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Oh come on. If I knew that you believed in God, and your child asks me if there is a God, I would respect your beliefs and go along the lines of "that's what many people believe." I wouldn't say flat out no, even though I think that God is as much of a lie as Santa is, and could make the same argument you are making about it. It's about having some basic respect for the beliefs of others.
"There is no belief, however foolish, that will not gather its faithful adherents who will defend it to the death." -Isaac Asimov
I would not lie, but I probably would not answer either. I would tell them they need to ask their parents.
I'm curious, if anyone wants to share-- Is there some common trait amongst people who were really traumatized by finding out their parents lied about Santa? More sensitive? Did your parents play it up really huge and try to deny it when you asked? I know I personally was a bit disappointed when I found out the fat man in the red suit didn't REALLY come down the chimney, but it wasn't that big of a deal. So much so that I can barely remember when it happened. I do remember thinking I really got one over on my parents when I figured out they were the tooth fairy but didn't tell them I knew. But I wasn't a particularly senstive child, and we were fairly strict Catholics, so Christmas was always more about Jesus than Santa anyway.
We do Santa, but we don't do it "big", if that makes sense. We don't go to any extra trouble to make it seem like he's been here-- different paper, sooty footprints, reindeer poop, none of that. We do leave out cookies, but pretty much because dh likes any excuse to eat cookies. Some presents are from Santa, some are from Mommy and Daddy. If you want your picture with the mall Santa, you can have it, if you don't, that's fine too. We certainly don't do "naughty or nice" or "Santa's watching you!". That kinda creeps me out.
But I worry a little, because dd is waaaaaaay more sensitive than I was as a kid. Of course, by the time I figured that out, we had already introduced Santa. So we've scaled it back. And if and when she asks, I'll tell her the truth as I see it....Santa's just a spirit of giving and holiday magic, not a real person. So anyway, that's why I was wondering if there was a common thread in those who were really upset by no Santa.
Ugh, gaga me with a spoon....we're experiencing htis horrid drama too!!! I am going to shove my mom up the damn chimney!!!! : And she's on this weird Jesus kick...which I, as a pagan, makes me really uncomfortable.
I personally feel, why go out of your way to involve Santa?
And...as a feminist,hardworking womyn, I'll quote my friend's mom "Why should some old,fat,white guy take all the credit for what I worked for and got excited about all year long?" And it's not about saying "See, DS, be gratefull to mama and papa- look at what we did for you" but at the same time..it's not right to give it to someone else.
And I am not into lying. It's lame. I never bought santa.
Plus, we celebrate X-mas with the fam in addition to our private solstice...gift giving and tree having(a live tree however that gets planted) for pure commercial purposes.
Becky, partner to Teague, SAHM to Keagan (7yo), Jonah (2yo)
lol. That whole post was quite humorous. I love it. lol
Just wanted to say that the difference between "God" and "Santa" (in re: to the analogy made earlier in this thread) is that the parents in the former DO believe God is real. Parents in the latter KNOW that Santa is not true.
Becky, partner to Teague, SAHM to Keagan (7yo), Jonah (2yo)
I don't know. I was not traumatized in the slightest. My parents were and still are unflinchingly honest with us, and I never thought of Santa as a lie that my parents told me. I know that technically it is, but as a kid I never saw it that way. I was not an overly sensitive child. My younger sister was, though (and still is). She too was not traumatized when she was of the age when she asked and was told the truth by my dad. So I think it must have more to do with the relationship with the parents in general, and how the parents "did" Santa. I really have a hard time buying that a relationship that is otherwise built on trust and mutual respect is ruined because of Santa. But hey, I guess anything's possible.
You scrooge!! LOLOLOL!!
In our family, *I* am the one who LOVES Xmas with all my heart... dh is the scrooge... he can't be bothered. WHATEVER!
One day last year, ds1 asked dh something about Santa and dh came out with "well *I* am Santa" (which, in fact, is the truth, right?) and we've just gone with that this year... the "rule is that ds can't tell his friends because it's a big "secret" etc... so, it works for us.
Yah.... so, I guess I won't be asking you to accompany us on our annual "find the tackiest house display" tour LOLOL
All that being said, I've got no issue personally with the myths and story of Santa when they are approached as just that: myths and stories. I told the kids about how Santa came to be over the years, what cultures have contributed to the myth, etc. I think that the character of Santa is generosity and kindness. I can totally get behind those ideas.
grateful mother to DD, 1/04, and DS, 2/08
Am I the only one who can't remember believing in Santa? My family "did" Santa, but I always knew it was just a game. Can't decide if this means that I was observant or that I have a bad memory.
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Maj. Gen. M.A.R. West, commanding commonwealth Division, ceremonially dropped the puck in the regimental championship game.
"Someone knew," said Maj. Gen. James Helmly, the top American official in Pakistan from 2006-2008.
Then Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan killed 13 people in Fort Hood, Texas, in November 2009.
Maariv, p. 1/NRG Hebrew) Netanyahu's point man on Bedouin relocation says plan still on track - Maj. Gen. (res.
Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan had exchanged emails with Mr. Awlaki before the deadly shooting rampage on Fort Hood, Texas, in 2009.
Maj. Sanders, the bearer of this communication, was attacked while bearing the flag of truce.
That they ought to lose their lives unless his Maj. would pardon them.
This morning Maj. Prestman, engineer, examined the ground for my line.
Maj. Whistler of the regular army is a son of the officer mentioned.
Maj. Ferguson, who commanded the British, was killed, gallantly defending his post.

subset: commoncrawl


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Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 was well received by gadget reviewers after its Mobile World Congress 2010 announcement and November release (in the U.S.). Since then, however, there hasn't been much marketing of the platform. And, most of the news surrounding Windows Phone 7 has been the slow and painful rollout of the update to its updater to prepare it for the NoDo update.
Microsoft's official Windows Phone Blog summarized what Corporate Vice President, Windows Phone Program Management, Joe Belfiore, had to say about Windows Phone's recent past and near future.
What's next for Windows Phone? Just ask Joe
One piece of very good news is that one of the major missing apps for Windows Phone is on its way: Skype. Now, where's Evernote, Google Voice (perhaps never?), Dropbox, Dragon Dictation, Starbucks, Tumblr, and the official BBC News app?
Next six major games will be making their way over to Windows Phone in something called Six Weeks of Smash Hit Games. Two of these six games are my personal favorites on the iPhone and iPad: Plants vs. Zombies and Angry Birds.
Finally, he discussed the next (and really first) major Windows Phone update: Codename Mango. Mango will bring the long awaited and much needed multitasking capability to Windows Phone and a better web browser. It will also provide more access to a phone's sensors.
So, when will this magical Mango update be unpeeled, revealed, and available? "Later this year."
Via All Things Digital: Microsoft Offers Mea Culpa for Slow Windows Phone Updates, Promises "Mango" Update This Fall


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Rudy Hossam
Total Trust.....Lost - Poem by Rudy Hossam
This is the story of the total trust
You gave me and I lost
I was a bad thing
I never used to think
More than once I dropped
And you helped me on my feet up
And then again I didn't care
And walked in that very same dark track
You pushed me to show me the light
And that there is a better track
Straight, bright and no one can dropp in it
In front of you I walked in it
But still the dark was what I wished
You saw me walk to the light
You gave me your total trust
You never thought I'll go back to the dark
After I knew that there was light
But too bad I did
You somehow saw me in it
And all the trust you gave me I lost
Because you saw me dropp again
But it was a bigger drop
You told me help yourself out
This time I really regret
But you said to late
You've dropped
And only you can help yourself out
Because if I help you
You'll return back to it
That very dark scary track
And here I'm begging you
To help me out of it
And you'll see me in that light
Never wanting that dark life
Please help me out
And give me Ur forgiveness
After I take Allah's.
Comments about Total Trust.....Lost by Rudy Hossam
Sarah Abdullah (1/28/2009 12:47:00 PM)
Holly Hayden (1/28/2009 9:49:00 AM)
Danni Scott (1/21/2009 4:23:00 PM)
this is really well written, i cant help but think of a train whiltst reading it and I don't know why. (Report) Reply
XxBrokenHeartedCupidxX ! ! (12/31/2008 4:05:00 PM)
i like this poem very much because its about someone earning trust and then losing it. (Report) Reply
Reshma Ramesh (11/10/2008 7:02:00 PM)
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Rudy Hossam's Other Poems
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Edgar Allan Poe


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Median household income: $66,734
Population: 672,871 (79th highest)
Unemployment rate: 7.6% (116th lowest)
Pct. households below poverty line: 12.2% (49th lowest)
The last few years have proven difficult for Poughkeepsie area residents. Median income fell from $71,473 in 2007 to $66,734 in 2011, while the percentage of the population living below the poverty level has risen from 9.8% to 12.2% in that time. Additionally, just 7.1% of households earned in excess of $200,000 last year, above the national proportion of 5.6%. Although home prices fell by nearly 16% during that time, the area's median home price of $279,400 in 2011 was more than $100,000 above the national median. The 2011 unemployment rate for the Poughkeepsie area was just 7.6%, significantly less than the national rate of 8.9% for the year.
By 24/7 Wall St.
Median household income: $68,637
Population: 299,378 (158th highest)
Unemployment rate: 6.2% (45th lowest)
Pct. households below poverty line: 14.1% (100th lowest)
Nearly 22% of Boulder's working population was employed in professional, scientific and management services, the highest rate in the U.S. The largest employer in the area as of 2011 was the University of Colorado, with 6,800 jobs. Several technology giants also have a sizable presence in the area. IBM (IBM) was the largest private employer in the Boulder region, employing approximately 2,800 people. Oracle (ORCL) employed 1,900 people in the region, while Seagate Technology employed 1,104. This large flock of highly-skilled professionals led to 12.5% of households making more than $200,000 in 2011, the sixth highest proportion in the country. The median home value was $344,600, nearly twice the national figure.
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Median household income: $69,455
Population: 4,591,112 (10th highest)
Unemployment rate: 6.6% (55th lowest)
Pct. households below poverty line: 10.7% (22nd lowest)
Just 4.7% of Boston area residents did not have health insurance coverage in 2011, which is less than all but three metro areas -- all of which are in Massachusetts. Over 27% of residents worked in either education or health care, while more than 14% worked in scientific or management positions. This isn't surprising given Boston's numerous top hospitals, universities and research institutions. The area also had some of the nation's most expensive houses, with a 2011 median home value of $356,100 and 4.1% of homes worth over $1 million.
Median household income: $71,700
Population: 387,516 (133rd highest)
Unemployment rate: 6.7% (63rd lowest)
Pct. households below poverty line: 8.7% (6th lowest)
Anchorage has a thriving petroleum industry, with companies such as BP (BP) employing thousands of people in the oil fields in generally middle-income positions. While home values fell in the vast majority of metropolitan areas between 2010 and 2011, in Anchorage they actually rose by almost 1%. The percentage of people on the opposite ends of the wealth spectrum was relatively small: Only 8.7% of households lived below the poverty line in 2011, well below the national rate of 15.9%. Meanwhile, just 6.8% of households earned $200,000 or more in 2011. While this was higher than the national rate of 5.6%, it is the only metro among the 10 richest where fewer than 10% earned more than $200,000 or more.
Median household income: $71,975
Population: 4,391,037 (11th highest)
Unemployment rate: 9.4% (127th highest)
Pct. households below poverty line: 11.9% (45th lowest)
The median home value in the San Francisco area of $561,200 was the second highest, right behind the nearby San Jose metropolitan area. Meanwhile, more than 14% of homes were worth at least $1 million in 2011, the third-highest percentage of all metropolitan areas. More than one in six workers in the area were employed in professional, scientific and management services, the fourth-highest rate of all metro areas. High-skilled labor opportunities allowed 14.6% of households to earn more than $200,000 a year. Despite the success of some, the unemployment rate was more than half a percentage point above the national rate.
Median household income: $73,890
Population: 367,063 (140th highest)
Unemployment rate: 7.7% (123rd lowest)
Pct. households below poverty line: 11.4% (34th lowest)
The median home value in the Trenton metro area was $282,700. While this is more than $100,000 above the median U.S. value, it is significantly less than many other rich metros, such as San Jose, Washington D.C. and Boston. Yet some of the nine townships in Mercer County, which comprises most of the metro area, are very affluent. For instance, the median household income in the West Windsor township was $137,625 a year in 2010, while the median income in the Princeton township, as of 2010, was $107,071. The most notable employers in the region are Princeton University and NRG Energy (NRG), a utility company with over $8 billion in revenue.
Median household income: $74,623
Population: 831,771 (63rd highest)
Unemployment rate: 10.1% (93rd highest)
Pct. households below poverty line: 11.3% (32nd lowest)
Home prices in the Oxnard area, part of the Greater Los Angeles region, declined by more than 32% between 2007 and 2011, including a 5.5% dip between 2010 and 2011. Despite that, the median home value in the Oxnard area was $433,100, the eighth-highest among all metro areas. Furthermore, 6% of homes were worth at least $1 million, triple the U.S. rate. Renting is not particularly cheap either. The median monthly rent of $1,382 was the fourth-highest rent in the country and higher than the national median by more than $500.
Median household income: $77,289
Population: 925,899 (56th highest)
Unemployment rate: 8.2% (163rd lowest)
Pct. households below poverty line: 9.4% (13th lowest)
In Bridgeport, 12% of residents work in the finance and insurance industry, the third-highest percentage of all metro areas. The metropolitan area is home to numerous hedge funds, where executives can earn millions of dollars annually. Furthermore, many people who work on Wall Street also settle in western Connecticut. More than one in five households in the area earned at least $200,000, the highest percentage of all metro areas in the country. Almost 14% of homes were worth at least $1 million as of 2011, the fourth highest percentage in the country.
Median household income: $84,012
Population: 1,865,450 (31st highest)
Unemployment rate: 9.9% (105th highest)
Pct. households below poverty line: 10.6% (21st lowest)
The San Jose area is home to some of America's top technology companies, which employ highly-compensated engineers and other technology professionals. More than 45% of adult residents had at least a college degree as of 2010, according to a recent study by the Brookings Institute, making San Jose the second-most educated metropolitan region in the country. The median home value as of 2011 was $618,000 and 18.7% of homes were worth at least $1 million, both the highest in the country. Despite having the second-largest median household income in 2011, the area's unemployment rate of 9.9% was significantly higher than the national rate of 8.9%, as California has suffered especially hard from the housing bust.
Median household income: $86,680
Population: 5,703,948 (7th highest)
Unemployment rate: 5.8% (29th lowest)
Pct. households below poverty line: 8.3% (5th lowest)
The Washington area is filled with tens of thousands of highly-skilled professionals in a host of different industries, from consulting to law to defense contracting. In fact, the Brookings Institute dubbed the area the most educated in the country because 46.8% of adult residents in 2010 had at least a college degree. The median home value in the area was more than double the national figure of $173,600, while 4.5% of homes were worth over $1 million, compared to 2% nationally. The median rent of $1,391 in Washington D.C. was higher than all but the San Jose and Honolulu metropolitan areas.
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This property is a nice change from the "cookie-cutter" rooms you find with most of the big franchises. We stayed in a 2 bedroom themed cottage which also had a separate living room with kitchenette and dining table. There was a table outside on the porch or "veranda" overlooking a courtyard. I would call it more of a "Boutique Hotel arrangement." It was nice since there were 4 of us and one could stay up late and watch TV in the living room and not disturb either of the bedrooms. The Jacuzzi tub in the master suite was a nice addition. It is as close to the beach as you can get and has a verity of restaurants and a casino literally within a rock's throw (in the parking lot, next door or across the street). The staff was local, friendly and knowledgeable. They seemed eager to please. Very enjoyable! I will not come back to the coast without staying here.
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text:
Real Estate Law
Have Real Estate Law Questions? Ask a Real Estate Lawyer.
I found a house in Broward County I was interested in purchasing. I asked my realtor if I needed an appraisal. She stated it was not necessary because I was paying cash. I applied for a VA loan and the appraisal came in at $345,000 versus the accepted offer of $565,000. The contract called for a non-refundable "good faith" money of $56,500. Is there any way I can cancel the contract and receive the $56,500 back? Should the realtor better represented my interest by agreeing to have an appraisal? I feel she is so anxious to make a sale that my best interests were not served. XXX XXX
There was an inspection contingency in the contract but it has expired. We do not understand why the appraisal was so low. There were no comparable sales in the immediate neighborhood and the appraiser did not use the comps he asked my realtor to provide. He asked her to provide comps of other nearby golf course communities but then did not use them. This community is primarily condos with a smaller number of single family homes. I was planning to pay cash when my house here in Md. sold but it has not sold yet so I need a loan as a back-up. Quicken loans has asked for another appraisal but I would have to use conventional financing if it comes in higher. My problem is coming up with the $171,000 at closing (the difference between the appraised amount and therefore the VA loan and the selling price).
I feel my realtor was not looking out for my interests. She discouraged me from putting in a contingency to sell my home because "the seller will probably not accept this and sell the house to someone else." This is in addition to replying to my question about an appraisal that I didn't need one because it is a cash sale.
My question is: Would it be of benefit for me to file a grievance with her firm indicating I do not feel she represented my interests by not protecting me from a low appraisal? Also, would it be of benefit to file a complaint with the Fla. Board of Realtors?
I would still be interested in buying the house if my house sells. It is on the market for &745,000 and we do not have any mortgage or liabilities. Also, if the appraisal were higher I would not have a problem coming up with the additional money needed to close. I have put $56,500 on deposit and still need to come up with $171,000 to close because the appraisal was for $345,000 and the sale is $565,000.
Thank you so much. I am very relieved and now feel I know the right course of action to take. Wonderful advice. Steve


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Monday, December 5 2011 - 9/11 A/V Galleries
'A Noble Lie: Oklahoma City 1995' Available December, 2011
Among the interview subjects are General Benton Partin, former head of weapons development for the Air Force, State Representative Charles Key, members of the Oklahoma Bombing Investigation Committee and Jesse Trentadue, whose brother Kenneth was tortured and murdered in Federal custody in the days following the bombing.
A NOBLE LIE is the only full-length documentary that addresses and answers many of the questions people have asked about the bombing. Details as to what really happened regarding this horrific event, taking the lives of 168 people, have been summarily covered up by the Federal Government. A NOBLE LIE re-examines the tragedy in a measured, informative and scholarly way, and in the process exposes the treachery that has gone unpunished.
For more information please visit www.ANobleLie.com.
Free Mind Films, LLC
2119 Riverwalk Dr., Suite 213
Oklahoma City, OK 73160
The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author, who is solely responsible for its content, and do not necessarily reflect those of 911Truth.org. 911Truth.org will not be responsible or liable for any inaccurate or incorrect statements contained in this article.


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Updates: Status: Duplicate Mergedinto: 396
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Noel's piece on CNN drawing out Jimmy Carter's foreign-policy genius on President's Day also extended to The Washington Post op-ed page. I'm not saying you refuse an op-ed from a former president, but Carter offered quite a lulu, arguing for giving terrorists a fair shot at governing the Palestinian territories. (You can argue that the Post allowed George Will to completely mock Carter on this point. As Will has said, the Carters of the 1930s expected the Nazis to be pragmatic and moderate their extremes. Didn't happen.)
Here's the interesting media part. On Sunday night and Monday morning, the home-page headline at Washingtonpost.com aptly summarized his sentiment: "Let Hamas Govern." (An even better headline would have had a John Lennon-Yoko Ono echo: "All We Are Saying...Is Give Hamas A Chance.") But then, perhaps after someone complained, the homepage shifted to the actual op-ed page headline: "Don't Punish the Palestinians."
Carter thinks no one should stanch the flow of money to Hamas lest they decide not to moderate, and complains about U.S. and Israeli action against Hamas:
Any tacit or formal collusion between the two powers to disrupt the process by punishing the Palestinian people could be counterproductive and have devastating consequences...
This common commitment to eviscerate the government of elected Hamas officials by punishing private citizens may accomplish this narrow purpose, but the likely results will be to alienate the already oppressed and innocent Palestinians, to incite violence, and to increase the domestic influence and international esteem of Hamas. It will certainly not be an inducement to Hamas or other militants to moderate their policies.
Carter does not seem to think he would "increase the domestic influence and international esteem of Hamas" by actually treating them like any other half-respectable government, instead of singling them out as terrorists.


text:
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by Dr Joe Duarte
September 17, 2012
Why This Round Of QE May Actually Work
The guys who were right on the bet, made billions, if not hundreds of billions of dollars from the fools who took the other side of the bet. The fools included a lot of big banks and large financial institutions who believed that people that made $14,000 per year picking oranges in California could afford to pay $5000 a month on a million dollar mortgage.
The fools had to sell stocks, bonds, and commodities in order to pay the smart guys. When the fools sold everything, stock prices collapsed, property values collapsed, and the world financial system almost collapsed. That was the crisis. The post crash mess is what we've been in for five years.
After five years, global central banks seem to have figured out what we've been telling our subscribers for years now. The money that went to the pockets of the smart guys, is not coming out. And the money that the central banks have been printing up to now, has only been good enough to let the foolish banks that took the wrong side of the subprime CDO bet repair their own badly damaged balance sheets.
That's the reason that there isn't any money floating around doing the normal things that money does, such as build new buildings, start new businesses, and hire employees. The banks were in big trouble, and without the government bailouts, no matter how unsavory, would have let the world collapse rather than give up whatever capital they had left.
That's where we've been. Now, here is where we think we are. Banks and other fools have filled up their tanks again. They may be close to where they were, in many ways, prior to the crash. They are no longer scared and are looking for something to do, like spur business.
The problem is that they don't have any "spare change" to take chances with, given that all they've been able to do with the central bank money that's already been printed, is to replenish their losses. They are still gun shy. And many might have learned something, although that remains to be seen.
The Fed, like most government institutions is pretty clueless about the real world. They don't have to buy groceries or gasoline like the rest of us. And when they go to work, they get to live in a nicely gilded academic world of marvelous models and discussions.
Eventually, though, a smart banker or two, they do exist, from the real world, peeks into the central bank. When they do, they mention things like, hey guys, now our balance sheets are o.k. but we don't want to be in the same place ever again. Do you think you can print a little extra money so that we can actually lend it out without taking too much risk?
And someone at the Fed, likely Mr. Beranke, seems to have gotten it, which is why the printing presses have finally been turned on into overdrive. Taking things a bit further, this is about much more than just spurring the U.S. economy. It is indeed about job creation, for an unemployed population can become dangerous.
If you believe, as we do, that the Social Cycle turns on how wealth is distributed, and on what the perception for potential advancement is, then two things have happened. One, too much money, around the world, has fallen into the hands of too few. And two, with that happening, it has become clear to the masses that even the small hope that they might have had in the past of achieving some improvement in their own existence, has now been nearly totally extinguished.
The maldistribution of wealth, and the lack of hope of ever achieving wealth, or even improvement in one's own situation, is the cause of the Arab Spring and of all the other conflicts around the world, now and throughout history. The ranks of the unemployed eventually reach hopelessness. And hopelessness reaches critical mass. This is followed by upheaval. Politics is defined as the process through which the available resources are divided. This is Economics 101. What we're seeing everywhere, in one way or another is the process through which the mechanism of wealth distribution is being rearranged. Since all other methods have failed, the most afflicted have turned to violence. This is historically well documented since the beginning of recorded time.
What the Fed's actions, correctly are trying to prevent, is the development, in the U.S., of a series of events in which a set of violent circumstances similar to the Disorder visible elsewhere in the world become inevitable. The Fed can get away with it in the U.S. for a while. Bernanke has gambled and it may pay off. He clearly hopes that it works, and so do we.
What's the take home message? The money that gets printed from now on, has a better chance of actually doing something than the money that has been printed up to now. That's because up to now, all the money has gone to replacing the money that left the vaults of stupid banks and went into the hands of the smart guys who bet correctly against the subprime disaster CDOs.
Is this a good thing? No one really knows. But it is a totally different dynamic which few in the mainstream media and the intelligentsia are speaking of. We like that. This new money, in our opinion, has a better chance to actually stimulate the real world economy, at least in the U.S., than anything that has happened or has been done so far. The alternative would have been to do nothing, and in the process, endanger the global economy further, regardless of its current state.
How do we know? If it weren't so, then we wouldn't be seeing the selling in bonds that we've seen in the last few days.
Can it last? Again, we don't know, and probably won't know for another couple of weeks or months. The one thing that we can say is that whoever wins the White House is going to have a better chance to be an economic recovery hero than Mr. Obama during his first term. Do with that what you will.
The Markets
This market remains a momentum market until proven otherwise.
The S & P 500 (SPX) made new highs two days in a row to end last week. A move above 1500 is the most likely move. That could take a bit of time to set up, though as the market is starting to get a bit overbought. We also expect a fair amount of non-believers start to get nervous in the short term. That could create a dip or two that may be worth considering as entry points.
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Spring Break in the Caribbean: Celebrity Summit Cruise Review by agathasmum
Overall Member Rating
Spring Break in the Caribbean
Destination: Southern Caribbean
Embarkation: San Juan
We just got back from this cruise with our teenage daughter and her friend and had a great time. The weather was fabulous and I wish I was still on the ship!
To set the scene....we had a C3 cabin (7194) and an inside (7210). We are Captains Club Elite, had Select dining for the first time and had purchased premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage packages in advance. We enjoy exploring the ports and don't really go to shows or organised activities on board and look to make our own entertainment.
Here are the highlights and lowlights of our trip.
Cabin was a good size and in pretty good shape. The balcony looked out over white awnings shading the cabins which jutted out below us on deck 6. We could not see directly down into the water from the balcony, which was perfect for me as I have vertigo and usually am unable to go near the edge of a side balcony. Nice CC options for room More service breakfast, but typically we just had pastries and fruit as we were up and off the ship early most mornings. Sparkling wine was nice, as were the flowers, but we had to get the latter removed as they gave me allergies.
Concierge class benefits were pretty pathetic. Bed was hard as a rock, never saw a pillow menu and the pillows we had were flat and hard. Occasionally we saw one of the plush CC towels, but usually we were given regular towels. Afternoon canapes were pretty feeble, small circles of bread with bits of fishy or cheesy paste on them, occasionally shrimp or caviar.
Cabin Steward
Sadly there were no highlights to his service. I can't help feeling that because we had select dining and all tips were prepaid, he had no real incentive to perform well.
He explained he had just come back after vacation and to let him know if he had forgotten anything. We did let him know about a few things but he chose to ignore them.
It was really hard to get him to increase our towels to 4 bath towels and 2 hand towels. In the end I left a note permanently stuck on the bathroom door. One night we returned to the cabin at 9pm and saw the steward who told us we had no towels but he was going to the laundry for them. An hour and a half later there were still no towels and no steward so we left a note on the door saying we were going to bed and to leave them outside the cabin. At 11pm he woke us up, knocking on the door and trying to get in the cabin with the towels...
At the first port visit he didn't leave beach towels in the cabin. We thought they would be available at the gangplank. They weren't. Spent half an hour trying to get towels via the concierge and room attendant. If we had been booked on an organised excursion we would probably have missed it. In the evening we left the dirty beach towels in the cabin and went to dinner. When we returned the towels were gone and the steward said we could not have more because we had not returned the originals. We insisted we had and he just said "Oh someone else must have taken them away". Here are some more. Totally unnecessary and left us feeling like he didn't really believe us.
We never got a tote bag or a "How are we doing so far" mid-cruise survey. The inside cabin never got a Passenger Questionnaire at the end of the cruise, despite a visit to guest relations and them calling the steward to deliver one. In the end I wrote a letter instead of the survey.
In a dozen cruises on Celebrity, this was by far the worst cabin service we have ever received. Hopefully it was just a one-off.
Select Dining.
This was the first time we had tried Select Dining, and from now on it will be our first choice. We reserved dining times and a table for 4 online, several months before our trip.
We requested a table for 4 and were seated in Irfan's section the first night. We enjoyed his service and requested his section for the rest of the cruise, and were accommodated there with the exception of one night when we showed up early and just needed a table for 2. We were offered a shared table for 4 with Irfan or a table for 2 with another waiter. We chose the 2 top, and the waiter again was excellent. Efficient and courteous service all round. I had been concerned that with the tips paid in advance, it would affect the level of service in the MDR but that was definitely not the case.
We were a little worried about getting wine by the glass in the dining room with the drink package. Our concerns were unfounded as the sommelier was excellent and even served us the rose prosecco which they served in the champagne bar, but which was not on the MDR wine by the glass menu, with dinner.
The Normandie.
We had one dinner in the Normandie. Sadly it didn't live up to expectations.
The service was very attentive.
I had trouble finding things on the menu I really wanted to eat. I mainly eat lighter food, fish, seafood and chicken, and tend to stay away from cream based dishes and rich, heavy foods. Unfortunately the Normandie menu was mainly made up of these, and the things I ordered really didn't wow me. The menu said that all dishes were cooked to order, but my husbands filet mignon tasted like it had been partly precooked and then finished later. He had a better version of the steak in the MDR the 2nd formal night of the trip. For us it definitely was not worth the $35 per person cover charge.
Drinks package.
We loved the drinks package as it gave us the opportunity to try out lots of non-alcoholic cocktails, frozen drinks and specialty coffees that we would otherwise not have experimented with. We thought the selections of wine by the glass and beers were quite varied and acceptable and would definitely choose this package again. I think we more than got our moneys worth!
Our teenagers (aged 16) had trouble getting served sodas either with waiter service or by sitting at the bar, especially in the waterfall cafe aft bar. They were ignored in favour of adults. Regardless of age, I believe all customers should be served in order.
The waiters in the above mentioned bar had a habit of substituting the Rose de Provence (light, crisp and dry) with White Zinfandel (heavy, sweet and headache inducing) and pretending it was the same when they ran out. It would have been better to be honest and say there were out of it and ask if I had a 2nd choice, which I did, and which was not the White Zinfandel!!!!
Spa Treatments
We had 2 couples hot stones massages on this trip. They were wonderful.
We never purchase the product recommendations offered at the end of the treatment as we are not high maintenance people and the products are very expensive. Usually one polite, but firm "No Thank You" ends the discussion. This time the sell just went on and on and on. I resent having to decline 3 or 4 times and then being blatantly asked why I won't buy the product. Totally unnecessary and unacceptable, and took away from the pleasure of the massage.
I thought that the food on board was adequate, not great but not bad either. I must say that I much prefer the old Raymond Blanc menus to the current Jacques Van Staaden ones. To me, the former were light and continental in flavour and had a lot of flair, and the latter are very bland, heavy and meat-centric, and typical fare you would find in any american restaurant. Sadly I never felt spoilt for choice, and often had to resort to the "Always Available" side of the menu.
Pastries in the Cova cafe in the morning and scones in the afternoon
Light fare in the spa cafe at lunchtime
Coq au vin in the MDR on the first night
Filet mignon in the MDR on the 2nd formal night
French fries from the grill, surreptitiously stolen from my daughters plate!
MDR version of the Mushroom Capuccino Soup from the Normandie.
MDR mushroom vol-au-vent
Evening curries in the Waterfall Buffet
English bangers
Smoked salmon
The poached egg station in the Waterfall Cafe
The Normandy version of Mushroom Capuccino - way too rich and creamy
The MDR frogs legs. Now served buffalo style, heavy and breaded instead of the old provencale style
MDR broccoli cream soup with lemon oil - tasted like a lem-sip cold remedy - nasty!
Thai style spring rolls - think they had been hanging around a while, very rubbery.
7. Ship Facilities and Organised Entertainment
The Thalossotherapy Pool - fabulous spa pool with jets and bubbling beds to lie on and a nice quiet area to read in the afternoon.
Cova Cafe - great coffee, excellent service and a perfect people-watching spot!
Aft bar was a great place to enjoy sailaway and watch spectacular sunsets
Cruise Critic get-together was nicely organised by the Summit staff and the Bridge Tour was very interesting
Comedian was funny, especially his slideshow presentation
Crows Nest type Bar was always icy cold
Champagne / Martini Bar spoilt by very loud spanish music coming up from the rendez-vous Lounge a deck below
Trivia was disappointing. I only went once and found it odd that people graded their own answer sheets and that unusually there was not a lot of good sportsmanship amongst the players.
Guest pianist show was very over the top. Sometimes less is more.
Music around the ship was definitely too loud and I don't see why music has to be piped into empty lounges. Some of us just like to sit quietly and watch the world go by.
8. Captains Club Elite Benefits
We received a sheet of coupons in our cabin. Additionally there was a complimentary daily morning coffee and evening cocktail hour in Michaels, and various behind the scenes and Bridge Tours offered for Elites. As this was a very port intensive itinerary, and as we already had the drink package we did not really participate in these.
30 items washed and folded free
$49.99 free internet package
Vase of roses, which had to be removed from the cabin due to my allergies!
9. Ports of Call
St Croix - Went to Sandcastle on the Beach with members of our Cruise Critic group. A relaxing, fun day at a really nice resort.
St Kitts - Took the ships Fan-Ta-Sea catamaran excursion with snorkelling and a lunch on Nevis. Very well organised, lovely well kept catamaran and an excellent crew.
Dominica - Arranged a customised half day tour with Reyno Tours as we really wanted to visit the Screws Sulphur Spa. Walked through the rainforest and saw the spectacular Trafalgar Falls, saw the bubbling spring at Wootten Waven, went in the Botanical Gardens and saw the scenic view at Morne Bruce.
Screws Sulphur Spa was fabulous, 4 hot pools of differing temperatures and a cold plunge pool, all set among lush landscaping. Very relaxing experience and well worth the $10 per person admission fee.
Tobago - Island Girl Catamaran private charter with our cruise critic friends. Beautifully kept catamaran ably crewed by Captain Dan and his crew. Snorkelling and a private beach followed by a delicious lunch on board, more snorkelling and then whilst under sail on our way back, we were accompanied by a group of dolphins swimming alongside and jumping out of the water. This was the best day of the trip!
Grenada - We decided to get of the ship and wander around town and head for the fort. Big mistake. We were constantly hassled by the locals be they offering taxi tours, walking tours, things to buy. They would not take no for and answer and would not leave us alone. Totally spoilt our day, and made this our least favourite port. With hindsight we should have booked a tour here.
All in all we had a great time and would not hesitate to sail Celebrity Summit again. Less
Published 04/27/11
Cabin review: C37194 Concierge Class 3
7194 C3 Cabin. The deck below juts out and their balcony is covered with a white privacy awning. This means that our cabin looked down and out onto a white expanse and then the sea. We could not look directly down and see the sea. This was a plus for me as I have vertigo and normally do not like to go near the edge of the balcony. The awning gave the illusion that the "edge" was further away so I was able to use the balcony to it's fullest. I am allergic to certain pollens and mold. I suffered bad allergies in this cabin even after the flowers were removed. I didn't see any mold in the bathroom but wonder if at some time there had been a leak and mold had formed under the carpet or in the ceilings.Read All Concierge Class 3 (C3) Reviews >>
Read Cruise Critic's Celebrity Summit Review >>
customer service, food, clean...
Fun, relaxing, great vacation!
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Anterior Hip Replacement
Dr. Goyal specializes in the anterior hip replacement. Also called a tissue-sparing approach, this procedure provides many advantages over traditional methods such as shorter recovery and increased mobility.Learn More
Partial Knee Replacement
Some joint disorders may require knee replacement. Washington DC orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Goyal is highly trained and experienced in all methods of replacement, including the partial knee replacement.Learn More
Total Knee Replacement
The knee is one of the most complex joints in the human body. For those knee disorders that require a total knee replacement, Dr. Goyal has the specialized knowledge and experience crucial to a successful outcome.Learn More
Patient Testimonials
Dr. Goyal was wonderful. He fixed my painful hip. I was at home the same day and back at work in two weeks. He did this new Direct anterior approach to hip replacement. He is a miracle worker. I am so thankful I found him.—Actual Patient Review
I found Dr. Goyal to be well credentialed as well as having an excellent bedside manner. He explained the procedure and answered all my questions. I am just sorry that I waited so long to have the procedure done.—Actual Patient Review
From the moment we met Dr. Goyal, my wife and I were so impressed. He came in with a smile and first got to know who we were and where we were from.—Actual Patient Review
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Meet Dr. Goyal
Dr. Nitin Goyal is a leading board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in handling conditions of the hip and knee in Washington DC, Northern Virginia and surrounding communities. While other orthopedic surgeons may address the entire body, Dr. Goyal is a dedicated specialist in surgical treatment of the hip and knee, giving him absolute expertise in his field of practice. He believes in cultivating a strong doctor-patient relationship, as well as total adherence to surgical principles, as these qualities result in the best possible outcome. His numerous happy patients will gladly tell you that he may just be the best orthopedic surgeon Washington DC has to offer.
After receiving his medical degree at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Dr. Goyal continued his medical education with a residency in orthopaedic surgery at the prestigious Rothman Institute, where he earned the Everett J. Gordon award as Chief Orthopaedic Resident for his display of "the most outstanding clinical and surgical achievement." He is a member of the American Association of Hip & Knee Surgeons as well as the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Specializing in Anterior Approach
Traditional hip replacement surgery has long utilized an incision made in the rear, or posterior, portion of the hip. This requires cutting through many muscles. Following traditional hip replacement surgery methods, weakening muscles and damage to the capsule around the back of the hip increase the risk of dislocation.
The anterior approach to hip replacement—also called a minimally invasive, tissue-sparing approach—contains many advantages not seen in the posterior approach. The anterior approach utilizes an incision made in the front of the thigh. Due to the anatomy of the leg, this placement allows the surgeon to work between the muscles rather than cut through them. In general, this produces less pain, a shortened recovery and improved motion in the hip because the muscles do not lose their strength during the surgery. Dr. Goyal is very pleased to provide the anterior approach and is constantly striving to provide the very best hip replacement Washington DC and Northern Virginia have available.
Advantages to the anterior approach include:
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While the anterior approach to hip replacement is more advantageous to the patient, it is significantly more complex. In any type of hip replacement, the skill of the doctor is the most important factor, but this is even truer of the anterior approach. It is important to see a doctor who can perform competently. Call our office to find out more about Dr. Goyal's proficiency in the anterior approach to hip replacement in his Washington DC practice.
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While Dr. Goyal is a premier knee and hip replacement surgeon in Northern Virginia, his expertise also extends to those patients who need revision surgery of their previous hip or knee replacement. Over time, many hip and knee implants may be subjected to wear. Additionally, a hip implant may dislocate or the implant site may become infected for a number of reasons. Complex revision surgery is intended to fix any one of these issues and several others, including:
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TADLEY RFC moved away from the foot of the Southern Counties North table with a hard-earned 31-22 win away at bottom side Slough.
Slough led 10-0 after 30 minutes, but the visitors hit back before the break, scrum-half Thomas Bailey diving over to make it 10-7.
Tadley took the lead when full-back Mark Davies scored to make it 12-10 and an excellent team move resulted in a try for centre Paul Denning, while Brad Ineson was next to score, dotting down under the posts.
Slough pulled a try back to make it 24-15 but Tadley made sure of the win as another great move resulted in a second try for Ineson.
Slough scored a third try, but they were unable to make further inroads into the Tadley lead.
The Red Lane side face a tough test this weekend, hosting third-placed Milton Keynes.


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Nixon Tribella watch
About 95% of the 80s-inspired fashion I can completely do without. This watch however somehow has won me over. It's clearly 80s, being plastic, angular, a bangle-watch hybrid and hot pink, but it also has a modern sophistication about it. The watch is discreet and it the hot pink is too frightening, it also comes in black!
old school--for our 8-bit inner selves.Tags: fashion, computers, watches, Apple, video games, accessories, retro, style, MacAdded 9 Years Ago from Gizmine


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Home > Specials > Unusual Tales > Article
Washington: A 92-year-old man on his way to buy groceries spotted a person straddling a bridge railing, stopped his car and, with the help of a passing motorist, wrestled the man to the ground and sat on him to prevent him from committing suicide.
George Kouloheras was joined by Bob Michalczyk, 42, in saving the distraught man on Saturday in Lowell, Massachusetts.
Mr Kouloheras said he asked the man: "Why do you want to jump? Life is wonderful."
"God wants me to die," the man answered.
But Mr Kouloheras was unrelenting. "Everyone has a purpose in life," he said. "You just have to find yours. Then you'll get to be as old as me."
Eighty years ago, as a boy scout, Mr Kouloheras ran into a burning building to save a baby.
Mr Kouloheras handed the man over to authorities, who took him to a hospital for treatment.
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- December 2009 > Wellness Wise
Neither stress nor holiday weight gain need ruin your holidays this year. Here are tips about eating habits and foods that can boost your mood when a stressful situation strikes. You'll feel calmer–and be trimmer–throughout the holiday season.
How Blood Sugar Alters Your Mood
The best way to cope with holiday stress and obligations is to keep your mood and energy stable. You'll not only feel better, but will be much less likely to overeat.
"Choosing foods that your body absorbs slowly keeps blood sugar steady, maintaining your feelings on an even keel," says Elizabeth Somer, RD, author of Food & Mood. Slow-digesting foods include whole-grain cereal with milk, brown rice with salmon or chicken breast, a peanut butter sandwich on whole-wheat bread, or a spinach salad and half a turkey sandwich with milk. You want to eat either quality carbohydrates or carbohydrates mixed with protein, she says.
Foods that absorb quickly, such as sugar, white bread, or anything refined, spike blood sugar high; then cause it to suddenly crash. After a crash, you'll feel crabby and hungry, and end up grabbing chocolate bars or candy -- setting yourself up for yet another blood sugar dive, Somer says.
Boost Your Mood With Feel-Good Serotonin
High-protein diets may help you drop pounds, but they won't do much to raise your spirits. That's because your body craves serotonin, the feel-good chemical found in foods that boost your mood.
"Carbohydrates are essential for moving tryptophan (the amino acid that makes up serotonin) across the brain," says Susan M. Kleiner, PhD, RD, co-author of The Good Mood Diet. When your blood sugar drops, less carbohydrate is available in the bloodstream; less tryptophan moves across into the brain and your mood can plummet.
In fact, researchers at Arizona State University found that after just two weeks, a very low-carb diet increased fatigue and reduced the desire of overweight adults to exercise.
Serotonin fights holiday weight gain, too. "It tells you when you've had enough by causing satiety (a feeling of fullness) and reducing your appetite," says Judith J. Wurtman, PhD, co-author of The Serotonin Power Diet.
Nix Stress-Induced Mood Swings
Although experts generally advise avoiding simple carbs, afternoon mood swings beg for fast fixes.
"If you feel grumpy in the afternoon, eat only carbohydrates," Somer says. Eating protein with carbs blocks serotonin production, while high-fat foods keep digestion slow. Wurtman agrees. "When you're stressed, reach for carbs -- simple sugars that digest quickly," she says. "Bingeing on simple carbohydrates is your body's natural way of dealing with stress -- but you can't include protein or fat."
"Abort an afternoon stress binge with a power gel called Gu," Wurtman says. "It's made of pure sugar (glucose), contains 100 calories and zero fat, and is digested quickly; allowing serotonin to make you feel better fast." Research conducted in Wurtman's weight loss center showed that women who consumed a pack of Gu found it so sweet and filling that they had no desire for more.
Keep in mind that Gu takes time to work, she tells WebMD. Glucose may be a quick fix, but it isn't instant. Tell yourself, "I know this is going to work," Just eat your snack; then distract yourself with something you enjoy. In 20 minutes, the food you've consumed will abort bingeing on high-sugar, high-fat foods like weight loss sabotaging holiday treats.
If Gu is not for you, Wurtman recommends trying low-fat foods with carbs such as a baked potato, graham crackers, popcorn, pretzels, or low-fat cereal, which is also loaded with healthy fiber.
Food and Diet Tips to Keep Your Mood Stable
Besides carbohydrates, studies indicate that many other foods -- along with healthful eating habits -- may help our moods and somewhat ease depression.
Frequent small meals: Eating frequent, small meals of healthy foods helps keep your blood sugar levels even, avoiding diet-related mood swings. Eat a small meal or snack every three to four hours to give you sustained energy and keep your blood sugar stable.
Fight Holiday Weight Gain
It's easy to feel overwhelmed during the holiday season -- what with shopping, parties, decorating, baking, and the inevitable stress of unwanted obligations. But a healthy diet not only helps boost your mood, it also helps you fight holiday weight gain. Try these tips to get through the holiday season in a good mood without gaining weight:
Fall and winter tend to increase carbohydrate cravings. "Instead of trying to ignore them or reaching for chocolate, cookies or ice cream, plan portion-controlled carb snacks at least once or twice a day, such as 3/4 cup of crunchy cereal," Wurtman says. They'll help keep your mood even and your waistline small.
Reap the Rewards
"Alter your eating habits, and you'll notice a change within just two weeks," Somer says. "Your body will reward you with more energy, and your mind with a calmer, positive, more stable mood."
During the stress-filled holiday season, who could ask for more?
SOURCES: Elizabeth Somer, RD, author of Food & Mood.Judith J. Wurtman, PhD, co-author of The Serotonin Power Diet; co-founder of the Adara weight loss centers.Susan M. Kleiner, PhD, RD, co-author of The Good Mood Diet.Wurtman, R.J. Scientific American, January 1989: pp 68-75.White, A.M. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, October 2007; vol 107: pp 1792-1796.WebMD Weight Loss Clinic-Feature: "Top 10 Ways to Boost Your Energy." WebMD Medical Reference: "Diet for Depression."
Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD on 9/30/2008
© 2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
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Tourism Hotline : 1912(Hotline service is only available when dialed within Sri Lanka)
The latest issue of leading Chinese newspaper, China Daily Asia Weekly has carried an article on Sri Lanka Tourism stating that "Sri Lanka is all set to transform its tourism sector and make it the largest foreign exchange earner by attracting 2.5 million tourists in year 2016.On its path for expanding tourism sector a heavy focus has been given to attract Chinese tourists and investors alike". The cover story of the has highlighted that Sri Lanka is becoming one of the most sought after new holiday destinations for Chinese travelers who seek a mix bag of exotic experience and exciting travel.
Raving the richness of Sri Lanka's diverse landscape, the China Daily comments: "With its golden beaches, towering mountains, ancient monuments and stunning wildlife all enclosed in a compact island, Sri Lanka is pretty much the perfect holiday destination". The article features views of various Sri Lanka tourism industry authorities and other stakeholders capturing their thoughts on the Chinese market tourism promotions and investments. "Tourism is a key revenue-generating sector of the Sri Lankan economy and we have identified China and a few other countries as the potential market to promote our tourism, We are also planning to take part in five international travel fairs and organize familiarization tours for around 200 foreign journalists and tour operators in 2014." Last year, the three-day Sri Lanka Shines in Beijing campaign was conducted in the Chinese capital, while promotional campaigns and a 200-bus branding exercise we carried out in the major Chinese cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Guangzhou for a period of six months." the top management of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau has mentioned to China Daily Asia Weekly.
Mr. Nishantha Wickremasinghe, chairman of Sri Lankan Airlines has revealed that "China is a main focus in Sri Lankan Airlines' marketing and promotional plans, as the future of the travel industry is in this region. We are also making every effort to welcome Chinese to Sri Lanka and provide the necessary facilities on board as well as on the ground. Chinese-speaking passenger relations officers have been recruited to travel on flights to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong" explain their plans to capture travelers from this growing market.
The article goes on to explain that according to Mahinda Chinthana Development Policy Framework the measures have been taken by the Ministry of Economic Development to promote upscale tourism in Sri Lanka. "Spending per tourist per day is expected to rise over $200 during the next ten years," the document has said. "Eco-luxurious experiences for upscale tourists will be ensured. International shopping facilities will be promoted in major cities to assure shopping experiences for tourists." The multiplier effect in the tourism sector is also envisaged in the construction, furniture, transport and food and beverage industries. Estimates suggest that these sectors will provide employment for about 100,000 people along with the new investments.
The government is also planning to improve the productivity of the tourism industry, through building professionalism in the travel and hotel industries. The private sector will be encouraged to set up human resource development centers to meet the emerging needs of the tourism industry locally and abroad. The article concludes in a statement saying that: "Increasing Chinese tourists and Chinese investments in the Sri Lanka tourism sector will ensure economic growth in the island."
Currently the Chinese tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka is on a steady rise with 224% growth recorded in January 2014 reflecting the effectiveness of the promotional campaigns executed in year 2013 onwards.The latest jump shows encouraging signs as the Government of Sri Lanka's vigorous campaigns to capture a slice out of the growing Chinese outbound tourism market. According to the China Tourism Academy, the number of Chinese tourists going abroad is set to rise from 83 million in 2012 to more than 200 million by 2020.
Click Here to download 'Sri Lanka Preparing For Tourism Boom Article' PDF
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RepairPal is your advocate for car care advice and guidance
Q: oil reset messege on 1999 Chevrolet 2500 Pickup
How to reset oil change
So you had your oil changed or changed it yourself on you GM vehicle and the little light on the dashboard still says "Change Oil Soon". Your owner's manual should tell you how to reset it, however it's hidden away in one chapter or another.Here are the two easiest ways for most GMs.
First you need to turn your car On. This is not starting the car! Turn the key two "clicks" forward. All the dashboard lights should come on, along with the radio and odometer.
If your GM has the four buttons on the dashboard with all sorts of information:
One button should have a road or "i" on it. Pushing this button will show your mileage, tire pressure, operating temperature, and all sorts of other stuff.
You are looking for "oil life ##%". Once you find this, press and hold the button with the checkmark on it. After 5-10 seconds it should flash "oil life reset". Tada!
If your vehicle does not have the buttons mentioned above:
Turn the car "On" (without starting car!!)
Press the gas pedal all the way to the floor 3 times within 5 seconds. This is trickier than it sounds. It must be pressed ALL the way to the floor ALL 3 times.
Then wait 5-10 seconds. The Change Oil Soon light should blink then go out. If not, turn the car off and go through the steps again.
Read more: How to Reset Change Oil Light on GMs, Chevrolet | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4663244_change-oil-light-gms-chevrolet.html#ixzz1FkudcURK
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"If you don't know where you're going, you'll end up someplace else." --Yogi Berra
At Wheaton, career preparation happens by design, not by accident. To create your own design--or road map--you have to know who you are and where you want to go. There are many self-assessment tools available to help you in your exploration. By knowing yourself, you can be sure that your decisions are based on your talents, skills, interests and values--not someone else's ideas of what's best for you. The links at right offer resources on careers that fit specific majors, plus information on self-discovery.


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A former Sarasota, Florida police officer is suing for discrimination after he was fired from his job after repeatedly turning up to work hung over.
Sgt. Clinton Knowles claims that the Sarasota Police Department discriminated against under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1992 on the grounds that "alcoholism [is] a recognized disability or handicap."
Local media obtained a copy of Knowles' internal investigation report, which included Knowles harassing and man-handling a pair of women at a local bar, and being regularly unavailable to perform his duty as a member of the S.W.A.T. team.
The law might be partially on his side, as the Americans with Disabilities Act states that a person who is an alcoholic is "protected by the ADA if s/he is qualified to perform the essential functions of the job. An employer may be required to provide an accommodation to an alcoholic." However the Act also states that an employer can "discipline, discharge or deny employment to an alcoholic."


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Wesley Snipes, who was arrested Friday morning Dec 8th and pleaded not guilty to tax fraud charges.
He was first arrested on tax fraud on Friday morning Dec 8th. But Wesley Snipes was later on pleaded not guilty when he surrendered to government officials in Orlando.
Snipes, charged with fraudulently claiming nearly $12 million in tax refunds and failing to file returns from 1999 through 2004, pleaded not guilty to all charges and was freed on $1 million bond. The actor was ordered back in court for another hearing on Jan. 10 next year.
"I look forward to clearing my name and resolving this issue post haste," Snipes told reporters following the ruling. Also his lawyer added, "We believe the evidence in the case will show he has been the victim of unscrupulous tax advice. And this trial will help vindicate him."


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Traffic Advisory: Kelly Drive Detour-Dragon Boat Race
The Kelly Drive will be closed on Saturday, June 1, 2013, 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM, for the Independence Dragon Boat Regatta. The Kelly Drive will be detoured from the Strawberry Mansion Bridge to Fountain Green Drive.
Southbound Kelly Drive traffic will be detoured up the Strawberry Mansion ramp to Fountain Green Drive, via Reservoir Drive.
Northbound Kelly Drive will be detoured up Fountain Green Drive, along the same route.
Sufficient detour signs will be posted along the detour routes. Delays should be minimal.
For more information about this race please visit http://www.independencedragonboat.com/


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The 'Les Miserables' actress is honored with Lacoste Spotlight Award, and Collins' film receives the award for Excellence in Fantasy Film at the 2013 Costume Designer Guild Awards.
Anne Hathaway, Lily Collins, Ginnifer Goodwin and many others attended the 2013 Costume Designer Guild Awards at Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California on Tuesday, February 19, 2013. Wearing Gucci dress and bag, Julieri studs and Kwiat bangles, Hathaway was honored with Lacoste Spotlight Award that night.
Collins' "Mirror Mirror" won the award for Excellence in Fantasy Film. She wore a black floor-length dress which featured a deep V-neck. She showed off a cream oversize bow behind her outfit which made her stand out.
Ashley Madekwe was also spotted on the red carpet wearing a J.Mendel outfit, Christian Louboutin shoes, Hayward Black clutch, and David Yurman ring, while Christa B. Allen was wearing a Rafael Cennamo Couture dress and Armani shoes.
Ginnifer Goodwin who was wearing a red dress was joined by her boyfriend, Josh Dallas. Both were scheduled to present an award at the ceremony. The 34-year-old actress wore a Nonoo dress, Christian Louboutin shoes, and Roger Vivier clutch, while Dallas wore an Ermenegildo Zegna suit.
Wearing a Prada dress, Giuseppe Zanotti shoes, Jimmy Choo clutch, and Ippolita earrings, Amy Poehler was joined by her "Saturday Night Live" co-stars, Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph. Along with Rudolph, Poehler presented the Distinguished Collaborator Award to "SNL" Executive Producer Lorne Michaels, while Wiig was also scheduled to hand out a trophy on the evening.


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NK-A taxes go up — again
The VND's top story on June 27 was "New Ken-Arnold taxes balloon 7 percent." The headline should have read taxes balloon "again."
This if the fifth straight year with a tax hike. This time, the increase is $77 on a $15,000 assessed value — a lot of money for some of our citizens.
Superintendent John Pallone points the finger at salaries, benefits and pension contributions. Yes, these costs play a role, but he should add mismanagement to the list.
Since the current board majority took office, we have some of the lowest test scores in the state. We're broke. The board squandered a reserve fund of over $9 million. We're selling our newest building and keeping the old ones.
We spent millions on the football stadium. We have busing, which we managed without for years. Our superintendent has no background in education.
Pallone was doing such a lousy job as our state representative that he lost to a Republican in a heavily Democrat district. So we hired him to run our schools.
How many more tax increases with nothing to show for them are we going face? There are five board members and one superintendent running the NK-A show and the show is a joke.
The students in our public schools are our hope for the future. Public education made America what it is today.
I don't mind paying for results, but I won't stand for my money being wasted and mismanaged. That's what we have now at NK-A. Let's do something about it.
Bill Charlton
The writer is former NK-A board member.