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Obama "Green Jobs" Adviser Van Jones Resigns
President Obama's "Green Jobs" Adviser Van Jones, resigned late last night, after weeks of scrutiny by conservatives regarding his radical views. Fox News has the details:
President Barack Obama's adviser Van Jones has resigned amid controversy over past inflammatory statements, the White House said early Sunday.I was surprised when the resignation did not come late Friday afternoon heading into a holiday weekend. Often, when a President wants to bury news, it happens late on Friday. But they really wanted to bury this news. It happened late on Saturday night during a holiday weekend.
Jones, an administration official specializing in environmentally friendly "green jobs" with the White House Council on Environmental Quality was linked to efforts suggesting a government role in the 2001 terror attacks and to derogatory comments about Republicans.
The resignation comes as Obama is working to regain his footing in the contentious health care debate.
Jones issued an apology on Thursday for his past statements. When asked the next day whether Obama still had confidence in him, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said only that Jones "continues to work in the administration."
The matter surfaced after news reports of a derogatory comment Jones made in the past about Republicans, and separately, of Jones' name appearing on a petition connected to the events surrounding the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. That 2004 petition had asked for congressional hearings and other investigations into whether high-level government officials had allowed the attacks to occur.
"On the eve of historic fights for health care and clean energy, opponents of reform have mounted a vicious smear campaign against me," Jones said in his resignation statement. "They are using lies and distortions to distract and divide."
Jones said he has been "inundated with calls from across the political spectrum urging me to stay and fight."
But he said he cannot in good conscience ask his colleagues to spend time and energy defending or explaining his past. . . MORE


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Few dishes evoke the passion of chili, and you probably either love it, or don't care for it at all.
I love this recipe, and you will too!
by Leon Pantenburg
The freezing wind whipped around the pickup tailgate, and it was snowing sideways. It was the worst possible conditions for a chili contest, but the Boy Scouts Fremont District usually has a cookoff at the annual Freezeree Winter campout in January.
I was elected to represent the Troop 18 scoutmasters. While the batch was simmering, the snowfall increased to the point where we had to rig up a blue tarp to keep the snow off. But everything came out well, and I ended up with bragging rights.
In chili competitions, as in many other obsessions, environmental challenges are just part of the journey. And a blizzard at the cookoff just makes the story better. Few dishes evoke the passion of chili, and you probably either love it, or don't care for it at all.
There are probably as many chili recipes as there are chili cooks and an enthusiast will probably have strong opinions about how and what it is made of. Then, you have to decide which camp you're in: do you prefer your chili beanless or with beans; spicy or mild? Should it be soupy or so thick you can eat it with a fork?
What is the best meat to use: Beef, venison, buffalo or some other type of wild game? And what is the best utensil to cook it in? Cast iron seems to be the standard, but enthusiasts usually have a favorite pot. The official state dish of Texas, the origins of the spicy meat stew are obscure. The only thing certain is that it didn't come from Mexico.
San Antonio writer Charles Ramsdell claims: "Chili, as we know it in the U.S., cannot be found in Mexico today except in a few tourist spots. If chili had come from Mexico, it would still be there. For Mexicans, especially those of Indian ancestry, do not change their culinary customs from one generation, or even from one century, to another."
There are many legends and stories about where chili originated and it is generally thought, by most historians, that the earliest versions were made by the very poorest people. The first chili mix was concocted around 1850 by Texan adventurers and cowboys, according to the International Chili Society, as a staple for hard times. The cattle drovers and trail hands popularized the dish throughout the southwest.
Legend has it, that one famous range cook made chili along all the great cattle trails of Texas. He collected wild oregano, chile peppers, wild garlic and onions and mixed it with whatever meat he had at hand to feed the cowboys. To make sure he always had a supply of native spices, he planted gardens in the path ofcow drives. These were put in the middle of mesquite thickets to protect them from the cattle.
There was another group of Texans known as "Lavanderas," or "Washerwoman," that followed around the 19th-century armies of Texas making a stew of goat meat or venison, wild marjoram and chile peppers. Today, chili is served all over the world in various incarnations, and it has never been more popular. The annual International Chili Society's World Championship Chili Cookoff in California pulls in competitors from all over the world, and draws more than 30,000 spectators.
The popularity probably has something to do with chili's extreme versatility. For comfort food, few dishes beat slow-simmered chili and cornbread after a day spent hiking, snowshoeing, skiing or being outside in the cold. Making chili may be the easiest way to turn a tough piece of meat into a tasty meal. For big game hunters, chili is a perfect way to use the tougher pieces, such as meat from the neck or lower legs.
Many cooks claim chili is best made the day before, and then refrigerated. Then, all that remains is to warm it. This makes a quick, easy meal for busy nights.
No matter how you like it, there is just something about a bowl of chili!
This chili recipe has been evolving over the years. It has been a hit at hunting camps all over the country.
Mississippi Chili Chunk Style
3 lbs venison, coarse ground or chunked
1 – 16 oz can of red kidney beans, red beans, Mexican style pinto beans
1 – 16 oz can stewed tomatoes
3 – diced green peppers
2 – medium onions, diced
1/2 c celery, diced
3 T oil
2 Tbs bacon drippings
1/2 t garlic powder
2 Tbs parsley flakes
2 Tbs chili powder
1 t pepper
1 c water
Saute meat in hot oil. Cook peppers, onions, celery in oil. Add tomatoes and other seasonings. Cook very slowly for one and one-half hours in covered pan. Add beans and cook for 20 minutes.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Kentucky's Educational Legacy
The 15th state to join the Union, the commonwealth of Kentucky is best known for three things: bourbon, bluegrass music, and college basketball. If that sounds like a good time to you (I know it does to me!), then this might be a good destination for your postsecondary education. Of course, this isn't all Kentucky has to offer. The state is also home to some of the best schools in its region.
In fact, the state's tradition of higher education can be traced back to the immediate aftermath of America's independence. Before becoming one of the very first post-colonial states in 1792, Kentucky was a part of the Virginia colony. It was during this period, in 1780, that the territory opened the doors to its first college. The Christian Church-run Transylvania Seminary (now Transylvania University), stands today as the oldest extant university west of the Allegheny Mountains. The Lexington-based institution is consistently cited by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top private universities in the nation. It does bear noting that its athletic teams are called Pioneers, and not the Transylvania Draculas as one might have hoped.
Lexington is also the site of Kentucky's largest public institution. The University of Kentucky was founded as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky in 1865. Today, the campus serves nearly 30,000 students. In addition to its world-renowned university library system and its impressive array of academic offerings, the University of Kentucky Wildcats are, by most metrics, the best NCAA men's basketball team of all time. Tops all time in regular season wins, winning percentage, and NCAA tournament appearances, and second all time with eight tournament championships, the Wildcats are a dominant presence on campus.
The University of Kentucky is one of the state's 24 public universities. Other notable institutions in this category include Western Kentucky University and the University of Louisville. The latter of these not only sponsors its own notable men's basketball program but its on-campus art museum can also lay claim to one of the history's most recognized works of art in Rodin's The Thinker.
Among its 28 non-profit private schools, Berea College (located in a town by the same name), is notable both for its excellence and its accessibility. In addition to recently topping U.S. News & World Report's list of most comprehensive colleges in the South, Berea is highly unique for admitting only students who require financial aid and consequently awarding full-ride scholarships to all students enrolled. In spite of the fact that Berea is free to all, this is no bargain-basement education. Not only is Berea cited by Washington Monthly as the 3rd best liberal arts college in the nation, but 50% of its students study abroad every year.


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Title: The Yemen Contract
Author: Arthur Kerns
Kerns, Arthur (2016). The Yemen Contract: A Hayden Stone Thriller. New York, NY: Diversion Publishing Corp.
|CIA operative Hayden Stone has his work cut out for him. Abdul Wahab seeks to make a power grab in the exotic land of Yemen and establish a terrorist base from which to launch an attack on Europe. Wahab lures Stone to Yemen by kidnapping his partner CIA officer Sandra Harrington in Sicily. Stone comfortably operates in this world where tribal leaders vie for power with the central government, al Qaeda exerts its influence through murder and mayhem, and double-dealing among Bedouin and townspeople is a national pastime. And the light from the merciless desert sun can cloak the most potent of weapons. The cat and mouse game goes from the capital Sana'a, to the deserts in the far east of the country, and to the mountain villages in the north. Stone has a personal stake in this mission, but can never keep his eye off of the greater plot developing, the one that puts millions in peril, and that only he can stop.
Date Posted: November 7, 2016
The Summary above (WorldCat) is the same as the review published in The Intelligencer[1] It is listed as fiction selected by members (of AFIO).
[1] The Intelligencer: Journal of U.S. Intelligence Studies (22, 2, Spring 2016, pp. 141).


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A home equity loan in simple terms is when you borrow an amount of money that is part of the marketable value of your property. This is secured against the home itself which provides lower interest rates and flexible repayment terms.
What is not so simple today is the form that a home equity loan may take. From a HELOC (home equity line of credit) to a Gold Visa there are many forms with different advantages. The type of loan will generally depend on what you are utilizing the money for and it is important to understand the differences.
Simple Equity Loan for Mississauga Resident
This is a scenario where based on your income and credit situation, you would pursue a one time equity withdrawal from your home's value for a specific purpose for example – purchasing a vehicle. The loan will be amortized with a set repayment schedule that will result in a low monthly payment with a defined future date where the loan is paid off. In most cases this will be registered as a separate mortgage however there are many cases where after analyzing the cash savings that it would be advantageous to refinance an existing mortgage and add the equity loan into one new mortgage.
Shelley was running her old junker back and forth to work knowing the vehicle was on its last legs. She had inquired with a number of used car dealers about a loan but the payment shown made her think she would have to get a second job to pay for it. She was looking at another $500 repair bill when her mechanic suggested she speak with his Mississauga mortgage broker. When Shelley approached me I quickly assessed an opportunity for a simple equity loan to meet her need. Her current mortgage was maturing in the next month and she had the equity available to borrow enough to pay for a gently used vehicle. The most exciting part was the new first mortgage I found her had a lower rate than the prior so her new payment actually covered the equity borrowed to buy the car outright! Needless to say Shelley was in the driver's seat once more feeling confident about her future.
Home Equity Line of Credit
A HELOC is a loan that has many purposes. From high interest debt consolidation to investment purposes, the flexibility and low interest rates makes this a good tool for a financially responsible individual. I differentiate a traditional HELOC from a Collateral Charge Mortgage as there is a significant potential downside to this loan structure.
This loan is registered and secured against your property's value and functions as a revolving line of credit where each month you will either spend and increase the amount you owe or pay down and decrease. These loans can be interest only monthly payments or have a minimum balance due depending on the loan contract resulting in cost effective borrowing. The downside is the interest rate is usually floating meaning if interest rates rise then so does the cost of borrowing on the amount you owe. Additionally, if you decide to carry a large balance, beware that as a line of credit, the account reports to your credit bureau resulting in potential damage to your rating.
Mississauga Secured Gold Visa Card
There is a third option here and one that should not be overlooked. The secured Gold Visa card is a viable option especially for those looking to consolidate high interest debt while working to re-establish their credit rating. This loan can be placed behind your existing mortgage against the equity in the property and is registered as a revolving credit line with preferred interest rates as it is secured against your home's value. One advantage here is the approval process is streamlined making it an attractive option for those needing funds quickly.
There are so many reasons to consider a home equity loan. Home renovation projects, buying a cottage or second home, going back to school, starting a business, investment purposes, and even debt consolidation are some of the main ones. From simple equity loans to the Gold Visa, there is an equity loan for you. I am here to assist you in determining which loan structure is most beneficial to your situation and as always I am here to answer your questions.


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Unfortunately rocks are far away, there are like 6 rocks in the north - with multiple players it wouldn't be much of an issue.
When going chopping - this area needs to be cleared (for steel)
Initial power.
Starting area smelting is 5 rows of 10 miners, 20 furnances each.
Many pole-rows are carefully placed between belts (instead of between belt and furnances) / with 1-distance to the miners to reuse them
First row of smelting.
Now is the time to complete the first row of power with 7 steam engines.
Second smelting row (adding to the first one)
Third smelting row (note the the odd inserter splitter)
Third row is one-side-belt only, feeding pipe production and boxes.
Time for real power (3 rows, ~15 MW). Pipes are a bit odd to keep the stone accessible.


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Las Vegas, NV: Hilton Garden Inn Las Vegas Strip SouthSpringdale, UT: Hampton Inn & Suites SpringdaleBryce Canyon City, UT: BW Plus Bryce Canyon Grand HotelIn the unlikely event WTT is unable to provide the hotel accommodation(s) listed, for whatever reason, WTT will substitute similar quality accommodation(s) at no additional cost to the traveler.
Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dietary requests can be accommodated on this tour with limited selections.
Travelers will make their own air arrangements as follows:Arrival Airport: LAS - Las Vegas, NV (Las Vegas McCarran Int'l Airport)Arrival Date: Tuesday, June 23rd. Arrive no later than 4:00pm.Arrival Transfer: Use local shuttle or taxi. Details provided in Final Travel Instructions. Departure Airport: LAS - Las Vegas, NV (Las Vegas McCarran Int'l Airport)Departure Date: Monday, June 29th. at your convenience.Departure Transfer: Use local shuttle or taxi. Details provided in Final Travel Instructions.
Worried about possible flight delays? Consider arriving one day before the official tour state date. Many of our travelers choose this optional service. Your pre-tour package includes:
The pre-tour package is an optional service. Rates are established at time of tour posting. Early check-in is solely at the discretion of the hotel and cannot be arranged in advance.
This tour uses a 15-passenger Mini-Coach for transportation while on tour. Learn more about The WTT North American Travel Experience by downloading/opening the pdf.
At Space Reservation: Initial Deposit is due.Thursday, 26 Dec 2019: Initial deposit cannot be parked and is forfeited if traveler cancels after this date.Thursday, 30 Apr 2020: Payment in full. 50% cancellation penalty after this date.Saturday, 9 May 2020: 100% forfeited if traveler cancels after this date.
Please review our travel and cancellation policies before making your reservation. You will be asked to confirm you have read and understood WTT's travel polices before we will accept your reservation.Travel Insurance: We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect you in the event you need to cancel your tour. WTT will mail you information from 2 reliable travel insurance providers at the time we confirm your reservation.You can review the insurance information from TravelGuard to get an idea of rates.
You May Also Want—
Good Packing Habits—
On every WTT tour, our policies regarding luggage restrictions are driven by the physical space limitations of the vehicles we use and the requirement that all travelers be able to manage their own belongings without assistance.
Walking is a key component of this tour. On some days, between hiking and personal exploration you can expect to walk 3-7 miles over the course of a day. Remember, it is hot and dry in southern Nevada and Utah during the summer months and heat can be very draining. We believe you will enjoy this National Parks tour more if you possess a general level of fitness and endurance.
Only you can determine the optimum amount of cash to take on tour. When budgeting for out-of-pocket expenses, there are several aspects to consider: the number of meals you are responsible for, the amount of money you like to have on-hand for snacks and drinks, and your individual shopping interests and habits.
If you wish to express your interest in this tour, do so by completing this pre-reservation
form. Remember that a pre-reservation does not require any money and there is no
obligation whatsoever. Once this tour is finalized, including pricing, hotels, firm
dates, etc., those who have sent in a pre-reservation will be contacted via email.
*** You will be asked to decide if you want to make a deposit. If you are no longer
interested after being contacted, you don't have to do anything!
***Note: We give notification priority to members of Women Traveling Together (WTT)
first, followed by non-members.
Got Questions???
1-800-795-7135 in US
1-443-458-5634 outside US
Click Here to Return to the Home Page


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Monday, March 08, 2010
I'm having trouble concentrating on my Stockholm report. Mainly because the most important organs are still there I think. Either that or there's always the possibility that I just dreamt it. Anyway, I shall give myself a stern shake and will get to the facts as soon as possible. Not tonight though.
Posted by Lindsay Hutton at 8:05 PM No comments:
RIP - Mark Linkous
Posted by Lindsay Hutton at 11:48 AM No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)


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LFV pal and guitar maestro Greg Seltzer has a nice piece on Maurice Edu's latest goal for 'Gers.
Archive for the 'Rangers' Category
Edu Finding His Form With RangersApril 20, 2009
Rangers' Edu Out Injured – Yet AgainJanuary 25, 2009
Rangers' Maurice Edu was not available to play in yesterday's Scottish Premier League match with Aberdeen due to a knee strain.
Its been a tough road so far for the young American, who joined Walter Smith's side last summer after a transfer from Toronto of MLS. Since then, he has only played in two league matches and one friendly.
But Smith isn't giving up on him yet, stating: "Maurice played in a bounce game this week and twisted his knee. He is not having much luck with injuries. Hopefully he will be available again next week."
Rangers Exec: Edu Has A Future At IbroxJanuary 11, 2009
Its no secret that Rangers, having seen so much of its lineup not available this season due to injury, are looking to sell a few players to produce the cash to buy a healthy new player or two. In the midst of these decisions, DaMarcus Beasley's future remains in question while Maurice Edu's place is looking more secure.
In an interview with Scotland on Sunday, Rangers number two man Ally McCoist found himself being questioned for why newcomer Edu has seldom seen the field at Ibrox. He admitted to SOS's Tom English that "You can argue that we've been a little bit unfair to Maurice. I've been looking at some of the team selections and, I can't speak for the manager, but maybe there have been occasions when we could have and should have used Mo."
The sputtering Rangers have a stacked roster at central midfield with Edu, Steven Davis, Kevin Thompson, Pedro Mendes, and Barry Ferguson (who may soon be sold off).
But even with a roster spot, is Edu still the odd man out? McCoist went on to tell SOS; "He excites me. I like Maurice. He's got just a wee niggling ankle injury that kept him out the last couple of weeks and will do for the next week or 10 days but I'm looking forward to getting him in the team. No element of regret there. You could make a case that it's our fault for not giving him the chance. He'll play for Rangers for years to come,
Beasley's Car Vandalized in GlasgowDecember 22, 2008
Now this is just plain cold. It looks like he is the fourth Rangers player to have his car vandalized this way. Too bad they picked a guy who has only made a handful of appearances this year.
No wonder Da Beas' may be be interested in a move to someplace warm like Osasuna, Espanyol, or Wolfsburg (where he can see more playing time and keep his BMW in one piece).
Edu And Adu Make Club Debuts, Subotic and Dortmund Avoid DisasterSeptember 13, 2008
Fresh home from international duty this week, Maurice Edu was not expected to play for Rangers this week against Kilmarnock. A late failed fitness test by Kevin Thopmson pressed Edu into duty as a starter in his debut for his new club before 50,000 home fans. Fellow American DaMarcus Beasley, also fresh back from Chicago, was also on the field as the Ibrox club found themselves down 1-0 in the early going.
Shortly after the Kilmarnock goal, Beasley had a chance to even the score on a nice through ball from Edu but he was tackled off the ball by James Fowler. A tiring Beasley was replaced at the half by Nacho Novo, who drew a 58th minute foul in penalty area to allow Kris Boyd to even the score at 1-1. Boyd would score again four minutes later to make it 2-1, a tally which turned out tho be the game winner. Edu acquitted himself adequately in his debut, playing the full 90 minutes.
In an interview with the Rangers' official website, Edu expressed his thoughts on the debut: "It was a great experience. The fans are amazing. It was great to get a win in my first game, especially as we had to battle back from a goal down but I think that just shows the confidence that the team has and the strength and character of the squad."
Up in Germany, Neven Subotic's Borussia Dortmund had their hands full with arch rival Schalke 04. A 20th minute Subotic handball in the penalty area allowed Schalke to take a 1-0 lead on a Jefferson Farfan penalty. By the 60th minute, BVB was down 3-0 before Subotic got one back in the 67th to put Dortmund on the board (his third goal of the young season). A pair of Alexander Frei goals allowed Dortmund to finish the game at 3:3, completing an impressive comeback to earn the point.
In French action, American defender Carlos Bocanegra put in a solid 90 minutes in Stade Rennais' 1-1 draw with Havre FC. Also, American forward Freddy Adu made his first appearance for AS Monaco, coming on in the 79th minute of a 2-0 win over FC Lorient. American Andrew Jacobson did not dress for Lorient.
Down in Italy, American midfielder Danny Szetela went the distance for Serie B side Brescia in a 1-1 draw with Bari. Elsewhere in Europe, Jozy Altidore is listed as among the 18 for Villarreal's Sunday match with Deportivo La Coruña.
Edu To Rangers, Subotic and Gibson Score, Pearce On The Move?August 17, 2008
Various UK news sources, including Sky Sports and the Globe and Mail are reporting that the final details are being worked out in a deal to bring American Maurice Edu (picured to the right) from Toronto to Glasgow Rangers. After returning from Olympic duty in China, Edu was supposed to be in Glasgow yesterday for Rangers' home opener against Hearts to iron out a deal worth a reported $5 million. Rangers boss Walter Smith confirmed the reports but cautioned that it all "depends on a work permit so it will be a few days before we know about that."
If the deal goes through, the young central midfielder will become the third American to pull on the distinctive blue and white striped Rangers jersey after former midfielder Claudio Reyna and current left midfielder DaMarcus Beasley.
At the same time my buddy Greg Seltzer tells us that some Bundesliga clubs may be interested in acquiring Hansa Rostock's American defender Heath Pearce. If this is the case (and Greg is usually right on), then my spidey sense tells me that interest may coming from none other than Borussia Dortmund boss Juergen Klopp (who recently brought American Neven Subotic from FSV Mainz with him). After BVB's star left back Dede was injured in yesterday's 3-2 win over Leverkusen (in which Subotic scored the match winner in the 49th), Dortmund is in dire need of an experienced left back. Dede will have knee surgery on Monday and will miss at least half of the season. Thus, a Bundesliga-experienced left back like Pearce could be exactly what BVB needs.
In the Second Bundesliga yesterday, LR Ahlen's American striker Grover Gibson (pictured to the left) scored a 56th minute goal to put his team to a 1-0 lead in a 2-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.
American defender Steve Cherundolo and his Hannover 96 squad had a rough Bundesliga start in a 3-0 loss to Schalke 04, giving up two goals in the first seven minutes. Hannover's other American, defender Sal Zizzo, did not play.
Still waiting on Freddy Adu's arrival, AS Monaco tied FC Nantes last night 1-1. After a disappointing midweek 2-1 UEFA Cup loss to Norway's Stabaek, Carlos Bocanegra went the full 90 minutes in central defense as his Stade Rennais side lost to Ligue 1 newcomer Grenoble 1-0. FC Lorient midfielder Andrew Jacobson did not dress as his team held French league juggernaut Olympique Lyon to a 0-0 draw.
Beasley Injured, AgainJuly 15, 2008
Just when you thought Ranger's American winger DaMarcus Beasley was healed up and ready to go, it looks like he'll be sidelined with yet another injury. This time, he'll miss at least the first leg of the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round after falling to a hamstring injury during a preseason match against SC Preussen Munster during the weekend. He is expected to be out for three weeks.


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Re:Pick theme has some additional functions which are different from Rehub. So, I will explain some of them
How to add home page as on demo with RePick
First of all, create custom page for home page. Then, choose 'Grid with filters' template in Page attributes. That's all.
You can also choose what categories to show or to exclude in grid template. Settings are in Theme option Repick Settings Repick index grid .
How to set Hot Metter
After activating theme, go to Theme Option RePick settings and set Hottest value . What does this value mean? When post reach this value – hot metter line become full and shows image (hot) icon. Also, such posts will be used in Hottest filter.
There are some other good settings, like adding ads in grid, search on Amazon and Ebay links, etc. Some video explanation.


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Who even knew there was a New York in Texas?
My birthday was a few weeks ago, so to celebrate, I went zip-lining in New York, Texas. The sensation of flying is the best feeling in the world. And the views were gorgeous. There was even a coke bottle in the sky that day. Can you see it?
Categories: shoes • Tags: adventure, birthday, Clothing, fashions, nature, New York, New York Texas, Nike, outdoor adventure, outdoors, photography, photos, shoes, sneakers, style, Texas, zip-line


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Group lesson in pleasent atmosphere
Lessons with native speakers
Real talk. Real life situations
100% satisfaction guarantee
100% satisfaction guarantee
Welcome You To Adroit Advisory
AdroitPro Advisory Ventures India Pvt. Ltd. is a Wealth Management & Financial Planning initiative promoted by Mr.Avinash Agarwal to cater to Individual Clients who are looking for personalized Financial Planning and Investment Planning advice that is unbiased, sound and that comes at a reasonable price. Unfortunately, in this profession, there is dearth of unbiased ethical advice.
AdroitPro Advisory Ventures India Pvt. Ltd. caters to Indians (Resident as well as NRIs) situated anywhere in the world who would like to Invest in India after taking expert professional advice. Our forte is our expertise in Mutual Funds. We have also pioneered the concept of Wealth Management via Mutual Funds in India
Portfolio Management
Portfolio Management is the process of managing the assets and liabilities of a person.It includes managing choosing and monitoring appropriate investments and allocating funds accordingly. At Adroit, we advice you on managing all your investments. Our experts will advice you on best investment products in the market that can fetch maximum return considering client's risk taking capability.
Financial Planning
We specialize in providing Need-Based Financial solutions using a process oriented Financial Planning approach.
NRI Services
Adroit NRI Services, a division of Adroit, focuses on providing financial planning and portfolio advisory services to NRI


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Every major legislative initiative that has helped transform America was forged in the spirit of bipartisanship and cooperation, said U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., in his recorded opening remarks for a Wyoming PBS roundtable discussion that took place last night on the future of Medicare & Social Security. Enzi highlighted the importance of Social Security and Medicare to the people of Wyoming and how the programs can be preserved for future generations. An excerpt from Enzi's is below.
"More is paid out each year for Medicare than is paid in by all those still working and the match from the employer. No money is being put away for those who are paying in and who someday will turn 65 and be eligible for Medicare. Medicare is an annual liability, not to mention, the biggest-growing future liability. Even though it is coming up short every year and adding to the deficit, the Health Care Reform bill took $716 billion from Medicare and put it into new programs. At the same time, the law put into place a new board that can dictate to Congress where to make cuts to make up for any shortfall. If Congress can't find cuts elsewhere, the cuts proposed by the new board will go into effect automatically. There isn't anywhere else to find that money than to cut payments to doctors and providers, hospitals, nursing homes, and home health."
Click here to read Enzi's full remarks.
Click the box below to watch Enzi's recorded remarks.
Click play to view the video or follow this link


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Citrix Synergy starts tomorrow in San Francisco. From wednesday 12 may till friday 14 may all updates, new features and other news is presented to the public. One thing that's excites me most is the upcoming XenClient, a baremetal hypervisor.
Combined with a VDI solution like XenDesktop the XenClients enables the customer to take the VM outside the datacenter en get it onto his desktop / laptop using his local resources. Altough this sounds a bit like we were used to work, and in fact it is, there is a big difference.


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Well MTV was smart and kept us hanging until the last possible second for the Hunger Games trailer-ette, but at least I got to see the tribute to Amy Winehouse...
|RIP, troubled soul.
|Love you Katy, but you look like my Rubik's Cube after I throw it across the room.
So, here you go Hunger Games fans, the teaser trailer: (Watch how she pulls the arrow out of her quiver and loads it like a badass, and is that Rue's whistle at the end?? I can't wait!)


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VIDEO: Sedona Lace Vortex Kit Review & Demo TutorialTuesday, April 16, 2013
The Sedona Lace Vortex kit has every pro brush you'd need to take your makeup application to the next level. It has brushes that you wouldn't typically have in your basic kit, all combined into one set for only $79.95. You can also purchase the Vortex Professional Kit with Zipper Belt Brush Holder for $89.95. The brush belt is essential if you are a makeup artist, and if you aren't, it's perfect for traveling with your brushes to keep them safe and maintain their shape. Watch the video for an in depth review and demonstration of each brush, as well as up close shots of each.
Use the code GlamMeUp8 to get $4 off your order!
Giveaway with this kit, as well as other goodies is coming soon!
♥ Check out my latest video ♥
♥ YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/GlamMeUp8
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♥ TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/GlamMeUp
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♥ My favorite makeup brushes: http://bit. l/o77rXI
♥ Discount designer clothing & makeup: http://bit.ly/o9niYB


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The leader (or head) of the Paonta Sahib Gurdwara appears menacing with weapons drawn. Contrary to the impression left by this image, this man, like most Sikhs I've met, is one of the classiest, kindest, gentlemen in all of India. Despite the fierce stance, you can see the gentle grin poking through his salt and pepper beard.
There's so much to say about the image, the man, and of this completely untouristed destination, Paonta Sahib, but I'll save most of it for a different post of photos shot around the same time. The Sikhs are often known as fierce warriors, but this particular group of Sikhs at Paonta Sahib are renowned for their fighting skills. On this day, I happened to catch a glimpse of their weapons practice on the roof of the Gurdwara, the Sikh religion's temple. I quickly dashed up to find everyone packing their weapons, however, at the rare sight of a foreigner, they kindly unpacked and began practicing again. I pulled out my lighting gear and posed our Gurdwara head just at sunset to capture what is currently one of my most treasured photos. I had so many questions for the man but our communication was limited by an insurmountable language barrier. Why such a large turban? I don't know but from what I gathered, for a man held in such high esteem at the Gurdwara, no size of turban would be big enough.
In terms of the image, a Hollywood wardrobe designer couldn't coordinate a better set of colors. The photo is teeming with complementary color pairs that naturally please our minds. The traditional background structures don't hurt, either.
This photo exemplifies why India is the low-hanging fruit of the photography world. The place is full, not only of style, but overflowing with substance. The people of India don't dress up for the sake of a herd of unloaded package tourists. That is how they are before and after the tour buses arrive and depart. Thousands of years old traditions continue to live on, little effected by other societies' drive to modernize and homogenize.
Strobe camera left diffused with an umbrella. Otherwise, I took so many flash photos that evening, I wouldn't begin to know this particular strobe setting.
I wanted to mix up the Korea images a bit so I've interrupted real time posts with this archive image. Tomorrow, real time posts of Korea continue.
See a smaller version on Flickr.


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I've been photographing "B" and her family for 5 years now. One thing I have learned after all these years is she loves her princess dresses, horses and her family, sounds like something out of a fairy tale to me. And it is. Such a fun session!
ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for all the fabulous ideas and photos! How will we ever choose?


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Floor installation – leave it to the experts
No matter what type of wooden flooring you're interested in, you'll want to make sure it's fitted perfectly and floor installation should be neat. Fitting an expensive new wooden floor round an awkward corner or a central heating pipe isn't a job you'd want to leave to chance. All our flooring operatives are CSCS certified and fully qualified to install the full range of wood floors available and experience counts when dealing with issues such as uneven sub-floors, underfloor heating and newly poured concrete sub-floors.
We stand by our work
We stand by our work – offering a 10 year guarantee on the workmanship of all domestic floor installations we undertake, we also provide a free survey service to ensure the floor area is throughly inspected before we install so any potential problems are identified and any necessary preparation works are carried out.
Parquet Floor Installation
To get the UK's best parquet professionals fitting your project then make sure you get McKay Flooring in. Our reputation is second to none for parquet flooring. This is flooring as an artform and our operatives maintain the highest quality in the UK.
Luxury Vinyl Tile Installation
Our floor fitting specialists are amongst the best in the UK at LVT or Luxury Vinyl Tile installation. We use the best products like Moduleo and guarantee our workmanship for 10 years. Be sure to get a free online quote (within 24 hours) for your project.
Sports flooring installation
Find out why we're the sports flooring company that customers keep coming back to. We offer a quality sprung floor installation service backed up by a maintenance package which is hugely popular with schools and colleges around the UK.Visit our Shop Get Free Fitting Quote
We would be happy to provide you with literature and samples for your sports flooring project.Our experienced management team ensure the entire operation runs as smoothly providing you with the best customer experience.


text: A comprehensive text that includes a study of the origins and history of Tai Chi/ a detailed analysis of its relationship to Western philosophy, the I Ching, Tao te Ching, yoga, and Zen. The author also ties its use to esoteric systems, and discusses health and Chinese medicine in relation to Tai Chi. Includes several hundred detailed photographs showing application of the positions.


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That would depend entirely on the number of and type of products you have. However, we have tried to keep the catalog building process as simple and efficient as possible for you, by including a "Duplicate product" option, which allows you to create multiple instances of a similar product, which may have minor differences only in pricing or some other aspect, vis-a-vis going through the entire process of adding a product and it's details right from scratch for every individual product you wish to sell.
We also have an option for bulk upload of your products. You can just fill up the excel and send it to us along with images. We would get it uploaded for you.
Go to manage>> stock >> add new product >> bulk upload
Step 1: Download the excel sheet for bulk upload and fill the required details of the products.
Step 2: Upload the images.
Step 3: Now upload the filled up excel sheet.


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Crystal Coast Areas
- 1. Emerald Isle
- 2. Indian Beach
- 3. Pine Knoll Shores
- 4. Atlantic Beach
- 5. Morehead City
- 6. Beaufort
- 7. Harkers Island
- 8. Shackleford Banks
- 9. Cape lookout
Miss Crystal Coast Cruises
Miss Crystal Coast Cruises is a cutome-made 49 passenger catamaran that can effortlessly provide a number of family-friendly expeditions to vacationers who want to enjoy this delicate chain of barrier islands and coastal territory to its fullest. Based out of Beaufort, the Miss Crystal Coast is specifically built for the purpose of sightseeing and dolphin watching. Visitors can enjoy exploring the beautiful downtown beaufort are, plus unbeatable perspectives of the region's vast array of wildlife, shorelines, and on-the-water views. The Miss Crystal Coast is equipped with a restroom onboard.
- Beaufort
- 252-728-8687
- Map it
Kitty Hawk Kites
Kitty Hawk Kites has remodeled and opened its new doors directly on the Beaufort waterfront. This shop offers the leading selection of kites, wind art, toys, t-shirts and apparel, Hobie kayaks, and more. In addition, stop by and make your reservation for one of our new Beaufort adventures:
- Beaufort
- 252-504-2039
- Map it
- Atlantic Beach
- 252-648-8301
- Map it
Crystal Coast Axe Throwing
Crystal Coast Axe Throwing is the newest entertainment spot on the Crystal Coast. Whether you want to channel your inner lumberjack or just try out a fun and competitive hobby, axe throwing is a fun and unique sport that is taking North America by storm! Axe throwing is easy to learn and designed with your fun and safety in mind. It is a perfect way to celebrate a special occasion, organize a team building event or simply have a great time with family and friends!
- Morehead City
- 252-349-0150
- Map it


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Today is the beginning of a new outlook on life! I am on my way! I have recently started sewing again....having children seems to sidetrack MOM dreams! I now have time to devote to my dreams...no more excuses. I will be making all kinds of purses, totes, and many more items...whatever my imagination can come up with!!!
Check back to see my post and hopefully I can figure this computer stuff out in order to post pictures.


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Since Friday last week that we have been inundated with calls, messages, emails and Facebook contacts about an offshore oil exploration platform that is anchored just off Lagos/Portimao coastal area.
In spite of all the challenges along the years since we started the anti-oil drilling campaign in 2009, the end result, is that we achieved what we set-up to achieve, which was to STOP all onshore and offshore drilling for oil & gas in Algarve.
There is no doubt that it seems easy to detail a chronology of legal actions over time, but in reality what this chronology does not include are the thousands of hours spent in research, analysis of opinions, studies and reports.
Last year, the government of Antonio Costa did a major restructuring, and we saw "energy" being taken away from the Ministry of Economy and transferred to the Environment Ministry. The Environment Ministry was then renamed as the Ministry of Environment and Energetic Transition (Ministério do Ambiente e da Transição Energética).
According to information released to a journalist on 4 February, the Galp / ENI concessionaires say that everything has, in fact, been suspended. And they stated that the withdrawal of the contracts from the DGEG website was only a formality that was already scheduled to take place on 31 January.
ASMAA takes this opportunity to inform all those who have been following the anti-oil drilling legal process currently taking place in the Administrative and Fiscal Court of Loulé, that the court hearing, scheduled for 11 February at 2:00 p.m., was canceled by the court yesterday.
After last October GALP announced, and the Portuguese government publicly confirmed that they were giving up their interest in the Santola concession and abandoning the drilling in Aljezur, but all official requests for clarification have been ignored.
In the last few years and in many circumstances, the only time we can guarantee that there is no disinformation - not to call it lies – coming out of the mouths of politicians, is when they keep their mouths shut. It looks like that once again we are confronted with another blatant example of why politicians have no credibility left.


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Style and Substance – Storm the DJ
XWHY speaks to international success and all-round fierce female Storm the DJ about her musical highs, favourite tracks and women in the industry…
Firstly, as you will no doubt have noticed, Storm is achingly beautiful. It's no wonder then, that before her unarguably successful career as a DJ, she was a touring model. Before hitting the likes of XWHY, she's graced the pages of fashion bibles like Vogue, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Vibe and W magazines and worked in this capacity in various cities all over the world.
But it is in this latest incarnation that she feels most powerful. Making great strides in the DJing world – she plays at top venues in Hollywood, Las Vegas and beyond – she is making her mark as a female Dj in a world which is still predominantly male.
I always like to say that "When the women are happy, everyone's happy", and I think female DJs are the best at making that happen. Also, the DJing world, like many others, is such a male dominated industry that seeing a female DJ is always a nice change.
I wouldn't necessarily say there is pressure to have a "tough" image, but at the same time, you do actually have to be tough in practice. Whether people like to admit it or not, we're still at a disadvantage in terms of people's expectations. So, because of that, you get to a point where you can't always be "sugar and spice". You have to be strong and powerful to deal with all the things the industry throws at you. And I definitely agree that being strong and tough displays a great positive image for women.
I actually grew up listening to mostly Hip-hop and R&B. My dad was an aspiring DJ so he wanted to make sure he kept up with everything new. I grew up with my dad in the military so we moved around a lot, which exposed me to a lot of different music and cultures. It was only when I lived in Europe that I was introduced to House Music.
My first gig was literally one month after I started learning how to DJ. It was a Halloween party at a popular Hollywood Nightclub. I was so excited, but I was also terrified, and I almost cancelled on the promoters! When I got there, the club had this mixer that I had never used, and I was completely confused about how to work it. I ended up just having to closely watch my opener, and luckily I caught on very quickly. After that moment of slight panic, my night went great!
I mainly lived in Germany, but I've traveled to other surrounding countries quite a bit too. I would probably say Paris is my favourite city, but since I lived in Germany for so long, I learned to speak some of the language, so was able to speak two languages fluently for awhile.
At this club in LA, they have a huge Red Chinese Dragon that comes out and crowd surfs! They also have people who breathe fire. It's pretty crazy, but also very cool. Something you have to see to believe.
Music inspires fashion, and fashion inspires music. Just look at the House world – the kandi beads and the furry boots were conceived thanks to that particular musical genre. I also feel like modelling help my DJ career, and now DJing helps my modelling career.
Right in front of the TV. Haha. It's so rare that I actually get to sit down and watch a television show or a movie. I love shows like Scandal, Grey's Anatomy, and Criminal Minds, but my life is so hectic that I am rarely able to give any time to them.
Lana Del Rey, who I'm a little obsessed with, had some great tracks with 'Summertime Sadness' and 'Young and Beautiful', also Zedd's 'Clarity' and Fatboy Slim's amazing 'Eat, Sleep, Rave, Repeat'.
To become one of the top EDM DJs. Right now the top 15 are all men, so reaching that level is my ultimate goal.
For the world to put men and women on equal playing fields, for women to be given the same opportunities men are given.
Check out Storm's Website HERE, where you can find her regular Stormcasts and details of her upcoming events.
Also, you should have a little read of her BLOG.


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Just call it All Hallows North.
Ricky Soliver became the third player from this year's All Hallows squad – which reached the CHSAA title game – to commit to Iona yesterday. Soliver, who was named to the Post's All-CHSAA first-team as a senior, averaged 18 points per game for the Gaels.
"I think it's a great choice for him," All Hallows head coach John Carey said of Soliver's decision. The 6-foot-3 guard picked Iona over Fairfield and will join teammates Marvin McCullough and Kiril Wachsmann in New Rochelle. "He's going to do well there."
Soliver still needs to raise his SAT score in order to qualify to play at Iona next season. He is scheduled to take the test again on May 4 and, if need be, in June. His lack of a qualifying score may have led to his being under-recruited.
Soliver did receive some interest from schools in better conferences than the MAAC, but Carey said that very few of them followed up.
"I am kind of surprised he didn't get more calls," said Carey, who is also coaching Soliver in baseball for the first time this spring. "I don't know if it was because of his grades, but I wish they had called me. If they had, I could have told them he'd be a great pickup. But I'm glad it worked out for him and Iona."


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I stumbled on a picture on Instagram where someone wrote "January was a free trial month, my year starts on the first day of February", I smiled. Really, that might be the case for most of us- the resolutions and all sort. I guess we spend January making them all up and then we start trashing them out when February starts!
Well, I'm happy to inform you its February! Happy New Month. January 2017 is gone for good and so will the year very soon. I would say I'm one of the few people that will always say "when January is over, the rest of the year starts running." Who else agrees with me?
I can bet 3 out of every 5 individuals stated Self-development or a related term as one of their goals this year. It's one thing to make a decision (making up your mind to develop yourself in some way) and it's another thing to take the necessary actions to make that goal an achievement.
To succeed in life, there are some basic questions to answer to, more like self-reflection. They could be questions you might have come across daily, but how well have you thought about them? What answers have you given to them? February is here and soon, it will be over, but it shouldn't just end just like that. Let's make it count. Here are questions to ask yourself and find answers to this month.
- Who are you?
The response to this isn't your name or your likes and dislikes. It's what you're made up of, your nature and your reactions and attitudes even when no one is watching. That's who you are. There are several ways you could find out who you are. One way that has worked for me is keeping a journal, I put down my thoughts and goals. Another way is surrounding yourself with people, your responses, attitude and mode of interaction will tell who you are.
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
We all have strengths and weaknesses, identify them and work on your strengths, develop them more. Focusing on your weaknesses could get the strengths snatched. I've always thought I could work on my weaknesses and get better at them. But what happens to my strengths? Leave them on hold? Besides, no one can be perfect. So, define your strengths and weaknesses.
- What are your dreams and ideas?
This is one question every aspiring successful person should have an answer(s) to. What do you aspire to become and what ideas and actions would take you there? We all have ideas, most people aren't just patient enough to think well. Every invention started with an idea, which is mostly a simple one. No matter how it would seem, you have an idea. You also have dreams, where you see yourself in a few years.
- What are you good at?
Mind you, this has to be something you love. What's that skill you have that causes you no stress and comes out beautifully?
- How can you make money doing number 4?
You have identified that skill(s) you love doing and are good at. Now, how can you make money out of it? You love writing, write a book, an ebook or you could be a freelance writer. Whatever skill it is, there's a way it could bring in some cash, discover it.
- How can you make your dreams and ideas a reality?
The dreams and ideas you have, how can you make them into achievements? It could be more money you need, it could be dealing with procrastination or it could even be leaving your comfort zone. Whatever it is/they are, identify them.
Finding answers to all these isn't all. Actions are a must! Take that step and make the rest of 2017 yours!
Thanks for reading.
P.S. Is getting closer to God a part of your goals this year? You should read "5 ways to get closer to God".
pps. The annual 21-day challenge on the Youversion Bible app starts today, 1st of February. You stand a chance of winning prizes when you read everyday for 21 days and share on social media pages. Check their blog for details.


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I have some incredible news to share with you guys. This Thursday, Claire of Vonvogue blog and I will be hosting a very special event at the Coach Vancouver store from 6-8 pm!
We are celebrating Mother's Day in style and we are inviting you and your friends to join us for an evening of drinks, appies and mingling! There will also be a special monogramming service available exclusively throughout the night to personalize any signature leather goods you may want to buy for your mom. You can even purchase your own leather tea rose embellishments to create a completely unique and customized bag. This exclusive service is only available in two stores in Canada: Burrard Street in Vancouver and Yorkdale in Toronto.
When Coach approached us to host the event we were so excited. We get to spend the night with one of the world's most iconic brands and you get to be there right beside us as we admire their current Spring/Summer collection. Join us this Thursday from 6-8pm at the Coach Vancouver store on Burrard street for an evening filled with fun and keep your eyes peeled for a special gift for Mom.
To RSVP: send an email to email@example.com or firstname.lastname@example.com and we will make sure you're on the guest list.
We're excited to see you there!


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Setting up Open vSwitch with ipsec_gre
Lately I have been playing a lot with Docker and one of the things I want to try out is the multi-host network and perhaps even swarm support. To be able to do that however you need to expose the Docker daemon on your host machine. That's all fine and dandy when you are working on a private network but what happens if you want to do this with hosts on multiple locations separated by public links? Even though you can secure the Docker daemon with TLS I don't feel comfortable having service ports out in the open like that so I want to set up my own private network.
While I have set up OpenVPN links for these kind of things in the past I would now like something more flexible (easy adding of nodes, mesh topology, STP, …) so I started looking at Open vSwitch but I could not find a complete guide. Especially the part on using certificates instead of the pre-shared keys is lacking so I pieced this procedure together from different sources.
I performed these steps on two Debian Jessie hosts but you should be able to do this on any Linux distribution as long as you can get Open vSwitch installed. There are plenty of guides on that, including if you want a newer version than what is provided by the official repositories. Do this on both hosts.
# apt-get install openvswitch-common openvswitch-switch openvswitch-ipsec
You will get a notice on the Racoon configuration, I chose the direct configuration.
Manual insecure setup
The first thing I tried to do was to setup a link without any security using just cli commands. Out of scope for this procedure is that you need to enable communication between the hosts on port 500 in your firewall configuration.
Perform these commands on host 1. I named the switch insecure, replace the remote_ip with your own.
# ovs-vsctl add-br insecure
# ip link set insecure up
# ip addr add 192.168.10.1/24 broadcast 192.168.10.255 dev insecure
# ovs-vsctl add-port insecure gre0 — set interface gre0 type=gre options:remote_ip=184.108.40.206
Perform these commands on host 2, again replace the remote_ip with your own.
# ovs-vsctl add-br insecure
# ip link set insecure up
# ip addr add 192.168.10.2/24 broadcast 192.168.10.255 dev insecure
# ovs-vsctl add-port insecure gre0 — set interface gre0 type=gre options:remote_ip=126.96.36.199
Now you should be able to ping between the hosts, if not you should investigate your firewall configuration. You can also use ovs-dpctl to do some debugging on the link. Note that you may experience issues if you try to actually do anything useful on this link like copying files. This is because the link MTU is not setup correctly yet.
To clean up this test perform this action on both hosts.
# ovs-vsctl rem-br insecure
Automatic insecure setup
Now let's create config files that create a link that actually works on every boot. Put this in /etc/network/interfaces on Host 1:
allow-ovs insecure
iface insecure inet static
address 192.168.10.1
netmask 255.255.255.0
ovs_type OVSBridge
ovs_ports gre1
ovs_extra set bridge ${IFACE} stp_enable=true
mtu 1400
# Make GRE start together with OVS interface
allow-insecure gre1
# Starting from gre1 so that interfaces are not shown in ifconfig
iface gre1 inet manual
ovs_type OVSPort
ovs_bridge insecure
ovs_extra set interface ${IFACE} type=gre options:remote_ip=220.127.116.11
Create an equivalent file on Host 2. For the interfaces to come up nicely at reboot you also need to add this to /etc/default/openvswitch-switch:
Reboot both machines and you should be able to ping between the hosts from the start. It might take a few seconds before the connection is initiated though.
You'll notice 2 added things compared to the manual setup:
- stp_enable enables the Spanning Tree Protocol which will reroute traffic when you have multiple hosts set-up and one breaks down. It also disables links that are not needed to prevent cyclic routing.
- mtu 1400 lowers the MTU so that the overhead of GRE + IPSEC doesn't result in packet fragmentation which will slow down your link or even result in packages not arriving
A little bit more secure
It is very easy to add a basic security to this setup. Just edit the GRE port in /etc/network/interfaces:
ovs_extra set interface ${IFACE} type=ipsec_gre options:remote_ip=126.96.36.199 options:psk=secret
Restart the interfaces or reboot an you will have encrypted traffic, you can verify with tcpdump if you like. Of course this type of setup is still not very secure because of the pre-shared key, but it is better than nothing!
Even more secure
The final action to take is to get rid of the pre-shared key and install certificates on the servers for authentication.
First generate on both hosts some certificates if you don't have them yet. Note that these are self-signed and that they will stop working in 30 days. You can increase the time with the -days parameter or put some process in place to update them periodically.
# cd /etc/openvswitch
# openssl req -x509 -newkey rsa:2048 -keyout private.key -out cert.pem -nodes
# openssl rsa –in private.key -out key.pem
Copy over the cert.pem file from the other host in the /etc/openvswitch/peers directory.
Next edit the OVSPort entry in /etc/network/interfaces (note I added some line breaks for readability).
ovs_extra set interface ${IFACE} type=ipsec_gre \
options:remote_ip=220.127.116.11 \
options:certificate=/etc/openvswitch/cert.pem \
options:private_key=/etc/openvswitch/key.pem \
options:peer_cert="`cat /etc/openvswitch/peers/host2.pem`"
For this to work I had to edit /etc/network/if-pre-up.d/openvswitch script slightly, there is an issue with how the options are evaluated by Bash. Find the entry for OVSPort and change the script like this:
eval ovs_vsctl — –may-exist add-port "${IF_OVS_BRIDGE}"\
Restart your network interface or reboot and you should have an Open vSwitch setup with a GRE tunnel protected by an IPSEC configuration based on certificates.
I got most of the information from these pages:
- https://wiredcraft.com/blog/multi-host-docker-network/
- http://wiki.flav.com/wiki/Open_vSwitch_Tutorial
- http://theo.julienne.org/2015/01/25/multi-host-networking-with-docker-and-open-vswitch.html
- http://blog.scottlowe.org/2013/05/07/using-gre-tunnels-with-open-vswitch/
- https://github.com/openvswitch/ovs/blob/master/INSTALL.SSL.md


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Inside Chefs Fridges
Inside Chefs Fridges is a new book that shows you what goes into the personal home fridges of 40 of Europes top chefs(with nearly 60 Michelin stars shared between them), revealing their dependable fridge contents (with illustrations of all 40 fridges), their favorite local ingredients, as well as two of their most treasured home recipes. You also get a list of addresses of each of the celebrity chefs restaurants.
Available in Europe here
Available in Europe here


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DVDs I Recommend June 8, 2011
Jane Fonda's Original 1982 Workout– THIS IS MY FAVORITE WORKOUT EVER!!!! I LOVE IT SO!!! It is really hard to find on dvd, but I managed to find it somewhere or other online, and then I burned a few extra copies of it (just in case). It's easy to get on VHS, but really… I haven't had a VHS player in a long time. Ok, I just found it on DVD on www.ioffer.com (the original and new workout dvd set) and it's 15 dollars. Why am I so crazy about this darn workout? It's corny. It's happy. Everybody in the video is such a nerd and you can tell that they are genuinely having fun. I used the beginner's workout to lose forty pounds oh-so-long ago, and I know I can do it again. I also like to repeat segments of the beginner's workout. I always do the arms and waist exercises parts two times, because I just really like those parts. Yep. I'm a dork. She has new workouts that I have seen in stores recently, but I've never tried any of them. I have her complete personal trainer series, which is pretty good, but I still prefer the old school one.
Hemalaaya – Bollywood Booty, Beautiful Belly, & Dance of the Kama Sutra all make me feel happy and are super fun. Dance of the Kama Sutra is slow and sensual, and is great for stretching and relaxation. It WILL help you love yourself more! I have quite a few more Hemalaaya workout DVDs, but I haven't done the other ones enough to recommend them yet.
Winsor Pilates (Mari Winsor) – Ab Sculpting, Bun and Thigh Sculpting, and Accelerated Body Sculpting were my favorites. I used to mix it up by using the "band" workouts and the ones with the resistance circle, but I prefer the three that I mentioned the most. Accelerated Body Sculpting is good, because it's nearly an hour long, but there are great spots to stop at for varying fitness levels. You can do more as your body gets toned, and in time are able to do the whole video. If you google the first two, you can actually watch them online for free and try them out. I have tried tons of different pilates routines, and Winsor is the best in my opinion. I gave all my other pilates dvds away.
THE FIRST THREE ARE MY FAVORITE. I like all these dvd's because the instructor is very positive and upbeat. For whatever reason, I need to see that somebody is happy or I lose interest in their workout.
The Belly Twins (Veena and Neena) – Discover Bellydance 3 dvd set. This teaches you 3 different dances: basic, advanced, and "mystic" which is slower and you can choose to use a veil. These are about 45-50 minutes long each and are very satisfying. I think most everybody could do the basic dvd and not have too much trouble. They also have a DVD with two workouts Arms & Abs combined with Hips, Buns, and Thighs that I would recommend. These teach you moves, but not an entire dance. Another combo DVD has Basic Moves combined with the Fat Burning workouts. Again, these are moves and not whole dances, but for ten dollars you are getting two full workouts that are pretty good. I DO NOT LIKE their "Bollywood Blast" dvd, nor did I care for "Indi Hop." Hemalaaya's dance dvd's are wayyyyyy better in the bollywood area.
Total Yoga Four Pack (Tracy and Ganja White) – This comes with the Original Workout, and then the flow series Earth, Water, and Fire. Earth is the beginner's one, and it was wayyyyyyy too easy for me so I gave it away. The others are all good workouts, and the only yoga dvd's I have ever done that I liked. These workouts are longer, but you don't have to do the whole thing. I'd rather have the option of working out for nearly an hour than to work out for twenty five minutes and feel like I didn't do enough. Honestly, I'm not that into yoga… I prefer other types of workouts. I would still recommend these dvds though, because even though I rarely pull them out I have still kept them. Any other yoga dvd I ever tried got the chop immediately. (Never tried Hemalaaya's)
Stuff I Don't Like Much: I can't do Denise Austin pilates because her voice is so dippy. I know, I'm a jerk and a half. I really like Jillian Michaels, but I don't like ANY of her workout dvd's. She admitted that she doesn't really like working out that much, and that just kills it for me. There ain't no sense in forcing yourself to do shit that you don't like. Find an activity that you DO LIKE. I also just don't care for her routines, so I ended up giving all her workouts to my cousin. My cousin seems to like them though- different stuff for different people I guess.


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Warm blessings to you at the start of 2016!
I hope your Christmas and New Year festivities treated you well and that you didn't suffer from too much over indulgence……….
January is traditionally seen as the time to detox. We see so many adverts now of charities recruiting Dryathletes and various slimming programmes encouraging us to use this product/service to help lose weight. This made me think, is it time to Detox or is it time to make a permanent change?
I'm not sure about the detox but certainly my body needs a break from all the rich food and drink I've consumed over the Christmas and New Year festivities.
What I found this year was that I didn't actually enjoy all that over-indulgent food! Weird I know but let me explain a little. After my birthday (and the hubby's birthday), at the end of September, where I had been exotically over-indulgent, I decided to give up alcohol until Christmas Eve. Not that I drank huge amounts, a bottle of wine a week maybe but I wanted to see what the effect would be if I abstained for a while.
Spurred on by leaving the alcohol out of my diet I decided to cut my consumption of fatty and sugary foods too. This was helped by meeting the very lovely Yvonne from Slimming World who showed me what the alternatives were when I had a sugar craving, this is what I suffered from most if I'm honest. Just to note – there are other Slimming clubs/aids out there, so if this is something you want to look into then make sure you choose the right one for you – after all, in the words of McFly – it's all about you baby!
The beginning of October saw me on my new plan, no alcohol, fatty or sugary foods. Sounds hard right? I can't deny that it wasn't hard but the good thing about it was the increased energy I had, my skin, which had never really been problematic due to the Organic products I use, blossomed without the toxins, and my inner workings became balanced. I no longer had that awful heartburn from trying to process toxins that my body just didn't need.
December came and with it a number of Christmas gatherings, all involving food and drink. I was resolute in not drinking alcohol that was the easy bit, the fatty and sugary foods were a little harder to avoid so these just had to be managed and I did quite well. At my Christmas weigh-in I'd managed to shed 12.5lbs, not quite my Stone target but OK given the damage limitation I was doing.
Well…… what happened during Christmas week? I enjoyed sipping a glass of wine or two – OK, make that 6 bottles, the odd spirit and a bottle of beer. I consumed a lot of Stollen, Chocolates, Mince Pies, beautiful homemade Bakewell Tart with lashings of alcoholic cream, and Cheese, oh my the Cheese was divine!! All these things made my tastebuds sing, they were so flavorsome! Damage had been done………..
In a week of exotic over-indulgence I had put on 3lbs – in a week!!! It goes on so easily and takes forever to come off, well that's what it feels like. But what about the effect that all this over-indulgence had had on my body? My heartburn was back with a vengeance and it had brought its family and friends for company! My inner workings were out of sync so I was feeling lethargic and sluggish. My skin was irritated and had lost its brightness, looking dull and tired. My sleep was disturbed by the heartburn parties going on and I slept so much, really deeply but not necessarily restful sleep.
By the time Tuesday came around I'd had enough of rich food and couldn't wait to start back on the cleansing food – yes I had cravings for lettuce!! Along came a mammoth session of just finishing off anything that was open, this was really hard to do but helped in getting rid of the impulse to graze. The fate of the unopened leftovers: alcohol has gone into storage, the leftover rich food has gone to the local food bank.
We're back on track and it feels good!
So what's my learning from all this?
Well this year, 2016, is going to be all about me, being my own best friend.
I have a choice to make about what goes into (and onto) my body and I choose only those things that my body needs in order to be balanced. It's not about losing weight by denying myself the 'good stuff', and getting fit because that's what everyone else does – running does not make me feel balanced! That's what it's about for me, being in balance.
So while you may be thinking of detoxing for January, why not make this whole year about you and make you your priority. If not now, when?
We only have one Mind, one Body and one Soul and all they want is to be taken care of, loved, and made your priority. You can't pour from an empty cup so take the time to fill your cup with nourishment that serves you well!


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WHAT is Fondant?
Fondant, or ready to roll fondant as it is sometimes called, is the smooth icing that usually covers wedding cakes. Not to be confused with Marzipan or almond icing.
Fondant has a marshmallowy taste and can be put on top of a buttercream or ganache covered cake. You will usually find fondant in plain white but it is also possible to buy it in different colours and flavours which is great if you're trying to make tricky colours like red or black.
WHY use Fondant?
Fondant is great for giving cakes that smooth and professional look. You can do virtually anything with a fondant covered cakes, the possibilities are endless! As well as looking good, fondant also helps keep your cake moist for longer, once you cover a cake in fondant it is sealed and will last up to one week (depending on your filling).
HOW do you use Fondant?
You'll need to start with cake, try to use a recipe you know and trust. Once the cake is fully cooled down, cover with either buttercream or ganache. If you're making a cake with filling that needs to be refrigerated then you shouldn't be covering it with fondant.
If you have white fondant and want to colour it you will need to use gel food colouring, not the liquid ones you usually buy at the supermarket. I've heard of many disasters that started with using liquid colouring!
Next you will need to roll your fondant and cover your cake. Lightly dust your bench with a mixture of cornflour and icing sugar (I use my dust puff to do this) before rolling out fondant.
Put a small amount of piping gel on the iced cake before covering with fondant to ensure it sticks. I use rolling pin guides on my rolling pin and usually use the 1/8th of an inch to roll out fondant which means it'll be just under half a centimetre thick.
Once cake is covered, smooth over the fondant with either fondant smoothers or using your hands. If you have long nails you will probably regret having grown them while cake decorating, they can be a real pain if you scratch your cake!
Now you are ready to decorate your cake as you please! There are so many possibilities!
You can cut out flowers and other shapes from cookie cutters and stick these onto your cake using a tiny amount of vodka and a paintbrush to "glue" to your cake.
Useful tools:
Rolling pin
Fondant smoothers – once the cake is covered use these to smooth out any bumps on the cake. Alternatively, use your hands, but beware of your nails!
Dust puff – I make this myself by using a clean Chux cloth and filling it equal parts with icing sugar and corn flour then secure with a rubber band. You can also use a paper towel with some holes poked in the bottom. I use this to lightly dust down my surface before rolling out fondant or when my fondant gets a bit too moist.
Useful links:
Buttercream recipe
Chocolate ganache recipe
How to ice a cake
How to cover a cake with fondant
How to colour fondant
Storing Fondant and Cakes
You can store your leftover fondant by wrapping it up in Glad wrap twice and then putting it inside an airtight container for two months. Do not store in the fridge or freezer!
I do not recommend putting a fondant covered cake in the fridge or freezer, if you do, however, just make sure you bring it back to room temperature before you attempt to decorate it. Refrigerating the cake can make it taste dry and can cause problems with the cake sweating, not pretty!
Trouble Shooting
Fondant has Bubbles in it:
When you roll out your fondant and cover your cake sometimes you will find there are small air bubbles. If this happens, don't worry! Just get a clean pin and insert it on an angle to release the air then smooth it over with your fingers to cover up the tiny hole.
Fondant is Torn:
Usually tearing happens with the fondant is rolled too thinly. If the tearing is really bad you may need to remove it and start over. You cannot re-use your fondant if it has touched the cake and icing or it will get messy and full of crumbs and icing! Sometimes you can cover up the mistakes with some decorations, you'd be surprised how often cake decorators do this to cover up their mistakes, you'd never know!
Fondant is Cracking:
Fondant that is rolled too thickly usually results in cracking as it can't curve over the edges of the cake as easily. You can usually smooth away cracks by rubbing it over with a fondant smoother while the fondant is still soft. If all goes wrong just cover it with some decorations and no one would ever know the difference!
Fondant is Sweating:
If you store your cake in the fridge or airtight container it will sweat, it is best to leave it out in room temperature and it will evaporate. Try not to touch the wet fondant and do not put icing sugar on top (I did this on an Owl Cake once).
WHERE do you get Fondant?
If you live in NZ like me, cake decorating isn't incredibly popular but it's getting bigger and bigger so I'm finding more and more places are starting to sell decorating supplies. See my post on Where to Buy Cake Decorating Supplies in NZ.
If you're overseas I would try a craft or hobby shop and it might be a good idea to ring in advance to see if they have what you're looking for.
Sometimes the best option is to buy online, quite often this will mean you are guaranteed to get what you're looking for and it's sometimes cheaper! The only thing to remember is that you'll need to order what you need in advance because you'll have to wait for shipping. One of my favourite NZ online decorating suppliers are Kiwi Cakes and the Pretty Baker also has lots of amazing and cute products to chose from.
I hope that this post has been useful to you, please feel free to ask me any questions and I'll do my best to answer them and maybe even include more in this post if need be, if I actually CAN fit any more in one post that is!


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This is the second in a two-part series about running published modules. Last week we talked talk about why modules suck. This week, we'll talk about why they're great.
Do you have a life?
Do you actually have a life outside your roleplaying game?
Do you have friends? A hudband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend? A pet?
Do you like going to the movies? Do you like watching TV or reading books? Do you enjoy hiking, camping, traveling, sports, or one of a hundred other activities?
Do you have a job?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, I follow it with this: where do you find the time to write your own game?
Yes, I'm being facetious, but to a certain extent, I do have a point. Game-planning is very time consuming. I've never planned enough for a game; there are always more details to add, more ways to describe a room, more flesh to add to the bones of the NPC's. The world continues onward and outward beyond the edges of the scenario: fantasy worlds have nations and histories that reach through thousands of miles and years, NPCs have character backstories that last decades or longer and explain their tortured or blessed existence.
Genesis takes time. Lots of it.
On the other hand, modules take far, far less time. Are they, even the best ones, usually lacking in depth? Yes, of course. There just isn't enough space in the pages of a module to flesh out an entire world. And, truth be told, you usually don't need the entire world – that's what improvisation is for. That's when you tell your players you'll get back to them, or break the fourth wall a little bit and tell them they're barking up the wrong tree for this scenario.
The luxury of running as module is that it saves you two huge investments: time, and creativity.
We just talked about time, so let's jump to creativity. Creating things from scratch is hard, hard work. You need to make things interesting. You need to make things fun. You need to make sure you're only being inspired and not just straight-up ripping off your inspirations. (We've probably all played in scenarios that were cribbed directly from movies). The best thing about the module is that you don't need to have a cool idea or even the beginnings of an idea – you just pick it up, read through it, do some preparation so you know it, and then be on your way. You can obviously just use the module as your inspiration as well.
I really like reading modules, not running them. Why? Because they give me ideas. I shamelessly steal some of them, but most of the time I adapt them to my own worlds and the styles of my games. For this purpose, the huge mega-campaigns are usually too much, so I like to choose smaller, maybe 1-8 page modules that just have the seed of an idea. I think map-drawing and scenario design is incredibly time consuming as well, so I definitely use (with modification) encounters designed by others in my games. I love that someone took the time to make sure this combat is a reasonable fight for a fifth-level party so I don't have to. (Caveat emptor: not everything you read in a module is actually balanced!)
Thus, my advice to you when it comes to modules is this:
Published adventures are a tool. If you use the tool for a task for which it was not intended, it will probably do, at best, a lousy job and at worst will not be able to do it at all. I think most designers build modules that are ready to run out-of-the-box, but I suggest an alternative "right job" for modules: inspiration and adventure skeletons. Read through an adventure, but don't be married to anything in it. Use the elements you like. Toss out the elements you don't. Write new elements, skip entire pages and rooms, make it a sprawling campaign or a minute encounter. Don't try to just pick it up, read it once, and run it; you'll be disappointed. Modules enhance your game. Don't make the mistake of having them be your game.
Happy gaming til next week!


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Certainly the film that "started it all" (including product tie-ins at the time of theatrical release), "Snow White" is a film that definitely remains one of Disney's most adored animated offerings. At this point, nearly everyone likely knows the story of "Snow White"; Snow White (voiced by Adriana Caselotti) is a beautiful, sweet young woman who becomes the enemy of the wicked Queen after the Queen's magic mirror proclaims her only the second most beautiful in the land.
Fleeing to the forest after a failed assassination attempt (and this is G-rated?), Snow White takes up with the seven dwarfs: Doc, Happy, Sneezy, Sleepy, Bashful, Grumpy and Dopey, who help her out in-between their journeys to the mine. Of course, the Queen finds that Snow White is still alive and attempts to take care of her herself, with a poisoned apple.
I'm sure everyone knows how things work out. "Snow White", as detailed in one of the many featurettes about the film included on this DVD, was widely regarded as a high risk when it was originally concieved by the studio. People thought that no one or very few would be interested in sitting through a feature-length animated story. Still, Walt Disney and his talented group of animators were able to prove the critics wrong, as the film combined well-written stories, beautiful animation, a strong villian and the occasional touch of humor. Certainly, "Snow White" doesn't offer the same sort of quick pace that most current animated films do, but the 84 minute running time still flies by nicely.
The film's beautiful and detailed animation still stands up nicely today; although it doesn't compare to the sort of gorgeous computer animation that has become more and more popular in the past few years, the painted images appear more magnificent than ever on this new DVD presentation, which offers the film in a restored edition.
The DVD
VIDEO: "Snow White" is presented by Disney in its original 1.37:1 aspect ratio. The presentation is the result of a masterful restoration effort by the studio. Recently, it was decided that the film needed to be preserved; a first attempt at restoration was good, but dirt and other elements were still visible. It was then decided that new technology (at that time) would allow Disney to scan in each of the thousands of frames of animation and then set to work on creating a new high-definition master. Color-correcting was done, as was dirt/wear removal and restoration efforts.
The results are, as with "Citizen Kane"'s suprisingly clean state on its new DVD edition, breathtaking. Those who I've shown this new edition of "Snow White" to who saw the film when it was in theaters practically had to sit further back; they weren't used to the picture being this bright and the colors being this vibrant. Personally, I didn't know what to expect, either. Going into a film of this kind of age usually means a review is populated with "considering the film's age, film "x" looks good/bad".
With what Disney has achieved here, "Snow White" looks like it could have been produced today. Sharpness and detail are nothing short of remarkable, as the film has never looked so crisp and well-defined. All of the details of the animated scenery of the forest really are apparent and distinct in comparison to previous versions which looked somewhat soft and undefined at times.
Again, the film is exceptionally clean and clear, free of any marks, scratches or other signs of wear. Looking at the restoration documentary on the second disc shows what a massive task Disney's experts were up against and they really have done a miraculous job at bringing the picture a previously unseen level of cleanness and clarity. There were no instances of pixelation or edge enhancement, either, thankfully.
The difference in color is really what makes this the most impressive restoration that I've ever seen. I doubt the film's vibrant color palette has ever looked this strong since the film was originally animated. Colors appear beautifully well-saturated, excitingly rich and without any instances of smearing or other flaws. Black level looked strong, as well. Presentation is THX-Approved.
Disney has really put in an enormous amount of effort and the results are a triumph; they've not only preserved one of their gems, but have it looking better than I'd think it ever has.
SOUND: To be honest, I'm starting to get a little weary of older films that have been remixed for Dolby Digital 5.1. Sometimes it works and works well, but there are times when it sounds artificial and I'd rather simply listen to the original mono soundtrack. The team responsible for the audio restoration of "Snow White" have taken the original mono soundtrack and made it into Dolby Digital 5.1, but thankfully, they've remained faithful to the original soundtrack. None of the birds now fly into the surrounds or around the viewer or anything like that; really, the only element that I heard from the surrounds was the occasional piece of music. Otherwise, the sound remains in the front speakers.
The real joy of the soundtrack is simply the fact that, due to the restoration, the elements sound better than they likely ever have on past releases. Sound effects don't sound thin or harsh, vocals and singing sound natural and not strained and even the music really sounded warmer and richer than ever before. It's certainly not been brought up to the level of modern soundtracks, but it certainly does at least sound better than ever before. The original mono soundtrack is also included.
MENUS:: The film's menus are outstanding and occasionally good for a few laughs. The magic mirror is the host of both main menus; if you take too long to decide he says things like "don't mind me, I'll just hang around" or "I don't have all enternity...oh wait, I do." Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1, his voice echos throughout the room. Animated transitions to sub-menus are fun, if a little lengthy and all of the menus really are cleverly animated and designed. The menus are also quite helpful, as two "guided tours" are available on the first disc. These are sort of like trailers that take you through what you can expect on both discs.
Commentary: This is a commentary from Walt Disney and historian John Canemaker. The Disney pieces of the commentary are taken from older audio interviews and provide some insight on the making of the film and its role in Disney history. Canemaker's narration is somewhat more interesting, as his newly recorded discussions provide further insight into the making of the picture, those involved in the animation, and its role in animation history.
The Making Of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: An nearly 40 minute documentary narrated by Angela Lansbury, this is an exceptionally entertaining and informative piece which takes audiences through the early history of Disney and the original idea to start production on an animated version of "Snow White". Animators and historians discuss what actually happened during the time of the film's release and how Disney's attempt to make a feature-length animated picture was met with some resistance by the media of the time. The doc also discusses and shows visuals of how the characters and story evolved along the way.
Also On Disc One: Animated short "Goddess Of Spring", Interactive Game, "Someday My Prince Will Come" by Barbara Streisand (in Dolby 5.1), Sing-along song ("Heigh Ho") and DVD-ROM Features.
Note: The main menu of the second disc is broken up into different sections, with names such as "The Queen's Dungeon". Those who prefer a simpler menu-going experience can click on the apple at the bottom of the screen to get a text menu.
The Queen's Dungeon
Abandoned Concepts: Historian John Canemaker provides an introduction for three deleted sequences from the picture. An extended version of "Someday My Prince Will Come" is preovided, as well as "Snow White Meets The Prince" and "The Prince Is Captured". These are in storyboard form.
Restoration: A short featurette, but really one of the most interesting on the disc, this 5 minute piece offers interviews with the audio and video restoration staff, who discuss in detail what was done to accomplish the film's marvelous new look.
Snow White's Wishing Well
History: This section provides timelines for both Walt Disney and the production of "Snow White". Both are simply text-based, but provide a fairly strong amount of information about both subjects. The viewer uses the remote to click forward to the next page of information. Also included in this section is the original Brothers Grimm fairy tale.
Storyboard-To-Screen Comparison: This section, which offers another introduction from Canemaker, provides multi-angle versions of storyboard-to-screen comparisons for "The Forest Chase", "Cleaning House", "The Dwarfs Chase The Witch" and "The Queen's Order". These sequences, using the angle button on the remote, can be presented with just the storyboards, just the final sequence or a split-screen comparison of both.
The Queen's Castle
Art and Design: This is a simple, short featurette that discusses the desired look and feel of the picture, as well as some of the original ideas about the film's visual style. A couple of minutes in length.
Visual Development: A gallery that's set up somewhat differently than usual art presentations, this allows the viewer to go down three different hallways, each of which holds quite a few concept art pieces that can be viewed in greater detail before moving on to the next set. The animation that takes the viewer around is nicely done and doesn't take too long, which could have been irritating with something like this.
Layouts and Backgrounds: A 5-minute featurette discussing the role of layouts and backgrounds in animation is provided, which also offers some visual comparisons of the early designs of a scene and the final sequence. Another gallery, similar to the "hall" design of the "visual development" gallery, is offered here, as well.
Camera Test: This section provides two short featurettes that were used as "tests" - "The Story Of Silly Symphonies" and "Tricks Of Our Trade". Also included here is a 12 minute featurette that shows many of the early animation tests for "Snow White", offering shots with different filters that gave the scene a different look. Somewhat technical, animation fans will enjoy this featurette, but children who stumble upon this section might not understand the concepts.
Animation: This section provides a fairly lengthy featurette on the voice talent and Walt's desire to get distinctive voice actors to fill the various roles. Also included here is a featurette that focuses on live-action tests that were done to give the animation a fuller and more realistic feel. Last, but not least, this section offers character design galleries for "Snow White And The Dwarfs" as well as "The Queen/The Peddler" and "The Huntsman/The Prince/The Animals".
The Dwarf's Mine
Deleted Scenes: The first section provides an introduction, as well as 5 deleted scenes ("The Witch at the Cauldron", "The Bedroom Arguement", "Music in Your Soup", "The Lodge Meeting" and "Building A Bed". These sequences are interesting to view, but they really don't push the story forward and were rightly deleted. They are pieced together from different elements - some moments of the sequences are taken from unfinished pieces, like storyboards.
RKO Title Art: The original RKO opening and end credits are presented here.
Disney Through The Decades: Several short featurettes are offered in this section, each taking a look at what has happened at Disney studios during a different period in the years since "Snow White" originally opened. These featurettes are rather promotional and although they may prove of interest once, I don't think many will return to watch them over and over. Actors DB Sweeney and Ming-Na host these featurettes.
The Dwarf's Cottage
Premiere: This section provided a short audio and short video clip of the film's 1937 premiere.
Trailers: The film's original 2 1937 trailers, 1944 trailer, 1958 trailer, 1967 trailer, 1987 trailer, 1993 trailer and 2001 trailer.
Tour Of Disney Studios: This is an early featurette that was produced at the request of distributor RKO studios, who got a massive amount of letters from the film's audience, who was curious about the animation process. A fairly interesting general overview that runs about 11 minutes. An additional featurette that runs nearly 9 minutes, "How Disney Cartoons Are Made", is also included in this section.
Scrapbook: Photo galleries broken up into 5 sections: "The Premiere", "Pressbook", "Production Photos", "Merchandise" and "Posters".
Vintage Audio: The first section of this area is Radio Broadcasts, which offers three original audio clips. Radio Commercials offers 7 radio spots, while Songs includes a recording session version of "Silly Song" and a deleted song, "You're Never Too Old To Be Young".
Final Thoughts: Easily one of the best and most beloved animated features of all time, "Snow White" has been given the royal treatment for the film's new DVD edition. The film's image quality here is absolutely stunning - an incredible restoration effort was obviously done. Sound quality is fine, as well - although there's a lot of smaller featurettes as extras, the amount of information covered is still very strong. Certainly, the wonderfully restored presentation and features make this nicely priced 2-DVD set absolutely recommended.


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JDLink™ Estimator Tool Quantifies Telematics Return on Investment for Customers
MOLINE, Ill. (March 8, 2016) — The new JDLink™ ROI estimator by John Deere is proving how effective the telematics solution can be for today's customer. The tool is designed to quantify the value of keeping machines connected using JDLink, and is part of a bigger effort to continually educate customers on technology and its benefits in improving productivity, uptime, and lowering daily operating costs.
"Renewing JDLink licenses and upgrading the hardware can be a significant expense depending on the size of your machine fleet," said Paul Garcia, product manager, John Deere WorkSight™. "The return on investment calculation is intended to demonstrate the value of using JDLink to optimize our customers' operations."
Using the new tool is easy. Customers visit roicalculator.deere.com and fill in the customer operational input functions, including average fuel cost, estimated idle time percentage, and desired idle time percentage; from there, a final value percentage is calculated. Customers then enter their specific fleet information, including models, number of units and estimated working hours per day. Once all information is entered, the calculate function will quantify the return that can be realized by making changes in the way a customer's machines are operated. This information along with a John Deere dealer can be used to develop a business case to continue using JDLink.
JDLink ROI Estimator
Customers are encouraged to renew at http://johndeere.com/renewJDLink. For additional information, visit http://johndeere.com or contact your local dealer.
About Deere & Company
Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) is a world leader in providing advanced products and services and is committed to the success of customers whose work is linked to the land – those who cultivate, harvest, transform, enrich and build upon the land to meet the world's dramatically increasing need for food, fuel, shelter and infrastructure. Since 1837, John Deere has delivered innovative products of superior quality built on a tradition of integrity. For more information, visit John Deere at its worldwide website at www.JohnDeere.com.
Source: https://www.deere.com/en_US/corporate/our_company/news_and_media/press_releases/2016/construction/2016march8-jdlink.page