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Quran alone is base of deen of islam, not quran & hadis or quran & sunnah, why not?
One needs to understand that from my point of view I like to explain things in a bit of detail because my point of view is not widely known already as other points of views. It is easier for people to talk to each other when they already know where they are coming from but a bit difficult when it comes to discussion between not well known points of views. This is why if I only stated some fact and did not explain them then one will not know what I am trying to say and why, this is why some detail becomes absolutely necessary or one will never know what I am trying to explain or why.
Let me make it absolutely clear that I do not reject any source of information about deen of islam at all. What I reject is the idea that all sources are equal with the quraan. That I cannot accept unless someone can clearly prove that that is the case beyond any reasonable doubt which no one has done so far in my life time. Looking at something clearly visible through smeared glasses is not going to let us see the thing clearly likewise looking at clear message of God through problematic hadis reports is not going to help us understand the quran properly. Moreover each thing has its own place value just like numbers in maths. One cannot just say a number but need to have context otherwise the number will not make any sense. Words likewise only make sense when they have contexts or a purposes to serve.
The reason I take the quran to be the only foundation of deen of islam is because it was God who created this world according to his plan for his purpose alone. This is why it was he who wanted to reveal his plan and purpose for mankind therefore he decided to send his messages for mankind. For this reason he devised a communication channel or chain through which he communicated his message for mankind. The revelation chain is not an exception rather like any other set up of this universe for various other purposes it is just another set up to serve a particular purpose eg one can look at ecosystem or solar system or rain cycle etc etc. The communication chain includes God and his missionaries ie people who work for him.
This explanation should make it very clear that communication channel and message of God are two different things. Purpose of communication channel is to act as medium for transmission of message of God and purpose of message of God is to guide mankind regarding matters which God thought were important for mankind to know so that mankind could fulfil his purpose for their part in his scheme of things. So everything revolves around plan and purpose of God for which he created this universe and people in it. Had God no purpose for creating this universe and people in it with ability of limited freedom of choice then he needed no plan nor did he need to create this universe. So making proper sense of his purpose and his plan is a basic necessity for understanding deen of islam because that is the reason he told mankind a way of life whereby they could fulfil his purpose according to his plan.
As for message of God once it reaches people through people it is up to people to accept it or reject it with their own understanding of it as they see fit for themselves. This message needs prior understanding of things before people could understand it. If it is given to people who lack in needed knowledge then they will not know what to do with it and the best example for that is human babies. Anything you give to a human baby he puts it in his mouth taking it as his feed. The only people who can understand the message in the quran is those who are literate themselves and have good knowledge of things the quran is talking about or those to whom the quran is recited and explained by others and they become sensible enough to make proper sense of things. The rest are as good as living dead.
This should explain why I say the quran should be understood in light of real world realities because that is what the quran is actually about ie it is a teaching for mankind as to how to live properly in this world. If I say to a baby make me a cup of tea. The baby will not know what I am talking about because baby has not yet learned words or relationship of words with things in the real world. He can repeat my words if he can talk but cannot carry out my request. This will remain the situation till baby grows enough and has sufficient life experience to come to know what my request meant for him. Only and only then he will be able to carry out my request. The quran is not any different when it comes to learning it for its proper understanding. Only those people come to understand it properly who have learned the way to understand it properly and they have learned the needed information and have the needed life experience. So all people who claim to know the quran if they are questioned about it, a huge majority of them will be dumbfounded.
The real point here is, it is God who wanted to send his message for mankind because he had to tell something to mankind and not messenger of God because messenger of God did not create people for his purpose according to his plan. The part messenger of God played in this scheme is, message bearer, ie just to pass on God's message to people after understanding it himself ie before he could do that he had to make sense of the message of God for himself according to his time and available human knowledge because he too had to act upon it and the message told him to deliver it to others and that is why he delivered it to others or taught it to others to the best of his God given abilities. We need to remember that God passed on his message to his messenger for himself and others not just for himself nor just for others.
By giving the wrong job description of messenger we are turning him into a God instead of God's messenger. The messenger was supposed to deliver message of God as it was ie as he received it from God, without adding anything to it or taking away anything from it. This is why the quran tells us he did not speak anything as quran other than the quran itself. It does not mean whatever he said or did was always revelations of God. It is because messengers of God made odd mistakes that is why their those stories are also told in the quran to ensure people do not take them for other than human beings. When a person himself makes mistakes how can he create a message like that of God's message by himself? It is because messengers of God are also human beings they too are prone to making mistakes called human errors but God draws their attention to their errors and they correct them. However no messenger of God ever does anything wrong deliberately or intentionally.
The mistake people make in trying to understand this issue is that they do not separating the communication chain from the message the chain is supposed to deliver for which the communication chain is set up by God who made sure it worked for his purpose according to his plan and it does and that is why we have the quran today so many centuries after the final messenger of God has gone from this world. This is why the actual framework or structure of deen of islam has to come from the quran alone not from mixed sources particularly when those sources are prone to mistakes and errors beyond corrections. During the revelation of the quraan any mistake made by the messenger of God was corrected by God but after the stopping of the revelation when people started attributing things to him there was no revelation from God any more for correcting people. This is why whatever people attributed to God or his messenger was no longer as reliable as whatever was left behind by the messenger of God as the quran. This is why distinguishing between revelation of God and reports by people becomes inevitable.
The fact is, messengers of God have been making mistakes and that is what the quran itself tells us. For this reason God could not tell us to follow them unconditionally or blindly that is why whenever God tells us to follow his messenger it means in things which he did according to the quran to fulfil his God given mission and not absolutely in each and everything he said or did. To follow anyone absolutely is naturally impossible because one can never know each and everything about anyone even on daily basis or we ought to have diaries of messenger of God not hadis books. Moreover look at human attention span. How many people can remain fully alert and aware or attentive during a whole 24 hour day? People get tired after a while and that is why people go to sleep to recoup their energy. Even when we are fully attentive we cannot pay attention to everything that is happening all around us. If we look at one things in front of us there is another thing going on behind us. We can only focus on one thing at a time. This is why when a magician makes us look at one thing in one of his hands he does something else with his other hand to which we are not paying attention. So due to such natural limitations how much can we know about anyone at all including our own very selves?
So people who tell us we know each and everything about the messenger of God are not realising what they are saying or claiming about messenger of God otherwise they could never claim what they claim about messenger of God. Moreover there are things which messengers of Allah said and did as reported in hadis books which if we said and did we will become kaafir therefore it is wrong to say we must follow messenger of God absolutely and unconditionally without any limits or qualifications. So I do not see what is so difficult there to understand if people have learned the knowledge they need to, to make proper sense of the message in the quran? If they have not learned the needed knowledge to understand the message in the quran properly then they cannot understand any explanation no matter how detailed it is. It is because we human beings are born not knowing a thing and it takes us ages to grow up by learning things bit by bit on daily basis. This is the real extent of explanation that is required for a human being to start making proper sense of things.
Moreover how can one use a secondary source to interpret the main source if secondary source itself depends upon main source for its qualification or authenticity? This is why the quran alone has to be the foundation of deen of islam. However once we have derived the structure or framework of deen of islam from the quran alone in light of real world realities thereafter we can use all other sources to fill in details where need be that is consistent with the framework of deen of islam as derived from the quran alone just like bits of jig saw puzzle. I am saying real world realities because the quran is all about how people ought to live in the real world. Deen of islam is nothing other than a way of life advised by Allah for mankind to live in this world properly to fulfil his purpose of creating them according to his given plan or roadmap or program.
Furthermore mullahs have misinterpreted the quran by telling us it is a complete code of life instead of telling us we need to extract framework of deen of islam from the quran to form a complete code of life to live by. The quran does not give us a fully worked out constitution and laws for organising human society and regulating it. This is why we do not have ummah as the final messenger of God left behind after its formation on basis of the quran alone. As I see it unless we go back to the quran alone as foundation of deen of islam there is not going to be any ummah in the future either as it has not been over the so many past centuries.
Why Quran Alone Is Base Of Deen Of Islam, Not Quran And Hadis Or Quran
#1 Mughal1
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Posted 24 February 2018 - 08:58 AM
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Last September, we reported that Facebook sometimes appears to play favorites with its advertising clients, rewarding those it favors and informally punishing those who fall from grace.
Turns out we understated the case. The punishments aren't informal. They're officially listed in Facebook's rules for advertisers.
The rules include a censorship system in which Facebook vets its clients' press statements ("Please allow five business days for review," it says) and a ban on clients using certain words to describe their relationship with Facebook ("partnership," "strategic" and "commitment" are on the verboten list).
And they include the ultimate punishment for violators: being banned from the Facebook platform.
Facebook is strict
Facebook declined to comment. A source previously told us that Facebook is strict with its clients because executives at Facebook have seen agencies put out press releases claiming they can use Facebook in ways "that are literally not possible." Facebook doesn't want clients to say "Facebook didn't work for us" when those campaigns inevitably fail.
Nonetheless, this arrangement is extremely unusual in the advertising world. TV networks, for instance, don't ban their advertising clients from saying things about the business they do. Rather, ad clients are often courted like minor royalty, wined and dined, and treated to expensive seats at sporting and cultural events. Media providers almost never say bad things about their clients because, obviously, they are the ones bringing the money.
At Facebook, however, the opposite appears to be true. If you want to spend money with Facebook, you have to follow Facebook's rules -- even though you are paying Facebook.
The removal of the PMD "badge" (as the status is known at Facebook) prevents agencies and marketers from using one of Facebook's official symbols to promote their business. The badges are fast becoming a sort of marketing shorthand for which companies have expertise with Facebook and which do not.
Not invited to the party
The loss of a PMD badge also prevents companies from joining Facebook's elite " Strategic Preferred Marketing Developers," a group of clients that get first look at new products.
In September, when Facebook first launched the SPMD list, four of Facebook's more prominent marketing clients — Vitrue, Syncapse, TBG Digital, and Wildfire — weren't at the launch party. Those clients represent several hundred million dollars in ad spending on Facebook, combined.
Instead, the party was hosted by Salesforce.com, a clear sign that Facebook in some way chose Salesforce over its rivals. (Bear in mind that there are more than 260 PMD companies, and they all do largely the same thing.)
The rules
Facebook's PMD rules include:
- Restrictions on using the PMD badge logo: "You must keep sufficient space around the badge so it appears clean and uncluttered."
- Press pre-approval and censorship: "...the following guidelines must also be observed when discussing the program publicly (press releases, articles, blog posts, etc.). Failure to do so may result in retraction of public materials or removal from the program. Developers are required to understand and adhere to the policies outlined below. All press releases must be sent to firstname.lastname@example.com for review and approval. Please allow five business days for review."
- Not abusing the Facebook name in press release headlines: "Any reference to 'Facebook' in the headline, sub-headline or lead must be used with the term 'Preferred Marketing Developer Program', relevant API (e.g. 'Ads API'), or a description of your technology."
- A ban on companies that break the rules: "Facebook reserves the right to grant or remove access to the Platform or PMD Program at its sole discretion."
Facebook's awkward history with its own clients
Clearly, Facebook has a legitimate interest in making sure that marketers and agencies don't misrepresent what they can do on Facebook.
But at the same time, Facebook has a reputation of failing to deal with advertisers in a mature or encouraging way. General Motors, for instance, infamously yanked its $10 million ad budget days before Facebook's IPO, in a dispute about whether the spend was generating a proper return on its investment. And there was a time when ad agencies were dismayed that staff at Facebook wouldn't return their calls. An exec at Crispin Porter + Bogusky once complained, " The Facebook policy is actually longer than the U.S. Constitution - no joke."
These are the people who generate Facebook's revenues, profits and newly buoyant stock price, and they expect to be treated with courtesy for doing so.
VP/global marketing solutions Carolyn Everson has made strides to reform Facebook from within over the past year. The company has gone out of its way to court big advertisers.
But still, punishing a client who spends more than $100 million on your platform? It's so aberrant as to be bizarre.
Currently, Facebook can get away with this because it's growing so fast, clients want to be on the platform, and there are so many PMDs competing with each other that each one lives in fear of having its access cut off. That situation won't last forever. Sooner or later, Facebook will hit the "big numbers" problem, when new ad dollars become harder and harder to attract.
At that point it may want to question the wisdom of annoying its largest clients.
Disclosure: The author owns Facebook stock.

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European Commission - Press release
Commission proposes one programming tool for all structural funds
Brussels, 14 March 2012 - Following the Cohesion Policy proposals of 6th October, and in order to help Member States with their preparations for the next programming period the Commission has today presented the "Common Strategic Framework" (CSF). It is intended to help in setting clear investment priorities for the next financial planning period from 2014 until 2020 in Member States and their regions. It will enable a far better combining of various funds to maximise the impact of EU investments. National and regional authorities will use this framework as the basis for drafting their 'Partnership Contracts' with the Commission, committing themselves to meeting Europe's growth and jobs targets for 2020.
Today's overview elaborates on the Framework's investment priorities and key actions for programmes which will be supported, not only through the Cohesion and Structural Funds,1 but also through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.
Commissioner for Regional Policy, Johannes Hahn, stated: "The Commission is committed to increasing the coherence between our policy goals and investment on the ground, and setting out how the Funds can work together with the common goal of achieving smart and sustainable growth for all of Europe's citizens".
Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Maria Damanaki, said: "The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund fits well into this story. It will allow us to give a real boost towards environmental, social and economic sustainability for our coastal areas. Its measures will give the fisheries reform a real footing towards a healthy, profitable and strong sector who takes good care of the interests of environmentally stable fish stocks and an increased consumer demand for fish."
Commissioner for Agriculture & Rural Development Policy, Dacian Cioloș, stated: "Our proposals are seeking a better coordination of measures, especially in the programming stage, so that projects are more efficient - complementing each other where possible, and seeking to avoid overlaps where not necessary - and help to achieve the full potential of rural areas."
Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, Lázsló Andor, stated "I want Member States to get more out of the European social fund as a social investment tool. This also means improving coherence with other funds and the common strategic framework is what will help Member States do just that".
The CSF will be adopted in final form only once the legislative package on Cohesion Policy Funds for the next Multiannual Financial Framework proposed on 6th October 2011 has been agreed by the European Parliament and the Council.
More information:
How will the CSF differ from the current strategic guidelines?
What will be in the CSF?
Next steps:
EU institutions are invited to submit their views on the overview of the CSF. The Framework will be adopted within three months of the adoption of the legislative package on Cohesion Policy Funds for the next Multiannual Financial Framework proposed on 6th October 2011.
Overview of the Common Strategic Framework
European Regional Development Funds (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Cohesion Fund
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MinGW ("Minimalistic GNU for Windows") is a collection of freely available and freely distributable Windows specific header files and import libraries combined with GNU toolsets that allow one to produce native Windows programs that do not rely on any 3rd-party C runtime DLLs.
Full description
MinGW refers to a set of runtime headers, used in building a compiler system based on the GNU GCC and binutils projects. It compiles and links code to be run on Win32 platforms... providing C, C++ and Fortran compilers plus other related tools. If you see references to "mingw32" instead of "MinGW", they are referring to the same compiler system. The project's name changed from mingw32 to MinGW is to prevent the implication that MinGW will only works on 32 bit systems (as 64 and higher bit machines become more common, MinGW will evolve to work with them). MinGW uses the Microsoft runtime libraries, distributed with the Windows operating system. Unlike other ports of GCC to Windows, the runtime libraries are not distributed using GNU's General Public License (GPL). You, therefore, do not have to distribute your source code with your programs unless, of course, you use a GPL library in your programs. Initially, MinGW was an assortment of individual packages... the MinGW runtime, various applications built using that runtime (gcc, ld, etc.), and other useful components (the w32api headers needed to code for the Win32 API). Developers "rolled their own" MinGW environments by downloading the latest versions of each individual package needed. This was necessary given the dynamic nature of early package versions (updates being posted constantly)... but was oftentimes confusing for newbies, and made it difficult for application/library vendors to design products that build with a "standard" MinGW environment. Therefore, around mid-2001 when development had matured and updates were not being packaged as rapidly, the decision was made to create a single-file distribution of the standard MinGW environment. This single archive contains the files from each component package, bundled and ready to extract. The individual component packages are still available for download... if a particular package is updated in between releases of the overall distribution, it's possible to simply drop the newer package in place over a distribution install.
Comparison to Other Compiler Suites
MinGW is a port of the free GCC compiler to Windows. It allows anyone to download and compile code in several languages (C, C++, ADA, Fortran and Java) for native Windows (using only the Win32 API) using only Free Software.
Unlike Cygwin, MinGW doesn't provide Linux or Unix system calls or a POSIX emulation layer. Some POSIX compatibility is provided by the supported runtime library, msvcrt.dll. A few additional functions are provided to help with portability. However, most likely a POSIX application would need to be ported to use Windows APIs in order to compile with MinGW, just as you would to compile with MSVC or Borland or Watcom C++.
Why the need for MinGW when there are many free C compilers for Windows out there? According to this mailing list thread, there are no high quality Free (open-source) C compilers for Windows, or free (as in beer) compilers for C++ or other languages that are compatible with the GNU compiler suite.
Now that Microsoft gives away Visual Studio for free, the Windows compiler market is in poor shape, and other commercial competitors will likely fade over time. Borland has stopped maintaining their free compiler version. lcc-win32 only supports C. Djgpp only builds executables targeted to DOS 32 bit. OpenWatcom was originally a commercial project. It didn't pay for the companies that acquired it to maintain the compiler further. Luckily, it has been added to the list of Open Source C/C++ compilers thanks to the efforts of Scitech. However, it is not very compatible with GNU compiler standards and can be difficult to use in building Open Source not specifically designed for compiling with Watcom. It also only supports C/C++. Same for the Digital Mars project which is now also selling parts of its compiler. That will leave MSVC and MinGW as the only high-quality native compilers for Windows.
Was the only reason the ability to use the UNIX-like access via command line instead of a GUI based developing environment? Well, most of us come from a UNIX background so we prefer the command line, but as far as we know, all free and non-free compilers provide command-line tools, including a compiler and a linker (and often some sort of 'make'), even if they emphasize an IDE.
Wouldn't Cygwin be sufficient if using POSIX system calls would be avoided? Although it's possible to use the Windows API from Cygwin, you're still tied to the cygwin DLL with its GPL license, and that restricts the distribution of software compiled with it. MinGW places no such restrictions on the distribution of your software. MSVC similarly creates a dependency on the Microsoft runtime which is large, heavy and non-redistributable.
Cygwin itself uses MinGW to compile the cygwin DLL, which obviously cannot depend on Cygwin. Therefore, without MinGW, Cygwin would have to be compiled with a non-free compiler.
Applications also run faster without POSIX-emulation overhead, and in some cases introducing the Cygwin DLL into an existing application would cause conflicts with the native functions of the same name, which might cause the application to become unstable. Therefore compiling application extensions, components and DLLs with MinGW can be safer than using Cygwin.
One thing that some people like about GCC (and hence MinGW) over other compilers is the higher level of ANSI compliance, which improves portability of applications developed with it.
Packages included in MinGW
- binutils - Assembler, linker, ...
- mingw-runtime - Headers and libraries for the C library
- w32api - Windows API header files and libraries
- gcc-core - C compiler
- gcc-g++ - C++ compiler
- gcc-objc - Objective C compiler
- gcc-gfortran - Fortran 90/95 compiler
- gcc-java - Java compiler
- gcc-ada - Ada compiler
- mingw-gdb - Windows native build of GNU debugger
- mingw32-make - Windows native build of GNU make
- mingw-utils - Miscellaneous utilities
Contents of MinGW Packages
- binutils: A native port of the GNU binutils. Amongst other tools, this package contains the assembler and linker, which will transform the output of the compiler into a binary executable. You must install this package, together with gcc-core, to obtain a correctly functioning compiler suite.
- mingw-runtime: Header files and import libraries for the default C runtime library, (also known as msvcrt), which is required by MinGW compiled programs running on the Microsoft Windows operating system. You must install this package, together with gcc-core, to obtain a correctly functioning compiler suite.
- w32api: Header files and import libraries for the Microsoft Windows operating system; this provides the Application Programming Interface (API) required to access the essential operating system service functions, which are required by any working native Windows application. You must install this package, together with gcc-core, to obtain a correctly functioning compiler suite.
- gcc: A native port of the GNU gcc compiler. This is the application which parses source files, translating them to linkable object code. Note that the gcc package set is subdivided into a gcc-core package, which provides only a C compiler, with additional supplementary packages for additional programming languages. You must get at least the gcc-core package; if you also wish to add any supplementary languages, please ensure that you get the appropriate packages, with the same version number as the gcc-core package.
- mingw-gdb: A native port of GNU debugger.
- mingw32-make: A native port of GNU make. This application parses makefiles to create a project by following the rules expressed in the makefile.
- mingw-utils: Miscellaneous utilities.
MinGW contains several different packages. Some of those packages are licensed by the GNU Public License (GPL), some are licensed in the Public Domain and some have their own versions of a license. See [[mingw:license|Licensing Terms]]
It can be download from [http://sourceforge.net/projects/mingw/ Sourceforge's MinGW project page] after you click the "Files" link. The package's name is MINGW-NNN.exe, (where "NNN" represents the current version number, e.g. version "5.1.6" is distributed as "MinGW-5.1.6.exe").


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Tuesday, 17 August 2010
▣ August 17th ▣ {not quite quiet enough}
9 comments:
- Lizzie said...
The game must be "Grabble" as you are hoping for a letter "G"...
The new stove is beeeeuuuutiiiiful! I would love one of these myself, but as it would cost over £1000 to remove our old flue-liner (from the back-boiler that was taken out when we replaced the boiler), then the several hundred for a new stove... well, we have an electric version, which is quite pretty and will do nicely thanks!
As for the piiiiink... I like it. But then, I am not living in the room... I would suggest not panicking as the first rule. Live with it for a while. Either it will "grow on you" and you'll love to snuggle up on a chilly autumn afternoon, watching the flames crackling happily in the stove, leaves blowing past the window and hearing the rain pattering on the panes; OR you will HATE IT!!! So much that you'll know when to go over it with a couple of coats of white and try again.
Pink is a very personal sort of colour. It grabs us at a very basic level and can affect us all differently. That pink is definitely an "impact" colour. But I like it.
Great post - made me smile, laugh and cheer a bit too!
Good luck with the little kettle idea!
- 17 August 2010 at 21:36
- Abigail Thomas said...
*envy; fireplace envy... even if it is pink...!
- 17 August 2010 at 22:30
- Carol said...
I love the pink inside the fireplace.
- 17 August 2010 at 23:08
- Francesca said...
no but i love it! that pink is perfect. i hope you'll get used to it. i love the rugs too, it's a great space.
we're thinking about a wood burner for this space: http://mrseliotbooks.blogspot.com/2010/08/abacus.html.
white might look good. need to unblock the chimney first! x
- 18 August 2010 at 06:34
- chocolategirl64 said...
stay with it for a while:
light changes with season, mind changes with wind:
am jell coz I want but don't have beans or chimney:
have granny blanket to keep off chills but not quite the same:
I spy hook proj ~.~
- 18 August 2010 at 08:53
- KindredSpirit said...
This is absolutely lovely. can i move in please?? I love the pink - it's warm and individual! leave it and see how you feel in a few weeks.
- 18 August 2010 at 10:09
- louloulovesbooks said...
Oooh thanks for the comms. It's funny how nostalgic we all get for the winter! It is a nice feeling being warm and cosy while the chill rages out there. I'm liking the pink at night with candles and glow but it seems a little harsh in the day. Am going to review in a week. Now I want to change the surround as that was made out of skip finds and a tin of gold paint but alas the purse is empty so I will wait for a solution. I'm not one for buying an off the peg solution. I'll think of something. And if I don't I'll live with it because I have my dream stove. Sigh* lucky moi
And if you're passing, come and warm your toes
- 18 August 2010 at 11:32
- Sarah said...
I think it all looks very cosy. I can imagine the pink in the glow of the candles. I really like the spotty rug.My brother had one of those stoves and I know how hot they are! I love the fact that your stove is white. I thought I had a rusty g but alas it is a K! You could have had it if it was a g!
Thanks for your comment-I am loving the animation tool! I love changing my banner-and am also indecisive-so can never decide on one! I did have the same one for a long time when I first started blogging but then realised how easy it was to change!
- 18 August 2010 at 16:17
- Gina said...
I love your lounge! All of it!!!
- 21 August 2010 at 00:01


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| WMU News
KALAMAZOO—Nominations for the fall round of Western Michigan University's semiannual Make a Difference awards are due by Wednesday, Oct. 31.
Make a Difference is a campuswide peer-to-peer program that recognizes staff members for their accomplishments and daily investments of energy and creativity. It features semiannual and annual awards presented to employees who provide exceptional service to the University.
Every fall and spring, semiannual awards are presented to a maximum of 15 people. Those selected for the accolade receive a $300 pre-tax prize and certificate, are recognized at a special reception, and may be nominated for one of four annual Make a Difference awards that carry a $1200 pre-tax prize.
Employees may receive the semiannual award more than once, but are limited to one such award per academic year. The annual award, which may only be received once, is given to each year's four most outstanding semiannual award winners.
Nominations for Make a Difference awards are accepted for individuals from the following employee groups:
- American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
- Michigan State Employees Association
- Police Officers Association
- Staff Compensation System
Nomination instructions and forms are available year round at www.wmich.edu/makeadifference/nominations.


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Story highlights
- After announcing her engagement to a 23-year-old, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, 31, took flak
- 20- and 30-something women who date younger men are seen as strange by some
- In popular parlance, these young lovers of even younger men are dubbed "pumas"
When a college girlfriend called to tell me she was dating someone new, I asked the standard, superficial questions any 20-something pal would:
"How tall?"
"He's a foot taller than me!"
"What does he do?"
"He's actually just finishing up school."
"He's in your master's program?"
"Not quite."
At the time, a year ago now, he was 20 and she was 23.
Mrs. Robinson she's not; their three-year age difference isn't exactly shocking. It makes sense that two students (she was earning a master's degree and he was working toward his bachelor's) would meet working a part-time job.
Yet, during a recent gathering of girlfriends, she seemed to be the target of as many cougar jokes as Mariah Carey was in 2008 when she married Nick Cannon. (At 32, Cannon is a decade younger than the singer.) It probably didn't help that, at the start of their relationship, my friend's suitor couldn't legally accompany her to the bar.
"It makes people really uncomfortable for some reason," she said in response to my own mindless cougar quip.
As the public becomes accustomed to tales of 40- and 50-year-old women who date younger men, 20- and 30-something women who do the same are still regarded as a strange species. In popular parlance, these young lovers of even younger men are dubbed "pumas."
Take actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler, for example. After announcing her engagement to 23-year-old baseball player Cutter Dykstra last week, the 31-year-old took flak in some online comment sections.
"I can't imagine being 31 and relating so much to a 23 y/o male...they are too immature still!" said one commenter. Another called Sigler "a mini cougar."
One People.com commenter even suggested that 2013 was "the year of the 'young-er cougar,' " noting that race car driver and model Danica Patrick, 30, is dating fellow driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 25.
Three to five years hardly calls for puma and cougar jokes, said Hugo Schwyzer, a professor of history and gender studies at Pasadena City College. If it were the women who were three to five years younger, he added, people would say it's the perfect age gap.
"The biggest obstacle (these couples) are going to face is this enduring myth that boys develop more slowly than girls," Schwyzer said. "We just repeat that as if that's absolutely true. It is developmentally largely true when dealing with infants and toddlers ... but once you get to adulthood, you know, 18 is 18."
Of course, as far as "The Twilight Saga" is concerned, 18 isn't always 18. While Bella jokes that she's "not really into the whole cougar thing" regarding a guy two years her junior, her seemingly teenage vampire boyfriend is actually more than 100 years older than she is -- and that's not creepy at all?
As more Hollywood actresses and models, such as Eva Longoria, date younger men, the unwarranted stigma surrounding such relationships will fade, matchmaker Patti Stanger said.
But for now, a Celebuzz gallery titled "Hollywood's cougars" includes Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban. She's four months older than he is.
Stanger's general rule of thumb for dating, regardless of who is on the winter end of the May-December romance, is "10 up, 10 down." If a couple is 11 years apart in age, she said, "don't cry. It's no big deal. But if you go 15, you're screwed." Stanger has also mentioned this notion on her reality show, "The Millionaire Matchmaker," which is in its sixth season on Bravo. On the series, she often takes on male and female clients who are looking for someone significantly younger than they are.
When that happens, Stanger added, cultural references are lost and one person assumes the caretaker role, which can be a problem when that person is the woman.
"When you do 15 years, when you do Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher, it's going to run its course," she added. "It can't last when the woman is older than the man. When the man is older than the woman, unfortunately, there is a double standard and it does last. Especially in different cultures ... that is the norm because a man is supposed to provide and guide for his woman."
The puma and cougar debate also has a place among gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender daters, though the lines are blurrier. When 26-year-old actress Amber Heard and 36-year-old photographer Tasya van Ree went public with their relationship in 2010, age wasn't at the forefront of reports the way it was for Carey and Cannon.
"Opinions on age difference run the gamut from fearful to desirable," author Dave Singleton wrote regarding the gay community in his Match.com column, "Ask Dave."
"There's no hard and fast rule on whether age differences sink the love boat," Singleton wrote. "But age is definitely a factor when you date someone. ... In my research with gay men for my book, 'The Mandates: 25 Real Rules for Successful Gay Dating,' I never met one who described a date without telling me the guy's age first."
As Schwyzer says, "The problem is largely cultural at this time. ... (There will be) jokes about robbing a cradle. The expectations are somehow that (a woman is) not capable of being with a grown man and has thus chosen to date someone who our society thinks of as a boy."
In October, London-based video blogger Emily Hartridge, 28, posted a video about the benefits of dating a younger man. The comedic vlog listed reasons such as "younger guys try harder to please you" and "you get to feel more in charge" among the perks.
Another plus for some career-driven, powerful women in their 20s and 30s, Schwyzer said, is that millennial men tend to be more open about gender roles.
"For decades women have moved into traditionally male spaces," he added. "With some millennial guys ... we're not seeing more guys who are feminine, but flexible."
For my friend, the best thing about dating a younger man -- at least her younger man -- is that there's no noticeable age difference at all.
I can pick on her all I want for dating someone the same age as my younger sister. And I'll probably continue to do so -- out of love, of course. But truth be told, there's less of a cultural gap between her and her younger beau than there was between my last boyfriend and me. At six years my senior, he was behind the wheel of a car while I was still riding around the neighborhood on my Razor scooter.
At least my "cougar" friend and her juvenile boyfriend can both recall growing up listening to cassette tapes, playing video games on the original PlayStation, and watching Bill Clinton deny that he had "sexual relations with that woman" -- even if one of them wasn't quite sure what that meant at the ripe old age of 6.


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Community mourns a fallen hero
As the clouds masked the sun on a gloomy Saturday morning, Southeast Texans attempted to shine some light on a dark and somber mood by displaying their American flags as a sign of respect and support for Sgt. Anthony Maddox and his family at the Port Arthur soldier's funeral at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Beaumont.
Maddox, 22, of Port Arthur, was killed Monday, July 22, in a work-related fuel explosion in Afghanistan that left him burned over 97 percent of his body.
All eyes were on Maddox's family as they filed into the church Aug. 3 to say goodbye to their son and mourn their loss. Military officials escorted the family in as civic leaders turned out to show their support and honor Maddox for his sacrifice.
"I'm so proud of the Southeast Texas community for showing so much support to this family," said Port Arthur Mayor Bobbie Prince, as she wiped the tears from her face with a tissue.
Patriot Guard Riders, Vietnam veterans, and others who had never met Maddox took time out of their Saturday morning to honor the fallen soldier. Thomas and Glenda Sherman, both Nederland natives, never knew Maddox personally, but felt it was important to show their gratitude for the soldier and his family.
"It's all about honor," Thomas said. "Knowing the risk (soldiers face) and what they might be going into, it just makes their sacrifice that much more amazing. If they can do that then we can spend part of our time … take part of our day to honor them."
"I wanted to show support for the family," Glenda said. "It's the right thing to do."
Hundreds of Southeast Texans showed up early Friday morning, Aug. 2, to watch the procession of bikers, police and other emergency personnel escort the hearse carrying Maddox's body along the route past Nederland High School where Maddox played linebacker for the Bulldogs.
"The turnout from the community was amazing; I've never seen anything like that in my life," said Jacob Orta, a friend of Maddox who played junior varsity football with him. "I expected it to be big, but I didn't expected to be as big as it was."
Orta was at the airport when the plane arrived and described it as a silent and somber scene, but patriotic as well.
"Everyone was really respectful," he said. "I saw people he probably never even knew crying on the side of the road and people he did know crying on the side of the road. It lets the troops know that this community stands behind them."
Orta said his brother, who serves in the Army as well, helped prepare Maddox for what he could expect in basic training and Army life.
"He always asked my brother (Justin Orta) how the military was, what kind of leave they got and what kind of job he should choose," Orta said. "He told him what kind of shape he needed to be in."
Dena Foust, a teacher at Nederland High School, said she remembers seeing Maddox walk the halls of the school. She looked on with tear-filled eyes as the procession passed her and her eight-year-old grandson, Blaine, as they stood on the side of 18th Street waiting for the hearse to pass to show their respects, American flags in hand.
"I just want to thank his family for raising such a wonderful son who was dedicated as a Nederland Bulldog and as a soldier," Foust said. "Sometimes we take our freedoms for granted. It's sad when something like this happens, but it makes us come together and think. Just seeing the flags and the people come together, it's a feeling of sadness, but also of pride."
Cody Wade, a five-year friend of Maddox, said he was surprised when Maddox first told him he wanted to join the Army, but later Maddox told him he loved it and wanted to make a career out of it.
"He was just a real good person to have in your life," Wade said. "It kind of hit me by surprise when he told me he wanted to join the Army. I thought it was a really good thing for him."
Wade said he thought it was just a rumor at first when he heard about his friend's death on Facebook until he saw the news report that night on television.
"I was really beside myself," he said. "It hurt bad. I was at a friend's house, and we all three used to hang out (with Maddox). We all broke down."
Judge Terrence Holmes, Beaumont city magistrate, was at Jack Brooks Airport Friday and described the scene of the family watching their son's coffin being unloaded from the plane that brought him from New England to Nederland.
"It was very emotional to see the family break down when they saw the coffin for the first time," he said. "The last time they saw their son he was alive. It was emotional for the family and the onlookers. He made the ultimate sacrifice." The least we can do is support someone who has laid down their life so we can enjoy our freedom."
Prince asked the community to continue to show their support for the family in their time of grieving.
"They are a beautiful family," Prince said. "They need prayer more than anything else. We can't bring their son back, but we can pray for them."
Maddox, who was up for promotion to the rank of sergeant before his death, was promoted posthumously, according to Julie Cupernall, public affairs officer at Fort Drum, N.Y. He was laid to rest in Houston National Cemetery on Saturday, Aug. 3.
— Clay Thorp contributed to this article.


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Rock rain enhanced is an asteroid dodging space arcade game. Survive as long as you can as the asteroids come flying in at you while trying to get as many power ups as you can. Supports local co-op, keyboard and joystick play.
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|View Poll Results: Pick ONE favourite Heroine, and ONE favourite Story Arc (rank the rest in your post)
|Heroine: Haruka
|Heroine: Kaoru
|Heroine: Sae
|Heroine: Ai
|Heroine: Rihoko
|Heroine: Tsukasa
|Story Arc: Haruka
|Story Arc: Kaoru
|Story Arc: Sae
|Story Arc: Ai
|Story Arc: Rihoko
|Story Arc: Tsukasa
|Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 216. You may not vote on this poll
|Thread Tools
|2011-01-18, 01:11
|Link #61
anthem core
I know Sae's personality is completely cut-and-paste from her archetype but I still love her. That says something about the power of a good dating sim I suppose--if the story is well written, you'll naturally gravitate toward the character who most appeals to you rather than the ones who are most interesting or unique.
Having said that, Tsukasa's arc was flat-out epic. Spectacular finale to the series, especially since I didn't like Rihoko and Ai as much as Haruka and Sexhair.
|2011-02-09, 20:16
|Link #63
Ha ha ha ha ha...
Graphic Designer
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Right behind you.
Age: 30
Heroine: Kaoru
- Kaoru is definitely my type. She's almost brutally cheerful, and a very free spirit. Though I think Haruka and Junichi make quite the awesome couple as well... their epilogue was hilarious. I'm just disappointed that Kaoru and Junichi didn't get an equally awesome epilogue, since I thought their relationship seemed the most natural (i.e. not forced by plot-kai), and seemed to be simply deeper because they were good friends FIRST.
- I didn't like Sae's awful timidity, or Rihoko's ditziness. Rihoko was kinda cute when it came to her weakness to food, but Sae was just painfully shy for most of her arc. Annoyed the crap outta me that Junichi had to coax her like a tiny pet in order for her to do ANYTHING social.
Story Arc: Tsukasa
- I was totally not expecting that Tsukasa would have what's almost like a split personality (rather more like a public face and a private one, but to the extreme). That being said, I couldn't help laughing my ass off at how afraid Junichi was of Tsukasa. It was just too funny. Talk about a dominatrix.
- Least favorite arc was obviously Rihoko's. Their relationship, when you really get down to it, never actually gets to the point of even so much as a confession, much less dating, much less a close relationship. I was really, REALLY disappointed that Rihoko never worked up the courage to confess to Junichi during the arc. I mean, even Sae and Junichi at least got together in the end.
|2011-03-27, 03:53
|Link #66
We live to make tomorrow
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Outer space
1. Haruka Morishima
2. Kaoru Tanamachi
3. Rihoko Sakurai
4. Ai Nanasaki
5. Tsukasa Ayatsuji
6. Sae Nakata
1. Haruka route
2. Kaoru route
3. Tsukasa route
4. Ai route
5. Rihoko/Sae route
Last edited by CrimsonSunshine; 2011-03-27 at 04:16.
|2011-04-29, 02:49
|Link #69
Nishikino Maki (* ̄▽ ̄*)
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: I shall reveal it to you.
Heroine Rankings:
Arc Rankings:
After a lot of soul searching, I eventually decided to pick Kaoru over Tsukasa by just a small margin. The reason? I like her style, she definitely has the personality of a girl that you wouldn't mind bumping into one day at a mall or a coffee shop. However, story wise, you can't beat Tsukasa's arc. It's so good...in so many levels...
|2011-05-08, 09:51
|Link #70
❤Ichigo 100%❤
Join Date: Jan 2011
1. Tsukasa (most intriguing character)
2. Ai (enjoy her teasing, playful, responsible nature)
3. Kaoru (playful)
4. Haruka (unstable relationship)
5. Rihoko (simple)
6. Sae (boring)
1. Tsukasa (hook on the ending, but unrealistic on her personality problems)
2. Kaoru (the most realism out of the girls)
3. Ai (the chemistry and the teasing was fun to watch)
4. Haruka (irradiating late on)
5. Rihoko (average ending)
6. Sae (little physical for love story..)
|2011-07-26, 19:02
|Link #73
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Just finished Amagami SS in 720p :3
Girl rankings:
1. Haruka Morishima - Most refreshing, playful, and exciting~ with a lovely childish personality and a certain spark.
2. Kaoru Tanamachi - Excellent dere side, very spirited and realistic, girl bro, SEXHAIR.
3. Tsukasa Ayatsuji - Secret bitch persona makes her the most dramatic girl.
4. Rihoko Sakurai - Simple airhead with an obsession of food is adorable in some ways.
5. Ai Nanasaki - Sweet and sensitive, but doesn't grab my attention.
6. Sae Nakata - Kind of annoying and boring, too much of a woobie.
Arc rankings:
1. Haruka - Quite unusual, but definitely the most entertaining arc. Haruka's confession scene in episode 4 is one of the best moments in the series. Her fun ideas and kinkiness spice up situations ~ she certainly brought out Junichi's liveliness. Also, the ending was epic win. *HIBIKI, RUN FOR IT!...* I wonder how their child looks like ^^
2. Tsuaksa - Well thought out script, but with unanswered questions such as what was in her notebook and the reason for hating her sister ~ although the ending was the most emotional out of all the arcs. He seems to be the most compatible for her, since most guys wouldn't want to marry a girl with a split personality.
3. Kaoru - The ending could have been executed better, wished there was a 10 years after epilogue. However the chemistry between the two and their growth for each other is pretty much flawless.
4. Sae - The funny narrator addition was very nice, but Sae herself is bleh. The instructor/student bond was way overused.
5. Ai - Her arc was a bit forgetful, but the onsen scene was ;D. The swimming aspect of the plot was a huge turnoff.
6. Rihoko - Her arc ranks the lowest since she got sadly friendzoned with a bittersweet open-ended epilogue. However, the rest of the arc was pretty interesting since it was the only one which followed the main girl perspective's and not Junichi's.
Overall Amagami SS deserves applause for such wonderfully realistic character designs, since the hairstyles and natural haircolors (with the exception of Sae) are what would be typically be found in a Japanese high school. The character designs are also really clean, and the color palette is vibrant.The general characterization was enjoyable throughout all of the arcs. 10/10
Last edited by whoahyuu; 2011-07-26 at 20:11.
|2011-09-19, 12:45
|Link #74
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Sorry for being late to the party, but I just finished watching this.
Favorite Arc.
1) Tsukasa
2) Haruka
--These two stand far above the rest as far as I'm conceded, with Tsukasa rather far above Haruka even. I still enjoyed the other 4, but just not as much as these two.
3) Kaoru
4) Rihoko (I liked every episode, so the unfortunately conclusion didn't bother me.)
5) Sae
6) Ai (I actually think her first ep was great, but it just went down the crapper after that.)
Favorite Girl.
1) Haruka (4life)
2) Tsukasa
3) Ai
4) Kaoru
5) Rihoko
6) Sae
|2012-01-04, 04:02
|Link #75
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
1. Tsukasa- I was just drawn to her even before her arc, and I fell in love with her even more after learning about her split personality. (Yandere FTW? ) Being the last arc too, you could tell they were trying to save the best for last!
2. Kaoru-Just a great friendly personality, her looks didn't completely appeal to me, but she grew on me with her actions.
3. Ai- Very playful, good character, just liked Tsukasa and Kaoru more.
4. Sae-Very cute, I agree she's too shy though.
5. Haruka- I found her attractive, but her personality could be annoying at times.
6. Rihoko- Her personality had potential, but I think the arc helped in killing this too.
1. Tsukasa- AMAZING plot that just made me love her as a character even more None of the other arcs can really compare since I never lost interest in her arc.
2. Kaoru-I agree it was simple, but I found that appealing since he helped her in a more realistic way.
3. Sae- Wasn't the best arc, but there wasn't really anything terrible about it.
4. Haruka- The ending was nice, but the knee scene was a bit too weird for me.
5. Ai- Beginning+Ending was great, but the amusement park scene was completely random. And when 1 out of only 4 episodes seems like a filler, there's trouble.
6. Rihoko- Friendzone. In a romance anime. Where every other character had a confession. More explanation is unnecessary.
This is really late, but I just decided to watch it and I wasn't disappointed whatsoever (9.5/10 at least). The girls overall are some of my favorite anime girls, and I luckily watched this show right before the second season comes out! The only sucky part will be seeing only 1 episode a week D: But with how the trailer looked, can't wait for more Tsukasa~
|2012-01-28, 02:02
|Link #76
the cynic
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Somewhere between life and death.
Age: 37
Yupe, I'm another latecomer.
Wow, hard choice here.
I picked Tsukasa, but Kaoru (she is so much fun and a very nice girl to boot) and Ai (she is sweet and just plain cute) are awesome too.
Quite a few people here feel that Tsukasa has a split personality (is yandere), but I don't think that's accurate.
It's really more of a "deliberate facade".
She know exactly what's she is doing and is actually acutely aware of the "unfriendliness" of her less-than-completely-altruistic [1] and calculating real personality [2], hence wondered why Junichi still hangs around her even after knowing what she is really like.
Her facade is just a way of "compensating", so she doesn't have to "bother" anyone with her real personality - it's also kind of a "political necessity" in order for her to do her job.
[1]Nothing wrong really. It's not as if she is hurting anyone.
[2]Hey, we are what we are.
Of all the arcs I have watched (everyone except Sae and Rihoko [3]), definitely Tsukasa's. It was played completely straight, with minimal fetish/oddball fanservice moments and was in general really well done.
[3] Sad to say, I found Sae kind of annoying. Never found Rihoko that interesting ...
PS: I know I said I would be avoiding these forums, but I found this series to be just so very intriguing.
|2012-02-06, 21:38
|Link #77
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Brisbane
Love Haruka, mostly because of her queer personality and her hair lol (fetishist much), but Tsukasas yandere tendencies put her at a close second for me
Both their respective arcs are the most interesting also... tough decision lol.
|2012-09-23, 03:30
|Link #78
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Mobile, Alabama
Haruka is the best. Her route is easily the most romantic, most loving, and she treats him the best. I like most of the girls so it's really hard to pick a favorite. They all have their charms of their own. I mean, Sae is super cute, she certainly wins in the cuteness department. Kaoru would be the winner if you just wanted a buddy to hang with and have fun. Tsukasa is pretty and elegant but she can be a little mean as well. I like Ai as well since she seems to have a preverted side. The only arc I didn't like was Rihoko. Yeah, she's cute in her own way, but in the 1st series, nothing happened at all. She was the only one not to become his girlfriend.
Amagami is a good game and a good franchise overall. The anime actually has a healthy amount of real romance unlike so many others, but yet it still stays clean so anyone of any age can watch it. There is also good closure at the end of each arc/route.
|2012-12-24, 22:19
|Link #79
Sekiroad Idols Sing Twice
My favorite character is Tsukasa. Sharp-tongue, commanding, and cunning. What isn't to like? She was full of surprises and there was no way to know what she was like before her arc. The other characters were easy to read and the only other side they showed during their respective arcs was the obligatory "loving" side. The closest thing to another "side" from the other heroines was Sae and it comes down to her having the confidence to be at a contest or not which probably signifies the character development she went through in her arc. That brings me to my next point.
Sae is my second-favorite character but has my favorite story arc. She had the advantage of time with her arc starting a few in-universe seasons before most of the other arcs began and we saw the gradual change in her confidence and character to make her believable. Ironically, her arc showed the events of multiple in-universe seasons better than the other arcs which focused on one in-universe season.
But make no mistake that Tsukasa is my favorite character. She shows the most personality; Sae shows the most/best development and we owe that to the direction of her arc.
PS: When Sae wore Gothic black lace, I nearly died.
|Thread Tools


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Rocket to launch from US to study galaxy creation
A rocket set to launch from Virginia's Wallops Island Flight Facility will study how the first galaxy was formed.
NASA says the Black Brant XII suborbital rocket carrying the Cosmic Infrared Background ExpeRiment is scheduled to be launched Tuesday night.
It will study when the first stars and galaxies formed in the universe and how brightly they burned their nuclear fuel.
The launch will be on a larger and more powerful rocket than previous flights. That should allow it to reach a higher altitude so it can provide for longer observation time for the instruments.
The rocket may be visible to residents in the mid-Atlantic region.
The experiment will splash down in the Atlantic Ocean more than 400 miles (640 kilometers) off the Virginia coast. It won't be recovered.
© 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.


text:
Nikon D800 Digital SLR Camera
This DSLR sports the traditional optical low pass filter, which prevents the instance of moire patterns from showing up in your images of tight-patterned objects, such as fabrics, making this DSLR suitable for fashion and product shoots. Some shooters find benefit in the crispness that can be achieved when these anti-aliasing properties are removed from the camera and for that you can rent either the Nikon D800E or the Nikon D810, both of which do not have optical low pass filters.
Take advantage of Nikon's native Creative Lighting System by firing off-camera flashes, such as the Nikon SB-910 Speedlight , with your built-in flash and control external flash power directly from the camera's menu. The D800's Live View function is useful when shooting in a studio setting, especially when access to an external monitor is not available. The screen is 3.2" larger with 170º viewing angle along with 100% frame coverage. This camera is ideal for studio shooting, lifestyle shooting, portraits, commercial work, landscape, time lapse, and videography.


text:
$365.00 $182.50
In Stock | STYLE: 001-700-00592
Ships Today (if ordered by 3:00 pm EST)
11D2 Black & White Petite Sassy Pearl & Lace Purse By Debbie Brooks*Prices are subject to change based on fluctuations in metal prices and currencies
A refreshing antidote to wardrobe boredom, Debbie Brooks' sassy, eye catching, and sophisticated handbags will make you the star of every event. Vibrant color palette with expansive pattern choices and unique designs to compliment any outfit and personality. Individually crafted with artisan acrylics and adorned with Swarovski crystals and semi-precious stones. With that added to touch of whimsy to keep you grinning, and your friends irresistibly asking you: "Where did you get that bag?"


text:
Download (Sims3pack)
Original mesh by NewSea, conversion and retexture by me.
Both gender
Cas Thumbnail included
Texture by Shock&Shame
Texture by Shock&Shame
Model: Daniel Harris
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An easy, wear with everything pant, to take baby from spring into summer. The weekend pant features back flap pockets, a drawstring waist, and length adjusting side buttons that make them incredibly practical. Breathable in soft 100% eco friendly pima cotton. Available in dove grey, or sky blue. Sizes 3 to 12 months. Was $60, now $45
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UTAH vs. CLIPPERS
Tip-off: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Staples Center
TV/radio: Prime Ticket/KFWB 980, KWKW 1330
Update: Their "nine-game road trip" over, the Clippers had one day off before facing a stretch of six of their next seven games at home, including a five-game homestand that begins on Wednesday with a visit from the Miami Heat. The Clippers play at Denver on Monday. … The Clippers ran out of gas in Thursday's 19-point loss at Golden State. They were within eight points at halftime, then made only 1 of 15 shots and scored a season-low 11 points in the third quarter. … The Clippers, at 33-16, still hold the No. 4 spot in the Western Conference standings. … Utah entered Friday's home game against Golden State with a 16-29 record, but it was 15-15 since a 1-14 start. The Clippers scored a 98-90 home win over Utah on Dec. 28 after trailing at halftime. "It won't be easy, but we'll get home, get some rest, regroup and get back on our horse," Clippers reserve guard Jamal Crawford said.


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Customer rank: +1
1052 pages. No page numbers on printed issues, page numbers refer to the page in the file.
If you find anything wrong with this product listing, perhaps the description is wrong, the author is incorrect, or it is listed in the wrong category, then please contact us. We will promptly address your feedback.


text:
Commission Opinion [COM(97) 2003 final - Not published in the Official Journal]Commission Report [COM(98) 702 final - Not published in the Official Journal]Commission Report [COM(1999) 510 final - Not published in the Official Journal]Commission Report [COM(2000) 710 final - Not published in the Official Journal]Commission Report [COM(2003) 675 final - SEC(2003) 1211 final - Not published in the Official Journal]Commission Report [COM(2004) 657 final - SEC(2003) 1200 final - Not published in the Official Journal]Commission Report [COM(2005) 534 final - SEC(2005) 1354 final - Not published in the Official Journal] Treaty of Accession to the European Union [Official Journal L 157 of 21.06.05]
In its Opinion of July 1997, the Commission noted that Romania would have to make real progress in the coming years in all areas of social policy, especially in health and safety at work and public health, labour market and employment policies. It also ascertained that much remained to be done to approximate laws, strengthen the public administration and put in place effective enforcement structures before Romania would be able to take on the obligations of membership.
Since the November 1998 report the Commission has ascertained in its annual reports that the general pace of reform remains sluggish and that only modest progress has been made.
In its 2003 report the Commission noted that, generally speaking, Romania satisfied the requirements resulting from the accession negotiations in the field of social affairs and employment. Negotiations on this chapter had been provisionally closed.
The October 2004 report states that the negotiations on this chapter have been provisionally closed and that Romania has not requested any transitional arrangements. In general, this country is complying with the undertakings given and meets the requirements arising from the accession negotiations in the area of employment and social policy. In order to complete its preparations for accession, Romania must now focus on completing the alignment of legislation in the area of employment law, raising public awareness of equal opportunities issues, promoting the social dialogue and improving the health of the population.
The 2005 Report notes that Bulgaria is generally meeting the commitments and requirements arising from the accession negotiations in the fields of equal treatment of women and men, health and safety at work, employment policy, social protection and anti-discrimination.
The Treaty of Accession was signed on 25 April 2005 and accession took place on 1 January 2007.
In the field of social affairs, apart from the various specific action programmes, such as those in the area of public health, and the European Social Fund, EU legislation covers health and safety at work, labour law and working conditions, equal opportunities for men and women, coordination of social security schemes for migrant workers, and tobacco products.
In all these areas, the EU's social legislation lays down minimum requirements, accompanied by safeguard clauses for the most advanced Member States.
In addition, the consultation of the social partners and the social dialogue at European level are enshrined in Articles 138 and 139 of the Treaty establishing the European Community.
Romania's progress on employment policy reform has been relatively slow.
The official unemployment rate was approximately 8% at the beginning of 2000, but hidden unemployment is widespread. Besides, Romania has serious long-term unemployment problems and there are considerable differences between regions. The 2003 Report refers to the same problems and notes that unemployment rose to 8.4% in 2002. The report calls on Romania to make more training available to the unemployed to make them more employable. The 2004 Report notes that the unemployment rate was 6.6% in 2003, which was lower than in 2002.
In October 2002 Romania and the Commission signed a joint paper evaluating employment policy priorities. The first national action plan for employment was adopted in 2002 and covers the period from August 2002 to December 2003.
The second national action plan for employment was adopted at the beginning of 2004 for the period 2004-2005 and a national employment strategy for the period 2004-2006 in August 2004. The 2005 Report stipulates that further efforts must be made to assist the integration into the labour market of ethnic minority groups, especially the Roma, and to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of Romania's public employment services.
Although progress was made on health and safety at work in 1997, 1998 and 1999, notably as regards the number of directives transposed, much remains to be done. The 2002 Report found that no major progress had been achieved in the period covered.
The 2003 Report records marked progress as seen in the revision of the general labour protection standards in December 2002 to transpose the 20 health and safety Directives. Administrative labour inspection capacity has also been developed and in 2002 a national training programme for labour inspectors was introduced, and continued in 2003. The 2004 Report highlighted increased cooperation between the various ministries responsible and the continuation of awareness-raising campaigns and training of labour inspectors. However, despite these positive developments, alignment of legislation needs to be completed in the area of minimum health and safety requirements on temporary or mobile construction sites and in relation to the most recent EU legislation on asbestos and physical agents (vibrations, noise and electromagnetic fields). The 2005 Report notes that the recent acquis on risks related to exposure of workers to vibration, noise and asbestos has yet to be transposed.
The 2000 Report noted that the basic equal opportunities legislation was now in place. However, it also pointed out that this legislation still needed to be aligned with the specific directives on access to employment, the burden of proof, and the health and safety of pregnant workers. In 2002 there was progress with implementation of the national equal opportunities plan, with the establishment of a national programme for training Ministry of Labour staff in the central and regional departments on regulations relating to equality between the sexes. The Directive on the burden of proof was also transposed in 2002. In 2004 legislation was adopted to transpose the acquis on protection of pregnant women in the workplace, and at the end of 2003 a significant amendment to the law on preventing and combating domestic violence was adopted. Implementation of the national action plan on equal opportunities was continued and awareness campaigns were carried out in this field. This type of action needs to be continued. The 2005 Report notes that most of the acquis in the area of equal treatment of women and men has been transposed but that adjustments are still needed in the field of occupational pensions. Romania must guarantee the proper functioning, sustainability and independence of its National Agency for Equal Opportunities.
In the field of public health, the new social security and sickness insurance system entered into force on 1 April 1999.
There was some progress in 2002. A law on preventive measures against HIV/AIDS was adopted in November 2002. Other legislation encouraging reform of the health sector was also adopted during this period. However it has only been partly implemented and implementing measures still need to be developed. In 2004 a national action plan was adopted in order to consolidate the national system for the surveillance of communicable diseases, and a national public health strategy was drawn up. Moreover, with regard to prevention of tobacco consumption, the acquis on tobacco was transposed into Romanian law in June 2004.
The 2005 Report reiterates that the acquis in the area of human blood, tissues and cells has yet to be transposed and that combating trade in human egg cells requires particular attention. In addition, Romania still needs to develop a system for the surveillance of communicable diseases that is compatible with the European system. Access to health care, including preventive services, should be ensured for all citizens in order to improve the health status of the population. The persistent problem of ill-treatment in psychiatric hospitals needs to be addressed immediately.
Social dialogue was launched at national level in 1997 with the adoption of an act regulating the Economic and Social Council. Partnership structures have also been put in place at regional and local levels. The role of the social partners has been reinforced through the adoption of certain statutory initiatives. Despite this progress, tripartite agreements and arrangements predominate, reflecting custom and the weakness of employers' independent organisations.
In February 2003 a new law was adopted establishing a framework for the creation, organisation and functioning of trade unions. A collective agreement was concluded for one year (2003) between the employers' federation and the federation of trade unions. The role of the Economic and Social Council as a consultative body was also reinforced and its mandate was extended by the law adopted in March 2003. The revised text of the Constitution adopted in October 2003 consolidates further the role of the tripartite Economic and Social Council as a consultative body.
Measures have been taken to promote bipartite social dialogue and strengthen the role of the social partners, but further efforts are still needed to consolidate collective bipartite autonomous negotiations in enterprises and at sectoral and regional level.
The 2005 Report notes that, in general, efforts must be maintained to promote both tripartite and autonomous bipartite social dialogue, particularly at branch and industry level, and to improve the social partners' capacity to implement the acquis, in particular from the employers' side
In the field of labour law, a law on labour conflicts was adopted in 2000. However, while the new Labour Code had still to be adopted, no progress was made in 2001 and 2002. Major progress was made in the field of labour law when the Code entered into force in March 2003. However, a large part of the acquis has yet to be implemented by the adoption of implementing provisions, and adjustments are still needed to ensure compliance with the directives on collective redundancies, protection of young people at work and transfers of undertakings. The 2004 Report notes some progress, for example in the area of transfers of undertakings and raising awareness of the new Labour Code. The Labour Code was modified in June 2005 and new legislation, in particular in the field of European Works Councils, was adopted. Transposition needs to be further completed, in particular in areas not yet covered by the Labour Code (such as employer insolvency, posting of workers and the sectoral working time). The 2005 Report also notes that recent acquis (namely the Directives supplementing the statutes of the European Company and the European Cooperative Society as well as the Information and Consultation Directive) is still to be transposed. Efforts to improve the administrative capacity of the Labour Inspectorate need to be maintained.
To promote social inclusion, local committees to combat poverty have been set up in 41 districts and in Bucharest, and most of the districts have drawn up plans for combating poverty. The Commission and Romania have initiated collaboration to prepare for Romania's participation in the Community's social inclusion process upon Romania's accession. They are working on a joint definition of the challenges posed by social exclusion and policy measures to address those challenges.
The 2004 Report notes that, with regard to the promotion of social inclusion, progress has been made in identifying the challenges to be met, namely children leaving a public institution, young people without employment, farming families, the retired, the homeless and the Roma population. Poverty levels remain high but are slightly lower than in previous years. The Joint Memorandum on Social Inclusion, which sets out the main challenges and appropriate policy responses with a view to promoting social integration, has been finalised. An integrated strategy and a national action plan on social integration will need to be drawn up on the basis of this Memorandum. The priority objectives of this strategy and plan should be to take the population of working age out of the subsistence economy, reduce the grey economy, increase school attendance rates and tackle discrimination against vulnerable groups such as the Roma community and persons with disabilities. The 2005 Report notes that sustained efforts must be made, particularly in terms of strengthening the administrative capacity of the Ministry of Labour, in order to guarantee its full implementation.
Although the anti-discrimination legislation in force represents a major step forward, adjustments are still called for. The national anti-discrimination Council started up work in the last quarter of 2002 and has handled over 450 cases since its establishment. There is room for improvement in its capacity.
The 2004 Report explains that anti-discrimination legislation has been amended to include definitions of indirect discrimination, multiple discrimination and victimisation and to improve victim assistance. The 2005 Report notes that legislative alignment is still to be completed, especially as regards the shift of the burden of proof. The overall administrative capacity of the National Council for Combating Discrimination also needs to be improved. Despite promising efforts, the situation of the Roma minority still requires fundamental improvements.
Following a government decision on social protection in February 2003, specialised structures were created at district and local council level to handle social assistance for family protection and childhood, persons living alone, the elderly, the handicapped and other people in need. The satisfactory operation of these structures will depend on the budget allocated and the provision of qualified staff. In 2004, a considerable volume of legislation was adopted, particularly with regard to organising the social welfare system. The social programme was also adopted for 2003-2004. It consolidates the government's social policy and encourages social solidarity. Since 2000, public social expenditure, including education and housing, has increased.
The 2005 Report notes that sufficient funding needs to be ensured for the implementation of the decentralisation process. Access to social assistance needs to be improved, in particular for the Roma minority, and there is still a major challenge to be overcome in the area of pensions, where ways need to be found to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the Romanian pension system.
As pointed out in the July 1997 Opinion and recalled in the November 2000 report, Romania must redouble its efforts to improve the standard of administration, in particular for enforcement of the law in most social policy sectors, such as health and safety at work, public health, the labour market and measures to promote employment. Such efforts were still called for in 2003, although progress had been made. Similarly, the 2004 and 2005 reports highlight the fact that an ongoing effort is needed in order to strengthen administrative capacity in relation to European Social Fund management and operations.
Last updated: 04.01.2006


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Cuddle Duvet Cover - Dimple Latte
SensaCalm Duvet Covers:
- Change the look of your SensaCalm weighted blanket.
- Protect your weighted blanket from wear and tear.
- Lock your weighted blanket in place using snaps.
- Keep you from having to wash your weighted blanket as often.
- Make your weighted blanket extra soft with our cuddle fabric!
You're gonna love your weighted blanket even more with SensaCalm's Custom Cuddle Duvet Covers. Note that your SensaCalm Weighted Blanket will need snaps in order to use a Duvet Cover properly.
Weighted Blankets are not safe for anyone under 1 year of age, or anyone that cannot remove the blanket without assistance. Never use a weighted blanked as a restraint or punishment.
For Orders Over $100 in the Contiguous United States. Order total must exceed $100 after discounts to qualify.


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Menu ☰
Contact & Hours
Work Credit
Special Orders
The 'Banzo
Online Pre-Order
Growers Market
is an all volunteer weekly food-buying club in Eugene, Oregon.
"The food buying club's primary purpose shall be to assist the community in obtaining adequate nutrition through educational information and by making healthful foods available at low cost, especially to the poor and elderly, to whom high quality nutrition might not otherwise be available."
Members may reserve perishables anytime before 6:00pm Tuesdays by:
filling out the
Online Pre-Order Form
dropping off a paper equivalent of this form at the market
calling the market between 5:30pm and 6:00pm Tuesday
Contact & Hours
454 Willamette St.
Eugene, OR 97401
(next to the train station)
Normal Hours:
Tuesday 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Thursday 2:30pm - 7:30pm
Friday 12pm(noon) - 7pm
New Member Orientation:
Tuesday at 6:00pm
Thursday at 1:30pm
Friday at 4:30pm
About Growers Market
We are a not-for-profit food-buying club for buying organic and natural foods. The Market is run entirely by volunteers with a consensus-based democratic process. Our purposes are to provide quality food at exellent price, support sustainable agriculture, and promote social change within our community and beyond. The top floor of our building is made up of offices rented to non-profit social change groups. The Board of Directors of the Growers Market (which includes representatives of both the food buying club and the upstairs tenants) meets once a month, and these meetings are open to anyone who wants to attend.
We require no membership fee. To become a member you will need to attend one of our orientations. Members are encouraged to volunteer for each week's shopping. You will have a card to keep track of your volunteer time. For each half hour you will receive one pumpkin stamped on your card. You can work a few hours at once and gather pumpkins to use at your leisure, or simply do one half hour each week. When you use a pumpkin for your shopping, approximately 15% will be deducted from your bill at check-out.
Work Credit
As you can imagine, there are many types of work necessary to make Growers run. We tally orders from members, recieve food from both local and out-of-town distributors, price and stock all the food, staff the market, maintain records, produce a weekly newsletter (the Garbanzo Gazette), upgrade our space and structures, clean, and organize.
Good Hours to Earn Pumpkins
Thursday 10:30am - 8:30pm
Friday 10am - 7pm
Tuesday 5pm - 7:30pm
(These hours may not be exact)
Tasks are oriented towards preparing the market for opening, staffing during shopping hours, and closing up. If you are looking for a job to earn a pumpkin or two, please be aware that since Growers is run entirely by volunteers, there is no "boss" dictating what needs to be done and when. What this means in terms of work credit is this: if you see something that needs to be done...DO IT!!
For example, building a shelf, upgrading an order form, reorganizing a messy shelf, or devising a new accounting system are all projects that Market members have initiated (many during non-Market hours). You are warmly and enthusiastically encouraged to use your skills and take initiative.
There are a small handful of members who oversee the regular operations of the Market on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. The coordinator on duty can assign you work and answer any questions that you can't figure out for yourself.
What does this word mean in Growers? It refers to a member who has committed to a particular job each week, usually requiring more than half an hour and/or specific training. Some examples of strawboss jobs include cashier, new member orientation, cheese cutting crew ;) , rag washer, bulk goods stoking, and Garbonzo Gazette Staff. Ask a coordinator or keep your eye on the Garbonzo Gazette if you are interested in a strawboss position.
We offer most products you would find at any health food store at much better prices. Food at the Market is designated as either extra or preorder. Preordered food is available only to those who ordered it, whereas extra food is available to everyone on a first-come-first-served basis. You may preorder produce and cheese each week to ensure that you get what you want. See the
online order form
or paper order form for pre-order options. We do our best at keeping an ample stock of all foods, but popular items can go quickly – so order ahead if you are worried about getting what you want.
When you come into shop, retrieve your form from the folder and take only what you ordered from the preorder section. Take from the extra selections if you want something you did not order. If you find yourself with the same preorder each week, you can turn it into a standing order. Be aware that we strive to provide produce in keeping with the seasons, thus, if you order peaches in January and acorn squash in June, you are likely to get neither.
Special Orders
Orders of bulk quantity items carried by our suppliers can be made through the Market. If you're looking for a large quantity (such as a case of oranges or 50 pounds of flour) of something we do or don't regularly stock, this is the route for you. Talk to a coordinator or see the order board at the rear of the Market for instructions.
Garbanzo Gazette
The 'Banzo is the weekly newsletter of the food buying club as well as the upstairs tenants. Look in the 'Banzo for Market Bussiness, announcements, garage sales, places to live, current political actions, and more! Board meetings, coordinator meetings, and available strawboss positions are advertised here.
Get the most recent Garbanzo Gazette here:
View the Garbanzo Gazette Archive here:
Send submissions to
. You can also put articles in the garbanzo box at Growers. Newsletter copy deadline is 5:00pm Wednesday.
For website related correspondence, please contact kevin at
Otherwise, please contact Growers Market directly during normal open hours.


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Our drum-sander support system solves both problems. The bearing support (with a live center) engages the matching center in the bottom of our specially drilled shafts. All you do is lock your quill so there is sufficient pressure on the bearing support to prevent it from sliding on the drill-press table. For drill presses that don't have locking quills, just raise your table to provide the same engagement.
To use the bearing support, a modified shaft is available to retrofit 1-1/2" or 2" long sanding drums (sizes in our #68Z01.01 and #68Z02.01 sanding kits).
A screw-in fitting is also available to adapt our large 3" x 3" sanding drum (product #68Z21.01).
Bearing support and adapter made in Canada, shaft made in the USA.


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Give your creative projects a striking pattern with the Mojave embossing border! This 12" border features a mesmerizing design that is the perfect size for embellishing your scrapbook layouts, home décor, and other creative projects. The border is great as a background texture or as a focal piece. Use the latest Cricut Cuttlebug™ embos.....
Click here to read product details
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© 2012 Provo Craft & Novelty, Inc. All rights reserved. CRICUT ® is a registered trademark of Provo Craft & Novelty, Inc.


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Rancho Santa Fe resident Julien Hug, a former contestant on "The Bachelorette" reality show who was found dead in Riverside County, Calif., earlier this week, committed suicide, his family told multiple news outlets on Friday.
"He left a letter for me, his mom, co-workers, his girlfriend at the time," Hug's father, Bertrand Hug, told Us Weekly. "He wanted us to know it was his only way out."
Julien was "depressed and struggling," his father added.
Riverside County sheriff's deputies reported earlier this week that Hug's body was found in a remote area off state Route 74 in the Pinyon Pines area around 11 a.m. Wednesday.
The 35-year-old was on his way to help manage his family's newest restaurant, Augusta Modern, in Palm Desert when his cell phone died, said Audrey Doherty, a family publicist. No one heard from him since, she said.
"They're just heartbroken about it, but they're hoping to mourn privately," Doherty said of Hug's family. "It's pretty devastating."
The Palm Desert restaurant had a soft opening a few weeks ago and Hug commuted from his home in San Diego, Doherty said.
Hug was the son of prominent San Diego restaurateurs Bertrand and Denise Hug, who own the upscale Mille Fleurs and Bertrand at Mister-A's. He can be seen in a YouTube video promoting the family business.
He was also a contestant on the reality show "The Bachelorette" in 2009. In the opening sequence for the season, Hug talked about his love for skydiving and was filmed driving a red sports car.


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Please note that this website has a UK government accesskeys system.
To find NHS services in England and get information on medical conditions and lifestyle advice, go to the NHS Choices website.
There you can find information on more than 850 medical conditions and treatments.
To find information on NHS Choices, enter a search term and click on the search button or follow the link below.
Information for young people on how to stay healthy, eating disorders, bullying and coping with divorce
Caring for someone can be rewarding but also difficult. Find out about money issues and taking a break
Find out about vaccinations for travel abroad and European Health Insurance Cards
Information about how health conditions can affect your driving
If you live outside England follow the links below to find information about NHS services in your area.
From 17 October, GOV.UK will replace Directgov as the best place to find government services and information.
Add your comment on a hospital or GP surgery
Check symptoms and assess your own health using NHS Choices tools
Fact or fiction? Understand the science behind the health stories in the news


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EMS Today offers: networking with 4,600+ EMS professionals from around the world, countless hands-on experiences (both on-site and off-site), 240+ CEH opportunities and the most innovative products and services available to the industry displayed by over 250 exhibiting companies. EMS Today is produced by JEMS, the leader in EMS education for over 35 years. EMS Today is a unique - and stimulating - experience for EMS personnel worldwide, and it is supported and fed by the credibility, quality and excellence of JEMS.
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From the Opening Reception to the ZOLL Shockfest, EMS Today offers a wide range of on-site and off-site networking events during the conference.
EMS Today offers an abundance of hands-on learning experiences. Whether you register for an off-site or on-site hands-on workshop OR test drive new equipment and products in the Hands-On Experience Center, you'll be impressed with the quality of learning offered at EMS Today.


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A Hope College professor and student each received individual recognition for excellence during the recent induction and installation ceremony of the Kappa Epsilon Chapter-at-Large of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
The chapter recognized Donna Garrett, assistant professor of nursing, with its "Award for Excellence in Education" and senior nursing major Christine Springer of Ann Arbor as the college's recipient of an "Outstanding Student Performance Award."
The event was held on Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Prince Conference Center at Calvin College in Grand Rapids. The chapter includes the Calvin, Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University and Hope nursing programs.
Also during the ceremony, students from each of the four schools were inducted into the society. The students from Hope, all seniors, were: Tara Buhl of Holland; Sara DeWitt of Holland and previously Three Rivers; Julia Fulton of Mount Prospect Ill.; Lena Jaynes of Glen Ellyn, Ill.; Megan Johnson of Saline; Jessica Redding of Clinton Township; Nicole Rieth of Holland and previously Ada; Amanda Russ of Holland; Sarah Venlet of Zeeland; Danielle Vroom of Randolph, Wis.; and Rachel Wayner of Holland and previously Grant.
Garrett and Springer have been conducting collaborative faculty-student research together since this past summer, working on the project "Uncertainty in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease."
Garrett has been a member of the Hope faculty since 2006. Her areas of specialty are critical care nursing, cardiovascular nursing and acute care of the adult. Her research interests include cardiovascular nursing, heart failure, patient education and patient compliance.
Prior to joining the Hope faculty, she was a cardiovascular clinical nurse specialist with Spectrum Health from 1995 to 2006. Her previous career experience includes having been a nurse consultant with Baxter Healthcare Corporation, a critical care nurse specialist with Deaconess Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, and an instructor with Christ Hospital School of Nursing in Cincinnati. She has made multiple presentations on topics regarding cardiac health, and wrote entries for the books "Cancer Prevention, Detection, and Control: A Nursing Perspective" and "Davis's Manual of Diseases and Disorders." Her publications include most recently co-authoring the article "Recognizing and Responding to Symptoms of Acute Coronary Syndromes and Stroke in Women," in the "Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing" in 2011.
As a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, Garrett was treasurer of the association's West Michigan Chapter during 1997-98 and president of the Greater Cincinnati Chapter during 1993-94. She is also a past faculty counselor for the Kappa Epsilon Chapter-At-Large of Sigma Theta Tau.
Garrett holds both a B.S.N. and an M.S.N. from the University of Cincinnati, and is currently completing doctoral studies at Loyola University of Chicago.
Springer is serving as a teaching assistant for the department and is active in the Hope Student Nurses Association, serving as president during the current school year and as second vice president last year. She received the college's Bultman Summer Research Award in nursing to work with Garrett full-time during the most recent summer, and received the college's Freshman Pre-Nursing Award for the 2009-10 academic year. In addition, she has been named to the Dean's List throughout her time at Hope.
Her other activities at the college have included the Kappa Beta Phi (Dorian) sorority, the wind ensemble, the Nykerk Cup competition and Dance Marathon. She is a 2009 graduate of Huron High School, and the daughter of James and Carol Springer of Ann Arbor.
The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support the learning, knowledge, and professional development of nurses committed to making a difference in health worldwide. Founded in 1922, the honor society has more than 130,000 members in more than 85 countries. Members include practicing nurses, instructors, researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs and others. The honor society's 486 chapters are located at 661 institutions of higher education throughout Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, England, Ghana, Hong Kong, Japan, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico, The Netherlands, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Swaziland, Sweden, Taiwan, Tanzania, the United States and Wales.
The college joined the Kappa Epsilon Chapter-at-Large in 1996.