text:
Topic: Our Miracle Man has done it again!!
Just returned home from the RAD-Man and the PET showed no new signs of anything and the little monster is still shrinking from the Cyber Knife. Next PET in September. I am sending Teddy to Milwaukee for 2 weeks the end of July to visit all the kids. I honestly felt I just wanted to stay home and have 2 weeks to do whatever I felt like doing! Long overdue.
For all you newcomers, August 24th will be Teddy's 4 year anniversary since his Whipple Surgeries. His first was aborted after 4 hours as the dye from the endoscopy had leaked on his pancreas and the doctor needed a "firm" pancreas so he could cut the head to get to the bile duct valve. Between surgeries he developed a double E-Coli infection. The "real" Whipple was totally successful and after 3 months in a Milwaukee hospital (we had been visiting the kids) we flew back to Phoenix. We were 45 minutes from Phoenix and both tubes he had blew out of his stomach! They wrapped him in airplane blankets as he had soaked everything. Then 2 weeks after we were home he developed a tiny hole at the resection. He went in to rehab for a month on NOTHING but an IV in hopes the hole would heal on it's own and it did. Last April the cancer returned where his duodenum used to be. He had radiation over the summer and in December had cyber knife to stomp it dead! It worked and he is doing great. He will be 77 in October, golfs once a week and in September may be going back to work part time. HOPE..ATTITUDE..FAITH those are the fuels he runs on!


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In addition, the Create-a-Superstar returns, letting you customize your own character, play as him through the career mode and become the next superstar. You can also use the new Create-A-Finisher feature to make a unique finishing move by chaining together 10 different animations out of over 500.
In addition to tag matches, there are 14 one-on-one match types including the Inferno, Gauntlet, Falls Count Anywhere, Steel Cage and Ladder matches, and even a Backstage Brawl.
Road to Wrestlemania Mode
The single player Road to Wrestlemania mode offers a deep and diverse story line that is filled with brand defections, team building, and strategic alliances. You can choose from Triple H, CM Punk, The Undertaker, John Cena, and Chris Jericho to play in this single-player mode. There is also a story line for co-operative play, in which players control Batista and Rey Mysterio. The story lines are so custom tailored and well done that you might find them more compelling than what you see on television.
WWE fans and fighting game fans alike will both love this latest game, giving them a chance to grapple as their favorite superstars.
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text:
You won't be able to dismiss this by usual means (escape or click button), but you can close it programatically based on user choices or actions.
"The paper was nice, but not super thick (which is what we wanted). The printing looks very nice. The font is on the smaller side, but it was exactly what we expected. Also you are able to adjust the text size if you ask the designer."
"I am SOO obsessed with how our invitations turned out. We were able to customize our invites to be the main color of our wedding!! Such a perfect find."
"We used this for our wedding invitations and customized the silhouette color to Verbena to fit our wedding colors. I also asked Wedding Paper Divas to customize the wording since the site of our reception was different from the ceremony. The designer did this for me; no problem. We were married in Hawaii and the site of our ceremony was similar to the card design, which is why we picked this one. It's a beautiful, classic design, and simple enough not to distract from the wording of the invitation. I received a lot of compliments on these invitations and highly recommend them!"
"Love these. I read the earlier reviews and made the font as big as it could go and made a note about the color to customer service. Everything went very well. I recommend them!"
"After ordering the sample in eggshell- I wanted to make the lace border a bit more defined. Regina- the designer that I worked with was amazing! We went back and forth a few times (she probably thought I was crazy because I kept having her change the color haha) about the color of the border until I was 100% happy with everything. I ordered the invites in Cashmere Pink and they are exactly what I wanted. The paper quality was great also- great for the look I was going for. These invites are perfect for our vintage wedding this June. Highly recommend!"


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My Masks Show...Riddles are little poems or phrases that pose a question that needs answering. Riddles frequently rhyme, but this is not a requirement.
My masks show satisfaction, taste, and glamour,
Gifts from me, with manhood, grit and strength.
Why do the blind with my mystique enamor?
Regret and slavery lurk along my length!
My vapors strew the stench of gasping death,
Yet millions daily light and fondle me.
I plant disease and pain with every breath,
That young inhale and elders cannot flee!
Smoke and mirrors conjure up the mood
That hucksters loud and blatantly proclaim.
Though suffering and doom both darkly brood!
Are you able after this to guess my name?
HintRemember the Marlboro cowboy?
AnswerA cigarette
The real "benefits" of smoking are slavery to addiction, along with sickness and agonizing death. Plus, smokers pay an ever increasing price for these "advantages" too!
According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 1.3 billion people worldwide are smokers. Around 5.4 million deaths a year are caused by tobacco. 1.2 million in China die from smoking related diseases. Over 443,000 Americans die from smoking annually; 50,000 of these deaths are caused by secondhand smoke.
What Next?
See another brain teaser just like this one...
Or, just get a random brain teaser
If you become a registered user you can vote on this riddle, keep track of
which ones you have seen, and even make your own.
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text:
Africa is a continent on the rise, with growing economies and the youngest population in the world. With fifty percent of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa under the age of 18, there is extraordinary potential for this generation of youth to shape the future of the continent in powerful ways. However, more than 200 million of these children currently live in extreme poverty, over 15 million children have lost one or both parents to AIDS, and millions more are affected by conflict and natural disaster.
Pending final Congressional approval, USAID expects to implement up to $150 million in this fiscal year to address the root causes of crime and violence in Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. Of this amount, approximately $50 million is specifically designated programs for at-risk youth. Through the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI), we are investing in opportunities for youth and their communities and strengthening the institutions charged with administering justice to keep people safe. Our services for at-risk youth, job training, community policing, safe urban spaces and juvenile justice programs complement the youth-focused cultural and educational programs as well as the law enforcement and interdiction activities led by our inter-agency partners.
Under the leadership of President Obama, the United States has put gender equality and the advancement of women and girls at the forefront of the three pillars of U.S. foreign policy–diplomacy, development, and defense. This is embodied in the President's National Security Strategy, the Presidential Policy Directive on Global Development, and the 2010 U.S. Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review. Women's empowerment is critical to USAID's core mission of ending extreme poverty and promoting resilient, democratic societies while advancing our security and prosperity and addressing pressing health and education challenges.
President Obama set forth a new vision of a results-driven USAID that would lead the world in development. We have risen to this challenge, pioneering a new model of development that emphasizes partnerships, innovation, and results. We are guided in these efforts by a new mission statement: we partner to end extreme poverty and promote resilient democratic societies while advancing our security and prosperity. Combating wildlife trafficking and the promotion of conservation are critically important to USAID and our mission. Conservation, which includes combating wildlife trafficking, is fundamental to human development and in achieving sustainable development.
This afternoon, I want to share with you our perspective on the vital role of U.S. foreign assistance in this region and how USAID's development programs address regional challenges and advance American interests. Across the East Asia-Pacific, USAID has eight field missions that provide support to 22 countries. By nature of our mission, to end extreme poverty and promote resilient, democratic societies, USAID advances U.S. security and prosperity while furthering the core objectives of the Administration's Rebalance to the Asia-Pacific. The President's robust Fiscal Year 2015 budget request of $810.7 million for Department of State and USAID assistance in East Asia and the Pacific enables USAID to continue helping to lay the foundations for lasting progress in the region.
In Mexico, as in the rest of the region, USAID is increasingly focused on helping the region's governments promote the rule of law and reduce crime and violence, while furthering respect for human rights. This is a matter of national security for the United States, as my colleagues have just noted, as well as an economic and political imperative for the affected countries. Continued insecurity is a severe drain on private and public investment in the Americas, a leading constraint to economic growth in some countries, and is also arguably the greatest threat to democracy in the affected countries.
USAID partners around the world to end extreme poverty and promote resilient, democratic societies, while advancing our security and prosperity. Our work in Northern Nigeria highlights the nexus between security, stability and poverty reduction. We are committed to working with Nigeria to build a peaceful society that promotes inclusive economic growth and lifts its citizens out of poverty.
One month ago, Boko Haram militants kidnapped more than 250 young girls from their school in an attack so shocking it mobilized the world behind returning these girls to their families. But this latest brutality was not an isolated incident. For years, Boko Haram has terrorized the people of Northern Nigeria through bombings, kidnapping, and sexual violence.
In 2011, President Obama said: "Asia will largely define whether the century ahead will be marked by conflict or cooperation, needless suffering or human progress." With one-fifth of the world's population—a third of which is living in extreme poverty—South Asia is a central focus of U.S. development assistance to ensure that the coming century is one marked by cooperation and human progress that extends mutual prosperity and security across the Asia-Pacific region.
Nowhere in the world is development such an important part of U.S. engagement efforts as it is in Africa, and the changing tide on the continent requires a new style of engagement. Today, Africans are the architects of their development, not just beneficiaries. Donors support their plans, they do not dictate them. Citizens demand democracy, not autocracy, and they are seizing the opportunities that come with better education, better health, and better public services.
Last updated: November 28, 2014
Find out about career opportunities at USAID
Learn how you can get involved and lend a hand.
Find business and funding opportunities.
Make a general inquiry or suggest an improvement.


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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/10/2013 (1408 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
It used to take two to tango; now it takes three.
Concerts, that is.
The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra added a third concert to its season-opening weekend, the Art of the Tango, featuring the popular trumpeter Michael Philip Mossman.
Mossman -- also a composer, arranger and director of jazz studies at the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College in New York -- performed with the WJO last November in a program called Mambo Nights.
If you're sensing a trend here, it's no surprise, and no secret. Mossman has performed and/or recorded with Latin jazz greats such as Machito, Tito Puente and Dizzy Gillespie. He garnered a Grammy nomination this year for his arrangement of Afro-Latin Suite for Ellington on the Bobby Sanabria recording Multiverse.
Winnipeg singer Sheena Rattai, a former University of Manitoba jazz studies student and a member of the band Red Moon Road joins Mossman and the WJO for the concerts.
What would a tango-themed show be without tango-master Astor Piazzolla's music, in this case Libertango and Tanguango, or a little something from the great composer Antonio Carlos Jobim, Wave, all arranged by Mossman?
Mossman is bringing almost all the music, WJO artistic director and trumpeter Richard Gillis says, including Mossman's arrangement of the classic Lionel Hampton showcase Flying Home and his compositions Atestacion, El Tango Loco, Justica de Oya, Mayte's Allen Room Caper and Tanganova.
WJO trombonist Jeff Presslaff is arranging a piece by saxophonist Ken Gold (Tango para Rosalba).
In last season's Mambo Nights show, Mossman proved himself to be a triple threat: a great trumpet player, composer and arranger. He seems prepared to repeat himself.
The WJO's Art of the Tango concerts are Saturday, Oct. 26, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 27, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. Tickets are available at winnipegjazzorchestra.com for $34 and $15 for students.
-- -- --
American jazz singer Vanessa Rubin had a successful stage run in Yesterdays: An Evening with Billie Holiday and reprises that performance in three concerts as part of the Izzy Asper Jazz Performances series Oct. 26 and 27.
The show tells the story of Holiday's tragic life through a fictionalization of the celebrated vocalist's last club appearance.
Rubin credits an early performance of God Bless the Child, a song long associated with Holiday, as a key moment in her becoming a jazz singer instead of a journalist. Yet, at the time she didn't realize it was a Holiday trademark.
Rubin and a college friend entered a beauty pageant as a joke, and even though she was a dancer decided to sing for the talent portion of the contest, she said in an interview with the iRock Jazz website in August.
"At the time I didn't know much about Billie Holiday... I don't know how I got to God Bless the Child, but that was the song I chose to sing. It wasn't because of Billie Holiday; it was just learning a standard," she said in the interview. "At the time a light went off and I said, 'Wow, I did pretty good. Maybe I should consider this for something I would like to do as well, in terms of work.'
"It definitely was an 'aha' moment, as some people would call it."
Rubin will be accompanied in her Winnipeg shows by bassist Steve Kirby, drummer Quincy Davis, pianist Will Bonness and trumpeter Derrick Gardner, University of Manitoba jazz studies professors.
Yesterdays: An Evening with Billie Holiday concerts will be held Saturday, Oct. 26, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 27, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Berney Theatre at the Rady Jewish Community Centre. Tickets are $38 at radyjcc.com/ticketcentral and 204-477-7534.
-- -- --
Winnipeg singer Erin Propp has been hitting a lot of milestones of late.
She turned 30 on Sept. 17, she and her husband Chris are expecting their first child on Nov. 14 and on Oct. 6, she and musical collaborator guitarist Larry Roy won the Western Canadian Music Award for Jazz Recording of the Year for their debut Courage, My Love, which was released late last year.
That's a lot to pack into a short time, considering milestones are usually spread out over years, not weeks.
"It does feel like a big year. I'm thankful for all that has happened," says Propp, whose plan to drive to Calgary with Chris to attend the awards ceremony was scuttled by her doctor.
Propp had some initial concerns about being up against well-known singer Jill Barber, but adds, "I thought we deserved to be there. Our production values held up to everyone else."


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Screen Style: Gossip Girl
Coco Before Chanel, Anne Fontaine's eagerly awaited biopic of Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, hits theaters today. The film's costume designer, Catherine Leterrier, let us in on the experience of re-creating the wardrobe of a fashion legend ("I was thrilled and scared, as you can imagine"). Here, she explains the lasting influence of Chanel's androgynous-chic style and why Audrey Tautou was the perfect muse.
On Chanel's enviable beauty:
"We know Chanel from the pictures of her in her seventies—she died when she was over 80. She was chic, but she was old! When I did all this research on her younger period, I saw how stunning she was, and how modern. She could be in ELLE magazine now! Madeleine Vionnet, Jeanne Lanvin—they were divine designers, but nobody wanted to look like them. Chanel was a star immediately, even before she was really successful, because she was so good-looking. Everything she had on herself, everybody wanted to have immediately."
Victoria Beckham Cover Shoot


text:
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/1/2012 (2044 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
They don't call us the 'heart of the continent' for nothing. Winnipeg sponsors more refugees than any other community in Canada. And Africans are our newest and fastest-growing group of refugees.
Today we present the Africa edition, a Free Press editorial project designed to explore the city and province's ties to the continent.
The newsroom has been working on it for several months, co-ordinated by deputy editor Julie Carl.
There are more than 30,000 Africans currently living in the province, and in many small ways, as the stories on the following pages will show, they have had an impact on our schools, workplaces, community centres and churches.
Reporter Larry Kusch found almost a dozen powerful non-governmental organizations headquartered in Winnipeg -- including the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Canadian Lutheran World Relief and Mennonite Central Committee -- that have been making a difference in Africa for decades. Read Larry's story.
Add in people like Kathy Knowles and Anne Mahon and Tom Denton, and you discover a remarkable number of local people with their hands and hearts in Africa.
This is a significant time for this edition. Fifty years ago, in 1962, Canada finally removed racial discrimination from its immigration policy.
Up until then we had a 'preferred nationalities' system that discouraged Chinese, East Indian and 'Black' immigrants. Canada led the way on the issue, opening the nation's doors to all qualified peoples regardless of race or colour, inspiring Australia (in 1973) and the United States (in 1978) to follow suit.
Today, immigration is the lifeblood of this province. If not for its aggressive and successful immigration strategy, the province and its economy would be shrinking. We welcomed more than 15,000 immigrants last year alone.
On the following pages, you will find an array of news stories, from overwhelmed immigration services to climate change, from successful entrepreneurs to life-transforming driving lessons, from gang recruitment to after-school programs.
We thank Sen. Roméo Dallaire for his guest editorial for the edition, on page A10. And John Longhurst for his extraordinary 'Lessons Learned,' which give us a glimpse of the impact of Africa on local volunteers.
Just for fun, reporter Carol Sanders talked to an array of Africans on why they came and their first impressions of Canada. The word 'cold' kept cropping up, for some reason. Read Carol's "Faces of Africa."
On one of the coldest days of the year, we offer a bridge to somewhere warm. Welcome to the Africa edition.


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THE SQL Server Blog Spot on the Web
The Azure team keep rolling out improvements at an amazing
pace. Scott Guthrie posted
recently about the latest set of changes. Here are the ones that I think
are most important for SQL people:
Import/Export Hard
Even though Azure storage accounts can hold a very large amount
of data, one of the big questions has always been about how to get that data
into the storage account in the first place. That question is now answered
because the new Windows Azure Import/Export service lets you ship hard drives
directly to the Azure team for uploading. The reverse is also available. If you
export a large amount of data to a storage account, you can move it onto a hard
drive and have the drive sent to you.
Currently the service uses FedEx for transport. If you are
concerned about the security of data in transit, bit locker encryption is also
supported in both directions.
HDInsight Out of
Preview Mode
HDInsight has made its way out of preview and into general
availability. It allows you to process large volumes of data (in Azure Storage)
using Apache Hadoop tools (including Pig and Hive).
HDInsight gives you a way of rapidly (and economically)
spinning up a Hadoop cluster when you need one, and shut it down again when you
are done.
Virtual Machine
As the number of virtual machine images has continued to
grow, it's been getting harder and harder to find the image that you want when
creating a new virtual machine. UI changes have been made to make this easier.
One of the discussions that the team has been having lately
is around how long images should be kept. For example, once SQL Server 2014
ships, should images of SQL Server 2008 R2, or SQL Server 2008 also be kept? I'd
like to see them all kept but I'm not sure how much ongoing maintenance that is
for the team. Also, if they are all kept, should they only keep the version with
the operating system that was the most current at the time? If anyone has
strong opinions on this, I'd love to hear them and I'll pass them on.
General Changes
You can now configure endpoint security using PowerShell.
You can now configure alerts related to billing. You can get
an email when you bill exceeds a given threshold. One thing I'd really like to
see (which isn't there yet) is the ability to simply have your bill emailed to
you each month, even when it's prepaid. Does anyone else feel the need for
For further details on areas that I haven't mentioned, you'll
find Scott's post here: http://weblogs.asp.net/scottgu/archive/2013/11/04/windows-azure-import-export-hard-drives-vm-acls-web-sockets-remote-debugging-continuous-delivery-new-relic-billing-alerts-and-more.aspx
If you would like to receive an email when updates are made to this post, please register here
Subscribe to this post's comments using
Definitely keep images of older versions
Azure is a great place to spin up a couple of machines to replicate an issue or develop and test a solution to a problem and we (as users of Azure) will be working with older versions and needing to support them and therefore will make use of those images. Don't take that option away. It's something I am relying on more and more now. I can recreate a problem on a server quickly. I can set up in 15 minutes with my Powershell scripts and work on it or I can work on an improvement to a process thats going to be touching those older versions because thats what I face in my job
I would be upset if that went away and yes on the latest OS at the time. I plan to upgrade my OS if those databases move to 2012 or beyond


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Iz bored, so I made dis.
Tell me if anything there is to improve, k?
Iz bored, so I made dis.
Tell me if anything there is to improve, k?
Ist cool.
Pretty epicsweet!
Hmm.. the only thing that I think you could have done is maybe have a little less empty space. It is mostly just a nitpick, but if it had been tightened up a bit more I think it would have been perfect.
Nice. Blood and blur is great.
Looks great!
Thanks for the comments guys, I'll keep that in mind next time V.
Butt should be tucked more on the Russian, also the Russian is like not reacting to being hit. Blame the new no-clip, that's my new scapegoat.
can't see it D:
Muzzle flash with a silencer? Good posing.
please personal msg me with the link to models
Is that a silencer?


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I made some BBQ Spaghetti tonight that was very good if I may pat myself on the back
I used shredded boston butt, penne regatta pasta, some mild bbq sauce, fresh cilantro and fresh garlic.
Boil the pasta as you usually do, sautee the garlic in butter and toss the pasta in the skillet and stir. Add pulled or chopped boston butt, sauce and garnish with cilantro.
Here is the finished product:


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Elize Morgan is a writer of TV, games and shiny digital content. She has worked on a variety of TV projects including Grojband, Playdate and action series Mysticons. She's also written games for Amazon Game Studios and Gameloft.
Elize also works and develops convergent content for TV series, games and digital only properties, like Pretty in Geek and The Gate. Her production company is Alpaca VS Llama, throwing both animals into the epic battle against shearing.


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"Game changer" is a term you hear often when people talk about how technology has changed their industry.
B2B prospect development – the combination of lead generation, lead qualification, lead nurturing and lead hand-off to sales – is a critical element that many marketing and sales teams are failing.
Optimized companies outperform average companies by generating up to five times the revenue based on comparable starting places. Their prospect development process is also characterized by:
A higher percentage of leads sent to sales are sales-ready
No matter where you are now, there are three specific steps you can take to emerge from a chaotic state, rise above average, and achieve a fully optimized state of prospect development. Let's take a closer look at each of the three steps.
Step 1. Agree on market, lead definition and message
At the BMA Conference this year, "SPIN Selling" author Neil Rackham said, "Sales and marketing are two functions with an identical mission, so how can they be like ships passing in the night?"
Nowhere is this more evident than in the lack of agreement on market, lead and message definition. Try this experiment: ask the first three sales execs and the first three marketers you encounter outside your office these questions:
In non-optimized companies, you'll find a wide variety of opinions. Generally companies define their market too broadly with the result that resources waste time and effort on too many prospects. With missing agreement on the definition of a desirable lead, additional inefficiencies occur. And lastly, messaging on the offer is likely to be defined differently by every marketing and sales executive in the organization.
All members of both groups must agree on – as well as concisely and consistently express – who we are, what we do and why we're better and different.
Step 2. Measure what matters
While reps at average companies close approximately one in five leads they qualify, reps at optimized companies close almost one-third of the leads they qualify.
Optimized companies surpass results of average companies – to the tune of 150% more closed leads – because they measure what matters. A disconnect happens in average companies with marketing spending huge sums to drive thousands of so-called leads each year, and reps reporting back that they received little value. Why? The emphasis on high volumes of leads at low cost-per-lead resulted in poor lead quality.
In addition to analyzing the actual cost of a qualified lead (not just the cost to generate a raw lead), optimized companies carefully measure lead progression. Incremental improvements in the demand waterfall – from marketing-qualified lead to sales-accepted lead to sales-qualified lead status – can make a huge difference on the top and bottom lines.
Step 3. Deliver fewer but better leads to sales
It seems counterintuitive, but the fact of the matter is sales doesn't need more leads.
Instead, reps need fewer, more carefully qualified leads that have been consistently developed and nurtured to increase the probability of a closed deal.
A typical monthly pre-optimization marketing report emphasizes hundreds and even thousands of leads generated at a lower cost-per-lead. In response, sales reps set them aside for all-too-familiar reasons: the prospect is not a senior enough decision maker, clear pain points have not been established, or the sense of urgency is unknown. In short, sales is not receiving fully qualified leads that they can productively engage with around deal making.
A marketing report based on optimized prospect development, on the other hand, should be reporting delivery of an efficient and workable number of more highly qualified prospects – fully nurtured and warranting engagement with sales reps.
Companies with optimized prospect development programs possess all three of the following execution elements:
Following through on all three steps delivers better ROI on marketing, lets your salespeople focus on what they do best, and helps you close significantly more deals than you did before.
For further reading, download the white paper, Point C: From Chaos to Kickass – 3 Steps to Sales and Marketing Optimization.
Dan McDade is President and CEO of PointClear, LLC, a prospect development firm that helps B2B companies drive revenue by nurturing leads, engaging contacts and developing prospects until they're ready to purchase. His first book, "The Truth About Leads," helps B2B companies focus their lead generation efforts, align their sales and marketing organizations, and drive revenue. Dan's blog is at http://blog.pointclear.com/blog/. You can email him at firstname.lastname@example.com.
FREE WEBINAR: Learn more from Dan McDade in a free webinar, "From Chaos to KickAss: 3 Steps to Optimizing Your Sales and Marketing Organization." The Webinar is at 1 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, Dec. 12. Can't attend? Register anyway and you will be notified when the recording and handouts are available. Register HERE.


text:
Sorry, this page is not available.
This may be because you were trying to look at something from the old BloomsofBressinghamPlants.com website.
Don't worry, you'll still be able to find it on this new improved version!
(Please remember to update any links to us from your own website)
Click here to go to our new Homepage..


text:
Ramirez hopeful Classic leads to Majors return
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Team Venezuela starter Ramon A. Ramirez hopes his performance in this month's World Baseball Classic offers him a second chance at the big leagues.
Ramirez last pitched in the Majors on Oct. 4, 2009. He went 1-1 with a 2.97 ERA in 16 games (four starts) in two seasons with the Reds. He currently plays for the Leones de Yucatan of the Mexican League. In 2000, the Padres signed him as an outfielder.
In three scoreless, no-hit innings against the Mets on Wednesday afternoon, the 30-year-old right-hander effectively used all four of his pitches -- fastball, slider, changeup and cutter -- walking one batter and striking out another.
"I'm very grateful for the opportunity," Ramirez said. "It's one of the things I expected when I signed to pitch again in the World Baseball Classic, [is] to face Major League hitters. I already know some of them from the Venezuelan Winter League. One thing I wanted to do is pitch in the [United] States and get the opportunity to show everybody I can still pitch."
Christina De Nicola is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Hand-blown Glass Menorahs by Andrew J. Pollack
With prices ranging from around $300 and up, these are lovely contemporary hand blown glass menorahs or candelabras by glass artist, Daniel Jackson Pollack are something to keep out all year around. He makes several versions, some clear, some with color. All are one of a kind and truly impressive glassworks.


text:
As part of Adobe's ongoing commitment to the Web developer community, Adobe will host a series of FREE ActionScript 3.0 training sessions starting in October and continuing through 2008. The trainings, led by Colin Moock, will be an intensive, full day session designed for developers worldwide who use Adobe Flash, Flex and AIR extensions and who have beginner to intermediate level programming skills. He will cover topics such as object-oriented programming, classes, objects, variables, methods, packages, conditionals, loops, operators, functions, error handling, event handling, display programming, compiling, and running programis.
The tour kicks off in San Francisco on October 27. From there, it will reach nine cities worldwide including Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago and major design markets in Europe and Asia Pacific. For more information or to register for a session in your city, please visit http://www.adobeas3tour.com.
Sessions are expected to fill up quickly, so be sure to sign up soon!


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I awoke this morning to see that Metspolice was advocating for the song that's served as my ringtone for much of the winter.
I defy you to listen to that song and not look forward to baseball season. I was once told by someone high up that "market research" showed fans wanted Top 40 hits, not Mets songs, but I'm guessing this completely misses point of the baseball experience. Give people the Mets experience, and they'll come back for more. Right now, they barely even know what that is.
As for that Mets experience: it is here! Not at Citi Field, or even actual games, but pitchers throwing to catchers, catchers catching from pitchers, some bullpen sessions, David Wright in a batting cage. It's all the component parts of a baseball season, slowly unveiled for us.
No, Michael Bourn won't be joining the ride. Bourn arriving in New York meant betting on the Mets not to be bluffing about their interest, and Scott Boras to be bluffing about his ability to find another team to pay Bourn market value. Betting on either of these two propositions in recent years would have left you poorer than… well, someone who invested heavily with Bernie Madoff. Hoping for a parlay was tantamount to getting sucked into multiple Ponzi schemes in just a few years.
But say what you will about the state of the Mets' outfield (in my dreams "What Outfield?" becomes "What outfield!", an iconic rallying cry on par with "Dem Bums" in the most unlikely Mets championship season ever), there's no question that the New York Mets are going to play approximately 162 games this year. The schedule requires it, the team has yet to figure out a way to cut costs by playing fewer games, so here we are.
Also, Frank Francisco has been shut down with elbow tendinitis in a bullpen that already wasn't particularly deep with healthy alternatives. Bobby Parnell is the temporary closer, which is fine, but they need other relievers beyond Parnell and Brandon Lyon to pitch well, and Francisco was one of the better candidates to do so.
But, nevertheless, baseball! Accordingly, I played the song embedded above for my two-year-old daughter, who has periodically inquired throughout the winter about when exactly we might get back to another baseball game, and experience a day like this or this. It spurred talk for our entire trip home from preschool, about going to see the Mets play, watching David Wright hit, see R.A. Dickey pitch (a gentle reminder followed that one), and these words: "Daddy: I am so excited to watch baseball with you!"
I don't intend to sugarcoat the likelihood that the baseball about to be played by the Mets is not of the contending variety, or even, at times, minimally competent. The only certain regular outfielder, for instance, is Lucas Duda. That would be worst defender at any position in MLB last year Lucas Duda. Let's hope he hits.
Today, it didn't matter. The sun was shining as we drove home talking baseball. It felt warm enough in the car that I could ignore the still-ample snow on the ground, and picture us sitting in balmy Citi Field, probably with lots of seats around us to stretch out in. It was, briefly, a warm summer afternoon in February, my daughter was with me, and to be honest with you, I didn't even look at the scoreboard.


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Marine Terminal Operators at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to Adjust TMF on August 1
LONG BEACH, Calif., June 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The West Coast MTO Agreement (WCMTOA) today announced a 2.5 percent increase in the Traffic Mitigation Fee (TMF) at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, in order to address labor cost increases scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2012.
Beginning August 1, the TMF will be increased by $1.50 per TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) to $61.50 per twenty-foot container or $123 per forty-foot container. The current TMF rates are $60.00 and $120.00 respectively.
On August 1, 2011, the TMF increased for the first time since 2006. The $10 per TEU increase came after hourly labor costs increased more than 31 percent for the same period. At that time, WCMTOA announced that beginning in mid-2012 it would begin adjusting the TMF annually to address labor cost increases.
The Traffic Mitigation Fee helps pay for the night and Saturday marine terminal shifts created by the PierPass OffPeak program to relieve daytime congestion in and around the ports. It also provides a financial incentive to move cargo during less congested times. The TMF is charged for non-exempt containers moving during peak hours (Monday through Friday, 3 a.m. to 6 p.m.). Please refer to the web site www.pierpass-tmf.org for more information.
The terminals have operated the OffPeak gates at a loss since the program's start in 2005, when they doubled the number of shifts per week, essentially spreading the same number of containers over twice the working hours. Cargo volume since 2005 has been essentially flat. The shortfall between TMF revenues and OffPeak gate costs was $55 million in 2011 and $52.3 million in 2010.
Before PierPass was created in 2005, the ports and nearby roads were gridlocked, ships were backed up in the harbor unable to unload, and cargo owners suffered long delays in receiving and shipping vital goods.
The program has been highly successful in its primary goal of easing congestion in and around the ports. Over the past seven years, PierPass OffPeak gates have grown to handle approximately 55 percent of all container traffic at the ports, accommodated more than 21 million truck transactions, and greatly eased congestion on city streets and nearby freeways during daytime business hours.
"The OffPeak program greatly increases the capacity of America's largest port complex without requiring additional infrastructure," said Bruce Wargo, president of PierPass, the not-for-profit company that runs the OffPeak program. "The program increases the already tremendous competitive advantage held by the Los Angeles / Long Beach port complex, which has the most concentrated set of port assets of any port in North America, has a workforce that's ready, available and flexible, and whose Clean Trucks Program helped replace thousands of dirty trucks with the latest, cleanest models available."
About PierPass
PierPass is a not-for-profit company created by marine terminal operators at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in 2005 to address multi-terminal issues such as congestion, security and air quality. Under the program, all international container terminals in the two ports operate four to five additional shifts per week. As an incentive to use the new OffPeak shifts and to help cover the added cost of the shifts, a Traffic Mitigation Fee (TMF) is required for most cargo movement during peak hours (Monday through Friday, 3 a.m. to 6 p.m.). The West Coast Marine Terminal Operator Agreement is filed with the Federal Maritime Commission, and comprises the 13 international MTOs serving the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.


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Failing Liberty 101
by Walter E. Williams
A recent Superman comic book has the hero saying, "I am renouncing my U.S. citizenship" because "truth, justice, and the American way – it's not enough anymore." Though not addressing Superman's statement, Stanford University professor and Hoover Institution senior fellow William Damon explains how such a vision could emerge today but not yesteryear. The explanation is found in his article "American Amnesia," in Defining Ideas (7/1/2011), based upon his most recent book, Failing Liberty 101: How We Are Leaving Young Americans Unprepared for Citizenship in a Free Society.
The National Assessment of Educational Progress reports that only 1 in 4 high-school seniors scored at least "proficient" in knowledge of U.S. citizenship. Civics and history were American students' worst subjects. Professor Damon said that for the past 10 years, his Stanford University research team has interviewed broad cross sections of American youths about U.S. citizenship. Here are some typical responses: "We just had (American citizenship) the other day in history. I forget what it was." Another said, "Being American is not really special. … I don't find being an American citizen very important." Another said, "I don't want to belong to any country. It just feels like you are obligated to this country. I don't like the whole thing of citizen. … It's like, citizen, no citizen; it doesn't make sense to me. It's, like, to be a good citizen – I don't know, I don't want to be a citizen. … It's stupid to me."
The Rest…HERE


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to gather the required information for the final FEC report.
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Christina Aguilera is Pregnant
Here's Christina Aguilera at the American Music Awards Sunday night, and there's no way you can tell me that headline isn't responsible journalism. Christ, not even Britney Spears let herself go this much and she stores fried chicken in her pillows for the winter. Which is why I'm starting to think somebody tagged along for a doctor's visit one day, noticed what he thought was his unborn child missing the rudimentary burrowing appendages and immediately filed for divorce. How he hasn't sought revenge by collapsing Hollywood into a sinkhole yet is beyond me. I just assumed the Mole Clan of Tunnel 7 were a proud and noble tribe, but I guess they'll let a woman walk over them without putting up a fight. Pfft. You'll never enslave the surface with that attitude. I'll tell you that right there.
Photos: Getty, WireImage


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NEW YORK (AP) – Johan Santana saved the Mets from a sweep with another spotless outing and rookie Ike Davis hit his latest titanic home run in New York's 3-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday.
Alex Cora and pinch-hitter Josh Thole delivered RBI singles with two outs, and Angel Pagan had three of New York's 13 hits. The Mets also got flawless relief work from Bobby Parnell and Francisco Rodriguez in their major league-best 13th shutout.
Fantastic at Citi Field for most of the first half, New York averted a three-game whitewash by its National League East rival but finished 2-4 on a disappointing homestand against a pair of first-place teams.
The Mets head into the All-Star break four games behind Atlanta.


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FrameMaker 12.0.3: Insert Table with Continuation Variable in One Step
Show: FrameMaker 12 Features
One terrific enhancement to the 12.0.3 update patch for FrameMaker 12 is the ability to insert a Table Continuation Variable in the Table Title at the time you insert a new table. A simple check box makes this possible. You no longer have to browse through document variables to locate this code and insert it manually in your Table Title.


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A vegan rendition on ranch dip
Tess Masters, who also goes by the nickname The Blender Girl, is a blogger who specializes in vegan and vegetarian blender recipes. Here she makes a guest-friendly nondairy breakfast parfait that actually tastes like yogurt and fruit! Here's the recipe so you can make it yourself.


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Hands On With AMD's Gaming Evolved Client Game DVRby Ryan Smith on 6/27/2014 11:30 AM EST
17 Comments
Back to Article
extremesheep49 - Friday, June 27, 2014 - linkDoes it support recording the desktop? Last time I was looking for a desktop recording utility, I had a hard time finding one. Here is an application.
http://youtu.be/yOXrAQhShDk Reply
nathanddrews - Friday, June 27, 2014 - link"Game DVR does not have a desktop recording capability – AMD/Raptr haven't mentioned whether they're working on it, but we'd certainly hope they are – so any game that Game DVR fails to detect is currently unrecordable." Reply
nathanddrews - Friday, June 27, 2014 - linkAn option for 4:4:4 would be nice. According to the all-knowing wikipedia, VCE 1.0 supports 4:2:0 for Trinity, Richland, and Southern Island while VCE 2.0 supports 4:4:4 for Kaveri, Jaguar, Kabini, Temash, Puma, Beema, Mullins, Sea-Islands, Bonaire, and Hawaii. Reply
schizoide - Friday, June 27, 2014 - linkI don't want ads, gamification/rewards, and social integration in my graphics drivers, thanks very much. The Raptr integration is a real misstep. Reply
Flunk - Friday, June 27, 2014 - linkThe rewards are structured as to be nearly impossible to earn as well. Reply
Thracks - Friday, June 27, 2014 - linkThen use the VCE-enabled fork of OBS: https://obsproject.com/forum/threads/obs-fork-bran... Reply
schizoide - Friday, June 27, 2014 - linkThat's part of the solution, if it works. But the Gaming Evolved client also offers optimized settings for many games, like nVidia's Geforce Experience. Reply
mikato - Sunday, June 29, 2014 - linkI haven't experimented with the AMD Gaming Evolved suggested settings but they are really terrible in the Nvidia Geforce Experience. I can't believe anyone would use the settings it suggested. The combinations didn't make any sense. This is after trying Several. Call of Duty games including Ghosts with a GTX 760. Reply
Spunjji - Monday, June 30, 2014 - linkI have to agree, so far my experience with these has been less-than-positive. Reply
Ammaross - Tuesday, July 01, 2014 - linkJust some actual factual information: the "Gaming Evolved" ads/gamification/rewards/social bloat is NOT part of the drivers, but an add-on that can be removed if undesired. It comes bundled with the drivers, similar to the Ask Toolbar (or Chrome) coming bundled with Java, and can be equally not installed. Reply
bwat47 - Saturday, July 05, 2014 - linkyou can disable most of that stuff in the preferences thankfully Reply
Gunbuster - Friday, June 27, 2014 - linkSo a copy of Nvidia but farmed out to a 3rd party, with advertising inserted. I assume somewhere down the line AMD will assert in a PR event or press release that they came out with this first. Reply
quidnunc - Friday, June 27, 2014 - linkI think it's probably just the dvr that was already built into raptr with some amd specific optimizations. Xfire and Raptr both had this type of thing built in long before the graphics vendors got involved. Reply
DarkStryke - Sunday, June 29, 2014 - linkThere's a reason a lot of people stick with nVidia even through slower releases, the software experience is still years ahead of AMD. Who's honestly happy with this implementation?
All this social media garbage is just another layer of data mining, and it's serving you ads on top of that. Lol Reply
Gigaplex - Monday, June 30, 2014 - linkI wouldn't use either the Nvidia or AMD application. I'm happy with drivers simply being drivers. Reply
Kanuj5678 - Monday, August 11, 2014 - linkthanks good read DVR will take time to mature and see some gain in the near future , Nvidia has been way ahead from AMD on this front at least.
Kanuj Reply
jonezgamez8 - Monday, January 25, 2016 - linkhow do u download it Reply


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Results 17,441 to 17,460 of 39909
Just finished Bishock Infinite. I had some (spoiler free) words to say about it. Here's my thoughts on the ending:
Finishing Bioshock Infinite puts me in a rather odd position.
I loved the narrative and thought the conclusion was fitting and fittingly performed … but poorly directed. Some of the visual moments in the conclusion were just not as coherent as the rest of the game, and I felt like the game had lost touch with when to go into muted colors, when to beat you with rainbows, when to drip a scene with a single color … throughout most of the game, Bioshock is not just lovely to look at but a masterpiece of scene-setting from almost any angle. It's a gorgeous game not because of it's beautiful engine, but because of exceedingly good art direction. That sort of falls apart at the end, for me at least. The final scene in particular really let me down, before the credits rolled. I felt like the pacing and the visual direction and the general feel of it was off even though, as a narrative endcap the general idea of the scene feels perfect to me and the dialog writing is good enough if not as good as my favorite moments.
There we go. Got it. That's what's really odd, to me; Bishock Infinite has a much better conclusion than many, many games I've played but the ending should be one of the most memorable and well-honed parts of the game. The ending should be one of my favorite scenes. It should stick with me and make me go … "huh, how about that …" in addition to tying up and resolving or explosively expanding any lingering emotional attachments I have to the game's plot and characters (exceptions for the occasional sequel hook or even more occasional non-sequel-hook cliffhanger/mystery). Bioshock Infinite does better than most, but the ending wasn't one of the best scenes in the game and that's a shame because I had a lot of investment and I feel like they avoided so many mistakes that other dev teams would have made without a look back.
I think of [the Internet] as a grisly raw steak laid out on a porcelain benchtop in the sun, covered in chocolate hazelnut sauce. In the background plays Stardusts Music Sounds Better With You. Theres lots of fog. --tomeoftom
You ruined his point by putting it in context thats cheating -bull0
26-09-2013, 09:30 PM #17442I think of [the Internet] as a grisly raw steak laid out on a porcelain benchtop in the sun, covered in chocolate hazelnut sauce. In the background plays Stardusts Music Sounds Better With You. Theres lots of fog. --tomeoftom
You ruined his point by putting it in context thats cheating -bull0
- Join Date
- Jan 2013
- Posts
- 502
Unfortunately they fked it up with the damn checkpoints. I don't mind there being one, but at least make them spawn once a day, not as soon as i break line of sight. I mean ok i get you want us to feel engaged by the game and have a lot of combat, but c'mon that is just too much. Or at least if they didn't pursue, but 90% of the time if you drive by a checkpoint they either destroy your car or damage it so you have to get another or they get 2 or 3 cars and go after you. Ain't it enough that there are patrols that are after me, not i have to deal with checkpoints too?
A nasty bout of insomnia has me too exhausted andor confused to play anything 'meaningful', so i'm basically spending most of my time with Cardhunter - When i got a beta key quite a while ago i somehow bounced off of it quite quickly, but right now i'd be lying if i'd say that i wasn't completely hooked. It's quite lovely so far and also fairly challenging at times - Killing that yellow dragon just now involved some fairly elaborate tinkering...
What I like about possession is the ways you can use it to manipulate the field--that it also happens to be effective on individual opponents is a nice life-saver in certain dangerous circumstances but it isn't very interesting. Shooting weak-points is a little more inherently interesting because of the skill factor. Undertow is interesting because you have to decide where to blast enemies to, Bucking Bronco forces you to still deal with the enemies in some way once they're up in the air. Devils Kiss is a straight-forward offensive power with crowd control capabilities and so on and so on. Possession's ability to cause a single unit to suicide at the end of it's effect isn't very interesting to me even though it can be useful.
My take, at least.
Last edited by gwathdring; 27-09-2013 at 12:34 AM.I think of [the Internet] as a grisly raw steak laid out on a porcelain benchtop in the sun, covered in chocolate hazelnut sauce. In the background plays Stardusts Music Sounds Better With You. Theres lots of fog. --tomeoftom
You ruined his point by putting it in context thats cheating -bull0
I was in Aachen and Cologne the other week by the way, Obviouslg it's only a small corner of the place but your country seems incredible. Had to keep reminding myself that you lost the World Wars as I witnessed pretty much everything be better than it is here
Playing as Spain in EU IV, I have no real clue what I'm doing. So far, I've colonised Africa, South and North America, as soon as I get enough range I'll probably colonise Australia too. It certainly generates a lot of income with no strings attached, as far as I can see.
I forgot how Assault on Dark Athena falls apart once you get the sticky air gun...
It's a fantastic game until that moment.
Yeah... ended up just playing Kingdoms of Amalur. Managed to finish the Dead Kell expansion
And I am contemplating my Wizardry 6-8 party.Steam: Gundato
PSN: Gundato
If you want me on either service, I suggest PMing me here first to let me know who you are.
- Join Date
- Sep 2013
- Posts
- 19
I am Playing on Google, to try to find something to play.
gwathdring, incidentally I also finished Infinite yesterday night and my impressions about the final scene seem to be close to what you have described. Some things still aren't clear to me and it might need a second playthrough to catch all the small things - regarding both the story and the art direction - that I've missed the first time around.
As a general impression I think it is not a bad game, as you've said the graphical aspects really shine and do a lot for the mood and the story, but I wish the level design would have been a bit more open and allowed for further exploration of the different set pieces. Obviously, opening up too many ways and directions to go might not necessarily be a good thing as players might get confused and frustrated if they aren't able to find their way around but I expected to see a bit more vertical movement, especially given the whole city in the skies setting. In the end, the game manages to almost feel a bit like a corridor shooter (which it actually might be under it's hood of blue skies and buildings floating in the distance) which is bizarre if you think about it.
One other thing that at first struck me as odd is how not scary the whole game comes across. You would expect at least a bit more of a sense of horror and alienation but as someone mentioned somewhere in another thread (sorry, I can't remember where it was) Booker takes a lot of things without batting an eye. "Right, you're being shot into skies and experience what could be described as the 8th wonder of the world." "Huh, I'll better find that girl." Looking back there might or might not be a hint to the later plot reveals in there but it really struck me as odd.
Concerning a horror aspect, which at least in part was a theme of the first two Bioshocks, I have to say that it's pretty hard to find any of it. The parts I can remember would be the Fraternal Order of the Raven with the first appearance of a Crow (which wasn't all that spooky but more confusing to fight for the first time) and maybe the Boys of Silence (especially that one bloody guy that surprises you in the control room). What's much more prominent is hectical shooting, made even more confusing by the sometimes blurry graphics while turning, and the feeling that you have to come up with a way to deal with this Fireman/Handyman/Sniper RIGHT NOW before he/it gets you.
Overall an enjoyable ride though, I'm already thinking about a second playthrough.
Last edited by Squiz; 27-09-2013 at 08:27 AM.
And while it certainly had very few traditional horror elements i was pretty surprised by some of the subtle(or really-not-so-subtle) moments of 'social horror' - A favorite example of mine was waking up on that (fake) beach and seing that fairly large 'strength through leasure' banner in the distance, for example. (Obviously there's more, but that obvious KdF reference and the whole atmosphere that follows is a more tangible form of horror than any abandoned asylum could ever be to me, as a german.) Nevertheless, that single jump-scare moment with that bloody boy of silence actually made me spill my coffee...
On the social horror in general - good point. Finkton contains several of such scenes, like the ones taking place in front of the entrance and on the square inside after you enter the district for the first time.
There are plenty eerie bits I would say, and they happen to be when you're looking around and not shooting stuff, when the ideological excess and weirdness has time to breathe and sink in. I would say the very beginning for example, in the chapel, fosters an uneasiness which is far more powerful and clever than any combat moment. Being from quite a strong religious background the whole false Shepard motif and eschatological tone was very powerful.
But that's always been the paradox of bioshock-it sets up its stall as a parable on genuine social evils and excess which have proven to be far more terrifying and destructive than any other force in history, but sadly it's just window dressing for jump scares and halloween monsters basically. The need for the game to have you shoot things kind of makes this inevitable-it's easier to shoot monsters than the hubris of humanity I suppose. It focusses on the result of the themes pointed at-nihilistic social breakdown-without really saying anything about how and why it happens.
I can't think of any other game which is so hampered from being something truly special by it's need to serve videogame convention.
Last edited by sonson; 27-09-2013 at 11:03 AM.
It's ok. In short: The spammer experienced the swift and brutal judgement he deserved based on his post history.
I'm currently trying to 100% Just Cause 2. I was at about 44% when I finished the story missions, and am at about 67% approximately 15 hours later. I think this may take a while.The Medallion of the Imperial Psychopath, a Napoleon: Total War AAR
The Red Blades, a Battle Brothers AAR
I made a stab at 100%, but lost my juice around 90-something, with only water towers left...


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Viruses, bacteria and parasites are living organisms that are found all around us. They exist in water and soil, on the surfaces of foods that we eat and on surfaces that we touch, such as countertops in the bathroom or kitchen. Some bacteria live in our bodies and do not cause problems. Other kinds of bacteria (as well as parasites and viruses) can make us quite ill if they invade our bodies. Bacteria and viruses can live outside of the human body (for instance, on a countertop) sometimes for many hours or days. Parasites, however, require a living host in order to survive.
Bacteria and parasites can usually be destroyed with antibiotics. On the other hand, antibiotics cannot kill viruses. Children with viral illnesses can be given medications to make them comfortable, but antibiotics are ineffective against treating these infections.
Bacteria, viruses, and parasites can cause a wide variety of illnesses and can infect any of the organs of the body. Viruses are often responsible for respiratory illnesses (such as the common cold) and digestive illnesses (such as diarrhea). Bacteria can infect any part of the body, but often cause diarrhea when they invade the digestive tract.
Diarrhea can be caused by a variety of bacteria, viruses and parasites. Children can also have diarrhea without having an infection, such as when diarrhea is caused by food allergies or as a result of taking medications (such as antibiotics). A child is considered to have diarrhea when the child's bowel movements are both more frequent than usual and looser and more watery than usual.
Children with diarrhea may have additional symptoms including nausea, vomiting, stomach aches, headache or fever.
Viruses, bacteria, and parasites that invade the digestive tract usually cause diarrhea. Large amounts of water are lost with the diarrhea, leading to dehydration in children. Children become dehydrated much quicker than adults and this can lead to serious problems if fluids are not replaced and the infection treated.
Also, children with a severely weakened immune system are at risk for more serious disease. Symptoms may be more severe and could lead to serious illness. Examples of persons with weakened immune systems include those with HIV/AIDS, cancer and transplant patients who are taking certain immunosuppressive drugs and those with inherited diseases that affect the immune system.
Common bacteria, viruses and parasites that cause diarrhea:
Escherichia coli O157:H7 (or simply E. coli) is just one of the hundreds of strains of the bacterium Escherichia coli. Most strains of E. coli are harmless and live in the intestines of healthy humans and animals. E. coli, however, produces a powerful toxin that can cause a severe infection. (The combination of letters and numbers in the name of the bacterium refers to the specific markers found on its surface and distinguishes it from other types of E. coli.)
An estimated 73,000 cases of E. coli infection occur in the United States each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes E. coli as an emerging food-borne illness. Infection often leads to bloody diarrhea.
Most E. coli illness has been associated with eating undercooked, contaminated ground beef. E. coli bacteria live in the intestines of healthy cattle and, although the number of organisms required to cause disease is not known, it is suspected to be very small. Meat becomes contaminated during slaughter, and organisms can be thoroughly mixed into beef when it is ground. Contaminated beef looks and smells normal. Other ways to transmit E. coli include:
Bacteria in diarrhea stools of infected persons can be passed from one person to another if hygiene or handwashing habits are inadequate. This is particularly likely among toddlers who are not toilet trained. Family members and playmates of these children are at high risk of becoming infected.
Young children typically shed the organism in their feces for a week or two after their illness resolves.
CDC recommendations for prevention of the infection include:
Salmonella is a bacteria that infects the intestines and causes diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. At least 40,000 cases of salmonella are reported in the United States each year. The illness usually lasts four to seven days and most persons recover without treatment.
However, in some persons the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. In those patients, the salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics. Infants and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.
Salmonella may be spread by:
Since foods of animal origin pose the greatest threat of Salmonella contamination, do not eat raw or undercooked eggs, poultry or meats. Remember that some sauces and desserts use raw eggs in their preparation, so be cautious of these, particularly in foreign countries. Also, follow these recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhea among children, resulting in the hospitalization of approximately 55,000 children each year in the United States and the death of over 600,000 children annually worldwide.
In the United States, the disease occurs most often in the winter, with annual epidemics occurring from November to April. The highest rates of illness occur among infants and young children and most children in the United States are infected by two years of age. Adults can also be infected, though disease tends to be mild.
The incubation period for rotavirus disease is approximately two days. The disease is characterized by vomiting and watery diarrhea for three to eight days and fever and abdominal pain occur frequently. Immunity after infection is incomplete, but repeat infections tend to be less severe than the original infection.
Rotavirus may be spread:
Scientists are working on a vaccine to give to children to prevent rotavirus. In 1998, a rotavirus vaccine was marketed that was thought to be linked to a few cases of a gastrointestinal illness called intussusception. That vaccine was withdrawn from the market. The new vaccine for rotavirus will not be offered until further testing is done.
Handwashing is a very important means of preventing the spread of rotavirus. Careful and frequent handwashing can prevent the spread of infection to other people.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends:
During the past 15 years, Giardia lamblia has become recognized as one of the most common waterborne diseases in humans in the United States. Giardia is a tiny parasite that lives in the intestines of people and animals. The parasite is passed in the bowel movement of an infected person or animal. It is found in every region of the United States and throughout the world.
Diaper-aged children who attend day care centers, international travelers, hikers, campers and others who drink untreated water from contaminated sources, are most at risk for developing infection with Giardia. Several community-wide outbreaks of infection have been linked to drinking municipal water contaminated with Giardia.
People become infected after accidentally swallowing the parasite. Giardia may be found in soil, food, water or on surfaces.
Some of the ways people can become infected with Giardia include:
If your child has Giardia, avoid swimming in pools for two weeks after the diarrhea or loose stools have cleared. Giardia is fairly chlorine resistant and is passed in the stools of infected people for several weeks after they no longer have symptoms.
Cryptosporidium may be spread by:
Accidentally swallowing anything that has come in contact with the stool of a person or animal.
Swallowing contaminated water from swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, rivers, springs, ponds or streams contaminated with sewage or feces from humans or animals.
Eating uncooked contaminated food.
Picking cryptosporidium up from surfaces contaminated with stool from an infected person (such as toys, bathroom fixtures, changing tables and diaper pails).
Almost everyone has experienced a food-borne illness at some point in time. Contrary to popular belief, food-borne illnesses can occur when food is prepared at a restaurant or at home. If food is handled and prepared safely, most illnesses can be avoided.
All food may contain some natural bacteria and improper storage or handling gives the bacteria a chance to grow. Also, food can be contaminated with bacteria from other sources that can make you ill. Contaminated or unclean food can be very dangerous, especially to children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year food-borne illnesses kill up to 5,200 people of all ages. They also cause fever, stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea in almost 80 million Americans, or about one in three people.
Here are four major tips recommended by the The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prevent contaminating food.


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Frankston line passengers will suffer major disruption during the evening peak, with buses replacing trains between Mordialloc and Carrum.
Metro said the disruption had been caused by a person being hit by a train.
It advised on Twitter that the buses would run for the entire evening peak.
The story Frankston line set for major evening disruption first appeared on The Age.


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- Product 182493
Behringer DEQ1024 Ultragraph Digital EQ
- Write a Review
The Behringer DEQ1024 Ultragraph Digital EQ combines digital stereo operation and a powerful 31-band EQ with incredibly simple and effective feedback...Click To Read More About This Product
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Find a similar product below or contact our experts for a recommendation of great alternatives. Call us at 800-449-9128.Customers Also Viewed:
Eats feedback-causing frequencies and leaves you with clean, balanced sound.
The Behringer DEQ1024 Ultragraph Digital EQ combines digital stereo operation and a powerful 31-band EQ with incredibly simple and effective feedback fighting. The FBQ Feedback Detection System responds quickly, utilizing LEDs in the 45mm faders to indicate the offending frequency. 24/48-bit Motorola DSP and high-resolution 24-bit/96kHz A/D/A converters deliver fantastic sonic resolution. The EQ features operating ranges of ±12dB, ±6dB, and 0/-24dB; 31 illuminated faders; True Curve/WYSIWYG function; sweepable low- and high-cut filters; a noise gate/peak limiter; and pink noise generator. Servo-balanced I/O with gold-plated XLR and 1/4" TRS connectors, plus digital AES/EBU and S/PDIF with 44.1, 48, and 96kHz sample rates. Switchable international power supply.
- 31-band EQ
- FBQ Feedback Detection System
- Digital stereo operation
- 45mm LED-illuminated faders
- 24/48-bit Motorola DSP
- 24-bit/96kHz A/D/A converters
- EQ operating range of ±12dB, ±6dB, or 0/-24dB
- True Curve/WYSIWYG function
- Sweepable low- and high-cut filters
- Noise gate/peak limiter
- Pink noise generator
- Servo-balanced I/O
- Gold-plated XLR and 1/4" TRS connectors
- Digital AES/EBU and S/PDIF I/O with 44.1, 48, and 96kHz sample rates
- Switchable international power supply
Order now and leave your feedback problems behind.
Reviewed by 7 customers
Comments about Behringer DEQ1024 Ultragraph Digital EQ:
I give this a (2) because it works however there are some serious design issues. I have called Behringer and they blew me off...
I am a production company in Tampa, Fl. I use this EQ every day, and it basically works. Remember this is not analog, it has converters analog to digital and then back to analog through a chip like as in your ipods. So basically you are getting a processed sound. It is pretty clean, so that does not bother me. I say the sound quality is decent.
The MAIN problem is the standby switch. It seems to power cycle the unit causing a surge into the system. The one I own you have to power up the rack, then hit the standby button, then turn on the amps. If the power goes out durring a show, you have to run to the amp rack, turn the amps down, then run back to the rack and hit the standby button, then run back to the amp rack, and then back to the FOH. Boy this can really hold up a show when it is crowded.
I installed another unit like this in a club, and work with a 3rd unit in another PA, and both of them have no signal on 1 channel as they power up with the standby in the run mode, and you have put them into standby, then back in run mode again. Not sure why they even have this button on their EQ as is can cause someone to dammage their pa system with power surges from hitting the button while online.
Another issue is the knobs after a while the lights stop working, and I have seen 2 of these with broken sliders causing huge explosions in the mains if you bump them. Obviously a power issue from the loose LED's and such. If you get a broken slider, make sure you remove the LED as the stem will poke in and short things out inside the unit.
Never have been able to get it to work in digital mode directly into the DCX2496. I still use this unit, but only in the clubs.
Not a good idea to use this on an install either as people cannot seems to remember the reset button deal. Half the time I check on these systems, they are running FLAT with 1 side down. I have to keep showing people how to do the reset thing. No good for installs, rentals, and such because others just don't get it.
Other than that, it was ok at the original price I paid. Now that Behringer has raised the rates a bit, you might consider something else.
Comments about Behringer DEQ1024 Ultragraph Digital EQ:
this eq has made it so easy in my live world. it feedback destroyer and limiter have made my life so much easier. the unit is easy to use and has not let me down. power up after power failure is bad , but other than that I love it and had few other Eq that give you some for so little.
Comments about Behringer DEQ1024 Ultragraph Digital EQ:
Had them now for several months and they work great. Needed a little time to understand all the features. The Feddback Killer is great.Go for it.
Comments about Behringer DEQ1024 Ultragraph Digital EQ:
I am using the Behringer DEQ1024 Ultragraph Digital EQ in a live sound application. It has been placed between the soundcraft mixer console and the yorkville power amp section. the sound from this combo is crystal clear.This is the second unit I have tried as I thought there was something wrong with the first unit, I guess I was wrong.Simply stated, turn the unit on with all of the faders set to the flat position and even when nothing else is pluged in to the EQ, a high to mid range hiss, almost like the pink noise generator is on,even though it is not on, constantly rises from a once clean and quiet PA system. The built in noise gate helps remove the noise that the unit itself generates, but as soon as you open the gate you get as much noise as you get vocalization or music. The noise completely dissapears the moment you place the Behringer DEQ1024 Ultragraph Digital EQ in bypass mode. This thing is fine for an already dirty or cheaply put together PA where clean sound and good production is not a concerne.This Behringer DEQ1024 Ultragraph Digital EQis on its way to the junk pile, it wil be replaced with a DBX.
Comments about Behringer DEQ1024 Ultragraph Digital EQ:
1st one arrived mostly defective, 2nd one works great. Features are nice, not as noisy as some of Behringer's other EQs. Not exactly built like a tank....Kind of cheap buttons and faders, but the metering is nice. Don't use it with a really high end rig...otherwise I'd say go for it.
Comments about Behringer DEQ1024 Ultragraph Digital EQ:
I bought this unit about a month ago and with in that time 2 of the faders have broken off of the unit this is why i say be careful. I am a mobile DJ and I took this to about different 3 gigs the third gig is when it broke. Form the start i could tell that the faders were kind of cheep feeling but i really never thought they would break that quickly. Aside from the negative this was a great EQ because of all of he different features and the ease of use. From the actual equalizer, feedback detection to the gate and limiter it all worked very well. I would NOT recommend this to someone who is going to be carrying it around but if it is going to be left in one place GO FOR IT
Comments about Behringer DEQ1024 Ultragraph Digital EQ:
I've constantly tested this EQ against my other ones, by using test sounds. Have use this EQ to equalize my wireless microphone. Not only did make the sound good but also the limiter worked really beyond my expectations. Singers who has too much dynamics has been catered to a certain level. I tried it on my PA system, and found out it was terrific, now I need another one for my wireless mics, as I am now using it for my mains.My only regret is I didn't buy another one before the price went up almost 25% within a year


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Wishing Jar
Noelle VanHendrick and Eric Hendrick are a husband and wife team who have been creating together since the year 2000. They met in pottery class at West Virginia University and where good friends for a good while. They courted candling wood kilns and playing chess. Now, from their home in southern Vermont, they make it all happen. They homeschool their three sons and create art for the world to enjoy. "It is poetic, I have raised my sons on buckets of love and cups of beautiful…", says Noelle. " I intend for it all only to get better and better…." There is an underlying mission to the work. A mission of cultivating world peace beginning at home, in the body, mind, and spirit. Eric and Noelle create and design goods that align with this mission.


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Let's get linky.
The interwebs are just crawling with information about sex. Well, let me rephrase that to there is plenty of sex on the internet. Suffice it to say quantity is no indicator of quality when it comes to the topic of sex and the internet, but that doesn't mean that there aren't people talking about it in helpful, healthy ways.
AASECT introduced me to a number of blogs and bloggers who are contributing to the conversation about good, healthy sex. I thought it might be helpful to share some of these resources and to see if others have recommended reads as well.
Disclaimer: As always, a link is in no way an endorsement, but if you are looking for perspectives on sex and sexuality you may consider these voices a resource. Also, please note: Sexual content to follow.
Blogs on Sex and Sexuality
Doin' it well
Bringing good sex & sexuality to the masses!
This archived blog is a general resource on sex and sexuality that focuses on accurate information and open dialogue with a slant toward college age adults. Another great blog with candid discussion and answers to sexual health question is Go Ask Alice blog from Columbia University.
Sexuality and aging today blog
A publication of the sexuality and aging consortium at Widener University
Sexuality doesn't expire, so this consortium is blogging resources for safer senior sex. If you are interested in more views and news on sex and aging, Joan Price is a talking out loud about senior sex at Better than I Ever Expected.
Our bodies ourselves blog
Your daily dose of women's healthy news and analysis
The great content of OBOS in the blogosphere, this is a great resource on women's health and sexuality. Speaking of blogs with a feminist perspective, shout out to Feminism: From Grass Roots to Full Bloom.
Scarleteen: Sex ed for the real world
Inclusive, comprehensive and smart sexuality information and help for teens and 20s
Don't let the age demographic fool you, individuals of any age can learn about sexuality from the great resources over at Scarleteen. In fact, if you are just getting your feet wet with all the healthy sexuality talk, it's a really safe place for the basics including this excellent piece on consent.
Sexuality and religion: What's the connection?
Speaking out for sexual justice
With perspectices from sexologist and minister Rev. Debra Havner of the Religious Institute, this blog explores the connection between sexuality, religion and spirituality, and the need for sexual justice in our faith communities and society. Communities of faith can be an ally in sharing healthy sexuality messages, and one great example is the Our Whole Lives curricula.
What else is out there?
Tons really! There are also many fantastic resources online for parents including tools like No Place Like Home and True Child.
Many resources in sexual violence prevention like Prevent Connect and state coalitions are talking about healthy sexuality too. So where do you search, lurk or follow when it comes to great content on sexuality?


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Spotlight: Maximum rock from KISS
Updated 7:58 pm, Wednesday, October 17, 2012
You can't have a successful Rocktober without a rock festival, so it's once more into the rock quarry for the KISS Rocktoberfest. The fest will feature The Cult, Buckcherry, Hinder, Hellyeah, Lit, Saving Abel and Otherwise. The Cult, led by singer Ian Astbury (left) and guitarist Billy Duffy, is a rock 'n' roll survivor. The British outfit with the metal/post-punk foundation has weathered setbacks and a hiatus or two and is still at it, touring with a new album, "Choice of Weapon." Los Angeles hard rockers Buckcherry have built a loyal S.A. following via albums such as "Buckcherry," "15" and the latest, "All Night Long." Hinder, out of Oklahoma, hit hard-edged rock paydirt with the debut full-length "Extreme Behavior." A new album, "Welcome to the Freakshow," is set for release Dec. 4, so listen for a preview.
Fine print: Gates open at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sunken Garden Theater, 3875 N. St. Mary's St. $39.50 through Front Gate Tickets, 1-888-512-SHOW.
Jim Beal Jr.
Entertainment Channel


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Magic Pills Yellow/White
Has the terrible situation of America got you down? Not feeling full of zip and pep? Need a boost to your vitality and something to put a smile on your face? Than these earings are for you. Warning, may contain unexplainable cutness, hand holding and in some cases a rare breathing disorder known as hyperhappybreathing. Not for use in children under the age of scfiffty five and a heif.
Super cute tiny robot plushAdded 9 Years Ago from Big Cartel


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Most ticks do not carry diseases, and most tick bites do not cause
serious health problems. But it is important to remove a tick as soon as you
find it. Removing the tick completely may help you avoid diseases such as
Lyme disease that the tick may pass on during feeding,
or a skin infection where it bit you.
When you return home from
areas where ticks might live, carefully examine your skin and scalp for ticks.
Check your pets, too.
Use fine-tipped tweezers to
remove a tick. If you don't have tweezers, put on gloves or cover your hands
with tissue paper, then use your fingers. Do not handle the tick with bare
After the tick has been removed, wash the area of the
tick bite with a lot of warm water and soap. A mild dishwashing soap, such as
Ivory, works well. Be sure to wash your hands well with soap and water
NOTE: If you can't remove a tick,
call your doctor.
You can use an antibiotic ointment, such as
polymyxin B sulfate (for example, Polysporin) or bacitracin. Put a little bit
of ointment on the wound. The ointment will keep the wound from sticking to a
bandage. If you get a skin rash or itching under the bandage, stop using the
ointment. The rash may mean you had an allergic reaction to the
Some ticks are so small it is hard to see them. This
makes it hard to tell if you have removed the tick's head. If you do not see
any obvious parts of the tick's head where it bit you, assume you have removed
the entire tick, but watch for
symptoms of a skin infection. Symptoms of infection
may include:
If you have a rash, headache, joint pain, fever, or
flu-like symptoms, this could mean you have an illness related to a tick bite.
If you have any of these symptoms, or symptoms of a skin infection, call your
Do not try to:
Smothering or burning a tick could make it release
fluid—which could be infected—into your body and increase your chance of
There are some tick-removal devices that you can buy.
If you are active outdoors in areas where there are a lot of ticks, you may
want to consider buying such a device.
Other Works ConsultedGammons M, Salam G (2002). Tick removal.
American Family Physician, 66(4): 643–646. Also
available online: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20020815/643.html.Gentile DA, Lange JE (2001). Tick-borne diseases. In
PS Auerbach, ed., Wilderness Medicine, 4th ed., pp.
769–806. St. Louis: Mosby.
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Last Revised:
October 14, 2011
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
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To learn more visit Healthwise.org
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Looking for more information about Yakob Braun?
Search through millions of records to find out more.
Search through millions of records to find out more.
1886 — Wloclawek, Poland
Yakob's town of Wloclawek was located on the Vistula River. He and his brother Abraham studied Hebrew and German in addition to Polish. Yakob met his bride Machla through a Jewish matchmaker, and after marrying they lived in Lodz. Yakob ran the family textile business until 1938, when he invested in real estate. He became landlord of an apartment building, where he and his family also lived.
1933-39: When the Nazis expelled the Polish Jews from Germany in 1938, Yakob established a relief organization in Lodz to arrange subsidized medical care for the new refugees. After the Germans occupied Lodz in 1939, Gestapo agents checked on him frequently. One day they took Yakob for interrogation at their office in a confiscated Jewish school building. His terrified family was overjoyed when he was allowed to return home.
1940-44: Yakob hid in a small room with his wife and children as Germans brought Jews to the outskirts of Lodz and killed them to make an "example" of them. Somehow they managed not to get caught, but eventually they were deported to a ghetto in the nearby town of Piotrkow Trybunalski. When the men and women were separated for labor details, he lost track of his wife and three daughters.
Yakob was deported in the fall of 1944 to the Buchenwaldconcentration camp and later died at the Bergen-Belsen camp.
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Exploring the Art and Science of Photography
Photography proved it could capture permanent images more precisely than an artist's hands. Yet, as soon as the early scientists discovered this image making process, others began to experiment with the abilities of the camera to capture a precise moment. Early motion images showed pedestrians and horse-drawn carriages frozen in unusual postures. The mechanics of the camera would further evolve to capture what the eye could not see.
Artists and scientists both strive to better understand the world around us. Soon after its invention, photography became a tool to feed a desire for facts and increased scientific understanding. Photography processes captured new forms of visual information and allowed for the world to be closely dissected.
Photographs of scientific specimens, which revealed surface structures of animal and nature forms, were able to significantly impact a number of photographers. Distinguished by a neutral presentation and emphasis on discovering structure, these images share some of the characteristics associated with scientific inquiry.
These first images exemplify their respective process' ability to create accurate representations of the subject. Whether used as a document, or admired for their beauty, these images represent the inherent relationship of science and art working together to introduce a new visual medium.
Funding for this project was provided by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and a donation from PhotoWings.


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Do you ever wonder about those drivers who cut you off, swerve into your lane, zoom through stop signs or otherwise break the law: How in the world did they pass their driving test?
It's possible they didn't.
A scheme that took root in or around 2010 at the Department of Motor Vehicles offices of El Cajon and Rancho San Diego resulted in hundreds of standard and commercial driving licenses being granted to people who failed or never took their driving tests. Applicants "who were unwilling or unable to pass the required DMV written and driving tests would speak with the recruiters. … If they paid the fee, they would not have to take any of the required tests in order to receive a license," federal court records state. The arrangement "created a significant public safety risk," the records continue.
"It's the first time I've seen anything like this," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Orabona.
Last week nine people were charged with bribery and conspiracy, including a DMV supervisor, Jesse Mario Bryan, 36. Thursday, four defendants were arraigned. If convicted, they face prison time and fines of up to $250,000. Last May, 21 others involved in the same scheme were indicted; several of those defendants have since pleaded guilty.
In complaints for both related cases, investigators describe a two-tier scheme where members of the public bribed purveyors of illegal licenses, and where these middlemen bribed DMV employees for the licenses. The investigators offer some colorful details: furtive glances exchanged between alleged co-conspirators, flurries of text messages that discussed timing and pricing, and cryptic shorthand.
The text messages also suggest that the alleged participants put profits over safety: In one exchange from December, 2011, a DMV driving exam proctor named Jim Bean allegedly noted that a fake license applicant was a poor driver. "She gonna kill someone," he wrote, a court record states. The man who was selling the woman the license and bribing the DMV replied, "Oh, I didn't know. She said I'm driving ok. If u want u can skip it." Bean, the DMV employee, immediately wrote back: "I need cash so as long as she gets help." The recruiter then paid the DMV employee for a passing driving test score, court documents allege.
DMV officials declined to comment.
Here's how this underground market, which produced hundreds of illegal licenses, operated:
Investigators found that from December 2010 or earlier, to April 2012, license applicants were allegedly invited to pay between $400 and $3,000 for the privilege of skipping written and behind-the-wheel driving tests. A cut went to DMV examiners and a cut went to the people who recruited the license applicants, which included a driving instructor and his assistants. In all, the bribes surpassed $100,000, an FBI investigation found. Complicit DMV employees reportedly received around $20,000 of those bribes.
DMV auditors got wind of the activities when they discovered several "highly suspicious" transactions starting in December 2010. "Despite the fact that the written and driving tests for Class C licenses should take at least 20 minutes each, DMV auditors found multiple transactions involving BRYAN, and others, where an applicant completed the entire license application process (from completing the initial application, to taking the applicant's photograph, to completing the required tests) in under 30 minutes," the federal complaint states.
The FBI's investigation involved a sting operation, a wiretap, inspection of surveillance footage and DMV records, one-way recorded interviews, and turning some of the alleged co-conspirators against one another. In the six-month sting operation, undercover agents bought four standard licenses for $500 each, the complaint states. One of the recruiters assured an undercover agent not to worry because he had done this "many, many times."
Among the alleged transactions:
• In October 2011, Saleh Almuzini failed prior driving tests and purchased a license for $500. Almuzini came in to take the test again. Before he did, one of the DMV test administrators, a man named Jim Bean, sent a text message to the person who sold Almuzini the fraudulent license: "Make sure they don't look obvious and take the wt (written test) in two min(utes) and turn it in," he instructed. Twenty minutes after Almuzini left, he was assigned a passing score in the DMV's computer system.
• In January 2012, Hassan Althani failed the written test two days in a row. The following week, a DMV computer was accessed after hours to enter a passing score for Althani. Surveillance video showed Bryan working at a computer at the time the test score was entered.
• Frank Attiq failed four written tests over an 18-month span. After he failed his last exam in January 2012, Attiq and one of the fake license recruiters, Kuvan Piromari, talked on the phone more than 10 times in five days. The next morning, Attiq's written test score received a passing grade at the El Cajon DMV, his driving test requirement was waived and he received a standard license — though surveillance videos never showed him setting foot inside the DMV. When investigators interviewed Attiq, he became hostile. "This is crazy, you guys are investigating a driver license!" he said, according to court records.
Commercial applicants allegedly got more than licenses for their payment: they also obtained certifications for transporting hazardous materials and other special cargo.
For example, in December 2011, Matthew Elliott allegedly took and failed five written tests, including three specialized commercial tests (on subjects including airbrakes and "general knowledge"). That same day, he was given passing scores for each test. Elliott sold his truck to get the $2,000 bribe he needed to obtain his commercial license, he later told investigators.
At the El Cajon DMV on Graves Avenue on a recent afternoon, people had harsh words for those who allegedly bought the illegal licenses.
"That's crazy! And it's not really fair to everyone else, especially people who wait in line," said Danielle De La Torre, 23, who said it took her about two hours, spread over two separate days, to get her license renewed. "There's a reason we have the test," she added.
It is unclear how many of the phony licenses are still in wallets around the county. Orabona did not respond when asked if people who obtained the illegal licenses could still be driving.