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How stables negatively effected wrestling.
by, 06-23-2012 at 04:30 PM (18707 Views)
Hello. Allow me to introduce myself. Im dperk911 wrestling fan since birth. Im not a wrestling trivia guru like most of you. But i do know enough.
This blog is about how stables effect wrestling in a negative way. We all love a good stable. Especially heel groups. But in some way it has hurt the credibilty of wrestlers. This blog is about that. So here are my reasons and how they hurt wrestling!
Creating a stable became a quick way to turn a face and tweeners heel. But the nature of stables to win at any cost created stables to interfere in matches. Which in my opinion took away from wrestlers credibility. No more clean matches made the storylines boring at times. In return makes the fan believe less in the product. How many times did we get annoyed with nWo because all matches ended with a interference and chair shots.
2)Fan fave is more over then the leader. All stables consist of a Leader a tag team and a second singles competitor. More then like the second single star is a upper mid carder. Ths dynamics of the stable lead ro predictability. How? How many times did we see the second singles star become a fan fave? And the. Rise against the stable? Ie: x-pac in dx, randy orton in evolution, trips in dx, kevin nash in nWo etc.
It became a quick way to make a star. And that becMe predictible.
Stables dont last anymore. Whens the last time you saw a stBle mKe it longer then a year. Shit we still get dx but other then that no. Stables became a way to make the top star in the business a bigger star and look invincible. Look at super cena and nexxus or nWo and sting. The cliche of beating doan the big bad gang. This mDe wrestling less believAble in my opinion. Which destroyed the reputation of those opposing the stable. Tell me you dont think. Dxxus vs. cena ain ruin cena credibilty more thsn what it already was?
Well theres my top three reasons. I have a part two. Oming if this gets good responses.
ThAnks for reading.

subset: commoncrawl


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bareMinerals 100% Natural Lipgloss Reviews
LOVEI love this in "Sugar Plum". It smells really nice and very sweet. It goes on smoothly and adds a nice sheer color to my lips. It's at a decent price too! It doesn't dry my lips most importantly. — 6 years, 5 months agovolta | 566 reviews
This review is: Helpful | Not helpful | Inappropriate | 1 of 1 people said helpful
Too Sticky!The Bare Escentuals 100% Natural Lipgloss was way to sticky for me. I had tried the Sugar Cookie and I did like the color but could not get over the stickiness! — 5 years, 6 months agopowerwoman033 | 509 reviews
PigmentedThese are highly pigmented, but a bit sticky. — 5 years, 10 months agoTheLacqueredLady | 751 reviews
LOVE!I'm hooked on BUXOM, but if you don't want the tingle then this lipgloss is the bomb! It has a hint of fragrance that makes you feel pampered and it glides on with the ultimate creamy texture. The colors are natural and long lasting. — 6 years, 6 months agoalictasia | 60 reviews
LOVE ITThis is a very hydrating lip product with an unbelievable texture. This product's long lasting power is very similar to a lipstick (3-4 hours), yet the texture is so creamy (like a thick liquid lipstick) that it's not like anything else out there in the beauty market right now. This product has an insatiable shine to it, and the colors are all very pigmented, that a little product does go a l...read moreong way! The applicator wand is firm yet flexible enough to contour your lips which applies an even coat of application. You can purchase the Bare Escentuals Minerals Pretty Amazing Lip Color at Sephora for $16, which is on the high end price tag for a lip product, however Sephora has a lot of holiday deals right now, and that's where I picked mine up. It came in a package with a mineral blush, a blush brush, and this lip color all for $10. I would recommend this product to anyone who wants to try something different other than the typical lipstick or standard lip-gloss. — 4 years, 8 months agoGlitzGlamBudget | 135 reviews
Sugar PlumI have two of these BE lip gloss, Sugar Plum and Sugar Cookie. I find that Sugar Cookie is too nude, the color barely appears on my lips, and I think I can find something similar to this color easily. But the color of Sugar Plum is very nice and warm. It has a mixture of purple and deep berry color, which I can wear to many places especially in Fall and Winter. These lip glosses are creamy, moistu...read morerizing, and maybe a bit sticky but not too bad. Both smell sweet, well, actually almost too sweet. It is hard to believe that they are made with the all-natural ingredients, which are another positive aspect of this BE lip gloss. — 6 years, 9 months agoluckybetty | 895 reviews
100% Natural Lip GlossI own more of these than I care to count and they all wear really well. If you're not a gloss person, these may seem sticky to you. To me, they're pretty smooth in the gloss department. Some colors are highly pigmented, and others are more sheer. I prefer a neutral lip most of the time, but I do own many of these in berry shades that look beautiful and don't clash with dramatic eye make-up. These ...read moreare priced right alongside competitors' lip glosses, and are often a bit cheaper than a lot of other big name brands. Plus, they ingredients aren't harmful, so you don't have to make yourself crazy about what you have on your lips. These are a healthier alternative to a lot of lip glosses that only have 2-3 natural ingredients in them. Plus, they're very smoothing and moisturizing. These are absolutely worth trying out for yourself. You will find that the travel size versions give you plenty of product, especially if you're not sure you want to commit to the full size version just yet. — 5 years, 1 month agoMissPoison | 249 reviews
Didn't Meet ExpectationsThis lipgloss has a pleasant scent and good colour but these are the only good points. The product did not apply evenly although I used a light and steady hand. The wear was very "smeary", sticky, clumpy in some areas and uneven. I have never had any problem with feathering or bleeding lipgloss before until this product. I don't care how natural a product is, if it is not worth it then i...read moret's not worth it. This lipgloss is definitely NOT worth it. I would not recommend or purchase this again. — 7 years, 9 months agoToscanaFirenze | 284 reviews
Nice lip gloss!This is a quality gloss for the price, although a little more expensive than I would like. The brush makes putting the gloss on easy and precise, and it smells like...cake? It goes on very smoothly and lasts (until you eat). The colors are flattering, and it's very moisturizing without being sticky. It doesn't really taste like any special flavor though (weird I know, but worth mentioning). — 7 years, 1 month agoRavenLoudspeakr | 301 reviews
This review is: Helpful | Not helpful | Inappropriate | 1 of 1 people said helpful
Chocolate smellIt has a reallynice chocolate smell , but the pigment shade is very less — 2 years agoUA... | 106 reviews
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Check lists, more Marvel Legends and "Evolutions"...
For a great selection of superhero action figures and collectibles, check out fine sponsors BigBadToyStore.com, BriansToys.com, ToyWiz.com, PastGenerationToys.com, Urban-Collector.com, ZoloWorld.com, SmallJoes.com, HobbyLinkJapan.com, and Sekaido.com.
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The Marvel Universe 3.75" line is amazing but it seems that upcoming figures are not announced as frequently as other toy lines. Have you considered at least offering collectors a check list which would reveal at least the names of the characters that will be released within the first 3 quarters of the year so that everyone is aware of what's coming even if the figure images can not yet be shown?
We can't wait to get our hands on the new Marvel Legends 2-packs later this year but three 2-packs is not quite enough to satisfy our hunger for more ML figures. It would be great if you would run an extensive fan poll like the one that was done for Marvel Universe in 2009 but for new Marvel Legends figures this time. What do you guys think?We share information about our upcoming character launches with caution as there are times when the line-ups change. As a result, revealing figures too far in advance could result in more confusion and mis-information. That being said, we are looking into creating an annual checklist. We'll keep you posted.
Have you ever considered incorporating the "Evolutions" concept to the Marvel Universe 3.75" line?We are working on some future plans for 6-inch figures and plan to announce later this year.
We look at every opportunity to offer the fans what they want. We know that there are many variations of characters and we try to address them all. Something like this may be addressed with a variant, more likely, than a multi-pack.


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AMBITIOUS plans have been unveiled that could change the face of Hagley Park and transform the historic site into a major UK tourist attraction.
The plans, submitted to Bromsgrove District Council, include building a £2.5million visitor centre in the grounds of Hagley Hall to incorporate a restaurant, gift shop, study rooms and a three-bedroom ranger's house.
There are also proposals for a children's play area and car parking for up to 180 vehicles including coaches.
It's anticipated the new attraction could draw between 50,000 to 100,000 visitors a year, with the revenue raised going towards helping to fund the restoration of the 290-acre park and its numerous listed buildings, bringing them back to their former 18th century glory.
And it would be the first time Hagley Park has ever been open to the public.
Lord Chris Cobham said: "It's very important to bring back the 18th century park. It''ll be good for the area. It's such an important garden.
"I didn't know until six years ago, and I live there and grew up there, how important the park is on a national stage. Back in the 18th century it was visited by two US presidents - John Adams and Thomas Jefferson – and they compared it with Blenheim and Stowe."
Andrew Russell-Wilks, of planning and development consultants Ancer Spa Ltd, expects the plan to go before the district council within the next 12 weeks and - if approved - the park could open to the public in 2016.
He said: "We've had research taken on a number of similar historic buildings to estimate the amount of visitors. Figures suggest we're looking in the region of 75,000 a year, although if successful that could rise to 100,000.
"However, we remain mindful that too many visitors could spoil the park and the effect, but there are ways in which we can control that through pricing and opening hours."
The planned visitor centre would be built on green belt but the applicants hope special circumstances will be taken into consideration.
A large amount of work has already taken place at Hagley Park under the stewardship of Lord Cobham since succeeding his brother in 2007.
Park walkways have been cleared and reinstated, water features dredged and repaired while the Palladian Bridge has been completely rebuilt.
Work has also taken place to restore the Rotunda after it was vandalised. As a result, the Grade II listed building has been taken off English Heritage's buildings at risk list.
However the Temple of Theseus, a Grade 1 building still remains on the list.
The estate has been able to obtain grants from both Natural England and English Heritage - but on condition that the public and schools have access to the park.
Lord Cobham has also introduced initiatives to help raise funds including opening up Hagley Hall to hire for weddings, conferences and other functions.
He has also sold non-core parts of the estate, property and less important house contents - and he remains committed to putting the estate back on a financially sustainable footing, insisting it must pay its way.


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Cape Town – Gordon Igesund is already bunkered down, assessing Bafana Bafana's campaign in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, and planning ahead for the upcoming 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
A coach's work is never done. The emotions resulting from a football match – be it positive or negative – last just a while and then there's another game to prepare for. After almost 20 years in the coaching business, the 56-year-old Igesund is certainly aware of the dangers of complacency.
South Africa may be feeling good about Bafana right now, but he knows how quickly the mood can change if he doesn't continue to keep the national team on an upward trajectory.
After an impressive Nations Cup display, here are some thoughts for Igesund to ponder:
What worked
The predominant theme that reflects the current feel-good Zeitgest is the pride with which Bafana performed. For far too long, supporters have had to endure some soporific and indifferent spells of football from their national team. In the last three games under Igesund – against Angola, Morocco and Mali – Bafana showed commitment, energy and purpose. They played with pride, they wore the jersey with honour, and that is all a nation can ask of its sports teams. No side can win each and every match, that's axiomatic, but performances should at least imbue the country's people with pride. And, at the Nations Cup, that's what Bafana did. This is the desire and spirit which Igesund should demand from his players whenever they are asked to don a national jersey.
The squad that did duty at the Nations Cup
Igesund emphasised the point that he was proud of his squad's accomplishments. The 23 men will, therefore, form the basis of his thinking for the World Cup qualifiers, but they are, by no means, guaranteed a place in the future. Others will come into contention as the Bafana coach strives to strengthen the squad, and in this way raise their level of performance even more.
GOALKEEPERS: Itumeleng Khune, Wayne Sandilands, Senzo Meyiwa
Khune was, of course, one of the stars. His outstanding display, and superb saves, against Morocco will live on in memory. But, despite his agility and supreme confidence, the Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper's weak areas were also clearly on show. He is suspect on the high ball and indecisive on crosses, which, of course, was how Bafana conceded goals at the tournament. He's only 25, so has plenty of time to work on these shortcomings, but it's something Igesund should now make a priority for his number one keeper.
Sandilands and Meyiwa were the back-ups, but others who will challenge in the months to come include Moeneeb Josephs (making his way back from injury) and the brilliant Ronwen Williams of SuperSport United.
Defenders: Anele Ngcongca, Siboniso Gaxa, Tsepo Masilela, Thabo Matlaba, Siyabonga Sangweni, Bongani Khumalo, Thabo Nthethe
Ngcongca was solid at right-back and his place is safe. He missed the quarter-final against Mali through suspension, where his replacement Gaxa was guilty of a few lapses in concentration. The central defensive duo of Bongani Khumalo and Siyabonga Sangweni were caught out on a few occasions, but overall were solid enough. They, too, like Khune, appear hesitant and doubtful on crosses. Sangweni, however, chipped in with two crucial goals. At left-back, Tsepo Masilela is the undoubted top selection for this position, and performed admirably thoughout.
While the team's defensive shape and organisation were, for the most part, something to rely on, one of the glaring problems in defence was the inability of players to pick up loose opponents in and around the penalty area.
The most obvious name to come into the team in central defence is Chiefs' Morgan Gould, who has been out injured. Others to stake a claim for future squads are Eric Matoho, Happy Jele, Bevan Fransman, Luvhengo Mungomeni, Ricardo Nunes, Clayton Daniels and Siyanda Xulu.
Midfielders: Thulani Serero, Lerato Chabangu, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Dean Furman, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Thuso Phala, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, May Mahlangu, Oupa Manyisa
Furman and Mahlangu are the duo who sparked Bafana. After a dour 0-0 draw with Cape Verde in the opening Nations Cup fixture, Igesund drafted the pair into the centre of midfield – and a fresh, animated team emerged in subsequent games.
Furman's poise under pressure and disciplined positional play allowed the team's creative sparks to flourish.
Often, in the past, Bafana's midfielders were guilty of passing sideways and backwards, resulting in the team going nowhere and facilitating the monotonous predictability of their approach. But Mahlangu changed all this. His dynamic, jack-in-the-box attitude forced the team into attack. He drove them forward with energy and enthusiasm, and his vibrant presence was responsible for the exciting Bafana on display.
The pugnacious Letsholonyane was excellent against Mali, and Phala, who was Igesund's surprise pick of the tournament, was pacy and influential throughout. Serero, back from injury, was far from match fit and he will improve as his international career continues.
This area, though, is where Igesund needs to make some critical decisions because there are many names waiting in the wings, including Andile Jali, Daine Klate, Sifiso Miyeni, Tlou Segolela, Franklin Cale, Sameehg Doutie, Granwald Scott, George Maluleka, George Lebese, David Mathebula, Daylon Claasen, Lance Davids, Matthew Pattison and Teko Modise. And there are even a few long-term prospects in Ajax's teenage trio, Toriq Losper, Travis Graham and Keagan Dolly.
Strikers: Bernard Parker, Katlego Mphela, Tokelo Rantie, Lehlohonolo Majoro
Igesund's biggest headache. The lack of a reliable goal-getter has troubled every recent Bafana coach, and Igesund will have to find a way to solve this problem.
Either a youngster is going to have to come to light – like Benni McCarthy did all those years ago – or the coach is going to have to train and drill his chosen strikers relentlessly in an effort to get them to increase their goal tally.
Because, for all Bafana's good work in build-up play, they still do not finish their scoring chances consistently enough.
Rantie looks a fine prospect, Majoro netted against Angola, Mphela, just back from injury, is out of shape, while the industrious Parker remains more a midfielder than a striker.
Others Igesund will look at are Ayanda Patosi, Calvin Kadi, Kermit Erasmus, Davide Somma, Bradley Grobler, Mabhuti Khenyeza, Edward Manqele, Richard Henyekane and, if he wants to, depending on the situation or the opposition, veterans Siyabonga Nomvethe and McCarthy. – Cape Argus


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'Hecht casually strolled out of the Sabres dressing room and down the hall while some of his teammates took the ice for an optional practice Monday morning in HSBC Arena. He exhibited a sheepish look when he walked past a reporter, who asked for a moment of Hecht's time. "Nope," Hecht said, smiling but not breaking stride.'
You are here: Home / SabresBeat / Hecht's condition an enigma wrapped inside a mystery


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Emerging Markets Fears Could Slow Bank of America, Citigroup
Emerging-market turmoil could be bad news for Citigroup (C) and Bank of America (BAC).
JPMorgan's Vivek Juneja and team explain:
There is generally a seasonal rise in capital markets revenues in 1Q led by sharp qoq increase in trading revenues in both fixed income and equities. January appears to have started well in equities with higher volatility positive for equity derivatives. But the recent sell off in equities and increased turmoil in emerging markets may decrease trading revenues eventually after initial trading volume spike. And cash bond trading volumes are down sharply yoy with reduced issuance. F/X volatility started off weak but has picked up recently, especially in EM...
Given the recent volatility and uncertainty in the markets, we prefer banks with
additional levers such as expense cuts and/or revenue growth areas. This includes SunTrust (STI) and BB&T (BBT), which both have additional expense cuts – BB&T delivered ahead of expectations with lower expenses in 4Q13, in contrast to most peers, and should see further improvement in 2014. Wells Fargo (WFC) also has both revenue and expense drivers. Bank of America should benefit medium term from further expense reductions but, near term, may see lesser yoy improvement in trading and capital markets revenues plus modest [net interest margin] decline in 1Q if current environment continues. Citicorp is likely to be overshadowed by EM concerns and declining EPS estimates.
Shares of Citigroup have risen 0.6% to $48.37 at 9:58 a.m., while Bank of America has gained 0.8% to $16.82, Wells Fargo has gone up 0.7% to $45.90, BB&T has advanced 0.8% to $37.67 and SunTrust is up 0.4% at $37.71.


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Stockholm, Sweden -- Ikea said Monday that its CEO Mikael Ohlsson will step down effective Sept. 1, 2013, and will be succeeded by Peter Agnefjall, current country manager of Ikea Sweden.
To prepare Agnefjall for his new role, Ikea said that he will serve as VP of the company beginning in 2013 until his September transition.
Ikea also announced that founder Ingvar Kamprad has elevated his three sons' roles in the company. Peter, Mathias and Jonas will have "more active ownership roles," according to Ikea spokesman Per Heggenes. The retailer said the two moves are unrelated.
Peter, the eldest son, has been working in Ikea's purchasing and retail operation and now chairs Ikano. Jonas, a former Ikea furniture designer, sits on the board of the Ingka holding company. Youngest brother Mathias has worked as an assistant to his father and is on the board of Inter Ikea.


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10-11-2011 #21Erz Guest
Hey that's awesome, I think it would be nice if you can add Stars-Like-Sparkling for the Background (like PS3 XMB background)
10-13-2011 #22Administrator
- Join Date
- Apr 2005
- Posts
- 25,150
Site News: PS3 News Quick Style Chooser Added, Seeking Logo
This is just a quick PSA that we have now completed work integrating the PS3 News Quick Style Chooser into our Forums, Portal and 17 Subdomains hosted here which allows you to change the colors based on your preferences while browsing the site each day.
It can be found in the bottom left corner of each page here, and we will continue adding Styles to it frequently.
If anyone wishes to take a screenshot like HeyManHRU did HERE and fill in the colors you'd like to see we will do our best to add a Style under your UserName to pick from as time permits!
Finally, we are still offering $100 US for a new Site Logo... so far we have had a lot of GREAT design ideas in the ongoing thread with the criteria outlined below:
- The logo should look decent with a transparent background, or able to be made that way upon being selected (most are).
- The logo design should be unique so that when seen the first thing that comes to a viewer's mind is our site, not "Sony" or "PlayStation 3" so try to avoid using pics of the PS3 itself or accessories, font etc.
- We prefer round, curvy fonts such as those attached HERE over square/boxy looking ones for the "PS3 News" name in the logo.
- The logo should match the default site/forum colorscheme (white, black, grey, silver and our blue shades) to naturally blend/fit in.
- The logo should be visually appealing/friendly horizontally at 150x90, vertically at 46x180 and as our default Forum avatar at 50x50. This is the biggest issue as the same exact logo likely won't work in all three placements just by rotating/resizing it so we need a basic logo design that is versatile enough to work for them all.
- Post any design ideas / submissions in the ongoing PS3 News Logo thread HERE.
More PlayStation 3 News...
10-13-2011 #23properBo Guest
so awesome! Halloween all year round for me
10-13-2011 #24Administrator
- Join Date
- Apr 2005
- Posts
- 25,150
Thanks for the feedback properBo and +Rep... we will definitely do some more "darker" ones so that you won't feel like a pumpkin all year round!
The most time-consuming part was integrating the Styles with the Portal and Subdomains... now that it's done, making the new Styles themselves is actually quite painless.
10-13-2011 #25Mantagtj Guest
See I like silver (even tho the "1 week ago" bit is very hard to see in the silver with white) cus it goes with my mettallic desktop and chrome chrome (see what i did there! lol), Keep up the good work!
10-13-2011 #26Administrator
- Join Date
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+Rep to Mantagtj also, and if you attach a pic (press Print Screen, then Edit and Paste into Paint and Save) as the time/date etc is all over the Portal and Forum so reducing guesswork (me changing one thing, you looking at another) then I can lighten/darken it to make it perfect for ya!
10-13-2011 #27GrandpaHomer Guest
Nice one - like Silver and Blues - but I'd like most to have the same as Blues but in Greens - would you do that boss or do you want me to play with paint as well? Same shades / dark levels just in green will do
10-13-2011 #28Administrator
- Join Date
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Hi GrandpaHomer, if you check the attached pic I made 3 black boxes in it... just fill them in (in white, so I can read it) with the hexcode colors you'd like for those three areas and the rest I can probably wing to make it how you want easy enough... and +Rep!
10-13-2011 #29HeyManHRU Guest
The site has certainly changed a lot in the last couple of months. There is only one minor "error" that I encountered, as you can see in the picture below the circled area of the quote is still the default color compared to the rest of it. Other than that, everything seems and looks perfectly fine.
10-13-2011 #30B4rtj4h Guest
Great news ! (have been sick but i am better now ... so i'll be more around haha)


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inkQuencer from Sebastian Thielke on Vimeo.
Geeky and cool.
"InkQuencer is a step-sequencer that plays music based on camera input. People can draw patterns on paper and then play back the pattern by holding the drawing in front of the camera. The program receives the images from the camera and draws a saled down, 32 by 30 pixel isometric version. On each beat from the metronome, the scrubber runs through a new column of pixels and plays a sound if the pixel is black." – Sebastian Thielke
For more info: Sebastian Thielke


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ROWING: Winter form bodes well
4:52pm Wednesday 26th March 2014
By Andrew Simpson
4:52pm Wednesday 26th March 2014
By Andrew Simpson
JUNIORS at Northwich Rowing Club will reach the regatta season in race-winning form after registering three category victories during Saturday's annual North of England Head.
An MJ18 quad of Finn Lawton, Tom Asteriades, Zak Trigg and Alex Bain were the fastest crew on the water in Division One, completing a 5km course on the River Dee in 16:31.9.
Neighbours Grange School's MJ18 boat was five seconds adrift after timing 16:36.7.
Northwich's MJ17 quad, consisting of Harry Blake, Jack Radford, George Lawton and Leon Langmead, were quickest in class after reaching the finish in 17:00.5.
York City Rowing Club were next best, some 17 seconds slower.
A third success for Northwich was celebrated by an WJ15 coxed quad of Anya George, Beth Wilford-Dutton, Amelia Barry, Hannah Cooney and cox Saffron Coppock, who clocked 20:31.0.
Grange School had to settle for a runners-up position after timing 20:59.1.
"The performances in the final winter races have been outstanding," said Northwich captain Rachel Hooper.
"It bodes well for the regatta campaign.
"The boys' quads continue to dominate, while our under 15s girls' squad is the strongest we've had in that age group for as long as I can remember."
Meanwhile Grange School's MJ18 eight prepared for the Schools' Head of the River in London today, Wednesday, by winning their class at Chester.
Harry Blake, from Northwich, joined George Graham, Sam Hart, Conor Gay, Matt Roe, Tom Roe, Reece Lester, Callum Begg and cox Megan Walker in the boat, which reached the finish in 17:03.5.
© Copyright 2001-2017 Newsquest Media Group


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Welcome to the Muppet Central Forum!
You are viewing our forum as a guest. Join our free community to post topics and start private conversations. Please contact us if you need help with registration or your account login.
Do celebrities charge autographs now?
Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by mupcollector1, Nov 4, 2012.
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Timor-Leste: Alcohol-fuelled violence a growing concern
|Publication Date
|1 August 2012
|Cite as
|IRIN, Timor-Leste: Alcohol-fuelled violence a growing concern, 1 August 2012, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/5020c08b2.html [accessed 22 September 2017]
|This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.
Vidal Campos Magno, now 29, grew up surrounded by conflict, was a teenager during the final years of the Indonesian occupation of Timor-Leste, and then went through the turmoil that followed the 1999 referendum for independence.
"I was involved in the fighting. I remember hanging around with friends, then we'd plan to go and hurt this person or that person. We had to fight because of the political situation."
It wasn't until he was accepted into university that Magno decided to change what he calls his "bad behaviour". Now a project coordinator at Ba Futuru, a local peace-building organization, he draws on his experiences to help young people, including former gang members and ex-prisoners.
One of the common problems, he said, is that unemployed youths are stuck in a cycle of alcohol and violence. In Timor-Leste,unemployment among young people is estimated at over 40 percent, and approximately 16,000 young people enter the labour market each year. The problem is expected to grow, with 41 percent of the population under 15 years old, according to government data.
"There's a lot of youth unemployment and sometimes young people hang around and drink alcohol, then go to the main road to fight each other or throw rocks at cars. This is their reality," said Magno.
An analysis of drug and alcohol issues in the Pacific by the Australian National Council on Drugs in 2008-2009 concluded that "alcohol is still a substance of concern" in Timor-Leste, but noted a lack of official data.
The most recent national data reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) was in 2006, before a political crisis displaced more than 100,000 people, a tense and violent presidential poll in 2007, and a presidential assassination attempt in February 2008.
There are no government-funded rehabilitation facilities for people addicted to drugs or alcohol, but Pradet, a national mental health NGO, was one of the first groups to provide treatment. It has offered community awareness workshops to prisoners, police and community leaders since 2009, funded by AusAID.
Pradet director Manuel dos Santos told IRIN drug use was still a relatively small problem, but there are fears that it could increase. "Our border does not have a secure system for controlling drugs, so people are consuming more and more, but there's no specific research to find out how much."
The regional office of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Bangkok, Thailand, which oversees Timor-Leste, has no record of drug use or seizure trends in the country.
A December 2010 policy brief by a national conflict-monitoring NGO, Belun, found a "worrying degree of drug use", including the consumption of sabu-sabu, an illegally manufactured amphetamine, and korneta, a plant that creates a feeling of euphoria.
Dangers unknown
Dos Santos said most people in Timor-Leste are unaware that over-consumption of alcohol is harmful. "Many who participate in the training are surprised when they find out about the negative impacts of alcohol. Before they receive the information, they say they used to keep drinking until they fell asleep."
He said workshop participants had recommended creating defined places to sell alcohol, introducing a law restricting children from buying alcoholic drinks, and increasing the tax to make such drinks more expensive.
There are no regulations for the alcohol content in drinks, and no age restrictions on purchasing them. The popular local palm wine (tua mutin) and palm brandy (tua sabu) are both sold in recycled plastic bottles along the roadsides.
"In Timor-Leste, drinking alcohol is part of our tradition, so if you sit down with two or three people, they feel they must drink. But sometimes it causes accidents and sometimes it causes fights," said Domingos Maia, the drug and alcohol trainer of the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL).
Domestic violence
The police link alcohol to domestic violence. "Often we see fathers and husbands fighting with their families after drinking too much alcohol," Maia said.
The most recent demographic survey by the Ministry of Health, in 2010, did not track alcohol or drug consumption, but found alcohol was a significant factor in domestic violence. Of the women who experienced domestic violence, 60 percent said their husbands "get drunk very often", compared to 26 percent who said their husbands did not drink alcohol at all.
In 2009, Belun started tracking alcohol-related violence through an Early Warning Early Response Monitoring System, set up with the assistance of Columbia University, New York, after noting a rise in alcohol-fuelled violence.
Constantino Escollano Brandao, a research and policy specialist at Belun, said alcohol is often a catalyst for violence caused by underlying problems. "For young people [this] could be the stress of finding a job, social jealousy, or not being able to afford to stay in school."
In the eastern district of Ermera, known for its celebration of the annual coffee harvest in July, drunkenness and causing trouble while drunk have been banned since February 2012, under a traditional form of law and order known as Tara-bandu.
Fines start at US$25. "Since the Tara-bandu there has been a positive change because the number of parties has been limited, and the sanctions discourage drunken people from causing problems," Brandao told IRIN.
In the capital, Dili, where alcohol and drugs are readily accessible, youth coordinator Magno said the answer is not prohibition or punishment, but education.
"Many young people are stuck in a very negative mindset and it's not easy to change their bad behaviour… but to reduce the violence we also have to reduce the alcohol."


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Culture Blogs
Story, art, magic and creative activities for families to share and do.
Magical Lives ~ Lady Olivia Robertson
In honor of the passing of Lady Olivia Robertson last week, a lovely personal experience by Katharine Clark...
Olivia Robertson felt the touch of the Goddess at a very early age. She had experiences of entering altered realities, and seeing both crystal and golden goddesses as a young girl, but didn't fully respond to the "Call of Isis" until much later. Born in London on April 13, 1917 (a Friday the 13th!), she was the second of four children born into a well established Anglo-Irish family. They owned an ancestral castle in Ireland, between the Slaney and Derry rivers outside Enniscorthy, called Clonegal Castle (at times also known as Huntington Castle). During the Irish war for independence, the IRA had used the property as a headquarters, and housed prisoners in its multi-chambered under-croft. When "the troubles" were over, her father moved everyone back to the castle in 1925, when Olivia was eight.
Lady Olivia on the castle grounds.
She studied in London, was a nurse during WWII, and later became an author and artist. In 1960, along with her late brother Lawrence and his wife Pamela, she returned to Clonegal, and established the Huntington Castle Center for Meditation and Study in 1963. Drawn to the "Goddess energy" represented by Isis, Olivia discovered she had a great talent for conducting people through guided meditations. Finally, in 1976, she, Lawrence, and Pamela founded "The Fellowship of Isis." This was a new kind of occult society. There was no priesthood, liturgy or oaths. (Later, at the request of members, Olivia did write rituals and prayers, and dedicated a priesthood). Anyone with a love of the Divine Female could join, without abandoning their current religious path. Buddhists, Wiccans, a variety of Pagans and Christians, and even a Catholic monk or two have been counted among its members! Lady Olivia and the Goddess Olivia used the Goddess Isis to represent the universal Goddess Energy of all cultures and in all Her forms. Folks could join as individuals, or form "Sister Centres" (with permission) in their own areas. Although no longer active, my coven was declared a Sister Centre in the late 1970s. (Our Centre was named for the Irish Moon Goddess, as well as the Goddess of Healing: Fleachta-Airmid.)
Our very official charter--signed by Olivia!
In the 1970s I paid a visit to Clonegal Castle, and found myself moving down its musty halls, rows of aging tapestries, and portraits of ancestors. The building had no electricity, so we toured the castle grounds by twilight, and the interior via lit candelabra. This was a real castle, a real home, and a budding spiritual center. From the High Altar room to the ancient Druid well (now part of the Brigid Healing Chapel) the walls rang with history and energy.
Me at the castle!
Over time, the FOI has grown, yet stayed the same. Despite numerous Sister Centers and international membership, its mission has remained unchanged: to be a place for all those who love the Goddess to come together and express themselves. Olivia attends the Glastonbury Goddess Gathering every year and, in 1993, was one of the only participants at the Parliament of World Religions (a gathering that takes place every 100 years) representing a Goddess faith. Although not every other traditional representative was pleased with this change (some members of a Christian sect withdrew from the conference rather than participate with Pagans or a Goddess religion), many were supportive. It was a brave, and historical, action on the part of Olivia!
What is her message? Per her BBC interview, "...be happy now... you find Deity, the Goddess, the God now and your home becomes your sanctuary. You have a sanctuary as your hearth--a candle, one candle, a stick of incense, wherever you are is Heaven." Safe journey, Olivia!
Learn more about the Fellowship of Isis at www.fellowshipofisis.com.
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Scientific Name: Family Cyprinodontidae
Description: Pupfish are ray-finned fish with have striking coloration. The Devils Hole pupfish (Cyprinodon diabolis), for example, is bright blue with purplish accents. The White Sands pupfish has yellow and orange fins.
Size: Most pupfish are very small, some less than an inch in length.
Diet: Pupfish feed on algae, plants, aquatic invertebrates, and insects.
Typical Lifespan: Between 6 and 12 months for Devils Hole pupfish. Others, like the Comanche Springs Pupfish (Cyprinodon elegans) live for 1 to 2 years.
Habitat: When Ice Age lakes that covered a large part of the southwest began to dry up, pupfish were confined to small areas with poor water quality. In order to survive, the various species have become highly adapted to withstanding conditions that would kill most other fish. The desert pupfish (Cyprinodon macularius eremus), for example, can live in water temperatures up to 110oF! Other species tolerate huge swings in temperatures or salt content three times higher than in ocean water!
Range: Pupfish are found in isolated aquatic habitats in the United States southwest. Individual species are known from very small localities. The Devils Hole pupfish lives in only one area that is 3 by 5 feet across.
Life History and Reproduction: The Devils Hole pupfish lives in a relatively constant habitat, so it can breed year round. The mating system is polygynous, and males may prevent other males from breeding with a female. When larvae hatch, they are less than a centimeter long. The offspring reach full reproductive maturity at 8 to 10 weeks.
Fun Fact: The Ash Meadows Amargosa pupfish (Cyprinodon nevadensis mionectes) of Nevada can live in as little as one half inch of water.
Conservation Status: Many species occur in incredibly low numbers and are Federally listed as Endangered. It's natural for pupfish to occur in low numbers, because their habitats can't accommodate large populations. However, their small populations make them more vulnerable to extinction, and even slight threats to their habitats are major problems. Pollution and invasive species affect some species. Pupfish living in spring-fed environments are at risk from excessive groundwater withdrawal, which can dry up their habitats.
Nevada Fish & Wildlife Office – Devils Hole Pupfish
Nevada Fish & Wildlife Office – Ash Meadows Amargosa Pupfish
Tohono Chul Park
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Species Reports
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department – Comanche Springs Pupfish
Pima County Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan
These species might have disappeared during the past 30 years if the Endangered Species Act had not saved them
Why we need to act swiftly to protect our fishing heritage: Check out NWF's report, Swimming Upstream: Freshwater Fish in a Warming World >>