text:
When the managing partner of private equity firm Archer Capital walked out of the lobby of Sydney's Deutsche Bank Place on Tuesday 16 August, 2011, he was a happy man. Just moments before, Greg Minton had locked in British technology giant Sage as exclusive bidder for software provider MYOB, sealing the third biggest private equity deal in Australia's history. Or so he believed.
In the upmarket foyer Minton, and his partner Andrew Gray, shook hands with the chief financial officer of the Sage Group, Allen Harrison.
"That's great, it's a done deal," the men allegedly told each other.
Archer was the majority shareholder in MYOB.
The meeting – in which Minton and Gray were accompanied by their banker, Aidan Allen of UBS, while Harrison was with Sage's general counsel, Michael Robinson, and Tim Longstaff of Deutsche – had been short.
Harrison was scrambling to get to the airport in time so he could get home. However, the meeting would later prove to be fateful.
Suit over alleged breach of contract
Archer has since taken the extraordinary step of suing Sage in the Federal Court over an alleged breach of contract, after Sage pulled out of the deal at the 11th hour. The private equity outfit wants a minimum of $180 million in damages, after it was forced to sell MYOB to alternative bidder, Bain Capital, a feat achieved within two days under significant pressure.
But that August afternoon, the high flying executives were all bathing in their glory. "We're very happy," Harrison allegedly told Minton. "We think this is a great business and we look forward to moving on with it."
"We think you guys will be perfect stewards of the business and we wish you well."
Minton, Gray, Allen and their teams had been working feverishly to get the deal done in a short amount of time, pulling big hours with little rest, attending countless meetings, and making even more phone calls and emails.
Now they could see the light at the end of the tunnel. It was as if the champagne was on ice and the music ready to be blasted. They just needed a final signed deal, and it would be party time.
But just over 48 hours later – on the Thursday evening, just after 8pm – everything fell apart. Archer's lawyers fired off an innocuous email, at 8:22pm, incorporating further changes to the share sale agreement. Just 8 minutes later, the deal was off.
The global head of Sage Guy Berruyer called Minton at 8:30pm and told him Sage would not pay $1.35 billion for MYOB. It wanted to pay $175 million less.
In an already emotionally charged and sleep-deprived environment, which was topped by a volatile market, the news was devastating.
Minton and Gray were flabbergasted. Even Allen – a young, popular investment banker who was for a while touted as the replacement for Australian head of UBS Matthew Grounds (he will soon join Citigroup) – was shocked.
Minton, Gray livid
Minton and Gray were men who were at the top of their game. They were not used to being done over by out-of-towners.
Minton is an energetic and well-liked former rugby league player. Less than six months after the MYOB deal, he and his wife snagged a palatial mansion in Palm Beach, the most expensive suburb on Sydney's northern beaches and a popular weekend getaway, for nearly $5 million.
Minton had been at Archer since its early days, after leaving a management role at building products company CSR. Around the time they did the MYOB deal the firm had 19 staff and over $2.5 billion under management.
Archer's offices are in the old Walsh Bay wharf development, just west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Minton and his team subscribe to a relaxed environment: there are children's paintings on the wall, a giant television screen and a Friday ritual of beer and sport.
Gray had been on board since 2007. Seen as more gung-ho than Minton, Gray threw himself into deals and was in charge of the MYOB deal and more recently the V8 Supercars sport in which Archer Capital is a majority shareholder.
But both were absolutely livid following what they perceived as a last-minute change of heart from Sage. They wanted justice for their investors, and to teach Sage a lesson.
The day after the deal collapsed, they called in the lawyers.
Murky world of private equity subjected to public scrutiny
Nearly two years on and the mystery surrounding Sage's eleventh hour back-out has still not been resolved, but Archer is fighting tooth and nail to get what they believe is rightfully theirs.
The murky world of private equity is rarely subjected to the public scrutiny of a court, but Archer's partners believed in this case they had no choice. They owe their own investors – who are now many millions out of pocket – a fiduciary duty, and felt there was little alternative but to litigate to attempt to recover their losses.
Even so, Minton and his team are hopeful of a settlement before the hearing. It is a little over six months until the case kicks off in Sydney, but the hallways of investment banks and coffee hubs are already buzzing with speculation about how things might turn out for Archer and Sage over the ill-fated MYOB deal.
The case threatens to rewrite the definition of what is considered a binding deal in the world of mergers and acquisitions.
Also at risk is the accepted principle that the identity of private equity investors can remain secret, a move which could undermine the incredibly successful but murky model.
Documents give insight into how things fell apart
Documents filed with the court and obtained by The Australian Financial Review reveal an insight into how things fell apart so badly, and what happened in the days leading up to the deal.
There are two sides to the story. Sage vehemently rejects the claims made by Archer.
It argues there was no binding deal and it was simply the preferred bidder – meaning it had the benefit of exclusivity but did not have to follow through.
Under its continuous disclosure obligations, there could be no binding deal until it was ready to release an announce to the stockmarket. And that was far from imminent.
In the hours leading up to Sage pulling out of the deal there are a number of small inconsistencies, which it claims shows there was not yet a binding deal.
First, the final offer was clearly marked subject to contract. It was over a hundred pages long and in a form that was never finalised. There was no executed copy of the contract.
Importantly, Archer had been adamant the contract needed to be signed in the Cayman Islands to ensure offshore investors were able to enjoy tax benefits. If the contract had been accepted in Australia, it could cost the beneficial owners quite a bit. From Archer's point of view, deals always worked this way. With Archer convinced it is owed something and Sage adamant it did nothing wrong, the looming battle is likely to be hard fought and drawn out.
The deal with Bain was eventually signed in the Cayman Islands.
Dispute of investor tax returns
Now a dispute has erupted over whether Sage is entitled to investors' tax returns to see what tax benefits they have received, in order to quantify damages.
Despite implicit acknowledgement the last-minute withdrawal would burn bridges in the Australian finance industry, the UK-listed Sage was prepared to sacrifice relationships in order to save its investors nearly $200 million.
By the same token, despite the usual reluctance of private equity firms to pursue the fallout from failed deals, Archer made the call in this case that there was too much money on the table to simply walk away. This was compounded by the fact that the failed negotiations left a very bad taste in Archer's mouth.
Notwithstanding the lower price received from Bain, the eventual deal was still a significant victory.
Just two years earlier, a private equity consortium had taken control of the ASX-listed MYOB in a deal that valued the company at $560 million. Even the sale to Bain at the second best price represented a huge profit.
On the Thursday night of August 18, elation was evident nowhere. Just minutes after that fateful call at around 8:30pm on August 16, Longstaff called Minton to reiterate that Sage was pulling out.
There had been no warning signs. When Minton received that call on Thursday night, the team were bewildered.
Even Longstaff – who is known in the industry as gruff and prickly at times – allegedly told Minton he was embarrassed, sorry, and there was no reason for the backflip. After the dust settled various theories emerged about why Sage had pulled the plug at the last minute.
Speculation over Sage's major shareholders
There is industry speculation that after the deal was leaked to the media on the Wednesday, Sage got wind that its major shareholders did not approve of it and wanted to put the proposed sale to them for approval. There was apparently also a last-minute question about whether the UK listing rules required disclosure.
The Sage share price also plummeted around 5 per cent around this time, although it was a turbulent time in the market generally.
There was talk at the time that Sage's exit was triggered by the drop as it means MYOB's purchase price would have been more than 25 per cent of Sage's market capitalisation. In other words, there may have been a question about whether the listed company had to put the deal to a shareholder vote.
Sage argues that as there was no binding deal, any change in circumstances was sufficient to exit, or offer a lesser price. The suggestion is that the turbulence in the market was causing Sage to re-evaluate if the deal was in its best interests.
Or it may be that Sage learnt they had outbid other contenders by not just a few million, but upwards of $180 million.
The looming court case is likely to expose the true reasons behind Sage's withdrawal in what is expected to be explosive evidence. Longstaff and Allen are both slated as witnesses.
Another buyer secured
After Sage pulled out, the Archer team worked in record time to secure another buyer. By 4am on Friday August 19 Bain had agreed to buy the MYOB business for $1.045 billion in cash plus vendor notes worth $150 million and other components. A share sale agreement was signed on the Saturday. The only trouble for Archer was, this was around $200 million less than Sage's original offer. It is that shortfall they now want the UK giant to put up.
Despite being a UK-based company, Sage's offering was similar to MYOB. It also sold software to small businesses, but had a capped market share.
Discussions between the two competitors had begun the month before, in early July 2011. The head of Sage for Australia, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, Ivan Epstein, approached Minton's Gray to tell him Sage was interested in getting involved with any MYOB sale. Within days Gray had told Deutsche's Longstaff they were interested and a confidentiality deed had been signed.
Sage wanted to buy but did not want to participate in an auction process. It made its first formal offer of $1.35 billion on August 4 subject to a number of conditions, but Archer also wanted a non-refundable deposit in return for exclusivity.
This was an unusual clause but Sage had a reputation for being "flakey" as one industry insider puts it, and Archer did not want to take any chances. Just over a year earlier Sage had pulled out of a deal with an Italian business management software group called TeamSystem.
Sage refused to agree to the deposit, and Archer decided to push ahead regardless. A costly mistake, in hindsight.
KKR, Helmmann & Friedmann, Bain sniff around
Over the next few days, from around August 9, negotiations with other bidders also started to heat up. US-based private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts were also sniffing around and made an offer on Thursday August 11. Another private equity outfit Hellmann & Friedmann followed up with an offer on Sunday August 14.
Bain was also in the initial running.
The data room had been opened and Archer needed Sage to make a binding offer. Sage said it only needed to organise a board meeting with company chiefs before it could put forward a final price.
On Sunday August 14 Longstaff was allegedly at pains to impress upon UBS's Allen and the Archer team they were not going to see a repeat of the botched Italian deal a year earlier.
Sage head Guy Berruyer had the full support of the board, the company was now in a different position and Archer had nothing to worry about.
The next evening at 7.25pm Sage sent its final offer; again offering $1.35 billion in cash.
The next day all the major players met in the foyer of Deutsche bank and shook on the deal. At 5.30 emails were exchanged and Archer claims the offer accepted.
Within hours Sage had access to the black box commercial documents and other eager bidders were told the game was over.
In UBS's offices Minton and Gray told Bain it was out of the running. Gray also called Justin Reizes of KKR and Allen called Patrick Healy of H&F.
Due diligence reports were finalised that night at 5.47pm. Emails continued to fly throughout the next few days and at 8.22pm on Thursday some final changes were agreed between Tom Story of law firm Allens Arthur Robinson (now Allens Linklaters, acting for Archer) and Michael Reede of Allen & Overy (acting for Sage).
But just eight minutes later the deal was off, after Minton took the shock call from Berruyer.
Archer's lawyers quickly fired off a letter. They were prepared to wait until 5pm London time for Sage to honour its obligations but after that, all deals were off.
Sage failed to provide any confirmation.
Exhausted, Minton, Gray and Allen now had to urgently find another buyer. If they did not, the value of the MYOB business threatened to plummet.
Bain was already waiting in the wings. It was around 10pm that night when Morgan Stanley banker Peter Brownie took a call from Archer.
They were back in the game. It took Brownie another four hours or so to get hold of his client but by 3.50am Bain and Archer were locked into 24 hours of exclusivity.
Bain had been at the helm of Italian software company TeamSystems the year before when a similar situation had unfolded with Sage. It knew Sage was "flakey" and "whiffy" and was hoping for the same thing to happen in the MYOB case.
"Bain Capital has had very positive dealings with Sage and views Sage as a world-class organisation," a Bain Capital spokesperson said.
Sage for its part claims the two failed deals were unusual rather than the norm and scores more had been completed smoothly. It has completed more than £2 billion in deals since 2006.
Bain snares exclusivity
Private equity consortium KKR was less lucky. The banker liaising on the deal missed the Wednesday night phone call and by the time someone called back, Bain had already nabbed exclusivity. The highest echelons of KKR were not about to give up and throughout Friday continued to call the head of UBS and the bankers involved in an attempt to be let back into the bidding. But by 6am on Saturday morning the deal had been sealed. It was all over.
After perhaps a more modest celebration and a good sleep all that was left for Archer was to recoup the many millions it lost as a result of Sage pulling out and not being able to secure the highest price from an alternative bidder. And that is why, 18 months down the track, the two major players are now staring down the barrel of facing off in an expensive, time-consuming and possibly embarrassing court case which threatens to rewrite the rules of private equity and commercial contracts.
The Australian Financial Review


text:
Want your tot to love his playtime? Back off and let him experiment. The more you interfere, the crankier he is likely to get.
That's the finding of a new study by researchers at the University of Missouri in Columbia. The study was published recently in the journal Parenting: Science and Practice.
To find out exactly what happens when moms get too involved in their children's activities, researchers videotaped the interactions of 1,200 mom-and-kid pairs during 15-minute play sessions.
(The little ones were one-, two-, three-, and five-years-old. The moms were white, African American, and Hispanic. All were participants in the federal government's Early Head Start Research and Evaluation project.)
In the experiment, Jean Ispa, Ph.D., professor of human development and family studies at the University of Missouri, gave moms a bag of toys for their children. She told the moms the kids could play with the toys however they wished.
Although the results varied depending on family ethnicity and on the age of the children in the experiment, researchers found kids in general reacted negatively when moms got too involved in playtime.
Moms who were highly directive (read: way too involved in their kid's activity) met with crying, whining, and toy tossing when they told their kids what to do with their toys down to the last detail. Their hovering left little room for their child's own experimentation and invention.
Here's how that could look in your own playroom:
Your toddler finds some plastic farm animals to play with. Minutes pass. He is happily trying to shove a cow into a barn window. You zoom in and helpfully show him that cows go through doors. Then you say something like this is how you do it or you do something that robs his creative moment. Keep it up and you may end up with one very unhappy child — now or over time.
In a university release, Dr. Ispa explained that children "flourish when they have opportunities to make choices about what they do, particularly in play situations."
Moms, of course, can suggest and encourage in a warm and engaging manner. But parents should avoid micromanaging without that warmth — and doing so in an autocratic way.
Dr. Andrew Adesman, chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York, told the online news source HealthDay that in situations like this, less parenting is better. When it comes to play, children are sometimes happiest when parents spend less time directing their kids' activity, he said.
So the choice is yours. You can jump in, micromanage, and make your little guy miserable. Or you can back off, smile, encourage, and end up with a happier toddler.
Are you guilty of being a highly directive parent? Tell us in the space below.
Photo credit: Flickr

subset: commoncrawl


text: I've just acquired a very low mile 2004 R1150R. Coming from the GS branch of the family, there are multiple choice for side cases. In my search for cases for the "R", my search comes up empty for anything other than the factory System Cases. Are there any other choices?


text:
HUGHES-L ArchivesArchiver > HUGHES > 2000-10 > 0971364345
From: C Walker <>
Subject: Re: [HUGHES-L] Kentucky Station: Hughes of Jessamine Co KY and MO
Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2000 10:25:45 -0500
References: <firstname.lastname@example.com> <firstname.lastname@example.com>
C Walker wrote:
> Ruth
> I enjoyed your email! Well, where do I start? I'll start from the beginning of my
> research -
> in the Snow Hill Remembered book by Stevens about the Maryland Harris family of
> which
> I am a direct descendent - it says that Jesse Hughes marred Elizabeth Drake in
> Bullitt
> Co., KY in 1790. Jesse Hughes was born in 1767 in Berkeley Co.,WV. At a young age
> his
> family went back to Chester Co.,PA to live with family.I find this out from the
> book and
> the Book on Clinton Co.,OH. Jesse Hughes was one of the first judges for Clinton
> Co.
> Jesse Hughes moved to Clinton Co.,OH in 1804/5 and became a Judge.
> It says that in 1784 at the age of 17 Jesse and his paternal uncle Morgan went to
> Hughes
> Station in Jefferson Co., KY. They traveled up the Salt River.It's not Jessamine
> Co.KY.
> The Hughes Station is by Abraham Lincoln's grandfather's land in 1786.
> In 1790 census of Jefferson Co.,KY there is listed
> Algar,John,Benjamin,Morgan,Jesse Hughes. In 1800 census of Jefferson Co.,KY only
> John,Robert,Jesse Hughes. In Shelby
> Co.,KY I see Benjamin Hughes.
> My Morgan drops off by 1810.
> I have found land owned by Benjamin and Morgan Huse (listed that way). Jesse
> Hughes
> land is right by it. I haven't found the John or Robert yet. It seems with I see
> Morgan I see
> Benjamin together.
> I went to a book on Berkely Co.,WV. In 1772 there is listed Benjamin,Isaac,Morgan
> Hughes.In 1777 I find Morgan and widow Isaac Hughes.I believe Isaac Hughes was
> Jesse's father. Isaac Hughes did not leave a will but there is an inventory. I
> just have to
> find it.
> I think widow Isaac Hughes went back to Chester Co.,PA. I believe they are from
> the
> line of Morgan,Benjamin,Owen,Edward. Yesterday I found in the will of Jesse
> Morgan
> a reference to his cousins Owen and Isaac Hughes.
> In PA Morgan Morgan married Dorothy Hughes (dau. of Morgan Hughes). Morgan
> Morgan's sister Sarah Morgan is Daniel Boone's mother.
> Well - to say the least the Hughes are an interesting group.
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> I haven't found enough to put my Jesse Hughes group with the ones in Jessamine
> Co.KY.
> I have looked at the 10-mile book that lists the Hughes-Swan group. It doesn't
> fit there yet.
> What part of PA did the Swan's come from? The census of 1810 in Jessamine Co.,KY
> of
> Jesse Hughes is not my Jesse. My Jesse left KY to Ohio in 1804/5. My Jesse
> settled land
> with a land warrant in the military area of Ohio.They may be related though.
> This is all too confusing - hee I would like to find out about this John and
> Algar Hughes in
> 1790 Jefferson Co.,KY.
> There is another Hughes line to the Boone family but I haven't looked into it. It
> definitely looks
> like your Hughes were involved with the Boone family.
> If you like, send me your information on the Hughes in Missouri. Maybe I might
> stumble on
> more information on them?
> Well I hope I have helped..I'll post this to the Hughes-L mailing list. Maybe
> someone might
> have a clue.
> Thanks for your reply!
> Cindy
> wrote:
> > Dear Cindy.
> > Thank you so much for sharing the very interesting information about Hughes
> > Station in Kentucky. I am also very interested in your Jesse Hughes (not the
> > famous Indian fighter) whose uncle was a Morgan Hughes.
> > My John Hughes (and his wife Jane Ballew) had their first child, Stephen
> > Hughes (probably named after Jane's father) in Jessamine County Kentucky
> > about 1808. I believe the Hughes station you mention is in the same general
> > area. I have researched the Hughes who were in Jessamine Co KY in 1810 and
> > virtually all of them seem to be related to the household of William and
> > Joseph Hughes (married to sisters named Swan) who came from Pennsylvania.
> > And I believe they also had a brother named Morgan. However, also in
> > Jessamine Co in 1810, there is a Jesse Hughes, and there is my John Hughes.
> > And my John Hughes, after much deligent research, is almost certainly not one
> > of the Johns who is the offspring of William and Joseph. The descendents of
> > William and Joseph seem to be very well researched, and my John Hughes just
> > doesn't match. Yet he almost definitely was there. Family documents
> > indicate that he was there, and he is there on the census as best I can tell.
> > It seems there must be some connection with my John and the Hughes/Swan line
> > of Jessamine Co -- especially since family lore says that John's brothers
> > were named William, Joseph and Roland -- names that were common in that line
> > of Hughes. Also my John left Jessamine County and went to MIssouri at almost
> > the same time (about 1818) as most of the Jessamine Co Hughes went to
> > Missouri -- except my JOhn (along with brothers (?) William and Joseph)
> > settled in Gasconade County Missouri, whereas the Hughes/Swan line settled in
> > Howard County (basically just across the Missouri river). My JOhn's wife,
> > Jane Ballew, almost certainly came from Burke Co. North Carolina, and his
> > brother, William also married into the BAllew family; his wife was Priscilla.
> > So it seems almost certain that my branch of the Hughes were in North
> > Carolina for a while prior to coming to Kentucky (and apparently weren't in
> > Kentucky for very long). I believe that my John Hughes probably went to
> > Jessamine Co KY because of some family connection with the Hughes already
> > there!! To make a long story short, I am wondering if your Jesse Hughes may
> > be a missing link. Who is your JEsse's father?? Is the Morgan you refer to
> > the MOrgan who is the Pennsylvania brother of William and Joseph (husbands of
> > Martha and Sarah Swan??) Do you think possible that your Jesse Hughes and my
> > JOhn HUghes are related?
> > It should also be noted that newphews of Daniel Boone (who were basically
> > raised by Daniel while he still lived in N. Carolina) were neighbors of the
> > Hughes and BAllews who lived in Burke County N. Carolina in the early 1800's.
> > I think there may be some connection between my Hughes and this Boone line.
> > Notably these Boone newphews also ultimately immigrated to the same county of
> > MIssouri where my Hughes settled. I have Bible records, census etc.
> > documenting my line of Hughes in MIssouri if anyone is interested.
> > Cindy, I would be so appreciative if you or any other Hughes researcher has
> > any bit of information that might help me solve this puzzle. I started this
> > research as a gift to my father, and now I find myself in a race against
> > time. I would be very happy to share my extensive research with any who can
> > help me. Thank you !!! Ruth G.
This thread:


text:
"Secret" Tinaja
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The climb of Point 4850 is a fun scramble on colorful rock, and in addition to great views, the climber will also find near the summit a deep bowl holding a tinaja that not too many people ever see. Exercise extreme caution near this tinaja, especially if you are alone. The walls are smooth and almost vertical, and climbing up them would be a Class 5 friction climb; should the water be above head level, drowning following exhaustion would be likely, and if the water is shallower than that, then the fall in might result in serious injury or death. This tinaja is a little northeast of the summit.
Calico Hills; Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, NV-- April 2011
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text:
Year Established:2008
Business Type:Business Service
Management Certifiation:
Operational Address:
Hebei, China (Mainland)
2015 high quality school backpack 420D school backpack school nylon backpack
1. Direct factory, best price offer.
2. Prompt delivery, about 25 days.
3. Good after service .
4. Available customized design. We have creative designer, and skillful workers, so we can meet your requests and offer you good advice.
5. Reusable, eco-friendly,
6. Factory inspection visit welcomed.
7. Sample can be made before your order.
8. Logo: can make customer embroidery,printing,embossed metal logo
Baoding Zhongsen Leather Manufacturing Co., Ltd.,is located in Baigou town-Bag Capital of China.Our factory is a highly professional and experienced manufacturer of backpack in China.The main products are sport backpack,school packpack,laptop backpack,hiking backpack,casual backpack and trolley backpack.We have penetrated into this field for more than 10 years, and exercise out a professional management and production team! Dedicated to strict quality control and thoughtful customer service, our experienced staff members are always available to discuss your requirements and ensure full customer satisfaction.Good price,nice quality,fast delivery and best services can be provided.Our sales have rich experience,they can give you reply within twenty-four hours,and provide you professional service.OEM and ODM orders are welcome.We can make new samples for you within 3 days.As we have good designers,who can make new samples everyday.We can produce around 100,000 pcs bags every month,so for mass production, we can supply the shortest delivery time.The spirit of our factory is "superior quality, reasonable price" and we will always adhere to the principle of integrity-based business.For more information,contact us now.


text:
I heart road trips and football, so as you can imagine I stay busy in the fall. Yesterday my fiance and I road-tripped to the Green Bay Packers opener. We literally hopped in the car at 8 a.m. and drove to Lambeau. We watched the game, had our hearts broken, ate a Kroll's West butter burger and drove back to Minnesota. That is dedication right?!?!
The drive home was tough. I drank a ton of coffee and ate an entire bag of Corn Nuts (the crunchiness helps keep me awake). At midnight we pulled into Minneapolis and at 4am my alarm went off. OUCH! Tired is an understatement for how I feel today. Despite that, and the loss, I will always have the memory of the trip and, for me, that's what life is all about.


text:
This product is no longer available.
You can try these similar gifts instead.
Trendy Girl Mix and Match 21 Piece Fashion Bracelets Set
A gift for any girl who's on top of the fashion scene, this bracelet set is trendy and fashionable. The bracelets can be worn all together, just a few at a time, on both wrist. She'll love the statement they make.


text:
One of the many reasons I love Baylor. Here's an announcement that is on the Baylor website:
Ash Wednesday worship service
Feb. 20, 2012
On February 22nd, there will be an Ash Wednesday service in Miller Chapel at 12:20. For centuries, Christians have observed Ash Wednesday on the first day of the Lenten season, a time of deep introspection, intentional discipline, and preparation as Holy Week approaches. On Ash Wednesday, Christians receive the sign of the cross on their foreheads. The mark is made with ashes from burned Palm branches saved from the previous year's celebration of Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Our service is co-sponsored by the Chaplain's office and The Catholic Student's Association. Father Anthony from St. Peter's and Burt Burleson will be presiding.


text:
Woven is a great "app", whether they want to relive old memories with friends, look back at your child's baby pics, or brag to others about your kids. This app aims to make photo viewing easier for parents in general: with personal photo collections increasingly spread across multiple hard drives, phones, tablets and online storage services, just organizing them for viewing is normally a headache.
Woven, a one-of-a-kind, free, mobile solution that aggregates and organizes users' photos from multiple online services like Facebook, Instagram and Shutterfly.
Download this Free app for:
Usually you hear about these wonderful apps only on Apple products — buts here's an app thats built to work on anything – including a kindle fire [Amazon | J&R]… and to that point Woven is giving away a kindle fire to one lucky fan!
How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. June 16th, 2012.
You must comment why Daddy needs a new Kindle Fire? please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email).
You get 1 extra entry for following us on twitter – twitter.com/dadarocks
You get 1 extra entry for following us on twitter – twitter.com/woventheapp
You get 1 extra entry for tweeting about this contest (you can do this daily). Must contain the following information:
" win a #Kindle Fire from @WovenTheApp & @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/L4evwD " and you must also comment with the link to your twitter message.
Example: I want to win a #Kindle Fire from @WovenTheApp & @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/L4evwD
You get 1 extra entry for becoming a Fan on facebook – facebook.com/dadarocks you must comment that you're a fan
You get 1 extra entry for becoming a Fan on facebook – facebook.com/
You get 1 extra entry for subscribing to our Feedburner digest mailing (right side subscribe by email) – you must also comment that you've subscribed
You will have 24 hours to reply before we pick another winner! Limited to the USA.
Disclaimer: Woven is providing the prize for the raffle.


text:
Current Newswire:
LinuxPR: Linux & Samba Server running from Flash-ROMAug 25, 1999, 11:55 (0 Talkback[s])
WEBINAR: On-Demand
No-Size-Fits-All! An Application-Down Approach for Your Cloud Transformation REGISTER >
"A new Linux & Samba based file, print & CD Server that runs entirely from an 8Mb Flash-ROM was released today."
"The Server, dubbed the "PizzaBox Server" because an early prototype was built into a Pizza Hut take out box, not only offers File, Print & CD Services but supports tape backup, UPS monitoring, hardware monitoring, remote access and has a sophisticated Web management interface."
"The Server will be sold to resellers and end users as a fully functional server and can be sold to system builders in kit form. It runs either from standard Compact Flash or M-Systems Disk-on-Chip. It does not grab RAM to unzip into but, unusually, runs directly from the Flash. The entire system is just over 6Mb."
0 Talkback[s] (click to add your comment)


text:
Golden Retrievers For Dummies
288 pages
October 2000
Golden Retrievers For Dummies is intended for busy 21st century dog owners who don't have time to sit down and read through 300 pages at a crack. This is a reference you can jump in and out of as dog questions rear their furry heads. This handy guide is also for you if
- You own a Golden Retriever or thinking about getting one.
- You've just brought home a Golden pup.
- You want to find the best way to raise and train your Golden.
- You want to help your Golde n to not just survive but to thrive.
Find out what it takes to own this active, intelligent, and friendly dog. Explore the Golden's personality traits and living requirements. Discover which diseases are hereditary. This reference guide covers all the aspects of dog ownership, including:
- Looking at breeders, rescue groups, and animal shelters
- Adopting and caring for older dogs
- Selecting a puppy with help from an established testing process
- Dog-proofing your house and yard
- Crate training, housetraining, and obedience training
- Canine communication and growing pains
- Feeding, exercising, and playing with your Golden
- Dealing with illness, problem behavior, and treatment
- Grooming for health and beauty
If you're serious about this Golden business and not just caving in to the kids or some other wild impulse, follow the advice of responsible dog owners and breeders. Look deep into your dog-loving soul and carefully consider the big picture. Love alone is not enough.
Table of Contents
PART I: Finding Your Soul Mate.
Chapter 1: Are You Meant for Each Other?
Chapter 2: Knowing What to Look for in the Breed.
Chapter 3: Finding a Golden Breeder.
Chapter 4: Selecting Your Special Puppy.
PART II: Welcome Home!
Chapter 5: Setting Out the Welcome Mat.
Chapter 6: Welcoming Your Puppy Home.
Chapter 7: Crate Training and Housetraining.
Chapter 8: Canine Communication and Growing Pains.
Chapter 9: Home Schooling Your Golden Puppy.
PART III: Keeping Your Pal Healthy and Happy.
Chapter 10: Healthy Habits: Nutrition and Exercise.
Chapter 11: Golden Health Care 101.
Chapter 12: The Ins and Outs of Bugs and Worms.
Chapter 13: Golden Grooming Basics.
Chapter 14: Caring for Your Senior Golden.
Chapter 15: Hereditary Disease.
Chapter 16: Problem Behaviors and Aggression.
PART IV: The Part of Tens.
Chapter 17: Ten Great Games to Play with Your Puppy.
Chapter 18: Ten Internet Web Sites for the Golden Retriever Believer.
Chapter 19: Ten Things in Your Golden Retriever's Bag of Tricks.
Chapter 20: Ten Ways to Help Your Golden Live a Longer and More Golden Life.
Book Registration Information.


text: Backyard To comment on or upload photos to the gallery, please join our online community. Register Or, Login prev next Search Galleries: Search Great Blue Heron Posted by gail epps on March 15, 2014 at 10:12 am Viewed 208 times this blue heron is a regular visitor at our North Raleigh lake. March, 2014 Raleigh,NC


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Swedish prosecutor almost certain of bomber identity
Sweden's chief prosecutor Tomas Lindstrand said Monday investigators were almost certain the man who blew himself up in Stockholm at the weekend was Taymour Abdel Wahab.
When asked if the man who died Saturday in the Swedish capital was Wahab, as revealed by Islamist website Shumukh al-Islam, the prosecutor said "yes."
"We have identified the man who blew himself up, to 98 percent," Lindstrand told reporters.
The man could not yet be named with certainty because DNA tests had not been performed and the family had not identified the body.
The prosecutor said the man was born in 1981 in the Middle East and became a Swedish citizen in 1992. He was not previously known to Swedish intelligence.
He wife and three children live in Britain, Lindstrand said.
The prosecutor described Saturday's failed attacks as "very well planned" expect for the fact the bomb went off too early.
The suspect, who was wearing a belt with explosives, carried out the attack alone but investigators "have to assume he worked with several people," Lindstrand told AFP.
"According to our experience, there are usually many people involved in such situations," he said.


text: seijirou - Yeah I agree, that is why I think the powerpipes do better as well because usually the "modder" will add it after some more engine breathing mods like atleast an intake and heads/cam. You do need a form of velocity to get the power. The engine (as stated before) acts like a vaccum pump...you need some incoming air with speed (velocity).


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The Planning & Zoning Department guides public and private development and redevelopment efforts. Planning assists in creating a more socially, economically and environmentally sustainable community, as envisioned within the Township Master Plan. The Planning & Zoning Department provides expertise and information to elected officials, appointed boards and commissions, Township departments and citizens to assist in understanding and addressing key community issues and priorities. The department promotes and maintains a clean, healthy and safe community through education, cooperation and enforcement of our property maintenance, zoning, nuisance abatement and rental inspection codes.
Ypsilanti Township's Code of Ordinances may be viewed using Municode. Municode's website includes a search engine to easily find specific sections.
Local Development Finance Authority (LDFA)
Contact Planning & Zoning Department: (734) 485 - 3943
Planning & Zoning Department Office Hours & Location
Monday - Friday
8:30am - 4:30pm (Closed 12:00pm - 1:00pm daily.)
Tilden R. Stumbo Civic Center
7200 S. Huron River Dr.
Ypsilanti, MI 48197


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Mugabe intensifies military plan
President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party has intensified its drive to militarise the country with the commissioning of a state-of the-art National Defence College ahead of new elections expected next year.
Observers point out that the move sends a strong message that the military will be kingmaker in the next crunch polls where Mugabe is expected to face off against arch-rival Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) for the third time, after previous encounters in 2002 and 2008.
Last weekend, Mugabe officially opened the college, built by China at a cost of $98-million, describing it as a "think-tank" on security matters. He said it would also be used as a bulwark against Western countries pursuing a "regime change" agenda.
The college is reserved for military personnel with the rank of colonel or group captain and above and their equivalent ranks in state security, police and prisons.
As part of the terms of the loan agreement, the loan will be repaid over 13 years with the diamonds being mined by Chinese companies in the Marange, diamond fields.
Anjin, the Chinese-linked diamond mining company operating in Marange was earlier this year involved in a war of words with Finance Minister Tendai Biti, who accused the Chinese firm of failing to remit "a single cent" in taxes to the treasury. In its defence, Anjin cited exemption as part of the conditions of the loan.
Militarisation of Zimbabwean society
Charles Mangongera, a political analyst said: "The defence college not only marks the continued militarisation of Zimbabwean society, but also the dominance of Chinese interests in the country. Zimbabwe is not under threat of attack from anyone and such a huge investment could have gone into improving the situation at our defunct state universities. Mugabe sees the military as a source of his power and will now do anything to please the military chiefs."
In June, the military recruited 10 000 people for the army, sparking tension in the fragile unity government, as the Zanu-PF defence minister, Emmerson Mnangagwa, demanded that the treasury placed the recruits on the state's payroll.
Military sources pointed out that the recruits were earmarked to play a role in the census and upcoming referendum vote. However, opposition by the MDC eventually resulted in the military's push to be included in last month's census – traditionally conducted by public servants – blocked at the eleventh hour.
There are also signs that the military has purchased R2-million worth of arms from South Africa, circumventing the treasury in the process. Under normal circumstances, Zimbabwe Defence Industries (ZDI) a government-owned military company, deals with the purchase and sale of arms.
Senior ZDI officials have indicated that they did not engage with the South African government over the arms procurement, which includes military radios, tankers and teargas. The Zimbabwe treasury has admitted that it did not know how the arms purchase was financed.
MDC spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora said: "We learnt in the press just like everyone else. Biti did not allocate money to buy a war chest. What is more clandestine is that some of the deliveries are being made when he [Biti] is away soliciting money in the region to keep our government afloat."
Welshman Ncube, the leader of the smaller MDC party, speculated that the money could have been raised from diamond proceeds as Zanu-PF enjoyed "monopoly and virtual control" over the Marange fields. Mugabe has since been promoting senior military officers, such as Brigadier-General Douglas Nyikayaramba, who have pledged allegiance to his rule and has also kept his ring of military chiefs around him, despite their terms of office expiring.


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There's nothing bigger and better than nature in Washington!
Nature is BIG. The biggest mission there is. Nature can make people's lives better, safer and more prosperous. We need to act BIG to protect the natural world for future generations.
You can be BIG too! We are participating in The Seattle Foundation's third annual GiveBIG on May 15! Plan on supporting The Nature Conservancy as part of our community's biggest day of giving of the year!
Contributions made to The Nature Conservancy will be "stretched" through matching funds thanks to The Seattle Foundation's generous sponsors. Your online gift will make a BIG impact with BIG results for conservation work in Washington.
Your support enables us to work for a healthy Puget Sound for BIG Orcas and people both big and small; BIG trees on the Washington Coast, and BIG healthy forests all across Washington.
Here's how to help:
- Give between midnight and midnight on May 15, 2013
- Donate to The Nature Conservancy through our Seattle Foundation page
- Your gift will be stretched further with the GiveBIG stretch pool
- Start now by "liking" us on Facebook and stay tuned for details!
Be a hero, tell your friends and support nature.


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Shoppers are taking advantage of summer sales ahead of fears that interest rates will go higher and squeeze spending, a survey says today.
The British Retail Consortium's monthly snapshot of the high street showed overall sales growth in June was strong after retailers slashed prices, of their goods, tempting consumers to bring forward their purchases in anticipation of more rate rises.
"Consumers are more cautious about making major purchases, but are taking advantage of heavy discounts to buy now in anticipation of a further rate rise," the BRC said.
Like-for-like sales rose 3% last month compared with June 2006, when sales were up by 2.3%. Kevin Hawkins, director general of the BRC, said that the figures masked wide disparities between products and that patterns were distorted by bad weather last month and the World Cup last June.
Sales of big ticket items such as computers, tumble driers and furniture were boosted by heavy discounting and comparisons with relatively weak growth a year ago when the football kept shoppers away from the high street.
The torrential rain last month steered more shoppers into department stores driving up sales of these goods, making up for a weakness in clothing and DIY sales which were hit by the wet weather.
A separate study by the New West End Company showed that London's main shopping district saw strong traffic last month with average weekly footfall up 6% on the previous month and up by 4.9% on last year despite the unrelenting rain. Oxford Street saw particularly strong footfall in the last week of June, which coincided with the first full week of sales.
Helen Dickinson, head of retail at KPMG, co-publishers of the BRC survey, said the results may be surprising given the feedback from retailers in recent weeks.
Companies such as Ryanair and supermarket group Tesco have warned that higher interest rates have started to bite. Meanwhile, a CBI survey showed growth of high street activity eased to the slowest rate since the autumn.
The BRC said a breakdown of its findings showed a complete reversal of the trend prevalent for many months.
"Food and drink were not the driving force behind them [sales]," said Ms Dickinson. "This sector had strong comparatives to beat given the boost to sales last year during the football World Cup - and hence was one of the worst performing sectors in June 2007."
Although sales of home-related products fared better, the BRC said that the impact of heavy discounting on profit margins would be felt later in the year.
The improvement in the year-on-year comparisons were accompanied by softer growth in the second quarter this year of 2.5% compared with 3.5% in the first quarter. The three-month trend rate of growth, a less volatile measure of retail sales, also fell to 2.5% from 2.8% in May for like-for-like sales and 4.6% from 5% for total sales.
Dr Gavin Cameron at Oxford University said that subdued growth of real wages and disposable incomes meant that consumers and especially mortgage-payers were beginning to feel the pinch from recent interest rate rises.
The Bank of England's monetary policy committee last week raised borrowing costs by another quarter-point to 5.75%, the fifth rise since August and taking rates to the highest level in over six years.
The City expects rates to go to 6% or beyond as the MPC clamps down on inflation risks in the economy.
However, official data yesterday showed the inflation of goods at the factory gate was weaker than expected suggesting that price pressures may be easing.


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After promoting the Pope, priest, mass, and church of Rome, Don wrote this:
Who Was Saint Charles Borromeo?
Last month I reported on the visit Mary and I made to St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Coldwater, Michigan. Who was this person who is this parish's namesake? A check of some Catholic Web sites yields this information:
Cardinal Borromeo (1538-1584) was Archbishop of Milan, Italy and Papal Secretary of State under Pius IV and was one of the chief leaders of the Catholic Counter-Reformation.
"Saint Charles spent his life and fortune in the service of the people of his diocese. He directed and fervently enforced the decrees of the Council of Trent, fought tirelessly for peace in the wake of the storm caused by Martin Luther, founded schools for the poor, seminaries for clerics, hospitals for the sick, conducted synods, instituted children's Sunday school, did great public and private penance, and worked among the sick and dying, leading his people by example.
"He was one of the towering figures of the Catholic Reformation, a patron of learning and the arts, and though he achieved a position of great power, he used it with humility, personal sanctity, and unselfishness to reform the Church of the evils and abuses so prevalent among the clergy and the nobles of the times."
The Church beatified him in 1602 and canonized him in 1610. His feast day is November 4.
Who cares? Wouldn't this be like calling our church "Christopher Sauer Church" (after an early leader of the Brethren movement known for publishing the Bible in America)?
The names we put on our churches are one thing—I do think they should have some kind of contemporary and community relevance. Great people of church history are something else. They should be of interest to us so we might (1) know more about our past, (2) find people of good character or significant ministry to emulate, (3) learn from people's mistakes, and much more.
While I wouldn't want to name our church after them, my life is richer because of people like St. Augustine, Martin Luther, John Calvin, John and Charles Wesley, Johann Sebastian Bach, Isaac Watts, William Wilberforce, Abraham Kuyper, Billy Sunday, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Mother Teresa, Billy Graham, Francis Schaeffer and many others.


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Smokey shades look great on everyone, but they're not always appropriate for the office or for daytime events where so much light can make your style look a bit overdone.
Natural cellulite treatments work well when paired with cellulite reducing products to diminish the appearance of existing dimples and prevent the formation of more.
Sleek hair can seem like an impossibility in hot weather, but there are plenty of ways to make your style look fresh and frizz-free during the summer or anytime your hair decides to be uncooperative.
Heat and humidity can kill almost any hairstyle, but luckily, there are a few ways to beat summer hair blues that are easy and stylish.
If your eyes are on the smaller side or you just want to have a more bright-eyed look, there are plenty of ways to use product and shading techniques to your advantage.
Take a second to think about your daily shower routine.
Believe it or not, your bed might not be as friendly as you think it is, especially if you don't regularly change your sheets.
Smooth, hair-free skin is every girl's dream, but a close shave can cause ugly, painful bumps called razor burns.
A dewy, fresh complexion is always in, but it can be tough to figure out how to avoid the matte look and sidestep looking greasy.
Lately, tons of fashion runways, streets and celebrity-packed events have been teeming with ladies who are sporting bare toenails.
Cat-eye eyeliner is a difficult look to pull off, especially if you tend to second guess your makeup application skills.
Age spots, also known as sun spots, liver spots and solar lentigines, are widespread among adults over 40, but young people can also get them.


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There are many pros for lengthening your lashes, particularly when the method is inexpensive and works in an instant. Recently, reader Krissysrose reviewed Ardell Invisiband Eyelashes ($4), and here's what she had to say about these temporary enhancers:
I love these eyelashes! They fit well and can look completely natural or drag-queen-dramatic depending on the style. And even if I ruin them by falling asleep in them, they only cost a few dollars.
Now it's your turn. Yes, I'm talking to you. Tell me what you love and/or don't love about your favorite/not so favorite beauty items by going to the Product Reviews page.


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Block-C is a website run by Clemson graduates Chili ('06) and Willy Mac ('08). We focus on college football with a specific interest to Clemson. We also talk about Clemson happenings, news, and info.
Block-C was formerly known as Danny Ford Is God but we changed the name after a request from the man, the myth, and the legend himself.
We originally conceived the website to be a message board to provide an alternative point of view than Tigernet, but the idea eventually evolved into a blog. We've recently come full circle and added forums.
We criticize a lot, so if you want the family friendly Clemson coverage that always tows the company line, go to Tigernet. If you want senseless, poorly constructed rants and incessant hating, you've come to the right place.
Hey guys, just wanted to let you know I am a big fan of your website. I check it pretty much daily during football season. Glad to see you on here. Love the Dab-o-meter. Go Tigers.


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GPU-Z is a lightweight utility designed to give you all information about your video card and GPU.
Main Features
- Support NVIDIA and ATI cards
- Displays adapter, GPU and display information
- Displays overclock, default clocks and 3D clocks (if available)
- Validation of results
- No installation required
- Support for Windows 2000 / XP / Vista (both 32 and 64 bit versions are supported)
- BETA SOFTWARE - please test and post feedback in the forums
- .. and yes, the author of CPU-Z has granted us permission to use a name similar to his product. Thanks Franck.
Revision History
- Added BIOS extraction features
- Added BIOS upload to TechPowerUp VGA BIOS collection
- Fixed high CPU usage after update is aborted
- Added/Improved detection for NV40 0x0040, G80-600, G84, G86, G92, G98
- Changes to shader detection code for NV40, NV41, NV42, NV43, NV44, NV46, NV48, G70, G71, G72, G73
- Added Subvendor ID for Zotac
Download: GPU-Z 0.1.4 (Freeware)
Screenshot: >> Click here <<
Link: Home Page


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Bubble Soccer in Tennesse,Nashville/Chattanooga/Knoxville/Jackson/Shelbyville . Bubble Soccer we call it as crazy as the name suggest, this is hilarious version of the beautiful game.We guarantee you haven't tried anything like this before. Bubble Soccer is ideal for Birthday Parties, Corporate events, Sports Tournaments, Bachelor/Bachlorette Parties and Fundraisers.
1 Hour $250
2 Hours $500.00
Extra Hours $100
Extra Bubbles $25
Whats included:
- 10 Bubble Suits
- 2 Goals
- Soccer Ball
- Cones
- Event Coordinator
- Gaming Rules
*Please note we do charge travelling expenses and you are responsible for aquiring your own venue*
Please complete the booking form below and one of our suppliers will be in contact with you shortly. Bubble Soccer USA will forward your booking form on to a supplier in your state to carry out your event.


text: I've put this up in another forum somewhere, though I thought it would be a good idea to ask you guys here on APUG. I've been looking through strobist and other DIY lighting sites looking for snoot solutions and the likes of it, and I keep noticing all manner of light modifiers such as home made snoots and softboxes made of cardboard. The thing that bothers me while seeing this is considering the amount of heat these flashes produce. I'm trying to learn how to use a set of studio lights as well as a couple of Nikon speedlites, and am considering using the speedlites as snoots considering that's the cheapest and easiest way to modify light. So I'm curious, is there any big fire hazard as to using cardboard and similar materials next to a speedlite? And if there isn't, are the DIY solutions for bigger lights such as 500WS useable as well?


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The debate over gun rights, social mores and school safety took a sharp turn in light of the recent school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, where 20 children and six adults were killed by a young man with a history of mental illness.
Adam Lanza used a legally-obtained semi-automatic assault rifle to commit his mass murder spree in Newtown on Dec. 14, according to state police. Darien Schools were put on heightened awareness after the incident, and Superintendent Dr. Stephen Falcone said the schools are determining if its security practices are adequate.
"We have magnetic key entry, cameras, security personnel, sign-in procedures and other measures in place," Falcone stated in an email. "We will certainly be talking about increased security supervision in the schools, the need for cameras, updating procedures, and refining drills."
A proposal to add security cameras at all five elementary schools and the middle school was on the schools' capital project request last year, but the Board of Finance asked the schools to not add cameras, which saved around $117,000. The high school is the only school that has video surveillance.
Cameras, however, cannot stop bullets, and often only provide insight into an activity after it happens. Falcone said that adding additional security guards or police officers at the schools will be a topic of conversation among his staff and the Board of Education over the coming weeks. The high school is the only school that currently has a full-time police officer on-site.
But more security doesn't necessarily mean safer schools, according to Ox Ridge parent Jenny Voelker.
"I don't mind police in schools, but feel that having them there would be overkill," Voelker told The Times. "Most police in schools will be standing around doing nothing. And unfortunately you can't guard a school completely against a determined perpetrator, police or no police."
A Tokeneke parent, who asked her name be withheld due to the "divisiveness of this issue," said extra security might be a successful deterrent.
"I believe that the additional security may give some peace of mind to school faculty, as well as to concerned parents and students," she said. "It may also serve as a deterrent to others with dark thoughts who may be contemplating something similar… While a police officer doesn't get to the root of the problem, it is a double measure and offers children protection that is immediate."
Royle parent Rob Werner said the complexity of the problem at hand is daunting, and a solution is going to take some great minds and lots of elbow grease.
"No law, no weapons ban, no disclosure is going to make us 100% safe," Werner said. "And any action — fewer guns or more security — is going to have its price… Arming our schools may be one answer, but I'd opt first for trying the same restrictions we already mandate for automobiles and drivers' licenses."
Gun control advocates have been circulating the idea that guns should be regulated like vehicles — mandatory liability insurance for accidents; annual registration requirements; aptitude tests for licenses; and also titles and tags at point of sale, along with inspections at regular intervals. Gun rights advocates claim this would only serve to allow for people with means to own guns, and those with little money would not be able to pay for the additional requirements.
Japan, a country with the most strict gun control laws among developed nations, manages its firearms in such ways. Japan also has the lowest rate of gun-related deaths of all developed countries, according to a study by National Rifle Association member David Kopel, whose findings were published in the "Asia Pacific Law Review" in 1993 and still considered relevant by legal experts.
Gun rights advocates often disagree, and many point to Chicago's strict gun control laws having little effect on its high rate of gun violence. However, that city's gun control measures do little to control how people can obtain guns outside of city limits, and gun laws in each state vary widely.
One of the most comprehensive examinations of gun control measures and its effect on violence was undertaken by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in 2003, but because of the wide array of laws among states, grandfather clauses and interpretations, the study failed to conclude whether gun control measures decrease gun violence.
"This is a critical period for focused research on the effectiveness of firearms laws in reducing violence in the United States," the authors of the study stated. "Although [this study] found insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of these laws in preventing violence, research should continue on the effectiveness of firearms laws as one approach to the prevention or reduction of firearms violence and firearms injury."
Connecticut is commonly cited as having some of the strictest gun control laws in the country. This data comes from various sources including the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, and a recent study by the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence comparing CDC data of firearm-related deaths to each state's level of gun control.
The study concluded that states with strict gun control laws have fewer gun-related deaths. Connecticut was ranked No. 4 for it's level of gun control, and scored sixth-lowest in gun deaths, according to the study. Other studies have not been conclusive, and according to a recent report from the Journal of the American Medical Association, this is a symptom of the NRA's strong lobbying.
"The nation might be in a better position to act if medical and public health researchers had continued to study these issues as diligently as some of us did between 1985 and 1997," the report stated.
Major efforts to block research were successful starting in 1996, when pro-gun Congress members cut $2.6 million from the CDC's budget, which was the amount the center spent on gun injury research the year before, the report continued.
On Friday, Dec. 21, the National Rifle Association held a press conference after a week of silence, in response to the previous week's shooting. Wayne LaPierre, the association's executive vice president, presented the idea of placing armed guards at schools, and stated that gun-free school zones "tell every insane killer in America that schools are the safest place to inflict maximum mayhem with minimum risk."
"The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun," LaPierre said.
Congressman Jim Himes called ideas of arming teachers or civilians to take down shooters "insane."
"On the surface level, you think, 'I could take down a shooter'," Himes said. "That's just not realistic." Just having a gun in the household increases the chance of death, according to Himes.
"Gun violence is an enormous cost on our society, financially and emotionally," Himes said, and for this reason he would consider supporting an array of solutions. The congressman carefully noted that the goal of legislation should be to reduce "horrible gun violence," not necessarily to get rid of all guns.
For many, gun control versus gun rights is only a portion of the conversation. Many point to a breakdown in the family structure, violence in the media and video games, along with a rise in mental illness as potential factors contributing to the increase in mass shootings.
"While I am not a fan of violent video games, I think blaming them for today's ills is too simplistic," said Voelker, the Ox Ridge parent. "The real problem seems to be mental illness, social isolation, brokenness and lack of love. Have you noticed that perpetrators of school shootings are often described as loners?"
In 2011, a study published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that over 45 million Americans, or one in five adults, suffer from a mental illness. Of these, it's estimated that 62% failed to receive health services for their illness.
"Too many Americans are not getting the help they need and opportunities to prevent and intervene early are being missed," stated Pamela Hyde, an administrator with the organization.
The study also noted that 42% of these people didn't seek help because of unemployment or lack of health care.
"It's disconcerting that one in every five Americans suffers a mental illness and of those many fail to receive adequate treatment," writes Tyger Latham, a Washington, D.C., psychologist, in Psychology Today. "How is it that one of the most prosperous and economically advanced countries in the world has failed to care for its own? This strikes me as a question we should be asking ourselves and one in need of immediate attention."
Reports have indicated that Adam Lanza's mother, Nancy, sought to commit her son for his mental illness but that she was having trouble navigating through red tape.
Even if guns were completely eliminated, mentally ill individuals who are prone to violence would still be able to commit atrocities. In China, where firearms are illegal, a rash of murders and attacks on elementary school students swept the country two years ago, as mentally ill people used knives, swords and cleavers to kill their victims. Many pointed to rapid social change, a crumbling of traditions, and lack of mental health awareness as contributing factors to these bizarre and brutal crimes.
As the state and nation begin to heal from the Newtown tragedy, people from all walks of life have serious questions to ask of themselves and their elected leaders about what steps to take, if any, to try and fix whatever is broken.
[email protected]
[email protected]


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Emirates to operate double daily services to the Seychelles
- Published by Ozgur Tore
Emirates, a global connector of people and places, will step up its operations to the Seychelles by increasing services to double daily later this year.
Currently operating 12 flights a week to the Seychelles, Emirates will introduce two more flights per week on this route from 28th October.
"Today's announcement that we are increasing flight frequency demonstrates that when we signed the renewed Memorandum of Understanding between our company and the Seychelles Tourism Board just a few days ago, we really meant what we said. We are truly committed to our support for the tourism industry in the Seychelles and remain confident that the joint initiatives we are discussing to promote the archipelago will be well received and mutually beneficial," said Orhan Abbas, Emirates' Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Latin America, Central and Southern Africa.
Emirates operates its Airbus A340-500 on the route, offering customers a choice of cabins with 12 luxurious private suites in First Class, 42 deeply reclining Business Class seats and plenty of room to relax in Economy Class, where there are 204 seats available.


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Revealed: abortion rates in the EU
Countries with restricted access to abortion, including the UK, do not have lower termination rates than those that are more liberal, a new study suggests.
Experts examined data for 27 EU countries and found no overall difference between termination rates for those allowing women abortions on request compared with those with certain conditions.
Terminations are illegal in Ireland and Malta, and Poland allows them for foetal abnormality, serious maternal health risks, and for pregnancies resulting from reported rape.
Elsewhere in the EU, abortion is allowed under certain conditions.
Luxembourg permits terminations on physical and mental health grounds while the UK, Cyprus, Finland also include "socio-economic indications", the study said.
In the UK, abortions are allowed on certain grounds, including that continuing with the pregnancy would be a greater risk to the woman's life, physical or mental health than ending the pregnancy, continuing would be more of a risk to the physical or mental health of any of the woman's existing children and there is a real risk the child would have a serious physical or mental disability.
In all other EU member states, terminations can be performed in early pregnancy on a woman's request.
Today's study, published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, found that countries that allowed termination on request had an abortion rate of 11 per 1,000 women, with a country variation from six to 25 per 1,000 women.
Those that restricted access had a very similar rate (12.3 per 1,000 women, with a country variation from nine to 14 per 1,000 women).
The lowest figures were reported in Germany and Greece (about six per 1,000 women of reproductive age), and in Belgium, the Netherlands and Portugal (about 7.5 per 1,000).
Three countries - Bulgaria, Romania and Estonia - had a rate of 20 or more per 1,000.
By region, southern Europe had lower rates (8.9 per 1,000) than central and eastern Europe (10.8 per 1,000), and northern Europe (10.9 per 1,000).
Countries in northern Europe were Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the UK.
Southern Europe included Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain.
Central and eastern Europe included Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic, and Slovenia.
The study also looked separately at women aged under 20 and over 35.
The proportion of abortions to women under 20 was higher in northern Europe (17%) than in central and eastern Europe (11%) and in southern Europe (10%).
The proportion of terminations to over-35s was lower in northern Europe.
The authors cautioned that data was not available on how many women move between countries seeking terminations.
Mika Gissler, from the National Institute for Health and Welfare in Finland, co- author of the study, said: "There are large variations across the EU and it is interesting to see that restricting women's access to termination doesn't mean the rates of termination are lower.
"Teenage termination of pregnancy rates were higher in the northern European countries. These high rates can be reduced by improved access to youth-friendly reproductive and sexual health services, better sexual education in schools, and free or heavily subsidised contraceptives."
BJOG scientific editor, Patrick Chien, said: "This study highlights the importance of sexual education and provision of access to reliable and affordable contraception. This is vital in order to achieve low rates of termination of pregnancy."
Rebecca Findlay, spokeswoman for the Family Planning Association (FPA), said: "There's a myth that if you make services less restrictive you'll be encouraging women to have abortions.
"This research shows it clearly isn't true. Women have abortions because they have an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy and not because the service is easier to access.
"In Britain we do operate under some restrictions.
"We know from our work in Northern Ireland where abortion is highly prohibited over a 1,000 women every year pay themselves and travel to have an abortion elsewhere.
"We should be making access to services and the experience of having an abortion in the UK a lot more straightforward instead."
A spokesman for the pro-life charity Life said: "The relationship between women's ability to access abortion and abortion rates is not a straightforward one.
"It is not simply a question of looking at the grounds on which women are permitted to have abortion by law.
"We must also consider whether requirements such as waiting periods, information provision and pre-abortion counselling have any effect on reducing abortion rates.
"There is little or no evidence to directly link any particular contraceptive provision initiative or particular forms of sex education to a reduction in abortion rates.
"Intra-EU variation in such rates is also a function of culture and history."
Belfast Telegraph


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Mar 13, 1991
| 420 Pages
Mar 13, 1991
| 420 Pages
Random House Webster's Pocket Portuguese Dictionary features over 38,000 entries in a compact, pocketsize edition. Unlike most previous Portuguese-English, English-Portuguese dictionaries, this edition stresses the Brazilian style of Portuguese.
Established in July 2013 in a merger between Penguin and Random House, Penguin Random House, with nearly 250 independent imprints and brands on five continents, more than 15,000 new titles published each year, and close to 800 million print, audio,… More about Random House
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Published by Random House Reference
Mar 13, 1991
| 420 Pages
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Not included in the film version of the Avengers, are several significant heroes who became staples of the Avengers comics. Below are brief bios of several Avengers left out the movie and a reader poll you can take on who else should have been in this
first Avengers movie.
The Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff) and Quicksilver (Pietro Maximoff)--Started out their careers as super-villians, in Magneto's Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. At the time, they were unaware that they were the children of Magneto. After deciding to give up being bad mutants, they apply for membership in the Avengers in issue # 16. They were the first of several mutants to join the Avengers. While they started out in the X-Men books, they are largely associated with the Avengers. Note: Due to some stupid deals made by Marvel prior to Disney's purchase of the company, the rights to Wanda and Pietro may not be in the hands of Disney, and thus, may not be capable of appearing in an Avengers flick.
Quicksilver and the Scarlet
Wonder Man (Simon Williams) is another interesting character who started out working for the bad guys and eventually became an Avenger. Given his powers by Baron Zemo in Avengers # 9, Simon Williams joined the Avengers for real in Avengers #160. He is a significant character for several reasons. His brother is The Grim Reaper, a nasty villian who can appear in future Avengers flicks. Also, an android named the Vision was created using the brain engrams of Simon Williams, so, in a sense, the Wonder Man and Vision share a brother-like relationship. That also explains why they both like jazz and both have the hots for the Scarlet Witch.
Wonder Man punching out
Two original Avengers in the comics franchise did not make it into the movie version. Ant-Man (Hank Pym) and the Wasp (Janet Van Dyne) are a couple with serious romantic and marital problems. Pym is somewhat mentally unstable and they both provide the Avengers with an interesting psychological/emotional link to the real world. Hank Pym also can grow to giant size as Giant-Man, and also took the alter ego of Yellowjacket.
Ant-Man and the Winsome
One of the first Black (but NOT African-American) superheroes in Marvel Comics was the Black Panther (T'Challa), a prince of an African country who dons the costume of his native land's symbolic guardian, the Panther. Again, this character may not be available to Marvel Studios because of pre-existing film rights, as the Black Panther originally appeard in the Fantastic Four comics. In the comics, he is also married to Storm of the X-Men.
Not Batman--The Black
And, to round out this list of potential Avengers, we have the Greek god for whom muscle and brains are never confused, Hercules! This Greek demi-god is the mediterranean analog to the Asgardian Thor. Frankly, given Herc's famous bouts of drunken debauchery and serial womanizing, having a Hercules in an Avengers movie could provide great comic relief. Plus, he is nearly as strong as Thor himself.
Who is stronger-Thor or
So, True Believers, there you have it. Who should have been included in the first Avengers movie among these worthy, and, in some cases, mentally and emotionally mixed up heroes? You decide by taking the poll below:
Take this Avengers Poll Who
Else Should Be An Avenger?


text: Don't worry though, the rest of the quests in Knights of the Nine are not tedious at all. The rest of the quest-line includes item gathering which may not seem so exciting at first glance, but upon doing these quests, this is not the case. These quests are by far the best in the game, for they are not the linear dungeon crawlers you have done over a hundred times now, they are truly complex and require some thought put into them. For example, one quest tests your patience in combat; another is a series of riddles that open new path. These are nothing like those boring Fighter's Guild quests.


text: The dispute over who killed 14-year-old Samuel Weaver intensified today when Larry Cooper, a federal marshal involved in the gunfight at Ruby Ridge, testified that he thought it was Randy Weaver himself who fired the fatal shot that killed his son. TIME's Elaine Shannon believes Cooper's testimony raises important questions about Randy Weaver's possible complicity in the shootout, which also left another U.S. marshal dead. Says Shannon: "Weaver wants us to believe that he fired his gun in the air to call his son back home after the marshals began firing." Samuel Weaver was killed by a bullet fired from a 9mm weapon. Both Randy Weaver and Cooper have admitted firing 9mm guns at approximately the time that Samuel Weaver was fatally wounded.


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EAST LANSING (AP) – Two days after his father's death, Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio is looking forward to coaching his team in its season opener later this week.
Dantonio's father, Justin, died at age 86 on Sunday. The coach had left the team recently to be with family in Zanesville, Ohio, but he was back for his weekly news conference Tuesday. Dantonio says he was "blessed" to be with his father during the final days of his life, and his father would want him to "press forward" now.
After returning to Ohio for funeral services this week, Dantonio is expected to coach the 17th-ranked Spartans when they open the season against Youngstown State on Friday night.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


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Isn't this baby elephant a cutie? "Wait for me, Mom" the baby elephant seems to say, rushing to follow her across a dusty road in South Africa.
On a photo safari in Madikwe Game Reserve , our Range Rover came across a herd of elephants. Guide, Jaco, stopped the vehicle with plenty of distance between us and the elephants lumbering in a long line across the road. If you think elephants look huge in a photo, you should see them in person! Alan and I appreciated the respect—and distance— Jaco gave the elephants. According to Jaco, (did you see our post about the bug man?), you don't want to be charged by one, especially a mother protecting her baby elephant.
Jaco turned off the Range Rover's engine. Alan and I took photo after photo as we waited for the elephants to walk on by. Waiting and photographing—the motto of a safari.
Thinking about planning an African safari? Check out all the information on our complete Safari Page as well as collection of South African Wildlife Photos, both great resources for active boomer travels in Africa!
Have you traveled on a photo safari in Africa? Join the conversation at the My Itchy Travel Feet page on Facebook or send us an email to ask a question or share your experience.


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How to Make an HD Time-Lapse Video With You iPhone for Less Than $15
Recently I have been exploring the use of time-lapse photography to share some of out travel experiences and also as a new way to use my hobby of photography. I was really excited to find, after doing some research, that if you have an iPhone you can make an High Definition Time-Lapse movie for less than $15. Also, if you have an iPhone 3GS or newer iPhone you can even make a movie larger than 1080i with dimensions of 1536×2048 and above. Let's get started! I'll give you two buying options as well as some recommendations for software to help you take your time-lapse further. I recommend the GorillaPod if you want the most versatility as it will attache almost anywhere and stay there for as long as you need.
Here's is what you'll need to buy:
Option 1 – $15
iTimeLapse – $1.99
iPhone Tripod – $12.99
Option 2 – $34+
GorillaPod – $30
Cheap Case – $4+
Taking It Further
QuickTime Pro – $30
iMovie (Part of iLife) or another movie editing program – $80+
Technically you can actually start making time-lapse movies right now for only the price of the iPhone App and a paper clip, I recommend getting a tripod for more versatility.
Once you have everything ready, set your iPhone up, open up the iTimeLapse application and do the following:
1. Select New Project.
2. Select the settings you want.
3. Select capture resolution to at least 1200×1600
When you are all set hit the Start Time Lapse button and then Start at the top if you set it for Manual Start. You press pause if you need to at any time and also Exit to change the settings or finish the project. Once finished capturing, Set your preferred render settings, again with at least 1200×1600 for resolution, and then grab a good book and click Render Now. Once finished you can watch and share your movie via YouTube, FaceBook and supposedly Vimeo, although I have yet to get this to work.
Congratulations! You've made your first HD TimeLapse Movie. If you found this helpful and have made your own time-lapse movie post the link in the comments and we may highlight it in a future post. Enjoy!
Here's a time-lapse I made while visiting Guilin, China to give you and idea of what you can do with this app. Hope you enjoy.
If you need any help with the iPhone App, check the help page here, or feel free to send me a quick email if you can't find what you're looking for.
UPDATE: I was honored to have this post mentioned on Jason Teale's photography blog a couple weeks ago. Check out the post on time lapse here. If you haven't heard of Jason before, he is a very talented Canadian photographer and friend of mine who has been living in and capturing the beauty of South Korea as well as other countries for more than 7 years now. You can check out his flickr page here and if you love photography, I recommend subscribing to his blog as I do. He always has inspiring, educational, though provoking and inspirational posts to share about photography no matter where you live in the world.


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(Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell) If you haven't seen the Mountain Goats live, you're missing out—John Darnielle & Co. not only fill their songs with vibrant, heartfelt life every single time, but Darnielle makes for a goddamn charming host. Which probably explains why tonight's show is sold out. But, you know... there are ways. ERIK HENRIKSEN Also see All-Ages Action!
(Bunk Bar, 1028 SE Water) If you care about Ohio rock and pop music, you likely have records with Doug Gillard's fingerprints all over 'em. The guitarist/vocalist's lent his keen melodic sensibilities to many important combos from the Cleveland and Dayton areas, including Death of Samantha, Guided by Voices, Cobra Verde, and Gem. As his pedigree indicates, Gillard is a rock traditionalist whose power-pop-leaning songcraft's embellished by flashy glam and rueful punk gestures. His new album, Parade On, exudes Gillard's road-tested rock dynamics and nonchalant brilliance with a hook. Singing with a pleasant Midwestern flatness, he spins countless variations on familiar chord sequences and, against great odds, creates a fresh-sounding record on which every song's a potential single. DAVE SEGAL
(Dante's, 350 W Burnside) Sometimes, the name of a band can tell you everything you need to know about what they sound like. Atlanta's Nashville Pussy, a name taken from Ted Nugent's stage banter on Double Live Gonzo!, couldn't make it any clearer if they drew you a map and gave you a ride. The "Nashville" portion of their moniker sums up their straightforward, country-fried rock 'n' roll perfectly. Lead guitarist Ruyter Suys' simple, sneering licks and leads basically make her the Angus Young of Hot'lanta, and Blaine Cartwright's grumbling, drawling, filthy vocals couldn't be a better vehicle for the nasty things he sings. Which brings us to "Pussy," the eyebrow-raisingly blunt word tipping the listener off that themes like drugs, alcohol, sacrilege, trashy sex, and serious depravity are in store. Nashville Pussy's recent album Up the Dosage follows suit with a formula that hasn't failed them since 1996. ARIS WALES
(Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside) Tomorrow's Tulips' junkie jams are max chillers. Cave rock kickers, major chord trundlers. I showed one of their videos to a stoner dude from the '70s and he was like, "They dig Iggy, huh?" "And Lou Reed," I said. They're a few fancy blond dandy fops from Costa Mesa, California, and are in every way a band of Burger Record's global teenage wave. The Tulips, like Burger, are planted in wistful garage rock, stoned to the bone. But their videos really shine, telling you everything you need to know, and "Flowers on the Wall" and "Mr. Sun" are marvelous, low-key romps, full of bright colors and sweet, smirking lackadaisicalia. ANDREW R TONRY


text:
- Item No.
- 751745
- Mfg Part No.
- Availability
- Not Available
Product Information for IBM System x 7945E8U 2U Rack Entry-level Server - 1 x Xeon E5649 2.53 GHz
Highlights for IBM System x 7945E8U 2U Rack Entry-level Server - 1 x Xeon E5649 2.53 GHz
- Case Style:Rack
- Processor Type:Xeon
- Processor Speed:2.53 GHz
Marketing InformationPacked with innovation
The IBM System x3650 M3 provides outstanding performance for your mission-critical applications. Its energy-efficient design supports more cores, memory and disk capacity in a scalable 2U package that's easy to service and manage. With more computing power per watt and the latest Intel Xeon processors, you can reduce costs while maintaining speed and availability.Simplify management and serviceability
The x3650 M3 offers a flexible, scalable design and simple upgrade path to 16 HDDs or SSDs, and 192 GB of memory. Comprehensive systems management tools such as advanced diagnostics, a cable management arm and the ability to control resources from a single point make it easy to deploy, integrate, service and manage.
Built-in Devices
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General Information
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Input Devices
Certifications & Standards
Network & Communication
Physical Characteristics
Power Description
Processor & Chipset


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Yayy…srsly finally u updated today…..
The psd is awesome.
Arhi 1st 3 icons r mast..love the pics u chose.
Love the avis..and yellow tinge u used..and they were 1 of my fav scenes..so
Love the siggy..way u used pics on texture…amazing style..
The next set of avis..is fab again..love it..and as I said 1 of my fav scenes..arhi's expressions were to die for but in that wink scene..Arnav's expression was fab!!
The next set of icons is more mast…way u have cropped dem..
Avis..tired of saying fab..u r flawless in avi and icon making..or I shud say PSing?
Icon siggy looks mast..
Arhi siggies have turned out beautiful..love the way u use ur textures…
U know..btw which will my fav be..b/w of course..as I love it..ok u can kill me..cos am saying that nth time..u have made it beautifully too..
Khushi icon and siggy looks adorable..
Arhi avis again fab..gsh how many u made?
Siggy has come out mast..had liked that scenes..and like the colouring..
Khushi icons r to die for..and so r sarun avis..
Ok am done with Arhi/Sarun
Monaya..Yes most adorable couple ever..
Beautiful icons hon..
Avis r super sweet…love the designed borders u use!!
Icons siggy..mast!!
Siggy..it has come simple and sweet!!
Like avis..and borders.
Like 1st siggy..but 2nd is my fav..
2nd looks perfect…with 1 pic..and texture u used..and colourful text style..and blurred text..what all u used!!
Kryan stuff looks great.
Suggestions came out well..
Ar 1 is nice..
Guirmina looks adorable..
But love Sharmis..the best..it rocks!!
U inspired me..am gonaa Jofy my dabba…
Again my comment is huge…took 15 mins…and I guess this is 1 of my hugest comment..though am used to write long stuff..
But huge and fab update = Huge comment.
Ps I just wanted to ask ya..u didn't post that shyaam slap avi kya? A cause of super excitement..
Also..ur sign says..u won icon maker of week..u r icon maker of forever..srsly love ur icons!!
Am done I guess..and I love ya!!
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Fizzilicious Sensations31MM*146
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|12 August 2012 at 3:10am by naadanmasakalli
Arhilicious Galerie(C)update pg143
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aish.a#8//C.request list PG150
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DangelzDesigns8|Clsd-ArHi p.138/NextShopLink p.150
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*Payalz Creations* Shop! NEW CREATIONS
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text:
Kids Coloring Book Box for Android Publisher's description
from Doodle Joy Studio
An unique digital coloring book presents kid the realistic coloring experience on real paper.
An unique digital coloring book presents kid the realistic coloring experience on real paper.
Unlike other digital coloring book which supports "tap-auto-fill" only, this app lets kids paint on coloring page with various kinds of beautiful brushes stroke by stroke, just like paint on a piece of realistic paper.
- 100+ pictures of various kinds.
- various brushes, including dry brush, water-color, crayon, pen, rainbow, glow neon.
- easy color picker
- pinch to zoom in/out to paint in small space
- ink dropper
- "movie" mode to replay the coloring like a small film.
- show or hide menu by tapping the right-bottom button
- built-in gallery to store both coloring picture and coloring animation.
- undo/redo
What's New in This Release:1. Fix the crash on Galaxy S4 and other 1080p phone whose screen size is < 5''.
2. Faster zoom in/out speed.
System Requirements:Requires Android : 2.2 and up
Program Release Status: Minor Update
Program Install Support: Install and Uninstall


text:
Day 1- Rainbow FallsI went out to Leavenworth for some ice climbing the 2 days between Christmas and my birthday, making for a perfect holiday break! It was my first time ice climbing, due to a very generous invitation on cascadeclimbers.com by Curt (montypiton). We went up Rainbow Falls (I think) the first day, where I learned technique and placing screws. I did a lot of "bouldering" (icicling?) at the bottom while Curt and his son Michael were climbing, and I took the time to test out different tools and different swing techniques.
Day 2- The FunnelThe next morning, we hiked up to The Funnel, a 3-pitch waterfall on Hubba Hubba Wall. The ice was more brittle and hard here, and I had to learn different techniques. I got a tool stuck on the vertical section at the bottom, and consequently fell trying to get it out. (Darn it!)
When I reached the belay, I asked Curt where to stand, and he gestured towards a slightly less sloped part of the waterfall with a thin layer of snow. I remember thinking, "Wait, what? I don't see a stance...oh." It was cool to look at the anchor, built off a resident piton, Curt's freshly-placed piton, and an ice screw. I hung the backpack with our puffy coats and some hot tea and clipped my camera in to the anchor. This was all new to me, but what a fun experience!
Curt brought Michael up and then led the second pitch, then Michael followed. A barrage of ice continued on throughout, with me looking up then consequently pressing myself against the waterfall repeatedly as chunks of ice bounced and shattered on my helmet. When it was finally my chance to climb, I undid the anchor and continued on to Curt and Michael at the top, noticing how small the front points on my G-12's were and how they barely scraped the surface of the ice, yet still gave me enough support to weight them.
The rappel tree, unfortunately, was about 20 feet above us. I led the short, unprotectable pitch (thinking there would be ice underneath, thus rendering it easy), but there was only powder snow covering rocks. I delicately continued up, and I hooked a small tree with my ice tool until I was able to climb onto the large tree, clip in, and belay Michael and Curt up. We rappelled back down, packed up our gear, and hiked down in the dark.
All in all, this was a fun trip and I am very eager for my second time ice climbing!
Gear Notes:
I bought a pair of Aztars from Curt! It was cool getting to test gear before buying it.
Approach Notes:
Rainbow Falls is like 3 minutes from the road, The Funnel is about 1,500 feet higher. Totally worth the walk though! (Who am I kidding- I like hiking too.)


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Increasing uptake of connected devices with faster processors and better displays will be the engine for two billion mobile and tablet users watching TV and video on their devices by 2017, according to a new report from Juniper Research.
Further boosted by the growing popularity of short and easily shared video clips and the seamless integration of streaming services with social networks, mobile is increasingly being used as the primary screen for consuming TV and video content among younger demographics. The Mobile TV & Video - Cutting the Cord report predicts that Western Europe will account for the most users in 2017, viewers in this region will represent over a fifth of the global user base.
Juniper also believes that the success online of streaming video service providers such as Netflix has led them to offer truly multiscreen experiences via smartphones and tablets, producing both positive and negative outcomes for the pay-TV business. Juniper notes the reality of significant numbers cord-cutting and ending their pay-TV services in favour of Internet streaming services.
"We are now seeing companies such as YouTube trialling paid channels to get a slice of the marketplace," explained report author Siân Rowlands. "This will have incredible repercussions throughout the mobile space given YouTube comes preinstalled on an immense number of devices and Android's billing options."
However, the analyst cautions that it remains to be seen whether YouTube will be successful with such a monetisation model. It notes that in 2011, similar paid channels were launched, but with very limited success, and that YouTube has seen limited success with its movie rental service given the foothold which Apple and the iTunes ecosystem has on renting movies to smartphones and tablets.


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Jumper: Griffins Story Jumps To Store Shelves February 12, 2008
February 12, 2008
JUMPER: Griffin's Story JUMPS TO STORE SHELVES FEBRUARY 12, 2008
THE NEXT science fiction-ACTION-thriller TO A CONSOLE NEAR YOU
Brash Entertainment announced that Jumper: Griffin's Story hits store shelves nationwide today. Jumper: Griffin's Story is the video game based off the film Jumper, the eagerly anticipated science fiction-action-thriller from Twentieth Century Fox and Regency Enterprises. Directed by Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity), and starring Hayden Christensen, Rachel Bilson, Jamie Bell, and Samuel L. Jackson, Jumper premieres in theatres this Thursday, February 14, 2008.
Jumpers, people with a genetic anomaly that enables them to teleport themselves instantaneously to anywhere on the globe, have existed for centuries. An age-old battle rages between the Jumpers and the Paladins, a clandestine organization set on eliminating them from the planet.
The Jumper: Griffin's Story game extends the film's storyline, following Griffin, a battle-hardened Jumper determined to avenge the death of his parents at the hands of the Paladins. Griffin is played by Jamie Bell in both the film and the game, offering players the ability to experience the character first hand as he battles through exotic locales around the world, on a quest to find his parent's killer. Players use their teleportation skills to "Jump" within hand-to-hand combat range of an enemy, and use intense combo fighting systems to start dishing out devastating blows.
Jumper: Griffin's Story the video game will be available for the PLAYSTATION®2 computer entertainment system, the Wii™ video game system from Nintendo, and XBOX™ 360. The game is available now at all North American retailers, and is followed by the theatrical release on February 14, 2008 and is rated 'T' for Teen by the ESRB. For more information about the movie please visit http://www.jumperthemovie.com/, and for more information about the game please visit http://www.jumpermoviegame.com


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It seems like nobody has their rumors straight. One minute the 6G video iPod is being released back in May and the next it is going to hold off until December or so. Now Think Secret has learned that CEO Steve Jobs will use his keynote address to announce the debut of movie rentals through the iTunes Music Store, the #1 major barrier before releasing a video iPod–content. It may be that Apple offers movies before a video iPod, for people to watch on their computer and/or a 5G iPod, but this means the next gen version is coming sooner than we think.
Apple is said to have agreements with Walt Disney, Universal Studios, Paramount Pictures, and Warner Bros., and is currently in talks with other major movie studios as well. It's unknown to what extent content will be available come the August 7 announcement, or whether Apple will announce all of its studio deals at that time. Movies will be rented, not sold at this time, a major disappointment for consumers everywhere (even if the price is so unbelievable). This will lead to wasted rental fees more often than not, as things come up prior to the rental due date. I expect that files will be time-dated and will "lock-up" after a certain time.
Do you think you would rent a movie from iTunes for, lets say, $2.99 for 3 days or 2 views?
Read [Think Secret]