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Update 25 September: Carphone Warehouse has announced that it will be stocking the Apple Watch in 30 of its stores as well as online with next day delivery. We're also hearing that it will be available to buy from Currys this Christmas.
Where to try the Apple Watch and how to book an appointment
If you're not sure about whether to buy an Apple Watch then the best plan is to try one out. Apple Stores now have the device on display but you'll need to make an appointment to have a special fitting. If you do this an employee will be there to show you the device, answer questions and help you choose which model to buy. Book your appointment via Apple's website.
As well as Apple Stores across the country, there's also a special Apple Watch store inside Selfridges on Oxford Street, London.
Apple Watch UK price: How much does the iWatch cost?
The Apple Watch starts at $349 (Sport edition, 38mm; $399 for 42mm) in the US. The Apple Watch Collection starts from $549 and goes up to $1049 in 38mm, while 42mm once again adds $50 to the price. The Apple Watch Edition, crafted from 18k gold, will be available in limited supply, and will cost from $10,000!
UK prices are Sport £299/£339, Watch from £479 to £949, and Watch Edition from £8,000.
Don't forget, though, that you'll also need to own an iPhone in order to use the Apple Watch, so you're looking at an additional £319 (for the iPhone 5C) or more unless you already own an iPhone. The Apple Watch is compatible with iPhone 5, iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus.
Apple Watch features
Tim Cook on 9 March 2015 confirmed the Apple Watch will let you read and respond to full emails, and make phone calls directly from your wrist, thanks to a built-in mic and speaker. After a slight delay Apple launched watchOS 2 including new features.
Apple also demonstrated some new apps designed for the Apple Watch, including Instagram, Uber and Shazam. More interesting uses include using Passbook to pull up your boarding pass at an airport, an SPG app that lets you check in to your hotel and unlock your room with your watch, and an Alarm.com app that was shown to unlock and open a garage door.
These all work without you neding to reach for your iPhone. The Apple Watch supports Apple Pay, too, although we're still waiting for that to come to the UK.
A new Apple Watch app in iOS 8.2 (available to download today) lets you see and download apps.
Apple also confirmed there would be all-day battery life of around 18 hours.
Scroll down below our launch event blog for more information on the Apple Watch and how it works.
Apple Watch launch event live blog
Apple Watch: What other features does Apple's smartwatch have?
The Apple Watch is a customisable smartwatch designed to work with the iPhone that is also a comprehensive health- and fitness device. It's accurate to +/-50ms no matter where in the world you are, and allows you to connect and communicate directly from your wrist.
The way you interact with the device is entirely new: a Digital Crown enables you to interact with the watch without obstructing the screen, and also operates as the home button. Siri is also supported, allowing for smart messages and dictation. (See also: Microsoft Band vs Apple Watch comparison.)
A flexible retina display is a single crystal of sapphire. Force Touch, tiny electrodes around the display, recognise the difference between a tap and a press, allowing for different gestures to be made. A linear actuator provides haptic feedback. This is the Apple Watch's so-called Taptic Engine: more than just helpfully vibrating when you receive a new notification, it can do such things as provide slightly different vibrations for left- and right turns within the Maps app.
On the back a ceramic cover with sapphire lenses protects four sensors that make up the heart-rate monitor, which allows the Apple Watch to build up a comprehensive picture of your daily activities. The Apple Watch also has an accelerometer to measure body movement, and it uses the Wi-Fi and GPS in your iPhone to track distance. There's a speaker, too, which is water-resistant.
For charging the Apple Watch combines MagSafe and inductive charging in a completely sealed unit. You simply hold the back of the watch near the charging connector and magnets pull it into place. According to 9to5Mac, the Apple Watch should offer a typical battery life of 19 hours. The hardware is rather power-hungry, so for gaming you'll get only around 2.5 hours, but two- to three days on standby. Tim Cook said back in September that you'll probably want to charge the iWatch every night. See: Best Apple Watch charging stands.
A custom-designed S1 chip resides inside the Apple Watch, and is completely encapsulated in resin to protect it from the elements, impact and wear. This is an entire computing solution on a single chip.
There is a range of watch faces (also known in watchmaking as complications), with everything from Astronomy and Solar to Modular, Timelapse, Utility, Motion, Photo and even Mickey Mouse, but personalisation extends way beyond the interface. Indeed, Apple claims to offer over two million ways to see time with the Apple Watch.
There are six easily interchangeable straps, including the Sport Band, which is tough, durable and sweat resistant, and the Leather Loop, which contains magnets for adjusting and fastening the watch. There is also the Link Bracelet, Classic Buckle, Modern Buckle and Milanese Loop.
The Apple Watch is available in two sizes (38- and 42mm height), and three distinct collections: the Apple Watch collection has a polished silver or black case made from a custom alloy of stainless steel; the Apple Watch Sport collection has a 60 percent stronger anodised aluminium case in silver or space grey, with strengthened Ion-X glass and colourful, durable straps; and the AppleWatch Edition is made from 18-carat yellow or rose gold, which is twice as hard as standard gold, and has sapphire crystal glass, and equisitely crafted straps and closures.
Update 9 September: As expected Apple launched new models at the iPhone 6S/iPad Pro launch event including Rose Gold and Gold Sport models (coloured aluminium). It also announced a special Hermés collection in different sizes and an optional double strap starting at £1,000.
A Glances feature lets you swipe up from the bottom of the screen to see whatever information you choose to have there. This is quick, at-a-glance summaries of such things as the weather forecast, your location or your calendar.
The Apple Watch lets you control music on your iPhone or computer, or music stored on the Watch itself. Any photos you favourite on your iPhone or Mac will also show up on your Apple Watch.
You can choose what types of notifications you receive on the Apple Watch, then simply raise your wrist to see the notification.
Digital Touch lets you connect with your friends with a single touch. You just press the button under the Digital Crown to see thumbnail images of your friends, then use these to message or call them. You can even draw them a picture on the watch, send them your heartbeat (a little odd) or give them a tap to know you're thinking of them (potentially creepier than it sounds, given the Taptic Engine). There's also a Walkie-Talkie mode.
The Apple Watch is also a great health- and fitness device, motivating you to get active. An Activity app tracks your daily activity, and stores that information over time, while a Workout app shows real-time information such as calories burned and distance travelled, and it can set you goals. According to Apple, over time the Apple Watch gets to know you just as a personal fitness instructor would.
The Activity app supports three 'rings': Move, Excercise and Stand. Stand shows you how often you've got off your behind and done something; Exercise measures brisk activity, and Move gives you an overview of how active you are.
The Apple Watch also supports the new NFC-enabled Apple Pay feature built into the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.
Apple Watch companion app for iPhone confirms features
iOS 8.2 beta reveals that an Apple Watch companion app for iPhone is in development, according to 9to5Mac. This reveals a host of features available to the Apple Watch. For example, the app will allow users to view a virtual representation of the Watch's home screen on their iPhone, and use this to organise and manage apps. There are also some new features for the clock, including a red dot that appears on the Watch when a notification is received on the iPhone, plus a new Monogram complication. With messages you can opt to send an automatic reply or dictate your response, and you can set up read receipts and specify from whom you should receive messages on the Apple Watch. For security you can also set a passcode, and opt to wipe the Watch's data if it is incorrectly entered 10 times.
AppleInsider has delved right into this Companion app, so check it out for lots more details and screenshots.
Apple Watch apps
One of the first apps to come to the Apple Watch is Letterpad, a word puzzle from Nimblebit, the developer behind Tiny Tower. TouchArcade says in the game you get a grid of nine letters and must use them to make words. The below picture is a mockup of how the game will look on the Apple Watch.
The 20th project from creative blog the Letter Society was to create a new use for the Apple Watch. Some great examples are shown below of how apps might look on the new Apple Watch (via The Verge).
Intuit Mint Bills, by Jake Nolan:
Garmin for Apple Watch, by Jenn DiMenna:
Uber for Apple Watch, by Ryan Brownhill:
For more examples head over to the Letter Society.
Apple Watch sales
CCSInsight is touting 2015 as the make or break year for the smartwatch and it's no surprise mainly down to the fact the Apple Watch will go on sale this year.
For starters, the bean counting firm predicts that shipments will jump to 75 million which is a 158 percent increase on 2014. It says that the Apple will sell a total of 20 million Apple Watch units by the end of the year, meaning it will account for more than a quarter of the market this year.
That figure is 7 percent of consumers who own a compatible iPhone at the time of the product's launch. It also matches closely with how many original iPads Apple sold when it first came out.
The hype surrounding the Apple's first wearable will catapult it almost instantly to be the most successful smartwatch ever, according to CCS. The firm expects Apple to "employ its full marketing arsenal and the power of its brand to create another must-have status symbol."
Apple Watch: Try the Apple Watch today
Pipes' Apple Watch Demo lets you try the Apple Watch experience in your browser right now. Just head to demoapplewatch.com to test drive the Apple Watch.
You can also see what it's like to use the Apple Watch in the video at the top of this page, courtesy of our sister site Macworld.com.
Apple Watch: Rent the Apple Watch for $20 per week
US customers will have the opportunity to rent the Apple Watch before deciding whether they want to buy. San Francisco-based startup Lumoid.com lets you borrow up to five wearables for a week while you make up your mind which is for you, and if you decide to buy none you pay only $20. A waiting list for the Apple Watch will be available on its site later this week.
Apple Watch: Who wants to buy the Apple Watch?
When Apple finally unveiled the iWatch the world was waiting for, albeit with a slightly different name, it did so to a sea of excitement. According to Futuresource, in the five months between May and October it saw a 125 percent increase in interest in smartwatches among the 8000 consumers it polled, and many of these enthusiasts were iPhone users. But that was three months ago, and it's likely we'll be waiting another three for the Apple Watch to make an appearance. Is excitement waning? Did Apple unveil the iWatch too soon?
We ran our own poll in an attempt to find out whether the Apple Watch (or indeed any smartwatch) was exciting enough to make users switch platform. Out of nearly 11,000 readers 75 percent would not. Only 10 percent said yes, while the others were undecided.
Apple Watch clones at CES 2015: Apple Watch for Android
According to The FT, January's CES 2015 show has seen a number of Chinese manufacturers showing clones of the Apple Watch. These are near-identical copies, and it's difficult to tell them apart from the real thing. These cost from as little as $60 each, which is a long way off Apple's $350 asking price.
The watches reportedly use a customised version of Android Wear that has been made to more closely resemble Apple's Watch interface.
See also: How to use an Apple Watch
Apple iWatch release date: When is the iWatch coming out?
On 28 August, Apple sent out press invitations to a 9 September special event, which we expect will see the unveiling of the iPhone 6 and many believe will also give us our first look at the rumoured iWatch. Our editors will be reporting live from the event - see How to watch the iPhone 6 launch live and tune into our live coverage at New iPhone 6 live blog: Plus 2014 Apple iPhone Air, iOS 8, iWatch launch as it happens.
We've been putting our money on a Q3 iWatch launch since early this year - that's Autumn 2014 for you humans out there. Apple Insider has reporting this as fact based on a research note written by trusted analyst KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, and seems to confirm heavy industry rumours.
"We believe the rumored iWatch will be Apple's most important product this year, carrying much more weight than iPhone 6," Kuo writes, adding, "as market feedback for the product should reveal whether Apple still has the ability to continue making game-changing products with Tim Cook at the helm."
Apple has in recent years settled in to a rhythm of updating its iPhones and iPads in two separate events in the autumn each year. We'd expect the iWatch launch to coincide with the iPhone 6 launch, which we now know is happening on 9 September. This gets the iWatch out in time for the all-important Thanksgiving/Christmas shopping season.
There was an outside chance that Apple will launch the iWatch at WWDC 2014, where iOS 8 was announced. However, there was no wearable iWatch unveiled in San Francisco this year.
Kuo's latest report states that Apple iWatch will enter mass-production in November, later than the original September prediction. "We have pushed back our estimated time of iWatch mass production from late-September to mid-/ late- November. We also lower our forecast of iWatch 2014 shipments by 40% to 3mn units," wrote Kuo putting it down to more complex hardware and software engineering.
This could still be true, as despite many reports suggesting a 9 September unveiling, it's believed that the iWatch won't actually be available to buy for some time after that. Trusted source Re/Code has cited its own sources in a report that claims the iWatch is "not shipping any time soon." It's possible we may have to wait until early 2015!
Will Apple launch an iWatch? Will the iWatch succeed?
There's been a lot of speculation about Apple's intention with regard to wearable tech. Much of it wrong-headed and hopeful. But the fact is that all the usual tell-tale signs are there for a major new product line from Apple. Indeed, in May 2013, Apple CEO Tim Cook told attendees at All Things D that "the wrist is interesting". That in itself doesn't mean much, but the level of rumours springing from usually reliable sources tells us that Apple will launch an iWatch, and it will be this year.
That's not the only time Apple has hinted at an iWatch, either. Cook has hinted on multiple occasions that Apple is working on a new product line. He's spoken about "new product categories" that the company is working on behind the scenes, and has said that Apple aims to be the best, not the first, with everything it makes. Apple certainly wouldn't be the first company to launch a smartwatch. In fact, the wearable tech market has been flooded with new smartwatches from the likes of Samsung, Sony, Pebble, LG and more already this year.
If you're still not convinced, there are two more pieces of evidence that we think my sway you. The first is that Apple actually owns the rights to the iWatch name in several countries, and the second is that there's an Apple patent that describes a wearable computer with a flexible display that can snap around the wrist to become a smartwatch.
Whether the iWatch will be a success is another matter. Much analysis points at the market-making successes of the iPod, iPhone and the iPad. But in each case there was an established need, and a nascent market. Apple simply made much better products than those that had gone before.
It's also worth pointing out that success is relative. By any metric the iPod, iPhone and iPad are hugely successful product lines. But their levels of success differ markedly: at its peak more than 50 million iPods were being sold each year. By contrast 70 million iPads were sold in 2013, and more than 116 million iPhones. Wearable tech is clearly a growth market, but whether it can hit any of those figures remains to be seen.
What's the point of an iWatch?
The aim of the iWatch would probably be to add a connected interface to your wrist, acting as a middle-man between you and your iPhone. Smartphones have replaced watches as our key informational tools, offering much greater functionality. But the form factor has taken us back to the time of pocket watches. We have to pull out our phones to tell the time, never mind all the other great information we can access.
That alone doesn't mean that smartwatches or even smartglasses such as Google Glass are going to be a success. You could argue that adding a tablet to our arsenal of connected devices is already one device too many (the dream of one-device-to-rule-them-all is further away than ever). But there is a market for anything Apple makes, and if anyone can create a smartwatch that is worth having it is Apple. Apple will launch an iWatch, and here is what we know and what we think we know.
(See also: Sony SmartWatch 2 review.)
Apple iWatch specs and features
This is where the facts end and the speculation truly kicks in. We understand that there may even be two iWatch models, with different, curved screen sizes of 1.3in or 1.5in. It's possible these will be male- and female-styled watches – after all, watches are as much about fashion as they are about technology in many cases. We expect flexible AMOLED displays with Sapphire crystal glass to prevent scratching. Apple owns a Sapphire crystal glass factory in Arizona, and it's recently believed to have begun production of the material. (See also: Apple iWatch to come in two sizes, analyst claims.)
Rumours point to an unusually large 250mAh battery - lengthy battery life will be a key battleground for wearable tech, and Apple is often a market-leader in this respect. Expect the iWatch to last more than a day between charges. It's possible motion charging may be introduced, to keep your iWatch battery topped up.
Unlike other smartwatches, we expect the iWatch to be able to operate on its own, like a tiny connected iPod. Clearly an important element will be the ability to offer an additional display for your iPhone, but offering a standalone product will allow Apple to keep in, and attract new Windows and Android users to its ecosystem.
We expect Apple Maps to be a key feature, along with a Mail app, simple browser and Siri. And you should be able to make and answer calls via the iWatch, as well as sending- and receiving text messages.
It's thought, though, that the biggest focus of Apple's iWatch will be fitness and health-tracking. It's rumoured that Apple is planning to introduce a new app called 'Healthbook' this year, which will work closely with the iWatch. Together, the app and smartwatch will be able to collect and collate data such as how many steps you've taken, how many calories you've burned and the distance you've walked. They'll also allegedly be able to monitor blood pressure, hydration levels, heart rate and more.
The health and fitness rumours are backed up by some of Apple's recent hires from the medical field, and also the recent talks of a partnership between Apple and Nike, which is believed to be discontinuing its FuelBand line.
Expect Bluetooth to connect the iWatch to your existing iOS device, meaning the smaller device doesn't need standalone Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity, but limiting its standalone capabilities. (This fits in with current Apple policy on the Bluetooth-based iBeacon, which makes it both more likely, and also more likely to be a rumour based on the facts as we know them.)
We've seen screenshots purportedly of iOS 8 that show an app called 'Watch Utility' running on an iPad and on an iPhone, so expect the iWatch to be compatible with both smartphones and tablets.
Apple iWatch price UK: How much will the iWatch cost?
At the time of writing anyone that tells you they know the price of the upcoming iWatch is either lying or telling you something they shouldn't. We've heard everything from $150 to thousands of US$. We can only speculate as to the truth of the matter. So here goes...
Although Apple is a premium manufacturer that operates at the top of the market, the price of current smartwatches gives some room for manouevre. Given that the Samsung Galaxy Gear launched at a hefty £299, we'd expect Apple to be in that region. In some ways that feels expensive, and in others cheap. But it is worth remembering that at the time of launch the iPhone and iPad felt cheap - even though they were at the top of their respective nascent markets.
The latest report, this time from generally accurate website Re/code, has said that Apple has considered pricing the iWatch at "around $400," which is likely to translate to roughly £329 here in the UK.


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Thoracic Surgery
Thoracic surgery involves the heart, lung, esophogaus and other organs in the chest. Thoracic surgeons are medical doctors with specialized training in surgery and additional training in thoracic surgery. More surgery is performed at Methodist Hospital than at any other hospital in the region.
Conditions treated by thoracic surgery
Thoracic surgeons specialize in the treatment of diseases of the chest including:
- Coronary artery disease
- Cancers of the lung
- Esophagus
- Chest wall
- Abnormalities of the great vessels and heart valves
- Birth defects of the chest and heart
- Tumors in the organs contained in the chest cavity
Meet the thoracic surgeons
The Physicians of Omaha Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, P.C. perform operations through Methodist Hospital. Learn more about the education and interests of the cardiothoracic surgeons.
International membership
The cardiothoracic surgeons at Methodist Hospital are members of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, an international group dedicated to ensuring the best possible outcomes for surgeries of the heart, lung, and esophagus, as well as other surgical procedures within the chest.

subset: commoncrawl


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The last ten years have seen an increased determination by successive UK governments to clamp down on illegal business practices in the financial and corporate sector. As a means of doing this, there has been a substantial strengthening of the powers held by a range of regulatory bodies charged with making sure that rules are adhered to, and that those who fail to do so are held to account.
If you are subject to an investigation by one of these bodies, the impact on your life and your business can be substantial. The Regulatory and Compliance Solicitors at Wilford Smith, with many years of experience representing clients in relation to such investigations, are able to ruthlessly develop a top-level strategy on your behalf. Call our team today to find out how we can help.
We can offer representation in cases under investigation or prosecution by the following agencies, amongst others:
- The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
- The Serious Fraud Office (SFO)
- Trading Standards
- Health & Safety
- Environmental LawEnvironmental Law
Investigations by the National Crime Agency (NCA)
The NCA has a wide remit, targeting serious and major crimes such as organised crime, exploitative crime, cybercrime and financial crime, as well as issues related to border patrol. In order to investigate and prevent the carrying out of these crimes, the NCA often works with local police forces and other bodies. For those subject to investigation or prosecution by the NCA, it is essential that the legal advice that you receive be of the highest quality. Our solicitors can provide expert legal counsel if you are subject to an investigation relating to serious crime, including business crime, serious fraud and cybercrime.
Investigations by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
HMRC's main objective is to ensure the highest possible levels of compliance with the UK's laws and tax regulations, both in respect of direct and indirect taxation. In England and Wales, HMRC carries out criminal investigations into tax evasion. It has extensive investigatory powers, being able to carry out both civil and criminal investigations when there are suspicions that tax has been evaded, left unpaid or undeclared, or when there is evidence of tax fraud. Prosecutions have risen significantly in recent years as the UK Government has provided increased funding for HMRC to aid the targeting of tax fraud, with the majority of these prosecutions ending in conviction.
Investigations by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
The FCA acts as the main regulator for the financial markets in the UK, with the power to bring criminal proceedings and regulatory enforcement proceedings against individuals and institutions when there is evidence of misconduct in the financial services industry. The FCA's wide-ranging powers are used to investigate businesses or professional individuals in relation to breaches of financial codes of conduct. Such investigations can be deeply damaging to you and your business, but the Regulatory and Compliance Solicitors at Wilford Smith can provide you with quality legal advice at the outset to help deal with the authorities, and to ensure your reputation and that of your business remain intact.
Investigations by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO)
The SFO is a prosecuting authority with responsibility for investigating and prosecuting fraud cases that are serious or complex in nature, as well as those involving bribery and corruption in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The SFO also has the power to recover property that has been acquired as a result of criminal acts, by carrying out confiscation investigations and requesting confiscation orders when a conviction has been achieved. If you find yourself subject to such accusations it is essential that you equip yourself with the best legal advice available. Our Criminal Defence Team specialise in providing legal representation in respect of all types of financial crime and are dedicated to providing our clients with the best possible defence.
Contact our Regulatory & Compliance Solicitors in Sheffield
The Regulatory and Compliance Solicitors at Wilford Smith take pride in their reputation for unique representation, giving clients a service that is exceptionally strategic and results driven, and are able to attract the highest calibre barristers to provide support when necessary. A prosecution following an investigation by a regulatory body can have serious consequences, resulting in fines, criminal proceedings, confiscation investigations and confiscation orders. In cases involving fraud or tax evasion, prosecutions will be led by lawyers who are specially trained and experienced in dealing with complex financial cases. As such, you need the support of a legal team with the skills, knowledge and determination to conduct the most robust defence on your behalf.
Our Regulatory and Compliance Solicitors are based in Sheffield and advise and represent clients throughout England and Wales. Contact us today on 01709 828 044 to find out how we can help.


text: I have to reboot my APs all the time. I have both 2.4 and 5ghz turned on with the same SSID and encryption to accommodate various anntenna types. I have 3 7363 with auto select channels all configured the same way in a single floor open floor plan (no walls) and users complain weekly. I have to reboot and all is well. Please help, I promised these APs would work better than the Cisco ones I replaced and it does not seem to be the case 5 months later.


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$2 million to attract new students
By Kristina Aiad-Toss, Photo Editor
April 25, 2016
The University of Akron administration budgeted $3 million for marketing during the 2015-2016 school year. Approved by the Board of Trustees in June 2015, the annual budget of $480 million included a $1,075,000 allocation for marketing, unchanged from the 2014-2015 budget. This funding encompa...


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Psalms 16
11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Know God, Know Peace. No God, No Peace.
The verse from Psalms posted above teaches us that the same thing applies to joy as to peace. If we want to have a fulness of joy we can experience that as we spend time in the presence of God. The more we seek Him, the more we will know Him. The more we know Him, the more we will love Him and trust Him. The more we love Him and trust Him, the more we will have peace and joy in our lives. The more peace and joy we have, the more we will be able to share that peace and love with those around us. So, you can see why it is so important that we take the time to seek Him. How can you get to know someone you have not spent time with?
And just because we have found Him before does not mean that we are always as close to Him. Sometimes we find that distance has grown between us either because of a trial we are going through, because we are too busy, or even because life is going so well that we don't feel a yearning to turn to Him.
I once heard a joke that I love to relate to this exact concept. There was an elderly couple riding in their truck one day when they came to a stoplight. They looked over and noticed a younger couple in the cab of the truck next to them. The couple was snuggled up on the seat looking very in love. The elderly woman looked at her husband and commented how sweet they looked and then asked, "Why don't we ever do that anymore? Her husband looked at the couple and then back at his wife and said, "Well, I haven't moved." This is exactly the case with our relationship with God. If there is distance between us it is because we have moved, not because He has.
What would happen to us physically if we only ate a meal once a week? We would starve, of course. Our spirits have the same need for nourishment that our bodies do and going to church to be fed once a week is certainly not enough to keep us healthy, nurtured and growing. I am afraid many of us are actually spiritually starving to death.
What are some of the signs that we are spiritually starving?
*Weakness: When we become spiritually weak we start to lack self-control and commitment. We have an inability to separate needs from wants and to prioritize properly.
*Confusion: Over time our thinking becomes murky or distorted. We start to rationalize or justify the things that we are doing wrong, or time not being used wisely.
*Irritability: We begin to find ourselves being easily offended and more annoyed by the people around us, especially our family members.
*Immune Deficiency: We become less able to fight off temptations that lead to sin, sin being the disease. We are more tolerant of things that at one time we would have shunned and we are less resistant to things that we normally wouldn't even give a second glance.
*Internal Shutdown: We find ourselves behaving out of character, saying things we wouldn't normally say or responding in ways we normally wouldn't respond. We find that we are lacking in compassion or patience with those we should be most loving and compassionate towards.
*Comatose: We have complete apathy. We have detached from anything spiritual and don't feel drawn to do good or to connect with God.
If you are feeling any of these symptoms, your spirit may be dying. It may be crying out for nourishment and connection. It may be time to assess your daily habits and commit to centering your day around seeking God.
God loves us so much, whether or not we are worthy of it. Because of His love for us He has a plan to make sure we always have a way back and a way to connect with Him. His trust is earned by our actions and there are blessings contingent on our level of obedience and commitment to Him, but His love is never earned. He has offered His Son as a sacrifice for us so that we can always repent when we have strayed and return to Him. And He has made Himself constantly accessible to us through prayer. Please use these gifts! Your spiritual health depends on it!
When we regularly seek God and connect with Him, He is there to help with every aspect of our lives. He can strengthen us, comfort us, direct us and inspire us. He can teach us and answer our questions and concerns. He can help us manage our stress and give us refuge in the eye of the storm. He can increase our clarity, energy, ability to both forgive and to let go of things. He can fill our cup and give us an added measure of peace, gratitude, love and joy. He can do all these things when we open up the conduit between ourselves and Him. He stands at the door and knocks, but we must open it and let Him in.
I'm not going to tell you that it is easy to connect with Him regularly. It is simple, but it is not easy. It requires sacrifice and commitment. We must be willing to sacrifice the time and some of the activities we are filling that time with. We must be willing to commit to scheduling that time and following through. We may need to set an alarm to remind us of the most important meeting of our day. But if we will do this, we will find that what we receive from our sacrifice is paid back in full and then some. Overall, our days will go smoother, our problems will be more manageable, our minds more clear, and our abilities magnified. It is not a cure-all, we will still have bad days, but it will be better.
When we show God that we want to connect with Him, He will even help us come up with solutions and find pockets of time to do so. No matter how busy we are, there are always pockets! You can get up a little earlier and meet with Him in the calm before the storm. You can spend time with Him as you drive in your car or as you wait in a line. You can listen to His word or music as you do your chores. You can create a schedule in your home with a required quiet time. When my kids were little we called this half hour window in our day "rest and reading." They were required to be in their room resting (often they fell asleep) or reading. But it was my "me" time and it was desperately needed. You can also include your family in your connecting time if that works for you. You can even find a reprieve in the bathroom or shower. I am pretty sure this is considered praying in our closets! 🙂
What are some things you do to feel connected? The more we connect, the more we are aware of what things we are doing that make that connection feel the strongest. I will share some of my favorites to start you thinking, but keep in mind that we are all different and what works best for you may be something completely different.
*Read His Word: Immersing myself in the word of God is one of the best ways I have found to listen to and connect with Him. I treasure my scriptures as love letters from God. I have found so many answers to my questions, comfort for my concerns, verses that lift me up and give me strength, direction for my life, and validation that I am His beloved daughter within those pages. Not only have I found verses tailored just for me, but I have found that when I open my scriptures I am also opening a conduit to heaven. It is a direct link to God and that action of opening them tells Him that I am receptive. Sometimes the answers I seek come from the pages and sometimes by other mean during the day or the week (music, an uplifting sermon, or in conversation with a friend). I fully believe that they come because I have invited them through my act of opening the door of my heart through the scriptures. And I recognize those answers because I am intentionally listening.
*Prayer: What a gift we have been given with this tool. There are no stipulations imposed with it. We don't have a slot of time each day God is willing to listen to us. We don't have to abide by a certain dress code. We are never put on hold or ignored until we are behaving better. We don't have to be in a certain place or certain position. We don't even have to be worthy, and let's be honest, we rarely are. But every time we pray with sincerity, He is there and He is listening. I love to connect with God through prayer!
*Music: Over the last 5 years this has become one of my favorite tools to connect with God. I love listening to Christian music and recognizing that the message of the song is meant especially for me. I love how close to the Lord it makes me feel and how very loved. I love sharing these songs with others and how it can effect them in the very same way. This music is such a personal gift.
*Listen to His Word: I love listening to talks, speeches and sermons I can find on YouTube that help me feel uplifted and inspired. So often as I listen to these talks I am touched by exactly the way God wants me to apply the message in my life. Or sometimes I am inspired by ideas that have almost nothing to do with the message, but are nevertheless a prompting meant especially for me.
*Sacred Spaces: I have certain places where I can feel the Spirit more powerfully than others. These places can be a church or other religious buildings, they can be in nature, one of mine is even a chair. I have spent hundreds of hours studying God's word and communing with Him in my recliner. That has become a sacred space for me.
*Questions: If I want to feel God's Spirit more profoundly I go to Him with questions. I love how tethered to Him I feel when I receive an answer to one of my questions and know it is given specifically to me from Him.
*Witnessing: I revel in the opportunity to share my love for and witness of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on our behalf. I feel the bond between God and me particularly strong when I get to do this. Not only am I giving the Spirit an opportunity to witness truth to the soul I am talking to, but it witnesses the truth of my words to me as well. That feeling is so amazing! Pure joy!
*Journaling: Writing is another way I am able to process my feelings about and experiences with God. A prayer journal is one way to organize our thoughts and focus our desires. Another journal that changed my life is my revelation journal. In 2015 I had a strong desire to better understand how God talked to me. I wanted to know how often He talked to me and if I was missing any of those communications. My discovery was profound! As I went through my day and jotted down notes in my phone when I felt promptings, inspirations, or guidance. I made an effort to create a space and time of silence in each day, to turn all the background noise off and listen. Then at night I would sit down and move those notes into my journal. I would pray and ask if there was more information to go with any of the things I had felt. I could not believe how specific the messages were. I could not believe how often God was trying to communicate with me. I had been missing so much because I was filling my life with noise and because I had not taken the time to learn how to listen. The more time we spend practicing a skill the better we get at it. It is no different for learning to hear/feel the whisperings of the still small voice.
*Worry: Now that might sound a little bit weird. But I have spent a lot of time over the last 5 years trying to be consciously aware of my worrying. When I notice that I am worrying over something I cannot control I use it as an alarm and I intentionally turn that worry into a prayer and choose to let it go. I may do that a hundred times a day when a problem is particularly heavy, but the process does help me feel an almost tangible connection between me and my God.
This last week has been an incredible journey for me! I have been amazed and humbled as I have seen how much God is threaded through the different methods of finding joy that we have talked about. When we want to be more joyful and we choose to look to Him for help, He is there. When we choose to let go of things we cannot control and we give them to Him, He happily accepts those burdens. When we want to find a deeper purpose to our lives and we ask for His help in doing so, He loves to partner with us. When we set goals and create priorities in our lives and one of those priorities is time with Him, He rejoices. When we choose to slow down and be more intentional in our day, He enlarges our capabilities to all that is required by us for good. When we serve others and have a desire to be a window to God in their lives, He is the love that we share. And God desires nothing more than to be a part of our lives, to be in the details. The first step for us to receive a fulness of joy is for us to seek Him and spend time in His presence.
Song: The More I Seek You by Kari Jobe
Face to face with the author:


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i cannot one website from my computer but other people easily opened it. my computer is windows XP 2002 version. please help me
So what is the website? No mind readers here!
sakthivadivel, firewall blocking a specific word or phrase, maybe the site itself?
Is it a prohibited website? Some governments block certain sites for political reasons.
Ed in Texas


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The continuous and endless Football Bog Blog, numbers 20 and 21 in a series of…
No.20 The one at Stourbridge This bog picture was sent in by Squad#10 Tim Rigby on his recent visit to Stourbridge's War Memorial Athletic Ground. He described this toilet as 'an ornate effort' I think he meant this as visual description of the bog and not a euphemism for what you may have to do once inside.
No.21 The pair at Station View.
This is yet another one of those portakabin-type bogs, but this is the first time I've seen a matching pair for both ladies and gents. The facilities are found in the corner of Station View, the home of Harrogate Railway. These bogs are surrounded with quite a bit of shrubbery and undergrowth, which is handy if the toilets are busy as the bushes could be used as an alternative resource.
If you would like to contribute to the Football Bog Blog then please send any ground bog pics to the usual contact address.


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The Beta stage is over (almost) and it's here. It's not only free membership that you get. Upstart social network, ZenZuu, pays you to sign-up your friends and it also shares 80% of its advertising revenue with its members.
Scour the Internet and you will find only one social network that pays its members to get sign-ups. ZenZuu promises to be a next generation social networking platform and calls others ancient. Just like in MySpace, FaceBook, Friendster, LinkedIn and others, your also create your own profile and get exposure for your website and business. The difference is that ZenZuu pays you for signing up your friends, who automatically become your downlines. This may conjure pyramidal marketing schemes with variable successes (or failures) in the past. But here you do not lose money. The idea is to make money while you make friends, going by ZenZuu's motto: Make Friends. Make Money. Make Sense.
As additional flavor, ZenZuu even offers to share 80% of its advertising revenue with its members. If you suspect that the big social networks produce tons of money for their stockholders, you are partly right. Front-runner MySpace has 270M members and still growing, producing millions of dollars in monthly revenue. Facebook is far second with 60M but is expected to have 200M by the end of this year. Facebook's founder, another Harvard dropout, recently sold a small part of the company for 240M. He is now worth $3B on paper. ZenZuu's owner is worth a little over $100M, but in his drive to join the rank of the billionaires he likes ZenZuu's members to be happy as well. We will be watching how far this rather aggressive marketing innovation goes. ZenZuu.com's Google PageRank and Alexa ranking are shooting up meteorically, even while in Beta testing. These are the website indicators that advertisers watch before they spend millions just to showcase their products and services. We expect ZenZuu to launch with a bang in a few weeks.
Sounds like ZenZuu has raised the bar in social network competition. If others follow its example, social networkers will be elated. I would not mind receiving regular paychecks from MySpace and Facebook and Friendster, all of which I am a member. Would you?
Meantime, why not be among the firsts to sign up for ZenZuu? Click here.


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Our School
Previously known as Chartwell School, our school opened in 1970 to serve the two young suburbs of Chartwell and Crofton Downs, between Ngaio and Wadestown. Opening with 64 students, it was, as one very involved former parent describes, "relatively small with a cosy, family atmosphere"*, like most of our good schools" at the time.
In the 1981, this small school led the world with the introduction of a new concept in bicultural education. Chartwell School became a joint Japan-New Zealand education venture, catering to the growing number of families of Japanese business people in Wellington.
Established by the governments of the two countries, it was the first joint venture school in the world. The Japanese children spent their mornings learning the Japanese curriculum with their own teachers, and joined New Zealand classes in the afternoon. The New Zealand children, in turn, had the opportunity to learn Japanese language and culture.
The joint venture continued until 1998, and out of it has emerged a broad multiculturalism at the school. Through the close relationship that continues with the Japanese community, students still learn Japanese language and culture as part of the school curriculum. This is achieved through opportunities provided by both the Japanese School and Crofton Downs Primary School. We aim to have these opportunities twice a year, dependant on parental and teacher support.
In 2008, the school changed its name to Crofton Downs Primary School to better reflect its surrounding community, which has become more widely known as Crofton Downs.
Today, between 170 and 185 children attend the school, and the strong feeling of togetherness and the family-like atmosphere the school began with continues.
*quoted from former parent Allan Levitt's forward to the Chartwell School history, published in 1995. Allan Levitt was a sociologist and a prime mover behind the establishment of the joint venture at Chartwell School.


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TTM Tues! Successes From The Stars Of Designing Women! Gremlins! The Twilight Zone! Newhart! Goldeneye! Lost! And Many More!
December 21, 2016 TTM Troy, TTM Tuesday!
Good day TTM Fans! TTM Troy here with one of the final TTM Tuesdays of 2016! Just a reminder next week is the infamous "Best Signers of 2016" column where I list my opinions/observations on the best TTM Signers of 2016! It is always a fun article


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R.I.P. Target Hand Spear (5/20/96-10/22/14)
Target Hand Spear passed away peacefully today after battling multiple myeloma and kidney disease during the past year. He was 18 years old.
Target was born in the Los Angeles area and moved with his family to the Jersey Shore at the age of 3. The family eventually relocated to the suburbs of Philadelphia where Target spent the last six years of his life. For 15 years Target alternately played with, annoyed, and ignored his sisters Razzle and Misty, who preceded him in death.
Target was 1/2 Bengal and throughout his life he entertained us with many behaviors common to that breed of cat. Life with Target was certainly never boring and we are so glad that we were able to share our lives with him for 18 years.
We are grateful to Dr. Rufus and Bob at Colonial Animal Hospital in Newtown Square and to the staff at Mid-Atlantic Veterinary Specialists (EVS/Emergency Veterinary Services) in Malvern, especially Dr. Kumrow and Dr. Hamilton, for the quality care they provided Target during this final chapter of his life.
We love you, Targeee, and we will miss you forever.
| Family / Misc. Personal
Target, Oct. 22, 2014.
While we were on our recent cruise ...
... our Target turned 17. He is still very active for his age and I wonder if he will be one of those rare kitties who will stick around until he is in his 20's.
Happy Belated Birthday, Targeee!
| Cats
I haven't posted here in a while ...
… mainly because I send off the occasional tweet instead. As if I am so busy I can't take the time to write more than 140 characters. :) I am going to start blogging again, I think. If nothing else, it will help keep my writing skills sharp.
We have done a fair amount of traveling in the last year. I just posted photos from our most recent cruise on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas. Pics from other trips to follow.
Below is a picture taken at Orient Beach in St. Martin (the French side of an island that is half French and half Dutch). Looking forward to our next trip to this beautiful place.
| Cruising, Travel, Web / Tech / Blogs
All we can do now is wait.
Dan and I voted around 1:30 this afternoon. We were told by a poll worker that 1200 people are registered to vote in our precinct and 600 had already voted, including 150 who were waiting in line when the building opened this morning. What does that mean? Maybe nothing, maybe a lot. We shall see.
| News / Sports, Politics
Sharing my love of Halloween and Hello Kitty ...
… with my little angels.
| Cemeteries, Family / Misc. Personal
Where do all the hippies meet? SOUTH STREET! SOUTH STREET!
Spent the afternoon with my niece Janet visiting the Philadelphia Magic Gardens on South Street in South Philly. Took lots of pictures with my Lensbaby Composer lens (with Sweet 35 optic). Did some thrift store shopping on South Street, then had dinner at the Melrose Diner. Overall great day!
Photos can be seen here.
Mosaic artwork by Isaiah Zagar. Photo © Kathy Hand Spear 2012. | Family / Misc. Personal, Lensbaby, Lit / Art / Music /Photo, Photography, Shopping, Travel
R.I.P. Misty "Mistella" Hand Spear
Misty "Mistella" Hand Spear passed away on Friday, August 10, 2012. She was 17 years old.
Misty was born in Southern California and moved to New Jersey at the age of four. Eight years later, she and her family settled in the western suburbs of Philadelphia, where she spent the last five years of her life.
Misty is survived by her adopted brother Target and her human companions, Dan, Kathy, and Chloe Spear.
Misty was a beautiful tortoise-shell cat with a sweet personality. Her greatest pleasure was sitting on Dan's lap (always with her special blanket!) as he watched television. The living room will seem so empty without you, Mistella!
Misty Hand Spear. (4/1/95 - 8/10/12)
Misty sleeping on my old, fat monitor.
| Family / Misc. Personal
"Yes, I like it up here. Why?"
I don't understand why Jews will vote for Obama.
Port #4: Olympia via Katakolon
The final port of call on our NCL cruise from Venice to the Greek Isles was Katakolon, Greece, from which most passengers visited Olympia, the site of the early (776 B.C.) Olympic games. The ruins are about a 40 minute bus ride from the port of Katakolon.
I was surprised at what a cute little town Olympia is. Same goes for Katakolon.
Below is a shot of Oscar, my little traveling companion, sitting on some ruins in Olympia. The rest of my pictures from this port and our return to Venice can be viewed here.
| Cruising, Travel
R.I.P. Nora Ephron
Because if I tell the story, I can make you laugh, and I would rather have you laugh at me than feel sorry for me.
Because if I tell the story, it doesn't hurt as much.
Because if I tell the story, I can get on with it.
Nora Ephron's character Rachel Samstat in "Heartburn" when asked "Why do you feel you have to turn everything into a story?"| Celebrities, Lit / Art / Music /Photo, TV/Movies
Port #3: Mykonos
After missing Santorini due to high winds, I was worried we might not be able to tender at Mykonos, either. Our itinerary listed Mykonos as a tender port but it turns out that they have room for two cruise ships and we got one of the spots. In addition to the two ships that were docked, there were at least 4 ships anchored nearby. In spite of that, it didn't seem as crowded as I expected it would.
Mykonos exists because of tourists -- cruisers, primarily. The town is filled with plenty of restaurants and shops to keep the tourists busy spending money. But you don't mind at all because as you wander around, you are just in awe of the place. It is so white and clean and the sky is so blue and the water such lovely shades of blue and green that it almost feels fake. It's like the Disneyland of Greek islands. But I mean that in a good way. :)
When you get off your ship, you take a 5-minute ride in a free shuttle bus. Once you are dropped off, you walk the equivalent of a few blocks to the town. When you are ready to return to your ship, you can take a taxi if you are too tired to walk back to the shuttle buses.
If you like to take photos, you will be in heaven in Mykonos. If you like to shop or sit at little outdoor cafes and watch people walk by, you will have a lovely time in Mykonos. If you want ruins, you can take a ferry or guided tour to the nearby island of Delos and get your fill of history. If you want museums, you will have to look elsewhere.
Bottom line: Mykonos = Cute! Cute! Cute!
Pictures from our visit to Mykonos can be seen here.
Next: Olympia and our return to Venice.
The Review Continues: Greek Isles #1 and #2
Corfu is to a Med cruise what Gothenburg is to a Baltic itinerary: a nice enough city but probably included only because it is a convenient place to stop. Corfu has one claim to fame: Achilleion, the summer palace of Empress Elisabeth ("Sisi") of Austria. You can visit the palace in the morning, spend a little time shopping in touristy Corfu Town, and still make it back to the ship for lunch.
Santorini … well, everyone says it is wonderful. And I will have to take everyone's word for it, since the winds kicked up and prevented us from tendering to the island. Port of call cancelled! Yes, I was disappointed. And still am. Some of the passengers said well, we'll just have to come back. But I am less likely than some to return to Greece. Nothing against the place, but when you don't start traveling until you are in your 50's, you can only fit so many trips into the time you have left. There are a lot of places on my "to do" list and I would have to get to all of them before I head back to see what I missed in Santorini.
Pictures from Corfu and Santorini can be seen here. Mykonos and Olympia will be up in a day or two.| Cruising, Travel
Back from Venice ...
… and finally over our jet lag. We sailed a 7-night cruise to the Greek Isles R/T Venice on NCL's Norwegian Jade. I'm working my way through 1200+ photos. An album of Venice can be seen here.
Pictures from our ports of call to follow soon.
Short-ish review:
We spent two nights in Venice pre-cruise and then sailed to Corfu, Santorini, Mykonos, and Katakolon (Olympia).
We loved the Jade. I did sort of miss having a set dinner time with the same wait staff every night. However, there were nights when we really appreciated NCL's "freestyle" dining which allows you to dine whenever you like. The buffet had a wider selection of food than I recall seeing on other ships. The entertainment was excellent. We booked an aft balcony (on the back of the ship) because so many people rave about them. The views from our cabin were fabulous but you do feel the movement more at the back than in the middle of the ship. A couple of nights were pretty rocky!
Instead of staying in a hotel on the island of Venice, we booked a hotel in Mestre. Our hotel was directly across the street from the train station. It costs a euro or two each way to ride from Mestre to Santa Lucia station in Venice. The ride takes about 12 minutes. We saved hundreds of dollars by NOT staying on the island plus we had the added benefit of NOT having to drag our luggage across pedestrian bridges in Venice. (There are no cars on the island of Venice. Be prepared to do a lot of walking!)
For those who crave American junk food when traveling, there is a McDonald's in the train station in Mestre and at least one in Venice. The one in Venice has free wifi, too.
My opinion of Venice: It is a very interesting place to take photos and they have the most amazing Murano glass for sale in the shops! Other than that, two days was more than enough for me. Venice and Mestre are both very crowded and I didn't find the people to be especially friendly. Oh, and some of the restaurants have toilets in their ladies rooms with no toilet seats. You have been warned.
The ports we visited in Greece were a different story. They are small villages where most people depend on tourism for their living and they are much friendlier to the hordes of people who visit for the day before heading back to their cruise ships. More on our ports of call when I post pictures from those visits.
Stay tuned.| Cruising, Travel
Muppet shoes! Love 'em.
I love buildings ...
... that are designed to look like something else. Like Randy's Donuts in L.A. which is shaped like a giant donut. Or this adorable ice cream shop in St. Pete Beach, FL, that looks like a chubby little ice cream cone itself. Too too cute!
The tabloids love Baby Bullock ...
... but I'm not sure that accuracy is their strong suit. From the NY Daily News:
"Can baby Louis get any cuter?! The adorable adopted son of Sandra Bullock has a blast while playing with his mama at a Soho playground."
Yes, he is cute. But does it look as if he is having a blast? In fact, I've seen lots of pictures of this baby since Ms. Bullock went public with her adoption a year or so ago and I have never seen a picture where he is smiling or laughing. Never. Not once.
Why do you always look so sad, little Louis?
iTunes is currently playing: Tranquillo (Melt My Heart) from the album Boys In The Trees by Carly Simon.| Celebrities
Do you have to be stupid to work at CNN ...
... or is it just considered a plus?
What is the point of writing "SPOILER ALERT" below the winner's name -- especially when his picture is also included at the top of the article?
iTunes is currently playing: The Name Of The Game from the album Mamma Mia! by Amanda Seyfried & Stellan Skarsgard.| News / Sports
R.I.P. Razzle Bolton Hand Spear
Razzle Bolton Hand Spear passed away on Monday, September 20, 2010, following a short illness. She was 18 years old.
Razzle spent her early years in Toronto, Canada. She relocated to Southern California at the age of 6. A year later she and her family moved to New Jersey. For the past two years she lived in the western suburbs of Philadelphia.
Razzle is survived by two adopted siblings, Target and Misty Hand Spear, and her human companions, Dan, Kathy, and Chloe Spear.
We miss you, Razzie!
Baby Razzle. Toronto.
Razzle, age 16-ish. Toms River, NJ.
| Family / Misc. Personal
It's baby deer season!
Snapped these guys outside our front door yesterday. You can only see two of the babies but she actually has three. One is hidden by the bushes.
iTunes is currently playing: Apron Strings from the album Acoustic by Everything But The Girl.| Family / Misc. Personal, Lit / Art / Music /Photo
Road Signs (AKA "Our tax dollars at work!")
As the midterm election season approaches, new road signs are popping up everywhere – millions of dollars worth of signs touting "The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act" and reminding passers-by that the program is "Putting America Back to Work."
On the road leading to Dulles Airport outside Washington, DC there's a 10' x 11' road sign touting a runway improvement project funded by the federal stimulus. The project cost nearly $15 million and has created 17 jobs, according to recovery.gov. However, there's another number that caught the eye of ABC News: $10,000. That's how much money the Washington Airports Authority tells ABC News it spent to make and install the sign – a single sign – announcing that the project is "Funded by The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act" and is "Putting America Back to Work." The money for the sign was taken out of the budget for the runway improvement project.
ABC News has reached out to a number of states about spending on stimulus signs and learned the state of Illinois has spent $650,000 on about 950 signs and Pennsylvania has spent $157,000 on 70 signs. Jill Zuckman of the Department of Transportation said, "The best estimate is that states have spent about $5 million of the $28 billion spent on road projects on signs.
Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL) has joined the chorus of Republican outrage over stimulus signs and claims at least $20 million has been spent on them. He told ABC News, "I think it's a bit of an oxymoron to spend tens of millions of dollars of taxpayer money, borrowed money, on a bunch of signs to tell them how we are spending their taxpayer money."
iTunes is currently playing: Give It Away from the album Also Known As Mary by Quincy Coleman.>


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What is Wi-Fi as a Service?
Can't get the big capital expenditure approved for a new or upgrades wireless infrastructure needed for your buildings or campus? Start thinking of Wi-Fi as a service.
You pay for outer utilities this way, why not Wi-Fi? It will allow you to upgrade bandwidth and network coverage incrementally over time as well in order that you can grow your service to meet ever increasing demands.
Today we see many customers that installed patient and guest networks a few years ago and thought that they were done. Now they are beginning to realize that as technology advances and devices proliferate, the demand for both access and bandwidth has grown dramatically. Yesterdays successful network is now today's pain point; however, with Wi-Fi as a service you aren't locked in and can upgrade and modify your network over time.


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Some words of advice from a girl who has the worst luck when it comes to getting haircuts, or anything beauty related; if you find a great stylist, get down on your knees and thank god! I for one, will no longer throw a tantrum because I found a stylist who will not give me the infamous 1994, "Rachel" haircut aka Jennifer Aniston from the T.V show, Friends. Not only does he do my once in a blue moon trim perfectly, he has just introduced me to the celebrity crazed, color technique called, Balayage. Balayage is French for "to sweep" where the color is applied by hand rather than using the traditional foil, creating an easy sun-kissed effect. I'm hooked for life! Thank you Christopher Nicholson aka Christopher Styles for turning my luck around! Check him out here if you live in the LA area.
Does everyone notice the difference in my hair?! thoughts?
I also just want to take a moment to reach out to my readers old and new, on what I try to accomplish on my blog and why I blog to begin with. I am student and a typical everyday girl who is always on a budget. I know that the majority of girls are in the same situation as me and that is exactly why I started blogging. I want to inspire girls to be themselves and have fun with fashion! Meaning, you don't always have to splurge to look great! In every outfit post I do, I'm always wearing something I've owned for quite sometime mixed with a new piece that didn't cost me more than $40-$50. I hope this encourages other girls to try and get creative by reusing their own pieces. For instance, this vintage top cost me $1 and the shorts were $20. The hat, belt and shoes have been in my closet for over a year and all were under $100. And, the vintage Bally? my mom's from the 70's. The positive feedback and lovely comments I've received thus far has been a reward in itself so, thank you!


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In 2011, UniverSoul Circus earned major kudos from fans for being the best of the best – a notch above the rest. You're going to like us; we think you're really going to like our incredible new show. They are on theier way to becoming the most liked circus in the world!
Attending UniverSoul Circus will be a transformational experience for the entire family and beyond. Witness parents dancing old-school in center ring. Kids of all ages will be jamming to new-school beats. So if you like what you see here, and we know you will, come on out to see the show. We're touring the United States right now. Chances are we're coming to a city near you.


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Where would you like to go?
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• Daily Happy Hour
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$150 Entry Fee – Added to purse! 3-5 Person Teams.
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More and more quilters are using thread to add texture and excitement to their quilts as colors, types, and styles of threads abound! Here is everything you need to know to get started. This longtime quilter shares all the tips and tricks she has gleaned from years of experimentation with free-motion machine stitching with threads. Here is a complete guide to the tools, supplies, and stitches you will need. Sewing machine setup, needles, thread, fabric, stabilizers all are covered. The author's get set up and go attitude will have quilters jumping into the wonderful world of machine thread painting. Her encouraging, right there-beside-you style will give quilters all the confidence they need. Electronic Book Policy: Purchaser of this e-Book may not sell, rent, lease, transfer, lend or share the e-Book. Digital download of this e-book is offered in a PDF format and is best viewed in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
|Number of Pages
|American Quilter's Society


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So far, I have lived in my apartment for all of 3 days but I have learned a lot in those 3 days. Some are as listed:
- I have the world's most adorable landlady.
- I can fry an egg and microwave some pre-made rice and turn it into a great breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
- Florida may have a Strawberry Festival, but the E-MART here in Daegu sells more strawberries in one fruit stand than I have ever seen before in my life at a Publix.
- Koreans must have amazing knee strength for the amount of stairs they climb everywhere.
Now let's start from the beginning. Like the way beginning when I first met my co-teacher.
There I was, nervous as all heck because just the night before I had found out I'd be teaching at a middle school and my name was called and my co-teacher raised her hand to claim me. I was thrilled! She looked so sweet and friendly! She was a little older than I had imagined her to be, but what do I know about Korean age? I recently found out I'm 2 years older in Korea than I am back home.
She proceeded to drive me to school so I could get the full tour and meet the Principal. All right! First test! Lo and behold when we go to see if he is there…he isn't. So I get the tour, meet a few people, and we head to my apartment.
Now, one day I'll post a picture of my view of some apartments I would classify as "goal apartments" because "it's my goal to make enough to live there one day". Of course, when my co-teacher and I headed to my apartment I was thrilled at first because she was heading right towards them and then she wasn't. She pulled a U-turn on me (which act way differently here in Korea than they do in the States) and we headed back down the main road and pulled off onto a side road where a tiny lady was waiting outside a building in a pink jumpsuit. I had known it when I first saw her. She was perfect even if the apartment wasn't. Thank God my co-teacher was there as my translator because my landlady went full-steam ahead with Korean at me and I was just nodding along like I understood her when in reality she could have been giving me the instructions on how to brush my teeth and I would've looked like the world's most interested listener.
My co-teacher and I haul my luggage up the 34 steps that separate the front door of my building and the front door of my apartment. We walk in and I'm floored. I have my very own apartment! In Korea! And there is only a mattress in it! Awesome!
It definitely took me by surprise when we walked through the apartment, the landlady giving the "do not touch this" and "this is how this works" tour while my co-teacher translated. The only piece of furniture in the entire apartment was a queen-sized mattress on the floor. My co-teacher and landlady were completely unfazed, so I grew up rather quickly and looked at the brighter side of things: I could go furniture shopping one day.
After sorting some things out with my landlady, my co-teacher and I got back into her car and we headed back to school so I could meet the Principal. Me not speaking Korean, didn't realize exactly who he was because my co-teacher was greeting everyone we saw, so I just bowed when she did. When he pulled out the keys to his office and stepped in I felt as if I had just shot myself in the foot. Fettering over that I declined his offer of tea. Crap. Second foot shot. I had absolutely blown it in my mind but had enough courage in myself to say "Hello" and "Nice to meet you" in Korean as my co-teacher and I left to go to E-MART to get my necessities for the bare apartment.
After patiently shopping with me at E-MART and running into several other Native English teachers from my class at EPIK orientation, my co-teacher brought me back home and left me to unpack. That's exactly what I did the entire night until I fell asleep. I didn't even eat because I didn't want to wash all of my new dishes just to be able to eat. Old habits die hard.


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Initial Meeting
The first step toward achieving a legal resolution is to determine whether legal action is appropriate. If legal action is appropriate, then the matter is evaluated with respect to the costs versus the benefit of the legal action.
If you believe you have a case, we encourage you to contact us as soon as you are able. Often times you have an advantage if you consult with an attorney in the early stages of the matter. That's why we provide initial confidential consultations free of charge.
Your civil litigation case will be handled with empathy and compassion along with vigorus advocacy.
We evaluate each unique case and discuss the available options to our clients.
In every case, we strive to provide our clients with the most effective legal advice available.
As a client you will benefit from Mr. Williams' experience representing Alaskans for over 24 years.
While most civil litigation cases do not proceed to trial, often a client can only obtain a good result if the case is adequately prepared for trial.
Kevin Williams, if need be, will prepare your case for trial.
Consult with Kevin Williams for representation in Anchorage, Alaska today


text: 2015 JAGUAR XK: Elegance, exhilarating performance and unparalleled comfort plus aerodynamic sweeping bodylines best describe the 2015 Jaguar XK Coupe and Convertible. This is the final production run for the Jaguar XK, and to celebrate, there will be the "XK Final Fifty" limited edition produced for the U.S. market, with 25 coupes and 25 convertibles, all painted Ultimate Black with special Performance Pack and Dynamic Pack. Its hand crafted cabin offers the versatility of a 2+2 seating configuration for absolute comfort however far you travel. The XK Coupe models available include the XK, XKR and XKR-S. Distinct features are slimmer headlights, LED turn signals and distinctive 'J-Blade' running lights, combined with a larger grille and new bumper design. Unmistakably Jaguars, the chrome mesh grilles on the XK are replaced with black detailing on the XKR while the XKR-S receives a unique front fascia with carbon fiber details. The power vent on the front fender has been altered from a vertical to horizontal design with a mesh insert, and the rear decklid has been revised. Three versions of the 5.0-liter V-8 are available for all rear-wheel drive models. The naturally aspirated 5.0L V-8 develops 385 horsepower, while the XKR ups that figure to 510hp. Taking performance to the next level, the supercharged XKR-S edition generates an incredible 550 horses that can achieve 0-to-60 miles per hour in just 4.2 seconds, and a top speed of 186 mph. The XKR-S is honed to deliver pure exhilaration, plus has its own powerful sound signature from its performance active exhaust. A range of 10 alloy wheel designs, from 19 to 20-inches are available, and inside, the XKR-S Coupe provides beautiful contrast stitching and carbon leather detailing are featured throughout, while the headliner is luxurious Poltrona Frau Jet leather.


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How (the Lack of) Cybersecurity Threatens Industrials
It's time to get serious about protecting IIoT
January 10, 2018
A new survey conducted by LNS Research and sponsored by Honeywell found that two-thirds of the respondents don't even monitor for suspicious cyber behavior. " Putting Industrial Cybersecurity at the Top of the CEO Agenda" polled 130 strategic decision-makers from industrial companies around the world to understand their approaches to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and their use of industrial cybersecurity technologies and practices.
Here are the results:
37% of plants monitor for suspicious behavior
Takeaway: Prevention is always easier than treating a problem after the fact. Cybersecurity attacks and breaches often lead to unplanned downtime, which is the single biggest cause of profit loss for industrial companies. Executives should invest in cyber monitoring solutions that help detect suspicious activity the moment it starts, so they can prevent attacks before they happen.
45% do not have an accountable enterprise leader for cybersecurity
Takeaway: Effective cybersecurity practices require effective leaders, who are crucial in driving IIoT success. Companies should identify and appoint leaders who can work across functions, and who are comfortable leading digital strategies that include cybersecurity operations.
More than half of those working in an industrial facility have already experienced a breach
Takeaway: Sometimes, one breach is all it takes to cause irreparable damage to a company. Even if the business financially recovers, its reputation—and credibility—might not. Leaders, including CEOs, will want to make it a strategic imperative to drive best practice adoption across people, processes and technologies—from access controls to risk monitoring. If necessary, they should also solicit external expertise to fill in any gaps.
20% don't conduct regular risk assessments
Takeaway: Not conducting regular assessments is like not having annual health exams: It increases the chance that something harmful could go undetected until it is too late. CEOs, working with cybersecurity leaders, should establish a regular schedule of check-ups to ensure that they are protected from cyber threats on all levels.


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TI TRADUCO translation and interpreting company was founded in 2008 by Giorgia Mercedes Parente and specialised in the translation into various languages, providing a punctual and professional service to enterprises and individuals all over Italy.
The TÜV Certification body guarantees the compliance of the quality management system with the UNI EN ISO 9001:2008 Standard.
Ti Traduco has certified its working process in order to optimise the suppliers' control and discipline the company activities related to quality.
The ISO 9001 certification proves that the company can efficiently and thoroughly meet the customer's expectations, guaranteeing the service control through the implementation of established procedures, with a careful review of the processes.
Ti Traduco provides professional sworn translation and authentication services, collaborating with translators of all world languages. There are countless linguistic combinations and the choice of specialised translators allows the agency to optimise delivery times and provide the best solution for any kind of project.
There is a strict translators' selection which complies with the procedures of our Quality System and the various areas of expertise.
Our staff of mother-tongue translators and interpreters is characterised by precision and promptness.
Professional interpreters are chosen by Ti Traduco depending on the area of expertise and experience gained in various interpretation modalities:
Liaison interpreting
Whispered interpreting
Consecutive interpreting
Simultaneous interpreting
The preliminary evaluation of every project requires a careful selection of professional profiles and the material to be processed.
Ti Traduco educational offer is intended for individuals and companies. Individual courses are held at the offices in Rimini and Bologna.
These language courses are built according to the students' level and the goals to achieve.
Ti Traduco provides daily consultancy service for foreigners, often free of charge, to help them understand the requests of public offices and administrations.
This service includes procedures to obtain taxpayers codes, citizenship, applications for visas and bureaucratic guidance.
Our agency benefits from the collaboration with legal firms to provide answers about specific matters of immigration or other personal procedures.
Through the support of professional technicians, we provide recordings in all languages for audio guides, advertising material, answering services and other requests.
We work with dedication at the recording studio, paying attention to details, voices and sound quality.
We provide voice-overs both in Italian and foreign languages.
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Acapulco is a proud destination with a long tradition and a wide diversity of top-notch beaches. But, which beaches are the ones that you just can't miss when you visit this legendary Mexican beach town?
Revolcadero. This is an odd selection admitedly, but we are choosing based on the impressive natural beauty of this spectacular beach. Unprotected by a bay like most other Acapulco beaches, Revolcadero is a bit dangerous as it presents big waves, which make of it a favorite among surfers.
La Condesa. One of the most popular beaches in Acapulco, this is a lively, buzzing place filled with youngsters. Here you can practices different water sports such as windsurf, snorkeling, jet-ski, water ski and even bungee jump (ok, that's not a water sport but you get the idea).
Icacos. The largest beach in Acapulco. Playa Icacos is a long beautiful stretch of sand right in the heart of Acapulco. It is so long that the surf is strong in some areas of the beach, and more tranquil at other spots. The practice of windsurfing is widespread at Icacos.
Hornos & Hornitos. Another pair of twin beaches, Hornos & Hornitos location offers one of the best views in town. Popular among families as its waters are very calm, perfect for swimming with kids. This is the place where you go if you want to get on one of those parachutes floating up in the sky around the bay.
There are many other beaches in Acapulco among the all inclusive Acapulco resorts and luxury hotels, some still in town, some just a few kilometers away. We could mention Puerto Marques or Barra Vieja, just to name a few, and each of them have a unique set of assets that make them attractive and desirable for a visit. However we are trying to narrow down the options here and focus your attention on just the beaches you can't miss when coming to Acapulco. If time allows you for more, we strongly recommend taking the car and driving north of town, where you may find some surprisingly beautiful beaches.


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LONE TREE, Colo. - A saliva test could one day be able to diagnose a concussion and predict the length of symptoms in kids.
"That would be amazing," said Sheree Mullen of Castle Rock.
Her teenage son, Tyler, has had multiple concussions from football, and the last was the most severe. "When he came off the field, he didn't know who he was. He didn't know where he was," she said.
But other times, his diagnoses have been uncertain. "They said we think he had a concussion, but we're not positive," Mullen said.
That's why a saliva test could be such a game changer. Right now there is no x-ray, or scan that can diagnose a concussion.
"The objective measure of concussion is what we need," said Dr. Brooke Pengel, Board Certified Pediatric Sports Medicine Specialist with Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children. She says to diagnose a concussion, doctors have to ask a series of questions about symptoms and the injury.
The spit test would measure certain molecules in the saliva. "It will be more cut and dry. Either the brain cell was injured, and it released these molecules into the blood stream and the saliva, or it didn't," Dr. Pengel said.
The saliva test could also potentially predict how long the symptoms will last. "It could perhaps ease anxiety for a family," she said. "This is objective, and it actually lends itself to a good tool that can be used in the office, potentially on the sideline."
The study was published this week in the JAMA Pediatrics. But doctors warn the sample size was small and more research is needed.


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Watch the brand new first trailer for Pitch Perfect 3
The Bellas are back in the brand new first trailer for a third instalment in the Pitch Perfect series, with Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson heading up the returning cast for another round of musical comedy. Watch it below...
This time around the Bellas are struggling to revive their careers, but an opportunity arrives in the form of a slot on the USO show, performing for American troops in Europe.
However, this time they've some new competition in the form of an all-girl rock band led by Ruby Rose, and the girls face a battle to save their reputations.
This time around Trish Sia, perhaps best-known for being behind some of OK Go's spectacularly clever music videos, is the person in the director's chair, while the cast includes returning appearances from Aleis Knapp, Anna Camp, Hanna Mae Lee and Ester Dean, with new additions including John Lithgow and Andy Allo.
The film is due to arrive in UK cinemas later this year on December 22nd.


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LAS VEGAS, Sept. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Rock 'n' Roll legend and singer-songwriter Stevie Nicks will be the first artist to perform at the new Park Theater at Monte Carlo Resort and Casino when it opens its doors Saturday, Dec. 17. Nicks, joined by special guests The Pretenders, is scheduled to take the stage at 8 p.m. The multi-platinum selling artist is the first of many of the world's premier music talents who will be part of Park Theater's opening lineup. Additional artists and performance dates will be announced in the coming weeks.
"Stevie Nicks is a legend in the music industry and we are thrilled she will be the first to perform in our new Park Theater," said Richard Sturm, President of Entertainment for MGM Resorts International. "We have had the opportunity to host a number of Stevie's previous Las Vegas shows and we know she will give her fans another sensational performance in December."
Park Theater at Monte Carlo will blend classic contemporary design with cutting-edge technology, resulting in an intimate entertainment space customizable for every artist and event. Designed to provide each patron with the ultimate experience, the farthest seat from the stage will be only 145 feet, offering unparalleled views from anywhere within the theater. Featuring a first of its kind, 240-foot-wide immersive projection surface, 3D motion graphics, 80-foot-wide LED display with 4K resolution and more, Park Theater will be one of the most technologically advanced venues in the world.
Sturm added, "This new space is unlike any venue in the MGM Resorts portfolio. Guests will be wowed to see their favorite entertainers, like Stevie, in such an intimate environment with unbelievable sound and video capabilities. And, no guest should miss having a drink on one of our outdoor terraces overlooking the T-Mobile Arena and The Park, the city's newest outdoor dining and entertainment district."
Nicks, a multi-platinum selling artist dubbed "the reigning queen of Rock 'n' Roll" by Rolling Stone Magazine, has had six Top 10 albums and eight GRAMMY nominations. Her 2014 album 24 Karat Gold – Songs From The Vault debuted at No. 7 on Billboard's Top 200 charts. As a member of Fleetwood Mac, Nicks recently performed 122 sold-out shows around the world during 2014-2015. Collectively as a solo artist and Fleetwood Mac band member, Nicks has sold more than 140 million albums and won several GRAMMYs.
Park Theater will serve as the gateway to the already vibrant entertainment district along the renowned Las Vegas Strip, complementing the recently opened T-Mobile Arena, the adjacent two-acre Toshiba Plaza and The Park. This new entertainment venue is the first step in the recently announced reimagination of Monte Carlo. The transformation, taking place over the next two years, will include two distinct hotel experiences – a Las Vegas version of the Sydell Group's famed NoMad Hotel and the launch of a new luxury hotel named Park MGM. Each hotel will feature fully redesigned hotel guest rooms and innovative food & beverage offerings, highlighted by Eataly, a vibrant Italian marketplace with cafes, to-go counters and full-service restaurants interspersed with high-quality products from sustainable Italian and local producers.
Tickets start at $95, not including applicable services charges, and go on sale to the general public Monday, Oct. 3 at 10 a.m. PDT and can be purchased at parktheaterlv.com, ticketmaster.com or at any MGM Resorts International box office or Concierge desk. Tickets also can be purchased through the MGM Resorts Call Center at 866-740-7711. For more show and ticket information, visit parktheaterlv.com.
AMEX members will receive access to an exclusive pre-sale Thursday, Sept. 29 at 10 a.m. PDT to Sunday, Oct. 2 at 10 p.m. PDT. An M life Rewards pre-sale will run Saturday, Oct. 1 at 10 a.m. PDT to Sunday, Oct. 2 at 10 p.m. PDT. To join the M life Rewards program or for more information, visit mlife.com.
For additional information and renderings for Park Theater at Monte Carlo, please visit newsroom.montecarlo.com.
About Live Nation Las Vegas:Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world's leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation & House of Blues Concerts, LN Media and Artist Nation Management. Live Nation Las Vegas brings world-famous artists to many of the city's premiere concert venues including The AXIS at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Mandalay Bay Events Center, MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas Village, Pearl Concert Theater at the Palms, House of Blues and more. For additional information, visit www.livenation.com. Find Live Nation Las Vegas on Facebook, Instagram and follow us on Twitter.
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Nameberry.com editors Pam Satran and Linda Rosenkrantz — who also wrote the book, Baby Name Bible — are blogging for UsMagazine.com about why celebs choose the names they do, and what they mean.
Nelly May Lois, the name of the newborn daughter of Zoe Ball and DJ Fatboy Slim (real name: Norman Cook) fits right in with two of the hottest baby-naming trends right now: "nickname-names" and using two middle names.
Can you guess the bundled up baby?
Both these trends got their start in England, where Nelly's parents live. Names that could be nicknames are among the most popular on the British charts, with Evie climbing fastest to reach the Top 10, and Ellie, Katie, Millie, Gracie, Libby, Maisie, and Lexi in the girls' Top 100.
Check out more adorable A-list tot pics
Using two middle names are a royal custom that have filtered down to the general public and are now crossing the Atlantic. Several American celebs have adopted the trend: Amy Poehler and Will Arnett's son is Archibald William Emerson, for instance, while Charlie Tamara Tulip and Dolly Rebecca Rose are Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O'Connell's twins' names. Nicole Richie's two kids are Harlow Winter Kate Madden and Sparrow James Midnight Madden.
While Nelly can be short for a wide range of names, from Helen to Eleanor to Cornelia, it has stood on its own for more than a century. It was one of the most popular names in the U.S. at the end of the 1800s when spelled as Nellie, and then dropped over the decades until it fell off the Top 1000 in 1980.
Even in Britain, where nickname names are hottest, Nelly — and Nellie and Nell and Nella — are fairly obscure and were given to fewer than 100 girls born last year.
For access to all our exclusive celebrity videos and interviews – Subscribe on YouTube!


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A delicious fruity blend combining a succulent mixed berry base with bold, ripe blackcurrant and a subtle cool exhale.
Primary Flavours: Blackcurrant Mixberries
VG/PG Ratio: 70% / 30%
Bottle Type: 60mL Gorilla Bottle
Kenji Juice is an internationally renowned e-liquid line straight out of vape-crazy Malaysia. They have an array of full flavoured fruit flavours with a cool kick. With flavours mixed to perfection, Kenji Juice has a 70% VG / 30% PG e-liquid range and a 50% VG / 50% PG nicotine salt range, making for smooth puffs all round.
- Reviews


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Special ExtraPrepare using HONEY MAID Cinnamon Grahams or HONEY MAID Chocolate Grahams.
SubstitutePrepare using your favorite flavor of Greek-style yogurt.
Special ExtraSprinkle with 1/4 cup chopped toasted almonds or walnuts before topping with the fruit and freezing as directed.
Help your family and friends eat right with this delicious dessert that's prepared with better-for-you ingredients.
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If you think of hiking as just walking then you really have no idea what it's all about because until you have taken on a proper hike you just don't understand. When taking on rough terrain, steep hills and the elements you really need to be prepared and one major part of that is taking care of your feet. You need to ensure that you are wearing footwear that is not only comfortable and supportive but can also handle the conditions you are walking in. If your feet start to blister or get sore from your boots then you won't be hiking very far at all.
1. Salomon Men's Quest 4D GTX
Designed for serious backpacking these boots are just as good as day hiking footwear and feature a number of comfort elements. Ankle adjustment features which do not cause excessive tightening on other areas of the foot are a major selling point for this boot. This is a heavy duty boot which is designed for long use so it may be a little heavy for short hikes.
2. Asolo Men's TPS 520 GV Boot
Built to be tough on the outside with some very hard wearing leather, these boots also have a nice padded soft interior for added comfort. This is a lighter style boot that will obviously reduce fatigue but will still protect your feet from rough terrain.
3. SaleWa Mountain Trainer Mid
These boots are not built for walking, these are scramblers and really come into their own on rocky uphill terrain. The rigid sole of these boots mean that they are harsh if you are walking on the flat but will protect your feet as you scramble up a stony hillside. This makes them the ideal boot for the really extreme hikers.
4. Columbia PeakFreak Enduro Mid
The Enduro is a very lightweight hiking shoe rather than a boot, which makes it a little more multipurpose. You can wear this shoe on light trails with easy terrain or take on some more rocky terrain although hard hiking is not on the menu. Great for trail running, these are probably the best shoe for those who want to do more than walk.
5. Under Armour UA Speed Freek
The Speed Freek is a serious set of hiking boots with a really tough rugged exterior and great comfort design. Lightweight and cushioned, these boots are popular with hunters who value the quiet step they afford. With a pig skin leather exterior these boots keep out the elements and will last a long time.


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Water Temps: 71 Degrees
Hours Fished: 6:00AM-10:00AM
This was the first outing with clients on Geneva this year and we had a blast. We caught 90 fish in total which included the usual sunfish, bluegill, perch, rockbass and 1 largemouth bass. Sunfish were on the beds and the largemouth bass were cruising the areas in kind of a post spawn mode. Smallmouth bass should become more active now since they are staging on the first break right now.
Attachment 22168Attachment 22167


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AX breaks for building? Pshaw. Nothing new under the sun.
We've been doing it for years, centuries even, in Ireland. Five hundred years ago, a statute issued by Henry VI allowed £10 for every fortified tower built here, as he tried to keep the quarrelsome Irish at bay.
That £10 back then equates to €60,000 today, and as a result of this subsidy, up to 7,000 tower houses were built. The countryside was all but littered in them.
We became the most castellated country in Europe, by the 16th century, even if most were squat structures, and almost windowless, (clearly, there was no grant for aluminium windows in the 12th century). That fascinating historical snippet is offered up in writer, historian and photographer Tarquin Blake's latest, lush and learned publication, Exploring Ireland's Castles from Collins Press.
Now, a photo book on Irish castles might be expected to be of variable quality, and the less-successful example might quickly stack the shelves of visitor centres up and down the country, at knock-down prices. It's an obvious market, right?
But, with Tarquin Blake, and in this 220-page book we're in good hands. As the author and snapper of Abandoned Mansions of Ireland 1 and 2, (as well as the creator/curator of the moody archive that is www.abandonedireland.com) he's as sharp with a camera as he is with a pithy observation, historical oversight or the condensing of centuries' of lived languid lives and the odd bit of eccentricity, into biographical sketches.
If you were to visit any of the 36 Irish castles he features in this fresh and informative book, Blake is the guy you'd want along to dish the dirt and the scandal (or the praise), of the people who commissioned, created and celebrated Irish castles and endured lives and turbulent times within their ancient stone walls.
Geographically, the selection leans towards the south and the west, ranging from 'pokey' grant-driven tower houses, to fortresses, fortified houses and grand Gothic piles of the more recent centuries, some of which are now plus-five star hotels such as Ashford and Dromoland.
Others, like Limerick's Castle Oliver, linked to one of Europe's most famous courtesans Lola Montez, have gone back to private homes, while ostensibly at the opposite end of the moral spectrum, Kylemore Abbey is now an income-earning visitor attraction for a religious order.
Image-wise, the spread spans aerial and drone photography for locational purposes, atmospheric and infrared-filtered black and whites, mossy and ivied takeovers of ruins, and crafted and recreated interiors. Included are old lithographs and depictions of artefacts and ancestry.
Within, there's tales of treachery, scheming, inheritances gone wrong, accidental shootings, and questionable conceptions. Check out Galway's Dunguaire Castle's script, for example and the origin of the nickname 'Sponge Baby' for a 20th century scion's birth to an allegedly never-consumated marriage.
This well-researched, well ferreted out publication (castle folk were the Hello! Magazine tribe of their day, remember) is an engrossing condensing of centuries of Irish castle life and death.
Tarquin Blake shows in sterling imagery the precarious setting of Antrim's Dunluce Castle. It had a chunk fall into the sea in 1639, with loss of dinner, tables, silverware and, oh, staff (nine victims), thanks to coastal erosion and a cliff-top setting.
Much of Dunluce Castle's stones remain standing, but shifting, perhaps, is Blarney Castle's famous stone's schtick.
Delving into Cork's Blarney Castle — (surely one of the world's most famous castles?) he points out at there's a bit of dispute as to whether or not the many thousands of stone-kissing suitors in search of the gift of the gab are smacking their lips on the wrong receptacle.
There is, it would appear, a muck-stirring tabloid hack, buried (shallowly) in Tarquin Blake's own bones, and he has close on a thousand years of Irish castle dynastic skullduggery to delve into. His exploring Ireland's Castles should run, and run.