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The word "quilting" tends to bring up images of industrious grandmothers, so it's probably not the first thing that comes to mind as a medium for a fine-art examination of childhood abuse. But for artist Lisa Foster, reproduction quilting fabrics have become central to her work examining that difficult subject.
I recently spoke with Foster as she hung her canvases for Fragments, Threads and Other Stories: Art Works by Anne Krauss, Susie Reiss and Lisa Foster at the Hosmer Gallery in Northampton's Forbes Library. She told me that to her, quilting fabric was an extremely feminine, maybe even the most feminine, medium. At her blog, Foster says, "The fabrics soothe me and they soothe [the figures]. They cover their nakedness, heal some wounds, give them back some dignity. The fabrics are thicker skin."
Though her art openly reflects her childhood abuse, she seems intent on creating work that is not dependent on knowing its context. She has succeeded. The human form may be a timeworn subject, but Foster's canvases—which consist only of monochrome backgrounds and patchwork-filled figures—are captivating.
The flattening of the figures through their uniform textures brings out the relationships between figure and ground, and it is in the overlapping of figures and the creation of interesting negative-ground shapes that she finds particular fascination. The figures, all of them self-portraits, are confidently rendered in bold lines. Some of them are amputated, and it is in such choices that Foster's subject matter comes into clearest focus.
The interplay of the figures creates plenty of visual interest, but it's deepened when you find out more of Foster's story. She was diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder, the current name for what used to be called Multiple Personality Disorder. Foster explains that she first developed an "alter," or additional personality, at eight years old. The condition continued until she was a teenager. She says that, as a teenager, she would adopt another personality before returning home, and spoke to her friends about being accompanied by another girl. The convergences and multiplicities played out by the figures on her canvases become frozen echoes of that past, pieces of which she still cannot remember.
"My alters showed me most of these images before I knew what had happened to me," Foster says in her blog. "I painted them out of necessity. I created the things I needed out of my head without realizing why they were there."
The creators of therapeutic artwork are, understandably, not always focused on formal concerns. That doesn't lessen the importance or value of therapeutic art, but it can lessen its ability to function outside of that context, in the sometimes unforgiving environs of the fine art world. It takes an exceptional artist to combine therapy and art to such sturdy effect. Foster understood that: "I knew decoding my art may diminish it to some, but I decided to risk that."
She also says, "My self-portraits are my bridge back to life. I have learned to live on those canvases so I can live beyond them, too."
In Foster's case, understanding that personal struggle brings emotional resonance to the work; it does not, as she feared it might, diminish it—her canvases are beautifully crafted, no matter their origin.


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CAA Four Diamond Hotel with Abundant Niagara Falls Views
Niagara Falls crashes onto craggy rocks across the river from the Sheraton On The Falls hotel, the latest in a series of hotels occupying this one-of-a-kind riverside property. Nineteenth-century visitors could have stayed at the luxurious Clifton House, which housed Confederate soldiers stationed in Canada during the Civil War. The Clifton eventually went up in flames, but Sheraton claimed the land and opened its own hotel on the site in 1966. A renovation in 2000 updated and expanded the 22-story Sheraton On The Falls, but its biggest draw remains the unparalleled waterfall views guests have enjoyed for nearly two centuries.
A CAA Four Diamond hotel, Sheraton On The Falls offers Cityview two-queen and Cityview one-king rooms, which feature 37-inch LCD televisions and views of the skyline. For a scenic overlook of the falls, choose a deluxe Fallsview one-king room, which has floor-to-ceiling windows for inspiring views. At the aptly named Fallsview Restaurant, diners can admire unobstructed vistas of the upper river as it plummets over the brink. Located on the Fallsview dining level, the restaurant is outfitted with a buffet and live-action stations.
This deal also includes tours and tastings at two different wineries, Hillebrand and Peller Estates. Both are located in the nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake region, well known for its ice wine. You'll also get a credit at one of two nearby casinos, Casino Niagara or Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort.
Niagara Falls, Ontario: Magnificent Views in Historical River Town
The Canadian side of the Niagara River has the best views of the American, Bridal Veil, and Horseshoe Falls. The iconic Maid of the Mist boat tours run from April to October, but the Journey Behind the Falls attraction stays open year-round. Board an elevator to descend through bedrock, leading to tunnels and observation decks steps from Horseshoe Falls' cascading water. Niagara's Fury, a recent addition, takes guests on a multisensory ride detailing the creation of the falls via special effects that enhance the interactive, 360-degree experience. For a scenic drive, take the 35-mile (56 km) Niagara Parkway, which stretches alongside the Niagara River from historical Fort Erie to the quaint town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

subset: commoncrawl


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If you're a garment decorator then this is the website for you.
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Search results for: Fuji Finepix Model S5700 Digital Camera
Fuji Finepix Model S5700 Digital Camera
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Webotopia provides a business directory designed to promote Fuji Finepix Model S5700 Digital Camera companies, products and services whilst helping it's users find the Fuji Finepix Model S5700 Digital Camera information they need. Webotopia business directory, with the help of it's dedicated support specialists and reviewers, enables delivery of Fuji Finepix Model S5700 Digital Camera quality content, excellent customer support as well as value added services such as content publishing and press releases for it's users.


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Haggling is acceptable and expected in China. Some exceptions may include large department stores where prices are clearly marked. However, if you are not sure, it never hurts to haggle and the sales associate will tell you that the price is fixed.
Given the language barrier, it's extremely handy to bring a calculator to avoid any miscommunication in prices (just make sure you are communicating in the same currency). Many vendors will even provide their own calculators.
- Inspect the item thoroughly. If you notice any visible defects (that you can overlook) then you can bargain for a cheaper price by pointing the defect out e.g. small dents, wrinkles or piling on clothing.
- Make sure the item works. If it's an electronic gadget, have the vendor show you how to operate it and make sure you buy that item. Unscrupulous vendors may go to the back of the store and replace it with a defective item. If you are purchasing clothing, ask to try it on (sometimes alterations can be offered as well).
- Put on your poker face and employ a little acting. Don't show your enthusiasm for an item as it lowers your bargaining position. Inspect it casually and ask for the price. If you are a foreigner, the vendor will initiate with an inflated price to capitalize on your ignorance.
- Counter with a low ball price (for example, 1/3 of the original offer).
- Anticipate multiple counter offers.
- If you still don't like the asking price, see if there are other bonuses you can add on. Buying more items or larger orders will give you more bargaining power.
- Try walking away slowly. If the vendor calls you back, you know you are close to closing your deal.
- Compromise. Remember, a successful transaction is purchasing an item you want at a price you find acceptable. Many transactions fail because offers are unreasonably low.
- Leave a good impression. Once you close your deal, be courteous and thank the vendor. Who knows? You may come back for another purchase.
- Congratulate yourself for partaking in the native Chinese exercise of haggling.
There's no exact formula for a great bargain but paying half the original price is impressive. Some last words of caution: be careful not to break anything or else you will have to buy it. However, even then you can haggle over the compensation amount!


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Surgical treatment of tumors of the insula: experience with 61 patients
Chirurgische Behandlung von Tumoren der Insel: Erfahrungen mit 61 Patienten
Search Medline for
|May 8, 2006
Objective: Intrinsic tumors of the insula are frequently excluded from surgical treatment. The authors propose a more extensive approach to these lesions based on the results of this series.
Methods: This series consists of a total of 61 patients (37 males, 24 females, mean age 45 years) harboring benign (34 patients) or malignant (27 patients) tumors involving the insula,all of whom underwent surgical treatment. The dominant hemisphere was affected in 34 patients, and the nondominant hemisphere in 27 cases. Two groups were defined on the basis of preoperative magnetic resonance (MR) imaging: 34 lesions were restricted to the insula and the corresponding opercula; the other 27 lesions involved other mesocortical and/or allocortical areas as well. Most patients displayed only mild preoperative symptoms. The median score according to the Karnofsky performance scale was 90.
Results: Microsurgical removal was achieved via a transsylvian approach in 27 cases and via a frontal and/or temporal approach in 34 cases. According to early postoperative MR imaging, complete tumor removal (100%) was achieved in 18 patients, nearly complete (>80%) in 35 and incomplete resection (50%-80%) in 8 patients. There was no operative mortality. 33 patients (54%) experienced immediate postoperative morbidity including reduced performance. After a mean follow-up review of 8.5 months, 7 of 57 patients (13%) all harboring Grade IV tumors had died of tumor recurrence and 5 of 50 patients suffered permanent deficits, accounting for an overall operative morbidity of 10%.
Conclusions: The authors conclude that low-grade intrinsic insular tumors, as well as Grade III tumors, can be removed with favorable results in the majority of patients. Surgical treatment of glioblastomas should only be considered for patients with good preoperative performance and young age.


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Meaning a gay male who is very flamboyant in dress and attitude. Not a transvestite, but a guy who adds feminine touches and acts like a female. His wrists are also very loose.
That guy wearing the pink scarf and wearing the vaseline on his lips is so on the runway.
by Tiff January 20, 2005
buy the domain for your travel blog


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The state fight for a solution to its pension problems took another turn earlier this week when a Sangamon County judge decided to delay its latest effort.
On Wednesday, Judge John Beliz ordered a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against the reforms set out in Senate Bill 1, which cuts cost of living increases, lowers contributions required of current employees, guarantees state contributions and raises retirement ages for state workers.
There are currently several suits challenging the constitutionality of the measure signed by Gov. Pat Quinn in December. The Illinois Constitution currently states that contractual benefits of state workers "shall not be diminished or impaired."
"This is an important first step in our efforts to overturn this unfair, unconstitutional law and to protect retirement security for working and retired Illinois families," said Michael T. Carrigan, president of the Illinois AFL-CIO, in a statement on behalf of worker coalition We Are One Illinois.
Beliz ruled on a lawsuit filed by the Illinois State Employees Association Retirees and several other plaintiffs.
In his official filing, Beliz said that the there was sufficient evidence those named in the suit would "suffer irreparable harm" if the injunction was not issued. Implementation statewide will now be held until Beliz or a higher court decides on the constitutionality of the law.
"Obviously we are very pleased that the judge understood the situation that a lot of these retirees were in and their uncertainty of what was going to happen next," said Donald Craven, the lawyer for the association.
Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office, which represents the state in legal matters, defended the law to the court on Thursday with a formal response.
In it, Madigan says the retirement systems "have been underfunded for many years [and] their underfunding now greatly exceeds the state's annual budget for all categories of expenditure."
Because of the "magnitude" of the pension problem – reaching upward of $100 million in some estimates – she argues that the law is valid.
"The goal of the pension reform law is to stabilize the pension system," Madigan spokesperson Maura Possley said. "Unfortunately this decision will likely further burden the systems and hurt taxpayers."
Many legislators contacted after the decision expressed little surprise at the ruling, saying that lawmakers and proponents of the law were expecting a legal fight.
State Sen. Pat McGuire, D- Crest Hill, whose district includes Bolingbrook, said the judicial process is a necessary step for the bill but hopes it will not be overturned.
"To make the changes contained in Senate Bill 1 and then have to do undo the changes if the Supreme Court finds the bill unconstitutional would be ridiculous," he said.
House Republican leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, said he was pleased there was movement on the circuit court level, but that the stay shouldn't be considered a significant legal victory.
"We anticipated a tough legal challenge which is why we planned ahead and did not expect to realize any savings in Fiscal Year 2015, so this ruling has no real impact on the budget or pensions at this time," Durkin said in a statement. "Ultimately, the real question will be addressed by the Supreme Court because whoever is on the losing end of the lawsuit will appeal to the higher court."


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0celj hey! i'd be interested in travelling with you guys for at least part of the trip! i'm going to be in turkey for school (course ends on july 21st) and am interested in travelling western europe for about 10 days!
Trip | Mid-July Europe Trip West to East!
Travel Forum 5 years ago
Travel Forum 5 years ago


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It would be very productive for the developers (and even for users) if there was a complete N900 emulator. The standard SDK is fine for development, but it could be better if real ARM code could be run on it.
The idea is to make it possible to do a few things:
1) Test new software on it *without* the risk of thrashing the real N900 device;
2) Instead of warning users not to install software from extra-devel or extra-testing we could warn them to first test that software in the emulator and, why not, give some feedback;
2) Have a development environment that doesn't require the real device for testing and debugging;
3) One developer could configure the SDK + emulator on his home sytem, office and notebook. Then he/her could use git or mercurial to synchronize it all and be able to code wherever and whenever there is available time without the need to depend on the real device;
4) A larger group could contribute to porting and developing apps for the N900 device if only they could use the emulator without having to buy one real device. For instance: an upstream maintainer of some package could agree to accept some patches and even test them on the emulator.
Discussion thread:
Please, use the discussion thread to post your comments. If you don't care about this brainstorm, don't vote NO, just leave it alone. If you would like to have it, vote YES. Vote NO only if you think this could in some way decrease or make the N900 environment worse than it is now, but make sure you explain it


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The New Age literature is a Western spiritual movement that developed in the second half of the 20th century. Its central precepts have been described as drawing on both Eastern and Western spiritual and metaphysical traditions and infusing them with influences from self-help and motivational psychology, holistic health, parapsychology, consciousness research and quantum physics.
This book was originally written and self-published for bodyworkers, descriptively titled, "Facilitating Inner Peace: Exploring the Integration of Inner Peace Counseling and Transformation-Oriented Bodywork." In 1996 Bear & Company published an expanded and revised edition for general readers. If you open the book, you can read the descriptive and introductory material, reviews on the back cover, and About the Author on page 227.
There are also 13 additional ...
Updated January 2018. The first part of his book contains a free step-by-step guide, with links to videos if needed, showing how to use this simple, easy to use therapy for self use at home. Nothing is taken, just bags of different materials such as batteries, oils and vitamins are placed on a person. It's effective and safe having been developed over 25 years and it works on many conditions including illness, pain, injury and accident. It's basically an energy therapy w...
Genes in humans have come from different sources such as viruses, bacteria, moulds, molluscs and insects and even though they form part of human genetics, and look no different from genes without this energy, they contain the energy of where they originally developed.
This non human energy then produces by-products in and from the genes which can give rise to illness.
When a gene comes from a virus, bacteria, molluscs such as snails and slugs that secrete, insects tha...
Transcendental Meditation is a coined term for an ancient teaching dating back to the earliest records of human experience. It is a sacred science which heretofore has been reverently guarded and imparted by Masters only to the most trusted, favored and zealous students. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder and the inspirational leader of the world-wide Transcendental Meditation movement, has broken the exclusive tradition and brought this ancient teaching to the mundane w...
From: Chapter 3, Positive Thinking is Not Enough
. . . It is my conviction that this premise of thinking positive in order to be positive is wrong, and therefore, will produce limited results. Being positive does not result from thinking positive. Thinking positive comes from being positive. The effect comes from the cause and not vice versa. I realize that I must be stepping on a lot of toes, but follow along with me for a while as I develop this theme and you will dis...
In 1959 Maharishi Mahesh Yogi founded the Spiritual Regeneration Movement Foundation to enable everyone to experience God through the practice of Transcendental Meditation. Maharishi appointed Charles Lutes as president of this organization. Charlie was a man of God and he spoke about God. Charlie described Transcendental Meditation as the highest teaching because it is through the continued practice of this technique that one is able to infuse the Being (God) into ones ...
From Lecture No. 18, The Battlefield within the Mind"
The human mind is the battlefield where untutored impulsive and conscious forces are warring against altruistic forces. Sometimes good dominates and then vice versa. We go from good to bad and bad to good in a constant and unending struggle. We constantly move from one opposite to the other, from hate to love, from truth to untruth, and so forth. When the lower forces in the mind dominate, the higher or divine force...
The solution is almost always fewer things. That's the Naked House philosophy in a nutshell, though the importance of top-notch organization ("a place for everything and everything in its place"), design unity, cleanliness and quality round out this book's description of the most desirable, peaceful home in which to live.
With a tongue-in-cheek, personal style, The Naked House is an inspiring but not-too-serious primer on cleaning, organizing and reducing clutter—and...
For a day, a week, even a month at a time, she had the feeling continuously. She had it while she read, while she drove, while she ate, and while she played with her child. Which is why each time the feeling left, it was a great disappointment.
It was the feeling of connection with the Divine, and Mollie Player wanted to hold on to it forever. But how?
What was the key to continuous meditation?
Following You're Getting Closer: One Year of Finding God and a Few G...
This book is a collection of carefully selected and sequenced quotes designed to broaden your perspective on birth, death and your limited time in between. The author gleaned through many thousands of quotations from a wide variety of sources, added a few saying of his own, as well as some humorous quotes for spice.
By contemplating upon the quotes in this book may this book serve to change your outlook about time and change your life so that you will embrace every minu...
Men invented time to feel comfortable in space. But it doesn't actually exist. All experience is happening at once.
Albert Einstein
I existed from all eternity and behold, I am here and I shall exist till the end of time, for my being has no end.
Kahlil Gibran
Love is space and time measured by the heart.
Marcel Proust
A lonely day is God's way of saying that he wants to spend some quality time with you.
Criss Jani
Life, like a child, laughs,
shaking its...
Updated March 2017 to over 61,000 words. The first part of his book contains a free step-by-step guide, with links to videos if needed, showing how to use this simple, easy to use therapy for self use at home. Nothing is taken, just bags of different materials such as batteries, oils and vitamins are placed on a person. It's effective and safe having been developed over 25 years and it works on many conditions including illness, pain, injury and accident. It's basically ...
Hello and welcome to The Therapy shown in this book.
Parts 1 & 2 are concerned with health and is demonstrated first, step-by-step, with plenty of pictures, for the individual to try for themselves.
Part 3 is also concerned with physical health, but also mental and emotional health and how the energies of health can progress and funnel into an individual's personal development. This the individual can also try for themselves.
Part 4 shows how the placebo effect can ...
Madam Amanda Valiant was offering the information in this book as a correspondence course but she passed to the highest realms whilst working on the monthly lessons. Each of the sixteen lessons has formed the content of a different chapter in the book that was completed by Alan Valiant, Amanda's husband. Amanda and Alan, after developing a unique method of communication with the spiritual world, were spoken to by the Lord God and Jesus Christ and were subsequently able t...
When truth is available, belief is unnecessary. There is no religious belief expressed because wisdom is superior.
Breatharianism is food-free lifestyle. To be more concrete, it is a lifestyle which one makes you free from solid or liquid nourishment. There are no rules, a lot of people who achieved this freedom inside and re-programmed their minds and bodies to switch from solid and liquid food to the inner source of Light sometimes return to eating for social connection or just for their pleasure. I call Breatharianism this state, when you do not consume food or liquids or you cons...
Ritual Flow is a way to manifest all your dreams, to transform your collected energies into forms that are visible to other dreamers. It's a secret of Creators. All your creations should be manifested with right intention, otherwise they will have no power.
In Ritual Flow you achieve the state, when even the possibilities to alter time and matter are open to you. Some people say that Spirituality is not about your nutrition, but I say that your body's alchemy is on...
The process of awakening can be a life-altering experience for many. Those going through DNA activation, and revolution of the mind, will be able to relate.
The awakening process can feel like a rebirth, like a Halloween of the
spirit. We go through experiences that free us from all rules, knowledge
and culture. Our identity expands into a universal spectrum. It is a state of
pure curiosity. It is simply knowing nothing, whilst breaking the repetitive
pattern of existence by altering our perception.
Una guia paso a paso para el aprendizaje y desarrollo del nahualismo, retirando tamices y bagajes culturales para centrarse en una ruta pr'actica y concise para lograr el desarrollo como nahual.
Seguramente en estos últimos tiempos has experimentado un período de cierto desequilibrio, o malestar y esto es debido a que tanto el planeta como la humanidad están experimentando grandes cambios a nivel energético. Esta Guía de liberación de la conciencia brinda excelentes herramientas para ampliar nuestra conciencia, reconectarnos con nuestro SER, y por consiguiente tener una experiencia de vida mas plena, libre y en armonía con nuestro entorno, en la cual iremos h...
Updated May 2016 to over 55,000 words. The first part of his book contains a free step-by-step guide, with links to videos if needed, showing how to use this simple, easy to use therapy for self use at home. Nothing is taken, just bags of different materials such as batteries, oils and vitamins are placed on a person. It's effective and safe having been developed over 25 years and it works on many conditions including illness, pain, injury and accident. It's basically an...
The brain creates mind early on a person's life as it needs an interface with physical existence. This could be seen as the hardware even though its composed of energy.
The brain then replicates in the mind an image or abstraction of its surroundings allowing the brain to connect to the outside world, and relate to it, through the mind. This image or abstraction is of societies and the organisations within those societies such as governments, businesses, religions, ...
Semi-Okkulter Erfahrungsbericht in eigener Prosa. Vom Idioten, der La Vey nicht mal ernst nahm, bis zum Datum der Publikation in Retrospektive. Psychischer Vampirismus ist wie Mobbing für Fortgeschrittene und kann verheerend wirken. Darstellung erkannter Prinzipien und Maschen.
Dieser Text handelt nicht von Untoten, fiktiven oder okkulten Kreaturen. Sondern von Menschen, die "sich entschieden haben", als emotionelle Parasiten zu existieren. Nachdem ich diese Masche kennen-gelernt und konfrontiert habe und mein persönlicher PV vorläufig entsorgt ist, da habe ich ein kleines Update zum Thema verfasst. Das mir bekannte Original steht in der "Satanic Bible, Autor A.S. LaVey, Chapter Not all Vampires suck blood, Seite 75ff). Ein PV versucht nichts a...
Each one of us has the capacity to become an Intellectual Maverick. We should be exhibiting qualities in life that are unique and dynamic. Achieving success is determined by our propensity for innovation. We need to become revolutionaries of modern thinking and pacesetters in the art of creating cultures of change. The result employs your forward thinking genius. An Intellectual Maverick builds bridges over hurdles, bulldozes obstacles and never settles for the confines ...
Finally, the much anticipated, mystical, ethnic-styled envelope arrived. Black, roped with twine, decorated with feathers and African beads, it evoked in us a childlike sense of embarking upon a treasure hunt. We had been invited, along with five other couples, to join billionaire Sir Richard Branson and his
wife, Joan, for a weekend at their private game reserve, Ulusaba.
Ulusaba meaning "place of little fear", was aptly named to remind us of the native warriors who s...
Updated December 2015 to over 47,000 words. The first part of his book contains a free step-by-step guide, with links to videos if needed, showing how to use this simple, easy to use therapy for self use at home. Nothing is taken, just bags of different materials such as batteries, oils and vitamins are placed on a person. It's effective and safe having been developed over 20 years and it works on many conditions including illness, pain, injury and accident. It's basical...
Q) What is the goal?
A) To end pain and suffering caused by illness leading on to the ending of all distortion in human beings allowing personal, internal evolution to restart. The question is always: what is causing the distortion in a person, and how to get rid of it?
Also to create a parallel development with more traditional methods which people can add to, understand and develop.
The Temples of Fallen Angels: How and Why Religious Houses Have Been Misused and How This kKowledge Can Liberate You, is about why external spirituality deteriorated to a high degree, and how that manifests in the world today.
Knowing this information, you'll be able to understand what's happening in the world today spirituality-wise which will serve to empower you.
What's more, with this new knowledge you'll be able to visit spiritual places without feeling resist...
The 20th anniversary of White Wolf's product line 'Vampire - The Masquerade' re-awoke memories among many fantasy roleplayers. My revision of the second ever-finished writing by me accredits to it in my own pariah & prosaic way.
Special-Info: As an author I am clearly recognizable; As the type who still has MUCH to learn! My strength lies more in the contextual, and my courage to publish in flawed language, and my often disastrous lack of proper grammar. Allowing it ...
Fifteen years ago I was initiated into the existence of House and Clan Tremere. A fascist,
hermetical lodge of wizards [Erich Fromm, the anatomy of human destructiveness]. That is,
of course, for the unknowing. I was ghouled by an undead vampire sorcerer, for my unique
skills should have served this bloodline of vampires until I either qualified for the
Embrace, or got killed. How did it come to be? I hardly know. Something I did, or perhaps
something I am, attracted its attention...
Updated September 2015. A simple, easy to use therapy for self use at home. Nothing is taken. It's effective and safe having been developed over 20 years and it works on many conditions. The materials used are inexpensive, household items easily obtained. This book contains a free step-by-step guide showing how to use The Therapy. Many have tried it over the years and it's hoped you will as well.
Key Features:
* Effective.
* Nothing taken.
* Safe.
* For any condition.
*Developed over 20 years.
*No special skill needed.
*No side effects.
*Simple step-by-step guide.
* Inexpensive, easily obtained items used.
* Not for use by people under 18 years old or pregnant women.
* Only plastic bags come into skin contact.
* Everything's reusable except the batteries - unless rechargeable are used.
* Use in your own time.
* It works!
The Therapy is energy base...


text:
Reviewed by Ruben D. (age 7)
I was afraid that Blaze would get tired out and wouldn?t make it. I felt scared when he was tired and galloping towards the last fence, but Blaze was strong so everything turned out okay. The illustations are black and whilte and realistic. I like the pictures that show Blaze stretching to cross the brook. Billy was afraid that the forest fire would burn the whole countryside. He was brave when he went for help.
Anyone that likes horses would like this book. There are more Billy and Blaze books and I liked them all.


text:
WASHINGTON (AP) — At the U.S. Navy Memorial, in church and on the baseball field, the nation's capital paused Tuesday to mourn the 12 people killed in a shooting rampage at one of the oldest military installations.
After yet another mass shooting — this time at Washington Navy Yard — some said such violence has become commonplace and grappled with how society should change. Others reflected in silence.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and military officials held a solemn tribute at the U.S. Navy Memorial on Washington's Pennsylvania Avenue. Hagel was joined by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Martin Dempsey in laying a wreath at the memorial's "Lone Sailor" statue. A service member played "Taps," and military officials saluted.
Cardinal Donald Wuerl, the archbishop of Washington, celebrated a special Mass of healing and consolation at St. Matthew's Cathedral downtown.
"Every human life is a great and beautiful gift. That's why we were told it's not ours to take," Wuerl told a crowd of more than 100 who gathered at noon.
The sudden and unexpected deaths at a massive military office building are a reminder "to all of us that we know not the day, nor the hour of death's visitation," he said.
Wuerl prayed first for the victims and their families that they will find comfort and hope. The gunman also was killed.
The killings touched much closer to home, Wuerl said, and such violence is recognition that "something is wrong."
"We pray also for a greater healing, a healing that touches what is wounded and broken in our world," he said. "Only love can conquer violence ... Love alone can bring consolation and healing on a level of magnitude that we as a people, as world, as a nation ... so much need."
Parishioner Richard J. Lewis of Washington said he met with Wuerl before the Mass, and they agreed that something must be done to stop such violence.
"Something is seriously wrong that this continues to happen. It's almost commonplace," Lewis said.
Tess Pantow of Arlington, Va., said she came to Mass to pray for the victims and to help ease her worries. She's been wondering how the nation should control firearms or include mental health screenings in hiring employees, she said.
"Hopefully through the Mass I do find peace. It calms me as a person, and I'm a worrier," she said. "But as a mother, it's kind of hard not to."
As the Washington Nationals resumed play against the Atlanta Braves a few blocks from the Navy Yard on Tuesday, the players held Navy caps over their hearts in a moment of silence.
Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper tweeted a photo of his Navy cap and encouraged fans to wear Navy blue and gold as well.
The close proximity of the shooting rampage hit some players hard, they said.
Washingtonians and Americans "remain united," the Nationals' public address announcer said before asking fans to remember "all those affected by yesterday's senseless act of violence."
AP Sports Writer Joseph White contributed to this report.


text:
XML views define an XML-centric view of a subset of the data stored in your relational database. You define an XML view by adding annotations to an XML schema to form a mapping schema. In "Filtering Values in XML Views," November 2002, InstantDoc ID 26715, and "Defining XML Views," December 2002, InstantDoc ID 27106, I showed you how to use several annotations to map data from the rows and columns of database tables to a virtual XML document that your mapping schema defines. In this column, I show you how to use XML's built-in support for ID and IDREF attributes, which function like keys and foreign keys in your database, and IDREFS, which lets you specify one-to-many (1:M) relationships. You can use ID and IDREF attributes to avoid producing redundant data in an XML query result, which might happen when your database contains 1:M relationships. For example, many order-detail records might reference a single product, as they do in the Northwind sample database. You can avoid duplicating the product data within each order detail by using a unique ID attribute on each product element and an IDREF attribute on the order detail to reference the product. Using these attributes reduces the size of your XML query result because you include only one product element even though multiple order details might reference that element. I also explain how you can use a mapping schema's prefix annotation in SQL Server 2000—and the SQL Server 2000 Web releases (SQLXML)—to generate XML that contains ID, IDREF, and IDREFS attributes.
You use the prefix annotation when a schema declares attributes with the types ID, IDREF, or IDREFS. (Note that in this column, ID, IDREF, and IDREFS attributes always refer to types, not names. The attributes that your schema declares can use any valid attribute name.) These special attribute types build nonhierarchical relationships between different elements in an XML document. (In a nonhierarchical relationship, two elements in an XML document are related but neither element is an ancestor or descendant of the other.) When you build nonhierarchical relationships, you use an ID attribute to specify a document-wide unique key. Think of this unique key as a primary key in your SQL Server database. As you might guess, an IDREF attribute references an element that contains an ID attribute with the same value as the IDREF attribute—like a foreign key in a SQL Server database. Using ID and IDREF, you can build one-to-one (1:1) relationships between elements in your XML document. IDREFS is similar to IDREF except that an IDREFS attribute contains one or more references to elements that contain ID attributes with the same values specified in the IDREFS attribute. Each reference in the IDREFS attribute is separated by a space. As I noted earlier, you can use IDREFS to specify 1:M relationships.
The values you map to ID, IDREF, and IDREFS attributes must conform to specific formatting requirements. An IDREFS attribute's formatting implies a constraint on the values you use for ID attributes; these values can't contain the space character because this character separates ID values. The constraint on ID attribute values is part of a larger constraint. This larger constraint dictates that the values you use for ID, IDREF, and each value within an IDREFS attribute must meet the NCName production (a set of rules for constructing a constrained string value) defined in the XML for Namespaces specification. (For information about this production, see http://www.w3.org/tr/1999/rec-xml-names-19990114/). The NCName production specifies that a valid NCName—and hence a valid ID value—must be a string that starts with either a letter or the underscore (_) character, followed by printable characters or numbers. Because an ID value must begin with a letter or underscore, you need the prefix annotation to meet the constraints of the NCName production.
ID attribute values must also be unique among all elements in the document. Duplicates aren't allowed—even if the element names are different. Think of an ID attribute as a primary key for a table but with the additional constraint that you can't use the key value in any other table in your database. With these constraints in mind, let's see how you can map ID, IDREF, and IDREFS attributes to your SQL Server database.
Because the value of an ID attribute must be unique within an XML document, the value most readily lends itself to mapping to a primary key in your database. Typically, you can map the value of a primary key or an IDENTITY column to identify individual instances of an entity in a database table. In the example database that Listing 1 shows, you use a unique OrderID to identify individual orders stored in the Orders table. You can use these unique values to produce an ID attribute for the Order element, which will then uniquely identify the order in an XML result obtained from SQL Server. Recall that ID attributes must meet the NCName production defined in the XML specification. But in Listing 1, the OrderID column is of the integer type, which begins with a digit. Additionally, if you want to combine Order and Product elements in one document, you must guarantee that two different values are used for their IDs. However, in Listing 1, the OrderID and ProductID columns have duplicate values. If you use these column values, the XML document will be invalid because one order and one product would share the same unique ID attribute. Using the prefix annotation solves both problems.
You use the prefix annotation on ID, IDREF, and IDREFS attributes in your mapping schema to specify an arbitrary string that will be prepended to values retrieved from your database and mapped to those attributes. A prefix solves the first problem by letting you ensure that numeric values mapped to an ID attribute meet the NCName production. You can use a prefix with nonnumeric values as well. A prefix solves the duplicate-values problem too. By specifying separate prefix annotations for each ID, IDREF, or IDREFS attribute in your schema, you can eliminate duplicate values from different columns (a common problem when you're mapping to IDENTITY columns). Now, let's look at an example of how to use the prefix annotation.
The example uses the database that the SQL script in Listing 1 defines. This script borrows data from the Northwind sample database to build three tables that relate an order, the line items on the order (called Items and stored in the Order Details table), and the product referenced in the line items. You can run the XML Schema Definition (XSD) mapping schema example by using the database that the SQL script in Listing 1 creates.
Listing 2 shows a mapping schema that generates the XML result that Figure 1 displays. At callout C of Listing 2, the mapping schema declares a top-level element called root, which contains a list of Order elements and Product elements. The Order element at callout A has an OrderID attribute that uniquely identifies the Order element. The prefix annotation adds the ORDER- string to the value from the OrderID column so that the value of the OrderID attribute satisfies the NCName production. Each Order element also contains a ShipAddress and ShipCountry element as well as a set of LineItem elements—one for each line item on the order (found in the Order Details table). Each LineItem element contains an IDREF attribute named Product. The mapping schema uses the relationship annotation to map the IDREF attribute to the Products table, and the prefix annotation specifies the PRODUCT- value to make the values from the ProductID column unique. The Product element declared at callout B includes a subelement that contains the name of the Product and an ID attribute named ProductID. The prefix annotation specifies that the PRODUCT- string should be prepended to the values in the mapped column, ensuring that the IDs on the Product element and the IDREF on the LineItem element beneath the Order element have the same value.
To execute the code for the example, create a virtual directory by using the IIS Virtual Directory Management for SQLXML plug-in for Microsoft Management Console (MMC). Name the virtual directory Jan2003 and choose a directory on your system for the Local Path. (Selecting a directory beneath the Inetpub\www directory can avoid access security problems.) Save the mapping schema from Listing 2 to the directory in a file named Orders.xsd. Enter the security parameters to access the database that contains the tables from Listing 1, then select the Allow XPath check box on the Settings tab. On the Virtual Names tab, create a virtual name called Orders, set the type to schema, then set the path to (.), which will use the same directory you specified for the virtual directory. Next, save the virtual directory. You've now installed the XML view that uses ID and IDREF to define nonhierarchical relationships.
Now, execute an XPath query against the XML view by using Internet Explorer (IE) 5.0 or later. The query returns an XML result by using IDREF attributes to relate the LineItems elements to the products they reference. To execute a query, type http://localhost/Jan2003/Orders/Orders.xsd/root in the address bar. Jan2003/Orders/Orders.xsd selects the XML view that Listing 2's mapping schema defines, and /root is the XPath query to retrieve all customers. The query produces the results that Figure 1 shows.
Now that you've learned how to generate ID, IDREF, and IDREFS attributes from data within SQL Server, you can use this technique when your schema defines ID, IDREF, or IDREFS attributes or when you want to reduce the size of the XML result by eliminating duplicate data in lower levels of the hierarchy.


text:
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Longtime "Saturday Night Live" cast member Jason Sudeikis said on Wednesday he has left the NBC late-night sketch comedy show, joining fellow comedians Bill Hader and Fred Armisen out the door after the show finished its 38th season in May.
Sudeikis, who has worked on the show for 10 years, made the announcement during a taping of CBS late-night talk show "Late Show with David Letterman."
"Yeah, I'm going to leave. Yeah, I'm not coming back next fall," Sudeikis said, according to a transcript distributed by CBS before the show airs on Wednesday night.
Sudeikis, 37, who portrayed former Republican U.S. presidential candidate Mitt Romney on the show last year, is the latest in a recent stream of top talent to depart SNL, which will begin its 39th season in September.
Hader announced his departure in May and Armisen confirmed last month that he had also left the show. Popular mainstays Kristen Wiig and Andy Samberg departed in 2012 to focus on film.
Series head writer Seth Meyers, anchor of the show's "Weekend Update" news segment, will also leave the show after the end of the year to be the new host of Comcast Corp-owned NBC's late-night talk show in 2014, "Late Night with Seth Meyers."
Currently, comedian and SNL alum Jimmy Fallon hosts the late-night slot, but he will be taking over from Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show" next year.
Leaving the New York-taped "Saturday Night Live," whose latest season scored 15 Emmy nominations last week, has been a rite of passage into Hollywood for many of the show's former stars, including Chevy Chase, Tina Fey and Mike Myers.
(Reporting by Eric Kelsey; Editing by Mary Milliken and; Eric Beech)


text:
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...signal is given on Telegram, bot will execute the orders and the stop loss and take profit percentages given. There is a free bot written in python which can give you an idea how Bitmex API works: [login to view URL] You can get more information about Bitmex API here: [login to view URL] My maximum budget is around
...presentation for my parents for their 80 year celebration. I have 1 large .pdf files with old child photos that I will post into a major Windows Movie Maker presentation that will also contain modern photos. I wish the Freelancer will do the following. 1. Creates a Windows Movie Maker compatible movie of this movie in .pdf files. In this movie, the "camera"
Looking for 6 freelancer logos. Simple, creative and thematic. Need urgently. Looking for creative and unique mind people. thanks
The title says it all i need the best and i will check credentials. I need my advertisement to be showing first on Google and Google my business!
I would like some to set appointments in the Pittsburgh Pa area. People who are doing the decision maker for Fundraising, for schools, pta, sports clubs, dance schools, churches, teams, ***** to use our company(sell our product brochure items) to fundraiser/sell to raise money their sport or activities. Then they place & pay for order, and we fill
...many completed apps -experienced with top notch reputation of delivering high quality apps -You must have done a social mobile app like Tinder. You have to send the link/ url to the working social app on Google Play or Apple App Store so we can download the social app and test it. The app must be stable and bug free version. (NOTE: If you have not done
NEED PERSON WHO IS PRESENT IN ICELAND on the given dates. Me and my husband are traveling to Iceland between 20-23rd of September 2018. I am looking for a filmmaker /photographer who can make a video of us of about 2-3 minutes. For more info connect or message.
I want to the Recharge software Maker
Need a video maker for our business.. Need some on who could develop a video with our idea and logo
I need an Android app. I would like it designed and built. I need a well designed animated video maker app.
Looking for a passionate team. individual who can make us brand launch video. Please send us your past work samples. (we are a fashion startup hence can't you hefty amounts at the moment)
Estou trabalhando em meu primeiro projeto de rpg feito em java,usando a engine rpg maker,o trabalho que farei será sem monetização para a distribuição dele,pois basearei ele na saga The Witcher,será meu primeiro projeto, e mesmo assim procuro fazer ele todo bem feitinho e bonito,e para isso preciso de graficos em pixel art para a engine bem feitinho...
Want to make an short film for youtube I Movie Productions. With our graphic parters GBideas
I am designing a business page in face book and my profile pic am looking for is a coffee maker drops coins as my page name is Moffee Maker and talks about inviting people to invest in forex and stock market to make additional money .
Catalogue We are a custom cake maker, we are looking for a solution for catalogue management. We have excel table for pricing and description of cakes and also have separate files of cake pictures. In catalogue management- it will be searchable on our cloud based tablet (via Google drive or Drop box) /( if online available, added advantage). Same cake
Hi freelancers I am looking for an professional promotional video maker. This video will be about our company our products and our company profile. Video voice both to be done. I will share details of the project once some one get interested.
I have started my new LED BULB business.


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I just learned that there is an upcoming sample sale at the Washington Design Center. If you are in search of a bargain, please keep reading.
Visit The Washington Design Center on Saturday, October 9, 2010 for a chance to shop the region's most extensive and luxurious collection of home furnishings at a deep discount. Open to the public on October 9 and to Trade professionals on October 7-9, the sample sale is the perfect opportunity to see the latest trends and products in home furnishings and decor and to shop hundreds of high-end items including furniture, rugs, lighting, art and accessories at up to 75 percent off. WDC sample sales are a great way for consumers to take advantage of significant discounts that these luxury showrooms rarely offer.
Participating Showrooms include:
Furnishings and Accessories:
- Pugrant Associates http://www.pugrantassociates.com/
- Century Furniture http://www.centuryfurniture.com/
- AmericanEye http://www.americaneyewdc.net/
- Baker Knapp & Tubbs http://www.kohlerinteriors.com/baker/index.jsp
- WILLEMSMITHDC http://www.arbiterltd.com/
- Henredon http://www.henredon.com/gallery.aspx
- Milano Group http://www.milanogroupinc.com/
- LUXE Studio http://www.dcdesigncenter.com/Showrooms.cfm?ShowroomID=586
Furnishings, Fabrics and Wallcoverings:
- J. Lambeth & Company http://www.jlambeth.com/
- Robert Allen | Beacon Hill http://www.robertallendesign.com/, http://www.beaconhilldesign.com/
- Rist Corporation http://www.dcdesigncenter.com/Showrooms.cfm?ShowroomID=597
- Zoffany http://www.zoffany.com/
Carpets and Floor Coverings:
- Foundation http://www.dcdesigncenter.com/Showrooms.cfm?ShowroomID=570
- J. Asher Carpet Couture http://j-asher.com/
- Galleria Carpet & Rugs http://www.dcdesigncenter.com/Showrooms.cfm?ShowroomID=571
Luxury Fixtures:
- Sherle Wagner http://www.sherlewagner.com/
WHEN: Open to the Trade: Thursday, October 7 and Friday, October 8 from 9am–5pm
Open to the Public: Saturday, October 9 from 10am – 3pm
If you are seeking a great deal or two for your home, you must visit the Washington Design Center this Saturday. The deals are too good to pass up.
WHERE: The Washington Design Center
300 D Street SW
Washington D.C.
ADMISSION: Admission is $5, benefiting the Pediatric Oncology programs at the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.
WEB SITE: www.dcdesigncenter.com
Consumers are encouraged to shop the Washington Design Center year-round with the WDC consumer buying service, Entrée. Entrée offers consumers who are not currently using an interior designer an exclusive opportunity to shop the Washington Design Center's showrooms. Entrée is a unique courtesy purchasing service that allows consumers to procure a limited number of to-the-trade items from any of the Design Centershowrooms and includes a free, one-hour designer consultation with a design professional.
About The Washington Design Center
Dedicated to providing the finest in home furnishings to the design trade, The Washington Design Center houses over 60 wholesale residential, commercial and building products showrooms. Considered the mid-Atlantic region's largest resource and destination for the design industry, The Washington Design Center works closely with designers to guarantee consumers the best possible luxury shopping experience.
The Washington Design Center is located at 300 D Street, SW in Washington, DC. Above the Federal Center SW Metro Station, The Washington Design Center is served by the Orange and Blue lines.
To learn more about the Fall Design House, The Washington Design Center and its showrooms, programs and special events, call 202.646.6100 or visit the Design Center online at www.dcdesigncenter.com.
MMPI is a trade show and property management firm, specializing in managing buildings devoted to wholesale showrooms and commercial office space. MMPI produces more than 300 trade shows, market events and conferences each year.
MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart and 350 West Mart Center in Chicago; Market Square, the Suites at Market Square, Hamilton Market, Plaza Suites, Furniture Plaza and the National Furniture Mart in High Point, N.C.; the Architects & Designers Building and 7 W New York in New York; the Boston Design Center in Boston; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and The Washington Design Center.
Vornado Realty Trust, owners of MMPI, based in New York City, is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust. Vornado's common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.


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Substantial Challenge to Ohio Freedom to Homeschool
- Jim Mason, Esq. Senior Counsel, HSLDA
- 2013 10 Jul
A recent challenge to a homeschool family struck at the very essence of Ohio homeschoolers' freedom: May Ohio families immediately start homeschooling after withdrawing their children from school and before receiving an excuse letter from the superintendent?
Desiree Brimmor (names changed to protect privacy) withdrew her daughter Allana from school and began homeschooling late in the 2012-2013 school year. Eleven-year-old Allana had experienced severe bullying, to the point that Brimmor was concerned for her safety.
In compliance with Ohio law, Brimmor submitted her notification of intent to homeschool to the superintendent of her school district the very next day after she withdrew Allana. But it took three weeks before she received a letter acknowledging that her daughter was excused from attending school for the school year.
Truancy Complaint
In the meantime, the school where Allana had attended filed a complaint against Brimmor claiming that her daughter was a truant for missing 15 days in a 30-day period. Brimmor contacted HSLDA after receiving summons to appear in court for truancy.
The alleged 15 absences were between the time Brimmor withdrew her daughter and when she received the excuse letter. Apparently, the school argued that a parent violates the compulsory attendance law if she homeschools her child while waiting to receive the excuse letter from the superintendent. But if this interpretation of the law were true, a parent who wanted to homeschool a child in the middle of the school year would have to keep a child enrolled in the current school, or enroll the child in another private or public school, for the couple weeks that it usually takes the superintendent to issue the excuse letter.
This interpretation of Ohio homeschool law would be especially alarming in Brimmor's case because her daughter could not remain at the school while she waited to receive the excuse letter. For her daughter's safety, Brimmor had to be able to immediately withdraw her daughter and begin homeschooling. HSLDA strongly opposed the school's interpretation of Ohio law because it limits the freedom of all homeschooling parents.
Case Dismissed
HSLDA represented Brimmor at her hearing, and, in a surprise twist, the school never appeared to make their arguments before the judge. Consequently, the court dismissed the case against Brimmor.
HSLDA needs your support not only to represent homeschoolers in court, but also to oppose restrictive interpretations of homeschool law that affects all homeschoolers. On behalf of the homeschool community, we appreciate your membership with us, and we encourage you to join now if that is a step you have yet to take.
Senior Counsel Jim Mason is a member of HSLDA's litigation team. He and his wife homeschool.
Home School Legal Defense Association is a nonprofit advocacy organization established to defend and advance the constitutional right of parents to direct the education of their children and to protect family freedoms. Visit us online at www.HSLDA.org.
Publication date: July 10, 2013


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Im attempting to cleanse a computer. It had 512 pieces of adware and 327 viruses.
Got rid of all but one which is really giving me the finger .betterinternet. Ive tried everything in normal and safe-mode, including scanning for ADS (of which I found nothing except the usual ones that XPsp2 adds) and using the tool Symantec has for removing adware.betterinternet. The tool didnt even find a trace of betterinternet but a process is running that when deleted starts again under a different name made up of random letters and gets registered as a service, I found eight instances using psservices.
Does anyone have any knowledge of this?
The machine is running XP home and the first thing I did is disable system restore.


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February 22, 2013 03:00 ET
LONGUEUIL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Feb. 22, 2013) - As part of the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program, Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Astronaut Chris Hadfield will answer questions live from the International Space Station.
ARISS Canada is a volunteer program aimed at inspiring students worldwide to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math through amateur radio communications opportunities. During Expedition 34/35, ARISS Canada hopes to establish over 15 amateur radio contacts between astronaut Chris Hadfield and young Canadians across the nation.
Media are invited to the event:
About ARISS:
ARISS is an international working group consisting of delegations from nine countries including Canada, Japan, Russia, the USA and several European countries. The organization is run by volunteers from national amateur radio organizations and the AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) organizations from each country.
About Expedition 34/35:
For details on the mission, visit the Canadian Space Agency website at:
Videos, animations and pictures of Expedition 34/35 are available at this address: http://media3.marketwire.com/r/EXPEDITION3435
Follow us on :
RSS: http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/rss/default_eng.xml
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Canadian-Space-Agency/150629121625960
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Canadianspaceagency
Twitter: http://twitter.com/csa_asc
ARISS MentorBrian email@example.com Elementary SchoolPatricia TribeMedia firstname.lastname@example.com Space AgencyMedia Relations firstname.lastname@example.com
See all RSS Newsfeeds


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Crovitz: Google's $25 Million Bargain
Regulators see that the better part of public-choice valor is to leave the fast-changing search market to the market.
Google is famous for providing search results on the knottiest topics, but earlier this month the company delivered the answer to one of the economy's great questions: How to persuade regulators to leave well enough alone?
Almost two years ago, the Federal Trade Commission announced to great fanfare that it was investigating Google as a big-is-bad monopolist. Google earns $10 billion in annual profits through a 70% market share so dominant that "to google" is synonymous with doing an online search. The FTC hired...


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Louisiana taxpayers have choices for state income tax refunds
BATON ROUGE – Louisiana taxpayers can choose between three methods of payment for state income tax refunds.
Taxpayers who file their state income taxes electronically can select direct deposit, a paper check, or the Louisiana MyRefund Card, a pre-loaded debit card that can be used to withdraw cash at ATMs or bank teller windows, shop and pay bills online, or make purchases and get cash back at retail registers.
New to the paper state income tax return (Form IT-540) this year is the option of selecting a paper check for your refund, in addition to the MyRefund Card. Taxpayers who do not select a refund method on the paper form will receive the debit card.
The Louisiana Department of Revenue (LDR) encourages electronic filing for all income tax returns. It is the method that provides the fastest processing time for refunds. Electronic filers receive their refunds within an average of ten business days. Paper filers can expect to wait at least three months. Electronic filing options include commercially-available tax preparation software and Louisiana File Online, the state's free tax filing web application. Visit www.revenue.louisiana.gov/fileonline.


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Michelle Monaghan is pregnant with baby No. 2, reports say.
The "Source Code" and "Machine Gun Preacher" actress is expecting her second child with her husband Peter White, an Australian graphic artist, according to Us Weekly.
Monaghan, 37, and White already have a daughter together named Willow Catherine, 4.
PHOTOS: The Hollywood baby boom
The "Due Date" actress' real-life due date will be sometime this fall, the magazine reported.
The couple tied the knot in August 2005 in Sydney, Australia.
Monaghan has a few film projects in the pipeline including the dramedy "Better Living Through Chemistry" with Sam Rockwell, Ray Liotta, Olivia Wilde and Jane Fonda; war drama "Fort Bliss" with Ron Livingston and Emmanuelle Chriqui; and the rom-com "A Many Splintered Thing" with Chris Evans, Aubrey Plaza and Giovanni Ribisi.
Jamie-Lynn Sigler: Why wearing a bikini while pregnant is better
Melissa McCarthy: Critic Rex Reed was 'swimming in so much hate'


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Best Buy (NYSE:BBY) is the largest U.S. consumer electronics retailer by revenue, with $40 billion in net sales in fiscal 2008.[1] However, the global economic slowdown has affected consumer behavior creating a difficult climate for the sale of electronic devices, which tend to be discretionary purchases susceptible to downturns. Best Buy's primary competitor in the electronics retailing market, Circuit City, has been struggling since 2006, posting a $321 million net loss for FY08[2] and filing for bankruptcy in November 2008.[3] Although Best Buy stands to benefit by taking Circuit City's market share, the economic malaise has been resulting in lower-than-expected revenue for the consumer electronics giant. The strengthening of the dollar has also hurt revenue and profits tied to the company's international segment - operating margins for the international segment were 2.4% in 2008 compared to 5.4% company-wide.[4] [5] However, Best Buy has had significantly higher operating margins from its Installation and Repair Services segment, 10-20%,[6] because it is not as sensitive to recessions since most people at least occasionally have trouble with electronics and its services are regarded more as a necessity than a commodity, allowing the company to raise prices.
Best Buy is the largest U.S. specialty consumer electronics retailer with approximately 21% of the consumer electronics market in the U.S.[9] and has added approximately 1.5[10] and 1.6[11] percentage points onto this portion during the first and second quarters of 2009. Revenue in fiscal 2008 increased 11% to $40 billion, from $35.9 billion in 2007; net earnings rose to $1.4 billion, a 2% increase from $1.37 billion in 2007.[12] These increases reflect the market share gains and the addition of new stores; Best Buy's sales have nearly doubled in the past five years, from $24 billion in FY03 to $40 billion in FY08[13], while increasing its number of stores from 758 to 1,382.[11]
The company went international in 2001 with the acquisition of then-market leader, Future Shop and then entered China in 2006 by acquiring Five Star Appliances.[14] The majority (41%) of the company's sales are from consumer electronics, a category including products such as DVD players and televisions.[15] In 2008 17% of Best Buy's sales were in Canada and China.[16] Although its international operations have demonstrated growth (sales increased 37% in FY08[17]), its international operations are less efficient than their domestic counterparts, earning only a 2.4% operating margin in 2008 compared to the domestic 6.0% operating margin.[18] Best Buy is also planning to open stores in Mexico and Turkey by the end of 2010,[19]and it formed a joint venture with Carphone Warehouse, Europe's largest retailer of mobile phones, that will open new Best Buy stores in the United Kingdom and other European countries[20].
Best Buy operates two main business segments:
The domestic segment covers all of Best Buy's retail stores in the United States which include Best Buy, Magnolia Audio Video, Geek Squad, Best Buy Mobile, Pacific Sales Kitchen and Bath, and Speakeasy. In fiscal 2008, the domestic segment contributed 83% of net sales.[23] However, the domestic segment's sales grew 7% in FY08, much slower than the 37% increase in the international segment.[24]
This segment consists of Canadian and Chinese operations which include Best Buy, Future Shop, and Geek Squad in Canada and Jiangsu Five Star Appliance and Best Buy in China.[26] The international business contributed 17% of total revenue in FY08.[27] Sales growth has been strong internationally as net sales increased 37% and comparable store sales abroad grew 9% in FY08.[28]
|Store Name
|Store Type
|Locations in US
|Locations in Canada
|Locations in China
|Year Acquired
|Best Buy
|Consumer Electronics and Services
|Future Shop
|Consumer Electronics and Services
|Geek Squad
|Computer Technical Services
|7 (standalone)
|Best Buy Mobile
|Cell Phone Sales and Services
|21 (standalone)
|Magnolia Audio Video
|Home Theater and Related Services
|13 (standalone)
|Pacific Sales Kitchen and Bath
|Home Remodeling Products and Related Services
|Jiangsu Five Star Appliances
|Appliances and Consumer Electronics
|Information Technology Service
Note: All store numbers as of Q2 FY09[11].
Since the middle of calendar year 2007, the domestic economy has been struggling and consumers have become more cautious with their discretionary spending on unnecessary items such as flat-screen televisions and video games. While other retailers of non-necessary goods, such as Dick's Sporting Goods whose same store sales fell 3.8% at its namesake chain in the first quarter of FY08[31], Best Buy managed to post increases in net and same store sales (net sales were up 13% and same store sales grew 3.7% in the first quarter of FY09).[32] In November 2008, Best Buy's primary competitor, Circuit City, filed for bankruptcy, leaving BBY to benefit by gaining market share.[3] However, the economic slowdown has really affected consumer behavior and created a difficult climate for Best Buy. Even though Best Buy's primary competitor has filed for bankruptcy and it expects an increase in sales and earnings from this, it still expects 4Q 2009 results to fall 5 to 15 percent.[33] Best Buy's same-store sales fell 7.6 percent in October 2008, after a 1.3 percent decline in September 2008.[33] Although during 3Q 2009 its sales increased nearly 16 percent to $11.5 billion, net earnings fell 77 percent from $228 million a year ago to $52 million.[34]
Geek Squad is Best Buy's specialty computer and consumer electronics technician service subsidiary. In addition to having a Geek Squad within all domestic Best Buy retail stores and most Canadian Best Buys, there are 7 stand alone Geek Squad retail stores throughout North America.[35] Geek Squad sales were not broken out in FY08, but made up a small percentage of revenue in fiscal 2007 (less than 4%). However the business helps to boost profits because of its high operating margin (estimated to be in the 10-20% range); also consumers, even in times of economic turmoil, demand assistance with their new or existing gear. Best Buy cut down its number of standalone U.S. Geek Squad locations from 12 to 7 in FY08 as all U.S. Best Buy stores opened in-house Geek Squad areas.[36]
One of Best Buy's newest concepts, the company has put a significant emphasis on Best Buy Mobile in an effort to enter the business of selling and servicing cellular phones. Best Buy Mobile was launched at the end of FY07 and at the end of the first quarter of FY09 the company operated 14 stand-alone Best Buy Mobile locations in addition to 599 in-store Best Buy Mobile concept areas.[37] Best Buy launched a joint venture with Carphone Warehouse, Europe's largest cell phone retailer, in a joint venture to launch Best Buy Mobile and Best Buy stores in Europe.[38]
Best Buy offers home installation through several venues: Best Buy in-store employees, Magnolia Audio Video stand-alone stores, and Magnolia Home Theater centers within Best Buy stores. Most of Best Buy's installation sales come from consumers who desire installation services for their newly purchased home theater products such as flat-screen TVs and surround sound audio systems. Home installation, like Geek Squad sales, makes up a very small portion of total revenue (less than 4%) but is a high margin business.
Since Best Buy bought Future Shop in 2001 and began opening Best Buy retail stores in Canada, its stores have struggled to produce results comparable to its US counterparts. However, Best Buy's Canadian operations have improved compared to U.S. stores. In FY07 Canadian operations generated approximately $22 million per store and in FY08 this figure increased to $29 million (U.S. stores generated $34 million per store on average).[39] However operating margins in Canada have been considerably lower than U.S. operating margins in the past, primarily because of the increased sales of lower-margin products; in fiscal 2007 Best Buy's overall domestic operating margin was 5.8% while its operating margin in Canada was only 1.7%. However, conditions have improved as Best Buy's international operating margin rose from 2.0% in FY07 to 2.4% in FY08.[40]
As the leading consumer electronics retailer in the United States, Best Buy is attempting to become a major competitor in the consumer electronics market in China. Best Buy took its first step in 2006 by acquiring China's third largest consumer electronics and appliance retailer, Jiangsu Five Star Appliances, which generated over $700 million in revenue in 2005. At the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2009 there are 161 Jiangsu Five Star stores in China, up from 135 at the end of FY07 and 160 at the end of FY08.[41] In FY08, China accounted for $1.3 billion of Best Buy's total sales.[42]
Best Buy has been using Jiangsu as a means to learn about the retail industry and culture in China, and the company opened its first Best Buy retail store in Shanghai in December of 2006. Best Buy plans to open more of its namesake retail stores throughout China in fiscal 2008[43] in order to capture a share of the large Chinese consumer electronics market--projected to be over $100 billion by 2010.
Best Buy announced in May 2008 that it was forming a joint venture with Carphone Warehouse, Europe's largest cellphone retailer to open Best Buy stores in the United Kingdom and Europe. Best Buy will receive support from Carphone Warehouse in this expansion project in return for approximately $2.15 billion in cash from Best Buy.[44] The first new stores are expected to open in 2009, after which the venture will expand with new stores throughout Europe. Larger format stores will operate under the Best Buy brand while smaller locations will continue to exist under the Carphone Warehouse name.
The value of the dollar has a direct affect on Best Buy's international investments. If the dollar strengthens, the currency effect lowers the return. Conversely, if the dollar weakens, the investment return increases. BBYs stores in Canada are paid in canadian dollars while stores in China receive the yuan, when these currencies are then traded for US dollars, depending on the exchange rate, the return can either increase or decrease.
Favorable fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates (strengthening of the yuan and canadian dollar to the U.S. dollar) in fiscal 2008 contributed to Best Buy's 37% revenue increase in its international segment. [45] The U.S. dollar's change in value to the yuan and canadian dollar accounted for more than $500 million, or more than 30% percent of the revenue increase.[45] However, the U.S. dollar has appreciated to these currencies during fiscal 2009, which will result in lowering Best Buy's returns from its international operations in fiscal 2009.
As the largest consumer electronics retailer in the United States, Best Buy will likely take a majority of the $1 Billion in expected revenue from converter box sales around the time of the Analog to Digital Television Transition date of February 17, 2009.
In August 2008, Best Buy announced that it will become the first third-party retailer to sell Apple's 3G iPhone.[46] Until the deal was announced, the iPhone was only available through the phone's manufacturer, Apple, and the network carrier for the device, AT&T. The iPhone is Apple's newest hot product, selling over 1 million units in the first three days of the release of the 3G version in July 2008.[47] Best Buy will begin selling the iPhone in its namesake and Best Buy Mobile stores in September 2008 and the revolutionary product's popularity could significantly drive foot traffic during the back-to-school and holiday shopping seasons.
A broad set of companies compete in the consumer electronics retail market, but Best Buy's most direct competition comes from Circuit City Stores (CC), the second largest specialty consumer electronics retailer behind Best Buy. Since fiscal 2006 Circuit City's business has been floundering, and after posting a net loss of over $370 million in FY08[50] filed for bankruptcy in November 2008.[3] The economic downturn in the U.S. has made it difficult for consumer electronics retailers to post any gains, including Best Buy; however, it stands to gain market share through Circuit City's misfortune.
|Total Revenue (mm)
|Sales Growth (Decline) from FY07
|Gross Margin
|Operating Margin
|Net Income (loss; mm)
|Same Store Sales Growth (Decline)
|Best Buy
|Circuit City
Note: All figures for fiscal 2008.[51][52]
In addition to Circuit City, Best Buy faces considerable competition from retail monolith Wal-Mart Stores (WMT). The company's $378 billion in sales in fiscal 2008 make Wal-Mart the largest retailer the world and its $92.2 million in gross profit more than double Best Buy's $40 billion in revenue.[53][54] Wal-Mart Stores (WMT) doesn't break out its sales for product categories, so it's not possible to compare the two businesses directly, but electronics are estimated to be a major portion of Wal-Mart's business and with $378 billion in sales, it would be highly significant if only 1% of the business was from electronics.
Best Buy also competes with other general discount and wholesale retailers, such as Target (TGT) and Costco Wholesale (COST), direct retailers such as Dell (DELL), which sells consumer electronic products directly to customers, as well as retailers that focus on one market, like Gamestop (GME) in the video game sector.