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By Jaimie Nissan Heavy winds, followed by the steady accumulation of debris and water often affect the quality and durability of your home. Each
Tag: Mold
What To Do For Musty Odors That Won't Leave
By Jaimie Nissan Strange odors can signal a problem with water damage in your house. If you detect a musty smell and no amount


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Vic Beasley throws out the first pitch at the Braves game
Vic Beasley stopped by SunTrust Park to throw out the first pitch before the Braves game against the Rangers. The game was not played due to rain, but that didn't stop Beasley from hanging out with the Rally Foundation.
Rookies surprise Children's patients for Hometown Huddle | Happy Halloween
Falcons Rookies took part in a virtual Halloween-themed hospital visit to Children's Hospital at Egleston this week using OhmniLabs' Ohmni Telepresence Robots, sponsored by AT&T. Falcons rookies dressed in Halloween costumes as the robots traveled from room to room to visit patients at Children's Health Care of Atlanta.
First Down for Fighters
In honor of Crucial Catch during the month of October, the Atlanta Falcons hosted eight cancer fighters and survivors to First Down for Fighters presented by Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University. Honorees were treated to a virtual painting activity, socially distanced homegating deliveries from Freddie Falcon and were recognized during the Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons game through pre-recorded videos.
Freddie Falcon celebrates teachers with surprise visits
Freddie Falcon partnered with Mercedes-Benz to celebrate back-to-school with our Season Ticket Members! Everyone's favorite bird surprised 40 teachers that Season Ticket Members nominated with gifts and school supplies.
Falcons helmet decals honor victims of systemic racism
Atlanta Falcons players have the option to wear a helmet decal representing a victim of systemic racism or one of four phrases provided by the NFL. Here are a few of the helmets being worn on Sunday against the Seahawks.
Freddie Falcon surprises essential workers with Father's Day care packages
The Atlanta Falcons, in partnership with Coca-Cola and Publix, surprised some incredible fathers who work in essential services or on the frontlines of COVID-19 with a care package for Father's Day.
Falcons in Black Lives Matter march
Members of the Atlanta Falcons organization including Dan Quinn and Ricardo Allen took to the streets of Buckhead Sunday for the Buckhead4BlackLives march to raise awareness for social justice across Atlanta and beyond.
Freddie Falcon sends care packages to mothers working during pandemic
Freddie Falcon sent his annual Mother's Day Freddie-Gram deliveries presented by Coke and Publix specifically to women working on the frontlines during the current pandemic. Freddie stuck to social-distancing by interacting with the ladies virtually.
Foye Oluokun reads to schools in metro Atlanta
Foye Oluokun visited a metro Atlanta school each week during the month of February to give back to as many kids as possible.
Freddie Falcon surprises fans with Valentine's Day gifts
Freddie Falcon was out and about this week spreading the love for Valentine's Day by giving his famous Freddie-Grams, presented by Coca-Cola and Publix, to Season Ticket Members.
Girls High School Flag Football Championship
On National Girls and Women in Sports Day, we look back at the 2019 Girls High School Flag Football Championship held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Mattress Firm provides movie night to children at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
The Atlanta Falcons partnered with Mattress Firm to surprise 25 children in need with a movie night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium complete with beds on the field for a premium viewing experience. The kids were also treated to bicycles and toys from Santa as well as visits from Falcons players and cheerleaders.
Allen Bailey hosts holiday shopping spree for kids in Georgia
Allen Bailey was driven to make the holidays a little brighter for kids in Georgia. The defensive end gave select group of kids a shopping spree to make sure they had something special for themselves and their loved ones this year.

subset: commoncrawl


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Graphic Design Studio
Najeroux operates almost purely as a Graphic Design Studio. Najeroux specialises in producing effective design solutions across an eclectic spectrum of platforms and obtaining client goals by applying these solutions in conjunction with direct campaigns.
Previous Clients include:
Photographic Coaching
From shutter to printing output, a fully tailored coaching service is available for enthusiast photographers and very busy people who need some guidance in their photographic workflow.
Areas of Expertise for Coaching are:
Coaching times are available from 1hr to half day. Many clients have found this to be a useful way of improving their own skills whilst creating more impactful images.


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B+B Weymouth
B+B Weymouth was acquired in 2007 after two successive owners failed to make a success of the business. Shortly after acquisition, the property was closed for a complete renovation. It reopened in 2008. Despite all of the strict planning limitations which applied to the listed building, it now provides comfortable contemporary accommodation to its guests. The beautiful first floor lounge and 7 out of 22 rooms have sea views. In 2007, the hotel looked abandoned and doomed to failure. However, for the last eight years it has been integral part of the success of The B+B Collection


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by: Amani Liggett
When one hears the words "replica luxury watch" the first thing the generally pops into mind is a comical image of a shady guy in a trench coat trying to sell a replica Rolex on the street. But it is not necessarily a laughing matter; these illegal copies of authentic watches cause an estimated one billion dollars of losses each year to the watch industry. The Swiss Customs Service estimates that up to 40 million counterfeit watches are put into circulation every year. So with each purchase of a counterfeit watch, consumers are not only hurting the legitimate watch industry, but also slowing the global economy, as well as participating in criminal activities.
The most common fakes are made to resemble watches made by Rolex and Brietling, big names in the luxury watch industry. But there is also a huge replica watch market for the popular brands Chanel and Gucci. About half of these counterfeits are made in China and sold to tourists. However, a fair amount are made in America and moved across the country to be sold out of car trunks along with fake purses and wallets. Many websites online actually boast the authentic look of their fake watches, and insist their product is better and more reliable than other replicas.
There are two main types of counterfeits on the market, one is by trademark violation and the other is by design violation. A trademark violation watch will copy the brand name or symbols of a legitimate watch. It also includes any false claims like "Water/Shock Resistant" or claiming to be made of gold, silver, or any other precious metals. Oftentimes, replica watches will have a few legitimate parts, such a leather straps or gold buckles to fool potential customers. A design violation is when a counterfeit is designed to look like an original, such as using the same model as a Rolex or Audemars. Both of these types of counterfeits are illegal and production can result in jail time.
As Valentine's Day approaches, and many feel their purses tightening, the temptation to wow your significant other with what they think is a genuine Chanel or Bvlgari watch is probably quite hard to resist. The risk factor, however, is not truly worth the gain. Especially if your girlfriend finds out that Gucci watch she has been showing off is a fake! Best to stick with a modest but classy watch for Valentine's this year.


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Amazon Simple Storage Service - Amazon S3 is a new service that allows users to store files into Amazon's server "cloud." It will allow parts of Bondware to take advantage of our S3 account and reduce your monthly storage and bandwidth cost. It is compatible with: File Manager, Moxie Manager and the SmartAd Module.
Enable our Amazon S3 Account
How do I plug in my Amazon S3 Settings into my Bondware site?
- Go to: Settings>>General Site Settings
- Scroll down to: Amazon S3 Settings
- Check the box to reduce site bandwidth and storage charges with Amazon S3 cloud service
- Don't forget to Save Changes
Using Amazon S3 in the File Manager
- Go To: Files>>File Management
- Look for this button in File Manager to Move your files to S3
Uploading files to Amazon S3
Save your files to S3 as you upload them.
This feature is set to Bondware by default.
Using Amazon S3 in the MoxieManager
Access the Moxie Manager within the article creation page, when uploading an article image.
- Go to: Content>>Add an Article
- Scroll to Article Summary | Article Text
- Click Browse Server under the Summary Text | Article Text
or click the Insert/Edit Image Icon
Amazon S3 folder will be available if you have the settings active
Using Amazon S3 in the SmartAd Module
- Go to: Modules>>SmartAd
- Click Settings in the SmartAd top navigation options.
- Under Storage
- Check Store ad images on Amazon S3


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Indoor Storages Back to previous page
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Storage furniture is known for its space saving functionality, but the Wintons Teak storage furniture collection offers style as well as practicality. The right home storage solutions can transform your home, giving you more room to live while storing the items you care about in an organized way. The Aya Buffet offers ample room for storing china in generous, concealed storage cupboards underneath a spacious top for serving food or displaying décor.
Turn your home office or living room into a functional library with one of two convenient Alto Bookcase designs. Tiered shelving makes it easy to organize your favorites or to display a mixture of reading material and decorative items. The Alto Desk provides plenty of room on top for writing with convenient overhead storage shelves to hold books and other items. With a sleek design that uses vertical space, the Alto Desk is a great example of how the items in the Wintons Teak home storage solutions collection save space while lending style to a room.
Wintons Teak
- View outdoor collections
- Need some inspiration? View lookbook


text: The Office of the State Courts Administrator would like to hear from you concerning the flcourts.org website. We would like for you to tell us how we are doing, what you think works well, and what may need to be improved. Your opinions are important to us, and they will affect the plans and choices that we make. Please take a few minutes to leave your comments and help us make the website more effective.


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SPRINGFIELD – For the second time this month, police arrested a suspect after the owner of a newly-stolen item spotted it for sale on craigslist.org.
This particular item, a pearl necklace inside a mahogany jewelry box, was stolen during a residential break-in to an East Longmeadow home on Dec. 5, Sgt. John M. Delaney said.
The homeowner, surfing the Internet, spotted the pearl necklace on the site, which offers classified ads. The victim then contacted East Longmeadow police and worked with East Longmeadow Police Sgt. Patrick Manley and detective Joseph Barone to set up a sting.
The suspect, who wanted $500 for the necklace, was contacted and a meeting was arranged in front of Wheelers convenience store at Dickinson and Keith streets in Springfield, Delaney said.
Springfield Police Officer Daniel Brunton of the Springfield Police Department assisted in surveilling the corner. Police arrested the suspect when he arrived at the corner and allegedly produced the necklace, Delaney said.
Additional charges may be pending, Delaney said.
Edwin Rodriguez, 17, of 143 Euclid Ave., was charged with receiving stolen property. Rodriguez denied the charge in Palmer District Court on Monday. He was released on his own recognizance and ordered to return on Jan. 30.
Springfield police arrested a 34-year-old city man on Dec. 3 after a vehicle break-in victim spotted his camera gear for sale on craigslist.


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Amazon and Viacom Strike Streaming Deal
Amazon has announced a spate of new content acquired for its Prime Instant Video streaming service, many of which are children's series from Viacom's family of networks including Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., MTV and Comedy Central.
The new multi-year, multi-national licensing agreement with Viacom will boost Amazon Prime's video catalog by over 100 shows and over 1,000 episodes, according to the company. These will include hit kids shows Dora the Explorer, Bubble Guppies, SpongeBob SquarePants and The Backyardigans, as well as adult-targeted series like Key & Peele, Workaholics and Teen Mom 2—many of which had been available on competitor Netflix until their agreement expired last week.
This content loaded agreement comes on top of other recent Amazon announcements, which include an expanded deal with NBCUniversal to bring in more series from the NBC, USA and SyFy programming lineups to Prime Instant Video, as well as last week's reveal of five new series being greenlit by the company's Amazon Studios original programming initiative—including the animated shows Creative Galaxy, created by Angela Santomero (Blue's Clues, Super Why!) and Tumbleaf from Drew Hodges and Kelli Bixler of Bix Pix.


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Hot game titles are coming thick and thin, and the latest big one is The Witcher 3. As you might've heard, it's a title that has undergone the NVIDIA Gameworks treatment and should therefore be a perfect match for our gaming notebooks with GeForce GTX graphics.
Check out our gameplay video and commentary below, which we've recorded on the GT72 with a GTX 980M graphics card. Despite being an extremely heavy game on graphics, High settings are no problem.


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Under which sections of the Income Tax Act can tax benefits for investing in mutual fund units be claimed?Read to know the sections under which tax benefits for investing in mutual fund units be claimed.
10 Dec 2008
income from MF units is exempt from income tax with effect from July 1, 1999.
Investors can claim tax rebate under section 88 of Income Tax Act, 1961 with investments in Equity Linked Saving Schemes (ELSS). Tax benefits will also be available under section 54EA and 54EB with regard to relief from long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax in specific schemes.


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Excerpts from My "A Paper on Faith," Part 5
by Karl Kemp
12/01/2011 / Bible Studies
Part 5 of these excerpts from my "A Paper on Faith" continues from Part 4.
Some Verses that Speak of Healing Coming Through Faith in God:
(I'll include a few of these passages in these excerpts.) This section builds on and supplements that which was said regarding healing and health in my book, "Holiness and Victory Over Sin." See pages 55-67 in that book, and the other references mentioned in the first paragraph on page 55. This present section directly builds on and supplements #2 on pages 64, 65; the reader shouldn't skip this #2.
Matthew 8:5-13, espec. 8:10, 13 (Luke 7:1-10). "(10) Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled, and said to those who were following, 'Truly I say to you, I HAVE NOT FOUND SUCH GREAT FAITH WITH ANYONE IN ISRAEL.' (13) And Jesus said to the centurion, 'Go your way; LET IT BE DONE TO YOU AS YOU HAVE BELIEVED.' And the servant was healed that very hour." His faith glorified God the Father and His Son.
Matthew 9:27-31. "And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out, and saying, 'Have mercy on us, Son of David!' [The title "Son of David" fits the Messiah, not that all who used the title for Jesus understood that He was the Messiah.] (28) And after He had come into the house, the blind men came up to Him, and Jesus said to them, 'Do you believe that I am able to do this?' They said to Him, 'Yes, Lord.' (29) Then He touched their eyes, saying, 'BE IT DONE TO YOU ACCORDING TO YOUR FAITH.' (30) And their eyes were opened. ...." Their faith glorified God the Father and His Son.
Matthew 15:21-28 (Mark 7:24-30). "And Jesus went away from there, and withdrew into the district of Tyre and Sidon. [Mark 7:24 adds that "when He entered a house, He wanted no one to know of it; yet He could not escape notice." It was frequently difficult for Jesus to find time to spend with His disciples, not to mention time for prayer, or even time for rest.] (22) And behold, a Caananite woman [It is clear she was a Gentile (cf. Mark 7:26).] came out from that region, and began to cry out, saying, 'Have mercy on me [We all need God's mercy.], O Lord, Son of David [This woman clearly knew something about Jesus, but she did not necessarily know that He was the Messiah.]; my daughter is cruelly demon possessed.' (23) But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came to Him and kept asking Him, saying, 'Send her away, for she is shouting out after us.' (24) But He answered and said, 'I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel [that is, Gentiles (like her) were excluded].' (25) But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, 'Lord, help me!' (26) And He answered and said, 'It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.' [The bread represents the blessings (like healing and deliverance from demon spirits) that He was sent to give to the children, the people of Israel, which excludes the Gentiles, who are pictured as dogs. Jesus insulted this woman, but I assume He knew what was in her heart and was giving her an opportunity to manifest her faith. She was desperate; she was persistent; she was humble; and I believe we can safely say that she knew more about what God the Father and the Lord Jesus were really like than most of the sons of Israel. She didn't let anything dissuade her, and she glorified God by her faith. I assume that this woman went on to become a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.] (27) But she said, 'Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.' (28) Then Jesus answered and said to her, 'O WOMAN, YOUR FAITH IS GREAT; BE IT DONE FOR YOU AS YOU WISH.' And her daughter was healed at once."
Mark 5:25-34 (Matthew 9:20-22; Luke 8:43-48). "And a woman who had had a hemorrhage [flow of blood] for twelve years, (26) and had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but rather had grown worse, (27) after hearing about Jesus [She had to hear about Jesus before she could have faith in Him.], came up in the crowd behind Him, and touched His cloak [outer garment]. (28) For she thought [was saying], 'If I just touch His garments, I shall get well.' [She was speaking and acting in faith. She had at least heard that Jesus was a mighty prophet of God who had been anointed by God to heal the sick (cf., e.g., Acts 10:38). On touching His garment, compare Mark 6:53-56; Acts 19:11, 12. I assume that a woman with faith like this eventually received Jesus as Savior and Lord as she learned more of Him.] (29) And immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. (30) And immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around in the crowd and said, 'Who touched My garments?' (31) And His disciples said to Him, 'You see the multitude pressing in on You, and You say, "Who touched Me?" ' [But the woman touched Him IN FAITH. She received God's healing power (grace) BY FAITH.] (32) And He looked around to see the woman who had done this. (33) But the woman fearing and trembling, aware of what happened to her, came and told Him all the truth. [She was overwhelmed by the miraculous healing she had just experienced, but it should also be pointed out that her physical condition rendered her ceremonially unclean, and she was not permitted to come in contact with others (cf. Lev. 15:25-27).] (34) And He said to her, 'Daughter, YOUR FAITH HAS MADE YOU WELL; go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.' " Her faith glorified God the Father and His Son.
I'll just include the discussions of Rom. 12:1-8; Eph. 2:8-10; and Acts 15:1-11 in these excerpts.
Romans 12:1-8. (This passage contains some very important teaching. Verses 1, 2 constitute a powerful call for Christians to walk in a state of holiness, and verses 3-8 constitute an important teaching on the proper functioning of the Body of Christ. [1 Corinthians chapter 12 is an important cross-reference for verses 3-8.] The word "faith" is used in verses 3 and 6. I believe Paul's use of this word in these verses is very often misunderstood. For one primary thing, there is no idea here of God's giving us faith.)
"I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable [or, well-pleasing] to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. [The apostle Paul exhorts the Christians at Rome (and all Christians) to once-for-all present themselves, including their bodies, to God as a sacrifice. This new-covenant form of sacrificial worship is obviously much more glorious than the literal animal sacrifices offered under the old covenant.] (2) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind [[I would translate "renewal" with the BAGD Greek Lexicon rather than renewing. The apostle is not speaking of a gradual process of withdrawal from the sinful/unholy ways of the world, but of a once-for-all transformation to an abiding state of holiness by the renewal of the mind (of the way we think). He said, "do not be conformed to this world." (It is also true that we should continue to grow throughout our lives as born-again Christians [including growing in wisdom and knowledge of God's Word and growing more like the Lord Jesus Christ], but in the ideal case we will think right in our hearts and have the victory over sin and live in a state of holiness from the time we become Christians. See Romans chapter 6 and 8:1-17, for example. See my book, "Holiness and Victory Over Sin" on this super-important topic.)
It is necessary to see that the "mind" is not at all limited to the head. We do our most important thinking in our hearts. This thinking includes our ideas about God, and our priorities, attitudes, and motives. Thinking right isn't all that complicated. If you just heard the apostle Paul for a few hours, you could know enough to live right. I am speaking of born-again Christians; we have been redeemed, born again, made new creations, and are indwelled by the Holy Spirit, who enables us to think right and live right. We cannot live right until we think right in our hearts. I'm not suggesting that once you have a renewed mind you will never have another wrong thought or desire, but I am saying that if we walk in line with the Word of God and by the Holy Spirit by faith, we will be able to prevent wrong thoughts and desires from becoming sin. Thanks be to God! For more information on this renewal of the mind by the Word of God and the Spirit of God, see Rom. 8:5-8 and Eph. 4:23 (with the translation "be renewed BY THE SPIRIT IN YOUR MIND, or, IN YOUR WAY OF THINKING"); these verses are discussed in my book, "Holiness and Victory Over Sin" (on Rom. 8:5-8, pages 118-120; on Eph. 4:23, pages 138, 139).]], that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable [or, well-pleasing] and perfect. [I would translate "approve" with the BAGD Greek Lexicon instead of "prove." With a renewed mind (in the ideal case), we will "approve" the things that line up with God's will, and we will do them, thereby maintaining a state of holiness.] (3) FOR [This word shows the connection between verses 1, 2 and verses 3-8. The apostle Paul's teaching in verses 3-8 shows something of what he means by having a renewed mind.] through the grace given to me [[The apostle ministered by the grace of God. Because of this his work was done right; God got the glory; and Paul was able to stay humble. (We all must fulfill our assignments in the Body of Christ by the grace of God; the only alternative is to try to do them in the flesh, which is guaranteed to make a mess.) Since Paul was speaking with apostolic authority, he expected his readers to submit to the Word of God spoken through him.]] I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think [Note the tie to the renewal of the mind (of the way we think) of Rom. 12:2. To the extent that we are thinking the ways of the world/flesh, we probably will think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think.]; but to think so as to have sound judgment, AS GOD HAS ALLOTTED [or, MEASURED] TO EACH A MEASURE [[For the time being I'll skip the last two words of the sentence. We won't begin to understand these verses, including Paul's use of the word "faith" in verses 3 and 6, until we understand his use of the word "measure" here in verse 3 and the word "proportion" in verse 6.
Let's look at several other verses where Paul uses this same Greek noun for measure ("metron"). Ephesians 4:7 says: "But to each one of us grace was given according to the MEASURE [metron] of Christ's gift." In other words, every Christian is given assignments to fulfill in the Body of Christ and the grace to fulfill those assignments, and it is Christ Himself (the Head of the Body) who determines what these assignments are and distributes the appropriate grace to fulfill these assignments. The grace spoken of here goes beyond the all-important foundational grace given to each Christian which enables them to be born again, to live in holiness, to walk in love, etc. Ephesians 4:16 says: "from whom [Christ] the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies [I believe the literal translation given in the margin is to be preferred: "through every joint of the supply." Apparently the "joint(s)" of the body represent those in the ministry. This viewpoint fits the context in that Paul speaks of the five-fold ministry in verses 11, 12. They are the joints of the supply, in that the body is supplied by God with much of what it needs through the ministry.], according to the proper working of each individual part [Here the literal translation given in the margin is strongly to be preferred, especially since we are studying Paul's use of the word "measure": "according to the working in [the] MEASURE [metron] of each individual part." In other words, the Body of Christ cannot fully function and grow as it should without each Christian fulfilling their MEASURE by the grace measured to them.], causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
In 2 Cor. 10:13 the apostle uses "metron" referring to the MEASURE of his assigned ministry: "But we will not boast beyond our MEASURE, but within the MEASURE [metron] of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a MEASURE [metron], to reach even as far as you." Paul's MEASURE included, for one thing, being the primary minister of God to bring the gospel to Corinth (see 2 Cor. 10:15). Let's look at one last verse that uses metron in a way that will help us understand Paul's use of this word in Rom. 12:3. John 3:34 says: "For He [the Lord Jesus] whom God [the Father] has sent speaks the words of God; for He [God the Father] gives the Spirit [to the Lord Jesus] WITHOUT MEASURE [metron]." Jesus was the only man (He was much more than just a man; He was the God-man) who was given the Spirit WITHOUT MEASURE. Each Christian is given the Spirit (including the gifts of the Spirit) BY MEASURE.
So then, the word MEASURE here in Rom. 12:3 speaks of the place assigned to each Christian in the Body of Christ. It includes their special assignments and the grace required to fulfill those assignments.]] OF FAITH. [[If we translate the Greek this way ("of faith"), it makes it almost impossible to understand what the apostle is saying here. A translation like "IN (THE) FAITH" is required. It is common for the New Testament to speak of THE FAITH, and sometimes it is necessary to supply the definite article (the) in the English translation when it is not included in the Greek. This is not surprising in that the use of the definite article in Greek is not fully equivalent to its use in English.
I'll quote several verses that use the words THE FAITH in a way that will help us understand Rom. 12:3. 2 Corinthians 13:5 says: "Test yourselves to see if you are in THE FAITH; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you - unless indeed you fail the test?" Galatians 6:10 says: "So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of THE FAITH." 1 Timothy 1:2 says: "to Timothy, my true child in (THE) FAITH...." Titus 3:15 says: "All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in (THE) FAITH." The last two references are doubly relevant in that the word "the" was supplied (rightly I believe) before the word faith. (The NASB has "the" in italics, showing that the definite article was not included in the Greek.) And 1 Tim. 3:13 says: "For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high [good] standing [or, rank, position] and great confidence [or, boldness] IN THE FAITH that is in Christ Jesus." (The Greek of 1 Tim. 3:13 does not have the definite article before the word faith, but it is required in the English translation. The word faith is clearly made definite [specific] by the added words, "that is in Christ Jesus" in 1 Tim. 3:13.)
To further justify the translation IN THE FAITH here in Rom. 12:3, I should point out that in the Greek of 12:3 there is no word for "of." (The Greek just has METRON followed by the word for FAITH in the genitive case.) I believe we should supply the word "IN" instead of "of." (The translation "IN" fits the Greek well.) Every true Christian has been allotted (measured) a measure IN THE FAITH. That is, they have been given a place in the Body of Christ, with each Christian having assignments to fulfill (functions to perform) and the grace necessary to fulfill those assignments. (Instead of saying they have been given a place in the Body of Christ, you could say they have been given a place in the Christian faith/religion. True Christianity embraces all those who have faith in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.)
This understanding of the last part of Rom. 12:3 fits perfectly with the rest of the verse, and, more significantly, it is confirmed by Rom. 12:4-8. (Note that Rom. 12:4-8 is tied to Rom. 12:3 by the "For" at the beginning of Rom. 12:4.) How then should a Christian think of himself so as not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think? He should think of himself exactly in line with the MEASURE God has given him. Also, he has no right to boast of himself in regard to anything he has received from God (cf., e.g., 1 Cor. 1:26-31; 3:5-7; 4:7).
A major point here, which the apostle will amplify in 12:4-8, is that CHRISTIANS MUST BE VERY CAREFUL TO STAY WITHIN THEIR MEASURE. It causes serious strife and confusion in the Body of Christ when, for example, a prophet or a teacher at Rome starts thinking of himself as having equal authority with the apostle Paul (or, even greater authority). For one thing, ministers are not called to compete with one another. That is a manifestation of the flesh. It is very important that every apostle, every prophet, every teacher, every evangelist, every pastor, every elder, every deacon, every Christian, stay within their MEASURE (their measure assigned by God). Otherwise the church will be out of divine order. I believe this is a major problem in the church today. It is rather easy for born-again Christians to think and act in the flesh, instead of in the Holy Spirit. I should emphasize the point that when we try to minister outside of the MEASURE assigned to us by God, we won't have the grace required to properly fulfill the ministry, and we are sure to make a mess to one degree or another.]] (4) FOR just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, (5) so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. [[In the human body there are many different members, with each member fulfilling their important, God-ordained functions. So it is in the Body of Christ. The MEASURE we have received from God determines what our assignments (functions) are.]] (6) And since we have gifts ["Gifts" is the plural of "charisma," which is closely related to "charis" (the Greek word for grace). A gift is a manifestation of God's grace.] that differ according to the grace given to us [THE DIFFERING GRACE/GIFTS GOES WITH THE DIFFERING MEASURES.], let each exercise them accordingly [[I don't believe these five words which were added by the NASB in italics are fully adequate. Something like the following addition must be understood: Let us exercise them accordingly, BEING VERY CAREFUL TO STAY WITHIN OUR MEASURE. The dominant message of Rom. 12:3-8 is that we shouldn't think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think (as we will do to the extent that we are conformed to this world/to the extent that we are walking according to the old man); but (with a renewed mind, as we think in agreement with the Word of God by the Holy Spirit, we are to think of ourselves in line with the MEASURE GOD HAS MEASURED TO US, and act accordingly.]]: if prophecy [[Prophesying often goes with the ministry of the prophet, and I believe Paul is thinking of the prophet here. He has already referred to the grace given to him in verse 3, the grace to be an apostle (a very special apostle). In 1 Cor. 12:28 Paul says: "And God has appointed [set] in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers...." Every ministry (every MEASURE) is important, but clearly some are more important than others. It is reasonable for Paul to mention the prophet first out of respect for the prophets at Rome, but it is also true that a prophet at Rome could be one of the most likely persons to think more highly of himself than he ought to think and reject Paul's apostolic ministry. Compare 1 Cor. 14:37. Anyway, whatever MEASURE (including THE MEASURE of "prophecy") a person has received, they must be very careful to stay within their measure, as the apostle goes on to say with the following words.]], according to the proportion of his faith [[As I said regarding the translation at the end of verse 3, so here; I don't believe we could possibly get Paul's intended meaning from this translation. (The KJV and NIV translations are not any more helpful.) In the first place, the Greek word translated "his" is the definite article, and if we translate it the most literal way, it communicates the intended meaning: THE FAITH. Next we need to see that the word PROPORTION here in verse 6 is equivalent in meaning to the word MEASURE in verse 3. Here's part of the definition of PROPORTION from "Webster's New World Dictionary": "a part, share, or portion, especially in its relation to the whole." Lastly, it is probably better to translate IN instead of "of," as in verse 3, but the translation "of" will probably suffice here in verse 6. So, I would translate the last part of verse 6, ACCORDING TO THE PROPORTION IN THE FAITH. If "prophecy" is your part/share/portion/measure (or whatever else your measure is in the faith/in the Body of Christ), then you must faithfully perform your function(s) by grace, being very careful to stay within your part/share/portion/measure. If one with a gift of prophecy (even if he has a powerful and effective ministry as a prophet) decides he wants to function as an apostle, teacher, etc., we are headed for confusion and trouble. Of course it is possible for God to give to one person the MEASURE to be a prophet and a teacher, or a prophet and a pastor, etc.]]; (7) if service [I would translate "ministry" with the KJV instead of "service." "Ministry" is the way the NASB most often translates this Greek noun.], in his serving [I would translate "in the ministering." As at the end of verse 6, the word translated "his" is the definite article in Greek and is typically translated "the." The meaning then (in full agreement with everything the apostle says in 12:3-8) is that whatever ministry constitutes your MEASURE, FAITHFULLY FULFILL YOUR MEASURE BY GOD'S GRACE, BEING VERY CAREFUL TO STAY WITHIN YOUR MEASURE.]; or he who teaches, in his teaching [[I would translate "or he who teaches, in the teaching," or the equivalent. As above, the word translated "his" by the NASB is the definite article in the Greek. The MEASURE of being a teacher in the Body of Christ (along with the following MEASURE of being an exhorter) is probably listed here as a prime example of ministering. There are, of course, different types of teaching ministries, depending on the measure given by God. The one teaching must faithfully fulfill his ministry by grace and be careful to remain within the MEASURE assigned by God. It is true, of course, that as we are faithful, God can increase our measure.]]; (8) or he who exhorts, in his [the] exhortation; he who gives, with liberality [or, simplicity]; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness." It is interesting that the apostle includes the grace of giving. (You could think of this as a charismatic gift.) Some have special abilities to support the Body of Christ in financial ways. Whatever our MEASURE, it is necessary for us to do our part, and to do it right by the grace of God, being very careful to stay within our MEASURE. We must be careful "not to think more highly of [ourselves] than we ought to think" (Rom. 12:3). If, for example, those with wealth think they have a right to try to force Paul (or any other minister) to preach the gospel according to their will (instead of God's), we're headed for big trouble.
It's good news to know that we - and especially ministers - are not called to compete with one another, but rather to respect and bless one another, in the Body of Christ. We need one another, according to God's plan. If another Christian fails to fulfill their MEASURE, it is not to our advantage, but to our disadvantage. We are called to put God first and do His will. This includes limiting ourselves to stay within our MEASURE. I have found over the years that many ministers don't understand the concept of limiting ourselves to our MEASURE. It is true, of course, that we must make sure that we do everything that God calls us to do. When we do things God's way, it will always work for good!
We'll discuss Eph. 2:1-10; Acts 15:1-11 in Part 6 of these excerpts.
Copyright by Karl Kemp
http://www.karlkempteachingministries.com Karl Kemp worked as an engineer in the space field throughout the 60s. He became a born-again Christian in 1964. He received an MA in Biblical Studies in 1972. He has been a Bible teacher for 45 years. See the website for more info on his books, papers, etc.
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The Pirate Boxer is a death row convict.[1] His sentence was changed to a life sentence in an unconventional prison—Greed Island—together with a dozen of other death row convicts.[2]
The Pirate Boxer wears the standard clothing for Razor's Pirates. He has thick eyebrows, big protruding ears, and a potato nose.[1]
As a boxer, the pirate presented himself as a confident individual,[1] going as far as to assure people that although conjured objects are allowed in the match, he will only use his fists during his boxing matches.[3]
Greed Island arc
The boxer plays the game as if he were a simple bot under the command of Razor, but he has actually been a living human being. His event during the 14 Devil challenge is a boxing match in which one can use weapons. When the first group of 15 players comes to the Razor's gym to challenge them for the rare "Plot of Beach"; the Pirate Boxer challenges the players with his obvious theme of boxing and Montreux volunteers to box him.[1] Razor acts as the referee and explains the rules to Montreux such as Nen can be used during the match, concerning Wong Li and Hanse, but the Pirate Boxer assures the two he'll only use his fists to fight.[3]
Immediately after the match begins Montreux emits a ball of energy with a punch at the boxer, who manages to dodge it. Montreux praises and speculates the boxer is an Emitter like him, but he's made the mistake of challenging stronger a Nen user like him. Montreux then inflicts multiple jabs like a machine gun onto the Pirate Boxer, making him faint. While it appeared that Montreux was the winner, he too faints unconsciously. As Razor gives the countdown the Pirate Boxer gets back up and wins the match as Montreux remained unconscious. Killua reveals to Kazsule, that the Pirate Boxer won with an emitted uppercut to the chin.[3]
However, when Gon, Killua, and Biscuit return to the lighthouse with an even better team, the Pirate Boxer is handily beaten by Barry; who defeats him by boxing him into a corner.[4]
Abilities & Powers
Like all the pirates working with Razor, he is a decently capable Nen user, able to single-handedly defeat amateur hunters. Although he was easily bested by Barry in terms of boxing, he is still capable enough to knock out an opponent by hitting his chin, using his Nen ability to catch him off-guard even while he is being attacked. Only good fighters managed to catch a glimpse of his counterattack, suggesting that he can punch rather quickly.[3]
The boxer is an Emitter. He can instantly create portals to warp his fists and catch his opponents off-guard.[3] To enhance his Nen, he uses a special boxing ring whose canvas surface is painted with Nen-charged patterns called "Divine Script". However, Tsezguerra commented that he is not very skilled.[4]
|Pirate boxer's Nen Type: Emission
|Type: Emission
|The Pirate boxer aims his fist in any direction and creates a portal before the fist that could warp it to the desired location instantly upon punching through it, for example under the chin of his opponent. The maximum distance that the warping could reach is unknown, but it can probably be assumed that it is at least enough to cover a boxing ring.[3]


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- Working load: 475 lbs.
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I try to minimize things that might not be well known to my target audience because I'm reasonably sure that when a lot of people reach some funky notation that they don't understand, they stop reading. Now, while I try also to explain the good, the bad, and the ugly without using those notations as well, it's hard to realize this if you don't get to that point. 😉 The most important measures that I use are for asymptotic growth of algorithms. This article will attempt to explain the use of these notations without requiring you to have a degree in computer science.
Because I'm simplifying reality, it should be noted that none of the information in this article will be completely accurate in a formal mathematical sense, so please refrain from emailing me with complaints that I'm not entirely correct. The information in this article is more than sufficient to know what I mean when I say O(N2), or Ω(Nlog2 N) and which one is better. And to be perfectly frank, once you get the basic concept, that's more than enough to live your life unless you have a burning desire to formally analyze and prove the performance properties of an algorithm. I don't really care about that because I can get close enough with my simplified reality to know which algorithms to choose.
The very word "asymptotic" scares the bejeezus out of people because it sounds complicated. The definition doesn't serve to aleviate that fear. Something that's asymptotic relates to a asymptote, which is defined as "A line whose distance to a given curve tends toward zero". That's damn near worthless, so let's say that something asymptotic refers to a limiting behavior based on a single variable and a desired measure.
For example, we can use the number of steps that it takes for an algorithm that works with N items to complete (aka. time complexity) as the desired measure, and derive an asymptotic bound on the time complexity by increasing N toward infinity. In real person terms, we're just figuring out how much longer the algorithm takes when we add more items. The most common way to go about this is to double the number of items and see how much longer the algorithm takes.
Now, we could actually test this by writing the algorithm, profiling it to see how long it takes for N, then profiling it again after doubling N. The time difference is a rough estimate of the growth. This is called an empirical test. However, we can also do a theoretical test by measuring the steps that rely on the size of N and get a reasonably useful measure of how the time complexity grows. Because the steps that don't rely on N won't grow, we can remove them from the measure because at a certain point, they become so small as to be worthless. In other words, we pretend that they don't matter in all cases.
This is the idea behind asymptotic notation. By removing the constants (variables that have a fixed but unknown value), we can focus on the part of the measure that grows and derive a simplified asymptotic bound on the algorithm. A common notation that removes constants is called Big O Notation, where the O means "order of" (there are variants that do something similar that we'll look at shortly). Let's look at an example:
void f (int a[], int n) { int i; printf("N = %d\n", n); for (i = 0; i < n; i++) { printf("%d ", a[i]); } printf("\n"); }
In this function, the only part that takes longer as the size of the array grows is the loop. Therefore, the two printf calls outside of the loop are said to have a constant time complexity, or O(1), as they don't rely on N. The loop itself has a number of steps equal to the size of the array, so we can say that the loop has a linear time complexity, or O(N). The entire function f has a time complexity of 2 * O(1) + O(N), and because constants are removed, it's simplified to O(1) + O(N).
Now, asymptotic notation also typically ignores the measures that grow more slowly because eventually the measure that grows more quickly will dominate the time complexity as N moves toward infinity. So by ignoring the constant time complexity because it grows more slowly than the linear time complexity, we can simplify the asymptotic bound of the function to O(N), so the conclusion is that f has linear time complexity.
Okay, but what does O really mean? Big O notation refers to the asymptotic upper bound, which means that it's a cap on how much the time complexity will grow. If we say that a function is O(1), then there's no growth and the function will always take a fixed amount of time to complete. If we say that a function is O(N) then if N doubles, the function's time complexity at most will double. It may be less, but never more. That's the upper bound of an algorithm, and it's the most common notation.
Now, even though O notation is the most common, it's not always the most accurate measure. For example, let's say we have a sequential search of an unordered array where the items are randomly distributed and we want both the average case growth and the worst case growth:
int find(int a[], int n, int x) { int i; for (i = 0; i < n; i++) { if (a[i] == x) { return 1; } } return 0; }
This algorithm is clearly O(N) because it only has one loop that relies on the size of the array, and the time complexity of the loop doubles as the size of the array doubles. However, that's the worst case upper bound. We know (because smarter people than I figured it out) that on average, only half of the array is searched before the item is found due to the random distribution. So while the time complexity could reach O(N), it's usually less even though we don't really know how much less.
Okay, how about a binary search instead of a sequential search? If the array is sorted, we can make the search a lot faster by splitting the array in half at each comparison and only searching the half where the item might be. That's common knowledge, but why is it faster? Here's the code for a binary search:
int find(int a[], int n, int x) { int i = 0; while (i < n) { int mid = (n + i) / 2; if (a[mid] < x) { n = mid; } else if (a[mid] > x) { i = mid + 1; } else { return 1; } } return 0; }
We can call this an O(N) algorithm and not be wrong because the time complexity will never exceed O(N). But because the array is split in half each time, the number of steps is always going to be equal to the base-2 logarithm of N, which is considerably less than O(N). So an even better choice would be to set the upper bound to log N, which is the upper limit that we know we're guaranteed never to cross. Therefore, a more accurate claim is that binary search is a logarithmic, or O(log2 N), algorithm.
Sometimes we're interested not in an upper bound, but in a lower bound. What's the smallest time complexity that we can expect? For example, what if we want to know the lower bound for the binary search we just found the upper bound for? Well, since a correct binary search is guaranteed to only take log N steps to complete, we can say that the lower bound is also logarithmic. There's a notation for the lower bound too, called Omega, so we can say that the lower bound for binary search is Ω(log2 N).
We're all in this together. Just like you, we're closely monitoring the impact of COVID-19. Here are the ways we're supporting customers, employees, and communities during this difficult time: https://t.co/IZc4CMnHOr pic.twitter.com/xbZHgTxu8e— Amazon (@amazon) March 20, 2020
Wait a second. The upper and lower bounds are the same! That's good, now we can have a very accurate bound on the time complexity of a binary search. There's a notation for the asyptotically tight bound too, called Theta, and since we know the O and Ω for binary search and they're the same, we can say that binary search is Θ(log N). O(log2 N) is still correct, and you'll see it more often than any of the other notations, but Θ(log2 N) is a much stronger claim.
Note that in the best case scenario, the first item we look at would be the one we're looking for and the search would effectively be O(1), so why is the lower bound Ω(log2 N)? Remember that we're only using one variable, the size of the array, to derive our measure. If we use other variables, such as the contents of the array and the item being searched for, we can easily say that the lower bound is O(1) because the best possible case is an immediate match. However, lacking those extra variables, we can't make an assumption. Therefore, the longest time complexity possible is logarithmic for both the upper and lower bounds.
Okay, what about a sorting algorithm? Let's start with selection sort. The algorithm is simple: find the largest item and move it to the back of the array. When you move an item to the back, decrease the size of the array so that you don't continually choose from the items that have already been selected:
void jsw_selection(int a[], int n) { while (--n > 0) { int i, max = n; for (i = 0; i < n; i++) { if (a[i] > a[max]) { max = i; } } if (max != n) { jsw_swap (&a;[n], &a;[max]); } } }
This algorithm has two loops, one inside of the other. Both rely on the size of the array, so the algorithm is clearly O(N * N), more commonly shown as O(N2) and referred to as quadratic. The fact that N decreases with each step of the outer loop is irrelevant unless you want a tight bound, and even then it's difficult to analyze. But that doesn't matter much because the upper bound is really all we care about for an existing sorting algorithm.
Let's look at a faster sort. The heap sort algorithm uses a tree based structure to make the selection process faster. Because the selection part of a selection sort is Θ(N), and the outer loop that it's nested in is O(N), selection sort is O(N2). But by using a heap where selection is O(1) and fixing the heap is Θ(log2 N), we can turn the whole process of selection into a Θ(log2 N) process:
void jsw_do_heap(int a[], int i, int n) { int k = i * 2 + 1; int save = a[i]; while (k < n) { if (k + 1 < n && a[k] < a[k + 1]) { ++k; } if (save >= a[k]) { break; } a[i] = a[k]; i = k; k = i * 2 + 1; } a[i] = save; } void jsw_heapsort(int a[], int n) { int i = n / 2; while (i-- > 0) { jsw_do_heap(a, i, n); } while (--n > 0) { jsw_swap(&a;[0], &a;[n]); jsw_do_heap(a, 0, n); } }
Because the heap is structured like a tree, jsw_do_heap is Θ(log2 N). The first loop in jsw_heapsort is O(N / 2), but because the second loop is O(N) and dominates the first loop, we can toss the complexity of the first loop. So we have an O(N) loop that calls a Θ(log2 N) function. We conclude that the upper bound of heap sort is O(Nlog2 N), which doesn't have a set descriptive name, but it's often shown as O(N * log2 N). However, because the lower bound of heap sort is also Ω(Nlog2 N) for the same reasons as binary search, we can safely say that heap sort has Θ(Nlog2 N) time complexity.
We've looked at the most common time complexities: O(1) for constant time, O(N) for linear time, O(log2 N) for logarithmic time, O(Nlog2 N), and O(N2) for quadratic time. Others exist, such as O(N!) for a ridiculous factorial growth, but you won't see them often. Here are the upper bound time complexities in order of growth from least to greatest that you're most likely to see:
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- O(1) – No growth
- O(log2 N) – Grows by the logarithm of N when N doubles
- O(N) – Grows with N when N doubles
- O(Nlog2 N) – Grows by the product of N and the logarithm of N when N doubles
- O(N2) – Grows twice as fast as N when N doubles
- O(N!) – Grows by the factorial of N when N doubles
Hopefully this article clears up any confusion without delving too far into the theory. Unfortunately, algorithm analysis can only be simplified so much before it becomes useless, but I think I covered all of the foundations that would be useful in figuring out a basic time complexity for your own algorithms as well as understanding many of the time complexities given for existing algorithms.


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Pantries United
IRAS administers the Pantries United program, which includes two emergency food sites that provide nonperishable food items to those in need. Find out more here.
Helping Hands Resource Guide
IRAS updates and maintains the information in the Helping Hands Resource Guide. Every 2 to 3 years, IRAS updates and publishes the resource guide and distributes it to local human service agencies, law enforcement, businesses, etc. as a valuable tool in assisting people in need.
Prescription Medication Assistance
IRAS maintains a Prescription Medication Assistance Program that is fund primarily through the Med Tree contributions at Mercy Medical Center. Individuals who are not able to pay for needed prescription medication are assisted through this program.
Emergency Assistance
By combining funding from local churches, individuals, grants, fundraising, etc., IRAS assists more than 2400 families annually. These funds allow the agency to be flexible when meeting the needs of families.
Examples of our assistance include:
- Work clothes
- Bus passes
- Personal hygiene items
- Eye glasses
- Utilities and rent
- Medications
- Food
How can I help
You can help IRAS assist those in need in the following ways:
- Volunteer to help for one of our fundraisers
- Join the IRAS Board of Directors or work on a committee
- Donate needed resources
- Personal hygiene items
- Household cleaning supplies
- Cash or gift cards


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Hello Stampin' Friends ~
You'll feel refreshed just looking at June's One in a Melon kit with its watermelons, pineapples, lemons, and limes.
Each kit comes with 6 printed card bases, 4 printed bags, 6 white envelopes, 2 sheets watercolor die-cut pieces, 2 sheets white die-cut pieces, 1 sheet laser-cut leaf stickers, 4 sheets printed cotton paper, 4 yds. pink baker's twine, 4 green mini clothespins, 100 dimensionals, and 100 adhesive dots.
Skip to the fun of putting together our yummy summer-themed project with this how-to video!
Stop back tomorrow and I'll show you an alternative project for this cute kit!!
Thank you for today's visit … and I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.
Have a beautiful day ~


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We believe you.
Whether its rape, sexual assault, or molestation, our compassionate attorneys have the experience to understand what you are going through. We know how to investigate and prosecute these cases. We're willing to stand up for your rights and protect your best interests.
We also know that legal action will not erase what happened to you, but compensation can help your recovery and deter future crimes. When you are ready to take back control and pursue justice, we are here for you.
Experienced Attorneys Supporting Victims Of Sexual Abuse
We believe you.
Whether its rape, sexual assault, or molestation, our compassionate attorneys have the experience to understand what you are going through. We know how to investigate and prosecute these cases. We also know that legal action will not erase what happened, but compensation can help recovery and deter future occurrences. When you are ready to take back control and get justice, we are here for you.
"I felt safe again." After speaking to numerous lawyers, these guys stood out as experts in this area.
Current Active Abuse Cases:
Below are some, and certainly not all the active cases we are representing clients in:
What Is Sexual Abuse Under The Law?
It wasn't your fault.
Sexual abuse is a crime based in power. Many offenders gravitate towards occupations and positions of authority. Exploiting trust and respect, victimizers use vulnerability to commit their horrendous crimes. All too often, the criminal justice system focuses on punishing these reprehensible individuals, offering little support for assault survivors as they recover.
We Know The Impact Abuse Has On Victims
You are not alone.
Sexual assault is quite possibly the most traumatic experience anyone can live through. It's not uncommon to feel shame, guilt and fear in the wake of a terrible violation. All of these feelings are normal, but you must know that you did nothing to deserve this. We will work to ensure that the abuse or assault you suffered does not come to define your life.
Restitution and compensation funds may suffice for immediate medical expenses and counseling, but many survivors must turn to civil lawsuits, and the assistance of experienced sexual assault lawyers, to secure lasting compensation and begin recovering from the deeper scars left by sexual abuse.
Our Moral Duty: To Pursue Justice & Accountability
No crime is more heinous than childhood sexual abuse. Every victim is faced by a lengthy road back to normalcy, but the survivors of abuse during adolescence may be forced to deal with psychological trauma long into adulthood. Repression and post-traumatic stress disorder are common, and can make securing criminal justice difficult. We've made it our moral duty to support victims in any way we can, from start to finish.
Every day, we work to help survivors find the strength inside themselves to step forward and fight for justice. You can be a light for other survivors. It only takes one decision, one brave choice to regain your power.
Attorneys United In The Pursuit Of Justice
The vast majority of abusers know their victims. Many offenders are the intimate partners of the people they abuse. Family violence is real, rampant and unacceptable. Assault and abuse survivors, along with those still living through the horrors of abuse, often fear speaking out and remain trapped in unsafe situations. No one deserves to live like that.
We can help you step forward. Out of the darkness and into the light. Whether you want to pursue civil litigation or just need someone to talk to, we are always here for you.
Even after a criminal conviction, victims must live with the physical and emotional trauma of abuse. We can't take back those days, months or years of fear and violence, but we can help you find the support and resources that you and your loved ones deserve.


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Australians wanting to emigrate or travel to the United States are being held up by technical issues affecting the US State Department's visa systems.
The US has been unable to properly process visas, passports and travel documents since last week due to unspecified "technical problems" with its Oracle-based database.
The US Embassy in Canberra said it was unable to print most immigrant and non-immigrant visas approved after June 9 following a hardware failure that same day. New applications submitted after that date are also currently unable to be processed.
US passport applications accepted overseas after May 26 are also affected, but the State Department said it is now able to start issuing those passports again. Passport applications submitted inside the US have not been affected.
The unidentified hardware failure meant biometric clearance requests stopped flowing from embassies to the US 'consular consolidated database' (CCD), resulting in a big backlog.
"The systems in place to perform required national security checks before we issue visas are experiencing technical difficulties. As a result, we are unable to print visas," the US State Department advised.
"We cannot bypass the legal requirements necessary to screen visa applicants before we issue visas for travel.
"As a result, there is a backlog of visas waiting to be processed. We are working as quickly as possible to resolve the issue and to clear the backlog."
The US embassy in Canberra advised those who had appointments for visa interviews listed for between June 14-20 to reschedule if their visa application had been submitted after June 9.
The overall issue was not specific to any one country or visa category, the State Department advised.
It did not provide a cause for the outage.
The department said overseas passport applications accounted for less than five percent of its annual passport workload.
The CCD suffered a week-long outage last August, but the department was at pains to stress the current issues are not related to that incident.
A software upgrade was blamed for the system crash last time around.
The department was similarly keen to emphasise that it had no evidence to suggest the latest issues were related to any breach of cyber security.
Affected were visa issuance, consular reports of births abroad and the ability for US citizens to obtain passports overseas. The department was able to process urgent requests, it said.
The CCD has been described as "one of the world's largest Oracle-based data warehouses".
It stores hundreds of millions of visa files and links to other critical US systems including the FBI's integrated automated fingerprint identification system, Homeland Security's automated biometric identification system, and the State Department's facial recognition system.


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Oh man, don't get me started on that subject…
Saminda Motor Co - The new CR45, Conquering the terrain
Oh so it wouldnt have sold well anyways
#Saminda upcoming Mexico plant will continue to produce the C1 , but it's not going to North America.
Detroit , US - Saminda Motor Co. investment in it Mexico plant 3 years ago had drawn criticism by Donald Trump says it will not plan to produce the C1 to North America anymore .
Saminda plan to produce 150,000 C1 will instead be reduced to 85,000 per year and will be cutting down around 1000 jobs , it will be sold in South America along with it Maua Brazil plant which also bulit the CR3.
Additionally , Saminda will be investing more than 3 billion in the next 3 years, "Saminda has and always been helpful to the U.S economy" said Yuko Nagoya , President of Saminda Motor Co.
Why not Canada? No Trump and small cars are always popular.
Or why not Mexico?
Without doubt Mexico will sell the C1 , Canada we can see how it goes
#Saminda UK chiefs confirm the C2000R will resume it original planned powertrain and production will not be delayed , expect AWD as option.
SWINDON , UK – Saminda UK has confirmed that the C2000R will continue it 2.0-liter powertrain instead of the planned 2.2-liter as well as an AWD option , production will continue as planned in late 2017 or early 2018.
"We would really want to release it as soon as possible , while adding an AWD option in it would match us against our competitors" said Robert Christopher , managing director of Saminda UK.
Christopher also added "The release of production version in Geneva Motor Show indicate the C2000R is coming really soon"
That's not the first time we've heard that, Saminda…
#คุณ สมน้ำสมเนื้อ ดีกว่า , introducing the all-new re-invented Anthana.
Saminda Anthana Standard 1.5 (Manual)
Engine : RE Series , RE15AZ
Saminda Anthana Standard 1.5 (CVT)
Engine : RE Series , RE15AZ
Saminda Anthana Premium 1.5 (CVT)
Engine : RE Series , RE15AZ
[quote]The Saminda Antana (called Anthana as of 2016) is a four-door subcompact sedan produced by the Japanese manufacturer Saminda which aimed at the Asia Pacific region markets.
The Anthana was also the first model to roll out of Saminda plant in Ayutthaya, Thailand in 2001.
Design of Saminda cars has always been towards the 'edgy' side. The new Anthana body panels, for instance, are now more sculptured, and help to portray off a more trendy image.
For those who rely heavily on their smart phones and electronic gadgets, the Anthana has two USB charging ports and no fewer than three power outlets situated conveniently around the cabin. The touchscreen infotainment system also has Bluetooth connectivity for hands free and music streaming function.
Benefiting from the long wheelbase, the cabin especially the rear quarters are generously spacious. Likewise, boot space is a functional 531 litres that can easily swallow a weeks worth of groceries, or a couple of large suitcases should you be running any errands to the airport.
There are only one engine choices , the familiar 1.5-liter i-VIC four cylinder produces 130BHP and 150nm of torque . Ditching the conventional five-speed automatic, the Anthana receives a new CVT gearbox with seven-speed overriding function.
#Sales figure 2016 : 297,671
##Availability :
South East Asia and China
##Related : Saminda Vaser
##Assembly :
Ayutthaya, Thailand (Saminda Ayutthaya Plant)
Wuhan, China
Anthana Standard 1.5 MT : $17,000
Anthana Standard 1.5 CVT : $17,995
Anthana Premium 1.5 CVT : $19,995
Neat little car. I'm no expert on South East Asian automotive trends but this looks like a solid motor.
When Yuko Nagoya, CEO of Global Saminda Motor Co. said that he would love to see the revive of ''track focused'' CthousandR heritage in 2012, it was not a joke.
The 2018 C2000R project started back in 2013, it took Saminda 5 years to finally release it, and it will come to market in around 2018, despite the confirmed output and Nurburgring timing for the C2000R, Saminda say that they are still trying to improve the C2000R and will run another Nurburgring record to be faster then the current 7:51min until the C2000R is actually released, it may not sound fast to you, but do take note the C2000R only produces 368HP, it's a pretty hardcore vehicle to be able to archive 7.51min with production specification.
As expected, Saminda will not be releasing it specification for the C5000R but it will probably have the same heart as the C2000R, with a 2.0-liter i-VIC turbocharged engine mated to 2 electric motors, expect to release near 380bhp.
But what Saminda says is that the C5000R will also be build along with the C2000R in UK, so as expected we might not be able to see this car in the US, same as the C2000R.
C5000R huh? Is that a mid-size, full size or what?
Am excite btw
It's intended to slot above the C2KR range, will be a hatchback bodystyle, or how Audi call it as "Sportback"
Very nice. Cannot wait for this!
Well, I'm game for round 2. Somebody find me something huge, diesel powered, and awfully inappropriate for track use Or a maybe a kei car…
OR A DIESEL KEI CAR. Which now that I think of it is an idea that @Awildgermanappears should've come up with by now but AFAIK still hasn't.
SuperBlitz with an even bigger truck and 8.0L V12 diesel or KugelBlitz aka Kei Truck? A Van perhaps?
Saminda has confirmed that it has canceled plans for the launch of the RXE and ZXE sports car, the new V6-powered sport car was expected to arrive in the United States next year as an Auxuras, but sadly all development work on the car has come to an end.
The ZXE were made to slot below the RXE, but since the RXE is going to be axed, Saminda also say that the ZXE will be axed too.
The RXE which originally were made to be a halo car for this brand was an collaboration work between Saminda and Maesima, however, Saminda said that it doesn't plan to continue developing the car leaving Maesima alone for good.
Maesima said that it will not scrap away the idea and will develop on their own.
Instead, Saminda will focus on developing more fuel-efficient hybrid and diesel models, especially in the compact car segments. Plans for a minicar positioned below the C1 are still on track, as are plans for the C5000R hybrid sport car.
#More 4 Cylinder Turbo, less V6 in the future
The first model to be replaced by a 4cyl turbo from a V6 is the Saminda C5
The outgoing Saminda C5 optional V6 engine was a 280-horsepower 3.5-liter with 335nm of torque. Fuel economy, according to the EPA, measured 20 miles per gallon in the city; 32 highway with the six-speed automatic.
In the all-new C5, Saminda says will debut later this year, the basic 1.5T (replaced the 2.4-liter) will be linked to either the continuously variable transmission or a six-speed manual. The 2.0T, on the other hand, will be offered with both a 8-speed automatic or a six-speed manual.
Saminda says only about 15 percent of C5 buyers were choosing the V6.
Sad to hear this. What fine additions these cars would have made to the current sports car market.
It's all up to Maesima now to continue further development… unless they also abandon their plans, writing off millions of dollars in the process.
This actually reminds me of how the new, mid-engined Alpine A110, originally meant to be twinned with a similarly-powered Caterham, ended up as an all-Renault program. Abandoning the ZXE and RXE altogether, however, is total cowardice in my view, especially when Saminda-Auxuras will never build an engine with >4 cylinders ever again. Yes, these sports car programs may have been too expensive to develop, and continuing to increase the efficiency of its current range is all well and good, but this leaves a huge gap in their lineup between the mainstream cars and C5000R - one that will ultimately be impossible to fill.
In fact, this shift away from performance and towards economy reminds me of the last line of evo magazine's last-ever review of the Honda S2000 while it was still on sale, way back in 2009; it ended in "…abandonment of the car enthusiast". That's the predicament Saminda-Auxuras is facing right now… and it's causing potential customers to seek other brands' cars instead. No doubt quite a few engineers at Harris-Albury will be relieved at this latest announcement.


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Hello, hello Seven Thirty Three friends! Heather from Twin Dragonfly Designs here. Today I am sharing one of our all-time favorite DIY ornaments! My kids and I make these every year for gifts and they are a huge hit with family and friends. I just love how whimsical these Melted Snowman Ornaments are!
With just a few simple supplies you can make your very own melted snowman ornament…
clear plastic balls (found at most big box stores and craft stores)
polymer clay
scrap fabric
Create carrot noses and stick arms using the polymer clay. Be sure to oven bake the clay to set the shape following the directions on the package.
Cut fabric scraps into tiny scarves about 1/4″ x 2″.
Fill the ball with about 2 Tbsp salt and add in the clay nose and two twigs, the scarf and several pieces of peppercorn for eyes, buttons ad mouth.
Attach a piece of twine to the top of the ornament for hanging.
My boys make two versions of these – one with a scarf and one with arms. We posted the full Melted Snowman Tutorial a few years ago. This is a great project for kids and parents of all ages *wink*.
Now you can save your beloved snowman and bring him inside for year round fun – hee hee!
Be sure to stop by Twin Dragonfly Designs for lots more snowman inspiration!


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His words, contained in an Australian parliamentary motion, were directed to the "stolen generations" - the tens of thousands of mixed-race children taken from their families in a strategy of white assimilation only abandoned in 1970.
But he also said sorry to all of Australia's indigenous people who still live on the margins of society, saying that in the future he wanted them to have the same opportunities as other Australians.
Thousands of Aborigines and their supporters gathered outside parliament to watch the occasion on giant TV screens while others attended the opening ceremonies inside the building.
"For the pain, suffering and hurt of these stolen generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry," Rudd said in extracts released earlier in the day. "To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry.
"And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry."
From 1910 to 1970 mixed-race children - mostly of Aboriginal mothers and European fathers - were taken to orphanages, church missions or foster homes to be raised separately from their families and their culture. The ultimate purpose, it has been claimed, was the extinction of Aborigines as a distinct race.
The policy was not fully recognised until a decade ago when it was exposed in a report entitled Bringing Them Home, which recommended that the government apologise and make financial reparation.
Former prime minister John Howard refused to offer the apology, saying the current generation should not be blamed for past misdeeds, and issued a statement of regret instead. Rudd, who won power last November, made an apology part of his election manifesto but has ruled out financial reparations.
Yesterday, as part of the new era, Aborigines danced and sang at the opening of the Australian parliament and Aboriginal elder Matilda House gave a traditional greeting to MPs and senators gathered for the new parliamentary session. Rudd conceded: "It's taken us 41 parliaments to get here. Sometimes we are a bit slow."


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Mobile Money & Digital Payments Global 2015
Fintech Finance's coverage of Mobile Money & Digital Payments Global 2015 in Istanbul.
Zehra Chudry, Clarion Events
Zehra describes how successful the Event was!
Yves Eonnet, Tagattitude
Yves describing Tagattitude's solutions.
Serter Varol, Mobven Teknoloji A.S̩-
Serter describing Mobven's solutions.
Vince Kadar, Telepin Software
Vince describing Telepin Software's solutions.
Raj Hajela, Estel Technologies
Raj from Estel describing their M – Wallet solutions.
Patrick McGrory, Amdocs
Patrick describing Amdocs' solutions.
Luiz Rezende & Borislava Gerasimova, Cash Credit
Luiz & Borislava describing Cash Credit's solutions.
Lorena Rivas Garcia & Sven Asmuss, Dermalog Identification Systems GMBH
Sven and Lorena showing us Dermalog's security solutions.
Kamaljeet Rastogi, Mahindra Comviva
Kamaljeet describing Mahindra Comviva's solutions.
Jeremy Boorer, Easy Solutions Inc
Jeremy tells us about their Fraud Detection Software.
Hermann Salmen, Wincor Nixdorf International GMBH
Hermann telling us about Wincor Nixdorf's payment solutions.
Hala Abu Hantash, ProgressSoft Corporation
Hala Abu Hantash describing ProgressSoft's realtime payment solutions.
Guy Stibel, Scanovate
Talking to Guy about Scanovate's optical character recognition (OCR) solutions.
Guillaume Maigre, Famoco
Guillaume describing Famoco's NFC reader.
Enrique Beza, Wirecard
Enrique Beza from Wirecard detailing their solutions.
Eli Reisner, DOV-E
We talk with Eli about DOV -E's Sound Payment technology.
Goulven Bescond, Eservglobal
Goulven Bescond, Eservglobal We are talking with Goulven, who is descibing Eservglobal's Mobile Money Solution.
Çan Yetis, Starters Hub
With his Startup program.
Gercek Karakus, Raklet
We speak with Gercek Karakus from Raklet about their cloud platform.
The Fintech Finance coverage of FIMA 2015, featuring the likes of Mapr, Workfusion, Fenergo and many more…
RBR' Branch Transformation 2015
Fintech Finance's coverage from RBR' Branch Transformation 2015 – featuring the likes of Glory Global, NCR, Wincor, KAL, Diebold and many more!


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leatherbiz.com went live in 2000 as the news portal to complement World Leather magazine, offering the latest industry news, market intelligence, product information and much more. It is the most comprehensive news site for the industry, with a searchable archive of more than 16,500 stories. News is updated five times a day, with one free story each day. For access to all stories, or to sign up for our free twice-weekly newsletter, click here.
World Leather, established in 1987, is the world's leading magazine for the leather industry. Published six times a year and three times in Chinese, it is essential reading for tanners, leather traders, manufacturers and the wider industry and includes technical papers, country commentaries and reports. It also features the highly acclaimed Tannery of the Year awards programme, which highlights the best examples of tanneries across the world that have built the principles of corporate social responsibility into their way of working.
The World Leather Zone gives subscribers of the magazine access to digital copies of the magazine, as well as access to an archive of more than 1,000 technical papers and wide-ranging articles going back to 2002. Papers in the technical library, as well as Tannery of the Year reports, can be downloaded individually by non-subscribers for a nominal fee.
Any recent launches or important company news can be showcased as an advert on the homepage. Contact us for more information.
Email leatherbiz.com: News access subscriptions
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Leatherbiz.com cannot be held responsible for content if the language setting is changed from English. The translations provided by Google Translate are automated and therefore might not be accurate and may contain incorrect, offensive or misleading language. We offer this facility as a guide only.


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All photos by Loni Schick – Story written by Michael Nguyen
Travelling is something many people wish for but only few actually get the chance to do. Loni Schick is one of the fortunate ones who was able to explore the world and experience some things that other may never get the chance to see. She and her SLR camera left her hometown of Melville, Saskatchewan after high school graduation to move to London, England. The scary part is that was only the beginning. Along the way, the 29-year-old photographer taught herself the ins-and-outs of photography all while seeing what the world had to offer. 21 countries, three continents later, she ends up in the city of Toronto, all while in the midst of what I would like to call, a "Toronto movement." We're in an era where the city is peaking in creative talent –photographers, designers, graphic artists, rappers, producers, you name it– and Schick is right in the middle of things. But how does she separate herself in an industry filled with go-getters, up-and-comers and established dudes? It's through the influences of everyday life. Having visited places such as Vancouver, New York, Australia and Africa and seeing different lifestyles, cultures and behaviors must have done a lot in terms of real life learning experiences. It's something no other photographer can say or take away.
Age: 29
Hometown: Melville, Saskatchewan
Who you currently work for: RESPECT. Mag online, C.O.P. Magazine
Web: lonischick.com
Twitter: @elle_aye
Tumblr: lonischick.tumblr.com
In terms of Loni Schick's work, the photographer –whose dad is responsible for her interest in capturing moments at a young age– keeps it real rugged, edgy and real through her documentation of urban street culture. Portraits of hip-hop's stars in their natural settings, sneakers, girls (or as Kreayshawn would call it, "Bad Bitches") and views of the city streets is what she brings to the table and it's also reflective of herself. She's a fan of hip-hop (read: the Creator, Tyler, below), she rocked some of the baddest Spizikes, Air Max and Dunks, fittingly while in New York, has a bad-ass tattoo of a camera on her thigh, and is always riding her BMX when the cold Toronto weather doesn't crash in on the parade.
But shooting dope stuff isn't all, in addition to her role as photo contributor for RESPECT Mag online, she's also a writer and blogger for C.O.P Magazine. So it was a pretty unique situation when I had the chance to interview her, from one writer to another. Check out the full Q&A below as we talk about meeting Rich Hil, shooting pics with rappers, her dream photo shoot, what type of sneakers she's into and of course, awesome travel memories. It's safe to say the only thing more inked up than the girls she photographs is her passport. Peep the Q&A below.
First off, how was the experience meeting and photographing Rich Hil in Toronto a few weeks back?
Rich Hil is one of the most polite and chill artists that I've had the pleasure of meeting and photographing. During the interview, the promoter, Lola walked in and handed him one of the show tickets, which had his face printed on it. He was so hyped that his face was on all the tickets that he stopped to snap a photo of it with his iPhone. I love moments like that. You know, the ones when you get to see just how much an artist loves what he or she is doing and is truly humbled and excited about their progress.
And what about some of the other rappers that you've been working with lately? And in the past, does any specific shoot with an artist stand out to you?
One of my favorite shoots was with Joe Budden for RESPECT. Mag. His manager was the coolest, most accommodating person I've ever dealt with in the industry. I had the entire right side of the stage to myself while the other photographers were on the left, and we were the only publication granted an interview after the show. Joe has incredible tattoos and one in particular stood out to me: the script on the back of his neck that reads "I'm doing better than I'm feeling." My mission was to get a photo of that tattoo and fortunately after the show, he was willing to sit on the filthy dressing room floor while I stood on the couch behind him to shoot it.
As far as negative experiences go, I really can't pinpoint any. If I have a camera in my hand and someone to shoot, I'll do everything I can to make it a great experience. Even if it doesn't necessarily go the way I had hoped or intended, it was likely a learning experience, which, even if it sucks at the time, is never, ever a bad thing.
Who are some of the recording artists that you would love to photograph in the future and why?
My dream shoot would definitely be with Kanye West – not only because I think he's an incredibly talented artist but because he's got this larger than life persona now and I'd love to photograph him raw, meaning: without a big circus crew of stylists, lights and assistants. As much fun as that circus would be, my favorite shots are almost always the ones that capture impromptu, genuine smiles, or shyness. Just Kanye, me, a camera and a walk around his old neighbourhood. That would be unreal.
Another artist I'd really love to photograph is Fashawn. Fash is easily one of my top 5 emcees. I've met him twice and have photographed his live shows here and in Holland but I'd love a one-on-one.
Oh, and Juelz Santana, Ghostface, Kid Sister, Frank Ocean, DMX, The Game, Pusha T, Mötley Crüe, Neil Young, and Lemmy (of Motörhead), because they're also favorite artists of mine who I would really enjoy conceptualizing for and working with.
And what would the shoot look like?
Each shoot would vary dramatically depending on what the artist's latest work is and how they are presenting themselves at that period of time.
So how did you get started in photography?
As far back as I can remember, my Dad had a video camera around, capturing all our cute and funny childhood experiences. He had one of those big bulky ones that recorded on a VHS tape…crazy right? I suppose my desire to document life, moments and people was instilled in me at a young age. I learned the basics in 8th grade when I was handed a Pentax, shown how to load film, then let outside to photograph some of my classmates. After that, I fell in love with the dark room. I actually just stopped by my photography teacher's house in my Saskatchewan hometown over the Christmas holidays to say hi. I'll be forever grateful for Mr. Durham's 8th grade photography class.
Throughout junior high and high school, I continued to photograph my friends and family. I had made up my mind that I was going to study photography at the Art Institute of Colorado after graduation, however, after grad I decided I wanted to see more of the world. I applied for a work visa, packed a bag and my SLR and moved to London, England by myself. I instead chose to travel, shoot and teach myself the ins-and-outs of photography along the way. I don't regret that at all. I briefly studied Cinematography in Vancouver but my heart just wasn't in that city and program.
What about influences?
Ultimately, I'm influenced by things I see in my every day life. Whether it be in books, magazines, on my block while I'm biking to work, or a concert. There's inspiration everywhere. I started buying Vogue magazines when I was 10. I was too young to relate to any of the articles in Vogue but the stunning photographs in the advertisements had me mesmerized. I was particularly taken by the beautifully-shot black and white Guess Jeans ads, which I wallpapered my bedroom with. I guess I've respected beautiful images from a young age and that respect and passion has only grown.
I wouldn't say that I'm influenced by any particular photographer but I'm a huge fan of Martha Cooper, Nikki Sixx and Estevan Oriol. Images from Martha's photo documentation of the NYC graffiti scene in the 70s have become iconic. Nikki has a passion for photographing subjects that are typically viewed as unattractive and he goes on to create these beautiful, striking images. Estevan's portraits are top level to me. I've looked through my copy of "LA Woman" so many times I could probably be able to tell you which photo is on which page number.
There are many other photographers whose work I admire: Floria Sigismondi, Annie Leibovitz, Dan Martensen, Bruno Dayan, Ellen von Unwerth to name more.
What is it about urban culture (sneakers, hip-hop, street art, graffiti, etc) that makes you so intrigued by it and how does that translate into your work?
Because I grew up in a small town where none of these things existed, urban culture was foreign but intriguing to me. The only window I had to this world was Yo! MTV Raps, movies and the odd TV series. It wasn't until I started traveling that I became really inspired by these things. I love creating excessively colourful images so it was only a matter of time before elements like graff and loud 90s clothing invaded my work.
A lot of your work has to do with sneakers. So what are some of your favourites and can you describe your style?
I have a lot of favorite sneakers but the ones I actually wear depend on the season, where I am, and what I'm doing. When I was walking around and shooting a lot in NYC over the summer, you'd rarely find me in anything other than Spizikes, Air Max or Dunks. Back in Toronto, riding my BMX I'm almost always in Vans SK8-His and through the winter Jordan 9s. However, since I bought a pair of bright blue Vans Authentics to wear as part of my "Tyler, the Creator" Halloween costume, I fell for their comfort and they're the only sneaker I've worn since October 31st.
My style is like a garage sale, a mix of things that probably don't go together. One day I'll be in a shredded Motörhead tank-top (once a t-shirt), metallic leggings, leather jacket and heels and the next it's a girly lace mini-dress, thigh high socks, fur collar and tons of jewelry. For the most part, it depends what I was listening to before I left my house. I listen to a lot of Dipset, which would explain why I have a custom Dipset crop top, a Juelz tank-top and gold Diplomats earrings. Music invades all areas of my life.
What are some of your favourite subjects to shoot and why?
I think I'd be better off listing the very few things I dislike shooting. I enjoy everything I get to shoot, from artists while I'm freelancing to cities when I'm not.
Before, during and after a shoot, what goes through your mind in terms of the creative process?
When I'm planning a shoot with an emcee, generally the first thing I do is check out their music and try to get a feel for their whole vibe – musically and aesthetically. I also do a Google image search to check out some of the photo concepts and poses they've done in the past, to avoid repetition. Often times, I'll be shooting the artist in or around a concert venue before or after their show so I have to work with the spaces and backgrounds that are available. Sometimes I'll be going to a venue for the first time so the ability to think quick and maintain a calm, chill and friendly nature is crucial. During the shoot, I talk a lot, which is funny because I'm not an overly talkative person if I don't have to be. My objective is to make the artist feel the least amount of awkwardness, so I'll ask them questions about themselves and their music in between directing and offering positive feedback as to how the images are coming out. In my experience, the more at ease the subject is, the better the photos will be, and in turn, the more likely they'll want to work with me again.
Your site says that you've travelled to 21 countries and lived on three continents. Where did you live and why did you move so often?
As I mentioned earlier, I moved to Europe when I was 19. A few years later I moved to Australia. I applied for permanent residence and planned on settling there but life changes and you roll with it in order to keep yourself happy. I'm not afraid to take opportunities as they come, if I believe it's something that will result in increased happiness and personal growth. I actually thrive on that.
After a friend of mine passed away suddenly in 2006, I made a promise to myself that I would live to be happy for myself and not for anyone else. So, if an opportunity for a move to, say, Japan, presented itself next month, I'd probably take it. Why not? One of my favorite quotes is "Have a mind that is open to everything and attached to nothing". That may sound cold to some but to me it means that life is happening right now, things may not always go as planned but roll with it and keep your mind flexible and accept challenges. Change is your friend.
Can you tell us about any cool stories about some of the places you've lived or travelled to?
When you visit a landmark that you've seen everywhere throughout your life: in books, magazines, in movies and on TV, it's such a surreal experience when you're actually standing in front of them. When I saw the Sphinx, Berlin Wall, Eiffel Tower, Tower of Pisa, pyramids and Big Ben, it seemed like I was looking at some sort of optical illusion or remember those red 3D viewfinder toys where you pull the level down and it goes through the slides? It felt like looking through one of those. Those moments were my most memorable travel experiences.
One event, in particular, will always stand out to me as a favorite travel story though. It took place at a campsite in Tanzania, Africa. After a long hot day in the sun on a safari, I was chilling on a cozy bed of pillows in a gazebo when I heard branches snapping and water splashing from behind the trees. I grabbed my camera and went to investigate. I pulled back a branch that revealed the most incredible scene I've ever witnessed. Below on the plain, an elephant was crossing the river. What made this even more incredible is that the sun was setting so the water was sparkling gold and everything else was so quiet and still except for the splashes made by this grand animal as it walked across the water. That very moment and the experience of traveling through Eastern Africa, and sleeping in a tent for a month, changed my life.
So do you see yourself working on your photography in Toronto for the next little while?
I'm not sure that my definition of "next little while" is the same as most people's. I haven't lived in the same city for longer than 2-and-a-half years since I was in high school. This isn't something that's ever been intentional, it's just the way it has occurred. My two-year anniversary with Toronto is coming up in March and as much as I like this city, I'm always open to new adventures and opportunities. We'll see what happens.
You're another name from Toronto that's making it big with your work. The city has been buzzing lately because of the boatload of talent coming from recording artists, photographers, designers, producers, etc. What are your thoughts on the Toronto movement of rising talent as well as what it means to you to be one of those established names and working in the city?
It's very humbling to have my name thrown into the mix, especially as I've only lived here for 2 years. Toronto is certainly full of artistic talent and although Canadian artists in the past have felt the need to head south for the border to achieve notable acclaim, I believe that we are now in a position where we can stay put, gain respect and recognition right here, and rep our city and our own country.
In addition to photography, do you also write? What made you get into writing?
I've been writing and blogging for C.O.P. Magazine since 2009 and I also blogged for Female Sneaker Fiend for a few years. I'm writing and blogging much less these days to allow time for more photo work and also to enjoy my hobbies and time with friends. On my days off, I try to spend a minimal amount of time on my computer.
I'm really excited about my most recent article for C.O.P. that will be in the next issue. It's about Sarah Winchester, heiress to the Winchester rifle company. I visited her 160-room mansion in San Jose, California a few years ago and was intrigued by her story.
I began writing/blogging out of boredom after I left Vancouver and moved back to my hometown in Saskatchewan. I started up a blog where I wrote everything from very personal entries to sneaker releases. Through that blog, I met some really great people from all over the US – some of whom I had the pleasure of meeting on trips to LA and NYC.
Can you talk about some of the things you like to do outside of photography?
Oh man, there are so many things I love to do in my spare time. I'm a bookworm and especially enjoy autobiographies. I'm not all about movies like I used to be but I really love watching music documentaries. I ride BMX and work out 5 days a week. I'm currently learning how to play my the beautiful Fender acoustic guitar that my Dad gave me and I plan on obtaining my gun license this year as well. Aside from that, I love simple daily things like spending time with my friends, exploring Toronto's neighbourhoods, shopping for antiques, being stoked and having fun.
Last question, what was your first ever piece of published work (and for which magazine/publication) and what was going through your mind when you saw it published?
In terms of published work in print, my first was in an issue of C.O.P. Magazine in Australia. I wrote an article about relationships/dating from a very sarcastic and crude perspective. I was so geeked when I received a copy, and more so when I kept getting great feedback about it. My first printed photo was in the following issue of C.O.P. in which I had interviewed and photographed Sibley, a recording artist in Los Angeles. The photo ran as a 2-page spread. I was so hyped on Ivee's (the art director) beautiful layout and the entire piece. It was a very happy moment that opened the door to many more in my career.
*Photos of Emilio Rojas, French Montana, Joe Budden, and Rich Hil appear courtesy of RESPECT. Mag.