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The Timing of the Fasting Month of Ramadan (2): The Lunar Calendar as the Basis of the Islamic Acts of Worship, Including Fasting during Ramadan
Published in September 28, 2017
Translated by: Ahmed Fathy
Firstly: pilgrimage as an example of acts of worship and rituals performed as per the lunar calendar, within the four sacred months:
1- Human beings live within the spatiotemporal dimensions of existence; God has made a temporal sanctuary for Himself: the four sacred months of pilgrimage within the lunar calendar (Zu Al-Hijja, Muharram, Saffar, and Rabei Awwal) and a locational sanctuary which is the Sacred Kaaba Mosque in Mecca: "God has appointed the Kaaba, the Sacred House, a sanctuary for the people, and the Sacred Month, and the offerings, and the garlanded. That you may know that God knows everything in the heavens and the earth, and that God is Cognizant of all things." (5:97).
2- Within the temporal sanctuary of the four sacred months, people are to feel secure and safe and never to suffer aggression, attacks, or any types of injustices, so that pilgrimage is performed in safety, and these sacred months are lunar ones ordained by God to all humanity since the time when He created the heavens and the earth: "The number of months, according to God, is twelve months-in the decree of God-since the Day He created the heavens and the earth, of which four are sacred. This is the correct religion. So do not commit injustices against yourselves during them...." (9:36). Thus, injustices and military aggression are absolutely prohibited within this temporal sanctuary of pilgrimage, except self-defense fighting when attacked: "The sacred month for the sacred month; and sacrilege calls for retaliation. Whoever commits aggression against you, retaliate against him in the same measure as he has committed against you. And be conscious of God, and know that God is with the righteous." (2:194). When Arab asked Muhammad about self-defense fighting during the four sacred lunar months of pilgrimage, God has provided this answer: "They ask you about fighting during the sacred month. Say, "Fighting during it is deplorable; but to bar others from God's path, and to disbelieve in Him, and to prevent access to the Sacred Mosque, and to expel its people from it, are more deplorable with God. And persecution is more serious than killing. They will not cease to fight you until they turn you back from your religion, if they can. Whoever among you turns back from his religion, and dies a disbeliever-those are they whose works will come to nothing, in this life, and in the Hereafter. Those are the inmates of the Fire, abiding in it forever." (2:217). Thus, we infer that religious persecution (or fitna, in Quranic terminology) is worse than fighting, and one is permitted to engage into self-defense fighting when necessary when attacked during the four sacred months. Attacks here include repelling people away from Mecca and driving believers away from it and from the Sacred Kaaba Mosque.
3- The locational sanctuary is the Sacred Kaaba Mosque, and one must feel secure upon entering it: "...Whoever enters it attains security..." (3:97), as this is the first House ordained by God to all humanity: "The first house established for the humankind is the one at Bacca; blessed, and guidance for all people." (3:96); "...and circle around the Ancient House." (22:29). The command to provide security includes those traveling toward Mecca and even the sacrificial animals ornamented for the purpose of offering them after rituals of pilgrimage: "O you who believe! Do not violate God's sacraments, nor the Sacred Month, nor the offerings, nor the garlanded, nor those heading for the Sacred House seeking blessings from their Lord and approval. When you have left the pilgrim sanctity, you may hunt. And let not the hatred of people who barred you from the Sacred Mosque incite you to aggression. And cooperate with one another in virtuous conduct and conscience, and do not cooperate with one another in sin and hostility. And fear God. God is severe in punishment. " (5:2).
4- Both the temporal and the locational sanctuaries are for all people, whether they reside in Mecca or coming to it after a journey; this is why repelling people away from Mecca and committing injustices there are acts of sacrilege penalized by God: "As for those who disbelieve and repel from God's path and from the Sacred Mosque-which We have designated for all humankind equally, whether residing therein or passing through-and seek to commit sacrilege therein-We will make him taste of a painful torment." (22:25). Thus, all peaceful people are welcome to Mecca, who are overtly peaceful regardless of their beliefs, while aggressive persons are never to be allowed to enter into Mecca, as their aggression renders them as polytheists and impure, since they carry weapons into Mecca to commit aggression and transgression: "O you who believe! The polytheists are polluted, so let them not approach the Sacred Mosque after this year of theirs. And if you fear poverty, God will enrich you from His grace, if He wills. God is Aware and Wise." (9:28).
5- The performance of pilgrimage to Mecca is ordained by God to all of the humankind: "...Pilgrimage to the House is a duty to God for all people who can make the journey. But as for those who refuse-God is Independent of the worlds." (3:97). Pilgrimage combines both the temporal and the locational sanctuaries, and therefore, pilgrims are to adhere to highest levels of piety: "The Hajj is during specific months. Whoever decides to perform the Hajj-there shall be no sexual relations, nor misconduct, nor quarrelling during the Hajj. And whatever good you do, God knows it. And take provisions, but the best provision is righteousness. And be mindful of Me, O people of understanding." (2:197).
6- This universality of the temporal and the locational sanctuaries within pilgrimage means that people must observe the lunar calendar, even in countries never using it, if they desire to perform Hajj/pilgrimage. This applies to fasting during Ramadan; the solar calendar has nothing to do with fasting and pilgrimage, then. Thus, the lunar calendar is the only one linked to Islam acts of worship.
Secondly: fasting during Ramadan is linked to the lunar calendar:
1- Performing pilgrimage to Mecca is an act of worship inherited from the religion of Abraham by Arabs and the People of the Book (both gentiles and Jews): "We showed Abraham the location of the House: "Do not associate anything with Me; and purify My House for those who circle around, and those who stand to pray, and those who kneel and prostrate." And announce the pilgrimage to all humanity. They will come to you on foot, and on every transport. They will come from every distant point." (22:26-27).
2- This applies to the religious duty of fasting during Ramadan; it is inherited from the religion of Abraham and was observed by the ancient nations, centuries before the descent of the Quran: "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become righteous." (2:183). Thus, Arabs (and others) before the Quran used to fast during the lunar month of Ramadan and seek to attain piety through it, as it is imposed by the Lord Allah in the same way; but the Quran comes with new legislations linked to fasting and tells us how Ramadan is sacred because the Quran descended in it: "For a specified number of days. But whoever among you is sick, or on a journey, then a number of other days. For those who are able: a ransom of feeding a needy person. But whoever volunteers goodness, it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew. Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed. Guidance for humanity, and clear portents of guidance, and the Criterion. Whoever of you witnesses the month, shall fast it. But whoever is sick, or on a journey, then a number of other days. God desires ease for you, and does not desire hardship for you, that you may complete the number, and celebrate God for having guided you, so that you may be thankful." (2:184-185).
3- We infer from 2:184-185 that Arabs knew this lunar month of Ramadan and fasting in it, as they inherited this from the religion of Abraham through Ishmael. This is why God does NOT explain how to fast, nor when Ramadan comes in the lunar calendar as a special month, because these pieces of information have been known to all.
4- God mentions that the Night of Decree falls in Ramadan each year, as per the universal lunar calendar, with angels led by Gabriel carrying the fates ordained on people: birth, death, earnings, and calamities: "We sent it down on the Night of Decree. But what will convey to you what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. In it descend the angels and the Spirit, by the leave of their Lord, with every command. Peace it is; until the rise of dawn." (97:1-5).
Thirdly: the lunar calendar within other Quranic legislations of Islam:
1- It is obvious that the Quran focuses on the lunar calendar, and God has referred to it with emphasis in this verse more than the solar calendar: "It is He who made the sun radiant, and the moon a light, and determined phases for it-that you may know the number of years and the calculation. God did not create all this except with Truth. He details the verses for a people who know." (10:5).
2- God also mentions that people are guided by the stars at night as well as by the lunar and solar calendars: "It is He Who breaks the dawn. And He made the night for rest, and the sun and the moon for calculation. Such is the disposition of the Almighty, the All-Knowing. And it is He Who created the stars for you, that you may be guided by them in the darkness of land and sea. We thus explain the revelations for people who know." (6:96-97).
3- Of course, in the clear skies of Arabian deserts, stars can be used for guidance when traveling and this places emphasis as well on the importance of the lunar calendar as Arabs watch the moon all the time, unlike river-side civilizations that care more for the solar calendar because of agriculture and so on.
4- This is stressed the more as Arabs asked Muhammad about crescents (i.e., the phases of the moon), and he typically waited till the answer is provided in the Quran: "They ask you about the crescents. Say, "They are timetables for people, and for the Hajj."..." (2:189). Thus, the lunar calendar is directly linked to Islamic acts of worship and Arabs used it in secular aspects of their lives as well.
Fourthly: deviating from God's sharia legislations:
1- The above points tell us what should be; yet, reality in actual life is nothing but disobedience and disregarding of God's Quranic commands. The Qorayish tribe used to distort tenets and features of the religion of Abraham and to repel people away from the Kaaba, and they meddled with the lunar calendar months and this is deemed by God as acts of disbelief: "Postponement is an increase in disbelief-by which those who disbelieve are led astray. They allow it one year, and forbid it another year, in order to conform to the number made sacred by God, thus permitting what God has forbidden. The evil of their deeds seems good to them. God does not guide the disbelieving people." (9:37). Thus, they meddled with the timing of sacred months of pilgrimage to allow themselves the chance to commit military aggressions and bloodshed. After the death of Muhammad, Qorayish attacked and invaded many countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe, killing thousands of people outside and during the sacred months. Sadly, the Muhammadans of today never stop violence and aggression during the sacred four months.
2- Shortly before the death of Muhammad, after he entered Mecca peacefully without fighting, Qorayish breached the peace treaties and attacked the early believers who returned to Mecca; the Quranic Chapter 9 has given them the duration of the four sacred months as a chance to repent or else they would be fought relentlessly: "A declaration of immunity from God and His messenger to the polytheists with whom you had made a treaty. So travel the land for four months, and know that you cannot escape God, and that God will disgrace the disbelievers. And a proclamation from God and His messenger to the people on the day of the Greater Pilgrimage, that God has disowned the polytheists, and so did His messenger. If you repent, it will be better for you. But if you turn away, know that you cannot escape God. And announce to those who disbelieve a painful torment. Except for those among the polytheists with whom you had made a treaty, and did not violate any of its terms, nor aided anyone against you. So fulfill the treaty with them to the end of its term. God loves the righteous. When the Sacred Months have passed, fight the polytheists wherever you find them. And capture them, and besiege them, and lie in wait for them at every ambush. But if they repent, and perform the prayers, and pay the alms, then let them go their way. God is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful. " (9:1-5).
3- After the death of Muhammad, Qorayish committed the crime/grave sin of conquering other nations and violated the Quranic laws of peace, freedom, and justice as well as never to coerce people to change their faith. This grave betrayal and violation of the Quran included the fact that the caliph Omar expelled the People of the Book from Arabia, making laws against their ever coming to Mecca and the Kaaba. Centuries later, people wrongly assume till now that pilgrimage to Mecca is confined to the Muhammadans, though God ordains it for all human beings as universal rituals.
4- Omar made another grave error by making the lunar month of Muharram as the first one of the Hijri year; this was not the case before this cursed Omar was born. We infer from the Quran that Zu Al-Hijja was the first month of the lunar calendar (now made as the 12th month!), as lunar years were called before the revelation of the Quran as (pilgrimages). This is inferred from the words of the father-in-law of Moses: "He said, "I want to marry you to one of these two daughters of mine, provided you work for me for eight pilgrimages. But if you complete ten, that is up to you. I do not intend to impose any hardship on you. You will find me, God willing, one of the righteous."" (28:27). This means that centuries before the Quran, the lunar year begins with the month of Zu Al-Hijja that marks the beginning of the pilgrimage season that lasts for four months (Zu Al-Hijja, Muharram, Saffar, and Rabei Awwal), as per the religion of Abraham. This was known to Arabs before and during Muhammad's lifetime; it is a grave sin to confine pilgrimage to Mecca only to the first ten days of Zu Al-Hijja; this is only the opening of the season: "So travel the land for four months..." (9:2); "And a proclamation from God and His messenger to the people on the day of the Greater Pilgrimage..." (9:3); " When the Sacred Months have passed, fight the polytheists wherever you find them..." (9:5).
5- The lunar calendar has retained its months (i.e., their names and chronological order) before and after the revelation/descent of the Quran; likewise, Ramadan is the month of fasting before, during, and after Muhammad's lifetime. Because the lunar fasting month of Ramadan is linked specially to the Night of Decree, it remains to be a special month to Arabs, and this is reflected in the history of the Muhammadans.
6- We continue this topic in the next article.


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subset: commoncrawl


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It is well known that international business people, investors or exhibitors at tradeshows travel a great deal. In our professional world, with all of its high-tech equipment, apps are very popular and often interesting and useful – even for the private sphere. We are pleased to present you with our Top 5 Apps, which you should have on-hand in the following situations in order to get informed on the spot, comprehensively and without a lot of effort.
Supposing you would like to participate in a teleconference outside of Europe and want to know the time somewhere else in the world? This time zone calculator is easy to operate and clearly designed. What more could you ask for?!
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Language: English
You're travelling in Switzerland and would like to do something with your free time? With this multi-lingual App you will find useful information for many individual events and tips for locating more than 1,200 excursions in Switzerland.
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3. Moscow Metro
Anyone who travels for business or pleasure in Moscow, may need an app, which shows them the name of the individual stations on the underground in both Cyrillic and in our (Latin) alphabet. No problem, just let our app be your guide.
Available for: iPhone / Android
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4. Traveling without the Internet
You can quickly get "Lost in Translation" without informative and instructive tips in a country in which one is not overly familiar with the facts on the ground, especially if you don't have a lot of time for one's own interests during a business trip. This free app provides you with access to a travel guidebook for around 8,000 destinations world-wide. The good thing about it: Everything is available without the internet!
Available for: iPhone / iPad / Android
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It can be risky to travel with documents, in-case you lose them. Your files can be downloaded securely at any time using the secure dropbox-website, and this functions with Windows, Mac, Linux, iPad, iPhone, Android and BlackBerry; you can even use Dropbox offline. This way you have access to your files in any situation, completely independent of an internet connection.
Available for: iPhone / iPad / Android / Blackberry
Language: multi-lingual


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I wonder why it is that the sense of smell is so commonly under-regarded. To me it is the source of some of my greatest pleasures. No one of the senses is more often allied with robustity of physical health. A man who smells acutely may be set down as enjoying that which is normal, plain, wholesome. He does not require seasoning: the ordinary earth is good enough for him. He is likely to be sane—which means sound, healthy—in his outlook upon life.
Of all hours of the day there are none like the early morning for downright good odours—the morning before eating. Fresh from sleep and unclogged with food a man's senses cut like knives. The whole world comes in upon him. A still morning is best, for the mists and the moisture seem to retain the odours which they have distilled through the night. Upon a breezy morning one is likely to get a single predominant odour as of clover when the wind blows across a hay field or of apple blossoms when the wind comes through the orchard, but upon a perfectly still morning, it is wonderful how the odours arrange themselves in upright strata, so that one walking passes through them as from room to room in a marvellous temple of fragrance. (I should have said, I think, if I had not been on my way to dig a ditch, that it was like turning the leaves of some delicate volume of lyrics!)
So it was this morning. As I walked along the margin of my field I was conscious, at first, coming within the shadows of the wood, of the cool, heavy aroma which one associates with the night: as of moist woods and earth mould. The penetrating scent of the night remains long after the sights and sounds of it have disappeared. In sunny spots I had the fragrance of the open cornfield, the aromatic breath of the brown earth, giving curiously the sense of fecundity—a warm, generous odour of daylight and sunshine. Down the field, toward the corner, cutting in sharply, as though a door opened (or a page turned to another lyric), came the cloying, sweet fragrance of wild crab apple blossoms, almost tropical in their richness, and below that, as I came to my work, the thin acrid smell of the marsh, the place of the rushes and the flags and the frogs.
How few of us really use our senses! I mean give ourselves fully at any time to the occupation of the senses. We do not expect to understand a treatise on Economics without applying our minds to it, nor can we really smell or hear or see or feel without every faculty alert. Through sheer indolence we miss half the joy of the world!
Fragrance Quote for January 26th, 2012-Adventures of David Grayson By Ray Stannard Baker, David Grayson


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Biographical information
From 1971-2000 I taught at universities in Swaziland, Zambia and South Africa. Since my return to the United Kingdom in 2000 I have been affiliated to Oxford University as a research fellow, research officer, and research associate. My book on South Africa's liberation movement in exile in Zambia, The Lusaka Years: The African National Congress in Zambia, 1963-1994, was published by Jacana in 2013. I have also written three pcket biographies for Jacana, Chris Hani (2014), Jack Simons: Teacher, Scholar, Comrade (2016), and Oliver Tambo (2017).
Other monographs include Zion in Africa: The Jews of Zambia (IB Tauris: 1999 and new edition with epilogue 2017) An African Trading Empire:The Story of Susman Brothers & Wulfsohn (IB Tauris 2005 and paperback edition 2017), the history of an extensive southern African family trading business. In 2003 I was the co-author with Alex Duncan and Neo Simutanyi of a report for the United Kingdom's Department for International Development entitled 'Zambia: the drivers of pro-poor Change' - (www.sarpn.org.za).
Most of my work has been historical, but I have also published widely on the interface between history, politics, social anthropology, economics and literature.
Ph.D, Modern History, University of Edinburgh. Dissertation topic: `The Origins and Development of the African Lakes Company, 1878-1908'. Digitised copy available to download from University of Edinburgh https://www.era.lib.ed.ac.uk/handle/1842/24105
MA, Area Studies (Africa), School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London (major in African History, minor in Social Anthropology).
BA Modern History, University of Oxford (MA 1970).


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Simple yet delicious snacks you can serve your kids at any time of the day.
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Try this simple twist and get yourself a completely new recipe.
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Samosas that are sweetly satisfying in taste.
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Crunchy noodles, tasty cheese and creamy butter. What's not to relish!
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Welcome brinjals to your kids' meals with this one.
Make bhel even more yummier!
A rocking breakfast delight for your little rockstar.
A hearty snack served with our favourite french fries.
Another delicious patty you can add to your burgers.


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Perhaps it is just me, but "scriptorian" seems to be an honorific that has fallen out of favor. I remember when scriptorian was meted out as a term of high theological praise. The typical scriptorian was an aging high priest who had seen long service in the Church. He had claims to wisdom from great experience, but beyond simple longevity he was known for a deep and thorough knowledge of the scriptures. He was the sort of man who wanted nothing more than a chance to go toe-to-toe and verse-for-verse with a Baptist minister, or work through the signs of the times in Sunday School class.
The learning of the scriptorian was largely oral. He didn't produce footnoted articles for intellectual fora. It was also daring in its interpretation. Poetic passages from Amos and other prophets were read with a dogged literalism that opened up surprisingly wild theological vistas. The learning was also almost entirely autodidactic. No one became a scriptorian by virtue of a degree. The man who gave me my patriarchal blessing was a scriptorian. The walls of his study were not lined with scholarly treatises but with dog eared copies of the Journal of Discourses.
If I am right about the sinking status of scriptorians, I think that Nibley is the culprit behind their decline. Nibley dazzled with his dozens of dead languages and his marriage of Mormon scripture with "the ancient world." In place of the autodidactic scriptorian we now have the post-Nibley Mormon scholar. We look not for a thorough understanding of the Millennial time table, but rather for the ancient history of proper names from the Book of Mormon. The intellectual world created by Nibley for Mormon students of scripture is — if not quite professional — at least scholarly in its basic orientation.
When I first read Nibley and the work of his disciples there was something intoxicating about it. Suddenly Mormonism and the Gospel seemed so much bigger, older, and somehow more intellectually respectable. It was though an interest in the Hebrew or Greek roots of scripture terms had liberated me from any duty to have anxiety about the precise relationship between Jerusalem, Jackson County, and the "Mountain of the Lord's House in the tops of the mountains" (Salt Lake) in the climatic days before the Second Coming.
At this point, however, I worry about losing scriptorians. Scholars are ultimately timid creatures, and frankly much of Nibley's most lasting and influential work partakes of a very un-scholarly audacity. In an intellectual world where untutored but scripture-soaked patriarchs are cranks, and where scholars with their Aramaic and Hebrew hold sway we will lose something deep and essential about Mormonism. At their worst, Mormons see Joseph Smith as a passive automaton in the hands of God. The Restoration, however, is the result of a cocktail of Joseph's wild scriptural interpretations and revelation. He was a scriptorian with a deep knowledge of the sacred text, but he was never a scholar. He never had a scholar's precision, caution, or context. In that sense, to see to the wild speculations of a high-priest group scriptorian is to be much closer to Joseph and the roots of the Restoration than to see a faithful disciple of Nibley toiling away at the footnotes of path-breaking article on Mormon scripture.


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Trekking in Nepal can be undertaken throughout the year. There are four seasons in Nepal. Each season has distinct attractions to offer as follows:
Trekking Seasons: The best seasons for trekking are Autumn, from mid September until the end of November. Spring from mid March to mid May, but Winter and Summer are also suitable for some tours (for example Summer is the best season for the Upper Mustang Trekking).
Medical Matters and Advice: Trekking in Nepal need not be considered a risky affair as far as your health is concerned. Nevertheless, preventive measures such as a thorough medical check up before you start trekking can save you from unexpected problems. Since the remote places of Nepal are not supplied with necessities that are essential for modern medical facilities. However with modern Helicopters a Rescue evacuation can be arranged easily, please ensure You have insurance for this, or this will be an extra charge. Your Guide will have a comprehensive First Aid Box consisting of basic drugs and accessories as part of his kit for trekking. Modern dentistry is unknown in the hills of Nepal, so it is advised to have a checkup before departure from home.
Physical Fitness: All trekking demands a basic level of fitness that will enable one to put in a good day's walking, uphills and down. Most treks should not be taken to gain more than 500 metres in any one day above 3,000 metres. There should be plenty of time during the day to cover this distance, so the physical exertion though quite strenuous at times, is not sustained. The best preparation for trekking is cycling, swimming, and jogging, squash, tennis and long walks involving up and down hills with a laden pack. Good physical conditioning will certainly help maximize your enjoyment of your trek.
Altitude Sickness: Altitude Sickness, often known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), is a particularly important medical consideration while trekking in Nepal. Altitude Sickness means the effect of altitude on those who ascend too rapidly to elevations above 3,000m. The initial symptoms of AMS are as following:
These symptoms are to be taken very seriously. In case of appearance of any of the above symptoms any further ascent should be reconsidered. More serious problems can occur which can even cause death sometimes within a few hours. The only cure for the Altitude Sickness is to descend to lower elevations immediately. Acclimatization by ascending to no more than 300 to 500 metres per day above 3,000 metres and proper amount of rest, as well as drinking lots of water are the best methods for prevention of AMS.
Clothing, Equipment and Personal Effects:
Note: All of the above mentioned items can be purchased/rented Kathmandu and Pokhara. Shoes are the one item that may be best to bring so that break-in time and size are not an issue.
Personal Baggage: You are allowed to carry a maximum of 20 kg. Baggage on most domestic and International flights and for the trekking we allow you to take 15 kg. of personal gear with the kit bag on lock system. Other gear not needed during the trek can be stored in the hotel or in our Company office store in Kathmandu. You are also advised to be responsible for your own baggage while you are traveling or trekking to avoid disappointment of loss of personal items.
Trip Reports and Tips: In order to upgrade our services, we request you to fill up the trip report forms provided by our crew. If you are satisfied with our staffs' performances, we suggest you a tip of US$1 per staff per day for soft treks and US$2 for strenuous Treks. This is not compulsory. As you prefer.
Luguage during Trekking: During the trek your main luguage will be carried by a Porter. According to our companies role and system, mainly you have to carry a day bag with water bottle, Camera, spare jacket, etc. A trek bag is ideal for your main luggage, plus a small lockable bag for travel clothes or anything that you do not need during trek which you can leave hotel lock of room/safe deposit box in kathmandu for free of charge. Weight allowance at Nepal's domestic airlines is 15Kg, excess weight is chargeable will be USD$1 or more per kg. It will be depended region and sector.
Care for Porter and all Staff: We ensure that all Porters going to high altitude conditions are provide with adequate clothing and equipment. We run trek according to the guideline of the international Porter protection group.
Accommodation in Town and During the Trek: In City or Town you spend nights in 2 / 3 star Hotel. We have specially negotiated rates in a range of hotels, we can offer the best deal to suit your every budget and preferences. We can arrange also your stay in a higher class hotel depending on your budget. During the trek you could sleep in a Lodge or a trekking camp. Which is popular in Annapurna , Langtang, Helambu, Everest etc sectors now days all have well developed mountain lodges. The lodge is for the most part, owned and managed by a single family. As long as you don't expect 5 star quality facilities you should be pleasantly surprised and happy with both the food and bathroom facilities, with meals served in a communal dining.
Food on the trek:
Pick up you in Nepal at Airport: When you will leave from your country to Nepal visit and there at the Airport many people will try to offer you service and facilities politely. Please be polite and refuse them. See our board "Adventure Ascent" Because, we will wait for you outside of the airport near the exit gate then we will drive to your hotel by private transportation. In Kathmandu you can withdraw money everywhere with your bank card (ATM). You will change money (cash or traveler cheque) easily in the exchange counters everywhere in KTM or Pokhara and also Lukla or Namche (however the rate will be much lower in Namche or Lukla ). In Kathmandu and Pokhara, the price does not include your lunch and diner (between 6 and 10 euros/day/pers), outside the cities everything is included in the cost of the trip excepted extra expenses like fresh beverage (beer, coke…) and sweets (mars, snicker…) Try not to change money at the airport where the rate is lower than in Kathmandu. Keep at least one receipt if you want to convert your rupees when you leave the country. To calculate your budget as well as possible don't hesitate to talk with us.


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Vers-Fruit-SAP obtained the IFS Certificate in 2017
3 golden stars were awarded by an international jury of top chefs and sommeliers.
Our orange juice from concentrate is granted the superior taste award in 2012 from the International Taste&Quality Institute.
Click here to compare this result with other juicers on the market!
Vers-Fruit-Sap works completely on green energy.
Next to the full isolation and the recuparation-boiler, we introduce green energy! 400 solar panels were placed on top of the building.
Cooling is our biggest energy consumer, and because cooling uses most on sunny days, solar energy was the best solution!


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Mr. Leo Cut Out Bamboo Bow Tie
Meet Mr Leo Cut-Out. This posh and edgy bow tie is inspired by the talented Leonardo DiCaprio, but with our own funky flare. This bow tie is great for all the fellows going for a simple yet dashing look. This unique bamboo bow tie is a perfect addition to complete an outfit.
The size is about 5cm x 3cm and is finished with a trendy leather band.
All our bow ties are locally made with loads of love and care.
Gift Box Options (Choose between 3 types of gift boxes):
– Plain MDF Box
– Standard engraved MDF box with your choice of quote:
Quote 1: "Suit Up"
Quote 2: "Groomsman"
Quote 3: "Groom"
Quote 4: "Best Man"
– Your choice of custom engraved MDF Box
We offer shipping done door to door via courier. Yay!
The manufacturing lead times are 2 to 4 weeks. This means your order may only be shipped after week 4. But we will always ensure to get the orders out as soon as possible.
As soon as your order is ready to ship you will receive a notification via email containing your tracking number and any other relevant information.


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Australia (AUD)
We have a new Carhartt WIP website for customers in the US and Canada. Now offering domestic shipping and returns. Check it out.
Phil Evans` film Format Perspective will be shown at the Grand Teatret in Copenhagen/ Denmark on the 27th of February 2012. The screening starts at 21:30h. For more information click here!
(Bastian Loewen)


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In the early decades of the 19th century, three brothers Lothar von Faber, Johann Faber and Eberhard Faber were born and raised in Stein, a small place located close to the prosperous old city of Nuremberg. Nuremberg is also well known as the hometown of the famous artist Albrecht Dürer.
Lothar, the eldest brother, was the main decision maker amongst the three. He sent his youngest brotther Eberhard, to the new world, as his parents' graphite pencil factory in Stein was too small to support all three of them. Once in New York, Eberhard established a branch of A.W. Faber in 1849. In 1861, Eberhard founded his own graphite pencil factory Eberhard Faber in New York.
Johann was also involved in the family business but left the company in 1876. He opened his own factory for graphite pencils, color pencils and other writing and drawing products in Nuremberg. Due to an over-production of pencils, the result of the global economic crisis of 1929, the companies A.W. Faber and Johann Faber merged. In 1932 the company Johann Faber Nuremberg was partially taken over by A.W. Faber-Castell in Stein.
The brand Goldfaber was registered as a trademark for the Johann Faber graphite pencil factory in 1935. Goldfaber graphite pencils were renowned for their high-quality and their outstanding design with the gold striped barrel. For this reason Faber-Castell has kept the name Goldfaber until today.
When the company Johann Faber was fully taken over by A.W. Faber Stein in 1942, the brand name Goldfaber changed to A.W. Faber-Castell. Around 1948 drawing pencils existed in 6 different degrees of hardness, graphite copy pencils in 4 writing degrees and color pencils in 24 colors. The Goldfaber copying pencils had a round shape with gold and blue stripes.
In 2017, Faber-Castell relaunched its Creative Studio assortment, introducing Goldfaber Color Pencils and Goldfaber Aqua Watercolor Pencils. The Goldfaber color and watercolor pencils are made in Germany using the latest innovative production techniques. Together with the existing Goldfaber Graphite Pencils, Goldfaber Color Pencils and Goldfaber Aqua Watercolor Pencils now stand for wood-cased pencils in the hobby segment of Faber-Castell.


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Aether Moderator
- Member since Aug 23rd 2016
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Update: Could you give us the link for your the SWAT truck? Every vehicle has its own individual url
How do we go about getting that i did not find a url for an individual truck?
Aether -
Go to the building that it is housed in, and there is a clickable unit name. Right-click the name and hit "copy shortcut" Ex: Here is one of my medic units: missionchief.com/vehicles/58219


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A little pre-planning will save you some dough at [R197R, Keystone]. You can avoid the ticket window, too. The popular Summit County resort offers the option of buying your lift tickets online.
The pre-planning is important because you have to make the purchases seven days in advance to be eligible for any discounts. This also allows time to get your tickets in the mail. You'll need 14 days in advance for international shipping. You'll get to go straight to the lift when you arrive at the resort, and bypass any ticket window line.
Options vary from a one-day ticket to a 14-day ticket for kids adults and seniors. The ticket can also be good at [R77R, Breckenridge], or combined with [R20R, Arapahoe Basin] which is just up the road from Keystone.
An adult lift ticket is $97 and the price for a child's ticket is $54. Those prices go down when you plan ahead, and buy the tickets online. Discounts are also available for half-day beginning at noon. You can get an even later start with an even bigger discount beginning at 2 p.m. Night skiing starts at 4 p.m.
Online prices are not available at the ticket window.


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Stunning selection, from 2010
She considers herself a fan of "old music." She cites Bill Evans, Billie Holliday, Willie Nelson, Aretha Franklin, and Ray Charles as examples. That type of music, she says, "is just so badass and original."
She has played with the funk-fusion group Wax Poetic, and was a member of Laszlo in North Texas.
High quality, limited edition rock photography, hand printed on the finest paper available. Rock, indie, and country western musicians captured in concert by professional photographers from across the U.S. Stunning images of rock and roll, country, and hall of fame members, available only from the Songbird Fine Art Gallery. Unique, limited, classic, and original in-concert fine art prints. Get yours now.


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Yogi's Hoagies has been serving Columbus residents since 1977.
We are an independent, family-owned and operated restaurant.
We offer a high-quality and delicious meal for a family-friendly budget.
We also offer an event menu including: Hoagie Trays, Boxed Lunches and Family Style Salads.
Yogis' Hoagies
1274 Morse Road
Monday – Thursday 11-9
Friday and Saturday 11-10
Closed Sunday
"Shop Northland First"


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Someone once asked Somerset Maugham if he wrote on a schedule or only when inspiration struck him to which he replied, " I write only when inspiration strikes. Fortunately, it strikes ee morning at ni o'clock sharp."[1] Now that's a writer; that's a pro. He does not let the daily justifications and rationalizations that plague so many to stop him from doing what he must, sit down and get in touch with his Muse to bring forth creative arts to the rest of us. He says that he that the mere act of sitting down and starting to work sets in motion a mysterious but uncountable sequence of events that would produce inspiration.[2] It's like throwing a snow ball down a snowy mountain; it picks up traction and gets bigger as it keeps going down.
The trick is to treat your writing like a job or a business. We all work, most of us not because we want to, because we have to. We work and get a paycheck for it so in a sense we already are at like professionals at something. We just need to take those principles which we are already doing in our every day work life and apply them to our artistic aspirations.
Without further ado, here are the 10 tips on how to write like a pro.Credit: Morguefile
1.) Show up every day
When you have a job, you show up every day. You might not do it because you want to, but you show up because you have to. You show up so that you do not get fired and continue to get your paycheck.
2.) Show up no matter what
Come hell or water, in sickness and in health, you drag yourself to work. You might only do it to receive a paycheck or to not let your co-workers down. But you do it. Tired or not, you show up. Whether you want to or not
3.) Stay on the job
You aid the customers, create the work orders, pick up the phones when they ring and anything else the job requires. You might be day dreaming for most of the day, but you do not go home till you finish your shift.
4.) Commit to long-term goals
You might go through five different jobs by the age of 40 but you will continue, unless you strike gold and win the lottery, until you retire. Be it in another job, company or country, you are in it for the long haul.
5.) High stakes. Honest and real
If you do not work, you do not get paid. It's that simple. That is the number one reason most people wake up every morning to a tough day at work. It's about survival. You need to work on your writing as if your financial well-being depended on it. Not for aspirations of a life on the beach sipping cocktails. We are usually more motivated to avoid the stick as opposed to get a reward. Robert Herjavec, cast of the acclaimed Shark Tank TV show, has said that he never had planned to be a business man. He was forced to when he got fired and had to pay the bills. It was about survival for him.[3]
6.) Accept compensation for your work
You work to pay the bills, you might have a passion for what you do, but ultimately, you do it to get pay. Whether you are following your passion or not, you should get paid for your time. Time is everyone's most important asset so let others compensate you for it.
7.) Do not over-identify with the job
You might stay late, work on weekends, and eve take pride in the work you have done but you recognize you are not your job description. Amateurs over-identify with their avocations and artistic inspirations, you do not. He is a playwriter, a painter, a musician or actor. Resistance, procrastination, justifications and rationalizations love this. They know that the amateur will never write her symphony, her screenplay, because she is overly invested on its success or failure. She takes it so seriously that the fear paralyzes her. Professionals have to develop a way to stop themselves from freezing in action. You have to understand that too much love can be a bad thing. Too much love can make you choke. Learning to detach yourself from your work would allow you to not only get strong criticism, but look for it. Not from our friends and family but from the world.
8.) Master the techniques of the job
When you go get a job we learn everything there is to learn related to your job. From start to finish, you learn how to do your duties so that you do not get fired and you keep at it as to not get replaced. You must learn everything there is to learn about your aspirations even more than you do with your jobs. Remember, we are never done learning and we never will. Following your Muse will be a continuous learning experience till the day you lay in peace.
9.) Have a sense of humor
I suspect most of us have a sense of humor about our jobs. Having a sense of humor about your creative endeavors will not only bring you happiness but will keep you from developing health related issues from stressing on the mundane. It will also allows you to ignore any smart remarks by those that are too afraid to follow their dreams and take comfort in the safety of their job. Laugh with them. Having a good life is the best revenge you could get on them.
10.) Receive praise and blame in the real world
Amateurs do not expose themselves to judgment in the real world. If I show my book to a friend and he says, "It's awesome, great book," that's not real world feedback, that's my friend being nice to me. Our creative art is our baby. Our family and friends will never tell us that our baby is ugly. Nothing is as empowering as real-world validation, even if it's for failure. We learn more from our failures than anything else in life, so don't be afraid of it.
Do Not Let Writer's Block Get The Best of You
Amazon Price: Buy Now
(price as of Jul 19, 2016)


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To ensure the sanitary integrity of the production area it is essential to have a floor finish that allows fast and effective cleaning to wash all contaminants out of the area. To achieve this, the floor needs to be seamless and impervious, as well as pitched to a fall with adequate coving and stainless steel drainage incorporated into the finish. To avoid the cost of early refurbishment, these flooring properties are required to be maintained for an extended period of time despite the inevitable wear and tear of a large-scale food manufacturing facility.
To minimise contamination as much as possible in this industry, HACCP International has certified building materials by testing to a high hygiene standard. The Flowfresh range of antimicrobial enhanced, polyurethane floors have been HACCP International certified thanks to its ability to consistently provide a clean, high performance finish within food and beverage environments.
An antimicrobial agent called Polygiene® is also included within every Flowfresh floor. This silver ion based additive is able to inhibit the growth of bacteria by up to 99.9% on the surface of the floor. Flowfresh meets the ISO 22916 standard, which measures a surface's antibacterial effectiveness.
Many food processing environments, such as fish processing or dairy facilities, are prone to wet working conditions. To avoid painful slips and trips the floor can be textured to enhance traction underfoot and make it safer for workers moving around on-site.
Flowcrete Asia recommends the following systems for use in food & beverage environments…
This website uses cookies and other tracking technologies (also known as pixels or beacons) to aid your experience (such as viewing videos), as well as "performance cookies" to analyse your use of this website and to assist with marketing efforts. If you click the "Accept All Cookies" button or continue navigating the website, you agree to having those first and third-party cookies set on your device. If you do not wish to accept cookies from this website, you can choose to not allow cookies from this website by updating your browser preferences. For more information on how we use Cookies, please read our privacy policy.Accept All Cookies


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Our Ecomuseum - Cultural place
Located in Brienne la Vieille
Guardian of Men's memories and their tradition, the Ecomuseum of the Forêt d'Orient was created in order to offer the inhabitants of the Park and visitors from other regions of France and abroad, a place of welcome, information and reflection concerning the rich regional heritage.
- The " Maison des jours et des champs " houses a remarkable collection of tools and farm equipment, witness of the stubborn quest by men to improve farming techniques, from the ancient swing plough to the modern tractor. An audiovisual display evokes the cultural, economic and environmental heritage of the Park.
-The " cartwright's shop " presents you with the workshop of a cartwright and a forge installed in 1900, which has been restored to its original state.
Close by, you can see a former mill from the C16th with its stables, barn, main building as well as machinery such as the sluice gates and dam, in the majestic country landscape of the former lumber floating port.
Further information : Ecomusée de la Forêt d'Orient, F-10500 Brienne-la-Vieille, Tél +33 3 25 92 95 84, firstname.lastname@example.com
Access :
40 km from Troyes
50 km from St Dizier
70 km from Châlons-en-Champagne
Opening times :
opened from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 12 and 2pm to 6pm, opened from 2pm to 6pm on Sundays and bank holidays
Closed on Monday
Closed between 1st December to 28 February.
Wheelchair access .
Tarif :
Children under 12 free
Adult : 1 site : 5 euros – 2 sites : 7euros
Group : 1 site 4 euros – 2 sites 6 euros
Primary school :
-1 site : 1 € - 2 sites : 1,50 €
High school and college :
-1 site : 2 € - 2 sites : 3 €
Special fare is you visit the Ecomuseum, Napoleon Museum, and Treasures from the churches : information in any of those museum.
Further information, click here.
In order to organise your stay, click here.


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The Department of Social Protection pocketed €65million last year because people didn't collect their welfare payments.
Joan Burton revealed over the past three years €217million was returned after the cash was not picked up in time.
She said: "In accordance with long established government accounting rules and procedures, payments routed through An Post are brought to account by the Department for expenditure purposes upon encashment.
"Where customers do not collect the amounts due for payment within a specified period or where customer circumstances change and payments are individually stopped by the Department the payment authorisations go out of date and are regarded as lapsed issues.
She said €83.1million was not collected in 2011, €68.3million in 2012 and €65.6million last year.
Ms Burton revealed the authorisation of the payment lapses but most customers are still entitled to the payment however the Department "does not maintain a cumulative record of issues which have lapsed and are subsequently paid".
The Budget for Ms Burton's department is €19.6billion so the cash is a tiny fraction of the overall allocation.
The Tanaiste also revealed her Department made savings last year and said: "There was an underspend of €23.6million, or 0.2%, on the Department's overall expenditure on schemes, services and administration at the end of June."
The savings have been used to help cover gaps in the health budget but Ms Burton has already laid her mark down ahead of this year's package.
She said: "My view – having looked at the economy and having looked at how things are going – I think that there will be no requirement for further social welfare cuts or indeed cuts in the Department of Education spending."


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Party Bus - 500 piece premium jigsaw puzzle
Regular price
Ready for a party? This fun puzzle features a funky, retro school bus rendered nearly unrecognizable due to it's morphing into the ultimate party bus! Someone's having fun in this bus, evidenced by the legs sticking out the window! And the fringed motorcycle....groovy! Get it now, and let the party begin!
Finished size approx. 20" x 16", ©2018, 500 pieces, sturdy cardboard, ribbon cut.


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Parental controls appsFollow
How to Add Parental Controls
Smartphones have so many great features, but sometimes those features can be used for the wrong things. Below, you'll find several suggestions for adding parental controls to your kids' phones to help make sure they're using them the way you want.
The following are paid apps, but they offer everything you could want in a parental control app:
Norton Family parental control—$50/year
This is probably the most common app because of the trusted Norton name. But it's 50 bucks a year. They also offer a free version with about half the features, so you can try that first and see if you like it. Here's the direct Google Play link: http://goo.gl/vJqI3G.
Funamo Parental Control—$20/device
You might not recognize the name, but this app has a ton of features and deserves a spot on the list. Plus there's only a one-time fee of $20/device, so that's a huge plus if you're thinking of paying for an app. Here's the direct Google Play link: http://goo.gl/bmMOyb.
Here are the free apps, though some of them do have upgrades available for purchase. If you use all of the apps below simultaneously, you can get about the same results as with the paid versions above.
Let Me Spy—This one lets you keep an eye on calls, texts, and the location of the phone. The limitation of the free version is you can only set it up on one phone per account (although you could just create a different account for each phone). It also only keeps track of the last 5 calls, last 5 texts, and the last 3 locations. For most parents that's enough, but if you need more, you can pay to upgrade. To track the information, you use a simple website found at http://www.letmespy.com. And here's the direct Google Play link for the app: http://goo.gl/iFfgw2.
Qustodio Parental Controls—This app helps you monitor and set limits on web usage. It works with both the stock browser and the Chrome browser that come preloaded on the Photon Q. The web monitoring service is free, but if you want to monitor other things, you can pay to upgrade. To access the information, just go to this site: family.qustodio.com. And here's the direct Google Play link for the app: http://goo.gl/8HWJxJ.
Screen Time: Parental Control—This app allows you to set time limits for certain apps or for the whole phone. You can even block access to all apps at certain times of the day automatically, like during school hours or at night. You can set time limits from the device itself, or you can use the app "Screen Time Remote" (http://goo.gl/ZaQoOL) and do it remotely from another device. Here's the direct Google Play link for "Screen Time: Parental Control": http://goo.gl/xoK9KS.


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Donate Your Sweat
The spirit of volunteering, for the passionate and for the conscious who believe
in the power of transformation through 'Shramdan'
get involved
write for us
Believing that you can effect change is the first step.
Yes, you! Have something that motivated you? Have ideas to make this world much better place? This is a unique opportunity to write. 'Donate Your Sweat' encourages experience as well as enthusiastic wordsmiths who would love to try their hands at crafting words that would have a positive impact on life.


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Commercial Law
Advocates Primei provides dedicated support to any sort of business or commercial entity. We provide support to parties entering into a commercial transaction or wanting to set up a new commercial venture. Our services also include support with debt collecting and debt recovery, and support with the setting up of any commercial agreements such as:
- product sales agreements;
- agreements for the supply of plant, machinery and other equipment;
- import and export agreements;
- distribution or agency agreements;
- IP licensing agreements;
- Franchise agreements
We can also help clients set up a Company or Commercial Partnership in Malta, all of which are formed under the Companies Act. We can also assist smaller business ventures to set up as a self-employed or else under a Civil Partnership. Apart from providing the necessary set-up, we can assist clients to register for Income Tax and VAT or to attain an Employment Permit number so as to enable the business venture to employ the necessary personnel to operate the business.
We also assist business with any commercial litigation or proceedings which may arise, including any support in front of the Consumer Complaints Tribunal.
Kindly Contact Us now for further information and advice.


text: Welcome to Ceet Racing USA Thanks for dropping into our new site, it's a work in progress for sure. It's our third site this year! We're hoping that this format will provide our customers the best shopping experience possible. Please feel free to contact via phone at 760-599-0115 or email email@example.com with any questions or via our "Contact Us" page. Regards, CEET RACING Team


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Smyla.uk uses cookies to provide all of its features. By visiting this site you agree to their use. More Information.
DEAT: Easter gift for women
Easter is one of the most loved holidays throughout the year, and is celebrated in millions of homes across the UK and across the world. The beauty of Easter is that every family celebrates it in their own way. Whether by simply giving Easter eggs and cards, or by attending a church service, or by spending the day with family, celebrating the Easter holiday is a huge occasion for countless families. If you've been searching all over the place for the perfect Easter gifts for her, you need look no longer. Here at Gifts.co.uk, we have a fantastic selection of presents for sale, in all shapes and sizes. No matter what, with our enormous selection of Easter gifts for women, you're bound to find something you and your special someone will love.
12 Gifts
In terms of presents, several other holidays overshadow Easter in terms of the giving and receiving of gifts. This can mean that, when it comes to Easter, people are left a running a little low on gift ideas. If this is you, don't worry! We've got you covered at Gifts.co.uk. If you're looking for a few excellent Easter gift ideas for women, we've got a few suggestions on where you should start. Here are a few bits of advice for you to follow, in order to pick the perfect present!
► Who are you buying for this Easter? Easter is a time for giving presents to all those people who mean something to you. It's a time for new beginnings and fresh starts, and this optimistic feeling is often best captured by the exchange of presents. Whether you're buying for your wife, sister, daughter, mother, friends or other relatives, the first step to buying the perfect gift should always be carefully considering the different gifts you should buy, to suit each person.
► What's your message? In some households, Easter is the most religious day of the year. In others, it's a day to eat vast quantities of chocolate and watch repeats of old films on television. Either way, your gifts should reflect the kind of Easter that your friend or loved one celebrates. For those who prefer to consume huge amounts of food, our Stormtrooper Cookie Jar, Eggbot Egg Cup, or R2 D2 Cookie Jar is the perfect choice. For others, our Eco Pod Self Watering Planter will make the ideal gift.
For many couples, Easter is a romantic occasion. When searching for the most perfect Easter gifts for her, don't forget to check out our beautiful Floating Vases, or our completely unique Butterfly Rotating Candle Shade, which casts stunning romantic shadows around the whole room. Whatever your Easter needs, you'll find the perfect present for your friends, loved ones and families right here at Gifts.co.uk. We choose all of our products carefully to ensure the highest possible satisfaction for you, so that you can have the best Easter ever!
© 2020 Geschenke E&B GmbH. All Rights Reserved
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Thousands of women have filed lawsuits against various manufacturers of vaginal mesh products used in bladder and pelvic prolapse surgeries. We represent many of these women, and continue to take new cases. These defective products are still in many women and more lawsuits are expected to be filed. Do you know the symptoms of a failing vaginal mesh or sling product?
I'm happy to report the first two "bellwether" trials have been wins for plaintiffs. Last week, a jury awarded $2 million to Georgia nurse Donna Cisson against CR Bard, Inc. Ms. Cisson underwent several surgeries to remove Bard's Avaulta Plus mesh after she began suffering pain, bleeding and bladder spasms. In February, a jury awarded $11.1 million in compensatory and punitive damages against Ethicon, Inc. to Linda Gross, of South Dakota. She had undergone 18 revision and repair surgeries to fix problems associated with a Gynecare Prolift implant to treat pelvic organ prolapse.
Good News for Other Vaginal Mesh Cases
Here's the significant good news for other women who have filed suit:
- The verdicts show that juries take seriously the injuries women have suffered. The complications often leave women permanently incontinent and unable to enjoy intimate relations because of pain during intercourse (called dyspareunia).
- The verdicts show that juries are not tolerant of corporations putting profits before health, as both resulted in significant punitive damage judgments awarded to punish the companies.
- The evidence presented in the Gross and Cisson trials exposed lax safety measures and inadequate safety testing by manufacturers. This type of behavior was prevalent across manufacturers and similar evidence will be presented in all the cases.
- "Bellwether" cases are considered representative cases. As juries decide these cases, it signals to the defendants how the "wind is blowing" in terms of future outcomes. Steady wins by plaintiffs usually spark reasonable settlement offers for many cases down the road.
Cases Being Heard in Many States
Cases filed to date have been consolidated into what are called Multi District Litigations (MDLs). Thousands of cases are pending before the U.S District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia against Boston Scientific Corp, American Medical Systems, Inc., C.R. Bard, Inc., Ethicon, Inc. Coloplast Corp and Cook Medical Inc. Thousands of cases against many of these manufacturers are also being pursued in consolidated state court venues, including suits against Boston Scientific in Massachusetts and suits against C.R. Bard and Johnson & Johnson in New Jersey.
Other Trials Scheduled
Meanwhile, other cases will continue to move through the legal process. Another MDL trial began Aug. 19 and settled right before opening statements. Two other trials are set for next month. Six additional "bellwether" cases, including some against Boston Scientific, are scheduled for trial: two each in February, June and September of 2014.
Sadly, clients will continue to bear financial and quality of life consequences while the legal process grinds along. Our goals ultimately are to hold the companies accountable for the harm they caused, make sure they compensate the injured women for their suffering, and stop them – and other makers of medical devices – from marketing and selling unsafe products to consumers. These are goals we pledge to reach.


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"I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world." Albert Einstein
The Shoemaker
Mostly inspired by journeys through India, this is a highly creative, surreal image. If you like The Shoemaker creative photography checkout more from the creative category A Journeys End.
The Shoemaker was awarded a gold at the AIPP WA Professional Photography Awards.
- All prices are in Australian dollars
- Print sizes are in inches and refers to the longest side
- Your purchased print will be free of any watermarks shown in the digital version.
- If you would like a digital copy or more information please contact me to discuss further options here: Support
© Copyright Leah Kennedy Photography
Additional information
8 inch rolled print with border, 12 inch rolled print with border, 16 inch rolled print with border, 20 inch rolled print with border, 30 inch rolled print with border, 40 inch rolled print with border, 8 inch print black frame with matboard, 12 inch print black frame with matboard, 16 inch print black frame with matboard, 20 inch print black frame with matboard, 30 inch print black frame with matboard, 40 inch print black frame with matboard, 8 inch print white frame with matboard, 12 inch print white frame with matboard, 16 inch print white frame with matboard, 20 inch print white frame with matboard, 30 inch print white frame with matboard, 40 inch print white frame with matboard
All prints are shipped from Perth, Western Australia. Expected shipping times are a guideline only, delays due to busy periods or shortage of raw materials are possible. If you require your print by a certain date, please contact first to discuss.
Rolled Prints
- Rolled Prints will be shipped in a tube.
- Signature is required on delivery.
- Expected shipping time within Australia is 5 to 10 business days.
- Expected shipping time for international orders is dependent on location and other factors the customer will be notified of expected arrival once shipping has been arranged.
- Unframed prints are generally ready for pick up within 5-10 business days. You will receive an sms, phone call or email once the print is ready for collection.
Framed Prints
- Framed prints will be shipped via courier.
- International delivery is available for framed prints but it is highly recommended that international customers purchase a rolled print and arrange to have it framed locally, this is the most economical and safe option.
- Signature is required on delivery.
- Expected shipping time is 10 to 18 business days within Australia, larger prints may take an extra 5 days.
- Framed prints are generally ready for pick up within 14-30 business days. You will receive an sms, phone call or email once the print is ready for collection.
**International shipping fees are subject to change after an order has been placed, we will always confirm the new shipping fee with a customer before proceeding with the order.**
All prints will be printed on museum grade Canson Fine Art papers, each print will be carefully assessed for the best paper choice. Some of the different types of Canson paper are as follows:
Canson® Infinity Rag Photographique is a 100% cotton museum grade white Fine Art and photo paper. The exceptional smooth white tone is achieved during manufacturing by introducing natural minerals to the process. It has been developed to address the need for continued longevity requirements in the Digital Fine Art market.
Rag Photographique offers a unique extra smooth surface with a sensual feel. It also provides one of the highest achievable Dmax currently available on the market, making it ideal for fine art photography as well as fine art printmaking.
Canson® Infinity Edition Etching Rag is a 100% cotton Fine Art paper with a smooth texture, reminiscent of the original genuine etching and printmaking papers. The paper has the purest white tone available on the market, without any Optical Brightening Agents, also called OBAs. Optical Brightening Agents are artificial brighteners that deteriorate in time. Canson® Edition Etching Rag offers a high paper shade stability and a resistance to aging by using natural minerals.
This museum-grade paper provides deep blacks, excellent image sharpness, optimum colour graduation and its unique slight grain makes it ideal for printing detailed work, colour photographs and exceptional black and white portraits.
- The finished artwork is framed and strung at the back ready to hang.
- A white border sits between the print and the frame, this border depends on the size ordered but in most cases will be 3-6cm.
- A finished framed print will be larger than the selected print size. The listed size is always the size of the printed image.
- For prints up to 60cm on the longest side a 30mm wide x 20mm deep frame is used.
- For prints 80cm on the longest side and larger a 40mm wide x 35mm deep frame is used.
- Please allow for a few centimetres discrepancy when measuring your wall space, our borders may vary in size.
- Our frames use museum grade plexiglass. Plexiglass is light ideal for shipping.
- Standard glass can be arranged by request only, please contact before ordering.
- TRU VUE Ultra Vue UV70 glass is available by request. TRU VUE is a premium glass that is best for the longevity of a fine art print. Please contact before ordering to arrange.
- Non-reflective material has a matte quality to it in order to diffuse reflected light. This is available in both glass or acrylic. Acrylic is standard if you require non reflective glass please contact before ordering.


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The basic takeaway is this-- in no states in the US do the majority of students finish college in four years. Virginia is up top with 46%, with Nevada and DC bringing up the rear at 8.75% and 3% respectively. There's also a graphic for six-year graduation rate, but that picture isn't very pretty, either.
Of course, what's missing from the story is some perspective. So with some very quick and unsubtle help from my research assistant, Dr. von Google, I checked to see if this looked any worse than the US track record. I did nothing more strenuous than what any person with a computer, a desk, and a half hour to kill (or spend researching a story) could do.
Here's a 2010 piece by our old friend Kevin Carey at the awesomely named blog The Quick and the Ed. The title gives away the game-- "U.S. College Graduation Rate Stays Pretty Much Exactly the Same."
Carey makes two points. One is that looking at percent of adults with college degrees doesn't show much movement in the US over time-- about 30% "four year" degrees plus another 10% associate degrees. That fits with this 2002 chart from the OECD that shows US degrees are about the same for both the young generation and the older.
The source for the infographics was a site called Find the Best which is a fun little site that crunches numbers for everything under the sun. But my search of the site turned up neither this particular project not the methodology for it-- all we know is that they used IPEDS data. So, grains of salt at the ready.
I found other interesting charts and data sets, like this one looking at college completion rates for African American students/athletes
That came from the same article as this chart, with the article acknowledging that students who droped ou and finished elsewhere counted against the institution at which they started.
* From 1979 to 1997 there is a growing gap between rich and poor students in terms of college entrance, persistance, and graduation
* There is also a growing gender gap-- women are outpacing men
* However, the inequity gap grew much more sharply among women than men
Or there's this graphic, from CAP of all places
In fact, simple straightforward data about college completion rates is not all that prevalent, suggesting that this yet another conversation we're having without the benefit of lots of facts.
But more than that, I want to point out that once again, we're looking at lazy reporting. It has been literally forty-five minutes since I sat down and started working on this story. How hard would it be for someone who is doing journalism as their actual Real Job to spend some time adding some context, nuance and data to a story instead of just saying, "Wow-- cool graphics. And I can write the whole story in one sentence." Yes, I realize criticizing HuffPo journalistic standards is a little like criticizing Arctic beaches, but being HuffPo is not an excuse to be lazy.
This is a complicated issue, from the assumptions we start with (exactly why is it critical that a college degree be completed in four years) to the data we look at (how can we really know how many people started and finished when they move around so much). It deserves more than a quick couple of infographics that by themselves don't tell us much of anything.


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It's another busy day in the ED when an elderly female comes in from triage with fever, cough, and new oxygen requirement. Even before the patient comes back you are concerned for pneumonia with sepsis. The patient is tachycardic and hypotensive with a shock index greater than one. You institute early antibiotics and fluids and systematically begin to aggressively resuscitate her. The patient requires nearly four liters of normal saline before her blood pressure stabilizes. Your attending suggests that your liberal use of normal saline will induce a hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis, and perhaps you should have used lower chloride containing fluid, like lactated ringers. You perform a brief literature review on the topic of balanced resuscitation using lower chloride containing fluids.
Literature Review:
|Strong Ion Difference (Kishen et al)
The main difference between normal saline and balanced fluids, such as lactated ringers, is the strong ions difference (SID), that is, the difference between cations (e.g. Na+) and anions (e.g. Cl-). Normal saline has a SID of zero (equal parts Na+ and Cl-) where as Lactated ringers has a SID of 28, which is due to the additional cations such as Ca+, K+, and lower anion (Cl-) content. Importantly, normal plasma SID content ranges from 38-44mmol/L, therefore balanced fluids more closely approximates physiologic SID. As the SID becomes narrower, as is the case with significant normal saline administration, a non-gap metabolic acidosis develops. [1]
The use of normal saline in large volumes has been shown to produce a reliable drop in serum pH as demonstrated by Scheinraber et al, in a study among patients undergoing elective surgery. [2] However, the development of a hyperchloremic acidosis is of unclear clinical significance. Early animal models in dog kidneys demonstrated that compared to non-chloride fluids, chloride containing solution led to renal vasoconstriction and decline in glomerular filtration rate. Similarly a randomized, double blind crossover study in healthy humans demonstrated a significant reduction in renal blood flow and renal tissue perfusion, after the administration of two liters of normal saline compared to low chloride (98 mEq/L) Plasma-Lyte solution. [3] However, the effect of isotonic saline in acutely ill patients is still not as clear. A prospective cohort study among 175 ICU patients demonstrated that higher chloride levels (109.4 vs 115.1mEq) was an independent factor for increased mortality, although a limitation of this study was they could not distinguish the cause of hyperchloremia (iatrogenic, renal dysfunction, or endogenous hyperchloremia) [4]
A large retrospective cohort study of critically ill adults with
vasopressor dependent sepsis showed lower in-hospital mortality in patients who
received balanced (lower chloride) fluids versus isotonic saline, 19.6% versus
22.8% (RR 0.86; 95% CI,0.78-0.94). A limitation of this study was that patients
receiving balanced solutions were younger, less likely to have chronic heart
and renal failure, and more likely to receive steroids, colloids and invasive
monitoring. [5] A 2014 retrospective study in 109,836 patients that met SIRS
criteria and received crystalloid fluid resuscitation, showed that low-chloride
loads were associated with lower in-hospital mortality. This mortality
difference remained even after adjustment for severity of illness and total
fluid volume administered. [6]
|Traditional and 'balanced' fluid content (crashingpatient.com)
Similarly, a before and after study by Yunos et al involving 1644 ICU patients, reported the use of chloride-restricted fluids was associated with lower serum creatinine and decreased rates of renal replacement therapy (6 vs 10%) compared to controls. Like the study by Shaw et al, the difference was independent of severity of illness or total fluid volume administered. However, as mentioned by the authors, determining which component of lower-chloride fluid may have led to the observed effect is difficult, as there was simultaneous administration of lower sodium content, as well as increase in the administration of acetate, lactate, and gluconate. Importantly, this study showed no difference in mortality. [7][8]
Take home points: Administration of large volume of isotonic saline is associated with a metabolic acidosis. Animal models have demonstrated decreased renal perfusion with chloride containing fluids. Several retrospective studies indicate that chloride is an independent risk factor for mortality in acutely ill patients. More and more literature in humans seems to indicate that a 'balanced resuscitation' may decrease morbidity, and possibly mortality, in patients receiving large volumes of crystalloids as part of their resuscitation. A single nonrandomized study demonstrated a correlation between low chloride fluids and decreased use of renal replacement therapy. Blinded, randomized, prospective studies are needed to further elucidate this observed effect.
Expert Commentary:
Dr. Schwarz, an Assistant Professor here at Wash U, and both an Emergency Physician and Toxicologist has provided some of his own thoughts on the topic.
First, I'd like to thank Louis for picking a great topic and generating discussion about a very important subject. I initially became interested in this topic a few years ago. Originally, I was much more interested in the mechanism by which normal saline (NS) caused a non-anion gap metabolic acidosis, and that's when I learned about the strong ion difference and a 'balanced resuscitation.' As a full disclosure while I found the pathophysiology really interesting, I initially didn't think it had much clinical relevance. However as more investigators have studied this, I've come to believe that my initial impressions were incorrect and changed my practice.
The last time I reviewed the literature, I didn't see a randomized, controlled trial comparing resuscitation with NS and lactated ringers in the ED. However I do believe that there are studies out there that are applicable to the ED. A retrospective study compared patients undergoing elective or emergent general surgery that received either NS or a 'balanced fluid.'1 Unadjusted mortality and the number of patients developing major complications were higher in the group that received NS; after adjusting with propensity scoring, the mortality was no longer significantly different between the 2 groups. However, patients that received NS were 4.8 times more likely to require dialysis. In a meta-analysis of patients with sepsis, patients that received a 'balanced resuscitation' had a lower mortality than patients receiving NS.2 The trend, however, was not significant.
In a promise to keep this short, I won't review all the other literature that has been published on this topic and kept the discussion on the 2 articles that I did include short. I'll also concede that the literature is not perfect, and as I mentioned earlier, I'm also still waiting for that perfect ED-based study to be completed. However the cost of NS or a 'balanced solution' such as lactated ringers is nearly equivalent. I'm also not aware of significant complications from administering lactated ringers in most patients. So when the risks, costs, and benefits of implementing a 'balanced resuscitation' verses a standard resuscitation with NS are viewed together, I think there is enough evidence to consider changing your resuscitation strategy.
Now like many EDs, lactated ringers is not kept in our department. It is on shortage but so is NS. Neither of those are reasons not to use it. So what do I do? Since I haven't been able to convince pharmacy to keep lactated ringers in the ED yet, I do my best to guess early on which patients are going to need large-volume resuscitations. If I think they are going to likely need more than 2-3 liters of fluid, I order additional lactated ringers from the pharmacy when I place their initial orders. In an hour after the patient has received the first few liters of NS, the lactated ringers should be there from the pharmacy. If they need further resuscitation I can use it or return if they no longer need it. For those that are interested to read more about this topic, I'd direct you to the upcoming May 2015 edition of Emergency Physicians Monthly. From my understanding, it's brilliantly written! (Sorry for my shameless plug)
Jamtgaard References:
[1] Kishen R, Honoré PM, Jacobs R, et al. Facing acid–base disorders in the third millennium – the Stewart approach revisited. International Journal of Nephrology and Renovascular Disease. 2014;7:209-217. doi:10.2147/IJNRD.S62126.
[2] Scheingraber et al. Rapid Saline infusions produces hyperchloremic acidosis in patients undergoing gynecologic surgery. Anesthesiology 1999;90;1265
[3] Chowdhury A et al. . A randomized, controlled, double-blind crossover study on the effects of 2-L infusions of 0.9% saline and plasma-lyte® 148 on renal blood flow velocity and renal cortical tissue perfusion in healthy volunteers. Ann Surg. 2012;256(1):18-24
[4] Boniatti MM et al. Is hyperchloremia associated with mortality in critically ill patients? A prospective cohort study. J Crit Care. 2011;26:175–179. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrc.2010.04.013
[5] Raghunathan K, Shaw A, Nathanson B et al. Association between the choice of IV crystalloid and in-hospital mortality among critically ill adults with sepsis*. Crit Care Med 2014; 42: 1585–91
[6] Shaw A et al. Association between intravenous chloride load during resuscitation and in-hospital mortality among patients with SIRS. Intensive Care Medicine. 2014;40(12):1897-1905. doi:10.1007/s00134-014-3505-3.
[7] Waikar SS, Saving the Kidneys by Sparing Intravenous Chloride?.JAMA. 2012;308(15):1583-1585. doi:10.1001/jama.2012.14076.
[8] Yunos N et al. Association between a chloride-liberal vs chloride restrictive intravenous fluid administration strategy and kidney injury in critically ill adults. JAMA 2012; 308: 1566– 72.
Schwarz References
1. Shaw et al. Major Complications, Mortality, and Resource Utilization after Open Abdominal Surgery: 0.9% saline compared to Plasma-Lyte. Ann Surg 2012;255:821-829.
2. Rochwerg et al. Fluid Resuscitation in Sepsis. A Systematic Review and Network Meta Analysis. Ann Intern Med 2014;161:347-355.
Faculty Reviewed by Evan Schwarz @TheSchwarziee


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Racine restaurant owners arrested, accused of money laundering
The owners of the Dynasty Family Restaurant in Racine were arrested Friday following federal indictments accusing them of using the business to launder drug money.
According to Racine police and the indictments charging Abigail and Norberto Rapeta with money laundering-interstate commerce, the two used proceeds from a large-scale cocaine distribution operation that involved Abigail's brother to open the restaurant and buy vehicles and other properties.
The two have used the restaurant to launder more drug proceeds since 2005. The business and other properties, which have been frozen by the government, could be subject to forfeiture, according to the indictments.
The indictments do not indicate the amount of cocaine or money involved and Racine police said they would release no further information on the case.
Abigail Rapeta's brother, Osiel Jaimes, is charged in federal court with distributing a controlled substance.


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While subscription boxes are an objectively good idea, curating truly exceptional monthly mail-outs is a delicate art. Balancing the marketing interests of company clients along with consumer demands, all for a good price, is tricky! Plus, we cannabis consumers are diverse: Who is to say that one cannabis-themed subscription will satisfy the masses when we're all so different?
Cannabis accessory company Daily High Club's latest box is brought to you by Tommy Chong, the marijuana icon featured in a various movies (that, admittedly, I've never been able to watch all the way through), and who is a certified cannabis brand in his own right! So of course, given Chong's gravitas, I was curious to see what was inside the box.
In my eyes, the most significant item was a train-shaped bong. I thought this might have been a nod to when Chong played a deputy in Railroad to Hell: A Chinaman's Chance (yes, that's real movie), though it could also be that what they're calling the Chong Express is a reference to the Polar Express? Whatever may be the inspiration behind the bong, the bowl is nice and far from the mouth opening for those of us who don't like our eyelashes or hair close to flames.
The box also contains a fresh-smelling car air freshener that is "Christmas"-scented and features a loose drawing of Chong wearing a Santa hat. Additionally, it featured a quality, refillable lighter and a useful plastic portable grinder that even has a little kief chamber!
I also love the Zen Effen Vaporpaper, nestled into the corner of the box, which is tasteless, ultra-thin hemp rolling paper that makes you feel just a teensy bit better about smoking than regular papes. I'm less excited, however, about the box's inclusion of the Royal Blunts XXL OGK wrappers, since they are very heavily flavored with some kind of synthetic grape flavor. Gross! But most of the box's contents are useful — the RAW cone will also be used over the holidays for sure.
The price is right for all of these goodies, but if you're buying a subscription box for a friend, shop around for one that's even more tailored to their personality. Plain ol' "stoner" doesn't really mean anything anymore.
$29.99 USD/month at Daily High Club


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Dr. Solomon Passy is a Bulgarian computer scientist, statesman, innovator, TEDx speaker and start-up founder. As a Foreign Affairs Minister in the Government of King Simeon II (2001-2005), he negotiated and signed Bulgaria's Accession Treaties to NATO and the EU. As Bulgaria's representative, he chaired the UN Security Council (2002-2003) and was Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE (2004). He chaired the Bulgarian Parliamentary Committees of Defence and Foreign Affairs (2001, 2005-2009).
Dr. Passy is the founding President of the Atlantic Club of Bulgaria (1990) - the only pro-Atlantic NGO in the Soviet Union dominated Warsaw Pact. He became the first non-NATO Vice-President of the Atlantic Treaty Association, ATA. Solomon & Gergana Passy triggered the EU legislation introducing the universal Pan-European USB charger for mobile phones (2008-2014), the Pan-European EU #WiFi4EU policy (2011-2017) and are currently developing in India an iSOSu app for smartphones.
Dr. Passy also launched the i-Democracy theory, the informed computerized democracy - a vehicle to national happiness.
The Passy Peak on Livingston Island in Antarctica is named after Solomon Passy in appreciation of his role in organizing the Bulgarian Antarctic campaigns and the upgrade of St. Kliment Ohridski base in 1993-96.


text: GPI Prototype utilizes the latest technology and software coupled with years of industry expertise to generate optimal outputs for 3D scanning projects of our customers. GPI provides customers with high-end precision 3D scanning services for both consumer and industrial applications. With years of experience reverse engineering parts and prototypes for plastic injection molds, medical parts, dental products and much more, our comprehensive engineering solutions can rapidly decrease the time to market for your ideas.3D Scanners are devices that analyze a real-world object or environment to collect data on its shape and appearance, data that can then be used to construct digital 3D models useful for a wide variety of applications. The purpose of the 3d scanner is to create a point cloud of geometric samples on the surface of the subject, which are used to reconstruct the shape of the subject.The LMI Technologies HDI Advance 3D Scanner at GPI Prototype uses a pair of machine vision cameras for capturing high resolution and accurate 3D scans using white light technology. The 3D scanner captures a single scan at up to 45μm (0.0018") accuracy and generates up to 2.6 million points (5.2 million polygons) per scan. 3D Scanning Example Part SizesSmall 1 inch parts up to 24 inches cubed ResolutionAverage Points: 2.6 million per scanAverage Polygons: 5.2 million per scan Point to Point Distance200mm diagonal field of view: 0.075mm400mm diagonal field of view: 0.165mm600mm diagonal field of view: 0.250mm Accuracy200mm diagonal field of view: 45μm (0.0018")400mm diagonal field of view: 75μm (0.0030")600mm diagonal field of view: 105μm (0.0041") If you have a part or object you would like 3d scanned, please give us the opportunity to quote your next project. After scanning we will send you a STEP, IGES, or native SOLIDWORKS file that can be used to replicate the object via 3d printing.


text:
–> Details of the church location, time, call-in number are at the bottom of this post. <–
This week, students of Christian Science around the globe (and others who have access to the C.S. Bible Lesson) got to study a lesson that, among other things, describes a new-old way of worship. It talks about one-time sacrifices – i.e. goats or lambs, way back when, and perhaps monetary offerings today – not being the end-all be-all of connecting with God. (Though, often, those kinds of sacrifices were, and still are, pointing people's hearts in the right direction.)
The new-old sacrifice?
Us. Everything we might think of as ourselves. Egos; opinions; plans for how our lives are supposed to go; desires for happiness to come in a certain form – even, sometimes, the desire to be loved by a particular person, or by certain people; identifying ourselves as physical beings; and the worries, fears, and diseases that threaten the world and also try to claim us. And more. Anything that would point away from God, i.e. holy Love, as being the thing that's in charge of every single part of life, we get to give up.
I love that self-sacrifice is one of Christianity's essential themes. It's not easy to give up habits, life choices, ways of thinking that bring us satisfaction or point us down the path of a self-satisfied life. In fact, more often than not, it can feel wicked difficult. But oh, man… does it feel good when we do.
(Some super tuned-in, wise people over the ages have figured that out and told us all about it and how awesome it is. And now we get to do it ourselves. Pretty amazing.)
The thing is, self-sacrifice might not be a popular idea with the world… but, then again, since when has pure spirituality ever been popular with materialism? Prolly never, I'd guess.
You're welcome to come join in at our service tomorrow, in person or on the phone, to collectively/individually consider these ideas some more. For now, I'll leave you with one of Paul's behests, found in the Bible lesson this week:
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
–Romans 12:1, 2, King James Version
the JP Church clerk
Details about tomorrow's (Sunday) service:
Eastern Bank community room, 687 Centre St, JP
(605) 475-4000 x.636128 – for remote attendees
10:35am – 11:35am-ish, EDT
-An hour of singing, contemplative prayer, readings from the Bible and Science and Health, and pure love.


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Honey Roast Chicken
I'm a little short on time but I can sum up this chicken in a couple words: juicy, flavorful, delicious…and totally worth your time (even if you are short on it, like me).
I had never made roast chicken before and just like all big pieces of raw poultry, the task scared me a bit. But I'm happy to report I have successfully overcome my fears.
This chicken was just absolutely unbelievable. Not only that, but instead of halving the recipe (which you could totally do), I went crazy and cooked two whole chickens. For my little family. Which means I had tons of wonderful, perfect chicken meat to use in leftovers. And I will never complain about that.
This week, I'll be sharing some delicious menu sides to pair with a meal like this. The one up tomorrow will change the way you feel about a lumpy, well-known veggie. I promise. It nearly changed my life.
I serve this with cheesy potatoes, rolls, a green salad and steamed veggie and sometimes we load the tender chicken onto rolls with mustard and sharp cheddar cheese and stuff our faces that way.
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Honey Roast Chicken
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text:
Where were you born? In Toronto.
How long have you been in the business? I started in 1980 as a travel consultant for Eaton's Travel at the Eaton Centre in Toronto. I did that for a year, and went to university and worked part time in the industry until I graduated. I've also worked with Thomas Cook, Marlin and CAA. I've been at ACTA now since May.
How many people work for you? There are about 10 of us.
What's the best part of the job so far? Getting out and meeting our members and hearing about their challenges and opportunities. By the end of this month I'll have done trips to Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Canada and the West. I've immensely enjoyed learning from the grass roots people and meeting our industry partners.
What did you want to be as a kid? A forest ranger.
What was your 1st ever job? Doing birthday parties at McDonalds, when I was 15. I learned a lot about customer service.
What's the scariest thing you've ever done? Skydiving, here in Ontario.
Any guilty pleasures? That would be wine and travel.
What's your favourite airline? My favourite airline experience was with Qantas. It seemed you got on board, went to sleep, woke up, had breakfast, lunch and dinner, went to sleep and you were still on that darned plane. But the crew were such fun and so entertaining.
Favourite hotel? The Maurice in Paris. Great location for the perfect Parisian vacation.
What's on your tablet? We have a year-round cottage so I look at the weather network to check on the forecast. Plus lots of recipes – I love to cook – as well as Facebook, LinkedIn and so on. I like to connect a lot with my community.
What do people not know about you? I worked for a year in the wine industry.
Any hobbies or interests? Oh yes! I love to hike and do hiking trips here in Ontario and last year a multi-day trip on the Appalachian Trail. And of course, wine!
When were you happiest? At my cottage surrounded by my family. And when travelling! Three years ago for my father's 80th birthday 16 of us went to Europe and that was such a joy.
What skill or talent do you admire in someone? Professionally, I really admire people who can communicate their passion. On a more personal level, the ability to sing.
Is there anything you won't eat? I'm a vegetarian so there's lots I don't eat! And when it comes to vegetables, when I was 8 I swore a parsnip would never pass my lips again.
What's at the top of your bucket list? I would like to do a hike in Costa Rica.
Ever had a brush with fame? There's a TV show filmed in Toronto called Suits and recently on the street I spotted Mike from the show. He waved to me so we did have a moment (laughs).
What keeps you awake at night? The wellbeing of my kids, who are both at university now.
How do you spend your frequent flyer points? Travelling here and there on whimsical trips such as weekend getaways.
What is your greatest extravagance? Travel.
How do you stay fit when you travel? If I'm in an urban setting I like to walk, walk and walk. I'll also rent a bike and try to get inside the destination.
If you could change one thing about the industry what would it be? I'd like to see us all working together: suppliers, agents, governments, airports… we all need to focus on the bigger picture of a vital industry.
If you could sit next to anyone on a long-haul flight, who would it be? Bill Gates, for his entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropy. He is truly trying to make the world a better place.
Do you have a favourite charity? The Canadian Diabetes Association and War Amps Champs program. They are both incredible.
What will be the biggest challenge for the industry in the next 12 months? The ongoing weak Canadian dollar and the need to improve agency revenues.
What do you hope to be doing in 10 years? I see myself close to retirement, travelling more, working more part-time and perhaps connecting wine and travel.