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Last week New York State Governor Cuomo signed a new hepatitis C (HCV) testing bill, see more here. I asked Dr. Christopher Murphy, MD, Family Physician and Faculty at Ellis Medicine's Family Medicine Residency Program in Schenectady and Director of HIV and Hepatitis Services what he thought of the vaccine testing bill, what it means for patients and the positive effect this bill will have.
Here is what he had to say:
Presuming she has all the stats— the number of patients who have forgotten their risk behavior from the past, or have suppressed it, will be joined by the approximately 20% of people who have Hep C who truly seem to have no risk. Since the idea of "cohort testing" of the Boomers was first floated, it was seen as a cost effective way (some debate exists still in the scientific community) to examine the group with the largest number of cases and the group with the most advanced cases.
The later treatment is started, the more difficult it is to effect a cure. "Cure" is real in chronic Hep C , unlike chronic Hep B or HIV. Most people (70%) have no clue they have the virus. The simple test measures the antibody only, so 20% of people who have a positive antibody test are lucky enough to have cured themselves and don't have any active infection. An additional test confirms active infection. We have encouraged people who have had blood transfusions before 1992, have ever used IV drugs or even intranasal use of drugs, even once, to get tested. But home tattoos, piercings, multiple sexual partners can also focus a risk group. Testing will allow physicians to stop asking all the "difficult" questions and just recommend the test. It will decrease stigma, I hope, because everyone will be tested, not just "those people," because we all may have been "those people " at one time, and that's all it takes – one time.
There are good treatments available now, and there are even better ones coming. Treating Hep C is almost never an emergency, but identification of who is actually carrying the virus is critical in planning of treatment. Not everyone will be treated, depending on the disease state, but everyone deserves to know their status. The testing process is easy– a simple blood test like you get at any lab. There are even simple fingerstick tests done in Dr's offices that can get you that initial antibody test result before you even finish your Dr's appt!
Generally, I am not in favor of the legislature telling me what to do. I know what to do, and physicians have been aware of the numbers for more than a few years now. I always worry that such "laws," however meaningfully inspired, only create more mounds of paperwork. The fear of sanctions often see far less of a return than originally imagined. One has to consider false positives and the anxiety that can cause, as well as possible stigmatization of positives that is not warranted. This is a problem that will go away substantially in the next 20-30 years. For now, I welcome the opportunity to engage patients in discussions on their risk, educate them on decreasing risk and moving forward to identify and then treat those who are actively infected. I have advocated cohort testing for about a year now. What you don't know can kill you. Talk to your family doctor and have her test you. Discuss the result, and if positive, have her direct you to someone who can assess the damage and work with you to establish a treatment plan.
How do you feel about the bill and do you think people will start asking to get tested when it becomes implemented in 2014?


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The Maldives is a tropical nation in the Indian Ocean composed of 26 ring-shaped atolls, which are made up of more than 1,000 coral islands. It's known for its beaches, blue lagoons and extensive reefs. The capital, Malé, has a busy fish market, restaurants and shops on the main road, Majeedhee Magu, and 17th-century Hukuru Miskiy (also known as Friday Mosque) made of carved white coral.
Soneva Jani, is situated in the Maldives, Maldives. Soneva Jani is a nice place to visit in this area
Soneva Jani
Amongst the many islands, COMO Cocoa is one of the most sought after places in the island country of Maldives. It houses a large number of resorts and the best part of it all is the presence of the water villas (you have to experience staying in one of these). The COMO Cocoa Island has around 33 water villas, each offering only the best facilities. Once your staycation is sorted, you can take a long stroll on the white powder sand and indulge in spa retreat. The restaurant and the food is always top-notch and so is the rejuvenating activities like diving and snorkelling that can be enjoyed at the house reef.
If you are looking for a place away from the crowd, this is an ideal place to be. Baros is a high rated and popular island in Maldives. With sun-kissed beaches and boutique luxury resort, this island is famous for its natural elegance and beautiful corals. Baros has a number of water villas as well as island resorts providing luxe amenities, along with a few restaurants and bars in the vicinity. In Baros, you can dip your feet in the cyan-blue water and relax your muscles in the spa. For the adventure spirited couples, there are also a number of watersports.
This popular place is where you can rejuvenate amid the lustrous sight of the calm water (even when you are with kids) because, Huvahendhoo has Lily Beach Resort and Spa that serves best facilities for those who come in packs. This is family-oriented resort island that houses luxe rooms and also restaurants that serve special delicacies for little ones. Now, while the parents go for a spa, the children can spend time in the Kids Club. There are two swimming pool, tennis courts, billiards and beach volleyball. You will never run out of activities here in Huvahendhoo Island, Lily Beach Resort and Spa.
Owned by the Hilton Hotels group, the Conrad Maldives in Rangali Island is one of the best places to stay when on a vacation with family. In Rangali Island, you can joult in various family oriented activities like snorkeling and diving as well as island hopping, fishing, dolphin sighting and more (it depends on the weather). The resort in the island also has a Kids Club, where infinity swimming pool, spa and indoor sports are provided.
Perhaps, this is one of the best things to do or experience with your kids while in Male, the capital island. Just so you dont get confused by its name, Whale Submarine is not for viewing whales but observing life on a reef and it is a popular highlight in the island. This submarine will take you on an underwater tour, where you get to see colorful corals and beautiful marine species. A few species you get to see are reef fish, blue or yellow striped snappers, yellow box fish, lionfish and turtles as well. This 45 minute tour will provide knowledge to the kids and even elders who love marine species
Street shopping is definitely a fun thing to do and a perfect spot where you can find almost everything is in Majeedhee Magu. A walk down the main road of Male you can see numerous shops selling varieties of goods. From latest fashion wear to gadgets to smallest commodities and even locally crafted items. You can visit this place with your family and spend a day sightseeing local attractions and can also savour delicious food in Juways Cafe and Restaurant, Seagull Cafe or Dinemore Central. In Majeedhee Magu, the shops have a beautiful collection of garments, jewellery, watches, handbags, electronics, perfumes and cosmetics
The National Museum is located in Male and it preserves a large collection of historic artefacts that traces the history of Maldivian Islands. This three-storied museum is a part of the 17th century Maldivian Royal Palace compound, which also has a Sultan Park (Public Park). Inside the museum, you will find a collection of well preserved galleries and artifacts of weaponry, household wares, religious paraphernalia, Arabic and Thaana-engraved pieces of wood and more. The major highlights of the museum are the 11th-century piece from Alifu Thoddoo, a coral stone head of Lord Buddha; a 13th century engraved wooden plank from Hukuru Miskiiy and Feyli Kolhu of Sultan Ghaazee Mohamed.

subset: commoncrawl


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Bayes' theorem
- Details
- Category: Basics
- Published on 02 January 2012
- Written by Richard D. Morey
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Bayes' theorem
Trisomy 21, or Down syndrome, is caused by having an extra copy of chromosome 21. Children with the disease typically show impairments in cognitive abilities and certain stereotypical physical features. Approximately 1 in 800 children have the disease. Prenatal tests for trisomy 21 exist, including the multiple-marker screening test performed in the second trimester of pregnancy.
The outcome of this screening test is either positive, meaning that the test indicates that the fetus has trisomy 21, or negative, indicating that it doesn't. Screening tests, however, are not perfect; sometimes a test will indicate the presence of the disease when the fetus does not have the disease (a "false positive"); likewise, the test can fail to detect the disease when the fetus actually does have the disease (a "false negative"). The false positive and false negative rates for the trisomy 21 screening are known, and are about 0.05 and 0.19, or 5% and 19%, respectively. A pregnant woman who obtains a positive screening result on the screening test must wonder: what is the probability that the baby will have trisomy 21?
It should be obvious that this question can be written as a conditional probability: that is, the mother wants to know the probability that the fetus has trisomy 21, given the positive test result, or, in notation, \[ Pr(D\mid+) \] where \(D\) represents the event that the fetus has the disease and \(+\) represents the event that the test was positive. But although we can write our question using conditional probability, it is not obvious from the preceding sections how to answer it using joint probability. In the previous sections, we had access to a table that contained all the joint probabilities, from which we could compute marginal and conditional probabilities. In this problem, we aren't given any of the information about the joint probabilities; we only have the following probabilities:
- \(Pr(D)\): the marginal probability of the disease, which is 1/800=0.00125.
- \(Pr(+\mid H)\): the false positive rate, which is 0.05.
- \(Pr(-\mid D)\): the false negative rate, which is 0.19.
where \(H\) is the event that the fetus is "healthy" (i.e. does not have the disease) and \(-\) is the event that the test is negative. Because probabilities must always sum to 1, we also know the following probabilities:
- \(Pr(H)\): the marginal probability that a fetus does not have the disease, which is 1-0.00125 = 0.99875
- \(Pr(+\mid D)\): the correct positive, or detection, rate, which is 1-0.19=0.81.
- \(Pr(-\mid H)\): the correct negative rate, which is 1-0.05=0.95.
We know \(Pr(+\mid D)\) (among other quantities); we want to know \(Pr(D\mid +)\). How can be get from what we know to what we want to know? We can use the definition of conditional probability, which says that \[ Pr(A\mid B) = \frac{Pr(A,B)}{Pr(B)} \] which, by multiplying both sides by \(Pr(B)\), implies that \[ P(A,B) = Pr(A\mid B)Pr(B). \] But, by the same logic, \[ Pr(A,B) = Pr(B\mid A)Pr(A). \] Since we have two quantities that are equal to one another, we can write \[ Pr(A\mid B)Pr(B) = Pr(B\mid A)Pr(A). \] Dividing both sides by \(Pr(B)\) yields the equation \[ Pr(A\mid B) = \frac{Pr(B\mid A)Pr(A)}{Pr(B)} \] This equation is called Bayes' theorem. We can extend the equation a bit; because of the way we rewrote the marginal probability in the article Conditional probability, we can rewrite Bayes' theorem as: \[ Pr(B\mid A) = \frac{Pr(A\mid B)Pr(B)}{\sum_{k=1}^K Pr(A\mid B_k)Pr(B_k)} \] By writing Bayes' theorem this way, we can see that Bayes' theorem is a proportion; the numerator is the probability of the combination of interest (e.g., a positive test and the disease), and the denominator is the sum of all possible ways to achieve the result conditioned on (e.g., a positive test). If we know we have a positive test, we must account for all possible ways of obtaining a positive test result; in this case, by both having the disease and correctly detecting it, and not having the disease and getting a false positive.
Returning to our example and applying Bayes' theorem, we can see that \[ Pr(D\mid +) = \frac{Pr(+\mid D)Pr(D)}{Pr(+\mid D)Pr(D) +Pr(+\mid H)Pr(H)}. \] If you scan the list above of probabilities that we know, you'll see that we know every probability needed to apply Bayes' theorem. We need the base-rate of trisomy 21 (\(Pr(D)\), from which \(Pr(H)\) can easily be calculated), the detection rate (\(Pr(+\mid D)\)), and the false positive rate (\(Pr(+\mid H)\)). All that remains is to use the numbers provided:
That is, the probability of a fetus having trisomy 21 given that the screening test was positive is only 2%. Although the parent has some reason for concern, a positive test result is by no means a definitive indication of the disease. In fact, a 2% probability corresponds to 50 to 1 odds that the child does not have the trisomy 21. The low base-rate of the disease (1 in 800) means that much more evidence than one positive test is needed to conclude that the fetus has trisomy 21.
Given that a positive screening test gives only a 2% chance of having the disease, it may be temping to say that the screening test failed or is not valuable. However, this would be a mistake. Recall that before the test was performed - that is, before conditioning on the test result - the probability that the fetus had the disease was \(Pr(D)\)=0.00125, or 0.125%. The positive test result increased the probability of the disease by a factor of 16, to 2%. By this metric, the positive test was quite informative. However, the positive test was not informative enough to push the probability of the disease over 50%, which is the point where we should begin to believe that the fetus has the disease. In order to increase the informativeness of the test, we would need to increase the test's detection rate or decrease the false positive rate.
At this point, it is important to note that the use of Bayes' theorem is not what makes one a Bayesian analyst. Bayes' theorem is a simple consequence of the definition of conditional probability; all kinds of analysts make use of Bayes' theorem. The dividing line between Bayesian analysts and frequentist analysts is what kinds of events one discusses using the rules of probability. The example above is uncontroversial; however, for questions of real interest to analysts - such as inference about the mean of a population, numbers of whales in the ocean, or single event probabilities - Bayesian statisticians interpret the terms in Bayes theorem in a special way.


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Product Spotlight: M21 Drum Blast
The Blast Cleaning Technologies M21 Drum Blast is great for castings and forgings. It eliminates… [Read More]
Product Spotlight: M21 Drum Blast
Product News - October 2018
The Blast Cleaning Technologies M21 Drum Blast is great for castings and forgings. It eliminates pinch points, and the design helps to reduce parts damage with proven results to reduce cycle times and maintenance. Contact us today for more information or check out our complete range of drum blast systems.
Equipment Features:
-3/8 " steel blast cabinet
-24°-30ᵒ adjustable blast angle cabinet design
-Fully welded drum design with 3/8" drain holes
-Drum is driven by two heavy-duty polyurethane rollers (no chains and sprockets)
-Dual action hydraulic pivoting loader for maximum dump angle
-Loader has safety fencing and interlock package
-1- M3 TwistLOK™ e-Wheel™, 50 HP, 3600 RPM
-4000 series airwash separator
-Stairway and upper platform access and safety package
-Single point dust collection for easy installation
-Pre-wired with Allen Bradley HMI package


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The Barnet CCG Governing Body has agreed to adopt the Standards for members of NHS boards and Clinical Commissioning Groups Governing Bodies in England as published by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care.
These standards put respect, compassion and care for patients at the centre of leadership and good governance of the NHS in England. These standards bring together the essential attributes expected of all leaders in the NHS in England in their personal behaviour, technical competence and business practices and are based on seven core values:
- Responsibility
- Honesty
- Openness
- Respect
- Professionalism
- Leadership
- Integrity
The standards challenge members of the CCG Governing Body to take responsibility for their own behaviour, to challenge the behaviour of others, and to recognise and resolve conflicts of interests.
The Secretary of State for Health commissioned the standards in July 2011. They were developed through wide consultation with patients and the public, the NHS and professional organisations.
As part of our commitment to these standards, Barnet CCG publishes and regularly updates a register of board members' interests. This list can be found below.


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Customer Success Story: Zetta
As Zetta considered its data center options, certain features were imperative – state-of-the-art infrastructure, network neutrality, high availability, and robust security. Equinix fit the bill. Plus, Zetta was impressed that Equinix has run high-quality facilities for a long period of time. Zetta also noted that Equinix has established best practices and developed a standard model well understood by its staff.


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Help & Contact
Simply send us an email at email@example.com or complete the form below and click 'Send'.
We will get back to you in 1 business day. You can also check out our FAQ page for answers to common questions.
Our Address
Melbourne Office:
Level 40/140 William Street
Melbourne, 3000


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The new sprint football team at nearby Saint Thomas Aquinas (Sparkill, Rockland County) opens play Saturday by hosting Post University at 6 p.m. STAC hits the road for games with Caldwell (Sept. 22), Army (Sept. 29) and Franklin Pierce (Oct. 13), hosts Cornell (Oct. 20), travels to Chestnut Hill (Oct. 26) and concludes at home with Mansfield (Nov. 2).
The Varsity 845 graduates on the squad are:
No. 10 Abner Padin (Fr. RB) Port Jervis
No. 14 Matthew Ehret (Fr. WR) Burke Catholic
No. 25 Henry Bowers (Fr. WR) Port Jervis
No. 26 Trystan Marrero (Fr. CB) Washingtonville
No. 81 Joshua Mallard (Fr. WR) Washingtonville
No. 83 Jimmy English (Jr. WR) Warwick
No. 89 Anthony Lulgjuraj (Soph. DE) Monroe-Woodbury


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We've been busy which is why it has been some time since I last wrote - apologies for that. The work in Ntchisi is going very well and I'm really pleased with the impact we are having. In terms of cost effectiveness, we are going really well. We are covering the whole district, four EPAs, on just USD $20,000 over two years. That is almost unheard of. But again, I won't burden you with a long story here. It's all elsewhere on the news section of our web site.
We have also been busy assisting some larger NGOs with their work. We provided training for front-line staff of Concern Worldwide in December and this month we assisted SSLLP in training of government field staff under a program being implemented by Total Land Care, Malawi. Our technical expertise is clearly of value.
We are also getting involved in a very preliminary way with support for small scale commercial poultry through advice on feeding. We have just published on the web site a brief paper on sample rations for poultry. It will be interesting to see the response. We plan to do more on that later this year.
Pat Boland
25 February 2015


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Looking forward to Spring fashion!
I am seriously itching for spring and the new styles that come with it. I love the "look" of winter fashion. You know…all the layers and what not BUT I hate actually wearing them. I can't stand carrying a coat around and keeping up with extra layers and winter accessories. So here are a few fashion ideas to help you spring forward!
Outfit Deets:
Shirt:|* LOFT | * Free People (on sale) | * Shein | * Nordstrom (on sale) |
Jeans: |* Lucky Brand (Currently having a semi annual jean sale!!! For size references, I am a size 6 in AE and a size 26 in Lucky) This is truly my favorite brand of jeans! |
Boots: |* Lucky Brand (on sale!) |* 1.State (on sale) |
Choker: | I can actually make these single pearl chokers. Message me on my Etsy account for more info (price $15 + shipping) |
Bracelets: | * LOFT |
Apple Watch Band: | Kate Spade |
Earrings: | * Macy's (Real fresh water Pearl drop-backs) | Search @ Macy's Anne Klein Pearl Front Back Earrings for cheaper, non real version |
A few visuals from some of the things I linked:
Previous post: Layering Clothes


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Which Is The Most Energy-Efficient Space Heater? Six Reviews & Some Tips
Finding an Energy-Saving Space Heater in 2019: Keep Warm on a Budget
Winter is on approach, and it's getting colder. I live in a part of the world where heaters are a necessity, and it can get pretty expensive burning natural gas all winter. Sometimes central air heating isn't practical. A small, energy-efficient space heater can be the perfect thing.
That said, not all space heaters are the same. Some make use of ceramics and others make use of other technology. They're all different shapes and sizes, and some of them are a huge drain on your electrical bill each month. Some are even fire hazards!
Because it can be tough to narrow down a heater that combines good energy efficiency, low price, safe operation and small size, I'm writing an article to showcase a few good ones. We'll look at six (I've added a bonus one) of the best energy saving space heaters and give a run-down of their specs and how well they operate.
I'll also briefly touch on a couple of the popular technologies these days, so you'll understand what you're looking at! Let's begin.
Different Types of Space Heaters
There are many different types of energy efficient space heaters, and they're all subtly different. Here's a brief description of a few of the popular styles:
Convection Style
These are built to gradually increase the air temperature of the whole room, by directing warm air upwards. They work slowly, but they can fill a whole room with warmth. Some examples of this include baseboard heaters and oil and water radiators1 (despite the name, a radiator heater uses convection, not radiant heat).
Radiant Style
Radiant style heaters2 work more quickly, but they direct their temperature in a single direction. They're useful for heating up a single person or single area of a room. Most ceramic and infrared style heaters are radiant style. They're quicker, but typically use a bit more electricity.
There are also some hybrid style space heaters that are very energy efficient. They make use of a combination of the two styles I just covered.
1) Lasko: A Designer Oscillating, Energy-Saving Space Heater
- Pros: Very powerful for its size, oscillates, attractive design
- Cons: Doesn't retain heat, so it can cycle often
If you're after a relatively inexpensive space heater that's energy efficient and looks great, this product by Lasko might be right up your alley. It has a wide range of features and it's really user-friendly.
With up to 1500 watts of heat, this is a powerful heater in a small package. It oscillates widely on its base and has a bunch of different temperature presets on the top, as well as various fan outputs that let you control how much heat is produced and how widely it's distributed in the room. That makes it wonderful for just a single person, but it's also useful for a larger space too.
It even has a timer with settings for as long as seven hours of use.
The housing is unique among space heaters in that it looks sort of like an urn or decorative vase, definitely nothing like the sterile gray that space heaters usually come in.
The heater unit is ceramic, so this should be considered a radiant heater. With that said, it's actually pretty good at warming up a pretty big room in short order.
Because it relies on ceramic elements, it warms very quickly, but it won't maintain that warmth as long. It's good for heating up a well-insulated space quickly, but it becomes less efficient if it has to run constantly.
It is sturdy, very quiet, attractive, and doesn't tip over easily. Beyond that, it's a pretty efficient electric space heater that will last.
2) Dyson Hot + Cool: A Versatile and Powerful Heater / Fan Combination
- Pros: Probably the most energy efficient on this list, buffet-less air, high quality build
- Cons: Expensive compared to others on this list
You may have seen the advertisements lately extolling the virtues of the new Dyson vacuum and fan products. I've checked them out and I have to say they're living up to the hype.
They may be on the expensive side, but all Dyson products are very intelligently designed and built to be not only powerful but beautiful too.
This particular space heater and fan is efficient, energy saving, and versatile. You can use it as a heater in the cold months, and then switch it to a fan to blow cool air during the summer. No more storing it in the basement for half the year!
Their "air multiplier" technology means that the air is drawn in from around the device rather than pushed through. That results in a "buffet-less" airflow that's far more relaxing than a conventional fan.
That same air multiplier means that heat is pushed efficiently through the room, so you don't have to sit directly in front of it to gain the benefits, and it's good for heating up a decent-sized space.
It tilts and oscillates, and it's capable of projecting a huge volume of air, so it can really warm up a big space quickly. Surprisingly enough, it doesn't draw a huge amount of juice either, so your electricity bill isn't going to expand too much. It even avoids that typical space heater "burning smell" generated by dust on the elements!
Overall this is a pricey but full-featured and powerful space heater that offers energy savings to boot!
3) DeLonghi Safeheat: A Very Inexpensive and Powerful Oil Radiator
- Pros: Retains heat for ages, inexpensive, portable, silent
- Cons: Radiant, so it's slower to heat up a space.
I usually recommend an oil radiator for anyone who needs consistent heat in a small space, because they're among the most energy efficient space heaters on the market today. This example by DeLonghi shows you just how much you can get for well under $100.
The advantage of oil radiators is that the oil inside retains heat really well. Once it's heated up, you can actually turn it off or lower the heat, and it will continue to provide convection warmth throughout the space for a long time afterward.
This particular radiator has fins that never need to be refilled or topped up with oil. The unit can be set to automatically turn on when the room drops below 44 degrees Fahrenheit, and it will also automatically shut off when the heat gets too high.
It's also virtually silent; the only thing you'll hear is the occasional "ticking" of metal expanding and contracting. I had one of these operating in my bedroom for years, and they're wonderful!
They do take a bit of time to warm up, and likewise if it gets too hot they take some time to cool as well, but it's an extremely safe and very energy-efficient space heat option that won't break the bank.
4) Dr Infrared: An Attractive, Potent, Quartz Space Heater
- Pros: Heats very quickly, heats large spaces, quiet
- Cons: Larger footprint
You might have seen infrared heaters like this one advertised on late night television. They're pretty popular and gaining fans every day. They're a bit larger in size than your conventional space heater, but they provide a huge amount of heat without drawing a ton of power.
They're big, but not huge, at around 13 x 11 x 16 inches in dimension. They're definitely what I'd consider portable, because you can tote them around easily enough.
The technology incorporates typical element heating with infrared heat, which is where the 'quartz' in the name comes from (infrared heaters typically use a quartz tube of some kind). That means that it heats up extremely quickly and will start projecting almost the moment you switch it on.
These heaters make claims of heating up to 1000 square feet. In my experience, that's not realistic. However, they're pretty good at heating up spaces of up to 500 square feet quickly, and they have the capability to fill the room with warmth rather than just blasting it in a single direction.
Feature-wise, it has a 12-hour timer, a fairly quiet fan, front panel push-button controls that are simple to use, and a very precise thermostat to regulate the temperature. It has a three-year warranty too.
It's a very energy-efficient infrared space heater that happens to look great too! Worth taking a look at for sure.
5) Delonghi Panel: A Low-Profile, Energy-Saving Space Heater with Great Reviews
- Pros: Thin and low profile, tip sensor, inexpensive
- Cons: No fan so it doesn't "spot heat"
If you're after a heater that's pretty low-profile and doesn't get in the way, or if you just want something that's powerful enough to heat a room without being the center of attention, you might be interested in this panel heater by Delonghi.
These heaters take advantage of 'micathermic technology', which allows heat elements to be arrayed in extremely thin panels. That means that this is the only space heater reviewed here that can be mounted on the wall safely.
I'd definitely classify it largely as a convection heater, meaning that it won't "spot heat" as well as some of the others I've listed, but it will quickly warm up a whole room and make everyone toasty.
Being this thin, it obviously doesn't have a fan, so it can't project the heat outward, but that means it's totally silent while it operates (apart from the odd metal "tick").
It has a high and a low setting (1500 and 750 watts, respectively), and it comes with an internal tip sensor that will shut it off it, even if it's not using the included wheeled base.
Simple controls, light weight, and the ability to mount it on the wall make it a strong candidate, and it's definitely one of the most energy-efficient space heaters for sale these days. Read the reviews and you'll see what I mean!
6) Amaze Heater: A "Stealthy," Wall-Mounted, Energy-Saving Space Heater
- Pros: Very stealthy design takes up no floor space, energy saving low power demands
- Cons: You might need several to heat a large space
OK, so I recently ran across another fantastic heater, and I've decided to add a bonus review, because this is a cool product.
The Amaze-Heater is a fantastic and well-designed heater that solves the problem of "it's effective, but ugly." These heaters look great!
They have the look of a modern art panel on your wall, and best of all they're not underfoot, so there's no risk of tipping over. Most visitors won't even realize they are heaters at all.
These heaters are similar to mica panel heaters in that they don't include a fan, instead relying on convection to gradually heat up a room. They're a little bit unorthodox in that they are available in both 400 and 600 watts, quite a bit less energy than a lot of other heaters on full blast. One 600-watt model is rated to heat a 100 square foot room on its own.
The advantage here is clear: they are extremely energy efficient. You can run two Amaze-Heater wall panels at once and use less energy than a 1500 Watt heater on full blast.
As for safety, these heaters have no exposed elements, so they're child-safe and very durable. With no fan, they don't kick up dust, so they're hypoallergenic.
The idea here is to use consistent convection to maintain a uniform room temperature. They take a long time to heat up, but you'll notice a difference in your heating bill over time.
A few notes: if you do have a larger room to heat, you'll want to pick up several (perhaps a 600 and a 400). If you don't want to be constantly plugging and unplugging, you can pick up a programmable thermostat outlet for your heaters to click them on at a set time.
All in all the Amaze-Heater is on of the most energy-efficient space heaters that I've come across, and worth your time to investigate.
How many months per year do you require auxiliary heat?
What's the Best Heating Technology?
Micathermic, infrared, radiant: there's a lot of jargon in this field. It's not always easy to isolate the type of heater you want for your purposes.
To narrow it down, I'd encourage you not to worry so much about the jargon and focus more on the individual heaters themselves.
As yourself a few questions: is it a heater for just one person, or for many?
For one person:
If it's for one person, go for a "spot heater" like the Dyson or the Lasko.
For many people:
If it's for many people, opt for a convection heater like the radiator or the micathermic panel heater, or the wall-mounted panels.
For instant heat:
Infrared is your friend. Remember that infrared converts 86% of electrical energy into instantaneous heat3 on contact, without the need for a fan. And excess IR easily converts to convection heat too4, which makes sense from an energy efficiency standpoint.
Another good cue is to read customer reviews closely, read their experiences, and determine if your needs match up. Companies only lay out the good news, whereas customers give it to you straight.
If you have any questions regarding the technology involved, the terminology, or any of the products I've listed, please feel free to comment in the forum below! Thanks for reading!
1) "Oil heater", Wikipedia.org
2) "Radiant heating", Wikipedia.org
3) "Infrared heater", Wikipedia.org
4) "What makes an infrared / IR quartz heater so awesome?", gadgetry.today
Questions / Comments on these or other heat units?
Very informative article for choosing a particular type of heater for the cold places.
I have been to Himalayan hill areas where in winters it is chilling cold and these heaters are required. Generally people use flat tower type where there are 3-4 heating elements and multiple switches to keep off the extra elements when it is not so severe cold.
Hi --
Good Hub. I read it today. However, yesterday I bought a 1500 watt DeLonghi Tower Ceramic Heater on sale at Lowe's. It oscillates, has temperature settings, timer, two heat levels or ECO (energy-saving), and can be used as a fan during summer months. I use it for supplemental heat in an average sized room and it works great.
I believe it was manufactured just for Lowes, but am not sure about that.
amazing idea.thanks for this great article.
i have always used oil fired heaters, slow to warm up but great
Thank you for the article. I am researching space heaters as the electric space heaters in my apartment cannot adequately heat up a room. I am thinking of buying 1 space hater that I can move around easily, energy saver, and warm up a room. What are your recommendations? Also, I' bought a thermator to measure the humidity in the air which is about 60-70. From my research this is high. Any suggestions you have would be helpful.
Thank you
I had a small space heater in my daughters room but it is putting out a funky smell now so I am looking at getting a new one. I want something I can kind of forget about, doesn't use a crap ton of power and is on the cheaper side.
Wow you sure seem to know your stuff! Great reviews. So I live in a basement room with tile floors, probably about 300 sq. ft. and I'm looking for a good space heater that will keep my room warm and not be too harsh on the electric bill. I'm in the room a lot, so preferably something that will keep it well heated. From the reviews I read it sounds like the oil radiator might be a good option? Thanks in advance!
The oil filled 1800 Watt radator style heaters will take forever to heat a room. Most people leave them on the high setting because of the time it takes. Often 2-3 hours long. Very disappointly, my utility bills made them too costly. Mark Menzel, Oakhurst, CA
Hi my grandma is 88 and is always cold.we have to have our oropane heater funning all the time and it cost so much . She lives in a 1000 sq guess house 9\10 foot celings . We need something that cant knock over and catch fire what. She mainly sits in her chair in the living room which is opened to dinning room and kitchen. Which would u recommend i get her. Thank you
Thank you for the overview. We live in a garden apartment in windy and cold Chicago. The heat in the apartment comes form a furnace but the heating vents are up by the ceiling and the temp 2-3 ft from the floor is very low in addition it is a garden apartment the floor is very cold. The windows a are not greatly insulated as well , we added plastic but the draft is not entirely reduced. The rooms are relatively hi perhaps about 9-10-ft. We have a crawling baby, who is all the time on the cold floor. What would be an addition to the furnace (to keep it from running too often) that would keep the temperature by the floor warm , is affordable (tight budget), safe for the baby. The living room i need it for is 10 to 12 ft and is connected through an open corridor to the kitchen. thank you
Good information! I rely on space heaters to supplement my main gas heater. Will definitely reference this soon, when we go shopping for a new heater!
The article is very informative and holds my interest to the end. Great job of investigative work here. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for such an informative overview. I live in a condo in New England with oil heat that is outrageously expensive. Our association would like to begin to keep the baseline heat at about 60/day, 55/night, so units will need supplemental heat. Most owners are interested in heating the rooms they use or a few rooms at a time. We have high ceilings and do lose some heat through windows, so the insulation is only average.
We need heat sources that are safe and can comfortably add about 10 degrees of heat per room or area. They need to be safe enough to run while residents are at work and where there are pets and children. A combination of solutions (e.g., different solutions for different areas) is fine.
I appreciate any advice!
Very drafty apartment in Brooklyn, with small children and a dog. The windows are the culprits. We have ductless electric heat that is really expensive and seems to not heat very well. What would you recommend?
Hi. My plumber suggested I run a space heater in the basement near the water system on days the temp drops below -10 C to stop the pipes from freezing. He recommended a 240v construction heater, but I don't have the right kind of plug. What would be the best option in a 110v heater? The basement is very drafty and it will likely run most of the time on those cold days. I can hang a curtain between the 2 sides of the basement to try to contain some heat, but that's the best I can do. It is really a stone cellar more than a basement. Thanks for any help you can offer.
I am looking for a good space heater for my husband's office. The current heating system is gas and the monthly bill is ridiculous. The office space is 400 square feet and for the most part square and open. I am looking for a space heater that can heat the entire space throughout the winter (we live in New England) so we don't have to turn on the gas. A unit that is energy efficient, can heat a 400 sq. foot space and something that can heat a room constantly for up to 8 hours. What would you recommend? Thanks so much!
I'm not sure I agree with your above statements. Electric heat is 100% efficient, regardless of the type of element, radiator, convection, etc. Watts in (as electricity), watts out (as heat).
The only really choices that you need to consider are the total watts, aesthetics, and any safety/thermostat options as required.
Would have been helpful if you actually spoke to the energy efficiency of each type as the article title implied.
I live in a 35 foot very drafty trailer (from the 1970s) in a cold mountain town that snows most of the winter & the lasko fan I have now (its 3 years old) causes my power to go out. I cannot run it on high (1500 watts) & on the low or medium setting just is not enough heat. It has melted 2 outlets already & the cord gets very hot.
I need a new heater but finding one that is safe around pets, carpeted areas, doesn't over-heat, use high wattage & is eco sized, under $100 & safe is very difficult. Do you have any ideas for me ?
Thank you.
Thank you so much....one more question if I may...do you know how much power consumption it is? For example...if I ran the Dyson heater at 70 degrees - 10 hours a day - any idea what the kilowatt usage would be? (Cost factor?) I tried to get it from Dyson, but they didn't know..Thank you and I think I will keep it...;)...
p.s. i bought my daughter in law the The tower Lasko for her small office in the factory that she works in...will that be efficient for her?
I have the dyson that you describe above...it works fine, but I paid so much for it that I was thinking of returning it and getting the lasko that oscillates as well. I Use the heater in my family room only....Don't use heat during the night while sleeping...So my question is am I making a mistake by sending the dyson back and getting the lasko. I'm also worried about cost of running...is the dyson cheaper or is the lasko cheaper to run or are they the same? which one would you get of the two?
Thank you, C
Great site, and info. Thanks.


text:
topic 26015
How is PVDF Coating Done?
A discussion started in 2003 but continuing through 20202003
Q. Please let me have the details of the easiest & cheapest way to get the PVDF coating on aluminum sheet and m.s. sheet. I am interested in architectural & industrial coating suppliers.SACHIN KHARATMAL
manufacturer of electroplating & powder coating plant & machinery - MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA
A. PVDF can be applied to the surface in three ways:
- Solvent copolymers are dispersed in a semi-solvent. Dissolved in a unpleasant solvent (dimethyle acetamide solvent).
- Fine powder used for dip coating.
- Electrostatic coating.
- Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
1. what is meant by PVDF coating?
2. what are its raw materials?
3. what is its process of manufacturing?
4. what are its properties?
5. what are its end uses?
student - Pune, Maharashtra, India
July 30, 2008
Q. Send me all basics to consider related to PVDF coating in various materials mainly ACP. Key points of base coat selection, colour coat procedure, various machine settings, speed settings, and material/square area paint calculations, etc.SP Suresh Kumar
- Dubai,UAE
affil. link
"Fluorinated Coatings and Finishes"
from Abe Books
Hi, Nitin; hi, SP; welcome to the forum, cousins. PVDF means Polyvinylidene Fluoride, a thermoplastic fluoropolymer used for robust paints and powder coatings.
Our readers are usually generous in trying to help with both highly specific questions that can be answered in a paragraph or two, as well as requests for quick introductions to a technology . . . but please try to be a little bit realistic, folks :-).
What you are looking for would require a multi-day training course or a 150-page book. You can't expect a stranger, free of charge, to spend a week writing a customized booklet for you :-)
Please go to your library and obtain a few books about PVDF coatings for an introduction to coating procedures, machine settings, area calculations, material selection, etc., and then post any detailed questions in terms of your own experience with the process, or anything that the books failed to mention, and I'm confident you'll get lots of good help. Best of luck. Thanks!
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Striving to live Aloha
December 20, 2010
Q. Hello!
I need some info on the PVDF coating, I have a requirement where the aluminium panel has to be coated with PVDF. But the standard Aluminium panels available in the market is Polyester coated.
Kindly let me know which is better?
Does the polyester coating consist of some percentage of PVDF? and how do you compare PVDF with Polyester coating?
QS - Dubai, UAE
A. Hi, Abdul.
Sorry, but PVDF is a rather exotic fluoropolymer and is "better" for long-term outdoor use. Architectural sheet metal that is painted with Kynar or Halar (two brand names) is typically guaranteed for 20 years or more -- far longer than when painted with polyester powder coatings.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Striving to live Aloha
April 30, 2012
Q. What is the method to test whether the color coating on aluminum is PVDF?
How to do the testing?
- Bangkok, THAILAND
June 19, 2012
Q. Can you tell me the difference between PVF2 paint finish and PVDF finish?Hugh Mackay
- United Kingdom
June 19, 2012
A. Hi Hugh.
They are the same thing. My understanding is that PVF2 is just an acronym that came from the chemistry field rather than the coating field.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Striving to live Aloha
April 23, 2013
Q. Which process is longer lasting on Steel: Plating or PVDF coating or Powder coating?
Is there a process called Metal Patination? If so is it similar to plating?
- Doha Qatar
April 23, 2013
A. Hi Alwyn. "Metal patination" is a bit vague, but in general it probably means to apply a "patina" (an aged look) to the metal. For example, if the item is copper, to apply a coating that either ages the copper by causing it to form some copper salts, or which includes a copper salt. The term usually applies more to copper, brass, and bronze than to aluminum or steel.
Plating means to apply a metallic coating via electrodeposition. There are many metals and alloys that can be plated, but it would be rare to expect plating to last as long as a good paint job in the absence of abrasion. As already mentioned, PVDF is an expensive and long lasting coating. I hate to use the word "better" because everything depends on the situation, but PVDF is more expensive and usually longer lasting than other paints.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Striving to live Aloha
April 23, 2013
Q. The application of majoon / putty to cover welding joints has no effect or reaction in applying PVDF coating? Is it possible? Will there be a shadow effect afterwards?Ronmel Palacios
Technical Engineer - Kuwait
June 19, 2014
Q. Dear concerned...
What all set up is needed for this PVDF coating? I mean about booth, oven, etc.?
Will it cause any variation when it is coated for high metal thickness material (i.e., Avg. of 2-3 mm thickness GI sheet)?
- UAE, Ajman
Hi Rahul. The GI should be properly pretreated; zinc phosphatizing is probably appropriate. It's probably not practical to apply 2-3 mm with wet paint, so you are probably talking about powder coating. To my limited knowledge, powder of this thickness is more appropriately applied in a fluidized bed than by electrostatic spray.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Striving to live Aloha
October 23, 2014
I have done PVDF Electrostatic coating but the surface is spongy. Does anyone know why?
October 2014
Hi Ciamak. A picture is worth a thousand words. Please send a good photo or two so people can clearly understand what is not acceptable with the finish. Also, please tell us whether this is liquid electrostatic coating or powder coating.Thanks!
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Striving to live Aloha
Recommended PVDF coating thickness for external cladding?January 24, 2015
Q. Hi,
What is the recommended PVDF coating thickness for coils of 0.5 mm thickness going to be used as external cladding?
- saudi arabia
February 4, 2015
Q. What does PVDF coating mean?
How is it coated?
- Qatar
February 2015
A. Hi Abdul. In view of the previous responses, I don't immediately understand your questions ... they seem to be already asked and well answered. Please try your best to frame your question in terms of the answers that were already offered so we can understand what difficulties you are having in understanding. Thanks!
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Aloha -- an idea worth spreading
February 20, 2015
A. The first question [Malik's]: 0.75 mils for the PVDF topcoat if coil coated.
Second question [Abdul's]: I take it you want a more general description of PVDF rather what it is chemically.
Coatings, like many things, can have a hierarchy determined by end use. For the end use in the painted siding or roofing industry, PVDF is the premium product. This is followed by urethanes, silicone polyesters, and polyesters. Many manufactures will give a 40-year warranty for their PVDF product for this end use. In my industry it is applied on coils of various substrates including HDG, galvanneal, aluminum.
Coil coating - Brampton Ont, Canada
January 26, 2016
! Hello,
0.75 mil thickness is too much. I think you mean 0.075 mil or 75 micro. Isn't it?
Alumgostar - Tehran, Tehran, Iran
January 2016
Hi Pouya. In the USA, "mil" means 1/1000 of an inch. So .75 mil means .00075", and would be equal to 19 micrometers.
I do not know enough about PVDF coatings to say whether 19 micrometers is too little or too much, but I think it's the right order of magnitude (the right number of zeros).
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Aloha -- an idea worth spreading
October 23, 2015
Q. What is the difference in process for applying PVDF coating on 4 mm thick Aluminium composite panel from aluminium coil sheet and 2 mm thick Aluminium solid panel with cutting sheet size 4 ft x 8 ft? And done by same coating supplier and same color code?
Any difference in the visual appearance when these 2 different panels are put side by side?
- Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
Hi Gordon. I don't think you can take a qualitative issue like "any difference in the visual appearance" and quantify it to a yes/no answer. Are you implying that one item (the coil) is roll-coated with wet paint while the other is powder coated?
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Aloha -- an idea worth spreading
November 1, 2015
Q. Hello
I am trying to get my external fence PVDF coated ... can it be done on MS /Steel rather than Aluminum?
- delhi, india
November 6, 2015
Q. Hello, can anybody tell me how to test if the coating material on any metal surface is of PVDF?.
I tried to heat the coated metal surface with a cigarette lighter, the coating was intact with only black sooth on the surface which I rubbed with my fingers to find that the coating material was below was intact.
Is there any other way to instantly determine if the coated material is of PVDF?
- Thane, Maharashtra, India
Painting over Kynar 2605May 24, 2016
Q. My shop is experienced with wood refinishing but I am being asked to change the color of a large window & door job. These are extruded aluminum finished with Kynar AAMA 2605 70% PVDF. I tried it some years back & was very frustrated & disappointed. We aggressively hand sanded the windows and applied a recommended 2 part poxy primer & paint. I would have to research back to the exact specs but it did not adhere well, the primer or the paint. There were also issues with the paint bubbling. The factory Kynar behaved like teflon. Would I be most secure if I blasted to bare metal? What type of blasting considering the glass? I want to re-apply a Kynar finish. Advice please.mark Knull
Owner - Hershey, Pennsylvania USA
September 27, 2016
Q. Hello - We manufacture extruded aluminum trims for plaster and drywall applications as well as custom trims in galvanized steel, 304 stainless and copper. We have done many orders using Kynar or Duranar (fluoropolymer) coatings on the aluminum trims. We have been told by the licensed applicator that they do not spray Kynar on galvanized steel.
I now have my first request for PVDF coating on some common galvanized plaster trims. Can PVDF be sprayed on galv. steel and have the longevity that has been discussed?
P.S. - My Kynar applicator has never heard of PVDF.Bill Horton
- ANAHEIM, California USA
September 2016
A. Hi Bill. I'm quite confident that Kynar is a brand name of PVDF coatings even if your Kynar applicator hasn't studied the chemical nature of Kynar coatings :-)
My understanding is that alkyd paints are incompatible with galvanizing because it can saponify them, with the resultant soapy layer offering very low adhesion. I wouldn't have suspected the same problem with PVDF coatings, but I don't actually know enough about their formulation to know whether they will stick to a properly zinc phosphatized galvanized finish or suffer the same problem. Hopefully another reader will know :-)
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Aloha -- an idea worth spreading
January 2, 2017
A. Hi Bill,
Adhesion and cosmetics could be a problem short or long term unless the existing zinc is removed. The applicator probably understands the risk and does not want to "go there".
Blake Kneedler
Feather Hollow Eng. - Stockton, California
Defective PVDF coated GI sandwich panelsJanuary 18, 2017
I have completed a project with PVDF coated sandwich panels color 9007.
After a while, I noticed that the coating is getting ripped from the GI metal sheet. What is noticed is that this is happening only in the angles of the formation as shown in the photos attached.
(Click graphics for higher-rez versions)
The weather is hot and humid.
Any advice about the possible reason?
- Kingdom of Saudi arabia
January 2017
A. Hi Ahmad. I think the reason you see the pattern you see is because the panels of the sandwich are probably only touching, and only glued, there -- there is no adhesive elsewhere to pull off anything. But it does look like the galvanizing is suffering from white rust. Unfortunately, these observations probably don't get you any closer to solving the problem. Sorry.
These two pictures are of the same panel (I've been working on jigsaw puzzles too much lately and couldn't help seeing it). Is there a picture of the "opposing panel", the one with white rust and from which the galvanized coating we are seeing here was ripped?
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Aloha -- an idea worth spreading
February 28, 2018
Q. How do you test a surface to see if the coating on it is PVDF?Denis R Goulet
Permaguard Coatings, LLC - Cape Coral, Florida
A. Hi Denis. Sorry, I don't know. But that's at least the 3rd time the question has been asked on this thread, so I hope that somebody who knows will get back to us! :-)
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Aloha -- an idea worth spreading
May 14, 2020
A. I wish to write an answer for the above question of
"How do you test a surface to see if the coating on it is PVDF?"
PVDF is highly reactive with Sodium Hydroxide; i.e., PVDF gets Dehydrofluorination (HF removal) and turns Black color. This may be used to test whether the coating is PVDF or NOT.
- Chennai India
July 16, 2019
Q. I am an architect and we recently specified vertical corrugated metal panels with a PVDF coating for a project and the panels were installed on a pre-engineered structure. The owner does not like the selected color and is expecting the surface to be painted in the field to match another color. What are the options in preparing or scarifying the surface for paint? And what kind of paint shall we use? We know the panel manufacturer will void the warranty once we alter the surface but we need to know our options.Drew White
Axis Architecture - Indianapolis, Indiana USA


text:
I have written about several approaches to weight loss. First and always is lifestyle changes involving food choices, and eating habits. Along with that, one needs to start or increase physical activity. There are many different ways to achieve these, from books, videos, group activities, online programs, counselling and many combinations of these. For those folks who still can't reach goal, the next options are weight loss medications, which I have discussed previously, and surgery.
Now there is another option which does not involve drugs or invasive surgery. The ReShape Integrated Dual Balloon System was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in July 2015. . Candidates for the device are
- Adults
- At least one obesity-related condition- hypertension, diabetes, elevated cholesterol
It is a device placed into the stomach by going through the mouth and down through the esophagus through a tube called an endoscope. It takes about 30 minutes and requires on a mild sedative, not general anesthesia. Once in the stomach the "balloon" is inflated; by taking up space in the stomach it can trigger a feeling of fullness.
Patients still continue to follow their eating and exercise plan and the device is removed in 6 months.
Like any medical procedure, there are potential adverse effects including headache, muscle pain, and nausea from the sedation and procedure; in rare cases, severe allergic reaction, heart attack, esophageal tear, infection, and breathing difficulties can occur. Once the device is placed in the stomach, patients may experience vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, gastric (stomach) ulcers, and feelings of indigestion.
Follow this link for more info.
After gaining weight with pregnancies, one woman successfully lost weight with gastric bypass surgery. Read about the lifestyle changes she made at this article from American Family Physician journal.
You can review my previous posts which address weight management issues at these links.
How we should view excess weight
How effective are weight management programs?
A success story; how a doctor helped her patient lose weight
How my friend lost weight and inspired others with her example
And again, please share your experiences with weight management, good or bad. We're here to encourage you in your efforts and celebrate with you in your success.
These are affiliate links you may find helpful and which help fund this blog with a commission when a purchase is made using them.


text:
We've seen a major upswing in recent years in the use of video in content marketing. One specific way that companies are using this medium to the their advantage is with explainer videos. If you're unfamiliar with this concept, here's a great definition from Adelie Studios. "An explainer video 'explains' what you do quickly and easily so anyone can understand it. It's kind of like CliffsNotes for your business — a short and concise version of exactly what your company does."
You might include an explainer video on your landing page, on your homepage or even on social media to quickly let prospective clients know a bit about your law firm and your areas of expertise. With that being said, here are five elements that make for a a great explainer video.
1) It's Brief
Explainer videos aren't meant to be epic manifestos exceeding 10 minutes in length. Not at all. They're intended to be short, sweet and to the point. As Kissmetrics so eloquently puts it: "The longer your video is the less people will pay attention to it." Ideally, you want to cover your points and wrap it up within two minutes max. Once you exceed the two minute mark, the attention span of viewers begins to degrade.
2) You Speak Directly to the Audience
The bulk of explainer videos have a very intimate, one-on-one kind of feel to them. Therefore, it's recommend that you speak directly to your audience and use words like "you" and "your."
3) You Answers FAQs
Anytime a person is considering paying for your legal services, they no doubt have a few key questions. Some examples could include:
- How long have you been an attorney?
- What's your track record like?
- Will you win my case/get me the results I want?
- What can I expect during a legal consultation?
- What's the basic legal process like?
It's your job to pick and choose the top FAQs that you've seen across the board and answer them.
4) You Explain Key Benefits
Kissmetrics also states that it's "about benefits, not features," which is a good way to summarize an explainer video. What you want to do is place an emphasis on the benefits of hiring your law firm. Why is it a smart idea to hire you rather than a competitor? That's what viewers are eager to know.
5) There's a Clear CTA
Just like you'll want to include a clear call-to-action (CTA) on your landing page, you'll need one in your explainer video as well. This will typically come at the end after you've already covered all of your other points and have provided viewers with information on why hiring your firm is a good choice.
More and more companies across a myriad of industries are using explainer videos. And why wouldn't they? They get results and really help connect the dots and eliminate confusion for prospects. But in order for an explainer video to be a success, it must include the essential elements. Incorporating these five elements should ensure that you hit all of the right notes and convert more viewers into clients.
- How to Stabilize Your Traffic Even with Algorithm Changes - June 26, 2019
- Instagram Engagement Best Practices in 2019 - June 24, 2019
- The Most Critical YouTube Metrics - June 19, 2019


text: +Two Pipers 0 Posted March 17, 2016 (edited) I paid $100 for an Magellan Explorist last year. I wish to sell it. Please make an offer if you want it. I will consider your offer and let you know. thanks. Edited March 17, 2016 by Two Pipers Quote Share this post Link to post


text:
Kurdish forces retake 2 towns in northern Iraq
Displaced Iraqis from the Yazidi community arrive to the camp of Bajid Kandala at Feeshkhabour town near the Syria-Iraq border, in Iraq Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014. The displacement of at least tens of thousands of Yazidis- Kurdish speakers of an ancient Mesopotamian faith - means yet another Iraqi minority have been peeled away as extremists continue their sweep of Iraq, seizing territory they brutally administer. The Islamic State group fighters already caused the expulsion of Iraqs Christians, Shiite Muslims and adherents of the tiny Shabak faith. The hardliners see other religious groups as heretics who may be killed or forced to submit to their rule. (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed)


text:
He Who Must Die (Celui qui doitmourir) (not rated), directed by Jules Dassin, plays Tuesday, August 1, at 8 p.m. at the George Eastman House's Dryden Theatre.
Although his directorial career includes a considerable number of memorable films, Jules Dassin remains far too little known in his native country. After making such classics as the prison film Brute Force (1947), the police film The Naked City (1948), and the crime drama Thieves' Highway (1949), in 1950 he fell afoul of the notorious blacklist while directing Night and the City, an important film noir, in London, and stayed there rather than return to the hysterical anti-Communism in America. Reversing the usual pattern by becoming a successful European filmmaker, he later directed such well known works as Rififi, Never on Sunday, and Topkapi.
In 1957 he co-wrote and directed one of his least known and most remarkable motion pictures, He Who Must Die (Celui qui doitmourir), which the George Eastman House will show in the Dryden Theatre on August 1. A French movie (with English subtitles) with an international cast, made by a Jewish-American Communist, He Who Must Die is one of the most powerful interpretations of Christ's Passion in the history of cinema, rivaled only by the French Canadian Jesus of Montreal. In addition to its Christian content, the film suggests something of Dassin's leftist social and political orientation, his sympathy for the poor and dispossessed, his commitment to the class struggle.
In Turkish-occupied Greece in the1920s, the ruling council of a small village prevails upon the Agha, the dissolute military governor, to allow them to stage their annual Passion Play. According to custom, the village priest selects the actors from the populace, including the sexy widow Katerina (Melina Mercouri) as Mary Magdalene, one of her lovers (Roger Hanin) as Judas, and most important, Manolios (Pierre Vaneck), an illiterate, stammering shepherd, as Jesus. Despite their actual personalities and behavior, circumstances, in the form of a column of refugees fleeing a Turkish massacre, conspire to transform the players into the characters they impersonate.
The refugees beg to settle near the prosperous village and cultivate some barren ground, but fearing a loss of income and a disruption of their delicate accommodation with their conquerors, the priest and the village elders reject their plea. The refugees camp on a hillside above the village and vow to stay, slowly starving, hoping and praying for some succor, divine or human. Defying the village council, the disciples, led by Manolios, try to help and, for a while, they succeed in rallying the townspeople, reminding them of their Christian duty to feed the hungry and care for the sick, until the priest and his cohorts intimidate the citizens and thwart their good intentions.
The refugees finally choose to fight against their oppressors and descend upon the village, where a group of armed citizens opens fire, inciting just the sort of conflict of the proletariat against the bourgeoisie that often energizes the work of Dassin and other leftist filmmakers of his time and place. The picture's plot then follows some inevitable but entirely appropriate patterns, with a suitable Pilate to wash his hands of blame and a Judas with a personal grudge to settle fulfilling their roles and assisting the progress of destiny.
Except possibly for Melina Mercouri, the cast of He Who Must Die includes few recognizable names and faces, but some students of the cinema may remember GertFroebe, who plays a village elder, and Jean Servais as the priest who leads the refugees' presence. Aside from the strong emotion and intensity of the major players, the most engaging performance may be Carl Möhner's the Agha, a sly sensualist who governs more by manipulation than violence.
Unlike most Passion films, He Who Must Die never shows the proposed play, but creates its story of transfiguration, sacrifice, and redemption from the materials of its world --- the arid Greek landscape, the strong peasant faces, the ordinary eloquence of common people, the facts of a troubled history, an awareness of its contemporary political situation. The picture suggests a wealth of meaning beyond its surface, including a heartfelt examination of Christianity that echoes Dostoevsky's Brothers Karamazov as well as the New Testament. Fifty years after its release, He Who Must Die remains an extraordinary work, a French interpretation of the Passion of Christ set in Greece, directed by an American-Jewish Communist. As Yogi Berra might have said, only in America.


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Conditions of Existence
Written by Alex Levine
Directed by TJ Scott
Season 1, Episode 5
Original Airdate April 27, 2013
(Re-air date October 12, 2013)
What Happens: A man in a black suit tends to Helena's wounds. Meanwhile, Sarah is skyping with Alison, who asks why she quit being a cop. Sarah ignores the question, but thanks Alison for helping with Kira. Alison replies, "She's a special little girl… you are very lucky." This is the second time luck has been associated with Kira in the series—Mrs. S previously pointed out that Sarah didn't realize just how lucky she was to have Kira.
Alison gets into bed with her husband while Sarah showers in Beth's apartment. Paul quietly enters the townhouse and surprises Sarah, who quickly transitions to Beth's accent. They have sex in the shower; Sarah certainly doesn't seem to mind this part of Beth's life. In bed, Paul implores "Beth" that they need to "go away…pack their bags right now."
Sarah has a dream? We see her hooked up to medical equipment and doctors are examining her in a scene out of a horror movie. She wakes up, brushes her teeth and chokes up a shiny implant of some kind. Clearly, Sarah wasn't dreaming…
Sarah performs a VSE and notices a mark on her arm, but not much else. She's getting nervous and quickly dresses when Paul asks how she's doing, and then states that they should go to Rio de Janeiro. Sarah instead heads to Felix's apartment where she skypes with our favorite bespectacled clone. Cosima tells Sarah that the thing she spit up is part of an electroencephalogram, which is used to monitor brain activity. Alison (who is also in Felix's apartment) chimes in, "We're lab rats!" and they realize that each of them must have a monitor. Sarah assumes her monitor (well, Beth's) must be Paul. Cosima pontificates about what happens when subjects being studied become 'self-aware,' and advises that Sarah shouldn't let on that she knows—from a scientific point of view, Cosima would terminate the subject.
Alison walks in on her husband, Donnie, on the phone, saying that somebody is acting out of character. Alison asks about whom was Donnie speaking, he suspiciously replies that it was just a woman at work.
Felix and Sarah search Beth's townhouse for surveillance equipment; donning gloves, Felix informs Sarah he always "wears gloves when he burgles." During the search, they agree that Mrs. S couldn't be Sarah's monitor, since it has been so long since they've seen each other. They stumble upon box in Paul's closet containing a gun and evidence of a military past. After a thorough search, they eventually find a case of surveillance equipment in the wheel well of Beth's Jaguar.
Sarah-as-Beth pays a visit to Trexcom—the company name on Paul's business card—only to find an empty office. It's a good fake out; a woman walks out and reminds Beth that the company downsized, then shows her to Paul's empty office. Left alone, Sarah sets up the surveillance equipment on Paul's desk. Paul returns and tries to instigate some sexy time in the office. When he starts to kiss "Beth's" neck, he asks what happened to her scar. Sarah ties to cover by claiming to be using a new skin cream, but Paul coldly responds that he has to get back to work. Sarah leaves the office and Felix listens in as Paul watches an older video of Beth—checking for the scar—and asks his secretary to clear his afternoon.
Alison rifles through Donnie's (very large) closet while he's out. Hidden in a draw she finds porn DVDs, one with the hilarious title Big Boob Blowies. In the shed, she finds a locked box and tries to open it with a hacksaw. Donnie returns and Alison does her best Brad Pitt impersonation, hysterically asking "What's in the box?!" Donnie simply grabs it storms out.
Cosima is doing lab work with blood samples from the clones; she flirts with her male lab partner and asks him to check to see the disease from the sample was genetic. Last episode, it was possibly implied that the clones have a proclivity for marksmanship. Here, Cosima shows a talent for flirting to further her own agenda, as have Sarah and Alison previosly. Across the lab, Cosima notices a female student speaking very emotionally on the phone in French before apologizing and leaving. The woman leaves behind her grade sheet: Cosima is impressed to see all As and A+s.
Sarah finds and reads several letters between Beth and Paul. She realizes that Beth loved Paul, but he didn't return these feelings. She's outside Kira's school. Sarah finally reunites with Kira, who asks why she's wearing such "crazy" clothes (meaning Beth's attire). Walking back home, Kira asks about Auntie Alison. The camera POV reveals that somebody is photographing Kira and Sarah just as they arrive at Mrs. S.'s house.
Back at University (of Minnesota), Cosima follows the French woman to return her the grade sheet. The French woman, Delphine, explains that she was upset because her long-distance relationship just ended. Cosima informs Delphine she's an Evolutionary Development (EvoDevo) student. Something does appear to attract these two characters to each other, Cosima's sense of altruism matching up with the neediness Delphine displays.
Sarah and Kira are playing at Mrs. S.'s house. Holy crap, I think we've got our first genuine smile from Mrs. S. in the series. Sarah realizes she was close to Kira's age when she came into Mrs. S.'s care, and she asks about her past, before Mrs. S. took her in. Mrs. S. asks about Vic, so of course the scene cuts to Vic being interrogated by his criminal boss about the cocaine Sarah stole. Because Vic is late in paying, they cut off his pinky finger.
Alison goes to a strip mall and tells her kids to to buy candy at the pharmacy while she heads into "The Spy Guys" to by her own surveillance equipment. A wounded Vic is in the same pharmacy getting painkillers for his injury. He spots Alison outside, thinking she's Sarah. Vic accosts Alison in the parking lot and she sprays mace in his face before shocking him with a stun gun. Vic may be a dick, but he definitely gets an ass whoopin' in this episode. Alison calls Sarah to tell her about Vic.
When Sarah gets back to Felix's apartment, the mortician we met a few episodes back is just leaving; Felix says goodbye to him while wearing a silk green robe. When Sarah yells at him for shagging the man they conned into thinking she was dead, he protests that Colin was the nicest boy he's met… "in 8 days."
Felix shares the recordings from Pauls's office, including Paul's conversation with a man named Olivier, who says, "Your role as monitor is not to interfere." On cue, Paul calls Beth's phone and says they have to talk. Sarah says no and hangs up. Seconds later, Paul sends the photo of Sarah and Kira to Beth's phone just as Vic walks in on Sarah and Felix. Shit is really hitting the shit that already hit the shit-covered fan…and we are only on Episode 5 of the series.
Unaware of the clone situation, Vic thinks it was Sarah who blinded him in the parking lot. Vic says if he doesn't have the money soon, his boss will do worse than cut off a finger. Sarah gives him the 20K Alison gave her earlier in the episode as "go away" money. Vic reminisces about their felonious background, thinking they were in love. Sarah says they were parasites. She tells him to take the money and leave, but Vic says it isn't over. At that, Felix asks "Is every man in your life a complete wanker except me?" Sarah heads back to Beth's townhouse.
With Donnie out for the night, Alison searches the garage again and finds the black box with the lock left open. Inside is the Big Boob Blowies DVD she previously found in Donnie's dresser. Meanwhile, Donnie is in a field on the phone with somebody, burning some paperwork. Alison is putting the finishing touches on her surveillance equipment as Donnie grabs a pillow to go sleep on the couch before Alison apologizes for invading his privacy.
Outside of Paul and Beth's apartment, Sarah answers the Clone Phone, and Cosima talks her down from simply shooting Paul. Cosima recognises that Paul didn't tell the whole truth to Olivier, which gives Sarah some wiggle room to get information out of Paul. Beth walks into the townhouse and Paul is hiding in the shadows. He can clearly see the gun Sarah's carrying, and drawing his own gun, tells Sarah to sit. He runs down the things that he's noticed about her odd behavior, throwing the photos of Sarah and Kira on the table. Getting no believable answers from Sarah to his questions, he points his gun at her and asks, "Where is Beth?"
Sarah sheds the Canadian/North American accent in favor of her normal voice, "She killed herself." Sarah then tells Paul everything she's done up to this point, that Beth killed herself and Sarah assumed her identity. Paul thinks this is a test. Sarah tells him she knows he was her monitor and she knows about the previous night's medical tests. She also says she knows that he didn't return Beth's love. Paul thinks this is all a test. Sarah finally breaks Paul when she asks why, and he replies "You think I had a choice…they don't tell us why."
Commentary: As I said up above, lots of threads came together in this episode, and the clones' lives start to intrude on each other. Alison once again takes the cake as she thwarts Vic physically, and thanks to her money, gets him one step further from Sarah's life. She's once again the star of the episode, between the signs of her breaking under pressure in front of Donnie to the visible stress when she's with her Clone Club sisters.
We learn more about Cosima in this episode, getting a glimpse into her student life and how helpful she'll potentially be to gaining more information about the clones. Like her clone sisters, she's certainly a charmer. But of the three main clones, Cosima seems to be the most altruistic. She's definitely the most intrigued by the experiment.
Throughout these episodes, there's been an undercurrent of fear driving the narrative, but the scene of Sarah-as-Beth during the not-a-dream sequence on the operating table really evokes a horror feel. Even though the clones have each other, I also felt there was a bit of isolation in this episode in that they went about their own lives and were left to deal directly with their potential monitors one-on-one.
Again, the title of this episode alludes to something associated with Charles Darwin.
What exactly was Donnie burning while he was on the phone, anyway? The question of whether or not he's Alison's monitor is not definitively answered in this episode, but we now know for sure Paul is/was Beth's monitor. What will he do now that Sarah's revealed her true identity to him? This was a great end to the episode and just raises the stakes and completely reshuffles the deck of cards yet again. That Olivier character, though, he seems a bit creepy. (Hint: He's VERY creepy).
Not as much from Helena this episode, which is fine. I can only take so much of her compared to the other clones.
Clone Count (episode): 4—Sarah, Alison, Helena, and Cosima.
Clone Total (series*): 6—Sarah, Beth (deceased), Alison, Cosima, Katja (deceased), Crazy Clone Helena
*I'm only counting those we've met in a physical sense, not just names on a sheet of paper
Clone Layers: Not intended, but Vic mistakes Alison for Sarah.
Sexy Time: Felix with the coroner and Sarah-as-Beth with Paul.
Hey, it's that guy/gal!
David Richmond-Peck, the man who portrays Olivier, looked familiar to me, he's made the rounds of genre TV. Like many actors/actresses on this show, he was on a couple of episodes of Lost Girl. He was on two episodes of Fringe, an episode of Eureka, the re-imagined V as "Georgie Sutton" and most recently he was the Canadian UN Representative in Pacific Rim.
Rob Bedford lives in NJ with his wife and dog. He reviews books and moderates forums at SFFWorld, runs a blog about stuff, and contributes to SF Signal. If you want to read random thoughts about books, TV, his dog, beer, and hockey, you can follow him on Twitter: @RobHBedford.


text:
A veterinary student is considering quitting her studies and
pursuing a modelling career after LeBron James 'liked' one of her
pictures on Instagram.
Josett Latrice posted an image of her posing in leggings and
sunglasses on the site – and the married father-of-three, King of the
NBA showed his appreciation.
Latrice told TMZ Hollywood Sports the athlete's recognition was a 'sign from God' that she should
pursue modelling.
'It makes me feel awesome,' she told the site. 'I love the fact that he liked my picture.'
The student admitted she did not realize the All-Star had 'liked' the picture until the morning after.
Her friends began to take notice when articles about the aspiring model started to appear online.
She confirmed she is not a 'booty' model, but is already planning for
her future in the fashion industry. Latrice now hopes to talk to
modelling agents and 'get her picture out there'.
The picture was initially posted onto the account @perfectbooties,
where women pay to have their pictures uploaded. Her personal Instagram
has a collection of risque shots, as well as the pose approved by The


text:
Chapter One of this story is here.
Buffy has hunted demons before. She's seen her share of killing and death. But when she crosses through a portal to confront her nightmare, she discovers that this time, it's not just another big bad to fight. Not just a battle. This time, it's war.
Rating R. This chapter: 2118 words.
Chapter Five: They Don't Kill You
Five minutes later, they're crammed into an elevator car, descending into the bowels of the reactor. The heat is stifling, and sinister seismic rumbles shake the car as it creaks downwards. Ripley strips off her jacket, refastening the combat webbing around her torso and settling her taped-together weapons at her hip. Buffy checks that the Scythe is easily accessible on her back, and looks dubiously at the rifle she's carrying. It's just a weapon, nothing to be nervous about. And these demons - aliens, whatever - are certainly vulnerable to bullets. She's seen that with her own eyes.
Preparations complete, they stand side by side as the elevator continues to descend. Buffy eyes her companion curiously, clears her throat, breaks the silence.
"So, um, have you fought these things before?"
A long, painful pause. Then: "Hardly 'fought'. I met one and survived. Guess that makes me the expert."
"So do you have any special powers-- um, I mean skills? Training?"
"I can drive a power loader. And I used to be a qualified starship navigator, till they took my certificate away." Buffy looks at her in surprise and grudging admiration as Ripley asks, "How about you, honey?"
"Well, uh, it's kind of my job. Killing things like these--"
"--but you're just a normal person and you're going to fight them like this?--"
"--You go out and face these things again and again? Every day?--"
"--You're braver than me."
"--You're braver than me."
As they both speak their eyes meet, and Ripley chuckles sardonically.
"Apparently we're both crazy."
Buffy pulls open the door of the elevator and steps out into the dimly lit corridor beyond. Glances cautiously around. "Tell me about it."
Ripley pulls out a tracker, studies it for a moment. "That way." Buffy takes point, senses straining for danger. Sweat drips off her forehead, stains the sleeves of her t-shirt. The metal framework of the building seems almost organic, throbbing and pulsing around them like some huge animal, and they're deep in its stomach. Behind her there's a hiss and sudden burst of pinkish light as Ripley lights a flare, drops it on the ground.
"Help us find our way back."
"Yeah, 'cause that worked really well for Theseus."
"Uh, never mind. Good idea." They've reached a crossroads, metal ladders and catwalks leading deeper down into the complex. "Which way?"
"Left and down. We're close."
Slowly now. The walls seem to close in, rounded and black in the torchlight. Buffy touches them curiously; a kind of hardened resin coats the surfaces, crunches underfoot. Their enemies have been busy down here. Turning this world into their home.
The tracker in Ripley's hand is bleeping faster, and she suddenly stops, looked around in a puzzled way - then stoops to the ground with a cry of dismay. Standing up, she holds a metal bracelet in her hand. The strap is broken, and there are tears in her eyes as her resolve cracks at last. Buffy bites her lip, struggling to think of something comforting to say. "Maybe she's--"
Then holds up her hand as Slayer hearing picks up a sound in the distance. Hardly the most comforting thing in the world to hear: a little girl screaming in terror - but at this moment it's the best sound she could possibly imagine. She's off at a run, Ripley trailing behind her. Ducking under projecting pipework, dashing around a corner, and then she sees her in the distance, embedded in a wall, and an open egg in front of her, and one of the crablike larval demons crawling out towards her. Too far to reach in time.
Buffy doesn't hesitate. She levels the rifle one-handed and pulls the trigger, still running full tilt, and the bullet cracks out and hit the demon dead centre, sending it tumbling and lifeless across the room.
Then she ploughs to a halt and stares at the gun in her hand in astonishment, as if she's only just noticed what she's holding. Then smiles, slightly embarrassed, and shrugs. Ripley has caught her up, rushing over to the entrapped Newt, and there's a touching if hurried reunion. The girl is entombed in layer after layer of the resin, and getting her out is proving difficult. And slow. Too slow.
The hiss is the only warning she gets, but it's enough. Glistening black armour and slime-dripping jaws fill her view, then the rifle in her hand is snarling and the demon blows apart into yellow spray. But more are on the way.
"Keep them off!" Buffy tears into the resin shrouding Newt, Slayer strength making short work of it as Ripley puts her back to the wall and opens fire on the sinister creatures that seemed to be emerging from the very walls. Then the girl is free, and it's time to move. Backing slowly down the corridor, muzzle flares lighting the darkness in staccato bursts. But they've got themselves turned around in the rush and confusion, and Buffy is just turning to ask Ripley if she recognises where they are when she almost collides with the older woman.
Who is standing stock-still as if paralysed. And as Buffy gazes around, she understands her companion's reaction. Her own blood runs cold. She fights to suppress her panic reaction as she looks round the floor of the large chamber. At the demon eggs that surround them; dozens of them, hundreds. Covering every flat surface. An entire army ready to hatch; an apocalypse in the making.
And as her eyes adjust to the darkness, she sees it. Hunched in the darkness yet immeasurably vast; the architect of the apocalypse. The demon queen. Belly gravid with teeming death. Cruel jaws that could swallow her whole. The queen hisses, slow and lazy, breath steaming from her mouth as she turns to look at the intruders. Her eyes are dull and animal; but Buffy has an impression of a calculating hunger, an alien cunning that is more terrifying for its pure single-minded focus. No visible summons goes out, but suddenly the entrances to the chamber are all blocked by warrior demons; the queen's guards come to her defence. Buffy grips her rifle and prepares to sell her life dearly.
Then almost jumps out of her skin as Ripley triggers her flamethrower, sending a jet of fire boiling out into the chamber. She didn't aim at anything, and Buffy is still trying to work out why she did it when Ripley drops the muzzle of the weapon to aim directly at the eggs around them. She looks up pointedly at the queen, and Buffy feels herself grin in unashamed delight at the stratagem.
That is, assuming the queen can make the connection, recognise the threat. Make the bargain. Humans and demons stand motionless for a long, long time; then another of the imperceptible signals goes out, and the demons retreat, clearing the way. It worked. It worked!
The three of them back carefully out of the chamber. Buffy feels a sudden twinge of guilt; she came here to kill this creature, after all. She's dealt with bigger things before, and faced larger armies - though not both together, at least not with so little help. But she firmly suppresses her feelings. In ten minutes this whole area will be a cloud of radioactive debris; that will slay the demon just as comprehensively as anything she can manage with axe or stake.
But as she turns to give the queen one last look, she happens to meet its eyes, and senses rather than sees the glitter of malice within them. And that's why she looks around just in time to see the eggs open silently, as if by command. Releasing their deadly payloads of alien larvae. Her gun snarls, blasting them apart before they can attack, and Ripley whirls in shock, taking in the situation, the betrayal, instantly. The look she turns on the queen is wordless, but speaks as loudly as if she'd shouted aloud: "Oh, you did not just do that."
Then she fires the flamethrower, swings it to and fro, turning the chamber into an inferno. Fulfilling her threat. The eggs sizzle and pop in the heat, and the queen shrills in rage and despair and hatred. Buffy joins her own firepower to the storm of destruction... then remembers the grenades. She arcs them over the burning floor directly at the queen, sees the blasts tearing huge gobbets of flesh out of her swollen pregnant abdomen. The flames rise higher, blocking her sight, so she pulls out a handful of the grenades, tosses them into the centre of the fire. Picks up Newt, grabs Ripley by the arm and drags her out of there, fast as she can.
The fringes of the blast catch them, hurling her forward as she shields Newt with her body. Then they're up and running. The flares light their way back to the elevator, and the shaking of the metal catwalks under them reminds her of how little time they have left.
Then they reach the elevators, and see in horror that the car has returned to the surface. Ripley bangs the call button, then runs over and hits the other one as well. Buffy stands impatiently waiting, watching their path back - and so she's the first to see the huge shape stalking through the red-lit darkness.
How she survived Buffy can't know, but here she is: the demon queen, scarred and burned and hungry for vengeance. And the elevator car is creeping down towards them, painfully slowly. Have they been spotted? She must be able to see them, or smell them. The car still isn't down. The temperature continues to climb, the thermonuclear core at the building's heart approaching critical. The elevator still hasn't arrived. And the queen lifts her head, swings it around, and starts moving directly towards them...
In an frantic tangle of limbs and desperation they cram into the elevator, hit the button; just as the queen squeals her warcry and runs full tilt at them. Her body slams into the wire of the elevator cage, bending it out of shape, but they're rising, they're out of reach, they're safe.
The jubilation is cut off abruptly as they reach the surface - and the dropship is nowhere to be seen. The others have already gone. They've been left behind.
Buffy walks to the edge of the catwalk, looks down into nothingness. The wind howls and lightning crashes, electrical discharges curling around and lancing from building to building. She remembers standing in a high place like this once before. Facing her death.
Ripley gasps in new horror beside her, and Buffy turns to see the other elevator is rising to the surface. She can't even act surprised as the demon queen squeezes her vast bulk out of it and looks around for them. Of course she's followed them; it's the way these things happen, isn't it? She checks her pulse rifle, takes in the ammunition counter at a glance and drops it. Draws the Scythe, and looks with clear eyes into the face of her nightmares.
Then is almost pulled off her feet as Ripley grabs her arm. The dropship is circling in to land, and her companion is clinging to the landing ladder, Newt already peering down from inside. Buffy doesn't hesitate; she leaps up, past Ripley, pulling her inside. The queen shrills her hatred, deprived of her prey, as Ripley yells "Punch it!" to the unseen pilot. The dropship slews in the gale-force winds, its landing legs catching for a moment on some debris, then it's roaring into the sky.
Behind them, Buffy watches the buildings of the settlement dwindle rapidly into the distance... then hears Bishop say in his dry, emotionless voice "Better not look."
"Why not?" She turns to him to ask the question - and then the entire cabin of the dropship lights up like the inside of a flashbulb. Hard-edged white light burns through her frantically closed eyelids, and a wave of furnace heat roars past them. Then incredible noise, and they're being hurled around in the turbulence from Hell, Bishop struggling to bring the dropship back under control. As her eyesight gradually returns to normal, Buffy looks back through the rear windows: and sees a pillar of fire towering high into the sky behind them. As she watches, the smoke and debris reach the upper levels of the atmosphere and begin to spread out in a canopy, and she suddenly laughs in pure delight.
"It really does look like a mushroom! That is so cool!"
They are safe at last.
Continue on to Chapter Six, "The Only Way To Be Sure."


text: Regular Sale By admin | March 26, 2018 Calendar Add to Calendar Add to Timely Calendar Add to Google Add to Outlook Add to Apple Calendar Add to other calendar Export to XML When: October 30, 2020 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Repeats 2020-10-30T10:00:00-04:00 2020-10-30T14:00:00-04:00 Where: Blooming Grove Auction 1091 Free Rd Shiloh, OH 44878 USA Wednesdays & Fridays 10am – 2pm for Flowers and Produce. (April thru September) Join us for our regular sale, featuring hay, straw, flowers, and produce. Please call for specific details on any given date.


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The holiday season is just around the corner! Who's excited? Everyone is gearing up and preparing for the frequent parties and celebrations in the office and at home. Others are busy shopping for gifts for their loved ones while others are preparing for their long-awaited vacations. Whatever you may be doing during the holidays, do keep in mind that you and your loved ones' safety is a priority especially with the number of alcoholic drinks this season.
Despite the relaxing and comfortable atmosphere of the festivities, parents should still be on the lookout for their youngsters. There are mandates about underage drinking they should be aware of other than the health effects of alcohol in the body. Parents should be aware of these laws in order to avoid any conflict.
Furthermore, while most of us don't really count the number of drinks we have, it pays to take note of how many standard drinks it will take to get to .05. Should one lose track, a quality handy breathalyser will definitely do the job. If you're out on It will be easier for you to decide whether it is safe to drive after drinking. It is important, however, to remember that a breathalyser or a BAC Calculator is not a tool to drink and drive.
So now, before we nose-dive in our celebrations, we have prepared a helpful infographic on how to enjoy alcoholic drinks while staying safe. Check it below and share it with your family and friends!
Enjoying alcoholic drinks this holiday season


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The annual competition – Abacus Masters – will be held in February 2017. This is a mandatory event for all JAMS students, and students from other states will also be participating. We'll be at the same venue as last year and more details will be coming to you over weeks leading up to the event.
When: Sunday, February 26
9am – 12:30pm
Where: Mittleman Jewish Community Center
6651 SW Capitol Highway
Portland, OR 97219
- 9:00a.m. Student Check-in
- 9:20a.m. Group Photo
- 9:30a.m. Welcome Sensei Miwako Sakabayashi Introductions Sensei : Shinichi Yabuki (President League of Soroban Education of USA)
- 9:45 a.m. Written Exam
- 10:00 a.m. Flash Anzan A, B, C, D, E, F
- 10:45 a.m. Bathroom Break
- 10:55 a.m. Oral Abacus A, B, C, D, E, F
- 11:45 a.m. Award Ceremony – Flash Anzan (A, B, C, D, E, F), Oral Abacus (A, B, C, D, E, F), Written Exam (A, B, C, D, E, F)
- 12:30 p.m. Closing Remarks