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South Carolina Trip 2019
A team of men from Grace Brethren Church traveled to South Carolina the end of March to help rebuild from the devastation that was caused by Hurricane Florence in September 2018. Here is a recap of how the week went and the people that God placed in their path:
The bulk of the team arrived in SC at the Myrtle Beach Christian Retreat Ctr around the 3pm hour. Lodging, breakfast and bag lunch provisions were supplied there for the week
The Tiptons extended their hospitality the whole week with dinner provisions at their home…walking distance to church. On Tuesday, they are part of a missions team that invites the homeless in for dinner at church. We dined with them there that evening.
Attended church services with the Tiptons at Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church @ 9am services (Contemporary). The sermon was delivered by Reverend Kelly Gabrielle, Associate Pastor. The passage: Romans 12:1-2 The big idea: Worship
Monday through Friday
We worked on four (4) homes:
- House #1 was in Long, SC in a relatively new subdivision. The homeowner was recently divorced and had just gone to settlement from purchase of the residence 3 -4 weeks when the flood waters from the Waccamaw River flooded the subdivision and his home with 3-4′ of water. He had become overwhelmed with trying to complete the restoration of his home while he also helped others do the same. He is not a believer but participated in the onsite fellowships with the team as we started every workday with reflection on scripture and collective prayer. The destruction of the flooding destroyed everything in the house from 4′ and below and required our services assisting the homeowner with:
- Layout/installation of kitchen cabinets, plumbing rough-ins and prep for counter tops
- Installation of trim
- Installation of plumbing fixtures in two (2) bathrooms
- Installation of two (2) intricate shower doors
- Installation of additional electrical circuits for new outlets in the garage
- Installation of wall insulation and new gypsum wall board in the garage
- Installation of a new garage door opener
- Demolition and infill of an existing window opening.
- Infill installation of vinyl siding where window used to be.
Upon our departure, he had become receptive to discussion about the Lord. We left his contact information with the Tipton's who will be doing a follow-up with him over the next couple of weeks. Our prayers are that Jim will come to accept the Lord into his life from the fellowship, love and expression the Lord placed on each of our hearts as we served. He was in awe of the efforts, which we all individually and collectively attributed to God.
- House #2 was next door to House #1. The homeowner was a retiree who relocated from our home state of Maryland to South Carolina. While experiencing Hurricane Florence havoc, she lost her husband to a heart attack in the midst of property damage assessment. She would frequently come out to greet the team and chat with us. During one of the chats, with Curt Kuntz, she shared that she too had a need….the use of her kitchen sink that she had not been able to find someone to help with….she had been doing her dishes in her bathroom sink and tub. Plumbing was the small task at hand that just like with Jim, spoke volumes to her. She expressed interest in finding a church home in South Carolina. We left her contact information about the Tiptons church. They will be doing a follow up over the next couple of weeks.
- House #3 was about a half a mile down the road from the subdivision where House #1 & 2 was located. As a favor to the Southern National Convention, Shane Zoccoli (Spokes of Hope) asked for our help to prep a house for the next team anticipated to arrive in South Carolina. We helped with:
- Installation of trim around two (2) newly installed patio doors at the rear of the residence
- Installation of vinyl siding to finish the exterior of the residence.
- Installation of 1/4″ luan sub floor in prep for new flooring that was to be installed by others.
- House #4 was also in Long, South Carolina off the beaten path from the other homes we saw and visited. The home site was within fifty feet of tidal water areas which also experienced flooding, but at a magnitude that left virtually nothing of the house but the building shell and the heartfelt memories of the owner's parents that built the home with their own hands. Their grave sites were also within fifty feet of the home as well. Although outwardly the residence appeared to be a candidate for razing, emotions contributed to the ambition of Spokes of Hope and others to save the home by elevating the home 6-8″ to get the building above flood stage. The GBC team contributed by performing the demolition to prep the home for the house mover to rig in steel cribbing to raise the home
The above mentioned work was done over a period of 2 and a half days.
The balance of our work was done at the base camp facilities @ Spokes of Hope which was literally sitting on the bank of one of the tributaries of the Waccamaw River. Flood waters here overcame the entire building and five acres of paved area at an elevation of 8-10 feet.. The aftermath left damages inside the building of 3-4 feet of drywall partitions that needed to be replaced (…roughly about 300-400 linear feet of wall board that needed to be hung). In addition, we also assisted with the installation of insulation, electrical wiring rough-ins, framing of new partitions for new offices and the construction of a new stair to what will be a loft for the A/V and sound.
The week also enabled the team to fellowship with one another as we collectively served the Lord by serving others. I believe we all left being changed by the experiences we encountered and experienced together and individually. Our evenings often ended with the sharing and reflection of the days activities and of life applications that have drawn us closer together. The time we spent with the Tiptons, Shane Z and others will be memorable for the rest of our lives. We were able to meet other brothers and sisters in Christ, nurture relationships of the ones we already knew and share our life in Christ with those that we served and those that observed up close and from afar.
Lovingly submitted by Herb Allen


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ARCHIVE FOR Andrew Cotto
A Conversation With Dennis Lehane
Andrew Cotto talks with the bestselling author about writing, books as movies, and the role of art in society.
Dennis Lehane is the author of nine novels-including the New York Times bestsellers Gone, Baby, Gone; Mystic River; Shutter Island; and The Given Day—as well as Coronado, a collection of short stories and a play. He is currently at work on a new book set during prohibition in Boston, Tampa, and Havana. The paperback version of his latest novel, Moonlight Mile, was released in July.
January 10, 2012 | Andrew Cotto
Join @Emerson_WLP for a #publishing panel "Politics & Pandemic: Covering Our Strange, Polarized Times" with… https://t.co/FTVdBTNJdF

subset: commoncrawl


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Who doesn't want to live a happy life? Of course, everyone wants to have a happy life without any problems. Here we are to talk about how to live a happy life. You need to understand that happiness depends upon your way of thinking. A person with a negative mindset can never be happy, and that's what you should always be filled with positivity and joy in your heart.
Fight with Problems by Being Happy and Joyous
"Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties."
― Helen Keller
When you would become happy, then you can be able to fight any difficulties which you will come across your life. Well if anytime this question comes to your mind that 'how to live a happy life' then the answer is, happiness is the key success and that is said because it really is. A happy person sees everything with a positive outlook, and it can change the whole situation. Your positive vision can make you look more beautiful, and that's what you need to focus on your inner beauty.
A Happy Mind Can Lead A Person to be Happy Forever
"Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be."
― Abraham Lincoln
An optimistic person would always try to be happy because he considers walking on the positive path, but a pessimist can find out negative on every path where he would walk on. So, it becomes highly important that you try to keep your mind happy in every situation. Don't over think on how to live a happy life. You should make your heart learn to be happy in every condition. No one should be able to take away your happiness, and that will only happen if you have made up your mind and know how to live a happy life.
As Yourself, How to Live a Happy Life?
"The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet."
― James Oppenheim
Do you think you will find happiness after going to a particular place? Do you feel that you will get happiness when you would get your favorite car or any other thing? How to live a happy life is not a myth but a reality. Maybe you feel happy for some time, but that isn't going to last forever. If you want your happiness to last forever, then you will need to find out a way to remain happy forever, and that can only happen if you would choose to be happy with what you have at present.
Nothing Can Bring You Happiness unless You Want to Feel It
"It's pretty hard to tell what does bring happiness. Poverty and wealth have both failed."
― Kin Hubbard
You must have seen that most of the poor people sleep and wake up with a beautiful smile. Why doesn't this happen to every person? It can't. Yes, it is true that you need money to complete your desires and dreams, but you can't be totally satisfied and happy if you don't feel contented about anything. How to live a happy life should be a question asked to oneself if in dilemma. You should feel that you have got enough to survive and then with a smile you can fight every battle of your life in a better way without getting scared.
Comment below what you people think of how to live a happy life can be achieved? It might inspire other readers as well.
Written By: Hetal Kabra
Related Articles:
Happiness Is Not A Race Where Destination Matters But The Path Of Happiness That Contains All The Fun Is Valued More
Being Happy Is The Only Reason To Survive While Having Ability To Love Others


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Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease (CKD), also known as chronic renal disease (CRD), is a progressive loss in renal function over a period of months or years.
Chronic kidney disease is caused by damage to the kidneys. The most common causes of this damage are:
- High blood pressure.
- High blood sugar (diabetes).
Other things that can lead to chronic kidney disease include:
- Kidney diseases and infections, such as polycystic kidney disease, pyelonephritis, and glomerulonephritis, or a kidney problem you were born with.
- A narrowed or blocked renal artery. The renal artery carries blood to the kidneys.
- Long-term use of medicines that can damage the kidneys. Examples include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil) and celecoxib (Celebrex).
You may start to have symptoms only a few months after your kidneys begin to fail. But most people don't have symptoms early on. In fact, many don't have symptoms for as long as 30 years or more. This is called the "silent" phase of the disease.
How well your kidneys work is called kidney function. As your kidney function gets worse, you may:
- Urinate less than normal.
- Have swelling from fluid buildup in your tissues. This is called edema (say "ih-DEE-muh").
- Feel very tired or sleepy.
- Not feel hungry, or you may lose weight without trying.
- Often feel sick to your stomach (nauseated) or vomit.
- Have trouble sleeping.
- Have headaches or trouble thinking clearly.


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Inclusive Workplace Assessment – With an aging workforce and no mandatory retirement age, employers are faced with increasing challenges ensuring work environments serve the needs of all employees equally. Adaptability Canada's Inclusive Workplace Assessment identifies areas of improvement in office, plant and various work environments and then presents recommendations for improvements based on workforce composition. This service includes:
Identification of exceptions in interior and exterior common work spaces including hallways, meeting rooms, kitchens, washrooms, collaborative spaces, signage, finishes/fixtures/flooring, handles, switches/outlets, stairs, lifts/elevators and entries/exits.
Identification of exceptions in movable interior and fixtures including work stations, chairs, tables, benches, kitchen appliances, hand dryers, shared technology such as copier/printer stations.
Review of accommodation workplace plan
Recommendations on improvements with short, mid and long term options.
Specific focus on ease of use within workplace for current or potential Arthritis sufferers.
The assessment can be tailored to suit your specific needs and can be accompanied by internal business case documentation for presenting to executive teams and boards of directors.


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Andrew's Fave Five Kickstarters of the Week 9/14/18
Happy Friday everyone! Jess is in the kitchen baking cookies (and they smell AMAZING), so I'm on Kickstarter duty in the meantime. Here are five tasty Kickstarters running right now for your perusing pleasure!
Rap Godz | The Hip Hop Strategy and Storytelling Board Game
This one looks pretty unique. Blending the theme of young hiphop artists coming up from their home neighborhoods with card drafting and a tremendous amount of artwork, Rap Godz looks like its shaping up to be something really special.
Players take on the roles of these hungry new artists, who develop their skills over the course of the game, produce albums, earn renown, beef with each other, and generally compete to see who's going to come out on top and be crowned, you guessed it, the new Rap God.
Horizon Zero Dawn™ – The Board Game
I have to say, when I started playing Horizon Zero Dawn, I was stunned at the designs of the creatures and of the world that Aloy inhabits. I suppose it's only inevitable, given the visual grandure of the creature designs, that any board game adaptation would need to include detailed miniatures. Well, this Kickstarter is just chock full of them!
The tactical nature of Horizon Zero Dawn The Board Game can either be played cooperatively or competitively, with hunters defeating foes of myriad size and shape.
Andrew: My only concern with a game like this is that I sincerely hope there's a good game buried under all those Kickstarter-Exclusive expansions and miniatures. But the presentation does look awesome, so it's probably worth checking out!
The North Sea Epilogues RPG + Raiders Play Mat
So this is an interesting development. From the minds behind the beautifully illustrated and delightfully designed North Sea Trilogy, comes a roleplaying game set in that world. Players can take on the roles of bold viking adventurers as they strike out into the world to overcome the challenges that the GM places before them.
The mechanics of the system seem to be fairly pared down, with a focus more on the narrative flow rather than a large body of technical mechanics. The GM never actually rolls dice, and it is a collaboration between the players and GM to determine what the narrative consequences of rolls are.
Andrew: I know this isn't strictly a board game, but hey, the Kickstarter also features a neoprene mat for use with Raiders of the North Sea, and that is a board game, so it qualifies for my list. HAH!
Into The Black Forest
The newest game from Green Couch Games is a gorgeous twist on trick-taking. Each player will manage a hand of cards as they wander through the titular forest, playing cards in order to earn points over the course of several rounds.
What makes Into The Black Forest unique is that each round features several different opportunities for players to score, and strategic use of your ever-dwindling hand of cards is needed to both secure points for yourself and to stop your opponents from walking away with a winning score.
Andrew: I don't want to give too much away, because we were lucky enough to get a preview copy from the folks at Green Couch (so you can expect a formal preview soon!), but we had a great time with Into The Black Forest even at two players, which is rare for a trick-taking game. Definitely worth checking out!…ok, that pretty much spoiled the whole preview.
Tiny Epic Mechs – Mechanized Entertainment Combat Heroes
Ok, I don't even know where to start. Here's my pitch for why you need this game – Meeples, yeah?, in Mechs. DONE.
From the Tiny Epic mind of Scott Almes (ok, that might have sounded like an insult but it wasn't I swear), Tiny Epic Mechs is an arena-style programmatic combat game, where players will grab futuristic weapons, hop in robots, and try to wrack up the biggest pile of points. Taking advantage of Gamelyn Games' signature 'ITEMeeple' technology, Tiny Epic Mechs looks to continue the trend of mashing big gameplay into a small box.
Andrew: Tiny Epic Meeples is already smashing through stretch goals like there's no tomorrow, which completely fails to surprise. While I have to admit to being a little bit of a Tiny Epic Fanboy (you can have that one for free, Scott), I think this looks pretty darn cool.


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Micromuse, developer of Operations Support System (OSS) software for service providers, announced on Wednesday that it has acquired Network Harmoni for $23m.
The cash deal gives Micromuse control over the evolution of Network Harmoni's agent software, which has been used by Micromuse in its Netcool solutions since the companies partnered in April 2002.
Harmoni's intelligent agents are designed to collect data from various points around a network. The data is fed into the various Micromuse application monitoring products to create a real-time model. This information enables Micromuse to provide its service provider customers with information about which specific users will be affected by a particular network outage or damaged system, helping them to meet their service level agreements (SLAs).
Craig Farrell, Network Harmoni's chief executive will immediately take over the chief technology officer's position at Micromuse. The acquisition will also include Harmoni's OpCenter product, which is a centralised IT management and problem resolution system designed for medium-sized enterprises.
Lloyd Carney, Micromuse's chairman and chief executive, said that by owning this combined technology, Micromuse can "help our customers to ensure IT availability, manage their end users' experience, and monitor end-to-end business processes via a single, trusted management platform."
Rusty Sweet, head of network and telecommunication infrastructure services at Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital, said in a statement: "The Netcool suite... provides detailed metrics and status information that allows us to see when a fault is developing and help triage the problem to minimise downtime and maximise application availability."
Sweet claims that over the past year, the hospital's network has achieved "in excess of 99.999 percent availability".


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When it comes to conversations about health, health communicators know that some topics are easier to broach than others. End-of-life care, advance directives, living will. Call it what you want, but advanced planning for health care usually involves a conversation that rivals "the talk." Nevertheless, it's an important conversation that should happen—first in living rooms with loved ones and then in doctor's offices with care providers who can help you work through the details.
This necessary conversation is the focus of National HealthCare Decisions Day (NHDD), a day meant to "educate and empower the public and providers about the importance of advanced care planning." NHDD is celebrated next week, on April 16. The goal is to ensure that patients make decisions about end-of-life care and that those decisions are honored by health care providers and health care facilities.
Quick overview
Advance directives help guide medical decisions when you are unable to make decisions for yourself. This document can be executed by someone you appoint as a decision maker on your behalf (a medical or health care proxy). Advance directives are legally valid in the United States and can help take the burden off of loved ones regarding end-of-life care decision.
However, according to a survey conducted by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, fewer than 50 percent of severely or terminally ill patients had an advance directive. Of those who did have an advance directive, only 12 percent had gotten any input from their physician. This is a troubling statistic for a number of reasons, namely being that providing care to your patients means also talking to them about not-so-easy subjects like advance directives.
What can we do?
According to the Federal Patient Self-Determination Act, all health care facilities are required to:
- Provide information about health care decision-making rights.
- Ask all patients if they have an advance directive.
- Educate their staff and community about advance directives.
- Not discriminate against patients based on an advance directive status.
But overwhelmingly, it seems that many people are simply unaware of what an advance directive is and how it can and should be used. That's where health communicators come in. There are too few education initiatives aimed at raising awareness of this highly important topic. That's why NHDD established what it describes as an open and collaborative environment designed to help spread the word and provided much needed education to the public.
Although there's only a week left until the official day, it's never a "bad" time to have this conversation with your patients. Encourage them to talk to their loved ones and make decisions together. If you're interested in future events and becoming a participating organization or creating an awareness event, you can find more information on the NHDD website. Individuals are encouraged to sign up as "State Liaisons." All events, no matter the size, are welcomed and supported.


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Valentine's Day is a special day to let that one special person know how much they mean to you. While handmade Valentine's Day gifts are always a hit, the following Valentine's Day gifts are just as unique and meaningful.
Here are 21 Valentine's Day gifts that show just how much you really care.
Valentine's Day gifts #1: 'The Bucket List For Couples' journal.
Write down your goals together and help make them a reality with the Bucket List Journal For Couples. Put your goals into action by classifying them into six categories including adventure, personal finance, travel, and more!
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Lovebook (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 100 Pages - 09/01/2011 (Publication Date) - Love Book LLC (Publisher)
Valentine's Day gifts #2: Inflatable hot tub.
Enjoy the comforts of a hot tub without the hassle of expensive home renovations required to install one. A portable inflatable hot tub installs in minutes and provides you with the same luxurious relaxation at an economical price.
- Enjoy the ultimate spa experience: receive total relaxation when you slip into this soothing portable hot tub after an exhausting day. 120 bubble jets soak sore muscles for a luxurious treat.
- Dimensions: 71" W x 26" H | Inner Size: 52" W
- Operate from inside the hot tub: The digital control panel lets you change the water temperature (up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit) and flow of the jets without stepping out of the tub. A power saving timer can even automate the temperature of the spa up to 72 hours in advance.
- Superior strength and durability: The puncture-resistant tri-tech material and I-beam construction ensures your hot tub never loses its shape and stability even when people sit on the side walls.
- Simple setup and maintenance: no extra tools are needed to setup This portable spa. Simply inflate and deflate with the spa's own pump! A cover comes with to provide safety, maintain the water's warm temperature, and keep the water Clean from debris, such as rain or Leaves.
Valentine's Day gifts #3: Beef jerky bouquet.
Let's face it. Most men don't like getting flowers but if your man loves meat (what man doesn't?), surprise them with a savory jerky bouquet instead. Each delicious bouquet includes 12 premium steak strips in 4 different flavors: Traditional, Cajun, teriyaki, and cracked black pepper.
- Roses are lovely, but a dozen long-stemmed jerky strips in a bouquet sleeve and gift box take it to the next level.
- (3) one-ounce packs of Traditional flavor, Cajun flavor, Teriyaki flavor and Cracked Black Pepper flavor.
- This 12-piece jerky bouquet made of premium steak strips is the perfect gift for the man in your life.
Valentine's Day gifts #4: His and her duvet.No products found.
This novelty 'his' and 'hers' duvet is sure to add some humor to your bedroom. Made from 100% cotton, this sheet set includes pillowcases, bedsheets, and duvet cover.
- Black White Duvet Cover: Queen size included 1 duvet cover: 90"x 90"(Not a comforter), 2*Pillowcases : 20"x 28" (48cm * 74cm). pls search B07NVJBM1D, If you want to buy a SMAE his side and her side comforter set.
- Super Microfiber: Durable lightweight fabric for ultimate comfort, breathable, non-fading , Wrinkle resistant, Hypoallergenic and environmental friendly, let you have a warm and perfect sleep. Perfect gift for your family and friends.
- Hidden Zipper Closure Design: convenient to put your comforter in and out, washing easily without deformation after after multiple use. It can hold up perfectly after multiple use and washing.
- Exquisite Workmanship: Double needles sewing edge, compared with other duvet cover are more durable. Clear Pattern, Long Service life.
- Satisfaction GUARANTEE: 30-day return and replacement service: Any questions, pls email us freely, we will reply you and help you resolve the problem within 24hours and give you a satisfied answer.
Valentine's Day gifts #5: Personalized wood photo.
Personalized wood photos are a beautiful and unique way of preserving and showcasing that one special moment you never want to forget. Made from a beautiful, rustic basswood slab, it is one display that is sure to commemorate a memorable occasion. Check it out on Etsy.
Valentine's Day gifts #6: Bathtub planetarium.
Few things are as relaxing as a nice warm bath. Bath time can even be more relaxing when it feels you're under a nightlight sky. Activate this planetarium light and watch as hundreds of beautiful stars get projected onto your bathtub walls or ceiling.
Valentine's Day gifts #7: Handmade heart accent.No products found.
This unique handmade heart accent celebrates the love you share with your significant other. Made of wood, each piece is special, unique, and features a red heart string art. Place on your desk, mantle, or anywhere in your home and spread the love.
- Watercolored art-inspired wooden box sign lending a hand lettered "I Love You More" sentiment, hand-strung heart design, and gingham patterned trim
- Dimensions:3" x 3.50" x 1.75"
- Artist:Annie Quigley
Valentine's Day gifts #8: 'Flowers Of The Month' subscription.
What better way to celebrate your love by having beautiful bouquets delivered to your home all year round. Every single month, beautiful blooms will adorn your home for an entire year with a BloomsyBox subscription.
- Receive fresh, beautiful long stem roses sourced directly from top rose farms around the world
- Show your love with unique, beautiful roses monthly
- Your world-class roses are delivered from Rainforest Alliance Certified Fair-Trade farms located just south of Quito, Ecuador
- Our custom packaging protects your roses against shock, heat, and humidity
- Each variety of rose is hand-picked just for you in the bloom stage so you can watch them unfurl and flourish
Valentine's Day gifts #9: 'Love Is Art' canvas and paint kit.
The art of love is transformed literally into art with this 'Love Is Art' canvas and paint kit. Let the love between you and your partner move you while safely creating your own personal abstract art with non-toxic paint and non-allergic cotton canvas.
Valentine's Day gifts #10: Two-person umbrella.
Don't let a little rain get in the way of a romantic evening. You and your date will stay dry while also facilitating you to get into each other's comfort zone.
- ☬【54inch LARGE CANOPY】☬:Our golf umbrella with big canopy which is enough for 2 to 4 people. Perfect for couples or parents with your little kids while walking together with its extra large family size
- ☬【STURDY BIG UMBRELLA】☬:The stainless steel alloy 10 ribs frame make the compact umbrella windproof and durable. Last section of ribs is made of fiberglass which can be bent 180° and won't be broken easily by wind
- ☬【HIGH DENSITY CANOPY】☬:210T density canopy makes the extra large umbrella fast drying and anti-UV. Besides, windproof big umbrella canopy can make the water drip away in short time,and protect you from sunburn.
- ☬【AUTO GOLF UMBRELLA WITH COMFORTABLE HANDLE】☬: Don't bother to open the folding umbrella manually. Press and let it open or close in seconds. Ergonomic and delicate design of the handle is convenient and comfortable for long-time using
- ☬【12 MONTHS WARRANTY】☬:Our boy tf golf umbrella offer 45 days money back guarantee, 12 months worry-free warranty and 24 hours warm customer service, it also is a best gift for christmas.
Valentine's Day gifts #11: A heart filled cake pan set.
If your Valentine has a sweet tooth, treat him or her to a luscious home-baked caked with a surprise heart pattern inside. Whatever filling you choose, you'll get extra 'brownie points' for whipping up this delicious heart-shaped cake for Valentine's Day.
- Cake pan shaped like a teddy bear with a heart on one side of his chest
- Color: Silver
- Material: Aluminum
- Pan dimensions: 13.5 x 12.25 x 2 in. (34.3 x 31 x 5 cm)
- Before first and after each use, wash in warm, soapy water for best results
Valentine's Day gifts #12: Two-person underwear.No products found.
Get up close and personal with your Valentine with two-person undies. It also makes a great gag gift to lighten up the evening and make this Valentine's Day a memorable one!
- Material: Cotton with a stretchy elastic band and four leg holes.
- Universal Fit: Lightweight, sturdy and offers a great fit, one size fits most teens and adult.
- Funny Couple Gift: Looking for the funny couple gifts? Here the undies for two which you can use as a funny couple gift.
- Durable: Have this fun Fundie and be the life of the party as it has a long lasting stretchy elastic band.
- Perfect for: Novelty gift item, Xmas undies, Halloween undies, bachelorette gifts, and holiday parties.
Valentine's Day gifts #13: Wooden bathtub caddy.
Whether it's a bath for one or as a couple, this bathtub expands to fit the widest bathtubs. Made of high-quality bamboo wood, this bathtub caddy has enough room to accommodate nearly every accessory you can think of.
- BATH CADDY FOR TWO: Royal Bathtub Caddy Designed to Comfortably Accomodate a Couple in the Tub. Two Side-Trays, Extendable Handles and Accessory Slots Make it a Perfect Fit for Both: One or Two Bathers at Once. Bring Romance into Your Life! Perfect Choice for Anniversary, Honeymoon or Romantic Date Night!
- WATERPROOF, STURDY AND BUILT TO LAST - This Unique Bathtub Caddy Is Made of the High Quality Bamboo Wood and covered with a thin protective coat of lacquer.
- ADJUSTABLE AND SLIP RESISTANT - This Bathtub Caddy Tray was Specially Designed to Fit Most Bathtubs Available on the Market. It has Biggest Extendable Sides up to 43 Inches and Non-Slip Silicone Grips to Protect Tub Caddy from Sliding.
- NEWEST DESIGN - Bathtub Caddy Tray with a Waterproof Book or Tablet Holder, Wine Glass Slots and Two Removable Trays for Bath and Spa Accessories.
- FREE SOAP HOLDER - The Best, Cost Effective Way to Transform Your Bathroom
Valentine's Day gifts #14: Picnic for two.
This insulated tote bag contains everything you need for the perfect picnic for two. It has plenty of room and a separate compartment contains picnic amenities such as plates, cutlery, shatter-proof glasses, corkscrew and more.
- Picnic Time Toluca insulated picnic cooler tote; Also great as a beach bag or grocery bag
- Generous cooler storage space with water-resistant liner; Separate compartment houses the picnic gear included
- Comes with two each: 8-inch plates, sets of stainless steel flatware and shatter-resistant wine glasses
- Includes 100% cotton napkins and stainless steel waiter's style corkscrew; Dual carry handles for easy transport
- Measures 14 by 13 by 10.5 inches; Backed by the Picnic Time Family of Brands BUILT TO LAST Lifetime Guarantee
Valentine's Day gifts #15: 'I Love You' pillowcases.
What cuter way to say "I love you" with these adorable pillowcases. Both pillowcases feature a cute cartoon of a couple talking sweetly to each other through a tin can telephone.
- ♥ COUPLE PILLOWCASES - Set of 2 pillowcases. Size: 20x30 inches. Pillows NOT included. Color: White. Fits most standard & queen size pillows. Envelope closure keeps the pillow from sliding out the side. Made of cotton/polyester mixed fabric.
- ♥ ROMANTIC GIFTS FOR HIM - Perfect gifts for men, husband, boyfriend, fiance, son, brother, and groom. Show your love for him with a beautiful gift she will cherish forever!
- ♥ FOR HIM GIFTS FOR EVERY OCCASION - Gifts for him for Christmas, Valentine's Day, anniversary, 2nd anniversary, cotton anniversary, wedding, engagement, wedding anniversary, wedding registry, honeymoon, thinking of you, long distance relationships, and just because.
- ♥ GIFTS MADE WITH LOVE - Feeling loved as soon as your loved ones unbox your gifts from us. High quality fabrics make our pillowcases more long lasting, less color fading and wrinkles resistant. Pillow covers are packed in a eco-friendly, gift-giving ready packaging box with signature graphics. You can also write your own love messages on the box to sweeten up your gifts for her.
- ♥ COUPLE GIFTS FOR HIM AND HER - Put a smile on her face! We offers a wide variety of couple gift ideas for him and her. Our couples gifts include unique couples drinking glasses, his and hers coffee mugs, adorable love pillowcases for him and her, and matching couples shirts.
16) Fitbit Ionic smartwatch.
Many men and women are interested in health and fitness and if your significant other loves walking, jogging, and counting calories, they are going to love this Fitbit Ionic smartwatch. With awesome features like heart rate tracking, built-in GPS, contactless payments, and so much more, this water-resistant smartwatch is perfect for the fitness enthusiast in your life.
- Start dynamic, personalized workouts on your wrist with step by step coaching. Synchronizing range: up to 30 feet. Certain features like smartphone notifications may require android 5.0 plus. Syncs with Mac OS x 10.6 and up, iPhone 4s and later, iPad 3 Jan. And later, android 4.4 and later and windows 10 devices
- Store and play 300 plus songs, and download playlists from Pandora. If the band sizes are small, it fits a wrist of circumference 5.5 6.5 inches and if the band size is large, it fits a wrist in circumference of 6.7 8.1 inches
- Use built in GPs to track pace, distance & routes and get pure, pulse continuous heart rate tracking & real time zones
- The package includes both large and small size bands for the perfect, comfortable fit for all day & all night wear
- Access your favorite apps for sports, weather & more and make payments on the go with a built in NFC chip. Durable screen corning gorilla glass 3 is tough and damage resistant
17) Heart-shaped mirror.
Showcase the love you have in your home with a heart-shaped mirror. Made of lightweight acrylic, this shatterproof mirror reflects as beautifully as a regular mirror and features 3 baby hearts you can place anywhere.
- Hearts Out of Heart Mirror with 3 Baby Hearts 12cm is 5 inches x 4 inches
- Comes with strong adhesive fixers
- Shatterproof acrylic safety mirror
- Has the same reflection as a normal mirror
- If you want a different size please email us
18) Heart-shaped ice cubes.
Give your iced coffee and other beverages some love with heart-shaped ice cubes. This silicone heart ice cube tray lets you make up to 14 mini ice hearts when serving drinks to the love of your life.
- HIC Silicone Ice Cube Tray and Baking Mold for freezing, baking and molding foods and liquids and making DIY crafts
- Made from 100-percent pure silicone; FDA-approved, naturally non-stick, heat-resistant (to 500-degrees Fahrenheit), and no fillers
- Tray measures 8-inches x 4.5-inches and features 14 heart-shaped cavities
- Freeze water, juice or other beverages, bake brownies, cookies and mini cakes, mold butter, spreads, chocolate, candies, even soaps, candles, and more
- Hangs for drying and easy storage; safe for freezer, oven, microwave and dishwasher for easy cleanup
19) Wine dispensing purse.
If you already have a wine dispensing stocking, why not get a wine dispensing purse? This wine coat lets you carry boxed wine for a party on the go or fill handy disposable wine bags (sold separately) with your favorite wine. Get this with #14 and you'll have one of the best picnics ever!
- Dimensions: 10" x 13" x 6" ,This wine coat is designed for a wine bag from a 31 Bag-in-Box
- The opening fits all standard taps and it's easy to lift and carry by the broad, soft rubber belt
- The size can be adjusted by rolling or folding the belt and it stands stably on a non-slip rubber base
- If the wine is to be served chilled, there is room for a cold pack
- Fill with any beverage you like when used with disposable Beverage Bag (sold separately)
20) Personalized voice sound wave print.
Do you remember the first time you said 'I love you' or another meaningful message? Show them you care with a personalized voice sound wave turned into art as a beautifully framed print. Check it out on Etsy.
21) Echo Show.
Make video calls, get weather forecasts, plan shopping lists with the help of Amazon's Alexa. The Echo Show features a 10.1-inch touchscreen and is a delight to use.
- Premium speakers with Dolby processing let you stream music and books in crisp, stereo sound. With a vibrant 10.1" HD screen for watching videos, movies, and TV shows in a new fabric design.
- Make video calls to anyone with Skype, the Alexa app, an Echo Spot, or Echo Show.
- Ask Alexa to see lyrics and album art with Amazon Music. See weather forecasts, calendars, to-do lists, and your favorite playlists.
- Watch award-winning movies and shows from Prime Video, music videos from Vevo, or live TV and sports with a Hulu subscription.
- Your new kitchen companion - cook along with Food Network Kitchen, set timers and alarms, and add items to your shopping list.
Please share these unique Valentine's Day gifts with your friends and family.
Last update on 2020-09-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API


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Call for Papers:
Foldable Pictures. Implications of Mediality
Conference, University of Zürich, 21-22 November 2014
Deadline: 4 July 2014
Book pages, diptychs, and triptychs were popular formats for the presentation of images in the medieval and early modern periods. In addition to their ubiquity, these objects also share one essential material feature: the supports that carry the images are movable. The most obvious consequence of the mobile presentation is the consecutive progression of different views.
Only in recent years did scholars begin to consider the processes of transformation that the opening and closing of pictured surfaces generate, for example the strategies of layering or folding images and the production of tacit knowledge caused by such formats. Using foldable pictures leads to a metaphorical coding of entire object classes (being understood as the body or the tablets of the heart), but also to a semantization of specific object areas (the dichotomy of inside and outside as, for example, "secular" versus "sacred", or "accessible" versus "secret"). Furthermore, also structural features such as borders or thresholds, hinges, and cleavages play a decisive role in these processes. Thanks to the viewer's memory, images "hidden" beneath other images begin to "gleam through" and become virtually present nonetheless. Movability also creates multiple lines of vision or additional moments of contact between represented persons.
It appears that artists have paid much more attention to these issues as has been hitherto recognized. It may also be noted that this is not a phenomenon restricted to artistic problems. In religious images, such effects were harnessed to draw attention to other functions, such as
didactic or mnemonic purposes.
This conference will explore the range of recently observed phenomena, and discuss their implications for the concept of the image in medieval and early modern period. This may lead to a critical revision of the finestra aperta paradigm as well as to a redefinition of the relationship between images and their contexts, especially in the case of the religious sphere. From a religious point of view, the action of opening and closing increases the aura of a work of art and also has implications for the practical use and control of images in the religious cult. Especially a consideration of the virtual presence of encased images bears potential to shed new light on neglected functions of images or the workings of memory versus visuality. Considering these and other aspects of foldable pictures, will have an impact on our understanding of the overall tension between presence and absence and the anagogic qualities of images.
David Ganz (University of Zürich)
Marius Rimmele (NCCR Mediality, University of Zürich)
Please submit your proposal of no more than 300 words and a CV to
email@example.com and email@example.com by July 4, 2014.


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By Tsung Wei Wong
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Examining the different ways by which contracts can be concluded by electronic means under UAE law
Since the introduction of the Internet in the mid-1990s, the way in which products are bought and sold has changed significantly. E-commerce, a method of purchasing goods and services through the Internet using secure protocols and electronic payment services, is a familiar concept that is increasingly becoming a key part of modern trade.
Indeed, recent statistics from Forrester project that in 2008, e-commerce and online retail sales in the United States may reach $204 billion, an increase of 17% from 2007. And yet few online shoppers appreciate that such online retail transactions would each form a contract that is governed by relevant contractual rules and applicable laws.
Because of the novel and unusual nature of the online environment, many contractual rules with which most people are familiar fail to deal with specific issues arising from an online transaction in an unequivocal manner. For example, in an 'offline' scenario, parties often indicate their acceptance to a contract by signing on the dotted line. But in the online environment, where an actual signature is not possible in the traditional sense, how does one 'sign' the contract?
In light of the above, it is unsurprising that many countries have recognised that new ways to deal with trading by electronic means are needed. Suitable laws have thus been enacted in various countries to deal with the specific issues in online or electronic transactions, the UAE being one of these countries.
In this article, we examine the different ways by which contracts can be concluded by electronic means. We also consider in some detail how the UAE Federal Law No. 1 of 2006 regarding Electronic Transactions and Commerce (the 'e-commerce Law') treats the conclusion of contracts between parties via electronic means. Types of Electronic Contracts
Generally, there are two common ways by which contracts can be concluded by electronic means. The first is the 'automated' means of contracting, where the user is presented with a set of terms and conditions as part of his transaction. That user is then required to accept those terms and conditions, in order to continue the transaction or enter the site.
Such acceptance may be by a variety of methods, such as (i) clicking a 'Yes' button, (ii) ticking an acceptance box, or (iii) using an online checkout system where automated e-mail confirmation confirms a purchase.
One common example of such an 'automated' transaction can be found on many online airline ticketing websites, where the user is required to tick an acceptance box to agree to the terms and conditions in order to reserve his airline ticket.
The second way for two parties to enter into a contract by electronic means is via e-mail. That is to say, one party may offer goods and/or services by way of an e-mail, in some cases attaching its standard terms and conditions. The other party would then accept the offer by replying to the email in the affirmative. Is It Legal?
In the UAE, the e-commerce Law generally appears to allow, and indeed provide for, both of these means of concluding contracts, subject to certain provisions and exceptions. We examine some of the key provisions of the e-commerce Law and the conditions and exceptions under this law below.
The e-commerce Law specifies that a contract can be made by 'Automated Electronic Medium' - that is to say, by any program or system that operates without the supervision or interference of any actual person. Such a contract would be valid despite there being no actual person being directly involved in the contracting process. This option would encompass the first method of electronic contracting, which we have looked at above.
The e-commerce Law also allows parties to express their consent and acceptance (see below) to enter into a contract (in full or in part) by electronic means, including email communication. Under the e-commerce Law, a contract does not become invalid or unenforceable only for the reason that electronic methods of communication were used in such contract's formation. Indeed, the e-commerce Law states that an offer (or the acceptance of an offer) may be expressed either in whole or in part by electronic methods of communication.
Therefore, as a general rule, contracts concluded electronically can be enforced under the UAE's e-commerce Law.
Generally, the e-commerce Law will assume that a party has accepted the information or contract sent electronically if his 'positive behaviour' indicates as such. That is, if a party has replied (via e-mail) accepting an offer made to him via e-mail, then he will most likely be deemed to have implicitly agreed to enter into that contract electronically. Accordingly, if a party does not wish to conclude any transactions electronically, it would be prudent to include a clear statement in all such correspondence with the other party to this effect.
That said, it is worth noting that as an exception to this general rule, any transactions which involve the UAE government can only be concluded electronically if express consent is given by the government (or its representative). Exceptions
We also note that the e-commerce Law specifically provides that certain types of transactions may not be concluded or form binding contracts via electronic communications. Such transactions include (i) transactions involving personal affairs, such as marriage, divorce and estates, (ii) transactions in connection with the sale, purchase, disposal and lease of 'immovable assets' for over ten years (such as houses or other similar types or property), and (iii) any document required by law to be attested by a notary public. It is therefore vital for the parties to ensure that the nature of their contract is not excluded under the e-commerce Law. Conclusion
While it is clearly possible for parties to enter into contracts by electronic means, there are various conditions and potential pitfalls that would face the unsuspecting. It is therefore important for anyone intending to contract by electronic communications to be aware of these potential pitfalls and take legal advice on the contractual issues involved in trading by such means - and in so doing, go some way towards avoiding any potential issues that may arise. The author, Tsung-Wei Wong, is a Legal Consultant for Technology, Media and Commercial Practice Group, DLA Piper Middle East LLP
Companies and individuals can generally deny being the author of emails and faxes since there is no way to identify the sender of either.
Hi Tsung Wei Wong, Are these e-transactions laws of any important? It is true that they make online contracts enforceable and give certain predictability to businesses and consumers alike who are conducting e-transactions, but did they really assist in increasing e-commerce revenues in any way in the Arab world? It seems not. I believe that the U.A.E and other Arab countries like Tunisia, Jordan and Bahrain had these laws, but there is too much fuss about them. They are no single application of these laws in any court of law, and they are there to attract investors nothing more. E-commerce is not about having a law out there and it is much more than that... Regards,


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What is The Foodie Card®?
The Foodie Card® founded by local food blogger 'Pershore Patty' brings independent food and drink businesses together with foodies looking for great places to visit. By supporting them we're supporting the local economy and circulating the money between our local shops and restaurants which helps our community to thrive.
All of The Foodie Card® businesses are hand selected by Pershore Patty, and come recommended based on a number of carefully considered factors.
The offers agreed between Pershore Patty and The Foodie Card® businesses are exclusive to cardholders, and are created by the partner businesses purely as a small gesture of thanks for supporting local.
The Foodie Card® is only £15 per person per year (or £25 for two), and entitles you to exclusive offers and deals in participating food and drink places. (One offer per Cardholder per visit on presentation of the Card at a Participating Business, unless otherwise stated on the offer listing).
The card* can be used as many times as you like as long as it's presented at a participating outlet, and is currently accepted at 200+ food & drink places in Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and local online shops, caterers and pop up traders. The Foodie Card® makes a great gift and is a unique benefit for local companies looking to reward employees. For bulk purchase enquiries, please email email@example.com
Keep an eye on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the latest offers to ensure that you make the best use of your card, and view the latest foodie events near you.
Join in with the chat in the Pershore Patty Facebook group.
Please tag your photos using #TheFoodieCard as I'd love to hear where you've been using yours.
Cardholder FAQs
Cardholder Ts&Cs
*The Foodie Card® is printed using an eco-friendly material designed to degrade within 39 months of their introduction to the environment, without any residual negative impact.


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Today's blonde BBW loves the camera or maybe it's the big cock cameraman she's flirting with. Either way she's enjoying taking off her bra and panties and shaking those big tits and that juicy wide ass.
She's all woman every gorgeous inch of her and the old axiom more cushion for the pushin definitely holds true with this BBW.


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Breaking Down Builder-encrypted RAT
The emerging trend of Fully Undetectable (FUD) malware builders is not new to our research team. However, in light of the wide variety of techniques that the malware authors keep developing, it's obvious that we will always encounter malicious code execution tricks that successfully bypass traditional anti-malware solutions.
This blog post is actually a case study, where we describe our investigation of an interesting malware sample that was detected at one of our customer's sites and that has been active for more than a year, on an up-to-date secured host.
To learn more about the threat hunting process that lead to the discovery of this malware sample, read our blog post Threat Hunting with TPS to Reveal Undetected Malicious Activities
After we detected the sample, we decided to fully analyze it, in order to gain additional insights. This led to the discovery of a unique approach to packing a commodity Remote Access Tool (RAT), utilizing tailored AutoIt crypter and shellcode. AutoIt crypters are known to be popular with FUD builders, mainly because of their capability to easily implement evasion techniques.
Here is the description of the evasion tricks and techniques we discovered in this unique malware sample.
Download our e-Book which includes everything you need to know about building and operating an intelligence-driven security operations center – in 5 easy to read chapters
In a nutshell, the malware execution flow consists of the following:
- Autoit PE is executed from the user`s Roaming folder via auto-run registry key along with a compiled script as a command-line parameter
- The AutoIt PE as itself, which is a legitimate PE
- The compiled script – consists of AutoIt tokenized compiled script with additional binary data
- The script is responsible for 3 main actions:
- Decrypting the binary data to get configuration, shellcode and encrypted PE
- Basic installation for maintaining persistency
- Loading the shellcode + encrypted PE and executing the shellcode
- The shellcode, which is also used as a stager, is responsible for:
- Resolving addresses of API functions that are used for process hollowing
- Decrypting the PE within the memory
- Utilizing process-hollowing for executing the malicious PE under the context of a legitimate Windows process
- The malicious PE – Cybergate RAT
The AutoIt script
AutoIt, currently version 3, is a scripting language for automating Windows tasks. Its key characteristics – such as digitally-signed small self-contained executable as interpreter, process manipulations and direct calls to the Windows API — make it a free, powerful and easy tool for malware authors.
In our initial investigation, we examined the AutoIt executable, named Firewall.exe, which was executed from the user's roaming directory via auto-run registry key along with a compiled script, named Firewall (1/56 VT detection at the time of writing), as a command-line parameter.
The compiled script is obfuscated and password-protected. Protecting AutoIt scripts is a topic in itself, and for our purpose we used an automated tool named "myaut2exe" for the process, which also provides great documentation regarding the compiled script file format. Another interesting attribute is the script's file size – 288KB – an odd size for a compiled script, since scripts are usually much smaller (lines of code) and it also contains additional binary data, while the compiled script itself is only 4,315 bytes.
The binary data within the script is split by a static string into 8 elements: RC4 key, RC4 shellcode, configurations and RC4 encrypted data. In our case:
Local $SPCFG = StringSplit($SR, "$h..la?A.AhDr2.?..h.", 1) ; Splitting the binary data from the script Local $PASSRC = $SPCFG[3] ; RC4 key = IQQtCM $OPCODE = $SPCFG[8] ; Global variable for RC4 function = RC4 shellcode Local $SERCFG = BinaryToString(_RC4($SPCFG[2], $PASSRC)) ; Configuration for persistence installation Local $SP = $SPCFG[4] ; SLEEP before script execution in seconds = 120 Local $INGETCTTO = BinaryToString(_RC4($SPCFG[5], $PASSRC)) ; Function name that retrieves the path for the process to be hollowed = .net server (regsvcs.exe) Local $SERVEBIN = _RC4($SPCFG[6], $PASSRC) ; 1st decryption of the RAT binary Local $SELFDELETE = $SPCFG[7] ; Self delete flag= 0, might change in runtime under some circumstances $SHELLCODE = BinaryToString(_RC4($SPCFG[9], $PASSRC)); Shellcode which will be executed at the end of the script _GETSERVERCFG variables
Some of you might raise an eyebrow when stumbling upon 'RC4 shellcode' ($OPCODE). It's actually a machine-code implementation of the RC4 algorithm (the variable's content is hex encoded) that is executed using a known technique within scripts, for executing shellcode. This is done by calling the Windows API function CallWindowProc along with pointers to the shellcode, encrypted data structs, encrypted data length and the key string as parameters. Needless to say, an RC4 implementation in the AutoIt scripting language could be written in a much simpler way, without using any machine code, so why not do that (the exact same implementation is used within the shellcode)?
Func _RC4($DATA, $KEY) ; Creating and loading the data in the memory for using in DllCall Local $CODEBUFFER = DllStructCreate("byte[" & BinaryLen($OPCODE) & "]") DllStructSetData($CODEBUFFER, 1, $OPCODE) Local $BUFFER = DllStructCreate("byte[" & BinaryLen($DATA) & "]") DllStructSetData($BUFFER, 1, $DATA) ; Executing the RC4 shellcode DllCall("user32.dll", "none", "CallWindowProc", "ptr", DllStructGetPtr($CODEBUFFER), "ptr", DllStructGetPtr($BUFFER), "int", BinaryLen($DATA), "str", $KEY, "int", 0) Local $RET = DllStructGetData($BUFFER, 1) $BUFFER = 0 $CODEBUFFER = 0 Return $RET
AutoIt RC4 function
Read about the threat hunting process that lead to the discovery of this malware sample here.
RC4 shellcode ($OPCODE) in IDA
After decrypting and parsing the binary data, the script installs persistence mechanisms, which are defined by an array of 16 configuration elements that include parameters such as the location and folder name for installation, executable and script file names and execution flags, for functions that maintain the automatic execution of the malware.
In our analysis, the script maintains persistence by:
• Copying the executable and script named Firewall.exe and Firewall respectively, under a folder named Javaxa within the Application Data directory
• Setting registry RUN keys under both user's and machine's hives
• Creating a shortcut named Win32.lnk within the Startup directory
In order to hollow (and inject) a legitimate process using the shellcode, the script returns the PE path based on the configuration, which can be one of the following:
• .Net Server – path to RegSvcs.exe, which is part of the .NET framework installation
• Default browser – as opposed to the .NET, this one utilizes a failover mechanism in the following order: default browser within the registry, default location for iexplore\chrome\firefox, cmd.exe
• svchost.exe or its own process (AutoIt process)
To execute the shellcode, the script creates a struct that contains the shellcode and the encrypted RAT server PE binary ($SERVEBIN in figure 1), followed by a direct function call to the shellcode memory address pointer, along with the pointer to the encrypted PE and the path to the process to be hollowed.
From the malware author perspective, using AutoIt as the 1st stage wrapper for the RAT, is a great way to bypass known AV techniques for detecting malware, since its main objectives are loading binary data to memory, which for AV vendors is more challenging to prevent, and installing persistence mechanisms that are also common for software. The method of decoding the configuration and the RAT within the script file, makes it adaptable for modifications in order to evade detection based on IOCs – those all are 'FUD' builders main functionality.
The Shellcode
Shellcode, in a cybersecurity context, refers to a position-independent machine code payload that is usually used in exploits and malware for executing malicious code directly from the memory. In our case, the shellcode's purpose is to decrypt the RAT PE within memory and inject it into the hollowed process.
Shellcode functions graph in IDA
Since the shellcode is not loaded by the Windows PE loader, it must first resolve pointers to the Windows API export functions it wishes to use. In our case these will be used for the Process Hollowing technique:
• LoadLibraryA, ZwUnmapViewOfSection, CreateProcessW, ReadProcessMemory, WriteProcessMemory, GetThreadContext, SetThreadContext, ResumeThread, VirualAllocEx, VirtualAlloc, VirtualFree, TerminateProcess
This is usually done by using a well-documented technique that consists of:
• Finding the DLL image base address of kernel32.dll (findKernelBase in the above graph)
• Iterating through the DLL functions, hashing each function name using ROR13 and comparing them with a precomputed value within the shellcode (findFunctionAddress in the above graph)
Except that in our case it's a bit different with 2 noticeable characteristics. The first one is that the shellcode also needs to find the ntdll.dll base address for resolving the ZwUnmapViewOfSection pointer. The second is that instead of storing the precomputed ROR13 function names within the shellcode, it stores the ASCII function names and hashes them in run-time, making it odd, since it misses the advantages of the hashing technique. The fact that the author appears to have left some redundant information (ASCII function names) looks sloppy. From the attacker's perspective it would have been smarter to remove the function names since these only aid in detecting the malicious nature of this code.
Resolving exported functions in IDA
Once the shellcode resolved all the functions, it will execute the second decryption routine, that is the exact same machine-code RC4 implementation we encountered in the previous stage, this time with a memory pointer to the RAT PE, along with its size and a pointer to the key (The key is in hexadecimal: 6C D5 D9 A0 C4 01 D4.).
And now for our final action within the shellcode: The Process Hollowing technique (AKA process replacement / RunPE). This is a very popular and well-documented technique that basically allows the malware to execute under a legitimate process context. In our case, the malware executes and hollows RegSvcs.exe and injects it with the fully decrypted RAT PE from our AutoIt executable (Firewall.exe) memory space.
Calling the process injection function in IDA
The RAT
Commodity RATs are used by all kinds of threat actors. They usually provide a preconfigured framework for both client and server, with a set of powerful features that make them easy to use, but also easy to detect once all obfuscation methods are removed. Our PE RAT was easily detected by string-based analysis from the memory, and was found to be Cybergate 1.18, one of the popular Delphi-RATs, similar to XtremeRAT and Spy-Net.
The RAT string references from memory using x64dbg
For commodity RATs, there are usually scripts available that decode and extract the RAT's configuration based on the release. We retrieved the configuration using Cybergate decoder (by extracting it from the resource section and decoded it using XOR):
Key: Activate Keylogger Value: TRUE Key: Domain Value: majika.gotdns.ch|parfuis.no-ip.biz|maskou.gotdns.ch| # Domains for resolving IPs Key: Install Flag Value: FALSE Key: Keylogger Enable FTP Value: FALSE Key: Mutex Value: 6GJW1B6O667L61 Key: Persistance Value: FALSE Key: Password Value: 123456 # Password for client-server authentication Key: Port Value: 97|288|1177 # Ports for establishing reverse TCP shell Key: Process Injection Value: Disabled Domains resolving to attacker IPs
Now it's easy to see that the RAT configuration reflects with its previous stages: the AutoIt script is responsible for the persistence mechanisms and the shellcode for the process injection, so the RAT doesn't perform any installation or injection, as its sole purpose is to reside within the memory.
Additionally, the MFT records of Firewall.exe and Firewall were tampered, the $STANDART_INFORMATION attribute was modified to earlier dates in order to frustrate forensic analysis (AKA timestomping, an anti-forensics technique). This method was easily detected as the adversary didn't take further measures to also modify the $FILE_NAME attribute.
Firewall MFT record in Autopsy
|Autoit Script MD5
|Cybergate PE MD5
|Shellcode MD5


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Classic Capitol Recordings, 1952-1964 (Country Music Foundation, 1996)
Jean Shepard
Reviewed by Jana Pendragon
Jean Shepard is one of the all-time greats and certainly one of the most significant girl singers to come out of Bakersfield or anywhere. With this collection, Shepard is introduced to a whole new generation of listeners. Shepard is a woman with strength and character, relying on substance, rather than fluff to get her music across. Discovered by Hank Thompson in Bakersfield as a teen where she played bass and sang with the Melody Ranch Girls, Shepard spent her first years on the West Coast, an edge very much apparent in her work even today.
As much a part of the Bakersfield Sound as Wynn Stewart or Merle Haggard, Shepard's gumption and originality are evident here from start to finish. Songs like "Twice the Lovin' (In Half the Time)," "Two Hoops and a Holler" and "The Root of All Evil (Is a Man)" demonstrates not only her straight-ahead style, but also tremendous verve and power. As a vocalist, she is in the Patsy Cline camp. As a performer, she stands alone as a unique presence on the Opry stage. Quite capable of working her magic on a ballad as well as honky tonk, Shepard's almost tender version of "Under Your Spell Again" is more impressive today than ever as is her "Dear John Letter" and "Beautiful Lies." Highly recommended.
©Country Standard Time • Jeffrey B. Remz, editor & publisher • email@example.com
About • Copyright • Newsletter • Our sister publication Standard Time


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WELCOME TO THE Stefano Saccani SHOP ONLINE - LOGIN OR SIGN IN
A fascinating mix of incense that comes dangerously close stimulating a real track. It evokes a great cathedral, with stone walls in a place of light, infinite majesty and calm. We can imagine the dreamy tendrils of smoke through the sunlight, the windows and feel the reassuring warmth of wood and stone heated by the sun. Airy and rock rose incense resin mixed with the deep, sweet earthiness of patchouli and vetiver create a fragrance that is both spiritual and earth. The Fans of the Series 3 Incense Comme des Garcon (especially Kyoto and Avignon) should try it, and anyone who has been longing for the smell of incense, no gothic overtones. Warm and comforting.
Spray a small amount of product, preferring the ideal fragrance according to the moment or to the occasions.
incense, rock rose, ambergris, patchouli, vetiver
Passa il mouse sul campione colore per avere maggiori informazioni


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Transforming Productivity: SMB Technology Solutions News
Is your organization missing key pieces in the productivity puzzle? Lenovo solutions fit perfectly in your organization and boost productivity.
A Customer Success Story: Kajima Corporation
Lenovo's mobile workstations pair seamlessly with VR & AI technology for a complete package.
Dec 14
Video Infographic: Transforming Productivity
Meetings Are Not the Problem, the Tools Are!
Dec 13
Whitepaper: How New Trends In Computing Are Helping Us Work More Efficiently And Safer Than Ever?
There is a revolution in how professionals are multitasking, and in the productivity gains that can be achieved through a focused investment on technology to facilitate it.
Dec 13
Difference Makers Success Story Podcast: Tech Directions for 2026
TJ McCue, technology contributor for Forbes, breaks down where technology has been, where it's going, and how it will affect working environments going forward.
Dec 4
A Customer Success Story: Smart Shopping Carts by SmartCart OY
Finnish technology company Smartcart Oy is bringing a smarter, richer and more personal way to shop – with digitized shopping carts powered by reliable Lenovo Tab 4 tablets.
Oct 31
Keyshot: ThinkPad P40 Yoga - A flexible mobile workstation to help Keyshot realize their visions in 3D
For realistic renders, you need powerful systems.
Oct 17


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Blog Report: UKRAINE BACK IN MOSCOW ORBIT? By Ambassador Mo
From the jail cell, former Ukraine Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has perhaps had more impact in defining the country's image than as Government leader a few years earlier. The issue is not just apparent mistreatment of Tymoshenko in jail but the underlying trial and charges which have a smell of Stalinist abuse with all legality frills. –More–
Archives for posts with tag: NaturalGas
Blog Report: UKRAINE BACK IN MOSCOW ORBIT? By Ambassador Mo
Tags AmbassadorMo, AmbassadorMuhamedSacirb, AmbassadorMuhamedSacirbey, DaniloTurk, DiplomaticallyIncorrect, Euro2012, Moscow, NaturalGas, Poland, Ukraine, ViktorYankuvych, YuliaTymoshenko
Categories Uncategorized


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Kuching, Malaysia
From USD 44.00
Office phone number: +60 109 824 875
A Bite of Borneo by Bike
Kuching, Malaysia
Culture shock rating
Worried we're going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We've got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don't worry, you'll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that's on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you'll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
You're out there in the global community! We're going to take you down streets you'd rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it's worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we've got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
I booked this tour for the first day of my visit in Kuching and it was also the start of my holiday in Borneo. I was the only guest so it was guide Kelvin and me and I had such a good time! First of all it gave me a great overview of the city and I returned to a few places I really liked afterwards. The food was amazing, so many totally different things (Rice porridge, noodles,cake, pastries, buttered Coffee, ice cream, laksa, Wrap and so much more), I was so FULL at the end of this Trip!! The biking part was the perfect balance. Kelvin was very friendly, knowledgeable and caring especially when we biked he always kept an eye on me and checked on me about the speed. A great start into my holiday and I can only highly recommend this tour!
It was a great tour and my guide was wonderful, however, it was touted as more of a food tour and it was less that and more cultural compared to similarly advertised tours Ive taken in Singapore, Vietnam and China. It was fine, but certainly not the food centric.
We had an excellent morning eating our way around Kuching. Our guide was very knowledgeable, and was more than happy to answer any of our questions. We were able to gain valuable insight into the area and local history, as well as see the main sights of Kuching. The food was incredible, and the variety of dishes we tried was amazing. Cycling through the villages was a highlight for me, and the boatride a nice finish. I would definitely recommend this tour!
Tour snapshot
Eat and feast like a Bornean local! Hunt for authentic local street foods along Kuching's heritage trail, before crossing the river on a traditional boat to cycle through the Malay kampongs for more bites. There's no better way to experience the culinary diversity of Borneo!
- Eat your way through delicious dishes and delicacies unique to Sarawak state
- Walk the busy bazaar along the heritage trail to taste a dazzling variety of local street foods
- Cross the Sarawak River on wooden sampan boat for more bites on the other side
- Cycle a different side of Kuching by heading out into the Malay kampongs not often visited by tourists
Schedule details
- Duration: 4 hours
- Meeting point:
One Wayang Tours, No 1. Wayang Street, 93000 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 9.00 AM
- Ending point:
One Wayang Tours
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, bike and helmet rental, boat ride ticket, raincoat, food samples as per itinerary and non-alcoholic drinks.
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, any alcoholic beverages, souvenirs and personal shopping, tips/gratuities for your guide.
Please don't eat breakfast! There's a lot of food to get through on this Borneo adventure! But no worries, you'll be getting active along the way to help with your digestion.
This hiking and biking tour will take you along Kuching's heritage trail and through its surrounding kampongs (villages) to indulge in a wide variety of authentic Sarawak street foods, drinks, and desserts!
Kuching has some of the best street food in Malaysia, showcasing Malay, Chinese, and Indian influences, as well as local tribal flavours. You'll have the opportunity to taste the most famous Sarawak street food such as Sarawak laksa (rice noodles in spicy soup), kolomee (egg noodles), tebaloi (sago biscuit), and kek lapis (a multi-layer colourful cake). If stomach space permits, make sure you also try the rich variety of our favourite local drinks and desserts!
Your foodie guide will take you to no less than eight stops in total, including a kopitiam (a traditional Malaysian-Chinese coffee shop), a hawker centre (traditional food court), street vendors, a kampong kedai café, a food trolley, and a traditional bakery. At each stop, you'll learn a little more about Bornean food, language, and culture.
The tour starts in the early hours so you can witness the morning rush to work. We'll walk along the heritage trail to see local temples and monuments down hidden lanes, as we munch away on local delicacies.
Then, we'll board a relaxing cruise across the romantic Sarawak River on a traditional Sampan boat — it'll give you a taste of how Kuchingnite commute every day across the two halves of the city!
Once safely across, we get on the saddle to ride through off-the-beaten country paths of a rural kampong and experience the favourite local snacks on the other side of the river.
Apart from the food and the sights, this tour will enable you to experience first-hand how people of different religions and races in Sarawak have lived in harmony side-by-side for generations!
Open up your senses and discover the authentic Sarawak! You will go home with both your mind and soul enriched….. and your stomach full!
Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, bike and helmet rental, boat ride ticket, raincoat, food samples as per itinerary and non-alcoholic drinks.
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, any alcoholic beverages, souvenirs and personal shopping, tips/gratuities for your guide.
Dress standard: Please wear light, comfortable clothes that dry easily, (shorts are fine) and comfortable walking shoes.
Your Trip: For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Child Policy: This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select 'child' above when booking. Children under the age of 6 are permitted to join this tour free of charge. Please inform us at the time of booking if you'll be bringing a child under the age of 6. You can do so in the special request box on the checkout page.
Local contact
Office phone number: +60 109 824 875
Email address: email@example.com


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Spreading kindness is Vanessa Lam's superpower. When not in her superhero role, she is also our own UW philosophy graduate student.
As detailed in a CBC news article last week, Vanessa's handwritten note to a student of hers became a beacon of hope to someone who was in the beginning stages of contemplating suicide. The note was just what the student needed to know - that life is more than just the moment we're stuck in. Vanessa's personal gesture provided hope and kindness at just the right time.
Vanessa's incredible heart is on display in our department at all times. Whether she's offering to grab a coffee for you or bringing you a goody box of Easter treats, she has an extraordinary spirit that brings something very special to the department.
Thank you Vanessa!


text: Artist: Mac Miller f/ Njozma Album: The Divine Feminine Song: Planet God Damn Typed by: Cedmaster3K [Mac Miller] Yeah, I think I'm stuck inside nostalgia - my mind are in the times when this love was so divine but now it's feelin' like without ya Feelin' like how the fuck did we get into a place we ain't accustomed to lovin' inside of? I know I'm out of my mind more often than not You know I'm used to givin' this all that I got, yeah It's not a waste when that smile on your face You tell me you outta place, you parked in my spot Okay, baby this a piece of cake We could lay up on the beach, you could feed me grapes This my favorite song, spin it 'til the needle breaks We could quit the whole game, do the real estate, things how you beat the case Put in work, turn that pussy to the office Be on top of your game, this here a goddess Now I ain't here to break a promise I'm just tryna keep it honest, and honestly [Chorus 2X: Njomza] Tell the truth, tell the truth, tell the truth Na-na-na na na na Show me you, show me you, show me you Na-na-na na na na [Mac Miller] Okay, no mishaps, this, that, and the third Don't go back on my word, yeah I keep that shit gift wrapped Your pussy a ride better than Six Flags, I'm in that No take aways, no give backs No question, we've been through adolescence And change of direction, yeah I paid attention to it It's never been easy but now it's gettin' ruthless A little more pain, that's just better music Girl what's on your brain? Cause that head is stupid Lot of people suck a dick but you can execute it Perfect timing, don't you add another second to it Don't you ever-ever-ever-ever-ever do it Yeah, head pollution, conflict resolution Keep it true, everything that I do, with you I ain't here to break a promise I'm just tryna keep it honest, and honestly [Chorus] [Outro: Njomza] + (Mac Miller) You don't have to protect me We both know how it ends I just need your presence Wanna feel you feel me (Yeah, you just landed from the Planet God, Damn, damn) Wanna feel you feel me... Wanna feel you feel me (You just landed from the Planet God, Damn, damn) Wanna feel you feel me... Wanna feel you feel me


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Producer(s):Warren, Littlefield, Margaet Atwood, Dorothy Fortenberry, Sheila Hockin, Bruce Miller Elisabeth Moss
Director(s): Mike Barker, Kari Skogland, Reed Morano, Kate Dennis, Floria Sigisondi, Jeremy Podeswa, Daina Reid
Writer(s): Bruce Miller, Margaret Atwood, Dorothy Fortenberry, Kira Snyder, Eric Tuchman, Lynn Renee Maxcy, Yahlin Chang, Leila Gerstein, Wendy Straker Hauser, Nina Fiore, John Herrera, Ilene Chaiken
Composer: Adam Taylor
Starring: Elisabeth Moss, Max, Mighella, Yvonne Strahovski, Joseph Fiennes, Ann Dowd, Amanda Brugel, Madeline Brewer, O-T Fagbenle, Samira Wiley, Alexis Bledel
Distributor: Hulu
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, dystopian Fiction
Based on the novel of the same name, along with several awards including multiple Golden Globes and Emmy wins, The Handmaid's Tale is arguably the best show on television and/or current streaming services today. Premiering on April 26, 2017, The Handmaid's Tale quickly became the flagship series for Hulu's streaming television subscription service. As an original series, Hulu looked to make their mark in the ever-growing market of online subscription services. With Netflix, HBO, and Amazon Prime (the list goes on), Hulu has become a major competitor in the streaming world on the back of The Handmaid's Tale. With such success, there is no surprise The Handmaid's Tale returned for a Emmy nominated second season.
The Handmaid's Tale centers around Offred, who was formally known as June Osborne (Mad Men's Elisabeth Moss). After laws were instituted where women have lost the right to buy, sell, or own property, her identity was stripped from her along with hundreds of other women. The country of the United States of America is a shadow of its former self. Once a beacon of hope and freedom, it is now a totalitarian religious society known as Gilead. The rise of disease, pollution, and radiation poisoning has made it almost impossible for women to become pregnant. Fear of the extinction of the human race, and the collapse of government, America was divided into a handful of regions where complete authority was given to male politicians. A class system was placed where women are second class citizens to the male elite. Fertile women were hunted down, stripped from their families, had their children taken away, and personal identity abolished in order to be a Handmaid.
Offred struggles to conform to the new society she is forced into. As the Handmaid assigned to the house of Commander Fred Waterford (Shakespeare In Love's and Enemy at the Gate's Joseph Fiennes) and Serena Waterford (Chuck's and Dexter's Yvonne Jaqueline), she battles with what has become the new normal. Raised by a mother who was once an influential feminist, Offred continues to find herself at odds with this new society where women are subjected to strict rules, barbarous punishments, and brutal rituals.
Content Guide
Spiritual Content: The Handmaid's tale is bombarded with spiritual themes, from the wardrobe of the handmaid's to resemble nuns of the catholic church, to the common greeting the citizens greet each other with, "Blessed Day". Biblical passages and verses are commonly recited. The Nation of Gilead has used religion to separate, oppress, and mutilate its civilians into blind obedience. On the surface, Gilead seems to be a righteous land where the inhabitants are spiritually pure and long for the will of God. However, under the surface, men manipulate the scriptures intended to bring life, hope, and truth to the world to bring, lies, hopelessness, fear, and death.
Violence: The Handmaid's Tale is one of suppression, fear, and fury. The nature of Gilead's society is ruled by violence. Those who oppose the rules of the land are met with brutality. Often times women are subjected to routine torture, physical striking, and forced sexual encounters. Gilead is a military state, so there are often guards armed with assault rifles and armor. These assault rifles are often put to use. Scenes of ritualistic hangings, drownings, and bodily dismemberment are the norm in Gilead. The Handmaid's Tale is not for the faint of heart.
Language/Crude Humor: Gilead is a hypocritical land of sophistication and civilized behavior. However due to extreme emotional tensions, foul language is used throughout. Many times in an episode you will find a "F***" or "S***" and other unwholesome language.
Sexual Content: Many of Gilead's rituals are focused on sex. Though modesty seems to be a priority in Gilead, ceremonial rape is the pillar of its society. Gilead's hyper-religious ways view sexual attraction as lust, so very little scenes occur of sexual encounters outside of the brutal rituals. Some intense sexual scenes are peppered throughout, where some nudity is visible. These graphic scenes are minimal.
Drug /alcohol use: Some alcohol is used. Many of the influential men drink liquor throughout the season. The smoking of cigars and cigarettes are littered through the series. Excess is forbidden in Gilead, so the occasion pouring of a brown liquor is seen.
Other Negative Themes: Gilead's core structure is class based. Basic civil rights have been abolished, leading women to be subservient to men. Misinterpretation of scriptures in the Holy Bible lead to legalized slavery and oppression. Often times manipulation of holy scriptures are used to justify extreme, brutal violence. Ritualistic killings including stoning and hanging are a staple of society.
Positive Content: In spite of the extreme circumstances, an underground group attempts to lead a rebellion against the totalitarian government. As attempts to free people from the grips of Gilead, people guide and hide runaways through systems and means reminiscent of the underground railroad. The stripping of identity is an ongoing theme in The Handmaid's Tale, so holding on to one's identity and self-awareness is paramount in finding a place in the world. Hope is a lifeline in a world of The Handmaid's Tale. While Gilead is the epitome of despair, the community of these tormented women draws them together. Their unity breathes a sense of hope in the hopelessness.
The Handmaid's Tale season two begins where season one ends. After suffering the consequences of her actions from season one, Offred recounts the beginning of the country's transition from a land of freedom to a land of religious oppression. The inception of Gillad is explored. We discover what life was like for Offred (then June) and her husband Luke (The interceptor's O-T Fagbenle) as her parenting rights come into question. The government crumbles as her professional life and relationships are tested. Offred learns who she can consider an ally as she attempts to break free from the totalitarian nation. Offred is then thrust back into captivity after her freedom was so close. Now that there is no end in sight, Offred succumbs to her fate and attempts to assimilate to her new way of life. Emily, also known as Ofglen (Gilmore Girl's and Sin City's Alexis Bledel), has been exiled to a radioactive wasteland where those who oppose Gilead laws of morality are sent to die a slow, gruesome death.
The Handmaid's Tale is absolutely beautiful to watch. In spite of how difficult it is to sit through it at times due to its contents, I find myself unable to look away from the horrors on the screen. Every aspect of this series is purposely designed to pluck an emotional nerve sending electricity through your body. The performances from the main cast to its supporting characters helps build the horrors of the world we are watching. The pacing and direction of every episode is perfection. From the riveting cinematography to the soundtrack, The Handmaid's Tale will take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions.
The very first thing I noticed about The Handmaid's Tale was its cinematography. The very first scene in the first episode in season one made me sit up in my chair. I was visually hooked. The use of light and shadows are exquisite and held my attention. The contrast of the brilliant colors in this muted and saturated world is a compelling juxtaposition of its hypocrisy. Every scene feels like a still painting in a gallery. I found my eyes exploring every scene in an attempt to appreciate every detail. Perspective is used masterfully. Hyper shallow focused lenses are used to achieve a beautiful yet frightening sense of isolation. Close ups on our main character are a staple of the series. This allows us to have an intimate understanding of the character and even helps us identify with her as the background is blown out while we are inches from her face.
The tone and feel of the series is attributed to its excellent direction. The use of shallow depth of field allows the viewer very little information to take in. Similarly, the women of Gilead are prohibited from obtaining information by being unable to read, write, and speak freely. We as the viewer are thrust into this world by its limitation. In the world of Gilead, the direction is precise, focused, and steady. This gives us a feeling of definition, order, and control as opposed to the flashback scenes where they are mostly hand-held. The use of handhelds give us a sense of unsteadiness and lack of assuredness. The direction of the extreme, uncomfortable close ups allows for an understanding of the internal dialog of the character Offred.
Elisabeth Moss's portrayal of Offred is magnetic. Not many actors can recite a monologue with just a look, but Moss excels at nonverbal communication. In a world where freedom of speech has been abolished, the ability to communicate nonverbally so effectively is an absolute necessity. We are drawn into Offred's emotions and thoughts with the combination of direction, hyper-focused shots, and Moss's excellent acting ability. We experience the brutalities of Gilead with her and glimpses of hope as she tries to regain her identity and freedom. Moss perfectly expresses maximum emotion with limited expression. The entire cast of The Handmaid's Tale is a shining example of acting in its highest form. Yvonne Strahovski's Serena is a perfect contrast to Moss's Offred. As Offred's one liners give us a sense of her disgust, Serena's resolute responses are a direct opposition; in spite of both of their social bondage. Lines of dialogue feels like a controlled heartbeat leading and driving the scene. The pacing could be misinterpreted as slow; however, the steady pacing keeps the scenes moving forward with every step feeling intentional.
The writing of The Handmaid's Tale pulls you into this unfamiliar yet familiar world. We hang on every word uttered by the characters. Because speech is limited to mostly elite men, every word feels intentional and is said with purpose. The contrast between Offred's internal monologue and what she says is horrifyingly hysterical. Every word cuts deep and lands heavy. The story of The Handmaid's Tale is very accurate to its source material. However, season two takes place after the events of the book. Though creative license is given to continue the story beyond the book, season two holds to the tone and spirit of the novel. Season two delves deeper into Gilead and how it came to be. We see how the institution of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights are suspended. We see what the colonies are and how horrific they truly can be. The colonies are where the worst female offenders are subjected to expose themselves to radioactive fallout. The most disobedient, problematic, and gender traitors (homosexual women) are left to slowly decay as their bodies begin to deteriorate in the radioactive wasteland.
Music plays a very important role in the narration of The Handmaid's Tale. Often pop and rock songs are featured in the credits. This is yet another mechanism to express Offred's thoughts and emotions. With the inability to openly express herself, these songs tell us where June is emotionally. Contrast is an ongoing theme in The Handmaid's Tale, and the music is no exception. Throughout the episodes, the dark, ominous score weighs heavy on the viewer. The deep tones relay a sense of oppression and overbearingness, as the upbeat pop songs can express a sense of hope and freedom.
Riveting. Riveting. Riveting. There is no surprise The Handmaid's Tale has been received so well. With themes that feel like they have been ripped from the headlines, The Handmaid's Tale almost feels like a cautionary tale. In the midst of movements like #MeToo, equal pay for equal work, and women's health issues, The Handmaid's Tale paints an extreme picture of what many fear could happen in our country. On our television sets we see children being ripped from the arms of their mothers just as the scenes depict on the show. Every day we see women fighting for the same rights as their male counterparts, while on the show women are stripped of every natural right. Extreme religious views and misinterpretation of sacred texts drive horrific behaviors world-wide. The Handmaid's Tale echos some of these themes in a beautiful, dramatic, yet horrific fashion. The Handmaid's Tale will take you on a heart pounding journey of tension, fear, and hope. It's one of the most intense TV shows you can watch currently. You will find yourself not wanting to watch, yet being unable to pull your eyes from the screen. After every episode you will find yourself needing to catch your breath and decompress before continuing your binge marathon. With the perfection of the acting, the excellence of the directing, and cinematography, The Handmaid's Tale holds onto the viewer and won't let go.
The Bottom Line
The Handmaid's Tale is a cautionary story of violence, brutality, and oppression. Visually, The Handmaid's Tale is like nothing on TV today. Season 2 is a perfect and seamless continuation to the award winning 1st season. The Handmaid's Tale is a heart pounding, thought provoking thrill ride of must see TV.


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Metal hips, knees, plates and screws left behind after cremation are being turned into road signs and car parts
OrthoMetals, the Dutch company behind the recycling, says around half of Britain's 260 crematoriums have signed up for the program which is generating 75 metric tons of metal per year. Owner Ruud Verberne, said that "what is important is that the metals are being recycled, and this is a growing business both in Britain and elsewhere in Europe."
Relatives are asked if they want to keep metal parts of loved ones before cremations by the centres taking part in the scheme. Yahoo News UK reports that the majority of families have no need for the parts and agree to have them recycled.
High value metals, such as cobalt and titanium which survive cremation are then sold for use in the automobile and aeronautical industries. Less valuable metals are melted down and sold for more general purposes including road signs and lamp posts.
Even metal plates from false teeth and tiny fragments from fillings can be recovered and re-used, along with metal fittings on coffins.
Profit on the recycled remains is donated to charity and almost $1.5 million has been raised since the project began in Britain in 2004.
Read more: http://www.upi.com/blog/2013/04/11/UK-crematoriums-recycle-metal-body-parts/2931365702248/#ixzz2QRZpszuT


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Two dead bodies found, no foul play suspected
When residents living in the area of Ebony Street and Central American Boulevard got up early Sunday morning and went outside, they were confronted with the gruesome sight of a dead body. The body, identified as fifty-seven year old labourer Edwin Wade, was discovered sometime between six-thirty and seven o'clock by pedestrians. According to one witness the body was fully clothed and lying in a nearby drain. News Five's Stephen Ferguson was at the scene and brings you the following clips.
Kenneth Gibbs, Witness
"So I tell myself, this is not for real. At the same time I saw the body for real. The body was lying down, face down you know, so I went by and I took him up and I flipped him over and I said to myself, you know what he died between last night and this morning."
When News Five contacted the police they say they do not suspect foul play. Police say Wade was an epileptic and he may have had a seizure, which led him to his death.
Another dead body was found over the weekend, this time on Freetown Road. Jeffrey Bodden, better known as "Ding Dang," was found on Saturday sometime after midday, lying halfway outside the door of his house. Police say Bodden, believed to be in his early forties, had a history of mental illness and checked himself out of the KHMH, where he was under observation two days prior to his death.


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Jesus Delgado Rodriguez, 65, served with distinction in Vietnam. He was a Marine on active duty from 1969-1973 and received the Purple Heart. Rodriguez was one of the nine bikers killed on Sunday when gunfire erupted at Twin Peaks restaurant in Waco, where motorcyclists had gathered for a meeting.
Police said that all 9 who were killed were either a Cossack or a Bandido, but military records show Rodriguez received the Purple Heart. He also received a Navy commendation medal and other awards.
Family members said that Rodriguez was a biker, and that he had belonged to two defunct motorcycle clubs, one of which had allowed couples. But he was not part of a club when he was killed at Twin Peaks restaurant in Waco, they said, although he did have friends who were Bandidos.
Daily Mail reported:
Video footage reviewed by AP shows that when gunfire erupted in the parking lot of the restaurant, most of the leather-clad motorcycle riders watching the confrontation from the patio or inside immediately ran away from the shooting. A few tried to direct people to safety, crawling on all fours heading for cover.
One biker ran away with blood on his face, hands and torso. A woman could be heard screaming, 'Oh my God!' Others yelled, 'Get down!'
Restaurant security video reviewed exclusively by the AP on Wednesday showed only one of the dozens of bikers recorded firing a gun from the patio of the restaurant. None of the nine video angles shows the parking lot.
Many of the bikers on tape are likely to have been arrested by Waco police, who rounded up about 170 people, charged them with felony engaging in organized criminal activity and set their bonds at $1 million.
Some bikers have complained that police acted too hastily in making arrests and scooped up riders who had nothing to do with the violence.
The AP was shown the video by representatives of the Twin Peaks franchise, who have said the fighting began outside the restaurant, not inside as police have said. The franchise has not released the video publicly, citing the ongoing investigation.
Video footage shows police with assault rifles entering the door about two minutes after the shooting begins. As two officers enter, bikers can be seen lying on the floor with their hands spread.
Rodriguez (pictured with his wife Mary) took part in charity events to combat crime
Photos courtesy of Google
Read the full story at Daily Mail