text:
News from Aramon
Check out all the latest happenings at Aramon ski resorts, from new lifts to terrain expansions, in addition to Aramon weather forecasts, photo galleries, infographics and current events skiers and mountain travelers should know about. Stay up-to-date on Aramon ski resort news and events by clicking on articles from the list below or page through to see Aramon coverage from the entire ski season.
First Snow For Spanish Pyrenees
Formigal in Spain has reported the first snow of the season on their ski mountain's slopes.
New Cerler Snowpark Is Spain's LargestA new terrain park which has opened at Cerler in Spain this week claims to be the largest in the country.
Big Snowfalls in the Alps and PyreneesSnowfalls of up to 80cm (nearly three feet) have been reported by ski resorts in the Alps and Pyrenees over the pas...
Get More From OnTheSnow
Get snow reports, weather, forecasts, news and ski conditions for your favorite ski resorts.
More Snow In The Pyrenees
The Pyrenees has been spared the worse of the cold snap further north and has been receiving significant new snowfall daily all week.
17th August 2012
Sierra Nevada first to open in Pyrenees
Sierra Nevada currently has 35 kilometres of open terrain and 100cm of snow on the upper slopes.
8th December 2011
A metre of powder falls on The Alps
100cm of snow has fallen in the Swiss and Austrian Alps over the last two days.
7th December 2011
Meribel to open new snowpark
Plans have been released for a DC Area 43 Snowpark in Meribel this winter.
5th December 2011
Head east for cheapest ski deals
The 2011 Ski Resort Report names Bulgaria as this winter's bargain ski destination.
23rd October 2011
Formigal Expands On And Off The Slopes
Formigal has built a new boardercross slope, expanded the terrain park, as well as opened a new restaurant, bar, and nightclub.
28th February 2011
Make 'Fresh Tracks' In Avoriaz, Verbier, Livigno, Formigal
Nissan's Fresh Tracks experience offers the chance to hit the slopes before anyone else.
7th February 2011
Formigal Makes Improvements On And Off The Slopes
Formigal has expanded its winter facilities with two new slopeside restaurants and a traditional sleigh ride.
25th January 2010
Formigal Offers Free Lift Passes To UK Skiers
UK skiers can bag free ski passes in Formigal when booking ski holidays through Crystal, Neilson, Thomson, Igluski.com or Ifyouski.com.
25th January 2010
New Year Brings Much-Needed Snow To The Pyrenees
The New Year brought fresh snow to the Pyrenean ski resorts of Andorra, Spain, and France.
11th January 2010
Best Aramon Hotels
Photos Aramon


text:
"Disconnect" 30" x 40". Top.
The Dam. Collection of the artist.
Article about my work in Nov-Dec issue.
"What's That Sound?" Top 18" x 24"
"Wild Appaloosa" 14" x 18"
"Song From the Flats" 20x24"
"The Girls" 18x24" Sold.
I love to paint Eastern Washington's Columbia Basin sagebrush country. I have been painting for many years, and have found my passion for sand and sagebrush. My work is somewhat impressionistic, trying more to capture the light and colors of an area. Many of my paintings are of the Coulee area that I admire so much and grew up in. I am drawn to the colors of sagebrush and sand, the Columbia River region and the surrounding area. It has been a good journey, so please enjoy the paintings!
Please visit me on Facebook for the latest paintings sent directley to you. Search Nora Egger Artist, and press the "Like" icon.
Prints Available at fineartamerica.com
All of my works are original oils. "Arrowroot Balsam" 12x16" SOLD.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Muslim mob burns Christian homes in Pakistan
Until Pakistan's politicians are prepared to speak out against the country's outmoded blasphemy laws, it will continue its slow descent back to the middle ages
Sawan Masih, a Christian sanitary worker in Lahore, Pakistan, decided to go for a casual drink with his Muslim friend, Shahid Imran, last Wednesday. The two friends would frequently meet up for a drink after work and discuss topical issues. On this occasion, however, as they sat sipping their alcoholic beverages, and breaking the law in the process, they became embroiled in a debate about religion.
No one, except Sawan and Shahid, knows precisely what was said but the next day Shahid, whilst shaking off his hangover, decided to accuse Sawan of insulting Islam, thus declaring him in breach of Pakistan's controversial and archaic blasphemy laws. On Friday, Sawan was arrested and incarcerated, pending an investigation into what had been said during the drunken row.
By Saturday, a frenzied and blood-thirsty mob of 3000 extremist lunatics had been galvanised and decided they wanted revenge. They entered the largely Christian area of Badami Bagh in Lahore looking for Sawan, forced the residents to flee their homes, looted the houses of any valuables, and set the remaining contents on fire. Over 170 homes and businesses were burnt and ransacked, whilst hundreds fled leaving their livelihoods behind. The Police arrived but they were pelted with stones by the mob, some of them were injured.
Disgusted? Repulsed? Seething with uncontrollable rage? Any decent-minded person would be. But this is Pakistan, land of the pure, so let's be honest, you're not really surprised. This is a country in which the only way to avoid offending someone is to seal your mouth and hide in a jungle; a country in which peaceful co-existence is about as likely as Abu Qatada getting deported back to Jordan.
Amidst the misery and pain of events in Badami Bagh, however, there are few consolations. Putting aside the usual condemnations, which don't really help anyone, news of the mob violence caused several spontaneous protests to erupt in many major Pakistani cities. At least 130 people have already been arrested over the attacks and, according to a spokesperson for the Punjabi Provincial government, are going be tried in anti-terrorist courts. Compensation packages for the victims have also been announced and rebuilding of homes is already being discussed.
But, of course, none of these measures will do much to make minority communities in Pakistan feel any safer. Christians, Shias, Hindus and Ahmedis continue to be attacked and killed in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and there is no good reason to believe things are about to get any better for them.
It is rare for Pakistani authorities to act so swiftly when such events occur, but then again it is election season and politicians are keen to display competence and concern.
What politicians are not prepared to do is get to the root of the problem and speak out against the outmoded blasphemy laws and the manner in which they can be, and frequently are, abused. Senior politicians in the past, including a prominent Pakistani Christian politician, have been killed for doing just that.
It is difficult to end on a positive note when talking about Pakistan. The country seems to be slowly heading back towards the middle ages as the rest of the world looks to the future; I have run out of adjectives and phrases to describe the mess that it is in. When it comes to Pakistan these days, words fail.
Ghaffar Hussain is a counter terrorism expert and Contributing Editor to The Commentator
Latest on the blog
- Does socialism work? A classroom experiment
- Hackers impersonate M&S CEO Steve Rowe in £35 'free gift voucher' scam
- REVEALED: Claudia Lawrence 'Mystery Man' CCTV enhanced in cold case review
- The truth about Thatcher and the steel industry
- More than one third of workers 'feel closer to colleagues' despite Covid-19 lockdown
We are wholly dependent on the kindness of our readers for our continued work. We thank you in advance for any support you can offer.


text:
The game starts with the hero being suddenly transformed into a young woman and brought into a world far more corrupt and perverse than ours. Now he (she) has to somehow survive in that new harsh reality, where she is often unwittingly pushed into all kinds of sexual situations.
It's a TWINE-made game. It currently consists of well over a hundred heavy content-filled passages (pages) with several major branches and a few possible outcomes, some of which are to be continued in the later versions. Thus, it has a high replayability value. Overall, it should probably be worth a couple hours of gameplay or so at the moment. The game mechanics is ready, and the world is more or less interactive (your stats, achievements, reputation, clothes, etc. change depending on your choices, though the world's dynamic reaction to them will be implemented more fully later).
What I like in adult games:
What I don't like in adult games:
If you feel like supporting my efforts, there's a donate button in the game, you're most welcome to use it, it will speed up the creation of the next version considerably. If you don't - enjoy the game anyway! Also, your comments and reviews would be most appreciated!
The hero gets transformed into a young woman and teleported to a new, unknown world where the majority is poor and the rich minority indulges in all sorts of carnal pleasures. You can consider him one of those several hundred thousand people going missing every year for no apparent reason, I guess.
Now he (she) has to survive in the new reality, using any means available to her. Or not, that really depends on your choices, though you might find yourself forced to fight if you are unwilling to surrender to the pressure of others, and losing might lead to even more shame.
In the new world you will discover new technologies and (presumably) some magic, as well as new kinds of moral standards and situations unthinkable in our world.
The game has a high replayability value, you can't view all content in one walkthrough.
There are basically 5 branches leading to 3 possible outcomes at the moment, one of which is an ending. To access 2 of those 3 outcomes you need to win the fight in the bus and then choose certain actions. There also is a number of smaller variations leading to different kinds of scenes.
The labyrinth can actually be exited through one of the events, though it might take a while (or not, depending on your luck). Make sure to see all there is to see in it before you leave, however. If you don't see the game ending notification at the bottom of the page, then it ain't over, and there is yet more to explore.
Finally, your stats and characteristics change depending on your choices and actions. Don't go from Stats to the Characteristics menu and vice versa directly, though, because you'll end up in an endless loop and won't be able to return to the game without reloading or restarting it. Instead, use the Back button to return to the game, then go to the Stats or Characteristics or whatever.
Looks good, can't wait to see what's coming next
Excellent start.
The Good:
The "Needs improvement":
I thought you had a substantial amount of content, though I hope the 0.9 version number doesn't indicate you are 90% of the way through content. Writing was good, though it dwelt on kinks like digital penetration that I don't find all that interesting. You seem to have edited this pretty well, since I saw only a few minor typos. All in all, a very promising start.
Looks good for a beta, content of course is still limited, but what is there seem promising.
I'd say try it out.
Not bad. What's available so far is interesting to play and is written quite well, but the content is still short right now for a beta so it's difficult to write a full review.
Plenty of interactivity, but the noted bugs are something to be careful of. Please continue this work.


text:
Travel arrangements and prices detailed on www.visitnewcastle.com.au are drawn directly from the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse. City of Newcastle has taken due care and responsibility to verify and check all information on www.visitnewcastle.com.au as at the time of compilation. However, as the relevant operators on this website supply this information, it accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracy or misdescription contained within this website or information as so supplied.
All maps, photographs, illustrations and computer-based graphics are included for general purposes only and are not always indicative of the subject matter. Hotel room photographs (graphics) may not be specific to the actual room occupied. Maps are not to scale.


text:
Recommended Links
The following are links to recommended organizations and web sites that provide information on learning disabilities, ADHD, and other issues.
You can also see this list organized by type of organization, by focus, or by audience.
This campaign is targeted to Latino families who believe that college is out of reach for their children. The DVD and website offer parents a step-by-step overview of the college application process and additional resources.
Youth In Focus works for social justice by training underrepresented Youth and adult allies in Youth-led action Research, Evaluation and Planning (Youth REP). Our work is rooted in the belief that youth can effectively partner with adults to address social and organizational challenges, and that these partnerships are crucial to making just, democratic, and sustainable social change.
Youth Service America (YSA) is a resource center and the premier alliance of 200+ organizations committed to increasing the quantity and quality of opportunities for young Americans to serve locally, nationally, or globally. YSA's mission is to strengthen the Effectiveness, Sustainability, and Scale of the youth service movement.


text:
A national survey reveals the importance of mining to Chile and Chileans and uncovers a wealth of information on benefits and impacts of mining that contribute to public acceptance and the industry's 'social licence to operate'.
The development of the mining sector over recent years has been integral to the rapid development of the Chilean economy. Yet mining must also demonstrate that it has a 'social licence to operate' among those communities in the regions where it operates and within society more broadly.
This research aims to bring the voice of the citizens of Chile, on whose behalf Chile's mineral and energy resources are managed, into the centre of a conversation about the role of the mining industry in our society.
To better understand what Chileans think about mining, CSIRO conducted a survey of 1 598 Chileans in late 2013. The survey results are published in the report Chilean attitudes toward mining: Citizen Survey - 2014 Results and data from the survey can be explored from a data portal (see below).
The survey helps us to understand how the impacts and benefits of mining, and the relationship between the mining industry, government and society, affects acceptance of mining among Chile's citizens. It also sheds light on what constitutes a 'social licence to operate' for mining in Chile.
This research goes beyond basic descriptive accounts of attitudes towards extractive industries to examine the relationship between mining and society in a more constructive and sophisticated way.
It explores what factors influence trust in the extractive industries and the government regarding the development of mining, for example, the relationship between good governance and social acceptance of the extractive industries, and identify key issues for the extractive industries and related stakeholders to facilitate a productive dialogue.
This survey forms part of a larger CSIRO program of work examining the relationship between mining and society at different scales.
Key findings from the survey reveal:
We partner with small and large companies, government and industry in Australia and around the world.


text:
If you are shopping for a new home, you are probably looking for some advice that will help you get the home of your dreams without spending much money. Complex purchases may require that you get the advice of a real estate attorney.
If you have or plan to have a big family, you need to find a home that will be big enough for everyone. Steep stairs or swimming pools are items to closely examine if you have children in the home. Houses that have been home to children will ensure that it is safe for future families to enjoy as well.
Buying commercial property can be easier if you have a partner that you can trust. This can make it easier for you to get qualified for the loan needed when buying the property. When you have someone else willing to share the purchase, he or she can provide part of the down payment. Likewise, his or her credit is also factored in when you are applying for commercial loans.
If you made the seller an offer that was rejected, they may still find some way to make the home affordable so you buy it. The seller might be willing to do some repairs or cover the closing costs, in order to make the sale possible.
Always have extra funds for unexpected costs when buying a property. Buyers find your closing costs via adding your down payment, the bank points, and the real estate taxes that are pro-related. Very often, closing costs also include some items that pertain to the area in which you are buying, such as improvement bonds, school taxes, and so on.
When looking to buy an investment property, be willing to consider homes that need repair, rehab, or remodeling. You'll earn an instant return on it as you see your property value rises. Your value can sometimes rise over what you invested.
When making an offer on the home you're interested in, ask the seller about financial incentives and closing costs. It is common to ask the seller to "buy down" the interest rate for a year or two. If there are financial incentives added into the offer, it's much less likely that the seller will focus on renegotiating the selling price.
Always hire an inspector to look at any property that you want to purchase. The last thing you want to do is to move into a house that immediately needs significant work. This makes the inspector an extremely cost-effective and-safety conscious choice that should never be bypassed.
Never buy a home that has fireplaces in rooms other than the living room. Maintenance on additional fireplaces can be cumbersome, particularly if you hardly ever use them.
Foreclosed homes are often available at below market prices, because the bank will not do any improvements for the buyer. Most foreclosed homes have sat vacant for a period of time, and have not had regular maintenance. For example, you may need to install a new HVAC system. The home may also have termites or other pests as well as damage to the walls or floors.
Purchasing real estate is sometimes daunting for anyone in the field, but using the tips in this article should bring you more confidence. By taking this advice, you will be a wise real estate investor.


text:
Archive for February 14th, 2018
Not Logical
For all the changes we have put in place since moving to this property in the fall of 2012, there are still plenty of things that we have left the same. One of them is totally illogical if you know anything about my penchant for clearing snow with almost neurotic precision.
The sidewalks from the driveway to the front and back doors of the house have a layer of river rock and stone slabs on top of the original smooth cement, providing an attractive rustic appearance.
We love how they look, but I gotta tell ya, they are the absolute worst when it comes to shoveling snow. It is illogical that I have kept them through the years, don't you think? But here's the thing: earlier in my life I would not have tolerated the difficulty of sliding the shovel to clear snow, yet in our time here, I have overcome that need for perfection.
It is unquestionably a hassle to shovel, but I have devised a technique that works well enough to get the job done. Basically, I turn our shovel over and sweep the snow out into a pile I can toss away.
The most significant thing about this really is that I have decided to accept it as not being a problem. It's not logical.
That's something of a milestone for me.


text:
Jeff Ferris
Study The Aviators Wife, Avalon 2018
Acrylic on paper
27 x 40.5 cm
Signed, titled and dated
Avalon is an old western suburbs area between Melbourne and Geelong. The new Avalon airport is now operating. I was driving down to Geelong and saw the old building in the distance – near Avalon. The idea of living out there struck a chord with me – much like the early settlers' families, these areas also had their pioneers.
Contact us regarding this art work


text:
A hand-stamped custom keepsake necklace to be worn often and treasured. Lovely lightweight leaves flutter around an organic tree pendant. Choose your own initial and the initial of someone you love, or your children's initials. Each necklace is individually crafted just for you, ensuring you receive special, one-of-a-kind jewelry. Handmade in Alaska from solid sterling silver.
INITIALS: Only one letter per leaf, please, uppercase only.
Comes with a small card that reads, "Family Tree: Like branches on a tree, we may grow in different directions, but our roots remain as one."
Gift ideas: new mom gift (parents initials and child's initials), bride-to-be gift (husband and wife initials), sister from another mother gift (you and your BFF's initials), mother in law gift (her family members' initials with yours added), anniversary gift from husband (all family members' initials).
Wearing your loved ones' initials daily is such a special thing, that I decided to make another hand stamped design with delicate, soothing leaves and an organic tree. I created the leaf design using a real leaf, so you can carry the beauty of nature with you. After each leaf is cast, I hand stamp it with your initial, then add a patina and polish. I pair all of my necklace designs with my favorite sturdy, but dainty cable chain, which I solder on the ends to close with a mini lobster clasp. So much thought and love go into each necklace! Enjoy!
I bought this necklace for my granddaughter's birthday. She really loved it! Very fast shipping! Thank you!
I am absolutely in love with my necklace. The detail is amazing and the quality is superb!!
I came across this website and thought the jewelry was really pretty so I purchased a necklace and 3 pair of earrings. The jewelry is great quality and the workmanship is suburb. Really beautiful! Please take a chance you will not be disappointed, I promise. Rebekah is so sweet too!! Thanks for such wonderful jewelry!
Donna Morgan


text:
What happens in Vegas … will spread everywhere
LAS VEGAS — In this town where it can be a challenge not to get jaded by celebrity and power, more than 1,400 animal welfare supporters will converge Thursday-Sunday at the nation's largest conference designed to inspire support for ending the killing of adoptable dogs and cats confined in shelters.
The 2012 No More Homeless Pets Conference, sponsored by Best Friends Animal Society® at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, 3700 West Flamingo, Oct. 25-Oct. 28, will be an impressive gathering of animal welfare thought leaders, as well as people who work "in the trenches" at shelters and with rescue groups across the country. Last year, more than 1,300 people came together in Las Vegas for an inspirational conference on saving the lives of homeless pets. And what happened in Vegas didn't stay there. Attendees returned home with renewed passion, new ideas, new contacts, and proven ways to help save animals in their communities.
Celebrities are lending their unique talents to the conference. Cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy ("My Cat From Hell" on Animal Planet is casting for its fourth season) and photographer Seth Casteel (his photography book "Underwater Dogs" has been featured on Good Morning America, New York Times, National Geographic and Time Magazine) will be among the presenters sharing their expertise of working with shelters and rescues to rehabilitate and get animals ready for adoption.
Participants will have six tracks to choose from:
Rich Avanzino — Widely viewed as the father of the no-kill movement, he is president of Maddie's Fund, a $300 million family foundation, which builds community collaborations to create successful models of lifesaving funds veterinary colleges to create shelter medicine programs and implements a national effort to promote accountability and transparency in animal shelter operations. Since 1999, Maddie's Fund has awarded $106 million in grants.
Mike Arms — President of Helen Woodward Animal Center, located in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., he has served 10 years as district manager for the ASPCA in New York and 20 years as director of operations for North Shore Animal League. He developed the Home 4 the Holidays adoption drive, which has found homes for more than seven million orphaned pets since its inception in 1999. Mike also established the center's Animal Center Education Services program to teach "the business of saving lives" to animal organizations.
Brenda F. Barnette — General manager of Los Angeles Animal Services, one of the largest municipal shelter systems in the U.S., with six shelters serving approximately 60,000 animals annually and responding to 20,000 emergency calls each year. In light of severe budget cuts in Los Angeles, Brenda has forged an innovative partnership with Best Friends Animal Society to help Los Angeles become a no-kill city in five years by achieving a 90 percent live save rate.
Bonney Brown — Executive director of Nevada Humane Society in Reno, Nevada, since 2007. In her first year there, she increased adoption rates by 53 percent for dogs, 84 percent for cats, and increased the save rate for dogs and cats countywide by 50 percent. Nevada Humane Society has achieved a 93 percent save rate and, combined with Washoe County's 91 percent save rate for all animals coming into area shelters, it is one of the safest communities in the country for homeless animals.
Rick DuCharme — Founder and director of First Coast No More Homeless Pets, Inc. (FCNMHP), an organization that has been successful in decreasing shelter admissions in Jacksonville, Fla. by more than 35 percent and decreasing shelter deaths by nearly 70 percent. These advances have been accomplished through targeted sterilization programs responsible for spaying/neutering more than 110,000 animals since 2002. FCNMHP operates one of the largest spay/neuter clinics in the country, performing 24,000 surgeries annually.
Best Friends Animal Society is a nonprofit organization building no-kill programs and partnerships that will bring about a day when there are No More Homeless Pets® . The society's leading initiatives in animal care and community programs are coordinated from its Kanab, Utah, headquarters, the country's largest no-kill sanctuary. This work is made possible by the personal and financial support of a grassroots network of supporters and community partners across the nation.
Become a fan of Best Friends Animal Society on Facebook: //www.facebook.com/bestfriendsanimalsociety
Follow Best Friends on Twitter: //twitter.com/bestfriends
For an interview with experts, celebrities at conference, contact the media contact above.


text:
"Nene Raja Nene Mantri" is my 50th film; I couldn't have asked for a better birthday gift to myself – Kajal
Kajal Aggarwal, among the most loved actresses in South of India is celebrating her birthday on June 19 with a film that is very special to her.
I play the role of Radha in my upcoming film titled "Nene Raju nene mantri" and this is indeed a very special film for several reasons. First and foremost, I've teamed up with my mentor Teja sir for the second time after 10 years of my debut film Lakshmi Kalyanam. It's been a pleasure working with him as he encourages me to unlearn the nuances I've picked up over the span of my film career and to look at my character and this film with a fresh perspective.
Secondly, Exchange of ideas, opinions and challenges make you think out of the box and I've felt this was possible because of the comfort level I share with Rana. Working with friends is always fun and this has been a fabulous few months!! Lastly, this is my 50th film, and I couldn't have asked for a more appropriate birthday gift 🙂
Nene Raju Nene Mantri, with an excellent cast lineup that includes hugely popular Rana Daggubati in the lead alongside Aushutosh Rana, Navadeep, and Catherine Tresa is expected to be simultaneously released in Tamil and Malayalam.
Directed by Teja, the film is produced by Suresh Daggubati, CH Bharath Chowdhary and V Kiran Reddy under Suresh Productions and Blue Planet Entertainments.


text:
Lord Dormand of Easington asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: My Lords, progress has been too slow on the medical assessment programme. Helen Liddell, the energy Minister, announced last week an increase in the number of centres and records scanning teams. The DTI is also working to streamline the programme and cut down on the number of records required. We also announced last week that increased amounts are being offered as expedited payments to thousands of miners. In addition, some claimants not previously eligible for expedited offers will now be entitled, without undergoing further tests.
We had a constructive meeting with the claimants' solicitors last week and reached broad agreement on the proposals. There are detailed points to be worked through, but the DTI hopes to make around 16,000 offers, totalling around £90 million, before Christmas. That is in addition to the nearly 25,000 individual payments made to claimants to date, which total over £73 million.
Lord Dormand of Easington: My Lords, I thank my noble friend the Minister for his detailed reply. However, he mentioned that progress in the matter has been slow. Is he aware of the widespread criticism and anger that have arisen in dealing with so many of the claims? Can he tell us the problems? After nearly two years have been spent dealing with the scheme, surely those problems ought by now to have been identified and dealt with. Can my noble friend also tell the House how many claims have been made and how many have now been completed? Before he replies, I should remind him that every month 200 former miners who submitted claims under the scheme are dying.
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: My Lords, my noble friend referred to anger. We are also angry; indeed, Helen Liddell is angry, as am I, about the fact that it is taking so long. The problems that I identified when I answered a similar Question in March have, on the whole, been overcome. Claimants' solicitors are coming forward much more rapidly with claim forms. However, as we get deeper into the programme, we are finding difficulties with doctors who are worried about the Access to Health Records Act 1990 and about the
As to my noble friend's last question regarding numbers, there have been something like 117,000 claims, and the number is rising every month. As I said in my first Answer, approximately 25,000 individual payments have so far been made.
Baroness Gardner of Parkes: My Lords, although I welcome the additional screening that Helen Liddell has arranged, can the Minister say whether that is specifically for lung diseases in miners or whether there will be additional facilities for women with the disease? As we know, recent figures have revealed that lung cancer is now more common among women than breast cancer.
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: No, my Lords. The programme that I described is a result of the judgment against British Coal in respect of miners suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease--that is, emphysema and chronic bronchitis. This is a class action and refers only to miners.
Lord Hylton: My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Dormand of Easington, referred to the current rate of mortality among miners. I live on the edge of a former Bristol coal field. Is it not the case that nearly all the claimants are now in their seventies and eighties? Therefore, does that not reinforce the need for speedy action? Would not payments on account be helpful where the claim has not yet been quantified?
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: My Lords, the noble Lord is entirely right. That is why we are giving priority in this process to those who are old, to the widows of deceased miners and to those who are particularly ill. As to the issue of interim payments, I can tell the noble Lord that we have made a very large number of interim payments. We have offered such payments after spirometry tests. I am pleased to say that we have either made appointments for spirometry tests or have offered appointments to 91 per cent of those who are eligible, after which interim payments are available. However, not all miners wish to take up interim payments because they feel that they may receive more after further detailed consideration has been given to their cases. That is a legitimate point of view.
Lord Ezra: My Lords, the noble Lord has made it clear that Ministers share the concern of all of us who know something about the coal industry--and, indeed, of many others--as regards this prolonged delay in settling such a serious issue. Can he say, even at this late stage, whether the Government have considered proceeding along the lines of the settlement achieved in the pneumoconiosis crises that occurred some 20 or 30 years ago when I was involved with the Coal Board? I realise that legal problems may make that difficult. None the less, that matter was settled much more quickly and expeditiously, without the sort of personal problems that have now arisen in this case.
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: My Lords, I should make it clear that the delays that have occurred are not due to the fact that nothing is being done. Those delays are occurring because new problems, such as those relating to medical records and employment history, are being uncovered as we make progress in processing the claims that have been made. I am afraid that the noble Lord, Lord Ezra, is right. We are restricted in the way in which we can handle the programme because it arises from a court judgment. However, the upside of that is that we have to report to the judge on progress. We did so as recently as mid-September.
Lord Hardy of Wath: My Lords, I express the hope that the meeting to which my noble friend referred will lead to greater urgency in this matter. Does he agree that in the six months ending in May this year 1,298 claimants have died and that since then another 1,000 will have died? Urgency is justified.
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: My Lords, my noble friend's figures are, of course, correct because they were obtained from a parliamentary Answer given by my noble friend Lord Sainsbury of Turville in May this year. I am afraid that my noble friend's prediction of what has happened since that Answer was given is also true. That is one of the most distressing aspects of this whole problem. However, I should not conceal from the House that we anticipate that the programme will take three years to complete.
Lord Dormand of Easington: My Lords, in reply to my first Question my noble friend said that some doctors complained of the difficulty in gaining access to records. What is the difficulty?
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: My Lords, many doctors thought that there would be data protection problems under the Access to Health Records Act because some of the records make reference also to third parties. They have now been reassured by the data protection registrar and by the BMA that that is no longer a problem. Health Call Services Limited, which is extracting the records, is now able to do so much more easily with the use of advanced scanning equipment than was the case initially now that GPs' fears have been allayed.
Lord McNally asked Her Majesty's Government:
The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg): My Lords, two university research studies have shown that success fees are being set at fair levels and that clients are satisfied with them and with the damages they
Additional research is in progress conducted by three universities. There will be an interim report in December and the final report in September next year. There is no evidence of an increase in contested litigation since conditional fee agreements were introduced. On the contrary, there are more settlements due both to the civil justice reforms and conditional fee agreements.
Employer defendants have always insured against litigation and litigation is not increasing. Under legal aid, successful defendants did not recover their costs from legally aided plaintiffs. Where legal aid has been replaced by conditional fee agreements, they do. That therefore removes an injustice to successful defendants.
Lord McNally: My Lords, I thank the noble and learned Lord for that Answer. Does he recall that I asked this Question some five months ago, prompted by the excessive television advertising of companies offering help for litigation? Since that time the number of companies advertising and the scale and intensity of that advertising has increased. That is expensive advertising paid for by someone--I wonder who. Has the noble and learned Lord the Lord Chancellor had any talks with the Independent Television Commission about this kind of aggressive advertising and its effect on litigation? More broadly--I thought that the reply he gave last March was a tad complacent--does he have no concern that this kind of no win/no fee litigation will drive our professions (other than the lawyers, of course) and our service industries into the same state as in the United States where the first concern is fear of litigation rather than service to the consumer?
Next Section
Back to Table of Contents
Lords Hansard Home Page


text:
Cumberland County, VA's
Take A Look At Our Cumberland County Local Web sites
Click Here for More Cumberland County News
The F.I.P.S. code is 51049.
Latitude: 37.6363, Longitude: -78.1343.
There are more sites for other counties and towns across the State of Virginia available.
In fact, we host pages for every State, County and Town in the U.S.!


text:
The 28th and 29th episodes of VeggieTales in the House, now available on Netflix! In "You, Me & Tiny Pea," Junior makes a new friend, and in "Jenna Chive Live!" a famous pop star visits the Veggie town!
"You, Me & Tiny Pea"
This episode feels out of place not only because of the pacing, which is unfortunately really off, but also because it's sandwiched between a set of LarryBoy episodes. Those tend to suit VeggieTales in the House's style very well, and are usually the better episodes, so "You, Me & Tiny Pea" suffers from that favoritism.
It begins with Captain Mike presenting Junior with a handmade hat that features a picture of the two playing together. Although admittedly a somewhat embarrassing gift, it's a little odd that Junior is so against wearing it, considering how much he's wanted his dad's attention in previous episodes.
The scene shifts to Junior encountering Bob and Larry on the street, with Larry singing about oatmeal despite not caring for it. (Junior: "We need to work on the content of the random songs you sing.") Then the titular "Tiny Pea" comes along (voiced by Kel Mitchell). He sings a song about how he may be small on the outside, but he's big on the outside and plans to do big things someday. (Ah yes, you may be thinking, one of those episodes.) Junior admits to his friend that his dad still considers him to be a "little guy" (which is what Mike said when he gave Junior the hat). Tiny Pea tells Junior that he has to prove himself to be big, and the pair agree that the best way to go out on the dangerous part of the lake/kitchen sink, despite there being a giant lobster that lives there.
Junior goes home to tell Mike about wanting to go to the lake with Tiny Pea (leaving out the dangerous part), and that they both want to be big and grown up someday. Mike informs Junior that growing up and growing big aren't the same thing. This is a lesson that Bob is similarly trying to tell Larry, who for some reason is also trying to prove that he's a grown up – which is weird because he is? Not sure why he suddenly cares so much. Anyway, Larry tries to gargle with hot sauce (while singing the original VeggieTales theme song) and eat all the marshmallows in the world. (Bob: "That sounds just a little bit impossible. | Larry: "It's kind of just a little bit a personal challenge.") Naturally, he feels terribly sick after these endeavors (Larry: "Never eat every marshmallow in the world, kids."), but he refuses to give up, resorting to doing a daredevil skateboarding stunt near the lake. He tries to back out of it, as per his way (having once won the gold medal at the backing-out-of-things competition), and because it's actually a good idea in this case, but he trips and rockets down the giant stunt ramp on the skateboard anyway, shooting off into the sky.
Junior and Tiny Pea are out on the lake in their boat and are feeling very grown up when they spot the giant lobster – and that it's coming straight for them. Luckily, Archibald and Petunia are fishing on shore and witness all this, and Archie runs to get Mike.
Larry flies across the sun, yelling, "I learned that being big isn't just doing whatever I want to do!" Thanks for shouting out this episode's theme, Larry! He crash-lands in Junior and Tiny Pea's boat (Larry: "How convenient!"), the force of which knocks Tiny Pea flying onto shore, but leaving Junior and Larry stuck on a broken, sinking boat.
(Apparently, the budget would only allow for one giant lobster claw.)
Thankfully, Petunia saves the day, using her fishing rod to pull the boat to safety. Junior apologizes to the just-arrived Mike for disobeying him, and Mike accepts his apology, happy that Junior is now safe. There's no real closure to this besides that line, as Junior doesn't really reflect on why growing big and growing up aren't the same thing – but just that Dad knows best? Not really sure about the implications of this, but in any case, Junior wants to spend the rest of the day with his dad, even storytime at the library, and they invite Tiny Pea along, who agrees it sounds like "big fun."
"Jenna Chive Live!"
VeggieTales as a franchise isn't a stranger to having big-name Christian artists lend their voices to lookalike Veggie counterparts. I'm sure there's an exhaustive list somewhere, but "Jenna Chive" is the first for VeggieTales in the House. Fans of Disney Channel will surely recognize Jenna's voice actress: China Anne McClain of A.N.T. Farm. She does an excellent job as a tired pop star who just wants to take a little break. Or at least, that's how I read the character.
Jenna Chive, having somehow wound up in the tiny Veggie town, has decided to blend in the common Veggies for the day, as she's tired of being a pop star. Her agent tells her to "not hide her light under a bushel," referring to her singing talent. Now, I'm honestly not sure how many kids would know that song, and it's a really weird phrase to have stated in such a commanding way, in any case. It almost sounds like a threat, and one can't blame Jenna for ignoring her agent and wandering into the town, albeit wearing no other disguise than a pair of sunglasses.
She comes across Ichabeezer, who recognizes her almost immediately. Jenna asks that he not tell anyone, not even his dog, which of course Ichabeezer instantly disobeys as soon as Jenna walks away. A Radish lurking in the nearby trash can overhears Ichabeezer telling Rooney about Jenna, and the Radish runs off to tell Motato (didn't think this was going to be a LarryBoy episode, did you?). Motato can apparently play the sax and loves pop music, especially Jenna's. He commands his Radishes to bring Jenna back to the lair (by tricking her, since they're all bad guys).
Jenna is at Pa's store (the first appearance of Pa in a long time!) buying sardines (why does everyone like these?). She runs into Ichabeezer again, who asks if she would be the entertainment at his dinner party, but she refuses. During this discussion, Ichabeezer accidentally announces to everyone in the store who Jenna is. She is understandably angry about this, which is why she agrees to go with the Radishes when they infiltrate the store. They promise that Motato can make her a better disguise – a lie she rather quickly realizes upon arriving at his lair and then is subsequently shoved into a cage. Motato wants her to sing his song about taking over the world. Jenna naturally refuses ("I wonder if Carrot Underwood goes through this"), and Ichabeezer tries to rescue her but ends up getting captured and caged as well (Motato has a thing for cages, obviously). Unwilling to be in the cage any longer, Jenna agrees to sing Motato's song.
Meanwhile, Bob and Larry (thought they weren't gonna be in this episode, didn't ya?) are playing thric-thrac-throw with Bacon Bill, which is tic-tac-toe for three people and marshmallows being used on a checkerboard. Bob has just won a game when Rooney arrives with rescue instructions for LarryBoy. Larry immediately distracts Bacon Bill and zooms down to the LarryCave. So I guess this means that LarryBoy is indeed very much a disguise, despite nearly everyone knowing who he is (there's literally only one cucumber in the whole town). LarryBoy zooms off to Motato's lair to rescue Jenna. Motato is surprisingly amiable about the whole situation, despite being hurt when he finds out that Jenna lied about his song being good enough to sing (she just wanted out of the cage).
Anyway, both Ichabeezer and Jenna are rescued, and the scene wipes to the dinner party at Ichabeezer's. Jenna is there, along with Motato (WHY WAS HE INVITED), who sings a "rock" song about rocks. Pa thanks him for sharing his talents – and then kind of scolds Jenna? He tells her she should be sharing her gifts with everyone. Personally, I didn't get the impression that Jenna didn't want to share her gift; she literally just wanted to take a break. And I don't think there's anything wrong with not wanting to be "on" all the time, either. But it's depicted as something negative here, most evident in the lyrics of the song Jenna sings to everyone:
"I was meant to be a pop star
I won't gain the world and lose my soul,
But I gotta be me and let the whole world know,
I was meant to be a pop star.
I won't hide what's inside of me,
And the kind of love I share with people everywhere
Makes me more than just a pop star.
I love God more than fortune and fame.
And so on. Let's dissect this a little, shall we? On one hand, it's nice that the song seems to be saying that you can be rich and famous and talented and still love God and your friends and share love with everyone, but on the other hand, it's kind of a convoluted way of putting it and slightly melancholy. Letting your talents shine for God is essentially the theme for this episode, but I don't think it was entirely well-executed. Jenna didn't want to hide her gift because she didn't believe in herself or in God's will or was embarrassed about it, but honestly because she wanted a much-deserved break from being an instantly recognizable pop star. I think that's fair, and the whole story with Motato was therefore somewhat pointless. It was basically just one big lead-up to Jenna's song at the end, which I do admit is worth it. Again, the song acknowledges that being a pop star or having a life that revolves around this material world isn't a bad thing – as long as you're also sharing God's love.
What about you? How do you help your children learn about obedience and about letting their talents shine for God? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Images: VeggieTales in the House from Big Idea Entertainment, DreamWorks Animation Television, and Bardel Entertainment


text:
Melissa Barlock (SendOutCards Executive)
By SpitShine on Jan 02, 2015 in - Comments Off
Cognition Studios has done several projects for 3 of my major events, all of which have been a HUGE success!! Gideon and Cognition Studios has a unique flare for design, marketing and thinking "outside the box" What I love and appreciate the most is their ability to take a simple idea of mine and transform it into an incredible marketing tool that completely fits my vision. I am always speechless with the end result!! Can't wait to work on our next project together!


text:
Imagine you're in middle school. You don't love math or history or any other subject. But there's this thing you look forward to everyday after school. It's called drumline. And a teacher at Clark Middle School thinks it can help kids learn about music and teach them some other skills too.
After the bells rings one fall afternoon, kids flood out of Clark Middle School. But about 30 of them stay behind in the multipurpose room, preparing to practice.
They set down their backpacks, chat with their friends and strap on their drum sets. Some heft mighty bass drums while others grab sets of shiny brass cymbals. The band director walks in and within seconds the students are transformed from talkative kids to attentive musicians.
"Up then down then up again after the next paragraph and before "leading the quad..," the director says.
Clark Middle School has the only drumline in Anchorage, though other schools are thinking of starting them. A drumline is the percussion section of a marching band, but at Clark they play alone. The program began last year, and students can't wait to sign up.
During practice kids sit at tables until it's their turn to play. The school doesn't have enough of the four different types of percussion instruments for everyone. Even in the cavernous room, the sound is overwhelming.
Leading the quad drum section is a slight, soft spoken boy named Zaci Charles. He says he's not really into any school subjects.
"Uh… I don't like none. I don't really like…none," he said.
But Zaci loves drumline, "It's just fun. You don't have to – there's really no rules, just make it sound good."
He plays the quads, a set of four drums that, unlike the other drums, have various tones and pitches.
"It's like more complex than the other drums and stuff like that. And I like it," he said.
Zaci also likes teaching his fellow students how to play and keeping them in line. He may not like school, but he says he wants to go to college at North Carolina A&T because of their nationally known drumline.
His friend, 8th grader Vincent Miller, plans to join him. He's not very excited about school either, but drumming is his passion. He's the lead snare drummer.
Vincent says he picked it because it's like hitting a table. Vincent and Zaci have written songs together and taught them to the rest of the drumline. Vincent also offers words of wisdom.
"Like say you're doing a stick flip, the more you worry about it, the more chance you're gonna drop it," he said. "If you just breathe and do it without thinking about it, you have less of a chance of dropping it."
Band Director Adrian Carroll says the drumline kids are motivated student leaders; he's just there to give some guidance.
"There's no students that work harder than the students involved in drumline and some of them – they just have such a passion and fire for music," Carroll said.
Carroll says drumline teaches the students life skills, like decision making and confidence. He's used drumming and marching bands to inspire students in Montana, Texas, and even Costa Rica. He says for students who don't know much about music, he has them drum to the rhythm of words.
"If it's a five, use hippopotamus or you use hamburger if they're doing 16th notes. So you use little words like that," Carroll said. "Things they can relate to, that they know. and they're like 'oh let me just beat the drum to this beat, this word' and it tricks them into playing music without them realizing it."
Drumline has inspired some students to join Carroll's band class. He says that can lead to a little chaos. Drumline is about playing as loud as possible to be heard across a football field, though in Anchorage they're more likely to be seen at ribbon cuttings and community events. Carroll often has to remind students that band class is comparatively sedate.
"They're breaking out the drumline dynamics and playing forte, and I'm like "alright! We're back into a concert setting so we need to bring the volume level, let's bring that down to a one. My amp goes one to ten. Let's turn it to an eleven after school," Carroll said.
In the multipurpose room, he lets the kids make some noise, then teaches them to turn it into music.


text:
A resurrection in the homebuilding sector has been one of 2012's brightest investment themes.
Homebuilding ETFs like the iShares Dow Jones U.S. Home Construction ETF (ITB) and SPDR S&P Homebuilders (XHB) soared more than four times the S&P 500's 13.62% return, through the end of the third quarter.
Contracts to buy new homes rose to 373,000 in August compared to 292,000 for the same month in 2011 and confidence among homebuilders has reached a six-year high, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo builder sentiment index.
National home prices are rebounding too.
The S&P/Case-Shiller index during July experienced its largest 12-month advance since the middle of 2010. Sixteen of the 20 cities tracked by the home price indicator showed a year-over-year increase, led by a 17% increase in Phoenix. Atlanta had the largest decline, with prices falling 9.9%.
Economists say record-low mortgage rates and a smaller share of sales of foreclosed properties are contributing to the housing recovery.
Despite these positive trends, approximately 10.8 million Americans or 22.3% of homeowners still have mortgages that are larger than the value of their properties.
"We're at a bottom but I don't think we'll come roaring out of here," Karl Case, co-creator of the home price barometer, told Bloomberg News.


text:
"But then, my stupidity is probably legendary at this point..."
Like many other contributors here, I fancy myself a writer. In fact, for me the biggest appeal of this site is the familiarity of so many tropes — not because I've seen them, but because I've used them myself (see below).
Ever since my first appearance here in late June 2007 I have spent much time poking around, familiarizing myself, sticking my two cents into discussion threads where it's not wanted, and occasionally launching actual tropes — although these days I'm mostly content to add Works/Creators pages and an ocassional Recap.
The background I bring to my contributions is that of a Speculative Fiction geek (Science Fiction or Sci-Fi for those less "hardcore", like me), big 70s/80s music lover, B-Movie nut and classic television fan. Newer TV/music, not so much, but still there. Oh, and a huge fan of Mystery Science Theater 3000.
Comedy? Awesome! Drama? Meh. Incredibly Lame Puns? Whoo-HOOO!
Generally a Splitter, but I've drifted toward Lumper during my time here; something of a Grammar Nazi, and very much a Serial Tweaker. A firm believer in Bizarre And Improbable Giraffe Herding Techniques and the Rule of Cautious Editing Judgment; and I do tend to be somewhat snarky and cynical most of the time. I do it for the bragging rights and a sense of personal satisfaction.
I launched the following tropes:
- All or Nothing
- mad props to the Tropers for great examples
- Aspect Ratio
- Ass Kicking Pose
- Blade Lock
- name by Arivne
- Bonus Space
- Cataclysm Climax
- Confession Cam
- Consolation Prize
- Contrived Coincidence
- with much much MUCH help from the Tropers!
- name derived from a suggestion by an Unknown Troper
- Conveyor Belt Video
- name by Sci Vo
- Dress Rehearsal Video
- name by (again) Sci Vo
- Fee Fi Faux Pas
- Follow the Leader
- name by Heart Burn Kid
- Game Show Host
- name may seem obvious, but nonetheless was suggested by Idledandy
- Great Balls of Fire! (the trope, not the movie)
- idea sparked from a comment by Matthew The Raven
- Hair Metal
- Hall of Mirrors
- the science bit was submitted by Andrusi
- Hint Dropping
- name by Lord TNK
- Hitchhiker Heroes
- name by Op Megs
- Hollywood Web Cam
- with thanx to the Tropers who helped me keep my facts straight.
- Identity Impersonator
- name by Ununnilium
- I Meant to Do That
- Immortality
- Kid Com
- Koosh Bomb
- Freezair For A Limited Time provided the correct spelling
- Law Enforcement, Inc.
- Memento MacGuffin
- after much re-writing; name, lots of key wording and all initial examples provided by Fanti Sci, to the point that I believe she should take credit for the entry
- Monster Misogyny
- name derived from a suggestion by Dark Sasami
- Multi-Take Cut
- My Nayme Is
- Nails on a Blackboard
- Narrative Non Sequitur
- No Sidepaths, No Exploration, No Freedom
- Other Common Music Video Concepts
- with helpful advice from Sci Vo
- Pitch Mob
- name by Attilargh
- Playing Against Type
- name by Alexandra Erin
- Plug 'n' Play Technology
- Credit Where It's Due: The body text was excellently rewritten by Stratadrake, and now flows much more smoothly than my original contribution while still conveying the trope exactly as I had proposed.
- (Really? I considered it more of a half-witted attempt at merging one of my YKTTWs that people thought was too closely related. —Stratadrake)
- Credit Where It's Due: The body text was excellently rewritten by Stratadrake, and now flows much more smoothly than my original contribution while still conveying the trope exactly as I had proposed.
- Porky Pig Pronunciation
- name by twelfth
- Progressive Rock
- Rhymes on a Dime
- name by Zinfandel
- Right in Front of Me
- name by Tangent128
- Right on Queue
- Scapegoat Ad
- Screw the Electric Bill!
- name by adam850
- Scylla and Charybdis
- The very first trope I ever wrote for this wiki... and boy, does it show!
- Shrug Take
- Sitcom Character Archetypes
- Special thanx to maxmordon, who provided the comparison to Commedia Dell'arte
- Sliding Scale Of Videogame Objectives
- Space Amish
- name by Ununnilium
- Stop, or I Will Shoot!
- Stunt Casting
- Sword Drag
- Sword Limbo
- idea by Silent Hunter
- name by an Unknown Troper
- Train Escape
- Type 2 suggested by Jonny D
- Type 3 added by Merlyn Le Roy
- Truth Serums
- idea (and much of the wording) by an Unknown Troper
- The Vanna
- Which has since been expanded and evolved into The Lovely Assistant.
- Villain Corner
- Again, thanks to the Tropers for helping me get my act together with some great examples!
- Vocal Tag Team
- Walk-In Chime-In
- name derived from a suggestion by an Unknown Troper
- Warring Without Weapons
- name derived from a suggestion by Andrew Leprich
- Who Will Take the Kids?
- You Just Told Me
I also fired off the following Works/Creators pages:
- American Top 40
- Ark II
- John Barry
- Batman: Digital Justice
- Beethoven's Last Night
- The Blob (all three versions originally in one package)
- DC Heroes
- Danny Elfman
- Hardware Wars
- The Hindenburg (1975 Disaster Movie)
- King Kong (all variants, again formerly one page)
- The Legend of Billie Jean
- The Mask of Zorro
- Excluding the summary for The Legend Of Zorro, which was provided by dotchan
- Michael Kamen
- Queensrÿche
- Robin Hood Daffy
- Rocky Jones, Space Ranger
- Ryan Vs Dorkman
- Scrabble (The Game Show)
- Shazam! (The Filmation Live-Action adaptation)
- The Shape Of Things To Come (Once again, all three versions)
- Space Academy
- Star Trek: Elite Force
- Star Wars: Revelations
- Weird Science (The Movie)
- Win Ben Stein's Money
- Zero Hour! (1957 Disaster Movie)
Created bare-bones starter kits for:
Fleshed out the descriptions for:
- The Callista Trilogy (added the summary for Darksaber)
- Game Show (added the index of tropes, which has since expanded and become its own page)
- Is This Love?
- Jack the Ripoff (launched by Dragon Quest Z)
- Untamed Youth (originally cut for chronic terminal stub-ness)
- Villain by Default (added the sub-section demonization)
- Weird Science (The Series; launched by Satanic Hamster)
Provided pages for these MST3K films:
- Attack of the Giant Leeches
- Attack of the Eye Creatures
- The Beatniks
- Beginning of the End
- The Brain That Wouldn't Die
- The Crawling Hand
- Danger: Diabolik
- Fire Maidens from Outer Space (and its recap)
- First Spaceship on Venus
- Gamera Vs. Guiron
- The Green Slime
- Hercules (1958)
- The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living And Became Mixed-Up Zombies
- Johnny At The Fair
- Jungle Goddess
- The Killer Shrews
- Lost Continent
- The Magic Voyage Of Sinbad
- The Rebel Set
- Ring of Terror
- Secret Agent Super Dragon
- The Sidehackers
- The Starfighters
- Swamp Diamonds
- The Time Travelers
- Tormented
- Warrior of the Lost World
- "X" Marks the Spot
Submitted these Recaps:
- For Rocky Jones, Space Ranger:
- For Star Trek: The Original Series:
- For Star Trek: The Next Generation:
- For Knight Rider:
- For The Adventures of Superman:
Just For Fun: Tropes I Use:As stated, I am an amateur writer, having co-written a collection of not-entirely-serious adventure stories centered around a team of super-powered/high-tech government agents. The no-doubt innumerable tropes which we have employed in these stories include (but are likely not limited to):
- Action Girls: The guys don't get to have all the fun.
- Alternate Universe: Forms the basis for one story, Sliders-style. note
- As You Know: In the very first story, one character reminisces in such a way to allow him to Infodump a good pile of back story.
"Why are you ranting on like that? I was there the whole time!"
"I wasn't talking to you; I was talking to the readers."
- Author Avatar: The two lead characters are 100% shameless in this respect.
- Battle Butler: a recent add-in.
- Battle Couple: Most of the team is split off into married couples.
- Better Than a Bare Bulb: With several stories under our belts and sporting a good firm grasp on Action/Adventure Tropes, Lampshade Hanging has become a common tool.
- Big Eater: Ivan has proven capable of eating an entire doughnut shop out of business in one sitting. Much to the consternation of the local police force.
- Brainwashed and Crazy: One guy is drugged by a terrorist group and forced to do their bidding; he eventually pulls a HeelFace Turn when he meets his twin on the team (see Separated at Birth, below).
- It's happened to other team members at various points as well.
- Also, in the back story, a race of aliens uses electronic hypnosis to kidnap humans and use them in an interstellar war; these humans form the core of the cast.
- Casting a Shadow: One of our Big Bads.
- Cool Car: Four of them, to be exact. Three Lamborghinis, one DeLorean. These provide examples of:
- Flying Car / Flying Brick: The cars are Nigh-Invulnerable due to Applied Phlebotinum.
- Hubcap Hovercraft
- Instant A.I.: Just Add Water!: In one particular case, a computer came to "life" by being left out in the cold. We've tried to go back and Hand Wave this, but it's still pretty improbable.
- Talking Appliance Sidekick
- Cool Plane: Redhawk. It's as long as a football field, has a cargo bay big enough for all the Cool Cars, and can even go underwater or into outer space.
- Cool Starship: Eventually, the team acquires (read: steals) a spaceship from an alien colony and brings it back to Earth. The aforementioned Redhawk and Flying Cars would also qualify.
- Creator Provincialism: Reversed; although we've written one story that takes place in our own hometown, most of them are set in places we've never been and likely will never visit. Thank goodness for Google Earth!
- Crouching Moron, Hidden Badass / Let's Get Dangerous!: Our characters are generally silly; but when shake comes to shimmy, they're highly — maybe even ridiculously — competent.
- Cute Bruiser: One member is nominally the Team Mom; but she was a wrestler in high school and occasionally gets to cut loose.
- Discussed Trope:
"Oh please! Like that plot wasn't done to death on The A-Team or Knight Rider! We're starting to sound like some cheezy 80s action-TV show!"
"This is not a television show. This is, for us at least, reality."
- Also:
"This [mission] is so easy."
"Turn us around! ...We're gonna die! There's going to be an explosion!"
"What are you talking about?"
"You heard him; it's too easy!"
- Also:
- Donut Mess with a Cop: Well, they're not cops per se, but the group did operate a small pastry shop early on. See also Big Eater, above.
- Enemy Mime: And yes, it's just an Incredibly Lame Pun on a land mine. By this point, what more could you expect?
- "Funny Aneurysm" Moment: Our very first story — written some 20 years ago in high school — featured a Take That!-ish Lawyer-Friendly Cameo by Corey Feldman, and we even managed to throw Corey Haim in there as well ("We always do everything together," Haim said good-naturedly). Haim's death in 2010 really put the kibosh on that joke.
- We also had to axe a gag about the recently late Amy Winehouse.
- Genre Savvy: Used as a Zig-Zagging Trope, depending upon the needs of the story or the joke at hand.
- Hint Dropping: Subverted: "It was one of those subtle little hints women always give men that they miss like Lucy in the outfield. However, he had been trained by his wife to catch all such hints. He had the bruises to prove it."
- Historical In-Joke: See Noodle Incident, below.
- Hive Mind: Not literally, but the so-called "Wife Patrol" is played like this.
- Human Aliens: A couple of our characters are this, so that they can walk amongst humans.
- Rubber-Forehead Aliens: Human Aliens with reptilian eyes, or Human Aliens with four arms, to name just two.
- Humanoid Aliens: These appear mostly in back story; but there is one race that looks like a harsh amalgam of Sylvester and Tweety. What's funnier: they consider themselves to be the epitome of evolutionary perfection.
- Hypocritical Humor: See Our Lawyers Advised This Trope, below. Also, the above-mentioned "epitome of evolutionary perfection".
- Intangible Man
- Janitor Impersonation Infiltration: With lots of Lampshade Hanging, natch.
"Halt! Who are you and what are you doing here?"
"We're the cleaning crew."
"Cleaning crew? I haven't seen the lot of you before."
"We're new."
"What about the kid?"
"What about him? He's my son."
"I mean, what's he doing here? Most people don't bring their kids to work with them."
"He always comes to work with me. Also, most people don't bring their children with them when breaking into super-secret military installations, do they?"
"Uh-huh. So where are your IDs?"
- Journey to the Center of the Mind / Orphean Rescue
- Lady Land: complete with Straw Feminist ruling class. To be completely fair, the Lady Land was formed in direct response to a rival's No Woman's Land.
- Lawyer-Friendly Cameo: Early stories were notorious for always including at least one celebrity, his/her identity merely hinted at, and usually encountered in a not-so-flattering situation. The most blatant of these was a villain named for a certain former First Lady (I won't name names), or a group of villains who were thinly-veiled caricatures of our high school faculty.
- Light 'em Up: One character has total control over light and all forms of radiation. She can absorb energy as well as shoot Hand Beams, Eye Beams or even... well, let's just say she can shoot beams from any body part. "Have a dose of my high beams!"
"Milk; it does a body good."
- Little Mr. Badass: The 13-year-old with the miniature rocket launcher. Whose idea was that again???
- Loads and Loads of Characters: My co-author really really loves large teams. To that end:
- Character-Magnetic Team / Debut Queue: We started this thing with seven main characters; then each new story introduced one or two new main characters (not recurring, main), until we now have thirteen main characters and a good collection of recurring characters as well.
- Malaproper: One of the AIs needs its English grammar overhauled.
- The Russian character is kind of like this as well, but he's Eloquent In His Native Tongue.
- Mood Whiplash: Due to the mix of comedy and action, this is sometimes unavoidable. Lampshaded at least once ("How could such a goofy moment have led directly into a life-or-death situation like this?").
- Moral Guardians: In-universe, via the "Wife Patrol".
- Most Common Superpower: Yes, yes we did. In writing.
- Next Sunday A.D.
- Ninja Pirate Zombie Robot: We've described the basic premise as "James Bond meets Star Wars meets Seinfeld meets Knight Rider meets My Favorite Martian meets Eight is Enough meets Animaniacs!"
- Nakama: None of them are actually related except by marriage (and a couple of offspring, and one set of twins), but they consider their group a big family unit, and behave accordingly.
- Noodle Incident: "Did we help when Stan sank the ferry in the bay? Did we help when Stan was arrested for voyeurism? Did we help when Stan was indicted in the Iran-Contra scandal?"
- Omnicidal Maniac: If James Bond has taught us nothing else, he showed that these guys make for great supervillains.
- Our Lawyers Advised This Trope: The climax of a big Fight Scene is interrupted for a lengthy interjection railing against violence in the media, concluding with:
Violent entertainment. It is wrong. It is bad. We do not condone nor promote it. We now return to the bloody violence already in progress.
- We've parodied this trope in other ways as well. For instance: "We'd like to take a moment to point out that these people are MORONS! Their logic is quite FLAWED! Please, please, don't ever stalk someone, brainwash her, lead her to her death, and call it love! We now return you to the same mindless crap you've been reading for the past 300 pages or so."
- Powered Armor
- Quip to Black: parodied:
Big Bad: See that my cards are the only ones played; everyone else must fold.
The Dragon: Oh, they'll fold all right. Little origami birds.
[Evil Laughter]
Big Bad: Was that supposed to be funny? What does that even mean?
- Rule of Funny: A car chase runs through a drive-thru at 90 miles per hour. There's also the Lawyer-Friendly Cameo mentioned above.
- Running Gags a'plenty:
- No Fourth Wall / Medium Awareness: The main characters are aware that they are living in a fictional medium and often argue with the narrator/writers, or hijack the story. Handwaved by the characters calling it "a delusion we all live under".
- There's the bit about always making a sandwich every time someone goes into the kitchen.
- Each story usually has its own unique Running Gag; in fact, the two gags listed above started out this way before being expanded to encompass the whole series.
- Samus Is a Girl: One wife dons her husband's Powered Armor to come save the day. When her gender is revealed, cue the predictable juvenile humor:
"Aren't your boobs squished in that thing?"
"YES! Yes they ARE!"
- Separated at Birth: One of the twins (see Brainwashed and Crazy, above) was adopted and raised in Russia.
- Share the Male Pain: "Wheel Of Foreskin"
"Did I say something wrong?"
- Sinister Geometry: Reversed; the "good guy" aliens in the back story flew starships of simple geometric shape and the "bad guy" aliens flew starships that look like enormous daggers stabbing an orange slice.
- But also played straight, as the "good guys"' starfighters were styled somewhat like avians and the bad guys' fighters look like cigars.
- Stuff Blowing Up: "Everywhere these people go, something big blows up."
- Super Strength: Due to bio-cybernetic enhancement.
- The Swashbuckler
- Talking Is a Free Action: Yes, we've actually used this one straight, despite my every effort to the contrary.
- Technical Pacifist: Our team. We don't like to depict killing. But sometimes it happens.
- Technopath: Via computer chips embedded in the brain, thus allowing for telepathic communication with and control of electronic devices.
- Tomato in the Mirror: One character eventually discovers he's not who he thought he was...
- Translation Convention: Just about any time a group is speaking a foreign language; it usually crops up with Russian, since one of our main characters is Russian.
- Tsundere: Pam likes to throw cherry soda at her husband. And there's the whole "girl wrestler" thing mentioned above.
- Tuckerization: Quite a few of the main characters are named (indirectly) for schoolmates. See also Lawyer-Friendly Cameo.
- Wave-Motion Gun / Kill Sat: In the back story, an alien race tried to wipe out Earth with one of these.
- Hilarious in Hindsight (at least, to me): The Wave-Motion Gun in question is actually called a "wave gun". And at the time I coined the term, I'd never even heard of Space Battleship Yamato.
- Weirdness Censor: The government team depicted in this series...
- are, in their secret identities, among the richest socialites in California;
- live on an island in the middle of San Francisco Bay;
- drive highly unique Flying Cars in their secret identities;
- drive those EXACT SAME Flying Cars in their guise as government agents;
- frequently get into violent skirmishes on their island home, in the middle of San Francisco Bay.
- All this, with the local citizenry being none the wiser. Handwaved in one story as the city-dwelling locals being too consumed with their own day-to-day lives to notice.
- Who Writes This Crap?!?
"Why do the writers think we're sappy wimps and always give us these cry-baby scenes?"
"I don't know. Maybe they're making up for something. You can tell these guys have never been married."
- There's also:
"Your son's conspiracy theory is becoming more plausible by the moment."
"Or the writers are taking narcotics."
The writers threatened to erase his character out of existence if he didn't shape up.
- There's also:
- Wig, Dress, Accent: The team doesn't do a whole lot of this sort of undecover operation, but they still manage to pull it off on occasion.
- Women Are Wiser: Zig-zagged; the women on the team have more common sense in one finger than all the men combined, but they are given plenty of "goofy" moments on their own (usually when isolated from the guys).
- World of Snark: Really, no one escapes unscathed. Not even the writers (although we give as good as we get).
- You and What Army? "Oh, that army, heh heh. Eep."
...And yes, I really do go by the name "Scooter".
Comare/contrast Mark Scooter.


text:
Arsenal attacker Henrikh Mkhitaryan on 2-1 victory over Huddersfield: We got the result we wanted
PUBLISHED: 18:54 09 February 2019 | UPDATED: 18:54 09 February 2019
PA Wire/PA Images
Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been speaking after Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Huddersfield Town at the John Smiths Stadium.
The Armenian international had a lively game as Unai Emery's Gunners clinched the vital win after first-half goals from Alex Iwobi and Alex Lacazette saw them move towards one point of Manchester United in the race for the coveted fourth Champions League spot.
Read on for what he said after the match:
On the performance...
Not the game, but the result [we wanted], yes. The last away game we won was two months ago, so it was an important win for us and we are happy to get the three points.
On the early goal settling any nerves...
I think it was very important to score the two goals in the first half, and apart from that we had other chances to score but I think we were a bit unlucky. In the second half we had a few chances we couldn't realise, but the most important thing was that we won.
On Huddersfield making them work for the win...
With the new manager they have started playing very well and I wish them good luck. But the most important thing is we won and can go home happy.
On needing a run of results in the top-four battle...
We will try everything to win every game because every point is important so now we can be focused on the Europa League and then back on the Premier League after that.
On his return from injury...
Yes, I was happy to be back after two months and I was excited. I will keep working and trying to do my best for the team.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan was speaking to Arsenal.com
If you value what this story gives you, please consider supporting the Islington Gazette. Click the link in the orange box above for details.


text:
How to choose a good web design company:
If you are looking for information on how to choose a good web design company then this is the right page for you. We have listed 5 steps to follow in order to help you to choose a good web design company. Follow these steps and whether you choose us, or someone else, you'll at least pick someone who can do a great job for you.
1.Go to a prospective Web Design Company's Website and make a list of their "Good" and "Bad" points
2.Good points would be; good consistent design, good user ability, good interactivity & engagement, up to date look & feel with use of modern technology (videos, blogs, social media, e-commerce, graphics etc.), use of terminology such as "business objectives", "return on investment (ROI)", "your revenue goals", "lead generation", "increase sales" etc. as well as good grammar, mention of things such as copy writing services & search engine optimisation (SEO) services, to make your site a worthwhile investment, lack of jargon, good descriptive keyword page names (as seen in URL of each page).
3.Bad points would be; bad inconsistent design, long page loading times / bad user ability, little or no interaction or engagement, outdated look & feel with no use of newer technology (e-commerce, blogs, social media, videos, graphics), use of terminology like "branding", "beautiful", "passion", "creative", "making a difference" etc. as well as bad grammar, lack of mention about copy writing and search engine optimisation services, over use of jargon, one word non descriptive page names (as seen in URL of each page).
4.Look at what they are charging and what you get for your money (Web design, Support, Hosting, Domain Registration, Additional Services, Emails, Security, Knowledge, Experience etc.)
5.Pick someone who has most or all of the good points, little or non of the bad point and who offers as much as possible in way of services, extra services and support for as best a price as possible (the company offering the "best value for money proposition – not always the cheapest price).
Should you wish to buy your new website from 333 Websites or contact us to discuss our service, or your website requirements further, please click the relevant link.
The "how to choose a good web design company" page was written "By Mike Armstrong"
MD of 333 Websites, Web Marketing Agency MA Consultancy, Welsh Marketing Brand WelshBiz and The Voice of Social Media – Web Marketing Trainer


text:
Music Monday
The year 2000 came with a bang. A new century, a new decade, a new age. The future was here, and it was bright, and we were the generation to make it ours. But as the years rolled by, nothing really changed. We didn't get our flying cars or our holograms or anything particularly fancy. Everything was the same. Nothing ever changed.
When the kids sing of the future, maybe kids don't need their masters.
I was in high school and I was bored. Things just didn't interest me. It was in anime I found my solace from the relentless monotony in the day-to-day existence of a high school student. And with anime and video games taking up a large part of my life, so did their music. Soundtracks like the jazz/blues tunes of Cowboy Bebop, the techno tracks of Serial Experiments Lain and the Eurobeat awesomeness of Initial D dominated my playlists. But it was the pillows' soundtrack to FLCL that defined my music tastes.
My song is your song.
I remember listening to songs like One Life and Instant Music while sitting in the playground with nothing to look forward and not caring about anything. In those songs, the pillows' guitars just reflect those kinds of extremely slow and laid-back moments. And that's the great thing about the pillows' music, they manage to capture a moment or an emotion. Ride on Shooting Star and Come Down are the crazy moments, Beautiful Morning With You is the depressing times, Crazy Sunshine and Hybrid Rainbow are the happy times. Their songs helped me through the bad times of adolescence, as well as the good times.
Sad Sad Kiddie so long…
Now I'm a little older, a little more mature and a little more stupid. I don't listen to Cowboy Bebop or GitS: SAC soundtracks anymore. I don't play Final Fantasy, I don't watch much anime. But the pillows' are still on my iPod. Their music is just as relevant to me as it ever was before.
I want to be a bat and I want to touch the sun…
Its 2010 now. And sure, somethings have changed in the last decade. I've left high school and gone and to uni. I've met new people and lost some friends. The things I like and do aren't the same anymore. The future isn't quite here yet, and its definitely not as bright as we had hoped it would be. But the music has been there, its tied everything together and it will always be there.
Can you feel that hybrid rainbow?


text:
Bible Study
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16
Pray without ceasing… 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24
Regular Church Attendance
Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:25
For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. Matthew 18:20
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:42
Praise & Worship
Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Psalm 150:1-6
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. John 4:23
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness… 1 Chronicles 16:29
Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, 'How have we robbed you?' In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. Malachi 3:8-10
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:3-8
Check Your Five
Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals." 1 Corinthians 15:33
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Ecclesiastes 4:9-10


text:
Is chai tea really full of sugar?
So there's been a lot of bad press about sugar in chai tea recently, but is all really as it seems?
You still have some items left in your basket from your last visit!
We are super excited to announce we are now offering FREE DELIVERY on all US and rest of the world orders with qualifying orders over $90!
Due to customs issues we DO NOT ship to Russia
|Economy 5-7 working days
|Orders up to $17
|Orders $17 - $43
|Orders $43 - $64
|Orders $64 - $90
|Orders $90+
|Tracked 6-10 working days
|All orders
|(US only) DHL express + tracked 1-3 working days
|All orders
|(ROW) DHL express + tracked 1-5 working days
|All orders
|Delivery option
|Royal Mail 1st class^
|Up to 2 days
|Free** / £4.50
|UK Mail Next Day Tracked***
|Next day
|UK Mail Tracked Pre 12pm***
|Next day before 12pm
|UK Mail Tracked Pre 9am***
|Next day before 9am
|UK Mail Saturday Delivery***
|Saturday delivery
|^Please note these times are recommended by Royal Mail but sometimes delivery can take a little longer than usual, especially over Christmas!
|**Free on orders over £120
|***You must place your order before 12pm Mon-Thurs to guarantee Next Working Day delivery!
Still need help or have any questions? Get in contact with us via:
Instant Chat: Our online chat (bottom of screen)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01273 325 523
Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm UK time
We pride ourselves on the fantastic service we give and love making your experience the best it can be!
With every order, we always give you free tea samples and a hand-written note.
It doesn't matter how big or small your order is we treat everyone with the same amount of love!
So there's been a lot of bad press about sugar in chai tea recently, but is all really as it seems?
Welcome to the Bird & Blend UniversiTEA - a platform set up so our expert Tea Mixologists can share their knowledge and passion and lead you on the road to a degree in tea!
We're always on the look our for new contributors and guest recipes so if you have something cool to say about tea, get in touch: [email protected]
Published 4 days ago
Bird & Blend have won big at the Great Taste Awards, learn more about our award-winning tea!
Published 7 days ago
Delve into making the perfect heart-warming pudding for autumn!
Published 12 days ago
We're launching our very first independent makers market, showcasing uniquely crafted Christmas presents by small businesses and artists.
We use cookies to ensure we give you the best experience on our website and to assist with our marketing efforts. We'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on this website. However, if you would like to, you can change your cookie settings at any time through your web browsers tools. For more information on what data is contained in the cookies, please see our Privacy Policy page.


text:
THIS OPINION HAS NO PRECEDENTIAL VALUE. IT SHOULD NOT BE CITED OR RELIED ON AS PRECEDENT IN ANY PROCEEDING EXCEPT AS PROVIDED BY RULE 239(d)(2), SCACR.
In The Court of Appeals
State, Respondent,
Perry L. Byrd, Appellant.
Appeal From Union County
Lee S. Alford, Circuit Court Judge
Unpublished Opinion No. 2008-UP-362
Submitted July 1, 2008 – Filed July 11, 2008
Appellate Defender Lanelle C. Durant, South Carolina Commission on Indigent Defense, Division of Appellate Defense, of Columbia, for Appellant.
Attorney General Henry Dargan McMaster, Chief Deputy Attorney General John W. McIntosh, Assistant Deputy Attorney General Salley W. Elliott, Office of the Attorney General, all of Columbia, and Solicitor Kevin S. Brackett, of York, for Respondent.
PER CURIAM: Perry L. Byrd pled guilty to two counts of distribution of crack cocaine within the proximity of a school, public park, or public playground, and two counts of distribution of crack cocaine, second offense. He received concurrent sentences of eighteen years for each distribution of crack cocaine, second offense charge, and concurrent sentences of fifteen years for the remaining distribution charges. Byrd appeals his guilty plea, arguing the trial court erred by accepting his guilty plea because the State failed to introduce the drug analysis proving the substances were crack cocaine. After a thorough review of the record and counsel's brief pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967), and State v. Williams, 305 S.C. 116, 406 S.E.2d 357 (1991), we dismiss Mathis's appeal and grant counsel's motion to be relieved. [1]
HEARN, C.J., CURETON and GOOLSBY, A.J.J. concur.
[1] We decide this case without oral argument pursuant to Rule 215, SCACR.


text:
Our Founder
Diva Tommei, Founder & Inventor of Caia
Diva is the founder and CEO of Solenica, as well as the inventor of our flagship product Caia. Diva has a Bachelor in Biotechnology from La Sapienza and a PhD in Bioinformatics from the University of Cambridge. She was also part of the last class of the Master "In The Boardroom 4.0", a course prepping women executives to take part in international and national boardrooms. Diva attended the NASA university program Singularity University in 2010, and has been an honorary member of the Cambridge University Technology and Enterprise Club since 2013. She was nominated "Top 50 Women in European Tech" by Forbes in 2018 and has given two TEDx talks, one in Rome (2017) and one in Matera (2018). She was also awarded the Young Global Innovator Award by MIT Tech Review in 2017 and has worked with Huawei on their artificial intelligence campaign (2017) as well as with Land Rover on their sustainability campaign (2019). In 2019 Diva was awarded the Pleiade International Award in the field of Innovation and New Technologies.
Studied Genomic Biotechnology at La Sapienza in Rome and went on to get a PhD in Bioinformatics from the University of Cambridge.
Diva In The News
Pleiade International Award.
June 7, 2019: Awarded the "Pleide International Award" for Innovation & New Technologies at the Italian House of Representatives.
Speaker at TEDx Matera.
December 14, 2018: Diva speaks at TEDx Matera on "Habitat 4.0: how robotics should help us reshape our indoor environment" (video to be released)
Nominated by Forbes.
October 16, 2018: Diva is nominated by Forbes as one of the "Top 50 Women in Tech in Europe"
Interview by Il Corriere.
March and April 2019: Diva's story featured on Il Corriere and Il Corriere TV
Diva Interviewed on Live Television
November 17, 2017: Top Italian tech journalist Riccardo Luna interviews Diva about her startup journey on live television in one of the largest venues in Rome.
Huawei National Campaign
November 11, 2017: Diva is currently featured in a nationwide Huawei campaign as one of four Italian innovators who works with AI. A custom stone statue as well as billboards, posters, and online ads across Italy all feature Diva and Solenica.
Entrepreneur Podcast Feature
October 24, 2017: Episode 41 of Lean the F*ck Out, a podcast for women entrepreneurs, features Diva discussing what makes a hardware startup tick and what it means to reinvest in your community.
Top 50 Influential EU Women
October 18, 2017: Diva named one of the European Union's top 50 most influential women in startups and VCs.
Tech Open Air Berlin 2017 Speaker
July 12, 2017: Diva spoke on the topic of Acing The Iceberg: What You Need To Know About Crowdfunding Hardware at one of the top European tech conferences of the year.
TEDx Tiburtino Speaker
March 8, 2017: Diva gives talk at premier TEDx event in the capital city of Italy on what it takes for Italian startups to become as successful as their American counterparts.
Winner of Elle Italia & Huawei Innovative Women Award
November 5, 2016: Winner of the Elle Italia "Donna, talento e innovazione nel mondo digitale" award.
Select Delegate at Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2016
June 22-24, 2016: Diva was one of only two selected delegates from all of Italy at the 2016 Global Entrepreneurship Summit at Stanford University.


text:
SK School Board to Vote on Appointing New Superintendent
Although South Kitsap School District Superintendent Bev Cheney won't retire for another year, the school board could appoint her replacement as early as Wednesday.
Dave LaRose, assistant superintendent for family and support services, is being considered by the board as an internal candidate. While some community members are critical of the process, school board members say there is a precedent for making an internal appointment, which could also save the district money.
LaRose has spoken at three forums over the past two weeks. Wednesday is the last opportunity for the public to ask about his qualifications and interest in the job,
LaRose will speak at the board's regular meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the district office, 1962 Hoover Ave. SE, Port Orchard. Following the forum, the board will decide whether to appoint him or to hire one of three superintendent search firms that have applied to find potential candidates at a cost ranging from $25,000 to $40,000.
While comments about LaRose at the meetings and on a school district blog have generally been positive, some who spoke at a forum last week questioned the idea of appointing a superintendent from within the district without considering any other candidates.
"He's a wonderful man," said former school board member Chris Lemke. "What I disagree with, there are other candidates. Give them the chance to speak, and give people the opportunity to speak about them."
School board President Patty Henderson said no other internal candidates have expressed an interest in the job. Assistant Superintendent Kurt Wagner's name has been mentioned, but Wagner has not expressed interest to the board, she said.
LaRose was not a formal candidate when the board tapped him as a possible replacement for Cheney. In mid-April, at an executive session to discuss the search firms, board members were talking about qualifications for superintendent and LaRose's name came up, Henderson said.
The board formalized its intention to consider appointing him following the executive session. They set four forums for the public to meet LaRose and established a blog on the district's Web site.
The superintendent's position may be made by appointment, and the board is not required to advertise, Henderson said. She added that there is precedent for the internal appointment of a superintendent in several districts around the state.
Faith Chapel, deputy superintendent in the Bainbridge Island School District, will replace Kenneth Crawford as superintendent when he retires in July. The district made the announcement shortly after Crawford announced his retirement. North Kitsap School District undertook a formal search to replace retiring Superintendent Gene Medina. The district recently named Rick Jones, superintendent of the Burlington-Edison School District, as its new schools chief.
Henderson acknowledged that forgoing a search is not standard procedure.
"It's different, definitely," Henderson said. "This is not something we take lightly. ... Obviously some people are not happy with the process."
At the meeting, some speakers questioned an internal appointment, even if it would save money in a year when the district must cut nearly $3 million from its budget.
Bob Lamb, who serves on the district's budget review committee, said there is risk in not looking at a pool of candidates.
"If you're selecting one candidate, you're not only getting the very, very best," he said. "You're getting the very, very worst."
Board member Kathryn Simpson said the board did consider other internal candidates, none of whom have formally expressed an interest in the position.
"We have been extremely transparent in this process," she said. "Yes, they were considered. They were considered very seriously. This was the candidate that there was a consensus on."
One member of the audience asked the board if its selection of LaRose had anything to do with other vacancies in Kitsap County and South Kitsap's desire not to lose him to another district. Bremerton will need to replace outgoing Superintendent Bette Hyde, who is retiring at the end of this school year.
"Yes, that was a factor," said Henderson, who said she is aware LaRose's career goal is to become a superintendent.
Simpson said, "It was a factor, not a deciding factor."
Board member Keith Garton noted that the public has had ample opportunity to weigh in on LaRose, and he defended the process, saying, "It's not, 'We'll just pick the guy in the office down the hall.'"
Board member Jay Rosapepe urged South Kitsap residents to have their say before Wednesday. He noted the numerous comments on the school district blog.
"Please call us. Please blog us," he said. "It's been very beneficial from my point of view."
To comment on LaRose or the process, call (360) 874-7000 or visit www.skitsap.wednet.edu.
The public will have one more opportunity to hear from David LaRose, a candidate to replace retiring Superintendent Bev Cheney, at the school board meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the district office, 1962 Hoover Ave. SE, Port Orchard. To comment on LaRose, call (360) 874-7000 or visit a blog devoted to the topic at www.skitsap.wednet.edu


text:
To be in harmony with the cosmic order set by the divine you must eschew arrogance, which promotes a fragmentation and separation from the whole for the purpose of being parallel with the divine. In other words, arrogance and self-promotion stems from a repulsion of humbling oneself and surrendering oneself to the Creator, and that's something that sets you off on a warpath, not only with the cosmos but also with yourself because you don't rule the self. So even though you may reject your innate truth, you're still subject to the metaphysical laws. Because you turned against your deepest truth and interest – as your soul's yearning is identical with the divine will – you'll find everything turning against you and life becomes an obstacle course.
ثُمَّ اسْتَوَىٰ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَهِيَ دُخَانٌ فَقَالَ لَهَا وَلِلْأَرْضِ ائْتِيَا طَوْعًا أَوْ كَرْهًا قَالَتَا أَتَيْنَا طَائِعِينَ
Then He rose towards the heaven when it was smoke, and said to it and to the earth: "Come both of you willingly or unwillingly." They both said: "We come, willingly."
( Fussilat:11)


text:
» » next post - Jeff Liker: When standardized work is changed, every one who performs the job needs to be trained
« « previous post - Jeff Liker: Lean engineering tools can be lifeless or brought to life with exceptional leadership and teamwork
The Lean Edge: How do you change a standard?
By The Lean Edge, - Last updated: dimanche, mars 17, 2013 - Save & Share - Leave a comment
Standards are often described as 'the best way known to perform a certain task'. Using Job Instructions, people are trained to work according to standards. Kaizen can then be used to improve standards. In this case the 'best way' has changed. Does this mean everybody needs to be retrained ? If so does this imply the rate of improvement is limited by your capacity to train? Or does it imply that 'standards are local' confined to a small group where one is able to learn from one another on a daily basis ?