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Hi. I am looking for someone to be buddies with during my first IVF w/ ICSI treatment. I am excited and a bit nervous. I am on CD3 tomorrow and I start BCP tomorrow!! I will get my schedule shortly!!
Here is my story:
We have been TTC since May. Not quite 1 full year. We have been under lots of stress. My mother was sick with cancer and ended up passing away in early June. We have been struggling with my evil step father and estate stuff since. So now back to TTC. I found out that have PCOS and I wasnt ovulating. I was put on 50mg on Clomid since November. I responded quite well to 50mg. But after the 3rd round, my OBGYN was concerned as to why I wasnt getting pregnant so he sent me for an HSG and my husband for a Semen Analysis. My HSG went well and I was clear. My husband's Semen Analysis came back with 0 sperm count! We arent too old (I'm 30 and he is 27). He ended up getting blood tests done. They showed that his testosterone was a little on the low side and his FSH was slightly high. The doctors believe it is due to trauma from contact sports. He repeated the Semen Analysis and they found 26 sperm!! 10 of which were good viable sperm!! So we decided to go to IVF with ICSI. I start on BCP tomorrow!!
I am super excited and super nervous...and would love a buddy to chat with and go through this with!!


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The Case of the Missing Zeroes
An astonishing act of statistical chutzpah in the Indiana schools' grade-changing scandal.
Gubera's computation wasn't satisfactory for Bennett, because it didn't give Christel an A, and—judging by the emails obtained by the AP—he had already told Christel administrators they were getting an A. No mere numbers were going to make a liar out of him!
What's more, Bennett wrote in one of the emails, the low grade for Christel meant "legislative leadership as well as our critics of A-F are going to use this against us to undo our accountability metrics through legislation." He went on: "If you can't tell, I am more than a little miffed about this. I hope we come to the meeting today with solutions and not excuses and/or explanations for me to wiggle myself out of the repeated lies I have told over the past 6 months."
Bennett's staff swung loyally and swiftly into action; within a day they had found what they called a "loophole" in the state law that allowed them to change Christel's grade. The statute clearly states that high schools without 12th-graders get a score made up half of the English score and half of the algebra score. What's more, the law said schools that combined high school grades and lower grades should use a weighted average of the elementary/middle school measures and the four high school measures.
Here's where Bennett's team found the loophole big enough to drive a charter school through. A normal person would do exactly what Chief Accountability Officer Jon Gubera did—give Christel the weighted average of its elementary/middle school score, according to the rules for elementary/middle schools, and its high school score, according to the rules for high schools.
But Bennett had a better idea. Christel was, technically speaking, not a high school, so the statutory formula for the high school grades didn't apply. But it also didn't have all four high school measures, so, he argued, the rules for combined schools didn't apply either. There were just 13 schools in the state that had both middle school and high school grades but no seniors. For these schools, Bennett reasoned, the Indiana education poobahs should have a free hand to set the grades however they pleased. You can guess what happened next: Bennett ruled that the ninth- and 10th-graders in these schools didn't count at all. So it was that the offending algebra grades vanished in a puff of bureaucratic smoke. (Anne Hyslop at Ed Money Watch has an even more detailed accounting of the process, if you like watching sausage get made.)
This was an act of astonishing statistical chutzpah. Suppose the syllabus for my math class said that the final grade would be determined by averaging the homework grade and the exam grade, and that the exam grade was itself the average of the grades on the three tests I gave. Now imagine a student gets a B on the homework, gets a D-minus on the first two tests, and misses the third. She then comes to me and says, "Professor, your syllabus says the exam component of the grade is the average of my grade on the three tests—but I only took two tests, so that line of the syllabus doesn't apply to my special case, and the only fair thing is to drop the entire exam component and give me a B for the course."
I would laugh her out of the office. Or maybe suggest that she apply for a job as a state superintendent of instruction.
The saddest part is that I'm guessing Bennett sincerely felt he was doing the right thing. In his mind, he knew Christel was a great school, so if the scores said otherwise, the scores had to be wrong. In this respect, ironically, he ends up echoing his policy opponents, adopting the position that a mechanistic testing and scoring procedure can't be allowed to override firsthand knowledge about teachers and schools.
Saying this out loud wasn't an option, so any test scores that seemed to indicate learning problems at Christel had to be eliminated from the spreadsheet with extreme prejudice. (I attempted to reach both Tony Bennett and Jon Gubera and have not received a reply from either man. If I do hear back, I will add an update to this story.)
Bennett told AEI's Hess, "I'm a track and field guy. I run, I try to keep my weight down at about 190. Christel has been a track-performing school for a number of years. If I get on the scale one day, am doing everything the same, and am still wearing my same clothes and they fit, and the scale suddenly reads 215, I am going to question what's going on."
But Christel wasn't doing everything the same. It didn't have a 10th grade before, and then it did, and whatever it was doing to teach those new 10th-graders math, it didn't lead them to pass algebra.
Bennett could, and should, have faced up to that fact, given the school the C it earned, and delivered them some honest tough love: "You're still doing well at the stuff you've always done well, but you obviously haven't succeeded at the new stuff you're trying to do. We believe you can do it, but until you do, your grade's going to suffer." Isn't that what accountability in education means, if it still means anything at all?


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"Customer service is priority #1 at Rocky Mountain ATV/MC. We value our customers and strive to be the best shopping experience- when you buy from us, you are buying lifetime service."
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Other items of interest


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Authorities search for missing Cotton Co. inmate
WALTERS — Authorities are searching for an inmate who escaped the Cotton County jail.
Authorities say Robert Lee Turk was discovered missing early Monday from the jail in Walters. Authorities tell a local newspaper that Turk somehow managed to open the lock on his cell and break down a door to escape the jail.
Turk was being held on a felony count of shooting with intent to kill.
Authorities say Turk has escaped the county jail before.
The sheriff's office says authorities have set up a perimeter around the town and are checking every vehicle that passes.
NewsOK.com has disabled the comments for this article.


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cat allergies
cat allergies
All my life I have been allergic to animals in all forms. I haven't been this excited for a long time! And what luck, I'm crazy about cats. Keep me posted - and put me on the list!
- Mike
When you are allergic to cats, you think you are allergic to the hair, or the dander. But in reality, people with cat allergies respond to just one single protein, Fel d 1. It is a small, sticky protein secreted by the cat's sebaceous glands. During ordinary activities, the protein is secreted by the cat and covers the cat's skin and fur. From there, the allergen is rubbed off on furniture, carpeting, clothing, etc. This protein is so light that it easily becomes airborne and contaminates the entire indoor environment.
When people who are allergic to cats come in contact with Fel d 1 they develop a type 1 allergic hypersensitivity reaction which may include the rapid onset of sneezing, runny nose, itchy and swollen eyes, and difficulties breathing. Studies have shown that significant concentrations of cat allergen remain in a home years after a cat has left the house. Cat allergen has also been identified as one of the three major risk factors for developing childhood allergies, asthma, and other respiratory diseases.
To date, most treatments to cat sensitivity have centered on avoidance, immuno-therapy, and pharmaceuticals. These solutions are inconvenient, expensive, and largely ineffective.
There is a solution. Felix Pets is using its technology to eliminate the cat allergen at its source. This will be a significant new alternative to the traditional treatment of cat allergies. Allergic people who have lived without a companion animal will now be able to enjoy the love and companionship of a pet without the cost, inconvenience, risk, and limited effectiveness of current treatments.


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Winthrop Realty Trust Acquires Interests In Four Loans
BOSTON, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Winthrop Realty Trust (NYSE: FUR) announced that it has acquired for a gross price of $15.6 million junior participations or rake bonds in three first mortgage loans as well as a mezzanine loan together which have an aggregate outstanding balance of $34.8 million. Each loan or bond is secured by either a class A office building located in New York city, a class A office building located in the greater Los Angeles metro market, the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel or a retail condominium building located in New York city. Michael L. Ashner, the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated "in each instance we targeted a debt position in the underlying collateral's capital stack which we believe may be the fulcrum position in connection with a recapitalization of such asset."Winthrop Realty Trust is a NYSE-listed real estate investment trust (REIT) headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. Additional information on Winthrop Realty Trust is available on its Web site at www.winthropreit.com. "Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. With the exception of the historical information contained in this news release, the matters described herein contain "forward-looking" statements that involve risk and uncertainties that may individually or collectively impact the matters herein described. These are detailed from time to time in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's SEC reports. Further information relating to the Company's financial position, results of operations, and investor information is contained in the Company's annual and quarterly reports filed with the SEC and available for download at its website www.winthropreit.com or at the SEC website www.sec.gov . SOURCE Winthrop Realty Trust
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9503 E. 33rd Street
Indianapolis, IN, 46235
Now introducing our WageLock program
WageLock ensures our good drivers who are doing their job get paid – even during periods of lower available miles. All U.S. company drivers may be eligible to lock in their wages, including students and refresher drivers. Apply to drive Celadon today and know what your weekly settlement will be week-in and week-out.
For over 30 years Celadon has strived to offer safe and efficient truckload transportation services across North America, including long-haul, regional, local and dedicated. Dry Van is our specialty; however, we have growing fleets in our Flat Bed, Temp. Controlled, and Intermodal divisions too! Our state-of-the-art facilities and equipment allow us to provide a total transportation solution. If being a company driver isn't what you want, try our lease purchase program. If you're approved to drive Celadon, you'll be approved for a new International LoneStar or ProStar at $0 down.
# of Terminals: 60 in the US, 8 in Canada and 11 in Mexico
Driver Types: Company Driver, Owner Operators, Lease Purchase
Drivers get home every: Varies
Equipment Age: Average age-1.5 yrs old
Equipment: International LoneStar & ProStar, Kenworth W900 & T680, Peterbilt 579, Freightliner Cascadia (Auto)
Job Types: OTR, Local, Dedicated, Regional
Number of Employees: More than 5,000 worldwide
Operating Areas: Lower 48 states, Canada and Mexico
Size of Fleet: Over 3,500 seated trucks
Speed Restriction: 63mph for solo, 65mph for team
Top Customers: RJ Reynolds, P&G
Total # of Trucks: Over 3,500
Trailer Types: 80% dry van, 10% refrigerated, 10% flatbed
Type of Freight: Freight of all kinds- Dry Van, Flatbed, Temp Controlled, Intermodal and more.
Year Company Started: 1985
Minimum Age: 21.5
Minimum Experience: 6 months
License Class Types: Class A
Max # of moving violations: 3 in 3 yrs
Max # of Preventable Accidents: 3 in 3 yrs
Max # of Reckless Driving: 0 in 3 years
DUI/DWI Convictions Considered? Yes
If so, how old must it be? Over 5 yrs
Will you hire driver w/ felony? Yes
If so, how old must it be? Case by case basis
% No-Touch Freight: 95%
24/7 Dispatch: Yes
401K: Yes
Assigned Dispatchers: Yes
Assigned Equipment: Yes
Base Plate & Permits Available: Yes
Bobtail Insurance: Yes
Cargo/Collision: Yes
Child Rider Program: Yes
Deadhead Pay: Yes
Dental Insurance: Yes
Direct Deposit: Yes
Double/Triples Endorsement: No
Drop / Pick-Up Pay: Yes
Drug Failure/Refusals Accepted: No
Estimated Home Time: 3.5 days per/month
Estimated Miles per Week: 2300-2600
Fuel Card: Yes
HAZMAT Endorsement: No
Health Insurance: Yes
Hire Driving School Grads: Yes
Hire Teams: Yes
Lease Purchase Available: Yes
Life Insurance: Yes
Loading/Unloading Required: Yes
Long-Term-Care/Disability: Yes
No Forced Dispatch: No
Orientation Length: 3 days
Paperless Logs: Yes
Per Diem Expenses: Yes
Pet Policy: Yes
Physical Damage Insurance: Yes
Rider Program: Yes
Satellite Communications: Yes-QualComm
Satellite Radio: No
Short Term Disability: Yes
Slip Seating: Yes
Spouse Rider Program Yes
Suspended Licenses Considered: Yes
Take Truck Home Yes
Tank Endorsement: No
TripPak: No
Truck Wash: Yes-at Indy terminal
Unloading Required: Yes
Vision Insurance: Yes
Waiting Period for Medical Benefits: Yes-60 days
Workers Comp Insurance: Yes
Annual Bonus: 0.01 CPM increase every 120,000 miles;
Breakdown Pay: Yes
Detention Pay: Yes
Extra Pickups & Drop-Off Pay: Yes
Fuel Bonus: No
Layover Pay: Yes-$50 after 48hrs
Load Pay: Yes-$40 minimum
Longevity Bonus: No
Mileage Bonus: Yes-Teams-17000+miles plus per month=.06cpm bonus
N.Y.C Pay: Yes-$150 for LP or OO
On Time Bonus: No
Paid Holidays: No
Paid Lumpers: Yes
Paid Orientation: Yes-$125
Paid Schooling: Yes-Quality Driving School (www.driveqd.com)
Paid Vacations: Yes-$500 per week after 1 yr
Paid Weekly: Yes
Pay Load: No
Percentage Pay: Yes- lease purchase and flatbed drivers
Performance Bonus: Yes, additional monthly performance bonus for many fleets
Pickup/Drop Pay: Yes
Referral Bonus: Yes-$750
Safety Bonus: Yes-.005cpm-earned quarterly
Scales Paid: Yes
Short Haul Pay: Yes
Stop Off Pay: Yes
Tarp Pay: Yes
Tolls Paid: Yes-if authorized
Tuition Reimbursement: No
Unload Pay: Yes
1. Standard Package
0-6 Months Experience Pay: .33
6 Months – 1 Year: .33
1 Year Experience: .33
2 Years Experience: .33
3 Years Experience: .34
4 Years Experience .34
5 Years Experience: .34
6 Years Experience: .34
7 Years Experience: .34
8 Years Experience: .34
9 Years Experience: .34
2. Vacation Package
Base pay minus $0.03 CPM
Vacation every 30,000 miles
$300 w/out passport
$600 w/ passport
$0.01 CPM increase every 120,000 miles
3. Sliding Scale
Base pay with incentive pay on shorter trips
1. Standard Package
Mileage Pay: $0.94 CPM
2. Sliding Scale
Base pay + or – CPM for LOH
Base pay + for loads over 40,000 lbs
3. Percentage Pay
70% On-Time Pay of Gross Revenue with free trailer use
Fuel Card Provided: Yes-Comdata
Health Insurance Available: Yes
Free Trailer Use: Yes
Paid Baseplates: Yes
Paid Fuel Surcharge: Yes
Paid Permits: Yes
Paid Sat Communication: No
Per Diem: No
Truck Insurance Available: Yes
|Check profile for details!
|Dental Insurance
|Health Insurance
|Profit Sharing
|Retirement Plan
|Safety Bonuses
|Vision Insurance
|Minimum Age
|Minimum Experience
|0-5 Months
|License Type
|Class A
|Trailer Experience Accepted
|Auto Hauling, Double/Triples, Drop Deck, Dry Van, Flatbed, HHG, Other, Reefer, Specialized, Tanker
|Driving Preference
|Dedicated, Local, OTR (Over-The-Road), Regional
|Allowable Moving Violations
|Allowable Preventable Accidents
|Hazmat Endorsement
|DWI/DUI Accepted
|Time Away From Home
|Paid Orientation
|Rider Program Spouse
|Rider Program Child


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I have learned I need these dogs much more than they need me. Tim Bockmon
"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us to no end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience."
C S Lewis
And I am more afeared that theys is people out there that believe Gooser is to stupid to vote,, or own a gun!!!!
Ya know,, we is ALL entitled to an opinion....... Its the more educated folks resposiblity to educate.....
Peoples opinions need to change!!! How do smart folks go about that???
Help a guy like Gooser out!!! try not to ram it down my throat though... It becomes religion then like liberalisum!!
It is far easier to spit on the work of others than it is to produce something better yourself.
Brynmoors Prairie Sage JH (Sage) Just a dang fool huntin Dawg
HRCH Calypso Seven Bales High SH (Bailey)
HR Calypso Zoomin Loosies Mad Hader (Maddi) We loved you baby. R.I.P.
HRCH FlatLanders Broken Pistol Ricochet SH (Flinch)
My Christian Name is Michael Baker..
I have gone by "Gooser" since I was a "gossling"


text:
Cd International Entrprs (CDII)
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China Direct Industries, Inc. (CDII)
F2Q10 Earnings Call
May 12, 2010; 04:30 pm ET
Dr. James Wang - Chief Executive Officer & Chairman
Andrew Wang - Chief Financial Officer
Richard Galterio - Vice President
Amit Dayal - Rodman & Renshaw
Previous Statements by CDII
» China Direct Industries Q2 2009 Earnings Transcript
» China Direct, Inc. Q3 2008 Earnings Call Transcript
Our call is hosted by Mr. Andrew Wang, CFO; and Richard Galterio, Vice President. Additionally Dr. James Wang, CEO and Chairman, will also be available during the Q&A session following the call.
At this time I would like to refer to the Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigations Reform Act of 1995. During this conference call, management may discuss financial projections, information or expectations about the company's products or markets, or otherwise make statements about the future, which statements are forward-looking and subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made.
These risks and uncertainties are detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Form 10-K filed on December 31, 2009.
At this time, I would like to introduce Mr. Richard Galterio, Vice President of China Direct Industries. Mr. Galterio, you may begin.
Richard Galterio
Thank you operator, and all of you who are joining us for our fiscal 2010, second quarter conference call. China Direct Industries recorded revenue of $23.4 million for the 2010, second quarter, and I'm pleased to report that we returned to profitability in this quarter with net income of $1.7 million. This compared to a net loss of $1.5 million in the comparable period in 2009.
We continue to see positive overall gross margins in our various business segments, with our efforts to align our costs with our current revenue base, resulting in a significant improvement in overall works margins in both basic materials and magnesium in China, as well as our consulting operations compared to 2009 period.
Our efforts have resulted in earnings per basic and diluted share of $0.06, up from a loss of $0.06 in the comparable period last year. I am also pleased to report that we are seeing a market pick-up in activity in all of our segments, particularly in magnesium and consulting. We are confident that we will see continued improvements throughout fiscal 2010, as momentum continues to build in these segments, as well as in our chemical operations within our basic materials segment.
In our magnesium segment, I would like to highlight several important churns. First, volume output at our current magnesium operations was 4,215 metric tons. This was up 55% from the same period in 2009. Second, volumes also increased by 19% on a sequential basis from the first quarter of 2010.
Third, quoting activity has increased not only in number of quotes, but also in quantities quoted; and lastly, prices have continued to show a gradual improving trend, with signs that inflationary pressures are building further. Taking these factors into consideration, we have elected to reinitiate production at two facilities, which will increase our current production capacity more than three fold.
In our consulting segment, we had a particularly strong performance with revenue up over 200% from the same period in 2009, and I would like to highlight several accomplishments in this area.
First, we assisted [China Encore Metal] in achieving an uplifting to the [NYSENX]. Our ongoing relationship with this client and their strong performance, enabled us to record a $2.1 million realized capital gain in the quarter from the sales securities we had received as compensation for our consulting efforts, in addition to our normal consulting fees.
Second, Sunwin International received FDA, Generally Accepted Safe Status, on five grades of it's all natural zero calorie CBS sweetener. Sunwin now has more grades of CDO approved for the food and beverage industry in the United States than any other company. Our efforts with Sunwin enabled us to earn a performance bonus in the quarter, contributing significantly to top and bottom line results in this segment.
In our basic materials segment we witnessed a market improvement in our chemical operations, where revenues were up 35%. This was partially offset by declines in our CDI Beijing subsidiary. Overall our operations were up as compared to the same period in 2009.
As we move forward into the remainder of the year, it is important to emphasize the number of key overall factors we believe will contribute to our success. Our balance sheet has improved dramatically, with cash of $15.1 million, a $2.2 million increase from our September 2009 year end, even after we made a substantial working capital investment of approximately $3.7 million, in order to begin building inventories at our magnesium segment in the first quarter.
Second, we still have negligible long-term debt, and our working capital increased by over 20%, to $37.9 million from the $31 million at the end of our September 30 year-end. Third, as I highlighted earlier, we are increasing magnesium production capacities, which will enable us to remarkably increase our ability to deliver product in the coming quarter, substantially increasing the potential trajectory of our revenue growth and our IMG brand.
Read the rest of this transcript for free on seekingalpha.com


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Folks, for the life of me I can't understand why these black 'yoots' did this on Christmas night. What are they accomplishing by doing so when all is said and done? – Would someone please explain what purpose they think this would serve…and for what? When and where will situations like this ever end, or will they? And if so…how so?
Here's what took place the other night in Jacksonville, Florida. It seems going to see a flick is no longer safe either, a riot might ensue, along with destruction to your vehicle, or possibly your life! – Read this report below:
Five people are in police custody after hundreds of black rioters went on a rampage in a shopping mall parking lot on Christmas night.
According to police, several "young folks" tried to force their way into the Hollywood River City 14 movie theater in Jacksonville, Fla.
They rushed an off-duty police officer working as a security guard while trying to gain entry without buying tickets.
The officer "administered pepper spray to disperse the group, locked the doors and called for backup, following protocol," said Lauri-Ellen Smith, a spokeswoman for the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
Then "what can only be described as a melee" involving juveniles and young adults erupted in the parking lot, said Smith.
"If you can imagine a group of upwards of 600 people moving throughout a parking lot that measures about the size of a football field. Fighting, disrupting, jumping on cars," she added.
Police using "crowd-control tactics" spent approximately 90 minutes clearing the parking lot and and breaking up fights.
Witness Alecia Williams said she was on her way to the movies with a friend when police turned her around. Williams said she saw dozens of people involved in some kind of disturbance.
Get the book that documents racial violence in America, with hundreds of episodes in more than 80 American cities since 2010, where groups of blacks are assaulting, intimidating, stalking, threatening, shooting, stabbing and killing victims.
"I saw a whole bunch of people fighting," Williams told the Florida Times-Union. "I got out of there as fast as I could. I got really scared."
Shaderrick Lay told the newspaper she saw more than 50 people fighting in the parking lot and that she feared for her life as she left the property of the large shopping mall.
"It was just crazy," Lay said.
All five of the people arrested on the scene were charged with crimes related to fighting. Three of those arrested, including one minor, were charged with felonies. Two other juveniles, who have not been named by police, were charged with misdemeanors.
Tevyn Alonza Davis, 19, was charged with resisting arrest and breach of the peace. Jaquade Marquis Miller, 18, was charged with fighting and resisting arrest. Khalil Ahmad Bradley, 17, the only minor charged with a felony, was arrested for resisting arrest, refusal to disperse and breach of the peace.
Davis and Bradley each "took a fighting stance" when confronted by police and told to leave the area, according to arrest reports. Miller, too, "took an aggressive stance" when told by police to leave the parking lot.
One of the rioters refused orders to leave and began to incite the crowd by yelling, "F— you, crackers, I ain't going nowhere," according to her arrest report.
Sixty-two police officers were called to the scene to break up the brawl, "sequestering them and separating them," Smith said. A safe zone was also established for parents and families to reunite with their children.
Only minor injuries and damage to property were reported. No gunshots were fired, according to Smith.
According to the movie theater's website, the cinema was showing "Tyler Perry's A Medea Christmas," "47 Ronin," "Grudge Match," "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues" along with several other movies.
I'm so danged weary of all of this…how 'bout you? – What's your solution…will this type of bullsh!t ever end?
Fire Away – Inquiring Minds Want to Know!


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Road To Nowhere?: Ky. Officials Ramp Up Support For 'Ark Park'
Rob Boston Wall of Separation Kentucky's infamous 'Ark Park' is getting a $10 million road improvement. Officials in Kentucky have apparently decided that they're willing to endure a large amount of embarrassment if it will bring some medio ... Read »


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- Comparable store sales increased by 4% as compared to the prior year;
- Operating efficiency improved as Selling General & Administrative ("SGA") expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased by 130 basis points to 37.8% of net sales in fiscal 2013 compared to 39.1% of net sales in fiscal 2012; and
- Net income for fiscal year 2013 improved by approximately $1.3 million, or $0.09 per share, to net income of approximately $1.5 million, or $0.11 per share, from net income of approximately $0.2 million, or $0.02 per share, in fiscal 2012.
Birks & Mayors Reports Improved Fiscal 2013 Financial Results
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A knocking sound may be heard at idle, when the air conditioning is off and the automatic transmission is in "Drive". Several changes have been made to improve this; a computer software upgrade, revised valve lash adjusters, and a redesigned timing chain are all available to try and correct this concern.
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Fifty and Flying:
He was a good sport and played along. We teased him about how fitting behind the controls would be difficult and that we would notice a change in him for being the "big" guy grinning from ear to ear.
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When it comes to Roman ruins and sites there are few places more suitable for dog owners than the south of France. Sure, Rome has the Coliseum but it's rather tricky to get to overland, whereas Nîmes and the surrounding area is just a three hour train journey from Disneyland Paris, and one that costs as little as €100 round trip-- that's about £80 at today's exchange rate- for two adults and a dog.
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Though smaller than the Coliseum, the 1st century the Arena of Nîmes is still a magnificent sight. Situated just a five minute stroll from Nîmes train station the arena is extraordinarily well preserved and still used for concerts and events today, though the original capacity of 24,000 has been reduced to 10,000. Dogs are not allowed inside unless they are carried in a bag but the exterior is a remarkable spectacle and- unlike the coliseum- often without a tourist in sight.
Less than half a mile north of the arena is Maison Carré, a well preserved fifth century Roman temple. Again dogs are not allowed inside but it's a nice place to stop for a photograph and a glass of local wine in one of the cafes across the square before heading to les Jardins de la Fontaine. This park is home to some of Nîmes' other important Roman ruins, including the remains of a Roman baths, beautiful statues and a ruined 2nd century temple.
The gardens extend over several levels, with waterways at the bottom, subtropical plants in the middle and the Tour Magne on the summit. This 98ft high Roman monument, dates back to 15 B.C and is the largest of a chain of towers that once punctuated the city's 7km-long Roman ramparts. Entrance to the park is free and dogs are welcome.
Pont du Gard
Pont du Gard is a massive Roman aqueduct just a short bus ride from Nîmes -- dogs are welcome onboard the buses. With three tiers, thirty five arches and almost three hundred feet in length, the aqueduct is an awesome spectacle; especially when you consider its age.
You can walk its entire span, then stroll along the riverside or climb into the nearby hills. If it's a hot day you can stop for a swim in the river- taking note of any currents- picnic on the grounds or have a proper meal at one of the restaurants. One handy tip is to get there in the evening as admission to the site is charged for the museum and therefore free once the museum is closed. It's possible to stay overnight at Motel Le Clos De La Cerisaie with your dog if you'd prefer to explore the gorges in the area a little longer.
The winding streets of Arles may feel strangely familiar, this is after all where Van Gough spent the last years of his life and Arles is the city in which he was at his most productive. The yellow house that he lived in was unfortunately destroyed in the Second World War, but fortunately the Roman ruins, including an amazingly preserved amphitheater, were not.
Arles is a delightful town with a compact centre that manages to feel French, Spanish and Roman at the same time. Indeed in Roman times this town was capital of Roman Gaul, Spain and- rather bizarrely- Britain. The touristic area is perfect for exploring on foot and ancient ruins are scattered throughout the centre.
It's an open air museum in many ways and thus it's perfect for dog owners. The highlight of Arles is an amphitheater even more impressive than the one in Nîmes. It's so large that you cannot possibly miss it and, though the original 20,000 capacity has been vastly reduced, it still holds live events today, including re-enactments of gladiator battles in the months of July and August.
Alas, dogs are not allowed inside the arena or the classical theatre next door but they are well worth visiting for the exterior alone, and it's also possible to peer in from the gates outside the classical theatre while the artists rehearse.
Getting there and around
Ouigo operate a daily service from Marne la Vallee (Disneyland Paris) to Nîmes that takes just 3 hours and costs from €10 per adult each way. Dogs larger than 6kg cost €30 each way but that still only comes to €100 return for two adults and a dog.
Regular TGV trains can also be caught from Gare du Lyon in central Paris but driving into central Paris and parking your car can be a nightmare. See www.ouigo.com and www.voyages-sncf.com for more details.
Pont du Gard can be reached by local buses, which allow dogs on board. Arles is 30 minutes to an hour away depending on which local train you take.
Where to stay
Staying in Nîmes is the most convenient way to explore the area. I recommend the Adagio Access Nimes for its convenient location just five minutes from Nimes Arena, and one minute from the train station and bus stop to Pont du Gard. There's also a Carrefour Express supermarket three doors away. Spacious rooms cost as little as €55.
Froidefond-Gass Isabelle et Froidefond Luc SCP de Vétérinaires, 108 Rue André Simon, 30900 Nîmes. Tel: +33 4 66 02 00 63. A 15 minute stroll southwest from the train station and Adagio Access hotel.
Paul Wojnicki is a freelance journalist based in the UK who has been published in most of the leading UK dog magazines.
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'Run!' shouts a young woman in a wedding dress, grabbing the hand of her groom and bolting across the street as fast as her red high heels can take her. As she and her partner flee the scene, there is an eruption of smoke as hundreds of firecrackers burst from the ground outside her parents' apartment.
Alarms sound and cacophonous bangs fill the sky. I run for cover among face-mask- clad neighbors who have gathered to watch the spectacle. My friend cowers next to me, unsure whether to keep his fingers in his ears or to take photos.
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The Beginning
And so it begins – a Han Chinese wedding in Inner Mongolia.
Two years ago, my English friend – Luke – fell in love with my Chinese friend - Dolly. Today they will become husband and wife in Baotou, the city she grew up in. As arranged by Dolly's family, the couple will perform their nuptial vows on what the Chinese lunar calendar considers a 'blessed' day for marriage. Chinese people follow this calendar closely, paying great heed to which days are deemed prosperous for events like weddings, parties and travel.
Because of the day's status for marriage, we see several other wedding processions as we drive through the smoggy city in convoy. For this reason, it's no surprise that we do not attract that much attention. That is, until spectators notice the color of the groom's skin.
Travelers to remote China should be warned; people stare, particularly at women.
Blonde haired and blue eyed? Expect to be followed down the street. The attention, from what I experienced, is harmless, but it's worth keeping your wits about you.
Many Chinese people have never seen Westerners in the flesh before, so the arrival of twelve of us causes a strong reaction. To amplify the attention, as insisted by Dolly's aunt 'dragon' – the matriarchal head of the family – we are garbed in traditional Han Chinese celebration robes.
A Red Dress With Golden Flames
I'm wearing a high-collared red dress, with artistic embroidery that looks like golden flames. My boyfriend's venture from his usual wardrobe is a little more extreme. His dress-like robe is supposed to graze the floor but due to his 6'4" stature, it doesn't even reach his ankles.
If the color of our skin wasn't enough to garner attention, the fact that we are the only guests at the wedding dressed like this certainly does. As we step out of the cars into Saihan Tala Ecological Park – the only grassland located in any Chinese city - an army of cameras and smart phones greet us. Mothers urge their children to stand next to us and pose. One even forces her confused toddler into my friend's arms before asking us to 'smell' (an unfortunate mispronunciation of 'smile') for the camera.
Before we can get too used to the celebrity lifestyle, a parade forms as Luke and Dolly walk forth, dressed in loud red garments and complex headdresses adorned with pearls, jewels and wings. We follow them through the street as they each hold one side of a large knotted ribbon, symbolizing Dolly's status as a precious gift to her husband.
Walking with the ribbon is just one of many customs that will be honored today. The wedding will pay respect to Han Chinese traditions – as this is Dolly's dynasty – and Mongolian traditions – due to where she grew up.
Drums and reed pipes play loudly in celebration as we near a decorative red shoulder carriage prepared for Dolly. This ancient tradition hails back to the days when arranged marriage was commonplace. The bride was seen as a precious pearl that must be concealed until her husband freed her from the carriage and set eyes upon her for the first time.
The enclosed sedan chair would be carried through the streets from her parents' home to her groom's, shielding her from onlookers' eyes. Of course, this would be hardly practical nowadays, unless the carriers were willing to lug Dolly thousands of miles across the Middle East to Luke's English suburb.
Once Dolly is securely concealed inside the carriage, eight servants hoist her up to escort her to the marriage venue.
Meanwhile, Luke mounts his mode of transport – a horse – on which he leads the entire wedding party. The colorful parade slowly makes its way through the streets as the band play on, joyously proclaiming the couple's arrival.
Dolly previously explained to me that this procession marks the wealth of the families. The more crew involved in the parade - such as cage carriers, musicians and servants – the more social status the family is believed to have.
Extravagant Wealth
Showing off wealth is a norm in Chinese culture, which has been more than apparent throughout our stay. From the refusals to let us pay for something as small as a one dollar taxi ride, to the gratuitously lavish assortments of food rotating around our breakfast tables, our stay in Baotou has screamed of Dolly's family's generosity.
We are frequently reminded that our presence is an honor. And as cameras continue to flash around us, it is clear - we are a welcome part of the spectacle.Add a comment
Hundreds of clicks later, the parade comes to a halt in front of a large building. Luke dismounts his steed in front of an enormous banner showing a heavily photoshopped image of him and his bride bowing and grinning to welcome the guests.
We enter the venue on a long red carpet, making us feel even more like celebrities. The scale of the event is re-emphasized when we see the large, carpeted stage faced by an array of freshly laid round tables. In the backdrop a huge screen plays a pre-prepared slideshow of pictures of the couple with questionable love quotes, such as 'Love's tongue is in the eye', 'Love me little and love me long' and – my favourite - 'Love is a carefully designed lie'.
We stand incredulous, trying to comprehend it all. The arrival may have been an ostentatious performance, but the show has only just begun.
Dolly is allowed out of the carriage briefly so that she and Luke can mingle and pose for photographs. As she returns to the concealed litter, we are ushered to our seats and served an oddly salty Mongolian milk tea as performers begin to fill the stage.
I am less than prepared for what follows. A large man onstage opens his mouth and releases a low-pitched bellow that sounds out through the room. The ceremony translator stands aside and explains in broken English, 'This is roast sheep ceremony!'
Roast Sheep & Lion Costumes
On cue, a red cart is wheeled in carrying an entire head-to-tail roast sheep, horns and all. A huge bow sits farcically atop its toothy skull. It's an uneasy sight for Westerners who have grown accustomed to faceless meat. 'I think I just turned vegetarian', Luke's sister squeaks.
Once the sheep is blessed by Dolly's parents, a variety of dishes start filling the Lazy Susan. As difficult as it is to get the image of its curly-horned skull out of our heads, we tuck into our table's share of the roast sheep. Here it is traditional to serve this dish to honored guests and when we taste its crispy skin and delicious tender meat, it's easy to see why.
In China, savory and sweet dishes are combined. This goes against 'you can have dessert once you've eaten your supper!' upbringings, so it's a little surprising when huge slabs of cream cake are brought out mid-meal for us to enjoy alongside pork dumplings, sheep ribs and fish balls.
Though I am trying to savor the tasty food in front of me, the next performance renders my efforts impossible. Lion dancing – which involves dancers dressed in huge flamboyant lion costumes prancing dramatically around the stage - is standard practice at any large Chinese celebration, but it's so unlike anything I've seen before I am finding it very difficult not to laugh hysterically.
Once the decorative lions have flounced away, I attempt to regain my composure and pick up a bunch of long noodle strands with my chopsticks. I promptly drop them when Luke is urged to recite Chinese phrases in a high-pitched voice to encourage Dolly out of the carriage.
After Luke has asked three times - twice refused by Dolly in order to honor another Han Chinese tradition - she emerges. Her face remains concealed under a red veil, keeping her husband-to-be in suspense.
An Important Ceremony
Now the couple perform the important 'tea of respect' ceremony, to honor one another's family. Their parents are seated at the back of the stage with a small table to divide the groom's from the bride's. Luke and Dolly take it in turns to pour a minty tea for each other's elders, to represent the union of the families. All the while, Dolly's face remains hidden.
Luke, although uncomfortable with the performances, complies at every stage, doing his very best to follow the ceremony leader's instructions to repeat operatic Chinese. Fortunately he does a good job of pleasing Dolly's family and their chosen traditions as he fulfills another theatrical act of unveiling Dolly's face stage by stage, until he uncovers her eyes. Dolly's parents smile as he suitably conveys being blown away by her beauty upon seeing her in full for the first time.
The ring exchange ceremony largely involves Luke feeding Dolly. The tradition behind this rests in the Chinese phonetic sounds for each food. The Chinese for date 'zao' sounds like 'soon'; nut is 'sheng' which sounds like 'giving birth', and the word for longan fruit sounds like 'baby boy'.
By eating each of these foods, Dolly receives a prophecy that she will birth a baby boy soon. Historically this was a desperate hope for Han Chinese families in order to continue the family name.
Just when I think the day can't get any more bizarre, a man with an enormous fake moustache appears with a sack full of gold-colored pots and begins distributing them among the guests. He is playing the role of the 'Fortune God', a Han Chinese figure believed to be in charge of all the money in the universe. The Fortune God blesses the guests on behalf of the family, again representing that the hosts have abundant wealth.
The Ending
The day's performances end with a very special finale from the ceremony translator. 'This is for our foreign friends', she beams before launching into a unique rendition of 'Venus' by Bananarama.
Although the song is thirty years old, best remembered for its use in a razor-blade commercial, and the singer gets most of the lyrics hilariously wrong, we show our appreciation for the gesture and clap along, grinning.
Luke's dad voices our feelings in a touching conclusive speech, thanking Dolly's family for the incredible hospitality they have shown us throughout our stay in Baotou. The world of Chinese traditions we have been welcomed into open-armed has been a mad, unforgettable delight. I can confirm that although it's not a normal travel destination, this eclectic city and its people offer a new experience every minute for Western explorers.
As the waitresses begin to clear uneaten food from our tables, the newlyweds' families gather together on stage, with Dolly's wise old grandfather at the center. Cameras flash to capture the scene - East and West, united and happy.
Sophie Deal is a writer and cartoonist from Wales, UK. She currently works as a copywriter for a major global brand, but enjoys running off to explore the world whenever she can.
Read more about Mongolia on GoNOMAD
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The Modernized Cuba in 2015
Cuba, a beautiful Latin and Caribbean country just 90 miles from the United States' Key West is geographically so incredibly close to the US, but otherwise a distant and mysterious land. But not for long.
Still getting a feel for the lifestyle during the beginning stages of my four-month stay in Cuba (studying at the University of Havana), I was not sure how myself and the rest of the North American students I was staying with would be received by our Cuban compatriots due to our controversial intergovernmental relationship.
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To my surprise, I never received the slightest hint of animosity nor an expected excitement that I thought might come after I revealed my nationality. Cubans treated me like one of their own from the jump, with the exception of the occasional questionnaires about what the United States is like.
The Cuban people are already used to seeing people from the United States around, though they may not be as abundant as Canadian or European tourists.
Americans have been able to travel to Cuba for years prior to the announcements of December 17, 2014. For instance, travelling to Cuba for educational purposes has been allowed since the early 2000's. More recently, in 2011 President Obama facilitated travel for purposeful exchanges including education, religious, and cultural exchange.
So, an American citizen would not be permitted to travel individually as a tourist, but would be allowed to join an Ernest Hemingway group travelling to Cuba as a cultural exchange to learn about Hemingway.
Putting an end to the embargo
On December 17, 2014, both Raul Castro and Barack Obama announced their mutual goal to end the embargo set between the United States and Cuba.
Many people in both countries, believe that this simple statement ends all restrictions between countries, and that now citizens can freely travel when they want.
If only it were that easy. These statements are just the first step to a very long process of normalization between both countries. Since this announcement, President Obama facilitated travel under an existing list of 12 categories containing general licenses permitting the travel to Cuba.
Pure tourism is still not permitted. If you want to travel to Cuba, you will have to find what category of travel you fall under in order to obtain a Visa.
These categories, according to the White House, are:
Family Visits
Official business of the US government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations
Journalistic activity
Professional research and professional meetings
Educational activities
Religious activities
Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions
Support for the Cuban people
Humanitarian projects
Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes
Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or information materials
Certain export transactions that may be considered for authorization under existing regulations and guidelines.
Cuban Concerns
A common concern faced by many is that Cuba become like many other countries the US has economically influenced, and be polluted with large, unwelcoming monopolies. This is something that world travelers like myself hate seeing when visiting a country and wishing to experience its cultural wonders.
When speaking to my Cuban friends about this, no one seemed too concerned about this worry that I had. Instead they expressed how excited they were at first when the announcements were made, primarily since they were so sudden. But that excitement soon died once they realized how little, if any effect this would have on them.
"There have been no changes since December," said Reinier, a local security guard in Havana. "The country should improve and it shouldn't have to buy things from far away countries as it's cheaper to buy from the USA," he said.
The Cuban people have come to realize that the only changes that they will see as of now are at the government level. Many were hoping that the talks would ease travel restrictions especially to the US, and bring economic justice to the country.
It is very difficult for your average Cuban citizen to leave the country because of economic barriers and the rarity of being granted a visa.
Those who do see themselves benefiting from the embargo being lifted are non-state workers who work in tourism and as taxi drivers. Unlike people who work for the state, i.e. doctors, teachers, engineers, etc. who get paid a fixed monthly wage, private workers get paid on commission, allowing them to benefit greatly from an influx in tourism. "There haven't been any changes, but opening relations are good," a taxi driver told me in April. "It means more business for me and other private companies," he said.
It would be hard to believe if the embargo ended and relations resumed like nothing ever happened. The embargo has been on for over 50 years, so it is impossible to just end it. Both countries have their individual goals when resuming relations, and will have to compromise on each little aspect involved, which is why this process will take many years to finish.
"Changes also depend on the next election," said Elier Ramirez, a Cuban author and historian, when regarding the upcoming presidential elections of the United States. If a conservative president is elected, talks with Cuba may take a turn for the worst or simply go stagnant.
Positive Influence Creating Change
There have been noticeable changes in Cuba within the past few years, stemming from Obama easing travel restrictions in 2011, and the Cuban government allowing for citizens to
obtain licenses for private businesses also in 2011.
Lucitania Hernandez, a graduate from Marist College, had attended the University of Havana for her semester abroad in 2013. She returned this year, 2015, and was shocked to notice all the differences she did.
"The four big changes are in the presence of American music, more modern cars, more businesses, and the increase in crime," she said.
The increase in restaurants, or paladares (restaurants and cafes run by the self-employed, usually out of their home), is one of the most noticeable changes. A decade ago, people would complain about the lack of food, and now there is an abundance. "
There are way more paladares and restaurants than before, I felt like it almost doubled. Thats crazy. But ever since they allowed people to own their new businesses a few years ago, it has grown rapidly," said Hernandez.
The increase in crime is a negative that comes connected with the increase in tourism. The crimes that take place are mainly petty ones, and are very avoidable if you walk around consciously with awareness of your surroundings. Just try not to flaunt your wealth, making you stand out.
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Do not feel afraid, as there are police on almost every block of every main street, who are known for placing extra attention on foreigners safety.
Cuba is a very safe country, and this is just one of the many reasons why people love it so much. Cubans are welcoming, social, and caring, to a level you would normally only see between close friends.
I advise you to visit Cuba in the next couple years before any drastic changes occur, and enjoy the beautiful weather, the surprisingly starry city nights, the disconnection from the outside world, the amazing people, and everything in between.
Daniel Maldonado is currently studying Journalism and Communication at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. In the past couple years, as a freelance writer, he has written for newspapers in Boston and Amherst, while also exploring his interests in photography, radio, and video. As an avid world traveler, Daniel also hopes to pick up travel writing.
Read more stories about Cuba on GoNOMAD.
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America: What They Think of Us
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Sri Lanka: The First Week of Turtle Season
The southern coast of Sri Lanka bends gradually around the base of the island like the smooth bottom of an egg. It is lined with some of the loveliest, sugary-white sand beaches on the planet. It's one of the few places where the word "exotic" hasn't been erased by a five-star hotel.
Eleven years ago it was also the site of death. The 2004 tsunami that killed 230,000 people wiped out 35,000 in Sri Lanka, most of them on this coast line.
Yet where I cruised along in a tuktuk, Sri Lanka's cool three-wheeled taxis, not far from a town where 500 people were dragged to their watery graves, I saw life as few ever see it.
"This week is the first week of turtle season," yelled my tuktuk driver as he careened around holes in the road, stray dogs and other tuktuks doing the same. "It lasts for three months. Do you want to see turtles laying eggs?"
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Normally, I don't trust cab drivers but I've heard stories of the turtle nesting experience changing people's lives and making women cry.
So for 1,600 rupee (about $12) my driver picked me up at my guesthouse and drove me to Rekawa, about nine miles on the other side of Tangalle, the town where 500 people drowned.
We turned onto a dirt road and careened through a mangrove forest past old men wearing the Hindu sarong. I could see little fires in homes where people were eating.
We finally came to a small single-story structure serving as an information center. A stern man in a moustache greeted us -- along with about two dozen other tuktuks. We were not alone. This must be legit. I paid the 1,000-rupee fee and a volunteer took me outside, down a path onto the broad beach.
The night could not have been more beautiful. The moon I last saw at the Tangalle bridge reappeared over a cluster of palm trees. It flickered off the ocean which casually lapped against the beach. We walked for about 10 minutes where, in the dark, I could see the shadows of about 40 people.
A pretty, diminutive Sri Lankan in her 20s wearing a Turtle Conservation Project T-shirt gave me a brief description of their operation.
Sea turtles are endangered in Sri Lanka, as well as around the world, but thanks to the Turtle Conservation Project, a non-profit organization started in 1993 to "Make Sri Lankan Seas a Heavenly Habitat For Turtles," effort is there. It starts with these grounds where tourists are allowed to watch but the turtles are heavily protected. Flash photography is not allowed.
The turtles lay eggs three times a year but never more than seven times in a lifetime. They lay up to 200 eggs at a time, necessary since only about one baby turtle in 1,000 survives the dogs, bird and sharks that feed on them like Jujubes. Curiously, the mother turtles come to the same spot on the beach every time.
Near an outcropping of brush, well away from the tide, three or four male volunteers were pointing to a hole under what looked like a giant rock. I could see inside a glistening white ball. It was an egg, a turtle egg she had just laid. I asked if the turtle was in that hole. It turned out to be one of the dumbest questions of my travel writing career. He pointed straight.
The giant rock was the mother turtle. I was staring at its huge shell. The turtle must've been five feet long. Her powerful back legs dug into the sand. It was motionless. Her eyes sagged. No wonder. How would you like to give birth 200 times standing up?
Laying Hundreds of Eggs
A few feet away, a group gathered around another turtle. A volunteer shined an infrared light under her. She had a short, fat white tube-like organ hanging down from her a few inches off the ground. Then they came. Little glistening eggs, still shiny from her insides, plopped down on the ground like Glo-Balls off a conveyer belt.
Out came one. Then two. Then three. They do this for about two hours until they've disgorged up to 200.
Mother Nature, you did it again. The birth process of any mammal goes beyond science and logic. It made me think of the living world in a different, infrared light. The turtles find the same spot, they dig a hole, the eggs come out.
The turtles were expressionless. Few animals in my lifetime have shown less joy than a turtle. Even in the water scuba diving, I've noticed they always seem to be escaping something.
But these seemed content in their motherhood. When they finished disgorging eggs that formed a small mountain under them, they used their huge, powerful back flippers to cover the eggs with sand. There they will remain for two months before they hatch and try to stay alive for more than a few minutes.
A volunteer showed me a video of the baby turtles making a wild scramble to the sea. Their flippers were bigger than their bodies. They seemed to flop down the beach, kind of like baby penguins.
It's frightening to think that those few minutes are often the only life they will ever know before some seagull picks them up for his evening aperitivo.
Soon the mother turtles dug out of their hole and crawled slowly to the beach. Before reaching the water they stopped. What were they doing? Did they changed their minds? Do they not want to leave their babies?
We all watched intensely. Then the waves started to reach them. Then they started to cover them. The water would recede and the turtles would remain. Finally, a big tide came in, covering the turtles for about 10 seconds.
When the tide returned, so did the turtles. They were gone.
John Henderson, a former reporter for the Denver Post, now lives in Rome. Read more of his stories on GoNOMAD. He writes a blog from his new home called Dog Eared Passport.
Read more stories about Sri Lanka on GoNOMAD.
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text: The Patrol is heating up, gang! The DVD Patrol is finding ways to stay warm during this real cold blast and weve found some good ones to get you warmed up. The crazy furnace guy himself, the Toddster, has been stoking the fire with a few movies that may warm you up and even make you feel good or throw a scare into you. Sit by the fire because here we go!


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- 89Promote
Framed Art Print
Blue & Greenby Maite Pons
Choose from a variety of frame styles, colors and sizes to compliment your favorite Society6 gallery, or fine art print - made ready to hang. Fine-crafted from solid woods, premium shatterproof acrylic protects the face of the art print, while an acid free dust cover on the back provides a custom finish. All framed art prints include wall hanging hardware.
abstract, macro, flower, blue, green, lavender
Very beautiful Maite!!
Thamk you, Sharon!
Great macro shot and processing, Maite !!
so soft and pretty
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what a phantastic light!
Wonderful light and tones, superb!
Thanks Monika, Lawson, and Viaina!!
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Thanks so much, Sylvia!!
Love it.
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After looking through your portfolio and seeing which of your works I've not previously promoted and/or commented on, I really like this piece, Maite! … and, I'd like to thank you for supporting my work as well. Personally, I think one of the best features of S6 is the opportunity we are given to encourage our talented comrades. Just wanted to let you know how much I really admire both your art and your consistent support and kindness towards fellow artists! Instead of thanking you personally in my work's comment box, thought I'd do it in yours. ;-) I apologize for this comment being a form letter format… It's important to me to say thank you, and there are many people whose wonderful work I wish to promote (in a short period of time) as a tangible way of showing my appreciation.
Wayne, you don't have to thank me! You're so talented, as are all of us here, and I think it goes without saying that if I promote your work it's because I truly feel it is wonderful.
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Social ads deliver in Brazil
1 April 2013
RIO DE JANEIRO: Over 70% of internet users in Brazil agree that ads on social networks increase their purchase intent,
a survey
by McKinsey has revealed.
According to the consultancy, some 80% of the country's digital population visited a social network in the six months before its poll was undertaken, and a 64% majority had more than one profile on these platforms.
Fully 73% of the panel "didn't mind" if brands advertised on the social media services they used, and the same number were "more likely" to consider products promoted in this way.
An additional 72% of McKinsey's sample would be prepared to "click through and buy a product" which has been recommended by a friend on sites like Facebook, Twitter and Orkut.
For 37% of those polled, social networks were their favourite method of making and receiving recommendations concerning subjects including brands, content and music.
"Brazilians put a lot of trust in social relationships. Social networks offer companies opportunities to tie targeted products with the recommendations of trusted people in consumers' lives," the study said. "Great potential exists for tech-savvy marketers to directly leverage this trust."
Companies were also expected to listen and respond to online chatter discussing their activities by 43% of contributors.
With regard to ecommerce, only 38% of connected consumers had made an online purchase in the three months prior to the poll, and 10% did so through a mobile phone. This situation appears set to change, however.
The study said: "If purchase intention is factored into the outlook for the next six months, Brazil edges out more developed markets, which suggests that many consumers are just about to make their first online purchases."
Moreover, the web plays a key role during the product research stage, as 62% of users investigate potential acquisitions on the net.
Among the early adopters engaging in this pastime via mobile phone, wireless handsets were actually the most widely-researched category, on 67%, beating household appliances with 51% and travel products with 47%.
Overall, McKinsey found that social networks take 34% of all time spent online, ahead of news and information sites on 17%, portals on 15%, and then blogs and company websites on 8% apiece.
Data sourced from McKinsey; additional content by Warc staff
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Welcome to 2703 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, home to Domino's and the best pizza delivery in Florida! We're the restaurant to beat, offering you millions of ways to create your pizza and delivering them directly to you! The Domino's menu caters to all tastes, whether you're a fan of vegetables or pepperoni.
And we deliver more than just pizza in your area. For example, when it comes to delivery wings, there's no one like Domino's. Our wings are always baked to crispy, tender perfection.
What's on the menu? There's nothing like our delicious chicken wings for a hearty meal. When our morsels of goodness come out of the oven, we cover them with your choice of sweet, smoky, or hot sauces. Or mix it up with boneless wings, with light breading and bevvy of spices to complete the perfect bite. Want to go the extra mile for more flavor? Dip into one of our sauces for a customized kick. However you want your wings, we've got it: from sweet meets hot (think Mango Habanero) to spicy (our classic Buffalo Wings Kicker Hot Sauce) to creamy and cool (reach for Ranch dressing). You can't go wrong! Wing delivery is one of the things that we do best. We also offer entrées like pasta dishes and hot oven-baked sandwiches, as well as sides like salads, drinks, and our stuffed cheesy breads. And don't forget about dessert! Why do we offer so many choices? It's simple: we aim to bring you the best.
And Domino's is about more than just deliciousness; we make it convenient for you to order from your neighborhood location! You can call us, order from our website, or download the Domino's app for free to your smartphone and order en route. Since we have over 11,700 stores throughout more than 75 countries, we understand the value of good customer service and high quality. With convenient ways to order, and more than 34 million ways to construct your perfect pizza, it's all about you here at Domino's.
Want to explore the job options your 2703 Gulf Breeze Pkwy Domino's has to offer? At Domino's, we offer jobs of all kinds to the Gulf Breeze area, so you can earn some extra cash or start a new career. Whether working as a pizza chef or store manager, driving for delivery or acting as a customer service representative, Domino's has many positions that you can take advantage of. Part-time employees and full-time employees alike reap the benefits of working for a fun brand that cares about its team and its product. Delivery drivers are far from bored - with a fun crew, different tasks, a flexible schedule, and listening to your own jams in the car while you deliver, being a Domino's driver is an awesome way to make some extra cash! Even more, driving for Domino's could be the start to a long-term career - opportunities for growth could have you running your own Domino's store. Whether you're looking for a fun gig as one of Domino's delivery drivers or are aiming for store management, Domino's provides the possibilities. When you start your career here, you're starting a job with a company that takes pride in its product, a positive work environment, and its dedication to its team members in Gulf Breeze. That's because Domino's is committed to excellence and quality in every aspect of its operation. We stand by our company values, which emphasize the importance of every team member in contributing to the success of each store.
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$3 mn ADB flood aid for PakistanOctober 28th, 2011 - 3:19 am ICT by IANS
Islamabad, Oct 28 (IANS) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will give $3 million in flood aid to Pakistan, it said Thursday.
The fund will help the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to ensure provision of food, drinking water, medicines and tents for the affected people.
The Sindh and Balochistan provinces have been hit by floods since mid-August due to incessant rain. Some 1.8 million people have been displaced, Xinhua reported.
According to the UN, 5.4 million people were affected, and about 400 people have died.
"We hope the grant will increase NDMA's ability to reach out to poor and the most vulnerable groups particularly women and children facing a desperate situation.
"Many families have lost their entire belongings and source of livelihood and are in urgent need of food and shelter," said ADB's country director Werner Liepach.
ADB and the World Bank are jointly assessing the extent of damages. The assessment is expected to help the government in charting out an action plan to restore basic services.
- 2.5 mn Pakistanis need flood aid - Oct 02, 2011
- Pakistan gives out tents, food to flood-hit - Oct 04, 2011
- Over 300 killed, 6 million affected in Pakistan floods - Sep 18, 2011
- UN appeals for $356 million to help flood-hit Pakistan - Sep 18, 2011
- UNICEF seeks $50mn for flood-hit Pakistani kids - Oct 13, 2011
- More than 5 million still affected by floods in Pakistan - Nov 26, 2011
- EU to provide Rs.200 million for flood relief - Oct 13, 2011
- Pakistan wants more flood money as Rs.5 bn lies unutilised - Sep 19, 2011
- Millions of flood affected Pakistanis need help - Nov 26, 2011
- Pakistan situation still critical: UN agencies - Oct 06, 2010
- Pakistan awaits Indian onions, tomatoes - Oct 05, 2011
- Pakistan floods: Toll rises to 412 - Sep 25, 2011
- Oxfam assesses Ladakh flood disaster, seeks help - Aug 17, 2010
- UN calls for over $350 mn to help flood-hit Pakistan - Sep 20, 2011
- UNHCR seeks $33 mn for Pakistan flood victims - Sep 21, 2011
Tags: adb, asian development bank, balochistan, belongings, country director, desperate situation, director werner, disaster management, drinking water, flood aid, floods, incessant rain, livelihood, management authority, medicines, national disaster, pakistan islamabad, sindh, vulnerable groups, xinhua


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The Power of Independent Thinking
Ron Paul: Understanding Liberty
Recorded: Wednesday, April 9, 2014
April 9, 2014
In this clip from "Ron Paul: Liberty Defined," Dr. Paul describes how real positive change comes from understanding liberty and economics.
Experts: Ron PaulType: Independent Institute EventIssues: Bureaucracy and Government, Business, Civil Liberties/ Human Rights, Constitutional Law, Economic Policy, Economists, Fiscal Policy/Debt, Government Power, Political Ideology and Philosophy
Is Walmart Good or Bad for America? A Debate
Recorded: Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Richard K. Vedder and Ken Jacobs debate whether the rise of Walmart and similar big box retailers have been beneficial or harmful to the US economy.
Richard K. Vedder is Senior Fellow at The Independent Institute and Edwin and Ruth Kennedy Distinguished Professor of Economics and Faculty Associate, Contemporary History Institute, Ohio University. Professor Vedder is co-author (with Lowell Gallaway) of The Independent Institute book, "Out of Work," the recipient of both the Sir Antony Fisher International Memorial Award and Mencken Award Finalist for Best Book, and the Institute monograph, Can Teachers Own Their Own Schools?
Ken Jacobs is Chair of the U.C. Berkeley Labor Center, and a former member of the Mayors Universal Health Care Council in San Francisco. He is the Co-author od Declining Job-Based Health Coverage for Working Families in California and the United States, and Hidden Costs of Wal-Mart Jobs.
David J. Theroux is Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Independent Institute and Publisher of The Independent Review.
Type: Independent Institute EventIssues: Antitrust, Competition, and Monopoly, Business, Culture/ Society, Economic History and Development (U.S.), Economists, Free Market Economics, History (U.S), Labor and Employment, Politics, Public Health/ Consumer Protection
Truth and Propaganda in Politically Correct America
Recorded: Tuesday, August 14, 2001
Although comedian George Carlin's infamous routine, "Seven Words You Can't Say on TV," has become outdated, today many ideas are considered too 'politically incorrect' to discuss in polite society. According to popular Los Angeles talk-radio host Larry Elder, many sacred cows- about racism and sexism, health care, welfare, education, the family, drug laws, the media, crime, gun control, and more- are soft-headed distortions that have worsened America's social problems. If "the truth shall make you free," then, says Elder, these myths need a serious reality check- before we forget what truth and freedom look like. Larry Elder discussed what's really wrong with America and how a free people, rather than an intrusive government, can fix it.
Experts: Larry ElderType: Independent Institute EventIssues: Culture/ Society, Entertainment, Free Speech, Freedom
Friedrich Hayek and the Future of Liberty
Recorded: Wednesday, May 16, 2001
Friedrich A. Hayek (1899-1992) left such a profound mark on economic and political thought that The New Yorker has called the 20th century, "The Hayek Century." After converting to free-market capitalism and classical liberalism in the 1920s, Hayek became one of socialism's and statism's staunchest critics. His 1944 bestseller, The Road to Serfdom, warned of central government planning's authoritarian, and even totalitarian, tendencies- and helped reignite worldwide interest in the philosophy and practice of freedom. Although Hayek's 1974 Nobel Prize in Economic Science brought renewed interest in his ideas, it wasn't until the collapse of the Soviet Bloc (which Hayek predicted) that his vast writings on economics, political philosophy, law, history, culture, and other fields became broadly recognized as essential to achieve a prosperous, humane and free society. Biographer Alan Ebenstein and economist Charles Baird shed light on Hayek's seminal legacy and the rebirth of freedom.
Experts: Charles W. Baird, Alan O. EbensteinType: Independent Institute EventIssues: Economic History and Development (U.S.), Economic Policy, Economists, Fiscal Policy/Debt, Public Health/ Consumer Protection
Virtual Money, Privacy, and the Internet
Recorded: Wednesday, October 20, 1999
October 20, 1999
The Independent Institute, Oakland, CA
Peter A. Thiel
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Confinity, Inc., and Research Fellow at The Independent Institute
Richard W. Rahn
President, Novecon Corporation; former Chief Economist, U.S. Chamber of Commerce; and author of the book, The End of Money and the Struggle for Financial Privacy
Experts: Richard W. Rahn, Peter A. ThielType: Independent Institute EventIssues: Banking and Finance, Economic Policy, Economists, Free Market Economics, History (U.S), Technology
Tiananmen Square: 10 Years Later
Recorded: Wednesday, June 16, 1999
In 1989, during a large peaceful student demonstration in Beijings Tiananmen Square, the Chinese government deployed its military to massacre hundreds of unarmed students and other civilians in order to stop a growing movement for democratization and individual freedom. Since then, tens of thousands who have spoken out have been imprisoned, tortured and killed, and the government has refused to even admit that such atrocities have occurred. This special Independent Policy Forum will feature three outstanding experts, including two of the leaders of the original Chinese student movement. They will discuss the events then and since, the current movement in china for freedom, and the implications of current Chinese government policies for Americans.
Experts: Timothy J. Brook, Jing Chang, Danxuan YiType: Independent Institute EventIssues: Free Speech, Freedom, Government Power, History (International), Political Ideology and Philosophy
Free Markets and the Economics of Life
Recorded: Thursday, March 18, 1999
Economics is never the "dismal science" when discussed by Nobel Laureate economist Gary S. Becker and his wife, the historian Guity Nashat Becker. In this Independent Policy Forum and based on their book, The Economics of Life: From Baseball to Affirmative Action to Immigration, How Real-World Issues Affect Our Everyday Life, the Beckers will examine the "war on drugs," healthcare, education, marriage and divorce, the homeless, immigration, corporate leadership, religion, baseball, affirmative action, the minimum wage, Social Security, crime, and much more.
Experts: Gary S. Becker, Guity Nashat BeckerType: Independent Institute EventIssues: Economic Policy, Economists, Free Market Economics
P.J.'s Economics 101
Recorded: Thursday, October 29, 1998
With his numerous books, articles and essays about politics, war and social disorder under his belt, it was only a matter of time until P.J. O'Rourke found his way to the subject of his new book, "Eat the Rich." In "Parliament of Whores," he lampooned the entire U.S. government. "All the Troubles in the World" attacked the pandemic worries of the politically correct; and this time it's the economy, stupid! What is wealth and how do we get it? Or as he asks, "Why do some places prosper and thrive while others just stink?"
As most people (along with many "experts") try to fathom the volatility of financial markets and the complexities of global economies, the man who Time magazine has called "one of America's most hilarious and provocative writers" brings it all into perspective. Who else but P.J. could provide this primer on Wall Street: "In order to understand the stock market we have to realize that, like anything enormous and inert, it's fundamentally stable, and like anything emotion-driven, it's volatile as hell."
But he doesn't stop there. Embarking from Wall Street, P.J. takes us on a hilarious and enlightening worldwide tour of the foibles of governments from Russia to Tanzania, from Albania to Shanghai, and from Hong Kong to Havana, and revisits college economics courses, counteracting them with his own version of Econ 101.
The result is the world's only astute, comprehensive and comic presentation of the basic principles of economics that will truly make you laugh on purpose.
P. J. ORourke
Bestselling Author, Humorist and Political Satirist
Author, Eat the Rich: A Treatise in Economics
David J. Theroux
Founder and President, The Independent Institute
Experts: P. J. ORourkeType: Independent Institute EventIssues: Economic History and Development (U.S.), Economic Policy, Economists, Free Market Economics


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Nitish Kumar and Sushil Kumar Modi were sworn in as Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar for a consecutive second term on Friday. Besides Kumar and Modi, 18 MLAs from the Janata Dal (United) and 10 from alliance Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were also sworn in as ministers by State Governor Devanand Konwar. […] Continue reading Nitish, Modi sworn in as Bihar's CM, Deputy CM
Tag Archive: modi
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has held the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at the Centre responsible for the ongoing political crisis in Karnataka. "Congress party takes undue advantage of heading the Central Government to browbeat the State Governments ruled by its opposition outfits," said Modi, while addressing a mass rally organised by his […] Continue reading Modi blames Centre for political crisis in Karnataka
She is the step daughter of RCB owner Vijay Mallya but she did not come to media headlines for her step father.
Rather the name of Laila Mahmood is now associated with Lalit Modi in a very negative way.
There are some allegations against her that she removed documents from Lalit Modi's office and if […] Continue reading Laila Mahmood and Lalit Modi: News Maker
Less than two days after calling Narendra Modi his "best friend", beleaguered Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat Saturday said he "had a good relationship with all chief ministers, including the chief minister of Gujarat" and that his remarks on Modi were taken "out of context".
"My statement has been taken out of context solely to create […] Continue reading 'Secular' Kamat swallows 'Modi best friend' remark