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Written by MKL contributor Alex Schofield, September 10, 2011
The origin of what ultimately led me on the path to coming to China occurred in late August 2008. Having told my boss that afternoon to stick his job where the sun doesn't shine and having recently won just shy of GBP4,000 (US$6400) only four days earlier in a very stressful court case where I sued a previous employer for unpaid salary and commissions, I was looking for a break from the life I had built for myself since I graduated from University in 2006.
Like many I had bought into the Western philosophy of do well at school, get a good job, marry a beautiful girl, have kids and grow rich. I thought that if I worked all the hours God sent and effectively sold my soul to the corporate devil I would be happy and content with all the material pleasures life brings. It's easy to think that way when you grew up in a family where you didn't always have them.
I had been working as a headhunter for 18 months for two different companies, both of which have since been liquidated. Due to the stress of my job, working 60-hour weeks due to the decline of the market, friend and partner troubles, and the court case I was involved in, I was at the end of my tether. I had also developed, due to stress, a serious case of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), which gave me vicious stomach cramps several times a day and for which I had to take two types of muscle relaxants. I also had to take sleeping pills.
I was sitting on a train heading home after the confrontation with my boss. I was pondering my uncertain future, but I had saved around US$15,000 and I was wondering what to do when the phone rang. It was my friend Jon, who was in the process of moving to Australia. He invited me to go with him and, after that, the seeds were sown.
I have been in love with travelling ever since the summer of 2004 when, at age 18, I had embarked on a backpacking trip around continental Europe that started in Paris, incorporated working as a tour guide in Berlin, and ended in Estonia. It was the best summer of my life and here was the chance to do something similar that at least would mean a temporary respite from the UK rat race.
I didn't end up moving to Australia but instead incorporated it in a round-the-world trip that included South Africa (Cape Town), the south of Africa (Mozambique, Tanzania and Malawi), Australia, New Zealand, and all of southeast Asia. The feeling of freedom—of having gotten away from it all—was an amazing feeling. That trip finally enabled me to convince myself that the previous track my life had been on was the wrong one. I felt so much more fulfilled as a person and the experience definitely changed me and made me realize what actually made me happy, which was experiencing new things, meeting new people and feeling that anything was possible.
Whilst on the trip I pondered heavily what I was going to do in the future, and I had met several EFL teachers whilst travelling as well as having two friends from home who were then (and still are) in the industry. One is now in Spain and the other is in Vietnam. I saw it (and still see it now) as a means of enabling someone to travel and escape the problems I had back home. EFL teaching has turned into something different for me and I will discuss this later when I address the financial aspects and the issue of work-life balance.
When I was in Singapore, I got my first teaching job (with no qualifications or experience apart from my BA degree) teaching expat Korean and Japanese children in a language centre there. Unfortunately, staying there was not financially viable so I answered an advert from a UK company that was placing people to teach in China: I moved to Shenzhen in November 2009 and I am still here.
The experience with the initial recruiter was a harrowing one. We were promised that our L-visas would be converted to work visas, which never happened. We were paid considerably less than what was advertised (3500RMB a month with shared apartment!) and the benefits we were promised were not provided. It was a horrible experience and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. In a strange country where you can't speak the language, it is a bad situation to be in. Luckily there were over 40 individuals with the same company who had the same issues and, although many understandably went home, those of us who stayed helped each other find new jobs with much better salaries and conditions. Now I have managed to carve out a life in China that is better financially and has a much better work-life balance than what I had known in the UK.
Middle Kingdom Life's Foreign Teachers Guide mentions several times that you need to choose your first position in China very carefully and gives a very stern warning against using the services of recruiters. If you follow this advice, you have already taken the first big step in making your experience in China a successful one.
I was born in Apartheid-era South Africa in 1985 to English parents. We were quite a poor family and my parents divorced when I was 3-years old at which point my father moved back to the UK. Due to political unrest in South Africa at the time and the impact of numerous economic sanctions that had been imposed on the country by the rest of the world, my mother moved me and my older sister to the UK in 1990. She worked for a Gulf airline and spent a lot of time in the Middle East and can still speak fluent Arabic to this day.
I didn't have a "regular" childhood and my first years at school were hard because I was an outsider and the other children mocked me for having a thick South African accent. My mother and I (my sister lived with our grandmother as she had lived there when my mother was in the Middle East and didn't want to leave her) lived in government provided welfare housing and we didn't even own a TV until I was seven years old! Our situation improved when my mother met my stepfather and my brother was born in 1993 and I saw my biological father twice a week. For the first time we had a stable, settled family.
I am not telling you this because I want you to feel sorry for me and my upbringing. In hindsight (if only my foresight was as good) I wouldn't change my upbringing for anything as it made me into a very independent and strong-willed person who is very difficult to break. I don't go running when I encounter difficult situations and I will never let anyone walk over me. People like me and my older sister understand that if you want something in life you have to go out and take it, and not wait for people to hand things to you. I see myself as part of a dying breed in society: Proud, educated, and working class.
The reality is, the foreign English teachers who adapt best to the very challenging circumstances that living in China requires are people from the lower SES (poor and working classes) who have fairly few material expectations and are not used to living a middle-class life in the West, as well as those who have backbones made out of steel. As said in the MKL Guide, if you need someone to pat you on the back, give you regular praise, and tell you are doing a good job, you need to understand you will not get this in an EFL position in China. If it is enough for you to take pride in your position as a role model and a confidant, and you have enough self-esteem to not need someone to guide you and mentor you, you will find it much easier to succeed.
I have found that my internal drive and resilience have helped me a lot since I have been here. I know why I am here and I simply couldn't care less about what anybody else thinks about me as a person or what I do. I find my personal satisfaction in the relationships I have with my students and their parents, and the fact that I know I am affecting their lives in a positive way. If others don't recognize it or appreciate it, well, I simply don't care.
Financial Aspects of Living in ChinaAs of this writing, 100 RMB is equal to USD$15.65 and GBP 9.81. An average China EFL university teacher's salary of 5,000 yuan comes to USD$782.69 and GBP 490.51 per month.
I agree with the Guide that teaching EFL in China is not a viable career move but it can certainly make a lot of sense depending on your current situation. Right now the UK is going through it's worse economic period in decades. Current graduate unemployment is at around 12% and the number of 18- to 25-year olds classified as NEETs (Not in Employment, Education or Training) is rising every year (see Price, 2011 for August 2011 figures).
Even for degreed and educated young adults, life is difficult. Not only is the employment market difficult but the rising costs of fuel, utility bills, and the government's tax measures have contributed to the fact that the UK—especially for those without rich parents to get them a foot on the ladder—is a difficult place to make a start in life. It is very hard to buy a home because of banks severely tightening their lending criteria and many industries seem to have decided that training graduates does not provide results quickly enough so they want more experienced employees with proven track records.
Bearing all of this in mind, no wonder people are looking to get out. Even if you are lucky enough to land a position in the UK, it is very difficult to save any money after you have paid your rent, student loan repayment, council tax, ridiculously-sized utility bills and food bill. It is very hard to save any of your income.
After working at a few private schools, I moved into full time freelance teacher as of January 2011, meaning I do all my work on a private basis in my students' homes. For this I charge between 200-300RMB per hour. It took a long time of living in China before I managed to be in a position to become self-employed. It becomes possible after you have lived in China for a while as you gain knowledge of all the well-paid part time positions that are not generally advertised. (Please see my article on Freelance Teaching in China for more information.) My income fluctuates but is generally around 16,000 yuan a month for a 17-hour workweek. During the summer and winter vacations I generally work flat out for a few weeks at an intensive English language program and also teach my private students at the same time, earning a large sum of money very quickly so I can go on vacation for the rest of the holiday.
These are the main Pros and Cons of my situation:
I am very comfortable with my financial situation in China as I know very few 26-year old people who can save over 500 pounds or US$800 a month. I have a good lifestyle that I would say was on par with many middle-class people. The only problem is that it costs the better part of 10,000RMB per month to live the kind of life I have now grown accustomed to. My girlfriend (who has a good job) and I regularly eat at Western restaurants and enjoy evenings out, go regularly to health spas, and go to Hong Kong and Macau every couple of months for a weekend.
One of the best things about living in Shenzhen is its proximity to Hong Kong, where most Western goods are considerably cheaper owing to the lack of sky-high import duties and any sales tax. I go there monthly at present and take an extra backpack so I can buy products such as Western brand toiletries, wine, chocolate, and over-the-counter medicines. All of the electrical items I have bought since I have been in China have also been purchased there such as my laptop, iPhone, a speaker system, and printer.
Here is an approximate breakdown of what I spend per month. My lifestyle is definitely Western but certainly not luxurious.
I total that to be around 8,600RMB per month. I could spend a lot less if I made significant changes in lifestyle and I could easily spend a lot more. Once I add in occasional clothes shopping and other items, I think I spend around 10,000 RMB a month.
As you see, it isn't cheap to live in a first-tier Chinese city, especially in Shenzhen or, even more so, Shanghai. To be able to live a good lifestyle and save some money, you need to be able to earn plenty, and this isn't always possible right away.
My favorite quote is from Oscar Wilde: "The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it". This can adequately sum up living in a first-tier city in China simply because the metropolises of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and, to a certain extent Chengdu, have all the comforts of home, but at a very high price.
A regular lifestyle of Western grocery shopping, hanging out several nights a week in expat bars, regular impulse purchases of Western electronics and clothes, etc. will clean you out in no time. It is certainly true that salaries in first-tier cities are much higher than in the rest of the country. The average in Shenzhen is around 12,000RMB a month (and it's possible to get more, although many earn less) and it's more than that in Beijing and Shanghai. In these cities, however, it is difficult to get housing included in the package, especially if you work for a private school. What housing is provided is often in undesirable locations and from what I have seen, not great quality. This is all simply due to cost.
If you want to chase the bucks in a first-tier city you must also understand that foreigners are abundant and the competition for good jobs is high. Of course, there are many more opportunities as well, so, in my opinion, it balances out. To save money you must get a good paying job, ideally take on some very well-paid private work on the side, and then keep your expenditure to a reasonable level. Just bear in mind it is very difficult to exercise restraint when you are living in Shanghai and your friends call you inviting you to go out to the French Concession. If you go to a restaurant, out for a few beers, and a taxi home, you can kiss 500RMB goodbye.
The big problem here is that China is a very challenging place to live and when it gets on top of you I guarantee you will want to find solace in whatever comforts of home are available, even if doing so costs you an arm and a leg.
So far in my story I have not mentioned my fiancée Faye. I met her in January 2010 just two months after I arrived in China: It's the one area in my life that has been a complete success. My mind is definitely made up that this is the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. She is loyal, intelligent, and supportive to the point where I wonder what I have done to deserve somebody like this.
She is highly Westernized and speaks fluent English, as English was her major at university. I could write a book telling you about her virtues but this isn't the purpose here.
Faye and I have had a very serious discussion regarding what we want out of life and where we see ourselves going. We have agreed to put off having children for around five years, until enough time that we are financially stable and a child would not cause strain. She is almost 24 (I am 26) and I am well aware that it is perfectly normal for many Chinese girls to want to get married and have children around that time in their lives. Nevertheless, I felt it was best to be honest with her and tell her I was not yet ready for that. She was very accepting of this and agreed.
I have also told Faye that I do not see my long term future in China and will want to move abroad sometime in the next two to five years. I have the ambition to set up my own business as I do not ever want to have a boss again. I want to keep the freedom that I have grown accustomed to, although, of course, I realize setting up my own company will be very hard work.
I know many expats constantly talk about the dreams they have and they always talk in the future tense about the great things they will do one day. I know, however, that I am a determined person and people have constantly been telling me I can't do things and that it's impossible, but I strive to prove people wrong. I also feel that Faye's employment prospects in the UK will be good as she speaks excellent English and has over three years' experience in the foreign trade business selling electronic products all over the world. More and more Western companies are doing business with China so I think somebody like Faye will be a great asset. She is very likable, adaptable, and a great saleswoman.
Another reason I want to move away from China is that I would rather die than have my own kids educated in their education system. It is corrupt, unimaginative, and there is no way I am going to have my children subjected to communist political indoctrination and Chinese ideals of conformity and collectivism. The UK has excellent free healthcare and education systems that—although not perfect by any means—are light years ahead of China's. Like anyone, I want what's best for my children and, in all likelihood, I wouldn't be able to afford an international school.
My life in China has often been just like a neverending rollercoaster ride. The idea that I am trying to get across is that certain types of people at particular stages in the life cycle can adapt very well to life in China and can make a life for themselves that is often better than what they had back home. I put myself in this category, although it hasn't been without trials and tribulations and a lot of adaptation and adjustment on my part.
Life in China is simply not for everyone. If you are thinking about coming here, then you need to honestly reflect upon yourself and your current situation, weigh that up against all the information you have available about what living and working in China are like (reading through this entire Guide is really a must for that purpose) and then you can make an honest decision. I made every mistake possible when I first came here. I had no money so I had no exit route; I was unqualified with no experience and I had not done adequate research. I simply jumped in the water head first and hoped the pool was deep.
Making a good life for yourself is possible in China, especially if your expectations are low to begin with, you don't arrive here with big dreams of making it rich as an oral English teacher, and you know first-hand how to live very simply (and are okay with that). However, I would like to close with what I consider to be excellent advice from the Guide: advice that I agree with wholeheartedly and live by on a day-to-day basis:
Just make certain that you are using the Chinese for your purposes instead of allowing the Chinese to exploit and abuse you for their purposes: In regard to oral English language teaching in mainland China, rarely is there a middle ground. (From Overview of Teaching English in China)
Price, A. (2011). UK Unemployment. HRM Guide: Human Resource Management. Retrieved on September 10, 2011 from http://www.hrmguide.co.uk/jobmarket/unemployment.htm


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Does your iPad look exactly like everyone else's? Have you discovered the many wonders of adding minimalistic iPad decals to reestablish that feeling of having a unique product?
Just few years ago, most people brought a notebook and a pencil to school and for meetings for taking notes – now more or less everyone bring a tablet instead. No matter where you go; school, meetings, trains or at the park, you see people carrying an iPad or an android tablet. This type of gadgets has become an indispensable tool for many people as it is used for both business and pleasure for people of all ages.
As the market for iPads are still growing and expanding rapidly the uniqueness and hype about having one fades. However, no need for despair if you do not own a 4. generation iPad with the latest outer design. Just as you can change the appearance of your Macbook by adding cool decals you can also get funky and minimalistic decals for your iPad.
In this post, I have found some great examples of iPad decals that will light up any iPad giving it a funky and personalized twist. I would appreciate it you would share this article with your fellow iPad enthusiast friends. Enjoy!

subset: commoncrawl


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Making the Most of the Campus VisitFrancesca Di Meglio
The campus visit is important to business school applicants because it can enhance their application and give them a sense of where they might one day earn their MBA. Although most experts agree that visitors should not get hung up on garnering face time with the busy admissions committee, some programs go as far as aiding them with their application, says Sam Kang, director of admissions for the full-time MBA/MS programs at the University of Maryland Smith School of Business (Smith Full-Time MBA Profile).
"We can help them improve their application, counsel them about the timing of turning it in, and establish a relationship with them," Kang says.
Indeed, even at business schools with large enrollments, candidates can gather specifics about the campus that will improve their applications and interviews, says Graham Richmond, co-founder and chief executive of the admissions consultancy Clear Admit in Philadelphia. At smaller programs, such as the University of Virginia Darden School of Business (Darden Full-Time MBA Profile) or the Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business (Tuck Full-Time MBA Profile), the campus visit is even more important, because admissions committees make note of it, says Richmond.
Giving serious thought to one's campus visit is of paramount importance, because just showing up is not going to get a candidate very far, says Linda Abraham, president and founder of admissions consultancy Accepted.com in Los Angeles.
"Planning a visit when students aren't on campus or school isn't in session is a mistake," she says.
Taking advantage of all the school has to offer visitors—from attending a class to dining with a student—is in an applicant's best interest, says Abraham. Also, an applicant must be courteous to everyone he encounters. When he worked in the admissions office at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School (Wharton Full-Time MBA Profile) from 2000 to 2002, Richmond says he would open applications to find notes about applicants who were rude or demanded meetings with the admissions committee and then had nothing to say.
Getting the school's version of the program is important, but so is doing one's own investigation, says Richmond. The following are must-do activities to get a full picture of an MBA program.
Talk to Students
Students hold the key to unlocking a business school's culture, says Sherry Wallace, director of daytime MBA admissions at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Kenan-Flagler Business School (Kenan-Flagler Full-Time MBA Profile). Getting feedback and information from many sources, including faculty and staff, should be your goal, she says.
"You don't ever want to form a conclusion about a school after talking to just two people," says Wallace. "I encourage applicants to get a variety of interactions on campus."
Some business schools schedule an opportunity for candidates to eat lunch on campus with a student. It is even better, says Abraham, if a candidate can find out on his own where students hang out, such as a cafeteria or quad, and strike up informal conversations with people.
Another way to meet students, Richmond says, is to network with former colleagues who now attend the business school. Consider tracking down fellow prospective students, current students, and alumni through the Businessweek.com B-School Forum to compare notes and get suggestions on tackling the campus visit.
Ask students to describe the school's culture in their own words, have them discuss the level of competition among students both in class and for jobs, ask about the level of help they receive from the career placement office, and find out if they are satisfied with their decision to attend this program. Keeping in touch after the visit, even if just via e-mail or Facebook, says Wallace, is a way to stay on top of what's happening on campus.
Investigate Job Placement
MBA applicants making a campus visit shouldn't knock on the doors of the career management office, because the staff needs to stay focused on current students, Wallace says. Still, she adds, applicants need to seek information about jobs.
"You need to get the full picture of career management without visiting the office," she says.
Her advice to visitors is to track down job placement statistics for the school and think of the admissions committee as a liaison between candidates and the career office. Direct all career questions to admissions staff and keep an eye out for Web chats or information sessions with career placement representatives, Wallace wrote in an e-mail.
Asking about the latest available placement statistics is an obvious place to start. Candidates should also ask about the kind of help they will get looking for nontraditional jobs, the kinds of workshops that are available through the office, and the types of recruiters who come to campus or have strong relationships with the school. Of course, asking about specific employers and industries that interest you is always a smart idea.
In the school profiles available on this site, you can find out which companies recruit at each program and some recent placement statistics, including the percentage of graduates finding jobs, average salaries, and top internship recruiters.
Get to Know the Faculty
Sitting in on a class is a part of most structured campus visits and will quickly give you a sense of whether professors rely on lectures or case studies, the extent of student participation—even the kind of relationship students have with faculty.
Getting to know the faculty is a smart move, says Bruce DelMonico, director of admissions at Yale School of Management (Yale Full-Time MBA Profile).
"You'll be spending a lot of time in the classroom," he says. "Getting an idea of classroom culture is important."
In class, visitors cannot participate because that right is reserved for paying, enrolled students. By organizing a meeting with a professor who conducts research in the prospective student's target field, a candidate can get a greater perspective on how the business school can help him reach his goals, says Richmond. Questions about the research, how students can get involved in research projects, and what kind of links the faculty have with the greater business community serve candidates well.
"Ask for a sit-down," he says. "It gives you a measure of how accessible the professors are."
Asking the admissions staff to pair a candidate with someone who has similar goals or with the president of a club that interests him, says Abraham, is another way to get more information about the issues most pertinent to that person. Use your time with these individuals to learn about the kinds of roles one could take on as a student.
Is the Program Family Friendly?
Some business school students bring with them a spouse, significant other, and children. Meeting with members of the school-sponsored partner's group or others who have children will give you an idea of what life will be like for your family, points out Wallace. Ask lots of questions about the living arrangements, schools and activities, and jobs, both on campus and in the surrounding area. Be sure to also find out if the campus is family friendly or geared more to single students.
Take the Grand Tour
MBA applicants visit B-schools to get a sense of what life would be like if they joined that particular community. They shouldn't neglect the greater university outside the B-school, Kang says.
"They should explore the entire campus, not just the business school, because the entire university will be at your disposal," he says.
Candidates should ask current students and recent alumni about where students like to hang out, what parts of the university are most relevant and accessible to the business school students, and what living in the city or town is like.
In fact, Wallace says that one of the questions candidates ask current students is, "Where should I grab dinner around here?" She suggests that visitors to her campus check out the Chapel Hill neighborhood beyond the university. In addition to being part of the Research Triangle, a center of high-tech and pharmaceutical research, it is also home to a vibrant music scene.
"Get a feeling for the community you might one day join," she advises.


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[Fix] Windows 8 Genuine Product Key doesn't Work for Windows 8.1 Clean Installation
Almost all of us know that Windows 8.1 is an update for Windows 8 operating system and Windows 8 users can upgrade to Windows 8.1 absolutely free through Windows Store. Other Windows version users need to buy a license of Windows 8.1.
[Guide] How to Upgrade to Windows 8.1 from Windows 8, Windows 7, XP and Vista?
Since Windows 8.1 is called an update for Windows 8, its obvious that Windows 8 product key should work for Windows 8.1 too but that's not true!
When Windows 8.1 was under development, it was said that Windows 8.1 will accept Windows 8 product keys and Windows 8 users will be able to install Windows 8.1 using the same Windows 8 product key.
Now Windows 8.1 RTM has been released and people can download Windows 8.1 ISO files for clean installation as described here but when they try to install Windows 8.1 and it asks to enter a valid product key, the entered Windows 8 product key doesn't work. Even if its a genuine Windows 8 product key, you get incorrect or invalid product key error message.
The reason is unknown but it seems Microsoft did it intentionally. Microsoft didn't want to release offline ISO files of Windows 8.1 to Windows 8 users, that's why they programmed it to not accept Windows 8 product keys at the time of installation. Microsoft wants you to update Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 through Windows Store which doesn't ask any product key as its just upgrading the OS and not performing a clean installation.
Although there are workarounds available for this particular problem. The best workaround is that install Windows 8.1 using a generic product key. Some of you may ask what is a generic product key? Generic product keys can be considered as a dummy key which can be used to install an operating system but it can't be used to activate the OS. These generic keys are legally distributed by Microsoft and you can find such keys on Microsoft website as well as inside Windows setup folder.
You can get a generic product key for Windows 8.1 from following official Microsoft page:
KMS Client Setup Keys for Windows Operating System
Now you can enter this generic key in Windows 8.1 installation wizard and it'll accept the product key without any problem.
Once Windows is installed in your computer, you can activate your Windows using your own genuine Windows 8 product key by going to System Properties and clicking on change product key option. Although this product key didn't work at the installation time but it'll work at activation time. Windows will activate successfully with the help of your Windows 8 genuine product key. Thus you can install Windows 8.1 using your Windows 8 product key...
Share this article: Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Reddit | Tell a friend
Posted in: Troubleshooting, Windows 8 / 8.1
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Tips for Beringer iNuke
3 Attachment(s)
Hi guy's,
I recently received my new amp and happy to finally be able to use one.:)
To start, just one channel is used on a DIY sub, for experimentation.
I read that there was no equalizing or HPF under 20hz.
There supposed to be a workaround but I didn't find the actual method. My Google-fu has let me down I guess.
Started to experiment and a few simple settings is satisfying enough.
Did a HPF on 20hz with a butterworth 48dB/oct
And a PEQ boost at 20hz of +6dB
Which results in a flat response down to 20hz and down from there falls like a brick. :)
Boosted everything by +3dB and sloped down -6dB/oct from 120hz and up to counter the supposedly rising response from the sub.
(sub-story is in another thread)
One question I hope to learn more about is when I tested sine signals from the laptop, not much input went in the amp until I fiddled with the 'Phase Difference' Then the volume went up fast as the difference increased. I don't understand this but would like to know.
from the first pic i see a low shelf,not parametric eq.
phase responce should do nothing with input/output level?
maybe a glitch.
don't know if the sw on the amp is upgradeble,if so update first to the latest.
Hey Epa,
Yes I meant the tab 'Parametric EQ' sorry for being unclear.
The sw is update able. I get a flashing black window, no time to read anything in it, disappears immediately, lol.
Where to view the current version of the amp?
I updated the amp
and changed the settings to:
PEQ +6dB
quality 1
at 20hz
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RG3 Plays One Series In Opener
Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III went 2-of-4 passing for nine yards on the opening drive in the pre-season opener against New England. As expected, the workload for the third-year quarterback would be light in the first live action of the year. Griffin's incompletions weren't great passes and one probably should have been intercepted. However, it's hard to be too tough on Griffin on the first drive of the year.
3 comments:
- AnonymousAugust 8, 2014 at 12:04 PM
if he does not learn to read the defences faster he will lose a lot of games for us or get hurt bad.he needs to stop thinking that he can be a halfback in this league. he is not built for it.small frame,small knees,small ankles.ReplyDeleteReplies
I definitely agree he needs to have quicker reads. I have seen it at times, but he needs more consistency. He also needs to learn to get rid of the ball if there is nothing there. He doesn't need to force passes in if there is nothing there and he doesn't need to take unnecessary hits from holding on to the ball too long.Delete
- AnonymousAugust 11, 2014 at 3:59 PM
cousins&mccoy had faster reads because they were not thinking about running as a second choice but a dire last choice.peyton&brady read fast release fast.even Wilson scrambles to get space&time to extend plays down field not run upfield first.ReplyDelete


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Welcome to E-Books Directory
This is a freely downloadable e-book.
The Marble Faun by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Read this book online or download it here for free
Custom Search
The Marble Faun
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Publisher: eBooks@Adelaide 2009
Murder and romance, innocence and experience dominate this sinister novel set in mid-19th-century Rome. Three young American artists and their friend, an Italian count, find their lives irrevocably linked when one of them commits a violent crime of passion. Hawthorne's final novel is "must reading" for its symbolic narrative of the Fall of Man.
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|Sun 21 Mar 2010, 9:30am
4.6km swim. Premier Ocean Swim in Auckland.
Assembly 6.45am. Limited to 400 swimmers.
Entry fee includes ferry to Rangitoto one way.
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As a genetic condition gradually left her a quadriplegic, Jan Scheuermann was forced to shut down a successful business that produced murder mystery parties.
Yet the illness didn't zap her determination, and Scheuermann in July published a mystery book based on her popular parties.
Just before the book's publication, the Whitehall mother joined a yearlong University of Pittsburgh study that scientists believe will change their understanding of the human brain.
Using her thoughts, Scheuermann, 53, guided a robotic hand to complete tasks such as stacking plastic cones on a table, Pitt and UPMC researchers reported Sunday in the online edition of The Lancet, one of the best-known medical journals in the world.
She accomplished the unique feat because researchers implanted tiny chips into the part of Scheuermann's brain that initiates movement. The electrodes recorded electrical pulses from nerve cells that a computer algorithm interpreted and translated into movement commands, said Andrew Schwartz, the study's lead author and a professor at Pitt's School of Medicine.
"She said she's never done skydiving, so this has been the ride of her life," said Schwartz, who spent much of his career as a neurophysiologist doing similar experiments with monkeys.
Thirteen years ago, doctors diagnosed Scheuermann, a Baldwin native and mother of college-age children, with a condition called spinocerebellar degeneration. The disease damaged her nervous system, and she cannot voluntarily move her arms or legs.
Neurosurgeon Elizabeth Tyler-Kabara implanted two electrodes on Scheuermann's brain on Feb. 10. Wires connect the electrodes to a device mounted on her skull.
On the second day of a 14-week training, Scheuermann moved the prosthetic to touch Schwartz's hand. She did so freely, without the computer's help.
In videos the journal provided, the robotic arm moves blocks on a table and transfers a ball from a glass to a measuring cup.
The Pitt researchers are among several in the world studying mind-controlled limbs. Their goal is to allow people to conduct simple tasks such as drinking, eating or turning on a TV set.
In 2011, Pitt researchers introduced Tim Hemmes, 30, of Butler County, who used a robotic arm seven years after a motorcycle accident paralyzed him.
Pitt scientists said their research involved technology that enables them to record neuron activity as each of the specialized cells in the nervous system fires off signals at different rates. This gives the prosthetic hand the ability to achieve more natural movements.
"For many years, we could record one neuron at a time," Schwartz said. "Recording hundreds at a time took some new technology."
Scheuermann's enthusiasm contributed greatly to the project's success, said Jennifer Collinger, an assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation science. Testing required Scheuermann to report to a laboratory three times a week, four hours a day, for 14 weeks.
"We were skeptical that things would translate so quickly," Collinger said. "We moved faster than we ever expected."
Although Scheuermann was able to move a ball back and forth and even bring a piece of chocolate to her mouth, Collinger said the most difficult task involved stacking the cones because it required precision.
The technology poses challenges, including the recording quality of the sensors, which Schwartz said degrades over time.
Researchers plan to implant electrodes in other people to stimulate regions of the brain that control touch. They are using monkeys to test technology that someday could allow people to tell whether something is hot or cold.
"We really think of it as a new way of thinking about brain function," Schwartz said.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the National Institutes of Health, Department of Veterans Affairs and UPMC Rehabilitation Institute funded the project.
Luis Fábregas is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-320-7998 or email@example.com.
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Discussion in 'Pistons and NBA' started by buddahfan, Nov 13, 2007.
I think the Sonics will win before the Celtics lose.
That was the PTI question of the night too. Sonics play Heat tomorrow...If Wade comes back, Heat may win, no Wade give it to the Sonics.......Celtics play Nets tomorrow...Vince still out, another celtic win... so I agree you Buddha
Next 3 games for each: Boston: Wednesday, November 14: vs. New Jersey (4-3) Friday, November 16: vs. Miami (1-5) Sunday, November 18: at Orlando (6-2) Seattle: Wednesday, November 14: at Miami (1-5) Friday, November 16: at Atlanta (2-4) Saturday, November 17: at Charlotte (4-3) It looks like both streaks could easily end in the next couple of days.
I hate to make predictions but..............Look for the Celtics to lose first.
Looking at these schedules, Celtics first lost maybe Sunday at Orlando, Seattle's best bet for a win tomorrow at South beach
I'd say it is a crap shoot.
Celtics will play their 1st back to back games tomorrow. While most teams have already do so, why Celtics play their 1st after 6 games into the season? Conspiracy theory, anyone?
Sonics will win.
Sonics up by 11 with less than 4 minutes to go.
Sonics win!!
Well before you close the thread, now you can amend it to which Boston team will make it to 16-0, the Patriots or the Celtics? (another PTI qustion today...)
That is a good question. But 16 - 0 doesn't do the Patriots any good since they will get home field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs regardless of whether they are 16 -0 or not. In fact I would dare say that if the Pats don't go 19 - 0, there is a very good chance that they won't win the Super Bowl in 2008, because other than possibly Pittsburgh I don't see anyone beating them during the remainder of the regular season. As far as the Celtics go, I haven't looked that far into the schedule to take a guess at whether they will go 16 - 0. If they get to 10 - 0 then I may look at it, if I remember to do so.
Celtics squeak out a 92-91 win against the Heat to get to 8-0. Wade had a chance to win it, but missed a jumper with 2 seconds left.
The Celtics management probably had the officials change the ball right before that play and tilt the rim.
Looked like "Chief" got a block in at the last second.
Separate names with a comma.


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- Personal Protection
- Distinguished Alumni
- Faux Walls
- Cinco de Mayo
- Tin Man
- Retirees
- Retirees
- CNA Class
- Natatorium
- Commencement
- Student of the Year
- Student of the Year
- Career
CONTACT: Myrna Whitehead
(806) 716-2212
Fall 2013
Spaces available in upcoming phlebotomy course at SPC
LEVELLAND – Eight spaces are available in the upcoming Basic Phlebotomy course starting Nov. 11. The class will meet through Dec. 19 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays in Technical Arts Room 124.
The 24 hours of clinicals will be arranged. The cost is $415. The textbook, "The Complete Textbook of Phlebotomy," Fourth Edition by Lynn B. Hoeltke, will cost $115. The instructor will be Georgia Mulloy.
Classroom and clinical instruction in skill development of blood collection methods will be provided. To become certified, participants must complete 50 sticks.
Participants will develop skills in a variety of blood collection methods using proper techniques and universal precautions. The students will use vacuum collection devices, syringes, capillary skin puncture, butterfly needles and blood culture, and specimen collection on adults, children and infants.
Students must provide proof of immunization for MMR, Tetanus no older than 8 years, Hepatitis B Series, and have a current negative TB test no older than 6 months, photo identification and social security card. A criminal background check will be performed for all students.
Participants who satisfactorily complete the course will receive a certificate for 4.8 Continuing Education Units and 48 contact hours of instruction. Enrollment limited to 10 students. Students must be at least 18 years of age.
For additional information, call Kasey Reyes, administrative assistant to the Dean of Continuing and Distance Education, at (806) 716-2341.


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A short melancholic sequence on the piano. Reduced film music which may be useful as an interlude or intro for a movie.
Beautiful, perfect for the opening music in Episode 24 of Ad Astral – Department of Puzzles: due out in August 2014. Credits will be in the shownotes.
Many, many thanks.
Dave Burnham
wow 7778 i totally agree with you. Jesus can do many things. Miracles.
wow, luv this tune. :)
nice music but what the fuck number 7778 Are you fucking crazy ?? Chill , man . Enjoy the music and SHUT THE FUCK UP
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Greg Switzer necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 34 diseños de 12 diseñadores freelance.
Pinnacle West Orthopaedics, Inc
We are an independent medical device selling organization. We are a technologically sophisticated, fast moving organization in a high growth industry. We work with surgeons and hospitals and our products improve patients' mobility and lives.
Internal use and for those companies we represent.
Major focus is a triangle with a diferrentiated color for the top of the triangle signifying the "Pinnacle". Black, red, and white are the colors. The whole name should be in the logo, and the words "A Selling Organization" should show up discreetly along the bottom somehow.


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The Queenford Lakes, Oxfordshire
Enjoy a weekend swim, a scenic walk or for the more energetic, a membership to the Oxford Wakeboard & Ski Club, if you buy a home near Queenford Lakes, a cluster of freshwater lakes in the Oxfordshire countryside.
The super-pretty village of Dorchester-on-Thames is less than a mile away and it is something of a hidden gem, with the Chilterns, Berkshire Downs, Oxford, Blenheim and Henley all within easy reach. It has a lovely abbey, tea shops for tourists, good pubs and a popular annual village music festival.
The village school, St Birinus CofE Primary School, is only rated "satisfactory" by Ofsted but the plus is that the village is just seven miles from Didcot Parkway station, with trains to London Paddington in 42 minutes (annual season ticket: £5,272).
Stephen Puddifoot, director of In House estate agents, says Dorchester is one of the area's most sought after villages. Two-bedroom Victorian cottages are a reasonable £290,000 while four-bedroom, detached period homes sell for around £650,000. Of course, if you have £2 million you can buy a substantial five-bedroom thatched house with large gardens.
Buyers are a mix of aspirational locals and London commuters attracted by the area's good looks and proximity to the M49 motorway.
If you would prefer something larger but not as pretty, there is the market town of Wallingford, with its town square, shops, pubs, local theatre and cinema. There are two parks (one containing the ruins of Wallingford Castle), a golf course on the outskirts, a library and community hospital as well as several local schools including, for seniors, Wallingford School — rated "good" by Ofsted. The town is 5.5 miles from Didcot Parkway.
Alternatively, trains from Cholsey, three miles away, have services to London in 62 minutes. Houses are less quaint — think bay- fronted homes built in the Thirties and Forties. Three-bedroom semis cost about £300,000, or opt for a four- to five-bedroom detached house for around £500,000 to £600,000.
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Leybourne Lakes, Kent
In 2004, a series of gravel pits between the M2 and M20 motorways were flooded and landscaped, creating the Leybourne Lakes Country Park, a 230-acre haven for fishing and wildlife with trails for walkers and cyclists. Sports include windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, diving and fishing.
Leybourne has little in the way of facilities and traffic noise from the M20 can be a problem. But West Malling, less than two miles away, is packed with Georgian and Tudor buildings, independent shops, has a monthly farmers' market and some good pubs and restaurants, most notably The Swan, led by Gordon Ramsay's former right-hand man Mark Sargeant.
Adding to its appeal, West Malling is 48 minutes by train to Victoria (annual season ticket: £3,876) and its primary school is rated "good" by Ofsted.
Sandra Brown, manager of Ibbett Mosely estate agents, estimates a three-bedroom Victorian semi in West Malling would cost from £350,000, while a five-bedroom period detached house would cost from around £700,000. At the top end, manor houses sell for well over £1 million.
If you want to live right on the waterfront, Berkeley Homes has New England-style houses and apartments at Holborough Lakes. Five-bedroom houses are priced at £449,950 (berkeleygroup.co.uk) and the lake has a sports club with diving, swimming and canoeing on offer. The nearest village is Snodland, which fails the picture-postcard test but does have its own station. Trains to St Pancras International take from 52 minutes (annual season ticket: £3,828).
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© Alamy
Dorney Lake, Berkshire
Dorney Lake is a world-class centre set in the 450-acre park which hosted the rowing and kayak events during the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.
It is home to Eton's rowing team, and has a junior boat club for talented youngsters. The grounds are private but spectators can enjoy regular regattas and triathlons, and entry to the grounds for waterside walks is free. Tim Hubbard, a partner at Property Vision, describes the area as a mecca for water sports enthusiasts.
The pretty village of Dorney abuts the lake. Property rarely comes on to the market, says Bradley Horler, of Horler and Associates, and when it does, prices range from around £400,000 for a two-bedroom cottage to £700,000-plus for a four to five-bedroom farmhouse. The adjacent village is Eton Wick, with more modern and ex-local authority property.
Very slightly further away is Fifield, a grander option with its own polo club, where £325,000 buys a three-bedroom Thirties semi. Large period family houses with a couple of acres can cost well over £2 million. Although it stands in open countryside, it is only four miles from Maidenhead, and five from Windsor. Trains from Windsor to Paddington take from half an hour (annual season ticket: £3,300).
The village of Bray, with its cute cottages and Michelin-starred restaurants, is two miles up the road — just far enough to walk off a dinner at Heston Blumenthal's The Fat Duck.
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I've never heard of them. I avoid businesses that try to use "cheap" as a distinguishing element of their marketing effort. There are plenty of reputable on-line sellers, I'd stick with the ones with stellar reputations.
They might be great, but it is your money. If it were me, I would do significant due diligence, and I would use a CC.


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After almost 24 hours of deliberations, a jury in Yorkton has found Kim Walker guilty of manslaughter in the murder of his daughter's boyfriend.
Walker was charged with second-degree murder in the 2003 death of 24-year-old James Hayward. On Thursday, the jury convicted him of manslaughter. He is to be sentenced on Friday.
With the manslaughter charge, the unlawful killing of another person without malice, Walker faces a minimum sentence of four years in prison and the maximum of a life sentence. A second-degree murder charge carries an automatic life sentence with no parole for at least 10 years.
Walker fired shots at 24-year-old Hayward, killing him right in front Walker's then-16-year-old daughter, Jadah. She was dating and living with Hayward at the time.
Court heard Walker used a registered gun. He fired 10 shots and five of them hit Hayward, one shot hit him in the back while he was turning away. Shots were also fired while Hayward was on the ground, which is something the Crown said was, "by any measure, murder."
Walker argued he was acting in self-defence, insisting Hayward was a drug dealer who was preying on Jadah.
He also said he doesn't remember the events of the killing very clearly. A psychiatrist testified that this very well could be true, that Walker could have been in "dissociative state."
Court heard Hayward was a bodybuilder on steroids who sold and used drugs. Jadah was also addicted to drugs, losing 40 pounds – from 135 to 95-- while she was with Hayward.
An RCMP officer, who responded to the call, testified that when he entered the home, he saw Jadah cradling Hayward who was "obviously deceased."
Walker was originally convicted of second-degree murder in 2007, but the decision was overturned by the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal due to a "fatal error" by a trial judge.
Edited by News Talk Radio's Michael Aynsley.


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Michael C. Nadraus
"Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me." (Matthew 25:36)
I sat in a crowded visiting room a bit impatient, eagerly waiting for my friend. Every few minutes the loud click of the metal doors echoed and I would glance over to see who was coming out. Would I recognize him? Would he recognize me? I had never met him face to face, but we were brothers. I saw his face from old news clips and photos. I knew about the people he murdered, and how his life was almost taken by an inmate years ago. This time, David Berkowitz, the Son of Sam serial killer, was coming for me.
Prison ministry is a golden opportunity to reach out to inmates who have hit rock bottom. Spiritually hungry and looking for something, these prisoners truly open up their hearts and minds to the Word of God when it is preached. They are alone, lost and in need of love, a church that truly cares and of Jesus Christ.
Whether it is a county jail or a maximum-security penitentiary, these inmates are searching for something. They know they messed up and have to pay the consequences. Except for being on death row for murder or a smaller charge like marijuana possession, they are just like us, only behind concrete walls and locked cells. If we don't reach out to them with God's Word, who will?
To get a prison ministry on its feet is really simple. A desire in the heart of just one person, or even a few of the church members, to go and plant gospel seeds in the department of corrections in their area is the first step. A plan of action needs to be set up to make sure all the bases are covered in this ministry. Over time a core of faithful servants will emerge as those who will continue to serve in this ministry.
Present the idea to the church and begin praying for doors to open and laborers to come forth and serve. Prayer is the key to a successful ministry. The results are literally tripled on prison service days when we hold a prayer meeting the day before we go. The carnal Christian might say it's just coincidence, but the faithful can call it by its true title, the power of God unleashed by going to Him in humble prayer. "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not" (Jeremiah 33:3).
Next, compile a list of area juvenile homes, federal penitentiaries, county jails and state prisons. Depending on how far your church group is willing to travel will determine the radius in which you look for them. Typically, the prison ministries I have been in will travel up to three hours away in any direction.
The Internet is a valuable tool in finding the addresses and phone numbers that are needed. Key words to look up in the search engine are "department of corrections" and the state where you live. Actual jail names will also bring up information that should get the right website where you can find the contact information. If that doesn't work for you, a quick phone call to Information will get you the numbers needed. Playing the part of an Internet detective can score you tons of much-needed information.
Once you have a complete list of prisons, begin to call them one by one and ask for the chaplain's office. Write down the chaplain's name and remember it. Be personal and friendly and open with him. Let him see the enthusiasm you have, and let him hear your smile over the phone. A joyful spirit is hard not to like.
Let the chaplain know who you are, where you're from and what you have to offer for his inmates. Anything from a one-man service and up can be done. Tell him what a service will consist of, such as special music, with possibly a guitar included, preaching, testifying and Scripture reading. The more interactive you make it sound, the more enticing it is, and the more chance you have with him. Once a chaplain is on your side, you have a key piece of the puzzle. A great friendship with a chaplain can provide you with many years of services in his prison. Once a good reputation has been established, you will be able to use it when you approach other prisons.
Over a 9-year time span at Maranatha Baptist Bible College, the Lord has blessed us with the opportunity to see 199 men and women inmates saved in over 100 church services. There have been numerous assurances, major decisions in lives made, hundreds of Bibles given to men and women who didn't have their own copy, tens of thousands of tracts on salvation handed out and message upon message preached. It all started with one phone call leading to our first service. The flood-gates opened, and within the next few years we got involved with the death-row population.
"But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead" (2 Corinthians 1:9).
Death Row is currently home to almost 4,000 inmates. Day after day they sit in a cell waiting for their appointment with death, the dreaded execution date. On that day they meet one of these five dooms: lethal injection, electrocution, hanging, firing squad or the gas chamber. Some are innocent of the crimes they are accused of committing, but many are hopelessly guilty of murder.
Another opportunity for ministry that any Christian can do is to be a pen-pal. Men writing to men and women to women is the best format for this. There are only about 50 ladies on death row, so often we choose ladies with long or life sentences. These ladies can be found on the Internet just as the death row inmates can. (Anyone who needs names of inmates to write to can also contact me for free lists). Death-row inmates are the best to write to since they are in prison for life and are the closest to death.
Death row was renamed "life row" by convicted "pick ax" murderer Karla Faye Tucker a few years back. Death row is not the end of the journey for these inmates, but the beginning. Faith in God helps many of them get through the ordeal. Some outsiders call it "prison religion," a fake religious awakening created to impress or fool guards and others around them. Prison religion is real, but it would be foolish to think it was the only kind. There is true genuine repentance and faith found in prison. Death row inmates have one thing that we don't have—a set time and date when they know they are going to die. One convicted murderer/drug addict was quoted minutes before his lethal injection as saying, "I lived by the needle, and now I die by the needle."
A few things to remember when corresponding with the prisoners: always place their DOC# (department of correction) number on the envelope next to their name. Always place your return address on the envelope and on the inside of the letter to insure they will get it. Each envelope going out to an inmate for the first time can be stuffed with tracts and John, Romans or whatever seems fitting. Hand-sign all typed letters; it personalizes the letter. Never send money. (If you give to one you had better have enough for all.) Never be scared to be personal or open. They are on death row, so there is no worry of them ever getting out legally unless they are innocent. Common sense and some good judgment will help you to make some good choices with what to and not to do.
Using the church address as the return address is fine if the person does not want to use his/her home address. Purchase some stamps and envelopes. Find church members who would like to participate and have them begin with a letter bearing their personal testimony and a little bit about themselves and why they are writing the letter. I find the more open you are with them, the more open they will be with you. Maybe a night could be devoted to writing letters, or have a youth activity of addressing and stuffing envelopes. Be creative in getting everyone involved in some aspect. Letting everyone have a part brings a sense of teamwork. When souls begin to get saved, everyone rejoices.
The first letter should be just one page long so as not to overwhelm the person. Always write Bible verses out; don't just use Scripture references. The inmate may not even own a Bible in which to look it up. Be sure to accurately copy the Scripture. Hand sign the letter and be sure to refer to yourself many times in the letter to personalize it. The secret to writing many letters is to type up a great first letter. You can use the same first letter again when writing to other inmates. Just use the CTRL-H function on Microsoft Word to replace the inmate's name. I find that with my main letter, for every ten I send out I get back about five or six responses. Anyone stuck at what to write can email me at firstname.lastname@example.com and ask for a copy of my first letter, and I will send it to you.
"O taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8). I have seen this in my own life and the lives of the men and women who have tried the prison ministry. You need to sink your teeth into it and experience it first hand. Once you get a taste of it you will see how good it really is. But to taste it, you need to get involved and have a part in it.
Convicted cannibal killer Jeffrey Dahmer is a prime example of Christ's saving grace. Dahmer said after his salvation, "Thank God, there will be no more harm that I can do. I believe that only the Lord Jesus Christ can save me from my sins." David Berkowitz once said, "I didn't want to only hurt them; I wanted to kill them." And "I am the Monster Beelzebub, the chubby behemoth. I love to hunt." Now he is a born again Christian and can be seen daily in prison preaching the gospel to lost souls. We as born again Christians need to teach these people how to build their lives around and upon the Word of God and to be faithful in all areas, both big and small. They can learn that they don't need to have a perfect past to live by faith. Paul was an accomplice to murder when he stood by and held the coats at Stephen's killing. He was imprisoned after his conversion and sat locked up rejoicing in the Lord. God can and will do mighty things with anyone if they open up their life to Him.
The implementation of the death row and pen-pal ministries is simple and can be a great asset to any local church. One of the end results my team has seen, besides the saving of souls, is a bond between the men that went out on the ministry. They come back with closer relationships to each other. People besides the pastor get a chance to preach and testify in the prisons. A fire is set in each one of them to serve God. There does not seem to be a downside to the ministry. It does take a good deal of time and sometimes an entire day is given up to go, but it can hardly be called a sacrifice when there are such eternal rewards. There is just too much blessing and rejoicing going on afterwards to call it a sacrifice.
A few years before, I wrote David and explained the gospel. I waited patiently, not knowing if I would ever hear back from him. I just wanted him to know that God could/would forgive him. I was in college and loved to check my mailbox for mail. When I saw David's letter I got chills! I waited a few hours for the anticipation to build before opening it and showed the letter to basically everyone I passed in the halls. I read it in private and found out he was saved already and learned his testimony. Praise God! That was the beginning of a great encouraging friendship that almost spans a decade. There have been scores of letters and frequent visits. On these visits I get to treat my brother to a special meal from the vending machine and speak of the blessings God bestows to us daily. I truly count David as a dear friend. People I meet think I'm crazy or just don't see how God can change such a person. I think of Saul in Acts who got saved and became Paul. Is there really a difference between him and David Berkowitz? It began with the idea that I would do this to minister to the prisoners, when in reality they are an encouragement to me.
[David Berkowitz, known as the the Son of Sam, is now known as the Son of Hope. In 1987 he dropped to his knees and asked Jesus to be his Lord. To read his compelling story and to learn more about his world wide ministry visit his website: www.ariseandshine.org.]
God on Death Row is a book I wrote a few years back that answers some tough questions. Could convicted cannibal Jeffrey Dahmer get to heaven before you? If I shot 13 people, could I still get to heaven? These and other questions are addressed in this book. It's a journey in the lives of murderers and their amazing stories of finding faith in God, and salvation, as told through their letters— 19 convicted murderers in all. God on Death Row includes tons of personal letters, photos, last statements, last meals, etc. Be prepared, this book will change your life! (See page 21 for details.) You can always email me at Mnadraus(at)aol.com or call me at 920-220-3093 with any questions about prison ministry or my book God on Death Row.
About the Author:
I am Michael Nadraus. I'm 31 years old with a deep passion for souls behind prison bars. I grew up Catholic on Long Island, NY and became a born again Christian on February 8, 1995. I went to a Bible college in Wisconsin in 1999 and ultimately came back to NY on fire to serve God. I currently teach in junior church, preach to the children and help run youth group weekly at New Hope Baptist Church, where my beautiful wife Hannah and I attend.


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|Detar, William
Submitted to: Agricultural Water Management
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/29/2007
Publication Date: 1/1/2008
Citation: DeTar, W.R. 2008. Yield and growth characteristics for cotton under various irrigation regimes on sandy soil. Agricultural Water Management. Vol 95/1:pp 69-76. Interpretive Summary: Over-watering cotton wastes a valuable and scarce resource and under-watering can reduce yields. The goal here was to find an optimum rate of water application for two varieties of cotton. A very efficient drip irrigation system was used to apply water daily at six different rates, ranging from 33% to 144% of normal. The experiment was repeated for four seasons. There was no difference in yields for the two varieties nor was there any difference in the yields for the three wettest treatments (treatments 4, 5, and 6). Treatment 4 (95% of pan evaporation) had been considered the normal and it turned out to be a critical level. Any application less than applied with treatment 4 reduced the yield. The wettest treatment produced plants over 6.5 ft. tall, and the driest treatment had some plants as short as 2 ft. The length of season for the driest treatment was about four weeks shorter than for the wettest treatment. This information can be used to establish the proper amount of water to apply to cotton.
Technical Abstract: An irrigation experiment was set up to apply water to cotton at six different rates ranging from 33% to 144% of normal, with hopes of identifying the regime that produces maximum yield. Two cultivars, Acala Maxxa and Acala PhytoGen-72 were planted on sandy soil and irrigated daily with a highly efficient subsurface drip irrigation system for four seasons. The results showed that on the average there was no significant difference in the yields of the two cultivars, and there was no significant difference in the yields of the three wettest treatments (treatments 4, 5, and 6). Treatment 4 had been considered close to normal, and it turned out to be a critical point on the water production function curve. It represented the least amount of water applied that produced essentially maximum yield, and it produced the highest water use efficiency. This critical level of water application during mid-season was found to be, on the average, 95% of Class A pan evaporation (Kcp = 0.95); it corresponded to a total seasonal application of 654 mm of water. Any application less than this critical level decreased yields. We documented the degree to which the water application rate controlled plant height and length of season. The final plant height was closely related to the depth of water applied, with the wettest treatment producing plant heights of 2.0 m, and the driest treatment producing plant heights of 0.6 m. The length of season for the driest treatment was about four weeks shorter than for the wettest treatment for both cultivars.


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SMITHLAND â " To get an idea of the scope of the hydroelectric facility under construction here by American Municipal Power, imagine a 10-story concrete building â " with 8 1/2 of those stories underground.
Smithland is one of three hydroelectric facilities under construction by the Columbus, Ohio-based company at a combined cost of just over $2 billion. It will ultimately supply some electricity to customers of Paducah Power System, one of 79 communities in five states participating in the project.
"Construction is progressing as expected for completion in 2015," said Kent Carson, AMP spokesman.
The project will divert water from the existing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Smithland locks and dam, which will pass through the concrete structure which houses three horizontal bulb-type turbine and generating units before being channeled back into the Ohio River. The facility will generate 72 megawatts of power.
While nearly 400 workers have been employed in building the facility, no more than nine permanent employees will be needed on site when the plant is complete, according to AMP. Carson said the company's existing Belleville, W.Va., hydroelectric plant, which is smaller than Smithland, annually contributes close to $3 million to the local economy, demonstrating its potential economic impact.
Some 95,000 cubic yards of concrete are being used in the project. The concrete is mixed on site, Carson said, using sand that was separated from the soil during the initial excavation. The construction site currently covers about 100 acres.
According to Carson, construction of the Smithland project along with similar projects at Corps locks and dams at Cannelton (near Hawesville) and Willow Island (near St. Marys, W.Va.), will generate approximately 200 megawatts of power combined. The three facilities are being financed with long-term bonds that will be repaid by the participating communities.
A fourth hydroelectric facility being constructed at Meldahl (near Maysville), in partnership with the Hamilton, Ohio community, will bring AMP's hydro power generation to just over 300 megawatts.
According to Dave Clark, PPS general manager, Paducah has agreed to purchase 15 megawatts of power from the Smithland facility. That purchase was figured into PPS' rate structure so customers' rates will not change when the purchase of the hydro power begins, according to Clark.
Paducah Power gets approximately 80 percent of its energy from Prairie State Energy Campus, an Illinois-based coal-fired facility, and another 10 percent from its gas-fired peaking plant on Schneidman Road. Paducah Power also buys some hydro power from the Southeastern Power Administration.
According to Carson, AMP started pursuing hydroelectric power as a strategy to help its members diversify their power portfolios and reduce their exposure to the wholesale market, which can be volatile.
Contact David Zoeller, a Paducah Sun staff writer, at 270-575-8676.
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Does anyone have any experience on how long it takes after explant surgery to be able to return to athletic/hot yoga classes?
- Julia from Cincy
- Cincinnati
- Last updated: 5 years ago
Specifically, being able to balance on your arms for planks, chaturanga push ups, upward dog, etc. I am afraid I am going to be out of practice for weeks. thanks!


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Workplace Conflict
Our workplace conflict resolution strategies will show you how to handle employee conflict by suggesting conflict management activities
Conflict management styles vary, but whatever approach you choose in dealing with employee conflict, our advice will help you in conflict resolution in the workplace.
With many employees putting off retirement and staying on the job longer than they expected, it's bound to happen: they have trouble reporting to a much younger manager. Before the work relationship becomes irreparable or an age discrimination suit is filed, have a chat with the veteran employee.
You know the types: the co-worker who seeps negativity and hostility; the gossip-monger; or the critic, who always nitpicks others' work. So, what happens when you have several in one workplace? In some cases, a toxic work environment is a result of a laissez-faire manager ...
When romance blooms at work, trouble may lurk not far behind. That's especially true when co-workers fight over the same love interest. A spurned employee may be out to get her rival, leading to all sorts of conflict. Fortunately, this isn't the sort of thing that employers have to intervene in—as long as there's no workplace violence.
The co-worker in the next cubicle hums all day. Yesterday your boss dressed you down in front of the entire team. Another admin has been griping about the same issue for a week. In every case, it would be all too easy to ignore the problem, or avoid confrontation by sending an email. But in every case, a live conversation is the better solution.