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This paper seeks to appropriate the insights of dramatic theology for Christian psychology and soul care. According to Kevin Vanhoozer, Scripture is the 'script' for human beings' fitting participation in the acts and deeds of God in the world (
"Then Buttercup was gone, out of sight.
Westley took a breath. He was aware of the score of soldiers starting to surround him, and probably he could have made a few of them perspire for their victory.
But for what point?
Westley sagged.
"Come, sir." Count Rugen approached. "We must get you safely to your ship."
"We are both men of action," Westley replied. "Lies do not become us.""
This scene from
According to the Bible, human persons do not develop into full humanity unless they assert their will: "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth" (Gen. 1:28). If this command is foundational to full human life, then action is required to mature as a human. According to one Christian psychologist, human agency entails several qualities that are essential to development: rational-linguistic ability, a high degree of self awareness, the power to reason, responsibility, and imagination [
The analogy of drama can be a helpful metaphor to understand the full flourishing of human beings as agents, or actors. One theologian who has greatly capitalized upon this analogy is Kevin Vanhoozer, who describes God's action in the world as 'theodrama' [
In the Bible, the acts of God are conveyed in a narrative form. Scripture frames God's actions in Israel and the world as a story. Of course, narrative is one specific genre employed throughout the sixty-six books of the Bible. Large portions of the Old Testament are story forms (e.g., stories of Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph), and in the New Testament the four gospels provide biographical narratives of Jesus' life. According to a canonical perspective, however, the entire sweep of God's activity in the world may be seen as one grand story. His relationship with the nation of Israel, according to Klyne Snodgrass, is summarized in several of Jesus' parables: the wicked tenants (
Moving from story to drama as a metaphor for God's activity might seem like a small shift, but there is a significant difference between them. Both mediums are about action. As Aristotle makes clear in his
Scripture does not take the form of drama, but as a written compilation of books, which include many generic forms. It would seem that the message of the Bible is limited to a form that can be told, but not shown. Or is it? While it is true that the Bible comes in a written form that can be read or heard, it is also the case that the Bible can be lived and seen. There is a sense in which Scripture is delivered in a textual medium, and yet there is also another sense in which it is delivered in a dramatic medium. What is the dramatic medium?
Scripture's authors all seem to assume that God has entered into the world and acted in a way that can be perceived by human beings. Vanhoozer uses the term 'theodrama' to capture this idea: "Theodrama is a matter of God's taking the initiative to make himself known to others, of God's parting the heavenly curtain in order to reveal and redeem" ([
Viewed in this way, the Bible is not only a record of previous acts in the theodrama, but also a script for its continued performance. Vanhoozer says, "The Bible is the authoritative account of the mighty acts of God in the past. As such, it is a dogmatic text that regulates Christian belief. But it also regulates Christian behavior, prescribing—which is to say, directing by writing—the way of Jesus Christ" ([
Being a script would imply that Scripture has instrumental value as well as intrinsic value [
Theologians like Vanhoozer within the Judeo-Christian tradition have maintained that, despite Scripture's usefulness as God's script, human beings fail to perform as the 'script' directs. People do not show up as 'men of action,' as idealized by Westley in William Goldman's fantasy story. Rather, like Count Rugen, lies become them. Authentic action is negated by self-deception. Self-deception, it will be argued, impedes an individual's participation in God's drama by corrupting the mind, heart, and will through the imagination. On the other hand, self-deception can be attacked and overcome to some degree, and this confrontation happens in the same faculties—mind, heart, and will—through the imagination. In the following section, the author will briefly define self-deception and then explore its effects on the mind, heart, and will.
Self-deception is a concept that has received ample consideration. It has been discussed across various disciplines, especially psychology, ethics, and theology. In psychology, self-deception is often discussed in terms of defense mechanisms, or defensive activity [
Ethics has pointed to self-deception as an absurd but nevertheless real experience. Self-deception is absurd because it involves double-mindedness in the person. On the one hand, a person knows that something is the case ("These Jewish people are being eradicated and I am standing by"), and yet, on the other hand, he pretends that this point is irrelevant or inconsequential ("I am doing nothing to harm anyone"). Self-deception is lying to oneself in order to serve a particular interest. Though there is plenty of evidence towards one course of reasoning, it is supplanted by a contradictory false belief in order to protect a desire connected with the false belief [
Lastly, theologians have often pointed to the root of self-deception in the sinfulness of humanity. One employs self-deception to maintain a false belief about oneself and God. To do so one must disconnect from God ( Theologically speaking, self-deception is of deeper significance than the mere acts of holding conflicting beliefs, avoiding unwanted information, or protecting self-esteem. To attempt to be what one is not, to willfully believe a falsehood about oneself or one's situation, is to attempt a deception before God who is the truth. Self-deception, therefore, is the handmaiden of pride.
Theologically speaking, self-deception is of deeper significance than the mere acts of holding conflicting beliefs, avoiding unwanted information, or protecting self-esteem. To attempt to be what one is not, to willfully believe a falsehood about oneself or one's situation, is to attempt a deception before God who is the truth. Self-deception, therefore, is the handmaiden of pride.
At the root of self-deception, therefore, lies an inclination of the will that mutates one's desire for self-worth into the sin of pride.
Let us now consider how self-deception, motivated by pride, might affect the mind. Intellectual knowledge of the theodrama is required for fitting performance, according to Vanhoozer. Knowledge, however, can be distorted. An actor can memorize the script, but if he or she interprets it incorrectly, performance will be poor. In order to misconstrue the theodrama or one's place within it, self-deception hijacks the mind and uses reason in order to serve its sinister purposes. Of course, self-deception is not rational, but the self-deceived person employs a veneer of reason to justify his underlying motive [
The emotions would also seem to be required for fitting performance, but human affectivity can be distorted. Jonathan Edwards faced this problem during the revival movements of the Great Awakening, in which it was difficult to tell whether emotional fervor was a true mark of spiritual affection or of self-deception [
Like the mind and heart, the will's facility in the theodrama can also be negated through self-deception. Just as a self-deceived person makes use of the mind's ideas and the heart's affections, so he can manipulate the will's volitions. One might consider what we have said so far and reply, "Well then, it seems the thing to be done is to tell the truth. One must will himself to honesty! Authenticity! One must commit to being true in his thoughts and emotions." This thinking overlooks the fact that the will can also be employed in self-deception. Stephen Crites might offer this rejoinder to the suggestion that one can
From this discussion, one may make two inferences. First, self-deceptive behavior is characterized by some degree of unconsciousness. The Pharisees were unconscious of the way they used their orthodox minds to mask their heterodox hate for the Son of God. David was unconscious of the way he used his heartfelt anger to reinforce his self-righteousness and suppress his guilt and shame. Saul was unconscious of the way he willed to serve God in order to cover up his disobedience. Peter Sedgwick pithily summarizes our confounded situation: "Human action is not a series of responsible decisions taken by self-aware people in control of their lives" ([
Second, self-deception is not characterized by total unconsciousness, but by a 'willing suspension of disbelief' [
The thesis of this paper is that in order to combat self-deception the imagination must be re-oriented to reality through a willing suspension of disbelief. Rather than believing in a distorted perception of reality, a person desiring to perform in the theodrama must allow his mind, heart, and will to be captured and persuaded by an imaginative re-construction and re-apprehension of himself and the world. For the remainder of our time, we will consider how one can suspend his (false) beliefs and entertain a new perspective that invites alternate beliefs through an appeal to his reason, emotions, and desires. First, we will observe how the imagination works with the mind, heart, and will to either refute or confirm one's beliefs about oneself and the world. Second, we will ask how we might integrate Scripture, or "the script", with a therapeutic tool known as
As has been said, the mind, heart, and will are susceptible to the machinations of self-deception through one's use of the imagination. At the same time, if self-deception is understood as a form and manifestation of sin, it is therefore parasitical; like sin, the only way it can operate is by distorting something that is useful, good, and intended for human maturation: imagination. Thus, the imagination should not be equated with self-deception or sin; rather, it is the means for self-deception. The imagination is a useful instrument. What is its use, good or bad?
The instrumental use of the imagination is that it can either confirm and reinforce beliefs, or it can discredit them. A person may hold certain beliefs about the world, but he can suspend those beliefs, even if just for a moment, because his imagination allows him to entertain alternate beliefs. To a class of college freshmen, a clever, charismatic professor may winsomely and persuasively propose ideas about the world that invite a willing suspension of long-held beliefs or assumptions in the minds of his students. The imagination allows one to entertain a new perspective—contradictory to one's own—through a persuasive appeal. If this appeal is strong enough, then one's former beliefs may be disavowed and cast aside. On the other hand, the appeal may be too weak, and then the imagination continues to align with the old way of seeing. Imagination is like a projector that displays possible images, which either strengthen beliefs/assumptions or weaken them. While the imagination can be used to construct or build up a false belief it can also deconstruct it. The next question is how it does so.
Looking back at the example of David and Nathan above (the one successful case), we can see the imagination working with the heart, mind and will; specifically we see how it allowed David to enter into a narrative willingly so that he was able to think, feel and act in a certain way. As Nathan told the story, David imagined it. David willingly participated with the narrative by allowing himself to "see" the characters and follow their actions with his mind's eye. One can be reasonably sure of this fact without having access to David's mind for two reasons. First, we ourselves can imagine the story as Nathan tells it, so we can infer that David could as well. Second, David evidences by his response that he has followed and understood the story: "Then David's anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, "As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity" (2 Sam. 12:6). David's imagination cooperated with the story in a way that allowed him to construe its events in a certain way, feel emotion, and act in response. The text focuses first on the emotion, telling us that David felt great anger toward the rich man. The text then says that David reacted by pronouncing a judgment: the rich man should die and restore the lamb fourfold. One could infer the reasons for David's judgment, but the text tells plainly that it was because the rich man "did this thing, and because he had no pity." David was thus affected in his heart, mind and will by virtue of his imagination, which allowed him to enter into Nathan's story. He believed willingly what Nathan related to the degree that he was moved to think, feel and act in a certain way, namely, in a way fitting to the story. He responded fittingly because he construed the story for what it was, an instance of injustice,
One might wonder why David's imagination cooperated as willingly as it did. First, Nathan was a respected voice to David. The reader is told that Nathan was a prophet of the Lord who had come to David before, and moreover David heeded Nathan's words as the very word of the Lord (2 Sam. 7:3–29). Nathan bore a high degree of credibility with David that was likely a strong factor in his willingness to cooperate imaginatively. A second likely factor in David's willing participation is related to his deep concern for justice and the value he placed on kindness and compassion. His reason for condemning the rich man was based on the injustice he committed and the lack of pity he showed. The value David placed on justice and pity made him acutely attuned to the story; his values influenced his seeing. According to William Wood, Blaise Pascal saw a close link between what one values and the way one sees: [T]here is a direct relationship between the way we value beloved objects and the way we see them, which affects the beliefs we form about them. ([
Note that although Nathan had finished the story, David's imagination continued to work. David did not stop using his imagination when the story ended; rather he kept constructing the story so that he could reach a conclusion. Here we see that Nathan had not provided David with a self-enclosed narrative but an open-ended one, which invited a further response. And David did respond, with emotion and decision, while still using his imagination. David used his imagination to finish the story with a fitting ending: punishment for the rich man and payment for the poor man. The point here is that the imagination can do more than entertain a narrative; it can cooperate in the construction of the narrative.
Further, when a person cooperates in the making of an imaginative construct, that construct in turn has reciprocal effects on the will [
For David, his imaginative engagement in a story allowed him to temporarily disengage from his self-deception and lower his defenses even to the point that he unintentionally condemned himself. For a fleeting moment, a new imaginative construct released David from his old, false imaginative construct. This phenomenon demonstrated in David's life is not unique. For many people, the imagination is daily employed to either construct a false view of the self and the world or to construct a true view. For example, Crites describes how a person might imaginatively support the perception that he is a scholar: "If I am a scholar, I have books strewn on my desk and paper in my typewriter with a few lines typed on it, my pipe is lit, my lips are severely pursed, and an apologetic intruder could never guess how much of the afternoon I have spent pursuing sexual fantasies and muttering venom against my enemies" ([
In David's life, as in the lives of many individuals, the imagination had an effect on his identity, or the way he saw himself. A person constructs the secondary world with himself as a player in it; he has a role in the drama of his imagination. One crafts a world that usually reinforces his identity. As seen with David, that identity can be either false or true.
In the construction of identity, the imagination works off of the suggestions of others outside oneself. Other people add bits and pieces to one's imaginative self-construct, like a mosaic. Harter describes the construction of one's self, or identity, as a process that involves the individual as well as significant others in his or her life [
Because self-deception co-opts with the imagination, and, as we have just noted, the imagination is influenced by others outside oneself, the social dimension of self-deception must be acknowledged. One's self-deception is perpetuated (or hindered) by other people as well as by oneself. Beguiled and allured by one's ideal (and false) self-image, he seeks as many ways as possible to protect and nurture it, so as to further blind himself from the truth. One way to do so is through the support of others: "In order to deceive myself I must enlist the complicity of others, however passive or unwitting their complicity may be" ([
To fight self-deception, one must address his or her imagined identity as both an individual and social construct. In a moment, we will look at a social context (
Psychodrama, as a recognized form of psychotherapy, was introduced to psychology in the early 20th century by J. L. Moreno. Moreno undergirded psychodrama with deep philosophical convictions about the nature of space, time, reality, and the cosmos [
First, a stage is used. The stage may be as complex as the large three-tiered version with balcony and lights used by Moreno, but any place will suit as long as it can fit the number of people involved. The stage, as a term in theatre, is where the drama is enacted, the environment or world in which the actors perform their role. The stage is a space that enables a person to "be and to act himself in an environment which is modeled after that in which he lives" ([
Second, the protagonist is the person receiving the primary focus in the psychodrama. The protagonist is chosen from among the group members as a representative. This person is usually chosen because his present issue or problem is one with which other group members identify or one which they share in common. The environment of the stage is the protagonist's environment, and the action performed concerns the protagonist. The protagonist will enact situations from his past and present, and he may also enact situations in view of the future.
Third, auxiliary egos are other members of the group who join the action centered around the protagonist. They may serve as other people in the protagonist's situation (spouse, boss, father) or as parts of the protagonist's self (little boy). The protagonist chooses group members to play these parts; they are given the needed information to play their role, and then they join the action.
Fourth, the group itself is a basic instrument of psychodrama. Although psychodrama may be performed with just a protagonist and one other (director), it is usually done as a kind of group therapy. I will assume that the group aspect is essential to psychodrama, since the importance of finding one's identity within a corporate body has been emphasized. The group chooses the protagonist and assists by becoming auxiliary egos. At the end of a session, the group offers support to the protagonist and shares perspectives about the experience.
Fifth, the director guides the entire process. The director assists in selecting the protagonist and auxiliary egos. He guides the protagonist in setting up the scene and arranging objects or characters on the stage. The director leads the protagonist through the action with directives about what to do, observations about the scene, and questions that lead the protagonist onward in the drama. The director begins the process and guides it to the end. His main task is to facilitate the protagonist's action into an opportunity for change and growth.
These five components allow psychodrama to give a person an opportunity for change and to be liberated out of a lurch in life by rehearsing new possible ways of living. Psychodrama provides a person a space to 'rehearse life.' Before ever coming to psychodrama, people already act out rehearsed ways of living according to the scripts they have accepted or fashioned for themselves; psychodrama offers a person a 'new stage' with a different audience [
Dad walks into the living room and sees his three-year-old daughter jumping off the couch unto a pile of pillows. He furrows his brow and says abruptly, "Be careful! You could hurt yourself."
Daughter continues to play, but goes to another room with a toy.
Dad mutters, "What a mess this place is. You'd think it was a jungle gym instead of a living room!"
In a session of psychodrama, the director might help the father reenact this scene with his daughter by asking him to reverse the roles: "If you were your daughter, what would you be receiving from Dad's words and behavior in this scene?" Reenacting the scene in the role of his daughter, it might then dawn on him that, if he were her, he would feel surprised and maybe even frightened by Dad's sudden outburst. He might also internalize a line Dad often says—"Be careful!"—and take on that anxiety as his own. Role reversal is a powerful tool in psychodrama, because it places the protagonist in another person's shoes, providing a new vantage point from which to behold his actual ways of living [
Actually, the theodrama has been here all along because it encompasses the swath of God's drama in the world, and that includes the role that each particular person's life plays within it. Psychodrama explicates an individual's role as an actor in the universal theodrama. And, bringing this relationship to bear on self-deception, psychodrama reveals the latent forms of mendacity that hinder one from fitting performance in the theodrama. Psychodrama can prove to be a powerful aid in fulfilling one's theodramatic role.
Psychodrama enables one to become conscious of self-deception by reenacting and rehearsing everyday actions. Rehearsal is a necessary part of renewing one's theodramatic imagination and overcoming self-deception:
To become explicitly conscious of one's situation [...] demands that one rehearse what one is doing. We seldom feel it necessary to spell out our engagements in any detail, however [...] There are many things we do every day—dressing, eating, playing with our children or talking with our spouses—that can be carried on without bothering to delineate how they may contribute to an overall life-plan. We seldom "spell out" what we are doing unless we are prodded to do so.
To become explicitly conscious of one's situation [...] demands that one rehearse what one is doing. We seldom feel it necessary to spell out our engagements in any detail, however [...] There are many things we do every day—dressing, eating, playing with our children or talking with our spouses—that can be carried on without bothering to delineate how they may contribute to an overall life-plan. We seldom "spell out" what we are doing unless we are prodded to do so.
Psychodrama prods. It brings one face-to-face with the way one lives, revealing the "small story" of our day-to-day existence [
A person's small story, if under the auspices of self-deception, is antithetical to fitting performance in the theodrama. To get out of the small, distorted story one must locate himself in the larger, true story of God. That story is the theodrama—specifically, it is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who entered the stage of the world as a human actor and performed God's script in a way that frees one to take up the role he had lost because of sin. The larger drama with which psychodrama begs one to identify is the Christodrama. Christ's drama—his life, death, resurrection, and ascension—is the drama a Christian must fit his life within in order to be rid of his old false self and take on a new self:
Christians claim to find the skill to confess the evil that we do in the history of Jesus Christ. It is a history of suffering and death that must be made our own if we are to mine its significance. The saints formed by this story testify to its efficacy in purging the self of all deception as it forces the acceptance of a new self mirrored in the cross".
Christians claim to find the skill to confess the evil that we do in the history of Jesus Christ. It is a history of suffering and death that must be made our own if we are to mine its significance. The saints formed by this story testify to its efficacy in purging the self of all deception as it forces the acceptance of a new self mirrored in the cross".
Just as a self-deceived imagination hinders one from living out his role authentically, the imagination that is oriented to Jesus Christ can free one to perform like him.
Let us make the points of the last several paragraphs very explicit. First, psychodrama serves to uncover one's actual behavior. Second, psychodrama can also reveal possibilities for change. Third, when the drama of one's life (psychodrama) is oriented to the drama of Christ (theodrama), one can rehearse new ways for living that break out of one's old identity (small story, old script,
From a Christian psychology perspective, theodrama requires psychodrama. If a person wants to perform in the theodrama, then some form of psychodrama must be used, even if it is simply 'performed' in the context of two friends talking openly about their lives. Psychodrama is rehearsal, and one must rehearse if he is to break the spells of self-deception that block his participation in the theodrama. Theodrama cannot be approached merely as a cognitive, affective, or volitional exercise. For a Christian, it is not enough to think about the Gospel, nor to feel emotions about it, nor to will certain actions in response to it, for all these can be forms of self-deception. Theodrama, if not integrated into oneself, is just an impotent idea. One may study it and articulate it as doctrine, yet never apply its meaning to life. One can despise injustice in the world, yet all the while employing his emotions to mask his own lack of justice. One can even take action by tending to the 'things of God' or ministering to the needs of others, while neglecting to do what God says is most needful for
Second, from a Christian psychology perspective, psychodrama requires theodrama. Psychodrama without theodrama is a play without the right script. Some advocates of psychodrama miss this point. They believe that once psychodrama has exposed a person's false scripts, the next step is to start writing a new one, or even to be done with scripts altogether [
The theodrama as script orients the protagonist's action in a psychodrama around the action of Christ. By virtue of Christ's life as a human being, the protagonist can claim union with Christ and appropriate all that belongs to Christ's life to himself. Thus, when a father sees the part of himself that shoves anxiety unto his daughter, he can consider it crucified with Christ. And when he looks for the strength to continually 'put off' that aspect of his self and replace it with new ways of living, he can find that strength in Christ's resurrection and ascension. Donning the new self in Christ, he can rehearse new ways of living towards his daughter and others in his life. The action of Christ can be realized in one's own experience.
When psychodrama and theodrama are integrated, the individual is given the opportunity to encounter God, and thereby to begin to reconstruct his imagination and perform a new role in life. It is through a meeting with the God of the theodrama that self-deception is traded for self-realization. In Leo Tolstoy's "The Death of Ivan Illyich", Ivan is a man who is self-deceived, having taken on the script offered by his upper-class society. He is incapable of truly loving others in his life because he is so absorbed in maintaining the false self he has adopted. The moment of truth in Ivan's life comes when he not only realizes his self-deception but transcends it through an encounter with God:
Ivan's break-through is neither simply a psychological illumination of self-understanding nor only a moral conversion toward truthfulness and love. It is also an epiphany, a moment in which he feels God's understanding both in the cognitive sense, in which Ivan knows that God comprehends him in his depths, and, more importantly, in the affective sense, in which Ivan feels that God accepts, loves, and forgives him.
Ivan's break-through is neither simply a psychological illumination of self-understanding nor only a moral conversion toward truthfulness and love. It is also an epiphany, a moment in which he feels God's understanding both in the cognitive sense, in which Ivan knows that God comprehends him in his depths, and, more importantly, in the affective sense, in which Ivan feels that God accepts, loves, and forgives him.
Christianity maintains that God encounters people through his Son, Jesus Christ. When psychodrama is integrated with theodrama, those involved should make it their aim to come face-to-face with Jesus.
To conclude, let us consider how combating self-deception with psychodrama must be counterbalanced by contemplation. Psychodrama has many great advantages; one that we have barely touched is its group aspect, which can be seen as a manifestation of Christ's body building itself up in love (Eph. 4:16). Notwithstanding the necessity of this corporate dynamic, the internalization of one's identity in the theodrama must also happen alone with God in silence and contemplation. The spiritual practice of contemplation is rooted in the acknowledgement that God alone can give one his identity [
To bring this discussion forward into greater fruitfulness, I suggest we take up the subject of self-deception into other modes of rehearsal. Theodramatic rehearsal is one weapon we can utilize against the lure of the lying self, but there are others. Men of action will claim every one.
By "imagination" is meant the faculty of forming mental images or concepts that are not actually present to the senses. While the imagination is a faculty of the mind, it has a special function that distinguishes it from other mental faculties: to form images that are
I was first introduced to psychodrama through the Cross Ministry Group and its founder, Bob Hudson, who has implemented the use of psychodrama in a profoundly Christian way. This paper has been an attempt, in part, to explain how the use of psychodrama in such ministries is not only permissible and beneficial for Christian soul care providers but is also commensurable with Christian doctrine and practice. The task of Christian psychology, as I understand it, is to do this kind of work—the work of strong and explicit integration [
The author declares no conflict of interest.


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Re: New Clown Loaches!
Posted By: Matt M. <email@example.com> In Response To: Re: New Clown Loaches! (Flame)
Date: Monday, 31 January 2000, at 7:52 p.m.
In Response To: Re: New Clown Loaches! (Flame)
4 in a 29 gallon is NOT overcrowding. It's not so much the amount a tank will hold but the cubic area that fish have to swim in. Clowns can be raised for several years in a 29 gallon because it has good space for them to roam. They will grow fairly slow after they get through their adolescent years and will do fine in a 29 gallon aquarium. I have have 3 clowns in mine and other fish to get barely 15 inches of fish in mine and I have room for them all to double in size and not have to worry about over crowding. Why are you on this site anyway? I thought you were banned????
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Job Overview
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- Performing other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Status
Promotion Potential
Travel Required
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- Occasional Travel is required for this position.


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On the road to being more environmentally-minded, there are three levels of commitment: simple commitments -- very short, easy things to add to your everyday routine; next steps -- projects that might take a few hours or require regular monthly time commitments; and lifestyle changes -- become a champion for the environment through these rewarding commitments. Whether you decide to do one small thing for the environment or change your whole day to focus more on conservation, you will be doing your part.
The iConservePA website (www.iconservepa.org) provides numerous tips for becoming "greener" and is frequently updated with new information.
For instance, the iConservePA theme for 2009 is native plants, a theme that ties in with the mission of the Wild Resource Conservation Program (WRCP) – one of the iConservePA partners. Throughout the year, programs and activities will be launched to encourage Pennsylvanians to plant more native species and appreciate their homegrown beauty. These programs include website additions full of information on choosing the right plants for your yard and finding plant nurseries that sell those natives; a new publication highlighting the benefits of native plants and the dangers of invasives; a photo mosaic contest; native plant sales at grocery stores; and a program highlighting special native plant communities in our state parks; among others. To learn more about natives, iConservePA is one great place to go!
You might be asking yourself, "How else can iConserve?" Consider becoming a PA iCon. PA iCons are people like you who understand the value of protecting our natural resources and want to share ideas and opportunities to "take conservation personally." PA iCons receive short monthly e-newsletters with "insider" information on the latest iConservePA events, news and happenings, and they are eligible for special giveaways and prizes. Sign up to become an iCon at www.iconservepa.org.
The Wild Resource Conservation Program is proud to be a partner with iConservePA. We encourage you to do your part to "take conservation personally." Our native plants, animals and habitats depend on all of us to think and act "green."


text:
The next sentence you read is a fact: Worship software saves you time.
And you have every right to be skeptical about that claim.
There's this problem with technology when it comes to saving time. It's become cliche to say that the very things designed to save us time actually end up costing us more time. The innovation of e-mail has turned into a chronological cookie monster that devours hours of our time each day. We had high hopes that Microsoft Word would magically add an hour or two to our workday, but it ends up crashing, or we obliterate eons of time finagling with margin frustrations or pagination issues. (more…)


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I suggested that he lie down again and I would fill his hot-water bag.
And you boys fill the ice-cap—and the hot-water bag and—hurry!
In stiff neck, rub well with some liniment, as chloroform liniment, and lie in bed on a hot-water bag.
They can easily be warmed with a hot-water bag, flat-iron, or soapstone.
Over this a dry cloth should be placed, and the patient should lie down on a bran poultice or hot-water bag for an hour or two.
"It's only a hot-water bag, dear," Mrs. Schofield said, still labouring under the covers with an extended arm.
With dexterous fingers the hot-water bag was withdrawn from the foot of the bed and Mother McNeil was out of the room.
Julia Cloud fixed a hot-water bag to warm the chilled hands and feet.
The hot-water bag may be held against the ear or the child may lie with his head upon it.
How she ever made good in pictures I don't know, and her face like a hot-water bag for expression.


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Encouraging Patient Compliance Through the Device
Encouraging compliance is a critically important—and often overlooked—aspect of a product's design. Compliance is relegated to a discussion between patient and caregiver, but I believe the device should play an active role.
First, the user experience must be friendly. This covers not only the daily user interaction, but also, the out-of-box experience and initial set up. A device that's frustrating to use will be used less often, or at least with less enthusiasm.
Second, the device must actively encourage proper use. I have an electric toothbrush that does a fantastic job letting me know that I've brushed long enough and in the correct way. Each time I use it, I want to earn my "four stars." Too many devices focus on getting their job done that they don't provide sufficient feedback to the user, other than in failures.
And that leads to a third point—the device must make the patient feel like an active participant in his care. Modern fitness gadgets are good examples, by being cloud-connected and offering live updates via the web and mobile phones. Extending that concept to patient monitors, instead of just collecting data and passing it to the caregiver, the device should involve the patient and make more than just a physical connection.


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Pippa Middleton's Most Stylish Looks: She May Not Quite Be Royal but She Is Fashionable (GALLERY)
In honor of Pippa Middleton's 29th birthday this week, we're celebrating the royal sister's transformation from the world's most famous butt…er, bridesmaid to fashion A-lister.
Like her older sister, Kate Middleton, Pippa has become known for her ladylike sensibility and knack for mixing high-low designers.
Of course, it doesn't hurt that Pippa… More »


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its almost baby time!
Monday, July 23, 2012
39 comments:
Summer babies are the BEST!!!! I was worried about you - and just checked in yesterday to see if there was any baby news. So glad things are going well. Happy (and safe) delivery!!ReplyDelete
This comment has been removed by the author.ReplyDelete
Praying with your for the safe and soon arrival of your wee one.ReplyDelete
You are looking super fabulous! Looking forward to hearing baby news very soon! Kate.ReplyDelete
I will say some prayers that all continues to go well. Yo do look absolutely adorable:)ReplyDelete
So close, so exciting! I'm praying that everything goes easily, painlessly and quickly!!!ReplyDelete
You are as cute as a button! You look absolutely fabulous.ReplyDelete
You are so upbeat, encouraging, and inspiring! I'm grateful you are feeling so well, too. Nothing short of THE best luck to you with everything! :)
- AnonymousJuly 23, 2012 at 11:58 PM
Been keeping up with your blog for about a year now. We are due the same week! You're beautiful pregnant :) This is my second August baby and yep, ankles morph and sweat abounds. Lol praying for healthy babies and easy labor!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousJuly 24, 2012 at 12:07 AM
I've been checking in so often to see if you had posted and how you are doing!! I hope you have a speedy, safe delivery!ReplyDelete
Julie B.
- Ramona CodyJuly 24, 2012 at 5:15 AM
Love, love, love your blog! Best wishes for a happy and healthy baby!ReplyDelete
Yay! We can't wait to see new baby pictures! Many blessings in delivery and #6!ReplyDelete
Yay! We can't wait to see new baby pictures! Many blessings in delivery and #6!ReplyDelete
Hooray! I've been hoping for an update on how everything is going. I think you look fabulous, ps! Good luck with the last weeks of this little person on the inside...and then with the first few weeks with him/her on the outside!ReplyDelete
How exciting! And you look so beautiful! Praying things go smoothly and little #6 makes an early entry. :)ReplyDelete
Our due dates must be within days of each other. This is number 4 for us and I have to agree this summer heat has been rough. Blessings to you on your labor & delivery.ReplyDelete
You must all be so excited. What a blessing for your children. I was number 6 and family has always been my biggest blessing.ReplyDelete
Sending u some easy labor vibes , how about some pics of the new nursery. I've been following ur blog for a while but never write comments bc i never knew how until now. You look great and you have a beautiful family. Your very Inspiring to me as I have three little ones and we want to expand our family and I soak up every ounce of advice u give. Can't wait to see the new baby pics. Much love from Miami floridaReplyDelete
I was wondering if you had had your baby yet. I am so excited for you. Although I do not envy where you are at right now. I have had 3 summer babies and it was so hard. My husband had to massage my ankles at night so they wouldn't be the size of softballs. You look fantastic. You are just glowing. Can't wait to see your nursery. I will keep you in my prayers.ReplyDelete
Early congratulations!! We'll be praying for a quick and healthy l&d, and cannot wait to see pictures of the changes made to the nursery. Do ya'll know if it's a boy or girl yet, or do you leave the gender a surprise?ReplyDelete
Praying with you for a safe and quick (but not too quick) birth! Thank the Lord for no contractions!!! And I must say you look amazing! Can't wait to meet the latest addition to your beautiful family! XoXo*SReplyDelete
Missed you during your blogging absense! You and that baby belly look amazing.ReplyDelete
Sending happy thoughts your way for a great and smooth delivery! Hugs! Congrats on baby # 6!
- AnonymousJuly 24, 2012 at 5:26 PM
You look beautiful!!! Best of luck to you & yes, hopefully you do have a healthy, fast delivery!ReplyDelete
Vicky T.
- SpeattleJuly 24, 2012 at 6:42 PM
I've had 3 summer pregnancies and all I can say is thank the Lord for central air!ReplyDelete
Keep cool. Looking forward to more posts about your nursery and it's new little occupant.
God Bless!
I feel for you! I am 32 weeks along with baby no. 2 and this is also my first summer pregnancy. We just had central air installed today, I couldn't go on without it! Best wishes for going early! :)ReplyDelete
Awww. I faithfully check in on you every day so I"m glad for the update. Will be praying that all goes well.ReplyDelete
You look stunning! Seriously. It is so great to see smiling, happy pregnant women who have offered their bodies as a living sacrifice for the gift of new life. And then you see your crew and I want to shout, keep up the great work b/c you are such a witness just by living your normal family life, mismatched outfits with too big of shoes and all. Prayers for a safe delivery.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousJuly 25, 2012 at 3:34 PM
I would love to hear more about how you manage all these littles with homeschooling. I aspire to har a couple more babies but worry I will fall behind with schooling and lovin on each of them! Will you share your wisdom? Thanks :)ReplyDelete
My favorite part of having a summer baby is that it's not freezing when you wake up in the middle of the night to feed :) and they have good birthdays for sports :)ReplyDelete
glad your pregnancy is going good! i can't wait to see if its boy or girl! and your little guy in the mis-matched clothes was too precious! made me smile!ReplyDelete
Very cute picture! Loved the update and looking forward to your next baby post!ReplyDelete
Oh you look adorable! Praying that all goes well and you are Blessed with a healthy baby!!!ReplyDelete
Oh you look adorable! Praying that all goes well and you are Blessed with a healthy baby!!!ReplyDelete
So glad to hear that you are doing well. You look beautiful!!! Hang in there my sweet friend. The best is yet to come ;)ReplyDelete
- AnonymousJuly 29, 2012 at 7:32 PM
you look stunning and so happy.. best wishes for an easy delivery of baby #6.. i'm guessing a girl.. missed you during your absence... can't wait to see baby#6. xo PattyReplyDelete
I just found your blog and LOVE it!!! I don't find many blogs that have a "bunch" of children like me. I admire the way you raise your children. You make me want to be a better mommy. Thanks!ReplyDelete
Was so excited to see this update! You look beautiful! Blessings to you and prayers for a healthy and fast labor and delivery! Cat Moore (www.catdmoore.com)ReplyDelete
Good Luck with Baby #6! I am also a mother of 6 kids. Oldest is 10 years old. www.organizeddinner.blogspot.comReplyDelete
Congratulations and prayers for you, your baby, and your family! Love the shot of your little guy's outfit! We have five under 8. :) Thank you for sharing with us.ReplyDelete
I had a summer baby..August 28th.. in Montgomery, Al....it was miserable. But, that precious boy that will be 10 in a couple of weeks was MORE than worth it. :)ReplyDelete
I'm sure by now, you've had that sweet baby of yours..#6!!!!! I look forward to seeing pictures when you come up for air. :)


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"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."
Albert Einstein
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Did you know?
The Games of renewal
After a 12-year break, caused by the Second World War, these V Winter Games were named the "Games of Renewal". Neither Japan nor Germany were invited to Switzerland, the memories of the war being too fresh.
Alpine skiing in the programme
Alpine skiing made its veritable Olympic debut. A few combined events had taken place in 1936, but this time there were three events for men as well as for women.
The skeleton (a style of luge which appeared in St-Moritz at the end of the 19th century) was included for the second time at the Olympic Games. The first race had also taken place in St-Moritz in 1928. This discipline appeared again at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games.
(Credit: IOC. Click here for further information.)


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Save The World – Start Working
I live and breath productivity. I'd like to invite you to check our Productivity App! In addition to the app, you'll join our productivity community and receive support from a team of productivity experts who love what they do! You can contact us on Google+ or on Twitter if you have any questions. As an FYI, we recently released an amazing feature that helps to process your emails quickly and effectively - we call it EZ Email processing.
2 responses to "Save The World – Start Working"
Tom Ashworth says:
I have to say Ive been using IQTELL now for a few days and it is quite impressive. When I get an email with attachments I would like to be able to select more than one to download to a folder. Also does the app work ok with it open in more than one tab as I like to refer between projects and evernote quite a lot. (Both within evernote and more and more now within IQTELL) Looking forward to the new iOS app.
Haim At Iqtell says:
With regards to working in more than one tab; it's not an approved method, but some people have tried it and were ok with it; this is not our official position ;-)
We will roll out a feature to download all attachments at once. In the meantime, check out the Email Gateway feature, you'll be able to forward emails and the attachments will be auto-added to the file(s) field in the entry, e.g., Action. Learn more: Settings / Knowledge Base / E Mail Gateway


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Cisco's Virtual Challenger
With friends like VMware, Cisco hardly needs enemies.
Shares in the networking giant tumbled 6% Tuesday after VMware—a joint venture partner of Cisco's—announced that it would buy software start-up Nicira for $1.3 billion.
Though Nicira's current sales are tiny—in the single-digit millions, according to a person close to the company—the...


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Canandaigua is a town of villas, built on the rising shore of the Canandaigua lake.
Then, just as we were coming into Canandaigua my whole transmission went.
Before that time parties came through from Canandaigua on the old Indian Trail.
There are yet two other lakes westward of Seneca, Keuka and Canandaigua.
I played for the Cheshire team and the Canandaigua town team.
The pretty village of Canandaigua is noted for its good society.
When the ice around the pole thaws out I shall make a flying visit to Canandaigua.
He and I took turns driving and they took me all the way to Canandaigua.
He received an excellent school and academic education, graduating at Canandaigua Academy in 1846.
Canandaigua was settled in 1789 and was first incorporated in 1812.


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Restart Times
Have you ever wondered how often you should shut down your computer and then restart it? I don't know about all of you, but there's always been a question in my mind about how many times a week (or day or month, etc.) I should be restarting my computer. I mean, does every computer need a certain amount of rest time or are they more durable than we may think? Well, allow me to explain some of your options!
To be honest, there really isn't a certain time frame set up for computers when it comes to shutting down and restarting them. There's no minimum or maximum requirement for any computer. Now, if your computer is requesting that you restart it (for example, after an update), then you should oblige, but otherwise, it's not going to harm your computer to leave it on for an extended period of time.
The only time I can think of that you should be restarting your computer on a regular basis is when you're having some system problems. The restart function often helps troubleshoot certain issues. Restarting your computer can really help fix any abnormal problems your computer may be experiencing as well. That probably happens more often than you think. So, while it's a good idea to shut down your computer every once in awhile (just to give it a breather), you don't have to do it every single day. I'd say once a week is a good rule to go by. Of course, do what you want, but I urge you to keep this tip in mind as well. And that's all I have to say about that!
~ Erin


text: All the results we share this morning are presented on a continuing operations basis. For the fourth quarter, the company's loss from continuing operations was $9 million. Excluding special items, adjusted net income from continuing operations was $44 million or $0.26 per share.Now here to tell you more about the results for the fourth quarter are John Luke, Chairman and CEO; Jim Buzzard, our President; and Mark Rajkowski, CFO. I'll now turn the call over to John. John A. Luke Jason, thanks very much and good morning. MWV delivered another strong performance in 2011 even with the weaker fourth quarter due to the economic challenges primarily in North America and Europe. We had record adjusted income from continuing operations in 2011 of $335 million or $1.92 per share as we benefited from our market focus strategies and improved business model. We strengthened our growth profile, implementing plans in each of our global markets to win new business with our most strategic customers, with our most innovative solutions and in the world's fastest-growing geographies. And we generated significant cash flow that we used to make growth investments and provide a strong return to our shareholders. I'd also mention that we announced the spinoff of our Consumer & Office Products division, which will also create significant value for our shareholders when the transaction is closed in the first half of this year. These financial results during the past year came directly from the plans we're pursuing for profitable growth and value creation. Across our packaging markets, we are focused on commercial excellence, innovation, growth in emerging markets and expanded participation with new materials and capabilities. As we discussed at our December Investor Meeting, we aim to generate $1 billion in profitable revenue from this plan over the next 3 to 5 years.


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overviewThe Chawan basu lotus is a dwarf lotus well suited for container gardening, that has blooms that are from 5 to 9 inches in diameter. Chawan basu translates to rice bowl lotus. All Asia lotus varieties available today are hybrid variations of Nelumbo nucifera. The petals are an ivory-white with deep pink margins and veins. There are 21 to 22 petals on each flower. Leaves measure 14 to 17 inches with the plant growing 2 to 4 feet tall. The Chawan basu does well in tubs and kettles in the full sun, but be advised, flowers may wilt in the hot summer climate. Pot in round, shallow container of 20 gallons or more, in 2 to 18" of water.
If your lotus is already potted and has been wintered inside, set it out on your porch in full sun. Keeping it there until the water in the pot is approximately 80°F will get it to bloom sooner. Wait until leaves have started to grow and the pond temperature is above 70°F before submerging the lotus pot in your pond. This prevents the plant from going into shock.
If possible, do not allow water to sit on the surface of the leaves; this will create burns. After a rain shower, tip leaves to allow water to run off them. Lotus leaves naturally repel water, but sometimes rain can puddle in the center. Lotus should be repotted every 3 to 5 years to maintain proper growth. The smaller the pot, the more often it will need to be repotted.
Our lotus plants are shipped as a bare root tuber with no leaves. The approximate shipping size of the tuber is 2" to 4". Zones 5-11.
Please click on "More Information" for potting instructions.


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The Metabo SB 18 LTX is a cordless 18v combi drill with impact function for maximum power.
This impact drill comes with 2x 4.0Ah Lithium-ion batteries for an excellent runtime!


text: 8/12/10 8/12/10 POPSUGAR Celebrity Rashida Jones Photos From the Blackberry Party August 12, 2010 by Celebrity 0 Shares Chat with us on Facebook Messenger. Learn what's trending across POPSUGAR. View on One Page Photo 0 of 35 Start Slideshow ADVERTISEMENT () Share This Link Copy ← Use Arrows Keys → 0 Photos From the Blackberry Party Previous Next Rashida JonesMichelle TrachtenbergJoel Madden


text:
Elliott has missed the Robins' last two league matches with a calf strain and the veteran defender will not recover in time to face the Red Devils, with Keith Lowe set to deputise once more.
Otherwise, manager Mark Yates has a fully-fit and injury-free squad at his disposal.
Jeff Goulding returned to the starting line-up for the 3-1 victory at Macclesfield last time out and the striker will be hoping to keep hold of his place in the face of pressure from Jimmy Spencer and Daryl Duffy.
Midfielder Russ Penn will be looking for a starting berth, with Brian Smikle possibly giving way.


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"Thank you Veena Billy is very well looked after with ypu, you treat them as your own. They have a..."
"Okie has stayed with Greg multiple times and loves it. He sends lots of photo updates too which is..."
"Thank you so much Ning. Puyol looks so happy after staying with you and Sherlock!"
"Zule continues to take excellent care of my dogs :) See my previous reviews for more info."
"Roxy Rose had a wonderful time, thank you so much!!!!!"
"Wonderful, as usual!"
"Alyce was very attentive to Arnold's needs and did a fantastic job looking after him. She..."
"Thanks Chloe "
"Another great stay, we always appreciate Ruby & Marks care and attention to our dogs."
"Thanks for taking such good care of Hugo Stephanie"
"Katrina and her bf took care of my cat while I was away for a couple of days and did a fantastic..."
"Viv looks after our dogs really well, never had any problems. Thank you Viv. "
"Kylie has come and looked after my pets in home a few times now - my pups love her, the house is..."
"Sasuke looked comfortable to stay with Corrina. Thank you!"
"Mariana welcomed Buddy with open arms into her lovely home. She stayed connected and kept me..."
"Mel and Arnie thank you so much for the daily walks and look forward to next time. "
"We can't recommend Jay highly enough. He looked after our house, cat and terrorist puppy while we..."
"Brax appeared to have had a great time at Charmaine's as he was quite tired when he got back and..."


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Home > Specials > Health & Science > Article
Asthma sufferers lack a key protein that prevents the build-up of scar tissue in their airways. And in a double-whammy effect, they also make too much of another protein that produces the scars in the first place.
The discoveries by a team at Sydney's Woolcock Institute of Medical Research could lead to new drugs to treat the common disease.
Janette Burgess, who led the study, said scar tissue clogged up the airways and helped trigger asthma attacks the same way the cholesterol increased the risk of heart attacks.
She solved the problem of how scars were formed by studying tissue samples from the airways of more than 30 volunteers, some of whom were asthma sufferers.
She found the smooth muscle cells of the asthma sufferers produced 20 times the normal amount of a protein called connective tissue growth factor.
High levels of this protein produced more of the substances that make up scar tissue - collagen and fibronectin.
Dr Burgess said it was possible that asthma sufferers produced more growth factor because they had a slight variation in the gene that tells the body how to make it.
She also found that people with the respiratory disease lacked a protein called prostaglandin E2, which can control the build-up of scar tissue. So the balance is really shifted towards production of scar tissue.
Dr Burgess said the findings might lead to new drugs for treating asthma, which affects 25 per cent of children in Australia and 10 per cent of adults.
Dr Burgess's findings were presented yesterday at Fresh Science 2003, a forum for young scientists and researchers in Melbourne as part of National Science week.
|Print this article Email to a friend
More Health & Science
Asthmatics scarred by protein imbalance
Thalidomide on way back after 40 years
Out on a limb: new surgery expands Sam's chances
Inside that chip is a cauli wanting to get out
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Gene result a touch of shear brilliance
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Truth be told: mouths of old were paved with gold
Humiliation by a cruel ex-lover can spark depression
Scientists create Britain's first stem-cell line
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Merzouga is a small village in southeastern Morocco, about
35 kilometers southeast of Rissani, about 45 kilometers from Erfoud, and
about 20 kilometers from the Algerian border.
The village is most famous for Erg Chebbi, a Saharan erg, and it is for this reason a part of the itineraries of many tourists visiting Morocco. Merzouga also has the largest natural body of water in Morocco.
In 2006 Merzouga experienced devastating flash floods, displacing 1,200 and resulting in some deaths.
Merzouga is a village in the southeast of morocco
, and built near the largest erg (sand dune),
50 km long (North/South) by 5 km wide swathe of sand
that reaches a height of 350 m. As a result of these
dunes, the village has developed into a popular
tourist destination.
The local population is Arabs,blacks and Berber,very hospitable people who make visitors feel very welcome.
Get in
Marrakech, drive East to
Erfoud (2 days drive, stop for the night in or
Ouarzazate). From
Fez, drive South to Erfoud (1 day). From Erfoud,
continue South 14 km (11 miles) to
Rissani, carry on through the village and follow
the road South-East 40 km (24 miles) to Merzouga. In
recent years, the road to Merzouga has been
asphalted and also to Taouz, a southern military
border town. The short access roads (1 or 2 km long)
from the main road to the hotels alongside the sand
dunes are normally not asphalted but well
maintained. There is now an asphalt road to Hassi
Lybed a smaller village - located about 4 km before
reaching village of Merzouga.
Beware of guides in Rissani or Erfoud who offer to take you to Merzouga for 5 dihram each, but instead strand you at their auberge 20 km north of the village. If you decline their offers of camel rides and lodging, it is often quite difficult (and expensive) to make your way back to town. From Rissani to Merzouga, a grand taxi or van is 10/12dh. If you don't want to wait for other people to fill your grand taxi, pay 60dh. If you arrive before sunrise (if you come in the 21hs bus from Fez) you can pay up to 100dh for a grand taxi to Rissani.
You can also fly to Ouarzazate from Casablanca, then continue to Erfoud, Rissani and Merzouga. There are also weekly flights into Errachadia- about 2 hours north of Merzouga by car.
Get around
Rent a quad (sand-buggy) or a 4x4. Hike. There
are no local busses. There are taxis from Merzouga
and Hassi Lybed to Rissani and back, but they don't
do other routes.
Tour operators can arrange 4x4s or SUVs with driver/guides from Marrakech or Casablanca and back.
Sunrise/sunset over the dunes. Folk dances and
black G'naui music. Visits to villages near Merzouga
inhabited by Senegalese musicians and dancers such
as Khamlia can be arranged with some guides, ask at
your hotel.
See the ducks, and in early spring, flamingos, on the Dayet Srji salt lake, just West of Merzouga. There are many other species of birds (ruddy sheldrack and Kittllitz's plower during the spring migration, Tristram's desert warbler, the Egyptian nightjar, the arabian buzzard and falcons), and the desert sparrows are unique to this region and can be seen all year round. There are also reptiles (algerian sand lizards, berber skinks and snakes), mammals such as gerbils, desert hedgehogs, field mice and desert foxes, and scarab beetles. In the morning, you can often see their tracks in the sand. Brown scorpions can occasionally be seen, but they come out at night and tend to avoid humans.
- Overnight camel trips in the nearby Erg Chebbi (sand dunes)
- Hire a 4x4 and drive around the dunes.
- Camping
- Sand skiing
- Visits can be arranged to Berber homes to see how they live, watch them prepare home-made bread and cous-cous or tagines, eat with them and drink mint tea.
Visit the Sahara
For day or overnight trips to the sahara you have 3 main options:
- 4x4
- Walk
- Camels (dromedaries)
The camel option is the best option (more
connected with the environment than the 4x4 and less
effort than walking). All the hotels can arrange
this trips, and they get a share from what you pay
...60% of tourist viiting Erg chebbi sand dunes do
that at least once.
There are different excursions, spending 1, 2 or more nights in the desert. Most trips departing from Merzouga stop in the same oasis for the first night, so it may be crowded depending on the season. You will sleep in tents, with blanket-floors and your guide will cook dinner for you while you go to see the sunset (if you reach the top of the huge dune there, that is). Then, if your excursion was 1 night, you will be woken up to see the sunrise (which is on the "other" side, so you don't have to climb the dune), drink tea and go back.
If you are going to stay one more night, you'll leave the oasis and continue.
Bear in mind
- Prices are to be bargained hard, it has been reported that travellers payed between 300dh and 600dh/person/night. You loose face if you don't bargain.
- There are different options: Some hotels arrange large groups while others provide an intimate setting in an oasis in the dunes for just your party. What is described below appears to be for large groups...few hotels have their private bivouac/camp ...more quiet/peace such as hotel SAHARA only this hotel's clients spend nights there at the edge of a very big dune where you can sleep at night in summer under sky full of stars...do not need to get up early and climb to the top to see sun rise next morning.
- For some weird reason, sleeping 2 nights is more expensive. The reason is that Lunch is included if there is more than 1 night's travel. That explains the difference in price.
- Talk in advance what is included and what's not: food, water, blankets, how far are you going, etc.
- Each guide cooks for just his group, so if you want to eat something special, maybe you can pay a few dirhams more and have a tastier meal (standard is chicken tajine)Depends on your camel man.
There are about 50 small hotels of varying categories along the sand dunes and in Hassi Lybed, about 4 km from Merzouga.
- Hotel Ksar Bicha Merzouga, merzouga desert, ☎ +212 35577113 , fax: +212 35573410). Hotel set in the sand dunes of Merzouga. Information on rooms, location, rates and dromedary excursions throughout the southern region of the country The Riad provides professional services in Airport transfers between (Marrakech ,Errachidia, Ouarzazate, Fes )and Merzouga desert. journeys to other cities in the great south of Morocco.
- Haven La Chance Hotel, Hassi Lybed, ☎ ''+212'' 355-77269, 212 68599340. Modern, comfortable hotel right next to the sand dunes and palm trees. Most rooms are en-suite, Berber tents for the more adventurous. Singles / doubles with in-suite toilet and shower €25-50 with half board. The owners also run a tour company that can organise tours around Morocco for individuals, families and small groups.
- SAHARA Hotel and Bivouac, Ksar Hassi labiad.Merzouga 52202 (Tel/fax:0021235577039), ☎ Mobile:0021266766355. Clean hotel in a oasis at the edge of erg chebbi sand dunes run by flexible staff offering to guests differents kinds of lodging depending of their choices and budgets(basic rooms,double rooms, suites,berber tents,terrasse,...)swimming pool,restaurant ,prking for free and camping place under palm trees.Many different desert activities are also organised such as:cameltrips,trekking,tours by 4x4 around erg chebbi sand dunes,tours tothe lake,villages,oasis,..
- Morocco Sahara, El Bourki Lhou, Hassilabied, Merzouga, ☎ ''+212 15605886. Made-to-measure camel trekking and tours of the dunes and wadis, sleeping in furnished traditional Berber tents. Camel tours of from 1 to 8 days and more, in groups or individually with a sensitive and knowledgable guide/camel driver from a traditional nomad family. Sleep in Berber and Tuareg encampments or in seclusion. Tailored service. Comfortable clean tents, some with sprung mattress beds. Great traditional food.
|To go on up into the mountains, please read the Imlil page. Also you can contact us to help light up your trip.


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IMC: Has anything really changed? A new perspective on an old definition
Luck, Edwina M. & Moffatt, Jennifer J. (2009) IMC: Has anything really changed? A new perspective on an old definition. The Journal of Marketing Communications, 15(5), pp. 311-325.
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Integrated marketing communication (IMC) has emerged as a new concept in marketing in the 21st century. IMC is mostly thought of, taught and written about as simply the integration of advertising and promotional activities. However, this paper proposes IMC as a broader concept. It is more than a process or activity within an organisation: it is a system of belief or engagement, embedded in an organisation's culture, underpinned by communication and driven by technology and senior management. We identify seven major tenets of the integrated view of marketing communication within the IMC literature, and argue that early marketing concepts of the 20th century are no longer valid. IMC can be seen as a new paradigm in marketing, equipped with central concepts that apply to many business environments.
Impact and interest:
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|Journal Article
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|IMC, integrated marketing communication
|Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification > COMMERCE MANAGEMENT TOURISM AND SERVICES (150000) > MARKETING (150500) > Marketing Communications (150502)
Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification > COMMERCE MANAGEMENT TOURISM AND SERVICES (150000) > MARKETING (150500) > Marketing not elsewhere classified (150599)
|Current > QUT Faculties and Divisions > QUT Business School
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|Copyright 2009 Taylor & Francis
|Copyright Statement:
|This is an electronic version of an article published in [Journal of Marketing Communication 15(5)]. [The Journal of Marketing Communications] is available online at informaworldTM with http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/13527266.asp
|Deposited On:
|04 Nov 2008 00:00
|Last Modified:
|22 Jun 2017 14:40
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The Wellcome History website is shutting down
This site was set up to reproduce the articles from the printed Wellcome History magazine, making them available for an online audience. But it's now been a long time with no activity here – Wellcome History stopped publishing back in 2014 – and the site does not get many visitors these days.
So we've decided to close this site down. It will remain live for another few weeks, and then we will delete it on Tuesday 1 August.
Old Wellcome History articles will still be available online: thanks to the Internet Archive's WayBack Machine, you can still browse PDF files of the back issues on an archived copy of the old Wellcome Trust website.
Thanks for reading.
The Editor's Eye
Final issue: focusing on the stories of the medical humanities – by Elizabeth T Hurren
The stonemason discovered the vermilion carving when cleaning the back wall of my cottage for repointing this summer:
Sharp frost
May 29th 1914
Still, in a building dated 1654 it was a surprise to find a weather report carved just before the eve of World War I. Lime plaster has to be frost-free when repairing stonework, so the young mason must have been anxious about the inclement ground frost as war threatened on the village horizon in the summer 1914. In a hurry perhaps to get the delayed job done, soon he – and all the young men in Rutland, the smallest county in England – would be packing up for France. It was touching to feel the carving with my fingers, to reconnect to village tradesmen who became unknown soldiers in 1914 on the Western Front.
This 2014 winter issue of Wellcome History features those that should never be forgotten in this World War I centenary year. It touches on themes often associated with wartime medicine: plastic surgery, mental ill-health, suicidal tendencies, force-feeding of conscious objectors, and those dislocated across the British Empire.
This is also the final issue of Wellcome History. In future, the Wellcome Trust will be sharing research in the medical humanities online, to make faster connections across the world in a digital age. Would Henry Wellcome like the e-revamp? Well, he always had a pioneering spirit and was a supreme self-publicist, so it seems very likely that, as a business entrepreneur with a passion for medical history, Henry would have been at the forefront of using the web to engaging the public wherever he could. I hope therefore that contributors will continue to uphold his pioneering spirit by sending in new ideas and ways of thinking to meet whatever human challenges the future of medicine and science holds.
In 2014 the Trust launched Mosaic, publishing weekly stories on any aspect of biology, medicine, public health, history or ethics that in some way touches on human or animal health, or the human condition. Articles with a historical aspect so far have included Hungary's struggle with polio in the Cold War, Alan Turing's contribution to developmental biology, and the many decades of efforts to understand blood groups, Alzheimer's disease and the dangers of asbestos. The editorial team is always looking for new contributions (find out how to contribute).
Meanwhile, the Wellcome Trust blog features news about work the Trust supports, in the medical humanities and public engagement as well as in science, and the Wellcome Library blog showcases historical research activities and resources.
As the closing editor of this final printed issue, I would like to thank everyone who has contacted me from around the world. It has been a privilege to engage with your cutting-edge research, and I shall continue to follow debates and discussions online as our future innovations give voice to the medical humanities of Henry Wellcome's extraordinary legacy.
My kindest regards,
Elizabeth Hurren
Dr Elizabeth Hurren is Reader in Medical Humanities, University of Leicester (firstname.lastname@example.com).
Beautifully hideous
Pioneering plastic surgery in World War I – by Jennifer Summers and Max Browne
The sight of "men burned and maimed to the condition of animals" returning from the trenches motivated a visionary volunteer surgeon, Harold Delf Gillies (1882–1960), to transform the field of maxillofacial reconstructive surgery. The techniques Gillies employed, such as the 'tubed pedicle', are the first pioneering examples of modern plastic surgery from World War I.
Facial and head injuries were common in the trenches. Around 15 per cent of those who survived and were evacuated back to Britain for treatment had some form of facial trauma. The typical Tommies' training did not prepare them, either physically or psychologically, for the horrific conditions of the trenches or the aftermath. An American surgeon in France, Dr Fred Albee, noted that the soldiers "seemed to think they could pop their heads up over a trench and move quickly enough to dodge the hail of bullets". Read more…
Norfolk in World War I
Celebrating the workhouse war effort – by Stephen Pope
Civil servants responsible for the UK's public health provision at the start of World War I coordinated a huge logistical task. They offered to work with the Ministry of Defence to find accommodation to house and train all the new army recruits required to fight a major land war against Germany in Europe. Their inspired solution was to ask the Local Government Board in London to make available any spare workhouse capacity that it had in towns, cities and rural areas like Norfolk. The granting of Old Age Pensions to those over 70 years of age in 1908 meant that by 1914 many of the elderly could afford to live at home. Fewer people in the workhouse created spare capacity that could be used for the war effort. This ensured that medical and healthcare provision for recruits could be managed in practical terms, and it secured the humane treatment of prisoners of war too.
From the start of the war the Local Government Board supported the military by sending out circulars urging workhouse guardians to make arrangements to admit troops into public buildings. Some 20,000 troops were in training camps in Norfolk by the end of 1914, ensuring that local guardians felt obligated to assist. At first, most were accommodated in tents. As winter approached, wooden huts were being built, but the military realised that workhouses could provide weather-proof accommodation for the troops. Read more…
In Flanders fields
Casualties of war at Essex Farm, near Ypres – by Jonathan Swan
In early 1917, the British Army front line ran in a rough semi-circle about two to three miles around the east of the town of Ypres in Belgium. On the night of 9 April the men of C Company of the 15th Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers were struggling to keep warm in their trenches to the north of the town. There had been sporadic artillery and machine-gun fire all day, and a gas alert or two, but nothing out of the ordinary. Then, at about 11.30pm, the Germans fired a salvo of rifle grenades at trench post 9, and five men were wounded. Their next destination, Essex Farm Advanced Dressing Station (ADS), was an important part of a medical evacuation chain that is today little appreciated.
During the early hours of 10 April, even as a counter-barrage was being called down, stretcher-bearers collected the casualties and took them back through the maze of trenches to an aid post about 800 yards away, near the battalion headquarters. From there they were taken to Essex Farm, another 1,500 yards away across the Yser canal. This is where they had their wounds initially dressed. It was the sort of place where so many injured men waited until they could be evacuated further back from the front line to safety and medical treatment. Essex Farm still stands today and is one of the most visited – but most poorly understood – battle sites in Belgium. For many it is closely associated with John McCrae's poem 'In Flanders Fields', the lines of which are on a bronze plate at the top of the path down to the bunker. Visitors peer into the gloom of the seven chambers inside the low ADS concrete structure, but it is hard to imagine the scenes of wounded soldiers and their medical experiences. Read more…
The near-death of the novelist
Virginia Woolf's Veronal overdose, 1913 – by Ian Franklin
Two men rushed out of a front door and hailed a taxi outside 38 Brunswick Square in Bloomsbury, central London, on 9 September 1913. They were on a medical emergency. It was essential to collect and return with a stomach pump from St Bartholomew's Hospital about half a mile away. Their patient, Virginia Woolf, was at death's door. She was not yet the famous novelist, but this was her first serious suicide attempt and it required an urgent medical intervention.
Dr Geoffrey Keynes, house surgeon at St Bartholomew's, accompanied Leonard Woolf, Virginia's distraught husband. Virginia was a gifted individual who had only started her writing career, completing but not yet publishing The Voyage Out. Already, though, she was disturbed by mood swings that sometimes felt overwhelming; on this particular night, she needed urgent professional help to prevent the risk of a fatal outcome. Had she not received it, the rest of her famous novels might never have been written. In later life, Keynes liked to think that he had saved her future masterpieces for posterity. Sadly, these mental ill-health episodes would continue, culminating in her death by suicide during World War II. Virginia's medical case notes illuminate how well strong barbiturates were understood on the eve of World War I, before the mental traumas of the trenches. Read more…
Force-feeding and medical ethics
Prison medicine's roles in therapy and discipline, 1909–80 – by Ian Miller
Should hunger strikers be force-fed? How should prison doctors care for starving prisoners? And in what ways does hunger striking impact upon prison medical activity? Medical professionals first posed these ethically driven questions in 1909 when prison doctors began to force-feed imprisoned suffragettes in Winson Street Gaol, Birmingham. Throughout the 20th century, the medical-ethical dimensions of hunger-strike management continued to pose problems when Irish republicans, World War I conscientious objectors, IRA members and other prisoner groups staged protests involving food refusal. More recently, the force-feeding of detainees in Guantánamo Bay and African-American prisoners in California has brought the issue once again to the fore of international public debate. Read more…
Hopes, fears and frustrated dreams
Infertility in early modern England – by Jennifer Evans
IVF has helped many infertile couples have children since 1978. Yet, as the historian Professor Lisa Jardine recently highlighted, people seldom talk about the times when IVF treatments fail. Soon after her public statement, BBC Magazine published an article entitled 'I wish IVF had never been invented', which featured testimonies of people who had struggled with infertility and IVF treatments. These testimonies showed people's hopes, fears and frustrated dreams of fertility: some spoke of being given nothing but false hope, others spoke of their devastation when the treatment failed. Several spoke of the sense of being in a raffle with no sense of how many times they should buy a ticket. This frustration was echoed by those who lamented the 'postcode lottery' system that means couples in one NHS area may get treatment for free, while others nearby have to pay. The search for treatments and the feelings of helplessness and frustration experienced by these couples is part of a long history of fertility medicine, and we can see that early modern men and women expressed the very same hopes and fears. Read more…
Dysfunctional diasporas?
Migration and mental illness – by Marjory Harper
When 31-year-old Malcolm was admitted to the Royal Asylum at Gartnavel in Glasgow in October 1859, on the petition of his mother, his previous occupations were listed as "seaman, gold-digger, merchant, and clerk". At the time of admission he was declared to be "of unsound mind, and suffering under a severe attack of brain disorder" which manifested itself in incoherence and delusions. He was, moreover, the asylum register warned, "very dangerous". Eight months later, however, Malcolm was discharged, "recovered", and left almost immediately for Australia, "with the intent of advancing himself in life, but without any settled plan". It was not his first experience overseas: during an earlier sojourn in America he had first received private psychiatric treatment, before returning to Glasgow to the care of his family and subsequently the custody of the Royal Asylum. Shortly after arriving in Melbourne in 1860, Malcolm corresponded briefly with his brother, a bush missionary, and the two arranged to meet. That rendezvous did not take place, and Malcolm was never heard of again. Read more…
What's in a name?
Shifting local definitions of epilepsy and its care, 1870–1913 – by Rebecca Wynter
Imagine, if you will, a time when Britain was reeling from international economic changes; when charity and welfare were struggling with rising numbers of poor and unemployed; when voices openly demanded the separation of the deserving from the undeserving; when tensions arose from defining disabled people as a financial burden and as capable; when the very boundaries of disability were being redrawn. The time in question was between around 1870 and 1913.
What happened then helped form a public language to describe those with neurological and developmental conditions, which redefined people and even prompted compulsory detention. In the city of Birmingham, for example, lived Annie. She was 16, described as "a great trouble to her mother, who [was] unable to look after her properly and [had] little control over her" and "easily led into moral trouble". Annie was termed "feeble-minded" and recommended for indefinite forcible detention at an institution called a colony. It was this Birmingham facility that formed the subject of my pilot study for a larger research project on what were known as epileptic colonies. Read more…


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I have tried the button on the fob, the release switch inside car, and the metal key hidden inside fob. I have even tried to access trunk through back seat. I hear it is some strange pneumatic release mechanism. It used to work just fine. I can't get to a dealer, nearest is 4 hours away. A local mechanic wanted to cut through the metal behind the license plate. I only NEED to get in since my tail light bulbs are starting to burn out. Any suggestions?
have the same problem?
Tuesday, November 15th, 2011 AT 12:17 AM


text:
Go ahead, everyone else does. He's one of the great icons of popular culture.I scratched my Cintiq screen trying to 'peel here'. Guess you meant peel out!
Sorry Ted.. Keep scratching, it eventually comes off :) And you leave a lovely little rat fink silhouette on ya screen ;)
This is a good version though!
Thanks man. Just been trying out watercolours for the first time! It's FUN!!!!!!!!


text:
Browser does not support script.
Police are appealing for witnesses after burglars broke into a house in Littleover and stole a large amount of jewellery.
A property in Glebe Rise was targeted between 5pm and 10.30pm on Tuesday, December 3.
Jewellery including a 9ct gold diamond ring, a 9ct gold single pearl ring, a 9ct gold thin wedding band, gold rings and bracelets were stolen from inside.
Witnesses or anyone with information on the burglary or whereabouts of the jewellery should call Derbyshire police on 101.
You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Do you need a quick answer to a general question? Then we recommend you visit the national Ask The Police web site.


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GM Opens First-Ever LEED-Gold Certified Automobile Manufacturing Facility
Lansing, Mich. -- General Motors' new Lansing Delta Township Assembly Plant has received a gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. The building is the only automotive manufacturing plant in the world – as well as the largest facility and the most complex manufacturing site -- to ever receive any level of LEED certification.
LEED certification is the building industry's well-respected recognition of superior energy and environmental design and construction. A gold certification recognizes a high level of performance.
Over the first ten years of operations, the facility is expected to save over 40 million gallons of water and 30 million kwh of electricity.
"Lansing Delta Township is the first of the next generation of industrial buildings," said David Skiven, executive director, GM Worldwide Facilities Group. "It proves that sustainable manufacturing buildings can be economically built and operated. We are extremely proud of the innovative thinking of our employees and partners on the team that made this possible."
Lansing Delta Township is one of just 550 buildings worldwide that are LEED certified at any level – of these buildings, only a third are certified at the gold level.
"General Motors has a global commitment to reduce the impact of its operations on the environment," said Elizabeth Lowery, GM vice president, Environment and Energy. "In our older, established facilities, we are constantly making changes as we renovate buildings to keep them current with state-of-the-art environmental practices. At Lansing Delta Township it was a great experience to be able to start from scratch to design and build the world's most environmentally advanced auto manufacturing plant."
The plant will produce GM's new crossover vehicles -- the Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave– and will start production during the fourth quarter of 2006.
Commenting on the certification, U.S. Green Building Council President S. Richard Fedrizzi noted that the acceptance of green buildings has been slower within the manufacturing sector than for other commercial uses.
"GM's Lansing Delta Township Plant is a very good – and large – example of how it's possible to incorporate sustainable practices into large scale manufacturing facilities," Fedrizzi said. "Today, not only is it possible, it is cost and energy efficient, and provides a healthy environment for employees. We expect GM's plant will change the way manufacturing buildings are built in the future."
Paul Lemley, senior vice president and general manager, Alberici Group, which partnered with GM on the design and construction of the facility, said: " Alberici is in the unique position of being heavily involved in both the automotive industry and the movement toward low environmental impacts for buildings. Our leadership in these areas allows us to state with certainty that GM has set a new standard for environmental concern with this new facility. No other manufacturer has created a facility of this magnitude with such low immediate and long term impact to the environment. This is a quantum leap forward for the industry. General Motors has done more than just talk about how the industry needs to respond to protect the environment; they have acted in a new and powerful way to demonstrate how this can be done."
Paul Faeth, managing director of World Resources Institute, an independent nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C., that studies environmental and development issues, said: "GM has been a leader in the application of efficiency and renewables for quite some time. This award is a well-deserved recognition of the company's commitment to sound environmental management of their facilities." GM is a member of WRI's Green Power Market Development Group.
Some of the environmental highlights of the Lansing Delta Township plant include:
Energy and Atmosphere
Materials and Resources
Water Efficiency
Sustainable Site
"The good environmental decisions made regarding Lansing Delta Township were also good business decisions," said Skiven. "The cost to construct the plant was less than a traditional assembly plant, and its operating costs also are significantly lower."
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 75 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 327,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2005, 9.17 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. GM operates one of the world's leading finance companies, GMAC Financial Services, which offers automotive, residential and commercial financing and insurance. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.
Lansing Delta Township is 2.4 million square feet and will have approximately 3,000 team members when in full production. Lansing Delta Township Assembly is critical to GM's global manufacturing strategy, and sets the world standard for a state-of-the-art, innovative, high-tech automotive manufacturing facility of the future. The LEED certification covers the buildings housing the body shop, general assembly, administration building and visitor's center. The buildings housing the paint shop and regional stamping activities on site are not covered by the LEED certification because they were previously contracted and constructed.
The U.S. Green Building Council is the nation's foremost coalition of leaders from across the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. More information on USBBC can be found at http://www.usgbc.org/.
General Motors Lansing Delta Township Assembly Plant Environmental Highlights LEED Certification
Recipient of Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Sustainable Sites
More than 50 percent of the site was left undeveloped. 75 acres has been set aside to preserve existing plants and wildlife habitat.
Storm water at the site is managed through an innovative system of detention bioswales, ditches and culverts.
All landscaping added to the site consists of either native species or special adapted drought-resistant plants.
A reflective, white roof keeps air outside the buildings from heating up and causing negative effects on nearby plants and animals.
Non-manufacturing water use at Lansing Delta Township has been reduced by 45 percent, for a savings of over 4.1 million gallons of water a year, compared to a similar-sized facility using traditional technology.
Energy and Atmosphere
Energy efficiency was designed into most systems, resulting in energy costs for the facility that are 45 percent lower than industry standards, with a projected savings of $1 million per year.
Of the construction materials used for the plant, more than 25 percent of the content was recycled and more than 60 percent was sourced through local manufacturers.
Indoor Environmental Quality
During construction, an extensive indoor air quality management plan was in place to assure good indoor air quality for construction workers and final building occupants.
# # #
GM strives to ensure that all of the information contained in a press release is accurate at the time it is issued. However, changes in materials, equipment and specifications, prices, availability, etc do occur over time. For the most up-to-date information on currently available models, please visit GM.com/shop.