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Watch Troye Sivan Stumble through Boujee Cooking Challenge
And end up killing it
Troye Sivan continues to prove he can handle art in any form, from singing to dancing to painting and now… cooking. Although Troye considers himself a solidly beginner chef and nothing more, the "My My My!" singer isn't letting that stop him.
Related: Troye Sivan Recreates His Inspiration For 'Bloom' Through Paintings
In a new video with Bon Appétit, Troye is tasked with making a full meal in twenty minutes with only vocal instructions.
From breaking down a chicken and cooking it with a literal brick to whipping up some pesto, the Aussie pop star is ready for his Food Network debut after this. Even after struggling and gagging during surprisingly gnarly step of breaking down the chicken, he ends up killing it.
Watch him make a full meal in the challenge below:


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First Look: Cocktails at Ducks Eatery, NYC
"This is very much a personal project for us—it tells a story of where we're from," explains Will Horowitz, head chef of East Village newcomer Ducks Eatery.
You might think it a pretty likely sounding story for a restaurant until you learn that the "where" in this case is a decidedly unlikely collection of influences spanning from New Orleans and Southeast Asia to New England and the West Coast. The project is a collaborative effort between Horowitz, bar manager Steve Laycock, Will's sister Julie, and chef de cuisine David Milburn. Horowitz and Laycock met while Laycock (a one-time manager of 169 Bar) was working at SPiN New York, where Horowitz was the founding restaurant partner. "We came from really similar mountain towns out West and both spent a lot of time traveling throughout Asia and abroad so we hit it off pretty instantly," says Horowitz.
But how exactly does this tale of many cities translate to the glass? There's a smoky Mezcal Paloma, for example, made fiery with chipotle simple syrup and accented with fresh sage in a combination that rings "homey" for New Mexico native Laycock. And also a playful Piña Colada/New York egg cream hybrid, on the menu as the Coco 'ti Punch, that channels the flavors of Thailand.
As it turns out, the mixed bag of muses is not as complicated in practice as it might read on paper. Continues Horowitz, "We're really trying to go simple, local—using freshly made juices, and letting ourselves be inspired by the market. We have a formula for what we're doing but the ingredients change."
Which means that as fall approaches, a drink like the summery Watermelon Gimlet will likely get a new star flavor, and ingredients like pumpkins, apples, and assorted root vegetables will find a home on the menu. By way of example, Horowitz mentions the recent purchase of a serious juicer, and imagines the possibility of a future purple potato water and potato vodka cocktail. "We're lucky in that we can really do whatever we want. We have a good team of creative people, so everything is in constant rotation. As long as it's interesting to us and we're passionate about it, hopefully it'll be just as interesting to other people," says Laycock.
Check out the cross-cultural cocktails at Ducks Eatery in the slideshow above »
Ducks Eatery
351 E 12th St, New York NY 10003 (map) 212-432-DUCK; duckseatery.com
All products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.

subset: commoncrawl


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Want to make the most of your PDA? Whether you want to chat online, surf the Web, or play music or video files, these top 10 ideas will give you plenty of options for maximizing your connection.
1. Get a Wireless Connection
It is essential nowadays to have a wireless connection (WiFi) for your PDA. With a wireless connection, you can surf the Internet using your PDA, often at high speeds. All you need on your PDA is a web browser, as long as it is WiFi-enabled.
PDAs often have web browsers installed out of the box. For example, PocketPCs come with Internet Explorer installed on them. Other web browser options for PDAs include the Opera browser, WebPro, NetFront, IBrowser, PalmBrowser, and the EZWap browser.
If you set up a wireless LAN at home, you have the freedom to use your PDA anywhere in the house (including from the comfort of your armchair) to get your web emails (such as through Yahoo! Mail or Hotmail) or to just surf the Web. You can use any of the mail clients (such as Outlook or Eudora) to get emails via pop from your company or web host mail server.
Alternatively, within the United States, you can connect via wireless to the Internet from a cafe, Borders bookshop, or Kinkos using a T-Mobile wireless connection. Other wireless providers (such as Wayport Laptop Lanes) offer connections in hotels and airports; at the time of this writing, a number of large companies (including McDonald's) were about to put wireless connections into stores. Many smaller cafes and stores are also providing this option to customers, often at no charge.
The Palm i705, the Sony Clie TG37 and UX50, the Zire 72, the Tungsten T3 and C, and all Blackberries come with WiFi access, as do most HP iPAQs, some of the Dell Axim models, and many other PDAs/PocketPCs.
Look for wireless hotspots through these resources:
Find a T-Mobile hotspot near you.
Find out how much it costs to use T-Mobile connections at these locations.
Yahoo! now offers a service that identifies nearby wireless hotspots on a map.
Increasingly, cafes and stores are offering free wireless hotspots to their customers. Find a free wireless hotspot near you using WiFi FreeSpot.


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Imagine searching for directions, listening to music on Pandora and Tweeting -- all while you're driving down the interstate. MyFord Touch, just unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show, promises all of that -- and could change how we experience digital content while driving.
"When you look at the mix of rich graphics and colors and the improved voice recognition and touch controls," said Jim Buczkowski, Ford's Director of Global Electrical and Electronics Systems Engineering, "it's a whole new experience and it's going to represent how you interface with your car in the future."
The technology, which will be available in 2010 and 2011 models, is Ford Sync on steroids, according to one social media expert Jenn Van Grove. Drivers will be able to use voice commands and steering wheel controls to control applications on mobile phones -- so they won't have to use their hands to control the device.
"We're finally seeing Internet connectivity come to our vehicles, so it's not just being able to connect to the web, it's being able to browse the web with multiple tabs," said Van Grove, associate editor with Mashable. "It's even turning our cars to a WiFi hotspot so our passengers can connect to the web as well."
The system will allow the driver to tag songs by pushing a button on the radio display. When the ride is done, you'll be able to sync the playlist of tagged songs to your iPod so you can buy them from the iTunes store.
As for safety, the browser can only be used in park. It also has text-to-audio capabilities, so it can talk back to the driver.
"With all the applications on iPhones and RIM devices, this is going to be an open API that many people can connect to when they write applications for mobile phones," Buczkowski.
On the 2011 Lincoln MKX, Ford will launch MyLincoln Touch as one of eight features. The Touch system replaces traditional vehicle buttons, knobs and gauges with clear, crisp LCD screens and five-way buttons like those found on cell phones and MP3 players.
The screens can be personalized to display information relevant to each individual driver using a simple button click, voice command or touch screen tap," according to a company news release. Customers will see the system in cars on lots later this year.


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In a game of inches and split-second decisions the Crew came up short on both counts and lost 3-2 at Chicago in the regular-season finale. Now their playoff fate is in the hands -- or the boots -- of the Houston Dynamo.
A Dilly Duka shot that would have cut a 2-0 deficit going into the break instead hit the post and later after he tied the score in the 79th minute the Fire took advantage of lax defending for the winner by Diego Chaves two minutes later.
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS: Chicago 3, Columbus 2
"It wasn't a letdown as much as we lost focus for two or three seconds," midfielder Eddie Gaven said of the last Fire goal.
Crew coach Robert Warzycha was disappointed in the outcome but pleased with the second half comeback.
"I can't fault the guys. They played hard," he said. "We tied the game and we were going for another goal. It was unfortunate they scored."
The Crew (13-13-8, 47 points) will finish third in the Eastern Conference and host second-place Philadelphia in the first leg of the two-game aggregate series Oct. 30 if the Dynamo does not beat LA on Sunday. A Houston victory sends the Crew into a wild-card match either Wednesday or Thursday at Colorado.
"I don't think I'm going to watch the (Houston) game," midfielder Dilly Duka said.
The former Rutgers star tried to rally the Crew from a 2-0 deficit caused by goals from Fire defender Jalil Anibaba in the 11th and 30th minutes.
"They caught us by surprise," Duka said.
Duka blasted an 18-yarder in the 43rd minute that would have altered the Crew's outlook for the second half if it didn't kiss the left post.
"It was just unlucky," he said. "I thought it was going in and then we would have had some momentum going into halftime."
The Crew knew at the break that Sporting Kansas City had just clinched the East with a 1-0 win vs. DC. United but that they could still earn second place with three points. Gaven set up Emilio Renteria for a brilliant side volley in the 72nd minute before Duka got his second career goal after scoring last week against New England but the euphoria was short-lived as the Crew let the Fire score off a counterattack.
"If we didn't give up a goal that quick I think we would have been able to come back and win," Duka said.
Matters got worse in stoppage time when midfielder Emmanuel Ekpo was booked a second time for his tackle of Dominic Oduro and will miss the playoff game.
"(Ekpo) had to be smarter," Warzycha said. "He's big part of our team and we're going to be short a player."


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Harris Academy Greenwich
Harris Academy Greenwich is not just an excellent school.
It is much more than that.
Our staff are dedicated to transforming the lives of our students, providing them with not only the best possible academic outcomes, but with the experiences and guidance that will help them become resilient, resourceful, reflective and emotionally intelligent young adults.
The Academy prides itself on its modern, student-centred approach to education, but with traditional values of respect and discipline at its core. With academic outcomes consistently in the top 10% of schools in the country, it is a school carving out a new story for its students and our local community.
However impressive our results, we will get to know your child not as a statistic, but as a student with hopes and dreams that we have a moral responsibility to help make a reality.
How do we get such great results from our students? Well, we certainly don't play admissions games, or try to trick the system with our results. We just ensure that all our staff are passionate about transforming our students' lives, regardless of their ability or backgrounds. After all, what else are we here for?
Executive Principal
Academy Contact
Middle Park Avenue,


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Being an older guy, 4 subs.....and long SIRI
Enjoy alot of talk at home Nascar CNN CNBC but at work or travelling there is nothing better than oldies mixed liberally with Buffett and Sinatra.
Have a Stiletto 100 so can save many favorites.
Back in the old days used to search Napster now is so convenient to store library.


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Matrix Corporate Center Provides Disaster Recovery Services for Major NYC Firms
Nov 08, 2012, 01:26 ET
DANBURY, Conn., Nov. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With less than 12 hours notice, Matrix Corporate Center is now home to two financial service companies from Manhattan who lost services as a result of the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy.
Sirius Insurance Group, a division of White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd, is relocating 20 underwriters to Danbury effective immediately, according to Aaron Smiles, Managing Director Head of Commercial Leasing for Matrix Corporate Center. The new employees will be in addition to the current employees already on site for Sirius.
In addition, an undisclosed financial services company (soon to be announced) is relocating 30 investment bankers and affiliated financial service support team members to Matrix Corporate Center as of opening of business day on Thursday, November 1, 2012.
"The financial firm is extremely satisfied with the quick turn around and attention to detail that The Matrix Team offered in an emergency situation," says Smiles. "The firm is now negotiating with Matrix to house over 200 employees within the next 24 months. They were virtually locked of their NYC offices due to power outage with no means to get into Manhattan."
"We are getting calls from a flurry of companies and a variety of industries who are calling to inquire about top quality office space," says Glen Nelson, Chairman and CEO of Matrix Corporate Center. "We offer fully furnished suites with top-notch services that are ready-to-go in an instant. Our amenities are one of a kind in the commercial marketplace," he continued. "Serious discussions with other firms are also in the works."
Nelson noted that Matrix Corporate Center has not lost any power or disruption of services in any of the last few years due to major storms, including Hurricane Sandy. "Many local and regional businesses have suffered in the last few years due to the effects of severe weather, but, fortunately, we are sheltered from the weather due to multiple back up power feeds," Nelson stated.
Nelson also opened the Matrix Fitness Center to all tenants and their families for showers, in addition to free use of the auditorium for any tenants children who may have been displaced due to school closings. "We provided free movies, special events and free food and beverages. At one point, we had approximately 40 kids visiting the Center," Nelson added.
SOURCE Matrix Corporate Center


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why we couldn't create composite MBT/CCV Squadrons equivalent to the US Cavalry Troops which comprise 9 MBT (1+4+4) and 13 CCV (1+6+6) with 2 Mortar Carriers?
"A multi-role force capable acting independently in a variety of situations" sounds like Infantry to me.
I don't know why you call it Cavalry.
Nor do I see the sense having the the Armoured Corps crew some of the Infantry's vehicles but not others.
Would we ask the Armoured Corps to have EMEs drive their tanks for them?
As we live and fight from our vehicles when necessary, the guy driving it should be part of the same team, not some stranger from another unit who brings the vehicle once in a while.
You list a group of environments ("desert", "jungle", "mountain" - tanks also do this), some ways to move around ("helo", "airborne", "amphibious", "mounted" and "dismounted"), and a political condition (counter-insurgency; tanks do this too).
These are all circumstantial to the core infantry task
- the fact of the matter is a vehicle is a vital tool for an Infantry commander to accomplish that core task due to what it brings in terms of mobility, firepower, protection and sensors.
The fact that we can work with it or without it
.....with little real cost is even better .....
- that's what makes us a "multi-role force capable of acting independently in a variety of situations".
The 3 CCV-equipped companies will have tracked mech in Canada, but it is not necessarily what they will deploy with (I know, sounds crazy). Those Infantry Companies need to be prepared to go armoured, mech or motorized when they are force employed on operations.
The platform has not been chosen yet - it may be wheeled. As to employment, dollars to donuts we end up with a composite BG with a LAV Coy, TAPV Coy, and CCV Coy...
And, due to the need to support so many dissimilar vehicle types, an integral maintenance company and an integral spare parts company.
Not for CCV - apparently maint and SPSS will all be delivered by the supplier. Besides, the mix is not not all that different from LAV, RG / COUGAR and TLAV now.
As for CCV, if it does turn out to be something like the CV9030 then it should go to the Armoured Corps if we want it used to its full advantage.
If the platform itself can cause so much confusion between the existing lines, perhaps If the platform itself can cause so much confusion between the existing lines, perhaps this is indication that we could/should rethink the idea of a homogeneous manoeuvre branch and analogous manoeuvre regiments and force structures.
I adhere to the notion that the role of the infantry was to occupy and hold ground: an essentially static role.The role of the cavalry was essentially a manoeuver role.


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Treatment Options
A Fact Sheet for Physicians
Trends in Treating Teen Depression
Preteens and Depression
Adolescent Depression Statistics
Depression, Alcohol, and Drugs
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Did You Know?
For young people 15-24 years old, suicide is the third leading cause of death, behind unintentional injury and homicide.
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What is Wrong with You?
Does this question sound familiar? Do you find yourself frustrated by a teen who seems to have no energy or motivation, who sulks around the house or makes angry scenes when you try to get him or her to "just DO something?" If your teenager has shown a persistent pattern of irritable, depressed, or hopeless behavior for more than two weeks, it may be due to clinical depression.
Unfortunately, many times when parents see resistant, belligerent, or hostile behavior from a teenaged child, they automatically assume this is normal rebellion. Sometimes there is a deeper problem that can be treated and dealt with by mental health professionals. Depression in adolescents can express itself as irritability, hostility, and anger, which can often lead to missed diagnosis. Teen suicide has become a national problem, and it is no exaggeration to say it is an epidemic. The saddest part is that in most cases of teen suicides, parents, teachers, and friends did not realize the child had a serious clinical depression that required therapeutic and medical intervention. We hope that About Adolescent Depression helps educate parents about teen depression, the risk of suicide, and the
So Your Teen Has Been Diagnosed with a Mood Disorder, Now What?
By Judy Shepps Battle
Every parent dreams of having a "perfect" child. One who is smart, attractive, talented, obedient, polite, and healthy in mind and body. Many spend money on preschool and private education to create academic advantage and increase the odds of acceptance into a prestigious college.
It comes as a shock when our youngster has difficulty navigating this traditional path.
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Depressed Mothers Increase Risk of Depressed Preschoolers
What Does a Therapist Do and How Do They Help
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Therapy Dogs Provide Comfort and Camaraderie to Struggling Teens
Innovative Base Camp Model Distinguishes SUWS of the Carolinas Wilderness Program for Teens
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Learn to Cope, Don't Mope
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At Gorvins we understand that you want more than expert
advice from an experienced team of lawyers.
You also want to feel confident that you will be looked after by a solicitor who will listen and appreciate your point of view; someone who will put you at ease and give you sensible jargon-free advice. That's why at Gorvins you'll be looked after by a lawyer whose expertise matches your needs and who will take the time to understand your situation, get a real feel for what you want – and who will always be there for you, fighting your corner and keeping you informed.
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A 65-year-old couple retiring in 2012 is estimated to need $240,000 to cover medical expenses throughout retirement, according to the latest retiree health care costs estimate calculated by Fidelity Investments. This is a 4% increase from last year, when the estimate was $230,000.
Fidelity has calculated an annual estimate of medical expenses for retirees for more than a decade. For many Americans, health care is likely to be among their largest expenses in retirement. The estimate, which is calculated by Fidelity's Benefits Consulting business, does not include any costs associated with nursing-home care and applies to retirees with traditional Medicare insurance coverage.
The estimate has increased an average of 6% annually since Fidelity's initial calculation of $160,000 in 2002, with the exception of 2011 when the estimate declined $20,000. That one and only decrease in the history of the estimate was due to a one-time adjustment driven by Medicare changes that reduced out-of-pocket expenses for prescription drugs for many seniors. This year, health care expenses are rising once again.
"Today's workers must understand that the cost of health care is expected to continue rising significantly in future years," Brad Kimler, executive vice president of Fidelity's Benefits Consulting business, said in a statement.
"Medical inflation is outpacing salary increases and cost of living adjustments for many people. Until that situation changes, it is critical that individuals include health care costs in their retirement savings strategies today so they can be prepared to pay their medical bills throughout retirement," Kimler said.
Many retirees rely on Social Security benefits as their primary source of income. For a 65-year-old couple retiring this year on a $75,000 annual household income, annual Social Security payments will be about $29,970.
Fidelity compared Social Security's average cost of living adjustment (2.3%) against an assumed average annual increase of health care costs for retirees nationally (6%). The comparison found that 65-year-old couples retiring this year with a $75,000 household income should expect that 35% of their annual benefit (about $10,476) could be needed for health care expenses today. In 15 years, or by 2027, their allocation of Social Security benefits going to health care expenses is likely to almost double to 61% of a $41,205 annual Social Security payment, or about $25,000 a year.
"Retirees relying entirely on Social Security to fund their health care costs will be faced with difficult challenges in the future," Kimler said. "Today's workers should plan to supplement their retirement income to cover their medical expenses. It is never too late to begin utilizing all retirement savings vehicles available, including any 401(k) accounts, IRAs and Health Savings Accounts, to help build a more secure retirement."


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Highlights of Year 2008
>> Wednesday, December 31, 2008
DHL IT Services Annual Dinner & Dance 2007
- most memorable: I won a 42" Sharp Aquos LCD TV (BX Series)... of which I stupidly sold off :(
Chinese New Year 2008!
- I guess CNY is always a great time of gathering the family together :)
Trip to Sitiawan
- One of the many visitation trips under the TRAC MYF's agenda.
Lesson on Can Opening
- One of the many hilarious moments...and a very stone-age way of doing things as well :S
The key opened my can of luncheon meat perfectly!!!
Best Tong Sui
- This is yet another highlight. You'll never or maybe rarely get to find such a large variety of tong sui in town! Tong Sui in Section 17 rules!!!
Korean Lunch at Hauen Khon Korean Restaurant
- I went for a week-long training out of office & the training center was beside Amcorp Mall in Petaling Jaya. This was one of the better meals that we had there :)
BBQ chicken, golden mushrooms, shredded carrots, spring onions, onions, & red dates in really tasty & sweet soup
Trip to Cameron Highlands
- I was there as a co-facilitator (children's sessions) for a church's family camp.
Calvin & Rachel's wedding
- It was an honour to be back in Kuantan for the wedding of my brother & sister! Rach looked SOO beautiful (and of course Calv looked handsome ;) )
Dinner with colleagues
- This was a rather speacial dinner. Two of our friends got promoted :)
Foodbuzz Featured Publisher
- PerutBesi received their name cards & was named Featured Publisher by Foodbuzz!
Trip to Bagan Lalang
- One of the few family trips :)
AMBP Ambassador
- I was short-listed as one of them!
Trip to Penang
- Yet one of the many visitation trips under TRAC MYF
Hai Peng Kopitiam, Kuantan
- The siam/thai-style curry mee here is very special. The texture of the noodles is like the spaghetti.
Lunch with EB & Junie at D'Lish, Bangsar Village
- Lovely food, cosy ambiance, awesome fellowship :)
Christmas weekend in Kuantan
- Somehow Kuantan's always THE place for me to rest, relax, & unwind in the warmth of family & friends.
I guess that sums up the year 2008. Indeed there are so much that took place, that I have not blogged about as well. The year has been SO busy & it was also filled with many goodies :) (of course there are not so nice stuff that took place, but the good ones covered it all).
Anne & I look forward to the new year :) We hope that we'll be able to bring more goodies to our dear readers as we journey through the new year ahead of us!
To all our faithful readers,
- Ruth & Anne


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Record snow buries holiday plans
Sun | Nation & World
People walked along snow-covered Interstate 70 as traffic came to a standstill Thursday near NewCarlisle, Ohio. AP photo by The News Sun, Marshall Gorby
A sloppy storm dumped more than a year's worth of snow on parts of the Midwest and made a mess of holiday travel and last-minute Christmas shopping Thursday. At least 12 traffic deaths were blamed on the storm.
The heavy snowfall and icy roads stranded motorists and delayed flights ahead of a holiday weekend in which a record 62 million were expected to travel.
"I was scared, wondering about the kids. How was I going to feed them?" said Mary Craddock, a 28-year-old waitress from Hartford, Ky., who was stranded along with scores of other motorists overnight on snowy Interstate 64 in Evansville, Ind.
Her car was out of gas, and she and her two children had finished their only food — a bag of potato chips — as they waited it out. Temperatures in Evansville dipped into the teens and Wednesday's snowfall of 19.3 inches topped the city's average total winter snowfall of 14.2 inches.
The winter weather hampered efforts to wrap up holiday shopping.
Kashiba Allen was one of the few shoppers who made it to Cincinnati's nearly deserted downtown, where many stores and restaurants were shut down early Thursday. The 14-year-old girl took a bus downtown to finish her Christmas shopping.
"I wouldn't have come down if I didn't have to finish my shopping," she said. "There were cars stuck all over the roads. For the first time I sort of glad I'm too young to drive."
Ellen Tolley, spokeswoman for the National Retail Federation, the world's largest retail trade association, said sales may have stalled in areas hit with heavy snow, but the wintry weather may put others in a holiday shopping mood.
Parts of Arkansas looked forward to only the ninth white Christmas in 120 years as the storm barreled across the state, closing businesses, shuttering restaurants and snarling traffic.
In Kentucky, dozens of travelers were stranded overnight along Interstates 71 and 24. Motorists on I-24 bunked down in the lobby and hallways at the Best Western Executive Inn at Carrollton. Weary travelers were sprawled across chairs in the dining room, others curled up in corners or under stairs, using rolled-up towels as pillows.
Paducah, Ky., received 14 inches of snow, topping the yearly average of 10 inches and doubling its previous one-day record.
In Evansville, Rachel Stratton, 20, and her husband, Laromy, 21, of Olathe, Kan., were stranded with their nearly 2-year-old son, Logan, while on their way to Roanoke, Va., for Christmas, but were lucky to have a supply of granola.
"We were better off than other people," she said.
AAA is predicting this will be the busiest holiday travel season ever, in part because Christmas and New Year's Eve fall on weekends this year. AAA spokesman Mantill Williams said nearly 51 million people are traveling by car.
Four people were killed in weather-related traffic accidents in Oklahoma, three each in Ohio and Arkansas and one each in New Mexico and Texas. A 76-year-old woman in Ohio died of an apparent heart attack while shoveling snow.
Associated Press writers Kimberly Hefling in Evansville, Ind., Lisa Cornwell in Cincinnati and Bruce Schreiner in Louisville, Ky., contributed to this report


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Hello everyone. New to the forums here, mostly here on a bit of hunt though.
Bur first is first, I am a Yeti tier backer of the Ghsotbusters 2 Board Game, where I was able to create my own Ghostbuster for the game. Why didn't I come to the forum? Honestly, I don't know why I didn't head here, usually not big on forums as much as I was.
But with that aside, I do want to say that I am fairly active over on the Ghostbusters Board Game, unofficial, Facebook page. Over there, just like here I assume, we talk about the game, share ideas, show off painted figures all that. But also, we have myself, and 3 other Yeti backers. We all are willing to share 3D codes. So if you want to use mine at the very least, feel free to ask, or hope on over to the Facebook page and check out the 'Files' section and get a load of all the other things we've share.
Also, if there are any other Yeti, or even the Specter Slayer backer here, please let me know! I'd love get codes, and cards for my game!
Just a heads up, I might not get to questions until tomorrow cause things are already late for me and we all know, work calls in the morning.
Til then, happy gaming!


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Happy New Year!
I've recently read many wonderful posts written on goals for 2019 – in particular, Umut's confession really resonated with me. I started thinking about my own plans. I have been reflecting on what I learned during 2018 what I want to take away from it:
I've noticed that setting a concrete challenging reading goal for 2018 produced a few interesting outcomes:
- I read more – much more than I would normally read – I haven't met my 100 books goal, but wasn't that far away from it.
- Reading became a chore and I had to abandon my goal to preserve my sanity and to enjoy reading for what I want it to be – something I cherish but also something that I don't want to do all the time.
I started this blog with the intention to write on a regular basis as well as to talk about books. That indeed was a success. I wrote a lot more in 2018 than I did in previous years. It was hard at times, but it also brought me a lot of joy. And as a lovely byproduct, I happened to discover this supportive and amazing community. I am so grateful for your love my friends, I feel so lucky to be part of it.
There have been many ups and downs in 2018 and I am so appreciative for my loved ones, that were there for me. To celebrate the great times together and to lend me their strong shoulders when I needed them to cry on them during those tough times.
Let's look ahead.
I like to choose a theme for the upcoming year. I like to write it in my journal and use it as a beacon in the dark, whenever I feel like I'm losing my way. I'm currently toying with following words as contenders for 2019:
Notice / Listen / Tune In
I want to listen more this year and be more attentive in general – I'm striving to notice rather than to react. I want to give my full focus to others when they speak – no interruptions, no offer of an immediate advice. I also want to tune in inwards to hear my own voice – in order to observe my habits and my thinking… I'm leaning towards Notice so far but that may still change.
Based on my summary above, do you have any other suggestions please? I'm reaching out to all those creative souls out there.
I'll be grateful for any other suggestions please. 🙂 Thanks!
In terms of my goals for this year:
Big Goal:
Get certified as a Life Coach. I am starting Masters in Coaching later on this month. This will take a lot of my spare time as I still have a 40+ hours a week full-time job. I've gone through my compulsory reading list (nearly fainted a few times after I fully grasped its length 😉 ) and started cracking on with a few of those mandatory reads. They are super interesting! 🙂
Bookish / Creative:
Read fewer books and enjoy slow reading experience. This may go against many reading goals but I honestly want to read less this year. 😉 I started experimenting with it with my last book, The Winter of the Witch and it made me so happy.
I'll be writing a separate discussion post about it as there's a lot to talk about. Stay tuned for that one. 🙂
Read some of the books I already own but haven't read yet. Perhaps many of you can relate to the process of buying books, looking at them lovingly, being excited about reading them…. and then forgetting all about them. I have many eBooks. I don't even know what I own and haven't read.
I've been compiling a spreadsheet (my inner organiser is loving it) of all books I own. My plan is to choose my reading material from this list on a regular basis. I won't constrict myself entirely to it but will start reducing it.
Space Fleet adventure – my dear friend Alexandra invited me to take a part in her Fleet Space Adventure. I have a character that I'll be writing about – her name is Ada Novák. I have learned so much about this creative writing process already – thank you Alexandra for all of your help, you are such a wonderful friend and I am so grateful I have met you.
Please come over to say hello – either to read along or to take part and to join our expanding crew. Ada may even coach you if you let her… 😉
Carry on writing blog posts but post less frequently – I'm currently thinking once a week or once every two weeks. Again, this may change but having a less of an internal pressure to 'create content' will help me focus on studying.
It will also hopefully enable me to enjoy blogging for what I want it to be – a hobby that will connect me with others and that will honour my value of creativity as well as my love for books.
Mental Health:
Less time online, more face to face interactions. Sadly, this will mean less blog hoping but I've noticed tremendous health benefits when I switched off my phone and went out for meals or walks with others or on my own. I'm currently setting up boundaries – I'm thinking no online time on weekends as well as some evenings. This may still change but that's where I may be heading…
Running challenges – I've signed up for several 10-12km long trail races, one of them includes 600m elevation – I may have got carried away a bit with that one but hey, let's embrace it… somehow …. 😉 Strangely, I started enjoying running during 2018 – miracles do happen my friends! Running longer distances still doesn't come naturally to me (I'm an ex-sprinter, anything longer than 400m is looooong….). It is hard sometimes, especially on those cold and dark mornings. But it makes me happy afterwards – all those endorphins, that sense of achievement, that joy of watching sunrises and smiling at other runners I get to meet on trails… it all totally outweighs the initial discomfort I think.
Fun climbing challenge – my boyfriend and I created a friendly (a total lie he he!) climbing couple competition for 2019. I may even start climbing more often as I'm totally going to win this one. 😉
Over to you now:
- Do you use a theme for the upcoming year?
- Where's your focus going to go this year?
Fancy sharing it with you? As always, I love hearing from you. 💗💗💗


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Wells Fargo Silver Level
National Team Type:Silver National Team - Company Name:Wells FargoCompany URL:https://www.wellsfargo.com
Company Description
Why We Walk: On behalf of the more than 5.4 million American's living with Alzheimer's disease, thank you for rallying around a cause that affects 1 in 3 people in the communities where you work and live. As a Walk to End Alzheimer's® Team, Wells Fargo supports team members in their Walk efforts across the country. The collective efforts of volunteer hours and funds raised will help fight Alzheimer's disease through vital research, advocacy efforts and essential support programs and services in your communities.
Please encourage your colleagues, friends and family to participate in your local Walk to End Alzheimer's!


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Silbione BIOMEDICAL LIQUID SILICONE RUBBERS (LSRs) are two-component platinum-catalyzed silicone elastomers designed for liquid injection molding medical parts, including selected long-term implant (30 days or more) applications.
Available in a full range of hardnesses from 01 to 70 durometer – Shore A, Elkem Silicones' Silbione BIOMEDICAL LSRs offer the distinctive advantages of easy processing and easy release combined with high performance physical properties.
Silbione BIOMEDICAL LSRs are supplied as kit-matched products. Parts A and B components are designed to be mixed in equal parts using standard liquid injection molding processing equipment and techniques. Airless mixing, metering and dispensing equipment are recommended.
Cure is initiated once the two-part A and part B components are mixed and can be accelerated by heating the mixed elastomer. Cure is dependent upon molding temperature and part size.
Special care must be taken to assure clean molds and a clean work area with no organic rubbers used on the same processing equipment.
Caution: Traces of foreign materials can poison the catalyst and inhibit the cure. All metering and mixing equipment should be thoroughly cleaned. Polymer systems, which contain traces of amines, sulfur, nitrogen oxide, organotin compounds and carbon monoxide can interfere with the cure of this product and should be avoided.
Note: Kit matching, accurate measuring and complete mixing are essential factors in obtaining consistent results.


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Discussion in 'Fan Art' started by TeaKirk, Jul 1, 2010.
I know, Chekov fans unite!
Alright just added a DS9 folder and some new Voyager fanart
awesome new art and your Horror Trek ones are very good
espcailly the Silent Hill one
Thanks, those are just some Star Trek horror crossovers I write when I'm bored
*Update* And now I've added another folder for my custom made PSP Wallpapers
alot of those should be remade for PC wallpapers!!
darn now i kinda wish i had a PSP..
oh well my first Gen DS is still good
I have a DS too!, of course I got mine the month before the DS had been released
*Update* Hey look more fanart
http://s336.photobucket.com/albums/n337/lightspeedpurple/Babylon 5/
How did you get yours early??
I'm a fast worker I guess
*Photobucket Update*
Fanfic characters and classic games folder have been removed because I was running out of storage width( and plus some of those banners need to be redone)
And I've moved The Most Haunted, ghost hunters and farscape folder to TV Shows
ahh ok yous a Lucky girl then
*Update* Added one new poster to my Star Trek Amor en la Estrellas(Love amongst the stars) series and just recently redid another one(it's the overcoming challenges ones)
(And don't worry about the different women pics of Jayme on some of the posters, I assure you, their all the same character)
Lovely new posters
Why thank you
*Update* added four new avatars to the Icanhazwodka folder and they are wery wery nice
and I've now made a banner for Wesley Crusher
http://s336.photobucket.com/albums/n337/lightspeedpurple/Star Trek/TNG/
Cool new stuff
Wow! Great Artwork!! Very impressive!
I made some new Teen Titans avatars
And a new Jayme/Chekov banner
http://s336.photobucket.com/albums/...ar Trek Amor en la Estrellas/TOS/JaymeChekov/
And some avatars
http://s336.photobucket.com/albums/...Amor en la Estrellas/TOS/JaymeChekov/Avatars/
The Teen Titan ones were good
and awesome new You + Chekov stuff
Thanks and that girl in Chekov's in the chekov+Jayme fanart, her name is Jayme Kirk She is the little sister of Captain Kirk
ahh ok then
Separate names with a comma.


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This is Down On The Street Bonus Edition, where we check out interesting street-parked cars located in places other than the Island That Rust Forgot. Today has become a British Car DOTS-O-Rama Sunday!
Most of us could go a lifetime and never see a Europa outside of a car show or vintage race, but Plecostomus found a nice one in El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles del Río de Porciúncula, otherwise known as Los Angeles. Here's what he had to say:
I found a DOTS Lotus Europa today. I'd never even SEEN one in person. And it follows the rules— it was parked on the street (Los Alamitos Blvd— why anyone would park a Europa on Los Alamitos BLVD is beyond me... it's like asking for the car to get destroyed)
It was some kind of commemorative edition with badging that said Constructor's Championship and several years (likely referring to F1)


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About The Product
Add some depth and elegance to your art display. Our framed prints ooze modern, minimalist style and allow the art to stay the centre of attention. Each print is mounted on a 2" (approx) faux mat before being framed in a 2" solid wood frame. All our framed prints are printed to order using eco water-soluble ink on 260gsm semi-gloss paper. A hanging wire, dust cover back and shatter-proof plexi-glass are included with every framed print. Choose from 4 sizes and either a black or white frame.
- 260gsm semi-gloss paper
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- Printed using eco water-soluble inks
- Each art print is printed to order
PLEASE NOTE: The dimensions provided are of the print and do not include the size of the border or frame. Keep this in mind when measuring wall spaces to check for fit.


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Improve the bunker procedure of your vessel
Certified solutions for optimized fuel management and reduced costs when loading fuel
Ensuring smart fuel management and delivering maximum transparency when loading bunker fuel are your day-to-day challenges. Since fuel costs can account for up to 60% of the OPEX of your vessel, it is even more important than ever to have more control of the cost-effectiveness of your vessel. That's where we step in, supporting you to overcome these challenges with ground-breaking solutions for the marine industry. Even cutting costs by a fraction translates to substantial cash savings.
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High level of transparency during bunkering thanks to continuous and simultaneous monitoring of process parameters such as: mass flow (bidirectional), bunker fuel quantity, density-pressure-temperature and air index
Fewer bunker disputes, i.e. discrepancies between billed and delivered bunker fuel quantity with clear documentation of irregularities due to excessive tank stripping or the "cappuccino effect" for example
Measurement integrity since all relevant system components are sealed by independent agencies and the system is certified in accordance with MID (MI-005) and recognized for commercial use by the Maritime Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore
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As we all know, much uncertainty can be associated with traditional quantity measurement via tank gauging, for example, due to error-prone volume to mass calculation as well as disregarded air content caused by tank stripping and the "cappuccino effect". Very often, this leads to incorrect billing and unwanted bunker disputes between the supplier and buyer. In response to these challenges our engineers have developed a sophisticated and reliable bunker fuel metering system.
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Visit us at SMM in Hamburg and get in touch with our experts to discuss your individual challenges and the solutions to them. We look forward to meeting you.
9 – 12 September 2014
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Introducing the daft report earlier this year, Gerard O'Neill discussed the possibility that we might become a nation of renters. On the other hand, there is a lot of talk at the moment, particularly from those selling homes such as these guys in Palmerstown, about how it is significantly cheaper to buy than to rent. I thought it would be worth investigating this a little more, because at the end of the day, despite all the crazy economic goings-on of the past three years, people still have to make a decision about where and how to live. Is it cheaper to buy than rent, and if so by how much? How do things look now compared to the boom years and how will things look if house prices and rents continue to fall?
To do this, I had a look at average prices and rents for three-bedroom properties around the country from the start of 2006 on. I wanted to calculate the annual premium for owning your accommodation as opposed to just renting it, bearing in mind mortgage interest relief, prevailing interest rates and changing property values and rents. After all, economic theory would suggest that if you get to own the asset at the end of thirty years of living there, you should pay more than if you don't.
The graph below shows the difference between renting and buying in annual terms for four regions – south County Dublin, Limerick, Dublin's commuter counties and Connacht/Ulster outside of Galway. It's calculated for a first-time buyer couple, with mortgage interest relief based on the first year of repayments. I've taken ECB+1% as the benchmark interest rate – something which of course may only hold for the first year.
Even with property prices the way they were, it was cheaper to buy your house in 2006 than it was to rent it in everywhere around the country except South County Dublin. Generally, first-time buyers in Dublin could expect to save at least €2,000 over the course of their first year, while elsewhere they could expect to save about €1,000. Only in South County Dublin were first-time buyers actually paying any premium on ownership – in the order of €4,000 over the year for their three-bedroom home.
Sometimes I look back at 2005 and 2006 and wonder what we were all up to. Given those maths, it's a bit easier to understand again. Of course, things didn't stay that way. ECB rates started increasing and by mid-2007, potential first-time buyers were faced with the prospect of a premium on ownership in order of €1,000 over the first year – this at a time of uncertainty over capital values. In South County Dublin, the premium on home ownership for the first year was almost €10,000. It should be noted that in a couple of areas, South Dublin city (i.e. all areas with even postcodes), West Dublin and Limerick, it was cheaper to buy than rent – even when interest rates were at their highest. These areas have repeatedly exhibited the highest yields on residential property (about 4% over the past couple of years – high is relative).
Since late 2008, though, as lower interest rates have kicked in, there has been a dramatic swing in the maths back in favour of home-ownership. In late 2008, if you paid the asking price and got ECB+1% for your mortgage, you could expect to save €1,000 in most parts of the country – and more than €3,000 in Limerick or West Dublin. What's worth noting is that this is at a time of rapidly falling rents as well as house prices. Looking at Q1 figures, that trend is growing with first-time buyers able to save in the region of €3,000 in their first year of ownership. Even in South County Dublin, a household will save money if they buy rather than rent.
How will these figures look in a year's time? I've put in figures marked 2009 Q2 and Q3 to give an indication of how the buy-or-rent decision might look. I've assumed another 20% fall in house prices – that's about a 40% fall from peak to trough. (If that sounds drastic, probably best not to read David McWilliams' latest comparison of Ireland and Japan.) For rents, I've gone for 33% peak-to-trough fall (again, there are those who argue it could be more). In that scenario, buyers would continue be better off than renters in every part of the country. First-time buyers of three-bedroom properties would expect to save anywhere between €1,800 (West Leinster) and €7,000 (Dublin city centre).
To some extent, this is being driven by mortgage interest relief, which is greatest in Year 1. However, Q1 figures indicate that even if there were no mortgage interest relief, there are areas of the country where it is cheaper to buy than rent. And if house prices fall 40% from peak to trough, and rents fall 33%, it will be cheaper to buy than rent, even with no mortgage interest relief, in all areas of the country apart from South County Dublin.
What about the downside? If there are indeed significant swathes of vacant properties around the country that will continue to put pressure on rents for the next 3-5 years, could both rents and house prices halve from their peak values? If that were the case – meaning the typical three-bedroom home in south Dublin city would cost about €900 a month to rent or cost about €275,000 – the maths in favour of buying still look convincing in Dublin but elsewhere it's a much tougher call. Without mortgage interest relief, homeowners would have to pay around €1,000 a year over what they'd pay to rent.
The tax system as it currently stands certainly strongly favours home ownership. If the government decides that the balance of emphasis when correcting its fiscal black hole should be on raising taxes rather than cutting expenditure, it may abolish mortgage interest relief and bring in a universal residential property tax. This could significantly alter the maths of buying versus renting and bring about the 'nation of renters'. As it stands, though, even if rents were to halve over the coming year, the premium people pay to actually own their home appears too small for that to happen.
Filed under: 3 Property Market | Tagged: buy or rent, irish economy, irish property market, property, property market, recession, rental market, rents | 16 Comments »


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Super storm Qld: 22,000 lightning strikes in three hours
10.40PM UPDATE: Energex has reported 22,000 lightning strikes in south-east Queensland since 10pm with 42,000 homes and business losing power.
A short time ago, there were 29,500 properties without power as a severe storm hit Brisbane, Ipswich, the Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley.
But at 10.35pm, the Bureau cancelled its severe weather warning.
"Severe thunderstorms are no longer affecting the Southeast Queensland area (east of Dalby from Rainbow Beach to Stanthorpe).
"The immediate threat of severe thunderstorms has passed, but the situation will continue to be monitored and further warnings will be issued if necessary.
"Moderate rainfall is still expected over the Brisbane area for the next few hours.
"44mm of rainfall was observed at Toombul in the hour to 10:30pm.''
Earlier the bureau issued a warning for people in the Brisbane, Logan, Moreton Bay, Redland, North Stradbroke Island and parts of the Gold Coast City, Ipswich, Sunshine Coast, Scenic Rim, and Somerset council Areas.
"The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 9:30 pm, very dangerous thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near Ipswich and Enoggera Reservoir.
"These thunderstorms are moving towards the southeast.
"Very dangerous thunderstorms are forecast to affect Brisbane CBD, Logan City and Camp Hill by 10:00 pm and Beenleigh, Victoria Point and Tingalpa Reservoir by 10:30 pm.
"Other severe thunderstorms were located near Strathpine and Mount Mee.
"They are forecast to affect Redcliffe, Caboolture and Wamuran by 10:00 pm and Cleveland, northern Moreton Bay and Deception Bay waters by 10:30 pm.
"Destructive winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding are likely."
"63mm of rainfall has been recorded at Lake Manchester in the 1 hour to 9:30pm.''
65mm of rain dumped in an hour in some parts
VERY dangerous thunderstorms are moving across south-east Queensland tonight, dumping more than 65mm of rain in an hour in some parts and bringing destructive winds and hail.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a warning for the Cherbourg Shire and parts of the Brisbane City, Gympie, Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast, Somerset, and South Burnett shires.
At 8.14pm on Saturday night, the storms were south of Esk, southern Lake Wivenhoe and northern Lake Wivenhoe.
"These thunderstorms are moving towards the northeast. Very dangerous thunderstorms are forecast to affect the D'Aguilar Ranges, Dayboro and Mount Mee by 9:15 pm.
"Other severe thunderstorms were located near Nanango and the area north of Nanango.
"They are forecast to affect the area northeast of Kingaroy, Elgin Vale, Wondai, Murgon, Cherbourg and Proston by 8:45 pm and the ranges between Gympie and Murgon, Jimna, Borumba Dam and Goomeri by 9:15 pm.''
"Destructive winds, heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and large hailstones are likely.
At 8.30pm, thunder could be heard across the Sunshine Coast.
"65mm of rainfall has been recorded at Buaraba in the 1 hour to 8:15pm.
"51mm of rainfall has been recorded at Atkinson Dam in the 1 hour to 8:15pm.
More than 50mm of rain was recorded at Helidon in the hour to 7.40pm.
"41mm of rainfall has been recorded at Preseverence in the 1 hour to 7:40pm.''
Earlier, "8-10cm hail was reported to the north of Pittsworth from the huge thunderstorm.
Check out the latest BOM radar images here
Latest warning updates are being provided on the BOM site.
The warning comes after south-east Queensland was pummelled by a severe thunderstorm earlier today, which caused flash flooding, uprooted trees and left a trail of damage mostly in Brisbane.
Brisbane was bucketed by 10mm of rain in only 10 minutes and buffeted by winds gusting up to 70km/h, according to Weatherzone.
The mercury plunged seven degrees in 10 minutes and there were more than 4000 lightning strikes with 80km of Brisbane in less than two hours.
About 11,000 homes lost power and there were ''major delays'' on all train lines as a result of power outages, with more than 100 fallen power lines reported across southeast Queensland.
At Ipswich, more than 2500 customers were left without power initially.
Energex was conducting emergency repairs in Flinders View, Raceview and Ripley.
The outages in Ipswich and Karalee are under investigation, with updates due at 8.30pm and 8pm respectively.
Energex reported the number of Somerest region customers affected by outages has been reduced from 1271 to 131, with emergency repairs underway.
Earlier, police were directing traffic at two intersections in the Ipswich CBD after power outages affected traffic lights.
The East and Limestone Sts intersection was affected, as was the Limestone and Ellenborough Sts intersection.
Emergency Management Queensland advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure loose outdoor items.
* Avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters.
* Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
* Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.
* Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.
* For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.
Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 219.


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Liver shiver: Drug study's side effects scary
One of the lesser-known benefits of living near the UVA medical center is the chance to enroll in research studies: If you're willing to take some risks, you may get access to a new and more effective drug, medical device, or surgical technique before it's available to the general public.
That was Linda Borgo's understanding when she enrolled in a study of a new drug called duloxetine in May 2002.
Borgo signed a consent form that, over the course of 11 single-spaced pages, detailed all aspects of the study, including potential risks and the fact that it was a "double-blind" study. That means that neither Borgo nor the research team (UVA physician William Steers and the study coordinator, Gloria Carter) knew which subjects would get duloxetine and which a placebo. Only the drug's manufacturer, Eli Lilly & Company, would have access to that information.
The only side effect Borgo experienced during the first seven months was loss of appetite, which the consent form described as "very common." While this was worrisome, it wasn't dire. Right before Christmas, however, Borgo says things took a more serious turn.
A day or two before leaving for Florida, where she planned to spend the holiday with her children, Borgo had blood drawn as part of a scheduled study appointment. By Christmas Day, she claims, she was "sleeping 20 minutes of every hour." She returned to Charlottesville on December 26. "Luckily," she says, her children were driving– "because by that time I could barely stay awake."
When she got home, she found a voice-mail message from Carter. Both sides agree that Carter stated that Borgo's liver was not functioning, and that she was to stop taking the study pills immediately. She had also been withdrawn from the study.
This is where accounts diverge. Carter claims her message only instructed Borgo to stop taking the pills and notify her own doctor, as that person was prescribing another drug for Borgo and needed to be apprised of the situation. Borgo insists that because the study office was closed for the holidays, she was told not only to notify her doctor, but to ask the doctor to perform a specific test as well
Possible liver damage is listed as a risk on the consent form, with the statement that the damage had usually been reversed "after patients stopped taking duloxetine," and "no permanent liver injury has been seen."
My communications with Carter were conducted through Peter Jump, director of public relations for the UVA Health System, which made it hard to determine what really happened. In any case, Borgo saw her own doctor exclusively from then on, and her liver function eventually returned to normal.
Although Carter claims she tried repeatedly to get Borgo to return for evaluation, Borgo denies this and says she would have preferred to be treated at UVA, but assumed– perhaps, she now concedes, wrongly– that she was being told to pursue the situation only with her own doctor.
When she was confident that everything was back to normal, Borgo sent copies of bills for her out-of-pocket expenses, which totaled $132.51, to Carter for reimbursement. To her surprise, Carter stated that she would not be reimbursed– although neither side can say what reason was given.
Here's the good news: UVA has now decided to reimburse Borgo. And I've discovered something in the consent form that might have saved her a lot of frustration: "If you have any questions regarding research participants' rights, please contact Dr. David A. Peura."
Peura is director of the Human Investigation Committee, which oversees all research on humans in the health system, and the consent form provides two phone numbers for him. Consent forms may be wordy, but they're definitely worth perusing.
Do you have a consumer problem or question? Email the Fearless Consumer, write her at 100 Second Street NW, 22902, or call 295-8700 ext. 406.


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Posted 8 years ago
(4005 items)
i think that this scary poster is kind of old - 50s? 60s? not sure... anyone else have a guess? i got it along w/ some other old halloween stuff at a yard sale a long time ago. i'll try to dig the other stuff out too. there's a little brass jack-o-lantern from the 1920s in there too.


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Black Diamond stands with key members of the climbing and backcountry skiing communities to foster the places and people we hold dear. While we humbly acknowledge there is much more to do, we strive in all of our endeavors to ensure that our communities, environment and business continue to thrive for years to come.
We are honored to partner with three North American avalanche centers to provide funding and digital expertise in the development of their mobile avalanche forecast apps. Black Diamond is the title sponsor of the mobile apps for the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) and the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC), and a co-sponsor with backcountry.com for the Utah Avalanche Center (UAC) app. Download any of the apps at the links below:
Pacific Northwest
Colorado Avalanche Information Center
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) is the go-to resource for current snow and avalanche conditions in the State of Colorado. The program is a partnership between the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Department of Transportation (CDOT), and the Friends of the CAIC (FoCAIC) a 501c3 group. The mission of the CAIC is to provide avalanche information, education and promote research for the protection of life, property and the enhancement of the state's economy.
Mobile friendly avalanche forecasts for 10 zones across Colorado
Access the avalanche forecast summary, current avalanche problems, and the avalanche discussion for each zone
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Northwest Avalanche Center
The Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC) is a collaborative effort between the US Forest Service Northwest Avalanche Center and the non-profit Northwest Avalanche Center. The mission of NWAC is to save lives and reduce the impacts of avalanches on recreation, industry and transportation in the Cascade and Olympic Mountains of Washington and northern Oregon through mountain weather and avalanche forecasting, data collection and education.
Mobile friendly avalanche forecasts for multiple zones across the Pacific Northwest
Access the avalanche forecast summary, current avalanche problems, and the avalanche discussion for each zone
Submit an observation to the NWAC database right from your phone
Utah Avalanche Center
From the time you roll out of bed until the time you hit the driveway, this app makes it easier to figure out where the best snow is, what avalanche, weather, and road conditions to expect, and which slopes will have the best and safest conditions. This app consolidates the avalanche, weather, road, and slope information you need for critical decision-making, including:
Daily avalanche advisories for 7 regions around the state from the Utah Avalanche Center
Daily field observations from a small army of volunteer observers as well as the UAC staff
Road conditions including avalanche closures, road travel restrictions, and canyon road webcams
Mountain weather information including current conditions, forecasts, satellite loops, radar, and mountain weather cams
Emergency contacts and your GPS location for a fast rescue response
A slope evaluation tool using your camera, containing your GPS location, steepness, aspect, elevation, time, and date
Ability to photograph a slope watermarked with GPS location, steepness, aspect, elevation, time, and date and share that photo
An email form to share your observations with the Utah Avalanche Center
Mountain Hub was born from a desire to create the world's first global, real-time network for outdoor enthusiasts. Discover a wealth of relevant information within the Mountain Hub mobile app to help you better plan outdoor adventures with safety and current conditions in mind. With a Mountain Hub PRO subscription at your fingertips, take advantage of powerful terrain visualization tools, maps, and observations from like-minded outdoor professionals across the globe. The community-submitted observations and tools accessible through the Mountain Hub app provide professionals with a better grasp on current conditions, risks, and route planning.
Join a like-minded community of outdoor professionals eager to share a wealth of local knowledge
Upload or access real-time observations in the field on your mobile device
Use or download global and regional map base layers including ArcGIS, USGS, CalTopo, Cal Matrix, and maps from Austria, Norway, Japan, New Zealand and more directly from your mobile phone
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|Run you fools!
Tiny t-rex – I don't know why… wouldn't 'you' like a Tiny T-Rex? You're a hunter and have the TCG Savage Raptor mount and your T-rex pet, now you just need a tiny T-Rex pet.
Wriggling bag – every now and then some 'thing' escapes and crawls to join the fray
Hairless cat – comes with definite Mr Bigglesworth overtones
Helper monkey – an archaeology pet, has wings ala Wicked Witch of the West monkey army and a little cap - only... it's NOT helping!
Piranha – it runs on stubby little legs and when within 10 yards of a water body dives in and a red mist rises in the water ala Borean Tundra cooking quest.
Balloon animal – 5 different types of balloon animal, can try for a different type every 10 minutes, animation has character making little squealing rubber sounds and crafting animation.
: )


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Your electronic engineering experts
Caiaq is a team of experienced hardware and software developers, based in Berlin.
A network of freelancers support us with specialized know-how.
From the idea to production
We will see your project through all possible stages of development:
- Consulting early in the conception and specification phase
- Circuit design (schematics), Bill of Material
- Close collaboration with external product designers and mechanical designers
- PCB layout
- Firmware development (microcontrollers, FPGAs)
- Prototyping
- Compliance test supervision
- Preparing and supervising pilot-runs
Boost your productivity
Caiaq supports your hardware development department, adds special know-how to your products, and steps in whenever there is a bottleneck in engineering.
We develop computer hardware, consumer electronics and other devices for our clients. To date, serveral high-quality USB 2.0 audio interfaces, music production controllers and a WLAN based Multiroom Audio System have been delivered.
Please find a selection of our work results on our reference page.
Get in contact
We look forward to hearing from you and about your project.
Please contact us!


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Expand Your Mind
The giclee fine art is printed on canvas and coated with a silken finish, with Epson Ultra Chrome K3 pigmented inks which offer rich, vibrant color on an ultra smooth surface for enhanced durability and light fastness and color stability that is rated to resist fading for over 100 years. Due to the various sizes of the original art, some images will vary in sizing. Free shipping within 7 – 10 days to US addresses, for international shipping see the artist.
Additional Information
For the Product, Shipping, Return and Refund Policy, please see the Shipping/Returns Page.


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Looking for accommodation in Red Hill? King Louie's Cubby is the ideal base for exploring the nearby beaches, wineries, breweries and walking trails.
Surrounded by over 6 acres of land, this idyllic little cottage boasts beautiful views, two double bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and a cosy woodstove fire.
Cook up a feast on the barbecue, help yourself to some fresh herbs from the garden or relax on the decking. There's even a rustic dining table so you can enjoy family meals in front of the fire.
Fluffy white towels, soft bedlinen and fresh flowers on arrival make this self-contained cottage an absolute winner.
Nearby activities
There are countless wineries in Red Hill – the nearest being Paringa Estate, Montalto Vineyard and Tucks Ridge. The famous Red Hill brewery, a convenient lunch stop that prides itself on delicious pub grub, is also a must for beer lovers.
A little further afield lies T'Gallant, Port Phillip Estate (highly recommended) and Mantons Creek. Our advice? Spend a day cycling around the local wineries. Yes, it's hard work. Yes, you'll get soaked if it rains. But if the sun's shining, it will be the highlight of your trip!
Prices vary from $200 – $277 per night. Make a booking or see more pictures of King Louie Cubby.
Looking for more things to do in Mornington Peninsula? Visit the Peninsula Hot Springs for a spa-like experience you'll never forget.


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There's a lot of risk involved in passing off a fake or a forgery. If you're found out, your reputation can be irreparably damaged, or you could face prison. But people engage in the enterprise nonetheless, for artistic acceptance, ego gratification or for pure profit.
The terms "fake" and "forgery" are sometimes thought to mean the same thing, but there's a difference. A fake is an existing object that's been tampered with to create the illusion of greater value, and a forgery is an object fabricated in a familiar style to give the illusion of authenticity. But if you've paid a lot of money for something that's not what you thought it was, what's the difference?
The expert is the one thing standing between the fabricator and the victim. Experts will look at an intended purchase and verify its authenticity, thereby preventing a buyer from getting fleeced. But even experts get fooled, and when that happens, credibility earned through decades of hard work can be lost forever.
What follows is CNBC.com's list of 10 fakes and forgeries that fooled the experts. Read ahead and see what they are.
By Daniel Bukszpan
Posted 8 March 2012


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Saturday, May 30, 2009
More Pictures from Gulf Shores
Posted by The Cowart Family at 7:13 PM 1 comments
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Family Beach Pictures from Gulf Shores
Posted by The Cowart Family at 2:13 PM 2 comments
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Our First Big Booboo
Last Friday afternoon we were all out side on our front porch. Micah Claire decided she wanted out in the grass, so down the stairs she went. I guess she got in too big of hurry on her way down and some how she fell into the brick side wall of the steps. When I saw the amount of blood coming from her mouth I began to panic. I really thought she had knocked a tooth out. But luckily she just scratched her face up and got a cut on the inside of her upper lip. Thankfully all the cuts and scratches are almost gone. Just in the nick of time too; we are leaving for Gulf Shores tomorrow and were having family pictures taken on beach later this weekend! My poor baby! On Sunday night I was making mashed potatoes and she was fascinated by the beaters. I decided to let her lick them when I got threw. It took her a minute to figure out what to do, but then she loved it. She liked both beaters stark clean and then kept say MORE MOMMY!
Posted by The Cowart Family at 8:18 PM 0 comments
Loving some Golf
Posted by The Cowart Family at 8:10 PM 0 comments
Friday, May 8, 2009
Potty Training
I have been asking Micah Claire for the last 3 months if she was ready to wear big girl panties and tee tee on the big girl potty. She also gave me a firm NO as an answer. But last Saturday she finally said YES!!!! So while at Wal-Mart we grabbed some Tinkerbell & My Little Pony panties. I know this is probably going to be a process/transition over the next few months; but it's still VERY exciting. She gets so excited when she goes, she screams for everybody in the house to come watch her. And she's more than willing to tell ya if she went tee tee or poop, too cute!
When on the potty we make sure we have plenty of fluids, books, and stickers to keep M.C. entertained. Who knew potty training would require soooo much!
Posted by The Cowart Family at 8:29 AM 2 comments
Independence Equals BIG Mess
I love the fact that my child is growing up and becoming more and more independent...... Well most days I enjoy it. However there are some days where it really wears on my nerves. Micah Claire loves to get into my pantry and play. Well I guess it just finally dawned on her that she is now big enough to help herself to just about whatever she wants in the pantry. Too bad she didn't realize that when she pull out the FULL bag of Chex Mix that she grabbed the wrong end, URRRRRRRRRRR. And of course she did this on the maids day off... JK we don't have maid... just me!
Posted by The Cowart Family at 8:23 AM 0 comments


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Reiki - Hampton
Hampton-on-Sea was a drowned and abandoned village in what is now the Hampton area of Herne Bay, Kent. It grew from a tiny fishing hamlet in 1864 at the hands of an oyster fishery company, was developed from 1879 by land agents, abandoned in 1916 and finally drowned due to coastal erosion by 1921. Wikipedia
Rachael Edgley Vibrational Therapies
Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 0RJ
Hello, I am a fully qualified Angelic Reiki Master Teacher/Practitioner and have been a facilitator of healing since 2004. I also hold a Level 3 [...]Distance: 21.66 miles.
Tracy Fance Reiki Master, Practitioner & Teacher
Herne Bay, Kent, CT6 8DG
01227 749759
If you are new to healing or have already been attuned to Reiki but need to refresh your knowledge then my courses are perfect [...]Distance: 0.02 miles.
Wisteria Lodge Holistic Therapies
Herne Bay, Kent, Ct68tn
07519 922247
Wisteria Lodge is tucked away in a private setting just minutes from Herne Bay town centre. Here you can relax and enjoy Holistic [...]Distance: 0.77 miles.
Reiki Living
Herne Bay, Kent
07712 569 418
My name is Ron, I practice exclusively with Reiki covering Herne Bay, Whitstable and the surrounding areas. I am a fully [...]Distance: 1.16 miles.
Guiding Angels
Herne Bay, Kent, CT6 5JY
0792 5214754
A team of professional, genuine gifted tarot readers, psychics, mediums, clairvoyants, palmists, Reiki healers, astrologers, dream anyalists - providing readings, workshops and [...]Distance: 1.21 miles.
Reiki With Michelle
Canterbury, Kent, CT6 6JJ
Hello and welcome to Reiki With Michelle. I am a Reiki therapist trained in both lineages of the Usui system of Reiki. The Usui [...]Distance: 1.92 miles.
Vicky McLelland – Reiki, Stress Management and Health and Wellbeing Coaching
Whitstable, Kent
Reiki, Relaxation, Stress Management and Health Health and Wellbeing covering Whitstable and the surrounding area. Qualified Reiki Master teacher, Stress Management Consultant and Health [...]Distance: 3.38 miles.
Angels, Healing and Channelling
Whitstable, Kent
Workshops in Whitstable, Kent and London Soul Channelling Angels, Masters, Divine Love and Wisdom DNA, New Earth, Ascension Activations Energy Healing Author of four spiritual books Over 33 years [...]Distance: 3.38 miles.
The Lighted Way – Reiki Teacher/Healer & Life Coach
Canterbury, Kent, CT1 3SP
I use an eclectic mix of my own considerable life experience and training which has included working as an RMN; Training as a psychodynamic [...]Distance: 6.34 miles.
Warden, Powys, me12 4sd
Bringing healings and happiness to the challenges that face you. Empowering you to grow and develop the strategies needed to promote your development and [...]Distance: 8.86 miles.
Divine spark healing centre
Sheerness, Kent, ME12 4AL
Hi. My name is Mandy Lafferty. I live on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent. I offer Usui Reiki treatments either at home in [...]Distance: 8.86 miles.
Evolve Wellness – Reiki and Inidan Head Massage
Birchington, Kent
Qualified Reiki and Indian Head practitioner.Distance: 8.87 miles.
Alison Le Mar (MFHT, CNHC, BWY)
Faversham, Kent, ME13 8NX
Hello and thank for visiting my page. I am both a Usui Reiki master practitioner and an Angelic Reiki master. I practice too Rahanni Celestial [...]Distance: 9.83 miles.
Isla Armstrong – Reiki, Yoga and Wellness
Maidstone, Kent
I am a fully qualified Reiki Master and Teacher with 8 years' experience working with a variety of clients. I am passionate about alternative [...]Distance: 9.89 miles.
Tranquillity Therapies
Faversham, Kent
07957 138676
Tranquillity Therapies, the place for Wellbeing solutions. A clinic is held in the Reflexologist's dedicated home-based therapy room in Norton, between Sittingbourne & Faversham, [...]Distance: 10.32 miles.
The Reiki Room UK
Canterbury, Kent, CT4 8JH
Reiki therapy consists of gentle use of the universal Ki or energy which is chanelled into the recipient using light hand contact in a [...]Distance: 11.27 miles.
Kent Beauty and Massage
Sandwich, Kent, CT13 9FF
Lorraine is a fully qualified beauty, massage and holistic therapist with over 20 years professional experience and is considered an expert in her field. Operating [...]Distance: 11.95 miles.
CBT, Reiki Training, Holistic Treats & Treatments
Margate, Kent, CT9 1DD
Effects & Benefits of Reiki Users of Reiki report that they experience relaxation, and a calm, peaceful sense of well-being on all levels. As illness [...]Distance: 12.18 miles.
Lesley Spicer Reiki Master
Sandwich, Kent
reiki master.Distance: 12.21 miles.
Reach for Reiki
Sandwich, Kent
My name is Joanne and I am a fully qualified and insured Reiki Practitioner. I can provide Reiki treatments in Sandwich and surrounding areas. [...]Distance: 12.28 miles.
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Caliber #1
Written by: Sam Sarkar
Illustrated by: Imaginary Friends Studios
Coloring by: Imaginary Friends Studios featuring Alexander Alexandrov & Svetlin Velinov
Lettering by: Annie Parkhouse
In the far reaches of the Pacific Northwest lies a world where lawlessness runs rampant. Only a mystical six-shooter called Caliber, forged from the metal of the legendary sword Excalibur, can restore peace to the region. With this legendary weapon in hand and his loyal posse at his side, Arthur must fulfill his destiny and bring law back to his homeland before it is lost to the injustices of the ruthless men who inhabit it.
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Black deckchair with outdoor canvas
- Light, versatile and fun
- Easy to store
- Five year fade and mildew guarantee
- Lots of colours available
- Matching stool/side-table available
- For orders of 2 or more, please contact us to secure your 10% volume discount and reduced shipping costs
We call these folding deckchairs TRANSAT chair (short for Transatlantic) to honour its cruise ship roots, although they are also great for use in gardens, beaches, balconies and all sort of casual living spaces, like a kid's room.
Made of beech hardwood, our Transat chairs are light and easy to move around and convenient to store. The canvas is mounted on 2 dowels which makes it easy to flip or replace when desired; replacement canvas is available through maison-basque if looking for a new look for your existing frame.
Our weaver Artiga designs our OUTDOOR fabric and specifies the top grade quality of Sunbrella France for optimal outdoor use with an unusually soft touch (similar to the one of a natural fibre). Five year fade and mildew resistant guarantee.
Here's a selection of our most popular fabrics for this frame colour. We also have many other colour patterns available which can be found under yardage. Please contact us to order a specific fabric and frame combination not showing here.
Our deckchairs are also available in thick cotton fabric at a lower price point and softer comfort but without the anti fading guarantee.
Dimensions (open): 96 x 56 x 95cm
Weight: 4.2kg
Maximum load: 160kg


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Pakistan has stopped US drone flights from a remote airbase in the western province of Balochistan and ordered US personnel to vacate it, the defence minister has said.
"We have told them to leave the Shamsi airbase," Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar said on Wednesday night, adding that US personnel had already started to shift equipment from the base.
A US embassy spokesman declined to comment, referring queries to Washington.
Shamsi is located in a remote valley 350 miles south-west of Waziristan, where most of the CIA-directed Predator and Reaper drone strikes against al-Qaida and Taliban targets take place.
The closure of the base is a blow to a covert programme that has killed up to 2,500 people since its inception seven years ago and forms a cornerstone of President Barack Obama's strategy to flush al-Qaida from its Pakistani havens.
The US insists it will press ahead with the strikes. In unusually direct comments, Obama's counter-terrorism adviser John Brennan said on Wednesday that the US would continue to "deliver precise and overwhelming force against al-Qaida" in the tribal areas.
The attacks are likely to continue from CIA bases in Afghanistan – the latest took place on June 20 in Kurram tribal agency. A senior Pakistani military official said the US had not used Shamsi for "several months" and was already flying drones across the border.
Senior civilian officials said they closed Shamsi in retaliation for an American reduction of coalition support funds, a multibillion-dollar subsidy for Pakistani military operations. The defence minister said US forces had already vacated Ghazi airbase, 40 miles north-west of Islamabad.
A US official in Pakistan accused the government of engaging in "diplomacy by headline" but refused to comment further.
The spat marks another low point in Pakistan-US relations after the raid to kill Osama bin Laden on 2 May and the furore over a CIA agent, Raymond Davis, who shot dead two men in Lahore in January.
Pakistan's military and the ISI intelligence service have sought to restrict CIA activities by seeking lists of spies, closing intelligence cooperation centres, and restricting visas for US personnel.
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The US, meanwhile, is trying to repair the relationship, recognising Pakistan's importance in fighting al-Qaida and, perhaps, reaching a peace settlement in Afghanistan.
Although at least 120 military trainers have been ordered to leave the country, the US recently agreed to replace two Orion surveillance planes that were destroyed in a militant assault on a Karachi naval base in May.
The CIA use of Shamsi is controversial in Pakistan, where drone strikes are extremely unpopular. A recent Pew poll found 97% of respondents viewed them negatively.
Shamsi was built by Arab Sheikhs from the United Arab Emirates to facilitate hunting falcon trips for the houbara bustard, a rare bird some Arabs believe has aphrodisiac properties. The CIA presence was detected in 2004, when the first drone strikes occurred. Google Earth images showed Predator drones parked on the runway.
Since then CIA contractors have been stationed at Shamsi, fuelling and arming Predator and the newer Reaper drones. Operators at the base control the pilotless planes during takeoff but control quickly passes to a "reachback operator"sitting at a video screen thousands of miles away at the CIA headquarters in Langley Virginia.
The drones use different warheads, from Hellfire missiles that travel at supersonic speeds to laser-guided Stingers and other missiles using thermobaric warheads that create percussion waves which can penetrate deep bunkers and caves.
According to the New America Foundation, which tracks drone strikes, there have been 253 since 2004, with 42 so far this year. Various press reports put the death toll from the strikes at between 1,557 and 2,464.
The varying figures highlight the difficulty of obtaining accurate information from the tribal belt, which is out of bounds to foreigners and most local reporters, and where Taliban fighters take control of drone attack sites immediately after the strikes occur.
The most contentious issue is civilian casualties. The New American foundation, based on press reporters, estimates non-militant deaths at 20% of the total, although in 2010 this fell to 5%.
Pakistan's military has previously tried to distance itself from Shamsi by claiming that the airbase was the territory of the United Arab Emirates. However base security and other logistics have been provided by Pakistani forces.


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When people find out I'm an atheist, the question often comes up about what I do during the Christmas holidays. There is an assumption that atheists don't 'do Christmas,' so they are surprised when I say how much I love it.
Most atheists grew up in religious households, and most of us grew up with celebrating religious holidays. We have childhood memories of Christmas or Hanukkah, family meals, holiday cheer and the quirkiness of our relatives. While we might make noise when religion attempts to break through the wall of the separation of church and state, we are not in the habit of kicking Santa in the shins, tearing down creches, or, like the Grinch, stealing the Christmas stockings from the mantle. I admit I have known atheists who grow quite surly and Scrooge-like at any suggestion of Christmas merriment. But historically most of that sort of opposition to Christmas and its symbols has come not from atheists at all, but from rival religions. Most of the the atheists I know revel in the season as a way of celebrating family and friends, which really is the modern meaning of Christmas.
Some Christians have accused me of being hypocritical for celebrating a Christian holiday. However – and perhaps this is from my background in anthropology – celebrations are a natural part of human culture, and Christians simply appropriated local celebrations to suit their own peculiar beliefs. Christmas is only 'Christian' because ancient winter pagan celebrations were incorporated by the Church.
The Christmas tree, which became a part of English and American tradition through German influence is a recent tradition. The English took on the German tradition of the Christmas Tree during the Victorian era under the influence of Prince Albert. Americans, on the other hand, were likely influenced by the Prussians during the American Revolution as well as the many German immigrants who came to the fledgling nation. But evergreens have been part of human celebrations at least as far back as the Egyptians as a symbol of the triumph of life over death. In pre-Christian Britain, the druids placed evergreens outside their door to symbolize the coming of spring. Christians adopted the symbolism so readily that they use palm leaves to celebrate the 'triumph' of Christ's rise from the tomb at Easter, and then use those same palms as ashes to mark the cross on the forehead of Catholics throughout the world to signify the beginning of Lent the following year.
Feasts have been part of human culture since long before we worshipped a monotheistic god. It is a deep-seated part of our social nature, and humans are arguably the most social animals on the planet. Eating together, breaking bread whilst telling stories about ancestors, about hunting, battles, and travels, were part of everyday life for successful tribes throughout human history.
Music too has its role in the universal human experience: singing, drumming, and dancing were part of the celebration – whatever particular gods or goddesses the people worshipped. Long dark winter nights would have lost their gloom with the warmth of a fire and voices raised in song. Worship has nothing to do with our love of music; it is in our genetic heritage – it is an intimate part of our social mind that induces bonding and fellowship.
Celebration is not owned by any one culture and especially not by any one religion. It is part of our humanity.
I was raised in a mainly Christian culture, and my traditions are influenced by a peculiar blend of American, Scottish and German heritage. Some traditions sprang up out of the circumstances of living in Los Angeles – we always had grilled hamburgers on Christmas Eve because it was warm enough and my mother wanted the kitchen to herself to prepare the Christmas feast. Now that my family live in Idaho they still maintain the same tradition, with my father often grilling as the snow falls, a long way from the 80 degree December days of my Southern California childhood. I do wonder if my young niece will carry on the tradition of Christmas Eve burgers (with green chilies) with her family – and what will she say when her children ask how the tradition came about.
Families and friends are what create the celebration of the season, and especially in the US where we come from every corner of the world, where cultures freely mix, and traditions ebb and flow. We can see how celebration is truly a human phenomenon, independent of religion. I feel no sense of hypocrisy because I enjoy the many threads of my familial past. Nor do I shy aware from singing the familiar and much loved Christmas songs that I sang for years in choir or at home. Silent Night still can bring a tear to my eye because it recalls memories of childhood. And my sister, niece and I will suddenly start singing 'I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas' to set sail in a sea of laughter. Why should religious indignation take that from me? Celebration, despite their protests, does not belong solely to the pious.
Christmas is also a time to remember family and friends who are no longer with us. They stay with us in loving memory, and we celebrate how much richer our lives are because they were a part of us, shaping us, and making us better for knowing them. And so we hand down stories to our children of grandparents, aunts, uncles and others who they shall never know, but ought to know about. Such stories were told by our ancestors as far back as language has existed. Embellished with each new story teller – and after all only the best stories survived, so they had to be wonderfully repeatable tales. Thus legends of celebrations grew, of myths and magic, and of wonder. And yes, this too is a part of our cultural heritage for which we should be thankful.
Like many of my Christian friends, I am not overly fond of the commercialization of Christmas. I bristle at seeing decorations any time before Thanksgiving and this year I've been particularly annoyed with a car advert that has hijacked one of my favorite secular holiday songs. However, I let all that fall away and think about being with my family and spending time laughing, telling stories, and watching the joy of Christmas shine through the eyes of my niece Quincie.
Christmas belongs to anyone who wants it, and just because I gave up believing in a god doesn't mean I gave up believing in the love and joy of family. I did not give up the joy of celebration with my abandonment of the absurd. So to my religious and non-religious friends, I wish them all a Merry Christmas or a Happy Hanukkah from the heart and I hope they take it with the true spirit with which I give it – that of the spirt of humanity – something we can all celebrate.
Note: this was originally posted in the Washington Post in Dec 2011
Written By: R. Elisabeth Cornwellcontinue to source article at