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Monday, July 28, 2008
Copy? Right!
Lookie what I found while I was clicking through my link list! Apartment Therapy discovered an electronic swatch book of copyright free fabric patterns circa 1830 - 1920 at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum. If you're computer and photoshop friendly, you can download these vintage designs, turn 'em into black and white art, clean 'em up a bit and make timeless photopolymer plates and etched copper texture sheets. All of the swatches are in the public domain "down under", but you may need to do a little more investigation to see if you can use them elsewhere in the world.
Posted by Lora Hart at 6:36 PM No comments:
Friday, July 25, 2008
Weekend Eye Candy
Brooch by Iris Aglom via Klimt02
I just looove jewelry makers. Whatever their process, favorite materials or style. There's always something that sparks my imagination. My tastes run more towards art/studio jewelry, but I even get ideas from what Maggie Bergman from Australia calls red, white and blue jewelry. Rubies, Diamonds and Sapphires. In other words traditional gold or platinum wedding ring/Oscar worthy type designs.
I don't look at other artists work to copy or emulate their style. I want to absorb their construction, found materials choices, clasps, connections and shapes. And I try not to do a sketch of an entire piece, just the bit I want to remember. Then I put it away and let it percolate. The next time I sit down at my bench those elements have migrated into my own aesthetic and I can feel free to use them - knowing I'm not copying, but just using them as a jumping off place.
"Fruit 2008" by Myung Urso via Klimt02
Navigating around Klimt02 is kind of like finding your way through a renaissance hedge maze. There are beautiful examples at every twist and turn, but be careful you don't get lost in the carefully manicured forest. Some of the work I really resonate with, some leaves me wondering why bother? But if I look closely enough, there's always something there that I hadn't imagined before and it makes me think.
From the Stained Cell Series via Vena Rust
18kt. is much more eyes straight forward. A long restful walk through a hall of wonders. In her wonderful blog, Marta Sanchez shows multiple images of each artist's work. I love how some of them have taken one simple element or theme and expanded on it to create an entire line of unique jewelry.
Take a tour this weekend and start a visual journal of work that inspires you, sketch out the bits and pieces. Then go out into a lovely day and play. When you come back I bet you have an idea or two just bursting to be realized.
Ring by Senay Akin via 18kt
Posted by Lora Hart at 9:58 AM 3 comments:
Thursday, July 24, 2008
AARP's Got Nothing On This...
Level One Certification Examples
So... did anyone notice in yesterday's post that I alluded to the fact that I student taught a Level One class with Mary Ann Devos at the Conference? It's just one of the things one has to do when... one has been appointed a Senior Instructor!!! Too many exclamation points, but I'm really honored to have been asked to become the new Senior for the Los Angeles and general Southern California area. Huzzah!
My first cert. class at Mikuni in Northridge is scheduled for September 27 and 28. The maximum number of students for my debut is just 8, so if you're interested (and I hope that you are) be sure to sign up with PMCConnection.com as soon as possible. I'll be adding some general certification information to both my full website and my Class Schedule blog soon, so be sure to check out the links to the right of this post in a few days.
Depending on when you're reading this, the class was temporarily listed under Mary Ellin D'Agostino's name, but don't be fooled. I'll be there with bells on, clutching a binky to calm my nerves.
Posted by Lora Hart at 5:59 AM 10 comments:
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
A Most Special Gift
Torch fired, but un-polished silver clay scrap
Lots of things to do today to get ready for a class, but I wanted to share one wonderful thing that I learned at the conference.
When you teach a class, you hope to impart some of your knowledge and experience to your students. The goal is that you leave them with information that they'll find useful in their own jewelry making processes. Sometimes during that exchange a teacher is lucky enough to learn something new or innovative from the student.
While student teaching a Level One class with Mary Ann Devos in Indianapolis, one of her students shared a tip that was worth the price of admission right then and there. Unfortunately I no longer remember her name. My memory runs through the sands of time, and valuable information is sifted through my synapses like a play day at the beach. If you read this dear student, I apologize and beg you to leave a comment so I can credit you in the future.
We're always looking for ways to save every tiny bit of the precious gold or silver clay we use to make our masterpieces. I've told the story about how CeCe Wire has every student wipe their hands on a baby wipe to retrieve the clay that clings to their hands, collects every stray piece of sandpaper and ancient emery boards to send to a refiner that takes dirty scrap. I've always said that I neither have the space for storage nor the energy to save all that gilded ephemera for the few cents it might garner. This brilliant student takes saving fine slip from fingers, tools and work surfaces one step further.
She wipes things down with a baby wipe or piece of toilet paper and then torch fires it to reclaim the silver content. It can be saved to refine down the line, used to cast with or best of all - melted into little balls and other interesting shapes to be added as design elements to unfinished pieces. Brilliant. I'm sure that other folks have thought outside the box to discover this wonderful way of in-house refining, but it just never occurred to me. Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best.
Posted by Lora Hart at 9:39 AM 2 comments:
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Home Again, Home Again...
Purdue Memorial Union Hotel
I'm back from the conference (finally) and all revved up to get back to work. Yes, BronzClay is terribly exciting, the seminars were inspiring and seeing old friends was just too fabulous. Making new ones doesn't exactly suck either. Too much fun. And I had even more when I got home. Maggie Bergman from Australia stopped in L.A. for two days on her way back to Oz and we had the bestest time. I just dropped her at LAX and want to cry, I miss her already.
I'm not a picture taker, so nothing but Google Images to illustrate the fun we had (note to self: get a purse sized camera). Paige, Michelle, Maggie and I went to a wonderful restaurant in hippie saturated Topanga Canyon called Inn of the Seventh Ray. It's a lovely old place on a creek (at least it's a creek after the rains) protected by a canopy of green leafiness - complete with fluttering Monarch butterflies and scampering squirrels. And probably even more unseen but observant wildlife. It's rumored to have been built in the 30's by Amiee Semple McPherson as a private getaway to escape the intensities of her pentecostal ministry.
Swimming Upstream
Then we went up to the Malibu Country Mart to go to a favorite folk art gallery that I haven't visited in much too long. So long in fact that Tops Malibu doesn't exist anymore. It was so unique. Such a shame. So back into the car to go to Altered Space Gallery which carries two of my favorite jewelry artists, Todd Reed and Eric Silva. Of course while there I fell in love with a fine artist I wasn't familiar with before. Michele Mikesell's whimsical anthropomorphic animals make me smile, her technique with paint is luscious and I want one more than life itself. Okay. That may be an overstatement.
Today we went to San Gabriel Bead Company so Maggie can envison where I work when I tell her stories and drove to Pasadena to walk around the outside of the Gamble House which is only open for tours on weekends. Dang. Then back to my studiolo for a quick nap followed by the sad trip to the airport. Can't wait for 2010 when I get to see Maggie, Angela, Sarah, Linda, and all my other new and old friends again. To say nothing of the glorious conference. Which I will report on in depth tomorrow. Stay tuned for more fascinating observations ...
Posted by Lora Hart at 8:23 PM No comments:
Friday, July 11, 2008
The Carnival's Back in Town
Image via DandyTree
Step right this way... Each month a group of jewelry artists use their blogs to get together online and answer the same question - each in their own way. This month's query is:
What is your favorite manual tool?
The list is long, the choices many. I don't think I've met a hand tool I didn't like. I love to collect them and put them on the wall to admire. There's an old tool sale in my neighborhood once a month where they sell all kinds of wonderful things. Old adze's, the most wonderful hammers, altered files and bits of architectural details. It takes all my inner strength not to empty my checking account each time I go.
That said, my favorite manual tool has remained the same for years. At least for use with metal clay. I loooove a good toothpick! I sand with it, drill holes, place patina in difficult or delicate areas - even use one to burnish a bit. I use a round, wooden toothpick almost as much as I use my synthetic hair #3 watercolor brush, which I simply could not stand to be without. Very low tech.
I'm really interested to see what the other carney's have to say though. I bet they've discovered a wonderful tool that I'll have to run right out to acquire. After I get back from the conference at Purdue of course. I'll be taking the next week off from blogging and will return Monday the 21st. Be well and leave lots of comments to let me know what you've all been up to.
If you'd like to see what the other carney's have to say, check them out:
Posted by Lora Hart at 6:45 AM 2 comments:
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Extra, Extra!
Tonya Davidson, the genius behind Whole Lotta Whimsy has now created a blog! And it's great. Musings and Mullings will focus on marketing, branding, and other professional topics as well as metal clay techniques and the new BronzClay.
And wait until you see her stunning studio. I'm so jealous I could melt. It's bright, big, clean and best of all pink! The enamel wall alone is aesthetically gorgeous as well as being super functional. And I'm dying to know what's in all those green storage boxes on the wall to the left. Treasures!
Drop by and leave a comment. This new venture really deserves all the support we can give it. I can't wait to see how this blog develops.
Posted by Lora Hart at 6:49 AM 2 comments:
Friday, July 4, 2008
Weekend Eye Candy
Take a look at my beautiful new key fob made by Kirsten Skiles of Knitsteel. Kirsten recently taught a forging workshop at Haystack and this was one of the little lovelies she made while she was there. I feel a bit like I was there too. Her blog was filled with such wonderful imagery, I just had to have a bit of the magic myself. And I needed a new fob.
Who knew?! Flickr has groups that gather images posted by other Flickr members. One of these groups recently contacted me to include one of my hollow rings and that's how I discovered them. Take a look at the collection of great jewelry images they've compiled.
Have a safe, sane and rockin' 4th of July - or 14th of July in advance depending on where you live!
Posted by Lora Hart at 7:14 AM 5 comments:
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sku RUG101498
Elements EL02 Elements Liquorice RugYes Yes Blacks And Grays Blacks And Grays Hand Loomed Hand Loomed India India Wool Wool Natural Fiber Natural Fiber Wool Wool 1000' 1000' $1000 And Above $1000 And Above $1000 To $2000 $1000 To $2000 $250 To $500 $250 To $500 $500 To $1000 $500 To $1000 Under $100 Under $100 Under $500 Under $500 Rectangle Rectangle Runner Runner Rectangle 10'x14' Rectangle 10'x14' Rectangle 2'x3' Rectangle 2'x3' Rectangle 5'x8' Rectangle 5'x8' Rectangle 8'x10' Rectangle 8'x10' Runner 7' To 8' Long Runner 7' To 8' Long Solid Solid
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Delivery within 2 weeks on average.
Product Information
Take your space back to basics with the Elements Collection. Arfully hand-woven in neutral tones of undyed wool, every piece in this subtle range has a soft hand and a beautiful mottled effect giving each piece a look reminiscent of Donegal tweed suiting fabric.
Rug & Home is proud to offer free shipping with every rug, art, mirror, lamp, and accessory purchase on our website.

subset: commoncrawl


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Martin H. Greenberg is an anthologist who lives with his wife and young daughter in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he is a college professor. He has several grown children. Over the years he has collected stories for more than 100 books including Things That Go Bump in the Night, Spaceships and Spells, Dragons and Dreams, and Werewolves, all for HarperCollins
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- Details
- Written by Carole Nash Editor
- Created: 12 March 2008
If you're doing your CBT, or getting back onto bikes after a few years away from two wheels, here's some handy advice that might save your life.
Put simply, people usually fall off motorcycles because the tyres break traction with the tarmac, with poor braking technique being a primary cause. It is very easy on modern, twin front disc machines, to lose the front end, in wet or dry conditions, so here's some basic advice;
Try not to brake into corners. Racers do it, but riding on the edge of tyre adhesion is their 9-5 job – for most of us, this kind of harsh, aggressive riding soon leads to a nasty `off.'
Brake extremely gently on city streets. Pot-holes, bumps, white lines, rumble strips, diesel and poor surface repairs are just a few hazards you will encounter in each mile of city riding. Typically, front tyre grip is reduced by 10-20% in the dry and about 50% in the wet, by such low surface adhesion, so ride accordingly. Be cautious when approaching busy urban junctions, as diesel, oil and water from leaky vehicles will gather in the middle of the lanes, just before the white lines.
Always leave loads of space for braking in the wet on any road – your emergency stopping distance is much, much greater than an ABS equipped car travelling in front – no matter how dozy the driver might be, or fast your reactions.
Out on the open road, be aware how hard braking can `load up' the suspension on your bike at speed, which will affect the handling when entering corners. Take your time and be as smooth as possible, as it is generally faster – as well as safer – to go slowly into corners and exit them hard on the throttle.


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My Nonprofit Reviews
Review for The Patient Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA
The Patient Institute's mission of empowering patients and their caregivers to successfully navigate the healthcare system is very much needed. This nonprofit public charity educates patients and their caregivers on just this through programs throughout the community. It also develops tools that allow patients to navigate the healthcare system with more ease. From the professional caregiver side, The Patient Institute provides scholarships to students in the healthcare professions who have demonstrated an interest in empowering patients. This organization is continually looking for new ways to achieve its mission and increase its impact on this community, in which each and every one of us finds ourselves.
More Feedback
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Will you tell others about this organization?
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?


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It's not out yet, but if you are a fan of the man and the movies, the James Bond 50 Years of Movie Posters book should be on your Christmas list.
Month: May 2012
Art Deco à la Plage limited edition prints by Pullman
One of these was flagged up at our Switched On Art website, but we think the Art Deco à la Plage limited edition prints by Pullman will also be a great fit for Retro To Go too.
Sputnik stool from Liberty
Hear the name sputnik and it's likely you'd think of spage age style. This Sputnik stool from Liberty doesn't quite offer that, but is a nice piece of retro-inspired design.
Red Spot Bustier and Pencil Skirt
If your favoured summer look is bombshell glam then you really should check out Kelly Brook's latest collection for New Look, which includes this Red Spot Bustier and Pencil Skirt.
Art Deco-style Black Orchid bedroom range from House of Fraser
While it may currently be enjoying a mini-revival, Art Deco remains perennially popular. Tap into some of that glamour with this Black Orchid bedroom range from House of Fraser.
eBay watch: 1969 Jaguar Mk II car
Appeal to your inner Sweeney villain with this absolute gem, a 1969 Jaguar Mk II car.


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- Home »
- Apple »
- iPad »
- Apple iPad 4 »
- For Apple iPad 4 Digitizer Touch Screen Assembly Replacement (Wifi Plus 3G Version) - Black - Grade S
(5)4.7 StarsReviewed by Simo** Molel**Rating
great product, good packing and fast shipping
[ ETS Answer ] Thanks for your feedback and comment!Reviewed by Liber** Shi**Rating
hardly ever have trouble with these replacementsReviewed by Gialor**Rating
All good and packed very well. Shipping was fast. Will continue my orders from Etrade.Reviewed by Marhon**Rating
Very good part for this price, no touch issue and fits well with my phone,thanks.Reviewed by Prest** Childre**Rating
Amazing product. iPad looks just like new! It went on perfectly just remember to also buy the bezel!
Customer also bought
Mobile Accessories Recommended


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Of the 7,052 words that George Osborne delivered in the House of Commons yesterday about the governments plans for 2015-16, just a few caught the attention of many. They were:
From now on, if claimants don't speak English, they will have to attend language courses until they do. This is a reasonable requirement in this country.
It will help people find work. But if you're not prepared to learn English, your benefits will be cut.
The chancellor's comments were followed up by claims from the Treasury that "there were 100,000 jobless foreigners who would face the threat of sanctions if they did not learn English".
So, time to find out how many people are being targeted by this measure and what the consequences would be.
Check 1: 100,000 people
Of the 4.2 million people in England and Wales who don't have English as their main language, only 726,000 (17%) said they could not speak English well and 138,000 (3%) said they could not speak English at all. Those non-English speakers represent 0.3% of the total population.
That means 3 out of every 4 people who do not speak English are also 'foreigners', 'unemployed' and receiving benefits - if you want to reach the Treasury's number of 100,000.
But only a fraction of the 138,000 people who speak no English will even be of working age, let alone unemployed - which is the implication made here since the word 'claimants' is quickly followed by the objective to help them 'find work'.
It seems more likely that the chancellor was talking about benefit claimants from a slightly larger group - perhaps he meant "if you don't speak English well".
One reason why so many more people speak 'some' English than 'none' is because most migrants to the UK are desperate to learn the language and are already doing so. According to the House of Commons, the English for Speakers of Other Language programme "became a victim of its own success" because so many people wanted to take the courses.
Let's set aside the fact that many people are already learning English. Let's also set aside the tricky and potentially costly problem of finding out who does not speak English well. How safe is the assumption we're left with: that 100,000 of the 726,000 who don't speak English well (14%) are unemployed and receiving benefits?
Check 2: Jobless ≠ benefit claimant
The Treasury's claims assume that jobless foreigners equate to jobless foreigners on benefits. The latest data from the Office for National Statistics says that there are around 2.51 million unemployed people in the UK, 7.8% of the economically active population.
So we would need to assume that the unemployment rate is double that for those who say that their English is not very good.
Meanwhile, the Department for Work and Pensions' (DWP) most recent figures claim that there were 1.42 million claimants of Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) which they explain "is the main benefit for people who are out of work".
That means that around 1 in 2 people in the UK who are unemployed are claiming JSA. But we need to assume that the claimant rate jumps from 50% to 100% for those who don't speak English well.
Check 3: Benefit of the doubt
This is the bit of the reality check where we suspend disbelief and assume that everything the Treasury claimed yesterday is 100% factually correct in order to consider the implications.
So we'll assume:
- There are 100,000 foreigners who can't speak English
- All of them are unemployed
- All of them are claiming JSA
Then we will look at the two scenarios the chancellor mentioned.
Scenario 1:
- All of them will study English
- All of them will subsequently get jobs
Scenario 2:
- All of them are 'unprepared to study English'
- All of them will subsequently have their benefits 'cut' by half
Let's add in a couple of numbers we can estimate per individual:
- Cost of classes: £1,144 per person*
- Cost of benefits bill: £2,953.60 (on minimum JSA)
- Tax revenues: £4,690.5**
Scenario 1 (everyone studies, everyone finds work) would result in savings of £355m and scenario 2 (no one studies, no one gets benefits) would result in savings of £148m.
Given that the total benefits bill was £160bn for the DWP in 2010/11 (forecast to be £163bn this year) - and that by far the largest chunk (£73bn of that) is spent on state pension - you might be left wondering what all the foreign language fuss is about. At best, the savings would be 0.2% of the benefit bill.
Check 4: Foreigners
Finally, it's important to remember that weak English skills are a problem for a tiny fraction of all foreigners. According to the latest census data, 7.5 million people in England and Wales are 'foreign-born' but there are only 4.2 million people living in England and Wales who don't have English as their main language. There are clearly lots of 'foreigners' who speak English perfectly well.
That's because most of the people in the UK who were born elsewhere come from countries like Ireland, South Africa and the United States where English is the national language - as well as places like India and Germany where English is widely taught.
Think we've missed something? Tell us by posting a comment below.
* Minus enrolment, personnel and facilities costs and assuming 4 classes per week for a year will be sufficient to learn English from a British Council accredited centre.
** Average UK salary £26,500 and average income tax liability 17.7%
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05-21-2012 #1
- Join Date
- May 2012
- Posts
- 1
how to change user permission on adding qmail user
when i access by browser my user name in linux : abc
when i use vadduser/vdeluser my user name in linux : def
all data added in qmail will be read with roundCube
my PHP page execute this shell script :
"echo -e '$pswd\n$pswd\n' | HOME=. vadduser $user"
the problem :
after opening PHP page then the user is added, but i got error on sPanel to see user list and roundCube to login to inbox since both sPanel and roundCube try to read file passwd.cdb that now is owned by 'def' instead of 'abc'.
i try to make both user in one group but vadduser always give permission 700 to user 'def' so it's useless to join two users in one group ..
is there any option in qmail to leave passwd.cdb as former owner instead change the owner to 'def' ?


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The best cleanser I have ever used
Pros: Completely balances skin, saves water, super convenient, just spray it on, wipe it off.
Cons: Needs a bigger bottle
Pros: Completely balances skin, saves water, super convenient, just spray it on, wipe it off.
Cons: Needs a bigger bottle
Pros: non-oily, smells nice
Cons: thick
Pros: non-drying,improves circulation,tightens skin,reduces pore size,goes on clear,dries clear,easy to apply,Smells amazing,Organic ingredients,
Cons: NONE
"A rare mask that goes on clear,dries clear and smells wonderful. Noticably clear, tight skin and pores after first usage. Does NOT dry and crack like most masks, as a matter of fact, you even forget its even on your skin. Improves circulation, and reduces pore size. Skin is sily smooth after use. All ingredients are organic. Excellent product and company!!" --relitaliano
"I recently decided that it is time for me to start using some anti-wrinkle cream as opposed to a regular moisturizer. However, I have oily skin and still getting acne breakouts at my age (ahem..). I decided to give this a try, lured by the new ingredients and university research that backs them. First, I love that this comes in glass container. The cream is thicker than I expected for..." --eris
" I LOVE this cleanser!! It has completely balanced my half oily, half dry skin! It is the most eco-friendly and convenient cleanser I have used too... I can use it anywhere! It is also the only cleanser I have ever used that will really stop a breakout from getting worse, and it gets rid of the redness and sweIling of blemishes SUPER FAST. I am truly amazed by this cleanser and completely..." --AmazeMe
"I use several products from this line and have yet to be disappointed! I have extremely sensitive skin and many products cause me to have a terrible skin reaction. This one doesn't bother me in the least...it's clean, no synthetics, has a very nice fragrance (al of them that I've tried), and, one of my favorite things about it: the box that the product is packaged in has herb..." --eharrell
"I won this product from Huddler and I have been using it the last few days in the morning and before bed. I must say I love the packaging, smell and texture...It is not too thick and seems to absorb well. I'm not sure it is really doing anything for my skin as I don't really see much of a difference but, it is a great base before putting on makeup that's for sure." --PUREShop
"This is probably too heavy for my skin but I got it as a Huddler prize so I tried it anyway. First, the cream smells great and is quite thick. I always had oily skin and it's prone to breakouts but is starting to get dry lately. The cream took care of the dry patches and flakiness immediately and left my skin very elastic and smooth. I try not to use too much because otherwise I feel it's a bit..." --eris
"I was pretty surprised to read that this product has a bad rating in the cosmetics database. Environmental Working Group's Cosmetic Safety Database, it came back with a health hazard rating of 7 out of 10 for other ingredients linked to cancer, allergies, neuro-toxicity and a bunch of other fun health issues. I had bought it once -- my face is very dry and sensitive to moisturizers. This..." --jenn
"This product came in a travel kit I bought so I figured I would give it a try. I think that it definitely helped speed the recovery from blemishes but it wasn't consistent. I did however love the way it felt on my skin all tingly. The smell was pleasant also. I think if you have mild acne or a few blemishes it is worth having around but, it is definitely not a miracle cure!" --PUREShop
"I'm trying to convert to natural products and read good reviews about Burt's Bee's products in general and thought it would be a good place to start as they are not too expensive.This moisturizer is great for my dry skin and leaves it feeling nice and soft. The only down side was the strong scent. I would recommend sniffing the samples at Whole Foods before buying, had I done that I may not..." --marwhea
"it had a nice smell, and only required a very little amount to cover your whole face, the other review was right, it does take a little bit to really be absorbed, but that's maybe 20 seconds. I like it :)" --


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I decided to not continue developing for the x-mini pro for now.
Which basically means I will not release any new ROMs and will not provide any more support regarding the old ones.
The decision has been hard but I just can't put up with it anymore. There is a group of people who are very ungrateful and even send cuss at me to release updates or giving support and so on. I am not a slave and I am doing all of this besides my work, university and life. I am doing this in my freetime and I don't need to put up with this.
This doesn' mean everybody in the forums is like that the most people appreciate the work and thank me so let me return the thank you and thank you guys for your support.
Another reason for me leaving is the fact that my work is being used and modified, which is perfectly fine but using the same and calling it faster or better or tweaked or whatever else and later turns out nothing is changed and no credits annoys me.
Besides that I have been working on basically all the core functionality of RomManager and I feel like the project was taken from me while I had my exams and this makes me sad. However this is the only project I will keep working on as it is MY Baby.
As for all the people who supported me, I want to thank you for the great time I had.
As for my Donators I will provide you with links whenever (I don't know when or if) I make a new version for my personal use. Whatever you do with the link is your free decision. So all Donators thank you very much for your support!! I honestly appreciate it!
If I feel like working on ROM's again I'll let you know but for now I need a break from this.


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Missouri Kids Will 'Kick Butts' on March 19
State Leaders Urged to Support Tobacco Prevention Initiatives
Mar 13, 2014, 10:38 ET from Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
WASHINGTON, March 13, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kids in Missouri will stand up against tobacco on March 19 as they join thousands of young people nationwide for the 19th annual Kick Butts Day. More than 1,400 events are planned across the nation. (See below for a list of local events.)
Organized by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Kick Butts Day is an annual celebration of youth leadership and activism in the fight against tobacco. On Kick Butts Day, youth will encourage their peers to stay tobacco-free and educate their communities about the tobacco industry's harmful marketing practices.
This year, Kick Butts Day comes as new information reaffirms the urgent need for action. The United States is marking the 50th anniversary of the first Surgeon General's Report on Smoking and Health, and a new Surgeon General's report released in January found that smoking is even more hazardous than previously thought. Key findings of the report include:
- Each year, smoking kills 480,000 people in the U.S. and costs the nation at least $289 billion in health care bills and other economic losses.
- Without urgent action to reduce smoking, 5.6 million U.S. children alive today will die prematurely from smoking-caused disease. That includes 128,000 children in Missouri alone.
- Tobacco marketing causes kids to start and continue using tobacco products.
Nationwide, tobacco companies spend $8.8 billion a year – one million dollars each hour – to market cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products. In particular, tobacco companies target youth with magazine ads, store ads and discounts, and fruit- and candy-flavored small cigars that look just like cigarettes.
"On Kick Butts Day, kids will stand up and reject Big Tobacco's manipulative marketing," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Elected officials must stand with them by supporting proven measures to protect kids from tobacco addiction, including tobacco taxes, smoke-free laws and prevention programs. On the 50th anniversary of the first Surgeon General's report, we need bold action to create a tobacco-free generation and end the tobacco epidemic for good."
Health advocates in Missouri are urging leaders to raise the tobacco tax and increase funding for tobacco prevention programs that protect kids and save lives.
In Missouri alone, tobacco use claims 9,600 lives and costs $3 billion in health care bills each year. Currently, 18.1 percent of the state's high school students smoke.
On Kick Butts Day, kids turn the tables on Big Tobacco in creative ways, with events that range from small classroom activities about the harmful ingredients in cigarettes to large rallies at state capitols.
Activities in Missouri include:
Tri-County Mental Health Services will partner with the Kansas City Police Department's Police Athletic League to host a Kick Butts Day kickball tournament. Time: 4 PM. Location: Police Athletic League Center, 1801 White Avenue, Kansas City.
Contact: Kara Siefker (403) 310-9323.
Middle and high school students will participate in a Kick Butts Day dodgeball tournament at the Looney Center on the campus of Missouri Western State University to encourage youth to stand up to Big Tobacco. Time: 5:30 PM. Location: 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph.
Contact: Stephanie Malita (816) 271-5327.
(Note: all events are on March 19 unless otherwise indicated.)
For a full list of Kick Butts Day events in Missouri, visit http://www.kickbuttsday.org/map. Additional information about tobacco, including state-by-state statistics, can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org.
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080918/CFTFKLOGO
SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids


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Dragon's Den star Duncan Bannatyne is to face a grilling of his own as he stars in a new year edition of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
The business tycoon will be aiming to generate cash by teaming up with Olympian Greg Rutherford for a charity edition of the ITV quiz show.
Another medallist from the summer of sport taking part in a pair of Millionaire specials will be Paralympic gold-winning swimmer Ellie Simmonds.
The teenage pool prodigy will be pairing up with West End star Michael Ball as they face question-master Chris Tarrant.
Duncan, who is more used to putting business wannabes on the spot said: "I'm very, very nervous about coming on the show in front of a live audience. It's an absolute privilege to be coming on with Greg, I think his gold medal win was brilliant - I just hope he knows more than I do."
Athlete Greg said: "I'm both excited and nervous, and really looking forward to doing the show. I've seen it for years and years, but obviously taking part in the studio will be very different to watching at home."
The duo will be taking part in an edition of the show on January 8, which will also feature Coronation Street's Charlie Condou and Samia Ghadie, and impressionists Jon Culshaw and Debra Stephenson.
Simmonds and Ball will be seen a week earlier, on January 1, alongside Bear Grylls and Omid Djalili, and husband and wife Una Healy and Ben Foden.
Saturdays star Una said: "Ben and I are huge fans of the show and have watched it for years."
Each of the contestants will be aiming to win cash for their chosen charities.


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Universitas Pelita Harapan
The Program
Established in 1994 and based on Christian principles, UPH's mission is to prepare the students in their respective fields to become academically proficient professionals. This program will allow students to experience life in the largest Muslim country in the world and the third largest democracy. As a liberal arts university, it is possible for students from all disciplines to find courses to suit their needs. However, students considering studying at UPH should have elective hours available in order to be flexible in their course selection.
Courses are taught in Bahasa Indonesia and English. International students typically chose classes that are taught in English, which has the effect of reducing the number of options available.
SKS is the unit of academic credit used and is the equivalent of our semester hour. A 3 SKS course would meet three times a week for 50 minutes and would be the equivalent of a 3 semester hour course. The university works on a trimester system, which means that the summer program will probably not be an option for American students because it is four months long.
Lodging & Meals
Students live in university residence halls and eat in the university cafeteria. There are also inexpensive restaurants of good quality within walking distance of the campus.
Cost & Financial Aid
See the COSTSHEET 2018 A special agreement with UPH allows students some special discounts that are described on the cost sheet. This is a very cost effective program.
Visas & Travel
UPH will guide you through the process of obtaining a visa.
More Information
For more information, visit University of Pelita Harapan website at http://www.uph.edu/ or contact Ian Cosh, director of OBU's Grant Center for International Education, at email@example.com.


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GAZA, April 25 (UPI) -- Fuel shortages caused by Israel's response to militant attacks are cutting off food deliveries for almost 1 million Palestinians in Gaza, a U.N. official said.
John Ging, director of the main U.N. aid agency in Gaza, said there was plenty of food in warehouses but no way of getting it safely to the people in need.
"No fuel means that vital humanitarian aid and public services are grinding to a halt," Ging said.
Gaza depends on Israel for all its fuel but the Israelis reduced supplies in an effort to pressure Hamas to stop firing rockets across the border. Then, the flow was turned off completely after militants attacked an oil terminal on the Gaza border and killed two Israeli civilians.
The fuel blockade means pumps are off, causing water shortages and sewage problems, and the vaccination stocks at Gaza's main hospital were spoiled after it had to turn off its refrigerators, officials said.


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With a Kickstarter campaign looming, TruForce Collectibles recently hopped on Facebook to show off the colored version of a proposed Mega Man X figure. The action figure was designed by Capcom artist Keisuke Mizuno, and you can see the original concept art followed by the colored figure after the jump.
Mega Man X: Corrupted is a fan project by JKB Games, and it looks pretty darn impressive. It's also been in development since 2007, so it's nice to get a chance to soak in a full stage in the latest video preview after the jump.
Polygon posted a new Dead Rising 3 report that's sure to please Capcom fans, as it heralds the return of Mega Man X. Beat the game and you'll unlock the outfit for protagonist Nick Ramos to cause all kinds of destruction with, as previewed in the video after the jump.
I'm kind of loving Nintendo's Virtual Console trailers for Wii U. The latest shows how you can jam 1993 Super Nintendo classic Mega Man X on the GamePad when it heads to the eShop on May 30. Check it out after the jump.
I can handle Mega Man's anniversary, but it's crazy to think that Mega Man X is getting ready to celebrate 20 years since its release on Super Nintendo. The futuristic X is teaming up with his squatter, but older, brother in a commemorative silver statue, and will be at San Diego Comic-Con in July. Peep it past the jump.
Remember the Mega Man X first-person shooter that almost was? Last month we posted about the canned project, which was in the proof-of-concept stages at Armature Studio, home to some of the developers behind the Metroid Prime series. We may never get to play Maverick Hunter, but we can still take another look at what could have been after the jump.
Hey, it worked for Samus, right? That might have been some of the thought process behind Maverick Hunter, a Mega Man X first-person shooter that was being created at Armature Studio, home to some of the developers behind the Metroid Prime series. The Blue Bomber was primed to get a similar treatment, but it was cancelled before it could see the light of day. Read on for more.
Everyone's getting in the spirit of the Blue Bomber's 25th anniversary, including Shane Newville of Rooster Teeth (Red vs. Blue). Newville took the models from Mega Man X8 and crafted a short film showcasing a day in the life of X, which, as one might expect, is no ordinary day. Check it out past the break.
The world of fan films goes into the nuts and bolts and angst Mega Man X universe, where YouTube filmmaker Olan Rogers has put together an epic virtual battle between X and a construct of Protoman! Hit the jump to check it out!
Mega Man X is one of the standout titles of the Super NES library, introducing a darker, more serious take on Capcom's classic Blue Bomber. Join CRN writer Nate Ming as he takes on Sigma and his Maverick rebellion with his usual not-so-delicate touch!
Mega Man X, Capcom's Super Nintendo blue bomber classic from 1993, is headed to iOS with touch screen controls in Japan this month. Sounds like a good idea, but that depends on whether or not you prefer your graphics untouched. Screens and more past the jump.


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Today's iPhone 5 rumor bypasses the "if" it's going to launch on Sprint question and jumps right ahead to specifics of that launch.
According to sources "familiar with the matter" as quoted in Bloomberg, the iPhone 5 will most definitely be arriving on Sprint. And when it does, it will come with an unlimited data plan.
This move would make Sprint the only wireless carrier to offer the iPhone with an unlimited, flat-rate data plan. Carriers like AT&T used to offer the unlimited plan, but have since moved to a tiered data structure.
The sources also confirmed the mid-October release date, the most widely accepted rumor nowadays regarding the upcoming device. To prepare for the iPhone 5 launch, they said, Sprint has postponed the debut of a rival 4G phone that was supposed to launch this month.
It's pretty easy to understand why Sprint would take this step. They are in 3rd place among wireless carriers, a good deal behind AT&T and Verizon. This kind of offering could make a splash right when the iPhone 5 drops, but could it really draw a significant amount of customers away from the big two?
CNET quotes an analyst who thinks the unlimited offering, if accurately predicted, would only last for a brief time.
"There's a good chance they will use this to pull subscribers from AT&T and Verizon," said Maribel Lopez, an analyst at Lopez Research. "After a certain time, they won't offer the unlimited option any more."
It remains to be seen if that would actually be an effective strategy.
Here's everything we know about the iPhone 5 coming to Sprint:
- Early reports indicate that the phone will launch sometime in mid-October. That source named an actual date - October 7th.
- Late last month, an internal memo leaked that showed Sprint upper management directing employees to keep mum regarding the iPhone 5 release. They were specifically instructed to give a "no comment" response when any customer asked them directly.
- Earlier this week, a Best Buy document surfaced detailing a probable early October release date for the iPhone 5 as well as a release on Sprint.
- Last, we heard that Sprint was installing network repeaters in Apple stores in order to boost signal quality for next month's release.


text: I have a list of favorite crab houses, but none are in the Ellicott City area. I'm trying to corral my family to meet up this weekend, and some live in northern MoCo and others (me) live in Baltimore City, so I thought something off 70 would work. We've been to the Woodbine Inn which is a funny little place but has good crabs. Just wondering if there are other options. Thanks!


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Overclocking-centric with all the bells and whistles: ASUS Crosshair V Formula review
The Crosshair V Formula is a premium piece of kit. This high-end gaming and overclocking-centric board seems to have every bell whistle and gadget under the sun but it also has the price tag to match. Despite appearances it isn't the most extravagantly equipped board among the launch models supporting Bulldozer but it does however have a slick UEFI BIOS that's second to none as well as an inherently useable board design.
ASUS's attractive board controls (power reset and overclocking buttons) make an appearance combining with the red black and white colour scheme to give the impression of a premium product. The power system's heatsinks look effective but are potential dust collectors while the back plate is fully populated with four USB 3.0 ports eight USB 2.0 ports and an Intel Gigabit controller for reliability.
The Crosshair V Formula supports three-way SLI and CrossFireX set-ups with two x16 bandwidth for two-card set-ups or one x16 and two x8s when three cards are installed. You can fit double-width cards in with no problems.
Support for THX TruStudio Pro on the board's Creative SupremeFX X-Fi 2 chip is an excellent touch for gamers while overclockers (beginners and expert) will take some value from the ROG Connect overclocking monitoring system enabled on the spare USB port.
Is this board every thing to every (wo)man? Sure as long as you have deep pockets. While this board is definitely the most feature-rich we looked at among the launch set it's also the most expensive by a long shot and ultimately it's not going to make you a better shot in Battlefield 3.
Available from ASUS retailing for $359.
APC rating: 9/10 (Editor's Choice)


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A lawyer in Sarawak wants the Married Women and Children Act 1968 Act extended to the state.
KUCHING: The federal government must extend and enforce the Married Women and Children (Enforcement and Maintenance) Act 1968 to Sarawak.
In any divorce proceedings, it is duty of the court and also a solicitor to ensure the children are taken care off and that maintenance of the children is properly managed, said a senior lawyer Voon Shiak Ni.
"However, keeping up the maintenance for children, under a divorce order in Sarawak has been observed to be a problem and an issue affecting children welfare and livelihood.
"In a divorce proceedings, the court will make order for maintenance for the children, depending on the earnings of the husband and the number of children of the marriage.
"I myself being a legal practitioner in divorce matters, do personally have knowledge that there are instances of the husband not being able to keep up with the orders of maintenance and defaulting in payment is not uncommon." added Voon, who is also state PKR women chief.
According to her there has been a continuous increase in the number of divorces cases in Sarawak.
Statistics showed that in 2007 there were 1,724 cases. But the numbers had progressively increased over the years. Last year the state recorded more than 3,000 divorces.
Voon said in view of the rising divorce rates, it was imperative that the current law be extended to Sarawak.
She said the court had the power to make an attachment of earnings order, provided for under the Married Women and Children (Enforcement of Maintenance) Act 1968.
This is to ensure the husband does not default, and the wife can appeal to the court for an attachment of earnings' order, she said.
This means the husband's employer will be responsible for deducting the maintenance payment from the husband's salary so that it can be sent to the wife directly through the court.
"However this provision is only applicable to the states of Peninsular Malaysia and not applicable to Sarawak.
"We urge the government to review this matter so that our court can make attachment of earnings orders to the earnings of the husbands," she added.
Voon also called for state Minister for Women, Family and Community, Fatimah Abdullah to give the issue some attention and to pressure the federal ministry for the necessary extension of the Married Women and Children Act 1968 Act to Sarawak.


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[Plugin: Custom Field Template] I vote for integrating CFT to WordPress core
Actually Custom Field Template Plugin is one of most useful WP plugins. Its functions go beyond usual "add-on" concept to solve a really important problem in WordPress: CFT give an interface to WP Custom Field engine. No. CFT allows us construct, adapt and layout our own Custom Field interface!.
Maybe WordPress custom fields (core) is the most powerful engine available to web developers to make highlevel sites, because throught them (custom fields) we can customize all things existing in the system. We can retrieve any data in any place, and create complex relationships to make anything in an easy way.
Those are the reasons I vote for CFT to be integrated in the WP core, (at least a lite version of it).
In the present, CFT is a free-bug addon. The developer, Hiroaki, maintains permanent activity about plugin evolution, and permanent interactivity with WP community requets. I don't see problem to WordPress Core Team think about this proposal.
- The topic '[Plugin: Custom Field Template] I vote for integrating CFT to WordPress core' is closed to new replies.


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Ducks slip past PenguinsNov 6, 2010 - 5:44 AM
Lubomir Visnovsky contributed two assists while Jonas Hiller turned away 30 shots to earn the victory for the Ducks, who earned their first regulation victory over the Penguins since December 15, 2002.
Anaheim's Teemu Selanne became the 87th player and just the 10th European-born player in NHL history to play in 1,200 games and celebrated with an assist to move past Al MacInnis into 33rd place on the league's all-time scoring list with 1,275 points.
Sidney Crosby scored his first two career goals against Anaheim and Kris Letang assisted on both for the Penguins, who have lost two in a row and five of their last six.
"We came out and we played physical tonight," said Penguins' forward Mike Rupp. "Our team is built to play that way and we haven't been consistent with it. So, I think over the course of 60 minutes tonight, we played a pretty good brand of hockey that we can be proud of. Over the course of 82 games, we like our chances playing that way."
Marc-Andre Fleury yielded all three goals on only 19 shots in the defeat and was denied his 150th career victory.
After a scoreless first period, Anaheim scored three times in less than seven minutes in the middle session to forge a 3-0 lead.
Visnovsky's slap shot was blocked in the slot and came right back to him at the midpoint. He then sent a pass to Ryan, who scorched a wrister from the top of the right circle past Fleury 7:35 into the stanza.
From the bottom of the left circle, Ryan bounced a pass off the end wall to Corey Perry, who came out to the left side of the net and slipped a pass through the crease to Getzlaf, who one-timed it home at 12:22.
"The three of us have chemistry," Ryan said of the threesome that has racked up 44 points over the last 11 games. "We know where each other are and we play well off the puck. The most important thing is to realize that we can't all have it all at the same time and we have to support each other better. We've done that here at home but the key is to take it on the road where the matchups aren't always going to be what we want."
Just two minutes and four seconds later, Koivu picked up a rebound in the slot and put home the loose puck for his third goal of the season.
The Penguins got on the board with a power play goal with 2 1/2 minutes left in the period to trim their deficit to 3-1.
Alex Goligoski passed from the midpoint to the top of the left circle from where Letang's slap shot was tipped home on the backhand by Crosby.
Pascal Dupuis shot from the right circle and the rebound caromed to the slot where it was picked up by Crosby and backhanded between the legs of Hiller just 3:48 into the final period to make it a 3-2 game.
The Penguins pulled Fleury with just over a minute left. Evgeni Malkin was denied by Hiller from the right doorstep in the visitors' best scoring chance with the extra attacker.
Game Notes
Getzlaf has recorded a goal in three straight and points in six of his last seven games while Visnovsky has points in six of his last eight, including multiple points in four of his last six...Koivu has 22 goals and 50 points in 47 career games against Pittsburgh...Hiller earned his first career win over the Penguins...Ryan netted his first goal against the Pens in four matchups. Dupuis played in his 600th career game. He missed Wednesday's loss in Dallas to attend to the birth of his daughter Lola...Letang has a goal and three assists in two meetings with the Ducks...The Penguins are 4-3-1 on the road...Pittsburgh head coach Dan Bylsma scored 10 goals and 32 points in 209 games for the Ducks from 2000-04.
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- Crosby, Sheary lead Penguins past Sabres 5-4 in OT Nov 14
- Brown's first goal gives Lightning 2-1 win over Ducks Nov 13
- Filip Forsberg lifts Predators past Penguins 5-4 in SO Nov 12
- Power play thrives, Holtby hits milestone as Caps beat Pens Nov 10
- NHL Note - Anaheim Ducks Gibson, John Nov 8
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Here at Review Centre we work hard to make sure we are the best place on the internet for honest, unbiased consumer reviews - we are grateful for your help in keeping us that way!
Written on: 12/10/2013
I found it very easy to find and book the room I needed for a short business trip. The process was easy to understand and everything worked. I will go to Late Rooms first in future.


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Over the past few weeks some really exciting papers came out describing the reprogramming of one cell into another, a process called Direct Reprogramming. On this episode we talk with Dr. Justin Ichida from USC who uses the latest reprogramming techniques in his lab to study neural disease. We review the literature from the past two weeks including increased brain activity in those that recall their dreams, incidence of Autism on the rise, converting skin cells into liver or pancreatic cells, and making meat from celebrities. We close with a rant on stir bars. Enjoy!
Justin Ichida completed his Ph.D. at Harvard Medical School in the laboratory of Dr. Jack Szostak. From 2007-2012, he was a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Kevin Eggan in the Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology at Harvard University. Dr. Ichida was a New York Stem Cell Foundation Druckenmiller Fellow and a recipient of the NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence award from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Since 2013, he has been an Assistant Professor of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at the University of Southern California. His current research is focused on using patient-specific disease models to define the mechanisms that lead to neuronal loss in ALS and frontotemporal dementia.
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Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS[Read more…]


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As a small business owner, it's easy to get caught up in the daily activities that leave you wondering "What did I get done today?" But the most successful business owners that I know spend 80% of their time on one task: bringing in new customers.
Their time is too valuable to spend tinkering with the website, calling suppliers, and interviewing employees. Yours should be too. If you aren't bringing in new business, then nothing else matters.
Of course, if you're like most small business owners, then you're on a tight budget, and traditional advertising methods might not be an option. Don't despair! Today a number of totally free advertising methods exist that can be surprisingly effective.
Here are the top five ways I've seen small business owners dramatically increase their sales without spending a dime, and I've used every single one of them myself.
#1 – Post Regularly on Craigslist.com
Craigslist, in it's simplest form, is a free online classified website. It started out in Silicon Valley (California) and has slowly spread to the rest of the world, becoming one of the top ten most popular websites on the Internet. Every day, thousands of people in your city are using this website to find real estate, computers, romance, and jobs. Chances are, they are also looking for whatever you sell.
Find an appropriate category on their site and make a free post. Create a catchy headline, include a photo if applicable, and list the main benefits of your service. Highlight a free trial, special deal, or free resource that is available on your website, and provide a link.
The most recent posts appear at the top, so you'll want to come back every 2-3 days to repost your listing (you'll have to take your old one down first, they don't like duplicates). Craigslist has a strange mix of users (and you may get a few oddballs), but it is also used by a very educated, wealthy, and cutting edge demographic. Several small businesses I know have stayed alive in the early years on nothing but this one website.
#2 – Start A MeetUp.com Group
MeetUp.com is a website that helps people with similar interests come together. What do your customers share a passion for? What would they like to learn? Who do they want to meet?
Help them get what they want and it will ultimately come back to you. If there is a MeetUp group already in place for what you have in mind, join and attend their meetings. Meet as many people as you can, try to contribute with your expertise, and see if the group organizer will let you come in as a guest speaker. Don't focus on selling your product. Just focus on helping the members of the group as much as you possibly can, and you will pick up new clients indirectly.
If a MeetUp group doesn't yet exist for what you have in mind, this is even better. Start it yourself! You will automatically be viewed as an authority on the subject for running the group, and it will put you in touch with all the right people.
#3 – Post A Video To YouTube
If you haven't heard of YouTube, you may want to crawl out from under the proverbial "rock" you've been living under! YouTube is the largest video sharing website on the internet and boasts a staggering 13 million visitors per month. You can capitalize on all this traffic by creating your own video and uploading it for free.
"But I don't know how to create a video!" I hear you saying. No problem, it might just be easier than you think. Many digital cameras today have a video function that will create electronic movies compatible with YouTube. I'd also recommend using a "screen capture" program such as Camtasia for any software or how-to related products (Camtasia.com). Camtasia will record the screen of your computer and is one of the simplest ways to create a video. You can even record a PowerPoint presentation on your computer and record your voice as narration. Finally, if you can't afford a digital camera, and you don't want to record a computer screen, a webcam can be purchased today for under $20 that will create great YouTube videos.
The video certainly doesn't have to be professional. Even a 30 second clip of you doing ANYTHING will probably get several hundred views in a month. Of course the potential is much greater if you can be a bit more creative. Offer value to the visitor by teaching them something quickly or showing them a glimpse of your work, and include a link to your website at the end. It may be simple and boring to you, but I assure you that someone out there would like to learn it. Just get something quick up on the site, no matter how simple, and improve as you go.
#4 – Reach Out To Your Personal Network
Before you skip over this one, you should know that some of the most successful small business owners I personally know use this as their sole marketing method. They literally have built their business from nothing by simply meeting people and letting them know how they can help.
No matter what you're doing now, you're probably only scratching the surface of your "network's" potential. When you launch a new business, one of the simplest and most effective marketing techniques is to email your entire contact list. Keep it short and informal, letting them know about your new business and how excited you are. Offer a special deal to your first five customers to great some interest, and don't forget a very important step: asking them (at the bottom of the email) to forward the message to anyone they know who might be interested. This can have an exponential effect because not only will the email reach your network, but it will reach you network's network too!
Furthermore, you quite simply must be attending at least one networking function every week. These are invaluable ways to meet prospects in person, which is the best way to make them like and trust you. Again, offer value to everyone you meet instead of trying to sell them right away. Get people's business cards (don't just give them out and assume they'll contact you) and follow up with them about what they want (not what you want). The most powerful question you can ask them is "Who would be a good customer for your business?" Chances are you know someone who they'd like to meet, and once you've helped them out they'll be happy to reciprocate.
#5 – Write An Article And Give It Away
Articles could be the most effective form of advertising ever created. Imagine for a moment that you're reading a magazine and on the left page is an add featuring a shiny new car with an attractive young couple. On the right is an article written by an automotive engineer who rigorously tested three different vehicles and recommended one as being most reliable. Which page will you spend more time looking at? Which car are you more likely to buy?
People don't trust advertising because the company who created the add is biased. Authors, on the other hand, are assumed to be independent and credible just by getting published, so we inherently trust them more. Writing an article instantly makes you an authority in the eyes of the reader.
You don't have to be Shakespeare to write a good article. The easiest (and most effective) articles to write are the "top 10" format (you're reading one right now) or a "how to" article that shows the steps to complete some task. Take a subject that your potential customers may be interested in and spend an hour or two writing your article (if you really despise writing, you can also pay someone to write it for you at eLance.com or guru.com).
Don't forget to put a byline or resource box at the bottom of the article with your name, a way for people to reach you, and a simple offer to entice them. When you're done, do a Google search and find a dozen websites, blogs, and forums related to your business. Write the owner of the website a personal email and tell them their readers might enjoy the attached article. They can use it for free as long as your byline is included at the bottom.
By putting some simple techniques such as these into practice, you will see a dramatic increase in your business over a period of just a few months. Spend 80% of your time bringing in new business, and you might just find yourself in charge of a million dollar company!
About the Author
Brian Armstrong makes it easy to learn the secrets of today's top business owners. To get a free trial-subscription to his online course "Successful Entrepreneurship", visit this site now: startbreakingfree.com.


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SPACE CENTER, Houston -- A 58-foot robot arm on the international space station successfully completed its first major construction job early Sunday when it added a $164 million passageway for spacewalkers to the 230-mile-high outpost.
Station astronaut Susan Helms maneuvered the arm while space shuttle Atlantis astronauts Michael Gernhardt and James Reilly II shepherded the installation from the outside during a spacewalk that lasted six hours, an hour less than planned.
Atlantis delivered the new 6 1/2-ton air lock to space station Alpha late Friday, a month later than planned as engineers grappled with problems with computers needed to operate the Canadian-built robot arm. The arm exhibited none of those problems Sunday.
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Where you live usually determines what school you go to, whether it be elementary, middle or high school. In St. Johns County we have zoned schooling, but since the high schools all offer different things, our zoning has tended to stretch. Even at this time in the school year, Nease will lose students to Bartram Trail, and St. Augustine High will lose students to Pedro Menendez.
It's really a county of choice, provided you find your own transportation, though as the schools fill to capacity or rise high above it, students wanting to transfer have limited space and time, unless you are already zoned for that school. One of the main reasons students choose to go to high schools other than the one in their area, is because of what their particular school offered for academies. We have four public high schools in our county which all offer different curriculums for specific academies. Most students transferring to Nease High end up applying into International Baccalaureate, Latin American Studies, or CELS Center for Environmental and Legal Studies.
Another program that many go to Nease for is their NJROTC, Naval Junior ROTC. People transferring to Bartram Trail can apply for Agriculture and Landscaping Academy and the Business Academy. St. Augustine will let you apply in the Arts Academy, Home Economics and Food Prep, and the Public Service Academy, as well as their JROTC, Army Junior ROTC. Menendez has a few academies also, but that information was not available.
So as you see, there are many reasons to go to a school zoned outside your particular area. Every academy is looking to grow stronger and bigger, so if any of these sound like something interesting to look upon, check them out -- you may really enjoy them.
© 2017. All Rights Reserved. Contact Us


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Get ready for Here Comes the Boom with this featurette
When you sit down to watch a Kevin James movie, you can be sure of one thing; there's going to be falling.
The actor, who takes on screenwriting and producing duties on Here Comes the Boom, takes his love of physical humour to the extreme by having his biology teacher character learn how to become a mixed-martial arts fighter in order to raise money for his cash-strapped school that's about to lose its extracurricular activities.
As likeable but lazy Mr. Voss, James brings an everyman quality to the upcoming comedy, while making room for lots of slips, slides, punches, jabs and big, big falls.
Salma Hayek co-stars as his sexy fellow teacher, Greg Germann is the principal who doesn't appreciate his teacher's hijinks, real-life MMA dude Bas Rutten and Henry Winkler are also on-board and Joe Rogan plays, who else, himself.
Get a look inside Here Comes the Boom with this featurette before it opens October 12.


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Children, ages 5 to 9, are invited to a Doll Tea Party on Saturday, March 25, from 1 to 3 p.m., in the Children's Programming Room of the Main Library. Participants are welcome to bring their own 18-inch doll and listen to an enchanting story written by Jane Graham and Nancy Hilton of the Knitwits who will read to the children while they enjoy refreshments. Everyone who attends will receive a gift that will fit an 18-inch doll. This is a free program but registration is needed and limited to 25 children. Parents or guardian must remain in the Library during the program. To register, or for more information, call the Library at 330-821-2665.
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There has been a lot of hype surrounding various clays for hair – bentonite, rhassoul, kaolin, etc – mostly in the natural hair community, but as always these practices can be applied to any hair type and texture. Clays (also called mud washes) are used as natural alternatives to shampoo for cleansing your hair and may be used on natural, relaxed or transitioning hair, you just have to determine what works best for YOUR hair. The purpose of this post is to explain the origin and benefits of some of the most popular clays for hair care.
Bentonite Clay: According to NaturallyCurly.com, Bentonite is an impure clay that usually forms from the weathering of volcanic ash and in the presence of water. Its uniqueness is due to the clay's ability to produce and electronic charge upon contact with water, capability to absorb and remove toxins, heavy metals, impurities and chemicals. Therefore this clay can both clarify and chelate your strands. Most ladies mix their bentonite clay with water to create a paste to apply to the hair and scalp, but some mix the clay with aloe vera juice to lower its pH down to match hair's naturally acidic pH. There are several types of bentonite clay, each named after its respective dominant element, like magnesium, potassium, aluminum, etc. It has been said NOT to mix the clay with a metal spoon or tool supposedly because the minerals will interact with the metal and decrease its effectiveness. The most popular bentonite clay for hair seems to be Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay.
Rhassoul Clay: Also known as Moroccan Ghassoul Clay, this mineral-rich clay is found in the Atlas mountains from Morocco. It has the ability to absorb impurities from the hair, unblock pores, reduce flakiness and dryness of both the scalp and skin and aid in detangling. While this clay also cleanses, unlike bentonite, it is said to leave the hair very soft so it doubles as a natural cleanser and conditioner. It is a bit pricier than Bentonite, some of the most popular brands are Kae Natural and Anita Grant Rhassoul Deep Conditioning Cubes and it is most commonly mixed with hot water and applied as a hair mask.
Kaolin Clay: Also called white clay, Kaolin is the most commonly used cosmetic clay. It is rich in silica and can also detoxify hair along with restoring moisture to dry and brittle hair.
Multani Mitti Clay: Commonly found in Indian groceries, this clay is a type of kaolin and is the result of decomposed volcanic ash. It is a very popular facial cleanser and mask but may also be used on hair to naturally cleanse tresses by absorbing oils and detoxifying the scalp. This is most commonly mixed with rosewater and your favorite oil and applied as a paste to the hair.
One of the advantages of clays in general is that they often are as beneficial for skin as they are for hair, making them very multipurpose. I've been using the Multani mitti on my face for weeks to help calm my acne and mothers use clay mixtures to naturally relieve diaper rashes, just to name a few uses outside of hair. Many of these products can be found locally if you are lucky enough to live in a region that has a natural hair care or even health food store. Happy hair growing!


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Dec 9th, 2009
Scouting Sergio Santos with PITCHf/x
By Jeff Buchanan
This year, for the first time, PITCHf/x was running for the Arizona Fall League. This gives us a wealth of data on what the pitchers in Arizona threw, from velocity to pitch locations, pitch movement etc. etc. and instead of having to rely on vague, second hand reports thrown at us from the likes of Phil Rogers, we can instead get an accurate and detailed look at each pitchers repertoire from the data provided.
Unfortunately the White Sox did not send many pitchers of interest to the Arizona Fall League, but one player who did catch the eye was Sergio Santos. Santos is a former 1st round pick, he was selected number 27 overall in the 2002 first year payer draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks, but after stalling as an offensive prospect the White Sox signed him and converted him to pitching. In his first season off the mound Santos had some fairly mixed results, including an 8.16 ERA and a 6.38 BB/9 in 28.2 innings over four levels. There were some encouraging points for Santos, namely his 9.57 K/9 and a purported 99 mph fastball. The White Sox recently added Santos to the 40-man roster protecting him from this years Rule 5 Draft, so they obviously see something that they like in Sergio, but let's see what PITCHf/x has to say.
Velocity Table:
|Pitch Type
|Max Velo
|Min Velo
|Average Velo
As you can see from this velocity table Santos can dial it up. He didn't quite manage to hit the triple digits, but he was the second hardest thrower in the AFL, behind, guess who, Stephen Strasburg. The average fastball velocity from a right handed pitcher is around 92 mph, so Santos' average FB velocity of 95.68 mph gives him legitimate plus velocity. The differential between Santos' fastball and changeup velocities was just over 10%, which is very good. His fastball/slider differential was also solid.
Raw Data:
|Pitch Type
|Horizontal Movement
|Vertical Movement
First I'll give a brief explanation of the movement graph. We're looking at it from the catchers standpoint. You'll notice that the graph indicates some of the pitches are "rising", however, due to the laws of gravity we know this is not possible. What the graph is actually showing is how much each pitch moves compared to an otherwise similar pitch thrown withot any spin, so Santos' fastball is not actually rising by an average of 6.38 vertical inches, but instead it is falling 6.38 inches less than an otherwise similar pitch thrown without any spin. Likewise, negative vertical movement indicates the pitch fell by however many inches more than an otherwise similar pitch thrown without any spin. Negative horizontal movement indicates the pitch moved in on a right handed batter and positive horizontal movement indicates the pitch moved in on a left handed batter, again, compared to the otherwise similar pitch thrown without any spin.
Without context, this data means nothing, as we don't have any reference points to tell us whether Santos' movement is above or below average. So what I'm going to do is compare Santos' movement to the average moment of a right handed pitcher.
Average pitch movement from a RHP:
|Pitch Type
|Horizontal Movement
|Vertical Movement
From looking at this average movement data we can see that Santos' stuff moves… a lot. He's getting upwards of 2 inches of sink more than average, and anywhere from 2-5 inches of negative horizontal movement more than average. Now getting a lot of movement isn't necessarily going to be a good thing and it can lead to control issues, something that Santos has had. But if you can put the ball over the plate on a consistent basis while getting a lot of movement, I've got to assume that this will yield good results.
Next up I'm going to look at Santos' release point graph. This isn't especially useful from a diagnostic standpoint but it does allow us to see if a pitcher is tipping any of his pitches. You can see from the graph that his changeup is coming from an ever so slightly lower point than the other three pitches, but it's a negligible amount and Santos should be fine when it comes to tipping pitches.
Now we get onto Sergio's Achilles heel; control and command. You can see from the location graph that Sergio's pitches miss, often. You'll notice that both his fastballs and changeups are missing almost exclusively to the right side of the plate (from the pitchers perspective) and this is exactly what you would expect given what we saw on his movement graph. You'll also notice that his pitches are missing down often, and again this is to be expected given what we saw in the movement graph; if your pitches get a lot of sink, when you miss, you'll likely miss down and out of the zone. To this point we've seen that Sergio's velocity and movement have been significantly above average, but his control is certainly well below average. He will need to improve this if he wants to stick with the Sox out of ST.
The last graphs that I want to look at are of Sergio's flight paths. Flight paths, as you can probably imagine (and see), show the estimated path than an average pitch takes from release point to the catcher. They effectively tell you the same thing as the movement graph but it's a little more palpable for PITCHf/x newcomers. You can see that Sergio's slider has some good break to it and I like the pitch quite a lot, it also looks to take a very similar initial path to the fastball, which may make the pitch tough to pick up. Again you can see the extreme movement of the change, another pitch that could prove very valuable to Sergio if he learns to consistently throw it over the plate.
|Pitch Type
|# Thrown
|Whiff Rate
Finally I'm going to try and summarize the effectiveness of each of Santos' pitches with the help of whiff rates. Whiff rates tell you how often a pitch incurs a swinging strike, or in other words, how difficult a pitch is to hit. The slider is the pitch that really jumps out for me and the 36.36% whiff rate is significantly above the league average whiff rate for a slider of 28.7%. For me, the slider is by far Santos' best offering, it has good movement, velocity and has been proven difficult to hit even in an extreme hitters environment. Santos' fastball has the makings of a great pitch with the plus velocity, but it has disappointingly low whiff rate of 5.83%. I think this is case in point of how velocity isn't everything. You need to have command of a pitch in order to utilize it's full potential. I think Santos' fastball at present is average at best, but with the potential to be much more than that. Like his fastball, Santos' changeup also has a below average whiff rate and the lack of control makes it a below average offering. The movement that Santos gets on the change could make it a neutralizing pitch against left handers but he must get it over the plate more consistently. Up to this point I have been including Santos' curve for tokens sake and due to the fact that he only threw three of them, I would not feel comfortable making any kind of evaluation of it.
So in conclusion, I see Sergio Santos as currently having a fringe average fastball, a plus slider and a below average change. All of his pitches should improve as (or if) he learns to better command them. Due to being out of options, Sergio will need to stick with the big club out of Spring Training or he will be exposed to waivers. It's probably too early for him to pitch in the Majors as he needs at least one more year to work on his control, but he could surprise, again in Arizona, and take the last spot on the roster.
All PITCHf/x data was taken from Brooks Baseball
Flight Paths were created using Harry Pavlidis' template file from BtB
Average pitch movement was taken from Harry Pavlidis at BtB
Average whiff rates by pitch type were taken from Sky at BtB
I'm a PITCHf/x newcomer so all constructive criticism is welcomed and encouraged.
PITCHf/x is not 100% accurate, I did not change any pitch classifications and as a result some of them are likely to be wrong.


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Hello, I'm Chris AKA Youkai and I'm a Crossplayer. I attempt to do Touhou Cosplays and I have a lot of fun doing it. If you see me, I will be GLAD to take photos with you!
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wikiHow to Start a Bowling Alley
Bowling is considered a wholesome, family-friendly activity. This could help make a bowling alley an excellent investment opportunity for people looking to generate a year-round profit. You can start a bowling alley by following a few simple steps.
1Decide if you will be opening an independent bowling alley or if you are interested in purchasing a franchise from a national company.
- Opening an independent bowling alley will allow you complete control over marketing decisions, promotions and other daily operations. But you may find yourself hard-pressed to compete with the large marketing budgets of the franchise bowling alleys.
- Purchasing a franchise opportunity from a national company will decrease the amount of marketing necessary to succeed but may also mandate what hours you are open, what prices you charge and what promotions your bowling alley will honor.
2Choose a property that you can rent or purchase for your business. Check to be sure that your planned bowling alley meets the allowable usage for the property before you sign any contracts.
- Look for a location with plenty of parking that is central to other main sources of entertainment in your area such as shopping malls, movie theaters and concert venues.
- Vacant warehouses are common prospects; they typically have more than enough square footage and require a minimal amount of interior renovation to be turned into a bowling alley.
- If you are building to suit your needs, check your contractors' qualifications closely to ensure that they will be able to meet your expectations.
3Decide what other sources of entertainment will be provided at your bowling alley. Arcade games, bowling shops, taverns and concession stands are all popular choices for inclusion to increase revenue.
- Consider the possibility of serving alcohol in your bowling alley. You will have to obtain a liquor license but serving alcohol has the potential to increase your revenue.
4Contract with a bowling alley design and construction group to design and construct a new building or to finish the interior of your existing building into a bowling alley.
5Purchase the equipment for your bowling alley, and arrange to have it delivered several weeks prior to your anticipated opening date.
- Anticipate some pin loss due to breakage, and order more bowling pins than you think that you are going to need.
- Order an assortment of bowling balls in different weights and finger hole sizes; remember to order lightweight bowling balls for children.
- Remember to order one handicapped assistance bowling ramp for every two handicapped parking spaces in your parking lot.
- Decide which arcade games you are going to purchase or lease and arrange for delivery; remember to order the prizes.
6Order the concession equipment including grills, refrigerators, microwaves, pretzel cases and, if you are serving alcohol, beer taps.
- Order the food to be delivered no more than 7 days prior to your scheduled grand opening.
7Hire your staff 2 to 3 weeks before your anticipated grand opening to allow for enough time to train your staff in the proper usage of the bowling alley equipment.
- Special training should be provided to any employees who will be repairing or unjamming the pin setting machines to ensure employee safety.
8Schedule and advertise your grand opening.
- Send out postcards with a grand opening coupon.
- Contact the locals schools, and offer a discount field trip package.
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- When you start a bowling alley, your insurance company may require that a specific number of your employees are trained in emergency first aid treatment. Check with the company before you start hiring to ensure that you meet all requirements.
- When you decide to start a bowling alley, you will need to contact your local business regulation office to find out if there are any special licenses or permits required.
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Español: abrir un negocio de boliche, Português: Abrir uma Casa de Boliche, Русский: открыть боулинг
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This opening paragraph would have been a lot stronger without last nights fourth quarter comeback. Had KG and the Brazilian Blur not carried the Celtics to an important (if not all that impressive) Canadian victory, the column youre reading would have started like this:
Tonight marks the first time since March 2006 that the Celtics and Lakers will meet in a game in which neither team boasts a winning record.
That would have been a much stronger, more telling indication of the way this season has gone for both sides of the NBAs most historic rivalry. But what can you do, right? Instead, the Celtics head into tonight with a record of 25-23; the Lakers are 23-26.
Still, just for fun
The game in question took place at the TD Garden on March 20, 2006 and pitted the 34-34 Lakers against the 28-39 Celtics. To no ones surprise, Paul Pierce and Kobe Bryant are the only players from that game who will be uniform tonight Pierce had 26 points and nine rebounds. Kobe had 43 points (ON 39 SHOTS!), five rebounds, four assists and five steals. Rookie Andrew Bynum had zero points in four minutes for LA. Second-year reserve Al Jefferson had two points in 10 minutes for Boston.
The Lakers won by a score of 105-97, to improve to 35-34 and remained above .500 for the rest of the year before being ousted by Steve Nash, Mike DAntoni and the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the playoffs (a series most-remembered for Mr. 39 Shots refusal to shoot the ball in Game 7.) With the loss, the Celtics dropped to 28-40. They finished the season at 33-49 and missed the playoffs for the first time in four years.
Anyway, that feels like a long, long time ago. Mostly because it was. Its been forever since the Lakers and Celtics have been as simultaneously unimpressive as theyve been this year.
Of course, the biggest difference between now and then is expectations.
LA came into this season as one of the favorites to win it all. After OKC traded James Harden on the eve of opening night, LA was (at the very least) expected to emerge from the West. This was the dawn of a new era of Lakers basketball. The arrival of the franchises next historic big man from Wilt to Kareem to Shaq to Kwame and now Dwight Howard. It was the boost Kobe needed to match (maybe even exceed) Jordans six rings. Steve Nash would get his first ring, and an official stamp on his Hall of Fame resume.
Expectations in Boston werent quite as high but still pretty steep. Maybe this wasnt a new era of Celtics basketball, but it was a legitimate extension of the old one. They were expected to compete at the highest level, and most likely find themselves in a rematch with Heat for a berth in the Finals. Against Miami, the C's would be heavy underdogs but no one would count them out.
Either way, way back when, tonight's game at the Garden was supposed to be a match-up between two of the NBA's elite, with the LakersCeltics rivalry chugging along as strong as ever.
So, what went wrong?
Well, it might be a cop out, but we should probably start with injuries. In LA, Steve Nash was hurt right off the bat, and his loss was magnified by the fact that the Lakers only other point guard (Steve Blake) was already on the shelf after stepping on a metal spike. Pau Gasol struggled through a series of ailments, before his latest and far more serious injury. Big man Jordan Hill was lost to hip surgery and most importantly, at the center of it all Dwight Howard has been a mess. The once indestructible giant has missed time with back and shoulder issues, and even when he plays he's a shadow of his former self.
In Boston, the Celtics played the first two months without their starting shooting guard, which reeked havoc on the rotation. Darko hurt his wrist and eventually left the team, while an injured thumb sidelined Chris Wilcox and left the C's with nothing but Kevin Garnett in the front court. Once Avery Bradley came back, they lost Rondo for the season, and then Jared Sullinger.
In both cases, while injuries can't be blamed for everything, injuries have severely limited the teams' ability to fulfill expectations.
Then there's chemistry, with Howard and Rondo in the middle.
First, Howard still isn't mature enough to carry the load that's expected of him especially in a market like LA. I don't envy his position of having to co-exist with Kobe, but it's hard to envision Howard handling it any worse than he has. The Rondo problem is slightly less obvious and publicized, but it's still there. While he certainly co-existed with his Hall of Fame teammates better than Howard, there was something missing. This team wasn't clicking the way the Celtics are supposed to; aka the way they have since their point guard went down.
Management also had a hand in the struggles. For LA, the absurd decision to hire D'Antoni instead of Phil Jackson which will haunt the franchise beyond this season. For Boston, there was the decision to stack the roster with guards despite knowing how much Rondo would dominate the ball and leave Garnett without serious help on the block. I'd also throw in the off-season push to hand this team to Rondo among the missteps.
"Passing the torch is typically media generated crap. But in the case, the idea of Rajon Rondo taking over the Celtics was a product of the Celtics. They pushed that narrative as much as anyone else. But it wasn't necessary. Rondo didn't NEED to take over this team yet. Not with KG, Pierce and Terry in the fold. And especially when it's now clear that Rondo wasn't quite ready. That shouldn't have been a major deal, but the team played a role in setting it up that way.
Both teams also suffered through six-game losing streaks that sapped the life out of their season and really, their title hopes.
Between January 16-25, the Celtics lost:
1. At home to Austin Rivers and the struggling Hornets
2. At home to Chicago, in a game where they led by two with the ball, with nine seconds left.
3. In Detroit, a loss that was followed by Doc Rivers threatening to trade the whole team.
4. In Cleveland, after leading by seven points in the second half
5. At home to the Knicks in the Honey Nut Cheerios Bowl
6. In Atlanta, after blowing a 27-point and losing their point guard to a torn ACL.
Between January 1-11, the Lakers lost six games to much better competition than the Celtics faced, but against six teams Philly, Clippers, Denver, Houston, San Antonio and OKC that LA was supposed to beat. The streak dropped them to 15-21, and they still haven't recovered.
It's fair to say that neither of these teams will fully recover and meet the expectations set for them at the start of this season. And there's no question that tonight's game will fall short of what he imagined way back when, in terms of what's on the line, and seeing two of the league's best teams, jam-packed with the league's best players, all competing at their highest and healthiest level.
But then again, let's be honest, CelticsLakers still beats everything else. Even if this game isn't what it could have been, there are few match-ups that stir up more emotion and excitement. Sure, maybe these teams aren't competing for a top seed, but you could argue that this is even better
They're fighting for their lives. All the disappointment has left the Lakers and Celtics more desperate than we ever imagined they would be at this point in the season. This game isn't just about a rivalry, it's about a struggle to even make the playoffs.
And that's a recipe for a great game and a truly memorable night.
Hopefully more memorable than what we saw back in March of 2006, and with a much better result for Boston.
Rich can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow Rich on Twitter at http:twitter.comrich_levine


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Tess Vigeland: Alright, the Fed isn't the only one issuing quizzes. You send 'em to us all the time and one popular question we've been getting in the midst of the housing meltdown is this: How come private mortgage insurance isn't saving us from the subprime mess?
If you have to get PMI in order to put less than 20 percent down, shouldn't all that insurance be kicking in?
We asked Marketplace's Jill Barshay to look into it.
Jill Barshay: Once upon a time, home buyers who couldn't or didn't want to put 20 percent down had to buy private mortgage insurance. Lenders wanted protection against people walking away from properties they didn't have much equity in.
So you'd think with all the 90 percent -- even 100 percent -- home loans out there that private mortgage insurers would be suffering and paying claims left and right.
Jack Guttentag is professor of finance emeritus at the Wharton School of Business. He says mortgage insurers aren't in as much trouble as lenders are.
Jack Guttentag: Not all loans are insured. And in particular, the loans with the highest rate of foreclosure, the subprime loans, a very large proportion of those did not carry mortgage insurance.
A lot of subprime lenders didn't care, but even regular borrowers could buy a house with little or no money down and avoid mortgage insurance. Banks were willing to issue them a piggyback loan for their down payment in lieu of insurance.
Now mortgage lenders have to eat the losses on those uninsured loans themselves.
Jeff Lubar of the Mortgage Insurance Companies of America says lenders are once again insisting that home buyers take out private mortgage insurance.
Jeff Lubar: We're writing about 40 more policies this month compared to the month before.
Insurers are even getting picky. They're even demanding higher credit scores and raising premiums.
Lubar: In certain markets where values are dropping, what they call declining markets, more money up front might be required, more skin in the game so to speak. 5 percent down, whereas before it might have been 3.
For home buyers who are now being asked to pay for mortgage insurance, the experts say to take the cheapest one you can find. Professor Guttentag:
Guttentag: It's not you. It's the lender who's covered by the insurance and if the worse came to the worst and every mortgage insurer folded its tent, it wouldn't have any impact on the individual borrower.
And since 2007, the insurance is tax deductible if you make less than $100,000 a year.
In New York, I'm Jill Barshay for Marketplace Money.
Vigeland: By the way there was more grim news from the mortgage mess this week. Pending home sales fell in February to their lowest level since 2001.


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Tag: common cold
Colds, Cold Season and MoreChinese medicine for the common cold varies based on the type of cold: Wind-cold, Wind-heat, cold and heat lingering, Summer-heat-dampness, and Endogenous cold due to debility. The treatment principles for each of these patterns is to expel the Wind and cold pathogen and eliminate the other pathogens such as accumulated heat and dampness that accompany it, and strengthen the patient's defensive Qi if the patient is weak, debilitated, constantly catching a cold. Read morePosted on 31 Aug 2017 by leo . Posted in Life & Health. Tagged upper resporatory tract infection, common cold, cough, influenza.


text: I was looking through the "What is your major?" and I saw some posters mention that they didn't go to ISU for their education. For me I went to Loras College, and I guess I'm curious to see who else didn't go to Iowa State. So who else is a Tavern Clone? :jimlad: