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Hrungnir Avatar
شخصية كرتونية
Hrungnir avatar from Ragnarok Odyssey!
Download this avatar to add it to your PlayStation®Network Online ID.
To use this downloaded avatar:
1) Select the "PlayStation®Network" icon on the PlayStation®3 XMB™ Menu and then choose "Account Management".
2) Select "Account Information" and then choose "Avatar".
3) Select "Premium Avatar" to access a list of downloaded avatars.
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Hello folks,
This news comes in a little late, however hopefully still in time to make some follow-up measurements.
On the night of 19th and 21st June, 2012, I was attempting to image Pluto. While I compare it with DSS image to locate Pluto, I was able to make my first (accidental) celestial discovery (first amateur discovery from India in all likelihood, and no doubt Her first CCD discovery, which has also been the quickest - at just the 21st day of usage since its purchase 6 months ago). I thought its a bright nova due to inexperience in the field of variable stars. I have been a very active visual DSO observer and visual comet chaser for past few years.
Placed just 1 arc minute away from Pluto, I was astonished to see such a bright new "Nova" which I visually estimated at ~11.5 mag. I did also check with AAVSO chart plotter but didnt see anything at the source position. I contacted a virtual friend of mine, the legendary Dr. Alan Hale (of comet Hale Bopp fame) and he was able to quickly make a visual estimate at 13.5 mag on 23rd night. I shot an email to CBAT on 23rd June, awaiting them to put it up on their TOCP page as a new Nova candidate. However after an aggreviating wait of few days I got to see something by them; it turns out to be a "previously unreported Mira variable star". The reason why it appears bright in my image is it was taken unfiltered, as it was a routine imaging session. The background source is ~17th magnitude IRAS 18322-1921. The coordinates of this object are - RA 18* 35' 10" / DEC -19* 19' 31".
Coincidentally the bright new Nova was discovered just 10 degrees away from my object on 26th of June!
I sincerely hope the variable star experts here can make follow up measurements of this source, which still should be quite bright. I havent taken an image after 23rd June, since this part of south India is notorious for being clouded most year round, pre and post monsoons.
Thanking all,
Amar A. Sharma
Nikaya Observatory
off Bangalore, India

subset: commoncrawl


text: BillieJo Youmans 8 Posted February 13, 2013 Report Share Posted February 13, 2013 Here's the joyful news that just arrived in my inbox! Dear HSLDA Members and Friends: Good news! House Bill 3478 is dead. Rep. Norman D. "Doug" Brannon, the lead sponsor of the bill, has notified the chairman of the House Education and Public Works Committee and the chairman of the House K-12 Subcommittee that he no longer supports the bill and wants the bill to "remain in subcommittee without hearing." This effectively kills the most threatening homeschool bill filed in South Carolina since the three options for home instruction were created almost 20 years ago. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites


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Save up your Christmas money for February when "A Traveler's Guide To Space And Time", a strictly limited-edition BLIND GUARDIAN box set with 15 CDs in 13 high-quality digipacks and only 8000 copies worldwide, is released.
Germany, Austria and Switzerland have a release date of February 1, 2013 and the rest of the world on February 4, 2013. The box set can now be pre-ordered from your favorite record shop!
Looking back over BLIND GUARDIAN's career from the here and now in 2013, you see a success story gone global, the likes of which very few other German metal bands have ever experienced. This band from Krefeld has been just about everywhere, conquering the North American market in the same way as they stormed the charts in Asia or packed concert venues in South America and even South Africa. From their (at that point purely) German beginnings with debut album, "Battalions Of Fear" (1988), followed by their first international recognition with the second album, "Follow The Blind" (1989) and the euphoria which went round the world when "Tales From The Twilight World" (1990) and "Somewhere Far Beyond" (1992) came out, right through to their masterpiece of composition in "A Night At The Opera" (2002), the name of the band developed to become an unmistakable world brand. There are lots of reasons for this, but no doubt much of it is down to the extraordinary skill of everyone involved, their virtuoso dexterity and that gift for bringing mystical themes in tune with unusually complex metal directives. Something else which really makes BLIND GUARDIAN stand out is the way they have always kept so close to their fans. Even more proof of their unconditional commitment to the huge fan-base is being released now; "A Traveler's Guide To Space And Time", a strictly limited edition deluxe box set with a total of 15 CDs in 13 high-quality digipacks, which the musicians and the record company have been working on together for almost a year. A particularly long time to create a compilation you may think, but a glance at just how much this box set encompasses explains why their conscientious and time-consuming preparation took so long.
"A Traveler's Guide To Space And Time" not only includes all the albums released during the so-called Virgin years (the record company brought out all the bands' records between 1988 and 2004) but also all their previously unreleased demo recordings, rare bonus tracks and alternative versions of famous pieces from this era, and all of them have been remastered and some even remixed. To be precise; it includes the seven studio albums "Battalions Of Fear", "Follow The Blind", "Tales From The Twilight World", "Somewhere Far Beyond", "Imaginations From The Other Side", "Nightfall In Middle-Earth" and "A Night At The Opera", and on top of all that you get the live albums "Tokyo Tales" and "Live" as well as "The Forgotten Tales" compilation, all of them now with 2012 mastering and some of them with new mixes. Above and beyond that, BLIND GUARDIAN have dug deep into their archives and come up with some real treats: in "Imaginations Through The Looking Glass" for the very first time the phenomenal concert they put on in Coburg, Germany in June 2003 appears in audio format on two CDs. And another first, in a special edition of "Nightfall In Middle-Earth", the musicians also present the legendary 1998 studio album without any breaks (including a new mix of "Blood Tears"). This precious box is rounded off with "An Extraordinary Tale", which includes so-far-unreleased demo versions of the pieces "Welcome To Dying", "Lord Of The Rings", "The Bard's Song (In The Forest)", "The Bard's Song (The Hobbit)", "Theatre Of Pain", "Trial By Fire" and "I'm Alive" and the never-before-released, around-90-seconds-longer version of the song "The Quest For Tanelorn" as well as the comparatively rare number "Harvest Of Sorrow".
So, there is so much to find, enjoy and rediscover in this outright opulent deluxe box which is accompanied by a 20-page glossy booklet (size: 27cm x 27cm) containing comments from the members of the band and more than 100 rare and mainly unpublished photos belonging to the musicians. A limited-edition and numbered BLIND GUARDIAN art print on special paper (sized 27cm by 27cm) and a guitar plectrum engraved with the band's logo have also been added to the box.
"With 'A Traveler's Guide To Space And Time', we document how much has BLIND GUARDIAN developed between 1988 and 2004 in, as I see it, a particularly impressive and vivid way," explains singer/bassist Hansi Kürsch who, together with original members André Olbrich and Marcus Siepen, still controls the destiny of this amazing group. Kürsch adds: "The brand new mastering also makes sure that all 15 CDs are on the same level as far as the dynamics are concerned so theoretically you can listen to the whole box at one go, without having to adjust the volume level at all."
Of course this jam-packed compilation also includes all the compositional climaxes and milestones along BLIND GUARDIAN's career path; "Majesty" from their debut album "Battalions Of Fear" was the first time the band presented their unusual song writing combined with the boundless energy which still makes BLIND GUARDIAN stand out so much today. "Traveler In Time" from "Tales From The Twilight World" then puts the band's epic approach into focus. "The Bard's Song" has developed into a real classic, creating that perfect symbiosis between band and audience at concert after concert and reinforcing the folklore element within the typical BLIND GUARDIAN sound.
Of course, in this box, BLIND GUARDIAN also present the sublime title track from the album "Imaginations From The Other Side" with its capable mixture of anthemic power metal and progressive directives, as well as the downright cinematic number "Time Stands Still (At The Iron Hill)" from the album "Nightfall In Middle-Earth". The experts reckon the fantastic "And Then There Was Silence" from "A Night At The Opera" was the icing on the cake of those Virgin years and you can hear it in all its glory on "A Traveler's Guide To Space And Time".
With "A Traveler's Guide To Space And Time", BLIND GUARDIAN stay true to their reputation of not doing anything only halfway. As always with this band you get the full-on thing, on both the composition and technical production sides. This box is also full of rare photos from the musicians' private collections as well as previously unreleased demo recordings, once again documenting how far this group will go to give their fans the best possible product. And as Hansi Kürsch put it: "We poured our heart and soul into 'A Traveler's Guide To Space And Time', making it a well worthwhile box for our fans which fully meets the demands we make of ourselves as well as those of our fans. And that is exactly what we were aiming for."
For the complete track listing, visit Blind-Guardian.com.


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The press ad, which appeared in The Sun today, has the tagline, "We make mince meat out of anything", in white letters against a dark background.
It is understood that the ad was designed by Game Group's in-house team.
A spokeswoman for Game said: "Although several of the games sold at Game feature horses ['Red Dead Redemption', 'Assassin's Creed', 'Darksiders', etc], we have double-checked and none of our products actually contains horsemeat.
"However, we do encourage 100% horsepower when gaming."
Other recent marketing from the retailer includes a partnership with IGN Entertainment for a series of activities, beginning with an offer to play Xbox 360 game 'Gears of War: Judgement' in-store, ahead of its release.
Campaign's sister magazine Marketing revealed this morning that Game is seeking a marketing director , as the incumbent Anna-Marie Mason prepares to leave the retailer in the coming weeks.
A number of brands have taken advantage of the scandal over horsemeat in products labelled as beef, including Mini in an ad designed by Iris.


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Welcome to the new PS Store thread for a new generation of CAG PS3 owners. Feel free to suggest changes or corrections to any mistakes you see.
New Releases (below)
Upcoming Releases
Downloadable Games
Add-on Content
Themes & Wallpaper
New Releases This Week (5/31/2016)
Bionic Commando Rearmed 2
God of War: Ghost of Sparta
LocoRoco Cocoreccho!
Switch Galaxy Ultra
Table Top Racing: World Tour
Tropico 5
Thank You and Good Night!
Edited by FriskyTanuki, 31 May 2016 - 08:03 PM.


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Monte Cristo
Jaunty launch trailer celebrates the arrival of Cities XXL
Cities XXL looks like a remarkably cheerful little upgrade to the established simulation.
Monte Cristo headlines
Cities XL Platinum expansion out now on Steam
A new content pack has released for city-building sim Cities XL. Platinum adds over 1,000 new buildings to the game, including 50 entirely new ones, and more than 60 "gigantic" new maps. The $30 expansion is available now on Steam, and also fixes a number of bugs found in the 2012 version of the game.
Cities XL MMO shut down, Cities XL 2011 announced
Monte Cristo has announced that it's suspending its MMO feature for Cities XL due to lack of interest; however, it has announced Cities XL 2011.
Immerse yourself in Shakespeare's world with free Cities XL pack
Cities XL's "The Old England Pack" was made available this week from Monty Cristo.The free pack includes buildings, maps, and megastructures full of medieval buildings inspired by Shakespearian England.There's a paved road, and a medieval plaza to create historic town centers along with "limitless" types of architecture.This game is sounding better and better all the […]
Limited Edition Cities XL now up for preorder on Steam
Monte Cristo games has announced that the Limited Edition version of Cities XL is now available for preorder up on Steam.This edition includes downloadable bonuses and content, priced at $39.99, and offers players the entire game, along with five additional maps, five exclusive landmarks, two permanent blueprints, a unique city hall, an in-game t-shirt for […]
Monte Cristo releases Cities XL demo for US
Monte Cristo has released a demo for its building and management Sim/MMO Cities XL which was previously only available in Europe.The demo expires on October 7 and contains three areas of the subscription-based Planet mode, which is for online.You can get it from the following outlets: AtomicGamers, BigDownload, FileFront, FileShack, GamesHell, and others we're sure.Game […]
Weekly MMO news round-up, August 29: Turbine suing Atari, The Green Lantern, LEGO subscription model
Loads of stuff happened this week in MMO land, and some of it is posted for you after the break.Should you choose to click on through, you will find why Turine is suing Atari, get caught up on The Green Lantern and DC Universe's Beta status, hear about new goodies coming to EQII, lament the […]
Weekly MMO news round-up: Rise of the Tomb Kings live, WoW on Flying Mounts, Aion pre-order bonus
This week there is a bit more going on in MMOs than last week.Seems quite a few got game updates, WoW's Midsummer Fire Festival is in full swing, and City of Heroes is getting power customization.Loads of stuff really. Read on past the break for the lot of it.
Monte Cristo latest
Immerse yourself in Shakespeare's world with free Cities XL pack
Weekly MMO news round-up, August 29: Turbine suing Atari, The Green Lantern, LEGO subscription model
Weekly MMO news round-up: Rise of the Tomb Kings live, WoW on Flying Mounts, Aion pre-order bonus


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Sporting names like Super Sweet 100 and Sun Sugar, cherry tomatoes may be the sweetest part of summer. Unlike their full-size brethren, bursting with juice, cherry tomatoes, are sweet, sturdy and resilient, keeping their shape in salads, pasta and casseroles. They sauté and grill up beautifully and add a pop of color to everything.
Here is a collection of our favorite cherry and grape tomato recipes for the season. We promise they won't disappoint.


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Drifting Audi R8 Sideswipes and Flips Lada Sedan in Russian Hit & Run Video on YouTube
by, 05-08-2012 at 09:45 AM (50411 Views)
Have you heard about one of the latest videos going viral on Youtube involving a Russian hit and run by an Audi R8? Filmed near Moscow State University, a common spot for street racers and drifting, the short clip shows a white Audi R8 go into a wide drift on a cross street and sideswiping a Lada sedan as it re-enters traffic.
There's talk amongst critics that the film may have been staged as the camera man doesn't seem too surprised when the impact happened. The cameraman also begins the video zeroed in on the R8 when he's more than a block away, like he knew what was going to go down and knew the Audi driver. The person in the Lada seems to exit the car and disappear as well from what we can tell in the short video. Given there's an Aimersoft logo across all of the action makes us wonder if this isn't some sort of play for publicity... putting something shocking on YouTube and hoping it goes viral.
If it's legit, then we're glad it appears the person in the Lada exited the car okay and shame on the R8 owner for fleeing the scene. On the upside, we're thoroughly impressed by the R8's ability to side swipe the Lada hard enough to send it tumbling and still be visually minimally damaged and drivable.
So what do you think? Staged? Real? And what should they do with the R8 owner if they catch him?
Watch below and once you do, let us know your take. Staged? Real? And what should they do with the R8 owner if they catch him?
Thanks Jalopnik for the tip.
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rLMpONaOaJg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


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[Verse 1]
Yeah, it's Cole, won't lie, won't stop 'til the race is won
Niggas who be rapping how real they are
Usually turn out to be the fakest ones
Carolina, where I made it from
Cole world, no blanket, son
Girls fast how Jamaicans run
Puffing on the city where the Lakers from: L-A, L-A, la la
So high, everything is a "ha ha" for me
Dreaming of the days of a drop 500
And a bad bitch that'll go to Popeyes for me
You can never tell me that I'm not hungry
If you ever felt what's inside my tummy
My mind wondering now, is my time running out?
Is the Lord up top with a stop watch for me?
Hope not, hope not, hope not, hope not
(My world is empty without you, babe)
Yeah, just trying to make it, my nigga
(My world is empty without you)
Yeah, yeah
[Verse 2]
A wise nigga told me don't chase that cash
Follow your heart, you'll make that fast
Does a stripper love to shake that ass
Or does she wish to erase that past?
Got a nigga in her face, just gassed
Like "baby girl, why you take this path?"
Stack in his hand, trynna make that last
All she thinking bout is how to take his last
Rub titties in his face and laugh
Gotta try not to look fake, in fact
A little more money, like a few more 20's
When you let that nigga grab your naked ass
Okay, he's gone now, roll her eyes when he whispers in her ear
"This ain't the life for you, baby, let me take you out of here cause..."
(My world is empty without you, babe)
Yeah, she like "nigga, yeah right"
(My world is empty without you)
"You know how much motherfucking money I'm making?"
[Verse 3]
Yeah, my niggas sit back, blowing the L
Only getting high cause we closer to hell
Nigga trying to live like Hova, but well
We broke and that dough coming slow as a snail
Hustle hard in the snow, in the hail
Hit the block like a postman with mail
My brother got knocked now they hold him in cells
My mom broke, but she posted the bail
Someway, somehow
Nigga feeling like the sun down even when the sun up
Hear the sound out the window of the gun bust
And you wonder why niggas keep the gun tucked
But this how niggas was brung up
A mother just trying to raise her son up
'Til a stray bullet got his lungs struck
And the Governor couldn't give one fuck
While she singing
(My world is empty without you, babe)
Damn, told you niggas "Cole world, no blanket"
(My world is empty without you)
Tough luck, yeah
Off of J. Cole's The Warmup mixtape, this song laments three things that bother Cole: his frustration with his rap career, the plight of strippers, and the prevalence of drugs and violence in the ghetto


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When two of the most respected artistic forces in contemporary filmmaking decide to collaborate on a movie detailing a crucial period in the life of one of the most pivotal presidents in American history, people tend to take it seriously.
With that in mind, director Steven Spielberg and actor Daniel Day-Lewis admit that when it came to their long-discussed project chronicling Abraham Lincoln's efforts to bring an end to the bloody Civil War and simultaneously formally abolish slavery, they took their time before committing to rolling film. As both men reveal, though, their desire to get "Lincoln" right ultimately led them to make the film at what they believe the ideal moment to explore the life and legacy of America's 16th president.
Steven Spielberg: I just always had a personal fascination with the myth of Abraham Lincoln. And once you start to read about him and the Civil War and everything leading up to the Civil War, you start to understand that the myth is created when we think we understand a character. And we reduce him to a kind of cultural, national, stereotype. Lincoln has been reduced to statuary over the last 60 years or more because there's been more written about Lincoln than movies made about him or television portraying him. He's kind of a stranger to our industry, to this medium. You have to go back to the 1930s to find a movie that's just about Abraham Lincoln.
Daniel Day-Lewis: Really the most obvious thing is trying to approach a man's life that has been mythologized to that extent in such a way that you can get close enough to properly represent it. I just wasn't sure that I would be able to do that. Beyond that, I felt that probably I absolutely shouldn't attempt. Somebody else should do it instead.
Spielberg: It was hard to get him to say yes!
Day-Lewis: I ran out of excuses at a certain point. For Steven to put the idea put in front of me – not that I didn't take it seriously from the word 'go,' but it seemed inconceivable to me that I could be the person that helps him to do that thing he wished to do. Least of all did I want to be responsible for irrevocably staining the reputation of the greatest president this country's ever known.
Spielberg: [Screenwriter] Tony Kushner was not the first person to attempt to tell a story about Abraham Lincoln for me to direct, and that was the only exposure Daniel had to our Lincoln was another script, which was really more about the Civil War and all the battles than it was about the presidency. But when Tony had written his draft, that was sort of the first shoe in the door that really get us together in Ireland to talk about – it was almost like a feasibility study: Daniel was doing a feasibility study to see whether he would allow himself to go near a script that was clearly on the verge of brilliance, and I was just at that point, without putting any extra pressure on Daniel – because I didn't say this to anybody, but if he had finally and ultimately said no, I would never have made the movie Abraham Lincoln. It just wouldn't have been in my life anymore. It would have been gone.
Day-Lewis: It really was for me a combination of that meeting, even if nothing had come from it, I would have left me with a really wonderful memory of the time spent talking about Lincoln with Steven and Tony. It had become such an important part of their lives. Reading Tony's script, discussing what it might become if Tony were to carry on and work on it because he more or less stopped writing it. It was still an incomplete version.
And then, when Tony went away to begin to continue that work, I read Doris Kearns Goodwin's book, and I think it really became the platform for me, as it had been for Steven and Tony from which I could believe there was a living being to be discovered there. Because she makes that so beautifully clear in her book, and that had been the great problem for me, not just the responsibility of taking on that task, but really asking the question, has he now been removed for all time from that possibility because of the iconographies surrounding his life.
Spielberg: I would have been very happy to have made 'Lincoln' in the year 2000, the year after I met Doris Kearns Goodwin. It took her a couple of years to write the book. It took us more than a couple of years to get the screenplay written. So I wasn't waiting for a certain time. But one point, I flirted with coming out on the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth, but we weren't ready to make the picture then.
People say, 'Oh, you made it because of what's happening in politics today?' No, we were ready to make it during the Bush administration. It had nothing to do with current politics. It had nothing to do with holding a mirror up to the way we conduct our business on Capitol Hill today. This was meant to be a story, a Lincoln portrait, if you will. I think any time is the right time for a very compelling story, any time….I'm really excited to see how deeply people will reach to contemporize our film far beyond how it deserves to be contemporized…
U.S. & World
The day's top national and international news.
There's a lot of confusion about the political ideologies that both parties have switched about 180 degrees in 150 years. It's just too confusing, everybody claiming Lincoln as their own. And everybody should claim Lincoln as their own because he represents all of us, and what he did basically provided the opportunities that all of us are enjoying today.
Day-Lewis: The wonderful surprise with that man is that as you begin to discover him, and there are many different ways in which you can do that, he welcomes you in. He's very accessible. That took me by surprise…I knew nothing about him, so I had everything to learn, and apart from a few images, a statue, a cartoon, a few lines from the first inaugural, a few from the Gettysburg Address, I guess that would be my entire knowledge of that man's life.
I think probably the most delicious surprise for me was the humor, to begin to discover that aspect of his character was, I think, undoubtedly used, in a conscious sense for some purpose, to make some point. There are accounts of people that came to ask him a question of, to them, great importance, found themselves in his presence, got a handshake, a story, and were out of the room before they even realized it. That's good politics, but, I also think it was innately positive – I think there was a very joyful element to that, actually.


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The Expendables Movie Trailers Collection
The Expendables is a 2010 American ensemble action-war film written by David Callaham and Sylvester Stallone, and directed by Stallone. Filming began on March 28, 2009, in Rio de Janeiro, New Orleans, and Los Angeles, and the film was released on August 13, 2010.
The film is about a group of elite mercenaries whose mission to overthrow a South American dictator goes awry. It pays tribute to the blockbuster action films of the 1980s and early 1990s, and stars an array of action veterans from those decades, including Stallone, Dolph Lundgren, Mickey Rourke, Jet Li, Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger (the latter two in cameo roles), as well as more recent stars such as Jason Statham, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, and Steve Austin.
The film received mixed reviews from critics, some quite negative. It was commercially successful, opening at number one at the U.S. box office.
We have made a collection of 6 The Expendables movie trailers, hopefully you will like it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90z6cZGpa1I (click to watch the PowerPoint Video on YouTube)


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Opiate Abuse
Opiates are being abused by many people in the world today. The causative factor for this is the fact that opiates are usually prescribed for severe pain and emotional disturbances.
The drugs are highly addictive and so patients using them may become addicted. Persons who are addicted to opiates develop a strong love for the specific drug and may need a certain amount of it just to live through a normal day. There are different types of opiates commonly abused.
Heroin is a direct product of morphine. Morphine is naturally derived from selected poppy plants. Of all the opiates, heroin has the highest level of abuse. Its effects on the body also manifest themselves much faster compared to those of other opiates. The drug is dangerously addictive and has, therefore, been outlawed. It is, however, still available in the black market where most people can access it. The heroin that is still available mostly takes a white powder form.
It can also be available in a sticky black substance. Heroin abuse has negative implications, not just on the abuser but those around them, as well. The drug provides 'pleasure' and may, therefore, make a person be antisocial. Side effects have been known to accompany the abuse of heroin. These effects include the following:
Taking heroin with other substances or drugs could lead to fatal overdoses. Withdrawal from heroin abuse is accompanied by withdrawal symptoms. The symptoms are not likely to cause death; but, it is important to seek professional and medical assistance (800-303-2482) when attempting to kick the habit.
Just like other opiates, Hydrocodone is prescribed as a strong pain reliever. Patients may, however, get addicted because of its habit forming nature. Combining Hydrocodone with alcohol could lead to an overdose. People who, in the past, suffered from drug addiction cannot use this opiate. Hydrocodone is mostly taken through the mouth. The drug can also be snorted, crushed or chewed. The side effects of abusing Hydrocodone include the following:
Oxycontin can only be used by patients whose bodies have become tolerant to other strong opiates. Addiction to the drug is a possibility, as using it for some time may lead to dependence. People who are dependent on the drug cannot function normally unless they continue taking it. It is best to seek help if you realize that you have developed a craving to have it. Its side effects are not serious; but, it is vital, nonetheless, to consult a health specialist to avoid the risk of further complications. Side effects associated with Oxycontin Abuse include:
Percocet is the most preferred prescription for chronic pain. This drug affects the nervous system and as a result, likely to cause addiction. The use of Percocet is restricted by the government. Percocet Abuse can lead to a full blown addiction. Withdrawal symptoms kick in as soon as use is stopped. The symptoms are those common with opiates including nausea, agitation and vomiting.


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Air Hogs, announced the exclusive toy sponsorship of the Fort Lauderdale Air Show, April 20 to 21. The legendary Jason Newburg, who will be performing in the show, will pilot a full-sized version of the Air Hogs Sky Stunt R/C plane. After watching Jason and his tumultuous performance, guests will be able to meet the pilot himself at the Air Hogs Flight School Tent, where he'll be stopping by for interviews, autographs, and photo opportunities on Saturday, April 20 from 3 to 4 p.m.
Visitors will be able to test out their own piloting skills in the Air Hogs Flight School where they can earn their own official Air Hogs Helicopter pilot wings with never-before-seen helicopters before they hit store shelves. Additionally, fans will be able to enter a draw to take home the entire Air Hogs product line to bring the fun and excitement of Air Hogs to their own backyard.
The 2013 Lauderdale Air Show will feature a diverse line up of military aircraft demonstrations, low altitude flyovers, parachute team jumps, civilian aerobatic performances that will soar over the oceanfront in Fort Lauderdale Beach. The Air Hogs tent is located at Sunrise Blvd and A1A and is open Saturday and Sunday, April 20 and 21, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Jason will be performing in the Lauderdale Air Show, piloting the Air Hogs Sky Stunt plane, throughout the weekend.


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on an added note...
How funny is it that the Titans offices are at Baptist Sports Park? That pretty much sums up Nashville, come to think.
"Africa is, indeed, coming into fashion." - Horace Walpole (1774)
How funny is it that the Titans offices are at Baptist Sports Park? That pretty much sums up Nashville, come to think.
People are a little freaked out.
So the big day is here. What does the future hold for our boy Vince? Who will take him? Will it be Tennessee? So Houston doesn't want you? (And is obviously a tiny bit crazy? Note to Houston: defenses do win games, but that's not enough if your offense has no one who can run or catch the ball.)
There's a very interesting piece on religious leaders' reactions to the immigration debate in the Dallas Morning news. This tension over the appropriate response to our country's economic dependence on illegal immigrants while wanting to have effective, legal enforcement of border security isn't going to go away - especially when you look at it from a faith-based point of view. My friend Leigh wrote an outstanding, thoughtful study for the BGCT a couple of years ago that addressed these very questions - write the CLC and they'll send you a copy.
Music notes for those of us not lucky enough to be at MerleFest on KGSR's dime:
There's a big rally on Darfur in DC this weekend. They have quite an impressive lineup of speakers, and some really awful musical guests.
The lake changed color. It was so strange and so sudden - Tuesday morning I sat there eating breakfast, watching the lake change colors in stripes. I thought maybe it was just me until my taxi driver into town took one look at the lake and yelped. Seems it was a surprise to everyone. (This taxi driver, Theo, also asked me if you had to pay a dowry to get married in America, or if it's free. He couldn't believe that it's "free.").
"The same Constitution that refuses to privilege any religion, including Christianity, protects the rights of Christians to proclaim the gospel to all who will listen. As a result, paradoxically enough, we are a nation of Christians because we are not a Christian nation."
We don't make unfounded accusations here at Texas in Africa. So I'm not going to join the chorus of scholars and other commentators who've accused the Bush administration of being a bit, um, over-zealous in blocking access to records that should be declassified under the 30-year rule. All I'm going to say is that I'm glad to see that the National Archives will be taking steps to correct an unfortunate situation.
Some odds 'n ends on Texas politics, etc.:
Sake is haunting us. The faces of those too-thin, sick children keep me awake at night. I stopped by DOCS to talk to Lyn on Monday and she showed me this verse that had come up in her Bible study on Thursday night. She just said, "this is it."
A good friend sent this link to Amy Butler's post on Allie. Amy is the pastor of Calvary Baptist in Washington. Gray, she calls it. The color of the sky, the hospital, the morgue, our hearts.
"The one true freedom in life is to come to terms with death, and as early as possible, for death is an event that embraces all our lives. And the only way to have a good death is to lead a good life.... The more we do God's will, the less unfinished business we leave behind when we die."
Allie's gone. I talked to the CPP last night. They've had a rough couple of days. Please keep Allie's family in your prayers. The funeral is on Tuesday at 10:30 at Calvary in Waco.
My attorney occasionally asks if I've seen any pygmies here in Congo. I'm not sure why the idea of pygmies is amusing to him, but, well, that's how it is. Well, Attorney, yesterday I saw some pygmies. But before we get to that, an explanation.
This has been a pretty crazy week. With so many visitors in town, it's been fun to have new people to talk to. I'm also doing some work for Heal Africa that's been quite the adventure. Explain this to me: Goma has so little healthcare, but there's a statistics bureau of the provincial health inspector's office that can provide a detailed list of statistics having to do with infant mortality and early childhood health - in TWENTY-FOUR HOURS. Nothing in Africa can be done in 24 hours. How does this work?!? And why can't the energy and enthusiasm of the statisticians be applied to actually getting needed medication to the population?
'tis the season for best wishes to friends who've made big decisions about The Future:
things that make me alternately sad and happy:
I had to head back to Karibu after that to get ready for my friend Gisele's birthday party at Chez HiFi (you'd say "high-fi," but here it's "hee-fee"), which was an experience unto itself. Gisele is awesome and I figured it would be fun. Turns out I was the only expat she invited, and the only expat at HiFi. I wasn't ten seconds in the door before a guy walked up and said, "I love you." But it was fun, especially when Gisele decided it was time to dance. The DJ very thoughtfully decided to play the hit song in Africa this year, "African Queen," while we were on the floor, so everyone at HiFi watched. It was something. Here's her friend dancing.
After lunch, Gorilla Ben, Sam, Suzy, Oliver, Allie, and I decided to go out to visit the volcano fissure, which is just outside of Goma. Totally wild. See, when the volcano erupted in Goma in 2002, lava didn't come spewing out the top of the cone like you'd expect. Instead, it opened a second crater on its side, which caused some damage, and, elsewhere, split open the earth. The fissure we visited is the main source of the huge lava flow that ran through the center of Goma.
Sunday my alarm didn't wake me up, so I was a little bit late to church. Not that it matters – people are regularly an hour or more late to the three-hour service. Transportation is a problem on Sunday mornings. But today the place was packed, so I was seated on the back row, with all the mothers with small babies. So I didn't get quite all of the sermon due to the fact that someone else's child was on my lap. But the sermon ended when the pastor started to sing, acapella, in French, "I'd rather have Jesus / than silver or gold / I'd rather have him than riches untold." Which means a lot when much of your congregation is undernourished and struggling to survive. I've always loved that hymn and was so glad to get to sing it on Easter Sunday, but I'm never going to hear it the same way again.


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Static Trapeze technique and conditioning
A friendly and motivating aerial circus class for complete beginners and intermediate/improvers. Come get strong and flexible and learn the foundations of static trapeze in a supportive and playful environment.
What to expect from the course:
Expect to learn moves, generate short sequences and play with creative exercises.
Intermediate students will be taught according to their ability but can expect to perfect and build on foundational technique in order to move towards developing longer sequences and more dynamic work.
Plus! strengthening and stretching exercises on the floor and in the air designed specifically to support your aerial training and develop general fitness.
What to bring with you:
– water
– an additional top with sleeves
– tight fitting leggings/tights (two layers is great)
– high waisted shorts or a leotard
Level: beginners and improvers
Name of the teacher: Nicole A'Court-Stuart
Website to the teacher: coming soon!
Facebook: Trapeze Fridays at The Island
Email address: email@example.com
Phone number: 07792676863
Cost for the class: £13 drop in, £55 for a block of 6 consecutive classes
Time: 5:30 pm -7 pm


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Duration: 365 days
Failure and Success: Quantity Rather Than Quality
But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness-God is witness.—1 Thessalonians 2:4-5
Time may show that one of the greatest weaknesses in our modern civilization has been the acceptance of quantity rather than quality as the goal after which to strive….
Christianity is resting under the blight of degraded values. And it all stems from a too-eager desire to impress, to gain fleeting attention, to appear well in comparison with some world-beater who happens for the time to have the ear or the eye of the public.
This is so foreign to the Scriptures that we wonder how Bible-loving Christians can be deceived by it. The Word of God ignores size and quantity and lays all its stress upon quality. Christ, more than any other man, was followed by the crowds, yet after giving them such help as they were able to receive, He quietly turned from them and deposited His enduring truths in the breasts of His chosen 12….
Pastors and churches in our hectic times are harassed by the temptation to seek size at any cost and to secure by inflation what they cannot gain by legitimate growth. The mixed multitude cries for quantity and will not forgive a minister who insists upon solid values and permanence. Many a man of God is being subjected to cruel pressure by the ill-taught members of his flock who scorn his slow methods and demand quick results and a popular following regardless of quality. The Next Chapter After the Last, 7-8.
"Lord, I'm concerned this morning for pastors who are huge successes in Your eyes-because of their faithful, quality-oriented service-but who see themselves as failures because the 'quantity' doesn't seem to come. Open our eyes, Lord, to evaluate our success or failure by Your standards, and be encouraged. Amen."
Reprinted from Tozer on Christian Leadership by A.W. Tozer, copyright © 2001 by Zur Ltd. Used by permission of WingSpread Publishers, a division of Zur Ltd.
Tozer on Christian Leadership is protected by copyright and may not be copied, reproduced, republished, uploaded, posted, translated, transmitted or distributed in any way.
Tozer on Christian Leadership was compiled by Ron Eggert.


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It's time:
40th annual Buggy Days festival kicks off with beauty pageant this weekend.
Back in jail:
Alleged serial arsonist Travis Ball back in jail after convenience store visit during wee hours.
Bad blood:
Trojans travel to Pike County Friday for annual Battle of Potato Creek.
Everything old is new again:
Depot's old baggage cart restored as show horse, not work horse.
Murder case:
Motions to be heard September 17 in case of alleged cabbie killer Jamarris Williams.
A preview of the 9.10.2013 edition of The Herald Gazette
No Trackbacks


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Now this is how you do a victory donut: with no steering wheel!
At the wheel, wait, um, at the pedals? Yeah. At the pedals is Kyle Larson after winning the Tuesday qualifying race at the Chili Bowl, that celebration of dirt and horsepower and midget racing we all know and love. We're struggling to think of a better donut than this.
You can watch all of Larson's A-qualifier where he beat Nascar's Tony Stewart right here.
(Hat tip to Ben!)


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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee is "outraged" at the growing number of food-borne illnesses nationwide, he said Thursday.
The Peanut Corp. of America found salmonella in its plant in Blakely, Georgia, the FDA said.
Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, spoke amid a nationwide outbreak of salmonella poisoning that has sickened 575 people and has been linked to eight deaths. The illnesses have been traced to peanut butter and peanut paste produced by the Peanut Corp. of America at its plant in Blakely, Georgia.
Even as the Senate committee conducted its hearing, fallout from the peanut butter problem continued. Watch more of the hearing »
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has suspended Peanut Corp. from doing business with the federal government, it said Thursday.
And authorities in Kentucky asked the public Thursday morning to throw away packets of peanut butter in emergency meals that were distributed as part of a disaster relief effort for winter storms.
In Washington, Harkin and other senators quizzed officials from the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"I am nothing short of outraged at the increasing number of outbreaks of food-borne illnesses in our country," Harkin said. "Everything from spinach and lettuce and peppers to beef products ... and now peanut products have been implicated."
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, questioned officials about the role of states in inspecting food plants. States do a lot of inspections on their own and are not required to report results to the FDA, the federal agency investigating the peanut butter cases. Learn more about salmonella and food poisoning »
As a precaution, federal authorities in Kentucky asked storm victims to toss out any peanut butter they received in kits that were distributed after a nasty winter storm slammed into the state last week.
No one has been reported sick from the emergency meals, and the recall is purely a precautionary move, officials said.
Though the kits do not all contain the same main course, they do contain packets of peanut butter, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said in a statement.
Jay Blanton, spokesman for Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear, said that "out of an abundance of caution," officials are " finding alternative sources of food for people in shelters." Visit CNNhealth.com, your connection for better living
About 6,000 to 7,000 people remained in shelters in Kentucky, primarily in the western part of the state, on Wednesday evening.
The meals were sent after President Obama declared Kentucky and Arkansas federal disaster areas because of punishing rain, ice and snow.
All About Peanut Corporation of America • Food and Drug Administration


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Thank you for your interest in becoming a BudResearch.com wholesale reseller! If you are interested in carrying the Bud Research product line, please submit the following information and a company representative will contact you directly with your application status.
If your reseller application is accepted, your BudResearch.com account will automatically be upgraded to "RESELLER" status. When you log in to your account, all products on the website will reflect wholesale cost pricing discounts.


text:
Set your schedule
Available on-demand or pre-scheduled, select the date and time that best suits your pups needs
Get their steps in
Choose between a 20-minute, 30-minute, or 60-minute GPS tracked stroll for your dog
Follow along
Receive live pictures and videos of your pup enjoying time outside with their walker
Stuck at work? Dog walkers on Wag! are available to stop by as many times as you need to give your pup a potty break and exercise. Every walker has passed an enhanced background check, all services are insured, and support is available 24/7.
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Wag does a wonderful job of looking after my dog, Buddy for walks and when I go away for an extended period of time. Thanks Wag!
Lisa H
Anytime I'm stuck at work late or sitting in traffic, I know I can depend on Wag to come through for me and my pup.
Vicki N
I'm really appreciative of the Wag Team! When I can't get to my dog on time for a break, they are always there to help.
Summer R
Wag! is great when I'm in a pinch and working 16hr days. I can always get a walk on demand which is absolutely great.
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I've been using Wag for about 6 months and love the convenience of being able to have someone take care of my pup when I'm gone.
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text:
PITTSBURGH (AP) Sean Johnson scored 21 points, grabbed six boards and recorded five assist to lead Duquesne past New Orleans 88-70 Saturday night.
Derrick Colter added 17 points and eight assist and Andre Marhold chipped in with 14 points and eight rebounds for Duquesne (5-4).
Trailing 8-4 early in the first half, Duquesne went on a 23-9 run to take a double digit lead with 10 minutes to play in the period. Colter sparked the run with a 3-pointer, followed by a layup. Colter led Duquesne with 11 points in the first half, helping the Dukes take a 53-39 lead into halftime.
New Orleans (2-5) got as close as four in the second half when Corey Dixon's jumper made it 67-63 with 9:54 left to play, but Duquesne answered with a 21-10 run to close out the game.
Lovell Cook led New Orleans in scoring with 12 points.


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I left work late yesterday, which sort of sucks but will likely be my reality for the next six weeks or so.
I went straight to the gym. Going home before going to the gym isn't an option these days. I'm making it work.
I have my card swiped. I eat a handful of trail mix while I walk into the locker room. I open my bag.
And I have no pants.
I zip up my bag. I leave the gym. I go to Target. I need a few bags of chocolate; the communal candy jar at work was empty and I felt obligated to make a donation.
At Target, I realize that I can buy a pair of pants. Or shorts. Or a skort.
I try some on. Like nothing. Buy nothing.
Nothing suitable. To workout in. At Target.
Moral of the story: I didn't want to work out too badly.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
3 comments:
yeah that's why i go straight downstairs after work and jump on the treadmill, the benefits of having a gym at work. 'cause if i left the building first i'd never go.
- my life is brilliant said...
Oh, that's funny. I attempted to go to the gym on Monday, but had accidentally left my wallet -- with my gym card -- at home. They wouldn't let me in. They have this new policy (and a new sign) saying that you have to have photo ID to get into the gym if you don't have your card.
The funny part: They just changed our gym cards to where they DON'T have our photos on them. But they do have them in the computer. Not that they'll look it up to let you in.
- Accidentally Me said...
I think you should have bought the skort just on general principal!
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text:
Excellent set of features: better front and back cameras
Far faster than previous model, Bright screen, Solid camera performance
Design is the best yet, light and compact, amazing screen
iOS 6 improvements, Very thin and light, Better earphones
Offers most of the capabilities of Samsung's popular Android smartphones
Well-built, Runs all Android phone apps, Solid sound quality
Full access to the Android Market
Feels very well built
'Zen Touch vs NW-HD1 vs 4th Gen iPod iPod PROS: -Good support from Apple forums -Abundance of aftermarket accessories -Small dimensions and light weight -iTunes music management software easy to use -FireWire port. '
'Genius feature creates on-the-go playlists around a single song.'
'Rather, the Touch includes a backside illumination sensor, which is designed to make the rear-facing camera perform better in low-light.'
'the Touch is very light and extremely thin.'
'bright and responsive screen'
'great portable computing device'
'FaceTime calling capability.'
'Wonderful design'
'The FM radio and JPEG photo viewer found on the NWZ-S710F are nothing special, but both are easy to use and add value to the device.'
'In PC World Test Center audio tests, it netted a signal-to-noise ratio score of 82 decibels--just a shade below the latest iPods and the top-ranked Creative Zen X-Fi --as well as a barely registering harmonic distortion and noise level of 0.01 percent. '
'wide volume range'
'built-in speakers'
Poor screen quality
Unstable OS
Slow performance
Versatile music player
'Videos are extremely sharp--you can even see the rippling of water and waving of grass leaves.'
'I found the included earbuds a bit uncomfortable to use for extended periods of time--they were a little big for me.'
'built-in noise-cancellation technology'
'Pros Gorgeous OLED screen.'
'The tiny screen will likely have you squinting at your vacation pics'
'A bit bulky.'
'The Zune packs enough grunt to play at a smooth frame rate and the pixel density means movies always look sharp.'
'beautiful little LCD screen, quality accessories and substantial sound production'
Larger icons make it easier to navigate menu
ReviewGist helps you find the best products to buy by making sense of online reviews.
We are currently aggregating 376,500 reviews
covering over 29,474 products.
© 2020 ReviewGist.com. All Rights Reserved.


text:
City of Lincoln
Mayor's Office
Mayor's Office
Public Works officials today announced that "O" Street will be closed for street rehabilitation work from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily beginning Monday, April 18. Milling and overlay work is expected to be completed by 7 a.m. Friday, April 22.
During these times, a two block section of "O" Street will close from just east of the Centennial Mall and "O" Street intersection to just east of the 17th Street and "O" Street intersection. Suggested alternate routes are "N," "P" and "Q" streets.
For more information on City street closings and project information, visit the City website at lincoln.ne.gov (keyword: street projects).


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The iReport Awards are here! Go here and vote once per day through May 6 for the Community Choice Award.
(CNN) -- Ashlee Tomsche walked into the rec center with trepidation. Images of six-pack abs and neon sports bras from the Zumba infomercials she had watched flashed through her mind.
I'm going to look like a complete fool, she thought.
With her head down, she walked into the aerobics room and took a spot in the back. She was 21 and weighed 331 pounds.
Zumba is a Latin-inspired dance fitness class that blends booty shaking with international music and an intense calorie burn. Since the company launched in 2001, Zumba classes have spread to 14 million people in 150 countries, according to Zumba.com.
Tomsche's first class was hard. She had to stop several times to catch her breath. But she came back the next day. And then again the next. A year later, she had dropped 123 pounds, six dress sizes and more than 10 inches from her waist.
"It's just crazy," the Arkansas City, Kansas, resident says. "We're having too much fun."
Comfort food
Tomsche was an overweight child, but it wasn't until her best friend committed suicide when she was 16 that she started packing on the pounds.
"It really hit me hard, and I turned to food for comfort," she remembers. "It was always there."
She indulged in chips and ice cream, and drank soda by the gallon. She would eat an entire pizza by herself in one sitting. Every time she binged on junk food, she felt sick and swore she'd never do it again. But overeating had already taken its toll.
She didn't go out because she wasn't confident in her body. Instead she came home right after work to snack in front of the TV. Once in a while she would hit the gym to walk on the treadmill, but it bored her more than empowering her.
"I knew I needed to lose weight, but I never knew where to start," she says. "I would try something for a few months and give up."
Then she found Zumba.
Just dance
Instructor Maria Venegas remembers when Tomsche first tried her Zumba class. Tomsche wore baggy clothing and seemed unsure in her body.
"She would go and sit down about a third (of the) way into class," Venegas says. "But she would get right back up and continue to do what she could."
Venegas teaches seven Zumba classes a week in Arkansas City in addition to working as an office manager and professional photographer.
"I used to think it was my kids that kept me young," the single mother of two says. "But it has been my venture to become a Zumba instructor that has (been) the fountain of youth, for myself and many others."
Venegas creates her own routines, incorporating music from popular artists such as Michael Jackson and Ne-Yo into her classes. In a typical hourlong class, participants burn between 300 and 650 calories.
"Every class is always different," Tomsche says. "I'm addicted."
Tomsche loves Zumba so much she didn't even realize at first she was losing weight. But after four months, she had dropped 20 pounds and was getting compliments from her classmates. The attention encouraged her to keep going.
"Now (she) walks in with a big smile ... shoulders back and head up high," Venegas says.
Small town, big inspiration
Tomsche tracks her daily calories on the MyFitnessPal app and drinks protein shakes for breakfast. Giving up junk food has been hard, but she splurges occasionally on thin-crust pizza or Nutella on whole wheat waffles.
Tomsche does Zumba five to six times a week and tries to stay active the rest of the day. Her hard work has paid off -- she weighs 208 pounds and wears a size 14 pants.
"The simplest things in life have become easier," Tomsche wrote in a CNN iReport submission. "I don't feel like I can't breathe when I bend over to tie my shoes. I'm not out of breath when I walk up and down the halls at work, and even sleeping is easier since I don't have all that excess weight pressing down on me."
Venegas offered to do a professional photo shoot with Tomsche in January, and they posted the pictures online. Venegas' Zumba classes quickly filled up. She says Tomsche has inspired their small community.
Tomsche is just happy she's gotten her smile back.
"I never thought coming from a town of 12,000 (people) that I would be an inspiration for anyone," she says. "It's just given me so much confidence in myself."
Her advice for others who are struggling to lose weight? Find a workout that you love.
"It can be done," she says simply.
Have you lost weight? Share your story on iReport.


text:
- 1: Microflame Technology.
- 2: Soldering Technology.
- 2.3: Solder Removal Wick.
- 2.4: Soldering Plate.
- 2.5: Spirflux®.
- 2.6: Coloflux®.
- 2.7: BrazeSilver®.
- 3: Measurement Equipm..
- 4: Temperature Indicators / Labels.
- 5: Laboratory Equipm..
- 6: Factory Outlet.
Why is it advantageous to remove solder using 3S-Wick®?
Wicking avoids damaging and life reducing heat shocks to components, printed circuit boards copper tracks (peel off danger if overheated) and surrounding components. Wicking also protects these parts against excessive temperatures of idling mechanical solder suckers.
3S-Wick® is made from high heat conductive copper and presents sufficient thermal mass per length to dampen heat shocks. Compare this to competing low thermal mass wicks!
The cold 3S-Wick® end is pressed with the hot soldering iron tip on solder to be absorbed. The cold wick and cold solder increase now gradually in temperature. There is no sudden temperature increase with large temperature gradients causing exteme thermal stress to the solder area. As wick and solder reach the melting temperature range of the solder, the solder liquefies and is almost instantaneously drawn by capillary forces into the wick, like ink into a blotter. Wick and tip should now be lifted simultaneously. The wick end with the absorbed solder is now cut off preparing a fresh wick end for the next de-solder operation.
3S-Wick® is made from high heat conductive copper with sufficient thermal mass and protects therefore against those "deadly" hot idling iron tip temperatures. The thermal mass of 3S-Wick® naturally cools the solder tip.
A too small solder tip compared to the 3S-Wick® size causes the tip temperature to considerably drop. The resulting temperature of the wick end, solder and tip might even fall under the melting point of the solder. Such a situation will not give a satisfactory desoldering operation.
If the temperature drops below the melting temperature then the temperature will rise only slowly by the heating power of the iron. The desoldering operates slowly, looks like freezing.
The size of tip therefore should be large enough to be able to store sufficient heat energy in its mass to bring upon contact the temperature of the wick and solder safely above the melting point of the solder. Correct wicking uses the stored heat in the tip for a speedy desoldering operation.
De-soldering by wicking means actually soldering the wick with the unwanted (to be removed) solder. The solderability of the wick is therefore a direct quality indicator for the wick itself.
How do you test solderability to compare different makes of wick?


text:
Microsoft will release a set of best practices for administrators running data centers, focusing on energy-saving strategies the company is implementing in its own operations, CEO Steve Ballmer said Monday.
Those tips will covers issues such as how to pick a good site for a data center, how to deal with heat and manage power consumption, Ballmer said during a keynote presentation at the Cebit trade show in Germany.
The move is in response to growing concern over the release of carbon dioxide, one of the byproducts of burning fossil fuels to create electricity. In addition, power demands are ever-increasing, Ballmer said.
"If you look at non-travel power consumption in the world today ... information technology is one of the most rapidly growing power consumers on the planet," Ballmer said. "We think we have a real responsibility ... to reduce power consumption by the IT industry."
Ballmer said the company has for the last decade studied how to engineer its products to consume less power. He cited significant power use reductions in several products.
Windows Vista, the company's latest operating system, consumes 3 watts per hour when running in idle mode, compared to 100 watts per hour for Windows XP. In some configurations, Microsoft's Windows Server 2008, the company's next-generation server launched last week, uses 40 percent less power than Windows Server 2003, Ballmer said.
Microsoft also continues to develop its virtualization technology, Ballmer said. Virtualization software enables one piece of hardware to run multiple operating systems, which decreases the need for more physical servers.
To increase its ability to offer hosted applications, Microsoft has been building data centers around the world in places where the company will have access to cheap hydroelectric power, Ballmer said.
But there's room to make hardware and software less power-hungry, Ballmer said. Emerging innovations could reduce power consumption in data centers by a factor of five, he said.
"We've tried to be a pioneer ... in our own data centers," Ballmer said. "These new data centers put us on a path to be among the most power efficient and ecologically sound data centers in the world."


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Now, that's really silly. Who is this "working woman"? I guess by "working woman," Newsweek means a fashion model. And for all the striving to convey sexuality, the particular woman — with her plank chest and clothes-hanger shoulders — epitomizes abstemiousness, not lust of any kind. Anyway, had I seen that on the newsstand, I would have laughed at the embarrassingly striving effort to lure me into checking out the article. Don't I want to know "Why Surrender Is a Feminist Dream"? Uh, no. I was with the radical feminists back in the late 1980s/early 1990s when it seemed very important to take "The Story of O" seriously. And to despise Katie Roiphe, by the way. Who is the author of the Newsweek cover story, though her name isn't on the cover.
Why did the feminists attack Roiphe back then? The daughter of a famous feminist, she'd come out with a book "The Morning After: Fear, Sex and Feminism" when she was only 26, undermining the work of feminists who'd strained to expand the category of behavior to which the term "rape" attaches:
Writing for The New Yorker, Katha Pollitt delivered a scathing review of The Morning After, writing, "It is a careless and irresponsible performance, poorly argued and full of misrepresentations, slapdash research, and gossip. She may be, as she implies, the rare grad student who has actually read 'Clarissa,' but when it comes to rape and harassment she has not done her homework."Oh, but that was nearly 20 years ago. I haven't been keeping track of Katie Roiphe since then, though I see I have a tag for her. I don't remember mentioning her on the blog before, but obviously I have. Anyway, she's getting cranked through the Tina-Brownified Newsweek that I'm not going to read, but I did notice the Virginia Heffernan attack on Roiphe's cover story:
Tina, my onetime boss, from whom in the late 1990s I learned the dark arts of buzz production...Were vibrators involved?
... loves to seduce and betray female writers. And she's got skills. As she once proudly told the editorial team at her short-lived magazine Talk, she likes to ask lady writers to deliver humiliating "personal histories" that feature self-loathing and lurid intimate disclosures, on the promise that they can publish anonymously.I'm cutting a lot here. Please read the whole thing. Roiphe, per Heffernan, "sneers" at the "older, suburban, possibly Midwestern woman" who is titillated by this popular new porn book "Shades of Grey," and this supposedly entertaining sneering is leveraged by Roiphe's own sexual confessions:
Once the droning, predictable, scandalous articles are done—Daphne Merkin likes to be spanked!!!!!—Tina appeals to the writer's vanity. The article is terse and fearless and elegant! You're Joan Didion! (always Joan Didion). You must put your name on this!
Disgrace. You want to know about gender politics during this trumped-up "war on women"? That's one way power is wielded between women—the alpha girl feigns sympathy to get her henchwoman to confess or act out and then sits back and sneers—and it's no joke.
Tina has forced Roiphe into this uncomfortable pose, and in public (does any woman really want to boast, "I'm more twisted and accustomed to sexual violence than anyone!"), and Roiphe comparably trusses up Newsweek readers. Over a series of bad-faith and gibberish paragraphs, she sets up the reader as a hayseed who is turned on by lite porn because she's never seen how they do it in Berlin or whatever; or—worse still—so unsuccessfully feminine and so outside of the charmed circle of female literary power that she's satisfied by regular guys who don't hit her.The real sadism, it seems, comes from the powerful editor (Brown) who once oppressed Heffernan, who longs to get the upper hand at long last. Now, that's lurid (but not at all sexy, unless you're way more into the world of publishing newsrags than I am).
Anyway, I'm reading Heffernan, because I wandered by Slate this morning and saw a piece that successfully caught my eye with the title "Why Is Virginia Heffernan Being Sexist Toward Katie Roiphe?" It was written by a character with the silly name J. Bryan Lowder. He says:
Heffernan suggests that Roiphe has been "humiliated" by the article, but, by my reading, it's the former who's actually out to humiliate the latter in some twisted form of victim-blaming. It's as if Heffernan is saying, "Tina Brown editorially raped you, Katie Roiphe, so why don't you just slink away in disgrace!"Key words: by my reading. Heffernan had her reading and you, J. Bryan, have yours. And your reading is that her reading is not the right reading. Readings, readings, readings. If it's all readings, we can choose which one to read, can't we? And Heffernan is more readable. And she's got the inside experience with Brown. Meanwhile — I just got to the end of J. Bryan's cryin' and I see he's "a former student and research assistant of Roiphe's." Ha. I stand by my choice of readings.


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Tunisia - Oasis to Roman Ruins across the Sahara
|Overview • Detailed Itinerary • FAQ's • Testimonials • Dates & Prices
Download Tunisia Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Tunis
You are met upon arrival at the Tunis airport and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to rest or to explore Tunis. We meet our guide for dinner to discuss our upcoming adventure.
Day 2: Carthage, Sidi Bou Said
After breakfast, we drive to Carthage to view the Punico-Roman ruins, visit the amphitheater at Byrsa, see the Roman baths on the coast and tour the National Museum.
Day 3: Dougga, Bulla Regia, to Tabarka
Today we explore the ruins of Dougga and Bulla Regia. After breakfast we drive to Dougga to view what are widely held to be the best ruins in all of Tunisia. In addition to Roman and Byzantine structures, Dougga also has a pre-Carthaginian mausoleum. The town was actually inhabited until the 1950's when the locals were relocated down the road to Nouvelle Dougga in an effort to preserve the ruins.
Day 4: To Ain Draham, Hike in the Kroumirie Mountains or Relax in Tabarka
Today we travel to the town of Ain Draham and spend the day hiking the wooded slopes of the Kroumirie Mountains. The buildings in Ain Draham are unique in Tunisia. They have sloped roofs, designed to cope with the winter snows that are common in the mountains. Those who don't wish to participate, can spend the day exploring Tabarka.
Day 5: To Kairouan, the Great Mosque
After breakfast we drive to Kairouan and spend the day exploring Tunisia's holy city. According to legend, the city was founded when general Uqba bin Nafi al-Fihri found a golden goblet on the ground which had disappeared from Mecca years before. The city's fortunes have fluctuated greatly over the centuries, but it has always remained Tunisia's religious center.
Day 6: To Tozeur via Sbeitla Roman Ruins and Gafsa
Today, we make the trip to Tozeur, stopping in Sbeitla enroute to view its remnants of the Roman Empire. The small town of Sbeitla is the site of the ancient city of Sufetula and possesses some of the best preserved Roman temples anywhere. In addition to temples dedicated to the Roman gods Jupiter, Juno and Minerva, the site also has 2 early Christian basilicas and an extensive bath complex with a remarkably sophisticated system for heating the floors.
Day 7: Jeep Trip to Ong Jmal (Star Wars Set)
A fun and lighthearted day today as we drive by jeep northwest of Tozeur, across the desert to Ong Jmal, where we can see parts of the movie set from the Star Wars film.
Day 8: To Douz via Chott El Jerid Salt Lake
This morning, we visit the oasis of Degache by caleche (horse carriage) to see a functioning oasis with a variety of crops. We then continue on to Douz, by way of the Chott El Jerid. This region has an immense salt lake which is part of a system of lakes that stretch from the Gulf of Gabes all the way into Algeria. A long causeway spans the lake and as we drive across, we are sure to see some strange optical illusions as the heat shimmers off the salt flats and the chemical rich water reflects unusual colors.
Day 9: Ksours of Tataouine, to Jerba
Today we make our way to Tataouine. We use Tataouine as our central base to explore the surrounding ksour at Chenini, and Ksar Ouled Soltane. After lunch, we head to the island of Jerba, by way of the town of Mednine. We stop in Mednine to view the historic Ghorfas.
Day 10: Jerba, Matmata
In the morning we tour the sights of Jerba. Jerba has a long and bloody history dating back to the 8th century BC. It has been settled and conquered by a number of political and religious powers including the Romans, Arabs, Spanish, Ottoman Turks, Kharijites and Normans.
Day 11: Sfax, Gabes, Mahdia
This morning after breakfast we make our way to Sfax, stopping en route to tour the oasis at Gabes. In Sfax, we tour the old medina. The medina is very well preserved and still serves as the marketplace for the residents of Sfax.
Day 12: El Jem Amphitheater, Mahdia
After breakfast we drive to El Jem and explore the magnificent amphitheater. The ruins at El Jem are almost as big as the Coliseum in Rome. The three-tiered seating could hold 30,000 people in its day. In addition to being able to climb to the top of the bleachers, we can also explore the underground tunnels used to house the gladiators, animals and slaves that were sent into the arena to entertain the masses.
Day 13: Monastir Fort, Sousse Medina and Fort
This morning we drive to Monastir for a tour of the ribat (fortress) and the mausoleum of the Bourguiba family. The ribat was built at the end of the 8th century AD. The central watchtower provides excellent views of the coastline and local landscape. The fortress was used for the filming of Zeffirelli's religious epic Life of Christ, and Monty Python's religious satire The Life of Brian.
Day 14: Takrouna - Berber Village, Ruins of the Aqueducts, to Tunis
After breakfast, we drive to Takrouna, a wonderful Berber hilltop village, and then continue on to Hammamet for a brief stop to explore the old city. After lunch, we make our way back to Tunis, stopping enroute at Oudna. We also visit the remnants of an incredible Roman aqueduct that used to stretch over 30 miles from Zaghouan to Carthage.
Day 15: National Bardo Museum, City Tour
In the morning we visit the National Bardo Museum, which houses a unique collection of mosaics, pottery and other finds from around Tunisia. We also tour the city's old medina and the Arab souks. After lunch together, our afternoon is free to spend exploring Tunis.
Day 16: Depart Tunis
Today, you transfer to the airport to connect with your international flights homeward.
1-800-741-7956 North America • 0808-234-1714 United Kingdom • 416-588-5000 Worldwide


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For all SIP sport seats, we have a complete collection of high quality artificial leather seat cushions. The cushions have a synthetic material base plate which is then screwed to the seat. You'll need to drill holes for this. Available in a wide variety of colors with stitching or black piping.
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Police: Highway run to move doghouse was foolish
Man dodges traffic on busy stretch of I-70
Police said the person who ran across Interstate 70 to move a traffic-blocking doghouse made a foolish decision and was lucky he wasn't hurt.
Traffic cameras caught the man running into traffic on the highway Wednesday evening after several cars nearly hit the doghouse, which had apparently fallen off a vehicle.
Sgt. Grant Ruark of the Kansas City Police Department said roughly one in five traffic fatalities last year involved pedestrians.
KMBC 9's Scott McDonnell said he saw people involved in another crash on I-70 late Thursday pull up a season on the divider, just feet away from speeding traffic. The passenger in another vehicle walked across several lanes to get off the highway.
"Up on the highway, traffic closes on you so fast, and people aren't used to judging traffic at that speed," said Ruark. "Once you've made your decision, it's probably too late."
He said there are safer things to do if your car breaks down or something falls out of the vehicle.
"The best thing you can do is immediately turn on your hazards, get as far off the road as you can and remain in your vehicle until a police officer or MoDOT truck can arrive," he said.
Police said changing tires is another risky thing to do on the road. They said even if you have to drive on your rims for a while to get to an exit, it's still safer than sitting on a busy highway.
No injuries were reported in Wednesday's incident and no vehicles hit the doghouse.


text: Chair Bertschinger Welcome to the Chair of Private, Commercial and Business Law of Prof. Dr. Urs Bertschinger. Thank you for your interest. Prof. Dr. Urs Bertschinger Professor for Civil, Commercial and Business Law firstname.lastname@example.com B.A. HSG (in Law and Economics) Kevin Müller Research Assistant email@example.com B.A. HSG (in Law and Economics) Manuel Stutz Research Assistant firstname.lastname@example.com


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When dealing with a Ring or other structure, you often need a pair of Monoid instances that are closely related. Making a newtype for one is unsatisfying and yields an unnatural programming style.
A Multiplicative is a Monoid that is intended for use in a scenario that can be extended to have another Monoid slot in for addition. This enables one to use common notation.
Any Multiplicative can be turned into a Monoid using the Log wrapper.
Any Monoid can be turned into a Multiplicative using the Exp wrapper.
Instances are supplied for common Monads of Monoids, in a fashion which can be extended if the Monad is a MonadPlus to yield a RightSemiNearRing
Instances are also supplied for common Applicatives of Monoids, in a fashion which can be extended if the Applicative is Alternative to yield a RightSemiNearRing
|Multiplicative to Monoid
|Monoid to Multiplicative
|Produced by Haddock version 2.4.2


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Learn how to identify which software version your HomePod is running and how to update the software on your HomePod.
HomePod Software Version 14.1
Software version 14.1 includes support for HomePod mini and new Siri and Intercom features. This update also includes bug fixes and improvements.
HomePod mini
- Setup and automatically transfer your Apple ID, Apple Music, Siri and Wi-Fi settings to HomePod mini
- Siri suggestions appear in Maps when you ask HomePod for information about a location
- Web search requests to HomePod can be sent from HomePod to your iPhone
- Siri can now stop alarms, timers, and media across HomePod speakers
- Voice recognition support for Podcasts for multiple users in the home
- Ask HomePod to make announcements to other HomePod speakers throughout your home
- Intercom to all HomePod speakers
- Intercom to a HomePod in a specific room or zone
Other improvements and fixes
- Add music to your alarms and wake up to your personal song, playlist, or radio station from Apple Music
- Fixes an issue where stereo pairs can sometimes play out of sync
- Improves reliability when using Siri to control multiple speakers
- Optimizes Siri performance
HomePod Software Version 13.4.8
HomePod Software Version 13.4.8 includes general improvements for stability and quality.
HomePod Software Version 13.4.6
HomePod software version 13.4.6 includes general improvements for stability and quality.
HomePod Software Version 13.4.5
HomePod software version 13.4.5 includes general improvements for stability and quality.
HomePod Software Version 13.4
HomePod software version 13.4 includes general improvements for stability and quality.
iOS 13.3.1
iOS 13.3.1 introduces support for Indian English Siri voices for HomePod, and includes general improvements for stability and quality.
iOS 13.3
iOS 13.3 provides bug fixes and improvements including:
- Improves the ability of HomePod to recognize the voice profile of family members
- Allows individual family members to enable/disable personal requests
- Fixes an issue that could prevent music playback from resuming on a stereo pair after a phone call
iOS 13.2.1
iOS 13.2.1 provides support for new HomePod features:
- The ability for HomePod to recognize the voices of different family members to provide a personalized experience
- Handoff music, podcasts or phone calls by bringing your iPhone close to HomePod
- Add music to your HomeKit scenes
- Play relaxing high-quality soundtracks with Ambient Sounds
- Set sleep timers to fall asleep to music or Ambient Sounds
iOS 12.4
This release includes support for HomePod in Japan and Taiwan.
iOS 12.3
This update includes support for joining some types of enterprise networks that require unique credentials.
iOS 12.2
iOS 12.2 includes support for joining most enterprise or university campus 802.1x networks that do not require unique credentials to join.
iOS 12.1.3
This release also includes bug fixes for HomePod. This update:
- Fixes an issue that could cause HomePod to restart
- Addresses an issue that could cause Siri to stop listening
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
iOS 12.1.1
iOS 12.1.1 includes support for new regions and fixes bugs for your HomePod including:
- Support in China mainland and Hong Kong
- HomePod LEDs illuminate during Group FaceTime calls
iOS 12.1
This update includes general improvements for stability and quality.
iOS 12
iOS 12 includes HomePod support for multiple named timers, telephony, music search by lyrics, Find My iPhone, Calendar support for additional languages, and Siri shortcuts. Search by lyrics is only available in English in the US, UK, Australia and Canada.
iOS 12 includes support for multiple timers, music search by lyrics, telephony and Find My iPhone.
- Conveniently search for a song using the lyrics if you can't remember the title (English only)
- Create multiple named timers
- Make and receive phone calls directly on HomePod, or simply ask Siri who is calling
- Similar to Apple Watch, Find My iPhone on HomePod allows you to quickly locate any of your iOS or macOS devices with an audible ping
- Calendar support to include all languages
- View the network name in Settings
iOS 11.4
iOS 11.4 includes AirPlay 2 multi-room audio and support for stereo pairs.
- Place two HomePod in the same room and create a stereo pair
- Each HomePod in a pair automatically senses its location in the room
- Advanced beamforming provides wider soundstage than traditional stereo pair
- Use AirPlay 2 to play the same song everywhere or different songs in different rooms to multiple HomePod and other AirPlay 2-enabled speakers
- Schedule, cancel, and stay up to date with your Calendar appointments (available in US, UK, Australia)
iOS 11.3
This update includes general performance and stability improvements.


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Title: Floor Supervisor
Reports To: General Manager
Status: Hourly Part-Time/Non-Exempt
Job Summary: The Shoe Carnival Floor Supervisor assists with the daily operations of the store and carries store keys to perform opening and closing responsibilities.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
Total Rewards:
The Shoe Carnival, Inc. Total Rewards program offers eligible associates highly competitive benefits, including the following:
Shoe Carnival, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Joining our Talent Network will enhance your job search and application process. Whether you choose to apply or just leave your information, we look forward to staying connected with you.


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The Student Life section of Utah State Today highlights work written by the talented student journalists at Utah State University. Each week, the editor selects a story that has been published in The Utah Statesman or the Hard News Café or both for inclusion in Utah State Today.
Songwriter Finds Music can be a Powerful Tool
By Steve Kent, editor in chief, in The Utah Statesman, Thursday, March 7
For singer-songwriter Sarah Olsen, music is more than a hobby or a major: It helps her make sense of life. Olsen, a senior in USU's music therapy program, said music can be a powerful tool in examining and dealing with emotions.
"Music can bring unconscious material to a conscious state, so you can work through a situation by writing a song about it," Olsen said.
Olson said writing music has been a therapeutic process for her. Most of the songs she performs were inspired by events in her life and written as she worked them out.
"A lot of times I don't know what I'm writing about until I'm done, and then I'm like, 'Whoa, this huge problem in my life was just solved,'" Olsen said.
This therapeutic approach to songwriting may have saved her future in music. Olsen said she had experiences last summer that made her doubt whether she should continue writing.
"This is kind of crazy as a music therapist, to think that I could be a music therapist and not write music anymore, but I felt like I didn't have what it took to do this anymore," Olsen said.
Then she heard an interview with musician Jason Mraz on VH1 Storytellers. In it, Mraz described his experience writing "I Won't Give Up."
"It really, really touched me," Olsen said. "He talked about how his song is his companion, and I was like, that's really what it's about. It's about me writing for me to help me, and so I started writing again and I kind of decided to just dive in and get it all out of my system. That really pulled me through this summer."
Performing songs written about her personal life can be difficult, Olsen said, but the performance has therapeutic benefits. One of her songs, "I Don't Live There Anymore," is about one of the most difficult breakups she's ever had but she said playing the song has helped her cope and move on.
"When I first sang that song I was pretty angry, and now I can sing it and just feel — I feel like it heals me the more times I play it," Olsen said.
Olsen's bandmates share her attitude toward music. Kellen Tew, a senior studying guitar education, said some genres of music such as blues focus on negative events to help people overcome them.
"The whole point, specifically with the blues, is you're singing about things that make you sad, things are bringing you down," Tew said. "The whole point is to put it in its place, and be able to relax — to not let it have power over you."
Bandmate Sam Wright, a senior majoring in music, said music can be powerful because it combines multiple modes of communication.
"Music is a one-step-higher form of expression, because you have your words, you have your music and you're putting it together," Wright said. "Because music is its own language, so you're combining two forms of something that's super meaningful, and you're putting it out there,"
Olsen's performances in venues like WhySound and Caffe Ibis compliment her work in the classroom. Olsen said she participated in a practicum last semester, working with people with Alzheimer's disease. The students helped some of the patients write songs and played familiar music as part of the therapy, and she said the results impressed her.
"A lot of them didn't know their names when they came to the session and they'd be really agitated and really stressed," Olsen said. "They didn't know where they were, but you play a song that they knew from their childhood and they could tell you a story about it. Again, they may not remember after the session who they are, but they remembered for that moment, and it helps them connect with reality for that small time."


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Researchers found dozens of mutated butterflies near the site of the nuclear accident in Fukushima, prompting officials to say it's the first sign of damage to the ecosystem.
According to NBC News, researcher Joji Otaki of the University of Ryukyus found mutation in roughly 12 percent of 144 commonly-found pale grass blue butterflies collected two months after the March 2011 disaster at the Fukushima nuclear plant.
Even more alarming, researcher said the mutation increased to 28 percent six months later and more than 50 percent of the offspring showed some signs of mutation.
Researchers said the butterflies have disfigured antennas, smaller-sized wings, indented eyes and different color patterns, NBC News reported.
"Since we've seen these effects on butterflies, it's easy to imagine that it would also have affected other species as well," Otaki said. "It's pretty clear that something has gone wrong with the ecosystem."
A group of five nuclear plants suffered damage after a 9.0-magnitude earthquake knocked out power and a tsunami flooded back up generators at the plants. The lack of power allowed for three reactors to overheat, releasing radiation into the surrounding area.


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Food & Drink
10 most useful travel websites
By Sean O'Neill, BudgetTravel.com • Published 27th September 2011
The Web should make things easier for travelers, but the sheer volume of services out there is often more overwhelming than useful. Unfortunately, you don't always know which outfits pay off until you've already invested your time. The Budget Travel team puts websites -- new and established -- to the test every day.
So when it came time to line up our favorites, the task was easy -- we just turned to the sites we keep revisiting because they're so darn helpful. Our top picks can help you avoid overpaying for airfare (Bing Travel), bag the primo room at a hotel (Hipmunk), and never miss a deal on a rental-car reservation again (AutoSlash).
Some of our favorites are as useful as a mind-reading tour guide (Plnnr); others are as handy as having a personal secretary track your frequent-flier balances (Award Wallet). Put them all together, and they become Budget Travel's picks for the best the Web has to offer.
Budget Travel: 4 most common reasons airlines lose luggage
For Planning
1. Bing Travel
Buy plane tickets at the best possible time.
Like other booking sites, Bing lets you comparison-shop for tickets across more than a hundred sources. Yet unlike most other sites, it also analyzes historical data to predict whether the price you see on the screen today is likely to rise (or drop) in the coming week, clearly marking the bargains with a big, green Buy Now icon. What's more, Bing is the only airfare search site to have its predictions independently audited. With an accuracy rate of 75 percent, it's not perfect -- but those are better odds than blind guessing gets you.
2. AutoSlash
Lock in the lowest rate on rental cars.
Here's how it works: Reserve a vehicle from a favorite agency through the AutoSlash site, and the site will instantly begin tracking rate changes for your reservation. If a sale pops up later -- snap! -- it automatically locks in the lower price on your behalf. You can even use AutoSlash if you've booked independently. Just enter your confirmation number, and the site will notify you when it's found a lower rate (which you'll have to rebook on your own). Neither AutoSlash nor the company you first booked with charges a fee for the service.
Budget Travel: 10 coolest small towns in America
3. Fly or Drive Calculator
Determine the cheapest way to reach your destination.
Coupon site befrugal.com crunches data from sources such as AAA and Google Maps to power its Fly or Drive estimator (found in the site's Tools & Calculators tab). The more details you supply -- the make and model of your car, the number of travelers in your group, whether you'd be springing for a taxi to the airport -- the more accurate the estimates. For the eco-minded, it even includes a carbon-footprint estimate for each mode of travel. (Note: The calculator only works for trips within the continental U.S.)
4. Plnnr
Get instant itineraries tailored to your tastes.
Whether you have a full week or a few hours, Plnnr can craft a (free!) customized point-to-point trip guide for 20 popular urban destinations across North America and Europe. You supply the length of your stay, desired activity level, and interests (such as outdoors, kids' activities, and culture), and the site spits out a fully formed itinerary, factoring in each attraction's opening and closing hours and travel times between spots by taxi or on foot. You can further fine-tune the results by adjusting the priority level for even more specific subcategories -- architecture, breweries, and even cemeteries -- or reject individual suggestions outright. (Plnnr won't get its feelings hurt.)
5. Hipmunk
Find a hotel you'll fall in love with.
The folks behind Hipmunk's airfare and hotel searches know that good trips are about more than mere numbers. That's why they've incorporated an "agony" scale for flights with multiple legs and long layovers, and an "ecstasy" rating for hotels based on a combination of a property's amenities, rates, and user reviews on TripAdvisor. Even better, Hipmunk's hotel search tool has built-in color-coded heat maps to display a given destination's best spots for dining, shopping, nightlife, landmarks, and -- ahem -- "vice." So you'll always end up in a neighborhood that fits your specific needs (or noise tolerance). The site displays real-time prices available on Orbitz, Getaroom, Hotels.com, HotelsCombined, or Airbnb and links out to the appropriate site to close the deal.
Budget Travel: A neat freak's guide to a clean suitcase
On the road
6. TripIt
Keep every last confirmation number, arrival time, and prepaid reservation fee straight.
Don't have an über-organized type among your travel crew? Don't worry. TripIt consolidates every important detail of your vacation into a single handy document, which you can access on the go via laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Just forward each email receipt from booking a flight, hotel, rental car, or cruise to your TripIt account, and the site will cull and compile the flight numbers, gate information, and other relevant items so you never show up in the wrong place at the wrong time -- or with the wrong confirmation code in hand. Not satisfied? The site also supplies seat-selection advice for flights, links to check in online, flight status updates, weather forecasts, and driving directions.
7. Tripping
Connect with the locals -- through a trustworthy community.
While any old travel site can add some social-networking features and call itself "the Facebook of travel," Tripping paves the way for true face-to-face interactions in about 130 countries across the globe. Primarily a homestay network -- but just as effective for setting up a casual coffee meeting or a video chat with a looped-in local -- Tripping manages the risk factor with its stringent membership policies and strong user-reference system. (To join, users must display a passport via Skype and prove a home address.) When you're not traveling yourself, you can earn some good travel karma by playing tour guide for visitors to your own hometown.
8. Google Maps
Expertly navigate unfamiliar territory.
Thanks to constant refining by its mapmakers and graphic designers, Google's gold-standard mapping tool just keeps getting better. Live traffic information was recently added for 13 European countries; the site's maps for New York City, London, and other major cities now have public transit options; markings for tunnels and highway signs become easier to read every year; and you can plot your route by car, bicycle, or foot -- although the latter two options are still in beta. There's simply no more comprehensive and user-friendly way to explore.
Budget Travel: 10 gorgeous pools you won't believe are public
Once you're back
9. Award Wallet
Never let another frequent-flier mile expire.
Consider it the loyalty-program counterpart to TripIt's travel-info collector. Award Wallet streamlines your family's assortment of frequent-flier and loyalty programs, compiling them in a single, simple, point-tracking package. The setup takes minutes. For each account, just enter your log-in information; Award Wallet automatically pulls your points balances and expiration dates -- so you know to take action if you're on the verge of losing them. And because the site saves your log-in information, you only need one password to access all your accounts.
10. Blurb
Preserve your photographs in a format that people can't keep their hands off of.
Custom book publisher Blurb lets you design and print a soft-cover or hardcover travel photo album using impressive design tools and high-quality inks, paper, and binding. Most important, it also leaves you broad creative control. (No floral borders or faux photo-corners necessary.) Price is based on size, paper stock, cover material, and shipping fees, but single copies start at $11 for a 20-page book. Think your book has potential beyond your own coffee table? Blurb can also share your images as a free online slide show or sell copies of the book through its online shop.
Budget Travel: 12 restaurants with spectacular views
A year of the world's
Best Beaches
There's a perfect beach for every week of the year. Join us on a 12-month journey to see them all
Go to the best beaches


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Election Results Could Impact Growth Prospects: Moody's
New Delhi: Global ratings agency Moody's said India's economic recovery is likely to be slow in the second half of 2014, but the outcome of general elections could have an impact on the growth prospects.
Without specifically mentioning about India, Moody's Investors Service also said that sovereign ratings in South and Southeast Asia will be largely stable in 2014.
This, the agency said, reflects its expectation that global growth prospects will improve while global risks will decline.
On India, it said: "We expect a slow economic recovery in the second half of this year, if global growth increases."
Moody's Sovereign Risk Group Senior VP and Manager Tom Byrne said however that "the outcome of national elections this year could also affect growth, depending on how it impacts sentiment and policies".
General elections are scheduled to be completed by May-end.
The World Bank has projected that India's economy will grow at over 6% in 2014-15 and 7.1 percent by 2016-17 as global demand recovers and domestic investment increases.
India's economic growth slipped to a decade's low of 5percent in 2012-13.
Growth in the first half of 2013-14 is 4.6 percent, but the government expects the growth for the entire fiscal ending March 2014 to be at 5 percent. A further pick up is also expected in the coming months.
Moody's further projected India's inflation and interest rates to decline during the year.
The agency has assigned 'Baa3' rating on India with a stable outlook. 'Baa3' means medium grade with moderate credit risk.
The rating agency said the fiscal deficit would remain higher than those of similarly rated countries in 2014.
"Social welfare measures, for instance, such as the Food Security Act passed last year, will raise the government's medium-term expenditure commitment," Byrne added.
The Food Security Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha in August. The annual financial burden after its implementation is estimated to be about 1.30 lakh crore at current cost.
The government hopes to contain fiscal deficit at 4.8 percent of GDP in the current fiscal and reduce it further to 3percent by 2016-17.
Moody's further said the structure of India's government debt -- which is owed mostly domestically, in domestic currency, at relatively low real rates, and at relatively long tenors -- has mitigated stress on the government's fiscal position.