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Jean-Paul Sartre, his companion Simone de Beauvoir, and their cohort Albert Camus were Resistance fighters as well as French intellectuals. That's important to remember, when considering the extremity of some of their statements. They were up against the wall, with Nazis in the parlor. And they're on tap today in CoPhi, along with Tim Crane on mind and body ("How could a piece of soft tissue think and feel?"). [Sartre, Camus @dawn… roads to freedom… deB SEP,IEP… "Stand By Your Man: The strange liaison of Sartre and Beauvoir…trees and bridges… Sartre's cat]
It is arresting to realize that when we get mad and then busy (as Bill McKibben says we must), it's all at the instigation and the behest of that hunk of soft tissue between our ears: an unlikely candidate for freedom and resistance, and yet it's fundamentally who and what we are, when suitably harnessed to a motive agent like a body. Like? What else is like a body, in a way capable of executing events in a world?
So, to some of those extreme Gallic statements:
- "So this is hell. I'd never have believed it. You remember all we were told about the torture-chambers, the fire and brimstone, the "burning marl." Old wives' tales!There's no need for red-hot pokers. HELL IS–OTHER PEOPLE!"
- "Man is condemned to be free; because once thrown into the world, he is responsible for everything he does. "Life has no meaning a priori … It is up to you to give it a meaning, and value is nothing but the meaning that you choose."
- "Life has no meaning, the moment you lose the illusion of being eternal."
- "Words are loaded pistols."
- "Life begins on the other side of despair."
- "Nothingness lies coiled in the heart of being – like a worm."
- "There is no love apart from the deeds of love; no potentiality of love other than that which is manifested in loving; there is no genius other than that which is expressed in works of art."
- "An individual chooses and makes himself."
- "If I became a philosopher, if I have so keenly sought this fame for which I'm still waiting, it's all been to seduce women basically."
- "It is disgusting — Why must we have bodies?"
- "I carry the weight of the world by myself alone without help, engaged in a world for which I bear the whole responsibility without being able, whatever I do, to tear myself away from this responsibility for an instant."
- "Life is a useless passion."
- "There is only one day left, always starting over: It is given to us at dawn and taken away from us at dusk."
And so it goes. Picture him dropping his verbal cluster-bombs in a dingy Parisian cafe, ringed by his own unfiltered smoke and an adoring cultish audience, all wondering if he and his confreres would live to fight another day. "Useless passion"? Generations of Sartre's politically (if not metaphysically) free French successors might disagree. But removed from that context, I find these weaponish words hard to love. At least the guy who said hell is other people liked cats.
- "One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman."
- "She was ready to deny the existence of space and time rather than admit that love might not be eternal."
- "A man attaches himself to woman — not to enjoy her, but to enjoy himself. "
- "If you live long enough, you'll see that every victory turns into a defeat."
- "I am incapable of conceiving infinity and yet I do not accept finity."
- "Few tasks are more like the torture of Sisyphus than housework, with its endless repetition: the clean becomes soiled, the soiled is made clean, over and over, day after day."
- "I am awfully greedy; I want everything from life. I want to be a woman and to be a man, to have many friends and to have loneliness, to work much and write good books, to travel and enjoy myself, to be selfish and to be unselfish… You see, it is difficult to get all which I want. And then when I do not succeed I get mad with anger."
- "Man is defined as a human being and a woman as a female — whenever she behaves as a human being she is said to imitate the male."
- "Fathers never have exactly the daughters they want because they invent a notion a them that the daughters have to conform to."
- "Why one man rather than another? It was odd. You find yourself involved with a fellow for life just because he was the one that you met when you were nineteen."
- "Self-consciousness is not knowledge but a story one tells about oneself."
Some stories ring truer than others though, no? De Beauvoir rings truer than Sartre, most of the time, for me. And Albert Camus with his Sisyphean view of life offers the starkest challenge when he says the ultimate question in philosophy is that of suicide. "Should I kill myself, or have a cup of coffee?" More coffee! It makes me happy, and it's the braver choice. But no room for cream, please.
Camus also said
- "You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life."
- "There are causes worth dying for, but none worth killing for."
- "I do not believe in God and I am not an atheist."
- "Always go too far, because that's where you'll find the truth."
- "Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present."
Albert Camus gave us the Existential version of Sisyphus, and the "fundamental question of philosophy":
"There is but one truly serious philosophical problem and that is suicide. Judging whether life is or is not worth living amounts to answering the fundamental question of philosophy. All the rest — whether or not the world has three dimensions, whether the mind has nine or twelve categories — comes afterwards. These are games; one must first answer."
OK, got it. My answer is yes, of course life is worth living. Living's not always easy, but there's usually something to show for your hard work. It can be a source of happiness. (And what does Sisyphus do after hours?)
The next question, having consented to live, is how. Politics is supposed to help with that. But in this political season, there have been moments when many of us have wondered if it's all worth it. Camus felt the same.
"Every time I hear a political speech or I read those of our leaders, I am horrified at having, for years, heard nothing which sounded human. It is always the same words telling the same lies. And the fact that men accept this, that the people's anger has not destroyed these hollow clowns, strikes me as proof that men attribute no importance to the way they are governed; that they gamble – yes, gamble – with a whole part of their life and their so called 'vital interests."
Politics was supposed to be all about freeing the people to pursue happiness, Mr. Jefferson said. If it's hard to imagine Sisyphus happy, it may be harder to expect that from our politics these days. But we must keep on pushing.


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Amazon's indoor security camera includes night vision for around-the-clock surveillance and links up with Alexa right out of the box, so you can pull up your video feed with the sound of your voice anytime you want. Cloud cam subscription allows expanded clip storage and more sophisticated alert features. Two-way audio allows you to startle the crap out of unsuspecting guests.
Almost everyone has a bucket list. But if you talk to enough people, you'll find that a lot of those buckets are kind of empty. The Bucket List Experiences Gift Box allows you to dump a whole bunch of stuff into someone's bucket, and let them pull one of those things out for free. It's simple: for a flat price, you buy them access to a whole list of unique activities and experiences at locations across the world, and they get to choose whichever one tickles their fancy the most.
It's nice to have the option to get an endless massage from somebody whose hands never get tired. And you don't have to worry about being a captive audience to some godawful boring story or suffer through ten minutes of vomit-inducing garlic breath. Machines do it better.
In our computer-crazy culture, one of the most overworked parts of many people's bodies is their eyes. It's enough of a problem that some people would probably consider hiring a full-time eye massager if they could afford it, and if those people actually existed. But once again, here comes technology to save us from the damage created by other technology. This may look like a virtual reality headset, but there's nothing virtual about it. Real heat, real massage, and real soothing music make it an invaluable tool for recovering from a hard day of sitting there and staring at the abyssal depths of the internet.
Most people poop incorrectly. With all that practice you'd think we'd all be good at it. The Squatty Potty gets the body in the correct posture and claims to help with all sorts of health issues. It's a great gift since all things toilet related are inherently funny.
Night-blindness is that thing that happens when you turn on the bathroom light in the middle of the night. The shock of going from darkness to light is abruptly harsh, and after the light goes off you're blind for several minutes until your eyes readjust to the darkness. The combination of night blindness and urgent midnight runs to the bathroom can result in any number of minor disasters like stubbed toes and stray streams of... you get the idea. With the subtle glow of a toilet night light all these problems are a thing of the past. Also creates a nice atmosphere for impromptu bathroom disco parties.
Vacuuming will no longer feel like a chore with this powerful canister strapped to their back. Liberating and sporty, this dust-defeating, crumb-eating soldier of suction is strictly reserved for today's most ambitious and orderly housekeepers. The latest in domestic fitness regimens, this lightweight apparatus will strengthen their core while reducing unsightly nicks on walls and unnecessary scratches on floors. Tidiness redefined.
Technology may sometimes seem to complicate things, but here it removes one of life's worst conundrums. Those french fries may taste great, but they're quickly dragging you toward a big, fat grave. Remove the oil by using this electric air fryer, and they're just damn good potatoes. Feast away with a happy heart.
Symbolic furniture is all the rage. Champagne lovers will feel tipsy when they see this decorative and functional living room table that pays homage to their favorite beverage. Then maybe you can buy them that dining room table shaped like a cow. Or that butt-shaped toilet seat cover. So many choices in this category.
Usually by the time you need a paper towel your hands are already wet, and then you've got no way to tear off a sheet without ruining the whole damn roll. Frankly, it's amazing that nobody seems outraged about this. Don't let an important person in your life suffer this atrocity over and over again. We have answers for these things now.
The last thing they need is more stuff, and at the end of it all it's really the experiences that they will cherish the most. Help them create some new memories to look back on by finding a fun activity to do locally. Be adventurous and choose something they've near done before. It's a gift that will enrich their life and yours too.
Gnome infestations have remained a taboo subject for too long. Damn the social consequences, we must finally bring this issue into the light. Gnomes are not people, they are parasites bent on destroying everything we've worked so hard to build and eating all of our vegetables. Don't worry, you don't have to snuff them out yourself. Leave that to this merciless miniature beast.
Along with abundance comes the responsibility not to bore the crap out of people by making the same silly casserole every night. The problem is that nobody wants to think that much about food. They just want to eat. Place the burden of creativity - and blame - on these ingenious foodie dice, and watch the possibilities multiply.
It can be hard to get the whole family to sit still for a portrait, but with generational photos you only need to get them to sit still one at a time, which can usually be accomplished with nothing more than subtle threats. Not only is that easier to manage, but with a little Photoshop magic you can turn the raw materials into a graphic representation of one little branch of your family tree. The finished product is like looking down a long hall of mirrors into your genetic history.
Save them from trekking all the way down to the local ice cream chain store and waiting in line for some 16 year old who hates everything about them to shovel a handful of mass-produced ice cream into a paper cup and then charge them eight dollars while rolling his eyes. Life is so much more pleasant when you can do things yourself, isn't it?
They can make furniture as complicated as futuristic as they want; there's a reason this is still the iconic symbol of relaxation. Its primitive-inspired luxury will never get old, nor will its timeless design. Nobody can look at a hammock without feeling the primal urge to jump in and take a long nap. Tropical dreams hide within.
Chocolates used to (and perhaps still do) come from factories run by shady recluses and populated by obese midget slaves. Or at least that's what the video evidence suggests. But it doesn't have to be that way anymore. Stick it to big business by giving someone this home chocolate making kit and help them join the artisan revolution. A whole new way to make chocolate "guilt free".
This may sound like a recklessly bold claim, but we have the studies to prove it. We took all the blankets in the world and rubbed them up against a very soft person, then listened to how much they cried. This one elicited a mere whisper.
Until we learn to harness our psychic powers, we'll have to slog through life using technology to communicate our thoughts to each other over long distances. But this is most certainly one of the sweetest ways to slog. Touching one lamp makes the other turn on instantly, so you can let whoever has the matching twin lamp know you're thinking of them, no matter where they are or how far away. In the age of social media, where mass personal advertisements pass themselves off as "connection", show someone important that they're worth a direct line of their own.
Tea has been renowned for its health and healing abilities since ancient times. Of course, so has bloodletting. But don't worry - unlike cutting someone open, feeding them tea actually works. Most teas are packed with antioxidants and other important nutrients and fancy-sounding compounds that we've learned about from Dr. Oz, and many have genuine medicinal applications. And many teas also have flavor and aroma profiles that promote relaxation and relieve stress. It almost sounds too good to be true. But it's not. Nature is a genius, and here's her medicine.
Nobody wants to touch your feet, so stop asking. And we know you don't want to touch anybody else's either, so if you want someone's feet to feel better this is the only ethical choice. And with switchable heat and nonstop movement, this is way better than any human could do anyway. All without the complaining or the feeling of obligation to reciprocate in some way.
Humans aren't the only members of the animal kingdom to practice the ancient spiritual and physical art of yoga, and we've got the visual propaganda to prove it — in the form of calendars, picture books, statues, coloring books, postcards, and more. And of all the non-human members of the yoga community, cats hold a special place at the front of the movement. Naturally flexible, nimble, self-motivated, and introspective, cats have done much to further the age-old practice of yoga. It's time we gave them the recognition they deserve.
Everyone dreams of being the coolest man on the block. Well, when the summer weather heats up, even the coolest of the cool need some help. An ice cream maker is a classic answer to this age-old problem. But as any self-respecting person knows, if you're going to do something, you should do it right. So if you're making ice cream, don't use some cheap imitation ice cream maker that's been sitting on the shelves at Target since the late '90s. Go for the Sur La Table Dream Ice Cream Machine - the Rolls Royce of home confection. And as an added bonus, this also might just make them the sweetest person on the block.
They may be the world record holder for moo goo gai pan take-out orders, but that doesn't mean they can't apply that same ambition to a more progressive enterprise on the culinary scene. These boxed meals feature fresh, nutritious ingredients that will inspire healthier eating and put a lid on that MSG consumption. Award their starved taste buds and support responsible land stewardship while you're at it!
The good life is all about quality over quantity. Or maybe it's about quality and quantity. We're not here to argue. If they still want to swill down cheap rotgut wine by the box, nobody's going to stop them. It's their life, not yours. But here's a great way to broaden their horizons once a month by introducing them to the stuff that's popular with the people who don't mix their chardonnay with diet sprite.
Making olive oil is a time-tested mediterranean art. And they don't put the good stuff on the shelves at Costco, no matter how ornate the adhesive label is. They make you go and find it. A true Italian or Greek food connoisseur will appreciate the difference, even if you're clueless. Bring the finest flavors of the old world right to their table.
It can feel kind of strange to hand someone a notebook as a present, and be like, "Here, write in this." But not when said notebook is an intricate and stunning piece of art like this wood-covered journal. Each one has either a natural image (plants, wildlife) or an uplifting message cut into the front cover. The unique and beautiful designs transform these from simple notebooks into works of art that the recipient adds to over time.
Who doesn't appreciate a hug every once in a while? It may have never occurred to you, but our feet don't often get the love they need. Well, someone's feet are going to be in for a real treat now with this pair of custom insoles. Up til now they've probably always been crammed into ready-made factory-produced shoes. It's no wonder they're getting so ornery. These custom molded insoles fit like a glove (we'd say "like a sock", but these are light years better than socks), help prevent injuries, and ease foot fatigue and associated pain.
The perfect gift for the person who's always getting lost in the dark, tripping down the stairs on their way back from the bathroom, or struggling to summon The Batman, the light from this flashlight is visible from five nautical miles away. They'll never need to fear the Joker again!
So this maybe doesn't have the wow factor of, say, a MENSA membership, but that's not the point. You can buy a lifetime supply of Frosted Flakes for $.99. We're not sure what MENSA does for you, but we know it can't deliver like that. Who's the genius now?
Turn your stream of consciousness food rants into an organized list of purchasable items. Just press a button and say what you need, and this handy wall robot will sort it into grocery store categories and spit out a nice clean list for you. Voice recognition technology for the busy homemaker.
Fruits and vegetables are like children: you let your guard down for a day or two, and when you look again they're spoiled, and you would rather just get rid of them than deal with their rottenness. Preventing spoiled kids is complicated, but fruits and vegetables are a lot simpler. Someone already figured out the answer, and here it is.
How many times have they said, "I know this town like the back of my hand"? Present them with this accurate jigsaw representation, sit back, and ask them to prove it. Or stoke their nostalgia with a puzzle version of their long-lost birthplace. A great choice for a more personalized gift.
There are lots of gift basket subscriptions out there, but when it comes to sweet, wholesome fruit, who better to turn to than "The Fruit Company"? With plenty of different combinations to choose from, and quality unlike anything you're going to find at the grocery store, it's just like planting a magic tree in the backyard and letting it do its thing. Except even a magic tree doesn't deliver its fruit wrapped up all nice in a basket, and magic trees never think to include some cheese or jam as a bonus. When you think about it, magic trees are actually kind of lame. A fruit subscription is way better.
It's been said that there are no straight lines or sharp corners in nature. And while it came from the mouth of a very smart man, it's actually kind of a dumb thing to say, and not true at all. But we're sure he had a point. These hexagonal planters are further proof that straight lines and nature go hand in hand like…well, like two hands.
Both cheaper and healthier than buying commercially-made soda, this thing is a win-win. It's also a step up in elegance from having a pantry stuffed with cases of Mountain Dew. They can tell everyone it's "artisan soda", whatever that means. Their health, checking account, and reputation as connoisseurs will all thank you.
Grilling out is about to get a makeover. No more lugging around a bag of charcoal or pressurized cans of flammable liquid. That's stone age crap. It's time to start harnessing geometry and the primal power of the solar system to help make dinner. The parabolic reflective surface condenses the sun's rays on the cooking vessel, letting them grill, steam, slow-cook, or pan fry their favorite dishes under the clear blue sky, and all with a minimal level of human input. Sometimes simpler really is better.
This is the perfect choice for their bedside reading lamp - a light bulb that actually promotes sleep. Typical bulbs emit a specific type of blue light that suppresses melatonin, but that wavelength of color is filtered out of this bulb that is used by NASA to help astronauts sleep in space.
Life is often times very frustrating. It's easy to eat a thousand pistachios a minute, but you end up with a mountain of inedible shells and a weird feeling in your mouth. The second problem is your own fault, but someone went and fixed the first one because they care about you and hate seeing you struggle. Pass on the gift to someone else you care about.
Somewhere between rustic/functional and warehouse-chic, this trivet and coaster set is not only sturdy and visually pleasing, but also stylistically unclassifiable. It doesn't get any cooler than that. The natural wood finish gives it a handmade look that adds warmth and personality. A unique gift that's simple, functional, and stylish.
For many people, donuts are the only reason to get up in the morning. Despite this, we've been told over and over how unhealthy they are, being fried balls of dough and all. Well, this donut pan will remove the final psychological barrier to full enjoyment, because it takes out the frying. Take that, food police. Oh, and it's a lot cheaper too.
If they have kids, this bowl is merely an homage to the future. They say art should reflect real life, and this cereal bowl makes a very safe graphic prediction about what's about to happen. The Nostradamus of kitchenware. Then, as they say, it's all over but the crying.
Personalized gifts are always the best. A picture frame is one thing; it's something else entirely to show them that you know exactly what they want to look at by loading it with pictures that will make them happy. Just make sure you get it right. Otherwise it comes across as a weird attempt at mind control.
It's never too early to spread the love. And with this heart-shaped waffle maker, all they have to do is spread the batter, and all the love symbolism comes popping out by itself, like magic. Alas, these delicious creations are destined to be just as fleeting.
Despite what you might think, not all communication in the 21st century is digital. There is a midway point between old time mouth-based talking and facebook, where people still communicate in a low tech environment. You just have to make a game out of it, or no one will bother. Let wall scrabble be the glue that holds the thin shards of someone's family life together.
There's nothing more comforting to a pet owner than feeling the wet, slimy nose of their favorite companion pressed against their bare skin. Over and over again. While they're watching TV, doing yoga, cooking, trying to take out the garbage, talking on the phone, or waking up in the morning. Pretty much anytime they're not covered in clothing from the neck down. Since they can't take their animal's nose with them everywhere they go, here's the next best thing.
There's no better way to wash off the stress and anxiety of a long day than with a bath bomb. Turns out they're great for healing too. Like aromatherapy and hydrotherapy all rolled into one, bath bombs help soothe and relax aching joints and muscles while infusing the air with the calming, rejuvenating fragrance of essential oils. It's a little gift that will help her unwind in a big way.
It's amazing to think that giving someone a kit to take a sample of their own DNA, that will then be sent off and analyzed, resulting in a detailed personalized genetic analysis, would have seemed like total science fiction just a few decades ago. But here we are, and the kit makes a thought provoking gift. They could be related to Genghis Khan, Cleopatra, Chuck Norris, and Batman… Probably not that last one. But you can't prove it. Now you can either both spend your lives wondering, or you can finally understand where that fixation with roundhouse kicks came from. The choice is yours.
There aren't many aspects of a public restroom that you would like to bring inside your home. In fact, this is probably the only one. The toilet is going to be the dirtiest thing in any house (we hope), so why would anyone want to be putting their hands all over it? A motion sensor activated flushing unit takes care of this problem.
If you're always relying on Trip Advisor, you're going to be in for some nasty surprises. Because you never know whether the person on the other end of that five-star review has a conflict of interest, or even if they're sound of mind to begin with. Leave the hardcore travel advice up to the experts who have the proven experience and insight. National Geographic has made a name for themselves by being THE authority on what to see and where. They've got some real skin in the game, unlike Doris from Grand Forks who thinks the Motel 6 in Albuquerque was better than the Grand Canyon. Send your loved one off into the great unknown with the real ultimate guide.
A first impression is a dominant factor in shaping perception. A hilarious doormat begins that process even before eye contact is made. Help them ingratiate themselves with party guests, traveling salesmen, Jehovah's Witnesses, and whoever else happens to stumble upon their threshold. A little personality never hurt anyone.
Look, soap is great. Nobody's denying that. But you have to realize that while it does make you clean, it doesn't accomplish the one thing that so many people wish it did: cover them in chocolate. For obvious reasons, however, being covered in chocolate is a somewhat dubious goal. After all, they would have to wash it off right away to avoid getting it on the furniture. This chocolate soap is the perfect compromise: they get to cover themselves in chocolate and somehow get cleaner at the same time. And wow, it really smells good too.
As time passes, people are bound to change. This fillable glass memory locket was made with that personal evolution in mind. The double-sided glass design gives them more options for filling it with photos, small objects, keepsakes, or anything else they might want to carry with them. And swapping out one image, object, or arrangement for another is as easy as snapping the locket open and then closed again. A beautiful, versatile peace of jewelry that can change and grow with its owner.
The gentle, even pressure of a weighted blanket has been proven to reduce anxiety and ease insomnia by lowering the activity of the nervous system and increasing serotonin levels. It may sound like magic, but it's not. It's science, which is like magic plus reality. A weighted blanket helps people with anxiety issues, ADHD, autism, chronic stress, and more. It's like a gentle giant holding you down and saying, "You're not going anywhere, so you might as well sleep." Except not nearly as terrifying.
Legal in all 50 states, this herb garden smokes the competition! The aroma of fresh herbs will bring serenity and well-being to their home and some much needed flavor to their cooking. Rosemary, thyme, dill, sage, oregano, the options are limitless! Green thumbs not required for this low-maintenance nursery. Sprigs of yummy goodness direct from Mother Nature.
If you decide to do this, go all out. Show up at 5 in the morning dressed impeccably in a tuxedo. Proceed to handle all unpleasantness with quiet grace, never faltering, never betraying any emotion save unswerving loyalty to the person whom it your your honor to serve. Take care of them the way that they think they deserve. Really buttle them good.
Everyone used to have that one weird friend who would set up a portable swimming pool in the middle of the living room just so they could take a bath and watch TV at the same time. Now technology allows them to bring the TV to the bathtub, not the other way around, in the form of a small tablet. But electronics and water still don't really mix that well, so you need something like this. Provides space for food, beverages, soap, aromatherapy candles, entertainment, and whatever else they might want within arm's reach while soaking away their worries.
The senses of smell and taste are highly correlated. Of course, smelling books is highly correlated with general weirdness, but in this case it's alright, because that's what this book was made for. A great introduction to what you're supposed to be noticing on the way to inebriation, perfect for a wine beginner, or for someone who's trying to make the tough leap from the box to the bottle.
If there's anything that can make wine taste better, it's a little frustration. If you think life in our rapid-delivery consumer culture is just a bit too easy, then teach someone a valuable lesson by making them work more than they anticipated for their reward. You're not only giving the world's oldest artisan beverage, you're helping develop life skills.
Life is all about redefining your vices as positive qualities. In fact, that's how you become President, if you have the drive to take it that far. But most people prefer to start small, like reframing their nightly glass of wine as something worthy of a prescription. And really, who can argue? It's a lot cheaper, has fewer side effects, and is actually fun to ingest. And it has culture. Don't forget about culture.
If you're looking for a truly one of a kind gift, you might consider commissioning a local artist to create a unique piece of jewelry. It will not only be cherished by the lucky recipient, but it's also a gift to the starving artist, so it will mean a lot to everyone. Remember to plan in advance for this one, custom made artwork is not created overnight.
Don't rush to buy them a present they'll almost never use. Let's be honest, no one likes to be on the receiving end of those. Instead, get them a present that they'll be rushing out of the door to use. Treat them to a night out in one of their top local restaurants. Who wouldn't love an evening of gourmet food, fine wine and absolutely no dishes to do afterwards?
Feeling parched? Snuggle up to this double-fisted bosom and quench your thirst with some nectar of the gods. Best suited for full-bodied reds, this bra bar will serve up the finest burgundies, cabernets and merlots with seduction and sporty spunk. Thick or thin, the legs on this wine-lover's paradise make consumption effortless, portable and pretty. Jug wine just got really awesome!
In a world where deadlines are king, why not focus on a finish line that's really worth celebrating? Retirement! They'll keep their eye on the prize with this optimistic ticker that will drive them to accomplish bigger and better things at work. Imagine the sweet silence of no alarm in the wee hours of the morning. Retirement will feel like it's always right around the corner.
The great thing about retirement is that you can finally say whatever the hell you want, because you're no longer bound by the normal financial and social rules. If you put it on a business card, they can say it without even having to open their mouths. Help make retirement a time of great relaxation and catharsis.
Eggs are delicious, healthy, delicate, and frustrating all at the same time. This makes them a perfect candidate for something to hand to a machine and say, "Here, you deal with this." And unlike housemates, the machine won't feel used or unappreciated. It will just produce perfect eggs in one of several forms, all without protesting. Another win for technology.
If they seem bored with preparing their meals the traditional way – you know, by microwaving them – then this futuristic cooking contraption could be the gift for them. Simply vacuum pack food in a bag, submerge it in water and the all-powerful Sous Vide will turn it into mouth-watering, restaurant-worthy steak. Yes, really. Check out our Guide to Sous Vide Cooking to learn more about this underutilized method of cooking.
We think it best not to mention that you bought this gift just in case their eyesight isn't quite what it used to be. Aside from ensuring the longevity of their Scrabble career, it's a classic that's bound to produce hours of fun, a few accusations of cheating, possibly a light family argument and some spectacular words that may or may not have some questionable origins.
You've always taken for granted that your ceramic mug was the best way to keep your coffee hot. So let us ask, What other 12,000 year old technologies are you still relying on? It just goes to show that we haven't really come as far from our caveman ancestors as we like to think, especially when it comes to eating and drinking. Show them how much more evolved you are by gifting them this space-age, temperature control ceramic mug.
This necklace makes use of the classic symbol of kinship and togetherness, so that no matter how far away they get, they'll never lose sight of their origins. Enclosed in a sterling silver pod, each jade gemstone "pea" represents one of your children or grandchildren. Each necklace is handmade and can accommodate up to four peas. The peas in a pod necklace makes a great anti-homesickness gift, and it's a great way to remind the scattered kinfolk that they carry a lifelong connection, no matter where they are.
A Rate-As-You-Go wine subscription starts off with a quick taste test — six mini bottles to see which kinds of fermented grapes tickle the magic taste buds. The results are then fed through a super-secret quantum algorithm to determine their exact wine preferences, and from that point on they only receive bottles they'll love. No more sending a pinot noir lover a bottle of expensive chablis that they'll just end up pouring over their roast chicken.
These days, you can't really say you have a cutting-edge anything if it doesn't have the words "smartphone charging" in the title. Which is bound to lead to some strange home furnishings, like the smartphone charging toilet plunger, or the i-crowave. But considering that we now live through our smartphones more than we live through our brains, maybe we'll soon welcome those things into our lives as well. For now, let's just start with a wireless smartphone charging mouse pad, which isn't weird at all.
How to Pick the Best Gifts for Mom
Sure, buying gifts for your mom can be intimidating. After all, there's a lot to live up to. No matter how much work you put into picking out the most meaningful gift, it'll never make up for the all the love, sacrifice, and good PR she provided.
But we've got a treasure trove of great gift ideas for mom, whether you're looking for birthday gifts, Christmas gifts, Mother's Day gifts, or any other occasion. We've scoured the internet, plumbed the depths of Amazon, and turned over every stone to find the best and most unique gifts for moms, just to make your job easier. But it's fine if you want to take all the credit.
We've split it all up into categories so it's even easier to find the perfect present. Take a gander, son (or daughter) — you won't be disappointed.
Rest & Relaxation
Being a mother is one of the most underappreciated jobs on the planet when it comes to pure energy expenditure. We've collected some of the best gifts to help mom relax, because we know you've been running her ragged (and if you haven't, someone else surely has).
Moms Who Love Wine
Mama loves the sauce, and there's nothing wrong with that. Lord knows she's earned it. If you're looking for a thoughtful gift for your mom, how about one that helps her enjoy a nice glass (or two) of red, white, or bubbly at the end of a long day.
Convenient and Time Saving
The lives of moms are famously packed with endless errands and tasks, both small and large. One of the most useful gifts for mom might just be something that gives her a few more hours back or makes her life easier. Every little bit counts, and these gift ideas might just save the day.
Foodie Gifts
Whether her kitchen skills are better described by the word "master" or "disaster," one thing is for sure: it's hard to go wrong with food-related gifts. If mom is a foodie, this might be the list you've been waiting for.
Home Decoration
Mothers tend to have a gift for making home a welcoming place. Home decoration items make for great sentimental gifts for mom, because it'll give her another reason to think of you. Isn't that the sweetest thing you've ever heard?
Gifts to Get Her Out of the House
Some of these make perfect gifts for the mom who doesn't want anything. If she's too busy, frazzled, or otherwise overwhelmed by life, here are some great gift ideas for a mom that needs to get out more.

subset: commoncrawl


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Antimatzist wrote:So is this good or bad?
Raww Le Klueze wrote:Antimatzist wrote:So is this good or bad?
Doesn't really matter how good or bad of a writer you are if the premise you're given is bad. Suikoden V is a decent story, aside from the ending, Tierkreis is just awful from the first line to the credits.
Antimatzist wrote:But isn't he as a writer responsible for the story? Sorry, I don't exactly know what a "writer" does in a game. Or is the "producer" the one who develops the general plot and the writer fills it?
Rachael wrote:What was wrong with the Suikoden V ending?
Raww Le Klueze wrote:It's a cop-out and makes little to no sense. There are things that can be considered poor writing in Suikoden V, Lucretia's omnipotence comes to mind, but the 108 stars ending is the most egregious. Which is a shame after what was a good game that the ending is so poor.
http://www.suikosource.com/phpBB3/viewt ... 2&p=124963 This thread explains most of the problems with it.
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text: josselin2196 206 Posted March 3 12 hours ago, Munarmunar said: Thanks to you for this great mod my man! I have a question tho, are you planning on adding the ATV somehow? If you realy want a atv you can use one of this mods: the second one run on old rcs system ( graphics broken) but still playable if you deactivate rcs and add another. the size of the atv is more accurate with knes. it is visible on picture in some post above Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


text:
While others had sunbathing on their summer bucket lists, Jessica Ha and Nga "Ana" Vu had petri dishes and pipets on theirs.
This summer, the San Jacinto College students interned in Rice University's Interdisciplinary Program in Multi-scale Biological Networks.
During this Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), students from across the U.S. don lab coats and unleash the power of microscopes and centrifuges at Rice.
Think ditching summer vacation sounds crazy? Ha and Vu disagree. Not only did a $5,250 stipend sweeten the deal, but the duo engaged in cutting-edge research while rubbing shoulders with Rice grad students.
Made for This
The bionetworks internship was tailor made for the budding researchers.
Ha is pursuing mechanical -- and later biomedical -- engineering. One day she hopes to create medical devices to help the body.
A science tutor and biochemistry major, Vu wants to attend medical school to become a pediatrician.
Throughout the summer, they spent their days researching under the supervision of graduate students and their nights catching Z's in the dormitories.
During breaks, they enjoyed faculty-led seminars on topics like graduate school applications, responsible research, and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) career paths.
"It was a big commitment in my summer, but I enjoyed it a lot," Ha said. "I kind of wish it was longer."
Research opportunities included synthetic biology; metabolic, ecological, or naturally-occurring genetic networks; and biomolecular structure, function, and evolution.
Double Take
Ha followed in her sister's footsteps by attending San Jacinto College. Vu, on the other hand, recently moved with her family from Vietnam and is a first-generation college student and English speaker.
Despite different backgrounds, they shared much in common before becoming Rice interns.
Originally honors chemistry lab partners, they both pursued undergraduate research thanks to encouragement from College faculty.
Under the direction of Dr. Laria Redjimi, Vu presented a physics project at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research. In addition, with Dr. Connie Gomez and Dr. Phuong Doan, she and Ha are designing a synthetic arm that could replace three separate ones used for practicing venipuncture, taking pulses, and checking blood pressure.
And finally -- call it coincidence -- both learned about Rice internship programs and got accepted into bionetworks.
"We knew we had both applied for nano [another internship], but we didn't know we'd both applied for bionetworks," Vu said.
Their joint acceptance is remarkable. According to program director and Rice biochemistry professor Dr. Joff Silberg, the bionetworks acceptance rate rivals that of med school, with only 10-12 students selected from up to 350 applicants nationwide.
"San Jac students are well prepared and poised to excel in research groups," Dr. Silberg said.
This summer, San Jacinto College had five Rice interns, including three participants in the nanotechnology program: Alexandria Bui, Benjamin Monical, and Steven Presutti.
Lessons beyond the Lab
Each bionetworks intern assisted a Rice grad student with his or her research hypothesis.
For her project, Ha evaluated the transfer of electrons between two proteins, engineered ferredoxins and corn ferredoxin-NADP reductase. The binding of these proteins can create a synthetic pathway to make bioelectronic devices, metalloprotein switches, and living sensors to detect disease.
Vu studied the experimental evolution of Francisella tularensis LVS -- a potential bioweapon and pathogenic bacteria -- to the antibiotics Doxycycline and Ciprofloxacin to identify mutations that lead to antibiotic resistance.
For both, the lab culture developed their independence and confidence.
"I had a mentor who I shadowed, but she also let me work on my own," Vu said. "She let me analyze my own results, and then she would offer advice."
Ha benefited from taking in different perspectives and becoming comfortable with asking questions.
"Working with grad students, you're able to see biology at a different level. You expand your lab skills and communication skills and grow as a person, building confidence," Ha said.
Both transferred to the University of Houston this fall. Although they will take with them the lessons learned at Rice, even more they will remember San Jacinto College instructors' encouragement to explore new opportunities.
"I want to thank every professor here at San Jac a lot," Vu said. "I couldn't be where I am now without them and that environment of motivation."
About San Jacinto College
Surrounded by monuments of history, industries, and maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the citizens of East Harris County, Texas, since 1961. The College is fiscally sound, holding bond ratings of AA and Aa2 by Standard & Poor's and Moody's. San Jacinto College is a 2019 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Top 10 institution, a 2017 Aspen Prize Rising Star Award recipient, and an Achieving the Dream Leader College. The College serves approximately 45,000 credit and non-credit students annually, and offers eight areas of study that put students on a path to transfer to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. San Jacinto College's impact on the region totals $1.3 billion in added income, which supports 13,044 jobs.
For more information about San Jacinto College call 281-998-6150, visit sanjac.edu or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.


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Task: to design a bicycle rack.
Veloparkus 8 is a bike rack made of concrete and stainless steel. The monumental shapes of the rack look great in modern areas, in historic districts and in suburbs.
The concrete structure is almost impossible to break or damage but makes parking bicycles extremely convenient.
artistic director
- Artemy Lebedev
art director
- Timur Burbaev
industrial designers
- Tim Bouckley
- James Wright
- Boris Tarasov
- Dmitry Cherednikov
- Kirill Voronik
project managers
- Anastasia Prischepa
- Katya Filimonova
Made in 44 days


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After the success of 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan', this is Salman's much-awaited film and will feature him as Prem -- a name he has taken on in several of his films with Barjatya -- again.
Salman has said it is the "most beautiful film" he has done with director Sooraj Barjatya, with whom he has teamed up with after 16 years.
The film, which releases on November 12, also stars Anupam Kher, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Swara Bhaskar and Armaan Kohli, among others.
The trailer of 'Prem Ratan Dhan Payo' was released recently and created quite a buzz. Haven't seen the trailer yet?


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Engrave barcodes, serial numbers & logos on bare metal and mark plastic parts and tools. The flying-optic driven system is the perfect solution for engraving on bare metal parts at a low cost.
The FiberMark Laser series is your solution for etching and marking all types of bare metals and plastics. Print to the laser directly from any graphic software program for easy job setup, and etch an entire table full of parts at one time.
Epilog FiberMark 24 Laser: The FiberMark 24 is our original Fiber laser system featuring a large 24" x 12" engraving area. It is the first flying-optic fiber laser system to be introduced and has built its reputation for high-quality marks and robust mechanics.
Epilog Fusion Pro 32 Laser: With the Fusion Pro 32, Epilog has designed the best performing laser ever. It's the culmination of over 30 years of design, coming together to showcase a laser that has the fastest motion controls, most user friendly design, and with more workflow improved features than ever before.
Epilog Fusion Pro 48 Laser: With an oversized table of 48" x 36" (1219 x 914 mm), the Fusion Pro 48 features Epilog's largest work area. This machine was designed to engrave the same high-quality image at any point on the table by utilizing our top-of-the-line motion control system and industry-leading optics system.
Epilog G2 Galvo Laser: Utilizes a unique dynamic-focus lens technology, the G2 allows you to change your engraving area from 4" x 4" (101 x 101 mm) to 16" x 16" (406 x 406 mm) all the way up to 24" x 24" (609 x 609 mm).
The FiberMark Laser Series is truly a unique product in the metal and plastic marking industry. The combination of flying-optic design and the highest quality engraving results provide a one-of-a-kind solution for your metal marking and engraving needs.
Send projects to the laser through a simple print driver, allowing you to use the software you choose.
No need to brace parts or replace expensive engraving bits or tools.
Create multiple marks that fit your needs with easy-to-use settings.
Communicate with your laser through Ethernet, USB or even wirelessly.
Easy-access, drop-down door allows for easy access to the engraving table.
Etch almost any metal and mark many engineered plastics.
Provides a visible laser beam for setting up projects to determine exactly where the laser will fire.
Proudly designed, engineered and manufactured in the USA.
Inline LED lighting designed to illuminate the marking area.
Closed-loop DC servo motors drive the X/Y axes.
Precision drive belts made of advanced B-style Kevlar and Steel Cord.
Easily map different speed and power settings to different colors in your file in both engraving and cutting modes.
User-friendly print driver allows you to control all of the laser's features from one interface.
Blows a stream of air through the Air Assist system.
When you're looking for highly-accurate marking of cylindrical parts, the 3-Jaw Chuck is the ideal choice. The Rotary Attachment is an indispensable tool that allows designers and manufactures to mark cylindrical parts, pieces and components more conveniently than ever before.
Fully programmable for a wide variety of diameters, the 3-Jaw Chuck can accommodate a significant range of material sizes. Additionally, the available tail-stock support fixture ensures correct focus on longer items.
Epilog's Rim-style rotary attachment will ensure all of your parts receive a professional mark that meets the highest standards. Great for marking cylindrical items, place your item on the two rim-style wheels and start engraving.
Designed for usability, you can switch from item to the next in seconds. the attachment easily adjusts for different lengths and will even rotate cylinders that have different diameters on each end.
Epilog's FiberMark system comes with a standard 3-inch focus lens (FiberMark 24) and 5-inch (FiberMark Fusion). This will suffice for most metal/plastic marking application. However, users will find some applications require our more specialized 1.5- and 5- inch lenses.
1.5" Lens:
5.0" Lens:
|FiberMark 24
|Fusion Pro 32
|Fusion Pro 48
|G2 Galvo
|Engraving Area
|24" x 12"
(610 x 305 mm)
|32" x 20"
(812 x 508 mm)
|48" x 36"
(1219 x 914 mm)
|Up to 24" x 24"
(609 mm)
|Maximum Material Thickness
|5" (127 mm)
|12.25" (311 mm)
|12.25" (311 mm)
|4" x 4" (101 mm): 36.3" (923 mm)
16" x 16" (406 mm): 25.98" (660 mm)
24" x 24" (609 mm): 15.79" (401 mm)
|Laser Wattage
|30, or 50 watts
|30, or 50 watts
|30, or 50 watts
|30, or 50 watts
|Laser Type
|Solid State Pulsed Ytterbium Fiber Laser (air cooled).
|Mode of Operation
|Pulsed 20-80 kHZ.
|Repetition Rate (Frequency)
|20 kHZ - 100 kHz depending on the laser wattage.
|Memory Capacity
|Multiple file storage up to 64 MB. Rolling buffer allows files of any size to be engraved.
|Multiple file storage up to 1 GB.
|Multiple file storage up to 1 GB.
|Air Assist
|Attach the included air compressor to our Air Assist to remove heat and combustible gases from the cutting surface by directing a constant stream of compressed air across the marking surface.
|Laser Dashboard
|The Laser Dashboard™ controls your Epilog Laser's settings from a wide range of software packages - from design programs to spreadsheet applications to CAD drawing packages.
|Red Dot Pointer
|Since the laser beam is invisible, the Red Dot Pointer allows you to have a visual reference for locating where the laser will fire.
|Red Dot Trace Feature
|Relocatable Home
|When engraving items that are not easily placed at the top corner of the laser, you can set a new home position by hand (FM 24) or joystick (Fusion M2) with the convenient Movable Home Position features on the FiberMark Laser.
|Operating Modes
|Raster, vector or combined modes.
|Optimized Vector Mode
|Motion Control System
|High-speed, continuous-loop, DC servomotors using linear and rotary encoding technology for precise positioning.
|X-Axis Bearings
|Ground and polished stainless steel long-lasting bearing system. Self lubricating on the FiberMark Fusion
|Advanced B-style Kevlar belts.
|Double-wide Kevlar (x-axis) and Steel Cord (y-axis) belts.
|Speed and Power Control
|Computer or manually control speed and power in 1% increments to 100%. Raster and vector color mapping links speed, power and focus to any RGB color.
|Print Interface
|10 Base-T Ethernet or USB connection. Compatible with Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10.
|Size (W x D x H)
|34.5" x 24.5" x 16"
(876 x 622 x 406 mm)
|54.6" x 34.2" x 42"
(1387 x 869 x 1067 mm)
37.75" (959 mm) deep with exhaust plenum.
|70.6" x 51.3" x 42.75"
(1794 x 1304 x 1086 mm)
Pedestal removed: 34" H (863 mm)
|33" x 43.75" x 71.1" (838.2 x 1111.25 x 1805.94 mm)
|120 lbs (55 kg)without stand
|400 lbs (227 kg)
|500 lbs (292 kg)
|415 lbs (188.2 kg)
|Electrical Requirements
|Auto-switching power supply accommodates 110 to 240 volts, 50 or 60 Hz, single phase, 15 amp AC.
|Maximum Table Weight
|200 lbs (90 kg) for static and 80 lbs (36 kg) for lifiting.
|200 lbs (90 kg) for static and 100 lbs (46 kg) for lifting.
|Ventilation System
|350 - 400 CFM (595-680 m3/hr) external exhaust to the outside or internal filtration system is required. There is one output port, 4" in diameter.
|650 CFM (1104 m3/hr) external exhaust to the outside or internal filtration unit is required. There are two output ports, each 4" (102 mm) in diameter.
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Testimonials from Non-Compete Agreement Cases
Below are testimonials from real clients that we have helped through their non-compete agreement cases.
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Joseph Weiss


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Disclaimer: Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child dreamed them up; I'm just playing in the sandbox.
Rating: PG-13
~Hand Job~
As Lt. Vincent D'Agosta took stock of the crime scene, he couldn't help thinking this had to qualify as a kind of karma. Russell Todd, the defendant in a recent high profile murder trial, acquitted by an idiot jury, was sprawled in his easy chair, stiff and cold. Ligature marks stood out around his neck, and the probable murder weapon -- a silk scarf that matched the one he'd used to strangle his girlfriend -- was stuffed in his mouth.
But that wasn't even the weird part.
No, that was how Todd's left hand had been cleanly amputated, post-mortem judging by how little it had bled. Amputated, and carried off as a trophy, because it hadn't turned up anywhere on the premises. They were still searching outside, but instinct told D'Agosta no one went to that much trouble to acquire a souvenir just to toss it in the trash on the way out.
Interesting footnote, too, that didn't feel like coincidence to him: Todd had been a southpaw. That's why he'd been offered a multi-million dollar baseball contract before the publicity of his arrest and trial.
That bothered D'Agosta, kicked the case over into another realm. Some outraged citizen or relative of the dead girlfriend, pissed off about the verdict and deciding to deal out their own brand of vigilante justice -- that would be a walk in the park to wrap up. Just start with Marianna Malloy's closest relatives and friends and work from there. This was too elaborate, too considered to be anything that simple. They'd check out the obvious suspects and motives, of course, but he'd eat his shield if it played out that straightforward.
Giving the room a closer inspection, D'Agosta's eye was caught by a trail of yellowish spots along the floor. Crouching down, he scratched one with a thumbnail, confirming it was wax, dripped from a candle. "Hey, scrape this up and get it to the lab -- and get photos," he said, pointing out the drops of wax that marred the polished wood floor, from the threshold all the way over to Todd's chair; there were additional drops on the red leather upholstery. "Don't miss this, either," he added, now indicating two drops of wax on Russell's left forearm, as if he'd been holding it up in a defensive posture to ward off something.
"What's the deal, Lieutenant? It's just wax," one of the crimes scene guys piped up.
"Yeah? You see any candles burning around here?" There was a fat, red votive candle over on the fireplace mantle, but it was stone cold, no drips, and didn't look like its wick had ever seen a match. "Bag it anyway," he said.
"What do you think that wax means, Lt. D'Agosta?" a new voice demanded, nasal and grating.
"Who the hell are you?" D'Agosta rounded on the civilian -- bad posture, acne-scarred face, rumpled clothes, Jets baseball cap on backwards, and black-rimmed glasses perched on his nose.
"Elijah Piper, with The Post," the guy said.
Christ. "How'd you get in here?" D'Agosta didn't begrudge the man doing his job, just not right now. "There will be an official statement issued later. You can hold your horses till then."
"Aww, c'mon, Lieutenant," Piper whined, "give a guy a break. Bet you'd cut Bill Smithback a deal."
"Yeah? You'd lose your money. Come on," he took Piper by the arm, hustled him back over to the door, "beat it."
Dragging his heels, Piper pleaded some more, "At least confirm if you're looking into a connection to the other mutilation murders."
Other mutilation murders? "And just what would you know about that?"
"Well, after all," the whiney, nasal quality of the voice gave way to a more familiar, honeyed southern drawl as Piper straightened out of his slope-shouldered slouch, "it is my habit to take an interest in such matters, my dear Vincent."
D'Agosta stopped, taking a closer look at Elijah Piper and seeing what lay behind the disguise, and blew out a half-exasperated breath. "Pendergast?"
Smiling, he inclined his head in a slight bow. "The very same."
D'Agosta shook his head, but was smiling as he said, "Halloween's not a for a week yet."
Smile broadening just a bit, Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast said, "Forgive the unorthodox entrance."
Waving it away, figuring he should probably be used to it by now, D'Agosta said, "I'm guessing there's a reason for the get up?"
With a look of mild reproof, Pendergast said, "Naturally. You don't really suppose I do this merely for amusement's sake?"
Deadpan, D'Agosta replied, "Never crossed my mind. So?"
"So, my compliments on spotting those wax drippings, Vincent. I suspect that will turn out to be a feature overlooked in the other incidents, and may prove to be crucial to solving this case."
Acknowledging that with a nod, D'Agosta said, "How many cases are we talking about?"
"I've located five others to date. There may be more."
"All murder suspects who got away with it?"
"With one exception: Joshua Dean, convicted of murder in New Jersey, and executed. In that instance, the body was exhumed shortly after burial and the amputation made at the graveside -- during an eclipse of the moon," Pendergast added with a sidelong glance that underlined that for significance.
D'Agosta gave him an interested look back, nodded. "Okay, I'll bite."
Pendergast smiled and lightly touched his arm, and was about to say something when a commotion at the door heralded the arrival on scene of Captain Laura Hayward. D'Agosta had been expecting this. The Todd case had been hers, and she'd still been fuming last night about him getting off scot-free.
She gave him a sharp look, zeroing in on Pendergast's hand lingering on his arm but not recognizing the FBI agent. Todd had the bulk of her attention, and she approached the body slowly, circling the chair as she took in the details. Finally, stepping back, she nodded to herself. "Guess you could call this justice," she said, coming over to D'Agosta now. "Any leads?"
"Few ideas, nothing solid yet." He didn't like being circumspect with her, but it seemed a wise idea, given how she was going to react when she found out Pendergast was involved.
Suspicion growing in her eyes, she looked Pendergast over, asked D'Agosta, "Who's your friend, Vinnie?"
Pendergast inclined his head toward her, said, "We are acquainted, Captain Hayward."
She gave them both a look of disbelief. "How is this an FBI case? And don't try any of your bullshit on me."
"Vinnie," she turned to him and he could feel her displeasure simmering away, "believe me, I know where you stand. I won't ask you to choose again," she finished, unable to keep the bitterness out of her voice. She swung back to Pendergast. "Well?"
Giving D'Agosta a sympathetic look, Pendergast told Laura, "This is the latest in a series of crimes that have occurred in at least three states, Captain Hayward, and as such falls well within the Bureau's purview." His voice and manner were as cordial as ever, but D'Agosta could tell he didn't appreciate being challenged like this.
"Sure," Laura fired back, radiating skepticism. "And you couldn't possibly handle it without dragging Vinnie into it."
"I am not aware of dragging Vincent into anything, Captain."
D'Agosta rolled his eyes and cleared his throat. "I got a say in anything?" They both looked at him, Laura still teed off. "Unless you plan on using your pull to get me off this case," he told her, "I intend to continue with the investigation and will welcome any assistance the FBI has to give."
"It wouldn't matter anyway, would it?" she said, resignation creeping into her manner now. "You'd just tag along with him behind my back." She shook her head, frustrated, aimed it at Pendergast. "You get him hurt, you get him killed, I will have your ass."
"Captain Hayward, I assure you, putting Vincent in harm's way has never been my intent."
"And I'm really touched by everyone's concern," D'Agosta broke in again, his patience skating on thin ice, "but right now there's work to do and, if no one has an objection, I'd like to get on with it. I'll keep you updated," he added to Laura.
"I won't hold my breath." She gave him another troubled look, shook her head and started for the door. "Call me before you head off for Kuala Lumpur," she said by way of goodbye.
D'Agosta watched her leave, sighed, tried to avoid catching Pendergast's eye. He cleared his throat again, muttered, "Sorry about that."
"Not at all. She's only concerned for your welfare. No one could fault that."
"Yeah." That was true enough, just not quite everything. But Pendergast didn't need to know he could never entirely shake the feeling some of Laura's concern was tied to how his actions might reflect on her own ambitions. As for the rest, well, Pendergast was in no ignorance that Laura didn't approve of his unconventional approach to law enforcement.
"Any chance this is going to wind up in Kuala Lumpur?"
Pendergast smiled, nodded, accepting his wish to move on. "I should be very surprised if it did, although of course anything is possible."
Wasn't that the truth?
...to be continued...


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Five must-visit romantic destinations
Take a CrossCountry train to travel in the footsteps of Jane Austen or visit the top honeymoon destination in Britain – all you need to do is climb aboard and open the doors to a new experience, a new destination, and exciting new days of adventure
Everything from monarchy to comedy
Edinburgh is a city with so much to see and do for couples of all ages.
For starters, Waverley station could hardly be more central, adjacent to the main shopping area, Princes Street. There is history everywhere in Scotland's capital, with the castle the obvious place to visit.
For culture, there is no better place to be in the summer than the Edinburgh Festival with stage performances in dozens of different venues and on almost every street corner, with everything from dance and music to stand-up comedy and stand-out circus acts.
Audley End
Country house chic
Britain's beautiful country houses are an obvious place for romances to blossom, but not many are as fine as Audley End House in Essex.
Not far from the bustling market town of Saffron Walden, the main building at Audley End is a Jacobean mansion. Its staterooms are stunning with walls covered in fabulous artwork from famous painters, including Canaletto. The gardens were remodelled by Capability Brown with tranquil lakes and manicured lawns to walk round hand in hand.
Being able to stay in Cambridge Lodge within the grounds means Audley End, with its intimacy and history, is an outstanding prospect for a romantic trip.
If you have time, you could extend the visit with a trip to nearby Cambridge, for perhaps a spot of punting or a tour of the university's colleges.
The romance of rail
Railway stations have a certain romance of their own, as proved by the millions of modern-day long-distance couples who have to spend time on trains, as well as fictional lovers such as in the classic Brief Encounter.
Even before Trevor Howard parted from Celia Johnson on a railway platform in 1945, couples were meeting their loving partners after a long train journey. So in honour of that couple, you could make a trip to York, home of many beautiful attractions, including the National Railway Museum.
It is not just for railway obsessives; it includes a fascinating insight into Britain's industrial history, with remarkable oral recollections of ordinary working men and women, and collections of stunning railway artwork and architecture.
One of Northumberland's honeymoon havens
Experts in the wedding industry say that Northumberland rates among the UK's top destinations for honeymooners, so a hideaway town such as Alnmouth is a perfect gateway.
Even on its own, Alnmouth has a wonderful coastline with crashing surf in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, rivalling some of the most glamorous beaches in the world.
Nearby attractions include the Roman Hadrian's Wall, the Farne Islands with their seals and puffins, and Alnwick Castle – which doubled as Hogwarts School in the first two Harry Potter films, a perfect place for young couples raised on the adventures of the young wizard.
In the path of Jane Austen
One of Britain's most celebrated female novelists, Jane Austen spent a long holiday in Dawlish in 1802.
Lovers of one of her best-known novels, Sense and Sensibility (published nine years later), will remember that the Devon town is mentioned several times in the text.
There is also the glamour of the railway journey to the town where the train tracks are squeezed between the seafront houses, and the waves are just a few yards away. What better place to read about the Dashwood sisters than during a trip to modern-day Dawlish.
For more information and to book your next journey visit CrossCountry trains


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Criticizes Obama for golfing.
Says he won't golf as president during the campaign.
Golfs every 6 days.
Doesn't admit it.
9:43 AM - 25 Jun 2017
The tweet included this:
Read also Trump's Big CON: 'I'll Rarely Leave the White House'.
Thursday, June 29, 2017
Trump's Big CON: "I'll Work Hard for America'
Posted by Maverick at 6:31 AM No comments:
Labels: Trump
Trump's Big CON: It's Not a Health Care Plan, It's a 'Yuge' Tax Cut for the Wealthy
UPDATE III: "[S]urprised the GOP crashed and burned."
You should be.
Read the Washington Post, 20 reasons the GOP crashed and burned on health care, which lists as one of the reasons: "You cannot pass major legislation with a policy-illiterate president who cannot explain what's in it and therefore cannot persuade voters and lawmakers of its merits."
UPDATE II: Read also the Washington Post, 'Repeal and replace' was once a unifier for the GOP. Now it's an albatross.
And next election, after millions have lost their health care, remember the many lies Trump and the Republi-CONs made about health care before, during and since the election, then Trump complained that: "nobody knew that health care could be so complicated".
UPDATE: "The Senate's health-care bill might be too much for even Marie Antoinette.
After all, about the only way it could be more regressive is if it took the cake a certain French queen wanted the poor to eat for dinner and gave it to the rich for dessert. Or, say, cut Medicaid and middle-class health insurance subsidies so much that 22 million fewer people have health insurance -- all so that the government could afford to cut the capital gains tax for households making $250,000 or more.
Oh, wait. That last one is actually what the Senate bill would do. . .
It's really pretty simple. The Senate bill would, over the course of the next decade, cut Obamacare's health insurance subsidies by $408 billion and Medicaid by $772 billion all to pay for $700 billion of tax cuts, nearly half of which the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center says would go to the top 1 percent of households. Not only that, but the fact that it would only peg the value of its remaining subsidies to higher-deductible plans means that a lot of people would be pushed into them. They couldn't afford anything else. On an apples-to-apples basis, the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that the Senate bill would increase the cost of a "silver" plan that covers 70 percent of expected medical costs by an average of 74 percent over the next three years—and more for the type of older, poorer people who overwhelmingly went for Trump.
Although it's actually even worse than that. A 64 year-old making $26,500 would, according to the Congressional Budget Office, see their premiums for a silver plan go from $1,700 under Obamacare to $6,500 under the Senate bill—but it'd be for a silver plan that covered 17 percent fewer of their expected medical expenses. So they'd be paying more to get less. How much more? Well, the Kaiser Family Foundation calculates that, in the case of our hypothetical 64 year-old, their deductible would go from $809 to $6,105. And it'd be an even bigger jump for people a little bit lower on the income ladder. Someone making just $18,090 would see their deductibles increase from $255 to the same $6,105. The Senate bill, then, would leave a lot of people with a choice between plans they couldn't afford to buy and couldn't afford to use.
Or, as the Republicans would call it, freedom! And if you lived in a red state, you would probably get more of it. That's because the Senate bill would let them opt out of so-called "essential health benefits" like mental health, maternity care, and prescription drugs—and in the process, the Brookings Institution's Matthew Fiedler points out, bring back annual and lifetime limits on benefits. The result would be a system where healthy people would mostly buy cheaper plans that didn't cover much, and mostly sick people would buy ones that did, you know, cover things—which would only make those more comprehensive plans so expensive that hardly anybody would be able to buy them at all. People would be forced to buy skimpy insurance that might not even insure you if you use too much of it."
This isn't a health-care plan that helps you if you need health-care. Not when it would give you higher premiums, higher deductibles, and worse coverage. No, this is a health-care plan that only helps you if you're wealthy and have a lot of investment income.
Read the Washington Post, The Senate health care bill is proof: Trumpism isn't populism.
Trump voters are real suckers, aren't they.
"That's clear enough from how little thought it puts into actually stabilizing insurance markets versus how much it does into showering the rich with as much money as possible. Indeed, it would go so far as to retroactively cut the capital gains tax — something, remember, that's supposed to be about incentivizing future investment — in an apparent bid to get people to create jobs six months ago. The way it would slash Medicaid to pay for this tax-cutting largesse, though, is even more important. It would be more than just a transfer of wealth from the poor and sick to the rich and healthy. It would be a transfer of financial risk from the government to individuals.
This isn't about keeping taxes low for our time. This is about keeping taxes low for all time. . .
So if you think the problem with Obamacare is that deductibles aren't high enough, markets aren't wobbly enough, and sick people aren't on their own enough, well, the Senate bill is for you. . .
It's an inspiring piece of legislation for everyone who thought Robin Hood was picking on the wrong people."
Read the Washington Post, The real reason Republicans want to pass this Obamacare bill so much.
Posted by Maverick at 6:24 AM No comments:
Labels: Health Care, Trump
Trump's Big CON: He is a Joke, and The World is Laughing at Him and U.S.
UPDATE: Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross spoke to this week's Economic Council of the Christian Democratic Union meeting in Berlin by teleconference from Washington.
"Ross was allotted 10 minutes to speak. After he spoke for more than 20, the conference organizers cut his feed mid-sentence. The audience 'laughed and clapped' in response, according to Bloomberg News."
Read the Washington Post, Trump's pledge to keep the world from laughing at us hits another setback.
"Two weeks ago in the Rose Garden, President Trump declared that under his leadership, foreign leaders won't be 'laughing at us anymore.'
Since then, he's been the butt of jokes in capitals around the world. . .
In Mexico, former president Vicente Fox posted a profane video on YouTube, mocking Trump's taste for taco bowls ('they're not even Mexican!') and border walls ('Mexico will not pay') that has been viewed nearly half a million times.
In France, new President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a website titled 'Make Our Planet Great Again' and invited U.S. scientists to move there, a week after Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris climate accord.
And in Australia, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who sparred with Trump in a testy phone call in February, this week treated a black-tie gala to a snarky impersonation of 'The Donald,' referring to the Russia investigation and employing the president's famous catchphrases.
'In the private conversations I've had with heads of states and ministers of foreign relations . . . they all feel what Turnbull just basically came out and said: This is, by far, the least capable person ever to sit in the office and it's appalling they have to deal with him,' said Ian Bremmer, president of Eurasia Group, a global risk-assessment firm. 'Even in a country that really needs to have a good relationship with the United States, you're just not willing to deal with it. Your own ego will say, 'Screw this guy.'?'
White House officials did not respond to a request for comment."
Read the Washington Post, Trump said foreign leaders wouldn't laugh at the U.S. Now they're laughing at him.
Posted by Maverick at 6:12 AM No comments:
Labels: Trump
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Most visitors quickly scan content for relevance.
I'll make certain they understand the main thrust of your offer from glancing at your headings + sub-headings.
That way, your audience can quickly decide if they want to dig deeper.
Which they always will, as long as they're reading content I've written for you!HOME


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In just a couple of weeks, our strategists help your organization identify and prioritize the best mobile app ideas—based on technology constraints, user demand, and projected ROI—to separate real business and customer value from hype and minutia.
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Our best collaborative ideas are further refined through visual mockups and storyboards.
We further refine our best ideas through visual mockups and storyboards, then prioritize scenarios and app concepts. Facilitated sessions across a wide range of business teams enable us to capture mobile app ideas in a Scenario Matrix that helps establish viability and priority to distinguish real value from minutia.
The Enterprise Mobile Roadmap provides a detailed, phased approach to your mobile strategy, prioritizing each element by business value, organizational readiness, and ease of implementation while indicating short, mid, and long-term steps to follow moving forward.
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A late-night sushi lounge with sous-vide steaks. Yep.
Presenting the best thing to happen to the 7-8p hour since TLC classic My Teen Is Pregnant and So Am I: Rare, a dinner spot over in The Shops at Park Lane that's a sushi resto, cocktail den, and sous-vide steakery, all wrapped into one.
The interior's really pretty sweet: a sprawling, twin-level space that, all told, seats more than 350 and sports a pair of stone bars.
Meet bar number one. It's downstairs, and it's the smaller of the two at a totally embarrassing 40ft-long. Sit there with 15 of your closest friends and down a Ron Burgundy (Scotch, honey, lemon... lamp), or debate the Bond-ness of the Bond Martini (vodka, gin, Lillet Blanc).
Now meet much sexier bar number two, which's far more loungy, slightly bigger (hey, girl!), has sprouted twin 80in screens, and sports a DJ booth hole thing in the middle that'll host Dallas' best on weekends.
Oh, you're still wondering about how the sushi and sous-vide steak part works? The menu's penned by a Nobu vet who's doing a 16-deep array of rolls and sashimi, cook-your-own scallops, walu, or wagyu, and sous-freaking-vide steaks with fries, which'll feed at least four of your 19 Kids and Counting.


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Outgoing Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney made his final speech Tuesday, and outlined the challenges facing Canadian economic recovery. Continue reading »
Tag Archives: trust in banks
Mark Carney: Banks Must Rebuild Consumer Trust
In his recent speech, Mark Carney pointed to the challenges facing the recovering global economy – namely a growing distrust in banks. He states that banks should focus on winning back the trust of consumers, as the effects of the 2008 recession and bad banker behaviour leave their mark. Continue reading »


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Meet the Jewish Federation's 2019-2020 Community Shlichim
The Jewish Federation's Congregational Shlichim Program, part of Federation's Imagine Israel initiative*, is bringing eleven shlichim (emissaries) to local synagogues and schools this year. The program connects Israelis with congregations and schools and transforms how more than 25,000 congregants and students relate to Israel.
Through a program of The Jewish Agency for Israel and generous funding from Federation, our community will benefit from the nation's largest-ever mishlachat (delegation) of congregational shlichim to serve in our community's congregations and schools. The congregational shlichim are dedicated to the Jewish people, Jewish heritage and to Israel. They are hand-picked from different parts of Israeli society and diverse professional backgrounds.
In conjunction with their congregations and schools, the shlichim will develop projects surrounding a social impact issue, creating unique programming designed to increase Jewish awareness, knowledge and pride, bridge the gap between Jews of different backgrounds and the State of Israel and promote an understanding of Israel and its ideals both at their "home" institutions as well as for the larger community. The shlichim, in turn, will discover the diverse and vibrant American Jewish community through their varied experiences in Washington.
Learn more about their lives in Israel, what motivates their mission to educate around the world and how they inspire others from their stories.
B'nai Israel Congregation
"Growing up in Silver Spring until age 8, makes being a Shlicha in Maryland a full circle for me. Being able to serve the Jewish community I grew up in and provide a connection to Israel for the B'nai Israel community is an undescribable feeling."
Netta was born in Silver Spring, Maryland and moved to Israel in 2004. She served in the IDF as part of the IDF Spokesperson's Unit in the North American Desk working with American and Canadian reporters based in Israel. She recently completed her degree from Hebrew University studying International Relations and Jewish History and Contemporary Judaism. During this past year, she worked as an English tour guide at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament.
MoEd and Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School of the Nation's Capital
Danielle, 28, was born in Petah Tikva and grew up in Oranit. Before she arrived in the U.S. last year for the first time, she lived in Tel Aviv and thinks it's the best city in the world. Danielle served as a Hebrew teacher for new immigrants and Arabic speakers in the Education and Youth Corps in the IDF. After her army service, Danielle got her Bachelor's degree from Seminar Hakibutzim college in Special Education and Hebrew literature. She has experience working with kids, including kids with disabilities, after being a counselor in the Hebrew Scouts movement and in the Noar-Latet youth organization for a few years. Danielle is a true educator with a broad vision and passion for this field.
Agudas Achim Congregation
"One of the many things I love about Israel is that it's a truly diverse country, home to religious, ethnic and cultural communities of all sorts. I love visiting Jerusalem during the Jewish High Holidays, going to Nazareth around Christmas, and visiting Muslim friends in the Galilee during Ramadan. Only Israel can offer you such a combination."
Miri, 30, is from Kibbutz Nahal Oz. Before becoming a Shlicha, she worked as a social worker at the Summit Institute in Israel, assisting foster families all across the Negev area. While in Israel, she earned a Master's degree in Clinical Social Work at Tel Aviv University, and a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She served in the IDF's Education Corps as a commander in Nativ, the military program for soldiers who go through Jewish conversion during their service. Miri and her husband Amir, a journalist, live on Kibbutz Nahal Oz, situated along Israel's border with Gaza.
Adas Israel Congregation
Talia, 29, is from Ra'anana. Her parents made aliyah from England, so she speaks "British English" at home. She was a military photographer in the Home Front Command unit, filming, and editing, and running the Emergency Television Broadcasting Studio. During her service, she also worked with Galatz (the IDF radio station) producing their online video news segments. Talia lived in Jerusalem for five years while studying at the Sam Speigel Film and Television School, and then lived in Tel Aviv for four years where she worked as a video editor. She has been involved and worked with the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) for about eight years, and went to Camp Ramah for seven summers as a Shlicha and the in-house videographer. She then worked as a member of the training and examination team for the Summer Shlichim Unit at JAFI. Talia is also a professional makeup and special effects artist, and enjoys singing and dancing, and making and watching movies!
Congregation Beth El and Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School
Tal Greenberg, 24, is from Lehavim, a small town north of Be'er Sheva. As a child, Tal moved to Newton, MA, for a few years with her family and experienced American Jewish life first-hand. Thanks to what she learned while living in the U.S., Tal taught private lessons in English and was a coordinator in eight English learning summer camps, as well as a counselor in a Jewish camp in Pennsylvania, leading Israeli teens while helping them learn English and giving them the opportunity to experience "American life." Throughout her life, Tal has taken part in youth movements, coached tennis classes, and was active in different teen programs. After graduating high school, Tal joined the IDF as a Lieutenant in the Education Corps. She served an extra year in the army in Haifa working with city council members, and as the Deputy Commander of the officer course in the Education Corps. Tal started her studies in Ben Gurion University before she came to our community in the summer of 2018, and plans to continue when she moves back to Israel next summer. Through her Shlichut, Tal hopes to share the special Israel that she experiences every day. She is proud of the uniqueness of her country and of the warm people living in it, who believe in goodness, togetherness and unity, alongside the complexities and difficulties. She exposes her students and community to Israeli culture in her environment, the traditions of her family, and her military experience.
Beth Sholom Congregation
"Growing up in a Zionist Modern Orthodox Family, together with my combat service in the Golani brigade and a lot of experience with Birthright groups, fills me with an incredible source of motivation to be a Shaliach. From my time at university, my charity work, my various jobs, my work in local politics, to multiple times with Taglit-Birthright, it feels like everything I have gone through in my life has brought me to this moment."
Tomer, 29, was born in Petah Tikva and is coming to us from the neighboring town of Bareket. After graduating from high school, Tomer was in charge of logistics, as well as training and discipline of troops as the First Sergeant in the Golani Unit in the IDF. Once he finished his military service, he went to Ariel University and earned his dual B.A. in Sociology and Human Resources, and Political Science. There, he learned to develop and hone his critical and creative thinking and speaking skills. Most recently, Tomer worked at IROBOT Israel, where he was the project manager and general manager, and was specially chosen by the headquarters to open their new store in the southern part of Israel. Tomer has started his second year as the Shaliach at Beth Sholom, and is really excited and motivated to continue his work for Israel in the community.
Congregation Bnai Tzedek
Nadav, 28, was born and raised in Haifa, and went to "Leo Beck" high school. In 2010, he left home for Sh'nat Sherut for his gap year, where he volunteered in the Hamachanot HaOlim youth movement. In the summer of that year, he joined the IDF and was assigned to an infantry position in the Nachal brigade, where he soon became a Commander and Staff Sargent. He demobilized in 2013, and worked at Rafael, the company that makes the "Iron Dome" missiles. Later on, he worked at a Jewish summer camp as a summer shalich, and then went on to college. This past summer, Nadav completed his degree in Environmental Sciences from Tel-Hai College. In July 2019, he married Chen and currently lives in Rockville, MD.
Ohr Kodesh Congregation
Hagar, 29, was born in Ariel and is arriving to us from Tel Aviv. After graduating high school, Hagar served as a Chief Sergeant for two years in the Education and Youth Corps, creating educational programs and materials for soldiers. After she finished her IDF service, she graduated with a B.A. in Philosophy and Judaic Studies from Tel Aviv University. Before becoming a shlicha, she was employed at Walla! News as a senior news editor while simultaneously working on her Master's in Philosophy at Tel Aviv University.
Congregation Har Shalom
"I believe in the value of family and that 'family is everything.' The family unit has always been important in preserving Jewish culture and it is often considered the heart of most Jewish communities. My intention is to bring the Israeli Jewish family unit model to the community, and to use it as a tool to create a strong family connection inside the community and between the community and Israel."
Yael, 24, is from Gedera, a town in the "Shfela" area, 20 minutes away from Ashdod and Rehovot. While in high school, Yael was an instructor and team coordinator for the Maccabi Youth Movement, where she headed the logistics team and managed the activities. Once she graduated, she served in the IDF Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller, Staff Sergeant, and shift commander. During and after her military service, she joined three Taglit-Birthright trips, where she helped the participants have a true Israeli experience and see Israel through her eyes. After she finished her military service, she headed to Camp Ramah Wisconsin to work as a counselor and dance instructor. In the past year, Yael has been a Shlicha and Youth Director at Congregation Har Shalom, and during the summer she spent time as a village leader at Capital Camps.
Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation
Idan Sharon, 25, was born in Jerusalem and is coming to us from Beit Shemesh. After graduating from high school, Idan participated in a pre-army academy to develop leadership and social activism skills. Idan served as a drill sergeant in the Israeli Defense Forces in the School for Educational Professions, and as a lecturer in the Education Corps Mobile Unit. After his service, he worked for Tlalim, one of the largest tourism companies in Israel, coordinating and supervising hundreds of tourist groups from all over the world, as well as accompanying Taglit-Birthright groups. Before becoming a Shaliach, Idan was working as a lecturer at Midreshet Oranim, an educational organization dedicated to giving a new perspective on Judaism, Jewish values, and tradition to non-religious Israelis. Idan is a sustainability-aware vegan LGBTQAP socialist who is passionate about technological innovation, philosophical debates, and Harry Potter.
Shaare Torah
Rotem, 23, is from Shorashim, a Masorati (Conservative) community village in the Galilee. Before becoming a Shlicha, Rotem worked in several different educational organizations where she focused mainly on Jewish education and teaching Hebrew to new Olim from around the world. Rotem has served as commander in the education unit of the IDS, working with new immigrants and Druze soldiers.
Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia
Shy, 36, has lived in Jerusalem his whole life. He has a Bachelor's in Education and Theater and has applied his education into his every-day work with the shlichim and with youth in Israel. He coordinated a national youth leadership program and worked with youth movements, training young adults while also doing stage work in musicals and various theatrical events (acting, writing, directing, and producing). His biggest passion is his music – Shy is a singer-songwriter and performs all over Israel and the US, and takes his passion for music into his work with Jewish communities as a song leader at Jewish summer camps, and in Israel for different groups and organizations. After serving for four years as a commander and an operations officer in the IDF in a special operational communications unit, he started his journey with the world of Shlichut in Jewish summer camps in the US. In the past 13 years, Shy has taken the role of Shaliach at different summer camps such as Camp Tel Noar in NH, Camp Kimama in NY, Camp Airy and Louise in MD, and Jcamps of Owing Mills in Baltimore and held a variety of positions including counselor, song leaders, coordinator of leadership training, head of Jewish life, and more. During those years, he worked for the Jewish Agency for Israel as part of the training staff for summer Shlichim, and has had the privilege of working with different Jewish movements and organizations in the North American camping world. Shy has an older brother, two sisters, three lovely nieces, and two wonderful parents. He is excited to join our community, to give of himself and learn from everyone, and to create special and meaningful experiences together.
Senior Shlicha, The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington
Noa is a social entrepreneur, Jewish educator and community builder. Noa has more than 12 years of experience in both tech and education/nonprofit sectors having worked at the Edmond De Rothschild Foundation and at Hebrew University in leadership development and community building. She is a certified teacher, and holds a Master's in Jewish Studies and Education from Hebrew University's Interdisciplinary Revivim Honors Program, and is a graduate of executive programs from Princeton University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the ROI Schusterman Global Changemaker program.ֿ
Noa is also the co-founder of Dana and Noa Make My Career (in Hebrew this makes sense!), a leading job search platform in Israel with more than 90,000 followers and a 250,000 monthly reach that offers career opportunities in the humanities and social sciences, as well as a series of offline career development workshops through dozens of organizations throughout Israel. The nonprofit startup strives to democratize career opportunities. Thousands have already found their jobs via this initiative and tens of thousands have stated that it has positively affected their career paths. With this responsibility, Noa and her team make a huge effort to support diversity and inclusion into the labor market. Noa is the former Head of Brand & Communication at eBay in Israel and is currently the Jewish Agency for Israel's senior shlicha to The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, where she will lead our community's shlichut and play a key part in community building.
*Through the Imagine Israel initiative, Federation fulfills its long-standing commitment to connecting Washingtonians with Israel and Israelis through the lens of social chance. A wide variety of social impact programs foster meaningful relationships with the country and its people – programs that make real, sustained impact locally and in Israel.