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There are several aspects of the buying and selling experience, but to truly transcend that step-by-step view, it's important to think of the entire process as a customer journey. Supporting and embracing the complete customer experience brings it all together. This is truly the pinnacle of the digital transformation. The buying, selling, and servicing experiences all together make up what we're calling the commerce ecosystem. This represents an end-to-end connection from the consumer to the middle office, back office and the supply chain.
Thinking about this entire process as a single ecosystem has a transformative impact. It helps you precisely define and deliver the goods and services your customers want. It allows you to deliver them in the manner in which customers want to receive them. It takes into account the processes and technologies involved and considers them as contributing toward that single customer journey. The end result is a frictionless customer experience, which conveys demonstrable benefits to your business. The experience is smoother and more positive for the customer, so they enjoy the experience and return and make that an ongoing part of their journey.
This commerce ecosystem will manifest itself differently in different markets. A retail commerce ecosystem will be different than a finance or travel ecosystem. The characteristics each commerce ecosystem will share is they will all connect the entire journey of what a customer is ultimately trying to accomplish. This will help businesses understand, attract and retain new customers. By connecting the entire transaction lifecycle as an ecosystem, it is no longer a linear set of events. It brings them all together and focuses on the complete customer journey.
The discrete goals of the buying, selling, and servicing cycles ultimately represent the full experience. It is critical to share and maintain that knowledge of the customer throughout each part of the journey. When a customer is buying something, that relies on a certain set of systems. If they need services, that would be another set of systems. Maintaining that comprehensive knowledge and view of the customer throughout the entire journey can help your business present to the customer what they may require or desire, and drive new opportunities for revenue and improved customer experience. With a commerce ecosystem, what was once a disconnected experience is now fully connected.
To enable a frictionless customer experience, the outcome of a digital transformation is to establish a commerce ecosystem with a focus on the value provided to the user. The first steps are to remove unnecessary processes and systems that do not align with user value. Then connect all those aspects that once were disconnected and remove as much friction as possible including automating tasks so the user does not need to work so hard. From there, stay focused on the customer wants, needs and intent and only build up systems and processes that support the customer journey and ensure it remains frictionless. This invariably leads to cheaper and faster ways to develop and deliver new products and services.
By connecting and focusing on the customer journey first, you can experience reduced costs, simplified processes, more personalized transactions, a better view into the customer, and new opportunities for profit centers. Those are some strong returns on your investments.
Here is one example. Think of the differences between traditional taxi service and Uber rides. Uber has redefined the transportation experience by leveraging real-time data, creating easy instant access, and providing seamless payment processes. Uber has not only redefined and disrupted an age-old industry; it is prepared and able to launch into expanded ventures like Uber Eats. This is something traditional taxi companies are simply not prepared to accomplish. Uber maintains that customer knowledge and familiarity with customer experiences and preferences. It can then be ready to expand its revenue opportunities into other ventures like food delivery.
Also, from our experience we have seen that companies eliminate 30 percent of unnecessary overhead and significantly cut back on the number of screens they need to build by using the customer journey as the blueprint.
When thinking about the customer journey, consider the systems, processes, and employees that are all part of making it work. They should be all be taken into account when striving to build a better experience for the customer and anyone who supports the customer. Taken all together, it becomes one single ecosystem—the commerce ecosystem.


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Yesterday I practically jumped out of my chair when I heard the creak of metal the mailbox makes when the postman comes round. I'm waiting on that one. last. W2 and yesterday was the first day you can file taxes and let me tell you I am on pins and needles. PINS AND NEEDLES – GAAAAH!
The sooner I file the sooner we get the refund and the sooner I can pay off the car and have that albatross off my neck. I can have that mistake in my rearview. I can have that money to put toward debt and finally kick this whole being poor thing in the ass. (Not being poor won't happen overnight but this is it, my friends, this is the tipping point where it's going to get so much EASIER and It's going to feel like the things we do MATTER and it will finally stop feeling like peeing in the ocean! I mean, not that I've ever peed in the ocean. Who does that? Weird, right.
Moving on.
There was not a W2 in the mail, but there was a check for $92 from our former dentist. We went there right about six months ago (I'm a fanatic about getting my kids into the dentist twice a year like clockwork) and since we've moved it's a 34 mile drive that costs $12 in tolls to get to the dentist but I kept going because the whole setup was cool and kid-friendly and my kids love the dentist and that's worth a lot of time and effort in my book. But the last time we went they charged me for fluoride on all three kids and it came out to $92. They knew it was only covered by insurance once a year and we've been going there YEARS and this is the first time they did it and when I told the woman behind the desk she was so mean and was all, "Oh, well, you have to pay." I was all, "You do this and we won't be back." She was all, "I'm sorry you feel that way." (Said in that way that is clear she is saying don't let the door hit you where the good Lord split you, not in a really sorry way at all.) So I left and searched high and low and found a local dentist who has the same kid-friendly philosophy and wrote them off mentally. I got a reminder phone call and explained why I wouldn't be coming back and like mana from heaven I got a refund check for the fluoride.
Part of me wishes they just hadn't charged me in the first place. Scratch that. I really wish they had asked me about the fluoride so I could refuse the treatment since it was in my file what the coverages were for my kids and it hasn't changed. I really wasn't trying to get anything for free. It's not even the money, really, it was that awful woman's attitude toward me when it was HER mistake she was covering up.
Oh well. Now I don't have to spend four hours getting three kids' teeth cleaned and find parking downtown in Chicago for the privilege.
I'm not sure why I felt guilty when I opened the mail and the check was there. I wanted to pick up the phone and say I was sorry but for the life of me I don't know why. I didn't yell or cuss at anyone during this whole process on any of the phone calls. Why would I feel bad or guilty or icky because they made things right?
It doesn't make sense.
I deposited the check and for now it's in my "Buffer" category in my budget because I don't know exactly what I should do with it. I could pay off the Target credit card (I bought the three girls comforters on sale because the ones they had before literally fell apart during the move and our afghans weren't enough when it turned really, really cold. I had them in bed with me until the comforters came in the mail and we were all just bundled all up under there and I was getting kicked in the face like you wouldn't believe.
Man, I need my space when I sleep.
So I could just pay that off and have a little less that the refund needs to go to.
I could also get the reduced-price YMCA membership which is $87 for six months. We live a block away from a lake and I really want them to take swim lessons and that would give me a way to do that.
Maybe it's all just stupid to worry about because once the taxes are in I could do any of these things. I don't know. There's not going to be a lot left after the rent gets paid and the car gets paid off so maybe it is worth worrying about.
My brain is a mess.
I'm still sick but less sick than I was. Now I just feel like crap first thing in the morning (until my sudafed and ibuprofin kick in) then I'm good until about 7:30pm when I crash and feel the hot pressure in my ears again. It is, however, a little better every day so I'm on the right road to recovery.
I just don't know what to do with the windfall. Keeping it in the buffer makes YNAB (not an affiliate link) show $0.00 in my Available to Budget … that way I'm not tempted to spend it somewhere I shouldn't. Oh who am I kidding? I'm tempted as all get out but I'm still not going to spend it on crap.

subset: commoncrawl


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Anderson, William Warner
William Warner Anderson aged 69, a highly esteemed resident of this place passed away yesterday at his home, corner 7th Street and Ridge Avenue following seven months illness. Mr. Anderson was shot in the leg by a prisoner while serving as constable in 1918, and never recovered from these injuries.
He was born in Mercer the son of Mathias and Rachel Anderson. He had lived in Sharpsville for 45 years and was one of the town's best known citizens.
Mr. Anderson had served as councilman, constable and tax collector. He was a member of Adoniram Lodge 737 I.O.O.F and attended M.E. Church. Surviving are his widow Margaret Pauly Anderson and the following children. Mrs. A R. Totten of Youngstown; Mrs Frank Stewart, Miss Estella Anderson and Malcolm Anderson of this place; two brothers, M.M. Anderson of Greenville and P.C. Anderson of Mercer; four sisters Mrs. N. J. Rickart of Greenville, Mrs. William Steingrabe of Mercer, Mrs William Smith of Fredonia and Miss Frances Anderson of Mercer.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. from the home. The I.O.O.F. Lodge will be in charge. Rev. R. Lynn Pardee of the M .E. Church will officiate and will be assisted by Rev. Harry Wood of the Presbyterian Church. Burial will be made in Riverside Cemetery.
|All photos, documents and graphics contained in the Mercer County Genealogy pages are copyrighted by the submitter and by this site. You may not use them elsewhere, whether in print or electronically, without written permission.
Contact me.


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DFA reveals plan to close down 12 PHL embassies, consulates
October 4, 2011 9:34 pm
MANILA, Oct. 4 - Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Albert del Rosario revealed on Tuesday at the Senate budget hearing a plan to close down 12 Philippines embassies and consulates as part of the rationalization program of the department.
Del Rosario told the Senate committee on finance which deliberated on the P10.988 billion proposed budget of the DFA for 2012, that the first six embassies and consulates will be shut down in the next first six months and the other six in 2013.
However, Senate committee on finance chairman Senator Franklin Drilon urged the DFA to accelerate the rationalization program and complete the closure of the 12 embassies and consulates before the end of 2012.
Secretary Del Rosario agreed that there is indeed basis to rationalize and has agreed to close 12 embassies between now and 2013 but we asked him to accelerate this so that the 12 foreign posts can be closed by the end of 2012, Drilon told the media after passage of the DFA budget at the committee level.
Del Rosario agreed to consider the suggestion of Drilon to finish the closure of 12 posts by end of 2012 that would mean up to P150 million saving for the DFA.
Drilon said the savings that the DFA will incur from the rationalization program will not be returned to the treasury but will be distributed to the embassies which need additional funds.
The senator also said that the DFA career officers and staff who will be affected by the closure of the 12 posts will be deployed in the embassies and consulates of the countries where there are big number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
We want to make it clear that the intention of the committee is not retrenchment of our employees in the DFA. Our intention is to strengthen and put money in our embassies where there were many OFWs, Drilon said.
Del Rosario refused to name countries where embassies and consulates will be closed down but factors to be considered in the rationalization are the amount of trade, investment and tourism that the Philippines can generate as well as number of Filipinos that has to be served by the affected posts.
At present, the Philippines has 67 embassies, 23 consulates and four missions throughout the world, serving more than 11 million Filipinos abroad.
Aside from the rationalization of the embassies and consulates, the implementation of the Absentee Voting Act has also been tackled during the Senate committee deliberation of the DFA proposed budget which lower as compared to the current years budget of P11.1 billion.
The absentee voting act has been dismal in so far as the record is concern, Drilon said.
In the 2010 elections, the DFA has spent P24 million for the implementation of the absentee voting act but only about 150,000 OFWs participated in the election.
As this level, we could not achieve the purpose of the law which is to influence our election of leaders of our country through our OFWs which are millions in number. We ask the Secretary to look at his this law will be implemented with the end view of increasing substantially the OFW voters in time for the next election, Drilon said.
Despite some questions on the national expenditure programs, Drilon found the DFAs proposed budget reasonable and, in fact, we found it inadequate to respond to the needs of our OFWs.
In our opinion, the budget of the DFA is not enough to protect the welfare of millions of OFWs, he added. (PNA)


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by Angela Delaney
Logistical landmarks: the evolution of the shipping industry
Goods have been exchanged between communities for millennia, from essential sustenance to covetable luxuries sold for money or as part of a trade-off. Over the centuries, as the world gradually expanded and became more accessible, these deals began to cross borders and eventually oceans, creating a global shipping industry.
The industrial revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries pushed the industry forward at a rapid pace, prompting innovations and landmark inventions that have helped to shape the sector and society with it. Below, our graphic depicts some of the key milestones from the past two millennia that led to the creation of one of the world's most important industries as we know it today.
DOES YOUR BUSINESS require the USE of COURIER OR SHIPPING SERVICES?
- Try our FREE COMPARISON QUOTE SERVICE - Request a call back from World Options, we can help save you time and money.


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Out of stock
Another double A-Side release.
Combining both Xmas singles and B-sides with a really fun "double cover" that will orient the Digipak to your preferred cover depending on which way round you hold it!
1. Winter's Mourning
2. Winter's Mourning (Acoustic Demo)
3. Winter's Mourning (First Final Arrangement Demo)
4. Hearth & Ale
5. Hearth & Ale (Instrumental Version) - Previously Unreleased


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Expert Witness
Dr. Glywasky is a board certified neuropsycholgist and clinical psychologist who can aid attorneys as an expert in trial cases. Cognitive testing that is objective, research-based, and accurately administered provides a unique assessment of an individual's cognitive strengths, weaknesses, previous capabilities, and potential. Psychological testing, when interpreted by an expert, can help identify or discount the presence of a psychiatric illness, underlying personality traits, and rehabilitation potential.


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British Brand Imported From UK
Banana Dreams is a finely milled, translucent powder with a pale yellow tone. Containing silica, Banana Dreams is the ideal product for setting make-up, camouflaging undertones and contouring without giving off a cakey look.
The powder can be used under the eyes for highlighting purposes as well as the T- Zone.
Perfect for all skin types and tones, it's become a must-have in many make-up bags!
|Skin Type
|All Types of Skin
|W7 Pro


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Lower School: £4,296 per term (£12,885 per year)
Upper School: £4,695 per term (£14,085 per year)
Governors review all fees annually.
Non-Refundable Registration Fee: £60
The Acceptance Deposit (Non-Siblings): A Full Term's Fees
The Acceptance Deposit must be paid in order to secure the place, and an amount of this will be credited towards the first term's fees in order to leave £2,500 of the Acceptance Deposit which will form part of the funds of Dolphin School Trust until the pupil leaves. If the place is not taken up , the whole deposit is forfeited. Parents are advised to give the correct notice period, as laid out in the Terms and Conditions. The balance of fees due to cover the first terms will become payable as a debt.
Additional Charges
There are extra fees payable for: trips, school uniform, extra-curricular clubs, instrumental music lessons and SEND provision.
Dolphin School seeks to offer bursaries to children whose family would not normally be able to afford the full school fees and who, it is felt, would particularly benefit from an education at the School. In line with the Christian foundation of Dolphin School, special consideration for bursary places is given to children of clergy and missionaries. Priority is also given to children from homes with a low income. Bursaries will be awarded on the basis of a completed application form and an interview with the School's Bursar and Governor responsible for bursary recommendations. For further information please contact our School Bursar ( email@example.com )


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Health and fitness looks so different to all of us. Our greatest asset may not be our particular level of fitness, but our willingness to reach further. Peter is passionate about cheering you on through this process and making it as joyful as possible. After all, if we can learn to endure pain with a better attitude than we did previously, we will increase our abilities triple-fold.
Peter performed on and off broadway by the time he was in high school and trained as a professional dancer with the most exciting names in the industry. Many of his teachers and peers are now a part of the hit show So You Think You Can Dance. He has also appeared in fitness videos and has been teaching various athletic platforms for the last seven years. However, it is his love for people and inspiring greatness in others that brought him to the cycling arena. His enthusiasm, love for music, and the ability to translate that into a kick-ass class is why he is here. Come check out his mullet-move, dusty-saddle, and twerkbacks.
Current Music Obsession: Britney & Beyonce


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"In every conceivable manner, the family is a link to our past, a bridge to our future."
You can almost sum up notorious author, Alex Haley, in one word: Roots. And what a word. There's not a black American on this earth (save small children) who hasn't seen the series. The book and subsequent miniseries, starring Levar Burton, succeeds at being both infuriating and inspiring simultaneously. Having met and interviewed nearly every significant civil rights activist in his time, Alex Haley forged his reputation as a writer through his gritty interactions with these individuals in a series in Playboy, referred to as "The Playboy Interviews". Following his expose on Malcolm X, Haley requested the opportunity to write the prominent Muslim's biography, which became The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley. The notoriety that followed the book's release gave Haley the insight and courage to write his own memoir, starting at the very beginning, in a village in Gambia, where a tribal historian relayed the story of Haley's African ancestor, Kunta Kinte.
Alex Haley was born August 11, 1921 to Simon and Bertha Haley, both becoming educators while still in their prime. Alex, highly intelligent and amazingly gifted himself, followed quickly in their footsteps, graduating high school at the age of 15. From there, he entered college, eventually dropping out to join the Coast Guard at 17. He excelled quickly there, too, first as a seaman and later as an officer when he transferred to the field of journalism. He was highly decorated in his 20 years of military service, earning American Defense Service and World War II Victory medals. However, Alex had always wanted to write, but writing barely made ends meet. In the first few years, Alex reported having only made about $2000 a year working 16-hour days and eating only canned sardines for weeks at a time. His big break in his writing career came when Playboy approached him to interview trumpeter Miles Davis, to which Alex eagerly agreed. The article was such a success that Playboy hired Haley full time to interview more prominent African-Americans, to include Martin Luther King Jr, Sammy Davis Jr, and Quincy Jones.
Following his success with The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Alex had achieved the success he craved; the writing opportunities were thrown at him left and right. But he would instead embark upon a more personal project: a 12-year investigation tracing his family's history back to Africa. Alex wanted to be sure he accurately portrayed the historical accounts of his enslaved ancestors; booking a passage back to the States on a cargo ship, he spent the duration of the journey in its bowels wearing nothing but his underwear. His research spanned three continents and became the masterpiece Roots. Several years later, a sequel of sorts tracing the history of another branch of his family became the novel Queen, also developed into a miniseries starring Halle Berry.
Alex's historical novels caused a new interest in genealogy in African-American culture. Soon, black Americans across the country, inspired by Alex's works, began the hunt for their own ancestors, tracing their histories as far as public records would carry them. Alex Haley's body of work has entreated black Americans to embrace and explore their backgrounds and discover their own personal African-American history.


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$Title$ is $Desc3$ $Desc2$ $Desc4$ suitable for corporate, business and company webpages.
$Title$ is a Clean and Super Flexible Bootstrap Theme with many Features and Unlimited options.
The requested URL was not found on this server. Make sure that the Web site address displayed in the address bar of your browser is spelled and formatted correctly or return to Home page.
Friendship Links


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Love makes the world goes around. And maybe so does a smidgeon of tattoos sex. So how does this explain the rise in vaginal plastic surgery candidates, all eager to plop down 1000's of dollars with a view to scale back their Vaginal diameter?
Call it self-importance? Perhaps. Call it "pleasure seeking...and giving"? Perhaps. Call it that Darwinian drive to maintain attractiveness and reproductive success? Completely, although educational biology could also be the very last thing on your thoughts once you're coming into the surgical procedure theater for Vaginal reconstruction surgery.
Why Ladies Pick Vaginal Plastic Surgery. "My vaginal space was destroyed after giving delivery to my daughter last yr and the OB physician having to do an episiotomies. I look like the within fell out...less sensitivity throughout love making and less attractive...additionally very enlarged. Or, is labia reconstruction right for me and the place do I go to have it performed?"
There you have it, unfiltered from a lady who speaks plainly, yet identifies the important thing points acknowledged by many women. Nameless, but actual-world description of physical realities and self-image issues. Any number of women who've borne youngsters, and their companions, know...but might not brazenly focus on the matter of broken or elevated vaginal laxity.
You want to be sedated when undergoing vaginal reconstruction surgical procedure, so anticipate pre-op anesthetics to be administered.
During the vaginal surgery itself, your physician fastidiously excises or removes a small amount of interior comfortable tissue. Next, your surgeon rigorously "tightens" surrounding soft tissues, utilizing absorbable sutures.
Vaginal Surgery "Backside Line". Surgically decreased vaginal tract straight increases friction, and pleasure, for a lady and her partner. There's no motive for women, or couples, to silently defer to vaginal looseness when nicely documented vaginal reconstructive surgery can simply and safely right the situation. For women, it's like returning to the physical state and sensations you had previous to having children.
What About Over Sized Labia? Generally girls present process vaginal plastic surgery have a related concern which may trigger some embarrassment, specifically enlarged vaginal labia or the lips of fleshy skin surrounding the Vaginal opening. Solution? Combine each wants in a single surgery. Labiaplasty surgery can incrementally cut back labia tissues. Consequence? Your embarrassment drops. You are feeling more snug wearing tighter garments again. No "camel's toe" projection to be involved about.


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Physician Assistant - Inpatient Pediatrics
LocationNew York, New York
Shift:Rotating (United States of America)
A Growing, Autonomous Team
Physician Assistant - Inpatient Pediatrics - Rotating
U.S. News ranks NewYork-Presbyterian #1 in New York. As highly skilled clinicians and respected colleagues, our Physician Assistants proudly advance this standard of excellence. Today, we continue to set global standards. You can Make It Possible.
Provide high quality innovative care to patients and their families. Join a renowned Pediatric service, managing newborn nursery, general pediatrics, and a pediatric step-down unit, with an extra specialty in pediatric neurology. In this role, you will admit patients to general pediatrics, pediatric epilepsy monitoring unit & subspecialty services as needed, functioning as an integral member of the entire multidisciplinary team. You will be the first line in pediatric emergencies, such as respiratory distress and status epilepticus, and will be performing all required bedside procedures. Join our team and become an expert in pediatric medicine.
Preferred Criteria
- At least 1 year of experience in Pediatrics is strongly preferred
- Interest in pediatrics & neurology
Required Criteria
- Bachelor's or Master's in Physician Assistant studies
- NYS licensure
- NCCPA certification
- Rotating 24/7
Join a healthcare system where employee engagement is at an all-time high. Here we foster a culture respect, diversity, and inclusion. Enjoy comprehensive and competitive benefits that support you and your family in every aspect of life. Start your life-changing journey today.
- #1 in New York, "America's Best Hospitals 2019-2020." - U.S.News & World Report
- 2019 "Best Places to Work: Employee's Choice." - Glassdoor
- 2019 "Employees' Choice: Top CEOs" - Glassdoor
- 2019 "America's Best Employers in New York State" - Forbes
- 2019 "150 Top Places to Work in Healthcare." - Becker's Healthcare
- 2019 "Top-Rated Work Places: Best Hospitals" - Indeed
Discover why we're #1 in New York and a best employer at: nyp.org/careers
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital is an equal opportunity employer.


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Owning one of the best views in the Costa Blanca North overlooking the skyline of Benidorm.
Once in a while a stunning villa becomes available with one of the best views in the Costa Blanca North overlooking the skyline of Benidorm with its breathtaking panoramic views. Situated at one of the highest points of Serra Gelalda directly above the exuberant Costa town of Benidorm with south easterly aspect the sun rises from the sea and sets over the Puig Campana mountains beyond. Modern contemporary designed villa with five bedrooms arranged over three floors. The villa was designed by famous Architect and build to exacting standards with many state of the art home features and technology included, the overhaul design is based on a minimalist layout taking into account the spectacular views and entertaining in mind as well as the fabulous infinity pool. Viewing only by prior appointment.


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Obsessive music fan, specifically Bowie, Heart, Cheap Trick, Roxy Music, etc.
Annie Zaleski
5 Reasons Stevie Nicks Should Be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
She's already enshrined as a member of Fleetwood Mac - but Stevie Nicks deserves her own place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Alice Cooper and Dennis Dunaway Dedicate Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's Pinball Exhibit
Alice Cooper and Dennis Dunaway dedicated the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's pinball exhibit, which features the new game, Alice Cooper's Nightmare Castle.
Exclusive: How The New Hollywood Vampires Album Makes Alice Cooper 'Uncomfortable'
Unlike the first album, this one will feature all-original material.
John Oates on the 'Divine Intervention' Behind His Blues Album 'Arkansas': Exclusive Inter…
Joan Oates talks about his new album 'Arkansas,' which nods to his love of blues and roots music, and specifically the artist Mississippi John Hurt.
How Rick Astley and Foo Fighters Played 'Never Gonna Give You Up'
How did '80s pop star Rick Astley end up performing his No. 1 hit "Never Gonna Give You Up" onstage with Foo Fighters anyway?
Top 40 'Beavis and Butt-Head' One-Liners
Huh-huh, huh-huh. Beavis and Butt-Head were cool. Here are their top 40 music video commentary one-liners.
What Would Toto's 'Africa' Sound Like Played in an Empty Mall?
What would Toto's 'Africa' sound like played in an empty mall? One YouTube user made that idle thought a reality.
Hear Toto's 'Africa' Performed by Old-Fashioned Computer Equipment
Toto's 'Africa' sounds pretty awesome when performed by outdated computer equipment.
Def Leppard's Catalog Finally Available to Stream and Download
Def Leppard's catalog is finally available to stream and download from your favorite digital services.
When Chris Farley Interviewed Paul McCartney on 'Saturday Night Live'
He also performed three songs during the episode, including the Beatles' "Hey Jude."


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Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Be Thankful for Safe Travel
Impaired driving continues to be a grave problem in Missouri and around the country leaving a human toll of lost lives, grief-stricken family and friends, injuries and disabilities that never go away. Over the last five years in Missouri, 1,348 people have been killed in impaired driving crashes and thousands more injured.
And the days between Thanksgiving and Christmas can be an especially dangerous time of year on the roads. Between the two holidays in 2009, 88 people died in traffic crashes in Missouri (21 were alcohol-related) and 4,650 were injured (with 343 related to alcohol).
Some contend that those drinking and driving are simply hurting and killing themselves, but a substantial number of people killed or injured in these crashes are innocent victims. In fact, 31 percent of the fatalities and 40 percent of the injuries occurred to some other party involved in the crash – not the drinking driver or pedestrian.
So what can we do? Each of us can take the responsibility to drive sober, call a cab or designate a driver while celebrating this holiday season and urge all our friends and family to do the same. If you've had a personal experience with an impaired driving crash, you can share it with others on a special remembrance page at facebook.com/humantoll in hopes that more education will help others to not drive impaired and other families will be spared such tragedies.
When you get to your Thanksgiving meal this year, be thankful you got there safely and let's all work together to Arrive Alive.
1 comment:
- Anonymous said...
I agree. I pray that God allows the Angels of the Lord to watch over everyone traveling this Thanksgiving and to take them all home safely. In Jesus Name!! Amen!
- November 23, 2010 at 3:44 PM
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Due to Coronavirus impact this product is currently sold-out and not expected to be available for several months. We are sorry, but backorders cannot being accepted at this time. Please see our other iMovR standing desk converter models for available options.
The Steadiest, Smoothest and Most Stable 36" Standing Desk Converter, Bar None
If Lexus made a standing desk converter, this would be it. Incredibly smooth, silent and stable, this is our top-of-the-line manually-operated standing desk converter in this size category. Cleverly engineered by our strategic partner Eureka Ergonomic Design Studio, iMovR's 36" Z-Lift Standing Desk Converter is based on our legendary dual-arm, dual-lever Z-Lift mechanism that moves up and down more effortlessly than any other sit-stand converter on the market. This iMovR+Eureka 36" unit is ideal for customers who need to fit in a 36" width but also need an ample work surface area.
Super-Silent Height Adjustment
We use a patented gas strut mechanism that is vastly superior to noisy spring mechanisms you'll find in other standing desk converters. Virtually silent, you can move unnoticeably between sitting and standing in quiet office environments—no need to worry about disrupting coworkers.
Infinite Height Positions Within Its Range
Unlike some competing standing desk converters, the 36" Z-Lift provides infinite height positions within its wide 20" height range, assuring you the best ergonomic fit. Simply release the brake paddle at your ideal height and your position is set. Accommodates workers up to ~ 6' 7" tall.
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Simply press the handle and adjust your desk to your desired height. With the help of our patented gas strut mechanism, moving between sitting and standing is a breeze.
Large Desktop Surface Area
Measuring in at 36" x 22", this model's large work surface area makes it ideal for holding multiple large monitors. Its 31 ⅜" total depth (including keyboard tray) creates the extra distance you need for comfortably viewing larger screens. And with an inverted u-shape in the center of its keyboard tray, there's plenty of room to type comfortably on your laptop.
Supports Dual Monitors (and a Laptop)
This model holds up to 35 lbs. and can accommodate up to 2 monitors measuring 30" each when using a dual monitor arm and up to 2 x 21" monitors without a monitor arm, in addition to a laptop.
More Features
Ledge to Secure Your Keyboard
Mobile Device Slot
Covered Components for Safety
Monitor Arm Cutout for Easy Mounting
2 Available Colors
- Workmanship
- Unpacking / Installation
- Easy to Adjust
- Adjustment Smoothness and Noise
- Ease of Cleaning
- Actual Use Test
- Minimal and Maximal Height
- Occupied Table Surface
- Stability Test
- Static Over Loading Test
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- Corrosion Resistance
- Instructions for Use / Care Instructions
iMovR+Eureka ranks 33% higher in performance than the top competitors in the market.
Add a Monitor Arm
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In the new issue hyphenmagazine.com talks about Cambodian Film Version 1.5 (the 1.5 generation of Filmmakers)
"Until recently, the narrative paradigm for most Cambodian stories in film begins in blissful, pre-Khmer Rouge Cambodia and concludes with the flight of refugees to another country. However, a new crop of Cambodian films have begun moving beyond a focus on trauma to the survival of day-to-day anguish experienced within the Cambodian community in contemporary U.S. society. Three films, in particular- Samnang – The Film, Paulina, and A River Changes Course – illuminate the deeply-held yearning for normalcy and battle for self-preservation that follow the experience of trauma after immigration to a foreign country. Today, new approaches at storytelling are emerging as the 1.5 generation of Cambodians (or Khmers) in America moves into adulthood."
"With roots in Cambodia and present lives in America, 1.5-ers often feel that neither country completely defines their cultural identity. From the understated yet poignant depictions of solitary immigrant life by writer Vanara Taing in Samnang, to the portrayal of gambling addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder in Caylee So's Paulina or the dire presentation of Cambodia's ecological predicament in Kalyanee Mam's A River Changes Course, 1.5 generation filmmakers' contemporary stories move beyond their predecessors' traumatic narratives of war, autogenocide and dislocation toward new ways of formulating questions around issues of culture and historical identity."
-Sokunthary Svay
Pick up a copy @ www.hyphenmagazine.com to read more.
*Below are photos, taken of the printed magazine.


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National Park air fresheners
ALASKA - Denny Akeya, a native of the St. Lawrence Island village of Savoonga, wears his opinion on his chest. Courtesy Loren Holmes, Alaska Dispatch
Marketers can sell anything, it seems, even metaphors. You can now buy an air freshener that mimics not the true scent of a national park, which might be a noxious blend of car exhaust and smoke from surrounding wildfires, but the very "spirit of our nation's pristine treasures." Air Wick's take on spirit in the Smoky Mountains happens to be "warm spice and twilight;" at Acadia National Park it's a foray into the kitchen for the aromas of "sweet vanilla and pumpkins," while at Shenandoah National Park, the smells are "cedarwood and cinnamon spice." Without a smidgeon of irony, the National Park Foundation says it collaborated with Air Wick on the new line "so you can enjoy the scents of fall in your home." Saves on gas, too.
Not to be outdone, Portland, Ore.-based Antler & Co. has come up with a box of little sticks that you ignite, blow out and then waft the smoke "onto your hipster beard." Voila! Thanks to Campfire Cologne, reports laughingsquid.com, you emanate the smell of a sooty campfire without actually having to hike anywhere or put up a tent. The makers call the smoke permeating a man's beard nothing less than a "nostalgic ode to cooking over the fire, secret swimming holes and the unending days of youth. Use it frequently, transport yourself, live the dream." Also saves on gas.
A couple in Roundup, Mont., was apparently under the influence of drugs when they called the police to report a bleeding intruder who seemed to be expiring on a bed. Well, not exactly, says The Associated Press, though there was a bed of 262 growing marijuana plants into which Rachael Hanlon "fired four guns while her husband reloaded them and cleared jams." Federal charges are pending against the misguided couple.
Speaking of guns and unlikely associations, the front page of the Daily Inter Lake of Kalispell, Mont., featured an ad for a raffle that would benefit the Stillwater Christian School. Only 1,000 tickets would be sold, and the lucky winner — selected at a Shoot Out event — would take home a fancy assault rifle valued at $905.
Tips and photos of Western oddities are appreciated and often shared in this column. Write [email protected].


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FIREBERD MC6000 Acterna Communication Analyzer
The FIREBERD MC6000 is a communication analyzer from Acterna. A communication analyzer is a superior type of electronic test equipment for physical layer, circuit, and new technology testing. Anyone in the business of testing data networks can use a communication analyzer for the measurement and monitoring of equipment.
Additional Features:
- Fireberd 6000 in a Metal Case
- Perform bit error, signal and performance analysis on datacom, T1/FT1, 2M/Nx64, DDS, E3 and T3 services
- Perform analog tests with VF and wideband Transmission Impairment Measurement Set (TIMS) tests on analog and digital transmission lines with the TIMS-45 Lid.
- Complete jitter generation and measurements on T1, 2M and 64 kb/s circuits
- Monitor and generate traffic on ATM and frame relay networks
Customize Your Testing Needs:
- Recall up to ten of your most frequently used test scripts with the push of a button
- Choose the configuration settings that you require and the FIREBERD MC6000 filters and prints the results
Save Time with Automation and Remote Testing. Automate your testing routine with Dynamic Script Generator software.
- Maximize your FIREBERD MC6000's ability as a frame relay solution with NetAnalyst
- Reduce response time and extend the reach of your field technicians with Distributed Test Manager (DTM) software which enables you to perform remote testing from your PC
The Acterna TTC FIREBERD MC6000 Communications Analyzer brings advanced testing capabilities to today's data networks, enabling you to maximize your testing capabilities and minimize your training costs. Whether your test requirements include Async or ATM testing, physical layer and data link layer analysis, or generation and measurement of the jitter tolerance of your T1 or 2M circuits, the FIREBERD MC6000 gives you the power to analyze most network interfaces found within your network.
With an intuitive, menu-driven test methodology, the Acterna TTC FIREBERD MC6000 performs traditional bit error analysis, frame and cell generation, along with signal, performance and timing measurements. The FIREBERD MC6000 is fully programmable, with customized printouts, programmable user patterns, frequency synthesizer, and user-defined flow control. It's a great way to protect your network.


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Wagga South Lions Club celebrates 50th anniversary with weekend convention
Wagga South Lions Club is celebrating its golden anniversary this weekend after five decades of service to the community.
With celebrations running from today through to Sunday, October 20, club president Bob Smith said it was about remembering the hard work and dedication of club's members past and present.
"When the club first started in 1969, they were doing everything from building houses and helping the nursing home, to building chairs for the hospital and participating in events like Kurrajong barbecues and carols by candlelight," he said.
"Our most recent work has involved helping out Safe Sight and public health NSW, we just helped at Kooringal School for the kids with hearing difficulties, we bought a Google Home device for the classrooms."
After five decades of service, Mr Smith said it was inspiring that they had stayed afloat for so long.
"I think it's the comradeship and the fact that the members have fun and are passionate about their community that keeps it going," he said.
In other news:
Despite their continuous support for the community, it isn't always an easy feat to keep it going.
"We have a couple of new people signing up here and there but we still do need new members," Mr Smith said.
"It's harder to get the younger members to join because they often have other things to do or other clubs they're involved with."
But with no plans of slowing down, the weekend convention held at the Wagga RSL Club will see Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, State Member for Wagga Joe McGirr and Mayor Greg Conkey open the ceremony on Saturday.
Other guest speakers will talk to club members over the three days to motivate their continual hard work.


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Today's YouGov/Sun poll has voting intentions of CON 39%(+1), LAB 33%(+1), LDEM 16%(-3). The drop in the Lib Dem support is almost certainly not significant, just a suggestion that yesterday's 2 point jump in their support was a mere blip.
There is apparently also a MORI/Telegraph poll due out later tonight.
53 Responses to "YouGov Daily poll – 39/33/16"« Previous 1 2
Problems with tory campaign:
2: Still think the leadership is a bit lightweight"
Not normally a problem; or are you arguing that Blair was an intellectual heavyweight?
'3: …
Blair was so succesful, as he not only highlighted a failing government, but he also inspired people with his policies'
Totally disagree; Blair inspired with his 'brand/ vision'; no-one cared about his policies and still don't. It was time for a change -we must all agree – and Blair offered something else. 'Hope / Look at Obama' stuff. Policies only matter if we dont like the person.
Who cares about Brown? Or Cameron? Probably very few. The trouble with the Tories at the moment is that they waver between the old slash / burn polices' (cut all taxes, remove anti-hunting , give all money to private schools -joke) and vaguely modern polices. The Tory party does not know what it wants to be – so whilst people want to get rid of Labour the tories have no vision to suck new people in like New Labour. New Labour went striaght for those voters who might change. Tory policies shift from encouraging core voters to trying to get middle ground. It wont work. One or the other.
Result; class politics; Cameron is Eton, most of the tories want to cut taxes, Mps demand 1st class train tickets whilst most of the people are staring at pathetic pay. And no one sees any reason to believe in the non-existent vision of the Tories.
Given new Labour did all tory policies what is left for the tories; they are still stuck with having to be more right wing than what the electorate likes. The only way for the tory to break the mould is to something constitutionally strong; say an English Parliament or an elected Upper House.
Okay, far too radical- the 'Conservatives' – brand issue would never be radical. And that's why the party is increasingly hard to sell- who wants to be 'conservative'?
(And I also think Labour are rubbish…)
Labour supporters go to "why we love labour"
friends reunited.
its washing day for the Tory past,
but some stains stick, and seem to last!!!


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We haven't even gotten to E3 2019 yet but we're already getting big gaming announcements. Sega revealed the final list of games for the Sega Genesis Mini, and even added an extra surprise: instead of 40 games, Sega went ahead and added 12 more, bringing the total number of Genesis classics to 42.
Among the newly announced games are Road Rash II and the 8MB wonder, Strider. Perhaps even cooler is the addition of games that never officially came to the Sega Genesis, including Monster World IV, Tetris, and Darius. Sega said E3 2019 attendees will be among the first in the world to play the Genesis port of Tetris (Tetris came to the Mega Drive in 1989, but Nintendo had US distribution rights at the time).
Monster World IV was previously only playable for Genesis through Virtual Console, PSN or Xbox Live Arcade, repro cart, or on the Sega Ages 2500 Series port for the PlayStation 2. Darius also never had a proper Sega Genesis home release. Such is the magic of M2.
If you buy something through this post, IGN may get a share of the sale. For more, read our Terms of Use.
Where to Preorder Sega Genesis Mini:
Sega Genesis Mini preorders are $79.99 with a September 19, 2019 release date:
- Sega Genesis Mini at Walmart
- Sega Genesis Mini at Amazon
- Sega Genesis Mini at Best Buy
- Sega Genesis Mini at GameStop
Sega Genesis Mini Games ListSome of the best 16-bit games of all time are included on the Sega Genesis Mini. The legendary M2 is handling the Genesis Mini software, and it built its reputation by going above and beyond. Sticking with that theme, Sega and M2 are bringing 42 games to Genesis Mini, two more than initially promised.
Here is the final list of Sega Genesis Mini games:
- Ecco the Dolphin
- Castlevania: Bloodlines
- Space Harrier 2
- Shining Force
- Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine
- Toe Jam & Earl
- Comix Zone
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Altered Beast
- Gunstar Heroes
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2
- Earthworm Jim
- Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse
- World of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck
- Thunder Force III
- Super Fantasy Zone
- Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
- Streets of Rage 2
- Contra Hard Corps
- Landstalker
- Mega Man: The Wily Wars
- Street Fighter II: Special Champion Edition
- Sonic Spinball
- Phantasy Star IV
- Beyond Oasis
- Ghouls 'N Ghosts
- Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle
- Golden Axe
- Vectorman
- Wonder Boy in Monster World
- Tetris
- Darius
- Virtua Fighter 2
- Alisia Dragoon
- Monster World IV
- Kid Chameleon
- Road Rash II
- Eternal Champions
- Columns
- Dynamite Headdy
- Strider
- Light Crusader
The Sega Genesis Mini comes out September 19, 2019 and you can preorder yours right now for $79.99. For a deeper look into the Sega Genesis Mini, including information on where to get officially licensed 6-button controllers, check out our guide to everything you need to know about the Sega Genesis Mini.
Seth Macy is IGN's tech and commerce editor and just wants to be your friend. Find him on Twitter @sethmacy.


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I can't believe it is back.
We were a long way from the outbreak in 2001, but the countryside effectively closed for quite a while. That outbreak cost Farming in Scotland £230 million and Tourism in Scotland between £200 and £250 million, not to mention the heartbreak of losing livestock, and some longstanding pedigree herds.
The authorities have moved very swiftly on this one following a poor performance in 2001, and immediately stopped all livestock movements. Time will tell if it has been nipped in the bud – it is a case of fingers crossed for the next few days.


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There are two things I appreciate about Brad's post on disgusting sexism. One is the focus on what's in it for business and for men - not just what's in it for women. That's just a smart approach for a whole lot of reasons.
Along those lines, I submit the following supporting arguments, one oriented toward competitiveness in business and one toward what's in it for the guys so they understand where there might be some benefit amidst the perceived threats:
- During my flight training, I was in the top five of my class. In fact, half of the top ten were women and we only had ten women out of 100 in the class. When debating the subject (way back when it was almost pure fiction) of women pilots in the military, I always contended that if similar statistics were to apply across the board (and because of the type of program I was in, there was no reason to think they wouldn't), why in the world would you put ten guys into ten very expensive planes if it meant passing over five women who were better?
In other words, if you had a top-notch female pilot and a mediocre male pilot, why would you put him in the plane and have her fly the desk? I'm sure it doesn't take above-average critical thinking skills to apply this argument to IT.
- As more men strive for some kind of work/life balance of their own, more involvement with kids or aging parents, want more money, more flexible time, etc to start businesses and venture capital funds and that sort of thing, how do you suppose that happens? One good way for it to happen in the context of couples and families is for improved gender pay equity.
If there are two adults in a household, one male and one female, and she's able to make as much money as he can, then they BOTH have more choices about who does what, for how much of the day, and for how long. As long as he makes significantly more money than she does, the financial equation will almost always push him out the door. And if there are more than two children, that same equation will lock the door with her inside and him stuck on the outside. Personally, I prefer that everyone have more choices.
Notice I don't say enacting any special laws or providing any special privileges.
What I don't appreciate is whining. I find it interesting that even while this guy accuses an entire gender of complaining, his post is effectively one big 'poor me' and I'm not even clear why he cares that much or feels the way he does!
Go ahead - comment. It's a big subject and I can handle the truth, whatever kind you have to offer.
What's important enough to make you want to speak up?


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If you've been in our Diablo III forums, especially the Technical Issues forum, you've seen the debate raging about the game's graphics.
Quite a few players think D3 looks too much like World of Warcraft; that its palette is too colorful, and that it would look better and more Diablo-y if it were desaturated to remove the greens and blues, and the smoke and sfumato were reduced. Other players strongly disagree, and think that the game looks fine as it is, and at any rate, that it's silly to get too worked up over the graphics this far before the game's even into beta testing.
The debate is loud enough that it's attracted the notice of the gaming media, and it's certain Blizzard has seen these comments as well. They have not commented on it yet, but they did talk about the issue of color in the game during the World Lore and Environmental Art panel. Skip to about the 21:00 mark to hear it. To paraphrase, the designers talk about how their memories of D1 and D2 were that they were dark and gritty, but that when they actually looked back through the games they found much more color than they expected. They also say that they looked at horror movies and noticed how the color was used effectively to create mood, and that they're following that design path with Diablo III.
There will certainly be more to come on this issue, and we'll let you know when the D3 team responds directly to these criticisms. For an example of what players are complaining about, see the shot below, or view a number of them in our D3 Controversy gallery.


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Editor at Large
Posts: 752
Joined: March 01, 2014, 05:11:50 PM
Location: Just look under your bed
Poll: Aphelion March 2015 Flash Contest
APHELION FLASH FICTION CONTEST: March 2015
The "Change That Tune- 1980's Pop Music Version?" Challenge
THE PREMISE: Select a song title from a pop music song that was released from 1980 till the end of 1989. Use the title of the song as the title of your flash fiction story. Write a story based on what the title makes you think of, anything, first thing that comes to mind.
THE CHALLENGE: Write a story starting from a title selected from pop music song titles of 1980's songs. Use only the title and reimagine a story that shares the title only as inspiration. You must list the song and band that is your inspiration prior to the story. See example.
Mandela Day
(by Simple Minds)
The South Africans (or Afrikaners as part of the people from that old land on Earth still called themselves) were one the last countries that embarked on space exploration and colonization after the new technology of QuantumSpeed was discovered and became available for traveling from star to star.
Many had thought, especially in sci-fi tales of a time gone by, that the day humans achieved interstellar travel it would be thanks to a worldwide organization that would unite all the countries of Earth in order to maximize energy, costs and resources. Everyone assumed that such an alliance would have built a starship that no superpower could build by itself, manned by an international crew that would boldly go together to find a new home, finally spreading Earthlings across the vastness of space.
But things had gone differently, as a matter of fact, and the most powerful countries had quickly taken steps to create their own national settlements on other newly-discovered worlds. So, when the South Africa government raised enough money to follow the others and eventually made its move, their huge vessel left Earth for the first interplanetary travel that country had ever attempted. The spaceship arrived on Biko I, the verdant planet orbiting Lacaille 8760, after only three months of travel. Though it was predictable, the first outpost they built there was named Mandela – after the most revered president in their history, of course.
As green and pleasing as a well-manicured summer meadow, that world was exactly what the colonists needed in order to forget about the deprivations they had undergone back on Earth - suffering that had been due to the continuous depletion of the soil and the desertification of the cultivable lands during the last years of the 22th century.
What they couldn't have known, however, was that this planet was already of interest to another species, the GHIHHTH, who had positioned automated devices on the surface of the planet meant to survey and collect data. Perhaps they had done all that for a future colonization, although no alien from that species was present on the planet at that time.Anyway, the sudden appearance of the Earthlings made the GHIHHTH hurry up, and in just a matter of six months, the warlike GHIHHTH had showed up - which changed everything. The men and women who had reached the Mandela outpost didn't want to start a war, for many reasons: they didn't know exactly how powerful those aliens were; they were very far from Earth and with no reinforcements expected - no troops, technology or food; and they were tired after the long journey and only wanted a new home where they could start a comfortable life.
In a way, hostile events had happened before any negotiations could be attempted, with the Earthlings openly declaring that they were not leaving that world, although some agreements might have been reached to allow both species to live and peacefully prosper on the surface. Anyway, as soon as the delegates sent from Mandela got back to the small outpost, the entire settlement was sealed off by the GHIHHTH using an invisible and impenetrable dome that didn't allow humans to go outside. Wild beasts, insects, air and water could come and go, but nothing else. The message was clear: if Earthlings wanted to stay on that world – a world that the strong GHIHHTH said was their property - they would have to live in the dome, separated from the rest of the planet. The only other option was for them to finally decide to leave – whether they went back to Earth or journeyed further out into space, to search for another home elsewhere.
To many of the human colonists, this terrible situation reminded them of heartbreaking events which had occurred in South Africa's history, when their ancestors had suffered greatly because of racial segregation which had been enforced through legislation by the National Party government. Under that system, the rights, associations, and movements of the majority black inhabitants had been curtailed for decades. There was not much they could do, but the humans simply didn't want to leave, and they refused to surrender!
Though no help came from the other countries of Earth, and although no way was found to escape that forced boundary, the poor colonists resisted and did their best during the following years. Many examples of virtue were displayed by the local population, given the scarcity of resources available, and what some of those humans accomplished using only the few instruments and devices they had at their fingertips was incredible.
It was one of those highly-skilled individuals, a black seventeen-year-old female researcher named Refilwe - a real whiz-kid – that finally changed it all. Her tests on new minerals that were under the site - which were abundant all over the planet - proved to be enough to allow her to succeed at weakening the transparent dome the GHIHHTH had positioned. But that wasn't enough. She even happened to find out how to strengthen the force field at will, and, most of all, how to reverse its effects! Though it required time, the day came when the machinery she had built was activated and slowly the dome that had long kept the human colonists imprisoned disappeared. Then it began to enclose the rest of the planet – except Mandela- in its grip. So, it was the GHIHHTH who were imprisoned now, and none of their attempts to escape or destroy it had any effect.
The South Africans colonists certainly didn't plan to cruelly leave the aliens segregated that way forever, of course - although they thought it wouldn't hurt for those beings to have a taste of their own treatment for a while. As Refilwe had once said, and the population of the Mandela outpost still remembers her words clearly today, "We'll finally free you, one day or another. But not so easily, not now, not yet…"
I Melt With You
(Modern English 1982)
"This is Kim Montgomery with the 8 O'clock News. This evening marks the incredible moment when humanity will, for the first time, attempt a long term departure from Earth. The largest rocket ever built will be launching from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on the new specially constructed launch pad designed to withstand the tremendous force that this behemoth of a craft will create. Spectators and protestors have gathered around the launch site and have been warned to stay away from the upcoming blast. National Guard has also gathered to protect the citizens and potentially prevent the riot that many have predicted will occur. Public displeasure has been mounting since the final announcement of those to be included on the journey. What was said to be a lottery has seemed to most more like an elitist selection. While many say that they would have opted to stay at home, others feel that they have been abandoned by their governments, left behind to suffer the fate of a dying Earth. With only a few years left on the countdown until the end, problems will be exacerbated by tonight's launch. Experts are now saying that with such massive inertial thrust, the revived and beefed up Orion craft will actually alter the Earth's spin. Launch vehicles take advantage of the Earth's spin to gain some extra speed towards escape velocity, and we've just received information that the enormous craft leaving us, with the one hundred thousand aboard, could possibly push the Earth so hard in the other direction that the planet may slow down and eventually become tidally locked. With the clock ticking for humanity no one is happy about more bad news, nor the possibility of our atmosphere melting away. Some supporters of the mission say that it is a small price to pay for humanity's second chance, yet still dissidence is growing and it is feared that sabotage may be attempted."
"Stand back I say, no one is to pass this line. It's for your own safety people." Thomas tried to shout over the din of the crowd.
"If they were really thinking about our safety then we'd be on that ship with them, and they wouldn't be stopping the Earth in its tracks." An angry protester within earshot of Thomas' remarks shook a cardboard sign, yelling hysterically.
"I'm just doing my job, please stand back. The blast from this thing is going to be enormous, if you don't back up then you won't even be around to complain about the Earth stopping, now move." It pained Thomas to be treating these people this way. He, like everyone else, wished that he had been chosen for the pilgrimage to another world. But he hadn't, and as a National Guardsman his place was to keep people from interfering with the most important launch in history, the one that just might save the human race.
Thomas felt a shock like being hit with a brick. His vision blackened for a moment before he understood that he had been smacked across the face with a protester's sign post. For a second he thought that the launch was underway, but the sound he heard was coming from the crowd and was soon joined by gun fire.
Clarence and Katy held sweaty hands, both squeezing tight with anxiety. The Captain announced that the countdown was about to start and that everyone should take one last look at their home planet before taking off.
"Oh my god Clarence, it's horrible, there's a riot going on out there." squeaked Katy.
"Look away Katy. The future is wide open to us. Let's not bring this vision with us as our last memory of Earth. Of course the people staying behind aren't happy about us leaving, but they should be. We are the last hope, and we need to leave with hope. If we do, you'll see the difference, it will get better, you'll see."
"I'm Still Standing" Elton John released 1983
A probe of some kind is jammed into me. A hand, a strong perfumed hand, grabs me. I cannot see. My sight has been cut off. This hand grabs my neck, lifts me up, yanks me back and then rams my face into a metal wall. Then slam-slam-slam –slam-slam.
I keep telling myself, I will not break, I will not break, I will not…slam-slam-slam. My god, that hurts. The shocks run all through me. I could just crack and die. NO!
I'm strong I will not crack, I will not break, no matter. What?
One of them just shoved some metal thing up my… my god what's wrong with these people?
And again this same hand, I can smell it, grabs my neck, pull and push and slam-slam-slam-slam.
I have no idea where I am. Now it's cold. I'm on the floor. I can tell it's concrete, and it is cold. They leave me here, blind and with no protection. Why what have I done?
A different hand grabs me and throws me on a table; some greasy wet instrument is being shoved into me again and again. When will they stop?
I WILL NOT crack. I will not break! I am strong.
It's so cold.
I must have passed out. It's that perfumed hand again. She's grabbing me and what now? I feel warm, no not warm, I feel hot. I want to scream but I can't.
Someone else jams me up with that probe and rams me against that metal wall. Slam-slam. It's only two times. What do they think I'll break? Have they no mercy?
And it stops. They never talk; they just do, and do. I can hear their breathing and their laughter. And I hear the fingers hitting a keyboard.
And… what…wait, they're gone. I'm expecting more of the same that I didn't hear them leave. I heard no door open. I'm still blind. I hurt, I'm burned, and I'm dirty and greasy all over from that shit they put on me and into me.
The door opens and I hear her. "That session was a good one. Let's see if this one will do the job.
Not a fucking chance. I will not break. I'd better never meet you. I'd better never see you or know your name, I'd better…another probe is shoved in me, I'm slammed against the metal wall and it feels like it explodes inside me. I'm going to die, my god. I will not break. I will not crack no matter what they do. I will not…
Well Dr. Wells. What do you think of our experiment?
"Mr. K," says Dr. Wells, "I'm impressed. This metallurgy, the combination of the graphine and chrome moly in this new weapon is stronger and lighter than anything we've made or anyone as manufactured before. It won't jam and it morphs to accept all ammunition including a mix of the NATO and Russian calibers. This should, no it will knock the AK 47 off the bestseller list once we get these out to market. The Board of Directors will be very pleased and more so once we get that export license.
"How long before we can start production?" ask Dr. Wells as she handles the weapon. You said you added some other things to the manufacturing process which makes it more adaptable in all combat situations.
Mr. K responds, "Dr. Wells, regarding production, we already have. The warehouse is full. And as far as your other question goes, all I'm allowed to disclose is that we developed a granular sub atomic artificial intelligence function that's imbedded into the whole gun that allows the alloy to remember and learn from experience.
"We're experimenting with the next generation. You're holding one of the prototypes it in your hands right now. We think we've discovered something odd about the AI functions and we're shipping them to Aberdeen and a DARPA lab for some classified testing tomorrow.
Mr. K adds, "Dr. Wells, if you want to play with it out a bit more we recommend five shots and running a cleaning rod and a few patches through it. This way you maintain the accuracy for testing purposes. In the field it's not important. The gun will function in any environment. The patches, cleaning rods, jags, cleaning solvent and oil are on the table. Have fun."
Dr. Wells nods, puts her ear protectors on, grabs the gun, checks the chamber to make sure it's empty. For some reason there is a shell in the chamber. That's odd and dangerous, she thinks. She ejects it, picks it off the floor and looks to see if it was a misfire. There is no firing pin hit on the primer. She puts the bullet into her pocket and then stashes a few magazines of different calibers in her shooting bag and heads back to the range. I'll speak to Mr. K. about this later.
The End
Sweet Dreams
The square room was as stark as Jacquan True remembered it, his orange jumpsuit standing out in contrast against the white walls. The only furniture in the room was two chairs facing each other on either side of a metal table. One chair was filled by a fragile examiner named Forest Delgado, who motioned for Jacquan to take the other seat.
"Do you know why you're back here?" asked Delgado.
"To play more video poker?" snorted Jacquan, crossing his heavy arms over his solid chest.
"I can see why you might think that…"
"Wait! Wait!" the prisoner interrupted. "It's something of space, isn't it? – outer space?"
Delgado looked surprised. "Why would you say that? Who told you that?"
"No one told me," he said defiantly. "But I'm right, aren't I?" He shifted in his chair, uneasily. "I dream things, you know. I dream the future."
"Is that how you scored so well on the card games? – did you dream what would come up next?"
"No, no – when I'm playing poker it's like the future whispers in my ear, so I can pick out which cards I want to keep."
"And you win 93% of the time," said Forest, checking a clipboard.
"That's what placed me here. I was winning at cards and someone called me a cheater. No one calls Jacquan a cheater and lives! – Que sera, sera."
"Logically, if you dream the future, why didn't you change things so you wouldn't end up here?"
"Well that's the thing: you can't change the future; you can only see what is going to happen beforehand…like a 30 second movie."
"I may be able to get you out of here," said Delgado.
"We've sent two flights to Mars, but they both disappeared."
"Qui, I know."
"With your ability, you could dream the trip one day at a time, and tell us in advance what is going to happen – so we'll know how to change things on trip four."
"Why should Jacquan help?"
"You're in here for life. If you do survive, you'll be set-up in modules on Mars for the rest of your life with three other crewmen – all prisoners with unique abilities."
The inmate picked at his jumpsuit. "Can I wear something besides this obscene orange jumpsuit?"
"Anything you want – just make a list and hand it to the warden."
"I suppose that anyplace is better than this. You have yourself a physic spaceman."
"Excellent!" exclaimed the recruiter. "In two weeks you'll be on your way to Mars. Guards!"
May 23, 2023
The next five months proved uneventful as the crew of four convicts floated towards the Red Planet. 1 ½ hours each day was spent on exercising, and there were 3 meals served automatically by the kitchen appliances. This close to Mars, the Earth and Luna appeared as two crescents – the larger one blue and the smaller one white.
Ten minutes a day was set aside for each crew member to report back to Earth. This took place within a soundproof room with glass windows. Jacquan's dreams were peaceful now and he told this to the camera.
The man who called himself Simon was blind. Eddie was deaf and was teaching Jacquan sign language. The fourth man – Wilson – didn't have any obvious distinctions, but Jacquan thought he might have a photographic memory because he had been trained to manually land the ship if systems failed.
The computer awoke the physic during REM sleep – and made sure he wrote down what he had been dreaming about each night.
October 5th 10:15
Jacquan sat in the sound proof booth, 20 minutes ahead of his scheduled time. He watched his crewmates walk past, trying to give his report as calmly as possible. "This may well be my final transmission – as an accident will happen in 20 minutes that will kill everyone on board." Eddie walked past and nodded towards Jacquan, and they nodded to each other. "I saw my fellow crewmates, suited up, helmets on, dead. The alarms were blaring – their tongues hung out of their mouths. As I approached the bridge screen two words were flashing." Jacquan got out his notebook. "Magnetic Whirlpool. I have no intention of telling my crewmates what I saw because nothing I do will change the future. In my mind, they're all dead right now – they just don't know it yet."
Suddenly Eddie opened the door to the booth, pulling Jacquan out. "I read your lips and saw what you said about all of us being dead! When? When!"
"14 minutes," replied Jacquan.
"Everyone to the bridge," screamed Eddie. "Everyone suit up!"
As the others followed procedure, Jacquan went to the common area and got out a bottle of rum they had been saving for the landing. If you had to meet your maker, you might as well meet him hammered. The alarms went off and the lights went out.
December 14th
Jacquan slipped into the communications booth of his original ship.
"Jacquan True to Earth, reporting from the surface of Mars. It has taken me 6 weeks to get the booth fixed, and I'll need to make this short. After a soft landing by the autopilot, I found the modules sent here earlier were in good condition. The three modules are now linked up. Everyone else is dead of course. Protocol says to jump into a suit as soon as the alarm goes off – but don't do that! – You'll suffocate because the whirlpool messes up the air inside the helmets. There's enough air in the ship to last until everything goes back to normal, just wait it out.
"I have lots of food and the greenhouse is going strong. But I'd like someone to play cards with besides the computer –come on up. This is Jacquan True signing off, commander of the Martian base Baton Rouge. I'm off to take a nap now, so sweet dreams my Earth friends, and C'est la vie."
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text:
One would not expect an area of the United States that is a swamp, filled with alligators, snakes, and all other sorts of creatures that bite to provide some of the most beautiful scenes I have ever witnessed.
I was in high school at Palmer Trinity School, and during freshman year, it was mandatory to attend the Outward Bound class trip in the Florida Everglades. Granted paddling in a tiny canoe through mangroves to the 10,000 island area on the West Coast of Florida sounds like anything but a trip, but was I wrong.
Camping out on top of canoes in an opening in the mangroves is not something I would regularly do, but this experience is now a memory I will never forget. The night sky is something to behold when you are in the middle of the Glades in an opening in the mangroves. Having to pull your canoe through a gator hole is also an unforgettable experience for many reasons, particularly that of fearing for your life, but it was all worth it for the experience.
What the Florida Everglades offers is something no other place on Earth can quite rival. From the freshwater mangroves to the brackish water to the ocean, my week in the Everglades forever changed my view of this natural wonder. The Everglades is truly Florida and there is no other way to say you are a Floridian without fully experiencing the Everglades in whatever way you can.


text:
Tanzania on target to meet millennium development goal for reduction in child mortality
Many countries in Africa have made little to no progress towards meeting the Millennium Development Goal for reducing child mortality (MDG4.) However, Tanzania is on target to meet this goal, thanks to several important interventions that have been applied in child health, according to an Article in the Countdown Special Edition of The Lancet released on April 11, 2008.
For Tanzania, reaching MDG4 means a reduction in its mortality levels in children under five years old, which was 141 per 1000 live births in 1990. This must be reduced to 47 per 1000 by the year 2015, a two thirds reduction. Between 2000 and 2004, Tanzania achieved a reduction of 24%, with most of this success occurring after 1999. In the Article, Dr Hassan Mshinda, of the Ifakara Health Research and Development Centre, Tanzania, and colleagues examine how Tanzania made this remarkable progress, while considering if it can be sustained so the country can actually meet MGD4.
Between 1999 and 2004, the investigators found that Tanzania increased its public expenditure on health nearly twofold. They point out that an increase the budget in such a situation often correlates to positive results. "Such increased expenditure has been strongly correlated with increased survival in children younger than five years in developing countries, especially in poor people."Additionally, policy shifts occurred in 2000 in the government that leaned towards greater decentralization -- namely, grants were introduced that allowed individual districts financial resources. Thus, opportunities were opened for a local level of problem solving, and districts were selectively able to increase the resources for necessary interventions.
Alongside these funding improvements, several key child-survival interventions were given increased coverage. These include integrated management of childhood illness, insecticide-treated nets to prevent malaria, vitamin A supplemenation, immunization, and exclusive breastfeeding. Together, these funding modifications and local interventions reduced mortality in children under five by 24% between the years of 2000 and 2004.
There are a number of child health interventions that have only recently been implemented, whose effects have not yet been felt in the latest estimates, so there is significant optimism that Tanzania can maintain its progress in mortality reduction. One example of this is the increased funding to the nation from the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. These grants were awarded in 2002 but only took effect in 2004. Another example is a larger scale of the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (HIV) program, and antiretroviral therapy which began in 2007. A third example is a set of programs for Zinc Supplementation and oral rehydration therapy introduced in 2007, which hopes to reduce deaths due to diarrheal illness. Finally, access to artemisinin combination therapy, an antimalarial treatment, also began in 2007.
Each of the above factors is expected to reduce child mortality in the remaining years of the Countdown. That said, the authors note that neonatal deaths, which occur in the first month of life, have not been reduced -- and these account for almost one third of child deaths in Tanzania. Additionally, material mortality has shown no progress so another of the MGDs, Millenium Development Goal 5, is not on track. It is imperative that more careful attention be paid to maternal and neonatal interventions.
The authors conclude with cautious optimism: "Broad, multifaceted progress in stewardship, public expenditure on health, decentralised financing, resource allocation, and better coverage of essential child-survival services can work synergistically to effect important progress towards MDG4 in low-income countries such as Tanzania. Increased health resources combined with strengthening of decentralised health systems to ensure that life-saving interventions reach those in need is a key child-survival strategy."
Child survival gains in Tanzania: analysis of data from demographic and health surveys
Honorati Masanja, Don de Savigny, Paul Smithson, Joanna Schellenberg, Theopista John, Conrad Mbuya, Gabriel Upunda, Ties Boerma, Cesar Victora, Tom Smith, Hassan Mshinda
Lancet 2008; 371: 1276-83
Click Here For Journal
Millennium Development Goal 4: Reduce Child Mortality (Video Medical And Professional 2020).


text: School: Ramapo College of New JerseyHometown: Newark, NJAcademic Concentration: Law and SocietyBio: Berly Rivera (She, Her, Hers ) of Newark, NJ, but born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a proud Latina, Libra, Bisexual, and first generation EOF student. She is senior (but not graduating) Law and Society major with a minor in Women and Gender Studies at Ramapo College of New Jersey. Berly identifies as an intersectional feminist who is passionate about advocacy, civil law, social justice, calling out white feminism, women's rights, destroying biphobia/the stigma surrounding bisexuality and improving the lives of marginalized women of color. She previously served as an Intake Intern for the ACLU-NJ. In her spare time she goes to concerts, travels, goes to the city, reads, obsesses about her favorite artists (Lorde and Lana Del Rey), and shops for more black clothing. Internship final reports: 2018Sadie Nash Leadership Project


text: belgotim #1 Posted 16 November , 2005 For those interested in some primary source informaiton on an internment camp: Source: FO 383 / 210 "Interview with Ms Catherine Cleverley" Arrival at Holzminden: a) to sergeant's office where she had to hand over all the money she received: i. 2 bowls (1 enamel for washing and 1 for dinner) ii. 1 spoon iii. 2 towels iv. 1 mattress filled with paper on the second day: i. a hot bath for all the new internees ii. the clothes were disinfected iii. she was put in barrack 21, along with around 100 people iv. the place was divide into "rooms" by partitions Rooms had wooden bunks (around 10) a long table and 1 wooden stool for each person. There was also one stove and 2 windows. Continued: "vermin was terrible" "in the morning one's feet and hands and neck were as though one had lain in a bed of stinging nettles, and there were fleas of enormous size. We were simply eaten alive." Q: Why were there so many fleas? A: "Because of the wood. As you lay in bed the bugs fell off the ceilings on your face, if you sat at the table you had to kill bugs running up the wall. It became so bad that we could not sleep in the wooden place at all, we had to take our mattresses out and put them on the floor." "Committee on the Treatment by the Enemy of British Prisoners of War". (24/11/16) Holzminden is said to have been built by British and Belgan Prisoners of War. It has been in use since the first months of the war as the main camp for the internment of civilians, male and female, Belgian, French and Russian, and latterly also Serbian and Roumanians. The mens' quarters is divided from the womens' by a barbed wire fence, the gate in which is opened daily from 12 to 3 (on Sundays from 12 to 5), when the prisoners are allowed to mingle freely. They [the prisoners] bought napthaline and tried to clean the walls, but nothing could get rid of the bugs and fleas. There were also mice and rats. The food was from the beginning uneatable. In the morning we were given a portion of black bread and coffee (or nettle tea), at midday we received soup and at 6pm we were given soup or coffee, with occasionally a piece of sausage or cheese or raw herring. Those who received parcels from home lived on them. A warm shower-bath was provided once a week. Only at a late stage were attempts made to separate the disease-ridden from the healthy. Until spring 1916 all lived together, bathed together and used the same sanitary accommodation. From the first no effort seems to have been made in the control of the camp, to secure any moral discipline. The most open immorality has been habitual, and no restraint imposed even in the interest of the children, who have been left to grow familiar with the sight of vice, and in some cases to suffer contamination themselves. At night the men are able to climb the barrier, and habitually use the opportunity of doing so. Irregular births have occurred in the camp. The German soldiers on guard have themselves been among the offenders, and the office who is second in command of the camp is stated to have been as bad as they. Source: FO 383 / 324From: G. Ridder Van Rappard 17/12/18 Minister Resident Netherland Legation Berlin "Unanounced visit to Holzminden Camp. I was received by Hauptmann Wyneken, the Adjudant to the Camp Commandant, Oberst von Gallus. There are four British prisoners in the camp: - Dr. David Oswald - Mr. E Johnson [tradesman from Antwerp, aged 63] - Mr. John Barkow - Mrs. Edith Carter, née Schnack. There are some 2,500 prisoners in the camp; 300 women and 90 children. Housing conditions: There is one part for the males and one part for the females. The wooden barracks do not appear to be overcrowded and a sufficient quantity of coal is provided for the coming winter months. Food: The camp food is prepared in the Central Kitchen, but the British prisoners are allowed to cook their own food on special ovens, which have been placed at their disposal. No complaint about the food was made by the prisoners. Canteen: There were the usual articles on sale at the Camp Canteen. The camp authorities, whenever possible, endeavoured to give effect to special orders or requests made by prisoners. Letters and Parcels: Letters and parcels are censored at the camp. Sanitary: Supervised by the medical staff which consists of 3 German military doctors, 2 Russian doctors, 2 French doctors and a Dental Surgeon. The bathing and washing facilities are satisfactory and running water is supplied throughout the camp. Clothing: Clothes and shoes are provided by the camp authorities only in cases where the prisoners themselves are not in a position to pay for them, of if the Help Committee cannot supply them. Work: The British subjects in the camp are employed in the usual light camp duties; none of the interned are compelled to work outside the camp. Exercises and Recreation: Walks outside the camp are not permitted. Theatre performances and concerts are allowed. The children in the camp attend the Camp School. Religion: A Protestant clergyman holds religious services once a fortnight in the camp. These are also several Roman Catholic clergymen in the camp, who conduct services every morning. Source: FO 383 / 390 From: G. Ridder Van Rappard 03/04/18 Minister Resident Netherland Legation Berlin "I visited the camp at Holzminden on March 26, 918. I was received by the Commandant, Oberst Gallus. There is a total of about 2,500 prisoners interned, of whom 17 are British." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites