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A 'poll sweetener'
8 July, 2017, 12:00 am
THE 2017-2018 National Budget is about big spending promises amid a sizeable revenue shortfall all with the intention of keeping the voters happy as election is drawing closer. It is rare to have an election without sweeteners, thus, this budget is no different.
The budget speech provided a summary of major spending with main policy changes, but very little about the revenue required to meet these promises. It had a partisan spin on changes such as TELS (Tertiary Education Loan Scheme) allowance and salary increases for civil servants, but was quite brief about the new programs or reforms.
As with any budget, the devil will be in the detail. As Parliament debates the budget, hopefully big policy measures and reforms will be spread out in detail. Meanwhile, here's a take on some key issues from this budget.
Housing initiatives
First home buyers grant will receive $60 million (some arrangement with the Reserve Bank of Fiji) to assist households earning less than $50,000. This is a good initiative aimed at promoting home ownership for first-time buyers.
The worth of this, however, must be checked on the back of how successful this initiative was from the previous budget allocation. Good initiatives do not necessarily mean better outcomes for our people. Sellers, real estate agents and even banks must not view this as a compensation for higher house prices.
A partnership between FNPF (Fiji National Provident Fund) and Government will fund a housing development in Matavolivoli in Nadi which will offer different price categories.
There is one important question, however. Why does the FNPF need Government as a partner on this? Full details regarding this enterprise should provide finer points about this partnership. Nevertheless, reason for suspicion is strong in this case as Government has also been the major borrower from FNPF.
Despite these measures, the budget does not contain any meaningful affordable housing measures for low-income earners. There is no mention of any major reforms to make housing affordable such as changing how current planning and zoning decisions that impact supply as well as prices. There is also a need to evaluate the regulatory framework (such as the Town Planning Act and Subdivision of Land Act) regarding urban development and how it impacts land subdivision costs and the price of land to build homes. It is not only about making more land available by subsidising Housing Authority subdivisions, but also providing affordable land to the market.
Deficit and debt
Government expenditure is budgeted to be $4.35 billion while total revenue is expected to around $3.85b. This means Government will have a budget deficit of $499.5m.
Judging from the past few years, Government has never met its budget forecast revenue. Between 2012 and 2015, the budget forecast revenue target was never met. It was unspent allocated expenditure that kept budget deficits for these years within target.
There is nothing wrong with deficits and debt. However, a growing debt would eventually become an issue to consider. With this budget, Government debt will now be over $5b. Historically, Fiji has not experienced financing difficulties and funding debt has remained accessible. It is also technically acceptable that the current debt ratio is "sustainable" or "manageable".
However, a more important question is the impact of the debt burden on long-term economic growth prospects. Our research suggests the current debt ratio is negatively impacting long-term economic growth.
It is therefore recommended that Government and its successors implement a sincere medium to long-term plan to reduce debt accumulation.
This further highlights a continuing challenge for Government as it continues to experiment a "low tax" social democracy. Sooner or later, the limits of that strategy will inevitably give way to higher taxes to meet debt financing.
If Government is serious regarding intergenerational equity, it should bring debt levels down in the medium term to ensure future generations are not burdened by an ever increasing level of debt.
Sugar industry
This industry continues to be one of the most contentious issues in Fiji's political and economic landscape. This budget continues existing measures such as cane access roads ($6m) and fertiliser subsidy ($15.4m). Others include weedicide subsidy ($6.3m) and cane cartage from Penang to Rarawai ($5.1m).
Combined, these measures will have very little impact on the cost of producing, harvesting and delivery of sugar cane. Even if the farms incomes improve at the margin after taking into account costs of production, this will hardly improve incentives for farming.
It should be apparent to stakeholders by now that policy tweaks will not work if the fundamentals within the industry are weak.
The nature of property rights governing the use of land has been one of the major factors for the decline of the industry. Until there are major reforms related to land use and availability, sugar cane or agriculture in general will continue to be unattractive for investment, both capital and labour.
Budget documents mention the Land Bank as a reform, but it is unclear at this stage how land that is deposited under the Land Bank changes the notion about land as a bundle of rights.
Additional remarks
For any government, the budget is an opportunity to reclaim the political rhetoric. In the coming weeks, government ministers will begin selling the budget in and out of Parliament. Although "a good budget" is in the eye of the voter, Government will not find this budget easier to defend compared with some others in previous years.
As usual, the political rhetoric of the budgets will disappear in a few weeks, but the challenging task of effective implementation will linger for beyond the next financial year.
The burden is now on the Opposition to dissect on policy changes when responding to the budget. The Opposition owes the public a thorough analysis of every aspect of this budget to allow the voters a greater understanding of how the Government plans to utilise their money.
All in all, this budget does not continue to accelerate reforms from previous years to continue the growth momentum in an inclusive manner while at the same time consolidating the fiscal position.
Reforms are systemic changes that contribute to productivity and growth, and not all policy initiatives/changes are reforms. Deeper reforms are required in areas related to land (property rights), trade, local governance, education, health, housing affordability and business environment. The Government may have intentionally left some of these for 2018-2019, especially if they have plans to have elections after June 2018.
* Dr Neelesh Gounder is senior lecturer in economics at USP. These are the views of the author, and not of The Fiji Times or of USP.


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Matt's folks, Philly, etc. 12/3 '18
I'm writing this with my eyes half closed; I apologize for any typos or half-finished sentences.
Sunday mornings are usually spent getting brunch with Matt's folks. I really like Matt's folks so I genuinely look forward to it each week. Matt's dad (Steve) will never let us pay, which I find amusing. We keep telling him that he doesn't have to bribe us with food, and that we'd come out anyway... but he still pays. He won't even let us get the tip.
This recent Sunday Matt went to a Giants game with his bro Nick. Nick has season tickets and really goes all in-- he leaves Delaware at 7:30am to arrive for a 1pm game by 9:30am so he can tailgate for a few hours. Matt went with him and I admit I was worried he'd have a panic attack at the game and wouldn't have any safe, private place to melt down for a few hours... but thankfully(??) the day before he had two AWFUL panic attacks, and he often has a good day after an especially awful day. So I'm happy that worked out.
Matt's folks asked me if we were gonna do brunch and I told them Matt wouldn't be home so I figured they'd cancel, but instead they said "Let's go anyway, just the three of us!" We had a really lovely, easy, relaxed time since this was the first time I've ever spent time with them sans Matt (not that I was worried-- we get along really well). After brunch they asked me to come back to their house to help Steve fix his computer, which I did in 5 minutes, and they were thrilled. (Not only am I vaguely personable, I'm useful, too! Wow! What a catch!)
I don't know why, but I always get super-happy when my boyfriend's parents like me.
Anyhoo, Matt got home from the game around 6:45pm and we hopped in the car and headed to Philly, where I'm teaching at UPenn all week. Class is from 8:30-4:30, and I arrive to my classroom around 8, and I try to get people outta there by 4:05 at the latest, mostly because I can tell by 2:45pm I could be talking about elephant spackle* and they'd be writing it down... the lunch coma is a very real thing. (*I do not know what elephant spackle is or why my brain just typed it.)
My hotel is quite literally directly across the street from my classroom building, which is AWESOME. No commute, just a few steps... so I can roll outta bed at 7:30am and be there at 8:00 with no problem. I love that.
Matt is with me in the hotel, so I usually go back to the hotel for lunch just to relax a bit. After ll the class ends, I make my way back to the hotel by 4:45 or so by the time I straighten the classroom up... and then I immediately change into my PJs and flop into bed. I'm usually sleepy by 8pm because I'm 90. But tonight I had a big ol' project that's due for my colleague in the Netherlands, so I had to knock that out because he's 6 hours ahead of me. It took me a few hours to finish and I just finished it up now... and right now it's almost 10pm and my body is like "HEY STUPID! WHY AREN'T YOU ASLEEP?"
I keep falling asleep while I'm writing this and then waking up 15-20 minutes later.
Other news, and I'll be quick here because it's super-late now... I forget if I told you that my mom lost 25 pounds on the NutriSystem plan we bought her so she could get her blood-sugar under control. I'm SOOOOO damn proud of her. She said the food is meh and just basically TV dinners, but that's kinda what she normally eats anyway.
Ok, I'm going to sleep. Love you all ok bye.
Happy Hanukkah to those tho celebrate!
I'm a dumbass, I stayed up too late too.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Clemence dot dress is a maxi dress and features short sleeves, an elastic waistband that has a belt and a volant detail on the bottom. This dress has a golden dot print all over and comes in a black colour.
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"ARE you going to kill yourself?" It was a grave question to be asking over the phone, but fortunately the answer at the other end of the line was a decisive no. The country bloke was, however, full of grief and burning questions. In two weeks he had lost two mates to suicide, and he needed someone to help him ... Read More »
Tag Archives: mental health
Veteran suicide royal commission unwarranted, former officer says
THE Federal Government is considering ordering a royal commission into veteran suicides, but high-ranking returned officer Kel Ryan says the proposal would be unwarranted and costly. Lt Col Ryan, a Vietnam War veteran and parishioner from Goodna, has been involved in veteran issues for more than 30 years, and said during the last two decades there have been many studies ... Read More »
Mercy Sister Angela Mary Doyle becomes a leading voice for women suffering in silence
MERCY Sister Angela Mary Doyle is a legend in Australian healthcare and she used International Women's Day on March 8 to spread a much-needed message about a "disturbing situation" in women's health. Sr Doyle, an award-winning humanitarian and Member of the Order of Australia, appeared as a guest speaker at the Springfield City Group International Women's Day event. There she ... Read More »
Is male privilege a myth? Statistics reveal the dark truth about male suicide in Australia
CLAIMS of male privilege should fall on deaf ears after recent data demonstrates a heartbreaking trend among Australian men. In 2017, the number of deaths from suicide in Australia was more than 3000. Of those deaths, three-quarters were men, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The rate of suicide deaths per 100,000 people was 12.7 in 2017, compared to ... Read More »
Bracken Ridge Catholic school trio leads the way in wellbeing space
THREE students and two therapy dogs will remind the community at St John Fisher College, Bracken Ridge, to improve their mental health with the recent launch of a wellbeing space. The new program, titled Fun, Food & Fellowship, is the brainchild of students Alicia Horsfield, Maya Rees and Michelle Krueger, who received a $5000 grant from the Goldfish Tank funding ... Read More »
People with a mental illness turn to their patron saint for prayers
THE daughter of an Irish pagan king and a beautiful Catholic mother has become the lifeline and friend to a group of Catholics from Brisbane who live with a mental illness. Members of Brisbane-based ministry Catholic Psychiatric Pastoral Care, which offers spiritual support and companionship to people with a mental illness, have developed a deep love and devotion to St ... Read More »
Man's best friend is Gracie Garrahy's companion in battle against mental illness
WHENEVER teenager Gracie Garrahy decides to brave the outside world, her best mate Sebastian is right beside her. Sebastian is an assistance dog receiving training to support his owner, Miss Garrahy, an 18-year-old who is diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and manic depression. "Before I got him, I wouldn't go out of the house, I wouldn't interact with other people," ... Read More »
New podcast Do Life Better aims to improve wellbeing of young people
MENTAL illness among Australian youth is on the rise but two Catholic men hope their new podcast could make young Aussies healthier in mind, body and soul. Dave Jorna and Jared Press are the voices behind Do Life Better, a podcast teaching young people how to live a happier and more fulfilled life. Earlier this year, a report into youth ... Read More »
Catholic teacher says staff are on the frontline of youth suicide prevention
HIGH school teacher Elizabeth Chilnicean knew something was wrong when a student started isolating himself from his peers. He was by her standards a well-behaved student who associated with a healthy group of friends that maintained positive relationships with their teachers. Then he started showing problems focusing in class, displaying a lack of emotions and not spending time with his ... Read More »


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Vol. 16 Nbr. 3, September 2017
- Student misbehavior in physical education: the role of 2 x 2 achievement goals and moral disengagement.
- Accelerometery and heart rate responses of professional fast-medium bowlers in one-day and multi-day cricket.
- A motivational model of physical education and links to enjoyment, knowledge, performance, total physical activity and body mass index.
- Does 'Live High-Train Low (and High)' hypoxic training alter running mechanics in elite team-sport players?
- The effects combining cryocompression therapy following an acute bout of resistance exercise on performance and recovery.
- Manual resistance versus conventional resistance training: impact on strength and muscular endurance in recreationally trained men.
- Objectively measured physical activity levels among ethnic minority children attending school-based afterschool programs in a high-poverty neighborhood.
- Validity of a newly-designed rectilinear stepping ergometer submaximal exercise test to assess cardiorespiratory fitness.
- Reduced Spanish version of participation motives questionnaire for exercise and sport: psychometric properties, social/sport differences.
- Chronic eccentric exercise and antioxidant supplementation: effects on lipid profile and insulin sensitivity.
- Do maximal roller skiing speed and double poling performance predict youth cross-country skiing performance?
- Moderate intensity cycling exercise after upper extremity resistance training interferes response to muscle hypertrophy but not strength gains.
- A systematic method to detect the metabolic threshold from gas exchange during incremental exercise.
- Power-time curve comparison between weightlifting derivatives.
- Effects of whole body vibration on the neuromuscular amplitude of vastus lateralis muscle.
- Effectiveness of movement therapy interventions and training modifications for preventing running injuries: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- Long term changes in muscles around the knee joint after ACL resection in rats: comparisons of ACL-resected, contralateral and normal limb.
- Performance enhancement by brain stimulation.
- Modified tuck jump assessment: reliability and training of raters.
- Authors' response.


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Richard turns 14
May 14, 2007
Well, I never thought it'd happen but Richard is 14. …I thought he'd have punched his ticket dirt-biking or falling into creeks by now, guess I was wrong. It's really odd watching my little siblings grow up. They're starting to look like adults, and they already act like they're equal with adults. …But I don't think they have any idea how difficult it actually is being an adult. …And I can't wait to see the look on their faces when they find out.
I remember the first time I realized adults didn't have the easy life. I think I was about 9, my dad was getting ready for work and on his way out the door he said, "Brian, I don't want to go to work today." I said, "Well then don't dad!" And he said, "Son, when you're an adult male you have to go to work every day." …I paused in horror, and then replied, "Dad, that sucks."
It sortof concerns me that Richard and Nequeshe don't seem to get this yet. …Oh well, between the economy, war and my career I have enough to worry about.
Above from the left to the right, Nequeshe (sister), Alona (mom), Susan (niece), Richard (brother), Tami (almost-sister-in-law), Dave (dad), Mick (brother), April (sister), Isaiah (nephew) and me.
4 Responses to "Richard turns 14"
August 1, 2007 at 7:54 am
I think its the duty of every adult to conceal from children that 98% of adult life(for most of us) is concerned with making money, paying bills, selling out, and fighting the overwhelming sense of bitterness at being lied to ourselves as children. I think child-labor laws should be rethought. How many times have we all crashed down on the couch at the end of a fourteen hour day of hell at work, plus a two hour commute with a bunch of similarly bitter assholes, and said to a glass of vodka on the rocks "I didn't know it was going to be like this"? If work, stress, and disappointment was something we learned starting before we could form sentences, I think we'd be much better equipped(if not just 'used' to it) to handle the realities of adult life that most westerners are spared until they graduate from high school or college. I'm kind of kidding here, but really, running around in the woods as a kid was fun, but too much of a good thing. I should have been working at least a couple hours a week at a textile mill, or maybe an iron smelt!(nod to Zoolander :)) Just a thought.


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Sunday, June 27, 2010
Yahweh says this: For the three crimes, the four crimes of Israel, I
have made my decree and will not relent: because they have sold the
upright for silver and the poor for a pair of sandals, because they
have crushed the heads of the weak into the dust and thrust the rights
of the oppressed to one side, father and son sleeping with the same
girl and thus profaning my holy name, lying down beside every altar on
clothes acquired as pledges, and drinking the wine of the people they
have fined in the house of their god. Yet it was I who destroyed the
Amorite before them, he who was as tall as the cedars, as strong as
the oaks; I who destroyed his fruit above ground and his roots below.
It was I who brought you up from Egypt and for forty years led you
through the desert to take possession of the Amorite's country. Very
well! Like a cart overloaded with sheaves I shall crush you where you
stand; flight will be cut off for the swift, the strong will have no
chance to exert his strength nor the warrior be able to save his life;
the archer will not stand his ground, the swift of foot will not
escape, nor will the horseman save his life; even the bravest of
warriors will jettison his arms and run away, that day! -declares
When Jesus saw the crowd all about him he gave orders to leave for the
other side. One of the scribes then came up and said to him, 'Master,
I will follow you wherever you go.' Jesus said, 'Foxes have holes and
the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay
his head.' Another man, one of the disciples, said to him, 'Lord, let
me go and bury my father first.' But Jesus said, 'Follow me, and leave
the dead to bury their dead.'
St. Irenaeus was a great theological writer of the 2nd century. He
said that man finds the actualization of life when he sees God. To see
God, according to him, is to enjoy his goodness. Therefore, our goal
in life must be to see God if we want to be fulfilled. St. Irenaeus
further said that it is the desire of God to manifest himself to men.
So what are we waiting for? Let us seek God fervently through the
Scriptures, through prayer, through fellowship with other Christians
and by doing good to our neighbor since God dwells in them. Let us
contemplate the goodness of God in the small victories we have – when
we forgive somebody, when we are a bit generous to the poor, or when
we proclaim our faith to those who are spiritually dead
God invites us to be his disciples. The gospel describes exactly what
to expect if we want to follow Jesus – daily sufferings and
renunciation of family ties. As we progress in the spiritual life, we
realize that we must give up comforts, enter into precarious
situations and suffer privations for love of God. We are also invited
to love God more than our parents, relatives, etc. because God always
comes first. When we become adult, we realize that God should be the
center of our lives or else all our relationships become corrupted.
Are you ready to give up everything in order to find the one great
pearl – Jesus Christ?
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Myrna
- Jilbert Perez
- Ely Lara
- Rita P. Cuerva
… for the personal intentions of
- Maricar
- Titong V.
- Atrero family
- Patrick and Mary Ann
- Lawrence
- Nikolai Cortez
- Aydin Cortez
- Karl Cortez
- Maureen Cortez
… for the eternal repose of the soul of Lutgarda Sison Cortez. Eternal
rest grant unto her and may perpetual light shine upon her. May she
and all the dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Lucianne Cham
- In Memoriam (+): Peter Lim Sr. (1903-1993)+
… for world peace and reconciliation.
Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers
and for those who need our prayers the most.
Have a good day!
These reflections are distributed free and are for personal use only.
Feel free to send the Daily Prayer reflections to your friends,
colleagues and relatives; however, if you do, please include the
| The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the
| priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish
| http://www.marythequeen.org
| Distributed free and for personal use only.
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© 2010 Daily-Homily


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Riding Your Motorcycle at Night in Michigan
Most motorcyclists find riding in the night to be exhilarating. Nothing compares to the experience of the cool night air and the clear skyline. The roads are less traveled at this time and most riders take advantage of this by cruising with their guard down.
Yet, riding at night can be dangerous. According to the Insurance Information Institute, motorcycle riders who passed away between 6 pm – 6 am during weekends made up for 53% of rider deaths. This shows that most motorcycle fatalities occur during night riding. If you or a loved one was in a motorcycle accident, a Detroit motorcycle accident lawyer at Moss & Colella will help you get the compensation you deserve. Here are some of the reasons why it is dangerous to ride at night:
- Hazards: Night time has its fair share of hazards. One, as a motorcyclist, you are likely to encounter drunks, especially on weekends, who drive even though they are under the influence. Also, as a rider, you have to be wary of speeding vehicles or drivers who swerve, as they may not be familiar with on their surroundings. Riders typically have to deal with reduced vision during these times as it becomes more difficult to plan ahead and judge corners, and this can lead to crashes.
- Sleep: People tend to get drowsier at night. If you feel fatigued, don't get on your motorbike. Under such conditions, your reaction time to surrounding events and obstacles is not at its peak.
- Animals: After darkness sets in, the roads are likely to be filled with animals like deer, squirrels, and raccoons. These animals usually jump out onto the road when you least expect it. Since they are often not visible at night, be wary of the area you are passing. Be on the lookout for animal crossing signs and animals that may be along the roadside. If you spot any that may hop on the road, slow down and try not to put yourself in danger.
- Potholes: Potholes are very common throughout Michigan and are a danger to riding in the night. They might be visible during the day, but they tend to be elusive at night. If you are trailing a car, and you notice that its lights keep bouncing, you'll have a clue of the location of the potholes.
- At night, rural roads are mostly void of traffic. This means that bikers who t need help will usually have to wait a while before a passing motorist comes to their aid.
In order to be safe when riding at night, the key is to be visible. Speaking with a Michigan motorcycle accident lawyer at our firm can be very valuable to anyone injured in a Motorcycle accident. Here are some of the essential things that all riders need to be safe at night:
Every motorcycle is required by law to have a headlight. However, headlights differ in quality, with some being greater in quality & brightness than others. Nowadays, most motorcyclists opt for HID lighting and this is a huge improvement to the normal halogen lights which are found in most motorcycles. Upgrading lights on a bike will help other drivers spot your motorcycle and assist the rider in having better vision of the road.
To most bike owners, the tail light is simply a dual-filament bulb which doubles as a turn signal if it is used as a running light. These lights are oftentimes weak and have a tendency to break down. A better alternative is LED tail lights, as they are more luminous and use less power. They are long lasting and can stand the abuse that tail lights have to endure on motorcycles.
Signals or Indicators
At night, indicating that you want to make a turn or change lanes is a life-saving act. Since drivers and riders have to deal with low visibility, avoiding surprises by both parties goes a long way in ensuring road safety. For efficiency, LED upgrades are the go-to option due to their brightness.
Light bars
Light bars help in making your bike visible in the darkness. They are popular among adventure riders, sports tourers, and cruisers. They are found close to the headlight.
Spot/fog lights
These help in making the bike visible as they lay light down low when you are on the road. They can be installed on the lower front part of the bike's frame, on the engine forks or engine guards. However, a huge drawback to having them is that they may drain the bike's battery, so you have to check whether your motorcycle is able to handle this power drain.
Investing in material that makes you visible at night and improves your vision goes a long way in reducing fatalities at night. If you or a loved one was in a motorcycle accident in Michigan, a Michigan motorcycle accident lawyer at Moss & Colella will help discuss your claim and the options available to you. We are truly dedicated to helping you and we understand that you or your loved one is going through a very difficult time. Accidents happen fast and can leave lifelong scars. They can be harmful physically and emotionally, do not hesitate to call a Detroit Motorcycle accident lawyer at Moss & Colella today!


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Isaiah 1:18. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Well a fine Wednesday morning to you and yours my Scrip-Bit friends and family! Today has begun in brilliant fashion; bright sunshine, birds singing sweetly as they go about God's work, and the new spring blossoms are also out in colourful abundance!
Wow! What a day it is when both the Sun and the SON are out in full force! There's nothing to beat it! So please, let's grab a hold of the beauty of nature and the wonders of Jesus and run with them nuh, run this glorious race of life in which we're entered!
Now I'm going to spoil the mood some, (smile) by sharing this poem from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. When I read it recently, I couldn't help but think how appropriate it is to so many of us believers. It's titled 'God 's Searchlight.'
Please pray with me. 'O God If suddenly You were to reveal To my family, my friends, my neighbours Every real thought behind my courteous words If you were to point to my clenched fist While my other hand is openly extended
If you were to bring to light Every masked motive, every selfish act I would cringe with remorse And beg You to remove Your light of revelation. Yet, Lord, when the searchlight of the Holy Spirit Begins to reveal me to myself I so often close my eyes and turn my back In a frantic but impossible effort To escape Your penetrating gaze.
What a staggering contradiction, Lord What appalling hypocrisy. Apart from Your grace I am utterly shattered. I ask You to sweep through me Purify me, cleanse me completely. From the depth of my penitent heart I thank You for Your continual assurance
As I turn toward Your splintered cross: Because of Your LOVE I became Your child Because of Your grace I remain Your child.'
Ah friends, how genuinely that reflects so many of us a lot of the time! Our smiles and generous approaches aren't always what they seem to be, neither are our outward motives.
And when the Lord deals with us on the matter, we try to run and hide. But remember, we can run, but we can NEVER hide from our all-pervasive God.
Yeh mih people, there is way too much hypocrisy in our Christian doings today. That's one of the reasons why Christ's church is having so many problems reaching and retaining members.
But our God is so wonderful, forgiving and LOVING, that this is what He says in answer to our cry. 'Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.'
Yes friends, that's the Bible Promise for our 'God's Searchlight' poem, as well as our Bit for today. How reassuring it is eh. It doesn't condemn us, but offers us a chance to repent and change from our wicked ways.
And listen to how the Lord continues through Isaiah. 'If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.' (Is.1:19-20)
Simple and straight forward words of our God! You repent and become obedient, you prosper; you refuse and rebel, you suffer calamity.
And the sad part is that these are times of much rebellion and refusal to accept and be obedient to Almighty God! Instead of drawing closer to Him, we're trying our very best to get rid of Him from our society.
Hn! No wonder there is so much calamity and disaster, so much war and strife in our world! Everybody seems to be up in arms against his or her fellow man. Now could that be because of our disobedience and rebellion?
You can bet your bottom dollar some of it is! God is trying to get our attention, but we're too busy doing our own thing and going our own way to notice. However, listen to this explanation from the scholars re the verses above.
'1:18-20. The prophet's appeal to come and reason together reveals God's gracious invitation to all men. It literally means to be "reasonable" by repenting and turning to God. Their sin is described as scarlet and red like crimson, referring to their bloodguiltiness before God.
The term 'crimson' also means "worm," referring to the colourfast red dye of the scarlet worm. The eradication of this stain turns it snowy white and is symbolic of the life-changing grace of God, which delivers men from guilt and condemnation of sin. Thus the prophet reminds his readers that God stands ready to cleanse and forgive all who will turn to Him.'
Oh friends, I am also trying to remind us of God's grace and mercy to all who will come to Him in repentance and obedience! But all I can do is put it before us, everyone has to make the decision individually whether to accept or reject it. I implore us though, to please accept it, because that is eternal wisdom.
Now for all of us who have accepted Jesus, let's go home declaring with joy and contentment our Wednesday Wail. In unison now: 'Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I'm so glad to be alive on this Wednesday!
Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I'm not turning back. I'm not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!'
Oh doesn't that just work wonders in our souls, my believing brethren! It certainly ought to. Much LOVE!
…only as one is surrounded by and ensconced in God's LOVE…can one feel safe and secure…


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Paranormal Unity Starts With YOU
All I've been hearing lately is paranormal unity this and paranormal unity that. But unless I'm missing something, I don't see much of it going on.
How many of you paranormal teams and groups out there are actually teams? How many of you are really just two maybe three (if you're lucky) like-minded souls. How many more of you are just one and you handle being Team Leader, Lead Investigator, Case manager, Tech, etc. and the evidence review?
Ok, so maybe you do have a reliable team together…well you have done good and I'm proud of you. But I know how getting them together with various work schedules and family obligations can be. And of course, quality not quantity matters when choosing likely team members….but sometimes you find out they were not as quality as you would have liked. Or maybe one of them turned on you, stole from you, lied to you. Then you had to terminated their team status as well as a friendship.
What I am saying is Paranormal Unity begins with you and your team. If your team is not on the same page as you then you don't have a team. If they are not reliable or are more scared of evidence review than ghosts then you don't have a team. If you cannot fully 100% trust your members then you don't have a team. If you gotta almost beg them to learn what's new in the paranormal field then you don't have a team.
I have a few special friends here (social media) who have been more generous with their time than I would have ever expected from people I have never met face to face. They have seriously talked to me about paranormal things, helped with evidence review, collaborated on video work, made great banners, turned me on to superior sites and equipment and taught me things I didn't know.There has been more input from these distant friends than some of my now ex-team members. Now the team members I had who actually worked it know who they are…you others also know who you are.
Paranormal Unity….is a distant dream unless you and your team are unified. Only then can global paranormal unity be possible. No offense to those of you who are trying. A big HELLO to those of you who are half asleep.
But I wonder how many of you will actually want to talk about this? After all who wants to admit they have lazy or unreliable team members? Who wants to admit they've had to dump one here and there for various reasons? Come on…bring it on!…UNITY people…you want Unity?!?! You have to make it happen and not just sit there and wish for it! That's right, I'm trying to stir you up! And I want to hear from you on this…I'm sick of seeing people get burned by their own team or other teams.
Paranormal Unity…you tell me what YOU think it means. I think it means it starts with you and your team…if you don't have it there you might as well hang up your gear and forget it because if you can't believe in your team neither will anyone else.
For those of you who want to join a team or start a team…if you are just in it for the thrill-seeking, just don't bother. If you can't even bring a dang camera to the table, again just don't bother. I am as helpful as anybody you'll ever meet in this field or anywhere else and very serious about my work. But once you cross me…well…we're done. I'm not a hard-ass people but damn it bring something besides what you've learned on tv. You want your unity, you have it right here.
As always my friends, I appreciate any input, good, bad or ugly. I think we need to address this problem more fully instead of just complaining about our members or lack of cooperation in the field.
Mar 15 2012
Another nice post. My team consists of family members (which I know is supposed to be trouble… but I think that's only when you have a mixed team of family and non-family). I only have one member who is not in my family. They are a fellow co-worker and they're great. As far as my team members being as serious as I am… I KNOW I'm the nerd who has the obsession… I KNOW I'm the one who keeps up with the research and reading and provides equipment… and I'm okay with that. I'm kind of an OCD control freak anyway. I do it all and I probably wouldn't have it any other way. This is also partly due to us being spread out all over the state. I get stressed out though. I do try to get them to take more of an interest in the research, education, etc. With that being said, my team members are smart, they work hard, and are in it for the cause. For right now that works out for us. Is this unusual for a paranormal investigation team? We're not the busiest team out there… we don't go begging for investigations… but I'm convinced we're more organized and professional than many out there. (Missouri Spirit Seekers, http://www.mospiritseekers.com)
Mar 14 2012
Agreed. It's funny… During two radio interviews, the host asked me my thoughts about Ghost Hunters and some of the recent rumors circling about them and about previous members who had left. I wouldn't say a word. First, because I don't know anything, and second – my opinion is worthless without facts. But more importantly, why should I take a shot at someone just because someone else asks me to. I refused to comment. I don't know anyone from Ghost Hunters, but I consider them the same as anyone else in the field – from the newest newbie to the most experienced. I acknowledge their efforts, appreciate what I can learn from them, and respect their contribution. And none of that carries with it back-biting, rumor-mongering, or ridicule.
There are some local people around here who do not deserve to be considered members of the field, but they don't need to be called out by me – not by name. And for all the rest of the local people, I personally believe I owe them respect and dignity – whether I get it in return or not. Paranormal Unity might be a tough thing to see come to fruition, but it starts with each one of us as individuals, and it centers around that word "respect." We get what we give, I suppose.
Mar 9 2012
Well, I am a member of PHPRS (www.phprs.org). I do consider us to be a team. Currently, we have 5 members. There have been other members, but we are expected to live up to certain criteria, and if we don't, we're gone.
It's not terribly strict, but being a team member carries with it certain requirements. Not the least of those requirements is to maintain a certain level of professionalism, which includes discretion, acceptable behavior, and a commitment to one another on and off the investigation playing field. Each of us has complete trust and confidence in one another, and knows that we have each other's back when needed. There's a lot that goes into it – more than can be stated in a comment, but suffice it to say, that even when we disagree about something, we see everything as a learning experience, and approach all situations with respect for one another and whoever we may come in contact with.
Being a member of PHPRS means a lot to each of us – not because we're the best or the most successful, but because we take great pride in what we do and how we do it. I'm never sure what Paranormal Unity really means in the broader sense, but I know what it means within our team. We are always unified.
Mar 9 2012
I agree with you 100% and am glad you are a part of a mature and responsible team. Paranormal unity, in the broader sense, simply means we should all strive to get along, to share what we learn and to not pick at one another publically or privately. After all, we are all in this field (hopefully) to attempt to understand the unknown and to help people.


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- Played 892,048 times
Mario Go Kart
- Description:
Mario Go Kart Go karting with Mario, Luigi and Wario! Watch out for the bananas along the race track and try to get the colored blocks by hitting them for special boosters! Be a champion or a loser! You can try the career mode, single race or time trial.
- Instruction:
- Tags:Friv Games


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Hello, my name is Dora Isakova. I moved to the US in 1997 from the former Soviet Union. I was born in Uzbekistan, in the city of Tashkent, and my native language is Russian. While in the former Soviet Union, I attended the Pedagogical Institute and received my BS in Education, after which I was certified as a teacher of elementary school and fine arts. In the US, I attended Touro College and received my BS in Human Services, with a concentration in Gerontology, in 2003.
I have been part of the staff at the Forest Hills branch of Touro College since 2003 as a library assistant. The Forest Hills branch is located at 71-02 113th Street in Queens. The Forest Hills library serves the New York School of Career and Applied Studies. It supports the core curriculum; specializes in business, computer science, and the human services; and has ESL materials. Forest Hills is a very vibrant neighborhood and has plenty of things to do when students are not in class. Just a ten minute walk from our campus is a bustling shopping and dining area, in which students can find all types of cuisines at all types of price points. As a librarian, the part of my job that I enjoy most is watching my students grow over the years and attain their professional and personal goals. I've gotten to know many of the students very well over the course of their time at Touro College, and I'm very proud when they come back after graduation and share their achievements with me.
Outside of work, my ideal vacation would be to travel through Europe and visit every country. Besides a brief trip to Moscow, I haven't had the pleasure of exploring Europe yet and would love to make that my next trip. I enjoy ethnic cuisines, especially those from Middle Eastern cultures. In my free time, I enjoy reading books and traveling with my husband and children. Something that most people don't know about me is that I enjoy architecture and the intricacies behind every blueprint; I hope that one day in the future when I have more free time I will be able to learn more about the field of architecture and will one day be able to design my own house.
Contributed by: Dora Isakova, Library Assistant, Forest Hills


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Resources: COVID-19 Safety Plan template, OHS guideline G3.3 (COVID-19 Safety Plan), Ventilation FAQs, and more resources
Additional information: General health and safety; Insurance support for employers: premiums waived for Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, Q1 and Q2 reporting and payment deadlines and 2021 preliminary rates; Claims
Forever Changed
Ripple Effect
Health care workers often face violence and aggression on the job—sometimes from their patients or clients, and other times from patients family members. In many cases, workers lives have been forever changed. These eight, short videos examine the challenge of violence and aggression in a variety of settings, and explore solutions. The videos remind viewers that violence against health care workers affects all of us, and we all play a role in creating safer workplaces.


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Dear Comrade Movie Review
Terrific soundtrack, Geetha Govindam pair and aggressive promotions have set high expectations on Dear Comrade. But did the debut director Bharat Kamma deliver a product that can meet those expectations? Let's analyze…
What is it about?
Chaitanya a.k.a. Bobby (Vijay) is a angry youngster who fights for the rights of students. He falls in love with Aparna a.k.a. Lilly (Rashmika), a state level cricketer. But his anger issues create a rift between them. They meet after three years, but by then Lilly is going through depression phase and Bobby helps her come out of it. Lilly wants to live her rest of the life with Bobby, but he asks her to restart her cricketing career. There is a serious problem with that as Lilly refuses to look back.
Vijay Deverakonda appears as a angry and emotional person Bobby who goes through various phases in life. Vijay does complete justice to his character by appearing in different looks in different phases. His screen presence and performance fuels Dear Comrade in spite of its shortcomings. Rashmika does a challenging role and she has given a decent performance. An experienced actress would have been a better choice. The story revolves around these two characters and the remaining cast is restricted to the background. Charuhaasan, Shruti Ramachandran and Suhas make their presence felt.
Bharat Kamma extracted the best output from his technicians and lead actors. He has sound technical knowledge which is why the film is visually appealing. However, there is a lot of confusion in the screenplay. Director wants to raise an issue that is being overlooked, but couldn't make an engaging film because of too many unnecessary elements included. Also the pacing is troublesome.
Dialogues are fine. Music by Justin Prabhakaran is the highlight. Every song has been shot so well. Background score also is impressive. Cinematography is beautiful. It is like visual poetry on the screen. Editing could have been better. Production values are excellent.
Thumbs Up:
Vijay Deverakonda
Chemistry between lead pair
Thumbs Down:
Disjointed storytelling
Slow pace
Lack of emotional connect
Dear Comrade is based on a burning issue – sexual harassment of women at the workplace. However, this issue comes to the forefront only in the last half an hour or so. Until then it deals with a love story where two conflicting personalities fall in love. Bobby is an angry young man who cannot tolerate injustice. Lilly doesn't want to get into any mess and live her life peacefully. No wonder they get separated and Bobby struggles hard to come out of the depression. He gets over the breakup, but meets Lilly again who is now in a bad state. He gets to know the reason for it and the rebel in him resurfaces, but Lilly refuses to fight.
The message that Dear Comrade delivers is good and certainly the need of the hour. However, the film doesn't focus on it until the last act. We get to see a love story that only sparkles here and there. There is nothing new in the romance or the conflict, which makes it passe. The Comrade angle in Bobby seems forced and out of place. The fights don't add any value to the script and in fact makes it a bit more lengthy. It looks as if the director is playing around Vijay Deverakonda's rebel image. Only the chemistry between the lead pair and beautiful songs make the first half watchable.
Second half of the film is entirely different from the first half. We can see that the story is heading towards something unexpected, but the passage is dull and absolutely disengaging. The director doesn't get into the details of the harassment and simply leaves it to audience's perception, which isn't a good idea. There should have been better scenes to show the struggle and pain. Even the climax sequence isn't striking enough. It surely raises right questions, but fails to make an emotional connect that stays with the audience after they leave the theaters. Dear Comrade should have taken a better approach than the one that is shown in the film.
All in all, the film ends up as a half-baked attempt that isn't either a commercially viable or an emotionally satisfying one. It relies totally upon Vijay Deverakonda's craze in terms of box office returns.
Verdict: Oh Dear!


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There really isn't anything straightforward or even uncomplicated about relocating in West Adams, despite whether you're moving to a brand new community in Los Angeles or clear across the nation to see exactly what Los Angeles has to give.
Not only do you have to very carefully pack up all of your prized possessions and arrange them intelligently so that you can unpack just as quickly, but then you have to handle a lot of heavy lifting to get your containers into a moving truck and then safely to your new home or office.
It's enough to make anyone go crazy, which is why so many people consider moving to be the most stressful things they do in their lives.
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Still on the fence about moving forward with the top movers Los Angeles has to offer?
Movers have indeed the mastered skills coming from years of moving likewise with practical knowledge in order to help you. As these professionals are truly paid with sum total of the project; these professionals will be really there from beginning to end and also definitely not be leaving unless the move is literally complete. To this extent it remains in their best interest so as to see that the job is not simply done well, however, amazingly well and is absolutely wrapped up. Leaving the moving concerning your professional moving company to West Adams moving services is definitely a great approach for decreasing your stress whenever moving. There is zero having to be sure you have indeed found everything because these seasoned pro movers have your best interest in mind. This allows you to savor your new house or apartment and leave behind the stress and inconvenience of moving to the professionals.
Moving, as you might well be certainly aware can be really stress filled. Part of the anxiety and stress regarding moving is needing to arrange all the things that you are going to require and also how to get them done.The items include: boxes, furniture dollies, hand carts, packing materials, furniture coverings. Along with the things you will want to move, many people do not really have box truck to help move them so that will most likely should be rented likewise. Through enlisting the services of a experienced company you no longer must end up being a genius planner. Movers possess all of the hardware and also items that you are going to need to have when it comes to your move, including things like the transport whereby to move all your personal belongings to your new home or apt. Every little thing definitely will be literally carried out for you using the moving companies, so you will not need to deal with most the stress which comes along with moving.
So why call a skilled professional? Well, the explanation is in their title, "Qualified Professional". These kinds of people are actually individuals that move a lot of people's things daily. This being pointed out these professionals have actually experienced every type of conditions moving items coming from one house or apartment to the next. Whether it be coming from quite hard to move home appliances, custom made object of arts, up or down stairs, as well as even large items; our movers at LA Movers Co. have already experienced it all. Considering that these experts do this on a daily basis our team can easily answer pretty much any questions or concerns you may possibly have, plus do the job a lot quicker in comparison to you on your own. In addition, you should conserve energy and time that is best made use of with respect to discovering exactly how best to position and decorate your new home or apartment or condo. An added in positive aspect is literally that you are actually not worn out from all the moving which you are not going to have to do by hiring a pro moving company.
Employing a qualified professional moving company will be able to save you lots of precious time. Lets admit it; moving costs not only money and yet time as well. Any time you are moving you may devote tons of hours meticulously packing your items, coupled with arranging boxes so in order to identify just what boxes include which objects for taking out right after your arrive at your new place. There certainly are by no means two ways about this it is certainly time consuming. So that simply by hiring an offical moving company in West Adams, La to either move you across town, out of city as well as across the nation you are able to save great deals of time by simply letting the moving company that you hire pack your belongings for you. Given that they can totally pack and unload your whole entire home or apartment or condo.
You may well think that "doing it yourself" might be the most suitable kind of cost savings whenever moving. Nonetheless, lots of people do not actually factor not only the amount of your time that it requires move, but in addition the amount of funds in which it can take to move. Plenty of points which lots of people do not take into consideration is: you have to charter a box truck to move, gasoline as well as driving expenditures, boxes, breakable objects containers and safety measures, a second couple of hands furthermore a solid back for moving the considerable belongings, leave of absence from work in order to move: consequently missed out on wages for the most parts. These are just a couple of the costs when ever considering the DO-IT-YOURSELF moving elements. With having movers move your house or perhaps apartment or condo, you are just looking at paying a single flat rates. The skilled professional movers undertake all of the huge lifting, lugging things down the staircases, placing things in the box truck. When ever you seek the services of a complete service mover within West Adams these experts will definitely in fact, help you pack, move then afterwards unpack your items.
Taking into consideration that seasoned professional movers are certainly regularly moving possessions from one apartment to another, or from one home to another; they have considerably a bit of years of experience moving your home furnishings as well as delicate and breakable items. Given that such these professionals are definitely much less than likely to break your items. Likewise these guys have much lower level of injury as these professionals are really continuously putting their bodies under the difficult demand daily as well as their physiques have really become adapted to the challenge. Lots of folks when ever attempting to move or hoist heavy objects sometimes injury themselves: this manifests even more in the course of moving given that you are really moving several heavy belongings throughout you home or apartment or condo. So spare yourself the hassle and well-being concerning your body and enlist the services of our professional moving team.
In case you have actually ever moved before then you are going to comprehend that aiming to get all the correct boxes along with furniture pieces in the appropriate location in the course of a move can certainly be intimidating. By having items getting off loaded from a truck to making it definitely it is actually not actually simply labeled right, however gets to the suitable room. Packaging together with moving could be literally as compared to having a go at to set up a 5,000 piece puzzle. Packaging, labeling, fitting all the boxes categorized all together therefore, these guys stay organized; and then making an effort to make sure they reach the most suitable place whenever they get off the truck. This stuff is usually precisely what is actually all involved every time moving and coordinating your home or apartment. Simply by hiring a moving company when it comes to your move you have the chance to keep away from almost all this inconvenience. No have to think about mismatched boxes, lifting, loading and unloading all the boxes. That is truly due to the fact that you have a crew. Our movers will definitely see to it that pretty much every furniture piece resides in its own right location, and that pretty much every box resides in its corresponding space.
Perhaps you have already moved before or possibly you are actually right here on our site hoping to enlist the services of a moving company for the very first time; no matter lot of times anytime you looking to move on your own can easily require various trips. These kinds of trips are generally back and forth from the old apartment or house to the new one. No matter if it is simply across the road, across town, state or even country, these particular trips take a bunch of precious time also restrict your schedule. By means of employing aprofessional company you save on certainly not only your precious time, however additionally your sanity. Moves can possibly be a serious tension factor even more so when you are actually needing to travel back and forth from oneplace to the next. Movers are tasked with making the trips back and forth and not actually you. There responsibility is truly to make your move as easy and hassle free as possible. This way you can do the things that you do and have the movers do their job.
This is just one of the main and is most certainly not the least is incredibly important to the moving process. Moving Services possess all of the most suitable tools. Your professional mover will likely utilize hoisting straps, 2 wheel, four wheel or appliance dollies, ramps and custom constructed trucks with air ride cushions to transfer your personal belongings within a safe also secure manner. And so no matter if it is possibly moving an L-shaped sofa out of your door or even taking apart your furnishings, your employed group of help will certainly figure everything out for you.
Moving almost any type of furniture can not really only be really difficult, but likewise dangerous particularly whenever moving and also lifting sizable furniture such as: sofas, refrigerators, wine chilliers, washing and drying machines, recliners and also a lot more. If you do not really take specific preventative measures so as to guarantee your safety concerning for yourself whenever moving quite possibly the furnishings or heavy appliances you could turn out harming yourself. However whenever hiring a Moving Services within West Adams you will not have to bother with any injury like any pulled or over used muscle tissues considering that you can give it to the professionals to move your possessions to your next house. This additionally eliminates the potential of you your own self tearing up a wall, running the risk of ripping a love seat or even having any kind of type of bodily stress.
Hiring a skilled professional mover provides remarkable value on a day in which might be normally really stress filled. Moving may possibly be both mentally plus on a physical level straining, and dealing with delicate or even unmanageable objects with care insists upon precise moving skill-sets. Our experts extremely endorse depending on contractors when it comes to this, because you might concerning a lot of your households needs which includes plumbing and electric power. Utilizing over One Decade of expertise in neighborhood moving and also long distance moving, our crews of tremendously trained movers can absolutely deal with moves pertaining to any type of size or maybe complexness. Our company manage every single move with the own personal treatment that you might probably expect from family and friends. On the other hand, contrary to loved ones, our people ensure satisfaction.
Our experts derive an estimation regarding a local move on a hourly charge, this includes the driving time for each and every stage of the move: coming from the moving company to your first home or apartment, then to your destination, along with back again to the moving company. Pricing regarding a long distance move is generally based on a fixed cost, set price. After we have gotten an inventory pertaining to your home furnishings and also additional personal belongings, and determined a timeframe for delivery, our company more than happy to furnish a binding price intended for your move. If you prefer, our team can also value a cross country move by weight.
Moving employment represents the majority of the moving expense. That being said, you ought to as well budget for packing materials, such as moving boxes as well as tape, and for added valuation (moving insurance coverage) as really needed. Al's takes special measures together with breakable or large objects, which includes flat screen t.v.s and chandeliers. All of these possessions oftentimes demand a personalized wood crate, which are going to sustain an increased expense.
Having well over 50 (combined) years of practical experience, our sales team prides themselves about ensuring the most specific moving estimations in the market. Our exclusive sales system ensures that we work closely with every potential customer that one may absolutely understand his/her moving requirements and to offer a moving estimation which mirrors those needs. Make sure to provide as much relevant information as possible at the moment for the estimate - this includes going over the items for accuracy. Neglecting to mention more possessions, or even complicated spaces of accessibility, at the time of the moving quote often can result in unexpected charges for you the customer.
Like other types of service industries, one may well wish to say thanks to your movers with regard to a job successfully done with offering a gratuity. While at the same time the movers do not actually expect a set amount, we suggest a tip based upon your total satisfaction with your crew and also the overall move; with a broad rule of $4-6 for every individual, per hour. Assuming that you feel in which your movers went above as well as beyond in their efforts, you may possibly would like to boost the number appropriately.
Even though #brand: t # definitely will take virtually every crucial preventative measure regarding your move, unpredicted damage has the ability to come about but it is very important making sure that your things are truly protected. Our experts have the ability to supply valuation moving insurance plans to our customers at a very fair price caused by the very low quantity of insurance claims we file.
Our firm advise reserving your move as far in advance as you can. The further away you are able to prepare your move, the better the availability you are going to have in choosing a date and time in which is convenient for you. A fundamental rule of thumb is simply to consult with people no later than two weeks in advance of your wished for move day. Our team recognize advance preparation is truly not necessarily always feasible, and do our very best to accommodate last minute customers also.
Emphasis on packing, as an alternative to moving. Smaller things as well as moving boxes are moved quite quickly by skilled professional movers. Do not spend time attempting to move these types of items yourself. Instead, prioritize packing boxes, so the moment the movers arrive, you are truly 100% prepared. For additional information on packing and packing supplies have a look at our blog.
You bet! #brand: t # offers full service storage space locations as well as our high quality moving professional services. If your things do not actually fit inside your new house or apartment, but you are only living there merely for a limited time span and after that have plans to relocate to an even bigger home or you would like to hold on to the items for friends and family, use our storage area facilities is truly a hassle-free, secure solution. Consult your move organizer with regard to more detail concerning this service.
Opt for a helpful labeling solution (i.e. MBR for Master Bedroom) and also make sure that each of your boxes are certainly clearly marked. Boxes ought to be named on the top as well as 3 sides. Your movers definitely will work very closely along with you for the location making assured all things winds up precisely where you want it.
Anytime the cabinets are likely made of metal or plastic, 2-drawer filing cabinets may be left full. The top pair of drawers of a 4-drawer cabinet will need to be unloaded. All types of lateral file cabinets should be really emptied. All of the drawers must be emptied in wood cabinets.
That is really normally fine to leave your apparel inside your dresser drawers during the course of the move. Make sure to take away everything from the drawers that may roll around or perhaps move in the course of transport, as this may result in damage. Supposing that the dresser is particularly large (a triple dresser or section of a large wardrobe), this is certainly most ideal to at the very least partly empty this.
You should make sure that your dishwashing machine, microwave oven, refrigerator, washing machine, and also clothes dryer are truly empty. Moreover, movers are not actually trained electricians or plumbing technicians - you will need to schedule the suitable expert to disconnect your washing machine, lighting/chandeliers, and fridge from any sort of electric and/or drinking water connectivity. More important, movers are certainly not certified to disconnect natural gas, which in turn power many clothing dryers and ovens.
These types of possessions can possibly be carried on local area moves assuming that adequately packed/prepared, though our staff may not guarantee the safe transport of live plants, that may possibly be disturbed simply by motion as well as climate extremes inside the moving vehicle. Our people can not actually transport live plants regarding long distance moves.
#brand: t #, along with all Licensed Movers, will certainly not move harmful or combustible materials which includes propane tanks, firearms, paint, and aerosols, because the heat level in the truck could result in these particular items to burst or ignite.
When the movers first arrive, they are going to undertake a walk through along with you of your present house, verifying which items are definitely moving and which are actually not.
On the occasion that your moving day is quickly drawing near and it comes to be apparent that you will not actually be totally packed, it is truly critical that you notify your move manager immediately. He or she can easily collaborate with you to ensure the most ideal possible "plan b" with regard to packing. This might possibly mean having the movers complete your packing or perhaps, in the event that you have the flexibility and we have the availability, moving back your moving day so as to make it possible for even more time to pack. Supposing that you have an only a small amount of items left to pack, your movers can easily commonly finish this on moving day; nevertheless, it is very important to be aware of that this will definitely add time to the job and, for that reason, contribute to the complete price for the move.
Definitely. When ever our experts deliver your belongings to your new home the movers will work closely with you to make sure each of furniture including boxes arrive in the appropriate rooms, and also our experts are happy to lay out and rework the furniture just exactly as you would certainly like it.
For your personal assurance, you may well want to take into consideration moving jewelry and also other small prized possessions yourself in your own personal vehicle. When it comes to larger items - like fine art, antiques, musical instruments, special collections, as well as other items of great personal meaning and value - point these items out to your movers at the beginning of moving day so that these experts can take the important measures to make certain with regard to their suitable care.
On moving day, you should permit the expert movers manage the job completely - they are actually highly trained and the absolute best suited to carry the poundage and negotiate the loading of the vehicle. In most cases speaking, having non-professionals perform along the side of the movers slows things down as well as sets you back you even more ultimately. Your family and friends will be able to be really most beneficial in preparing for the move - packing moving boxes or caring for your animals or little ones.
Regrettably, there is actually no safe place throughout the moving vehicle intended for family pets to ride. They can not be moved inside the cab of the moving vehicle for liability factors and the back of the moving vehicle is really unacceptable as a result of absence of climate control and the risk caused with possible shifting of very heavy things.
Regretfully, professional moving companies can in no way transport clients in the moving truck for liability purposes. You probably want to prepare a ride by using a good friend or perhaps a taxi solution upon move day.
Yes. Our skilled professional movers together with moving vehicles are conditioned to move throughout rain, sleet, or snow. These people arrive equipped with materials in order to keep your items protected from the elements. Nonetheless, if you want to help keep expenses down, we recommend that you scoop, rake, or otherwise clear away the access ways in preparation for their arrival.
Feel free to contact us using our quote form.
Moving Services West Adams, LA
Moving Services West Adams, LA


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Unlimited Printing & Embroidery is a full service company located in Brownsville Texas. We specializes in print projects and have expaned into apparel embroidery services. We also provide specialty items like sales collateral materials, visual presentations, business cards and invitations.
Proudly serving Brownsville Texas and the Rio Grande Valley.
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Real men have feelings too! At times they need a little extra help keeping it real… with similar notes as lavender, petitgrain is a manlier smell, you know, for the real men.
Fun Fact: The name Petitgrain is a French word that translates to "little grains." It was given this name because the fruit of the bitter orange tree is quite small for a citrus fruit—about the size of a cherry.
Distilled from the leaves and twigs of the Citrus aurantium L. (bitter orange) tree, Petitgrain essential oil has a long history of use in perfumery and for its many health benefits. Despite being derived from a citrus tree, with high concentrations of linalyl acetate and linalool, Petitgrain is actually more chemically similar to floral and herb essential oils. Its refreshing combination of citrus, floral, and slightly woody aromatic notes provides some insight into its unique spectrum of benefits. Along with its distinct scent, Petitgrain offers calming, cleansing, and several body system-supporting benefits.
For more about the chemistry of Petitgrain click here.
Sourcing Petitgrain:
Petitgrain Oil Uses and Benefits
- Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of Petitgrain oil is its ability to promote relaxing feelings. Due to its chemical makeup, Petitgrain essential oil can be helpful in creating a calm, relaxed environment to promote feelings of relaxation. Consider placing a few drops of Petitgrain on your pillows and bedding before going to bed in order to enjoy its aromatic benefits. You can also combine other relaxing oils like Lavender or Bergamot with Petitgrain on the bedding to promote a more relaxing atmosphere.
- Petitgrain oil has long been known for its benefits to the body when taken internally. Taking Petitgrain internally can help benefit internal systems like the cardiovascular, nervous, digestive, and immune systems.* To enjoy the internal benefits of Petitgrain oil for the body's systems, add one to two drops of the oil to water or other beverages.* Not only will this allow you to reap the internal benefits of the oil, but you'll simultaneously get to enjoy the fresh taste that Petitgrain has to offer.
- The relaxing properties of Petitgrain essential oil can also be beneficial for massage. When you want a relaxing foot massage, dilute a few drops of Petitgrain oil with doTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil before rubbing the combination on the bottoms of the feet. As you breathe in the calming scent of Petitgrain oil and massage the feet, you'll feel relaxed in no time.
- While the internal use of Petitgrain oil can be helpful for promoting health of body systems, it can also help further promote relaxation and calm feelings.* Consider taking Petitgrain essential oil internally when you want to ease tense feelings, calm the nervous system, or promote a restful night's sleep.*
- Similar to other citrus essential oils, Petitgrain oil makes a great addition to hot beverages. If you enjoy drinking herbal tea or other hot drinks, consider adding a few drops of Petitgrain oil to help enhance the flavor. Not only will you enjoy the unique flavor of Petitgrain oil, but you'll also benefit from the calming properties it provides.*
- To help reduce the appearance of skin imperfections, consider adding a couple drops of Petitgrain oil to Fractionated Coconut Oil and applying it to skin blemishes or imperfections. When using a new essential oil topically, it can be helpful to test a small dose of the oil on your skin to ensure that it doesn't cause any skin sensitivity or irritation. Due to their potency, it is also important to dilute essential oils with a carrier oil before using them on the skin to help minimize skin irritation.
- Want to create a calming atmosphere in your home, office, or classroom? Diffuse Petitgrain oil in the essential oil diffuser of your choice when you want to create a relaxing, calming environment. You can also combine Petitgrain with other calming oils like Bergamot, Lavender, or Eucalyptus to further promote relaxation.
- Along with benefits for the systems of the body, Petitgrain oil may also provide antioxidant support when taken internally.* To enjoy the antioxidant benefits that Petitgrain oil has to offer, consider taking one to two drops in a doTERRA Veggie Cap for a dietary supplement.*
Are you a manly man who wants this oil? Want petitgrain for your manly man? Check out my doTERRA page for more information.


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Traditionally speaking, Valentine's day is usually very female orientated… Well, that's all about to change with our gift guide for your main man!
The Beolit 15 portable bluetooth speaker from Bang & Olufsen is the ultimate gift for the wanna be DJ #thatbass
Ever heard that saying "flowers are for girls, terrariums are for boys"? Ok, no, we haven't either, but we think these Terrariums from West Elm are the perfect gift! You can personalise them with whatever plants you like… He will be impressed that you made it – trust us!
Ok, we aren't implying that guy's smell, but who doesn't love the smell of good cologne? Creed Aventus from Libertine is the ultimate scent to gift. With notes of Italian bergamot, French apples and Moroccan jasmine this a scent he is sure to love!
Yes, we know… most men have hundreds of shirts, but does your man have a Richards & Richards crisp blue pin striped shirt? If the answer is no, then you better whip down and pick one up ASAP.
Is your partner still wearing apple bottom jeans? Ok, let Nudie Jeans help you… They have a wide range of styles, all of which are 100% organic cotton!
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January 29, 2016


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The Meme-ification of Misandry
Why ironic hatred of men isn't enough
By Charlotte Shane
By 2014, I'd been a sex worker for a decade, without any substantial break in the work. The constant exposure to male entitlement, as well as the financial incentive to accommodate it, left me angry and bored. I was embittered by the predictable, arrogant obliviousness most men evinced in their engagement with me. I complained about them regularly, both in private conversations with friends and in public. For years, one of the best outlets for releasing my male-provoked frustration was to talk about it with fellow sex workers online.
But it was around this time that our Twitter community grew to encompass many non-sex working women who related their own cynicism and exhaustion. These exchanges weren't solely about male social cluelessness or even outright aggression but the gestalt of bad behavior, from the irritating to the evil, the rude to the criminal. All manner of women were fed up with men not getting "it": how obnoxious it was to have our own jokes repeated back to us in less funny language; how demoralizing (and impoverishing) it was to be excluded from prestige lists, publications, awards, and promotions; how numbingly pervasive the practice and acceptance of sexual violence. Many of us were at a place in our lives in which we took our full personhood as self-evident, and to be surrounded by men who struggled with recognizing that in both macro and micro contexts, was maddening. "I vent my 'misandry' on Twitter so I don't have to carry it in the rest of my life," wrote Lori Adorable, in late 2013. Many of us, particularly those whose livelihood relied upon satisfying a variety of men, had a lot to vent.
Across the Internet, it was a time of peak misandry. Know Your Meme attributes the popularization of the term to various cultural artifacts few enthusiastic current misandrists will recognize. But, hilariously, the word (and the attendant attitude) seems to have gained visibility thanks to anti-feminists treating the concept as a real, widespread ideology, and therefore a personal threat. When feminists noticed the notion was a useful tool for poking the buttons of an especially nasty brand of sexist, a meme was born.
According to Google search results, November of last year saw more people looking up "misandry" than ever before or since. Time and Slate ran articles on the subject, and "misandrist" became a semi-common identification in social media bios. Tumblrs with misandrist gifs flourished as Twitter personality Moscaddie's mantra "dick is abundant and low value" gained considerable traction. Satirist Mallory Ortberg continued to write hugely popular, gently misandrist posts on The Toast, the #banmen hashtag flourished, and misandrist merchandise — the "male tears" coffee mug, the "misandry" necklace or needlepoint — became Etsy (and now Amazon) staples.
The meme-ification of misandry supports the reading of anti-maleness as ironic and funny: a prolonged, collective exercise in trolling. "Misandry exists only as an exaggerated Internet joke and as a way in which women who have been directly or indirectly hurt by men express their frustration and anger," Madeline Alpert wrote about anti-man memes. Denying that misandry is anything other than a gag is a recurring exercise, partially because of the ludicrously self-serious men's rights activists who point to the catchphrase "kill all men" as proof that men are an oppressed, endangered demographic. As Jess Zimmerman wrote in response to men's discomfort with jokes about violence against men: "we've been listening to rape jokes and wife-beating jokes and gritting our teeth since forever. At least you get to feel mildly wrong-footed by jokes about something that is not happening literally every day."
It's true there's no institutionalized violence against all men due to their gender, and women as a group aren't regarded as a threat to their physical well being. But women of color have repeatedly pointed out that "kill all men" takes on a grotesque dimension when put in the context of our country's racial reality. Black feminist Zoé Samudzi agrees that "misandry — like reverse racism — isn't possible," but "'kill all men' — even in jest — is a reminder of the historical role white women play in white masculine violence against men of color." Black men are targets of institutional violence — a truth that's acutely impossible to ignore in light of the rampant police murders of black Americans. And when Dylan Roof murdered nine black church congregants in South Carolina, reportedly attributing his brutality to "you rape our women," white women's tacit and active participation in white supremacy was brought even further to the fore
Ariel Lebeau, a biracial cis woman, subscribed to misandry when she first encountered it online, but became increasingly critical of the limited thinking it belied: "Adopting cavalier misandry as part of your feminism strikes me as a disregard for the intersectionality of race, gender, sexuality and class." White feminists have such a poor track record of intersectional activism, it's no wonder women of color don't trust them to be sensitive in their casual comedy. "My people, families, friends of families, and so on, are already dying," says Soha Kareem, a queer Palestinian-Iraqi woman. "It's a joke that I can no longer support because I see death happen everywhere, with whiteness centered and protected."
Some women are now careful to specify "white men" and/or "cis men" when they join in misandrist teasing. Lori Adorable, a 26-year-old feminist and sex worker, explains that while men of all races and classes have gendered privilege over women, white women have racial privilege that's equally weighty: "I prefer talking about killing white men, because they're never going to be systemically punished for what they do to women, and they truly do the most."
Narrowing misandry's exaggerated aggression to only address white cis men can entail serious consequences for women of color, though. Earlier this year, Bahar Mustafa, a student diversity officer in London, became a target of students angry that she'd asked white people and men to refrain from attending an event about diversity. The petition to fire her included a picture of her near a handwritten sign reading "no white cis men pls" above a drawing of a mug labeled "male tears." It's hard to imagine a white woman coming under similar fire.
"It doesn't feel funny or light-hearted to me anymore when I see women say 'kill all men,'" adds Lebeau. "I understand the frustration because that shit frustrates me too — but I can't act like my frustration matters more than the lives of men of color or LGBTQ men who are also harmed by oppressive systems."
Cissexism and gender essentialism are other failures of popular misandry memes. "Many misandrist jokes are inherently transphobic," says Sarah Jeong, a genius at crafting overtly anti-men tweets that cleverly inflame the humorless. "Lazy misandrist jokes can be really hurtful. I mean, hurtful to people other than whiny cis men." Madeleine Holden, who coined the aforementioned "dick is abundant and low value" mantra later apologized, and said, "I wish I could get people to reconsider its use." These common problems beg the question: is there even anything politically valuable in (carefully worded) misandry? Or is merely a short-term balm for the souls of a subset of frustrated feminists, too plagued by intersectional obliviousness to be defensible?
The most worthwhile and instructive aspect of misandry is its rejection of male approval. It flouts the notion that women should be deferential to men, that we should prioritize their comfort and pander to their egos. "Misandry is radical indifference to men," explains Sarah Jeong, pointing to Mallory Ortberg's definition. "It is radical because women are socialized to pay attention to all of those things, and to center men in their lives." Beatrice, sex worker and mother of two boys, agrees: "It's not man-hating as much as it is man-shrewdness: limiting relationships and interactions to things that nourish you. The twin pillars of misandry are not laughing at unfunny jokes, and walking out of bad sex. It's made women's standards higher, and created a new baseline of what deserves women's attention."
Yet some think misandrist stances do center on men. "The self-identified misandrists I know do not hate men as much as they are fed up with endlessly discussing trivial 'feminist issues,'" Alpert wrote in 2013, positioning misandry as a way of re-centering male behavior as an object of criticism in a movement otherwise concerned with "whether or not wearing makeup is a 'feminist act.'" And that exchange may be a trade worth making. But sometimes, misandrist jokes create a cycle of sisterly confirmation in which discussions about women's rights begin and end with how we're wronged by individual men — which may never turn into an analysis of the larger power structures supporting sexism. Janette K. Park's first impression of misandry was that it's "a kind of merit badge or signifier of being 'cool' for (largely) young, mostly privileged white women. Many online misandrists are merely engaging in a form of self-aggrandizement, presenting the narrow set of issues between white het women and white het men as the totality of the struggles of feminism."
Jasmine, a 20-yeard old queer feminist, feels the same way: "I am pro-women and other gender-oppressed people and honestly I feel like misandry is centering our feminism on men." She too sees its use on social media as dominated by "hot straight white women. Queer/genderqueer folk, people of colour, disabled people — we have other shit to worry about. I support people using it to express their frustrations, but for me, it's a distraction."
Misandry's cathartic power is easily its most appealing feature, and why some women feel so invested in it. "It's a very in-community thing," Gretchen Felker-Martin, a queer, trans woman told me. "Something to let off steam and riff on how absurd misogyny looks when you examine it from the outside." It's a "relief valve," in the words of Sarah M., a 34-year-old white feminist. "Misandry is entirely not a joke for me," she adds. "Men have caused me a lot more hurt and damage than anything else. So, rather than feeling angry or frustrated about [it,] it's fun to laugh at misandry jokes."
Lori Adorable puts it this way:
Most women have very little opportunity or ability to respond to the systemic sexism and misogyny we encounter in our daily lives. We have even less ability to push back against the constant micro-aggressions — and sometimes straight-up aggressions — individual men hurl at us. As a sex worker, I feel like I have zero room to do that. If I didn't release that anger and frustration and fear somewhere, I wouldn't be a functional human being.
Such venting though, is not necessarily inherently feminist.
My enthusiasm for misandry waned at the end of 2014, in part because of the mistakes listed above but also because my despair regarding the state of men became too draining to be sustained. For me, the insistence that misandry is mostly only a joke undermined its most potentially subversive quality: women's unequivocal assertion of their own rage, which is otherwise so often suppressed, apathologized, and dismissed. The more I saw misandrist discourse fail to incorporate legitimate criticisms, and fall back on being only "a joke," the more contentedly impotent it seemed. My laughs were fewer and the sexism-derived bitterness remained.
Self-care and community building through humor are valuable and powerful endeavors, but what primarily nourished me in my original anti-men commiserations with other sex workers was the shared recognition of how much our exposure to male entitlement hurt — like, really hurt. Permanently. In the way that may take us — any woman — our lifetimes to manage. We laughed about how ridiculous our clients could be, but more than that, we affirmed and reaffirmed the mounting anguish when faced with what men got away with, how meticulously structured the world was to accommodate their inadequacies and selfishness. While that affirmation may be implicit in the bonds women form online over man-hating jokes, I grew to want something more concrete. Something declarative and free of irony that wouldn't reenact white feminism's worst failures.
I still enjoy and participate in misandrist jokes; I don't think they should be verboten. But my larger hope is that we find a way of engaging with each other that uses misandry's cathartic power, condemnation of masculinity, and emphasis on female strength towards a more long-term restorative end. I want us to put our energies toward affecting change instead of letting that energy build into a pressure that can only be blown off instead of acted upon.
I don't want any of us to become mired in anger to the point where we break. But nor do I want us to lose our connection to it, because it is entirely valid. We can temper that anger with an understanding that many men are our allies in objecting to the criminalization of poverty, the expansion of the carceral state, and all forms of human rights violations. Inarguably, men are valuable to us both in our movement and personally, as individuals whom we love. But we're still so far from even fully acknowledging the ways in which women in this country are oppressed, and men's well established, often violent resistance to assertions of our rights is the main reason why.
In 1967, Valerie Solanas — the woman who shot Andy Warhol — released her now-infamous SCUM Manifesto, a tract outlining the priorities of an imagined society with the dual priorities of eliminating money and (most) men. In it, she writes "the male is an incomplete female" and "the male is, by his very nature, a leech, an emotional parasite," among even less charitable claims. Such statements are a direct flip of the centuries-long script men have written about women with complete sincerity. (Aristotle: "The female is a female by virtue of a certain lack of qualities; we should regard the female nature as afflicted with a natural defectiveness.") But these lines are recognized as parody because they'll never have the social and political traction to be anything other than parody. We'll never live in the matriarchal society required to propagate and enforce the misandrist equivalent of the bald sexism and gender-based oppression that's ruled all of Western civilization's patriarchal past. Yet plenty of contemporary men still seriously deride women's general mental and emotional mettle; our socio-political climate allows them to do so without being painted as monsters or lunatics.
Expressions of extreme contempt for men and everything masculinity stands for have long been treated as meaningless at best and hysterical at worst because women have little power to codify that contempt into sexist laws and social norms. But my god, how pure and true that contempt sometimes feels. In The Will To Change, bell hooks writes "women and children all over the world want men to die so they can live," and she is not being hyperbolic. When patriarchs are abusive and oppressive — which, by definition, they are — those under them dream of escape however they can get it.
Contemporary misandry, in its current self-effacing form, is not enough for me because righteous female anger is not a joke to me. Female pain is not a joke. And the failures of men individually, and as a group, to correct or resist their instincts towards aggression, abuse, cruelty, social irresponsibility, and sexism are not a joke. This doesn't mean the situation should be or even could be resolved in violence. But it does mean we need much more than a laugh.
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South Florida a front currently in the Gulf of Mexico is moving our way. It is already spreading showers and storms into north Florida. This front will leave us rather unsettled, increasing our rain chances late afternoon and evening. Some of the storms will be rather strong and capable of producing frequent lightning, gusty winds and small hail.
By Tuesday morning, slow clearing will take place with the wind picking up out of the west-northwest. This will draw in drier and cooler air. Now just how low will the temperatures go? Models are suggesting that temperatures will drop into the upper 50's Wednesday night. Lower 50's on Thursday. Therefore, we will be trading the rain gear for the sweaters and jackets!
Have a wonderful day South Florida and make it a safe one!
Vivian Gonzalez
Meteorologist, AMS Certified
WSVN Channel 7