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CES 2014: 5 trends geeks are talking about at gadget show, other news bits
LAS VEGAS - Consumer Electronics Association chief economist Shawn DuBravac said Sunday that 20,000 products will be introduced at this year's International CES, a gadget-fest restricted to industry reps and media nerds.
If you don't fit into either category, or couldn't make it to the nation's gambling mecca this year, here's a rundown of the technology trends that will grab headlines during the show and beyond. The conference officially kicks off Tuesday, though media events started Sunday with DuBravac's presentation on the state of the consumer electronics industry.
5.Connected home – In 2017, more than 11 million U.S. broadband households will have a smart home controller, up from 2 million in 2013, according to research firm Parks Associates. AT&T and Comcast launched home automation offerings in Denver and across the country in recent years, allowing homeowners to control thermostats, doors, security systems and other products via tablets and smartphones.
Two years ago, Nest's smart thermostat won a top innovation award at CES. Other stand-alone smart home products are also hitting the mark, such as the Philips Hue lighting system featuring smartphone-controlled multicolor LED bulbs. The system is very simple to set up and use.
Boulder's Revolv brings it all together with a smart hub that allows users to control devices from various manufacturers, such as Nest, Philips and Belkin. The startup will be among those featured in TechKnow's preview of CES, appearing in Monday's Denver Post.
4. 3D – While 3D TVs fizzled after dominating the show a few years ago, 3D printing is heading into CES with a full year of momentum. The machines allow users to print, or manufacture, a wide variety of objects, from bottle openers to guns. Price drops and technological advancements have made 3D printers a viable product for residential use.
MakerBot, one of the top makers of 3D printers, is joining the likes of LG and Panasonic in hosting a high-profile pre-show press conference Monday, a role generally reserved for established tech manufacturers. DuBravac said about 100,000 desktop 3D printers will be sold in 2014.
Gary Shapiro, the longtime CEA president, believes 3D printers will move "to the home very quickly."
"In the next few years, it'll be a common home product," he said in an interview with The Post.
Another 3D technology that's expected to make a splash this year is 3D webcams. Higher resolution webcams are now standard features of laptops and desktops. The next step is to allow . Chipmaking giant Intel is pushing perceptual computing and CEO is scheduled to deliver one of two preshow keynotes Monday.
3. Startups – About 200 early-stage companies will exhibit at Eureka Park, the startup TechZone conference organizers added in 2012. These companies often showcase the most interesting and eye-popping products because they have yet to hit the mass market.
Colorado, home to a vibrant startup ecosystem, is contributing to the trend. With exhibit booths priced at just $1,000, startups such as Boulder-based Loop are able to participate and trumpet their products on a shoestring budget. Startups, in a sense, are helping a conference generally dominated by major manufacturers appeal to the SXSWi crowd.
2. Connected car – Audi chairman Rupert Stadler is delivering the second pre-show keynote this year, perhaps the most notable appearance by an automaker at CES. As such, Audi is expected to announce a major partnership, reportedly with Google and to integrate its Android mobile operating system into future Audi models.
"The whole automobile area is exploding in terms of not only electric cars, (but) cars that do things on their own," Shapiro said. "They take over the driving, they warn you of lane changes, they tell you if you're falling asleep. There's all sorts of things like that out there that's definitely very big and very fast growing."
1.Wearables – Parks Associates estimates that U.S. sales of fitness tracking devices will exceed $2.4 billion in 2016, with unit sales of wearable fitness tracking devices, such as the FitBit Force, approaching 14 million. Even Epson, known as a printing company, is teasing "wearable tech innovations."
Wearables had a smaller presence at CES 2013, with the likes of Martian drawing attention. This year, wearables are like 3D TVs from a few years ago or tablets from 2012, thanks to the success of Pebble smartwatch and the noise generated by Samsung's Galaxy Gear. Just as important to the wearables buzz, if not more, is expectation that Apple will eventually release a smartwatch.
DuBravac estimates 75 to 100 new wearables to be unveiled at CES this year. He said U.S. sales of smart watches are expected to grow from 600,000 in 2013 to nearly a million this year.
Honorable mention:Ultra HD TVs, formerly known as 4K TVs. The super-high-resolution televisions raised eyebrows last year when initial sets carried price tags of $20,000 or more. They saw huge price drops in 2013, falling to about $1,000 for a 50-inch set. Ultra HD TV shipments are estimated to surge from 60,000 in 2013 to 485,000 in 2014.
Colorado Connection: LG and Douglas County-based Dish announced Sunday a partnership in which select LG TV sets will include a "Virtual Joey" software application. (Joey is a reference to Dish's companion box for the Hopper DVR). The Virtual Joey software will allow owners of select LG smart TVs to watch their subscribed Dish channels without the need for a physical set-top box attached to the set.
Dish, co-winner of the 2013 Best of Show for the Hopper with Sling, will unveil its latest lineup of products Monday. The Virtual Joey is just the tip of the iceberg. Check back Monday for the latest.
Last Byte: From HP's sponsorship deals with the likes of Pharrell and Dr. Dre to Samsung's collaboration with LeBron James, celebrities and gadgets go hand in hand. This year's list of celebrities making an appearance at CES includes Tim Tebow, 50 Cent, Pharrell, Olivia Munn, Dish's "Boston Guys" and a host of others.


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Marcos Mateu-Mestre
Animation - Graphic Novel - Film - Illustration
Friday, November 28, 2014
I just saw the film at our usual studio screening, and boy -I did have fun-, to the usual charm of these little fellows add a fun story, tones of action, phenomenal art direction, and certainly lots and lots of clever humor. I also love the use of so many varied and cool locations -a la- James Bond, same with the gadgets and devices used by bad and good guys alike. Here are a few pieces I did for the film long time ago, just preliminary sketches or the port and some alleys in Hong Kong which at the time was to be one of the locations. I hope you see the show and have a great time too!
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subset: commoncrawl


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It's a sunny April morning and I'm leading a team of professionals in the investigation of an area of disturbed soil in a thickly wooded parcel of land behind a plowed field somewhere in Southern New Jersey. A few scrapes with a flat-bladed shovel reveal a distinct line between sandier, lighter soil and the darker soil that surrounds it (Image 1). The team takes photographs with a scale and North arrow in the frame. They produce a plan drawing of the anomaly and they begin setting up equipment such as a shaker screen, 5-gallon buckets, pointing trowels, and a Munsell Soil Chart.
For those of us experienced in field archaeology, this sounds like a normal day "at the office," but in this instance the team are wearing Tyvek suits and are setting out evidence bags in addition to the usual archaeological tools. Instead of human remains from hundreds of years ago, this team is about to excavate a clandestine grave containing a modern murder victim (Image 2).
Most of us are familiar with shows such as CSI and Bones and some of us are avid fans (not me!) In reality crime scene work is not nearly as sophisticated as what is portrayed on television. Many police departments don't even have dedicated crime scene personnel. The crime scene units that do exist vary widely in their training and range of capabilities. Some do nothing more than take photographs and some are staffed by re-assigned police officers rather than specially trained professionals. National standards of best practice and accreditation do not currently exist in the United States.
Forensic archaeology is the application of archaeological methods, such as excavation, documentation, recovery of artifacts, site interpretation, and site reconstruction, to modern investigative work. This includes homicide investigation, mass fatality incidents, human rights violations resulting in mass graves, and even archaeological crimes of vandalism, looting, and black market antiquities. In order for it to be "forensic," there must be some sort of intersection with the law or judicial proceedings.
Forensic archaeology doesn't have much of a profile in the United States but that is about to change. In September 2017, Arcadia University will launch a new graduate certificate for archaeologists looking to gain a solid forensic skill set. Training in police procedures, expert testimony, environmental evidence, forensic anthropology, spatial analysis, and geoforensics are all included. Graduates of the program will be qualified for positions in death investigation, crime scene processing, human remains recovery, or even traditional archaeological work with an enhanced skill set of mapping, scene documentation, geophysical survey, and human remains excavation (Image 3).
Just as Indiana Jones inspired a generation (including myself) to take up a career in archaeology, Gil Grissom and the CSI team are doing the same today for forensic science. As archaeology has moved away from the treasure hunting and looting of the late 19th and early 20th centuries into a codified discipline with best practices and ethical standards, so, too is crime scene work. Archaeology has a lot to offer the forensic community. It is my hope that by offering forensic training to experienced field archaeologists, we can start building bridges to move all of us forward together.


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Taking pride in the first global Carrotmob!
If you are shaking slightly and have the jitters while you try to read this, we understand. Anyone who has bought as much coffee as you have over the last 3 weeks could be forgiven for being a little more wired than usual today! We're hearing great reports that you love the coffee, so hey, drink up, and let's toast to our first ever large-scale campaign which ended on Sunday night!
As I hung from a harness and recorded the video for this campaign, I said, "I told her I thought we could spend 'a lot,' and I have no idea if that's true!" Well now we know: Yes and no.
Yes, we spent a ton of money: more than $31,000. This is by far the most money that has ever been spent through a Carrotmob campaign, and it proves that this model can work! On the other hand, we set a lofty goal of spending $150,000, and we got a little over 20% of the way there.
Our aim was to spend enough that Thanksgiving Coffee would be able to fight climate change by pursuing wind-powered shipping. While we didn't reach our spending goal, Thanksgiving Coffee has received so much support from the general public and the coffee the industry that they plan to continue to explore the transition to wind-powered shipping.
And in the meantime, they are going to take the other action we agreed on with them, which is to use those same funds to support climate change adaption and provide clean cookstoves to their coffee farming partners in Uganda at the Peace Kawomera Cooperative. We'll follow up with an update once they have taken this action!
Even though we no longer have an excuse to sing sailor songs around the office, we're thrilled with this result! To give you some context, when Kickstarter did their first-ever campaign, people only spent $3,000. It took them 5 full months of work on other campaigns before they had a campaign which surpassed the amount we've already reached on our first try!
Most importantly, we've learned a zillion things that will make our next campaigns better. With this first campaign, it was important for us to set everything up ourselves, but our future plans are to build a system which will let everyone in the mob collaborate on the creation of campaigns. We're going to ask you all to help come up with the next campaign ideas.
We'll share more soon, and in the meantime you can always take our survey to let us know which social and environmental issues are important to you and why.


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Our regular Sustainability Updates provide a comprehensive picture of how we are striving to drive the sustainability agenda across all areas of our business, and our progress towards our goals.
Communicating about our responsible business practices and performance is an important part of our overall reporting activity. Since 2005, we have also reported on broader sustainability issues. Our 2020 Sustainability Report accompanies the dedicated Sustainability section of our website. In this section, you can download full and summary versions of our latest and previous reports.
Do you want more information about Sustainability? Please contact us
About Tetra Pak
Together with our customers we make food safe and available, everywhere. Since the start in 1951 we have taken pride in providing the best possible processing and packaging solutions for food.
Tetra Pak is one of three companies in the Tetra Laval Group – a private group that started in Sweden. The other two companies are DeLaval and Sidel. Tetra Laval is headquartered in Switzerland.


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Hi Everyone! Hoping y'all are doing well and getting excited about the holiday season! I've been thinking about all of you and I thank you for all your prayer, love and support! I have returned to work this past week and it feels great to be functioning in a somewhat regular manner! Unfortunately, there are still a few issues to deal with - don't know why I still get a very upset stomach - the Imodium isn't helping as much as I wish it were!
I've been going to wound care @ Dr.'s Regional Hospital 3 times a week and they are doing a great job! I know it sounds terrible, but I have this "hole" on the left side of my face that probably came about like 4 or 5 embolizations ago, where maybe Dr. Yakes got a little aggressive w/the alcohol! Plus, a couple of embolizations ago, I ended up w/some black "scabbing" that needs wound care so it will eventually come off and to keep clean. It isn't actually a "scab", but no one wants that area to bleed, so they are very careful when cleaning it. Ugh. Now I walk around with gauze covering the area to @ least try and keep the elements from it! Speaking of that - remember I told you that Dr. Boynton took a culture of the wound area? Well it came back negative from that pseudomonis infection!!! Yay! Course he told me it won't be my last infection either! WHAT? I've already had several infections and it is not fun! Between the fact that I had my wound uncovered for a while and was not getting any wound care .... and I'm always on steroids, and that lowers your immune system...! Anyway, I'm feeling much better! I remember when I first got back from CO this past emboization, and I was in bed, it was exhausting just trying to scooch myself back against the pillows! At this point, once I get home from work, I head straight to bed! I used to come home and watch my Soaps that were recorded on the dvr - but no more! I can't wait to get in my jammies and get in bed w/my nook and Hanz & Bella usually join me!
Guess what? I'm a bit behind on blogging due to the many avm events. Happy New Year! Hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season! We all met @ Mom's for Christmas Eve and had a delicious meal of ham with all the trimmings! Opened gifts and the Fossums headed to Midnight Mass! By 2:00 a.m. I was feeling miserable and packed a suitcase and had Mark admit me to Dr.'s Regional Hospital - 3 blocks from our home! I was already hurting so bad from having fallen asleep slumped over and bruised a muscle on my side - it hurt so bad just to breathe! I was admitted with dehydration, exhaustion and guess what? Another pseudomonous infection! Yikes! That was very disappointing, but it seems my PCP feels that my always being on steroids brings them on! To boot, he said it would be 2 weeks before my bruised muscle would feel better. Are we having fun yet? I was in the hospital several days and very grateful my family came to visit often! My poor Mark worked, would go home feed the kiddos and then come see me awhile! I missed my babies soooo much! The doctor on call when I was admitted right away put in an order for a hospital bed for me @ home! Yay! No more sliding down the pillows or slumping over asleep! In a way when I walk in the bedroom and see that bed it makes me sad and angry. In another way, I'm very happy because I've actually gotten some decent rest - finally!!! Please everyone, be grateful for your health! Never mind bad traffic, that darned hangnail or whatever you stepped in (ha, ha) - be present in yourself, take a deep breath and appreciate your body if you feel well!
I was still not feeling well when I was released, but was anxious to get home - didn't even have the energy to read, and y'all know how much I love that! By the following day I was feeling better and Dr. Boynton finally prescribed a pill to stop the runs! Hijole!
My brother-in-law Greg invited my Mark as a birthday gift, to go way out on a fishing trip, and our nephew Davis went along too! This was part of Marks birthday gift - as he celebrates his 52nd New Years Eve! My poor honey, I couldn't do much for him in the state I was in. I sometimes wonder if I'll ever be well again, and I dream of that day and I'll make it up to Mark! I can't wait to wear make-up again and put on a nice dress and heels, instead of living in jammies and Crocs! Anyway, Mom was nice enough to call me and ask if I wanted something to eat, so she dropped off some taquitos. I had just started to eat, when I saw a trickle of blood running down my mouth. Dang! I put the food away so Hanz and Bella couldn't get to it, then hurridly called Mom on her cell phone to tell her I was bleeding! I knew Celia was busy and it was too far for her to drive from the island, and of course Mark was way out somewhere fishing, so Mom got the call. She came over and luckily it wasn't the worst of bleeds, but it wasn't minor either. I was starving too, but afraid to eat anything! I was resting later that day in bed, when I had to hack and from the force of that, guess what? Yup, started bleeding again. Luckily, by this time Mark was home! We were able to get that under control well enough w/out too, too big of a mess, but I was still so hungry! Didn't eat anything, slept through the New Year and finally got up this morning and tried to eat a little something. Mark is trying to get some rest, also has given the kiddos haircuts and is doing wash! The fridge needs to be cleaned, it never ends does it? Oh well. I'll be home this next week - still on IV Antibiotics twice a day to kill that stupid, stupid pseudomonous infection! Nurses on Wheels comes by to clean the pic site or give us supplies or take blood samples. Not much else going on 'round here. Not sure what my next move will be. I originally had an appt. to go back to Denver Jan. 10-12 or so, but in a way, I want to wait another week or two to give my body a rest from the steroids I have to be on after a procedure! On the other hand, if I've already had a couple of bleeds, is the avm growing - we don't want it to get ahead of us! I just know I'm going to go through a lot of hell before all this gets better. Please pray that I have the strength to endure the entire process w/out going crazy or driving anyone else crazy! Love to all!
P.S. I just wanted to add how much I enjoyed watching The Sound of Music the other day on TV! Wasn't Christopher Plummer handsome? Both he and Julie Andrews are such good actors, you feel they are really in love! My favorite scenes are when they dance out on the patio during the ball and when they are singing out in the gazebo.


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Stanley the Adult Baby Investigated For Social Security Fraud
[There was a video here]
Remember Stanley Thornton Jr., the 30-year-old man who gets bottle-fed, diaper-changed, and lullabied to sleep in a custom crib by his roommate/pervnabler? Of course you do — he was absolutely precious! Stanley became an instant internet sensation when his "adult baby" lifestyle was featured on National Geographic Channel's Taboo. But Sen. Tom Coburn, the Senate's "top waste-watcher," appears to have caught a heavy whiff of Baby Stanley's diaper — and the Oklahoma Republican is considerably less enchanted than the rest of us.
The problem is that Stanley claims to be incapable of holding down a regular job, and therefore lives off of disability benefits paid by the Social Security Administration (as does his roommate). Yet he manages to run an adult baby support group website, www.bedwettingabdl.com, and has demonstrated other marketable skills.
From a letter Coburn wrote to Inspector General Patrick P. O'Caroll Jr., excerpted in The Washington Times:
"Given that Mr. Thornton is able to determine what is appropriate attire and actions in public, drive himself to complete errands, design and custom-make baby furniture to support a 350-pound adult and run an Internet support group, it is possible that he has been improperly collecting disability benefits for a period of time."
Asked to comment, Thornton sent back an email that included a threat of suicide should his benefits be revoked:
"You wanna test how damn serious I am about leaving this world, screw with my check that pays for this apartment and food. Try it. See how serious I am. I don't care. I have no problem killing myself. Take away the last thing keeping me here, and see what happens. Next time you see me on the news, it will be me in a body bag."
I know it's a little controversial, but in cases like this, I'm actually a big proponent of ferberization. [Washington Times, National Geographic video clip via Jezebel]


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Band: Born For Bliss
Album title: Falling Back [EP]
Release date: 7 October 2016
Label: Echozone
Born For Bliss always offer to their fans a complex but often coherent and technically perfect sound. Guitar job is extraordinary, there are so many captivating and catchy well refined melodies. There are plenty of synths and different electronic loops used that addtionally give to the songs some kind of a constant cinematic feel. Soundscapes are quite hypnotic, yet everything touched by Frank Weyzig has a graceful melancholic vibe inherited in it. Don't be afraid of some experimentations and psychedelic elements that this band likes to use, they are perfectly blended into the whole structure of compositions and that makes them even more interesting and dynamic. This EP alters a bit their already great songs and shows Born For Bliss in one of the darkest versions for now, it's another testimony of what this Dutch trio is capable and another proof that we are dealing with one of the greatest bands inside the genre.
Read a full review HERE


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Reports & Studies
Welcome to our complete catalogue of reports and studies (which includes backgrounders, policy briefs, full-length research reports and books).
Most publications are available to all at no cost. Please support the CCPA and help make important research and ideas available to everyone. Make a donation today.
by Doug SmithJuly 6, 2006 | Manitoba Office
A Way Forward for Ontario
by Ben ParfittJune 29, 2006 | BC Office, Ontario Office
by Doug SmithJune 29, 2006 | Manitoba Office
by Ian Skelton, Cheryl Selig, Lawrence DeaneJune 28, 2006 | Manitoba Office
by Kathleen Sexsmith, Aaron PettmanJune 28, 2006 | Manitoba Office
Are PPPs the Solution?
by John LoxleyJune 22, 2006 | Manitoba Office
Benchmarks, plurilaterals, domestic regulation and other pressure tactics in the GATS negotiations
by Scott SinclairJune 21, 2006 | National Office
Cautionary lessons about P3s from British Columbia
by Stuart MurrayJune 20, 2006 | BC Office
by Andrew JacksonJune 14, 2006 | National Office
History, Comparative Context, Prospects
by Jim SilverJune 13, 2006 | Manitoba Office
by Armine YalnizyanJune 10, 2006 | Ontario Office
A Challenge Indeed
by Molly McCrackenJune 8, 2006 | Manitoba Office
The High Cost of BC's Declining Home Support Services
by Marcy Cohen, Arlene McLaren, Zena Sharman, Stuart Murray, Merrilee Hughes, Aleck OstryJune 5, 2006 | BC Office
by Errol BlackJune 2, 2006 | Manitoba Office
by Marc LeeMay 25, 2006 | National Office, BC Office


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My childhood was a lie and worse; it was killed. it was killed before I was born; I was killed before I was born.
I never knew it was going to turn out this way; I had no idea; that's why it turned out this way; that's why I was so easy a prey.
I was hunted down and destroyed, and never knew it until it was 2 late. Their something exceptionally sickening about this; this is more than horror; its genocide; more than sad; its a human crime. Crime against humanity.
Its sad; like someone starving children on purpose; just to see them begin the last moments of their innocent lives. that's what I want though; that kind of torture. I should not be alive, but I never knew I was going to go through this.
I have no choice but to look back at all parts of my past with disdain and nervous mistrust; nothing should be remembered as valuable. Nothing needs to be remembered; I was in a prison camp and did not know it; for there was never anyone on my side; I was brought up in a haunted house and never knew it. Now I know it, and I need to treat it for what it was; the whole story; a nightmare. All of it!
The biggest problem is seeing it through child sized eyes. The child in me wants to see it with value as if someone of it was important, but it wasn't; none of it. Nothing will be possible until I'm old enough to escape every concept of it; all of it.
The only freedom is to take the red pill and see the whole of what this was; a giant tragedy; planned.
I'm now looking at my childhood. It's a horror show because every moment will lead to my death. Every moment I'm being manipulated and fooled and exploited, and I don't know anything; nothing until its 2 late; until I'm old enough to really see what's happening; that will start at age 9. At age 7 I know something is wrong.
By the time I'm 10; its over; the red pill has been shoved down my throat and I have no more family or life; as if I was never born and never had a neighborhood or a school or friends.
I have to look at my childhood in order to move on into the present; I've had a long recovery process; However, I have work through the past and show respect for it. meaning, its no place for my mind to meander; it was not safe, and there was no home town or real childhood; it was all a sadistic camouflage.
I have to get over it; meaning, work through it and move on. I have a life to live and I want to live it.
Several moments I remember fondly; thats the problem; take the red pill and wake up; nothing was fondly; the situation was dire; all of it; from the beginning; from the day I was born.


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FY06 NEA Grants to Orchestras
April 20, 2006, Washington, D.C. - The National Endowment for the Arts awarded 111 grants to orchestras through the Grants for Arts Projects categories in FY2006, totaling $2,562,000. Awards to all arts disciplines through the NEA s three largest grant categories - Challenge America: Reaching Every Community Fast-Track Review Grants, Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth, and Access to Artistic Excellence - numbered 1,744 and totaled $37.8 million.
Congress allotted $124.4 million in total funding for the NEA in FY2006. In addition to the grants awarded through the Grants for Arts Projects categories, FY2006 NEA funding supports the following:
- Congress requires that 40% of NEA grant funds be made available directly to the states; $42.2 million has been awarded in FY2006 through Partnership Agreements to state and regional arts agencies. Orchestras, in turn, benefit from grants at the state and local level.
- Support for Arts on Radio & Television included grants to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, and San Francisco Symphony totaling $250,000.
- The NEA's FY2006 USArtists International grants included awards the Minnesota Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
- The NEA provided $755,000 in FY2006 support for Folk and Traditional Arts Infrastructure and $1 million for Literature Fellowships.
- FY2006 grants for Save America's Treasures, a partnership of the NEA, the National Parks Service, and other federal agencies, totaled $2 million. Grants support preservation and/or conservation work on nationally significant intellectual and cultural artifacts.
- Upcoming FY2006 grants will include awards for Summer Schools in the Arts, Coming Up Taller, and the National Heritage Fellowships.
- NEA FY2006 funds are also allocated to national initiatives including, Shakespeare in American Communities, Poetry Out Loud, Great American Voice, NEA Jazz Masters, American Masterpieces, Operation Homecoming, and NEA Arts Journalism Institutes.
The League has compiled the project descriptions for grants to orchestras and parent organizations of orchestras. Grants for programs related to the orchestra field are also included. Complete lists of grant amounts and project descriptions for awards in all disciplines and categories may be found on the NEA web site.


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When making cheddar or pasta filata, the whey is removed from the curd using a whey screen and a draining belt. This is called draining. The curd bed is then moved along in a solid mass allowing for acidification i.e. cheddaring and mellowing.
Tetra Pak offers a completely unique processing system for cheddar and pasta filata cheeses - the world's only continuous production system for such products. This allows producers to achieve very precise salt and moisture content, and a high pH accuracy. A two-belt version is available for pasta filata and a four-belt version with salt dosing for cheddar varieties.
Our draining and cheddaring machines are fully integrated with the up and downstream equipment, ensuring optimum transfer with, for example, overlapping pump-outs.
The alternative, and more common way of draining and cheddaring cheeses is batch production. Tetra Pak also offers processing equipment for this method – which is more suitable for the production of artisanal, low capacity cheese making. In this case, the mellowing and salting are done manually in open finishing vats.
Tetra Pak® Draining Matting machine 2 is the industry's most versatile curd conveyor offering the flexibility to vary your make from matted to granular curd.
The Tetra Pak® Salting Mellowing Conveyor 2 provides the most effective method for achieving and retaining the required amount of salt in the curd.
The Tetra Pak® Cheddaring 5 machine is designed for continuous production of fused and stirred Cheddar and pasta filata cheese types.
Contact us about draining, cheddaring and moulding
About Tetra Pak
Together with our customers we make food safe and available, everywhere. Since the start in 1951 we have taken pride in providing the best possible processing and packaging solutions for food.
Tetra Pak is one of three companies in the Tetra Laval Group – a private group that started in Sweden. The other two companies are DeLaval and Sidel. Tetra Laval is headquartered in Switzerland.


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H&R Block Inc. is the world's preeminent tax services provider, having served more than 400 million clients since 1955. H&R Block provides income tax return preparation and related services and products via a nationwide network of approximately 13,000 company-owned and franchised offices and through TaxCut online and software solutions. H&R Block is the only tax company that offers you, our...


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I shake my head at the reaction of so many concerning the "Duck Dynasty" article in GQ magazine. My response has nothing to do with supporting or not supporting some reality TV show personality whom I will never meet this side of heaven.
It is amazing how the media and others are astonished and intolerant when a Christian shares scripture in a public forum or interview. What the author of the GQ article wrote (quoting Phil Robertson) was taken from 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy … will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ ... "
If someone inquires the viewpoints of a Christian, it should not come as a shocker, but rather expected when it aligns with God's word. Somehow the media has created its own version and misunderstanding of Christianity. God's word has never changed, nor have the standards by which Christians are expected to live. Listen to these words found in the Bible, "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." (2 Timothy 4:3)
When asked by one of his disciples the way to heaven, perhaps Jesus seemed intolerant. Nonetheless, he responded by saying, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."


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In June of 1942, Lukens is a small town on the North Carolina coast, and it's getting smaller. Residents left first in trickles, but now they're crossing the Neuse in a torrent to places like Oriental, with its modern conveniences and thriving community. Ella Marie Hutchins, seventeen, is dead set against leaving. Everything she loves is in Lukens: her house, her Grandmother, and her handsome boyfriend, soon-to-be naval officer Jarrett Migette. When Jarrett announces he's leaving earlier than planned, and her mother decides that they're moving, Ella is distraught. Leaving Lukens might be the safest idea, however, as the war is closer than anyone thinks. Walking alone near the tideline one evening, Ella is threatened by a vicious Nazi scout, and barely escapes unscathed. Luckily, she's assisted by a young stranger named Griff, who just happens to be passing by. Griff's story makes sense–he's a recreational sailor and treasure-hunter, visiting his uncle in Lukens on his prize sailboat Susanna. Soon he and Ella are fast friends, and as they spend more time together sailing, biking, and picnicking throughout the long, hot, Lukens summer, they begin to feel more for one another. But Griff is more than he seems, and the secret mission he is bound to fulfill will push Ella into danger greater than she's ever faced before.
Filled with sailing lore, secrecy, Nazis, and romance, Leaving Lukens is an exciting new adventure from the author of The Pirate's Bastard.
Check this title's availability in the UNC-Chapel Hill Library catalog.


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I don't know it's a bug or not but 'Error While expunging folder' error message in Evolution is very annoying. You can't empty your Trash bin mean if you don't solve your evolution local database will become bigger and bigger. There are few solutions you can get from the Internet.
I wrote this article for easier solution with very clear instructions.
As you can see from the below picture, at the bottom screen, this error suddenly occur when I tried to empty my Evolution trash (File > Empty Trash).
Now, I will show you how to fix this problem.


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All of my talks on Omnichannel with retailers drive me to try out every option I possibly can with my own transactions.
Last weekend I went to see Bharati in at the Sony Centre in Toronto. (I highly recommend the show by the way. See it if you can!) Being part of a busy family our weekend was packed with events, ride giving, lessons, and more. I found myself getting ready to leave the house only about 2 hours before the show – this is definitely cutting it close.
While I was preparing to depart, I used all of the tools technology available to enable to get there on time. Ticketmaster was kind enough to send me a reminder email about the event on Friday, so I was able to pull up that message and logging into my account, I printed my tickets. Great omnichannel experience from Ticketmaster. It costs too much for Ticketmaster, but it worked smoothly to the point where I didn't even think about it.
I know the route to get to the theatre well, but always check the GPS routes for options. I also had to think about parking. Everyone who goes to any urban location knows that parking is a changeable proposition. Your favourite sites get built upon, closed up, or changed to some other use.
I visited the Sony Centre website to see what parking options were recommended, and I was intrigued by a link to something called Click and Park.
When I clicked that link, I saw a list of the events at the Sony Centre. The system allows you to pre-pay for a parking spot during your event in a prime location right next to the theatre. It makes a lot of sense to have a parking spot reserved in a convenient location. The site indicates the process is as simple as three easy steps: choose your event, select your location and print your permit. I read through the FAQs, and decided I definitely wanted to try this. What a terrific idea to optimize a consumer experience and that of a parking lot operator.
I picked my event, validated the parking garage, and paid. I quickly received my permit. The pricing was high. It was $22.42, including fees and the cost of parking. I expected it to be more like $10 to $15 for a weekend, but I was willing to pay a bit of a premium for a good guaranteed spot, and well – this was for science. I wanted to see how it worked.
The parking location is a garage I have frequented many times over the years, so I knew where I was going. I was parking at the Brookfield Place garage. I did a bit of checking as I know that there are multiple entrances. One off Wellington Street and one from Front Street at least. Both were referred to on the Click and Park website so I figured I was ready to go.
I printed my permit, hopped in the car, and drove downtown, smug in the knowledge that I had parking covered. As I approached the lot, I encountered my first problem. I knew where I was going, but I like to double check any special instructions. I pulled out my parking permit to double check the address and see what instructions were provided.
Unfortunately, the permit just says Brookfield Place. Um, ok. It also says 5pm to 6 am. Wait, what? My show is on at 2 pm. It says that right on there. What does that mean?
Now, what if I didn't know the address? Would have been nice to have that on there, right? Oh well, when I looked at the website, there was lots of friendly green and blue Web 2.0 branding. I'm sure there will be some sort of signage to point me in the right direction.
I found the lot (after taking a detour – downtown construction being what it always is), and drove up to the kiosk. I pulled out my form, ready to scan it at….at…..well, nothing. There was no scanner. There was no signage indicating what to do. There was no logo from Click and Park telling me what to do. There was a flashing light. Thought that might be a scanner, but no.
Now, I like to think that I know what a scanner looks like. If you glance through the blog, you will see I've worked with a few scanners. I did not see a scanner, any signage, or any indication of anything other than pushing a button to get a ticket. So….I pushed the button to get a ticket.
I drove through the garage. No signage. No indication that Click and Park exists at all. I walked through the garage to the event, and saw no indication of Click and Park.
After my very enjoyable show, I thought perhaps I would see a scanner on the way out. I drove up to the machine on the way out, and with a much more extensive search can assure you that there is no scanner on the exit system either. I dutifully paid Brookfield Place $10 and departed.
Now, I can't speak to how this Click and Park solution works in other places, and when I read through their site, I see all sorts of venues that love this system. It may work well in those spots, but they are not going to get much in the way of business in Toronto without some changes.
If an omnichannel solution like this is going to work, it needs to work for everyone, virtually without them having to think. I go well beyond the average person to seek out answers and make systems work, but this whole thing does not work at all. I'm willing to take the $22 (well, maybe $32) hit for science, but I don't think all of the potential clients of the Sony Centre will feel the same.
This is all about making it easy – not about making the user do the work.
Here's what I hope the good team at Click and Park consider:
1. FULL Process Transparency: Providing a process that goes beyond Click and Park getting money and the user printing a piece of paper is important. That's all that shows on the website. It's great graphic design, but it's not going to help customers. I understand that individual parking sites may vary on a process because different parking lots look different and have different systems. In the interim, why not have specific images or video of the parking lots and how it works? When you pick a parking lot on the site, it should show the user those images of the process (like scanning a barcode at a gate) so they can see what to expect. If clients feel comfortable they will try the service and are more likely to use it successfully. Once you have repeat customers; inertia can carry the solution more.
2. Better directions: Writing Brookfield Place on a piece of paper is next to useless for the user driving in an urban centre. Give an address at LEAST. Better yet, provide some verbiage with details on parking – maybe even an image of the front entrance. Why not provide a link to Google Maps with the garage on it so I can click an an email or text on my smart phone to get directions on my GPS? There is no other Brookfield Place, but I'm still not sure if I went to the wrong place or what happened.
3. Signage: Working with partners can be challenging, but there absolutely needs to be signage at a partner garage above or near the entrance. If there's no signage, I'm not sure I'm in the right place. There should also be signage at entrance welcoming Click and Park guests with some simple instructions like: scan your barcode at the gate next to you. On the gate itself, there should be some signage with the logo and simple instructions on how to use it.
4. Recovery: If I as a user somehow manage to make an error in the process, like I forget to scan my card, there should be a way to recover. The only recovery I saw was a message in my email saying no refunds. Wrong message. There should be signage at elevators coming back to the garage for Click and Park clients saying that if they missed scanning their codes, they can go to a certain place to get a new ticket, see an attendant or whatever works. As a user, I now have a negative feeling of the Click and Park brand and about Brookfield Place. If you make it easy, everybody wins.
5. Followup: If I didn't use the parking space, I should get a text or email asking me why I did not use it. Click and Park has a list of tickets. The Parking Lot has a list of tickets. Mine isn't on it. Why not ask me why it didn't work out? This is a missed opportunity to be sure the solution is working correctly and to gain feedback from users and the site staff.
I fully realize the effort required to complete the items I have suggested here, but with absolute certainty I can say that this service may as well not exist if it doesn't revisit its processes. This is a terrific idea, and I hope it takes off. For now it just feels like someone slapped a payments website up with this parking lot's name on it. It takes more than that for a solution like this to work. It has to be completely aligned with the operation of the site.
I know I'm $22 smarter from my experience. I fully expect the value on the knowledge Click and Park will be a much higher amount in the end if they don't change things up.


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Tai Chi
If you are looking for a form of exercise that can relax the body and is good for the mind, then this could be for you. This session is aimed at beginners and you will receive full tuition and an information pack to take away.
Instructor George Blogg explains that Tai Chi has great health benefits associated with it: Movement and joints will benefit and it can improve balance and digestion. studies have shown that Tai Chi can particularly help people aged 65 and over to reduce stress, improve posture, general mobility, and increase muscle strength in the legs.
No need to book.
Loose clothing and comfortable footwear required.


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The candidates in the upcoming city of Fort Lauderdale elections addressed a crowd of business leaders at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce on Monday. Candidates for mayor, District II and District IV answered questions on topics ranging from education and safety in schools to transportation and sea level rise during the Chamber's third Candidate Forum of the election cycle.
"This is one of the most important things we can do for the community," said Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Dan Lindblade. "These forums provide voters with the opportunity to really get to know the people who will make important policy decisions that affect our area."
Commissioners Bruce Roberts and Dean Trantalis touched on changes they would make to the city if elected mayor, as well as practices they believe are important to continue. Both addressed the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School as well as gun laws and gun shows within the city. Commission candidates Steven Glassman and Tim Smith, as well as Dr. Ben Sorensen and Dr. Warren Sturman pitched their ideas and touted their experience.
"The Candidate Forum was a success. The business community really came out to learn more about the candidates," said moderator Steve Tilbrook, GrayRobinson and Chair of the Chamber's Government Affairs Committee. "The candidates were forthright about their hopes and dreams for the City, and their policy priorities. Now it is up to the voters to get out and vote in this important election."
The forum was sponsored by Travelhost Media, with lunch provided by Giardino's Gourmet Salads.
The full video can be seen below.
View Archive
2017 copyright by Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce. Website by Accrisoft


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I'm sure the Dodgers will say something soon.
Hong-Chih Kuo says his elbow is in pain. Is this the end of Kuo's career? He was scheduled to participate in the MLB All-Star exhibition games in Taiwan next month.
Not anymore. From Focus Taiwan News - {linked here}
Hong-chih Kuo of the Los Angeles Dodgers will skip upcoming Major League Baseball (MLB) all-star exhibition games in Taiwan due to an elbow injury, the Chinese Taipei Baseball Association (CTBL) said Tuesday.
According to a CTBL press statement, Kuo was examined by Dodgers' head trainer and physical therapist Stan Conte Oct. 25 Taiwan time, one day before his scheduled return to Taiwan for the five-game series scheduled to take place Nov. 1-6.
Kuo, a left-handed pitcher who has had elbow surgery four times, experienced elbow pain during the examination and Conte suggested that he drop out of the series.
Kuo will receive further examination from the team's head physician Neal Elattrache.
Kuo started training four weeks ago for the exhibition series, in which he was expected to start a game, said the CTBL statement.
That's sad. And remember that Kuo said last month he wasn't sure if wanted to come back next year. He wanted to be healthy.
Ken Gurnick of Dodgers.com wrote this last month. - {linked here}
I've always been a fan of Kuo. He just never gives up. I hope this is not the end of his career.


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Roush Fenway Racing teams up with Primary Sponsor Cargill to promote Homes for Our Troops; a Non-Profit building specially adapted homes for post-9/11 veterans with life-altering injuries
CONCORD, N.C. (June 25, 2013) – Roush Fenway Racing (RFR) is partnering with Cargill Ground Beef and Homes for Our Troops to take a specially designed No. 6 NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) car to Kentucky Speedway with two goals: raising money to build homes for severely injured military veterans, and winning Friday's race on their behalf.
"I'm so proud to be racing in this Homes for our Troops car this weekend. A few weeks ago I had the chance to meet one of the guys who is living in one of these specially adapted homes and his story was just amazing," said driver of the No. 6 car, Trevor Bayne. "For all they do for us and all they sacrifice, it's great that we can work together with Cargill Ground Beef to find a way to help out some of the men and women who come home with these injuries."
More than 1,600 U.S. military veterans have incurred life-altering combat injuries during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn and Operation Enduring Freedom, requiring specially adapted homes. Homes for Our Troops, a 501(c)3, non-profit, charitable organization created in 2004, has built more than 130 homes in 35 states and now builds approximately 40 homes annually.
This weekend's Homes for Our Troops paint scheme is sponsored by Cargill Ground Beef. The company announced its partnership to raise money and awareness with the non-profit just two weeks ago.
"We appreciate and salute those service members who have served our nation to promote liberty and defend freedom in faraway places," said Katie Blick-White, associate brand manager for Cargill Ground Beef in Wichita, KS. "We believe all veterans should be supported and acknowledged for the sacrifices they have made, and through this initiative we are delighted to be part of an effort to provide deserving military heroes with a place they can call home for themselves and their families."
This Cargill ground beef initiative will include in-store ground beef promotions and burger grilling events throughout the United States over the next 12 months. Funds raised from various activities will be used for materials and labor to build homes that will be provided to qualifying injured veterans at no cost.
There will also be a dedicated website – HelpAHero.com – that will provide more information on Homes for Our Troops and its mission, in addition to instructions regarding how to make a donation.
About Homes for Our Troops
We are Homes for Our Troops, a national non-profit, non-partisan 501(c)3 organization founded in 2004. We are strongly committed to helping those who have selflessly given to our country and have returned home with serious injuries since September 11, 2001. It is our duty and our honor to assist severely injured veterans and their immediate families by raising donations of money, and to coordinate the process of building a home that provides maximum freedom of movement and the ability to live more independently.
About Cargill
Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services. Founded in 1865, the privately held company employs 142,000 people in 65 countries. Cargill helps customers succeed through collaboration and innovation, and is committed to applying its global knowledge and experience to help meet economic, environmental and social challenges wherever it does business. For more information, visit Cargill.com and its news center.
About Roush Fenway Racing
Roush Fenway Racing is the winningest team in NASCAR history, fielding multiple teams in the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series' with championship drivers Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Trevor Bayne and Travis Pastrana. Having celebrated 25 winning years in 2012, Roush Fenway is the leader in NASCAR marketing solutions, pioneering motorsport's first team-focused TV show and its award-winning marketing campaigns for RickyvsTrevor.com, "25 Winning Years" and Google+. Visit http://www.RoushFenway.com, circle on Google+ at +Roush Fenway Racing, become a fan on Facebook and Instagram and follow on Twitter at @roushfenway.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SpeedwayMedia.com.


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Pop Out Panel for WordPress Full Download
This plugin is a dynamic plugin that slides out at a list of different WordPress posts. It is triggered at the end of posts. The plugin is easily configured and can be set up to display related Author Posts, Latests Posts and Related Posts. The plugin is packed with 7 different styles which you can select from the plugin options in the admin area. The plugin is responsive and can also be resized to a certain portion of the screen based on the settings enabled.
- Plugin Options
- 7 Styles to select from
- Responsive/Fluid Design
- JQuery No Conflict used
- Resize options available
- Ability to add Default thumbnail
- Hide/Show on different post types
Check out the demo. More information coming soon


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Ohsawa's Seven Levels Of Judgment
Why do people make the choices in life that they do? What motivates people to make the food choices that they do?
George Ohsawa outlined "Seven Levels of Judgment" to help identify and understand the motivations of people in making life choices. I have personally found them as fun and useful in understanding people and life in general.
1. Survival
Survival is the most basic of reasons for making life decisions. There is no other distinction present other than the drive to further one's own existence, be it for the preservation of the physical self or that of the imagined ego. This is the drive that had the men stranded in Andes Mountains after an airplane crash to eat the deceased. Yet, even when food choices are present, there is no discernment of quality or quantity. It is just the drive to eat anything until one is no longer hungry.
Persons who live on this level die a sudden death that, to themselves is usually unforeseen, including a heart attack, food poisoning or accident.
2. Comfort
One level of discernment above survival (and includes it – all higher levels include previous ones) is comfort. Life decisions are based purely on pain or pleasure, likes and dislikes. This is the realm identified by Anthony Robbins as a core motivation of humanity. It is what drives people to seek financial wealth and comfort at the expense of others. People choose what they eat according to comfort and taste. They are usually over-indulgent with one or more foods which they can't control themselves. They will also stop at nothing to get what they want and often die in the process of obtaining it. They also refuse to change their ways no matter what the external circumstances are. They often see their fate coming but do not have the will power or ability to change it.
They die from slow obsessive diseases like obesity, diabetes and infectious diseases. They also die of drug over-doses and of general physical abuse and murder.
3. Emotions and Relationships
This is the realm of relationships and appearances. Choices made on this level no longer are only self-motivated but include consideration of those around us, principally those we love, as well as those we hate. Life choices made on this level are done for reasons of honor, integrity, self-sacrifice, martyrdom as well as jealousy, vengeance, passion and so on. People at this level are often concerned not just of survival and of comfort but also for social appearances, love, guilt, contempt and other emotional reasons associated with our behavior toward each other. They choose, for example, to become vegan because they do not wish to kill animals or because it makes them feel and look better and for social recognition.
People at this level die of cancer and other non-congenital degenerative disorders. They also commit suicide or are victims of crimes of passion. They also die on battlefields and in war. These people often know that their life will end sooner than they wish but they don't know how to change it. There is often added melodrama to their deaths.
Notes on levels 1-3:
Choices made on levels 1-3 are concerned with the preservation of the ego and are all fear-based. People who live on these levels live in constant fear of one kind or another. Also, the majority of the world's population lives on these three levels.
4. Truth and Honesty
People at this level make life choices based on theoretical and factual evidence and reality. They will make life choices based on theoretical ideas and will override all emotional reasoning including compassion and of maintaining relationships. Their concern is not of their own opinions and personal desires but what is most reasonable, logical and documented course of action that anyone would do. This is the first level that is no longer concerned with the existence of ego, but instead is concerned with something else beyond it. They are concerned with truth and with leading a life that is justified and understood by all. They have no secrets and they live lives unrestricted by anyone. Their food choices are always changing and based on the latest findings of their own bodily needs, the latest discoveries and their own rationale.
People of this level become insane. Their deaths are always related to the subject matter of whatever truth that their life's pursuit is about. They do not mind facing death and will sometimes put themselves at known risks in pursuit of whatever truth they seek. They don't know when or how they will die but they are very clear of the risks of death that they put themselves in.
5. Social Justice
These people have "given up" their lives for whatever cause they have chosen to live and die for. They are not martyrs but have chosen to devote the rest of their lives for one or more causes for the benefit of the world. They eat in accordance with the motivations of all previous levels when with others and when alone, often very little and simple food just enough to merely sustain themselves to achieve their purpose. They live their lives for benefit of all. They have no ego. Their cause is their ego.
They are often assassinated. For these people their own death is not a concern. They are concerned with their cause and they know that their life is always at risk. They don't know exactly when they will die but they recognize that they have a chosen a life where death could occur at any moment.
6. Universal Principle Or Natural Order
People on this level live and eat in accordance with nature and natural laws. They live simple lives with no egotistical ambition other than to harmonize with all.
They die of old age. They often know exactly when, where and how they will die and can often choose it.
7. Free spirits
These people live life without restraint of any kind. They live and play on all previous levels but usually they are mostly invisible and unknown and cannot be recognized by others. Their life is eternal. To them life and death are inconsequential and are same thing.
Linda Langlois permalinkMay 11, 2010 10:19 pm
I want to be a free spirit!!!
Chris Lienhard permalinkJuly 27, 2010 11:34 am
Free spirit does not "want" nor does he appear on web logs.
lynn Chittick permalinkMay 11, 2010 11:07 pm
OK- thanks for the reminder of all my delusion for the day- laugh laugh- yes, I have been floating on the first three for a few years now- what can I say!!!
Peace to you my dear brother- my book is in storage- in NY- I am in CA- I must get the reminders often- keep them coming!!!
Nicole Rozen permalinkMay 12, 2010 4:07 am
Yaniv permalinkMay 24, 2014 7:10 am
Alex Pappas permalinkNovember 4, 2010 1:13 pm
I believe the 7th level of judgment is the nondual state of absorption as described in Raja Yoga's (Nirvakalpa Samadhi), Turiya (4th state of yoga consciousness), and/or Advaita Vedanta's Satchidananda.
There is no you or me in the nondual (not two) reality.
Prem Shanti


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Earth girls are never easy. But they're worth it.
Bakery owner Annabelle Sparks's business is booming ever since she won reality TV's Cupcake Wars. The one thing deflating her happy soufflé? The extremely sexy Kaden Chance only sees her as a best friend -- and Annabelle wants so much more. After waiting a year for him to recognize their chemistry, she's giving up and dating other people.
What she doesn't know is Kaden's heart doesn't actually beat. He's not human. Heck, he's not even from Earth. To retain his intergalactic immunity, no one can ever know he is an extraterrestrial. But when Annabelle starts dating, something strange happens to Kaden's unmoved heart: it begins to beat. Now he faces an impossible choice -- tell Annabelle the truth and be deported -- or lose his last chance at love.
Release Date: September 21, 2015
For a Limited Time, you can pre-order UNDER HIS SKIN for only $0.99!!!
Pre-order Here: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Enter the giveaway for the chance to win a $100 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclaimer: Susan Heim on Writing is not responsible for Rafflecopter content or prize fulfillment.


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Tagged: malus darkblad
Favorite Weapons in Science Fiction and Fantasy
SFSignal recently ran an article asking several authors what their favorite weapons in sci-fi and fantasy were.
Lightsabers were brought up the most, while swords, and even characters were mentioned. It's a pretty cool article (for we geeks) and I highly recommend reading it.
It got me thinking: what are MY favorite science fiction and fantasy weapons? I read and watch a lot of science fiction – and some fantasy. As I read the article on SFSignal it got me thinking through TV shows, books, games, and comics.
Favorite Science Fiction Weapons
Honestly there are too many to count. SciFi is where I spend most of my time. But I narrowed it down to four of them. While some may flex the definition to include vehicles, mecha, or power armor, I kept the definition of weapon pretty narrow to specific weapon systems.
Battletech Particle Project Cannon (PPC) – The PPC, and later the Clan extended range (ER) PPC was one of the most devastating 'Mech/tank weapons in the game. Because it was energy based it didn't need any reloads. While it created a lot of heat, most 'Mechs could handle it and PPCs were the end of many an enemy 'Mech in games. Just the thought of man-made lightning slicing through and blowing up armor is awesome!
Command and Conquer GDI Ion Cannon – I've been playing C&C since I was very young, and I love the original game even today. While The Brotherhood of NOD was fun to play, GDI had the orbiting satellite ion cannon that we lovingly termed "God's middle finger" and would sew destruction across the battlefield.
Warhammer 40k Heavy Bolter – Sure, the standard bolter in WH40k is an awesome staple, but I'm a heavy weapons lover, and the heavy bolter is a death-dealing masterpiece. And it just looks cool.
Firefly – Jane's Gun "Vera" – Jane has to be my favorite character from Firefly, and his tricked out beast of a gun "Vera" just looks cool. Though I lose geek points for not knowing whether or not he actually got to use it in the series.
This one is a little harder. I don't normally delve into fantasy these days. There are, of course, swords and axes galore. But specific weapons are harder for me to identify.
The Cinder Spires Crystal Gauntlets – In the first book in Jim Butcher's new series "Aeronaut's Windlass" the militaries of the spires have crystal gauntlets that fire magic. These are handy and very cool, not to mention the battle scenes with them are fantastic.
The Hobbit "Sting" – When I was very young I watched the animated "The Hobbit" movie and was immediately hooked on the fantasy genre. The sword "Sting" holds a special place in my heart. Later I would read the book, and I still thought Sting, though really just a long dagger/short sword was still a fine weapon. Plus the blue glow early-warning orc detection feature is quite nice.
Warhammer Fantasy Warsword of Khaine – The only books I enjoy from Warhammer Fantasy, and the series I've read three times now, the tales of Malus Darkblade have to be the best. The action and adventure, not to mention the dark plot really draw the reader in. The Warpsword of Khaine had the ability to keep Tz'arkan the Slaanesh demon at bay, and was a blood thirsty blade that drove Malus to kill more. My kinda sword.
What are YOUR favorite science fiction and fantasy weapons?
Until next time. . .


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It was a "Frasier" reunion at the 48th annual Hugo Television Awards at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel on April 19. Cinema/Chicago and the Chicago International Film Festival honored actor Kelsey Grammer with the lifetime achievement award, presented by his longtime "Frasier" co-star, John Mahoney.
Emcees Val Warner and Ryan Chiaverini introduced International Film Festival/Hugo founder Michael Kutza. "It was funny thinking back to 1965, when Mr. Leo Burnett himself helped me start this TV festival, and now to see so many awards going to some fantastic Leo Burnett spots tonight," said Kutza. Ad agency Leo Burnett had the most wins of the night (24). The affair honored industry leaders and included screenings of winning TV commercials and television productions from Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan and Spain.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the lifetime achievement award to"Boss"star Grammer. Mahoney presented the award saying, "I was thrilled to play Kelsey's father for 11 years on 'Frasier.' He never let the show deteriorate and directed many of the episodes."
Grammer's brother on the show, David Hyde Pierce, made a surprise video appearance, joking, "I am so frustrated that you're there tonight being honored and I can't stop them! Thank you for 'Frasier'; it brought such joy in my life."
An afterparty followed in the hotel's Filini bar, where Hugo winners celebrated and mingled with guests. Notables seen on the scene included Jeanne Malkin, Pat Perillo, Elysabeth Alfano, Cynthia King, Rich Varnes and Chris Burnham.
Freelance writer Candace Jordan is involved with many local organizations, including some whose events she covers.


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Dubai is one of the region around the world, where luxury crawling, apart from this, it is the owner of many Skyscrapers, stunning artificial Islands, unique attire, unique in landscape too, however luxury blows up in Dubai, authentic and traditional beliefs also wandering each and every region of it. These are the wonders makes to visit this frequently from across the world.
We can give a tag-line to Dubai as, where ancient historic wonders and modern historic wonders handshakes together. It is the complex of four regions, each one is unique in the different way. Let's Begin your Dubai trip from Bur Dubai, an excellent place to enjoy the Historical Attractions.
Bur Dubai is the old Bastakiya district with tantalizing glimpse of narrow lanes and tall wind-towers, which really will show off the uniqueness qualities of old Dubai. In the east of Bastakiya district, you can find the Fort famous for traditional courtyard houses with wind towers, in the name of Al Fahidi ,now this Al Fahidi fort turned in to Museum, which serves as an exemplar for rich culture and heritage of Dubai. Dubai Museum offers a unique trip to desert life, traditional Arabian homes, mosques, fishing, pearl diving and trade. There you can discover the major highlights such as artifacts from excavated graves, musical instruments, deadly weapons like swords, spears, bows, arrows, shields, pistols and axes.(image by " SaNuRiTa FaJoRa)
Next province is the Jumeirah, which is an artificial island, where you can find out impressive number of monuments across this region. One of the most impressive landmarks among all is Burj Al Arab, a five star hotel, located on this artificial island, with a sail-shaped build reaching out at 321m, an extraordinary building with superb interior architecture, to enhance the glory of it you can find a Sky view bar with amazing views. Next one is Jumeirah Mosque, a great masterstroke of modern Islamic architecture, after the sight seeings you must enjoy the Dubai by involving many activities regarding this visit the Wild Wadi Water Park, especial for children to enjoy, which includes many exciting rides for all ages which are based on the Legend of Arabian adventurer, Juha and his friend Sinbad.
Another important region is Deira, a beautiful city protected by three watch towers, among the three the Burj Nahar is positioned in Deira, from there you can view the scenic view of entire city with picturesque gardens and exotic surroundings, this magnificent and beautiful Burj Nahar tower is one of the must visit attraction. Don't miss to wander around the market places in Deira and enjoy the bargaining with the products like textiles, spices, kitchen wares, clothes and henna. Then visit Deira Spice Souk's narrow lanes of the spice souk are scented with cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, incense, dried fruit and nuts.
Then visit Gold Souk, one of the largest gold retail market in the world, selling everything from ingots to intricately worked jewelry at bargain prices. The street-front stores side alleys of smaller shops with glittering show windows.
Now plan yourself completely and begin to wander around the luxurious Dubai!
Featured image courtesy by Eugene Kaspersky


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A Sandwich A Day: The 'Phyllis' at The Local Yolk in Austin, TX
A different sandwich profiled every single day.
In this great country of ours, one could eat a different sandwich every day of the year—so that's what we'll do. Here's A Sandwich a Day, our daily look at sandwiches around the country. Got a sandwich we should check out? Let us know. —The Mgmt.
Avocado and cream cheese had never occurred to me as elements of an egg sandwich, but now that I've had it, I'm a huge fan. At Austin's The Local Yolk cart, the "Phyllis" ($7) stacks those ingredients in precise, even layers—a slim fried egg that's just barely set in the middle, buttery, even slices of avocado, and a substantial layer of cream cheese—between slices of white bread that gets a great crunch to counter the soft middle. While all those elements are creamy, they're not particularly heavy, making this vegetarian sandwich satisfying without settling too heavily in the stomach.
The Local Yolk
1112 East 6th Street, Austin TX 78702 (map)
All products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.


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Jonathan Roos (I)
Jonathan Roos is a retired journalist who worked nearly three decades for the Des Moines Register as a state government and education reporter. He spent the last 19 of those years covering the Iowa Legislature, governor's office and executive branch agencies - including the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board. He was also a member of the Register's political team that reported on elections and the Iowa caucuses, and he was chief writer of the Iowa Poll.
Earlier in his career he was a reporter at the Cherokee Daily Times and Waterloo Courier. He majored in political science and journalism at Iowa State University and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He and his wife, Diane, have three grown sons and five grandchildren.


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Home > All celebration cakes. > Cakes for ladies. > Flowers / Butterflies - Click on pic for more info
CPI-728 Flowers and Butterflies
For the light of heart. This pretty cake would suit a gardener.
This is a fondant iced cake so you can choose your own colours.
Price includes writing a message on the board and up to ten candles. Extra candles can be purchased at the checkout and candles will be matched to the cake.
This cake will keep for 2-3 days from purchased and should not be stored in the fridge.
It can be ordered for delivery on Friday and will keep fresh all weekend.
Requires four days' notice.
All our cakes are made without chemicals and contain no preservatives or colouring in the baking.
We only use free range eggs.
Always buy the best food you can afford. You never regret buying quality.


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Houston Mayor Annise Parker and the 311 Department announced today that there is a new 311 Smartphone app ready to take your service requests for stuff, like garbage container issues, traffic signal maintenance, water line break, dead animals, etc. My favorite in SW Houston will be the Road Maintenance one since I've driven through some kidney-busters recently.
Prior to 311's transformation, the 311 Call Center provided telephone Service Request and information service 18 hours a day, seven days a week. Due to budget-required layoffs in FY2012, 311 had to stop offering service on the weekends. As of August 15, 2012, 311 Help & Info launched 24 hour a day, seven day a week service. Additionally, 311 installed a labor model that more closely matches the demands of Houstonians. Furthermore, the service extension was implemented at an operating cost to the City of $600,000 less per year than the former 311 Call Center model.
In addition to expanded call-center hours and the new Smartphone app, 311's redesigned website,www.Houston311.org, enables Houstonians to easily submit a request for service online. For example, the 311 website only received 2,144 "hits" in January 2011. In January 2013, following its redesign, the website received more than 13,485 "hits." Over the past week, 311 has also launched a new interactive mapping tool that allows Houstonians to track the progress of their request and view other requests in the area.
Learn how to use it here. And to download the app, you can find it on Google Play or the Apple one.


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|"Two Divertimenti, Opus 7" By Michel Corrette (1707-1795). Edited by Roger Voisin. For 2 trumpets. Published by International Music Company
|TELEMANN: Concerto No. 1 in D major/ CORRETTE: Sonata in E minor "By Georg Philipp Telemann, Michel Corrette. For flute. Instrumental Solo Part and CD. Published by Music Minus One"
|Sonata in B-flat Major (for Viola and Piano). By Michel Corrette (1707-1795). Viola-Bibliothek (Viola Library). 17 pages. Schott Music #VAB38. Published by Schott Music


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BISC219/F12: RNAi Lab 11
Lab 11 - Data Analysis Workshop
We will not meet in the Lab this week. Your lab instructor will let you know where to come for our Concept Discussion/Data Analysis Workshop. Bring hard copies of the main journal articles you used as sources and referenced in your draft Introduction assignment. Construct figures/tables with properly formatted legends to illustrate the answers to the questions posed in the Final Assignment Reverse Genetics Using RNAi. Please make at least one draft figure/table for each question (5pts). Bring these figures in hard copy to Lab 11 AND submit them electronically in Sakai. We will spend some time talking about the concepts involved in answering each of the questions from our data and from outside sources, including those we talked about in Lab 9.


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Gwen Stefani has poured praise on Keane's key-tickling pianist Tim Rice-Oxley, after he penned one of the songs featured on her latest album.
'In Early Winter' from The Sweet Escape, which was released this week, was the first time Rice-Oxley had collaborated with anyone outside of Keane, and Stefani appeared wholly satisfied.
"He had never written outside of Keane before, but he's like Clark Kent-subtle, but Superman-talented. I'm lucky I was his first, because I'm sure he's going to go write with lots of girls after me."
She said of the processes involved: "I wanted a ballad. I wanted to write 'Eyes Without A Face' or 'Killing Me Softly' or 'Time After Time', and he was like, 'Okay, Cyndi Lauper, got it', like he was taking my order."
When Rice-Oxley returned with 'Early Winter', Stefani loved it: "It was so beautiful and addictive. I didn't really attack it because it was kind of done, lyrics and everything. It's just like one of the most beautiful songs ever. I love it."


text: IntelliComplete is an intelligent software which auto-completes words / phrases and auto-expands abbreviations / shorthands in any programs running on Microsoft Windows. It significantly increases your typing speed and productivity regardless of the software you are working with, be it Microsoft Word, your email software or your web browser. IntelliComplete is the best medical transcription software specially designed for medical transcriptionists. It can maximize the speed and productivity of medical transcription by expanding medical abbreviations automatically. It is also the ideal utility for programmers, translators, writers, professional document authors who deal with a lot of frequently used words and phrases.


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When making our Passover, Sukkot, Rosh Hashanah menus etc., its easy to get overwhelmed by the thousands of kosher recipes on many other sites. Here at The Jewish Hostess, I really try to sort through all of the wonderful kosher Jewish holiday recipes out there, and I try to publish the ones that I would make for my own Jewish holiday and Passover dinners. This minute steak recipe is delicious and takes about 15 minutes to prepare. Its a no brainer. Thanks Elyse Lincer for sending it in!
:Hi Marlene,
Just prepared this minute steak roast for passover. I got it from Passover by Design by Susie Fishbein.
Just prepared this minute steak roast for passover. I got it from Passover by Design by Susie Fishbein.
I made it yesterday before shabbat and it looked so good I had to sneak a piece!! Was delish and very easy.. And freezes well too!"
Elyse Lincer
Elyse Lincer
Ingredients for this kosher recipe:
- 1 minute steak roast sliced and deveined by your kosher butcher into 2 pieces.
- 1 c barbeque sauce
- 1 c ketchup
- 6 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 large onions, sliced into rings
- 10 cloves of garlic, chopped in food processor.
- Saute onion and garlic in a little oil.
- Mix together sauces and sugar in a separate bowl.
- Place meat in a roaster
- Add onion, garlic and sauce on top of roast.
- Bake at 350 for an hour.
- When cool, slice and freeze on top of kosher for Passover parchment paper (parchment can have flour sprinkled on it) lined in a tin.
- If serving fresh, slice thin and reheat at 350 degrees for another half hour.
Related articles
- Unbelievable Shabbat Brick Roast with Wine, Cranberry Sauce, and Portobello Mushrooms (thejewishhostess.com)
- Prime Rib Roast with a Mustard-Herb Crust (thejewishhostess.com)
- Eggplant, Garlic, and Chopped Sun Dried Tomato Spread (thejewishhostess.com)
- Stuffed Eggplant Skins Roasted with Chicken and Eggplant Slices for Rosh Hashanah (thejewishhostess.com)
- Maple Chicken for the Rosh Hashanah (thejewishhostess.com)
- Apricot Almond Cookies with Amaretto Icing (thejewishhostess.com)
- Panzanella on a Stick- A great new Summer Recipe! (thejewishhostess.com)


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- A Satellite view of the world providing real time intelligence while playing Ghost Recon Wildlands. It will allow players to seamlessly access detailed tactical information without opening the main game tactical map. More.
- A RPG mini game called Guerilla where you lead rebels in their struggle against the Santa Blanca cartel. In-app missions will unveil a prequel story to the main game and unlock extra resources to optimise your progression in Ghost Recon Wildlands. More.
- CIA Files will provide background information about main characters and the geopolitical situation in Bolivia before the arrival of the Ghosts. More.
- A Ghost Recon Network section will share some social functionalities with the eponymous website, including online chat, friends and Task Force lists, and news. More.
Ghost Satellite ViewThe Ghost satellite view is a map providing real time information on the player's current session in Ghost Recon Wildlands.
Using the same Wi-Fi connection as your console or PC will allow the app to synchronize with the game and display the same information as the game tactical map, from hostile movements in the area to mission markers. There are more than 40 categories of information in total, and the mobile format allows more flexibility than simply looking up the tactical map in game menus.
The Ghost satellite view does not allow the user to send information to the main game.
It is possible to:
- Open the legend of the tacmap
- Center the map on your character
Plus when playing with other players, the satellite view will display their positions and their in game username.
Guerrilla Mini GameGuerrilla is a game based on the same map as the Ghost satellite view. You manage a group of rebels each specialized in a field (spy, soldier, warrior, pickpocket, thief, pit fighter, ninja, jack of all trades) and send them to complete various missions spawning on the map for limited durations.
Missions require specific abilities, and they may or may not be successful based on the stats line of the character and a random variable. Character statistics are Power, Discretion and Observation, each corresponding to a type of mission. Missions also require a travel time of several minutes depending on their distance to the rally point where the rebels stand.
Once completed, missions reward the player with:
- Sometimes, a random loot object which can be equipped to increase rebel stats;
- Sometimes, a resource package to be used in the main game.
Resources obtained through missions can be accumulated and transferred to Ghost Recon Wildlands when the main game and the application are connected at the same time in Wi-Fi and the user is connected to his Ubisoft Club account.
In Ghost Recon Wildlands, these resources are necessary to improve the talents of you Ghost and can also be obtained as side missions rewards.
Guerrilla includes a storyline progressing through dialogues between rebels and Karen Bowman. Legend icons also appear on the map and allow players to access some background information.
CIA FilesThis section offers a wide collection of short notes about the game's background. They are all unlocked from the start and can be accessed at all times. There are six sections: Ghosts, Main characters, Bolivia, La Unidad, Santa Blanca, and Timeline. Some are particularly useful to understand the fictional geopolitical context of the game and discover how the situation escalated to the events of the main game.
Ghost Recon Network
This section displays the latest news displayed in the game. The user will be able to read an abstract of the news.
News are all displayed at the same time in this section.:
- They are associated to a category (Game, Community, Offer)
- They can host a link to Ubisoft websites
The conversation can only be done between GR HQ owners or people connected to the Ghost Recon Network. No cross chat will be possible between the game and the app.
Friend Members List
Ubisoft Club-connected users can synchronise their Friend list and use it to start private conversations, manage Friend requests, check other players' profiles and apply to their friends' Task Force.
Player profiles mostly include information about the player's gamification level and Task Force, but a link to the friend's Ghost profile on the website allows for a wider array of information and interactions.
Task Force Members List
This section is mostly similar to the Friend members list, with the additional option to manage the Task Force:
- Promote/demote members
- Remove players form the Task Force
- Plus, information about the Task Force are displayed:
- The name (set by the user on the website)
- The tag (set by the user on the website)
- The leader username


text: Product Description This stunning natural oak finish compliments any modern bathroom to create a designer look. This is an Extra Choice product. Please see the Extra Choice information within customer services for more details.Please note we are unable to deliver this item to the following postcodes: BT, HS, IV41-56, KA27-28, KW15-17, PA39-80, PH41-44, TR21-25. This wall hung unit creates more space in your bathroom giving the illusion of a bigger bathroom This unit has soft close drawers which limits the daily wear and tear and provides a quieter closing action Colour co-ordinate your unit with a natural oak WC unit Supplied with high quality vitreous china basin