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From the New York Times:
Dead Horse Bay sits at the western edge of a marshland once dotted by more than two dozen horse-rendering plants, fish oil factories and garbage incinerators. From the 1850′s until the 1930′s, the carcasses of dead horses and other animals from New York City streets were used to manufacture glue, fertilizer and other products at the site. The chopped-up, boiled bones were later dumped into the water. The squalid bay, then accessible only by boat, was reviled for the putrid fumes that hung overhead.
As the car industry grew, horse and buggies — thus horse carcasses — became scarce, and by the 1920s, there was only one rendering plant left.
This area used to be called Barren Island, when it was a separate island in Jamaica Bay. Barren Island was connected to the mainland of Brooklyn when landfill was used in 1926 to create Floyd Bennett Field, New York City's first airport. Filled with trash by the 1930s, the trash heap was capped, only to have the cap burst in the 1950s and the trash spew forth onto the beach. Since then garbage has been leaking continually onto the beach and into the ocean from Dead Horse Bay.
The beach is accessible by bike, via the greenway on Flatbush Avenue on the way to Fort Tilden, as you pass Floyd Bennett Field but before reaching the Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge. The best time to go is at low tide.
You can find old bottles such as this Minck soda bottle, a soda apparently produced in Bushwick up until the 1960s.
Other old bits of garbage can be found, such as this fragment of horse bone for which Dead Horse Bay was named.


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MONTE HOTELS Tombola collaborates with "Hermandad del Cachorro"
From Thursday through next Sunday, has been held the Charity Raffle of the Brotherhood of Christ the Expiration, popularly known as "El Cachorro". This brotherhood that afternoon procession every Good Friday, is based canonical in the Basilica del Patrocinio, just a few meters from the Hotel Monte Triana.
Because this activity, which will feature live performances and a bar, this entity is organized for charitable purposes to benefit Charity Bag of the Brotherhood, HOTELS MONTE has decided to contribute to it, giving away a weekend stay for two at any of the hotels in our chain.
The Raffle will run throughout the weekend, beginning from 21.00 hours. Access is free.
"Hermandad del Cachorro" was founded in 1689 from the merger of two former corporations trianeras: the Holy Christ of the Expiration and Our Lady of Patronage. The image of Christ crucified on expiring attitude is the most striking of Holy Week in Seville, harvesting a wide devotion both in popular Triana district and the city and beyond. It is also an excellent carving out of hand in 1682 by artist Francisco Antonio Ruiz Gijón.

subset: commoncrawl


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Tags indie, punk, singer/songwriter, rock
Genres indie, indie rock, emo, rock, alternative (beta)
(flag as incorrect)
December 07, 2010
Eight tracks including music by Appleseed Cast, David Bazan and Jets to Brazil.
Thrash Mash by bandwagon
Sometimes I just want to listen to some metal.
metal, death metal, thrash, melodic death metal, black
Let's get meta-physical by bandwagon
indie, punk, singer/songwriter, rock
I felt your shape by bandwagon
Wavves, Billy Bragg and Kelpie contribute their talents to this mix of bittersweetness.
indie, garage, folk, acoustic
Less than the air by bandwagon
Opens with a David Dondero cover by Nana Grizol; Andrew Jackson Jihad gets two tracks on this mix of what have yous.
folk punk, americana, bluegrass, tuba


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Table of Contents
Just back from the ASTD International Conference and Expo (ICE) and I am still digesting all of the information we learned. I had the privilege to travel with 5 other people from our learning team. While my focus is always on technology that enables learning, the rest of my team divided and conquered many of the other topics being presented at the conference. As usual, even for six people, it was like "drinking from a fire hose".
Conferences like this offer an opportunity to engage with other workplace learning professionals to share ideas and learn new things. I always come away with new thoughts or add to the depth of knowledge on different subjects. So what did I learn this year?
There was a lot of talk about innovation this year at ICE. Two of the keynote speakers spoke on it and several sessions had it wrapped into the presentations. The learning industry, like many organizations, thrives and does better when we innovate and try new things, take risks, and really push the limits of learning. What does this mean to us? I think we need to be cognizant of how we present training and how we support our organization in maintaining or becoming a learning organization. While there were not sessions on the "silver bullet" for innovation, it was a good reminder that we need to be creative in our field, and that leads to innovation.
In our own chapter, Bud Wurtz leads the special interest group, Learning to Innovate. In this monthly interest group Bud explores all of the ways organizations can become more innovative through different practices. In June, Radana Dvorak, the Author of Moodle for Dummies, will present on using Moodle to create richer, more innovative online learning interactions between educators and audiences.I hope you will join us at the Creativity and Innovation Special Interest Group, or one of or other many events happening this summer. Let's get together and be innovative!
Darren Nerland - ASTD Puget Sound President
How to Survive a Networking Event
Presented by Diane Darling
When you hear the word "networking" do you cringe? Have you walked into a cocktail party and wished you hadn't? Attending events is only one aspect of being an effective networker, but for many people it's the most difficult. During this evening chapter meeting, you will learn how to overcome natural and normal fears of walking into professional and personal events.
Diane Darling (yes, that's her real name) tests as an introvert and will share tips and techniques you can implement immediately to gain confidence when networking. Introverts will leave knowing how to better manage an event; extroverts will learn to champion introverts and … when it may be appropriate to be quite and listen.
Join the meeting if you would like to learn:
Register for this Chapter meeting here.
5:30-6:00 p.m. Registration, refreshments, networking
6:00-7:15 p.m. Announcements and presentation
7:15-7:30 p.m. Networking
2100 Building
2100 – 24th Ave
Seattle, WA 98144
Want to learn more about being an effective networker? Diane is offering an in-depth workshop the following morning, Wednesday, June 20, at the 2100 Building.
Register for this workshop here.
About the Presenter
Diane Darling joins us from ASTD of Greater Boston where she is the Co-President. She is principal consultant for Effective Networking, Inc., and founded the company on the premise that everyone can learn to network, they just need to find their own style.
Rita Carson
By Kathy Englert
If you've attended a chapter meeting in the past few years, it's likely you've seen Rita Carson stand up and talk about CPLP (Certified Professional in Learning and Performance) certification. For the past two years, Rita has served as our chapter's Director of CPLP and has done an outstanding job supporting and enhancing CPLP certification in our region. She has done such a good job that our chapter was recently honored by ASTD for its "Advancement of the Profession through the CPLP." Rita points out that she couldn't possibly have created such a strong program without tremendous support from the Board and the chapter membership.
Rita first learned of the CPLP about three years ago, during a time of transition in her career. In 2009, after working for 31 years for Denny's Restaurants, with almost 20 of those years focused on learning and development, she decided it was time for a change. She took three months off to reflect and ponder the next road to take. It was during this time that she became actively involved in the ASTDps chapter and learned about the CPLP certification. Near the end of her career at Denny's, Rita had earned SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources) certification. While the experience was worthwhile, it wasn't an exact fit for the work she'd actually been doing all these years. But the CPLP? A perfect fit! She immediately signed up and began working with the existing chapter study group. She knew what an asset such a group could be, as she had participated in a study group with her Denny's colleagues while preparing for the SPHR exam. While working towards her own CPLP certification, Rita was so engaged in the process and with the study group and had so many great ideas that she was soon asked to lead the effort going forward.
Typically, when someone excels at something, it's because of an underlying passion. Talk with Rita for just a few moments and you'll be struck by her obvious passion for learning. She believes that "learning can solve anything!" The key is determining who needs to learn what. During her 3-month hiatus, Rita reflected on her tenure at Denny's, parsing what she had loved most about the work. She realized that from the very beginning when she worked as a server, teaching and learning was what brought her the most joy. Whenever colleagues needed help understanding something, Rita offered to coach them. From there, her career in learning and development grew organically until she eventually was one of four people in charge of training for all of Denny's field leadership and restaurant personnel. The work was exciting and challenging, but it's always good to try your hand at something new.
Rita decided to use her experience at Denny's and take her passion for learning into other arenas. She has now formed her own company that specializes in learning and performance improvement. In addition, she works with the Learning Solutions team at a small, boutique consulting firm (The AK Group), helping them with a variety of training projects in this region. She is very excited about this new chapter in her life, about exploring disciplines beyond the restaurant and hospitality business, and about being at home for a change! The last fifteen years of Rita's tenure with Denny's found her traveling at least three weeks out of every month. Although the travel was great, she's very happy to be at home with her husband enjoying the wonders of her native Northwest.Thank you Rita for all you do for our chapter! We are so glad you decided to stop traveling and get involved with ASTD right here at home. Rita also has a recommendation for all members and potential members reading this article. Volunteer! She believes there is no better way to get involved in the organization, make connections, and find your place. Sounds like good advice!
Eggs & issues Governmental Training Consortium
The ASTD Puget Sound chapter is looking to build a local government training consortium to improve the quality of public services by developing, accessing and expanding learning resources for public agencies. If you are from a local, state or federal governmental agency and interested in increasing communication among agencies to share best practices and strengthening the practitioner community, come and join us in an Eggs & issues focus group. If you are interested in participating, please contact Sandra Wong at firstname.lastname@example.com by June 29th.
Better Together: We're Creating a World That Works Better
2012 ASTDps Member Survey Results Now Available!
One of our top Chapter goals is to deliver programs and benefits that meet your needs as members. In the second quarter of 2012, we conducted our Annual Member Survey via Survey Monkey to help us determine what ASTDps members want and need most. Thank you to all ASTDps members who participated!
We invite you to view the full 2012 Member Survey and Results report. After you read this, we want to hear from you! Please continue to let us know what is working for you and what you want to see more of, what you'd like to see changed, and what you want us to try that may be new. Contact Sally Templeton, VP Member Services, email@example.com with your ideas and suggestions.
Our goal is to create an ASTD chapter that is relevant and vibrant and reflects our commitment to workplace learning and development, and to your professional growth. Together, we're creating a world that works better!
At this time, we would like to report back to you some key findings and what we are doing to respond to this information.
Key Results, Responses and Tips
What's the number one reason for joining the ASTDps Chapter?
Of our members who completed the 2012 survey, 90%+ reported that it was networking and building relationships.
Three Tips for ASTDps Networking
ASTDps Workplace Learning Professionals: Competency Development
The top five competencies identified with a high need to develop, based on ASTDps member 2012 survey responses were: (1) Social learning delivery (2) Influencing stakeholders (3) E-learning delivery methods and design (4) Measuring and evaluating and (5) Facilitating organizational change.
Visit our website to learn about Chapter Meetings, Professional Development Opportunities, Interest Groups, Professional Development Events and Study Groups designed to support your on-going competency development.
Specifically, on October 5, 2012, our 2012 ASTDps Conference, Ignite Your Mojo, will also highlight many of the top five competency categories including workshops on the following:
In each of the upcoming newsletters, watch for additional survey highlights with tips and responses from the ASTDps Board of Directors addressing the on-going needs of our Chapter Members.
Thank you again for your participation in the 2012 ASTDps Member Survey. We look forward to continuing to provide excellence in programming, resources and networking opportunities to support your professional development and growth throughout the remainder of 2012.
View a calendar of upcoming chapter meetings, professional development, SIGs and more here.
President: Darren Nerland
Immediate Past President: Gordon Storey
Secretary: Jackie Hallstrom
VP of Finance: Jeanne Daly
VP of Membership Services: Sally Templeton
VP of Communications: Nicole Forward
VP of Programs: Karen Thornton
VP of Technology: Magic Johnson
VP of Professional Development: Sherry Johnson Metz
VP of Research and Learning Sciences: Bev Parnell
VP of SIGs/GIGs/PDNs: Paul Marshall


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An amazing beatboxer from the UK
"Jesus, Tyte is the tightest beatboxer ever! He sounds like a damn echo chamber...."
додав Anonymouse 31 Жовтень 2003
Another term for something really great or an expression of delight
"This food is fully TYTE yaar!"
"Arey TYTE I can stand on my head!"
"Arey TYTE I can stand on my head!"
додав Little Blue Patakha 15 Січень 2003
Something really cool
"I really like Jaffar, he's such a TYTE guy!"
"This food is fully tyte! I want more!"
"This food is fully tyte! I want more!"
додав Little Blue Patakha 3 Січень 2003
an adjective describing something good, exciting, fun, etc....
That was a hella tyte music video!
додав tha tytest person ever 1 Липень 2003


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Amazon's Lovefilm HD shuns Sony fanboys
Amazon's Lovefilm video-on-demand service will begin offering HD streams today, but what resolution viewers get will depend on what gadget they're in front of. Mac and PC viewers, tuning in through Lovefilm's website will be treated to 1080p streams, the IPTV firm said. Watch on an iPad and Xbox 360 and you'll get 720p footage …
Netflix has the better PS3 UI anyway
So MEH
If you're dumb enough to pay an XBOX Gold subscription ON TOP of your Lovefilm/Netflix sub to be able to use it on that console then you largely deserve what you get. Don't care about HD especially, it's just a bonus, I want to watch the film, not count the pixels.
(Yes I realise people might already pay for gaming anyway on XBOX but if you don't, paying two subs for the benefit of one is lunacy)
Not much content?
"We counted ten episodes of Lost series one, the BBC's Planet Earth mini-series and seven kids' movies"
That sounds pretty much like Lovefilm's entire streaming offering, to be fair.
Re: Not much content?
There is tonnes on the SD and sub-HD stuff. About the same as Netflix.
Loveflim of course, the real value is in the proper HD, disks by post. As even HD streaming looks only marginally better than DVD.
Re: Not much content on LoveFilm?
I think 'content' is a bit of a strong word, to be honest.
Anything worth seeing you have to pay an additional fee to view on top of your subscription.
Or you can just get the blu-ray through the letterbox next day, which is the point of paying the subscription. And it will be guaranteed 1080p with no lag.
Hang fire. I wasn't with LoveFilm for long, but when I was, I'm pretty sure the PS3 streamer had a HD option. I remember having to switch down to a lower quality to watch Sky Blue, because their server kept lagging on HD. Did that just happen in my head, or were they "compressed" and "less compressed" as opposed to 480p vs 720p?
Shhhhsh, let the Xbox fanboys have their moment in the sun.
Clearly this article is primt fanboy bait, as it misses out 2 critical points about PS3 support/
1/ Loveflim say the HD content for PS3 is coming "very soon" in their FAQ.
2/ PS3 already streams in higher definition than everything else anyway.
"5. Why are Sony TVs & Blu-ray players, and the PlayStation®3 and iPad® not on this list?
We're working on bringing full HD to Sony and the PlayStation®3 very soon, sorry for the delay (remember, the PS3™ already plays titles in higher quality than standard definition). And we don't currently have studio rights to stream HD on iPad®."
Doubtless it's their own internal meaning of 'HD' - more HD than the non-HD versions :)
Netflix also has 'HD' but doesn't say what it means by that.
"And we don't currently have studio rights to stream HD on iPad®."
"And we don't currently have studio rights to stream HD on iPad®."
And the movie industry wonder why people pirate stuff... why the hell do you need a separate set of rights to stream on a different device? Is this just an excuse from LoveFilm or are the studios really that greedy?
I'm sticking to sales
And optical media, you can get them pretty cheap, you can keep them or sell them on and the picture is better.
Re: I'm sticking to sales
Good choice and I respect it. I've gone to Netflix primarily because I don't have/want a subscription TV service, and I've found after buying DVDs for ten years that I now have boxes full of DVDs I haven't watched for years and they're just taking up space in my house. I can sell them, but it's effort to do so, and the difference between what I pad for them and what I'll get back is probably more than the Netflix subscription.
I do still buy DVDs of films and TV series if I'm really a fan of them.
Re: I'm sticking to sales
I have really cut back on buying - a variety of reasons.
Poor films
Locked piracy warnings
Forced adverts
Tend to buy interesting films, non Hollywood films and Anime now, most of the classics I have on DVD when I used to buy a lot more, and very few are upgraded - only Blade Runner - very good BD.
So I buy a few BDs a year. But I do prefer them with game data on now, Choice between the latest say Adam Sandler film or an Uncharted game - hello Drake.
What bit rate are they using these days?
12meg requirement for say a 2hr movie would mean a roughly 10gig file, which isn't too bad for 1080, but not ideal - would mean your line running at full pelt the whole time, i.e. not hitting a bandwith throttle. So I assume then that they would hope to get a continuous real world of what, 60-70%? so about a 6-7gig file? That's starting to sound less good.
HD pixar movies
I never saw the point in HD animated movies.
Re: HD pixar movies
Erm....really? Pixar's are all basically video game cutscenes, and you don't see the point in increased resolution?
Just wish it had better content.
Been thinking of dropping the streaming service. There just isnt enough good current content to make it worthwhile.
If you look on the Zune Video service there are plenty of current 2011/2012 movies but Lovefilm you have just a mere smattering of 2010/11 releases. The rest is pretty much junk or stuff that Film4/ITV2 has shown to death over the past 5 years.
Very disappointing. Plus the bloody god awful current 360 UI is a pig to navigate it with.
Other than that the picture quality is fine usually.
Unless the definition has changed i think this article means 'people with sony tv's' rather than 'fanbois'
Sony customers
Hmm Sony customers are really getting screwed on online streaming stuff. No Netflix on pre-2012 devices now an unspecified delay before LoveFilm HD.
Meanwhile I do have a lovely Qrios Streaming or something all over my menus..
LoveFilm Instants content
The content is bloody awful.
Sure there are some box sets, which are slightly interesting time-wasters, but the Film content (Surely the main purpose!) is abysmal.
2-3 decent recent films, and the rest are all god-awful b-movies and flops. Seriously.
Try going in there and sorting by film rating - there will be about 3x 4 star films, but the vast majority are 3 and below.
After getting the steaming service I spent 2-3 evenings watching stuff - there's literally nothing left on there i want to watch. If I didn't get the service heavily subsidised through work, I wouldn't pay for it.
Re: LoveFilm Instants content
I'm glad I'm not the only one that's mentioning this.
As you say there is about two evening of decent stuff and the rest is straight to video/DVD garbage.
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Peruvian Torch (Echinopsis peruviana)
Product status: In stock
Product status: In stock
The Peruvian Torch (Echinopsis peruviana) cactus can be found in the Andes in Peru and Ecuador. Its natural habitat are the mountain desert areas at an altitude of 2000-3000 meters above sea level. It is a fast-growing columnar species and contains the well researched psychoactive alkaloid mescaline as well as other alkaloids. The plant is bluish-green in color and grows with 6-9 broadly rounded ribs, reaching a height of 3-6 meters at a diameter of 8-18cm. The up to 4cm long spines in groups of 6-8 are located at the nodes, which are evenly spaced along the ribs with a spacing of up to 2.5cm.
Monks of the pre-Inca culture used this mescaline cactus to brew a concoction called "cimora", "achuma" or "huachuma" which was then used in their medicinal and ritual ceremonies - and that was 900 BC to 200 BC.
The chemical formula for mescaline is 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine, it is a very potent mind-altering substance and experimentee reported that it causes psychedelic effects and even hallucinations and visionary experiences including the deeply soothing feeling of being one with mother nature accompanied by euphoria. Just 0.3-0.4 gram of pure mescaline are sufficient to unbuckle your consciousness from reality, but that counts only for PURE mescaline and you will have to eat quite some amount of mescaline cactus to get there. But, first the grief, then the joy! The consumption of Echinopsis peruviana flesh will inevitably make you - eat backwards. The indigenous shamans say that this process is needed to cleanse the body from the last remnants of what ties your spirit to the body and that it should be seen as a positive experience. Plan ahead with this in mind; do not eat for at least 6 hours prior to the trip. This is the best method to limit the span of this first "positive" experience and it has two positive effects: You will be able to resist the nausea for a longer span and this results in better absorption of the psychoactive cocktail.
Cultivating the Peruvian Torch cactus
To grow your own Peruvian Torch clone simply place the cutting deep enough to stand on its own in special cactus soil with 25% washed sand and 35% perlite; soil for houseplants is not suited for cacti and their nutrient requirements. The soil should drain well and be able to hold enough of the moisture for at least a week without drying out. Rooting hormone is counter-productive! It can harm the tissue of the plant and open doors for bacterial or fungal rot. Let the cactus accommodate to its new home and develop a new root system on its own and DON'T water if for 2-3 weeks. Keep the freshly planted clone away from heat and direct sunlight, especially at noon, for at least 4 weeks. Once it has settled you can do it a big favor by emulating its natural habitat: 5 hours of direct sunlight, followed by several hours of indirect light. Since it is a desert plant, it does not need much water. When choosing the pot, make sure it has a punctured bottom to allow for good draining. Place the pot in a shallow tray and fill it with water, the tray, mind you. Water the soil every week in spring and autumn, but completely stop watering it in the winter time or at least limit it to only once every 2-3 weeks. In the summertime you can water the plant 3-5 times per week.
Name change: From Trichocereus to Echinopsis
Trichocereus peruvianus was the now outdated botanical name of the Peruvian Torch until a new classification for cacti came into effect and this cactus was placed in the cactus family called Echinopsis. The up-to-date correct name is Echinopsis peruviana.
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Title : gruner kaktus
Comment : Top Artikel kann man weiter empfehlen
Title : Wow :)
Comment : I just received my 58cm Peruvian Torch :) The longest spines have a length of 4.5cm! Even if I had to wait a while, since the cactus was sold out, when my money transfer was received ... but it was definitely worth the week waiting! Thanks Zamnesia!
Title : Great service!
Comment : I ordered two of these fine cacti and as always they came fast and with nice goodies. Reliability is something I automaticly associate with Zamnesia! The cacti were in very good shape and already started growing. These guys know their plants and how to treat and prepare them. Keep up the great work!
Title : Magnifique
Comment : J'ai prix le modèle 10 cm il est vraiment fascinant je le recommande a tous , sérieusement de toute beauté et de qualité . Merci Zamnesia
Title : TORCIA PERUVIANA!!
Comment : ho preso il Cactus da taglia media, è arrivato ben confezionato e completamente sano! infati è Bellissimo e dopo averlo piantato nel terriccio speciale ha iniziato a crescere dopo circa 1 mese di adattamento al nuovo vaso.
Title : Super Kaktus
Comment : Sehr schöner Kaktus der auch sofort angewurzelt hat. Über den Meskalingehalt kann ich nichts sagen, da ich die Kakteen nur zu Dekozwecken verwende.
Title : TORCIA PERUVIANA
Comment : Bellissimo è verde con riflessi bluastri! Speriamo cresca bene!!!
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Houston Grand Opera takes us on an amazing trip in presenting this opera left forgotten in Soviet archives.
And will gabachos ever pick crops like Mexicans?
Hospitals, doctors and dealers have made Medicare the nation's sweetest crime. The feds are now trying to shutter the door.
There's good stuff here, but did we really need another round of the master's work?
What should we make of radiant Lincoln and blubbering Private Ryan?
If there's one thing Hair Balls can't get enough of, it's racists, which is why we were thrilled to hear this week from a Houston contributor to a site called SaveWhitePeople. The writer (known on the site as Erich) wanted to know if we'd like to interview the NYC-based site's founder, Joseph Adams. ... More >>
Bald eagles will weep for Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.
Documentary filmmaker Gaylen Ross's new film Killing Kasztner: The Jew Who Dealt with Nazis hits the screen at Houston's Angelika Theater today. If you don't know the name Rudolf Kasztner, you aren't alone. Although the Hungarian journalist and lawyer saved more than 1,600 Jews during WWII, h ... More >>
Breach of contract suits are ordinarily dry, boilerplate affairs, which is why Hair Balls tips our hat to the colorful complaint filed last Friday by Donald Large against City Council At-Large Candidate Carlos Obando. Large, who is also chairs Harris County Republican Precinct 411, tells Obando in h ... More >>
The Summer Israeli Film Series closes with a family drama
Sacha Baron Cohen's in queerface. But what's Brüno's real target?
Javier de Villota's bold re-creation of a marketplace massacre in Sarajevo is installed at the Station.
If you're going to take an ad in your newspaper, it's probably a good idea to check whether it's from a group whose website banners a challenge to the US Holocaust Museum that says "Please provide, with proof, the name of one person who was killed in the gas chambers at Auschwitz."UH's Daily Cougar ... More >>
This is both documentary and animated feature — and a remarkable bubbling up of repressed violence
Winslet and Fiennes take the long and (Oscar-)worthy road to redemption
For days after the storm, inmates in Beaumont lived without A/C, electricity or hot meals. Press releases kept saying everything inside was fine. Guards and prisoners agree — that was nothing but B.S.
Examining Anti-Semitism
Great moments in HouStoned history
Houston minister Dr. K.A. Paul flies around the globe using Jesus to pull in worldwide donations -- unfortunately spending more money on jet fuel than orphans
The HMNS features the life's work of a creepy German doctor
Fateless paints a stunning portrait of a Jewish teen's death camp survival
Tennessee schoolkids teach the world a lesson in an inspirational documentary
Tomorrow Morning is a trip
An exhibition pays tribute to holocaust victims at a camp for women
Tim Blake Nelson's uneven holocaust drama exposes an ethical Grey Zone
Nobody's getting paid. There are no investors left. The rent money is running out. But George Molho and company are hanging on, hoping that with a good product and just a little luck they'll strike it rich.
Trey McIntyre gets the Houston Ballet crowd hooked on a feeling
Not even Renée Zellweger can make us Jones for this sarcastic romance
Smithsonian Folkways releases Broadside magazine's long-forgotten tracks
Comic-book characters remain two-dimensional in the special effects-laden X-Men
Mr. Death comes alive in a disturbing documentary by Errol Morris
A romantic fairy tale does finewith a working-class setting
Chaplinesque Life uses humor against Holocaust horrors
The MFA's focus on Frank Freed tells us a lot about the art world, but not much about art
Cronos makes something new from old-fashioned horror
Spalding Gray brings his Anatomy and memories back to Houston


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According to the pilot, during his landing on runway 25, the aircraft bounced slightly and then touched down "normally," but during the landing roll, the left main wheel structure collapsed and the aircraft nosed over onto its top wing. This scenario was confirmed by a witness who was working near the runway and who had seen the aircraft land. An inspection of the wheel disclosed that all but three wire spokes had pulled out of the wheel rim. The pilot said that he had not noticed any loose spokes prior to takeoff, but that the grass strip he departed from was "pretty rough." The reason for the separation of the spokes from the wheel rim was not positively determined.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
Index for Jul2002 | Index of months


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Royal Complete Wedding & Reception Package
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- Appetizer for reception
- Round tables for wedding reception
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- PA system
- Refreshments for groom's party while getting ready for your wedding
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Complete Wedding & Reception Package Includes:
- Unity Candle or Unity Sand
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- 5 Men's Boutonnière (1 groom's, 2 best men & 2 father's)
- 1 Bride's Bouquet
- 2 Bride's Maids Flowers and 2 Mother's Corsage
- Engraved Napkins
- Professional Photography
- Wedding Ring Pillow
- Cake Serving Pieces
- Wedding Invitations
- DJ ~ Disc Jockey
- Your choice of a Romantic Horse Drawn Carriage Ride or another night Honeymoon Stay
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Package includes 8 hour rental designed as follows: 3 hour set up/photographs; 4 hour ceremony and reception, 1 hour for clean up. A one hour rehearsal is included as well as designated time for you to come out for bridal and/or engagement pictures. Additional hours are available for a fee, please see amenities.


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Resources ( Showing 1 – 8 of 46 )
Case Study Peninsula Hotel
The Research and Technology team of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels was responsible for developing and implementing Peninsula's in-room technology upgrade.Download PDF
Case Study Slate NY
Samsung UD Series Video Wall Displays bring wow factor and attract crowds and events to top-rated New York entertainment venue.Download PDF
Case Study Intermarche grocery store
French grocery retailer Intermarché uses a Samsung large format display (LFD) solution to communicate more effectively with customers in their stores.Download PDF
Case Study White Lodging's Clark & Grand Hotels
White Lodging chose to deploy Samsung 590 Series Smart Hospitality TVs featuring H-Browser for all guest rooms at the three Clark & Grand hotels.Download PDF
Case Study Hall County School
Hall County Schools selected Samsung to provide LED-lit commercial display and digital whiteboard solutions that would meet their eucational objectives as well as the budget considerations.Download PDF
Case Study Geico
Geico S.p.A. has chosen Samsung's interactive multimedia e-boards and high-definition displays to improve efficiency and encourage the ongoing drive towards innovation, and to enhance the head office and Innovation Centre with a cutting-edge technological image.Download PDF
Case Study Statue of Liberty Crown café
Working with leading integrator VideoSonic Systems, Evelyn Hill selected the Samsung MD-C Series of commercial displays to power the Crown Café's menu boards and to engage guests waiting in line.Download PDF
Data Sheet Samsung ML-5510ND
The innovative Samsung ML-5510ND Monochrome Laser Printer comes with hassle-free integration and easy-to-use functionality. It meets the challenges of a heavy work day with fast print mechanism and an optional hard disk that provides secure printing. Moreover, its flexibility and adaptability lets you manage your time effectively.Download PDF


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Play Up Your Smile
Four real women prove it: You're more gorgeous when you smile. These are the beauty tips that make them happy.
By Gina Way
Don't try for perfect
"I'm from Ghana, and there, women with gapped teeth are considered very beautiful. In America, everyone has to have perfect teeth, but I think my gaps give my smile character. My 2-year-old daughter has my same teeth, and if her permanent ones also have a gap, I won't make her get braces." --Belinda Baidoo, 33
To flash a smile this bright, try an at-home teeth-whitening kit. We like Crest 3D White Whitestrips 2 Hour Express, $54.99 for box of 4; amazon.com, because it's fast and really mess-free.


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As funding gets tight, supportive housing attracts creative architects
San Francisco's urban watchdog gets new home
Usher's Revenge
LA affordable housing ordinance struck down
Crossing the Line
LA's expo light rail on track, with controversies in tow
New Dean on the Block
Wolch to lead Berkeley's CED
Preservationists fight to save Century Plaza Hotel
Modesto Commerce Bank by Mark Horton Architecture
Home Sweet Home
LA's A+D Museum lands its own space at last
Let Them Eat Art
SFMOMA opens a sculpture garden and announces ambitious expansion plans
House of the Issue: XTen Architecture
Kanner Architects' new station for United Oil in Los Angeles revives the typology as an opportunity for real architecture
Studio Visit: Frederick Fisher and Partners
At Deadline
Nine San Diego architects and designers are redefining housing, development, and urban design in their own city and beyond. The La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art has taken notice, giving over most of the museum to installations that encapsulate the concerns and craft of a generation that is dedicated to making a difference.
The Infrastructural City: Networked Ecologies in Los Angeles
Richard Neutra, Architect: Sketches and Drawings at the LA Central Library
Watch Yourself
Tall Building: Imagining the Skyscraper
Protest: Brian Libby
Save Memorial Coliseum


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Remember Nissin's Ramen Samurai from when he did battle in Brazil? Well, he's back, and this time he's doing battle in Manchester. And he's not just fighting some random street tough. No, this time the ramen company has him squaring off against three ninjas during what looks like a soccer half time ... More >>
The Observatory
Johnny Marr -- Smiths guitarist, Modest Mouse producer and more -- released his solo debut early this year. After touring the album around the world, he hits the House of Blues Anaheim next week. In the print issue, we spoke to Marr about the Smiths, being a good frontman and what he's been up to th ... More >>
Presidents of the United States of America The Observatory May, 22, 2012 Lately we're seeing a lot of '90s bands seemingly come back from the grave, or at least back into our consciousness again thanks to the almighty "anniversary/reunion tour." It was certainly the case again last night as Presiden ... More >>
See Update No. 2 on page 2 with the murder charges identifying the victim.See Update No. 1 on the next page with the police identification of the suspect and the crime-scene hotel.ORIGINAL POST, FEB. 13, 11:11 A.M.: It sounds like the beginning of a late-night-TV whodunit: Cops arrive at a hotel to ... More >>
By: Liz OhanesianI'm not going to begrudge anyone for not knowing who Coachella headliners The Stone Roses are. The simple fact is that their first album, (the only one that really matters), came out in 1989. If you're in college now, you most likely weren't even born then. Plus, The Stone Roses wer ... More >>
Monday, January 14 Pop Noir The Constellation Room After spending a year laying low, Huntington Beach's own Pop Noir are ready to resurface with a month-long residency at The Constellation Room in The Observatory. Brothers Luke and Joe McGarry have used this time out of the limelight to carefully ... More >>
After spending a year laying low, Huntington Beach's own Pop Noir are ready to resurface with a month-long residency at The Constellation Room in The Observatory. Brothers Luke and Joe McGarry have used this time out of the limelight to carefully craft some new tunes, including a cover of British el ... More >>
Friday, December 28Sweet and Tender HooligansHouse of Blues Anaheim It's an understatement to say that fans of the Smiths are rabid. Obj ... More >>
House of Blues
Darren Williams' life as polymath producer Star Slinger is a series of genre-defying leaps and bounds. One day, he's working on a track for Stunnaman and Lil B, the next he's producing R&B, and somehow, before night falls, he manages to churn out a collaboration with Bay Area club rap weirdo ... More >>
See also: *Our complete Coachella coverage*Coachella: Let's Talk About Weed*Coachella: The Best of Friday, April 20, 2012Over the past 30 years, alternative Britpop rockers James have been one of the most underrated bands to come from Manchester. Having toured across the globe and played some of th ... More >>
Why is Rakenrol so cool? The Philippine movie, screening today at 5 p.m. at UC Irvine, doesn't have a groundbreaking plot: it's the story of an indie band trying to make it big, where the members come of age, and there's a love story (natch) to boot. It's not just that the motley cast is endeari ... More >>
According to Nik Ritchie, who broke the bit of gossip about Ashton Kutcher supposedly having sex with Sara Leal in a San Diego Hard Rock Hotel suite's balcony hot tub on his sixth anniversary with wife Demi Moore, the previously unknown one-night stand-in "has been hiding out in a 3 million dolla ... More >>
Musical festival season is in full swing, and that means you're either already on a plane to attend this weekend's Bonnaroo Music Festival or staying at home and wishing you were there. This year, the likes of Eminem, Arcade Fire, Robert Plant and Lil Wayne are part of the star-studded lineup in Man ... More >>
There's an opening line bandied around by reporters as one of the best openers in history, something along the line of "[Some criminal] died hungry," a story that dealt with a robber getting killed in the process of robbing a restaurant--or something like that. The following story is the opposite ... More >>
A British builder who became an Internet sensation by streaking before bouncing into a glass wall on a tennis court has a Huntington Beach connection.Tom Annandale, a 28-year-old from Manchester, U.K., spent a year playing rugby for a Surf City-based team.He presumably kept his uniform on back th ... More >>
Since 2004, people around Orange County have known of dance rock trio Pop Noir, founded by singer/bassist/keyboardist Luke McGarry and twin brother guitarist Joe McGarry (now with drummer Nico Saavedra). Audiences familiar with local music know, for example, that the McGarrys were born in the UK ... More >>
The Hype: Now well into its fourth full decade of existence, the Fall has been around long enough that bands that have followed in its wake have not only broken up but had their own reunion tours. (Just ask Pavement sometime.)
www.myspace.com/liam_gallagherLiam Gallagher's newly formed film Production Company In 1 Productions has confirmed that they will develop and produce a feature film about the The Beatles' Apple Corps, adapted from the book "The Longest Cocktail Party" by Richard DeLillo. That's after Paul McCartn ... More >>
Andrew YoussefWesley Eisold of Cold CaveThe Hype: Cold Cave's dark, synthpop 2009 album Love Comes Close is the complete amalgamation of 1980s New Wave laced with dark electro. Started by ex-American Nightmare and Give Up The Ghost frontman Wes Eisold, Cold Cave began as a solo project but has evol ... More >>
The Glass House
Orange County dance rock trio Pop Noir closed their November residency at Detroit Bar with a gripping, good times performance that transformed this first-time attendee into a full-fledged fan. Singer/bassist/keyboardist Luke McGarry and twin brother guitarist Joe McGarry played precise, guitar po ... More >>
House of Blues
There aren't too many bands, at least to those with quirky sensibilities, as appealing as New York trio We Are Scientists. Just check out their official site--it features "good new jokes" on the front page, like "Between Judas and the Romans, Jesus got double-crossed!" and "What did the happy ... More >>
In case my story in this week's print edition wasn't enough for you, I was kind enough to transcribe my interview with singer/songwriter Tim Barry for your reading pleasure. Tim's a great person to talk to and I hope you have half as much fun reading this as I did conducting the interview.
Costumed in Doom: Repeater, Forcefield ON, Maritime Academy Scare Up Covers for Helloween
Sneakerhead culture's always been a little baffling to me. I think everyone knows of someone by now who dedicates their lives and entire paychecks to collecting limited edition, rare, exclusive or original sneaks... and then doesn't wear them. Ever. They'll fly to Tokyo for the latest neon patent l ... More >>
Twin White Dukes: Animated Anglophiles Pop Noir bring some Manchester to OC
GET OUT! Nightlife and more: Dec. 14 - Dec. 21
How I learned to stop worrying and love the grease
Life on Mars
The last band lasts forever
The Hacienda Tour 2006
New Orders Peter Hook says its nice to please people
Michael Winterbottom's monomaniacally intoxicating 9 Songs
This week in nightlife and more: July 7-14
Chris Ziegler spent 25 days on the road with diosmaybe the 25 most important days of their careerand he ended up in a Detroit hospital.
Mimicking Moz with the Sweet and Tender Hooligans
Danny Boyles 28 Days Later and Guy Maddins Dracula
Welcome to the summer of love at a theater near you
Airport foes share their pain online


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Q: I have completed my income tax filing and anticipate a large refund. I need the money quickly and am considering a tax refund anticipation loan. Do you have advice on this type loan?
A: A refund anticipation loan (RAL) is a loan that is offered by many tax preparation companies to people against their income tax return. A tax refund anticipation loan can be approved quickly and money accessible within a day or two. The loan may be for the full amount of the tax refund or a partial amount.
When the IRS refund check arrives at the tax preparer's office, the loan is paid in full. As a consumer, you must understand that these instant refund programs are actually loans. The fees and interest associated with this type loan typically exceed 40 percent, and many rates go over 200 percent.
The Consumer Federation of America reports that in 2008 8.4 million RAL's were made to taxpayers. The fees associated with these loans were about $800 million.
The best advice we may offer to you is to wait for your tax refund from the IRS. Please consider the following points:
1. File your taxes electronically and the refund will be available to you in less than two weeks.
2. Use free tax sites to prepare your tax return. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance programs and AARP's TaxAide offer free tax preparation for low-income taxpayers. The local IRS office offers free tax filing assistance; visit www.IRS.gov to view locations. You may also telephone 423-855-6460 in Chattanooga or 404-338-7962 in Dalton, Ga.
3. Be aware and advised that the Internal Revenue Service has issued a statement this year saying it no longer will provide consumer information to the refund processing companies for loan purposes. Information about tax liens against an individual will not be available. The IRS states that providing this information to these companies is infringing on the privacy of the taxpayer.
4. Consider other options for the two-week short term; request a loan from family members, or use a credit card to pay immediate expenses. The interest rate on a credit card will be lower than unregulated RAL's.
5. If you rely on the money from a tax refund, you should consider adjusting the withholding taxes on your earnings. With the right exemptions you will have more money each paycheck.
6. Lastly, read all forms that your tax preparer gives you and watch out for anything that gives permission for your preparer to share your tax information. Protect your privacy at all times.
Get answers to your questions each Friday from Jim Winsett, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau Inc., which serves Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia. Submit questions to his attention by writing to Business Editor John Vass Jr., Chattanooga Times Free Press, P.O. Box 1447, Chattanooga, TN 37401-1447, or by e-mailing him at email@example.com.
We have commenced a management consultancy firm name We3 consuolting. we provide all type of service accross India including statutory compliances and IT refunds in Bangalore. Our corporate office in Bangalore.Please contact for any assistance related to Audit compliance Payroll mgt.etc Ph no 9945481000 firstname.lastname@example.com
Thanks Manjunath D R
If consumer advocacy experts were really concerned about the poor, then they would be fighting the government from taking this money as an interest-free advance cash loans to begin with. If these are tax REFUNDS, then they reflect an overpayment — an overpayment actively encouraged, if not legally required by Uncle Steal-some-more. The real culprit here is the federal government which is much worse than an RAL provider. At least with the RAL provider, the money grab is upfront and voluntary. With Uncle Steal-some-more, it is obscured and compulsory. Consumer advocates don't really care about the poor. They do care about corporations, while worshiping at the altar of the biggest miscreant of all.


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Quick Links
Welcome to the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Services
Connecting with Student Affairs and Enrollment Services is essential to making UH's campus life a valuable experience. The good times, the friendships, and support you will receive will create an exciting environment in which to live and learn. Whether it's helping you get involved, stay healthy, live on campus, or get support, our staff is happy to enrich your campus life experience outside of the classroom! Read more


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Originally posted 07/28/2011 06:00AM
Originally posted 08/27/2009 05:05PM
Jeremy Piven won't be sleeping with the fishes.
An arbitrator ruled that the actor – who abruptly left the Broadway revival of David Mamet's Speed-the-Plow after suffering from mercury poisoning – did not breach contractual obligations or any personal agreements with the producers of the play for leaving.
The arbitrator stated in the decision that there was "sufficient evidence to establish that Piven's decision was a reasonable one; that it was reasonably based, and that the contrary evidence is insufficient."
Originally posted 06/19/2009 07:15AM
Hold the fish for Jeremy Piven.
"I haven't had a piece of fish since the doctor told me to lower my blood mercury level," the Entourage Emmy winner told PEOPLE during Thursday's Lakers celebration party at Los Angeles's Nokia Club. "So, it's been almost 10 months now."
Piven, 43, abruptly left the Broadway revival of David Mamet's Speed-the-Plow mid-run in December with an ailment his doctor called fatigue from mercury poisoning.
Miffed over his departure from the show, producers filed charges with Actors Equity against Piven, with the case currently tied up in arbitration.
Originally posted 03/25/2009 04:15PM
This summer we may finally solve the enduring Broadway mystery: Did the fish do it?
On June 6th and 7th, an arbitrator will hear the dispute between both Actors' Equity, the producers of the Broadway revival of David Mamet's Speed-the-Plow and the production's one-time star, Emmy winning actor Jeremy Piven.
The Entourage star, 43, abruptly left the show in December – 10 weeks early – complaining of fatigue caused by toxic mercury in his system from eating fish. At the time, his doctor claimed that he had mercury levels that were six times higher than an allowable level.
Originally posted 02/26/2009 05:40PM
An off-off-off Broadway drama over Jeremy Piven's sudden departure from Speed-the-Plow opened and closed Thursday with at least one positive review – from Piven.
An Actor's Equity grievance committee met for about six hours in New York, ending with no unanimous decision and Piven leaving out the back door. But later the actor issued a statement claiming victory. He also gave an interview to The New York Times.
Accompanied by his publicist, Piven told the newspaper, "The biggest misconception was that this all came out of the blue in December and that I came down with this 'sushi-gate' stuff. It's not sushi, it's from eating fish for 20 years and not understanding the mercury threat."
Originally posted 02/25/2009 11:55AM
At the request of the producers of Broadway's Speed-the-Plow, Jeremy Piven will stand before the grievance committee of the actors' union, Actors' Equity, on Thursday, as both sides present cases on his abrupt departure from the production before the end of his contract.
Piven, best known for his Emmy-winning portrayal of ruthless Hollywood agent Ari Gold on HBO's Entourage, blamed mercury poisoning for his withdrawal from the successful stage revival of the David Mamet play. His reps said that his leaving the production was based on doctors' orders.
Piven, 43, will appear at the Equity gathering in person, reports the New York Post, which also says that producers intend to show that records from his private-car driver will reflect that while Piven was complaining of being sick he was socializing at clubs.
Originally posted 01/23/2009 12:05PM
Before he bowed out of his role on Broadway because of mercury poisoning, Jeremy Piven was embodying his inner Ari Gold on photo shoots to promote the play.
According to Page Six Magazine, the 43-year-old Entourage star was a bit hard to direct during a September photo shoot the magazine did to promote Speed-the-Plow.
"This isn't my first time on the merry-go-round," he said when asked to pose for a traditional head-shot. "You want mediocre? I can give you mediocre." His pose? A DMV-worthy grin.
But, as you can see here, Piven didn't want to give mediocre a little later. He popped his collar, and "letting out a guttural moan," ripped the sleeves off a $350 Giorgio Armani shirt, the mag reports.
This week's issue of Page Six Magazine hits newsstands Sunday.
– Kristin Boehm
Originally posted 01/15/2009 11:15AM
He became an easy punchline after dropping out of a Broadway show in December citing mercury poisoning, but Jeremy Piven says the condition was very real.
From the second week of rehearsal for the revival of David Mamet's Speed-the-Plow, the Entourage star, 43, told Good Morning America, "I was losing my balance and my memory. The lights were too bright. I couldn't get enough oxygen."
After passing out in his home after work one day, he was admitted to the hospital for three days while doctors ran extensive tests, Piven says. Doctors discovered he had six times the levels of mercury found in a healthy person, which was causing his symptoms, and warned that he could have a heart attack if he overexerted himself.
Originally posted 01/12/2009 12:05PM
Jeremy Piven admits he has faced some "embarrassing" public skepticism about his sudden decision to leave the hit Broadway revival of David Mamet's Speed-the-Plow, but the actor tells PEOPLE that none of the backlash is as bad as the health condition that caused him to quit.
Piven, who withdrew from the show last month after doctors diagnosed him with a high mercury levels in his system, says that his illness was genuine – and debilitating.
"The reality is, I was brought to my knees by this illness," Piven, 43, tells PEOPLE. "It feels like the heaviest bout of mono you've ever had in your life. It was completely overwhelming to the point where you get vertigo and it's not healthy."
Originally posted 12/18/2008 04:25PM
Jeremy Piven suffered "shocking levels" of mercury in his system from eating too much sushi and Chinese herbs, forcing him to leave the Broadway play Speed-the-Plow, his doctor tells PEOPLE.
"I pulled Jeremy from the show," says Dr. Carlon Colker. "I'm an unpopular character right now."
Responding to skepticism over the decision to leave the play – playwright David Mamet joked that Piven was leaving show business to "pursue a career as a thermometer" – the doctor says the decision was purely medical, and one that Piven, 43, initially resisted.
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Support Hours 24hrs 7 Days
This module is licensed to one domain. It may be used in more than one store within the same domain without additional licensee fees.
The tokens are added to the 'bask' and 'invc' page templates to implement the features you want to use in this component module.
You can insert the category name directly below the product name in the Basket (BASK) and Invoice (INVC) screens. When a product is in more than one category, the module displays all of them. Each category name is linked to the corresponding category list screen in the Basket Screen.
In addition to categories in the basket, the module also provides the url for the thumbnail image which can be displayed in the basket. The thumbnail display is not in the built-in basket display so this module provides that extra feature.
Also, the module creates a basket price sum variable which can optionally be displayed in the basket and invoice for a basket price combination. This price variable combines the product's basket base price with its attribute prices so that you can show the sum total for the product and hide the individual attribute prices in the basket. If you want to allow customers to see the amounts itemized, you can even make a link to the basket screen and pass a parameter that shows the basket with the product and attribute prices separated by using a conditional display. Creating a sum variable which is different from the original display variable was done to prevent potential conflict with other vendor's 3rd party modules. I could have intercepted the price and changed the variable used for regular price display, but that would likely have led to conflicts as more vendors create modules that effect price display in the basket. So instead, you have both variables and can choose which to display. For those who also want to have combined prices in the merchant and customer emails, you can use the Emporium Plus
Mail Manager module which has tokens for this purpose.
Miva Merchant offers a complete e-commerce solution consisting of PA-DSS validated ecommerce software, PCI compliant ecommerce hosting, credit card processing services and custom website design & development.
Phone: 800.608.MIVA
Email: email@example.com
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Mark Roberts Collectible Christmas Tree Fairy - Small 9" #51-27958
Size: small 9"
Each Mark Roberts piece is handcrafted and painted by skilled artisans. Every fairy has its own personality and is wired to allow for a magical and fanciful pose
The back of the fairy has a clear cord if you wish to use it as an ornament or pose it as if it were flying. They also have a Mark Roberts tag sewn on
All fairies are individually numbered and come boxed with a certificate of authenticitySKU: MARK ROBERTS 51-27958
In Stock: 1
Price: $44.99


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Search pictures and profiles of Senior Singles near you right now. Discover how online dating sites make finding singles in the United States, Canada, and all over the world simple, safe and fun! Once you browse profiles and pictures start flirting, messaging and connecting with other members of the SeniorPeopleMeet.com community. Search today and find other sexy, intelligent singles for casual dating or a serious relationship in your area.Search Single Senior Men | Search Single Senior Women
A little about me...
Love to travel, eat out, attend interesting things such as some symphonies, plays, games,
Hunt & fish, read, movies. I like to spend a week or two in a warm climate in January or February. Also, I try to visit New Orleans in the Spring.
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Happy, smart, passionate, energetic, similar interests, non-smoker, casual dating.
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I am retired and have the time & energy to enjoy an active life.and am looking for someone who enjoys being together and sharing. I am looking for more beautiful memories.
Meet Senior Singles
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Patient Information(937) 208-2048
Patient Financial Services(937) 208-2777(800) 544-0630 toll freeMonday-Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Medical Records Department(937) 208-2806 Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 9:00 pm
One Wyoming Street
Dayton, OH 45409
(937) 208-8000
2400 Miami Valley Drive
Centerville, Ohio 45459
(937) 438-2400
Independent Study Ranks Miami Valley Hospital Among the Top Ten Percent in the Nation for Stroke Care
Cardiac, Vascular, Spine Surgery and Critical Care Services also Cited for Quality
Dayton, OH (October 16, 2006) — Miami Valley Hospital (MVH) announced today that it has been rated among the top ten percent of hospitals in the nation for stroke care, according to a comprehensive study released by HealthGrades, the nation's leading healthcare ratings company. The hospital has been named a recipient of HealthGrades Stroke Care Excellence Award™ due to its outstanding patient outcomes in this clinical area.
According to the HealthGrades study of more than 40 million Medicare discharges, MVH is the only Dayton hospital to receive five star ratings for back and neck surgery (without spinal fusion) and is the top ranked facility in the state for spine surgery.
MVH received five star ratings for the following diagnoses/procedures in HealthGrades study of hospital quality:
"Miami Valley Hospital's excellent outcomes are a tribute to our medical staff and employees' unwavering commitment to leadership in quality care," said Mary Boosalis, President and CEO of MVH. "The HealthGrades analysis shows how our community benefits from the top rate care given by these outstanding professionals."
As part of its ninth annual Hospital Quality in America Study, HealthGrades independently analyzed more than 5,000 hospitals in all 50 states and the District of Columbia for its 2007 ratings, objectively assessing their clinical outcomes and quality. The 40 million hospitalization records utilized in the assessment are publicly available and licensed from the federal government's Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The HealthGrades ratings take into account varying degrees of patient severity from hospital to hospital and measure whether patient outcomes for each of more than two dozen procedures and diagnoses are better than expected (5-Star), as expected (3-Star) or worse than expected (1-Star).
"Our analysis provides an apples-to-apples comparison of hospital performance by procedure or diagnosis, and it is evident there is significant variance between individual hospitals, said Samantha Collier, MD, HealthGrades' vice president of medical affairs. "It should be a comfort to Dayton area residents to know that Miami Valley Hospital is in their own back yard and provides quality care in so many different clinical areas."
The 2007 HealthGrades ratings for all hospitals nationwide are available, free of charge, on HealthGrades' consumer Web site, located at www.healthgrades.com. More than three million individuals and employees of more than 125 major employers visit the HealthGrades web site every month to access quality information about hospitals, nursing homes and physicians. HealthGrades also provides consumers and payers with detailed assessments of hospitals' patient-safety outcomes, based on indicators developed by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Hawks Sign James Nunnally To 10-Day Contract
The Hawks have signed small forward James Nunnally to a 10-day contract. Atlanta was able to make the move after opening a roster spot by waiving Cartier Martin on Tuesday. I'm not going to pretend like I know anything about Nunnally yet, but his numbers with the Bakersfield Jam (18.2 points in 33 minutes... »


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SAN FRANCISCO – Tim Lincecum's days of dominance may be in the past. That doesn't mean he can't dial up flashes of the Freak he once was – especially against the San Diego Padres.
Lincecum pitched his second no-hitter against the Padres in less than a year, allowing only one runner Wednesday and leading the San Francisco Giants to a 4-0 win.
I've always been that guy who will kind of go for the strikeout, Lincecum said. I think my first no-hitter I had 13, so I think I was going for those a little bit more often.
Today I tried to be a little bit more efficient and take what they were going to give me. They were giving me a lot of groundballs and a lot of pop flies, so I was just going to try to keep attacking the way that I was.
Lincecum totally shut down the weakest-hitting team in the majors, striking out six and walking one in a 113-pitch outing – 35 fewer than he needed last July 13 against the Padres in his first no-hitter.
Lincecum retired the final 23 batters after walking Chase Headley in the second inning, relying much more on his off-speed stuff than his fastball.
The right-hander with two NL Cy Young Awards became just the second pitcher in major league history to twice no-hit the same team. Hall of Famer Addie Joss did it for Cleveland against the Chicago White Sox with a perfect game in 1908 and a no-hitter in 1910.
It's hard enough to do one, Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. To do two, that puts you in a little different class. I couldn't be happier.
Lincecum (6-5) threw the 16th no-hitter in team history. Just one other pitcher has thrown two – Christy Mathewson for the New York Giants more than 100 years ago.
In fact, Lincecum joined Sandy Koufax, Randy Johnson and Roy Halladay as the only pitchers with two Cy Young awards and two no-hitters.
Just to be in that company allows me a chance to pat myself on the back a little bit, he said.
Making the performance even sweeter was the fact that Lincecum even got two hits of his own, becoming the first pitcher with two hits in a no-hitter since Rick Wise hit two homers for Philadelphia against Cincinnati on June 23, 1971.
Regardless of what they did, I think it's cool I got two hits anyway because up to today I only had one and a pretty poor batting average, Lincecum said. I got that thing above .100 and I feel much better about it.
But Lincecum will always be known for his pitching. He arrived as a shaggy-haired phenom nicknamed the Freak in 2007 for his ability to generate tremendous velocity from his slight frame.
He won NL Cy Young awards in 2008 and '09 and helped lead the Giants to their first World Series title in San Francisco the following season.
As age and wear and tear ate away at his velocity, Lincecum was forced to change as a pitcher. It hasn't been an easy transformation at times as he posted a losing record the past two seasons as his ERA hovered around 5.00.
He was even relegated to the bullpen when the Giants won it all again in 2012 but was brought back with a $35 million, two-year deal last offseason for moments just like this.
I think it's been a battle for him at times to make that transformation to what he is now, Bochy said. Sometimes less is more, and that's what I think if anything, hopefully he learned today.


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I finished my book. No…let me state that another way: I FINISHED MY BOOK!!!! For whatever reason, this book took a lot out of me, and it took forever. So I'm doing a lot of running around and grabbing people and screaming "I FINISHED MY BOOK" until they get that wide-eyed look that says, "Let me go, or I'm calling the police."
But here's my new dilemma. What shall I do with all this newfound time? Remember, I have another job, and only a few days to work with! The thing about finishing a book is that there's always another deadline to meet, and soon. So I need to make my freedom count!
Here are my top five contenders:
1) Read for fun. I always keep a notebook with me, in which I jot down book recommendations that come along. Right now, it's jam-packed and calling my name.
2) Tear down the bathroom wallpaper. I know, I know, this sounds really boring. But I've been dying to do it for years. In fact, 24 hours before I finished my book, I began peeling paper, just to force myself to put this first. Now, of course, it sounds boring again….
3) Watch the great old TV series I'm behind on. I'm eager to catch up on Downton Abbey (Highclere Castle seen here in a lovely photo by Gary Bembridge), Ballykissangel, The Hollow Crown, Fringe, Arrested Development, Firefly, Scandal…and too many old Masterpiece Theater costume dramas to list.
4) Go antiquing. I don't buy much, but I love to prowl around vintage stores and antique stores. I'm determined to start a beautiful teacup collection, but so far I have a total of one cup…and the rest exist only on my Pinterest board, and in my head.
5) Work in the yard. I think I must have a drop or two of farmer blood, because, although I approach gardening only in fits and starts—and in between times everything dies—I really do love getting my hands dirty. I especially enjoy the meditative quality of weeding. Go figure.
So, what do you think? Which one would you vote for? What do you do when you have a blissful bit of freedom, a little time all to yourself?
To one poster today, I'm giving away a chance to get one of my author copies of THE RANCH SHE LEFT BEHIND, the third in my Sisters of Bell River Ranch series. It's Penny's book, and it'll be out in December, so my author copies probably won't come in until November. It's a bit of a wait, but if you win and haven't read the first two books in the series, I'll send you those now!
We all lead busy lives, and there are some weeks my life is way busier than others. I'm on an early flight to the Romantic Times convention in Kansas City this morning, and I had to do some creative multi-tasking to get everything ready in time.
And just when I thought I couldn't add even one more thing to my to-do list, my publisher sent page proofs for The Spy Wore Blue my Lord and Lady Spy novella coming out in August. They were due yesterday. It's a novella, so I knew it wouldn't take me as long as a full-length book, but I still had to find some time to sit and read through it, making final corrections.
I remember the days when I had hours at my disposal to dedicate to writing, proofreading, revising. Now I'm lucky if I have one hour. So I multi-task.
My daughter is three and a half, and bathroom independent. Yes! But she still likes me close by when she uses the potty. And, like any kid, she sometimes wants to sit in there and sing or tell herself stories or whatnot. She might be in there ten minutes, but I had better be close by. She will check. So what do I do. Grab my computer and sit outside the bathroom door and write.
Right now her favorite game is Hello Kitty Bingo. The game is for 2-4 players, but we usually have only three—Baby G, Mickey Mouse, and me. Like and three-year-old, she has a short attention span. She wants to play, but then she finds something more interesting and runs off to investigate for five minutes. Eventually she remembers the game and comes back to continue play. I used to sit and try to catch a few minutes' of sleep while she read a book or colored a picture. Now I open my laptop and write a few paragraphs before she returns.
And, of course, we have a couple of activities every week. One of them is gymnastics. I love to watch her, but she's not actually doing any gymnastics for much of the class. In the 3-4 year old class, they run around, sing songs, and learn to wait for their turn on the balance beam or bars. So while I'm waiting for her to show everyone her front support, I read a page of the novella.
And that's how the work gets done. Anyone else a master multi-tasker?
So yesterday on my Facebook page I asked for blog topic suggestions and I got so many great ones, many of which were questions, I thought I'd just tackle them here.
Tammy asked: the ups and downs of being a mother who works from home
Well, this could clearly be it's own blog topic and I've tackled some of it at my other blog, Peanut Butter on the Keyboard. I can't speak for other working moms, but I will say that when you do something creative, like writing, that sometimes tapping into that creative energy is very challenging if I've had a difficult day with my kiddos. There are plenty of jobs I've done (when I worked full-time) that I could do while tired or drained or whatever, but writing isn't one of them. At least not on a consistent basis. So I have to find ways to recharge myself on those tough days. Writing is similar to motherhood though in one very specific way, you're never done. You don't get a vacation from being a mom and though I take some days off every now and again, I don't get time off from being a writer.
Susana asked: I'd like to read about your upcoming projects or ideas you're mulling over or thoughts on books you're reading.
Great question! I've got a lot of irons in the fire right now. My next release, A Little Bit Sinful, comes out very soon and it's the sequel to A Little Bit Wicked. I'm working on the final book in that series right now, A Little Bit Scandalous. Those are the books in my Forbidden Love series that features three couples each with their own foray into forbidden love. It's been a lot of fun to write because they're books that focus more on the developing relationship than my longer historicals that have lots of meaty subplots. Then in June I have The Secrets of Mia Danvers coming out, that launches my Dangerous Liaisons series which centers around the hunt of Jack the Ripper.
Cynthia asked: I'd like to know how you overcome writing blocks. When the words just won't come no matter what….
That happens sometimes, doesn't it, Cynthia? Well, first I'm not a big believe it "writer's block" though I do know that on occasion the words stall out for some reason or another. My best advice is to write anyways. That's for the most common blocks, the I-don't-really-want-to-write-today blahs. Then you have the stalled on a scene blocks, so sometimes I'll try to brainstorm out the problem and if that doesn't work, I'll just skip that scene until later. Now when you have a real block, one that's generally rooted in emotional stuff, that's a little different.
True story – two years ago, The Professor and I took in two girls from the foster-care system. We were intent on adopting them, but initially they weren't free and clear. To say things were stressful is a colossal understatement. Toss in the fact that we'd never been parents before and suddenly we had a toddler and an infant, we were emotional strung out. Like I said above, when our emotions are under assault, it's very hard to find the words. All I can tell you is to write as much as you can. Sometimes all you can do is write about the weather or your feelings or whatever, but eventually the words will come back and you'll be able to get back to it.
Angela asked: Your favorite/least favorite part of writing a book.
The easy answer is, I love the book when it's done and about to come out. I hate the book while I'm writing it. But it is often a little more complex than that. Sometimes there are some really magical moments when writing the rough drafts, most of the time though the real magic (at least for me) happens during the subsequent drafts. I like to write the parts that come out great, the parts where I know I've nailed the characters and the dialogue is snappy and even I'm entertained.
(Joey asked about a blog of my favorite heroes and heroines, but I have a guest blog coming about that sometime soon…)
Nicole asked: Maybe write how you cope with your stress when you are stuck on a chapter and loose sleep! What do you do to relax!
I touched on some of this in Cynthia's question, but relaxing, yes, that's so important. I'm trying to exercise more to relieve my stress, walking and that definitely helps. Being with The Professor chills me out pretty good, he has a way of recharging my battery (and I don't mean that in the dirty sense. :-)) Another good thing for me to do if I'm stuck on a chapter is I brainstorm with my writer buds. Shana and Margo and Emily know more about my crazy than they probably would like too and I'm a very needy writer.
Rhianna asked: Hand-in-hand with Joey's idea… I love to see which characters an author wishes she'd been the creator of.
Oh wow, this could be a HUGE list. Um, can I just start with all of the characters in the Harry Potter books? Pretty much all of Suzanne Enoch's heroes. Katniss Everdeen. Yeah, I could go on with this forever.
Cherrie asked: how to get over the fear of putting your work out to a editor/publisher etc…… as in…I got my book wrote, critiqued by my writer groups, read by friends that know the subject…so Im ready to let it go…now what?
Fake it, 'till you make it. That's really the best policy here. I'll be really honest, writing (as in the career) is scary as hell all the time for a variety of reasons. The fear never goes away. So really you just have to learn to either cope with it, or ignore it. Sometimes it's best to ask for help if you can't do it yourself. I know that before Emily sold her first book, I threatened to mail her manuscript off to a certain agent if she didn't do it. That might not work for everyone, but we've always had that kind of relationship. So maybe your friend needs someone to sit with her while she sends it off. Sometimes talking through the very worst thing that can happen (in this case a rejection) can help. Rejection stings, but it doesn't kill you and just know that all your favorite authors have gotten a slew of rejections too. It's just part of the gig.
Melissa asked: Where you get some of your ideas for your stories, When you are stuck or at a standstill what you do to get out of it. When writing your stories do they change as you are writing? Or do they go as you want them to at the beginning? Have you ever used real life situations in your stories?…those are a few off the top of my head.
My ideas come from everywhere. Sometimes I start with nothing and just brainstorm the whole thing (usually talking that out with another writer), other times I'll start with a character and build from that. I love to bounce ideas off of other writers, it's the best way for me to brainstorm. For whatever reason I don't do well brainstorming alone, I need that interaction. But if I'm stuck alone I have some tricks, I do the list of twenty (make a list of 20 ideas for that particular problem and don't stop to analyze, write everything down), I have a box of index cards with character types (think stereotypes like wallflower heroine) and plot hooks (secret baby) and complications (dead body!) and I'll pick some at random and see what I come up with. It's kind of a fun exercise.
I so appreciate all the questions/suggestions because sometimes (especially when I'm on deadline) I just can't think of anything. So to all the rest of you, if you could ask a question of one of your favorite authors, what would it be?
*this was originally posted on my person blog, but it seemed appropriate to share it here today. Written for aspiring authors, but can certainly fit anyone struggling to make a goal a priority
One of the most challenging aspects of becoming a writer is actually writing. It seems like it should be natural. We WANT to write, but actually writing is a whole 'nother ball of string. Making writing a priority is a must because no matter how many classes you take and how many how-to books you read you can't learn how to write unless you plant your butt in the chair and put your fingers to keyboard. That's the big secret, by the way, the secret handshake that new writers want from published writers – you get to be published by writing.
It's really that simple.
But lets consider that it's often way more fun to talk about writing than it is to actually write. So in order to get to that writing habit, we have to trick ourselves. Offer incentives, set the stage, get yourself primed and ready, bribe yourself if you have to.
How many of you didn't set writing goals this year? And how many of you set goals, but had forgotten about them by the second week of February?
I think the problem with most goal-setting scenarios is that we're too kind with ourselves. I mean let's say you set a goal and then you don't achieve it. What happens to you? Um…nothing. I mean you probably aren't even that embarrassed because no one knows you set the goal. What would happen if you proclaimed to everyone you knew and saw on a daily basis that you were on a diet and you were going to exercise everyday and lose 50 pounds by the end of the year? I'll tell you what, those people would be pestering you and eyeing you while you pop that donut in your mouth.
With writing, there really isn't a lot of accountability when it comes to setting goals. We waffle a lot, we set airy-fairy goals that don't really mean much of anything and we're too forgiving of ourselves when we do fail to meet any goal we might have set. There are RWA members across this country who have been members for years and are still struggling to finish their first book – I know several of them. They're bright, intelligent, gifted women, but they just haven't been able to make that commitment.
Once you've written a few pages, you quickly realize that writing isn't easy. For whatever reason we tend to expect it to be easy because we're excited and because the idea is bursting in our imaginations. But when it comes to putting it on paper, it becomes painful and frankly not fun at all. And we do anything and everything to avoid writing. For me it was studying craft. I used that excuse for a long time…well, I can't write yet because I haven't mastered scene and sequel yet. Okay…well, here's a tip from me, you can read every book written on the craft of writing, but until you actually write you'll never master any of it.
Another reason…well, fear is a big one for a lot of us. Fear of success. Fear of failure. Fear of exposing too much of our true selves to the general public. Writers are a neurotic bunch and we're afraid of a lot.
I could go on and list a few more and I'm sure some of you could make suggestions, but whatever your reason is, whatever excuse you have slinking through your mind that you think makes you special or excuses you, get over it. Are you ready for some tough love? How many of you want to make it in this business?
Now I'm not talking money I'm just talking about walking into your local bookstore and seeing your book on the shelf? Anybody want that? Okay, now I don't say this to be pious because it wasn't too long ago I sat where you are right now and I haven't forgotten where I came from. I also didn't get here overnight (in fact it too me seven years and five manuscripts before I sold). But I didn't get here making excuses either. It's time to let the excuses die. It's time to put your big-girl panties on and quit your whining.
What are you willing to do to make this dream happen? What are you willing to sacrifice? There will be some things you can do without (TV) and stuff you aren't willing to part with (time with your kids) and that's all okay, just know it now. Writing is a journey of self discovery and now's the time to get really acquainted with yourself, to find out what you are and aren't willing to do to see your dream of publication come to fruition. So I ask you now…how badly do you want it?
But you say, writing is hard. Well guess what, it's hard for all of us. Get on Twitter or Facebook and follow your favorite authors and you'll eventually see them mention a struggle or two with their current manuscript. If anyone tells you writing is easy for them, they're either lying or they're not working hard enough. How badly do you want it?
You're busy, you say. Well, you're not the only person who's tried to balance writing with a full-time day job or a house full of kids or a sick parent or whatever if is that competes for your time. How badly do you want it?
You can't write unless you have it all plotted out/unless you have a 5-hour block of time/or unless its raining outside and approximately 56.7 degrees. Well, you need to either be writing literary fiction that affords you 5 years in between books or you need some yoga classes to teach you a little flexibility. How badly do you want it?
Okay so y'all get the picture. This is the year. No more excuses. Tack that up above your computer. I don't care what your excuse is, if you want to write, if you want to make a go at this, you'll get it done. You'll make the time, you'll learn your craft, you'll do what it takes to succeed.
Alright now that I've yelled at you ☺, I'll give you some quick tips on how to get it done. First of all you need to set big goals and then break them down into bite-sized pieces. Let's say you want to write a brand-new single-title this year. That's between 360-400 pages of writing, not including any prewriting or revision time. And let's say you have a full-time job and two kids at home. So you can really only get 15-20 new pages done a week (that's an average of 2-4 pages a day depending on if you write 5 or 7 days a week) that comes out to about 24-26 weeks to get your first draft done. Then if you revise 2-3 chapters a week you can be done revising in 6-10 weeks. That's a total of 36 weeks on the long end of things to write a 400 page book. That leaves you with 16 weeks left over to do whatever you want with.
So you see how that works? You find your big goal and you figure out what you need to do in pieces to get there. Just like a book is made up of chapters and chapters are made of scenes and scenes are made up of paragraphs and paragraphs are made up of words, goals work just that way. Start big and work down.
Okay you have your goals, write them down and then share them with someone. Designate someone to be your goals keeper, preferably someone mean and scary who will give you that look if you lag behind.
All right so here are some tools that I've found particularly helpful over the years.
Find a writing zone: not everyone can have an actual home office for our own writing so you might have to get creative. If you don't have an established desk for your work, then perhaps you can get yourself a nice new lapdesk for your laptop. Or if you have a desktop, then you can get yourself a special mouse pad and pen holder, anything that can anchor your area and remind you that it's your writing area.
Or maybe you write away from home, during lunch at your day job or at your local Starbucks. One of the things that I do when I'm writing, that I started out of necessity from writing at coffee shops, is wearing earbuds and listening to instrumental movie soundtracks. Putting those earbuds in puts me right in the "mood" for writing, I know what I'm supposed to be doing. Even when I'm at home now writing, I still put them in my ears, even if alone where I could play the music out loud, the earbuds go in and I can hit my stride.
Make a date: If finding a writing time is challenging for you, then put it on your schedule. Just like you would a lunch date with a friend or a doctor's appointment, put down your writing time. You'll be far more likely to keep it if it's already established. And your family will be more understanding too. Remember your family and friends will take your writing only as serious as you do – they'll use your attitude as a guide.
100 words/100 days: Way back before I had sold my first book when I was struggling to make writing a daily habit, I joined an on-line challenge. The goal was to write 100 words for 100 consecutive days. I learned several things about myself but primarily I learned that I could write anywhere. Before the challenge I had firmly believed that I could *only* write when I had large chunks of time or at a certain time of day or when it was completely quiet. But none of that was true. Sure those might be prime conditions for writing, but who has that all of the time. Not me. Some days all I did was write exactly 100 words, but more often than not I wrote more. The story would take hold of me and I'd rock along and get 1000 words or 2000 words and before I knew it that book was done. The other thing I learned was that because I was writing consistently the book wrote better. I won't say easier because I don't think writing is ever easy. But the writing flowed more because I was in the story, in the characters and it just seemed to work. And you know what? That's the book of mine that sold, that went on to become Courting Claudia. Author James Scott Bell has a great blog with several other tips and tricks you can use to help with this.
Setting deadlines: If you want to be a published author you might as well learn now what it's like to work to a deadline. Set one for yourself. Figure out how many words you need to write to finish the book/story, then break it into smaller pieces. Now set a deadline for that ultimate goal and work daily to meet your smaller goals so you can achieve it. A writer should always know how quickly they can write. When you get those contracts, you pick your own deadlines so you need ot know what you're capable of.
How do you set yourself up to succeed in something you want?