronella oil. "The Wardha mosquitoes don't know a thing about ahimsa, Swamiji!" he said, laughing.
Yogananda then explains ahimsa in a footnote: Harmlessness; nonviolence; the foundation rock of Gandhi's creed.
The footnote tells how Gandhi was born into a family of strict Jains, who revere ahimsa as the root-virtue.
Jainism, a sect of Hinduism, was founded in the 6th century B.C. by Mahavira, a contemporary of Buddha. Mahavira means "great hero"; may he look down the centuries on his heroic son Gandhi!
Still in his Autobiography, Yogananda recounts his colorful visit to South India, stating: "Near-by stands the world's largest statue, carved out of an immense boulder by the Jains in A.D. 983 to honor the saint Comateswara."
So here you have a second Jain saint to which Yogananda publically paid honor!
About the Jain principles you mention, "meditation and right living" and renunciation: these are universal principles of Self-realization, as Swami Kriyananda explained above: they are part of the essence of all religions.
God bless you to become a Siddha yourself,
Devotion Leads to Reason
July 18, 2011
For Self Realization we hav to reach a stage where our brain is perfect.Does it mean that we have to achieve a level where our intellect becomes strong&does all kinds of reasoning.I sort of hav a lazy attitude toward reasoning.I'm more devotionally inclined.But I realize that some of my friends have better reasoning ability&do math questions quickly.I'm not stupid but I'm not that intelligent either.So in order to perfect my brain should I start using those brain cells which I had been avoiding?
Dear mk,
Reason is only one of many abilities our brains are capable of providing us. Though important, reason is perhaps the least important of the mental abilities we can develop. The most important abilities our minds can provide us are higher awareness and discrimination.
Reason can never be perfect. Reasoning is, in its essence, the process of analyzing bits and pieces of information and weighing and comparing them to each other. Therefore reason, though useful on our journey back to our higher selves, works primarily in the very realm of maya we wish to overcome.Reason requires that we see the world in discreet, separate, non-continuous parts - the illusion of separateness we want to eventually overcome.
Higher awareness and discrimination, on the other hand, see Unity where reason sees disunity, sees the One where reason sees the many. Clarity of mind, expanded awareness, and the wisdom that is discrimination, are the intuitive faculties of the soul flowing through the brain. Reason is more purely of the brain and not so much of the soul.
Moreover, clear reasoning is an inevitable by-product of higher awareness and discrimination. Your devotion will, in the end, prove more effective at acheiving clarity of mind and honing your reasoning abilities than study or school. When the heart is stilled in divine love, the mind becomes still also. When your devotional awareness expands your heart, the mind becomes expanded also. As Sri Yukteswar said, "Divine perception is not incapacitating, it leads to the keenest intelligence."
It is good to be able to reason well. Reasoning abilities are useful as long as we must live in the world. But higher awareness and discrimination are far more useful on our path to God.
Warm regards,
Joseph (Puru) Selbie
Christ Consciousness is a Universal Concept
June 17, 2011
Can you describe in more detailed manner the CHRIST CONSCIOUSNESS that PY talks about.
Is there an analogy in Hinduism to Christ Consciousness?
Dear DP:
It is interesting that you would ask the question in just this way. Perhaps the reason the question arises is because "Christianity," by its very name, and "Christ" as the focus of that religion, seems to have claimed "Christ Consciousness" as its unique property. Jesus didn't do that, but the church that followed has.
In fact, the concept of Christ Consciousness - perhaps more accurately, the fact of Christ Consciousness - transcends Hinduism, Christianity, and every other religion known to man. Christ Consciousness comes first, expressed through a fully Self-realized incarnated person. Religions come later, as an attempt by those of lesser consciousness to bring to a focus divine revelations impossible for them to grasp directly.
Christianity, like most religions, had a specific founder, "Jesus the Christ" - "Christ" being a title, not a name.
Hinduism has no founder, but is periodically renewed by incarnating Masters - each one a "Christ," i.e., a fully Self-realized person. The Master who is known as "Krishna" was, Paramhansa Yogananda explains, "Jayadev the Krishna," the word "Krishna" being the equivalent in that language of the word "Christ." The names and titles together, as you can see, are similar.
To make this point more clearly, Paramhansa Yogananda sometimes wrote the name "Krishna" as "Christna."
The Sanskrit equivalent of "Christ Consciousness" is "Kutastha Chaitanya."
These concepts, then, are as much a part of Hinduism as they are of Christianity. But they are not widely understood in either religion as it is practiced now.
In India, however, there is a deeper understanding of these truths than in the West. All true religions, Indian culture teaches, are expressions of "Sanaatan Dharma," which means "Eternal Truth," or, even more simply, "That Which Is."
In other words, creation itself is a divine expression. All true religions in the world - which is to say God-inspired rather than man-made - include the same understandings. Christ Consciousness is one of them, not merely as an abstraction, but as the goal of all spiritual seeking and, in fact, as the inevitable destiny for all of us.
To understand more about Christ Consciousness as Paramhansa Yogananda explained it, I would suggest looking up that phrase in the index of any and all of his books and books by Swami Kriyananda. The Essence of Self-Realization, as an example, has some wonderful explanations; so does The Essence of the Bhagavad-Gita.
Nayaswami Asha
Cosmic Consciousness
May 3, 2011
When one attains nirbikalpa samadhi, it is said they then realize their oneness with God and drop their individual egos. My question is: When thousands all over the world tune into Yogananda and the other masters, can they be with every one of them simultaneously? Are their personalities still intact or are they more of a "force of God" at that point? It seems contradictory to be an individual and yet be omnipresent.
Yes, dear Friend. When a soul achieves cosmic consciousness this is to achieve oneness with Infinity. Just as every atom of creation is a manifestation of God's dream and vibration, so a liberated master can be in contact with as many devotees who seek him simultaneously.
Of course, bear in mind that assuming all those devotees have not yet achieved Oneness, their capacity to tune into the Master is probably very limited. But the vibration of the master is not limited by time and space.
Yes, that's hard for us to understand, but because I do not yet fully understand Einstein's Theory of Relativity doesn't make it less real.
God is omnipresent in all creation, we are told. A soul, a true son of God, who is One with the Father is therefore also capable of being omnipresent according to the will of the Father.
Such a soul does not possess a personality in the way that we do and thus isn't limited in that same way. When incarnate in a physical form, the world of maya imposes certain things so, for example, Yogananda, born in India, grows up and enjoys curries and mangoes, and speaks Bengali. Those are circumstantial but not essential aspects of his "personality."
At the same time even in a body he could enter samadhi at will (which means as the divine within him invites him to do so). Just as we are both human and divine, although generally alternatingly, so too, a master can appear in vision or even physical form when summoned by the pure devotion of a disciple.
I hope this can bring to you some comfort and clarity.
Nayaswami Hriman
What Is True Knowing?
May 2, 2011
Obejctivity?! Dear friends. I love Yoganandaji. His teachings give me strength. But I doubt we all are objectiv. First off, I've never experienced samadhi or god. Thoughts are creative and powerful, aren't they? One gives his whole life to god. Focusing on HIS IMAGE of god. Then sometime he finds god. But is that real god or his imaginary god? Same with meditation! Where is the objective god behind the notion? Can we really get there by "becoming" something?
Hello Simon,
You are right that we all see life through our own lenses, colored by our expectations, karma, and level of consciousness.
Does that mean that experiences such as samadhi and God-contact might be products of our own imagination, not real at all? I can easily believe that such is the case for many people who say they have had high spiritual experiences. But is it the case for all people, as you suggest?
Yogananda's first American disciple, Dr. Lewis, once asked that same question. Paraphrasing: "I've been visualizing samadhi all these years. How will I know, when I attain it, whether or not it is just a product of my own imagination?"
Yogananda's answer was simple: "You will know, and you will know that you know."
That level of knowing does not come from the conscious or subconscious mind. It does not come from the level of consciousness that asks the question. It is direct, superconscious, intuitive perception. We cannot "prove" such things in the sense that physical science demands proof: showing irrefutable evidence to another person. It is personal, subjective. But that does not mean it is unreal. No, it is, rather, a higher level of reality.
That is why it is so important to follow the guidance of those who we believe have achieved that state. True, we cannot know for certain whether they have achieved it. Our belief is the best we can do. But belief will motivate us to try the experiment for ourselves, and eventually (so the great masters tell us) we will know for certain. But only for ourselves; it won't prove anything to others, except to the extent that they are able to resonate with us. Such is the subtlety of spiritual reality.
And by the way, I am not aware of Yogananda ever speaking of "becoming something." Quite the contrary, he emphasized that we need to stop being something: the little bundle of self-definitions that limit us, that keep us separate from our own God-nature, that keep us from perceiving who and what we really are.
I hope this helps.
Central Keys for Achieving Spiritual Success
April 27, 2011
What does it really take to achieve true spiritual success?
Dear Jim,
A great question, and very vast, as achieving true spiritual success encompasses the whole life of a spiritual aspirant. It is a goal not only you, but all of us are after.
There are two answers to consider: the personal answer, individual in nature; and the general answer, valid for everyone.
Personal answer: To achieve true spiritual success you need to learn your personal lessons, follow your personal dharma, work with your personal strengths. We are all on the upward path, but your step forward, your path, your lessons are different from mine. Do you have clarity which inner lessons you need to learn right now? Which qualities to develop, which obstacles, desires, and weaknesses to remove? Which are your strengths, your personal inclination? A true Guru, for example, always guides his disciples according to their personality and character, to help them achieve inner success.
General answer: First of all we need to have (or develop) the thought: "I absolutely can achieve spiritual success. I can attain samadhi." Otherwise we will never get there, blocking ourselves with our own mind.
Then: without fiery passion for the goal nobody arrives.
Having it, achieving true spiritual success also requires various qualities: most central are devotion and sincerity, which Yogananda called the two most important elements on the path. It also requires training your concentration, without which you'll never be successful in meditation. You very much need will power to overcome dry periods, overcome obstacles, and to control your inner energy strongly. We all need to be warriors. It takes perseverance, in order to be a long-distance runner, not a sprinter, to keep your sadhana going with fire ever day. Often you need patience with yourself. Inner success requires continuous working on the ego in daily life, otherwise your ego weighs us down, and working on the ego requires discrimination, self-analysis. It too takes an adventurous spirit, because without it you can't experience yourself in a formless state, for example. Spiritual success also requires good (sattwic) company, good environment and influences, as environment is stronger than willpower. Most importantly, for high spiritual success you need a guru, otherwise you get stuck somewhere along the path, as you lack inner power.
Personally I think a mixture between determined will-power (the male principle in us) and sincere love for God which attracts grace (our female principle) is a winning mixture. But a greater mind than mine (Yogananda) proposed another mixture: "Technique (like Kriya Yoga) plus devotion cannot fail, it works like mathematics." Without technique, in fact, hardly anyone achieves true inner heights.
To sum up: the enterprise of achieving spiritual success requires your whole being, your whole heart, soul, mind, even your body, which to can block you from inner success. Yogananda taught: "Keep your body fit for Self-realization." You need to desire nothing more than this inner achievement. And yes, you can do it!
God bless you with glorious inner success, jayadev
- Ananda
- Career
- Devotion
- Education
- General
- Guru-Disciple Relationship
- Health and Healing
- Karma, Reincarnation
- Kriya Yoga
- Meditation
- Other
- Paramhansa Yogananda
- Relationships
- Science and Yoga
- Self-Realization
- Spiritual Community
- Spiritual Parenting
- Spiritual Path
- Swami Kriyananda
- The Arts
- The Yugas
- Yoga Postures


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Tagged: Korbinian Holzer
TORONTO — Everything seems to be going right for centre Tyler Bozak at the moment. Bozak led the way with a pair of…› More
TORONTO — Forwards Phil Kessel, Tyler Bozak, David Clarkson and defenceman Cody Franson will not play in the Maple…› More
By Michael Traikos COLLINGWOOD, Ont. — At five-foot-eight and 167 pounds, Brandon Kozun does not cut the figure of a…› More
By Stephen Whyno BUFFALO, N.Y. — Tyler Bozak shook off the rust quickly, scoring a goal and adding two assists in his…› More
LONDON, ONT. — As far as first-impressions go, Kyle Dubas came away impressed. He said it was exciting to watch William…› More
Toronto — Shortly after their prospects camp ended last week, Toronto Maple Leafs director of amateur scouting Dave…› More
TORONTO — Goaltending — is that an important question? If the answer is yes, the Toronto Maple Leafs face a very…› More


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The Atlantic Hurricane season comes to its merciless end today.
It concludes in a busier-than-expected year punctuated by one of the most damaging storms on record, Hurricane Sandy.
When it began, forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted a near-normal season of anywhere between 9 and 15 named storms.
The final number turned out to be 19, with most systems--including the season's only major hurricane, Michael-- spinning out harmlessly in the ocean and posing little threat to land.
Sandy became a hurricane this morning, the 10th of this active season, as it approached Jamaica. A tropical storm watch continues in Florida from the Keys north to the Brevard-Volusia county line. South Florida is not in the cone, but it can expect wind and rain Thursday though Saturday. Here's the latest update from the National Hurricane Center.


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Skip to main content
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Company announcements: Week of February 28
Following is the latest roundup of accounting community news for the week of February 28, 2011.
Mar 3 2011
Workplace Fitness
CPA firm partner and town mayor makes fitness a priority
When the Mayor is also a partner in the largest local CPA firm in town, fitness in the workplace takes on a whole new meaning. Barbara Bass is the Mayor of Tyler, Texas and one of 6 partners at Gollob Morgan Peddy. She has a wide audience listening when she talks about fitness.
Mar 3 2011
Community News
Texas accounting firms announce mid-tax season merger
One of the Austin, TX region's largest accounting firms has merged with a 33-year-old Houston firm. Austin-based PMB Helin Donovan LLP has merged with Houston-based McEvoy & Co. The union takes effect immediately and will operate under the PMB Helin Donovan name.
Mar 1 2011
KPMG expands its global outsourcing advisory services through acquisition of EquaTerra
Big Four firm KPMG has announced the closing of an agreement to acquire the business of advisory firm EquaTerra. According to a company announcement, the acquisition is consistent with the KPMG network's growth strategy, focusing on organic and inorganic opportunities in select high-demand market sectors.
Feb 22 2011
Community News
A new way to attract accounting talent? E&Y might be onto something big
This year, Big Four firm Ernst & Young is taking an unconventional approach to reaching the top talent. That is, it is meeting the students where they "live," online.
Feb 22 2011
Community News
Accounting firm loses Super Bowl wager; charity wins
A Pittsburgh-based accounting firm lost bragging rights and its president and CEO, perhaps, lost a bit of dignity following the Green Bay Packers' victory in Super Bowl XLV.
Feb 17 2011
Community News
Company announcements: Week of February 14
Following is the latest roundup of accounting community news for the week of February 14, 2011.
Feb 16 2011
Workplace Fitness
FreshBooks employees develop fresh ways to stay fit
FreshBooks this year has taken its fitness activities to a new level. While always an active group, something inspired company employees to come up with more fitness activities.
Feb 15 2011
Community News
Company announcements: Week of February 7
Following is the latest roundup of accounting community news for the week of February 7, 2011.
Feb 9 2011
Community News
Colorado tax preparer permanently barred from practice
A federal court in Denver has permanently barred Curtis L. Morris of Elizabeth, CO, from preparing federal tax returns for others, the Justice Department announced this week.
Feb 8 2011
Workplace Fitness
Accounting firm's relocation produces healthy opportunities
Holthouse Carlin & Van Trigt LLP recently relocated its Santa Monica office to Los Angeles, and the firm used the move as an opportunity to increase its support of employee wellness and fitness.
Feb 8 2011
Buck and Schroeder join Financial Accounting Standards Board
The Financial Accounting Foundation has announced the appointments of Daryl E. Buck and R. Harold (Hal) Schroeder to the FASB. Buck and Schroeder will fill two additional seats on the FASB that were announced in August, bringing the size of the FASB board to seven members.
Feb 7 2011
Community News
CPA firms make Super Bowl wager for charity
It won't just be the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers battling for bragging rights on February 6. Independent public accounting firms in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania have joined the fray, with an eye toward helping a charity.
Jan 27 2011
Community News
Company announcements: Week of January 24
Following is the latest roundup of accounting community news for the week of January 24, 2011.
Jan 26 2011
Community News
BlumShapiro announces merger with Needel, Welch and Stone
Connecticut-based BlumShapiro has announced its merger with the Rockland, MA-based accounting, tax and business consulting firm Needel, Welch & Stone, P.C. (NWS). The merger became official as of January 1, 2011.
Jan 25 2011
Community News
Atlanta accounting firms announce merger
Atlanta accounting firms Windham Brannon and Tarpley & Underwood have announced their merger. The resulting firm ranks among the top 10 Atlanta CPA firms with more than 140 staff.
Jan 25 2011
Practice Management
From K-9s to 1099s: Pet-friendly firm boosts morale
With a fragile economy still struggling to rebound, employers continue to search for ways to boost morale and productivity. CPA firm Stone, Rudolph & Henry has found a secret to success in Rocky. Although Rocky didn't originally come to the firm to improve morale, his presence has made a positive impact on SR&H.
Jan 19 2011
Community News
Company announcements: Week of January 17
Following is the latest roundup of accounting community news for the week of January 17, 2011.
Jan 19 2011
Community News
Weaver Merges with L.T. Hawthorne & Associates
Weaver announced this week an expansion of services offered to the petroleum and renewable fuels industries through a merger with L.T. Hawthorne & Associates Inc.
Jan 13 2011
Community News
Company announcements: Week of January 10
Following is the latest roundup of accounting community news for the week of January 10, 2011.
Jan 12 2011
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Gobions Way
£1,250 Monthly Let Agreed
Semi-Detached House - 2 Bedrooms
Two bedroom semi detached cottage style house, located in a private road, with open country side to rear. Beamed lounge with feature fire place, large kitchen with solid hand made cupboards and work top, dining area, bathroom and two double fitted be
Heathfield Close
£900 Monthly Let Agreed
1st Floor Flat - 2 Bedrooms
Large two bedroom first floor purpose built flat in Potters Bar. This property is located close to all shops in Darkes Lane as well as the Railway station. The property has double glazing, gas central heating, large communal gardens and has large lou
Bornedene, Potters Bar
£700 Monthly
1st Floor Flat - 0 Bedrooms
A very good refurbished first floor studio flat. This property would suit the more discerning tenant looking for a modern property that contains all new kitchen, bathroom, being painted though out with new carpets, white goods and yet being in quiet
High Street Potters Bar Herts
£675 Monthly
1st Floor Flat - 0 Bedrooms
First floor studio with own entrance being unfurnished but with fully fitted kitchen, double glazing, gch, laminate flooring, modern bathroom. Ideal for local shops and is located in Potters Bar high street.
Cotterells, Hemel Hempstead
£14,500 Annual
Not Specified - 1 Bedrooms
Flaggs are pleased to offer for let on a new term to be agreed this 750 SqFt 1st floor office located within the iconic KD Tower with the addition of allocated secure parking. The suite is self contained and benefits from Cat 5 Cabling, Suspended Ce
Listed with: Flaggs Estate Agents
Shop To Let: High Street, Tring
£14,000 Annual Let Agreed
Property - 0 Bedrooms
Ground floor, lock-up shop unit to let.
Listed with: Nash Partnership (Tring)
Flowton Priory, West Common, Harpenden
£12,000 Monthly
Detached House - 5 Bedrooms
Robinson and Hall are delighted to bring to the market this beautiful Grade II Listed 16th Century former Priory in Harpenden, located at the end of a private drive, set behind its own gates and surrounded by its own grounds. (contd...)
Listed with: Robinson & Hall (Bedford)
High Street, Potters Bar
£10,500 Annual Let Agreed
Property - 0 Bedrooms
A commercial premises in a prime location in Potters Bar High Street. ( The larger of two units )Floor Dimensions: 58 Square Meters.Rent: £10,500 p.a. Exclusive.Tenure: Leasehold Outside of 1954 Act.Term Negotiable: Suggested 7 years.Rent Reviews: E
Listed with: Urban Sales and Lettings Limited Hove
Former Salvation Army Hall, Albert Street, Tring
£10,000 Annual
Property - 0 Bedrooms
The former Salvation Army Hall, nestled in the heart of the Conservation area, a short walk from the High Street.
Listed with: Nash Partnership (Tring)
Shop to Let
£9,000 Annual
Not Specified - 0 Bedrooms
Flaggs are pleased to offer for let on a new lease for a term to be agreed this self contained shop unit in Apsley High Street with A1/A2 consent already in place. The shop comprise of a front retail space with a rear office, kitchen and
Listed with: Flaggs Estate Agents


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These Spotty Plimsolls are the Most Adorable Sneakers
Aren't they cute? They're a fun take on the French it-girl sneakers right now, the classic Bensimon. I'm even wanting a pair, and I'm not a lady that normally wears sneakers. The colors and polka dots here would elevate a simple jeans and t-shirt look, but they'd also look great with a casual skirt or dress.
The Spotty Plimsolls are available at Boden. Choose from brown, dusty pink, moss green, or sea blue, for $58 each.
Nicole Balch is the founder of Making it Lovely, a design blog about living a stylish life and transforming the so-so. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook, or catch up on all of her posts here on Babble.


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The Randy Rhoads Years
The Randy Rhoads Years (Legendary Licks Guitar: Classic Songs). By Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoads. By Aaron Rosenbaum. For Guitar. Guitar Educational. Play Along. Softcover with CD. Guitar tablature. 80 pages. Published by Cherry Lane Music (HL.2500349).
ISBN 1575604388. With guitar tablature. Play Along. 9x12 inches.
With note-for-note transcriptions of Randy Rhoads' searing guitar work, gear set-ups, performance notes, historical retrospective and a play-along CD, this info-packed book will teach you to play 72 licks from 11 of Ozzy's most recognizable songs: Crazy Train • Dee • Diary of a Madman • Flying High Again • Goodbye to Romance • I Don't Know • Mr. Crowley • Over the Mountain • Revelation • S.A.T.O. • Suicide Solution.


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Sheldrake Point Winery was named the 2009 and 2010 New York State Winery of the Year, and among the Top 100 Wineries by Wine & Spirits Magazine. Taste the quality of our estate wines ranging from dry aromatic whites and smooth dry reds to sumptuous dessert and ice wines. Browse our wine shop and purchase locally made cheeses, foods, crafts, and books.
Arrive by boat, bike or car and take in the scenic lakeside location surrounded by rolling vineyards, and gardens just off Rt. 89. Docks available for boats within easy walking distance to our Tasting Room. We are a hidden gem on Cayuga Lake. Have a picnic and stay awhile.
Chuck Tauck & Fran Littin
Tasting Room & Artisan Gift Shop:
Apr - Oct: 10:00am - 5:30pm
Nov - Mar: 11:00am - 5:00pm
New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
10+ by reservation only


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Your trusted source to get deep discounts, amazing deals, and easy customer service
Catholic Answer magazine is a religious publication that teaches Catholics how to defend and explain their faith.
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If you have any question or need help, you may contact us to assist you.
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Cheap Palmer hotels – hotels.com offers fantastic deals to be found from every corner of the globe, there's something for everyone. We've secured some amazing Cheap hotel savings for longer stays in some of our favourite destinations. But be quick – all sale deals are subject to availability and selling fast!
Cheap Hotels in Palmer
See Palmer Cheap hotels on a map
Explore Palmer
Popular with travellers from Singapore
Cheap hotels in Palmer
- Most booked
Hatcher Pass Bed & Breakfast
Excellent 4.5 / 5 ( 14 reviews )
Most recent review
"We stayed one night at the cabin. It was very nice! We arrived late but everything was prepared. The room is big enough for 3 of us and our luggages. Our daughter enjoyed the two-layer bed and we all enjoyed the breakfast. Highly recommend it!"
A Traveller, Aug 2014, US
The Pioneer Motel
Fair 2.9 / 5 ( 17 reviews )
Most recent review
"The room exceeded expectations, the the manager was very nice and helpful. I would use this hotel again."
A Traveller, Feb 2015, US
Cheap hotels within 15 kilometers of Palmer
Alaska's Select Inn Motel
Excellent 4.2 / 5 ( 140 reviews )
Most recent review
"I knew there wasn't a lot of places to stay in Wasilla, so when I came across Alaska's Select Inn Motel, I was a tad leery. I am so glad I decided to stay! The outside was clean and looked brand new. The staff were very warm and friendly. The rooms were just perfect! There was not only a ..."
A Traveller, Feb 2015, US
Grand View Inn and Suites
Good 3.5 / 5 ( 91 reviews )
Most recent review
"Quiet, comfortable,just as if you were at home. Comfy beds plenty of parking and lots of amenities."
A Traveller, Jan 2015, US
Cheap hotels within 20 kilometers of Palmer
Best Western Lake Lucille Inn
Excellent 4.0 / 5 ( 1 review )
Most recent review
"After booking a room online without a view the staff worked with us to secure a room for us with a lake view at no charge. This was much appreciated. The fireplace in the lobby, the location and the view from our room made this stay very comfortable!"
A Traveller, Apr 2015, US
Cheap hotels within 40 kilometers of Palmer
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Eagle River/Anchorage Area
Fair 2.5 / 5 ( 71 reviews )
Most recent review
"My stay at the Microtel has been pleasant. The staff are very nice and the cleaning ladies are honest. I lost my wallet and the housekeeping woman found it and gave it to the front desk. I received a call from the hotel telling me that they were holding it for me at the front desk. It's a gre..."
A Traveller, Sep 2014, US


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Waiting for Death
An expose on patient treatment in Hospitals written by Thomas Priestley.
Film Review Ken Loach The Spirit of 45 Made in 2013
The people who built the British Welfare State and those who are systematically destroying it today.
Health Care is a Right for Everyone!
Don't let them fool you; privatisation of State controlled hospitals means that only few well off people will be able to have health care.
Thousands of Elderly Left Suffering by "Cruel and Random" Eye Surgery Rationing
Thousands of aged humans are accepting to put up with breakable afterimage because they are denied avalanche anaplasty on the NHS by 'cruel and random' rationing, campaigners warn.
NHS Plan to Reprint Their Pregnancy Manual to Remove The Word "Dad"
These are cash-strapped times and the NHS really needs to be careful where it is spending its money. So I can't help but feel concerned they are set to splash out £100,000 on reprinting a pregnancy manual to remove the word "dad" and replace it with "partner". Not only is this a severe waste of money but surely it undermines the notion of the traditional family unit?
The Beveridge Report and The Formation of The Welfare State in Britain
A presentation arguing whether or not the British welfare state was good or bad. The essay looks at the Beveridge Report and its effects, and examines whether the adoption of a welfare state was beneficial to Britain overall.
Make Your Government Hear YOU!
Its time to do something.
Going Once, Going Twice… Britain's Going to The Dogs
Privatisation of Britain – when will people wake up and realise that this is not how a country should be run?
Will Britain Sign EU Treaty Eventually?
David Cameron triumphantly returned last month from a EU meeting stating that I did not sign it. He was hailed like an hero.
NHS Under Stress
My musings on a recent hospital visit with my three year old son.


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Buddy Holly Voice Collection / Songbook: 2 items found
Buddy Holly - Golden Anniversary Songbook
By Buddy Holly. For Guitar, Piano/Keyboard, Vocal. Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook. Classic Rock and Rock 'n' Roll. Difficulty: medium. Songbook. Vocal melody, piano accompaniment, lyrics, chord names, guitar chord diagrams, introductory text and discography. 112 pages. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.383750)
Usually leaves our warehouse: Within 24 hours
Buddy Holly Lives!
(His Life & His Music - With Photos & 33 Classic Songs). By Buddy Holly. For Piano/Vocal/Guitar. Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook. Softcover. 160 pages. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.307053)
Usually leaves our warehouse: Within 3 to 5 business days
Buddy Holly


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The Comedy In Fifty Shades of Grey
By Amy Nicholson
Wild Tales Lays Bare Everyone's Awfulness
By Stephanie Zacharek
Approaching the Elephant Is a Bracing Education Doc
By Calum Marsh
By Stephanie Zacharek
By Inkoo Kang
The Results of Our 2014 Film Critics' Poll
By Voice Film Critics
By Alan Scherstuhl
The Blue Room (La Chambre bleue)
By Alan Scherstuhl
The original Basic Instinct was both a manifestation and a critique of sex panic, an effortless distillation of a late-'80s/early-'90s zeitgeist: the end of second-wave feminism, the peaking of AIDS anxieties, the dawn of the Clinton years. Stale and corny, BI2 isn't even accidentally relevant. With a Brit journeyman (Michael Caton-Jones) subbing for Dutch libertine Paul Verhoeven (David Cronenberg was slated to direct at one point), there are only the faintest traces of the first movie's lunatic oomph: The riotous opening could almost pass as a Camille Paglia recuperation of Eminem's "Stan" video. Crazy Cathy speeds through the London night in her sports car (a Dutch Spyker, perhaps in homage to Verhoeven), fucking herself with the tongue-moistened finger of a semiconscious stud in the passenger seat; at the moment of orgasm, she soars off the road and into the Thames. (The black widow leaves her date to drown.) The final few scenes mount a belated, scorched-earth charge into Grand Guignol territory, but in between, it's nearly two hours of yawnsome exposition and dopey psychoanalysisCatherine doesn't flash anyone, let alone the audience, but there are numerous shots of her squeakily writhing on her shrink's leatherette chaise.
The first film rested on the unbeatably icky/iconic presence of über-'80s specimen Michael Douglas. Here David Morrissey's psychiatrist, a pasty patsy of a leading man, is no match for Stone. As in the original, Catherine's mind-warping hotness supposedly inspires men to new heights of animalistic bedroom technique (eyeing her dust jacket photo, prominently propped on his nightstand, Morrissey's character proceeds tooohtake his girlfriend from behind!). But the few sex scenes (all hetero) are sub-softcore and pretty much kink-free, unless you count a sweetly affectionate instance of garrote play.
The screenplay, by Leora Barish and The Believer's Henry Bean, never approaches the brutish tackiness of Joe Eszterhas's blueprint. In fact, the dutiful dirty talk ("Would you like to come in my mouth?") is a lot less funny than the random high-toned name-drops ("How Lacanian," Charlotte Rampling's senior psychoanalyst murmurs, apropos of not very much). Additionally, Stone's costumes are tamelittle black backless numbers and strappy stilettosand she doesn't even have cool props. Divested of her ice pick, Catherine is reduced to touristy kitsch, fondling lighters in the shapes of London's phallic landmarks.
Not content simply to examine the relationship between sex and death, BI2 ponderously blurs the boundaries between art and life, and the plot, already mired in nonsensical backstory, collapses with the late-inning introduction of a tired metafictional device (not to mention a wildly lunging Usual Suspects twist). The intriguing final shotin which one of the characters struggles in vain to stifle a smileclues us in to the movie Caton-Jones might have hoped he was making. But for most of Basic Instinct 2, as Stone decisively demonstrates, it's all too easy to keep a straight face.
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Young Smoke
- Artist: Young Smoke
- Links: Young Smoke Soundcloud and Young Smoke Bandcamp
At just 18, Young Smoke a.k.a. Chicago's David Davis has carved out an idiosyncratic and very listenable niche within footwork. Producing from a young age and coming with an intentional conceptual angle, the music on 'Space Zone' carries all the hallmarks and framework of classic footwork -heavy bass and 160bpm rhythms- but with a lightness of touch and the conceptual abstraction of space themes. Where older producers reference space through typically sampling the spacey funk of the 70's era to repetitive and aggressive effect, Young Smoke's music uses self-made samples from his arsenal of software synthesisers. The result has an aquatic atmosphere that engages the listener's imagination and hints at narratives behind the music. Also, rarely for footwork, he's not afraid to inject his tracks with overt melodies.
Young Smoke
Space Zone
Sep 24, 2012
New Releases
- Classics Vol. 1
- Life On Planet Mu
- The Crystal Cowboy
- Rediffusion
- Reflekzionz
- Entropik E.P.
- Dark Energy
- Parallel Memories
- Don't Leave
- Four Track Mind
- Endgame
- Excerpts
- My Love Is A Bulldozer
- The Seer Of Cosmic Visions
- Da Mind Of Traxman Vol.2
- Poemss
- Sun Czar Temple
- Unfidelity
- Weird Drift
- Rain (ft. Vezelay)
- Somerset Avenue Tracks (1992-1995)
- Lifeshake


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List Price: $14.98Rating: R (Restricted)Studio: Warner Home VideoActors: Cleavon Little Gene Wilder Slim Pickens Harvey Korman Madeline Kahn Size: 6.0000" x 5.0000"Weight: 0.3000 lbs.Language: French, English, Spanish, English, French, Spanish
Mel Brooks scored his first commercial hit with this raucous Western spoof starring the late Cleavon Little as the newly hired (and conspicuously black) sheriff of Rock Ridge. Sheriff Bart teams up with deputy Jim (Gene Wilder) to foil the railroad-building scheme of the nefarious Hedley Lamarr (Harvey Korman). The simple plot is just an excuse for a steady stream of gags, many of them unabashedly tasteless, that Brooks and his wacky cast pull off with side-splitting success. The humor is so juvenile and crude that you just have to surrender to it; highlights abound, from the lunkheaded Alex Karras as the ox-riding Mongo to Madeline Kahn's uproarious send-up of Marlene Dietrich as saloon songstress Lili Von Shtupp. Adding to the comedic excess is the infamous campfire scene involving a bunch of hungry cowboys, heaping servings of baked beans and, well, you get the idea. --Jeff Shannon
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Big Brother: Becki: My story; I'm no slapper..I've only slept with 5 men -My last boyfriend left me broken-hearted -Family rejected me but I'll win them over.
BIG Brother babe Becki Seddiki told last night how she has only ever slept with FIVE men - and claims her outrageous flirting is just a front.
The 33-year-old beauty was painted as a sex-crazed vixen in the show, but in real life she says she's just an ordinary girl looking for love.
Yesterday, she told how she was sorry for having to plant the Judas kiss on Michelle - and can't wait to see her new friend outside the house.
"I think she's lovely and just hope she can forgive me for nominating her - I can't wait to go shopping with her," she said.
Becki was booted out on Friday night to boos and jeers from the audience - the worst in the show's five-year history.
Her Muslim family refused to meet her and have disowned her due to her saucy antics - including flashing her surgically enhanced 34DD boobs, licking jam from Michelle's breasts, and pretending to perform oral sex on a cucumber.
But Moroccan-born Becki says she is a faithful, loving girlfriend who has NEVER had a one-night stand and has had just five long-term boyfriends.
Speaking exclusively to the Sunday Mirror, Becki also told how she:
IS DEVASTATED her family has disowned her
IS NOT bisexual, but has kissed girls
LIKES to spice up her love life with kinky toys
WAS left heartbroken after the man she thought she'd marry cheated on her
WOULD have snogged Jason - but only if HE made the first move.
She said: "I can count the number of lovers I've had on one hand, there have only been five and they've all been long-term relationships.
"I didn't even lose my virginity until I was 19, but I love sex. And I am a flirt - I flirt with everyone, regardless of whether I fancy them or not, because that's my way of getting on with people.
"But it's all a facade. Deep down, I believe you should only have sex in a long-term relationship with someone you love. I've never had a one-night stand, it's not my style.
"I've snogged a couple of girls, but I'm not bisexual. It was partly alcohol intoxication, partly curiosity - everyone's a bit bisexual.
"I was painted a certain way - the Big Brother bosses wanted me to sex the place up. But I want people to know I'm not driven by sex - I'm driven by love."
The only housemates Becki plans to stay in touch with are Nadia and Michelle - ironic, given that Becki gave Michelle the 'Judas kiss' that led to her being nominated for eviction.
"I had to base the person I kissed on who was least open to me, and that was Michelle," she said. "But afterwards, we became really good friends. I'd love to see her and Nadia when they come out of the house. They're great girls."
Becki also spoke of her sadness after learning her parents - Ahmed, 80, and Fatima, 68 - had disowned her when they found about her appearance in the Channel 4 show.
Last night, she vowed to make up with them, but is still determined to live out her dream of becoming a pop star.
"I'm devastated that I've caused them so much hurt," she said. But she said she felt betrayed after finding out her own brother, Sidi, was touting stories around which she claims are false.
Sidi is also understood to have claimed Becki's Muslim relatives in Morocco are baying for her blood because she went on the show.
"I'm not taking these so-called death threats seriously," she added. "I never intended to hurt them or bring shame on the family.
"I am different to them, I always have been. I've had to respect their enforced rules - no boys, for example - and so I've had to lash out.
"It's a really difficult time for me and my family at the moment, but I've never put them through this much pain before." Becki did not tell her parents she was entering the Big Brother house and they only found out when reporters knocked on their doors and turned their TV on.
"I wasn't sure how they'd react," she said. "I knew they wouldn't be completely happy about what they'd see.
"In a way it's a relief to be myself at last, although I know it must be very shocking for them - particularly the sex stuff. They have pretty strict views on sex before marriage and so on, so I feel bad for them about that."
Becki hopes to make it up with her family, but realises it will be a slow, painful process.
"I think that will take months, maybe even a year," she said. "It's obviously a very sore point for them. I'm not going to contact them yet, they need to cool off. But I hope they see this article and realise I still love them." Becki has been single for a year since breaking up with her last boyfriend, a fitness instructor who she prefers not to name.
She had thought the boyfriend of two years was "the one", but he left her broken-hearted after having a five-month affair.
"I found out he'd been unfaithful to me when his girlfriend phoned me up out of the blue," she said. "I was devastated. It was a real shock and it's done me some serious damage. But now I"m open to love, if it comes along in the right way. It would be nice to be with someone."
And if Becki does meet Mr Right, the lucky boy is in for a treat. She giggled: "I'm open-minded about sex, I'm a Cosmo-reading, Sex and the City sort of a girl. I'll try furry handcuffs from Ann Summers and stuff like that.
"I like things like that to add a bit of interest to my sex life - dressing up or vibrators, all that sort of thing." But Becki said she would NOT have bedded housemate Jason Cowan, despite their constant flirting and spanking him during a night of fun in the house.
"Jason was typical for the look of the person I would normally fancy, but I wasn't attracted to him," she said.
"For me to be attracted to a guy, they need to be a little more communicative. They need to know how to use language properly.
"I possibly would have kissed him if he'd tried to, but Jason admitted to me he never approaches women first. He hasn't had a girlfriend for five years because he isn't confident enough to approach girls."
Meanwhile, Becki feels she was made a scapegoat by Big Brother.
She said: "They pigeonholed me as this vixen who was going to go in and shake things up. It was a difficult situation." The booing and jeering when Becki came out of the house continued throughout her live interview with presenter Davina McCall, with audience members shouting words like "Judas" and "minger".
But defiant Becki last night insisted: "The audience booing didn't bother me because it's a pantomime. The editing's creative - I had to fit a caricature of this sex-obsessed bitch."
She added: "I wanted to go on Big Brother partly because I thought it would be fun, and partly as a platform for my music.
"If going on the show has risked my family's wrath and my relationships with people, that's a shame, but I'm glad I did it because, hopefully, it will help me fulfil my dreams.
"I've had an amazing experience - and I'd do it all again."
BIG FLIRT: But Becki says she just lived up to an image; UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL: Becki licks Michelle's boobs, checks on the BB sausages and cuddles Michelle after her eviction was announced
Reader Opinion
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|Jul 11, 2004
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- Shopping Bag ( 0 items )
From the PublisherIf you're looking at implementing a ppc or seo or paid inclusion search engine marketing program then you'll be wise to have this book in your arsenal. It's full of good information about the elements that really matter to your campaign and breaks it down based on the desired outcome. So whether your looking to implement a branding campaign, generate leads, sell product or just drive traffic, the tactics are there as well as a description of which engines to use for each type of campaign by industry.
Anyway, it's a good book so I say if you're in that market then you should definitely buy it. Even if you think you're too smart to learn anything new about seo or ppc, trust me, nobody's that smart.


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Store boost for MRI appeal (From The Advertiser Series)
Send us your pictures, video, news and views by texting NORTHERN ECHO to 80360 or email us
Store boost for Friarage Hospital's MRI appeal
Updated 2:07pm Friday 4th April 2014 in News
STORE staff in Northallerton will be urging people to dig deep in their pockets – for a local hospital appeal.
MARKS and Spencer has chosen the Friarage Hospital's MRI scanner appeal as their charity partner of the year.
Enthusiastic staff are planning a series of fundraising events including bucket collections, cake stalls, car boot sales and will also be taking part in events such as runs and other personal challenges as part of their campaign.
The Friarage Hospital scanner appeal was the overwhelming favourite chosen by the store's staff and they are hoping to raise £2,000 over the next year.


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Frommer's Scotland
John Wiley & Sons, Nov 20, 2009 - Travel - 480 pages
Frommer's Scotland features gorgeous color photos of the quaint villages, misty moors, and offshore islands that await you. It's a highly personal guide that's fun to read and even more fun to use on the road--and it's much more complete and in-depth than its major competitors.
You'll find complete details on lovely small towns, world-class golf courses, superb fishing, country pubs, whiskey distilleries, natural wonders, castles, literary landmarks, mysterious ancient ruins, and Edinburgh's vibrant cultural scene.
What people are saying - Write a review
Review: Frommer's ScotlandUser Review - Alicia - Goodreads
Not a lot of pretty pictures--but you're going to see them with your own eyes! Great, comprehensive and practical information. Read full review
Selected pages
Chapter 1 The Best of Scotland
Chapter 2 Scotland in Depth
Chapter 3 Planning Your Trip to Scotland
Chapter 4 Suggested Scotland Itineraries
Chapter 5 The Active Vacation Planner
Chapter 6 Edinburgh the Lothian Region
Chapter 7 The Borders Galloway Regions
Chapter 8 Glasgow the Strathclyde Region
Chapter 9 Argyll the Southern Hebrides
Common terms and phrases
9am to 5pm Abbey Aberdeen Admission adults Amenities bathroom Britain Brodick built Castle century clan club co.uk daily dinner double drive Edinburgh ferry Firth fishing fixed-price Fort William Free parking gardens Glasgow Golf Course guest rooms hair dryer Hebrides Highland House include Scottish breakfast Inverness island Isle Isle of Arran Isle of Skye Kirkwall Lerwick Loch Lomond lunch Main courses menu Mon–Sat Monday to Friday Monday to Saturday Mull Museum Oban offers open Monday Orkney Outer Hebrides Perth Queen Rates include breakfast Rates include Scottish Reservations recommended Restaurant Road room service room:TV Royal Mile ruins salmon Saturday 9am sauce Scotland Scots Scottish Citylink Shetland Skye Station Stay & Dine Stirling stone Street Tarbert There's tour tourist office town trip units Victorian village visitors walk whisky Wi-Fi Wi-Fi free


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The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed serious concern at the inordinate delay in Parliament passing the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Bill. A Bench of Justices H.L. Datu and Ranjan Gogoi shared the concern of counsel Santosh Paul and counsel Meera Mathew, appearing for A. Narayanan, and told Attorney-General G.E. Vahanvati: "We are very much concerned about this issue."
The Bench said: "they [manual scavengers] are marginalised and Parliament needs to take adequate steps to pass the Bill. It had been over a year and half that the Additional Solicitor-General has been promising to do something. We need a proper reply."
Earlier, respondent counsel submitted that nearly 19 manual scavengers died in the course of their work in Tamil Nadu alone. Even after the filing of this appeal, three sessions of Parliament had gone — the winter session 2011, 2012 monsoon and winter sessions — however, the Bill was "just" pending. The AG said that "after the introduction of Bill, the Standing Committee of Social Justice and Empowerment had one hearing on November 1, 2012 and the next meeting is scheduled for January 11. The committee would expedite the proceedings." He assured the court that within three months he would also review the Bill and make adequate changes like widening the scope of definition of "Manual Scavenger."
Mr. Vahanvati submitted that unlike the Act of 1993, the new Bill would be under Entry 97 of the Constitution. Therefore, by the virtue of this new Bill, it would be mandatory for all States to abide by the provisions.
When respondent counsel submitted that those manual scavengers "who die before the passing of the Bill should be given some consideration as the new Bill has the provision of 'rehabilitation'," the Bench said "these matters would be dealt with after the passing of the Bill. First let the Bill be passed. Then we would look into the matters."
The Bench directed the mater to be listed after three months.
The judges were hearing an appeal by the Union of India against a June 2011 Madras High Court order that if the Centre failed to amend the law to prevent manual scavenging the court would be constrained to direct the personal appearance of any of the high dignitaries, be it, from the PMO Secretariat or other departments. On appeal by the Centre, the Supreme Court stayed the order and issued notice to respondent Mr. Narayanan of Virugambakkam, Chennai, on whose PIL the High Court issued the directions.
Keywords: UPA government, Supreme Court, manual scavenging


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Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI: Campaign managers of the National Democratic Alliance-backed independent Presidential candidate Bhairon Singh Shekhawat denied on Thursday that BJP leader L.K. Advani's appeal for conscience vote was aimed at encouraging cross-voting.
At a press conference here, Mr. Shekhawat's spokesperson Sushma Swaraj said there was nothing illegal, immoral or unconstitutional in both candidates seeking a conscience vote. "Tradition is that any candidate can seek the support of the entire electoral college in a legal manner. The term cross-voting is not relevant in the Presidential election because no whip can be issued."
Referring to her charge that phones of Mr. Shekhawat's chief strategists were being tapped, she said a committee under Arun Jaitley would look into the issue. "This panel would decide whether we should go to the Election Committee or take legal action." She also took exception to "the unparliamentary language" used by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi in response to the charge.
"Tall leader"
On the statement of Women and Child Welfare Minister Renuka Chowdhury — she had asked "who she [Ms. Swaraj] was and why should she be taken notice of" — Ms. Swaraj said that after being a Cabinet Minister thrice and being Deputy Leader of the largest Opposition party, she could not match the "tall leader" that Ms. Chowdhury was. "A party with which we have a very narrow difference of seats [in the Lok Sabha] is asking us who we are."
She said Mr. Shekhawat would declare his assets on Friday.


text:
Connect, Collaborate and Inform With Microsoft Solutions for Healthcare Organizations
Date Added: Jul 2009
Format: Webcast
The attendees of this webcast will learn the secrets behind Microsoft's solutions for healthcare? Built upon the familiar and cost-effective Microsoft platform and customized for healthcare organizations to efficiently run their financials, billing, materials management, and inventory and HR/Payroll systems. The solution integrates with other EMR, ERP systems, improves reporting and business intelligence, and supplies strong budgeting & forecasting tools.


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[December 28, 2012]
Silver Spring expands Smart Energy Platform to support natural gas users
Dec 28, 2012 (Datamonitor via COMTEX) -- Silver Spring Networks, a provider of networking platform and solutions, has announced that it is expanding the capabilities of its Smart Energy Platform to support commercial and industrial natural gas users.
The new Silver Spring Commercial and Industrial Gas IMU (Interface Management Unit) supports an array of C&I natural gas endpoint devices and is designed for the needs of C&I customers. Silver Spring is also offering a new version of its existing Residential Gas IMU solution to support additional communications options and more cost-effective alternatives.
With fully encrypted and secure two-way communications, Silver Spring's Gas IMU solutions enable automated alerts on system status, leak monitoring, meter tampering and other critical events, cutting utility labor costs and ensuring system reliability. Based on open standards, the Silver Spring Gas IMU solutions seamlessly integrate with utilities' wider smart grid modernization efforts, the company said.
"Silver Spring's IPv6 networking platform connects more than 13 million homes and businesses worldwide, so it's a natural step for us to extend support to C&I natural gas customers and to broaden the communications options for residential gas users," said C.J. Boguszewski, Head of AMI Solutions, Silver Spring Networks. "We are now delivering fully encrypted two-way communications for natural gas systems, helping utilities unlock more value from their smart grid investments and deliver more advanced energy services to all of their customers."
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Marey Power Mini Gas Portable Military Water Heater
Item # WX2-281686
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Marey Power Mini Gas Portable Military Water Heater is the infantryman's' choice for hot water anywhere!
Ever spent a week without showering? With the guys at deer camp? Then you know the importance of hot water in the field. This handy Marey Power Mini Gas Portable Military Water Heater is designed for field use. No electricity required... it ignites via D-cell battery and uses LP fuel.Set up camp:
- Energy conserving design with adjustable gas and water controls
- HIgh-quality components and construction for rugged service
- Auto cut-off, anti-dry combustion / over-pressure / overheating / flame-out protection
- Electric pulse ignition (D-cell battery required not included)
- 35,000 BTU / h
- Applicable water pressure: 3.6 - 145.0 PSI
- Maximum flow rate: 2 gallons per minute
- Minimum water pressure to activate unit: 0.58 GPM
- Includes hand shower nozzle with on / off control, 5' CSA-approved regulator, folding handles, kit-connector for garden hose
- Measures approx. 17" x 11 1/ 2 " x 4 3/ 4 ". Weighs approx. 12 lbs.
A hot shower never felt so good! Order ONLINE Today!
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i think i'll probably go with the simpler version...the extra labor mixing the extra concrete to make an 8" slab instead of a 5.5 in. is reason enough, and using 2" x 6" lumber makes the form building easy.
Ooops. Ignore this.
Last edited by ColonelCorn76; 06-25-2005 at 06:07 PM.
I've been thinking about how to make the Island Hearth work with a 2x8 form. The layout could be:
4" concrete bottom with rebar
1.75" vermiculite layer
1.75" concrete Island
Let us know the first time someone builds this -- whomever you are out there. :-)
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Stress bearing load.
Hello: I very new to this web site, and in about a week and half I'll be building an outdoor kitchen, with the 42" Pompeii oven. I have been reading this intresting web site and specifically this subject, I to would like to make some comments.
I have built bridges, but timber type, however stress and supports was the major concerns since we had to deal with several factors. Having said that, I remeber when I lived in Florence Italy, my dad worked for the city and my grand father worked for the King of Italy at that time, shared and remeber stories that they shared about the Ponte Vecchio. Now I do not know how many people have been there, but I am sure most have seen pictures of the bridge.
The Ponte was build 3 or 4 centuries ago, and the Arno rivers runs through it. There has been many terrible floods in througout the centuries, and bridges have been washed away, except one... You got it the Ponte Vecchio. The reasons, it has withstood the floods is because the construction style. It was built almost in the same manner as the Pompey oven. I'll refer to the center of the oven as the cupola. The key to the strengt of the cupola is the inter locking bricks at angles, once the mortar has been filled in, the amount of weight you can put on top of the oven is incredabily high, but the bearing stress and load factor, is in the outer edges, and at the base of the walls. Which brings me to my opinion regarding the amount of strength the base plattform can hold.
If you take the 42"Id oven with an estimate 52"Od of the oven wall, the main weight of the oven is in the outer width od the oven wall. Now the 52"Od is the outer wall, is in the outer edges of the base foundation or harth, which now the base of the is closer to the outer edge of the entire harth, and the majority of the weight the stress factor has been reduced to outer edge of the hart and the main supporting walls of the oven foundation. Yes there is weight in the center but that weight due to the design has been transfered to the outside edges. To finish the Ponte Vecchio story, once all the bricks and stones carefully cut and placed, and the outer retaining walls where built, the fill was mostly sand with some clay to hold the sand in place. To make the bridge strong and carry the top bearing weight, the builders used large carts with oxen to pull accross the bridge, over and over, and as the bricks and stoned started to interlock with eachother more sand and clay was added and the procedure with the oxen continued untill the bridge was settled to where the builders was satisfied, and no more fill was needed. As matter of fact many historical churches and building made with cupola type tops or archways are made that way for that reason.
I am not trying to give anyone history lessons but those bridges and buildings still stand today.
I want to thank the person that introduced the Pompeii oven. This is why I building my oven in this fashion, I had forgotten about the mentioned story and why I liked the design of this oven.
I also want to thank all that are taking and active part in this construction, it has been very helpfull to me, and I look forward in seeying more pictures and remarks. I will be posting pictures and dimensions when I am done, with my construction, and BBQ kitchen.
P.S. I used own a wholesale bakery, and food cannot be beat when cooked with convection ovens, but my ovens where gas and electric, which brick ovens operate in a similiar manner. When I finished and baked some food, maybe I'll post some baked goody formulas.
Hi Fabio,
Nice historical reference. It's amazing what the ancient Romans & Greeks were able to accomplish with arches. I got the inspiration for the Pompeii design from James (at FornoBravo) who had lots of local (Italy) ovens which he took photos of. But to validate the design I took my inspiration from Brunelleshci's Dome. In the early 15th century he won the competition to build the dome on Florence's Santa Maria del Fiore (the cathedral had been started a 100 years before but the original architects didn't have any idea how to build such a large dome so trusted that by the time the building got that far that God would provide the answer). The cathedral's dome is still the largest free-standing masonry dome in the world -- over 500 years after it was completed!
Of course I did a lot of engineering stress calculations using today's mechanical engineering principles & material data but all they did was confirm the inherent strength in the shape of the dome we're using.
Hello Jim.
Thank you for your comments. I was 12 when I came to the States, and have not been back since, but my wife and I are planning on going to Italy next year.
I have a couple of cousins in Florence and one in Rome. One of my cousin in Florence starts up small grocery stroes, and stocks them with the best of food and sells them.
Where you in the military and are you an engineer. Do you have any ideas or pictures of the flute for the Pompeii! I have seen very little pictures on flutes and the proper spacing from the end of the end of the oven top to the edge of the entry way toward the front. If the flute opening is larger than required will this cause to much vacuum and suck the hot air out. I have an opportunity to get some pre-fab clay type flute sections but they are 16"ID ova and do not know if they will work.
Any suggestions, on what is the best solution or what type of flute to use, or make out of fire bicks.
Thank you Jim.
I've done some drawings for a vent hood topped with a clay flue insert that I'll post. I've also got some pictures of how it goes together in my Yahoo photo albums (photos.yahoo.com/colonelcorn76).
I built a steel vent hood that tapers from 20" at the base (top of the door height) to about 6x10ish (fits inside the rounded corners of an 8x13 clay flue section). The clay flue section is a 3' rectangular one that is stock at masonry suppliers and is used to line chimneys. It ran about $15. On top of this I've got a chimney cap & spark arrestor. Inside the "house" enclosing my oven is filled with loose vermiculite insulation.
The flue sections you've got should work fine. You won't find a noticeable vacuum effect and as a rule of thumb larger is better than smaller so you can get a good draft.
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