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04 July, 2013 | (01 hr)
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This Conference Board Webcast is in Collaboration with:
Globalization presents a multitude of opportunities, as well as challenges, for multinational organisations. Talent professionals cannot halt the march towards globalization but they embrace the challenge to be at the vanguard of their organization's drive to a more global workforce.
During this webcast we will:
- Understand what talent management on a global scale is.
- Anticipate some of the barriers to taking talent management across borders including; cultural differences, legal and economic requirements, the role of technology and the issue of local acceptance.
- Know the key talent questions to ask.
- Be able to benchmark your organisation on the global talent management continuum.
All participants will receive a copy of DDI's "Talent Beyond Borders: An organisational guide to delivering the promise of global talent management" guide.
Who should attend
HR and talent management professionals who want to break through the barriers and help make the promise of global talent management a reality.
Simon Mitchell
Simon is responsible for developing and executing DDI's European marketing strategy through the UK, France, Germany, Poland and Russian operations. He is also a prime commentator in the UK business and HR media. He leads research projects across Europe to understand talent management trends...Full Bio
Sanja M. Haas, M.A.
Sanja Haas is a Senior Fellow, Human Capital at The Conference Board. In this role, Sanja supports the Human Capital Practice which includes The Human Capital ExchangeTM, research, conferences, webcasts and programs in a broad spectrum of human capital areas. In addition to se...Full Bio


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By Tommy Andres, CNN
(CNN) – Most 18-year-olds are excited for election Tuesday because it will be their first chance to vote. Aziz Akbari is excited for a different reason: his name is on a ballot.
Akbari is a sophomore at the University of Southern California studying mechanical engineering, and this year he's thrown his hat in the ring for mayor of his hometown of Fremont, California.
[:59] "I've been going to city council meetings since I was 8 years old," Akbari says. "And I've been involved in local politics ever since then."
Akbari campaigns from his dorm room all week with the help of his campaign staff, and flies home every weekend to go door-to-door, press the flesh, and push his four-point plan to boost Fremont's economy.
But if Akbari is elected, he certainly won't be the first teen to take charge of a city or a district.
John Tyler Hammons served two terms as mayor of Muskogee, Oklahoma after being elected as a college freshman, and Michael Sessions famously ran the city of Hillsdale, Michigan from his bedroom in his parents' house as a high school senior.
Nick Kettle won a seat on the Rhode Island state senate at 19, but to garner support he had to go outside of his own home.
[3:15] "My parents were absolutely dead set against me running. I came home from declaring and my father screamed at me for like ten minutes saying, 'why are you doing this? You have no platform. I'm not even going to vote for you.' They thought I was absolutely crazy."
Kettle, Hammons and Sessions all have advice for Akbari, and some reflections on their own time in office, as they share what it's like to be a teenage politician.
Editor's Note: Listen to the complete story in the player above.
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you are a jerk

subset: commoncrawl


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Wed February 29, 2012 - Northeast Edition
CROWN POINT, N.Y. (AP) The new $76 million bridge over Lake Champlain has cracks in the concrete on the span's support pillars, but New York transportation officials say there's nothing to be concerned about.
The Lake Champlain Bridge connecting Crown Point and Addison, Vt., opened last November. It replaced an 80-year-old bridge that had been closed in October 2009 when it was deemed to be structurally unsound.
The old bridge was closed when inspectors found cracks in the concrete pillars.
New York State Department of Transportation officials told the Press-Republican of Plattsburgh that the hairline cracks on the pillars of the new span were anticipated and are normal for newly poured concrete.
The bridge opened Nov. 7.
DOT officials say the cracks don't need to be repaired.


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U.S. military advisers begin work in Iraq
WASHINGTON – The first contingent of U.S. military advisers arrived in Iraq Tuesday to assess conditions and begin assisting Iraqi security forces after Islamist militants have seized several key cities.
The Pentagon said 90 American personnel arrived from outside the country, and 40 were already in Iraq as part of the U.S. Embassy's defense staff.
The advisers are part of up to 300 military personnel authorized by President Obama last week in response to the crisis in Iraq, where a Sunni extremist group, called the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), has taken control of Mosul, Iraq's second-biggest city, and other towns in recent weeks.
"They're still a legitimate threat to Baghdad," Rear Adm. John Kirby, a Pentagon spokesman, said Tuesday about ISIL.
The troops arrived as Secretary of State John Kerry, on his second day in Iraq, met with the top Kurdish leader, Massoud Barzani, in Irbil, the capital of Iraq's northern Kurdish region.
Barzani told Kerry the successes of Sunni militants have already created "a new reality and a new Iraq," highlighting the challenges the U.S. faces in promoting unity in Iraq among its rival factions.
The United Nations said Tuesday that more than 1,000 people, most of them civilians, have been killed in Iraq this month — among the highest death tolls since the U.S. military withdrew from the country in December 2011.
Kerry said at the start of an hour-long meeting that the Kurdish security forces have been "really critical" in helping restrain the insurgents.
"This is a very critical time for Iraq, and the government formation challenge is the central challenge that we face," Kerry said. He said Iraqi leaders must "produce the broad-based, inclusive government that all the Iraqis I have talked to are demanding."
Kirby said the 40 military advisers reassigned from embassy jobs will form into two teams to begin assessing Iraq's military and the militants. The 90 from outside the country will begin setting up one of two joint information centers where U.S. and Iraqi personnel will share intelligence.
"We just don't have perfect visibility — that's the whole reason we're putting these teams on the ground," Kirby said.
The United States has also boosted surveillance flights over Iraq and is now flying between 30 and 35 missions a day, using both drones and manned aircraft, Kirby said.
The White House has not ruled out other military options, including airstrikes, Kirby noted.
A challenge for the United States is that any effort to help Iraq's security forces could be viewed in the region as picking sides in a civil war.
The violence has taken on sectarian overtones. Sunnis say they have been marginalized by the Shiite-dominated government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
Kerry's visit to Baghdad on Monday and Irbil on Tuesday is to urge political leaders to put aside sectarian differences and form a more inclusive government.
Contributing: The Associated Press


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It's that time of year! Wedding Dresses by Sabina Motasem
To be a wedding dress designer you have to be quite a special person. Brides are not your average consumers! The White Gallery, one of the UK's largest wedding shows for buyers, was held in London last week and during this time it was the perfect opportunity for smaller designers to showcase their collections asContinue reading


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This site contains information about the dependencies of JWT's components, as well as a description on how to download the latest versions from the Eclipse CVS and the layout of the JWT CVS repositories.
Access the JWT Source Code
The planned and current state of the next release of JWT components can be viewed at Upcoming Release Information.
To download the source code of the various components of JWT, please connect your CVS client (typically Eclipse 3.4's CVS Browsing perspective) with:
- Host: dev.eclipse.org
- Repository path: /cvsroot/technology
- User: anonymous
- Password: (none)
- Connection type: pserver
If you have a committer account, please provide your committer data (username and password) and select as connection type extssh instead of pserver.
In this CVS repository, the source code of JWT is under the "org.eclipse.jwt" directory, which you can retrieve by doing a CVS checkout. It is laid out as follow :
- org.eclipse.jwt/we : Workflow Editor, i.e. design time tools
- org.eclipse.jwt/wam : Workflow Audit And Monitoring, i.e. runtime time tools and framework
- org.eclipse.jwt/desktop : Simulator and other standalone BPM tools
For a more detailed layout please refer to Detailed Layout of the CVS.
Version 0.5.0 of the JWT Workflow Editor (JWT-WE) requires Eclipse (3.4) with the Eclipse Modeling Framework (EMF) and the Graphical Edition Framework (GEF).
The easiest way to get an Eclipse environment with all dependencies is to install Eclipse Ganymede JEE Edition and a Java Runtime Environment (JRE) / Java Development Kit (JDK) 5.0 or higher.
If you already have Eclipse installed you can download EMF and GEF from from your "Software updates" menu.
Get the Code
You need to retrieve the JWT source code by checking it out from CVS, as described above.
If you used an external CVS tool to check out the code, you need to import the source code into Eclipse as projects (in the Java Perspective, using right click > import existing projects).
Run the Plugins from Code
Right click on the jwt-we project and choose Run as > Eclipse application. This will launch JWT-WE with all plugins that are available in the workspace. If Eclipse does not succeed to start or JWT-WE is not active, please ensure that all necessary plug-ins are configured to start with your projects. To do so, click on the arrow in the "Run" item in toolbar, and choose "Run Configuration...". Select/Create a run configuration (Eclipse Application) for JWT-WE and on the Plug-ins tab select all necessary plug-ins (in case you have doubt, select "Add Required Plugins"). Workflow Editor plugins (e.g. the Documentation Generator plugin) must also be enabled in order to be available at run time. You can now use the Run item in the toolbar to start your new configuration.
Detailed Layout of the CVS
Contains everything related to the Workflow Editor
- jwt-we The Workflow Editor
- jwt-we-plugins Plugins for the Workflow Editor
- jwt-we-action-sample An Example on how to add Menu/Toolbar Actions to the Workflow Editor
- jwt-we-action-doc An Action for generating Documentations
- jwt-we-view-example A Example on how to add Views to the Workflow Editor
- jwt-we-view-uml A view that displays Processes as UML Activity Diagrams
- jwt-view A Program for Creating and Modifying Workflow Editor Views
- jwt-we-feature JWT-WE Feature (to be published on Update Site)
- jwt-we-update-site Contents for Update-Site
- jwt-transformation-base The base plug-in for any transformation. Provides UI
- jwt-transformation-stub A sample plug-in that is based on jwt-transformation-base
- jwt-xpdl JWT to XPDL transformation
- jwt-transformation-jwt2bpmn(-tests) jwt to bpmn transformation (and tests)
- jwt-webservices Tools to introspect WSDL
- jwt-runtime-api A workflow API that is used by monitoring plug-in at runtime to get informations from a workflow engine
- jwt-monitoring(-test) A plug-in that provides tools to display a workflow state from a workflow engine into JWT (and tests)


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Ten years ago, you hardly ever heard about a child with bipolar disorder. Today, doctors are diagnosing children with bipolar disorder at a rate 40 times higher than they were then. This drastic increase worries a lot of people, from researchers and doctors to parents.
Do these kids truly have bipolar disorder? If so, what could be to blame for the rising numbers? Some have suggested that doctors are simply picking up on cases that used to go undiagnosed. Others say that bipolar disorder has become a handy catch-all diagnosis.
In this interview, Drs. Axelson and Leibenluft talk about the factors contributing to the rising diagnosis rates, the controversy around childhood bipolar disorder, the developmental effects of bipolar disorder, the difficulty of making an accurate diagnosis, and the pros and cons of different medications.
The Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder in Children
Dr. Axelson:
Well, we're still learning quite a bit about what childhood bipolar disorder actually is, but our conceptualization now is that it's not necessarily that much different from adults. The key symptoms or features of it are distinct periods of mania, in which you have high energy, intensely high or irritable moods, rapid speech, less sleep, distractibility, very active, alternating with periods of depression, which – like in adults – can manifest itself as withdrawal, sadness, negativity, hopelessness, suicidal thoughts, changes in sleep pattern, changes in appetite, things like that. It may manifest slightly different or in different patterns, but the basic core concept is fairly similar between kids and adults.
You're going to have some developmental differences because kids can't do some of the same things that adults can do when they're manic so some things are a little bit different. For instance, think about a euphoric mood in a child. All kids get really happy at times. But in a manic child, there's sort of a drivenness to it. It's out of context for the situation, oftentimes uncontrollable giggling and laughing, talking about things that are funny and they don't know why, laughing inappropriately at very upsetting topics, things like that. Kids can certainly show a decreased need for sleep, getting by on much less sleep than other kids their age during the change, mood symptoms, being very active during the middle of the night, doing many things, making concoctions, moving furniture, stuff like that.
Dr. Leibenluft:
One thing that we're also finding is that in adults, bipolar disorder manifests more in terms of the depressive phase than the manic phase. So adults with bipolar disorder spend much more time depressed than they do manic. The reverse appears to be true for younger school-age children. As they get closer and closer to puberty, though, then it becomes more like the adult pattern. So you've got more of the mania in the younger kids, and then, as they get more and more towards puberty you get more of the depression, looking more like the adult pattern.
Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder: How Young Is Too Young?
Dr. Axelson:
Certainly, I think that we're getting better and better at identifying distinct periods of mania and depression in younger kids. However, I'd say the illness does tend to be more clearly manifested as children get older. That doesn't mean that they don't have problems, but it's just easier to do the assessment. However, we've seen kids as young as 5 years old come into the clinic with pretty clear histories of manic symptoms that we are fairly confident about diagnosing.
I think probably age 5 is about the earliest that I've felt comfortable, though I've talked to families of kids that were showing these symptoms fairly clearly as young as age 3. However, differentiating that from other child psychiatric problems and difficulties I think is extremely difficult the younger you go.
Dr. Leibenluft:
It might be useful to note that the recent guidelines which were put out by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry suggest caution against making the diagnosis in preschoolers.
Is Bipolar Disorder Still Relatively Rare in Kids?
Dr. Leibenluft:
If we look at the epidemiologic studies – these are studies in the community, going house to house, and that's the best way to look at how common an illness is – we find that true bipolar disorder is relatively rare in children, probably less than 1 percent. Now, what we do know, on the other hand, is that particularly in the last 10 years or so the diagnosis has been assigned much, much more often. But what's not clear is whether that means that there actually is more of the illness around or if the criteria that are being used to label it have been changing. What we do know is if we look in clinics and how often the diagnosis is being given by physicians to children that it's skyrocketed, that there's been a 40-fold increase in that in the last 10 years.
Puzzling Out a Diagnosis: ADHD or Bipolar Disorder?
Dr. Leibenluft:
That's where this issue about episodes comes into it because ADHD doesn't really manifest itself in particular episodes. The child is pretty much always ADHD, pretty much always hyperactive, whereas with mania this should be a distinct change.
This whole controversy has really taught us is that there is a significant group of children who don't fit well into any of the diagnostic categories, and in particular these are children with very, very severe irritability and ADHD-like symptoms. They're not bipolar because they don't have clear episodes, but they're more than just garden variety ADHD because they're much more impaired and they struggle much more with symptoms. There really isn't a great diagnostic home for them in the current system.
Furthermore, these children with very severe irritability and ADHD who don't fit well into a category are probably considerably more common than children with clear bipolar disorder, probably three times as common. So I think that's a lot of what's going on here.
Dr. Axelson:
Certainly, bipolar disorder and ADHD are not mutually exclusive, and actually the majority of children with bipolar disorder will have at some point met diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Whether that's exactly the same ADHD – a child for whom ADHD is their only illness may be a little bit different – but ADHD and bipolar disorder certainly can co-exist. But there are kids with ADHD who have severe irritability and mood difficulties who don't have bipolar disorder, and trying to parse that out and put these kids in a diagnostic category where we can identify and treat them appropriately has been a big challenge.
Dr. Leibenluft:
It's really important to remember that these very irritable children with ADHD symptoms around whom there's the controversy are as impaired as the children with true bipolar disorder. So it's not that you have perfectly healthy children being given this diagnosis of bipolar disorder. It's not so much overdiagnosis in that sense. It is more a question of what's the best diagnosis for them.
In terms of numbers of hospitalizations, how impaired they are in school or how suicidal they are, they're every bit as impaired as the bipolar children. Right now, we have made a lot of progress in psychiatric diagnosis. We can be much more reliable, get people to agree on the diagnoses, but it's still an inexact science. Our psychiatric diagnoses don't map neatly onto the brain. That's something we're obviously working towards, but until we get there there are going to be children like these who don't necessarily fit neatly into any one category.
Diagnosis of Childhood Bipolar Disorder Takes Time and Patience
Dr. Axelson:
Well, unfortunately, right now in child psychiatry we don't have a specific diagnostic test. We really have to rely on the history we get from the parent or caregiver and interviewing the child, observation in the office, and spending sometimes longitudinal follow-up of the child with their family to look at symptoms and how they change over time. It's not a quick process. It can't be done in 20 minutes, and it oftentimes requires a great deal of effort on the child and the family's part, along with the clinicians.
When you're concerned about mental health issues, talking to the general practitioner as a first step is reasonable. However, making a diagnosis of bipolar disorder is probably best done by a child psychiatrist or a mental health professional working with a team of child psychiatric professionals. It's something that requires a decent amount of experience and also time, which generally pediatricians and general practitioners just don't have.
Well, I think that in some ways there have been some positive aspects to this because we definitely know that there are some kids out there that have bipolar disorder. Adults with bipolar disorder date the onset of their illness, at least one-quarter of them, to prior to age 12. So adults with bipolar disorder remember having a lot of these symptoms when they were younger, and I think that with some of the seminal research coming out it stirred up some controversy and interest in the topic and got people looking at some of these very difficult, moody kids in a different way and helped move them along to asking some questions to help with the diagnosis of bipolar disorder. That being said, I think that, as Dr. Leibenluft points out, we have a lot of very sick children that we have to try to assess and treat, and just because they're irritable, moody, aggressive and energetic does not mean that they have bipolar disorder. And so there's the concern that since it's been difficult to diagnose and identify that perhaps there also may be an element of overdiagnosis.
The Pros and Cons of Medication for Bipolar Disorder
Dr. Axelson:
When it's active, bipolar disorder really affects social, family, educational functioning, functioning with peers. These kids lose significant chunks of their lives or appropriate developmental steps in their lives when they have these severe mood episodes. So I think that it's an illness that we can't not treat. I think it has a significant impact in the short term. And given that these are such key developmental periods for kids, that's going to have a long-term effect on their overall success.
Since we don't have tons of research in medication treatment specifically for childhood bipolar disorder, we do use what's been proven to be effective in adults. With adjusting doses and with careful monitoring, we use those same medications in kids. Some exciting new results are coming out with at least the second generation anti-psychotic medications. Several studies show that they are effective for manic symptoms in kids, and so that as a class seems to be emerging as a medication that's both efficacious in adults and kids with bipolar disorder.
Side effects can be very troublesome, and that's why it's so important to do a diagnostic assessment and assessment of the impairment of the illness because it's really a risk-benefit analysis. Although there hasn't been direct measurement of whether kids are more sensitive to side effects with these medications, certainly clinically with the second generation anti-psychotics, for instance, weight gain and metabolic changes seem to be quite common and at least as difficult as it is in adults if not more so.
Kids can certainly develop [side effects of anti-psychotics that manifest as] extrapyramidal symptoms, which are movement problems or stiffness or restlessness or things like that, at rates at least comparable to adults. These are serious medications, and you need careful follow-up and monitoring to prescribe them safely.
Dr. Leibenluft:
In addition to the weight gain, which might be particularly problematic in youth, many of these medications also impact on our ability to think clearly, to do complex kinds of problem solving, and so it's really important to assess how the medication might impact on the child's ability to do their schoolwork.
Finding a Medication That Works in Kids
Dr. Axelson:
Right now, we haven't identified specific diagnostic markers or tests that would sort of guide us to say this particular child is going to be more likely to respond to this particular medication. So we do have to use an element of what we call empirical treatment, or try something and do a careful assessment of whether the medication is being helpful. If it's helpful, great, if not, then move onto to a different medicine or different combination.
Sometimes we're very lucky, and the first medication we try works well with not too many problematic side effects, and things go well for an extended period. Other times, it really is multiple trials of different medicines and having to work on combinations of medicines. It can be very frustrating for the kids, the parents and, frankly, for the treating physician as well.
A child's brain is undergoing tremendous change over time, through puberty and even into young adulthood. How that affects how they respond to the medication is something that we don't entirely understand. Unfortunately, there are many cases of kids who've responded well to a medication for three months, six months, a year but then seem to break through, or it doesn't seem to have the same kind of efficacy that it used to. Even with dose increases and things like that, we're not able to salvage the medicine and have to move toward a different combination.
Targeting Symptoms and Tracking Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
Dr. Leibenluft:
When the physician is giving treatment, it's important to have agreement between the physician and the family about what the target symptoms are. What are the most important symptoms that are being treated? Then when there's agreement on those target symptoms, it can be extremely helpful for the parents and, where appropriate, the child to track those symptoms on a day-to-day basis. It can be on a calendar. On a scale of one to five, just write a number down, and you can do it for one symptom or three symptoms or whatever, and then bring that calendar with you when you go to see the doctor. That way, people can be very, very systematic about exactly which medicines are helping, which aren't, when things have been added or taken away.
There are psychotherapeutic interventions that can be used for bipolar disorder, and a number of them have been shown to be effective, but they have all been used in combination with medication. If someone is in the midst of a true manic episode or a depressive episode, they typically are so impaired that it's virtually impossible to really participate in psychotherapy. So if you really do have true bipolar disorder and you're in the midst of an episode, it's typically a question of psychotherapy in combination with medication.
Parents don't want to put their children on medications they don't need. When parents bring the child in and the question of medications is on the table, usually the decision is ultimately driven by how severe the symptoms are.
Dr. Axelson:
The first thing is you have to get the most severe symptoms that are affecting safety and functioning under control. So the things that you're concerned about are aggression, dangerous, reckless behavior, suicidal thoughts. Many of these kids unfortunately suffer from psychotic symptoms, hallucinations that can really cause a great deal of suffering and impairment. So I'm treating those acute symptoms as well as the agitation, restlessness, or if they're depressed, I'm treating the lack of motivation, not getting out, not going to school, things like that.
Right now, I think we have to use a bit more of a chronic illness management model with this because the medications we have are helpful but they're not absolute cures. If we look for everything to get better all at once, this oftentimes is why medication gets switched around quite a bit or medications get added when perhaps if we're a little more patient, we might be able to get a better result waiting and making fewer changes or more cautious changes.
For More Information on Bipolar Disorder in Children
For more information on the issues surrounding bipolar disorder in children, listen to the webcast, The Rise of Bipolar Disorder in Children.


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This week, the whole school is taking a purity test, and Veronica meets with Abel Koontz in Like A Virgin (1.08)!
To watch along with us, pause your recording of Like A Virgin right after the "Previously on Veronica Mars" segment, and wait for the countdown!
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Holiday Makeup Ideas
4 Quick Ways to Transform Your Makeup to Holiday-Worthy
Dressing up your makeup for all the holiday celebrations can be fun, but it can also be daunting. You want to look especially amazing, but you still want to look like yourself. Makeup artist James Kaliardos (that's him pictured above doing model Coco Rocha's makeup) gives us his tips to working a festive style without losing yourself to layers of color and sparkle. Keep reading to find out his simple tips.
1. Swipe on lipstick: "I think something like just wearing lipstick is great," Kaliardos says. So do your regular makeup as usual and add a pop of color with a standout lip color. You can opt for something classic like MAC Lipstick in Russian Red ($15), but even a soft pink like Dior Addict Lipstick in Singulière ($31) can dress up your look if you don't usually wear lip color.
2. Go for a luminous look: If you're light-handed when it comes to makeup, try adding touches of highlighter to your otherwise pretty bare look. "That's really beautiful in the Winter," Kaliardos says. "And usually for holidays you throw on more earrings and you do your hair. You're already doing a lot, so sometimes it's good to pull back a little on your makeup." Something like the Smashbox Halo Highlighting Wand ($32), used along your cheekbones and on the bridge of your nose, can instantly brighten up your look.
3. Try a neutral smoky eye: You don't necessarily have to go black to wear a smoky eye with impact. "I really like smoky eyes in gray," Kaliardos explains. "You get that beautiful strength of a smoky eye, but it's not as intense as black and not as rock and roll. Everyone looks beautiful with a gray or a mushroom brown, where it just feels a little bit softer."
4. Play with liquid liner: "I love a liquid line, and I think that's really chic," Kaliardos says. "It looks good on everyone, and it just gives you that glamorous feeling." It can be a trickier thing to play with if you're not used to using a liquid, so Kaliardos recommends practicing a few times with the Hourglass Script Precision Liquid Liner ($32) before primping the night of your next cocktail party. "I would tell someone to look in the mirror and lift their chin so their eye lid becomes flat and they are looking down. Just lay the liner right against your eyelashes and pull it out. Take a deep breath for the end and just do it in one exhale so that you just have one sweeping motion." And just in case you need to redo, have a cotton swab and some eye makeup remover handy for a touch-up.


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A tropical rainforest climate, also known as an equatorial climate, is a tropical climate usually (but not always) found along the equator. Tropical rainforest climate is a type of tropical climate in which there is no dry season - all months have mean precipitation values of at least 60 mm (2.36 in). Tropical rainforest climates have no pronounced summer or winter; it is typically hot and wet throughout the year and rainfall is both heavy and frequent. One day in an equatorial climate can be very similar to the next, while the change in temperature between day and night may be larger than the average change in temperature between "summer" and "winter".
The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Af". (Tropical Rainforest Climate).
The average temperature for the year in Wewak is 81.0°F (27.2°C). The warmest month, on average, is January with an average temperature of 81.0°F (27.2°C). The coolest month on average is February, with an average temperature of 80.0°F (26.7°C).
The highest recorded temperature in Wewak is 98.0°F (36.7°C), which was recorded in July. The lowest recorded temperature in Wewak is 62.0°F (16.7°C), which was recorded in July.
The average amount of precipitation for the year in Wewak is 137.2" (3484.9 mm). The month with the most precipitation on average is April with 16.9" (429.3 mm) of precipitation. The month with the least precipitation on average is August with an average of 4.8" (121.9 mm). In terms of liquid precipitation, there are an average of 193.4 days of rain, with the most rain occurring in April with 19.0 days of rain, and the least rain occurring in August with 11.3 days of rain.


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"The lines of this three-box saloon... suggest refinement and elegance. Its status-enhancing front-end looks are underpinned by the design of the headlamps and the specific grille which is picked out in chrome." And so it goes. The biggest question we have about the 2009 Renault Symbol is, 'Did the Renault PR team even look at the car before they wrote the press release?' The answer is an obvious no, as the new Symbol appears to have finally beaten out the original Toyota Prius as the ugliest three-box sedan in the last decade. Add in the rear removable headrest-mounted DVD player, a Circuit City quality nav-system installation and you've got a "status-symbol" for central and eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Borat-quality press release after the jump.
NEW RENAULT SYMBOL, ELEGANT, VERSATILE AND INEXPENSIVE TO RUN Renault profited from the Moscow Motor Show on August 26th to reveal New Renault Symbol. The lines of this three-box saloon, which is the latest model to join its line-up as part of the Renault Commitment 2009 plan, suggest refinement and elegance. Its status-enhancing front-end looks are underpinned by the design of the headlamps and the specific grille which is picked out in chrome. The cabin is comfortable and carefully-appointed. Up to three equipment levels are available depending on market, namely Authentique, Expression and Privilège. Thanks to its thrifty fuel consumption and low servicing and running costs, New Renault Symbol is truly economical to run. Both the petrol-and diesel-powered versions of this new vehicle can claim best in class fuel consumption, returning a low 4.3 litres/100km (equivalent to CO2 emissions of 116g/km) with the 1.5 dCi 85hp engine, and 5.9 litres/100km (equivalent to CO2 emissions of 140g/km) with the 1.2 16V 75hp powerplant. The range of latest-generation engines provides the category's best level fuel consumption, performance and acoustic comfort. Long servicing and oil-change intervals also contribute to low running costs. New Renault Symbol sets new standards when it comes to travelling comfort, too. The running gear is inherited from that of Clio II which is acclaimed for the first class balance it strikes between comfort and handling. Passengers will also appreciate the quiet drive ensured by the carefully soundproofed cabin, while thermal comfort has been engineered to function in a wide range of extreme climates. Meanwhile, New Renault Symbol's connectivity meets customer's expectations thanks to an extensive choice of radios with MP3 playback, Bluetooth® hands-free telephone controls, a portable Carminat navigation system and an audio connection box which permits the use of personal MP3 and iPod® players in total safety. The large (506 dm3), practical boot meets the needs of a wide variety of uses, ranging from family holidays and professional use to weekends away in the country. This new three-box car is just as uncompromising in the realm of safety, delivering optimal protection for all occupants. New Renault Symbol has plenty of arguments in its favour to win over families in Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, Turkey, the Maghreb countries and the Gulf States. Indeed, this new vehicle heralds the forthcoming renewal of Renault's entire three-box line-up and is due to be released for sale on the majority of its markets between September and November 2008.
Be glad we spared you the extremely extended press release. [Renault]


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To put Stanford's win over USC into the proper perspective this morning, you should know that the Stanford Tree woke up with a raging hangover, empty tequila bottles strewn about his apartment and a pair of panties dangling from his upper branches. OK, that just means it's Monday. For real perspective, how about this e-mail I received yesterday from a Stanford grad:
"I keep thinking I should be conflicted over all of this, given that Stanford's victory allows Cal to get to No. 2 (almost No. 1 if not for LSU's big comeback)."
Yep, the 24-23 win at USC was so stunning, Cardinal supporters are worried about how it affects their arch-rival. God, they don't even know how to properly celebrate. Having grown up in the Bay Area, this doesn't surprise me at all. Unlike Texas or Oklahoma, where football is religion and one wrong word can get your scrotum ripped, we are by comparison a sleepy backwater. In the great department store of college football, we are the casual wear department.
But that doesn't make Saturday's result any less significant. Even if no one else is saying it, can I call this what it is? The biggest upset in college football history. USC opened as a 41-point favorite, and by game time the line was at 39-40. If the point spead is the standard, then this beats the runnerup, Oregon State (+36) over Washington, 21-20, in 1986. Other fun facts:
• Going into the game, Stanford was 2-14 since the start of last season and had been outscored 72-3 in the previous six quarters.
• It was the first start for quarterback Tavita Pritchard, who had thrown three passes in college.
• Stanford's defense was allowing 47 points per game in Pac-10 play.
• The Cardinal trailed 23-14 in the fourth quarter.
But for the Stanford-didn't-win-it-USC-lost-it crowd, well, things like this just don't happen without being part of some bigger picture. The fact that Stanford was even in a position to win it at the end means that this program has turned some sort of corner. The Cardinal played harder, made the the big plays when they counted and may have had a bit of divine assistance when Mark Bradford pulled down Pritchard's pass in the left corner of the end zone for the winning TD. This caused all sorts of confusion among the Versus announcers, by the way: One of whom boldly predicted — after the TD catch had tied it — that Stanford would go for the one-point conversion instead of two.
It's kind of a neat moment, too, for Jim Harbaugh, who played high school football across the street from Stanford — at Palo Alto High — before becoming the quarterback at Michigan (after Stanford admissions had turned him down). While at Paly, Harbaugh was so famous for locking his keys in his car during football season that teammates built him a jimmy device in shop class so that they wouldn't have to continually drive him home. It's that singularity of purpose that leads one to believe that he just may have a future in this football business.
On the other hand, you have John David Booty, who the same night his team lost in the biggest upset in college history, was seen doing shooters at Les Deux, an LA nightclub. It could be said that he was drowning his sorrows; if by that you meant "being draped by blondes."
Actually I'm just relieved that the Stanford band didn't march onto the field prematurely and ruin this one. That very easily could have happened.
Biggest Upset In College Football History? [Democratic Underground]
LA Nightclub Gets Booty Shots After Trojan Loss [SportsbyBrooks]
Stanford Upset Of USC Even Shocks Commentators [SportsbyBrooks]
Stanford Shocker [YouTube]


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Baby steps
BALTIMORE — Shaun Marcum is off the disabled list today, Brian Wolfe got sent down last night, aaaaaaand, that's about all that's going on here. So, tonight I bring you some stats to fill some space.
35-39 record
4.0 runs per game
.231 (155-67) runners in scoring position
13-12 record
4.8 runs per game
.269 (61-227) runners in scoring position
"It might've got a little better since I've been here," Gaston said. "But, it hasn't been great, either."
Very true.
Today's lineups:
TORONTO (48-51) at BALTIMORE (48-50)
at 7:05 p.m. ET at a still sweltering Camden Yards
David Eckstein, DH
Marco Scutaro, 2B
Alex Rios, CF
Rod Barajas, C
Lyle Overbay, 1B
Scott Rolen, 3B
Adam Lind, LF
Kevin Mench, RF
John McDonald, SS
PITCHING: RHP Shaun Marcum (5-4, 2.65)
Brian Roberts, 2B
Adam Jones, CF
Nick Markakis, RF
Aubrey Huff, DH
Melvin Mora, 3B
Luke Scott, LF
Kevin Millar, 1B
Ramon Hernandez, C
Juan Castro, SS
PITCHING: LHP Garrett Olson (6-5, 5.79)
44 Comments
How long do you leave Marcum in he most certainly dosn't have it tonight.
The Os had to show the Jays what to do when the bases are loaded.
Garry, I was thinking to myself that I hope the Jays hitters are paying attention to Melvin Mora this series and taking notes. He's showing them how it's done. I think they were saying his RISP is in the .350 range. Unfortunately for Gaston the hitting has improved a bit but it seems like the pitching isn't as good as it was at the beginning of the year. (i'm thinking Litsch in particular.) It's still good, no question but you can't ask for them to keep pitching as well as they did the first 2.5 months.
They got Johnny Mac upset and he made them pay. lol
Look at J.Mac go 4 RBIs AVE up to 203 WOOO HOOO.
What the hell happend to the pitch count, Gaston should have his *** kicked I don't think he's any smarter than Gibbons.
Nice day so far for Lind, 4 for 4 with a 3 run shot. I just heard that he can one day be a future clean up.
Woah a 10-8, good but unnecessary Victory for the jays.
Did you guys read my last post in the the last blog….it was long but some of you msut have read it?
Anyways now who thinks Lind shoudl be batting second?
How many pitches did he let Marcum go in?
Gaston is still def. better than Gibbons and he has the track record to prove it.
Surprised with the 4 Rbi's from JMAC
Lind will some day be the clean up hitter they will move him up slowly which is a good thing.
I belive Marcum threw 73 pitches.Go to the scoreboard and you can see it all.
That post was for you Harry.
So Johnny Mac set a Blue Jays record tonight. It's the first time in Blue Jays history any right handed batter who bats 9th, that has a batting average under .200, hitting against a left handed pitcher, hits a double, and increases his yearly rbi's by 150%. LOL
Woops, forgot one thing. "With 2 outs."
Mike Willmar Thinks this team can contend next year with the same players just by adding a couple of pices lol.
Mike Wilner is in the bag with JP. He's an idiot, who just loves to hear himself talk. Even when he does interviews-he does most of the talking.
He insults almost everyone who calls into his show, but in Toronto, Garry, sports fans expect to be insulted, we expect it.
After all who else who put up with the Leafs not winning for over 40 years.
So Cito thinks we can finish 10 games over 500 I don't think so does anyone else.
yes, I sort of thought that was a bit over optomistic as well.
Gsumner go to trade rumors they explain in detail what happens when you lose a player to free agency.and they sign with another team.
Garry-I forgot to ask you. Who do you believe on the story of Mel Queen coming back JP of the press?
JP claims he was brought back to provide pitching coaching in the minors as a roving coach. The press generally all ran the same story which is he was brought back to analyze the entire Blue Jays minor league system.
He was a great pitching coach, so for sure he's going to be a help.
I think as long as those pieces are good bats they can contend next year but anyway I don't see how you guys can think that suggestion is so ridiculous when, if I recall correctly things looked rosey to alot of you back in April. Lind will be up full time next year, that's an improvement. They'll have Arenciaba competing for a spot. Rios should bounce back next year and hit for some power again. If Wells can put up similar numbers next year over a full season that'll be an improvement because it prevents Wilkerson or Inglett from playing in the outfeild. Really, all they need is a DH who can put some fear into the pitchers and a leadoff hitter. Something that Shannan Stewart (remember him ?) could've been had he produced/not been hurt. You don't need a New York Yankee offense with the pitching staff they have. Though Burnett will need to be replaced as well. Call me an optimist but I don't want them to blow the thing up yet. Unless they have absolutely nothing spend with this offseason.
Steve Phillips mentioned today that he believes that there are not many teams interested in Burnett and that the Jays maybe better off hanging on to him and taking the 2 first round picks because no teams are willing to offer the equivalent right now.
I belive the press.
enigma you may be right and we also need a shortstop with some power unless J.Mac can do the job under Cito.
Give Cito one year and if he can't get the team into the playoffs then let's hope they rebuild.
If we can take the final two games from the Os then we play Seattle and the pitchers we face are very poor we might get lucky and get over 500 the trick is staying over.
So let me get this straight. You guys want to keep Stewart, Wilkerson, Zaun, Barajas, Eckstein, Mench, Stairs and John Parrish and think we have a chance to contend next year.
Not very many people are active on this blog and I cant understand why,We all know the team has been a major disappointment this year so why not talk about it ,air your thoughts,If you read this blog why not pipe in ,all you have to do is sign up for a Major League account it cost nothing so let's hear from some of you people who have never posted before.
Barajas is the only one to keep to help Dias the rest of that bunch can go but keep the rest of the team togetherand add a few pices and away we go.
Garry-well if you decide to keep Barajas, which of either Diaz or Arenciba do you not want up here to play?
Garry-I forgot one thing.
So you're ok if we finish 4th or 5th next year as well?
Leave Arenciba down until we see if Diaz can handle the job then if he can than bring up Arenciba and trade Barajas.
I belive I said give Cito one year if it doesn't work than rebuild ??? Hey it's just an opinion????.
I don't think we need to fully rebuild…we just need to bring up a few young players that should be able to produce and then have rios/wells go back to their 06 numbers even 4/5 of the way there would/should be enough.
im joking with you. I like Cito, I just think we need to do more surgury to effectively compete.
My take is, if we're going to "go for it" again next year, we need to get a short stop with good speed, good BA as a lead off hitter. A change at both 3rd and 1st base for more power. Now we could get aggressive and sign Tiexera for 1st, but we still need those other two pieces.
I would trade either Zaun or Barajas now and bring Diaz up. We might be able to turn Arenciba into a 3rd baseman, he is very athletic. If that's possible, we should stat playing him at 3rd now in AA or AAA, and possibly try the same experiment with Johnathon Jaspe and move him up to A.
If the stars all align and that all works we still need that short stop-the question is who do we need to trade in order to get him?
I still think the best deal to do is with Milwaukee for both Gamel and Escobar for 3rd and short stop. I think both of them could make the leap next year. The pieces Milwuakee are looking for is a closer and Left Hand reliver-so maybe Tallet and Ryan.. I just dont see them going for it unless they get a proven closer like Ryan-these two kids are good.
If Rolen can get his swing so bat meets ball and Rios keeps hitting like he is and Wells comes back and finds himself and overbay picks it up we have the basis of a good team,We all wanted a power bat well we got one his name is Lind you'r not going to find anyone on the market any better and the team can afford him for a few years.
The problem with Ryan is his contract, maybe to much for a closer another JP screw up.
Indigo.What say you.
Bosoxbrian where are you are you to good for us now that we are cellar dwellers.
I don't think well ever see either Rolen or Overbay hit a lot of home runs and we need those two positions to be power positions.
I think and have said before Lind will hit 20-30 home runs and drive in 100. I do think Rios will, BUT in order to compete in the AL East that simply isn't enough; we need 4-5 guys hitting that. I'm also starting to loose faith Wells will ever hit 30 again.
So I still think we need another basher-and more important a serious 4th hole hitter which Tiexera is.
Milwaukee, to get Ryan and Tallet-or Carlson would probably consider Ryans contract. To me, even if we had to pay some of it to get those two kids, itd be worth it. Then sign Tiexera and we're ready to rumble in 2009
Sounds good to me.
Gary-I have this feeling that Mel Queen didn't come by accident like JP stated.
I'd bet his coming back started as a call between Beeston and Godfrey, where Godfey was asking for help, because he believes JP is BS'ing him about what we have in the minors. Beeston then suggested Queen and had Queen call Godfrey. Queen worked for Beeston for quite some time.
Maybe there's hope for Godfrey yet.
I have a felling it was Citos call and he is groming Queen to be the pitchen coach next year he may not get along with arnsberg.
Garry-We wish all Jay hitters were like this.
Hitting with Risp: .321
RISP with 2 outs: .375
Bases loaded: .333
man on 3rd, 2 outs: .400
Which hitter were you talking about Gsumner?
Adam Lind-season stats-not just after his 2nd call up which would be higher
small sample size though don't you think ? Lind will be a valuable piece to the team next year though no question. As for Riccardi, I don't really care if he stays or is gone. I do think that if they are going to rebuild J.P. is not the one to do it but if they plan on spending money then it wont matter to me whether it's him or some other guy. Thanks for the opinion Garry, i think i'll rent "the rookie" this weekend.


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READ about Piers Morgan's long career in journalism here.
On the backdrop of a remarkable story in Cleveland, Ohio, in which three women were found alive after having allegedly been held captive for 10 years, "Piers Morgan Live" invited Julio Castro to share his specific perspective on a case that is quickly becoming one of the most shocking in recent memory.
Joining Piers Morgan for a special live midnight broadcast, Castro spoke about his nephews, the three men currently under arrest and being held in the city jail:
"It is something that is nerve-wracking. I was very surprised to hear that my nephews had done something like that," said Castro.
Asked by the host if there had been any indication that the three brothers were capable of such a crime, Castro struggled to make sense of it all:
"Well, I know that two of them – Pedro and O'Neal – used to drink a lot, I don't know whether they still do," said Castro, via telephone from Cleveland. "But Ariel was never a big drinker."
Formal charges are expected to come within the next 36 hours, but Castro told Morgan he has no plans to visit the brother's while they're in custody:
"No. No. I never want to see them again."
Watch the clip, and listen to the rest of Castro's interview, as the uncle of the three suspects further explains his shock at learning of the accusations stemming from three separate missing persons cases.
» Follow "Piers Morgan Live" on Twitter
» Follow "Piers Morgan Live" on Instagram
It's good to know that the girls of this terrible story are free and will rejoin relatives asap. It sounds crazy how it all happened. What an awful nightmare they lived through for so long. I hope they will readjust to freedom AOK, and that whoever is responsible will pay a terrible price for their evil actions.
Kidnap three people,Melanie?They're up to their necks–hope they like iron bars.
What was the religion of the three brothers? We're they Muslims?
The flag flying on alleged offender porch is a Puerto Rican flag not an American flag like you stated on the show!
We're the three kidnapers Moslims? Did they come from a Moslim country? Did they learn how to be so wicked because from Moslims overseas? Maybe from Iran .... That's why we want Israel to atack them right?
There's about 4 questions in there,my chickadee(I know it's yeeow.....),and we're playing Musical Chairs with countries and
religions.What point are you making?
(And don't be nasty...)
I can't wait to see how Mr. Morgan finds a way to spin this one into a gun control argument. Probably an ancient ancestor of the Castro Clan owned a gun & that somehow genetically altered the family leading to a generation of child molester kidnappers....
he obviously knows english...why does it seem so difficult for him to speak it...this happens a lot.....eeeeeehhhhweeeeelllllll yeaaaaaah
Wish that was the case in the US(could have picked French as their lingua franca,but,well,not as good,is it?And your mates France have nothing to say,Hollande's popularity a record-low).
Some of the BS on here,and Thomas Hamilton only used handguns now,apparently.
Just Sad! How human beings can behave!


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Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. Is there anything better? Well, actual chocolate chip cookies would rank right up there I suppose.
But really, how many times have we all eaten raw cookie dough before shoving those babies in the oven to bake? I know I have. Risking raw eggs with every bite.
Well, worry no longer because Lindsay of Love and Olive Oil has just written her first book, The Cookie Dough Lover's Cookbook, filled with recipes using eggless raw cookie dough in cakes, pies, brownies, ice cream and more. We met at a Food Blog Forum event a couple of years ago and this year when I heard about her book I was captivated. How can you resist a title like that.
So this weekend I tried the basic Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles recipe from her book. It involved dipping so I was all in.
All you need is flour, sugar, brown sugar, salt, butter, milk, vanilla and chocolate chips.
No egg and all safe to eat by the spoonful. (See note in recipe about raw flour) And you might want to do just that because it's so good.
Or you can make truffles. Use a 1-inch scoop for even amounts of dough.
I got more than 30 from the recipe but I can't say exactly how many because, well I may have eaten some first. You know how cookie dough goes.
After you scoop them, roll them into round balls like the third one up from the bottom right. Yeah. I forgot to take a picture of them all rolled.
Then freeze them so they'll be firm enough to dip.
You can use popsicle sticks to dip them in candy coating and then just sprinkle with tiny sprinkles. Smaller sprinkles are better for these because of the size of the truffles. And of course you can always just leave them stickless too.
I used these Dark Chocolate Decoratifs from India Tree for the first time and I love them. They are tiny, delicate squares of chocolate and they will need to cover some cupcakes soon too. Really soon.
Try writing on the popsicle sticks for an added touch. These would be cute on display for a party.
If the chocolate starts to pool too much at the bottom after you dip, here's what I do to help them look pretty.
It can be messy, but effective.
Dip the ball in candy coating…
… and dot or slide the bottom of the coated ball on wax paper to pull off some of the excess coating.
Then just add sprinkles and set it over to the side in a clean spot on the wax paper to dry. Easy peasy and it makes them pretty.
They'll taste the same no matter what they look like though, so now worries. Except for how many you'll want to eat. These are pretty addictive little treats.
So… I dipped about half the balls in chocolate coating but about halfway through I had another idea.
It started with flattening the balls into little patties (the less perfect the better) and then freezing them for dipping.
Dipping into peanut butter coating for color this time. Sound interesting?
Can you see where I'm going?
You guessed it.
Chocolate chip cookie decorated chocolate chip cookie dough pops.
I just couldn't resist.
Too too cute.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles
from The Cookie Dough Lover's Cookbook (Thanks Lindsay!)
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
chocolate candy coating
popsicle sticks, cut in half (use kitchen scissors to make a clean, smooth cut)
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugars with an electric mixer until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
- Mix in milk and vanilla.
- Add flour and salt and mix on low until combined.
- Stir in chocolate chips.
- Chill dough in refrigerator for about 30 minutes until firm enough to roll or scoop into 1-inch balls.
- Place rolled balls on a wax paper lined baking sheet and place in the freezer for at least 15 minutes. (I had mine in for about an hour so longer is okay, too)
- Melt candy coating following instructions on the package. Remove a couple of balls from the freezer at a time and insert the cut stick into the ball. Dip in candy coating and let any excess fall off back into the bowl.
- Add small sprinkles on top and place on wax paper to set. If the chocolate pools at the bottom of the ball, dot the balls on the wax paper until most of it is pulled off the ball and then place it on a clean spot of the wax paper to set.
- Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to a week.
If decorating like chocolate chip cookies, flatten the balls into patties and freeze for dipping. Insert the stick carefully into the thickness of the patty and dip in melted peanut butter candy coating. Then just sprinkle with more mini chocolate chips before the coating sets.
Enjoy and if you're a cookie dough lover, check out Lindsay's book! It's available now for pre-order and releases on June 5th.
Note: Hey guys – I just wanted to update this post after reading some of your comments about using raw flour and the possibility it could make you sick. Here's an article about an outbreak in 2009 that was traced back to raw flour (Thanks Allie for sharing the link in the comments section). It's seems to be the only example and it doesn't say conclusively that it was the cause, but I wanted to share the information so you can make a more informed decision before you decide to make these.


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My question concerns what is often referred to as the "word of knowledge," in 1 Corinthians 12:8. I know that some Christians believe that this gift is operational today, and others do not. In context, it seems that this gift is for the benefit of the church as a whole, rather than for individuals. However, is it possible for Christians on rare occasions to receive a private message from God, such as in times of great distress? Not an audible voice, but rather "words in the head," so to speak? And if so, would this undermine the Reformation doctrine of Sola Scriptura and 1 Peter 2:20?
You ask a very good question. The context in 1 Corinthians 12, and your words "a private message from God," seem to suggest that this "word of knowledge" is a special miraculous gift in the same category as several of the other gifts listed in verses 9-10, i.e., healings, discerning of spirits, tongues, prophecy, and interpretation of tongues. It is the position of the OPC that all "those former ways of God's revealing his will unto his people [have] now ceased." Moreover, it is the teaching of Scripture and our Confession that God has revealed his will to the Church and has committed all that revelation to Scripture. (WCF, 1.1)
This is not just the teaching of the Confession but is the teaching of Scripture. First, consider Hebrews 1:1, "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets." The explanation of this verse is a little difficult to grasp but it is very necessary. This verse clearly teaches that the OT prophecy should be understood as completed unit, "God … spoke." The Greek is quite clear. It employs the aorist tense, a tense that presents an action as a unit. That this unit is a past unit is clear from the phrase "in time past." Moreover, consider the words of Jesus to the Jews, "that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar" (Matt. 23:35). Thus, Jesus told them that they are held responsible for every murder mentioned in the Bible from the first, i.e., Abel, to the last, i.e., Zechariah. In doing this Jesus sets the bounds of the Old Testament as they were received in the Judaism of his day. Although the books were ordered differently than the order of our Christian Bible, the books included are the same. In other words, Jesus divinely limited Old Testament revelation to our Bible. These were the books implied in the statement in Hebrews 1:1.
Secondly, Hebrews 1:2, God "has in these last days spoken to us by his Son, whom he has appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds," is also offered as a proof text of the first paragraph of the WCF 1.1. Again, an explanation of the Greek is needed to understand how the fathers could use this verse to argue the closing of the NT canon. In this verse Hebrews clearly sets forth the closing of the NT canon when it says "has … spoken to us." Again, the aorist tense is used. Thus, the action envisioned, the speaking, is presented as a unit. In this case, the unit is not yet completed historically and the Holy Spirit does not intend to teach us that the book of Hebrews is not part of inspired writing, i.e., the unit was closed before this book was written. It should be obvious to the reader that Hebrews speaks with the authority of God, i.e., of Jesus. This is part of God's speaking "by his Son."
Therefore, we reformed believers deny all additions to inspired revelation whether by word of knowledge, tongues, or any other direct instruction from God. So, if this word of knowledge is taken to mean divinely granted knowledge or interpretation outside of Scripture, it has ceased. God has communicated himself and his will in the Scripture. It has all been committed to writing. The question is not whether God can give special messages today, but whether he would or will. He teaches us in the Bible that he can do this, but that he will not do so. He has spoken through the OT prophets and will not add to that communication. He has spoken through the Son and presents that speaking as a fixed, and now completed unit.
Again, consider Daniel 9:24, "Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy." In his magnificent commentary on Daniel, Dr. E. J. Young masterfully demonstrates that Daniel speaks of the earthly ministry of our Lord and its effects. One result of his ministry is that vision and prophecy have been sealed up.
Is it possible for Christians to "receive" a private message from God? Many believers say they have done so, but what does the Word of God teach?
"Questions and Answers" is a weekly feature of the OPC website. The answers come from individual ministers in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church expressing their own convictions and do not necessarily represent an "official" position of the Church, especially in areas where the Standards of the Church (the Scriptures and the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms) are silent.
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At least one new question is posted each week, so there should always be something new here for you to read. (For those people who would like to look at previous questions and answers, they will continue to be available as well.)
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Chaplains and Military Personnel


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harrypotterla.com. With photos by Phil Fisk.
Update: Translation.
The new movie seems to be very violent and bloody.
It's great. I love scenes with lots of blood and dirt. I enjoy those battle moments; they always look so intense and fun.
You've played Harry for half of your life. It's now ending. How do you feel?
It's hard to describe. Weird and sad at the same time. I'm definitely going to miss it. I'm going to miss these people, working with them everyday, seeing them. I'll miss the friends I made. At the same time I feel like I'm cutting the cord, so I'll be free to do whatever I want. I will have more time for myself as well. In the past if I got offered I great script, I had to give it up and say "I'm sorry, I'm unavailable for the next year and a half". Of course it's also wodnerful to know you have work anyway, but at the same time I appreciate having the freedom to choose my next project. That's really exciting.
You've worked with Rupert and Emma for 10 years. Is there any difference now?
Rupert has a larger collection of cars than me (laughs). We came to the conclusion that we've changed a lot during the filming of the movies. He used to be so loud and talkative, you couldn't shut him up- Now he's more quiet and reserved. I'm louder, on the other hand (laughs). Physically we look very different, but Emma looks just the same. Her face is exactly the same. I don't know what more to add, except we've been through the obvious changes of someone who goes from 11 to 21.
If you could go back in time and change something, would you change the things you've accomplished up until now?
I think I've done alright, but if I could go back in time I'm sure I wouldn't change a thing- What has changed has been our attitude towards work. 10 years ago we came on set and it was so much fun. we laughed, it wasn't work for us. Now we see a bigger responsability because we want to make a career out of this, and we know it's going to be hard.
Harry has to choose between life and death in this movie.
Yes, and it's such a noble and brave thing knowing that the more you live, more people are at risk. Harry knows this and has the maturity to see what's best for him and his friends, and all the people he loves. He needs to put his life aside. In the end, the fact that he took this very decision is what becomes his salvation.
What's your opinion on the impact this saga has had internationally?
The biggets franchises of the past never came close to Star Wars. Unlike those movies, the culture around Harry is not based in movies but in bokks as well. That created a fan base that is not only obsessed with the movies, but with the books as well. It's a very rich story. And you don't have that as a result of box office success. This saga has created a generation of fans that are smart, of different ages, it's just wonderful.
In the story you turn into a father.
Yeah that was fun. We had make up tests and it looked great. I compared my picture with my father's picture and it looked amazing.
And you got to choose your own children…
That was fantastic (laughs). It's something any parent would like.
What do you like to do on your free time?
Writing, reading. I love watching the Discovery Channel and I' fascinated with archeology. I love cricket and going to pubs. Sometimes people recognize me.
How do you do in the girls department?
Fame doesn't men you're automatically attractive for women. People think that you're famous because you're cool. But I'm not cool. I don't want to be around girls who want to be with me because of fame. I'm always dating, just not at the moment. I'm single, so we'll see what happens.
Home » Daniel , Harry Potter » Updated: Scans: OK! magazine (Spain)
Updated: Scans: OK! magazine (Spain)
Marion07 December 2010 at 11:27 No comments


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Jessica Chastain on Breakthroughs, Big Years and the Awards-Season Crash Course
By virtually any Hollywood standard, even if another film featuring Jessica Chastain weren't released in 2011 after this week, she'd have already had a pretty phenomenally successful rookie year in the business.
It's kind of staggering, really: Months after her vivid if vexingly underseen screen debut in Jolene, there was no missing Chastain on the Croisette as she and The Tree of Life stormed Cannes en route to the Palme d'Or. By the end of summer she was co-starring in America's number-one film, The Help. And on Wednesday, her spy thriller The Debt finally reaches theaters, featuring Chastain as one-third of a Mossad team dispatched to capture one of WWII's most notorious Nazi fugitives in '60s-era East Berlin. (Helen Mirren plays her haunted character, Rachel Singer, in the present day.)
But The Debt commences a grand finale to die for: September brings Take Shelter, arguably the best of the batch, starring Chastain as the wife of a man (Michael Shannon) whose apocalyptic nightmares and visions threaten him and his family. Writer-director Jeff Nichols (Shotgun Stories) crafts a near-perfect allegory of social and economic storms slowly suffocating the life from an average middle American family; the film succeeds in large part due to Shannon and Chastain's performances as a couple witnessing the storm from the inside, expertly navigating the terrain between '70s-tinged drama and timeless psychological horror.
Beyond that, Chastain has Al Pacino's film adaptation of their stage collaboration Salome finally bowing at the Venice Film Festival, a role as a detective investigating a series of homicides in Texas Killing Fields, and closes out the year as the wife of Ralph Fiennes's title character in the Shakespeare updating Coriolanus. Next year, look out for her opposite Tom Hardy and Shia LaBeouf in director John Hillcoat's long-awaited adaptation of The Wettest County in the World -- not to mention wherever awards are handed out, with Tree of Life, Take Shelter, The Help and Coriolanus all in various proximities to the center of the Oscar universe.
Chastain recently phoned up Movieline to talk about her astounding 2011 to date -- and the whirlwind yet to come this fall.
You and I spoke last fall about Jolene, when your film profile was just starting to rise. Now that we're in the home stretch for your 2011 releases, how is the reality of the journey compared to how you imagined it?
I guess it is the home stretch! It's kind of a baptism by fire. I wasn't imagining all of the films coming out at once, so there's a lot of learning on the go for me when it comes to red carpets and premieres and doing a junket. Or even a radio tour -- this morning is my first time doing any of that. I'm learning the other side of the business very quickly. But the other thing is that I'm very proud of the films I'm in. I love talking about them, I love talking about the actors I got to work with, and the directors. That, to me, is great.
I know it's totally out of your hands, but as the films' release dates were scheduled and their order became clear, did you ever think things like, "Oh, no, folks -- it should be The Debt and then it should be The Help..." Kind of arranging performance the way we recommend novels by our favorite authors?
I didn't think of chronological order. But I was very happy that Tree of Life was pretty much the first thing people saw. Even though Salome was my first film, and we're taking that to Venice this year, Tree of Life was the one that changed the whole landscape of my career. I love the idea that that film got to be my introduction to the business in a big way. That was the only one I was really thinking about in chronological order. But The Help, The Debt, Take Shelter and Coriolanus and Salome and all those films, I didn't think about in order. I did think, "Oh, no, I don't want the films to compete against each other." I don't like the idea of The Help competing of The Debt. But I make the films for the experience of what it was to make the films: to be on set, to work with the filmmakers and the actors. Once I walk away form the film, I don't really think about what the result of the film is going to be or a release pattern for it. That's usually where I try to stay.
I'm glad Take Shelter came near the end -- saving the best for last, or almost last.
I love Take Shelter.
It's totally sublime. How did you get hooked up with the project?
Sarah Green produces for Terrence Malick, and she was the executive producer on Take Shelter. She spoke to Jeff Nichols about me, because I had just done Tree of Life. She had read the script, and she thought, "There's this girl that no one really knows yet, but she might be really great to play Samantha in Take Shelter." So I got sent Shotgun Stories, which I found to be brilliant. It was made for $53,000; it was Jeff Nichols's first film. I was floored by it. Then I got sent the script for Take Shelter, and I thought, "This is interesting." I sat down with him, and he said something to me that made me want to be in every one of his films. He basically said, "It's a movie about family and marriage and faith. It's not a movie about the end of the world, it's not about mental illness, it's not abut all those bells and whistles. The main idea of the film is faith. And there's a look at the end of the film between Samantha and Curtis, and if the look isn't right, then the whole film falls apart." When he said that to me, I was very intrigued. And I think you can see that in the film; it's not presented the typical way you might see a movie about mental illness or apocalyptic ideas. Jeff had his own language -- his own way of telling this story.
How do you recall your first meeting with Michael Shannon?
We met right before we started shooting, and I was really intimidated by him. I know him as a fantastic actor, of course, but he's a very intense actor. I've seen performances where he really is this huge presence, and talking so much with Jeff about how the film's about marriage, I realized that needed to be absolutely clear. My connection with Mike had to be very close and intimate when we were shooting.
So I met him the day before we started shooting. My biggest hurdle was that I needed to get over my intimidation by him. I had to get over any awkwardness I felt or any shyness I felt. So as soon as I met him, I said, "Hey!" And I ran up to him and gave him a big hug. I threw my arms around him. "It's nice to meet you!" I wanted him to know -- and wanted myself to know -- that we were on this journey together, and I could not be embarrassed or shy. Also, Samantha really rules the roost in that family. She wears the pants, she makes the decisions. So I had to come in there and take control.
I remember covering Shotgun Stories and the kind of brotherhood between Jeff and Michael. But this is your movie, too. How and where did you fit into their scenario?
You know, they already had a language when I showed up. They're like brothers: They tease each other, they can get very personal very fast, they don't need to worry about being polite. So they started with this great gift. And one of the first weeks we were shooting, I remember we were rehearsing a scene -- it was Mike and I in this scene -- and they were lighting it to shoot. And I'm sitting in the living room waiting, and I realize, "Where's Mike and Jeff?" They were kind of away talking about the scene. It happened a couple more times, and then I went into that kitchen and said, "You know, guys, if you're talking about the scene, I have to be here. I'm in the scene, too. I know you guys work together a lot and you're like brothers, but I'm a member of this family now, and you have to include me." They just looked at me with their mouths open, and they were like, "Oh my God, I'm so sorry!" [Laughs]
It changed things at that point. I don't think they realized they were doing that, and I think actually approaching them that way was very Samantha of me. That is something Samantha would do. "OK, cut it out. You've gotta include me."


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Load data acquisition of machines and vehicles in the field can be tough: What you need is a robust data logging and analysis system. The webinar explains how to integrate digital signals like video cameras, GPS and field busses in addition to analog sensor signals in harsh environments. Moreover, we will show how you can easily access your measurement data remotely from your office.
Webinar: Load Data Acquisition in Harsh Environments
Load Data Acquisition in Harsh Environments


text:
Parasoft has released its Development Testing Platform (DTP) 5.1 this month. The technology works to consistently apply software quality practices throughout. The latest version of DTP further enables software quality efforts to evolve from automated to continuous.
With integration into any software development environment, users can observe and collect data from systems in the SDLC infrastructure, including open source and third-party testing tools.
"Continuous Testing is key to any organizations adoption of Agile, this release of Parasoft DTP introduces deeper insight into the association between the business and technical risks of the software development process," said Mark Lambert, VP of products for Parasoft.
The firm's Process Intelligence Engine enables the graphical creation and chaining of analytics to identify the business risks "hidden in the code". As PIE identifies risk, it can be used to trigger workflows, either within or outside of the DTP ecosystem, and report on how they correlate to the rest of the code base through the centralized reporting interface.
Users can set the metadata associated with findings (e.g., risk/impact, priority, assignment) based on analytics implemented with PIE. Workflows can be applied on-demand, according to scheduled intervals, or in an event-based model, so developers can efficiently focus on the findings that are important to the business.
Parasoft's code analysis engines and connectors for unit testing and code coverage allows users to capture and report test results and code coverage from any type of testing activity (including unit, functional, and manual tests).


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Friday 25 January
|Falco (1)
The lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) is a small kestrel with long pointed wings and a long tail marked with a black band at the end. Males and females are distinguishable by colouring. Males have a pale brown back and blue-grey feathers on the crown, rump, neck and tail. The belly is creamy pink with small brown streaks. In females, the back and head are mid brown and the belly is pale. Both back and belly are streaked with brown. Males and females have white undersides to their wings, with black tips (2). The eye ring is bright yellow and the feet are yellow to orange. The ankles and feet lack feathers (5).
Travelling in loose flocks of hundreds of birds, this sociable species will also roost together in trees, but migrate singly or in flocks of less than 50, at altitudes of around 2,000 metres. The lesser kestrel's flapping flight is shallow and rapid and is more conspicuous to prey than the subtle gliding flight that is more normally used. Hunting, usually for small mammals, makes excellent use of the lesser kestrel's powerful eyesight, sharp claws and strong beak. It dives almost silently from a perch or from mid air and pounces on prey with the claws, before swiftly killing its prey with a bite to the back of the head (2).
Breeding takes place between March and May, and eggs are laid, not in nests, but in scraped out depressions in trees. Again, lesser kestrels nest as colonies and pairs will display to each other to strengthen the pair bond. The female invests more time than the male in incubating the four to six eggs she lays, and rearing the chicks when they hatch after 28 to 31 days, but the male will contribute by fighting to defend their territory. The chicks hatch over several days and so the last to hatch is smaller than the others. This individual is most likely to die as it cannot compete effectively for food, and when food is particularly scarce it may be killed and eaten by its siblings. The chicks are fed for two to four weeks, and then must learn to hunt for themselves (2).
Found in Europe and northern Asia between latitudes of 30 and 50 degrees North at up to 500 metres above sea level. The lesser kestrel is migratory, moving to sub-Saharan Africa during the winter, and congregating most abundantly in northern Tanzania and southern Kenya (1).
An inhabitant of highland farming regions and grassy plains in the winter range, the lesser kestrel prefers open or wooded grassland and cultivated areas during the summer breeding season. It nests in areas with mountain slopes, gorges and deep ravines surrounded by open areas for hunting (2).
The main cause of decline of the lesser kestrel is habitat loss and degradation as a result of agricultural intensification, afforestation and urbanisation (6). Pesticide contamination is indirectly affecting the lesser kestrel due to reductions in prey, and directly affecting it during the breeding process. Hunting and egg-stealing have also contributed to sharp declines in numbers. Populations have been reduced most in the European range, particularly in Poland, the Czech Republic and Austria, where lesser kestrels are no longer breeding (2).
The lesser kestrel is protected by law, but its breeding sites are not, and numbers of breeding birds have dropped by 95 percent since the 1950s (2). Research and management of the species and its habitat have been carried out in several countries and both a European and an International Action Plan have been implemented. These encourage surveying and monitoring, the construction of artificial nests, and research into factors limiting the kestrel's survival and habitat management. The most immediate priority is to enforce the legal protection already in place (6).
For more information about the lesser kestrel and other bird species:
For the International Action Plan for the lesser kestrel:
This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
Image credit
© Chris Gomersall
Chris Gomersall
14 Judith Gardens
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1767 260 769
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Friday 25 January
Friday 05 October
Monday 24 September


text:
Brother Joe placed a well-written and cogent letter-to-the editor in the Fertile Journal in favor of the legalization of marijuana. It has unleashed a round of "have you seen the Journal yet?" gawking locally, as is to be expected. The knee-jerk shame reaction to having somebody take a stand contrary to prevailing dogma is strong.
We need to examine these questions cooly and logically. All scientific studies have found that marjiuana's negative effects are simply inconsequential compared to alcohol's. It is high hypocricy to sit at the bar sucking down beers while denouncing marijuana. The beers cause deaths on the highway. Marijuana has almost no effect on reaction time. Alcohol is addictive (although not as addictive as nicotine), marijuana causes psychological dependency, but nobody has had to go through detox to get off pot.
I agree with Joe that pot isn't harmless, but locking up 800,000 people for marijuana offenses in this country is a waste of jail space.
Is marijuana a "gateway drug" for kids? Only if you maintain the lie that it is in the same class as meth, cocaine, LSD, etc. The only way it is a gateway drug is if you have propangandized the children to believe pot is pernicious. They try it. They don't grow horns. They don't grow hair on their palms (an actual result promised in anti-pot literature of the 1920s). So then they think the are also being lied to about cocaine, meth and heroin. Then they turn into junkies. It is the lies that make it a gateway drug. The answer, then, is not to maintain the lies about pot to your kids as you head out the door to the bar, but to face the truth and say, don't do it. And then if you actually believe it, don't do it yourself, either.
Another hypocricy that parallels this, to my notion, is people who don't curse around the kids but who swear like sailors when the kids aren't there. The fear there is not that the kids might grow up to swear, it is that they will swear at the improper time and bring shame down on the household. So many irrational "I don't want my kids to..." prohibitions stem from the fear of potential embarrassment rather than an actual honest assessment of risk to the body or mind.
Joe just forwarded me the text of his letter, posted here in full:
I have heard that there have been several recent arrests in our community for the possession and/or distribution of marijuana. My heart goes out to the people whose lives have been affected by these arrests. It's time for the madness of marijuana prohibition to stop.
The facts show that marijuana is less addictive and far less harmful than alcohol, tobacco, and many prescription drugs. There is no known lethal dose of marijuana, something that can't be said for aspirin or ibuprofen or Xanax. While it is possible to become psychologically dependent on marijuana, it does not cause the severe physical addiction associated with narcotics, tobacco, or heavy alcohol use.
This is an issue that crosses political divides. Conservatives oppose unnecessary government interference with our lives and choices, while liberals want the government's involvement in our lives to be rooted in compassion and logic. The current state of prohibition is illogical, intrusive, and the farthest thing from compassionate.
Millions of people in this country use marijuana recreationally and are able to lead productive, normal lives. I have read story after story of people who found marijuana effective for a medical condition when no other treatment would work. A commission appointed by Richard Nixon conducted a comprehensive review of marijuana and public policy and concluded that "from what is now known about the effects of marihuana, its use at the present level does not constitute a major threat to public health." More than a dozen other government appointed commissions here and abroad have come to similar conclusions.
Before you judge those who use or sell this plant, please take a look in your medicine cabinet and your fridge. I'll bet that the painkillers, anti-depressants, and Xanax consumed each day in our community would fill a coffee mug. Likewise, the alcoholic beverages we consume in Fertile would likely fill a bathtub. We all have problems, and we all struggle to find the best solutions to those problems. We should have the right to choose our own medicine, and our own way to unwind at the end of the day.
I am not for a minute suggesting that anyone, especially young people, should smoke pot. It dulls the mind, inhibits short-term memory, and I feel that it can delay emotional development by allowing people to run away from their problems day after day. It is much better to keep a clear mind and face the problems of life head on.
However, we need to start respecting the intelligence of our youth. Kids are adept at detecting when they are being lied to. When we attempt to portray marijuana in the same light as truly dire drugs like meth, we run the risk of losing all legitimacy with our kids. Worse yet, they might assume that the warnings about harder drugs are also baloney. Regulating marijuana like alcohol will eliminate the black market that now makes pot so easily available to kids, while helping to restore faith in the law.
Joe Bergeson, Fertile, MN
Good work, Joe!


text:
Acquitted blogger sues Conn. officials for $50M
Hal Turner's big claim to fame is being a probable frequent caller to the Sean Hannity Radio show, and a news source for hate group leader, Pamela Geller.
Harold "Hal" Turner of North Bergen, N.J., filed the lawsuit in federal court in Newark, N.J., on Nov. 21 claiming he was falsely arrested, wrongfully imprisoned and maliciously prosecuted. A jury acquitted him last year.
Turner was arrested after a June 2009 blog posting suggesting Connecticut officials "obey the Constitution or die" and urging readers to "take up arms."