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We're investing in the hardware to deter voyeurs. Now let's talk about the 'heartware'.
Image Source: Redwire Times and Instagram
How do we make sure no one else experiences what NUS undergraduate Monica Baey went through?
That's the question on everyone's lips since last month's shocking news about a sexual voyeurism case at the National University of Singapore (NUS). At the center of the saga is a male student who took a video of his female hallmate, Monica, when she was showering.
The latest promise from NUS: To massively beef up campus security. More security guards, CCTV cameras and better restroom locks.
These are great efforts, but hardware aside, it's also worth upgrading our 'heartware' – the attitudes that make a grown man think it's fine to film someone else naked. No CCTV camera is going to help someone have that inner breakthrough (though it does serve to deter wrongdoing).
Much talk now has rightly been on helping survivors of sexual crimes and disciplining the perpetrators. But there are also growing calls to go "upstream" – to break the culture of toxic masculinity that enables perpetrators in the first place.
And that's something all of us can help with. For a start, try these three steps:
1. Call out crude jokes
Has a friend made a crass comment about women? There's a thin line between admiring and objectifying someone – the latter basically means you treat someone as an object to be used, never mind that she has thoughts and feelings. Obviously, this mentality is harmful. So the next time a friend says "I'm just saying only lah, won't really do it", you can simply respond with: "What you're saying is not cool."
2. Learn to be a good first responder.
It's hard enough for someone to share an experience of sexual violence. What makes it harder is when people respond with judgmental comments like, "What were you wearing?" or "Were you drunk?"
AWARE's Sexual Assault Care Centre has four important statements that they advise first responders to use:
- "It's not your fault."
- " It's your choice how you want to move forward. "
- " It's your experience, not anybody else's "
- " I'm here to support you. "
SACC has prepared phrases to practise being a good first responder. Find them on Facebook.
If someone confides a story or incident of sexual misconduct, use these phrases when you extend offer emotional and practical support. Don't fall into judgement or victim-blaming.
SACC has prepared phrases to practise being a good first responder. Find them on Facebook.
3. Have Empathy
This may seem obvious. But a little step can go a long way in imagining yourself in someone else's shoes. When it comes to sexual activity, consent is key. This is why learning to prevent sexual misconduct in schools actually focuses a huge part on empathy. Take a step back and treat others with respect. Remember that each one of us has our own feelings, thoughts, desires and experiences.
Ask: "Would I want something like this to happen to me?" As the popular saying goes, "Don't do unto others what you don't want done unto you."
It's important to start normalising the conversation to foster a culture of safety and accountability. AWARE's "Aim For Zero" campaign acts as a great starting point and rallying call to end sexual violence.


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Welcome author Rachel Sharpe to The Power of Love blog series!
Rachel is sharing 10 romantic places she's visited. I'd love to visit New Orleans, as it's long been on my bucket list. What places have you visited?
Rachel is the author of the Jordan James PI Series, now available on Amazon.
10 Romantic Places I've Visited
I was fortunate enough to meet my soulmate the beginning of my senior year of high school. We've been together for almost fourteen years now and have two beautiful children. In that time, we've taken many trips and, although we've never travelled abroad together, we've been to some pretty romantic places in the States. Many of these locations have shown up in the Jordan James, PI series. To me, anywhere can be romantic if you're with the right person. Below is a list of my top ten:
10. New Orleans, Louisiana – as native New Orleanians, it may not seem very romantic to visit your own hometown. But New Orleans is one of the most unique and beautiful cities in America. The mixture of French and Spanish culture and architecture provide for an exotic look and, in a city that doesn't sleep, there always seems to be something to celebrate and tons of people willing to join in the fun. You don't have to visit during Carnival season to enjoy the Mardi Gras atmosphere. It's like that all year round.
9. Wolf Creek, Colorado – one of our favorite ski resorts is a small place in southern Colorado called Wolf Creek. They boast getting the most snow annually of all the resorts in the state. After an exhilarating day on the slopes, there's nothing more romantic than curling up by a fire with the one you love.
8. Warner Brothers Lot, Burbank, California – if you're ever in California, it's worth it to take a studio tour. One of our favorites was the Warner Brothers tour. To me, there is something so romantic about old Hollywood. Actually visiting the last remaining piece of the set of Casablanca and seeing the bungalow where Bette Davis took her breaks is worth the price of admission.
7. Creede, Colorado – a small mining town just south of Durango, Creede is a place you may never notice and pass right through. But it is a scenic masterpiece with gorgeous mountain vistas and a box canyon. There's something about mountain views I find breathtaking and absolutely romantic.
6. Santa Monica, California – it goes without saying that southern California is romantic, especially the beaches and especially at sunset. If you're planning to go to Santa Monica, try to get there and watch the sun set over the Pier. There's nothing quite like it.
5. Boston, Massachusetts – my husband and I are both history buffs which is why New England is one of our favorite repeat vacation spots and Boston is always on the top of the list. There is so much history in Boston from the Freedom Trail and Paul Revere's house to Faneuil Hall and the Bell in Hand Tavern. No matter how many times you visit Boston, there is always something new to see and do.
4. New York City, New York – come on, now. It's New York! Need I say more?
3. Peak's Island, Portland, Maine – in southern Maine just across the bay from Portland is a small island accessible by ferry called Peak's Island. It's a tiny but beautiful place to visit in the summer. My husband and I ate gulf shrimp while overlooking Casco Bay before renting bicycles and biking across the entire island, which took less than two hours to do. Heading back to Portland, we watched the sun set over the bay. Again, the setting is always more romantic with the one you love.
2. Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts – another gorgeous setting is Martha's Vineyard. There are so many beautiful places to see on the Vineyard from the painted cottages at Oak's Bluff to the Gay Head cliffs. It's no surprise Martha's Vineyard is a popular summer destination for New Englanders.
1.Disney World, Orlando, Florida – maybe it's the part of me that never wants to grow up, but I absolutely love Disney World. No matter who you are, being there brings you back to a simpler time, childhood, and always puts a smile on your face. Going there as an adult with my husband was romantic and fun, but taking our son there for the first time was even better. I can't wait until we can go back again with both of our children. There's nothing on earth quite like Disney World.
Check out Rachel Sharpe's amazing series, Jordan James, PI
"What started out as a star-studded vacation has turned into a sensational avalanche..."
When private investigator Jordan James decided to join her best friend on the set of her hit television series in the Rocky Mountains, she had no idea she would become a key player in a murder mystery more suited for the big screen than the slopes. With one actor dead and a killer on the loose, can Jordan uncover the culprit before another victim makes headlines on Hollywood Minute?
"BITTER RETRIBUTION" Available Now on Amazon!!! http://www.amzn.com/B015YS0O94
Also Available in the Jordan James, PI Series – COLD AMBITION and LOST DISTINCTION!!!
"Don't let your tears flow," she insisted passionately from the screen. I glanced up and saw Roch and Nikole embracing while the KGB closed in on them. Slowly, a crescendo of brass arose as Roch and Nikole fought gallantly to their deaths. The credits began and I glanced at the clock. It was ten.
"What garbage," I laughed aloud, grinning at the thought of meeting Roch Turner the next afternoon. I turned off the television and stretched. Yawning, I walked into my bedroom. After doing one more double-check, I was satisfied I had not forgotten anything. I got ready for bed before climbing beneath my heavy, down comforter and closing my eyes. Sighing contentedly, I thought with excitement about seeing Heather for the first time in six months, skiing in the Rockies, and watching a hit sitcom being filmed. This is going to be the best Thanksgiving ever, I thought happily. pushing images of Rick from my mind.
As I succumbed to the tranquility of slumber, eagerly awaiting a much-needed vacation, I had no idea of the depth and complexity of the situation in which I would soon be enmeshed. I had no idea of the sheer magnitude of the vendetta in which I would find myself, a senseless dispute which began years before my own birth. If I had, I would have ripped my flight itinerary up into a million tiny pieces and stayed in the warm haven of my bed.
"It was my life-long dream to become a private eye. Little did I know that with my very first case, that dream would become a life-threatening nightmare…" When Jordan James decided to embark on a career as a private investigator, she never could have imagined that a chance encounter would lead to her staring down the barrel of a gun on the roof's edge of a high-rise building. As she begins to investigate her first case, the puzzling murder of a prominent businessman that has left Boston's finest mystified for more than two decades, she finds herself suddenly immersed in a treacherous underworld brimming with betrayal, raw greed, and political subterfuge of international proportions. In the midst of this, she discovers she is falling for her mysterious client despite the hints of his dark past. Can this feisty Southern girl with a penchant for trouble solve this baffling case or is she doomed to become another tragic chapter in an international conspiracy? "COLD AMBITION" Available Now on Amazon! http://www.amzn.com/B00L2OLQPG/
"It all started with a favor…" When private investigator Jordan James agreed to search for the missing son of a U.S. Ambassador, she didn't realize she was walking into a case one hundred years in the making. The deeper she delves into this unusual assignment, the more shocking, and the more dangerous, it becomes. With time running out and lives at stake, Jordan must race to identify the culprit of an elaborate plot while also uncovering a far more personal truth too intimate to ignore… "LOST DISTINCTION" Available Now on Amazon! http://www.amzn.com/B00Q5OGCS4
Rachel Sharpe is the author of Cold Ambition, Lost Distinction, and Bitter Retribution, all part of the Jordan James, PI series. Although born and raised in the South, "Yankee" relatives first led Rachel to historic New England, which she has come to consider her second home and is the setting for the series.
After obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in English, Rachel began dedicating her free time to her childhood passion, writing, and in the fall of 2013, she signed with Soul Mate Publishing. An active member of Sisters In Crime, Rachel currently resides with her husband and children in the Greater New Orleans area.
Check Out Rachel's Sites to Keep Up with Jordan James!!!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorrachelsharpe
Twitter: www.twitter.com/RachelCSharpe

subset: commoncrawl


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Charter Schools 101
As taxpayer-funded schools, charter schools must operate in a manner that is transparent and accountable to the families and communities they serve. This includes meeting the same quality standards for student outcomes, fair treatment of all students, and transparent use of taxpayer dollars the public insists upon for all other taxpayer-funded schools.
What are charter schools?
Charter schools are privately managed, taxpayer-funded schools exempted from some rules applicable to all other taxpayer-funded schools.
When were they created?
Following passage of a charter school law the preceding year, the first charter school in the United States opened in Minnesota in 1992.
Why were charter schools created?
The main argument initially offered for creating charter schools focused on a desire to create greater flexibility for innovation within public education. It was hoped that successful innovations could be adapted to benefit public education more broadly.
Do charter schools operate in the same way as traditional public schools?
There are significant differences. Charter schools tend to hire younger and less experienced teachers. Charter schools typically have appointed, rather than elected, school boards. Some charter boards hold open public meetings and some do not. About 4 in 10 charter schools nationally are managed under contract by for-profit or non-profit charter "chains." These may or may not be headquartered in the communities where their schools are located. The other 6 in 10 charter schools nationally, sometimes referred to as "mom and pop" charters, are not-for-profit and are operated by individuals or small groups of individuals, such as educators, who live in the local community.
How do charter schools come into existence?
An individual or organization wanting to open a charter school must apply to a charter school "authorizer." Each state's charter law says which entities can authorize creation of a charter school. These entities can be a local school district, a state education department, or a separate state charter school board. The authorizer reviews each application and decides whether to approve or decline it.
How do students enroll in charter schools?
They apply for admission. In cases where more students apply than the school can accommodate, a lottery is held to determine admission. Some charter schools employ selective outreach and recruitment practices. These appear to have contributed to under-representation of students with disabilities, especially those with more severe disabilities, and English language learners in the charter sector.
Are charter schools private schools?
Charter schools are taxpayer-funded but privately managed. They are not private schools in the ordinary sense in which that term has been understood, to refer to schools operated by religious or non-denominational private organizations that charge tuition to enrolled families. Because of weak oversight and a lack of transparency of the charter sector in many states, and because charter schools have been exempted from some rules designed to protect students, families, communities, and taxpayers, there can be important differences in how charter schools are operated.
How does student achievement in charter schools compare with that in traditional district schools?
Many studies have looked at student achievement measures. These show very small differences, some favoring traditional district schools and some favoring charter schools.
Quality, equity, accountability and transparency are the features that can make charter schools stronger.
Malloy Signs Charter School Transparency Bill
Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy signed legislation increasing charter schools' transparency under the Freedom of Information Act.
Visit nea.org/parents for tips on helping your child do well in school and more.
Read additional charter school stories on EdVotes.org.


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Sunshine Cross Stitch Kit from the Wrendale Collection for Bothy Threads
Sunshine Counted Cross Stitch Kit from Bothy Threads – 26cm x 26cm. Kit contains 14 count Zweigart Aida with a printed speckled background, pre-sorted stranded cottons, needle, chart and instructions.
This kit uses full cross stitches and back stitch.
Out of stock


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I probably don't send out as many scores to open calls and competitions as I should, but I try to get my work out there to the extent that my free time allows. If a piece with a comfortable place in my catalog would fit, I'll send it in; if not (and especially if there's a cash award) I might even write a piece very quickly just to meet the terms of the opportunity. Some of these pieces, by the way, have turned out to be among the most celebrated in my modest little stable.
Given the simple arithmetic of these cattle calls—many scores will be sent, only one chosen—rejection is par for the course. It never bothers me, though: I reason that even though there are plenty of criteria a panel of judges might consider in choosing a selection, it's very difficult for someone who is grossly incompetent to come out on top; if it doesn't go my way, the person who did snag the performance, commission, or prize probably won it fair and square. It's not a referendum on how bad my piece is but rather on how great someone else's is, and that's fine by me. And maybe even if they don't find something to swoon over in my music, maybe no other applicants will have brought their A games. Why not my piece? They have to give the prize to someone, right?
Apparently not. The judges of a competition I recently went out for have chosen not to choose a winner.
I'd heard of such things happening, but I'd never been stung by it personally. The notification was brief; it gave the impression of hushed embarrassment, as if the writer and reader should both be mortified at having this conversation. My own reaction was to laugh out loud, mostly in surprise: I never expected to long for such a mealymouthed sentiment as "we received a record number of exceptional entries this year, so it was doubly difficult to arrive at a decision," which was nowhere to be found.
"Someone built a better mouse trap" I can handle; "eff all y'all" is harder to swallow. Without denying that organizations have the right to handle their competitions however they want and can withhold the prize with no legal liability, I'm going to come right out and say it: Awarding no prize is a bitch move. Are you telling me that out of the 30, 50, 100 or more entries, not one was suitable? The judges had no choice but to grab their ball and go home? Maybe some weird situation arose with the adjudication that would squeeze some sympathy out of me if I ever got the full story; none of us ever will, of course. Although I wonder what went wrong with the process in the conference room where they reviewed the submissions, I know precisely what's wrong with the verdict: If (as the notification suggests) we composers should all be ashamed of ourselves, then so should the judges, who couldn't even look at a bunch of music sent to them in good faith and decide which score they hated least.


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Terex Cranes has "treated" its DemagAC 500-8 all terrain crane to an upgrade to enhance the machine's technical characteristics. The latest version complies with the United States' Tier 4 engine exhaust emission standards, which means that it now has access to the US market. The first order from the USA has already been placed, and the new Demag AC 500-8 will be delivered mid year. As for the European markets, the crane also has boundless access as it complies with Euromot 4 standards.
Along with the crane's emission upgrade, another technical highlight is the IC-1 Plus control system. The IC-1 Plus control system is designed to provide the crane's maximum allowable lifting capacity, based on the slewing angle, for every crane configuration. The new control system no longer limits the maximum lifting capacity to a pre-calculated, 360° load chart which was based on the most unstable position of the crane.
Instant capacity calculations allow customers to take full advantage of the maximum lifting capacity available at any given slewing position for any crane configuration. This advantage is particularly useful when working with reduced outrigger settings and reduced counterweight.
It allows the crane to do jobs where higher capacity cranes are typically needed, Terex said. This comes with an added benefit: for many applications, the IC-1 Plus control system not only uses the full potential of the crane's lifting capacity, but also creates the opportunity to use less counterweight as compared to the 360° lifting capacities. This results in reduced transport costs.
The carrier length of only 17.1 meters means it is still the most compact eight-axle machine in its class, the manufacturer said. It can achieve a maximum system length of 145.8 meters with a luffing fly jib. Power across the full lifting capacity range is enhanced by features such as the improved design of the main boom cross-section and the reinforced sideways superlift.
The star shaped outrigger design means minimal carrier deflection during maximum capacity lifts. In addition, the crane has a short setup time and comfortable working conditions.


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The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down Washington D.C.'s ban on handguns, saying individuals have the right to own guns.
In a 5-to-4 landmark decision Thursday, the high court struck down the 32-year-old ban, saying it violates the second amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
The court also struck down the city's requirement that legally-owned firearms be equipped with trigger locks or kept disassembled in the home, saying that makes it impossible for citizens to use arms for the lawful purpose of self-defense.
The court noted that long-standing gun restrictions remain in place - such as prohibitions on felons and the mentally ill from possessing guns and restrictions on carrying firearms in schools and government buildings.
The second amendment says that because "a well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." The court ruled today that this does not limit gun ownership to service in a militia.
The decision could have a wide impact on restrictions on gun ownership in the United States.
The White House says U.S. President George Bush strongly agrees with the decision and is pleased that the court concluded that Washington D.C.'s firearm laws violate the individual right of Americans to keep and bear arms.
Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty said he wished the court had ruled to uphold the ban, but added that the city will respect the decision.
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain hailed the court's decision, saying it recognizes that gun ownership is a fundamental right that is "sacred, just as the right to free speech and assembly."
Washington city officials have said the ban has led to a decrease in violent crime, while opponents of the ban said the case was about a citizen's right to self-defense.
The court has not ruled on the "right to keep and bear arms" since 1939.
In rulings announced Wednesday The U.S. Supreme Court struck down the death penalty in child rape
cases, saying executions should be reserved for acts of murder.
In a major capital punishment decision, the court said executing people convicted of raping a child violates the U.S. Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment.
Writing for the court (5-4) majority, Justice Anthony Kennedy said "the death penalty is not a proportional punishment for the rape of a child." He said there is a national consensus against the death penalty for the crime of child rape.
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said he disagrees with the court's decision. He called the rape of a young child a "heinous" crime, and said the death penalty is applicable if a state decides to allow it.
The case involved Patrick Kennedy, a 43-year-old man in the southern state of Louisiana who was sentenced to death for raping his eight-year-old stepdaughter in 1998.
Also Wednesday, the Supreme Court reduced punitive damages involving the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill off the coast of the far northwestern state of Alaska. It ruled the punitive damage award of $2.5 billion against Exxon Mobile should be a little more than $500 million.
The tanker ship Exxon Valdez struck a reef in Alaska's Prince William Sound, spilling more than 40 million liters of oil and polluting hundreds of kilometers of coastline. The spill also killed thousands of birds, fish and other marine life.
Plaintiffs who sought punitive damages include commercial fishermen, seafood processors, landowners and native Alaskans.
Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.


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Will Kayden was a Starfleet officer serving in the 24th century.
During the Federation-Cardassian War, Kayden served aboard the USS Rutledge under Captain Benjamin Maxwell. Kayden was good friends with fellow Rutledge crewman Miles O'Brien. He was affectionately nicknamed "Stompie" by his shipmates and was well known for his fondness of the old Earth song "The Minstrel Boy".
In combat, Maxwell remembered Kayden as being as cool under fire as a mountain lake. He died fighting the Cardassians on Setlik III during the Setlik III massacre. (TNG: "The Wounded")
This character was only mentioned in dialogue.
The novelization of DS9: "Emissary" expanded on Kayden's character.
External link
- Will Kayden at Memory Beta, the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
Community content is available under CC-BY-NC unless otherwise noted.


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When I first began to write I use to get up around 3:00 in the morning because I felt this calling to put words together on a computer screen to encourage hurting women, even though in school my grades where less than satisfactory. I'm learning that God takes the less than sufficient and somehow works it into something worthwhile.
Every weekday without an alarm set it would just me and Him and I would devote that time to read, study and write. No one understood my passion and I quickly learned unspoken ground rules that I as long as I balanced the home and family I was able to live this dual life.
And my small offerings to God became published, bigger dreams of writing grew, and so did the tension between my family and me.
My sense of community of friends shrunk as I had another baby and life demanded more of my time. I longed to write and was growing frustrated as dreams faded into the background and I was wishful for a cloud of witnesses, cheerleaders to support my efforts encouraging me to press on toward a goal. Instead my family pressed in on demands and I heard rumblings, protesting my time on the computer.
I questioned God's plan, and my soul would whisper, "Who do you think you are? No one is interested in your message, you're not worthy to be chosen." So I quit writing.
The trash became my advocate, the one supporter that seemed to make the most sense when you're feeling worthless, when you feel like you've got nothing to offer, and I tossed all that I'd strived for in the trash, silenced.
Those moments of lostness right before the holidays in 2012, I begged God to show me what His plan was, for Him to step in and make this seesaw of writing to become clear. It was cold and rainy, I had the fireplace on sitting at my computer, a God's appointed timing when I came across (in)courage on Facebook maybe it was Holley Gerth,? In the post was a challenge that dared me the next time an opportunity arises to be brave and become a part of something bigger and jump in.
I did.
I have been on several book launch teams the past year and half, these ladies that intermingle between blog posts and life have become my place of community, a safe place to share and grow as a writer, as a woman, investing in others, praying for another through life.
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Meet Marshall The Miracle Dog and get his PAWtograph in his new book! A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Four Muddy Paws Foundation which supports local pet-related charities.
Friday, September 14 11 AM – 1 PM | Edwardsville
Saturday, September 15 11 AM – 1 PM | Lafayette Square
" …Marshall the Miracle Dog is a story celebrating a boundless hope, the kind of hope reflected only in the exuberance of small children and . . . well . . . dogs. . . . Speaking to the frailties and fears experienced by every child who has ever felt different or damaged, alone or neglected or worse Marshall the Miracle Dog is a story to be savored and read over and over again. The illustrations by Lauren Heimbaugh are soft detailed pencils so beautifully drawn they look photorealistic…." ~ New York Journal of Books Review
Here's amazing story of Marshall the Miracle Dog.
Marshall was rescued in September 2010 in response to an animal hoarder. Over 60 dogs were found living in an abandoned property. Marshall being one.
It is impossible to tell if Marshall was one of the dogs she stole from someone's backyard, which she admitted to doing, or if Marshall was conceived in the "pen" by some of the other dogs. At the time of the rescue, Marshall was found to be in the worst shape of all. He had been obviously attacked by other dogs, probably over food (or lack thereof), and had bite marks all over his body, a broken front leg, and a hole the size of a tennis ball on the side of his face. The Humane Society of Missouri was called in for the rescue efforts, and all dogs were saved, cared for, and eventually adopted to Forever Homes.
After dying on the operating table and being resuscitated by Dr Schwartz and his medical team, they sewed up Marshall's face but had to amputate his badly infected front leg. They rehabilitated Marshall and two months later when he was ready for adoption.
Cyndi Willenbrock came across the Humane Society's Internet video about Marshall. She thought, "who would ever adopt a 2 year old dog with a missing leg and 3-inch scar on his face when there are countless healthy puppies and dogs available?"
A week later Marshall hopped in to Cyndi's life. She was clueless what to what with a special dog like Marshall and quite honestly was scared to death of failing him. However, Marshall showed Cyndi how to raise and take care of him! And with some changes to her house, like throw rugs so he does not slip and a new found patience with herself as he is slower than his four legged brother Mooshy, in no time Marshall was acclimated to his new home.
Cyndi is constantly amazed at how joyful, tender, and trusting Marshall became—almost immediately—after finding a loving home, with little to no evidence of his former abuse other than his missing limb and obvious scar on his face. But, at night he would have nightmares and he would start crying and "running" in his sleep. Mooshy and Cyndi would soothe him knowing, on some level, he remembers.
Now, Marshall knows he has a job to do. That job is to give back, and share his courage and his strong will to overcome his abuse and neglect. To reassure children (and adults) that we all matter, we all have a light that wants and needs to shine, and that there is a hero in all of us.
Marshall is a reminder to not give up five minutes before the Miracle.


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Quite a bit has been said and written about this film's similarities to the priors, in particular A New Hope. I think almost all of this is intentional, not just in putting in characters and visual references from earlier movies, but in overarching theme and plot. I rather suspected/hoped that this would be the case after viewing the much-maligned The Phantom Menace. The plot of that film, with its discovery of the talented young one, and the battle culminating in the destruction of the enemy's flagship by an attack from within its defenses, also echoes the theme and plot of A New Hope, and seeing this recur again makes me "hope" that this also was not an accident nor a failure of invention. Remember, that George Lucas supposedly had nine episodes plotted out in "The Adventures of Luke Skywalker," and it is just possible that even those years ago, an overarching plot had been envisioned, in which the cycle of time returns on itself in a spiral, not quite coming back to the same point. Those who fail to learn the lessons of history—the always short-sighted "Sith"—build ever larger and more terrifying super-weapons, only to have their technological Goliaths destroyed by the Light Side's Davids. *
At the beginning of The Force Awakens, the galaxy is in a state of low-intensity warfare, pitting a renascent "Republic" against the remnant Empire lead by the "First Order", with the "Rebellion" staging an anti-Empire insurgency. The McGuffin this time is not a set of plans, but a star map showing the whereabouts of Luke Skywalker, who has become a hermit. Incidents surrounding the attempts to recover the data heat up the war, causing the First Order to activate its "Starkiller Base," a planet-cracker that is an order of magnitude more dangerous than either version of the Death Star.
The next generation of heroes are caught up in the tide of events. Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), the Rebellion/Republic's ace fighter pilot at least signed on for this. "Finn," (John Boyega) a reluctant Storm Trooper dragooned into the Imperial forces as a child, finds an opportunity to desert. And Rey (Daisy Ridley) is an orphaned scavenger inhabiting a Tattoine-like desert world when Fate, perhaps literally, seeks her out. Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) is a conflicted Vader-wannabee, the genuine next generation of Dark Lords.
They have time to establish themselves firmly as the protagonists of the film before the old guard, Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), "General" Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), C-3PO (Anthony Daniels), and R2-D2 (now apparently a genuine robot, as Kenny Baker is listed only as "R2-D2 Consultant") put in appearances.
The plot cycles through an arc familiar from Episode 1, and especially Episode 4, but with enough variations and diversions (and one very significant surprise) to make it fresh, fun, and entertaining for the aficionados.
This entry was originally posted at http://sinister-sigils.dreamwidth.org/283302.html. Please comment there using OpenID.


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Heart print pointelle short set - Red Mix
Item #: 207122_40RX
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Fall in love with this super cute heart print pyjama set, perfect for those warm summer nights
- 100% cotton, pointelle fabric
- All over heart print
- Elasticated waist with tie
I am made of 100% cotton excluding trims
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Loving the colors of this peach Yin Yang plate. Can be used to serve food or as a decoration to store your keys and little knick knacks.
Measurements: 8" Diameter
Meha Ceramics are handmade Filipino-American artist, April Nickel, in Chicago. MEHA (mee-ha) is a term of endearment from those closest and most meaningful bonds to the artist. MEHA pieces are functional and sculptural and are intended to create harmony and bring symbolism to your daily rituals within the yin and yang of life.
We'll accept in-store exchanges or issue store credit minus shipping costs for unworn, unwashed merchandise with original store tags attached and in original packaging within 21 days of your order date. If you receive an item that is damaged, please Contact Us directly. Please note: we do not issue refunds.
Visit our Returns & Exchanges page for more information.
Need some extra sizing help? Check out our size charts to help determine the size and fit of any item. Because sizing and cut will vary between brands, we recommend you use our chart as a general guide. If you have a specific question on sizing, just contact us for additional help.


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Instructions for the sacred tent, its furnishings, and the sacred chest
The sacred tent
(Exodus 35.4-9)
1The LORD said to Moses:
2Tell everyone in Israel who wants to give gifts that they must bring them to you. 3Here is a list of what you are to collect: gold, silver, and bronze; 4blue, purple, and red wool; fine linen; goat hair; 5tanned ram skins; fine leather; acacia wood; 6olive oil for the lamp; sweet-smelling spices to mix with the oil for dedicating the tent and ordaining the priests; 7and onyx25.7 onyx: A precious stone with bands of different colours. stones for the sacred apron and the breastpiece. 8I also want them to build a special place where I can live among my people. 9Make it and its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.
The sacred chest
(Exodus 37.1-9)
The LORD said to Moses:
10Tell the people to build a chest of acacia wood one hundred and ten centimetres long, sixty-six centimetres wide, and sixty-six centimetres high. 11Cover it inside and out with pure gold and put a gold edging around the lid. 12Make four gold rings and fasten one of them to each of the four legs of the chest. 13Make two poles of acacia wood. Cover them with gold 14and put them through the rings, so the chest can be carried by the poles. 15Don't ever remove the poles from the rings. 16When I give you the Ten Commandments written on two flat stones, put them inside the chest.
17Cover the lid of the chest with pure gold.25.17: He 9.5. 18-19Then hammer out two winged creatures of pure gold and fasten them to the lid at the ends of the chest. 20The creatures must face each other with their wings spread over the chest. 21Inside it place the two flat stones with the Ten Commandments and put the gold lid on top of the chest. 22I will meet you there25.22 I will meet you there: It was believed that God had his earthly throne on the lid of the sacred chest. between the two creatures and tell you what my people must do and what they must not do.
The table for the sacred bread
(Exodus 37.10-16)
The LORD said:
23Make a table of acacia wood eighty-eight centimetres long, forty-four centimetres wide, and sixty-six centimetres high. 24-25Cover it with pure gold and put a gold edging around it with a border seventy-five millimetres wide.25.24,25 a gold edging…wide: Or "a gold edging around it seventy-five millimetres wide". 26Make four gold rings and attach one to each of the legs 27-28near the edging. The poles for carrying the table are to be placed through these rings and are to be made of acacia wood covered with gold. 29-30The table is to be kept in the holy place, and the sacred loaves of bread must always be put on it. All bowls, plates, jars, and cups for wine offerings are to be made of pure gold and set on this table.25.30: Lv 24.5-8.
The lampstand
(Exodus 37.17-24)
The LORD said:
31Make a lampstand of pure gold. The whole lampstand, including its decorative flowers, must be made from a single piece of hammered gold 32with three branches on each of its two sides. 33There are to be three decorative almond blossoms on each branch 34and four on the stem. 35There must also be a blossom where each pair of branches comes out from the stem. 36The lampstand, including its branches and decorative flowers, must be made from a single piece of hammered pure gold. 37The lamp on the top and those at the end of each of its six branches must be made so as to shine towards the front of the lampstand. 38The tongs and trays for taking care of the lamps are to be made of pure gold. 39The lampstand and its equipment will require thirty-five kilogrammes of pure gold, 40and they must be made according to the pattern I showed you on the mountain.25.40: Ac 7.44; He 8.5.
Contemporary English Version (CEV) is copyright © American Bible Society. Psalms and Proverbs © 1991, 1992; New Testament © 1991, 1992, 1995; Old Testament © 1995; translation notes, subject headings for text © 1995; Anglicisations © The British and Foreign Bible Society 1997, 2012.


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The difference between theoretical and market value
An important distinction in the financial markets is between the theoretical value and the market value of a financial instrument. In this article we will explain the difference and then discuss why it matters. We will also look at the difference uses of both types of value.
Any liquid financial asset that trades in a market has a current value. This is the market value and is simply the price at which the asset is trading. Economists will describe this as the clearing price which just means the price at which the supply and demand for the asset are currently matched. To know the market value of say Apple shares, we just look up the current price. This is pretty straightforward and generally not controversial; there is just one market value and it is simply the market price.
The theoretical value of an asset on the other hand is not such a straightforward affair. The theoretical value of an asset is the output of some sort of model. This could be a sophisticated mathematical model that takes a number of inputs to produce a single theoretical value. Or it could simply be an investor's personal intuitive opinion about an asset's value. That is still a model; it is just an implicit model in the investor's own head! Notice that there can be an unlimited number of theoretical values. Different models and different people can each have their own idea of the theoretical value of an asset.
So why does this distinction matter to investors or traders? The distinction is crucial because it is the difference between the market and theoretical value, as each trader sees it, that drives a lot of the trading that occurs. The buyer of a financial asset will generally expect the price of the asset to rise; that's why he is buying! Another way to understand this is to say that the buyer thinks the market value is too low compared to his theoretical value. He expects that the market value will rise to reflect the under-valuation.
Consider professional option traders. They will typically have theoretical values for all the option contracts they are trading. These will be the output of a mathematical model which takes into account various factors such as the spot price, time to expiry, implied volatility etc. Now when the trader sees an option trading at a price that is different to his theoretical value (i.e the market value is different from his theoretical value), he needs to decide whether he thinks the market value is 'wrong' or his theoretical value is 'wrong'. It is not possible for one asset to have two values at the same time! As the trader sees more activity in the market in this and related option contracts, he should be able to gauge whether it is his model that needs alteration or whether there is indeed some 'edge' in the market (i.e. profit to be made).
The importance of the distinction between theoretical and market value for risk
For risk management, the theoretical vs market distinction is important. For example, when measuring the profit and loss of a portfolio, should the risk manager use the current market value of the assets or some sort of theoretical value? In practice, risk managers will tend to use both values and therefore to have two profit and losses. The market value is indisputable and reflects the real, actual profit and loss. But the theoretical value is after all what the trader or bank must have some faith in otherwise they are trading using models they don't believe in!
It is not just the value of an asset that can be actual or theoretical Many different parameters which feed into the risk numbers could be theoretical or market-based. For example, option traders will typically use a theoretical level of implied volatility for their options although they could use the market value. The outputs from the risk models (as opposed to their pricing models) will also therefore be dependent on whether market or theoretical values are used. This could mean that, for example, a trader's portfolio delta might be different depending on whether he uses the theoretical or market levels of implied volatility.
In short then, it is not just the profit and loss that can have two interpretations (market vs theoretical). Risk metrics as well can be fully dependent on whether market or theoretical values of other parameters are used.
In Volcube simulations, you typically trade using theoretical option values and the market values are determined by the order flow in the market. Although if you prefer, you can just trade using the market values.
Aligning theoretical and market values
Sometimes traders decide to alter their theoretical values, usually because they want to more accurately reflect the market value. If a trader values an asset at x but the market consistently values the asset at y, eventually the trader may feel he needs to move his value closer to y. There are several reasons for this; as mentioned above it is not just the profit and loss that is a function of the type of value used, but also the risk metrics which can be affected by the value. If the trader's theoretical values are 'wrong', then his risk management and hedging strategies will also be based on 'wrong' computations. So this is one reason to decide to re-align theoretical values.
Option traders will typically use a 'volatility manager' to change the implied volatility they are using and thus align theoretical and market values. You can practise this as well in Volcube simulations by using the Volcube volatility manager.
It is important to understand the difference between the theoretical and market value of any financial asset, particularly when reviewing trading results. Theoretical value can be an important guide, but remember it is the market value which determines the dollars, pounds and euros that will be sitting in the trader's bank account when all is said and done!
About Volcube
Volcube is the world's leading options education technology, trusted by traders and other individuals everywhere as the fastest way to learn about options trading.
FREE TRIALS of Volcube Starter Edition : start your options education for FREE!
You can access Volcube Starter Edition for FREE. Starter Edition has been designed specifically for individuals who want to learn about options trading from home or at work. If you want to learn about options trading, try Volcube out for free today! Click here to get start your completely FREE trial.
: Volcube : Options Education Technology :
Volcube : options training technology
"Using Volcube Starter Edition, I can learn about more than just the theory of options; I can learn about trading options. The options market simulator is a fantastic way to learn, simple to use and a lot of fun! The videos and articles are comprehensive and easy to understand, and the Volcube Team offers you excellent support whenever you need it. Highly recommended."
Andrew Kang
BA Economics, Northwestern University
& Trainee derivatives trader in Chicago


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A look at Prop 37: California and the EU
Even though genetically modified (GM) food hasn't yet been proven as hazardous, there's plenty of reason to error on the side of caution and alert consumers with a label. California's Proposition 37 would be one step closer to applying the logic of the precautionary principle–that a chemical is assumed hazardous until proven otherwise–, an application the US and the well outdated TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act) has failed to execute, falling far behind other countries (95% of over 65,000 chemicals have yet to be tested at all here in the US as reported in the "Notes" section on our Environment page). Before entertaining the question whether the precautionary principle demands too much regulation, one should note that new chemicals are being synthesized at incredible rates and there's little to nothing being done to inhibit them from entering into our every day lives (via our water at home, or even our bottled water, just as an example). Not only has the EU mandated GM labels for over 15 years (as well as Australia since 2000), but they have also banned thousands of hazardous chemicals with help from the application of the precautionary principle (compared to a mere five chemicals banned by TSCA since its induction in 1976). It's about time that we not only depend on deeper enrichment of consumer knowledge and the power of the consumer's dollar, but also introduce and implement a wider, further reaching application of the precautionary principle. Hopefully Prop 37 not only passes, but proves the first step of urgent progression in US chemical and food policy.


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One of QPR Software's core values is long term success together. Therefore we want to make the QPR Community a vivid forum for all people interested in QPR Software, its products and services as well as tools and solutions and to where all community members want to return time after time. To make this happen share your best practices as well as tools and solutions with your fellow community members!
Complying with the QPR Community Guidelines & Terms of Use is very easy. Just follow these simple guidelines, and your contribution is very welcome:
• Remember that you are responsible and liable for all your activities while participating in the QPR Community, including anything you contribute.
• Treat others as you would expect them to treat you - when you help others you get helped!
• Do not use offensive language or engage in disruptive activity in the QPR Community.
• QPR Community is about sharing members' professional experience. Therefore, do not submit unrelated content and e.g. any trade secrets, spam, racism or content that might be interpreted as sexually offensive by your fellow community members.
• You are welcome to promote your contributions, but make sure your content is relevant for the audience you are targeting with your promotion. Do not SPAM.
• Respect copyright and only upload content that you made or that you are authorized to use.
• Respect privacy of all fellow QPR Community members by not revealing their personal information or doing things like predatory behavior, stalking or harassment.
If you think someone broke these guidelines or values, notify our moderators by using this notification link .
We will always review all published content, and remove any content which breaks QPR Community rules and notify the author accordingly. We might also ban a member from the community if necessary. If you think we missed something in the rules or if you are looking for clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Your QPR Community Team
QPR Software Plc
Huopalahdentie 24
FI-00350 Helsinki


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The All-Terrain AT600 TOW is a self-weighted unit and is the ideal electric tow for applications where weight transfer is not possible.
Attaching to any load up to 6,000 kg with a draw bar, towing eye or ball hitch fitting is easy thanks to the AT600 TOW's coupling crawl function.
Controlled start acceleration gets the load moving safely and power steering provides effortless manoeuvrability, even on slopes and uneven surfaces.
With the addition of anti-slip, puncture-proof tires and automatic tiller cut off, the AT600 TOW maximises operator safety at all times and the interchangeable battery ensures the machine is available for use 24/7.
To see how the AT600 TOW can help improve your safety and efficiency, why not get in touch for more information or for a free quotation.
|Product code
|Recommended load weight - Castors
|6000 kg
|Recommended load weight - Rails
|24,000 kg
|Machine weight including battery
|600 kg
|Drive type
|Electric AC
|Parking brake
|Drive wheel type
|Superelastic Solid Rubber
|Drive motor power
|1.7 kW
|Controller type
|Variable machine speed
|Ingress Protection
|Battery pack - sealed - 119 Ah 24V - Interchangable
|Battery pack - sealed - 102 Ah 24V - Interchangable
|Battery pack - lithium - 118 Ah 24V - fixed
|Charger - external - 20A 24V - 85V-265V
|Charger - external - 15A 24V - 85V-265V
|Charger - internal - 15A 24V - 85V-265V
|Charger - lithium - external - 40A 24V - 265V
|flashing safety light and motion bleeper
|two speed selector switch
|fifth wheel
|battery protection system
|lithium battery
|Wireless control handset
|Coupling - male - pin
|Coupling - male - height adjustable tow ball - 50mm
|Coupling - male - height adjustable box
|Fifthwheel only
|Coupling - adjustable towing arm
|Coupling - female - box


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Learn more about how a cognitive city can help your organization.
124 NW 12th Street
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Organizing research to be interdisciplinary
Climate-KIC, an innovation initiative by the European Union, envisions a prosperous, resilient society built on a sustainable, zero-carbon economy. It is a fundamentally interdisciplinary challenge. Solutions incorporate natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, business, architecture, and urban planning, to name a few.
Being so interdisciplinary is a challenge unto itself. Climate-KIC offers research grants all over the EU. It seeks teams with the most potential to have an impact. But the community lacked a context for knowing with whom and how they should collaborate in unfamiliar fields.
Climate-KIC's Cognitive City is the bridge between the vision and the approaches required to achieve it. It makes the community known to itself and to funders. It reveals algorithmically-driven suggestions about who should collaborate and why. It facilitates interdisciplinary connections that could take too long to discover if left to traditional methods.
Getting specific answers from global research
A global NGO is using data to crack the code of healthcare policy. They want to know which interventions work and where, so aid can have its intended impact. They started with hundreds of researchers and decades of data about every country in the world compiled in spreadsheets and databases.
They are using the Cognitive City to build interdisciplinary research teams with complementary differences. Data applications also support analysis about which countries have similar public health patterns.
Now the NGO can make data-driven decisions about who should work together. Its diverse research community can share data and insight based on common context they did not know they had. In this way, their limited resources can do the most good.
Doing Research at Scale to Accelerate Progress
Cohen Veterans Bioscience wants to speed up discovery of diagnostics and therapeutics for veterans and civilians suffering from PTSD. While traditional research pipelines march onward, new approaches to data and collaboration at scale are needed to accelerate progress. So CVB organizes a network of public-private partners that each contribute data, technology, or expertise.
CVB worked with Exaptive to expose connections in the vast data sources available to them and to facilitate connections among the people involved in the PTSD/TBI research community. Exaptive built a Cognitive City for CVB, including data applications that aid research. CVB can understand and leverage data, projects, and people to find untapped research paths and identify potential collaborators.
Helping innovators be as innovative as possible
A multi-billion dollar NGO has hundreds of employees involved in change movements all over the world. That makes it hard to transfer knowledge effectively between departments and throughout the organization. It knows that exchange of knowledge and cross-fertilization is how to be innovative and stay innovative. But typical knowledge management software and networking does not suffice.
Exaptive's Cognitive City gives leaders at the organization a view of the whole and how it is interconnected. They can see people and projects that ought to connect and team leaders can facilitate the connection. The City also elucidates counterintuitive, untapped collaborations that circulate knowledge and drive new ways of doing things.
Success and size can create silos and restrict the unconventional thinking that got you there in the first place. By actively facilitating exaptation as a mental model, this NGO is innovating internally to make sure it innovates for a better world.
Showing the world How Much You Do
A small nonprofit is a hub for innovative research and treatment in nontraditional medicine. They are coordinating, aggregating, and funding research at prestigious medical institutions about how yoga, acupuncture, tai chi, and many other disciplines, impact healthcare positively.
Understanding the impressive network of institutions, researchers, and publications they support is a challenge. Conveying that value to funders and the public seemed out of reach.
A Cognitive City portrayed the landscape of their good work on their website for stakeholders and the public to explore. Seeing their connections and body of work as a network provided new ways to literally show the strength of their community.
The application is deployed on the Osher Center's website. Researchers and clinicians can quickly search for and find new thought leaders and collaborators. Patients can find clinicians and clinical centers that specialize in their treatment options, and explore areas of research relevant to conditions of interest.
Connecting the Present, Past, and Future of Medical Practice
An Ivy League medical school is the hub for impressive and exciting work in medicine all over the world. But they do not want to survive on prestige alone. They want students, alumni, and employees to know their prestige is earned and to see the network of possibility the school has to offer.
A Cognitive City shows everyone in the world how far the school's network of students, researchers, and alumni can reach.
Take the Cognitive City quiz.


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Better manage your projects, better manage your career.
As UT Austin's epicenter for project management training, the Center for Professional Education (CPE) offers a variety of programs to help you enhance your skills through globally recognized processes and a proven framework for leading and directing projects and teams. Polish a specific set of skills or earn a certificate to give your career the boost it needs and to stay competitive in the growing field of project management. Courses and programs are conducted on the main UT Austin campus, conveniently scheduled for working professionals, and our Online Project Management Certificate Program is offered completely online and self-paced for individuals that need extra flexibility or cannot attend classes in Austin.
Principles of Project Management introduces you to the basic characteristics of a project and how to manage one effectively.
As a PMI Registered Education Provider, The University of Texas at Austin's Center for Professional Education (CPE) has been approved by PMI to issue professional development units (PDUs) for our courses. (Provider # 1616).


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One of the hardest things to overcome as a writer is a lack of motivation. I don't really believe in writer's block (more on that another day). But I do believe in extreme laziness. So how do you push past these feelings?
Ask yourself, is this really what I want to do? Do you really want to write? When I think about the answer to this question sometimes I want to say no.
One of my true passions is singing. I love to sing– and if I'm not writing to process a hard time or whatever, I'm singing it out. I'm not awful– I probably could be really good at it. I just never really pursued anything outside of high school.
I remember filling out my college application for UM, wondering if instead of checking an undecided major, I should have checked voice. But then I'd have to go to an audition and certainly be rejected. There was too much risk in pursuing that dream.
So back to my original question: Is this what I want to do? To answer: in many ways, yes. As much as I love to sing, I'd be content just doing it at church on Sundays. I really don't want to be a famous singer. (Famous writer? Now that I'm okay with).
So, I went with my number 2 passion, which is writing. I've gone so far as to get my master's degree in it. But the last thing I want to do is work on anything related to it. The sad part is, I watch online TV all day instead of just writing what I want to write. don't know why I can't waste time doing something worthwhile. If I'm going to do something constructive, I feel like it absolutely has to be school.
You always hear people saying: "follow your dreams." And in this world, you can't always skip the boring crap and just follow your dreams. I don't have a trust fund that I can live off of while I start my businesses, write my novels, and move to some fancy apartment in LA while I audition for record labels. Real life for the majority of us doesn't work that way.
I don't feel like writing a thesis. I want total creative freedom over my story. I want to write with un-yielded inspiration and passion. Sometimes I feel like my story has been hijacked.
I want ideas to come to me as I write. That's part of the fun. Yet, writing a creative thesis is not like that. I have a freaking outline for my story. I don't even write outlines for academic papers. I find outlines constricting and awful. Who knows what you'll discover while writing?
Ironically enough, I found a quote from one of my school readings that fits this situation perfectly by Donald Murray (as quoted in Composition Pedagogies by Gary Tate, Amy Rupiper and Kurt Schick):
The writer is constantly learning from the writing what it intends to say. The writer listens for evolving meaning…The writing itself helps the writer see the subject.
I feel like my artistic creativity is being constrained and squashed into a tiny little box.
I want to be a writer but I have BILLS that must be paid. I have to get a job to pay those bills. And in order to get a job I have to get my degree and take professional exams. And to get the master's and pass the tests I have to do all the boring crap I don't feel like doing. And it goes on and on and on. But if this is what I want to do, I have to do all the boring crap.
I have to look past all of the stuff in front of me and look at the big picture. I have to see those words: "#1 New York Times Best Selling Author Talia Clay." I have to see my master's degree framed and mounted on the wall. I have to see my accomplishments in action so I can continue moving forward.
I never understood why self-help authors tell people to make vision boards. I get it now. Vision boards let you see your accomplishments before they happen. They inspire you. They remind you why you're busting your behind doing BS you don't care about. They give you hope.
Hope, in and of itself, is the best motivator.


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Lovecraft: A Biography
Dust-jacket for Lovecraft: A Biography
|L. Sprague de Camp
|Cover artist
|Nicholas Gaetano
|United States
Publication date
|Media type
|Print (Hardback)
|xvi, 480 pp
|LC Class
Lovecraft: A Biography is a 1975 biography of the writer H. P. Lovecraft by science-fiction writer L. Sprague de Camp, first published in hardcover by Doubleday in February 1975.[1][2]
Criticisms and de Camp's responses[edit]
The biography, a warts-and-all examination of the famous horror and science-fiction writer, was the first major independent biography of Lovecraft. De Camp's approach has been called frank and judicious by some, unflattering and unbalanced by others. For instance, de Camp criticized Lovecraft's resolutely non-commercial attitude to his writing, whereas Lovecraft deliberately maintained that the bulk of his writing was for his own amusement only, and that of his close friends.
De Camp himself considered some of the criticism of his book as expressed in reviews of the hardcover had merit, and accordingly altered the text in the paperback edition to take account of these criticisms. All together, de Camp cut about 13,000-16,000 "repetitions, digressions and speculative obiter dicta" from the paperback edition.[1] On the requirement of the publisher he also "eliminated the notes section, bibliography and index," an excision he was reportedly unhappy about.[1]
Editions and translations[edit]
A later hardcover edition was issued by Barnes & Noble in January 1996.[2] The first paperback edition, corrected and abridged by the author, was published by Ballantine Books in August 1976.[1][2] The first British edition was published by New English Library in 1976.[1] An E-book edition of the Ballantine version of the work was published by Gollancz's SF Gateway imprint on September 29, 2011 as part of a general release of de Camp's works in electronic form.[3][4]
The book has also been translated into German,[1] Russian,[5] and several other languages.
The book was nominated for the 1976 World Fantasy Award, Special Award (Professional), and placed fourth in the 1976 Locus Poll Award for Best Associational Item.[2]
Relation to other works[edit]
De Camp's Lovecraft biography was preceded by August Derleth's biography H.P.L.: A Memoir (1945), and has now been very largely superseded by S.T. Joshi's more comprehensive treatment I Am Providence (Hippocampus Press, 2 vols, 2010) (first published in abridged form by Necronomicon Press, 1996, as H. P. Lovecraft: A Life), which draws on decades of scholarship by Joshi and others.
- ^ a b c d e f Laughlin, Charlotte; Daniel J. H. Levack (1983). De Camp: An L. Sprague de Camp Bibliography. San Francisco: Underwood/Miller. p. 78.
- ^ a b c d Lovecraft: A Biography title listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database
- ^ "Orion Publishing Group's L. Sprague de Camp webpage". Archived from the original on 2011-08-26. Retrieved 2011-10-05.
- ^ Amazon.com entry for e-book edition
- ^ De Camp, L. Sprague (2008). Лавкрафт :биография. Санкт-Петербург: "Амфора".
External links[edit]
- "Lovecraft A Biography by L. Sprague de Camp" - a book review by John Goodrich
- Review by Cliff Almas [1]


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I am about to go into final year at university in a few weeks. While my more recent grades were better than my ones in my second year I'm still not looking forward to it. I will need to write a 10,000 word dissertation along with all my other work, and the thought of it unnerves me quite a bit sometimes. I have a topic that I think I like, but I'm not looking forward to working on a very long-term project while doing other things at the same time (weekly tutorial homeworks, term essays and so on) that really test my organisational skills and make me question my own ability. Yet I'm sure I can do this. Does anyone have any experience of getting through coursework/dissertations?
I also find everyday tasks like laundry, cooking, shopping etc a drag, and they need to be managed along with a heavy workload. People on this forum seem to have similar problems with this area of independent living. Do you have any suggestions?


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Rock, Paper, Shotgunity – PenultaBuild!
This was supposed to be the last build of Shotgunity, the game we've been making using the free Unity development suite, with Build 8.1 (NEW LINK). Starting from scratch, with no prior knowledge of Unity, or indeed any type of coding, we planned to make a game based on RPS by today. Did we hit our deadline? Did we hell. But find out how surprisingly far we got after the cut.
So yeah, turns out I, as a newcomer to Unity, couldn't quite make the FPS I wanted to from scratch in just two months. Who'da thunk it? However, I did make a FPS – however broken – in that short time. If I started making another FPS now with two months to go, I reckon I'd be in with a good chance of realising the original design. If only because I'd now know to make it simpler…
The whole point of this series has been to see if free Unity means game development is now within reach of just about anyone. I wanted to find out what happens if you just download Unity, read a few tutorials, and start making games. The saga of ShotgUnity may not be a shining example of game design or process, but I think I've made the point. ShotgUnity is now drawing to a close, but it's done it's job. I, for one, am hooked on this Unity way of doing things. I've been unable to resist the temptation to begin new projects over the past weeks, I've got proto-space shooters, snooker sims, arcade racers and all sorts cluttering up my hard drive now. I've truly caught the bug for game-making. Once you've spent a few hours with Unity, it's hard not to make games. A few hours, even as a total coding newbie, and you've got a basic understanding of the systems at work in the toolset. Get to grips with that, and experimentation follows naturally. If you understand how to make an sphere rotate, of course you'll try and make a marble maze game. If you understand how to instantiate objects, how far behind is a Tetris clone? The simple accessibility and comprehensibility of Unity blows away the mystery of making games, chops it up and orders it into digestible mouthfuls on TV dinner GUI plate. The code-peas live there, the art-mash here… it all makes sense, without dumbing down or limiting the engine that's behind it all. This is Unity's real power.
But back to poor old Shotgunity, and today's build. I said this was supposed to be the last, but clearly the game is unfinished. The aim was to get six areas done in total. A tutorial level to introduce players to the RPS themed weapon-items, a hub room, and the four Hivemind themed levels that branch from that hub. The exciting good news is that we do actually have that much content. The bad news is that the levels aren't all they could be. While we have an Alec Moor and some JimSpace, I've had to draft in the test levels I made in the early stages of the project to be sham facades for Gillenopolis and WalkerWorld. The levels are all completable, sending the player back to the hub once you reach the win zones in each, and they all have challenges which can only be overcome with the weapon-items we've made, so in some respects we have actually achieved our goal. But they're not the spaces I'd hoped to make. All the building blocks are there so they could be, but I'm out of time, even with the excellent help and awesome contributions from the RPS community.
Next week, along with a post mortem, I'll release a final build that will hopefully iron out some of the lingering AI bugs and animation crapnesses, but generally speaking and for what it's worth, Build 08 is feature complete. Go find out more on the forums.


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Last week, I briefly wrote about getting ready for 2019. I usually select a word on which to base my year. Last year, I selected breakthrough. I do not feel like I broke through in any arena in 2018.
I have decided to continue with breakthrough as my One Word for 2019. I don't feel like God has released me from this word yet. What areas do I want to breakthrough:writing and blogging goals; my health and weight; spiritual development; and improving relationships with family.
I believe have a word to focus on becomes like a mission statement for the year. I want to breakthrough for God on so many fronts. I will try to also focus my blog post on these areas throughout 2019. I hope you will visit often for new content.
What is your One Word for 2019? Have you selected one or you just making resolutions? What is your advice in picking a word for the New Year. Please be sure to leave us a comment.
Thanks and God Bless.
Now on to our weekly linkup. First, please follow me on your social media. I love to hear from you:
Blog/Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest/ Instagram/Google+
Next, lets review last week's linkup.
Last Week's Top Clicked
A Time to Look Back, a Time Not to Look Back
By Barbara at Stray Thoughts
Barbara reflects on an important issue and gives some great advice on things we should remember and those things we need to let go of and forget. Be sure to check on her post this week.
My Favorite Post
Be encouraged, daughter of God. Not only will your Father in heaven
take care of you in 2019, but He will attend to your needs for eternity.
Want to be the next to be featured! Just link up a post and if you are read the most, we will feature you. Also please make sure you link back to our community so others will know about our link up and join in. I will try to make it worth your while to linkup by promoting your posts across my social media networks. I will also pin my most clicked and featured posts to our #LMMLinkup Pinterest Board each week!
Remember to grab your button if you have been featured:
Now, it is time to link up to the Literacy Musing Mondays hop!
Linkup Rules:
- Include a link back or the blog hop button linked to this hop on your posts.
- Link up the urls to your posts not to your blog.
- Please remember this is a family-friendly linkup. Although we believe in the right for adults to read whatever they want to read, we prefer to read wholesome posts that feature literature that edify and uplift families. We reserve the right to delete any posts that are not family friendly. We love all kinds of literature and genres including family-friendly inspirational romances, fantasy, or science fiction. We do not welcome any posts that feature excessive violence, sexual content, or any cursing. This rule also applies to book review posts that feature books that are not family-friendly. These posts will be deleted without notice to the blogger or explanation. While we believe in the right for all adults to read whatever they want, we feel our linkup is for family-friendly posts only. Thank you for understanding.
- We also want to be loving community by supporting one another. Please make a point to do this this week! Visit the two posts before yours and at least one other blogger's post of your choice! I want to see lots of clicks on everyone's posts. Remember it is also nice to follow them on their social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook.
- Also note periodically I will send everybody updates on the linkup using your contact information you provided when you linked up. At the bottom of the notifications you will be able to unsubscribe if you do not wish to receive these notifications.
- Tweet about the link up too.


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Beach wheelchairs in Domburg
Frequently asked questions | Forum
Are there in Domburg also beach wheelchairs available to borrow or for rent? And if so, where?
In Domburg are during the beach season (June, July, August and September) several beach wheelchairs available.
A telephone reservation is recommended. The beach wheelchair is only for use on the beach and into the sea. All beach wheelchairs need someone to push.
Below are the lending location with phone numbers:
Beach rescue post 1 Domburg
Beach entrance 57 Badstraat
tel. +31 118-583 579
Beach rescue post 2 Domburg
Beach entrance 54 Duinstraat
tel. +31 118-583 443
More information:
- http://www.accessibletravelnl.com/images/beachwheelchairs.pdf
- https://domburg.com/pdf/2018_strandrolstoelen_domburg.pdf


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Jel Photography
We're James (J) and Eleanor (El) and together we make team Jel, specialising in capturing as much wedding happiness as possible. Happiness IS our happy place and our goal is to make your photo experience as easy-going and fun as possible.
Let's be honest, it's a big deal to have someone following you taking photos. Of course you want to have beautiful images that highlight all your wonderful moments and guests, as well as help you relive the smaller, delicious details for years to come. But you also want to look like you and feel free to be your lovely selves on the day. You want to laugh, joke, sing and be merry without holding back – let all that celebration goodness loose!
We are one very easygoing, able-to-get-on-with-anyone, life-loving couple who loves making beautiful memories for people. You know you'll be in a safe hands because we treat our couples and families the way we'd want to be treated: with kindness, respect and with a twinkle in our eye. Because we believe wedding days should sparkle. You should feel free to sparkle and we'll be there for you camera in hand, cheerleading from the side with excitement!
We'll capture your day as it unfolds but we'll do it in an unobtrusive way so we blend in. This means we get all those lovely natural shots and in-between moments that make up your wedding story. Moments and people that make your day unique to you – that's where the magic is. We can give you as much guidance as you need so you don't have to even think about what to do, we've got you covered.
With 15+ years of experience and two BA's and an MA in Photography between us, we've got the technical side of things down. We can handle the unexpected and anything the day brings. The main thing is, do you feel comfortable around us and can you see us fitting in with your day and guests? So much of wedding photography is making people feel comfortable in front of a camera, it all starts with how we connect as humans (let's arrange a coffee date to find out). Collections start from 3900NZD for two-photographer options.
We're based in Auckland but travel throughough New Zealand as well as internationally. And a bit about us: If you like any of the following, we're already going to get on like a house on fire: travel adventures, Star Wars, cats, Wes Anderson films, food, reading, Brene´ Brown, Ted talks, comedy plus anything movie related. Please get in touch via the contact form below, we'd love to hear from you!
Contact Form
Find the Magic?


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For those who just tuned in, I'm transcribing and reworking the notes from an old journal consisting entirely of thoughts and observations made while sitting on my front porch. There's no entry for Nov. 15, and only a couple of observations from the day before – also a Sunday in 1998.
The warm spell continues. It's fifty-one degrees at 8:00 a.m. A disgustingly late hour for me to be getting up, but I spent a late night with some visiting friends, who are still sleeping.
All five of the nearby resident gray squirrels are in the butternut tree, racing back and forth through its vase-shaped splay of limbs. The sun shines brightly but diffusely through a thin screen of cirrus; the trees don't cast shadows. There's a peculiar feel to the air this morning, like Indian Summer gone stale, I write.
Then again, maybe I just need to change my socks.


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Students at Community Roots Charter School are part of an educational community where rigorous curriculum is made engaging and accessible and where students meet high expectations by receiving the support they need and deserve. Community Roots provides educational experiences that address the individual needs of students and ensure that all students meet their potential.
We believe that people learn best by doing things in meaningful and interesting contexts and that children need direct instruction in order to develop the skills necessary to be active participants in learning experiences. Community Roots students receive direct instruction in all content areas and participate in literacy experiences (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) while being engaged in the study of their world through three in-depth social studies-based units each year.


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IT Support Thurrock
FOS.net are a small business IT service provider helping small businesses in and around Thurrock areas with tailored IT support to companies with 5 to 100 users. We have been helping businesses in Thurrock and throughout Essex get the best from their IT systems for over 20 years, holding the much coveted Microsoft Gold accreditation for small and mid-market cloud.
"By achieving a gold competency, partners have demonstrated the highest, most consistent capability and commitment to the latest Microsoft technology," said Phil Sorgen, Corporate Vice President, Worldwide Partner Group at Microsoft Corp. "These partners have a deep expertise that puts them in the top 1 percent of our partner ecosystem, and their proficiency will help customers drive innovative solutions on the latest Microsoft technology."
How Can FOS.net Help Your Business?
An extension to your business, partnering with FOS.net is like having your own IT support department offering remote support, 24/7 monitoring and onsite proactive visits. FOS.net are dedicated to offering friendly, 'No Geek Speak' IT support, making for a refreshing approach to working with a company who are passionate about making your IT systems run smoothly.
FOS.net, IT Support Thurrock offer IT support and solutions for companies based in Thurrock and throughout Essex who do not have an in-house IT department.
With our location, resources and experience, we are able to provide a unique and proven service to our clients. FOS.net offer:
- A full IT support team to manage your networks
- Issues and problems with systems resolved quickly, safely and efficiently
- 24/7 system monitoring including system updates and antivirus updates
- Remote assistance ensures that most repairs can be done remotely, ensuring a minimum of disruption to your staff
- Advice on upgrades and other IT related issues
All of this for one, simple and cost-effective monthly price.
Why Choose IT Support Thurrock?
We're Local: Unlike some IT support companies, we're based 25 minutes away in the Romford area and love working with local companies. We think it's always best when local companies work together because you get much more of a personal service.
Minimal Disruption: Just because we're local, doesn't mean that we can't work remotely. We understand that it can be disruptive to have work done on your networks or workstations. Thankfully, most of what we do can be done remotely, ensuring the absolute minimum of disruption to you and your team.
Maximum Support: Whatever IT support package you choose, you can rest assured that you will get the maximum support you can get for your money. You'll get gold standard support for a small business price.
Transparency: Everything we do is completely clear, honest and transparent. You can rest assured that there are no extra fees or hidden charges. Our IT support packages are clear, simple and transparent.
Microsoft Accredited Partners: Our relationship with Microsoft gives our clients access to training and support from the experts at Microsoft.
The Personal Touch: We pride ourselves on providing the personal touch to clients. We invite all of our potential clients to our offices so they can see how we work and meet the team that will be supporting them. We also work with you to fully understand your needs and requirements.
Place Your IT Needs in the Hands of the Premier IT Support Thurrock Team – FOS.net
Call our friendly team of advisors now to discuss how we can help you with all of your IT support needs and book your free, no obligation quote.
How to Contact Us
Call 01708 200 157 or fill out the form.


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Serbian Jazz Bre Band: Serbian Jazz, Bre
Out of this project came a band consisting of jazz musicians from different generations and experiences, initiated by Grlić and his activities. The Serbian Jazz Bre Band is a potent mix of youthful vigor and the fruitful experience of some of its elder members. Fronted by pianist/chief writer Aleksandar Jovanović Šljuka, this mash-up of youthful panache and maturity seems to have sparked inspiration on both sides of the generational divide. As the title indicates, this is not strictly a classic jazz record, but flits between styles, as the compositions reveal considerable influences of various jazz styles and, in equal measures, Serbian folk melodies.
Those inclinations and influences are evident from the start, with the folkloric melodies of the playful opener "Traveling High," the proceeding to various other tracks like "Vrelo," the tender "Tears of Earth" and, evidently, the folk ballad "Ej vi Magle," sung by Nevena Jelić. Although the ambiances and moods vary with the mix of jazz improvisation, a very virtuosic side to the group's performances is demonstrated through plenty of instrumental battles led by pianist Jovanović and violinist Filip Krumes. "Only Nothing is Enough" resembles pianist Brad Mehldau and his trio, but the spindly, casually sown folkloric melodies are constantly enriched by both the violin and firecracker rhythm section, as the band collectively unfolds them.
On the joyful "Bojerka," Jelić's wordless chanting and the piano shape a sneaking and elegant line over a fat groove that, midway, turns into a drum solo with time stops as the orchestra jumps in various sequences without losing the tempo. Then it proceeds to bring in a touch of soulful funk on "Gavrilo and Gibril Fly Above Constantinople," with its affectionate melodies, as it moves more closely to lounge jazz with soulful inclinations and wordless singing.
The album closes with the short "Bre!," written and performed by legendary trumpeter Stjepko Gut. It's a solo piece and its howling melodies closely evoke the hurried melody of fellow trumpeter Miles Davis' "Miles Runs the Voodoo Down." Gut's playing is effectively overdubbed, creating a layered and echoing sound sculpture.
All of the tracks have a dreamlike quality, and the bandwith its strong, melodic playingcontributes equally to transcending genre conventions. There is a conceptual unity that links these tracks into a cohesive achievement and it's rare to encounter a debut album marked by the poise, vision and ambition that distinguishes Serbian Jazz, Bre.
Track Listing
Traveling High; Only Nothing is Enough; Ej vi Magle; Tears on Earth; Vrelo; Bojerka; Gavrilo & Gibril Fly over Constantinople; Bre!.
Aleksandar Jovanović: piano, keyboards; Filip Krumes: violin; Nevena Jelić: vocal; Marko Fabry: electric bass; Aleksandar Cvetković: drums; Uroš Šećerov: percussion; Stjepko Gut: trumpet, flugelhorn.
Album information
Title: Serbian Jazz, Bre | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: Serbian Soul Bre


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In addition to trying to place your bankruptcy case with a pro bono attorney, the Pro Bono Project conducts Self-Help Bankruptcy Clinics on an as-needed basis. Please check our events calendar for the next scheduled Clinic or call (775) 883-8278 to request that one be scheduled.
Bankruptcy clinics are also offered through Washoe Legal Services (775) 329-2727 and Nevada Legal Services (775) 284-3491. Please call their offices directly for more information.


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Fresh juiced organic carrots are used to nourish and heal skin cells with its high content of Beta Carotene and Vitamin E. Shea butter is added to help sooth skin problems such as Eczema, Rosacea and Psoriasis. This bar is mild enough for the Face but can be used as a body bar for sensitive skin. Soaps are large so we recommend cutting your bar in half for facial use.
Ingredients: Extra Virgin Olive, Coconut, Palm, Jojoba Oil, Sunflower Oil, Raw Shea Butter, Castor Oil, Distilled Water, Fennel, Carrot Seed, Benzoin, Palmarosa, Frankincense, Rose Geranium, Carrot Juice, Goat's Milk, Gluten Free Oat Flour, Sea Salt.
We've got a scent to suit any mood, time to indulge!
Get the Bakery Delivered straight to your door each month.


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Alzheimer's and dementia can be heart breaking for residents and their families. Providence Place offers compassionate care for people affected with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia at Guardian Grove.
Our Approach
Community Coordinator
Guardian Grove, like all of our Long Term Care units, has a community coordinator that works with staff, nurses, physicians, therapists and our Spiritual Care department to monitor residents of Guardian Grove and to ensure that we are following the resident's individualized treatment plan. The coordinator regularly shares news and progress on patients, so that staff may be informed and adjust treatment plans as needed.
Staff Training
Training and staff education is an ongoing endeavor at Providence Place–especially when it comes to the challenges presented by dementia care. In 2012, we attended the Montessori-based dementia care training program, which provided staff with more valuable treatment tools for patients of Guardian Grove.
Guardian Grove's staff is specially trained to manage challenging behaviors in a dignified manner and know the importance of keeping the mind, body and spirit engaged.
Creating a Secure Sense of Home
We want Guardian Grove to feel as much like home as possible. This is why we believe it's important that residents are able to move freely, both through the community's corridors and outside in the enclosed courtyard.
This doesn't mean that we don't have security in place. We utilize unobtrusive security devices so that we always know where residents of Guardian Grove are and can ensure their safety.
Holistic Treatment
At Guardian Grove, we take a holistic approach to treatment, and believe that it's important to engage the body, mind and spirit to help residents live their best life.
For the spirit, residents enjoy open visiting hours so that family members and friends may visit at their convenience, who are always welcome to join in any of Guardian Grove's specially designed recreational programs, like baking, music, pet therapy, reminiscing and interdenominational church services.
Guardian Grove Overview
To meet the challenges of dementia care and to provide a safe and warm environment to residents, Guardian Grove:
- Dedicated Community Coordinator that oversees individualized treatment plans and keeps lines of communication open between residents, staff, management and families
- Individualized treatment plans combine all of our expertise to care for the residents of Guardian Grove–Therapeutic Recreation, Clinical Nutrition, Spiritual Care, Social Work Services, and Medicine
- Utilizes unobtrusive monitoring devices to ensure the safety of residents
- Trains staff to manage challenging behaviors with compassion and dignity
- Provides staff training via the Montessori-based dementia care training program
- Creates a sense of home by allowing residents to decorate their own rooms and bring furnishings from home
- Provides freedom by allowing residents to wander the corridor and the outdoor enclosed courtyard
- Provides social and recreational programs to keep residents engaged
- Hosts church services and spiritual support through our Spiritual Care Department
If you have questions about Guardian Grove and its services, please contact us.


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How to Receive Files on Skype for iPhone
Skype can potentially save your company a bundle on its telephone bills by enabling you to communicate with coworkers, clients and other contacts over an Internet connection rather than a cellular signal. It also enables you to send files back and forth between contacts. If your company has an iPhone, you have access to the iOS version of Skype. Unlike the PC and Mac versions, you are limited in terms of the types of files that you can send and receive. The Skype app for the iPhone enables you to send and receive only image files.
Launch the Skype app on your iPhone.
Sign in to your account and begin the conversation with the person from whom you want to receive files.
Tap "Accept" on the on-screen notification reporting that the contact is trying to send you a file. When the file transfer is complete, the received file opens automatically.
- Once you've received the image file, you can find it again later by tapping the Photos app on the iPhone's home screen.
Photo Credits
- Jupiterimages/Creatas/Getty Images


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How do you you use Facebook? Most people hop on Facebook at least once a day. Many people practically live on there. I can remember far too many times when i post a comment, and am about to move on to something else not only is the comment liked but it has been replied to. People use Facebook to keep up with friends and family, but that's not the only thing people do on Facebook. If you have ever looked up at the clock and wondered where did the hours go than this article is for you. Also, if you can't understand how people stay on Facebook all day and don't realize it than this article is also for you.
One great thing about Facebook is you can have fun! That is built directly into Facebook's design. Sometimes that can be readily apparent with all of the games in there like mafia, farm town, and knighthood games. These games are designed to give you a cheap thrill while keeping you online. It is also great fun to talk to your friends all day, and see what they are up to at all hours. These games keep being more and more challenging as the days go by, and you build up more and more success.
Another great thing about Facebook is you can feel connected to people even when you are not anymore. It's like when you take out old yearbooks and wonder what those people are up to, and now you know. You can be a harmless Facebook stalker. You can figure out what your friends have been doing since high school, and still feel connected to them by checking out all of their photos.
Also you can put Facebook to work for you by using it to network with important people. So many companies use Facebook to launch products, and get the word out. Facebook has millions of users and growing, that's more than some countries. Getting an in with an important person can be as simple as sending a friend request. Also, people that do follow you might be more inclined to click on your links, and buy your products because they feel like they know you.