text:
OBi302 VoIP adapter that connects your analog phone to Telco and VoIP services
- Expand your service portfolio by offering flexible voice and fax applications to home offices
- Easily configure devices and provide better on-going support through the secure Poly Device Management Services (PDMS-SP) portal
- Put your phone anywhere in your house with the only VoIP adapter that supports optional Wi-Fi accessory
- Connect an analog phones or fax machines to transition your voice communications to the digital world and bridge with the telco world
Bring Your Home Office Up to Speed
OBi312 expands your voice capabilities and keeps you connected at all times by bridging your traditional telephone service and VoIP services. To get started, all you need is a phone, power, an internet connection and traditional phone service. Your voice calls are important so this dedicated device prioritizes your phone calls above other internet traffic to ensure you clearly hear every important word on up to two simultaneous calls. Alternatively, you can send and receive reliable facsimile calls over the Internet with support of the T.38 fax standard and talk on the phone at the same time.
- Simplify deployment & on-going support with PDMS-SP
- Provide your customers new capabilities
Through Poly's Device Management Services (PDMS-SP) platform, you can save time and hassle by configuring the device without laying a finger on it. Taking in form of a web portal and API, this secure service lets you provision the device to meet your customer specifications or update them from anyplace with a connection to the Internet. Provide best in class support to your customers by quickly identifying issues and remotely troubleshooting devices.
With OBi312, users are not tied to inconvenient phone jack locations. It can be placed anywhere within range of an internet router when used with the USB Wi-Fi accessory
Product requirements
- Active Internet Connection
- Analog Touch Tone Phone
- Access to Internet Via a Switched Ethernet Port on Home or Office Router
- (Optional) Active Internet Phone Service Subscription with All Required SIP Credentials to Make and Receive Calls
OBi302 ships with
- OBi302 Voice Service Bridge and Telephone Adapter
- Power Adapter
- 1 x RJ-45 Ethernet Cable (80 inches/203 centimeters)
- Quick Start/Installation Guide
- 1 year
Product dimensions (L x W x H)
- 6.9 cm x 6.9 cm x 3.0 cm (2.7 in x 2.7 in x 1.2 in)
Unit weight
- 198 grams/7 ounces
- Shipping weight: 340 grams/12 ounces (Including Power Supply, Ethernet Cable and Packaging)
Interface features
- Internet (WAN): 2 x 10/100BaseT Ethernet
- Phone: 2 x RJ-11 FXS Analog Phone Port
- Reset Button: Located on Bottom of Case
- LEDs: Power/Status, Ethernet Activity (WAN),Phone Port 1, Phone Port 2
- LED indications: Power On, Status, upgrade in Progress Status, Packet RX/TX, Phone Port 1 and 2 Status
Telephony features
- Call Routing Rules
- Automated Attendant with Configurable Answer Delay
- PIN Access Control to AA (Up to 4 PINs)
- Recursive Digit Map for Call Routing (AA, Phone, Voice Gateways, Trunk Groups)
- AA Configurable Outbound Call Routing Rules
- SIP Service Configurable Inbound Call Routing Rules
- Fax Pass Through (G.711)
- T.38 Fax Relay for Fax over IP
- Modem Pass Through (G.711)
- In-Band DTMF (G.711)
- Out of Voice Band DTMF (RFC 2833)
- Out of Voice Band DTMF (SIP INFO Method)
- Call Progress Tone Generation
- Tone Profile per SIP SP and OBiTALK Service
- Ring Profile per SIP SP and OBiTALK Service
- Star Code Profile per SIP SP and OBiTALK Service
- Full Duplex Audio
- G.165, 168 Echo Cancelation
- VAD—Voice Activity Detection
- Silence Suppression
- Comfort Noise Generation
- Three Way Conference Calling with Local Mixing
- Hook Flash Event Signaling
- Flash Hook Timer
- Caller ID—Name and Number per Bellcore, ETSI, DTMF, and NTT
- MWI—Message Waiting Indicator
- Visual Message Waiting Indication (VMWI)
- Daylight Savings Time Support— Worldwide
- Caller ID Enable/Disable
- Caller ID Number
- Caller ID Name (Alphanumeric)
- Caller ID Spoofing
- Call Waiting
- Maximum Session Control
- Call Forward—Unconditional
- Call Forward on Busy
- Call Forward on No Answer (Ring Count Configurable)
- Call Transfer Enable/Disable
- Anonymous Call Block
- Anonymous Call
- Do Not Disturb
- Call Return
- Repeat Dialing
Data networking
- MAC Address (IEEE 802.3)
- UDP (RFC 768) in SSL/TLS
- TCP (RFC 793) in SSL/TLS
- IP version 4, IPv4 (RFC 791)—Static IP and DHCP Support
- ARP—Address Resolution Protocol
- Domain Name System (DNS) A Records (RFC 1706) and SRV Records (RFC 2782) RTP (RFC 1889, 1890), RFC 5966
- RTP/RTCP (RFC 1889), DHCP Client (RFC 2131)
- DiffServ (RFC 2475)—Independently Configured: Service, SIP and Media
- ToS (RFC 791, 1349)—Independently Configured: Service, SIP and Media
- VLAN Tagging (802.1p—Independently Configured: Service, SIP and Media
- SNTP (RFC 2030)—Primary and Secondary NTP Servers
- Local Access Interface: IVR Password
- Remote Access Interface: User Name and Password Access via HTTP, TFTP— HTTPS
- Device Web Page Standard: HTTP v1.1, XML v1.0
- Secure Remote Provisioning: HTTP, HTTPS
VoIP features
- Four (4) Service Provider Configuration Profile Assignments (ITSP 1–4)
- Four (4) Service /Trunk Subscription Profile Assignments (SP 1–4)
- SIPv2 (RFC 3261, 3262, 3263, 3264)
- SIP over UDP
- SIP over TCP
- SIP over TLS
- 4 SIP Service Provider Service Sessions—Concurrent Operation
- 1 OBiTALK Service Session
- SIP Proxy Redundancy—Local or DNS Based SVR, Primary and Secondary Fallback List Restrict Source IP Address
- Maximum Number of Sessions— Independent per Service
- 4 Trunk Groups
- Voice Gateway—Direct Dialing
- G.711 A-Law (64 kbps)
- G.711 μ-Law (64 kbps)
- G.726 (32 kbps) G.729a (8 kbps) iLBC (13.3, 15.2 kbps) Codec Pre-selection Code
- Voice Processing per SIP Service—TX/ RX Audio Gain, Echo Cancellation
- Adjustable Audio Frames per Packet
- Codec Name Assignment
- Codec Profile per SIP SP and OBiTALK Service
- Dynamic Audio Payload
- Packet Loss Concealment
- Jitter Buffer (Adaptive)
- SUBSCRIBE/NOTIFY Framework (RFC 3265)
- NOTIFY Dialog, Line Status
- SUBSCRIBE Message Summary
- VoIP NAT Interworking
- DATE Header Support
- Remote-Party-ID (RPID)
- P-Asserted-Identity (PAID)
- RTP Statistics in BYE Message and SIP PUBLISH with MOS Score
- Universal Switching with Fixed US, EU, UK Style Plug Prongs (Model Dependent)
- AC Input: 100 to 240 Volts 0.3A 50–60Hz (26–34 VA)
- DC Input: +12V 1.0 Amp Max
- FCC Part 15 Class B
- A-Tick
- RoHS
- UL/cUL—power adapter
Environmental conditions
- Operating temperature: 0º to 45º C (32º to 113º F)
- Relative humidity: 10% to 90% Noncondensing
- Storage temperature: –25º to 85º C (–13º to 185º F)
- Local Access Interface: IVR, Web Page— Password Protected (Admin and User Level Log-in)
- Remote Access Interface: Syslog (Multi- Level Granularity), Invokable via SIP Notify, Web, Provisioning
- Device Web Page Standard: HTTP v1.1, XML v1.0
- Remote Provisioning: XML via TFTP or HTTP, (TR069/TR104 Parameter Naming Syntax)
- Secure Remote Provisioning: HTTPS, Encrypted XML via HTTP or TFTP— Dedicated User Name and Password
- Secure Remote Firmware Update: Encrypted Binary File via TFTP or HTTP + Dedicated User Name and Password
- Customization: OBi-ZT: Obihai Zero- Touch Automatic Customization and Configuration **
- Call History (CDRs): Call Detail Records on OBi Web Page, Export to XML
- LED Indications: Power, Device Status, Upgrade Progress Status, Ethernet Activity, PHONE Status
- Session Information: SIP Session Status, OBiTALK Status, Phone Port Status
- Primary SIP Service Set-Up Wizard: Dedicated Device Web Page for Quick ITSP Account Set-Up
- System Settings Back-Up/Restore: Save and Restore Configuration via XML file to/from a Local Folder
RTP Statistics
- RTP Transport Type
- Audio Codec Type (Tx/Rx)
- RTP Packetization—in multiples of 10ms (Tx/Rx)
- RTP Packet Count (Tx/Rx)
- RTP Byte Count (Tx/Rx)
- Packets Out-Of-Order
- Packets Interpolated
- Packets Late (Dropped)
- Packets Lost
- Packet Loss Rate %
- Packet Drop Rate %
- Jitter Buffer Length–ms
- Received Interarrival Jitter–ms
- Jitter Buffer Underruns
- Jitter Buffer Overruns
Call Progress
- Configurable Call Progress Tone
- Call Progress Tone Profiles (2)
- Dial Tone
- Busy Tone
- Ringback Tone
- Reorder Tone
- Confirmation Tone
- Holding Tone
- Second Dial Tone
- Stutter Tone
- Howling Tone
- Prompt Tone
- Call Forwarded Tone
- Conference Tone
- SIT Tones (1–4)
- Ringing and Call Waiting Tone Configuration
- Ring Patterns (10)—Configurable
- Call Waiting Tone Patterns (10)— Configurable
- Call Waiting Tone Pattern Profiles (2)
Star Code Configuration
- Configurable Star Codes
- Star Code Profiles (2)
- Redial
- Call Return
- Activate Block Caller ID
- Deactivate Block Caller ID
- Block Caller ID Once
- Unblock Caller ID Once
- Activate Call Forwarding (All Calls)
- Deactivate Call Forwarding (All Calls)
- Activate Call Forward on Busy
- Deactivate Call Forward on Busy
- Activate Call Forward on No Answer
- Deactivate Call Forward on No Answer
- Activate Block Anonymous Calls
- Deactivate Block Anonymous Calls
- Activate Call Waiting
- Deactivate Call Waiting
- Activate Do Not Disturb
- Deactivate Do Not Disturb
- Activate Repeat Dial
- Deactivate Repeat Dial
FXS SLIC (Subscriber Line Integrated Circuit): Phone Port
- Ringer Specifications: Ring Frequency: 14Hz–68Hz, Ring Waveform: Trapezoidal, Sinusoidal, Ring Voltage: 55v–85v
- Maximum Ring Load: 5 REN (Ringer Equivalence Number) per Phone Port
FXS (PHONE Port) Configuration Settings
- Recursive Digit Map and Associated Outbound Call Routing
- On-Hook Tip Ring Voltage: 30v–52v
- Off-Hook Current Max: 15mA–45mA
- Impedance: 12 Independent Settings
- DTMF Playback Level: –90 dBm–3 dBm
- Caller ID Method: Bellcore, ETSI (FSK or DTMF)
- Caller ID Trigger (Before/After First Ring, Polarity Reversal)
- Channel Tx Gain: –12dB to 6 dB at 1 dB Resolution
- Channel Rx Gain: 12dB to 6 dB at 1 dB Resolution
- Silence Detect Sensitivity
- Hook Flash Time Max
- Hook Flash Time Min
- CPC Delay Time
- CPC Duration
- Idle Polarity
- Connect Polarity
Related Products
- Accessories
- Similar
OBi302 Data Sheet
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text:
Tuesday, Feb. 14, marks what is referred to as Crossover in the General Assembly. All bills, except budget bills, have to be passed by the Senate and sent to the House or by the House and sent to the Senate to have a chance for final passage into law.
Nine of the bills that I introduced have passed the Senate without any opposition and now must be passed by the House of Delegates to become law. These bills include:
- SB 540 Real estate tax exemption for disabled veterans – Allows the inclusion of primary residences held in trust clarifying the bill passed last year.
- SB 657 Fraudulent train ticket; penalty – Increases the fine for boarding or riding a district transportation train without paying the posted fare. The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) requested this legislation because of the growing problems they are having with this issue.
- SB 136 Virginia Retirement System; retirees hired as police chief in certain towns. Enables a town such as Dumfries, which asked for this bill, to hire a retired person as police chief.
- SB 139 County precincts; separate precinct for certain towns. Allows the Town of Quantico to have its own separate precinct to enable voters to cast ballots in the town. During the past election, they had travel out of the town to vote.
- SB 539 Forward energy pricing; public body to use mechanism for budget risk reduction. Grants a public entity such as the Potomac and Rappahannock Transit Commission (PRTC) to buy and sell diesel fuel to make operations more efficient and fiscally sound.
- SB 551 Counties may establish discount for real estate payments. Permits entities to give a discount if owners pay property tax in full in the first one-half of the year but with no greater than a 5 percent discount.
Another bill I introduced, SB 434 Funeral protests; penalty, would limit protests at funeral and memorial services that may lead to disruption of peace. This bill was requested by Fairfax County. I have attended a funeral in the Mount Vernon area where such a protest was held. SB 434 is expected to pass the Senate either Monday or Tuesday of this week.
Please continue to contact me on interests of concern:
Senator Linda T. "Toddy" Puller, P.O. Box 396, Richmond, Virginia 23218; Phone: 804-698-7536; Fax: 804-698-7651; Email: firstname.lastname@example.com.
Linda T. "Toddy" Puller
State Senator (D-36)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
I think this letter sums up very well the feelings of so many people in the UK and USA.
Gordon Brown has lost the plot.
Dear Mr. Secretary:
Over the years I have been a prosecutor, and recently as the Director of the FBI, I have made it a practice not to comment on the actions of other prosecutors, since only the prosecutor handling the case has all the facts and the law before him in reaching the appropriate decision.
Your decision to release Megrahi causes me to abandon that practice in this case. I do so because I am familiar with the facts, and the law, having been the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the investigation and indictment of Megrahi in 1991. And I do so because I am outraged at your decision, blithely defended on the grounds of "compassion."
Your action in releasing Megrahi is as inexplicable as it is detrimental to the cause of justice. Indeed your action makes a mockery of the rule of law. Your action gives comfort to terrorists around the world who now believe that regardless of the quality of the investigation, the conviction by jury after the defendant is given all due process, and sentence appropriate to the crime, the terrorist will be freed by one man's exercise of "compassion." Your action rewards a terrorist even though he never admitted to his role in this act of mass murder and even though neither he nor the government of Libya ever disclosed the names and roles of others who were responsible.
Your action makes a mockery of the emotions, passions and pathos of all those affected by the Lockerbie tragedy: the medical personnel who first faced the horror of 270 bodies strewn in the fields around Lockerbie, and in the town of Lockerbie itself; the hundreds of volunteers who walked the fields of Lockerbie to retrieve any piece of debris related to the breakup of the plane; the hundreds of FBI agents and Scottish police who undertook an unprecedented global investigation to identify those responsible; the prosecutors who worked for years–in some cases a full career–to see justice done.
But most importantly, your action makes a mockery of the grief of the families who lost their own on December 21, 1988. You could not have spent much time with the families, certainly not as much time as others involved in the investigation and prosecution. You could not have visited the small wooden warehouse where the personal items of those who perished were gathered for identification–the single sneaker belonging to a teenager; the Syracuse sweatshirt never again to be worn by a college student returning home for the holidays; the toys in a suitcase of a businessman looking forward to spending Christmas with his wife and children.
You apparently made this decision without regard to the views of your partners in the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the Lockerbie tragedy. Although the FBI and Scottish police, and prosecutors in both countries, worked exceptionally closely to hold those responsible accountable, you never once sought our opinion, preferring to keep your own counsel and hiding behind opaque references to "the need for compassion."
You have given the family members of those who died continued grief and frustration. You have given those who sought to assure that the persons responsible would be held accountable the back of your hand. You have given Megrahi a "jubilant welcome" in Tripoli, according to the reporting. Where, I ask, is the justice?
Sincerely yours,
Robert S. Mueller, III


text:
According to observations of naturalists and beekeepers.
Where are you?
200 kilograms per ha
Boxelder is widespread in riparian and palustrine communities throughout most of the contiguous United States. Its range extends from New Jersey and central New York west through extreme southern Ontario, central Michigan, northern Minnesota, central Manitoba, central Saskatchewan, southern Alberta, and central Montana, eastern Wyoming, Utah, and California; and south to southern Texas and central Florida. It is also local in New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Idaho, and Nevada. Boxelder has been naturalized in Maine, southern Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and in southeastern Washington and eastern Oregon. Varieties of boxelder occur in the mountains of Mexico (Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosi, and south to Chihuahua) and in Guatemala.
This plant is present in at least 60 states/provinces in this country.
Boxelder is a native deciduous small to large tree with an irregular form. The trunk often divides near the ground into a few long, spreading, rather crooked limbs, which branch irregularly to support a broad, uneven crown. When growing among other trees, boxelder forms a high, open crown, with the undivided portion of the trunk much longer and usually straighter than that of an open-grown tree. This variable-sized tree may reach 70 feet (21 m) in height and 3 feet (0.92 m) in diameter but is more often medium-sized, from 40 to 50 feet (12-15 m) high and from 1 to 2 feet (0.3-0.6 m) in diameter. Boxelder may also appear as a large shrub, and in upland soil, on the Great Plains, this tree is usually only about 25 feet (8 m) high with low, crooked branches.
Boxelder has a fast growth rate and a short life span; it typically lives for 75 years, with 100 years maximum longevity. Growth is rapid when young; long, smooth, green annual shoots extend 2 feet (0.6 m) or more in a year. At maturity, growth slows and brittle trunks and limbs shatter; old trunks frequently put out clusters of sprouts and sometimes develop large burls.
A drought-tolerant tree once established, boxelder's roots are shallow and spreading, except on deep soils. The bark is light gray and smooth but becomes furrowed into narrow, firm ridges and darkens with age. Twigs are stout, light green to purplish or brownish with a polished look or are often covered with a whitish bloom that is easily rubbed off. The blunt buds are 0.125 to 0.25 inch (2-5 mm) long with one or two pairs of scales and are coated with fine white hairs.
Boxelder is the only maple with divided leaves. The three to seven leaflets are from 6 to 15 inches (15-38 cm) long, light green above and greyish green below, usually without hairs. The leaflets are shallowly lobed or coarsely toothed. This completely dioecious tree has pale green male and female flowers with a strongly pronounced reduction of flower parts and contain no rudimentary parts of the opposite sex. Male flowers are on slender stalks in loose clusters and female flowers are arranged along a separate stem.
The fruit is composed of two fused, winged samaras which eventually separate upon shedding. The angle separating the two wings is less than 60 degrees. The samaras, about 1.5 inches (4 cm) long, hang in long chains on slender stalks, mature in autumn, and remain on the tree well into the winter. Each contains a single seed without an endosperm. Seeds are 2 to 3 times as long as they are wide and are markedly wrinkled.
Boxelder flowers from March through May with or before the appearance of the leaves. The fruit, a winged samara, ripens from September through October and is dispersed from September through March.
Boxelder's leaves turn a dull yellow color in the autumn and drop throughout the fall and winter.
Acer rubrum (aka: Red maple, Scarlet maple)
Salix nigra (aka: Black willow, Swamp willow, Southwestern black willow, Gulf black willow, Scythe-leaved willow)
Acer saccharinum (aka: Silver maple, Soft maple)
Cercis canadensis (aka: Eastern redbud, Redbud, Cersis Reniformis)
Malus angustifolia (aka: American crab apple, Buncombe crab apple, Crabtree, Narrowleaf crab, Narrowleaf crab apple, Southern crab, Southern crab apple)
Aronia arbutifolia (aka: Red chokeberry)


text:
Walking Woodstock
Journeys into the Wild Heart of America's Most Famous Small Town
by Michael Perkins
and Will Nixon
Illustrated by Carol Zaloom #1 Paperback Bestseller of 2009, Golden Notebook, Woodstock, NY
The Pocket Guide to Woodstock
An Insiders' Guide with Suggested Hikes, a Walking Tour of the Historic Village, Maps, Photographs, and the Best Tips for a Memorable Visit
by Michael Perkins
and Will Nixon
Illustrated by Carol Zaloom #1 Paperback Bestseller of 2012, Golden Notebook, Woodstock, NYBooks
- December 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
About the Author
Will Nixon grew up in the Connecticut suburbs, spent his young adulthood in Hoboken and Manhattan, then moved to a Catskills log cabin in 1996 complete with a wood stove and mice. For years, he wrote environmental journalism, then turned to poetry and personal essays. His work has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and listed in Best American Essays 2004. He now lives in Woodstock, NY with a wall thermostat for heat, but still can't get rid of the mice.Quotes
"Are you familiar with the writing of Woodstock poet Will Nixon? If not, you should be because of his funny, wistful, poignant poems."
-- Catskill Mountain Region Guide"The Hudson Valley has produced some of the great peregrinations of our time, most notably by John Burroughs, an inveterate walker. Add Michael Perkins and Will Nixon to the list—these are charming essays, some of them with a bit more bite than you'd guess."
-- Bill McKibben
Tag Archives: Charles Darwin
Why Poets Should Write About Dirt
(Several weeks ago, I accepted the challenge of writing a poem about each of the four elements, which made me realize how badly I've neglected my education in dirt. About fire I had to plenty to say, ranging from fond … Continue reading
Posted in Nature Writing
Tagged Canandaigua, Charles Darwin, Edward Hymans, four elements, Hans Jenny, Michael Heiser, Mound Builders, New York, O Lucky One, soil, Soil and Civilization, Stephen Lewandowski, The Formation of Vegetable Mould Through Action of Worms, Wes Jackson
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text:
Stevie's New Blood
Author: Kathryn Ulberg Lilleby OncoLink Rating: |
For any family facing the prospect of a child undergoing a bone marrow transplant, Stevie's New Blood will be a welcomed addition to the bookshelf. In her thoughtfully planned and well-crafted story, Kathryn Ulberg Lilleby explains the process of this little known and often fear inducing procedure. The author, a veteran bone marrow transplant nurse, tells a tale of a young boy undergoing treatment for leukemia. After receiving an initial regiment of chemotherapy the child still has disease. Accordingly, a bone marrow transplant is performed as the next attempt for a cure.
What makes this book so valuable is that it is actually two books in one. On one page is a story appropriate for children ages 6-10. On the adjacent page, is more detailed text for older children and adults. The book begins with a discussion of leukemia and the function of bone marrow. The story continues on, explaining in an accurate and detailed fashion the process of bone marrow transplant, associated procedures, and potential side effects. Parents may choose to "abridge" some graphic details in certain places, as in the passage where a little girl donates her marrow to her brother. In fact, the detailed explanations given in the "adult" text will allow parents to tell a personalized story that is appropriate for any child.
Stevie's New Blood is highly recommended by OncoLink for those people, both children and adults, wishing to read more about bone marrow transplant, a somewhat mysterious and potentially life saving procedure.


text:
You can not only play at the game table, but also chat. Players' messages are displayed in floating windows above their avatars. If a message from another player bothers you, you can block messages from them in a special menu by tapping the icon with a lock located next to the "chat" icon. Select the specific players whose messages you don't want to see. You can also block conversations from all players at once. To do this, enable chat blocking in the game settings.
How do I block the chat?
Have more questions? Submit a request
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text:
Publisher: APCNews
Published onPage last updated on
On Wednesday February 29th 12:00-15:00 CET (11:00-14:00 UTC), the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) will convene an expert panel in Geneva to discuss the issue of freedom of expression on the internet. This will be the first time human rights on the internet has been specifically addressed by the HRC.
The significance of this panel is its explicit use of the principle that human rights, in their full scope and capacity, apply to the internet, making a crucial connection between internet activists and human rights defenders.
APC will be represented in the panel by Carlos Afonso from Nupef in Brazil and APC's executive director Anriette Esterhuysen, ensuring that civil society and development interests will be properly addressed. (More information about panelists below)
The panel is the result of the Swedish government's long work on the issue of freedom of expression on the internet, strongly supported by APC. In 2010 and 2011 a series of regional round table meetings was held together with the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression, Frank La Rue, supporting Mr. La Rue in writing his annual report which focused on freedom of expression on the internet around the world. APC supported the process through participation in the regional meetings and through a side event at the adoption of Mr. La Rue's at the HRC in June 2010.
After rallying support, including a widely supported cross-regional statement, the resolution establishing the panel was adopted in September 2012.
Moderated by Mr. Riz Khan of Al-Jazeera News Agency the panel will consist of the following panelists:
Carl Bildt – Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden
Frank La Rue Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
Anriette Esterhuysen – Executive Director, Association for Progressive Communications, South Africa
Carlos Afonso – Executive Director, Instituto Nupef, Brazil
William Echikson – Head of Free Expression, External Relations, Communications and Public Affairs, Google
Hesti Armiwulan – Commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission of Indonesia.
With the objectives of drawing attention to the challenges and identifying practical steps that states can take to promote freedom of expression on the internet, the panel will address issues such as:
Effective ways to combat child pornography without jeopardizing the right to freedom of expression,
States' positive obligations with regards to promoting freedom of expression on the internet,
best practices to facilitate universal access to the internet, and to bridge the "digital divide" both between and within States, -
How States can act to respect and promote equal opportunities in relation to the internet.
Please see below the official concept paper for the panel, outlining the full objectives and panel questions, as well as panel modalities.
APC believes the outcome of the panel can be strong and useful recommendations to states that human rights apply online, that states' obligations to report on human rights includes reporting on human rights on the internet, that internet laws and policies must address, as well as respect, protect and promote human rights.
Follow the panel live and engage in the real-time discussion on twitter through #HRC19 #FXinternet and #APC
The official concept paper
APC's Joy Liddicoat's issue paper Human rights online: New issues and threats
Frank La Rue's report on Freedom of expression on the internet presented at the HRC in June.
GISWatch thematic report: E-revolutions and cyber crackdowns in the Middle East and North Africa.


text:
A 46-year-old Santa Monica man was arrested Wednesday, Dec. 12 after blocking in his neighbor's car, refusing to move it, and telling the victim he would "get her" if she called police.
At 7:28 a.m. officers of the Santa Monica Police Department went to the 1800 block of Michigan Avenue in order to investigate a report of criminal threats.
When the officers arrived they spoke with both the suspect and the victim within the confines of the apartment complex where they both lived.
The officers learned from the victim that she had left her apartment to go to her vehicle and discovered the suspect had blocked her vehicle in with his vehicle.
She continued to tell the officers that after she had discovered this she went to the suspect's apartment and knocked on the door.
The suspect answered the knock on the door and immediately informed her that she should not knock on his door.
The victim said that she had then made a request to the suspect that he move his car so that she could exit, but he refused.
The suspect added that should she decide to call the police he would "get her."
After hearing that this man had threatened to "get" the victim, the officers arrested the suspect and he was charged with using offensive words in a public place.
Bail was set at $500.
Editor's Note: These reports are part of a regular police coverage series entitled "Alert Police Blotter" (APB), which injects some minor editorial into certain police activities in Santa Monica. Not all of the Mirror's coverage of incidents involving police are portrayed in this manner. More serious crimes and police-related activities are regularly reported without editorial in the pages of the Santa Monica Mirror and its website, smmirror.com.


text:
Fits: 2012 – 2013 Softail
Big Shots Long provide the best of both worlds, long and low 2-into-2 style pipes with 2-into-1 performance, thanks to the Vance & Hines Power Chamber hidden crossover. The nostalgic look of Big Shots Long is especially suited for the Heritage Softail Classic, where the length of the exhaust system runs beneath the saddlebag to the edge of the rear wheel.
Complete with one-piece full length heat shields and straight-cut CNC machined end-caps, Big Shots Long come standard with louvered-core baffles, and can also be fitted with optional quiet baffles.
For 2012, Vance & Hines has designed a new flat plane mounting panel for the 12mm oxygen sensors now employed across the Softail model line, which positions the sensor deeper into the exhaust stream, providing enhanced data feedback to the ECM.
– Power Chamber Crossover Technology
– Full Coverage Heat Shields
– Available in Chrome
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– Flat Plane 12mm Oxygen Sensor Mounts


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I was recently at a lecture given by Professor Xu Xin of Nanjing University in China. The topic of the lecture was "The Jewish Diaspora in Modern China". Professor Xin covered the brief but nonetheless important role of some Jewish communities in China, and how they fit in with some of broader Jewish and Chinese history.
During the questions portion of the lecture someone asked Professor Xin why the Japanese, allies of the Nazis tolerated Jewish emigration from Europe to China during WW2 if the Japanese knew of the Nazi's plans with the Jews? Professor Xin offered an anecdote about how the Japanese, who were not fully understanding of the Nazi animosity towards Jews, gathered some prominent Jews that were in the area and asked them why the Nazis hated them so much. The Jews told the japanese "it's because we are Asian". That got a laugh from the crowd, since Professor Xin had framed the lecture earlier by mentioning that Israel could geographically be considered part of Asia.
(I am not sure if the humor comes across well in writing so I will explain it:) The joke was that the Jews understood that the Japanese, the ones asking them the question, were Asian. So by linking the Jews to Asia they would be suggesting that perhaps the Nazis might have it out for the Japanese as well, and as a result the Japanese would not be so keen on helping the Nazis.
My question is: is there a reliable primary or secondary source for this anecdote?
P.S. Could someone please help me give this question appropriate tags


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I finally got around to using the great pieces of driftwood we collected during our little Kauai getaway. I made candle holders!
If you already have a drill, then these are super easy to make. You just need your driftwood, and a drill bit that can make 1 1/2″ holes. I picked one up for about $8.
First, I used my tea candles to figure out exactly where I wanted them to sit on the driftwood. Then I drilled away. Make sure to used extreme caution when handling a drill, work on a safe surface, and wear protective eyewear. I also recommend holding your wood in place with some sort of clamp.
Now clean them up with a vacuum, drop in your candles, and…
… light!
Not only do my driftwood candle holders make the perfect addition to our coastal navy bedroom, they're also a great keepsake from our trip!


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Way back in the age of video tape, in the time before the Internet, a machine named Walk and Peck roamed the earth.
One of the stars of the seminal Survival Research Laboratories film "Bitter Message of Hopeless Grief" (1988), Walk and Peck (AKA The Centaur) also had a feature role in the 1985 performance, "Extremely Cruel Practices: Designed to Instruct Those Interested in Policies That Correct or Punish."
Walk and Peck's maker, Matt Heckert, will be bringing the old W&P out for a little walkabout at the East Bay Mini Maker Faire this Sunday.
In the world of art+robots, Survival Research Laboratories (SRL) is considered to be the pioneer of the "spectacle" form of underground robotic art." (Wikipedia). Remote control machines, often the size of small cars, interact with props and each other, producing mayhem, surprise, and destruction.
Heckert came to machines and engineering pretty early. Obsessed with cars and Formula One racing, Heckert got his first car when he was 13 years old. "It was a little Volvo 544 that I was going to make into a racecar. I was done with the lawnmower and the outboard motor; I wanted to have something to work on."
Matt's dad had seen this Volvo out in the country for sale, and tracked down the owner. It turned out that this guy, Paul Krot, was a photographer and a professor at the Rhode Island School of Design (as well as founder of Sprint Systems Photography—still in biz), and had in fact raced the Volvo in some Sports Car Club of America runs.
Krot wouldn't sell the car. Instead he said, "I won't sell it to you but I'll give it to you if you will race it."
Krot proceeded to take 13 year old Heckert to the junkyards to look for just the right motor. "The motor was tired and bell housing was shot. I took my money that I had earned and bought this motor for $220."
"He showed me how to port the manifold and what cam shaft to get and what grinds to put on the cam shaft." Heckert was in business. Re-reading the owner's manual, Heckert would check in with Krot and follow his advice—but continue the work and progress on his own.
The point all of this is that this guy was that this guy dealt with me as if I had a brain, had the ability, and was an adult. He never talked down to me.
I never forgot about Paul and my Volvo but I never really got a perspective on how important it was for me developmentally until I was reminiscing about it recently. That I had taken the initiative to get the car and then met Paul and his attitude was "you can do this," without faint praise or hand-holding, and then completing gave me a sense of accomplishment that I carrier forward to future projects.
Heckert made his way from there to an award winning art career with exhibitions around the globe. He is currently Chief Engineer for TCHO chocolate in San Francisco, having re-engineered their vintage East German chocolate manufacturing equipment into a full-scale production line on Pier 17.
He's also currently saying goodbye to Walk and Peck, which has just been acquired by a museum. Come and pay a little homage Sunday at the Faire.
P.S. Check this shot below, the original wiring notes from the control box:


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Centrally located in the midst of the business, banking and entertainment district.
The Eurostars Claridge Hotel is strategically located a very short distance from the pedestrian streets of Florida, Lavalle and Reconquista, a mere 200 metres from the Pacific Galleries and is next to the 9th July Avenue. Some of the places within walking distance from the Buenos Aires hotel are: the Congress Building, the Casa Rosada, St. Martin Cultural Centre, the Buenos Aires Stocks & Shares Market, the Metropolitan Cathedral, Puerto Madero, the Repsol-YPF Tower, the Recoleta district and the new Kirchner Cultural Center.
Easy access to the airports serving the city:
- Ezeiza International Airport: 21 miles, 30 minutes.
- Jorge Newbery Domestic Airport : 4 miles, 15 minutes.
The Claridge hotel Buenos Aires, located in downtown Buenos Aires, is just a few steps away from the main points of interest, such as the traditional Florida Street, new Kirchner Cultural Center, elegant shopping complex of Pacific Galleries, the fashionable docks at Puerto Madero, as well as the business, financial, historic and entertainment sites in town.


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This article is more than 1 year old
Microsoft invests $1m in IT girls
Designing Women
Microsoft has made its second million-dollar grant to the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) to support the advancement of women in IT.
Founded in 2004, NCWIT is a coalition of over 170 corporations, academic institutions, government agencies, and non-profits working to expand women's participation in IT. Members include Apple, AT&T, the Bank of America, Carnegie Mellon, Google, HP, Intel, MIT, Motorola, Pfizer, Princeton, Qualcomm, Stanford University, the University of California at Berkeley, Wal-Mart, and others.
In a statement, NCWIT's CEO Lucy Sanders said "Women make up half the world's population, they use technology as much as men, and they are innovative technical thinkers. If we want the best technology we can get, then we need women at the design table."
There aren't many women seated at that table today, as even a cursory survey of most corporate IT departments, industry confabs, and academic departments will show.
NCWIT cites a number of statistics (PDF) to support its assertion that women are underrepresented in IT:
- Although 57 per cent of US undergraduate degrees went to women 2008, only 18 per cent of computer and information sciences degrees were earned by women.
- Only 24 per cent of IT positions in the US are held by women.
- Although 57 per cent of US high-school advanced-placement (AP) tests were taken by women in 2008, only 17 per cent of AP computer science (CS) were female.
And the disparity is growing. In 1985, women earned 37 percent of CS degrees, but - as noted above - that number dropped to 18 per cent last year.
NCWIT argues that their work to advance women in IT isn't merely a matter of gender equity. As their mission statement contends, "We believe that inspiring more women to choose careers in IT isn't about parity; it's a compelling issue of innovation, competitiveness, and workforce sustainability. In a global economy, gender diversity in IT means a larger and more competitive workforce; in a world dependent on innovation, it means the ability to design technology that is as broad and creative as the people it serves."
Microsoft appears to agree. Their new grant is a follow-up to a million-dollar grant made in 2006 that has supported a number of NCWIT initiatives, including Academic Alliance Seed Fund start-up grants to universities to attract and retain women in IT and CS programs, and the Award for Aspirations in Computing, which recognizes high-school women for "computing-related achievements and interests."
At a time when the Meltdown is forcing academic institutions at all levels to suspend outreach programs, increase class sizes, and curtail such expensive investments as networking teaching labs, Microsoft's commitment to helping expand IT and CS opportunities for half the population is to be commended. ®


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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Deion Sanders said he wasn't worried. Joe Montana went in with his game face on and Jordin Sparks just hoped sand did not end up in her eyes.
Athletes and celebrities had different strategies as they prepared to play in the sixth annual DirectTV Celebrity Beach Bowl. The event teams up stars with former and current professional athletes for a flag football game on the sand.
Assistant coach Neil Patrick Harris admitted he didn't know much about the game, so he was going to rely on his teammates to make the calls.
"I really am not competitive at all. I quite frankly don't know what is going to happen or what we are playing," the actor said with a smile. "I know it is football of some sort, but it might be flag football, touch, two-handed touch. I don't know."
Lucky for him, legend Joe Montana was on his team.
"I hate to lose," Montana said ahead of the game. "I am not very good at losing. You try to go into this as it's going to be a fun game, but as soon as you get involved ... if they score, you go, `OK.' You have got to at least keep it competitive. I can't just go through the motions. I want to win."
Sparks arrived with her dad, Phillippi Sparks, a former New York Giant. The former "American Idol" champ says she wasn't expecting intense action.
"I know it is not tackle. They are just grabbing the flag, but who knows, we could get tripped up and stuff, so I am glad there is sand," she said. "I am nervous about it getting in my eyes if I fall but other than that, it is going to be a lot of fun. I am excited. "
As for the other big game in Indianapolis, Sanders said he would not pick the New England Patriots or the New York Giants to win on Sunday.
"I am a former player. I am not rooting for anybody. I just want a good quality game. I just want the fans to be entertained for three and a half hours. I want Madonna to come out and do the doggone thing like she can do it," he said of her halftime performance.
Other big names at the event included Peyton Manning, Chace Crawford, Cam Newton, Terrell Owens and David Arquette, who said he's been having a great time in Indianapolis.
"What I really like about Super Bowl in general is that it introduces you to another city," he said. "Indianapolis is a beautiful city a lot of people might not know about or have not visited. To come here and to meet the people and see the city, that is my favorite part actually."
Online: www.directtv.com
Alicia Quarles is the AP's Global Entertainment and Lifestyles Editor. Follow her online at http://www.twitter.com/aliciaquarles


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In a statement released late Monday night, LNG Canada announced a consortium of groups will be moving ahead with building an liquid natural gas facility on B.C.'s northern coast.
The plant will be built in Kitimat, and includes joint venture participants such as Shell, Petronas, PetroChina, Mitsubishi Corporation, and Kogas. All companies will be responsible for providing their own natural gas supply and will individually offtake and market its share of LNG, much to the chagrin of B.C. Green Party leader Andrew Weaver.
"I am deeply disappointed that the NDP minority government's tax giveaway has resulted in the country's single biggest source of emissions receiving an FID," said B.C. Green Party leader Andrew Weaver.
"Adding such a massive new source of GhGs means that the rest of our economy will have to make even more sacrifices to meet our climate targets. A significant portion of the LNG Canada investment will be spent on a plant manufactured overseas, with steel sourced from other countries. B.C. taxpayers will subsidize its power by paying rates twice as high and taking on the enormous public debt required to build Site C. There may be as little as 100 permanent jobs at LNG Canada. I believe we can create far more jobs in other industries that won't drastically increase our emissions."
RELATED: LNG Canada export facility receives green light
RELATED: B.C. Greens will vote against LNG Canada going ahead
He goes on to say it breaks his heart that young people must watch politicians, "who once professed to champion climate change action… succumb to the temptation of short-sighted political wins."
In a release from the province early Tuesday morning, they say the $40-billion investment shows B.C. can balance economic opportunity and job creation with forward-looking environmental action that meets climate change goals.
"British Columbians want a future that brings opportunities for them and their kids in the communities they call home, while living up to our responsibilities to guarantee clean air, land and water for the generations that follow," said B.C. premier John Horgan.
The first LNG is expected to start moving from the facility sometime before 2025.
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Luxe LightWrap™ Dark smoke Gloss
Premium quality cast vinyl film specially developed for wrapping vehicle lights and trim with translucent effects tinting the lens while letting light pass through. Luxe LightWrap™ materials are superior quality, cast PVC films that offer exceptional dimensional stability and excellent long-term durability, they offer excellent cutting and weeding properties, and are suitable for applications in outdoor and indoor environments.
LightWrap ™ adhesive allows the film to be removed using heat and/or chemicals, under controlled conditions, up to a period of three years from a range of substrates, subject to exceptions covered in the warranty. Exceptional dimensional stability and long-term durability suitable for indoor and outdoor applications and excellent conformability and adhesion for use on smooth or contoured surfaces.
- Color: Dark smoke gloss
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- Adhesive: Slideable, Repositionable clear semi-permanent removable acrylic adhesive with micro diamond air release
- Application Type: Dry
- Recommended Uses: Automotive Lights, Headlights, Taillights, Chrome Trim, Mirrors, Bumpers, Accents & Trim, Boat Windows, Soft Top Windows,
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- Max roll size:50.8cm x 22.85m
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Sorry, nothing in cart.
Brighter Blessings Arrangement
In Stock
At a time of sorrow, send a ray of sunlight with this lovely floral arrangement of yellow carnations, chrysanthemums, lily, and snapdragons, accented with gentle baby's breath.
- Free Standard Delivery if you order online
- Standard arrangement size – Approximately 16″ W x 20″ H


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Friday morning I was minding my own business when out popped my mucous plug. Guys, I don't know how to put it more delicately than that. It is what it is.
I wanted to make sure that it was, in fact, a mucous plug, and not, say, the leaking brain of a reptilian parasite, so I retrieved it with a piece of tissue and set it on the countertop in the bathroom so that I could cross-reference it with a slew of images found on Google. You just go ahead and process that, DUDE WHO REFUSES TO WEAR A CONDOM. Because this was not a scientific experiment I was willing to go alone. No. In fact, I called out to Jon from the bathroom, "Hey, SPERM PROVIDER. OPEN UP A WEB BROWSER."
Yeah. So. My mucous plug. Are you one of the innocent little kittens who has never heard of such a thing? Let me give you the brief explanation I gave to Leta when she got home from school, ran unknowingly into the bathroom to go potty, and came out going WHAT IS THAT THING ON THE COUNTER?! Hoo boy! And you thought blogging about my kid was abusive? I'm not so sure I've done anything as reckless as leaving my mucous plug just lying there in plain sight of a five-year-old. Because one day she's going to be talking to her therapist about the recurring nightmare she's suffered for the last twenty years, the one where a giant slug crawls up through the sink in the bathroom, jumps off the edge of the countertop onto her head and sucks her face off.
So I pulled up Wikipedia, showed her what a uterus is, and explained that what she saw in the bathroom was a collection of mucus that seals the opening of the cervix. And since I'm so close to my due date it's not a big deal that mine sort of fell out. She said it looked like what happens when I blow my nose, and Jon, a writhing mess of nerves who had just combed through hundreds of images of SOMEONE ELSE'S MUCOUS PLUG, goes, "Yeah, her bottom nose!" Haha. Funny one, Sperm Provider! Go crawl into your dark corner and nurse your fragile emotions, because I am about to give birth! TO A HUMAN! OUT OF MY VAGINA!
It must be so sad for men to live their whole lives knowing that they can never say anything that trumps that particular declaration.
When I twittered about this development several people replied to tell me that they had given birth within 24-48 hours of passing their own plugs, and suddenly Armstrong Labor Watch 2009 was on. Except, nothing has happened since then. Not a damn thing, not even a fake contraction. And today four of our siblings have called to ask if we've had the baby yet, and I'm all, you have got to be kidding me. Do you think we'd up and have this kid and not call anyone? YOU WILL KNOW WHEN I GO INTO LABOR. Anyone living west of the Mississippi will hear the screaming.


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LOVE these suggestions. You are so right by doing these they really do make you feel better.
Thank you.
Having a genuinely sunny disposition isn't my default mode. For much of my adult life, I have had an overly analytic bent and a tendency to consider worst-case scenarios, which may have engendered thoughtfulness and responsibility but not lively exuberance.
I have had to learn and practice optimism, lightheartedness, and, well, cheerfulness. As a result, I have gotten better at being positive and enjoying curves in the road. There are several techniques that have benefited me (and my friends) when circumstances or mindsets threaten inner contentment and outward joyfulness.
When things have got you down, try one, two, or more of these ways to feel better about yourself and your life. (See also: Big List of Things to Be Happy About)
Talking to a trusted friend about your troubles can be therapeutic. A friend can often give you better perspective on either what is happening to you or how you are responding, urging specific actions to remedy the cause of your sadness or offering much-needed reassurance.
You might feel down if you have had recent setbacks or believe that you are not achieving your goals at a quick enough pace. Ease self-induced pressure by taking your focus off the future for a moment. Ponder the past to get a cheerful boost that moves you forward.
Step outside of your comfort zone. Try something that you want to do but scares you because it's unfamiliar. You might deliver a presentation at a professional gathering, take a class in public speaking, participate in a community book discussion, or volunteer at an inner-city ministry.
Facing a fear can energize you. Even if there are glitches, learn from your experiences and be glad that you are pursuing your dreams.
The twittersphere inspired this approach to reclaiming hope — think about how you emerged from difficult circumstances in the past. Remember how you dealt with setbacks, sadness, and frustration. Putting these tactics into action can help you feel less dejected.
Intense exercise, the kind that raises your heart rate and produces endorphins, can make you feel wonderful.
I am amazed at how much a short but fast run eases anxiety, and even makes me oblivious to new difficulties that would otherwise cause anguish.
Getting absorbed in a page turner is an excellent way to forget about yourself and your distress. You may not feel cheery at the very moment (think disturbing scenes from "The Kite Runner" or heart-tugging conversations in "Dear John"). But, most likely, you'll distance yourself from your problems and feel better and happier about your life.
Ask friends for book recommendations, focusing on the ones that deeply engage readers. Borrow from a friend, the library, or download a classic for free.
Anticipating a fun trip — whether it's a day hike in the mountains or a weeklong trek to visit museums in Washington, DC — can make you happy. Although you don't want to spend tons of your time simply planning an escape from daily life, creating plans to enjoy yourself can help increase your enthusiasm for the future.
Lighthearted movies with an intriguing but not overly complicated plot can take your mind off difficulties, plus make you laugh.
To keep this suggestion as a free option, catch a movie on television, watch via a streaming subscription (such as Netflix or Amazon Prime), check out a DVD from the library, or find a free screening. Ask friends about their favorite comedies or choose from a list, such as this compilation of the 25 best comedies streaming on Netflix that includes "Office Space."
Children seem to possess an endless well of bliss, which they are nearly always ready to share. They can show you how to act spontaneously, make friends effortlessly, and, most importantly, live happily in the moment.
Spend a couple of hours with your children at the local playground (if you have small children of your own); accompany friends with children on an outing; or offer to babysit for a harried parent to bring cheer to yourself and others.
Volunteering can relieve stress and improve your outlook in many ways. It can:
In my experience, some non-profit agencies are more adept than others at fulfilling their missions, serving their clients, and making their volunteers feel like a valued part of the team. So, if an assignment isn't everything you imagined, delight in the opportunity to meet new people and being brave enough to try something new.
Watching a comedy show on television may seem like a frivolous waste of time, but if you need cheering up, it can be a great way to re-energize in 20-30 minutes.
Although I often do productive tasks while watching TV, the best way to catch comedic nuances that make a show laughable is to give your full, relaxed attention. And, sometimes, you have to see several episodes (or watch the first season via Amazon Prime or Netflix) to understand the characters and plotlines. Similar to the approach for books and movies, ask friends for recommendations or check out entertainment industry lists.
Figure out what is causing your listlessness. You may avoid trying to pinpoint a problem because you feel dissatisfied in all areas of your life. But this approach may reveal that there is just one thing that's wrong and that it can be easily addressed.
Teens can be a blast and impart hopefulness for the future. The ones I know (especially my sons and their friends) are insightful about the sometimes ridiculousness of accepted, grown-up behavior and can not only make you pause and think about your own pretensions, but more importantly, make you laugh at your own seriousness.
Being kind can lift low spirits, letting you to realize that your ill feelings don't have to control you even when you are having a lousy day. Plus, you may learn that horrific things are occurring in other people's lives; the recipient of kindness may tell you how your action helped them in a particularly black moment.
For more than 100 ideas on random acts of kindness, check out this blog post from Anna Newell Jones.
You can't control the weather but you can get outside when the sun is shining. Spend 10-15 minutes outdoors on sunny (or even partly cloudy) days to lift your mood.
Keeping up with friends on Facebook can be fun but may cause you to feel that you fall short in terms of a social life, cute-kid stories, and vacation travels. Step away from the computer in your leisure time and enjoy some real-world activities.
Set aside a few hours each day not to worry, even if you have difficulty controlling fretfulness and anxiety. Free yourself to be happy by not letting worry dominate your thoughts.
Dig out photo collections, either in hard-copy or digital form. Let memories of past adventures and fun times make you smile.
Muster the energy to complete an unfinished project to restore peace of mind. Having lots of partially-finished projects may be weighing you down more than you realize. Choose one that involves mindless activity rather than complicated tasks. Not only will you momentarily forget about whatever's bothering you, you'll get something done.
Stroll through public spaces such as a city garden, beach, or a trail along a lake or river. Beautiful natural surroundings, along with movement, can lighten your mood. If you are short on time, hit the streets in your neighborhood or downtown area as a way of taking a brief break.
Spending time with friends can help you to relax, enjoy yourself, and hopefully laugh and become cheerier. You'll celebrate friendships rather than focus on what you don't have or what you haven't accomplished yet.
Pursue professional help if lack of cheer is an ongoing and debilitating problem, or if you have an issue that you can't resolve on your own. Your health insurance may cover mental health services. Alternatively, you may be able to locate free resources through your local mental health center (which may offer support groups) and counseling centers associated with your community, place of worship, school, or workplace.
Whenever my sons, husband, and I play a board game, we always end up laughing breathlessly, either at silly responses elicited by personal questions embedded in the game or the raw competitiveness of each family member.
Unlike many personal finance bloggers who consider board games a consistent source of cheap entertainment, I don't play very often. Still, this activity provides a pleasant distraction that can dispel the blahs.
You are more likely to be cheerful if you sleep well. Take a nap or resolve to get to bed earlier or sleep later. If you are having trouble sleeping, get more exercise, consider resetting your sleep cycle, or cut out the electronic noise a few hours close to bedtime.
Stumbling blocks to happiness are often shared by others, even happiness expert Gretchen Rubin. You may find solace in seeing that you are not alone in your struggles. And, more to the point, you can discover tools for cultivating happiness and becoming more cheerful.
Whether you made New Year's resolutions, took stock of your values, set specific targets, or did none of the above at the start of the year, you likely have a dream that is yet to be realized. Put together a road map with the steps needed to achieve your desires. Through this process, notice your goals are well within reach, OR discover that getting there will be long and arduous. Either way, knowing that you have a plan can be encouraging.
Gratitude can ease gloominess. Making a long list of things for which you are thankful can stir a deeper-than-usual awareness of what is going well in your life.
The process of clearing out clutter isn't fun, but the results can make you cheerier. With clutter gone, you can more readily release angst associated with past events, find the items that you need in your house, and entertain friends more often.
Quiet your discontent by applying your brainpower to learning a new concept or gaining a practical skill.
Look for free classes in the community offered by the library, chamber of commerce, or recreation department; listen to free university lectures; ask a friend to share her expertise with you; pick up some programming skills at Code Academy, or take part in some of the free classes offered through Skillshare.
Daily routines — working much of the day or night, fixing meals, volunteering at school, doing laundry, etc. — can be overwhelming. Give yourself a break by using vacation days to relax. If you can't take time off, cancel outside obligations for a few days or weeks while you recharge.
You can be contented without being perpetually perky. But, if you'd like to feel and act more upbeat, make the effort to nurture authentic cheerfulness.
What do you do to pick yourself up when you're feeling down?
Disclaimer: The links and mentions on this site may be affiliate links. But they do not affect the actual opinions and recommendations of the authors.
Wise Bread is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.


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Karl Lagerfeld took the public's fascination with Chanel logos and slapped them across the face with it, showing that only the fashion house itself — under his wing — could turn anything and everything (from from Rubik's cubes, to vinyl records, to billiard balls) into something fabulous. So move over, crocheted piece of shit, and make way for the Tennis Court Pump:
That is amazing. And is fanning the flames of my faggotry.
via style.com


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(UPDATED: Monday 3/26, 11 a.m.) The very barren bottom of the Mariana Trench had a visitor Sunday night: filmmaker James Cameron. After years of preparation, Cameron descended 35,756 ft. (10,898 m) beneath the ocean's surface in his 12-ton lime green submarine called Deepsea Challenger.
It was a mission filled with near constant danger. At 6.8 miles (11 km) deep, the trench allowed not a hint of sunlight from above, was just a few degrees above freezing temperature and put 8 tons of pressure per sq. in. on the filmmaker. That's equivalent to three SUVs sitting on your toe, researchers have determined.
In fact, everything about Cameron's dive was at a nearly incomprehensible scale. The trench is 120 times larger than the Grand Canyon and is more than a mile deeper than Mount Everest is tall.
(MORE: The Bottom of the Ocean: What Cameron Says He Saw on His Dive)
The Titanic director's solo journey to the ocean's deepest point took nearly three hours. He departed at 5:15 a.m. Monday local time from a starting point 200 miles (320 km) southwest of the Pacific island of Guam. He touched down at 7:52 a.m. local time (5:52 p.m. E.T. Sunday), according to the National Geographic Society. His Twitter account reflected the incredible feat:
[tweet https://twitter.com/JimCameron/status/184036733959143425%5D
Only two men preceded him in the highly dangerous mission. U.S. Navy Lieutenant Don Walsh and Swiss oceanographer Jacques Piccard made the dive in 1960, spending only 20 minutes at the bottom. Worse yet, they could hardly see anything after their rough landing kicked up sand from the seafloor.
But Cameron planned a much longer stay. His 24-ft.-long (7 m long) custom-built "vertical torpedo" was armed with enough oxygen and personal resources for the exploratory mission that lasted three hours. The submarine was outfitted with so many lights and 3-D cameras that it's been described as an underwater TV studio. And while Cameron might have been alone at such unfathomable depths, he plans to share his experience with the masses by releasing a documentary. He also attempted to collect rocks and soil samples to assist with scientific research, but there was a problem with his probe that prevented the system from grabbing anything. But Cameron seemed hardly worried about the minor problem, because, after all, he plans to return. "I see this as the beginning," Cameron said in a Monday morning conference call. "It's not a one-time deal and then moving on. This is the beginning of opening up this new frontier."


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Chocolate-filled Beignets (or Soufganiyot, or whatever you'd like to call them)
If you've been to Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans, you've had the best beignets (French-style doughnuts) around. They're really not very hard to make at home; check out my book, on page 197, and the chocolate-filled variation on page 199. We make them at my house for Hannukah (tonight was the last night), and they are sublime (the same deep-fried treat is called soufganiyot in Hebrew). The only special equipment you'll need is a candy thermometer.
Start with a pound of dough, choosing challah (page 180), or brioche (page 189), which will make 5 or 6 beignets. Roll out the dough into a 1/4-inch rectangle, then cut into 2-inch squares using a pizza wheel or a sharp knife. Place a half-ounce of bittersweet chocolate into the center of each square. Gather the edges of the dough around the filling, pinching at the center to form a seal; you may need to use a bit of water to help the edges stick together.
Allow to rest for 15 to 20 minutes while the oil heats up to 360 to 370 degrees F. for deep frying– clip a candy thermometer to the pot to be sure, don't try to estimate. You need lots of oil, 3 or 4 inches so the beignets can sink, and then float to the top. Watch the temperature– it's too cool, they'll absorb too much oil; too hot and they'll burn on the outside and be gummy on the inside. 360 to 370 is just right.
Carefully drop the beignets into the hot oil, giving them room to rise to the surface and get a nice rise; don't crowd them. It's very handy to have someone help you with this crucial job; ask them to adjust the temperature if it falls below 360 once the beignets are added to the pot. Laura's so good at this that she can read the paper while making perfect beignets/soufganiyot (it's not hard)!
After 2 minutes, gently flip them with a slotted spoon and fry for another minute, or until golden brown on both sides. Use the slotted spoon to remove beignets from the oil and drain on paper towels. Repeat with remaining dough until all the beignets are fried. Dust generously with powdered suger (shake it through a strainer), and eat while still warm!
Note: BreadIn5.com is reader supported–when you buy through links on the site, BreadIn5 LLC earns commissions.


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Everyone has a favorite Christmas story. This one is mine. It is a true story in which a child's faith in Christmas works a miraculous family reunion. This is part of a collection of stories included in the book Amazing Grace for the Catholic Heart. No matter how many times I've read it to my kids, I cannot get through it without tearing up.
This story, like all the stories in the Amazing Grace book series, is the kind of gentle evangelization that draws even nonreligious people in. It is God's grace at work in our lives in a way that draws us closer to him and rises above denominational lines. One thing I learned when we were compiling stories for this series is that everyone has these "God moments." Thus I stumbled into stories standing in line, seated next to people on planes, and having random conversations with strangers. Oh, I know the Holy Spirit was at work too, but really, our lives are rich in faith stories. By sharing them, we can light the world on fire.
Christmas Lullaby
By Ann Catherine
"Ready or not, here I come," my brother, Sparky, laughed as he played hide and seek with me and our Aunt Flo. Opening the closet door to discover Flo, he shouted, "I found you. I found you!"
We all collapsed in giggling heap on the floor. Finally Flo got up. We looked at her and realized it was time for the fun to be over.
"Do we have to go back to Mrs. Muran's house?" Sparky tearfully asked. "Why can't we just stay here?"
It was 1946 and our Daddy was away in the army fighting someone called Hitler. Our mother was sick, we were told, and unable to take care of us. At four years old, all I knew was that I wanted my mommy and daddy. We had been placed in an unloving foster home but were allowed to visit Grandma, Grandpa, and our teenage Aunt Flo on most weekends.
As Flo helped us on with our coats, I cried quietly and Sparky reached out and patted my shoulder. Grammy came in and pulled us close. "We'll all be together soon. You'll see."
Flo put her arms around us and sang softly: "Tura, lura lura, tura lura li, tura lura lura hush now don't you cry…" Our grandfather joined in singing the Irish lullaby with his sweet tenor voice. Then he helped us put on our new mittens. "Be brave now," he said. "We'll see you again at Christmas."
I began sobbing. Flo took us by the hand to begin the long walk to the bus that would take us back to Mrs. Muran's house, the foster home.
Mr. and Mrs. Muran were mean and short-tempered with us and the other foster kids placed there. Mrs. Muran hit us with a strap when she got mad, and Mr. Muran used his cane. I once overheard Flo tell Grammy: "Mother, it is just like a prison. Even animals are treated better than that."
"Yes, I know," Grandmas had said in a hushed voice. "We are doing everything we can, Florence, but the law says their mother can place them anywhere she pleases. That doesn't mean we are going to give up trying to have them live with us, though."
We loved to visit our grandparents, but most of all we loved being with Flo. She would help us get ready for bed, read stories and nursery rhymes, and teach us about Jesus. One night Flo told us that Jesus loved us, and that He gave us each an angel to watch over us. I called my angel a "Garden Angel."
"Garden Angels don't come to Mrs. Muran's house," I told her one night.
"Oh yes they do. Your angel goes everywhere you go," Flo told us.
"But not to Mrs. Muran's house," Sparky piped up, "cause she doesn't like angels. She said so. Some people said you were an angel and then she got mad. She said, 'We don't need no angels like her around here.'"
"Mrs. Muran says Santa doesn't come to her house either," I told Flo, "but that's okay cause baby Jesus still comes on Christmas."
As we walked to the bus stop, Flo talked about our Christmas plans. We would go to Mass at St. John's Church and see the pretty red flowers and candles around the altar and hear the choir sing "Away In A Manger" and "Silent Night." Then she would help us get ready for bed in our new pajamas, tell us the story of the first Christmas, and sing Christmas carols and also our favorite Irish lullaby. Christmas morning we would see the Christmas tree all decorated and maybe Santa would even leave presents for us.
When Christmas Eve day came all the other kids at Mrs. Muran's left one by one. It was snowing hard and we stared out the window waiting for Flo. Then we saw her go around to the back door. We were so excited, but Mrs. Muran chased us up the stairs and told us to go to the attic. That's where we slept. We went only part of the way up and stopped to listen.
Flo knocked on the back door. She knocked and knocked, louder and louder. Finally Mrs. Muran jerked the door open. "What do ya want?" she yelled. "Oh, it's you."
"I came to pick up the kids," Flo said.
"Those brats ain't goin' nowhere. Mostly not with the likes of you. All's ya do is spoil 'em rotten," Mrs. Muran raged.
"What do you mean? It's Christmas and their mother said we could take them," Flo said in a strained voice.
"Well she ain't told me nothin' bout them goin' with ya, so get out of here."
"Flo, Flo!" We ran to the door behind Mrs. Muran. "Take us home with you, please."
Flo tried again. "Mrs. Muran, it is Christmas Eve and I figure you and your husband could use some time without children around, so…"
"Well ya figure wrong," she interrupted. "Now get outa here or I'll call the cops, ya hear!"
"Well you can at least give them this one present," said Flo, her voice increasing in volume. Mrs. Muran tore open the wrapping paper from the package Flo handed her.
"Pajamas! What they need these things for?" she screamed loudly. "They'll not be needin' those around here. Their underwear is good enough, just like all the others. We don't do no spoilin', ya hear? We don't have no Christmas either."
We were crying but didn't want to make Flo feel bad. "It's okay Flo, cause Baby Jesus will bring His angel," I called to her. "You'll see."
"I love you," Flo called, then yelled at Mrs. Muran, "You mean witch. How could you do this? It's Christmas." Flo was crying. I never saw her cry like that before.
Mrs. Muran threw the pajamas at Flo and slammed the door shut.
"Don't worry," Flo called to us. "I'll come back to get you."
Mrs. Muran yelled at us, "Get up the stairs and inta bed, the two of ya, and fast." The attic was cold and dark that night. It was lonely without the other kids. We lay down, shivering, on the big old bed. It didn't have any sheets or covers. Mrs. Muran opened the door and threw in an old blanket. "Put this on and get to sleep, ya hear me."
"Yes ma'am," we said. We were glad to have the blanket. It helped some, and Sparky pulled me closer to help me get warm.
"Jesus will come with His angel. You'll see," I said.
"Shh, go to sleep," he whispered.
I went to sleep for awhile, but soon awakened. It was dark and cold in the room, but light was shining in the window. I got out of bed and went over to the window and looked below. I could hear someone singing. It was soft, but I could hear her.
"What are you doing?" Sparky whispered.
"Shh, can't you hear her?" I answered.
Sparky listened with his ear up to the window. "Hear who?"
"The angel! She's singing the Christmas lullaby for us. Jesus did it. He brought His angel! I told ya he would!"
Once again Sparky listened, and slowly a sweet voice rose singing: "Tura lura, lura, tura lura li, tura lura lura, hush now don't you cry. Tura lura lura, tura lura li, tura lura lura, that's a Christmas Lullaby."
We knew Flo's voice. Suddenly a second voice softly sang, "Away In A Manger" as Flo sang the Christmas lullaby. We peeked out and saw Aunt Flo smiling up at us, but no one else was there! The light from the moon was shining on the snow and a bright star was in the sky. Flo waved at us.
We felt warm even though the room was cold. We knew the tiny Baby of Bethlehem was with us, sharing His love. We fell asleep listening to the singing with the old blanket wrapped around us lying there by the window.
The next morning, Flo came to take us with her. To our surprise Mrs. Muran offered no protest. She had even packed up all our clothes. "Get them outa here fast, now, ya hear me? And don't be coming around here again, none of ya. I'll not be having you with your magic and ghosts and such. Now get!"
"Yes Mrs. Muran," Flo said and grabbed our bag. Flo winked at us, and held a finger up to her lips so we wouldn't talk. Then she took our hands and we all ran down the driveway, to the walk and up the corner to catch the bus.
We didn't know what Mrs. Muran had seen, but we knew what we had seen and it wasn't a ghost.
"Baby Jesus came last night, Flo. He brought two angels," I told her.
"No He didn't," Sparky said emphatically. "That was Flo singing, silly.'
"Who were the two angels?" Flo wanted to know.
"Well, one was my Garden Angel," I said. "She sang 'Away in A Manger.'"
Flo's eyes got big. "So that's what she meant. Who was the other angel?"
"Jesus didn't need another Garden Angel 'cause he had you. And you sang the Christmas lullaby."
We did all the things Flo told us we would do on Christmas, but the best gift was our new home with our grandparents. Our grandparents raised us and to this day, fifty years later, Flo is more than our aunt: she is an angel to us.


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You have deleted one or more files that you really shouldn't have, and you don't have a backup of that data, so you're freaking out. Everyone's been there at some point. If that is what has led you here, my advice to you is simple: stop reading right now! Yes, I'm totally serious. Shut down your computer immediately, and do not turn it on again until you have resolved the problem. Find a different computer, iPad, smartphone, anything with a web browser – go to your local public library if necessary – and read the rest of this article. If you keep using the computer, you reduce the chance of being able to recover what you need! I'll be here when you get back.
Okay, back now? Time for a bit of explanation. When a file is deleted normally, that file's data is not actually wiped off the hard drive. There is something called the "directory" on your hard drive that acts kind of like a phone book. It tells the computer where every file lives on that hard drive. When you delete a file, the computer simply removes that information from the directory. The file's data is technically left in place, but the space it occupied is no longer marked as being in use, so it may be reused and "overwritten" at any time.
Consider the illustration at the right. Shown is a representation of a small part of the data stored on a hard drive. First in the "before" picture (top left) is an existing file, in green. Next, colored gray, is some space considered to be empty, with essentially random contents. Finally, colored red, is a very important document, containing the only copy of the combination for a safe, that was accidentally deleted. Because that file has been deleted, the system actually considers that space to be free, but the data is still there on the hard drive. In the "after" picture, the user added a couple items to the to-do list. The result: the larger to-do file has now overwritten part of the safe combination file. Even if a data recovery tool were to locate the remaining fragment of that file, the important data has been irreversibly destroyed.
You might argue that you'll be careful not to do anything like editing a file. However, behind the scenes, your computer is a busy place. There are dozens of invisible processes always running, doing things that you're not aware of. Like downloading updates, writing log files, modifying virtual memory swap files, and so on. This is normal. However, when you have accidentally deleted data, this is a bad thing. You never know when one of those processes might write a file on top of the data you so desperately want to retrieve! So, the longer your computer runs after you discover the problem, the worse your chances are for recovering the data. Thus, the admonition to shut down the computer.
Once you are safe from unintentional overwriting, you need to get some recovery software. Three options on the Mac are Data Rescue, File Salvage and Stellar Phoenix. All three can be ordered on physical media, in which case you'll get a bootable emergency disk, or as download copies. Either way, you will need some other kind of media – a flash drive or hard drive, for example – on which to store the recovered files. NEVER put recovered files on the drive they're being recovered from, even if the software lets you do that!
If the file you deleted was stored on a drive other than the system drive, then you don't need the emergency disk. Just download the recovery software and start the recovery process, since you don't have to worry about the files being overwritten by system processes. On the other hand, if you deleted the file from your system drive and if your need for the deleted file is so urgent that you cannot wait for the bootable emergency disk, you can create a second bootable hard drive, start up from that drive and download the software. The first part of this is to get an external hard drive and connect it to your computer. That's the easy part.
Next, you need to boot into a Mac OS X installer. What system depends on what version of Mac OS X you have installed. If you have Lion (Mac OS X 10.7), you should turn on your computer and immediately hold down the option (alt) key. Hold it down until you are presented with a screen where you can choose a system to start up from. One of those options should be Recovery HD. Select that. If you have any older version of Mac OS X, or if you upgraded to Lion but see no Recovery HD option, you will need to find the gray Mac OS X install disk that came with your computer. Insert that and start up with the C key held down. (You can let go when you see the Apple logo.) Either way, at that point you will use the installer to install a fresh system on the external hard drive. (Be very cautious not to select the drive from which you have lost data.)
Another alternative would be to copy your existing system onto the new hard drive. That can be done in Disk Utility, accessed either from Lion's recovery mode or, in an older system's installer, from the Utilities menu. Select your system drive and click the Restore tab in Disk Utility, then drag the brand new drive onto the Destination field, and hit the Restore button. The new drive will be erased and filled with a copy of everything on your internal drive. The catch here is being able to identify the newer drive later, since it will have the same name as the old one. This can be tricky for the inexperienced, and you don't want to mistakenly start up from the drive you're trying to recover the file from!
Once all this is done, restart the computer and hold down the option key. Select the new drive to start up from it, and once the computer is running, get online and download your recovery software. Use it to attempt to recover the file(s) you deleted.
Once you have recovered what can be recovered, you should vow to never allow yourself to get into this mess again. Be sure to back up regularly. If you purchased an external hard drive as part of the recovery process, let that be the beginning of your backup. See my Mac Backup Guide for more assistance.
Tags: data recovery, Mac OS X


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Lotus Herbals Whiteglow Yogurt Skin Whitening & Brightening Masque Review
Claims : Lotus Herbals Whiteglow Yogurt Skin Whitening & Brightening Masque Enriched with Yogurt enzymes and Bearberry extract. Improves skin texture and makes the skin firmer. Provides complete nourishment for your skin
Ingredients :
What I like about Lotus Herbals Whiteglow Yogurt Skin Whitening & Brightening Masque
- I have dry skin so I am always in look out for hydrating masques. This is quite a nice face masque. I adds a little firmness to my skin, makes my pores look smaller and adds a temporary brightness to skin.
- This is a cream based masque , it's just like applying face cream to you face. I prefer such masques over clay masques since I have normal to dry skin.
- Bearberry is one of the active ingredient on this masque. One of the little known secrets to bearberry is the hypopigmenting component. This component has a whitening effect on the skin, making bearberry perfect for those want to treat freckles, age spots, or vitiligo. Source
- It dries my skin a little after I wash off my face but that can be controlled by regular moisturizer.
- The packaging is quite nice.
What I don't like about Lotus Herbals Whiteglow Skin brightening & Whitening Masque
- It has that pre-bleach cream kind of smell. 😐 It doesn't bother me too much but I would preferred a nice refreshing fragrance.
- It take a loooong time to dry. I prefer to use it only on weekends or on days when I am not in hurry.
- It washes off easily without leaving any slippery feeling behind.
Here is how it looks.
Overall, a nice face masque – nothing great, nothing bad.
Indian makeup and Beauty blog rating :-* :-* :-* + 0.5
Have you used Lotus Herbals Whietglow Skin Whitening & brightening Face Masque? Please rate in the box below.
Also Read :
Lotus Herbals Whiteglow Skin Whitening & Brightening Gel Creme Review
Lotus Herbals WHITEGLOW Oatmeal & Yogurt Skin Whitening Scrub Review
Skin Care for Mature Skin: Lotus Quince Seed Nourishment Cream
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Find Out Why Theatergoers Are Running to Join the 'Extraordinary' Circus of Pippin
November 3rd, 2014 | By Broadway.com Staff
The national tour of Pippin has "magic to do" all across the country! The Tony-winning Broadway revival of Stephen Schwartz' musical is making its way across the country in an exciting new tour, directed by Tony winner Diane Paulus. Featuring unforgettable songs like "Corner of the Sky," "Simple Joys," and "Morning Glow," stunning choreography by Chet Walker and mind-blowing acobatics by circus creator Gypsy Snider, Pippin is thrilling audiences with its story of a prince who's on an "extraordinary" journey. Hear what theatergoers have to say about this one-of-a-kind show in the video below!


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Clifford in CA
This SAE to Coax adaptor is just the thing to connect the SAE lead I already have attached to my bike's battery, to the 12V-powered midlayer from those folks at rhymes-with-mosquito.
Read All ReviewsJoseph in GA
I am very pleased with the fit and construction of the MSR Surge gloves. I use these for short rides so i cannot attest to the longevity of the batteries during use. I have purchased a second set of batteries to take with me on rides lasting longer than a few hours. Pleasantly pleased with the warmth at the lowest setting. The price from RM was another big plus.
Read All ReviewsBryce in KY
They don't get as warm as I had hoped. Fingers still get cold on 40 degree days going slow
Read All ReviewsANDREW in OR
True to size. It's very effective when using as a mid layer and comfortable to wear. Battery life is okay (a few hours in mild conditions). I will definitely consider picking up a spare battery for longer / colder days.
Read All ReviewsRick in NY
Don't normally have good luck with battery powered heated clothing, however this is an exception. I use these in harsh Vermont winter environment and on the highest setting in temperatures that average 15 °, they keep me pretty toasty for a few hours that I am Outdoors. Ordering my second set today
Read All ReviewsAlexander in CA
This battery powered vest is quite awesome. The high setting keeps me warm even in 20 degree weather. I do wish the coverage area was larger on both the back and the chest, my tummy gets cold too guys, and I wish that the high setting was hotter. I make sure to only wear a shirt and then the vest with my mid layer over the vest and I still wished the vest was a bit hotter. I think this runs a bit small so if you don't want it skin tight think about sizing up. I got the large/XL and I wish I sized up as the vest is very tight. The garment is stretchy and meant to be snug. The battery does last about as long as advertised. But since I basically only have the vest on high I need to charge it every day as my rides are about 1.5 hours for the day. Even with all that I still do not regret my purchase. I would say the only major consideration is weather you want the battery pro/cons or the wired pros/cons. The battery was better for me and my bike situation and ride time.
Read All Reviews


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In an era of expanding conferences, the MAC is headed in the other direction.
In a press release issued Wednesday afternoon, the MAC announced that UMass will be leaving the conference following the completion of the 2015 football season. UMass has been a football-only member of the MAC for the past two seasons, with most of its other sports parked in the Atlantic 10.
Part of the contract between the MAC and UMass when it agreed to join the conference in April of 2011 was that, if the school was offered full membership, it could either accept or remain as a football-only member for two additional years if the offer was turned down. The MAC offered UMass full membership in February and the university declined, leading to the Minuteman's departure after the next two football seasons.
The conference did not hide its disappointment in UMass' decision.
"This is not the outcome we anticipated when UMass was admitted as a football-only member. However, circumstances changed regarding our football membership and this is a result of those circumstances," commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said in a statement. "I want to thank University of Massachusetts Chancellor, Dr. Kumble Subbaswamy, and Director of Athletics, John McCutcheon, for their professionalism and understanding in reaching this amicable decision."
By any measure, the Minutemen's brief time in the MAC has been an unmitigated disaster. UMass has finished each of the past two seasons 1-11 overall and 1-7 in conference play.
UMass began its transition from the FCS to the FBS in 2011; a school spokesperson stated that the Minutemen intend on remaining at the highest level of college football and join another FBS conference. Just which league they could be targeting -- and would have them -- remains very unclear.
Following the departure of UMass, the MAC will be back down to a 12-team league: an East division consisting of Akron, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Kent State, Miami (Ohio) and Ohio, with Ball State, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Northern Illinois, Toledo and Western Michigan comprising the West.