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Kolkata parks to have India's first carbon-neutral solar lighting
The public parks of Kolkata will be illuminated by an automated - battery less - carbon-neutral solar lighting system, reducing the carbon footprint and electricity bills
KOLKATA, September 1: The City of Joy is poised to become the first city in the country to have its public parks illuminated by an automated carbon-neutral solar lighting system, reducing the carbon footprint and electricity bills. The new automated solar lighting system, first installed at Deshapriya Park on a trial basis, would now be extended to 28 other parks by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), the custodian of the parks. "The unique part in this solar lighting system is that it is battery-less and connected with the power grid. An automatic control system has been put in place and the lights will be switched on automatically after evening and switched off in the morning," Renewable Energy Expert S P Gon Chaudhuri, who has devised the technology, told PTI. The lights will also dim automatically after midnight when requirement is low. KMC's Member Mayor-in-Council (Parks and Squares) Debasish Kumar said the project, funded by the West Bengal Government, should be ready in less than a year's time. Explaining the concept of carbon-neutrality manager, thus named by Chaudhuri, the expert said that the system would push solar energy generated during daytime back into the main electricity grid with the aid of a micro-converter. "No battery is therefore needed. The amount of solar electricity produced through the solar panels is recorded on an electric metre. It is carbon-neutral because it produces as much electricity as it consumes," the solar expert said, claiming that the carbon neutrality manager, developed by him, is a first in the world. The pilot project began earlier this year with Deshapriya Park where they have installed 50 solar electric posts having 180 Watt solar panels with LED lights. "We have been very successful in that project. Earlier the electricity bill used to be Rs 17,000, but now it has come down drastically to less than Rs 2,000. That is 90 percent savings," Chaudhuri said adding that with this technology parks can be made 95 percent carbon-neutral. Parks under consideration for the project include prominent ones like Md Ali Park, College Square, Maddox square and Subhas Sarobar Park. When implemented, the project would result in monthly savings of lakhs of rupees in electricity bills, KMC's Kumar said. It is also in line with the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM), the target for which has been recently revised five times. By 2022, the country aims to generate 1,00,000 MW of solar power while current capacity is estimated to be around 4000 MW. The existing model of using battery-powered solar lighting system has its drawbacks. "The capacity of battery is itself a big issue. The ones in use can store 75W but that is not enough. With our battery-less system we can produce 300W. Another issue with batteries is its maintenance cost," Chaudhuri, who runs Arka IGNOU Community College of Renewable Energy, said. The system would also be useful for deployment in street lighting system as well as those on highways. "I am in talks with a private power utility company to convert around 3000 streetlights into solar," he said adding that the Delhi Municipal Corporation had shown interest in the technology.


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Unlike investment banks, Extraco accepts and holds deposits for checking and savings accounts from our central Texas friends and neighbors. We are regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), and we pay for FDIC insurance to cover your deposits. Because of our conservative banking history,
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Go to Ask EDIE.
Extraco is an FDIC-insured bank. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is an independent agency of the United States government that protects against the loss of insured deposits if an FDIC-insured bank or savings association fails. FDIC deposit insurance is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government. Since the FDIC was established in 1934, not one penny of insured funds has ever been lost by a customer of a federally insured bank.
What does this mean for you? Each Extraco depositor is insured to $250,000. There is no need for you to apply for or request FDIC insurance; each depositor is covered automatically.
The FDIC does provide separate insurance coverage for deposits held in different ownership categories such as single accounts, joint accounts, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and trust accounts. Ask your Relationship Manager how to set up your accounts using these regulations to insure every dollar you entrust to us.

subset: commoncrawl


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All this knitting, sewing, walking in the woods and working for a not-for-profit has finally put me on the path towards eco-awareness. Better late then never eh? Plus the other stuff in my life.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
The latest WBD (Weapons of Baby Drowsiness)
5 comments:
- The Editter said...
so did you just have to lean against the wall while she slept or did you actually go out for a walk?
- Tuesday, April 04, 2006 1:48:00 pm
- Avery's mom said...
I cant stop giggling...that pic is just too cute with her little face all squished up like that.
poor baby is sleepy, you must've worn her out
- Tuesday, April 04, 2006 3:18:00 pm
- EB said...
Awwww. Do you transfer her to the cot or keep her on till she wakes?
- Wednesday, April 05, 2006 12:42:00 am
- Ms Mac said...
I ask Mr. Mac sometimes if I can have a snooze like that. He always says no- spoilsport!
- Wednesday, April 05, 2006 5:29:00 am
- Violet said...
editter: unfortunately I do have to walk - fortunately, I get to walk through some nice hilly scenery.
avery's mom: you'd think it wouldn't be comfy enough to fall asleep like that, but I'm not going to question it!
eb: I took off the backpack and propped it up against the sofa until she woke up.
ms.mac: I can't see what the problem would be; he gets fit and you get some shut-eye...
- Wednesday, April 05, 2006 10:36:00 am


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When you're single, you develop an innate, sharply-defined sense of when NOT to text someone back -- you might not always follow this guideline (particularly when blood alcohol content is involved), but you're in a constant state of HYPER-awareness about who texted whom last, who's turn it is to text next, how long to wait before texting, what time of the night to text, when to ignore someone for a full month, etc. All the basics.
Once you've been dating someone for awhile, you'll find yourself sending four straight texts to the person in succession without a hint of self-awareness, and all of them are somehow about picking up olive oil at the store.
Should you suddenly find yourself single again, you're gonna come off like an overanxious thirsty creep no matter what, even though in reality you're just, like, being mature enough to not pretend you aren't holding your phone literally at all times, including on the toilet, like everyone is.
When you're single, not only are you fully aware of every party going on, but you also have a mapped-out, detailed route to hit all the necessary parties in a given weekend evening while also optimizing your arrival-hours at each place in a way that maximizes your chances of running into the person you're most interested in sleeping with.
When you're in a relationship, you couldn't care less about which single friends are attending which parties at which times; you can just go to any parties any time, leave any time, or use each other "not feeling well" as an excuse to all the crappy stuff guilt-free.
"Well, I'm single again, guys. So what's new in the world of online dating? Are people still finding mates by adding prospective singles to their Myspace Top 8s?"
SINGLE = OMG she used a winky face. AND an exclamation point. Is that flirting? It's flirting, right? Has to be. YES! This is now ultra-sexual. BUT WAIT -- SHIT! If she were actually flirting, she'd be playing it cool, right? And that definitely means no winky face. MAYBE like, sunglasses-dude face or some food emogee, but a straight-up wink? WAY too on the nose. Dammit. I was so on board with this person too. Guess I have no choice but to not respond for seven days then type "k". Lower case. You break my heart like this, you don't even DESERVE caps.
RELATIONSHIP = Oh cool this text has information in it.
When you're single, you are CONSTANTLY aware of the newest cool things to like, or at least to say you like, as well as extremely aware of the correct retro things to be into, and are ready at all times to make a kick-ass playlist full of cool music that shows off your taste and personality while also exposing your romantic interest to your unique mix of cutting-edge music and semi-obscure but awesome older music that will simultaneously enthrall and impress them.
When you're in a relationship, your cool playlist-making ability stagnates, and all you can make are playlists with the songs you ACTUALLY listen to on them. Which is great, obviously, but HOLY SHIT you do not need a prospective romantic interest being exposed to that too early and blowing the whole thing.


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Ontario politicians battle it out over Scarborough subway
Toronto's transit mess got muddier Wednesday as both local and provincial politicians sounded off on the city's transportation ambitions.
Tim Hudak, leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative party, spoke to the media first, calling out the Liberals for their Scarborough subway extension plan.
Hudak said the plan is not a subway, but rather a "white elephant" and another "billion-dollar boondoggle" from the Liberal party.
"It's a pretend subway nobody wants," he said.
He also accused the Liberal government of holding the view that "Scarborough is Scarberia," a far away place nobody really cares about.
The Scarborough subway plan was announced by transportation minister Glen Murray in earlier this month. The $1.4 billion plan would feature a two-stop route running along the current Scarborough Rapid Transit corridor.
TTC chair Karen Stintz has called the plan "not a subway" because it would run on elevated track from Kennedy station to a stop at Lawrence Avenue and then on to Scarborough Town Centre.
Hudak, who was joined by former city councillor and current MPP Doug Holyday, called on the Liberals to stand by the promise they made in a by-election to build a proper subway in Scarborough.
Holyday recently filed a motion as the party's GTA subways and gridlock critic that reads, in part: "That the Legislative Assembly calls upon the LIberal government to…build a world-class transportation system that includes a Scarborough subway from Kennedy Station to Sheppard Avenue."
The motion also calls for the Liberals to implement their plan in collaboration with Toronto City Council and Metrolinx. It will be put to a vote on Wednesday.
Stintz was present and spoke to the media after Hudak and Holyday were finished.
"It's unfortunate that transit has become a partisan issue," she said.
When asked if she stood behind Hudak, Stintz responded: "I stand behind city council."
Stintz added that she thinks the province has the money to build the subway. She said the TTC will release a report detailing the financial and logistical problems with the Liberal's subway plan. She said she believes that once the city agrees on a concrete plan, the federal government will be willing to fund a Toronto transit expansion.
"The only approved plan is the city council plan," she added.
Later the same morning, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne announced that the government has created a 13-person panel to study ways to fund expanded public transit in the Toronto-Hamilton region.
The panel will consult the public on funding suggestions tabled by Metrolinx in May, including a one per cent sales tax increase.
The panel, headed by Ryerson University's Anne Golden, will also look at other funding options. Other members of the panel include representatives from unions, property developers, home builders, the Canadian Automobile Association and two citizen members.
Hudak was unimpressed by the Liberals announcement, saying there has been "study after study" on transportation.
"Kathleen Wynne is running out of track."
With files from the Canadian Press.


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While most kids can look forward to a carefree summer of sun and fun, for too many children the end of the school year means they are hungry. During the academic year, 22 million kids receive free and reduced-priced breakfasts and lunches through their schools, relying on them as their primary source of nutrition.
It's a shocking reality that, in the wealthiest country in the world, for many kids, their school is the most dependable source of food that they have throughout the week. During weekends, holidays and the summer when schools are closed, that reliable source of nutrition is no longer available. It becomes harder for parents to make ends meet during the summer months, when grocery expenses alone can increase by more $300 per month. And when school lets out for the summer, only 3.8 million kids participate in summer meal programs. That means 86% of those eligible may not have regular access to nutritious meals during the summer months. By any measure, this is unacceptable.
The sad fact is that nearly one in five children in America lives in a household that struggles to put food on the table. That's 15 million American children who are at risk of childhood hunger every day. Experiencing food insecurity can undermine a child's health, affecting cognition, academic performance and emotional and social well-being. According to Share Our Strength, research conducted by Children's HealthWatch and reported on by Feeding America [Child Food Insecurity: The Economic Impact on Our Nation] there are strong ties between nutrition and overall health and well-being:
- Food-insecure children are 90% more likely to have their overall health reported as "fair/poor" rather than "excellent/good" than kids from food-secure homes
- Food insecurity is linked to increased hospitalizations, developmental problems, headaches, stomachaches and even colds
- When children eat breakfast, they tend to consume more nutrients and experience lower obesity rates
- Hunger in childhood has been linked to significant health problems in adulthood
Several public and private efforts work to bridge the meal gap. Sodexo partners with the USDA to promote and implement its Summer Meal Programs, which was established to ensure that children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session. This year the USDA plans to serve 200 million meals to children at approved sites, but this is just a drop in the bucket.
While we are making progress, No Kid Hungry underscores that there are still many obstacles to overcome:
- 80% of children from low-income backgrounds do not have access to organized programs that offer meals. Many families aren't even aware that a program exists.
- Without school buses, there's no transportation to get to the programs, especially in rural areas
- Smaller organizations have trouble fulfilling all the requirements for the federally funded program.
Adding insult to injury where childhood hunger is concerned, food production devours up 10 percent of the total U.S. energy budget, occupies 50 percent of U.S. land, and guzzles 80 percent of all freshwater consumed in the country. Yet, a shameful 40 percent of that food goes uneaten. That's $165 Billion in food waste each year. (Source: Natural Resources Defense Council). Clearly, more needs to be done to combat childhood hunger.
Fortunately, there are many organizations that commit time and resources to address the issue, including Share Our Strength and Feeding America as well as numerous federal and state programs. Fighting hunger, and specifically childhood hunger, is central to the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation mission. It's the philanthropic arm of Sodexo where our day-to-day business ties directly to the health and well-being of children. Sodexo is fortunate enough to have a truly engaged workforce that is actively involved in the fight against hunger. We have employees that volunteer both time and expertise in their local communities, at food banks, soup kitchens, partnering with our clients and vendors in food recovery programs and much more. They also generously support the work of the Foundation financially through payroll deduction.
One of our flagship programs is Feeding Our Future®, an 8 to 12 week summer feeding program that Sodexo started back in 1997 and has served 4.5 million meals. It began relatively small, with programs in just 3 cities, but it now serves 23 locations across the country and 9 sites in Canada, with New Orleans being the latest addition. Sodexo partners with community organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCAs, local hunger relief organizations as well as clients and suppliers to provide meals to children who are out of school for the summer. Feeding Our Future owes its success to the longstanding partnerships between Sodexo, our clients and vendor partners and local hunger-relief organizations.
A look at best practices shows that the most effective programs for fighting hunger are built on collaboration and partnerships. I'd like to personally encourage individuals, businesses and communities to find a way to fight hunger wherever they live, work and play. Together, we can do more to improve quality of life for children in need.
Steve Cox leads Public Relations for Sodexo North America with $9B in annual revenue, 133,000 employees, 9,000 operating sites and 15 million consumers served daily.


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Tearful Anne-Marie Monteith today broke down and told of her year of hell inside a Spanish prison cell.
The mum-of-four wept as she opened her heart for the first time since her release from jail where she has been held for a year on suspicion of murder.
The 48-year-old was jailed along with her husband, Richard, 51, after wealthy British widow Diana Dyson was found slain at her Torremolinos home.
Mrs Monteith has always fiercely protested her innocence in a series of letters to the Chronicle.
But her husband sensationally confessed to the slaying just weeks ago and admitted being a hired hitman.
Mrs Monteith, from Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, was let out of Malaga's Alhurin prison on bail two weeks ago but kept her release a secret even from her family.
From a secret address on Spain's Costa del Sol, Mrs Monteith said: "I'm still numb. All I really want is to get my life back together and be with my family.
"There's so much hate and anger inside me at the moment, I cannot describe it. The police had no hard evidence against me and they took me away from my home. How would any mother feel being taken away from her family like that? I don't know how long it will take to get over all this hurt and anger."
Mrs Monteith had moved to Spain with her family several years ago. She is still wanted for questioning in Britain after allegedly absconding while on fraud charges.
She was reunited with her 26-year-old daughter, Lisa Taylor, teenage daughter and son, and seven-year-old grandaughter at a friend's apartment in Spain. Mum-of-one Ms Taylor said: "We've not been able to have any proper contact for more than a year. I'm not going to ask her about what really happened until she offers the information. I think at the moment it would drive her off the edge if I pushed to find out."
Spanish police first swooped on the Monteiths after several pieces of Mrs Dyson's jewellery were discovered in their home at the popular Costa resort of Benalmadena.
Private Spanish tutor Mrs Dyson, 63, from Sheffield, had been beaten and stabbed before being suffocated in a frenzied attack.
Mrs Monteith wouldn't comment on her husband's confession but said: "I'm out of prison but it won't be real freedom until such time as my name has been cleared.
"Spain is a beautiful country, but I got on the wrong side of the law through no fault of my own and while getting into prison here isn't a problem, getting out is quite another thing."
Mrs Monteith spent 12 months in Alurin jail and was only allowed to see her husband by written request. She said: "It was a dump. I wouldn't put a dog in the prison showers. The food was terrible. It was fish practically every day and breakfast was just a roll with butter and a cup of coffee.
"I've lost a huge amount of weight. Nobody can know what I've been through. I was the only English woman in that prison. I felt very lonely and isolated."
Three-times married Mrs Monteith still stands accused of murder and is likely to face trial in Malaga in the next four months. Despite his confession to the killing, her husband has still not been formally charged
Mrs Monteith now has to sign on at the Malaga court every 15 days while she waits for a trial and has handed her passport in to the Spanish authorities.
She said: "I don't even know when the trial will start. The last time I saw my husband was on Tuesday and not even he's allowed to tell me anything about the case and neither can my own solicitor."
Details of the investigation are being kept secret after the court judge made a gagging order banning anyone involved from speaking about the case.


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My favorite thing to do on the weekend – Netflix and chill! It's way too cold outside to be going out, let's stay in bed where it's warm! These frisky girls are taking sexy selfies to lure you into their bed, as if you needed any more motivation. Have a good weekend everyone!
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Hi everyone,
It seems like WIRES* universe is real and it's everywhere. While I was walking along the street shops of London last November, taking shelter from the drizzling rain, I found on the other side of the glass window two characters that appeared to be from parallel WIRES* world are staring back at me.
It reminded me of the story ALICE Through The Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll. After looking at Nele's cover drawing, I couldn't help to see the resemblance of this photo and Nele's idea for her cover. What a perfect coincidence!


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The Hindu, New Delhi, 13th May, 2013
Greenpeace organised a renewable energy community fair 'Switch on the Sun' in association with the Sukhdev Vihar (Pocket B) Residents' Welfare Association here on Sunday to address the energy crisis in Delhi. The NGO slammed the Delhi Government for not developing alternative sources of energy.
"Delhi has more than 320 days of sunshine in a year and has a huge potential for solar energy that gives people the freedom to generate and use their own electricity as well as sell whatever extra is generated. But the Delhi Government has paid no heed to this alternative source," lamented Greenpeace India public engagement campaigner Usha Saxena.
Ms. Saxena went on to state how poorly Delhi fares in the field. "In our recent report 'Powering Ahead on Renewables: Leaders and Laggards', Delhi was among the worst States in terms of achieving renewable energy targets. It is completely dependent on coal-powered plants which are mostly in the neighbouring States. If it truly wants to become a sustainable city then it has to look at clean and sustainable sources of energy," she said.
The fair, through exciting and interactive activities, informed participants about renewable energy and how the sun can power homes through the simple but powerful idea of solar rooftops. The fair had an informative photo exhibition, a street play, a musical performance lit up with solar energy and t-shirt painting and quiz for children. The community fair also included easy-to-use energy rooftop audits which helped residents calculate the cost benefits in pledging rooftop space for solar energy.
The fair was attended by residents of Pocket B at Sukhdev Vihar. Speaking at the community fair, Sukhdev Vihar RWA president Anshu Garg said: "We are very excited about using the sun and our rooftops to solve Delhi's energy crisis. We have pledged our rooftops for the solar energy revolution and will urge the government to promote grid-interactive solar rooftop energy instead of polluting and toxic waste-to-energy plants".


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Laban pursues Jacob and his family – covenant marks the division of Israel and East (Genesis 31:22 – 31:55)
Jacob had escaped with his wives and been gone three days when Laban was informed that he had fled. Laban gathered his family and they pursued Jacob for seven days. They caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead where Jacob and his family had pitched their tents.
Laban and his relatives camped nearby. That night, God told Laban, "Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad." Laban asked Jacob, "What have you done? You deceived me and you've carried off my daughters like captives in war. Why didn't you tell me so I could send you away with joy, singing, and music? You didn't even kiss my grandchildren and daughters goodbye. You have gone off because you longed to return to your father's household. Why did you sneak away?"
Jacob answered, "I was afraid you would take my wives away from me by force."
Laban said, "You've done a foolish thing. I have the power to harm you but last night God told me to be careful not to say anything to you. Why did you steal my gods?"
Jacob replied, "I did not take your gods. See for yourself. If anyone is found here with your gods, they will not live."
Jacob did not know that Rachel had taken Laban's gods.
Laban searched through tents in Jacob's camp but found nothing. After searching Leah's tent, he entered Rachel's tent. Rachel had hidden the gods inside her camel's saddle and was sitting on them. She explained to Laban that she could not stand because she was having her monthly period. Laban searched through her tent but found nothing.
Jacob was angry now and told Laban, "What is my crime? How have I wronged you so you hunt me down? You've searched through all of my household. Have you found anything that belongs to you? If so, show everyone so they may judge between us. I have been with you for twenty years now. For fourteen years I worked for your two daughters and for six years I worked for your flock – and you changed my wages ten times. If God had not protected me, you surely would have sent me away empty handed. But God has protected me and last night he rebuked you."
Laban answered, "The women are my daughters and the flocks are my flocks. All you see is mine. But what can we do about this? Let's make a covenant, you and I, and let it serve as a witness between us."
So Jacob built a pillar from stone and placed tall stones around it where they sat. Leban called it Jegar Sahadutha and Jacob called it Galeed. Leban said, "This monument of stones is a witness between you and I. May the Lord watch over us when we are apart. He pointed to the monument of stones and said, "I will not cross past this heap of stones to your side to harm you and you will not go past this heap to my side and harm me." So Jacob took the oath and offered a sacrifice.
Jacob invited Laban's family to a meal and they spent the night there. The next morning, Laban kissed his daughters and grandchildren and blessed them all. Then he left and returned home.
What the story means to us today
A historical treaty divides the Middle East
Although this story provides a "what goes around, comes around" type of lesson, more importantly, we witness a historical treaty between Jacob and Laban. Neither Laban nor Jacob felt safe around each other so they agreed to form a treaty, a covenant which created a boundary that both consented to not cross. It is remarkable that we have a historical record of the very instant in time when this covenant was formed. The treaty marks the beginning of an important historical divide, the break between the East and Israel, and the creation of the geographic boundary between an Israelite and an Aramean (Syrian) on Mount Gilead (now the border between Israel and Jordan) – and it all began with anger, retaliation, and mistrust.
Additional thoughts and considerations
God's influence over Laban
The scriptures tell us that God warned Laban to not harm Jacob. Had this not happened, the story would have certainly ended much differently (likely with violence and death). Had God not warned Laban, the Israelite nation could have ended on the spot. Instead, the nations were divided allowing each to survive on their own.
"What have you done?"
After catching up with Jacob and his family, Laban's first words to Jacob were "What have you done?" The original Hebrew conveys a serious wrongdoing. Ironically, Jacob spoke these same words to Laban after he found Laban had deceived him and given him Leah for his wife instead of Rachel.
Laban dismissed God's instructions to "not speak to Jacob from good to bad." Instead, he chose to attempt to reacquire hid idols (an effort which appears to have been futile) and question Jacob's integrity. The ultimate result of his disregard for God's command was the beginning of a great divide between Israel and the rest of the Middle East.
Rachel's theft of Laban's property
As seen many times throughout the Bible, the scriptures provide a play-by-play narrative of the events that took place. The Bible does not condone, but merely observes Rachel's actions and presents the events even-handed to the reader. The reader must carefully note that result of the participants' actions and form their own conclusions.
For instance, Rachel's actions show how small sins (theft of Laban's forbidden idols) can cause bigger problems (Laban's dangerous pursuit of Jacob and his family). We should also notice that when Rachel took Laban's gods with her, she indirectly joined Jacob in the struggle against her father.
Jacob's inadvertent death sentence
Ironically, whether uttered in the spur of the moment or not, when Jacob challenged Laban to find someone in his camp with the idols, and stated that if found they would be put to death, he unknowingly pronounced a death sentence on Rachel, his favorite wife.
Rachel sits on the idols
In ancient times, during menstruations, a woman was considered "unclean". When Rachel sat on the idols, in addition to demonstrating shrewd cunningness, she showed a disrespect for Laban's religion. Although Rachel was not nearly as single-minded in her dedication to God as Jacob, and almost certainly worshipped pagan entities as taught by her father, that she would "defile" Laban's "gods" showed she had little respect for Laban's religion and had already begun following her husband's belief structure.
Children learn from the actions of their parents
We already know that Laban is a treacherous, deceptive person. Rachel's actions lead us to believe she also bears some of those same qualities, almost certainly learnt from her father. Children learn from our actions, not necessarily our spoken dictates.
The "Fear of Isaac"
When Jacob explains to Laban that God's protection has kept him safe, he describes God as "the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac". The phrase describing God as "Fear of Isaac" is the only time this expression appears in the Old Testament.
The science and history behind the story
"The rams of your flock I have not eaten"
Among Jacob's list of reasons Laban should have treated him better, he says, "the rams of your flock I have not eaten". Rams, or male sheep, were the choice of the flock. Fertile female sheep were typically never eaten by eastern people unless the animal was barren. Jacob was simply explaining that he had stolen none of the flock for himself.
"That which was torn by beasts I brought not unto thee"
Jacob explains that he did not bring any animals "torn by wild beasts" to Laban but instead, bore the loss himself. This was traditionally the case in the ancient east. Shepherds were solely responsible for the flock, including any losses that occurred, with one major exception – if the animal was killed by wild beasts. In such cases, the owner would not hold the shepherd accountable for the loss. In Jacob's case, he willingly bore all losses himself.
The covenant and stone heap monument
In the ancient east, the tradition of heaping stones surrounded by a circle of stones upon which to sit, was quite common. In present day, these sorts of memorials can be found throughout the region, evidence of ancient transactions that took place at that location.
Notes on Biblical translation
"Do not say anything to Jacob, either good or bad"
The meaning of the phrase, more accurately translated as "lest you speak with Jacob from good to evil" is uncertain. It does not appear to mean Laban cannot talk to Jacob at all. Possibly it is a warning to not issue some sort of formal blessing or curse – anything that would harm Jacob or enhance his well-being.
"I was afraid because I thought you would take your daughters away from me by force"
Surprisingly to some, this phrase, which came in response to several questions posed by Laban in a run-together sentence, is translated in a variety of ways. In this sentence of questions and abnegations, Leban's last question was "Why did you steal my gods?" Jacob's response is "because I was afraid". It's not patently clear that Jacob's response was an answer to Laban's earlier question "why did you leave" and not "why did you steal my gods". As such, some translations add words that were not in the original Hebrew text.
For instance, in place of "I was afraid", some translations say "I left secretly because I was afraid" or "I was afraid so I left secretly". Others simply add "because" and tie the sentence to the original Hebrew statement to form the sentence "I was afraid because I thought you would take my daughters".
The various translations appear to retain the true spirit of the text but serve as a good example of how Bible versions can vary according to the editors of the edition.
Bible Text
22 On the third day Laban was told that Jacob had fled. 23 Taking his relatives with him, he pursued Jacob for seven days and caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead. 24 Then God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and said to him, "Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad."
25 Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country of Gilead when Laban overtook him, and Laban and his relatives camped there too. 26 Then Laban said to Jacob, "What have you done? You've deceived me, and you've carried off my daughters like captives in war. 27 Why did you run off secretly and deceive me? Why didn't you tell me, so I could send you away with joy and singing to the music of timbrels and harps? 28 You didn't even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters goodbye. You have done a foolish thing. 29 I have the power to harm you; but last night the God of your father said to me, 'Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.' 30 Now you have gone off because you longed to return to your father's household. But why did you steal my gods?"
31 Jacob answered Laban, "I was afraid, because I thought you would take your daughters away from me by force. 32 But if you find anyone who has your gods, that person shall not live. In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself whether there is anything of yours here with me; and if so, take it." Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the gods.
33 So Laban went into Jacob's tent and into Leah's tent and into the tent of the two female servants, but he found nothing. After he came out of Leah's tent, he entered Rachel's tent. 34 Now Rachel had taken the household gods and put them inside her camel's saddle and was sitting on them. Laban searched through everything in the tent but found nothing.
35 Rachel said to her father, "Don't be angry, my lord, that I cannot stand up in your presence; I'm having my period." So he searched but could not find the household gods.
36 Jacob was angry and took Laban to task. "What is my crime?" he asked Laban. "How have I wronged you that you hunt me down? 37 Now that you have searched through all my goods, what have you found that belongs to your household? Put it here in front of your relatives and mine, and let them judge between the two of us.
38 "I have been with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten rams from your flocks. 39 I did not bring you animals torn by wild beasts; I bore the loss myself. And you demanded payment from me for whatever was stolen by day or night. 40 This was my situation: The heat consumed me in the daytime and the cold at night, and sleep fled from my eyes. 41 It was like this for the twenty years I was in your household. I worked for you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks, and you changed my wages ten times. 42 If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, you would surely have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands, and last night he rebuked you."
43 Laban answered Jacob, "The women are my daughters, the children are my children, and the flocks are my flocks. All you see is mine. Yet what can I do today about these daughters of mine, or about the children they have borne? 44 Come now, let's make a covenant, you and I, and let it serve as a witness between us."
45 So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. 46 He said to his relatives, "Gather some stones." So they took stones and piled them in a heap, and they ate there by the heap. 47 Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, and Jacob called it Galeed. s
48 Laban said, "This heap is a witness between you and me today." That is why it was called Galeed. 49 It was also called Mizpah, v because he said, "May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other. 50 If you mistreat my daughters or if you take any wives besides my daughters, even though no one is with us, remember that God is a witness between you and me."
51 Laban also said to Jacob, "Here is this heap, and here is this pillar I have set up between you and me. 52 This heap is a witness, and this pillar is a witness, that I will not go past this heap to your side to harm you and that you will not go past this heap and pillar to my side to harm me. 53 May the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us."
So Jacob took an oath in the name of the Fear of his father Isaac. 54 He offered a sacrifice there in the hill country and invited his relatives to a meal. After they had eaten, they spent the night there.
55 Early the next morning Laban kissed his grandchildren and his daughters and blessed them. Then he left and returned home.
The New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011. Print.
The Message
22–24 Three days later, Laban got the news: "Jacob's run off." Laban rounded up his relatives and chased after him. Seven days later they caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead. That night God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream and said, "Be careful what you do to Jacob, whether good or bad."
25 When Laban reached him, Jacob's tents were pitched in the Gilead mountains; Laban pitched his tents there, too.
26–30 "What do you mean," said Laban, "by keeping me in the dark and sneaking off, hauling my daughters off like prisoners of war? Why did you run off like a thief in the night? Why didn't you tell me? Why, I would have sent you off with a great celebration—music, timbrels, flutes! But you wouldn't permit me so much as a kiss for my daughters and grandchildren. It was a stupid thing for you to do. If I had a mind to, I could destroy you right now, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, 'Be careful what you do to Jacob, whether good or bad.' I understand. You left because you were homesick. But why did you steal my household gods?"
31–32 Jacob answered Laban, "I was afraid. I thought you would take your daughters away from me by brute force. But as far as your gods are concerned, if you find that anybody here has them, that person dies. With all of us watching, look around. If you find anything here that belongs to you, take it." Jacob didn't know that Rachel had stolen the gods.
33–35 Laban went through Jacob's tent, Leah's tent, and the tents of the two maids but didn't find them. He went from Leah's tent to Rachel's. But Rachel had taken the household gods, put them inside a camel cushion, and was sitting on them. When Laban had gone through the tent, searching high and low without finding a thing, Rachel said to her father, "Don't think I'm being disrespectful, my master, that I can't stand before you, but I'm having my period." So even though he turned the place upside down in his search, he didn't find the household gods.
36–37 Now it was Jacob's turn to get angry. He lit into Laban: "So what's my crime, what wrong have I done you that you badger me like this? You've ransacked the place. Have you turned up a single thing that's yours? Let's see it—display the evidence. Our two families can be the jury and decide between us.
38–42 "In the twenty years I've worked for you, ewes and she-goats never miscarried. I never feasted on the rams from your flock. I never brought you a torn carcass killed by wild animals but that I paid for it out of my own pocket—actually, you made me pay whether it was my fault or not. I was out in all kinds of weather, from torrid heat to freezing cold, putting in many a sleepless night. For twenty years I've done this: I slaved away fourteen years for your two daughters and another six years for your flock and you changed my wages ten times. If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not stuck with me, you would have sent me off penniless. But God saw the fix I was in and how hard I had worked and last night rendered his verdict."
43–44 Laban defended himself: "The daughters are my daughters, the children are my children, the flock is my flock—everything you see is mine. But what can I do about my daughters or for the children they've had? So let's settle things between us, make a covenant—God will be the witness between us."
45 Jacob took a stone and set it upright as a pillar.
46–47 Jacob called his family around, "Get stones!" They gathered stones and heaped them up and then ate there beside the pile of stones. Laban named it in Aramaic, Yegar-sahadutha (Witness Monument); Jacob echoed the naming in Hebrew, Galeed (Witness Monument).
48–50 Laban said, "This monument of stones will be a witness, beginning now, between you and me." (That's why it is called Galeed—Witness Monument.) It is also called Mizpah (Watchtower) because Laban said, "GOD keep watch between you and me when we are out of each other's sight. If you mistreat my daughters or take other wives when there's no one around to see you, God will see you and stand witness between us."
51–53 Laban continued to Jacob, "This monument of stones and this stone pillar that I have set up is a witness, a witness that I won't cross this line to hurt you and you won't cross this line to hurt me. The God of Abraham and the God of Nahor (the God of their ancestor) will keep things straight between us."
53–55 Jacob promised, swearing by the Fear, the God of his father Isaac. Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain and worshiped, calling in all his family members to the meal. They ate and slept that night on the mountain. Laban got up early the next morning, kissed his grandchildren and his daughters, blessed them, and then set off for home.
Peterson, Eugene H. The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2005. Print.
The NET Bible
31:22 Three days later Laban discovered Jacob had left. 31:23 So he took his relatives with him and pursued Jacob for seven days. He caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead. 31:24 But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and warned him, "Be careful that you neither bless nor curse Jacob."
31:25 Laban overtook Jacob, and when Jacob pitched his tent in the hill country of Gilead, Laban and his relatives set up camp there too. 31:26 "What have you done?" Laban demanded of Jacob. "You've deceived me and carried away my daughters as if they were captives of war! 31:27 Why did you run away secretly and deceive me? Why didn't you tell me so I could send you off with a celebration complete with singing, tambourines, and harps? 31:28 You didn't even allow me to kiss my daughters and my grandchildren good-bye. You have acted foolishly! 31:29 I have the power to do you harm, but the God of your father told me last night, 'Be careful that you neither bless nor curse Jacob.' 31:30 Now I understand that you have gone away because you longed desperately for your father's house. Yet why did you steal my gods?"
31:31 "I left secretly because I was afraid!" Jacob replied to Laban. "I thought you might take your daughters away from me by force. 31:32 Whoever has taken your gods will be put to death! In the presence of our relatives identify whatever is yours and take it." (Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.)
31:33 So Laban entered Jacob's tent, and Leah's tent, and the tent of the two female servants, but he did not find the idols. Then he left Leah's tent and entered Rachel's. 31:34 (Now Rachel had taken the idols and put them inside her camel's saddle and sat on them.) Laban searched the whole tent, but did not find them. 31:35 Rachel said to her father, "Don't be angry, my lord. I cannot stand up in your presence because I am having my period." So he searched thoroughly, but did not find the idols.
31:36 Jacob became angry and argued with Laban. "What did I do wrong?" he demanded of Laban. "What sin of mine prompted you to chase after me in hot pursuit? 31:37 When you searched through all my goods, did you find anything that belonged to you? Set it here before my relatives and yours, and let them settle the dispute between the two of us!
31:38 "I have been with you for the past twenty years. Your ewes and female goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten rams from your flocks. 31:39 Animals torn by wild beasts I never brought to you; I always absorbed the loss myself. You always made me pay for every missing animal, whether it was taken by day or at night. 31:40 I was consumed by scorching heat during the day and by piercing cold at night, and I went without sleep. 31:41 This was my lot for twenty years in your house: I worked like a slave for you—fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks, but you changed my wages ten times! 31:42 If the God of my father—the God of Abraham, the one whom Isaac fears—had not been with me, you would certainly have sent me away empty-handed! But God saw how I was oppressed and how hard I worked, and he rebuked you last night."
31:43 Laban replied to Jacob, "These women are my daughters, these children are my grandchildren, and these flocks are my flocks. All that you see belongs to me. But how can I harm these daughters of mine today or the children to whom they have given birth? 31:44 So now, come, let's make a formal agreement, you and I, and it will be proof that we have made peace."
31:45 So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a memorial pillar. 31:46 Then he said to his relatives, "Gather stones." So they brought stones and put them in a pile. They ate there by the pile of stones. 31:47 Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed.
31:48 Laban said, "This pile of stones is a witness of our agreement today." That is why it was called Galeed. 31:49 It was also called Mizpah because he said, "May the LORD watch between us when we are out of sight of one another. 31:50 If you mistreat my daughters or if you take wives besides my daughters, although no one else is with us, realize that God is witness to your actions."
31:51 "Here is this pile of stones and this pillar I have set up between me and you," Laban said to Jacob. 31:52 "This pile of stones and the pillar are reminders that I will not pass beyond this pile to come to harm you and that you will not pass beyond this pile and this pillar to come to harm me. 31:53 May the God of Abraham and the god of Nahor, the gods of their father, judge between us." Jacob took an oath by the God whom his father Isaac feared. 31:54 Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain and invited his relatives to eat the meal. They ate the meal and spent the night on the mountain.
31:55 (32:1) Early in the morning Laban kissed his grandchildren and his daughters goodbye and blessed them. Then Laban left and returned home.
Biblical Studies Press. The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible. Biblical Studies Press, 2006. Print.
King James Version
22 And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled. 23 And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead. 24 And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad. 25 Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead. 26 And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, as captives taken with the sword? 27 Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp? 28 And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing. 29 It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad. 30 And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father's house, yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods? 31 And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid: for I said, Peradventure thou wouldest take by force thy daughters from me. 32 With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them. 33 And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the two maidservants' tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent. 34 Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel's furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not. 35 And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched, but found not the images. 36 And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me? 37 Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff, what hast thou found of all thy household stuff? set it here before my brethren and thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt us both. 38 This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten. 39 That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night. 40 Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes. 41 Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times. 42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight. 43 And Laban answered and said unto Jacob, These daughters are my daughters, and these children are my children, and these cattle are my cattle, and all that thou seest is mine: and what can I do this day unto these my daughters, or unto their children which they have born? 44 Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee. 45 And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar. 46 And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap. 47 And Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed. 48 And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed; 49 And ||Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another. 50 If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee. 51 And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee; 52 This heap be witness, and this pillar be witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm. 53 The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the fear of his father Isaac. 54 Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount. 55 And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned unto his place.
The Holy Bible: King James Version. Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009. Print.
Sources: NIV, The Message, The NET Bible, King James Version, NET Bible Notes, Faithlife Study Bible, The Apologetics Study Bible, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Commentary, The Bible Reader's Companion, Matthew Henry's Commentary, Holman Concise Bible Commentary, The Bible Exposition Commentary, The Teacher's Bible Commentary, The Teacher's Commentary, The Bible Guide, Word Studies in the New Testament, Holman Bible Handbook, Calvin Commentaries, Wiersbe's Expository Outlines, The New Manner and Customs of the Bible, Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, The Lexham Bible Dictionary, Easton's Bible Dictionary, Harper's Bible Dictionary, Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible, The Archaeological Encyclopedia, Biblical Archeology Review, The New Bible Dictionary, The Lexham Analytical Lexicon, Glossary of Morpho-Syntactic Database, Bible Walks, Ultimate Bible Picture Collection
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To Reveal or Not Reveal…That is the Question November 29, 2013Posted by Ann Michaels & Associates in Uncategorized.
Written by: Jennifer O'Malley, Independent Account Manager for Ann Michaels & Associates
I cut my teeth on what I would call the regular mystery shops. I went into a lot of businesses, evaluated their products, services, employees anonymously and then went home to fill out a report online. It wasn't until I was a little more secure in my secret shopper saddle that I dove into the world of reveal shops. And of course, to be clear, I'm only speaking about shops where you are supposed to reveal that you are mystery shopping. You're not very mysterious after a reveal.
The first thing I didn't even consider was the fact that I would have to be home or have a representative around to accept the envelope full of goodies when they arrived. It took a little planning as well as some creative thinking, but I managed to get over that hurdle three times. And of course, there was always the monstrous demonstration of self-control in not opening a package ahead of schedule.
So yes, I have completed three reveal shops. It wasn't quite as liberating as I expected it to be and I had mixed results. For one project I visited two separate locations and followed the prescribed routine. I unfortunately had to reveal to both managers that I was the mystery shopper, that they had missed whatever mark it was that was being measured and that I was sending the envelope back to the corporate office unopened. As I recall one manager was disappointed and the other was flat out mad at me, complete with screaming and yelling. I did what I had to do and left as soon as possible.
However, the third one was indeed the charm. I was allowed to bring a guest on my third revealed shop and the whole thing based on an employee asking me one question. I was nervous going into the situation and part of me was hoping this would not be another screaming match. I was rooting for the employee in my head the day before I even went on the assignment.
My guest and I went on the shop, the big question was near the very beginning of our interaction and when the employee hit the mark I remember how hard it was to just go on as if nothing spectacular had just happened. But I did. We continued acting in the manner of regular patrons and only revealed ourselves per the instructions.
Having to reveal when an employee hits all their marks is really a lot of fun. It is like winning the lottery even though you don't get a prize. I remember asking for the manager, stating who I was and why I was ultimately at their place of business. The manager was allowed to open the envelope and there were goodies in there not only for the manager but the employee that was following the workplace guidelines. I really enjoyed being able to be there on the spot and in a way say, "Yes, you did it! You did what they've trained you to do and here's your pat on the back! Hooray for you!"
So, to this day, I've only completed three. I'm still a little divided on whether to reveal or not reveal. I didn't like being the bearer of bad news, but then again that quick feedback has to be invaluable to make improvements and adjustments. I of course liked being the happy messenger, as I imagine most people would, but it easily could have gone the other way. I'd be curious to know how other shoppers feel about revealed shops. Do you like them, fear them, love them?
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Since there is nothing much to do at Siem Reap besides seeing 'stones', watching sunrise and sunset become a standard itinerary for tourists. We woke up 3:30am and reach the sites before 5am for 3 consecutive days.
The sky condition was not optimum but at least it was not raining. On the third day, the weather was overcast and cloudy. At least we have a chance to see the 'egg yolk' at Pre Rup during sunset.
Zoomed into the 'egg yolk' hanging on top of the tree. It felt like sunset on safari.
2 of the pictures in this post were taken with tripod, the rest were taken handheld.
I tried using the 'sunrise' mode and have fun with the sun.
The scene setting cause saturated orange tone to the picture. It gave a 'plastic' feel to the picture.
We started when it was total darkness. Lesson learned:
a) wear long sleeve and long pants to avoid mosquito bites. The morning breeze could be chilling.
b) bring a LED torch light. Luckily I had torch light function from my mobile phone.
c) you can order a cup of coffee or tea, and get a free seat for few hours. Go for coffee instead of tea (the tea taste very diluted).
d) bring a tripod if you don't mind the extra kilogram. You can use handheld except before the sunrise.
When the sun emerged, handheld can take reasonable picture too.
If you come by 6am, you could be standing behind few hundred tourists, or have to look for different view point.
I should learn and practice how to shoot sunrise and sunset. There are more professional technique than my point and shoot style.


text: A spry 39 years young, tipping the scales at 1653 lbs, packing a massive 47 horsepower. Sweet Pea aptly named for her original Fiat pea green and diminutive size. Don't let the name fool you though this Italian beauty is anything but a mousy little breadbox. She will not yield to the all-wheel drive playthings currently prancing about on the rally circuits. Breathing fire and belching flame she overtakes her prey.


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Flood, weather kill thousands of cattle in North Dakota
Flooding and winter weather killed about 91,000 cattle in North Dakota this winter and spring, according to the state agriculture department.
Those numbers were expected to increase as floodwaters receded and farmers evaluated losses, North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said in a statement issued in late April. The flooding also ruined feed and damaged farm buildings and fences.
Dr. Susan Keller, North Dakota's state veterinarian, said her office does not track animal injuries, but she has heard anecdotally that most of the severe injuries involved the breakup of ice jams, pieces of which struck animals. Some of those animals drowned, she said.
Other animals developed hypothermia, and some of those that survived had serious freezing injuries, Dr. Keller said. Chronic pneumonia could also cause some losses to farmers.
Dr. Keller's agency has served as a go-between for producers and field staff, which include veterinarians, county agents, and county managers, in providing information on loans for recovery. She said the department has also authorized orders for safe disposal of carcasses when needed.
Dr. Garry Goemann, chairman of the Minnesota VMA Disaster Issues Committee, was one of three Minnesota veterinarians and two veterinary technicians deployed to Valley City, N.D., through the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Reserve Corps. The veterinarians and technicians were in the town for four days to establish a shelter in case levees in Fargo broke or came close to breaking.
"We didn't get any animals, because the levees held," Dr. Goemann said. "When the second surge came, it was nowhere near as high, so they didn't need us to go back."
The Sheyenne River runs through Valley City, and Dr. Goemann was in the town as residents brought in sand and worked to build up levees in anticipation of a flood surge.
Flooding occurred in farmlands south of town, where levees broke, but farmers were largely able to move livestock to high ground or out of the area, Dr. Goemann said.
Dr. Derine L. Winning, president of the North Dakota VMA, said she and another veterinarian staffed a shelter in Fargo, where they examined animals as they were brought in, ensured the animals were up-to-date on vaccinations, treated stress problems, and addressed owner concerns.
"There's a lot of anxiety in these situations with the owners and having to leave their animals," Dr. Winning said.
The shelter's temporary residents included 208 dogs and cats, 77 horses, a few potbellied pigs, and a goat, Dr. Winning said.
"I think we were very fortunate in that there wasn't an actual breach of any dikes on a large scale, so we didn't have a lot of small animals stranded anywhere," Dr. Winning said.
Other groups checked farms to make sure large animals had solid footing and access to feed.
Dr. Winning said the flooding served as a good learning experience. She said disasters can occur anywhere, and preparation is key.
"You always want to be prepared, but you always think nothing is going to happen," Dr. Winning said. "And I think it was a good experience for the veterinarians in the community. It brought a lot of us together, and we cooperated with each other and got the job done."
Dr. Goemann said he did not expect veterinarians would need to be involved in long-term recovery efforts, because people had already become organized and brought their animals home. If the emergency had lasted longer, however, a memorandum of understanding signed by Dr. Keller would have allowed the AVMA to deploy Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams.
Goehring said in his April 27 statement the state legislature was considering a $1 million loan program for livestock producers whose herds were hurt by winter storms and flooding.


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The sources of MEANDER go back to 1992, year in which Matt Börgmann's quest for like-minded musicians led him to London. The fact that the original line-up were people from all over Europe already perfectly illustrated the variety of MEANDER's musical influences.After almost twenty years abroad, Matt couldn't believe his luck when he returned to Luxembourg: he considers the "bunch" which forms the new MEANDER the perfect continuation.
Faces may have changed, but the strength and spirit are still the same. More talented people would be hard to come by, but this is a group that works beautifully as a team, everyone adding their own natural to the ever changing sculpture that MEANDER are crafting. And yet again, with Luca Sales (kb) who was born in Colombia, Eric Durrer (perc) with Italian roots and strong ties to Cuba and Brazil, Roby Glod (sax) and Laurent Peckels (bass) with a present and a past in France, you'll listen to people who have seen more than just their local newspaper…
David Woodman, English music critic, writes: " The instrumental music that flows from these musicians is sensitive without being fragile. The diverse background of influences is part of the magic that is MEANDER. As individual musicians they paint a large canvas together, sounds merge, moods change and landscapes are constantly constructed and explored. Jazz is too traditional a word to describe this sound, Fusion is too cold and Jazz-Fusion too old. I can only describe this music as melody with beauty and strength. There is a feeling of warmth throughout. If you enjoy adventure in music, find this magic and smile."Going back in time: After their first get-together in 1993, Davide Mantovani (b) from Italy, Ingrid Laubrock (sax) from Germany, David Sergent (dr) from France, Matt Börgmann (git) from Luxembourg and David Vaughan (kb) from England were soon playing British clubs such as Ronnie Scott's, The Vortex, The 100club, Jazz Café Camden or Pizza Express Jazz Club.
Their first album "Summerdance" received a couple of "CD of the month" awards in European Jazz magazines. Then came the offer from "Prestige Records" to sign a deal with the band… Almost two decades later, MEANDER has, of course, a new repertoire. And although some of the "old" compositions have been taken up, they have been mightily reshaped by the "new personalities".
To get in touch with Meander please write to : mattborg(AT)pt.lu


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Things to Note About New CTO – Timothy Sheehan
Be Structured is an IT service provider company in Los Angeles that has managed to record success, augmentation and expansion through availing tremendous and incomparable quality services to their clients. Throughout the years, this growth and development has been acknowledged through making quality services their focal point of reflection and operation. Be Structured has managed to maintain an d overly advance the quality of these services due to their keenness and devotion when it comes to examining new members of staff and hiring the best. This year, Be Structured added Timothy Sheehan to their team of staff as the new CTO. This new CTO- Timothy Sheehan has over the years garnered irrefutable experience and knowledge which Be Structured group of technologies has pinpointed hence hiring him for his craftsmanship in June this year.
MSP is fundamental to the overall performance of Be Structured which has influenced to the hiring of Timothy Sheehan who is thoroughly acquainted with MSP and will help this company meet the demands and needs of their clients at large. Timothy Sheehan relies on this experience and their garnered knowledge to work together with the teamwork at Be Structured eyeing at availing some fundamental nips that will motivate and trigger company growth and overall customer satisfaction. Timothy will help the company implement the best and most prolific MSP practice that will blend with the care that Be Structured has to the success of their clients.
Be Structured was necessitated to exercise their due diligence before embracing the services of Tim Sheehan or any other IT service provider that they screened or examined. It was after thorough scrutiny that they acknowledged Tim to be the most experienced chief technologist. He has a reputation of availing tremendous and irrefutable solutions to businesses of all sizes and engineering. Immediately after Be Structured hired Timothy, the news did spread far and wide due to the alluring reputation of Timothy over the years. He has extensive knowledge and experience in the MSP world for twenty years. Be Structured relied on the info about Tim and the benefits they eye to achieve that motivated them.
Timothy is expected to help implement and position some operational changes in the whole company which shall help advance the quality of the services availed to the client's hence recording growth and development for the company as well. Existing and new clients have been visiting the official homepage of Be Structured in order to gather more gen about this new CTO professional hired.
There's need for Be Structured to fully meet their clients' demands and needs. For a company like Be Structured to make this possible, growth and product development are inevitable. This is something that every IT based company must learn and it will help thesem identify professionals or IT service providers who are competent and reliable like Timothy Sheehan.


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'Motional reactions
A few days ago, I wrote about how Microsoft and VMware were reaching feature parity on the ability to move "live" VM's from one host to another, and that the real test for virtualization was who could deliver the best value and return to the business.
Well, it turns out Microsoft's Live Migration feature won't be available unti 2010, so we have a while to wait. My first reaction was, "well, that sucks for Microsoft." However, as I thought more about it, I don't think it's such a big deal after all.
Motion, motion, who's got the motion?
From a feature perspective, VMware can move a VM from one host to another in a few milliseconds – if you satisfy a lot of very specific technical requirements for near-identical hardware.
Microsoft's current "Quick Migration" capability suspends a VM, moves it to a new host, and resumes the session about 6 seconds later. The underlying hardware doesn't have to be near-identical.
Is Microsoft's Quick Migration fast enough? Depends on the application. In some use cases, 6 seconds is too slow, but I'd venture that 6 seconds is fast enough for most of the apps the typical IT department manages. And, in any case, it is significantly better than the physical world.
The bottom line: I don't doubt this (very) technical feature will be a deciding factor for certain availability-critical applications & systems, but I think Quick Migration will be sufficient for most circumstances.
Business value trumps technical coolness
So – that means we're back to a battle over delivering strong business value. Today, there are a lot of arguments floating around about whose virtualization platform is cheaper, better, etc.
The cost of the platform is not the primary factor in the equation, in my opinion – it's the ease of incorporating the platform into your IT operations in a beneficial, effective way. And when it comes to costs, management an operational costs will trump the cost of your virtualization platform in no time at all.
In this area, I (currently) give Microsoft the edge because they can (already) manage physical and virtual infrastructure, and have broader support for cross-silo IT operations and application management than any other virtualization vendor.
What do you think? Is a "one stop" solution like Microsoft better for your business than what you get from a virtualization specialist like VMware? Would love to hear your perspective.


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ON a bus into the city the other day I nearly missed my destination.
I was totally mesmerised by a group of 14-year school girls who were having a conversation about words and phrases. They talked about the ones that peeved them and the ones that pleased them and I couldn't stop listening (and taking not-too-obvious notes).
Coincidentally, Australian style and events identity Alex Zabotto-Bentley posted this very funny sentiment to his Facebook feed a few days ago:
'Hi guys, in future please do not say these terms in reference to or inclusive of me: amaze-balls,
chillaxing, you good thing, amaze, passion for fashion.
Thanking you in advance (urge, I hate that too!)
Please feel free to join me in this movement.
As expected an avalanche of words and phrases followed. It got me thinking, what terms should we bin forever and which ones should we keep?
Totes Amazeballs — Used either alone or together. Enough!
Chillaxing — We get it, you're on holiday.
Passion for fashion — Straight from an 80s department store catalogue.
Fashionista - Enough said.
LMFAO - In fact using any acronym (OMG, IMHO) in real-time chat is so annoying.
Anywho — And that means what exactly?
Hilare — We used to love it. Then everyone started using it.
My bad — It's just cringe-worthy now.
Nom Nom Nom — Only the late actor Peter Sellers in The Party can say 'birdie num num' and make it funny.
Whatevs — It's dismissive and rude.
Talk to the hand — Grrrrrrr.
Bwahaha — Hahaha usually suffices.
I 'seen' him perform — Since when has that become a thing?
Awks — Actually there's a real word here. It's called awkward.
Bae — It means 'baby' to various celebrity types
Incred — There's an 'ible' at the end of that one
At the end of the day - Snooze
Bromance — Boring
Par-Tay — Was fun. Once. Many parties ago.
Not — At the end of obviously negative statements.
Old school sayings like 'another day, another dollar' - Yep, we get it.
'Like' - We did this and 'like' it was great and 'like' we had an unreal time.
Shut the front door - I never got this one.
Hashtag — Words like #justsayin and let's not even discuss #winning but then, it's so bad it's sort of become good again.
Seriously/Literally - 'I was about to die'. But you didn't.
Cray cray — It's just good old crazy and nutty
Bestest — As in my 'bestest' friend and it was the 'bestest' thing I've ever eaten. It. is. Not. A. Word.
".com" — Youresoannoying.com, I'mbored.com, getalife.com
Emoshe — As in "I'm totes emoshe". (That's emotional to the rest of us).
Embaz — That's 'embarrassing' not a new Baz Luhrmann production.
Boyfie — I have a boyfriend, not a boyfie.
Funky and edgy — We get it. You're a client and you brief your ad agency to create a 'funky' and 'edgy' campaign. Yawn.
And finally, words made up by cosmetic companies like prismatic and fibralogy. In a word, WTF?
Selfie (let's face it, they're not going anywhere!)
On fire
Grouse (Yes, it has made a triumphant return).
Let us know what words you would like to never, ever hear again and the ones you're happy to keep hearing via Twitter @newscomauhq and @melissahoyer


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The British Cardiac Research Trust
BCRT is committed to innovative cardiac research. Established in 2003 as a charitable organisation focusing on cardiac research mainly in diabetes & atherosclerosis under the leadership of our medical director, Prof Lahiri, who is global expert in cardiac research.
We have been carrying out our own research working in collaboration with globally recognised cardiologists & academic centres in the
UK, USA & Sweden.
Our mission is to work with and support innovative cardiac research which not only changes cardiac guidelines but improves the quality of life for all.
The British Cardiac Research Trust (BCRT) works towards helping people live a longer and better life through the prevention and
treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD)
Prof Ram Dhillon firstname.lastname@example.com
New website under construction - available shortly