text:
The military made a difference in my life and reinforced some of the values and principles that were taught to me as a small child. It gave me an extra competitive edge and awareness about life.Credit: Mourge Files
Honor, Courage, and Commitment are the Marine Corps Core Values. This means you will honor and defend the Marine Corps, America and what they both represent. Everything you do and the way that you present yourself reflects the United States Marines and Armed Forces. You need persistence and determination in life to achieve your goals and dreams. If you feel you aren't the most talented, or smartest in your field or work environment, there's no need to worry. Determination, persistence, and tenacity go very far in helping you achieve success. You need courage to stand up for what you believe and how you feel. Also to understand that everyone won't agree on everything, but have the courage to stand up for what you believe and respect others. Commit to start a task and have the determination to finish. You should never give up, focus and continue with the goal that you have set in mind.
I had the opportunity to travel to countries outside of The United States, places like Egypt, Guam, Iraq, Kuwait and Iwakuni, Japan. I've lived and worked with people from diverse ethnic backgrounds and personalities and we were still able to join and support each other in a common goal. You will meet special people and experience your own unique places of travel.
The military isn't a choice for every person that considers joining. It is a strict, regimented lifestyle that has its own code of conduct and rank structure that you must be willing to follow and enforce. Where you travel is not usually up to you. It's highly likely you could receive orders for a position in another state or country and that's where you will go without the ability to refuse. You can decide if you will serve one enlistment or five enlistments in the military. That is up to you, but whatever you decide make sure you have an exit strategy and use your resources that you will earn to the best of your ability.
In order to become a successful woman or man in a male dominated environment like the Marine Corps, it's a challenging obstacle, but you can do it. You have to decide if you will take on the role of being a Woman, Man or Marine first. You have to be proficient in your job and training because everyday, you have to prove that you can withstand the demanding rigorous training and live in a field environment. Outdoors, underneath the stars, sleeping on a cot or sleeping bag.
The things the military taught me have transferred over into my life outside of the military. I cannot imagine how my life would be without my service time in the Marine Corps. I've learned valuable intangible character assets that I'm grateful to have. I had a chance to meet special people and see places that were unforgettable and you will too.
Amazon Price: $41.99 $37.90 Buy Now
(price as of Dec 12, 2017)
Amazon Price: $2.99 Buy Now
(price as of Dec 12, 2017)


text:
WaterWorks EX Water Filter
Item Details | Reviews (0)
|Mountain Safety Research
This item may be available at:
The side-mounted lever is easier to use than bike-pump-type filters. The base of the filter is threaded to screw directly onto Nalgene® wide-mouth water bottles or all MSR Dromadary Bags, reducing spillage and the risk of cross-contamination with unfiltered water. The over-pressure relief valve vents water back down the intake hose, so you dont get soaked with untreated water. A gauge is supplied so you can determine when its time to replace the ceramic filter element.
Filters at 1L per minute flow rate using the AirSpring air bubble technology.
Effective against all protozoa, and most bacteria, including smaller ones such as Campylobactor, some chemicals (including iodine and chlorine), and odours and tastes.
Foam pre-filter included.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
A More Interesting Reality than Ours: A Close Look at MATANGO
Author: Sean Kotz
For all the artistic beauty of ONIBABA, the graphic intensity of JIGOKU, and the genre-blending impact of GOKE: BODYSNATCHER FROM HELL (Kyuketsuki Gokemidoro), Ishiro Honda's MATANGO is probably the most significant, disturbing and influential of Japan's 60s horror/sci-fi psychodramas. Often cited as an anti-drug film, MATANGO is more significant in its conscious embrace of psychology. In its original language form, MATANGO is a creepy and intelligent film that stands in sharp contrast to Toho's generally optimistic sci-fi of the decade. With a slow-boiling tension, smart writing, convincing portrayals and some simple but effective special effects, MATANGO deftly explores the limits of human will and the lengths of social restraints. At the same time it directly questions the fabric of reality and the nature of happiness. And somehow, it also manages to consider life in a post-nuclear world with a rather nihilistic point of view. These elements make MATANGO arguably the most complete and satisfying film in Toho's sci-fi catalogue and equal to or perhaps even exceeding Honda's GOJIRA.
Better known to Americans as ATTACK OF THE MUSHROOM PEOPLE, MATANGO revolves around an array of characters on a hedonistic yachting trip accidentally stranded on an island without food. Living in an abandoned shipwreck covered in moss and fungus, the characters are severely tested by hunger and desire. Between the dwindling provisions, simmering resentments and sexual tensions, they weaken one by one and consume the prolific and prodigious fungi despite well-founded fears that the mushrooms degenerate the nervous system. The "laughing mushrooms," as they are called provide a sense of well-being and take away the hunger, but gradually transform the diner into a walking shitake with a bad attitude and a "come join us" agenda.
This story can quite clearly be read as an anti-drug parable, especially since there was much international debate about the mind altering effects of psilocybin producing mushrooms in the late 1950s and early 1960s. At that time, hallucinogens and Zen began to be tied together loosely and trippers were showing up high in Japanese temples by the early sixties. The drug problem in Japan has never been as pressing as in America, but in Japan, psilocybin mushrooms were not illegal until 2002. (A legislative loophole meant that consuming psilocybin was illegal, but the mushrooms themselves were not and were even available in vending machines for a time.) Whether this was on Honda's mind or not when creating the film, the elements work in this way and it is a popular way to read the film.
However, as an anti-drug movie, MATANGO becomes and oversimplified message movie—i.e. "just say 'no' or you will become a monster, ya crazy hipsters!" Perhaps that is there, but writer Masami Fukushima's screenplay is more complex than a Reaganesque platitude. His story involves people with many motives—greed, ego, indebtedness, lust, power and even love. These flaws allow the filmmakers to explore subjective nature of reality, psychosis and meaning in life.
Also, there is known source material worth considering—a short story by William Hope Hodgson called The Voice in the Night published in the November issue of Blue Magazine in 1907, way before any psychedelic propaganda wars evolved. The original story concerns an engaged couple marooned on a fungally infested island. They too find a shipwreck, clean it up, and proceed to gradually starve. First, the bride eats the fungus, but later the same afternoon, the groom of the story tangles with a once-human mushroom and gets the taste in his mouth, dooming him too. This twisted Garden of Eden story emphasizes compassion and demonstrates that the main characters do love one another by choosing to suffer together. Thus, as an inspiration for MATANGO, The Voice in the Night encourages more depth than anti-drug dogma.
Having said all that, MATANGO is worth a closer look, starting with the characters of the film. The ill-fated trip is financed by an aloof and self-possessed millionaire businessman, Fumio Kasai (played by Yoshio Tsuchiya). As a vicious storm rises on the first night of sailing, the skipper of the ship, Naoyuki Sakeda (Hiroshi Koizumi) and his first mate, Senzo Koyama (Kenji Sahara) want to turn back. Kasai, dismisses the advice and insists on pressing onward, not wanting to disrupt his plans, subjecting his entire entourage to life-threatening conditions.
We learn through flashbacks, radio alerts and character interaction, that Kasai has invited an eclectic group. For his own purposes, he brings along seductive entertainer Mami Sekiguchi (played by Honda and drooling-otaku favorite, Kumi Mizuno). Mystery novelist, Etsuro Yoshida (Hiroshi Tachikawa), joins the party as well, and like Mami, he represents the fashionable, cosmopolitan world of modern Tokyo. Finally—and significantly—the guest list includes a psychology professor, Kenji Murai (Akira Kubo) and his innocent and trepidacious student, Akiko Soma (Miki Yoshiro). (Soma, by the way, is the name often used for hallucinogenic mushroom teas used in India and elsewhere.)
If we can get beyond the eerie similarity to GILLIGAN'S ISLAND in this group, we can see an interesting cross-section of early 1960s Japanese society. Japan's tradition of seafaring is present in both Captain Sakeda and mate Koyama, though Koyama is conspicuously low-minded and the college educated Sakeda is driven by higher motives. Kasai, the successful business man, reflects Japan's rapid rebirth as an economic power and the central role of businessmen in post-Imperial Japan. Kasai is arrogant and expects to be served, but at least initially, every other character is dependent upon him to some degree just as Japanese society was dependent upon its newfound wealth.
Kasai's primary guests, singer Mami Sekiguchi and writer Etsuro Yoshida appear to have found their way into influential circles through the arts, or at least entertainment, soaking up the sensual pleasures of life. Mami feigns an interest in Kasai to get a trip to Europe, but clearly has more interest in Yoshida, another sensualist. If the crew represents the diverging directions of Japanese tradition and Kasai is Japan's renewed economic status, then Mami and Yoshida express the escapism and indulgence of the post-war generation. Together, they create a microcosm of 1960s Japan.
Set in place to observe what happens to such a society when cut off from basic needs are the final two characters—the psychologist, Murai, and the student, Akiko, who share an unspoken, unexpressed love. In fact, Murai becomes the true protagonist of the film, which actually begins in a Tokyo psychiatric ward where Professor Murai is under observation. Technically speaking, he is the lone survivor, but his cryptic opening statement sets a tone of painful introspection. With his back to the camera and the neon lights of Tokyo blazing through an open window, Murai muses:
"They are all dead… every one of them. No… I am the only one dead. It's true. The others are still alive. Why didn't they return, you ask? If you listen to what I tell you, it will probably convince you that I am insane, huh?"
Literally and figuratively, we begin MATANGO with serious questions. Clearly, he is physically alive, so life and death in this context mean something else. His lines, of course, are atmospherically ominous, but they open this tale with a pair of themes that Honda will execute brilliantly without ever being heavy handed or preachy. First, what makes life meaningful? Second, what is sanity if one has a different reality?
The next few minutes of the film are lighthearted and indulgent to divert our attention, but the complexity of MATANGO begins to surface once the principle characters are stranded on an island with little food or hope of rescue. With their yacht barely floating, the collective gladly crawls ashore to find food and water. Water they find in abundance, but food is another story. Searching the island, they discover a fungus-covered shipwreck but the castaways find a room full of chemicals and clean it up enough to live in.
The strange ghost ship effectively introduces the theme of nuclear disaster and subsequent mutation. The castaways quickly find equipment made in the Soviet Union, the free world and even Japan reflecting Japan's political position between democracy and communism. They also find a Geiger counter and samples of mutated animals and plants, evidence that the ship's crew was researching "the effects of a nuclear explosion." More disturbing is the fact that the ship seems to have been abandoned with a supply of food left on board, a working rifle, an unfinished ship's log and all the mirrors broken. For what it's worth, in so far as the metaphor of nuclear holocaust may apply, their new home is a corrupt and imperfect lost world.
Another important discovery takes place on the ship—a giant mushroom closed in a crate marked, "Matango." It is unclear whether nuclear energy has made the species so large and… as we soon see… so dangerous. However, it would explain other aspects of the film. Despite your mother's admonition that you are what you eat, mutating into a part fungus, part human isn't normal and may be a product of nuclear experiments. Also, it is commonly recounted that the film was nearly banned because some of the special effect makeup echoes the wounds suffered in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The veracity of the story is debatable, but undoubtedly the fully transformed fungi-men look like walking mushroom clouds.
But the most significant themes of MATANGO are psychological. Starving and under tremendous stress, the rainy season sets in midway through the film, bringing a pervasive gloom with it. One night, the characters suddenly encounter the first of many mushroom people lurching through the ship. Frightened and unable to get a good look at the creature, they wonder if they are seeing ghosts or simply going mad… though footsteps in the mud tell them otherwise. No one trusts anyone else and the most self-serving characters–the millionaire Kasai, the deceitful sailor, Yokama, and the novelist, Yoshida–are quick to assume a plot to seize power and resources.
In contrast, however, Dr. Murai (the psychologist), can see what is really happening. Searching for food on the beach, he muses to his student and would-be lover, "The weak restraints of society disintegrate in the face of the will to survive in harsh circumstances. The worse things get here, the worse we behave. Is there any way to change everyone's feelings?"
Sadly, there is not.
As the will to resist the mushrooms erodes, Yoshida is the first to give in. On the day following the first attack, Kasai enters the ship's lab to find Yoshida apparently trying to mix a drinkable grade of alcohol from the chemicals. Snubbing Kasai's pretense at authority, he snatches up the rifle to go hunting. When Kasai warns that he shouldn't be shooting in case the mushroom people are still human, Yoshida becomes Fukushima's mouthpiece for questioning perception:
"I hope that it is a man so I can have a talk with him. I'll be very interested to hear what he says. A man thinks strange things when he is out of his mind. His reality may be more interesting than ours, and it wouldn't matter what he ate."
Alone in the jungle, Yoshida quickly proves that rubbing alcohol is indeed a gateway drug for shrooming and sates himself on the forbidden fungi. Ironically, when he returns from his hunt (clearly stoned and without a kill), food is plentiful for the first time… but he no longer cares. Apparently, his reality is now more interesting than ours, fitting perhaps for a novelist (Incidentally, Fukushima was himself a famous mystery and science fiction writer in Tokyo at the time).
Next the energized Yoshida is discovered locked in Mami's arms by the lascivious first mate, Koyama—but sex is something the men agreed to resist. A fight erupts and Yoshida is barely restrained. Baring the rifle, he soon confronts the other men, threatening to "kill them all." At this point, the writer reveals the value of research to his foes:
"I ate some mushrooms. Now you know. I read a long time ago that the Mexicans ate them in order to increase their perception and gain a sense of well being… Japanese legends mention laughing mushrooms, so I'm in good company. The people who gathered them danced in high spirits on the mountains and were in touch with the gods. Matango, according to your thinking [creates] a person who is no longer human. That's fine by me, because when I kill you, I won't be committing any crime."
As a writer, he might indeed know this history and it explains his willingness to experiment as well. It also reveals the nature of the mushrooms, which drive him to indulge his desires even further.
He is, however, subdued and the other men lock him up as a dangerous lunatic. From this point forward, the delicate society begins to fall apart. Captain Sakeda abandons the group in the now repaired yacht, (only to die at sea and have the boat drift back to the island). As the others discover Sakeda's escape, Yoshida emerges from imprisonment thanks to Mami. He separates the women out and prepares to kill the other men, but is interrupted by Yokama, whom he guns down. This gives Professor Murai and Kasai the chance to overpower Yoshida, and they send both conspirators out into the jungle, where they gorge on more mushrooms.
The next day Kasai, too despondent to search for food, is left on board the ship while Murai and Akiko are gone. At this point, Mami returns and seduces Kasai off the boat, taking great pleasure in the way he begs her for help. She feeds him mushrooms and for a moment, he's rewarded with an exotic fantasy of women dancing in a Tokyo club. But before long he is running in confusion amid a number of mushroom men, losing his battle against temptation.
Murai and Akiko are the only ones left clinging to hope after Kasai seeks refuge in the mushrooms and Murai proposes that they try sailing off the island. Akiko has a complete breakdown, and the two finally hold one another in a deep kiss, giving her the strength to attempt the escape. But the plan is short lived. Attacked by their former shipmates and fending for their lives, Akiko is dragged into the jungle.
Naturally, Murai rushes to save her, but he is embattled and must flee when he finds his love passively eating the mushrooms with a glazed look and eeire smile, beckoning to him. He escapes the island, as we know from the beginning of the film, but this is no happy ending. Without Akiko, he recounts his story in despair and regret:
"If I really was in love with Akiko, I should have eaten the mushrooms with her and become one. At least we would have been together. Isn't that it? If I really wanted to live, I shouldn't have been so stupid and eaten one. With all the pain… all the suffering… all my sadness would have disappeared by eating them! How in the world can I face myself?"
If this is, in fact, an anti-drug movie, it sure doesn't sound like one in the end. Life is defined here not by existence, safety or even a place in society… but rather, by love. The questions have never really been so much about human nature, but rather human reality—and which ones we choose to live in.
In the last moments of the film, Murai finally turns to face the camera when he is told by the observing psychiatrists (ah, the irony!) that he should be happy for being rescued. But in the struggle to escape, he has apparently been infected anyway, his face beginning a horrible transformation. In this condition, he can only tell the baffled doctors that "Tokyo is not very different from that island. People in the city are just as cruel aren't they? It's all the same. I would have been happier on the island."
Murai's regrets leave the audience, like the doctors watching Murai from behind an iron gate, to wonder… if a person is happy degenerating and liberated from guilt, isn't that better than being unhappy and trapped in remorse? Is there really a right and wrong in such situations, or merely choices with consequences?
It is a powerful way to end a film that might easily have slipped into melodrama and left us with our perfunctory mating couple intact and sailing off into the sunset to begin a new life as 99% of science fiction films do. But in the end, MATANGO is really horror as much as anything else, with as much in common with NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD as it has with GOJIRA.
THE VOICE IN THE NIGHT: The Story that Inspired MATANGO
In 1907, British author William Hope Hodgson wrote the short story The Voice in the Night. The story was later filmed twice; first in a faithful adaptation for Episode 24 of the American TV anthology SUSPICION, which was broadcast on the NBC network on March 24, 1958. The episode was directed by Arthur Hiller and starred James Coburn, Barbara Rush, James Donald and Patrick Macnee. Five years later, Toho would use The Voice in the Night as the basis for their horror classic MATANGO.
Born November 15, 1877 in the village of Blackmore End, Essex, Hodgson's first published work was The Goddess of Death in 1904. Over the next decade, the author wrote numerous poems, short stories and novels; most notably The House on the Borderland (1908). During World War I, Hodgson served with the British Artillery and on April 17, 1918 he was killed by an artillery shell during a battle between British and German forces in the town of Ypres, Belgium.
Much of Hodgson's writings had been out of print for decades, but were recently reissued by Night Shade Books in the five volume Collected Fiction of William Hope Hodgson.
By William Hope Hodgson
It was a dark, starless night. We were becalmed in the Northern Pacific. Our exact position I do not know; for the sun had been hidden during the course of a weary, breathless week, by a thin haze which had seemed to float above us, about the height of our mastheads, at whiles descending and shrouding the surrounding sea.
With there being no wind, we had steadied the tiller, and I was the only man on deck. The crew, consisting of two men and a boy, were sleeping forward in their den; while Will— my friend, and the master of our little craft— was aft in his bunk on the port side of the little cabin.
Suddenly, from out of the surrounding darkness, there came a hail: "Schooner, ahoy!"
The cry was so unexpected that I gave no immediate answer, because of my surprise.
It came again— a voice curiously throaty and inhuman, calling from somewhere upon the dark sea away on our port broadside: "Schooner, ahoy!"
"Hullo!" I sung out, having gathered my wits somewhat. "What are you? What do you want?"
"You need not be afraid," answered the queer voice, having probably noticed some trace of confusion in my tone. "I am only an old man."
The pause sounded oddly; but it was only afterwards that it came back to me with any significance.
"Why don't you come alongside, then?" I queried somewhat snappishly; for I liked not his hinting at my having been a trifle shaken.
"I— I— can't. It wouldn't be safe. I—" The voice broke off, and there was silence.
"What do you mean?" I asked, growing more and more astonished. "Why not safe? Where are you?"
I listened for a moment; but there came no answer. And then, a sudden indefinite suspicion, of I knew not what, coming to me, I stepped swiftly to the binnacle, and took out the lighted lamp. At the same time, I knocked on the deck with my heel to waken Will. Then I was back at the side, throwing the yellow funnel of light out into the silent immensity beyond our rail. As I did so, I heard a slight, muffled cry, and then the sound of a splash as though someone had dipped oars abruptly. Yet I cannot say that I saw anything with certainty; save, it seemed to me, that with the first flash of the light, there had been something upon the waters, where now there was nothing.
"Hullo, there!" I called. "What foolery is this!"
But there came only the indistinct sounds of a boat being pulled away into the night.
Then I heard Will's voice, from the direction of the after scuttle: "What's up, George?"
"Come here, Will!" I said.
"What is it?" he asked, coming across the deck.
I told him the queer thing which had happened. He put several questions; then, after a moment's silence, he raised his hands to his lips, and hailed: "Boat, ahoy!"
From a long distance away there came back to us a faint reply, and my companion repeated his call. Presently, after a short period of silence, there grew on our hearing the muffled sound of oars; at which Will hailed again.
This time there was a reply: "Put away the light."
"I'm damned if I will," I muttered; but Will told me to do as the voice bade, and I shoved it down under the bulwarks.
"Come nearer," he said, and the oar-strokes continued. Then, when apparently some half-dozen fathoms distant, they again ceased.
"Come alongside," exclaimed Will. "There's nothing to be frightened of aboard here!"
"Promise that you will not show the light?"
"What's to do with you," I burst out, "that you're so infernally afraid of the light?"
"Because—" began the voice, and stopped short.
"Because what?" I asked quickly.
Will put his hand on my shoulder.
"Shut up a minute, old man," he said, in a low voice. "Let me tackle him."
He leant more over the rail.
"See here, Mister," he said, "this is a pretty queer business, you coming upon us like this, right out in the middle of the blessed Pacific. How are we to know what sort of a hanky-panky trick you're up to? You say there's only one of you. How are we to know, unless we get a squint at you— eh? What's your objection to the light, anyway?"
As he finished, I heard the noise of the oars again, and then the voice came; but now from a greater distance, and sounding extremely hopeless and pathetic.
"I am sorry— sorry! I would not have troubled you, only I am hungry, and— so is she."
The voice died away, and the sound of the oars, dipping irregularly, was borne to us.
"Stop!" sung out Will. "I don't want to drive you away. Come back! We'll keep the light hidden, if you don't like it."
He turned to me: "It's a damned queer rig, this; but I think there's nothing to be afraid of?
There was a question in his tone, and I replied.
"No, I think the poor devil's been wrecked around here, and gone crazy."
The sound of the oars drew nearer.
"Shove that lamp back in the binnacle," said Will; then he leaned over the rail and listened. I replaced the lamp, and came back to his side. The dipping of the oars ceased some dozen yards distant.
"Won't you come alongside now?" asked Will in an even voice. "I have had the lamp put back in the binnacle."
"I— I cannot," replied the voice. "I dare not come nearer. I dare not even pay you for the— the provisions."
"That's all right," said Will, and hesitated. "You're welcome to as much grub as you can take–" Again he hesitated.
"You are very good," exclaimed the voice. "May God, Who understands everything, reward you—" It broke off huskily.
"The—the lady?" said Will abruptly. "Is she——"
"I have left her behind upon the island," came the voice.
"What island?" I cut in.
"I know not its name," returned the voice. "I would to God–!" it began, and checked itself as suddenly.
"Could we not send a boat for her?" asked Will at this point.
"No!" said the voice, with extraordinary emphasis. "My God! No!" There was a moment's pause; then it added, in a tone which seemed a merited reproach: "It was because of our want I ventured—because her agony tortured me."
"I am a forgetful brute," exclaimed Will. "Just wait a minute, whoever you are, and I will bring you up something at once."
In a couple of minutes he was back again, and his arms were full of various edibles. He paused at the rail.
"Can't you come alongside for them?" he asked.
"No— I dare not,' replied the voice, and it seemed to me that in its tones I detected a note of stifled craving— as though the owner hushed a mortal desire. It came to me then in a flash, that the poor old creature out there in the darkness, was suffering for actual need of that which Will held in his arms; and yet, because of some unintelligible dread, refraining from dashing to the side of our little schooner, and receiving it. And with the lightning-like conviction, there came the knowledge that the Invisible was not mad; but sanely facing some intolerable horror.
"Damn it, Will!" I said, full of many feelings, over which predominated a vast sympathy. "Get a box. We must float off the stuff to him in it."
This we did—propelling it away from the vessel, out into the darkness, by means of a boathook. In a minute, a slight cry from the Invisible came to us, and we knew that he had secured the box.
A little later, he called out a farewell to us, and so heartful a blessing, that I am sure we were the better for it. Then, without more ado, we heard the ply of oars across the darkness.
"Pretty soon off," remarked Will, with perhaps just a little sense of injury.
"Wait," I replied. "I think somehow he'll come back. He must have been badly needing that food."
"And the lady," said Will. For a moment he was silent; then he continued:
"It's the queerest thing ever I've tumbled across, since I've been fishing."
"Yes," I said, and fell to pondering.
And so the time slipped away— an hour, another, and still Will stayed with me; for the queer adventure had knocked all desire for sleep out of him.
The third hour was three parts through, when we heard again the sound of oars across the silent ocean.
"Listen!" said Will, a low note of excitement in his voice.
"He's coming, just as I thought," I muttered.
The dipping of the oars grew nearer, and I noted that the strokes were firmer and longer. The food had been needed.
They came to a stop a little distance off the broadside, and the queer voice came again to us through the darkness: "Schooner, ahoy!"
"That you?" asked Will.
"Yes," replied the voice. "I left you suddenly; but— but there was great need."
"The lady?" questioned Will.
"The— lady is grateful now on earth. She will be more grateful soon in— in heaven."
Will began to make some reply, in a puzzled voice; but became confused, and broke off short. I said nothing. I was wondering at the curious pauses, and, apart from my wonder, I was full of a great sympathy.
The voice continued: "We— she and I, have talked, as we shared the result of God's tenderness and yours—"
Will interposed; but without coherence.
"I beg of you not to— to belittle your deed of Christian charity this night," said the voice. "Be sure that it has not escaped His notice."
It stopped, and there was a full minute's silence. Then it came again: "We have spoken together upon that which— which has befallen us. We had thought to go out, without telling any, of the terror which has come into our— lives. She is with me in believing that to-night's happenings are under a special ruling, and that it is God's wish that we should tell to you all that we have suffered since— since—"
"Yes?" said Will softly.
"Since the sinking of the Albatross."
"Ah!" I exclaimed involuntarily. "She left Newcastle for 'Frisco some six months ago, and hasn't been heard of since."
"Yes," answered the voice. "But some few degrees to the North of the line she was caught in a terrible storm, and dismasted. When the day came, it was found that she was leaking badly, and, presently, it falling to a calm, the sailors took to the boats, leaving— leaving a young lady— my fiancee— and myself upon the wreck.
"We were below, gathering together a few of our belongings, when they left. They were entirely callous, through fear, and when we came up upon the deck, we saw them only as small shapes afar off upon the horizon. Yet we did not despair, but set to work and constructed a small raft. Upon this we put such few matters as it would hold including a quantity of water and some ship's biscuit. Then, the vessel being very deep in the water, we got ourselves on to the raft, and pushed off.
"It was later, when I observed that we seemed to be in the way of some tide or current, which bore us from the ship at an angle; so that in the course of three hours, by my watch, her hull became invisible to our sight, her broken masts remaining in view for a somewhat longer period. Then, towards evening, it grew misty, and so through the night. The next day we were still encompassed by the mist, the weather remaining quiet.
"For four days we drifted through this strange haze, until, on the evening of the fourth day, there grew upon our ears the murmur of breakers at a distance. Gradually it became plainer, and, somewhat after midnight, it appeared to sound upon either hand at no very great space. The raft was raised upon a swell several times, and then we were in smooth water, and the noise of the breakers was behind.
"When the morning came, we found that we were in a sort of great lagoon; but of this we noticed little at the time; for close before us, through the enshrouding mist, loomed the hull of a large sailing-vessel. With one accord, we fell upon our knees and thanked God; for we thought that here was an end to our perils. We had much to learn.
"The raft drew near to the ship, and we shouted on them to take us aboard; but none answered. Presently the raft touched against the side of the vessel, and, seeing a rope hanging downwards, I seized it and began to climb. Yet I had much ado to make my way up, because of a kind of grey, lichenous fungus which had seized upon the rope, and which blotched the side of the ship lividly.
"I reached the rail and clambered over it, on to the deck. Here I saw that the decks were covered, in great patches, with grey masses, some of them rising into nodules several feet in height; but at the time I thought less of this matter than of the possibility of there being people aboard the ship. I shouted; but none answered. Then I went to the door below the poop deck. I opened it, and peered in. There was a great smell of staleness, so that I knew in a moment that nothing living was within, and with the knowledge, I shut the door quickly; for I felt suddenly lonely.
"I went back to the side where I had scrambled up. My— my sweetheart was still sitting quietly upon the raft. Seeing me look down she called up to know whether there were any aboard of the ship. I replied that the vessel had the appearance of having been long deserted; but that if she would wait a little I would see whether there was anything in the shape of a ladder by which she could ascend to the deck. Then we would make a search through the vessel together. A little later, on the opposite side of the decks, I found a rope side-ladder. This I carried across, and a minute afterwards she was beside me.
"Together we explored the cabins and apartments in the after part of the ship; but nowhere was there any sign of life. Here and there within the cabins themselves, we came across odd patches of that queer fungus; but this, as my sweetheart said, could be cleansed away.
"In the end, having assured ourselves that the after portion of the vessel was empty, we picked our ways to the bows, between the ugly grey nodules of that strange growth; and here we made a further search which told us that there was indeed none aboard but ourselves.
"This being now beyond any doubt, we returned to the stern of the ship and proceeded to make ourselves as comfortable as possible. Together we cleared out and cleaned two of the cabins: and after that I made examination whether there was anything eatable in the ship. This I soon found was so, and thanked God in my heart for His goodness. In addition to this I discovered the whereabouts of the fresh-water pump, and having fixed it I found the water drinkable, though somewhat unpleasant to the taste.
"For several days we stayed aboard the ship, without attempting to get to the shore. We were busily engaged in making the place habitable. Yet even thus early we became aware that our lot was even less to be desired than might have been imagined; for though, as a first step, we scraped away the odd patches of growth that studded the floors and walls of the cabins and saloon, yet they returned almost to their original size within the space of twenty-four hours, which not only discouraged us, but gave us a feeling of vague unease.
"Still we would not admit ourselves beaten, so set to work afresh, and not only scraped away the fungus, but soaked the places where it had been, with carbolic, a can-full of which I had found in the pantry. Yet, by the end of the week the growth had returned in full strength, and, in addition, it had spread to other places, as though our touching it had allowed germs from it to travel elsewhere.
"On the seventh morning, my sweetheart woke to find a small patch of it growing on her pillow, close to her face. At that, she came to me, so soon as she could get her garments upon her. I was in the galley at the time lighting the fire for breakfast.
"Come here, John,' she said, and led me aft. When I saw the thing upon her pillow I shuddered, and then and there we agreed to go right out of the ship and see whether we could not fare to make ourselves more comfortable ashore.
"Hurriedly we gathered together our few belongings, and even among these I found that the fungus had been at work; for one of her shawls had a little lump of it growing near one edge. I threw the whole thing over the side, without saying anything to her.
"The raft was still alongside, but it was too clumsy to guide, and I lowered down a small boat that hung across the stern, and in this we made our way to the shore. Yet, as we drew near to it, I became gradually aware that here the vile fungus, which had driven us from the ship, was growing riot. In places it rose into horrible, fantastic mounds, which seemed almost to quiver, as with a quiet life, when the wind blew across them. Here and there it took on the forms of vast fingers, and in others it just spread out flat and smooth and treacherous. Odd places, it appeared as grotesque stunted trees, seeming extraordinarily kinked and gnarled—the whole quaking vilely at times.
"At first, it seemed to us that there was no single portion of the surrounding shore which was not hidden beneath the masses of the hideous lichen; yet, in this, I found we were mistaken; for somewhat later, coasting along the shore at a little distance, we descried a smooth white patch of what appeared to be fine sand, and there we landed. It was not sand. What it was I do not know. All that I have observed is that upon it the fungus will not grow; while everywhere else, save where the sandlike earth wanders oddly, path-wise, amid the grey desolation of the lichen, there is nothing but that loathsome greyness.
"It is difficult to make you understand how cheered we were to find one place that was absolutely free from the growth, and here we deposited our belongings. Then we went back to the ship for such things as it seemed to us we should need. Among other matters, I managed to bring ashore with me one of the ship's sails, with which I constructed two small tents, which, though exceedingly rough-shaped, served the purpose for which they were intended. In these we lived and stored our various necessities, and thus for a matter of some four weeks all went smoothly and without particular unhappiness. Indeed, I may say with much of happiness—for— for we were together.
"It was on the thumb of her right hand that the growth first showed. It was only a small circular spot, much like a little grey mole. My God! how the fear leapt to my heart when she showed me the place. We cleansed it, between us, washing it with carbolic and water. In the morning of the following day she showed her hand to me again. The grey warty thing had returned. For a little while, we looked at one another in silence. Then, still wordless, we started again to remove it. In the midst of the operation she spoke suddenly.
"'What's that on the side of your face, dear?' Her voice was sharp with anxiety. I put my hand up to feel.
"'There! Under the hair by your ear. A little to the front a bit.' My finger rested upon the place, and then I knew.
"'Let us get your thumb done first,' I said. And she submitted, only because she was afraid to touch me until it was cleansed. I finished washing and disinfecting her thumb, and then she turned to my face. After it was finished we sat together and talked awhile of many things for there had come into our lives sudden, very terrible thoughts. We were, all at once, afraid of something worse than death. We spoke of loading the boat with provisions and water and making our way out on to the sea; yet we were helpless, for many causes, and—and the growth had attacked us already. We decided to stay. God would do with us what was His will. We would wait.
"A month, two months, three months passed and the places grew somewhat, and there had come others. Yet we fought so strenuously with the fear that its headway was but slow, comparatively speaking.
"Occasionally we ventured off to the ship for such stores as we needed. There we found that the fungus grew persistently. One of the nodules on the maindeck became soon as high as my head.
"We had now given up all thought or hope of leaving the island. We had realized that it would be unallowable to go among healthy humans, with the things from which we were suffering.
"With this determination and knowledge in our minds we knew that we should have to husband our food and water; for we did not know, at that time, but that we should possibly live for many years.
"This reminds me that I have told you that I am an old man. Judged by the years this is not so. But— but—"
He broke off; then continued somewhat abruptly: "As I was saying, we knew that we should have to use care in the matter of food. But we had no idea then how little food there was left of which to take care. It was a week later that I made the discovery that all the other bread tanks— which I had supposed full— were empty, and that (beyond odd tins of vegetables and meat, and some other matters) we had nothing on which to depend, but the bread in the tank which I had already opened.
"After learning this I bestirred myself to do what I could, and set to work at fishing in the lagoon; but with no success. At this I was somewhat inclined to feel desperate until the thought came to me to try outside the lagoon, in the open sea.
"Here, at times, I caught odd fish; but so infrequently that they proved of but little help in keeping us from the hunger which threatened.
It seemed to me that our deaths were likely to come by hunger, and not by the growth of the thing which had seized upon our bodies.
"We were in this state of mind when the fourth month wore out. When I made a very horrible discovery. One morning, a little before midday. I came off from the ship with a portion of the biscuits which were left. In the mouth of her tent I saw my sweetheart sitting, eating something.
"'What is it, my dear?' I called out as I leapt ashore. Yet, on hearing my voice, she seemed confused, and, turning, slyly threw something towards the edge of the little clearing. It fell short, and a vague suspicion having arisen within me, I walked across and picked it up. It was a piece of the grey fungus.
"As I went to her with it in my hand, she turned deadly pale; then rose red.
"I felt strangely dazed and frightened.
"'My dear! My dear!' I said, and could say no more. Yet at words she broke down and cried bitterly. Gradually, as she calmed, I got from her the news that she had tried it the preceding day, and— and liked it. I got her to promise on her knees not to touch it again, however great our hunger. After she had promised she told me that the desire for it had come suddenly, and that, until the moment of desire, she had experienced nothing towards it but the most extreme repulsion.
"Later in the day, feeling strangely restless, and much shaken with the thing which I had discovered, I made my way along one of the twisted paths—formed by the white, sand-like substance— which led among the fungoid growth. I had, once before, ventured along there; but not to any great distance. This time, being involved in perplexing thought, I went much further than hitherto.
"Suddenly I was called to myself by a queer hoarse sound on my left. Turning quickly I saw that there was movement among an extraordinarily shaped mass of fungus, close to my elbow. It was swaying uneasily, as though it possessed life of its own. Abruptly, as I stared, the thought came to me that the thing had a grotesque resemblance to the figure of a distorted human creature. Even as the fancy flashed into my brain, there was a slight, sickening noise of tearing, and I saw that one of the branch-like arms was detaching itself from the surrounding grey masses, and coming towards me. The head of the thing—a shapeless grey ball, inclined in my direction. I stood stupidly, and the vile arm brushed across my face. I gave out a frightened cry, and ran back a few paces. There was a sweetish taste upon my lips where the thing had touched me. I licked them, and was immediately filled with an inhuman desire. I turned and seized a mass of the fungus. Then more and— more. I was insatiable. In the midst of devouring, the remembrance of the morning's discovery swept into my mazed brain. It was sent by God. I dashed the fragment I held to the ground. Then, utterly wretched and feeling a dreadful guiltiness, I made my way back to the little encampment.
"I think she knew, by some marvelous intuition which love must have given, so soon as she set eyes on me. Her quiet sympathy made it easier for me, and I told her of my sudden weakness; yet omitted to mention the extraordinary thing which had gone before. I desired to spare her all unnecessary terror.
"But, for myself, I had added an intolerable knowledge, to breed an incessant terror in my brain; for I doubted not but that I had seen the end of one of those men who had come to the island in the ship in the lagoon; and in that monstrous ending I had seen our own.
"Thereafter we kept from the abominable food, though the desire for it had entered into our blood. Yet our drear punishment was upon us; for, day by day, with monstrous rapidity, the fungoid growth took hold of our poor bodies. Nothing we could do would check it materially, and so— and so— we who had been human, became— Well, it matters less each day. Only— only we had been man and maid!
"And day by day the fight is more dreadful, to withstand the hungerlust for the terrible lichen.
"A week ago we ate the last of the biscuit, and since that time I have caught three fish. I was out here fishing tonight when your schooner drifted upon me out of the mist. I hailed you. You know the rest, and may God, out of His great heart, bless you for your goodness to a— a couple of poor outcast souls."
There was the dip of an oar— another. Then the voice came again, and for the last time, sounding through the slight surrounding mist, ghostly and mournful.
"God bless you! Good-bye!"
"Good-bye," we shouted together, hoarsely, our hearts full of many emotions.
I glanced about me. I became aware that the dawn was upon us.
The sun flung a stray beam across the hidden sea; pierced the mist dully, and lit up the receding boat with a gloomy fire. Indistinctly I saw something nodding between the oars. I thought of a sponge— a great, grey nodding sponge— The oars continued to ply. They were grey— as was the boat— and my eyes searched a moment vainly for the conjunction of hand and oar. My gaze flashed back to the— head. It nodded forward as the oars went backward for the stroke. Then the oars were dipped, the boat shot out of the patch of light, and the— the thing went nodding into the mist.


text:
B D F M Weekday Service
Joint Station: 5 Avenue 7
This station is connected to 5 Avenue by a pedestrian tunnel. You can easily transfer to any trains there, but transfers may not be ADA accessible.
Elevators/escalators may not be in service. Entrances may be Uptown/Downtown only - see signs above entrance.


text:
Nov 12 2009
Stamp Simply #113 – Matchbook Folds
Matchbook Folds — I'm on a fold kick latey, and today it is a matchbook fold. With this fold you have one small fold and one large fold so it kind of looks like and opens like a matchbook. Check out all the DT samples today for some fun ideas and great inspiration with this fun fold!
Keyword ssnotime113 – There is no time limit. You can play this challenge and upload your project at Splitcoast and/or your Blog, anytime at all. You (and that means anyone and everyone, blogger or not!) can play as many times as you like!!! The point is to keep it simple, quick and have fun!!! Please link back here.
Check out the great samples for the Stamp Simply Challenge today on the blogs of these fabulous designers:
- Bethany, November Guest Designer
- Janine
- Julie
- Tammy
- Deb
- Barbara
- Jenny
- Barb Schram – project will post at 12 noon on Friday
Please bear with us all as we each upload and link on Thursday night. Everyone should be up and set by Friday morning.
You may see all SCS Gallery Submissions here.
And heres my matchbook creation for this week,
I havent done a matchbook fold in years and forgot how FUN they were. I kept it simple, using Raspberry Tart DP and Cameo Coral (SU) for my color and some of the NEW product by JustRite for my Miss You Sentiment from JUST A NOTE and my 2″ WIDE Border links at end of post. I have a piece of 3/8″ Black Velvet glued onto the bottom portion, and its just cut on the ends. (NOTE: 3 new types of Velvet are being added to the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store this weekend!)
Here's the open view so you can see how it functions. The top flap slides under the bottom flap, just like a matchbook. I have the very bottom portion of the small flap glued down, way inside the fold, allowing room for the top flap to enter. (When you click on Bethany's link above, she shows a photo of exactly what I did — she did it just the same.) My sentiment is attached to the bottom flap with SU Dimensionals. It is cut with my Petite Circle Nesties and decorated with Kaiser Pearls in Snow. Here's the how-to:
Cut your paper the long way, to 11 x 4 25.
Score in 1.25″ from one short edge, score again 5.25″ down from your first score.
Two NEW sets available on preorder were used to make this sentiment. JUST A NOTE BORDER AND CENTERS to fit the 1 5/8 and 2″ Stampers was used for the sentiment and the 2″ ROUND WIDE BORDERS was used for my pretty, wide border.
If you scroll to the bottom of this post you can see some of the NEW product and click on links to take you to the other sets in the November Release lineup.
The above link also provides you with a comprehensive list and links to all items currently sale priced at The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store — briefly:
Ribbon Spools (15% off) (not cut yardage)
Scor-It Full Sized and Scor-It Mini (20% off)
JustRite Christmas Sets (20% off)
JustRite Monogram Sets (30% off)
Check out the BIGGER BOW EASY here.
I am still accepting preorders on the NEW JustRite Product, due to arrive soon! Email me at [email protected] to reserve your favorite sets!
Also my 6 x 6 Pads of Kaiser Paper have shipped so I should have them next week!
Thanks much for stopping in to check out our challenge! I can't wait to see what the DT girls have done and I hope you can give a matchbook fold a try as well!!! Have a wonderful weekend, everyone. Hope to see you soon!
17 responses so far
17 Responses to "Stamp Simply #113 – Matchbook Folds"
How fun Sharon, I haven't seen a matchbook fold card before, love it!
Woo,Hoo..finally got to play…here's mine:
Those are SOOO cool!
I love the punches of black and the tiny pearls. Very pretty Sharon! I had fun with this one. I really love unique folds for cards. Thanks!
Great challenge Sharon! Love your matchbook fold — You show off JustRite beautifully! The delicate punches mirror the circle's border perfectly!!
Hi Sharon!! Love your card!! Beautiful paper… Have a lovely weekend…
Very pretty–love the color combo!
Beautiful, Sharon! Love how you used the JR piece as part of the "latch"!
Beautiful matchbox card, love those colors.
Love the pearls on the stamped border Sharon! And the colors are delicious! Perfect swirls in the corners, right amount of ribbon! Just perfect!!
I love this fold – AND what you did with it. I have never made a card with this fold so you have inspired me once again. ð TFS
Hey Sharon, I love the colors of your matchbook, I like pink and green together.
I actually finally had a chance to play with you this week. I kinda had a hard time keeping it "simple" though. It was fun though. I haven't done a matchbook for a really long time.
love it Sharon!! thanks for a great challenge- i need to remember to do them more often! ð
This was GREAT fun Sharon! Thanks! Here is my creation: http://darscraftycreations.blogspot.com/2009/11/stamp-simply-113-matchbook-fold.html
Beautiful matchbook fold card, Sharon!! I love the pretty papers and pearls!!
Sharon, I love this matchbook design. I made my card back in November and just got around to adding to my scs gallery.
Here it is


text:
4 Speaker Tips & Tricks: How to Avoid Death by PowerPoint
"Speakers are make or break. They're a big part of what gets people talking before, during and after the event." I hate to be the one to break it to you, but your carefully designed and executed event can quickly be sabotaged by speakers and presenters who fail to entertain and inform your attendees. Speakers are make or break. They're a big part of what gets people talking before, during and after the event. Content (along with event experience) makes your event memorable and unique.So, I'm sharing my top 4 tips to help event planners set-up event speakers and presenters for success: Tip #1: Tell A StoryEvent participants don't want to be talked at...they want to be entertained. Speakers need to approach the presentation as if they are telling a story – a story the audience can identify with, a story that tells the tale of challenges the speaker has overcome and weaknesses or obstacles that he or she has faced. Humor doesn't hurt either. The story establishes the bond between the speaker and the listeners. If your event speakers don't get this, tell them to stay at home. Tip #2: Plan for Tech WoesIn the slim chance of a technology glitch ('cause that like never happens), please ensure your speakers come prepared with a plan B. The show must go on! To sidestep unforeseen tech surprises, it helps to prepare speakers in advance by sending them a detailed list of what type of technology and equipment will be provided. Event organizers should ask for specs on their presentation in advance and inquire about any special requests he or she may have for equipment or set-up. Speakers who communicate their needs in advance, arrive early, participate in getting their presentation set-up, do a sound check, and basically make friends with the AV guy are rock stars. Tip #3: Timing – Less is MoreAudiences expect presentations to be shorter (think Ted Talks). So, even if a presenter has been given a 90-minute block of time, he or she should not feel like they need to use it! Talking too long is a sure-fire way to lose the audience. Same goes for rushing through things at the end in order to fit within the agreed upon time slot. Tip #4: Death by PowerPoint - Think Outside the SlidesYou knew it was coming...the inevitable guidelines for creating a dynamic and attractive PowerPoint deck. Most speakers aren't open to this because they don't want to face the laborious task of re-formatting a PPT presentation that they have already spent hours on. Trust me. It will be worth their time. If your presenter's slide presentation deck hasn't changed since 2004, he or she has no place on your event agenda. Help is only a search engine away though. Google it – the latest and greatest suggestions for how to format a PPT presentation are all over the web. I share tons more of speaker and presenter tips in Volume IV of my ebook. Get it online here. I also vlogged about an amazing speaker who I had the chance to see as a conference keynote – Jann Arden. Have a listen. For more tips, giggles and everything in between, click here.
Listen to the Podcast Version


text:
Marc by Marc Jacobs Resort 2013
Marc by Marc Jacobs Resort 2013
Marc Jacobs cited Portland, OR, and Tokyo as reference points for his Resort 2013 Marc by Marc Jacobs collection — and both cities' respective influence was plenty present. It made for an intriguing fashion mashup, one that was heavily peppered with Jacobs's signature thrift-shop eclecticism. There were military anoraks in washed-out denim, crewneck sweatshirts in jumbo stripes, cargo pants in camo-floral prints, and — for those who really love nostalgia — Jacobs's grunge-era face emblazoned on limited-edition tees and sweatshirts. The dream of the '90s is alive, indeed.
Photos: Courtesy of Marc by Marc Jacobs


text:
Property Location
A stay at Radisson Hotel Winnipeg Downtown places you in the heart of Winnipeg, steps from MTS Centre and close to Winnipeg Convention Centre. This eco-friendly hotel is within close proximity of Canadian Museum for Human Rights and Plaza at the Forks.
Make yourself at home in one of the 263 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. Your room comes with a pillowtop bed. Complimentary wired and wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming provides entertainment. Bathrooms feature shower/tub combinations, designer toiletries, and hair dryers.
Rec, Spa, Premium Amenities
Enjoy recreational amenities such as a health club and a steam room. Additional features include complimentary wireless Internet access, concierge services, and gift shops/newsstands. Guests can get around on the complimentary shuttle, which operates within 10.00 km.
Grab a bite to eat at the hotel's restaurant, which features a bar, or stay in and take advantage of 24-hour room service. Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at a bar/lounge. Breakfast is available daily for a fee.
Business, Other Amenities
Featured amenities include complimentary high-speed (wired) Internet access, a 24-hour business center, and express check-in. Planning an event in Winnipeg? This hotel has 19000 square feet (1710 square meters) of space consisting of a conference center and a meeting room. A roundtrip airport shuttle is complimentary during limited hours.
Are you affiliated with Radisson Hotel Winnipeg Downtown? Apply to the Hotel WiFi Connect program to take control of your account, improve your hotel's confidence score and ranking.
© 2013-2016 Hotel WiFi Test Inc.


text:
For our occasional RAM ride, a few dozen CORBA supporters gathered at the trailhead to Pt Mugu State Park in Newbury Park on Sunday morning and organized into three groups for separate beginner, intermediate and advanced rides. Off we went into Sycamore Canyon shortly after 9:00 am for a few hours of riding before heading down to Michael's Bicycles in Newbury Park for pancakes, coffee, juice, fruit and muffins. There was also a donation jar for CORBA to pay for the meal and to help with other CORBA programs. Many people contributed bills to this jar, and for that CORBA offers a hearty thanks! Michael sweetened the event by offering special deals to us on merchandise in his shop.
We have posted photos of the intermediate ride and from Michael's. You can see photos of earlier RAM rides and fundraising events on our photo gallery.


text:
It's Tank Tuesday! Bring your reptile in today and receive 10% off of your pet's wellness exam!
Keeping people safe while caring for pets during the COVID-19 outbreak
To all our valuable clients and their pets, we at the Veterinary Center will continue to stay open to care for ill pets during this difficult time, but to ensure the health and safety of you, your pets, and our staff, we are implementing some new protocols:
All payment for services will be due at the time of treatment, as usual, and will be processed over the phone. We are sorry if these new policies inconvenience our clients in any way, but in order to keep our staff healthy so that we may be there to treat your pets, we feel that these steps are necessary. We cannot compromise on these new policies and risk the health of our staff. Please be patient during these trying times so that we can all get through this safely and not compromise our health or the health of our beloved pets.Learn More
Rats are intelligent, affectionate, social creatures that live well together in same-sex or neutered pairs. They enjoy being handled and bond closely to their owners. Rats live, on average, 2-3 years. They are generally nocturnal (active at night), so evening is the best time to play with them.
The more they are handled, the calmer and tamer they will be. They love to explore and investigate their surroundings and should be provided with climbing toys, exercise wheels (not made from wire in which they can get caught and injured), and hiding tubes. Wooden chew sticks and cardboard should be offered to help keep their continuously growing incisor (front) teeth ground down.
Rats should be housed in as large a cage as possible: no less than 14"x24"x12". Overcrowding should be avoided, as rats will often injure each other when too many are housed together in small cages. Cages should be escape proof and made from easily cleanable material. The best cage for good ventilation is one with a plastic bottom and coated-wire sides and top. Floors should be solid and made from plastic or metal to prevent sores from developing on the soles of the feet.
Commercially available recycled paper bedding and newspaper are suitable bedding for rats and should be maintained at least a quarter inch thick to enable burrowing. Bedding material should be changed at least once a week. Wood shavings are not recommended, as they are dusty, breed bacteria and mold and are indigestible if consumed. Rats should be provided with a hide box or hammock for sleeping and should be kept at 65-80°F. Cages should be kept away from heating ducts and air conditioners, so that rats do not get overheated or chilled.
Care must be taken to ensure adequate cage cleanliness and ventilation, so that ammonia from urine does not accumulate, predisposing rats to respiratory infection. Rats also should never be exposed to airborne toxins such as cigarette smoke. Rats should be allowed out of their cages daily to exercise but should never be left unsupervised, as they may chew electric cords, plants, or paint; suffer traumatic falls; or become injured by predatory pets, such as cats and dogs, or by small children. Likewise, they should be monitored around smaller pets such as hamsters, mice, gerbils, and birds, which they can kill.
Rats are omnivores − they eat both plant and animal matter. Rats should be fed free-choice commercially available pelleted diets designed specifically for rats. Feeding all-seed diets or seed-pellet combinations is not recommended, as most small rodents will select out the high-fat seeds, ignoring the more nutritious pellets. This leads to obesity, vitamin/mineral deficiencies, and other nutritional problems, such as osteoporosis.
Supplemental vegetables and fruit also should be offered in small quantities. Adequate chance to exercise should be allowed to prevent obesity. Rats also should be provided with fresh water daily from a sipper bottle.
Rats should be examined annually by an exotic animal veterinarian. They should receive full physical examinations, including a thorough check of their teeth, weight, respiratory tract, and breast tissue, as all rats are prone to respiratory infection, and females (and some males) frequently develop breast (mammary) tumors.
Their stool should be checked for parasites, and their diet should be reviewed. Proper preventative medicine can help deter future problems and promote the lifelong health of your pet rat.


text:
Updated Health and Safety Policies
Posted on 11-08-2020
We have enabled cookies to ensure that we give you the very best experience on our website. Close this message if you are happy to receive all cookies on our website or find out more here.
No detailed specifications are available for this product.
There are no downloads for this product.
From 24th July, masks will be mandatory in shops. This will include our shop counter.
After a short trial, we are now updating the way we service our customers during the current pandemic.
Just to repeat we are open but on a restricted basis.


text:
How to get a MASSIVE amount of daily optins...
Imagine no longer struggling with traffic for your offers.
Just think you could get traffic from these 8 sources from someone spending $28,000/day...
Google AdWords
Traffic Exchanges
Safe lists
Solo ads
Banner ads
That would be awesome, right?
>> Click below to learn more
Here's the thing about lead gen... 99.99% of the time the leads people sell are super low quality -- they don't open, click, and most importantly... buy.
What I'm sharing with you today is different, because instead of just regular "leads"... these are permission-based email optins. Here's the difference.
Leads: Random people who likely are not interested
Permission-based email optins: Qualified and specifically targeted people who are ready and willing to open, click, and buy!
If you'd like to see how to get 80 permission-based email optins per day...
I highly recommend you join now, because from time to time they "close" their program to make sure current members get the best service possible.
This is so crazy!
But it's true.
There's this new avenue for online business owners like us that blows EVERYTHING else out of the water.
This is way too good of a story not to share.
Last week I was sitting on my couch watching Netflix and I got a notification on my phone from Morgan Hale.
Normally, I wouldn't have paused my show when getting an email -- but whenever she sends me something, I know it's something I need to read right away.
Anyway, in her email she told me about this crazy new thing she created that helps any online business owner get the "boost" they need to start getting fast results.
It sounded so awesome in the email, I had to try it out.
Now... I wouldn't be sending you this email if I didn't have something awesome to share with you, so listen closely because this is where things get good. :)
In just 7 days from starting her program (BMOB), I was able to get...
==> 560 NEW email optins who were ALL permission-based (this means they were legitimate people who are looking to spend money)
==> 5 emails (written by a professional copywriter) that I could use as a template for any offer I want
==> Over {Insert $$$ Amount Here} in commissions from simply sending an email that took me 15 minutes per day
You might be wondering... that sounds great, but it also sounds expensive.
You'd be right to think so, but the cost of Morgan's offer is not expensive at all -- the investment is no more than 1 Hawaiian Pizza a month!
I'm literally so happy Morgan shared it with me. And, I'm even more excited to get to share this with you.
For just the price of 1 Hawaiian Pizza, they'll do what others charge THOUSANDS for.
And... they'll do it for you every single day!
Welcome to the NEW way of boosting any online biz!
Isn't it awesome when a program focuses on you and your goals?
If you agree...
>> Get started with BMOB now!
David Calderon
No comments yet


text:
First off guys, Thank You for all the work that went into putting on the contest last weekend. It is your efforts that are making this club a success. This Thursday, we will have our November club meeting at the Sunrise Optimist clubhouse at 6:30. We will not have a program this month. Instead we will just kick back and let our hair down (those of us who have hair). We will be providing meats from Buckingham's and buns for sandwiches. We ask that the rest of the members bring snacks, condiments, sandwich fixings, etc. We will be showing our pictures from the show and talking about how everything went. What can we do to make next year's show even better? We may also discuss club officers for next year. Remember, members who do not show up, may find themselves nominated.
Thank You again,


text:
Lichen Simplex Chronicus
(See also Definition of Dermatitis.)
Lichen simplex chronicus is thickened and leathery (lichenified) skin with variable scaling that arises secondary to repetitive scratching or rubbing. Lichen simplex chronicus is not a primary process. Perceived pruritus in a specific area of skin (with or without underlying pathology) provokes rubbing and mechanical trauma, resulting in secondary lichenification and further pruritus. Lichen simplex chronicus frequently occurs in people with anxiety disorders and nonspecific emotional stress as well as in patients with any type of underlying chronic dermatitis.
The underlying pathophysiology of lichen simplex chronicus is unknown but may involve alterations in the way the nervous system perceives and processes itchy sensations. Skin that tends toward eczematous conditions (eg, atopic dermatitis) is more prone to lichenification.
Symptoms and Signs
Diagnosis of lichen simplex chronicus is by examination. A fully developed plaque is hyperpigmented with varying amounts of erythema that is well-demarcated and has exaggerated skin lines and a thickened and leathery appearance characteristic of lichenification. Look-alike conditions include tinea corporis, lichen planus, and psoriasis; lichen simplex chronicus can be distinguished from these by potassium hydroxide wet mount and biopsy.
Primary treatment of lichen simplex chronicus is patient education about the effects of scratching and rubbing.
Secondary treatment is topical corticosteroids (eg, triamcinolone acetonide, fluocinonide); surgical tape impregnated with flurandrenolide (applied in the morning and replaced in the evening) may be preferred because occlusion prevents scratching. Small areas may be locally infiltrated (intralesional injections) with a long-acting corticosteroid such as triamcinolone acetonide 2.5 mg/mL (diluted with saline), 0.3 mL/cm2 of lesion; treatment can be repeated every 3 to 4 weeks. Oral H1-blocking antihistamines may be useful. Emollients may also be helpful. Topical capsaicin cream may also be helpful, but the initial burning sensations may make this therapy unacceptable to patients.
Key Points
Chronic scratching causes further itching, creating a vicious circle.
Itchy, dry, scaling, hyperpigmented, lichenified plaques occur in irregular, oval, or angular shapes on the legs, arms, neck, and upper trunk and sometimes the anogenital area.
Diagnosis is clinical, but potassium hydroxide wet mount and biopsy can help in the differential diagnosis.
Patients need to be educated about the vicious circle of scratching and further itching; topical corticosteroids and antihistamines help control the itching.


text:
For Tickets or Support Call
(213) 322-0342
Do you love history and storytelling?
Do you believe in the power of food to connect people?
Do you eat like your life depends on it?
Then you might be Fun Belly Tour Guide material.
Email your inquiry to firstname.lastname@example.com
Use #funbelly to be featured on our social channels.
Adult $75
Eat. Drink. Laugh. Laugh Some More.
This website uses cookies to provide you a great user experience. By using our site, you accept our Privacy Policy


text:
At YMCA Camp Conrad Weiser, we believe that today's campers are tomorrow's leaders. Our progressive, camper-centered programs are designed to challenge every child in a safe, supportive, and fun environment.
Our staff, programs and facilities unite to support our campers as they make friends, learn new skills, build self-confidence, and gain a sense of independence in our nurturing camp community. The memories our campers make at Camp Conrad Weiser will truly last a lifetime. We pride ourselves on creating an experience as unique as each of our campers. From our Athletics to our Arts & Nature programs, Camp Conrad Weiser affords young people many opportunities to develop new skills and learn valuable life lessons. Our camp counselors serve as positive role models for our campers and exhibit a true dedication to our camp community. Each camper's overall experience will vary by session schedule, cabin group and age, but one factor will always remain the same. Our staff will ensure that your camper makes new friends, develops important life-skills, and build lasting connections.
Participant ReviewsWrite a Review
This program hasn't been reviewed yet. Write the first review!


text:
Bright 2 bedroom & bathroom garden flat in West Hampstead
2 bedrooms
2 bathrooms
per month
This beautifully decorated 2 bed 2 bathroom garden flat is a 10 min walk from West Hampstead Station
The property
Perfect for a professional couple, sharers or a family.
2 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
Large garden
Pets allowed
This refurbished 2 bedroom and 2 bathroom garden flat forms a part of a beautiful three storey bay fronted Victorian terraced house.
The two bedrooms are well sized, have built in wardrobes, large windows and lovely original features. The flat has 2 bathrooms, one with a bath and a separate fully tiled shower room with underfloor heating. There is further storage as well as a washer dryer in the under stairs cupboard.
The living room is well sized and has access to an extension for a separate dining room / study, both with solid wooden flooring. The fitted kitchen has fully integrated appliances and dishwasher with an American style fridge/freezer and ice/water dispenser.
The rear extension which faces a pleasant rear garden, with a tiled patio has well as a lawn. The flat is served by gas central heating, has 825 sq ft and is perfect for sharing professionals.
(click on image to enlarge)
£1975 per month
Deposit: £3000
Available: First week in August
Tenancy: 12 months (minimum)
Transport and Location
The area is very well served by public transport – West Hampstead Underground Station, West Hampstead Thameslink and West Hampstead Silverlink Metro.The studio itself is a few minutes away from Kilburn High Road and Overground station and under 10 minutes from West Hampstead Jubilee Line Underground station making it super well connected location to get to Baker Street, Paddington, Liverpool Street and the city centre. There are plenty of buses connecting the area to others part of London and a number night buses as the N139 and N98 from the city centre.
The Neighbourhood
The flat is West End Lane, which has many lovely cafes, shops, pubs, bars and a very popular local farmers market. The Salusbury Food Store is a perfect for a morning brunch on Saturday mornings. The area is also well served by green spaces from the park at West End Green and the larger Fortune Green Park to the north.
Come to see the properties from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 7pm.
Book a viewing or give us a call at 020 3239 4045.
Brought to you by
Renting with RentSquare
No hidden fees
As a tenant you pay only for your reference check, a flat fee of £45 for each waged tenant. No more, no less.
Reference checks
Have confidence you will pass the reference check. You will know from the start what you need to provide.
Digital inventory
A picture is worth 1000 words.
Get everything logged so you and your landlord start off on the same page.
You can keep up with our other properties by joining our facebook page: Good Renting.


text:
Applied Decision Science (ADS) is a research and development company focused on supporting human cognition in environments that are characterized by high stakes, high time-pressure and/or high complexity.
Frequently these are environments where mistakes can result in the loss of human life or in outsize financial or materiel costs. ADS develops decision support tools, training programs and work-process redesign services to support and to improve decision-making. The company primarily provides its services in military and health care environments.


text:
Inside this week's Longford Leader
Take a look at what's making the news in this week's edition of the Longford Leader.
This week's front page story focuses on the ISPCA's concern over the number of horses being abandoned by their owners. The charity, which has its headquarters in Kenagh, admits it is struggling to cope with the increase in calls for help.
Longford Co Council has asked representatives from the HSE to attend a meeting to discuss the new Healthcare Centre on the Athlone Road in Longford town. Cllr Mae Sexton says she wants answers as to why officials chose a location in the Flancare Business Centre, which is nearly three miles from the town centre.
The Longford Rose, Aisling Farrell is making her final preparations ahead of the Rose of Tralee festival. The medical student, who is a native of Tang, is a former pupil of the Mercy Secondary School in Ballymahon. She will wear a dress by local designer Patrick Casey at the finals, which takes place on August 14 - 17.
Last week's Lanesboro Gathering has been hailed as one of the most successful events ever to be staged in the town. Known as the 'Parish Hooley', there were exhibitions, historical readings and plenty of musical entertainment throughout the weekend.
This week's paper also features a four-page feature on the upcoming Marquee in Drumlish festival, which runs from August 16 - 18. Amongst the headliners this year are Delorentos, Mundy, Nathan Carter, Declan Nerney, and The Aftermath.
There is also coverage of the official opening of The Dome retail centre at the N4 Axis Business Park in Longford. The Dome is open every Saturday, Sunday and bank holiday, and a wide range of local businesses are represented, selling everything from food and wine, books and antiques, make-up and jewellery.
Amongst the photo features in this week's Leader are pictures from Ballymahon Vocational School's graduation dance, the Granard Gathering and Viewmount House's fifth anniversery celebrations.
And in sport, there is full coverage of the County Championship, where Longford Slashers have to win against Granard St Mary's if they are to progress, while in soccer Longford Town's title ambitions suffered another setback after playing out a scoreless draw with Wexford Youths.
All this and more in this week's Longford Leader, which is on sale now.


text:
10:23am PT by Michael O'Connell
TV Ratings: March Madness Dominates on Thursday
CBS' continued coverage of March Madness, which is enjoying significant year-to-year ratings boosts, topped Thursday night in preliminary numbers.
Primetime coverage of Thursday games have the entire block averaging a 2.0 rating among adults 18-49 and 6.6 million viewers ahead of any time zone adjustments. That puts it in a competitive situation to easily win the night by both measures — and, where the demo is concerned, by quite a wide margin.
The only other significant player for the night was ABC. A new Grey's Anatomy topped scripted performers on Thursday with an average 1.9 rating in the key demo and 7.8 million viewers. Scandal followed with a 1.3 rating among adults 18-49, with The Catch trailing at 10 p.m. with a 0.7 rating. All three dramas were steady with their scores the previous Thursday.
NBC was a mix of originals and repeats. Superstore started the night with a steady 1.1 rating among adults 18-49, while The Blacklist spinoff Redemption wrapped things up with 0.7 rating.
On Fox, both MasterChef Junior (1.1 adults) and Kicking & Screaming (0.6 adults) were unmoved from the previous week.
Michael firstname.lastname@example.com mikeylikestv


text:
Developers: Microsoft Backs Off "No Metro" WarningAugust 16, 2012 No Comments
Recently Microsoft has been running wild trying to do away with the word Metro. Employees can't use the term and it has slowly but surely been wiped away from any MS websites.
Microsoft even went as far as changing their store certification rules to say:
Note Make sure your app name doesn't include the word metro. Apps with a name that includes the word metro will fail certification and won't be listed in the Windows Store.
However, soon after they seem to have a change of heart as now the warning states the following.
Don't use names trademarked by others
Make sure to select a name for your app that belongs to you. If you use a name that doesn't belong to you, the owner of that name could have your app removed from the store. If that happens, you would need to change the name of your app and all instances of the name throughout your app and its content before you can submit your app for certification again.
Makes sense as not letting developers use the word Metro would have been taking things a bit too far.
Source: Istartedsomething.com, wmpu


text:
1932 Plymouth PB 3-Window Highboy Street Rod
Price: - Item location: Omaha, Nebraska, United States
- Condition: Used
- Make: Plymouth
- Model: Other
- SubModel: PB
- Type: Coupe
- Year: 1932
- Mileage: 25,000
- Color: Magenta
- Engine size: 5.7L
- Number of cylinders: 8
- Power options: Air Conditioning
- Transmission: Automatic
- Drive type: RWD
- Interior color: Purple/Blue
- Vehicle Title: Clear Want to buy? Contact seller!
1932 Plymouth Other PB1932 Plymouth PB 3-Window Highboy Street Rod.
Unbelievable all steel suicide door car.
This is a very high-end professionally built older custom street rod. Corvette 4-Bolt 350, H400 with Hurst Shifter, wheel disc brakes, alibrand knockoff wheels, orvette rear end, old air conditioning, abbits wood dash, ustom magenta paint with ghost scallops, oo much to list.
This car has traveled ~25,000 miles since completion and is showing some wear but is still a very presentable and rare car.
I am only selling this car because I don't fit in it very well. If you are 6'3" or taller it is not very comfortable to drive due to the low roof line.
I would consider trades for a quality side by side UTV, kid steer or MFWD Tractor.


text:
According to a 2010 New York Times article, finding an affordable cruise seems to be more difficult than it has been in the past. Experts recommend using a search engines like Kayak.com, checking for discounts often given to seniors and repeat guests and booking as early as possible. Cruising during "shoulder" months like May and September is an alternative for vacationers on a budget. Although Alaskan weather can be unpredictable, May is often viewed as the drier month, and the tourist cities open early and close late for cruisers.
Carnival Cruise Couples
The least expensive cruise line, Carnival, offers a six- and seven-night cruise to Alaska, departing from Seattle, Washington. The Spirit ship makes three port stops in Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan while cruising through the magnificent protected forest of Glacier Bay. Repeat guests and those over the age of 55 receive special discount rates. The impressive ship offers three dining options, bars, lounges, casino and theatre with evening shows. Circle C and O2 are the tween and teen supervised facilities with games, activities, dances and late-night movies. Carnival 877-227-6482 carnival.com
Royal Caribbean for Active Guests
Royal Caribbean offers seven-night cruises on the Radiance of the Seas and the Rhapsody of the Seas ships. The mid-range yet still affordable cruise lines cater to passengers interested in a wide variety of activities and programs onboard. Both ships feature outdoor and indoor pools, fitness rooms, theaters, spas, themed bars and casinos and an eclectic mix of dining options from formal dining to casual buffets. Families with children can take advantage of the Adventure Ocean youth facilities where young passengers socialize, play games and participate in programs under a supervised staff. The Radiance, geared towards families and active passengers, features rock-climbing, golf simulator and basketball and volleyball courts. Royal Caribbean offers discounts to retired members of the U.S. or Canadian army and U.S. or Canadian law enforcement, fire department or EMT and guests over the age of 55. Royal Caribbean International 866-562-7625 royalcaribbean.com
Diseny for Families
Disney cruise lines keep their rates competitive in order to accommodate the family budget of their guests. The seven-night cruise makes two port stops in the city of Juneau (accessible only by sea or air), the wilderness of Skagway and the town of Ketchikan, known for its collection of 19th-century totem poles. Disney provides character greetings, Broadway-like evening shows and movies. Additionally, the ship features nightclubs for and the Youth Center for children ages three to 17 years old. Conveniently, pools are age-specific and include both children and adults'. Special rates are available for U.S. military members, and as of 2010, booking a cruise online entitles all guests to receive a complimentary $25 gift certificate to use onboard. Disney 800-951-3532 disneycruise.disney.go.com
Leaf Group is a USA TODAY content partner providing general travel information. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.
Photo Credits
- Alaskan cruise ship image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com


text:
My Student Led Conference
Last Friday, we had a student led conference, which is like a parent conference, except it's led by students! I had to create a keynote that showed my learning to my parents, which was quite fun to do. I also had to find pieces of work that I worked on during the year, and I also had to talk about my goals that I set at the beginning of the year, and set new ones for the last weeks of school. Boey and I sort of worked together because we gave each other ideas for what to do.
Mainly, I talked about what I've learned this year, I also talked a lot about having the oppotunity to have a blog, and more importantly, a school issued iPad, at such a young age. I also talked about my goals. My original ones were to make 1 true friend and to double check my work, which I often fail to. I achieved these goals, and is set 2 new ones, the first one was to learn 5 more complex ideas of physics, but I would like to know more especially about quantum physics. The other one was to talk to people in a respectful tone, which I do pretty well.
The conference was an overall success in my opinion because I showed my learning in a variety of subjects by showing videos I made, tests I took and my various journals. I also enjoyed just showing how school was like to my parents! I hope we get to do that next year!


text:
There is a wealth of information out there with regards to roofing, so learning it all can seem quite daunting. How often should you clean your gutters? Do you know what jobs are better left to a professional? You can find all the information you need, right here in one place. These tips will be essential to your schooling on the subject.
When roofing, think about safety first. Trying to repair a leak while it's raining or during a storm can seriously injure you, or worse! Place a bucket under the leak until the weather clears up, then go have a look at your roof to see if you can repair the problem.
Don't attempt to do roof repairs in bad weather conditions, such as snow, ice or rain. Rain or ice could leave you slipping off the roof. If you decide to repair your roof on your own, do it when it's dry and sunny outside.
When you must climb on the roof, wear some rubber boots. This is necessary to ensure that you have good footing, even in dry conditions. Any sort of roof repairs are going to put you in a dangerous situation.
Don't use remedies that only work for short periods of time when dealing with roof repairs. It's nice to save money, but the additional damage that putting off quality repairs can cause, usually ends up costing more later. As a general rule, you should strive to tackle any problem as soon as possible so as to avoid further damage later on.
You want to hire a roofer with several years of experience. Ask loved ones for any referrals they may have. Hiring a contractor who is not properly licensed and experienced could cost you a lot.
Confirm your contractor's credentials before he starts the job. Check to see that his licenses are up to date and valid. They need to also have insurance that is full liability, as well as a certificate that's current and covers workers' compensation.
Contractors with workers tend to be cheaper than those who work alone. Several workers should work faster than a single worker. As a result, because the labor time is being decreased, you should be able to save some money. If someone is doing it alone, your price may be higher.
If you're unable to find where a leak is coming from in your roof, don't get upset. You'll find it sooner or later, likely by using a hose and having a friend help. If it's a big house, use cell phones to communicate so that water isn't flowing into the house unnecessarily as you test different areas to find the leak.
Never cut corners when buying roofing materials. Cheaper materials typically won't last as long, causing you added expense later. Save money in the long run – buy quality materials.
This article doesn't cover everything about roofing, but it gives you enough information to get you started. The advice provided here is crucial for ensuring your roof's health. Do not stop learning here! Learn even more about roofing. The more you know, the better you can keep on top of the situation.


text:
The Amethyst Group Melville, NY, United States
Dec 05, 2019Full time
Position Overview Confidential Company is currently seeking a Director, Marketing to oversee marketing efforts for our Production Solutions Division, with BISG (Business Imaging Solutions Group). The incumbent will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with dealer management as well as industry experts, analysts and media, in order to strengthen our marketing efforts to increase Canon production printing brand awareness within the printing industry and sales channels. Responsibilities -Directs the development of company marketing and business development programs for imagePRESS and VarioPrint cutsheet production black-and-white and color engines and PRISMA/EFI workflow products to promote them through the sales channels, industry experts, analysts and media. -Responsible for assessment of existing and potential markets, coordination of technical product development, development of product strategies, definition of promotional activities and product launch. -Mainly responsible for US market but need to support marketing activities in Canada, Mexico and Latin America. -Activities may include sales support; product advertising/promotion; planning, developing, and implementing channel programs and industry events; and directing the development of company market requirements for specific products or product lines. -Manages a team of six which includes selection, development, and evaluation to ensure the efficient operation of the function. Qualifications -Minimum of 10 years of related experience, ideally working within the Production Printing industry -Bachelor Degree or equivalent experience required -Management experience required -Well-established and sophisticated communication skill sets as one of the senior marketing representative. -May require considerable travel (up to 30%); valid driver's license and acceptable driving record necessary. Additionally, because this position requires driving for company business as an essential function of the job, candidate must remain in compliance with company safety guidelines and policies.


text:
We recognize the considerable time and thought required of professionals in providing letters of recommendation for students. We have provided a reference form to guide your evaluation for the Summer Student Fellowship. You may write or paste directly into the form, or upload a letter (PDF format only). The selection process is rigorous and competitive. Applicants are required to provide three written references from their professors. It is helpful if the letter of recommendation provides an indication of the relative ranking of the candidate within his/her peer group and field of scholarship.
The following information may be of some assistance to you in deciding on the candidate's suitability for the program. Fellowships are awarded to students who are completing their Junior year of undergraduate course work, majoring in any of the fields of science, math or engineering and with at least a tentative interest in oceanography and/or marine policy. Each fellow pursues an independent research project under the guidance of a member of the WHOI research staff. No courses or services are required of the Fellows, but each must give an oral presentation of research progress at the end of the summer period and submit these results in a paper for staff review and approval. WHOI's aim in this program is to give a promising group of science and engineering students early experience in oceanographic research that will assist them in their graduate and postgraduate career choices.
Thank you for the time and effort you have devoted on behalf of the applicant and in assisting us in the selection process.
Completed references will be accepted until February 5 (note new deadline). Specific questions about the Fellowship should be addressed to the WHOI Undergraduate Programs Coordinator at firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
Ness Technologies Named Israeli Company of the Year
09 Jul, 2013, 12:38 BST
TEL AVIV, Israel and LONDON, July 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
Ness Technologies, a global provider of software product engineering services, business technology solutions and information technology services, today announced that it has been named Israeli Company of the Year for 2012-2013 by UK Israel Business for successfully integrating its own expertise in mobility services with the user experience competencies of its recently-acquired British firm Imano, a full-service digital agency specializing in mobile strategy, design and development.
The award was presented by UK Israel Business-the central port of call for all business, trade, industry and investment between the UK and Israel-at the annual British Israeli Business Awards dinner in London. "The British Israel Business Awards recognize the vital contributions both economies make to each other in bilateral trade," said Hugo Bieber, Chief Executive of UK Israel Business. "All UK Israel Business award nominees have made such contributions, and have been involved in transactions that positively affect both the British and Israeli economies. Ness Technologies was named this year's Israeli Company of the Year because its incorporation with London-based Imano demonstrates the rare situation of an Israeli technology company successfully combining resources with a leading British technology company."
"Ness is thrilled to be named Israeli Company of the Year," said Ofer Segev, President and CEO of Ness Technologies. "As a global company with significant interests in both the UK and Israel, we appreciate the importance of UK Israel Business to the business community of which we are a part, and we are truly honored to be recognized by the organization for our contributions to both markets."
"Ness has built strong British-Israeli business relationships with initiatives like our Israel Development and Engineering Center for Barclays Capital, which leverages Israeli technology and leadership as well as a wealth of software engineering expertise," said Paul Madarasz, President, Ness Software Engineering Systems. "As a provider of truly global services, Ness unites resources across geographies to offer its clients best-of-breed skills and capabilities from Israel, the UK, Central and Eastern Europe, North America and Asia. This integrated competence enables us to form strategic relationships with our clients that produce highly innovative solutions, improving their competitiveness and enabling them to achieve true differentiation."
About Ness Technologies
Ness Technologies is a global provider of IT and business services and solutions with specialized expertise in software product engineering and systems integration, application development, consulting, and software distribution. Ness delivers its portfolio of solutions and services using a global delivery model that offers the flexibility and efficiencies of on-site, on-shore, near-shore and off-shore sourcing. Our team of nearly 7,000 employees services customers in over 20 countries and partners with numerous software and hardware vendors worldwide. Visit http://www.ness.com for more information.
Media Contact:
Gretchen Rice
Phone: +1-978-729-1657
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
SOURCE Ness Technologies


text:
Redefining the mortgage sector with energy efficiency
The mortgage process presents a significant opportunity for influencing homebuyers' views on energy performance and encouraging energy improvements. At present, however, the calculations used by lending associations to determine how much customers can borrow do not take into account a property's energy efficiency and resulting energy bill.
As a project partner within the LENDERS project, we were able to apply our comprehensive data and insight experience and highlight the value of energy efficient properties.
We analysed more than 40,000 energy bill records across England. We then developed a series of models that lenders could use to more accurately predict a property's energy bill based on the information they have access to at different points during the mortgage process.
The project established a link between better energy performance and lower energy costs. This provided evidence to lenders that using a more refined mortgage calculation could support higher maximum lending amounts for more efficient homes. A working calculator was also developed to help illustrate the benefits of energy efficiency and highlight the benefit of more energy efficient homes to prospective home buyers.
Helping Western Power Distribution to reach their most vulnerable customers
Identifying the impact of LED lighting on energy saving, product performance within a social housing context


text:
I was so honored to have Tara & Cina's Mill Valley wedding chosen to be included in a feature for The Knot's Northern California Spring 2015 magazine!
Everything with this wedding was wonderful from the venue (Outdoor Art Club, Mill Valley) to my favorite candid cinematographer (Muse Juice Media) to the insane floral arrangements that blended into the natural surroundings from Flora Grubb Gardens. But the best part of course, was the incredible couple, Tara & Cina, who make what I do a dream, not a job.
From photographing the wedding of my close high school friend who is Tara's co-worker, to Tara's sister's wedding who I adore, then to Tara's wedding, this "referral family" has been incredible. I just recently shot the wedding of their friends, and have more on the books for this year. I just love keeping the good experience chain rolling!