text:
Town Square
Solving Medicare: Short and Long-term
Original post made by Tom Cushing, Danville, on Jan 9, 2013
The Medicare Problem is that the combined symptoms of Boomer demographics and sky-rocketing health-care costs would make it The Program That Ate the Entire Federal Budget, if left untreated. Not tomorrow, or before 2024, but inevitably. Fortunately, there are short-and-long-term fixes available, if not easy to achieve.
The first thing to understand about Medicare is that it, like Social Security, is Trust Fund-based; money that comes in today as payroll taxes goes out tomorrow as benefits, with surpluses accumulating in the Fund (yes, Virginia, there has been surplusage!). It's not like a pension fund, where you have an account in your name that accumulates value over time. That's also why you can't tap into it for a dread disease you acquire in your 20s, and why it's never part of your estate. The Fund is like a reservoir that's in reasonable balance, but has been requiring a lot more upstream pumping-in to stay that way -- and downstream demand is still growing out-of-control.
The Boomer problem is that the payroll-tax-paying population base is smaller than it was when our parents were so prolific – hence the tax rates have risen dramatically. The cost problem feeds into the fact the Americans pay 18% of GDP for health care (and rising!), and get No-Better-Results than Europeans paying-in 9% of theirs. You could look it up.
So – what to do? Staying with the flow model, it's a "raise the upstream flow" and/or "lower the downstream demand" solution. The primary means by which to increase the upstream flow would be either or both of further payroll tax hikes or raising (removing, even) the income ceiling against which those rates are applied. That feeds more flow into the Fund. Regardless, it's clear from the numbers that this solution alone won't work.
So, one way to reduce downstream demand would be Mr. Ryan's famous vouchers, which were always, let's face it, a ploy to reduce benefits. Fewer dollars paid-out per Boomer = fewer total dollars required. Everybody but Mr. Ryan's mom seems to have figured-out that that would mean more out-of-pocket cost for seniors. Another way, probably more palatable politically, would be to raise the eligibility age for recipients, or to "means test" beneficiaries – thereby directing more care to lower income seniors. The problem with simply raising the age is that apparently the government then would end-up spending even more money treating uninsured, uncovered seniors, making overall savings illusory.
For my money, as it were, once I reject vouchers as a cruel ruse (and I do), a combination of means testing applied to age eligibility seems to make most sense on the economics and the ethics. I'm willing to assume that lower-paid workers as a population are prone to more geriatric illness, sooner, than their higher-paid counterparts, such that bringing them under the Medicare umbrella sooner makes sense. Is it a transfer – a subsidy -- from higher income seniors to lower? Yes – and if you disagree with that policy, please put yourself in-charge of strapping Grandma to that ice floe.
Regardless of what near-term solutions are chosen, if we stop there we will have engaged in the time-honored kicking-of-the-can-down-the-road. The real solution lies in bringing the gargantuan, metastasizing, fire-breathing, many-headed, un-managed but hopefully not unmanageable monster of a US health care system to heel. I'm not referring to doctors' bills, or just convenient whipping-boys like tort lawyers (even the Wall Street Journal zealots couldn't ascribe more than a few % to them), or "defensive practice," but systemic incentives to treat, but not prevent, to own under-utilized and very expensive equipment, uncoordinated records kept archaically, multiply hide the ball on actual costs, foot-drag on legitimate claims, end-of-life care focused on prolonging the organism but not its essence, etc., etc., on-and-on, ad-nearly-infinitum. Therein lies the solution that relieves the burden on everyone, including the Medicare reservoir.
Say, perhaps we could put all the unemployed folks to work on that?
a resident of Danville
on Jan 9, 2013 at 4:21 pm
Once again, Tom's solution to our problems includes raising taxes, this time making all wages subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes. Once again, I'll make the argument that 50% of my wages is more than enough. Too much. That's what many of us are paying and it's not fair. Trying to keep half my wages doesn't make me a terrorist.
The problem, of course, is that Boomers paid too little taxes during their working years, such that today, the average retiree collects about $100,000 more in Social Security benefits than they paid into the system. Web Link
Boomers squanders the inheritance given them by the Greatest Generation. After Boomers got their excellent public school educations, nearly free college tuition, etc., they under-invested in schools, infrastructure, development, incurred massive debts, etc. (They also divorced in record numbers, putting the screw job on their kids, but I digress). They gave themselves massive tax cuts that conveniently were set to rise in 2010, i.e. only AFTER they were about to retire. And now that the system is going broke, they want the young people to toil endlessly for them to pay for their retirement, knowing full well that the Ponzi scheme will most likely collapse when it comes time for today's youth to retire.
It will be interesting to see who gets the last laugh.
BTW, the "hostage" rhetoric has got to go. The image is horrible, especially given recent violent events. It would be nice if Obama and others toned it down a bit.
It is also not a fair representation of what's going on. Democrats want to raise taxes and borrow endlessly, Tea Partiers don't. If they can't reach agreement, why is one party taking "hostages" and the other not? Seems both sides refuse to budge in order to get their way.
a resident of San Ramon
on Jan 9, 2013 at 11:19 pm
I can't wait to see what Cushing has to say about the new proposed gun laws once they come out. Should be juicy.
a resident of Alamo
on Jan 10, 2013 at 7:38 am
So, S-P, glad you're back. I was afraid, after that ridiculous thing you wrote equating Social Security and Medicare to pension funding, that you'd gone completely off the the deep end.
First-off, I don't think I advocated raising taxes in this piece, only identifying it as an insufficient option by itself. That said, in my 46 years of paying-in, I've seen payroll taxes skyrocket as I helped pay for my grandparents, mom and dad, aunts and uncles, and now folks about my age, and it wouldn't surprise me if further increases are part of the 'fix.'
As to the Generation War you want to foment, your $100K number relates to the Social Security program and we're talking Medicare here, and your views on divorce are also irrelevant (and, I must say, weirdly skewed). I'm surprised you didn't also claim we Boomers selfishly failed to adequately "go forth an multiply." If you want to say the inter-generational Bush tax cuts were a mistake, as, remarkably for you, you seem to, then hallelujah -- we agree on something.
Now, I know you like to play this rate game with 50% (gasp) tax rates, but nobody pays a rate -- we pay dollars. And we who know you also know you've bragged about not paying anywhere near that rate applied to your actual income. So cry me a river, Taxguy.
Finally, sadly, the hostage metaphor works -- as the debt ceiling idiocy is not at all democracy-as-usual. EVery invoice that will be covered by that debt ceiling increase has been duly incurred in the past, by majority vote. To vote 'no' on its extension is to disavow paying debts -- is your back less stiff on the issue of paying one's proper obligations?
Nope, on the merits, this is an attempt by a minority to get a redo on spending they wish hadn't been incurred. As such, it's dirty pool. I'd have used the 14th Amendment gambit against it last time, and I'd certainly do it this time, lest our country's credit rating take another ridiculous hit, that costs us real dollars.
a resident of Danville
on Jan 10, 2013 at 8:42 am
I meant to say that the average worker who retired in 2010 will receive around $100,000 more in Medicare benefits than they put into the system. Web Link
A lot of people will get A LOT MORE than that. For example, a husband who earned the average wage and wife who earned 45% of the average wage will receive around $300,000 more in benefits than they put into the system.
People want more government than they're willing to pay for. Bush's tax cuts for the poor and middle class exacerbated this problem.
You're correct that I don't pay 50% tax on my investment income. But I do pay around 50% on my wages. It's nearly impossible to shelter wage income from tax.
My comments about Boomers was partly tongue in cheek. But let's face it, Boomers were a bunch of self-centered spoiled brats. And their best rock & roll wasn't even American, it was British (Stones, Zeppelin, Beatles, Pink Floyd). And look at their kids and grandkids!!! All those gross tattoos and those earring things that make your earlobes real big. WHAT A BUNCH OF LOSERS!!
You think those guys are going to pay for your retirement? Out of what? The $10 a hour they get for working at Starbucks??
Good luck with that.
a resident of San Ramon
on Jan 10, 2013 at 11:06 am
San Ramon Observer is a registered user.
I have a lot of things to say about Medicare, some of which I've already said in a past blog on the San Ramon Express. Web Link
Obama missed the opportunity to reform health care and save Medicare at the same time by simply making Medicare for all ages. But then he would have be labeled a Socialist, Communist, and Muslim (Oh,wait, he already is).
I hope whoever is President in 2016 dumps Obamacare and expands Medicare coverage to everyone. I don't know why politicians need to haggle over stupid stuff when there's a perfectly good solution right in front of them.
a resident of another community
on Jan 10, 2013 at 11:22 am
Hey, MISter Finance Man -- before you get Too high on your horse, remember this: that burger-flipper actually Makes Something. All you do is move stuff around, and hide some of it.
a resident of Alamo
on Jan 10, 2013 at 12:45 pm
Hi Roz: thanks for your note.
Yeah, Medicare is the dreaded single-payor system that every Prez who tried to reform/rationalize the health care system, including one prominent 2016 possibility who was deputized to try, stubbed their nose-on when they tried to generalize it.
Our current Centrist-in-Chief, fond as he is of his nose, looked around and went instead with a version that had been conceived and championed by a GOP think tank. I mean, who in their right minds could possibly call such an approach Socialist/Communist/Muslim(?) or worse, if there is worse, right? Right? Bueller?
a resident of Danville
on Jan 11, 2013 at 1:58 pm
Obamacare is off topic, but since Ferris's teacher brought it up…
Obamacare takes $200 billion per year from rich people (via new taxes) and gives it to poor and middle class people in the form of free health insurance vouchers and free Medicaid coverage. As such, it is a classic wealth transfer scheme.
Tom likes that because he believes in spreading the wealth. I don't like it, because I have to pay those taxes. I don't believe in free lunches. Tom does.
Obamacare is different from the European healthcare systems, which are largely financed via VAT taxes that everyone pays. Everyone pays, everyone benefits. Likewise, Medicare and Social Security are financed by payroll taxes that everyone pays.
Unfortunately, as Europe has discovered, there isn't enough money to pay for all the promised benefits.
Likewise, Medicare is facing an imminent crisis. A system that gives most people $100,000, $200,000, $300,000 or more in benefits than they put into the system is unsustainable. Hopefully, we can put enough duct tape on it to keep the Ponzi going until after I'm gone. When it collapses, those kids with the neck tattoos can try to figure out what happened.
a resident of Alamo
on Jan 11, 2013 at 6:04 pm
Yup, you're right, S-P -- it IS off-topic and SO last March. You're in danger of becoming a one trick pony, and as always you're a lousy mind reader. Here were two columns from back then specifically dedicated to ObRomneyCare:
Web Link
Web Link
Maybe post these urges there?
Now, we Could talk about our mutual disdain for tattoos. I can admire the intricacy and artistry, and it can't be easy, because I've seen them done badly, but why? (Oh, Why??) How can the wearers possibly know what designs they'll like in even five years, much less where that tat will be in ten? I recall a cartoon where one inked oldster says to another: "I see you were an idiot back in the '60s, too." The only one I ever thought was clever involved a lawn mower and cannot be further elucidated here, but even those styles change.
Fortunately, Spawn 1 limited her rebellion, I think, to removable piercings that were seen as particularly hip (hep?) among her contemporaries, but that are now blessedly gone with only a mild legacy. And Spawn 2 designed her own very personally meaningful and relatively small, tasteful and secluded model, to which she maintains a fierce loyalty. So far, so good.
I just don't know, S-P. Can we bridge the Great Red and Blue Divide here? Got any links for us on This topic?
a resident of Alamo
on Jan 13, 2013 at 7:48 am
Here you go, S-P: an article about Boomer hard-times that'll warm the cockles of your cold, cold heart.
Advisory: in later pages, it does recount several individual tales of redemption, against those long odds.
Over 50 and Under No Illusions (NYT) Web Link
a resident of Danville
on Jan 15, 2013 at 8:42 am
In this TED Talk, Kathryn Shultz regrets HER tattoo, but she doesn't regret regretting it. Web Link


text:
Jayde Nicole: Playmates in the Kitchen
Jayde talks to her Playmate friends about their favorite healthy recipes.
Welcome to Workout Wednesdays, the new Playboy.com fitness blog by Jayde Nicole—personal trainer, fitness nutritionist, health nut, TV personality and, last but not least, Playboy's 2008 Playmate of the Year. Check back each week for Jayde's latest tips, and be sure to visit her all-new fitness website JaydeNicole.com. This Week: Playmates in the Kitchen
Do you ever wonder what our beautiful Playboy Playmates put in their mouths? Oh, get your mind out of the gutter—I'm talking about food! For this week's column I spoke to some of my fellow Playmates about their favorite meals, snacks and secret recipes. Here is your sneak peek into a Playmate's diet! Amanda Cerny: Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps
First up is our brand new Miss October 2011 Amanda Cerny. For her wraps Amanda uses albacore tuna, which is a great source of protein. She then adds some avocado, which is full of healthy fats and belly-filling fiber. Then she tops them off with some zesty relish and chopped red onions—both low in calories but high in taste—and wraps them in romaine lettuce instead of iceberg for the extra health benefits. And when Amanda's craving a healthy snack she turns to one of the classics: apples and chunky peanut butter. Kassie Lyn Logsdon: Rosemary Chicken Filets
Not only is Miss May 2010 Kassie Lyn Logsdon drop dead gorgeous, but she is also a great cook! Kassie graciously shared her simple and delicious rosemary chicken filets recipe with me:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Trim all the fat off chicken breasts. Lightly rub with pepper and chopped fresh rosemary, then drizzle both sides with olive oil. Wrap chicken in foil packets and put on cookie sheet. Cook for about 30-40 minutes depending on the size of the breasts. When chicken is fully cooked, remove foil and broil on medium heat for (5-7 minutes for each side). And there you have it—delicious and healthy chicken filets straight from a Playmate's oven! Heather Rae Young: Homemade Pizza
Blonde bombshell and Miss February 2010 Heather Rae Young loves her pizza, but she also loves her body. So she makes her own healthy version at home using rice crust, Daiya cheese, and light pizza sauce. Her favorite thing to snack on? Super high in protein Greek yogurt with dried cranberries and granola, rice chips if she is craving something salty and 72 percent dark chocolate when she has a sweet tooth. Shannon James: Oatmeal Chocolate Squares
One of my closest friends is Miss May 2007 Shannon James. She shared with me her easy, no-baking-required oatmeal chocolate squares:
1 Cup Splenda ½ Stick Light Butter or Margarine ¼ Cup Water 2 Tbsp. Cocoa ¼ Cup Peanut Butter 1½ Cup Steel Cut Oatmeal ½ Tsp. Vanilla Extract
In a large saucepan add Splenda, butter, water and cocoa. Bring to boil while you continuously stir the mix. Remove the mixture from heat once it begins to boil. Add peanut butter, oatmeal and vanilla to the mixture. Stir the ingredients until they are well blended. Pour into baking pan and let it cool for about 5-10 minutes. Refrigerate overnight or until completely cool. It's a great little snack and makes 20 squares (about 2 inches each) at only 53.5 calories each. My mouth is watering already! Hiromi Oshima: Barbeque Chicken Salad
Hiromi Oshima has one of the best bodies out there—in fact, when it came to choosing girls to be part of my Jayde Nicole Fitness DVD she was the top one on my list! Miss June 2004 loves her barbeque chicken salad, which consists of healthy romaine lettuce, crunchy veggies, and low calorie barbeque sauce-covered lean white chicken breasts. She also likes to munch on fruit, her favorites being watermelon, mango and papaya with fresh squeezed lime on top. No wonder she stays in such great shape! Amy Leigh Andrews: Turkey Meatballs
Our stunning Southern Miss April 2010 Amy Leigh Andrews loves to cook at home. Her favorite recipe? Delicious turkey meatballs. Here is a peek into her kitchen:
1 lb. Lean Ground Turkey Meat 4 Cups Cooked Instant Brown Rice 1 Large Egg 1 Small Can Tomato Sauce 5-7 Garlic Cloves ½ Large Brown Onion (or whatever kind you like) Fresh Rosemary (about ¾ of a handful) Fresh Oregano (about a handful) Salt and Pepper (1 pinch salt/as much pepper as you like)
In a large bowl mix turkey meat, eggs, tomato sauce, salt and pepper. Boil brown rice according to packaging. Heat up a large skillet with 2-3 tbsp. of olive oil. When skillet is nice and hot throw your onions and garlic in. Once the house starts smelling like Italy, throw your rosemary and oregano in! Cook until onions and garlic are fairly brown then throw into a large bowl with everything else. Drain rice and add to the mix. After you have mixed everything together the fun begins! Preheat your oven to 425 degrees, make your meatballs larger than a golf ball but smaller than a baseball and grab a cooking pan that is about 2 inches or so deep. You want to put about a half inch or so of water in it before you add the meatballs—this makes for a tender meatball! Cook them for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. When the timer goes off take 'em out, pile 'em on a plate and dig in!
Okay, all this food talk is making me hungry! I hope you enjoyed the sneak peak into our Playmates favorite foods and snacks. Try them out and let me know what you think. I'm off to do some cooking of my own. Until next time!
Have questions or suggestions for an upcoming Workout Wednesday? Message me on Twitter (@Jayde_Nicole) or in the Locker Room at JaydeNicole.com.
Top photo by KefskiPhoto.com

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Golden Gordon (n) - an occurance involving Alex Goldwater (Gordon) making a fool of himself and not realising, causing much amusement to all about.
Gordon holding a cup of coffee, then being asked the time. He proceeds to turn his wrist to look at his watch, simultaneously pouring coffee all over himself.
by Mitch September 02, 2004


text:
I don't think Joyner is going back to safety. His skillset is better there but he is tiny for the position, too tiny for the NFL. Furthermore, I think last year he didn't like what the draft advisory board said to him because most felt he was coming out. There are some small corners in the NFL, there aren't any safeties his size.
Its too bad because if he had measurable I believe he would be the best safety prospect in the country.
He may find himself a NFL home because of his ability to play special teams and as a backup CB. I just have my doubts about him as a NFL defensive starter simply because of his size.
I agree. The only thing that I think could prevent top 5-10 pick is if he somehow messes up off the field. People forget, he had the best freshman year ever for a college WR, and he did it as a true freshman.
I expect he will be played differently this year than he has in the past and teams will play off him a lot. I expect his yards per rec to go down because of this and I doubt it will affect his draft status at all.


text:
Music Making with a Touch of Style
With Yamaha's latest PSR series keyboards, musical inspiration is only a touch away. Simply select any one of the fabulous built-in music styles and soon you'll be on your way to an exciting world of harmony and rhythm. That's because these keyboards ma...
Music Making with a Touch of Style
With Yamaha's latest PSR series keyboards, musical inspiration is only a touch away. Simply select any one of the fabulous built-in music styles and soon you'll be on your way to an exciting world of harmony and rhythm. That's because these keyboards make playing music easy and fun.
Yamaha Education Suite™
All models feature the Yamaha Education Suite™, a collection of functions that make it simple for anyone to learn to play music. Plus, they're loaded with remarkable sounding voices, including a stunning stereo-sampled grand piano voice that can be called up at the touch of a button. If you're looking to foster your musical talent, the PSR-140/240/270 may be just your style.
PK Club (New)
New! The PK Club Web site offers users of Yamaha Portable Keyboards a variety of support including a user's forum, product information, and downloadable software. http://www.yamaha.co.jp/english/product/pk/index.html
Portable Grand Piano
These keyboards feature Yamaha's exclusive Portable Grand™ function. By pressing the Portable Grand button, the keyboard will exit any other function or mode and set itself up for playing the special stereo-sampled Grand Piano voice. In addition, the PSR-140 and PSR-240 will have piano accompaniment styles, piano multi pad settings, and an internal piano song ready for you to enjoy. A built-in metronome function can also be selected at any time by pressing the icon-shaped button.
Smart Chord
Just select a key signature and press a single key, the Smart Chord function will automatically play the appropriate chord associated with the root note you press and display the notes on the LCD screen.
Chord Dictionary
Yamaha's exclusive Chord Dictionary will show you how to play any chord as well as display the names of chords as you play. Great for learning chords and their relationships.
EZ Chord
Never play a wrong chord again. By programming chord changes into the EZ Chord memory, you'll be able to play back the proper chords with the press of any left-hand key. Ideal for beginners who want to focus on their timing and right-hand melody.
Professional-Style White Cone Speakers (New)
The speakers on the PSR-240 and PSR-270 have white-coned woofers that look just like the famous Yamaha monitors found in most professional recording studios around the world.
Music Styles
The PSR-140/240/270 provide 100 fully arranged music style accompaniments, from pop to classical, for you to play along with. Each style has its own unique Introduction, Main A/B variations, and Ending, as well as four Fill-in patterns for added musical expression.
Song Memory
The PSR-140 and PSR-240 provide 100 fully arranged songs for you to enjoy. The Minus One mode mutes the melody line of a selected song so you can practice playing it yourself. The PSR-270 has three built-in Demo Songs for playback enjoyment. Plus, an easy-to-use 6-track sequencer and three user song locations are provided for you to record your performances or compose original songs. Both Real-time and Step Recording modes are available.
Realistic Voices
The PSR-140 and PSR-240 have 100 dynamic voices while, the PSR-270 has 100 panel voices plus 128 General MIDI voices and 10 drum kits to chose from. All voices are digital samples of actual instruments using Yamaha's sophisticated AWM (Advanced Wave Memory) tone generation system.
Easy-to-See Backlit LCD (New)
Never before available in this class of keyboard, a backlit LCD is provided for easy operation in darkened environments.
Pianist Styles
Specially designed "piano-only" styles are available for you to practice playing piano melodies. All piano styles provide full left-hand accompaniment using single-finger chords.
One Touch Setting
The One Touch Setting (OTS) function automatically configures keyboard parameters, such as melody voice selection, tempo, and accompaniment volume, to optimally match each music style you select. One OTS setting per music style is available on the PSR-140 and PSR-240, and two OTS setting per music style are available on the PSR-270.


text:
Excerpt: "With a game against the Cleveland Browns coming up on Sunday, the New York Giants are without their star wide receiver Hakeem Nicks for the third week in a row. Offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride has guys like Victor Cruz and Domenik Hixon to pick up the pieces, but there are other aspects Nicks brings besides his play on the field.
"You're losing a football player who's not only extremely important to what you do, he's invaluable just in terms of his leadership and his ability in the bigger moment to make the bigger play, so you lose that and you know that you're not going to make it up with one guy," said Gilbride. "What you hope is collectively the rest of everybody will contribute enough that you can make up for his absence to enough of a degree that you win the game. That's what you're looking for."Aside from Nicks' injury, Ramses Barden suffered a concussion last week against the Philadelphia Eagles and will not play.
That leaves the Giants with the rookie Rueben Randle, whose work ethic was called into question by NBC broadcaster Cris Collinsworth earlier in the week. Gilbride reminds everyone that Randle is young and he's improving." Read more...


text:
Indulge in a relaxing getaway and enjoy up to 30% savings and a $50 daily resort credit.See Offer Details
Where the cerulean blue Caribbean Sea meets a cloudless sky, the sun emerges to mark the beginning of another brilliant day at The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun, one of the most elegant luxury hotels nestled along Mexico's alluring Mayan coastline. Our oceanfront hotel boasts a pristine beach that can keep you busy with a wealth of waterfront activities, or content to do nothing at all. Additionally, our luxury Cancun hotel promises dining experiences that are nuanced with the definitive flavors of Mexico, a spa that adapts ancient Mayan therapies with a modern aesthetic, and the whisper of waves that make their way into your accommodations as a soothing wake-up call. Perfect for couples and families alike, The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun offers a dream-like escape to another world, determined to leave you breathless.
The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun is a Tier 3 property in The Ritz-Carlton Rewards.
Indulge in a relaxing getaway and enjoy up to 30% savings and a $50 daily resort credit.See Offer Details
Escape to a beach getaway and indulge in the beaches of Cancun. Reserve our Reconnect Package and enjoy daily breakfast and a $100 daily resort credit.
Enjoy interactive cooking classes and regional wine dinners in our Culinary Center.Learn More
Enjoy Cirque du Soleil JOYÀ for an unforgettable theatrical and culinary experience paired with luxury accommodations.
Our Ladies and Gentlemen are the key to the best our destination has to offer. Allow our carefully curated collection of local attractions and experiences help you customize the perfect vacation.


text:
Pikeman's Armour. English, about 1625-30 (II.114)
Pikeman's Armour. English, about 1625-30 (II.114)
Figure of King James II in the Horse Armoury, The Penny Magazine, 1840.
Pikeman's Armour. English, about 1625 (II.112)
Pikeman's Armour. English, about 1625 (II.113)
Pikeman's armour. English, London, about 1630 (II.115)
Object number: II.114
Object Provenance:
English, 1625–30
Object Number:
The armour comprises a broad-brimmed pot, a gorget, breastplate with solid plate tassets and backplate. The pot is decorated with embossed chevrons and is unmarked. The breastplate has the long vestigial peascod associated with the earliest London pikeman's armours, and has a pair of rivets at either side edge where it was originally fitted with a hinged hasp for fastening the backplate, another early feature.
The tassets are made in one piece embossed to simulate seven lames, decorated with rosettes of rivets. They have been badly damaged during their working life, and each has numerous internal riveted repairs. Both have the detachable hinged hasps for attachment to the flange of the breastplate, associated with the early group of London pikeman's armours. The backplate is English, by Helm and Slater, and is stamped with the crowned IR mark of the arsenal under James II.
The armour was displayed on a wooden cross between two of the mounted figures in the 19th century Line of Kings.
Tower arsenal, Hewitt 1859, 16, II.81; Dillon 1910, 172, II.96
Object Provenance:
English, 1625–30
Object Number:


text:
Charlize Theron modeling in Miami.
Eva Longoria doing a hospital visit in Australia.
Emmy Rossum and Sophia Bush who I didn't even recognize.
Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield in Australia.
Who ate last? Giuliana Rancic or
Tori Spelling?
Hilaria Baldwin keeping it classy for
Alec Baldwin who just bought a house in New York, because you know, he is moving.
Helena Bonham Carter at an event.


text:
what would you think
i really liked your advice before.... i need some mnore im afraid.
i was reading someone's post on porn (blondebunny??) and I have the same problem, i think its cheating.
my fella says he agrees, which is just what her partner says. im startin to think maybe its possible.
i asked him today why he doesnt like porn and he said he didnt know. fair enough. i asked him if the reason he didnt like it was because it was cheating and he said he didnt know.
i then asked if porn wasnt cheating, would he like it? and he said 'i dont know'
i flipped, because surely if you dont like something, it doesnt matter if it is cheating or not, you still wont like it?
he makes it sound like the only reason he doesnt like it is because its cheating. and that if it wasnt cheating, he would like it.
thus, he likes it really, hes just not doing it because of me.
what do you think?


text:
Hi Amigos and Amigas
You're still smiling and that is a positive sign all is well....beaches look OK but I think i'll stay with Hawaii....Keep the enjoyment level on 10
Why Bulgaria??
Loading Map
Read my review - 5/5 stars
- Full name: Republic of Bulgaria
� Population: 7.5 million (UN, 2010)
� Capital: Sofia
� Area: 110,994 sq km (42,855 sq miles)
� Major language: Bulgarian
� Major religion: Christianity
� Life expectancy: 70 years (men), 77 years (women) (UN)
� Monetary unit: 1 lev = 100 stotinki
� Main exports: Chemicals and plastics, food and drink, tobacco, machine-building equipment
� GNI per capita: US $6,270 (World Bank, 2010)
Bulgaria i/bʌlˈɡɛəriə/ (Bulgarian: България, IPA: [bɤ̞ɫˈɡarijɐ]) is a country located in Southeastern EuropeRomania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south and the Black Sea to the east. With a territory of 110,994 square kilometers (42,855 sq mi), Bulgaria is Europe's 14th-largest country. Its location has made it a historical crossroad for various civilizations and as such it is the home of some of the earliest metalworking, religious and other cultural artifacts in the world.[6][7][8][9]
Sofia, Bulgaria
We arrived at our hotel in Sofia and found our way into bed by 3:30am! We got an early start at celebrating Janice's birthday and then missed breakfast as we all slept until after 11am. We had rented a room large enough for our family on-line and were pleasantly surprised at the 3 bedroom apartment we had in the center of Sofia.
To orientate ourselves in the city we participated with 20 or so other travelers on a 2.5 hour walking tour of the city seeing and learning much about the city and its history. Our initial impression of the Bulgarian people was that they are 'cold' and still stuck back in the 'I don't care' socialist era but that is only some
Other observations:
- Pay to pee and for ketchup
- Our hotel front desk clerk makes $1.41/hour CDN
- Salary: 150 leve/month (96/month)
- Times are tough here – many say as the worst since WWII
- Many people we spoke with said life was better under Communism than now
- Under Communism everybody had enough but travel was restricted but now under capitalism people are allowed to travel but have not money
- Generally speaking, people dress very well and appearance is as important here than anywhere else.
- We have met people 'without expression' and not many smiles or outward laughter.
Sveti Vlas, Bulgaria (pronounced 'sweaty ass')
Note: After arriving to 40 degrees centigrade the transliteration was a 'no – brainer!
Sveti Vlas (Bulgarian: Свети Влас, "Saint Blaise", Greek: Larissa, Monasterion) is a town and seaside resort on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria, located in Nesebar municipality, Burgas Province. As of July 2007, it has a population of 3,869.
I don't need to say much here………….take a look at a few photos!!
We are getting two special visitors this week!!
Post your own travel photos for friends and family More Pictures & Videos
My Review Of The Place I Stayed
Loading Reviews
Hi Amigos and Amigas
It all looks good. Boys are always hungy, don't you remember Raymond.
Its muggy here in Cottonwood, B.C. We are golfing in Kelowna today.
What another amazing adventure you are having. Two years ago we travelled as far as Bucharest but did not get down to Bulgaria. Enjoy the rest of your trip.
We could have saved money if the Bulgarians did the roof !!!!
Great Pics, should be sailing sonn I hope it is hot and the lake is warm.
I think you've captured some charactersitics of the life/people here, but if it ever happens to visit the country again I suggest to go to the small historical villages in the centre of Bulgaria - the Rose valley and the Tracian Kings temples, the old capital Veliko Tarnovo, as well as a visit to the ancient city of Plovdiv and Sozopol at the seaside. Sunny Beach is the worst thing that can happen to anyone... Anywaw, I hope you and your family still had a good time there. Greetings from Sofia.


text:
Skip to Content
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is the Federal agency responsible for granting U.S. patents and registering trademarks. In doing this, the USPTO fulfills the mandate of Article I, Section 8, Clause 8, of the Constitution that the Executive branch to "promote the progress of science and the useful arts by securing for limited times to inventors the exclusive right to their respective discoveries." The USPTO also registers trademarks based on the Commerce Clause of the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3).
The strength and vitality of the U.S. economy depends directly on effective mechanisms that protect new ideas and investments in innovation and creativity. Under the USPTO system of protection, new products have been invented, new uses for old ones discovered, and employment opportunities created for millions of Americans.
The following website provides a list of Frequently Asked Questions for the United States Patent and Trademark Office: http://www.uspto.gov/faq/index.jsp
Learn More: http://www.uspto.gov/
Tags: No tags associated at this time
Click here to suggest additional keyword tags


text:
Create a free account to check out faster, store multiple shipping addresses, view and track your orders in your account, and much more.
Please enter your password to continue.
I purchased this item as a stocking stuffer. I decided to try it and I found this phone case absolutely useless. First of all, it fits my iPhone like a glove. So tight, I could barely zip it up. Then, to my surprise, I was unable to unzip it. It held my iPhone captive! The zipper caught the inner lining and ended up tearing it, so even after I rescued my phone, the case was unusable and in ungiftable condition.1


text:
I finished sewing the last block today and I have about 10 or so blocks going out tomorrow in the mail. I've got pictures posted for all blocks I've made and rec'd in the link below.
Welcome to the Quilting Board!
I finished sewing the last block today and I have about 10 or so blocks going out tomorrow in the mail. I've got pictures posted for all blocks I've made and rec'd in the link below.
Mischief Managed.
Been a little busy today. Will be sending 4 blocks home tomorrow to: Dahna42, Goldendog55, Lestrong601 and Ijdugas31. Thanks again for swapping, Phannie
[QUOTE=oldcatlady;5968360]will send blocks to moonwork42029 and urgodschild2 x2 tomorrow
I need to apologize, I put these envelopes under some magazines to help flatten them out and forgot to send them. I'm mailing them tomorrow!
received F8 from girlscouts1
received block from AliKat, thank you so much! I love it and the fabrics you used match perfectly
will send out blocks to Phannie1, Lestrong601, Roseysue
finished winnie the pooh today he will be waltzing home in the morning mail
Here today... why what a lucky bunch we are.
Received this beautiful block from Navarre2011 today. Thanks so much for sending the name of the block, never made it before but I sure like it. Still waiting on 14 to get here.
Blocks sent boom water http://www.quiltingboard.com/members...44-albums.html
Blocks received http://www.quiltingboard.com/members...44-albums.html
Batik blocks swap http://www.quiltingboard.com/members...44-albums.html
Received an F8 from girlscouts1. Will start on it later this week.
Have a wonderful day! If you need to contact me, please use the e-mail address on my profile page. Sometimes I don't get notifications that I have a PM here. Please note that I'm usually unavailable on weekends, but I'll get back to you on Monday.
Received f8 from girlscouts1.
Only missing F8 from tracibug.
Mailing finished block to Dahna42 on Tuesday 4/9. You can peek if you wish by clicking on the link below.
Received block from goldendog55
No sewing for the past couple weeks. Dad's brother was really bad off so we took Dad to see his younger brother at the end of the month. A few days after we got home, my uncle passed away so off we went back to Huntsville for the funeral. It was tough on Dad to have 2 600 miles trips in 2 weeks when he is used to only about 50 miles spread over a week.
In between times, I managed to get a super nasty sinus infection (the results of sharing a room with Dad who thought 73 at night was chilly and I couldn't breath for the heat) so I had to snort and cough for a few days. I got somewhat better before we left for the funeral and warned Dad to take some heavy PJ's so he packed his jogging suit for that trip.
We did manage to visit with cousins and other family members that you only see for weddings and funerals (now why do we all do that?). Here's a picture of Dad in his Sunday best.
We'll get to busting our hump again this week and churn out some blocks.
Lisa L.
Howdies from Possum Trot (yes it does exist)
My most recent swap - Boomerang 16
Thanks Jaydee...not too bad for 82
Lisa L.
Howdies from Possum Trot (yes it does exist)
My most recent swap - Boomerang 16


text:
Caldwell was a key factor in taking the final lead and guiding WVU to a win in each of its two wins last week. WVU was trailing by five to Texas late in the second half, when Caldwell hit a jumper, followed by a 3-pointer, to tie the game for the final time.
Against Kansas State, the Mountaineers made a 15-2 run in the final eight minutes with eight points coming from Caldwell in that run.
Caldwell added 16 points in the win over Texas and led the Mountaineers with 19 points at Kansas State. Caldwell also led WVU on the boards at K-State with a season-best nine rebounds. Caldwell now leads WVU in scoring with 12.2 points per game.
WVU Student-Athletes of the Week
Week 1: Christal Caldwell, Women's Basketball
This Week in Women's Basketball
The Mountaineers return home for a 7 p.m. matchup with TCU on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the WVU Coliseum and will close out the week on the road with an 8 p.m. matchup with defending National and Big 12 Champions Baylor on Saturday, Jan. 19, in the Ferrell Center … Tuesday's game will be broadcast live on Root Sports.
Last Week in Women's Basketball
WVU went 2-0 last week with Big 12 wins over Texas, 53-49, at home on Wednesday, followed by a 66-52 road win at Kansas State on Saturday … the 14-point win over Kansas State is WVU's largest scoring margin in conference play this season … prior to K-State, WVU had closed out each of its first three Big 12 games by four points or less.
Notes & Quotes
The Mountaineers continue to lead the league in holding opponents to only 25.1 percent from 3-point range and will face TCU this week, who is third in the league with 7.7 threes made per game … after averaging 16 points per game last week, junior guard Christal Caldwell now leads all WVU players in scoring with 12.2 points per game … the Mountaineers have three players averaging scoring numbers in double figures with Taylor Palmer averaging 11.9 points per game and Ayana Dunning averaging 10.9 points per game.
This Week in Track and Field
The West Virginia University track and field team will host its second indoor meet of the 2012-13 season with the WVU Invitational … the meet will take place in the WVU Shell Building in Morgantown, W.Va., with field events starting at 9 a.m.
Last Week in Track and Field
The Mountaineers resumed their 2012-13 season on Saturday, Jan. 12, with the Doug Raymond Invitational at Kent State … WVU took first in three events and posted two top 5 all-time program best scores in the high jump and weight throw.
Notes & Quotes
In her first meet of the indoor season, senior Stephanie Aldea took first in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:13.82 at Kent State … finishing just behind Aldea in the 800-meter run, freshman Christa D'Egidio placed second with a time of 2:19.88, while sophomore Shannen Daly finished sixth and senior Hallie Portner and junior Allison Tyree finish ninth and tenth, respectively … freshman Peyton Hampson placed first in the 1,000-meter run with a time of 3:03.22 … the distance medley team of Hampson, juniors Sarah Martinelli and Arielle Gaither and freshman Kelly Williams also took first place with a time of 12:15.49 … junior Chene Townsend posted a second place finish in the 60-meter hurdles with a season-best time of 8.58 … Townsend also took ninth in the 200-meter dash with a time of 25.69 … senior Sydney Cummings placed second in the high jump and tied the fifth best jump in program history with a clearance of 1.73 meters … senior Heather Adams also finished strong by recording the fourth-best throw in program history of 16.72 meters in the weight throw.
This Week in Wrestling
The West Virginia University wrestling team will open Big 12 action, as it takes on No. 2 Oklahoma State (8-0) on Friday, Jan. 18, at 7 p.m. EST and No. 14 Oklahoma (3-2) on Sunday, Jan. 20, at 2 p.m. EST.
Last Week in Wrestling
The Mountaineers were defeated by Lock Haven, 19-15, on Jan. 6.
Notes & Quotes
WVU's loss to the Bald Eagles was its first in the previous eight seasons to its former Eastern Wrestling League foe … Shane Young (125), Nathan Pennesi (141), Jason Luster (157) and Bubba Scheffel (174) were the only Mountaineer grapplers to score victories in the dual meet … WVU held a 13-8 takedown advantage in the loss … Scheffel, who improved his record to 6-1 this season, pinned his opponent for his third win by fall of the season … Pennesi scored his team-leading 16th win of the season … Luster's 3-2 decision win was the first dual meet victory of his career.
This Week in Swimming & Diving
The squad will host TCU on Friday, Jan. 18, in the first-ever Big 12 swimming meet … action is set to begin at 5 p.m. in the WVU Natatorium … a live video stream, as well as live results will be available on WVUsports.com.
Last Week in Swimming & Diving
Both teams fell at Pitt in dual meet action last Saturday … the women fell 182-118, while the men lost 217-63.
Notes & Quotes
The meet started with a win by the 200 medley relay team of Courtney Miller, Jenelle Zee, Julie Ogden and Jamiee Gillmore … Rachael Burnett strung together back-to-back first-place finishes in the 1000 free and 200 free, while Jenelle Zee (100 breast), Mandie Nugent (200 fly) and Julie Ogden (100 fly) all registered first-place finishes … the diving squad was led by Haily VandePoel, who finished first on both the 1-meter and 3-meter boards … Julian Vialette picked up the lone men's individual win with a first-place finish in the 50 free.
"We had a few obstacles to overcome, but the team gave it their all and that was evident. Our seniors did a great job and we know they would have liked to finish with a win." – Coach Vic Riggs
This Week in Rifle
The No. 1-ranked West Virginia University rifle team resumes its season as it takes on No. 7 Nebraska on Saturday, Jan. 19 … the match is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m.
Last Week in Rifle
The Mountaineers were idle.
Notes & Quotes
After a successful fall season, WVU finished ranked No. 1 with a 9-0 overall record and 4-0 GARC record … the Mountaineers last competed at the 2012 USA Shooting Winter Air Gun Championships, on Nov. 30 – Dec. 2, in Colorado Springs, Colo. … senior Petra Zublasing finished as the top shooter in the women's 10m air rifle each day and as the overall top shooter and high visitor, with an aggregate score of 1195 … freshman Garrett Spurgeon saw success each day as well … the Canton, Mo., native, finished sixth overall with an aggregate score of 1766 … sophomore Meelis Kiisk finished 16th overall with the men's high visitor mark of 1748 and received the high visitor score each day.
This Week in Women's Tennis
WVU opens it 2013 spring season, as it takes on Ohio State on Saturday, Jan. 19, at noon at the Ridgeview Racquet Club.
Last Week in Women's Tennis
The Mountaineers were idle.
Notes & Quotes
WVU returns two starters from a squad that finished the year with a 4-16 mark overall and 1-6 in the Big East … senior Emily Mathis finished the fall season with a 12-8 combined mark, which was the good enough for the team lead in victories … also earning double-digit wins during the fall season was freshman Vivian Tsui, who compiled 10 wins … senior Audrey Wooland, who transferred from Louisiana-Lafayette, completed the fall season with a 9-9 mark.
This Week in Gymnastics
The No. 22 Mountaineers continue their season-opening road trip and travel to No. 15 Utah to battle the Utes, No. 20 Southern Utah and No. 23 Oregon State on Saturday, Jan. 19, at 9 p.m. ET, at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City.
Last Week in Gymnastics
The Mountaineers (1-0) opened their 2012 season with a solid 194.675-193.55 win at Pitt on Jan. 11 … WVU scored victories on three events, winning vault (48.925-48.15), beam (48.15-47.675) and floor (49.025-48.975) … Pitt took bars, 48.75-48.575 … senior Alaska Richardson earned two event wins – vault (9.825) and floor (9.9) … Richardson's floor score tied her career best … junior Hope Sloanhoffer tied Richardson for the vault win … junior Erica Smith and freshman Jaida Lawrence paced WVU and tied for second on bars with 9.775 scores, while senior Kaylyn Millick won beam with a 9.775 mark.
Notes & Quotes
WVU's score was its best mark in a road season opener … the Mountaineers improved to 53-12-2 over the Panthers … the meet was the first nonconference match-up between the two former EAGL foes since 1996 … WVU improved to 2-1 in season openers under second-year coach Jason Butts …the team's floor mark matched its fourth-best output from the 2012 season … three gymnasts scored 9.8 or better on vault … Millick finished fourth on floor with a 9.825 score, the meet's second-best mark … Lawrence was solid in her first career meet, also scoring 9.75 on floor and 9.725 on vault … freshman Melissa Idell also made her Mountaineer debut and tallied 9.775 on floor … Saturday's meeting will only be the second all-time between WVU and Utah … the Utes defeated WVU, 193.0-185.55, in Salt Lake City in 1990 … the Mountaineers are 3-1 all-time vs. Southern Utah and 0-2 vs. Oregon State.


text:
Perfect Love Casts Out Fear
In this is love perfected with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and he who fears is not perfected in love.
Verse 17 tells us how to have something everybody wants to have. And verse 18 tells us how to get rid of something everybody wants to get rid of.
Confidence Before God
In verse 17 John tells us how to have confidence or boldness on the day of judgment. And in verse 18 he tells us how to cast fear out of our lives. These are simply positive and negative ways of saying the same thing: getting rid of fear is the negative way of saying become confident.
So the main point of the text is clear: John wants to help us enjoy confidence before God. He does not want us to be paralyzed or depressed by fear of judgment. Nothing would make John happier (1:4) than to produce a generation of Christians who were utterly confident that God would accept them on the judgment day.
Taking the Day of Judgment Seriously
I hope we all take the day of judgment as seriously as John does. I sometimes wonder if we have abandoned real belief in God's judgment and in the torment of hell which our Lord Jesus spoke of so vividly and so often (Matthew 5:22, 29f.; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15, 33; 10:15; 11:22–24; 12:36–42; John 5:22–30). The word "hell" (gehenna) is used 12 times in the New Testament — 11 of them on the lips of Jesus. And besides that, he spoke of judgment and "the day of judgment" just as John does in 1 John 4:17. For example, Jesus said to his disciples in Matthew 10:14f.,
And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly, I say to you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.
The Lord has warned us so clearly: it is appointed unto man once to die and after that comes judgment (Hebrews 9:27). He has spoken vividly of the horror of hell,
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell, where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched. (Mark 9:47–48)
Do We Really Believe in the Horrors of Hell?
One of the reasons I say I wonder if we really believe this is the public zeal with which so many Christians warn against the possibility of a nuclear holocaust and how earnestly they work to avert it. And I ask, "Does the coming holocaust of divine wrath at the final judgment startle us as deeply and mobilize us dramatically?"
The nuclear holocaust is only a possibility; but the holocaust of divine wrath is a biblical certainty. The nuclear holocaust would only snuff out life that is temporary and earthly; but the holocaust of divine wrath will snuff out eternal life and will bring a misery to unbelievers that is worse than any disease caused by nuclear radiation.
So I hope we all take the day of judgment as seriously as John did. I hope that when your heart recoils at the tragedy of a possible nuclear holocaust, you will let that legitimate concern overflow the limits of earthly considerations and take in the tragedy of eternal divine judgment as well. I hope that when you feel an impulse to save the world from the bomb, you will enlarge your heart to long for the eternal salvation of your neighbor and the millions of unreached peoples of the world.
Approaching the Day of Judgment with Confidence
According to 1 John 4:17–18 there is a way to approach the day of judgment with fearless confidence. No one who is willing to follow John's teaching needs to be frightened at the approach of death. None of us who accepts this teaching will have to approach the judgment seat of God with our fingers crossed, wondering if we are going to make it. John wrote this book to give us "confidence for the day of judgment" and to "cast out fear."
How does it happen?
Three Clauses in Verse 17
Notice, there are three clauses in verse 17:
- 17a, "In this is love perfected with us,"
- 17b, "that we may have confidence for the day of judgment,"
- 17c, "because as he is so are we in this world."
It says that the result of having love perfected with us (17a) is confidence for the day of judgment (17b); and it says that the reason perfected love gives confidence is that it shows that we are like Christ (17c).
Let's take them one at a time.
1. What Is Perfected Love?
17a) What is perfected love? "In this is love perfected with us." What does "this" refer to? The words just before it say, "God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. In this is love perfected with us." So I would take the "this" to refer to our abiding in love or abiding in God and God's abiding in us — when you abide in love, love is perfected in you.
God's Abiding in Us and Our Abiding in Love
What this means you can see from the connection in 4:12. The same two ideas are both here: God's abiding in us and love being perfected in us. "No man has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us." In other words perfected love refers to God's love in us coming to completion or coming into action as we love each other. "If we love one another . . . his love is perfected in us." So "perfected love" is the love of God expressing itself in our love to each other.
Not Flawless Perfection
It is very important that we understand this, because it is different from what most people think of when they hear the word "perfected." Most people, when they say something has been perfected, mean that it was changed from a state of flawed imperfection into a state of flawless perfection. But the Greek word that John uses (teleioo) does not usually mean that in the New Testament. In the New Testament the word generally means finished, or completed, or accomplished. When something, like a trip or an assignment, attains its goal, it is said to be "perfected."
Other Uses of the Word for "Perfected"
For example the same word is used in John 4:34 where Jesus says, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work." The word "accomplish" here is the same word which in 1 John 4:12 and 17 is translated "perfected." It does not mean that Jesus took the flawed work of God and made it flawless. It means that he took an assignment of God and turned it into action and so completed it (see John 5:36).
In John 19:28 it says that Jesus said, "I thirst" in order to "fulfill" the Scriptures. The word translated "fulfill" is the same as the one translated "perfected" in 1 John 4:12 and 17. It does not mean take a flawed Scripture and make it flawlessly perfect. It means take a Scripture promise and put it into action and so complete it.
James 2:22 is a very important parallel. "You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works." The word behind "completed" is the same as the word behind "perfected" in our text. How do works perfect faith? Not by making it flawless faith but by making it active faith. In other words faith is imperfect until it reaches its goal in good works. Then we can speak of it as "perfected" faith — not because it is flawless and beyond the need for improvement, but because it has attained the goal of action.
A journey can be complete or finished even if it is not a flawless journey. That is the way Paul uses the word for "perfect" in Acts 20:24 — "If only I might accomplish my course and the ministry which I have received from the Lord Jesus!" He did not mean that he expected to have a flawless ministry. He meant that he fully expected to finish putting into action what the Lord had assigned him to do — even if it was not "perfect" in our usual sense of our word.
God's Love Reaching Its Appointed Goal
Now we come back to 1 John 4:12. It says, "If we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us." Following the normal usage of the word, we would take this to mean NOT that our love for each other is a flawless expression of God's love, but that it is God's love being put into action — God's love reaching its appointed goal in practical human love. Perfected love is not just an incomplete idea or emotion or potential in the heart. It is completed, accomplished, put into action — and in that sense "perfected."
So the meaning of the first clause of 1 John 4:17 would go like this: "In this, that is in your love for each other, God's love is put into action and so reaches its appointed goal. It does not remain at the imperfect stage of mere talk, but reaches the stage of action."
So in these verses perfected love is not flawless love. Perfected love is when you don't just talk about the need to share Christ, you do it. It's when you don't just talk about the hungry, you feed them. It's when you don't just talk about floundering new believers, you disciple them. And so on.
2. How Is Confidence Gained for the Day of Judgment?
17b) Now the second clause of the verse says that the result of having love perfected with us is that we have confidence for the day of judgment. "In this is love perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment."
By Putting God's Love into Action for Others
In view of what we have seen now about perfected love, how is it that we gain confidence for the day of judgment? Answer: by putting God's love into action for other people. We don't gain confidence because we are sinlessly perfect in the way we love. That would contradict 1:7–10 ("If we say we do not have sin, we deceive ourselves") and we have seen that it is not what the word "perfected" means. We don't gain confidence by being sinlessly perfect. We gain confidence by putting our money where our mouth is.
Love Not in Word or Speech but in Deed and Truth
The flow of thought is very much like 3:18–19. "Little children, let us not love in word or speech but in deed and in truth." That is the same as saying, "Little children, let the love of God be perfected in you. Let the rubber hit the road. Complete your talk with your walk."
And what will be the result in the next verse? The same as in 4:17. "By this we shall know that we are of the truth, and reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us." In other words the way to have confidence before God on the day of judgment is to love each other with the perfected love of God — that is, love that doesn't just talk but turns into deeds. (See also Matthew 5:7; 6:14; 7:1; James 2:13.)
The Recurring Theme of the Book
So this text is not teaching anything contrary to the thrust of the whole book — loving each other is the reassuring evidence that we are truly born of God and bound for eternal life: "We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren" (3:14). Today's text simply stresses the same thing that 3:18–19 did, namely, that the love which can give us confidence before God is not mere talk but love that has been perfected into action — "not in mere word or speech, but in deed and in truth."
3. Why Does Active Love Give Us Confidence?
17c) The last clause of verse 17 says that the reason active (i.e., perfected) love gives confidence for the day of judgment is that it shows that we are like Jesus. "In this is love perfected with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so are we in this world."
Having the Spirit of Jesus
The assumption is that at the judgment day God won't condemn people who are like his Son. Living a life of active love shows that we have the Spirit of Jesus. It shows we belong to the family of God. And that gives us confidence before God. You can't live at odds with the character of Jesus and then expect to have any confidence when you stand before his Father at the final judgment. But if the current of your life is like his, you can have confidence before his Father.
Seen Throughout the Book
We can see the same sequence of thought in 2:28f.
And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that every one who does right is born of him.
In other words, the way to be sure that you are born of him and that you will have confidence when he comes to judge the world is to abide in him (v. 28) and thus do right as he is righteous (v. 29). "As he is so are we in the world."
1 John 3:2–3 argues the same way:
Beloved, we are God's children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And every one who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
Notice the tremendous confidence of verse 2: we know we will be like him when he comes! That's boldness at the day of judgment! Now what is the proof of this confident hope? Verse 3: "Every one who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure." The proof is the same as in 4:17, "As he is so are we in the world." We share his purity and so assure ourselves that we truly hope in him.
Summary of Verse 17
To sum up verse 17, we can paraphrase it like this: When you love each other with love that is more than just talk, when the love of God reaches its practical goal of action in your life, you will experience a deep and unshakable confidence before God. Much talk of love with few deeds of love destroys assurance. We've all experienced this from time to time. Our conscience condemns us because we think of deeds of love and don't do them.
But if we put our money where our mouth is, or put our time where our tongue is, then we will have a deep sense of the reality of our own faith and will feel confident for the day of judgment, because then we are acting the way Jesus acted.
The Same Thing at Stake in Verse 18
Now for verse 18.
It seems to me that exactly the same thing is at stake in verse 18 as in verse 17 — how to get rid of fear about the day of judgment. Verse 17 is positive: how to have confidence for the day of judgment. Verse 18 is negative: how not to have fear for the day of judgment. And both give the same answer: "perfect" or "perfected" love. Verse 18:
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and he who fears is not perfected in love.
The Negative of Verse 17
Let's look at the last part first: "He who fears is not perfected in love." This is the exact negative of verse 17. Verse 17 says that when love is perfected with us, we have confidence. Verse 18 says that when we are not perfected in love, we don't have confidence, we fear!
If we have been on the right track so far, we can say that a person "perfected in love" is not a person who loves flawlessly. He is a person who loves "in deed and truth and not just in words." In these verses perfection has to do with completion not flawlessness. "Perfect love" is love that does not die on the vine. It's love that comes to fruition. It's love that goes beyond desire and is completed (i.e., perfected) in a deed.
So the first part of the verse (18) says, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment." In other words the reason there is no fear in love is that there is no threat of punishment for being a loving person. When you love someone with real practical deeds, you never hear a warning signal that says, "You're going to get punished for this." Fear is what you feel when you have done something that ought to be punished. But love is never threatened with punishment. So there is no fear in love.
On the contrary, when you love each other with "perfect love" (i.e., with the love of God overflowing and being completed in action) — when you love each other like this, it casts out fear! The way to boldness, the way to confidence and fearlessness, is to walk love not just talk love. Love is perfected not when it is sinlessly flawless but when it passes from talk to walk.
David Livingstone's Challenge
In 1857 when David Livingstone was home from Africa giving a challenge to the students at the University of Cambridge, he tried to convince them that a life of love in the service of others is no ultimate sacrifice. In doing so he gave a beautiful illustration of 1 John 4:17–18 (without realizing it, I suppose). He said,
Is that a sacrifice which brings its own blest reward in healthful activity, the consciousness of doing good, peace of mind, and a bright hope of a glorious destiny hereafter?
Notice the sequence of thought. He says that his labors of love on behalf of the lost have been healthful ACTIVITY. He has the consciousness of DOING GOOD. This is "love perfected" — love in deed and truth, love reaching its goal, love completed in action.
And what was the result for David Livingstone? PEACE OF MIND and A BRIGHT HOPE OF A GLORIOUS DESTINY HEREAFTER! Or to use the words of John: confidence for the day of judgment and a mind without fear.
A Chief Reason Why Many Have Little Confidence
Brothers and sisters, one of the main reasons why so many professing Christians have little confidence with God and little boldness with men is that their lives are not devoted in love to the salvation of the lost and to the glory of God, but instead are devoted (often by sheer default) to providing earthly security and comfort for themselves and their families.
When we try to say that we are indwelt by the Spirit of Christ, and yet we do not devote our lives to the eternal good of other people, there is a deep contradiction within that gnaws away at our souls and dissolves our confidence and leaves us feeling weak and inauthentic.
John wants us to discover the secret of David Livingstone — that a life poured out in the labors of love for the eternal good of other people yields a sure consciousness of doing good, a deep peace of mind and a bright hope of a glorious destiny hereafter!
And where will you find the power to do that?
God Loves First in Jesus Christ
I close with verse 19: "As for us, we love because he first loved us." Our acts of love on behalf of others never cause God's love to be initiated towards us. It is always the reverse. God loves first. Then we know and believe the love God has for us (v. 16). Trusting the love that he has for us in Jesus Christ, he abides in us and HIS love overflows into action and is perfected with us. And we have confidence for the day of judgment.
It all begins with the love of God. "We love because he first loved us." If you lack the power to love, look to the cross of Christ and let the love of God for sinners fill you with hope.
The End
Added Note: Confidence and the Forgiveness of Sins
Of course confidence before God MUST include a sense of the forgiveness of our sins through the death of Jesus. The way this relates to active love as the basis of our confidence is as follows.
1 John 1:7 says, "If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin."
Here two things are combined to secure our cleansing from sin: one is the blood of Jesus; the other is walking in the light. Only one atones for sin, namely, the blood of Jesus. But it does not atone for everyone. It atones for those who walk in the light.
So our confidence before God on the day of judgment is based on the blood of Jesus as the atoning force that takes away all our sins, AND on a certain kind of "walk" — not because this walk atones for our sins at all, but because it confirms the genuineness of our faith. It confirms that we are in fact savingly related to Christ whose blood cleanses us from all sin.
Walking in the light and being perfected in love are the same thing. Neither atones for sin. Both certify that we are born of God and so attached to Christ in such a way that his blood avails for us.


text:
You may have seen him in supermarkets or in TV ads. You may even have found him in your lunchbox. Bongo is the character developed by Dannon USA for their Danimals yogurts for kids.
Now, Bongo is going Greek. That is, Dannon is introducing a new kind of yogurt for kids. It's "Greek" style: that means the yogurt is thicker than usual. Dannon is calling its new yogurt Danimals "Superstars."
How does a big company like Dannon come up with a new food product for kids? What's the science that goes into it? How do they get kids excited about eating it? To find answers to these and other questions, I visited the Dannon Discovery and Innovation Center, in White Plains, New York.
Sweet Science
Greek-style yogurt is becoming more and more popular with adults. But Dannon did surveys and found that while parents are eating Greek yogurt, their kids aren't. "We were curious why," said Dannon's Michael Neuwirth. "Kids told us that Greek yogurt was too thick and too sour." What did Dannon do with this information? They looked for ways to make the yogurt appealing to kids.
The basics of making yogurt are simple, explained Dr. Thierry Saint-Denis, Dannon's director of research and development: "Take milk. Mix in a yogurt culture [bacteria]. Heat it to 104°F for a few hours." Bacteria turn lactose in the milk into lactic acid. The lactic acid then goes through a natural chemical process called fermentation, which turns the milk into yogurt.
What makes yogurt "Greek"? It's thicker than regular yogurt, and less sweet. Dannon's scientists searched for special bacteria that would make their Greek yogurt feel less thick and taste sweeter to kids. Dr. Saint-Denis said that after many tests, they found those bacteria. But he couldn't tell TFK which bacteria: they are trade secrets.
Behind the Scenes
The Dannon headquarters is a huge complex, with a laboratory, factory, lecture hall, offices, and reception area. People work there in research and development, marketing, and production. This allows the Danimals Superstars team to run their whole process in one place, and to quickly bring products to market.
From the lecture hall, I could see through glass to a mini-factory where Dannon does trial runs of products the company hopes will be hits with consumers. There they produced special yogurts in giant stainless-steel tanks operated by technicians in sealed, sanitized white suits. Next, I visited a test kitchen, where Dannon scientists add different flavorings and fruits to yogurts. For fun, they sometimes bake cakes and other treats to mix into the yogurt.
In the marketing offices, I saw 3D printers that make containers of different sizes and shapes for yogurt. There were also finished packages and human-sized posters of Bongo with the new Danimals Superstars yogurt.
Bongo may have gone Greek with this new yogurt, but you won't find him sporting a toga or tunic. Instead, you'll find him doing sports: skateboarding, snowboarding, mountain biking, rafting, and waterskiing. The message Dannon hopes to communicate is that eating Danimals Superstars will give kids the energy for sports like these.
Finally, I got to taste the finished products. Out of the five new flavors, my favorite was Mixed Berry Half-Pipe, for its tart and very berry flavor. Strawberry Slide was a close second, and Strawberry Banana Sprint was also rock solid.
Will "Greek" work for Bongo? It's up to kids.


text:
It's a pet hate: when people shrug and say: "Oh, that's professional sport ...".
When Ma'a Nonu makes a handshake commitment but then forsakes the Blues for the Highlanders, that's professional sport. When Lance Armstrong and, it seems, most of top cycling take performance-enhancing drugs, that's just professional sport too.
When footballers dive in the penalty area or con the officials to get an opponent sent off - it's just the way it is ...
When clubs or franchises treat a player or players poorly (somewhat rarer in these days of increased player power) that is also greeted with the old line: that's pro sport, man ...
What they are really saying is that professional sport excuses all sorts of failings, excesses and poor behaviour. It's "business". There has been an outcry over Armstrong but there's been little notice taken of a far bigger scandal - the Spanish football clubs who owe their taxman €675 million ($1.04 billion).
This week, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said he has ordered the taxman to chase Spanish clubs to pay off their huge debts: "Of course the football clubs are going to pay their debt to the Treasury and social security. In fact, they already are doing so."
Spain has massive unemployment - the largest of any industrialised nation, with 4.8 million jobless. The rate of youth unemployment (under-25) has risen to 52 per cent. A number greater than the population of New Zealand is without work. There is a large, dark, void of hopelessness among young people in Spain; their future is bleak.
Nor does the debt of the clubs stop at the $1 billion owed in tax. A professor at Barcelona University estimates that various clubs owe about €600 million, just under a billion dollars in our money, in missed social security contributions.
In spite of the massive European bail-out of the debt crisis, Spanish unemployment is rising as cuts hit civil service and private sector jobs; TV news show images of previously middle-class folk rooting through garbage skips for food.
The Germans, spearheading the bail-out, reacted bitterly when Spain said it might waive the debts of football clubs.
"We pay them hundreds of millions of dollars to get them out of the shit and then the clubs don't pay their debts," said Uli Hoeness, the president of German club Bayern Munich.
Fans were furious German teams were being beaten by Spanish clubs effectively subsidised by tax breaks paid for by German taxpayers.
The German tabloid Bild asked how long the German taxpayer would subsidise the wages of Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi's annual salary is believed to be €10.5 million ($16.2 million) and Ronaldo's €13 million ($20.1 million). That does not include off-field revenues giving each an estimated income of €30 million ($46.5 million).
Yet many big-spending clubs are essentially taking money from the unemployed and food from the hungry. You'd have to figure $2 billion would go a fair way in present-day Spain.
The problem is both political and financial. For years, football clubs round the world have shown little restraint chasing the next big player with a big salary and big sign-on fees.
Remarkably few have gone to the wall, considering the level of debt accrued.
They've got away with it because many are able to generate enough revenue to cover repayments - but there has also been a lack of political will to bring them to book.
Look at Spain. Consecutive European championships, with the 2010 World Cup sandwiched in between, gave the nation a much-needed lift.
So, too, do their two biggest clubs, Barcelona and Real Madrid, who regularly capture club football's biggest prizes. Politicians attack such popular institutions at their peril.
It's a little like Auckland's transport woes. The billions of dollars and the pain required to get Aucklanders out of cars and into a credible public transport system is such that politicians are unwilling to grasp the nettle; they are unwilling to trade action for losing at the polls.
Fifa have instituted fair play regulations designed to stop clubs from amassing too much debt. The Spaniards, seeing the bitter outrage at the possibility of the clubs' debts being waived, have negotiated an agreement with La Liga for a gradual payback by the end of 2020, with the clubs using 35 per cent of their television and radio revenues (starting in 2014) to pay off tax debts.
One suggestion is that clubs with tax debts be barred from competing in the Spanish league - a measure already in effect in Italy and which would change the face of La Liga. Gone would be Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Real Betis, Racing Santander, Real Zaragoza, Levante and Mallorca. Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad, Getafe, Villareal and Gijon don't owe any tax.
It'd be an unpopular move, sure, but football clubs and millionaire players being rewarded when people are going hungry ... ? That isn't professional sport. Or it shouldn't be.


text:
[502] Economic apartment
Size40 m²
Floor No.
- Family/child friendly
- Internet/WiFi
- Kitchen
- Pets allowed
- Washer/dryer
- Balcony/terrace
- Towels
Accommodation summary
|Calle Faustino Álvarez, 41002 Sevilla, Spain
|Property type
|Property ID
|Acceptance rate
|Response time
|A few hours
|Calendar updated
|3 weeks ago
•The building is located on a parallel street to calle Feria, where you find supermarkets, shops and an excellent food market (fresh fish, meat, fruit and vegetables).
•The decoration is basic, yet it is equipped with all kinds of amenities to make your stay comfortable.
•We recommend the boulevard of Alameda de Hércules to eat out or to have a drink, only 2 minutes away, with a wide variety of bars, restaurants and cafés.
•Close to the promenade walk along the river Guadalquivir and the theme park of Isla Mágica.
•Surrounded by important monuments: the Andalusian Parliament, the Basilica of la Macarena, the Arabic Walls, the church of San Luis, the tower of don Fadrique, etc.
•Well connected with other areas of the city by public transportation.
•Public parking next to the Andalusian Parliament, about 5 minutes walk from the apartment.
Check-out at 11:00, flexibility depending on the availability.
House rulesCheck-in from 15:00 to 21:30.
From 21:30 to 23:30, there is an extra charge of 25€.
From 23:30 to 01:00, there is an extra charge of 40€.
From 01:00 on, the charge is of 60€.
These amounts must be paid on cash at the check in.
Check-out before 12:00.
|Weekly rate for up to 2 guests
|Monthly rate for up to 2 guests
|Price for > 2 guests
|$ 18 US per guest/night extra
|Check-in after
|Check-in before
|On arrangement
|Check-out before
|Cancellation Policy
Reviews for this host's other properties
This is a really new apartment. Although it's not in the down town but very near to the metro station. With the taxi from down town to the apartment you just need to pay about 10 Euro.
What not good we feel is: there is NO WIFI or INTERNET! It's really extremely inconvenient! Especially for the tourists, who want search for the route or sth. else.
We were in Seville during the Europa League match of Borussia MG there. The stadium is about 300 meters away - so a great location for people who want there for a scheduled way.
The apartment itself has everything you need for a short stay. We were nine on the road and were able to spread out well on the 4 bedrooms with double bed and an extra small bed in the living room escape.
In the center of the apartment is the kitchen with refrigerator, washing machine, cooker, etc ..
Only the living room could be a little bit bigger, if you like we live with many people there. However, as we enjoyed almost all the time the beautiful weather and the city, that was not really important for us.
Wir waren in Sevilla im Zuge des Europa-League Spiels von Borussia MG dort. Das Stadion ist ca. 300m entfernt - also Top-Lage für Leute die dort für ein Fussballspiel hin wollen.
Das Apartment an sich hat alles, was man für einen kurzen Aufenthalt braucht. Wir waren zu neunt unterwegs und konnten uns gut auf die 4 Schlafzimmer mit jeweils Doppelbett und einem zusätzlichen kleinen Ausweichbett im Wohnzimmer verteilen.
Im Zentrum des Apartments ist die Küche mit Kühlschrank, Waschmaschine, Kochstelle, etc..
Lediglich das Wohnzimmer könnte ein klein wenig größer sein, falls man wie wir mit vielen Leuten dort wohnt. Da wir jedoch fast die ganze Zeit das schöne Wetter und die Stadt genossen haben, war das für uns nicht wirklich wichtig.
All great, my congratulations to Germán their treatment. Everything perfect unable to fault it, we had a baby and the new crib that we had, thank you very much.
Todo fenomenal, mi felicitación a Germán por el trato recibido. Todo perfecto sin poder poner ninguna pega, llevábamos un bebe y la cuna nueva que nos tenía, muchas gracias.
Perfect located. It´s a small studio but the large terrace makes all the difference. Very well equipped kitchen, and nice large bathroom.
This was a really fantastic apartement with a nice kitchen and modern bathroom. Special was the roof-garden with a great view on the city. We would book this place anytime again. We have there a pleasant stay.
Very nice area and a more than acceptable apartment
Muy buena zona y una apartamento más que aceptable
We had a great stay in Sevilla at Carmen's appartment!
everything was clean and nice! The owner was very helpful and recommended the best Tapas bars in the City... we Location was perfect, we had a few minutes walk to plaza de Hercules and about 10 Minutes walk to all sight seeing buildings.
I can not believe qure keep sending me messages at my opinion, when in no time was ignored our complaints we .All She attended nor was abysmal especially housing that is in poor condition maintenance for your situation and category all it is shown with pictures.
FYI ....... we never again use Wimdu
Me parece mentira qure se me sigan mandando mensajes consultando mi opiniòn , cuando en ningun momento se hizo caso de nuestras quejas ni se nos atendio .Todo fuè pesimo sobre todo la vivienda que se encontraba en pesimas condiciones de mantenimiento para la categoria de su situacion y todo ello demostrado con fotos.
Para su informaciòn .......nunca mas utilizaremos WIMDU
This really is a great apartment. We stayed 4 nights there and loved it. The representative was there to meet us and show us the apartment and gave good advice about the area. It is a very spacious, comfortable apartment, true to the photos in the advertisement. The location is excellent. It is 3 minutes walk to the Cathedral plaza and about 2 minutes the other way to the riverside. We had no trouble finding our way around.
Thoroughly recommended.
Long weekend in the apartment berbleven 5 adult and one baby. Super cozy location. Nice sized bedrooms with good beds. Nice clean bathroom and 2nd toilet. Entire apartment schhon and spacious. French balconies we found very nice and you can enjoy the sun. 3rd floor roof terrace on little used because there middle of Day's too hot. Well stunning views over the city. Good service, within 45 min, the cold water problem solved.
Thanks for enthusiastic and informative welcome. We highly recommend this app to anyone. Greetings fam out
Lang weekend in het appartement berbleven met 5 volwass en 1 baby. Super gezellige locatie. Lekker ruime slaapkamers met goede bedden. Mooie schone badkamer en 2de toilet. Gehele appartement schhon en ruim opgezet. Franse balkonnetjes vonden we erg leuk en je kan er van het zonnetje genieten. Dakterras op 3e verdieping weinig gebruikt omdat het daar midden vd dag te warm is. Wel prachtig uitzicht over de stad. Goede service, binnen 45 min was het koud water probleem verholpen.
Bedankt voor enthousiaste en informatieve ontvangst. We raden dit app aan iedereen aan. Groetjes fam buiten
- Quality assured accommodation
- Every host is verified by telephone
- Secure payment via SSL encryption


text:
Jump to:Page Content
Home > News & Events > News > Articles > Exploring Dilemmas of Resource Development in the Latin American Oil and Gas Industry
Countries have taken different paths in balancing the desire for outside investment to help with the development of oil resources, with the recurring temptation to change the terms of the deal when investments become lower risk and more profitable.
Francisco Monaldi, Robert F. Kennedy Visiting Professor of Latin American Studies, spoke in the Energy Policy Seminar series on Monday (Feb 11), examining the contrasting paths taken by Latin American countries in the development of their oil and gas resources.
While government moves to expropriate oil company profits are often considered to be ideologically motivated, Monaldi argued that the inherent dynamics of oil investment as it has often been carried out in Latin America – high and volatile rents, high sunk costs, and tax systems where government's share fails to keep pace with the growth of oil profits, among other factors — combine to create an almost irresistible pressure for governments to change original contract terms, independent of ideology.
In some cases, Monaldi suggested, a history of expropriating outside oil and gas investors may be contributing to a current situation of relatively low rates of oil production relative to proven reserves. Latin America has the highest ratio of reserves to oil production of any part of the world, by a wide margin, with Venezuela standing out as an extreme case.
Monaldi examined several different cases in which different policies and situations seem to be producing different outcomes, including Venezuela, Mexico, and Brazil, the three countries with the most significant proven oil reserves in Latin America.
In Venezuela, a startlingly low production rate of 0.3 percent of proven reserves per year may be linked to the government reneging on contracts and increasing taxes. Mexico faces declining oil production after a long period of relatively low investment. Brazil has been considered a model for energy policy, but domestic subsidies have been contributing to a worsening oil trade balance.
Professor Monaldi is visiting Harvard Kennedy School this year. He is the Director of the Center on Energy and the Environment at the Institute of Advanced Studies in Administration in Caracas, Venezuela.
The Energy Policy Seminar Series is jointly sponsored by the Energy Technology Innovation Policy research group of the Belfer Center on Science and International Affairs and the Consortium for Energy Policy Research of the Mossavar-Rahmani Center on Business and Government.
Francisco Monaldi, Robert F. Kennedy Visiting Professor of Latin American Studies
"In some cases, a history of expropriating outside oil and gas investors may be contributing to a current situation of relatively low rates of oil production relative to proven reserves," said Monaldi.


text:
Times may be tough for the economies of the world, but the global pinch has yet to reach the Porsche-driving classes.
The luxury car giant sold a record 128,978 vehicles cars in the 11 months to November, beating the 118,868 sold in the whole of the previous year.
The boom has been driven by China where Porsche enjoyed sales growth of 63.4 per cent and in the United States, with a 71.4 per cent growth.
Europe, where overall car sales have fallen by more than 7 per cent overall, did not prove so fruitful, although Porsche still managed growth of 6.8 per cent.
The result is good news for Volkswagen, which completed a €4.46 billion ($7.1 billion) takeover of the car maker in July.
Bernhard Maier, the sales and marketing director at Porsche, said: "The fact we have already surpassed the previous year's result in November is no reason for us to rest on our laurels.
"On the contrary, it is an incentive to deliver maximum performance."
Jaguar Land Rover also posted record numbers, having sold sold 29,893 cars in November.
The Indian-owned car maker enjoyed a 14 per cent increase in sales on the same period a year earlier.
It is also carrying out a feasibility study to look at the possibility of making cars in Saudi Arabia in an attempt to tap that country's vast oil wealth.


text: Recently my truck has been making a very loud noise coming from the front end. I was driving to work one day when I heard a noise that sounded like a think piece of metal was flapping underneath the truck somewhere. Thought it might be the dust cover so I took it off and the noise persisted. The flapping noise got worse and turned into a clunking/popping noise. Noise sounded like it was coming from the front passengers side so I changed the cv axle, but the noise persists. Noise does not seem to occur when the truck is in neutral and rolling, but as soon as you put it into gear it begins to make the popping noise. The noise happens when you go forwards or backwards and seems to get a little quieter when 4x4 is engaged. Wheel hub seemed to be fine. Cant figure this one out so any help would be greatly appreciated.


text:
Blue Star Cartridge & Brass
They do gun shows all over the south, so if there's one in your area soon, give 'em a call and make sure they bring some. They also ship via UPS.
After I posted the first message in this thread I've seen loaded .35 Remington all over the place - gun shows, sporting goods stores, even Wal-Mart. I would never have guessed it was so popular... and 9mm/.38, it's about a cheap to reload as you can get.


text:
Popular property highlights
DiamondHead Beach Resort places you within a leisurely stroll of Times Square and Bay Oaks Recreation Center. This 3.5-star resort has 124 rooms and welcomes guests with a restaurant, an outdoor pool, and a fitness center. It's on the beach and also near Matanzaz Pass Preserve and Mound House.
This resort serves as home to a lobby lounge, along with a restaurant that specializes in American cuisine. Order from room service to satisfy your hunger without leaving your room. For your convenience, breakfast is available for a fee.
The 124 air-conditioned accommodations feature kitchenettes and balconies, and there's space to spread out with separate bedrooms. 42-inch flat-screen TVs come with cable channels and pay movies. Other standard amenities include sofa beds, coffee makers, and safes.
At DiamondHead Beach Resort, guests enjoy an outdoor pool, a fitness center, and 2 spa tubs. Self parking is offered for USD 15.00 per day. The front desk has multilingual staff standing by 24 hours a day to assist with dry cleaning/laundry and concierge services. Other amenities at this beach resort include WiFi in public areas, 6 meeting rooms, and conference space.
Property features
- Onsite dining
- Outdoor pool
- Fitness center
- WiFi in public areas (fees apply)
DiamondHead Beach Resort
Hotel Amenities
Hotel Amenities
Situated on Estero Island, 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) from the shopping and entertainment of downtown Fort Myers Beach, the Diamondhead's beachfront location translates to plenty of water-sports activities, including personal watercraft rentals.
A sundeck with splash pool, 2 spa tubs, and lounge chairs overlook the beach. Guests enjoy indoor and outdoor dining, all with great gulf views. Scrubs, manicures, pedicures, and massages are available at the spa; advance reservations are required. A 24-hour fitness center offers cardio machines and free weights, and a 24-hour business center offers access to a computer and printer. Coin-operated laundry facilities are on site.
The Diamondhead Beach Resort is a smoke-free property.
- Computer station
- Year Built 1998
- Number of buildings/towers - 1
- 24-hour front desk
- ATM/banking
- Number of floors - 14
- Bar/lounge
- Breakfast available (surcharge)
- Business center
- Concierge services
- Conference space
- Dry cleaning/laundry service
- Elevator/lift
- Express check-in
- Express check-out
- Fitness facilities
- WiFi (surcharge)
- Number of spa tubs - 2
- Laundry facilities
- Meeting rooms 6
- Multilingual staff
- Total number of rooms - 124
- Poolside bar
- Porter/bellhop
- Restaurant
- Self parking (surcharge)
- Conference space size (feet) - 8000
- Conference space size (meters) - 743
- Beach umbrellas
- Beach sun loungers
- Pool sun loungers
- Beach towels
- Smoke-free property
- Outdoor pool
- Wedding services
- Spa treatment room(s)
- Spa services on site
Family Friendly Amenities
- Family Hotel
- Outdoor pool
- Kitchenette
- Laundry facilities
- Sofa bed
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Cribs/infant beds (complimentary)
Available in some public areas: Wireless internet access ( USD 15.00 per day )
Self parking (surcharge)
Room Amenities
DiamondHead Beach Resort offers 124 air-conditioned accommodations with safes and coffee/tea makers. Rooms open to balconies. Accommodations are furnished with queen sofa beds. Accommodations at this 3.5-star resort have kitchenettes with refrigerators, microwaves, and cookware/dishes/utensils.
Bathrooms include showers and hair dryers. 42-inch flat-screen televisions come with premium cable channels and pay movies. Additionally, rooms include irons/ironing boards and blackout drapes/curtains. Housekeeping is provided daily.
- Flat-panel TV
- Air conditioning
- Balcony
- Phone
- Private bathroom
- Shower only
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- Cable TV service
- In-room climate control (air conditioning)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Cookware, dishware, and utensils
- Hair dryer
- Daily housekeeping
- In-room safe
- Iron/ironing board
- Kitchenette
- Microwave
- Pay movies
- Premium TV channels
- Refrigerator
- Room service (limited hours)
- Free cribs/infant beds
- Separate bedroom
- Sofa bed size
- Sofa bed
Where to Eat
Chloës Seafood & Steaks - Indoor dining with panoramic views of the gulf. Dinner favorites include fresh seafood, steaks, and pastas. Open for breakfast and dinner.
Chloës Lounge - Specialty drinks and a spectacular view of the sun setting over the Gulf of Mexico. Appetizers, full menu available. Occasional live entertainment. Open from early evening until late evening.
Cabañas Beach Bar & Grille - Hamburgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, salads, wraps, and specialty drinks served poolside with seating in the sand and great views of the gulf. Open seasonally from mid-morning until early evening.
Room service - Available during restaurant hours.
Nearby Things to Do
This Fort Myers Beach resort features a sundeck with splash pool and two spa tubs overlooking the gulf. The 24-hour fitness center includes free weights, a treadmill, and a stationary bike.
Personal watercraft and bicycle rentals are available (surcharge). Volleyball is played on the beach.
The 18-hole, par-60 Bay Beach Golf Club is located within four miles of the hotel.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or near the hotel; fees may apply.
- Golfing nearby
- Snorkeling nearby
- Scuba diving nearby
- Windsurfing nearby
- Scooter/moped rentals nearby
- Bicycle rentals on site
- Kayaking on site
- Parasailing on site
- Sailing on site
- Volleyball on site
Spa Services
At the Award-Winning Esterra Spa offers a truly unique experience where body, mind and spirit are invigorated, restored and refreshed. A wide choice of services, gift certificates and packages are available.
- Manicures and pedicures
- Body scrubs
- Massages
- Body treatments
- Facial treatments
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please note them at check-out when you book your room.
- Accessible bathroom
- Roll-in shower
- In-room accessibility
Hotel Policies
Minimum check-in age is 25
Check-in time starts at 3 PM
Check-out time is 11 AM
Payment types
Children and extra beds
- Children are welcome.
- Free cribs (infant beds)!
- Pets not allowed
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy.
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card or cash deposit are required at check-in for incidental charges.
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.
No rollaway/extra beds available
- Beach towels
- Fitness center access
- Internet access
- Newspaper
- Phone calls
- In-room coffee
- Self parking
- Resort fee: USD 15.00 per accommodation, per night
Optional extras
- Breakfast fee: between USD 7 and USD 12 per person (approximately)
- Fee for wireless Internet in public areas: USD 15.00 per day (rates may vary)
- Self parking fee: USD 15.00 per day
Hotel Name
- Diamondhead
- Diamondhead Beach
- Diamondhead Beach Resort
- Diamondhead Resort
- Diamond Head Beach Resort
- Diamondhead Beach Hotel Fort Myers Beach
- Diamondhead Resort In Fort Myers Fl
- Diamondhead Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach
- Diamondhead Beach Fort Myers Beach
- Diamondhead Beach Hotel Fort Myers
- Diamondhead Beach Resort Spa
We should mention
Reservations are required for spa treatments. Reservations can be made by contacting the resort prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation.


text:
Posted March 23, 2013
Yeah, I've played it before. Restarted several times, but never finished it. Good times indeed! :D
X3R022: Thank you so much, you beautiful human being. So friggin excited right now! Everyone +1 this guy right now!!! XD
tinyE: XD Don't thank anyone yet! Have you played NWN? It's great but it's also LONG and INVOLVED. Say goodbye to sleep, you won't be getting any for a long time! Oh and when you choose your sidekick, so long as you aren't a good good guy pick the Monk; he kills everyone with his bare hands...GOOD TIMES!


text:
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date index][Thread index]
Re: st: time varying variable in Cox regression
"raoul reulen" <email@example.com>
Re: st: time varying variable in Cox regression
Wed, 28 Mar 2007 13:03:48 +0100
Thanks Svend,
Could I also set the period between the first birth and the third to
missing? So I would know that up to the first birth (for which the dob
is known) the subject didn't have any children. Then set the period
between the first and the third birth to missing because I don't know
whether they had one or two children in that period
and then when the third child is born set it to 3 (so I would stsplit twice)?
period up to first birth: child_num=0
period between first birth and third child_num=.
period after third birth: child_num=3
By doing this the subject will at least contribute some person-years
up to the first birth and after the third birth. I guess I could also
add 9 months to the first birth, because I'm pretty sure that the
subject didn't give birth in that period. However, I 'm not sure
whether the above method is ok (though It would make it more complex).
* For searches and help try:
* http://www.stata.com/support/faqs/res/findit.html
* http://www.stata.com/support/statalist/faq
* http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/stata/
|© Copyright 1996–2017 StataCorp LLC | Terms of use | Privacy | Contact us | What's new | Site index