text:
During the election campaign, Liberals promised better treatment of veterans and now that they are in government, advocates plan to hold them to it. "I'm very excited. We have a new sense of hope and optimism in the veterans' community and we're hoping to build on that," says Mike Blais, president and founder of Canadian Veterans Advocacy.Listen
Reverse policies, say advocates
The previous Conservative government brought in several measures which outraged veterans' groups. Among them, they changed the provision of a monthly allowance for those suffering physical injuries and psychological trauma. Veterans applying for the benefit after 2006 were instead given a lump sum of $250,000, effectively creating two classes of veterans.
The Conservatives closed nine Veterans Affairs offices. The Liberals promised to hire 400 new service delivery staff and to reopen those offices.
A need to prevent suicides
Liberals also promised to spend $1.2 billion over the next for years re-establishing mental health facilities and providing college and university tuition for veterans after they leave the military. More veterans have died of suicide than suffered combat-related death in the war in Afghanistan, and Blais says that proves the need for better care and support.
Liberals also pledged $100 million for family support for caregivers who are often the front-line workers in identifying those in trouble and getting veterans help.
Disability helps minister understand struggling vets, says advocate
"There are many positive things that have been brought forward—things that we as an advocacy (group) have fought to have included in their election platform," says Blais. "And we damn well plan on making sure that (Prime Minister) Mr. Trudeau and the Liberal government fulfills his promise."
The new Veterans Affairs Minister Kent Hehr was shot years ago, went through extensive rehabilitation, and now gets around in a wheelchair. Blais thinks this gives him a unique understanding of what injured soldiers go through.
'Time for hope'
And, after meeting Hehr, he is even more encouraged. "He said he knew who I was and I told him bluntly, 'then you know why I'm here. Mr. Trudeau promised me he would give you a very strong mandate to resolve these veterans' issues and I have full expectations that those issues will be resolved within the first two years of a Liberal mandate.' And he responded affirmatively. I believe he is going to make the effort to make this happen in an expedient manner.
"Veterans who have been disenfranchised—those who have been living in fear or felt abandoned and felt they had no hope—now, now there is time for hope."


text:
George P. Amy and Abram Amy Jr.
Abram Amy Sr. and his wife Laura sold land in Crown Point, Essex Co. NY in 1838 and moved with their family, to Rockdale Twp, Crawford Co., Pa and settled at Brown Hill, near Cambridge Springs. They are both buried in the Chapinville Cemetery.
George Palmer Amy, left, and Abram Amy Jr., sons of Abram Amy Sr. and Laura Smith were born in Essex County, NY.
Abram Amy Jr. was born 11 Jul 1832 and died 31 Dec 1853, and is buried in the Miller's Station Cemetery.
George P. Amy was born 20 Mar 1835 and died 2 Mar 1884, and is buried in the Chapinville Cemetery.
There were eight other brothers and sisters in the family.
Photo copied from a tintype that was made about 1875.
Submitted by Thomas O. Press, great grandson of George P. Amy

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Keanu Reeves Is 50, So We Updated the Plots of His Films
Actor, director and meme Keanu Reeves turned 50 this week, making everyone familiar with his dense filmography feel older.
Respecting his semi-centennial and the wisdom that comes with it, we felt it appropriate and necessary to offer some potential updates to his most famous films.
Since Hollywood seems to be exclusively making prequels, sequels and reboots these days, we don't see any reason these films couldn't make a few hundred million at the box office.
So, what do you say, Keanu? Think about it.


text:
Are Google and Yahoo thinking of walking of away from their controversial search advertising deal, as reported in an amusingly hedged report in The Wall Street Journal last night?
How's this for covering your bases in a story: "Following a meeting Thursday with the Justice Department, the companies could announce a decision to back away from the partnership–or a last-minute resolution, if one is reached–by the middle of next week, according to these sources."
So they will back away unless, of course, they don't and soon?
I would bet my Barry Manilow record collection, based on rumblings on Wednesday among those close to the case, that Google (GOOG) is a key whispery source here, sending a very public signal to the Justice Department that it would walk if pushed too far and leave regulators with egg on their faces for not letting the search giant help the struggling Yahoo.
But, let me be even more concrete, since The Journal report is dead wrong on at least one count. I can tell you for sure, based on many sources close to Yahoo (YHOO) that walking away is its last option, outside of a lawsuit, and it still hopes to make the partnership work.
That was underlined last night in a statement by Washington D.C.-based Yahoo spokeswoman Tracy Schmaler:
"We have been working with the Department of Justice regarding our agreement with Google and those discussions are ongoing. As we have said, we believe strongly that this agreement will strengthen Yahoo!'s competitive position in online advertising and will help to drive a more robust, higher quality Yahoo! marketplace for our advertisers, publishers and users."
And I do not believe she is spinning here, even though that is her job.
Indeed, Yahoo can ill afford to pull out so easily, because it needs the revenue the deal might provide and simply cannot take the hit to its stock the collapse of the partnership would entail.
Such a series of one-two punches after its already tumultuous year would be devastating. It would also put Yahoo in the direct crosshairs of Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer as its only partnering alternative in search.
Going it alone, of course, while preferable, is no longer an easy option for Yahoo, since keeping its No. 2 position in search would be expensive and brutal, especially sandwiched by No. 1 Google and No. 3 Microsoft (MSFT).
And, even more vexing, several sources at Time Warner (TWX) told me they are waiting until the resolution of the Yahoogle situation before consummating the ongoing merger discussions with Yahoo, because of the uncertainty of the impact on the Internet giant.
"It is linked to and just overhangs everything," said one Yahoo exec about the long-pending Google partnership. "We want and need this deal, and would not be the ones to walk away first."
As I have written, that would be Google, which benefits a lot from the will-they-or-won't-they speculation here and cannot mind letting its intentions get some play (along with state attorneys general, who were also present at the Thursday meeting, and for whom leaking for simple self-aggrandizement is a basic character trait).
In fact, there was already much chatter that reached me on Wednesday that Google was sprinkling crumbs here and there to the media pigeons, all centered around the fact that it might balk at any onerous Justice Department demands, such as caps on search it could serve, or a consent decree that would require monitoring.
The Journal story mentioned the consent decree, which would be welcomed at Googleplex in Mountain view, Calif., like nonorganic mango nectar and bleached flour. The idea of regulators ferreting around its servers is simply not an option for the secretive company.
As I wrote early yesterday about the possibility of Google walking, in a predictive laundry list of options for Yahoogle earlier yesterday:
It seems far more likely that Google would do this than Yahoo, given its corporate culture is impatient with moving forward illogically (think Spock and you have the right picture of Google's mindset).
I would imagine Google execs do not want to accept any caps or changes to the deal at all, and might conclude such restrictions make it not as worthwhile…
Plus, the joy of government regulators breathing down your neck 24/7 is, well, priceless, especially after Google CEO Eric Schmidt told regulators he would move forward with or without them.
While Google has now perhaps permanently put the government on notice that is must be more scrutinized than ever going forward with that unfortunate statement, I would be surprised if Google accepted any substantial changes to the deal."
And, while it might be testing the Justice Department in hopes of salvaging the deal, I suspect Google–as much as its founders want to help out Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang and block Microsoft at the same time–is just now figuring out that walking might actually be the best move.
First off, even though it moved forward with the partnership, many top execs at the company were dead set against it, mostly due to the undue scrutiny it would bring to Google.
In fact, early on, some of its own operatives in D.C. expressed worry–largely ignored at HQ, where execs really do see themselves as not evil–about Google's growing image as a scary behemoth.
Second, while Google seldom runs from a good fight–in fact, it often runs directly towards them–tangling with the federal government might be like crossing the 38th Parallel in Korea for the company. And you know how that went for General Douglas MacArthur!
It would certainly put the full attention of regulators on every move Google might make in the future, which is not good.
Third, the Yahoogle controversy, while being stoked by Microsoft's relentless lobbying, has also brought into the light exactly how scared of Google's power advertisers truly are.
And that would be terrified.
The company cannot simply blame Microsoft for manufacturing this fuss–even though it has surely pulled out all the stops in its bag of tricks.
In truth, whether Google chooses to accept this stark reality or not, many advertisers, publishers and public interest groups have been raising some real concerns about its dominance, which it ignores at its peril.
Lastly and perhaps most importantly, times have changed drastically as the economy has tanked.
Thus, Google–like a lot of other tech firms–has been engaged in a very serious company-wide appraisal of its business in the downturn.
One of Google's internal mantras, I have been told by many inside and outside the company, is a variation of this phrase: Feed the winners, starve the losers.
It would come as no surprise, given the initial internal doubt about the partnership, that the Yahoogle deal might have suddenly become perceived at the company as a loser, and access to Google's fabulous cafeteria might be about to be cut off.
Whatever Google's true intentions, in playing chicken, it is courting danger.
According to Wikipedia, "the principle of the game is that while each player prefers not to yield to the other, the outcome where neither player yields is the worst possible one for both players."
As in, if everyone is trying to win, it always ends in a fatal crash.
Please see this disclosure related to me and Google.


text:
Terms and Conditions
Treatment Cancellation Policy
For appointments of 1 hour or more or over the value of £40.00 a 50% booking fee is required, which is payable on booking.
If we do not receive at least 48 hours notice of a cancellation the full amount will be charged.
Your booking fee is paid to secure this appointment time and we cannot fill this space if cancelled at short notice therefore a 48 hour minimum notice is required to make any amendments.
Refunds or re-scheduling will not be given under any circumstances if notice has not been given.
Online Bookings
For all online bookings Terms & Conditions will appear when booking is made and a 50% fee will be charged to secure your appointment time as above.
Children's Parties and Pamper Parties
A 50% booking deposit is required, which is non-refundable and to be paid at time of booking. Remaining amount to be paid at least 14 days prior to party. Any changes or alterations to bookings to be made at least 14 days in advance otherwise the full amount will be charged.
Children's party (4 – 12 years):
Min number of children – 4
Max number of children – 15
Teen party (13 – 16 years):
Min number of teens – 4
Max number of teens – 10
Escape accepts cards or cash.
Punctuality and Courtesy
As a courtesy to other clients following your appointment, late arrivals may result in a reduction of treatment time. We will endeavour to carry out what we can within the time slot allocated, or suggest a re-booking which would be payable.
All appointment times include Preparation, Consultation and Relaxation.
Mobile Phones
Please switch off mobile phones before and during your visit.
Gift Vouchers
Gift vouchers are valid for 6 months from the date of purchase and can be used on any beauty treatments or products at Escape. There is no cash redemption.
Patch Tests
We require patch tests for Tinting, LVL & All Lash extensions please make sure you arrange this a minimum of 48 prior to appointments if you do not receive a patch test we will not be able to carry out your treatment.


text:
7110 State Highway 89, STE 12, Tahoma, CA 96142 – SOLD!
SOLD! Represented the buyers of this updated Sugar Pine Parkside Townhome in Tahoma. Surrounded by the forest and walking distance to the bike trails, state park, lake, restaurants and more. Although their first choice property fell through, there is too much to love about this unit to be anything but the real winner. Super excited for my clients to be back in Tahoe… living the dream!
Looking for your Lake Tahoe Dream home? Contact Liz Edmunds (530)546-8227 today to schedule a tour for properties in Tahoma, Homewood, Tahoe City, Carnelian Bay, Kings Beach, Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows or Truckee!
Posted on September 26, 2016 at 4:13 pm Liz Edmunds Posted in 7110 State Highway 89 Tahoma, Lake Tahoe Home, Sold Tahoma property, Sold Townhome Tahoma, Sugar Pine Parkside, Sugarpine Parkside, Tahoma


text:
For Us, By Us — podcast
This week Marlena Jones, founder of Marlena Jones Illustration, stopped by to talk about how acceptance of her body has spilled over into her business and made her a better artist!
Season 3, Ep. 2 - Merbabes, Unite! w/ Che Monique
This month's episode welcomes, Che Monique the founder of Society of Fat Mermaids. Chè is a lifelong fatty. She grew up absorbing messages that she was, "fat, Black and ugly," and "The Fat Friend." As a teen she started the unlearning process. Through a lot of time in the mirror, learning and performing first bellydance, then burlesque and now mermaiding, Chè learned to love her body, and its impact on the world. Chè has dedicated her life to "Living Out Loud and In Color" while encouraging others to do the same. Listen to the episode below.
FB: @societyoffatmermaids
IG: @societyoffatmermaids; @thechemonique
Web: www.thesocietyoffatmermaids.com
Season 2, Ep. 6 - From Research to Practice w/ Dr. Lenese Stephens
For episode 6, I sat down with Dr. Lenese Stephens, a native of Alexandria, VA. Dr. Stephens has earned all of her honorary degrees from George Mason and Argosy University, and her research focuses on demystifying the correlation that fat = depressed among Black women.
Season 2, Ep. 5 - Defying Stereotypes and Gravity w/ Ro'Yale aka Da Queen of Curves
Ro'Yale aka Da Queen of Curves stopped by to have a chat! We chopped it up about her career in pole dancing as a plus size dancer, how her life has changed since going viral, and what she does to continue to excel in spite of haters.
Season 2, Ep. 4 - Fat is Good for Business w/ Jai Mobley of Fat Mermaids
It was super fun having Jai Mobley, founder of Fat Mermaids stop by to discuss her journey of entrepreneurship! Fat Mermaids is quickly becoming a plus size household name that caters to individuals who want to express how they feel through what they wear without apology!


text:
How to create a report using a pre-configured report template
In order to assist our customers with quickly designing reports that will "wow" their clients, we offer a variety of pre-designed report templates to choose from.
Begin by clicking "Create Report" as normal to start the "Report Creation" wizard.
Select your campaign and give your report a title. Then, in the third step of the wizard (Choose Source), select the "Start from a Template" option.
You'll then be presented with a list of templates to choose from. Scroll down past the "My Report Templates" list (if you have custom templates that you've already designed) to reach the list of pre-configured report templates.
Tick the radio box next to your selection, then click "Continue".
Your report will then be created, based off from the pre-configured template that you've chosen. You'll then be able to edit the report further and apply any additional customizations.


text:
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2016
The resources for the 2016 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity are available on the CTBI website.
Please click here to go to the resources.
A Service and Prayer for Tunisia - Material Available
Following the Sousse shootings, Radio Alba with Glasgow Churches Together have produced a 13-minute audio Service for Tunisia with Church of Scotland, Roman Catholic and Scottish Episcopal Church contributions. A service sheet and dedicated prayer are also available.
The service can be found on the Glasgow Churches Together website, here
The prayer for Tunisia can be found, here
SCAHT Group : RE:Value Project at Edinburgh Festival
Over 20 million people worldwide live in slavery today. It is not something that only happens in distant lands – it happens here and now in Scotland. People are forced to live in appalling conditions. They are deceived into working long hours in the fishing industry, or in the fields, in hotels and restaurants, in brothels and in private homes.
In Luke, chapter 4, we are told that Jesus said that he was here, among us, 'to set the oppressed free.' The Scottish Churches' Anti-Human Trafficking Group, made up of representatives from all the major denominations in Scotland, has been campaigning for years against the awful crime that is human trafficking.
In 2015, the SCAHT Group is launching its RE:Value project, which invites you to help us raise awareness of human trafficking. At the Edinburgh Festival in August, the Group will be running a series of events in partnership with Stop the Traffik and Just Festival. These will include hosting the UN GIFT boxes, which have previously visited Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games, street theatre, film showings and discussions.
If you would like to learn what you can do to help stop trafficking and are interested in becoming involved with RE:Value at the Edinburgh Festival, the SCAHT Group will be running some information sessions to which all are welcome.
The details can be found on the attached files – a leaflet and a poster. We also attach a short powerpoint presentation that can be displayed before or during a service.
Preparing for the UK General Election
Preparing for the UK General Election
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland have just released a set of resources for the forthcoming 2015 UK General Election.
CTBI are delighted to announce that the final versions of CTBI's general election resources – including the 2020 Vision of the Good Society discussion document (full and summary versions) and Guide to organising a local Hustings – are now available. Welsh language versions will also be available in due course.
CTBI's special General Election website – http://ctbielections.org.uk is now live.
On this site you will be able to download Hustings briefing; register details of your own event and search for events happening near you. The website also contains a range of election related resources, including the '2020 Vision of the Good Society', as well as briefings and events from member churches and others.
Full details on the CTBI UK General Election Resources can be be found here.
Seeking Sanctuary Workshop
This interactive workshop aims to give an understanding of the processes people have to go through when seeking sanctuary in the UK and, crucially, how that experience might feel. Rather than simply being presented with the facts, participants are given the opportunity to discover them in a way which encourages them to internalise the information and empathise with those involved.
All the stories are based on real people and events, mostly told at the Independent Asylum Commission hearings www.humanrightstv.com/iac. They have been selected to represent a balance of backgrounds, nationality and gender, and their outcome reflects the overall success rate of those who seek sanctuary in the UK.
To download the resource, Seeking Sanctuary, please click here.
Latest Worship Resources for Advent & WPCU
Worship resources for Remembrance Sunday (9th November 2014), Advent 2014 and the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 2015) are now available on the website of Churches Together in Britain & Ireland (CTBI): www.ctbi.org.uk


text:
California poppy with buddy
by Tom Sundro Lewis
As background for this discussion, let's begin by noting three key principles about your cardiovascular system.
The first principle is that your heart is a muscle. Like other muscles of your body, your heart can be in various states of conditioning or fitness, through the proper balance of exercise and rest. As a muscle, your heart feeds on the life-giving nutrients brought to it by blood circulation. If there's not adequate circulation into the heart muscle itself, its life is seriously threatened. It can't stop functioning to rest or heal, like leg or arm muscles can when they are injured or depleted. When your heart is over-extended and under-nourished, it still desperately seeks to continue pumping. This can lead to the collapse and death of starved tissue in the heart muscle, which constitutes a heart attack.
The second principle is that your heart is part of a vast circulatory system. If all your blood vessels and arteries were connected end to end, they'd reach 60,000 miles–enough to circle the earth nearly two and a half times. The portion of this incredible network that is in and around your heart is lined with smooth muscle tissue that can contract or relax, regulating how open--or how constricted-- these blood vessels are.
When this smooth muscular tissue lining the blood vessels in and around your heart is in a contracted state, reducing the diameter of the blood vessels, then high blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs. When hypertension narrows the vessels leading to the heart, it's harder for the heart muscle to get an adequate flow of nourishment into itself--so it tries to compensate by pumping even harder. This is made even more difficult when the arteries feeding your heart muscle are lined with a build-up of fat and plaque, narrowing them still further. Your heart is working harder and harder, but as its supply lines constrict more, even less nourishment gets through. This is how heart disease and heart attacks develop.
The third principle is that the muscular walls in the parts of your circulatory system in and around your heart are connected by a communication network with your brain. Communication takes place in two ways. First, your brain is constantly releasing hormones into your bloodstream which tell your cardiovascular system what to do. These hormones are picked up by receptor cells lining the walls of your blood vessels. These receptor cells function like satellite dishes. In addition, you also have nerve endings reaching all the way from your brain into the muscular vessel walls, which is an even more direct way of communication. Messages sent from your brain either hormonally or through nerve impulses, can tell the musclular tissue of your circulatory system to either relax or contract. With this communication network you can literally train your circulatory system to tense or relax. We'll return to this subject later.
Because stress plays such a central role in hypertension and heart disease, let's look a little more closely at what stress is. The stress response is a set of changes in your body that result when you experience what you perceive to be a challenging or threatening situation. This matter of "perceived threat" is important because the effects of the stress response on your body are the same, whether the threat is real or just imagined in your mind.
The magnitude of these changes is influenced by how serious you think the situation is, and what you think about your ability to handle the threat effectively (your "appraisal" of your ability to respond). Of course, the more confident you are in your ability to handle a challenge easily, the less stress is involved. The more you appraise the challenge as a threat — even at the subconscious level — the more intense will be the stress response.
Commonly called the "fight or flight" reaction, the stress response has the beneficial effect of preparing your body to function at a higher level of efficiency which, of course, enhances your likelihood of survival. The physiological changes include:
* Increased blood pressure
* Increased respiratory rate
* Increased heart rate
* Increased oxygen consumption (burning of fuel)
* Increased blood flow to skeletal muscles
* Increased perspiration
* Increased muscle tone
While all these changes clearly contribute to your ability to fight or flee in an emergency, they also have a downside. If you are experiencing the stress response regularly and for extended periods of time, these physiological changes have the effect of raising your baseline level of blood pressure, and increasing cholesterol levels in your blood.
In addition, the hormones released during the stress response cause increased platelet aggregation (tendency for blood cause clotting); increased coronary artery tone; a surge in coronary artery pressure; increased glucose levels, and lipid levels; a more rapid and powerful heart beat; and, paradoxically, a constriction in the coronary arteries. In short, the demands on your heart all increase.
With this understanding it's easy to see how individuals who experience stress on a chronic basis are at greater risk for heart diseases. This connection was dramatically illustrated in a study of air traffic controllers, considered to be in a very stressful occupation, who were found to have five times the incidence of hypertension as a comparison group of second class airmen.
The cornerstone of mind/body medicine in heart disease is regularly experiencing the relaxation response. This is a physiological state which was discovered by Dr. Herbert Benson and his colleagues at Harvard Medical School in 1974., They were studying a pattern of changes that occurs in people practicing Transcendental Meditation (TM), but it has since been learned that any form of meditation, as well as imagery, prayer, and breathing exercises can produce this healing state..
This pattern of changes is virtually a mirror image of the stress response. The relaxation response includes the following:
First is reduced blood pressure, which is accomplished by a relaxation of the muscular lining of the 60,000 miles of your circulatory system. Other changes include:
* Reduced respiratory rate
* Reduced heart rate
* Reduced oxygen consumption (that is, burning of fuel)
* Reduced blood flow to skeletal muscles
* Reduced perspiration; and
* Reduced overall muscle tension
The relaxation response is an antidote to the stress response, and it has also been found to enhance the functioning of the immune system. Regular practice of techniques that elicit this response also brings improved emotional well-being, and better handling of stressful life events.
What I find most exciting is the fact that regular practice of the relaxation response actually lowers your body's baseline of reactivity in stressful situations. That is, it serves as a kind of inoculation against the effects of stress, so that it actually takes more stress than before to trigger the stress response in your body.
The medical benefits have been thoroughly documented, and I'd like to share with you the results of just a sampling of studies.
In one study, patients with hypertension who took an 8 week (once a week) training program achieved significantly lower blood pressure that was maintained three years later. Another study, published in the prestigious medical journal Hypertension, showed that relaxation training can reduce hypertension as much as the drugs that are ordinarily used to treat it.
In a study of patients with ischemic heart disease, those who practiced the relaxation response daily for four weeks achieved significant reduction in the frequency of pre-ventricular contractions.
There are also real benefits when you have surgical procedures. For example, a study of patients receiving angioplasty procedures showed that those practicing the relaxation response had significantly less anxiety, pain, and need for medication. In patients receiving heart surgery, those who received the training had significantly lower incidence of post-operative supraventricular tachycardia.
So, how can you go about experiencing the relaxation response on a regular basis? The three most common approaches are meditation, progressive relaxation, and mental imagery.
Looking first at meditation, there are hundreds of variations of this process that have been taught down the ages. While meditation is usually associated with spiritual goals, the fact that it leads automatically to the relaxation response is a welcome benefit. The common ingredients of the many forms of meditation that lead to this healing state are quite simple.
The process should take place in a quiet environment, a setting where you can sit quietly, undisturbed, and in a comfortable position for at least fifteen to twenty minutes. Given this setting, there are only two essential steps. Step 1 is to focus your attention on one thing that keeps you present in this moment.
You might focus on the silent repetition of a word, sound, phrase, or prayer. Or it may be silently observing and feeling the rise and fall of each breath, perhaps thinking to yourself the words "breathing in... breathing out..." Whatever you choose as your focus, the point is to use this single focus to keep yourself tethered to this present moment.
Step 2 is that when you find your mind has wandered and thoughts intrude into your repetition, you just very gently return your attention back to the focus of your attention. It is natural that your mind will wander and thoughts will intrude quite often, so it's important not to judge yourself as "not doing it right" when this happens. Rather, the point is to respond with a passive attitude, as if to say "oh well..." and then come back to the repetition.
Variations on these instructions are at the core of many forms of meditation from diverse spiritual traditions. For example, rather than focusing your attention on your breath, or on a word or phrase, you may choose to sit silently and focus on a soothing and relaxing sound, such as "ohm". Whatever you choose as your focus, the simplicity of these instructions makes the approach available to virtually anyone, regardless of their spiritual or religious beliefs. This is because you can use as your repetitive focus a prayer or any other words that reinforce your beliefs (for example, "God is love"), thereby adding a further dimension of comfort to the experience.
Another common approach to eliciting the relaxation response is called progressive relaxation. In this technique your physical body itself is used as the focus of attention. It may be done either lying down or sitting. One technique involves thinking of your body as a network of muscle groups. Beginning with the muscles of your feet, you focus your attention on each muscle group for a minute or so, and then move on to the next, adjacent muscle group. So you may move from the feet up to the legs, then to the buttocks, then the lower back, then the abdomen, then the chest and rib cage, then the shoulders, the upper arms, the lower arms and hands, then the neck, and finally the face and head.
As you focus on each of the muscle groups in this progression, you may imagine you are breathing your breath into it, and that as you exhale from the area, your outbreath carries with it any tension that was being held there. An alternative is to hold or clench the muscles in the area for a count of ten, and then release for a count of ten, before moving up to the next area. In either case, your attention is progressively moving up through the body, releasing tension as it goes. Elsewhere in this program, I'll be guiding you through an experience of progressive relaxation.
The third major approach is mental imagery. This involves using symbols in your mind's eye to imagine that the changes you desire in your body are actually happening. For example, perhaps you can imagine that tight muscles are represented by a block of ice, and that as you breathe your warm breath into the area, the ice melts, and the tension and tightness melt away, leaving everything soft, warm and deeply relaxed. Perhaps you can imagine the arteries supplying your heart becoming soft, warm, relaxed, and more open. As they soften and expand, more nutrients get through, and any unwanted materials, such as plaque or fat deposits, simply melt away and are released from the body as waste, leaving your arteries fresh and healthy.
In addition to the relaxing effects of such imagery, there's also evidence that the body has the wisdom to actually respond to the details of your images. On another tape in this program I'll be guiding you through an experience of healing imagery for your heart and circulatory system.
Regardless of what form of mind/body medicine you find works best for you, the key to your success is maintaining a regular routine of practice. The benefits will accumulate over time, but it's important to establish momentum and continue it. Perhaps you may find that the early morning is your best time to practice, or perhaps during the day, or in the evening. In any case, I encourage you to set a regular pattern for your self-healing practices.
In conclusion, I hope you'll come to discover that healing yourself is both a challenge and an adventure. Such healing is not a gift or a "spontaneous remission," but is the reward of hard work and devotion to the process. I invite you to use your illness as an opportunity to look within, to become deeply interested in your relationship to your body. I also encourage you to think of your illness as a teacher. You may never have chosen to go through this, but many people who have walked this path before you have been able to look back on this illness one day and feel that through this experience, they learned valuable lessons, and grew in ways that have enriched their lives.
May your journey lead you to the healing that is your birthright.


text:
Night sky time lapse El Teide Spain
August 8, 2014 | Video | No Comments|
This is some absolutely amazing footage of a guy who filmed the night sky over the El Teide volcano (3718m) in Spain as a time lapse.
The Mountain from TSO Photography on Vimeo.
Did you like this article?
Make sure to like Ultimate Backpacking on Facebook to keep up to date!


text:
This is a counterintuitive little recipe. Indeed, you'll get some squished faces if you tell your guests you're serving them steamed beef. But this is delicious. Promise. So why are we steaming prized beef tenderloin? Because gentle steaming honors the delicate nature of the cut and the mildness of the flavor, and it allows the tender texture of tenderloin to be the lead feature in the dish. While a steakhouse char is welcome on beefier cuts, such as strip and rib-eye, the port stain gives the same visual appeal in a super-tender cut. People will ask where you hid your personal chef.
How to Make It
Place garlic on a cutting board; sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Chop until coarse, but consistent. Then, scrape with the flat side of knife to mash.
Place the beef tenderloin medallions on paper towels on a plate. Pat dry on all sides.
Rub the garlic mixture evenly on all 4 beef medallions. Replace the paper towels on the plate, and allow the beef medallions to quick-cure, uncovered, in the refrigerator, for about 30 minutes.
MAKE THE SAUCE Blend the aioli and the chiles. Chill.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the port wine to a boil.
Now, reduce heat to a gentle simmer and reduce wine to a 1/2 cup of liquid. It should be syrupy.
Remove from the heat, and stir in the lemon zest and smoked paprika. Pour the port reduction into a baking dish or shallow pan with a diameter small enough to allow the sauce to pool, yet hold all of the beef medallions.
Set aside.
STEAM THE MEDALLIONS Ready a 10-inch stovetop steamer, filling the pot to a depth of 1 inch. I like using the bamboo steamer for this recipe. You'll only need one layer and the lid. Bring the water to a boil and get the steam going at a full (but not violent) rate.
Place the medallions equidistant on a small square of parchment. Cover and steam for about 6 to 8 minutes or until desired degree of doneness.
Remove the steaks from the steamer. Pat the tenderloin medallions dry with paper towels, and press them down into the port reduction. Allow them to "stain" for 5 minutes on each side.
PLATE YOUR MaSTERPIECE! Transfer the medallions to a cutting board and slice at a broad angle. You should be able to get 4 reasonably thick (about 1/2-inch) slices per medallion.
Spoon 2 tablespoons of the aioli mixture on each of 4 plates and smear, running across the plate with the back of your spoon. Snazzy.
Fan the medallions over the aioli performance art. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of the port reduction on the steaks to finish.
Step by Step: Staining Beef Medallions 1) The Before: You'll effectively have gray beef medallions at this juncture. Fear not. The interior is gloriously rosy. 2) The After: Drying, then "staining" will allow both the deep burgundy color and flavor of the port reduction to absorb into the exterior meat fibers, making your medallions look credibly roasted.
Cooking Light Mad Delicious


text:
This year is a year of quests. In addition to spotting 100 species of birds -- I'm nearly halfway to that goal -- I've decided to completely overhaul my German Village yard for less than $250. For two reasons: I love working in the yard, and if I don't do something, my neighbors would have good cause to file a formal complaint. (They wouldn't, though, they're quite nice.)
A month ago, things were looking bad. The previous tenants started a garden, I'm told, but soon stopped all that. Apparently, they also stopped going outside, as what looked to be a decade of wet leaves were suffocating the lawn and sidwalk when I moved in last year. They were knee-high on the air conditioner last May.
A few bags of mulch, some white Christmas lights and two tomato plants made things tolerable last year. This year, I'm delving head-first into revamping my space.
Here's my progress so far:
Side yard before View larger image
The side yard looked absolutely awful this winter, in no small part because boxes full of garbage were left behind when the previous tenants moved out. I've been slowly removing old lawn furniture, candy wrapper, cigarettes, crumbling bricks, PVC pipe, juice glasses and other debris from the beds. Leaves, sticks and pine boughs had made a nice compost mix, but I had to take most of it out to get at the refuse and start fresh.
Side yard after View larger image
This section doesn't get good sun because of the house and a giant, beautiful black walnut tree that shades most of my land. So, for now, I chose to lay down some brown cypress mulch. The side needed about four bags ($3.87 per bag at Lowe's). Some tall wild grasses and a few flowering vines should start popping up in the next few weeks, and the mulch won't hurt it.
Back yard before View larger image
The back yard also was a mess -- the result of invasive weeds (especially pokeweed) ravishing beds and grass alike. I thought they were kind of cool last year, until they grew five feet tall and stole nutrients from the ivy, day lillies and tulips planted years ago. Remove these things. I felt bad cutting what looked like miniature trees; in the long run, I think, everything will be healthier if tended a bit.
Back yard after View larger image
I'm still in the process of removing heavier stuff from the beds. Already, the ivy has perked up, and the flowers have room bloom in peace. I was careful not to remove too much soil, because you need to leave a nice base for the bulbs to come in next year. A multi-tool pruner from Aldi ($4) has come in handy. It comes with a canvas carrying holster that I wear on my belt, to the embarassment of anyone near me.
Up next: This week, I plan to edge a border bed around three sides of fence and fill in grass that has been browned by a perilous lack of raking. This is where things get tricky. I'll be back in the next week or so with updates.


text:
UAE Royals beat Singapore Slammers 26-23 in IPTL
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Royals defeated Singapore Slammers 26-23 in an International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) match here on Tuesday
Manila (Philippines): The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Royals defeated Singapore Slammers 26-23 in an International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) match here on Tuesday.
World No.16 Ana Ivanovic started the evening for the Royals, winning her women's singles against Karolina Pliskova 6-5 to give the Royals a confident start.
Next, Goran Ivanisevic and Carlos Moya provided true vintage tennis, both legends not willing to give up. Goran prevailed, winning it 6-4 in the legends match.
In the mixed doubles match, Royals' French-Canadian pair of Kristina Mladenovic-Daniel Nestor took on the young-blooded pairing of Swiss-Australian Belinda Bencic and Nick Kyrgios, where the former winning it 6-4.
The men's doubles pairing Nick Kyrgios-Marcelo Melo helped Slammers claw back into the contest with a 6-2 win against Tomas Berdych and Nestor.
In the men's singles face-off, Berdych defeated Kyrgios 6-4 to claim a 26-23 victory for Royals.
"It was a great match, we're very happy to have won. Nick has a big serve, and I managed to play him really well. We are very happy with our match today," Royals' Berdych said after the match.
"For us legends, it's simply unbelievable to be here in the IPTL. The crowd response is amazing; the competitive tennis is a good feeling. It's what I miss the most, that feeling of being a competitive player again, of winning matches. And that is why I like the IPTL," Slammers' Moya said.
Sign up for all the latest news, top galleries and trending videos from Mid-day.comSubscribe


text:
vj for a few years, branching into music production after eventually working out how to use fl studio. i love the internet.
by day mild mannered graphic and web designer, i say mild mannered.... read more »
TunesPlay All
- Stream
Feedmore activity »
- Uploaded Tune jonny pigg uploaded walk the line (jonny da pigg rmx) Fri 25 January 2013
- Fri 28 September 2012
- Uploaded Tune jonny pigg uploaded Dub Pistols Competition – Mucky Weekend Remix Thu 13 September 2012


text:
In case you missed it: News from The Forefront
In case you missed it, Science Life has a new home at The Forefront, a science, health and wellness news and information website for the University of Chicago Medicine, the Biological Sciences Division and the Pritzker School of Medicine.
Be sure to visit the Forefront's dedicated research and discoveries channel to read about our basic science and biomedical discoveries. We will be launching a newsletter to bring you the latest updates soon, but in the meantime here's what you may have missed this week:
Quitting cigarettes: One of the toughest New Year's resolutions
Despite the difficulty, deciding to stop smoking is one of the most common, potentially beneficial and consistently challenging resolutions. We spoke to Andrea King, PhD, professor of psychiatry and co-leader of the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center's Cancer Prevention and Control program, about how to make it work.
Specific microbes in digestive tract can boost success for cancer immunotherapy
In the Jan. 5, 2018 issue of Science, Thomas Gajewski, MD, PhD, and team show that specific strains of commensal bacteria – the swarms of microorganisms naturally dwelling in the intestines – can improve the response rate to immunotherapy for patients being treated for advanced melanoma.
Faculty members receive named, distinguished service professorships
Seventeen University of Chicago faculty members received named professorships or were appointed distinguished service professors, including four from UChicago Medicine and the Biological Sciences Division.
95 UChicago Medicine doctors named to Chicago's 'Top Docs' list
Ninety-five physicians from the University of Chicago Medicine have been named to Chicago magazine's 2018 list of the region's best doctors. That accounts for 16 percent of the 591 doctors who were recognized in the publication's "Top Docs" issue, published online in early January.


text:
Cybersecurity Analytics Certificate
Corporate College Offers Online Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Analytics Through Partnership with Wright State University
- Fall offerings include CEG 6420 and CEG 6430
- Courses can directly transfer into a full master's degree.
- Virtual Cybersecurity Lab (VCSL) provides a hands on practical experience in a safe environment
- Gain a comprehensive technical foundation in cybersecurity
Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) is committed to being a national leader in educating information technology professionals by building on the existing legacy of offering nationally-recognized IT training programs to provide students with cutting-edge, hands-on training opportunities that allow them to attain national industry certifications.
Corporate College, a division of Tri-C, partnered with Wright State University University's Department of Computer Science and Engineering to bring one of the nation's top graduate study programs, leading to the Educational Certificate in Cybersecurity Analytics, to Northeast Ohio professionals. This online certificate will provide business professionals with the technical foundation needed to understand cyberspace and its associated risks.
Cyberspace tools and technologies enable easy and profitable access to markets, data and ideas. It is imperative that we fully understand the risk profiles of cyberspace technologies as they pertain to our personal and professional lives. Armed with such understanding, we can make appropriate choices consistent with our risk tolerances and use cyberspace tools comfortably and confidently. The certificate will provide business professionals with the technical foundation needed to understand cyberspace risk profiles.
Core Courses
CEG 6424 Security Attacks and Defenses: This course focuses on discussing cyber attacks and defenses in topics across the areas of systems, networks and protocols. The specifics of different types of cyber attacks/threats (worms, botnets, spam, DoS/DDoS, viruses, etc.) and defenses will be discussed along with some of the tools currently used to implement attacks and/or defenses. Also, fundamentals of cryptography and information security and ethical considerations related to security and privacy will be discussed.
CEG 6430 Cyber Network Security: This course focuses on security vulnerabilities, threats, attacks and mitigation solutions in the context of cyber networks. Topics include: network traffic analysis, basic cryptography, protocol vulnerabilities, application vulnerabilities, secure networking protocols, malicious logics, firewalls, as well as the design and evaluation of intrusion detection systems. Prerequisites are CS 3100 and CEG 4400.
CEG 6420 Host Computer Security: This course introduces security hardening of a single system and how to protect it when connected to a network. It explains how malware can compromise security and privacy from the moment a machine is powered on until shut down. Topics include: privilege escalation, buffer overruns, network packet mangling, session hijacking, firewalls and ethics. Prerequisites are CEG 4350 or CEG 6350.
CEG 6750 Information Security: This course covers a comprehensive study of security vulnerabilities in information systems and the basic techniques for developing secure applications and practicing safe computing. Prerequisites are CS 3100 and MTH 2300 and ISE 2211 (or STT 3600).
Admissions Requirements
A Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Sciences or a comparable technical degree from an ABET-accredited institution of higher education with a minimum 3.0 GPA is required. Alternatively, if you work in a technical field but have a non-technical bachelor's degree, alternative mechanisms to demonstrate your proficiency and understanding of the field may help you qualify for program admission.
Click on the Request Information bar and complete the form to get program details, costs and admission information.


text:
We're here to assist you whenever you need us. Our trained, professional
staff are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. And we'll
help guide you through a period in your life that most people find very difficult
with genuine sympathy, compassion and understanding.
Read more here...


text:
Orders are shipped Monday - Friday. Any express or Saturday delivery orders made after 3pm (GMT/BST) or on the weekend are shipped next working day.
Your cart is empty
Buy 2 Knits, Save £50
Shop Knitwear Bundle
Behind the Brand
Learn More
Cefinn's jackets and coats are your forever designer pieces. Ladies' blazer jackets are slim-fit with minimalist styling in a wool blend that has a bit of stretch for daytime comfort, while belted coats and peplum jackets create a smart visual twist. Workwear essentials, our outerwear also ups your off-duty game with minimal effort. And for evening, our faux-fur styles add A-list glamour.


text:
Fast Weight Losing Tips For Anyone Who Wants To Change| December 2, 2017
It is very common for people to have an ongoing battle with their overall weight. Many people today have developed bad eating habits that only get worse over time. However, with these fast weight loss tips, anyone will be able to get on the right schedule. Start now and the changes and self confidence will only come faster.
It is going to take a great deal of determination in order for any individual to succeed. Those who have gained a significant amount of weight will have quite an uphill battle that they will need to overcome. As long as the drive is there, the individual should be able to meet their overall goal.
Drinking plenty of water is one of the best ways to flush out the fat. It is always a great idea to simply replace all of the soda and the juice with the water and that will cut down on calories in a big way. After just a couple of weeks of making the switch, individuals have been able to see a lighter, fitter body.
From there, a significant amount of exercise needs to be completed at least 3 times per week. Those who have a lot of weight to lose might want to increase that to a 5 day work out just to get better results. There are gyms that will be able to help or even home DVD sets that people enjoy using just to get that extra kick of privacy.
Try to stay away from the popular fad diets. These diets are typically only designed to help an individual lose a smaller set amount of weight, Most have also reported seeing the weight come back on gradually. Save the money and stick to doing everything in the healthiest way possible.
These fast weight loss tips should be perfect for anyone who really does want to start living the right way. When in good health, an individual is going to feel happy, clear headed and ready to take on anything that steps in front of them. Start right now and get that great body in no time at all.


text:
The Sacramento Kings are the latest mainstream organization to embrace Bitcoin payments, becoming the first professional sports franchise to accept the virtual currency.
Fans can now use Bitcoin to purchase merchandise from the team store, and will be able to buy tickets with the e-money starting March 1. The Kings are partnering with Bitpay, a startup that facilitates Bitcoin transactions, as owner Vivek Ranadive pushes to grow the team's use of technology, increase its social media presence and allow fans to go paperless.
Ranadive, the chief executive officer of TIBCO Software Inc., who established himself by digitizing Wall Street trading floors in the 1980s and 1990s, bought the Kings in May with the hopes of using big data and technology to establish the team and league into global brands. His ambitious plan has raised some eyebrows by focusing on India, Ranadive's country of birth.
The Kings have launched a Hindi-language website, and count Indian development company the Krrish Group as one of its corporate sponsorship partners. This week, Ranadive and Kings centre DeMarcus Cousins started an All-Star Game campaign targeting Indian voters.
Some critics have doubted the ability to grow basketball in a country in which cricket is king, a feat the NBA itself has been trying to accomplish for years, but if anyone has the strategic vision and cultural understanding to do so, it's Ranadive.
Similarly, Ranadive is betting big on Bitcoin's future, despite the view of more conservative analysts that the currency is too young and volatile and follows a traditional path of speculative bubbles. The value of a Bitcoin ballooned from $100 in July to $200 in October to more than $1,000 this month, before receding somewhat to $850 on Thursday afternoon.
Those kinds of jumps make the Kings' investment in Bitcoin a risky one, but because of the team's use of the intermediary Bitpay — which avoids the price fluctuation by quickly converting the e-money into dollars — the risk is placed solely on the fan.
Having organizations like the Kings place public faith in Bitcoin only serves to push it further into the mainstream, and increased confidence coupled with intelligent policy could help to stabilize the currency as the companies that accept it reap the benefits.
After Overstock.com became the first major commercial outlet to accept the currency, sales skyrocketed, with almost $126,000 in Bitcoin transactions completed in just one day. Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne predicts that Amazon.com will soon follow suit, and some people wonder if the IRS will finally be forced to figure out how to handle the currency, which can already be used to pay taxes in the U.S.
So the next time you're in the market for a Rudy Gay jersey, consider yourself on the cutting edge of commerce should you choose to pay with Bitcoin.


text:
Editor's note: Read all of Security Clearance's coverage of the 2012 NATO summit in Chicago
By Mike Mount
This year's NATO summit in Chicago is the biggest one ever, with some 60 countries expected to be in attendance and a host of issues crammed into two short days of meetings.
It is coming at a time when the alliance is under stress, with pressure to wrap up a war in Afghanistan, member countries with dwindling money reserves trying to help finance Afghanistan as it prepares to stand on its own, and questions on how strong the alliance really is in terms of its capabilities.
Recommended: NATO's post-Afghanistan future unclear
While only two days long, the summit will entail a number of complex meetings and discussions that will not unfold in front of TV cameras for all to see.
The meetings will take place in a large, highly secured convention hall outside downtown Chicago. So to help you sift through the bureaucratic talk that will be coming, we here at Security Clearance have put together a handy guide to navigating the NATO summit.
What's the point?
What does NATO really need to get out of this summit? It depends on what side of the ocean you are on. The Europeans will be looking at their pocketbooks and hammering out how they can pool resources and improve their military capabilities as they spend less on their militaries.
But, as the primary leader in the war in Afghanistan, the United States needs to have the alliance come together and hammer out details on what it wants the future of Afghanistan to look like.
The strategic partnership agreement signed by Afghanistan and the United States last month was nothing more than an outline, and U.S. officials have said they will use the summit to start defining what they want this relationship to look like.
As the 2014 deadline for the war in Afghanistan to end draws nearer, the United States and NATO need to use these two days to figure out how a post-NATO Afghanistan will look and how it will be paid for.
2014 and beyond
As U.S. President Barack Obama moves away from a counterinsurgency plan, the United States and NATO believe that the key for Afghanistan's success is to have a strong Afghan military and police force, neither of which is very strong at the moment. In order to build a stronger and more capable force, a good number of trainers will have to continue to work inside Afghanistan. You might be surprised at the number of U.S. troops left in Afghanistan for years to come, depending on the final number of Afghan security forces that will be put into place.
Also, keep an eye out for the number of actual U.S. troops that will be left to hunt Taliban and al Qaeda. That number, too, still has to be decided and will involve negotiations with the Afghan government, which is not keen on keeping actual combat troops within its borders.
The Afghan troop numbers game
As of now the top military commander in Afghanistan, Gen. John Allen, says they are assuming Afghan military and police forces will total 352,000 personnel. Others have suggested around 275,000 or 250,000. The final number may come down to how much it will cost to maintain such a force for the country and how much commitment money the United States will get from its NATO allies and partner countries.
The number of Afghan security forces will also be a factor in the decision on how many U.S. troops will remain in country to train those security forces.
No tote bags, but pledges needed
One of the priorities for the United States will be to start pressuring member countries to kick in for what will be a multibillion-dollar economic plan. The bill could be at least $4 billion per year and the United States could put in about a quarter or as much as a half of that total. About 23 NATO partner nations have also pledged to donate. But while purse strings are being tightened in this world of austerity, the United States would like to see NATO members put in their fair share.
Pakistan ... the problem and solution
Now that it has been invited to the NATO meeting, Pakistan is under pressure to reopen the supply lines into Afghanistan. The first step to watch is if Pakistan will accept the invitation to the conference.
NATO is not really the crowd Pakistan wants to be around because discussions will almost certainly surround the lack of security in Pakistan's western tribal regions, where Taliban and al Qaeda militants hide and feed insurgents and weapons into Afghanistan.
However, look for more details to come out on Pakistan agreeing to more military operations in the border area.
Missile defense, Moscow takes offense
Outside of Afghan talks, the other hot topic will be the continued push to build up missile defense systems around Europe to protect from a ballistic missile attack from Iran, something Russia is vehemently opposed to.
U.S. officials have already said they do not expect a deal with Moscow this year, and Moscow is still pushing for an agreement by NATO that ensures the missile system would not be used against its missiles, something the United States and NATO will not do.
If NATO announces the placement of more systems around Europe, look for a blistering response from Moscow, which is already threatening arming its borders to counter, what it perceives as, a threat to its nuclear missile deterrent.
Damascus dilemma
While NATO has said there will be no Libya-style intervention in Syria because there is no legal authority, expect some conversations about Syria to take place even though it is not officially on the agenda.
Because Turkey is part of NATO, and it has some legitimate concerns along its border with Syria, Turkey could start to put heavy pressure on the alliance to make some kind of move. It is a long shot, but look to see if there are discussions on whether a NATO force could be created to protect safe havens along the Turkey-Syrian border.
The NATO facebook
New French President Francois Hollande: The new socialist leader will be attending his first head-of-state NATO conference just days into his job. Early thoughts, based on what he has said as a candidate, could be that he will remove French troops from Afghanistan earlier than his predecessor was planning - as early as the end of this year, not in 2013.
It is not clear if he will go through with that plan, but it is worth keeping an eye on him to see how he builds his new NATO relationships, or not - especially if he announces while in Chicago that he is pulling his troops early.
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari: While it has already been announced by the White House that Obama and Zardari will not meet in the Chicago summit if the Pakistani leader shows up, that does not mean Zardari will be sidelined. He knows that NATO members, especially the United States, will tread lightly in public so as to not irritate the Afghan neighbor, especially if the Pakistani government is still deliberating whether to open the crucial NATO supply lines.
Zardari could also take advantage of the United States stepping on diplomatic eggshells and make some public demands on NATO and the United States. But he has to show up to do that.
Russian President Vladimir Putin: Some analysts believe that Putin is not sincere in his saying he decided not to attend the Chicago summit because he has to assemble a new government, especially as the new French leader will come days after his first day on the job.
The real excuses could be that as the key to al-Assad's ouster, he does not want to face tough issues on Syria, and that he does not have much assistance to offer the West on Iran. He will be leaving that job to Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who will be attending in his stead.
But expect the stone-faced but fiery leader to blast NATO from afar on its European missile defense program, which he believes is threatening his country's nuclear deterrent.
U.S. Gen. John Allen, commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan: Allen, who has overseen the transition from counterinsurgency operations to the new train-and-equip strategy in Afghanistan, has also voiced concern about withdrawing troops too quickly over the final two years.
But Allen could be getting a promotion. U.S. officials tell CNN the president is expected to nominate Allen in early 2013 to lead U.S. European Command and to be the supreme allied commander of NATO.
An announcement could be made as early as in Chicago that Allen will be moved from his Kabul post. The move would keep Allen involved in Afghanistan, through NATO, but make room for a commander more suited to the shift to counterterrorism and special operations.
Allen also gets to have some fun. He's scheduled to throw a ceremonial pitch at a Chicago Cubs home game during the summit.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai: Karzai will leave office in 2014, the same year all U.S. combat forces are due out. He has been a thorn in the side of the United States for years now, but don't expect a victory dance from the United States or NATO when Karzai's time is up.
He undoubtedly will ensure the United States and NATO will not walk all over him in his final two years by leaving his mark on the ongoing strategic partnership agreement negotiations.
r gratisto and design to nal time consuming take are we nya discounted
Thank You for this share and keep up the good work. Cheers!
Normally I do not learn article on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to take a look at and do it! Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thank you, very great article.
I like the valuable info you supply to your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check once more here frequently. I'm somewhat sure I'll be informed many new stuff right here! Best of luck for the following!
Great points altogether, you simply won a emblem new reader. What could you suggest about your post that you simply made a few days in the past? Any certain?
I feel that is one of the such a lot important info for me. And i'm satisfied studying your article. But should statement on some general things, The website style is ideal, the articles is truly nice : D. Just right activity, cheers
Beaning the end of western hinduism, terrorism around the globe, slowly but surely Al Qaeda is making hindu terrorist forces of the west to retreat, Obey truth absolute 360* un divided
Beaning the end of western hinduism, terrorism around the globe, slowly but surely Al Qaeda is making hindu terrorist forces of the west to retreat, Obey truth absolute 360* un divided or face elimination of hindu Judaism, filthy secularism and hindu Jew's, criminal secular s, denier of truth absolute as in the past.


text:
It is quite common for both beginner and advanced runners to feel knee pain after running, but what does this mean? It is always important to pay close attention to your body, but it is especially important when you are an athlete. Pain is your body's way of trying to tell you something. Knee pain or knee popping accompanied by sharp knee pain could be a sign of serious health concerns.
If you have been experiencing knee pain, it is crucial for you to stop your running routine and identify the root cause of the pain or knee popping. Here is an overview of some common reasons why runners experience knee pain:
Injury. Unfortunately knee pain after running or knee popping could be a sign of injury. The pain could be an indication that you have injured the ligaments or joints in the knee. Knee pain could also be caused by a previous injury that may have been exacerbated by running. Injuries could be very serious such as knee dislocation or something minor like runner's knee.
Weight. Many people turn to running to lose weight, but overweight individuals put extra stress on their knees when running. Additional pressure on your joints is bad for your body and can certainly lead to knee pain. Overweight individuals may need to try walking or jogging in order to put less stress on the knees.
Shoes. The right pair of supportive footwear is incredibly important to pain-free running. Athletes who wear inappropriate shoes when running will probably experience knee pain after running.
Terrain. Some running surfaces are harder to run on than others. If you prefer to run outdoors on hard surfaces like concrete, it is likely that you will have knee pain. Consider running on a rubber track or running indoors on a treadmill.
Diet. Eating a healthy diet can help contribute to joint health which is crucial to running with pain. If you aren't eating correctly, you may notice knee popping followed by sharp knee pain. This is a sign of poor joint health. Eating foods like calcium-rich food and leafy vegetables will give you the nutrients you need to keep your joints healthy.
There are many different causes for knee pain after running; this is not an exhaustive list. If you suspect you have a serious injury, be sure to check with your doctor. Do not continue running if you are experiencing knee pain. Stop running and identify the root cause.
After you have found the cause (and treated it) you can resume your running schedule. If you still experience periodic knee pain, you can easily treat the pain with hot or cold packs and over-the-counter pain relief. The most important thing to remember is to listen to your body. When your body is in pain, this is an urgent message that you must listen to.
Although it can be discouraging to experience sharp knee pain after running, you can't let a little knee pain get in the way of achieving your fitness goals. With some patience and hard work, you will be able to overcome this challenge.


text:
Luann de Lesseps is doing her best to look on the bright side, even while she deals with alcohol dependency in rehab.
Following a run-in with the law, "life-saving" rehab, and a recent relapse that came after six months of sobriety, de Lesseps entered rehab this past week, skipping the Season 10 reunion special for "The Real Housewives of New York City" in the process.
Despite her disappointment, Us Weekly reports she posted a hopeful message over an image of a sunset at the end of a pier. "Never regret a day in your life: good days give happiness, bad days give experience, worst days give lessons, and best days give memories," she wrote.
The quote appeared to be a version of the words of Dr. Sukhraj S. Dhillon, author of "Art of Stress-Free Living."
Bravo has given its blessing to its "RHONY" cast member's pursuit of health and happiness, saying in a statement, "Bravo supports Luann's decision to focus on her health. She is part of the Bravo family and we continue to stand by her as she copes with this challenging situation. At this time, we hope everyone will respect her privacy."


text:
This week only: 200 courses at a special price → Choose yours
Considered the first female filmmaker, Alice Guy-Blaché pioneered techniques that shaped the history of cinema
Alice Guy-Blaché was born in the Parisian suburb of Saint-Mandé in 1873. More than half a century after her death, her trailblazing contribution to the history of cinema is being rediscovered, and her story shared.
Until recently, Guy-Blaché's significant role had been overlooked, erased from the history books, despite her body of work comprising over a thousand emotionally-engaging, universal, magical films that she wrote, directed, or produced. Her output during the first quarter of the twentieth century was far greater than Thomas Edison, the Lumières, and Georges Méliès.
Considered the first female filmmaker, she was among the first filmmakers to use techniques such as storytelling, editing, the close-up, synchronized sound, primitive special effects, and hand-tinted color. Her work was not only groundbreaking in a technical sense, but a thematic one too.
Branding Development
Ciudad de México, Mexico


text:
weightlifting belts
USA Made Weightlifting Belts by IRON COMPANY are quality crafted from 100% genuine sole leather right here in the USA. Heavy duty hardware includes nickel-plated rivets, buckles and levers that won't let you down when you need it most.
What type of weight lifting belt is best for you? Well the best style of weight belt is dependent on what it will be used for. Are you a weightlifter or bodybuilder? If so, then a 3" or 4" tapered belt may be best, and most comfortable. The narrow taper in the front allows better range of motion throughout different exercises. Most powerlifters prefer a 4" wide belt with no taper but with two ply leather for better support and holding power. Double prongs and steel levers are a popular design that is sure not to fail during heavy deadlifts or squats.
Leather Weightlifting Belt Colors, Treatments and Coverings - Look in any muscle magazine and the most common leather weight belts you'll see used by both men and women has always been the treated leather that resembles the type used for baseball gloves. Today you'll find your favorite belt in optional colors from pink to camouflage. Some of these new colors and patterns are integrated into materials such as nylon fabric and suede leather.


text:
Our business research and market analysis helps organizations across different industry verticals solve their business problems. We are always scrupulous about our work and provide customized market research reports revealing the hidden truths on different verticals like pharmaceutical, oil and gas, telecommunications, real estate, logistics, energy, healthcare, technology, FMCG, food & beverages and media sectors.
Azoth Analytics creates in-depth research reports by recording, interpreting and analyzing information through primary and secondary research. Our strategic market sizing and data dredging techniques include secondary research, interviews with key market players and industry experts and use of industry specific statistical tools which helps in designing and planning effective research for our global and local clients.
Azoth Analytics Consulting assists clients across the globe to enter, progress, and develop in the targeted market through our fact-based business intelligence. We deliver practical and implementable solutions to our domestic and international clients. Our analysts are skilled with techniques of data gathering, market sizing, forecasting, analyzing and providing competitive intelligence and provide progressive research in verticals including healthcare & pharmaceutical...
Our focus is on studying contribution of energy and power generation sources like thermal energy, solar power, biofuel and carbon fibre contributing to urbanisation and remarkably producing power without depletion of natural resources. Reports are created using inputs from industry experts and also primary research.


text:
Lala Music To Enter The Facebook Gift Shop
A Facebook music service has been rumored about for three years now, but according to Brad Stone, the first official integration with Facebook will come from Lala who will integrate the service into the Facebook gift store. This comes as news of a partnership between Lala, iLike, and Google first surfaced this morning.
Facebook has been testing developer integration in the gift shop for some time now, however it appears that those tests will become widespread later this week. At the end of September we covered the addition of JibJab and someecards to the Facebook gift shop. While Facebook will not officially state whether or not they plan on opening the shop to all developers, we saw some initial signs that they could via the Facebook PHP library last week.
Facebook claims that the gift shop and payment methods have been available via the developer library since earlier this year, however last week was the first time they were brought to our attention. Regardless of how the Facebook gift shop will function in the future, this integration with Lala is the first time we've definitively heard of any Facebook music service. So how will this new service function? According to Brad Stone:
People can give friends, say, Elvis Costello's aging ballad, "Veronica" for their 40th birthday. And Lala is the perfect partner for this. It charges 10 cents (or one Facebook credit) for a "Web song" which can be played online in perpetuity; for full price, usually around 10 credits, the recipient of the music gift will be able to download the song and transfer it to their iPod.
We will most definitely cover the news once the Lala announcement is official but this sounds like a great implementation of music on Facebook. Would you purchase music for your friends?


text:
Auto Color, Inc.
- 2610 Parmenter Street
- Middleton, WI 53562 | View Map
- (608) 831-9554
- http://www.autocolorwi.com
Business Description:
- Vehicle reconditioning services provided to car dealerships and general public which include:minor auto body/paint repair,upholestry, plasticbumper repair,detailing
- auto body repair & painting
- Request an appointment
Kelly's Review
Grade A team & excellent work
Had some dog claw scratches on my drivers side door along with what looked like 3 spots where a shopping cart scratched the door (each mark about an inch long and inch wide) I heard of estimates over $200 to fix, but auto color did it for $100. Not only that, but when I got my estimate, they scheduled me the next day to get it fixed and worked with my schedule to better suite my time frame. Although they quoted 1 hr to fix, they did it in less than 30 min! Very impressed with the staff and their ability to be professional but laid back and not up tight. Only request would be that they provide chairs for customers instead of a giant red leather couch. Thanks again guys! You're awesome. Hope you get a big party at the end of the year for all your hard work!


text:
Easy Build Kit - P-51D Mustang
Click To Enlarge
- Item #: SPK1
P-51D Mustang in 352nd Fighter Group colors - in fact this is the aircraft flown by Lt. Col. John Meyer, commanding officer of the 487th Fighter Squadron. 1:48 scale, wingspan 12", length 8". Retractable landing gear, propeller that spins, includes stand. Assembly required - all tools and parts included. NO GLUE REQUIRED. Priced at $12.00


text:
Beauty Salon
This beauty salon design showcases a video and your latest offer on the front page which makes customers engage with your site.
Fashion Boutique
Showcase the latest and trendy dresses that will capture the attention of your customers. Post your best offer on the front page.
Hair Salon
Is your hair salon business on mobile? If not, then you should think about putting your site out there by using this beautifully designed theme.
Jewelry Shop
This elegant design will work well for your jewelry shop. It is elegant and simple which will make your site stand out from the rest.
Our restaurant mobile website design puts the best of your menu on an intuitive mobile website. Showcase your latest food creations and make mouths water.
Coffee Shop
This mobile website design helps your coffee shop look professional and attractive. Put up your latest offer on the front page and watch people avail it.
Showcase your different pizza creations with our mobile website design. Show off your latest line of delicious pizza.
Our mobile design is suited for your steakhouse business. Show a video on how your steaks are cooked and show your latest deals.
Get this mobile website design to place your plumbing business online an on mobile device. Take advantage of this easy to work with design.
Real Estate
Showcase the properties that you sell with this clean mobile website design. Easily post pictures of the properties and increase your reach.
Garden Services
Maximize the online presence for your garden services business with this beautifully designed theme. Show your latest garden creations.
Flower Shop
This mobile website design is a good fit for your flower shop business. Show your latest coupons or offerings on the front page of the design.
This mobile website design allows your hotel business to showcase its rooms and important amenities. Those looking for a hotel will notice your mobile site.
Taxi Services
A mobile website design that will suit your taxi services company. Have your customers contact you directly using your mobile site.
Night Club
Make your night club stand out by using this elegant and mobile website design. Show different videos on the front page of your mobile website.
Travel Agent
Showcase the beauty and the tourist attractions of the best destinations that your travel agency caters to using this mobile website design.
Financial Services
This mobile website design will help you connect with your prospects by showing them your latest offers and fund performance.
Law Firm
As more people use the internet to search for services including law firms. Use this mobile template to widen your reach.
As a lawyer, having a mobile website is indeed an advantage. Display your expertise and contact details with Facebook and Twitter.
Computer Services
This mobile website design is perfect for your computer services business. List down the different services you provide and display your latest offers.
Medical Company
This mobile website design allow you to showcase your different specializations and display discount coupons or your different promos.
Dental Services
This mobile design is a perfect fit for your dental services business. You can show videos and widen your reach by providing a link to your Facebook.
Fitness Center
This mobile design will showcase the best that your fitness center has to offer. Show different workouts or snapshots of what your fitness center looks like.
Dog Grooming
Your dog grooming business would want to install this mobile website design. You can use this as a portfolio of the different dogs you have groomed.
Master Locksmith
Open locked doors of customers using this mobile website design. Show what you do and what your clients say about you with this mobile design.
Wheels & Tires
Your wheels and tires business may need an online mobile website design. Display your latest offers and discount coupons for your customers.
Wedding Planner
This mobile design will match well with your wedding planner business. You can display photos and videos of different events which you have planned.
Cupcake Shop
Showcase your cupcake shop's delicious creations using this mobile website design. Let your customers know about your latest products and offers.


text:
No matter how small devices are, all moving parts need to be lubricated. Otherwise, the nano- and micro-scale devices eventually fail due to adhesion and friction. Self-assembled monolayers and other coatings have been widely investigated for this purpose; but it is well known that without continuous replenishment or self-healing, these coatings will eventually fail. Our group is addressing these issues in nanotribology.* We are currently exploring the use of gas adsorption isotherms for continuous formation and replenishment of nanofilms of lubricating molecules on the surface of working microelectromechancial systems (MEMS) devices. We have studied the alcohol adsorption isotherm and demonstrated that it can be used to reduce adhesion and friction and most of all prevent wear of silicon oxide even under the extreme pressure condition of AFM. In collaboration with Dr. Michael T. Dugger at the Sandia National Laboratory, we are studying the efficacy of alcohol vapor lubrication in tests of MEMS friction diagnostic structures.**
New task in our group is to understand tribological contacts of noble metallic surfaces involved in MEMS applications. Metal contacts allow for an electrical current to pass through the device, opening a broad range of new applications. However it has been shown that the noble metals, used for their beneficial hardness and electrical resistance properties, can also act as catalysts under tribological conditions. This can result in deposition of insulating organic layers at device interfaces. These deposits can negatively affect the friction and electrical resistivity of the device and cause device failure. This leads to two important questions; can we stop the formation of this tribochemical organic deposition while still lubricating the surface, or can we manipulate this organic layer to reduce friction while keeping electrical resistivity low. Answering these questions should help broaden the range of applications for MEMS devices.
(a, b) SEM images of MEMS side-wall tribometer. (c) Friction coefficient measured with MEMS tribometer as a function of cycles (bottom axis) and operation time (top axis) in dry nitrogen and n-pentanol vapor environments.
- * S. H. Kim, D. B. Asay, and M. T. Dugger "Nanotribology and MEMS" NanoToday 2007, 2, 22 – 29.
- ** D. B. Asay, M. T. Dugger, and S. H. Kim, "In-situ Vapor-Phase Lubrication of MEMS " Tribol. Lett. 2008, 29, 67-74.


text: An astounding 95% of all people will experience acne at some point during their lives. If you are not fortunate enough to be one of the blessed 5%, you understand the frustration that acne can cause. For many, acne often proves to be out of their control. At RejuvenationMD Aesthetic Skin Treatment and Wellness Center, we are pleased to be able to offer a number of effective solutions. Whether it be one pimple or a full breakout, Dr. Tsitsis and her staff can help you manage your acne.


text:
Giant sequoias, the planet's largest trees and among the oldest living things on Earth—many of the largest are over 3,000 years old—depend on fire to help them reproduce. Learn how a destructive force is necessary for new life in this clip from Nature on PBS. Some background from nps.gov:
In the early 1960s, Dr. Richard Hartesveldt explored the connection between fire and sequoia regeneration. His small-scale prescribed fires followed nearly a century of fire suppression, and resulted in the germination of sequoia seeds and the recruitment of sequoia seedlings – something that had not occurred in the absence of fire.
Since those first experiments, researchers have further shown the benefits to sequoias from fire. Dendrochronology has determined that low intensity surface fires swept through the big trees approximately every 5 to 15 years. Sequoias rely on fire to release most seeds from their cones, to expose bare mineral soil in which seedlings can take root, to recycle nutrients into the soil, and to open holes in the forest canopy through which sunlight can reach young seedlings.
Sequoias also need fire to reduce competition from species such as white fir (Abies concolor) and Incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens), which are shade-tolerant and able to recruit seedlings in heavy litter and duff. Fire suppression has resulted in heavy accumulation of forest litter and the encroachment of thick stands of white fir and incense cedar, both of which compete with sequoias for water and nutrients. A natural fire cycle thins these competing species, and provides suitable conditions for sequoia growth.
Next: How do firefighters combat and control wildfires? Plus, more time lapse plants and more giant sequoias and redwoods, including how scientists climb & measure redwood giants.
Related reading: Differences between giant sequoia and redwood and the science of Fire Ecology.


text:
Best Practices Question
We just migrated our K2000 from VMWare to Hyper-V...
06/06/2015 2017 views
We wanted to leave both up for a short period of time so we setup the second with a separate license Key (we had bought 4, only using 2 currently). In migrating the RSAs, we noticed that even though all content exists on the RSA, it wipes the content and re-syncs? Is there a way to get around this?
0 Comments [ + ] Show comments


text:
Back to Journals » Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management » Volume 13
Risk factors and early outcomes of acute renal injury after thoracic aortic endograft repair for type B aortic dissection
Authors Luo S, Ding H, Luo J, Li W, Ning B, Liu Y, Huang W, Xue L, Fan R, Chen J
Received 1 January 2017
Accepted for publication 7 June 2017
Published 17 August 2017 Volume 2017:13 Pages 1023—1029
DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/TCRM.S131456
Checked for plagiarism Yes
Review by Single anonymous peer review
Peer reviewer comments 2
Editor who approved publication: Professor Deyun Wang
Songyuan Luo,* Huanyu Ding,* Jianfang Luo, Wei Li, Bing Ning, Yuan Liu, Wenhui Huang, Ling Xue, Ruixin Fan, Jiyan Chen
Cardiology Department, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Coronary Heart Disease Prevention, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
*These authors contributed equally to this work
Background: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has become an emerging treatment modality for acute type B aortic dissection (TBAD) patients in recent years. The risk factors and impacts of acute kidney injury (AKI) after percutaneous TEVAR, however, have not been widely established.
Methods: We retrospectively studied the clinical records of 305 consecutive patients who admitted to our institution and had TEVAR for TBAD between December 2009 and June 2013. The patients were routinely monitored for their renal functions preoperatively until 7 days after TEVAR. The Kidney Disease Improving Global Guidelines (KDIGO) criteria were used for AKI.
Results: Of the total 305 consecutive patients, 84 (27.5%) developed AKI after TEVAR, comprising 66 (21.6%) patients in KDIGO stage 1, 6 (2.0%) patients in stage 2 and 12 (3.9%) patients in stage 3. From the logistic regression analysis, systolic blood pressure (SBP) on admission >140 mmHg (odds ratio [OR], 2.288; 95% CI, 1.319–3.969) and supra-aortic branches graft bypass hybrid surgery (OR, 3.228; 95% CI, 1.526–6.831) were independent risk factors for AKI after TEVAR. Local anesthesia tended to be a protective factor (OR, 0.563; 95% CI, 0.316–1.001). The preoperative renal function, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker or statin administration, volume of contrast agent, range of TBAD and false lumen involving renal artery were not associated with post-operation AKI. The in-hospital mortality and major adverse events were markedly increased with the occurrence of AKI (7.1% vs 0.9%, P=0.006; 14.3% vs 3.2%, P<0.001, respectively).
Conclusions: TEVAR for TBAD has a high incidence of AKI, which is associated with worse in-hospital outcomes. SBP on admission and supra-aortic branches graft bypass hybrid surgery were the most significant risk factors. Renopreventive measures should be considered in high-risk patients.
Keywords: risk factor, acute renal injury, endovascular repair, aortic dissection
This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution - Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License. By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms.Download Article [PDF] View Full Text [HTML][Machine readable]


text:
Bishop Dunne Catholic School closed today and will reopen Tuesday as a high number of teachers and student have come down with the flu over the past two weeks.
The school will use these four days to clean and disinfect the building, and students are being instructed online.
The flu has killed 106 people in the Dallas area this winter, including a 37-year-old Oak Cliff woman. Several other schools have closed as the flu has taken hold, including Jesuit College Preparatory School.


text:
Rockclimbing for all the family
If you are an individual or part of a family that would like to try the sport of rock-climbing now is your chance. Mid-Tipp hillwalkers annual rockclimbing for fun day takes place on Saturday next, August 11, departing from the Horse and Jockey at 1.45pm.
The emphasis here will be on fun climbing for families and adult beginners at an event, which is always hugely popular. All are welcome and climbing and abseiling equipment will be provided for those new to the sport. Further information on this event from 087-2240368.
FM Ridge Climbers
Also congratulations to Josephine Tobin, Joan Quinn, Dan Condren and Eoin Wolohan on, earlier this week putting their rockclimbing skills to good use by , completing a full ascent of FM Ridge, which is the most famous climb in the Mourne Mountains. Meanwhile, the usual high level walk (led by Ollie Walsh) and moderate level walk (led by Ray Creaney) will depart from outside Cashel firestation at 11am on Sunday next , August 12. Further information on all Mid-Tipp Hillwalkers activities at www.midtipphillwalkers.ie


text: Today's theme is "Close Up" … this is of one of my new neighbours up close and personal ... or it could be a micro take on anything. But a close up of bark, a friend, a texture or the traffic. This week share your photos on "Close Up"? OR Use my above photo to … Continue reading Close Up – Tuesday Photo Prompt


text:
Massive Chalice lead Brad Muir says that big name Kickstarter campaigns help smaller projects find funding.
In 2012, Tim Schafer's studio Double Fine arguably kicked off a boom of studios and developers turning to crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter to raise money for their projects. Double Fine's campaign would go onto to raise more then three million dollars, money that has since been put toward the development of the still in-progress title Broken Age. The arguable poster child for gaming fundraisers, Double Fine recently launched a second campaign, this time to raise money for a turn-based strategy title called Massive Chalice.
It was a move that could arguably have irked some in the gaming community. Double Fine, in some ways, could have been seen as exploiting crowdfunding resources when it had yet to deliver the game promised in its previous campaign. Likely aware that such criticisms could arise, the studio addressed the issue directly on the Massive Chalice Kickstarter page. Now, with the Massive Chalice campaign a success, project lead Brad Muir has offered further insight into why the company opted to Kickstart a second project less than two years after its first. "We're not greedy," said Muir. "Double Fine's a pretty large company at this point and we have multiple teams. We need to make sure they're all working on funded projects and we were excited about the idea of doing more projects out in the open like Broken Age. It's highly unlikely that we'd be able to be this public with our development process if we had signed the game with a traditional publisher."
While some might try to make the argument that smaller, less visible projects could use the funding more, Muir would counter that the success of campaigns like Massive Chalice's are beneficial to crowdfunding as a whole. "Kickstarter has been very public about the fact that bringing more people to the Kickstarter system through higher profile projects only helps out the lower profile projects," said Muir. "We received some awesome emails during the Broken Age Kickstarter from indie game devs thanking us for having such a positive effect on their Kickstarters that were running at the same time."


text:
You can count on our truck insurance plans to give you coverage customized to your specific needs.
If your business offers or involves trucking services, you need commercial truck insurance. At Jamieson-Hilts Insurance Brokers Ltd., we offer truck insurance policies that can be customized to suit a variety of operations, depending on the type of truck, the type of goods carried, the risks incurred, and the experience of the driver. Navigating these coverages alone can be tricky, but our expert team is on hand to guide you through the process and choose the best coverage for your specific needs. Small business owners can feel frustrated by truck insurance policies geared toward larger operations, but we will help you find the best coverage no matter the size of your business.
Basic truck insurance consists of both collision and comprehensive coverage. Collision coverage protects you if you were at fault and will cover the cost of repairs to both vehicles. Comprehensive truck insurance functions similarly to standard auto insurance and will cover the cost of damage to your vehicle up to a maximum value. Truck insurance can also cover the additional risks associated with trucking operations, including commercial auto liability as well as loss or damage to the cargo.
At Jamieson-Hilts Insurance Brokers Ltd., we are proud to serve the Woodstock, Ontario community and want to help you get the most from your truck insurance. If you're not sure what you need from your truck insurance policy, give us a call or stop by our offices to discuss the best coverages with one of our experienced team members.


text:
Getting to know people from all over the world and sending them instant messages is no longer a dream. It has become a part of our daily routine since computer-based communication programmes were invented. However, people are starting to doubt that this dream was worth fulfilling.
It goes without saying that the invention of the Internet has greatly benefitted us. It has cut the distances between the people short and enabled us to meet people from other countries. Nowadays people living in different parts of the globe have a chance to become friends and learn about each other's cultures. However, this type of communication entails certain risks. On realizing the anonymity of Internet communication some people create a completely new virtual identity which has nothing to do with their real personality. For them the Internet is a kind of escape into a better reality, where they are more successful. Needless to say, it is much more attractive than their daily routine and causes unhealthy addiction. Another risk related to the Internet communication is that it is a breeding ground for various scams who try to swindle Internet users out of their money using cunning schemes. Many people would say that telecommuting deserves special mentioning as it has given people an opportunity to work from home and make their working schedule more flexible. Nevertheless it also cuts both ways. It has deprived employees of personal contact with colleagues and forced them to look for other ways to satisfy their need for socializing.


text:
A Process Manufacturer's Roadmap to Dynamics 365: ERP, CRM, and BI
Microsoft has introduced us to Dynamics 365, a cloud business solution combining ERP, CRM, and BI tools into a single online product. But what does this mean for your manufacturing organization? During this webcast, hear how the conversion of Dynamics AX into a web-based system will allow your employees to work from anywhere at any time.
See a preview of the roadmap for the new offering and learn how Edgewater Fullscope and Dynamics 365 can work together to help you streamline your processes, increase your responsiveness and, in turn, experience significant cost savings.
Friday, October 28, 2016