text:
Today marks the day that I hit that 'publish' button on Amazon, and sent my very first book, The Necromancer's Apprentice out to the world. It was very frightening as I came to realize that this was no longer a childhood dream. I had achieved one of my many goals in life, and it felt good.
Sales were slow at first, and I didn't know what to expect. I advertised on social media sites and readers/writers forums. Of course, I was a new fish in this giant ocean, and I knew as an unknown author I wasn't going to be the next Amanda Hocking, as much as I had secretly dreamed. I was writing in a very niche genre (gothic fantasy). It was discouraging at first because I didn't see the results like everyone else around me had seen with their books, but that didn't stop me from writing or promoting myself. I did book signings—lots of them. My very first book signing was at a local Starbucks in town. The owner there was very nice and welcoming of local authors. I was scared at first, sitting there all alone dressed up in my gothic dress, wondering if anyone will stop at my table. For a while, no one had, but then, little by little, people started to get curious about what was going on in my little corner. Then I had my first sale. After signing my name in my book for that first customer, I knew that I'd finally reached that point that I could call myself a real 'author'.
That was 2011.
Now, three years later, The Necromancer's Apprentice has received many reviews, features on blogs, and in 2013, won first place in the Royal Palm Literary Awards. This was a pinnacle point for me as an author, because I've never had my work recognized like that before.
I look back on that long road I've traveled in the self-publishing world. Thanks to the internet and the power of networking, I've learned so much about the industry, and have grown, by writing several more books after The Necromancer's Apprentice. I've learned that writing is not just a hobby, it's also a business.
My story isn't like others who have sold millions and/or quit their day jobs from becoming an overnight sensation. I never had any of that. Perhaps I never will. But that doesn't discourage me. I have a day job, a good one that I enjoy. But of course, I'd love to get to that point where I can live off my writing. Who doesn't want to work from the comforts of their home? But realistically, I'm the other 99% whose writing is not paying for itself. But that's okay. I'll still keep writing. Even if I have 100 books out, and I'm still not able to live off my writing, that's okay. When I initially got into this writing business, I never figured I'd make enough to ever quit my job. I just wanted to share my stories with the world, and that's what I'm doing.
I love getting fan mail, and I've gotten just a few since 2011. But I've kept every one of them and on those days I feel discouraged, I go back and read those emails. It motivates me to know that there are people out there who enjoy my writing. I actually have fans! I'm a nobody, and there are people out there who like me!
This writing business has been a long world, and I, in no way, consider myself an expert. A wise man once said, "a master never stops learning." As long as I keep writing, I'll keep learning something new, whether about the craft, the industry, or anything else. The day we think we know everything is the day we realize we know nothing. As an author, I am hungry for knowledge about the art, the industry, and ways I can better myself. I go to conferences and ask authors as well as readers. I regularly ask questions in some of the writing communities I'm a part of. I try to give back to the community whenever I can, helping other authors who are just starting out, giving them tips so their journey won't be so rough and scary as mine had been.
My personal thanks goes out first and foremost to my God for giving me this special talent to write. Without Him, nothing is possible. To the GothNoWriMo program, because without them, I wouldn't have had the courage to write The Necromancer's Apprentice, and I wouldn't be where I am today. The NaNoWriMo program, because without them, I wouldn't have had the drive and the 'kick in the pants' motivation to write more books. The Kboards community, because I've learned a wealth of information on that site when it comes to writing, and have many friends with readers and authors. My critique group, The Dragon's Sandbox, because without them, I wouldn't have learned so much more about the finite details of writing, nor would I have developed thick skin to take harsh criticism. Last, but certainly not least, I want to thank my readers every single one of you who took a little time out of your busy schedule to check out my work. I've achieved my goal in sharing my writing with the world because of my readers.
For a limited time, The Necromancer's Apprentice will be on sale for 99 cents. Tell your friends, if they haven't read the book yet! Help spread the word! Here's to many more years of more books and more great readers.
Thank you.


text:
"Virgin Boy Eggs": The Nastiest Chinese Snack You Won't Be Eating
I hope that we're being "Punk'd."
If not, then there are people in China who boil chicken eggs in the urine of little boys. And. Then. Eat. Them.
I'm not quite sure I agree with Buzzfeed's headline that "virgin boy eggs," as they are called, are a "popular" snack in China, as this is the first I've ever heard of them. But apparently boys under the age of 10 — just boys — urinate in buckets at primary schools in Dongyang, China, and the urine is then used to cook chicken eggs. Locals claim urine-soaked, hard-boiled eggs "have miraculous properties" by promoting better blood circulation.
Chinese medical experts suggest the process is unsanitary. You know who doesn't agree with them? This lady. [Buzzfeed]

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Executive Action is the best in the business
Jamie Buchan, CEO
I couldn't commend Anne and her colleagues more highly… a brilliant service
Marc Wolman
I received an excellent service from Executive Action tailored exactly to my needs
Simon Oakes, Senior Civil Servant
Executive Action are demonstrably experienced in their field, well-connected and always went that extra mile
Ash Marston, Head of IT
Executive Action are a pleasure to work with, even after placement they
keep in contact to ensure all is well
Chris Browning, Managing Director
Having someone to talk things through with, to support me and push me to focus my ideas was fantastic
David Blackwood, Group Finance Director
Empowering and very time-effective way of answering some key questions
Clara Swinson, Senior Civil Servant
Its great strength is that it is tuned to the individual instead of process-driven
Peter Whittle, Group Strategic Development Director
As well as my dedicated consultant, there was always someone on hand to help with whatever was needed, from interview training to research
David Blackwood, Group Finance Director
At our evening event on 5th May, we focused on the subject of 'Public Appointments'. Our speakers were Rosalyn Eales, Head of the Centre for Public Appointments at the Cabinet Office and Dr Priya Singh, a Non-Executive Director at Guy's and Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. Rosalyn shared some insights about her work leading and guiding […]Click here to find out more


text:
First the Susan B. Anthony List stripped Michigan Rep. Bart Stupak of previously bestowed "Defender of Life" awards. Now the Illinois Catholic Prayer Breakfast organizers have dis-invited him as this year's keynote speaker.
All because Stupak voted for the health care reform bill that included a executive order to impose restrictions on abortion, rather than the amendment he originally proposed.
With that compromise, Stupak has gone from pro-life role model to a liar, traitor and baby-killer who deserves to rot in hell.
I'm sure he can't wait to work with pro-lifers again soon.
NCR Comment code: (Comments can be found below)
Before you can post a comment, you must verify your email address at Disqus.com/verify.
Comments from unverified email addresses will be deleted.
- Be respectful. Do not attack the writer. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
- Don't use obscene, profane or vulgar language.
- Stay on point. Comments that stray from the original idea will be deleted. NCR reserves the right to close comment threads when discussions are no longer productive.
We are not able to monitor every comment that comes through. If you see something objectionable, please click the "Report abuse" button. Once a comment has been flagged, an NCR staff member will investigate.
For more detailed guidelines, visit our User Guidelines page.
For help on how to post a comment, visit our reference page.
Commenting is available during business hours, Central time, USA. Commenting is not available in the evenings, over weekends and on holidays. More details are available here. Comments are open on NCR's Facebook page.


text:
Average moderate-income household in 25 largest U.S. metro areas spends nearly 60 percent of income on housing and transportation
WASHINGTON—The combined costs of housing and transportation in the nation's largest 25 metro areas have swelled by 44 percent since 2000 while incomes have failed to keep pace, according to a new report from the Center for Housing Policy—the research affiliate of the National Housing Conference—and the Center for Neighborhood Technology. The report, Losing Ground: The Struggle of Moderate-Income Households to Afford the Rising Costs of Housing and Transportation, details the challenges that American households face as the combined costs of housing and transportation consume an ever-larger share of household incomes.
The report includes a special focus on moderate-income households, defined as those earning between 50 and 100 percent of the median household income in their area. In the 25 largest metro areas, the report finds that moderate-income households spend an average of 59 percent of their income on housing and transportation. The report finds cost burdens to be highest in the Miami area, where moderate-income households spend 72 percent of their income on housing and transportation. The next highest burdens are in the Riverside-San Bernardino, Calif., area (69 percent), the Tampa area (66 percent), and the Los Angeles area (65 percent)
"If we really want to understand whether housing is affordable, we need to consider housing and transportation costs together," explains Center for Housing Policy Executive Director Jeffrey Lubell. "Along with utilities, which we include within housing costs, these are the true 'costs of place,' and our report shows they have grown much faster than incomes since 2000."
The report finds that housing and transportations costs have increased 44 percent over this period while household incomes have risen only 25 percent. As a result, Americans are now substantially less able to afford their costs of place, undermining their ability to meet other critical household expenses, such as food, clothing, health insurance and child care.
Cost burdens have increased despite reductions in home sale prices caused by the major housing downturn that began in 2006. "Increased demand for rental housing combined with insufficient new production has raised rents," continued Lubell, "while households with blemished credit and existing homeowners with underwater mortgages have been unable to take advantage of lower home prices. Add in the higher transportation costs associated with higher gas prices, stagnant or slowly growing wages and the loss of income associated with layoffs and it's easy to see how Americans have lost ground."
"Both housing and transportation costs need to be made more affordable," notes Center for Neighborhood Technology President and Co-Founder Scott Bernstein. "Letting the public know that the full cost of a location includes both housing and transportation is a first step; targeting resources that lower the cost of transportation, such as improved public transportation, to areas where it will help America's working families, is also essential."
The report notes that there are many policies that local and state governments can adopt to help reduce housing costs in places where transportation costs are low or where public investments will make transportation more affordable in the future. Policy options include taking measures to preserve existing affordable housing, reforming restrictive regulations to lower the cost of creating new housing in such areas, and instituting requirements or incentives to include affordable housing as part of new development.
"Given the substantial increases that we expect in coming years in the demand for housing within walking distance of public transit," explains Bernstein, "it will be essential to act proactively to ensure that affordable housing is preserved and included within new development in these areas."
Key Findings
Losing Ground provides estimates of the combined costs of housing and transportation in the nation's 25 largest metro areas. For data on housing costs and income, the report relies on the 2006-2010 American Community Survey (ACS), with comparisons to the 2000 census to show change across time. The transportation cost data for this report are derived from the Housing + Transportation (H+T®) Affordability Index developed by the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), updated to reflect 2006-2010 ACS data. The model's assumptions, calculations, and methods have been reviewed through several iterations by practitioners at the Metropolitan Council in Minneapolis-St. Paul, fellows with the Brookings Institution, and academics from institutions including the University of Minnesota, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and Temple University. This cost index has been applied to nearly 900 metropolitan and micropolitan areas in the United States, and is unique in that it measures joint transportation and housing affordability at a neighborhood level (see http://htaindex.cnt.org/).
Housing costs for renters include rent and utilities. For homeowners housing costs include mortgage payments, property taxes, home insurance, utilities, and, where applicable, payments for home equity loans, condominium fees, or mobile home costs. Transportation costs encompass all the trips that households make as part of their daily routine, including commuting, errands, and other travel. For car owners this includes the full costs of auto ownership, such as car payments, insurance, maintenance, and gas. For transit riders it includes the price of transit.
About the Center for Housing Policy
The Center for Housing Policy is the research affiliate of the National Housing Conference (NHC) and specializes in developing solutions through research. In partnership with NHC and its members, the Center works to broaden understanding of the nation's housing challenges and to examine the impact of policies and programs developed to address these needs.
About the Center for Neighborhood Technology
Since 1978, Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) has been a leader in promoting urban sustainability—the more effective use of existing resources and community assets to improve the health of natural systems and the wealth of people, today and in the future. CNT is a creative think-and-do tank that combines rigorous research with effective solutions. CNT works across disciplines and issues, including transportation and community development, energy, water, and climate change.
About the National Housing Conference
As the United Voice for Housing, the nonprofit National Housing Conference (NHC) has been dedicated to helping ensure safe, decent and affordable housing for all in America since 1931.


text:
Where Islam and Positive Psychology meet
Where are you headed?
Depression versus Contentment
Islam and Emotions
Love in Islam
Related Links
Questions such as why human beings were created, and why certain events occur as opposed to others, and why someone had to die and not another, can not be answered by the human mind in and of itself. A simple reason is the fact that human beings are not even able to uncover the mysteries of their own brain! The human mind is only able to identify existing rules, which Allah has put in nature, and use them to come up with new connections. That is why Allah,
Psychology and religion are two subjects that frequently meet in research. Usually when they do, the focus is on why people follow/need religion and how this provides them with a meaning and purpose higher than themselves. This will be addressed in the coming article.
For now it is more fitting to start by basic definitions of both Positive Psychology and Islam; and focus on a more profound relationship between the two.
Positive psychology is a fairly new sub-field of Psychology. By one definition, it is the scientific study of optimal human functioning. It aims to discover and promote the factors that allow individuals and communities to thrive. http://www.ppc.sas.upenn.edu/akumalmanifesto.htm
Islam on the other hand is a monotheistic religion that centers around the belief in One God (1). This belief is the key to optimal human functioning just mentioned. This is evident within the meaning of the word Islam itself; an Arabic word (2) the root of which is SLM ( pronounced Sa-la-ma ). From this root come three basic words; Surrender ( Istislam ), Peace (S alam ) and Purity (S alama ).
Islam carries these three meanings; it means if a person fully surrenders himself/herself to God Almighty alone and worships Him purely , he/she will live in peace and harmony with all of God's in this life and in the life after .
Surrendering to God = Peace and harmony with the world:
This is a cause-effect relationship.
The concept of submission to God is not specific to Muslims. Everyone is in submission to God whether or not they willingly admit it, no one chooses when to be born nor does anyone have the power to expel a disease out of their body with their own hands. Some illnesses have a cure and some don't, and some people don't respond to treatment even if the illness is treatable; it is all in the hands of God.
However, when a Muslim willingly submits to God, he submits to the Creator who knows when he/she will be born and has the power to cure him/her from any illness; he/she is thus in a state of peace and acceptance of whatever happens because he/she is in capable hands. Surrendering to one's creator means that one is at peace with whatever God created, whether in ourselves individually or in the world around us; it means one is content with who he/she is and with their surroundings because one believes this is the best settings for themselves.
Is it then other than Allah's religion that they seek (to follow), and to Him submits whoever is in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly, and to Him shall they be returned. Quran, translated by Shakir, 3:83.
Muslims believe that God is The All Knowledgeable. We have all been in situations that seemed good but didn't turn out to be what we initially wanted. By the same token, most of us are familiar with many blessings in disguise. God says in the Quran:
Fighting is enjoined on you, and it is an object of dislike to you; and it may be that you dislike a thing while it is good for you, and it may be that you love a thing while it is evil for you, and Allah knows, while you do not know. Translation by Shakir 2:216.
If we accept that we don't actually know-it-all, we are at peace with what the future brings. We are always happy or at least content with our circumstances. These are t he positive emotions that Shearon and Sheiner talk about in their research Compodium ( www.reflectivelearning.com , 2007, P.4); The positive emotions about the past include satisfaction, contentment, fulfillment, pride and serenity.
Following those in the same study are the positive emotions related to the future including optimism and faith, which directly relate to Muslims' belief that God is The Sustainer. Surrendering oneself to one's sustainer is imperative. In seeking our fortunes in life we are at peace with ourselves because we know that God is The Sustainer who supplies for us just like He supplies for the fish in the sea and for the birds in the skies. Imagine the safety and security one feels knowing that our fortune for the day is already out there waiting for us, there is no rat race and everyone gets a piece of the pie (3).
And in heaven is your Sustenance, as (also) that which ye are promised. Quran, translated by Yusuf Ali, 51:22.
As we can see, what is important in this basic definition of Islam, is that it is shows us that the path to peace and harmony is submission to God. Knowing that and having this kind of relationship with God protects Muslims from depression (according to Shearon and Sheine, positive emotions related to the future are empirically proven to buffer against depression); everything is destined to be and is in its best form. These beliefs, if understood and implemented will lead to satisfaction and contentment. In the words of Positive psychology, they lead to optimal human functioning and lay the path for us to thrive.
Yes! whoever submits himself entirely to Allah and he is the doer of good (to others) he has his reward from his Lord, and there is no fear for him nor shall he grieve. Translated by Shakir, 2:112.
(1) This entails many more beliefs such as the belief in His scriptures (including the Gospel, Torah, Quran and other scriptures) and all His messengers.
(2) In Arabic, vowels are removed from words to form its root. Searching for this root in the dictionary delivers all its possible meanings.
(3) That doesn't mean however that we don't work for it; because it is there at the end of our work path, if we don't work we won't reach it.


text:
Lady Gaga cancels World Tour as she prepares to have surgery
Listen to Lady Gaga on iHeartRadio
Lady Gaga has canceled the remainder of her world tour to undergo surgery on her hip.
Mother Monster scrapped several shows on her Born This Way Ball trek in the U.S. on Tuesday after being diagnosed with synovitis, a severe inflammation of the joints.
The singer told fans she was "completely devastated" about having to axe three concerts, but now it appears her hopes of getting back on stage later this month have been completely dashed - the star has been told she will need an operation to treat the injured hip.
The surgery has forced her to cancel the rest of her tour, which runs until the end of March.
A statement from promoters Live Nation reads, "Live Nation Global Touring has confirmed that the remainder of the Lady Gaga Born This Way Ball performances have been canceled.
"After additional tests this morning to review the severity of the issue, it has been determined that Lady Gaga has a labral tear of the right hip caused by strenuous repetitive movements in her performances. She will need surgery to repair the problem, followed by strict down time to recover. This unfortunately, will force her to cancel the tour, so she can heal."
In her statement earlier this week, Gaga told fans that she was suffering "chronic pain" as a result of a past stage injury.
There's an unfortunate announcement coming out right now, concerning myself and the Born This Ball. Im so sorry. I barely know what to say.— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) February 12, 2013
I've been hiding a show injury and chronic pain for sometime now,over the past month it has worsened. I've been praying it would heal— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) February 12, 2013
I hid it from my staff, I didn't want to disappoint my amazing fans. However after last nights performance I could not walk and still can't— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) February 12, 2013
To the fans in Chicago Detroit & Hamilton I hope you can forgive me, as it is nearly impossible for me to forgive myself. Im devasted & sad— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) February 12, 2013
It will hopefully heal as soon as possible, I hate this. I hate this so much. I love you and Im sorry.— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) February 12, 2013
Due to a case of synovitis, (severe inflammation of joints) Gaga's doctor has ordered her to postpone show in Chicago, Detroit + Hamilton— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) February 12, 2013
Photo Copyright Getty Images


text:
|ISU Home | A to Z Listing of Web Sites | Search
|Home |
Part 3. Services, Functions and Facilities Use
Section V. Facilities Use
D. Procedure for Naming University Facilities
1. General
The naming and/or renaming of a University facility is a very important component to the character and development of a University. Recommendations are subject to the review and approval of the President and the State Board of Education.
2. Facility Name Designation Committee
The Facility Name Designation Committee is a standing committee of the Campus Planning and Cultural Affairs Council. The committee shall consist of the following:
a. Financial Vice President — Chairperson
b. Council of Deans appointee
c. Director of Development or Alumni Relations
d. Dean of Students or designee
e. Faculty member appointed from Campus Planning and Cultural Affairs Council
f. Administrator responsible for the facility to be named
g. Student Body President or designee
h. At-large member appointed by the Facility Name Designation Committee
3. Definition of Facility
As used in this policy, the terms "facility" and "facilities" include any University building, structure, room, laboratory, landscaped area, open space, or other physical improvement or natural feature of the University campus or of other property under the administrative control of the University.
4. Functional Names
a. Guidelines
Under normal circumstances, University facilities will be given functional names that are reasonably descriptive of and will identify the principle activity for which the facility is used.
b. Procedures
(1) The Committee will solicit recommendations for names appropriate to the facility to be named.
(2) The Committee may solicit, to the extent it deems necessary and appropriate, the views of:
(a) The administrator exercising direct line of responsibility for the primary use of the facility;
(b) Other administrators exercising responsibility for secondary or affiliated uses of the facility;
(c) Other interested parties, advisory boards, etc, with affiliated uses of the facility.
(3) The Committee will study all possible alternatives for the proposed name of the facility.
(4) The Committee will inform the Campus Planning and Cultural Affairs Council of its recommendations and forward them to the President for approval or rejection.
(a) If the President determines that the proposal is meritorious, he will submit it, together with his recommendations, to the State Board of Education for approval.
(b) If the President believes that the proposal should not be acted upon, he may so advise the Committee. In this event, no further proceedings will be taken with respect to the proposal, with the exception of appropriate notification.
(5) In view of the sensitivity of the matter during consideration, all stages of the proposal, review, and recommendation process are to be conducted in a confidential manner.
(6) An official list of all University facilities and their approved functional or honorary names shall be maintained by the Business Office. Files and records of all background data and proceedings leading to the assignment or change of name of any facility shall be maintained by the Business Office.
c. Implementation
Upon approval of the recommendation by the Facility Name Designation Committee, the President and the State Board of Education, the newly designated name will be implemented and necessary notifications given by the President. Any new signs, plaques or markers shall be provided in conformity with the University policy and design standards.
5. Facilities Named in Honor or Memory of Specific Individuals
a. Guidelines
When deemed appropriate, a University facility may be given a non-functional name intended to honor and memorialize a specific individual who has made a distinguished contribution of service, research, teaching or support to the University.
b. Name For an Individual in Recognition of a Gift
(1) No commitment for naming shall be made to a prospective donor of a gift prior to State Board approval of the proposed name.
(2) In reviewing requests for approval to name a facility for a donor, the Facility Name Designation Committee shall consider:
(a) The nature of the proposed gift and its significance to the University;
(b) The urgency of need for the facility;
(c) The eminence of the individual whose name is proposed; and
(d) The individual's relationship to the University.
c. Naming in Honor of an Individual, no Gift Involved
A proposed honoree shall have achieved distinction in one or more of the following ways:
(1) While serving the University in an academic capacity, demonstrated such high scholarly distinction as to have earned a wide reputation in the individual's field of specialization;
(2) While serving the University in an important administrative capacity, rendered distinguished service to the University warranting recognition of the individual's contributions to the University;
(3) Contributed in exceptional ways to the welfare of the University; or
(4) Contributed to the State or Nation in an exemplary manner.
No facility may be named for a University employee during the period of his or her employment. Former employees may not have a facility named for them within seven years of their separation from the University or within five years following their death. In exceptional circumstances the president may, with the consent of the Faculty Senate, deviate from this normal policy.
6. Facilities Named in Honor of Subjects Other Than Individuals
a. Guidelines
When deemed appropriate, a University facility may be given a non-functional name intended to memorialize an institution, an event, a group of people, etc., of significance to the University.
b. Procedures
(1) The Committee may solicit recommendations of appropriate names or consider requests for naming a particular facility.
(2) The Committee may solicit, to the extent it deems necessary, the views of:
(a) The administrator exercising direct responsibility for the primary use of the facility;
(b) Other administrators exercising responsibility for secondary or affiliated uses of the facility;
(c) Other appropriate University Officials.


text:
? The dead-simple way to do notes and to-do's ? Have you tried Evernote, Remember the Milk, Wunderlist and other notes or to-do apps for your phone but think there's just too much going on getting…
101 Best Android Apps is an Android Apps gallery for the best Android phone applications
"Let It Shop" is an amazingly basic application that has an intuitive, easy-to-get sense of the buttons, without any excess functions. The shopping list can be created easily and quickly due to special suggestions and frequently used items, it…
Link to Let It Shop - Shopping List
Submit your Android application to 101 Best Android Apps, we have thousands of new visitors every day looking for a new application to add to their Android phone...
Sponsored Links
? The dead-simple way to do notes and to-do's ? Have you tried Evernote, Remember the Milk, Wunderlist and other notes or to-do apps for your phone but think there's just too much going on getting…
Forget the unnecessary and unorganized. Welcome Tofu Notes, the most elegant and user friendly note editor in the Android Market. Featuring a user friendly interface with a minimal and elegant design.Created to organize your life while…
Stay organised and increase productivity with YOUR LISTS for all of your Task ListsBucket ListsShopping ListsTo Do ListsCustom ListsAll in one location. With Your Lists you can create customised lists to match your own…
Android Market is full of shopping lists, so what is different about ShopMe? ShopMe is a one-tap app. When you're scooting between supermarket shelves with one of your hands busy with putting products into the cart, then you only…
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Our friends at Thrifter are back again, this time with an easy way to save $150 on the unlocked Galaxy S8.
If you like having unlocked smartphones, but don't always like the price tag associated with them, this deal is for you. Right now you can pick up the Samsung Galaxy S8 for just $574.99, or go with the bigger Galaxy S8+ for $674.99 at both Amazon and Samsung. We've seen some BOGO offers on the Galaxy S8 recently, but if you're only in the market for one phone, this $150 savings is likely more enticing.
In addition to the instant savings of $150, Samsung will also give an additional trade-in credit of up to $150 more with a qualifying smartphone. You'll have to trade in an LG G4, G5, G6, Galaxy Note 5, S5, S6, S7, iPhone SE, iPhone 6, iPhone 7, or Google Pixel to earn the extra trade-in credit. Don't wait too long to take advantage of this offer, as we don't know exactly how long this price drop will stick around.
See at Amazon
More from Thrifter
Skip the expensive pet store…
How the technology is implemented matters more than the device it arrives on.
We've already established that it's the pervasiveness of online shopping apps killing the shopping mall. But what about augmented reality? Could that change the way we purchase things in the future?
I spent an hour this week at a pop-up showcase for the ASUS ZenFone AR. It's been nearly eight months since the smartphone was announced, and though we still don't have a launch date, it's bound to be on sale soon for anyone interested in a device that can do double duty. The 5.7-inch smartphone is compatible with both Tango and Daydream View.
The showcase itself featured varying demonstrations of the device's native augmented reality abilities, including apps like Google's Expeditions for the Classroom and Slingshot Island. What stood out most glaringly, however, were the two stations at the beginning dedicated to helping you buy things.
The Wayfair app lets you preview furniture as it would appear in you…
HTC published Android 7.0 Nougat kernel source code for the HTC 10 at the tail end of last year. It was only available for the unlocked version at the time, but now the company has updated the page with the code for the T-Mobile, Telstra, and Verizon versions of the phone, too. Furthermore, the HTC One A9 has had its code published for the first time, with a great deal more variants available.
HTC posts kernel source code for the One A9, plus more models of the HTC 10 was written by the awesome team at Android Police.
HTC launches a standalone version of the Vive VR headset exclusively for the Chinese market.
Back at I/O 2017, Google announced that it is working with Qualcomm, HTC, and Lenovo to bring standalone VR headsets to the market. We now have a better idea of what these devices will look like, thanks to a standalone variant of the HTC Vive that's destined for China. Dubbed Vive Standalone, the VR headset is powered by Qualcomm's 10nm Snapdragon 835 platform, with HTC offering content via Viveport store.
HTC's reasoning for launching the Vive Standalone in China is simple — as Daydream content isn't available in China, the Taiwanese manufacturer is offering local customers an alternative by providing content through its Viveport. The global version of HTC's upcoming standalone VR headset will be compatible with Daydream.
HTC hasn't detailed the technical specifications of the Vive Standalone, but considering it is powered by the Snapdragon 835, there should be plenty of power on …
As a father of three active children, I'm no stranger to calls from school in the middle of the day.
They happen a lot, and for all different reasons. Lunchboxes left at home, bruises earned on the recess playground, and the occasional conference reminder hit my phone a few times a month. At the end of the last school year, I got a call from the school with a voice I didn't recognize. It didn't take me long to figure out this call wasn't like the others.
The administrator on the other end of the line was struggling to find the appropriate words to describe to me what had happened. By the time he had gotten around to the point, it became clear I had missed a few options in my mental "worst case scenario" list.
Joking in real life, shaming online
A photo of my oldest daughter changing in the locker room at school had appeared on Instagram. Two puke emoji sat on either side of her, with some text mocking her for not having an ideal body. The account, which at the time only had the o…
It's that time of year when financial statements start to circulate. After Q2 reports of record earnings for Samsung and big losses for LG, it's now Huawei's turn to take the floor. In a statement yesterday, the Chinese company announced its half-year…
Nintendo's newest console, the Switch is giving you more content, provided you use Nintendo's app.
Nintendo Switch Online, the new companion app for the Switch, has arrived, and there is plenty to parse out. Unlike the apps for PlayStation or Xbox, Nintendo has gone the game-specific route. You'll now be able to enjoy more features, including inviting friends to play with you, provided you have the app open when you're playing a compatible game.
There's plenty to go over, and we have the details for you here!
What does Nintendo Switch Online do?
What games does it work with?
How does the voice chat function work?
How to invite friends to matches
What else can I use the Nintendo Switch app for?
What does Nintendo Switch Online do?
The Nintendo Switch app works as an extra hub for content, at least for games that work with it anyway. Each game will offer different content through the app, in an attempt to give you access to everything you could want for gameplay. To access everyt…
Need a few extra USB-C cables to have around so that you don't need to constantly run back for the same one? If so, check out Seidio's braided cable for a great durable option. The braiding will prevent frays and damages, and right now you can grab one for only $12.
Caseology is a trusted and well-reviewed case maker, so a sale of its products on Amazon may well be of interest to some of you. Particularly those of you who've so far managed not to break that beautiful screen on your Samsung Galaxy S8 or S8+, as there are cases for those devices starting at $4, as well as many others.
[Update: Live again, with updated codes] Deal Alert: Caseology is having a sale on Amazon, including $4 cases for the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ was written by the awesome team at Android Police.
Richard Yu promises high screen-to-body ratio and strong cameras for Mate 10, says Huawei will be 'giving up' on low-end phones.
In an interview with Bloomberg Technology covering the company's growth over the past year, Huawei's Consumer Business Group CEO, Richard Yu, dropped some early hints on what we can expect from its next flagship phone.
"We will have an even more powerful product [than the next iPhone]" Yu said in an interview. "The Mate 10, which has much longer battery life with a full-screen display, quicker changing speed, better photographing capability and many other features that will help us compete with Apple."
A "full-screen display" likely refers to an almost bezel-free display, of the kind popularized throughout 2017. (AC understands that at least one of two planned Mate 10 variants will feature an impressive, near-bezelless screen.) Photography has been a major focus for Huawei over the past couple of years, through its partnership with Leica and move to …


text:
Black Marianoun [ C ]uk /ˌblæk məˈraɪ.ə/ us /ˌblæk məˈraɪ.ə/ old-fashioned
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Examples from literature
- However, the young detective had no time to ponder over the circumstance, for a rumble of wheels now announced the approach of that lugubrious vehicle, the Black Maria.
- In the Black Maria, she nodded.
- The idea of Mrs. Wells being dragged shrieking down Fifth Avenue or being carted away from her house in a Black Maria filled him with dismay.
- While I stood there waiting and staring out into the prison court-yard, there came, rolling and rumbling in, a Black Maria.
- Wonder if they've got the Black Maria outside?


text:
Hi there guys. My name is Aurora Snow. I am a sizzling new teen pornstar and I have opened up my pornstar shrine, where you can see the hottest photos of me around. See me in all my natural glory in exclusive photos, which will be sure to steam up your monitor.
What are you waiting for? Come and join me now!
Interested in more free Aurora Snow pics.. check em out here!


text:
A big night for Simply Business: we have won an Agile award. A big night for Simply Business: we have won an Agile award.
Wednesday night was a great night for us at Simply Business. We went to bed with a glow after winning the Most Agile Aware Organisation Award at the Agile Awards 2011.
For me, it put an exclamation point on something that we've been working on with all of our energy for over a year: moving our technical development processes from waterfall to Agile. This award lets us celebrate all that we've done, and the fact that we've done it well.
In the early days we debated whether we could have releases every two weeks. We couldn't. Now we release every week. Back then we had 'no go' zones in our code base. Now we rewrite our bad code. Back then we debated if we should end an Iteration (a two week period in which pieces of functionality would be completed) by doing nothing, or start functionality from the next iteration. Today we don't use iterations anymore.
But so what? Isn't Agile just another way of saying chaos? Well, we have results: our speed of delivery is now four times what it was a year ago; everyone who works on technology projects is happier and our code base is cleaner and better. Interestingly, we are not alone in seeing benefits. I read the other day that nearly 50% of software development in Silicon Valley is now done in Agile.
And the best part is why we won this award: because the whole organisation is behind Agile. For us, Agile isn't something the Tech Team do and everyone else ignores. It's woven directly into how we deliver projects. We work collaboratively, as one business.
So really, it was no surprise that the 10 of us at the awards dinner Wednesday night had huge grins on our faces while whooping and punching the air. It was a great night for us.
Yesterday morning I read about Steve Job's passing on the train. We do all our development on Macs and have appreciated his products for years. It was a surprisingly sad moment for me. I suppose because it marks the passing of a different era, an era I've been a part of from my first job as a developer.
Ready to set up your cover?
As the UK's biggest business insurance provider, we specialise in public liability insurance and protect more trades than anybody else. Why not take a look now and build a quick, tailored quote?


text: Its been said that diamonds are a girls best friend.Im not sure what gems are included in a National Championship ring, but if diamonds are in the mix, then high school softball standouts that are looking for a place to call home for four years ... Muskingum College is the place to be.Last Sunday, the Muskingum College Lady Muskies finished their fifth trip (1992, 1998, 2001, 2003 and 2004) to the NCAA Division III World Series with a fourth-place finish. Although the Lady Muskies werent able to capture their second National Championship (2001), they did finish better than some 300-plus teams.What head coach Donna Newberry has built over the past 30 years is absolutely remarkable. The reason she has been able to construct a softball dynasty in the small town of New Concord is because she is one of the smartest coaches the game has ever known and is also a dynamic recruiter.Each year, it seems like the Lady Muskies lose a solid senior core of players that Newberry will not be able to replace. Bucking the odds, she not only replaces them, but she seems to one up herself every offseason.After posting a 43-7 mark this past season, which consisted of an 18-0 mark against the Ohio Athletic Conference, which includes Marietta, Ohio Northern, Mount Union, Baldwin-Wallace, Capital, Heidelberg, John Carrroll, Wilmington and Otterbein, Newberry has a seven-senior group (shortstop, Jeanna Rayman, third baseman Shauna Jellison, center fielder Erin Zupko, first baseman Jennifer Shay, catcher Jennifer Feldkircher, pinch runner Amy Clauss and utility player Erin Calabrese) to replace.It is never easy for Newberry to fill the shoes of departed players, but she does so with girls who want to be the best, play for the best and compete for a World Series title year after year.Ive spoke with Donna about some players she is currently recruiting and she has two outstanding pitchers (and possibly another) joining the fold next year.Without letting a cat out of the bag, Newberry is also eyeing a local player that will be a great pickup (if she chooses to be a Lady Muskie). Hopefully, the young lady, who has great all-around skills, will select Muskingum and become another in the long line of standouts that have played under Newberry.I recently asked Donna about her feelings on the past season and what the future looks like.With the graduation of Mandy Carnes and losing three of our top four pitchers from last year, we probably had no business having the kind of season we had, she related. My hat is off to our seniors who refused to accept anything but excellence and who led us both on and off the field.Erica Hoyt (a sophomore pitcher) redefined what commitment and dedication is about as she battled through every big game we played this year. This was a team where everyone understood their job and performed what they were asked to do...from the starters all the way down to the last player on the bench. We are already excited for next year and ready to demonstrate once again that tradition doesn't graduate, Newberry concluded.Yes, it does seem as if the departing seniors leave tradition behind and incoming freshman are injected with it.Hopefully, Newberry will land all of the players she is looking at and the Lady Muskies will make another run at a World Series ring in 2005.(Heath A. Dawson is the sports editor for The Daily Jeffersonian. He can be reached via e-mail at firstname.lastname@example.com.)


text:
Home Plan Detail
Simple Cottage
By: Michael J. Eckhardt
Square FootageTotal living area: 1624' Basement: 2224' Main Level:864' Upper Level:760' Basement:600' Footprint: 24' 0" W x 36' 0" D
RoomsBedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2.5 Master suite location: Upper Floor
AttributesLevels: 2 Parking: Garage Number of car stalls: 2 Foundation:
- Study
- Spacious Porch
- Narrow Footprint
- Optional Basement
- Rear Mudroom
After entering the foyer from the gracious entry porch, there is a stairwell to the right and a small study/office to the left. Straight ahead, an opening leads to a living room that is open to the kitchen and the dining room. A kitchen island provides additional working space, and divides the kitchen from the living room. The dining room is light–filled from two walls of windows, and has an opening that leads to a half bath, a mudroom, and the rear covered porch.
The upper floor has a master suite, and two bedrooms that share a full bath. The master bedroom has windows that look out to the rear, and the master bath has room for both a tub and a separate shower.
If you choose to build the basement, there is an open family room space, a fourth bedroom, another full bath, and a utility room.
These plans also come with drawings for a detached two–car garage.
Floor Plans


text:
by Staff Writers
Manchester UK (SPX) Jan 16, 2012
In a breakthrough paper published in Science, researchers from The University of Manchester, The University of Bristol and Sandia National Laboratories report the potentially revolutionary effects of Criegee biradicals.
These invisible chemical intermediates are powerful oxidisers of pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide, produced by combustion, and can naturally clean up the atmosphere.
Although these chemical intermediates were hypothesised in the 1950s, it is only now that they have been detected. Scientists now believe that, with further research, these species could play a major role in off-setting climate change.
The detection of the Criegee biradical and measurement of how fast it reacts was made possible by a unique apparatus, designed by Sandia researchers, that uses light from a third-generation synchrotron facility, at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's Advanced Light Source.
The intense, tunable light from the synchrotron allowed researchers to discern the formation and removal of different isomeric species - molecules that contain the same atoms but arranged in different combinations.
The researchers found that the Criegee biradicals react more rapidly than first thought and will accelerate the formation of sulphate and nitrate in the atmosphere. These compounds will lead to aerosol formation and ultimately to cloud formation with the potential to cool the planet.
The formation of Criegee biradicals was first postulated by Rudolf Criegee in the 1950s. However, despite their importance, it has not been possible to directly study these important species in the laboratory.
In the last 100 years, Earth's average surface temperature increased by about 0.8 degrees C with about two thirds of the increase occurring over just the last three decades.
Most countries have agreed that drastic cuts in greenhouse gas emissions are required, and that future global warming should be limited to below 2.0 degrees C (3.6 degrees F).
Dr Carl Percival, Reader in Atmospheric Chemistry at The University of Manchester and one of the authors of the paper, believes there could be significant research possibilities arising from the discovery of the Criegee biradicals.
He said: "Criegee radicals have been impossible to measure until this work carried out at the Advanced Light Source. We have been able to quantify how fast Criegee radicals react for the first time.
"Our results will have a significant impact on our understanding of the oxidising capacity of the atmosphere and have wide ranging implications for pollution and climate change.
"The main source of these Criegee biradicals does not depend on sunlight and so these processes take place throughout the day and night."
Professor Dudley Shallcross, Professor in Atmospheric Chemistry at The University of Bristol, added: "A significant ingredient required for the production of these Criegee biradicals comes from chemicals released quite naturally by plants, so natural ecosystems could be playing a significant role in off-setting warming.'
University of Manchester
Climate Science News - Modeling, Mitigation Adaptation
Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.
Dramatic Links Found Between Climate Change, Elk, Plants, and Birds
Missoula MT (SPX) Jan 12, 2012
Climate change in the form of reduced snowfall in mountains is causing powerful and cascading shifts in mountainous plant and bird communities through the increased ability of elk to stay at high elevations over winter and consume plants, according to a groundbreaking study in Nature Climate Change. The U.S. Geological Survey and University of Montana study not only showed that the abundan ... read more
|The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2012 - Space Media Network. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement


text:
Several special dates are mentioned in this issue of JAX FAX, including our cover feature about Wales, which celebrates the centenary of Dylan Thomas' birth. Also in the Europe section, the Flanders article is about events and museums with exhibits focused on Belgium's World War I Centenary.
Beginning this month, and running through the same time next year, Berlin will celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall, which occurred 25 years ago. In June, it will be the 70th anniversary of D-Day, when Allied troops landed in Normandy, France. Also in France, it is the 125th anniversary of the Eiffel Tower.
The Panama Canal is celebrating its 100th anniversary in August of 2014. The canal took over five years to build and is considered an engineering marvel. Next year will also mark the 20th anniversary of the Channel Tunnel, also known as the Chunnel, which connects England and France. Finnair will be celebrating its 90th anniversary. Delta Airlines, which started as a crop dusting organization, is also going to be 90 in 2014.
Fifty years ago, the Beatles took the US by storm on their first tour to the country, performing on the Ed Sullivan Show. And if you can wait until 2015, plan to be in Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee for Elvis' 80th birthday celebration.
Sunny Land Tours is celebrating their 50th anniversary - see their ad and page 21 for details about a fantastic commission offer.
If clients need a reason to choose a particular destination to visit, next year seems to be full of celebrations and events that will have them crossing the globe.


text:
Saturday, March 24, 2012 10 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Location: Breathers Retreat, 167 Steadman's Landing Road, Dover-Foxcroft, ME
For more information: Cynthia Scott; 207-564-2604; facebook.com/BreathersRetreats
You know how powerful words can be. But do you ever stop to think about the power of the words you use to talk to or about yourself? Or the words that you think about yourself but might not say?
The language we choose to describe ourselves, our circumstances, our lives, our hopes, and our wishes possess tremendous strength. They can make the difference between a having a positive outlook and a dour one, being content or constantly feeling at loose ends. They can make or break our dreams, our desires, our creativity, our health, our relationships. But the amazing thing is that we have a CHOICE about the words we think and the words we say.
At this March Breather, from 10am to 3pm, we'll talk about language and how to use it to create the life you really want.
Erin Callaway and Cynthia Scott – Retreat Facilitators
Registration, including lunch, for the March Breathers Retreat is $60 per person, $50 per person if you and a friend register together. Call Cynthia at 564-2604 to sign up. Registration closes on Tuesday, March 20th. Space is limited, therefore we will be accepting the first 8 registrations. A deposit of 50%, checks payable to Erin Callaway, may be sent to:
Breathers Retreats
P O Box 307
Dover-Foxcroft ME 04426
Breathers 2012 – A Year for You! — Affordable, down-to-earth, small group retreats for busy women who want to take a break from their hectic lives and experience the calming, rejuvenating power of sharing, listening, silence, and creative activities in a simple, peaceful rural setting.