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Last week an article by Tony Blair appeared in the International Herald Tribune praising a "multi-faith" gathering convened by the King of Saudi Arabia at the UN. Actually, I'm not entirely sure Blair wrote it. He certainly never wrote any of the many articles that appeared under his by-line when he was Prime Minister (a good number were the work of Alistair Campbell, although at times even Campbell had better things to do). Old habits may well have died hard. On the other hand, he is as we all know intensely committed to the whole faith thing, and the sentiments expressed sound authentically Blairite, so for the purposes of argument I shall assume he had at least a hand in drafting it. In any case, it gives some indication of the way TB's thoughts have been developing (or not) since he left public office.
Most of those attending King Abdullah's confererence were, of course, too polite to point out that he presides over a country with minimal human rights (especially for female humans, or non-Saudi-humans, and particularly non-Muslim humans), a country which, almost uniquely, bans all other religions, in which foreign workers cannot even publicly celebrate Christmas. King Abudullah has been widely praised for his initiative, not least by Blair himself who describes it as "bold, courageous and potentially far-reaching" (love that "potentially") - although the article does admit that he's "the leader of a nation that critics say has been slow to modernize". The IHT itself chose the title "King Abdullah and the skeptics" which might be a moral fable or one of the less celebrated tales of the Arabian Nights: certainly it is set in that fantastic land of make-believe that might be termed Blairabia.
For one thing, the inter-faith conference, ground-breaking as it allegedly was, has been overshadowed by the rather more important conference that the king has also been attending concerning the global financial situation. That's Gordon's stuff, of course, and therein may lie the rub. Just as Blair gave way to Brown, so an international landscape defined by "faith" - or, rather, by the polarity between Islam and the West (if we may speak in such broad-brush terms, which of course we should not) has given way to one dominated by the less high-flown realities of economics. Tony Blair's passionate advocacy of his and others' inter-faith initiatives has been driven by a sense that the world's religious fault-lines will define the possibilities of conflict and reconciliation in the 21st century. So, in the wake of 9/11 and the war on "terror", it appeared. As recently as this May, in a speech to launch his Faith Foundation, Blair put it like this:
If faith becomes a countervailing force, pulling people apart, it becomes destructive and dangerous. If, by contrast, it becomes an instrument of peaceful co-existence, teaching people to live with difference, to treat diversity as a strength, to respect "the other", then Faith becomes an important part of making the 21st Century work. It enriches, it informs, it provides a common basis of values and belief for people to get along together.
No doubt Tony Blair still sees things this way. In his more lucid moments, though, I wonder if he might just be having second thoughts about his concentration on faith.
The argument he sets forth in the IHT is about Islam, a subject in which he plainly considers himself to be an expert. Possibly all that Koran-reading he used to boast about yielded results. According to Blair, there are only two "narratives" in the "Muslim world" - which means, presumably, there are only two types of Muslim. "There is not a series of different trouble spots or issues that require disconnected focus and action," he claims. "There is essentially one struggle, with two sides."
On that basis, all the manifold troubles of more than a billion people - all their joys and personal struggles, too, as well as their political imperatives - can be resolved into a simple binary opposition. No need, then, to look at the particular circumstances of any given situation: the tribalism which underpins the Christian-Muslim split in parts of Africa, for example, or the long-running grievances, based on post-colonial boundary-drawing in Kashmir, or the ancient and convoluted histories of central Asia, or the intractable Israel-Palestine problem, or anything else that involves "Muslims". No, it's all really simple - it's about two sorts of Muslim, two interpretations of Islam.
Firstly, there's the sort of Muslim whose attitude to the West is one of anger and defiance, who wants to build a wall around the Islamic World. Such people "loudly declare that Islam has gone wrong precisely because its leadership has been prepared to work with the West, or because the West has sought to impose its values on Muslim societies." They believe that Islam and the West are "two distinct cultures and civilizations in opposition to each other." They decry supposed western double standards, and their arguments are "falsely enhanced by a sense that the West has lost touch with basic moral values."
Then there are the ones who desire peaceful coexistence. Their view is also "absolutely founded in Islam"; they do not "desire to replicate Western society". This "outward looking and peaceful" interpretation of Islam "needs our support".
It is the proponents of this modern narrative who want to use the Middle East's wealth to support a politics and culture in tune with the 21st century. They seek to draw on Islam's core belief in education as a means of ensuring that their people are enabled to become a distinctive part of the 21st century world but not distinct from it. And they point to a millennium of Islamic history, from Spain to China, which illustrates Muslim co-existence and acceptance of other faith communities.
Except that this group shares "concerns of a moral nature" with the first lot. Indeed, looked at closely the opposition between these two positions would seem to be of degree rather than of kind. Both look first of all to religion as the basis of society; both think that the problems of the 21st century can best be solved by peering into a 1400 year old text. Both look at the Western world and see immorality and decadence. Both look at many conflicts in diverse parts of the world and see them all as expressions of religious difference first and foremost. They differ only in that the first lot belive that Islam should prevail over non-believers while the other believe that the non-believers should graciously be allowed to exist.
Despite the typically Blairite construction of two groups subsisting in Manichaean opposition, what we seem to have here is various flavours of Islamist. Indeed, it's far from clear on what side of the line some well-known public figures are to be found. Tariq Ramadan, for example, with his background in the Muslim Brotherhood and his warm talk of co-existence, can plausibly be placed in both camps. This may just because he is a slippery customer. But then consider Yusuf al Qaradawi, whose alarming views on Jews and suicide bombing did so much to endear him to the greatly-missed Ken Livingstone (and about whose views on women or homosexuality Ken preserved so stoical and diplomatic a silence). He, too, was once looked upon as one of those seeking multi-faith harmony, although more recently he has been banned from Britain as an undesirable influence. Confusing. It must be especially confusing to Tony Blair given his preference for clear-cut distinctions.
What unites these two groups (if they even exist) is what they share with Tony Blair himself: a stunningly oversimplified view of the world, a belief that most of what causes upheaval and dissatisfaction has its roots in theological misunderstandings, and a desire to propose neat solutions. What is completely lacking is any sort of secular perspective - or an acknowledgement that there are other forces shaping international and internal conflict for which religion is, most of the time, just an excuse. Yet until a generation ago the politics of much of the Muslim world - and its physical appearance - was not dominated by religion to anything like the extent it is now. Blair's characterisation of Muslim debate describes, at most, the current ascendency of political Islam. But it also represents something rather less enlightened than Blair might want to admit; it belongs to the long history of Westerners making patronising and simplistic assumptions about other civilisations. Would he, I wonder, seek to characterise the political and social landscape of Europe in such stark terms? Knowing Blair, perhaps he would.
Monday, 17 November 2008
Tony Blair: keeping up the God work
Last week an article by Tony Blair appeared in the International Herald Tribune praising a "multi-faith" gathering convened by the King of Saudi Arabia at the UN. Actually, I'm not entirely sure Blair wrote it. He certainly never wrote any of the many articles that appeared under his by-line when he was Prime Minister (a good number were the work of Alistair Campbell, although at times even Campbell had better things to do). Old habits may well have died hard. On the other hand, he is as we all know intensely committed to the whole faith thing, and the sentiments expressed sound authentically Blairite, so for the purposes of argument I shall assume he had at least a hand in drafting it. In any case, it gives some indication of the way TB's thoughts have been developing (or not) since he left public office.
3 comments:
A fine post, to which I can add nothing except a typically frivolous suggestion.
If Saudi Arabia is 'slow to modernize', can we find some Blairesque descriptions of other regimes, real or imaginary? I nominate the Daleks as 'somewhat inflexible in outlook'.
- 18 November 2008 at 17:19
- WeepingCross said...
"I nominate the Daleks as 'somewhat inflexible in outlook'."
I find 'faith' talk equally infuriating, though for different reasons, and if the economic crisis means its eclipse it will have achieved something positive. 'Faith' isn't a free-floating substance. You can only have faith IN something: that is, you believe that something continues to be the case based on past experience (perhaps somebody else's), and notwithstanding present appearances. Mr Bush has faith in capitalism despite the present cockamamy mess it seems to have got us in. How did this absurd linguistic offence arise, and who was responsible? OED anyone? Trouble is, replace the lovely warm-sounding 'faith' with the proper 'religions' or 'ideologies', and you're immediately plunged into the sort of messy historic specificity which actually requires knowledge and thought.
- 18 November 2008 at 18:23
- The Heresiarch said...
Very true; so why didn't the pope nominate Henry Religionis Defensor?
As I understand it, the word "faith" (fides) originally had an entirely secular meaning, except that it sometimes referred to oaths which were guaranteed by gods. Christianity became "the faith" at around the time as Muslims became "Infidels". "Faith" meaning religion, then, presupposed that there was only one true faith. The notion of many different "faiths" is rather problematic, if not paradoxical.
Still, Faith was more fun than Buffy.
- 18 November 2008 at 19:27


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Sent: Sunday, 14 January 2007 9:33 PM
To: m0n0wall at lists dot m0n0 dot ch
Subject: [m0n0wall] Watchdog time out...
Hi', I'm a newby in this list.
I apologize for any mistake, I'm from Italy and I think my English may
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I've using m0nowall for several months and recently I'm trying the new
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connections and on the consolle screen this message appears: WATCHDOG
The only way to restore is to reboot the firewall.
Can you help me to find out the problem?
I read in the mailing list faq that attachments are not allowed then I
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
EDITORIAL >> Credit to the city fathers
The city directors had utterly destroyed the publics trust in municipal government, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette roared. The paper editorialized that the city should hold a citywide vote on a new tax to buy the land. You could surmise that the editor and owner of the paper were confident that people would defeat the tax and thwart the construction of a library and museum for the newspapers old nemesis, the 42nd president of the United States.
The newspapers tone has softened considerably of late, since it has divined the intense pride that people invest in the Clinton Presidential Center and the riverside park of which it is the central feature. A summary of the financial impact of the presidential center and park suggests other reasons that the citys wisdom in finding a quick arrangement to acquire the parkland should be celebrated. In just short of one year since it opened, the library has brought tens of millions of dollars in new tourism business to Little Rock, and the fallout has been countywide. The goal was to have 300,000 visitors the first year; the actual number will approach 500,000.
The city has changed, said Dan OByrne, chief executive officer of the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau. Theres a new energy and a new dynamic here. The bustling riverfront, on both sides of the river, is a testament to the city fathers wisdom. Try navigating the traffic to reach one of the riverfront diners or shops, or the public library, day or night. The city overdid it.


text: 4/02/14 4/02/14 POPSUGAR Entertainment Cobie Smulders Robin HIMYM GIFs 36 Reasons Why You'd Love Robin Scherbatsky Too April 2, 2014 by Shannon Vestal Robson 302 Shares Chat with us on Facebook Messenger. Learn what's trending across POPSUGAR. View on One Page Photo 25 of 36 Start Slideshow ADVERTISEMENT () Share This Link Copy What's Your Reaction? Thanks for your reaction Don't forget to share this with your friends! ← Use Arrows Keys → 25 Or the Perfect Burger Previous Next GifsCobie SmuldersHow I Met Your MotherTV


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DataGridView1.SelectedRows(0).Cells(7).Value = text8
End Sub
Private Sub LookUpBtn_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles LookUpBtn.Click
GuardianBasicList.getChangesFromForm2(GuardianIDTxt.Text, GuardianPhoneTxt.Text, GuardianFNameTxt.Text, GuardianMNameTxt.Text, GuardianLNameTxt.Text, GuardianEmergContFNameTxt.Text, GuardianEmergContLNameTxt.Text, GuardianEmergContPhoneTxt.Text)
' Me.Close()
End Sub
SoMad wrote:if women stare at their own breasts, does that explain why they live longer than men
SoMad wrote:I am willing to take one for the team.
Chris Quinn wrote:If I had a pair, I would never go out
Quote: concludes that staring at women's breasts for a few minutes daily is better for your health than going to the gym.
Orcun Iyigun wrote:by going to the gym and staring at some breast there
Quote:I come closer due to smell your charming floral perfume
April 1st, 2005: Bush Cancels ShuttleBush declared today that he had signed a rare Presidential Decree canceling any further expenditure of Federal funds on the US Space Shuttle program
July 21st, 2011: No More NASA Space Shuttles: What's Next For US Spaceflight?the U.S. space agency is now without its own means of transporting people to space
PHS241 wrote:Never will
Pete O'Hanlon wrote:You can't even read simple instructions. He did tell you to contact him at his email address.
najjarja wrote:$240 is too much
General News Suggestion Question Bug Answer Joke Praise Rant Admin
Use Ctrl+Left/Right to switch messages, Ctrl+Up/Down to switch threads, Ctrl+Shift+Left/Right to switch pages.


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Thursday, August 1st
- Aug18:15am - 9:45amPPFA MeetingBlow Memorial Hall, BOV Board RoomOpen to the public. {{http://www.wm.edu/sites/proffaculty/meetings/minutes/,View meeting agendas and minutes}}.
- Aug112pm - 12:45pmYogaStudent Recreation CenterInstructor: Elizabeth Summer Session 2
- Aug15pm - 5:20pmPower Cardio CircuitStudent Recreation CenterInstructor: Terry SS 2
- Aug15:30pm - 6:30pmBody PumpStudent Recreation CenterInstructors: Terry & Emily Summer Session 2
- Aug15:30pm - 6:30pmZumbaStudent Recreation Center, Multipurpose StudioInstructors: Anna Summer Session 2
- Aug16pm - 8pmInternational Relations Club ReceptionOff-Campus, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Building (1179 Massachusetts Ave, Washington, D.C.)A chance to build the IR Club student-alumni network.
- Aug18pm - 10pmThe Turn of the ScrewPhi Beta Kappa (PBK) Memorial HallThe Turn of the Screw Adapted by: Jeffrey Hatcher, from the Henry James novella
- Jul29-Aug1
- Jun10-Oct17Presidents of the College of William & MarySwem Library, Exhibit case located by Brown Board Room, 3rd floorThis exhibit is part of a continuing series about the presidents of the College of William & Mary. It provides a history of the College as seen through the eyes of its presidents.
- Jun10-Aug23Junior Tennis Camps at McCormack-Nagelsen Tennis CenterMcCormack-Nagelsen Tennis Center
- May10-Nov10States' Rights v. Civil RightsSwem Library, Marshall Gallery, 1st floor RotundaConceived as a demonstration of American Cold War consensus, the Civil War centennial revealed how divided the country remained 100 years after Fort Sumter.
- Apr17-Oct16Blockades, Books, and Bassinets: Children playing, learning, and surviving during the Civil WarSwem Library, Special Collections lobbyThrough materials like diaries, letters and photos, Blockades, Books, and Bassinets illustrates the lives of children of various ages, stages, and locations during this period. These are the stories of Charley, Willie, Nell, Lizzie, and many others.
- Mar1-Aug23Lost & Found at W&MSwem Library, Read & Relax area, 1st floorOver the years some College artifacts, library possessions and personal items that had been lost have been returned to the College. Many lost treasures now make their home in Swem Library's Special Collections. A new exhibit displays some of these items.
- Feb27-Aug26Jefferson Hall Fire: 30th AnniversarySwem Library, Case next to Tribe TutorZoneThrough photos and interviews, the Jefferson Hall Fire exhibit captures the devastating results of a fire that broke out in one of the College's dormitories in 1983.
- Feb6-Aug1Under the Shield: The Federal Occupation of the Historic TriangleSwem Library, Nancy Marshall Gallery, first floorThis exhibit explores the federal occupation of the Historic Triangle during the Civil War and its impact on area residents. Letters, newspaper articles and other items reveal a unified hope for the war to end, but with varied desired outcomes.
- Feb4-Aug13The Inevitable Present: Integration at William & MarySwem Library, Marshall Gallery (1st floor Rotunda) and Read & Relax areaIntegration at William & Mary was not achieved simply with the acceptance of the first students of color; instead it has been a decades-long process. A new exhibit at Swem Library traces the admission of some of the first W&M African American students.
- Oct38am-Dec315pmFrom Fights to Rights: The Long Road to a More Perfect Union ExhibitsSwem Library, Special Collections Research CenterVisit Swem Library for exhibits from the "From Fights To Rights" project commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement. Exhibits rotate at least twice each year.
|Calendar View List View Today
This calendar presented by William & Mary


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Food and Drink Federation
Representing the UK's biggest manufacturing sector
FDF is committed to working with the Department of Health (DH) on product
reformulation and FDF members have been working towards the 2012 (and more
recently the 2017) Responsibility Deal (RD) salt targets. However, changes can only be made gradually to maintain consumer acceptability
and allow for the limits of technology and microbial safety. Reformulation of
products must be technically feasible and safe, and their taste must remain
acceptable to consumers.
Food manufacturers have invested heavily over many years to change the recipes
of some of Britain's biggest and best-loved brands so they are lower in salt –
without making any compromises on taste, quality or safety. By deploying its
research capabilities in this way, the UK is now widely acknowledged to be
the world on salt reformulation. As well as these efforts, companies also
a wide range of low-salt alternatives. Much of the salt reduction has been
forward in key sectors such as bread, biscuits and cakes, breakfast cereals,
soups & sauces, crisps and savoury snacks.
DH is working with manufacturers, retailers and caterers to secure voluntary
reductions in salt, and is striving to reduce the average population salt
intake to
The Public Health Responsibility Deal, published on 15 March 2011, contains several pledges committing companies to
the RD salt targets, including the new F9 and F10 pledges launched this year.
Many FDF members have signed up to the salt pledges relevant to their current
situation, which includes several companies committing to new 2017 salt pledges
a view of bringing salt intakes down to no more than 6g of salt per person per
In March 2006, FSA published voluntary salt reduction targets to encourage a
reduction in the amount of salt in a wide range of processed
foods by 2010.
FSA later reviewed these targets using data purchased from
Kantar, self-reported data from industry, independent expertise and information
gathered via its processed food databank. The FSA 2010 targets were revised and
2012 targets were published in May 2009.
NB: The 2012 Responsibility Deal salt targets are the same as those
published by FSA with the exception of revised targets for breakfast cereals.
During development of the targets, some sectors argued that they did not make a
significant contribution to sodium intake. However, FSA stressed that a little
action across all categories would add up to significant changes in the diet,
that there are many categories which only contribute a small percentage to salt
Analysis of urinary sodium over a 24-hour period is thought to be the most
accurate method of estimating salt intake.
In June 2012, DH published the results of its latest urinary sodium analysis
which indicated that the downward trend in average salt intakes amongst adults
England is continuing. Average intakes were 8.1g per day in 2011, which was a
decrease of 0.5g/day since the last survey in 2008 and a reduction of 1.4g
since the first analysis in 2000/2001. DH has indicated that another urinary
survey of adults will be carried out in 2014 and will be reported in spring
In addition, the most recent National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) released
by Public Health England (PHE) in May 2014 included estimated salt intakes from
urinary sodium for children and older adults, for the first time. It showed
children's salt intakes exceeded SACN recommendations for each age group
the 7-10yrs girl subgroup). For more details you can read the report here.
A full briefing on this key issue is available in the members' area.
22 March 2016
Food manufacturers respond to new salt intake data
13 November 2015
FDF at Food Matters Live
13 July 2015
FDF response to BMA call for sugar tax
3 June 2015
FDF open letter to Simon Stevens, Chief Executive of NHS England


text:
Coming-of-age movies live or die by their protagonists, and Stephen Chbosky's adaptation of his own semiautobiographical novel has a central character that reads like a typical misfit dream teen. You know the type: smart but too socially withdrawn to speak in class, nerdy but into cool shit like the Smiths and The Catcher in the Rye, misunderstood but destined for greatness one day. That's Chbosky avatar Charlie in a nutshell, and as played by Logan Lerman, this wallflower comes remarkably close to actually blooming. Best known as the screen embodiment of YA-lit do-gooder Percy Jackson, the young actor employs guileless looks and a sense of muted giddiness to transmit Charlie's tiny triumphs—especially when he befriends a flamboyant rebel (Ezra Miller) and his half sister (Emma Watson of the Harry Potter films, whose presence suggests an alt-universe where Rick Riordan's hero hooks up with Hermione Granger).
Lerman's performance and a soundtrack that's an early-'90s college-rock programmer's wet dream (Sonic Youth! Cocteau Twins! XTC!) go a long way toward distinguishing this tour of freaks-and-geeks angst. The rest of the film, however, seems hellbent on erasing any sense of originality, as every item on the coming-of-age–cinema checklist gets ticked off: closeted gay athletes, kind English teachers, suicide attempts, broken hearts, bad drug trips, anger issues, abuse, and for good measure, a nervous breakdown. You can feel Chbosky's blood, sweat and tears oozing out of this highly personal project, but that holy trinity of fluids isn't enough to wash away the sense that you've seen this before—many, many, many times.
Follow David Fear on Twitter: @davidlfear
Release details
|Release date:
|Friday September 28 2012
|103 mins
Cast and crew
|Stephen Chbosky
|Stephen Chbosky
|Emma Watson
Ezra Miller
Logan Lerman
Paul Rudd


text:
All this weekend, I've been thinking 'one week ago right now I was…':
- Loving the West Texas 10 hour drive
- In Marfa, TX
- Trying to out-eat the Blue Bell ice cream cone drips in front of Frama
- Singing happy birthday to an old lady in a country church on Easter Sunday
- Loving a quiet morning at Padres
- Drinking Lone Star with some really cool Houston folk in the desert
- Hiding from the sun with my honey at El Cosmico
- Dancing, singing, clapping and singing some more at the Railroad Revival Tour
We spent Easter weekend in Marfa with 1800 other desert travelers for one of the most amazing concerts I have ever, ever, ever been to: the Railroad Revival Tour with Mumford and Sons, The Old Crow Medicine Show and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.
It was weird to see the tiny city so swollen with visitors – when you double the population of a small, middle-of-nowhere town things are bound to be change energy, feel and movement. But strangely enough, Marfa didn't change at all. Everyone accepted us openly, graciously and things truly went off without a hitch (seriously, even David Beebe thought so – how happy this makes me).
Marfa remained… well, Marfa-lous. As if it could be anything else.
It was a tough decision to travel on Easter weekend without our short person, but she was there in spirit 🙂
And our regular haunts were still as wonderful as always (ahem, FRAMA and Padres).
El Cosmico did a marvelous job of keeping thousands of music loving desert travelers safe, happy and comfy – we arrived to a growing a sea of tents and got to pitch our new giant 8-person tent / mini house for the first time ever.
It was a little tough not getting to bring in our own beer, but we survived.
Then it was time for the big show – and what a show it was. The train pulled into town (literally), and we were all on our way.
The Old Crow Medicine Show kicked it off with boot kicking style.
Mumford and Sons made that gorgeous big sound come alive, they were perfect perfect perfect. Smiling, singing, swaying and shouting along with us.
Fun was had in the desert sun with some amazing Houston folks that made the beautiful trek too.
Monica and Joey (with cracked Easter confetti egg).
Imelda (hiyeee!).
And a few more of the crew (Aimee, Jessica, Karl, JJ, Courtenay and moi).
And best of all, my partner in crime Adam 🙂 <hug>
Every second was perfect.
Even the non-concerty parts 🙂
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros filled the night with something truly special. I love those shows where there is an undeniable audience-performer bound. A lotta' love flowing from those speakers.
And then, far too soon, it was over. But we kept dancing. And singing. And dancing. And singing.
And haven't really stopped since.
Here are some other amazing Railroad Revival Tour stories to connect you with some more of the desert magic:


text:
Two weeks after the TSI Harley-Davidson 125 was supposed to be run Doug Coby outran Bobby Santos and Justin Bonsignore on Friday night to win the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race at Stafford Motor Speedway. The race was originally supposed to be held on May 23rd and then again on May 30th but both times was postponed due to storms.
Santos had won the pole back on May 23rd for the scheduled 125 lap race at the half mile track. He would lead the first six laps before Coby would take the lead. The first caution did not come out until lap 104 with Coby still leading. Another caution flew on lap 113 when Tommy Barrett Jr and Jamie Tomaino crashed.
Then on lap 122 the race was pushed into a green-white-checkered finish when Matt Hirschman spun. On the restart Santos was able to momentarily take the lead from Coby but it did not last long as Coby powered back past shortly after. Bonsignore would also get by Santos but came up 0.394 seconds behind Coby at the finish line on lap 130.
The win was the 10th of Coby's NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour career and sixth at the Stafford track. Bonsignore finished second with Santos in third. Rowan Pennink finished fourth, Woody Pitkat fifth, Ron Silk sixth, Patrick Emerling seventh, Ted Christopher eighth, Ryan Preece ninth, and Glen Reen tenth. Other notables in the 24-car field were Donny Lia in 15th, Tommy Barrett Jr in 20th and Jamie Tomaino in 21st.
After three tour races Doug Coby has now taken the points lead by four points over Justin Bonsignore. Woody Pitkat is nine back in third, Bobby Santos is 16 back in fourth, and Ted Christopher is 22 back in fifth. Ron Silk is sixth, Timmy Solomito is seventh, Rowan Pennink eighth, Eric Goodale ninth, and Ron Yuhas Jr tenth. Last year's champion Ryan Preece is 14th.
The next race up is the Mr. Rooter 161 at Waterford Speedbowl on Saturday, June 21st.Tags: Bobby Santos, Doug Coby, Justin Bonsignore, Motorsports, NASCAR, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, Ron Silk, Rowan Pennink, Ryan Preece, Stafford Motor Speedway, Ted Christopher, Woody Pitkat


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Monday, 11 April 2016
Sunday, 3 April 2016
Developing a new product? Need help to make your ideas a reality?
Free one-to-one advice & guidance
11th May 2016
Innovator in Residence
Roger Tipple of Tipple Associates works with individual inventors and companies to get new ideas off the ground and develop new products.
For further information or to book an appointment please ring (0113) 2478266
Business & IP Centre Leeds
Central Library
Calverley Street
Calling all Innovators
Have your say on how the EU can improve support for Horizon 2020 research & innovation programmesThe EU are inviting SME's to respond to a public Call for Ideas, open until 29th April 2016.
Europe's economic performance and job creation depends on the ability to translate the creativity and inventiveness of European citizens and entrepreneurs into world-winning products and services. At present, Europe lags behind some of our key international competitors in generating the kind of disruptive, market-creating innovations which are needed to secure Europe's future prosperity.
With this in mind, the European Commission is keen to hear the views of innovators on the scope for improving the support which the European Commission currently offers, especially in the Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. All responses will help shape the Commission's future proposals for improving support for start-ups and others aiming to bring breakthrough innovations to market.
Use this link to complete a short (5 minute) survey:
Wednesday, 16 March 2016
#whatsyourstory ambassador Bill Hyland made his product idea a reality!
How can your local library help you realise a pipe-dream?
72 year old Bill Hyland, from Oakwood, invented his 4 in 1 deburring tool for plastic pipes way back in 1976, but didn't have the time or resources to put it into production. So, after he retired he visited the Business and IP Centre in the Central Library. The team were able to offer expert advice and support on all aspects of getting his invention onto the market.
Six years on Bill's device, the Burrfect, is on the market and selling well. Proof that you're never too old to start something new. #whatsyourstory
Wednesday, 10 February 2016
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text:
Quartz Crystal Microbalance Sensor
The quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor has recently been put into place in the Stanford CPIMA Shared Facilities and is experiencing a surge of use. This sensor is extraordinarily sensitive to mass changes associated with the deposition of material onto the surface of a quartz crystal. These changes are sensed as changes in the natural resonant frequency of the QCM.
The QCM is also sensitive to the mechanical losses in the film, which give rise to increasing resonance widths. This increasing width or decreasing quality factor (Q) is measured as an increase in the equivalent circuit resistance.


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A FORMER public servant who helped evaluate the Health payroll contract can't explain why he received an email from the successful applicant, the tech giant IBM.
Shaurin Ranjanikant Shah, who was employed as an Implementation Project Manager with the State Government outfit CorpTech, was shown the email while on the witness stand at the Payroll Inquiry on Friday.
The inquiry is examining why the former Labor Government granted IBM the contract which left the Health Department with a deeply flawed payroll system, expected to cost the Queensland tax payer $1.2 billion.
Counsel Assisting Peter Flanagan, SC, asked why IBM would have any need to email a person tasked with evaluating whether it should win the contract.
"Have you any explanation for why IBM would email you?'' Mr Flanagan asked.
"Absolutely not,'' Mr Shah replied.
Mr Shah said it was possible IBM obtained his government work email because it was a simple one based on his name.
The inquiry has been told Terry Burns, a former IBM employee who worked for the government during the contract negotiations, was a significant figure in the lead up to IBM's success.
"Did you participate with Mr Burns in discussions with IBM on the way they would structure their price?'' Mr Flanagan asked.
"Absolutely not,'' Mr Shah replied.
Mr Shah also told the commission that despite having input into the costings of the contract, he did not remember the ticket price of the IBM offer.
"Can you give the commission an estimate?" asked Mr Flanagan.
"I don't remember, honestly.''
Mr Shah said pricing was a complex process with some figures only referring to phase one of the project.
Pricing information was also quarantined from each evaluation team during the process so as not to bias their evaluations.
Mr Shah strongly disputed Mr Flanagan's suggestion that the evaluation teams had put IT firm Accenture slightly ahead of IBM during the evaluation process.
"No, I am sorry that is not my opinion,'' he said.
Mr Shah suggested there was some confusion about the evaluation process.
He said each team was sent off to do separate evaluations without knowledge of each other's progress.
The teams didn't get together and compare costing, Mr Shah said: "it was not like cricket scoring.''
He said he had no recollection of Mr Burns asking the teams to re-assess their evaluations.
Commissioner Richard Chesterman, QC, suggested Mr Shah would have been affronted if such a request had been made.
"Absolutely Mr Commisisoner, yes," Mr Shah replied.
"This is against probity.''
The inquiry continues.
Originally published as IBM sent email to payroll contract worker


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Posey, Kilmer Introduce ASTEROIDS Act To Grant Property Rights to Asteroid Resources - UPDATE
Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL) and Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA) introduced the American Space Technology for Exploring Resource Opportunities in Deep Space (ASTEROIDS) Act today that they say will establish and protect property rights for commercial exploration and exploitation of asteroids.
Two U.S. companies prominently promoting the potential of asteroid mining are Planetary Resources, headquartered in Redmond, WA, and Deep Space Industries in Houston, TX.
In a statement, Posey and Kilmer said that while it may be many years before asteroids actually are mined for their resources, the research is underway now and companies need greater certainty about property rights to what they are mining. Nickel, iron, cobalt and platinum-group minerals (platinum, osmium, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium and palladium) are specifically cited as potential minerals that might be mined on asteroids. They say that their bill will --
The major issue is whether such property rights in space are legal under international law. The 1967 Outer Space Treaty, to which the United States and 102 other countries are signatories, prohibits claims of national sovereignty in outer space, including on the Moon and other celestial bodies, which includes asteroids. The treaty also states that governments bear responsibility for the actions by both government and non-government entities -- such as private companies -- to ensure that they abide by the treaty's provisions.
Scholars in space law have long argued over whether the treaty prohibits exploitation of resources entirely. In 2004, the Board of Directors of the International Institute of Space Law (IISL) issued a statement that "prohibition of national appropriation also precludes the application of any national legislation on a territorial basis to validate a 'private claim'" and it is the "duty" of governments to "implement the terms of the treaty within their national legal systems." The IISL statement was spurred by a company that purports to sell deeds to parcels on the Moon, but has broader applicability. The IISL issued a further statement in 2009 to clarify its position that "any purported attempt to claim ownership of any part of outer space ... or authorization of such claims by national legislation, is forbidden.... Since there is no territorial jurisdiction in outer space or on celestial bodies, there can be no private ownership of parts thereof...." It calls for a "specific legal regime" to be "elaborated through the United Nations, on the basis of present international space law."
The 1967 Outer Space Treaty is one of five space treaties negotiated through the United Nations. The United States is signatory to four of the five. A synopsis of all five treaties can be found under the "space law" tab on SpacePolicyOnline.com's home page.
A spokesman for Posey's office said that the bill repeatedly states that it should be implemented "consistent with international obligations" and does not confer ownership rights to asteroids. It only "allows those companies that mine the asteroid to keep what they bring back." The bill affects only U.S. companies engaged in such activities.
Tanja Masson-Zwaan, Deputy Director of the International Institute of Air & Space Law at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands, agrees that existing treaties do not seem to prohibit ownership of extracted resources, but adds that exploitation of space resources must comply with general space law principles.
Michael Listner, founder and principal at Space Law and Policy Solutions in New Hampshire, says that the bill is "crafted with international law in mind," but the underlying caveat that property rights will be granted in accordance with international obligations could be a "showstopper." He also points out that the European Space Agency (ESA) is "planning on granting resource rights as well" and asks how claims under this legislation would be reconciled with competing foreign claims.
Marco Ferrazzani, ESA Legal Counsel, said in a July 17 email to SpacePolicyOnline.com that "the European Space Agency is working towards exploration opportunities carried out in international cooperation and in full respect of international space law, with provides for the principle of non-appropriation."
UPDATE: This article was updated on July 17, 2014 to add the quote from ESA's Marco Ferrazzani.
User Comments
SpacePolicyOnline.com has the right (but not the obligation) to monitor the comments and to remove any materials it deems inappropriate. We do not post comments that include links to other websites since we have no control over that content nor can we verify the security of such links.


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Photo Gallery »
The Strand Video Center
We invite you to take an interactive tour of our property and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Learn all about our amenities and accommodations, enjoy highlighted clips of favorite area golf courses and check out what is fun to do in town. With these short video clips, you'll have a firsthand look at all you can enjoy during your next stay at The Strand, a boutique resort.
River Club
The semi-private River Club has proven to be one of the most challenging courses in Myrtle Beach and features A-1 bent grass greens.
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A lot of Zelda fans have asked if Retro Studio needs to be the frontrunner in creating a title in the series considering Nintendo may need to change the popular franchise's direction to better suit the Western appeal. The opposition to this idea think Zelda would be ruined if taken outside of Nintendo EAD's grasp.
Our sister site-GenGAME-has once again written another Zelda article which should intrigue your interest on the subject being discussed. GenGAME has given five reasons as to why Nintendo's Western developer, Retro Studios, needs to take over the reins in regard to the Legend of Zelda series and why they should be trusted to develop a fantastic title for the franchise. This is a well-written article not worth missing out on!
Click the jump and read GenGAME's five reasons on why Zelda needs to land in the hands of Retro Studios!
Here is a brief summary of GenGAME's five reasons for giving Retro Studios the opportunity to create Zelda:
1. Retro Studios' developed the Metroid series amazingly well.
GenGAME launches the article by describing Retro Studios' involvement in the changing of the Metroid series allowing for further innovation from side-scrolling to a full 3D viewpoint and also believes their overworld-designing knowledge would greatly add to a fascinating Zelda environment.
2. Retro's art department knows how to create visuals.
GenGAME also points out that Nintendo's art direction has been all over the board and states that Retro Studios graphical design record would greatly influence a Zelda Wii U title.
3. Mainstream gaming has no regard for Zelda's relevance.
GenGAME uses the example of Skyrim to make a statement that Zelda is no longer the most wanted action adventure on the video game market. They say Skyrim's massive amount of popularity in parallel to Skyward Sword (which has been on the market for approximately the exact amount of time) is a shame to Nintendo's credentials. Zelda's remarkable world is no longer considered the greatest which gives Retro Studios the chance to stamp Zelda's name back into that category.
4. Retro's influence a big plus for Zelda's needed innovation.
GenGAME recognizes that Retro Studios acts on titles similar to Nintendo yet keeps it a little different with a Western influence. Retro clearly wants to extend beyond the required development needed to make a Nintendo title and want to create as close to perfection as possible.
5. Zelda fans want Retro to make a new Zelda title.
The main reason GenGAME thinks Retro should take on Zelda is because of the fan's desire to see it happen. Most fans do not want Zelda to remain under lock and key in Japan but, instead, be allowed to grow beyond Japanese control and let Retro show its worth by producing a masterpiece title in our beloved series.
You can read the full GenGAME article by clicking here.
Do you agree with GenGAME's reasons for Retro Studios to take on the role of creating a new Zelda title? Would you like to see Retro Studios develop Zelda? If so, would you want Retro to create a Zelda title for Wii U or 3DS? Let us know your thoughts and opinions below!
Source: GenGAME


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Princeton engineering students are participating in a research project to produce fiber-optic-based computational devices that work similarly to neurons, but are a billion times faster.
Princeton has been certified as a federal hub for cybersecurity research, opening the door to more research to solve national security problems.
Professors of electical engineering "swept" the highest teaching awards given at Princeton at the 2009 Commencement ceremonies. Sharad Malik, Paul Prucnal, Claire Gmachl and Sanjeev Kulkarni were all recognized for their excellent teaching and mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students.


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(October 1996)
The Majordomo FAQ has been updated to reflect the 1.94 changes. I also took the opportunity to remove all the pre-1.94 stuff from the FAQ. I have put up the old pre-1.94 FAQ for those that still want it. It's a link at the top of the current FAQ. As always, send any entries for the FAQ to me. If you send me something I can just cut and paste into the FAQ it's much more likely that it will get added. --Dave


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Hi there. New user of BSD. I was told this should work with my Atheros AR5007EG wireless card. I haven't been able to locate where that would be configured though. Probably because I am used to using Gnome on Linux. As a result all of the tools I am used to are missing.

On the plus side, it does seem like everything else is working properly. I haven't tried the memory card reader that is builtin yet though. Need to find the adapter that came with my cell phones card and then I can plug it in and see if it works.

I'm also curious about the speed. Will it be getting faster as we approach the final release? It seems to be slower than Linux was on this system. One thing that comes to mind is that maybe it isn't using both cores as default. Do I need to build a custom kernel for that to work?

Sorry for all the newbie questions. This is really my first attempt at BSD that wasn't already installed on a system.

Isaac MacFarlane


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All features in
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* Includes a domain with one of the following endings: .com, .de, .net, .org, .at, .be, .biz, .ch, .co.uk, .es, .eu, .fr, .info, .it, .name, .nl. After the contract is terminated, you may continue to use the domain(s) according to the applicable conditions (special offers are excluded). The offer is limited to a duration of 12 months and is renewed automatically if not terminated 8 weeks before the end of duration. Terms and conditions of The Xara Group Ltd. (available at www.xara-online.com) apply. Payment is made at the time the contract is signed and upon extension of the 12-month contract.


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JSummer's Mom Answers Activity
I am 13 weeks.. and not showing at all.. Watch this
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The Lysian system was an inhabited star system. The planet Lysia was the homeworld of the Lysians, a warp-capable species, and the capital of their Lysian Alliance. This system was protected by the Lysian Central Command, which was equipped with sentry pods.
In 2368, the Federation starship USS Enterprise-D entered the system while the crew was operating with their memories wiped and under forged orders created by a Satarran agent. (TNG: "Conundrum")


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Sanaa Lathan has a STALKER Husband? Wha?
According to TMZ.com our girl Sanaa Lathan, has had plenty of drama going on lately! Contractors working on her house found a stalker in the laundry room of her house! To add insult to injury he claimed he was her husband and refused to leave! "Just a side note" I WOULD HAVE BEEN FREAKING FLIPPIN AND TRIPPIN OUT!!!
Later that day he came back and Sanaa had to tell him to "Get Outta Here!!" and called the police. Then 3 days later he rolled back through her crib, yeah showed up on her doorstep! It was then that Sanaa hid for her life! Shawn Caples, who is 28 years old has been ordered to stay at least 100 yards after Lathan was granted a restraining order.
I'm wondering why the police weren't called after the first time? hmmm maybe because the contractors found him and he was claiming to be her husband! EITHER WAY IT GOES.... YIKES!!!!
Photo Credit: Getty Images


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The Olympic Club in San Francisco could prove the most testing challenge of this year's four major golf championships when it hosts the US Open from June 14. Players can expect narrow fairways and quick greens as the US Golf Association, which stages the tournament, lives up to its reputation for favouring the toughest possible golf conditions.
Tournament director at Golf Australia Trevor Herden says the course is being prepared to heavily punish any wayward golf.
"That seems to be the message. We'll have to wait and see the actual configuration but the feeling is that's how it will play," he says. "It will be very long and you will have to be very straight off the tee."
Any wind would only complicate matters. Herden says it could force many of the big hitters to rethink their approach.
"It just about takes the driver out of the game," he says, referring to the most powerful of the clubs in the golf bag. The big club can prove a liability if a player is unable to control where the ball is going to land.
"The thinking in the US is going back towards more demanding courses," Herden says. "They had shifted away from that but now it's back to very tight and narrow fairways, especially for the bigger tournaments.
"They just want that point of difference, so that you know the course will be difficult."
Last year Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy took out his first major championship when he won the US Open by eight strokes at the Congressional Country Club in Maryland.
MclIroy has been part of an intriguing battle to claim the top spot in the world rankings. He has been jostling with Englishmen Luke Donald and Lee Westwood to be No.1. Such has been the closeness of the race, that one good tournament – such as Donald had in winning the BMW PGA Championship – was enough to propel him back to the top.
"It's been fascinating to watch," says Herden. "We had a dominant player,
Of Woods's chances in San Francisco, he says no one doubts he still has the ability to make a charge at the title. "But it's just whether he can unlock that talent. If he can, he poses a big threat."
Woods recently won the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village in Ohio, his 73rd US PGA victory.
Of the other leading Americans, Herden says he's been impressed by the rise of Matt Kuchar.
He won the Players Championship – often called the unofficial fifth major tournament – in May and is now ranked among the world's best. So too is countryman Bubba Watson, who this year claimed his first major, the US Masters.
The 2007 Masters champion Zach Johnson, who won the Crowne Plaza International in Texas this year, will be worth watching at the US Open, says Herden. "Ryo Ishikawa is another I like. He's 20 now and could be ready to break through.''
However, it has been a tough year for the Australian contingent lining up at the US Open. Adam Scott and Jason Day had good years in 2011 but have found it more difficult to make an impact this year.
Both are still ranked around the top 20 players but will be looking to recapture some of last year's form. Day was the runner-up to McIlroy in last year's Open.
"Many of the Australians have found it hard to get going this year. But we'll still have around six players in the tournament," says Herden.
John Senden is one Australian who has shown some form this year. He has three top 10 finishes including the Accenture Match Play Championship.
This will be Olympic Club's fifth US Open. Considered the oldest sport club in the US, it has been providing sporting facilities for members since 1860.
A purchase of land from the nearby Lakeside Golf Club in 1918 gave the club an 18 hole course. That was enlarged in 1922 by the purchase of more land, which enabled it to build two 18 hole courses in its grounds.
One of those was to become the Lake Course, which will be in use for this championship. Designed in 1924, it was redeveloped in 1927 following storm damage.
The Olympic Club staged its US Open in 1955 after the Lake Course had been altered by leading US golf architect Robert Trent Jones. In a major upset, that 1955 title was won by the little-known Jack Fleck, who defeated one of golf's greatest players in Ben Hogan.
There was another big upset in 1966 when Billy Casper overcame a seven-stroke deficit to beat Arnold Palmer.
Scott Simpson pipped Tom Watson in 1987 by a stroke. Watson led going into the last day round but a final round 68 was enough to get Simpson home.
The last time the US Open was played at the Olympic Club was 1998. American Lee Janzen beat fellow countrymen Payne Stewart and Bob Tway to claim his second US championship.
The Australian Financial Review


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VOICES Ideas and Insight From Explorers
Tag archives for Pablo
Digital Disaster Response to Typhoon Pablo
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) activated the Digital Humanitarian Network (DHN) on December 5th at 3pm Geneva time (9am New York). The activation request? To collect all relevant tweets about Typhoon Pablo posted on December 4th and 5th; identify pictures and videos of damage/flooding shared in those tweets; geo-locate, time-stamp and categorize this content.


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New theory about Fek'lhrEdit
Fek'lhri, according to DS9 was killed by Kahless. Perhaps Fek'lhri and Fek'lhr are the same thing. If the Klingon Devil was defeted, and killed by Kahless this would certainly explain why Kang says that the Klingons have no devil. Their devil has been slain. What do you think? Federation 21:26, 21 Dec 2005 (UTC)
- Which DS9 ep was that? I don't usually pay attention to the Klingon ones. --Vedek Dukat Talk | Duty Roster 21:32, 21 Dec 2005 (UTC)
- Off the top of my head, if iirc, it was in reference to the Sword of Kahless in "The Sword of Kahless". --Alan del Beccio 22:26, 21 Dec 2005 (UTC)
The other thing about this theory is that it is in line with the idea that the Klingons killed their gods. If Fek'lhr was a deity, this would explain how. Federation 07:31, 10 Jan 2006 (UTC)
- I always thought that "Fek'lhri" was a plural of the gods/being that Fek'lhr belonged to -- i could be wrong, but lets check the grammar regarding the term's use in the DS9 episode. -- Captain Mike K. Barteltalk
Fek'lhr/Devil ComparisonEdit
I don't think that the seemingly direct comparison that Ardra makes in "Devil's Due" between the Human Devil and the Klingon Fek'lhr neccesarily contradicts the statement made by Kang in "Day of the Dove." After all Kang's statement was that Klingon's don't have a Devil, not that they never had a Devil. Given that Klingon mythology states that they were Klingon Gods at one time, it is not unreasonable to think that one of them might have filled a role in the mythology comparable to that of the Human Devil. I think is very possible that Fek'lhr might have once been the Klingon equivilent to the Devil, yet is now considered dead like all Klingon Gods. This would stay consistant with the statments made in both "Day of the Dove" and "Devil's Due" Joe Bentleytalk
- I think it's possible that when Kang said that "We [Klingons] have no devil," he was speaking from his own personal convictions. For example, replace Kang with an atheist human, and he'll say, "Humans don't have a devil," since, being atheist, he wouldn't believe in the Devil. Of course, members of various religions would disagree with him. All in all, considering that some humans believe in a devil and others don't, who's to say that the same isn't true of Klingons? --NME 09:05, 11 October 2006 (UTC)


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Very Nice Cruise Experience. Would cruise again on this ship: Serenade of the Seas Cruise Review by phoenixPHXjrb
Overall Member Rating
Very Nice Cruise Experience. Would cruise again on this ship
Destination: Southern Caribbean
Embarkation: San Juan
For this cruise, we were in Orlando before the cruise. We flew into San Juan on the same day the cruise departed. Once we arrived in San Juan which was around 3:30, we got a taxi to the pier which cost about $25 and boarded. The boarding process had alot of security screenings, so be prepared to but put your bags up for alot of screenings. But all of that is done with and your vacation begins. We were able to bring our small suitcases and bags onboard. The earlier you give them your bags to be sent to your room the earlier it will be at your door. We got ours before 6PM which was when our dinner was.
The ship was very nice inside. What this ship had and most Royal Caribbean ships have is a really nice Centrum. This ship had a very nice centrum. The ship was clean and the workers did a great job keeping the ship More clean as far as draining the pools occasionally to clean.
We ate breakfast at the Windjammer Cafe which is on Deck 11. They had a great selection of food and I thought the food was great. We also ate lunch at the Sea View Cafe on Deck 12 on the back of the ship was very good too.
We had the 6:00 dining. The dining was spectacular. The food was excellent and great dining room service and staff. You cant ask for a better service. Very pleased with the dining room food and staff. They had an excellent selection of food on the menu every night. The dining was my favorite part of the cruise.
The ship's pool deck had 2 hot tubs and 1 pool. If it gets crowded, it is almost impossible to find a place. There is also the Solarium which is the inside pool for Age 16+. The Kids Pool is on Deck 12 which has a water slide and other kids activities.
Our stateroom was nice, and our attendant did a great job of keeping the room clean. It was a little tiny, the "phone booth" showers made it a little hard but it was easy to get used to. If you have 4 people I would recommend getting a big oceanview room or 2 rooms. Overall the staterooms were acceptable.
We went to the mini golf a few times on Deck 13. It was a poor designed course and is very hard to play on. The rock climbing wall is also on Deck 13. I did not do that but it looks very cool. The Sports Court is on Deck 12 which has basketball and soccer. Me and my brother went there every night and they kept it clean very well.
We went to a magic show/comedy (not really for children) in the Tropical Theater on Deck 5. It was very good and the entertainer was very funny. My mom and dad went to a dance show and said it was good.
One thing on Royal Caribbean is that the service is very good and
this cruise was very nice and would recommend to a friend and can most likely be on this ship again in the future. Less
Published 02/13/11
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Ladies' Man
Ladies' Man
Picador USA, Paperback, 9780312566524, 243pp.
Publication Date: June 21, 2011
Kenny Becker just dumped his girlfriend--the reasons are a little complex. Young and newly unemployed, his main assets at the moment are six-pack abs and a healthy libido--he's ready to get out, find a little action, and maybe find himself too. But New York is no place for the lonely, and with one meaningless sexual encounter after another, Kenny begins to wonder if the singles scene is not itself a complete con job, with his heart and his future at stake. Raunchy, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt, this 1978 clubland slice-of-life displays Richard Price in gritty good form.
"A novel of passion and depth, written with great precision and control."—The Washington Post Book World
"Price knows the language, mores, herding instincts, and hunting habits of the bottom-class urban young just about as well as Margaret Mead got to know those who come of age in Samoa."—Christopher Lehmann-Haupt, The New York Times
"Ladies' Man brilliantly portrays the dark side of youthful passion seeking release in a big-city environment."—St. Louis Post-Dispatch
For some people, Feb. 14 is not all hearts and candy. Without a sweetheart, the holiday can be dreary. For those not in love this year, author Alex Gilvarry prescribes three books that will cure the worst of those Valentine's Day blues. More at NPR.org
NPR Audio Player Requires Flash Upgrade: Please upgrade your plug-in to view this content.


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(Nov. 8, 2012) On November 1, 2012, Teori Zavascki was appointed as a new Minister of the Brazilian Federal Supreme Court. Zavascki is taking over the position left open by Minister Cesar Peluso, who retired as required by law at the end of August 2012 after reaching 70 years of age (Lei No. 8.112 de 11 de Dezembro de 1990, art. 186 II, PLANALTO.GOV.BR). Before he was nominated to the Supreme Court, Zavascki had been a Minister of the Superior Tribunal of Justice since May 2003.(Débora Zampier, Teori Zavascki Deve Tomar Posse no STF no dia 29 de Novembro, AGÊNCIA BRASIL (Nov. 1, 2012).) Zavascki's inauguration must occur at the end of November, under the new presidency of the current Vice-President of the Court, Minister Joaquim Barbosa, who will replace the current President, Minister Ayres Britto. Britto will also be forced to retire in November 2012, when he, too, reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70. (<?Id.)
Federal Supreme Court (Supremo Tribunal Federal – STF)
According to the Constitution of 1988, the Federal Supreme Court, or STF (home page, last visited Nov. 2, 2012), is the highest court in Brazil and is entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding the Constitution(Constituição da República Federativa do Brasil [C.F.], art. 102, PLANALTO.GOV.BR). It also functions as a court of review (C.F. arts. 102 II & III).
The STF is composed of 11 ministers chosen from among citizens over 35 and under 65 years of age who possess "notable juridical learning and a spotless reputation" (C.F. art. 101). Ministers are appointed by the President of Brazil after their nominations have been approved by an absolute majority of the Federal Senate (C.F. art. 101 § 1).
Superior Tribunal of Justice (Superior Tribunal de Justiça – STJ)
The Superior Tribunal of Justice, or STJ (home page, last visited Nov. 2, 2012), in contrast to the STF, is the court of last instance in the Brazilian legal system for consideration of issues not directly related to the Constitution. (Atribuições,STJ website (last visited Nov. 2, 2012).) Created under article 92, II, of the Constitution of 1988, the STJ is responsible for standardizing the interpretation of federal law in Brazil, based on constitutional principles and in order to guarantee and defend the rule of law. (Id.)
The STJ is composed of a minimum of 33 Ministers (C.F. art. 104), who must be appointed by the President of the Republic, from Brazilians over 35 and under 65 years of age, with"notable juridical learning and a spotless reputation," upon approval by an absolute majority of the Federal Senate, with:
I) one-third coming from judges of the Federal Regional Tribunals and one-third from the justices of the Tribunals of Justice, nominated from a list of three names prepared by each respective tribunal itself;
II) one-third, equally from among lawyers and members of the Federal, State, Federal District, and Territories Public Prosecutor's Offices, selected in turns, as set out in article 94 of the Constitution. (C.F. art. 104.)


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Some gals will have seasonal makeovers and transform for each new trend, while others may turn to a makeover for a life event such as returning to the work force.
This can be major, or as easy as cutting bangs into your style or even choosing a never tried before shade of lipstick.
Women are well aware that a new style or hair shade can lift your spirits or build up your confidence.
View the before pictures and after pictures to see the difference hair and makeup can create.
Helen has always worn her fine hair short or mid length. This is actually a good choice but to look in top form it must be trimmed about every six weeks.
This particular cut adds much needed movement, volume, and shape. " I was never the girly girl type, But you know, feeling pretty is not that bad!"
By choice, Nicole has always had and always will have long hair. All that was needed here were some long layers that Nicole can easily manage by leaving to dry naturally.
For a little glamour, Nicole has mastered the curling iron that sat for so many years. Did we say, A little glamour?
Camille had decided enough was enough. The last visit to a salon sent Camille home with the " over sixty poodle perm" Our first advice to Camille, find a new salon.
Second, we went for a hairstyle that was short but very much modern. Layers were the solution, giving volume where needed and Camille the added bonus of complete manageability.
I suffered from salon phobia, I did not know how to communicate with a stylist or choose the right salon. "Knowledge is Power"
Cherie was trying to "grow out" last years haircut. A battle seldom won. Here, a perfect cut, note how the wispy bangs do not add weight to the front of the style.
"How did I feel before? Help, I need a makeover, and now? Polished, and it feels good!"
Everything about Jan is fast paced and high energy. Except her hair. Baby fine. Jan had kept in on the longer side thinking ponytails would save the day. Practical, but not much fun. This short sassy look works for Jen in every way.
After swimming her morning laps, she can leave it to air dry and then just finish with a little wax. A little mousse or gel yields a more defined look for dress up.
"I always thought it was a trade off, your hair could not look great and be easy to manage at the same time am delighted to find out how wrong I had that one"
As anyone with thick hair knows it can be as much of a curse as it is a blessing. Leah did not know how to manage the bulk and had very little time to spend on her hair.
As a buyer for a leading ladies wear chain, Leah traveled allot, a new look had to be easy to manage and look as fashionable as her job. Bulk and thickness were removed to leave a more modern and shaped style.
I was more than just camera shy, I hated the camera and avoided any and all that I possibly could. When their daughter announced wedding plans, Linda knew it was time for her makeover.
A shorter, layered bob for the mother of the bride and the girl who now flashes a beautiful smile for any picture.
" Does anybody know were the paparazzi are?"
When I turned fifty, I gave myself a present, my fortieth birthday! Happy Birthday Marie You look marvelous.
Marie was feeling the years creep up on her. Her hairstyle was a long bob she had worn well for years was now leaving her looking hollow and drawn. This new layered look lifts the face and removes ten years. Good for both hair and spirit.
Rebecca's complaint was that she felt her hair always looked " lank and lifeless". Maurice Meade agreed that her hairstyle needed some lift and volume added.
The secret was using layers, two actually. A combination of short and long layers were blended in and Rebecca now has a look that is full of life and style.
Is long, long hair needed for a sexy look? Not by these pictures. Sometimes letting go of a grown out raggy style is the sexiest thing you can do!
Angela had but one request,"Make me look glamorous" Working with Angela's oblong face shape, this feature was softened by adding width at the face and cutting in a fringe/bang. Warmer and richer was the direction for both make up and hair color.
We now see beautiful brown eyes with a million dollar smile "I thought this would be fun for a night out, I can't believe it when I can leave for work at 6:00 am and I look like this!"
Working with Angela's oblong face shape, this feature was softened by adding width at the face and cutting in a fringe/bang. Warmer and richer was the direction for both make up and hair color.
We now see beautiful brown eyes with a million dollar smile "I thought this would be fun for a night out, I can't believe it when I can leave for work at 6:00 am and I look like this!"
" This makeover did me a world of good, I started walking in the evenings again and lost 10 lbs." "We were going out for dinner, did my favorite black dress fit? I don't know I went out and bought a new one!"
Chris had hoped the longer length of her hair would help make her look younger. The experts at Maurice Meade tell us this is a common mistake.
The length was actually working against her, dragging facial features down and adding years in the process. Christine also had to deal with naturally dry hair. The new trendy style will only ask for regular trims and the soft layers are more manageable for Christine.


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Nurse Margaret Morris at School
"Your mother made a mistake this time, my dear," Mrs. Morris said, as she flushed the toilet in the examining room. Margaret Morris was almost 40, but still very youthful. Her slightly plump figure filled her white uniform in all the right places and her slim legs drew approving glances from the men of the faculty and the boys in the school. A neat brunette with short-cut hair, she looked a model of medical efficiency and kindly concern. She had been the school nurse at Northside High for five years, and knew Barbara even before she came to Northside.
Barbara was 17, a petite blonde just a little on the plump side, and she was developing an attractive figure. She lived with her mother and her younger brother, Ted, next door to Mrs. Morris, and her mother and the school nurse were friends. Barbara was a bit shy and reserved, but she was very pleasant and agreeable once she got to know you. Today, she had on a plaid skirt with a white top, and green knee-high socks. Sitting next to the toilet on a metal stool, Barbara looked puzzled as Mrs. Morris explained.
"The enema I just gave you has come back clear. You are not constipated, that's for sure. You took the full bag, almost a quart and a half, and when you let it flow out, it was almost as clear as when I ran it into you. Do you feel any better now, Barbara?"
"Yes," she said. "But I think I have more enema to eliminate. I feel like going again.
"Go ahead, my dear. Let it all come out." Mrs. Morris, the image of cleanliness and professionalism in her white dress and hose, helped Barbara back onto the toilet and said, "Tell me again what happened this morning."
Barbara tossed her hair back and began. "When I got up, I told my mother that I didn't feel so good. I was hoping that she'd let me stay home, but she just said to have a little breakfast and I'd be okay. All I had was some juice - prune juice because Mom insisted - and a piece of bread. Still hoping not to have to face the Friday test, I said I didn't feel much better.
"Well, to my surprise, Mom took me to the bathroom. 'What you need is a bowel movement,' she said. (That's Mom's solution to almost everything). 'I'm going to insert a suppository into your rectum, and in 15 minutes when you get to school you'll have your B.M. and feel a lot better. Pull up your dress and bend over.' I said I didn't think that was a good idea, but she insisted. She got out her jar of suppositories from the medicine chest, and a tube of Vaseline. I pulled down my panties and bent over the bathtub. I could feel her lubricated finger slipping into my rear opening. She twisted and turned it for a few seconds, then withdrew it.
"Next, she took a short stubby suppository, greased it, and began to insert it. As she slowly pushed it into me, she said, 'I want this suppository to go well up into your rectum,' and I felt her finger all the way in me. She pulled her finger out quickly and said, 'Wipe yourself and get going. It will take a while for this suppository to produce an urge and if you don't dawdle you'll be in school in plenty of time. Next time, don't pretend to be sick so you can stay home.' Mom really guessed right, Mrs. Morris. All I wanted was to avoid this morning's test."
While telling her story, Barbara had poured out the last of the enema and was wiping herself. Mrs. Morris checked the contents of the toilet, flushed it, and sat down. She said, "What happened when you got to school?"
"Well," said Barbara with a sigh. "You know it only takes 10 minutes to walk here, but even before I got to the front door I felt a terrific urge to go to the bathroom. I left my books in my locker and practically ran to the girls' room at the end of the corridor. I had to wait because all the booths were occupied, so I squeezed my legs together and held my breath. Finally, I got into a toilet and tried to let go, but only a little came out. I kept wanting to go and felt as if I had a lot to get rid of. Still, not much came out.
"After straining for a while, the urge eased a little. I cleaned myself and went to homeroom. Even before the bell rang for the first class to begin, I asked to be excused because the urge returned and was becoming unbearable . . . I went back to the booth, squatted and strained, but again only a little bit came out. That's when I thought of you, Mrs. Morris, so I came down to the nurse's office. "
Margaret Morris listened knowingly to detailed her difficulties, but before she got to describing her enema, the nurse interrupted. "Barbara, I want to put a little anesthetic lubricant on your opening to soothe the irritation caused by all that anal activity. Please stretch out on the examining table while I get the ointment from the cabinet."
As she crossed to the storage cabinet, Mrs. Morris continued, "You looked uncomfortable when you came in, Barbara, and I knew how you felt because your mother had just called me. She said she told you to see me if you didn't feel better after your bowel movement. She knew you weren't sick and said she had inserted the suppository to discourage you from pretending. It was a powerful suppository and that's why your urge continued and felt so strong. She asked me, if you came in, to give you a 'special treatment' that we both use. Since we're good friends, and I had her permission, I decided to give you a quart of warm water as a cleansing enema to remove the suppository, and anything else you might be holding back. I'm very glad you came clean for me right away, or I might have had to resort to a more severe treatment, and a more thorough enema."
Barbara was lying face down on the examining table. Mrs. Morris lifted Barbara's skirt, and promptly pulled down her pink panties. With the fingers of her left hand she spread Barbara's back cheeks and exposed her lovely rosebud. A rubber cot on the index finger of her right hand dipped into the ointment and deftly applied the anesthetic lubricant to her puckered opening. The nurse carefully worked her finger in and out, around and about, and gradually withdrew it leaving a film of ointment all over Barbara's anus. "You should feel a bit more comfortable now with that lubrication. If you go to the bathroom before you leave today, come back here and I'll rub some more on for you."
"Thank you very much, Mrs. Morris, I do feel much better now. My bottom is even tingling a bit from the stuff you put in it." Barbara began to pull up her panties and to get down from the examining table when Mrs. Morris's desk phone rang loudly.
"Nurse's office, Mrs. Morris speaking. Oh yes, she's here with me now. Yes, I did what you suggested. Yes, yes, I will. She told me that after her enema. Well, I think she realizes that now. Of course, if you want her home now, I'll make the arrangements. Yes, I have two small ones with me. Do you want me to put one in? . . . Okay, just before she leaves. I'll give her a package for you, and I'll be by as soon as I can after school. I'm sure it will be pleasant for us and educational for her, too. See you later." Margaret Morris was smiling as she replaced the phone on its cradle and turned to her young patient. "That was your mother, Barbara, and she wants you to come home. She said that since you felt the way you did, she wants to take proper care of you. I guess you won't have to take the test after all."
"But Mrs. Morris, the test is over now. It was scheduled for my first period and that's finished. I heard the bell go off while you were putting that stuff on me."
Mrs. Morris wrote a note for Barbara to take to the school secretary for the attendance record, and said, "After you get your books, dear, come back to me. I'll have a package for you to give to your mother."
In a small box, the nurse placed a red rubber rectal tube, some hospital lubricant, and two packets of special enema soap solution. She also took from the supply closet a 4-ounce disposable container of enema fluid with an attached applicator. From the cabinet in the examining room, she got adhesive tape, several gauze pads and a pair of waterproof incontinent panties. From her purse, she removed a lovely leather cigarette case, somewhat oversized. These she set on a stand next to the examining table. She put the filled box into a paper sack and left it on her desk in the office. Then, after checking to see if any students were waiting for her services, she went into the toilet next to the examining room to urinate.
Sitting on the cool seat, Margie Morris thought how delightful this day was: friends having fun while working, being able to teach a good lesson to a pretty young girl. How fortunate she had been in getting this job where enemas for reluctant boys and girls were accepted, even encouraged, as an effective method of medicinal and educational improvement.
She thought of her work before coming to Northside, at the Girls Training School downstate, where she would perform the intake examinations on each new girl sent there - intake examinations which required thorough rectal inspections and successive large-volume enemas to wash out any smuggled contraband. She remembered the first enema she was given during nurse's training and the time she went for a full-scale colonic at the clinic. She thought about how lucky she was to have a neighbor who shared her anal interests and enjoyed all kinds of "special treatments." Barbara, too, was very lucky for she was being trained by a mother who had very imaginative and pleasurable, even if somewhat special, tastes and hobbies. Margaret Morris pulled up her panty girdle, smoothed her dress and went back to her desk in the office.
Barbara was back now, and came to the nurse's desk carrying a shoulder bag with her books and things. It was a nice day and she was wearing her school sweater over a white top. She looked very sweet. Mrs. Morris looked up and smiled. "Go inside to the examining room for a minute, my dear. Your mother asked me to give you something to take home." She rose from the desk and closed the office door, indicating to anyone who came by that she was busy with a patient. She followed Barbara into the inner room, and pointed to the examining table. "Sit on the edge, please, Barbara. Your mother asked me to insert a small rectal dilator into your bottom. It will loosen you up for a thorough enema when you get home."
From the leather case on the stand beside the table, Margaret Morris withdrew one black rubber rectal dilator. It was a number one size, about one-half inch in diameter, and about two inches long. She held it up for Barbara, who was becoming a little apprehensive, and spoke gently but firmly. "This small dilator will not hurt you, Barbara. You can see how smooth and short it is, and the round bulge at the top will help hold it in place inside you. The flat base will stay outside your body so that your muscle can clasp it tightly and exercise isometrically. Now lie on your back and lift up your legs as if I were changing your diapers. After I have inserted this plug, you are to leave it in place until your mother or I remove it."
Mrs. Morris was so firm and authoritative that Barbara didn't even think of questioning her or of disobeying, especially since her mother had instructed Mrs. Morris to insert this plug into her rear end. She lay back and pulled up her panties, exposing her anus to Mrs. Morris's view, and held her legs with her arms. The magic fingers of Margaret Morris opened the lubrication ointment and applied it liberally to the rubber rectal stretcher and smoothed it onto Barbara's bare behind, ringing her rosebud with the tingly unguent. She rubbed a little inside the anal opening, then, taking the dilator in her right hand, touched its tip to Barbara's sensitive pucker. The girl pulled her bottom away instinctively, but only a little, for Mrs. Morris said briskly, "Be still while I am twisting it into your bottom."
Again the tip touched her rosebud, and made firm contact with her quivering hole. A half-twist and a push: the door was open. Another twist, another push and it entered through her exit, sliding home on its slippery surface. Barbara could feel it pop into position as the thick top bulge emerged beyond the sphincter muscle in her rectum and the wide base rested outside, on her opened rosebud. As Barbara breathed out a sigh of relief, she heard the nurse say, "Now, that wasn't painful, was it?"
The gauze pads were next. Mrs. Morris held Barbara's cheeks together and said, "Barbara, squeeze your muscles together as if you were trying to pull the dilator into you. I'm going to tape your cheeks together till you get home so you don't expel it on the way. You have a lovely full bottom, so be careful not to swing it too much as you walk home. You might get the boys excited." Several strips of two-inch adhesive stretched tightly across Barbara's bottom kept the dilator in place as she rose. The nurse gave her the waterproof panties and told her to put them on. She said they would catch any leakage from the earlier enema, and perhaps teach her what people who really had bottom problems felt like. Then she said to Barbara, "Sit by my desk, and have a Coke before you leave."
The waterproof panties crinkled as Barbara sat down. She immediately felt the pressure of the rectal dilator plugging her rear and she squirmed a little. The only uncomfortable part was the tightness of the tape on her bottom. In fact, the dilator felt strangely pleasurable. Mrs. Morris came back with two cans of soda, and a paper cup partly filled with a clear liquid. "I'd like you to call me Aunt Margie, Barbara, if you would. Your mother and I have become very good friends, and I hope that you and I will also become close. Drink this down, now, and I'll pour the soda for you."
"It smells like castor oil," Barbara said. "Do I have to?"
"Yes. Your mother and I want you to be completely cleaned out of whatever got into you this morning. This drink will help you to have a bowel movement late this afternoon or this evening. Drink it down quickly, and take the soda to wash out the taste." While she was saying this, "Aunt Margie" went to the door of the office and opened it. Barbara could hear her say, "I'll be right with you, Billy. Just a couple of minutes, and it's your turn."
Barbara finished the soda, and half of the second can as well. She was thirsty after the castor oil and the experiences of the morning. Mrs. Morris gave her a small paper sack with the box in it to take to her mother, and said quietly, so the boy outside wouldn't hear, "Tell your mother everything, especially about the enema. Don't try to remove the dilator from your anus. Your mother or I will see to that later. I have to give Billy a physical now, so you'd better get going. Take a rest when you get home, and tell your mother that I'll be there as soon as I can make it."
As Barbara left the nurse's office, she heard Mrs. Morris, now her "Aunt Margie," say to the boy who was waiting, "Come in, Billy, and lie on the table in the examining room. I'll be right in. I just have to get a special thermometer for you." Barbara wondered if Billy would find himself with a slight fever, perhaps also in need of a special treatment, maybe even a soothing, cooling enema. She thought, "I must remember to ask Aunt Margie how she took Billy's temperature and what happened during his physical exam."
Each step she took made Barbara feel the plug in that sensitive rear hole. She was beginning to think that some nurses, like some mothers, believed very much in educational enemas not only to stimulate bowel movements, but also to clean out "diplomatic" illnesses. She had a lot to talk over with her mother when she got home, but didn't yet realize what her mother had in mind for her.
The End


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Indoor WiFi Location and Beacons: Better TogetherMobility
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Cisco CMX Mobility Developer Challenge is under way at topcoder. CMX Mobile Application SDK can be leveraged in a mobile application to provide indoor location and navigation for users. The SDKRead More
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Citi 'Price Rewind' Price Protection Program
Cit has announced a new price protection program called Citi Price Rewind. Here's how it works. After a Citi cardmember purchases and registers an eligible item, Price Rewind will search hundreds of retailers' sites for 30 days after the purchase to find a lower price. If a price is at least $25 less than what the cardmember paid, Citi will refund the difference in price – up to $250 per item.
"During the holiday season when the clock is ticking on getting popular gifts and toys, our customers can make their purchases today with more confidence that we will help get them a lower price," said Ralph Andretta, Head of Co-Brands and Loyalty at Citi Cards. "Citi Price Rewind is another way that we're delivering value to our cardmembers by using unique technology, and we've found a lower price for one-out-of-four registered purchases over $100."
For more information on Citi Price Rewind, including a full description of coverage, eligible categories and Citi credit cards, visit http://www.citi.com/pricerewind.